Your ride today....

[Mike_P]

After last weeks venture out on my Defy which revealed a dodgy back brake and something wrong with both the front and rear derailleurs I spent whatever time was available (light and dry) on evenings this week fixing it. Back brake simply a loose brake block, followed some on-line instructions re how to fix a rear derailleur and that worked fine, then I tried the front....ended up trying to fit a new cable this morning only to find I could not release the existing.

Bike wheeled to and from LBS as did not fancy riding it with loose handlebar tape waving all over the place. The LBS of course released the cable in a split second - bought a new length of outer housing as a bit was damaged so not an entire waste of time if possibly I had persisted a bit longer with the cable. Fitted new cable and manual tug on the cable showed the front derailleur to move okay but the shifters still refused to shift it with the chain stuck on the smaller chainring.

So I think the shortest bike ride for many many years, 2.7 miles to LBS and back - apparently the cable was not tight enough, I blamed it on the now apparently unbroken broken collarbone. Anyway hopefully £5 well spent. Of course no sooner than I was half way home than it started raining so bike put away probably until next weekend judging by the weather forecast. Still even less than 3 miles involved 195ft of climbing with the return route slightly different to avoid a steep section.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Despite some calling it off due to a small but dispersing amount of rain it was Sara P and me in the Green. Pete M and Margaret PR were at the Pot as the rain passed away to leave blue patches in the sky. Tewkesbury was the call and Pete had a different route in mind. I was confused. The plan had a road I didn't know in it. Anyway we took to the school and on down to Haw Bridge. Then we dodged round Deerhurst for the crossing of that horrid A38. At Tredington Sara headed homeward while we took to the run towards Gotherington. Now we took to the busy Cheltenham road to turn onto a road I'd never ridden as it only links two busy main roads. Fortunately we were able to find an easy dodge back into the lanes and avoid the death trap that is the A46. We looped nicely back into Tewkesbury to take our refreshments in the Abbey's adjacent tea room.

Much chat later Margaret headed off home while Pete and I continued to sort through stuff over another cup of tea. Eventually we headed off around the Strensham lanes and the standard run back from Upton. Just another small amount of rain began as we rolled in. All good, a lovely social outing, no bikes got wet and Pete showed me a road I'd never used. 55 smiles

 

[Arjimlad]

My son & I did the inaugural Great Western Granny's Cotswolds Telegram ride today. 165km from Frenchay up to Cheltenham via Nailsworth, then back via Northleach, Nailsworth again, climbing up past Forest Green Rovers to Dursley, thence back to Frenchay. A fair few hills to climb along the way but we stuck with 2 other riders and had a jolly nice bimble out. The controls were great, the lunchtime halfway mark even had a lovely BBQ so we could enjoy a burger with bacon & cheese. Oodles of cake too.

I hope they do it again. I will try to remember to wear thicker padded shorts next time though

https://www.strava.com/activities/1209007870

 

[Glow worm]

Back in north west Norfolk for a couple of days having cycled here via Ely and Kings Lynn rail stations yesterday.

Visited an old family friend now in a nursing home in Snettisham then headed back through Sedgeford and Ringstead.

Sustrans route 1 heading east into Burnham Market. Lots of long straight but thankfully quiet single track roads.

Looking north, the sea is there somewhere.

29 mile round trip rounding off September's miles annoyingly just 8 short of 300. If I could be bothered I'd nip out and do them now, but the old sat by the fireside, wine thing has kicked in so I'll just have to make do.

 

[Saluki]

I just took a quick trip up to Sibsey today, on Eric. I needed to get out and ride and I also needed to sit down and talk to the ex about a divorce. Seemed a good plan to ride there, natter, ride back. Thus making cake OK as well.

It's bloody boring, that route. The first 10km is ok as it's vaguely lumpy with some actual bends in the road. The last 10km the same but in the opposite direction. The middle bit is as flat as a pancake and the road is long and dead straight. Nicer on the way back as I was going home, the wind was at my back for a change and I knew that my home made walnut and raisin bread would have cooled and that I could eat some when I got in. It was very nice by the way.
Just 50.9km so that did very nicely. My new steel roadie is bereft of seat as the clamp thing is broken. The PX roadie has a broken spoke and Mavic are as slow as a slow thing sending new ones. They did send spokes but sent non-drive side ones, instead of the drive side ones as ordered.

 

[Reynard]

Still feeling leaden-legged following the lurgies, but popped out for a 14 mile jaunt this afternoon before the showers rolled in.

Nowt special, just one of my usual loops via Downham, Way Head, Coveney and Ely. The first half of that was hard work into a cross headwind, which left me huffing and puffing (and coughing) on the granny gears, but a good part of the return leg was powered by a tailwind that had me really enjoying the latter part of the ride. Was good to get out - being out on the bike always makes me feel better.

The hedgerows are still loaded with goodies, but it's rather obvious that quite a few people have been laying in stocks of sloe gin - since I was last out this way, many of the bushes near Isle Vets have been totally stripped. In fact, there was a family busy picking sloes as I went past. The apple tree in Way Head still has plenty of fruit on it - growing in the middle of a 6 foot ditch means no one can actually reach the apples to pick them... What a shame, such lovely big red apples...

Saw four cyclists while out and about - well, three really, as I saw the same chap twice. And to the fella with pineapples on his jersey - where did you get that? Made me smile. Mind, my jersey has bananas on it...

And my ride resulted in me acquiring around two stones of freshly-dug Maris Piper potatoes. About half a mile from home I noticed a pile of tatties had fallen off a trailer and were in danger of being squished by the traffic leaving the horse trials. Shame to see them go to waste, so went back after my ride to rescue what I could. I see plenty of jacket spuds in my future.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I just took a quick trip up to Sibsey today, on Eric. I needed to get out and ride and I also needed to sit down and talk to the ex about a divorce. Seemed a good plan to ride there, natter, ride back. Thus making cake OK as well.

It's bloody boring, that route. The first 10km is ok as it's vaguely lumpy with some actual bends in the road. The last 10km the same but in the opposite direction. The middle bit is as flat as a pancake and the road is long and dead straight. Nicer on the way back as I was going home, the wind was at my back for a change and I knew that my home made walnut and raisin bread would have cooled and that I could eat some when I got in. It was very nice by the way.
Just 50.9km so that did very nicely. My new steel roadie is bereft of seat as the clamp thing is broken. The PX roadie has a broken spoke and Mavic are as slow as a slow thing sending new ones. They did send spokes but sent non-drive side ones, instead of the drive side ones as ordered.

Somehow a like didn't feel appropriate given what the aim of the ride was, but I've given one anyway and I hope things can be settled as amicably as possible.

 

[Saluki]

Somehow a like didn't feel appropriate given what the aim of the ride was, but I've given one anyway and I hope things can be settled as amicably as possible.

Very amicable. I just want it done and sorted, because that's how I am with outstanding admin. I take him shopping every week and his trike lives in my shed. We speak often, we just don't want to be married.

 

[Stonechat]

Despite strong likelihood of showers, really desperate for longer ride so went out with the HDW
Original plaaned route was to Tilford, but we had a reduced groups so decided on a ride to Seale
we set of in some light rain, and two miles down the road, someone swerved to avoid some debris, succesfully he thought, but had a puncture so must have caught something.
Went Ottershaw, Chobham, Knaphill, Pirbright, Tongham and Seale

It brightened a little and I shed the waterproof layer, still occasional showers
On the return, initially the same route, diverged at Pirbright via Bisley and Valley End

Smaller group and we kept the pace reasonably good.

51.56 miles @ 16.7 mph with 1447 feet climbed
https://www.strava.com/activities/1210230332

Just what I needed

En route we saw lots of riders - many looked rather inexperienced riders, on a sportive
It appears this was the Palce to Palace ride

More than a few were seen stopping at various pubs on the route!

 

[jayonabike]

Myself and 2 cycling mates met up with @ianrauk who got the train up from Euston. The weather was mild & damp, we had a bit of rain at first but this soon cleared up. I love autumn cycling, my favourite time of the year to be on the bike.
I had plotted the route, heading out towards Waddesdon and through Aylesbury Vale with some wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. It was a mix of the usual quiet country lanes, rolling B roads and a couple of hills thrown in. We stopped at a small place we've stopped at many times before for a brew and a bite.
I took the summer/best bike today, probably for the last time this year as it was covered in road crud from the wet lanes by the time I got home. Time for a deep clean and then put it away till next year.

So it was 71 miles for me at 16.3 mph average

And not long after I walked in the door my wonderful wife had cooked Sunday lunch

 

[Dave 123]

Out we set from Burford, spitting rain and glowering skies.
We had a print out (one of 4) that I'd printed in work. This ride was Burford-Bourton on the Water-Burford.
Following the river Windrush, meandering its way through the autumn countryside. We crossed it

A few minutes later the spits and spots went from light shower to full on rain. We sheltered under a well heeled tree for 20 minutes. The Range Rovers, Beemers and Mercs splashed by.
Eventually it stopped, so we started.
On to Swinbrook, a quiet corner hidden from the tourists

Eventually we wound our way up hill and down dale to Shipston under Wychwood, then Milton under Wychwood.
On through the tiny hamlet of Bruern Abbey, heading for Churchill.... I said to Jo 'why do I keep seeing signs for Chipping Norton, and not Bourton? How many miles does it say on the top of the page?'

'38' was her reply.

One of us had picked up the wrong print out! The ride I'd intended was about 28 miles!

We did a loop around, the sun did make an appearance, a few Red Kites were spotted and we had a nice spin back to Bruern Abbey, then a different route back to Burford. Unfortunately the last 4 miles on the A424. People were quite nice with their passes apart from the last bloke. I passed him at the lights and gave him the dirtiest look I could muster.

So, an unplanned ride of just shy of 25 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1210064674

 

[gavgav]

The forecast for today had got better as the weekend went on, but when I woke to BBC Radio Shropshire presenter saying it was cold, wet and windy outside, I feared I wasn’t going to get my October Half Century Ride in after all. Pulled back the curtains, went outside, and it was mild, dry and Windy. Well they had 1 of the 3 correct .

My Brother is moving house to Broseley soon and I fancied trying out a ride over to it, which would mean a lot of new territory and a good few hills to climb. Back on the Hybrid now, for any distance riding over the Autumn and Winter, with the water and mud on the roads, and boy there was plenty of that about.

Headed out to Betton Abbots and then Atcham, where it was heaving due to a Wedding Fayre taking place at the Hotel. Took an age to cross the main road, but eventually got across and up the rat run to Berwick Wharf. Had the strong Southerly wind behind me here, so made quick progress, but encountered an idiot woman in a White VW Polo, who came storming past, by the exit to Attingham Park, despite someone pulling out towards us, missing both me and the other car by inches . Utter idiocy.

Continued through Upton Forge, running a gauntlet with Pheasants and a Farm Dog (friendly one) then through Norton and onto the busy main road towards Ironbridge. It’s an up and down road, and was hard work into the wind, but all traffic well behaved. I’ve not ridden it in that direction before and the climb from Leighton to Buildwas is a challenge. Nice descent as well though.

Arrived in Ironbridge, which is still busy with tourists, walked my bike across the bridge and then took NCN route 45 to Jackfield. It was a real muddy mess along the track though and I was glad to get off and then pause by the Jackfield Bridge for lunch.

I was then onto new territory and the steep climb up Jackfield Bank, to Broseley. The first section is fairly steep, then it levels out after the hairpin bend, before ramping up again. I turned off the main road, up Dark Lane, and this is a gradient arrow climb and a steep one at that, needing a stand on the pedals in granny gear . I eventually arrived at my Brother’s house, peeking through the window to see how the build is coming along (almost there) before continuing to Broseley Town Centre. There is more climbing up the High St and then another gradient arrow climb to Benthall . It was about 625 ft of climbing in 3 miles and so I was glad to turn onto some slightly flatter lanes to Wyke.

Had a moment along here, when I rounded a corner towards a farm and had 2 very unfriendly farm dogs come flying towards me, both on a lead thankfully, but the owner had to tug strongly to prevent them jumping up at me, with me braking sharply to avoid them. No harm done, but was a close call.

Continued following very narrow lanes and then out onto the busy A4169 Much Wenlock Road. Only a short section on it, but very steep climb and narrow bends meaning it’s not a fun section. I also needed a right turn on the steepest section and so made use of a handy path that is next to the road for that.

Kept on new territory down Sheinton Road, which was the best part of the ride. Quite a wide country road, with lots of descending, including a gradient arrow, which was good fun, although a bit of drizzle started to blow in the wind as I arrived at Cressage. I’ve passed through the village in a car on the main road lots of times, but heading through it from a different direction I was surprised how big the place is.

Crossed the death trap A458 and then more climbing up Shore Lane to Coundmoor, before joining lanes to Cound. There is a good straight but narrow descent along here, where I could see a Chelsea tractor 4x4 coming towards me. No problem, I thought, there is a pull in ahead which they will wait in......oh no they came storming towards me at speed, forcing me into the verge . Shropshire drivers really are knobhead’s.

After Cound there is a bit more climbing in the direction of Berrington, but up what are normally quiet lanes. I started to meet a few cars, who squeezed past me, and I was ploughing through horrendous mud that was all over the place and churned up verges. As I rounded the corner it all made sense, as there was a horse event taking place and actually had finished, meaning I then met 2 people towing horse boxes, which were too wide for the lanes and that was the cause of all of the mud.

I pulled in for 2 more to pass me and was glad to get to Berrington, but it had started to pour down now and so necessitated a stop to don waterproofs.

Noticed this whilst stopped near Cound, didn’t smell too bad to me

I was thoroughly dripping wet as I retraced my steps through Betton and home, arriving back with a bike in need of a good hose down due to being caked in mud.

37.2 miles with 2257 ft of climbing at 11.2mph avg

 

[ianrauk]

I think it's been over 2 years since I last saw @jayonabike due to his illness, but he's better now so I thought I should get my arse into gear and get myself up to Hemel for a ride, meeting up with Jay, John and Dave.
I left home this morning at 6.45am to a fine drizzle, but it was mild. It rained the whole way up to Euston station where I got the train. Meeting Jay & chums in Apsley it was still raining but it didn't last long. It proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable day and ride. Even the rain at first and the mucky country lanes didn't spoil it. Jay chose and absolute cracker of a route. Rolling country lanes with some great views. A fair few thigh busting climbs and some awesome descents (51.1mph max) I do really love the cycling in that part of the country.
Back to Kings Langley where I got a train back to Euston and where I knocked out the miles to home to make up the imperial century.
Mucky bike is now clean again, thank gawd for mudguards

It's really good to see Jay back on the bike and enjoying his cycling. It's like he's never been away. He can still cycle like a demon. Cheers mate.

So scores on the doors.
Century # 29 for the year, Century #226 over all and the 83rd century month in a row. It also brings up the 10'000 cycling mile for 2017

 

[Supersuperleeds]

On last weeks forum ride I announced I was going to do my October imperial century today. @13 rider said he would be in @tallliman said he may be in depending on other commitments.

So I shared the route with them that I had planned, @tallliman suggested some changes which I took on board and revised the route.

During the week the weather forecast was horrendous for today so in my mind I had binned the ride. However Saturday afternoon this suddenly changed so I decided do the ride. Messaged the other two and @13 rider could join me.

So hurriedly got everything ready. Got up this morning and when it finally started getting light I noticed the roads were very wet. So I decided to do the ride on the Diverge as it has mudguards.

Set off at just before 7am with the plan to meet @13 rider 12-13 miles along the route at around 7:50 - 7:55.

Rookie mistake 1) Forgot to turn the lights on, was pretty gloomy when I set off, so after a few hundred yards stopped and turned them on. Stopped at the cash machine to get some cash and it had started raining, so rain jacket went on.

Rookie mistake 2) Got to the meet and realised since I had switched bikes the chocolate I normally take on a long ride was sat in the garage in the saddle bag on the other bike.

Anyway we set off, chatting away in the gloom and very light drizzle - it eventually stopped but I don't know where.

We get into Loughborough and @13 rider says we need to make a turn, I notice we have gone off route, then I twig, Rookie mistake 3) I had loaded the original route I had planned, the revised one was sat on the computer at home.

We got through Derby okay and got to the cafe stop at around 70 miles. Hot drink and cheese and ham toasty for me; hot drink and beans on toast for @13 rider

The cafe stop was at Fradley and was right on the Trent and Mersey Canal - lots of cyclists there and would definitely recommend it. Anyway we start to leave and I decide to plug my GPS into the power pack, it still had 50% but tends to just tell you it is turning off when you get below 25%. Rookie Mistake 4) I had the wrong lead with me. Since I also didn't have the route I turned the brightness on the screen right down in the hope I would get home before it turned off.

Apart from lots of wind - weather not bean induced and not energy it was a fairly quiet ride back apart from at some point one of the stays snapped on the rear mudguard. Quick cable tie bodge (cheers @13 rider) and away, until at some point it started making a right racket, the other stay had snapped!

We part ways at Ratby and my battery is on red! But I got home in time before it died. 128 miles for me and a few milestones achieved today. Broke 16,000 miles for the year, 91,000 miles since I recorded my first ride (24th Nov 2012) and equalled my record imperial haul in a year (22) with two months to go.

Most definitely would not have done this ride without @13 rider as I wasn't feeling it today, so big thank you to him



https://www.strava.com/activities/1210627870

 

[NorthernDave]

Having missed out on @nickyboy 's now legendary CycleChat White Rose Classic to Scarborough yesterday due to work commitments I was determined to get out for a qualifying ride for the Half Century Challenege today.

So, last night I checked the weather forecast which promised a grey, overcast but dry morning and set the alarm early.
I awoke to the sound of rain on the window and it carried on like that while I was getting ready...

Anyway, I took advantage of the enforced delay to fettle the winter bike (the Road Comp fitted with mudguards) and when the rain had almost stopped I finally set off for my first ride on the alu bike since April.

Up Coal Road, then the wiggle across Red Hall Lane, the A58 and onto Whin Moor Lane for the twists and turns to Shadwell, then through the village and up to Slaid Hill lights. I was expecting the bike to feel slow after a summer on carbon, but you know it felt really good and apart from the odd chirrup from the mudguards it was near silent. What a good do!
At Slaid Hill I doubled back to Scarcroft via Tarn Lane, then down the appallingly surfaced Ling Lane where the mudguards did their best to wake anyone having a Sunday lie-in, before the plunge down the hill into the village and right onto Thorner Lane.

Now might be a good time to mention this was the first time since April I've ridden with rim brake and by 'eck did they take a bit of adjusting to, especially with it being so wet. After so long with disc brakes they felt shocking

Anyhow, next was the climb up 'Hellwood' (Scarcroft Hill) which to be fair was a little bit easier with the lower gearing, then a wind assisted run along the ridge to East Rigton, then along the next ride to Jewitt Lane and the long twisty descent into Collingham, testing those brakes again.

Through there, a brief spell on the horrible A659 and right up to Linton Bridge and over the river into the village and on almost into Wetherby, where desperate for a bit of variation in the route I turned left for Spofforth and climbed the hill back out of town, dropped down past Stockeld Park and climbed back into Spofforth itself, stopping at the Castle for a drink and a couple of pics:

Back on the bike and across the causeway, taking the first right for the lumpiness to North Deighton and it started to rain again - not a lot, but enough.
Right at the end of the village, a bit of up on the way to Kirk Deighton which is rewarded with downhill through the village and all the way to Wetherby.

Through to town and cutting along Horsefair (where there were neither horses nor a fair) and up to the bridge over the A1(M), where I was treated to the closest pass of the day by a numpty in a Berlingo MPV - and as he was looking for a reaction in his rear view mirror I gave him a nice wave which seemed to confuse him as he accelerated away.

Past the race course and right for Thorp Arch, over the bridge and up into Boston Spa, with a wiggle through the village seeing me on the road to Clifford, then down the hill into Bramham. From there the only way is up, so I climbed up to the bridge back over the A1(M) and the gentle climb past Bramham Park, then the long way round to Thorner via Milner Lane.

I stopped in the village to take the sleeves off my top - I'd prepped for rain with bib 3/4s and a wind-proof top and by this point I was starting to overheat a tad. From Thorner it was the direct route home up Sandhills, then along Skeltons Lane and onto Coal Road into the wind which stayed in my face for the rest of the way home.

35.6 miles (57.29 km) in 2h 30m at an average of 14.2 mph with 2,391 ft climbed, and a surprisingly mild average temperature of 13.5 °C

So, a really good ride despite the sometimes iffy conditions and unfortunately far too many close passes today for my liking - maybe I should have bought one of those Aldi cameras after all....
But the October half century ride is in the bag which is another bonus
Quite a few riders out despite the moistness which is always good to see.
The bike was blooming filthy when I got back - thank goodness for mudguards - so it got a good hosing off.

And to end, the map: