Your ride today....

[macp]

Great ride 30 - 40mls met a small group who kindly offered a lift.My first experience of riding in a group all be it a small one. Amazed at the lack of wind and speed you can carry tucked behind another rider. I of course did my bit at the front for a bit. Once on my own though it was tough against a 14-18mph head wind. Getting down onto the drops helps though.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

60 miles the journey, Mappleborough Green the destination. With us being on holiday last week this was my first ride for a week, and somehow I've managed to loose my cycling legs, so if anyone see's then can you let me know please. Lovely day, chilly at first but bright and sunny, a deceptive day, it looked calm and still but there was a breeze blowing. So a slow hard slog of a day but an enjoyable ride none the less.

ridewithgps
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/10995851

 

[Racing roadkill]

https://www.strava.com/activities/708439022/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-GB&v=1473602169

My final ( planned ) Skyride Local, for the year. Sky aren't sponsoring us as of October, so we don't know who will next year ( the deal has been done though, apparently ).

A 32 mile loop from Lordshill into the Test Valley and back. I got another full house, as I was the solo ride leader today.

A brief stop after some ball breaking hills.

Lovely weather, empty country lanes.

Coffee, and a piece of "Baileys and Chocolate cake" at Annie's at Kimbridge..

The posse at Annie's.

Me and the posse at the new Ordnance Survey building.

Just over 60 miles done, everyone enjoyed themselves, a lovely day for it too.
. That's it for Skyride Local's for me this year ( unless I get drafted in, as an emergency). I have to get some Skyride Social's organised now for the rest of the year.

 

[Stonechat]

Big ride

Drove the 1.5 to 2 hrs to Bedoin.
Started riding at about 8.10.
Before long the slopes are between 7 and 12 % all the way to the top. As soon as I left the Avignon Nord exit from the A7, it was looming above me. But on the lower slopes the summit was not visible. Stopped for first break about 1/2 way and there it was. Just no relief from the gradient, at least the hire bike is a triple. Reached Chalet Reynard, after which the gradient eases to 7 % for a little. The trees at this stage are gone and we are in the lunar landscape. 9% again to the top. Saw Tom Simpson's memorial on the way. Masses of cyclists. Photos taken, postcards bought
Went down the Malaucene side. Crossed a smaller col called Col de la Madeleine ( not the big one).
Back to Bedoin, freshen up, buy a Ventoux Maillot, and back to the hotel

33.21 miles @ 9.2 mph ave
Total climb 5577 feet.

Changing units. Ventoux climb starts at 309 m and reaches summit at 1912 m

https://www.strava.com/activities/708416271

 

[NorthernDave]

Intended to get up and out early this morning, but didn't.
So it was half nine by the time I turned a wheel and set off up Coal Rd with half a plan but nothing too fixed in mind.

Right onto Red Hall Lane and as I neared Wetherby Road I noticed a lot of cyclists heading north. Once I got a bit nearer I noticed most of them were in tri-suits. (Turns out they were competing in this: http://www.xtramileevents.com/events/leeds-triathlon/ - another top secret sporting event...)
Ducked into a gap in the triathletes and was pleased not to get passed by any before I turned up to Whin Moor Lane for the scenic route to Shadwell.
Left on main Street and the descent then climb up to Slaid Hill lights, before turning right onto Wike Ridge Lane for the run down to East Keswick.
Not only were there quite a few leisure cyclists out but the triathlon was obviously heading back to Roundhay Park this way.

Now, regular readers will remember that i rode this way last weekend and then hated the A659 which it eventually deposits you on to. However today i had a cunning plan. On the descent into East Keswick, I took a right into Bardsey and after stopping at the red light, crossed the A58 and climbed the almost sheer cliff face that is Rigton Bank (as featured in the TdY). Well, that gets the lungs working from a standing start doesn't it? Blimey!
Anyway I made it past Rigton Green and all the way to the top, so that's an achievement, although I was halfway along Bramham Lane before my lungs stopped trying to escape from my chest...
Across Jewitt Lane and the sharp climb then onto Thorner Road and the welcome generally downhill run to Bramham.
Being a glutton for punishment I looped round the village to tackle the Col de Town Hill, which also got the lungs working and meant that i didn't feel too guilty when I stopped for oxygen and a drink at the top of the village:

Decision time now - loop back round onto Paradise Way for the run down to Aberford, or add a few more miles on?
Look at that weather - it was a no brainer, a few more miles it was. So on Toulston Lane and onto Garnet Lane over the A659 then across the A64 bridge (traffic looked very busy) before the descent towards Stutton. Being immature, I took Fanny Lane through the village and then over Cock Beck and up to the A162 for the climb up towards Towton, being overtaken by a Sunday run by the Close Pass Club
Right in Towton and past the battlefield on the lumpy road before the descent into Saxton, where I stopped for a couple of photos:

Through the village, avoiding the ramblers who looked at me and then wandered in front of me anyway and right again onto Coldhill Lane between the harvested fields and onto Copley Lane to Lotherton Gates, before heading to Aberford and the fast descent under the A1(M) bridge and into the village.
Up Main Street then onto Cattle Lane for the run to Barwick.
On the climb up from Cock Beck, I spotted the sight all cyclists dread - the farmer was cutting back his hedges and sure enough there were thorns and bits of twigs everywhere and from the scatter this was clearly the second run at them this morning.
I did the only thing I could do: I gave the farmer a steely stare and rode onto the other side of the road away from the worst of his thorn flinging, holding traffic* up for a couple of hundred yards until it was safe to return to the right side of the road.

Through Barwick and the climb up Leeds Road, before the descent into Scholes. Looking at the mileage I was going to be short on a metric half if I turned for home here, so carried on through Scholes and out to the A64 for a brief life or death run to Thorner Lane, then Skeltons Lane and Coal Rd, before local roads down to home in time for lunch.

31.9 miles (51.33km) in 2h 11m at an average of 14.6mph and with 1,676ft climbed. I'll take that on a sunny Sunday morning. Great ride, another metric half, good weather and lots of cyclists out, even if some of them were wearing silly outfits.
I thought I'd done a decent bit of climbing today until I read a few of the posts further up the thread!
Looks like my route crossed with @Old jon a couple of times too, but I think I'll have been out there a bit later than him today.

* - two cars, both of whom I thanked as they passed

 

[Dave 123]

Good one @Stonechat !

We rode with my brother Keith and his wife Joyce today from our house. They have no tandem carrier for the car (yet) so they brought their road bikes. The longest ride Joyce had done on hers was 25 miles...

It was a touch chilly when we went out. There was a time trial on up the road so a few people were warming up. Eventually we did too and turned for Knapwell.
After Elsworth we went up over the hill and along to Hilton. After Hilton I heard Jo say she had a bee in her hat. I looked round to see her stopping, Joyce let out a yell, steered hard left, mounted the grass verge, then rejoined the road. Ace bike handling!

We then hopped across the A1198 toward Graveley. For a windless day it was a fair old head wind. Keith and I Waited at the top, here's Jo leaving Joyce in the shade

From Croxton we went the back way to Abbotsley, then stopped at Waresley garden centre for a brew.

Back through the Gransdens and on to Bourn. I shot ahead for the pic

Just after Bourn I reached in my jersey pocket and passed Jo the keys to the house. Her and Joyce came back via Toft, Making it a 30 mile (ish) ride.
Keith and I went on to Kingston, Eversdens, Haslingfield, Barton and home up Long Road. We weren't hanging about. God fun it was too.

Back home for a shower and a nice lunch in a roasting hot garden. A top morning!

https://www.strava.com/activities/708319397/segments/17377911907

 

[stoatsngroats]

Not far, but very pleasant anyway, rural and coastline 17 miles. Fantastic weather too

 

[Dark46]

Todays ride was a tad over 30 miles and I was out with KCC which I've not been out for a while.

As ive not been out for 10 days or so I wanted to take it easy. So I went with the beginners group , so I didn't push myself to hard to early.

As there were no new bees outthere were 4 people that wanted to take it easy and 3 had time restrictions.

We left the estate and headed to Stonebench and then over Elmore lump and down towards the rivers edge. From here we headed for Saul where Shaun needed to use the loo and we had coffee at the Stables.

After the Stables we headed for Arlingham where we had a chat and a few photos were taken over the River Severn.

From here it was back to Longley and up Castle Lane and to the A38
, were a quick dash was made towards Hardwick.

Then we said goodbye to Iain as we turned up Field court drive and Duncan headed for home at the other end of thd road.

So it was just me and Shaun returimg to the start point and I did a little loop of the estate just to take the ride over 30 miles

 

[cosmicbike]

Full marks @Stonechat , all those hill reps locally look to have paid off. I expect Priest Hill, Tite Hill & Prune Hill will be considered mere lumps in the road now

 

[cyberknight]

64 mile club run , took a corner to fast and ditched it on my head and hip, wasp stung me on my head too and the the front mech will not get the big ring
To top it all the piccie i took of the hills overlooking Ilam hall has vanished from my phone
View: https://www.strava.com/activities/708499366/embed/0fa8c3820550dc6d4294ef49fb20ea3c7ec53730

 

[jayonabike]

Sunday morning ride with my mate Dave.
It's been a while since I took a bike out for fun so with the opportunity to do so today, I did!
I had to get back home for other reasons & couldn't be out all day so 40+ miles was on the cards. I met Dave at 9.30 with no route planned and we decided to head out into the countryside of Herts & Beds. These were roads I've ridden 100's of times before but still enjoy cycling them, a mixture of quiet country lanes and smooth fast B roads with a few hills thrown in for good measure. The weather was great and with hardly any wind we were chipping along at a good pace. Saw what seemed like 100s of other cyclists out on the roads, overtook some, got overtaken by others. As it was a shortish ride no stop was needed, so it was a non stop ride of just under 47 miles by the time I got home.

 

[13 rider]

64 mile club run , took a corner to fast and ditched it on my head, wasp stung me on my head and the the front mech will not get the big ring
To top it all the piccie i took of the hills overlooking Ilam hall has vanished from my phone
View: https://www.strava.com/activities/708499366/embed/0fa8c3820550dc6d4294ef49fb20ea3c7ec53730

Hope you are ok and most importantly the bikes fixable . It's been one of those weekends I also put me and my bike in a hedge yesterday .

 

[CanucksTraveller]

Today was the 100km / 62 mile charity ride that I've been working towards. I've never done this distance before, (highest in training was 50 miles), so it was a big milestone and personal challenge. A friend from work had volunteered to ride with me; At the start, we felt fit and ready to take on the route.

The briefing on the line:

And we're off:

Setting off from the edge of Luton at 0915 we were straight out into the countryside, and half way up the first climb I had my first minor drama, a missed gear change onto the small chainring, a lot of clanking, complete loss of traction and momentum with some swearing, before I finally ground to a halt where I had to select a low gear manually by spinning the back wheel. Good start. Sadly the front derailleur never behaved after that.

Progress was fairly quick down to Codicote (the furthest point SE where we turned north). We passed the first group, now at the side of the road fixing multiple punctures. The roads were wet and gritty thanks to yesterday's rain but we weren't affected thankfully, and the roads began to dry out in the sun. A slight nav error (see map!) cost us a mile or so diversion, but it was nice out, so no matter. The route took us through Gosmore (first quick feed station stop just for water top ups), Hitchin, Meppershall, and to our second feed station at Shefford. From there on, I could no longer select the larger chain ring (a detached cable nipple in the lever I'm suspecting, not easily fixable without pliers) so it really limited our speed on descents and in tailwinds. We rode through picture perfect English countryside and village scenes of thatched cottages, cricket on the green, and way too many tempting pubs. Past Old Warden, Cople, and on to Cardington where we rode by the famous airship sheds which were once home to the R101, but now house the Airlander.

We hit a headwind at this point, and with the biggest climbs to come the lack of a big chainring became moot. It was hard work to reach the third feed station at the other side of Shefford:

Just another 9 miles or so to the final water stop at Hexton, where gels and caffiene were taken on prior to the gut-busting Hexton Hill, followed by the equally horrible Chalk Hill, but at least the end was near.

The intention was (1) to complete the distance, and (2) do it in under 5 hours riding time if possible. We rolled over the line at around 1500hrs, with 104km (63.5 miles) on the computer, and a riding time of 4 hours 50. The average was 13.1 mph, which with only half the gears available I was pretty pleased with.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

About this time of year the Welshpool Rotary Club put on an event I've often thought I'd like a go at, so having seen it announced in the local paper I decided to have a go.

First things first though - I needed to get over there. Welshpool is only about 20 miles away but the choice is to use the A458 which is the main holidaymakers route from the Midlands to the Mid Wales coast or over The Long Mountain (not to be confused with the Long Mynd)..... I chose the latter.

It was an 8am start which gave me plenty of time to get there for registration. The roads were quiet and I made good time. There was a stop at Lea Cross to check on whether another rider was alright - he'd only got to the end of the road before picking up a puncture, not a good start for his planned 50 miler.

Continuing I had to dodge wasps for the next couple of miles before getting to the more open main road to Westbury which again was quiet. At Westbury the road turns upwards with 656 feet (200 metres) of climbing before I get to my turning for Welshpool. It's a steady climb and the scenery is fantastic though which makes it worthwhile. I saw a Red Kite circling which I know doesn't impress people from certain parts of the country but here it's something special as these birs were the rarest of the rare until just a few years ago when the population started to recover (and not due to birds being reintroduced from foreign parts).

The descent made me marvel at the scenery again and soon I was in Welshpool and arriving at Raven Square Station for the Race The Train event. I was early but they were already registering riders which gave plenty of time to get myself sorted.

The event is what it says: The Welshpool and Llanfair Railway train leaves at 11.15 am and the challenge is for the cyclists to get to Llanfair Caereinion Station before the train does. Fairly easy for any reasonably fit rider but there are a couple of catches: The cycling route isn't the direct way and is very hilly and at least half of the riders on the event have to beat the train for it to count as a win for the cyclists. Game on!

As a surprise my parents and brother and sister came over to ride on the train and see how I did. So, no pressure.

The wait for the start seemed to take for ever but then there was the guard's whistle followed by the engine's whistle and the Mayor of Welshpool waved us off. By an accident of numbering I'd been put right on the front row and led everyone away but I didn't stay there long, but wasn't completely dropped either. Once we turned off the main road and onto the lanes things changed. I was able pass a few other riders on the hills despite having one of the heaviest bikes and being the only one carrying luggage.

As everyone settled down to their natural pace I found myself sticking with one particular rider who was slower than me up the hills but could do a pro-style aero tuck on the downhills and get past again. We carried on this game of leapfrog right to the end when he got past on the final descent. I thought it was brilliant fun. I'm pretty sure that by the end he was quite annoyed with me overtaking so often though.

I beat the train. and came in somewhere in the middle of the bunch which I'm quite happy with.

Having met up with family, seen the stragglers arrive, got my certificate and had a bite to eat it was time to head for home so I retraced my steps (the climbs are much steeper going in this direction) and was able to take in some of the scenery I didn't have time to appreciate on the way out.

After Welshpool the Long Mountain beckoned again and from this side this is also a steeper and higher climb (863 feet or 263 metres in about 2 miles ) with tired legs I needed all my low gears but made it without rest stops.

At the top I decided not to just go back the way I'd come and picked an alternative way down the mountain through Broomhill and Wallop. That put me onto the right road to take another alternative to Minsterley and Pontesbury before heading home. I also detoured through Condover to up the mileage giving me another metric century and taking advantage of the strengthening wind to help me home.

For those who like them, there are the stats for today:
63.2 miles for the day, 12.5mph average (happy with that on a pretty hilly ride), I passed 4000 miles for the year to date, my time for Race The Train was 34 minutes 53 seconds beating the train by 10 minutes and 6 seconds. And finally; 24 of the 33 riders beat the train meaning the cyclists officially won the race this year.

Great fun. I'd like to do it again next year.

En route to Westbury and just taking a pause for a drink. There is cloud draped over the Stiperstones

Another quick stop getting high up on The Long Mountain. I couldn't have asked for much better weather to ride in today.

Down the other side and the town of Welshpool is in sight.

My challenger: Countess, which will be pulling the 11.15 train to Llanfair Caereinion.

The cycling challengers, with the mayor meeting and greeting.

Countess heads off to couple up and we begin the countdown to the start.

A jump to the end now as during 35 minutes of furious cycling I didn't take any photos. Countess arrives with train exacty as scheduled but enough riders have beaten her to claim victory (this year at least).

On my way back and here is some of the scenery I didn't get to appreciate earlier on.

Near the foot of the second climb over The Long Mountain. I used the entire range of useable gears today and reminded myself why I like my Raleigh so much.

Edit to add: The official results have been posted. It seems that the first rider home set a new record time for the course. I finished in 13th place. 25 out of the 33 actually beat the train and there was 1 DNF.

They also mention that since the event first ran, the train is in the lead with 5 wins to the cyclists 3.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

64 mile club run , took a corner to fast and ditched it on my head, wasp stung me on my head and the the front mech will not get the big ring
To top it all the piccie i took of the hills overlooking Ilam hall has vanished from my phone
View: https://www.strava.com/activities/708499366/embed/0fa8c3820550dc6d4294ef49fb20ea3c7ec53730

Have a like for telling us about it but for the incidents. Some days everything just goes wrong.