Your ride today....

[Vantage]

Another short ride today over Rivington but going clockwise for a change.
The usual route of Chorley Old Road to Horwich and then Lever Park Avenue into the village.
Sheephouse Lane was taken steadily and then Rivington Road less steadily. I was doing some serious zig zagging on the last really steep bit

A breather once over the hard bit and I was on my way again.

These two wooly jumpers slowed the traffic significantly.

And looking back over what I call the roller-coaster. The following pic explains why I lurve it

Outside lane taking the left apex and down into the dip. Luckily if you've built up enough speed you get catapulted back up the other side barely hugging the right apex and just about keeping off the grass as you straighten out on the level. It's worth the relentless climbing just to ride it. A real grin maker

I pedalled my little short legs off through more corner hugging bends to near 34mph into Belmont and then took it slowly to Scout Road.
Going up that some asshat decided to floor it past me into oncoming traffic despite me sticking my right arm out motioning them to wait. The driver in the opposite lane braked hard and we exchanged shaking heads in disapproval as we passed each other. Some people eh?
Longshaw Ford Road was descended at quite a pace and that was to be the last speed blast for the day.
Home through Cinder Lane to find Erin had tidied up for me
13.4miles averaging 8.6mph.

Working on the bike tomorrow as the gears were making a racket and something somewhere is squeaking.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Well, the warm and dry summer weather continues and I went out on the clockwise version of my Upton Magna, Walcot, Cressage, Acton Burnell, Longnor route.

It's a little windy out which after being calm for so long takes some getting used to. I was against it to Condover then had it behind me for the next 10 miles which was great. Shame about the van driver who swerved between me and an oncoming car on that first bit to Condover. Wasn't happy about that.

At Atcham I went through Attingham Park again and got held up by the cattle wandering across the drive. The lanes after Upton Magna were fairly quiet and I probably saw as many cyclists as cars.

After Withington I had to turn south and back into the wind which coupled with this bit being undulating was an effort. Before reaching Cressage a rattle developed which was quite annoying on the rough road surface here. I stopped to check on it and found the mudguard stay bolts on the fork loose. It's much better now they are tightened.

The lanes to Acton Burnell were also very quiet. I caught and overtook a couple on electric bikes on the climb near Sham Castle and would like to say it's because I'm such a strong rider but it's actually because they were pootling along enjoying the scenery.

There was more headwind on the way to Longnor but here I turned towards home and it was helping me almost the whole way back which made for a quite exhilarating finish to the trip.

35.3 miles at 15.9 mph average. Enjoyed that.

It's staying dry but the clouds still look quite moody over the Stretton Hills as I make my way to Berrington.

Traffic holdup in Attingham Park.

Some nice gates between Withington and Walcot.

 

[Spiderweb]

The same 2 rides as yesterday, 6.6 mile morning commute with an average of 19.2 mph and a 28 mile extended home commute with an average of 15.5 mph.
Apart from the chain coming off they were both fab rides.

 

[Jenkins]

Today's ride was essentially the same as Tuesday's with couple of minor route changes, but on the Spa instead of the Van Nicholas. This meant I could take my preferred route out of Claydon instead of the old Norwich Road.

I r

 

[Aravis]

The ICAM challenge again provided the excuse for another ride today! I was a bit anxious about the heat in the afternoon, so I planned for the final stages to be "unethically flat" (copyright @Cranky Knee Girl acknowledged). The map and profile illustrate this pretty well:

I used some of my standard routes as far as Ross, and then a couple of miles of A49 which is never pleasant but often very useful. The B4251, the old road to Abergavenny is a much more appealing cycling route, but today I only took it as far as Broad Oak (the peak at about 35 miles), and then turned right towards Garway and Pontrilas.

A few months ago I chanced on the impressive detached bell tower at Bosbury church. A little research showed that these are something of a Herefordshire speciality, there being seven scattered across the county. Trying to plot a ride that links them all on one day looks over-ambitious. Today I was hoping to find a photo opportunity for my bike alongside the example at Garway. I found that it's a little awkwardly placed along a steep farm track, so I think I may do a bit of scene-recreation in the future. I really have cycled there!

The minor road via Garway was new to me. I definitely did it the easy way; the climb up to Garway in the opposite direction looked extremely uncomfortable. Approaching Kentchurch there's evidently a fine natural swimming spot on the river Monnow, close to here:

The church at Kentchurch:

There remained a little more up and down through the lanes to Pontrilas, then a total change of scene with the A465 to Abergavenny, a not unpleasant 12 miles stretch of trunk road. The views of the hills on either side help a lot.

From Abergavenny, I followed the well-worn cycling route initially along the old A40, then southwards to Usk. I must've passed this sight dozens of times without really noticing, but today I was due for a stop:

Any fears I may have had about the temperature were proving largely unfounded, the cloud and even a little light rain being quite a blessing. After Usk there's a classic 2½ climb on the Chepstow road which I first rode 35 years ago. The view after the big left-hand bend has been opened up by tree-felling recently, but through the drizzle there was nothing to see today. From the top it's downhill with a couple of kicks to Chepstow and the bridge.

After that I was left with a saunter through the lanes to the east of the Severn, with a gentle following breeze. The only minor interruption to my otherwise idyllic progress can very late when some canal boaters had just seized control of the Stonebench swing bridge. Their boat was still some way away and it was clearly going to be some time, so I diverted onto the towpath. I didn't like it very much - a lot of loose gravel and it often felt as though one false move would send me sliding into the canal. It was quite a relief to be rolling on tarmac again.

The first day for a while without sun cream. I just about got away with it - a gentle glow. 120.4 miles.

 

[derrick]

A steady ride tonight, the heat was getting to a couple of the group. ended at the pub for a couple of beers, sorted out a couple of weekend rides. an uneventfull really, but another 25 miles under our belts.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1745447999

 

[C R]

Yesterday's ride.

Had an hour available just before sunset, so went out for a short blast. Up through Norton, where a roadie passed me and promptly dropped me. Then Littleworth, past the Parish Hall, left over the railway, then right toward Wadborough. Carry on towards Defford, but taking the right at Rebecca road, past Croome, where I stopped for a breather and a drink. Being dropped seems to have spurred me, as I was doing 15.9mph average up till then.

After Croome it was a left for High Green, over the M5, then right, and then right again over the M5 for Pirton. The short Pirton hill was a bit of a slog, so stopped at the top to take a photo of the Malverns coloured by the setting sun

After that Sonehall Common and bombing down Hatfield, and home.

13.7 miles at 15.6mph, which is my fastest average so far. Last time I did this route, about a year ago, it took me 59minutes, yesterday it took me 52. Quite happy with my progress.

 

[colly]

A steady ride out this aft. Out east towards Selby. I enjoyed it but it was a little dull and uninspiring tbh and a surprising amount of traffic. Sort of a flatish ride and I got a call around 16 miles from home which meant I needed to return back the way I came. Even so it was good to get out. No pics because I didn't see anything worth recording. Oh... I had a close pass from a truck, which is always good for a laugh

34 miles with a modest 1300ft of uphill.
Edit: fixed wheel

View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/26245991

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

A bit of a change of scene today as I've done my regular routes a lot over the last few weeks. I haven't been up into the hills for a while though so after an early morning task (chauffeuring @gavgav) I set out to head for the Stiperstones and the Long Mynd using the Galaxy which I haven't previously ridden on this route.

The first quarter of the ride was on well trodden roads to Pontesbury and Minsterley but I took a left at the roundabout in Minsterley and headed to Ploxgreen where I unexpectedly found signs saying the road was closed beyond Stiperstones. Usually Shropshire Council maintain access through roadworks for pedestrians/dismounted cyclists but it occurred to me that if this turned out to be an exception then it's a long way and a lot of climbing to find that out. After considering for a few minutes I decided to follow the official diversion and ride up the Hope Valley which is new to me (on the bike at least).

I'm not a particular fan of driving this road as it's twisty, not overly wide and the regular users tend to be quite pushy. It turned out not to be too bad though with less traffic than I'd expected and most people giving enough room. It's a steady gradient from Plox Green which carried on after turning off this road towards Shelve, giving me over 4.5 miles of constant climbing, so naturally the average speed had dropped a bit. I like the scenery up here as it feels quite exposed and wild compared to the cultivated farmland just a few miles down the valley.

Reaching The Bog, the visitor centre was open so I decided to have a break and actually drop in for a coffee for the first time. Nice place if you happen to be passing and the coffee and flapjack went down well. I chatted with another cyclist here who would be heading along roughly the same roads as me having started in Church Stretton. He asked if Asterton Bank was very steep. I don't think that 10/10 in the "Another 100 greatest climbs" book was the answer he was hoping for.

Moving on again, the legs were alright after the stop and I crested the Stiperstones climb without too much difficulty then enjoyed the descent to Bridges and down the valley before climbing into Wentnor. The lane towards Asterton seemed quite busy today. In the village a couple of motorists asked for directions - they were headed up the climb too so by the time they'd turned themselves round I was by the junction and able to wave them in the right direction.

After a pause for a drink I dropped the bike right down to low range and tacked the climb. It's an effort, no doubt about that, but with the gearing on the Galaxy I was able to stay in the saddle most of the way up. I could have managed it in one but unfortunately a car came up behind me at about the halfway point so I needed to let them by (this road ain't big enough for the both of us). At the top of this climb there was a large gathering of hang-gliders and para-gliders so I got an audience for my triumph.

After a brief stop for another drink and to watch some flying activity, the rest of the climb up to Pole Bank seemed pretty tame. The motorists I'd directed earlier were stopped by the road en route so they'd found where they wanted to go alright.

At the summit there were just a few walkers. I chatted with a couple who were amazed at how quiet the hills were compared to where they live. It probably won't be when the weekend visitors arrive.

Looking back towards the Stiperstones they were draped in cloud and there were spots of rain in the wind. My timing seems to have been quite fortunate today.

Carrying on to Shooting Box I had the odd bee bouncing off me (the heather is in full bloom) then on the descent towards the Burway the traffic was going slower than me but I wasn't complaining as they were deflecting the bees away.

Today brought not only the biggest climb I've done to date on this bike but, as you might expect, the biggest descent too. The brakes coped very well and have good feel after my recent adjustments - cantilevers can be set up to work.

I took my regular route back from Church Stretton (the only flat route) and I had the wind at my back which made it a good fast run. I didn't add any extra mileage on the way back this time as I'd done plenty.

44.5 miles at 12.8 mph average with a 32.6 mph maximum. Really enjoyed that.

Climbing up through the Hope valley having been diverted from the way I'd intended. It's fairly pretty riding through the woods but not relaxing due to the traffic.

I've climbed out of the woods and am still climbing on the way to Shelve. The building is the remnant of one of the old lead mines.

After Shelve there is a good clear view of the Stiperstones.

After my stop at The Bog visitor centre I've climbed over the edge of the Stiperstones and am looking towards the Long Mynd. It really looks very parched up here.

At Wentnor.

Drink stop before I tackle the climb of Asterton Bank.

At the top of the climb. The place is popular with the hang-gliding crowd today.

One of the Long Mynd ponies is trying to decide whether I might have something for him.

On my way to Shooting Box. The colour of the heather is a bit more vivid in real life than in my photo.

I've taken shots at this location of the other two bikes. Didn't want the Galaxy to feel left out.

 

[Vantage]

Out today and back up to Rivington again.
I'd spent a couple hours yesterday washing, polishing, and tweaking the bike to get her running and looking like new, so when I turned onto the main road from the estate and rain drops started dropping I wasn't a happy bunny. But it was also really warm. Either through sweat or rain, one way or another another I wasn't going to get home dry.
First stop was at the bottom of the dip on Walker Fold Road for a pic of a gaelic looking stone thingymibob.

Mucho riding later I was descending Scout Road and had to scratch my nose. That's when the bike hit a hole or something and I near lost control at 20+mph. New shorts?
I pulled into a disused bus stop on Belmont Road to put the raincoat on and made my way to Belmont.
Up (literally) next was Rivington Road to Wards Reservoir where I pondered having a ride round the back of it to get a pic of the ornamental steps but nah, there was no water cascading down them today and the slippy gravel track there would've tested my bike handling non skills. So more leg killing climbing followed.
Prior to setting off earlier I'd fitted the camera as I wanted to record my ride through the roller-coaster and share on the forum if conditions allowed 'the racing line', so just before the Blackburn/Darwen county border I stopped to start recording.
Power button pressed to "on".
Record button pressed to "on".

"Please insert card" flashed on the screen.

The DOH!-ness of it reached biblical proportions. Said card was still in the USB adaptor at home.
As it happens, today would be one of those rare days when the ride wasn't spoiled by motons and my legs cranked the Spa through the dip at 28mph. I do miss the 48T ring at times.
Instead of plummeting down Sheephouse Lane into Rivington village I decided to plummet down the 14% version of Sheephouse Lane to Wilcocks Farm instead. Its a shame their campsite only caters to caravans and motor homes. It'd be a regular stopover for me otherwise.
The Yarrow and Anglezark reservoirs were looking pretty empty as I rode past.
I doubt the upcoming hosepipe ban will be lifted anytime soon.

Spotted a nice dry camping spot though if anyone's interested...

And a final bit of porn to finish.

The little unnamed lane next to Upper Rivington Reservoir was next and into the village along Horrobin Lane.
I took my time into Horwich from there and decided on Chorley New Road to get me home.
Idiot no. 1 for the day was when I waited in primary at traffic lights to turn left onto the main road. As my bike is soooooooo unbearabley long he must have felt that to wait behind me would keep him even further from his destination and pulled alongside me mere inches from the bars.
His window was down.
"Are you sure you're close enough?"
"Sorry mate."
Nob.
Idiot no. 2 was a Diamond 575 bus driver who passed at 30mph again inches from the bar on the main road. I saw him later as he was stuck in traffic. Filtering up the left his passenger door was given a thump and I didn't see him again till way later shortly before I turned left onto Victoria Road. He gave me much more room that time.
Victoria Road was ascended in middle ring for the first time ever and Boot Lane was pootled along slower than ever coz I was knackered.
Home through the estate and fell asleep on the couch not long after.
The gears are still crap. Serves me right for swapping from 8 speed to 9 speed.
18.4 miles.

 

[ColinJ]

Another short ride today over Rivington but going clockwise for a change.
The usual route of Chorley Old Road to Horwich and then Lever Park Avenue into the village.
Sheephouse Lane was taken steadily and then Rivington Road less steadily. I was doing some serious zig zagging on the last really steep bit

Funnily enough, I have recently been planning a potential forum ride out that way. I did one a couple of years ago and said then that I would return. It is very nice out there.

What I wasn't so keen on last time was my route back from Holcombe/Ramsbottom through Haslingden and Rossendale. There was too much traffic for my tastes. This time I intend to use the cycleways back from Tottington to Accrington and catch the train home from there.

@Littgull rides with me a lot and I usually choose the route and navigate, but he offered to do the honours yesterday. He devised a circular route from where he lives in Littleborough, involving quite a lot of offroad riding. I rode my cyclocross bike and he rode one of his sturdy touring bikes which is good for that kind of riding. Including the ride from Todmorden and back, I would get at least 80 kms (50 miles) in which would add to my points tally in the monthly century/half century challenges.

I met Brian in Littleborough and we took the Rochdale canal towpath towards Milnrow for a while before switching to a road shortcut to Newhey. From Jubilee we did an offroad climb and then a descent to Shaw. We rode through Tandle Hill Country Park in Royton. That was very nice - I think I will go there with my sister and her dog next time they visit.

Brian used to commute by bike on this route before he retired so he knows the area very well. It is quite built up so it the kind of place that I usually avoid but he did manage to keep the busy roads to a minimum, with lots of offroad and backstreets in between.

It was a strange feeling not knowing where I was riding to and I kept looking at my GPS for guidance, even though I did not have the route on it!

We eventually came to our cafe stop in Greenmount near Ramsbottom and I realised that we were at a point which was on my proposed Rivington route. After a nice stop in the sunshine, we headed off down NCN 6 towards the centre of Bury. It is a really excellent cycleway. The surface is perfect tarmac and we passed through woods and over the river Irwell. It was easy to forget that busy roads were only 100-200 metres away.

Brian's route made the passage through the inner fringes of Bury as painless as possible. There were a couple of busy roads to cross but nothing too bad outside of rush hour.

We headed offroad again at Limefield, crossed the M66, and climbed up to a quiet lane that we had ridden out on earlier. We rode back down that to Jericho and had to do a quick stint on a busyish road before crossing Queen's Park into Heywood. Some more offroad took us to Castleton where we got onto the Rochdale canal towpath for an easy ride back to Littleborough. The surface of the towpath is perfect and there weren't too many people on it blocking progress.

Ladies and Gentleman, I would now like to post @Littgull's entry for the 'Jammiest B*st*rd of CycleChat, 2018' award... !

The canal had fallen into disrepair many years ago and there had been talk of closing it altogether. Eventually though, the powers-that-be thought better of it and it got dredged, tidied up and brought back to life. Unfortunately, in a few places the canal had been blocked in the meantime. We'd therefore had to leave the towpath a couple of times to cross busy roads.

Brian and I were cycling along in the sunshine and chatting when suddenly he stopped dead and shouted "Blaaaady hell - my Garmin has fallen off somewhere!" He uses an inexpensive old Edge 200 for navigation, but has all of his preferred data fields displayed on a Garmin Edge Touring device which he paid about £200 for. Guess which one he lost ...?

He said he was going back to look for it! He u-turned and headed off in the opposite direction so I turned and set off in pursuit, scanning the towpath and verge as I did so. I thought the chances of us finding the GPS were somewhere between zero and nowt. And we didn't!

We crossed back over a road or two, looked everywhere for the GPS, but saw no sign of it. Brian finally gave up his search. I was just commiserating with him when a young man walked up to us. We had passed him on the towpath 15 minutes earlier, and then repassed him in the opposite direction some time after that as we went on our GPS hunt. He must have wondered what the hell we were doing. Maybe he had noticed that we were staring down at the towpath as we went by him the second time? Anyway, it seems that his eyesight was a lot better than ours ...

"Are you looking for this?", he asked cheerily, waving a dusty Garmin Edge Touring model at us. Ha ha ha - what is the chance of that happening! We had not only met an honest young person on the towpath, he was an observant one with good eyesight. Result!

We thanked young-stranger-of-the-year, and then continued back to Littleborough.

Brian decided to ride to Todmorden with me and then head home so he would also get a half imperial century in.

The late afternoon traffic was building so we decided to stay on the towpath. I turned for home as we got into Todmorden and Brian went on his way.

It had been an interesting change from the usual rides that I do. 82 kms in total (51 miles).

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Lammas Loops: 200km DIY journey to the sacred grounds of Avalon and the temple that is SJS Cycles to harvest some bike parts. HEAVY bike parts.

(@Vantage there’s a shot of my mudguard with project-dynamo-light you wanted)

 

[Vantage]

Tidy job on that light

 

[Heltor Chasca]

Lammas Loops Map.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I've got 10 days-off work now (plus SWMBO & daughter are away on holiday), so hopefully quite a few decent rides will be partaken of