Your ride today....

[Jenkins]

I've had a day of washing, ironing, vacuuming, cleaing the kitchen floor, cutting the grass (more like dead heading the dandylions & sucking up the dead grass due to lack of rain) and a bit of weeding the borders as I'm back at work on Wednesday for 9 straight days and I plan on having the day out tomorrow.
By 3pm I'd had enough and decided to pop out for a sandwwich...

 

[Vantage]

It's near 1am so technically this is yesterdays ride...

I went back out with the social cycling group!
I've been pondering this for a while and decided this morning to get my arse in gear and do it.
I've come to the conclusion that as much as I love going for a ride, I need to be motivated to do it and that's been lacking this year. Whilst I rode with the SG I was out at least 3 times a week and when I left, I was down to one or two at best.
Got a bit of a welcome back by some of the ones who knew me and the bike received a few compliments, even being called the Harley Davidson of the cycle line up! Nice to know I've done a good job on it
As per usual, we set off from the diabetic centre at 10am and made our way through Queens Park and along the Middlebrook Trail to Tesco's cafe.
Myself and 3 others stayed with the bikes till the rest of the mob finished their brews and we set off back the way we came.
Home after a very lazy ride along Chorley New Road and up through some posh streets.
16 miles averaging 9.3mph.

View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/26382238

 

[cyberknight]

No pictures today .
2 up with my ride mate Steve last night , just under 35 miles at 20.3 avg
https://www.strava.com/activities/1754670912

 

[Noodle Legs]

This ride I shall entitle “winging it”

Last night was back to it after a week lay off with Gastroenteritis and it kicked off the first point in August’s 50km challenge so I’m pleased to be off the mark with that. It was also a chance to give the new cycle computer a run out as I have switched allegiances from Garmin to Wahoo

Meeting up with 2 of the self proclaimed “Saga CC” lads Will and Martin and one of Will’s mates, it was 10 miles to the start along the flat, dry and empty Cloud Trail to Melbourne for 8 o’clock for a steady 20-25 around the local lanes. Of course, because of the time this meant strapping the lights back on the bike for the first time since winter!

No route was planned and we just winged it as we went along and as it was dead casual and not a thrash fest I quite liked that.

As it turned out we were heading back south taking in Tonge, Belton, Osgathorpe and Griffydam and by the time we got to Griffydam I decided to peel off as it was getting dark and it just made sense to head back towards home as it was only 5 miles away at the shortest route.

I was 21 in at this stage and only needed another 10 to get me over the line for the challenge so I had to carry on winging it by riding up Swannington Hill, around Coalville Bypass and up through Bardon Hill and Ellistown heading home along Ibstock Rd and turning off for Donington le Heath and up the hill to the Manor House. This point is only 400 yds from home and I was on 30.4 miles so yet again I had to wing it and do a (not so) magical mystery tour around Hugglescote to get me over the line.

31.2 in 1:49 averaging 17.1 mph.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1754612816

https://www.relive.cc/view/1754612816

 

[Katherine]

I had a feeling the A580 East Lancs Road was the only viable alternative from Leigh to the turn off for Newton le Willows. It is a decent surfaced cycle path/pavement alongside it but my only reservation is that you have to endure the busy traffic noise all the way along it. That comes as a bit of a shock after all the previous miles on quiet country lanes and tracks. But if it is viewed as just a few miles on it as a means to getting to quieter and more scenic parts it's worth riding along it.

I ride that bit of the A580 cycle path regularly.
Yes, there's traffic on 1 side of you, but there is a wide grass verge between you and the traffic, and on the other side, there's fields and hedgerows to enjoy - always changing with the seasons.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

Quite an active weekend (Friday to Monday incl). Friday 25 miles and a 1000m swim. Saturday another 25 miles and then on to Sunday. A relaxed ride with the daughter; her first ride in a year or so! A pootle along the canal was in order. The weather once again was hot and sunny with a typical view being:

Everywhere is yellow and brown around here. It made a change to see any green at all.
Our first break came at the bridge over the A5. It always seems odd to have the water going over the road so we stopped to take in the view and have a drink. Miss Manatee hasn't yet mastered the drinking on the go thing. She has rather a death grip on the bars. Here's the view from the bridge on to the A5 Wattling Street:

Our goal was Wheaton Aston. I had walked from Brewood to there and it felt a very long way. On the bikes on a lovely day, the distance seemed less and soon passed. We stopped for a cheeky beer/lemonade at the canal side pub and decided to press on to a place called Little Onn just because it sounded cool. I believe there is a stately home there. We didn't see that but there were some lovely buildings including this industrial masterpiece.

Tastefully converted, it will make a lovely home. We turned around at the ten mile mark so that we could say we had ridden 20 miles. Daughter started struggling on the way back. we stopped at a bench. The bench was in the memory of Jack Dobson.

I have always wanted to write a book about benches and the people they are dedicated to in random places around the country. I could ride to each one and do some local research...

On the home stretch and there was much groaning from behind me. We made it home after an enjoyable (I think) 20 miles. Here is one final picture of my noble steed:

I then went out again last night despite feeling a little sore and did another 34 miles in just under 2 hours. The little road I use to avoid the M54 junction is closed for a few days so a couple days off for me now.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Off to Upton I headed where Jules H was waiting. We chatted for a while and decided to take the Walton Cardiff approach to Gotherington. We took a detour to explore Woolstone where, above the village, a friendly farming lady explained about her farm and the bridle way we could take to Dixton. Tempting as that was we retraced to visit the church instead and then eventually rejoined our planned route at Gotherington. Again we detoured but only slightly to see if any steam engines were at Winchcombe station. We gave up waiting and headed straight for the cafe above Hailes Abbey. Our lady host was most friendly and explained how the family business worked. Seems a 100 acre fruit farm isn't an economic viability in this modern day.

After refreshing ourselves and watching the birds on the feeders (a Nuthatch made an appearance) we took to viewing the church at Hailes. Mediaeval frescoes survive in here. Quite a special place. We took the lanes through Stanway and Stanton. These are lovely unspoiled Cotswold spots. We turned away from the Cotswold scarp for Wormington and Dumbleton to join the "round Bredon Hill" route. Now we had some headwind to deal with and Kersoe bank was tougher for that. At Eckington a truck with a house on the back struggled to cross the old bridge over the Avon. It made it without mishap so we were able to continue on the standard run back to Upton. Jules headed home as I took my usual run back. I called in at the nursery for some plant food so now some garden activity is called for. 71 smiles

 

[Jenkins]

Today's outing involved loading the Spa Elan into the boot of the car, driving to Diss and starting a loop from there. If I thought it was hot the other day, today topped that - 25°C at 09:30 rising to 33°C by the end of the ride. I'd ridden some of the roads before when having a break from the racing at Snetterton, but not this whole route.

After a bit of a false start where the Garmin Touring wouldn't regain the route I'd loaded, I finally got on the correct road out of Diss to Fersfield, then up through South & North Lopham ending up at Kenninghall before diverting off again along mostly single track roads to Eccles (not the Manchester one obviously, but it still brought out my inner Goon), under the A11 at Hargham to Shropham and down again to Larling,

leading on to...

where, judging by the sounds, there was a bit of motorbike testing going on.

Knowing the roads in the area, it was possible to do a lot of zig-zagging through Quidenham, East Harling, Kenninghall, East Harling (again) and ending up in Garboldisham without crossing over the same piece of road, but getting in a fair bit of mileage.

By this time a bit of a breeze had picked up, but far from being cooling, it had the same effect as the fan in an oven! From Garboldisham it was down to Hopton and then across to Thelnetham...

and through the Redgrave & Lopham Fen area to Wortham Ling where the open heathland just added to the heat. A quick trip down to Palgrave and Stuston followed before ending back up in Diss after 58 miles.

Once the bike was back in the car and I'd had a 1/2 litre of squash (on top of the 800ml of squash/High5 tabs mix on the ride) the day out was finished off with gammon & chips plus 2 pints of most welcome ice cold full fat Fanta (no alcohol at all when driving) in the Thatcher's Needle across the road from the car park.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1756312780

 

[Dark46]

Firstly some how I forgot to post Sundays club ride.

Well Sundays ride was a bit of a mixture or enjoyment and aching legs.

Well @Donger were out again with the socail group and was unusual to find that there were no women out.

The ride was a bit hit and miss from the beginning as only @Donger had the ride on any form of gps, but he was never at the front it was as though people had other agendas. As @Donger say "if people want to blast off and leave everyone, without looking out for other riders they shouldn't ride in the socail group ." Well put my man.

A few times it was obvious that people didn't know where they were going, then had to wait and get it confirmed by people they've had to wait for. So why blast off and then complain when your shouted at "WRONG WAY ". Hmm.

The route out of the estate and the first few miles were completely familiar territories to the KCC. It was only when we got to the Gloucester Business Park that things didn't make sense to me. But I'm not in charge so I wasn't going to argue.

We went from here to Hucclecoat and towards Churchdown. Not a hill I enjoy but going the other way is a different matter.

I was behind @Donger and George(who seemed not to be himself) at the start of the climb . I was feeling rather good so went around the both of them a put some effort into the climb. I was impressed how I was doing , but I'm sure the bike is making me look better than I am.

There were a few hills today as we left the city of Gloucester behind us. We were going up Dog Lane the opposite direction to what I'm used to. I was looking forward to it but the road surface going up was appalling . It was when I turned off to up towards Dog Lane that @Donger said he didn't feeling right and would go straight on.

After Dog Lane there was a nice downhill section but it didn't last long. Getting to the Shell garage on the A46 I knew that Fiddlers was next and I hate it. For some reason here i get on the pavement as it feels the cars are closer and give you less room. Why it unnerves I had no idea it just does.

As suspected I struggled Fiddlers before catching the others at the summit. I wasnt there long because I was told one often others wanted to move on! Give me a chance to get my breathe back or legs recover .

Luckily from here it was quite simple to Rococco Gardens for the coffee or cider stop as it turned out to be. As we got there the inter group were there already drinking and eating.

After our stop it was down to Painswick, Stroud and then the usual way home through Stonehouse.

I had warned the others that I usually fall into a state of dying that way home as my legs don't like that way after 30 odd miles. But some reason this didn't happen to the usual degree.

All and all a good ride but I did miss @Donger at the stop as he went home.
So looking forward to being out with him in the week.

 

[Dark46]

Well last night @Donger picked me up about 17:20 as we were coming to our friend Claire's for a ride. It was going to be different for both of us starti g somewhere different other than the Kingsway.

Getting to Claire's @Donger took his bike first off his car then mine and commented on how long my bike was compared to his sturdy steed.

I would love to give a in depth account of where we went but I've never been down a lot of the roads and lanes we went down. The amount of times I didn't know where I was was amazing lol.

There were a few nasty climbs thrown in but it was a great ride with great company.

I know we went through Minchenhampton, Tetbury, Amsbury and Cherrington. The countryside in the Cotswolds is amazing, the road surface was not so great bit you can't have everything.

So it was another 25 miles in the bag and a quick coffee back at Claire's before heading back home.

 

[Donger]

AS @Dark46 said, a much nicer ride last night. I was feeling much better, and nobody was overly concerned about average moving speed. Claire, James and I did have a bit of a laugh and plenty of good chatting on the way. What a joy it is to start a ride somewhere different and not to always know what is just around the next corner. We did a bit of loop-the-looping from Minchinhampton, taking in Cherington (twice), Minchinhampton (three times), Tetbury, Chavenage, Rodborough, Amberley, Pinfarthing and Box. Some great little villages and a couple of commons with far-reaching views. I had only ever ridden about a half or two thirds of the roads we did, so it was a journey of discovery for me. I always like it when the cows are out on Minchinhampton Common and Rodborough Common - even if you have to ride around them sometimes. A lovely 26 mile ride, with only a couple of hills, though we did have a bit of a slog into a headwind for a few miles near the end.
At Chavenage House (Tradesmen's entrance?):

View towards Butter Row from Rodborough Common:

Group selfie:

All in all, a terrific place for a bike ride. Great, quiet lanes and scenery everywhere.
Cheers, Donger.

 

[jongooligan]

The gentle breeze predicted by the BBC hosed us with a mixture of dust and straw as we made our way up Teesdale from Darlo yesterday. At least it wasn't cold. Unfortunately it was all uphill though, albeit at a benign gradient until we got to Barnard Castle.

Me and the lad had set off with the firm intention of spending the night at the Tan Hill Inn after getting off the 12:52 to Darlington but that hot headwind was making it a long, slow job. A hot dry headwind produces a mighty thirst so we stopped in Whorlton for a pint of Jennings Cumberland Ale at Fernaville's Rest, the village pub.

Legend carved in wall at Whorlton (not sure whether it's the name of a house or the street)

Refreshed we carried onto Barney where we went off course (deliberately) to find an ATM and have another pint at the Turks Head. This caused the Garmin Edge 200 I was using for navigation to barf on us. Not a massive problem but annoying nontheless as it's happening so often as to make the thing useless. It meant we had to use the A67, which was busy with teatime traffic, rather than go the more scenic way around Lartington as I was unsure of that route.

It's a real treadmill slog up the 4 miles to Bowes on that road. Not steep but always uphill and the pulses of 60+mph traffic 4" from our right elbows made it a particulary unpleasant experience.

Well worth it though because the next bit is sublime. Once through Bowes we were onto the Sleightholme Moor road which is tarmac up to the farm and gravel afterwards. No traffic, huge skies and vast acres of purple tinged moorland all around us made this section the highlight of the trip.

Sleightholme Moor

Got to admit though that I was glad to reach tarmac on the Long Causeway as the surface of the track is quite rough near the top and my 28mm tyres were making the bike skittish with the front wheel deflecting off the stones. There's just one more short, steep bit between the end of the track and the pub where we arrived at 7 o'clock. Mmmm.......... six hours for 34 miles is very slow but that includes the two pub stops and lots of sight seeing and what does it matter anyway?

As for the pub:
Beer - ok
Food - just ok
Room - just ok
We were entertained by other guests and some of the staff playing the piano directly below our room until 3am. At breakfast the landlord and landlady were unavailable to discuss this with us. I've asked for a refund.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Actually Monday's ride but I've been busy since so haven't had time to write it up 'til now:

The new months keep coming on round and so do the challenge rides. Monday looked like being a good day for the August one and I fancied doing a favourite ride out to Lake Vyrnwy and back.

I woke up to a warm but overcast morning with a bit more wind than expected from the forecast, however it was coming from a direction that would be good for the ride back. The Galaxy was brought out and I set off to Condover initially then following tried and tested roads to Minsterley, Westbury, Melverley, Maesbrook and Llynclys for my first stop. By this point the cloud cover was burning off nicely and it was promising to be another beautiful summer day.

Traffic had been quite light and fairly well behaved from the start and that carried on along the road up the Tanat Valley apart from getting a hoot and some gesturing from the driver of a van which turned out to be the escort vehicle of an oversized load. Mixed feelings about that as I'm happy to move over to allow the the large load past but didn't think the van driver got his message across very well.

For the rest of the trip up the valley my only adversary was the wind already mentioned but I was getting along better than it felt like at the time. At Penybontfawr the climbing starts and it felt like quite an effort this time but I got up alright with the use of some of the low range gears. The road down the other side was clear this time so I could get some speed up and use the whole road to avoid the bad surface (Wales mostly has better maintained roads than Shropshire but this is one of the exceptions).

After the last little climb up from Abertridwr I was at the dam and overlooking the lake. I hadn't been sure what to expect from it today due to the drought - it seemed to be about six or seven feet below the normal level but no worse than that. The people of Liverpool aren't going to run out of water just yet.

I had a bite to eat and carried on to do my customary anti-clockwise first lap of the lake. It took a little effort to get moving again but my speed built and I was soon doing a comfortable 15 to 16 mph cruise and overtaking other cyclists on the way. The place was quite busy today with walkers, cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists all enjoying the scenic route. Probably just as well it wasn't the weekend when I'm sure it was much busier.

After my lap I dropped down to the Old Barn Cafe and had a coffee with some bara brith. The girl behind the counter commented that she didn't remember me but did remember the CycleChat top I was wearing from last time I was there.

Moving on again I retraced my steps for the clockwise lap of the lake, once again passing lots of people on bikes as they enjoyed the day. Coming up behind one such family group I tinged my bell and the lady at the back called out "Mind out there's a professional coming past".

The flat riding (and making a point of not pushing on too fast) had eased the legs so when I left the lake behind and had to tackle the climbs again it felt better. I took the alternative way back to Penybontfawr which involves a little more climbing but the road is a little less damaged and gives some different views. While on the climb I noticed some popping noises as my tyres burst little beads of tar welling up in the road. I hadn't realised it had got as hot as that at the time. The descent brought a cooling rush of air and an unexpected hazard as I had to slow for peafowl (two cocks, two hens) wandering about in the road. They were camera shy though and darted off into the undergrowth when I attempted to get a picture.

I'd hoped for a good tailwind back down the Tanat Valley but it didn't seem as strong as earlier on and seemed to be swinging round quite often to be a crosswind (a look at the Met Office website later confirmed that I wasn't imagining things), despite this I got along at a really good pace and enjoyed the run back to Llynclys where I had my last bite to eat before the run to home. A tractor and combine harvester went past heading in my direction just as I was about to set off again so I was able to catch them and make use of the slipstream to keep up an effortless 20mph for the next couple of miles until they turned off. The downside of this was being in a cloud of dust and straw during that time.

I was heading back by the most direct route this time as I had plenty of mileage in hand to hit the imperial century. This meant heading through Knockin turning towards Kinnerley where a tractor and trailer got in the way a bit. Sometimes they were fast enough for the slipstream to be worthwhile but they kept having to slow for oncoming vehicles so I'm fairly sure I'd have been faster if I could have got ahead of them. Never mind.

At this point of the ride the day had become pretty hot and I was getting through the water quite quick. The heat was also getting to the roads and at Great Ness they had properly melted. It started off by noticing a swish under my tyres as though the road was wet but the noise got louder and more noticeable until it was more like something
frying and I started to wonder whether it would damage the rubber. Fortunately the road to Montford Bridge wasn't as bad and was back to normal after a mile or so.

I finished off by avoiding the cyclepaths as far as Meole Brace since I could go faster on the road but ended up quite slow on the final climb.

111.13 miles at 14.7 mph moving average which is my fastest Imperial Century of the year so far. I managed a top speed of 35.5 and the total time including stops was 9 hours 30 minutes.

After a very overcast start the sun starts to break through on the way to Pontesbury (Pontesford Hill and Earl's Hill in the background)

On my way up the Tanat Valley the usually lush, green countryside of mid Wales has been suffering in the dry weather too.

A plea from one of the farmers in the Hirnant Valley.

I've reached Llyn Efyrnwy. Time for a break before taking in a lap of the lake.

On my second lap. The roadside waterfalls have been reduced to a trickle or dried up altogether.

Trying an arty shot through the trees. The place looked utterly fabulous in the sunshine.

Looking towards the dam from Pont Cynon.

On my alternative route back to Penybontfawr.

At Knockin.

The state of the road at Little Ness. Pretty sticky!

 

[skudupnorth]

Dropped a bag of sheeps wool off at a friends house this evening for her to use in crafty type things. Strapped the bag to the fixie and dragged number two daughter along across the trails that were once proud Coal mines in our area and onto the canal to my friends house 3 miles away. It was far better than jumping in the car and we had fun exploring...... or getting lost with style !

 

[skudupnorth]

Here’s another of my little darling riding the canal section of our jaunt. The path is perfect for cycling