Your ride today....

[Dave 123]

After a wet dog walk and some baking it was time for a ride. There was a hint of blue sky too. I didn’t quite escape the rain, but I could have been worse!

I stopped in Ivybridge to look at the river Erme. That old white water paddler in me thought it looked fun from the road bridge, but the view from the old Ivy bridge was ugly, with a river wide strainer. Nasty.

https://www.strava.com/activities/3045718418

 

[AndreaJ]

My run of rides in the winter sunshine came to an unwelcome end today with what bbc weather optimistically called light rain and a breeze which was more like heavy rain and wind. I had planned a longer ride so just had to add extra layers and hope the rain stopped, I started out to Northwood, Welshampton, Coptiviney and towards Ellesmere turning towards Trench by the Mere, on to Elson and back into Ellesmere past millionaires row and though the town then past Ellesmere College to Lee where I turned towards Whitemere and past the nature reserve to Lyneal, past the vineyard and Colemere into the village of Colemere, Loppington, Horton, Whixall back to Northwood and then home. Hardly any traffic, no dog walkers but 2 horse riders and 1 cyclist. 38.2 cold, wet, windy miles @ 15.1mph. Got back soaking wet, cold and muddy, I will be glad when all the mud dries up.

 

[Jenkins]

The roads around here have finally dried up enough for a ride without mudguards that only required a quick wipe down of the frame rather than a full bike clean. The worst culprit is the ongoing movement of tractors and beet lorries on narrow country lanes dragging mud off the fields and from the verges.

Despite this, and an increasing breeze, it was good to get out for a bit this afternoon with the Pickenflick flat bar for a 35 mile loop around the normal areas of Falkenham, Kirton, Newbourne, Martlesham, Westerfield & Bucklesham, with further signs of how mild a winter it's been so far....

https://www.strava.com/activities/3045782202

 

[Spiderweb]

A day off work today so out on the winter steed just before midday. From Home I headed towards Cawood then down Church End and followed the narrow B roads through Wistow Lordship to the edge of Selby. Back towards Cawood on to Biggin then Church Fenton. Then a slightly different route home through Barkston Ash, down into Saxton and up Gotchers hill for a photo by the Battle of Towton memorial Cross ( love the camera on my new iPhone). Another half a mile then home for a warm bath!
29.3 miles with an average of 14 mph.
Fab ride and a beautiful day in North Yorkshire.

 

[EltonFrog]

I took the hybrid out again into town to get something we forgot yesterday, I took the precaution of putting my water proof trousers in the pannier, it looked like rain. When I got into town it did rain, quite hard.

Rather than cycle the way I came I decided to do a loop via old Didcot and out towards Harwell village increasing the mileage a little. It started to piss down so I was pleased I’d put on the waterproofs , hard going on the way back with a strong headwind, pity because earlier it was a beautiful morning.

Exactly 8 miles today.

 

[Old jon]

I dunno, another bright morning here. Perishing cold mind, and thankfully little breeze. Take the fixed out, fit double barrelled garthings and ride away. Yes, the old Edge 25 and the new 130. The old just in case the new did not play again. Today it did work.

Down the road and into Holbeck, on the way to Office Lock. A couple of Canal and River Trust vans were cluttering up the bridge there, I suppose that is part of their job. Less than a mile along the towpath is the turnoff for Viaduct Road, cross the river on that and then it is time to ride up. None of this is steep, it just goes on for a long while. Cross the Ring Road and pass the end of Otley Old Road, which goes upper for longer, and the road levels. Shortly after that turn right to ride through Adel.



After that a left turn takes me up to the top of Kings Road, and a view over Bramhope as I ride down back to the A660 which I had recently left. Through the village, up past the puritan chapel and along the road to the Dyneley Arms. Which is still an ex pub. Turn right and twiddle down Pool Bank to Pool. Full title, it has just returned to mind, Pool in Wharfedale. I wonder why the extra? Anyway, no need or desire to cross the Wharfe today, just before the bridge turn left onto the A659, the river and road keep fairly close together upstream to Otley.

Sight of the maypole there decided it was time to eat, and then set off again to the bottom of Leeds Road. And eventually reach the top, just before the Dyneley Arms is seen again, from the other side. Back through Bramhope, resisting the temptation to climb Kings Road, just enjoying a quiet pedal back to Headingley. Every now and then, for unfathomable reasons, Headingley and traffic just, err, snarl. This happened today. Not a vehicle moving much at all, ‘cept me and my bike. So, down the hill to find the towpath again and ride the final few miles to home. The sight of which made the smile wider. Thirty point four miles and more than 1500 feet. Cannot ask for better.

The almost inevitable map

 

[jongooligan]

Set off this morning in bright sunshine but with a nithering, blustery wind it was flipping cold. Took the road down through the centre of Chester le Street, through North lodge and got onto the C2C track, heading west as usual. The cold headwind was soon rasping in my throat as the work got harder so I was glad to get onto the bit which goes through a cutting and get a bit of shelter.

Came off the track at Beamish to climb up through No Place then swung left on the main road into Stanley.

Colliery Headgear Wheels at Stanley

These wheels have been incorporated into a memorial to the West Stanley Pit Disaster, in which 168 men and boys were killed. The youngest lad was just thirteen.

Got lost on the way out of town and realised I'd have to make a significant detour to get back onto the C2C track so decided to carry on through Tanfield Lea and see where the road took me. By happy accident I found another old railway line near Tantobie so jumped onto that and followed it up through White le Head where I turned for Harelaw and Catchgate.

It was here that the rain came on. That wasn't in the script - the BBC website gave wall to wall sunshine. I was cold and tired by this point so when I reached Annfield Plain and saw angry clouds massing in Weardale it was an easy decision to turn for home. Mostly downhill and wind assisted from here so I was pretty quick but without having to work hard I was soon absolutely nithered. So pleased to reach home and get a brew on.

22 miles with 1,400ft of ascent

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Nothing at the weekend, despite having planned to get out with my brother, as circumstances got in the way on Saturday and the weather was wet for the best part of the day on Sunday.

Fortunately Doug was free today so we got out in the morning to do the planned route. Setting out we saw the bad side of Shropshire motorists in the first couple of miles, the "highlight" being one who overtook on a hump-backed bridge, directly before a blind bend and giving me all of six inches of clearance. They were close enough to slap the side of the car - which I did. Doug got more room thankfully as they took a tighter line than he did into the right-hand corner.

I'd calmed down after Condover and we had the antithesis of this ignorant behaviour the other side of the village where a driver held back very patiently and waited for a safe place to pass us with care.

The lanes to Ryton and Longnor were quite quiet (except someone backed out of a drive into our path without looking in Longnor) and we had a drink stop at the usual crossroads where I noticed that there were clouds gathering over the Long Mynd. From the forecast I wasn't expecting showers until the afternoon so I hoped that these were going to stay very localised.

From Hollyhurst we headed for the big climb of the day up to Folly Bank. Doug did alright on this, just selecting a nice low gear and winding his way up. I'm pretty sure he would have made it up the climb in one go if we hadn't had to pull in to let a fuel tanker past about halfway up. We had another pause at the top before dropping down to Cardington.

Between Gretton and Longville we noticed the first spots of rain. It wasn't too bad at first but looking behind me I noticed that the shower clouds had become very threatening looking. On the plus side, the wind was behind us now and we got along at some very good speeds on the nice flowing downhill sections towards Church Preen School. Around here the rain caught up with us properly so we took shelter under a holly tree and had a snack when the opportunity presented.

The rain was on and off most of the way through Kenley, Acton Burnell, and Pitchford. We did come out of it on the way to Cantlop and it was just the odd bit to Condover where it finally dried up.

The aim of the day had been to get some hilly miles in so we finished off with the climb over Lyth Hill (short but steep approached from this side). Today had one nasty last little trick waiting when I found the cat poo booby-trap by the gate. Could have done without that.

Doug did pretty well today and despite incompetent motorists and inclement weather we did enjoy getting out. We weren't the only ones either - despite being a Monday in the depths of winter there were a handful of other cyclists out getting the miles in.

28.8 miles at 11.1 mph average.

I've been having weird problems with my phone the last few days so apologies for the photos coming out a bit distorted:

The usual drink stop near Longnor.

Doug about to crest the climb at Folly Bank.

Looking towards Caer Caradoc from near Longville. Looks a trifle damp back there.

The rain has caught us. Taking the chance to rest in a sheltered spot.

 

[cyberknight]

Farking awful
Only recabled the bike 2 weeks ago and the roads are that filthy the cable is gunked up and not shifting , you can feel the extra tension when you try to do it by hand.
2 Punctures within half a mile , all after i had to do overtime at work at not ate for 6 hours +

 

[AndreaJ]

The sunshine returned this morning although it was cold and a bit windy so a regular Monday ride trying to avoid the bin lorries. I headed out to Northwood and Whixall where I turned up to Fenns Wood, Blackloe, Alkington, Tilstock dodging the huge potholes on the Whitchurch road, Prees where the I had to wait for the train to go, Coton, back onto the lanes to get out of the wind, Whixall, Ryebank, back to Northwood then home. My bike was clean when I left as it got washed after yesterday’s muddy ride and it now looks just as bad☹️, will have to clean it again after tomorrow’s commute. It looks like Shropshire Council have given up repairing potholes as some of the roads are awful now. 25 miles @15.5mph

 

[BianchiVirgin]

Chilly morning on Sunday but managed a second January metric century at 102km and 760m of climbing. Club spin to present a cheque to NI Air Ambulance from funds raised last year at a sportive.

 

[Oxford Dave]

I had to skip my ride yesterday as I was feeling a bit rough, well, more than a bit, but that's all you need to know! So I was eager to get out this morning. I had to wait until the electrician had been round and fixed couple of things, so got on the road at 11.45. Rode up to Bampton, then turned left and over the Thames at Tadpole Bridge in search of what the map showed as a narrow road through to Hinton Waldrist. I couldn't find it and carried on to Buckland in the hope of finding a connection there, but there was nothing except the A420, not a road I want to be cycling on, so I turned back to Bampton. At least the hill I had struggled up (couldn't select the smallest chain wheel at the front, even though it was fine last time out) was an exhilarating swoop down back to the bridge.
From Bampton I turned up a side road and joined the Lew-Yelford single track road which I took all the way to the Hardwick lights, then had a short ride home.
Would have been more pleasant without the cold wind which seems to be blowing in my face whichever direction I was moving in, and the occasional rain didn't help either, but safely home after 2 hours and 7 mins and just over 23 miles. Just two weeks from my first ride in 15 years when I managed just 10% of today's distance, and I could have gone further but time was getting short.

 

[EltonFrog]

Another cobweb blower today, needed to close the move ring on my watch, so I got out into the winter sun and a bit of a gust and did my 7 mile loop. Just before I got home I checked the watch and still hadn’t quite closed the ring so I did a silly little figure of eight around the village for another mile and a bit. 8.11miles to exact. Nice day too.

 

[Donger]

Needed 27 more miles to hit my January target of 250, so headed out on a loop to Arlingham, Frampton and Whitminster in a stiff breeze with intermittent cold showers to get it done. Got overtaken by a kingfisher on the way out, then had a chat with a birdwatcher at the bottom end of Frampton. He had been watching a pair of merlins in the marshes. All of a sudden, the wind dropped and the clouds cleared away, leaving gloriously sunny, mild weather for my return. Plenty of snowdrops are out in these parts, along with the odd little patch of daffodils. Ended up doing 31.4 miles. No idea how long I took, as I didn't even glance at my watch once. Another nice timeless ride.
Cheers, Donger.

 

[fossyant]

Actually had a commute - first time bike commuting since breaking my back - bonus was it was actually off road. We had a two day 'away day' at Shrigley Hall. 13 miles there, slight detour via a farm yard, a building site then got stuck on someone's drive - why, no through routes - I'd come off the Middlewood Way two bridges too early, so popped back on the canal to come off at the right bridge.

The hotel were great - they let me bring the bike in round the side, and then they locked it away in a meeting room, with a sheet underneath it, as it, and I, was absolutely filthy. On leaving today, they brought it out to me in reception. I apologised about the mud, but they weren't concerned.

10 miles home as I took the direct route. My rucksack was very heavy - took a d-lock I didn't need, and my laptop, that again, wasn't needed. Slow going with a big backpacking rucksack.