Your ride today....

[ianrauk]

Got my February qualifying Imperial Century a Month ride done today. The cold headwinds and Kent Oasts ride. An anti clockwise loop through Surrey and Kent.
It was A lovely day for it. Blue skies and sunny all day. The first half of the ride suffered from very naughty headwinds which made for tough going and making it feel colder than it actually was. Didn't stop a good few cyclists going out on shorts and short sleeve jerseys... masochists.
Anyhoo.. 104 miles on the clock for the day.
Century month #135 in a row

 

[bluenotebob]

I wanted to have one last push on the bike in February – and I needed a traffic-free and flattish ride today. I put the road bike in the van and drove to Mauron to start from there. I headed south down the V3 Voie Verte, through Ploërmel and into the Oust valley. It can be very pretty by the Nantes-to-Brest canal but there are often too many people about for it to be truly enjoyable. Today was overcast with rain heading in this evening – but it was delightfully quiet. I followed the V3 down to the Pont de Bagotais then turned around and switched to the canal towpath (also EuroVelo #1), heading north through le Roc St André and I rejoined the V3 at la Touche Carné. Back to the van via Ploërmel and Loyat. 65km today in a slow but pleasant 4 hours.

The Nantes-to-Brest canal looking towards Malestroit

Five cormorants (I think) in a tree over the canal

The grotto at le Roc St André

 

[bagpuss]

Today's outing took me out as far as Yoxall/Hadley End. Leaving Derby via Radbourne Lane, passing the water tower I spied another cyclist up the road in front. So I threw caution to the wind, and decided to play catch up. Turning left towards Trusley, I managed to catch their back wheel as we both rode towards Dalbury Hollow, and for the next mile or so passed the time of day with a pleasant young lady. At Heage Lane we parted company, and I took the road to Etwall. The snowdrops on either side of the road were that thick that they almost looked like lying snow. Over to Marston on Dove and up the lane to Nestles coffee factory. Up through Tutbury and down to Tatenhill. The road into Dunstall was then taken, riding through lovely countryside. Dunstall is a village where time seems to have stood still. Up out of the village and down to the top end of Yoxall and into Hadley End. Here I called at a friend's house and was duly provided with tea and biscuits and an hour yapping about cycling adventures. My route home took me through Newborough and to the village of Hanbury. The views from the top of Hanbury Hill are the finest in this part of the Derbyshire/Staffordshire border. The ridge line of the Staffordshire Moorlands can clearly be seen. I then glided down to Tutbury. Up past the plaster works and the old RAF Fauld munitions dump, which was rocked by a massive explosion during WW2. Up into Tutbury, the two short climbs making for some interest. Past the remains of the castle and back over the River Dove into Hatton. From here I returned home via Sutton,Dalbury Hollow and back home.

On the run into Dunstall

Dunstall Church complete with a horse and its rider a top standing by the main door .

View from the top of Hanbury hill .
So another grand few hours riding in the winter sun . Oops double pictures posted .

 

[GuyBoden]

It's the first day of meteorological spring today, 1st March.

So, I had a nice ride in the sunshine to Jodrell bank.

It's much bigger than it looks in my photo.

 

[theloafer]

had to drop off my prescription at the Drs and decided on the scenic route home as it was a lovely day .out on the cycle path into Shildon, through the dabble duck industrial estate then used the off road track that takes you to Brusselton lane past part of original Stockton and Darlington railway line.
then up to royal oak over the A68 and drop into Bolam down to pick up the B 6279 into Ingleton then quite lanes through Langton, past the Ford (one day i will try to ride through ) then on to Little Newsham. joined the A67 as Whorlton bridge still closed , and dropped into Barnard Castle at my fav cafe for coffee and and bacon butty (with chips ) . sat in the lovely sunshine keeping the locals amused with the e-bike.
headed out of barny past to Bowes Museum and down to Greta Bridge to pick up the A66 ,just for about a mile then off in the direction of Thorpe on to Cadwell through Eppleby .. no coffee stop here legs were wanting to be home ..lol into Piercebridge heading to Walworth then Heighington then its all downhill into Aycliffe great day to be out on the bike, my l
ongest ride this year 44 miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/6756617499

​

 

[cwskas]

I have a long time friend and cycling mentor who was instrumental in getting me back to cycling almost 3 years ago. I was feeling like I would never get past a 1 mile moderate climb without passing out. He was very patient and in a few months he had me doing 15+ mile rides. Almost a year ago he contracted COVID and is still suffering long-term consequences.

Yesterday was a beautiful day with very little wind. I rode to his house and then we did 9-10 miles together and I headed out to finish 30 miles on my way home. He is getting stronger, but not as fast as either of us would like.

The picture of us together is not in focus, but I decided to include it since it was the only one of him.

 

[Old jon]

A bit of a ride today, thought I. Stuff like breakfast slowed things down a bit but eventually the Spa and I pedalled away towards the main road. Down that is the way to Office Lock and the towpath.

Only as far as Viaduct Road, and then down that to cross Kirkstall Road. About three miles from that crossing is the end of the climb away from the River Aire, and that felt like hard going this morning. Indeed, just before reaching Lawnswood School I was passed by a jogger. That did make me feel old. A little.

Carried on along the A660, sort of busy but not too much so. Pass Golden Acre Park, which looked dismal and damp this morning, and ride on through Bramhope. A couple of riders were crossing the road here, heading for Creskeld Lane maybe. Almost decided to have a go at that myself, narrow, steeply downhill and very likely covered in runoff water. Not that brave this morning, let’s turn right at the Dyneley Arms and enjoy Pool Bank instead.



That left turn at the end of the video is onto the A659, which goes all the way to Otley. I turned right before reaching there, to ride through Tittybottle Park and to the south bank of the River Wharfe. Different views of the town and what looks like a much longer weir than the view from the other bank. Stopped there for a munch and a play with a proper camera. Which did surprise me earlier, it fit in the rack top bag easily. Might just start carrying that more often.

I have been told what this pumping station is for, but I forgot. And those are not turbines, as my informant insisted, but screws, named after a long dead Greek.

Another of the Spa

and the weir looks very long this morning

Maybe just see the bowling green . . .

And then it is time to turn for home, starting with the slog up Leeds Road. There are alternative ways back. Steeper, and not so appealing today. Back through Bramhope, and decided to keep straight on, miles are needed and anyway roads look different in the opposite direction. Bramhope certainly looks better this way, I wonder why?

Back through Headingley, which was suffering the heaviest traffic I have seen in a long time. A right turn towards Kirkstall escaped all that, and led back to the towpath for that peaceful pedal back towards the town centre. Wander through a corner of Hunslet and then to home. The end of a cracking good ride, thirty miles and fourteen hundred feet of up. Gave me reason to grin.

Usual directions, those climbs look steep.

 

[Scotchlovingcylist]

Decided to change things up a bit today and show the mtb's some love. Old railway line to Hornsea picks up near my house, more of a short, steady social ride today. Wet, muddy and very cold but incredibly enjoyable nonetheless. Breakfast at the freeport cafe was lovely and kudos to the owner letting us in wet and muddy, we offered to mop up afterwards however they said it was fine.
First outing with rigid forks and hybrid tyres, handled surprisingly well through the thick stuff and very fast on road sections, wish I'd done it years ago.

 

[GuyBoden]

A nice ride to Newbridge on the river weaver.

I've spotted sheep eating crops in fields a few times this week.

 

[Noodle Legs]

Just five miles to report today.

Recovering from a crippling lower back injury and getting some mobility back, I took advantage of a break in the inclement weather and headed to Ashby to fetch the car from the garage after its service and MOT. This, I thought, would be an ideal opportunity to test the back out after eight days of severe pain and discomfort.

I gave myself plenty of time to get there, allowing an hour for what would normally be a twenty minute journey. No wind, dry roads, plenty of sun, and a gentle ish seemingly effortless spin, I still got there in 19:50!

And the car surprisingly sailed through its MOT- I was amazed as it had an advisory last year for a perishing CV boot and so was expecting that to fail at the very least but it must have fixed itself as it wasn’t even mentioned! Happy days!

 

[cyberknight]

1st outdoor ride of the year after having collar bone plated 7 weeks ago started off pretty good but as the ride progressed the shoulder pain got worse and the average speed plummeted .Managed a measly 23 miles in total with a few short stops to relieve the pain at an average of 16.7 mph.
I was hoping to be ok so i could ride to work next week but i guess im not ready , so it will be zwift for another week at least

 

[bagpuss]

My ride today was a load of.....,

History said tree here
https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4302857

Good ride in a cold wind & and some climbs for the legs .

 

[Dave 123]

Ye

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Yesterday I had a 15 mile ride with arms and knees on show…. It was a bit chilly Willy, but nice.

Today a cold north easterly wind had me covered up for a ride along the coast, then through the lanes over Penquit, and around to the back of Ivybridge. Back via Lee Mill and Yealmpton to finish. 22 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/6781585670

 

[chriswoody]

While the gravel bike may be off the road for another week, today was a good opportunity to bring the Bamboo bike out of hibernation. A quick pump of the tires and a few other bits and we were ready to roll. It was only after 8km that I realised that whilst I may have remembered to bring an inner tube and levers, I'd forgotten the wheels are bolted on and I don't have a 15mm spanner with me!

The ride itself started pleasantly enough with a ride through town and out the Eastern side, the road here is dead straight through the forest for several kilometres, but to the side is a lovely cycletrack. I'm not sure what the planners were smoking though when they created it, because it meanders and twists through the forest, sometimes to avoid trees, but most of the time it seems, just for the sheer crack of it. That said it was a pleasure to ride and the meandering nature of it was fun.

At the end it's a Southerly turn and into a small town, on Sunday everything is shut in Germany, so it was gloriously quiet and still. Out the other side, the road again heads off straight through a forest and the cars are speeding past like there on a motorway, for me though, I have a lovely smooth and quiet track to ride on.

The road continues to meander through forests and quiet villages, it's all very pleasant and tranquil. Several kilometres later and I'm riding into the village of Weinhausen with it's famous old Abbey dating back to the 13th century. I stop by the old water mill and look longingly at the nearby coffee shop, shame some numpty has forgot his wallet!

The streets here are all cobbled and the houses are the old wooden frame style that's common around here.

From here the road continues South for a couple more kilometres before I turn off and onto the cycle track next to the river which will bring me back to my town. The track is hard packed gravel, but it's recently been resurfaced and at times they have been a bit over generous with the pea gravel, which, with 25mm tires can be a bit entertaining.

A mix of tracks and roads brings me the last kilometres back into town and through the centre the low sun reflects off the old houses and shops, some of which date back to the 15th century.

A nice ride all told and a nice change to take the Bamboo bike out, though it was bitterly cold today, just 5 degrees and in total 35 kilometres.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

First ride back after a heavy chest infection, a week or two recovering then covid 🙈