In praise of the pootle

[Deleted member 1258]

My pootle this morning has included a fair bit of walking, I don't mind hoar frost but I try not to ride over sheet ice.This has kept my ride down to pootling speeds.

 

[tallliman]

This thread is making me concerned about using pootle or bimble to describe my 14-15mph average rides. The trouble is that compared to going flat out, that speed is a bimble to me!

 

[Vantage]

YES! I thought I was alone in my pootling! Thank You!

My average speed before the stroke had plummeted to around 10mph and most rides included the thermos and a couple chicken or corned beef sarnies.
My favourite ride was to a bridge in Bretherton where I'd park up, sit on the step and watch the horses by the riverbank. Occasionally ed the horse would attempt a knaw on my saddle or handlebar and I'd have to move the bike.
It was relaxing. Utter piece and quiet.
Can't wait to get back on the bike. I miss my pootles.

 

[FishFright]

View attachment 390193

Damm you ! I know have a new ear worm

 

[Tin Pot]

How many fellow pootlers have we got on CC then?

Pootled with a buddy of mine until his bike got nicked.

It’s a good alternative to catching up at the pub.

 

[gbb]

In fact, I'd go as far to say that, unless you pootle at times, then, within a couple of years, you'll end up not enjoying your cycling.

When I was fit and capable, i really really pushed myself and upped my averages considerably over the course of a year, and to a point enjoyed it immensely. But, i suddenly started to bawlk at the idea off going out and hammering myself. I suddenly lost the enjoyment it had been giving me, so what you say can certainly be true.

Pootler by necessity for me nowadays. Lung problems have almost finished my desire to get out there. I'm in a constant flux of remembering how I used to be yet several times I've almost talked myself into selling the bloomin stuff and stopping it altogether. Pooling is what's keeping me on the road at the moment...and to a degree, sane.

 

[Randomnerd]

This thread is making me concerned about using pootle or bimble to describe my 14-15mph average rides. The trouble is that compared to going flat out, that speed is a bimble to me!

You’ve now barred yourself from any further involvement in this thread for admitting to this outrageous behaviour. Take yourself off somewhere with a Thermos, several sarnies, a boiled egg, crisps, some fruit, a spare jacket, too many tools, a map, something to read, a nice pair of gloves, binoculars, a Leatherman, some Jelly Babies, to have a think about your cycling. (If you can do fifteen mph with Le Full Kit des Bimbleurs, then you belong with Les Roadies. Sorry.)

 

[Randomnerd]

A bimble? Now that's entirely different to a pootle. You may have opened a can of worms there. For goodness sake, no one mention tootles

Tootles are faster, more purposeful rides I think. I would “tootle to the shops” but never “pootle” there. Although I might “pootle” on the way back if I went the long way.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Nothing better than a good pootle . And your packed lunch ! Did i notice a packet of salt and vinegar square crisps and a hard boiled egg ? If so you have chosen the lunch of champions imo. Happy pootling and some real nice photos there .

You’ve now barred yourself from any further involvement in this thread for admitting to this outrageous behaviour. Take yourself off somewhere with a Thermos, several sarnies, a boiled egg, crisps, some fruit, a spare jacket, too many tools, a map, something to read, a nice pair of gloves, binoculars, a Leatherman, some Jelly Babies, to have a think about your cycling. (If you can do fifteen mph with Le Full Kit des Bimbleurs, then you belong with Les Roadies. Sorry.)

@woodenspoons has got it nailed

 

[Levo-Lon]

Pootle a fair bit myself due to not having the energy to do big miles.
20 30 miles is a nice way to see off 2-3 hrs

 

[Curlybars1972]

Nothing wrong with a good pootle! Slow down and enjoy the scenery, it works for me!

 

[delb0y]

In the spirit of this thread I pootled up a new lane that I'd never pootled before. When the ground is a bit drier I shall pootle beyond the end of the lane onto the bridle path that is there. Was a bit too muddy this morning though, so I pootled back to the main lane, and continued my original pootle.

 

[JPBoothy]

My pootle this morning has included a fair bit of walking, I don't mind hoar frost but I try not to ride over sheet ice.This has kept my ride down to pootling speeds.

I agree with you there abiut the ice.
Fortunately this morning it was just 'crunchy' frost rather than actual ice so care was required but it was pretty safe really.

 

[samsbike]

Love this thread. I am enjoying road riding less and less, and am slowly coming to the conclusion it’s fun just to pootle/ bimble.

I do need to find some decent routes around NW London but my commute has evolved to mainly canal path and cycle track.

Perhaps we should have a strava for the lowest ride!

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Love this thread. I am enjoying road riding less and less, and am slowly coming to the conclusion it’s fun just to pootle/ bimble.

I do need to find some decent routes around NW London but my commute has evolved to mainly canal path and cycle track.

Perhaps we should have a strava for the lowest ride!

There is a strava bit descending The Cat and Fiddle into Macclesfield. On the route is Peak View cafe (excellent btw). I'm sure @Andrew Br once told me he had the slowest descent recorded as he'd spent ages in the cafe without turning his Garmin off.