The 2025 Half Century (50km or 50 mile) Challenge Chatzone.

[iandg]

52km ride out in the sun with just over 5miles of previously unridden tarmac between Eaglesfield and Burnthill (Tundergarth) which gave some impressive views of Burnswark Hill, site of a Roman Hill Fort built in approximately 140AD. Theme of the day seemed to be Church photos. Tundergarth Church holds a book of remembrance for those killed in the 1988 Lockerbie disaster.

Brydekirk

Middlebie

Previously un-travelled tarmac, the signpost suggests it wont be flat.

Burnswark Hill

Over the top

Tundergarth Church

Ukranian POW Chapel (nr. Lockerbie)

Dalton Church

 

[ColinJ]

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Ukranian POW Chapel (nr. Lockerbie)

That made me curious so I Googled it and found THIS.

 

[iandg]

That made me curious so I Googled it and found THIS.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001ng22

Mark Stephen is in Dumfries and Galloway near Lockerbie to hear the story of the Hallmuir POW Ukrainian Chapel. In 1947, almost 500 Ukrainian POWs were interned and contracted to work in the local area in farming and forestry. Far from home and unable to return, the men created a chapel in one of the corrugated iron huts, and there have been regular services held there ever since. 75 years on, in an echo of history, the tiny chapel has become a focal point for Ukrainians and their families who have recently come to Scotland having been displaced following the Russian invasion of their homeland.

 

[teeonethousand]

At last..I got my Giant Revolt back yesterday afternoon with a shiny new right side brifter. Shimano warranty process is crap IMHO but lesson learned that any future warranty claims I will try to live with till winter.

I replaced the Maxis Rambler 700x 40 with Gravelking semi slick 35s and even though it was my first time doing tubeless it was a breeze.

Today's windy and cool 31 miles was at a much higher average than usual. Part was psychological, part the better bike and part the tyres. Either way I am back to being happy now. I shall be 70 in a few weeks and I will be doing the cycle-my-age so every little helps 😂😂

 

[ColinJ]

Either way I am back to being happy now. I shall be 70 in a few weeks and I will be doing the cycle-my-age so every little helps 😂😂

In miles or km?

 

[FrothNinja]

52km ride out in the sun with just over 5miles of previously unridden tarmac between Eaglesfield and Burnthill (Tundergarth) which gave some impressive views of Burnswark Hill, site of a Roman Hill Fort built in approximately 140AD. Theme of the day seemed to be Church photos. Tundergarth Church holds a book of remembrance for those killed in the 1988 Lockerbie disaster.

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Brydekirk

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Middlebie
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Previously un-travelled tarmac, the signpost suggests it wont be flat.

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Burnswark Hill

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Over the top

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Tundergarth Church

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Ukranian POW Chapel (nr. Lockerbie)

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Dalton Church

Cracking group of pics.
As a clarification - Burnswark Hill was a native fort besieged by naughty Quintus Lollius Urbicus and his band of Continental invaders c140 AD. They left behind one of the biggest assemblages of Roman missiles found in Britain, plus a number of siege camps.

 

[teeonethousand]

In miles or km?

Miles...that's the plan. 😁👍

 

[Spartak]

Took advantage of the good weather yesterday and met up with the BTOTC group for their ride to Whitminster.
I rode with the intermediate group and we headed north via Horton Hill up onto the Cotswolds, thru the villages of Hawkesbury Upton, Didmarton & Nympsfield before the descent of Frocester to our destination of the Fromebridge Inn for lunch.
After a lovely hour sat in the beer garden I took advantage of the tailwind and rode all the way back to Bristol on the A38 !
Not as bad as it sounds [ cycle lane for most of it & wide road with good visibility ].

My first metric century of the year ... 🥳

 

[C R]

Took advantage of the good weather yesterday and met up with the BTOTC group for their ride to Whitminster.
I rode with the intermediate group and we headed north via Horton Hill up onto the Cotswolds, thru the villages of Hawkesbury Upton, Didmarton & Nympsfield before the descent of Frocester to our destination of the Fromebridge Inn for lunch.
After a lovely hour sat in the beer garden I took advantage of the tailwind and rode all the way back to Bristol on the A38 !
Not as bad as it sounds [ cycle lane for most of it & wide road with good visibility ].

My first metric century of the year ... 🥳

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Nice Estrella, the beer of my youth.

 

[FrothNinja]

Pinged a muscle (don't know how) in my calf prior to todays ride but still managed to get it done with plenty of rests - especially on the hills.
Probably my imagination but (bar the hills) it has been easier on the bike than walking/limping.
Meant to be doing another 50km down to Ashton later in the week to collect my hopefully repaired car. I'll be reversing my route from the 29th & according to Komoot I descended 503 m / 1,650 ft on that. The stretch along the Rochedale canal should be easy enough, but I'm not sure it's such a good idea...not least because the lack of car has meant I have been on two wheels for all my transport.
That said, if the weather turns I think I will want the roof with 4 wheels back.
Road conditions have been nice and grippy if you keep clear of the bulldust and gravel bars.

 

[C R]

Second metric century of the year. 59 km in very blustery winds, but at least it didn't rain.

Nice to be out, but my fitness is nowhere near there yet.

 

[Willd]

Stoopid weather forecast No rain it said.... apart from one very large cold shower Mind you the wind meant I'd mostly dried out by the time I got home apart from my socks and underwear.

 

[13 rider]

Monthly update and last 1 day weekend warning ,We have 21 riders fully posted up leaving 2 riders to declare so a gentle nudge for @bruce1530 and a even gentler nudge for @sevenfourate who's been a bit 🤢 I'm hoping he's recovered enough for an early Saturday ride

 

[sevenfourate]

Monthly update and last 1 day weekend warning ,We have 21 riders fully posted up leaving 2 riders to declare so a gentle nudge for @bruce1530 and a even gentler nudge for @sevenfourate who's been a bit 🤢 I'm hoping he's recovered enough for an early Saturday ride

Yea cheers. It's taken me a while to start to feel alive again after a week off work, trips to Hospital and the Virus stealing a stone off me right quick. Currently feeling about 90% now on general day-to-day work duties.

If i'm honest - i'm not hugely looking forward to cracking this ride in. Maybe i'll feel a whole lot better once geared up and out on the road
So yes - the intention is to get out early Saturday and get it done. Don't want to give up the rubbish weather rides already under the belt to forego what should be a nice ride in decent weather.......

 

[bruce1530]

I'm struggling too - been off work for 3 weeks, first Covid (yes, it's still out there, and for me despite being fully vaccinated it floored me for over a fortnight) then a secondary chest infection. Really dont know whether I'll get a ride in this month.