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

[C R]

Early ride as usual, which has the advantage of avoiding the heat and traffic, no one is stupid enough to be on the road on a Sunday at 6:30 unless they really have to. Other than me, of course.

This has been the ride with most elevation, and the fastest this year. Also, my road bike has passed the 10000 mile mark.

 

[ColinJ]

This has been the ride with most elevation, and the fastest this year. Also, my road bike has passed the 10000 mile mark.

Well done!

How much elevation was that, and how fast?

Many of my rides in hilly Yorkshire and Lancashire tend to have quite a lot of elevation gain but my speed is pretty low. I just crawl up the steep stuff in a low gear.

I have only done short rides this week because of the heat.

 

[C R]

Well done!

How much elevation was that, and how fast?

Many of my rides in hilly Yorkshire and Lancashire tend to have quite a lot of elevation gain but my speed is pretty low. I just crawl up the steep stuff in a low gear.

I have only done short rides this week because of the heat.

Not a lot of elevation, just about 500m, and not particularly fast at 15.4mph. I'm sure the regulars here do more elevation faster, but for me they're reasonable values.

 

[bluenotebob]

My road bike’s upgraded dashboard, boasting a new Garmin-style iGPS compteur, the old SIGMA odometer (wheel-based sensor), a very good RIGEL DUAL front light (to see), a fall-back front light (to be seen) and, at the bottom of the photograph, a small bell (to be heard – in theory, if not always in reality).

The iGPS compteur finally allows me to measure elevation/ascent and, if for some reason it fails: bad weather? deep in a forest? ... then the SIGMA odometer at least gives me total time + distance for the ride.

If the SIGMA odometer fails – which it has done several times this year, possibly a problem of humidité (dampness) in the connections – then the iGPS compteur provides a fairly accurate measurement of distance. I don’t think it’s quite as accurate as the SIGMA because it doesn’t take into account all of my meanderings – but it’s close enough (perhaps 500m less on a 60km ride).

Anyone else want to share photos of their bike’s dashboard/cockpit?

 

[ColinJ]

Not a lot of elevation, just about 500m, and not particularly fast at 15.4mph. I'm sure the regulars here do more elevation faster, but for me they're reasonable values.

I do tend to average more elevation here (so far this week 2,300+ m in 132 km) but my speed is much lower. This week's average is only 18.2 kmph (11.3 mph).

Blimey, I just looked back through all of this year's rides - I really have slowed down with age... My fastest ride this year was only 22.3 kmph, 13.9 mph!!

 

[ColinJ]

Now I am wondering how slow I would be without the hills! I feel tempted to go and do a longish ride in flatter terrain, such as the Vale of York. I reckon that I would do nearer 24 kmph/15 mph over there.

 

[Spartak]

Another July 50 today.

Took the train to Weston Super Mare to meet a cycling mate at the station, we then headed to the Pier to ride to the Pier at Clevedon, a great waymarked route that opened approx. a year ago, following quiet lanes and flat cycle lanes.

Lots of cyclists using it today enjoying the sunshine ☀️ 👍

We finished at the excellent Scarlets Cafe opposite Clevedon Pier for a coffee and great chocolate & orange cake.

I then headed back to Bristol via Tickenham, Nailsea & Long Ashton.
Discovered a couple more 'Gromit Unleashed' statues as I passed thru' Ashton Gate and Southville.

 

[teeonethousand]

Today my plan was to get my "ride my age" tick so aiming for at least 70 miles. . Anyone with any sense would choose a flat route so I decided to try out Reeth Cycle Hub which is about 32 miles and 2000 ft of climbing away from my home. 😂😂. A perfect day for it and a few village diversions there and back saw me do a smidge over 70 miles and about 3000ft total.

 

[Spartak]

Another July 50 today.

Took the train to Weston Super Mare to meet a cycling mate at the station, we then headed to the Pier to ride to the Pier at Clevedon, a great waymarked route that opened approx. a year ago, following quiet lanes and flat cycle lanes.

Lots of cyclists using it today enjoying the sunshine ☀️ 👍

We finished at the excellent Scarlets Cafe opposite Clevedon Pier for a coffee and great chocolate & orange cake.

I then headed back to Bristol via Tickenham, Nailsea & Long Ashton.
Discovered a couple more 'Gromit Unleashed' statues as I passed thru' Ashton Gate and Southville.

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Here's the link to the Strava Flyover of the Pier to Pier section ...
Well worth cycling if your ever in the area ... 👍

https://strava.app.link/c2cJIQ1j3Ub

 

[ColinJ]

Now I am wondering how slow I would be without the hills! I feel tempted to go and do a longish ride in flatter terrain, such as the Vale of York. I reckon that I would do nearer 24 kmph/15 mph over there.

I actually went out there today with a pal to do a singlespeed metric century. It was a bit breezy and we effectively did a big loop so sometimes the wind helped, sometimes it hindered a lot, and sometimes it hindered a bit. We averaged near enough 20 kmph, but we weren't trying to go quickly, just enjoying the sunshine, and generally quieter roads with better surfaces than typical here in the Calder Valley.

 

[Domus]

Popped out 30 minutes earlier than usual, a quick 50 kms to Arnside and back before the predicted heavy downpour at 13.00
Bugger, it started at 12.20, just 10 minutes from the caravan. Never been as wet so quickly. Senior management had the caravan door open when it started and the kitchen area was flooded, she was not keen on letting me and the bike in as we would only compound the situation.
Oh how we laughed.

 

[C R]

Went out for an evening ride, which ended up much longer than I had initially intended. I was feeling quite energetic, so when I reached Newland I decided to continue towards Upton instead of turning towards Powick and home. By the time I reached Upton I was on 30km, and thinking that I might be a couple of km short of 50 by the time I reached home I decided to add a short loop to Strensham. As it turned out the loop added an extra 10km, ending with 60km on the clock when I had planned just about 20. At least I averted an OCD attack among the more dedicated members of the group.

 

[sevenfourate]

Fairly horrific rain the last few days here in Sunny Suffolk

The standing water here this Morning is as bad as i've seen it. Fingers crossed its semi-dry, wall-to-wall sunshine or otherwise this coming Saturday [*Sunday's Weather g̶u̶e̶s̶s̶ forecast is dire again]. So i can squeeze another qualifying ride in. After not attempting any riding last weekend due to the BBC's / Met Offices horrendous predictions. Which turned out to be miles off the mark.

Your's bitterly; and with no malice or bad feelings 🤣

 

[13 rider]

Early Monthly update as last weekend warning .We have 20 riders fully posted up leaving 3 riders yet to declare so a gentle nudge to @bruce1530 ,@iandg and @PaulSB . @ColinJ I have you ticked off the list there's nothing in the challenge thread but I pretty sure I've read in the chatzone you done a ride and can't be bothered to reread the thread 🤣 just making sure your over the line

 

[ColinJ]

@ColinJ I have you ticked off the list there's nothing in the challenge thread but I pretty sure I've read in the chatzone you done a ride and can't be bothered to reread the thread 🤣 just making sure your over the line

Thanks. Yes, I did a 101 km ride in the Vale of York last week. I should be getting several more qualifiers done in the next week. I will update the challenge thread at the end of the month.