The Annual Lunacy (aka "I Don't Do Winter") Challenge Chatzone

[Andy in Germany]

Not much by the standards of many on here, at 45 miles and 2,936 feet, but still a long ride for me.

A respectable distance, especially with all that climbing.

 

[ColinJ]

Well, I finally got a 3rd qualifying ride done! Lengthy description (and photos) HERE.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Finished my qualifying rides. I set it low this year; 40km round trip which is basically my commute. This is the final stretch yesterday before my village.

 

[FrothNinja]

Doing a qualifying ride tomorrow morn from east Lancs to near Burscough to meet people for lunch.
Even if the rain arrives early, I should have the wind at my back and do it in under 3 hours on the curly bar bike.
I have an offer of a lift back which is why I would have to take the CX.
Am kind of tempted to attempt the round trip on the electric but I suspect I would regret it within a mile of starting the return leg.
I'm always surprised at how little climbing there is for such a long ride round here. Oddly, the route Komoot chose for me is about 1,200 ft heading to the coast but only around 1,500 ft on the same route heading back to the Pennines.
The slightly shorter route through Accy and Blackamoor that I was thinking of is similar at 1,625 ft out and 2,025 ft back.
Same distance in almost any other direction would give me a qualifier for the Climbing challenge.

 

[FrothNinja]

Stayed dry and felt fresh-ish when I arrived. Lunch and chat for a couple of hours by which time the worst of the rain seemed to have passed so I dug out plan B and rode back with friends ready to bale me out if it started raining hard or got to windy. Neither happened and I also got my climbing target in. Though it was a little less than the planner predicted, it was a rather satisfying 1234 metres.
Longest ride of the year. Kit hopefully drying overnight. A touch tender in a few places and quite tired. Late-ish start to work tomorrow so hopefully get a sleep in.
Hands possibly not up to guitar tonight, but I might have a go on one of the lighter ones.
Feeling virtuous enough for an indulgent pudding...

 

[Alex321]

9th ride today. A bit less climbing than usual, but that made it one of my faster rides for the distance, at 15.8mph.

And somehow managed to dodge all the rain. It had been raining steadily most of the morning, I got a very light spitting of rain around Monknash/Marcross but otherwise none. Then it started tipping down again half an hour after I got back

 

[ColinJ]

It was a lovely day today in the Exeter area so I decided to get a metric century in before I go home next week.

I didn't feel like doing anything really strenuous so I decided to leave my planned Dartmoor loop until next year.

The route that I chose in the end was one that I have ridden before, a lumpy but not super-hilly loop: Crediton, Thorverton, Talaton, Ottery St Mary, Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Exeter, Upton Pyne, Shute, Crediton.

I nearly blew it! I had only a very light breakfast (fruit and yoghurt) because I didn't fancy tackling the climbs early in the ride with a full stomach. I had intended to take a couple of cereal bars as mid-ride snacks but I got distracted and forgot to pack them. I didn't notice until I was well on my way. A village shop that I had in mind turned out to be closed. I didn't spot any others that I wanted to use.

I took a couple of bottles of carbo drink but I had only got halfway through the second bottle by the time that I got back.

I was feeling a bit zonked by the end of the ride! I also have some discomfort on the bike, so my bike fit needs checking.

 

[FrothNinja]

Also need to get bike fits for both the ones I use regularly. Anything over 20 miles tends to become an exercise in pain management.
Did a surprisingly flat ride across the top of the Lakes today - Keswick to Penrith (via the coast at Maryport) with only 878 m / 2,881 ft ascent.
Most of it was in the last 30 km which is also the scariest because quite a bit is on fast roads and there was loads of rain squalls.
The run from Keswick to the coast and back is surprisingly easy and fun, especially the first 20km or so on the main road. The run along the south side of Bassenthwaite Lake heading west looks like you are going up a steady gradient but you find yourself flying along with what feels like no effort.
I was thinking I've suddenly got proper fit until I saw the lake through the trees was more or less the same level and the head unit said 0% gradient. It would appear the Lakes has an electric brae. The run into Carlisle from Penrith is similar in places.
In spite of my high for me average speed, I was soundly dropped going east from Keswick by a friendly chap in green riding flat bars and wearing a road helmet.

 

[Alex321]

A ride out with the Pontyclun club today. Pretty well perfect weather and good company, and rode some bits I hadn't been over before, plus some I do on my twice weekly commute.

A really enjoyable ride.