Tiny rides of 2023
- Thread starter Hebe
- Start date
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a.twiddler
Veteran
22/7/25
Tiny ride today.
A twirl round the block on the Linear.
I’d recently cleaned up the transmission on the Linear but not had a chance to road test it since. As it wasn’t raining I went for a twirl before tea.
Not having ridden it for a few weeks it felt scarily strange getting aboard but once rolling the comfortable familiarity flooded back. Downhill and left from the gate I regained my mojo. eventually following the road to the left as it levelled. Before long I was able to experimentally work my way up and down the gears as the road gradually rose and eased before rising more steeply again. It levelled for a while before I came to a T junction with a main road. Just a B road, but it was quite busy.
I turned left between knots of traffic and rolled along comfortably. As usual, vehicles were reluctant to overtake but when they did they gave me plenty of room. Past the post office, left opposite a pub, then pedalling lazily past a school. As I came close to my back gate I felt like going further, so carried on down the road.
After a quarter of a mile I turned into an estate road on the left, left again, and got on to a path behind the houses. Left again, straight across a road, and was between tall garden fences. A small park appeared on the left, then it was between fences again. The path opened out on to a road, and as I approached an electric motorbike appeared from the footpath opposite with two young boys on board. One of them said, “That’s mad!”. I said,”Not as mad as riding that with no licence, tax or insurance!” They carried on the way I’d just come, (no numberplate either) and I turned right then left into an estate road. This came to an end with a bollarded access to the B road I’d used earlier.
I went left, then turned opposite the pub. It didn’t take long to get to my back gate.
That had been a very pleasant interlude.
Distance 3.04 miles. Max speed 18.1 mph. Average 8mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 81 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny ride today.
A twirl round the block on the Linear.
I’d recently cleaned up the transmission on the Linear but not had a chance to road test it since. As it wasn’t raining I went for a twirl before tea.
Not having ridden it for a few weeks it felt scarily strange getting aboard but once rolling the comfortable familiarity flooded back. Downhill and left from the gate I regained my mojo. eventually following the road to the left as it levelled. Before long I was able to experimentally work my way up and down the gears as the road gradually rose and eased before rising more steeply again. It levelled for a while before I came to a T junction with a main road. Just a B road, but it was quite busy.
I turned left between knots of traffic and rolled along comfortably. As usual, vehicles were reluctant to overtake but when they did they gave me plenty of room. Past the post office, left opposite a pub, then pedalling lazily past a school. As I came close to my back gate I felt like going further, so carried on down the road.
After a quarter of a mile I turned into an estate road on the left, left again, and got on to a path behind the houses. Left again, straight across a road, and was between tall garden fences. A small park appeared on the left, then it was between fences again. The path opened out on to a road, and as I approached an electric motorbike appeared from the footpath opposite with two young boys on board. One of them said, “That’s mad!”. I said,”Not as mad as riding that with no licence, tax or insurance!” They carried on the way I’d just come, (no numberplate either) and I turned right then left into an estate road. This came to an end with a bollarded access to the B road I’d used earlier.
I went left, then turned opposite the pub. It didn’t take long to get to my back gate.
That had been a very pleasant interlude.
Distance 3.04 miles. Max speed 18.1 mph. Average 8mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 81 ft. According to Bikehike.
Elswick Cotterpin
Veteran
- Location
- South Wales
Nice, slow, sunny, aimless kind of meander this morning. Eight miles, maybe, I don't keep track. Not entirely aimless, I wanted to drop off a prescription at the doctors surgery. After that I rode through the grounds of Caldicot Castle, always enjoyable, although I often wish it was a longer ride, it takes maybe ten minutes end to end, and that's going slow.
From the castle grounds I took a fairly recently opened cycle/walking trail, which is also a fairly short ride but its flat and smooth, used to be a railway line to the former Admiralty site/depot, whatever you call it at Dinham, Caerwent.
Rode along the river bank then, almost in the shadow of the Prince of Wales bridge, up to Sudbrook where I planted myself on a riverside bench and didn't move for thirty minutes or so. Lots of memories there, my grandparents used to live nearby, my grandfather worked in the pumping station that keeps the water out of the Severn Tunnel, back in the days when they still used Cornish beam engines.
I was out about two hours! Two hours for an eight mile ride, but it was that kind of a morning, nowhere special to go and nothing special to do when I got there. My kind of ride. I was riding my Carrera Inter City something-something from Halfords and it occurred to me a small wheel folder somehow kind of lends itself to gentle meandering. I enjoyed it so much I may have to do it again tomorrow.
From the castle grounds I took a fairly recently opened cycle/walking trail, which is also a fairly short ride but its flat and smooth, used to be a railway line to the former Admiralty site/depot, whatever you call it at Dinham, Caerwent.
Rode along the river bank then, almost in the shadow of the Prince of Wales bridge, up to Sudbrook where I planted myself on a riverside bench and didn't move for thirty minutes or so. Lots of memories there, my grandparents used to live nearby, my grandfather worked in the pumping station that keeps the water out of the Severn Tunnel, back in the days when they still used Cornish beam engines.
I was out about two hours! Two hours for an eight mile ride, but it was that kind of a morning, nowhere special to go and nothing special to do when I got there. My kind of ride. I was riding my Carrera Inter City something-something from Halfords and it occurred to me a small wheel folder somehow kind of lends itself to gentle meandering. I enjoyed it so much I may have to do it again tomorrow.
a.twiddler
Veteran
27/7/25
Tiny ride today.
Trip to Town Centre on the Linear
Just a quick trip to the town centre to drop off a prescription. Cloudy, a bit breezy but quite mild, so off I went towards Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. Straight through on Swanlow Lane, some traffic about though as usual they gave me plenty of room.
I soon arrived at the A54 roundabout, round to the right and downhill on a dual carriageway. I took the right hand lane to filter right at the town centre lights. I soon came to the turn off for the surgery and turned into the empty car park. Ever since the Covid lockdown there has been a row of drop off boxes near the entrance, one for each practice. I was able to ride up to them without dismounting, double check then drop off my script then push back, turn round and head off across the car park again.
The access road is bumpy and potholed. Some of the potholes have been temporarily filled in with gravel. As I was heading for an adjacent supermarket the front wheel skittered sideways a little then resumed its course before I could respond. The LWB set up is quite confidence inspiring in that respect.
I locked the bike to a pillar and nipped in for some items since I was there. Out again, I unlocked and set off.
As I crossed the car park a woman said to her child, “Look at that Des, isn’t it ace!” and I suppose it is. I smiled in acknowledgement and headed for the road. I turned on to a path alongside it and was soon at the town centre lights again.
I turned left up the long hill to Over roundabout. Near the top was a car parked completely on the pavement with its hazard lights flashing, but it had gone by the time I reached the spot where it had been.
I turned left at the top into Swanlow Lane and rolled steadily on to the Townfields road lights. I had to stop here but soon got up speed downhill. I went straight on up the other side of the dip, past a post office and carried on in the direction of Church Minshull. Not much further along I turned right into a lane which curved round and downhill and after a mile or so brought me to my back gate.
I went in and parked the bike against the shed. I hadn’t taken any pictures while I was out so I took one of the Linear here. It’s acquired some reflective chevrons since I last posted a picture of it.
Distance 4.46 miles. Max Speed 24.2 mph. Average speed 8.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 130ft. According to Bikehike
Tiny ride today.
Trip to Town Centre on the Linear
Just a quick trip to the town centre to drop off a prescription. Cloudy, a bit breezy but quite mild, so off I went towards Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights. Straight through on Swanlow Lane, some traffic about though as usual they gave me plenty of room.
I soon arrived at the A54 roundabout, round to the right and downhill on a dual carriageway. I took the right hand lane to filter right at the town centre lights. I soon came to the turn off for the surgery and turned into the empty car park. Ever since the Covid lockdown there has been a row of drop off boxes near the entrance, one for each practice. I was able to ride up to them without dismounting, double check then drop off my script then push back, turn round and head off across the car park again.
The access road is bumpy and potholed. Some of the potholes have been temporarily filled in with gravel. As I was heading for an adjacent supermarket the front wheel skittered sideways a little then resumed its course before I could respond. The LWB set up is quite confidence inspiring in that respect.
I locked the bike to a pillar and nipped in for some items since I was there. Out again, I unlocked and set off.
As I crossed the car park a woman said to her child, “Look at that Des, isn’t it ace!” and I suppose it is. I smiled in acknowledgement and headed for the road. I turned on to a path alongside it and was soon at the town centre lights again.
I turned left up the long hill to Over roundabout. Near the top was a car parked completely on the pavement with its hazard lights flashing, but it had gone by the time I reached the spot where it had been.
I turned left at the top into Swanlow Lane and rolled steadily on to the Townfields road lights. I had to stop here but soon got up speed downhill. I went straight on up the other side of the dip, past a post office and carried on in the direction of Church Minshull. Not much further along I turned right into a lane which curved round and downhill and after a mile or so brought me to my back gate.
I went in and parked the bike against the shed. I hadn’t taken any pictures while I was out so I took one of the Linear here. It’s acquired some reflective chevrons since I last posted a picture of it.
Distance 4.46 miles. Max Speed 24.2 mph. Average speed 8.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 130ft. According to Bikehike
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
Out with Ms AU this morning. Me on my new ebike, she on her folder.
Coffee was bought and we sat by the river having a chat when a Dutch couple cycled by commenting on how lovely the riverside is.
We cycled out along the river Tone for another mile then turned and headed home after admiring swans with their cygnets.
About 4 miles in all.
Coffee was bought and we sat by the river having a chat when a Dutch couple cycled by commenting on how lovely the riverside is.
We cycled out along the river Tone for another mile then turned and headed home after admiring swans with their cygnets.
About 4 miles in all.
Elswick Cotterpin
Veteran
- Location
- South Wales
Had another enjoyable pootle on the folder this morning, ninety minutes at a slow speed. Was overcast and pretty humid but at my speeds it doesn't really matter.
Called in Caldicot Castle on my way home, nice place, free entry, small coffee shop/snacks etc. Seating in the castle grounds, lots of people there today, families, some bring their own picnic hampers. Free parking, toilets, etc. Very popular in the warmer weather, it's open Tuesday to Sunday, eleven until four.
Called in Caldicot Castle on my way home, nice place, free entry, small coffee shop/snacks etc. Seating in the castle grounds, lots of people there today, families, some bring their own picnic hampers. Free parking, toilets, etc. Very popular in the warmer weather, it's open Tuesday to Sunday, eleven until four.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
This morning I felt the need to get out, so I jumped on the Genesis. I tootled past County Hall, through Vivary Park, being cleared up after the flower show, and into Trinity and the always welcoming Eastside Canteen for a coffee. After a chat and a browse of Positive News magazine I was ready for the return trip.
About 3 miles, lots of smiles and a coffee.
About 3 miles, lots of smiles and a coffee.
a.twiddler
Veteran
31/7/25
Tiny ride Today
Doughnut Run on the Linear
A message from Mrs T to get some mini doughnuts for the grandsprog for tomorrow. A nice morning, so off I went on the Linear. Today’s destination involved hardly any climbing for a change. Once I’d cleared the uphill traffic lights that was about it. Onward down Swanlow Lane to a mini summit and then into the traffic queue for the A54 roundabout. It was very slow going to even to get on to the roundabout and I was tempted to hop the kerb on the left and use the pedestrian crossing as I was going straight ahead, but traffic started moving so I carried on. I had to wait at a red light, then away.
It didn’t take long to get to the requisite minimarket. Lock the bike, in and out as usual. Unlock and with no more ado, hit the road. I had the bonus of a following wind on the way back to the A54 roundabout where I only had a short wait to find a gap so I could get across. Sailing along with the breeze, I had the brief disappointment of a stop at the Townfields Road light then downhill in top, giving it the beans to be able to get up the other side. Soon afterwards I was outside the local post office. I locked up, dived in, and found a lady showing interest in the bike when I came out. “Did you make it yourself? What is the advantage of the length?” I answered some questions before she went on her way and I continued in the direction of Church Minshull.
After a mile or so I turned right into a lane, with no traffic behind and oncoming vehicles a long way ahead. A rider on a large horse was approaching the turning. The horse seemed a bit unsettled to see me so I said “hello” and went slowly past. I followed the lane which went downhill and curved round until after a brief uphill I arrived at my back gate.
Distance 3.68 miles. Max speed 23.1 mph. Average 8.6 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 52 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny ride Today
Doughnut Run on the Linear
A message from Mrs T to get some mini doughnuts for the grandsprog for tomorrow. A nice morning, so off I went on the Linear. Today’s destination involved hardly any climbing for a change. Once I’d cleared the uphill traffic lights that was about it. Onward down Swanlow Lane to a mini summit and then into the traffic queue for the A54 roundabout. It was very slow going to even to get on to the roundabout and I was tempted to hop the kerb on the left and use the pedestrian crossing as I was going straight ahead, but traffic started moving so I carried on. I had to wait at a red light, then away.
It didn’t take long to get to the requisite minimarket. Lock the bike, in and out as usual. Unlock and with no more ado, hit the road. I had the bonus of a following wind on the way back to the A54 roundabout where I only had a short wait to find a gap so I could get across. Sailing along with the breeze, I had the brief disappointment of a stop at the Townfields Road light then downhill in top, giving it the beans to be able to get up the other side. Soon afterwards I was outside the local post office. I locked up, dived in, and found a lady showing interest in the bike when I came out. “Did you make it yourself? What is the advantage of the length?” I answered some questions before she went on her way and I continued in the direction of Church Minshull.
After a mile or so I turned right into a lane, with no traffic behind and oncoming vehicles a long way ahead. A rider on a large horse was approaching the turning. The horse seemed a bit unsettled to see me so I said “hello” and went slowly past. I followed the lane which went downhill and curved round until after a brief uphill I arrived at my back gate.
Distance 3.68 miles. Max speed 23.1 mph. Average 8.6 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 52 ft. According to Bikehike.
Last edited:
a.twiddler
Veteran
5/8/25
Tiny Ride Today
Chicken Run on the Linear.
Mrs T said to me, “if you are going to the Town Centre today, can you call into ALDI and get me a chicken?” I decided to just go since the weather was mild, though windy, and having not been out on a bike for a few days, it was good timing.
I entered the garage, and there was the resplendent length of the Linear. It didn’t have the even more resplendent length of the Rans Stratus XP, but it was ready to go, while the Rans was not. However, sufficient to the day was the length thereof, and the Linear passed out through the door.
I leaned the Linear on the fence while I got my gear together.
Then I opened the back gate. It flew open with a gust of wind so I decided to just sit on my cap rather than get it blown off further down the road. My neighbour was just coming out of her back gate too. She said, “It’s a bit windy today”. I replied. “Yes, but I should have a tailwind on the way back”.
She set off on foot while I set off shortly afterwards.
The wind was behind me here so I was able to roll along with little effort. On to Swanlow Lane, straight on through the lights with the wind in my face but surprisingly little extra effort needed to keep going at the usual pace. Not much delay at the A54 roundabout as I took the right hand exit to go downhill on the dual carriageway to the town centre.
As I carved my way to the rightmost lane to turn at the town centre lights a couple of youths on the opposite pavement shouted “Hey!”and gave me a thumbs up. I waited at the cyclists’ advance stop line for the green then headed smartly to the supermarket. I leaned the bike against a stack of compost bags, got off and wheeled the bike to lean it against a glass wall by the entrance. I retrieved the cap from the seat, locked up and went in.
After some choosing, I plucked a chicken from the display, checked out and went to unlock the bike. I got on, but as soon as I got going the wind whipped my cap off. I rode round in a circle to where a passer by had picked it up. He handed it to me and I said, “I’m going to have to sit on this on the way back!”
Out I went through the car park, left towards the town centre lights, then left on to the uphill cycle path and on to the pavement where it ended. Uphill against the wind I went, a bit breathless by the time I turned left on to Swanlow Lane at the top. I was gratified to find the wind behind me from then on, rolling easily until I stopped at the Townfields Road lights. Then a good push downhill to gain momentum for my uphill turn off.
Then, the downhill dawdle to my back gate.
Distance 3.18 miles. Max speed 25.5 mph. Average 7.9 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 100ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny Ride Today
Chicken Run on the Linear.
Mrs T said to me, “if you are going to the Town Centre today, can you call into ALDI and get me a chicken?” I decided to just go since the weather was mild, though windy, and having not been out on a bike for a few days, it was good timing.
I entered the garage, and there was the resplendent length of the Linear. It didn’t have the even more resplendent length of the Rans Stratus XP, but it was ready to go, while the Rans was not. However, sufficient to the day was the length thereof, and the Linear passed out through the door.
I leaned the Linear on the fence while I got my gear together.
Then I opened the back gate. It flew open with a gust of wind so I decided to just sit on my cap rather than get it blown off further down the road. My neighbour was just coming out of her back gate too. She said, “It’s a bit windy today”. I replied. “Yes, but I should have a tailwind on the way back”.
She set off on foot while I set off shortly afterwards.
The wind was behind me here so I was able to roll along with little effort. On to Swanlow Lane, straight on through the lights with the wind in my face but surprisingly little extra effort needed to keep going at the usual pace. Not much delay at the A54 roundabout as I took the right hand exit to go downhill on the dual carriageway to the town centre.
As I carved my way to the rightmost lane to turn at the town centre lights a couple of youths on the opposite pavement shouted “Hey!”and gave me a thumbs up. I waited at the cyclists’ advance stop line for the green then headed smartly to the supermarket. I leaned the bike against a stack of compost bags, got off and wheeled the bike to lean it against a glass wall by the entrance. I retrieved the cap from the seat, locked up and went in.
After some choosing, I plucked a chicken from the display, checked out and went to unlock the bike. I got on, but as soon as I got going the wind whipped my cap off. I rode round in a circle to where a passer by had picked it up. He handed it to me and I said, “I’m going to have to sit on this on the way back!”
Out I went through the car park, left towards the town centre lights, then left on to the uphill cycle path and on to the pavement where it ended. Uphill against the wind I went, a bit breathless by the time I turned left on to Swanlow Lane at the top. I was gratified to find the wind behind me from then on, rolling easily until I stopped at the Townfields Road lights. Then a good push downhill to gain momentum for my uphill turn off.
Then, the downhill dawdle to my back gate.
Distance 3.18 miles. Max speed 25.5 mph. Average 7.9 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 100ft. According to Bikehike.
a.twiddler
Veteran
19/9/25
Tiny Ride Today
Prescription Run on the Rans Recumbent Bike
A quick trip on the Rans to drop off a prescription. Weather was a bit warmer than it has been recently. I put some more air in the tyres before I set off to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights, turned right then enjoyed the downhill to the town centre. Prescription dropped off, I headed for the town centre lights. A short wait at red, then straight across to Grange Lane, avoiding the traffic calming squares then on the unobstructed road until I reached the sports complex. I crossed the car park to the path between the playing fields. A couple of nadgery right angled turns reminded me that I need to keep practicing this sort of thing to be able to get its length round without going wide. Quite a lot going on this September evening. I reached the exit barrier without drama, up the steep lane and on to an estate road to turn right uphill then left at the t junction on Delamere St.
Some steady rolling to the A54 roundabout where I had to wait for traffic then straight across on to Swanlow lane. Some undulations, traffic was patient with the series of traffic islands. I could see the traffic lights at Townfields Road going through several cycles before I got there at green and gained some speed downhill on the other side ready for my uphill turn off. Up the hump, then after regaining speed, a gentle freewheel to my back gate.
Even though my bits and pieces are now in a bag attached to the rack rather than a seat back bag (which has now taken up residence on the Spirit) there is still a slight shimmy at times when I take one hand off the bars though it’s more of an observation than a problem. Overall, the recent adjustments I’ve done make the fit about right for me now. I might have to make some adjustments to the Spirit to make it feel more stretched out. A short ride, but very pleasant even though I felt a bit full having just had my tea.
Distance 4.33 miles. Max Speed 23.0 mph. Average Speed 8.7 mph.
Ascent 127 ft.
Tiny Ride Today
Prescription Run on the Rans Recumbent Bike
A quick trip on the Rans to drop off a prescription. Weather was a bit warmer than it has been recently. I put some more air in the tyres before I set off to Swanlow Lane and the uphill traffic lights, turned right then enjoyed the downhill to the town centre. Prescription dropped off, I headed for the town centre lights. A short wait at red, then straight across to Grange Lane, avoiding the traffic calming squares then on the unobstructed road until I reached the sports complex. I crossed the car park to the path between the playing fields. A couple of nadgery right angled turns reminded me that I need to keep practicing this sort of thing to be able to get its length round without going wide. Quite a lot going on this September evening. I reached the exit barrier without drama, up the steep lane and on to an estate road to turn right uphill then left at the t junction on Delamere St.
Some steady rolling to the A54 roundabout where I had to wait for traffic then straight across on to Swanlow lane. Some undulations, traffic was patient with the series of traffic islands. I could see the traffic lights at Townfields Road going through several cycles before I got there at green and gained some speed downhill on the other side ready for my uphill turn off. Up the hump, then after regaining speed, a gentle freewheel to my back gate.
Even though my bits and pieces are now in a bag attached to the rack rather than a seat back bag (which has now taken up residence on the Spirit) there is still a slight shimmy at times when I take one hand off the bars though it’s more of an observation than a problem. Overall, the recent adjustments I’ve done make the fit about right for me now. I might have to make some adjustments to the Spirit to make it feel more stretched out. A short ride, but very pleasant even though I felt a bit full having just had my tea.
Distance 4.33 miles. Max Speed 23.0 mph. Average Speed 8.7 mph.
Ascent 127 ft.
a.twiddler
Veteran
23/9/25
Tiny recumbent ride today
Shopping duties on the Rans Recumbent Bike
A pleasant day today, dry with no hint of rain. I set off on the Rans Stratus XP diagonally from my back gate, along an estate road which wound about then climbed before becoming level. Left at a T junction, then downhill again to level out for a mile or two.
Left on a minor road, sharp right into another road before reaching a roundabout on the A54. Straight across, then left on to a broad mixed use path for half a mile or so, past the entrance to Cheshire Police HQ, then across the end of Littler Lane on the left. A few yards further on, across the A54 with a lowered kerb each side, then on to Littler Lane where it resumes on the other side.
After a short distance Littler Lane is blocked by bollards and continues as a path for 50 yards to more bollards where it opens out as a road again, still named Littler Lane. Carrying on, climbing to the T junction to Chester Road to turn left then right into an estate of houses.
There’s a path here somewhere which comes out on Nixon Drive. Unfortunately after some casting about I was unable to find it, so I went back to Chester Road, turned left, and was able to turn into Nixon Drive. I don’t usually ride the full length of this road, as although it’s downhill to the town centre it’s peppered with road humps which don’t allow you to just roll freely.
Finally at Grange Lane I turned right for the town centre. As I neared the town centre lights the familiar dilemma reared its head. Red light, left on to the bike path. Green light, left on the dual carriageway which is level here. Just as I thought I’d make it on to the dual carriageway, the light went red. Oh well, bike path it was then. Nobody much about, just a young mum pushing a pushchair. I thought she’d go on to the bike path as the pedestrian path is narrow here and there are some steps protruding from the Brunner Guild Hall entrance. I could see she was heading for the nearby underpass so I freewheeled until she’d crossed over and gone down the slope.
Plain pedalling until I reached the next road junction. I went left, did a u turn and stopped at the lights. Straight across on green, right at the next two mini roundabouts and into a supermarket car park. I locked up and went in. Some days I don’t mind talking to people, others I’d much rather be left alone. Today was one of my unsociable days. A bit tough for someone riding one of these attention getting bikes I suppose, but that’s the way it is sometimes.
I was soon out again, loaded up and unlocked. I turned out on to the car park, left at the two mini roundabouts then got on to the pavement before the traffic lights. There is a wide pavement alongside the dual carriageway though no cycle path on this side. Nobody seems to be bothered by cyclists using it but there’s potential for getting done if the local police decide that’s the focus for today.
Anyway, I carried on past the library and turned on to an actual cycle path. I came to a road but the junction was busy with traffic. I noticed that a bit further along there was a lowered kerb with a cycle marking on it, probably done during the recent town centre renovations. That seemed a better place to get across, and this time, it was. So I went right towards the town centre lights, left along the pavement alongside the dual carriageway up the long hill to the roundabout at the top. Soon I was rolling left on Swanlow Lane with its traffic islands and undulations.
I came to a halt at Townfields Road traffic lights before gratifyingly getting into high gear and charging downhill to get up some momentum for my uphill turn off. Then followed a freewheel through the lanes to my back gate.
Distance 6.73 miles. Max speed 21.5 mph. Average 8.1 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 224 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny recumbent ride today
Shopping duties on the Rans Recumbent Bike
A pleasant day today, dry with no hint of rain. I set off on the Rans Stratus XP diagonally from my back gate, along an estate road which wound about then climbed before becoming level. Left at a T junction, then downhill again to level out for a mile or two.
Left on a minor road, sharp right into another road before reaching a roundabout on the A54. Straight across, then left on to a broad mixed use path for half a mile or so, past the entrance to Cheshire Police HQ, then across the end of Littler Lane on the left. A few yards further on, across the A54 with a lowered kerb each side, then on to Littler Lane where it resumes on the other side.
After a short distance Littler Lane is blocked by bollards and continues as a path for 50 yards to more bollards where it opens out as a road again, still named Littler Lane. Carrying on, climbing to the T junction to Chester Road to turn left then right into an estate of houses.
There’s a path here somewhere which comes out on Nixon Drive. Unfortunately after some casting about I was unable to find it, so I went back to Chester Road, turned left, and was able to turn into Nixon Drive. I don’t usually ride the full length of this road, as although it’s downhill to the town centre it’s peppered with road humps which don’t allow you to just roll freely.
Finally at Grange Lane I turned right for the town centre. As I neared the town centre lights the familiar dilemma reared its head. Red light, left on to the bike path. Green light, left on the dual carriageway which is level here. Just as I thought I’d make it on to the dual carriageway, the light went red. Oh well, bike path it was then. Nobody much about, just a young mum pushing a pushchair. I thought she’d go on to the bike path as the pedestrian path is narrow here and there are some steps protruding from the Brunner Guild Hall entrance. I could see she was heading for the nearby underpass so I freewheeled until she’d crossed over and gone down the slope.
Plain pedalling until I reached the next road junction. I went left, did a u turn and stopped at the lights. Straight across on green, right at the next two mini roundabouts and into a supermarket car park. I locked up and went in. Some days I don’t mind talking to people, others I’d much rather be left alone. Today was one of my unsociable days. A bit tough for someone riding one of these attention getting bikes I suppose, but that’s the way it is sometimes.
I was soon out again, loaded up and unlocked. I turned out on to the car park, left at the two mini roundabouts then got on to the pavement before the traffic lights. There is a wide pavement alongside the dual carriageway though no cycle path on this side. Nobody seems to be bothered by cyclists using it but there’s potential for getting done if the local police decide that’s the focus for today.
Anyway, I carried on past the library and turned on to an actual cycle path. I came to a road but the junction was busy with traffic. I noticed that a bit further along there was a lowered kerb with a cycle marking on it, probably done during the recent town centre renovations. That seemed a better place to get across, and this time, it was. So I went right towards the town centre lights, left along the pavement alongside the dual carriageway up the long hill to the roundabout at the top. Soon I was rolling left on Swanlow Lane with its traffic islands and undulations.
I came to a halt at Townfields Road traffic lights before gratifyingly getting into high gear and charging downhill to get up some momentum for my uphill turn off. Then followed a freewheel through the lanes to my back gate.
Distance 6.73 miles. Max speed 21.5 mph. Average 8.1 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 224 ft. According to Bikehike.
a.twiddler
Veteran
26/9/25 Tiny Ride Today.
Riding some local Paths on the Rans Recumbent Bike.
This morning I applied what I hoped would be the final coat of paint to the garage door, which was the final thing I’d needed to paint in a succession of surfaces clamouring for paint since last March.
I’d made some small adjustments to the handlebars so went for a short ride to see how they felt. It was cool and cloudy this afternoon and I didn’t feel like going far.
Strangely enough, I’d put my stuff together last night with a view to doing the Wirral circular route today, as the weather was going to be decent, hoping to get going at about 0600 so as to be back at a reasonable hour. I’d woken up before the alarm went off feeling a bit blehh so I cancelled it and went back to sleep. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday might be doable and I might be mentally a bit better prepared by then. My self imposed deadline was the end of September. Any other long rides in October would be a bonus before the nights close in. It’s been a bit of a hectic month, and I’m feeling a bit frazzled at the moment.
Out I went, left through the back gate, and got on at the roadside facing downhill. I felt a bit of a fraud setting off on this tiny ride after such big plans yesterday. It's still a ride, though. Nothing much about so I trundled downhill, gathering speed. I followed the road as it bent to the left, past several entrances to some closes before turning left through another close to join a path behind some houses.
I stopped between tall garden fences to make another adjustment.
My arms were happy with the bar settings but my knees were not, as I had to splay them in or out when turning tightly. A little splay would have been acceptable, but the bars had to be raised incrementally to avoid too much contact with my knees. While I was conducting this negotiation with my appendages, I also had to consider being able to get the bars through local A frame barriers. A bit better now, I thought, so I carried on.
I came to a road with low kerbs and carefully crossed to where the path continued on the other side.
I’d come this way a lot this time last year while I was doing minimal cycling on the Grasshopper due to a medical problem and it was pleasantly surprising how such a long bike managed these narrow spaces with their tight turns.
I passed several dog walkers who gave me loads of room before I came to where the path meets a road and continues on the other side. There is no lowered kerb here and I gingerly rode up the kerb on the other side.
More tall fences, then it opened out on the right to an overgrown field with a post-and-wire fence at the path side. I parked the bike and took a photo.
I continued to where the path meets another road. I turned round and freewheeled back downhill the way I’d come.
Across the road and back between the tall fences. Across the first road, between more tall fences, then along a path to the close where I’d turned in. I turned left and continued uphill to a T junction where I turned left again.
There was a stream of oncoming traffic squeezing past some parked cars which stopped when I drew near. I gave a wave of acknowledgement to the first driver in the queue and pressed on. I turned left at the next junction, up a small hill then freewheeled through the lanes to my back gate.
As usual, I felt better having been out on the bike.
Distance 3.09 miles. Max Speed 19 mph. Average speed 7.1 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 73 ft. (which seemed a lot less than I felt I’d climbed). According to Bikehike.
Riding some local Paths on the Rans Recumbent Bike.
This morning I applied what I hoped would be the final coat of paint to the garage door, which was the final thing I’d needed to paint in a succession of surfaces clamouring for paint since last March.
I’d made some small adjustments to the handlebars so went for a short ride to see how they felt. It was cool and cloudy this afternoon and I didn’t feel like going far.
Strangely enough, I’d put my stuff together last night with a view to doing the Wirral circular route today, as the weather was going to be decent, hoping to get going at about 0600 so as to be back at a reasonable hour. I’d woken up before the alarm went off feeling a bit blehh so I cancelled it and went back to sleep. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday might be doable and I might be mentally a bit better prepared by then. My self imposed deadline was the end of September. Any other long rides in October would be a bonus before the nights close in. It’s been a bit of a hectic month, and I’m feeling a bit frazzled at the moment.
Out I went, left through the back gate, and got on at the roadside facing downhill. I felt a bit of a fraud setting off on this tiny ride after such big plans yesterday. It's still a ride, though. Nothing much about so I trundled downhill, gathering speed. I followed the road as it bent to the left, past several entrances to some closes before turning left through another close to join a path behind some houses.
I stopped between tall garden fences to make another adjustment.
My arms were happy with the bar settings but my knees were not, as I had to splay them in or out when turning tightly. A little splay would have been acceptable, but the bars had to be raised incrementally to avoid too much contact with my knees. While I was conducting this negotiation with my appendages, I also had to consider being able to get the bars through local A frame barriers. A bit better now, I thought, so I carried on.
I came to a road with low kerbs and carefully crossed to where the path continued on the other side.
I’d come this way a lot this time last year while I was doing minimal cycling on the Grasshopper due to a medical problem and it was pleasantly surprising how such a long bike managed these narrow spaces with their tight turns.
I passed several dog walkers who gave me loads of room before I came to where the path meets a road and continues on the other side. There is no lowered kerb here and I gingerly rode up the kerb on the other side.
More tall fences, then it opened out on the right to an overgrown field with a post-and-wire fence at the path side. I parked the bike and took a photo.
I continued to where the path meets another road. I turned round and freewheeled back downhill the way I’d come.
Across the road and back between the tall fences. Across the first road, between more tall fences, then along a path to the close where I’d turned in. I turned left and continued uphill to a T junction where I turned left again.
There was a stream of oncoming traffic squeezing past some parked cars which stopped when I drew near. I gave a wave of acknowledgement to the first driver in the queue and pressed on. I turned left at the next junction, up a small hill then freewheeled through the lanes to my back gate.
As usual, I felt better having been out on the bike.
Distance 3.09 miles. Max Speed 19 mph. Average speed 7.1 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 73 ft. (which seemed a lot less than I felt I’d climbed). According to Bikehike.
a.twiddler
Veteran
7/10/25 ride 1
Tiny Ride Today
Car to MOT.
Brompton Ride Back
The Brompton hasn’t been ridden for a while and I had to squirt the chain and pivots the night before to loosen things up.
Once I got to the garage I had some fun unfolding it and even got the chain caught on the latching hook on the fork. Still, I got it together and hit the road for home. It soon came back to me how well the Brompton goes. The frame is stiff, the drive is direct, and even though you feel all the bumps and the ride is rather lively, it’s nice to ride. I’d tuned myself into it by the time I got home.
Distance 2.88 miles. Max 16 mph. Average 9.3 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 100ft. According to Bikehike.
7/10/25 ride 2
Tiny ride today
Brompton to pick up Car from MOT
Once the car was done, I set off to collect it. I felt that the return journey was faster being downhill though the numbers tell a different story. No issues folding it to get it into the car.
Distance 1.76 miles. Max 21.2 mph. Average 7.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Descent 104 ft. According to Bikehike.
The first ride was mostly uphill, the second downhill. The route was not much different yet the distances and averages are different. You would expect the downhill route to give a higher average.
This is why I still think Garmin readings over short distances are a bit suspect.
Tiny Ride Today
Car to MOT.
Brompton Ride Back
The Brompton hasn’t been ridden for a while and I had to squirt the chain and pivots the night before to loosen things up.
Once I got to the garage I had some fun unfolding it and even got the chain caught on the latching hook on the fork. Still, I got it together and hit the road for home. It soon came back to me how well the Brompton goes. The frame is stiff, the drive is direct, and even though you feel all the bumps and the ride is rather lively, it’s nice to ride. I’d tuned myself into it by the time I got home.
Distance 2.88 miles. Max 16 mph. Average 9.3 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 100ft. According to Bikehike.
7/10/25 ride 2
Tiny ride today
Brompton to pick up Car from MOT
Once the car was done, I set off to collect it. I felt that the return journey was faster being downhill though the numbers tell a different story. No issues folding it to get it into the car.
Distance 1.76 miles. Max 21.2 mph. Average 7.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Descent 104 ft. According to Bikehike.
The first ride was mostly uphill, the second downhill. The route was not much different yet the distances and averages are different. You would expect the downhill route to give a higher average.
This is why I still think Garmin readings over short distances are a bit suspect.
oldandslow
Guru
I've always liked rides with a purpose, so I've valued my commuting rides over the decades. Currently it's to the station with a Brompton, and then again from Finsbury Park to Old Street on back roads (yes of course there's a train, but I've just said that I like rides...) There and back is about eight miles total a day.
The club has a mileage competition, which has made me obsessive about recording every one of these rides, not to mention half a mile up the road to test a bike, or pottering into town. Doesn't make any difference whatever to my lowly position in the results, but it's really aggravating to end up putting in a claim for 298.5 miles this month when it could have been 300.5 if I'd only turned on my Garmin that time...
The club has a mileage competition, which has made me obsessive about recording every one of these rides, not to mention half a mile up the road to test a bike, or pottering into town. Doesn't make any difference whatever to my lowly position in the results, but it's really aggravating to end up putting in a claim for 298.5 miles this month when it could have been 300.5 if I'd only turned on my Garmin that time...
a.twiddler
Veteran
10/10/25
Tiny Ride Today
The day I Forgot My Keys
A brief shopping trip to the town centre on the Rans recumbent. A dull, mild day so I thought I’d better get a ride in while the weather was still decent. Out through the gate, left downhill then right into an estate road. Rolling along easily despite a headwind. Round a couple of bends with an uphill in the middle then level to a T junction.
Here I turned left to enjoy a long gradual downhill, sweeping to the right before levelling out. That headwind again, though I carried on regardless with no effort. I passed a skinny guy walking a dog who turned out to have an immense beard. “Hi!” He said. “Now that is really cool!” A left turn, then a sharp right. I came to a roundabout on the A54. Straight over then shortly afterwards left up a lowered kerb to a shared path.
I proceeded along until I came across a sign. ‘Allo ‘allo ‘allo! I thought. What’s all this ‘ere then? It’s the Cheshire Police HQ, it is. It’s actually called Clemonds Hey. I was disappointed that it wasn’t called Letsby Avenue.
I stopped to take a photo then had it away on me toes, before I got my collar felt for loitering with intent. Though actually my tent is at home, honest, ossifer.
I continued my progress until I crossed Littler Lane then shortly afterwards was able to cross the A54 in a gap in the traffic without stopping.
Continuing along Littler Lane, through the traffic restricting bollards, then uphill to Chester Road. Right then left into an estate road, downhill then into a lane on the left, passing some dog walkers. Once clear, I impressed myself by riding with my feet up through the gap alongside the barrier. Here is a photo of it taken on another occasion, from the other side, while riding the Rans. All this riding must be having an effect on my bike handling. It's the space between the post and the shrubbery. It looks wide, but there's quite a tight turn.
I then carried on downhill along the path between the playing fields. A short uphill,
sharp right then straight on past a bollard to turn right towards Grange Lane.
After negotiating various speed humps I neared the town centre lights where a queue of cars was waiting. I diverted to the pavement and followed the cyclepath round to the left.
A steady trundle brought me to a side entrance with traffic lights where I turned left, u turned and stopped at a red light. Green came, across I went, right at two roundabouts and in to a supermarket where I came to a barrier. I was anticipating a visit to the loo but then I discovered that I’d left my keys at home so couldn’t use the bike lock. At the same time an inquisitive passer by started asking the usual questions about the bike.
Once his curiosity was satisfied, I improvised when I found the strap for the rack top bag and clipped it out of sight between the bike and the barrier. Although not a secure lock, it would delay anyone who wanted to try to move it.
In I went, to find the customer toilets closed for maintenance. Fighting back the spasms, I did my quickest shop ever, while thinking about the locations of the nearest loos. Aldi had a legacy loo from when it was a previous supermarket, and there was one in the library. Having loaded up, and struggled to unclip the rack bag strap, I set off across the car park, left round the two roundabouts, to come across a driver who must have thought they were driving a bus.
The outside lane was full of stationary traffic while his lane was empty. I could see he had plenty of space either side but he was driving as if there was only a centimetre each side. Finally he got going. I turned left on to the pavement just before the traffic lights and headed alongside the dual carriageway until I could turn in by the library. I leaned the bike against the wall by the entrance and went in. Phew! What a relief. I came out to find the bike still there. A relief of a different kind. I got on and got going. Along a cycle path to where it met a minor road. I waited for the traffic to clear, went across, then crossed a less minor road to join the traffic flow towards the town centre lights.
Up a lowered kerb on the left, then up the long hill alongside the dual carriageway to turn left at the top on to Swanlow Lane. Rolling along steadily with a slight tailwind, the whole ride today has felt like easy going. I stopped before The Townfields Road lights to root through my pockets again in case by some strange oversight I’d missed my keys in my pockets earlier but nope, they still weren’t there.
Since I’m the sort of bloke who, if he has his trousers, also has his keys, not only had I lost my keys, it was as if I’d lost my mind. I could visualise them in the garage side door, swaying tantalizingly in the breeze. Or perhaps they’d fallen out of my pocket somewhere along the way.
I wouldn’t know until I got home.
I continued through the traffic lights, down the following dip, got up my uphill turn off and then took it easy to my back gate.
I messaged Mrs T to open the gate. I suspected that she might be having a lie down. She wouldn’t be too pleased at being woken up. It took a long time before the gate opened. Yup. I woke her up. She must have made me wait as penance.
Fortunately the keys were where I’d left them. I unloaded my shopping and had my lunch.
Distance 5.81 miles. Max speed 21.4 mph. Average speed 8.3 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 189 ft. According to Bikehike.
Tiny Ride Today
The day I Forgot My Keys
A brief shopping trip to the town centre on the Rans recumbent. A dull, mild day so I thought I’d better get a ride in while the weather was still decent. Out through the gate, left downhill then right into an estate road. Rolling along easily despite a headwind. Round a couple of bends with an uphill in the middle then level to a T junction.
Here I turned left to enjoy a long gradual downhill, sweeping to the right before levelling out. That headwind again, though I carried on regardless with no effort. I passed a skinny guy walking a dog who turned out to have an immense beard. “Hi!” He said. “Now that is really cool!” A left turn, then a sharp right. I came to a roundabout on the A54. Straight over then shortly afterwards left up a lowered kerb to a shared path.
I proceeded along until I came across a sign. ‘Allo ‘allo ‘allo! I thought. What’s all this ‘ere then? It’s the Cheshire Police HQ, it is. It’s actually called Clemonds Hey. I was disappointed that it wasn’t called Letsby Avenue.
I stopped to take a photo then had it away on me toes, before I got my collar felt for loitering with intent. Though actually my tent is at home, honest, ossifer.
I continued my progress until I crossed Littler Lane then shortly afterwards was able to cross the A54 in a gap in the traffic without stopping.
Continuing along Littler Lane, through the traffic restricting bollards, then uphill to Chester Road. Right then left into an estate road, downhill then into a lane on the left, passing some dog walkers. Once clear, I impressed myself by riding with my feet up through the gap alongside the barrier. Here is a photo of it taken on another occasion, from the other side, while riding the Rans. All this riding must be having an effect on my bike handling. It's the space between the post and the shrubbery. It looks wide, but there's quite a tight turn.
I then carried on downhill along the path between the playing fields. A short uphill,
sharp right then straight on past a bollard to turn right towards Grange Lane.
After negotiating various speed humps I neared the town centre lights where a queue of cars was waiting. I diverted to the pavement and followed the cyclepath round to the left.
A steady trundle brought me to a side entrance with traffic lights where I turned left, u turned and stopped at a red light. Green came, across I went, right at two roundabouts and in to a supermarket where I came to a barrier. I was anticipating a visit to the loo but then I discovered that I’d left my keys at home so couldn’t use the bike lock. At the same time an inquisitive passer by started asking the usual questions about the bike.
Once his curiosity was satisfied, I improvised when I found the strap for the rack top bag and clipped it out of sight between the bike and the barrier. Although not a secure lock, it would delay anyone who wanted to try to move it.
In I went, to find the customer toilets closed for maintenance. Fighting back the spasms, I did my quickest shop ever, while thinking about the locations of the nearest loos. Aldi had a legacy loo from when it was a previous supermarket, and there was one in the library. Having loaded up, and struggled to unclip the rack bag strap, I set off across the car park, left round the two roundabouts, to come across a driver who must have thought they were driving a bus.
The outside lane was full of stationary traffic while his lane was empty. I could see he had plenty of space either side but he was driving as if there was only a centimetre each side. Finally he got going. I turned left on to the pavement just before the traffic lights and headed alongside the dual carriageway until I could turn in by the library. I leaned the bike against the wall by the entrance and went in. Phew! What a relief. I came out to find the bike still there. A relief of a different kind. I got on and got going. Along a cycle path to where it met a minor road. I waited for the traffic to clear, went across, then crossed a less minor road to join the traffic flow towards the town centre lights.
Up a lowered kerb on the left, then up the long hill alongside the dual carriageway to turn left at the top on to Swanlow Lane. Rolling along steadily with a slight tailwind, the whole ride today has felt like easy going. I stopped before The Townfields Road lights to root through my pockets again in case by some strange oversight I’d missed my keys in my pockets earlier but nope, they still weren’t there.
Since I’m the sort of bloke who, if he has his trousers, also has his keys, not only had I lost my keys, it was as if I’d lost my mind. I could visualise them in the garage side door, swaying tantalizingly in the breeze. Or perhaps they’d fallen out of my pocket somewhere along the way.
I wouldn’t know until I got home.
I continued through the traffic lights, down the following dip, got up my uphill turn off and then took it easy to my back gate.
I messaged Mrs T to open the gate. I suspected that she might be having a lie down. She wouldn’t be too pleased at being woken up. It took a long time before the gate opened. Yup. I woke her up. She must have made me wait as penance.
Fortunately the keys were where I’d left them. I unloaded my shopping and had my lunch.
Distance 5.81 miles. Max speed 21.4 mph. Average speed 8.3 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 189 ft. According to Bikehike.
