Tiny rides of 2023

[a.twiddler]

28/1/26
Tiny Recumbent Ride
Rans Cheese Run

A mild sunny day for a change. Out through the gate towards Swanlow Lane, straight on through the lights to the A54 roundabout, rolling through to the right without stopping and downhill to the town centre lights. Annoyingly coming to a halt at the red before pressing on again, and another delay at the right filter lane before turning right at the next roundabout and again at a supermarket entrance roundabout. Through the car park and then stopping alongside a barrier to lock up. I went in to round up some cheesy comestibles.

Pondering the frame flex of the Rans Stratus XP compared with the relative stiffness of the Linear once I’d fitted frame stiffening plates. Curious that the Rans feels noticeably speedier than the Linear did despite this. Possibly some characteristic of the stiff underseat steering linkage of the Linear and untriangulated frame, versus the long flexy chopper style bars of the Rans combined with the well triangulated rear end letting more of the pedalling effort get to the rear wheel? I certainly noticed the Garmin showing relatively easy speed for the effort I was putting in today. Perhaps I was just rolling better due to the first relatively fine day for what seems like ages.

Anyhow, once loaded and aboard once more I rolled downhill alongside the car park, right on to a pavement cycle path, right then left across a junction to get into the local surgery car park to drop off a prescription then back out again, left towards the town centre lights and left up a long hill alongside the dual carriageway to a large roundabout at the top. Left on to Swanlow Lane for half a mile or so then right into a traffic free lane.

I stopped in the sunshine to take some photos

before pressing on into a nice estate, coming out on to a road, right then left at a T junction then carrying on round a block just for the fun of it. If I hadn’t had stuff to get done this afternoon I might well have just carried on with a random ride for some more miles.

All too soon I came to my back gate and wheeled the Rans through.

I unloaded my cheesy cargo and settled down for a drink.

Distance 6.23 miles. Max speed 26.6mph. Average speed 8.8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 224 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[a.twiddler]

10/2/26
Tiny Recumbent Ride
First Rans Shopping Trip with Front Panniers.

A quick trip to the town centre for some items. I’d done a successful test run of the Rans with the front panniers empty a couple of days ago so I thought I’d try them in earnest today.

By the volume of traffic going past my back gate it seemed that the roadworks and diversion at the Swanlow Lane lights were still ongoing so I took an alternative route left then diagonally right across a junction. I got going pretty quickly until after a good straight the road began to climb to the right then levelled after turning left. I turned right on to Townfields Drive and after puffing up a deceptively steep hump towards the lights remembered why I didn’t usually come this way. I was getting my breath back by the time the lights turned green, telling myself that it’s beneficial to get out of breath sometimes as I rolled on through. I wouldn’t have minded so much if it had looked like a hill.

Downhill from here on, left at a junction with a clear road ahead through the next mini rounbdabout and a short wait at the next traffic lights to turn right along a painted cycle lane, left alongside a car park to lock up at a barrier.

Out again with my goodies. Loaded up and away across the car park after an extravagant 180 degree turn, left at the exit roundabout then right at the next one. Down Dingle Lane with its speed humps, across the pavement to Queens Drive then left up Dene Drive for a change. Right up Townfields Road to the lights at the top. I took a photo of the forbidding traffic signs

before carrying on to a turn off on to an estate path. I took a photo of the bike here then a man with two dogs came by.

“Did you build that yourself?” he asked. “No, it’s an American bike” I replied. “Oh.” he said, as if that explained everything, and went on his way.

I got under way again down Townfields Drive, turned left at a T junction then followed the road as it snaked about and after a few turnings eventually got to my back gate.

Another successful trip. Even loaded, the steering didn’t seem much affected by the weight.

Now waiting for the weather and the opportunity for some good length rides.

Distance 3.36 miles. Max Speed 24.2 mph. Average speed 8.4 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 142 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[a.twiddler]

25/2/26
Tiny Recumbent Ride
Fine Day Shopping on Rans

A mild day today, sunny at times so I crowbarred myself off the settee to go and do some shopping on the Rans with its new -old Carradice panniers recently transplanted from the rear to the front.

Out through the back gate, wheeled across the road due to the levels of traffic which don’t seem to have died down even though the recent roadworks on Swanlow Lane have been completed for a couple of weeks now. Perhaps having found this alternative route some of the drivers have come to prefer it, to the detriment of us local residents. Anyway, once rolling it was not a problem, and I settled down to the rhythm. I was soon at the uphill lights in the cyclists’ advance stop box waiting to turn right. There was quite a flow of traffic coming the other way on green. You just have to blag it and not be intimidated, though it was more irritating than anything.

Soon I turned right and then was accelerating downhill after turning left for the town centre. A mini roundabout was disposed of without having to stop as it was clear of traffic, then the next set of lights went green and cleared of traffic too. This must have helped to push my best max speed this year so far to 26.8 mph which is not stupendous but considering the weather and few cycling opportunities will have to do. Hopefully longer trips and bigger downhills beckon.

I turned in to the local surgery to drop off a prescription. The access road is impressively pot holed and cratered. Fortunately the large wheels rolled through them OK.

Then out, across the road on to a pavement cycle path to turn right then left and alongside a supermarket car park to lock up at the usual barrier.

After the usual target driven shopping I was out again to load up and get going again. Into the car park, left at the exit roundabout, left at the next, on to the pavement alongside the dual carriageway, then on to a cycle path after passing the library. Reaching the main road, straight across then right.

Hopping up the pavement to avoid a queue of cars at the lights, then left up the long hill alongside the dual carriageway again.

Left at the top on to Swanlow Lane, not too much traffic here. After a quarter of a mile, right after a traffic island then into a short stretch of bridleway.

I stopped for a couple of photos

before pressing on to the end, through some bollards, right on to Over Hall Lane, left on to Beeston Drive. The distant view of Beeston Castle was indistinct today as I rolled downhill to a left turn. After another quarter mile I cut through some estate paths to reach a road, then out on to the lane that passes my back gate.

All this winding about and stopping didn’t do much for my average speed but is useful practice in low speed riding and manoevreing. The loaded front lowriders were noticeable, but didn’t stop me doing what I wanted to do.

Distance 3.4 miles. Max 26.8 mph. Average 7.8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 120 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[a.twiddler]

19/4/16
Tiny Recumbent Ride
Trip to see local bridgeworks

Sunny but with a cold wind. I had planned to go out to try for some more miles earlier but it was just so unpleasant in the wind. I’d planned for several days to go to the Whitegate road bridge on the Whitegate Way as the planned road works had been extended due to more work needing doing than expected, so I could least get a ride out to there today. I was going stir crazy with no respectable bicycle miles yet this year.

Not much traffic about as I turned right out of the gate. Soon I was on Swanlow Lane, turning right at the uphill traffic lights. Left then down to the town centre lights, into a chilly head wind, not much traffic here either, nothing to do but twiddle my thumbs at the town centre lights until they changed. Across into the wind to Grange Lane, then uncomfortably onwards until the right turn into the countryside.

Still chilly into the wind, down a dip, up the other side, smoothly up the ramp on the rail trail and almost immediately benefiting from shelter from the wind. I went on a little further until the trail levelled and sat in the sheltered sunshine of the trees. It was actually warm! I sat there in my comfortable seat for a few minutes warming up. There was nobody else about. It looks as if with the bridge closed further up line, there is no through traffic.

I took the opportunity to dawdle in the warmth as it was only a another couple of miles before I would have to turn round again.
Finally I got going. It was still warm and pleasant on the embankment.
I eventually came across a “Footbridge Closed” advance warning sign.

The trail was muddy in places but there were no issues in keeping going.
All too soon more warning signs appeared and I rolled to a stop by the barrier. There was no route across, though the girders were still in place with a 30 ft drop to the lane below.

I was surprised that the odd walker or horse rider wasn’t about as there is a network of paths and bridleways around here, though the main part of the trail is a few miles across the other side of the bridge together with a car park, cafe and amenities.

After taking my fill of the sights I set off downhill, not looking forward to getting back out into the wind. I hoped it might be mostly behind me on the way back.

It was still pleasantly warm as I rolled down the ramp to Grange Lane and with the wind behind me rushed the dip to get up the slope by the golf course.

With the following wind giving me a boost I sailed across the sports complex car park, along the path between the playing fields and up through the exit barrier, along a steep lane to an estate road then left on Delamere St.

Here I felt the full benefit of the wind as it was behind me and I easily got going at a gratifying speed for little effort.

Soon I was flying across the A54 roundabout to Swanlow Lane, still rolling well to about three quarters of the way along. Here I took a sharp right turn into a bridleway, enjoying the break from the wind.

I had some shelter for the next half mile before coming out on Beeston Drive with the wind behind me again. Downhill with the wind behind me before turning left, wind assisted for the next winding miles before I rolled up at my back gate.



Distance 7.17 miles. Max 20.4. Average speed 7.9 mph. According to Garmin.

Ascent 243 ft According to Bikehike.

 

[TrishE]

So happy today I did a ride of 3 miles to a local garden centre where I go to a craft group once a month. Enjoyed it so much all 3 miles were on shared paths won't be driving it again, it's also further in the car and about six roundabouts the road way. I didn't take the Brompton as although I've been before I wasn't sure about taking it inside so I took a recently purchased viking folding bike. The Brompton would have been ok inside there was room, so I'll ride it next time. Lovely ride home in the sunshine too.

 

[a.twiddler]

1/5/26
Tiny Recumbent Ride
Underwear Run on Spirit
A muggy day, probably going to rain later so took the Spirit for a long overdue ride.
Following the spontaneous combustion of our washing machine last Sunday, and delays in getting a replacement, I’ve been getting through my stocks of underwear. Due for a top up today, new washer “might” arrive this evening so best be prepared in case it doesn’t.
I transferred my tools, pump and lock from the Rans to the Spirit and checked the tyres. I’ve got so used to the prominent wheels on the Rans that the tiny front one disappearing behind the stem on the Spirit seems odd now. Still, it’s very easy to get out of the garage.
I’ve not ridden it far since I fitted the dual mirrors a few weeks ago but they took little adjustment to get them lined up.
Right out of the gate, I found it strange how high the BB was as I got my second foot up and got rolling. Compared with the Rans the brakes are sharp -short cables, small wheels and the gear shifters didn’t need much pressure. I did wonder if they’d somehow slackened in the garage but
they were working OK. They were just very light compared with the tension needed to operate the looong cables on the Rans. They are just such very different bikes.
During the first few yards it was easy to overcorrect the neutral steering but it soon settled down. I’d got so used to avoiding my knees with the huge bars of the Rans that it was a surprise to have to do the same with the Spirit bars in tight turns. When I came to a stop at the Swanlow Lane traffic lights I got myself tied in knots and couldn’t get going when the lights changed. I thought I was well past that sort of thing. When the lights changed again I went left, then right on to an estate path. I got myself sorted out without pressure of traffic and was soon rolling smoothly down Swanlow Lane. Curious how when I was riding them both equal amounts, I just adapted, but since I've been mainly riding the Rans this year, it's taken a bit longer to get tuned in.
I had to queue for traffic at the A54 roundabout before pedalling round to the right downhill. As usual I was held up at the town centre traffic lights. Due to the amount of traffic on the dual carriageway I rode on to the pavement cycle path before turning to cross the road at the next lights. Right at the next two mini roundabouts then to a barrier at my usual supermarket to lock up.
Replete with underwear I returned to the bike to load up.
A passer by stopped to look at the bike. “What’s the idea behind this design?” he asked. “I’ve never seen a bike like this before”. “I suppose it’s armchair comfort on a bicycle” I replied. “The ability to go further between stops.” He continued to gaze at it, though didn’t say any more. I got sorted, then boinged up and down on the suspension. “It’s got suspension.” I said before setting off. “I see. Safe trip!” he said.
Off I went across the car park, left at the exit roundabout, left at the next then on to a pavement and left alongside the dual carriageway.
Once past the library I turned on to a cycle path to where it came to a crossing place at a car park access road. Straight across between stationary traffic, along a pavement to cross a road behind a bunch of pedestrians (safety in numbers) then right, left on to the opposite pavement to the town centre traffic lights to follow the path alongside the dual carriageway up the long hill.
It seems as if the council planners accept that cyclists will use the broad footpath up this long hill alongside the dual carriageway.

Even the short cycle lane marking on the road ends next to a lowered kerb.

I had never seen a cyclist on the road going uphill until a couple of days ago when I spotted a lycra clad female cyclist steaming uphill near the roundabout at the top. I regularly ride on the road on the downhill side as the speed gives me an edge with the traffic.
I carried on to the top of the hill.
Once beyond the Over roundabout, I turned left on to Swanlow Lane. Not so much traffic today, and I easily turned right on to a bridlepath part way along to cut through to Over Hall Road and Beeston Drive. I took a couple of photos.

Then it was downhill to my left turn to wind through an estate road to reach my back gate. I leaned the Spirit against my shed to unload it and couldn't resist taking another photo.

Despite the comedy rollerskate sized wheels (at least compared with the Rans) it's still stangely and functionally photogenic. (Eye of the beholder etc).
It occurs to me that I've had it for three years now and it's been photographed in nearly as many places as the Linear was.
Distance 4.42 miles. Max 23.1 mph. Average 6.7 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent. 131 ft. According to Bikehike.

 

[a.twiddler]

3/5/26
Tiny Recumbent Ride
Small shopping and Bridgeworks Ride

A few items of shopping needed so as it was dry I wheeled out the Spirit as it had all my gear on board. I recently went to have a look at the bridgeworks on the Whitegate Way rail trail. It ought to have been finished by now but instead of doing it the easy way and looking it up online I thought I would go and have a look at it while I was out.

So, feeling more at home with it today I set off right out of my back gate then on to Swanlow Lane, timing at the lights being just right to reach my right turn just as a gap in the traffic arrived and spinning steadily across the road and over the hump to flow to the left turn to the town centre without a pause. Rolling steadily downhill without having to stop despite parked cars, unsynchronised traffic and oblivious automobilists, straight through to the set of lights where I needed to turn right without having to put a foot down, along a roadside cycle path, up a path alongside a supermarket car park, then rolling to a halt and putting my feet down alongside a barrier.

Locked up, shopped, unlocked and set off through the precinct, out across a car park, across a road, right to the town centre lights then across to Grange Lane. Soon I was heading out into the country, rushing a dip and heading for the entry to the Whitegate Way rail trail. Up a steep ramp, past a dog walker, after a while the footbridge closed sign, then a solitary walker before I came to the barriers and signs after passing through a wet and muddy patch. Expected to be open by the 1st May, it was still closed though some work had been done. I had a mooch about, took some pictures,

then headed back.

I negotiated the wet muddy patch, then stopped at the advance warning sign for another photo.

Then it was downhill to the ramp, right on Grange Lane, rushing the dip to get up the other side, passing two dog walkers who split one each side of the lane. Soon turning right for the sports complex car park which was full. Then heading between the sports fields for the exit barrier to climb the steep lane to an estate road and T junction with Delamere St to turn left.

Getting up a good speed to the A54 roundabout, across and away down Swanlow Lane. Straight on through Townfields Road lights then off at my uphill turn off, through the lanes and a leisurely trundle to my back gate.

Distance 7.41 miles. Max Speed 23.4 mph. Average 7.4 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 257 ft. According to Bikehike

 

[a.twiddler]

Some Tiny Recumbent Rides
You might all now be eagerly looking forward to reading about some escapades on a tiny recumbent. Well, the Spirit is tiny compared to the Rans Stratus XP (but what isn't?) and possibly it's a bit shorter than your average SWB but it's not actually tiny despite being in some interpretations a "Compact LWB recumbent". Nope. It's about tiny rides.

6/5/26
Small Shopping on the Spirit
A trip to the shops for a few items, the quick way down the long hill to the town centre supermarket then back via a longer route. A pleasant ride.

For those that like it snappy!

Distance 4.95 miles. Max speed 21.1 mph. Average 7.1 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 143 ft. According to Bikehike.

20/5/26
Small but heavy shop on the Spirit.
A couple of days ago I’d removed, rubbed down and repainted the sidestand, a job that I’d been putting off for some time. In contrast to the quality of the finish of the rest of the bike, the side stand had developed a lot of powdery white aluminium corrosion which was causing the black paint to lift and flake off. This isn’t some Far Eastern item as far as I can tell. It has Esge and Plescher embossed on it. Anyway, after giving it 24 hours to harden up I refitted it and this was the test ride. I wanted to see if there was any vibration or strange noises, or contact with anything as the suspension moved.

The quick way again, right at the lights on Swanlow Lane. A random youth on a bright red MTB coming uphill on the opposite pavement said, “That ride is sick as f---!” in a laughing voice. I lifted a hand, and down the long hill to the town centre supermarket I went. After loading up, with a bit of ingenuity to cram everything into the seat back bag, I got going. After getting up the hill on the path alongside the A54 dual carriageway I took a zig zag route through various estate roads. I passed a woman at one point, and a voice from behind said, “Just want to say, that bike is so cool!” Perhaps it is. A morale boost today, making the rider feel a bit less old and boring, anyway.

I got my load of shopping home without drama, and unloaded.

The sidestand didn’t vibrate loose or fall off, and didn’t make any untoward contact with anything so presumably, that was a success.

Distance 3.11 miles. Max Speed 23.3 mph. Average 7.8 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 126 ft.According to Bikehike.

21/5/26
Library and Haircut Ride, Return via prickly path on the Spirit.

I needed to return a library book so as it hadn’t rained for a while today I decided to go on the Spirit. The quick route again today, right at the lights on Swanlow Lane then straight downhill towards the town centre lights. I sailed through a mini roundabout and the intermediate traffic lights remained obligingly green so I barely had to push a pedal from turning left downhill to the point where I had to turn right just before the town centre lights. Then, on to a cycle path which took me to the library. Locked up to a lamp post, into the library, dropped off my book then after a mooch round set off back the way I came.

Feeling somewhat hairy round the ears I wondered if I could book a haircut for later on the way home.

I went up the long hill much more slowly than I came down. I turned right near the top to get on a short cut to Swanlow Lane. Left then, and left again once I reached The Townfields Road lights.

Soon afterwards I bumped up the pavement to the hairdressers. Conveniently, they could squeeze me in straight away so I soon came out less hairy than I went in.

I took a long way round to get home including a path which was unexpectedly festooned with prickly and stinging plants.

I was glad that I hadn’t given in to the temptation to wear shorts today. The path ended in front of a house where two cars were parked leaving just enough space to squeeze through then the path continued as a similarly prickly test of fortitude.

Finally, out on to a road, left to reach Swanlow Lane then across to a barriered lane and out on to an estate road. Following it round, left on to a path leading to another road, right then left at a T junction to swoop about a bit before reaching my back gate.

Distance 3.69 miles. Max Speed 21.4 mph. Average7.5 mph. According to Garmin.
Ascent 122 ft. According to Bikehike.

I have the same feeling as of this time last year - most of the way through May and no decently long rides yet. Last year it was painting fences, this year mostly the weather.