Your ride today.... (part 1)

[gbb]

Third ride in as many days, out tonight for a quick couple circuits round town, 11 miles and found myself maintaining fair speed against the wind..a good sign.
Slowly but surely

 

[FeistySquirrel]

An un-planned ride; and as a result, I hadn't fueled up before I left...And I need a bigger secondary water bottle.

In total; 62.4 miles (New personal best) in beautiful Sunshine @ 20Deg C. Grimsby to Hull and back.
Most of the way back was quite a strong head wind. And for the last 15miles I was racing a storm cloud home, not wanting to get caught by the rain. I won.

Had a few nods and hellos from fellow cyclists... And a laugh from one cyclist.. He caught be up as we left the carrige way (without me knowing) and just as a started randomly singing as you do; he rode passed with a 'Hello' and a smirk

Only took a couple of wrong turns which I managed to sort out. (I didn't exactly know my route, I just saved it on the Garmin at 12; and by about 1pm I was out the door...).

Only a couple of photos...

The Humber Bridge. (7th Worlds largest single span suspension bridge)

The view from the bridge of the pristine waters

Quick machine photo whilst I waterproofed my phone

This was my sky for about 45 miles

Then this is what I ended up racing home...

Think I'll do this ride again, except next time I'll fuel up properly

 

[thetribe]

Went out for my 20mile loop and was enjoying the sun so much I decided to take a recce at the spot we're camping at the weekend (a bit wet but not too bad) and then decided to keep heading a bit further North before heading back home. Ended up doing 36.4 slow and steady miles, most of it against the wind annoyingly, no matter which way I went.

http://www.strava.com/activities/151902807

 

[EltonFrog]

Nice photos @FeistySquirrel

My ride today was to meet the enemy at Pizza Express in Wallingford on the way home from her 50 mile each way "Nutter Commute". Took the road bike up Whitchurch hill, which gets the old heart a pumping then six miles into the ride going down Goring Hill I got a blow out at 30mph! Feck Me! That is some scary spice shoot that is, any way fixed that, and off to Wallingford into a head wind and just out side my destination my chain came off! WTAF?

I arrive early so i sit outside Cost coffee chatting to a bloke who was riding a nice Cannondale, he used to be a TT'er and road racer, then Pizza with the enemy then a nice ride back along the rolling hills into Streatley via Blewbury, up Goring hill, then a very fast descent into Whitchurch again. 33.09 mile for me. 100.96 for the enemy!

 

[Saluki]

Lovely ride tonight. I set off on the route that I rode on Sunday through Wreningham, Hethel (past Lotus) on to East Carleton (past the late Colin Chapman's gaff), down into Eaton and then along Bluebell Lane towards the UEA and past it to North Earlham and Bowthorpe, on to Bawburgh and up the hill to the B1108 and then followed the Earlham Road down to the hospital. Arriving there I had only done 18 and a bit miles so I carried on back up towards Eaton then down the cyclpath and back to Roundwell roundabouts and back to the hospital.
21.81 in 1:30:20 so averaging 14.5mph. Great ride and saw a lot of cyclists out tonight.

If I could work out how to put a picture of the map up, I would.

 

[Donger]

I did it! My reflective helmet band (stop that, @Fnaar!) turned up today, so I had been mulling over the prospect of finally getting out there and doing a night ride. So of course it tipped down with rain 'til 10 ish Thought what the hell, and just got out there and did it. I had 3 rear lights and 2 front ones on tonight, as well as every bit of reflective kit I own, so I felt safe heading off into the unknown for a ride either side of midnight.

At first the full(ish) moon and wet road surface ahead of me made it quite easy to see where I was going, which was down the lanes South of Gloucester, through Elmore and Longney as far as Epney, and then back on the A38. Once I turned away from the moonlight, I could appreciate just how powerful my Lezine re-chargeable front light was. They really are lke headlights. Good job it was, though, because my other (cheapo) front light suddenly packed in, never to return to life. I only came across 3 cars coming the other way and 2 more that overtook me throughout my 12.4 mile loop. All of them gave me such a healthy wide berth that I could tell I was lit up like a Christmas tree, which was re-assuring.

Apart from the occasional screech of an owl or set of beady eyes reflecting back at me from the hedgerows, the only signs of life were a couple of separate incidents of startled badgers making a kerb to kerb dash across the road in front of me.

This was a useful trial run for my London to Brighton overnighter in July, and I did learn a few things, that might be worth sharing with some of you:
(1) However powerful your front light, you can't really make out the difference between a patch of slimy wet road surface and a deep pothole full of water. I decided it was safer to assume that they were all the latter. I also didn't notice any horse manure, although I know for certain there will have been plenty of it around on these roads! (Just have to assume I rode through it all). You really need to keep your eyes on the road.
(2) Without a head torch or an additional torch on your person, you cannot see your speedo/computer, so you have no idea how far or how fast you have been going. I was occasionally able to get some reflected light from the palm of my hand to see that I was actually doing only 10 or 11 mph instead of my usual 14 or 15 - which came as a surprise.
(3) Without said additional torch you also cannot see what gear you are in. I settled for staying in the middle ring on the front, which is probably why I was going slower than usual.
(4) Additionally, without a torch (perish the thought), you would not be able to carry out even the simplest repair or adjustment to your bike - such as putting the chain back on if you got your gear changes wrong in the dark.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was quite exhilarating, and I will definitely not rule out doing it again. I now have no worries about London/Brighton as I know exactly what kit to take with me. It is actually very enjoyable having the roads entirely to yourself. One thing I did notice, however, is that you can't help hearing every last little squeak and rattle from your bike as your hearing starts to compensate for the darkness. I'll oil it a bit better before my next night ride.

No photos this time, for obvious reasons. Cheers! Donger.

 

[coffeejo]

I did it! My reflective helmet band (stop that, @Fnaar!) turned up today, so I had been mulling over the prospect of finally getting out there and doing a night ride. So of course it tipped down with rain 'til 10 ish Thought what the hell, and just got out there and did it. I had 3 rear lights and 2 front ones on tonight, as well as every bit of reflective kit I own, so I felt safe heading off into the unknown for a ride either side of midnight.

At first the full(ish) moon and wet road surface ahead of me made it quite easy to see where I was going, which was down the lanes South of Gloucester, through Elmore and Longney as far as Epney, and then back on the A38. Once I turned away from the moonlight, I could appreciate just how powerful my Lezine re-chargeable front light was. They really are lke headlights. Good job it was, though, because my other (cheapo) front light suddenly packed in, never to return to life. I only came across 3 cars coming the other way and 2 more that overtook me throughout my 12.4 mile loop. All of them gave me such a healthy wide berth that I could tell I was lit up like a Christmas tree, which was re-assuring.

Apart from the occasional screech of an owl or set of beady eyes reflecting back at me from the hedgerows, the only signs of life were a couple of separate incidents of startled badgers making a kerb to kerb dash across the road in front of me.

This was a useful trial run for my London to Brighton overnighter in July, and I did learn a few things, that might be worth sharing with some of you:
(1) However powerful your front light, you can't really make out the difference between a patch of slimy wet road surface and a deep pothole full of water. I decided it was safer to assume that they were all the latter. I also didn't notice any horse manure, although I know for certain there will have been plenty of it around on these roads! (Just have to assume I rode through it all). You really need to keep your eyes on the road.
(2) Without a head torch or an additional torch on your person, you cannot see your speedo/computer, so you have no idea how far or how fast you have been going. I was occasionally able to get some reflected light from the palm of my hand to see that I was actually doing only 10 or 11 mph instead of my usual 14 or 15 - which came as a surprise.
(3) Without said additional torch you also cannot see what gear you are in. I settled for staying in the middle ring on the front, which is probably why I was going slower than usual.
(4) Additionally, without a torch (perish the thought), you would not be able to carry out even the simplest repair or adjustment to your bike - such as putting the chain back on if you got your gear changes wrong in the dark.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. It was quite exhilarating, and I will definitely not rule out doing it again. I now have no worries about London/Brighton as I know exactly what kit to take with me. It is actually very enjoyable having the roads entirely to yourself. One thing I did notice, however, is that you can't help hearing every last little squeak and rattle from your bike as your hearing starts to compensate for the darkness. I'll oil it a bit better before my next night ride.

No photos this time, for obvious reasons. Cheers! Donger.

You get used to working it out by feel rather than sight.

 

[HLaB]

A really enjoyable ride last night with some mates, I had considered doing a local TT but opted to ride with them instead. About 43miles in total and 23mph for the central part but I forgot to restart the garmin for the first 15minutes of the ride so garmin reports 23.6mph

 

[Alex H]

Started off again this morning to repeat part of the ride I did last week - my camera having decided to lose all the photos . I have now changed the card for a new one so hopefully it will behave in future.

Past the disco dance hall place thingy near St Cyr

Stopped at the church (11th century) in St Cyr for a banana

then across to St Auvent, which also has a church

and an enormous great lake - nature reserve and fishery

On to Rochechouart, where I went down a street I'd not been before and found this

It's used by a charity now. Stopped at the chateau for more refreshment

and went home via Chassenon - Roman Casinomagus - which has the most complete Roman Baths in France - not too impressive from the road though

lots of foxgloves out on the road back

And the camera seems to be working

50km total in 2:20:00

 

[Garry A]

This morning did a similar route to yesterday but went over the Clackmannan bridge, explored some paths and came back over the Kincardine bridge. Passed a few cyclists, most of them seemed very happy.

Furthest point.

 

[Peteaud]

1st time out today for over two weeks thanks to a cricked back.

Left home at 8.40 with blue skies but a slight chill to get over to Drayton Nurseries to meet a friend. got there spot on 10.00 as planned.

We set off to do a 20 odd mile loop of mostly back roads and stopped at the local community cafe for scones, cream and coffee to find it really busy with other cyclists (mostly miserable ones) so we had to wait a while, then they forgot our order so 20 mins wait before we got coffee, but seeing as they are very good we let them off.

Setting off again we complete our 22 miles loop before parting so i ended up with 47 miles

 

[i hate hills]

I did a usual 25 miler around where I live yesterday but on an empty stomach (after skipping breakfast) against a slight headwind......bloomin hell it was tough! I was tired after only 11 miles and was actually feeling a bit queasy at 22 miles!
Note to self, ensure fuel in tank before setting off for a ride!

Cheers Nick . I think my problem last week was that i hadn't let my tea settle for long enough, and found it very hard going. Need to get a better balance between eating and the time l do my biking.

 

[Dave 123]

Keith and I picked up a pair of Canondale Synapses for today's ride. We went from where we are staying in Sencelles out toward llucmayor at 7am. It was almost cold!
For the first 25k I felt really awful again, absolutely no go, keith was leaving me for dead!
Once at Llucmayor We headed for the south coast at Cala Pi. The lanes through here were quiet and rural. We saw loads of hoopoes, but the star bird of the day was a Thekla Lark.
Cala Pi was impressive, no beach though...

We headed back to where we'd come from and stopped in Llucmayor for a drink, not a tourist in sight! We rode up the hill to Randa, then on through lots of pretty villages

We stopped at Sineu where there was a market on today, last week it was quiet when we rode through here, today it was crazy!
We stopped for a drink in a bar and then our sons appeared, so we had a drink and a chat with them.
It was 36 degrees and we were both fairly knackered, but we had over 10 miles until home.
Once back in Sencelles we turned for our place up a quiet lane. There is a bump in the road where I assume a root from a large pine has nearly surfaced. I was in front, next thing I hear is someone falling off their bike.... I turn to see Keith in a heap! This was about half a kilometre from home. I got him up slowly, but then told him to get back on his bike, it was better to get him home fairly sharpish, he had bad road rash to left knee and elbow.
To be honest, I was dying early in the ride, but in the second half I was fine, but he was flagging, over exertion, who knows!
We have yet to take the bikes back to the shop, but we DID take out insurance....
Anyway, 100kms in hot heat, and nobody died!
And we saw a windmill....

 

[Paul139]

Had an assessment at work today, which usually means an early finish sure enough, home early and a nice sunny day, RESULT!!!
A lovely 34 mile ride on some lovely, freshly tarmacked roads. ( apparently something called The Tour de France is coming this way in a few weeks )
http://www.strava.com/activities/152275650

 

[PaulB]

I saw someone famous on my ride today. Or do I mean INfamous? I waved to him as I passed the main one of a trio of men but later realised it was only because he's got a well-known face here in the North West. It was only as I got right beside him I realised it was Fred Talbot!