mooseracer
Guru
- Location
- Nr Bristol
went out in my lunch "hour" (hour and 7 minutes to be precise) for a nice 19 mile loop - the rain stayed away until I got home which was a bonus!
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
- Status
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I have a 103 km/107 mile (optional extended version) forum ride coming up on 29th March but I haven't done a long or even longish ride since before I got ill in 2012. It made sense for me to get one in now to make sure that I would actually be capable of doing the forum ride at the end of the month!
The main loop of the forum ride is 103 km in length with one big hill in it, and various less challenging ones. I came up with a different route to ride today, but one similar in nature - from Hebden Bridge to Waddington and up to the summit of Waddington Fell, then turn round and come back home by the same roads. 102 km with about 1,700 m of climbing (63.5 miles, 5,600 ft).
Here is the profile:
I picked today because glorious early Spring sunshine was forecast, with mild temperatures, not too much wind, and very little chance of rain. The forecast was spot on - a great day for riding!
My pal Bill (aka Fit Old Git) joined me at Todmorden on the way out and we rode together until we parted at Tod on the way home. He was having to slow down for me on the flatter sections and wait at the top of the bigger climbs, but he knows what I have been through the past 20 months and that it will take time for me to get properly fit.
Here's a picture taken from Rossendale Road on the outskirts of Burnley, looking over the town towards Pendle Hill.
There was rather a lot of A-road on today's route, but the alternative was to add much more climbing and I am not yet fit enough to cope with that.
We took to the Padiham Greenway at Rose Grove to get away from the traffic for a couple of miles, then climbed out of Padiham to take the scenic route round to Whalley via the Old Roman Road above Read.
We eventually made our way round the far side of Pendle Hill in the Ribble Valley, which was looking rather splendid in the sunshine. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures today because Bill was already hanging about waiting for me to catch up and I didn't want to subject him to too many more delays. Here's one of the llamas at Bashall Town though, looking towards the westsern side of Pendle Hill.
It didn't take us long to get to Waddington village, and begin the toughish climb of the Fell. Bill was soon out of sight, but there was nothing I could do other than climb at my own pace. The biggest problem for me was my back which was aching under the strain, and complained at every climb from then on. I was expecting my gammy leg to play up, but apart the usual 2 inches of swelling on the left calf, and discomfort in the 'DVT-zone', it behaved itself. My heart and lungs coped too, which was another big plus - it looks as though they are making a good recovery. I must work on back and core strength because they are my biggest area of weakness. It takes an awful lot of cycling to sort the problem out that way - my CV system and legs can get pretty good in 500-1,000 miles of riding, but my back took at least 5,000 miles last time I got fit.
I was pretty happy to get up the steep sections at the top of the Fell without too much difficulty, apart from that sore back. I am a bit disappointed with the photos I took from near the summit. This is about the best, looking towards the Fells we will be skirting round on the 29th March ...
The descent back to Waddington was 'interesting'! We hit 80 kph/50 mph on the way down and the road was not in great condition ... In fact, the roads today were in a disgraceful state - it as though the local councils have given up on road maintenance altogether!
I walloped a couple of ruts which were hidden in shadows across the road and I must have been doing at least 35 mph at the time. I was just waiting for snakebite punctures to reveal themselves, but my tyres stayed up.
The run for home was definitely quicker than the way out. It wasn't long before we got back up to the Spring Wood car park above Whalley where I was making a quick stop at the toilets. At that moment, @Svendo suddenly appeared. He had spotted me from down the road, and had come over to say 'hi'.
The traffic was building up as we rode back to Tod where I stopped for a quick cuppa, before coming home.
It was a good ride. I have much work still to do on my fitness, but I am pleased with my progress!
PS That was the first time in nearly 2 years that I have been able to do enough to get really tired. I am still feeling it now, 18 hours after getting back!
4 days later ... My heart rate and breathing still have not quite settled down, so this ride clearly took more out of me than I thought at the time. I will have to be careful not to push myself too hard, too soon! I may have to abandon the idea of doing my full extended forum ride and cut the distance down with lifts/trains!
The main loop of the forum ride is 103 km in length with one big hill in it, and various less challenging ones. I came up with a different route to ride today, but one similar in nature - from Hebden Bridge to Waddington and up to the summit of Waddington Fell, then turn round and come back home by the same roads. 102 km with about 1,700 m of climbing (63.5 miles, 5,600 ft).
Here is the profile:
I picked today because glorious early Spring sunshine was forecast, with mild temperatures, not too much wind, and very little chance of rain. The forecast was spot on - a great day for riding!
My pal Bill (aka Fit Old Git) joined me at Todmorden on the way out and we rode together until we parted at Tod on the way home. He was having to slow down for me on the flatter sections and wait at the top of the bigger climbs, but he knows what I have been through the past 20 months and that it will take time for me to get properly fit.
Here's a picture taken from Rossendale Road on the outskirts of Burnley, looking over the town towards Pendle Hill.
There was rather a lot of A-road on today's route, but the alternative was to add much more climbing and I am not yet fit enough to cope with that.
We took to the Padiham Greenway at Rose Grove to get away from the traffic for a couple of miles, then climbed out of Padiham to take the scenic route round to Whalley via the Old Roman Road above Read.
We eventually made our way round the far side of Pendle Hill in the Ribble Valley, which was looking rather splendid in the sunshine. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures today because Bill was already hanging about waiting for me to catch up and I didn't want to subject him to too many more delays. Here's one of the llamas at Bashall Town though, looking towards the westsern side of Pendle Hill.
It didn't take us long to get to Waddington village, and begin the toughish climb of the Fell. Bill was soon out of sight, but there was nothing I could do other than climb at my own pace. The biggest problem for me was my back which was aching under the strain, and complained at every climb from then on. I was expecting my gammy leg to play up, but apart the usual 2 inches of swelling on the left calf, and discomfort in the 'DVT-zone', it behaved itself. My heart and lungs coped too, which was another big plus - it looks as though they are making a good recovery. I must work on back and core strength because they are my biggest area of weakness. It takes an awful lot of cycling to sort the problem out that way - my CV system and legs can get pretty good in 500-1,000 miles of riding, but my back took at least 5,000 miles last time I got fit.
I was pretty happy to get up the steep sections at the top of the Fell without too much difficulty, apart from that sore back. I am a bit disappointed with the photos I took from near the summit. This is about the best, looking towards the Fells we will be skirting round on the 29th March ...
The descent back to Waddington was 'interesting'! We hit 80 kph/50 mph on the way down and the road was not in great condition ... In fact, the roads today were in a disgraceful state - it as though the local councils have given up on road maintenance altogether!
I walloped a couple of ruts which were hidden in shadows across the road and I must have been doing at least 35 mph at the time. I was just waiting for snakebite punctures to reveal themselves, but my tyres stayed up.
The run for home was definitely quicker than the way out. It wasn't long before we got back up to the Spring Wood car park above Whalley where I was making a quick stop at the toilets. At that moment, @Svendo suddenly appeared. He had spotted me from down the road, and had come over to say 'hi'.
The traffic was building up as we rode back to Tod where I stopped for a quick cuppa, before coming home.
It was a good ride. I have much work still to do on my fitness, but I am pleased with my progress!
PS That was the first time in nearly 2 years that I have been able to do enough to get really tired. I am still feeling it now, 18 hours after getting back!
4 days later ... My heart rate and breathing still have not quite settled down, so this ride clearly took more out of me than I thought at the time. I will have to be careful not to push myself too hard, too soon! I may have to abandon the idea of doing my full extended forum ride and cut the distance down with lifts/trains!
Last edited:
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
I have a 103 km/107 mile (optional extended version) forum ride coming up on 29th March but I haven't done a long or even longish ride since before I got ill in 2012. It made sense for me to get one in now to make sure that I would actually be capable of doing the forum ride at the end of the month!
The main loop of the forum ride is 103 km in length with one big hill in it, and various less challenging ones. I came up with a different route to ride today, but one similar in nature - from Hebden Bridge to Waddington and up to the summit of Waddington Fell, then turn round and come back home by the same roads. 102 km with about 1,700 m of climbing (63.5 miles, 5,600 ft).
Here is the profile:
View attachment 39186
I picked today because glorious early Spring sunshine was forecast, with mild temperatures, not too much wind, and very little chance of rain. The forecast was spot on - a great day for riding!
My pal Bill (aka Fit Old Git) joined me at Todmorden on the way out and we rode together until we parted at Tod on the way home. He was having to slow down for me on the flatter sections and wait at the top of the bigger climbs, but he knows what I have been through the past 20 months and that it will take time for me to get properly fit.
Here's a picture taken from Rossendale Road on the outskirts of Burnley, looking over the town towards Pendle Hill.
View attachment 39188
There was rather a lot of A-road on today's route, but the alternative was to add much more climbing and I am not yet fit enough to cope with that.
We took to the Padiham Greenway at Rose Grove to get away from the traffic for a couple of miles, then climbed out of Padiham to take the scenic route round to Whalley via the Old Roman Road above Read.
We eventually made our way round the far side of Pendle Hill in the Ribble Valley, which was looking rather splendid in the sunshine. Unfortunately, I didn't take many pictures today because Bill was already hanging about waiting for me to catch up and I didn't want to subject him to too many more delays. Here's one of the llamas at Bashall Town though, looking towards the westsern side of Pendle Hill.
View attachment 39189
It didn't take us long to get to Waddington village, and begin the toughish climb of the Fell. Bill was soon out of sight, but there was nothing I could do other than climb at my own pace. The biggest problem for me was my back which was aching under the strain, and complained at every climb from then on. I was expecting my gammy leg to play up, but apart the usual 2 inches of swelling on the left calf, and discomfort in the 'DVT-zone', it behaved itself. My heart and lungs coped too, which was another big plus - it looks as though they are making a good recovery. I must work on back and core strength because they are my biggest area of weakness. It takes an awful lot of cycling to sort the problem out that way - my CV system and legs can get pretty good in 500-1,000 miles of riding, but my back took at least 5,000 miles last time I got fit.
I was pretty happy to get up the steep sections at the top of the Fell without too much difficulty, apart from that sore back. I am a bit disappointed with the photos I took from near the summit. This is about the best, looking towards the Fells we will be skirting round on the 29th March ...
View attachment 39191
The descent back to Waddington was 'interesting'! We hit 80 kph/50 mph on the way down and the road was not in great condition ... In fact, the roads today were in a disgraceful state - it as though the local councils have given up on road maintenance altogether!
I walloped a couple of ruts which were hidden in shadows across the road and I must have been doing at least 35 mph at the time. I was just waiting for snakebite punctures to reveal themselves, but my tyres stayed up.
The run for home was definitely quicker than the way out. It wasn't long before we got back up to the Spring Wood car park above Whalley where I was making a quick stop at the toilets. At that moment, @Svendo suddenly appeared. He had spotted me from down the road, and had come over to say 'hi'.
The traffic was building up as we rode back to Tod where I stopped for a quick cuppa, before coming home.
It was a good ride. I have much work still to do on my fitness, but I am pleased with my progress!
Nice photos
jayonabike
Powered by caffeine & whisky
- Location
- Hertfordshire
Woke up, got straight out of bed and on the bike for a 25 mile blast before my son got home from school. Hit 20mph average speed for the first time (o.k it was only 5 miles in to the ride and totally flat from the start with a little down hill section) but the Garmin still read 20mph average (for all of 10 seconds) after a few lumpy bits and another 20 miles the average speed was now 17.4mph. Still happy with that.
gavgav
Legendary Member
Day 3 of my hols with @Rickshaw Phil.
We woke to a drizzly morning in coniston but that soon cleared to a sunny but windy and cool day.
We headed out on the same route as Sunday, to high nibthwaite, via torver, which was fine other than a prat in a black vauxhall who passed us with no room whatsoever. He was given short shrift and we turned right at high nibthwaite this time in the direction of spark bridge. There were a few hilly bits but lots of downhills as well, where I hit my top speed for the week so far of 29.3 mph.
We continued onto bouth and then over the glorious wild scenery and began the climb up to grizedale. Some big hills here, but a stop for lunch and a pint at the eagles head in satterthwaite made it worthwhile.
We had a brief stop at the visitor centre in grizedale, which was closed along with the cafe, for maintenance.
We then continued the long climb up to moor top and into grizedale on the forest tracks.
@Rickshaw Phil reckoned he new a less hilly route over to high cross than we normally take.........my legs beg to differ as it felt blooming hilly to me!!! Still, there was a lovely view over coniston, at the top, so I will let him off
We then dropped down to high cross and down hawkshead hill into coniston for coffee at the bluebird cafe again, past a swan who was sunbathing in the middle of the road
When there is a big lake a stones throw away!
26.2 miles at 8.7 avg mph with 2150 ft of climbing
We woke to a drizzly morning in coniston but that soon cleared to a sunny but windy and cool day.
We headed out on the same route as Sunday, to high nibthwaite, via torver, which was fine other than a prat in a black vauxhall who passed us with no room whatsoever. He was given short shrift and we turned right at high nibthwaite this time in the direction of spark bridge. There were a few hilly bits but lots of downhills as well, where I hit my top speed for the week so far of 29.3 mph.
We continued onto bouth and then over the glorious wild scenery and began the climb up to grizedale. Some big hills here, but a stop for lunch and a pint at the eagles head in satterthwaite made it worthwhile.
We had a brief stop at the visitor centre in grizedale, which was closed along with the cafe, for maintenance.
We then continued the long climb up to moor top and into grizedale on the forest tracks.
@Rickshaw Phil reckoned he new a less hilly route over to high cross than we normally take.........my legs beg to differ as it felt blooming hilly to me!!! Still, there was a lovely view over coniston, at the top, so I will let him off
We then dropped down to high cross and down hawkshead hill into coniston for coffee at the bluebird cafe again, past a swan who was sunbathing in the middle of the road
When there is a big lake a stones throw away!26.2 miles at 8.7 avg mph with 2150 ft of climbing
Ron-da-Valli
It's a bleedin' miracle!
- Location
- Rorke's Drift
A sunny but windy ride down the coast to Conwy. The ride back was a breeze. Lots of activity by Colwyn Bay pier, not sure what though.
SatNavSaysStraightOn
Changed hemispheres!
- Location
- ɐᴉlɐɹʇsn∀ 'ɐɹɹǝquɐƆ
just back from a few errands and blood tests at the local hospital. Had a rather amusing conversation in the local post office where I was posting a saddle... I'm standing their in full lycra and hand over a really small box and get asked what it is in it... saddle, the response left me wondering and laughing when they asked if it was for a really small horse... 
I found a carefully worded reply along the lines of "Oh come on, I'm standing in full lycra..." whilst laughing to myself and at them politely which pretty much reduced the entire place to laughter when they realised their mistake and I have found a new way to utterly confuse a 4x4 driver in a town (specifically of the female variety on the school run). It is stunningly easy and every so effective. I stopped to let her out!
yep - she had no idea what to do next and I really mean it 
... so a quiet ride in warm weather - even broke out my spring kit today... but will be back in winter kit tomorrow because the temperature was starting to drop off rapidly on my way home and I am on my usual domestic commute tomorrow, so will be out until much later...
http://www.strava.com/activities/117721468
I found a carefully worded reply along the lines of "Oh come on, I'm standing in full lycra..." whilst laughing to myself and at them politely which pretty much reduced the entire place to laughter when they realised their mistake and I have found a new way to utterly confuse a 4x4 driver in a town (specifically of the female variety on the school run). It is stunningly easy and every so effective. I stopped to let her out! yep - she had no idea what to do next and I really mean it ... so a quiet ride in warm weather - even broke out my spring kit today... but will be back in winter kit tomorrow because the temperature was starting to drop off rapidly on my way home and I am on my usual domestic commute tomorrow, so will be out until much later...http://www.strava.com/activities/117721468
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
Maverick Goose
A jumped up pantry boy, who never knew his place
- Location
- A champagne supernova in the sky
Close encounter with a Tesco's van today-luckily I haven't ended up in a burger
coffeejo
Ælfrēd
- Location
- West Somerset
I couldn't get my act together yesterday morning to go out with my cycle group so instead went out for a solo ride in the afternoon. I fancied a bit of a blast, so headed west on the main Taunton-Minehead road, the A358 which runs along the southern edge of the Quantocks. I peeled off into the quiet lanes that cross the western flank of the Quantocks at the lovely village of Bicknoller and as I passed the pub, decided to return with an empty belly one day very soon as they were busy serving lunch to their customers and the aromas were mouthwatering.
Having ridden as far north as I could without cycling off a cliff edge and down onto the mud flats of Bridgwater Bay, I turned west out of the hills and down, down, down into the village of Doniford - the roads were still quite wet so I decided to be sensible on the 1:7 descent with an awkwardly situated corner and didn't push to break the 40mph barrier for this hill which has thus far eluded me. Annoying close though - 39.5
. Next time!
I followed the coast road through Watchet and then onto Blue Anchor, which is always a good workout as it's nestled between two hills so getting there involves going up and then down (stupid traffic lights ruined play on that descent) and leaving involves the same again. The sea air was wonderfully refreshing, even if the tide was out.
(The hill in the background is the one I'd just cycled up and over. Watchet harbour is, funnily enough, at sea level on t'other side.)
Up and out of Blue Anchor and then down into Carhampton before another stint on the main road, east this time, to the village of Washford where I peeled off past Cleeve Abbey to Torre Cider Farm for coffee and cake. The road was closed less than half a mile from the farm but the guys fixing the water pipes were lovely and let me go through with the bike.
Leaving the farm, I enjoyed a few moments of post-caffeine and sugar serenity before hitting the hills once again, this time the Brendons, coming out at the crossroad which also marks the border of Exmoor National Park. I carried straight on along a road which @Peteaud of this parish (and anyone else who has done the Air Ambulance cycle challenge) will be familiar with - it runs just below the Exmoor border past Combe Sydenham and through the villages of Monksilver and Elworthy. I carried on at Elworthy crossroads along one of my very favourite stretches of road to Wiveliscombe. Although a country lane, it's wide enough for two vehicles to pass, is well maintained, has lots of fun descents with swooping corners, is pretty quiet and is home to some wonderful scenery:
At Wivey, I joined the much busier but less well maintained B3227 and so to home: 42 miles with approx 3k feet of climbing. Phew!
Having ridden as far north as I could without cycling off a cliff edge and down onto the mud flats of Bridgwater Bay, I turned west out of the hills and down, down, down into the village of Doniford - the roads were still quite wet so I decided to be sensible on the 1:7 descent with an awkwardly situated corner and didn't push to break the 40mph barrier for this hill which has thus far eluded me. Annoying close though - 39.5
. Next time! I followed the coast road through Watchet and then onto Blue Anchor, which is always a good workout as it's nestled between two hills so getting there involves going up and then down (stupid traffic lights ruined play on that descent) and leaving involves the same again. The sea air was wonderfully refreshing, even if the tide was out.
(The hill in the background is the one I'd just cycled up and over. Watchet harbour is, funnily enough, at sea level on t'other side.)
Up and out of Blue Anchor and then down into Carhampton before another stint on the main road, east this time, to the village of Washford where I peeled off past Cleeve Abbey to Torre Cider Farm for coffee and cake. The road was closed less than half a mile from the farm but the guys fixing the water pipes were lovely and let me go through with the bike.
Leaving the farm, I enjoyed a few moments of post-caffeine and sugar serenity before hitting the hills once again, this time the Brendons, coming out at the crossroad which also marks the border of Exmoor National Park. I carried straight on along a road which @Peteaud of this parish (and anyone else who has done the Air Ambulance cycle challenge) will be familiar with - it runs just below the Exmoor border past Combe Sydenham and through the villages of Monksilver and Elworthy. I carried on at Elworthy crossroads along one of my very favourite stretches of road to Wiveliscombe. Although a country lane, it's wide enough for two vehicles to pass, is well maintained, has lots of fun descents with swooping corners, is pretty quiet and is home to some wonderful scenery:
At Wivey, I joined the much busier but less well maintained B3227 and so to home: 42 miles with approx 3k feet of climbing. Phew!
- Location
- Egham
First time out in 4 days for me, so was great to rise to a sunny though frosty morning. Didn't fancy hills so made my way through Chertsey and across Chertsey Bridge past all the land and houses that was recently flooded. Normality appears to be returning though I'm sure for those who were flooded this is not the case, hopefully they can get back into their homes sooner rather than later. Through Old Shepperton and then up to Walton Bridge, remarkably they still haven't marked out or sign posted the incredibly wide pavements as joint use peds/cycles. Normally from here I'd take the towpath back into Weybridge, but road bike and mud don't mix so instead chose Walton Lane, pausing the bridge to Desborough Island for this
From here it was back through Addlestone High Street, into Ottershaw before 'owning' one of the 2 lanes of the A320 between the Otter roundabout and St Peters Hospital, it's quiet at this time of day and the cycle path alongside it is terrible anyway. Through the grounds of the hospital, past the ward in which I spent 10 days last Summer and into Lyne Village which has a nice downhill run at the end. Unfortunately, like many local roads it's still wet, so no mad dash today as it was all a bit slippy. Usual route home past the dump (or recycling centre if you prefer..) is still flooded, back up into Virginia Water before home. A nice 19 mile run in the sunshine, now off to bed ready for my first night shift in 7 months.
. Normally from here I'd take the towpath back into Weybridge, but road bike and mud don't mix so instead chose Walton Lane, pausing the bridge to Desborough Island for thisFrom here it was back through Addlestone High Street, into Ottershaw before 'owning' one of the 2 lanes of the A320 between the Otter roundabout and St Peters Hospital, it's quiet at this time of day and the cycle path alongside it is terrible anyway. Through the grounds of the hospital, past the ward in which I spent 10 days last Summer and into Lyne Village which has a nice downhill run at the end. Unfortunately, like many local roads it's still wet, so no mad dash today as it was all a bit slippy. Usual route home past the dump (or recycling centre if you prefer..) is still flooded, back up into Virginia Water before home. A nice 19 mile run in the sunshine, now off to bed ready for my first night shift in 7 months.
Old Plodder
Living at the top of a steep 2 mile climb
- Location
- Surrey/Hants border
Early mornings & frost.......yes, I remember them......it's great to be retired......
- Status
