Your ride today.... (part 1)

[outlash]

Hi Tony, did you cycle through the flood? Was it deep? Was it just the one section of flooding?
Cheers
Stan

IIRC, we dropped down through what seemed to be cut down reeds on the path then several puddles that were about 2-4 inches deep. It was around the RSPB reserve at Fen Drayton. We rode through them fairly slowly more to keep the wet off our backs as we were only about halfway round. We were warned about it further back by a couple of riders but it wasn't as bad as they made out. From your end you'd get the puddles then the reeds.

What got me was the guy behind me in the group going 'whoa, I'm carrying too much speed!' as we're going through the puddles. Was a bit unnerving! There was a keen old headwind for most of it which made it a bit of a grind but I'm hoping we'll do it again later in the year as it was pretty picturesque.

I'm guessing you'll be commuting along it tomorrow?


Tony.

 

[Basil.B]

A 20 mile loop, just to test out my skull cap.
Works a treat, head stayed nice and warm!

 

[thegravestoneman]

You are riding tubs on winter rides? . What wheels are you on?

I am on my nearly 30 year old Saracen which has always had tubs, it has mavic GP4 rims on campag record large flange hubs via double butted ss spokes that were on it when I put it in storage 25 years ago.

It turns out tubs go brittle after that period of time (who would have thought?) the rear lasted 2 weekends the front has made 4 but both are now defunct. I used to ride all year through with tubs depending on which bike I was on and found it easier to change them when out than tyres and tubes as long as you stretch them over a rim beforehand. The quality of ride at the time was also so much better then with tyres and tubes even with the cheaper tubs I used. From what I see now the price difference still isn't that great (I may be wrong I haven't really looked into it) so I will be continuing until the rims need changing before I consider modern options, apparently tyres are now so much better than they used to be.

My LBS take the mickey out of me for being old hat, but they haven't seen my 50s trike yet which will be on tyres if still 27's when I find the parts I need to finish it. I am building up a hack which will run tyres too and probably new style ones at that. I am hoping to borrow a modern bike for comparison once I join the local club if there is anyone there willing to let me.

Gaz

 

[MisterStan]

IIRC, we dropped down through what seemed to be cut down reeds on the path then several puddles that were about 2-4 inches deep. It was around the RSPB reserve at Fen Drayton. We rode through them fairly slowly more to keep the wet off our backs as we were only about halfway round. We were warned about it further back by a couple of riders but it wasn't as bad as they made out. From your end you'd get the puddles then the reeds.

What got me was the guy behind me in the group going 'whoa, I'm carrying too much speed!' as we're going through the puddles. Was a bit unnerving! There was a keen old headwind for most of it which made it a bit of a grind but I'm hoping we'll do it again later in the year as it was pretty picturesque.

I'm guessing you'll be commuting along it tomorrow?


Tony.

Well I've been going the long way round to avoid it! Probably do that too tomorrow to keep the miles up....

 

[craigwend]

a nice 17.5 loop,
testing out the forthcoming spring 'commute route', (7.5 miles) got there in just over 30 mins
then discovered on the way back I'd had a tail wind on the way there (thought i was getting fitter) heading home into the headwind on ye'olde rail trail - realised i may need to add a 'few minutes'...

Nice to be out before the sun went down, bloomin cold today though

 

[Phil485]

25 mile loop around Old Windsor and out to Ascot. Looking for some more hills to improve my climbing on. Lots of groups of cyclists out including Tema Ascendo who I had been thinking of contacting. Took my weekly miles over 100miles for the first time ever, so pleased with that.

 

[Black Country Ste]

Tough.

13-mile round trip to the parents for Sunday dinner. Lots of climbing to get there and a lot of inconsiderate driving. The return trip is, obviously, nearly all downhill but I had a big dinner and dessert in me, plus a headwind. My cheery hello to some miserable bugger of a roadie was ignored. Always feels good at the end of a ride to have put a few miles down and I haven't regretted a ride yet but sometimes they aren't very enjoyable while actually out there.

Oh and I broke a toe clip. Perhaps now I'll get round to choosing some shoes and fitting my spuds.

 

[Matthew_T]

Oh and I broke a toe clip. Perhaps now I'll get round to choosing some shoes and fitting my spuds.

I never knew you could ride in potatoes. Whats it like?

 

[BigonaBianchi]

one mile to the pool, 40 lengths (33m pool) , one mile back

 

[Martyn H]

10 mile loop in bright but cold. Was double wrapped so nice an toasty. A buzzard flew at eye level with me for a short distance. It was only about 15 yards away as it flew parallel with the road. - absolutly magnificent.

 

[Matthew_T]

Had a nice pootle about today. However, just as I was approaching home, someone starts beeping from behind. I look around and the car then comes alongside me. The driver is saluting my with a big middle finger whilst saying something (window shut). When he is infront of me, he continues to beep and I slow right down and get some distance between us.
When he stops (at the inevitable traffic light) I stop about 5 car lengths back (woman behind is patient) and the guy leans out of the window and shouts "GET OFF THE ROAD!" in a relatively sarcastic tone (not sure what he meant).
A passenger gets into his car and they start talking (probably about me).

When the lights change, I keep my distance and instead of turning right (like he did) to go home, I continued straight on. I then did a U-turn and was very tentative when going around the estate.

The thing was, I knew the person (once). I went to school with him (knew of him) and he was always a problem there (hanged around the wrong type).

I dont know what sent him into this uncontrollable rage but I am glad that I kept my distance and didnt respond to him in any way.

 

[G3CWI]

mixed ride. great to go out on bike. not so great to return in ambulance. no lasting injuries but can't do capitals.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I went off for a longer ride this afternoon. I started by heading out to Montford Bridge then up to Great Ness and across towards Pentre and Melverley. From there I crossed the Welsh border to Crew Green and headed over the hills to Wollaston, Halfway House and Westbury. Finally I headed home through Stoney Stretton, Lea Cross, Exfords Green and over Lyth Hill.

It was a pretty good ride even if it is still pretty and grey out there. I was able to test out my repaired rear light, which I'm pleased to say stayed where it was supposed to.

I did have a bit of a scary moment just a mile from home; descending Lyth Hill and turning into a side road at a reasonable speed (probably about 16/17mph) the front wheel just slid out from under me. I wasn't expecting it as the road was dry, however there was mud stuck to the tyre from earlier in the ride which I presume caused the slide. Fortunately, I dabbed my foot on the ground instinctively and that just righted the bike enough for the tyre to grip again. Luck rather than judgement.

Today's trip was 34 miles at 12.1mph average. Happy with that.

Shhhh. Don't tell anyone about the military training camp.

En route to Melverley - The Royal Hill (which is actually by the river, not on a hill).

Melverley Church. The current building dates back to 1406 and replaces one that Owain Glyndwr burned down.

Looking across to the Briedden. On the highest point to the right you can just see the spike that is Rodney's Pillar - a memorial to Admiral Rodney, who was a local lad.

The former railway bridge linking Melverley to Crew Green. It also happens to be the English/Welsh border. Taken from the english side.

On the Welsh side now and Shrewsbury is signposted in both languages.

Climbing up into the hills to the south of Crew Green and looking back into Wales.

 

[coffeejo]

mixed ride. great to go out on bike. not so great to return in ambulance. no lasting injuries but can't do capitals.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

mixed ride. great to go out on bike. not so great to return in ambulance. no lasting injuries but can't do capitals.

What happened?