Your ride today.... (part 1)

[ScotiaLass]

The sun came out and so did I!
There was a light mist as I headed through Helix Park and onto the towpath at Lock 1.
I headed up to Lock 16 and on to the Falkirk Wheel.
They are doing annual maintenance plus some new work, in the form of a new water play area, and the path I usually take to get access on to the Union Canal, was blocked off.
So I set off up the access road into the Falkirk Wheel and diverted across the main road and up a side road which leads onto the Union Canal.
In fact, when I first moved back to Scotland, (in '99) I lived in one of the flats which backed onto the canal!

I was getting by this point so I stepped up the pace a bit.
I reached the Falkirk Tunnel and veered off the towpath and went into the woods for a little play
Both Priscilla and I got muddy

Then it was back onto the shared pathways to get home via Mount Everest the cemetery hill.
I washed and dried Priscilla, had some lunch, and then got productive with some admin I needed to do.
A brilliant day

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

via Mount Everest the cemetery hill.

Good to see you renaming it nowadays

 

[Christopher]

Went from Sault to Isle sur Sorgue via the Gorges de Nesque. 40 miles of hydrology in action. I'll add some photos if I can wrestle them off the phone...

Yes please! Show that thing who's boss!

 

[Donger]

Went out in the rain. Came back in the rain. In between it rained. I treated it as an opportunity to test out my waterproof overtrousers (which did the job brilliantly), and to keep my legs in condition for doing hills. Headed out on the Gloucester to Stroud A-road, up and over Horsepools Hill. At Stroud I turned up the Slad Valley and went all the way up to the head of the valley. That is actually not too steep, but goes relentlessly uphill for miles, past the Woolpack and through the heart of Laurie Lee country. The views are great all the way and the Autumn colours were spectacular, but it was too wet to take a camera today.

At the top I turned tail and re-traced my steps back to Stroud, and back along the main road to Gloucester, up and over Horsepools Hill yet again but in the other direction, - getting dark, so lights all now on by this time. Two big hills endured, and one gentle but very long climb added for good measure today. Just wish it hadn't been so miserably wet...... Still, when I'm half way up the Col de la Colombiere next year, I'll be glad I persevered on days like these. 25.9 miles more towards my yearly total.

Cheers, Donger.

 

[Jon George]

I treated it as an opportunity to test out my waterproof overtrousers (which did the job brilliantly),

Any links to where I might get a pair? (I've been on the lookout for something good for ages - I just can't find anything that'll keep the water out for any length of time. Other than waders.)

 

[TheDoctor]

Went from Sault to Isle sur Sorgue via the Gorges de Nesque. 40 miles of hydrology in action. I'll add some photos if I can wrestle them off the phone...

Here goes...

 

[TheDoctor]

Well, that could have gone better...

 

[Goonerobes]

Despite a grey, damp & miserable morning down here I was determined to get out today as I'm at football tomorrow & as this was my 50th consecutive week of cycling without a break a 10 day rest is now planned to refresh some of my aching body parts & try & get the Christmas shopping wrapped up before the December rush!

Once the rain had eased I headed out along the eastern fringes of the New Forest & up to Redlynch in the north before turning west to take on the challenge of Blissford Hill. Now whilst its not the biggest hill in the world, topping out at just over 25% its the closest I've been to being vertical on a bike & is the nemesis of many a novice & also is quite often covered in muck by farmer Giles (who I don't think likes cyclists). That done I headed for home with another 43 miles in the bag.

http://www.strava.com/activities/221600734

Blissford Wall Hill

 

[ScotiaLass]

Despite a grey, damp & miserable morning down here I was determined to get out today as I'm at football tomorrow & as this was my 50th consecutive week of cycling without a break a 10 day rest is now planned to refresh some of my aching body parts & try & get the Christmas shopping wrapped up before the December rush!

Once the rain had eased I headed out along the eastern fringes of the New Forest & up to Redlynch in the north before turning west to take on the challenge of Blissford Hill. Now whilst its not the biggest hill in the world, topping out at just over 25% its the closest I've been to being vertical on a bike & is the nemesis of many a novice & also is quite often covered in muck by farmer Giles (who I don't think likes cyclists). That done I headed for home with another 43 miles in the bag.

http://www.strava.com/activities/221600734

View attachment 62272

Blissford Wall Hill

B*gger me!!!!

 

[Stonechat]

Despite a grey, damp & miserable morning down here I was determined to get out today as I'm at football tomorrow & as this was my 50th consecutive week of cycling without a break a 10 day rest is now planned to refresh some of my aching body parts & try & get the Christmas shopping wrapped up before the December rush!

Once the rain had eased I headed out along the eastern fringes of the New Forest & up to Redlynch in the north before turning west to take on the challenge of Blissford Hill. Now whilst its not the biggest hill in the world, topping out at just over 25% its the closest I've been to being vertical on a bike & is the nemesis of many a novice & also is quite often covered in muck by farmer Giles (who I don't think likes cyclists). That done I headed for home with another 43 miles in the bag.

http://www.strava.com/activities/221600734

View attachment 62272

Blissford Wall Hill

Good ride

 

[Dave 123]

B*gger me!!!!

Really?

This is a family friendly forum madam!

 

[ScotiaLass]

Really?

This is a family friendly forum madam!

The hill Sir, the hill!!

 

[Glow worm]

Obviously didn't watch Wiggo winning the time trial gold medal - the last run before the finish was down the road through Bushy Park, just round the corner from Hampton Court where the finish was

Unfortunatley, and at risk of being thrown out of the forum - I have no interest at all in cycle racing! So yes a did miss it completely I'm afraid.

You'll be pleased to know though that a stonechat was spotted at Busy Park yesterday. (I saw a couple here on Sunday too).

 

[Stonechat]

Unfortunatley, and at risk of being thrown out of the forum - I have no interest at all in cycle racing! So yes a did miss it completely I'm afraid.

You'll be pleased to know though that a stonechat was spotted at Busy Park yesterday. (I saw a couple here on Sunday too).

Yes stonechat one of my favourite birds along with peregrine.

 

[Donger]

Any links to where I might get a pair? (I've been on the lookout for something good for ages - I just can't find anything that'll keep the water out for any length of time. Other than waders.)

I don't remember where I got them, but they are "Gore Bikewear" overtrousers by Gore Tex. I am really pleased with them, and they didn't even make that "swoosh, swoosh" rubbing sound you sort of expect them to. My clothes were bone dry underneath.