Your ride today....

[Richard A Thackeray]

​

Bike selected; CGR (as I knew I'd be on Canal towpaths, & in woodland)
Weather; overcast. quite cold, mainly dry, intermittent Sun, breaking through the cloud
Photographs from today (unless captioned otherwise)


Out of the house, once temperatures had risen slightly, & the frost had gone from the direct sunshine
Cars were still white, where they were in shadow though

This was a 'Chuck Berry ride', in that I had no particular place to go

Up onto the road, over what is colloquially known as Common Road, but is officially Black Road (A655), after it's dropped down 'PineApple Hill' (there was pub at the top, now closed, & converted to a b-i-g house)
From the hill-top, there's a good view over the surrounding area, with vistas as far as HolmeMoss, the wind-farm at Royds Moor (north-west of Penistone), Midhope Moors, & the land to the north of LadyBower Reservoir

It was over Black Road, past the evocatively named Horse Race End Cottages (there is also a 'Horse & Groom' pub the other side of a 'Hall & Wings' late 16th century house)
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1669765
The sign is on these cottages; http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3784591

View: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10208051604240183&set=a.10206883847206987.1073741862.1601508436&type=3&theater

Monday 4th April 2016


and left at the junction with Doncaster Road (A638), & an almost immediate right onto Oakenshaw Lane
This is a rather twisty. unsighted at times (for drivers) 'rolling' lane
However, I wasn't on it for long, as I turned off just before the Leeds-Wakefield-Doncaster-Kings Cross line was passed over
It was into the old Walton Colliery yard, passing a few Pit Cottages

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3247149

This was the Pit, but was redeveloped into a Country Park, with various small lakes, & the ('abandoned') Barnsley Canal passing through it

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-a...countryside/parks/walton-colliery-nature-park


I just gently meandered through, with no real intentions, and ventured onto a path, I'd not been on before
Some were a bit muddy, but fine on the Duranos of the CGR



A culvert, under the railway embankment, & the bridge over the culvert



On reaching the car-park, at the end, & rejoining Shay Lane, I headed right towards Walton, climbing up to the New Inn, & Church, where the Barnsley Canal once crossed here, & the route has been followed before (but not reported on here)


At the junction with The Balk, it was a left turn towards Walton Hall
- the home of Charles Waterton, accepted founder of the Worlds first nature reserve

If I'd carried on over the canal bridge, I'd have seen his old Home, it has been a maternity hospital, now a fancy Hotel
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3407997
http://www.watertonparkhotel.co.uk/hotel/history/

A right turn (due south) took me onto the old towpath, now Trans-Pennine Trail, with the aim of Wintersett/Cold Hiendley reservoirs (built to feed water to the Canal)
It's only in water at certain points, but how deep the mud/silt is, under the leaves could be a hazardous guess?


Once at the dam, of the reservoir, it was off to follow the trails around Haw Park Woods, back to the café/countryside center
http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/sport-and-leisure/parks-and-countryside/parks/haw-park-wood

I got talking to a chap there, who had brought his Scimitar out for a Sunday morning spin
He seemed happy that someone recognised what it was, & let me have a look



I followed the road over the edge of Wintersett, towards Ryhill, & turned right towards the hamlet of Cold Hiendley (15 - 20 houses??), with another nice 'hall & wings' house, that's split up, & on a farm



Then a bit of road, through Notton Bridge, over a George Stephenson designed roadbridge
https://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101135573-notton-bridge-notton#.WhGrI0x2vIU
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/75264

Straight over, at 'Twist cross-roads' (where there used to be a pub, called the Oliver Twist, now demolished, & houses there)
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3245966

A short run, brought a rapid descent into the lovely village of Notton, where there's evidence in Applehaigh Woods, of Iron-age workings
Along George Lane, turning right (north) onto Woolley Mill Lane, where there's a very b-I-g house, that looks like a Colarado ski-lodge!, with the remnants of the Woolley Dam, as a private lake
Old details. but has pictures
http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-39158000.html

Out onto Barnsley Road here, the A61, not far south of NewMillerDam
A left onto Wood Lane, towards Chapelthorpe

Once in Chapelthorpe. I worked through the village, passing this lovely Hall
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/765760


Next stop was a fast road, Demby Dale Road, the dual-carriageway (at this point) out of Wakefield, to jct 39/M1
I had to join it at a roundabout, not too bad on a Sunday dinnertime, but a nightmare on a mid-week 'rush-hour'
(from the cameras angle too) http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2529228

Back towards Wakefield, feeling quite warm, but with numb toes
Past Pugneys Country Park, & over the River Calder, under the railway to Barnsley, & past Holmefield Park (Wakefield Park is three, really; Holmfield, Clarence & Thornes)

Under the '99 Arches (the railway we encountered on Oakenshaw Lane, at the beginning of this drawn out saga)
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/362217

Across Ings Road, an early bypass, to avoid drove Cattle clogging up the town centre (Ings being the marshy area)
Around past the site of the (old) Cattle Market, now the main Royal Mail sorting/distribution centre for the area

Round George Street, to Smythe Street, to come to the traffic-lights opposite the Opera House
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/942818


Designed by Frank Matcham, who was responsible for the London Palladium, amongst others, & the gorgeous County Arcade in Leeds
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theatre_Royal,_Wakefield
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Matcham


Back home via, the BullRing, in the shadow of the Cathedral
http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/464524

Past the converted Stanley Royd 'West Riding Lunatic Asylum' (as it was built for), onwards via the new 'Eastern Relief Road', & my usual route home, as I would to/from work
Including my daily view of the Worlds largest cast-iron aquaduct
http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=19


As I wrote yesterday..............

Day-off tomorrow, so I'll see what it brings for a ride
I hope, at least one person enjoyed reading this/opening the links/the photographs

​

The sentiments are the same

​

 

[derrick]

Nice ride out to Thaxted for a bacon butty lovely, 72 miles in the sun all be it a bit chilly, Great route pretty countryside nice quiet roads, what more could you ask for. finished up in the pub for a couple of beers, my other half turned up after her local hill climb repeats, she came back with a Strava QOM so she was well happy.

https://www.strava.com/dashboard

 

[Levo-Lon]

Bbbbrrrrrrrr! It was a cold one today. I went to Thetford Forest with my mate Will from work. He's half my age, I knew I'd be fitter than him but I wasn't expecting what happened.

Inadvertently I missed a turn and we wound up going straight into the pump track. It's technical and fast, but throw in a low sun on a cloudless morning and it was a bit more than tricky!
Here he is coming out at the end...
View attachment 383845
We then joined the Lime Burner trail, the poor lad had 3 offs in five minutes. No broken bones, just some hurt pride.
We found a couple of bits for me to play on, but Will was happy to stand and watch, he took a photo too
View attachment 383847
Look at my rosy cheeks!
A little later we came to "The Beast". Will saw the sign. 'What's it like?' He enquired..... 'it'll be fine' said me.
Off I went, but I waited after 10 seconds or so...... and waited.
I got off and pushed my bike back up the bumps, eventually he appeared, pushing his bike. "Alright?" I asked
"I'm finding it hard to see tree roots and stumps at speed, I can only see about 10' in front of me'..... oh sh1t, this would be fun.
The obstacles and humps and bumps would only get bigger, but there was no way out. I had to make nothing of it and get him going quickly before another rider blasted through and into us. He was very shaky, but we got there. Good for Will!

View attachment 383846
View attachment 383848
View attachment 383850
View attachment 383851

We decamped to the blue trail after having a drink, but his poor legs had had it.
Luckily we found a big steep, deep gully for me to play up and down in for 10 minutes, this gave him a rest.
Then we found another pump track I'd not seen before so I joined the kids for a few laps of fun, then we made our way back to Brandon via High Lodge.
I was taking it easy, but when we hit a soft sandy bit Will was off and walking. I had to cajole him back on his bike. He got us back to the car without any more shenanigans. I know I've had a fun day, Will did too, though he admitted he needs to do more physical stuff. Kids of today eh?
View attachment 383849

Only 18.6 miles.
At the end I lifted Wills bike, it weighed a tonne. No wonder he was cream crackered!

https://www.strava.com/activities/1282049181

Hi Dave

How did you find Thetford ? Would you say its worth the trip over?
I hear so many different reports..ie boring flat, or a good day out..

Have you been to Sherwood Pines ? If yes is it similar or nothing like it..

 

[NorthernDave]

Set the alarm early, intending to get out and back to do other stuff. However at 6am there was a thick frost, so I went back to bed for a couple of hours

As a consequence it was well after 10 when rubber hit road (blame Peter Kay as we tried to get tickets).

Despite the sunshine, it was even colder today than yesterday. I'd dug out the Sealskins winter socks and my Altura windproof gloves, as well as finding a windproof jersey to go over todays ensemble. It didn't completely work if I'm honest.

Time limited, it was Coal Road, Skeltons Lane and then down Sandhills into Thorner, but by the time I'd reached the village after a mile of descending I was getting really cold and I could feel it on my chest again.
So, once again it was a left onto Carr Lane for the least strenuous climb out of the village, but it was hard work by now. So much that I had to stop at the top of the first climb to have a breather.
Anyhow, down through the S-bends and then the climb up to the A58, along there and up Coal Road, before local roads to home.

8.1 miles (13.03km) in 36m at an average of 13.4mph with just 367 ft climbed and an average temperature of just 2.2°C

A ride is a ride and while it was good to get out I'm starting to get frustrated by not being able to put a couple of back to back rides together, especially when it's dry and clear. I think the respectable average speed owes a good bit to the two long descents on the ride - at least I got some miles in.

And, on a happier note, Mrs ND had managed to bag some tickets for Peter Kay when I got back in.

No pics today, but here's a small map:

 

[13 rider]

A bit cold & breezy here, but a lovely day for a ride so combined it with a bit of shopping and used my 13 Hybrid for the first time in a month or so.
View attachment 383738
Out late morning to the local supermarket for food for the weekend, then home for a quick coffee & toast. The afternoon part of the ride was to Halfords (car glass cleaner) and B&Q (Stanley knife blades for work) followed by an extended loop home via Westerfield on the far side of Ipswich.

Why do 20 miles by car when you can do 40 miles by bike?

View attachment 383737

Oh another 13 rider you don't see many 13 about exclusive brand for discerning riders

 

[Dave 123]

Hi Dave

How did you find Thetford ? Would you say its worth the trip over?
I hear so many different reports..ie boring flat, or a good day out..

Have you been to Sherwood Pines ? If yes is it similar or nothing like it..

Not been to Sherwood.
It's all relative I think. If you get someone from North Wales riding it, or a local who's been to North Wales or Dartmoor then they'll say that it's sh1t. Poor old Will had been on the moderate trail once before and he said that the hard route was beyond his skills.
It's not the Alps, but there is a good bit of fun to be had.

I don't fully know my way around and there are bits I've done before that I've not found again. Today I was riding stuff that was new to me. I think I've been 5-6 times since I bought my bike in January, and I've enjoyed it every time.

I would say that it's well worth a trip from Peterborough, you'll have a good day out. Park in Brandon Coutry Park and cross back over the road to High Lodge, the parking is half price.

 

[BoldonLad]

It is a brilliantly sunny Sunday morning, but, bitterly cold, only 1C when we leave, and a tropical 6C by the end of our ride!

A variation of a couple of our regular routes, to make a fifteen mile circuit.

Map

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

From Boldon Colliery, we head south on the cycletrack, very scenic, but, there is still frost on the grass.

AutumnColoursBoldon2

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Across the main Sunderland – Newcastle road (A184) and still heading south, onto the cycletrack, formerly a railway line, dazzled by the sun, and, we are not the only cyclist to brave the cold!, although, we can hardly see him in the glare of the sun

AnotherCyclist

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

As we enter the suburbs of Sunderland, at Hylton, we turn East, along North Hylton Road, there is a cycle track, nearer to the River Wear, which is part of the Coast to Coast Cycle Route (C2C), but, it is disrupted by the building of a new bridge. To be fair, there is a signposted diversion, but, we choose to use this relatively quiet road, rather than dice with the traffic in the roadworks.

NorthHyltonRoad

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Once clear of the bridge building works, we drop down on the C2C route, along the banks of the River Wear, this section is well kept, and even scenic

C2C River Wear 1

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

The route is reasonably well used by walkers, and cyclists

C2CRiver Wear 1

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Under the Monkwearmouth Bridge, (a mini version of the Tyne Bridge) and the bridge carrying the railway line, which span the River Wear

SunderlandBridges

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

This section was once all shipyards, but, now, it is landscaped with street art in various forms

SunderlandStreetArt

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

SunderlandStreetArt2

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

On past the National Glass Centre (all free, and, worth a visit), Sunderland was once a thriving Glass making centre and home to Pyrex, glass ovenware.

SunderlandGlassCentre

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

We reach the coast, at Seaburn, and turn North

Seaburn

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Until, we reach Whitburn

Entering Whitburn

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Time for our regular coffee stop, where, amazingly, it is warm enough to sit outside and enjoy our coffee in the sunshine, although, to be honest, we do not remove any layers!

CoffeeStop

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Fortified, and, warmer, we cycle on, through Whitburn Village

Whitburn Village

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Entering Cleadon, we have now done approximately 13 miles, and we encounter someone travelling more slowly than us, on overtaking opportunity, we do not get many of those!

Overtaking

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

We skirt Cleadon Village

CleadonVillage

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

And, along the newly resurfaced, and, beautifuly smooth Moor Lane

MoorLane

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

To enter East Boldon

EnterEastBoldon

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Then, Tilesheds Lane

Moor Lane

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

To enter Boldon Colliery

EnteringBoldonColliery

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

And home.

The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGYRauW7lm2Q45fMq4OMwhSN1E1S7Sew

 

[LeetleGreyCells]

Length: 30 km - New route, never ridden before.

View media item 10068
Great 18 and a bit miles today, taking the scenic route to Worksop. Steady ride to Kiveton Park and Harthill via main roads.

View media item 10056
At the top of the hill coming out of Harthill, I had a lovely view and it would have been a shame not to take advantage.

View media item 10057
Little traffic as I cycled past Bondhay Golf Club, the three cars that passed me seemed to be golfists off for an early morning round. Mixture of the old and new as I passed a farm.

View media item 10058
Headed for Whitwell village. Nice view as you enter from the A60.

View media item 10059
Had a breather in Whitwell. Spotted a property lawyers office with some oddly shaped windows. Could be part of an older building, but the stone looked too new. Probably 'borrowed'. There'll be a church somewhere missing a few windows.

View media item 10060
From Whitwell, I passed towards Hodthorpe. Saw a couple of cyclists at the side of the road, one with his bike upside down. Stopped to see if needed help, but the rider of the bike said it'd had a catastrophic failure and he'd be limping all the way home. Nice chaps down on their luck.

Found my way into Worksop town which was nice and quiet on a Sunday morning.

View media item 10061
Found the canal and another cyclist enjoying the morning sun. This is part of the National Cycling Route 6. The view of the canal here isn't too great as there's a shopping centre off to one side and more shops to the other. I took the photo with the lesser of two evils.

View media item 10062
Came out at Sandhill Lake which was a pleasant surprise before heading off down the Chesterfield Canal towpath.

View media item 10063 View media item 10064
I even came across the little marina.

View media item 10065
Exited at Shireoaks which is a good picturesque little village. Continued onto Netherthorpe and Thorpe Salvin still on NCN6.

View media item 10066
After enjoying the view of the ruins of Thorpe Hall, a manor house designed and built in 1570.

View media item 10067
From there made my way towards Kiveton Station, up Red Hill (and down the other side, legs sticking out 'Weeeeeeeeee') before heading home.

 

[galaxy]

It is a brilliantly sunny Sunday morning, but, bitterly cold, only 1C when we leave, and a tropical 6C by the end of our ride!

A variation of a couple of our regular routes, to make a fifteen mile circuit.

Map

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

From Boldon Colliery, we head south on the cycletrack, very scenic, but, there is still frost on the grass.

AutumnColoursBoldon2

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Across the main Sunderland – Newcastle road (A184) and still heading south, onto the cycletrack, formerly a railway line, dazzled by the sun, and, we are not the only cyclist to brave the cold!, although, we can hardly see him in the glare of the sun

AnotherCyclist

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

As we enter the suburbs of Sunderland, at Hylton, we turn East, along North Hylton Road, there is a cycle track, nearer to the River Wear, which is part of the Coast to Coast Cycle Route (C2C), but, it is disrupted by the building of a new bridge. To be fair, there is a signposted diversion, but, we choose to use this relatively quiet road, rather than dice with the traffic in the roadworks.

NorthHyltonRoad

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Once clear of the bridge building works, we drop down on the C2C route, along the banks of the River Wear, this section is well kept, and even scenic

C2C River Wear 1

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

The route is reasonably well used by walkers, and cyclists

C2CRiver Wear 1

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Under the Monkwearmouth Bridge, (a mini version of the Tyne Bridge) and the bridge carrying the railway line, which span the River Wear

SunderlandBridges

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

This section was once all shipyards, but, now, it is landscaped with street art in various forms

SunderlandStreetArt

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

SunderlandStreetArt2

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

On past the National Glass Centre (all free, and, worth a visit), Sunderland was once a thriving Glass making centre and home to Pyrex, glass ovenware.

SunderlandGlassCentre

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

We reach the coast, at Seaburn, and turn North

Seaburn

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Until, we reach Whitburn

Entering Whitburn

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Time for our regular coffee stop, where, amazingly, it is warm enough to sit outside and enjoy our coffee in the sunshine, although, to be honest, we do not remove any layers!

CoffeeStop

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Fortified, and, warmer, we cycle on, through Whitburn Village

Whitburn Village

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Entering Cleadon, we have now done approximately 13 miles, and we encounter someone travelling more slowly than us, on overtaking opportunity, we do not get many of those!

Overtaking

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

We skirt Cleadon Village

CleadonVillage

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

And, along the newly resurfaced, and, beautifuly smooth Moor Lane

MoorLane

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

To enter East Boldon

EnterEastBoldon

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

Then, Tilesheds Lane

Moor Lane

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

To enter Boldon Colliery

EnteringBoldonColliery

• BoldonLad
• 19 Nov 2017

And home.

The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjGYRauW7lm2Q45fMq4OMwhSN1E1S7Sew

I was Born in Roker, Dacre Road, all our family originate from there.

 

[PeteXXX]

Todays ride today.. Blimey! This is a rarity

Setting off at 08:00, instead of the 07:00 I'd planned ( I really don't do 'early' anymore..) I headed out towards Sywell, Holcot and Old on my way to Mkt. Harborough via Sustrans 6 and the BVW railway tunnels.

My 'in the tunnel' pic in the daylight penetrating down to the tracks below.

Looking up the ventilation shaft, getting dripped upon

Once back in daylight, I was back on tarmac for several miles along the A427 to Lubenham. It's not a road I'd use during the week, but on Sundays, it's much quieter and safer to ride.
For some reason or another, I'd wanted to visit Theddingworth. No real idea why, but I'd driven trough it numerous times but never managed to stop. Anyway... I've now visited. Job done!
The hill back up towards Sibbertoft from there was a proper leg tester though!

That's Theddingworth in the distance down there.

Once I was in Sibbertoft, I had to revisit the Gliding Club cafe for breakfast.. All this, and bottomless tea refills for £4.00

Aiming back home now, on 30 miles, I was wondering if I had it in my legs to get my 100 km ride for November. I had the decision of the direct route home, or longer choices for my 100 km. Taking the less direct route, I did a circuit of Pitsford Res.

Must have been chilly.. my banana's gone black

Anyways... back home, with cold toes, on 63 miles. Lovely sunny day, but

https://www.strava.com/activities/1281999561

 

[Glow worm]

A nice slow 15 miler here in the flatlands this afternoon.

Out on one of the more remote bits of fen is a 'wild campsite'. It's been a while since I've been this way. Whoever was here last night had left the embers hot, so it was easy to get a nice fire going.

Enjoyed a nice fireside brew from the flask, before putting the fire out and heading toward Wicken.

At Burwell Fen, I saw the first short eared owl of the winter- sat on a post. Hopefully the first of many.

It's flat, it's dull (to some) but it's my home patch and I'm quite fond of it!

 

[Katherine]

A cold ride today through some stunningly beautiful scenery, but I was leading a group so couldn't stop for photos but I savoured every view. We saw a fox cross our path near United's training ground and a small murmuration of starlings passed overhead too. I added some loops through Dunham to make the club ride to Lymm up to 50 miles. Unfortunately I wasn't paying attention to some of the cues and more loops were added than originally intended. Nearly home at 55.5 miles I decided to try and round it up to the 62 (for a metric century) but I was on the loopline and I kept bumping into friends old and new for a chat. Eventually I was too cold and finished on 58.4 miles. I am still yet to actually join the metric century challenge, but I need to extend from the half century challenge.

Taken at the end of my ride after I'd split up from the group.

 

[BoldonLad]

I was Born in Roker, Dacre Road, all our family originate from there.

I hope my photographs / videos brought back happy memories!

 

[gavgav]

Not very important from a distance or location basis, but today's been the first time out on a bike since my operation in mid-September: https://www.strava.com/activities/1280439882

Very, very steady and the road back will be a long one but I was able to ride a bike

Great to read this, well done!!

 

[Lavender Rose]

Hey guys

A little tentative ride today due to slippery roads and windy conditions - decided to take the Diverge over the Allez Sport. Very frustratingly I am still suffering with bad back, but the cold weather today almost numbed it! I set out, even though dad said it would rain - and sure enough, 5 minutes in - had a massive downpour! Kept going though - despite freshly washed hair!!

I managed to hit over the 11mph average which made me happy. Waiting till Thursday for some physio on a nasty lower back issue, which is moving into the back of the leg and knee.

I have finished my events for 2017 (duathlon & canicross), so now I have a nice break until March to really focus on getting fixed, fitter and stronger.