Your ride today....

[theloafer]

got ready for todays ride ..stepped outside and it was spitting forecast was for shower's so g/f said just let`s go as she need`s to get some miles in for our lochs and glens trip .... so I readjusted my planned route head of to Sedgefield via aycliffe village and some off road stuff just so karon could see that the e-bike could handle loose ground thenthe back lanes to our fav coffee stop the number 4 tea shop in Sedgefield...which is when the started properly ...then was shocked when I suggested that as we were out and going to wet going home we should still continue route she agreed ... so off to next café down ncn route 1(I say route 1but its most just a track ) to Wynyard station, but it has given her more confidence in the bike capabilities after coffee and pastie`s I thought as we were close to her house we might as well pop in the see her mother in Billingham ...then retraced back to Thorpe Thewles Carlton, Gt Stainton ...had to add a little detour just to get her over the 40 miles mark never got that really wet just dampish

https://www.strava.com/activities/1494659488
karons cake

mine

 

[NorthernDave]

The first Saturday in April? Must be time to ride the UKCE Wiggle Vale Vélo from Murton near York.

The forecast for today was horrible - heavy persistent rain from 8am right through until 5pm, and the ever unreliable BBC were sticking with that on the 6am forecast this morning.

Picked up at 6.45 and half an hour later we arrived at the start and got registered. The event seemed oddly quiet compared to recent years - I wonder if people had been put off by the forecast?

Anyway, we were in the second wave out and with instructions that several roads were closed by flooding meaning there were some last minute route changes in place, we were off into the lovely, bright, sunny weather.
After a mile or so, the escort motorbikes roared past us with lights ablaze and bipping their horns, which I'm sure pleased the racing snakes who had thundered off at a punishing pace. That said, we weren't doing too bad ourselves as the first 20 miles or so are almost flat.
The first diversion sent us into Stamford Bridge via the main A166 which was busy and as we queued to cross the single track bridge a twerp in a Transit got awfully close, presumably not being too keen on all those pesky cyclists being on "his" road.
So it was fun to get in front of him at the lights and take primary across the bridge and through the village , before turning right and heading back out into the countryside.
We soon reached Pocklington, where we turned north east and headed for the first climb of the day - Col de Givendale, as I've decided to call it. I just dropped down the gears and ground my way up - it wasn't pretty but I got there and before long we were heading for Huggate and the first food stop. Just before we got there though the heavens opened and it looked like the forecast deluge had arrived, but within 10 minutes it had stopped and we arrived at the stop.

Nosebag completed and back on our way for a lovely section through the countryside which drops down for nearly all of the next 9 miles, meaning an average speed in the high 20's mph was easily maintained. However, as a cyclist you always pay for such things and the next section from Tibthorpe and through Wetwang has several long upward drags that just seem to go on and on, plus we were cycling into the wind now as well.

Just before Sledmere there is a dip where you can fly down one side and use your speed to carry you almost all the way up the other side. Unless an all the gear no idea type comes flying past you on the down bit and then can't choose a gear on the uphill bit and wobbles all over the road in front of you, bringing about 7 of us to a near stop... Honestly, some peoples language!

Anyhow, a bit more up and downery before turning left in the village and heading for Duggleby and on to East Grimston, before the Beast of Birdsall (aka Birdsall Brow) loomed large over us. This is a long climb, made all the worse by an approach that is just steep enough to have you in bottom gear at the start of the ramp and then just gets steeper. I struggled on here last year on the Pro Carbon (bottom gear 36/28), so had hoped the Giant would be a bit easier (bottom gear 34/32).
Well, if it was any easier no-one told my legs. Or my lungs.
Anyhow, a long time later I reached the turning for Leavening and that was the big climbs of the day done. Or so we thought...

The descent into Leavening is usually awesome, but due to recent rain swathes of it were covered in loose gravelly stones so it was safety first and no heroics.
On to Burythorpe and feed station 2, where more flapjack was inhaled and we got news of another diversion due to flooding.

Through Eddlethorpe and then the fantastic and unexpected 14% descent into Kirkham Abbey on the diversion route. Which was immediately followed by a 16% climb back out of the other side... Well, we weren't expecting that!

Some very quiet country lanes followed, including crossing the railway at Howsham, before regaining the original route. From there it's fairly flat and we just got the hammer down (figuratively speaking ) and rattled through more picturesque village and back to the start.

75.08 miles (120.89km) in 5h 39m at an average of 13.3 mph with 3,864 feet climbed.

It was blooming hard work at times, but a fun ride with a couple of mates and well worth the effort. That extra big climb nearly finished me off, but what can you do? Just keep turning the pedals.
And at the end, I got a free pair of Wiggle socks to go with my medal, so that's a good do all round!

And to end, a map:

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Steve E, Rich B and me in the Green. Pete M, Jules H and Margaret PR at the Pot. Some discussion later the agreed destination was Pershore but because of floods in the valleys we would have to improvise to avoid Eckington Bridge where floods are frequent. So we took to the lanes for Stonehall Common and around to Wadborough. Almost at Drakes Broughton we turned for Besford Bridge (no floods here) and on into Pershore.

Much chat later we retraced to Besford Bridge to turn for Defford and the ramp to Strensham. It was only Rich's second ride of the year so we had been keeping the pace down. Even so the small hills were something of a challenge to Rich. No worries, knock a rev off and let him rejoin. Pete and I did a few descents on the better downhill ramps. Pete learned to get a sling shot off my wheel - no pedalling allowed. Jules and Margaret peeled off for home while the last four had to dodge the floods in New Street so we went almost to Hanley Castle before the lovely run through the Brotheridge Green lanes. Rich chose the Three Counties run in so we said our byes in Poolbrook as we each headed homeward. 6 of the best out today. Nice wee social twiddle for sure. 40 smiles

 

[colly]

'Commitments' have scuppered some nicer weather rides this past few weeks and today was looking to be just the same. So I got up early for a short spin before the days duties kicked in.
Rather than setting right off I decided to stop off at my local park take a few pics. So some not very spring like views of Roundhay Park which to be honest don't do any justice to the place at all but at over 700 acres that's hardly surprising. It's the second largest park in Europe.

I started with a view of 'my bike in front of a totem pole' :


Thats it. No more pics. They were too mind numbingly dull l have made an executive decision to spare you all.

So after spending an hour pootling about the park l had a gentle ride around covering about 12 maybe 15 miles. My Garmin jobbie was out of charge so you'll have to take my word for it.

I had an 18 mile ride out early week which is recorded so if l think of it I'll post later ot tomorrow

 

[hondated]

A fairly uneventful 8 and a bit miles through a lot of slush , but I had to stop for a picture .
My daughter posted the first , me age 18, on Facebook to say happy birthday. 43 years on , the houses on the left are gone but the trees in the background have grown a bit.
Barrisdale rd , Maryhill G20 View attachment 398867

Ok probably got less hair and a few more wrinkles but i bet if your anything like me mentally your not a lot older.
Probably why i broke my wrist 8 weeks ago whilst out on my mbk as well. Big sigh !

 

[Katherine]

I broke Warp Speed Mr Sulu! Or 31.6mph

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Before today morphs into tomorrow ... my ride was excellent!
Got up late, had sunshine, rain, hills, a puncture and bought an enormous chocolate cake.
Took 5 hours to do 33 miles, but I'm not slow, honest, just stop loads for pictures, chatting, shopping, and today of course for puncture fixing.
I set out well after midday intending to do a fairly flat route to Balloch, along the shores of Loch Lomond, then changed my mind half way, decided to climb up the Erskine bridge instead.
It started a mild day, even with some sunshine: but the time I got back I was soaked to my underwear
Out of Rutherglen to join the Clyde, the riverside shared path was busy with canoeists carrying their canoes on their shoulders instead of paddling in the water.
What was that all about??
Anyhow, I took a detour, was making steady progress, when I bumped into an ex colleague and his wife, may have spent a few minutes chatting
At the bottom of the climb to the bridge, I said to another cyclist "I seem to remember a big hill coming up"
He said "not half, I'm knackered, I think I'll walk it"
Well, me I did not walk any of it I've got a cassette the size of a dinner plate!
The Erskine bridge is sadly enclosed by high steel barriers, which make taking good photos of the view a bit difficult.
I think there have been suicide attempts, as there are several Samaritans signs on the path.

The path leading to the bridge runs along local woods, only the last bit being quite steep. The bridge itself seems daunting when viewed from above, but it's actually a very gradual incline.
At the entrance to the way back to Glasgow, there's the (famous for his plants) Erskine garden centre, complete with coffee shop of course.
After riding the bridge both ways, exploring a bit further, I saw this:
the memorial to a cyclist that sadly got run over on the adjacent, fast road.
Meantime, it had started to drizzle, bye bye little spring sun rays.
Had a wee break in Clydebank, another stop on the Lidl along the cycle route for some chicken for BigCat ... then it started to rain seriously!
I'm gonna get a puncture, this thought idly came into my mind, and I did!
Well, when a bike does not sport Marathon tyres, I always expect punctures.
But this is not my commuting bike, and I'm in no hurry.
Found a spot under a bridge changed the inner, off we go again.
Can you spot the cake?

Along the canal, a big swan in his big nest

 

[Reynard]

Hope you've dried out @Pat "5mph"

That cake does look mighty fine.

 

[Dave 123]

Mrs Dave declared that she's 'not going out in this '. It was slight drizzle.
So I went out on my Spa tourer. I took my big raincoat in my pannier just in case. I was brave, I had my knees out again, two days running!
Through Caldecote Highfields and down to Caldecote. Coming in to Kingston there were 2 blokes waiting for their mate, who I passed a minute later. Into the Eversdens, soggy lambs in the fields.
Over the A603 and into Harlton, and the rain got heavier. So I stopped to put my bigger coat on. The daffs made a cheery sight in the gloom

To my right there was a friendly horse coming over to say hello

Over the 603 and up to Comberton, Long Road and home. Nearly 15 wet miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1496252661

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Some adjustments were needed to Mrs 26's saddle. So off we went for a test. We used some of the local little loops before heading for Pixham Ferry. It's been a fair old while since I last stopped there. Then it was the run back along Jennet Tree lane for home. The test gave fairly positive results but I think a bit more fettling is required. On the plus side - that means more test rides!! 12 smiles on this one.

 

[derrick]

Just a little pootle with the other half and a friend, The friend got knocked of her bike a while ago, She is just getting her mojo back, so nice easy ride, shame about the showers, ended in a cafe for a really nice coffee and a Belgium bun, Did only want to do a gentle ride as i am saving my legs for our London- Paris- London ride, Starting this Tuesday.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1496170746

 

[TVC]

Fourteen of us today for the Black Horse Riders jaunt out to Bradgate Park, I thoroughly enjoy leading this lot, top people all of them.

 

[colly]

Two rides, one from the 1st of the month:
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/21916132
17 miles with just over 1000 ft of up.

I would tell you a bit about it..................but seeing as it was a week ago...................I can't remember.

and this mornnings effort:
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/21916134


Past the park a right down to the Ring Road and up Slaid Hill just to get warmed up.
Along Wigton Lane and I took a right which brings me across Harrogate Road and down to Eccup Reservoir. This morning it was so still it was like glass:

Round the back and after a bit of a dither I looped back and made for Weardley then cut down Rawden Hill, took the Arthington Road into Pool in Wharfedale.

I changed my mind about going out as far as Skipton so a left and a right took me onto Old Pool Road. It's steep and unrelenting so even if you don't put in a stack of miles it certainly gives to something to think about. It's a hill of two parts, about a quarter of the way up the first section:

With a view over Pool looking towards Almscliffe Cragg in the distance:

A bit over half way up with the steep bit yet to be done:

Old Pool Bank is split into two by the main Leeds Otley Road so I had to stop at the cross over and then plodded on to tackle the second section. A woman came jogging out of a lane on the right and ran uphill about 30yds in front of me.

I could have taken her...................really I could. But y'know..............................I didn't want to show off like.

So I sat there and paced her all the way to the top.
Then it was down through Bramhope and up past Mone Bros. quarry and I took the lane to Adel and fetched up at Weetwood on the outskirts of Leeds.
Taking Weetwood lane which would lead me eventuallyinto Headingley I turned and went into The Hollies.
The Hollies is a huge well tended wooded area covered in paths, small streams, stone steps and tracks, pretty much all for walking, it covers the hillside and links with the Meanwood Valley Trail and Adel Woods, if you walk right through you come in time to Meanwood. A wonderful place to walk and let kids explore. Even when it's busy you hardly see anyone about.

So I took the top path/track and I came out onto the footpath running alongside the Ring Road.
I turned down the hill on the path and taking it steady to let joggers and runners come up the way I found Parkside Road. Now isolated from the Ring Road it's no longer a rat run and while the road is car free the surface is pothole central, and it's a short but stiff climb up to the top where I passed The Myrtle Tavern.
A great place to sit outside on a summers evening or a Sunday and watch a game of cricket on the pitch opposite.

From there it was into Chapel Allerton down Gledhow Lane, up Little Switzerland and a quick run up Easterly Road to finish.

Just under 26 miles and 2200 odd feet of climbing.

 

[NorthernDave]

After yesterdays 75-miler, I just had an hour or so for a ride to keep the legs turning this morning.

It was quite mild, so I risked a pair of bib 3/4's - the first time I've flashed a glimpse of snow white leg this year.
Anyway, Coal Road became Skeltons Lane and then the descent into Thorner.
You might recall it's a mile of downhill.
It has a 30mph speed limit, which I was doing and yet there some motorists still had to overtake me...
Through the village and up onto Milner Lane, along between the hedgerows and onto Holme Farm Lane and round to East Rigton
Compton Lane from here was shockingly bad with mud last week, and I'm pleased to say it's much improved - although how much of that is due to the dryer weather over the last few days and how much is due to the farm folk cleaning up after themselves is still open to debate.
Anyhow, about half way along I stopped for a photo:

Back in the saddle and up past the next farm, then the drop down to the Jewitt Lane junction and a right turn to climb up the hill and start the homeward leg.
Past the pigs and a couple of very chatty horse riders and just as it starts to drop down to Bramham Lane, a group of about 8 cyclists heading the other way.
Bramham Lane from the junction back towards East Rigton looked absolutely filthy, so I'm glad I hadn't gone that way, and with a bit of a push I crested the hill and out onto Holme Farm Lane again, turning right for Milner Lane and the run back to Thorner.
I noticed quite a lot of orange "route" signs around here, so something was going on - anyone know?

Anyway, back into Thorner and along to Carr Lane for the climb back out to Wetherby Road, a quick scoot along there and up Coal Road, over the roundabout, setting the "Your Speed Is..." sign off (26mph, again - I need to work on this ) and onto local roads to home.

15.0 miles (24.14 km) in 1h 5m at an average of 13.7mph and with 662ft climbed

Good to get out and get my legs working again and an hour or so felt about right - not that I had any longer!
A decent amount of cyclist out and about, including a couple of decent sized social groups and nice weather for it.
Not only were the legs (almost) out, but it's the first ride in an age when I've risked it without taking a waterproof jacket.
If it carries on like this, the best bike might even make an overdue appearance...

And to end, the map:

 

[Jon George]

View attachment 403479

I really, really, like this pic!