pawl
Legendary Member
- Location
- Desford Leicestershire
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Amazing, day off work and the weather forecast was right for once. Pedal power today on the road bike, A59 - B6161 to Killinghall and thence A61 with a diversion through Ripley village, a nice motorist gave me the right of way at the roundabout back onto the A61 then along Nidd Lane to Nidd, then Brearton Lane and the undulating High Moor Lane to the B6165 for a quick uphill slog before turning off through Scotton and Lingerfield to Farnham, up the hill out of the village then down to Staveley in a new PR and onto Minskip
Through Boroughbridge and after a length wait at some 3 way TTLs decided to take a break in the riverside park, strictly in Langthorpe being on the north side of the Ure. Unfortunately the direction of the sun precluded any photo of waterfall. North towards Dishforth Airfield then east across the flat levels of the Vale of York.
The level was interrupted by the sharp bridge over the A1(M) en route to Marton-le-Moor.
Then north to, and east along Dishforth Road passing through a virtual Monopoly square and collecting a £5 Polaris voucher (see https://www.cyclechat.net/posts/5543297/) before turning south-west through Copt Hewick and Bridge Hewick to cross the Ure again just before Ripon racecourse.
The across the Ripon Canal on the timber bridge to Littlethorpe Road and onto Littlethorpe
Continuing south on the nominally eastbound route of NCN688 Way of the Roses to Bishop Monkton where I found the village has grown in a northerly direction.
West across the A61 to Markington where the southbound route of NCN67 was picked up to continue further west up Drovers Hill in a new PR to Bishop Thornton and south-west to Shaw Mills down Mill Bank for the long up grade through Burnt Yates Crossroads before descending on the top section of the Clint Bank that comes from Birstwith. Turned off, east on Clint Bank Lane and left the route of NCN67 to descend the other Clint Bank towards Hampsthwaite from where the lengthy climb of Rowden Lane ensued to cross the A59 onto Burley Bank Road and Penny Pot Lane to head home through the country park.
40.7 miles and 1928ft climbed at an average of 12.5mph .
Through Boroughbridge and after a length wait at some 3 way TTLs decided to take a break in the riverside park, strictly in Langthorpe being on the north side of the Ure. Unfortunately the direction of the sun precluded any photo of waterfall. North towards Dishforth Airfield then east across the flat levels of the Vale of York.
The level was interrupted by the sharp bridge over the A1(M) en route to Marton-le-Moor.
Then north to, and east along Dishforth Road passing through a virtual Monopoly square and collecting a £5 Polaris voucher (see https://www.cyclechat.net/posts/5543297/) before turning south-west through Copt Hewick and Bridge Hewick to cross the Ure again just before Ripon racecourse.
The across the Ripon Canal on the timber bridge to Littlethorpe Road and onto Littlethorpe
Continuing south on the nominally eastbound route of NCN688 Way of the Roses to Bishop Monkton where I found the village has grown in a northerly direction.
West across the A61 to Markington where the southbound route of NCN67 was picked up to continue further west up Drovers Hill in a new PR to Bishop Thornton and south-west to Shaw Mills down Mill Bank for the long up grade through Burnt Yates Crossroads before descending on the top section of the Clint Bank that comes from Birstwith. Turned off, east on Clint Bank Lane and left the route of NCN67 to descend the other Clint Bank towards Hampsthwaite from where the lengthy climb of Rowden Lane ensued to cross the A59 onto Burley Bank Road and Penny Pot Lane to head home through the country park.
40.7 miles and 1928ft climbed at an average of 12.5mph .
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iancity
Veteran
- Location
- Ashington, Northumberland
Lovely morning. Usual route at 6am, added 3 more miles though just because it was so nice. Would have stayed out much longer but you know, work etc !
OP
OP
gbb
Legendary Member
- Location
- Peterborough
26 miles on the roadbike today. Clocked a few this week on the ebike but today is just the ticket for a relaxed sunny ride. Glorious sun, skylarks twittering, laughing green woodpeckers, quiet country roads...brilliant. apart from the disrespectful close pass as I neared home...shame. Great ride at no great pace.
Wow, what a glorious day in the North West! I’ve known July days with lower temperatures than today. A very rare occasion for February where shorts and a thin top were preferable compared to a warm top and full length cycling trousers.
Most of my cycling is amongst the scenic and steep local Pennine hills. My solo rides are often in the hinterlands of Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Rossendale. Since taking early retirement nearly 2 years ago I have enjoyed building up a ‘library’ of local on road and off road routes in these areas using quiet roads, lanes and tracks. When not riding solo I cycle regularly with my chum @ColinJ who has a large and highly impressive collection of very scenic routes mainly in the high moors and villages of Forest of Bowland, Calderdale, and West Yorkshire localities.
One area of Greater Manchester I had not ridden in very much before is the low land hinterlands of Oldham, Ashton under Lyne and beyond towards the east side of Manchester. So today, I planned a 38 mile ride that had all the climbing within the first 10 miles. After that, it was a long descent followed by nearly 30 miles of flat terrain. The total traffic free proportion amounted to over 60%, all on good surfaced tracks and trails. Where roads and lanes were used these were almost entirely with very light traffic.
My route took me from Littleborough through Rochdale (via the canal towpath), High Crompton, Shaw Side, Hey Side, Moor Side, Lydgate, Springhead, Lees, Oldham (Alexandra Park), Park Bridge, Medlock Valley, Woodhouses, Clayton Vale, Newton Heath. Near Newton Heath I rode the 14 miles back to Littleborough all along the Rochdale Canal towpath (NCN route 66).
It was an excellent few hours out and if I were to give this route a title I would call it ‘Beauty and the Beast’. This is because it was a mixture of cycling by industrial wastelands together with miles of exquisitely pretty riverside and country park trails. Fascinating reminders of industrial history were evident in abundance.
After the cold snap in late January limited getting out on the bike for a couple of weeks due to the icy weather, February has been a good month for me and my total mileage since the beginning of January has now reached nearly 700. So very much looking forward to the early Spring weather continuing.
Some pictures attached.
Most of my cycling is amongst the scenic and steep local Pennine hills. My solo rides are often in the hinterlands of Rochdale, Bury, Bolton and Rossendale. Since taking early retirement nearly 2 years ago I have enjoyed building up a ‘library’ of local on road and off road routes in these areas using quiet roads, lanes and tracks. When not riding solo I cycle regularly with my chum @ColinJ who has a large and highly impressive collection of very scenic routes mainly in the high moors and villages of Forest of Bowland, Calderdale, and West Yorkshire localities.
One area of Greater Manchester I had not ridden in very much before is the low land hinterlands of Oldham, Ashton under Lyne and beyond towards the east side of Manchester. So today, I planned a 38 mile ride that had all the climbing within the first 10 miles. After that, it was a long descent followed by nearly 30 miles of flat terrain. The total traffic free proportion amounted to over 60%, all on good surfaced tracks and trails. Where roads and lanes were used these were almost entirely with very light traffic.
My route took me from Littleborough through Rochdale (via the canal towpath), High Crompton, Shaw Side, Hey Side, Moor Side, Lydgate, Springhead, Lees, Oldham (Alexandra Park), Park Bridge, Medlock Valley, Woodhouses, Clayton Vale, Newton Heath. Near Newton Heath I rode the 14 miles back to Littleborough all along the Rochdale Canal towpath (NCN route 66).
It was an excellent few hours out and if I were to give this route a title I would call it ‘Beauty and the Beast’. This is because it was a mixture of cycling by industrial wastelands together with miles of exquisitely pretty riverside and country park trails. Fascinating reminders of industrial history were evident in abundance.
After the cold snap in late January limited getting out on the bike for a couple of weeks due to the icy weather, February has been a good month for me and my total mileage since the beginning of January has now reached nearly 700. So very much looking forward to the early Spring weather continuing.
Some pictures attached.
Last edited:
Mr Celine
Discordian
- Location
- Waxing my moustache
I got home from work and my suspicions that it was unseasonably mild were confirmed by the outdoor thermometer showing 13C. First ride of the year with exposed flesh! (3/4s but you have to start somewhere). The novelty of the heatwave wore off after a mile when I breathed in my first fly of 2019. Unfortunately it wasn't flying solo so I had to resort to breathing through my beard to try and filter them out.
I had a quick stop at Ettrickbridge for the ABC challenge -
![IMG_20190222_164704[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/img_20190222_164704-1-jpg.454083/ "IMG_20190222_164704[1].jpg")
then headed up the swire, stopping at the top for a photo. It's not too sharp as the light was beginning to fade.
![IMG_20190222_170859[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/img_20190222_170859-1-jpg.454075/ "IMG_20190222_170859[1].jpg")
Compare that with 9th March last year -
![IMG_20180309_171047[1].jpg](https://www.cyclechat.net/attachments/img_20180309_171047-1-jpg.454076/ "IMG_20180309_171047[1].jpg")
On that occasion my northbound descent took 18:32 according to strava, the first half being covered by a thick layer of almost virgin snow and ice (judging by the tracks one other numpty had already tried it). Today's descent was 3:08, a rather surprising personal best. I ought to be more aero on the (summer) road bike, but the hybrid has better brakes and bigger tyres. However the deciding factor was probably that the light was fading, making it impossible to see all the pot holes, gravel on the road or my speedo.
Today's map -
29.7 miles @ 13.9 mph 551.7m up and down.
I had a quick stop at Ettrickbridge for the ABC challenge -
then headed up the swire, stopping at the top for a photo. It's not too sharp as the light was beginning to fade.
Compare that with 9th March last year -
On that occasion my northbound descent took 18:32 according to strava, the first half being covered by a thick layer of almost virgin snow and ice (judging by the tracks one other numpty had already tried it). Today's descent was 3:08, a rather surprising personal best. I ought to be more aero on the (summer) road bike, but the hybrid has better brakes and bigger tyres. However the deciding factor was probably that the light was fading, making it impossible to see all the pot holes, gravel on the road or my speedo.
Today's map -
29.7 miles @ 13.9 mph 551.7m up and down.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
Excellent - so excellent in fact that you just had to show us most of the photos twice!
I will finally be getting a ride in tomorrow. I would have liked to cycle today but I had to stay in because someone was coming round to pick up an unwanted dishwasher and to help me move my washing machine. (The previous owners of this house had used the normal washing machine position in the kitchen for a dishwasher, so the washing machine was in the bathroom upstairs. I didn't like that so I have moved it back to the kitchen.)
Ha ha, my poor 'IT' skills letting me down again! I think I've sorted it now. I'll send you a PM re: getting out next week or the week after.Excellent - so excellent in fact that you just had to show us most of the photos twice!
I will finally be getting a ride in tomorrow. I would have liked to cycle today but I had to stay in because someone was coming round to pick up an unwanted dishwasher and to help me move my washing machine. (The previous owners of this house had used the normal washing machine position in the kitchen for a dishwasher, so the washing machine was in the bathroom upstairs. I didn't like that so I have moved it back to the kitchen.)
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I've just sent you one before reading your post!
- Location
- London
Offtopic but sounds dangerous. Good riddance to the dishwasher.
delb0y
Legendary Member
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos
A day when I wish I had more fitness and more time. Just beautiful out there. Thoroughly enjoyed a 16 mile bimble with a pause to watch the surfers ride the Severn Bore. My newly installed mudguards never fell off, either, so that was good too!
Just over an hour out in the sunshine. Nothing dramatic but very pleasant.
17.5 miles and about 900ft of up
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/31903919
17.5 miles and about 900ft of up
View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/31903919
Biff600
Veteran
Not been out yet, just prepping myself for todays epic journey
1.5 miles there and the same again once the final whistle is blown.
The dilemma is which shirt to wear !!!!
1.5 miles there and the same again once the final whistle is blown.
The dilemma is which shirt to wear !!!!
Dave 123
Legendary Member
- Location
- Cambridgeshire alps
A mountain bike ride today. First job was to fix a puncture on the front....
It wasn’t long before I was stuck in traffic
I had a route in my head that involved the bridleway to the Red House pub. It’s normally rutted and wild, but I was greeted with this
Road planings and cut back hedges.
Along I went
Hedge flailings everywhere! And then I heard the flail working ahead of me, so I turned round and went to Wimpole
The car park already filling up!
Up Arrington hill and a stop at the church in Hatley St George
Then it was over the fields to Gransden airfield, after admiring the snowdrops
Along the back of Hayley Wood, and there was an obstacle
Along another bridleway into Longstowe, then my second puncture of the day to fix. More flailed hedges than you could shake a splintered stick at...
So I fixed it by the church in the sunshine
I then had a close pass..... by a tosser on a road bike. Inches away. He eased off 100 yds past me. He was wearing Rapha. I won’t judge...
Best birds of the day were yellowhammer and skylark.
Almost 30 muddy miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/2169188991
It wasn’t long before I was stuck in traffic
I had a route in my head that involved the bridleway to the Red House pub. It’s normally rutted and wild, but I was greeted with this
Road planings and cut back hedges.
Along I went
Hedge flailings everywhere! And then I heard the flail working ahead of me, so I turned round and went to Wimpole
The car park already filling up!
Up Arrington hill and a stop at the church in Hatley St George
Then it was over the fields to Gransden airfield, after admiring the snowdrops
Along the back of Hayley Wood, and there was an obstacle
Along another bridleway into Longstowe, then my second puncture of the day to fix. More flailed hedges than you could shake a splintered stick at...
So I fixed it by the church in the sunshine
I then had a close pass..... by a tosser on a road bike. Inches away. He eased off 100 yds past me. He was wearing Rapha. I won’t judge...
Best birds of the day were yellowhammer and skylark.
Almost 30 muddy miles
https://www.strava.com/activities/2169188991
welsh dragon
Thanks but no thanks. I think I'll pass.
20 miles for me today. Didn't enjoy it very much . So much for a it being a nice sunny day. It wasn't. Dark overcast and quite cold with a nasty headwind. Did the Mach loop and added a bit extra onto it. Skirted round the edge of snowdonia national park. Lots of cyclists out today as well on a club run I suspect.
