Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
My ride today - 20-something-ish miles to and from Ely and in and around Cambridge in the company of Wiggy #2, the Chartres.
Left a bit later than I should have done, so rode eyeballs out to Ely Station in the hope that I wouldn't miss my train. I didn't, thank goodness. Hanging around for an hour for the next one wouldn't have been my idea of fun, as I get the cheap ticket that's valid only on Greater Anglia...
Smashed 5 *minutes* off my best time.
But owwwww, my poor legs. They really weren't thanking me for that... I normally like to ride at a comfortable pace... For the rest of the day I was slower than a snail dragging an anchor.
Still, I did the usual bimblage from Cambridge North, through Chesterton , along the river and across the common into town, out to the Newmarket Road, back the the Grafton, then on to the market... If you've got loads of things to do in Cambridge, then getting around on a bike is the way to do it. Caught a couple of showers while out and about. Had a cafe stop in MaccyD for a hot choccy before tootling back to Cambridge North with legs of lead. And then home from Ely with legs of collapsed matter...
Fun moment of the day was the Chartres sharing a rack with another Wiggins bike - in this case, a Rouen 700C roadie. But the poor thing looked rather worse for wear, with a rusty drivetrain, peeling bar tape and scuffed paint...
Mind, it's only the fourth one I've ever seen while out and about in all this time...
Left a bit later than I should have done, so rode eyeballs out to Ely Station in the hope that I wouldn't miss my train. I didn't, thank goodness. Hanging around for an hour for the next one wouldn't have been my idea of fun, as I get the cheap ticket that's valid only on Greater Anglia...
Smashed 5 *minutes* off my best time.
But owwwww, my poor legs. They really weren't thanking me for that... I normally like to ride at a comfortable pace... For the rest of the day I was slower than a snail dragging an anchor.
Still, I did the usual bimblage from Cambridge North, through Chesterton , along the river and across the common into town, out to the Newmarket Road, back the the Grafton, then on to the market... If you've got loads of things to do in Cambridge, then getting around on a bike is the way to do it. Caught a couple of showers while out and about. Had a cafe stop in MaccyD for a hot choccy before tootling back to Cambridge North with legs of lead. And then home from Ely with legs of collapsed matter...
Fun moment of the day was the Chartres sharing a rack with another Wiggins bike - in this case, a Rouen 700C roadie. But the poor thing looked rather worse for wear, with a rusty drivetrain, peeling bar tape and scuffed paint...
Mind, it's only the fourth one I've ever seen while out and about in all this time...
Andy in Germany
Guru
- Location
- Freiburg im Breisgau
Yesterday was another "Oh, poo, I'm going to be late" day and I ended up cycling all the way into work. No problems there, but coming back that either meant leaving early to be at the top of the hill by 1600, when the bike ban starts on the tram, or cycling through the city to get the rack tram, or riding along the Neckar valley and up the hill in Esslingen, which is a 130m climb in just over 2k.
Of course I had to be in a meeting, and of course it overran to 1545 which meant the Esslingen route. I also wanted to see how quickly a moderately unfit bloke and 90's MTB could make this route.
After a frustratingly long wait at the first set of lights, I reached the only downhill section on the whole run which brought me alongside the river. Well, if you don't count the small factories, wood wholesalers, and inevitable car dealerships. Thankfully there's a back route that avoids the worst of this mess while wriggling through the inner suburbs, which brought me safely through Wangen, then Hedelfingen, then the uglier end of Esslingen.
At this point I went exploring: instead of crossing the river and going through the old town, I decided to try a more direct route and would you believe it but there actually is one. A route no less with minimal car traffic and only one awkward detour through a shopping centre which was entirely my own fault, or possibly the Universe telling me to get a cycle computer from a certain large sports chain.
Ignoring this materialistic impulse, I reached Esslingen, or more accurately Pliensauvorstadt, and then the climbing began.
Normally this takes about 15 to 20 minutes but either due to increased fitness or a large bus following me up a narrow section I made it in twelve.
Even better I was not actually rained on.
Last edited:
derrick
The Glue that binds us together.
- Location
- On the edge of London
Out with the boys last night, we had a go at beating our fastest time, but failed, 
Every traffic light was against us, also a bit of wind but we had a great ride ending in the pub with a few beers,
https://www.strava.com/activities/2350234402
Every traffic light was against us, also a bit of wind but we had a great ride ending in the pub with a few beers,https://www.strava.com/activities/2350234402
The_Weekend_Report_Guy
Pablo's Cycling Tours
- Location
- Coín, Málaga
I was busy for a few days with work and I forgot to post.. I am back to torture you with lovely images and crazy good (hot now) weather
Yesterday
If you want to feel like a pro going up this climb let me know
Yesterday
If you want to feel like a pro going up this climb let me know
The_Weekend_Report_Guy
Pablo's Cycling Tours
- Location
- Coín, Málaga
Today was just a quick going to the office and back ride.
Here is little video of what it looks like to get to the office.
3:00 minutes long
View: https://www.facebook.com/PablosCyclingTours/videos/2243128215763941/
Enjoy!
Here is little video of what it looks like to get to the office.
3:00 minutes long
View: https://www.facebook.com/PablosCyclingTours/videos/2243128215763941/
Enjoy!
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
What a lucky @Donger you are. Great place to be riding your bike. Indeed so good I've been around those parts several times
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
And...
It's at a friend's so hasn't been looked over yet. Will pick it up eventually.
We didn't talk "dog". The owners were very considerate and brought blankets, cushions and coats (very chilly wind). They supplied a first aid kit too. Offered hot drinks as well.
I've since heard that the dog was "bloodied". Possibly cut up by the chainring. NMP tho'.
DCBassman
Guru
- Location
- The lumpy far South West
Good to hear that they did the right thing.It's at a friend's so hasn't been looked over yet. Will pick it up eventually.
We didn't talk "dog". The owners were very considerate and brought blankets, cushions and coats (very chilly wind). They supplied a first aid kit too. Offered hot drinks as well.
I've since heard that the dog was "bloodied". Possibly cut up by the chainring. NMP tho'.
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
It's what pet insurance is there for.
Although given that the dog was loose and not under control, you shouldn't be liable for any vets fees if said mutt isn't insured.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Possibly the other way around? Owner is liable for damages to rider.......It's what pet insurance is there for.
Although given that the dog was loose and not under control, you shouldn't be liable for any vets fees if said mutt isn't insured.
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Quite possibly. You'd have to look up the relevant legislation.
I'm a cat owner (sorry, owned by cats) rather than a dog owner, so not conversant with the minutiae.
twentysix by twentyfive
Clinging on tightly
- Location
- Over the Hill
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
Off out on another adventure this morning ... another one that has been on my "to do" list for years, but the opportunity has never presented itself. Mrs D gave me another half day pass today to finally ride the Broadford to Elgol road on the Isle of Skye, so I set off at stupid o'clock to get it done. Top tip: There is a free car park near the beach in Broadford, next door to the Co-Op filling station, where you can park for 24 hours.
Well, on this holiday I'm running out of adjectives and superlatives to describe the cycling and the views. I'll leave the pictures to pretty much say it for themselves this time. It was a straight there-and-back ride from Broadford to Elgol via Torrin and the shores of Loch Slapin.
(1) Derelict church (and graveyard including Commonwealth war graves):
(2) Marshes:
(3) The Cuillin "Hills" (What would they have to look like to be called mountains ... which they clearly are?):
(4) Thatched cottage (presumably using reeds from the marshes):
(5) Loch Slapin and the Cuillins from Torrin:
(6) Round the end of the loch:
(7) View of the Isle of Rum from Elgol (a hard-earned view .... I'd forgotten what a long climb it is up to Elgol from the lochside):
(8) Me in my much-needed Winter kit (Don't be fooled by the sunshine. There were snow flurries yesterday!):
(9) Back along Loch Slapin on return journey:
In the end, that was 28.5 miles of some of the best cycling I've ever done. Although the road is a little up and down on the way to Torrin, some real climbing is involved later as you rise from sea level up to the top of the village of Elgol. If anyone is tempted to do this ride, don't be put off by the hills. Stick with it, the view is worth it. I'll be having another recovery day tomorrow, before having a last ride around Loch Duich on Friday. Can't believe the week is going so fast, but some terrific rides now done that I've been wanting to do for years. Now feeling seriously chilled out.
Cheers, Donger.
Well, on this holiday I'm running out of adjectives and superlatives to describe the cycling and the views. I'll leave the pictures to pretty much say it for themselves this time. It was a straight there-and-back ride from Broadford to Elgol via Torrin and the shores of Loch Slapin.
(1) Derelict church (and graveyard including Commonwealth war graves):
(2) Marshes:
(3) The Cuillin "Hills" (What would they have to look like to be called mountains ... which they clearly are?):
(4) Thatched cottage (presumably using reeds from the marshes):
(5) Loch Slapin and the Cuillins from Torrin:
(6) Round the end of the loch:
(7) View of the Isle of Rum from Elgol (a hard-earned view .... I'd forgotten what a long climb it is up to Elgol from the lochside):
(8) Me in my much-needed Winter kit (Don't be fooled by the sunshine. There were snow flurries yesterday!):
(9) Back along Loch Slapin on return journey:
In the end, that was 28.5 miles of some of the best cycling I've ever done. Although the road is a little up and down on the way to Torrin, some real climbing is involved later as you rise from sea level up to the top of the village of Elgol. If anyone is tempted to do this ride, don't be put off by the hills. Stick with it, the view is worth it. I'll be having another recovery day tomorrow, before having a last ride around Loch Duich on Friday. Can't believe the week is going so fast, but some terrific rides now done that I've been wanting to do for years. Now feeling seriously chilled out.
Cheers, Donger.
Last edited:
Used some of the new cycle routes in southside to visit Bike for Good ?
Polite exchange of words with a van driver who claimed he didn't know the new expensive cycle lane wasn't a parking place.
Another trip into the city centre this evening.
28 miles in total.
