Mburton1993
Über Member
- Location
- Stalybridge
I meant more of a figurative ball ache, in that it's difficult. The literal ball ache is actually more of a gentle numbness.... I should probably tilt my seat very slightly down too. 😆
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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I meant more of a figurative ball ache, in that it's difficult. The literal ball ache is actually more of a gentle numbness.... I should probably tilt my seat very slightly down too. 😆
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
It's been quite a while since I last logged in so here are a few of the rides to get up to date:
28th of July: For the first time in more than two weeks I had a chance to get a ride in that wasn't a commute. A long ride appealed but then I thought that I might ease myself back in gently, so got the Hawk out for convenience and went to ride round my Dudgeley, Picklescott, Pulverbatch and Plealey loop as that should work fairly well with the wind direction.
The wind did work fairly well on the flatter section I was starting with to Condover then Ryton and Longnor. They seem to be getting on quite well with replacing the roof at The Fox so I'm hopeful that the reopening won't be too far away. A couple of other riders came the other way en route to Longnor and another further on along the old Roman road. Both of the fords on this bit of road were completely dry this time.
I thought I'd take a bit of a detour through Comley for a change and enjoyed the first bit of real climbing on this ride. Just as I turned into the lane for Botvyle a lorry came the other way, completely blocking the way, so I needed to go back a little bit to allow it past - the driver was appreciative. Said Hi to a cyclist taking a breather at the top of the climb here.
After crossing the A49 I turned towards Dudgeley but not before pausing at the bottom of the hill where there was a car stuffed into the undergrowth just by the bridge. The undulations through Dudgeley and on towards Leebotwood felt pretty good, although the wind felt stronger to ride against than I'd expected - I obviously had a quite good tailwind earlier.The proper climb to Smethcott was slow and steady, then I kept the climbing going as I headed up to Picklescott, which looks as pretty as ever.
The descent to Wilderley was good. I could see a van coming up the lane and expected to have to stop for it but fortunately it stopped at one of the houses before I got to it. By Wilderley I was feeling the lack of recent riding in the legs but did manage the climb into Pulverbatch alright.
After Wrentnall I had the road to myself until Plealey and, turning through the village, found the wind helping again. I thought I'd go through Great Lyth and over the top of the hill this time. I managed it okay but the legs have felt better.
28.4 miles at 12.3 mph average. Great to get out.
Passing through Ryton.
Bone dry at the ford on the old Roman road.
View to Caer Caradoc.
You can't park there mate!
On the climb to Picklescott.
Tempting but not open at the moment.
I have an audience at the top of the climb.
Pulverbatch.
The view from Oaks.
Looking back towards Caer Caradoc and the Longmynd from Lyth Hill.
28th of July: For the first time in more than two weeks I had a chance to get a ride in that wasn't a commute. A long ride appealed but then I thought that I might ease myself back in gently, so got the Hawk out for convenience and went to ride round my Dudgeley, Picklescott, Pulverbatch and Plealey loop as that should work fairly well with the wind direction.
The wind did work fairly well on the flatter section I was starting with to Condover then Ryton and Longnor. They seem to be getting on quite well with replacing the roof at The Fox so I'm hopeful that the reopening won't be too far away. A couple of other riders came the other way en route to Longnor and another further on along the old Roman road. Both of the fords on this bit of road were completely dry this time.
I thought I'd take a bit of a detour through Comley for a change and enjoyed the first bit of real climbing on this ride. Just as I turned into the lane for Botvyle a lorry came the other way, completely blocking the way, so I needed to go back a little bit to allow it past - the driver was appreciative. Said Hi to a cyclist taking a breather at the top of the climb here.
After crossing the A49 I turned towards Dudgeley but not before pausing at the bottom of the hill where there was a car stuffed into the undergrowth just by the bridge. The undulations through Dudgeley and on towards Leebotwood felt pretty good, although the wind felt stronger to ride against than I'd expected - I obviously had a quite good tailwind earlier.The proper climb to Smethcott was slow and steady, then I kept the climbing going as I headed up to Picklescott, which looks as pretty as ever.
The descent to Wilderley was good. I could see a van coming up the lane and expected to have to stop for it but fortunately it stopped at one of the houses before I got to it. By Wilderley I was feeling the lack of recent riding in the legs but did manage the climb into Pulverbatch alright.
After Wrentnall I had the road to myself until Plealey and, turning through the village, found the wind helping again. I thought I'd go through Great Lyth and over the top of the hill this time. I managed it okay but the legs have felt better.
28.4 miles at 12.3 mph average. Great to get out.
Passing through Ryton.
View to Caer Caradoc.
You can't park there mate!
On the climb to Picklescott.
Tempting but not open at the moment.
I have an audience at the top of the climb.
Pulverbatch.
The view from Oaks.
Looking back towards Caer Caradoc and the Longmynd from Lyth Hill.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
30th of July: The plans for the afternoon were curtailed so I asked my brother if he fancied getting out for a ride instead. He did 
and we set off to do a gentle ride around town as it's quite a while since he last cycled.
We started off well. There were a few other cyclists out and about, one of which I almost collided with head on as he joined Betton Street at speed on my side of the road.
I took Doug past the Abbey then along Underdale road which I don't think he has ridden before. If he has it will have been a very long time ago. Rejoining our regular route just before Telford Way we were onto roads we are both very familiar with down to the riverside and along to St Mary's Water Lane where we climbed into the town centre and meandered round to Victoria Quay. There was no sign of the boat at its dock and we carried on through the Quarry for our planned stop at The Coleham Tap (formerly the Crown).
The boat did come by while we were sipping pints (Thatchers Gold for Doug and Reverend James for me). Having had a good chat here we headed back via Betton Street and retraced our steps to Meole Brace on the cycle paths, avoiding the traffic.
11.6 miles miles at 10.4 mph average. Great to get Doug out for the first time in ages. It will take him a few rides to get back his cycling fitness.
At the Abbey.
Climbing St. Mary's Water Lane.
Refreshments at The Coleham Tap.
Watching the tourists go by.
------------------------------------------
2nd of August: Gav arranged a ride with Simon and Ben (who I was meeting for the first time). Simon had planned the route which was to take in some of his local roads around Craven Arms and Bishop's Castle. We took bikes over by car, with a bit of a false start when I found a broken spoke on the Raleigh after we'd already loaded it onto the car. A quick change over to the Galaxy was needed which hadn't been prepared so needed a quick check over and the tyres pumping up. Despite all this we arrived on time and were able to have a bit of a chat before setting off.
We headed out onto the A49 initially which was quite busy and there was much blowing of horns as the traffic struggled to get moving. We were fine though and soon turned off onto the A489. This wasn't as bad as the A49 but is still quite busy and seemed to be quite popular with motorcyclists too. A Netherlands registered campervan overtaking into a blind corner wasn't ideal. It's quite a scenic road and I did enjoy it but I do prefer less busy roads.
We stayed on this road through Churchstoke before turning off onto the B4385 and heading back towards Bishop's Castle on the sort of road I like. The wind was helping now and we got along quite well at a nice sociable pace. This road climbs, gently to start with but with a sting in the tail as it steepens into Bishop's Castle. I know this road well so eased off at the start of the steep bit while the others charged at it on their lighter bikes. I caught up again at the top. Once in the town we headed for the Castle Hotel where lunch and a beer were had.
Moving on again we had a good bit of downhill to start then flowing roads to Lydbury North where we could keep up a nice fast pace. A group of other riders overtook near Brunslow and I was tempted to give chase - I was catching for a while but my stomach started to complain that this was too quick a pace after food and beer so I backed off again, knowing there were a few hills to come still.
We were all a bit more sedate through Purslow and the climb at Twitchen didn't seem too bad, although I do usually climb this one having a lot more miles in my legs. After Hopton Heath we took a longer way round via Marlow before heading back northwards to Clungunford and Broome returning to Craven Arms. Gav found a second wind in the last few miles but Ben started to struggle so got eft behind a bit and I feel slightly guilty at not waiting for him. He wasn't too far behind though at the end.
Almost exactly 40 miles at 15mph average. A good ride in nice company on some roads I know well and some I haven't ridden before.
I didn't take any photos in the end as we were keeping up the pace for much of it.
----------------------------------------------------
8th of August: Another chance to get out with my brother and we upped the mileage a little. We started off by going through Meole Brace, Nobold and the new Bowbrook estate which was all quite nice riding at a chatting pace. After going past the hospital I aimed to head to Porthill and into town but took a wrong turn on roads I don't often ride and found we were heading away from town instead. Once back on track we tried to head over the Welsh Bridge but seeing the queue for it was almost back to Pengwern Road we decided to go over Porthill Bridge instead and have our planned stop at Evolution Coffee in the Quarry. It's not bad but Doug did find his hot chocolate a bit too sweet for his liking.
Heading through the Quarry it was a bit fraught with lots of wayward youngsters wobbling about on their bikes with a few older cyclists trying to ride through the crowds much too quickly. The towpath was pretty busy too until after the railway bridge. We found a grumpy cyclist who expected to sweep around a corner without having to slow for anyone else but apart from that it was a good ride back to Underdale then Sutton.
The miles done on this ride complete a challenge that Doug is currently doing, so he was pleased. For me it was a gentle test of the Raleigh having had to refit an old rear wheel to replace the one with the broken spoke; when I went to replace the spoke it turned out that the rim was also cracked at one of the spoke holes, rendering the rim scrap. I can't tell which was cause and which was effect.
15 miles at 10.9 mph average.
A coffee stop rather than a pub stop this time.
When we got back I had a message that a parcel I was expecting was available to collect so I headed out again on the Raleigh since it was already out. Traffic was awful so I was glad to have taken the bike and not the car. About 3 miles extra from this one.
----------------------------------------------------
12th of August: Gav needed some new tyres on his carbon bike after they'd started to delaminate on his most recent ride. He picked them up in the afternoon and I was able to fit them in the evening, after which we headed out to do a quick test on one of his usual routes.
The evening was still really warm after a hot day. We found the roads were fairly quiet by this point in the evening and with little wind we were able to get along at a decent sociable pace to Betton, Eaton Mascott, Pitchford then back to Weeping Cross.
Gav seemed pretty pleased with the Vittoria Zaffiro tyres which on this ride he found more supple feeling than the Rubinos that came off. I may look for some in 32mm for when my Voyager tyres wear out.
16.7 miles at 13.4 mph average.
Not the greatest shot in the world but this was the sunset.
and we set off to do a gentle ride around town as it's quite a while since he last cycled.We started off well. There were a few other cyclists out and about, one of which I almost collided with head on as he joined Betton Street at speed on my side of the road.
I took Doug past the Abbey then along Underdale road which I don't think he has ridden before. If he has it will have been a very long time ago. Rejoining our regular route just before Telford Way we were onto roads we are both very familiar with down to the riverside and along to St Mary's Water Lane where we climbed into the town centre and meandered round to Victoria Quay. There was no sign of the boat at its dock and we carried on through the Quarry for our planned stop at The Coleham Tap (formerly the Crown).
The boat did come by while we were sipping pints (Thatchers Gold for Doug and Reverend James for me). Having had a good chat here we headed back via Betton Street and retraced our steps to Meole Brace on the cycle paths, avoiding the traffic.
11.6 miles miles at 10.4 mph average. Great to get Doug out for the first time in ages. It will take him a few rides to get back his cycling fitness.
At the Abbey.
Climbing St. Mary's Water Lane.
Refreshments at The Coleham Tap.
Watching the tourists go by.
------------------------------------------
2nd of August: Gav arranged a ride with Simon and Ben (who I was meeting for the first time). Simon had planned the route which was to take in some of his local roads around Craven Arms and Bishop's Castle. We took bikes over by car, with a bit of a false start when I found a broken spoke on the Raleigh after we'd already loaded it onto the car. A quick change over to the Galaxy was needed which hadn't been prepared so needed a quick check over and the tyres pumping up. Despite all this we arrived on time and were able to have a bit of a chat before setting off.
We headed out onto the A49 initially which was quite busy and there was much blowing of horns as the traffic struggled to get moving. We were fine though and soon turned off onto the A489. This wasn't as bad as the A49 but is still quite busy and seemed to be quite popular with motorcyclists too. A Netherlands registered campervan overtaking into a blind corner wasn't ideal. It's quite a scenic road and I did enjoy it but I do prefer less busy roads.
We stayed on this road through Churchstoke before turning off onto the B4385 and heading back towards Bishop's Castle on the sort of road I like. The wind was helping now and we got along quite well at a nice sociable pace. This road climbs, gently to start with but with a sting in the tail as it steepens into Bishop's Castle. I know this road well so eased off at the start of the steep bit while the others charged at it on their lighter bikes. I caught up again at the top. Once in the town we headed for the Castle Hotel where lunch and a beer were had.
Moving on again we had a good bit of downhill to start then flowing roads to Lydbury North where we could keep up a nice fast pace. A group of other riders overtook near Brunslow and I was tempted to give chase - I was catching for a while but my stomach started to complain that this was too quick a pace after food and beer so I backed off again, knowing there were a few hills to come still.
We were all a bit more sedate through Purslow and the climb at Twitchen didn't seem too bad, although I do usually climb this one having a lot more miles in my legs. After Hopton Heath we took a longer way round via Marlow before heading back northwards to Clungunford and Broome returning to Craven Arms. Gav found a second wind in the last few miles but Ben started to struggle so got eft behind a bit and I feel slightly guilty at not waiting for him. He wasn't too far behind though at the end.
Almost exactly 40 miles at 15mph average. A good ride in nice company on some roads I know well and some I haven't ridden before.
I didn't take any photos in the end as we were keeping up the pace for much of it.
----------------------------------------------------
8th of August: Another chance to get out with my brother and we upped the mileage a little. We started off by going through Meole Brace, Nobold and the new Bowbrook estate which was all quite nice riding at a chatting pace. After going past the hospital I aimed to head to Porthill and into town but took a wrong turn on roads I don't often ride and found we were heading away from town instead. Once back on track we tried to head over the Welsh Bridge but seeing the queue for it was almost back to Pengwern Road we decided to go over Porthill Bridge instead and have our planned stop at Evolution Coffee in the Quarry. It's not bad but Doug did find his hot chocolate a bit too sweet for his liking.
Heading through the Quarry it was a bit fraught with lots of wayward youngsters wobbling about on their bikes with a few older cyclists trying to ride through the crowds much too quickly. The towpath was pretty busy too until after the railway bridge. We found a grumpy cyclist who expected to sweep around a corner without having to slow for anyone else but apart from that it was a good ride back to Underdale then Sutton.
The miles done on this ride complete a challenge that Doug is currently doing, so he was pleased. For me it was a gentle test of the Raleigh having had to refit an old rear wheel to replace the one with the broken spoke; when I went to replace the spoke it turned out that the rim was also cracked at one of the spoke holes, rendering the rim scrap. I can't tell which was cause and which was effect.
15 miles at 10.9 mph average.
A coffee stop rather than a pub stop this time.
When we got back I had a message that a parcel I was expecting was available to collect so I headed out again on the Raleigh since it was already out. Traffic was awful so I was glad to have taken the bike and not the car. About 3 miles extra from this one.
----------------------------------------------------
12th of August: Gav needed some new tyres on his carbon bike after they'd started to delaminate on his most recent ride. He picked them up in the afternoon and I was able to fit them in the evening, after which we headed out to do a quick test on one of his usual routes.
The evening was still really warm after a hot day. We found the roads were fairly quiet by this point in the evening and with little wind we were able to get along at a decent sociable pace to Betton, Eaton Mascott, Pitchford then back to Weeping Cross.
Gav seemed pretty pleased with the Vittoria Zaffiro tyres which on this ride he found more supple feeling than the Rubinos that came off. I may look for some in 32mm for when my Voyager tyres wear out.
16.7 miles at 13.4 mph average.
Not the greatest shot in the world but this was the sunset.
