Your ride today....

[Goonerobes]

Another regular midweek forest ride for me today only this time I had a couple aims. Firstly to ride a little slower, as I said I would year but rarely do, & secondly to find a spot to watch the planned Spitfire flypast near Fordingbridge.

Well I managed the first one as I leisurely rode through Minstead, up Bolderwood & across the forest to Godshill where a large crowd was gathering on the hill tops for the flypast. Unfortunately however the weather had other ideas as a large grey cloud decided it couldn't hold on any more & dumped some of the biggest raindrops I've ever been out in onto myself & the rest of the expectant crowd & I'm guessing also changed the route of the planes as I now believe they actually flew over where I live whilst I was being half drowned!!

I headed for home with water squelching in my shoes, just over 37 miles on the clock & possibly the wettest I've ever been on a bike but you know what.... I actually quite enjoyed myself.

https://www.strava.com/activities/392775886

Episode 3 in "what gets in my way" & today it was the turn of the cows.

The flipping cloud responsible for my drenching.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

After a morning bike fettling playing hunt the annoying squeak which involved tighten every bolt and lubing every moving part . Time for a test ride . Set off from Anstey and the bike was in ninja stealth mode .Into Cropston ,Rothley then a game of strava segment chasing A segment were @Supersuperleeds had gone faster than me was attacked but the wind was all wrong so just equalled my pr still 3 seconds slower than @Supersuperleeds need to try again .Relaxed now through Swithland into Woodhouse Eaves and up Maplewell Rd climb I did this last week but my mobile didn't record on strava so needed to redo it first time on the roadie so beat the pr of the hybrid .Turned back past the golf course round the back of Bradgate park the back way into Cropston over the crossroads into Thurcaston right past the church and back to Anstey 15.3 miles done at 15.5 mph managed to complete the ride in between the showers in just started spitting on the last hill before home .The downside of the ride the squeak although much much quieter reappeared on the climb of Maplewell Rd but only there under pressure but I really have to listen for it

If you beat my time I'll get the road bike out and really attack it

 

[13 rider]

If you beat my time I'll get the road bike out and really attack it

Looks like the gauntlet been thrown down

 

[Berk on a Bike]

Since I started commuting in April I've had no desire to do any "fun" rides during the week, despite the fact my working hours allow. Today however, because I had a dentist's appointment at an inconvenient time, I wasn't taking the bike into work (in case you're wondering, the gnashers were given a clean bill of health - look after your teeth, kids, and they'll look after you) so I went for a spin around a route I used to do all the time.

Just over 19 miles around with 1,000 ft (plus change) of climbing. https://www.strava.com/activities/392631728

I didn't take any pictures, I'm afraid, so instead here's a picture of a sheep which proves not all merino layers are beneficial. (Source)

 

[Mike_P]

The downside of the ride the squeak although much much quieter reappeared on the climb of Maplewell Rd but only there under pressure but I really have to listen for it

Do you have SPD pedals or similar - I had an annoying creak/squeak which turned out to be the central pivot on one of the pedals.

 

[13 rider]

Do you have SPD pedals or similar - I had an annoying creak/squeak which turned out to be the central pivot on one of the pedals.

Yes SPD pedals .all mechs lubed . may swap pedals off other bike to prove

 

[mybike]

I suddenly realised the rain had stopped, the weather was brightening and there was even sunshine. So quickly doing my chores I went out for a ride.

Well, actually, I got my bike out of the garage, tucked my trousers into my socks, put my gloves and helmet on - and it started to rain!

But I'm a little stubborn by nature and decided to go anyway, Fortunately I hadn't gone too far when the rain stopped.

One of the amusing things about riding along the canal is that despite the bucolic appearance, the relaxed nature of the transport, it can be amazingly noisy! In this photograph I had my back to the M25 and the noise level was astoundingly high - yet what a pleasant peaceful view.

A little further along the canal widens and the path veers to the right, past reed beds and a long way from the water. I imagine that at some time it had a purpose, long lost now. This section is just ahead.

I reached this bridge on a previous occasion, this time the view is of the other side. Noticeably narrower than most bridges but maintained better than many. Someone's back garden can be seen through the arch.

One for those who like the light. The view from a lock.

And the other way. Not sure why he was opening the paddles without closing the lock gate first. Perhaps someone can enlighten me.

Having reached my objective, I saw this on the way back. An old mill building, to the left is a weir and the sign says "keep off". It looks, from Google maps, to be posh housing

The rather pretty bridge at The Grove. I told it was built at the insistence of the local landowner. It certainly has a nice archway at the side to ride through, not sure how the horses would have coped with towing the narrow boats though.

And a nice display of flowers by one of the lock keepers cottages.

The sky was darkening as I reached home and big drops began to fall. I'd left in rain and returned the same way but for most of the ride the weather had been pleasant. I must confess though that I felt somewhat less fit than previously, the beginning of the ride had been a bit of a struggle.

11.8 miles max 16 avg 6.6 mph. Year to date 270.6 miles

 

[i hate hills]

Another regular midweek forest ride for me today only this time I had a couple aims. Firstly to ride a little slower, as I said I would year but rarely do, & secondly to find a spot to watch the planned Spitfire flypast near Fordingbridge.

Well I managed the first one as I leisurely rode through Minstead, up Bolderwood & across the forest to Godshill where a large crowd was gathering on the hill tops for the flypast. Unfortunately however the weather had other ideas as a large grey cloud decided it couldn't hold on any more & dumped some of the biggest raindrops I've ever been out in onto myself & the rest of the expectant crowd & I'm guessing also changed the route of the planes as I now believe they actually flew over where I live whilst I was being half drowned!!

I headed for home with water squelching in my shoes, just over 37 miles on the clock & possibly the wettest I've ever been on a bike but you know what.... I actually quite enjoyed myself.

https://www.strava.com/activities/392775886

View attachment 103862
Episode 3 in "what gets in my way" & today it was the turn of the cows.

View attachment 103863
The flipping cloud responsible for my drenching.

Hey man that cow looks hungry.....

 

[i hate hills]

Since I started commuting in April I've had no desire to do any "fun" rides during the week, despite the fact my working hours allow. Today however, because I had a dentist's appointment at an inconvenient time, I wasn't taking the bike into work (in case you're wondering, the gnashers were given a clean bill of health - look after your teeth, kids, and they'll look after you) so I went for a spin around a route I used to do all the time.

View attachment 103872

Just over 19 miles around with 1,000 ft (plus change) of climbing. https://www.strava.com/activities/392631728

I didn't take any pictures, I'm afraid, so instead here's a picture of a sheep which proves not all merino layers are beneficial. (Source)
View attachment 103874

Sound advice there about the teeth.....

 

[SpokeyDokey]

Sorted my derailleur hanger out with new tool that arrived from Wiggle.

Bashed RD a couple of weeks back with Lawn Mower and it has been skipping about - all sorted now and gears were back to being well behaved again .

19.4 miles / 1239' ascent / 14.1 mph av'.

Very pleased with the section at about 4 miles - only around 3.5% and 1.5 miles long but...3 years ago just after I had bought my bike to restart riding, I went up this at about 7-8 mph feeling crap. Today I went up the same stretch with a low of 14.6 mph and high of 18.2 mph without any real effort. Not super quick I know but a big improvement and I was quite chuffed.

RWGPS chart doing it's best to make a pretty flat ride look hilly - still not displaying the 372' start/finish height. Maybe my house has dropped 165' in height without me noticing.

 

[Katherine]

I had a lovely ride with a 52 total milage on Sunday that included a yummy lunch in the Drum and Monkey at Alderley Edge, finding Potsy's mural on my way home and a cuppa with young Mr. K and gf.

So today I headed for the hills north of Bolton again, to recce the route to the start of a Skyride that I got lost on last time. Then I went up more hills for a view, then home after 19 miles.

 

[hedder2212]

Went on my first ever group ride tonight. Just a small one set up by one of the lads i used to work with. Wasnt that far just a circle route over to Wolverhampton and back into Walsall via Darlaston and then a lap of the arboretum. Nobody wanted to be in pics but i do have ones that i took of the bike. I really need better lights if im going to keep doing these rides. Really enjoyed myself.

 

[gavgav]

The forecast heavy rain stayed further East and South, so i managed a dead on 20 mile ride after work.

Took the cycle paths up to Harlescott and then joined the very muddy old canal path to Uffington, before joining the road to Upton Magna.

I climbed up East Haughmond, seeing a friend (Rob) flying down it on his bike. He does triathlon for GB and so is a LOT faster than me on a bike! I waved hello, but don't think he realised it was me and he was gone in a flash!

Next was the fast downhill mile to Somerwood and Rodington Heath, before joining the very muddy and bumpy road back to Upton Magna, containing a close shave with a chicken that burst out of the hedge and across the road in front of me!

I then followed the Pelham Rd to Berwick Wharf, before joining the rat run to Atcham. Traffic going far too fast on it as usual, but at least they all gave me plenty of room.

I crossed the old A5 and nipped over Atcham Bridge, before climbing up towards Betton Abbots. It's quite a narrow lane and yet I met 5 cars and 3 tractors in the space of a mile . One of the tractors was pulling a trailer full of spuds and I met it on the narrowest bit of the hill, meaning I had to dismount and climb onto the muddy bank with bike as well so that he could squeeze past

Arrived back home in almost darkness for the 1st time in a long while. Lights making quite a difference. I do like these lights

 

[Brandane]

Proof if it is needed that I can on occasions find sunshine on my bike! After spending most of the day painting the outside of my house, by 4pm I decided I deserved a wee cycle. So out came the Specialized Secteur and we headed up the Brisbane Glen to Loch Thom. Traffic was heavy as it usually is around 5pm ......

From Loch Thom, there is a nice long descent to Inverkip, just where the Clyde opens up and turns south. On the opposite bank of the river is Innellan, south of Dunoon.

The ferry was just pulling away from Wemyss Bay on its 30 minute journey to Rothesay, birthplace of all Brandanes. Yes that IS people in swimming just off the shore. It was warmish but not THAT warm! Cumbrae is to the left of the ferry, south Bute to the right, and Arran behind Bute.

Heading back towards Largs, there is a minor road that I take to avoid the crazy A78 which is fast, winding, and narrow. Not nice for cycling at all. The price to pay, as always, is a climb. The reward is this view over Cumbrae, the south end of Bute, and the hills of Arran in the background. The light was fading a bit by this stage, and I was glad of my Lezyne rechargeable front light which I bought a few months ago at a good discount. At last I can start using it in earnest! Strava for tonights ride.

 

[i hate hills]

Proof if it is needed that I can on occasions find sunshine on my bike! After spending most of the day painting the outside of my house, by 4pm I decided I deserved a wee cycle. So out came the Specialized Secteur and we headed up the Brisbane Glen to Loch Thom. Traffic was heavy as it usually is around 5pm ......

From Loch Thom, there is a nice long descent to Inverkip, just where the Clyde opens up and turns south. On the opposite bank of the river is Innellan, south of Dunoon.

The ferry was just pulling away from Wemyss Bay on its 30 minute journey to Rothesay, birthplace of all Brandanes. Yes that IS people in swimming just off the shore. It was warmish but not THAT warm! Cumbrae is to the left of the ferry, south Bute to the right, and Arran behind Bute.

Heading back towards Largs, there is a minor road that I take to avoid the crazy A78 which is fast, winding, and narrow. Not nice for cycling at all. The price to pay, as always, is a climb. The reward is this view over Cumbrae, the south end of Bute, and the hills of Arran in the background. The light was fading a bit by this stage, and I was glad of my Lezyne rechargeable front light which I bought a few months ago at a good discount. At last I can start using it in earnest! Strava for tonights ride.

Some great photos there.