fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Loving the Chunky Monkey 2.4 inch tyres. Very stable and chushty 
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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D
Deleted member 1258
Guest
Well done @fossyant .deserves much more than a like.
Distinctly cooler this morning, with promises of warmer later. Door to door 31.3 miles this morning, Otley the intended destination and a zigzag route chosen for a change. A lack of concentration and I missed the turn off Water Lane to Office Lock and that probably added two hundred yards to the ride, I just took the next left. Off the towpath at Viaduct Road, up that long Cardigan Road to North Lane, left onto the Otley road as far as Lawnswood, turn left onto Otley Old Road through Ireland Wood and Tinshill and then left again to wander along behind the Leeds and Bradford airport, which was quiet this morning. Turned right on the Bradford - Harrogate Road for my WHEEEEEEEEEEE ! ! ! down Pool Bank and then the valley bottom road to Otley.
The direct road back after a sandwich break, with a small diversion to Kirkstall to ride a bit more towpath than usual and miss all those pesky traffic lights. The warmer later never happened today.
Distinctly cooler this morning, with promises of warmer later. Door to door 31.3 miles this morning, Otley the intended destination and a zigzag route chosen for a change. A lack of concentration and I missed the turn off Water Lane to Office Lock and that probably added two hundred yards to the ride, I just took the next left. Off the towpath at Viaduct Road, up that long Cardigan Road to North Lane, left onto the Otley road as far as Lawnswood, turn left onto Otley Old Road through Ireland Wood and Tinshill and then left again to wander along behind the Leeds and Bradford airport, which was quiet this morning. Turned right on the Bradford - Harrogate Road for my WHEEEEEEEEEEE ! ! ! down Pool Bank and then the valley bottom road to Otley.
The direct road back after a sandwich break, with a small diversion to Kirkstall to ride a bit more towpath than usual and miss all those pesky traffic lights. The warmer later never happened today.
Crandoggler
Senior Member
Attachments
Brilliant news well done @fossyant take it steady
Glow worm
Legendary Member
- Location
- Near Newmarket
Great to see you back in the saddle Foss, Chapeau! Lovely pics too.
- Location
- Shrewsbury, Shropshire
Jon George
Mamil and couldn't care less
- Location
- Suffolk an' Good
Given my predilection to crash into hedgerows and tumble into ditches when I've been on a stage of Le Tour De Cochon and have beers inside me, this is definitely one path I'd have to avoid.
Today, another little ride to keep up with my challenge of cycling at least a mile every day this year. Fingers crossed, but the Man Flu appears to be abating. Hopefully the sun will still be there when I can manage longer rides - I envy the lot of you, but am thankful for the photos. (And vids @Old jon )
The thermometer on our south facing veranda says 17°C - the weatherman says it will be sunny and 14°C this afternoon with no cloud 
So why is it that once I get on the bike a few km from home it's
when then clouds keep covering the sun.
Today it's a circular route across country to St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe and back by the Vienne valley.
Just outside Cognac-la-Forêt these two ran to the gate to see me off, while I was stopped for a drink. There was a third little white thing, but it didn't seem so bothered.
Another amusing hamlet name
The 12th century church at St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe
Back along the Vienne - here you can actually see the river, most of the time it's hidden by forest and the road goes up and down the valley sides. This is near to St Victurnien.
A bit further along there is a hamlet called Moulin Brulé or burnt mill. The ruin is pictured here.
Another few km and I'm back to Saint Junien.
Here's a map of the route - 45km in just over 2 hours
So why is it that once I get on the bike a few km from home it's
when then clouds keep covering the sun.Today it's a circular route across country to St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe and back by the Vienne valley.
Just outside Cognac-la-Forêt these two ran to the gate to see me off, while I was stopped for a drink. There was a third little white thing, but it didn't seem so bothered.
Another amusing hamlet name
The 12th century church at St-Yrieix-sous-Aixe
Back along the Vienne - here you can actually see the river, most of the time it's hidden by forest and the road goes up and down the valley sides. This is near to St Victurnien.
A bit further along there is a hamlet called Moulin Brulé or burnt mill. The ruin is pictured here.
Another few km and I'm back to Saint Junien.
Here's a map of the route - 45km in just over 2 hours
mybike
Grumblin at Garmin on the Granny Gear
- Location
- Not 'emel 'empstead
OK, the temptation was too great. Despite the fear of getting mud on my new bike I went out.
After the recent weather it was strangely cold with a very fine spray of rain, not enough to get you wet though.
So here we have the obligatory picture of bike and pub.
There are still quite a lot of narrowboats moored up for winter, this trip there were none broken loose.
But spring is on the way, and
Someone has been building themselves a platform to watch the world go by. Nice bench.
I haven't had a lock cottage for a while, so here is one. Not quite as peaceful as it looks, as the railway gantry can just be seen through the trees on the left.
And though this house looks palatial the railway runs just at the back. At least it's not through the middle.
This 18th century cottage is quieter, but to the left is are industrial units.
The Claude Butle making use of it's natural camouflage to hide against a gate.
On my last post I had a picture of houses seen from the canal, this is from the houses looking toward the canal and railway
The local council has a policy of encouraging the demolition of industrial units along the canal and replacing them with housing. This unit is the latest to go.
Well the mud is drying but there's still a lot of it about. The bike performed well, it's a lot lighter than the Tesco special but the lack of rear suspension was surprisingly noticeable. Gears are a lot better though and there wasn't the constant squeaking from the suspension. I didn't manage very well on my hill challenge, but the road was busy so that's my excuse. Truth is probably I'm not fit enough. Not many people out today, it wasn't the nicest of weather.
12.5 miles max 18 avg 6.8 mph. Year to date, 55.4 miles, Target 400 miles.
After the recent weather it was strangely cold with a very fine spray of rain, not enough to get you wet though.
So here we have the obligatory picture of bike and pub.
There are still quite a lot of narrowboats moored up for winter, this trip there were none broken loose.
But spring is on the way, and
Someone has been building themselves a platform to watch the world go by. Nice bench.
I haven't had a lock cottage for a while, so here is one. Not quite as peaceful as it looks, as the railway gantry can just be seen through the trees on the left.
And though this house looks palatial the railway runs just at the back. At least it's not through the middle.
This 18th century cottage is quieter, but to the left is are industrial units.
The Claude Butle making use of it's natural camouflage to hide against a gate.
On my last post I had a picture of houses seen from the canal, this is from the houses looking toward the canal and railway
The local council has a policy of encouraging the demolition of industrial units along the canal and replacing them with housing. This unit is the latest to go.
Well the mud is drying but there's still a lot of it about. The bike performed well, it's a lot lighter than the Tesco special but the lack of rear suspension was surprisingly noticeable. Gears are a lot better though and there wasn't the constant squeaking from the suspension. I didn't manage very well on my hill challenge, but the road was busy so that's my excuse. Truth is probably I'm not fit enough. Not many people out today, it wasn't the nicest of weather.
12.5 miles max 18 avg 6.8 mph. Year to date, 55.4 miles, Target 400 miles.
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Tin Pot
Guru
View attachment 121624 View attachment 121621 View attachment 121620 View attachment 121616 Hired a fat bike for me today and a semi fat for Mr M.
Set off from near Papagayo and worked our way along the coast through Playa Blanca then past where we are staying. Stopped for a healthy brekkie, bacon sandwich and soft drinks. Did some "off road stunts". Carried on along the coastal path admiring the views. Had to return bikes by 3pm so went back along the roads and cycle paths. Had the bikes 4 hours and did around 18 miles. Magic bikes and great fun to ride
.
"Papagayo" means parrot.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Given my predilection to crash into hedgerows and tumble into ditches when I've been on a stage of Le Tour De Cochon and have beers inside me, this is definitely one path I'd have to avoid.
Today, another little ride to keep up with my challenge of cycling at least a mile every day this year. Fingers crossed, but the Man Flu appears to be abating. Hopefully the sun will still be there when I can manage longer rides - I envy the lot of you, but am thankful for the photos. (And vids @Old jon )[/QUOTE]
It has a gravitational pull. Remember there is no barrier the other side and it is a serious drop. I used to poop myself walking over it, never mind on a bike. Today, I stopped for photos. I suppose nearly being paralysed changes that ?
Well, my mate Mark had said that he still hadn't done his first 100k..........
It was a beautiful early Spring day yesterday in North Devon, so we arranged to meet up at the Bike Shed in Barnstaple. I rode in from Braunton and he rode in from Northam on the other side of the estuary - a nice gentle warm up for both of us before the joys of Exmoor hills.
Leaving the shop at about 0945, we made our way up the A 39 out of town, turning left after a mile, or so, to head off on the 6 mile climb through Muddiford up to On a Hill garage where we turned right. We followed this road up onto Exmoor and out through Blackmoor Gate, Brayford and Aller Cross before ending up at South Molton for lunch. Double beans on toast and a mug of tea hit the spot for me. Suitable refreshed, we headed off on the Umberleigh road towards Torrington. It was warming up a bit by now and I had to stop at the top of the Atherington climb to remove overshoes, top layer, cap and change gloves to mitts. Phew - it felt like summer!
Next up were the dreaded 'big dippers' at Langridgeford. They are both 20% down and 25% up. The first one isn't so bad as the climb is only about 150 yards. The second is a killer! Hitting the bottom at 50+mph, all momentum is lost after about 50 yds and then you're faced with a 400 yard, one in four, grind to the summit. Don't you just love Devon?!
That saw off another bidon!
After we had recovered, it was on through High Bullen and then to Great Torrington. We dropped down to the Puffing Billy and stopped at the cycle hire centre for a cuppa. From here it was just an easy 20 miles along the Tarka Trail to home. Mark left me at Bideford - chuffed to bits that he'd finally achieved his goal.
My Garmin battery died at Fremington Quay, so I had to record the rest of the ride on my phone.
Well, this pensioner got back home tired, but pleased with an excellent day out. Wish my legs were 40 years younger! LOL
Total mileage: 72
Total climbing: 4600
Average speed: 12.9 mph
Maximum speed: 50.3 mph
It was a beautiful early Spring day yesterday in North Devon, so we arranged to meet up at the Bike Shed in Barnstaple. I rode in from Braunton and he rode in from Northam on the other side of the estuary - a nice gentle warm up for both of us before the joys of Exmoor hills.
Leaving the shop at about 0945, we made our way up the A 39 out of town, turning left after a mile, or so, to head off on the 6 mile climb through Muddiford up to On a Hill garage where we turned right. We followed this road up onto Exmoor and out through Blackmoor Gate, Brayford and Aller Cross before ending up at South Molton for lunch. Double beans on toast and a mug of tea hit the spot for me. Suitable refreshed, we headed off on the Umberleigh road towards Torrington. It was warming up a bit by now and I had to stop at the top of the Atherington climb to remove overshoes, top layer, cap and change gloves to mitts. Phew - it felt like summer!
Next up were the dreaded 'big dippers' at Langridgeford. They are both 20% down and 25% up. The first one isn't so bad as the climb is only about 150 yards. The second is a killer! Hitting the bottom at 50+mph, all momentum is lost after about 50 yds and then you're faced with a 400 yard, one in four, grind to the summit. Don't you just love Devon?!
That saw off another bidon!
After we had recovered, it was on through High Bullen and then to Great Torrington. We dropped down to the Puffing Billy and stopped at the cycle hire centre for a cuppa. From here it was just an easy 20 miles along the Tarka Trail to home. Mark left me at Bideford - chuffed to bits that he'd finally achieved his goal.
My Garmin battery died at Fremington Quay, so I had to record the rest of the ride on my phone.
Well, this pensioner got back home tired, but pleased with an excellent day out. Wish my legs were 40 years younger! LOL
Total mileage: 72
Total climbing: 4600
Average speed: 12.9 mph
Maximum speed: 50.3 mph
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