Your ride today....

[Dave 123]

That son of mine missed yesterday's ride due to a hangover, so he came along this morning.
All the way down to Toft there are new chippings all over the road, but I'd forgotten. The first mile or so were taken at an easy pace.
In Comberton I cut the junction on a right hand turn, there was a car coming. I had to endure a short lecture from my son!
In Haslingfield it's scarecrow time, an annual event. There was the queen, Darth Vader and Postman Pat, plus many more. I'll try and get some pics one day.
Up and over Chapel Hill and around to Wimpole, there was an equestrian cross country event on.
A quick blast up the A1198 and then a left toward the maggot farm. I saw a couple of Linnets along here, then a buzzard flew up from the verge and alighted on the next telegraph pole. He gave us the beady eye as we rode by.
It was starting to rain by now, I'd intended to go on to Gamlingay, but headed through the Gransdens. In Great Gransden I went round the mini roundabout the wrong way, the boy shook his head, " bloody cyclists"he sighed.

Then a miracle happened, he got on the front! I had a pleasant tow for a mile or so. Through Caxton and on to Bourn on the roller coaster road, toward the end a weasel ran across from left to right, little legs going like the clappers!

31 miles. Nice to be out with Thomas.

https://www.strava.com/activities/606788659

 

[cosmicbike]

Nice commute in this morning, used a bit of road I wouldn't go on any other day of the week but is nice and quiet on Sundays. Lovely and cool, though the Met Office reckon I'm in for a 19 C warm thundery shower on the way home tonight. Just as well skins waterproof..

 

[13 rider]

Today's plan was to do June's 100 km ride done forecast checked rain at 2 so enough time to get round . Off just before 9 Anstey ,Cropston round the back of Bradgate park towards Beacon hill .Up the Beacon the easy way then the fast decent through Woodhouse to Quorn then to Mountsorrel ,Rothley ,Cossington as I started to climb humble lane a cyclist was approaching from the left turning and he turned into a storker for the next 6 miles to didn't wheel suck but sat about 50 yards behind . Through Ratcliffe ,Thrussington then Hoby which was loads of twisty turns so round the first one and sprint flat out for half a mile and the storker was gone left into Frisby and across the A607 onto the rolling hills around Gaddesby came across some of the lanes that had been chipped great . Back across the A607 through Asfordby and up the Saxelby climb and out on the single track lane to Wartnaby and left up lawn lane and over the A46 to Willoughby on the Wolds ,Wysall ,Costock where the wind started to pick up and the sky gets darker. First spots of rain as I get to E Leake it starts to quick stop in a bus shelter have a snack to see if the rains going to pass but no so on with the rain jacket and off into the rain .Gotham ,Kingston on soar and Kegworth and now regretting taking the mud guards off in May as Im getting a wet bum .Up the climb to long Whatton, Diesworth ,Belton ,Shepshed and now my feet are wet unpleasant .Back along Charley Rd and back to Beacon Crossroads and back to Newtown Linford and Home 75.9 miles in the bag at 16.4 mph well happy with that at home now out of my soggy clothes and having coffee and cake . First time the rain jacket been used properly and although it's not completely waterproof it certainly kept me reasonable dry without being boil in the bag .Fewer rides out today especially up the Wreake valley which for the last few weeks had been like a cycle highway but I was the only one out in the rain because it wasn't cold until my feet got wet I quite enjoyed riding in it . Off in a minute to wash the bike it's a bit dirty

 

[Stonechat]

Some heavy rain so gave up on the club run and did a turbo session, trying to get used to long grinds, hoping to climb a well known French Mountain in September

https://www.strava.com/activities/606909676

 

[Cuchilo]

Some heavy rain so gave up on the club run and did a turbo session, trying to get used to long grinds, hoping to climb a well known French Mountain in September

https://www.strava.com/activities/606909676

Try this loop for hills https://www.strava.com/activities/606938472 done today with two club mates and got totally soaked to the bone . Great fun !

 

[Racing roadkill]

The big Southampton Skyride today.

I was there in my ambassadorial role.

It went brilliantly well, and I cast my lucky spell over the weather again.


https://www.strava.com/activities/607132314

The sky's threatened to unleash hell, it didn't happen.

Blue sky and sunshine now..

Yayyyyy, I'm famous ( in the local rag ).

 

[NorthernDave]

With the Brownlee brothers and their chums hogging Roundhay Park, I decided to head east for todays ride. Nothing new on this ride, but I enjoyed it.

Warmed up on local roads, then Leeds Road to Scholes and on to Barwick, turning right onto Long Lane and the mainly downhill run to Garforth. From there it was the A642 back up over the M1 and on to Aberford. Right and under the A1(M) and up the hill to Lotherton Gates and then Cold Hill Lane to the turning up to Saxton.
Into the village and then out to Barkston Ash and the straight run to Church Fenton.
Despite the breeze being from the north-east (again) I was making good time and keeping up a decent average speed. Right again onto the lane around the southern edge of the airfield, all the way to Ryther, then left and back through Ozendyke to Ulleskelf, where I stopped for a drink and a few pics of the poppies:

Back in the saddle and off up Raw Lane. Unfortunately the warmer, drier weather mean that the flies were back out in force and I ended riding with my buff over my mouth at one point...
Onto the A162 and the run down to Stutton, over Cock Beck and then the climb up to Garnet Lane and across the bridge over the A64. Straight on, then left towards Bramham adding a ride over the Windmill in for a bit of fun, hitting 40.2 mph down the hill into the breeze
From there it was on to Clifford, climbing through the village then downhill into Bramham and the climb back out to the bridge over the A1(M) and then on to Thorner the long way round via Milner Lane.
Straight through the village on Main Street, fortunately without any homicidal drivers this week, and up Van Zyl Hill, before a right onto Skeltons Lane and then Coal Road and local roads to home.

38.17 miles (61.4 km) in 2h 35m at an average of 14.7 mph, with 1,620ft climbed. I'm going to class that as a good mornings work, just the thing to set me up to watch the ITU Triathlon on the telly

Lots of cyclist out today, which is always good to see.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Few hrs over Wakerley woods with the kids..rain sort of missed us ..nice family day out.
10 miles and very humid..i managed a few cold uns at the local...nice

 

[PeteXXX]

Few hrs over Wakerley woods with the kids..rain sort of missed us ..nice family day out.
10 miles and very humid..i managed a few cold uns at the local...nice

I haven't ridden Wakerley for ages! I must get over there sometime soon.

 

[Diggs]

Today was a wet but warm 75 miles for the Essex Orchid ride
A few familar faces and dragging my old school friend Dave for the ride. A cracking ride and as it was so warm, with a couple of layers, no need for the rainjacket once you got going. Good to get out a little further afield into Essex too.

Just a shame the rain impacted both the photo ops and the usual beer, music and party atmosphere at the park at the end

I call this one "mouthful of Clif bar"

 

[Nomadski]

Went for a ride primarily as a reccy to find a route to the airport possibly to ride to work. Got lost a bit en route as google mapping tried to send me down a bike path that no longer existed. Got to the airport 15 minutes later than I planned, and a little sweatier so need to think how to go about it as there are no shower facilities for staff.

From there I rejoined a route i had rode last week, a flat loop around the airport via Wilmslow and Knutsford. As the route took me across the route I had already ridden, I inexplicably took a wrong turn and rode 5 miles down the same road I had been some time before, 28 miles to go when it should have been 2 was my indicator something was wrong - realised I was on a second lap!

So back 5 miles I went and got home a little later than planned, with an extra 10 miles than I planned.

However I did get these utterly pointless photos for your enjoyment. Feast yourselves!

A road what I was on when I took the photo

A plane what went over my head when I took the picture

A pole what was looking at me funny while I was figuring where I was

40 miles at 14.7mph so it all worked out in the end!

https://www.strava.com/activities/607307022

 

[Elybazza61]

A day late but a short report on yesterdays club run.

Arrived a bit early at the usual spot I meet the group in Ely so poodled along waiting for them to appear behind me;well got to Isleham and decided to carry on solo and do a quick loop via Workington before heading to the cafe stop at LaHogue.

Got there and was just going in as the mod group arrived so nice coffee and cake and a natter and then off on the return leg back to Ely;nice nippy ride home and a good 70k done.

https://www.strava.com/activities/605713631

 

[ianrauk]

Today was the inaugural 'Italian Job' Audax run by those very fine cycling club peeps Islington CC.
I left home to mild temperatures at 6.30am to meet up with @rb58 to cycle to the start at Finsbury Park in that there Londinium. A nice ride which for the first half took in my daily commute. Sunday very early morning makes such a difference, much quieter and quicker. Wish it was the same every day of the week.

Anyway. We got to the start at 8am to sign in and wait for the off. It started to rain, only light drizzle, but rain nevertheless. At 8.30, we were sent on our way in bunches of 20 (I think I heard one of the organisers saying over 200 had signed up). The first hour was getting out of north London. Once in the country side we were spoilt with a really nice, rolling route to Chalfont, the half way point. It had not stopped raining, but at least the temperatures were still mild. A short stop for a sarnie, donuts and drink and we were on our way again for the second half. By now the rain was getting a little heavier, and remained so for a good hour. We did have breaks in the rain every now and again but it decided to stay with us for the whole way back.

The usual stop/start traffic through north London made for slow going for the last 6 or 7 miles, but we got back in good time. Only for the rain to stop. Yep, the weather Gods were playing with us.

We got our Brevet's checked and signed, grabbed a piece of cake and coughed up for a couple of small, overpriced coffee's from one of these

To grind the beans, the barrister had to pedal the machine.

By now the sunshine was trying to make an appearance for our return to home journeys. It was also getting quite warm and muggy.
I got home with 108 miles on the clock. That wouldn't do so added in a small loop of a couple of miles to supplement my Eddington numbers.

So
110 miles for the day, (67 for the Audax) on a really nice route, rather more rolling then the map suggests and of what my legs are telling me. In the dry it would be a cracking ride.
Century # 15 for the year, 181 over all.

Sorry no pictures, it was too wet.

 

[rugby bloke]

Had an excellent time at the Rutland Border Epique. I know not everyone are fans of sportives, but to those who are, this is one I would recommend. Starting and finishing at the Cafe Ventoux, it took in some stunning East Midlands countryside. It was well organised, generous with the food and very friendly. I took the 74 mile option, which is the longest distance I have ridden this year. The route is certainly rolling - 4,230 ft of climbing, which is positively Alpine in my books !! The weather started of warm and muggy, the rain caught up with us at 12 am on the dot and kept up a gentle mizzle for the rest of the ride.

http://www.strava.com/activities/607042604

 

[PeteXXX]

With the weather not looking great for the ride, a couple of mates and I rode the 100 mile 'Chase the Rising Sun' (not that we saw it!) overnight sportive from Hunstanton to Southwold.
With a start time of 21:00, we arrived at 18:00 so we could enjoy some fish and chips and give them enough time to digest before the ride started.
There were, so I was told by one of the local Lifeboat men, about 500 riders registered, and more signing up on the day, so it made for a decent sized crowd in the clifftop car park. As we waited, a couple of B52's flew overhead. Quite a sight..

Ready for the start.

It was hard to decide what to wear for the ride. We'd loaded all sorts of clothing into the car with the idea of guessing the forecast until 05:00 ish.
The fact that the organisers were giving out free waterproof phone cases should be a big enough clue as to what we were heading in to!

Still, I stuck with the legs and packed a waterproof jacket and sealskinz socks, hoping it was a good combination. We rode in decent weather from Hunstanton to Wells next the Sea, then into the tail end of some showers. Not bad enough to worry about though. At least I'd left the mudguards on the Defy 2 so I wasn't getting sprayed on.

The route is quite flat apart from the 20 miles from Weybourne to Mundesley. Even those hills aren't a mega challenge though. Just enough to you down a bit, especially with the gentle headwind we had all night.
Several times, we were buzzed by bats. Lovely creatures. Never quite seen, and passing in a blur. One nearly bounced off Dave's helmet before veering skywards just in front of my face!

A mile or so before the 50 mile feed station at Bacton, the heavens opened, A proper bit of rain! When we pulled in, it eased off a bit, so we drip dried for a while as we surveyed the water bottle top up flavours, jelly beans, chocolate brioche, bananas and jaffa cakes in abundance before getting a coffee and having a few bits to eat and a banana and some jelly beans for te remaining 50 miles. I've not done lots of Sportives, but this one was the best so far. Mind you, the sports hall floor and cleats was not a good combo, with quite a bit of Bambi skating going on!

As we were leaving, and I'd dried out a bit, I put my waterproof on lest I got a bit of windchill. It was a good choice, as it turned out, as it did drop a few degrees. Not 'cold', just nippy.
About 5 or 6 miles on, Dave had a visit from the p*nctre fairy. We spied a gateway to pull in to to be off the road, and were happy to find that it was the entrance to a cowshed, and the whole lot was deep in cow sh*te. Happy days..
Not wishing to crowd Dave but still to be of help, we shone our lights in his general direction from a distance away as he changed the tube
I mean, what are friends for!

From there until Gt. Yarmouth, the weather was a bit better, but soon deteriorated into drizzle and heavier rain. I was a bit in front, and missed a right turn sign. Half a mile on, my phone rang and I was told not to be silly and stick to the route. Once back, we were on our way through the town and heading for Lowestoft. A lot of these places, Cromer, Gorleston and Lowestoft are where I go for a stroll and eat ice cream when I'm at work, so it was nice to pass through on a leisure basis.
With the rain still precipitating it down, we were on the last 15 miles or so, and on a 16mph average, which would be quite a result for me. Once we hit a few windy bits through houses and 'traffic', I dropped to 15.9 and couldn't quite get the elusive 0.1 over the last mile. Never mind, eh... Still a good average for me over 102 miles!
Happily, by this time the weather had improved, the rain had stopped and the wind had ceased

The end.
We did miss the sunrise (behind the clouds) by a short while, but put that down to the p*ncture fairy diversifying in her/his efforts to spoil a good ride.

Due to the expected business at the finish line car park, we'd arranged to meet Garry's wife, driving our support vehicle, at Southwold Pier about a mile back. Once there, we got the camping stove out and rustled up some bacon rolls and coffee........ And a beer. Well, what's wrong with a beer at 05:00 on a Sunday morning?

As I'd not been quite wet enough overnight, I thought I'd have a paddle..

Finished on 102 miles, average 15.9.
Quite happy with that.

https://www.strava.com/activities/606695973