Your ride today....

[Old jon]

I did turn a wheel, two even, on Wednesday. Seven and a bit miles. I looked behind me at one stage and saw the deep black clouds spread all over where the wind was coming from, a tailwind it was but an awkward one to ride in, and I thought ‘Home,’ so I turned around and went home.

Today? It was raining when I left the house, changed to strange soft white stuff for a while and then rained again. I was better dressed for it today, but still only rode twenty miles and a bit, the downhill bits dropped my temperature a bit swiftly. So, Holbeck as ever. A car on Water Lane was carrying quite a lot of snow, dunno where it had come from but this was about ten o’ clock. Onto Great George Street, and the Asda headquarters staff are all outdoors. Hopefully a fire drill, my last employer always chose Friday mornings in the rain. Character building, or some such bullfeathers. Along to Crown Point Road, no more audience, across the river and past the bus station, turn right to head towards Oakwood and its clock, a slight drop past the spare Roundhay gates and then push the pedals round all the way to the top of Boot Hill, where I turned left to head for Shadwell, and a first taste of the wind. I have never really wanted to sandpaper my face, but I can now imagine what it feels like. For a change, and to sandpaper the other side, I turned right in Shadwell and enjoyed that swoopy stretch of Main Street leading towards the rise to the A 58. Crossed that and onto Carr Lane to go to Thorner.

Through the village, lots of dog walkers and shoppers, I wonder if they knew the weather was about to turn nasty? Across the beck and a good warm, up Sandhills and then turn right onto Skeltons Lane, Red Hall Lane to follow and the A 58 again, past the clock and home again. The shower did a good job of warming me up.

Maps do not show the garbage weather, have a doodle

 

[The Bystander]

I headed out into a bright frosty morning with a stiff south westerly headwind. The first half of today's 25 miler wasn't much fun as I kept the headwind pretty much all the way through Lamport, Scaldwell and Brixworth.

Once I was through Pitsford I was heading mostly north east so it was tailwind time. The second half of the ride was much more fun as I set PB after PB through Holcot, Hannington and Orlingbury.

A ride of two halves.

But if you're being picky I'd probably ridden closer to 60% of the distance before I picked up the tail wind.

 

[booze and cake]

I'd never heard of Abney Park cemetery from the same report.

Typical London, points of interest everywhere if you look.

@booze and cake does an excellent job of finding some of the less obvious ones.

He also spotted some topiary, which reminds me of a house in Hampstead Garden Suburb which had some in the 1980s.

The suburb is one of the most desirable addresses in London, it's home to The Bishops Avenue which is literally a street of mansions.

There's an active residents' association, or at least there was, and predictably they were not happy about the bloke cutting his hedge into funny shapes.

Among the other rules they enforced was one which allowed residents to hang out washing only on certain days.

http://www.hgstrust.org/the-suburb/

Here's a few pics of The Bishops Avenue.

Always seemed odd to me, with one £30m+ house standing within a few metres of the next one.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...LLION-abandoned-left-rot-quarter-century.html

Haha that's cool and has piqued my curiosity, I may have to go to Bishops Avenue over the weekend to see if any racy topiary still exists.

I've lived here 25 years now and am still amazed at things I've not noticed before, often right under my nose. I used to live near Abney Park Cemetery and my brother has lived nearby for about 10 years, so I've cycled past it hundreds if not thousands of times but yesterday was the first time I'd actually been in to have a look around, and it was lovely. The amount of history to be uncovered on nearly every street can be mind boggling at times but its a constant voyage of discovery, I see something interesting and a quick google later a whole unknown world unravels, I love it, you never know what you're going to discover next. And with people like yourself chipping in with interesting factoids for me to go off and explore, together with other peoples reports from their areas makes this thread such good reading, long may it continue.

 

[Pale Rider]

Haha that's cool and has piqued my curiosity, I may have to go to Bishops Avenue over the weekend to see if any racy topiary still exists.

I've lived here 25 years now and am still amazed at things I've not noticed before, often right under my nose. I used to live near Abney Park Cemetery and my brother has lived nearby for about 10 years, so I've cycled past it hundreds if not thousands of times but yesterday was the first time I'd actually been in to have a look around, and it was lovely. The amount of history to be uncovered on nearly every street can be mind boggling at times but its a constant voyage of discovery, I see something interesting and a quick google later a whole unknown world unravels, I love it, you never know what you're going to discover next. And with people like yourself chipping in with interesting factoids for me to go off and explore, together with other peoples reports from their areas makes this thread such good reading, long may it continue.

The topiary was outside one of the smaller houses around Meadway in the middle of the suburb.

The Central Square and church is worth a look - it's a layout you won't see elsewhere in London.

As regards The Bishop's Avenue, it's worth a tootle along, although there's a limit to how much you can see because the houses are more set back than elsewhere on the suburb.

I would be careful about taking pics there, the billionaire Saudi arms dealing owner might not be in, but a goon or two probably will be about.

One colourful tale from the street is the so-called silver bullet murder of Greek fashion entrepreneur Aristos Constantinou, who was shot with six silver bullets in 1984.

His family is convinced his younger-than-him wife did it, although I don't think anyone has been convicted.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-427506/Why-Elena-widow-prime-suspect-Silver-Bullet-case.html

 

[Racing roadkill]

https://www.strava.com/activities/778950999/shareable_images/map_based?hl=en-GB&v=1479486396

A short hop out to Winchester and back, to test out the new Wetherspoons app. It works.

A nice day for it though.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

It was a lovely sunny morning. Off I went but 1/4 of a mile later my front tyre went down. So back I went to change wheels. Fixing the puncture could wait. I took to the run around Ashleworth. I've noticed that since my come back from illness that riding on the flat isn't too bad. But going uphill isn't happening quite as I think it should. I suspect some weight has gone on. That will be dealt with in due course. Nevertheless it was a good ride around. Winter migrants have arrived and resident species are gathering in flocks. It is getting colder now but I'll just put more kit on. All good. 43 smiles today.

 

[gavgav]

Woke up with the intention of getting out early on the bike, but the radio was reporting lots of icy patches around and I opened the curtains to see a very heavy frost.

Delayed things for a couple of hours and set off about 10:30 instead. There were still icy patches where the sun hadn't got to and so it was a gingerly start through the estate and along the old railway track bed, up the cycle paths to Heathgates and then the old canal path to Uffington.

I was glad to get onto the roads to Upton Magna and then climbed up East Haughmond, with the intention of heading to Somerwood and Rodington. I arrived at a set of traffic lights and the road that I wanted to use was closed so I doubled back and took the narrower lane towards Withington. It was lovely sunshine when I set off, but I could see a big shower over towards Church Stretton and hoped I wouldn't get wet.......

After passing back through Upton Magna and being overtaken by a Stan's Cycles group (too closely by one of them ) it started to pour down at Berwick Wharf. I paused to don my waterproof and it got heavier and turned to icy hail . Not much fun along Atcham straight with the driving hail, but at least the normal close passes didn't occur for a change on the busy rat run, with all drivers giving me loads of room

Thankfully the shower passed through and I paused on Atcham Bridge for a chocolate bar, before climbing up to Betton Abbots and then along the A458 and through the estate home.

19.2 miles

 

[bruce1530]

Late last night, I went outside. It was very cold, and clear skies. Already a heavy frost. I thought “I’d better look out the cold weather gear for tomorrow”. So I then spent ages looking for my “warm baselayer”, which I haven't worn since last winter. Quite annoyed that I still can't find it...

But this morning when I woke up, it was heavy rain. An hour later, the rain had stopped, and I went out.

It was still pretty cold, although not icy - being beside the coast helps here. It was also a chance to try out my new goretex shimano boots, which would hopefully keep my feet warmer than the normal SPD shoes. Put on several layers, and headed out.

Initially felt a little uncomfortable in the boots - the cleats needed adjusting, and I was a little too much “toe-in” - but pushed on. After about 3 miles, and a hill, I had to stop cos I was too hot - so the hat underneath the helmet came off. At this point, I had some spectacular views over the Firth of Clyde:

Looking out towards Arran

Snow on Goat Fell

Horse Island, with Ailsa Craig in the distance

Headed on towards Largs, coffee there, and back home - 27 miles in total.

Decided that I need to get better gloves - very cold fingers. Also not 100% happy with the boots - they’re great, but I could probably do with a half size bigger.

 

[13 rider]

Tomorrow forecast looks dreadful so I planned to ride early this morning woke at 7 and peeked out and it's white over so back to bed finally rose at 9 still frosty so took the @gavgav approached and pottered about until 10.30 . Exploring new roads today westward had a very rough route planned . Newtown Linford ,Groby ,Ratby,Desford ,Thurlaston ,Croft ,Sutton elms ,Frolesworth and on new roads to Ullesthorpe passing @dave r coffee stop ( gws soon Dave thinking of you) at the garden centre then left to Ashby Parva then over the A426 towards Gilmorton into @Supersuperleeds commuting land reached the furthest point so turning back home Ashby Magna and onto Willoughby waterleys back across the A426 into Whetstone ,Littlethorpe, Narborough ,Gunfire and back to Thurlaston. Retracing my route got to Groby checked my milage and I'd be just short of 50 miles which obviously cannot happen so a couple of loops in Groby and the long way through Anstey and home with 51.7 miles in the bag . Nice ride in rather chilly conditions second outing this year for winter jacket and was rather sweaty when I got home nicely warming up now with coffee and Beans on toast . Still plenty of riders out . Had a quick chat with one in Huncote who had slipped off on ice early this morning thankfully no damage to bike or ride so right decision to ride later .

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Tomorrow forecast looks dreadful so I planned to ride early this morning woke at 7 and peeked out and it's white over so back to bed finally rose at 9 still frosty so took the @gavgav approached and pottered about until 10.30 . Exploring new roads today westward had a very rough route planned . Newtown Linford ,Groby ,Ratby,Desford ,Thurlaston ,Croft ,Sutton elms ,Frolesworth and on new roads to Ullesthorpe passing @dave r coffee stop ( gws soon Dave thinking of you) at the garden centre then left to Ashby Parva then over the A426 towards Gilmorton into @Supersuperleeds commuting land reached the furthest point so turning back home Ashby Magna and onto Willoughby waterleys back across the A426 into Whetstone ,Littlethorpe, Narborough ,Gunfire and back to Thurlaston. Retracing my route got to Groby checked my milage and I'd be just short of 50 miles which obviously cannot happen so a couple of loops in Groby and the long way through Anstey and home with 51.7 miles in the bag . Nice ride in rather chilly conditions second outing this year for winter jacket and was rather sweaty when I got home nicely warming up now with coffee and Beans on toast . Still plenty of riders out . Had a quick chat with one in Huncote who had slipped off on ice early this morning thankfully no damage to bike or ride so right decision to ride later .

Get off my land!

The shop at Gilmorton is supposed to do nice cakes, they may even serve tea and coffee but don't quote me on that.

 

[13 rider]

Get off my land!

The shop at Gilmorton is supposed to do nice cakes, they may even serve tea and coffee but don't quote me on that.

No I quite like it out there not many big hills . Decided today was to cold to have a coffee stop I prefer not stopping and then having to warm the legs up again

 

[gbb]

Like many above, I saw tomorrow looks decidedly ropey so out today for a quick 19 miles. Quite a few others out too. Sunny, slightly chilly and breezy but bright out there, Thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Good gang out today. John G and Mrs 26 joined us for a while but Sara P, Richard B, Pete M, Steve E and Margaret P-R stayed the course. We'd all gathered at Upton after Steve had slept in and was a tad late at the first collection point in the Green. No worries.

We took to the Castlemorton lanes for Pendock and then headed for Hethelpit Cross. It had been some while since we'd come this way. Steve was a bit confused at our next junction but we stuck to the correct set of lanes to emerge at Malswick. As we rolled up to the cafe in Newent a bunch of parked bikes announced the presence of the Women on Wheels (WoW) group.

We were in the cafe for some while and the thought of going back out into the chill wasn't too encouraging. Nevertheless we saddled up and headed for Shaw Common and Dymock. Rich was struggling a little on the up slopes but we are an inclusive crowd so he was never left behind. Bromsberrow came and went as we then took to the Castlemorton lanes again. Pete and Margaret headed back to Upton while Steve and Sara took the shorter way in. Rich and I took the quieter but slightly longer run in.

Lovely social outing today with my play mates. It doesn't get much better than this. 52 smiles on this one.

 

[cosmicbike]

After 2 days spent away with work which involved too much food, cake & drink with no exercise, I figured I'd best get out and burn some of it off this morning. Slightly late out due to a frost, but with a couple of hours pass out I was soon on my way. First time this year for the Roubaix longs, and managed to get the clothes right today. Started with a usual route out towards Chobham, and was keen to avoid the A30 as the M3 is closed for 3 days to remove a bridge which used to be on my regular route. Tried some new roads out Lightwater way and got lost, likewise out the other side of Ascot. On the plus side found some really nice roads for future riding. Not often I stop for photos, but this is one that you won't see often, a very empty M25/M3 junction.

36.6 miles, the longest I've managed for a couple of weeks.

 

[NorthernDave]

My trusty Norwegian weather app assured me last night that Saturday morning would be clear and cold, but most importantly dry, so I set the alarm clock for 6am in anticipation.

When I got up the sun was just rising, peeking through the clouds and promising a good morning ahead. By the time I was layered up and filling my water bottles it was raining. This then progressed to lashing it down. Hmmmm...!
So I had a bit of brekkie and gave it half an hour. Eventually it stopped and the sun came back out, so off I went on the Road Comp, quite a bit later than anticipated and now without the time to look at getting an imperial half in. Hey ho, every mile counts doesn't it?

Glad I'd layered up though as it was blooming chilly - cold enough for the first appearance this season of my Altura Night Vision winter gloves (average ride temperature was a brisk 2C).

The usual local warm up, then Leeds Rd to Scholes (temporary traffic lights), past the Coronation Tree and on to Barwick, then down Long Lane towards Garforth. I was passed here by a very odd contraption. I was aware of an engine behind me but when I checked it was a lad on an hybrid bike, gaining on me at a right rate of knots on the uphill section leaving Barwick. He then whizzed passed me on a Specialised hybrid, with a petrol engine (lawnmower, moped?) bolted to the frame, with him resplendent in hoodie and tracky bottoms. WTF?

Anyway, off he went and I followed behind. I lost sight of him near the golf course, so I'm guessing he went either onto the bridleway (across the golf course) or onto NCN R66 into Parlington Woods. I carried on into Garforth, then up Aberford Rd, over the M1 roundabout and on past Lotherton Gates and the mudfest outside the farm (again), before the descent to the Crooked Billet and then right, up the hill before the drop down into Saxton where I stopped to adjust my rattling front mudguard and take a photo:

Back in the saddle and on my way with the mudguard only partially sorted it was off the Barkston Ash, then the long flat straight to Church Fenton, where there was another attempt at fettling the mudguard with marginally more success.
A long loop around the airfield via Ryther (the River Wharfe looked quite high already and with the rain that is forecast for tonight / tomorrow it's only going to get higher) and Ulleskelf, but now into the "light" wind and as I approached Church Fenton again to close the circle it started to rain, which it wasn't meant to do. Oh well, what can you do but carry on?
Retraced my route back to Saxton, but it was a bit of a grind now with very little protection from the wind. Stopped in Saxton for some emergency Haribo (the cyclists spinach ) and then on to the appropriately named Coldhill Lane, then Copley Lane back to Lotherton Gates. From there it was on to Aberford, the the Cattle Lane rollercoaster to Barwick, with the two mile grind up from Cock Beck through the village and virtually all the way to Scholes. Which was all into the wind today...
Down the hill into Scholes, then paused at the temporary lights on the way out of the village where I was joined by another rider, who commented on us giving cyclists a good name by stopping at a red light I didn't let on, but I was secretly quite glad of the chance to give my legs a rest!

Down the hill, the climb up the other side and then local roads up to home - at last.

33.6 miles (54.07 km) in 2h 28m at a slower than I'd have liked average of 13.6 mph, which was largely due to that pesky wind on the homeward half of the ride, with 1,482ft climbed, which isn't bad for a 'flat' route. Glad to get another metric half in, but I'm going to struggle to get an imperial half in this month now, which is a bit vexing. Hopefully everything will fall into place for next weekend, fingers crossed, because tomorrow looks beyond grim.

And here's a map - if you look closely at the elevation over middle section you can spot the four bridges over the railway lines, that's how flat it is!