Your ride today....

[13 rider]

So today's ride today .After yesterday's exertions fancied a nice steady spin . My favourite cafe is a perfect 16.1 miles from home not too hilly so a 50km ride .Out the door at 0930 Anstey ,Cropston ,Rothley ,Cossington ,Sileby ,Seagrave to Nice Pies cafe . Coffee and cake ( coffee and walnut ) consumed .After a nice break I retraced my route home . 32.1 miles in the bag and May's 50 km ride done . The milage of the weekend takes me though 3000 miles and passes my 2015 yearly total. After nearly 3 years of riding I find it amazing I now consider a sub 2 hr 50 km ride as a recovery ride

 

[welsh dragon]

Gorgeous weather today, so off i went. Lots of traffic about especially motor bikes. 14 miles done in very warm temperatures. Maybe summer is headed our way. The river Dovey is suffering like every river here from a distinct lack of water.

 

[cosmicbike]

Out early for a quick 20 miles before going on shed building duties. Staines to Datchet via Wraysbury before crossing the river at Eton and home via Old Windsor. The rain started at Datchet but not enough to need wet weather gear which was just as well as I had none with me. Got home just about the time the club run started, and then took the kids for a ride to build a shed at Grandads.
Off on a training course tomorrow for the week, so bike will be in the van. Found a couple of 18 - 25 mile loops out of Westerham so hopefully get out in the evenings for a pedal.

 

[Stonechat]

Out early for a quick 20 miles before going on shed building duties. Staines to Datchet via Wraysbury before crossing the river at Eton and home via Old Windsor. The rain started at Datchet but not enough to need wet weather gear which was just as well as I had none with me. Got home just about the time the club run started, and then took the kids for a ride to build a shed at Grandads.
Off on a training course tomorrow for the week, so bike will be in the van. Found a couple of 18 - 25 mile loops out of Westerham so hopefully get out in the evenings for a pedal.

You were unlucky we saw no rain

 

[Stonechat]

Ride out with the HDW
Ride was to Tilford
It was a cold start, I scurried back into house for knee warmers

Went via Chobham common and Bisley to Mytchet andTogham
Out intended destination was the Rural Life Centre at Tilford but on arrival there was an event in place - the village at war, people in vintage military uniforms and a service taking place.

We went down the road to a garden centre, however this was no entirely satisfactory, slow and took ages to pay(!!)

Return was via Elstead and Normandy, Bisley and Chboham
The grouppushed on at a hard pace and it was hard keeping up

Still had the efforts of Friday's ride in my legs

A good ride anyway

62.60 miles @ 16.20 mph
2352 feet climbed

Estimated 1800 calories burned!

https://www.strava.com/activities/975140217

 

[Deleted member 1258]

Talton Mill the destination, 65 miles the journey. An old route revisited and revised, I used a route I used as a long route for the Railway carriage on the Stratford Green Way, since I last used it Talton Mill has opened and its on the route it was ideal. I also visited some old friends I haven't climbed for a while, Loxley, the climb off the Warwick road to Snitterfield, the climb through Norton Lindsey and a few others. Out of Coventry on the kenilworth road through Warwick, Barford, Wellesborne, Loxely, Alderminster and on to the cafe. The cafe was heaving, loads of cyclist there, whilst sat outside the cafe someones tyre blowout, sounded like a shotgun being discharged. Away from the cafe through Quinton and onto the Stratford Greenway, when I got to the gate there were marshalls and loads of runners about, there was a marathon going on, I spoke to one of the marshalls who informed me the greenway was open and I was OK to use it, so it was a slow and careful ride into Stratford carefully dodging groups of runners. The other side of Stratford I climbed through Snitterfield, on through Norton lindsey and Hatton, past the Honiley Boot, though Balsall Common, into Coventry and home. A hard but enjoyable bike ride, by the time I got to Balsall Common my legs were starting to fade fast and by the time I was crossing Coventry I'd got nothing left, the legs were done and I was running on empty.


View: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/14415624



http://www.taltonmill.co.uk/cafe/

 

[Dave 123]

We waited for the sun to almost come out before setting off.
Down Madingley hill and in to Coton before going over the M11 and across to Grantchester. We didn't see Henry Chambers, but we passed his church.

On to Shelford and back to quiet lanes, the sun warming us as we went. At Newton Jo said let's stop at the pub, but I'd already been thinking of stopping at the pub in Thriplow, as I wanted to look at the old smithy, just across the road...

Back on the bike for 20 yards....

A little refreshment was taken.

There must have been something on at Duxford as there were spitfires and biplanes all over, then this thing flew by really slowly, not sure how it stayed up there

We came home via the longer side of Barrington hill today, bottom gear not needed. We then went via Harlton, The Eversdens and Toft.

Near Newton we stopped to look at some oak galls that could have been spuds

Very nice to see the sun!


https://www.strava.com/activities/975256660

 

[Hugh Manatee]

I'm back posting in this section!

It struck me that I was finding excuses not to go out on a bike. My shoulder is still very sore. I haven't found any new forks for the ones bent in the crash. I have too much else to do.

The sun is out. If I don't go now I might never bother. Spare bike 1 is hanging up in the garage. Pump the tyres up and get the pedals of the broken bike. I decide to take the bull by the horns so to speak and ride the route I did when I ended up as a bonnet ornament!

Very slow and I was on the struggle bus going up some of the hills but on other parts I felt quite fast. 25 miles and back in one piece.

Check out Spare Bike 1:

It is my old race bike. It was custom built for a much younger and slimmer marine MAMIL! The top tube and stem are long and the gears are high:

Please excuse the dirt and grime. It has been hanging up for a year or two. That's a 12-23 cassette and I don't think I needed lower than third.

Lovely weather. Lots of oil seed fields and I must have been hit in the face by at least 2Kg of assorted insect life!

 

[cosmicbike]

Ride out with the HDW
Ride was to Tilford
It was a cold start, I scurried back into house for knee warmers

Went via Chobham common and Bisley to Mytchet andTogham
Out intended destination was the Rural Life Centre at Tilford but on arrival there was an event in place - the village at war, people in vintage military uniforms and a service taking place.

We went down the road to a garden centre, however this was no entirely satisfactory, slow and took ages to pay(!!)

Return was via Elstead and Normandy, Bisley and Chboham
The grouppushed on at a hard pace and it was hard keeping up

Still had the efforts of Friday's ride in my legs

A good ride anyway

62.60 miles @ 16.20 mph
2352 feet climbed

Estimated 1800 calories burned!

https://www.strava.com/activities/975140217

Looked like a nice route, though I did wonder why the looong stop.
Apparently it was the Tilford At War event by the Allies Living History Group. http://www.the-allies.co.uk/event/tilford-war-2017/

 

[TVC]

The local pub has started a cycling club. The routes start at the pub and finish at the pub, the club is made up of people who drink at the pub. A nice group bimble through the Leicestershire countryside before returning for a beer. Did I mention we ended up at the pub.

 

[NorthernDave]

Chilly and grey again today, with a brisk northerly whistling along.

Out on the Pro Carbon (which is now nearest the door) and off for an hour, so a variation on a familiar loop.
Coal Road (again) and straight into the headwind, which was almost enough to have me turning for home, but I stuck with it on the assumption that I'd have the wind at my back for the return...
Red Hall Lane, A58 and Whin Moor Lane, but for a change took the first right down Hobberly Lane, which would have been a quick descent, were it not for the nice lady in the Volvo who instead of waiting for me to clear the 100 yards or so of single lane that I was already established in decided to push straight through
Anyway, into Shadwell and left down the hill, across Bay Horse Lane and up the hill across the A58 and on to Carr Lane for the familiar lumpiness to Thorner.
Into the village, avoiding the pedestrian who stepped straight off the kerb in front of me without bothering to look and left past the church and on to Milner Lane and the climb onto the ridge.
Back to battling the headwind along there to the junction with Holme Farm Lane, where I stopped for a couple of pics:

Enjoyed a comedy moment as a group ride approached the junction at a fair lick:
"Left or right?"
"OK"
"Left then?"
"No, right"
"I love it when you're leading" - cue much braking and swerving as they all just about made the turn

Anyhow, with time against me and that chilly wind still whistling, I was back on the bike and retraced my route down into Thorner, catching and passing a couple of couples on hybrids. Straight along Main Street and up Van Zyl hill, without the assistance you might have expected from the wind
Onto Skelton Lane, where the temporary lights are still there, despite there being no work going on and getting treated to a close pass as I rode through the coned off area
Left at the end onto Coal Road and a blast down to home with the wind now properly at my back for the first time - only to get repeatedly checked by a muppet in a Golf who firstly pulled out from parked without looking and then deliberately slowed down prior to each of the chicanes blocking the lane for reasons known only to him (there are bike lanes through each of the chicanes so cyclists don't have to stop / give way)
Hey ho, what can you do?

12.03 miles (19.36km) in 54mins at an average of 13.2mph, with 636ft climbed. I'll take that as I'm still struggling - not sure if it's hayfever (seems unlikely today) or a lingering cold, but it was hard work today combined with that headwind. Still, every mile counts.

And now, the map:

 

[13 rider]

The local pub has started a cycling club. The routes start at the pub and finish at the pub, the club is made up of people who drink at the pub. A nice group bimble through the Leicestershire countryside before returning for a beer. Did I mention we ended up at the pub.

View attachment 351295

Reports on radio Leicester warning people to avoid the great central way which apparently is been riden by wobbly cyclists . Beer is the suspected cause
Good to see you out on your bike . Your welcome on our next century ride just lets us now

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Out with Wakefield Triathlon Club, to the 'Oil Can Cafe'
A mixed ability group, one of their Level 2 (or 'v2.5', as it got labelled later)
We met up at Pugneys, a sailing lake/country park, (on south-side of Wakefield, not far from jct 39/M1)

Up through Durkar, & Crigglestone; immediately climbing to a certain extent
A sweeping Bretton Lane, up to West Bretton (not far from the Yorkshire Sculpture Park')
Midgley roundabout, where we joined the A636 (Wakefield - Denby Dale road) for a while
Left onto Litherop Lane, & the slog up to High Hoyland (to be the site of the WTC hill-climb, in a couple of weeks)
Into High Hoyland, & onto a variety of road sufaces, with a descent to Kitchenroyd (back on the A636, where the Mill is)

Up this road, through Denby Dale, towards Upper Cumberworth, climbing all the way
A left at Upper Cumberworth, & a fair bit of opposing cycle traffic at this point, as we'd crossed paths with the Brian Robinson Challenge
http://www.brcr.co.uk/index.php

Up to Lane Head, with views to the left (south-west) to Royds Moor Windfarm (above Penistone)
Down the main descent, after rejoining at what was the Cross-Roads Inn, now renamed
I was quite happy moving up & down the dozen riders, to the back, then coming past

At New Mills, a left, up the Sheffield Road (A616), & the last couple of drags to the café
Quite busy upon arrival, with a fair group from Calder Clarion (a Wakefield club), & lots of bikers
The decent day had brought out quite a few classic cars too, with a smattering of Triumph TR's, a gorgeous Jenson Interceptor mk 3

But. the best cars were inside..........
Mini Cooper
(1969) Dodge Charger - yes...... it was orange.....
A few old Austins

A persusal of the workshops revealed a plethora
Escort 1 Mexico
Dodge Dart
A Noble
Mustang bodyshell ('67 - '68?)
And.......... what appeared to be a genuine AC Cobra 289



After they 'caked' (I didn't as I looked round workshops first, then the café was too busy)

It was back, via the same route, as far as the CrossRoads Inn
I decided to pick up the pace slightly on the ascent, & passed everyone
By the pub, I looked round & appeared to have a 300+yard lead

Stopping briefly, to rezip the gilet, for the long descent, from the 'Sovereign Cross-Roads' (where the A635 & A629 cross), it was downhill all the way back as far as Clayton West, the home of; http://www.kirkleeslightrailway.com/ (also the base for Denby Dale AC race against the train 'Beat Badger' - which is fairly hard, but fun!!!)

One last long drag, from Clayton West, up to Midgley roundabout, then back down Bulcliff, back to jct 39 & Pugneys
Heading back home, the same route, as my trip to meet up with WTC

Seemed a lot further than shown, but most of the hills were either steep, or long
http://gb.mapometer.com/cycling/route_4535259.html


Next time, weather dependant, it'll be the Gran Fondo (with short-sleeves & shorts), not the CGR (with bib-tights, long-sleeve jersey & Gilet)

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Out with Wakefield Triathlon Club, to the 'Oil Can Cafe'

Another pic;

Next time, weather dependant, it'll be the Gran Fondo (with short-sleeves & shorts), not the CGR (with bib-tights, long-sleeve jersey & Gilet)

Three of the WTC guys were out on Planet X EC-130E
http://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/bikes/road-bikes/ec-130e-aero-road

All 3, were stealth 'black/black decals'

 

[theloafer]

been bloodly cold on the bike today

:-(... but still had a great day took the g/f out to lunch at betty`s in Northallerton

:-) brought home a couple of fat rascal`s ...dam there tasty

:-)

:-).. ended up doing 65 miles .... Karon is now soaking in the bath lol

https://www.strava.com/activities/975492571