Your ride today....

[Donger]

Set out on the club ride today with 9 others, heading off for Tetbury. Didn't make it that far, as I could instantly tell I just didn't have the strength today. Was probably a bit foolish even trying to do a 46 mile ride involving a big climb up the Cotswold escarpment while still on antibiotics. Just 3 days earlier I had been unable to even walk, having picked up a raging case of cellulitis while clearing away brambles and thorns from my garden and picking up several nasty leg scratches. My legs had been bright red and burning hot, but seemed greatly improved by this morning, so I'd decided to give it a go.

@Frazzle of this parish was brilliant in immediately offering to go back with me as soon as I said I was in trouble on a minor hill that I would normally have hardly noticed. We actually managed to rescue a decent ride out of it by heading off for Arlingham, Saul and Elmore Back along much flatter lanes in the glorious sunshine. 36 nice flat miles done at a sedate pace. Glad I didn't really push it today, as I was clearly only at about 60-70% of my normal strength. Hadn't realised just how much fighting an infection can take out of you. Will stay off the bike for a few days now, while I regain my strength.

Take care everyone. Cheers, Donger.

 

[welsh dragon]

Set out on the club ride today with 9 others, heading off for Tetbury. Didn't make it that far, as I could instantly tell I just didn't have the strength today. Was probably a bit foolish even trying to do a 46 mile ride involving a big climb up the Cotswold escarpment while still on antibiotics. Just 3 days earlier I had been unable to even walk, having picked up a raging case of cellulitis while clearing away brambles and thorns from my garden and picking up several nasty leg scratches. My legs had been bright red and burning hot, but seemed greatly improved by this morning, so I'd decided to give it a go.

@Frazzle of this parish was brilliant in immediately offering to go back with me as soon as I said I was in trouble on a minor hill that I would normally have hardly noticed. We actually managed to rescue a decent ride out of it by heading off for Arlingham, Saul and Elmore Back along much flatter lanes in the glorious sunshine. 36 nice flat miles done at a sedate pace. Glad I didn't really push it today, as I was clearly only at about 60-70% of my normal strength. Hadn't realised just how much fighting an infection can take out of you. Will stay off the bike for a few days now, while I regain my strength.

Take care everyone. Cheers, Donger.

A massive like for the ride and the effort @Donger . Sorry to hear of the infection. Hope you feel better soon, and kudos to @Frazzle as well. Take care.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Sorry, only been riding to work since my last report

However, I'm off Monday/Tuesday, so maybe, just maybe...................

The fly in the ointment tomorrow, though, is a possible visit to Meadowhell tomorrow, to buy daughter a laptop, as for some reason (aesthetics!?) she wants an Apple
That said, I'm sure I could find a way to incorporate a visit the Planet X shop, at Magma, into the trip
(I've not been to that one, only the Worsborough branch, before it was closed)

Tuesday, I have an idea or two, for a ride

 

[Jenkins]

A couple of rides today. Sundays without work or racing to go to usually mean more relaxed rides so it was out with the Giant flatbar this morning for a leisurely 17 miles to the local Lidl & the Sunday market for a few essentials. Warm, humid & a bit grey first thing but quickly brightened up - as I turned for home a queue of 1/4 miles of cars at the lights heading for Felixstowe seafront convinced me that the only direction to go for the afternoon was inland.,

After lunch and a coffee, it was out for a make up the route as you go along loop through and around Ipswich taking in all the usual villages of Levington, Nacton, Sproughton, Bramford, Claydon, Westerfield, Bucklesham & Falkenham. A single earpiece playing Radio 5live with the Belgium Grand Prix followed by football combined with bright sunshine, light winds and very little traffic provided a lovely way of passing the 3 hours and 43 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1155140183

 

[Stonechat]

YEsterday was club ride with the H & DW

As the club (but not me) had been to Tilford the week before there was some discussion on the best route to make a different ride

We headed through Egham and Virginia Water down to Jacob's Well, where we turned to Normandy, then down through Godalming. then on to the garden centre at Milford. It was beautiful sitting outside in the warm sun.

Return route was through Elstead Seale Tongham, Bisley and Chertsey.

Glorious day for a ride, much enjoyed and a good turn out.

63.18 miles @ 16.5 mph, so metric century done.
Crossing the Hog's Back at Wanborough on the outward journey, particulary tough climb
https://www.strava.com/activities/1154743303/

Edit 2133 feet climbed

 

[Biff600]

This is a timelapse (hyperlapse ?) of yesterday's ride. Starting in Peterborough, going out through Farcet, Yaxley and Folksworth, then Lutton and Ashton before getting to Oundle, then on the way back taking in Southwick, Fotheringhay, Elton and Chesterton before getting home 34 miles later.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVGKS2hFkoY

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Yesterday's ride. I met Andy G in the car park in Bala. We signed in and headed out to climb above the Dee and then drop to cross it for LLandderfel. We rode up Cwm Main, something the organisers haven't included for some years. Cerrgydrudion saw the start of a long gradual climb up and up. The views over to the mountains out on our left were superb in the clear air. Riders were taking it all in as were we. We hadn't been routed this way for many years either and things looked quite different above Llyn Brenig as the forestry folks had felled the forest. Let's hope it's replanted with something nicer than those conifers. So this time we had good views over the Llyn. At Llyn Bran we turned onto a heater encrusted moor. The heather is in full bloom at the moment. Gorgeous. We dropped away with a couple of 20%+ kicks upward before emerging at the first control at Llansannan. Along the Afron Aled with some more 20%+ kicks lined us up for a very steep drop into Abergele. A lass had misjudged a hairpin and come down. Some others were sorting it all out. No harm done, just a bit of embarrassment for her. We continued on to climb out of Abergele to Betws-yn-Rhos where the pub was crammed with riders for lunch. Having had our snacks and tea at the first control we decided to ride on as the pub was overwhelmed. Our next control wouldn't be too far on. I met my friend Edward S here. We'd bumped into each other unexpectedly twice recently so we had a giggle about "not meeting like this".

We rode o9ver the hill into the Afon Cledwen valley to Gwtherin. Andy was beginning to struggle. He was overgeared today. Very strange as he knows low gears should be worn on WWCs. We had a good long 17% climb up onto the moorland where the windfarm was in full electrical production. This plateau was a welcome break from the pleasant greenery on the lower slopes and in the valleys. I carried on as Andy was taking his time. Not far on my own (or his) as the control at Pentrefoelas turned up not long after. We regrouped over cups of tea and choccy bikkies - all three of us.

Now we climbed up onto the "roof of the world". The mountains were again on show over to our right whilst we rolled over lovely quiet moors. Andy was in struggle mode now so I kept pausing, especially as there was some wind resistance up here. Another gap formed so we regrouped again at the crossing of the A4212. Now it was a rolling road taking us lower and lower through lovely scenery to emerge just above Bala. A drop to HQ to check in and collect our commemorative slate. I've got a lovely collection now. Edward showed up not long after so we had a good chat before Mrs 26 dragged me away for the drive home.

Superb outing in the hills and valleys of N Wales. Quite a mixture of agricultural ruralness, river valleys and mountain scenery. And the weather played extremely nice too. With 9222 feet of ascent and 93 smiles you might think this was tough, but actually I think, and Andy agreed, this was the easiest WWC I've ridden and I've ridden plenty.

 

[jayonabike]

Four of us headed out this morning in blazing sunshine. A gentle breeze today which was quite nice as the temperature rose rather rapidly.
The usual mix of hills, lanes & B roads & a long wicked descent near Aston Clinton
Time for a beer now I think.

 

[13 rider]

Yesterday ride . Route planned to cross the river Trent ride up the valley recross and ride home all with the aim of bagging some veloviewer squares .Out the door at 0900 up through Newtown Linford and took my normal route up Charley Rd out to Diesworth round EM airport and into Castle Donington and some cycle paths to Long Eaton and over the Trent quick scoot down Trent lane to Trent lock to bag a square . Retrace my route up Trent lane and out to Draycott and some lovely single track lanes to Church Wilne and onto Borrowash . Some more lovely lanes around Elvaston and onto Shardlow . Now heading back up the river Trent on the other side Aston on Trent ,Western on Trent and Swarkstone over the narrow bridge and turned left to Stanton on bridge .Climbing out the valley now to Melbourne and Wilson down a deadend road and back for another square , Osgathorpe ,Thringstone long drag uphill to St Bernards Abbey quick downhill through Oaks in Charnwood back onto Charley road round the back of Bradgate park and home 64 miles in the bag in conditions was fine when you were moving but sweltering when you stopped .Veloviewer score upto 19 * 19 some lovely new roads and areas found may have to cross the Trent again is wasn't as bad as people said Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire would be but still a relief to across the Leicestershire boarder onto safe ground

 

[Dave 123]

A third tandem ride of the weekend for us today, but it was just our local loop to Waresley GC. Plenty of buzzards and goldfinch in evidence, smiles, waves and comments about the tandem, and best of all.... warm weather!

On second thoughts, the warm weather was only second best

Custard tart.... mmmmm!

25 tropical miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/1156357263

 

[13 rider]

Today's ride and the veloviewer square chasing continues plan to get some South of Leicester so route plotted Off by 0915 up through Newtown where Bradgate was already busy ,Groby ,Ratby ,Desford. Fought my way past a queue of classic cars by the auto jumble a few Corvettes ,Tr6s and old escorts to name a few onto Thurlaston ,Stoney Stanton first square bagged .Cosby ,Countesthorpe quick blast down the A5199 into Wigston cut through the housing estates to avoid the main roads on to Oadby and out to the countryside again past Stoughton airport and onto Houghton on the hill .Onto the A47 for a couple of miles back to Thurnby and back out in the countryside to Beeby ,Syston ,Cossington and home 52 miles in the bag another lovely ride in glorious conditions and veloviewer square upto 20 * 20 so a good bank holiday weekend

 

[pjd57]

Free wheel north run from Maryhill , along the Kelvin, over the Clyde to Crookston Castle. 10 miles there, ten back.
Damp but enjoyable.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Sorry, only been riding to work since my last report
However, I'm off Monday/Tuesday, so maybe, just maybe...................

The fly in the ointment tomorrow, though, is a possible visit to Meadowhell tomorrow, to buy daughter a laptop, as for some reason (aesthetics!?) she wants an Apple
That said, I'm sure I could find a way to incorporate a visit the Planet X shop, at Magma, into the trip
(I've not been to that one, only the Worsborough branch, before it was closed)
Tuesday, I have an idea or two, for a ride

Meadowhall was visited this morning
In/out, within 35 minutes, complete with required goods!!


Over to 'P X', to be greeted by a well-known face, as a staff member............ quite possibly, the best British amateur never to turn professional
Wayne 'the train' Randle!!!

Those of you, who know your UK road-racing/'testing' history of the past (say...) 25 years will know the name

Then, a walk around the Towton Battlefield Trail this afternoon, with wife, daughter & two Dogs
http://www.towton.org.uk/
http://www.battlefieldsofbritain.co.uk/battle_towton_1461.html

 

[Biff600]

I wasn't planning on a ride today as my legs are still a bit tired from yesterday, but with the weather being as it is and the car getting a clean and polish in the morning, I couldn't resist it.

I followed mostly the same route as yesterday (see above), but turned off when I saw a sign for Elton (I thought I'd have a shorter ride), anyway, it was a road that I'd never used before and mostly it was flat, smooth and fast.

Unfortunately, it lead straight to the A605, which is a pretty busy road at best of times and has seen about 5 or 6 fatalities in as many months. I try to avoid really busy roads, I know that I can legally use them, but I prefer not to put myself in a dangerous position just because it's legal to do so.

Anyway, I was soon off there and carried on my merry way until BANG !!!

I thought it was a sniper !!!

After 25 years of hearing and dishing out Naval Gunfire you'd think I would be used to it, nearly new shorts time !!

I'd picked up this nail that went through the tyre (Gatorskin) the tube and embedded itself in the rim !!

It didn't take long to change the tube, but it did take the fun out of the ride so I made my way home.

 

[Old jon]

Bank holiday? Ride anyway, the weather is too good not to. A bit warm really, but there was enough of a cooling breeze to encourage me and I was about an hour early out of bed, so what better to do?

Anywhere I want to ride is likely to be traffic bound later in the day so I sort of reckoned on a short ish ride for the morning. Enthusiasm changes things quite a lot, and by the time Holbeck, the towpath and Viaduct Road had been ridden the legs were warmed up and silly ideas about riding the fixed up a hill or two started to form. Through Headingley and up to the Ring Road, aye OK. A group of riders were assembled in the entrance road to the school there, looking very fit and sorted. I sort of waved and muttered good morning and continued. Turn left after crossing the Ring Road and ride up Otley Old Road, for once I made the decision, not the bike. Past the water tower and down the welcome dip, after the right hand bend continue straight on for Bramhope and rejoin the A 660.

All was still going to plan, and before any more uphill riding there is the descent into Otley which I have not ridden in a while. Always enjoy this bit, even in poor weather and the traffic was still pretty light.

Cross the river, number two of the morning ‘cos the Aire is crossed invisibly ( from the road ) on Viaduct Road. Then turn right up Farnley Lane. This is quite a climb on the geared bike and I have done it before on the fixed. No harm in trying again, but by ‘eck it was good to reach the top. The sun emerged to brighten the descent to Leathley Bridge and today’s third river crossing after which I turned right. Right again at the A 658 and boringly right again in Pool onto the A 659. No way will I be able to ride up Pool Bank on the fixed, maybe later this year. So, back into Otley from a different direction, and keeping to the different direction, up the Leeds Road for the easy navigate back to Headingley and the turn off to pass the cricket ground on the way to the towpath at Kirkstall. Very quiet even though it was only eleven thirty, so an easy pedal to Office Lock and the zig zag through Hunslet to home. Thirty five and a smidge miles, just more than 1600 feet of climbing and half a mile an hour off the average of the last ride. Still smiling, it was a good ride out.

Free form red line map of, err, my ride.