Your ride today....

[Dave 123]

Today I was out the door at 7.30, leaving a coughing Jo in bed.

It was windy from the off, and there were a few more cars on the road than expected. I did the same ride as I did last Christmas Day, down Madingley Hill, through to Mitchams Corner, Jesus Lane, Kings Parade and then my usual commute route home.

13 windy miles in all.

https://www.strava.com/activities/810788818

Came home to find Jo at the dining room table under a towel, snorting olbas oil, that made me laugh, I wasn't expecting that!

Look at the t shirt she bought me

Have a nice day everyone!

 

[13 rider]

Up earlyish to allow a quick spin before all the family decsend upon us . So after opening pressies ( nothing cycling related yet ) . Out with the bike up through Newtown Linford .Bradgate park was quite busy with families taking there Xmas morning walk . Up Sharpley hill managed a strava pr .Left at old john then left and onto priory lane up the first climb then the lovely downhill before the second climb which is worse and longer than the first then swooped down Pollybotts lane which is lovely to go down . Back through Newtown Linford and Home . 9 miles done with 630 ft of climbing still managed 15.8 mph . So now changed cup of coffee before starting my bit of dinner prep .Me and my sister are jointly cooking lunch at seperate houses before we all gather at mums here's hoping it all goes well
Merry Xmas everyone

 

[cosmicbike]

With the turkey & gammon in the oven, I had enough brownie points in the bag to get out for a quick spin. Out through Staines and onwards through to Ashford where I turned right, knowing exactly where it would take me... Except it didn't. Not to worry, I carried on my merry way and eventually emerged in Charlton, then along Littleton Lane before heading back towards Chertsey. Crossed Chertsey Bridge and noted a chap jacking his car up at the petrol garage. Turned round at the lights to go back and see if he needed a hand. All under control, nail in the back tyre. Turns out he's also a cyclist and would have rather been out on the bike too.
Pushed on a bit today, so I've earned my Christmas pud 17.5 miles at 16.4 mph average, I'll settle for that given it's so bloomin' windy.

 

[Old jon]

What a warm day! Went out with a clean bike, returned with something plastered in road muck. Ah well, it means it was used. As ever, down Dewsbury Road, Jack Lane and Marshall Street, along Water Lane to the turn off for Office Lock and the towpath to Viaduct Road. Slog up Cardigan Road, I had been told to wear my red and white waterproof which is warm. The coat and white beard and hair does incline folk to think I might be riding a sleigh. Did I say it was warm? All the way up to the Ring Road at Lawnswood and the Otley Road to Bramhope. And that wonderful heart clenching drop down Creskeld Lane.



Arthington, and along the A 659 to Pool and then Otley, approaching which I was reminded that @ColinJ of this parish had obligingly posted the BBC weather forecast for today, winds of 15 to 41 k I think. I had the 41 kph headwind riding into Otley, which moderated to a mere 15 kph tailwind when I started the climb out along Leeds Road. Honest!

Predictably, A 660 to Headingley, turn right for Kirkstall and the towpath back to Office Lock. Twenty nine and a quarter miles, the odd shower and a plethora of rainbows. Anyone have a better collective noun for rainbows? Time to open my Christmas presents.

After posting the map of where I pedalled,

 

[tallliman]

Out a little later than planned today, about half 10 but with few plans for the day until mid afternoon, it didn't matter. The route was trickier to try and keep the win at bay.

Out toward Belton and then along Top Brand and down past Breedon Quarry. Turned onto the disused railway for 5 miles of largely wind free riding. So far so good, little wind interference due to hedges.

Turned back toward Swarkeston and Melbourne then up the Ridge into a horrid headwind which almost had me off at times. Plunged off the ridge and onto the Hathern Road, chosen for its 10 miles with the wind firmly behind me. Lots of pb's as I topped out at 37mph on the flat...probably more effort than I should've used but it was fun....12.5 mins for 5 miles, 27mins for 10 (including a climb!)...absolutely exhilarating!!

As a result, pushed on into Zouch and up past Old Hathern Station onto the ridge to Rempstone. Not a road I'd normally take due to lorries but this was fun. Downside was the last 5 miles of struggles into the headwind to get back home but it was worth it for those 10 miles!!

38 miles, 164km total for the festive 500 and 100 for the week.

 

[hondated]

Bad night with acid reflux meant a good morning to get out on the bike at 6am. As a Christmas treat to myself I decided to use the Trek Madone I had built up to use in the Spring. It's an early 3.1 frame but it was a revelation as it rode so smoothly.
It was obviously dark but not too cold with heavy winds.
Surprise surprise didn't see one other cyclists out but there were a few dog walkers about. Oh yes route was my usual one over to Westham Pevensey Eastbourne and I just love being out when very few people about.
Sometimes think I should live on a remote Scottish island.
Hope everyone has had a good day.
I have got enough money to buy another cycling jacket.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

All the way up to the Ring Road at Lawnswood and the Otley Road to Bramhope. And that wonderful heart clenching drop down Creskeld Lane.

And an even harder work climbing back up it

 

[Jenkins]

Relatively warm but quite breezy day and out by 09:30 on the Van Nicholas taking the back road through Levington & Nacton into Ipswich, then out to Westerfield before heading back via a loop around Rushmere St. Andrew, Bucklesham, Kirton & Falkenham for a Festive 50km (33 miles in total).

https://www.strava.com/activities/810951342

Followed up in the afternoon with another 8 mile round trip to Mum's for Xmas diner.

 

[PeteXXX]

I wasn't expecting to get out for a ride today, but I forgot to bring summat back from my daughters after our pressy swapping mission at lunchtime.
I kindly offered to pedal over to pick it up
Taking the longer route on the way back, I extended the 1 mile total route to 6 miles

It was dark by the time I got home but I'd fitted the lights, which was just as well!

Only 6 miles, but fun nevertheless and great to pedal off the excess of mince pies..

https://www.strava.com/activities/811123871

 

[Elybazza61]

Nice Boxing day ride today with three other souls from the club; one of the usual routes to St Ives with a coffee stop in a 'fry-up' style cafe as the River Tea Rooms was closed and Costa was heaving.

Steady 75kms and the Garmin didn't shut down now I've re-set it(and the operator checked it was running)

https://www.strava.com/activities/811829223

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

A nice ride out in the sunshine before lunch today.

I went over Lyth Hill to start with then via a slightly roundabout route through Exfords Green and up to Oaks. The back way to Pulverbatch, up to Wilderley and across to Leebotwood where I turned back towards home via Acton Burnell and Condover.

After wind and rain the last few days the air was clear and the views good. I encountered one of the hunts gathering for their Boxing Day meet at Longden Common. The huntmaster asked if I was going to join them for a drink which I politely declined.

It's a while since I last rode up to Oaks and the climb doesn't seem as steep as it used to but the view is as worthwhile.

Through Wilderley the road has been recently resurfaced which was very nice, then my route took me onto lanes I've only ridden a few times before on the way to Leebotwood. Good to change the routine a bit.

From Leebotwood I was onto well known roads and had the wind assisting so made good progress. There were quite a few cyclists on this stretch and a few people walking off Christmas.

A nice trip if a little cold and windy. 27.1 miles at 12.4 mph average.

At the top of Lyth Hill and looking in the direction I'm headed.

Unmetalled lane at Exfords Green

Cars everywhere. The Boxing Day hunt is gathering........

.... but this is what I'm here for. Blue skies and far reaching views from Oaks.

The White Horse at Pulverbatch. Nice pub. I didn't stop though.

On the way to Wilderley. Fresh tarmacadam and another nice view towards the Wrekin.

 

[PeteXXX]

That's the Christmas hat trick completed! Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

After a fairly boozy Christmas Day evening, I was up with a rather slothful lark at about 08:00. First job to complete was preparing the spuds and other veg for Christmas dinner with the family at 15:00. The turkey was also stuffed and popped in the oven on it's lowest heat to get it cooking.
Once the chores were completed, I headed off to watch the Wild & Woolly motocross scramble at Arm Farm on t'other side of town.

Passing by Riverside Retail park, I think I might have spotted a parking place somewhere... Probably not though

I continued alongside the Washlands and past Beckets Park and the canal banks to my destination. I've usually driven there in previous years, but due to the hassle of parking, and the previous days booze, I was happy to stay off-road and pedalling to clear the cobwebs.

As I was on my bike, I couldn't get to the water jumps as it's a bit crowded, and couldn't leave my bike anywhere safe, I stuck to the more open sections of the race. I was looking for a new vantage point when I heard my name being shouted over the noise of the motocrossers.. A mate and his wife had turned up for the event as well. Another chap I ride (cycle) with occasionally has ridden this race a few times and reckons he'll never do it again... Bet he does though!!

Anyway, before the crowds left for their cars, I used the old A43 to get back towards town before dropping back onto the canal and riverbanks towards home.

On the return journey the retail park was even more rammed, with queues at both ends, and cars abandoned everywhere. Happily, I rode past without any delays.

My timing was spot on. Just time to clean & lube the bike, and enjoy a bit of sustenance, before carrying on with the turkey, pigs in blankets, roasties and veg which was actually ready on the dot of quarter past three..

25 miles in lovely weather for the time of year.

https://www.strava.com/activities/811776158

 

[CanucksTraveller]

With relatives visiting, my wife and I took the opportunity of free babysitting to get out together as she slowly increases her distances leading up to her first charity ride next year.
Out at around mid day into bright, low sunshine and a stiff southerly breeze, we headed northeast through Letchworth and Baldock before crossing the high and open countryside, moving fairly swiftly thanks to the wind, and finally descending down into the village of Ashwell. Kids were out everywhere on new scooters, skateboards and bikes.
With a quick breather in the village we simply reversed the route back, struggling into a headwind this time. This made a stop off in Baldock for a quick pint at the cyclist-friendly Orange Tree pub a very appealing temptation which I couldn't refuse.
Just 18 miles or so, but no map as I forgot to set my phone at the start.

On the plateau above Ashwell:

 

[Racing roadkill]

https://www.relive.cc/view/812011227

102 miles up to Basingstoke and back today.

I got 3 other hardy souls to join in. 2 of them had over done it yesterday, so bailed at about 20 miles. The other one made it all the way round.

We stopped for lunch in Basingstoke.

Nice day for it.

 

[DCLane]

For some daft reason my 12 year-old and myself decided to ride up Shibden Wall this morning with a couple of others from my club. Me? I need to be fully well to get up it in a decent time and pace. I got beaten uphill by him for the second time in 3 days

Oh, and I ended up on the tarmac side for the last part (just for double embarrassment!):