The_Weekend_Report_Guy
Pablo's Cycling Tours
- Location
- Coín, Málaga
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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With half a day to myself today, I set out on the CX for a few on and off road miles. My sprained ankle still isn't 100% fit, so I stayed away from too many hills as I don't want to over strain it. Still, I managed a decent ride, taking in quite a few of @biggs682 roads: Sywell, Hardwick, Holcot and Brixworth, before dropping onto the Brampton Valley Way back in to Northampton town.
Holcot, looking lovely in the Spring sunshine.
I did pop into the newish cafe for a cuppa first though.
As I'd brought my own snack, I decided to eat à la carte
Once through the town, I headed into the chilly Nor'Easterly breeze towards home, but decided to call in to No1 daughters house to plan a bike ride with my granddaughter tomorrow.
Back home on 33.3 miles in lovely sunshine, but not as warm as it looked, with a stiff breeze blowing..
https://www.strava.com/activities/913730081
Holcot, looking lovely in the Spring sunshine.
I did pop into the newish cafe for a cuppa first though.
As I'd brought my own snack, I decided to eat à la carte
Once through the town, I headed into the chilly Nor'Easterly breeze towards home, but decided to call in to No1 daughters house to plan a bike ride with my granddaughter tomorrow.
Back home on 33.3 miles in lovely sunshine, but not as warm as it looked, with a stiff breeze blowing..
https://www.strava.com/activities/913730081
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
Was feeling really bleurgh today, but thought that a nice bimble in the fresh air and sunshine was better than sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. Just did my usual 14 mile loop of Downham - Way Head - Coveney - Ely - Downham. Took it nice and slow, just as well, as the brisk and rather chilly breeze made it hard going in places.
On my way out, I saw that there was a Steam and Bygones fair in Downham, so spent a little bit of time ogling the steam engines, vintage tractors and classic cars before tootling off towards Way Head.
There was even a steam organ which was really cool - it was playing the can can, so there was me, whistling the tune as I cycled along... 
Saw ten cyclists out today, some friendly, some not. I always try to be courteous even if others are intent on being spoilsport grumpypants...
Besides, a nod or a wave doesn't cost you anything. 
On the climb up from Ely to Orwell Pit Farm, I got overtaken and distanced by three lads on mountain bikes. Well, I figures, I'm old enough to be their mother and they're on bikes meant for hilly stuff while I'm not, so not going to let it be an issue.
Mind, into that stiff headwind, they were a nice target to follow, and as soon as the road flattened out, it was back on the big chainring at the front and the small cogs on the rear, and I caught and passed them pretty sharpish. 
They weren't expecting it, and the looks on their faces made the whole ride worthwhile.
On my way out, I saw that there was a Steam and Bygones fair in Downham, so spent a little bit of time ogling the steam engines, vintage tractors and classic cars before tootling off towards Way Head.
There was even a steam organ which was really cool - it was playing the can can, so there was me, whistling the tune as I cycled along... Saw ten cyclists out today, some friendly, some not. I always try to be courteous even if others are intent on being spoilsport grumpypants...
Besides, a nod or a wave doesn't cost you anything. On the climb up from Ely to Orwell Pit Farm, I got overtaken and distanced by three lads on mountain bikes. Well, I figures, I'm old enough to be their mother and they're on bikes meant for hilly stuff while I'm not, so not going to let it be an issue.
Mind, into that stiff headwind, they were a nice target to follow, and as soon as the road flattened out, it was back on the big chainring at the front and the small cogs on the rear, and I caught and passed them pretty sharpish. They weren't expecting it, and the looks on their faces made the whole ride worthwhile. 
CanucksTraveller
Macho Business Donkey Wrestler
- Location
- Hertfordshire
With only 3 free days remaining to fit in a qualifying ride for the 50 a month challenge, I looked at the weather forecast and the phrase "carpe diem" came to mind. I set off up to Baldock to meet up with two ride buddies, and from there we decided that with a stiff northwesterly breeze, that was the direction to head in. (We wanted an easier ride back, naturally!)
So the route was Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Steeple Morden, Littlington, Bassingbourne, Abington Piggotts, Shingay, Guilden Morden, and back through Ashwell again. We had a pub stop at Abington Piggotts, which caused an amusing "heart" effect on the Strava map.
It was pretty fresh out, and hard work, but so nice to be out in mitts and bib shorts and all the summer gear, although I did wear a windproof jacket, which I was glad of.
52.9 k, 32.9 miles.
St Michael the Archangel church, Litlington.
A sleepy dog in the pub at Abington Piggotts:
On the road:
The US Army Air Force 355th Fighter Group memorial at Steeple Morden:
So the route was Hitchin, Letchworth, Baldock, Steeple Morden, Littlington, Bassingbourne, Abington Piggotts, Shingay, Guilden Morden, and back through Ashwell again. We had a pub stop at Abington Piggotts, which caused an amusing "heart" effect on the Strava map.
It was pretty fresh out, and hard work, but so nice to be out in mitts and bib shorts and all the summer gear, although I did wear a windproof jacket, which I was glad of.
52.9 k, 32.9 miles.
St Michael the Archangel church, Litlington.
A sleepy dog in the pub at Abington Piggotts:
On the road:
The US Army Air Force 355th Fighter Group memorial at Steeple Morden:
3 scalps in one go excellent workWas feeling really bleurgh today, but thought that a nice bimble in the fresh air and sunshine was better than sitting at home feeling sorry for myself. Just did my usual 14 mile loop of Downham - Way Head - Coveney - Ely - Downham. Took it nice and slow, just as well, as the brisk and rather chilly breeze made it hard going in places.
On my way out, I saw that there was a Steam and Bygones fair in Downham, so spent a little bit of time ogling the steam engines, vintage tractors and classic cars before tootling off towards Way Head.
Saw ten cyclists out today, some friendly, some not. I always try to be courteous even if others are intent on being spoilsport grumpypants...
On the climb up from Ely to Orwell Pit Farm, I got overtaken and distanced by three lads on mountain bikes. Well, I figures, I'm old enough to be their mother and they're on bikes meant for hilly stuff while I'm not, so not going to let it be an issue.
nickyboy
Norven Mankey
- Location
- You want hills? We got hills
There is a classic loop ride around here that features in lots of cycling magazines. Except I like to do the loop in reverse to the classic direction.
Basic idea is to leave Glossop and head up to Home Moss and get the hardest climb in first. Descend to Holmfirth then do another climb to get over to the Strines. The Strines is a very well known road, quiet and exposed but pretty well constant up and down. Just to finish off is Snake Pass and then descend into Glossop. It's 50 miles all in and about 5,200ft of climbing.
It's hard so I don't do it very often. But today was a fab day for a ride. 14-15 degrees, unbroken sunshine and a fairly light SE wind
The ride was notable for one thing; I set off towards Holme Moss into a bit of a headwind and after a while I could hear two cyclists behind me having a chat. I was working quite hard and they seemed very relaxed. The temptation was to put a bit more effort in but I still had 45 hilly miles to go so I needed to manage my effort. Finally they came alongside and one of them was Ed Clancy, Olympic Champion, OBE and pro rider for JLT Condor. No wonder he was happily chatting while I was working hard
Turned out he and his mate were nice chaps and good company. We rode together until about half way up Holme Moss. At that point I realised if I kept with them I would probably regret it later so I let them go and never saw them again
Other than that, fairly uneventful. Lots and lots of cyclists and the last 15 miles were all tailwind back over the Snake which was great as I was starting to flag by the end. I was out in shorts and a short sleeved top with a t shirt underneath. Still folk out in full winter gear....how do they manage???
Basic idea is to leave Glossop and head up to Home Moss and get the hardest climb in first. Descend to Holmfirth then do another climb to get over to the Strines. The Strines is a very well known road, quiet and exposed but pretty well constant up and down. Just to finish off is Snake Pass and then descend into Glossop. It's 50 miles all in and about 5,200ft of climbing.
It's hard so I don't do it very often. But today was a fab day for a ride. 14-15 degrees, unbroken sunshine and a fairly light SE wind
The ride was notable for one thing; I set off towards Holme Moss into a bit of a headwind and after a while I could hear two cyclists behind me having a chat. I was working quite hard and they seemed very relaxed. The temptation was to put a bit more effort in but I still had 45 hilly miles to go so I needed to manage my effort. Finally they came alongside and one of them was Ed Clancy, Olympic Champion, OBE and pro rider for JLT Condor. No wonder he was happily chatting while I was working hard
Turned out he and his mate were nice chaps and good company. We rode together until about half way up Holme Moss. At that point I realised if I kept with them I would probably regret it later so I let them go and never saw them again
Other than that, fairly uneventful. Lots and lots of cyclists and the last 15 miles were all tailwind back over the Snake which was great as I was starting to flag by the end. I was out in shorts and a short sleeved top with a t shirt underneath. Still folk out in full winter gear....how do they manage???
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
@PeteXXX nice ride by the sound of it .
Iwas up and out by 5.30 and was aiming at 40+ miles and ended up doing 43 Bmc powered miles this morning with a route taking in Northamptonshire,Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Down and across to Tyringham and Gayhurst via Turvey and Bach home via Olney,Yardley Hastings and home.
Chilly and frosty on the verges but nice and bright.
Iwas up and out by 5.30 and was aiming at 40+ miles and ended up doing 43 Bmc powered miles this morning with a route taking in Northamptonshire,Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Down and across to Tyringham and Gayhurst via Turvey and Bach home via Olney,Yardley Hastings and home.
Chilly and frosty on the verges but nice and bright.
ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
A lightweight gilet is the answer, Paul!
I soon whipped off my arm warmers this morning and spent the rest of my ride unzipping my gilet for the climbs and zipping it back up again for the descents. I didn't really feel too warm or too cold at any point on today's 5.75 hour ride and that is one of the few times since the start of November that I could honestly say that.
We really must get a ride sorted soon! Problem is, due to my stupid o'clock finish times, I don't get up very early..
Nearest we got, if I remember correctly, was at the bike powered aeroplane project, at Sywell, in the autumn.
I still in the planning stages of a CC cafe meet and possible hour ride based around Waterloo cafe in Market Harborough in June
Reynard
Guru
- Location
- Cambridgeshire, UK
3 scalps in one go excellent work
Thanks!
It's not often I get to overtake someone, never mind three in one go... With my short little legs and my tiny little bike, I'm usually on the receiving end... 
Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
First day of the racing season at Snetterton for me, but with plenty of time during the afternoon while Club Lotus held a sprint so I stuck the Whyte in the boot of the car and loaded a 35mile loop onto the Garmin.
Once out of the circuit it was over the A11 to the main village of Snetterton, down, back over then under the A11 again and up to the villlage of Shropham via a lane that made the choice of a sturdy bike the sensible option, while the wildlife in the surrounding fields thanks to the fishing lakes made the boneshaking ride worthwhile. After that it was down to Quidenham ...
and then a zig zag route to Thetford Forest Park where I'd found an off rosd which, on Street View, apeared to be hard packed soil, but turned out to be quite soft & deep sand which was "intersting" in only 28mm slicks. From there I'd planned to go back to the circuit via East Harling, but instead added an extra loop back around Quidenham and Kenninghall before returning to watch the late afternoon action.
Lovely ride in the afternoon sunshine, but the cold wind blowing across some of the wide open fields was stronger than expected.
https://www.strava.com/activities/914368467
Once out of the circuit it was over the A11 to the main village of Snetterton, down, back over then under the A11 again and up to the villlage of Shropham via a lane that made the choice of a sturdy bike the sensible option, while the wildlife in the surrounding fields thanks to the fishing lakes made the boneshaking ride worthwhile. After that it was down to Quidenham ...
and then a zig zag route to Thetford Forest Park where I'd found an off rosd which, on Street View, apeared to be hard packed soil, but turned out to be quite soft & deep sand which was "intersting" in only 28mm slicks. From there I'd planned to go back to the circuit via East Harling, but instead added an extra loop back around Quidenham and Kenninghall before returning to watch the late afternoon action.
Lovely ride in the afternoon sunshine, but the cold wind blowing across some of the wide open fields was stronger than expected.
https://www.strava.com/activities/914368467
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
Yes we must and yes that's right.
I only do early rides due to being busy rest of the day doing family stuff. How about an evening ride?
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
A nice 31 miles this morning on a proper bike.
Across to Thrapston via the Addingtons and then a new to couple of miles via Tywell then along to Barton Seagrave , Isham ,Orlingbury and home .
.
Across to Thrapston via the Addingtons and then a new to couple of miles via Tywell then along to Barton Seagrave , Isham ,Orlingbury and home .
.
