Your ride today....

[Old jon]

Well, shame on this old folkie! Or fogey if you prefer. I could not bring the word to mind for the previous ride report, but it popped into the gap this morning, so I decided on a widdershins ride to celebrate the word. And on the fixed again, because I could.

Chilly again, all the ride through, not much breeze and it stayed dry. Made for a pretty good 30 miles around the flatter bits near Leeds, just over 1100 feet of climbing reported by the Garmin. And it all starts just outside the front door. The first six miles are slightly predictable, the Holbeck meander and the swift scurry under the railway station, first two cyclists seen. Back to Great Wilson Street and across the river for the second time, the first was under the station, at Crown Point Bridge. The three ‘R’s, Regent, Roseville and Roundhay, to reach the Clock at Oakwood, Boot Hill without gears, gasp, gasp! Turn right onto Red Hall Lane, straight on for Skeltons and then at Thorner Lane turn right and pedal along to the A 64. Left, and the next right for the mostly downhill through Scholes and a bit of a climb into Barwick in Elmet.

I suppose the maypole is away for new ribbons or something, anyway, it is not there that I can see. Aberford next, and the second crossing of Cock Beck followed by the unsuspected uphill bit to the A 64 again. Cross at the roundabout and take the Bramham road all the way to the Thorner turn off across the A 1M. Another seeming uphill stretch most of the way to Thorner, but there are some easier bits. Out of the village, Sandhills again, and reach the end of Skeltons Lane for the second time today. Turn right and reverse retrace the outward route back to the front door I started at. A good ride.

Completed with the map.

 

[13 rider]

After a big my day yesterday which made have seen me overindulge A lazy morning was called for. Pushed the bike out just after 1300 for an hour or so to spin the legs and clear the head . Soon realised it was another typical English bank holiday defintiely chilly . Local loop to Quorn and back and 19.1 miles in the bag . Highlight was overtaking a motorised vehicle . A mini traction engine doing 5mph but it still counts . Got home feeling better for getting out now leftover cake and coffee

 

[gbb]

North easterly here so modestly cold...I seem to be become ever more averse to the cold and mythered for ages to go out. Kicked my own ass and got out, not as bad as I feared although I did dress up pretty well.
Just a leisurely 17.5 at no great pace, as many have said, a heavy day yesterday so good to blow off the stodginess.
Pboro, along the Nene to Whittlesey, cut across to Fen gate, town and home.
Please
Home made pork curry (made by me) to round it off.

 

[Dave 123]

IF IT WASNT SO COLD IT'D BE WARM!

That was my observation 3/4 of the way through this ride. The sun was out for all of it, and so were my knees.
With just under a mile gone Jo announced that she'd forgotten to pick up any money. That was the tea stop scuppered then!
It was just a local patch ride on the tandem that took us through Toft, the bottom of Bourn and over the A1198 at Longstowe. Then we saw some buzzards and a kestrel.
On the hill down into Gamlingay we hit 32.9mph, what headwind there was held us back a fair old bit. Just opposite Gamlingay wood is a house with a small remnant of old woodland at the bottom of their garden

On past Waresley GC, feeling thirsty...! At Waresley wood the cars were spilling out on to the road.

We got to Great Gransden and for a change we stopped at the church, St Bartholomew's.

The window commemorated the Canadian 405 RCAF Pathfinder airmen who were stationed locally in WW2.

The rest of the ride was uneventful, but we did avoid Bourn airfield and it's bank holiday market. All the drivers would be high on candy floss and hot dogs!

Anyhow, 26.5 miles done in the sun. I could do with a little warmth!


https://www.strava.com/activities/946294641

 

[cosmicbike]

More commuting miles on the way home this morning, tired after 6 shifts so straight home for me and into bed. Up at lunchtime, realised a lack of cereal so a quick utility ride into Egham, where the free Waitrose coffee was very welcome. As @Stonechat discovered earlier this week, sometimes the level crossings around here can be a nightmare. I have little loops I go round if the barriers are down, and needed 3 of these on the way to town, did 2 on the way back before giving up and going the other way. 3 miles trip ended up at 5.2 miles.
Morning off tomorrow, then back on the commute in the evening

 

[NorthernDave]

Another forecast promising early sunshine, so out on the Road Comp again give the roads were still damp from the over night rain and, perhaps more importantly it was nearest the door and ready to go, ploughing a familiar furrow up Coal Road, Red Hall Lane, the A58 and onto Whin Moor Lane.
Not sure why but I struggled to get going this morning and my legs felt like lead. Maybe I'm suffering from an excess of Easter Eggs?

Right in Shadwell for a bit of variation and on towards Slaid Hill lights, getting passed far too closely by an Adsa delivery van on an otherwise empty road. The plum driving was staring right at me in his mirror too, so he'd either realised he was too close, or did it on purpose and was looking for a reaction?
Right at the lights heading onto Wike Ride Lane when I was overtaken by a Fiesta with 'New Driver' plates that started indicating to turn left while still alongside me and cut straight across me onto Wigton Lane
Maybe I do need to buy an action camera...

Anyway, down into the dip and up the other side taking the next right onto Tarn Lane and the run across the top recrossing Coal Road and then onto Ling Lane and down to the A58.
Left here and down the hill, before another right onto Thorner Lane and the quick twisty downhill before the climb up Scarcroft Hill. The downhill bit went fine, but then as I started the climb the bike refused point blank to change down into the small cog at the front under any sort of load, causing me to grind to a halt. Sorted it was off again from a dead start, leading to lots of huffing and puffing as I ground my way slowly up the hill.
Onto Milner Lane and along the ridge, getting back into the big cog and noticing the indexing on the rear cassette wasn't great either, with changes not being as smooth as they should be, and a occasional delay in changing before a sudden jerky clunk and a jump between cogs.
Goodness me, I said to myself, what on earth has happened to this since yesterday?
Through East Rigton, getting in the right cog early for the short sharp climb to Rigton Green and onto Bramham Lane, which for all it's deserted loveliness was simply too muddy at the dogleg bend today. I've reported it again, along with the deteriorating road surface, but I doubt anything will happen given previous performances.
Across Jewitt Lane and up to the other Thorner Lane, again with gears clicking and clacking away up the rise.
I stopped at the junction for a breather as I really wasn't feeling it today - I'd originally set of with half a plan to do a metric half, but a combination of cockwomble drivers, recalcitrant gears and leaden legs were enough to have me turning right along Thorner Lane and start heading for home. It's been a long while since I've felt like this while out on a ride, so lets hope today was just one of those days.

Back along Milner Lane and down the hill into Thorner, where I decided to head home via Carr Lane to at least add a couple of extra miles on.
Now while I got into a decent rhythm this didn't feel especially quick, but when I got home I discovered that I'd actually set a new PB along here, so things can't have been too bad, can they?
A quick dash along the A58 and then Coal Road and local roads down to home.

17.55 miles (28.24km) in 1h 19m at an average of 13.3mph, with just 869ft climbed. Taking the positives from it, at least I got out there and I did 17 miles more than anyone sat on the couch and the unexpected PB was a bonus. I promise to try harder next time.

Sorry no photos today - but after Saturdays badly drawn chicken, here is a map that looks a bit like a squiggly ostrich:

 

[bruce1530]

A fine morning, went out for a short ride. Started off by heading up my “local” hill - about a mile from where I live. About half a mile of road within the town, then a mile or so of single track country road towards the farm at the top of the hill. The first bit is very slightly uphill, then a steeper bit, a short downhill and a final climb to the farm. Nothing special, but it’s usually a good test of how fit (or otherwise!) I’m feeling.

It started well. Clear junction at the bottom, and favourable traffic through the town meant I wasn’t held up. No oncoming traffic as I turned right to leave the town, so straight through the junction. Checked the timer - I wasn’t feeling particularly fast, but I was making good time. Might even get a personal best.

Up the steep bit, down the short downhill section, and up out of the seat for the last climb to the farm. Just a few hundred yards... only 100 yards to go..... at which point a tractor pulled out of a field, completely blocking the road.......

Anyway - back down the hill, and did a 25k loop - out via country roads, back along the main coast road.

 

[gavroche]

I did my longest ride so far this year: 36 miles ( 57kms) . For a while now, ever since leaving the school I work at, I have promised myself I would ride it from home. Today was the day. I rode from home to the other side of Prestatyn ( east side) ,then past the school on way back, Rhudland, Rhyl where I stopped at my son's house for a cuppa, biscuits and toilet break and then back home. My legs are tired now but I enjoyed every mile of it. My next goal is to ride to Bewts y Coed which will be 45 miles. I think I will do that one with my son in law next time he comes up from Stoke on Trent.

 

[Arjimlad]

My wife asked sweetly if I minded if she went out for a walk this morning at 0645 aware that I might have been thinking of getting out for a ride.

So it was only fair that she drove our daughter across the Severn Bridge to Caldicot Castle to free me up to ride over there to see them. It is only 18.5 miles but made for a very nice ride, I found some nice back lanes from Chepstow on Cyclestreets to avoid the busy A-roads.

Lots of folks out on their bikes today too. A little damp on the home run but altogether very nice riding. Tested out the new tyres rather well too as some of the roads were a little rough..

https://www.strava.com/activities/946215557

 

[iandg]

A short ride on local trails to test the bags before the Dirty Reiver

View: https://www.strava.com/activities/946027460/embed/ae6e8187c2623b703439ac8ac0a99f5b9ccf6a00

 

[Gareth C]

Beachcombin' - short (in distance) but long (in time) ride around the sands at Teesmouth...

 

[Roadhump]

After an Easter weekend of football and relatives, I managed to get out this afternoon and rode over to Ormskirk, through Lathom and Hoscar, and up to the small village of Mawdesley, down to Rufford, through Holmeswood and up to Mere Brow, then I skirted Tarleton, rode through the vast area of farmland between there and Southport and headed into Crossens and Churchtown at the top end of Southport, across the moss from Churchtown and back home across Birkdale Cop moss.

This was my second clipless ride, I have never used them before and so far it's been okay, no mishaps but clipping my left foot back in when moving off from stationary is a bit awkward at times, I am sure it will come eventually thought, here are my shoes stuck to my pedals, sure you have all seen things like this before but I like the photo

Along the way today, I rode along Mains Lane near Hoscar which runs alongside the River Tawd, which flows into the Douglas. The "confluence" of these 2 rivers can be seen from the road near Mawdesley:

The Tawd is the one to the right, it starts somewhere around Skelmersdale before reaching the Douglas, which then flows up to Tarleton and Hesketh Bank and into the Ribble estuary. Anyway, that;s the CC Your ride today Geography lesson....proud of myself for remembering the word "confluence" from Geogers at school, even if this confluence is pretty small as confluences go .

I covered 39 miles today, average speed was 15.3 mph, and I have now done 999.28 miles this year.

 

[Katherine]

I didn't want to get up early to join some of the club members who were out this morning and it was late morning by the time I'd set off. Second proper ride on my new B Twin today, 45 enjoyable hilly miles up through Belmont, Chorley and Rivington. (2348 feet elevation!) What a pleasure on a lighter bike. I did notice it was a bit more skittish going down though and I lost my nerve a few times and braked quite a bit more than I would have on the Dawes Galaxy. Lots of PR's but I've still got a lot of work to do if I want to keep up in group on this kind of ride. I was overtaken many times and didn't catch up with anyone!
Some great views despite the black clouds.

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[I like Skol]

Sounds great. Was that your first time of riding over Warburton Bridge? Car drivers on there must be used to cyclists as it's it the best way to get onto the Cheshire lanes from the west side of Manchester. Our club rides regularly come out through Culcheth and Glazebury.
An alternative would be past United's training ground and over the footpath on Irlam locks.

Yep, 1st time on that bridge. I was expecting a little stone humpback bridge, not the towering Victorian edifice we encountered.

 

[I like Skol]

Got back from my 1st cycle mini-tour last night. Took my two sons age 11 and 14 for a little tester to check out the feasibility of bigger, more involved tours in the future. Travelling from Ashton-under-Lyne on Tuesday headed for a campsite just outside Culcheth for our overnight stay and then on Wednesday slightly less mileage but a little hill at the end before reaching my wife's workplace where we would load the bikes onto the roof rack for a lift home to our own beds.

Day 1
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From Ashton it was straight onto the Ashton Canal towards Manchester, gradually losing height as we passed along this well surfaced and often travelled route to the big smoke. My bike was like a tank as it had 4 panniers loaded with most of the gear we wanted to try and make the trip do-able but without yet heading out to buy any specialised equipment.
We stopped off at some of the notable landmarks along the way...
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My favourite part of this stretch of canal is the passage under the Piccadilly area where the canal passes under/is built over by the towering buildings above. The narrow walkways and locks all occupy the gloomy space beneath where there are ALWAYS a small number of shady characters loitering suspiciously in the shadows, not really a place I would like my kids or wife to go unaccompanied!
Going underground......
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Passing through the centre of Manchester along Canal Street and past Deansgate locks we decided to have a little breather outside a bar in Castlefield while the sun was shining, before continuing on the Bridgewater Canal out to Broadheath, near Altrincham, passing another famous stadium along the way.
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From Broadheath we then diverted on to the Trans-Pennine Trail past Dunham Massey, leaving the trail just before Rush Green where we crossed the River Bollin on a lane that turned out to be little more than a farm track and deposited us in Warburton just before an unexpected toll bridge.
The Bollin crossing....
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I would have taken a picture of the rather impressive Warburton toll bridge but it was rather busy and I was a little concerned for my two boys. After this we headed up Dam Lane and School lane past Risley Moss where I could swear we met @MossCommuter heading the other way looking fast and focused all in black! I shouted "Mossy" a couple of times as he disappeared into the distance but he either didn't hear or maybe recognised me and pretended not to hear
We crossed over the M62 and then crossed the large Birchwood landfill site via another rather bumpy and unsuitable path! It was here that our carton of milk gave up the ghost and started dripping out of the bottom of one of the panniers. Luckily by this point we were only a mile or two from our destination for the day and passed a local Sainsbury's in Culcheth so could restock the lost milk.
It was gloriously sunny when we pitched our tent for the night.
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Dinner that evening was taken in the Italian restaurant in Culcheth which brought the days mileage upto 34 miles, not bad for day 1.

Now I have more time to spare and have got the Easter weekend madness out of the way I thought I had better come back and complete this story so you know we are not still stuck on a campsite somewhere near Warrington
Day 2
The second day started damp, cold and breezy so we didn't waste much time packing up and hitting the road. We had slept surprisingly well considering there was 3 of us in a two man tent and only woke some time after 8.30 (the kids are usually restless by 6.30 when camping). We ate our cereals (with milk) and knocked up some hot chocolates and a coffee to warm us before setting off to the nearby Pennington Flash before 10am. We were in no rush as we only needed to cover approx. 25 miles during the day to arrive at Lady Skol's place of work in Skelmersdale at 5pm for our lift home.
Pennington Flash.... we avoided the obvious smutty picture opportunity but were glad of a hot breakfast roll and another hot drink

From here we jumped onto the adjacent Leeds-Liverpool Canal and headed to Wigan to try and find the world famous Wigan Pier (I didn't check beforehand but assumed it would be on the canal somewhere. The canals network was doing great job of providing us with well surfaced, traffic free routes for most of this trip and the stretch to Wigan proved to be equally as good as the Canals we had used in Manchester.

Oops, picture limit, to be continued.......