Your ride today....

[cosmicbike]

This weather is driving me mad. I've had a low mileage week due to ice and family commitments leaving me taking the van to work, but this morning decided it was OK for the bike to work.
Stuck to the main roads right through to Stanwell where I found Oakes Road to be an ice rink, with a not too slippy bit down the middle. 1 degree C it was, so suitably dressed for that.
Coming home, raining so wet gear on. Stopped after 2 miles as rain stopped, stripped some layers, but still too hot when O got home. 11 degrees C . Madness.

 

[Aravis]

To meet some not terribly interesting targets I needed one more ride, and the Met Office forecast for today looked perfect. When I looked out at about 5:30 I was a little perturbed to see clear skies and frost forming on the cars, but I went out just before 7 hoping for the best.

No problems on the A38, but when I turned off to head for the Cotswolds the minor roads were covered in ice. This was especially severe in any hollows, so I proceeded cautiously hoping that when I climbed upwards I would leave it behind. Because one of my targets related to climbing I was reluctant to abandon my carefully planned route. Anyway, before too long I'd reached the Somerset Monument (a new one on me) and began my brief tour of the uplands around the Badminton estate.

It was still horribly icy (a chap walking his dog warned me of this). I passed through the village of Leighterton with its attractive pond:

Liquid water in the puddles here. If only it had always been so.

Onward to Badminton, and back towards the Cotwolds ridge. At last the temperature climbed enough to remove the ice from the roads, and I had no anxiety on the descent. Now to the Severn Bridge and the A48 to Lydney, once upon a time my regular commute.

Heading up the valley from Lydney into the Forest, suddenly the appearance of lying snow, not what I'd expected. I paused at a suitable photo opportunity near Cannop:

Familiar routes from here. Down to the Wye at Lydbrook, and onwards to Newent.

I've passed this spot many times, and today was hoping to see the snow-capped Malverns illuminated by the late afternoon sun. In my dreams I'm afraid.

As the light faded, I passed this. I'm not quite sure what it's all about, but my destination was in the opposite direction.

Targets met, an hour after arriving home I was sitting comfortably when without warning my rear tyre spontaneously exploded. I haven't inpected the damage yet. It's one way of bringing this year's escapades to a close!

Happy Christmas everyone!

 

[hondated]

Well that's my qualifying ride done for December and 2017's Imperial Century a month challenge complete. Another gold star for me View attachment 387604

I was awake early this morning but was in two minds as to whether get out there and ride. The overnight weather report was for for minus temperatures and rain during the day. If I didn't do the ride today then I would have had only two other days in December to do the ride, and one of those would have been the 31st.

So, I just got out there and got on with it. It was very cold, it was icy in places and frosty in lots. But the going wasn't that bad. So early on a Sunday morning meant very little traffic so progress was pretty swift. 10.30am I was in Ashford International Station, the halfways stop warming up with a pot of tea, scrambled egg on toast and a huge choccy cake.

In Ashford Station. 53 miles in, a tad frosty.
View attachment 387605

I didn't hang around for too long as both the Norwegians and the BBC both predicted rain from 1pm onwards.
I just reversed the route put my head down and turned the pedals. Once again little traffic made for swift progress.

View attachment 387606


Come 1pm the predicted rain did arrive but not heavy, more a drizzle. It wasn't to bad but did last the rest of the ride. I had chosen my clothing and footwear wisely though so I was toasty warm and dry the whole ride. (those that are interested, Spesh Defroster Boots, Sealskinz Socks, DHB Roubaix Tights, Long Sleeve Base Layer, Altura Winter Jersey, ShuttVR Waterproof Jacket, Buff, Cycle Cap, Woolly hat and Altura Waterproof Winter Gloves.)

I walked in the door at 2.30pm. 101 miles on the clock and the challenge completed. Century # 31 for the year, # 228 over all and #85 Imperial Century month in a row. The bike was filthy.. but now all squeaky clean again.

Roll on 2018... it's just around the corner, the challenge starts again.

Ian you never cease to amaze me with the mileage you do and the weather you go out in. For the record you've cycled more miles than I have ridden my motorbike this year and that's including a ride down to Dijon. Forgot to add congratulations

 

[xzenonuk]

Had a 19.2 miler earlier and ended up outside Edinburgh zoo, I was dumb and took the newbridge to dalmeny cycle track on the way back,

So much ice on it, some long sections of thick solid uneven ice, had a minor fall and smacked my helmet on a bar end, think I will avoid that bit for the moment lol

 

[ianrauk]

Ian you never cease to amaze me with the mileage you do and the weather you go out in. For the record you've cycled more miles than I have ridden my motorbike this year and that's including a ride down to Dijon. Forgot to add congratulations

Cheers and thanks.
Yep done a fair few miles on the bike as usual this year but there are plenty of others out there and on here who do far more then me.
However, come next year, due to a change of life circumstances, my mileage won't be nearly as much as this and previous years.

 

[hondated]

Cheers and thanks.
Yep done a fair few miles on the bike as usual this year but there are plenty of others out there and on here who do far more then me.
However, come next year, due to a change of life circumstances, my mileage won't be nearly as much as this and previous years.

There certainly are Ian. Its the go to site if anyone needs any inspiration to get out on their bike.

 

[Old jon]

Warmer!! Must go for a ride, carpe diem and all that stuff. I don’t think the Romans had bikes though . . .

It is time to give the fixed some fresh air, and the space between the ears would benefit as well. So the usual erratic wander through the delights of Holbeck start off the ride, a pedal along Great Wilson Street after the Wings of Water Lane and keep going all the way past what used to was Cinder Bridge. Memories of airborne antics, hmmm. Anyway, the haul up to John o’ Gaunts seemed easier than usual this morning, I suspect a tailwind was helping. Turn left a little further along to pass Woodlesford station and along to the drop to Aberford Road. This was the only bit of the ride I thought might have been a bit slippery. I was wrong. After turning left and crossing both canal and river the climb up to Swillington produced a slithery moment as I rode across a bit of ironmongery in the road. The sort of thing I avoid as a rule, but the bike shook its head and continued in a more or less straight line without any assistance ( should that be intereference? ) from me.

Still with no real thought about just what roads to ride on, the climb out of Swillington persuaded me not to take the A 63 to pass Garforth. The thought of going up the cliff decided a route around the north of the town, staying on Aberford Road across the railway lines, and after the roadworks with traffic lights and queues. The roundabout over the M 1 is still big enough to put Lotherton Hall in the middle without disrupting traffic, a long winded way of saying it takes a while to ride around, and follow the B 1217 to the gates of that Hall. Turn left, up and down to Aberford and what was the Great North Road. Turn right and then left again onto Cattle Lane.



At the end of the video another cyclist was just in view, the second of the ride, and the third appeared after I had puffed and panted past the Maypole in Barwick in Elmet. That bit, away from the Maypole, is a lot easier than the climb from Cock Beck. Scholes was quiet this morning, very little was moving. I cannot say the same for the A 64, a long line of traffic took a while to pass before I could turn left and pedal along to the right turn for Thorner Lane. Skeltons Lane followed by Red Hall Lane all the way to the A 58. Almost inevitably the descent of Boot Hill follows, I do like going downhill. A short climb to the approach to the clock at Oakwood, which is followed by the ride down Roundhay Road and the other two, Roseville Road and Regent Street, to what was once a petrol station in the middle of a roundabout. Turn left, Crown Point Bridge to cross the river again and a fairly brisk ride up Leathley Road and Dewsbury Road to home. The Garmin managed a pleasing number of miles, 28.28 and my grin took no effort at all.

A map with no frost

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

It was icy as I headed out. I'd left it as long as possible to give it a chance to melt. Fortunately there wasn't much trouble, just a bit of ice in the lane to Bransford Bridge. I rolled up to the meet with just enough time to spare. 14 of us would take a roundabout route to Christmas Dinner. Others would make their way seperately.

Bill D was organiser and leader. He took us on some lanes I hadn't used for many years to Hallow and then on into the Ockeridge lanes. We emerged close to the venue with time to spare so he took us along to Martley and on around by Holling Farms on a loop before we reached the Cob House. Our numbers more than double now as plenty had arrived before us.

Soup, Turkey, Christmas Pud and Mince Pies. A super traditional dinner. Plenty of time to chat to old faces and new ones both on the ride and over the meal. It was getting quite dusky when I set out homeward. My lights went on as I took the easiest route back. It was pleasant to watch the light in the western sky die away through various shades of orange and red. Lovely wee outing and great to catch up with old pals and make some new ones. 38 smiles and more calories consumed than burnt (I suspect).

 

[cosmicbike]

INeeded to get my Metric half challenge ride in, and with limited options that meant an evening ride. I dug out my Cree X2 front light, and stopped at Halfrauds to pick up a Lezeyne just in case rear light. Glad I did as it turned out.
Headed out towards Chertsey with no particular route in mind, and ended up in Walton, crossing the Thames before heading to Brooklands. The half scale Concorde looked great, so I did a quick U turn to take a pic

At this point I noticed my rear light was very dim. Thankfully the new just in case one was fine. I swapped a battery from the front light into the rear, and fired up the Cree, not ideal in traffic as it's beam is a little, uncontrolled.. Perfect for when I got out into the complete darkness that was Foxhills though. Route changed slightly to get back into area's with street lighting as I lacked confidence in how long the Cree would last as it's been in the garage for about a year.
32.1 miles done, and metric half challenge completed for the 2nd year

 

[xzenonuk]

Got in 18.9 miles earlier, it was a good bit warmer as well and I never encountered any ice this time.

Decided to avoid all the busy Edinburgh roads so I headed to broxburn and ended up going until I got a good bit through dechmont.

Jumped on the canal for a bit on the way back and the only ice I seen was on the water surface, think I'll let my legs heal now

 

[pjd57]

Got in 18.9 miles earlier, it was a good bit warmer as well and I never encountered any ice this time.

Decided to avoid all the busy Edinburgh roads so I headed to broxburn and ended up going until I got a good bit through dechmont.

Jumped on the canal for a bit on the way back and the only ice I seen was on the water surface, think I'll let my legs heal now

What's the Union canal path like to ride on ?

I tend to go from Glasgow to the Kelpies and back. Nice easy 50 miles unless there's a breeze .
Never ventured on to the Union but I am thinking of doing Glasgow - Edinburgh and return on it .
Any advice welcome

 

[xzenonuk]

I find it a decent enough place for the Mtb, some bits get a bit sludgy and can get a bit bumpy in places but overall it is a easy enough ride,

I would never try my road bike on it though

Think it ends in tollcross in edinburgh. Edit: it also goes through westerhailes which is a pretty rough area.

 

[pjd57]

I find it a decent enough place for the Mtb, some bits get a bit sludgy and can get a bit bumpy in places but overall it is a easy enough ride,

I would never try my road bike on it though

Think it ends in tollcross in edinburgh. Edit: it also goes through westerhailes which is a pretty rough area.

I use the canal path in Glasgow all the time , Yoker,Possil, Maryhill etc so Westerhailes will feel like home territory

 

[derrick]

Nice 72 miles today, out to Thaxted for brunch, nice steady ride with a bit of drizzle along the way, Am suffering with a hacking cough at the moment, was not sure it was a good idea to ride. but having not ridden for a few days did not want to miss the opportunity. Had a nice scrambled egg and bacon on toast at the cafe, then back on the bike for the return trip. did struggle a bit with the last 10 miles, but it was nice to get back to the pub for a couple of well earned beers, a great day out with the guys.
https://www.strava.com/activities/1320905051

 

[pjd57]

A pleasant 15 mile night time round trip across Glasgow and back home.
Summerston to Celtic park. Mild night going. Bit chilly but frost free coming home.
I enjoy going through the city centre at night.
Afternoon games , I take a slightly longer but quieter route.