Pduk
Über Member
- Location
- Rugby, Earth
Had a day off work as I wanted to get out on the bike, new route today, not sure I’ll ride it again, but a decent afternoon still 
Your ride today....
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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Jenkins
Legendary Member
- Location
- Felixstowe
Yet another ride for lunch and drinks. Used the Pickenflick flat bar this time as I wanted to have a look at NCN 11 as a way of getting from Ely and Soham avoiding the horrendous A142 and it involves a very rough paved surface and a bit of gravel as well.
sevenfourate
Devotee of OCD
- Location
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
Hampered by a dodgy back most of the week - I doubted today. So as a halfway house to getting out and doing ‘anything’ - I swallowed a couple of something 🤷♂️ from the medicine cupboard in the hope of getting out for an hour: Mission accomplished 😁
Oulton Broad. Where a Power Boat racer was tragically killed Thursday Evening ☹️
Transport Museum, Carlton Colville:
St Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville:
North Sea from Pakefield, Lowestoft:
Lowestoft Towns main seafront:
Short and sweet 👍
Oulton Broad. Where a Power Boat racer was tragically killed Thursday Evening ☹️
Transport Museum, Carlton Colville:
St Peter’s Church, Carlton Colville:
North Sea from Pakefield, Lowestoft:
Lowestoft Towns main seafront:
Short and sweet 👍
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bluenotebob
Guru
- Location
- central Brittany, France
Out on my gravel bike yesterday with a plan to explore some villages, chapelles and crosses south of Ploërmel.
Down the V3 Voie Verte from Mauron to Ploërmel then I branched off east onto the VD6 – a Vélo Départmentale route that runs from Ploërmel east, crosses the Vilaine river at Messac and continues all the way to Vitré (via Moutiers). Because it’s a Vélo Départmentale, it changes its number when it crosses into a new départemente – but the route is easy to follow.
I’d cycled part of the VD6 back in the Spring of 2017 but I hadn’t covered much ground as the surface was sand+grit and really narrow in places. OK on a mountain bike but really impractical on a road bike.
I’d known that the VD6 had been closed for a few months for maintenance a couple of years back but I hadn’t paid it any attention. I wanted to use a few kilometres of the trail yesterday as a springboard to get me SE of Ploërmel to then loop back and I was on my gravel bike because I remembered how poor the surface was.
Blimey, it’s got a brand-new tarmac surface! What a pleasure to cycle on and so much better than it’s previous incarnation. New kilometre markers and improved crossing barriers too. It may also have been upgraded to full Voie Verte status ... I’ve spent time this morning looking on the internet to find out (but failing, as usual, to come up with any new info).
I followed the tarmac surface for 5kms to le Nolf before quitting and looping off south to explore St-Jean de Villenard (a village founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century).
I hope the improved surface of the VD6 continues for a long way east and I’ll return soon to explore more of it.
Headed west from St-Jean de Villenard through a succession of small villages, past numerous crosses and chapelles before going through an underpass under the N166 dual-carriageway. Through la Ville Pellerin (perhaps a corruption of “pèlerin” meaning “pilgrim”) and into Bézon to find its allée couverte (Stone-Age burial chamber). I read somewhere that there are eight crosses in Bézon – I only saw one and that appeared to be in someone’s front garden. But I’ll be back when I’m less tired and I’ll look for the other seven.
Dropped like a stone down the hill north from Bézon and reconnected with the VD6 before linking to the V3 and heading back to Mauron.
61kms in just over 4 hours (which included lots of stops for photos and map-checking).
The newly-surfaced VD6 (or perhaps it’s now the VV06?) south of Ploërmel. I chatted to the guy walking his dog but he didn’t know how far the new surface extends.
The approach to le Nolf
Chapelle and cross at la Gaudinais
Allée couverte (burial chamber) at Bézon
Down the V3 Voie Verte from Mauron to Ploërmel then I branched off east onto the VD6 – a Vélo Départmentale route that runs from Ploërmel east, crosses the Vilaine river at Messac and continues all the way to Vitré (via Moutiers). Because it’s a Vélo Départmentale, it changes its number when it crosses into a new départemente – but the route is easy to follow.
I’d cycled part of the VD6 back in the Spring of 2017 but I hadn’t covered much ground as the surface was sand+grit and really narrow in places. OK on a mountain bike but really impractical on a road bike.
I’d known that the VD6 had been closed for a few months for maintenance a couple of years back but I hadn’t paid it any attention. I wanted to use a few kilometres of the trail yesterday as a springboard to get me SE of Ploërmel to then loop back and I was on my gravel bike because I remembered how poor the surface was.
Blimey, it’s got a brand-new tarmac surface! What a pleasure to cycle on and so much better than it’s previous incarnation. New kilometre markers and improved crossing barriers too. It may also have been upgraded to full Voie Verte status ... I’ve spent time this morning looking on the internet to find out (but failing, as usual, to come up with any new info).
I followed the tarmac surface for 5kms to le Nolf before quitting and looping off south to explore St-Jean de Villenard (a village founded by the Knights Templar in the 12th century).
I hope the improved surface of the VD6 continues for a long way east and I’ll return soon to explore more of it.
Headed west from St-Jean de Villenard through a succession of small villages, past numerous crosses and chapelles before going through an underpass under the N166 dual-carriageway. Through la Ville Pellerin (perhaps a corruption of “pèlerin” meaning “pilgrim”) and into Bézon to find its allée couverte (Stone-Age burial chamber). I read somewhere that there are eight crosses in Bézon – I only saw one and that appeared to be in someone’s front garden. But I’ll be back when I’m less tired and I’ll look for the other seven.
Dropped like a stone down the hill north from Bézon and reconnected with the VD6 before linking to the V3 and heading back to Mauron.
61kms in just over 4 hours (which included lots of stops for photos and map-checking).
The newly-surfaced VD6 (or perhaps it’s now the VV06?) south of Ploërmel. I chatted to the guy walking his dog but he didn’t know how far the new surface extends.
The approach to le Nolf
Chapelle and cross at la Gaudinais
Allée couverte (burial chamber) at Bézon
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
The usual Saturday group ride for me today. We managed to skirt the storms to the cafe but our luck ran out a bit on the way to the pub. One of my mates went on as he was wet enough but he'd been better joining us in the tree'd beer garden because it turned torrential at times.
Attachments
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roubaixtuesday
self serving virtue signaller
Drove the tandem to Ruthin for a day in North Wales and a swim in Llyn Tegid.
Alas we wimped the swim, it being rather cool and windy, but a marvellous day out in the lanes was had.
The Lake:
Meandering River Dee:
CTC repairer and Owain Glyndwr in Corwen
57 miles, 1250m climbing. Felt tougher with so much time in back lanes, sudden gradients, slow descents and dodgy surfaces.
Alas we wimped the swim, it being rather cool and windy, but a marvellous day out in the lanes was had.
The Lake:
Meandering River Dee:
CTC repairer and Owain Glyndwr in Corwen
57 miles, 1250m climbing. Felt tougher with so much time in back lanes, sudden gradients, slow descents and dodgy surfaces.
Mburton1993
Über Member
- Location
- Stalybridge
lazybloke
Ginger biscuits and cheddar
- Location
- Leafy Surrey
Normally I'd ride the 20-25 miles up to London for a Friday night ride to the coast, but I just wasn't in the right mood so yook my bike on the train. I figured I'd be fine once on the bike in London, and maybe I'd ride home again in the morning.
Actually felt pretty good doing my usual thing of cycling by a few London landmarks.
Then over to the meeting point to see lots of familiar faces from the Fridays. I was feeling good again, glad I'd come out tonight. In fact, I really needed this ride after a hell of a week trying to balance work with a worsening family care situation; I needed some time for me, and cycling is my therapy.
The Fridays right south towards Brighton was largely old turf, heading to the halfway point at the Burstow Scout hut via Oval, Clapham Common, Wallington, Farthing Down and Bletchingley. All very social too, and by now I was relaxed and in my element.
Returning to my bike after the halfway stop, there was light in the east, and what I assumed to be Venus hanging in the sky. Heading off again, the food wasn't sitting right in my stomach. At a regrouping point, I felt more than a little sick. Letting the group know I was bailing out, I had a wave of dizziness, and had to sit for a few minutes, watching the red lights fade away in the distance.
My last glance of Turner's Hill.
Cycling back north, my stomach "rebelled", after which I felt a lot better; i briefly considered trying to rejoin the group, but with a 15 minute head start and not being sure of the revised route, that seemed insanity.
Got back to Crawley, and realised I was near to a couple of missing veloviewer squares so went and bagged them. Then made my way home in gorgeous early morning sunshine./
Didn't fancy an ascent of Box Hill
Got home at about 8am Saturday morning, which means I'd been awake for 26 hours. And with 71 miles on the clock, I was exhausted. Shower & bed.
(Edited due to missing words, and generally not making sense. It ain't perfect, but that'll do)
Actually felt pretty good doing my usual thing of cycling by a few London landmarks.
Then over to the meeting point to see lots of familiar faces from the Fridays. I was feeling good again, glad I'd come out tonight. In fact, I really needed this ride after a hell of a week trying to balance work with a worsening family care situation; I needed some time for me, and cycling is my therapy.
The Fridays right south towards Brighton was largely old turf, heading to the halfway point at the Burstow Scout hut via Oval, Clapham Common, Wallington, Farthing Down and Bletchingley. All very social too, and by now I was relaxed and in my element.
Returning to my bike after the halfway stop, there was light in the east, and what I assumed to be Venus hanging in the sky. Heading off again, the food wasn't sitting right in my stomach. At a regrouping point, I felt more than a little sick. Letting the group know I was bailing out, I had a wave of dizziness, and had to sit for a few minutes, watching the red lights fade away in the distance.
My last glance of Turner's Hill.
Cycling back north, my stomach "rebelled", after which I felt a lot better; i briefly considered trying to rejoin the group, but with a 15 minute head start and not being sure of the revised route, that seemed insanity.
Got back to Crawley, and realised I was near to a couple of missing veloviewer squares so went and bagged them. Then made my way home in gorgeous early morning sunshine./
Didn't fancy an ascent of Box Hill
Got home at about 8am Saturday morning, which means I'd been awake for 26 hours. And with 71 miles on the clock, I was exhausted. Shower & bed.
(Edited due to missing words, and generally not making sense. It ain't perfect, but that'll do)
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sevenfourate
Devotee of OCD
- Location
- Lowestoft, Suffolk
I felt a sudden urge for some pedalling before the rain set in for the afternoon. Lovely to be out it was too 👌
Lowestoft’s Gullwing Bridge:
Some Lawn Bowls at Kensington Gardens:
Looking South from the Pakefield end of Town:
Gunton Cliff, nr Corton……..
Quick loop of the Town was had 👌
Lowestoft’s Gullwing Bridge:
Some Lawn Bowls at Kensington Gardens:
Looking South from the Pakefield end of Town:
Gunton Cliff, nr Corton……..
Quick loop of the Town was had 👌
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cyberknight
As long as I breathe, I attack.
- Location
- Land of confusion
1st club ride and any long ride in over 6 weeks due to my dodgy knee which over the last week has felt a lot better so i decided to chance a club ride and sit on the wheels but of course as my knee felt good i got a bit enthusiastic 
.My knee still feels ok but i had a hot bath as i ached all over then i took a naproxen tablet i have left to calm things down just in case .Because i have been working more on seated power i was surprised i managed to keep up as i have always been a dancer on the pedals on hills but now i can put that power down sitting , i may not spin like some but i can push a lower gear on the hills pretty much the same speed as i can ride out of the saddle and i only stood up for a couple of full on efforts .
Cafe stop at deer park farm in hoar cross which is expensive and coming out my doctor i have been seeing about my straight jacket got out of a car and said hi .
At the end of the ride i needed 10 more miles to get the metric century in so i had to get it done ,
.My knee still feels ok but i had a hot bath as i ached all over then i took a naproxen tablet i have left to calm things down just in case .Because i have been working more on seated power i was surprised i managed to keep up as i have always been a dancer on the pedals on hills but now i can put that power down sitting , i may not spin like some but i can push a lower gear on the hills pretty much the same speed as i can ride out of the saddle and i only stood up for a couple of full on efforts .Cafe stop at deer park farm in hoar cross which is expensive and coming out my doctor i have been seeing about my straight jacket got out of a car and said hi
.At the end of the ride i needed 10 more miles to get the metric century in so i had to get it done ,
This morning I had a solo ride on one of my old Covid routes, probably not ridden it for several years.
Only 20 miles with 980 ft climbing but great to get out and I’m just ahead of my yearly distance progress graph.
I love South Wiltshire roads, on this ride I met a French couple backpacking to Salisbury and Stonehenge who were expressing their surprise about how hilly it is, they have already ridden Cornwall & Devon.
Only 20 miles with 980 ft climbing but great to get out and I’m just ahead of my yearly distance progress graph.
I love South Wiltshire roads, on this ride I met a French couple backpacking to Salisbury and Stonehenge who were expressing their surprise about how hilly it is, they have already ridden Cornwall & Devon.
A rainy day was forecast by the BBC and confirmed by the met office but I decided to ignore both and headed out. The concession was I kept to the lower parts of the area. I first headed up river to Kirby Lonsdale which was still quiet when I arrived. I opted to press on and westward across the limestone uplands of Hutton Roof and Farleton. There are a maze of tiny single track roads but fortunately I didn’t encounter tractors and the gates were all open. I came down the hill and crossed Lancaster canal and the M6,continuing the journey toward the coast at Milnthorpe. Lunch was taken at Arnside. I’d been irritated by a noise from the back wheel all ride and was imagining all sorts of catastrophic causes. Fortunately I noticed a piece of cleaning cloth stuck in one of the jockey wheels! Home was reached via the AONB with some great coastal views. 81 km with 918 m of climbing.
Pictures of River Lune, Lancaster canal and Arnside viaduct.
Pictures of River Lune, Lancaster canal and Arnside viaduct.
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Elybazza61
Guru
Today did a nice leisurely 30km's with the better half looping Little Downham via Littleport with a croissant and coffee at home at the end.
Yesterday had planned for an early start and long ride to work but overslept (after getting up at 4:00am for the loo) so just scraped in a nippy 40k.
Yesterday had planned for an early start and long ride to work but overslept (after getting up at 4:00am for the loo) so just scraped in a nippy 40k.
Lots of crackers on here - which I'll peruse at my leisure
Yesterday: Into town on the Routier for a stag do; about 10hrs not getting shitfaced with a raft of old faces then a waft around the cool midnight streets before home for some fresh line-dried bed linen and fruity yoghurt.. a little under 14 miles.
Today: Sleep deprived but not hungover and out fasted for the usual tour-de-charity shops. Came away empty handed but nearly committed to a butter dish... Scored a solitary packet of reduced chicken in M&S for the first time in weeks; then on to the rings for a punishing but somewhat rewarding session (which I'll write up in the usual thread so it can be ignored in a more appropriate location) finally over Port Meadow to Waitrose for a few reduced bargains; scoring a light breakfast of some fat, fragrant blackberries en-route along the tow path
Was surprised by the super hot redhead in town; managed to say hello as I passed but didn't stop as she may have been with someone (for added awkwardness); which is a shame as I was in a good headspace today. Roll on the next opportunity and subsequent excuses....
Finally home for an obscenely large and diverse salad after about 28 miles - I've slipped a little on the rolling 7/30 day averages but they can't keep going up forever and I'm still getting out far more than I have at pretty much any time in the past.
Unfortunately no pictures recently as I've decided that Google knows enough about me without literally tracking my every move, so the work phone (and its integrated camera) now gets left in the office. Hoping to buy a pancake lens for my old DSLR once funding is more amenible; so hopefully normal (actually superior) service will be resumed shortly
Yesterday: Into town on the Routier for a stag do; about 10hrs not getting shitfaced with a raft of old faces then a waft around the cool midnight streets before home for some fresh line-dried bed linen and fruity yoghurt.. a little under 14 miles.
Today: Sleep deprived but not hungover and out fasted for the usual tour-de-charity shops. Came away empty handed but nearly committed to a butter dish... Scored a solitary packet of reduced chicken in M&S for the first time in weeks; then on to the rings for a punishing but somewhat rewarding session (which I'll write up in the usual thread so it can be ignored in a more appropriate location) finally over Port Meadow to Waitrose for a few reduced bargains; scoring a light breakfast of some fat, fragrant blackberries en-route along the tow path
Was surprised by the super hot redhead in town; managed to say hello as I passed but didn't stop as she may have been with someone (for added awkwardness); which is a shame as I was in a good headspace today. Roll on the next opportunity and subsequent excuses....
Finally home for an obscenely large and diverse salad after about 28 miles - I've slipped a little on the rolling 7/30 day averages but they can't keep going up forever and I'm still getting out far more than I have at pretty much any time in the past.
Unfortunately no pictures recently as I've decided that Google knows enough about me without literally tracking my every move, so the work phone (and its integrated camera) now gets left in the office. Hoping to buy a pancake lens for my old DSLR once funding is more amenible; so hopefully normal (actually superior) service will be resumed shortly
