Your ride today....

[wafter]

Awoke feeling crap again, the realisation dawning that I'm probably getting ill.

Felt a lot better for an antihistamine and some caffeine (likely another issue to address) so got out on the bike for a utility run; layered up since it was cold and I didn't anticipate speed.

Beyond the partially-flooded meadow and past the river; flowing high and fast. Nothing scored at the first or second charity shops other than maybe a welcome eye from one of the female staff.

Got vaguely excited about a £40 navy Boss suit in the third but was put off by the usual stupid skinny legs ruining an otherwise passable garment. Similarly I passed over a nice light grey Uniqlo poloneck in the next shop as it was a bit too tight and pricey.

Bothered the rings mainly for some stretches since any effort had once more become unpleasant as the caffeine wore off; opening the door again to a raft of aches and tiredness.

Score of the day was a new £2 grey long-reach polypropylene shoehorn from the Scope shop - highly recommended if you need one!

I arrived home well before dark after about 18 miles; utterly knackered and with inceasingly numb extremities.

As has been de rigueur over the winter, glad I went out but equally glad to get back. Now in bed watching Inspector Morse on Youtube whist embracing the high probability that the outside world will resist visiting me with any demands until tomorrow

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Yesterday: I had a chance to get out if I went earlyish and I thought I'd try a hilly ride this time and see how I got on. The route to Oaks and Pulverbatch would be good for this as not only does it have the hills but there are a good number of bail out options if it was too much.

The legs didn't feel great at the start, aching as though I'd got the saddle too low (I don't think that I have) but they felt better once I'd got a couple of miles done. I headed up Lyth Hill and took the track across the top, which is very wet at the moment so I needed to wade through numerous puddles. Having dropped down the other side, I had a decent tailwind from Exford's Green to Plealey, where the long plod up to Oaks begins. This was a bit of an effort but I made it all the way up without needing a stop. I might have got on a little better if the gears hadn't been playing up again; I'm thinking that I am going to have to replace the rear derailleur before too long.

The steep climbs around Broom Hill went better than expected then I had mostly downhill to Pulverbatch which was fine except for meeting a large tractor and trailer that completely filled the lane and I needed to turn back to a gateway to allow them past.
I took the undulating section through Wilderley a bit slower than I'm used to, but was finding that I felt better than expected at this point on the various climbs. I did consider extending the ride but thought better of it given the very chilly conditions.

At Leebotwood it was a bit of a wait before I could get across the A49. Once onto the old Roman road though I found the wind helping a bit and made fairly decent progress to Longnor and along the lane to Ryton. At Condover I was originally thinking of going back the direct way but, still feeling fairly good, thought it would be nice to get a bit more distance and climbing under my belt and went via Little Lyth again. The steep part of the climb felt better than it has the last couple of times.

24.7 miles at 11.3 mph average and Strava says 1,793 feet of climbing. Good to get out despite the weather feeling bitter (fortunately I erred on the side of caution when layering up). This one felt like I'm making progress and I'm thinking that perhaps a few more slower and hillier rides would be good for building back the fitness.

Too misty to see the Stretton Hills from Lyth Hill this time.

The view to Eastridge from Broom Hill.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Today: I did have a hilly ride in mind but by the time I was able to get out I'd have been pushing it a bit to get back before the forecast rain arrived, so it was a trusty local route instead to Condover, Atcham, Upton Magna, Uffington and back via the centre of Shrewsbury.

I had someone kindly let me out onto the A49 and I got along to Condover a bit better than I'd expected with a headwind. Unfortunately it still seemed to be a headwind when I turned onto Lyons Lane, although it didn't seem to slow me down too much. I had the odd ache in the legs like at the start of yesterday's ride so this time I did pause shortly after the Kingstreet crossroads to adjust the saddle height, but only by a millimetre or so. That did seem to help though as did the wind once I'd got past Cross Houses.

I made steady progress past Attingham Park (a very courteous overtake from the driver of a skip lorry here ), to Berwick Wharf then on to Upton Magna where I picked up a proper tailwind on the way to Uffington, making this section feel very easy.
The old canal path was extremely muddy. The bike wasn't clean when I set off but it's now truly filthy so will need a good wash.

I found signs at Sydney Avenue saying the road was closed due to flooding but took the chance anyway and it was fine - the river is well clear of the road at the moment and I suspect that the council have just forgotten to take them down. The gate on the riverside path was closed and locked though so I took myself past the old gaol then up Castle Street instead before taking a little tour round the town centre, down to Victoria Avenue and through the Quarry. It was a little busy in the Quarry so I wasn't quick.

After crossing Greyfriars Bridge I worked my way round to Betton Street and used the cycle paths on the way home. The school day had just finished so there were a few kids out on bikes but thankfully I managed to be ahead of the main rush.

21.2 miles at 12.7 mph average. Strava says 754 feet of climbing. I got round reasonably quickly without pushing myself too hard. Enjoyed that and I feel good at the end of it, which is nice after the last month.

I wasn't really thinking about photos this time so I just got a couple of snaps at the weir:

 

[FrankCrank]

A morning ride (6:30) along a beach path in Prachuap Kiri Khan, here for a few days.
Last time we visited was pre COVID, but it's thankfully still as beautiful as I remember it.
Part way along there's a group of macaques, but no pics as they're known to be aggressive buggers, and might not appreciate having close up snaps taken. A monkey holding his bike will have to do.

 

[C R]

First early morning ride for a while. I need to get back into the routine, and as it wasn't raining, today was as good as any other day. I haven't been riding much recently, so my fitness, such as it was, is mostly gone. My plan was to try and easy 50k without any hills, just go get the legs turning.

Out through St Peters towards Rushwick along the cycle path. Still dark, but with some pink in the east, and the dawn chorus in full swing. The cycle path is on the right hand side of the road going towards Powick, so facing traffic, which is annoying, as the headlights make it difficult to see ahead. There was a runner ahead of me in the Carrington bridge, but it was hard to see them because of the headlights of the oncoming cars.

It was a left for Rushwick using the underpass, and then on towards Bransford. I turned into the lane just past the river to avoid the main road, hoping it would be passable. It was OK mostly, except for a deep puddle under the railway bridge, which nearly reached the bottom bracket, luckily the mudguards and overshoes did their job of keeping me dry, but the bike is going to need a good clean.

After that the lanes and roads were mostly clear of standing water. It was full daylight by the time I reached Leigh Sinton, where I took a left for Stocks Ln, over to Newland, Madresfield, Guarlford, Hanley Swan, Hanley Castle and a stop in Upton for a bit of a breather. The river in Upton is high, But mostly within its bank.

After Upton I headed for Earls Croome, Kinnersley, and the final stretch via Croome, Wadborough and Littleworth. Glorious sunshine by now, glorious day for riding, alas, no pictures. I need to get into the habit of taking pictures again.

The map

 

[HLaB]

The usual group ride today. What was a bit different today a mate we hadn't seen for ages turned up. He had a Z2 training session, so we were pretty relaxed and sociable to the cafe at 36miles. We met a few mates there, including my fast mate who said he was taking it easy as he'd done a lot of heavy training and was a bit tired. It didn't show 😂 I didn't help myself by p'turing, thinking it wasn't bad, pumping the tyre up then struggling on for a few miles before I replaced the tube. When I did replace tube, he convinced me to pump it to a higher pressure than I would normally and with just 50psi in my tubeless rear I paused for a second or two to get used to balance. Lol, he was off and I was chasing back for a bit at over 90% max and when I caught him I was only just under 90% for a bit more until I pulled off to go to my place. I could have done without the 19.7mph head wind when I was on my own though 🙃