Glorious hot day in sunny Suffolk. I went out with the club run from Sudbury to Maglio Rosso (Hawkenden, I think?), a new cycling cafe and cycle shop near Stowmarket run by some guys from West Suffolk Wheelers. Twelve of us did the ride (one nightmare overtake in a narrow lane nearly cost us a couple of riders). 53 miles by the time I was home (I flew up Ballingdon Hill like it wasn't there), then as I got in I met my wife in cycling gear about to head out for a ride. I gulped down some lunch, then hopped back on the bike and went for a ride with her. Cautious in corners, and .........erm................snail's pace downhill, she motors along uphill and on the flat. We did a nice 23 miles around Gosfield, Blackmore End and Beazley End, back up the big hills of Dynes Hall and Great Maplestead. I was tempted to stay out for another hour and a bit, and make it up to a hundred miles, but it didn't quite fit in with plans, so 76 miles goes in the diary. 76 of the most pleasant miles I have done all year, and taking me up through the 2000 mark.
Your ride today.... (part 1)
- Thread starter gbb
- Start date
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ColinJ
Puzzle game procrastinator!
- Location
- Todmorden - Yorks/Lancs border
I think it is - it looks like the castle I used to ride past on the Manchester 100 in Cheshire.
[Yesterday's ride] The 3rd ride of my 8 day cycling trip - Coventry to Meriden; Cotswold Challenge audax; Meriden to Coventry. 117 miles in total, including a few significant climbs in the Cotswolds.
Another of my late nights/early starts ... I got to sleep at 02:00 but was up again at 06:00 to eat some porridge and get ready to set off about 07:00. I wanted a nice slow warm-up ride to the audax HQ in Meriden and to allow time to fix a puncture on the way, should it be necessary. Somehow (where does the time go!) I was a bit late setting off, and didn't arrive until 07:50. I bought a mug of tea and found dave r who failed to recognise the new slimline me, despite having done 2 or 3 forum rides with the fatter me in the past.
I lost track of Dave at the start but must have got ahead of him somehow because he overtook me an hour ot two into the event.
The weather was great. There was a little bit more wind than I would have liked, and it rarely seemed to help. In fact, it became quite wearing later in the day. What it did do, however, was to keep temperatures comfortable. I do not overheat as easily as I did when I was fat, but for several hours I forgot that I was still wearing my gilet, which I had put on for my chilly early morning ride out to Meriden. It was not needed so after taking it off I felt much better.
Most of the route was on lovely quiet lanes, and even I would not complain about the inevitable busier roads linking them together. The only really busy roads were ones we crossed, and there were not many of them.
Warwickshire countryside in sunshine ...
I met up with Dave out in the lanes and we rode along together for a while, split up again, and so on.
Soon, we had entered the Cotswolds and saw the distinctive yellow stone of the buildings in Chipping Campden ...
Eventually, I decided that I wanted to slow down a bit and not push myself too hard so I let Dave and a few other riders go on, while I sprinkled the back of a hedge off the side of an ungated field. I was standing there peeing absent-mindedly when I slowly became aware of a loud buzzing sound. It turned out that I was only a couple of feet from a beehive and the bees were not too happy with me so I finished, crept away, and got back on my bike.
The Cotswold countryside is very pleasant. Compared to Yorkshire, it is undulating rather than severely hilly, but there were a few stiff climbs for us to tackle. I was riding my Cannondale which feels overgeared on steep hills so those climbs did feel quite tough. Tysoe hill had stuck in my mind from the other time that I rode the Cotswold Challenge and it felt tough again this time. Tough, but not a legbreaker, even on that bike. I am getting fitter!
It isn't far from Tysoe to Edge Hill, site of the first battle of the English Civil War. I spotted a nice Lotus 7 (or copy of one) in the village. Back in my teens I was a fan of The Prisoner and had pictures of Number Six's car on my bedroom wall, but I never got round to learning to drive so I didn't buy one of my own!
Burton Dassett Hills Country Park is a nice place for families to visit, but there is a tough climb up into it! I managed the climb without too much weaving about, and stopped towards the top to take a few pictures. Here's one ...
There was a refreshments and control stop at Harbury community centre where they had lots of cake, chocolate and sandwiches for us. The selection of sandwiches was rather funny ... Instead of simply writing 'Cheese' on a label in front of the pile of sandwiches, each one had been carefully wrapped in cling film and individually labelled 'cheese', 'cheese', 'cheese', 'cheese' - you get the idea. I picked up sandwich after sandwich before realising that they were all cheese and settling for 3 of them. I then watched rider after rider doing exactly the same thing. In the end I appointed myself 'They are ALL cheese sandwiches, mate' announcer!
I had a couple of biscuits, a piece of cake, and two cups of coffee and then decided it was time to crack on. One last picture for you ...
It might have been fatigue or the wind picking up, but the last 30 kms felt quite tiring. I met up with a group of local riders and chatted to them much of the way, which distracted me from the effort, and the increasing tenderness of my poor ageing bum. They were interested in the cycling in Yorkshire, and especially where the Tour de France peloton will be riding.
I got back in 8 hours, a time that I was happy with - *all things considered* ...
I handed my brevet card in at the finish, declined the offer of beans on toast, and rode back to Coventry. 117 miles of riding with some nice people on great roads in fabulous sunshine ...
jhawk
Veteran
- Location
- New Brunswick, Canada
I can't quite see which pixel...
Great photo of the Suspension Bridge, Vernon. How did the absinthe tasting go? Did you ride home pished? 
Donger
Convoi Exceptionnel
- Location
- Quedgeley, Glos.
It's that time of year again. British Heart Foundation Cotswolds Bike Ride today. This is the fourth time I've done this with my mate Andy, from Birmingham. We worked out that I had done 21 times as much road mileage this year as him, and as he is only a casual cyclist and had no appropriate cycling kit or bottle cages, it made sense for me to pannier up and act as the water carrier for the day - as well as the photographer.
Weather: Scorchio. Ended up with the classic cyclist's tan of brown arms and white hands, with 3 inches of brown above the knee.
All went swimmingly until the hill with no name (just outside Charlton Abbotts, but known to Andy and me only as the "Col du B*st**d"). As usual, many of the 2,000+ got off and walked - but that is not the Cycle Chat way, so I struggled up, trying not to let the effort show. Andy started to suffer here, but battled on manfully for the remainder of the hilly 40 miles in clear discomfort. Chapeau! Andy is the one in the red top in the photo below, with the rather fetching green socks (shown cresting the "Col").
After this came a welcome pub stop at the Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power. As you can see, we were not the only ones with this idea. A lovely cold, foaming lager helped me to cool down, and we hit the road again, heading for the half way drinks station, passing beautiful Cotswolds scenery on the way.
At the second rest stop I came across Paul Loosemore, the proprietor of Striking Bikes in Bristol Road, Gloucester. As mentioned in a previous post of mine, the guy is a genius wheel builder and very helpful and reasonably priced LBS mechanic. Here he is, giving up his time to provide mechanical assistance for the charity ride yet again. Give the guy a visit and tell him Donger recommended him. (Apparently some people already have done, but he was a bit mystified, as he didn't know me by that name!).
Back to Cheltenham racecourse via Winchcombe, Gretton, Alstone (pictured below) and a few cruelly added hills forming part of a new finish this year. Lots of people were walking up the last few hills. Probably a combination of dehydration and sunstroke, as well as a few of them being under-prepared.
Came across a young lad (well he was, compared to us) in Bishops Cleeve who was clearly in some distress, and unable to either cycle or walk any further due to severe cramp "everywhere" in his legs. Gave him some Poweraid and a few cramp easing tips, and had to leave him, feeling very sorry for the lad as he still had 2-3 miles to go. At the finishing line, Andy arranged for a St John Ambulance to go back and look for him. Hope he got home OK.
Once again the BHF ride was excellently organised, and I made a point of thanking every marshall and ambulance crew I passed on the way. Nice of them to give up their time. Can't wait for the BHF London to Brighton overnight one now. Next stop, the "Silk Run" audax from Tewkesbury on 31 May, though. I'll be in my "Fat Lad at the Back" shirt again, as it went down rather well today.
Cheers, Donger.
Weather: Scorchio. Ended up with the classic cyclist's tan of brown arms and white hands, with 3 inches of brown above the knee.
All went swimmingly until the hill with no name (just outside Charlton Abbotts, but known to Andy and me only as the "Col du B*st**d"). As usual, many of the 2,000+ got off and walked - but that is not the Cycle Chat way, so I struggled up, trying not to let the effort show. Andy started to suffer here, but battled on manfully for the remainder of the hilly 40 miles in clear discomfort. Chapeau! Andy is the one in the red top in the photo below, with the rather fetching green socks (shown cresting the "Col").
After this came a welcome pub stop at the Hollow Bottom in Guiting Power. As you can see, we were not the only ones with this idea. A lovely cold, foaming lager helped me to cool down, and we hit the road again, heading for the half way drinks station, passing beautiful Cotswolds scenery on the way.
At the second rest stop I came across Paul Loosemore, the proprietor of Striking Bikes in Bristol Road, Gloucester. As mentioned in a previous post of mine, the guy is a genius wheel builder and very helpful and reasonably priced LBS mechanic. Here he is, giving up his time to provide mechanical assistance for the charity ride yet again. Give the guy a visit and tell him Donger recommended him. (Apparently some people already have done, but he was a bit mystified, as he didn't know me by that name!).
Back to Cheltenham racecourse via Winchcombe, Gretton, Alstone (pictured below) and a few cruelly added hills forming part of a new finish this year. Lots of people were walking up the last few hills. Probably a combination of dehydration and sunstroke, as well as a few of them being under-prepared.
Came across a young lad (well he was, compared to us) in Bishops Cleeve who was clearly in some distress, and unable to either cycle or walk any further due to severe cramp "everywhere" in his legs. Gave him some Poweraid and a few cramp easing tips, and had to leave him, feeling very sorry for the lad as he still had 2-3 miles to go. At the finishing line, Andy arranged for a St John Ambulance to go back and look for him. Hope he got home OK.
Once again the BHF ride was excellently organised, and I made a point of thanking every marshall and ambulance crew I passed on the way. Nice of them to give up their time. Can't wait for the BHF London to Brighton overnight one now. Next stop, the "Silk Run" audax from Tewkesbury on 31 May, though. I'll be in my "Fat Lad at the Back" shirt again, as it went down rather well today.
Cheers, Donger.
Attachments
Peteaud
Veteran
- Location
- South Somerset
Today was the 55 mile Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance Coast to Coast ride, from Watchet on the North Somerset Coast down to West Bay (aka Broadchurch) in Dorset.
Got to Watchet nice and early to register and the skies didn't have a cloud in them.
Watchet Harbour
North Coast of Somerset.
Met up with @coffeejo at the start and an announcement from the organisers saying the start would be deleyed to 11.20 meant that an executive decision to leave now mas made. The two of us managed to get to the front and set off, followed by god knows how many others.
The route leaves the coast and heads up into the Quantocks, an area i don't know very well, but it has stunning views.
The Quantock hills
After the 1st food stop we had a small delay, caused by two Fu**wits ,we got going again heading towards the 1st big hill, Rock Hill. Happily both of us went straight up without having to do the walk of shame
. Then across the moors and up into Ilminster for the food station. 2 Bannannannnas and 3 cakes 
consumed, water bottles filled we set off again.
The next hill is the big one, Windwhistle Hill a nastly twisty single road up a progressively steeper climb. I have done it in the past but it is a real struggle. Following Jo (who was in Froome climbing mode) we kept going, and going, and going, at one point i wanted to stop, put my foot down, to rest the legs but not wanting to fall behind or to let Jo down i kept going, right to the top
. I / We are now certified cycling gods for getting up there. I can't tell you how pleased i am to have done that hill.
Over the top and down a short steep section leads to Purtington hill, another nasty one as the legs are tired. This time side by side for most of the way up we did it. Had to smile at the amount of riders walking in SPD-SL tho.
The comment of several riders around us of "that's all the hills done" made us laugh as there is one final sting, a long plod up to Broadwindsor that really begins to hurt. Having reached the summit it was then all downhill and flat to the end. This really was a great bit of the ride, with both Jo and myself taking it in turns to lead and really put the hammers down.
With 1/2 a mile to go my left leg cramped, god knows what i looked like trying to stop the pain and the muscles going into spasms but it wasn't pretty. Luckily the touring shoes i wear let me pedal with either the heel or midstep and i managed to get back into a rhythm for the finish line.
1 cycling god and 1 cycling Goddess at the finishing line.
The route.
So all in a really great day, personal achievements a plenty and
to Jo for today, especially for getting me up Windy hill, and the last 6 miles were just amazing.
Also big hugs and kisses to my wife for dropping me off at the start, getting the car cleaned and waiting around at the finish for me.
Got to Watchet nice and early to register and the skies didn't have a cloud in them.
Watchet Harbour
North Coast of Somerset.
Met up with @coffeejo at the start and an announcement from the organisers saying the start would be deleyed to 11.20 meant that an executive decision to leave now mas made. The two of us managed to get to the front and set off, followed by god knows how many others.
The route leaves the coast and heads up into the Quantocks, an area i don't know very well, but it has stunning views.
The Quantock hills
After the 1st food stop we had a small delay, caused by two Fu**wits ,we got going again heading towards the 1st big hill, Rock Hill. Happily both of us went straight up without having to do the walk of shame
. Then across the moors and up into Ilminster for the food station. 2 Bannannannnas and 3 cakes consumed, water bottles filled we set off again.The next hill is the big one, Windwhistle Hill a nastly twisty single road up a progressively steeper climb. I have done it in the past but it is a real struggle. Following Jo (who was in Froome climbing mode) we kept going, and going, and going, at one point i wanted to stop, put my foot down, to rest the legs but not wanting to fall behind or to let Jo down i kept going, right to the top
. I / We are now certified cycling gods for getting up there. I can't tell you how pleased i am to have done that hill.Over the top and down a short steep section leads to Purtington hill, another nasty one as the legs are tired. This time side by side for most of the way up we did it. Had to smile at the amount of riders walking in SPD-SL tho.
The comment of several riders around us of "that's all the hills done" made us laugh as there is one final sting, a long plod up to Broadwindsor that really begins to hurt. Having reached the summit it was then all downhill and flat to the end. This really was a great bit of the ride, with both Jo and myself taking it in turns to lead and really put the hammers down.
With 1/2 a mile to go my left leg cramped, god knows what i looked like trying to stop the pain and the muscles going into spasms but it wasn't pretty. Luckily the touring shoes i wear let me pedal with either the heel or midstep and i managed to get back into a rhythm for the finish line.
1 cycling god and 1 cycling Goddess at the finishing line.
The route.
So all in a really great day, personal achievements a plenty and
to Jo for today, especially for getting me up Windy hill, and the last 6 miles were just amazing.Also big hugs and kisses to my wife for dropping me off at the start, getting the car cleaned and waiting around at the finish for me.
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Spartak
Powered by M&M's
- Location
- Bristolian
Rode The Black Rat - 3 Bridges Sportif today inc. riding the 27 kms to the start.
http://www.strava.com/activities/142557315
Starting in Portishead it climbs up to Failand & along Beggar Bush Lane before crossing the first bridge of the day, the most impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge. Then we headed across the Downs & up the climb of Shirehampton hill, then a flat route lead us to the Severn Bridge, crossing to Chepstow & then onto the smooth B4235 which climbs gently towards until a right turn take the riders onto a ridge road to Devaudan. It was then a great descend back to Chepstow & the crossing of the Severn Bridge again, I decided to stop at the well stocked feed station before heading back to Portishead via the 3rd bridge the most unimpressive Avonmouth M5 motorway bridge.
I managed to cross the line in 3:56 ( pleased to get under the 4 hours
)
As a finisher you were then handed a 'Black Rat' engraved tankard, a can of lukewarm cider & a Cornish pasty !
http://www.strava.com/activities/142557315
Starting in Portishead it climbs up to Failand & along Beggar Bush Lane before crossing the first bridge of the day, the most impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge. Then we headed across the Downs & up the climb of Shirehampton hill, then a flat route lead us to the Severn Bridge, crossing to Chepstow & then onto the smooth B4235 which climbs gently towards until a right turn take the riders onto a ridge road to Devaudan. It was then a great descend back to Chepstow & the crossing of the Severn Bridge again, I decided to stop at the well stocked feed station before heading back to Portishead via the 3rd bridge the most unimpressive Avonmouth M5 motorway bridge.
I managed to cross the line in 3:56 ( pleased to get under the 4 hours
)As a finisher you were then handed a 'Black Rat' engraved tankard, a can of lukewarm cider & a Cornish pasty !
djb1971
Legendary Member
- Location
- Far Far Away
Tent pitched
View from the tent
View from the tent
OP
OP
gbb
Legendary Member
- Location
- Peterborough
A few days ago, I felt a tinge of discomfort where my pleurisy was, but about the same time, as id gone upstairs to bed, the wife said..'you're not gasping for breath anymore when you come upstairs'. I had noticed a distinct improvement myself lately...perhaps its finally getting better.
13 miles Friday evening with no noticeable discomfort, 18 miles today in glorious sunshine, around 15 mph average, which im happy with. I can still push on, at one point I put the hammer down to get a draught off a bus and surprised myself how fast I accelerated, although sustaining effort isnt as good nowadays. Hills and wind suck my effort away but a good couple of rides.
I remember thinking at one point...
this Is more like it, i havnt felt like this in 18 months.
13 miles Friday evening with no noticeable discomfort, 18 miles today in glorious sunshine, around 15 mph average, which im happy with. I can still push on, at one point I put the hammer down to get a draught off a bus and surprised myself how fast I accelerated, although sustaining effort isnt as good nowadays. Hills and wind suck my effort away but a good couple of rides.
I remember thinking at one point...
this Is more like it, i havnt felt like this in 18 months.
BigonaBianchi
Yes I can, Yes I am, Yes I did...Repeat.
- Location
- Iskele TRNC & Mordor UK
@Rickshaw Phil , his brother and I are doing the BHF Worcester ride at the end of June. Looking forward to it even more after reading this!
CharlieB
Junior Walker and the Allstars
- Location
- Therivermeadowatthepileofstones
Added to @jayonabike 's report on the previous page, a cracking day out in 26° of sunshine across three counties, Bucks, Beds and Herts with @ianrauk , @toptom and James (not on CC?). You just know as soon as you pass a sign saying 'Welcome to Buckinghamshire - The Birthplace of the Paralympics', that the road is going to turn to rubble. Sure 'nuff.
Did struggle up the hills, though - that's a combination of heavy legs from the previous day's FNRttC to Hull (77m), a stone overweight and the ciggies.
Managed to hit 49.4 mph (according to Garmin) coming down from Dunstable Downs, it's just a good job I was watching the road and not the Garmin, 'cos anything over 40 terrifies me.
74 miles for me.
Did struggle up the hills, though - that's a combination of heavy legs from the previous day's FNRttC to Hull (77m), a stone overweight and the ciggies.
Managed to hit 49.4 mph (according to Garmin) coming down from Dunstable Downs, it's just a good job I was watching the road and not the Garmin, 'cos anything over 40 terrifies me.
74 miles for me.
Old Plodder
Living at the top of a steep 2 mile climb
- Location
- Surrey/Hants border
Rob3rt
Man or Moose!
- Location
- Manchester
Returned to the course on which I set my previous 25 mile TT personal best (54:20 - 27.6 mph average) this Saturday just gone. Annihilated it!
Wasn't all plain sailing, my new speedsuit didn't turn up in time, thus I was going to have to race in a suit I knew would be problematic in the heat, then I lost my partners van key in the carpark (since found), then managed to puncture on the turbo while warming up, so ended up putting my disc wheel in and warming up on the road as there was no point in swapping a tube on and continuing on the turbo. But I composed myself, made the best of the situation and arrived to the start in time to get my warm-up top off, zero my power meter and be held, with no rushing, but also minimal standing around.
From the off my target was to go under 53 minutes. I set off as per usual, sat down and got onto the tribars asap and tried to remain as aero as possible throughout my ride, covering the 1st 14 miles of the course with a 31.4 mph average, once round the turn and coming back pretty quickly too there was the small issue of ascending the 'mountain' (hardly a mountain, it is about 1% incline for 6 miles , but at 25 mile TT pace and coming at 18 miles into the race, it feels like one), absolute hell, all notion of staying aero went out the window and I wrestled the bike home, just waiting for the final fast 1 mile section to arrive, it seemed to take forever to come and I could see my average speed dropping the whole time and my mouth was very dry with the heat. Eventually at the 'summit' my speed picked up, I knew I was comfortably under 53 mins and that a sub-52 minute ride was possible but it was going to be super tight, I managed to find something and I gunned it for the last mile into the finish at 400W stopping the clock in 51:58 (28.9 mph average, a bit of a shame to not hit 29 mph average, hehe) and a personal best by 2 mins 22 seconds and placing 12th, only 3 seconds outside of the top ten, which was a little dissapointing but it was a pretty strong field so, fairly happy.
Wasn't all plain sailing, my new speedsuit didn't turn up in time, thus I was going to have to race in a suit I knew would be problematic in the heat, then I lost my partners van key in the carpark (since found), then managed to puncture on the turbo while warming up, so ended up putting my disc wheel in and warming up on the road as there was no point in swapping a tube on and continuing on the turbo. But I composed myself, made the best of the situation and arrived to the start in time to get my warm-up top off, zero my power meter and be held, with no rushing, but also minimal standing around.
From the off my target was to go under 53 minutes. I set off as per usual, sat down and got onto the tribars asap and tried to remain as aero as possible throughout my ride, covering the 1st 14 miles of the course with a 31.4 mph average, once round the turn and coming back pretty quickly too there was the small issue of ascending the 'mountain' (hardly a mountain, it is about 1% incline for 6 miles , but at 25 mile TT pace and coming at 18 miles into the race, it feels like one), absolute hell, all notion of staying aero went out the window and I wrestled the bike home, just waiting for the final fast 1 mile section to arrive, it seemed to take forever to come and I could see my average speed dropping the whole time and my mouth was very dry with the heat. Eventually at the 'summit' my speed picked up, I knew I was comfortably under 53 mins and that a sub-52 minute ride was possible but it was going to be super tight, I managed to find something and I gunned it for the last mile into the finish at 400W stopping the clock in 51:58 (28.9 mph average, a bit of a shame to not hit 29 mph average, hehe) and a personal best by 2 mins 22 seconds and placing 12th, only 3 seconds outside of the top ten, which was a little dissapointing but it was a pretty strong field so, fairly happy.
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I booked the day off work to do a 40 miler today I was a bit worried towards the end of last week when the forecast was for the warm weather to break into thunderstorms today, but I needn't have, as I awoke to lovely warm sunshine, but a stiff Easterly Breeze which was nice at times to cool me down, but a pain at others when it was a nasty headwind. I did check the rain radar, as there was mention of heavy showers on the local radio forecast (notoriously incorrect and unreliable) and there were some monstrous looking showers over Mid and West Wales, judging by the pretty Pink, Purple, Red and White colours showing, but they were forecast to spill Westwards into the Irish Sea and so all was good. The original plan was for @Rickshaw Phil 's brother Doug to join me, but he had been suffering from a cold all weekend and didn't feel up to it, but I took the same route we had planned anyway.
Firstly it was up to Bayston Hill, through the village, then down a short section of the horrid A49, which passed without incident and then Condover, Ryton, Longnor and up Folly Bank to Cardington, which was a long hard pull into the wind, and I was rather warm when I stopped for a much needed drink and bag of crisps at the top, with an audience
I then descended into Cardington village and took the road to Plaish and then a lovely downhill section towards Church Preen, with lovely views of Wenlock Edge.
After Church Preen it was a bit of a climb up to Kenley, where I stopped for lunch at the top of the bank.
One thing I noticed whilst having lunch, after my helmet blowing off the bench 3 times, was that the wind had really strengthened now and must have been gusting upwards of 30mph as I climbed onto Cound Moor and indeed it really blew me around at times, as I passed exposed gateways. I was glad to drop into Cressage, but then had to climb up the other side, once more into the wind and this was really hard going. At the next junction I took a slightly different route than normal, to avoid the main road, into Eaton Constantine and then climbed up a very hilly section and around to the crossroads, where I re-joined my normal route down into Eyton on Severn and Wroxeter. The strong wind was behind me on this section and I cruised happily at 20mph plus for large parts
Unfortunately I also encountered my only moron of the ride along here, approaching Viriconium, where the road goes from fairly wide, to narrow for about 25 yards and then widens out for the visitor centre at the roman village. I could hear them approaching from behind, as I reached the narrow section, but they were too idiotic to wait for all of 5 seconds that it needed for me to reach the wider part, and decided to squeeze past me in the narrow section, with about 6 inches to spare I reckon. I was really
at the sheer stupidity of this driver and hoped they would have to wait at the T-Junction not too far ahead, where I would have had a word with them, but unfortunately/fortunately (delete as applicable) they were able to get out onto the next road before I got there.
Vowing not to let them spoil the ride, I continued on to Upton Forge, Upton Magna, Uffington and along the old canal path to home.
A very enjoyable ride in the
40.23 miles at 11.7 mph avg speed and 1710 ft of climbing. Legs are starting to get used to these 40 mile rides now and so looking good for the BHF Worcester ride in 6 weeks time.
I was a bit worried towards the end of last week when the forecast was for the warm weather to break into thunderstorms today, but I needn't have, as I awoke to lovely warm sunshine, but a stiff Easterly Breeze which was nice at times to cool me down, but a pain at others when it was a nasty headwind. I did check the rain radar, as there was mention of heavy showers on the local radio forecast (notoriously incorrect and unreliable) and there were some monstrous looking showers over Mid and West Wales, judging by the pretty Pink, Purple, Red and White colours showing, but they were forecast to spill Westwards into the Irish Sea and so all was good. The original plan was for @Rickshaw Phil 's brother Doug to join me, but he had been suffering from a cold all weekend and didn't feel up to it, but I took the same route we had planned anyway.Firstly it was up to Bayston Hill, through the village, then down a short section of the horrid A49, which passed without incident and then Condover, Ryton, Longnor and up Folly Bank to Cardington, which was a long hard pull into the wind, and I was rather warm when I stopped for a much needed drink and bag of crisps at the top, with an audience
I then descended into Cardington village and took the road to Plaish and then a lovely downhill section towards Church Preen, with lovely views of Wenlock Edge.
After Church Preen it was a bit of a climb up to Kenley, where I stopped for lunch at the top of the bank.
One thing I noticed whilst having lunch, after my helmet blowing off the bench 3 times, was that the wind had really strengthened now and must have been gusting upwards of 30mph as I climbed onto Cound Moor and indeed it really blew me around at times, as I passed exposed gateways. I was glad to drop into Cressage, but then had to climb up the other side, once more into the wind and this was really hard going. At the next junction I took a slightly different route than normal, to avoid the main road, into Eaton Constantine and then climbed up a very hilly section and around to the crossroads, where I re-joined my normal route down into Eyton on Severn and Wroxeter. The strong wind was behind me on this section and I cruised happily at 20mph plus for large parts
Unfortunately I also encountered my only moron of the ride along here, approaching Viriconium, where the road goes from fairly wide, to narrow for about 25 yards and then widens out for the visitor centre at the roman village. I could hear them approaching from behind, as I reached the narrow section, but they were too idiotic to wait for all of 5 seconds that it needed for me to reach the wider part, and decided to squeeze past me in the narrow section, with about 6 inches to spare I reckon. I was really
at the sheer stupidity of this driver and hoped they would have to wait at the T-Junction not too far ahead, where I would have had a word with them, but unfortunately/fortunately (delete as applicable) they were able to get out onto the next road before I got there.Vowing not to let them spoil the ride, I continued on to Upton Forge, Upton Magna, Uffington and along the old canal path to home.
A very enjoyable ride in the
40.23 miles at 11.7 mph avg speed and 1710 ft of climbing. Legs are starting to get used to these 40 mile rides now and so looking good for the BHF Worcester ride in 6 weeks time.
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