A pleasing 19.5 miles cycle out for about two and half hours - on my weighs a ton Giant hybrid bike - from Whitehaven to St. Bees and then onto Braystones and back. Bloody knackered today. The outing topped my vest shaped tan up nicely.
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A pleasing 19.5 miles cycle out for about two and half hours - on my weighs a ton Giant hybrid bike - from Whitehaven to St. Bees and then onto Braystones and back. Bloody knackered today. The outing topped my vest shaped tan up nicely.
Cycled slightly pissed for the first time this aft. 2 pints of strong pale ale in Linton to usher in my new pastime as a full-time cyclist. Spent all my change on fudge and jelly babies in Grassington.
Storiths-Appletreewick-Burnsall-Linton-Kilnsey-Kettlewell, pause to say hi to Jean the machine, Conistone-Grassington-Hebden-Fancarl Crag-Skyreholme-Storiths. 31m/2700' 2h5m, 15.1mph ave/spd.
Well done Luke. Great effort. Was Jean stopped at traffic lights?
She'd just been for a run up Gt Wherny, bit of a recce to get her eye in. It was the scarecrow festival in Kettlewell, just bumped into her on my way through.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagger
Storiths-Appletreewick-Burnsall-Linton-Kilnsey-Kettlewell-Conistone-Grassington-Hebden-Fancarl Crag-Skyreholme-Storiths. 31m/2700' 1h55m, 16.4mph ave/spd.
Quads tendon strain of recent weeks seems to have backed off a bit so i was able to spin the pedals up a bit.
Full rebuild for the Special Products, about time after all the rough and tumble of Snowdonia. Fresh pair of NOS, boxfresh 7402 derailleurs and a full strip and rebuild of the dual pivot calipers. Dura Ace dual pivots have little sandwich bearings in both the pivot points which was good to know, neither were working properly though- rough as old arse!
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4347/...39a943c4_k.jpg
Unsanctioned 25m test ride this aft, nice coffee and cake in Ilkley Cycles.
40m ride this aft, weather unseasonally good. First time up Norwood Bank turning a 39/26...make of that what you will. Called in at Washburn Heritage Centre for tea and biscuits, then over the hill to Addingham for a pint of Chinook in The Crown. I have to say the A59 over Kex Gill Moor is now ruined; the recent resurfacing work has made it unbearable.
Velodrome taster session last saturday. Liked it, though it's hard because 75% of your lap is uphill.
Had my first taster at Manchester, back in April ...... terrific. Some top 'masters' were training that day. Whenever they came past it sounded like an express train coming over the top of you.Quote:
Originally Posted by mr brightside
No cycling for me yesterday, or today for that matter... no time
Not even at the weekend?Quote:
Originally Posted by bullinwrap
thought that I'd stumbled on to BookFace.Quote:
Originally Posted by bullinwrap
Yesterday's bike ride was a sobering affair.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...ngham-41637461
About 500 cyclists attended a vigil and "slow ride" to remember a doctor who was killed while cycling in Birmingham only last week.
To cut a long story short Birmingham City council had £24 million to spend on cycling infrastructure 5 years ago. Apart from a few free bikes and somebody painting a few pictograms on the road we have seen none of it and certainly nothing that could perceivably have improved cycling safety.
Cyclists in the city have decided that enough is enough - this is not the first tragedy nor will it be the last if the council continue to do nothing. As a regular cycle commuter in the West Midlands, there are certain roads, most of which are in Birmingham that I dread having to ride down and I have had plenty of near misses.
To cap it all, the Mayor has just announce his intention to provide loan cycles in the city centre - the equivalent of "Boris bikes". So, yet more bikes, nowhere really safe to ride them and still no segregation from ever increasing traffic due to on-going long term road works. Great idea!
If you care about such matters, regardless of whether you are likely to cycle in the city, please sign the petition here:
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitio...ngham-cyclists
Thanks
Pete
Done.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
I was in Birmingham for a few days in July, and was passed by loads of cyclists as I walked along the canal towpath to Birmingham University. But we do need to make the road network safe for cyclists, everywhere.
Many thanks for signing up. Much appreciated.Quote:
Originally Posted by anthonykay
The canal towpaths are a great way to get in and out of Brum and deservedly popular with cyclists. Unfortunately getting to and from them can be a bit of a lottery particularly on the east of the city and of course they are only useful if they are anywhere near your destination. That one past the uni is my commute when I need to get to the city centre but for most of the winter months they are unlit, icy and muddy - not great and sometimes a salted road is the only option.
The council have muted many other schemes and two major segregated routes. Sadly, these have been beset with planning problems and others seem to have been dropped with no signs of a replacement. We have seen no sign of any of them yet.....
Turn the Hagley Road into a cycle only Super Highway!!
I work in Aston, about 100 yards from the canal running between the city centre and Spaghetti Junction. If I was a Birmingham resident, it seems undoubtedly the best way to get quickly around the city (although I don't actually recall seeing more than one or two cyclists in total as I pass).Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Incidentally although I live in Coventry, the commute between Cov and Birmingham is possibly the easiest I've ever had. Roll up to Cov train station for 8am, jump on the train, quick change at New Street then I'm there. Of course starting at the ridiculously late hour of 9am does help. Rail commuting does have issues though (crowds, appallingly frequent delays. Luckily there is a plethora of trains between the two cities, and out to Aston).
But on the whole it is surprisingly more hassle free than getting across Cov in the rush hour, or even worse, getting to somewhere like Leamington or Warwick.
Sounds good to me!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wheeze
I did the Birmingham Velo which used the Hagley Road as far as Quinton. Unfortunately its a 1 day a year opportunity and it'll cost you £75 for the privilege but most enjoyable nonetheless.
The canals on that side of the city are not so popular for various reasons. Location and proximity to major roads like the A38 doesn't help, the towpaths are not great and they are also prone to being inhabited by various unsavoury types, if you know what I mean!Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
The Worcester, Grand Union and Main line are far more popular but of course they all radiate out from Gas Street and are therefore not that much use for getting around the city - only in and out.
The council has plans for 2 super highway into the city along the A38 from Selly Oak and A34 from Perry Barr. God knows why but there has been quite a large amount of opposition and although work on these should have been started now, they are now scheduled for next year. Its a start but what most local cycle groups would like to see is more segregation particularly around busy junctions such as the one at the site of the recent tragedy. Not even a bus lane there - just 2 lanes of extremely busy mixed traffic in all directions at a 4 way cross roads.
Of course being able to legally cycle across the city centre would also be nice. It is now almost all totally pedestrianized or tramways with cycle exclusions. I doubt there will be much take up on the Boris bikes unless they do something about that.
So dark nights and mornings are back again as are the winter boots, gloves and jackets.
I usually continue cycling as much as I can or at least until the weather makes it impossible. However this year I'm not feeling the same way. Maybe recent events have got to me or maybe just getting the winter blues. Does everyone else still cycle, take to the turbo trainer or do you take the winter off?
I continue cycling to work as normal (but it's only a mile and a half each way), unless there is a significant amount of ice on the road. And I do still go out on rides purely for leisure and exercise, although the mileage is less than in Summer.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Still get out, all year round, with the local CTC mid-week group, Tuesday mornings and all day Thursday; unless as above it is frosty / icey; that's just too much of a lottery.
A hilly 60km through rural Worcestershire on the road bike. Autumnal sunshine and perfect conditions, feeling good. Lovely stuff.
Well done Pete ..... the arrival of GMT isn't all bad.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Cheers. Really enjoyed it. I admit it was a struggle to get out there but so glad I did. Hoping it will breathe some positivity back into the daily commute.Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
Calf still feels a bit dodgy after Sunday's run, so went out on the bike instead of running today. If I can't run up Beacon Hill, I can at least cycle up Beacon Road from Woodhouse Eaves: 140 metres continuous climbing in about 2.5km. Yes, I can hear cycling forumites from the Yorkshire Dales giggling at the idea that this constitutes a hill; but there are a couple of quite steep sections, and I was on a touring bike with panniers (I did the ride on the way home from work).
Still managed to cycle to work most of the days over the winter on the CX though the beast from the east put pay to some of those days. Found the new MTB surprisingly good in the snow.
Last weekend saw the first shakedown ride for the roadie. 50km with 900m ascent through rural Worcestershire in pleasant sunshine - spring was in the air. Felt like going further but forgot to take a pump so didn't want to stray too far from home!
First sportive of the season planned for this weekend though a return to wintery conditions is predicted. Looking forward to it nonetheless.
Well for the first time in over a year i got on my bike.
20 minutes around the block. 16 stone of red faced fat lad stamping on the pedals.
Lungs burning.
Sweating all over and arse feels like its been kicked.
Good to be back.
Watch this page.
Short cycle today
Fixie?Quote:
Originally Posted by brett
Your Fixie mad WD.
Another 20min spin on the Tour de Yorkshire route this teatime for me.
Legs still tired. Brain remembers that i was fitter but fails to send signals to body.
Just keep going then I hope to increase by 10% per week.
Keep at it Trev
Back to winter gloves again for this mornings commute as unable to feel fingers after Mondays ride. Having got sunburnt in a vest at the Anniversary Waltz, this is hard to take. Still not managed a long ride on the road bike this year largely due to the weather or running commitments. Doing Velothon Wales in July so really could do with upping the mileage soon.
I would have done a couple of years ago, Ian. Unfortunately I'm not fit enough atm to keep up with the others :)
Off to Amsterdam on Thursday - def taking the fixed!
Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey
I know that Brett is a connoiseur.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagger
Get one Trev ... they become totally addictive.
Did 26 hilly miles on 62.1" yesterday morning, around the Lune Valley.
Ha ha ha fixie my arse.😂
Gears for me. More the better.
Just been around the block again. 3 times in six days.
Should just up it a tad for next week
Thursday's group ride was 'around the bay', Lancaster to Grange-Over-Sands return (68 miles), including riding half-way up the 'old' Lindale Brow (The Gill) to gain the B5271 into Grange - just made it - all on 62.1" (46x20) fixed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagger
Reasonably chuffed, as a 67 years-old asthmatic.
Very good effort WD. You are a fit old bugger with traditional values.
Do you have as many puffson your inhaler as Froomie?
I hope I'm as fit as you at your age, if i live that long.
Respect to you Ian
So you didn't take the short-cut back from Kents Bank to Bolton-le-Sands? It's nice and flat, just right for a fixie.Quote:
Originally Posted by wheezing donkey