Done this route again but in reverse.
Surprisingly the views appeared totally different.
Printable View
Done this route again but in reverse.
Surprisingly the views appeared totally different.
In North Wales supporting friends doing a trail race yesterday. Threw the bike in the van at the last minute as I thought I could fit in a cheeky couple of hours this morning. So glad I did - managed 45km out and back from Betws-y-coed along the Conwy valley. A glorious, sunny, autumn morning after the early downpours. Tackled the climb of Bwlch-y-ddeufaen from Tal-y-bont up to the Roman road on the Carneddau. A tough start but after the initial steepness, some fantastic scenery and perfect cycling territory. Could have done with disk brakes for the descent down through Rowen - steep with very wet narrow roads; a bit nerve wracking at times. Made it back to Betws just before the next deluge hit. A perfect way to top off a most enjoyable weekend.
Just over three hours out on the bike this afternoon, wandering around South Nottinghamshire in glorious sunshine fading into darkness.
Although I am on a touring bike (27 x 1 1/4 wheels), I rarely seem to ride for this long without going off-road somewhere. Wossock Lane onto the West Leake Hills was a known quantity, although my tyres didn't have enough grip on the wet grass on the steep climb so I had to get off and walk. But then in Gotham I decided to explore Moor Lane (I don't plan my bike rides before setting off, apart from a vague notion of which direction I'm going). Tarmac lane, turning into gravel track, then footpath alongside the Great Central Railway, but all very firm despite the recent heavy rain, and only two stiles to lift the bike over in nearly three miles between Gotham and Ruddington.
Back via the steep climb over Windmill Hill into Wysall, one of the 32 "thankful villages".
Well done Anthony; just as it should be, a good mix of on & off road exploration as you come across it 'on sight'.
We have a couple of "thankful villages" up this way - Nether Kellet (alongside the M6) and Arkholme ( in the Lune Valley ).
No need for a war memorial, because in both world wars all the lads that went off to the conflict all came safely home.
50 km loop around North Worcestershire taking in a few hills. Not feeling great but spent yesterday setting up the new road bike and couldn't resist. Great to have disk brakes on the roadie and the ride was very comfortable. Power transfer a noticeable huge improvement and overall very, very impressed with the bike. I even like the saddle that came with it which is a first. Can't wait to take it out on a long ride around the Shropshire hills but that may have to wait for warmer weather.
Left work for my commute home through the wind and rain, head down and trying to get back as quickly as possible whilst avoiding all the storm debris on the road.
Got home and realised my pannier (containing my wallet, phone etc.) had fallen off somewhere along the way.
Retraced my steps and then again but no signs of it. Got home again a good hour later and set about cancelling cards, phone etc. Used Google account to leave message on phone as it was still alive and a few minutes later, had a phone call from a good samaritan who had picked it up out of the road. Wouldn't take any money off me bit I insisted and we agreed our local homeless guy who spends his life cleaning our streets and picking up the litter could do with a good meal.
There are still some good people out there, folks.
Swallowed my first fly of 2019 today!
While riding yer bike I hope😂
One swallow does not a summer make . . .
Not able to run at the moment due to a Boxing Day calf injury so trying to keep some fitness up on the bike. Been out every day this week in January, my total mileage being 260 miles and 22,000 feet of ascent which includes Today's Bike Ride of 60 miles.
I'd much prefer to be running though so spotting some new routes from the uncomfortableness of my saddle!
The "uncomfortableness of the saddle" is due to not enough cycling; the buttock to saddle relationship requires nurturing. The more you do, the better it gets.
He who 'wears' the buttock, Graham.
Buttock and Saddle still squabbling as to whose in charge on Today's Bike Ride of 63 miles and 5'800 feet. Trying my best to avoid the snow showers over the Staffordshire Moorlands. Highlight of a very cold day was a Buzzard feasting on a roadkill Hare.
Keep at it LB
Still hammering away on the bike. 63 very cold miles and 5'700 feet today. Beautiful blue sky and snow covered moors and, enjoyable as it was, no where near a substitute for running!
Nice one. It takes a lot to get out on a long ride this time of year. Still managing my daily commute but have knocked the long Saturday ride on the head for a few weeks.
Out with the local CTC pensioners yesterday. A better day than forecast. A very pleasant 45 miles with 2 cafe stops, out onto the "flat as a pancake Fylde", aboard the fixie.
I won't make it to this Thursday's all day ride; but got out on today's "Tuesday morning coffee shop" ride. Managed 21 miles on the fixie. Left home in rain / sleet. Snowing (but not sticking) for the ride home, apart from the last 200 yards when it really was starting to stick. Only 3 of us at the meeting place but 2 others rode directly there - there's usually around 15!!
Good effort Ian. How was the coffee shop?
Been to GP today after 6 weeks of blocked ear (eustachian tube), he put me on a steroidal nasal spray.
What I want to know is, will I go faster when I get back on my bike and will I fail a drug test?
Ha! Everyone knows you and bikes are like oil and water!
Hope your stuck tube unsticks!
Andrew, The Potting Shed Coffee Shop at Bay View Garden Centre, Bolton-le-Sands is always excellent. Great view out on to the foreshore of Morecambe Bay. For a "twitcher" like you, your coffee would go cold as you would be engrossed with your binos.
All The Best, Ian.
Being the last Tuesday of the month, this morning's coffee shop ride was to Bay View at Bolton-le-Sands; absolutely terrific, full-on spring sunshine; 'twas lovely in just shorts, base-layer and winter cycling shirt for 20+ miles on the old fixie.
Just great to be alive.
Same here for my commute home today. Shorts, thin jersey and fingerless mits. Even made it home before sunset.
Short but steep ride around Charnwood Forest. In under 4 miles from Woodhouse Eaves to Markfield there is about 750ft of climbing and 450ft of descent. Bright but windy weather, with one hail shower to add interest.
Stopped for a walk to the top of the Altar Stones, and was gobsmacked by the view. Eventually concluded that the two prominent but distant hills on the WSW horizon, with another ridge a bit further to the right, must be the Clee Hills and the Wrekin; although I was a bit puzzled as to why the Clent Hills and the high ground of the Black Country weren't more obvious.
You must have had a very clear view (and great eyesight!)
I would imagine that the high ground of NE and W Birmingham would obscure the Clent Hills. They're not that obvious unless you have a clear view from S to W Brum. High ground of the Black Country, Dudley, Rowley Regis etc are pretty prominent though and would be in the foreground of the clees.
Today's cycle commute along the canal saw the start of angry goose season. 2 or 3 miles of Canadian roulette for the next couple of months. At least it is light again in the morning and evening..... 🙄
Lovely, mainly off road, 30 mile bike ride today. Met a couple from Leeds who were on the first day of a four day ride along the 205 mile Pennine Bridleway from Cromford to Kirkby Stephen.
Very envious, especially with the weather set fair.
A glorious 50 road miles in the Staffordshire Moorlands. Apart from birdsong not much wildlife about, probably too hot!
Into Derbyshire, but only just. Across the Trent at Shardlow, back across on the Sustrans route over the old railway bridge east of Swarkestone. Coincidentally I have recently started reading Running Hard, so I know that this, the flattest part of Derbyshire, is where John Wild grew up.
I did a couple of miles along the Trent & Mersey Canal towpath, where my front tyre picked up a piece of hawthorn. I removed it swiftly, and carried on for an hour and a half before the tyre become too soft to continue, and I had to mend the puncture only 4 miles from home.
A nice day but with a cool easterly for today's 35 miles and 3,550feet bike ride around Chelmorton,Tideswell, Bretton, Eyam etc. Suddenly there are heaps of new born lambs in the fields which is great to see.
Been on my bike today, slowly building up to longer rides which is what the cross bike is for. Total of 22 miles and 3350ft, of which 121/2 miles was off road on forestry tracks. Knees are a bit sore, otherwise ok.
I've just been out to the delightfully named village of Frisby-on-the-Wreake. As so often on my bike rides, I decided to explore a little lane, which turned into a footpath, but only one kissing-gate to lift my bike over. Also stopped in Hoby for a look around the parish church; found several gravestones from the 1690's in the churchyard. The wind was behind me on the way home, but I still only registered a pathetic 22mph on the Vehicle Activated Sign coming into Burton-on-the Wolds.
Today was the first sportive of the year - ride the reservoir. This is always well supported by local clubs but today saw a record turnout and all in aid of St. Mary's Hospice in Brum.
It's a lovely route taking in a lot of the lanes I use for training around North Worcestershire. Nowhere particularly flat but does avoid all of the notable climbing in the area. Managed to knock the 50 miles off in just under 3 hours so quite chuffed with the new bike no doubt helping out setting a few PRs around the route. Only slight downside was an annoying rattle coming from the front hub for most of the second half of the ride. This has since disappeared after a wash so presumably some grit or suchlike was the culprit.
Today's bike ride was back in winter thermals and, continuing the theme of annoying noises emanating from wheels, was accompanied by an annoying creak from the front wheel. I have stripped it down, checked spokes and greased the thru axel (prime suspect) and although somewhat better, it is still not as quiet as I would like. Not sure what else to try though the torque of the thru axel does seem to have an effect. Unfortunately the less tight it is, the better.
First, and hopefully the last, puncture of 2019 on today's bike ride of 45 miles and 4,000ft. At least it was a lovely day to fix it!
So, after having to readjust to life with a rev limiter, I have yet to test avoiding extreme exercise whilst on a longish bike ride. My self imposed limit of max heart rate of 140 allows me to go for gentle runs. So we did 34 miles, 2100 feet climb with me throttling back whenever pulse got near to 140. Instead of attacking hills, it was a gentle plod. Frustrating! But I could peg along at a good pace on the level. To my surprise I averaged 16mph which is about what I would have done before the new regime. Fascinating and I have learnt something new. Maybe I won't need an electric bike after all!