Great new Wheeze!
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Great new Wheeze!
A lovely 35 miles this morning in the Worcestershire sunshine. Notched up nearly 3000ft of climbing but lack of miles in the saddle so far this year were evident towards the end. Still great to be out in just shorts and jersey for once.
PeteS I notice it’s the Birmingham “velo 100” or whatever it’s called tomorrow.... certainly a strange title as i believe it traverses a lot of Warwickshire, not to mention Coventry too...
Out for over 5 hours today, and didn't do much more than 30 miles. Kept getting distracted; a look around Staunton Harold church, a walk round Dimminsdale nature reserve, a wander round the Ticknall lime yards and through the tramway tunnel . . . . I like my bike rides to be unplanned, just seeing whatever there is to see and exploring along any road/track that looks interesting.
A contrast to last Sunday, when I had been stuck indoors for most of the day and eventually got out just before 6pm needing to burn off some energy. 3 hours 20 minutes through the South Notts Wolds and Vale of Belvoir, still unplanned but at a somewhat higher speed than today.
Indeed it is, rebranded as Velo Birmingham and Midlands this year. I did the inaugural one which I enjoyed immensely but didn't fancy the route this time - no disrespect to Coventry of course! I also wanted to concentrate on running this year as the last couple of years have been mostly cycling orientated. Unfortunately a couple of injuries have meant neither sport has had much focus but that's another story....Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
Have a couple of mates doing the Velo so plan to go for an early run and then do some support for them as the route passes nearby.
The girl I know who did the velo took 8.5 hours... although until a month ago she'd never rode further than 15 miles!
Clubmate (v50) of mine did 5hrs36... sounds impressive to me, although I really have no idea when it comes to cycling times.
Also just read that a chap died yesterday about 25 miles in, after a crash on a 'fast downhill section'....
Had an appalling ride yesterday, hoped to be a little more ambitious and push further afield, but felt very "off" an hour or so in, so discretion etc. and cut it short. Think I did about 20 miles of mainly off road and about 2500ft. Felt very ill last night afterwards and wiped out this morning, aching.
There was this event coming through the village https://roadcyclinguk.com/sportive/g...ches-2016.html
At 120 miles and 12,000ft, not for me and some of the riders looked like it wasn't for them either!
Terribly sad news regarding the cyclist that died. A steep downhill section with a couple of sharp bends but don't know any details.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
My colleagues ranged in times from 5.30 up to 7 hours.Quote:
Originally Posted by Travs
The route was reasonably devoid of hills (my main reason for not doing it! ) so times under 6 hours would be good.
The top riders completed in around 4 hours which is pro level pace. I missed them as I was out running but the few riders I saw come though at sub 5 hour pace were impressively quick.
I did velo Birmingham and Midlands yesterday cycled with wife as it was our 29th wedding anniversary!!. Total time 6:50 but we had a couple of 20 minute stops so cycling time for the 102 miles about 6:10 which is not too bad. not done a lot of cycling this year so felt more tiring than The Fred W which was also yesterday and I did a year ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
I am pretty sure we went past the chap who died. I was totally gutted to hear about this last night as it completely takes the shine off the day. I have done a few closed road events (London and the previous Velo Birmingham. My view is that closed road mass participation events are more dangerous than smaller open road sportives. London was really scary last year. The problem is people forget that other cyclists are also on the roads and many participants are inexperienced and thus cycle badly or without etiquette and due care. several times yesterday the fast trains came past me without a call and without concern about other slower cyclists. there were several occasions where people cut in suddenly infront of me or puller out suddenly. Any of these actions can trigger a chain reaction. I am lucky enough to gain free entry to the big Velo events, but probably wouldn't do them otherwise due to too many cyclists in too smaller space!
PeteS. it was good route yesterday. probably not as good as 2 years ago, but much faster terrain. If it clashes next year I'd certainly choose the Fred whitton over the two.
Totally agree with you on mass participation events and inexperienced cyclists. I've had a few near misses myself over the years. I also think that closed roads tend to make cyclists less risk averse and speeds tend to be higher which I guess may contribute in part to any accidents or at least their outcome. I hit 45mph + on some of the descents in Velothon Wales and dread to think what would have happened if I'd hit the deck at that speed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Corniceman
I did the Birmingham Velo last time and enjoyed it immensely, Bewdley and the Clent Hills being a highlight. Just couldn't get inspired by the route this time and with a hefty price to enter, I chose some more low key sportive for this year.
The Fred Whitton is on my list to do one year but often clashes with fell races (and I'm not sure I'd manage Hardknott anyway!)
BTW Police are appealing for witnesses and video of the accident if you saw anything or know anyone who did.
I reccied the FW before doing it as an event. Since then I have cycled around it in full or parts many times, including on my Tri 60 challenge last year. I guess you lose the fear. hardknott is not too bad once you have done it a couple of times. best to have a compact gear set up though.Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteS
Glorious 30 miles and 3,000 feet this evening around Earl Sterndale, Biggin and Youlgrave. The views over Chrome hill were magnificent.
Spending a couple of days in Llani so yesterday evening had a glorious 30 miles and 3,000 ft ride around the Hafren Forest, Staylittle and Clywedog Dam. This evening another glorious ride of 45 miles and 4,000 ft around Tylwch,St Harmon, Rhayader and the Elan Valley dams. Not a lot of wildlife about but bluebells at their best in the evening sun and the beautiful Mid-Wales countryside only spoiled by the wind turbines that were generating zilch even though the wind was slowing me down!
Planned to have a pre-ride fuel at the Travellers Rest but it was closed at 3.30. That would not have happened in Mrs Gough’s day and would have her turning in her grave!
Sounds idyllic. Other than commuting I have not managed a decent ride for a few weeks - fell running keeps getting in the way!
I wish fell running would get in the way of my bike riding but a recurring calf injury prevents it. Did my first race of 2019 a couple of weeks ago, Cressbrook Crawl, but although the calf behaved during the race it has flared up since but it is fine on the bike!
Beautiful loop around the upper Goyt Valley, Axe Edge and Glutton Bridge yesterday evening whilst son was club swimming at Buxton. Only 21 miles but 2,000 feet which made me work. The bluebells are still hanging on and lovely in the fading evening sunlight although the northwesterly breeze made it cold in the shade.
Just a short potter round Göcek harbour.
7k in total on an old mountain bike that stuck in the same gear due to no cable's for the gear changers.
Might just be enough to get me back on a bike more often.
(I posted similar yesterday while in Turkey but when I get back home I discovered my post had been removed ?????)
Its not been removed Stagger, its still on the Tonights TV thread where you originally posted it and I replied, you daft bugger.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stagger
Too much sun?
Ha ha ha too much Tuborg Amber 🍻
Thanks Llani and sorry to the mods.
Near 3 weeks off the bike, everything in fact, so a gently peddle this afternoon. Surprisingly found £3.50 in my shorts pocket as I passed the Towy Bridge Inn ;), a pint of Jemima rounded off the afternoon.
Lovely bike ride today of 32 miles and 3,000feet, the highlight being the panoramic views from the ridge near The Barrel at Bretton.
Spent a few moments to thank the D-Day Veterans for the freedom to enjoy such a ride.
RESPECT on both counts.Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Had a nice ride yesterday, rucksack with fishing tackle on my back, I did the 12 mile and 1700ft peddle up over the hill and round the reservoir (off road forest tracks), then a quick fish which gave me 4 nice trout for supper and peddle home again.
Nice ride and trout for tea - exercise with a purpose :)
A ride up round the mines today, the climb felt far harder than it should, but managed the downhill a little faster than usual and arrived home safe and sound without doing a 'Froomie'.
35km around the canals of North Birmingham and the Black Country on the MTB. Some amazing industrial archaeology and wildlife surprisingly abundant for such an urban industrial area.
Gritfest here over next two days https://gritfest.co.uk/
I've just been out and ridden a section of day 2 and decided I have a way to go before I can manage two consecutive days without embarrassing myself!
Managed longest (only by a bit) and most climbing (by quite a bit) today, worked out at about 251/2 miles and 3700ft of mainly off road, one of the tracks was unrideable so carried the bike up sections - felt like a cyclocross star. Only I'm not!
Moley I'm shocked! It sounds like you might actually be getting the hang of this velocipede thing! Perhaps we should do a re-run of GFRCEA??
Yes, it is worrying that I am quite enjoying it, mainly that I can go out peddling up and down hills for hours and the following morning not have every joint in my legs aching, tired but not the hammering. Which running does.
Still don't like the faff of bikes and listening to a pair of cyclists talk bikes is a cure for insomnia.
Agree. Means to an end not an excuse for reverence!
The road over Mynydd Epynt from Brecon to Garth. Very slowly, with plenty of time to admire the views. If I had a cycling bucket list, this road would probably have been on it.
Riva del Garda to Santa Barbara and back, 45km, one hill, 1300m elevation gain.
I loved every single second of it.
Here you go an end of season outing :-
https://www.cyclinguk.org/current-ca...at-north-trail
Looks interesting to me in fact it would make an interesting outing on foot as well ;)
Its great that cycling is being taken more seriously by the authority's but they are they are telling a few porkies by calling it "A long distance off road trail".Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
I don`t think they are misleading anybody as they clearly point out that the route is not perfect and is still evolving and that in places it has to resort to quiet roads (16 miles road I think which ain`t that bad over on a route of 800 miles) pretty much the same as Snowdon marathon is neither a road or trail marathon and is in fact all the better for it :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Llani Boy
Didn`know that cycling UK or the CTC was an authority in fact I thougt it was a charity ah well you live and learn I guess;)
They may well be charity's and I am happy to be corrected but the "off road" claim is not true. I would also be surprised if there was no local authority involvement in the project, which as I said earlier think a great idea. But why sell it as something it is not?Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnK
Its that awkward season again. Mudguards and CX tyres have gone on the my commuting bike. This morning's commute saw lights, winter gloves and thick jacket on (as hands frozen solid yesterday!) This afternoon sees a hot, dry, sunny ride home in a short sleeved jersey, track mitts and shorts. Still, I saviour the fact that this ride is still light and pleasantly warm as the onset of dreaded winter riding is not that far off.
Full on Winter commute mode today. Very cold