Today's Bike Ride

[Llani Boy]

Mmmh. Or I looked on the Staffordshire XXXVII.NE map (includes: Hopton and Coton; Salt and Enson) of 1902, on the National Library of Scotland map collection, like all good pedants would

I mentioned this to my mum last night, and she told me her father had worked as signalman at Salt, amongst his travels, probably towards the end of the LNER

The Hollybush Inn at Salt was one of my watering holes whilst serving at RAF Stafford in the late seventies. A cracking traditional pub with thatched roof. Did you notice if it was still there?

When I'm back on the bike again I must do a "memory lane" ride in that area!

[Llani Boy]

On Sunday I ventured out on my bike for the second time in 10 weeks. From Llanidloes along the A470 to Rhayader which had I had known about the resurfacing work would have gone somewhere else. 5 miles of newly laid chippings made the going unpleasant especially as I had to position myself further away from the verge as usual due to the depth of chippings that had been washed out by vehicles. The temporary speed limit was 10 mph but I was able to keep to 15mph and for most of the 5 miles I had a very considerate VW camper driver who was happy to sit behind me and, therefore, protected me from the 105 assorted vehicles, yes I counted them as the went past at the end of the roadworks, which I had been holding up.

Once in Rhayader I turned right and did a loop of the Elan Valley dams. Plenty of people about but not enough to spoil the beauty and silence of the place until I got to the top of Craig Coch reservoir. At that location the road rises steeply via a series of 4 short hairpin bends. As I was approaching I could see a lot of vehicles parked up in addition to a lot of people. I soon found out why the were there as I approached the first bend when a skateboarder came flying around the corner far to fast and disappeared into the bracken below.
He was followed by 3 others, who were sat down, two of which also left the road. There were crowds cheering them on and as I continued up they kept coming. Most were wearing full face crash helmets! I was determined not to dismount and crossed the road a couple of time to make sure that I was on the inside of each hairpin to avoid being taken out, which fortunately I did. When I reached the junction at the top there were more of them waiting to go down. I reckon there were 50 or 60 of them altogether obviously taking part in some sort of unofficial racing.
I turned right at the junction and after the drag to the top enjoyed the nearly 3 miles descent back to Rhayader, skateboard free, but with only sheep to worry about. A brew and delicious Baklava watching the traffic go by at the crossroads and then the 17 miles back along the A470 to Llanidloes. Fortunately the northbound side of the road had only just started being resurfaced and as I approached the works the lollipop man turned his sign to GO so through I went and had a decent surface for the return with only a headwind to contend with. I had considered going home via Pant-Y-Dwr and a hilly route but after Saturdays run my legs would have struggled!
A total of 50 and a half miles, 2,925 feet in 3hrs 6 min. A bit far for my second ride back but the shoulder seems fine. I just hope my legs have recovered in time for Blencathra on Saturday. (excuse in early)

[molehill]

We did the Rhayader to Llangurig road this morning by car, nightmare and never seen dust like it on a road. Horrendous cycling I would think.
Went to Hafren and walked to source with Mrs Mole, few years since last visit (when we came home with bags of bilberry). Nice to visit the old haunts and look at those northern hills again.

[Graham Breeze]

Just 27 miles today but the 1300 feet of climb did include Black Hill and Old Pool Bank, both of which concentrate the mind. Actually I first descended Old Pool Bank (39.4 mph) before turning at the bottom and doing the climb (3.94 mph?). Last Friday I did 35 miles on the Boardman ADV to show her I still care because on Saturday were the three White Rose Classic sportives from Ilkley of which my son was doing the mere Medium (82 miles including 4 notable Yorkshire climbs; Norwood, Halton Gill, Albert Hill and, just before the finish, the vicious Langbar). Before setting off I even cleaned the Bianchi for the cameramen who line the route - no doubt thinking I looked remarkably fresh as I pootled along behind my son towards the finish.

Whilst waiting for him to appear I watched many of the 1000 riders who take part with many more being on Cannondale, Specialised and Giant than were on Colnago or Pinarello. And few examples of Italian exotica. My son's chum was riding his £4000 titanium Ribble - I didn't note many of those either.

Tomorrow evening will see the Otley town centre races. Otley has had a serious cycling club forever (and I suppose I should mention that Lizzie Deignan is from Otley and used to race with the men) and then Ilkley Harriers(of which I was a member for a few years)around a decade ago founded an offshoot cycling section for its cycling runners which is now the biggest cycling club in Britain. Now isn't that odd? The Ilkley club then started the Ilkley town centre races which usually take place about a week from the long established Otley event. Perhaps that is not so odd!

While I was waiting for my beloved son to appear over the horizon on Saturday (riding his Focus)in the layby was an immaculate black Porsche Carrera T. This isn't the most desirable 911 but at £90,000 or so it isn't too embarrassing to park on the drive. The driver (and I assumed lady partner)were nowhere to be seen and so I mused on what they might look like. Probably a little like me? Anyway they eventually appeared and he was old, fat, wearing ghastly shorts and sandals. Sandals?

Nearly as bad as toe clips.

[Llani Boy]

Went to Hafren and walked to source with Mrs Mole, few years since last visit (when we came home with bags of bilberry). Nice to visit the old haunts and look at those northern hills again.

I don't know how long your "few years" is Moley but if it is over 10ish you will have noticed a massive difference in the landscape with the amount of logging that has gone on.

I used to really like the enchanting darkness of the closeness of the tree's and the coolness on a hot day, but now having got used to the extended views due to the clearing I also like it as it is. There is certainly more birdlife about and on Saturday saw a Jay and a pair of Ravens that I surprised and they seemed to take forever to get their bulk off the ground. And their bill, wow, what a weapon!

[MattPo]

"Tomorrow evening will see the Otley town centre races. Otley has had a serious cycling club forever (and I suppose I should mention that Lizzie Deignan is from Otley and used to race with the men)"

Hope to see you there tonight Mr B.
Lizzie Deignan's Dad is a fair fell runner with a Bob Graham under his belt and first Vet 60 in the last Three Peaks

[molehill]

I don't know how long your "few years" is Moley but if it is over 10ish you will have noticed a massive difference in the landscape with the amount of logging that has gone on.

I used to really like the enchanting darkness of the closeness of the tree's and the coolness on a hot day, but now having got used to the extended views due to the clearing I also like it as it is. There is certainly more birdlife about and on Saturday saw a Jay and a pair of Ravens that I surprised and they seemed to take forever to get their bulk off the ground. And their bill, wow, what a weapon!

Regular outings before we moved here 9 years ago, but last visit was maybe 4 years, as you say, many changes. Opened up some lovely views for a few years but ever changing.

[molehill]

Very close to first big mash-up against a farmers quad bike on a back road 😱. Came to a skidding halt literally 2 inches from the quad.
He pulled out of a blind entrance to a field, obscured by hedge and I had no idea he was there, he just popped out a couple of feet too far, too quick, without any view. The look of horror on his face as I skidded in was only matched by my equal look of fear.
He was very, very apologetic and all fine but I was very thankful I put a new front brake rotor in this week, the old one would have meant another busted bike and possibly a mole too.

[molehill]

This afternoon was 73k and 1730m mainly on forestry gravel, about my longest and highest ride. Went ok.
Needless to say I simply put the chain on the big ring and left it there all day - seems to be the way to go on the climbs 😜.

[Gambatte]

Maratona dles Dolomites, I rode it last Sunday, 4.7
138km 4230m