Today's Bike Ride

[Graham Breeze]

Having ridden bikes with 3-speed Sturmey-Archer hubs until the age of 26, it has never hurt my pride too much when I have put my foot down while climbing a steep hill. But in my youth I still tried to pedal up as much as possible on my 49-inch bottom gear.

When you lived in Flitwick, you may have been familiar with the road that climbs out of Lidlington: it has a black chevron on the old 1-inch OS map (Bedford and Luton) which I still have, although the sign at the top said "I in 8", and the chevron is not there on modern OS maps. Anyway, I could get up that without putting my foot down. Obviously there was no hope of pedalling up the 1-in-5 out of Bow Brickhill.

Well shocked by you remembering I was born in Flitwick I leapt off the sofa, leapt on to my sturdy steed and pedalled towards Pateley Bridge so as to climb Greenhow Hill. Although Simon Warren states the total length to be 3500 meters the first 1500 meters contain 300 meters of climb, starting at 16%, with another 100 meters of climb spread over 2000 meters which feel like a relative rest.

I descended to the river through Bewerly, as I have before as well as ascended this way. When I first did this I recognised the single track S hairpin bend by a farm to be the worst road surface (and when descending most frightening) I have ever ridden on in my life, and on 25mm rims. Ever. But that was then and since then it has deteriorated. Since nobody would use the route other than to visit the farm I see no reason why any highways dept. will waste money improving the surface.

All that would do would be to encourage cyclists.

Anyway 40 miles,4000 feet of climb and a maximum speed of 40 mph. Neat.

[anthonykay]

A ride to the south-east today, via Swithland and through the middle of Leicester, then out to the east of the city. Up a 1-in-7 hill that I had never tackled before on the road from Scraptoft to Keyham; then another 1-in-7 climb on the delightful unfenced road (with 4 cattle grids) through the sheep pastures of Baggrave Park. Back home via Syston, including an interesting cycle path alongside the Barkby Brook, rather narrow where it goes under the railway bridges. 37 miles in total.

[MattPo]

But how many pint's?

[anthonykay]

But how many pint's?

About half a pint of water (yes, I'm probably not keeping myself well enough hydrated); and a chocolate-coated flapjack.

[anthonykay]

Feeling annoyed that my Achilles tendon has shown itself not to be ready for today's race (Carsington), I went out on my bike this morning, expecting to do a brisk 30 miles or so, out to the Vale of Belvoir. I stopped in Kinoulton to look at the map, and noticed a bridleway that I had never been along, going to Colston Bassett. I went along this, and then continued further north, as far as Tythby, before turning westwards, into the wind.

I had only taken one cereal bar, which had been consumed at Kinoulton, so went into a small shop in Cotgrave and came out with a loaf of Lincolnshire Plum Bread (which doesn't contain any plums, but has plenty of raisins and sultanas), to provide energy for the battle with the headwind for the rest of the way home. 45 miles altogether.

[Llani Boy]

Last Tuesday I went into my local proper bike shop, Zepnat in Matlock, for a pair of cleats for my new road shoes and came out with a new bike!

I wasn't really wanting/needing a new bike but when I saw the Ridley Kanzo Fast gravel machine they had on display I decided to treat myself. It will replace my Pinnacle Arkose, which has nothing wrong with it, but the Ridley is in a different league.

It is equipped with the relatively new Campagnolo Ekar 1/13 groupset and it is the comfiest bike I have ever ridden. I have been out on two 15 miles gravel/off road rides so far and I love it.

It rolls nicely on tarmac too, the only downside so far is at over 35 mph downhill I run out of gears but I can live with that.

It is purple and orange in colour which sounds horrendous but it really looks good. When he saw it my son asked me if I had joined the LGBTQ+ community

[Graham Breeze]

It is equipped with the relatively new Campagnolo Ekar 1/13 groupset and it is the comfiest bike I have ever ridden.

It is purple and orange in colour which sounds horrendous but it really looks good. When he saw it my son asked me if I had joined the LGBTQ+ community

The guy who sold me my Bianchi told me to remember that the bike industry is in the fashion business - I see now what he had in mind.

And well done on buying Campagnolo. Bike manufacturers are steadily moving away from Campag. It has gone from being the best equipment in the world that everybody lusted to own to being an increasingly niche product.

Btw the son of my neighbour owns 8 bikes so...

[Mike T]

Last Tuesday I went into my local proper bike shop, Zepnat in Matlock, for a pair of cleats for my new road shoes and came out with a new bike!

I wasn't really wanting/needing a new bike but when I saw the Ridley Kanzo Fast gravel machine they had on display I decided to treat myself. It will replace my Pinnacle Arkose, which has nothing wrong with it, but the Ridley is in a different league.

It is equipped with the relatively new Campagnolo Ekar 1/13 groupset and it is the comfiest bike I have ever ridden. I have been out on two 15 miles gravel/off road rides so far and I love it.

It rolls nicely on tarmac too, the only downside so far is at over 35 mph downhill I run out of gears but I can live with that.

It is purple and orange in colour which sounds horrendous but it really looks good. When he saw it my son asked me if I had joined the LGBTQ+ community

Love that last sentence - can we have a photo?

[Llani Boy]

Love that last sentence - can we have a photo?

If I knew how to post one I would. However Mike, if you google Ridley Kanzo Fast Purple and Orange lots of photographs will appear.Just make sure you are wearing your sunnies!

[anthonykay]

If I knew how to post one I would. However Mike, if you google Ridley Kanzo Fast Purple and Orange lots of photographs will appear.Just make sure you are wearing your sunnies!

They didn't have a nice pink one in stock for you?