Today's Ride

[widowmaker]

Re: Day before yesterday's ride

Wednesday, commute. The narrowest part of the tow path. Stopped waiting for oncoming cyclists, who haven't seen me, as they're not paying attention, instead having a conversation. They stop abruptly about 10 feet ahead, nearly wiping each other out.

First one moves off again, saying, 'Is it wider there?'
'No. Stay where you are.'
Number two rider follows. Number three sees sense and stays put.

I have to lean away from Number 1 to prevent her from colliding with me. As I lean my weight on to my left foot the grass underneath it turns out to be just that, nothing else, and gives way. (Either way) I end up falling into the canal still clipped in with my right foot.

I'm up pretty quick as the water is shallow and very cold. I don't like open water. I lift my bike on to the bank. Number 2 is reaching forward trying to pull me out. 'What are you doing? Get the hell away from me. Take my bike.'
I clamber up the bank, which is covered in stinging nettles that attack my knees, shins and ankles.

I'm halfway. 11 miles either way - home or work. There is no rescue plan. My partner has meetings all day and I have to get to work. I have to ride completely soaked and stinking. Take a shower at work fully clothed. Do the work I have to do, and then ride home in cold soaking wet clothes...Tough day.
Fortunately it was warm. Ironically I set a pb for the run in.

The fall destroys my work issue IPad (which slowly dies over the next 24 hours),rips a bottle boss raggedly out of the frame, the other has put a kink in the tube. My phone has now recovered.
The iPad is done for.

Damn :shock:

 

[The History Man]

Re:

Stuff. As long as you came out of it relatively unscathed.

 

[mk one]

Just had a quck look on utube, surely someone caught footage of it :?

 

[dazdc5]

Re:

I Hate passing people on the towpath especially if they 'coax' you to go on the wet side.

 

[rwm1962]

Damn - the perfect storm.

Took a ride down to the Tyne following the Blaydon Burn, then returned via the Derwent Valley & climb back home following the Spen Burn. Skirted the retail park by the Metro Centre to call into Evans Cycles see the lad & get some tyre levers on my his staff discount. Cycled past IKEA - massive queues even at 16:45. Just as well I didn't need a hotdog.

Scotswood Bridge




Even got a bit mucky


Swans & their cygnets. Site of an old ironworks.


Rest before the climb home

 

[Markybeau]

Re: Day before yesterday's ride again

Just ten miles. Didn't really feel 100%. Only had an hour. Went over the border, used a couple of new paths, and got distracted by a couple of dozen swallows wheeling, swooping and skimming over the top of the crops. Lost track of time enjoying the spectacle and taking photos.

 

[rwm1962]

Back out on the C16R?

 

[Markybeau]

Re:

Yup, aka Das Boot. Piece of insulation tape covering the hole in the downtube at the moment

 

[rwm1962]

Dropped down to the Tyne further inland at Wylam then followed it up to Newcastle. Over the Millenium bridge then down the other side to the Derwent. Nearly 28 miles on my gammy ankle so well happy.

 

[Markybeau]

Re:

Weather forecast wasn't looking too promising, but Jo has work she needs to do. So left to my own devices I'm going out. I decide, after map gazing for a bit, that I'm going to follow part of the Harcamlow Way. I have to ride to Manuden first and pick up the path from there. Plenty of fluids and a couple of snacks in the backpack and I'm off.

Pinchpools, Rickling Green, Quendon, Newport, Debden...Auto correct is starting to annoy...

By the time I get home I've covered just under 40 miles, including a loop I unintentionally did twice after getting lost.

Showers. Cool, about 15°c. Muddy in places. This is the new quiet.