Today's Ride

[al-onestare]

Nice work dude.

Dank ride yesterday with 2 flats so no pics from that.

New day, another new inner tube and a cracking ride around the local trails after a few weeks of going further afield. Still 13 degrees, light cloud with glimpses of sunshine, rising to about 14/15 at 08:15.

The ride wasn't without incident. First a branch decided to impel my left arm followed by a low hanging branch that I completely misjudged ducking under at speed, resulting in a one-two off another branch, landing in a heap. There's a reason why we wear helmets Shame really because I love this one but time to replace it nevertheless.

Really stoked that I finally managed to score Dario's iconic Kona-Mapei jersey in a sensible size. Happy Friday!

 

[Markybeau]

Re:

Don't know what is going on with the site today but logged me out twice whilst trying to post this.

Today I will be mostly going 'this way'.

No particular agenda - bit of Flitch Way, wandered up towards Easton Lodge. Couple of 'No Public Right of Way' signs offered the invitation of trespass, so I took them up on it, as this usually means there is either a bridleway or footpath beyond. I wasn't mistaken. Got a bit tired, rode around the perimeter fence of the airport, and then rode home.

I'm still having significant issues with balance. I can't look at the ground when walking or riding without getting seriously disoriented and veering off course or falling over. The meds can make me easily confused which is a bit distressing at times.

26 miles. Sedate pace to lower the risk of a fall.

Light westerly breeze at times. 15°c when I went out. Close to 20 when I got back. Lovely morning

 

[PeterPerfect]

Friend at work is going through the same thing as you. It's taken 10 weeks to see a specialist ! Finally has an appointment in 2 weeks time.

Those old Specialized MTBs have had a real resurgence during the lock-down. So durable and reliable, no wonder there's still quite a few knocking around.

Hope the health improves because the riding and the pics look great.

Note to self: Don't stand underneath trees in a storm !

 

[Markybeau]

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Dared to go out again this morning. Not as far only about 20 miles.

Hatfield Broad Oak across the fields to Great Canfield, looped around towards Takeley, Great Hallingbury, under the M11 and home.

Finding many paths, like the crops that bordered them, have disappeared under the plough.

Fell over once because I couldn't unclip in time to avoid high speed oncoming bike on narrow singletrack. Cocky teen telling me I need to learn to ride properly.

No power today. Legs felt fine, just didn't feel strong. Pace was below average but better than yesterday.

Couple of byways I've used before were very muddy, which I was unusually wary of at first. Cuckoo's Lane being one.

Lots of dappled shade under trees making photos come out big which is a shame.

About 14°c when I left slowly climbing to about 18°c. Perfect conditions for me.

 

[PeterPerfect]

Your routes appear to have a touch of the macabre about them. People being burned to death in one way or another !

 

[al-onestare]

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Yesterday I decided to extend the Thames Path "loop" to where the River Darent (and just after that where the Cray meets the Darent) meets the Thames. I'm getting closer to the QEII bridge but need more time in the day to get that "loop" in.

 

[dazdc5]

Re:

Verderers, midway point forwards.

Verderers, midway point backwards.

Verderers, lower section rebuilt.

Verderers, Dragons Tail.

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Dragons Tail.. lost me bike!

Malvern Hills, Eastern side.

Malvern Hills Herefordshire Beacon.

Sunset.

 

[al-onestare]

Re: Re:

Verderers, midway point forwards.

Verderers, midway point backwards.

Verderers, lower section rebuilt.

Verderers, Dragons Tail.

[/url]


Dragons Tail.. lost me bike!

Verderers at FOD? Looks a bit like it. Defo one of my fav trails in the UK.

No pic's from today. Mild 15 rising to 16 at 08:00 with a hint of mizzle in the air. Pretty dank in places.

Yesterday was a 30 mile round trip up onto the downs to Emmetts Garden (single speed all the way, 8 minutes slower there, 4 minutes slower back than on the road bike). I volunteer there, usually every 4-5 weeks but I haven't been there since February thanks to lockdown then work being a total arse. I spent the day with the team strimming, pruning and weeding; the usual trio of graft It's a fantastic spot right next to Ide Hill.

Hints that autumn is coming with the Acer looking ace.

One of the many vistas looking south. Beyond that ridge you'd see the final set of hills before reaching the coast.

 

[dazdc5]

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Yes Forest of Dean, bottom section was still closed last week, but we had a sneak peak after 5pm.

 

[al-onestare]

Re: Re:

Yes Forest of Dean, bottom section was still closed last week, but we had a sneak peak after 5pm.

Awesome. Glad to see they've fixed up the final run-in. That was getting proper janky!