Today's Ride
- Thread starter FairfaxPat
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CassidyAce
Senior Retro Guru
Re:
A COVID-safe ride today, mainly on country lanes because they're emptier than local paths and trails under lockdown conditions. It was a there-and-back-again route with a loop at the far end: a lasso-shaped ride (or noose-shaped ride for those with darker imaginations).
Temperatures were just above zero and early afternoon sun broke through the clouds and worked on melting the frost and dispersing the mist. With barely any breeze, there was a quiet, wintry beauty to the countryside. There were some disquieting thoughts about world events along the way but it was the sort of ride that makes me feel glad to be alive.
A COVID-safe ride today, mainly on country lanes because they're emptier than local paths and trails under lockdown conditions. It was a there-and-back-again route with a loop at the far end: a lasso-shaped ride (or noose-shaped ride for those with darker imaginations).
Temperatures were just above zero and early afternoon sun broke through the clouds and worked on melting the frost and dispersing the mist. With barely any breeze, there was a quiet, wintry beauty to the countryside. There were some disquieting thoughts about world events along the way but it was the sort of ride that makes me feel glad to be alive.
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Re:
Wednesday TPT east towards Donnie.
Stepping out into the drizzle.
21 miles of slippery sludge.
Missed my turn and ended up on the Greenway before backtracking and finding the sign I'd missed.
The other side of Bentley the TPT was being dug up - looks like it's going to be paved - so took a detour along a side path, another branch line embankment, which ended where I encountered 2 sorry-looking tethered Shetland ponies close to the current mainline.
By then I was plastered in mud and decided to start making my way home.
Plodded back along to Sprotbrough crossing over the canal and under the A1 - tottered down the steep bank toward the water.
I'm paranoid about crashing at the moment as the NHS has enough to deal with without some middle-aged numpty turning up with self-inflicted daredevil injuries.
Nevertheless common sense didn't participate for the whole ride and a bit later I found myself on another very steep embankment, following a narrow bit of singletrack winding its way through the trees. My ability ran out about a third of the way down, having to bail before faceplanting a tree. Breathing a sigh of relief, after my 'lucky' off, I picked myself up, went back for the bike, and walked down the rest of the way.
Back home. Never had mud go through my tights before...at least I think it was mud
Wednesday TPT east towards Donnie.
Stepping out into the drizzle.
21 miles of slippery sludge.
Missed my turn and ended up on the Greenway before backtracking and finding the sign I'd missed.
The other side of Bentley the TPT was being dug up - looks like it's going to be paved - so took a detour along a side path, another branch line embankment, which ended where I encountered 2 sorry-looking tethered Shetland ponies close to the current mainline.
By then I was plastered in mud and decided to start making my way home.
Plodded back along to Sprotbrough crossing over the canal and under the A1 - tottered down the steep bank toward the water.
I'm paranoid about crashing at the moment as the NHS has enough to deal with without some middle-aged numpty turning up with self-inflicted daredevil injuries.
Nevertheless common sense didn't participate for the whole ride and a bit later I found myself on another very steep embankment, following a narrow bit of singletrack winding its way through the trees. My ability ran out about a third of the way down, having to bail before faceplanting a tree. Breathing a sigh of relief, after my 'lucky' off, I picked myself up, went back for the bike, and walked down the rest of the way.
Back home. Never had mud go through my tights before...at least I think it was mud
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Mildly chilly today, bordering on f-freezing.
Snowed last couple of days, yesterday it didn't stop for most of it so went out for walk instead. Today, though poor visibility, it had stopped at least.
Out on my road i soon realized it was going to be an interesting ride, the snow had frozen over night, so in places was hard which sent the front wheel all over the place, in others it was slushy sending the front wheel all over the place. I thought the trails would be better, where they were still covered in snow it was either hard, or soft enough to grip the tyres to hinder forward momentum. Where the snow had been worn away from feet, bikes and the such, it was wet, muddy and even wetter. So, a mix of riding today, my legs feel it for sure.
The trails were surprisingly quiet, though some of them had seen quite a few walkers, once out a bit further it was pleasantly untouched. I stopped once for a breather on a hard (work) trail and heard a bike coming up behind me, the rider was also enjoying the snow trails, it turned out to be a v-good friend, who had been trying to catch me to see who was stoopid enough to ride in these conditions with a bald rear xc tyre. We rode a bit further where we stopped for a chat and went our separate ways, the only person i saw for most of the ride and the only cyclist.
Despite the effort needed to turn the cranks and the concentration needed for some of the terrain, it was a most enjoyable ride and like my friend said, better than sat in the house.
Marvelous!
Snowed last couple of days, yesterday it didn't stop for most of it so went out for walk instead. Today, though poor visibility, it had stopped at least.
Out on my road i soon realized it was going to be an interesting ride, the snow had frozen over night, so in places was hard which sent the front wheel all over the place, in others it was slushy sending the front wheel all over the place. I thought the trails would be better, where they were still covered in snow it was either hard, or soft enough to grip the tyres to hinder forward momentum. Where the snow had been worn away from feet, bikes and the such, it was wet, muddy and even wetter. So, a mix of riding today, my legs feel it for sure.
The trails were surprisingly quiet, though some of them had seen quite a few walkers, once out a bit further it was pleasantly untouched. I stopped once for a breather on a hard (work) trail and heard a bike coming up behind me, the rider was also enjoying the snow trails, it turned out to be a v-good friend, who had been trying to catch me to see who was stoopid enough to ride in these conditions with a bald rear xc tyre. We rode a bit further where we stopped for a chat and went our separate ways, the only person i saw for most of the ride and the only cyclist.
Despite the effort needed to turn the cranks and the concentration needed for some of the terrain, it was a most enjoyable ride and like my friend said, better than sat in the house.
Marvelous!
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Really nice to see some pics. Still too dark for me to take any and this week it was just too wet, so wet that I ran 4 days and got soaked each time. I only got on the bike today but that was well needed, a solid 30 miles.
TerryParadise
Retro Guru
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Took the gf's bike out for a post-build ride to assess what tweaks are required (thankfully nothing major). Followed the coast from Bournemouth to Sandbanks, jumped on the chain ferry and rode through Studland to Old Harry Rocks.
Pretty much all road except for the final stretch to the cliffs which was nice and muddy.
Delightful first ride, but the tiny bike has destroyed my knees!
Pretty much all road except for the final stretch to the cliffs which was nice and muddy.
Delightful first ride, but the tiny bike has destroyed my knees!
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