How's the C16-R doing that ended up in the canal?
Today's Ride
- Thread starter FairfaxPat
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2manyoranges
Old School Grand Master
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Well...yesterday's ride..(and very non-retro...)...found the old BMX track on the Downs above Brighton, at the end of Ditchling Road, and the Grom did some great jumping on the Transition Sentinel, and I took the Stanton 29-er for its first singeltrack thrash in Stanmer Woods. Bumped into a couple who had ridden back to UK from China.....via Kazakhstan, Kygystan and Azerbaijan, then through Europe. Amazing. The ride did the youth a power of good after all this Lockdown stuff....
Cassidy - lovely photos and really well-written text.....
Cassidy - lovely photos and really well-written text.....
Another retrobiker bought the f&f last summer.
Boredom sometimes demands a change of tack. Left work early and as I cruised across the industrial estate I wondered how much of the canal I'd be able to be follow. There used to be a way from Aldwarke, through the grounds of the steel mill, that followed the railway. Unfortunately security is much tighter these days and the large security checkpoint bedecked with cameras, and a huge fence with large spikes, didn't used to be there.
Saw what I was looking for as I drifted across the Asda car park at the wash: a public footpath sign. That'll do.
At one point it was an undulating metre wide tightrope dropping sheer into water either side. Taking in my surroundings it looked like I was wandering through the remains of a water mill.
The path ended abruptly here. A shame because it continues beyond the gate.
After climbing the bank and a false start later I was retracing part of the path, before branching off towards the main road.
The climb up Thrybergh hill was going to have to be on tarmac. Mungy Lane pulled me away from the road.
It was warm. About 15°c and still. This morning was chilly, about 3°c but felt colder.
Discovered I was following another dismantled railway running parallel with the canal and the vast Liberty Special Steels complex. The concrete sleepers were still in place for much of the way. If you look carefully at the second picture you can see some. This was known as John Brown's Private Railway linking Silverwood Collery with Roundwood Colliery.
On from there I crossed some flytipped wasteland. What looked like some kind of stunt park for mountain bikes. Passed the weir, which looked pretty spectacular. I'm bored now, and so are you...
Spat out at Hooton Lodge Farm, for another light bulb moment - 'Never been here before'.
The Ridgeback did the honours today and did OK. It's comfortable, in it's own way. Top speed was slower, but it's really well balanced and more stable over tight, slower and technical than either SJ.
About 15 miles in and out.
The weather for the rest of the week doesn't look quite so good. Fingers crossed.
Saw what I was looking for as I drifted across the Asda car park at the wash: a public footpath sign. That'll do.
At one point it was an undulating metre wide tightrope dropping sheer into water either side. Taking in my surroundings it looked like I was wandering through the remains of a water mill.
The path ended abruptly here. A shame because it continues beyond the gate.
After climbing the bank and a false start later I was retracing part of the path, before branching off towards the main road.
The climb up Thrybergh hill was going to have to be on tarmac. Mungy Lane pulled me away from the road.
It was warm. About 15°c and still. This morning was chilly, about 3°c but felt colder.
Discovered I was following another dismantled railway running parallel with the canal and the vast Liberty Special Steels complex. The concrete sleepers were still in place for much of the way. If you look carefully at the second picture you can see some. This was known as John Brown's Private Railway linking Silverwood Collery with Roundwood Colliery.
On from there I crossed some flytipped wasteland. What looked like some kind of stunt park for mountain bikes. Passed the weir, which looked pretty spectacular. I'm bored now, and so are you...
Spat out at Hooton Lodge Farm, for another light bulb moment - 'Never been here before'.
The Ridgeback did the honours today and did OK. It's comfortable, in it's own way. Top speed was slower, but it's really well balanced and more stable over tight, slower and technical than either SJ.
About 15 miles in and out.
The weather for the rest of the week doesn't look quite so good. Fingers crossed.
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Today I be mosting eating...dust
Took a chance on the weather holding off today, and apart from a brief afternoon shower it did. Hoorah.
Quite a mild morning 6°c, with a soft breeze.
Uneventful morning journey, and time precious this afternoon. So no time to wander and linger. A strictly functional 'a to b' ride home.
This was worthy of a stop though.
The Ridgeback fulfilled it's role admirably. I'm beginning to appreciate how it does what it does.
This is the view from Rawmarsh across to Dalton Parva / Thrybergh. Roundwood is behind me (ish). John Brown's Private Railway- mentioned yesterday - ran from Roundwood Colliery to Silverwood (Thrybergh) Colliery. The large structure is Liberty Special Steels. So I'm effectively on the opposite hill to yesterday. The elevated electricity pylon on the left of the picture is close to where I was standing yesterday for the two pictures of the bike.
Ride home about 12°c.
14 miles.
Took a chance on the weather holding off today, and apart from a brief afternoon shower it did. Hoorah.
Quite a mild morning 6°c, with a soft breeze.
Uneventful morning journey, and time precious this afternoon. So no time to wander and linger. A strictly functional 'a to b' ride home.
This was worthy of a stop though.
The Ridgeback fulfilled it's role admirably. I'm beginning to appreciate how it does what it does.
This is the view from Rawmarsh across to Dalton Parva / Thrybergh. Roundwood is behind me (ish). John Brown's Private Railway- mentioned yesterday - ran from Roundwood Colliery to Silverwood (Thrybergh) Colliery. The large structure is Liberty Special Steels. So I'm effectively on the opposite hill to yesterday. The elevated electricity pylon on the left of the picture is close to where I was standing yesterday for the two pictures of the bike.Ride home about 12°c.
14 miles.
Southville Hop
Retro Guru
Bluebell singletrack, the scent was truly intoxicating!
Mid-week and the green machine is still doing the business. Apart a little rear mech tweaking it's been bulletproof. I'm liking the springy bit of flex in the frame, the reassuring calmness over ruts and roots. It rides like bikes used to ride - (I'd like to think. I've no idea, I can't remember if I'm honest).
This morning was fresh and grey, light breeze making 5°c seem colder, and damp patches. No kingfisher so far this week.
Riding home, a wandering urge gripped me. I attempted to find a way across some wasteland between Roundwood and Kilnhurst. Lots of gulleys, tree roots, and deep ruts created by quads and mx bikes.
Popped out on the edge of a farmyard to be greeted by, 'where ya goan?' In a surly Irish accent.
'How do I get out of here?'
'Back da way ya cum', the reply. He points towards the trees behind me.
I can hear the booming voice of a large dog nearby. Time to skedaddle.
Got a bit lost as the trail petered out. Had to turn around and retrace.
Bloody flytippers!
Manage to escape the Stream of Tremendous Smells, find my way back to the road, and continued on my way home.
Riding home was quite blustery. About 11°c. Took me ages to warm up.
16 miles today.
Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment. No riding. Bummer.
This morning was fresh and grey, light breeze making 5°c seem colder, and damp patches. No kingfisher so far this week.
Riding home, a wandering urge gripped me. I attempted to find a way across some wasteland between Roundwood and Kilnhurst. Lots of gulleys, tree roots, and deep ruts created by quads and mx bikes.
Popped out on the edge of a farmyard to be greeted by, 'where ya goan?' In a surly Irish accent.
'How do I get out of here?'
'Back da way ya cum', the reply. He points towards the trees behind me.
I can hear the booming voice of a large dog nearby. Time to skedaddle.
Got a bit lost as the trail petered out. Had to turn around and retrace.
Bloody flytippers!
Manage to escape the Stream of Tremendous Smells, find my way back to the road, and continued on my way home.
Riding home was quite blustery. About 11°c. Took me ages to warm up.
16 miles today.
Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment. No riding. Bummer.
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Reasons to be cheerful:
It's Friday!
And a bank holiday weekend.
We made it to the end of the week. My commuter fulfilling it's role admirably. No fuss, no drama.
This morning was bloody cold and wet in patches. A dismal 3°c again.
Mist rising off the canal, or steam rising off the shit floating in it, whichever you prefer.
I was late this morning. I had to hurry. The Ridgeback doesn't like to hurry. I think the 'Competition' decal was added ironically. There's nothing competitive about it. My best Yorkshire pace so far, which is not saying much.
The ride home was accompanied by a shower that seemed to know which way i was going. The pace more leisurely. 11°c, blustery at times.
Enjoy your weekend!
It's Friday!
And a bank holiday weekend.
We made it to the end of the week. My commuter fulfilling it's role admirably. No fuss, no drama.
This morning was bloody cold and wet in patches. A dismal 3°c again.
Mist rising off the canal, or steam rising off the shit floating in it, whichever you prefer.
I was late this morning. I had to hurry. The Ridgeback doesn't like to hurry. I think the 'Competition' decal was added ironically. There's nothing competitive about it. My best Yorkshire pace so far, which is not saying much.
The ride home was accompanied by a shower that seemed to know which way i was going. The pace more leisurely. 11°c, blustery at times.
Enjoy your weekend!
CassidyAce
Senior Retro Guru
At about ten degrees, with a pleasant breeze rather than last weekend's icy blast, today's ride was cloudier but clement. Good riding weather. I decided to ride to the village of Wye.
Farmland near Chartham:
I'd decided that as I approached Wye, I would take a detour to see if I could spot an ancient burial mound from the time of the Jutes in nearby Juniper Wood. The Jutes came to Britain at the same time as the Angles and Saxons but are less well known and only settled in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and East Kent. Anyway, I couldn't see it from the road and didn't feel like exploring the woods - perhaps another time - but I appreciated the views. Juniper Wood is at the top of a hill and you can see for miles. Most of the woodland was cleared by neolithic farmers, so the views would have been similar for the Jutes. I might not have found the mound but I left with the feeling that some of those ancient Jutes appreciated the same views as me. A burial up on those heights was probably a mark of respect or even love.
The view from about halfway up:
A view from the top:
Heading towards Wye; the Wye Crown on the hilltop was carved in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII.
I stopped off for cake and a drink in Wye, then headed for home.
Farmland near Chartham:
I'd decided that as I approached Wye, I would take a detour to see if I could spot an ancient burial mound from the time of the Jutes in nearby Juniper Wood. The Jutes came to Britain at the same time as the Angles and Saxons but are less well known and only settled in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and East Kent. Anyway, I couldn't see it from the road and didn't feel like exploring the woods - perhaps another time - but I appreciated the views. Juniper Wood is at the top of a hill and you can see for miles. Most of the woodland was cleared by neolithic farmers, so the views would have been similar for the Jutes. I might not have found the mound but I left with the feeling that some of those ancient Jutes appreciated the same views as me. A burial up on those heights was probably a mark of respect or even love.
The view from about halfway up:
A view from the top:
Heading towards Wye; the Wye Crown on the hilltop was carved in 1902 to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII.
I stopped off for cake and a drink in Wye, then headed for home.
