Today's Ride

[Markybeau]

Late this morning. I could have done with more time, as always.

Weather was poor - intermittent showers, strong breeze: like an invisible hand pushing against my forehead. The mind willing, the legs uncooperative. The canal and the river, as expected, were populated with puddles.
Arrived in the nick of time.

Got into trouble on the way home. Got collared by, I'm presuming, the 'farmer', and bollocked for trespassing. Fair doos, bang to rights. Won't be going that way again.


17 miles in total.

 

[Markybeau]

The ground has softened but not my resolve.

After being told off yesterday the Ridgeback had a bit of a sulk, loosening its headset over the ruts along the river. It's neither an involved nor a time-consuming job to tighten up, and I have to admit, I just couldn't be arsed to do it. It's such a plus having more than one bike.

The route I take in a morning is functional, keeping me away from traffic as much as possible. What let's it down is there is no opportunity to build a rhythm. My mum, who can't even ride a bike, passed comment to that effect - which caught me off-guard for sure. I might need to have a rethink.

Anyway. This morning was stunning and I wanted to stop and drink it in, but needs must. Pace was better than yesterday, although not by much.

The day's predicted showers had passed. The ride home calm and warm. Nice day, beautiful day, riding day.

 

[mk one]

Well, its been a while, injuries and other things getting in the way have resulted in me not getting out on a bicycle for quite a while. Today as i had to wait in i found myself feeling a bit more up for it and with some spare time headed out for a quick ride.

The sun was out, it was quite warm again today with a cool breeze now and again when the wind changed. At one point it started snowing again, yesterday while up the Peak on the Triumph it snowed very heavy, then turned into giant hail stones, luckily i was near Alpkit and as i know the guys that own it and who work there i invited myself in for a quick coffee while the snow passed over. Today no such luck, the sky was blue everywhere apart from where i was, and the snow cloud followed me, like a cartoon character, just long enough so i was wet, while everyone around me was dry and looking at me like i had fallen in a river.

The ride itself was pleasant, short but scenic, and for the most part in the sun. Headed down a trail that has been resurfaced, defaced, by the council, it had some nice sections of twisty rooty singletrack, now it is just a wide gravel track, the gravel is soft enough to sap all forward momentum if you coast, so a constant slog, shame.

Anyway, happy i got out, and back without any issues, hopefully i will find time again to head out more.

 

[Markybeau]

A tale of the seasons. All of them.
The morning a clone of many recent days. Fresh, cool and sunny. An unremarkable journey, so I won't.

Dragged my heels leaving the office. Couldn't decide on Route 1 or wander. Sky in the distance noticeably overcast, Route 1 it was.

About 2/3 of the way the grey clouds were now near and far. Reaching Kilnhurst and the first spots of rain fell. Suddenly light shower became heavy became hail. Stopped only to put waterproof jacket on. Took a couple of pictures and carried on. The rain and the hail stopped, but only once I'd had a good soaking. Checked out a spur along the canal. To be investigated further another day.

3°c this morning
11°c this afternoon.
About 15 miles

By rail, by water, by gum
One way, then t'other

 

[Markybeau]

Friday. The groundhog cometh.

Mist rising from the water. 3°c and cool.
Good pace. No nde's.

Home: have an appointment to keep.
Chewy punched it on the way.

Big blue skies
Lots of cotton wool
No predicted showers.
12°c.

Week is over. Enjoy!

 

[doctor-bond]

Late this morning. I could have done with more time, as always.

Weather was poor - intermittent showers, strong breeze: like an invisible hand pushing against my forehead. The mind willing, the legs uncooperative. The canal and the river, as expected, were populated with puddles.
Arrived in the nick of time.

Got into trouble on the way home. Got collared by, I'm presuming, the 'farmer', and bollocked for trespassing. Fair doos, bang to rights. Won't be going that way again.

I have a soft spot for going where I’m not supposed to, too. A scold from the farmer or gamekeeper is a badge of honour. What’s the story behind the fire? Did he go too far and need .... reminding?

 

[K_50]

 

[CassidyAce]

Beautiful weather ^^^.

It was mainly cloudy but warm enough for shorts today, so I headed over the Crab and Winkle Way to Whitstable, then in a westerly direction along the Thanet Way to Seasalter. From there, it was back inland to the outskirts of Faversham.

The Isle of Sheppey as seen from the seafront at Seasalter.


And the bleak-looking landscape in the other direction:


The scenery got its act together as I approached Faversham, with a short off-road stretch and a river. And a wreck of a boat.


The sun decided to show itself as I started to head back:


To judge by the queues of cars on the Thanet Way, Tesco and Aldi were attracting more of a following than Jesus in this neck of the woods. However, I enjoyed a few minutes peace with my cake courtesy of the house of the latter in the village of Graveney.

 

[PeterPerfect]

Beautiful weather ^^^.

It was mainly cloudy but warm enough for shorts today, so I headed over the Crab and Winkle Way to Whitstable, then in a westerly direction along the Thanet Way to Seasalter. From there, it was back inland to the outskirts of Faversham.

The Isle of Sheppey as seen from the seafront at Seasalter.
View attachment 540878

And the bleak-looking landscape in the other direction:
View attachment 540879

The scenery got its act together as I approached Faversham, with a short off-road stretch and a river. And a wreck of a boat.
View attachment 540880

The sun decided to show itself as I started to head back:
View attachment 540881

To judge by the queues of cars on the Thanet Way, Tesco and Aldi were attracting more of a following than Jesus in this neck of the woods. However, I enjoyed a few minutes peace with my cake courtesy of the house of the latter in the village of Graveney.
View attachment 540882

Looking good.

What are your thoughts on the Schwalbe Billy Bonkers ?

Very little choice these days in 26 tan/skin wall tyres.

 

[CassidyAce]

I was required elsewhere, so I had to rush that write-up.

Anyway, Billy Bonkers - all tyres involve compromises: in this case, they roll very well on tarmac, and they offer decent grip on road and gravelly/ dusty tracks. They are reasonably lightweight too, especially the folding ones. They were designed as a tyre for jump bikes, so you might expect all of that. For the type of riding I usually do - a mixture of road, gravel and light trails - they're excellent and I'm really happy with them. For me, they're better than, say, the Continental Race Kings I have used for the same sort of riding. On the other hand, if you're only riding in rougher conditions, there are better tyres and, equally, if you're only riding on roads, there are faster tyres. It's also a daft name for a tyre and they're perhaps a little too orange when new for some tastes.

If you buy a set and don't like them, I'd buy them from you.