Today's Ride

[CassidyAce]

After a day of rain, yesterday, it was a nice, sunny day, today with an average temperature for the time of year: 7°C, with a 'feels like' of 3°C. Having taken an interest in the thread about a road ride on a retro MTB—https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/26-ride-on-a-roadie-ride.439344/—I decided, out of curiosity, to do the road ride to Sandwich on the Stumpy. This was just using the bike, as it is, without fitting slicks; plus, carrying a rucksack and wrapped up warm. Over the 37 miles, I managed an average speed of 13.17 miles per hour. On a spring day, with slicks and no strong winds, I expect that 14 mph would be achievable. That would tally with the comments on that thread about the average speed of roadies, according to Strava, being 15 mph, and an MTB with slicks being about 1 mph slower. (It was also a better speed than I managed on the road bike last weekend, on a shorter ride! I'm starting to think that road bikes are not for me.)

I didn't stop for many photos, but:



By the end, the bike was nearly as filthy as it would be on an MTB ride:

 

[al-onestare]

At last, no rain, no 25 mph+ winds, no fog. Much as I love running, I've really missed being in the saddle. Super thankful I could properly stretch the legs this morning and fingers crossed, the next few days look equally promising. 4-5 degrees, 1-2 in the valleys, damp but pretty still, some high cloud but mainly clear skies. A solid 25 mile stretch to start the day with 1000ft+ of elevation gain.

 

[al-onestare]

From last Thursday, my 4.5 upgrade was smooth and painless. A little chilly but not as cold as the day before (see above). I decided to "sneak" into / onto Lands End which was extremely easy. I guess it won't be the same in a few months time when the masses come down.

Later on up top.

The weather continues to marvel with this spell of calm, clear skies. Also nice to see whilst it's chilly, it's warmer than the rest of the UK, one of the reasons for the move

 

[spacehopper]

24.8 mile dusk ride on the Singlespeed 98 Kona..

 

[al-onestare]

Another great morning. Still, 5-7 degrees depending on which valley you were in. High cloud so a little warmer than the evening. Had to keep the loop short for early calls but nothing could stop the legs pumping up some steeper inclines to make up for it. At the top above Morvah looking towards Ding Dong (the ruins) and big town Penzance (far right). The lights in the middle are a farm you sweep down to, then climb out of.

 

[Mark Manley]

I took the train to Exeter yesterday and cycled down to Starcross to buy some secondhand parts I don't really need, as this is a nice level path I took my three speed drum braked klunker which is actually a retromodded Thorn not a Raleigh, there was a pair of black swans on the Exe which I have not seen before and the tide was out on the estuary.

 

[CassidyAce]

It was late afternoon by the time I got out on a bike, so it was just a quick blast to the beach and back today. The disadvantage of going out late was that it was a bit nippy but there were fewer walkers so more blasting, less slowing. And the pink glow of the setting sun always adds a little something special to a ride.

A few hardy souls were braving the elements and enjoying their beverages in the open. In the foreground, on the left, those are mounds of oyster shells, not shingle.


And, looking in the other direction, more:


The sky on the return journey:

 

[al-onestare]

Firm 20mph easterly wind, 9 degrees but felt like 5-6, high grey cloud, no sign of any sun or blue sky. Dry.

It's still dark out this time of year in the mornings so the Lezyne lights are on-point to keep things relatively safe. Loads of aliens aka farmers harvesting root veg (animal feed) with massive spot lights on their tractors with big extending arms.

This is at the Lower Drift reservoir before heading up to Sancreed.

 

[Imlach]

First longer trip after recovering from covid, 10km give or take. Was coughing like hell through parts of it, but nice to get out after having the lurgy.

 

[Joe_Rides]

Tough one for me today. Very windy, hail showers, 3 degrees etc. Across the Bolton moors to Rivington and Anglezarke, then onto White Coppice and Abbey Village, back home to Bolton via Tockholes. Too long and hilly for my unfit legs. 5 hours riding/pushing/lifting through the mud. But a memorable ride for all of that.