Today's Ride

[db95]

Obligatory "this was yesterday" disclaimer 41.3km, 411m elevation.

Last few outings have been far too muddy and slippy for my liking, was half debating going for the Smoke/Dart combo but the overly muddy bridleways make up such a small amount of my routes (they're usually the quickest way to get to cycle paths/ncn/etc) that I figured those tyres would be detrimental when the rest of the routes end up being paved/tarmac cycle paths, some road, etc and it'd be better to just avoid those parts entirely. Could've stuck with the Billy Bonkers but given the bad run of flats I've had recently I've ordered some Panaracer Pasela PT's in 1.75 which should hopefully put an end to the flats and also speed things up a bit.

 

[Gtpulse]

Obligatory "this was yesterday" disclaimer 41.3km, 411m elevation.

Last few outings have been far too muddy and slippy for my liking, was half debating going for the Smoke/Dart combo but the overly muddy bridleways make up such a small amount of my routes (they're usually the quickest way to get to cycle paths/ncn/etc) that I figured those tyres would be detrimental when the rest of the routes end up being paved/tarmac cycle paths, some road, etc and it'd be better to just avoid those parts entirely. Could've stuck with the Billy Bonkers but given the bad run of flats I've had recently I've ordered some Panaracer Pasela PT's in 1.75 which should hopefully put an end to the flats and also speed things up a bit.

I had several rides spoiled by multiple flats from hawthorn cuttings on consecutive rides. I moved to tubeless end of September I think and fingers crossed not a single flat since then. I had resisted for a very long time. Was great earlier on to see a big bit of hawthorn earlier on stuck in my tyre to the extent it was attached to a twig that was whacking against the stays. I pulled it out and saw a little bubble of sealant then nothing else, tyre still nice and firm! Must say though when it gets muddy especially clay I pick up enough for it to stop me spinning sometimes. My mate is still running horrible Schwalbe Marathons something like 26*1.9 with little tread on them - he slithers across muddy fields with very little bother. In 1000s of miles with him in the same tyres I’ve only ever known him get one flat, think they are as thick as a car tyre!

 

[Gtpulse]

All I have to say about todays ride is Guinness cake! There were bridges, churches and some views but I only got my camera out at the cafe stop.

 

[db95]

I had several rides spoiled by multiple flats from hawthorn cuttings on consecutive rides. I moved to tubeless end of September I think and fingers crossed not a single flat since then. I had resisted for a very long time. Was great earlier on to see a big bit of hawthorn earlier on stuck in my tyre to the extent it was attached to a twig that was whacking against the stays. I pulled it out and saw a little bubble of sealant then nothing else, tyre still nice and firm! Must say though when it gets muddy especially clay I pick up enough for it to stop me spinning sometimes. My mate is still running horrible Schwalbe Marathons something like 26*1.9 with little tread on them - he slithers across muddy fields with very little bother. In 1000s of miles with him in the same tyres I’ve only ever known him get one flat, think they are as thick as a car tyre!

Yeah pretty much all of my flats have been from those, never rode this far into the winter season so was pretty unaware of that massive tractor attachment they use to trim the brambles/foliage/etc that spew the thorns everywhere - even had a slow puncture this morning that I found to again be from a thorn. Some deforestation efforts going on at certain points of my route which I only found out after flying into the area at a good speed and entering a gauntlet of wood splinters, choppings, etc. Fortunately made it through but yeah gonna see how those Pasela's hold up in terms of flats, if it keeps happening I'll most likely move to tubeless as my thumbs are not happy from the amount of tyre seating they've had to do

Nice view off the side of the path on todays ride; 54.13km, 566m elevation - trying to go for hillier routes as the days are shorter.

 

[Rothchild]

My mate and I were set to do our last RRTY 200 of the year today, we've decided to bail it (given the risks posed by the weather) and will be heading out later in the month for it.

I've been writing them up as we've gone, so if you want to know how we've got on so far you can see it here: https://ridewithgps.com/ride_reports/user/7060057/

 

[Piotr]

Today the weather was great, about 5 degrees, no wind. wet and muddy - that's how I like it and I wait all year for such weather conditions.
I went to the airport and it was fantastic on the way.
I will combine two topics, Today's ride and Bikes and puddles.



Essa worked fantastic, and so did the Conti Race tires


Airport

Comeback on watergravel

through a railway crossing

will be continued

 

[Piotr]

next....
the beavers were here

Christmas market on the market square in Krakow

the total route is approximately 45 km.
Now washing the bike,
Tomorrow will be a new day and a new ride and the bike must be prepared perfect


and at home my wife and hot sour soup with sausage and potatoes were waiting for me

These are the great areas around Krakow
See you tomorrow

 

[fennec]

Bike crimes bike crimes bike crimes
No bikes in the national park, this is a felony, try and stop me


It’s 55°F, sunny and breezy in December, im in shorts and loving it.


Of course nobody else is out here, a rare few people hiking, actually found one person with a fat tire e-bike and I’m a little jealous they could actually ride on the loose sand


That is a water crib, it’s about 1 acre in surface area and it goes a few hundred feet down. I am terrified of it and glad it’s over there and I’m over here.


The downhill portion my brain is screaming YESYESYESYES but I really know is NONONONONO because again, loose sand, you can’t steer and you can’t stop.
It looks like extremely steep perfect berms but it’s violent death when you go over the top of one at 30mph and die hitting a tree.

 

[dorset boy]

Longs on for the first time this year. Cold windy day did 30 miles and never got warm,looked forward to a cup of coffee when i got home but no, a power cut ! Still suffering from Storm Darragh,power came back at 5.45 had to dig out my old Camping Gaz stove for that hot coffee.

 

[db95]

With the weather being the way it is and daylight being at a premium it was definitely a "less photos more pedalling" type of day. Ended up doing 105.14km with 836m of elevation which is my furthest yet.

Not all good times though as a badly timed brake pull just before hitting a bump lead to locking up the front end completely and doing the classic falling whilst dragging the bike along with your thighs maneuver. If anything I got off incredibly lucky considering the whole reason for braking in the first place were the cycle path gates (inverted U shape ones) which I ended up somehow falling through the center of one with only a light tap to the helmet. Some lovely bruising to my inner thigh too