Author Topic: Have you been out today?  (Read 3816110 times)

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8700 on: 21 March, 2011, 08:33:30 pm »
Had a fabulous ride with the Brighton & Hove Clarion (and finally paid my 2011 subs :-[ ).

The plan was to ride from Three Bridges to Kingscote, then take the Bluebell Railway to Sheffield Park for lunch before riding to Haywards Heath.

It was a big turnout for us, with 20 riders setting off from Three Bridges (after a puncture two metres into the ride slowed us down).

It's quite a mixed group, with some very slow riders, but it is very collegiate, being the Clarion, so there is plenty of good humoured waiting at appropriate places for the faster riders.  After all, 'Fellowship Is Life' is one of our club slogans.

When we got to Kingscote, we found that the train would only take five bikes per trip, though there was much more space in the guards van.

So fourteen of us set off to ride the slightly lumpy way along to the other end of the railway.  Six riders - mainly the slowest - managed to get onto the train, and took the easy way.  It is a beautiful ride.  Not as scenic as the Keighley & Worth Valley, or the North York Moors, but fine nonetheless.

Butterfly led the group for the unexpected extra miles.  Rather well, I thought.  And we got to Sheffield Park without further incident.

The trains are lovely.  Like many others on here, I do like steam railways.  Not sure what the attraction is exactly.

The food at Sheffield Park was terrible.  Not a good lunch stop at all.  OK, so we were quite late for lunch, but macaroni cheese had been the only veggie hot option anyway.  Veggie sandwiches were a solitary egg mayo and a couple of cheese and ... nothing.  Both on soggy white bread.

I had a plate of chips.  They weren't very good, and, later on, I developed a serious stomach problem, which may have been related.  Fortunately, I didn't start throwing up till I got home, but only just.  Ah well...

It was a nice ride, though, with good company, and in slightly hillier territory than the B&H normal venture into, and rather further than originally planned.  Several of us commented how we felt this suited us rather.

A good day out in West Sussex.

It's getting noticeable that the trains are getting busier for bikes at weekends, btw. which is good news and bad.  On the way out, there were already three bikes in the two bike space, but we got ours on, and the guard didn't mind.  On the way back, the train staff were rather bad tempered, and, when we saw that there were bikes in one of the carriages, I tried to get along to the other.  They wouldn't let me :-\ and we had to jump into the lobby space of an ordinary carriage with the doors closing on us. >:(
Getting there...

Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8701 on: 21 March, 2011, 09:09:10 pm »
Was that Sunday?  You should have waved (we're about as far from Three Bridges station as  you are from whatever station it is you're near, IYSWIM). OTOH, Sunday was a Late Getting Up Day on account of having been to Sarfend with The Fridays.
There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can
"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

jogler

  • mojo operandi
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8702 on: 21 March, 2011, 09:13:40 pm »
Just been out for the third time today :o
This time to test ride the lighting layout on the Longstaff in readiness for the night riding part of a forthcoming 300km ride.
A couple of changes need to be made so there'll some fettling done tomorrow.
It's quite suprising how much my average kmh dropped in the dark.Took 56mins to do 16km.Mind you I did stop several times to fiddle with lights & progressively remove layers of clothes.

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8703 on: 21 March, 2011, 11:24:31 pm »
I rode of to Selly Oak.  "Lots of banks there", I thought.  No.

FWIW there are several banks on the University campus.  To be avoided during the first week or two of term, obviously, but otherwise reasonably handy (just head for the cocktower and turn left).

Tim Hall

  • Victoria is my queen
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8704 on: 21 March, 2011, 11:47:50 pm »
To be avoided during the first week or two of term, obviously, but otherwise reasonably handy (just head for the cocktower and turn left).

Ironic comment on phalocentric architecture, local terminology or simple spelling error?
There are two ways you can get exercise out of a bicycle: you can
"overhaul" it, or you can ride it.  (Jerome K Jerome)

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8705 on: 21 March, 2011, 11:47:51 pm »
From Santon Bridge, where I ate my breakfast next to the river Irt in the company of pied wagtails, an inquisitive bullfinch, and the bouncy campsite labrador, I climbed through the mist up Hardknott Pass, to the frank astonishment of the few motorists around.  One chap in a van congratulated me as i puffed my way up the first steep bit, as he'd had to turn around further up the pass.  I didn't have enough breath to muster any more witty response than "Cheers".  

I stopped for a breather after that bit, but the views weren't up to much.  



I'd had a view of the first part of the climb earlier, and I managed that just fine even though it seemed to have emerged from some power-mad Roman drill-sergeant's fever dream, but the easy bit after that was a trap, and one which I fell into like a fool.  I'm trying to convince myself that I might have got up the next steep hairpin if it hadn't been for the bastard in the BMW X5 who refused to stop coming down the other way, leaving me the choice of stopping and unclipping, or being taken back down the hill on his white bonnet.  Wanker even had the gall to wave thanks, as if it had been anything other than sheer necessity.  The same thing happened on Honister on Saturday, except that they came from behind.  Still a damn BMw, though -  it must be time for a cull, surely.

As I was pushing my fully-loaded bike up the hill, I did try to convince myself that I could have ridden up, which would certainly have been easier than pushing it, but that is a very steep road, and I'm not that self-delusional.

The descent was greasy.  Very Greasy.  And bumpy.  It was bounce-skid-let-brakes-off-plummet-brake-skid all the way down, and not a little scary.  Until the less precipitous stretch to Cockley Beck, which was an effortless freewheel at 25 mph.

Wrynose was much the same, except shorter and I didn't have a BMW to excuse me for walking the steep bit.  The descent was wonderful, plenty of cyclists coming the other way, and bursting back under the cloud to Little Langdale to see the road peeling back up the other side of the valley was quite delightful.  I should also say how much I enjoyed the sweeping descent to Skelwith Bridge, especially as the car behind was patient and gave me loads of space to use the whole road.

It still took me three hours to get to Ambleside, a distance of about 20 miles.  And Ambleside was a bit changed from the last time I was there - I had a cruel urge for a full English breakfast, which proved surprisingly difficult to find amongst the health food, snack and panini bars.  Look, if I want a panini I'll go back to the eighties and buy a Back to the Future sticker album.  I want BACON.  

Bilbo's CafĂ© more than did the trick - it was above a proper outdoor shop (they even sold MSR stoves, which had my buying hand twitching), and they were quite happy to chuck my bike in the store room for security while I stuffed my face on BACON, sausage, beans, egg, and a side order of toasted teacake (even if it did come with homemade cranberry, orange and ginger jam - la-di-fucking-da - and rather pleasant too).  I was actually tempted by the spinach and beansprout curry...

Leaving Ambleside meant tackling The Struggle, and climbing back into the clouds.  I had a final rest stop near the top to let my heart rate come down from a whine to a buzz, and I saw a cyclist climbing up behind me.  Roadie, pro team kit, no luggage.  I let him come past, since he was bound to overtake me and I'd only be in his way, weaving over the road.  However, I think I mildly irritated him by riding just behind him and chattering about how close we were to the top, asking about his Ironman plans, and telling him how much further I was riding.  I let him go off at the top so I didn't out-descend him as well.

Small chance.  I put a fleece on outside the Kirkstone Pass Inn, and began my fairly circumspect descent.  My nerves weren't helped by memories of the right front pannier making a bid for freedom through the front spokes a couple of days earlier, or by the general rattliness at the front end (turns out, the low-rider mounts had been bounced out of place by the bumpiness of Hardknott or Wrynose, so this became progressively worse until I had to remove the damn things and chuck all the weight on the back.  I can't wait until I get my other frame repaired, so I can use the forks with proper mounts for low-riders.

Still, it is a great descent, if a bit pot-holey at the moment, and cruising past Brotherswater then Ullswater with the sun sparkling on the water and the fellsides helped ease the heartache of knowing I'd have to return to work tomorrow.  

To cut a long story short (too late), I rode up to Penrith - stupidly via the A66 rather than Eamont Bridge - and onto Carlisle for my train, stopping only to brew some coffee and cook some noodles using some rather suspect water nabbed from a farmyard when a knock at the door didn't rouse any response.  I thought the tap was plumbed into the mains, but there was a really odd taste to my coffee.

Back to work tomorrow :(

CrinklyLion

  • The one with devious, cake-pushing ways....
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8706 on: 22 March, 2011, 12:12:26 am »
You do realise that you somehow manage to make these frankly rather silly exploits sound like fun, don't you?

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8707 on: 22 March, 2011, 12:29:36 am »
Isn't that the general idea?

I'm sure they don't sound half as much fun as yours :)

Kim

  • Timelord
    • Fediverse
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8708 on: 22 March, 2011, 12:56:20 am »
(just head for the cocktower and turn left).

Ironic comment on phalocentric architecture, local terminology or simple spelling error?

Mostly the first one.  The usual local terminology is "Old Joe", but I typoed it once, noted the appropriateness and the name stuck.

Joseph Chamberlain Memorial Clock Tower - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CrinklyLion

  • The one with devious, cake-pushing ways....
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8709 on: 22 March, 2011, 07:39:30 am »
Isn't that the general idea?

I'm sure they don't sound half as much fun as yours :)

I'm fairly sure it's easier to make cake and cafes, rather than significant Optical Illusions, sound fun!

onb

  • Between jobs at present
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8710 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:30:18 am »
homemade cranberry, orange and ginger jam - la-di-fucking-da - and rather pleasant too).  I was actually tempted by the spinach and beansprout curry

LOL  ;D
.

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8711 on: 22 March, 2011, 03:15:13 pm »
Bimble down from Southbank to West Norwood to try out the new mounting bar for the Weeride child seat (it fits oversize headtubes). It fits, duly ordered. Nice lunchtime 18.4km.
"Yes please" said Squirrel "biscuits are our favourite things."

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8712 on: 22 March, 2011, 06:06:10 pm »
Went on a nice 67 mile ride with a friend from my local CTC down to Taunton and back. Managed a staggeringly good (for me) moving average of 14.1 mph  :thumbsup:


      
      Axbridge-Taunton-Axbridge by fujifeline at Garmin Connect - Details  

bazzerp

  • A new life in Cape Town.
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8713 on: 22 March, 2011, 06:42:02 pm »
Deano - thank you.
Where have all the hedges gone ?

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8714 on: 22 March, 2011, 07:04:53 pm »
I rode up to meet Butterfly after work to see if I was fit to commute tomorrow.  Despite a slow ride, I was knackered :(

I hope I'll be OK in the morning...
Getting there...

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8715 on: 22 March, 2011, 07:52:24 pm »
Was out on Sunday in a group of 21 mixed ability riders pootling along quite happily when we came across a 1,000 cyclists huffing and puffing their way along Wiggles and Evans first sportive of the season. Some fab bikes and well worth seeing. What really made my day was that just about every rider that passed us in either direction said hello no matter how knackered they were.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8716 on: 22 March, 2011, 07:56:56 pm »
A short ride of 26kms 2 night. Quite a warm night too hope it warms up a bit so i can wear my new Audax Cymru top on saturdays Dic Pen 200kms Audax.  :)
Climb every mountain, onwards and upwards.
Next event:- ??????

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8717 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:05:43 pm »
Just been out briefly.
Cannot believe how mild it is... cloudless sky, and temp well into double figures  :thumbsup:.
Remarkable, for March.

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8718 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:30:40 pm »
A 14 mile trip out to Do It All in Cheadle to get an alarmed lock (that's a lock with an alarm, not an alarm going "WTF"  ;)) for the bike.
There was something happening on the A34 at Parrs Wood when I got there on the way out and police cars were arriving from all directions. When I was returning, the traffic was backed up right into Cheadle but I managed to overtake it all on the outside, despite the best efforts of a few numpties who tried to squeeze me out.
The weather was lovely and I exposed my knees for the first time this year- none of those "long" shorts for me today  ;) .



Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8719 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:33:28 pm »
20 mile round trip to the LBS to take them a wheel to be fixed.

Had the piss ripped by the whippets for turning up on a moulton.... I talked one of them into trying it much to his mates' amusement. He quite liked it but complained about the brooks saddle ;)

clarion

  • Tyke
Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8720 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:36:49 pm »
CBT is a specialist taste...
Getting there...

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8721 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:38:21 pm »
A 14 mile trip out to Do It All in Cheadle to get an alarmed lock (that's a lock with an alarm, not an alarm going "WTF"  ;)) for the bike.
There was something happening on the A34 at Parrs Wood when I got there on the way out and police cars were arriving from all directions. When I was returning, the traffic was backed up right into Cheadle but I managed to overtake it all on the outside, despite the best efforts of a few numpties who tried to squeeze me out.
The weather was lovely and I exposed my knees for the first time this year- none of those "long" shorts for me today  ;) .





This is old stamping ground for me interesting to hear how things are going.
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8722 on: 22 March, 2011, 08:42:38 pm »
A 14 mile trip out to Do It All in Cheadle to get an alarmed lock (that's a lock with an alarm, not an alarm going "WTF"  ;)) for the bike.
There was something happening on the A34 at Parrs Wood when I got there on the way out and police cars were arriving from all directions. When I was returning, the traffic was backed up right into Cheadle but I managed to overtake it all on the outside, despite the best efforts of a few numpties who tried to squeeze me out.
The weather was lovely and I exposed my knees for the first time this year- none of those "long" shorts for me today  ;) .





This is old stamping ground for me interesting to hear how things are going.

The police had gone on by the time I came back but the traffic hadn't.
I couldn't see what was causing the "excitement" but I was passed by 3 police cars before I got to Didsbury and by another one as I approached Parrs Wood.

It might come as a shock Canardly, but it's no longer all fields or, indeed, trees in Parrs Wood  ;) .




Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8723 on: 22 March, 2011, 09:00:28 pm »
Sigh that is sad.......ta
Get a bicycle. You will never regret it, if you live- Mark Twain

Tail End Charlie

Re: Have you been out today?
« Reply #8724 on: 22 March, 2011, 09:05:57 pm »
Went out towards the Cat and Fiddle by the back route. Lovely day to be out. Peak View tea room was shut though and the Cat and Fiddle pub couldn't do food as the chef was ill.  :(