Author Topic: Have you been out today? (Read 3897635 times)

rogerzilla · « **Reply #22500 on:** 22 May, 2019, 09:30:35 pm »

Uffington White Horse "alpine" loop on the Ron Cooper. It's no harder on 39 x 23 than on 22 x 32.

Kim · « **Reply #22501 on:** 22 May, 2019, 11:03:48 pm »

A low-traffic pootle around Brum in the presence of the lovely Jools Walker and the now legendary Ayesha McGowan. "Suitable for any bike" they said. "You should bring a recumbent" said nikki OTP (who is a bad influence), so I did^[1]. Cue a whistle-stop tour of all my least-favourite steep slopes, blind bend canal bridges and knobbly bricks, with a little bit of wheeling ramp thrown in for good measure. Cameo by the Aston ASBO Geese, who couldn't really be arsed. A sufficiency of tragic hipster coffee and a positive excess of CAKE in a Harborne cafe that I've ridden past several times and somehow failed to notice. Several impromptu demonstrations of freeride 5K|11z by our resident mountain biking expert, who had found someone else to be a bad influence on by this point. Failure to ride along some of Birmingham's premier Definitely Not Open Yet cycle infrastructure, which was infested by stern-looking lumberjacks in yellow hi-vis, so we made do with riding along some of Birmingham's premier shared-use bollocks instead. And to finish it off, some of Digbeth's finest smells.

Spent a good chunk of the afternoon having a comprehensive chat about unusually-shaped bikes and inclusive cycling with a couple of people from the ride, and sustaining a mysteriously bleedy toe injury on a chair with no sharp edges (I can only conclude that's why it's called the Impact Hub). I'd worried that SPD sandals might be a mistake, but I was thinking more along the lines of nettle entanglement or goose attack.

Also, for completeness, hayfever is being a right bastard.

I've basically got nothing I was meant to be doing done today, because cycling.

_{[1] No, not that one^[2].
[2] Thankfully not that one, either.}

perpetual dan · « **Reply #22502 on:** 22 May, 2019, 11:26:26 pm »

From St Pancras to Euston. Where i caught the sleeper.

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perpetual dan · « **Reply #22503 on:** 23 May, 2019, 09:20:40 pm »

Me again.
Having got to Oban, i took the ferry to Craignure. I had four and a half hours before wanting to be in the line for the ferry back. I headed for Lochbuie, which was almost all single track road, and in places so beautiful i was laughing. By the time i was back from the stone circle I'd been out for two and a half hours. By riding a little faster and taking rather fewer photos, i got back to the jetty with half an hour to spare. Great way to start my holiday.

https://twitter.com/between_beyond/status/1131639560671252480?s=19

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perpetual dan · « **Reply #22504 on:** 24 May, 2019, 08:25:48 pm »

Today was route 78 from Oban to Cairnbaan. Beautiful riding, a bit hilly (i like the Sustrans maps, but their climb profiles are a bit optimistic) but all ridable with my gears, just enough rough track for my tastes - and a flat bit at the end.

One third of the time stopped is down to taking photos, not taking a breather. At all. Most of the pictures will have to wait until I'm home, but a few on twitter if you're interested.

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Tim Hall · « **Reply #22505 on:** 25 May, 2019, 12:54:32 pm »

FNRTTC last night with 55 or so others, inc Kim OTP*. I was at the back ~~with the naughty boys~~ allegedly doing TEC support, which wasn't really needed until about a mile before the end, when an unfortunate soul went down an effing great crack on a cycle path, tumbled from his bike, ripped a hole in his tyre and sploded his tube. A cracking route, starting by the National Theatre, heading north and following the New River (neither new nor a river) up into Hertfordshire then turning right into the darkness and countryside. We finally ended up in Maldon for brekko, then a 10km jaunt to Witham and trains back to Lahndan.

Apologies to anyone else OTP who went but I failed to recognise.

Kim · « **Reply #22506 on:** 25 May, 2019, 05:10:16 pm »

Quote from: Tim Hall on 25 May, 2019, 12:54:32 pm

FNRTTC last night with 55 or so others, inc Kim OTP*. I was at the back ~~with the naughty boys~~ allegedly doing TEC support, which wasn't really needed until about a mile before the end, when an unfortunate soul went down an effing great crack on a cycle path, tumbled from his bike, ripped a hole in his tyre and sploded his tube.

Erk. Hope he was okay. I heard the kerfuffle but there were too many other cyclists behind me to see what was going on. At least it wasn't particularly-stupid-small-dog related.

What was for me a splendid FNRttC , topped off with advanced incompetence at escaping from railway stations. (Somebody's seriously mucked up the level access entrance to the back of Lpoo St, and I made the rookie mistake of exiting Mordor Central into the middle of the Pride march, without so much as a Bi-Cyclist badge on my Carradice.)

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #22507 on:** 25 May, 2019, 08:53:20 pm »

Is a Bi-Cyclist badge what you get for being 2nd in the world?

Feanor · « **Reply #22508 on:** 25 May, 2019, 09:41:07 pm »

Continuing in the theme of taking Mrs F on longer rides, today was her first attempt at 100 miles.
So I designed a variant on the 200k Erit Lass, from Musselburgh.

https://www.strava.com/activities/2396637315

This has a couple of fords in it, but only one was running.

Nothing Happened, as you can see...

https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=52233.msg2396913#msg2396913

perpetual dan · « **Reply #22509 on:** 25 May, 2019, 10:16:37 pm »

Today was a wet day.
Up the canal to Crinan, then on the road by Loch Sween, gradually getting quieter, more green laney. Then some roughstuff (think tarmac laid in landrover tracks two winters ago). Round the head, and onto the route 78 to Tarbert.
Chatted to several other pairs along the way, and had a very welcome soup at a caravan site cafe.
By the end it had a touch of type 2 fun about it, as a rolling 91km into rain and headwind can. But the wildness of parts was good for the soul.

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Kim · « **Reply #22510 on:** 26 May, 2019, 11:32:57 am »

Quote from: Cudzoziemiec on 25 May, 2019, 08:53:20 pm

Is a Bi-Cyclist badge what you get for being 2nd in the world?

Nope, it's what you get for coming up with a good pun in the presence of crusty QUILTBAG activist types with a fully armed and operational badge-maker.

(Think cycleway sign with the bi pride flag colours for a background, instead of blue.)

Wowbagger · « **Reply #22511 on:** 26 May, 2019, 12:42:10 pm »

Yesterday: 18 miles of Barling Loop, punctuated with a cuppa and a crossword with Penny. I heard a cuckoo, the first of the year, at Wakering Stairs.

sg37409 · « **Reply #22512 on:** 26 May, 2019, 02:01:33 pm »

It was pouring when I checked it at 6:30 so had a bit of a lie in then went out round 80km of local lanes to Balloch and round the Campsie. It was only a bit damp, but pretty windy. I was just taking it easy and so it was a pleasant run in less than ideal conditions.

Cudzoziemiec · « **Reply #22513 on:** 26 May, 2019, 05:12:13 pm »

Pottered up to Tortworth, rejected caek in favour of a baked potato. Picked a hegerow flower and stuck it in my bar bag bracket. Rolled home.

Canardly · « **Reply #22514 on:** 26 May, 2019, 05:15:33 pm »

A planning recce to visit a team of mini railway engineers just outside Cardington of about 44miles. On the way there we came across a full blown escorted pelaton doing their thing, outriders and all, a road time trial and what appeared to be a major off road event just outside Chicksands bike park nr Haynes. An interesting day but a tad windy oh and we escaped the worst of the rain.

perpetual dan · « **Reply #22515 on:** 26 May, 2019, 06:54:54 pm »

I rode from Tarbert to Claonaig, where the A road was pretty civilised and the hill was big. I made the ferry with 10 minutes to spare, plus the 10 it was late by.
Then a bit of faffing - dropped off my panniers at the youth hostel in Lochranza, had a very good blue cheese and apple / ginger chutney toastie. Then started my loop round north Arran. After a couple of km, i decided that the headwind wasn't fun enough to carry on for 5 or 10km before it became a side wind. It was the sort of headwind that makes you think the rain has stopped when you turn.
I then explored the castle (the dungeon is dark), the seashore and visited the distilliery, seeing Red Deer and a Golden Eagle along the way.
So just 33km.

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sg37409 · « **Reply #22516 on:** 26 May, 2019, 08:18:06 pm »

Quote from: perpetual dan on 26 May, 2019, 06:54:54 pm

I rode from Tarbert to Claonaig....
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Enjoying reading your trip. Although these are pretty local to Glasgow, it always feels like a wee holiday every time I'm there

perpetual dan · « **Reply #22517 on:** 26 May, 2019, 08:31:49 pm »

Quote from: sg37409 on 26 May, 2019, 08:18:06 pm

Enjoying reading your trip. Although these are pretty local to Glasgow, it always feels like a wee holiday every time I'm there

Thanks! Last day tomorrow.

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mllePB · « **Reply #22518 on:** 26 May, 2019, 09:47:00 pm »

Rode with friends who were keen to try to complete the ride with cycling the canal towpath to Coventry and catching the train back. I wasn't enjoying the bumpiness of the dried out mud with unexpected tree roots so decided to bail out in favour of tarmac.

Unfortunately pushing bike up staircase away from the canal I then discovered then bumpyness was somewhat due to having a near flat front tyre so I was in that middle of nowhere location of empty countryside right next to M6, WCML and Oxford Canal but with no repair kit with me and faced the ignominy of walking then being rescued by Dad.

Note to self: get back in the habit of carrying a repair kit or be prepared to stick with someone who does, regardless of their crazy off-road-preferences.

bludger · « **Reply #22519 on:** 27 May, 2019, 12:46:52 am »

It's a learning process - most people look at me funny for carrying a repair kit as well as 2-3 tubes but I've been glad to have it many times.

It also means you can often score a free inner tube if you find one lying around - a lot of bike shops will actually give you busted the es for free since they just go to landfill otherwise.

I really recommend the rema tubeless repair kits, the patches and fluid do a grand job on even the most savage holes.

Kim · « **Reply #22520 on:** 27 May, 2019, 12:57:12 am »

I'm sufficiently pessimistic that I don't ride further than I'm prepared to walk (so about half a kilometre or so) without a puncture kit. I have, over the years, had sufficient Learning Opportunities on the importance of a) the right size inner tubes and b) pumps with compatible valves that I generally tend to get that bit right too. Except when I don't.

T42 · « **Reply #22521 on:** 27 May, 2019, 08:17:11 am »

Yesterday, 80k 1% loop in brilliant sunshine with a stiff west wind. Coffee & quetsch tart halfway then home with the wind behind, great fun. Fastest ride this year but a hell of a sunburn to deal with once home.

While sitting over my coffee outside the café, saw a horribly fat child of maybe 8 come along and sit down on a bench across the road to eat an enormous pastry. As a chum of MrsT once observed, parents of such should be prosecuted for GBH.

essexian · « **Reply #22522 on:** 27 May, 2019, 10:38:14 am »

Yes, for the first time in 30 days since my sciatica started

Total distance 0.8miles

While it did not hurt much when actually cycling, I found it nearly impossible to get on the bike as I couldn't lift either leg sufficiently to mount. I tried three different bikes with the same result.

I guess it is going to take a little longer to get back to riding which is a bit of a pain as I have my first tour in 34 years planned and paid for in two months time.

T42 · « **Reply #22523 on:** 27 May, 2019, 10:46:49 am »

Quote from: essexian on 27 May, 2019, 10:38:14 am

Yes, for the first time in 30 days since my sciatica started Total distance 0.8miles

While it did not hurt much when actually cycling, I found it nearly impossible to get on the bike as I couldn't lift either leg sufficiently to mount. I tried three different bikes with the same result.

I guess it is going to take a little longer to get back to riding which is a bit of a pain as I have my first tour in 34 years planned and paid for in two months time.

Shit & damnation.

If it's any consolation, I had a similar affliction in 2013. After a few weeks of the fizzy digging at it, one day I had a stab of pain that collapsed my leg and put me on the floor; when I got up it wasn't hurting any more - nerve released.

essexian · « **Reply #22524 on:** 27 May, 2019, 11:09:32 am »

Thanks, here is hoping.

Anyway, after she stopped laughing at my comment that I couldn't get my leg over....a diamond framed bike, CBH suggested that I tried my sadly underused folder.....why didn't I think of that!

So, after cleaning the dust off of it and pumping up the tyres, I went out and did two laps of the block, another 0.8miles. It was easy to get on and rides well although I forgot to do up the front folding thingy so almost lost the bars on the way up a hill! I might take it out for a longer spin later but currently the hip hurts a bit so I will rest for a bit before trying again. Thinking back, the longest ride I have ever done on it is 5miles so I don't suppose it will be that good when touring Cumbria!