Your best ride ever?

iain_j

My joint-favourites were both in May this year, a couple of weeks apart. I got the early train down to Gobowen, first time went west into the Welsh mountains and second time went east into Shropshire.

First one, the first hill came less than half a mile after getting off the train (it was a cold morning too), and it went on for 3 miles. It carried on like that for the next 30 miles to Lake Vyrnwy, purposefully picking out the steep climbs - if there was a road through a valley, I'd go over the hills instead. Some interesting little lanes too with more pothole than tarmac. I had a bit of respite alongside Lake Vyrnwy before a spectacular climb over the Hirnant Pass and straight back over the Milltir Cerrig with a headwind. By the time I was back down in the Tanat Valley the sun was out and it was a glorious spring afternoon, and spirits were high for the last 20 miles along the valley back to Gobowen. 80-odd miles with over 6000 feet of climbing - ouch.

Two weeks later, back to Gobowen for an "easier" ride down through the Welshpool - Montgomery - Bishop's Castle valley. Would have been easy if it wasn't for the incessant roaring headwind for about 30 miles - I was on my knees when I stopped at Bishops Castle for lunch. Craven Arms was the turning point as I rode the length of Wenlock Edge and down to the Iron Bridge, with the wind now on my side. Then it was 40 miles back through quiet Shropshire lanes with the same raging wind pushing me all the way. Woohoo! And that one was 116 miles.

beatsystem

Poole whls 12 1975 I did 247.27 miles to come 4th Won by Glen Longland. The previous 12 I rode I was sent on an extra leg without knowing about such things, when I saw riders in front of me who had not past me I packed,thinking I had gone wrong. Nobody told me till it was too late. The 12hr together with other club records meant that I won the Swindon Wheelers club champs in 1975,the first time my father ever said well done in my cycling career! I started again this year after a 35 year lay off and am please with the way I am going I ride my next 12hr end of August Welsh champ.

mandie

October last year, brilliant crisp clear autumn day, cold enough to warrant a gilet and tights, but not that cold that I needed overshoes. The leaves were turning but still mainly on the trees. I set off on a random ride around the Surrey Hills about nine and arrived back just before five having done about 80 miles. Just to top it all I stopped off at the Surrey Oaks for lunch and the pint of Sussex Bitter was as near perfect as could be.

grayo59

Week before last my first mini (tiny ) tour.

Cycled to Bristol Temple Meads and got on the Sunday 10.00am London - Cornwall train with two couples about half-two thirds my age. For £5 unknowingly got a 1st class ticket to Taunton which was nice and got out in glorious sunshine and by happy serendipity had the pleasure of watching King Class loco and 12 coaches pull out the station on the opposite platform.

Cycled to Washford over a hilly route and had a Sunday roast washed down with a couple of ciders outside in the sun. Then on the A39 and used the cycle path and subway to Minehead and camped at West Luccumbe near Porlock. One of the guys older sister and family were camping there so we got fed Burgers and Beer all evening!

Next day - mega fry-up and a sweltering climb up the Toll road avoiding Porlock Hill (cowards I know) and then across the top of Exmoor with fantastic views over the Bristol Channel to South Wales.

Through the County Gates into Devon and swoop down Countisbury Hill holding back to 40 mph - panniers and fatbloke = fast! Into Lynmouth.

Put the bikes on the "Water Powered Railway/Lift thing" to take out the next up hill and take the toll road through the valley of the rocks, Woody Bay and back up (hard work this) to the top of Exmoor.

Finally A39, Blackmoor Gate for cheesy chips and more cider and meet the family at Woolacombe/Mortehoe campsite. A wonderful couple of days with no more than 40 hilly miles per day but very enjoyable. Will do a tiny tour again.

vivelesalpes

Couple of weeks ago while staying at the mother in laws just outside Annecy. Wife goes shopping. I go out on my bike:

Col de l'Epine, Col de Marais, Col de la Croix Fry, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies.

107km and 3800m of climb and back in time to watch the TdF live on TV in the company of a few beers while the wifes still out shopping.

Who says that men can't multi-task

mrushton

My first outing to the Alps in 2005. I couldn't believe the scenery/roads etc and when the climbs began they were relatively easy. I was just inspired by it all. Last year I did a couple of bike tours with the same firm the Tour de Mont Blanc on one weekend followed by their Chamonix-Nice trip. I felt like a cycling god, I was so fit and I was riding a gorgeous bike that had been loaned to me. Epic!

Ken Night

vivelesalpes wrote:

Couple of weeks ago while staying at the mother in laws just outside Annecy. Wife goes shopping. I go out on my bike:

Col de l'Epine, Col de Marais, Col de la Croix Fry, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies.

107km and 3800m of climb and back in time to watch the TdF live on TV in the company of a few beers while the wifes still out shopping.

Who says that men can't multi-task

Stunning

I've just come back from Annecy-did you start in the town to do all that?

kp_nuts

just got back from a 100 day tour of france (sabbatical from work).
4094 kms in all - didnt cycle every day !!
brittany, normandy, paris, champagne, vosges, auvergne, dordogne, bordeaux, atlantic coast, pyrenees, provence, alps, loire valley and brittany.
maimly camping with a few hotels for the odd day of comfort.

Never cycled further than 160 kms in one day before.

Absolutely brilliant.

LingfieldXC

one of two rides on the isle of wight. first was round the island which felt like an awesome acheivement at the time as i had only been cycling for a month.
Then on the isle of wight from cowes to yarmouth for an ice cream and back. we overtook some couple in a turbocharged mercedes on a downhill probably doing 5mph faster than him. It felt so sweet to have slingshotted round him like that. To date it is the fastest car i have overtaken.

williambikie

A fortnights tour in the Auverne...Great weather,Great company,Great hills and Great food and drink...sheer heaven

salsarider79

All the rides I had with my friends in and around Norwich on and off-road. Every single ride.
Riding/joking/messing about/chatting up aged waitresses during cake stops/etc with friends reminds me why I love riding sooo much.
On the drive upto the lakes last november, we nearly got kicked out of McD for some of the comments we made about one of the (Ahem!) older women who worked there (Oh! Look at those veins! etc). One person put stickers all over his willy, and when the convoy got stuck in a traffic jam later on, he went for a wee over the front of another friends van! That was all within 2hrs of leaving. The list goes on...

mididoctors

best day? who knows but heres a "no s**t there i was" story

I always enjoy those encounters you get on the road when you end up riding together often with that unspoken code..

riding solo to cima de carega(spelling?) Italy and was reading map when an italian lad came up fast passing me and nodded that backwards looking nod you get on the road saying come with me... I got out of saddle and made the effort to get onto the passing wheel after a short while I went through for a pull and got a stare that said "i'm training you can sit in but don't pull".... he upped the tempo and I had to hang on for 40k.... it was fast as we hit the false flats at the base of the climb I shouted "basta" he sat up and laughed and we conversed a bit talked yearly millage etc.. as you did in 1991-2(ish?) refueled our bottles from a spring in the rock face and finished the days ride parting in different directions..

there are more than 2 roads in Europe type of deal you get when running into locals abroad..

the riders name was Massimo Ghirotto

sicknote

When I was younger I was in the TA and we copied a rige done 50 years before by some at our unit in London.

The ride started from Waterloo bridge to Dover with each of us riding for an hour, it should have been two weeks hard riding but an Office did not leave the ferry tickets open ended as the rest of the ride was a round your battle honours in France and Belgium.

Hit a real big hill on the way to Dover which was a great buzz and would like to have known what speed I had done down it ( dont know which hill it was ) but boy it was fun.

The ride in France and Belgium was real good and sad, seeing graves from young men and kids younger than me ( I was about 20 I think )

Had to thank Evans for letting us use about £3000 worth of bike for it ( 6 bike at about £500 a piece )

I was glad I did not get the biggest hill in France but did get the next biggest one :shock:

oxenhoper

The road down and then back up from Sa Calobra in Majorca.... stunning!!

LazyRacer

One of my training rides is up Mont Faron in Toulon. It has to be done early morning to avoid traffic. One day it was hot for the time of day and I was pushing on up the 'Mont'. I caught a glimpse of another cyclist a good few turns ahead. I pushed on determined to reel in my new foe. After a while I got onto the same 'straight'. To my absolute amazement and horror, the rider was an elderly French lady on a 'butchers bike' complete with basket and handbag. I rode alongside and said a polite Bonjour Madam to which she replied "Bonjour Monsieur" and I then saw she had her make up etc done to a T, no sweating!

At the top of the 'main' climb by the cable car, I stopped for the view (honest). She came up just after, got off her bike and opened her cafe/shop.

For just how many years has she been riding to work up Mont Faron on that old bike - or any bike! :shock:

snowman1080

Probably Exmoor Killer Loop with mate Rob Murrell. Was great day. everything was perfect really.

Or maybe just arseing around on the Abbeyford Woods Northshore and seeing my girlfriend get better and better at it.

sheepworryingbhoy

The day I found a crisp £20 note sticks in the mind.......

davidmiller

My first sportive. The Kirklees last year.

Pi**ed it down with rain for the first 5-6 hours but had a great time. They closed the roads for a bunch start. As I was a little lacking in confidence I was at the back and I'm 6ft2 so I could see right over the "peleton"!! Magic.

David

Ken Night

snowman1080 wrote:

Probably Exmoor Killer Loop with mate Rob Murrell. Was great day. everything was perfect really.

Or maybe just arseing around on the Abbeyford Woods Northshore and seeing my girlfriend get better and better at it.

Can you give some directions for your Exmoor Killer Loop?

edhornby

my bike was stationed at my mum and dads for years - so I stuck it in the back of the car to go on a bike ride with the gf one day, the bike ends up at my house

I decide that I should have a go at cycle commuting... plan a route with the assistance of google maps (about 3 and a hlf miles, winner)

get the work clothes in the bag, sunny morning. roll out, feels ok, by the end of the first mile I've passed someone with a wave, by the second mile I'm stalking the bus that I was taking every day, 18 mins later I'm at work....

addicted all over again 8)

hillclimbingnut

I have two favourite rides for two completely different reasons.

No. 1 Is my first and only (up to now) 300k Audax called "Everybody Rides To Skeggy" as the ride had everything. Hilly Flat & Lumpy (in that order) and 5 other members of Derby Alfreton CTC who I ride with regularly, to ride with.

Was a fantastic day, no head wind at all, but the temp was between 77 and 84F for most of the day.

No.2 another Audax ride called Nemesis the hills on which are insane. I did this one on my own due to my not being able to ride it as a calendar event but nonetheless a really enjoyable ride. 200K long 4000m of hill climbing tired legs and a huge grin

beatsystem

1975 Poole wheeler 12 hr 4th to Glen Longland Pete Dansie and another whose name i foget. 247.27 miles August 1975 ridding an Alan framed bike

Monty Dog

The first time I rode the Paris-Roubaix sportive and reached the Forest of Arenberg - the combined feeling of anticipation, excitement and pain after 6 hours - riding it as hard as I could for as long as I could whilst many others took to the dirt path on the side. I've ridden many of the Alpine and Pyrennean climbs, but nothing comes close IMO. My other favourite stretch of road in the Oude Kwaremont in Flanders - it's not that that steep, but it takes technique and power to ride it well.

Fred Steele

This years's Dunwich Dynamo was pretty good for me. Great weather, full moon, nice sunrise.

morite

West Cheshire 12hr 2008
First time that I've tried anything more than a 25. Really suffered and survived on Jelly Babies and energy gels but was so please to complete it and managed to just get over 200 miles. Was a wet and windy day
People who put 2 and 3 minutes into me in a 25 only managed around 170

Padova

too many to list, but hear are a few.

Tour of Flanders - learn how to suffer

First ever Dragon Ride I did

First ride with my kids, probably the best of them all.

shawnrohrbach

One day ride from Seattle, Washington, over Snoqualmie Pass, through Cle Elum and then over Blewitt Pass, North through the town of Leavenworth and then finally over Stevens Pass back toward Seattle. 250-270 miles depending on when you give out and have someone pick you up. 3 Mtn. Passes, and lot's of good coffee shops and taverns along the way.

capilinconnemara

2 days are special.
Day 2 of TOI 08 30 riders getting the full road closure treatment into Galway with Cops at every junction stopping Sat afternoon traffic 8) and being cheered as if we were leading the race(we were over an hour down on the front guys).The buzz was great
Club league race 4 Leisure riders with 10 min handicap on elites and we die for each other.20 miles ridden like a highly trained TT team. Each 1 of us gave it all for a Leisurehead to win and I held on for 4th. The look on the racingheads faces at the end and seeing how hard we made them work was an added bonus

Airbornerodent

pneumatic wrote:

1968, an early Summer dawn, dew heavy on the ground, sun still trying to burn through the mist. I sneaked out of the house while the family slept. I shivered in the cool air and then breathed it deeply. I wheeled the bike off the patio, climbed aboard, found the right-hand pedal with my foot and pushed off.

After 20 yards, I pulled the brake and hopped forward onto the soles of my feet. My heart was racing, my hair standing on end. I had done it. I had ridden unassisted for the first time in my life.

I've felt the same thrill a few times, most recently on the summit of the Ventoux. But I've never felt better!

Excellent!

Edwinsprint

In 1992 I rode 2,500 miles from London to Istanbul, taking in 12 countries across Eastern Europe. I was a depressive and shy 18yr old (who had had a pretty awful time as a kid) who happened to have a confident mate who shared my wanderlust. We rode carrying minimal luggage (spaceblankets instead of sleeping bags) and witnessed some dire poverty across Romania etc. We were put up in strangers houses the majority of the way when not camping wild. We had a ball and expeienced alot!!!
When I left London I could barely cycle around a roundabout without being scared to death.
When I came back I realised I had developed my first real taste of confidence. I was floating and supremely grounded at the same time. I dont think anything could have had a really positive impact on me as much as completing that bike ride did.
My dad had commented when I returned that I was barely recognisable as my attitude and demeanour had changed so much. He was hugely proud, especially as his workmates had said I wouldn't make it.
16yrs later the confidence and calmness are still there.

I meet up with the friend about once every 5 yrs and we rarely have to say anything. We just grin!!!!!!