Ride Reports

benno68

Well done guys, some good reports this weekend!

Chapeau UndercoverElephant!

Finally got a 50 miler under my belt. Met up with "Golfclub" and went through the flats in Wentlooge, then up towards Risca through some lovely little villages with great mountain views, luckily the roads didn't go up them!

I think we went up to Newbridge (not 100% sure) and then cut back west heading for Caerphilly via Maesycwmmer,Ystrad Mynach, Llandradach and Caerphilly.

We hit about 30mph on the flat along Manor Way in Cardiff and then went our seperate ways.

All in all a great morning not spoilt by a couple of mechanicals and one visit from the pf - a good excuse for a rest .

Left the house at 7:20 and was back by 10:45 - my max heart rate was 171 on the day, usually gets up to 180 up Leckwith Hill (must try harder)!

Finished off the day at a Cider Festival, very nice it was too!

cjcp

Nice one, Benno.

Btw, did you go up Leckwith Hill? If so, the reduced HR may be a sign of improved fitness.

risi

Well I, for me, just had quite a large weekend. The rest of the family had been away camping since Tuesday (unfortunately that didn't mean that I got to enjoy the peace & quiet as my task was to paint stuff in the house. Most of it went in the right places I think).

The plan was that I would ride to the campsite (near Cullompton, Devon) with brother-in-law (his lot had gone too), about 60 miles. But a couple of weeks ago he tossed out the idea of making a day of it and going to the south coast. So the result was this:

www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=13920
(Check out some of those gradients).

164 km, via Lyme Regis, lunch stop in Seaton, along the coast some more then northwards to the campsite, with a nice sting in the tail. Although my computer said about 175 km by the end. I was recording it with sporttracker on my phone, but it ran out of battery at about 120km. Given that I had the route plotted on there too, that could have caused a problem, but brother in law's iPhone + google maps stepped in to save the day.

Trouble is, as I wasn't in the car on the way down there was no room for me on the way back (let alone the bike), so I had to ride back yesterday:

www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=14241

Found out that car charger for my phone didn't work, so still no phone on the way back, so I had to memorise the route - it went a bit wrong around Taunton as I ended up doing about 100km.

Sustained by: fig rolls (yum), Eat natural bars (yum), ZipVit chocolate energy bar (ok), Clif bars (yum), ZipVit gel (hmmmm, but worked), SiS isotonic stuff (alright, just), ZipVit energy drink (fruit punch, retch, lemon, not bad), Nuun citrus (pretty good), ham & cheese panini, cake & 2 large coffees (mucho yum).

benno68

cjcp wrote:

Nice one, Benno.

Btw, did you go up Leckwith Hill? If so, the reduced HR may be a sign of improved fitness.

Cheers CJ

Yes - I talked myself around and went for it. I think the lower heart rate was due to my inability to push myself - I was feeling a bit tired and scraped up it in 34-25.

Just ordered a pair of Michelin Krylion Carbon as I think my luck was running out on the Kenda's, they've been ok for 2000 miles so I'm not complaining!

Kieran_Burns

Quick flick on to bikehike for my loop:

Here's my loop: www.bikehike.co.uk/mapview.php?id=15118


Wow. It does look far... Seems amazing I can actually DO these rides now.

FeynmanC

Yay! 25.4 miles back from work but into a headwind and drizzle, then rain for almost all of it so duration was a 4 mins more than the ride in on friday morning, at 1h52. Average speed of 13.3mph. (I borrowed a work van to get home on friday, so as not to push myself too far too soon).

Then, when I got in I chucked a pair of baggies over my lycra shorts, changed my shirt and swapped the bike for my old MTB to go another 3 miles down to the dentist for a filling.

I still can't feel my nose on the left hand side! :shock:

Added bonus brownie points from leaving the car at home for The Lady to use on her day off

itboffin

Finished my ribble TT yesterday and took it for a quick spin :shock:

Aero bars are weird I almost had an off the handling is very different to my road bikes, I found it tracks like its on rails and cornering is "interesting"

Retch

Week in South Wales, crafty 45 miler taken in on Thursday (only sunny day this week).

Start in Port Talbot, up to Neath, up the valley til you run out of Valley, then over the top to the Swansea valley. Big, long, never-ending climb not made any better by the number of coal trucks blasting past. It might hurt, but boy it's a beautiful part of the world with the Beacons on the right. Lovely downhill section, topping out at 40+, then resist temptation to head for Sennybridge and swing down the Swansea valley. Ystalyfera, Pontardawe, then up and over the mountain again on the old Neath Road.

Bit of a chicken out in not doing Cimla Hill to get back to the Afan Valley, but that can be next time.

Climbing is really coming on. No substitute for effort and practice!

itboffin

three laps of my nearest villages into the mother of all headwinds, really blowing out there this morning I did however manage to catch a proper roadie and pass him with a nice extra 5mph or so he did seem a little surprised to be 'taken like a man into a stiff headwind'

Lots of runners and cyclists out there today and unusually several speeding cars including one that brushed my leg and the stupid twit passed by even though the road was completely empty.

grrrr

cjcp

Retch wrote:

Week in South Wales, crafty 45 miler taken in on Thursday (only sunny day this week).

Start in Port Talbot, up to Neath, up the valley til you run out of Valley, then over the top to the Swansea valley. Big, long, never-ending climb not made any better by the number of coal trucks blasting past. It might hurt, but boy it's a beautiful part of the world with the Beacons on the right. Lovely downhill section, topping out at 40+, then resist temptation to head for Sennybridge and swing down the Swansea valley. Ystalyfera, Pontardawe, then up and over the mountain again on the old Neath Road.

Bit of a chicken out in not doing Cimla Hill to get back to the Afan Valley, but that can be next time.

Climbing is really coming on. No substitute for effort and practice!

Nice. 8)

@ITB - close shave! Which bars have you put on the TT bike?

pigeon42

Must have been a day for close shaves - Mr B & I had 3 this morning on our 43-miler out around the villages to the west of us, when normally we have no problems at all. Best one was the dozy cow in a Ford Focus who thought it would be a good idea to overtake both of us on a narrow country lane with hedges either side and a car coming the other way. Just wish we'd been fast enough to catch her back up and give her an earful!

Apart from that was a lovely ride - really warm, despite the very strong westerly headwind - saw plenty of other walkers & cyclists out and about too, so lots of cheery hellos and waves

cjcp

Not a ride report, but was near Moreton-in-Marsh this weekend visiting friends. Lovely area to ride around (didnt do it this weekend, but have ridden around there before). Fish Hill is a bit busy, but, coming up from Broadway, it looks like a two mile ride to the top (including the drag up to the start of the hill proper) according to the car odo, with the sign saying 10%.

tailwindhome

Wheeled bike out of shed.

Pumped tyres to 110 psi.

Released that I had a hangover.

Wheeled bike back into shed.

Lay down.

roger_merriman

On friday went for a ride to meet up with some friends and to find my grandfathers bench in Hampstead Heath. so while could drive or take public transport thought bike would be fun.

lots of coffee was had and quite a lot of cake etc and was a nice wander though the heath, embankment as ever is a hoot though had two klingons on the way back, which i manged persuade that i wasn't keen, though one required voice...

RP was dark by time i got to it so was lovely to swoop though with out cars etc, nice day 45 or so miles round trip, so one would get fit doing that every day but fun i do like the embankment klingons or not.

Sewinman

I went and did the Windsor run that Roger Merriman suggested for the slowcial rides, thanks RM. It worked a dream. I navigated my way to Kingston Gate and then followed the Garmin Edge. Absolutely no problems and it’s a nice run, avoiding major roads and most of the nasty areas. I turned the Autorouting off on my the Edge and that has solved all the problems I was having.

My lower back was killing me though and I had to stop 4 or 5 times during the ride and stretch it out, it would then be ok for another 10-15 miles before seizing up again. Lovely day, 67.5 miles, average speed 15.7 mph

benno68

Been off the bike for a week, no excuse just sheer lazyness so I was chomping at the bit to go for a ride. Had given my bike a mini service in the week and put some Michelin Krylion Tyres on so the bike was running like a dream - unfortunately my legs weren't which I was surprised at as I ate two bowls of Bran Flakes - Chris Hoy's magic cereal (cough - splutter).

Within the first 1/2 mile heading towards the descent of Leckwith Hill I knew this was going to be a slog. Got to Leckwith Hill and pushed for the 50mph that has eluded me for months - 45mph, bugger! A motorcyclist pulled alongside at traffic lights and asked what speed I hit as he was behind me and laughed when I said not quick enough.

Onto plan B, cycle to my mates house near Castell Coch for a cup of tea. Went up Llantrissant Road and through Radyr then up quite a steep hill to my mates house, no one at home - bugger! At this point I gave myself the MTFU talk and headed into Tongwynlais and uphill past Castell Coch - a fairly steady climb, not too steep.

This way up Caerphilly Mountain is the easiest of the 5 or 6 routes up. I was happily spinning along and saw a flat bar roadie ahead. I didn't want to overtake for fear of blowing 50 yards further ahead and looking like a tosser - so I had a chat with the guy who was suffering with a hangover from hell. He started really struggling and said "I don't want to hold you up" - a polite way of telling me to pi$$ off and so he can suffer in peace so at that point I went ahead.

Got up to the top of the mountain and turned right onto the A469 and along an undulating drag towards the drop down into Thornhill. I let a few cars go past as this was a good chance to hit my 50 and didn't want them to spoil my thunder. Travellers Rest Pub to the left and then downhill, peddling like hell I span out pretty quickly so tucked in, I couldn't check the speedo as I was concentrating on getting around the right hand bend - then had to slow before going up the ar$s of a car infront.

52.1 mph according to my Cateye - it can be improved upon but I was chuffed with that.

Only managed 26 miles, broken up with two tea stops. 4 hours in total, yes FOUR hours, they were long tea stops though - honestly!

Popped into Cardiff Bay later on for a recovery drink - a couple of pints of real ale works wonders.

Roastie

Rode the Woodcote Sunday Sportive yesterday, 95km route. I'd suggested my mate do the event and, having done it before two years back as a form checker, knew it was a fun, challenging route and would be good training. Plus I've missed riding in the countryside since moving to London.

I arrived late and so missed my mate at the start. A wrong turn early on also added about 4km which was annoying if nothing else. None of the riders who I started with seemed keen on much other than a pootle, so I went off alone in search of my friend.

Along the way, I kept stumbling on a pair of triathletes (with tri-bars); while we never rode together, they did keep catching me on the flats and I'd leave them on the hills. This went on practically the whole distance until they caught me at the bottom of the last climb and I followed their wheels for a bit, pulled up the hill and then finally caught my friend at the top. He'd started 20 mins before me and had significantly exceeded my expectations - I was relieved when I finally spotted him!

After a chat I was keen to turn the wick back up again for a hard run in. I guess it must be the racer in me that couldn't resist launching into this final effort with a kick. My friend and the two triathletes tried to chase, the one triathlete blew - the other pulled my mate home, and I think was probably reeling me in over the final, flat stretch into the wind. Not enough though, I think I'd held at least 30s .

All in all, it was good fun, mostly because the ongoing sparring with the triathletes and chasing my friend down helped alleviate the boredom. It also gave me a lot of confidence; I'd never ridden than hard and solo over a distance anything like this before.

The stats: 3:18, 95km (98km with the detour), 29.6km/h average (18.5mph).

linsen

WheezyMcChubby wrote:

Wheeled bike out of shed.

Pumped tyres to 110 psi.

Released that I had a hangover.

Wheeled bike back into shed.

Lay down.

Sometimes, needs must - good for you!

Eau Rouge

I made it all the way to Richmond Park this weekend, both on Saturday and Sunday.
Alas, I didn't bring the bike. We had a softball tournament in the Old Deer Park.
Lovely weather, good teamates, low flying aircraft right overhead (seriously, I loved watching them) and I was playing really well. It was a good fun weekend.

Nothing to do with cycling, just the RP connection. :oops:

FeynmanC

Benno68 wrote:

52.1 mph according to my Cateye - it can be improved upon but I was chuffed with that.

:shock:

I got to 35 and almost added some extra padding to the chamois wondering if the bike was going to fall apart under me :oops:

benno68

FeynmanC wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

52.1 mph according to my Cateye - it can be improved upon but I was chuffed with that.

:shock:

I got to 35 and almost added some extra padding to the chamois wondering if the bike was going to fall apart under me :oops:

I suppose it depends on the hill, the one I went down has a bit of a corner which adds to the interest, but it really wasn't bad at all.

Photo 3 on the link below is looking up to the bend and photo 1 shows the nice and straight road at the bottom. As the speed limit is 40 I thought about overtaking the cars ahead but came to my senses and bottled it


http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/images/graig-llanishen-03.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/graig-llanishen-cardiff.html&usg=__OkA0QY-q3bTw_wVvZ1BTgQyWjjk=&h=285&w=425&sz=41&hl=en&start=34&tbnid=2plbXPkfMZdITM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcaerphilly%2Bmountain%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20

FeynmanC

I'm still impressed!

I took a different route back from work today, to practice a bit more hilly ground before my 110mile charity ride on the 4th Sept.

I left Avonmouth and went down the A4 following the river into Bristol - what a lovely day for a ride along the river on the cycle path next to it!

I got a little confused when I got to the cumberland basin and ended up walking the bike over to the right side of the road and then riding through the rest of the junctions - i just acted confident and took my place on the road so everyone had to avoid me if they wanted to go past rather than try and cut by me - seemed to work too.

Then, rather than go straight up the A370 to W-s-M i turned off and took the Clevedon road over Failand. I made it up all the ascents without too much bother (glad I got the Defy with the triple chainset now!).

Coming down the other side I hit 33mph and a hell of a lot of pot holes and bumpy lumpy ironwork, but was going fast enough that the cars didn't feel the need to overtake me

Then I'm back in on my usual route, over the moors from Clevedon to Yatton and onto the A370.

29.32 miles in 2h06, average speed of 13.9mph and top speed of 33.7mph.

And - bonus - i DIDNT get a puncture this ride out! 8)

cjcp

Benno68 wrote:

FeynmanC wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

52.1 mph according to my Cateye - it can be improved upon but I was chuffed with that.

:shock:

I got to 35 and almost added some extra padding to the chamois wondering if the bike was going to fall apart under me :oops:

I suppose it depends on the hill, the one I went down has a bit of a corner which adds to the interest, but it really wasn't bad at all.

Photo 3 on the link below is looking up to the bend and photo 1 shows the nice and straight road at the bottom. As the speed limit is 40 I thought about overtaking the cars ahead but came to my senses and bottled it


http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/images/graig-llanishen-03.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.urban75.org/photos/wales/graig-llanishen-cardiff.html&usg=__OkA0QY-q3bTw_wVvZ1BTgQyWjjk=&h=285&w=425&sz=41&hl=en&start=34&tbnid=2plbXPkfMZdITM:&tbnh=84&tbnw=126&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcaerphilly%2Bmountain%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20

Wahey! He's gone and done it!

+2 for being impressed.

benno68

Cheers CJ - took a while didn't it!

cjcp

I'm still trying! Unofficially, I think I've done it, but my speedo was broken. With the speedo working, I've only done 46.7 mph.

benno68

cjcp wrote:

I'm still trying! Unofficially, I think I've done it, but my speedo was broken. With the speedo working, I've only done 46.7 mph.

I'm sure you were doing 50 on the flat when you were dropping me

Right - Caerphilly Mountain is the place to be next time you''re down here - as long as you promise to go the easy way up

"Golfclub" will probably be up for it too!

cjcp

Benno68 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

I'm still trying! Unofficially, I think I've done it, but my speedo was broken. With the speedo working, I've only done 46.7 mph.

I'm sure you were doing 50 on the flat when you were dropping me

Right - Caerphilly Mountain is the place to be next time you''re down here - as long as you promise to go the easy way up

"Golfclub" will probably be up for it too!

Yeah, I wish.

The penny eventually dropped about your mate's club. I'm sure I've seen their name in the elite race reports. Maybe give him the wrong time and place to meet, eh?

benno68

cjcp wrote:

Benno68 wrote:

cjcp wrote:

I'm still trying! Unofficially, I think I've done it, but my speedo was broken. With the speedo working, I've only done 46.7 mph.

I'm sure you were doing 50 on the flat when you were dropping me

Right - Caerphilly Mountain is the place to be next time you''re down here - as long as you promise to go the easy way up

"Golfclub" will probably be up for it too!

Yeah, I wish.

The penny eventually dropped about your mate's club. I'm sure I've seen their name in the elite race reports. Maybe give him the wrong time and place to meet, eh?

Yes Tom is pretty handy - he's done well this week too - I could ask him along if he's not racing, you'll be ok with him - you can always have a cup of tea or 3 at the top until I haul my sorry ar5e up there!

My other mate "Golfclub" is on here, he patiently dragged me around a 50 mile loop the other week.

cjcp

Let's go with Golfclub. Not so much Tom.

jonginge

Well, that went just about as I expected. Roastie, Rich, CJ and myself went to CP for a circuit race. It was my first RR ever so was pretty nervous. The nerves weren't quelled when I saw the course: tight and technical with two hard corners just before the 'hill' in the circuit. I spent the the first 15mins near the back of the group scrabbling to stay in contact up the hill (the previous two corners spread the field at the back). Finally the elastic broke and I was left to my own devices. Struggled on and kept picking off others who'd been shelled by the group. Eventually got lapped by the remainder of the group after I slowed too much to let the 2nd cat group through (again ). At that point only Roastie was still in the pack, where he remained to the finish: chapeau.

Was enjoyable, in a masochistic sort of way, but now I'm shattered and my right knee needs some serious TLC. Sorry CJ that I was such a passenger on the ride back west.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/11439786
The power data unfortunately isn't as accurate as I'd like. I should have re-zeroed it before I started: It recorded under 100W on the start/finish straights, which wasn't right