The "I had a lovely ride today, thankyou" thread

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The "I had a lovely ride today, thankyou" thread

(2697 posts)

Started 14 years ago by kaputnik
Latest reply from gembo

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gembo
Member

All the little back roads west of Livingston have been affected by what looks like power cable laying from the wind farm at Woolfords? When they started it on September I got to the Woolfords junction and they wouldn't let me through, but Inthink the guy I was discussing with was the gaffer and I had to detour down onto the road to Lanark which actually was quiet in the middle of the day. But now they are further along and no gaffer they seem ok with letting you through.

Looks like we all took advantage of the sun and the lack of breeze. 'twas a joy.

Posted 11 years ago #
EddieD
Member

I too had a lovely ride - I started from Middleton, and made a circular ride via Innerleithen (and a detour to Traquair) and Peebles, then back via Gladstone Reservoir.

I'd quibble about the lack of breeze - the south wind funneling up the valley made the hill climbs, well, let's say entertaining - I had to pedal going down the way to maintain speed.

This was more than made up for by the ride - the B7007 is my favourite road to ride, I saw shedloads of wildlife - stoats, rabbits, sparrowhawks, corvids galore (my favorite birds), including a Jay. Saw many other riders out enjoying the day, and they all waved and said hello, which was really nice.

I did wonder why there were these wierd, yellow sheep in fields with harnesses on...and then one jumped on top of a normal white sheep and I went - ah, okay...

Posted 11 years ago #
Charterhall
Member

Today was my first Saturday in 5 weeks, and only fhe 3rd day in total over that period, when I didn't have to be at work. Bliss ! Enjoyed a great little loop over Auchendinny, Gladhouse, Rosebery Filters, the off road track past Edgelaw Resv, back through Roslin Glen. Great to be able to enjoy the winter sunshine.

Posted 11 years ago #
Charterhall
Member

Out on the tandem for the first time in 3 months today, a gentle 40 miler to the cafe at West Linton. V tasty lunch of sweet potato soup and a stilton and bacon sandwich with carrot cake for afters. The ride out was a bit grey and wintry but sunny and a tailwind for the ride home.

Posted 10 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

I just dug this thread out an lo an behold Charterhall beat me to it.... West Linton is a nice one with a good work rate to get you appetite up as you shake off the gravitational pull of Edinburgh. Tandem is a nice way to go.

I was invited by two triking customers to do the coast road at 9am this morn. Nice and quiet. Arellcat will recognise the coffee stop. Sorry should have asked more but we all had half day passes. Weather window worth taking.

ICE Sprint 26 - towards Port Seton by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

ICE Sprint 26 + 26X by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

Impromptu Laid Back tour by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

ICE Sprint 26 + 26X - ideal height for barriers on NCN by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

Posted 10 years ago #
Kenny
Member

This morning I managed to both fall off my bike, and have 2 punctures.

The tumble was at RBS Gogarburn, at the bit where you have to go in a U Turn after crossing the bridge. Turned out the frost was actually ice around 9am.

The two punctures were unusually in two different places on my front wheel. When I saw the 2nd, I assumed I had missed the sharp thing that had burst it initially, but no, it was in a completely different place. Odd, as my Gatorskins are fairly new, but someone did ask me how long it had been since I had a puncture on Friday, so it's their fault.

No injuries from the fall, though - makes a change from last year. Instead, I hilariously rolled over and then slid, on the ice on my back, about 5 feet further down the path. It was awesome fun.

Posted 10 years ago #
gembo
Member

Lot of folk heading out the Lang Whang today then heading back quite quickly as Baltic

Posted 10 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

Yes. Was icy around 9.30 but cleared a bit.. At Apple Pie in Carnwath we met around a dozen riders from Law Wheelers in Carluke.

The bakery there is friendly and excellent. (As Gembo and many on forum have said). You can see it's also great value!

Home run on Lanark Road by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

The famous Apple Pie Bakery in Carnwath by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

Posted 10 years ago #
gembo
Member

Glad you liked it. Red torpedo looks good on the Whang and outside the bakery.

My favourite law wheelers are Wee Davie and Big Ring Jim. They are all friendly tho.

Hope you picked up a nice tailwind on the return.

I see the flashing on the bakery has had some storm damage.

Posted 10 years ago #
Arellcat
Moderator

I'd never heard of the Apple Pie but had a great macaroni pie there! Two cups of coffee, and then a ton of Lucozade is probably why I'm still awake at 2am despite my legs being completely knackered.

Torpedo is good for 50mph on some of the descents though. I was holding 30-40mph for about four miles after Harperrig.

Posted 10 years ago #
gembo
Member

Yes arellcat, with a tail wind, after harperig the descent is a blast, would have loved to have seen drivers trying to work out what they were having to overtake at 60 mph.

Posted 10 years ago #
amir
Member

It was the first commute of the year for me. Being dry and relatively mild, I took the longer way in via Musselburgh.

I tried out my new back light (Niterider Solas) for the first time in the dark (it's also good in the day) and I felt that drivers gave me a little more space - we will see.

On the downside, my Saferide still seems to give me pretty short battery life, despite charging with a smart charger. I'll see how it goes this week but I may have to swap for something else even if it means poor beam pattern.

Posted 10 years ago #
DaveC
Member

After nearly 3* weeks off the bike I was blown out this morning! I do hope the horrid head wind will translate into a tailwind this evening.

* I did try a DIY 200 last Monday but was soaked for most of the day, and coupled with a strained left hamstring and hurt left knee cap I binned it at 130km in Leuchars.

Posted 10 years ago #
Wilmington's Cow
Member

I love how not completing a 200k and 'only' riding 130k translates as 'off the bike' for you.

Posted 10 years ago #
Focus
Member

I had planned on joining one of the ERC road rides for the first time this morning but a very late night (not helped by finding the chain on my road bike had seized where it was wrapped round the jockey wheels - much flexing and waxing required!) meant I was never gong to get out on time. So I just took it easy and headed out around midday. My Castelli thermal jersey and Espresso Due jacket (expensive but well worth it) kept me toasty all afternoon.

My route took me out along the coast to Musselburgh and past the sadly deceased sperm whale to Tranent and then south east to East Saulton. Then it was on to Gifford where I realised I'd missed my intended turn north onto the B6369 so I just continued onwards until the B6370.

The descent down Mag's Bank was fun. Only one nasty pothole to avoid, otherwise the most amazingly smooth surface to head down. I reached 35 mph but could have topped 45 had I not been swiping through my Garmin display on top of not being familiar with the road. I expect it would be treacherous in icy conditions though.

Haddington next, and it was the closest to busy I experienced outside of Edinburgh, but that wasn't saying much. I crossed under the A1 and onto the off-road route to Longniddry, where the standards of riding were somewhat less than perfect. I had to take to the grass when one family wobbled around on the path, and that was the father with a kiddy trailer bike! Then I had to negotiate the all-female Geriatric Ramblers Association Northern Section, all 20 or so of them, who insisted on walking 2 by 2 towards me, forcing me to try to squeeze past on a very slippy grass verge on the edge of a drop. Thanks ladies! A pity paths like that aren't marked on the signs as mixed surface. I went from tarmac to cinder track to mud and back. Not so ideal for a road bike with slicks.

North then, to the Links Road and onto Cockenzie and Prestonpans before taking the John Muir route back to Musselburgh and Edinburgh.

All in all, a lovely day for a ride with just a few niggles, but nothing to spoil the afternoon. 54 miles in under 4 hours wasn't too bad considering a few short stops, some off-road riding and red traffic lights.

Posted 10 years ago #
EddieD
Member

I dumped the car at Tummel Bridge, cycled to Braes of Foss, Bridge of Gaur, Kinloch Rannoch, and back to Tummel Bridge.

The weather was glorious, my fitness was questionable, but. other than the ice on the Schiehallion road, the day was utterly awesome

Posted 10 years ago #
kaputnik
Moderator

Only bimbling around viewing houses today, but it was a very lovely bimble with blue skies, not much wind and a little bit of warmth in the sun.

Posted 10 years ago #
tammytroot
Member

Lovely day for a wee ride todsy. Edinburgh to N Berwick. Tailwind, nice bit of sun. Reasonably quiet, Lovely.

Posted 10 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

Coast road would have been nice.

Nice up this way too... lots of people parked up and walking.

Glencorse / Loganlea ICE Sprint trikes by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

Posted 10 years ago #
chdot
Admin

Nice day.

Decided to go for a ride around Arthur's Seat.

Forgot that the road is closed to motors on a Sunday, so that was a bonus - except -

When I got to the top there were about 6 cars!

Don't know if they had been there for hours, or if the barrier by St. Margaret's Loch wasn't locked.

There were two more parked downhill towards Pollock Halls. One was facing uphill!!

Posted 10 years ago #
paolobr
Member

First longish ride of the year, headed west to Linlithgow, back via Broxburn to visit a mate.

Up over Beecraigs, view from the junction.

Posted 10 years ago #
fimm
Member

It was nice out on Sunday. Went with my boyfriend and a couple of friends of his out into West Lothian and did my slowest ever descent of Kingscavil Hill (dodgy brakes is my excuse).

Went back via Craigie's which was really busy! There was a chap with an upright tricycle just unlocking it to leave as we arrived, which was quite interesting to see.

Posted 10 years ago #
LaidBack
Member

More fun cycling on three wheels today? I was out with returning trike customer AlanR and we did a a loop round by Duddingston and then up the hill road to Dunsapie Loch.

I had to use all my concentration to keep a less than straight line going uphill into a very gusty wind. Couldn't help but notice that the trike was not affected and was able to make better progress.
Downhill recumbent bikes are more aero than trikes but I had a near 'off' when a huge gust of wind caught me side on at a speed of around 30mph on Queens Drive heading down to Holyrood. So even though I was 'faster' I couldn't safely use that extra bit and watched as the trike just kept going immune to side blasts.

Obviously it was extreme today but we are promised that more of our weather should be of this sort. I do like two wheels both upright and laid back but you do have to consider all round safety on a day like today or just leave the bike at home. Maybe I'm wimping out but only cyclist I met was on a black S-works racer and he said he'd been blown off twice. Shades of last year's Tour o the Borders!

ICE Sprint FSX - tour heading east by LaidBackBikes, on Flickr

Posted 10 years ago #
alanr
Member

It certainly was the windiest that I have ever been out in - obviously, I have led a sheltered cycling life. However, the trike was totally unaffected by the side winds and I just had to gear-down to deal with the strong head winds. On the downhills the trike was going really fast - no speedo fitted, so I'm not sure. I am delighted to have made the return to triking rather than biking and I'm looking forward to my first commute down the Lanark Road tomorrow morning, speedo now fitted and working, and see how fast it goes.

Posted 10 years ago #
paolobr
Member

Fine day on Saturday so managed 52 miles on a loop south via Dalkeith and Bonnyrigg. Diversions on the A7 due to Borders railway work meant I missed my intended turnoff and ended up in Gorebridge. Oh well. A7 to Middleton, then turn off to the B7007 Innerleithen road to test the climbing legs. Back to A7 via Heriot, then over towards the A68 via Soutra Aisle. Home via Humbie, Cousland, Musselburgh.

However, need to get the lower gears sorted, not engaging properly, caused me some interesting moments when trying to push up a few short, steep inclines :-(

Edinburgh from Soutra Aisle

Posted 10 years ago #
amir
Member

Classic route. Did you get chased by a dog near Soutra?

Posted 10 years ago #
paolobr
Member

Done it a couple of times now, really enjoyable (as long as I stay off the main roads).

No, I don't recall a dog, just checked my video of the ride up in case I missed it! Saw hardly anyone once off the A7, a few riders coming down the B7007 as I was going up. Caught up with a chap on the road to Heriot, he was doing a loop from Innerleithen. Blissfully quiet otherwise.

Posted 10 years ago #
Focus
Member

Tuesday.

I planned a 30 mile plus ride out to Haddington and back but felt so good that I ended up at Whiteadder Reservoir for a 68 mile round trip! I don't know if it was the sample SiS "Go Plus L-Carnitine" (catchy name!) gel which my friend at my local LBS gave me and which I took pre-ride, but I had more riding in my legs than a lack of sleep the previous night would have suggested.

Wallyford, Tranent, Pencaitland, West Saulton, East Saulton, south-east off the B6355 to Longyester, back up to Danskine The view from the top of the Lammermuirs was beautifully clear and I could not only see the Bass Rock but right over the Forth to Fife. Continuing down the descent of the B355 to Whiteadder, I managed a fun 48mph down towards the reservoir. After riding a little way round - and watching the lapwings - I headed back up the hill as the weather was taking a turn for the worse.

Although the sun had stayed out, the wind was strong most of the day, but by now it was really gusting strongly. The same road I had managed down at 48mph had me going back up at between 6 and 8!

I stopped off in the local shop in Pencaitland for a cheese and onion roll and a bit of banter from the very friendly ladies in the shop before heading home. The last action of the day was a ride to the Chinese takeaway for a well-deserved treat. I did make one boo-boo though, climbing on my mountain bike and realising I still had my road shoes (and therefore the wrong cleats) on!

The only downer on the trip was the moron in Pencaitland who thought it appropriate to squeeze between me and two approaching cars immediately after I'd turned onto the B6355 from the shop. Totally unnecessary and almost costing me my elbow, but the gestures he made back at me showed he was the kind of cyclist hater we love so much.

On the flipside, I did love the "Children Crossing" sign as I was approaching the Lammermuirs climb. I meant to photograph it on the way back. If you haven't seen it, it's a standard sign but with the kid on the right has a little alien head, complete with antenna :-) Is that area not known for UFO sightings or am I just confusing it with Bonnybridge? The closest thing to a UFO I saw was what I swear was a Tornado, but I'm not sure where it would have come from, with Leuchars' squadrons having disbanded. Obviously Lossiemouth or one of the English bases.

Posted 10 years ago #
Focus
Member

Had a nice 44 miler this afternoon, idiot drivers notwithstanding.

Out to Winchburgh via Kirkliston, then left down Niddry Road. Normally I'd go past Beecraigs but I decided to try the road south, then SW, S again and eventually into Bathgate. Then it was up the B792 to Torphichen and Linlithgow, back to Winchburgh and home.

The sun came out to play at times (including at the top of the Cairnpapple climb) but there was a brief sleet shower followed by light rain. Fortunately I had my Sunday best Castelli clobber on to keep me warm and dry.

The only spoilers were a number of close passes, none of them remotely necessary. The worst two were an X38 First Bus, coming out of Linlithgow with nothing on the other side of the road, yet still I was close enough to buy a ticket, and the idiot driving a silver transit (or similar) for Drummond break down recovery. He past me while there was traffic coming the other way, which was dangerous enough. The fact he then swung in and nearly clipped me with the trailer carrying a car made it even worse!

He then stopped a little further up the road, waiting for me to catch up. As I past him, the window came down and I could see the guy's smug grin. He obviously thought it amusing as I told him what he'd done. When he re-passed me, he did it properly. I suspect it had then clicked that he would be easily identifiable driving that van!

Wildlife highlights were a buzzard sailing in the high wind and managing to 'hover', and an alpaca on a farm, whose curiosity led him to come over a small hill to see what I was all about. He wasn't interested enough to come close though, and soon trotted back over the hill. Lowlight was a dead badger :-(

Posted 10 years ago #
amir
Member

I had a great ride this morning, accompanied by ARobComp.

We started earlier so it was rather parky. Heading through Auchendinny,we had a long climb up to the Peebles road. Then down via Romanno Bridge to Broughton into the teeth of a freezing and stiff breeze. Ice cream headache!

In Broughton we were disappointed that the cafe wasn't open until one hour later (10am), we decided not to torture ourselves further given the breeze and the closure of the Moffat-St Mary's Loch road. We turned east off the main road, out of the wind and up the hill for lovely views of the snowy peaks, an iron age fort and the Tweed Valley. We proceeded up the valley past Stobo then near the Meldons we took a detour via Cademuir and into Peebles. Lovely cake at Kailze (I had a Borders Tart), then continue on to Innerleithen and back through the Moorfoots with a decent tailwind.

Posted 10 years ago #