Cycling 2025

[Slim]

Very cold today but most of the rest of the month is forecast to be blighted by rain, so slightly reluctantly I decided to do at least 30km or so. I wrapped up very warm, of course.

First thought was to go up to the top of Top Brand, and come back. I went a bit further, past Tonge. Then east to Belton, over toward Long Whatton. And back home through Griffydam and Coleorton.

Just made it up as I went along, really. All very familiar roads. Back on 39.29 km.

I wasn't that uncomfortable, especially on the way back with a bit of tailwind. Actually my upper body was too warm after a while, although my extremities were still uncomfortably cold. Should have done a longer one really.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16505504042

[Nickslikk2112]

Well, I only had time for a little one again today, got an hour and twenty in between waiting for parcel deliveries. Managed to get up to 19 miles which will do. What wouldn't do was a nasty cold wind when riding North. When I'd done an about face a cyclist coming the other way had a moan to me about it.

What won't do was the fact that the zips on both of my overshoes failed. The right one before I went out the left one when I got back. So if I go out again in the next couple of days I either end up with complete frostbite, or wear them undone.

[Nickslikk2112]

New pair of overshoes turned up this morning. Only ordered them at ten last night took me hours to find something that was cheap enough and didn't get loads of bad reviews, most makes seem to get lots of complaints about failing zips. The new pair are zipless and bright yellow. I feel like Billy Connolly in his Banana Boots.

Are they any good? Well, my toes felt a bit warmer but I had taped over the air holes at the front of the shoes. Don't think they'll be that good in a torrential downpour, but I try not to go out in that sort of weather.

With all my parcel deliveries arriving early on today, I was able to get out and go a bit further afield. Not too far but enough for a change of scenery and nearly got up to 32 miles.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16514801412

[Slim]

Very cold when I got up this morning and I thought I might well stay in all day. But rain is forecast from tomorrow until Tuesday, so I forced myself to do a Twycrosser. I did a moderate length one, through Ratcliffe Culey at the bottom.

Highslide Image Viewer

Actually very pleasant out there in the winter sunshine. Fingers and toes were freezing when I got back though so 50.02km was enough.

Having come a cropper on ice in January, I was a little bit trepidatious going downhill here and there. I did see a few icy puddles just off the road. But I was avoiding the more obscure country lanes and I doubt I made contact with any ice.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16525422121

[Nickslikk2112]

Well, I was going to go out for a 30 miler or so today, being as the weather was forecast to be Sunny. But, I woke up feeling a bit under the weather, however what doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. So I resolved to get out there.

Then an email came through saying a parcel which had to be signed for would arrive between 12:29 and 14:29. As I was most definitely the only person in house who could be available and it was a case of wine my plans were curtailed, so it was only an 18 miler, never straying more than a 25 minute walk from home in case of unforeseen circumstances.

[dom]

After a very cold week and then a very wet Friday evening, it was great to wake up on Saturday morning to see a grey but dry day.

It was still pretty cold so full winter garb was cold for. 4 layers under a luminous cycling jacket. Thickest gloves, 2 pairs of socks and a wooly hat under the cycling helmet.

A bit of drizzle to begin with but that didn't last and weak sunshine began to show through towards the end. A flattish 50kms started by heading out out to Dunderry where I met Norman. Then Bohermeen, Athboy (where we had a coffee and bun break) over the Hill of Ward (more of a pimple really) and back to Dunderry and a different route back to Navan.

One of those mornings where I might not have gone if I hadn't agreed to meet up, but so glad I did. Even on the dullest days cycling is a great mood lifter.

[Slim]

Wasn't expecting to get out today but the forecast for the afternoon improved considerably. A little bit milder today, too. The roads were still wet when I set off at 1120. I took the Tricross again.

I did a Twycrosser - I thought the roads might be a bit muddy over Orton way so again, no bypass via Orton this time. I did the Ratcliffe / Upton / Shenton version. And on the way back up I extended over to Ellistown via Nailstone.

Highslide Image Viewer

I didn't get rained on but the roads near home were soaking wet when I got back. Dodged a downpour apparently. Listened to LBC, footy on 5 Live and a bit of a Daft Punk album. Really quite nice out there when the sun was out. 54.18 km.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16544911778

[Fishy]

Back in the saddle last week for a couple of 20 milers due mainly to being away but also either a broken toe or bone due to inadvertently  kicking the kitchen door back in September..

Anyway back out again last Friday and yesterday for a couple of 33 milers.. nice to get reacquainted with the single track routes around Ayrshire.. gloriously sunny day today but very cold but unfortunately it's Christmas shopping with the wife.. weather wise rest of the week looks a bit bleak but will try and get out again

[Slim]

I had a particular plan in mind today, to test a new route I'd come up with last night on the Ride with GPS route planner. This would take me up over Swarkestone Bridge then east through Weston and Aston, up to Borrowash and loop round to the east and back to Aston via Sawley and Shardlow.

I particularly liked this route in principle because the loop at the east is very flat.

So I did that, except that I didn't complete the loop. I'd decided that it wasn't that good a route after all. The stretch between Borrowash and Sawley is a bit busy. So at the big roundabout over the A50, I dropped down through Donington and came home the long way - via Diseworth and Long Whatton - from there.

Something a bit different then although I had been over Sawley way at least once before (just checked, six years ago).

Saw a heron as I pedalled over Swarkestone Bridge.

Highslide Image Viewer

Listened mostly to Times Radio, should do that more often. A bit more centrist than some radio stations I could mention.

And that's another 70.09 km in the bag for November. I've done 656 this month now which is decent I think. More than I did in February. Just as well because the forecast for the rest of the month looks a bit forbidding. I hope December's better.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16562718037

[Nickslikk2112]

After three days off through bad weather and feeling under the weather I wanted to make the most of today's sunshine. But little Brother had arranged to come over and he didn't bog off for house, so it was nigh on half twelve before I could set off.

Took the Bianchi out now I've put the winter wheels on, was hoping that a lighter bike would maximise my mileage in the time available. It might have given me an extra mile and a half. Now need to get 100 miles in by the end of Sunday if I'm going to get 500 for November. Might struggle after just getting 25 in today.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16562294778

[Thenop]

I had a particular plan in mind today, to test a new route I'd come up with last night on the Ride with GPS route planner. This would take me up over Swarkestone Bridge then east through Weston and Aston, up to Borrowash and loop round to the east and back to Aston via Sawley and Shardlow.

I particularly liked this route in principle because the loop at the east is very flat.

So I did that, except that I didn't complete the loop. I'd decided that it wasn't that good a route after all. The stretch between Borrowash and Sawley is a bit busy. So at the big roundabout over the A50, I dropped down through Donington and came home the long way - via Diseworth and Long Whatton - from there.

Something a bit different then although I had been over Sawley way at least once before (just checked, six years ago).

Saw a heron as I pedalled over Swarkestone Bridge.

Highslide Image Viewer

Listened mostly to Times Radio, should do that more often. A bit more centrist than some radio stations I could mention.

And that's another 70.09 km in the bag for November. I've done 656 this month now which is decent I think. More than I did in February. Just as well because the forecast for the rest of the month looks a bit forbidding. I hope December's better.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16562718037

You should have told me you were coming, I would have waived!

[Slim]

You should have told me you were coming, I would have waived!

I did actually stop there to take that pic with you in mind - I wondered if you'd spot it. If I remember correctly it's a garden centre. Perhaps somewhere in The Netherlands there's a garden centre called Engeland.

[Thenop]

You should have told me you were coming, I would have waived!

I did actually stop there to take that pic with you in mind - I wondered if you'd spot it. If I remember correctly it's a garden centre. Perhaps somewhere in The Netherlands there's a garden centre called Engeland.

Haha, great that.

I do know we have an America in the Netherlands. Need to see if I can find something similar for Engeland indeed.

[Nickslikk2112]

It had dropped cold again today. The frost still hasn't lifted when I set out at 11:03 but I managed to get and do the 35 miles I wanted.

Broke my recent habit of just riding loops close to home and went out to Bozer. I was surprised to find that I hadn't gone up the climb - via Shuttlewood - to Bolsover since 2018. can't believe it has been that long. I go that way to avoid the direct way up Bolsover hill, but even going the long way it hits 11% at times. Not what I wanted, but sometimes you just have to do it.

Tomorrow looks like it will be dull, but warm, hopefully get another 35 miles in which will then leave me three days to try and squeeze another 30 miles in, the weather will have to play ball.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16572030076

[Nickslikk2112]

Warmed up again today. But very gloomy with it and even though there was no precipitation from above there was plenty of road spray from overnight rain. Unless it was just my arse sweating.

More of a meandering route close to home today with a few Calow loops thrown in. Was trying to reduce the effort I was putting in and I suppose I did, but it doesn't feel like it now. Still, another 36 miles done, 28 needed for 500 in November. Might all have to be done on Sunday looking at the weather forecast.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16581596436