Cycling 2025

[Slim]

A dry, sunny day except for wet roads. But cold. About 3C when I set off at 1025. I did a Twycrosser (wary of doing a Bypasser at the moment because of the likely state of the roads around Orton).

Was going to go down to Old Grendon, but came to a section of flodded road. So I turned back early. I knew the road along Mythe Lane would be flooded as well, but I went along there just to have a look. Took the pic there.

Sibson Road, Fenn Lanes. Stopped for a pasty and a bit of smoothie at one of the benches at Sutton Cheney. Extended the ride to the east by going over to Kirkby Mallory, then came home from there along the usual Southbound route.

Highslide Image Viewer

Lovely in the sunshine. An immoderate rain shower commenced about 0.3km from home, and about 30 seconds after I'd entered the garage, a heavy hailstorm had started! Good timing.

Back on 73.79 which takes me to a November total of 733km. Sad that I only managed three fondos this month, bringing to an end a run of eight 5+ fondo months.

Listened mostly to LBC, but also the David Bowie album Low.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16611461084

[Nickslikk2112]

After a complete washout yesterday - why did it stop raining the moment the Sun went down? I "had" to get out today to meet my 500 miles a month target. Now, did I go before dinner or after dinner (that'll be lunch to non Northerners)

I decided before would be better, even though it was forecast to be sunny all day best to do it whilst you still know it's sunny. Wasn't too sure where to go, but the way my Heart Rate shot up as soon as I set off I knew it would be wise to head for the flattest roads I know. Certainly ended up doing my flattest ride of the year and not far off flattest ever - in this neck of the woods.

Back on 30 miles to make sure I was over the 28 needed only to find that Mrs S had buggered off to Sainsburys and there was no dinner waiting for me on the table 

https://www.strava.com/activities/16610301031

[Nickslikk2112]

Got December underway today. Would have liked to yesterday, but it rained. I still don't do rain. Luckily today it sunned and it was still sunny by the time I managed to get outdoors.

Even did more of a proper ride today, no real circuits or slogging up and down the same bit of road. Tried doing it steadily and about succeeded, although I always seem to get a vehicle behind me at the worst possible time - narrow uphill roads - and out of the kindness of my heart I put in some extra effort so as to shorten the time they spend behind me.

Back on 38 miles, reasonable start, but probably not enough to make a dent into the 500 mile target, not with a weekend away and next week's weather forecast and then it's almost Christmas...

https://www.strava.com/activities/16628425077

[dom]

Bit ashamed to admit it and it probably means I'm not a true cyclist but I hate getting punctures and unless I had no choice wouldn't dream of changing an inner tube by the side of the road.

So the front tyre puncture on Saturday morning was most unwelcome.  It turned a planned 40k plus cycle into one of less than 30.  Had to wait at the side of the road for a wife who was free that morning, luckily enough.

I finally got round to changing it yesterday evening.  Why does it take me so long?  Around 40 minutes I reckon, 20 minutes to remove and another 20 to replace.  I just don't get the technique and it happens rarely enough that it never becomes a habit.

Even this morning I found that awful bump, bump, bump on the 6 minute spin to work that means either the tyre is not in properly or the inner tube has slipped under the tyre - so will need to be deflated and refitted.

Was embarrassed to post that but now it feels strangely cathartic!

[Nickslikk2112]

Bit ashamed to admit it and it probably means I'm not a true cyclist but I hate getting punctures and unless I had no choice wouldn't dream of changing an inner tube by the side of the road.

I hate punctures. I'm paranoid about punctures. My rides are staying closer and closer to home just in case I get one, I figure if I'm only three miles from home I can walk back in the time it takes me to put a new tube in. And if it's one of my tubeless tyres then if it doesn't seal there's no way I could get a tube in as tubeless tyres for me are a bastard to get on- although Mrs S finds it quite easy!

Thankfully for whatever reason most of mine have happened either just after leaving home or just before
getting back. The Cavalry have had to come to my aid twice.

[Slim]

Another cold day with wet roads, but - no rain forecast, and intermittently sunny. So I thought I'd get a fondo in. I did have the (possibly unrealistic) thought that if I didn't do it today the weather might not give me another chance all month.

I went down the Southbound route. The road through Earl Shilton is still closed so I detoured via Barwell again, although this time I missed the turn to Elmesthorpe and found myself on the outskirts of Hinckley. Turned back and got back on track after a couple of klicks.

Because I'd done a few extra km I turned back early, at North Kilworth. I reckoned that if I came back via the Earl Shilton bypass, I'd be back on 100km pretty much exactly. By the time I got to Kirkby Mallory it looked like I'd be back on a bit more than that, so I took the Donington Le Heath short cut. But that cut off more distance than I thought so I had to faff around in the village over the last couple of km. It's obviously not that important, but the mental maths makes a ride a bit more interesting.

Back on 100.69km, about 24 mins after sunset which today in the East Midlands occurred at 1554. But the sun starts to set later in the day in eleven days' time.

Listened to 5 Live and started a Callan novel, Death and Bright Water.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16631242741

[Nickslikk2112]

Another dry day after presumably another wet night as the roads were very damp again, so off out I went.

After straying over 8 miles from home as the crow flies yesterday, I kept it a bit closer to home today. To get the distance in that meant adding some loops in. OK, that's fine Loops R Me. Of course this means you end up being barked at by the same dog a few times, but hey-ho. Today's biggest danger was low flying pheasants, very nearly got taken out by one near Hardwick Hall - More scaffolding than glass - but it managed to gain enough altitude.

Like yesterday I ended up on 38 miles. It's enough. Especially as I've come over all Samson like after having my hair cut this morning.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16638538690

[David L]

Today was looking like the best day for a ride for quite a while so decision to go out was made a few days ago. Setting off around 11:30am, the weather didn't disappoint with sunshine warming us all the way (after the hard frost we awoke to).

A fairly usual route through New Yatt, North Leigh, Eynsham and Sutton then hopping on the bridleway near Yelford to make our way back to Witney via Ducklington. Mostly sticking to the roads (apart from a mile or so) as the tracks would be mostly too boggy from recent rain. Lots of water everywhere and the Windrush is near to breaking its banks in many spots. Definitely be flooding by next week.

Back in town we stopped for lunch and a couple of pints (Little Ox 'Yabba Dabba Doo' /'Wipeout'). We took advantage of the lunchtime 'any pizza for £10' offer - lovely.

By the time we got home we'd clocked up 20 miles. I don't think the temperature was ever much more than 5 degrees or so but was comfortable with clothing choice.

Retirement is ace!

[Fishy]

All set to head out this morning.. got the bike out.. flat back tyre..so wheel off.. tube out into a basin of water and there it was.. checked the tyre and the inevitable tiny hedge needle in there..so patched it and will leave it to make sure it's ok.. weather looks bloody awful for next few days.. fuck!

[dom]

Got out for a shortish spin this morning. Weather forecast threatened rain and rain it did. I was well wrapped up though and it wasn't persistent and never heavy so it could have been worse. I bought a change of gloves but I didn't have to use them. Back home in a couple of hours after a 36km jaunt. Just enough to keep things moving

[Fishy]

A 20 miler earlier today in the rain to check out the back tyre was repaired ok.. seems to be.. weather was  awful.. soaked thru and cold.. went up over the Carrick Hills which I hadn't done in a while

[Slim]

Awful weather this last few weeks but no rain expected until late afternoon today so I thought a Twycrosser was in order. Set off at 1035, down through Twycross as usual, excursion down to Old Grendon then back up.

Mythe Lane was flooded again (or still) so I came back the Ratcliffe Culey way. Went along Bosworth Road eastward, but instead of taking the Carlton detour, I went all the way into Market Bosworth. Sat at the bench overlooking a plaque marking the spot where the remains of Richard III are said to have "rested" (OK) on their way to Leicester. Apparently there was a funeral procession with a hearse. Barking.

I took a right at Odstone to the main road to come up through Ibstock which robbed me of a few km, but I guessed the usual route might be a bit muddy further up.

Really quite pleasant out there. It didn't rain and still hasn't, two hours after I returned home. Wish I'd stayed out a bit longer. Back on 61.35km which brings the December tally so far to a miserable 162km.

A few dead pheasants on the road. I have to wonder how long the poor buggers would last if 40 million of them weren't bred to be released every year in the UK. I suspect the foxes, cars and birds of prey would wipe them out within a couple of years even if people stopped shooting them.

Listened to LBC and 5 Live.


https://www.strava.com/activities/16684892590

[Fishy]

Ordered another rema repair kit.. Rema Tip Top Tyre Puncture Repair Kit Tt02 Cycle Kit

[Nickslikk2112]

Finally got out on the road again today after a week off, weather has been too dismal and had a weekend in Oxford. Monday was fine but I spent all day waiting for a parcel that never came. Things were so bad I actually submitted to an hour on the Turbo Trainer yesterday.

Still, today was fine and more or less sunny so out it was. The roads were very wet though, but drains must have been cleared out as where it normally floods was just festooned with big puddles.

The intention was just to ride steadily, but a stiff SSW wind didn't always allow for it. Gave the cardio-vascualr system a good work out. Not what I wanted when its fitness drops off a cliff after a few days. The legs hold up fine though.

Just meandered around aimlessly for my 35 miles, but headed out to the West side of town in ages as the traffic light replacement on Newbold Road has finally been finished.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16703526587

[Slim]

A dry day was forecast! 0% chance of rain all day, no less. So I got up early, had breakfast and changed into cycling clothes, and - oh, it's chucking it down.

Waited for the rain to pass, checked the rainfall radar and set off at about 1000. I was going to take lights anyway. The roads were wet but oh well.

So I did the southbound route, but when I got to Kimcote after 44km I thought - why not go straight on instead of turning off down Gurney Lane? So I did. New territory.

Historically, the Southbound Route evolved as a means to going down over the Northamptonshire border. But I've done that dozens of times now and really the main thing is to do a 100km ride. I came to a village called Walton, then took a right turn. The road devolved a bit into a narrow track but I was on a gravel bike. Not really a problem. But when I came to a steep descent that I didn't fancy climbing back up, I decided to turn back. I took the photo there.

Highslide Image Viewer

From Walton I kept going east. Nice, well surfaced, quiet roads. Not quite flat but not hilly. Kept going to a T junction, turned right, more of the same. After 53km near a place called Shearsby, I turned back, came back the same way except for the experimental turn at Walton.

I listened to LBC and 5 Live. Back about 45 mins after sunset on 103.47km, and that's 10712 km done in 2025, a new yearly record. Last year's total was 10621. Obviously being retired the whole year helps.

https://www.strava.com/activities/16705418455