The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread...
Discussion
So there I am, sat at home, planning my route to Slapton Ley, on the Devon coast, to collect my son from a field study trip. And I get to thinking "He's not released until at least 1800hrs, perhaps I could take a bike and make a day of it?"
Then it was on to Strava's Route Builder thingy, cross-checking it with the list of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. Five were identified (Salcombe Hill was too far from the others so was dispatched as a separate ride)...
https://www.relive.cc/view/1150631073
https://www.strava.com/activities/1150631073
The climbing started right from the first turn of the pedals. Over 5 miles of it too. The ToB favourite - Haytor from Bovey Tracey
Right. Good. First climb done. Photo stop, and straight into the 20% descent down t'other side...
Dartmoor is equal parts beauty and brutality. The views are amazing. Note the church (tiny) in the extreme right (lower third) of the picture - we're going past that soon.
Yup. It's definitely 20%. Note to self - keep something in the tank, because you're gonna have to get back up this beast to get back to the car.
At the bottom of that 20% gradient is this church. Pretty village too, with pubs, touristy shops, etc. Somewhere to note if you need to top up on food/fluids.
Utterly mad! Just a random few metres of stone wall between two gates, and it appears to have been built with the sole purpose of displaying this face. Good skills!
Tors aplenty especially at the eastern end. The moor becomes more open toward Tavistock.
Looking out west, on the way to Princetown (change here for HMP Dartmoor) and Tavistock.
Another Tor. Another image recording the gloomy weather over the moor. Lighter cloud, and even a few sunny spells were spotted lower down to the south and west.
View of the Tavy from Vigo Bridge in Tavistock. This was my turn-around point, and the western extreme of my exploration.
The ford in Ponsworthy. That's another 20% gradient I've just come down. I got a little lost on the way out, but not so lost that I avoided climbing that nasty wee hill.
It looks deceptive, but just around that corner it really does ramp up to 20% in places. Official 100Climbs No 10 - Widecombe, aka: that 20% beast I said I was going to save myself for. Well, I forgot, and so I really struggled on this last climb of the day.
I've a feeling this is Saddle Tor. I rewarded myself with a photo stop for getting up that last climb without getting off. God only knows I wanted to. There was even a glimpse of the sun over my shoulder as I climbed, but it was just a lighter patch of sky by the time I got to the top.
...the rest of the ride was a doddle. A 5 or 6 mile roll back down the Haytor climb, into Bovey Tracey. At one point I was rolling along at 43 mph, and catching cars ahead of me, but as the gradient eased I was pedaling to keep ~30mph.
So glad I got my self organised with sandwiches, snacks, and extra fluid in the car, as I needed it all when I got back. Super happy I stuck to my plan and took the bike too. OK, I was late collecting my boy, and late getting home again, but it was definitely worth it. Four of the '100 Climbs' in one 45 mile, easy to follow (for the most part
) route. It took me a darned sight longer than I expected, as the climbing wrecked my average speed, yet a lot of the descending had to be approached very cautiously due to the narrow, twisty-turny nature of the roads across the moor, and the ever-present risk of rounding a bend to find oneself face to face with a flock of sheep or a small herd of cattle. Certainly something I'd more than willingly do again, but I hope I can get to some of the '100 Climbs' hills that I haven't yet ridden first...
Then it was on to Strava's Route Builder thingy, cross-checking it with the list of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. Five were identified (Salcombe Hill was too far from the others so was dispatched as a separate ride)...
https://www.relive.cc/view/1150631073
https://www.strava.com/activities/1150631073
The climbing started right from the first turn of the pedals. Over 5 miles of it too. The ToB favourite - Haytor from Bovey Tracey
Right. Good. First climb done. Photo stop, and straight into the 20% descent down t'other side...
Dartmoor is equal parts beauty and brutality. The views are amazing. Note the church (tiny) in the extreme right (lower third) of the picture - we're going past that soon.
Yup. It's definitely 20%. Note to self - keep something in the tank, because you're gonna have to get back up this beast to get back to the car.
At the bottom of that 20% gradient is this church. Pretty village too, with pubs, touristy shops, etc. Somewhere to note if you need to top up on food/fluids.
Utterly mad! Just a random few metres of stone wall between two gates, and it appears to have been built with the sole purpose of displaying this face. Good skills!
Tors aplenty especially at the eastern end. The moor becomes more open toward Tavistock.
Looking out west, on the way to Princetown (change here for HMP Dartmoor) and Tavistock.
Another Tor. Another image recording the gloomy weather over the moor. Lighter cloud, and even a few sunny spells were spotted lower down to the south and west.
View of the Tavy from Vigo Bridge in Tavistock. This was my turn-around point, and the western extreme of my exploration.
The ford in Ponsworthy. That's another 20% gradient I've just come down. I got a little lost on the way out, but not so lost that I avoided climbing that nasty wee hill.
It looks deceptive, but just around that corner it really does ramp up to 20% in places. Official 100Climbs No 10 - Widecombe, aka: that 20% beast I said I was going to save myself for. Well, I forgot, and so I really struggled on this last climb of the day.
I've a feeling this is Saddle Tor. I rewarded myself with a photo stop for getting up that last climb without getting off. God only knows I wanted to. There was even a glimpse of the sun over my shoulder as I climbed, but it was just a lighter patch of sky by the time I got to the top.
...the rest of the ride was a doddle. A 5 or 6 mile roll back down the Haytor climb, into Bovey Tracey. At one point I was rolling along at 43 mph, and catching cars ahead of me, but as the gradient eased I was pedaling to keep ~30mph.
So glad I got my self organised with sandwiches, snacks, and extra fluid in the car, as I needed it all when I got back. Super happy I stuck to my plan and took the bike too. OK, I was late collecting my boy, and late getting home again, but it was definitely worth it. Four of the '100 Climbs' in one 45 mile, easy to follow (for the most part
) route. It took me a darned sight longer than I expected, as the climbing wrecked my average speed, yet a lot of the descending had to be approached very cautiously due to the narrow, twisty-turny nature of the roads across the moor, and the ever-present risk of rounding a bend to find oneself face to face with a flock of sheep or a small herd of cattle. Certainly something I'd more than willingly do again, but I hope I can get to some of the '100 Climbs' hills that I haven't yet ridden first...
yellowjack said:
So there I am, sat at home, planning my route to Slapton Ley, on the Devon coast, to collect my son from a field study trip. And I get to thinking "He's not released until at least 1800hrs, perhaps I could take a bike and make a day of it?"
Then it was on to Strava's Route Builder thingy, cross-checking it with the list of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. Five were identified (Salcombe Hill was too far from the others so was dispatched as a separate ride)...
(Won't repeat your whole post!) I did that exact same route a couple of months ago. I was also late home as all the climbing really does kill your average speed. Beautiful though! Then it was on to Strava's Route Builder thingy, cross-checking it with the list of 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. Five were identified (Salcombe Hill was too far from the others so was dispatched as a separate ride)...
I had planned an extra bit to do Salcombe Hill, I think there is a little ferry across the Exe which would save a few miles but it came to about 50 miles more for one extra hill...
Daveyraveygravey said:
(Won't repeat your whole post!) I did that exact same route a couple of months ago. I was also late home as all the climbing really does kill your average speed. Beautiful though!
I had planned an extra bit to do Salcombe Hill, I think there is a little ferry across the Exe which would save a few miles but it came to about 50 miles more for one extra hill...
I did Salcombe Hill about an hour and a half before this route, as a stand-alone climb within a short loop. I didn't want to miss it as I was not far away as I passed through the area.I had planned an extra bit to do Salcombe Hill, I think there is a little ferry across the Exe which would save a few miles but it came to about 50 miles more for one extra hill...
It's bloomin' lovely though. Even on a cloudy day. There's something magical about the feeling of open space on the tops of those Dartmoor hills. I'd planned to stop at the Pixie shop for a hot pasty, but felt that I didn't have time for a stop to eat. I soaked up an extra 20 minute as it was, stopping for photos and to take my little windproof jacket on and off. I definitely want to do more riding down that way. Maybe a north/south crossing of Dartmoor, or just a random all-day wander without any time pressures...
Widecombe is a pig to end a ride on huh?! I found it quite hard to plan a route, three of the hills are in a line across the centre of the moor from west to east, the other was in Bovey where I stayed. I did a squashed figure of 8 to avoid doubling back on myself, but I guess there are loads of other roads to explore.
yellowjack said:
Daveyraveygravey said:
(Won't repeat your whole post!) I did that exact same route a couple of months ago. I was also late home as all the climbing really does kill your average speed. Beautiful though!
I had planned an extra bit to do Salcombe Hill, I think there is a little ferry across the Exe which would save a few miles but it came to about 50 miles more for one extra hill...
I did Salcombe Hill about an hour and a half before this route, as a stand-alone climb within a short loop. I didn't want to miss it as I was not far away as I passed through the area.I had planned an extra bit to do Salcombe Hill, I think there is a little ferry across the Exe which would save a few miles but it came to about 50 miles more for one extra hill...
It's bloomin' lovely though. Even on a cloudy day. There's something magical about the feeling of open space on the tops of those Dartmoor hills. I'd planned to stop at the Pixie shop for a hot pasty, but felt that I didn't have time for a stop to eat. I soaked up an extra 20 minute as it was, stopping for photos and to take my little windproof jacket on and off. I definitely want to do more riding down that way. Maybe a north/south crossing of Dartmoor, or just a random all-day wander without any time pressures...
ianstoker said:
My 1st ride on about 9 years this morning..
My local gym wasn't doing it for me any more so I picked up a really bright yellow bike and off I went
Really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would. I'm already planning tomorrows.
Hats off to you! Wait til it's been raining for a few days and you come home covered in mud and sMy local gym wasn't doing it for me any more so I picked up a really bright yellow bike and off I went
Really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would. I'm already planning tomorrows.
te!No photos from my ride today, as I only had an hour for a quick local blast, but have this from my ride yesterday. A slow ride around the local country park with my wife and her friend and my son on the back of my bike.
Riding round Draycote with Owen by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Riding round Draycote with Owen by Lewis Craik, on Flickr
Have you considered a front mounted seat?
Asking as I have one, and the experience is so much better than a rear seat, as they are in front of you so they have a clear view ahead, enjoy ringing the bell, you can talk to them, adjust helmet and so on.
We have a lovely time with it, we had another 2 hours riding on it today, loves it.
Asking as I have one, and the experience is so much better than a rear seat, as they are in front of you so they have a clear view ahead, enjoy ringing the bell, you can talk to them, adjust helmet and so on.
We have a lovely time with it, we had another 2 hours riding on it today, loves it.
Having dispensed with all three Blockhaus climbs with powerfully built director ease already (ahem!) I now turn my attention to il muro di Guardiagrele
If this is 25% then Hardknott is nearer 20%...
Photos never really show a gradient in its worst light
Guardiagrele really is a lovely place
FFS n+1 even applies to your goddamn fence!
I know people who are sniffy about zig-zagging, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do
If this is 25% then Hardknott is nearer 20%...
Photos never really show a gradient in its worst light
Guardiagrele really is a lovely place
FFS n+1 even applies to your goddamn fence!
I know people who are sniffy about zig-zagging, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do
Daveyraveygravey said:
Having dispensed with all three Blockhaus climbs with powerfully built director ease already (ahem!) I now turn my attention to il muro di Guardiagrele
If this is 25% then Hardknott is nearer 20%...
Photos never really show a gradient in its worst light
Guardiagrele really is a lovely place
FFS n+1 even applies to your goddamn fence!
I know people who are sniffy about zig-zagging, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do
How do you find climbing on a propel? I'm considering one for my next bikeIf this is 25% then Hardknott is nearer 20%...
Photos never really show a gradient in its worst light
Guardiagrele really is a lovely place
FFS n+1 even applies to your goddamn fence!
I know people who are sniffy about zig-zagging, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do
flight147z said:
How do you find climbing on a propel? I'm considering one for my next bike
It's fine; I Everested Boxhill on it a month after I got it, 27 hours and 9000 approx m of climbing. I changed the saddle from the stock one, and it now has an 11-32 cassette and long cage derailleur. In my head I'm a 53-39 and 11-25 kind of guy, but not in my legs! Plus I have 25 mm tyres on it - the original came with 23's back in 2016. Giant adapted the brakes to allow a little more tolerance for the trend for wider tyres after I got mine.A friend has a Synapse, I really should take that out for an hour to compare how much more cushioning it gives.
When I plumped for it back in April 2016, I had a good long look at the kind of rides I do. I cycle to work 2 or 3 times a week, anything from 20 minutes to 2 hours, plus weekend rides tend to be around 3-4 hours; I do the odd century but no more than 3 or 4 a year. I took the decision that a comfort geo wasn't really what I needed, and I just like the way it looks. I still get that nagging to jump on it and go for a spin if I haven't been out for a few days.
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