The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread...
Discussion
Sneaked In an hour off road tonight, pleased with new lights, loving my new cx bike- bunch of top 10 Strava cups popped up when uploaded the ride :-) have to give those segments a proper go in the daytime once the trails are dry. stopped to watch fireworks over the Medway valley from the north downs way, very peaceful. Loads of wildlife out. Off road at night might be my new favourite thing :-D
lufbramatt said:
Sneaked In an hour off road tonight, pleased with new lights, loving my new cx bike- bunch of top 10 Strava cups popped up when uploaded the ride :-) have to give those segments a proper go in the daytime once the trails are dry. stopped to watch fireworks over the Medway valley from the north downs way, very peaceful. Loads of wildlife out. Off road at night might be my new favourite thing :-D
Night riding is my favourite type of riding. Sadly, it's not popular with my wife due to a number of what we shall politely dismiss as "minor incidents and slight delays" in the past.I actually feel safer on a road bike in the dark, especially in rural areas where there is no background light pollution in which to "lose" a cyclist. I've got to admit that I've not done much night riding this past 18 months, but I was out most nights in winter from my old home. Riding my MTB on sweet natural singletrack trails I'd ridden so many times I could almost get round them with my eyes shut.
There's something very calming about being at the centre of your own "bubble" of light. Relaxing, but also a heightened sense of what's going on at the same time. Hard to explain, but it's stressful (in the best way) and absolutely soothing at the same time. Add in the owls, bats, etc that you often spot while riding, and you just can't beat it...
Some of my photos from rides this week. The compromise i've reached with my wife sees me riding in the afternoon, through dusk and the sunset, and into true darkness, but I'm home by around 7.30 to 8.00 pm. I get my fix of riding in the dark, and she doesn't lie awake all night wondering where the blazes I've got to this time.
Up on Salisbury Plain earlier in the week. Byway/MOD Transit Route near Beach's Barn.
Up near Chute Causeway, north of Andover.
The left turn at the top of the Conholt Hill climb.
Early in today's ride, again just north of Andover.
Public road, believe it or not. A loop off the main road only serving one farm and a house. I needed to ride it for a VeloViewer tile!
Road bike does bridleway. Again! stiff climb up out of Tidcombe, over the top and across Wexcombe Down, passing this long disused water tower.
Pass. I don't know what it is/was either. But "something to do with a water works" would be a fair guess, as that was the only part of the tablet over the door which was still legible. No lock on the door - but the hasp and staple were welded together to prevent entry. I did try!
Attempt at an "arty" sunset shot. The fence behind the gate to the right was behind the brick "tower" so I assume that's an old reservoir of some sort under all the brambles. It certainly didn't look like anybody had accessed it in years.
Edited by yellowjack on Saturday 7th November 00:23
Quick night ride last night. First one of the year hopefully get a few more in next week.
Got to test out my new Shimano MW5 shoes, don’t know why I didn’t jump to a dedicated winter shoe sooner, never felt the cold even with just normal socks on. Need to test them in some wet conditions now.
Edited by Pothole Racing on Saturday 7th November 20:23
Trying out the new lights last night around south Oxon:
Really impressed with these two for the price:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPXBBB10W/planet-x-...
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPXSMH2W/planet-x-s...
Less impressed with how muddy the bike was when I got back
Really impressed with these two for the price:
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPXBBB10W/planet-x-...
https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/LIPXSMH2W/planet-x-s...
Less impressed with how muddy the bike was when I got back
ukbabz said:
It was obviously too clean to start with ;-)
Was that around the back of Harwell campus by any chance?
It's true, it was clean initially Was that around the back of Harwell campus by any chance?
Bit further east - a nice climb up through
ewell woods on the way to Stoke Row and Huntercombe. Didn't see a single soul for an hour and a half.seiben said:
It's true, it was clean initially
Bit further east - a nice climb up throughewell woods on the way to Stoke Row and Huntercombe. Didn't see a single soul for an hour and a half.
Ah nice, some more challenging climbs over that way! Haven't made it much further than Ipsden in that direction off road but keep meaning to go explore more when I'm back on the mountain bikeBit further east - a nice climb up through
ewell woods on the way to Stoke Row and Huntercombe. Didn't see a single soul for an hour and a half.
wobert said:
Yes, although it’s official name is ‘Bilberry Wood’, are you local?
Yes, very! We have spoken very briefly on here before, I do a lot of lurking rather than posting. I don't know why but I haven't been feeling much love for the road bike this year, and haven't been out on the MTB much either, but your photos of instantly recognisable places on this thread make me a bit jealous that I haven't ridden much this year.
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