The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread. (Vol. 2)

[defblade]

emicen said:

Horrid headwind out, horrid rolling hills on the way home. Had to be done I guess

Love rolling hills (just as well around here), hate headwinds. Especially the ones that turn with you on the way back!

[Handbag]

Beautiful day yesterday to finally start riding in my new area (moved from Notts to Cheshire). Lost most of last year due to an iron deficiency.

[seiben]

Bleurgh.

[PomBstard]

[anonymous-user]

benny.c said:

Nice day up at Llandegla yesterday. Feels like Spring is almost properly here.

From Dusk till Dawn, one of my favourite parts.

[M1K3]

The reward during the ride



And the car that inspired the bike colours

[seiben]

Quick evening jaunt once the kids were in bed. This is a bit more like it

[bobbo89]

Top of Cutgate yesterday

[Squadrone Rosso]

Finally got some sun in South Wales. Nice 28 mile bimble after work.

[PastelNata]

Rode my road bike for the first time in the UK today.

[Alicat]

[PastelNata]

A couple from from today…Ripley and Knaresbrough.

[defblade]

This is a slightly boring photo, of a gate you've seen before and some sheep... but it's important to me!

Today was my first proper ride since August last year.

In May I discovered I was in hypertensive crisis (thanks to an MTB crash, as it happens), and my BP medicine was upped. Doctor said exercise would be great, so I carried on riding... but the riding got less and less despite apparent good health and good weather. Rather than 4 rides a week, across the whole of August I rode just 4 times... and then stopped.

I realised I wasn't enjoying anything... riding: flat, new job: flat, gaming: flat... checked the side effects of my meds, and "uncommon" is depression.
I wouldn't say I was properly depressed but, by heck, everything was just so flat. It was weird.
Went to see about a change and a change was made (which actually gave better BP results eventually, too).

But as I made that change, in October, I got a lurgy (not covid, despite many tests) that had me coughing sneezing and wheezing for 3 months solid until after Christmas.
I could feel my mood lifting even under the illness, but there was no way I was going to be back on the bike!

Anyhow, I did start to get back on Zwift... my FTP was a good 20% down on last year to begin with.
I had a timid January, a patchy February and a bit more consistent March... my FTP is now about 10% down...

...and as of today, I'm back on the road, baby!






And I hope to be back off the road this weekend, too.
I got a shiny new MTB last June... but I've only ridden it twice so far, thanks the year above - a grand total of 18 miles!


And thanks if you read it all

[yellowjack]

defblade said:

This is a slightly boring photo, of a gate you've seen before and some sheep... but it's important to me!

Today was my first proper ride since August last year.

In May I discovered I was in hypertensive crisis (thanks to an MTB crash, as it happens), and my BP medicine was upped. Doctor said exercise would be great, so I carried on riding... but the riding got less and less despite apparent good health and good weather. Rather than 4 rides a week, across the whole of August I rode just 4 times... and then stopped.

I realised I wasn't enjoying anything... riding: flat, new job: flat, gaming: flat... checked the side effects of my meds, and "uncommon" is depression.
I wouldn't say I was properly depressed but, by heck, everything was just so flat. It was weird.
Went to see about a change and a change was made (which actually gave better BP results eventually, too).

But as I made that change, in October, I got a lurgy (not covid, despite many tests) that had me coughing sneezing and wheezing for 3 months solid until after Christmas.
I could feel my mood lifting even under the illness, but there was no way I was going to be back on the bike!

Anyhow, I did start to get back on Zwift... my FTP was a good 20% down on last year to begin with.
I had a timid January, a patchy February and a bit more consistent March... my FTP is now about 10% down...

...and as of today, I'm back on the road, baby!






And I hope to be back off the road this weekend, too.
I got a shiny new MTB last June... but I've only ridden it twice so far, thanks the year above - a grand total of 18 miles!


And thanks if you read it all

Congrats on the comeback! I read it all, and can empathise with most of it too. The "everything was flat" comment especially. I've been living with 'anxiety and depression' for a long time, diagnosed for about 12 years now. At my worst I retreat completely and go unwashed for days at a time even. At my best I can enjoy things, but it's usually in company with someone else enjoying that thing. I had a similar experience with meds too. I was put on the infamous anti-depressants but if anything they made things worse. My mood may have been less black but the side effects worked to undo any improvement. Eventually, against medical advice, I weaned myself off them and slowly got back into cycling and walking. For years things went OK, It was less a rollercoaster of mood swings and more a bumpy road. But I've had "relapses" where the black dog bites hard. Like you, I think I'm coming out of that slowly now.

I did barely any riding since September last year, following quite a thin spring/summer of riding too. There were other reasons too, my wife's bunion surgery on both feet among them, and there was one monster mileage ride I did which was "too much, too soon" and didn't help. That was pretty much my last ride of 2022. This year I've slowly started out on some short, local rides, before managing to get to the start, and finishing the course of the Battle On The Beach bike race (in your neck of the woods I think), despite a reluctance to make the drive down. My wife was a great support for that, changing the plan from me travelling solo and camping for two nights to us going together and getting a room at the Stradey Park hotel for three nights. My performance was dismal (660/676) and I was physically exhausted afterwards like never before, but I don't regret entering, which I think is a good thing?

Back to the here and now, and since the race a week or so ago I've let a fair number of "decent cycling weather" days go begging. Procrastination, and wasting my days on the internet, are my worst enemies when it comes to riding, as it's not like I haven't got time to ride (no job at the moment). Monday I let go to waste completely, but yesterday was slightly better. Beautiful sunny day, and although I didn't ride I did spend the afternoon with the bike in a stand and my tools spread around, cleaning, puncture repairing and fettling in the warmth of the sun. Today's weather forecast is less favourable, clouding over with showers later, but I hope to get out this morning for at least a short ride, partly inspired by your tale above, I think. I know I should just get out and ride, but it's hard to motivate when you're either suffering with clinical depression, or fighting that same depression as a side effect of BP meds. Good luck with your heart health and with your efforts to rebuild your FTP. I've no idea what mine is, and have only heart rate and perceived effort to go on when judging any improvement in my fitness, but cycling for me is more about "self medicating" to improve my mental health than winning trophies at MTB races...

[Siao]

yellowjack said:

defblade said:

This is a slightly boring photo, of a gate you've seen before and some sheep... but it's important to me!

Today was my first proper ride since August last year.

In May I discovered I was in hypertensive crisis (thanks to an MTB crash, as it happens), and my BP medicine was upped. Doctor said exercise would be great, so I carried on riding... but the riding got less and less despite apparent good health and good weather. Rather than 4 rides a week, across the whole of August I rode just 4 times... and then stopped.

I realised I wasn't enjoying anything... riding: flat, new job: flat, gaming: flat... checked the side effects of my meds, and "uncommon" is depression.
I wouldn't say I was properly depressed but, by heck, everything was just so flat. It was weird.
Went to see about a change and a change was made (which actually gave better BP results eventually, too).

But as I made that change, in October, I got a lurgy (not covid, despite many tests) that had me coughing sneezing and wheezing for 3 months solid until after Christmas.
I could feel my mood lifting even under the illness, but there was no way I was going to be back on the bike!

Anyhow, I did start to get back on Zwift... my FTP was a good 20% down on last year to begin with.
I had a timid January, a patchy February and a bit more consistent March... my FTP is now about 10% down...

...and as of today, I'm back on the road, baby!






And I hope to be back off the road this weekend, too.
I got a shiny new MTB last June... but I've only ridden it twice so far, thanks the year above - a grand total of 18 miles!


And thanks if you read it all

Congrats on the comeback! I read it all, and can empathise with most of it too. The "everything was flat" comment especially. I've been living with 'anxiety and depression' for a long time, diagnosed for about 12 years now. At my worst I retreat completely and go unwashed for days at a time even. At my best I can enjoy things, but it's usually in company with someone else enjoying that thing. I had a similar experience with meds too. I was put on the infamous anti-depressants but if anything they made things worse. My mood may have been less black but the side effects worked to undo any improvement. Eventually, against medical advice, I weaned myself off them and slowly got back into cycling and walking. For years things went OK, It was less a rollercoaster of mood swings and more a bumpy road. But I've had "relapses" where the black dog bites hard. Like you, I think I'm coming out of that slowly now.

I did barely any riding since September last year, following quite a thin spring/summer of riding too. There were other reasons too, my wife's bunion surgery on both feet among them, and there was one monster mileage ride I did which was "too much, too soon" and didn't help. That was pretty much my last ride of 2022. This year I've slowly started out on some short, local rides, before managing to get to the start, and finishing the course of the Battle On The Beach bike race (in your neck of the woods I think), despite a reluctance to make the drive down. My wife was a great support for that, changing the plan from me travelling solo and camping for two nights to us going together and getting a room at the Stradey Park hotel for three nights. My performance was dismal (660/676) and I was physically exhausted afterwards like never before, but I don't regret entering, which I think is a good thing?

Back to the here and now, and since the race a week or so ago I've let a fair number of "decent cycling weather" days go begging. Procrastination, and wasting my days on the internet, are my worst enemies when it comes to riding, as it's not like I haven't got time to ride (no job at the moment). Monday I let go to waste completely, but yesterday was slightly better. Beautiful sunny day, and although I didn't ride I did spend the afternoon with the bike in a stand and my tools spread around, cleaning, puncture repairing and fettling in the warmth of the sun. Today's weather forecast is less favourable, clouding over with showers later, but I hope to get out this morning for at least a short ride, partly inspired by your tale above, I think. I know I should just get out and ride, but it's hard to motivate when you're either suffering with clinical depression, or fighting that same depression as a side effect of BP meds. Good luck with your heart health and with your efforts to rebuild your FTP. I've no idea what mine is, and have only heart rate and perceived effort to go on when judging any improvement in my fitness, but cycling for me is more about "self medicating" to improve my mental health than winning trophies at MTB races...

Well done to both, it takes a lot to overcome these things, people don't realise it. I've just separated recently and it is weighing so much on me. But did a London to Brighton off road last weekend and it did wonders. Not for my body, but the cold beer in the sunny Brighton seafront was just marvellous. The bike still makes some new sounds, never heard before, but hey, it was worth it.

Keep on going!

[Mr Scruff]

It's getting nicer out there.

Getting busier, which is less enjoyable, but nice to get out riding and not have to hose your kit down on your return!

[Barchettaman]

seiben said:

Quick evening jaunt once the kids were in bed. This is a bit more like it

Nice bike.

I’m intrigued as to why you’ve wrapped the top tube in handlebar tape.

[maccas99]

Mr Scruff said:

It's getting nicer out there.

Getting busier, which is less enjoyable, but nice to get out riding and not have to hose your kit down on your return!

Still a fair way off being the case in my neck of the woods, it's been raining so much I reckon it will be weeks before it will resemble anything like dry... Still, off to BPW in a few weeks, so all good!

[yellowjack]

maccas99 said:

Mr Scruff said:

It's getting nicer out there.

Getting busier, which is less enjoyable, but nice to get out riding and not have to hose your kit down on your return!

Still a fair way off being the case in my neck of the woods, it's been raining so much I reckon it will be weeks before it will resemble anything like dry... Still, off to BPW in a few weeks, so all good!

Some pictures from today's outing. A very muddy bike, and the tiny stream I had already rinsed it in when i took the photos. Annoying because it was only 24 hours earlier that I'd had the wheels off and cleaned up the brake pads and discs as well as the drive train. Back to square one now, with another cleaning session needed. Nothing particularly obscure to get it that dirty neither, just a particularly muddy public right of way alongside a local river. The mud is, I think, pretty much an annual event because the surrounding land is a flood plain. The river escapes most years and submerges the path, and it needs a prolonged dry spell, the like of which we've yet to see this year, to firm it up again. Still, there was a silver lining. I bagged the 'Local Legend' on that muddy segment. Turns out the only other Strava user daft enough to ride it in the last 90 days was, unlike me, sensible enough not to try it twice. Lesson learned...

[defblade]

yellowjack said:

Congrats on the comeback! I read it all, and can empathise with most of it too. The "everything was flat" comment especially. I've been living with 'anxiety and depression' for a long time, diagnosed for about 12 years now. At my worst I retreat completely and go unwashed for days at a time even. At my best I can enjoy things, but it's usually in company with someone else enjoying that thing. I had a similar experience with meds too. I was put on the infamous anti-depressants but if anything they made things worse. My mood may have been less black but the side effects worked to undo any improvement. Eventually, against medical advice, I weaned myself off them and slowly got back into cycling and walking. For years things went OK, It was less a rollercoaster of mood swings and more a bumpy road. But I've had "relapses" where the black dog bites hard. Like you, I think I'm coming out of that slowly now.

I did barely any riding since September last year, following quite a thin spring/summer of riding too. There were other reasons too, my wife's bunion surgery on both feet among them, and there was one monster mileage ride I did which was "too much, too soon" and didn't help. That was pretty much my last ride of 2022. This year I've slowly started out on some short, local rides, before managing to get to the start, and finishing the course of the Battle On The Beach bike race (in your neck of the woods I think), despite a reluctance to make the drive down. My wife was a great support for that, changing the plan from me travelling solo and camping for two nights to us going together and getting a room at the Stradey Park hotel for three nights. My performance was dismal (660/676) and I was physically exhausted afterwards like never before, but I don't regret entering, which I think is a good thing?

Back to the here and now, and since the race a week or so ago I've let a fair number of "decent cycling weather" days go begging. Procrastination, and wasting my days on the internet, are my worst enemies when it comes to riding, as it's not like I haven't got time to ride (no job at the moment). Monday I let go to waste completely, but yesterday was slightly better. Beautiful sunny day, and although I didn't ride I did spend the afternoon with the bike in a stand and my tools spread around, cleaning, puncture repairing and fettling in the warmth of the sun. Today's weather forecast is less favourable, clouding over with showers later, but I hope to get out this morning for at least a short ride, partly inspired by your tale above, I think. I know I should just get out and ride, but it's hard to motivate when you're either suffering with clinical depression, or fighting that same depression as a side effect of BP meds. Good luck with your heart health and with your efforts to rebuild your FTP. I've no idea what mine is, and have only heart rate and perceived effort to go on when judging any improvement in my fitness, but cycling for me is more about "self medicating" to improve my mental health than winning trophies at MTB races...

I do count myself lucky - I've had enough training around mental health; experience around other family members (ok, that's not lucky so much, but you might get what I mean); and enough ability to look at myself that I could spot the problem before it got too serious... and also that simply changing the meds sorted it out a small number of weeks (even if the endless-cold-from-hell did come along and bugger it all up after).

It was actually cycling that really made me aware I had a problem - I have a route about 20-25 miles that links all my favourite local roads and I realised one day I was just dragging myself around it where normally it makes me glad to be alive and on a bike. Things gently clicked together in my head about what was going on with me, by the time I got home I knew I needed to sort something out.

Depression is a horrible thing as one of the first things it does is remove your ability to get things started, to get moving. So don't beat yourself up about losing days; chances are it's the illness, not you. Sounds like you've got a good wife; if she understands how depression nails you to a chair, she might also be the one who can pull out and get you started... I've spent fair chunks of time doing the same on and off for my wife and B-in-L; depression runs in their family.

And yes, BotB is my neck of the woods, so if you need a bed next year (when you're definitely not entering) or company camping, give me a yell