(http://www.coolmainpress.com/miscimage/andre_jute_doctor_s_bag_open_2017_800pxsq.jpg)
Everyone knows why "Rides 2020" was a bit of a disaster area, with only 92 posts (and one of those belongs in this thread!) and 8870 views. Or we can take the view that for a pandemic year, 2020 demonstrated our ingenuity as cyclists.
But now there is light at the end of the tunnel with the promise of effective vaccines, and summer around the same corner.
Here at Chez Jute, a pedal pal called this week to say next week looks like cycling weather...
This is a place to post odd rides, short rides, day rides, long rides, extended tours, whatever you want. If you intend to make a very extended tour with many separate but linked reports, you're of course welcome here but readers may find it easier to navigate your reports if you give them a thread of their own. Photographs are always welcome. This thread is a vicarious holiday by other members on your roads.
The photo is from back when every day was a cycling day, and the larger the party the merrier.
Nearly half way through the year and I've managed my first days away by bike! A short home to home tour of what is IMO an often-underrated part of the UK, the East Midland and its East coast. OK, it isn’t as dramatically scenic as many other areas, but it makes up for that by having many picturesque quiet roads and a decent network of off-road routes. My touring seems to naturally fall into one of two types – Either a riding tour, where it’s mostly about the cycling and most sightseeing is done from the saddle, or a sightseeing tour where cycling becomes a means to tour between the sights.
This one was like the mural says
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208207071_343eb04da6.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m26rTV)Ride hard (https://flic.kr/p/2m26rTV) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
Day One
I live near the river Trent, the UK’s third longest river and the plan for day one was to link all the place names “Upon” and “On” the river starting from home (There’s several others South of here, they can wait for another day!) Bit of a damp day, but I luckily managed to miss the worst of the rain. Mostly quiet roads, though I took a different route into Nottingham, which made a change to the usual, though the last few miles were more urban.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51207492972_4df158c241_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m22MBS)trent-1 (https://flic.kr/p/2m22MBS) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
Although I was following the Trent names, I wasn’t often in sight of the river (I’ve done that one before) It’s not easy to get photos of the river without a line of pylons! It’s no surprise, this area was at one time known as Megawatt Valley, it’s proximity to the UK’s major coalfields is one of the reasons that gives the area it’s industrial heritage. And many of the cycle tracks were at one time coal carrying rail lines.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51209272925_eb51b56b86_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m2bUJH)Sunny Trent (https://flic.kr/p/2m2bUJH) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51207493397_14edd0b92b_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m22MKc)Another power station (https://flic.kr/p/2m22MKc) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
The day ended on the outskirts of Scunthorpe, in a bargain Premier Inn Hotel, somewhere bikes are always welcome. 105 miles of which 25 were off road, mostly well surfaced, though some a little less so.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208206926_179028b7b2_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m26rRq)Sustrans roue (https://flic.kr/p/2m26rRq) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
Day Two
Not so lucky with the weather today, never hard rain, but a persistent drizzle for most of it. Tonight’s accommodation was only a forty mile ride on a direct route, but I’d planed a trip to the coast on the way. It was a temptation to take the easy option, but I knew I’d end up sat in the hotel with regrets. It turned out to be a splendid ride despite the weather. Crossing the Lincolnshire Wolds (Twice) was tougher than I was expecting, though I say that every time I do it! However, I rode through mile after mile of fantastic forestry that I just wasn’t expecting and plenty of almost deserted roads. The one frustration was the number of cross roads at the bottom of hills before climbing the other side, but that’s being picky! Reached the Lincolnshire coast at Mablethorpe and followed it for about ten miles before heading back inland
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208207186_3a944e94cb_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m26rVU)Empty beach (https://flic.kr/p/2m26rVU) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
The second crossing of the Wolds was into the rain, which required frequent glasses cleaning stops despite wearing a cap. I joined the excellent Witham River cycle path in Bardney for an easy 10 mile finish in Lincoln, where another welcoming Premier Inn awaited. 106 miles with all but those last ten on road, but miles of it without seeing any other vehicle.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208408458_dc5a91b3cc_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m27tL7)Quiet roads (https://flic.kr/p/2m27tL7) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
Day three
Lincoln to Derby is around 60 miles, I’ve done it several times, usually as a return, often enough that I think I’ve covered all the direct options. So, to make a change – head off in the opposite direction! I retraced a little of yesterdays route, then carried on along the river path to Woodhall Spa, before crossing my favourite Fen, the featureless nature of which is the feature. The wind direction can make this a pain or pleasure though today was somewhere between. The rain had cleared though the promised sunshine had yet to appear.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51207493282_b393c8ae9c_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m22MHd)Favorite Fen (https://flic.kr/p/2m22MHd) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
From here on, I was on and off familiar roads, the rolling countryside between Grantham and Melton. The sun had at last broken through and was very welcome, even my shoes dried out.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51208969334_afc21b586a_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m2amuo)another good bench (https://flic.kr/p/2m2amuo) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
I had planned to return via Loughborough, which gives a very easy last twenty miles, but found myself on a road busier than I was expecting (I’d only ridden it before on a Sunday) so I cut North and used a well known shorter (Though not as flat) route.
100 miles to home where a cold beer awaited me (OK, I did have to detour through the park to avoid it being 99 miles!)
............................................
What can I say about the bike? I didn’t give it a single thought from start to finish, which is just how it should be. Though it’s now in need of a good clean!
The planned routes, if anyone is interested, though they don't include a couple of detours, intended and otherwise!
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/223815
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/223814
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/223816
On and Upon the Trent part 2.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51225937409_22f5d4cffb.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m3Ejvp)Joey (https://flic.kr/p/2m3Ejvp) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
I don't usually post my non Thorn riding, but as this a continuation of the above, here goes even though it's on my Airnimal Joey.
The Trent South of Derby has three "on" and "upon" places, Stoke on, Walton on, Burton upon. I used the Joey to take the train to Stoke, which was also the first opportunity to use my new Senior Railcard :) The Trent and Mersey canal passes alongside the railway station, so I didn't see much of Stoke. The canal path starts out a bit slow, Tarmac broken up by tree roots, but it soon settled into a lovely route, reasonable well surfaces and so pretty, with many stretches tree lined.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51226238515_a498ca8907.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m3FS1T)T&M Stoke (https://flic.kr/p/2m3FS1T) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
I left the canal after about ten miles, just before Stone, but not before observing the cows drinking from it, but they can only do so as a boat passes by and the wave raising the level.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51225171176_2960854716.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m3AoJu)Cows on the canal (https://flic.kr/p/2m3AoJu) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
The objective was to visit the place names, rather than follow the river, it's forty miles between the first and second, a lot longer if you follow the meandering river. I cut across some rolling countryside, often within sight of Cannock Chase, but not visiting it on this trip. Very rural, with either grass or gravel up the centre of most lanes, long stretches without seeing a car. I called into Cobwebs cafe on the outskirts of Abbots Bromley and treated myself to the most indulgent cake on offer, chocolate and orange :o
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51226431508_490e052251.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m3GRom)Cobwebs cake (https://flic.kr/p/2m3GRom) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
By now I'm back on home turf, another dozen rural miles and a bit of B road, through Barton Marina, over a bridge built as a temporary structure about forty years ago and through Walton on Trent. Alongside the Trent to Burton upon, where I got probably the best view of the river over both rides. Burton is renowned for it's beer brewing (And Marmite from the waste!) the distinctive taste (Beer not Marmite) is attributed to the Trent water.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51225381738_e545353ff3.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m3BtjS)Burton Trent (https://flic.kr/p/2m3BtjS) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr
I used to commute the 14 miles between Burton and home, it was the reason I first bought a Thorn, the trip has several variations, and the option of a train! Just like after the end of a long shift I considered them all, and chose the easiest!! A short stretch of the same Trent and Mersey canal, a dirty cyclepath alongside the A38, through a couple of villages and back home.
60ish miles, a lovely day awheel, I now have a full set of Trent place names and am considering the Avon or Severn for a similar theme. I don't think I've ever used the train like that before, for a day ride, now the railcard makes it cheaper I'm likely to do more of that.
Route here is anyone is interested
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/222554
There’s a new project in England to link all 42 Anglican cathedrals by bike routes. From the website
“a unique partnership between Sustrans, Cycling UK, the British Pilgrimage Trust and the Association of English Cathedrals that will link all 42 Church of England cathedrals in a new initiative to promote greener travel and mental and physical wellbeing.”
https://www.englishcathedrals.co.uk/latest-news/cathedral-cycle-routes-announced/
I've made a start, I’m not strictly following the suggested routes, I’ve been having a look and modifying to suit my preferences. It isn’t always practical to stop and do the cathedrals justice, though some I’m keen to go back too another time. Not that it matters. I like a theme to my riding and this one is as good as any, some of the rides have been excellent, by the nature of the locations there's a fair bit of urban riding, some a little tedious, but some as interesting as the destinations.
So far, I’ve done two rides, the first from home, visiting the cathedrals in Leicester, Coventry and Birmingham, 105 miles followed by a train home. I know Leicester quite well having lived there a while ago, I had a decent look around Coventry which meant Birmingham was shut before I got there! A lovely day out, mostly on quiet country roads, a couple of sections of converted rail lines and canal paths.
Then last week a three day ride of 320 miles. I started with a train to York, then rode up to Durham which is very impressive, then on to Newcastle. Next day back to York, this time via Ripon, both days on some gorgeous lanes and tracks. Last day, back to Derby via Sheffield, which is hilly! And I think I must have picked the worst of it. Into the city I followed a Sustrans route, it was OK, but a bit slow going and I was clock watching as I wanted to spend a bit of time in the cathedral. Managed that, but the route out of the city was torturous, poor route planning on my part, I think I climbed the same hill four times! Got home quite late and enjoyed a well earned beer!
Anyway, that’s the first eight ticked off, I shall continue till they're all done or I'm bored with it. This month I'm hoping to string together another five over a couple of days, Gloucester, Hereford, Worcester, Lichfield, Chester and maybe Manchester to Wakefield if I have another spare day.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51286893710_cea4d961b9_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2m93JG7)Untitled-1 (https://flic.kr/p/2m93JG7) by Paul (https://www.flickr.com/photos/phbike/), on Flickr