Author Topic: Rides 2015 — add yours  (Read 102434 times)

in4

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #180 on: October 11, 2015, 11:16:09 PM »
Oh don't get me started with the 'Ring of Kerry' Oblique references to either a physical ailment or something Tolkienesque spring far too readily to mind  :)

Andre Jute

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #181 on: October 25, 2015, 09:51:12 AM »
Yesterday for the first time I wore long underwear on my bike. It was bright and sunny and theoretically the temperature was into double figures, just, but the wind dropped the actual perceived temperature to single figures. I was getting stir crazy, so I went despite the wind, keeping to the valleys where I could. The few spots where I was exposed on a skyline you could almost hear my joint crackle as my core temperature fell. Still, a nice ride.

Of course, with winds over 30kph, I would not have been able to go or to return, one or the other, without the motor. As it was, I noticed that without going faster on the motor than normal, or putting in less pedal effort than usual (indeed more), I used up as much battery power in 8.6km as I usually do in 22km. Maybe that wind was fiercier than I thought. According to my heart rate monitor, the entire effort was shifted two divisions out of five higher than a normal ride over the same route. Some wind!

Matt2matt2002

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #182 on: October 25, 2015, 12:32:34 PM »
This afternoon I catch a bus with my Raven from Aberdeen to Inverness.
No charge for either of us oldies.
£16 bed in hostel then up at 5.30 am for the 114 mile ride home on Monday.
Weather looking good.
Overr the Letch ski centre is always interesting.
Plus Tomintoul, highest village in the Highlands.

I'll report back Tuesday folks.
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

jags

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #183 on: October 25, 2015, 06:51:08 PM »
Ah good stuff Matt i was wondering what u were up to.stay safe and enjoy.

anto.

Donerol

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #184 on: October 25, 2015, 10:37:30 PM »
The Lecht is on my to-do list. Have a great time Matt - I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!

Edit - I've just seen that there are reports of snow  :o . Take care.
« Last Edit: October 25, 2015, 10:47:52 PM by Donerol »

Matt2matt2002

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #185 on: October 27, 2015, 10:12:18 AM »
Back home safe and all went to plan.
It was the third time this year I had done this run - so knew the way and what to expect hill-wise.

Leaving the hostel ( £14 ) at 5.55 am saw me ride off into darkness but a beautiful red dawn soon brighten things up.

A few hills leaving Inverness on the B9002 but nothing compared with what would follow.

First stop at 8.05 am after 28 miles

Second at 9.15 am in Grantown on Spey - 41.7 miles

Third stop for bacon roll and tea at Tomintoul - highest village in the Highlands.
350m/1148 feet
10.50 am - 56.29 miles
Coming from Inverness there is a very steep section before entering the village.
Almost a get off and push section - but I managed it this time by zig zagging across the slope.

Fourth stop at the top of the ski resort - the Letch. 12.30 pm 63 miles
I think its 1450m/4757 feet
Usually have a coffee here - but shop was closed and felt fine - so pushed on down.
3 sharp drops so brakes well covered
Hit my max speed here - 31.7 mph

Alford by 3.15 after 95 miles

Then home by 4.55 pm

Total miles 114.61
Time in saddle 9 hours 32 mins
Average mph 12
Max speed 31.7
Door to door time 5.55 am - 4.55 pm - 11 hours
( have I missed any stats? I don't have an altimeter on my bike computer )

Feeling fine this morning. Last trip I had bad cramp and pains in one leg/ankle

Memories?
The red sun-rise
The smells from the farms
The bird song at dawn
The remoteness of the Cairngorms
The pine forests
The autumn colours of the trees
The sense 'of being out there'

Winter day light hours probably prevent me from doing this trip again until Spring next year.
The memories will see me through the dark nights ahead.

Matt
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

Andre Jute

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #186 on: October 27, 2015, 10:47:47 AM »
The memories will see me through the dark nights ahead.

You've inspired me, Matt. In a couple of hours, when the rain and the wind abates, my nurse and I will ride a 22km round trip to Kilmacsimon Quay.

Thanks for sharing.

jags

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #187 on: October 27, 2015, 11:37:43 AM »
great ride matt fair play to you.
 up my end of the country is dire  rain and more rain  so no cycling today :'(..

you put an idea into my head , The dead centre of ireland is a place called Athlone which has a new cycleway all the way to mullingar 40km i think.  from there i could head back home should be  a good 100 plus miles  ;) emm have to sus that out might be a goer.

John Saxby

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #188 on: October 27, 2015, 12:58:10 PM »
Great ride, Matt, and well told.  Today, I'm going to make a quick 4 hrs there-and-back across the river & into the hills. The autumn foliage is pretty threadbare now as you near the summits & lookouts, so the trip will be less spectacular that it was a couple of weeks ago; but, we still have some colour in the city. Tomorrow, though, the tag end of Hurricane Patricia reaches us, high winds and lots of cold rain, so I'll take advantage of today's window.

jags

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #189 on: October 27, 2015, 02:25:12 PM »
bring a camera. ;)

Matt2matt2002

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #190 on: October 27, 2015, 03:42:52 PM »
bring a camera. ;)

I took a few nice ones on my phone.
I'll upload when allows.
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

Danneaux

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #191 on: October 27, 2015, 04:07:54 PM »
So very well done, Matt!

All the best,

Dan.

jags

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #192 on: October 27, 2015, 04:10:13 PM »
bring a camera. ;)

I took a few nice ones on my phone.
I'll upload when allows.

your a good man Matt 8)

Matt2matt2002

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #193 on: October 27, 2015, 08:28:29 PM »
Just a test to see if I can post from my Nexus tablet.
If attachment works it shows the autumn colours of the trees.
More to follow if this succeeds.

And nothing sucks seeds, better than a parrot!
Never drink and drive. You may hit a bump  and spill your drink

Danneaux

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Re: Rides 2015 — add yours
« Reply #194 on: October 27, 2015, 08:30:38 PM »
It came through beautifully, Matt. We have a "go" for more...!  :)

All the best,

Dan.