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Post by millennialfalcon on Feb 16, 2020 16:32:53 GMT
Hey I notice there's a running thread on here. Big kudos to all you runners but unfortunately I'm only able to perform low impact exercise due to a legacy injury. Luckily God (or whoever you believe in!) gave us the great gift of bicycles for such times! For me there's nothing better than feeling the wind in my beard on a nice day, racking up the miles and seeing this great country of ours. Any other cyclists here? And how about some route recommendations? Preferably taking in some fine craft taps on route (But please don't drink cycle it's pretty dangerous and irresponsible!)
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Post by Vadiation_Ribe on Feb 16, 2020 19:21:44 GMT
I cycle, especially now I don't have a car. I don't have any routes to recommend, though enjoy cycling the local canals, which generally have pubs regularly in reach. I always try and rent a bike when I go on holiday. One of my favourite rides was from Lake Bled in Slovenia, around part of the Julian Alps and to a gorge. I also cycled from sea-level to 1,000+ metres up the side of a Norwegian fjord on a bike with no gears. I never would've thought of doing it but the mountain bikes were all unavailable. Transylvania has some great cycle routes too.
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Cycling
Feb 16, 2020 20:45:30 GMT
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Post by onesteino on Feb 16, 2020 20:45:30 GMT
Yep, do a bit, although this weather isn't helping much! Plenty of nice rides out down the lines at Newcastle and then over to Betley, Wybunbury, Dagfields area. Roads are usually pretty good too. Also nice routes out towards Beech (although the bank can be a slightly despite not being dead steep) and Eccleshall. I think my favourite is heading up to Keele then out towards Madeley, Woore and then in to Audlem. Can do a nice loop (several options) that is always enjoyable and the roads are good again. Plenty of room to be out of the way of cars. The Shroppy Fly isn't a bad pub to stop at too. I did the Dougie Mac ride last year which took in a massive hill on the way back towards Tean. Absolutely killed me after a few miles in the legs but really enjoyed it. Keep an eye out for the Dougie Mac ride this year - I think it's from the hospice and then up to Derbyshire this time around. I've done the ride from Stoke to Llangollen and back with them and loved it too. Always very well organised and even good for plodders like me.
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Post by salopstick on Feb 16, 2020 20:49:35 GMT
Loads of great cycling round these parts Llangollen, Bala, Mow Cop out to Macc and the peaks
I did the Stoke to Leicester community trust a few years back good craic
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Post by lawrieleslie on Feb 16, 2020 20:59:50 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must.
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Cycling
Feb 16, 2020 21:04:52 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Feb 16, 2020 21:04:52 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. A bit further north but I did that strawberry line route from Bristol to bridgewater last summer
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Post by lawrieleslie on Feb 16, 2020 21:06:47 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. A bit further north but I did that strawberry line route from Bristol to bridgewater last summer Haven’t heard of that one Al. Is it off road?
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Post by salopstick on Feb 16, 2020 21:20:53 GMT
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Cycling
Feb 16, 2020 21:43:36 GMT
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Post by vokeswagen on Feb 16, 2020 21:43:36 GMT
I cycle, especially now I don't have a car. I don't have any routes to recommend, though enjoy cycling the local canals, which generally have pubs regularly in reach. I always try and rent a bike when I go on holiday. One of my favourite rides was from Lake Bled in Slovenia, around part of the Julian Alps and to a gorge. I also cycled from sea-level to 1,000+ metres up the side of a Norwegian fjord on a bike with no gears. I never would've thought of doing it but the mountain bikes were all unavailable. Transylvania has some great cycle routes too. The canals around Stoke are fantastic. Loads of great places to get to
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Post by neworleanstokie on Feb 17, 2020 15:06:43 GMT
All my cycling is indoor, it's just too dangerous here. Usually hit 17miles in 45 minutes with an average of around 220 watts. Looking forward to actually getting back on a real bike when I retire!
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Post by foster on Feb 17, 2020 15:09:37 GMT
All my cycling is indoor, it's just too dangerous here. Usually hit 17miles in 45 minutes with an average of around 220 watts. Looking forward to actually getting back on a real bike when I retire! Didn't realise US miles were only 100m long.
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Cycling
Feb 17, 2020 18:22:56 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Feb 17, 2020 18:22:56 GMT
All my cycling is indoor, it's just too dangerous here. Usually hit 17miles in 45 minutes with an average of around 220 watts. Looking forward to actually getting back on a real bike when I retire! That’s a decent average wattage
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2020 20:51:13 GMT
I was in Tenerife last week & did a downhill cycle tour, they drive you up to Mount Teide & you cycle back down, it was 22 Miles & we stopped for lunch half way down, on the way up in the van we saw lots of Pro cycling teams cycling up hill to train, apparently Tenerife is perfect form them, due to goods roads, climate & climb..Loved it.. By cycle, I mean coast
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Post by chuffedstokie on Feb 18, 2020 9:07:41 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. Enjoyed a great 2 week cycling trip with a couple of mates some years ago starting in Dawlish (hellish to get out of) around the South Devon coast crossed to the North Coast took in Tintagel, Bude then back to Torquay for the train back to Paddington. Bloody hard work but a marvellous holiday camping and lugging all the gear with us. Couple of highlights were being pulled up the hill out of Polperro by my mate who came to visit on his Honda Gold Wing using elastic bungee straps and getting so legless in 'The Black Dog' at Black Dog one lunchtime we camped in the landlords back garden. Always loved this part of the UK having spent almost 20 consecutive years at the Torbay Easter hockey festival. We were so knackered that the following year we did the same thing again but in France because it was flatter. How we didn't come to the attention of the authorities I'll never know, both myself and my mate with the Gold Wing were in the police at the time. Happy days.
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Cycling
Feb 18, 2020 9:25:32 GMT
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Post by Timmypotter on Feb 18, 2020 9:25:32 GMT
I commute as often as I'm able through the lighter months from Congleton to Altrincham. Some lovely cycling along the route, and loads of variations in and around Goostrey, Peover, Chelford, Mobberley, Ashley. If you like it flat then it's brilliant.
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Post by neworleanstokie on Feb 21, 2020 17:41:50 GMT
All my cycling is indoor, it's just too dangerous here. Usually hit 17miles in 45 minutes with an average of around 220 watts. Looking forward to actually getting back on a real bike when I retire! That’s a decent average wattage Agreed - average heart rate is around 150 but as much as I try to push beyond that I'm age constrained at 54.
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Post by Scouse on Feb 21, 2020 19:39:20 GMT
Cycled Southport to Hornsea over 3 days , there are road miles , but majority off road , former railway lines etc ..sustran website good for similar routes
One recommendation if overnighting and bike security ..Premier Inn are bike friendly , allow you to take your bike into your room ..Stopped Premier Inn Stockport , Doncaster and Hull bike in room no issues .
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Post by tuum on Feb 23, 2020 18:26:20 GMT
I use Komoot app for off road cycling. It's pretty good at telling you what kind of terrain is available and good for planning routes in unfamiliar environments. It even works well enough where I work in Kazakhstan where there are not many pre programmed routes.
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Post by Boothen on Aug 21, 2020 18:28:40 GMT
Cycled along the canal to Westport Lake yesterday to put a deposit down on a new bike at the bike shop there. Have been looking to get a new bike for ages now, but due to the Covid situation everywhere has been sold out for months now. Currently riding a 12 year old GT Avalanche 3.0 which has served me well, but it's heavy, only has 26" wheels and the gears are beginning get a tad touchy. So, after much research, I have decided to go for a 2021 GT Avalanche Expert (L with 29" wheels and in matt black). Looked at the Trek X-Caliber 8, Cube Acid and Scott Scale 970/980 but the GT ticked a few more boxes.
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Cycling
Aug 21, 2020 19:18:20 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Aug 21, 2020 19:18:20 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. I’m down that way in September to do the south west regions 💯 greatest uk climbs. 13 around exmoor dartmoor and cheddar. Aim to do all 100 by end of 2021
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Post by felonious on Aug 21, 2020 19:28:19 GMT
Cycled along the canal to Westport Lake yesterday to put a deposit down on a new bike at the bike shop there. Have been looking to get a new bike for ages now, but due to the Covid situation everywhere has been sold out for months now. Currently riding a 12 year old GT Avalanche 3.0 which has served me well, but it's heavy, only has 26" wheels and the gears are beginning get a tad touchy. So, after much research, I have decided to go for a 2021 GT Avalanche Expert (L with 29" wheels and in matt black). Looked at the Trek X-Caliber 8, Cube Acid and Scott Scale 970/980 but the GT ticked a few more boxes. I run past that graffiti on a regular basis. Out of interest would that bike have been chained up outside Sainsburys this morning?
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Post by felonious on Aug 21, 2020 19:29:52 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. I’m down that way in September to do the south west regions 💯 greatest uk climbs. 13 around exmoor dartmoor and cheddar. Aim to do all 100 by end of 2021 One of my very good mates is planning on doing 30 days cycling at 10 miles a day for charity.
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Post by lawrieleslie on Aug 21, 2020 19:35:51 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. I’m down that way in September to do the south west regions 💯 greatest uk climbs. 13 around exmoor dartmoor and cheddar. Aim to do all 100 by end of 2021 Which ones are on Dartmoor Al? There’s only half a dozen over 600m and all on the northern section. High Willhays and Yes Tor the highest around Okehampton firing ranges which no doubt is old haunting ground for you.
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Post by salopstick on Aug 21, 2020 19:39:34 GMT
I’m down that way in September to do the south west regions 💯 greatest uk climbs. 13 around exmoor dartmoor and cheddar. Aim to do all 100 by end of 2021 Which ones are on Dartmoor Al? There’s only half a dozen over 600m and all on the northern section. High Willhays and Yes Tor the highest around Okehampton firing ranges which no doubt is old haunting ground for you. Attachment Deleted
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Post by tuum on Aug 21, 2020 20:27:26 GMT
I have just got a new bike. Trying it out around Cheadle/Leek area. Gears are not low enough for me around here these days. I struggle with any hill over 8-9%. Went out yesterday down to Froghall - up to Ipstones and the back way to Cheddleton. Barely got a third of the way up Ipstones Bank but got up the road from the pub next to the Churnet Valley Railway stn up to Ashcombe Park C.C. When I got home I found my max heart rate was 212bpm. This was way over what I should be doing at my age (I am 55). The Garmin App recommended 4 days rest to recover.
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Post by Boothen on Aug 21, 2020 20:33:04 GMT
Cycled along the canal to Westport Lake yesterday to put a deposit down on a new bike at the bike shop there. Have been looking to get a new bike for ages now, but due to the Covid situation everywhere has been sold out for months now. Currently riding a 12 year old GT Avalanche 3.0 which has served me well, but it's heavy, only has 26" wheels and the gears are beginning get a tad touchy. So, after much research, I have decided to go for a 2021 GT Avalanche Expert (L with 29" wheels and in matt black). Looked at the Trek X-Caliber 8, Cube Acid and Scott Scale 970/980 but the GT ticked a few more boxes. I run past that graffiti on a regular basis. Out of interest would that bike have been chained up outside Sainsburys this morning? Yeah, I was at Sainsbury's this morning. But there is someone else with the exact same bike too (a couple of times I've come out of the store and thought some fucker had moved my bike ). I usually leave mine locked to the fence by the cash machine on the car park side of the store.
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Cycling
Aug 21, 2020 20:46:47 GMT
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Post by butlerstbob on Aug 21, 2020 20:46:47 GMT
Down here in Devon we have some great cycling routes. My favourite is Saltram to Princetown and back following the old Plym Valley Railway route and then old Puffin Billy line up to Princetown. It’s about 36 miles round trip but doable in a morning because it’s all downhill on return leg. 90% is cycle route off road. Camel Trail from Bodmin to Padstow and return is a great day and about 25 miles almost all off road. Lovely pasties in Padstow. Shorter but beautiful ride is Okehampton to Lydford that follows the Granite Trail across Northern Dartmoor. Again mostly off road following the old railway route. There is a new route recently opened from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead through the Wray Valley that’s waiting for me to do this summer. Exeter to Dawlish along Exeter Canal and through Powderham Castle estate and River Exe estuary is awesome. Turf Lock Hotel for a pint and pastie is a must. I’m down that way in September to do the south west regions 💯 greatest uk climbs. 13 around exmoor dartmoor and cheddar. Aim to do all 100 by end of 2021 Friend's of mine have just completed the top 100 list of climbs, took them about 18 months to 2 years, not my bag but a great effort all the same and good luck👍
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Cycling
Aug 21, 2020 20:48:47 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Aug 21, 2020 20:48:47 GMT
I’m down that way in September to do the south west regions 💯 greatest uk climbs. 13 around exmoor dartmoor and cheddar. Aim to do all 100 by end of 2021 Friend's of mine have just completed the top 100 list of climbs, took them about 18 months to 2 years, not my bag but a great effort all the same and good luck👍 I know a bloke just finished it too. And as I’ve done a few thought I’d have a bash. Done 18. 3 more tomorrow in Yorkshire tomorrow. Slowly ticking them off
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Post by butlerstbob on Aug 21, 2020 20:58:25 GMT
Friend's of mine have just completed the top 100 list of climbs, took them about 18 months to 2 years, not my bag but a great effort all the same and good luck👍 I know a bloke just finished it too. And as I’ve done a few thought I’d have a bash. Done 18. 3 more tomorrow in Yorkshire tomorrow. Slowly ticking them off Good luck pal, I love cycling and I love climbing but don't have the inclination to travel the country perposely just to climb its just not for me but I do get why people love it. Did the maratona dles dolomites a few years ago, has anyone done it? If you like your climbs this is a cracking ride and bloody hard, I hope to return one day and do it again... Maybe within the next few years
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Cycling
Aug 21, 2020 21:14:14 GMT
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Post by salopstick on Aug 21, 2020 21:14:14 GMT
I know a bloke just finished it too. And as I’ve done a few thought I’d have a bash. Done 18. 3 more tomorrow in Yorkshire tomorrow. Slowly ticking them off Good luck pal, I love cycling and I love climbing but don't have the inclination to travel the country perposely just to climb its just not for me but I do get why people love it. Did the maratona dles dolomites a few years ago, has anyone done it? If you like your climbs this is a cracking ride and bloody hard, I hope to return one day and do it again... Maybe within the next few years I did Cingles ventoux in 2018 went back to do bicingles last year but only managed 5 climbs The south west trip has only come about because covid has ruined both my ventoux return last May and stelvio in September
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