The "Photos From Today's Ride" thread. (Vol. 2)
Discussion
justin220 said:
It was a challenge, although after a few days I got into a good rhythm, ~60 miles a day, just in time for hitting the Peak District and then the Yorkshire Dales... But even including Fleet Moss on the route wasn't too troublesome at that point.The leg from Ft William to Inverness was similar, big climb of course at the back side of Loch Ness, but not too bad as a penultimate day.
For the last day, I went for a double day as planned, 127 miles up from Inverness via Cromarty then the A9 to JOG. But psychologically, the push for the finish meant it was relatively straightforward.
Left Pollensa 7am, up Coll de sa Batalla, met some friends at the Petrol station/cafe, up Coll dels Reis then we dropped down Sa Calobra about 9.30 in the morning, a couple of cars, no coaches. Still stuns me very time I ride it! Back up an hour later and met about 6 coaches coming down. I try to ride Mallorca early morning, cool and quiet.
trails said:
S100HP said:
nickfrog said:
Whatever you do don't try mountain biking
I've got one of them too, but it's just not as much fun. Too slow.Just back from 11 days on the South coast of Spain. It was about 5 degrees when we left the UK!
These roads are insane ... smooth, quiet and always more pleasant with the sun on your back. I had some roads where on a 50k stretch, I'd pass maybe 2 or 3 cars.
If anyone is thinking of a spring or winter riding location that isn't Mallorca or Girona (far better weather than both) then this has to be at the top of your list. We always stay in Nerja which gives you a choice of rides (they al involve a lot of climbing!) down the coast, heading East and then inland. There are Westerly rides which also lead inland but as the roads are fewer due to the more extreme terrain so you just need to be ready for a longer day in the saddle ... rides up/down the goats path and across towards Sierra Nevada are a real treat when you're legs are up for it.
These roads are insane ... smooth, quiet and always more pleasant with the sun on your back. I had some roads where on a 50k stretch, I'd pass maybe 2 or 3 cars.
If anyone is thinking of a spring or winter riding location that isn't Mallorca or Girona (far better weather than both) then this has to be at the top of your list. We always stay in Nerja which gives you a choice of rides (they al involve a lot of climbing!) down the coast, heading East and then inland. There are Westerly rides which also lead inland but as the roads are fewer due to the more extreme terrain so you just need to be ready for a longer day in the saddle ... rides up/down the goats path and across towards Sierra Nevada are a real treat when you're legs are up for it.
yellowjack said:
As nickfrog says, just "wrong terrain." I used to live in Farnborough and split my cycling between road and MTB. It was great for both disciplines. Now I've moved to Bournemouth, though, and gravel is abundant down here, whereas the roads are worse, both in condition and with traffic, and "proper" MTBing is hard to find. Even the Blue Cycling Trail at Moors Valley is so tame that I could ride it on my road bike. Which makes it ideal for a gravel bike. With Purbeck, the New Forest, and Wareham Forest all nearby, and Salisbury Plain in easy reach, I've ridden 400 miles on my new gravel bike in 3 weeks. And if I need to speed up getting home, it's a lot less compromised when I take to the asphalt...
That's not what I wanted to hear! I am heading down your way in a few weeks, staying just north of Christchurch, and will be taking the bikes. Moors Valley was on the cards with the kids, but I was hoping I would be able to do some other riding too.Craikeybaby said:
That's not what I wanted to hear! I am heading down your way in a few weeks, staying just north of Christchurch, and will be taking the bikes. Moors Valley was on the cards with the kids, but I was hoping I would be able to do some other riding too.
New Forest has good riding to be had. Near Moors Valley there's also the Castleman for gravel.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff