Tell us about your weekend ride

Duathlon on a closed circuit. Didn’t do as well as last year. The organisers cut the run distances down, the conditions were pretty soggy on the run and the track was damp but doable. Add 60kph gusts and it’s challenging for everyone. I’m more competitive as a runner, and the shorter course went against me, but I know the track well and so I hoped to improve on my bike time.
As I said conditions were not fantastic with strong winds but I could go nearly full lunacy on the big right hand slingshot where those who don’t know the course cornered with trepidation.
I didn’t make the top 10 overall as I had done previously, I came 4th in my category and as far as I can tell 1st placed steel bike. ;)
The TT bikes seemed to cut through the wind a lot better but by all accounts I did 8th fastest on the bike so not terrible. I just wish I could muster a sense of urgency in transitions cos my runs were quick enough.
Overall great to do something that resembled an event even if we were starting individually like a time trial. I caught a lot of my minute men, trashed my nemesis for the day and had a few moments of genuine racing.

Thanks for the info! Say hello to Nick from me (although I doubt he remembers me, I only did the ride a couple of times).

I have reffed this page to him, tho I don't think he's on here — rather, YACF.

Worked over the weekend, so I have taken today off.

I'm out in Kent, it is glorious.

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1st ride out since knee surgery and moving back to uk. Country lanes are fun! I also went through Compton. West siiiiide.
20k. Sore knee but so much fun.

Absolute filth out in the Essex lanes this morning, mushed up leaves and lumps of mud all over the place resulting in a few squeaky bum moments. It's the same every Autumn/Winter, yet always surprises me...

Also saw a squirrel get run over by another rider near Theydon Garnon...surprisingly upset by the incident to be honest; although the squirrel seemed to have survived, running off after thrashing around in the road for a moment. I must say, squirrels do, if they are at the side of the road, always seem to have the urge to run into the road when startled.

That looks like the North downs some where, I'm guessing near Otford?

"Straight outta Croscombe, crazy motherfucker named iced tea with a slice of lemon and ever so sorry about the dogs, they do so make a racket when visitors arrive."

😁 Spot on. The lanes down here are so good was on one yesterday that looked like it hadn't been used in years moss growing on it over grown. Nearly lost the back wheel on moss a few times. A total of 4 cars and a tractor passed me.

What a weekend (well, long weekend for me). I had Friday off, so I decided to go for a longer one and explore the North Downs that are usually too far for me for a short ride. Weather couldn't be better and same can be said for the route, except the slog back across town.

https://www.strava.com/activities/4298455897

Went for a walk yesterday, but manged a second ride today with an unexpectedly good weather once the fog cleared out!

https://www.strava.com/activities/4308488970

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Close, Pilgrims Way near Brasted.

CBA with cycling through the summer but the mojo seems to be back now that autumn is here.
Nice 20 miles in the winter sun this morning. So many other riders out today doing the same.

Nice route. You took the two steepest ascents around Woldingham though didn’t you? Was that on purpose?

Sort of, I went to say hi to a friend in Whyteleafe, which meant I had to climb up to the North Downs anyway, the climb up Church Lane seemed nice on paper, was ruthless. The other one was next to the private farm track I asked you about, I decided to stick to the bridleway instead, it was a wall. Wheelslip halfway up meant I had to walk the second half.

Tl;dr Shit happens when you don't know the area.

Also, the bit to approach Titsey plantation was sketchy, couldn't find the trail so I rode/hiked the hill off camber, very steep and slippery.

Very impressed with the tracks and bridleways around there though, made me feel I've been convincing myself of how good riding in Essex/Hetfordshire it is, when there is much better riding just there, shame it's so far South and acorss 40km of busy roads to get to. Also very impressed with Limpsfield Common.

Church Lane is comedic. I saw it on a map once, thought I’d give it a go and have never returned. Long Lane, which you join is better and is gravel for a lot of the lower section.

I only ever come down the second bridleway. It’s frightening on a cross bike going down, so must be close to being unrideable going up.

Worse than pitchfork lane? Need to try ..

Not sure I know Pitchfork Lane. Where is it?

Titsey off road

Aha. That’s equally grim. Hike a bike territory most of the year.

Pitchfont ffs

I was gonna give it a go next weekend, will be ready to walk 👍

I did that just after, I'd say it's worse, just about

I managed to ride it with a 1.0 gear ratio, but it had been dry for the few days before, must be a proper mudslide in winter

never returned

A sick part of my brain would want to go back, may be because it's Monday morning and working sucks