Morning Rides

So, anyone doing any regular early morning rides at the moment, or is everyone like me and just can't be fucked to get out of bed while it's "darker'n a black steer's tuchus on a moonless prairie night" outside?

I need some inspiration for some new routes - maybe a 12 miler or something. My current route goes round the Wroxham area but I just hate having to pedal up Wroxham road, and I often come down Salhouse Rd too which is also a bit of a bitch.

Anyone got any suggestions for some new circulars outside of Norwich that they're doing on a regular basis?

Anything that takes in smaller lanes to avoid main roads can be a bit of a bitch in themselves at this time of year due to water/mud/ice. If I ever head towards Wroxham I cut down Station Rd and Howletts Loke to break things up a bit.

I answer to your main question I havent been riding early mornings, no. Partially can't be fucked to get out of bed before 6 and when we do get up around 6:30 its full on getting kids ready for school, so not much chance really.

I answer to your main question I havent been riding early mornings, no. Partially can't be fucked to get out of bed before 6 and when we do get up around 6:30 its full on getting kids ready for school, so not much chance really.

Cool, glad I'm not the only one - although I have less of a decent excuse not having kids.

Dodgy country lanes aside, do you have any recommendations for routes elsewhere? Doesn't have to be in the Sprowston/Wroxham area. I need a change of scenery.

I used to do a 14 mile circular out towards hethersett several times a week, fixed.
this route http://app.strava.com/activities/26290088
Would be up for it tomorrow morning if anyone fancies it? Meet at UEA sportspark at like 10 or something?

Depends how many miles you want to do. Its quite easy to ride around the lanes paralell to Salhouse road and rack up a few miles if thats what you want to do.

All my 'proper' routes are here: http://app.strava.com/athletes/335659

^ hmm, balls. Just noticed that profile might not be visible unless you have a strava account.

http://app.strava.com/activities/26295469

I used to do a 14 mile circular out towards hethersett several times a week, fixed.
this route http://app.strava.com/activities/26290088
Would be up for it tomorrow morning if anyone fancies it? Meet at UEA sportspark at like 10 or something?

Sounds good but too late for me

^ hmm, balls. Just noticed that profile might not be visible unless you have a strava account.

S'alright, I was gonna sign up anyway (erm, it's free right?).

http://www.lfgss.com/album.php?albumid=2528&pictureid=14555 my route for those not on strava

Could do earlier, what time is best?

This ones not a bad little route if you've got a couple of hours to kill:

http://app.strava.com/activities/13809333

A nice country route to the South is:

(setting off from the university)
Earlham Rd
Heathersett Ln
Station Ln
Heathersett Rd
Scott's Hill
Long Ln
right onto The St
Station Rd
Flordon Rd
few 100ms on the A140 (Ipswich Rd)
left at Church Rd
Brickkiln Ln
Intwood Ln
Intwood Rd

.and you're back at the uni

probably takes a couple of hrs if you go slow

If you don't mind a bit of mud then you can take Marriott's Way out to Drayton and back and make it about 12 miles or so. It's part of the Sustrans route no 1 and is part concrete, part dirt track.
Go from UEA down Earlham Green Lane (left at Fiveways garage) towards Bowthorpe but turn down Larkman Lane. Over the lights near Aldi and down Marlpit Lane and then turn left at the bottom of the hill before the bridge and you're on the route.

Alternatively keep going to top of the hill and turn right near the large bridge and then ride into the city along the Marriott's Way coming out at Halfords. Then loop back to the UEA via Dereham road with a earlry morning pint at the Fat Cat*. Don't think that is quite six miles but should be a nice ride.

• This may not be a good idea. :)
  

If you ever wanna do a city centre smash, thats main road-ish then the outer ring roads about 10 miles... 2 or 3 of them can be good on the early mornings/late nights as there aint a lot of traffic.

Only really good in bad weather, just in need of a ride and close to home.

This is (roughly) the winter loop I used to do occasionally: http://goo.gl/maps/w20o1

All the roads are well used by cars so largely clear of any ice, Mousehold can be a bit spicy so one of the other roads back into the centre might be better.

Marriott's Way is pretty grubby once you get out beyond Hellesdon Hall Road though is fine on something with a bit of grip. Just too muddy for commuting now, would rather ride an extra mile on the road than have to wash my stuff every couple of days.