2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Jeremy McCreary]

Took advantage of the fine weather and did the Vedder Rotary Loop in Chilliwack, BC. Fall colours made it even better:

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The trail follows and loops around the Vedder River:

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Fishing season:

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Part of the loop follows the Vedder Canal:

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More fishing spots along the canal:

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The trail ends and begins at this point. Crossing the bridge completes the 20 kilometre route. Or you could turn around and do it again in reverse cause it's so much fun......

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Stunning! What a fabulous ride!

 

[DiggyGun]

Further to my post yesterday regarding the house building on the edge of Milton Keynes.

This was from my Garmin feed and I’ve marked in Red the area that that will be built on.

This will be a huge development and will take a while to build and, as you can see, the cycle path runs right through it.

During the construction of the East-West Rail link another part of the cycle track was temporarily closed off nearly three years and you had a diversion of 1.5 miles through the villages.

Still, look on the bright side, more exercise for the diversion. And when they’ve finished, hopefully they will remediate the cycle path. It could do with making it a bit wider with a better surface than just mud.

DG…

 

[DiggyGun]

Took a quick, short ride today in between the rain. However, did have a small shower whilst out on the bike, but was dry by the time I got home.

No messy mud today, which was nice after the last couple of rides.

It did start to rain when I was putting the bike away.

DG…

 

[Prairie Dog]

Took a quick, short ride today in between the rain. However, did have a small shower whilst out on the bike, but was dry by the time I got home.
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No messy mud today, which was nice after the last couple of rides.

It did start to rain when I was putting the bike away.

DG…

Glad to hear that you have avoided the brunt of the storm that has slammed the southwest.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I set out on my ride at sunrise this morning around 8:15 am with the anticipation of riding some frozen trails while the ambient temperature was still below freezing. We’ve been experiencing a warming tread of late and much of the snow that had fallen over a week ago has melted. By the afternoon, mild conditions would likely have made the trails far less favorable to ride on. The resulting lack of snow exposed a few roots along the way so I rode with a bit of caution in an effort to avoid pinching the tires which were inflated to 8 psi. Most of the trails were in pretty decent shape and the icy conditions helped in large part with traction.

My favorite place to chill out by the river.

Lucky for me, climbing this hill didn’t require as much effort as I initially thought. It certainly wouldn’t have been doable with 6” of snow hampering my progress.

A fallen tree near the path leading out from the top was hanging a bit too low for me to pass safely under without dismounting.

Despite it being drab and overcast, I enjoyed the early outing in the crisp fall air and relatively mild temps and it looks as though the forecast will remain stable throughout the following week.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My wife’s rides in comparison are undeniably inspiring to say the least. I’m so stoked for her that she’s able to cycle in such wonderful locales so close to her hometown. The countdown towards my own departure date is nearing.

Her most recent ride was from her home to Lake Motosu with incredible views of Mount Fuji. The images speak for themselves.

Check out the winding road and switchbacks leading up to the lake.

 

[DaveMatthews]

My wife’s rides in comparison are undeniably inspiring to say the least. I’m so stoked for her that she’s able to cycle in such wonderful locales so close to her hometown. The countdown towards my own departure date is nearing.

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Her most recent ride was from her home to Lake Motosu with incredible views of Mount Fuji. The images speak for themselves.

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Check out the winding road and switchbacks leading up to the lake.

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Fuji?
Totally cool!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

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All those gorgeous pictures just to end on a Chicken McNugget??
;^}

Japan's on my bucket list — especially Kyushu and the mountains west of Tokyo. Originally for geologic reasons. But that scenery's pretty hard to beat.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Fuji?
Totally cool!

Also cool is the fact that it’s only about 70km or roughly an hour drive from the family home in Minobu.

All those gorgeous pictures just to end on a Chicken McNugget??
;^}

Japan's on my bucket list — especially Kyushu and the mountains west of Tokyo. Originally for geologic reasons. But that scenery's pretty hard to beat.

Lol. It’s more like a decadent tater tot. Potato croquettes or Korokke are a popular portable snack item. Rich soft savory filling with a crispy golden panko fried coating. Not sure if she brought that with her on the road or if she just picked it up at a convenience store along the way. She couldn’t resist taking a poke at my expense cuz she knows how much I really like them.

Do go if you ever get the chance. This will be my seventh trip over but the first time cycling there.

 

[RabH]

I have been neglecting some of my favourite local roads for a while so I put that right today and had a cracking ride in perfect cycling conditions for the time of year! I tested my new wheels out on the very fast descent near home and at 44.2mph I think they are going to be pretty good... I used all the lovely back roads down to Allanton and then joined the back roads to Carluke where I took the main road for a bit through Kilncadzow and on towards Carnwath, with a 20mph westerly behind me this road was just awesome today!

The view of the Tinto Hills from just past Kilncadzow, no haze today for a nice change!

A short time later came my favourite part of this awesome road!

The Pentland Hills can be seen in the distance, its not very often you get such a clear view as its mostly hazy here!

A couple of closer views!

This is looking back up the road, its way more fun coming down...

I turned before Carnwath and took the road down through Cleghorn and over the railway crossing into Lanark, a lovely descent followed by a climb up into the town! I then headed down into the Clyde Valley at Kirkfieldbank, this is a very twisty steep descent and I kept my speed right down as its tree lined and covered in very slippy leaves at the moment! Thankfully there were no leaves near the bottom over the bridge so I managed to get some speed up here! I stopped for this photo, this bridge is normally hidden with lots of foliage! The River Clyde is very high at the moment after all the rain!

Another bridge further along the valley and its no surprise its closed off due to the state of the wood!

I arrived in Crossford and passed over the river, you can see how fast it was flowing here!

After crossing the bridge it was time for the beast of a climb up the Coziglen, it levels off for a short time here and then rises straight up through the trees!

I never descend this road at this time of year as its totally covered in leaves, this is the view of the valley below part way up!

Further up the climb, you can sure see the leaves here!

Near the top now, I guess some of the horses feel the cold more than others or maybe its too difficult to get some of their coats on...

The road then leads into Carluke where I took the back road down past the garden centre where the huge gorilla statue used to be situated until some lowlife stole it, then I took the big climb up to Law Village where I took my last photo!

I had to use the main road to Newmains now and just as I was arriving I came across a big line of cars, I'm guessing there were roadworks in the town so I decided to take the road down to Overtown and go through Wishaw where it can be very busy but I used the quieter roads through the town and continued into Motherwell, avoiding the town centre and using the back road to Carfin where I turned off the main road and then into New Stevenston! Its only about 5 miles to home from here, I passed through Holytown and then Calderbank and up the final climbs to home!

Another awesome ride on roads I haven't ridden for a while, so November is underway and I'm hoping we catch a break with the weather to get some longer rides done! Its looking hopeful for Sunday but next week looks like a mixed bag...

@Prairie Dog Quite a contrast between your ride and your wife's ride, both looked amazing but I think your wife won the day this time! What a ride that was, no doubt you will be keen to do it when you get over there!

 

[Prairie Dog]

@Prairie Dog Quite a contrast between your ride and your wife's ride, both looked amazing but I think your wife won the day this time! What a ride that was, no doubt you will be keen to do it when you get over there!

Given the idyllic setting of her ride it was going to be a tough act to follow much like yours are.

 

[Chargeride]

Struggling here in the UK, unfortunately the monsoon stopped for eleven minutes and I looked at the bike, fitted the battery in the garage and got soaked walking back into the house.
Now I'm waiting for it to stop so I can take the battery back off.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 21 miles today, it looks like 80% or more of the crops are out.

 

[keithj69]

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I have been neglecting some of my favourite local roads for a while so I put that right today and had a cracking ride in perfect cycling conditions for the time of year! I tested my new wheels out on the very fast descent near home and at 44.2mph I think they are going to be pretty good... I used all the lovely back roads down to Allanton and then joined the back roads to Carluke where I took the main road for a bit through Kilncadzow and on towards Carnwath, with a 20mph westerly behind me this road was just awesome today!

The view of the Tinto Hills from just past Kilncadzow, no haze today for a nice change!

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A short time later came my favourite part of this awesome road!

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The Pentland Hills can be seen in the distance, its not very often you get such a clear view as its mostly hazy here!

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A couple of closer views!

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This is looking back up the road, its way more fun coming down...

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I turned before Carnwath and took the road down through Cleghorn and over the railway crossing into Lanark, a lovely descent followed by a climb up into the town! I then headed down into the Clyde Valley at Kirkfieldbank, this is a very twisty steep descent and I kept my speed right down as its tree lined and covered in very slippy leaves at the moment! Thankfully there were no leaves near the bottom over the bridge so I managed to get some speed up here! I stopped for this photo, this bridge is normally hidden with lots of foliage! The River Clyde is very high at the moment after all the rain!

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Another bridge further along the valley and its no surprise its closed off due to the state of the wood!

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I arrived in Crossford and passed over the river, you can see how fast it was flowing here!

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After crossing the bridge it was time for the beast of a climb up the Coziglen, it levels off for a short time here and then rises straight up through the trees!

View attachment 165879
I never descend this road at this time of year as its totally covered in leaves, this is the view of the valley below part way up!

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Further up the climb, you can sure see the leaves here!

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Near the top now, I guess some of the horses feel the cold more than others or maybe its too difficult to get some of their coats on...

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The road then leads into Carluke where I took the back road down past the garden centre where the huge gorilla statue used to be situated until some lowlife stole it, then I took the big climb up to Law Village where I took my last photo!

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I had to use the main road to Newmains now and just as I was arriving I came across a big line of cars, I'm guessing there were roadworks in the town so I decided to take the road down to Overtown and go through Wishaw where it can be very busy but I used the quieter roads through the town and continued into Motherwell, avoiding the town centre and using the back road to Carfin where I turned off the main road and then into New Stevenston! Its only about 5 miles to home from here, I passed through Holytown and then Calderbank and up the final climbs to home!

Another awesome ride on roads I haven't ridden for a while, so November is underway and I'm hoping we catch a break with the weather to get some longer rides done! Its looking hopeful for Sunday but next week looks like a mixed bag...

@Prairie Dog Quite a contrast between your ride and your wife's ride, both looked amazing but I think your wife won the day this time! What a ride that was, no doubt you will be keen to do it when you get over there!

If I had views like this when I rode, I would quit my job and probably end up homeless.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I always stop at this bus stop before I meet my daughter Magda in her Social Care Home.

There was a nice coach (a long distance bus) standing in the field for a long time. After, say, two years, the coach got burnt. I wondered why to find no reason. Now, I could see a new building with a playground. Intrigued, I rode up to it to see two women leaving the place, one of them black haired and beautiful. 'What is that building, ladies?' -- I asked -- 'is it belonging to an organization or is it a private one?' -- 'That's a hostel for us, Ukrainian workers' -- the other woman replied -- 'It is brand new as I can tell it' -- she added -- 'Good day to you, ladies!' -- I said and rode off to see Magda. This time, my daughter wanted me to bring a Micro-USB cable and some fruit Then, she asked me to buy Minecraft game for her smartphone, and to restore some apps We had a good and long meeting! My ride started with going to a mall to buy the items she wanted!

A Vado 6.0 ride, 53 km at 24.1 km/h average speed and 40/40% assistance

 

[theloafer]

hey guess who`s back... diagnosed with prostrate cancer getting hormone treatment which has been messing with my body ,but today a ride buddy talked me into getting out as it was a lovely day. ended up doing 25 miles and feel fairly good ,so hopefully its a start of falling ing love with my bike again

Morning Ride | Strava

hey guess who`s back... been diagnosed with prostrate cancer getting hormone treatment which has been messing with my body ,but today a ride buddy talked me into getting out as it was a lovely day. ended up doing 25 miles and feel fairly good ,so hopefully its a start of falling love with my...

www.strava.com

 

[JGcycle]

hey guess who`s back... diagnosed with prostrate cancer getting hormone treatment which has been messing with my body ,but today a ride buddy talked me into getting out as it was a lovely day. ended up doing 25 miles and feel fairly good ,so hopefully its a start of falling ing love with my bike again

Morning Ride | Strava

hey guess who`s back... been diagnosed with prostrate cancer getting hormone treatment which has been messing with my body ,but today a ride buddy talked me into getting out as it was a lovely day. ended up doing 25 miles and feel fairly good ,so hopefully its a start of falling love with my...

www.strava.com

Sorry to hear about your diagnosis, but glad to hear that you're back in the saddle.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

hey guess who`s back... diagnosed with prostrate cancer getting hormone treatment which has been messing with my body ,but today a ride buddy talked me into getting out as it was a lovely day. ended up doing 25 miles and feel fairly good ,so hopefully its a start of falling ing love with my bike again

Morning Ride | Strava

hey guess who`s back... been diagnosed with prostrate cancer getting hormone treatment which has been messing with my body ,but today a ride buddy talked me into getting out as it was a lovely day. ended up doing 25 miles and feel fairly good ,so hopefully its a start of falling love with my...

www.strava.com

I've been through that, and I have very good news: Got my old body back and then some pretty quickly on my ebike. If I'd had an ebike during my hormone therapy, I'm convinced that my body changes would never have gotten as far as they did, and that my outlook on life through it all would have been a lot better.

For those unfamilar, prostate cancer cells thrive on testosterone and other androgens. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT, aka hormone therapy) blocks your body's androgen production, thereby slowing the cancer's growth rate to something your immune system can hopefully handle. Way more tolerable than most kinds of chemo, but treatment typically takes 18 months, with months more for the many side effects to go away.

Problem is, ADT deprives your whole body of androgens, including your brain. Result: You lose muscle mass and gain fat in all the wrong places, you get incessant hot and cold flashes, and pink and lavender start showing up in your wardrobe.

Guys, the next time you hear a woman complain about hot flashes, some serious sympathy's in order.

 

[theloafer]

@Jeremy McCreary ..... pink and lavender start showing up in your wardrobe.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The Missus continues to send me images of her acoustic rides and these in particular are close to her home in Minobu. This secluded Buddhist temple (Kuon-ji) and its ancillary structures on Mount Minobu date back to the 13th century. The Ogane (large bell) is rung every morning at 5am in the summer and 5:30 am in the winter and 4:30 every evening.

From her ride yesterday along the Minami Alps Hwy near the town of Hayakawa.