2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

Meanwhile, I had to ride to a laundromat on Saturday...

The Wahoo temperature readout is still -3 C off in the low temperature region. The actual temp was -3 C.

Being unwell and having almost all cycling clothes ready to be laundered, I put a combination of cycling and "civilian" clothes on to keep me warm! I couldn't care less what Charge would say about it

A local bridge turned out to be reconstructed in express time, so I could easily ride to an InPost parcel locker to collect a 1991 rare book for @Brix as the last segment of my ride. Now, I hear the snow is coming on Sunday. "Interessant..." as a Swede would say

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 202597
Being unwell and having almost all cycling clothes ready to be laundered, I put a combination of cycling and "civilian" clothes on to keep me warm!

I don't ride anywhere without a good bit of hi-vis color showing. Not a concern for you, or is all of your hi-vis stuff in the wash?

 

[Extreme1]

That looks like the bombdiggity Jeremy, glad you had a good time. Sorry we didn’t get to meet up.

 

[JGcycle]

Got out for what will probably be my last ride of the season. No pics on today's 17km ride, but I did manage to pass the 3000km mark for this year.

 

[DaveMatthews]

I'm rained out this weekend. Oh well... good excuse to leave the arm to heal more...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I don't ride anywhere without a good bit of hi-vis color showing. Not a concern for you, or is all of your hi-vis stuff in the wash?

My Vado 6.0 is (legally) a moped. Meaning, its automotive Supernova Pro lighting is as good as of a motorcycle. Most streets in the area are well lit. Wherever they are not, there is a separate (safe) bike path. Moreover, the traffic on the Saturday night here is just symbolic (especially when the new bridge has been opened, making the situation come back to normal). Yes, I wear hi-vis gloves so the drivers can clearly see my hand signals.

A 15 km ride.

 

[Chargeride]

Meanwhile, I had to ride to a laundromat on Saturday...

View attachment 202596
The Wahoo temperature readout is still -3 C off in the low temperature region. The actual temp was -3 C.

View attachment 202597
Being unwell and having almost all cycling clothes ready to be laundered, I put a combination of cycling and "civilian" clothes on to keep me warm! I couldn't care less what Charge would say about it

A local bridge turned out to be reconstructed in express time, so I could easily ride to an InPost parcel locker to collect a 1991 rare book for @Brix as the last segment of my ride. Now, I hear the snow is coming on Sunday. "Interessant..." as a Swede would say

You have to understand that constantly ribbing people for their choices is a cultural pastime in the UK and especially the North, lots of southern fairies have taken workplace enforced thought crime into the normal world.
Its all about fine tuning your response and allowing you to develop the self confidence to strike back with a observation of your own.
A bit like John Wayne throwing the kid in the pond.
Its nothing personal R2D2

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You have to understand that constantly ribbing people for their choices is a cultural pastime in the UK and especially the North, lots of southern fairies have taken workplace enforced thought crime into the normal world.
Its all about fine tuning your response and allowing you to develop the self confidence to strike back with a observation of your own.
A bit like John Wayne throwing the kid in the pond.
Its nothing personal R2D2

I can understand every single word but am unable to understand the context.

English please?

P.S. I called you out because I was interested in your comment about my looks, and it was also a pre-emptive banter strike

Winters of Poland can be really rough!

 

[Mulezen]

I can understand every single word but am unable to understand the context.

English please?

P.S. I called you out because I was interested in your comment about my looks, and it was also a pre-emptive banter strike

View attachment 202603
Winters of Poland can be really rough!

Proof the moon landing was faked

 

[Chargeride]

Ive checked, youre strava track actually goes through the old 60s hollywood film studios.

 

[RabH]

After a week off the bike due to weather I finally caught a break today, no frost this time so I could use my back roads again! The temp was around 5C with a bitterly cold 20-25mph northerly wind blowing so I decided to make my way out to Avonbridge and head south for around 30 miles to Thankerton! I picked the perfect route thankfully, lots of climbing and descending to enjoy! On my way to Avonbridge I passed the Black Loch at Limerigg!

Then I had this amazing view of the Ochil Hills and the snow capped mountains to the north on the way to Avonbridge!

I was very glad to reach Avonbridge and turn south with that chilly wind at my back helping me up the big climbs, I stopped for this photo before the awesome descent down into Armadale! Almost 43mph with that strong wind at my back!

I also had this amazing view of the Ochils from the same spot!

From Armadale I continued south through Whitburn and up the climb to Longridge, I then had this awesome descent before the massive climb in the distance up past the wind turbines!

The view from near the top of the climb looking north!

I then joined one of my favourite roads that makes me smile from ear to ear everytime I ride it, Wilsontown to Braehead! After many twists and turns and amazing descents I had the climb into Braehead, then this cracking descent down into Carnwath!

The next descent before arriving in Carnwath with Tinto Hill in the background!

From Carnwath I turned west towards Carstairs where I was intending to take a quiet back road, only to find the road closed! I did a loop back to Carnwath and then headed south towards Libberton, another awesome descent to enjoy!

From Libberton I continued south towards Quothquan and down another awesome descent into Thankerton, stopping for some photos on the way down!

The River Clyde!

Very close to Tinto Hill now!

The bridge into Thankerton over the river!

After enjoying 31 miles of lovely tailwinds it was time to turn north towards Petinain into a bitingly cold northerly wind, then west towards Hyndford Bridge and up the big climb into Lanark! I stopped in Lanark for lunch before heading down the big descent into the Clyde Valley at Kirkfieldbank, then through Hazelbank and Crossford where I crossed the very fast moving river!

Now it was time for the very steep climb up to Carluke, I stopped part way up for some photos of the Clyde Valley!

From Carluke I continued north on the back road to Allanton and up the big climb to Hareshaw and on to the main road to Newhouse and north to home! I did get caught in a few rain showers but they were short lived thankfully, it was so good to get out again!

 

[Chargeride]

wheres the snow and blizzards

 

[RabH]

wheres the snow and blizzards

Ask a meteorologist...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

wheres the snow and blizzards

We had snow on Sunday and Monday

My doctor told me I should avoid the antibiotic she prescribed to me unless I felt it was necessary. I broke on Sunday and started taking the hard drug. Now, less cough and I can breathe more easily. Spending days in the bed; I do work but only a little. Today on Tuesday I decided I needed groceries. Put really warm clothes on, set the TURBO on and did a quick but pretty big shopping. (I also had a small backpack).

Broken R2D2 sends his greetings to one Cartridge!

 

[John Bowman]

your picture certainly caught my attention, recumbent bike of sorts - I think my achy back would approve, 23 mph average - you were really motoring on that bike, the dog walker and the old dog in background were also impressed

Thanks, the bike is more comfortable than my car or office seat, even though shape is the same. I think because of higher heart rate and blood circulation.
I cruise at about 24 mph in PAS 3.
More info: https://www.lightningbikes.com/introduction/index.html

 

[Chargeride]

Did a 15 mile ride near Lllangollen, which is pronounced lan gothhhhhh lun, this is the path above the Giant Leap mtb trails centre.
The super bright low winter sun is playing havoc with the gopro.

This was a four descent loop, the climbing in between was brutal

The diabolical steep path mixed with strobing, blinding sun made for some hairy descending, literally riding blind at speed.

Then off along the quiet roads to Pandy

I made a right stupid mistake here by approaching the descent from the wrong end, but the trail was simply breathtaking, the people living along this road
are just living different lives to us all.

Brian was getting a bit miffed because he was running his 600wh battery and back to the next descent was a climb beyond belief

It was worth it as the views from the top were incredible, that expose rock in the distance is called Worlds End and is where the Dinas Bran castle remains are situated

This was the most extreme of the trails, the noises coming off the bike were terrifying as tennis ball size rocks were getting thrown at it.

Brian challenged me to make this climb, I got about six foot, it was stone slabs covered in wet leaves, even walk mode had the back tyre spinning.

At this point he was down to 3 bars in ten miles, we both went for the climb knowing if he ran out we could just freewheel back to the town

He did run out with a mile of climb left, so I carried on by myself, amazing to see this old dear walking alone up here.

This descent was fast and laid out like Disney ride of pathside relics.

Back in Llangollen, it kicked me out 50ft from where the van was parked with a sulking Brian sat in it.

Finished the day with cheese pasties and brownies, I had three bars left, frame was intact, 2900ft of climb, most of it practically straight up.

 

[Chargeride]

We had snow on Sunday and Monday

My doctor told me I should avoid the antibiotic she prescribed to me unless I felt it was necessary. I broke on Sunday and started taking the hard drug. Now, less cough and I can breathe more easily. Spending days in the bed; I do work but only a little. Today on Tuesday I decided I needed groceries. Put really warm clothes on, set the TURBO on and did a quick but pretty big shopping. (I also had a small backpack).

View attachment 202666View attachment 202667
Broken R2D2 sends his greetings to one Cartridge!

You are not the droid I am looking for

 

[dodgeman]

I might be done for the year, rainy days replaced today with wind gusts up to 40mph and a high of 40 f. I’m hoping for a few more days I can ride before winter really hits.

 

[stompandgo]

I've got at least one left in me as well.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Then you guys probably don't want to hear about the 73°F and sunny spell we're having in coastal SoCal.

This after 2 rainy and chilly Pacific storms in one week. Highs got down in the low 50s, but the damp chilly wind made it feel colder.

Still, if I had a British attitude toward rain, none of this would've stopped me from riding. Getting closer from a steady diet of British murder mysteries but still have a ways to go.