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

[Rás Cnoic]

Do you feel better now?
Look at yourself and what you are writing.
Jeremy was at least talking to me.
You talk about me to a third person in my presence.
I was taught it was the most rude behaviour.

 

[fritz katzenjammer]

I thought you Brits might need chimney bells as MPEWAs — Mary Poppins Early Warning Systems. Can't very well have her poppin' in unannounced when you're watching the tele in your undies.
;^}

I'll let myself out.

And to let you know when the sweep has done his work.

 

[Mulezen]

Dodgeman's dodgy weather came through last night leaving me with layers this morning. There was a stiff wind to boot in which I pretended I was in Scotland. I did wear thick Alpaca socks which I celebrated with the picture.

 

[RabH]

Our mild spell has continued but its due to end soon, once again it was a southerly wind and around 20-25mph! I decided to head east this time, the Black Loch was looking pretty choppy at Limerigg! The forecast wasn't looking that great but once again they got it wrong and it turned into a lovely day for the most part!

From Limerigg I was heading towards Avonbridge but elected to turn north up the back road to Shieldhill, a big climb but I had a 25mph helping me! I then had a nice view of the Ochil Hills across the Forth Valley!

Then it was time for the awesome descent down into Glenn Village, the main reason I chose to go this way!

43.5mph down the steepest part with this cracking view of the Ochils!

I then turned east through Hallglen where I had another awesome descent down into Falkirk before turning SE through Brightons and Maddiston where the climbing began again! That was quickly followed by another nice descent and at the bottom of the hill I joined the road to Linlithgow which is mostly downhill and always great fun! I passed over the Union canal on my way!

I then arrived in Linlithgow and avoided the busy town by taking a route through a housing scheme, I managed to take a wrong turn more than once here! Not for the first time I might add in the maze of little back streets! Eventually I found my way out of the maze and started up the 3.5 mile climb towards Beecraigs Country Park at the western end! The clouds managed to block the sun on my way up!

I stopped part way up for a couple of photos, Linlithgow Viaduct was lit up by the sun down in the valley below! The now defunct Grangemouth oil refinery is in the background, its strange not seeing any steam or flames rising for the first time in decades!

This view is looking back down the hill I had just climbed!

I continued up the climb and decided to turn east and enjoy the awesome descent back down into the valley, my next big climb can be seen in the background!

Another view of the Forth Valley before starting down the descent!

Then up the big climb with a river running down the hill from all the recent rain, it really poured down yesterday and caused a lot of flooding! I had some nice new tarmac to enjoy on the way up though!

The view of the valley from the top of the hill, looking back towards the country park!

I then joined the back road which leads to the awesome rollercoaster Burnhouse Road which leads down into the village of Dechmont!

I had a nice view of the Pentland Hills from here!

Burnhouse Road!

Another view of the Pentlands!

My bike was filthy once again but it didn't bother me in the least because I was having a blast!

Another section of Burnhouse Road, this part is like a big dipper and soon after this the road plummets down into Dechmont! Sadly it was into a 25mph headwind though...

From Dechmont I turned SW for Whitburn, mostly on nice smooth cycle paths that were built in the past of couple of years! At Whitburn I turned north up the cycle path into Armadale and continued north all the way to Westfield, where I turned west for Avonbridge and then up the back road to Slamannan! Then over the very wet back road to Lonriggend where I grabbed my last photos before heading into Caldercruix and west for home!

The locals had a great view of the Ochil Hills, they were more interested in staring me down though!

Another cracking day on my amazing bike, just 80 miles now to equal my record of 6561 miles from last year!

 

[Chargeride]

I thought you Brits might need chimney bells as MPEWAs — Mary Poppins Early Warning Systems. Can't very well have her poppin' in unannounced when you're watching the tele in your undies.
;^}

I'll let myself out.

Well rattle me chimneh bells, Mary P clocked me in me knackers

 

[Mulezen]

Pentland Hills, ancient town, geology

Pentland Hills - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Twin Valley]

How the Levo spent his/her summer holidays! We travelled up and down the province of British Columbia chauffeuring our grandkids on the high school rodeo circuit and sneaking off on bike rides of course. And a picture of my youngest grandson and son-in-law on a cowboy's version of a teeter totter yes I know Stefan he should have a helmet on! With the beautiful rural settings in BC there was lots of amazing places to camp and get the fishing rod out in between bike rides with the family.

.

 

[Chargeride]

Living the dream in BC, cowboy teeter totter, we only use seesaw, but teeter totter is awesome.
The origins of both are interesting

 

[JGcycle]

A pic from the turn around point of today's 17km ride:

 

[Chargeride]

I see the corporate industry has gone into zipped lips over the paralysed Redbull Rampage rider, but the video of him 'walking' in a supported frame gives some hope, he seems able to very , very slightly move his legs forward.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Somehow doubt that this will put an end to Red Bull's reckless exploitation of young daredevils. Wonder what this unfortunate young man thinks of his deal with the devil now?

These modern-day gladiators are put into the arena for our thrills and bloodlust and the greater glory of a stupid energy drink — surely worthy causes, wouldn't you say?

As a retired MD with plenty of trauma experience, I can't watch these events. And anyone who cares about these young men — so easily tempted with adrenaline, money, and glory at their ages — wouldn't watch them, either. They'd also boycott brands that advertise this way.

Curious, how many women take the RedBull gamble?

ADDENDUM: Apparently quite a few.

From Barriers to Backflips: Why the Women’s Red Bull Rampage 2025 Is a Must-Watch Moment. - Mountain Bike Action Magazine

After a groundbreaking debut in 2024, the women of Red Bull Rampage return tomorrow to Virgin, Utah, to push freeride mountain biking to new heights.

mbaction.com

 

[Chargeride]

The rules need to change and reckless moves should not win prizes, it also happens in bmx freestyle.

 

[Mulezen]

The real problem with Red Bull and their ilk is not the occasional mishap to young invincible warriors...but to old f**** like me whose hearts won't tolerate the nasty stuff

 

[dodgeman]

Finally had a decent day to ride, if the wind gets much above 15 mph I just don’t ride. It’s been over 20 mph several days until today. Most of my pictures show wide open flat farm country. This is a hilly wooded stretch I ride through on a regular basis. Anything in this picture that still green is most likely Honeysuckle an invasive species.

 

[Chargeride]

I did a bridleway loop starting at Aston near Frodsham, the low winter sun was a bit too much for the gopro.

Riding alongside the Weaver

Along the way the bridleway goes through peoples front gardens

The otherside of the viaduct is a no droneflyzone

Lots of bridges like this on the trail

This is Dutton locks, such a quaint little spot

Crossing over the rails were an inch smaller than my bars

This is a huge screw pump, it felt rather unnerving to stand near to it.

Retirees fishing or riding, both chillin it,

Another swing bridge

The offical Landrover wave

Those three swans had adopted a duck

Some of the trails were just beyond cute

These ducks stood their ground,but with nervous side eye.

You can see the end light, these are the tunnels where they used to lay on top and push with their feet

This is Dutton dry dock for barges, someones playing barges, theres acute little office and everything

 

[Chargeride]

Ive just watched a video about bucket lists, typical man ranting to camera while walking in the countryside style.

He said something that did make me think..
How many of your trips, bucket lists, pastimes, goals etc would you stop doing if you couldnt tell a single human being that you had done them and they could never find out.

Im not just talking about things like my videos or posting here, if it was so private that only you could experience it, not even family, not even your spouse and you couldnt interact with others during it to discuss shared experience.

It reminds of the nsfw joke..but not here.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 13 miles into town today to run an errand. 72 degrees and breezy, normal high is probably more than 20 degrees cooler. I didn’t think to get any pictures until I got home. My bike in front of my shop and a picture from three nights ago looking over the same building.

 

[RabH]

Last Monday I left home with 2 layers on and fingerless gloves, today I had 5 layers and heated gloves...add a 40mph NE wind and you can imagine what it was like! Feels like temp was -1C, toasty! Did I enjoy it? you bet... It was too cold to take photos and with the odd snow flurry I wasn't stopping! Just a short report this time, 20 more miles to equal my 6561 miles from last year! All going well the record should tumble on Monday...

 

[Mulezen]

Despite Strava's mileage reportage I had a cool (as in cold) 19 mile ride today. I went up Dunn's Chapel road then turned towards the quarry. Note the road sign and how Pouncey Track turns into Vontay before returning to Pouncey Track. That aberration came about from a store along the road with the locals changing the name through force of habit. A large part of Dunn's Chapel...the right side...is occupied by Seay's farm...my former mail carrier and his wife live in the big house while others are strung along the road. The mailman's wife has saved a number of mustangs and has testified to Congress on their behalf. They eat too much says the mailman.
Boulders surrounding the quarry keep me out though there are some on this thread who would take their presence as a challenge.

 

[stompandgo]

I rode 13 miles into town today to run an errand. 72 degrees and breezy, normal high is probably more than 20 degrees cooler. I didn’t think to get any pictures until I got home. My bike in front of my shop and a picture from three nights ago looking over the same building.
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We are getting the Northern Lights here, around 2am, but not 73 degrees. Please send that my way.