2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[RabH]

fantastic ! i bet you are the single rider globally who rides the furthest on that particular model of bike how many miles does it have in total? must be a lot, 8 years on.

the scenery around you is interesting to me, some it looks very familiar to northern california, and some of it completely alien, particularly the dark flat hills (tinto?), of course the types of trees, an the waterways. but the rolling green and gold/beige hills and country roads could easily be 50 miles from here rather than 5000!

Thanks buddy, 45295 miles now and if all goes to plan I should ease past 50000 miles before year end, health and bike permitting! We don't have any really high hills but its very undulating to say the least and very twisty, I'm really blessed to live here and although our weather can be a bit crazy I can ride all year round! With the winds we are getting these days the e bike is a must now, I just hope it lasts for many years...

Visited the neach at Crosby, flookin freezin.
Turbo into the wind increased wind chill to actual core shaking hypothermia.

Lots of wood washed up.

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All the sand disappeared in the 80s, so they spent months transferring it from up the coast and now the sea wall has been smothered.
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The wind didn't do much here but we got battered by snow this morning, I had over 6 inches in my garden at one point! Its sunny now and I have a river running down my hill, glad I'm at the top...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

No Idea How I Could've Lost That Photo...

... but I had @Chargeride in mind when taking that shot on Saturday Chris often rides through some farms using "the right of way". Usually, we don't do it in Poland but when a dirt road leads through the farm, no fence, no gate, no dogs then a single cyclist doesn't probably mean anything to the farmer

 

[Rás Cnoic]

No bikes - Easter Sunday popped down to Fistral beach post Storm Dave - to blow out the cobwebs, see the surf, which was big and beautiful but useless for surfing, so nobody out, just loads of kids and families swimming (or jumping in the frothy waves) & on bodyboards, the Easter hols started on Good Friday.

The old RNLI station now closed and the giddy height lifeboat ramp. It's been replaced by a modern bigger one on Fistral beach. Change in times; the old one on the headland over looks the deep bay, the launch aimed to get help out to the fishing boats and passing merchant ships. The new one right on the beach, close to the year round surfers and summer families who pack the beach.

Obligatory wood fired pizza shot...

 

[stompandgo]

What is the water temp at this time of year? Ours is in the mid-40's F.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

What is the water temp at this time of year? Ours is in the mid-40's F.

About 10-11c, have to look that up - 50F?

It gets coldest after the winter, by early March down to 8 or 9c, but from now on will increase rapidly by June hitting 15c and by August if a good summer could hit 18c or 64f.

 

[Chargeride]

Cracking the flags today, took my mother for a hospital checkup.
Roads strangely empty.

Revisited the beach, rammed with people of every age.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Back from 50 gravel miles on a cold, sunny but dangerously windy day.

I need to sleep now.

 

[Chazmo]

No bikes - Easter Sunday popped down to Fistral beach post Storm Dave - to blow out the cobwebs, see the surf, which was big and beautiful but useless for surfing, so nobody out, just loads of kids and families swimming (or jumping in the frothy waves) & on bodyboards, the Easter hols started on Good Friday.

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The old RNLI station now closed and the giddy height lifeboat ramp. It's been replaced by a modern bigger one on Fistral beach. Change in times; the old one on the headland over looks the deep bay, the launch aimed to get help out to the fishing boats and passing merchant ships. The new one right on the beach, close to the year round surfers and summer families who pack the beach.

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Obligatory wood fired pizza shot...
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Beautiful pix, Rás, including the flatbread pizza!

 

[RabH]

After my big ride on Thursday I chose a much easier ride today and with signs of Spring arriving it was good to get out without 5 layers and heated gloves! The afternoon temp was 12C with a feels like temp of 8C, it felt so good but of course it was windy again! Not too bad though with a direct southerly around 20-25mph, I was a bit shocked about how cold it was when I was riding into the wind though! I took thick and thin full fingered gloves and had to stick with the thick ones!

I decided to head east to Dechmont and take on the Burnhouse road climb, with a 20-25mph tailwind it was much easier than usual! I chose this road because it will be closed for 8 weeks from tomorrow and another one of my favourite roads will be closed for 12 weeks, I just hope they are fixing the roads rather than laying pipes or something...

The start of the Burnhouse road climb at Dechmont!

I stopped just around the bend for this photo!

Then came the steep part!

At the top looking back down now!

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

I was getting the evil eye from mom here!

Now came the descents with a lovely tailwind, I was grinning from ear to ear here! The sky was looking a bit threatening over the Ochil Hills to the north!

At the end of the road I turned west initially to get some photos of Beecraigs Country Park but I couldn't even see it today, this is the valley below the park!

I then turned back east to take the big dipper road at Kingscavil, this time I was descending the steep part from the southern end so I had a big tailwind and hit 47.3mph freewheeling down it! What a buzz that was!

Its quite a hill...

I had a distant view of the bridges over the River Forth at the end of the road!

I took the back road to Philpstoun next to get some photos down at the canal!

Then I turned for Linlithgow and passed Linlithgow Loch!

I avoided the busy part of the town and took the back road to Standburn and the sun made a welcome appearance, lighting up the viaduct at Linlithgow Bridge!

A short time later I passed over the canal, where one of the narrowboats was berthed!

Then it was time for the big climb up to Standburn and after passing through the village the road down into Avonbridge is a proper rollercoaster and so much fun, just before Avonbridge I turned north to take the back road to the village of California! More climbing to come but I would soon be enjoying one of my favourite descents!

The road up to the village!

Looking north from California across the Firth of Forth!

The Ochil Hills were looking much better now!

I then arrived in Shieldhill where I took this photo!

Then came the descent I was most looking forward to, down into Glen Village!

46mph down the steep part and another lovely view of the Ochils!

I then took the road to Lionthorn and it was time to climb again up the road to Slamannan, a tough climb and it was into a strong headwind now! The weather had really improved by now though with lots of sunshine, the sheep were enjoying it!

The road into Slamannan is pretty awesome with this nice descent after all the climbs!

I arrived in the village with 47 miles covered and 10 to go, I used the back roads all the way home and was ready for my dinner after all that climbing! Another great day on the bike and I passed the 2000 mile mark today, 2052 to be exact and I will add to it tomorrow with another ride! The forecast is looking amazing and the temp is set to hit 19C in the afternoon, sadly I have things to do in the morning but I'm looking forward to a nice warm ride for a change!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

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After my big ride on Thursday I chose a much easier ride today and with signs of Spring arriving it was good to get out without 5 layers and heated gloves! The afternoon temp was 12C with a feels like temp of 8C, it felt so good but of course it was windy again! Not too bad though with a direct southerly around 20-25mph, I was a bit shocked about how cold it was when I was riding into the wind though! I took thick and thin full fingered gloves and had to stick with the thick ones!

I decided to head east to Dechmont and take on the Burnhouse road climb, with a 20-25mph tailwind it was much easier than usual! I chose this road because it will be closed for 8 weeks from tomorrow and another one of my favourite roads will be closed for 12 weeks, I just hope they are fixing the roads rather than laying pipes or something...

The start of the Burnhouse road climb at Dechmont!

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I stopped just around the bend for this photo!

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Then came the steep part!

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At the top looking back down now!

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

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I was getting the evil eye from mom here!

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Now came the descents with a lovely tailwind, I was grinning from ear to ear here! The sky was looking a bit threatening over the Ochil Hills to the north!

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At the end of the road I turned west initially to get some photos of Beecraigs Country Park but I couldn't even see it today, this is the valley below the park!

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I then turned back east to take the big dipper road at Kingscavil, this time I was descending the steep part from the southern end so I had a big tailwind and hit 47.3mph freewheeling down it! What a buzz that was!

Its quite a hill...

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I had a distant view of the bridges over the River Forth at the end of the road!

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I took the back road to Philpstoun next to get some photos down at the canal!

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Then I turned for Linlithgow and passed Linlithgow Loch!

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I avoided the busy part of the town and took the back road to Standburn and the sun made a welcome appearance, lighting up the viaduct at Linlithgow Bridge!

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A short time later I passed over the canal, where one of the narrowboats was berthed!

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Then it was time for the big climb up to Standburn and after passing through the village the road down into Avonbridge is a proper rollercoaster and so much fun, just before Avonbridge I turned north to take the back road to the village of California! More climbing to come but I would soon be enjoying one of my favourite descents!

The road up to the village!

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Looking north from California across the Firth of Forth!

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The Ochil Hills were looking much better now!

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I then arrived in Shieldhill where I took this photo!

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Then came the descent I was most looking forward to, down into Glen Village!

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46mph down the steep part and another lovely view of the Ochils!

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I then took the road to Lionthorn and it was time to climb again up the road to Slamannan, a tough climb and it was into a strong headwind now! The weather had really improved by now though with lots of sunshine, the sheep were enjoying it!

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The road into Slamannan is pretty awesome with this nice descent after all the climbs!

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I arrived in the village with 47 miles covered and 10 to go, I used the back roads all the way home and was ready for my dinner after all that climbing! Another great day on the bike and I passed the 2000 mile mark today, 2052 to be exact and I will add to it tomorrow with another ride! The forecast is looking amazing and the temp is set to hit 19C in the afternoon, sadly I have things to do in the morning but I'm looking forward to a nice warm ride for a change!

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Yep at the moment the temps might say one thing but that wind cuts right through you!

 

[Chargeride]

No bikes - Easter Sunday popped down to Fistral beach post Storm Dave - to blow out the cobwebs, see the surf, which was big and beautiful but useless for surfing, so nobody out, just loads of kids and families swimming (or jumping in the frothy waves) & on bodyboards, the Easter hols started on Good Friday.

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The old RNLI station now closed and the giddy height lifeboat ramp. It's been replaced by a modern bigger one on Fistral beach. Change in times; the old one on the headland over looks the deep bay, the launch aimed to get help out to the fishing boats and passing merchant ships. The new one right on the beach, close to the year round surfers and summer families who pack the beach.

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Obligatory wood fired pizza shot...
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Looks lovely, be a long time before we return, unless we get a coastal ride going this year.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Korboloza Graveloza Reversed (A Check Ride)

I happen to announce public gravel (or just, interesting) group rides. Any serious ride organiser must do a check ride to verify the course. So did I on Easter Monday. Easter Sunday was the most beautiful day; however, my body forced me to take the full day's rest (mostly sleeping). Therefore, I had to do my ride on Monday.

Early morning meant a wall of raining and mighty wind, Yet, according to the forecast, the sky cleared up at 8:00. I took a train to Żyrardów (where I was on my e-bike on Saturday), and set off for the ride. My friends were telling me off: "It is a dangerous wind, cold, and it might rain. Not the weather for cycling!" to which my bold answer was:

"We, who finished Sudovia Gravel 2025 laugh at any adversity! In god's name!"

This time, I equipped my Fearless. Here, Fire-Road #31 in Bolimów Landscape Park. As many other roads, that one was paved with rough stone pieces (not gravel). Well, I like riding cobblestone
I was generally riding into the wind; the forest dampened the gusts to a nicely low level!

The purpose of the check ride is to identify and eliminate any obstacles on the course. Komoot thought it was a shortcut. However, the foresters have enclosed the area with a fence for a forest nursery. Yep, 3 km more of the adventurous ride!

I was riding all surfaces you can find in "Mazovian gravel". Some were very nice!

During the course, the riding direction positively changed. I was lead into a fresh forest clearing by Komoot: a dangerous cycling segment! As I stopped to take the photo, I was hit by the wind in my back! "Oh, free assistance? Riding!"

The most idiotic place. The railway people decided to completely cut any chance to cross the railroad by pedestrian or cyclists. As everybody was just walking around the barriers (just last year!) the railroad company built fences around. Has nobody noticed you can just walk yourself and your bike below the barrier? Everybody does it!

A household in Zator.

A bridge across River Korabiewka. There, on 6th January 2024 (The Epiphany), Mazovian Gravel held a big group ride in the very area. I stopped to take pictures of riders crossing the icy bridge. One of the people photographed there was one Rafael, who remains one of my good friends to this day.

At same point, I was tired and needed to rest at a bus shelter. The back of the shelter faced the wind. Then I actually could hear the wind howling (got pretty scared as I had to ride a segment into the wind). Continuing my ride, I found myself on a bike path in the open field. I was only getting a fraction of the wind component, yet it was slowing me down to 13 km/h in the SPORT mode! Pictured: Aquapark Suntago, the largest in Poland. (Location of Wręcza).

Crossing River Pisia Charge, I know what your banter would be! Yes, the name is similar to two English words, and even the second meaning is similar in Polish! (p*ssy)

The Rail Trail. Literally! The name of the road is Rail Trail Street (Many trails are maintained by Velo Mazovia).

I cannot explain it. Wherever someone wanted to repair a gravel road, they were scattering pieces of rock! (Good my Fearless is prepared for this!)

Adamów-Wieś. A neighbourhood where you need to:

• Beware of moose
• Beware of squirrels
• Beware of cats!

But also...

...beware of fire-fighters! Easter Monday called "Śmigus-dyngus" or "Lany Poniedziałek" (Pouring Monday) is the day in Poland where people are expected to pour water on one another In recent years, fire-fighters upped the ante They pour fire-water on homes, and expect a treat! (Trick or treat? Trick anyway!) A young fire-fighter smiled at me and warned: "Beware of what happens next! Expect some hardcore action farther!" So what I did? SPRINTED OUT!

Wężyk. Not bad at all!

I was there only on last Saturday!

A nice historical mansion in Adamowizna, now a cultural centre.

Walczewski Ponds, so I completed my trip in Grodzisk Mazowiecki! Now, only 4 km remained to get to the railway station!

I have to say I'm proud of my 50 mile ride on such a strange day!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Looks lovely, be a long time before we return, unless we get a coastal ride going this year.

Something special about Cornwall for sure. The light is always amazing. Some winter days when Dartmoor has horizontal rain and sheep fly past carried by the gales, if you are on the Western hills of the moor and look down the peninsula, far off in the distance you can see that feckin' Cornwall is in sunshine.

 

[stompandgo]

About 10-11c, have to look that up - 50F?

It gets coldest after the winter, by early March down to 8 or 9c, but from now on will increase rapidly by June hitting 15c and by August if a good summer could hit 18c or 64f.

52 degrees F.

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Forgot about a ride I did pre-Storm Dave last Thursday. Headed south across the moor to the town of Ashburton then back up a long steep climb and across the southern and empty part of the moor. 37 miles, 4,127ft.
Another lovely sunny day before the storm but once up on top of the moor hit a vicious and cold headwind. Kept it in Eco 35/35 to preserve batt after the big climbs, had planned that I'd easily be able to ride this part with assist off, but no way with that wind. Even in Eco still saw it drop alarmingly as I pushed on, wheels stuck in glue, exhausting. Then as I'd hoped, turning right at a cross road the wind turned to a tail/cross and I bombed along the last 12 miles home. What a difference the wind makes. Under 20% battery of both main and extender left by home. Legs knackered. 37-40 miles is my limit it seems with my fitness and all the climbing. Aiming for 50 miler next ride but I'll need to carefully track the wind. Also switching from my winter Gravel king SKs back to WTB Byways, bit quicker on road.

Houd Tor ahead - crappy digital zoom on iPhone but otherwise it would look flat on the native wide angle.

Bone Hill

From left to right: Haytor, Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor

Ashburton

Only noticed how old this pub was when I looked at the photo at home:

That's 39 years before the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland. Mad to think people were sitting in there back then getting drunk, complaining about politicians and football.

"I hear our Norman overlords have decided to invade Ireland."
(Sips ale, then)
"They say it'll all be over in 2 weeks..."
Crowd at bar bursts into spontaneous laughter.

Nothing changes.

Back up on the moor...

There are a number of reservoirs dotted all over the moor. Always find them moody depressing places. Perfect for finding a naked body floating face down, probably being followed by a Netflix true crime camera crew.
Combestone Tor

Looking west towards (I think) Beardown Tor, Higher White Tor and possibly Sittaford but too far away to be sure...

13th Century clapper bridge at Two Bridges.

The Warren House Inn, built 1845, but across the road is the footprint of the original Inn known funnily enough as "New House" and that was built around the 1750s to serve the booming tin mine industry on the moor, popular spot to stop with your pack ponies and get out of the wind no doubt. They say that once the new Inn was built, they carried the hearth stone with smouldering fire across the road from the old inn and the fire has never gone out since. Big plaque by the fireplace inside all about it. Though, as the bar staff these days seem to be Aussies & Saffas and other students, not sure they haven't come in hungover some morning and gone "oh s*it, quick get the firelighters, the forkin' fire's gone out again bru!"

Footprint of old "New House" Inn across the road

 

[DaveMatthews]

Forgot about a ride I did pre-Storm Dave last Thursday. Headed south across the moor to the town of Ashburton then back up a long steep climb and across the southern and empty part of the moor. 37 miles, 4,127ft.
Another lovely sunny day before the storm but once up on top of the moor hit a vicious and cold headwind. Kept it in Eco 35/35 to preserve batt after the big climbs, had planned that I'd easily be able to ride this part with assist off, but no way with that wind. Even in Eco still saw it drop alarmingly as I pushed on, wheels stuck in glue, exhausting. Then as I'd hoped, turning right at a cross road the wind turned to a tail/cross and I bombed along the last 12 miles home. What a difference the wind makes. Under 20% battery of both main and extender left by home. Legs knackered. 37-40 miles is my limit it seems with my fitness and all the climbing. Aiming for 50 miler next ride but I'll need to carefully track the wind. Also switching from my winter Gravel king SKs back to WTB Byways, bit quicker on road.

Houd Tor ahead - crappy digital zoom on iPhone but otherwise it would look flat on the native wide angle.

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Bone Hill
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From left to right: Haytor, Saddle Tor and Rippon Tor
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Ashburton
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Only noticed how old this pub was when I looked at the photo at home:

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That's 39 years before the Anglo-Normans invaded Ireland. Mad to think people were sitting in there back then getting drunk, complaining about politicians and football.

"I hear our Norman overlords have decided to invade Ireland."
(Sips ale, then)
"They say it'll all be over in 2 weeks..."
Crowd at bar bursts into spontaneous laughter.

Nothing changes.

Back up on the moor...

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There are a number of reservoirs dotted all over the moor. Always find them moody depressing places. Perfect for finding a naked body floating face down, probably being followed by a Netflix true crime camera crew.
Combestone Tor
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Looking west towards (I think) Beardown Tor, Higher White Tor and possibly Sittaford but too far away to be sure...
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13th Century clapper bridge at Two Bridges.
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The Warren House Inn, built 1845, but across the road is the footprint of the original Inn known funnily enough as "New House" and that was built around the 1750s to serve the booming tin mine industry on the moor, popular spot to stop with your pack ponies and get out of the wind no doubt. They say that once the new Inn was built, they carried the hearth stone with smouldering fire across the road from the old inn and the fire has never gone out since. Big plaque by the fireplace inside all about it. Though, as the bar staff these days seem to be Aussies & Saffas and other students, not sure they haven't come in hungover some morning and gone "oh s*it, quick get the firelighters, the forkin' fire's gone out again bru!"
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Footprint of old "New House" Inn across the road
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Brilliant! Never heard of a "Clapper bridge". Learn something new every day!
Cheers!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

Brilliant! Never heard of a "Clapper bridge". Learn something new every day!
Cheers!

Though I got its location wrong! It's at Postbridge several miles down the road from Two Bridges, both tiny hamlets with bridges over the East Dart river. Dart river so Dart-Moor, the river Dart running to the sea at Dartmouth. Up in North Devon is Exmoor another moor on the river Ex which meanders across Devon to the capital city of Exeter and reaches the sea at Exmouth.

 

[JGcycle]

A pic from today's 17km ride:

 

[DaveMatthews]

Though I got its location wrong! It's at Postbridge several miles down the road from Two Bridges, both tiny hamlets with bridges over the East Dart river. Dart river so Dart-Moor, the river Dart running to the sea at Dartmouth. Up in North Devon is Exmoor another moor on the river Ex which meanders across Devon to the capital city of Exeter and reaches the sea at Exmouth.

Thanks for the clarification, when I looked up Clapper bridge Wiki showed that one exactly and it was at Postbridge.

 

[RabH]

I rarely ride into the wind at the start of my ride but with a 20mph easterly today and much warmer conditions it was a no brainer, I was really looking forward to making my way home with a 20mph tailwind for a change! The first 10 miles down to Allanton were all ups and downs and then it was time to turn into the wind proper, from Allanton out to West Calder on the awesome A71! I had quite a bit of climbing for a few miles but just gradual climbs, followed by some flat and some slight downhills!

Its such a great road and luckily it was pretty quiet today which is always a bonus! From West Calder I turned SE towards Harburn, a lot of climbing but its also a great road!

It really was a beautiful day, I started with my thin full finger gloves but had to change to the fingerless gloves as the heat started to hit! 19C is hot for Scotland... I stopped for a snack and a little break at this farm entrance!

Then the climbing continued before this cracking descent!

At the end of the road I joined the A70 and lo and behold the wind was right in my face as I turned south, what happened to the easterly? Of course I now had another big climb...

So my plan to ride the A70 down to Carnwath had to be shelved, it was no biggie though as I came up with a perfect alternate route by leaving the A70 at Tarbrax and taking the back road to Auchengray instead! I did enjoy my couple of miles on the A70 despite the headwind and got some nice views of the Pentlands to the south!

I also had a distant view of the Ochils to the north, they are barely visible though as they are hidden behind all the turbines!

The start of the awesome back road to Tarbrax, its a lovely descent!

I had some nice views on the way down!

The final descent into the village of Polkelly, if you blink you will miss it...

A short time later I arrived in Auchengray and took the road towards Braehead, passing over the railway crossing in the opposite direction from last week and I took a few photos as I made my way up the climb!

I was fighting the headwind again here and decided to take the back road to Wilsontown to get out of the wind, what a decision that was as it was a brilliant road that I had never used before! I had passed it so many times but never actually checked it out for some strange reason! The road starts with a big climb but some cracking descents soon followed!

The lambs were enjoying the warmer weather and having a feed!

I had quite a view at the top of the climb!

After enjoying the descents I had the climb to Wilsontown ahead, thankfully with a nice tailwind and from there I made my way north to Breich with the tailwind helping all the way and the fastest descent of the day at just over 42mph! Then I continued north up the climb through Longridge and down into Whitburn where I joined the cycle path to Armadale! From there I turned west for Blackridge on this awesome back road!

50 miles appeared on my gps as I turned for home at Blackridge with 10 miles to go, the final 10 miles were a joy with a nice tailwind all the way home! Another awesome day on amazing roads, the good weather is set to continue tomorrow but that will be the end of it with the temp dropping to single figures again...what a surprise!