RabH
Well-Known Member
You didn't see the truck either...
2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter RabH
- Start date
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Oh now you're just pulling my leg mate.You didn't see the truck either...
Ha. I'm on to you...
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
You can track my KLM KL661 flight AMS - IAH from 9:55 CET on FlightRadar24
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RunForTheHills
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Lol! Have a safe flight.
Rás Cnoic
Hillrider a.k.a. The Apostle
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Dartmoor
Your photography has got so good. New longer lens? The compression on the hills and those roads curling and snaking into distance is great. Really shows them off well.View attachment 210966
After many days of abysmal weather I spotted an opportunity to get out today, I was almost certainly going to get wet but I decided to chance it! I couldn't get any wetter than last Sunday so why not just go for it? I headed down my usual amazing back roads to Yieldshields and took the back road up to Braehead! During my downtime I purchased a full new set of much needed brake rotors and pads and treated the bike to some new brakes, what a difference I must say!
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I was looking forward to the awesome descent from Braehead to Carnwath and it didn't disappoint!
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I just love this descent!
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The final descent into Carnwath is pretty special also, amazingly Tinto Hill looked clear today!
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SE was still looking grim...
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I arrived in Carnwath where it was time to head north to avoid the rain, thankfully the awesome A70 was open again, the sky was looking better over Carnwath!
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Time for the A70!
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Still looking nasty to the south!
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The start of the Pentlands!
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Looking much better to the north!
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Then I discovered why the A70 had been closed for a while, they had been laying the awful surface dressing for a few miles...its basically loose gravel! Back in my motorcycling days it was so dangerous and I truly detested it! Thank you for ruining a perfect road, West Lothian Council...
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Still dry over the Pentlands!
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It was time to leave the A70 and turn NW towards Harburn and West Calder, another really nice rollercoaster road and thankfully no surface dressing! Its quite a climb to Harburn and then a really fun descent into West Calder! I continued NW to Blackburn where I turned west for Whitburn and joined the cycle path up to Armadale! The wind was from the SW and around 20-25mph, it was great when I was on the A70 but now I was battling the headwind! From Armadale I took the back road to Blackridge, but decided to take the cycle path to the village this time and I reckon it has been a good 20 years since I used this path!
The road is a cracker so it wasn't an easy decision to leave it....
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The cycle path starts at the railway bridge at the bottom of the hill! It used to be a really rough path but since they updated the railway line a while back it received some much needed new tarmac!
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After a mile or so I did come across some parts that hadn't been resurfaced and there was some deepish puddles but it was short lived and I was getting good shelter from the wind! I will probably stick to the road next time...From Blackridge I decided to head north again and headed up the big climb over Heights, it was wind assisted so an easy choice for me!
Its a great road and the weather was still looking good to the north and still not a drop of rain after 55 miles!
View attachment 210989
The view at the top of the climb!
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Then it was a cracking descent before another big climb and then came this descent, I was gutted to meet a car part way down!
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Then its another big climb followed by yet another big descent, on that one I met a truck...It was carrying horses so it was going very slowly...
Speaking of horses, I stopped for some photos at the end of the road!
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Then it was time to turn SW for home, directly into the wind and it was looking pretty ominous out my way!
It was nice at the Black Loch though!
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Amazingly I made it home bone dry, what a bonus! There were dark clouds all around my home town but not a single drop of rain, I guess I was due a break after Sundays drenching...what a fantastic day on the bike!
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Sorry for the size, I got carried away
The Open at Southport is nearly ready
On the fatbike this time
The Linear gopro lens really shows hill steepness, the superview completely flattens things out
On the train to Liverpool, theres a great joke about the Bootle stops.
I'll tell you it
Vihann has moved to Bootle and gets a letter from his little village near bombay that his uncle has died.
He goes to the train station
A ticket to bombay please.
Sorry mate I can get you to London, you'll have to ask from there
He gets to London
A ticket to Bombay please
The best we can do is Paris, youre on youre own after that
In Paris
A ticket to Bombay please
He works his way across Europe and Asia, buying ticket after ticket.
Finally reaches his village and attends the funeral and then goes to the tiny shack ticket office next to railway line.
A ticket to Bootle please
Is that Bwootle new Strand or Bwootle Oriel Road?
That joke was written or adapted with great respect for Indians ability to compile obscure information and treat it with great reverence no matter how unlikely it was to be required.
The Tobacco warehouse still coming on, I should get a picture of the no smoking sign in the lobby.
Match day parking sign, that could lock up Chatgpt
This is where the Confederate Navy was run from during the civil war
Midday on a Friday is quiet, its like a rock concert in the evening
Church street heavily bomber solots of new buildings
This Chinese guy was singing Yestahday with very few Rs
Party mode warming up
You dont seemany Stag dosaround here, I think hes lost
That scowl gives me community service litter picking vibes
Thats the only homeless guy I saw all day
Backstreet clubs, main roads too crowded
Clearly genuine German establishment
St Peter Patron saint of pints
Seedy but compelling
The entire city runs around drinking, its the Irish heritage
Student area
Posh area
Just row after row of this, you can imagine poor emigrants trudging across Europe to sail for America and landing here, they must have thought they had already made it.
You get completely lost in mazes of beautiful houses
Ironically this is the Somalian district and all the accusations in the US of corruption kinda makes you think
The Protestant Cathederal is massive, a 100 years to build
Rather conspiracy theory crypt
The stark constrast of dreadful 70s architecture and the Vines pub
this used to be a record shop run by the lead singer form that 'you spin me right round baby' one hit wonder
Matthew street just keeps getting bigger
This is also rammed all weekend..that is clearly an American tourist
The Open at Southport is nearly ready
On the fatbike this time
The Linear gopro lens really shows hill steepness, the superview completely flattens things out
On the train to Liverpool, theres a great joke about the Bootle stops.
I'll tell you it
Vihann has moved to Bootle and gets a letter from his little village near bombay that his uncle has died.
He goes to the train station
A ticket to bombay please.
Sorry mate I can get you to London, you'll have to ask from there
He gets to London
A ticket to Bombay please
The best we can do is Paris, youre on youre own after that
In Paris
A ticket to Bombay please
He works his way across Europe and Asia, buying ticket after ticket.
Finally reaches his village and attends the funeral and then goes to the tiny shack ticket office next to railway line.
A ticket to Bootle please
Is that Bwootle new Strand or Bwootle Oriel Road?
That joke was written or adapted with great respect for Indians ability to compile obscure information and treat it with great reverence no matter how unlikely it was to be required.
The Tobacco warehouse still coming on, I should get a picture of the no smoking sign in the lobby.
Match day parking sign, that could lock up Chatgpt
This is where the Confederate Navy was run from during the civil war
Midday on a Friday is quiet, its like a rock concert in the evening
Church street heavily bomber solots of new buildings
This Chinese guy was singing Yestahday with very few Rs
Party mode warming up
You dont seemany Stag dosaround here, I think hes lost
That scowl gives me community service litter picking vibes
Thats the only homeless guy I saw all day
Backstreet clubs, main roads too crowded
Clearly genuine German establishment
St Peter Patron saint of pints
Seedy but compelling
The entire city runs around drinking, its the Irish heritage
Student area
Posh area
Just row after row of this, you can imagine poor emigrants trudging across Europe to sail for America and landing here, they must have thought they had already made it.
You get completely lost in mazes of beautiful houses
Ironically this is the Somalian district and all the accusations in the US of corruption kinda makes you think
The Protestant Cathederal is massive, a 100 years to build
Rather conspiracy theory crypt
The stark constrast of dreadful 70s architecture and the Vines pub
this used to be a record shop run by the lead singer form that 'you spin me right round baby' one hit wonder
Matthew street just keeps getting bigger
This is also rammed all weekend..that is clearly an American tourist
RabH
Well-Known Member
Cheers Rás, I can't take credit for this...all down to my awesome Galaxy S25FE! Yes a smartphone can produce amazing photos, my Galaxy S23 was good but the S25 is next level!
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
OMG those granite streets. Gorgeous.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
America Has Decidedly Liked Me
No slightest issues at the U.S. Immigration Service. Took a Uber to my hotel, it works like a charm.
Started exploring Museum District of Houston TX. It would be a gorgeous area if not the blast furnace air
Now, I'm getting back to the hotel, drop almost all the clothes off... Knock knock on the door! Totally embarrassed, I open the door. There is a genuine butler at the other side with good vittles in his hands!
'Sir, it must be some mistake. I didn't order anything!' - 'Don't worry, it is on the house'.
How?!
No slightest issues at the U.S. Immigration Service. Took a Uber to my hotel, it works like a charm.
Started exploring Museum District of Houston TX. It would be a gorgeous area if not the blast furnace air
Now, I'm getting back to the hotel, drop almost all the clothes off... Knock knock on the door! Totally embarrassed, I open the door. There is a genuine butler at the other side with good vittles in his hands!
'Sir, it must be some mistake. I didn't order anything!' - 'Don't worry, it is on the house'.
How?!
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stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
They only gave you a split of wine. Cheapskates.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Is it expected any guest to a resort hotel gets a welcome treat?
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
A Bunch Of Impressions from Museum District, Houston TX
A 2.9 mile (4.7 km) walk.
It is unusual for a European hotel of a similar standard as ZaZa to go beyond a glass of wine as a welcome treat. On the other hand, almost any European hotel offers breakfasts (paid), which seems an unthinkable idea in the U.S.? On my walk, I could find a nice breakfast restaurant though and intend to check them very soon!
A big bedroom, a living room, a bathroom and a restroom plus big wardrobes. Do not expect that big space from European hotels. On the other hand, this hotel is too expensive to include a kitchen European hotels usually provide at least an electric kettle or a Nespresso machine as well as coffee cups and utensils. The most depressing feature of the apartment is a total lack of any workspace for laptop, and the electrical outlets are all in wrong positions to connect a laptop!
America knows her pizza! Delicious and nutritious! It is just an 11" one and it was too much for me!
CST DST vs. the British Summer Time. The sunrise in Houston is late compared to London or Warsaw.
Central Houston is walkable and safe. They even have a tram!
Only North America could afford placing all the museums in a single area! Here: Children's Museum of Houston. (It is not 100% true. Berlin has her Museum Island, a very isolated case).
Houston Downtown as seen from a TX Hwy 288 overpass. No doubt, the U.S. have the most impressive highway system in the world!
Visiting a convenience store was a mistake Just saying.
A 2.9 mile (4.7 km) walk.
It is unusual for a European hotel of a similar standard as ZaZa to go beyond a glass of wine as a welcome treat. On the other hand, almost any European hotel offers breakfasts (paid), which seems an unthinkable idea in the U.S.? On my walk, I could find a nice breakfast restaurant though and intend to check them very soon!
A big bedroom, a living room, a bathroom and a restroom plus big wardrobes. Do not expect that big space from European hotels. On the other hand, this hotel is too expensive to include a kitchen
European hotels usually provide at least an electric kettle or a Nespresso machine as well as coffee cups and utensils. The most depressing feature of the apartment is a total lack of any workspace for laptop, and the electrical outlets are all in wrong positions to connect a laptop!America knows her pizza! Delicious and nutritious! It is just an 11" one and it was too much for me!
CST DST vs. the British Summer Time. The sunrise in Houston is late compared to London or Warsaw.
Central Houston is walkable and safe. They even have a tram!
Only North America could afford placing all the museums in a single area! Here: Children's Museum of Houston. (It is not 100% true. Berlin has her Museum Island, a very isolated case).
Houston Downtown as seen from a TX Hwy 288 overpass. No doubt, the U.S. have the most impressive highway system in the world!
Visiting a convenience store was a mistake
Just saying.
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stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
That was a joke, Stefan. It's not unusual to get a gift from the lodging staff, especially at small ins and B&B's, but it is not expected. That was a thoughtful gift.
RunForTheHills
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
The big hotel chains will give you a bottle of water and a snack like chips or a cookie if you have status with them. Some include a breakfast buffet. Most won't even make the bed every day since Covid. I have never gotten complimentary room service. That must be a boutique hotel. It looks very nice.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
The best thing about Texas is you dont need a spirit level to build a house
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
A Beautiful Morning!
I started the Sunday by walking a kilometre to Barnaby's Café, which is highly recommended on Google Maps (I talked with the personnel last afternoon and liked the place!)
I could compose English Breakfast (including tea with milk!) Only I took grits (could not remember what the word meant). Turned out, it was the favourite meal of my childhood! US$15.10 plus a tip.
A squirrel! (by the Children's Museum).
I stopped counting the museums of the District!
Texan specifics.
Ah, a sidewalk
A 10-storey resort hotel (ZaZa Museum District).
The hospitality level is high here. I needed an extension cord to work in the laptop in the living room and got it in 10 minutes (a brand new cord!)
I started the Sunday by walking a kilometre to Barnaby's Café, which is highly recommended on Google Maps (I talked with the personnel last afternoon and liked the place!)
I could compose English Breakfast (including tea with milk!) Only I took grits (could not remember what the word meant). Turned out, it was the favourite meal of my childhood! US$15.10 plus a tip.
A squirrel! (by the Children's Museum).
I stopped counting the museums of the District!
Texan specifics.
Ah, a sidewalk
A 10-storey resort hotel (ZaZa Museum District).
The hospitality level is high here. I needed an extension cord to work in the laptop in the living room and got it in 10 minutes (a brand new cord!)
RunForTheHills
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Grits are a southern dish. It's not really a thing here in California. Glad you found something you could eat!
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I always hide my gun in MuseumsA Beautiful Morning!
View attachment 211085
I started the Sunday by walking a kilometre to Barnaby's Café, which is highly recommended on Google Maps (I talked with the personnel last afternoon and liked the place!)
View attachment 211086
I could compose English Breakfast (including tea with milk!) Only I took grits (could not remember what the word meant). Turned out, it was the favourite meal of my childhood! US$15.10 plus a tip.
View attachment 211087
A squirrel! (by the Children's Museum).
View attachment 211088
I stopped counting the museums of the District!
View attachment 211089
Texan specifics.
View attachment 211090
Ah, a sidewalk
View attachment 211091
A 10-storey resort hotel (ZaZa Museum District).
The hospitality level is high here. I needed an extension cord to work in the laptop in the living room and got it in 10 minutes (a brand new cord!)
RunForTheHills
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
It's Texas. Years ago a friend and coworker, who had just moved to the San Francisco Bay Area from Houston, came to work put out because he had left his shotgun on his back seat and a cop saw it and told him that was a bad idea in California.
