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

Huge descent to this little waterfall grotto, very nice, only way out was a 400ft climb over watermelon size wet bolders in a tight path only 3ft wide.
I nearly gave up to become a mountain man.
We met a local couple on ebikes at the top, they said it was unridable, then his wife said 'I recognise you, you were at my neighbours party',
Shes only the neighbour of the wifes best friend and moved to Hebden.
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Another nice ride on the Giant Hybrid, I'm really getting used to the bike now and enjoying it a lot more! In fact I think by the time I get another e bike I will be fit enough to challenge Pogacar... 🤣 Maybe if I get a day with light winds and no rain I might take on a 100 miler but not in my neck of the woods...😂 Today the winds were supposed to decrease as the day progressed...it didn't happen! :rolleyes: I enjoyed a nice 20-25mph tailwind for the first half of my ride though, once I turned into the wind it was tough at times!

With a SW wind blowing I headed NE to Slamannan and made my way up the back road to Avonbridge, a big old climb but I had some help from the wind! I stopped at the top for some photos before enjoying this lovely descent!

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Then it was another big climb before a nice gradual descent into Avonbridge, the climb out of Avonbridge is a real beast though but I made it up without making the walk of shame...;) The gps was showing over 16% but Ridewithgps says the max gradient was 11.9%...:rolleyes: Another nice descent followed into Westfield, I stopped for some photos on the way!

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Westfield Viaduct!

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I was now on the road to Linlithgow which was mostly descending and a ton of fun! I had a nice view of the Ochil Hills on the way!

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I was passing over the canal and spotted a narrowboat parked up and stopped for a few photos, only this one was in focus though...my closeups were messed up!

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I arrived in Linlithgow and managed to avoid the worst of the traffic in the town centre and was soon on the road towards Kingscavil, I stopped for this photo with the Ochils in the background!

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I decided to turn off the main road and head down to the canal near Philpstoun and timed it nicely to catch a narrowboat arriving!

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The downside was I had a big climb back up to the main road, it was worth it though! I was now heading for Bridgend which was going to be my turning point, time for the biggest climb of the day now and once again I made it all the way up without stopping! At the top I turned west into the wind towards Beecraigs Country Park, I had no intention of taking that climb on though with a 20-25mph headwind up a 15-20% gradient! I just wanted a couple of photos of the valley before turning back and heading for Dechmont via Burnhouse road!

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I got my first view of the Pentland Hills here!

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I had some very hard climbs, this was looking back down one of the steeper ones with the Ochils in the distance!

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A much closer view of the stunning Pentlands before plummeting down Burnhouse road!

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I loved this view near the bottom!

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From Dechmont I used mainly cycle paths most of the way home to get shelter from the wind and it certainly helped, it was actually a very mild day and I was sweating like crazy and glad to get a nice cold shower when I arrived home! A really enjoyable ride on my trusty old Giant CRS, I'm sure glad I kept this old bike and I will probably keep it for life!👍 I will sleep well tonight...😂

@JGcycle Its not easy to transition back to analog from the e bike so don't beat yourself up buddy!


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Huge descent to this little waterfall grotto, very nice, only way out was a 400ft climb over watermelon size wet bolders in a tight path only 3ft wide.
I nearly gave up to become a mountain man.
We met a local couple on ebikes at the top, they said it was unridable, then his wife said 'I recognise you, you were at my neighbours party',
Shes only the neighbour of the wifes best friend and moved to Hebden.
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Nasty! :D
 
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