2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

Back at our homes. The most funny part of our trip was we reached the Vantaa Airport together and each of us got their home (London and Warsaw) at the same moment (of course, not at the same o'clock!) All because of the time zones, different departure time, different flight duration, and different time needed to travel home from destination airports

The local weather in Poland now is rather cold, windy, and with heavy raining.

The location of the hotel. I was told I could be invited for another training to Oulu (65th degree North, that's more north than Reykjavik!) Excited but I would not come there in the cold season! Oulu is only 100 miles away from the Arctic Circle!

The view on the Grass Bay (Ruoholahti) in the background -- the westernmost quarter of Helsinki with the West Harbour -- and with the Sandy Bay (Hietalahti) in the foreground. Our hotel (Radisson Blu Seaside) was located within the City Centre limits. The harbour canal is full of cruise/party ships in the warm season but it was almost empty now in the late Autumn.

Helsinki is known for fan rallies, especially related to "techno" subcultures. Here, a participant of the Tonttoappro (or, "Elf-Worthy") rally to happen in North Karelia (north to Helsinki and near to the Russian border) this weekend. Clans of young people wearing trousers of different colour with multiple patches sewn into the pants were roaming the city on Tuesday. They wore Elves-hats, often with lights sewn into the rim. To me, the "Elves Hat" looked like a short St. Claus hat!

Yet another was a fan rally called "The Clash Fest 2023". Would you believe fans pay money and travel for a world championship in a computer game only to watch how the competing teams play the online game? (I'm too old to understand it!)

At the One Pint, a craft beer pub located just 300 m away from the hotel! The pub had American, Belgian, Scandinavian, Finnish and Estonian ales and stouts. See the glass of Delirium Christmas Belgian ale (from the Delirium Tremens Brewery). Notice the pink elephants instead of the usual reindeer! The other ale is a very strong Rye Wine brewed by two Finns in Tallin, Estonia (both cities are only separated by the narrow Gulf of Finland!)

Finland limits alcohol content in beverages found in general stores to 5.5% abv, and that is also relevant to wine! Stronger alcohol can only be bought at restaurants/pubs (and it is very expensive, such as 16-18 EUR for a can/bottle of strong beer), or, at Alko state monopoly stores. I picked up the book and was surprised how good my understanding of written German was! (I could read: 'Worries of Wagner about the future of the religion in the areligious world' )

I do not recommend travelling to Finland in the cold/dark season to anyone!

Our Monday night walk in Helsinki.

 

[Prairie Dog]

We hope to be back in the saddle today after two blissful days touring Nagano prefecture. It was a wonderful time spent soaking in the sights of this region of Japan and scouting routes for possible future rides.

Memories of Nagano

Visit to an original Edo period Post Town in Narai. This road and the structures were once used by travelers to rest during their journey from Tokyo to Kyoto. Many of the old buildings are now occupied by businesses and residents.

A 400-year-old residence owned by the Tezuka family and based in Narai for 22 generations. It was designated as an important cultural property by the minister of culture back in 2007 and once hosted the Meiji Emperor 140 years ago.

Images of the Suwa-taisha shrine (one of four) located near the shores of Lake Suwa and also one of Japan’s oldest shrines.

How cute is that?

Streetscapes of Suwa City.

A 300 year old sake brewery and museum designated by the distinct sugidama (ball) hanging in front.

Mount Yatsugatake which borders Nagano and Yamanashi prefectures.

@Stefan Mikes – You’re likely looking forward to the warmer temps back home after your visit to Finland. I’m afraid we may be in for an unpleasant welcome home as well as we’ve heard that 5cm of snow has fallen overnight.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

By design, yesterday's Coast Highway ride turned home at South Ponto Beach just before sunset.

South Ponto looking NNW from my first vantage — a bluff about 60 ft above the south end of the beach. Thanks to the gentle, balmy Santa Ana winds of the last week, the air was the clearest I've ever seen it here.

So clear, in fact, that I saw somethind I'd never seen from this part of the coast — Santiago Peak (upper center, 5,689 ft), some 46 mi away.

This was especially exciting for reasons explained at the end. Meanwhile, note the high, steep gravel beach berm and the lack of visible sand at water level.

The tide was high against my next vantage on the berm, about 10 ft above the water. The swell was low, the water was also crystal clear, and its surface glassy. My horizon was razor-sharp, but thin clouds beyond dimmed the direct sun a bit as they sent gloriously orange light skimming across the water.

Under these conditions, the horizontal orange light becomes the star of the show as it plays on the breaking waves and the glassy water in between.

Had wet sand been showing, it would have gotten in on the act as well. Example from La Jolla Shores Beach in April, 2022.

It pays to watch the spray closely in this light, even in low surf. Such beautiful chaos!

Never tire of the breakers' backlit orange spray, but it also pays to watch the over-steepened wave faces just before they collapse. At this point, the waves become lenses that project orange light on the still-glassy water just ahead. (See the 1st surf shot for another example.)

Another shot from the bluff: From here, Saddleback Ridge (1,342 ft, 20 mi) is usually just a dark featureless hulk on the NW skyline. But in this air, I could see dark green scrub above brown grassland on its seaward SW flank. Camp Pendleton sprawls along its base.

Santiago Peak — a special place in the landscape

To a geographer, a "prominent" feature is one that stands well above its surroundings on most if not all sides. Despite an elevation difference of over 4,000 ft, Santiago Peak (upper center) and Saddleback Ridge (upper left) are both prominent in this sense. Less prominent Santa Margarita Peak is at upper right.

Santiago peak from Aliso Viejo, some 14 mi to its SW. At 5,689 ft, it's the highest point in the Santa Ana Mountains, where the Santa Ana winds got their name. Also the highest point in southwest Southern California (SWSC), which I think of as south of LA and west of I-15. Palomar Mountain and the Laguna Mountains to the SE are over 6,000 ft, but they're in a significantly different geologic setting east of I-15.

Mountainous SWSC hosts quite a few prominent highs, and most are held up by the oldest and toughest rocks around — a group of highly resistant Early Cretaceous lavas, ash falls, and pyroclastic flows known collectively as the Santiago Peak Volcanics (SPV). These rocks were first described in the English literature from fieldwork at Santiago Peak — hence the name.

SPV boulders atop Double Peak, another SPV-supported prominence some 8 mi east of South Ponto. Fresh surfaces like the ones behind my bike are usually dark green — often with large whitish crystals of plagioclase feldspar. Exposed surfaces weather to the tan or cream color at right.


Geologic map showing SWSC and adjoining Mexico, from Herwig and Kimbrough, 2014. SPV outcrops are in dark green. The arrow at top left marks Santiago Peak. South Ponto Beach is about 2/3 of the way to the US border from there.

The SPV were erupted in a Japan-like plate tectonic setting 128-110 million years ago. Subsequent plate motions carried them far north to their present locations, and they're now headed NW on the Pacific Plate.

SPV outcrops form a discontinous belt some 160 mi long from Santiago Peak to the northern Baja Peninsula. These outcrops are mere remnants of a much larger SPV volcanic field, but they still manage to add prominent highs to the modern landscape.

In SWSC, these include Santa Margarita Peak, the San Elijo Hills (including Double Peak, Mount Whitney, and Franks Peak), and Black Mountain. Can't figure out why Saddleback Ridge is so prominent, but no SPV or active faults involved.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Ride up Mitsuishi Rindo Road

The two-day layoff in Nagano was invigorating for the soul but didn’t do us any favors for our bodies on yesterday’s ride. We cycled a 34 km loop on local roads including a leg burning 14 km climb up to a lookout with superb views of the townsites below.

The ride starts off fairly innocuous as we pass under the Chuo Expressway.

Talk about a tight squeeze. Things start to get interesting as we begin the arduous climb up the logging road.

Timely stops such as this to rest the legs are always welcome.

Onward and upwards.

Still a long way to go as indicated by the road above us.

Falling rocks come with the territory here as there are no preventative measures to avoid such pitfalls.

It’s easy to be distracted by the vibrant fall colors of the Japanese maples while focusing on the climb.

Near the top of the lookout, we stopped to take in the view of our progress.

Big thumbs up for the Missus. This would be her second trip up in as many weeks but first time doing it clockwise.

Almost there.

Atop the lookout and time for a much needed break and a few photo opps.

Feeling rejuvenated after a quick bite it was time to head back down. We had to be cautious of leaves and rocks on the road so a reasonable pace descending was in order.

We arrived in the resort of Shimobe Onsen and proceeded to ride down the main street to the bridge crossing.

Crossing a pedestrian bridge over the Fuji River and the road towards Minobu-san.

Hope to get one more ride in before we return home. It's been a fantastic trip and it will be hard to leave this wonderful land.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Our last ride prior to leaving for Tokyo was a memorable 26km loop that took us into the scenic districts of Seigo and Sugiyama including another climb up to Minobu-san. It was capped off with a fun decent which took some effort to get to but seductive vistas certainly made it a worthy undertaking. I have no words to describe the feeling of how I feel about this beautiful area of Japan. My life long partner and best friend has been by my side all of this time and I don’t know how to thank her enough. During our rides together, she reflected upon her childhood memories pointing out places where she once hiked, played, and socialized with school friends.

I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I would have liked on the last ride as we were somewhat pressed for time in finalizing details for our trip back home to Canada as well as tidying up around the home. Our hope is to return within the next two years to extend our rides to multi-day tours to areas further out from the home base here in Minobu. Until then, I’ll cherish the memories that I have from the past two weeks.

First time for soft serve soy. It tasted just like the real McCoy.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Stunning. You have outdone yourselves Art and Sai!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

An epic trip, Art & Sai!

 

[Rome]

Our last ride prior to leaving for Tokyo was a memorable 26km loop that took us into the scenic districts of Seigo and Sugiyama including another climb up to Minobu-san. It was capped off with a fun decent which took some effort to get to but seductive vistas certainly made it a worthy undertaking. I have no words to describe the feeling of how I feel about this beautiful area of Japan. My life long partner and best friend has been by my side all of this time and I don’t know how to thank her enough. During our rides together, she reflected upon her childhood memories pointing out places where she once hiked, played, and socialized with school friends.

I wasn’t able to take as many photos as I would have liked on the last ride as we were somewhat pressed for time in finalizing details for our trip back home to Canada as well as tidying up around the home. Our hope is to return within the next two years to extend our rides to multi-day tours to areas further out from the home base here in Minobu. Until then, I’ll cherish the memories that I have from the past two weeks.

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First time for soft serve soy. It tasted just like the real McCoy.

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Fantastic pictures man.
Cannoli cone never had that.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Stunning. You have outdone yourselves Art and Sai!

An epic trip, Art & Sai!

Thanks guys. I much prefer the serenity of the countryside to the chaos of the city.

 

[Surrey Pete]

A foggy day for a ride makes for an interesting day for photos. These are from Crescent Park in South Surrey BC :

Heading back home:

 

[JGcycle]

A foggy day for a ride makes for an interesting day for photos. These are from Crescent Park in South Surrey BC :

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Heading back home:

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The fog gives an air of mystery to these fine shots.

 

[RabH]

After a full week off the bike I was itching to get out again, with light winds for a nice change it was the perfect day to ride over the Forth Road Bridge! It was a pretty chilly start when I set off just before 9.30am, around zero but with very little wind it felt fine! I had the heated gloves on the middle setting and they were nice and toasty! It was way colder earlier so that's why I waited a bit and with rain forecast for around 3pm I still had plenty of time for my planned route (or so I thought)!

The Black Loch looking calm for a change!

A couple of miles further and the Ochill Hills came into view and they were looking so nice shrouded in sun, I actually had them in sight for most of my ride and they remained that way while I only had the sun fleetingly...

From the same spot I also had the Campsie Hills in view, the sun didn't like them today though...

I passed over the canal near Linlithgow and 2 swans were making their way down the canal, just as I got my phone out one disappeared off to the left! I think it was camera shy...

This was just after passing through Linlithgow, the peaks of the Ochils were just peeking through and still covered in sunshine!

I was now closing in on the Forth Bridge, this is just after passing through Newton!

I arrived at the bridge and the sun was still deserting me, at least it kept the temp above zero with the cloud cover! I had the bridge mostly to myself today, only 1 other cyclist and a few pedestrians!

I was just about to put my phone away when I spotted the train crossing the rail bridge, only a short one though so not the easiest to spot! I caught it almost dead centre though!

After crossing the bridge I stopped in Inverkeithing for lunch before turning west for home, the wind was now picking up a bit and it was straight from the north so it was a biting cold wind! Thankfully I wouldn't be heading north anymore though! I had to use the main road for a few miles but it wasn't too bad, thankfully there is a cycle path after that for a couple of miles and it was free of ice! After passing through Crombie I dropped down a lovely descent into Torryburn and on through Newmills and Low Valleyfield, arriving in Culross where I stopped for this photo!

Looking across the Forth to Grangemouth!

After Culross I took the cycle path to the Kincardine Bridge where I normally use the path over the bridge but due to works on the bridge the path was closed, luckily the traffic was light and I rejoined the path at the other side of the bridge where I had a nice closeup view of the Ochils over the Clackmannanshire Bridge!

I still had no sun but the hills certainly did!

The view going over the Clackmannanshire Bridge is just breathtaking when the hills are lit up by the sun but it would have meant turning north so not today! It was now time to turn south towards Grangemouth so I had the breeze right at my back now and it was very welcome!

The River Forth at Grangemouth looking east!

I continued south through Falkirk and up the big climb to Glenn Village before taking the back road up to Shieldhill which is a massive climb, I stopped at the top of the climb for these photos and some of the Ochils were starting to cloud over now!

This is looking back down at the climb I just tackled!

I then took the road towards Slamannan but decided to turn east and then south to enjoy a very fast descent and joined the road up over Heights which is like a rollercoaster, part way up one of the climbs I spotted a rainbow out to the NE!

I got a better view at the top of the next climb, it was so bright!

Of course the rainbow meant there was rain in the vicinity and just as I was passing over Heights it started and it was pretty heavy, thankfully after all the climbing I was nice and warm so it didn't really bother me! I enjoyed the descent down to Blackridge and turned west for home, the rain actaually stopped for a bit but as I was passing through Caldercruix it started to really pour down! At least I only had a couple of miles to go though so it wasn't long before I was home and enjoying a lovely hot shower! I was actually hoping to go out yesterday but there was freezing fog hanging about so I knocked that on the head, it was a great decision as today was fantastic despite the rain at the end of the ride!

@Jeremy McCreary Your photos were truly breathtaking, especially the waves and that incredible sunset!
@Prairie Dog Another amazing ride PD, you and Sai are truly blessed to get to ride those spectacular roads!

 

[Prairie Dog]

We already miss the awesome mountain rides and look forward to another trip back in the near future. It looked like another fantastic day on the bike for you, RH. Spotting the train crossing the bridge and the rainbow couldn’t have been timelier. Well done!

 

[Readytoride]

@RabH - as always your rides and photos are such a treat...although I did flinch at the comment about ice (thankfully lack of!) on the bike trail. Been a while since I've visited this forum due to a very full schedule of "things not related to cycling". My bikes have been sitting gathering dust as life, and the weather change from summer to a cold and not-cycling-friendly winter, has taken over my free time. But it's wonderful to enjoy everyone else's rides from all different points of the globe.

 

[Readytoride]

@Surrey Pete - your photo of the autumn tree and bench underneath is brilliant! Hope you don't mind but I downloaded it as a subject to use in some artwork I plan to do later this winter. I'll share once I have the art finished. Not sure if it will be a painting or a collage. Bit up in the air at the moment on which medium will be chosen.

 

[Surrey Pete]

@Surrey Pete - your photo of the autumn tree and bench underneath is brilliant! Hope you don't mind but I downloaded it as a subject to use in some artwork I plan to do later this winter. I'll share once I have the art finished. Not sure if it will be a painting or a collage. Bit up in the air at the moment on which medium will be chosen.

No problem. I sometimes take screen shots of an image posted here and use it for a while as a desktop pic but don't tell anyone............

Here's one more :

 

[Readytoride]

Soooooo pretty. Thank you.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I was back in the saddle today on the fat bike since returning home from my overseas trip. Precip wise, it’s been one of the driest months on record here and the local trails show it. Studs were still a must as there was plenty of ice sprinkled in with patches of dirt and hardpack. It resulted in a fast-paced ride with a few sketchy sections of ice under cover and exposed roots.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@Brix and I are meeting at Bankside SE1 in London, UK from December 18-22, 2023. Not that I really hope to meet any of the UK EBR members there, but just saying

This photo was taken in 2022. Here's the view of the City of London as seen from Southwark Bridge (the least frequented of London bridges because of a poor traffic link on either side; it is quite popular among the cyclists though). Our hotel is located near Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges, and in direct vicinity of the Tate Modern gallery as well as of Millenium Foot Bridge, opposite St. Paul's Cathedral.

 

[Art Deco]

@Brix and I are meeting at Bankside SE1 in London, UK from December 18-22, 2023. Not that I really hope to meet any of the UK EBR members there, but just saying

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This photo was taken in 2022. Here's the view of the City of London as seen from the Southwark Bridge (the least frequented of London bridges because of a poor traffic link on either side; it is quite popular among the cyclists though). Our hotel is located near the Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges, and in direct vicinity of the Tate Modern Gallery as well as of the Millenium Foot Bridge, opposite St. Paul's Cathedral.

That Southwark area is close to where our students stayed. It is (or was) quite vibrant, touristy, and still safe enough for the females to venture out alone, with excellent public transportation hubs. Good choice.