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

[Prairie Dog]

My gawd man... Stunning scenery and ride... beautiful!
And, Mrs. PD knows what she's doing.
Fantastic!

Thanks Dave. The section of the Bow Valley Parkway closed to traffic makes it a popular destination for that very reason. Sai certainly is a credible rider and quite determined I might add. On our daily rides, she's often out the door before I even have my shoes on.

 

[Prairie Dog]

A buddy of mine and I rode the local trails today but for a changeup, we opted to take on the Bench Trail starting from a different access point well below from where we typically approach it from above. Many of the rudimentary sections are crawling with roots. A few technical trail features and generally more steep climbs make this a formidable singletrack. With the exception of a couple of really tough sections, the Levos for the most part proved unshakable.

Some of the trail features were a bit sketchy essentially boards cobbled together over swampy terrain. Thankfully the ground was relatively dry which wasn’t the case during our last soggy ride here.

One more steepish climb and we were back on the upper section of the main trail.

River view from atop the bluff.

Always enjoy this flat section that runs beside the local tributary.

We continued on to the MTB park eventually finishing our ride at the Pines Single.

Kelvin does his best at illustrating how large the antlers were on a bull moose that we encountered at the mtb park. No pics as I didn’t have my GoPro turned on at the time.

This is the only frame grab that I managed to get of the bikes. Another epic day on the trails with great company and under mainly sunny skies.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Many of the rudimentary sections are crawling with roots. A few technical trail features and generally more steep climbs make this a formidable singletrack. With the exception of a couple of really tough sections, the Levos for the most part proved unshakable.

Now you might understand Art why I gave up the technical singletrack riding even if I owned a Trance E+ Recently, I'm trying to overcome my trauma preventing me from riding even relatively easy singletracks!

 

[JGcycle]

Here’s a not so quickie vid of our out-and-back road ride from Canmore to Castle Mountain Junction. It encompasses both legs of the ride hence its lengthy run time.

I watched from beginning to end, in full screen mode. It was mesmerizing, like actually being there amongst that stunning scenery. Thanks for this wonderful video.

 

[Chargeride]

Here’s a not so quickie vid of our out-and-back road ride from Canmore to Castle Mountain Junction. It encompasses both legs of the ride hence its lengthy run time.

Thats quite obviously gorgeous, I did a bit of road work today in the warm blustery wind, I admit it was very nice on the empty coastal roads.
Im not buying a roadbike though!

 

[Chargeride]

Did a 15m loop from a tiny village called East Prawle, storm Agnes is about to hit and ended up on this simply perfect bridle path next to the cliffs.

Streamable Video

Watch this video on Streamable.

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Ive just found this local 50s newspaper in my dads

.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I watched from beginning to end, in full screen mode. It was mesmerizing, like actually being there amongst that stunning scenery. Thanks for this wonderful video.

Thanks JG. This is a classic route that should be on the list for anyone who loves to cycle along scenic roads at their own pace and you don’t have to start in Canmore to do it. It’s a pretty casual ride but due to our late start we didn’t allow ourselves sufficient time to stop at many of the POIs along the way. We got back into Canmore after 6pm and drove the 2 ½ hrs back so it was dark by the time we arrived home. For a more adventurous spin, one could combine the Goat Creek MTB Trail from Canmore and cycle the remainder of the distance to Banff along the paved Legacy.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I need to tell you a story of today!

Jacek was demo riding two Marin pedal gravel bikes today. One was a flat bar and the other had drop bars. While he was greeted by roadies passing him by when he rode the flat bar Marin, he was treated as their own when he was trying the drop bar gravel bike

Now, you may understand my sudden interest with traditional gravel bikes. I hate being excluded just because I am an e-biker!!! And I want to complete the Mazovian Gravel 100 race in 2024 and take a place! Even the last one!

A photo sent me by a gravel cycling buddy

 

[RabH]

I caught a break in our crazy weather today, lots of floods around but thankfully they have subsided after yesterdays thunderstorms! Wet roads again but I was just glad to get out and enjoy some fresh air! I decided to head down to the Clyde Valley hoping the roads would be ok, which they were! Yesterday we had 45mph winds but today it was much calmer, the winds are returning again tomorrow!

The first big climb of the day was up to Kirk of Shotts!

Quickly followed by an awesome descent down to Allanton, this road is liable to flooding and not surprisingly it was but it was only across 2/3 of the road and just as I was passing over the shallow part a car came round the corner so I had to turn back to the deeper part, just typical... I went through Allanton and took the back road towards Carluke where the sun was actually trying to peek through!

I was close to Carluke when I spotted these lovely ponies with their warm jackets on!

A few minutes later I was on the road down to the Clyde Valley, a lovely descent which always makes me smile even when its wet!

I crossed the bridge at Crossford where the River Clyde was flowing very quickly after all the rain!

I then turned along the valley towards Lanark and was soon climbing again, this part is so much better in the opposite direction but its not too difficult a climb!

Soon Lanark came into view in the distance!

I reached Kirkfieldbank and stopped on the bridge before the toughest climb of the day up to Lanark!

The Autumn colours are starting to come through!

From Lanark I headed north on the main A706 which can be a busy road but I decided to chance it and it went ok, despite many trucks passing! This is at the far end of Lanark looking north!

Then it was another big climb up through Cleghorn over the railway crossing, the barriers were down while I was climbing but the train passed before I reached the crossing so I didn't need to stop on the incline! Part way up I stopped for a couple of photos, this is looking southeast with the Tinto Hills in the distance!

At the top of the climb I then enjoyed the flatter road for a few miles up to Forth, despite all the trucks! They were well behaved today and gave me lots of room! Its a bit of a climb up through Forth but nothing too difficult and soon I would be enjoying the fast descent down into Breich where I was doing over 40mph and came across a flood in one of the dips in the road (there are many) but with nothing coming the other way I got through unscathed! I continued north through Whitburn and then on to Armadale where I attempted to use the back road to Blackridge but it was closed (probably flooded), so I had to turn back and go through the centre of town!

From there it was a straight road west to home, once again the bike was filthy but its spotless now and ready for the next ride when the weather plays ball... On Monday I was going to fit a new chain as it was close to 0.75% wear after 3549 miles but I noticed my lower jockey wheel was pretty worn now, the upper was still like new after over 28000 miles! The new jockey wheel arrived yesterday so I had the bike ready for todays fun ride!

@Prairie Dog What a spectacular video, you guys sure had a truly awesome ride in that amazing scenery!

 

[DaveMatthews]

View attachment 163430

I caught a break in our crazy weather today, lots of floods around but thankfully they have subsided after yesterdays thunderstorms! Wet roads again but I was just glad to get out and enjoy some fresh air! I decided to head down to the Clyde Valley hoping the roads would be ok, which they were! Yesterday we had 45mph winds but today it was much calmer, the winds are returning again tomorrow!

The first big climb of the day was up to Kirk of Shotts!

View attachment 163432
Quickly followed by an awesome descent down to Allanton, this road is liable to flooding and not surprisingly it was but it was only across 2/3 of the road and just as I was passing over the shallow part a car came round the corner so I had to turn back to the deeper part, just typical... I went through Allanton and took the back road towards Carluke where the sun was actually trying to peek through!

View attachment 163433
I was close to Carluke when I spotted these lovely ponies with their warm jackets on!

View attachment 163434
A few minutes later I was on the road down to the Clyde Valley, a lovely descent which always makes me smile even when its wet!

View attachment 163435
I crossed the bridge at Crossford where the River Clyde was flowing very quickly after all the rain!

View attachment 163436
View attachment 163437
I then turned along the valley towards Lanark and was soon climbing again, this part is so much better in the opposite direction but its not too difficult a climb!

View attachment 163438
Soon Lanark came into view in the distance!

View attachment 163439
View attachment 163440
I reached Kirkfieldbank and stopped on the bridge before the toughest climb of the day up to Lanark!

View attachment 163441
The Autumn colours are starting to come through!

View attachment 163442
From Lanark I headed north on the main A706 which can be a busy road but I decided to chance it and it went ok, despite many trucks passing! This is at the far end of Lanark looking north!

View attachment 163443
Then it was another big climb up through Cleghorn over the railway crossing, the barriers were down while I was climbing but the train passed before I reached the crossing so I didn't need to stop on the incline! Part way up I stopped for a couple of photos, this is looking southeast with the Tinto Hills in the distance!

View attachment 163444
View attachment 163445
At the top of the climb I then enjoyed the flatter road for a few miles up to Forth, despite all the trucks! They were well behaved today and gave me lots of room! Its a bit of a climb up through Forth but nothing too difficult and soon I would be enjoying the fast descent down into Breich where I was doing over 40mph and came across a flood in one of the dips in the road (there are many) but with nothing coming the other way I got through unscathed! I continued north through Whitburn and then on to Armadale where I attempted to use the back road to Blackridge but it was closed (probably flooded), so I had to turn back and go through the centre of town!

From there it was a straight road west to home, once again the bike was filthy but its spotless now and ready for the next ride when the weather plays ball... On Monday I was going to fit a new chain as it was close to 0.75% wear after 3549 miles but I noticed my lower jockey wheel was pretty worn now, the upper was still like new after over 28000 miles! The new jockey wheel arrived yesterday so I had the bike ready for todays fun ride!

@Prairie Dog What a spectacular video, you guys sure had a truly awesome ride in that amazing scenery!

Kirk of Shotts you say?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Kirk of Shotts you say?

Who knew there was more than one!

 

[PatriciaK]

Settled back into our NC townhome for the next few months, and got new cortisone in my knees the other day...

Took the Flow, which I've begun to find myself thinking of as "Alan", in remembrance of AHicks, out for the circuit which includes Country Park, and the Guilford Courthouse Battlefield National Military Park (that's a mouthful!), AKA "The Battlefield" this morning. PM and I got sprinkled on a couple of times, and the temperature was more Whidbey Island than NC, but it was a lovely ride, never-the-less! Felt great to be riding again!


"Alan", sitting out a rain shower at Country Park

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Settled back into our NC townhome for the next few months, and got new cortisone in my knees the other day...

Took the Flow, which I've begun to think of as "Alan", in remembrance of AHicks, out for the circuit which includes Country Park, and the Guilford Courthouse Battlefield National Military Park (that's a mouthful!), AKA "The Battlefield" this morning. PM and I got sprinkled on a couple of times, and the temperature was more Whidbey Island than NC, but it was a lovely ride, never-the-less! Felt great to be riding again!

View attachment 163459
"Alan", sitting out a rain shower at Country Park

View attachment 163462

Wait, @AHicks is no longer with us?

He went out of his way to make me feel at home on EBR. He was also a frequent voice of reason when discussions got overheated. And he was very generous with his considerable expertise in ebike technology.

If he's gone, I'll miss him.

 

[PatriciaK]

Wait, @AHicks is no longer with us?

He went out of his way to make me feel at home on EBR. He was also a frequent voice of reason when discussions got overheated. And he was very generous with his considerable expertise in ebike technology.

If he's gone, I'll miss him.

Sadly, he recently passed away. There is a thread posted in the forums with his obituary:

RIP AHicks aka Alan Hicks

I had a feeling something was up. We've lost a good one! Rest in peace!! Alan D. Hicks of Waterford; age 72; passed away at home on August 28, 2023 after valiantly fighting a long battle with cancer; He was a lifelong resident of Waterford after moving to the township as a child. Alan was a...

forums.electricbikereview.com

 

[Prairie Dog]

@Prairie Dog What a spectacular video, you guys sure had a truly awesome ride in that amazing scenery!

There's ample opportunity to view scenery along the entire length of the Bow Valley Parkway but having this specific section of the highway closed to traffic for much of the summer and fall is a special treat. On many occasions I found myself habitually veering over to the side shoulder forgetting that I had the entire side of the road available to me. Doh!

 

[DaveMatthews]

Who knew there was more than one!

I'm a little bit sick in the head... what can I say... it's a living...

 

[Chargeride]

My 2nd ride was shorter but better than the 1st.
Storm Agnes was meant to be rolling in, but our news bigs it up to a hurricane as usual.

I opened about 10 gates in 1 mile coming out of the village, but this gorgeous steep descent on wet grass picked up my interest.

It led on to a dark path through the woods, ending up at a tiny road deep in the valley.

A picture postcard village Ive never heard of tucked away in the woods

Just around the corner was the hillbilly farmer, but tbh it has a certain charm, a shabby chic they probably call it.

I love finding a long bridle way that starts in the middle of nowhere, goes to the middle of nowhere and hasnt been used for months.

This tractor felt like it had been parked to block the track, but it was just a case of..'that'll do'.

A few miles of slippy rocks and I arrived at the beautiful path that led to the coastal bridle path

Had the entire place to myself, saw one bird spotter in the distance, its unbelievable you can get such solitude in England

It was pretty windy up here, but nothing unusual, the waves were rather docile.

Rode down to the bird spotting hive near the waters edge, my gopro seized up and I exclaimed..
ffs!
Rather loudly, only to discover I was stood right next to the bird spotter dressed in camouflage.

The storm did pick up a bit later and all the beaches were full to the brim with unusual surfing opportunities right next to the road .

 

[DiggyGun]

Todays ride around Milton Keynes.

There are so many Redways to explore.

DG…

 

[Chargeride]

This is the Karma that slaps you after a cheeky ride on a footpath.

I could see the farmer in the distance, so I walked it across the path, tbh it was quite pleasant to stroll along.

I was rewarded with a jungle style path about two miles along with very little mud.

The next road brought me to this tiny burial ground in the middle of nowhere, bit creepy investigating it I must admit .
These tree covered roads make you completely lose track of where you are, and all you can hear is the wind blowing through the branches.

This is actually the main tourist route from the town to the beach, there is carnage every summer as caravans, camper vans, local buses and trucks all with varying degree of competence try to pass each other.

Stopped off at Chillington village shop for a drink and a buttie.
The service in these parts is glacial, its not unusual to stand waiting for the clerk and her friend to finish a long gossip before even acknowledging your presence.

This is actually a proper road to a group of houses, I presume door paint and wing mirrors are for those sophisticated city folk.

I dont think theres much better on Earth than finding a pub in the middle of an offroad ride in a little village on a sunny day.

Up and down through various creekside roads and you come across a hamlet of houses, all in very modernised condition mixed with ancient barns.
Not a soul around.

About three miles later Im splashing through a stream deep in a wooded valley, still havent seen a single other human being.

This was slightly off track, but led to the same place, it was a magical path high above the stream and full of squirrels

All in a great day, a few issues with a failed attempt to carry a spare battery, a rear tyre that needed pumping up every 30 mins and riding two miles before realising I wasnt wearing my helmet.

 

[Chargeride]

I need to tell you a story of today!

Jacek was demo riding two Marin pedal gravel bikes today. One was a flat bar and the other had drop bars. While he was greeted by roadies passing him by when he rode the flat bar Marin, he was treated as their own when he was trying the drop bar gravel bike

Now, you may understand my sudden interest with traditional gravel bikes. I hate being excluded just because I am an e-biker!!! And I want to complete the Mazovian Gravel 100 race in 2024 and take a place! Even the last one!

View attachment 163453
A photo sent me by a gravel cycling buddy

Someone was crying while they made that sticker.