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

[BlackHand]

As usual when the weather is half decent I biked the 2 miles to church, then 'got lost' for about 2 hours on my way home.

It's hard to tell from the picture, but this is about a 14% grade up wet leaves. I was surprised the Johnny Watt's hung in there pretty well until I slipped 2 pedal strokes in a row about 6 feet from the top. Not bad for tires with about 5500 miles on them.

I was a little surprised to see the I was close to 3000ft of climbing as I neared home, so I went around the block to add one last climb

The timing getting home was just about perfect: I was just a little damp, but by the time I had changed and gotten a snack the rain had settled in and the leaves were too wet for me to do anything about the yard. Oh well !

 

[Prairie Dog]

Flight over to Japan went off without a hitch and the boxed bike made it through to its final destination. Should arrive at the family home in a couple of days so I'm hoping to get a ride in asap.

No end to the variety of food that you can select from here. Dinner tab came to a little over 4000 yen or $26 USD including tax.

Shot of the Tokyo Skytree taken from our hotel room in Oeno.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 15 miles today, a very nice fall day. I found a barn I had yet to photograph and a picture of the new performing arts center at the campus of WIU. The steel is going up.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Three sunset rides in the last 3 days:

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South Ponto Beach, 10 minutes from home.

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From a neighborhood ride, with San Clemente Island on the horizon at far right. This Channel Island, now a Navy base from end to end, is the southernmost of any size.

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Aperol and soda drinks are very popular here in coastal SoCal. Must ring some kind of bell.

The sunsets here just won't quit! Yesterday's was the 4th jaw-dropper in a row:

 

[Prairie Dog]

The sunsets here just won't quit! Yesterday's was the 4th jaw-dropper in a row:

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Gorgeous!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Captured this sunrise emerging over the Tokyo skyline as we were about to leave for the countryside yesterday morning.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

On The Benefits Of The Healthy Competition, Or Jerzy's Big Day!

I have a great pleasure to announce my close friend Jerzy Bańkowski (76) has just completed 10,000 km on his pedal bike this year!

Some say Strava is just a snobbery. I do not think so. It all started when our friend, Professor Bogusław got jealous of my achievements, and started riding his road bike everyday and all year long, sometimes several times a day (12,365 km YTD). Our mutual friend, Ania The Roadie followed the suit (11,264 km YTD). I was riding hard to at least be close to my esteemed competitors and Jerzy was riding in our footsteps Necessary to mention, the last days were actually last for my friend, as he cannot risk catching pneumonia during cold weather. So, even if it is hard to call our efforts "competing" (how can, say, a 76-yo traditional cyclist compete with an e-biker? It is another discipline!), Strava helped us ride more, and be motivated!

KUDOS to Jerzy! He needed no e-bike to achieve what he has achieved. And he will never ride an e-bike!

Friends. As Jerzy got old, he didn't even think he would make friends with people younger than him, and younger than me. Now, he has many friends, is liked, and respected!

 

[RabH]

On The Benefits Of The Healthy Competition, Or Jerzy's Big Day!

I have a great pleasure to announce my close friend Jerzy Bańkowski (76) has just completed 10,000 km on his pedal bike this year!

View attachment 166434

Some say Strava is just a snobbery. I do not think so. It all started when our friend, Professor Bogusław got jealous of my achievements, and started riding his road bike everyday and all year long, sometimes several times a day (12,365 km YTD). Our mutual friend, Ania The Roadie followed the suit (11,264 km YTD). I was riding hard to at least be close to my esteemed competitors and Jerzy was riding in our footsteps Necessary to mention, the last days were actually last for my friend, as he cannot risk catching pneumonia during cold weather. So, even if it is hard to call our efforts "competing" (how can, say, a 76-yo traditional cyclist compete with an e-biker? It is another discipline!), Strava helped us ride more, and be motivated!

KUDOS to Jerzy! He needed no e-bike to achieve what he has achieved. And he will never ride an e-bike!

View attachment 166435
Friends. As Jerzy got old, he didn't even think he would make friends with people younger than him, and younger than me. Now, he has many friends, is liked, and respected!

Amazing effort by you both, StefanJerzy is such an inspiration, big respect to him!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Captured this sunrise emerging over the Tokyo skyline as we were about to leave for the countryside yesterday morning.

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So it really is the Land of the Rising Sun!

 

[Twin Valley]

Keeping with the theme a sunset in Madeira where I have 3 weeks to get a better picture- still in sticker shock as renting an mtn ebike for a day is 65 euros - renting a car cheaper

 

[fooferdoggie]

not something you see every day. they cross at 90 degrees lights and signals so someone messed up bad. gonna be a firing.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 19 miles today and found another barn. I think this one is actually a corn crib.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yersterday was my first official ride in Japan and I was longing to get back in the saddle after almost a full week off. Sai decided that a good way to shake off the cobwebs would be a ride up to Minobusan, one of the holiest of Buddhist temples in Japan. So off we rode. Minobusan's shukubo (temple lodges) were established as simple accommodation for novice monks and pilgrims visiting the sacred mountain. Over the centuries, shukubo have evolved and now welcome all travellers.

I was a short 8.6 km to the top but involved a good deal of climbing over a number of switchbacks. My legs were feeling the burn half way up but I finally settled in and got my second wind.

Heading along the main road through town. No bike infrastructure to speak of but traffic which was mostly local is understandably light. I imagine it gets much busier when the giant weeping Sakura (cherry blossom) up at the top of Minobusan is in full bloom.

Passing under the Somon Gate. The outer gate of the Kuon-ji Temple which was built in 1665 and crafted by the head priest of the temple at the time. The three Kanji symbols read ‘open, meeting, gate’. It is a message to those who pass through the gate that having faith in the sacred teachings will open their minds and allow them to reach enlightenment.

Cruising up to Monai Shopping Street which is usually crowed with Buddhist worshippers during pilgrimages.

More climbing as Sai puts into high gear.

One of several switchbacks leading up to the top of Minobusan.

The final push to the top.

The Sanmon Gate and main gate to the Kuonji Temple. The Bodaitei’s 287 steps seen in the center of Sanmon is the stairway to enlightenment up to the temple. We’ve walked this same route several times but cycling takes it to a whole new level. On this occasion we decided to forgo the stairs and headed back down toward home instead. I knew that I would foolishly pay the price the next morning if I chose to do the climb.

The main hall of Kuon-Ji Temple. It’s considered disrespectful to ride along this sacred promenade but we much preferred walking our bikes to take in the spectacular surroundings and deep history of this hallowed site.

The large bell (ogane) signals the start of service each morning and early evening. The striking five storey pagoda was built in early Edo (1602-1868). It was destroyed in a fire in 1875 but was rebuilt to its existing glory in 2009. All of the material was locally sourced and it pillars were harvested from trees grown on Mt Minobu.

Kuon-Ji was designated a registered tangible cultural property in 2018. I can certainly see why.

We head back home along the local backroads.....

...and settle down to a heartwarming bowl of traditional oden (one pot stew), grilled fish, miso soup and rice.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Fantastic!
The video was stunning! Sometimes I want to skip around/ahead on vids but I was riveted watching yours. The scenery was killer, and the descent was awesome!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Fantastic!
The video was stunning! Sometimes I want to skip around/ahead on vids but I was riveted watching yours. The scenery was killer, and the descent was awesome!

Thanks Dave. So glad you enjoyed the footage. There was no possible way to bomb down the descents with such narrow streets and blind corners. It’s hard to believe tour buses make their way along the same roads. Minobu is such a beautiful place to visit or stay and I couldn’t ask for a better hostess.

More riding today as we visit one of Sai’s aunts to deliver a few Canadian souvenirs and likely more climbing to come so I’ve been told.

 

[BlackHand]

On The Benefits Of The Healthy Competition, Or Jerzy's Big Day!

I have a great pleasure to announce my close friend Jerzy Bańkowski (76) has just completed 10,000 km on his pedal bike this year!

View attachment 166434

Some say Strava is just a snobbery. I do not think so. It all started when our friend, Professor Bogusław got jealous of my achievements, and started riding his road bike everyday and all year long, sometimes several times a day (12,365 km YTD). Our mutual friend, Ania The Roadie followed the suit (11,264 km YTD). I was riding hard to at least be close to my esteemed competitors and Jerzy was riding in our footsteps Necessary to mention, the last days were actually last for my friend, as he cannot risk catching pneumonia during cold weather. So, even if it is hard to call our efforts "competing" (how can, say, a 76-yo traditional cyclist compete with an e-biker? It is another discipline!), Strava helped us ride more, and be motivated!

KUDOS to Jerzy! He needed no e-bike to achieve what he has achieved. And he will never ride an e-bike!

View attachment 166435
Friends. As Jerzy got old, he didn't even think he would make friends with people younger than him, and younger than me. Now, he has many friends, is liked, and respected!

Hey that's great! I just passed 5000 km ytd this morning.

 

[JGcycle]

Hey that's great! I just passed 5000 km ytd this morning.

Congrats on passing the 5k mark.

 

[DiggyGun]

Haven’t been out for the last few days due to the weather and Remembrance Sunday.

Checked the weather forecast for today and showing dry but chilly.

Mrs DG goes to work so I get changed to go on the bike ride. Open the door and it's raining. not shown on the forecast and had to wait about about an hour or so for it to stop then went out.

Temperature was a chilly 5oC (41oF) with a 15mph (24kph) wind, so wrapped up well

By the time that I got back dusk was well and truly on the way.

DG…

 

[RabH]

I woke to mist and fog this morning so decided to go for a walk and wait until later in the day in the hope it would clear up! Thankfully it did and the conditions were almost perfect with a temp of 7C and light winds, just the right conditions to tackle the Campsie Hills! With the milder temps I could use the back roads again, I was nearing Cumbernauld and had a good view of the Campsies which were shrouded in sun but the clouds were hanging over the summit and I wasn't sure what it would be like once I got there!

My mind was made up so I continued and reached the start of the big climb and conditions were still good, I reached the summit and it was pretty overcast but conditions were still perfect with very light winds even up at 1200ft elevation! The road is still in great condition after being resurfaced for the World Champs back in August, I was really looking forward to the descent now!

The road was a bit damp though so I took it easy on the twisty parts, near the bottom I stopped for this photo!

As soon as I reached the valley its straight back into another big climb, this is the start of the climb over the bridge with Endrick Water flowing quickly below after all the recent rain!

Another photo just after the start of the climb looking south at the Campsies!

Continuing up the climb I just had to stop for more photos, you can see how amazing this road is and coming the other way is so much fun! I did it the other way the last time so didn't want to repeat that ride!

This is looking back at the Campsies again near the top of the climb, I was tempted to shoot back down again but thought better of it...

A short time later the Carron Valley Reservoir came into view, its not very often you get to see it so calm!

Everytime I turned a corner I had to stop for more photos...

I love the reflections in this one!

A duck managed to spoil this one...

The water was really high which was no surprise after all the rain so I was hopeful the Carron Valley dam would be open to drain the reservoir and I wasn't disappointed!

The noise of the water cascading over the dam was so loud!

I was in 2 minds about which way to go as I reached a junction in the road, I could have turned south and taken the Tak Ma Doon road down into Kilsyth but I was worried about crossing the ford which can be treacherous at times and there is a quarry further down with tipper trucks scattering mud all over the road so I decided to continue east and enjoy the long descent down into Denny! This was also part of the World Champs route so the road was excellent, it starts with a short climb before plumetting down through Stoneywood and into Denny!

This is looking west at the bridge over the River Carron which I had just crossed!

That was the last of the photos as time was getting on and I wanted to make sure I got home before dark, the descent was just amazing and I didn't even see a single vehicle all the way down which is always a bonus! From Denny I headed to Bonnybridge and used all the back roads to Falkirk, I was really worried about getting another puncture though as the roads were strewn with blackberry bush clippings...I got lucky today! Then I had the big climb up to Slamannan before taking another big climb up to Limerigg and then it was a straight road home through Caldercruix and Plains and I arrived just before dark!

Surprisingly my bike wasn't caked in mud and just needed a wipe down for a change! I had such a great ride once again and I only need another 358 miles to equal last years 5807 miles, assuming the weather plays ball I should pass that easily and may even hit 6000 this year if the snow and ice stay away!

@Prairie Dog I loved your video, you and your wife are truly blessed to get to ride such fantastic roads with scenery to die for! Didn't you say she wasn't really a climber? those climbs looked tough and she wasn't even using the granny gear, what a lady!

 

[Prairie Dog]

@Prairie Dog I loved your video, you and your wife are truly blessed to get to ride such fantastic roads with scenery to die for! Didn't you say she wasn't really a climber? those climbs looked tough and she wasn't even using the granny gear, what a lady!

So true. The scenery around Minobu is spectacular and the roads are, for the most part, very well maintained but there are some quite narrow sections in the countryside that can be a bit sketchy. That being said, we intend to make the most of our time here before the shift back to relative normalcy on our side of the frozen pond. Speaking of scenery to die for, one doesn’t need to look much further than your ride reports. Truly amazing backyard that you have there RH and I’m also confident that you’ll be able to surpass last year’s mileage mark.

Sai is quite modest about her riding ability but I have no doubt that she is up to taking on almost any challenge. She really misses the crisp and efficient Di2 shifts of her road bike and the flat bars along with the ancient Tiagra groupset on her Trek make climbs a bit more involved and not as user friendly as she would like. I packed a set of Ergon GP2 grips to provide her a bit more leverage when climbing and will install those for her today since it’s going to rain pretty well most of the morning here.

Yesterday’s ride was a 25 km outing that would have has visiting relatives in the general vicinity.

Our first stop was to drop off gifts to Sai’s (Obasan) Aunt Miyuki-San who lives up in hills of Marutaki. She looked in on Sai’s mother every week who lived alone in the family house prior to being admitted into a care home several years ago. The ride up to Miyuki-San’s home involved a 4km winding climb up along a narrow road at time barely enough room for a couple of cyclists let alone a single vehicle. The road wasn't in the best of shape either.

We spent time visiting with her aunt and another uncle who was there helping with general yard clean up. It’s been almost four years since I saw either of them.

We then parted ways and headed back down the winding road then rode north onto highway 9 which runs parallel to the Fuji River. Not much shoulder on this stretch of road so we had to be on our toes.

Shortly after, we stopped and took in the view looking out towards the mountains and the Fuji River.

Crossing the bridge that spans over Fujikawa.

On the way home we stopped off at a general store to pick up a few supplies and grocery items. We took a chance and left the bikes propped against the wall of the building unguarded and unlocked only to return a few minutes later to find them still intact. Japanese values with respect to self control and harmony are well regarded and respected which is likely why theft is so low here compared to other countries.

Behind the store were rice fields which everyone knows is a staple commodity here and is deeply imbedded into their culture. It’s common to see many family households grow and harvest their own crops.

It was almost 4pm and the day seemed to grow shorter by the minute as we cruised home along the highway towards home.

We crossed the bridge back over to the west side just as the sun dipped into the mountainside. A fitting way to end the ride.