2024 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Prairie Dog]

Our air quality health index this morning remained at level 4 (moderate) but the smoke appeared heavier than yesterday and the smell of it was fairly evident the moment we started our ride.

Speaking of which, tragedy has struck the national park resort of Jasper as the wildfires have reached the townsite. The evacuation is complete but blocks of buildings have burnt to the ground with the east end completely incinerated. Estimates have the town at 30-50% destroyed and the fires continue to burn out of control. Our hearts reach out to the people who live and work in this beautiful mountain community.

Jasper wildfire: Up to 50% of townsite may have been destroyed | Globalnews.ca

As flames raged through Jasper, officials said they believe between 30 and 50 per cent of the townsite may have been lost to the wildfire.

globalnews.ca

No downtime for this local. Such is a farmer’s life - Get up early, work late, only get done half the things you planned on and end up doing a bunch you hadn’t planned on.

We received a friendly acknowledgement from Tim the owner of a LBS who lives along this rural range road and was likely on his way to open up shop.

The cooler, wet conditions were just what we needed but the relentless winds we could have done without. Not much else to do other than to drop down and hammer away.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Norn Iron

That's the official pronunciation in the local dialect!

We -- by mistake -- made an unnecessarily long walk in Derry, and could see a Police Station there. Not exactly your picture but the site actually looked like a castle! Nothing short of a battle tank or a howitzer could destroy it, seriously!

The Republicans seemed cheeky a little bit: many Irish flags could be seen there but no single Union Jack. I felt better upon the return to Ireland.

The Undertones, the most famous Derry rock band.

The N13 we travelled by from Derry to Letterkenny was the first wide double dual carriageway road we could travel so far. I managed driving in sixth gear at 105 km/h awhile

Earlier, we took a ferry through Lough Swilly (one of three fjords of Ireland).

Loch Suilí is huge!

Rathmullan Beach. The boat took us to the spa of Buncrana. After lunch, we travelled to Derry.

Not a shabby city!

Travelling to a fishing village of Killybegs on Friday!

 

[Chargeride]

My perfect cousin.

All the military presence has long gone 2007 was the last watchtower removal.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Plan For Saturday!

We moved from Letterkenny to Killybegs. The latter is an important town on North Atlantic, the southern shore of Co. Donegal, the largest fishing harbour in the whole island of Ireland.

Meanwhile, a lunch in Glenties (Donegal Highlands), and a visit to the Ardara Distillery with a guided tasting tour!

Actually, the ZIP code is F94 VY84. The man asked me for my body size and promised to have the e-bike ready for 9:30 am on Saturday. It is only 12 km drive to Carrick! I wonder if they will have a spare helmet for me?

I almost lost the left mirror (passenger side). There was a weird narrow bridge with stone walks, clearly marked for a trouble to come BANG! The mirror was hanging on its cables! As we stopped the car, @Brix went back and found the lost mirror cover among many other laying there She fixed the mirror! Good to have her! (I need to mention the car is totally insured).

"A Day Without An Adventure Is A Day Lost" /hers/

 

[Chargeride]

Don't get one with mirrors

 

[DaveMatthews]

Nice!
I'd been out that way on Thursday but on a different type of E-vehicle. Golf cart at Wintergreen Golf Course, just north of Bragg on the west side of the Elbow.

Can't bike at present as waiting on warranty work from Giant - battery went stupid and won't power up the bike.
Passes all diagnostics and will both discharge and charge correctly but won't go. Giant Canada being very good about it as bike is 6 months past warranty and they're going to replace at no charge anyways.
I think Ridley's really went to bat for me in that regard with their Giant rep. Once again they've earned my repeat business.

I fellow who used to work for me wants to get me to join him at West Bragg or Moose, but I told him I would only if he was bringing his wife and 10 year old, so I could ride trails of my current capabilities. Hip is toast and collapses at times, so a bugger when riding. Couldn't possibly ride without an ebike these days and can't wait to get mine back.

Rats!
Good to hear your dealer is responsive. Mine is as well, they've been awesome!

 

[dodgeman]

Stefan, the roads are pretty narrow. We were with a tour group on a brand new bus, I don’t know how that driver kept it scratch free but he did.

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from this morning's 21km ride:

 

[RandallS]

Rats!
Good to hear your dealer is responsive. Mine is as well, they've been awesome!

Got bike back yesterday, Giant came through with new battery, and shop charge for all diagnosis and labour to swap cover was more than reasonable ($50).
Busy today, but tomorrow or Monday are pencilled in!

Nice to have a battery with zero charge cycles and 100% health.
To be honest, had I had to pay out of pocket to replace I would have moved up to the 800, but the 625 is still plenty of juice for my riding habits..

 

[DaveMatthews]

Got bike back yesterday, Giant came through with new battery, and shop charge for all diagnosis and labour to swap cover was more than reasonable ($50).
Busy today, but tomorrow or Monday are pencilled in!

Nice to have a battery with zero charge cycles and 100% health.
To be honest, had I had to pay out of pocket to replace I would have moved up to the 800, but the 625 is still plenty of juice for my riding habits..

That is stellar! Nicely done sir!

 

[Prairie Dog]

It was quite gusty most of the day so I snuck out for a solo ride this evening. Perfectly calm conditions for a 35km ride.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Ireland by Bike: Carrick to Malin Beg to Glencolumbkille and Back to Carrick


Ireland by Bike (IBB), an LBS in An Carraigh/Carrick F94 VY84. They specialize in e-bike rental.


Thompson Enigma, a Bosch E-Bike. Active Line motor, 500 Wh battery. IBB says 'You'll never run out of the battery here' and that's the truth!


The weather is variable here in Ireland. The sky could be overcast with a gentle shower; after five minutes the sky would turn blue, full sunshine, warm and dry! I rode in tracksuit trousers and a T-shirt all the way!


Malin More, the westernmost point of Europe I could reach so far.


Silver Strand, Mállain Bigh/Malin Beg. One of the most beautiful places you can see in County Donegal


North Atlantic Ocean.


Only Gaelic place names here!


Cliffs near Gleann Cholm Cille / Glencolumbkille.


A rather long and steep climb towards An Carraigh, followed by a long descent to the finish line!

34 km with 505 m elevation gain at average speed of 19.5 km/h. My Wahoo says the max speed was 50 km/h but Strava corrects it to 46 km/h (I was applying brakes a lot!)


IBB provided me with a helmet, hi-vis vest, a pannier, a lock, and a useful handlebar bag. Price €40, and I was allowed to use the e-bike 9:30 to 18:00. No deposit. The only question asked was "Can you operate an e-bike?"

It was my first time on a Bosch E-Bike. My experience was positive. I rode mostly in Sport mode, and assistance was adequate for 10% incline. The motor was even not overly loud! I returned with a plenty of the battery charge left!

Regarding the bike: I'd love having my own pedals there! The saddle had a slightly wrong tilt. I disliked the swept handlebars. Otherwise, a lovely ride!
It was my 47th cycling week in a streak!

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from this morning's 23km ride:

 

[keithj69]

I'm contemplating on blocking @RabH. I am so jealous of seeing the areas he rides.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Our air quality health index this morning remained at level 4 (moderate) but the smoke appeared heavier than yesterday and the smell of it was fairly evident the moment we started our ride.

View attachment 179524

Speaking of which, tragedy has struck the national park resort of Jasper as the wildfires have reached the townsite. The evacuation is complete but blocks of buildings have burnt to the ground with the east end completely incinerated. Estimates have the town at 30-50% destroyed and the fires continue to burn out of control. Our hearts reach out to the people who live and work in this beautiful mountain community.

So sad to hear that Jasper's largely gone now. Been there several times. Such a beautiful part of the Canadian Rockies!

Hope your air quality's improving. Maybe just lack of coverage in the US, but I don't recall hearing about Canadian wildfires before last year. Have conditions changed there, too?

 

[RabH]

My first bike ride of the racing season to Knockhill Racing Circuit for the Scottish Champs motorcycle racing, almost August so that tells you how bad the weather has been during the season! Today was just perfect for cycling and for watching the racing, a little cold in the morning but that doesn't bother me! Lots of downhills for the first 20 miles or so, with my top speed of 43.2 mph down the hill I climbed at 10mph 3 days ago! My first stop came at Grangemouth with the Kelpies lit up in the morning sunshine!

The view to the east wasn't too bad either!

I then joined the cycle path out to the Clackmannanshire bridge, I had to get this photo for Jeremy! @Jeremy McCreary The Ochil hills were looking amazing in the morning sun!

I then passed through Kincardine and joined the main road towards Forestmill! I had to put up with a lot of barking here to get this photo, there is a dog pound right next to where I stopped and they were letting me know it was their territory...the main pound was just to the left!

I continued on the main road to Forestmill and decided to stick to the main road there as it wasn't too busy at the time of the morning, I usually use the back road there but saved it for my return! I reached Powmill where I joined the 5 mile climb up to the circuit, its not too bad though as its mostly a gradual climb!

A selection of photos from the racing, one of the guys had a bad day but he was fine!

I spent 5 hours watching the racing and set off for home, I turned right leaving the circuit to head down to Saline which would be mostly downhill but directly into a 20mph headwind!

The hill that Knockill is named after in the background with the transmitters on top!

This is the awesome descent down into Steelend!

Then I had the even better descent down through Saline, I was freewheeling at 35mph! Now leaving Saline with the Ochils in view once again!

I then joined the back road to Forestmill and had the best views yet of the Ochils, these were taken from various positions down the back road!

The cows sure have a picturesque backdrop!

At Forestmill I joined the main road again and was glad to finally get off it at Kincardine, it was much busier on the way home! After crossing the Kincardine bridge I joined the cycle path that leads to Grangemouth, I avoided the town this time though and turned off to take the road to Carronshore and then into Falkirk! I stopped at the canal in Falkirk for a couple of photos and a final snack before taking on the big climbs awaiting me!

The first climb is a real beast at over 20% and the climbs just keep coming all the way to Slamannan where I finally had a descent, all be it a short but fast one! Then I used the back roads to Longriggend and headed down the brilliant descent to Upperton, I spotted a cyclist ahead and he was flying along but I knew I would probably catch him at the climb in Upperton! I wasn't wrong but only caught him just before the summit and told him he must have enjoyed that descent, he said he absolutely loved it and so did I!

Then I turned west for home and turned south at Wattston over the back roads to home, I was shattered when I got home but it was worth it as it was such an amazing day! I just love combining my cycling with a day at the races and I hope to do it again soon if the weather is good to me! I only need 26 miles to reach 4000 for the year, despite the weather it has been a very good year mileage wise!

@keithj69 Have you blocked me now?

 

[Prairie Dog]

So sad to hear that Jasper's largely gone now. Been there several times. Such a beautiful part of the Canadian Rockies!

Hope your air quality's improving. Maybe just lack of coverage in the US, but I don't recall hearing about Canadian wildfires before last year. Have conditions changed there, too?

Jasper was a jewel for many who lived and worked there and for those fortunate to have spent time visiting the park there was no other place like it. Some positive news is that 70% of the structures remain standing. Bad news is that most of the remaining 30% that burned to the ground were resident's homes. The two fires on either end of the town have now combined and continue to burn out of control. If it were not for the hundreds of firefighters who worked around the clock, it could have been much worse.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-national-park-wildfire-months-1.7277969

AQHI here is currently low to moderate risk and skies are clear. Winds were relatively calm as well on my ride this morning. There are currently 132 active wildfires reported in the province, 30 of which are out of control. Extreme heat, long term drought are only expected to worsen the situation.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Jasper was a jewel for many who lived and worked there and for those fortunate to have spent time visiting the park there was no other place like it. Some positive news is that 70% of the structures remain standing. Bad news is that most of the remaining 30% that burned to the ground were resident's homes. The two fires on either end of the town have now combined and continue to burn out of control. If it were not for the hundreds of firefighters who worked around the clock, it could have been much worse.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/jasper-national-park-wildfire-months-1.7277969

AQHI here is currently low to moderate risk and skies are clear. Winds were relatively calm as well on my ride this morning. There are currently 132 active wildfires reported in the province, 30 of which are out of control. Extreme heat, long term drought are only expected to worsen the situation.

Only been there a couple of times years ago. Stellar jewel.
Makes me sick and sad...

 

[Rexlion]

I went camping for a couple of weeks in Minnesota and Michigan. Riding the MUP along the 'north shore' (Lake Superior) south of Grand Marais, I came upon a nice little bridge over a stream.

On one side was the big lake, and looking the other way there was a nice waterfall.

That ride was only about 11 miles round trip, all paved. I parked at a wayside rest stop, rode north to the town, walked around Artist's Point (past the coast guard station) taking pictures, then got a pizza at Sven & Ole's, before pedaling back south.

When in Michigan's upper peninsula I took a 27 mile ride (round trip) to the tip of Stonington to see the lighthouse. This ride was nearly all paved road (very lightly traveled) with only a mile of graveled two-track at the end to reach the lighthouse. Rain clouds were in the air, and I did get rained on during the return leg but I'd packed my raincoat which helped.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Only been there a couple of times years ago. Stellar jewel.
Makes me sick and sad...

We cycled from Jasper to Athabasca Falls back in 2021 and to Maligne Lake in 2022. It’s still our favorite national park here even though it’s a longer drive to get there than Banff. It’s beautiful because it hasn’t become this huge city.