The colors and patterns in that last shot are pure magic. Blue and gold are hard to beat.A few pics from today's 24km ride:
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I feel very fortunate to live close to such a photogenic marsh.The colors and patterns in that last shot are pure magic. Blue and gold are hard to beat.
Congratulations, Jeremy! Now, you've discovered the joy of riding together!Joined my first-ever meet-up group ride today.
This is what I miss on my e-bikes!Matching the pace of nearby riders was a snap with the Vado SL's very clever MicroTune mode.
Looked like a fun outing with decent elevation. Keep hanging out with those roadies and perhaps this could be the beginning of a Lycra evolution of sorts for you.Joined my first-ever meet-up group ride today. Had no idea how these things work and some anxiety about keeping up, but it all worked out great!
Elevation profile with blue grade overlay. Had no problem keeping up on the flats with no assist, but definitely needed some help on those 3 big climbs on the right. Matching the pace of nearby riders was a snap with the Vado SL's very clever MicroTune mode.
This very informal group, the EX-Y Riders, meets every Wednesday morning at the Encinitas YMCA for rides of 20-30 miles around north San Diego County. The rides are open to all -- including ebikers -- and no one gets dropped. The pace is "conversational"
The ride ended with coffee, pastries, and friendly conversation at a Starbucks about 7 mi from home. You could tell that most of the participants had been riding together for years. Most were roadies in lycra, but they made me feel welcome all the same.
We are lucky to have all of these paths and rights of way! It's so second nature to us Brits that it's hard to comprehend how other nations do it.Guys, I've just watched two YT videos. The first one was what the Brits thought of Poles/Poland, and the other was what the Poles thought of Brits/Britain.
One Polish woman said: ' Yes, that's what comes to my mind. Trips. The fact that you can walk through someone's field and it's so natural. Like, it doesn't surprise anyone that someone walks on their property, on their private property. No! It is such a cool way to spend your time, and they like to walk in nature a lot'.
I told you many times: Polish private properties like fields are not fenced because nobody sane would walk (or ride) into a private property here! Especially as we have so much public grounds! The Brits have their Rights of Way, something still making Poles shocked!
My history knowledge tells me there was no serfdom in Britain (or, at least in England), and a free man could carry weapon. While serfdom was a norm during certain ages on the continent, and only the nobles could carry the arms. It could be the one principal difference.We are lucky to have all of these paths and rights of way! It's so second nature to us Brits that it's hard to comprehend how other nations do it.
I think, but have no firsthand knowledge, that a similar footpath/bridleway network exists in Western European countries like France. What their legal status is now I don't know. Maybe someone on here has cycled in rural France and has an up to date idea.My history knowledge tells me there was no serfdom in Britain (or, at least in England), and a free man could carry weapon. While serfdom was a norm during certain ages on the continent, and only the nobles could carry the arms. It could be the one principal difference.
@Rás Cnoic also thank you for the enlightening explanation!
Thank you even more! I was interested how it looked in Ireland but was ashamed to ask (a very complicated history!)In Ireland the picture is very different, due to history
Brits have a very skewed view of Poland, not helped by the media and the Poles coming here describing their country as some post communist dystopia sxxx hole.Guys, I've just watched two YT videos. The first one was what the Brits thought of Poles/Poland, and the other was what the Poles thought of Brits/Britain.
One Polish woman said: ' Yes, that's what comes to my mind. Trips. The fact that you can walk through someone's field and it's so natural. Like, it doesn't surprise anyone that someone walks on their property, on their private property. No! It is such a cool way to spend your time, and they like to walk in nature a lot'.
I told you many times: Polish private properties like fields are not fenced because nobody sane would walk (or ride) into a private property here! Especially as we have so much public grounds! The Brits have their Rights of Way, something still making Poles shocked!
Wow, another killer ride, Rab! So, whaddaya think? 6500 for the year?? A nice good looking number!View attachment 186848
A challenging but record breaking ride!
I finally had a decent morning for cycling with no danger of ice, 6C with a blustery 25mph southerly wind! It was a very dull overcast day but it was dry, my plan was to do 50-60 miles which would leave me with only 20 or so miles to break my record of 6223 miles from 2020! I only charged my batteries to 85% to stop me going crazy and overdoing things, that went out the window... I decided to battle the wind and head sourh for the Clyde Valley, I stopped on one of the bridges for a couple of photos!
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Another mile or so and I had more photo opportunites, I just love these corkscrew hedges!
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I continued along the valley and stopped for more photos!
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I then started the climb up to Kirkfieldbank and had this view of the River Clyde part way up the climb!
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Soon after I stopped at this waterfall where it was difficult to get a decent photo, I had to climb a huge slippery bank which took me back to my childhood!
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Then it was time to climb out of the valley up to Lanark, a very hard climb which got my heart pumping! I was intending to head north from Lanark up over the railway crossing at Cleghorn but changed my mind and decided to stop for an early lunch and head for Biggar instead which would mean a longer ride but I would have that 25mph southerly wind at my back for a good 25 miles from Biggar all the way to West Calder! I joined the main A73 from Hyndford Bridge and passed Tinto Hill where the sun was attempting to break through for the first time!
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Its a great road but can be busy!
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Soon I had some nice views of the Pentland and Coulter Hills just before arriving in Biggar!
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I had now covered 34 miles and my first battery was down to 25% but I managed another 6 miles before changing to my second battery, thanks to the strong tailwind! A mile or so after Biggar I stopped for a couple of photos looking west!
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Then I started up the big climb towards Libberton, part way up I stopped for these photos of the Pentlands and Coulters!
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Near the top of the climb now looking back down, its a tough climb but the photo doesn't do it justice!
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I then enjoyed some nice descents before the next big climb near Carnwath!
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At Carnwath I continued north and I was loving that tailwind, it was at this point I thought I might have a go at beating my record from 2020 as my second battery was doing well! At this point I hasd covered 42 miles which would mean another 40 was required to equal my record, I continued north passng through Auchengray and Woolfords and on to West Calder! From here I turned west towards Stoneyburn and then north again up the big climb through Longridge and Whitburn and then on to the cycle path up to Armadale!
Then I turned west and took the back road to Blackridge with 66 miles now in the bag, normally I turn west at Blackridge for home but I knew it would be only 10 miles this way so I decided to head up over Heights which starts with a big climb and some cracking descents on the rollercoaster road near Avonbridge! I stopped for this photo before the final big descent!
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On the way down my bike felt strange, it was weaving so I knew it was a rear wheel puncture and I had covered exactly 70 miles when it happened! I popped the tyre off and couldn't find anything sharp inside so stuck a new tube in and set off again, I tackled another big climb up towards Shieldhill and turned west for Slamannan! After just 3 miles I had another rear wheel puncture, once again I removed the tyre and checked thoroughly and couldn't find anything again! This was my last spare tube and the rain had now started to fall and to make matters worse darkness was approaching fast! I was now really worried I would get another puncture, trying to repair it in the dark and wet would be a real challenge!
The other problem was my battery was now taking a pounding as I was now taking on a very strong headwind! I passed through Slamannan and took the back road to Longriggend and the rain continued and darkness had now arrived, I was petrified of another puncture! At Longriggend I turned south for Caldercruix and thankfully my tyre was holding up, the battery was another story though as I was now down to 26%! At least I only 1 had one more climb at Caldercruix before the roads would be slightly downhill until I reached my home town and I knew I would need to preserve my battery for the final climbs! Thankfully I made it up the final climb where my battery cut off right at the top, I was very lucky!
So I had covered 85 miles which meant I had passed my 2020 total by 3 miles and still have a full month left, when I stopped at my garage I checked my rear tyre and it was soft but luckily not totally flat! I got lucky for sure, tomorrow I will check it properly but may just order a new one as it has done almost 8000 miles now! I never would have imagined arriving home in the dark after leaving at 9.20am, if it wasn't for the punctures I would have been home around 15.30 at the latest!
6500 should be easily achievable but of course the weather could play a part! I hope I get many more years of use Dave, I'm approaching 36000 and would love to take it to 50000 at least! I pulled my tyre off today and for the life of me I can't find anything that would have caused the punctures, my third tube was totally flat when I was washing the bike 30 minutes after I got home! On checking the tubes they all had a fair sized pin hole suggesting a thorn but I can't see it, new tyre ordered to be safe!Wow, another killer ride, Rab! So, whaddaya think? 6500 for the year?? A nice good looking number!
I learned a long time ago you never scroll past a RabH ride report. And some day, you’re going to have to have that Road e bronzed and turned into a statue!