2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[6bloodychunks]

couple of my favorite pics from my adventures

 

[RabH]

Thankfully my morning chores were over and done with just after 10am so that freed up a bit more time for my ride today, once again that chilly easterly wind was still hounding us and it was around 20-25mph today! I decided to head into the wind and brave the cold all the way to South Queensferry ( a mere 30 miles) to cross the Forth Road Bridge and enjoy a lovely tailwind all the way home (or so I thought)...

I took the back roads out to Avonbridge and tackled the first big climb of the day up to Standburn, from there I enjoyed lots of nice descending all the way to Whitecross! I usually bypass Whitecross and continue on to Linlithgow but I decided to pass through the village today and before I knew it I was ploughing through sloppy mud, they were working in the fields and dragging all the mud on to the road! I probably should have turned back but the damage was already done and my mudguards were doing a fine job anyway! I then enjoyed the big descent down into the valley before the road ramps up again!

Thankfully it was just dry mud up the climb!

At the end of the road I turned east towards Linlithgow where I stopped for lunch, usually when I reach Linlithgow my average speed is close to 18mph...today it was just over 16 due to that headwind! From Linlithgow I continued east to Winchburgh where I turned north for Newton! I usually get a nice view of the Pentland Hills along this road but not today...

The sun was trying its best to burn through the cloud but it was defeated today!

From Newton I continued east towards South Queensferry, of course I had to stop for some photos of the bridges!

A short time later it was time to cross the road bridge and that easterly wind was really blowing on the bridge, I was looking forward to crossing and turning west to enjoy that tailwind!

Looking back at South Queensferry!

The iconic rail bridge which dates back to 1890!

The South Queensferry Crossing which was opened to traffic in August 2017!

After crossing the Forth I headed down towards the Rosyth Dockyard and grabbed another couple of photos from below the bridges!

Then it was time to head up the climb into Rosyth and finally enjoy the nice tailwind for a while, I used the main road initially before turning off to take the coast road down into Limekilns!

The tide was out once again, I have yet to see the tide in here...one day I will time it better!

I then climbed the cobbles up into Charlestown and headed north to join the cycle path towards Crombie before rejoining the coast road down into Torryburn where I enjoyed a cracking descent aided by the tailwind! I changed to my second battery here after 41 miles and then continued west through Newmills and Low Valleyfield and arrived in Culross (pronounced Cooros) where I joined the cycle path again!

The path is in great condition here but soon deteriorates so I rejoined the road which is in perfect condition and it was totally free of traffic at this time of day!

I continued west towards the Kincardine Bridge where I was hoping to get a nice view of the Ochill Hills but they were totally hidden by thick cloud, I actually felt a little rain in the air for the first time here but luckily it blew north thanks to the now SSE wind! After crossing the bridge I turned SW towards Carronshore and I was battling a headwind again, I had to turn the assist up to level 2 on the flat here! I arrived in Falkirk and was going to take the main road to Glenn Village but I timed it wrong as the schools were just coming out so I opted for the back road which is a huge climb up to the far side of Falkirk! It was time for level 3 assist up the climb and was I glad I had plenty juice left, at the top of the climb I turned east to take the road through Lionthorn which is a welcome descent!

The road then leads to Glenn Village where it was time for another monster climb, this one is in 3 parts! It's much more fun going down it...

This is the first part, the photo was taken from the top looking back down!

Part 2, also taken from the top looking back down!

After part 2 its a big descent which is quickly followed by the steepest part!

From the top of part 3 looking back down!

At the top I stopped for a well earned break and had a snack, the climbing was far from finished...although I soon had a big descent to enjoy which is usually well over 40mph but today I could only manage 38.8 due to the headwind! At the bottom of the descent I came across a road closed ahead sign, nice of them not to put the sign at the top! I thought I was going to have to head back up the climb again but I chanced it and got through without any issues!

I was glad I had a bit of a tailwind up this climb!

I grabbed a few photos before heading up the climb, its pretty much all farmland around here!

A final photo at the top of the climb!

I was now heading towards Slamannan and it was mostly downhill until the village where the climbing returned! I then took the back road to Longriggend and enjoyed the big descent down into Upperton! I continued west to Greengairs where I turned south and used the back roads to home! That was a tough day , I have ridden many 100 milers that were way easier than this ride and it was only 4600ft of elevation gain! It was mainly due to the headwind of course, I will enjoy a rest for a few days now as the weather is looking pretty nasty for the next few days with 50mph winds and heavy rain! I need another 152 miles to reach 1000 for the year, I hope the weather will be kind to me next week but I'm not holding my breath...