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

[Chargeride]

Anyway Stefan, I've sent Charlie over for a chat, give him a wave.

 

[RabH]

The forecast wasn't looking the best today but as the day progressed it looked much more promising and just before midday I set off with the some blue skies making a welcome appearance! The wind was from the NW and about 15-20mph and a temp of 5C, pretty nice for late January! I had a route planned in my mind but as I turned on to the quiet back roads near home I spotted hedge clippings all over the road and of course they were thorns, a quick about turn and I was heading east towards Salsburgh and as I crested the climb I saw the Ochill hills were covered in snow and looking amazing!

So I had a change of plan and continued east out to Uphall and turned north towards Threemiletown before turning west for Kingscavil, this is the reason I chose this route instead!

I continued west towards Beecraigs Country Park and stopped for more photos before the big descent!

After plunging down the descent it was time to take on the big climb up to the country park, part way up the climb I stopped for more photos and continued to do so all the way up the climb! On passing the counrty park there were trees down everywhere, no surprise after the big storm last Friday!

From here I had amazing closeup views of the snow covered hills!

Looking east at the big descent I hurtled down earlier!

I also had a nice view of the bridges over the River Forth!

Soon I would have another cracking descent to enjoy down into Torphicen, just before the descent I had another awesome view of the hills!

At Torphicen its another big descent down towards Westfield, part way down the descent I heard a strange noise from the bike which was followed by a proper racket from the rear! I stopped to investigate to discover I had lost a bolt from my rear mudguard which also secured my rear rack, luckily I always carry cable ties and managed to secure it temporarily! It was still making quite a noise on the rougher parts of the road but all was fine! I passed through Westfield and continued west for Avonbridge, a short time later I stopped for more photos before continuing up the climbs to Limerigg!

A typical scene today!

Looking north!

The weather had really improved now!

I arrived in Limerigg and stopped for some photos at the Black Loch!

Some dark clouds out to the west where I was headed but it remained dry all the way home!

I was now on the road to Caldercruix but turned south on to the back road to Forestfield where I turned on to the cycle path which hugs the Hillend Loch, so time for more photos!

I arrived in Caldercruix and rejoined the road to home, just 4 miles remaining and I arrived home a short time later very pleased with another awesome day on the bike! Mudguard and rack bolt replaced and ready for the next adventure which might be on Thursday all going well, 358 miles in the bag now so hopefully I will pass 400 on Thursday! I wonder how different my ride would have been if it wasn't for the farmer covering my back road in thorns...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Guys, I'm ill. It could be the nasty whooping cough or just flu.
My clinic has relatively few registered patients (that's why I chose it!) I gave the clinic a phone call this morning (Tuesday) at 7:58 am: "Please come on Thursday morning!" That made me shocked, how so?
"I assume everybody is ill with the same disease?" -- "You guessed it right, sir!"

Well, what to do. I need to survive. At least the weather is pretty warm as for the season...