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

[Stefan Mikes]

So Stefan what was the weather like and did you take A457 or the queens bypass, because its very busy before 10am

The proper way of travelling in England is taking a train Local buses are not bad either. For example, a Ramsgate gate bus 69 works on the "hop off hop on" principle, and you can explore the whole Thanet for just £6 a person!

The weather is gorgeous. I enjoyed walking barefoot along the seaside, with my feet being washed by the sea waves

Kent (and especially Isle of Thanet) is beautiful!

 

[Chargeride]

Ive been disappointed many times by open air concerts, its so hard to get the sound right for everyone.
Madness played Glastonbury, and watching it on tv was cringe, the bright daylight, the sound levels.
I had to switch it off.
Classic songs being
ruined in front of me

 

[Chargeride]

Both Jeremy and Stefan seem to have taken my small talk joke literally, I messaged your other halves.
They have now taken charge of sarcasm detection for both of you

 

[stompandgo]

No, Stefan, that was me. It was a bit of American tongue and cheek. These days, you don't see much amplifier power on stage, if any, because they use small amps and go direct. These guys had 50w stacks. Old school. The benefit for the audience, is that the stage sound can be better than the FOH.

 

[Chargeride]

Lets go for a ride on the beach they said, its super low tide, we might find some wrecks.

 

[Art Deco]

Lets go for a ride on the beach they said, its super low tide, we might find some wrecks.

View attachment 198634

Looks like you made a wreck, rather than just finding one.

 

[RabH]

Yesterday was another calm day here but I had things to do in the morning so couldn't get out until late morning, I headed east to Blackridge where I turned north up the climb to Heights!

It was a cloudy day with a temp of 19C, if the sun had come out it would have been pretty hot so I was glad it stayed behind the clouds! I then enjoyed the descent from Heights and another cracking descent down into Bridgehouse! From there I turned north for Westfield and then east towards Torphicen, a flat road to begin with before the road ramps up through Torphicen!

A quick photo in the village before the second part of the climb up to Beecraigs Country Park!

I turned off before the country park to take the back road to Beecraigs Loch, grabbing some photos on the way!

A bit of a climb before the road drops down into the valley!

At the bottom of the descent looking back up, its very steep!

I was going to visit the loch for a couple of photos but it was very busy so I skipped it and made my way out of the valley, another big climb ensued but it was worth it for the views at the top!

The roads are pretty amazing also!

It was time for the big climb up to Kingscavil, I stopped at the top for more photos of the valley below!

I then enjoyed the big dipper road at Kingscavil, freewheeling down at 46mph! I never have the bottle to pedal down this one...its a bit scary even for me! I stopped for a snack and a break and grabbed some photos!

At the end of the road I turned east towards Threemiletown where I turned south for Uphall, from there I made my way through Dechmont and joined the cycle path to Whitburn and had it pretty much all to myself! I then took the cycle path up through Armadale and used the back road to Blackridge to enjoy that lovely new tarmac again!

From Blackridge I turned west for home but decided to head for Kirk of Shotts to enjoy the back road to Hareshaw again, I will never tire of this amazing road! Its just a blast everytime even if its into a strong headwind it still makes me smile! Another fantastic ride on amazing roads, I only need 102 miles to reach 5000 for the year now but the weather isn't looking good this week so I will bide my time and if the opportunity arises I will grab it with both hands!