2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Chargeride]

You're just jealous, Chris

It happens to me, usually women run for cover in case I post a bad picture of them.

 

[stompandgo]

@mschwett, my youngest son lived in Polk Gulch for a few years and I visited often. I'm familiar with your neighborhood. Very nice. I can't imagine riding in the city, then again I don't know the bike friendly roads. Thanks for the great pics.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It happens to me, usually women run for cover in case I post a bad picture o them.

I don't post bad pictures of women (didn't oi saya we Poles didn't smile?)

 

[AngeloP]

Private Lady In Your City - No Selfie - Anonymous Sex Dating
https://privateladyescorts.com

Private Lady From Your Town - Anonymous Casual Dating - No Selfie

NEW GIRLS
Eva Sky
Emmeline
Alt Barbie
Yummy Couple
Alica
Emma
Bella

 

[Chargeride]

She need another ten years in England.
Lol your pictures pulled in lovebot

 

[RabH]

After 6 days of the weather gods throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us I decided to chance it today, the wind had calmed down to 30mph and the rain was meant to be just light with a 90% chance of it hitting! I can handle a little rain but I do hate setting off in rain, thankfully it was dry when I left at 8.30am! It was showing heavy rain for the afternoon so I wasn't going for a long ride this time! It was 3C when I left with a feels like temp of -1C and the SW wind was bitingly cold, I decided I would head for Lanark and have a nice tailwind on the way back! I wasn't going to bother taking photos due to the threat of rain but things actually brightened up as I arrived in Braidwood! I decided to make my way down the awesome descent from Braidwood into the Clyde Valley!

The start of the descent, some blue sky was peeping through the cloud!

I passed the little pond in the village and stopped for a couple of photos!

This lone goose was making quite a racket, not happy about me invading its territory no doubt!

The next part of the descent is very steep with a very tight turn part way down, just before the turn I stopped for this photo!

Now the really fun part!

The River Clyde was flowing very quickly down in the valley, no surprise after all the recent rain!

I made my way along the valley towards Kirkfieldbank, as I was heading up the first climb I stopped for this photo showing the river running through the valley! I had to do a little bit of climbing to get this one...not easy after just turning 68 a couple of days ago!

A few minutes later the sun actually made a fleeting appearance!

The clouds soon put a stop to that!

The fun twisty road into Kirkfieldbank!

The sun came back though!

I stopped on the bridge in the village before the big climb out of the valley, time for a snack before heading up the climb!

From Lanark I turned north towards Cleghorn, as I was heading up the climb over the railway crossing a passenger train zoomed past and I was expecting the traffic to start moving further up the climb but they were at a standstill!

There was another train coming so I waited and pulled my phone out to catch a photo or two of the train as it passed, it turned out to be a goods train with a double engine and it was moving very slowly so easy to get a photo! It looks like they have replaced the diesel goods trains now...

It took a good couple of minutes to pass through, nothing like those mile long trains you guys have over the pond... After crossing I spotted a couple of Clydesdale horses in the field, no view of Tinto Hill from here today!

24 miles in and still no rain, would my luck continue though? I continued north on the A706 towards Harelaw and the tailwind was helping me up the climb nicely, the Pentland Hills weren't so clear today at Harelaw!

A better view of the hills a little further along the A706!

The A706 can be very busy but it wasn't too bad today and I was flying along with that 30mph tailwind!

Another couple of miles and I started up the climb into Forth and continued north towards Breich, I was looking forward to the big descent coming soon! It didn't disappoint although I had to take it easy as I did have a partial crosswind, I still managed 41.6mph! I have been very close to 50mph here with a strong southerly wind!

The descent continues after passing through the junction at Breich but its quickly followed by another big climb up to Longridge, then its another cracking descent down into Whitburn! I thought about continuing north to Armadale but decided not to push my luck with the rain and turned west towards Harthill at Whitburn! I then joined the cycle path to Harthill and turned north for Blackridge, then it was into the wind for the next 10 miles as I turned west for home! I decided to stop at Hillend Loch for a couple of photos, not surprisingly the water was very choppy!

I got home completely dry with a very filthy bike, 15 minutes after washing the bike the rain arrived! I sure got lucky and I was glad I didn't extend my ride! I passed 1500 miles today, 1538 to be exact and I only need another 162 miles to reach 45000 on my awesome bike which will be 8 years old at the end of this month! As I type this its now pouring down, it looks like our weather is going to be more settled from Wednesday onwards though and I might make the most of it on Thursday, watch this space...

 

[Chargeride]

Oh dear RAB, 68, youve probably only got two million miles left in ya.

 

[Chargeride]

Brians repair, mechanical only.

 

[DaveMatthews]

View attachment 207325

After 6 days of the weather gods throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us I decided to chance it today, the wind had calmed down to 30mph and the rain was meant to be just light with a 90% chance of it hitting! I can handle a little rain but I do hate setting off in rain, thankfully it was dry when I left at 8.30am! It was showing heavy rain for the afternoon so I wasn't going for a long ride this time! It was 3C when I left with a feels like temp of -1C and the SW wind was bitingly cold, I decided I would head for Lanark and have a nice tailwind on the way back! I wasn't going to bother taking photos due to the threat of rain but things actually brightened up as I arrived in Braidwood! I decided to make my way down the awesome descent from Braidwood into the Clyde Valley!

The start of the descent, some blue sky was peeping through the cloud!

View attachment 207326
I passed the little pond in the village and stopped for a couple of photos!

View attachment 207327
This lone goose was making quite a racket, not happy about me invading its territory no doubt!

View attachment 207329
The next part of the descent is very steep with a very tight turn part way down, just before the turn I stopped for this photo!

View attachment 207330
Now the really fun part!

View attachment 207331
The River Clyde was flowing very quickly down in the valley, no surprise after all the recent rain!

View attachment 207332
I made my way along the valley towards Kirkfieldbank, as I was heading up the first climb I stopped for this photo showing the river running through the valley! I had to do a little bit of climbing to get this one...not easy after just turning 68 a couple of days ago!

View attachment 207333
A few minutes later the sun actually made a fleeting appearance!

View attachment 207334
View attachment 207335
The clouds soon put a stop to that!

View attachment 207336
The fun twisty road into Kirkfieldbank!

View attachment 207337
The sun came back though!

View attachment 207338
I stopped on the bridge in the village before the big climb out of the valley, time for a snack before heading up the climb!

View attachment 207339
View attachment 207340
From Lanark I turned north towards Cleghorn, as I was heading up the climb over the railway crossing a passenger train zoomed past and I was expecting the traffic to start moving further up the climb but they were at a standstill!

View attachment 207341
There was another train coming so I waited and pulled my phone out to catch a photo or two of the train as it passed, it turned out to be a goods train with a double engine and it was moving very slowly so easy to get a photo! It looks like they have replaced the diesel goods trains now...

View attachment 207342
View attachment 207343
It took a good couple of minutes to pass through, nothing like those mile long trains you guys have over the pond... After crossing I spotted a couple of Clydesdale horses in the field, no view of Tinto Hill from here today!

View attachment 207344
View attachment 207345
24 miles in and still no rain, would my luck continue though? I continued north on the A706 towards Harelaw and the tailwind was helping me up the climb nicely, the Pentland Hills weren't so clear today at Harelaw!

View attachment 207346
A better view of the hills a little further along the A706!

View attachment 207348
The A706 can be very busy but it wasn't too bad today and I was flying along with that 30mph tailwind!

View attachment 207349
Another couple of miles and I started up the climb into Forth and continued north towards Breich, I was looking forward to the big descent coming soon! It didn't disappoint although I had to take it easy as I did have a partial crosswind, I still managed 41.6mph! I have been very close to 50mph here with a strong southerly wind!

View attachment 207325

After 6 days of the weather gods throwing everything but the kitchen sink at us I decided to chance it today, the wind had calmed down to 30mph and the rain was meant to be just light with a 90% chance of it hitting! I can handle a little rain but I do hate setting off in rain, thankfully it was dry when I left at 8.30am! It was showing heavy rain for the afternoon so I wasn't going for a long ride this time! It was 3C when I left with a feels like temp of -1C and the SW wind was bitingly cold, I decided I would head for Lanark and have a nice tailwind on the way back! I wasn't going to bother taking photos due to the threat of rain but things actually brightened up as I arrived in Braidwood! I decided to make my way down the awesome descent from Braidwood into the Clyde Valley!

The start of the descent, some blue sky was peeping through the cloud!

View attachment 207326
I passed the little pond in the village and stopped for a couple of photos!

View attachment 207327
This lone goose was making quite a racket, not happy about me invading its territory no doubt!

View attachment 207329
The next part of the descent is very steep with a very tight turn part way down, just before the turn I stopped for this photo!

View attachment 207330
Now the really fun part!

View attachment 207331
The River Clyde was flowing very quickly down in the valley, no surprise after all the recent rain!

View attachment 207332
I made my way along the valley towards Kirkfieldbank, as I was heading up the first climb I stopped for this photo showing the river running through the valley! I had to do a little bit of climbing to get this one...not easy after just turning 68 a couple of days ago!

View attachment 207333
A few minutes later the sun actually made a fleeting appearance!

View attachment 207334
View attachment 207335
The clouds soon put a stop to that!

View attachment 207336
The fun twisty road into Kirkfieldbank!

View attachment 207337
The sun came back though!

View attachment 207338
I stopped on the bridge in the village before the big climb out of the valley, time for a snack before heading up the climb!

View attachment 207339
View attachment 207340
From Lanark I turned north towards Cleghorn, as I was heading up the climb over the railway crossing a passenger train zoomed past and I was expecting the traffic to start moving further up the climb but they were at a standstill!

View attachment 207341
There was another train coming so I waited and pulled my phone out to catch a photo or two of the train as it passed, it turned out to be a goods train with a double engine and it was moving very slowly so easy to get a photo! It looks like they have replaced the diesel goods trains now...

View attachment 207342
View attachment 207343
It took a good couple of minutes to pass through, nothing like those mile long trains you guys have over the pond... After crossing I spotted a couple of Clydesdale horses in the field, no view of Tinto Hill from here today!

View attachment 207344
View attachment 207345
24 miles in and still no rain, would my luck continue though? I continued north on the A706 towards Harelaw and the tailwind was helping me up the climb nicely, the Pentland Hills weren't so clear today at Harelaw!

View attachment 207346
A better view of the hills a little further along the A706!

View attachment 207348
The A706 can be very busy but it wasn't too bad today and I was flying along with that 30mph tailwind!

View attachment 207349
Another couple of miles and I started up the climb into Forth and continued north towards Breich, I was looking forward to the big descent coming soon! It didn't disappoint although I had to take it easy as I did have a partial crosswind, I still managed 41.6mph! I have been very close to 50mph here with a strong southerly wind!

View attachment 207350
The descent continues after passing through the junction at Breich but its quickly followed by another big climb up to Longridge, then its another cracking descent down into Whitburn! I thought about continuing north to Armadale but decided not to push my luck with the rain and turned west towards Harthill at Whitburn! I then joined the cycle path to Harthill and turned north for Blackridge, then it was into the wind for the next 10 miles as I turned west for home! I decided to stop at Hillend Loch for a couple of photos, not surprisingly the water was very choppy!

View attachment 207353
View attachment 207354
I got home completely dry with a very filthy bike, 15 minutes after washing the bike the rain arrived! I sure got lucky and I was glad I didn't extend my ride! I passed 1500 miles today, 1538 to be exact and I only need another 162 miles to reach 45000 on my awesome bike which will be 8 years old at the end of this month! As I type this its now pouring down, it looks like our weather is going to be more settled from Wednesday onwards though and I might make the most of it on Thursday, watch this space...

View attachment 207355
View attachment 207356

Talk to me Goose!

 

[edobici_forza]

i haven't done one of these in a while because i've not been able to do the big rides i liked so much, but it was such a beautiful day i figured i'd share!

this ±32 mile loop has about 2,000 feet of climbing, and a cool mix of urban, park, coast, hill, etc.

Great SF ride and pics @mschwett !
Funny to see the Arsicault Bakery line. I've heard about it. I don't do lines like that. I was lucky when a friend brought croissants to a gathering a while ago; so I see they are still popular! When I arrived in SF from NYS 35yrs ago, the first apartment I lived was 5 doors down on Arguello.
I need to do a SF type ride like that. but I am not a fan of the traffic. when I got my first road bike I used to ride from Potrero hill to GG Bridge and back. so stressful!

 

[Chargeride]

oh for foikes sayke.
Theyve just announced Gas rationing, it will all be gone by tonight.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

oh for foikes sayke.
Theyve just announced Gas rationing, it will all be gone by tonight.

You've got e-bikes. Do they ration the electricity, too?

Brians repair, mechanical only.
View attachment 207357

A new motor would be over a thousand quids. I wonder if car owners report their maintenance/repair expenses to their friends

A view from my balcony

 

[Chargeride]

View from my balcony...
Nice, but not as good as the first two.

I actually thought that was a good price, 60 quid labour is cheap, probably made the rest on parts.
600 quid for a recon Brose.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

New Rules of Gravel.Love Bosch eRide100 Rally!

Someone pinch me, am I dreaming? The main organiser of Gravel.Love races has changed the Rules exactly to my needs:

• Rule I.7 (rally formats): F. eRIDE100 – distance of 100-110 km (electrically assisted bikes).
• Rule III.1 (rally rules): Any type of bicycle or two-wheeled vehicle powered by muscle power may take part in the rally. Bicycles and vehicles with electric or combustion engines are not permitted. The exception is the eRIDE100 category, where bicycles with factory-fitted electric assistance are permitted.
• Rule III.8 (RIDE100 and eRIDE100): C. In the eRIDE100 category, only bikes with factory-fitted electric assistance will be permitted to start. The electric assistance must not be modified and must cut out once a speed of 25 km/h is reached.

The biggest change is no battery limit. Now, the organiser allows as many batteries as the rider thinks are appropriate.

There are two new things for Sudovia Gravel, Varmia Gravel and Great Lakes Gravel:

• It is not a race. It is a rally (the answer to the critics who claimed the event has never been a proper race)
• No gold/silver/bronze for the 100 km format, only finisher medals.

I'm so glad! I've never wanted to race but rather experience adventures in beautiful areas. Signed to Sudovia Gravel immediately!

Sudovia Gravel 2024...

Sudovia Gravel 2025.

 

[Chargeride]

Looks like old five batteries is going to win it.

 

[Chargeride]

Tomorrows ride starts near the unfortunately named Mold in Wales.

This is the short version, if the battery is holding out I will do the 5 mile longer version.

 

[BlackHand]

I'm so glad! I've never wanted to race but rather experience adventures in beautiful areas. Signed to Sudovia Gravel immediately!

It's too bad you aren't qualified to ride in the rally

• Rule III.8a (RIDE100 and eRIDE100: In the eRIDE100 category, all riders must LOVE BOSCH in order to be eligible to participate.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Looks like old five batteries is going to win it.

There are no winners in the rally Finishers only!
You are getting a prize in the form of "category": Below 4 or 5 or 6 hours on the ride, only noted in the finisher list. (Sudovia Gravel is a montane type ride).
I would think it is strange but I learned a lot by watching the Morocco Atlas Mountain Race 2026. I expected the winners would get some medals or a financial prize but not. The only prize was their carnet with the stamps from all checkpoints and the finish line with the total time listed. And, the place in the finisher list. (I was explained it was a norm in gravel races of the western world). (Before the changes, the winners were getting gold/silver/bronze in Gravel.Love races. Now, it is just a Finisher medal).

Last year, there were too many controversies because of the "racing" format. Like, a rider ignoring a red light or crossing a railway with the barriers closed (they were caught on cameras). Or, unsafe riding on the last segment of the race just to win or get a better place. There were controversial disqualifications. For those reasons, it is not a race (but a rally) anymore. (The racers gonna race anyway).

Brians repair, mechanical only.

I cannot understand what you guys do to your Levo motors that you need to overhaul them. Here's the mileage of my Specialized e-bikes:

• Vado 6.0 (Specialized/Brose motor): 16,799 km (10,440 mi)
• Vado SL Gen 1 (Specialized/Mahle motor): 19,655 km (12,215 mi).

 

[Chargeride]

I would say its pedal strikes, its a weak point for these motors as they make them lighter and lighter.
Shorter cranks might be a good idea, less likely to get a strike and less leverage on the internals when you do

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I would say its pedal strikes, its a weak point for these motors as they make them lighter and lighter.
Shorter cranks might be a good idea, less likely to get a strike and less leverage on the internals when you do

A good explanation indeed! I experienced some pedal strikes during my short e-MTB time. Doesn't happen in gravel cycling I do now.
Besides, I installed shorter e-cranks on my big Vado some time ago. However, the reason was my big Vado with a Small frame size (after the warranty rebuild) got wrong geometry compared to the old M frame. My seatpost is all way down, and still the saddle was a tad too high. I made the difference up with shorter cranks.