Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[RabH]

Back on my local back roads today on a misty morning with light winds once again which made it very pleasant for riding! Lovely traffic free roads that make you want to just keep riding but I only had a couple of hours to spare so I had to make do with 35 miles and they sure were fun filled miles! Every now and then the mist lifted with the sun trying to break through but it kept descending again, of course as soon as I reached home the sun broke through and won the fight! I wasn't going to bother with photos due to the conditions but I did get a few, not the most scenic but the roads are just awesome to ride!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Farmland Vistas

Yesterday’s ride took us out to the town of Carstairs about an hour drive from Red Deer. We cycled a loop along a number of country township and range roads while enjoying the views of rolling farmland on the eastern edge of the foothills known as Mountainview County. What a great way to see some of the finer agricultural land that Central Alberta has to offer and the hard work that produces some of the food that goes onto our tables.

The mountains far afield were constantly beckoning to us but, on this day, we couldn’t have felt more at home than riding the serene stretches of road that lay ahead of us.

Donkey(ote) seemed content to a life in the pasture.

With harvest season coming to a close, the smell of hay hung heavy in the air as we made our way along our intended route.

One of a handful of livestock breeding herds that we came across.

This small operation called ‘The Honest Box’ is typical of many of the family run gardens and hobby farms that dot the landscape.

https://thehonestbox.ca/

At the 20 km mark, we turned south and came across this marker at the corner of the road. This spot was once home to the District of Garfield's general store and post office that once stood here in 1910. All that remains in its place is this plaque. Would have loved to have seen the old buildings still standing.



Not a typical garden that one would might expect to find out here.



The back roads were virtually void of any vehicles which was a departure from the more frequently trafficked roadways that we are normally accustomed to riding on.

Pasu Farms is a working sheep ranch that features a dine-in restaurant as well as a store that sells what else but sheep related goods.

Home - PaSu Farm

www.pasu.com

A video tribute to our ride along the Carstairs Loop.

 

[Art Deco]

Farmland Vistas

Yesterday’s ride took us out to the town of Carstairs about an hour drive from Red Deer. We cycled a loop along a number of country township and range roads while enjoying the views of rolling farmland on the eastern edge of the foothills known as Mountainview County. What a great way to see some of the finer agricultural land that Central Alberta has to offer and the hard work that produces some of the food that goes onto our tables.

View attachment 100048

The mountains far afield were constantly beckoning to us but, on this day, we couldn’t have felt more at home than riding the serene stretches of road that lay ahead of us.

View attachment 100049

Donkey(ote) seemed content to a life in the pasture.

View attachment 100050

With harvest season coming to a close, the smell of hay hung heavy in the air as we made our way along our intended route.

View attachment 100051

One of a handful of livestock breeding herds that we came across.

View attachment 100052

This small operation called ‘The Honest Box’ is typical of many of the family run gardens and hobby farms that dot the landscape.

https://thehonestbox.ca/

View attachment 100053

At the 20 km mark, we turned south and came across this marker at the corner of the road. This spot was once home to the District of Garfield's general store and post office that once stood here in 1910. All that remains in its place is this plaque. Would have loved to have seen the old buildings still standing.

View attachment 100054

Not a typical garden that one would might expect to find out here.

View attachment 100068

The back roads were virtually void of any vehicles which was a departure from the more frequently trafficked roadways that we are normally accustomed to riding on.

View attachment 100055
View attachment 100056

Pasu Farms is a working sheep ranch that features a dine-in restaurant as well as a store that sells what else but sheep related goods.

Home - PaSu Farm

www.pasu.com

View attachment 100057View attachment 100070

A video tribute to our ride along the Carstairs Loop.

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Nice ride and better report. Thanks.

 

[reed scott]

Farmland Vistas

Yesterday’s ride took us out to the town of Carstairs about an hour drive from Red Deer. We cycled a loop along a number of country township and range roads while enjoying the views of rolling farmland on the eastern edge of the foothills known as Mountainview County. What a great way to see some of the finer agricultural land that Central Alberta has to offer and the hard work that produces some of the food that goes onto our tables.

View attachment 100048

The mountains far afield were constantly beckoning to us but, on this day, we couldn’t have felt more at home than riding the serene stretches of road that lay ahead of us.

View attachment 100049

Donkey(ote) seemed content to a life in the pasture.

View attachment 100050

With harvest season coming to a close, the smell of hay hung heavy in the air as we made our way along our intended route.

View attachment 100051

One of a handful of livestock breeding herds that we came across.

View attachment 100052

This small operation called ‘The Honest Box’ is typical of many of the family run gardens and hobby farms that dot the landscape.

https://thehonestbox.ca/

View attachment 100053

At the 20 km mark, we turned south and came across this marker at the corner of the road. This spot was once home to the District of Garfield's general store and post office that once stood here in 1910. All that remains in its place is this plaque. Would have loved to have seen the old buildings still standing.

View attachment 100054

Not a typical garden that one would might expect to find out here.

View attachment 100068

The back roads were virtually void of any vehicles which was a departure from the more frequently trafficked roadways that we are normally accustomed to riding on.

View attachment 100055
View attachment 100056

Pasu Farms is a working sheep ranch that features a dine-in restaurant as well as a store that sells what else but sheep related goods.

Home - PaSu Farm

www.pasu.com

View attachment 100057View attachment 100070

A video tribute to our ride along the Carstairs Loop.

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Pasu farms has some cool products. I'm ordering in a minute.

 

[Gmanx]

golden hour

 

[reed scott]

Farmland Vistas

Yesterday’s ride took us out to the town of Carstairs about an hour drive from Red Deer. We cycled a loop along a number of country township and range roads while enjoying the views of rolling farmland on the eastern edge of the foothills known as Mountainview County. What a great way to see some of the finer agricultural land that Central Alberta has to offer and the hard work that produces some of the food that goes onto our tables.

View attachment 100048

The mountains far afield were constantly beckoning to us but, on this day, we couldn’t have felt more at home than riding the serene stretches of road that lay ahead of us.

View attachment 100049

Donkey(ote) seemed content to a life in the pasture.

View attachment 100050

With harvest season coming to a close, the smell of hay hung heavy in the air as we made our way along our intended route.

View attachment 100051

One of a handful of livestock breeding herds that we came across.

View attachment 100052

This small operation called ‘The Honest Box’ is typical of many of the family run gardens and hobby farms that dot the landscape.

https://thehonestbox.ca/

View attachment 100053

At the 20 km mark, we turned south and came across this marker at the corner of the road. This spot was once home to the District of Garfield's general store and post office that once stood here in 1910. All that remains in its place is this plaque. Would have loved to have seen the old buildings still standing.

View attachment 100054

Not a typical garden that one would might expect to find out here.

View attachment 100068

The back roads were virtually void of any vehicles which was a departure from the more frequently trafficked roadways that we are normally accustomed to riding on.

View attachment 100055
View attachment 100056

Pasu Farms is a working sheep ranch that features a dine-in restaurant as well as a store that sells what else but sheep related goods.

Home - PaSu Farm

www.pasu.com

View attachment 100057View attachment 100070

A video tribute to our ride along the Carstairs Loop.

View attachment 100058View attachment 100059View attachment 100060View attachment 100061View attachment 100062View attachment 100063View attachment 100064View attachment 100065View attachment 100066View attachment 100067

Harold probably doesn't need the money but that truck of his is worth 6 or 8 thousand dollars just as it sits.

 

[reed scott]

Sometimes if you want to ride you have to clear the trails yourself. This weekend I didn't get in much riding, but I started Friday by clearing a little used trail that was completely blocked with new growth and fallen trees, about a couple of meters of clearing needed at one point. I didn't think to record that, just needed to get it done, as I didn't want to turn back. That reminded me I needed to clear another trail closer to home that I'd partially cleared earlier this year, but left one large tree for another day since i could get around it. Went to clear it, but didn't get far and there was a new downed tree, much harder to get around and thought I might as well start here. Finally got top the original tree I had in mind and took care of that. Much resting involved, not in shape, I'm blaming the pandemic.

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Some VERY interesting tree ring data there in the life of that apx 40 year old tree!
page 139

 

[PatriciaK]

Stowed the La Free, and left the battery @60%. Making our way back east this week, and for the next few months I'll be riding the Piedmont Triad area again, back on the Flow! Wave if you see me, y'all .

 

[kahn]

Stowed the La Free, and left the battery @60%. Making our way back east this week, and for the next few months I'll be riding the Piedmont Triad area again, back on the Flow! Wave of you see me, y'all .

Oh, abandoning us before the permanent gray settles in!!! Enjoy the change of scenery.

 

[kahn]

Did a 30 miler yesterday with about 1,500 feet of gain but no pictures as my friend has no time for that. Headed toward the south end of Seattle and then followed the Chief Sealth Trail north for quite a distance. I'd never been on it and it has some decent hills as it climbs toward the north. It is under a major power line corridor lines with those wonderful metal towers. Can't complain too much as Seattle generally generates its own power and the city is The Electric Utility. Rates used to be ridiculously low but not so much any more.

And then this morning Gaia sent me some stats for the last week and I was surprised

 

[reed scott]

Some VERY interesting tree ring data there in the life of that apx 40 year old tree!
page 139

Assuming the tree stood dead for 3 or 4 years it can be seen that the tree sprouted in the late '70s / early '80s. The tree grew quite fast due to obviously wet years for some time. But then began a steady slowing of growth lasting pretty much the entirety of its final 20 years. I would guess that it actually died due to drought stress. Climate change? Certainly could be. Trees usually, in temperate climates, go through an off and on cycle of 10 years or less. Couple wet years. Maybe three dry years. One wet year. One dry year. Whatever. But this tree was well watered for half its 40 year life. And then struggled for the last half of 20 years. In a very regular pattern. Curious.

 

[Art Deco]

Stowed the La Free, and left the battery @60%. Making our way back east this week, and for the next few months I'll be riding the Piedmont Triad area again, back on the Flow! Wave if you see me, y'all .

Just returned from a week in the research triangle area. Daughter graduated (Phd) from NC state . She will be moving to Arizona immediately for a post doc ... much futher away for us, and I intended to stay away from airports...

 

[Mulezen]

Just returned from a week in the research triangle area. Daughter graduated (Phd) from NC state . She will be moving to Arizona immediately for a post doc ... much futher away for us, and I intended to stay away from airports...

Congrats to her…Phd is a long slog. I hope you visit her only in cool months so you can ride

 

[Art Deco]

Congrats to her…Phd is a long slog. I hope you visit her only in cool months so you can ride

We took the bikes in the van with us to N.C., but only rode short runs .. our campsite to their air conditioned cabin on the other side of a park b/c of heat and humidity. And laziness .

 

[Chargeride]

My new brother in law did his phd and I used to rib him that be end up on a grant earning minimunm wage.
His 2nd job and he walked straight into building the roads for the qatar world cup.
12k a month tax free.

 

[Chargeride]

I wont derail the thread anymore..but hes only just married the sister in law, goes to qatar for 10 months and the first pic he sends back is his new secretary
I would not have sent this pic.

 

[reed scott]

I wont derail the thread anymore..but hes only just married the sister in law, goes to qatar for 10 months and the first pic he sends back is his new secretary
I would not have sent this pic.

View attachment 100163

The word 'oblivious' comes to mind.

 

[Mulezen]

It’s as if he has to pin his arm to keep it from wandering. That $job and the fancy degree has given him a new found confidence.

 

[RabH]

Yesterday was a day to forget but today was a whole different story, a day of cycling at its wonderful best! Big climbs and fast descents was the story of the day and with very little traffic it was just sheer bliss! I headed for the Campsie hills to my north which is a haven for hikers and cyclists at the weekend but on a week day I had it almost all to myself, how I love retirement! I headed up the iconic Tak Ma Doon road, don't you just love Scottish names? It starts at around 200ft and climbs sharply to just over 1000ft, once you reach the top you get amazing views on a clear day! It wasn't very clear today though but I wasn't complaining!

Now comes the amazing descent where today I hit 42.3mph, you could easily hit 50 mph here if you knew there was nothing coming in the other direction but I wasn't taking any chances! The ford has to be taken very slowly if you value your life!

Once you get to the end of the road its time to turn for the Carron Valley Reservoir which supplies millions of homes with their precious water, I have never seen it so low as today! A sign of the dry spell we have been having since the middle of August, I'm sure that will change soon...

As I was heading along the twisty road I could see some nasty weather in the distance, was it beyond my turn off to the south? I will soon find out...

A little further and I could see a rainbow which was pretty close to where I was turning!

As I reached the foot of the big climb over the Crow Road which is very popular with cyclists, especially at the weekend I was surprised to see the roads were still dry! Part way up the climb you can see what I missed!

Further up the climb and it was still dry despite the darkness, the photo makes it look much brighter than it actually was!

The descent is just breathtaking when you reach the summit, I didn't stop for photos as it was just too much fun! My luck was really in today as I returned home fully dry and beaming from ear to ear after one of my best rides for quite some time! Over 4000ft of climbing and you could tell from the sweat was that dripping off me, who says you don't get a workout on an e bike?

 

[RabH]

Remainder of my photos!