Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Chargeride]

My friends are in the woods, they just sent this.
Looks like the paths are back on.

Watch w4giv7 | Streamable

Watch this video on Streamable.

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[Jon A]

How exactly fat are the tyres on the Triaero of yours? What Triaero model is it?

It's an SN04 I built from the frame up. Those are 26X4.6" Wrathchilds. Pretty fantastic traction over any surface. About their only weak spot is when the snow gets too deep/soft, some of the fatter tires will do better with a bit more float, but they're about as big as will comfortably fit on the rear of that bike. I've got a set of 26X5.0" Johnny 5's for my E06--it should be a good amount more capable when things get really deep (Bafangroid injected legs won't hurt either!).

Which side of the mountains are you? East or west? I'm Seattle. I hear it is snowing in Auburn this morning. When it does snow here, it becomes a real issue trying to get out of the hilly city. And then, it seems to mean that I-90 will close due to spin-outs.

Same for me, I'm stuck in Everett until I can get my house built in Montana. For playing in the snow, the other side of the mountains is usually a better place to do it, but you risk getting stranded there on any given day. Rainy/slushy/wet snow isn't much fun...

 

[Deleted member 18083]

At home amongst the palm trees…

Redcliffe Peninsula
9:40 am; 75km (46km to go)​

Australians aren't given to flying flags outside their houses, so it's certainly appreciated when someone lets cyclists know by how much they need to increase their effort (or assistance level) when the wind 'gets up' from the wrong direction on the way home.

I think we all know who this photo is for.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

I am NOT stuck in the mud!

Australasian Swamphen chick (Porphyrio melanotus)
Moreton Bay Cycleway, Nudgee Wetlands
111 km; 11:40 am​

With the temperatures creeping up, I've resolved to finish every ride by midday.

Mixed success. On Sunday I rode from home and, as it was a medium length ride (80 km), I was back by 10 am. Monday and Wednesday were each half as long again but on both occasions I missed the finish-before-you're-fried deadline by fifteen or twenty minutes. Not that I minded in the least!

On Monday's ride, as I was entering the Boondall Wetlands, I was hollered by my friends Rolf and Ursula with whom I had ridden many times in pre-ebike days. Now in their early eighties, they are riding Specialized ebikes. Splendid! The delay was caused by chatting, not slow pedalling. They rode right on our 25 km/h EU-imposed limit often drifting above (without assist).

And so to Wednesday: the same route but with a gentle tailwind all the way north. Of course, that meant a headwind of increasing intensity on the return trip (see the Polish flag above), but I knew I could make it back to the car before noon!

As I crossed the boardwalk marking the end of the wetlands area (10 km to go!), a family of swamphens passed beneath. There was no way of continuing: I had to stop! By the time I was off the Homage and ready to take their photo only one straggler was visible about twenty metres away, plodding doggedly (appropriate word?) in its parents' footsteps. Worth the delay, though!

 

[kahn]

At home amongst the palm trees…

View attachment 109402

Redcliffe Peninsula
9:40 am; 75km (46km to go)​

Australians aren't given to flying flags outside their houses, so it's certainly appreciated when someone lets cyclists know by how much they need to increase their effort (or assistance level) when the wind 'gets up' from the wrong direction on the way home.

I think we all know who this photo is for.

What kind of PALMS? They seem to have thinner fronds than most I've seen.

 

[DiggyGun]

At last, we got out today on the bikes after a couple of weeks of being indoors now. First we had an icy and cold snap with a wind chill of -3oC. Then I had a stinking cold for a week or so, but feeling better now, I’m pleased to report.

We had a nice ride the countryside of North Buckinghamshire and here are some photos of the area;

Horwood House in Little Horwood

Claydon House in Middle Claydon

St Mary the Virgin Church in East Claydon

We also noticed that we’ve had a visit from the Tree Vandals near to where we live

It was really nice to get out today after being cooped up inside for a while. Fortunately, the Wife has the next two days off, so we’ll be out again enjoying ourselves

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Australians aren't given to flying flags outside their houses

Same in Poland. You will see our national flags on national holidays only. However, many businesses here fly their company flags outside, and that really makes easy to understand the wind direction and strength. You will also find many little windmill generators with weather vane, also helpful although depressing at times...

 

[Chargeride]

Ive noticed a lot more Union Jacks going up, theres a few around here

The England flag does get flown, but having one outside of the world cup pretty well labels you a nazi.....
which is pretty odd when you think about it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Ive noticed a lot more Union Jacks going up, theres a few around here

The England flag does get flown, but having one outside of the world cup pretty well labels you a nazi.....
which is pretty odd when you think about it.

Don't get cross at me but I perceive the UK as the country with the least respect towards their own national flag. I attribute it to the specific British sense of humor though

 

[Chargeride]

Its not a forum for politics, but the non sport English flag has been placed on the cover of the book of racists, the unwashed and isolationists.
You can guess who engineered it all.

Brexit was almost entirely based on snobbery, we fell out with each other..not with Europe

 

[Mulezen]

I'm forced to disagree with you Stefan. Consider my local circumstances

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Its not a forum for politics, but the non sport English flag has been placed on the cover of the book of racists, the unwashed and isolationists.
You can guess who engineered it all.

Brexit was almost entirely based on snobbery, we fell out with each other..not with Europe

You're right, no politics in this Forum!
Let me enjoy your adventures!

I'm forced to disagree with you Stefan. Consider my local circumstances

It is not I disagree. I simply didn't think of the Confederate flag at the moment. Bear in mind England is close to my heart as my gf lives there. And no politics in this Forum!

 

[RabH]

Just another local ride today in perfect conditions for the time of year, 4C and no wind made for a very enjoyable ride! I had most of the roads to myself and had a real blast, I'm so lucky to have such amazing roads virtually on my doorstep! I'm certainly missing my longer rides but I should be happy that I can get out at this time of year so I'm not complaining!

The Campsie Hills were looking great in the sun, no sign of that where I was!

The roads are filthy at this time of year but my mudguards do a wonderful job, in all the years I have been cycling on this particular road I have only ever met one vehicle and had to pull over to let it through! Maybe I shouldn't tempt fate by saying that! I was so tempted to turn right here as its an amazing descent with lots of twists and turns but I had promised my dad I would be back at a certain time...another day!

Its very narrow as you can see here!

Thankfully the threatened mist didn't make an appearance, it seemed to prefer the hills today!

The weather is looking promising next week so hopefully I can complete my 5,000 miles, only 82 to go! My favourite day (Sunday) may be foggy though and if so, I will give it a miss! Its going to be freezing again so the back roads won't be an option...we may even have a white Christmas as they are forecasting some snow for Christmas Eve!

 

[DiggyGun]

Another nice ride out today. A bit chillier, but sun was shining as well, so made it a nice day.

Took a slightly different route today and ventured into new areas.

Stopped and had a picnic lunch in the Churchyard of St Micheal and All Angels Church in Stewkley.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The weather is looking promising next week so hopefully I can complete my 5,000 miles, only 82 to go! My favourite day (Sunday) may be foggy though and if so, I will give it a miss! Its going to be freezing again so the back roads won't be an option...we may even have a white Christmas as they are forecasting some snow for Christmas Eve!

So glad to hear that you as well as others are getting out despite the chilly weather. I’m hoping to do the same once it warms up a bit here. Tomorrow’s high is expected to hit -15C…woohoo! Relatively balmy compared to what we've been experiencing of late. Today’s not so great so I’ll spend time performing maintenance on the bike. At least the sun is shining bright!



It’s also nice to see that you’re able to spend time with your pop and know that he’s never far away from your mind. Getting out on the bike is a great way to take a well-deserved break for body and soul.

 

[Chargeride]

OK, Ive charged the battery, oiled the chain, had a look at a few routes.
But now it appears grandparents are the default designated child minders over Christmas.
Im not complaining, little ones are a gift and can reset a thousand slowly developed habits that appear comfortable, but are also dangerous to the Id, but sometimes I feel myself smiling through gritted teeth as the next 'Penguin has a fun day' book is thrust into my hand for recital, while the bike sits in my peripheral vision, mocking me ..
Yes its not pity, its laughing at me.

 

[Kayakguy]

Muddy river…
When we were in Queensland in '06, we saw some of these crossings, except they were mostly dry. We couldn't help notice the many vehicles with snorkels. The approaches had signs on posts that let the driver know how deep the water would be if you tried to cross. When we were heading up into the Daintree, we crossed one river during a heavy rain spell on a ferry that operated with a cable run by a motor on the boat (if I remember correctly). Must have been lots of crocs around waiting for the cable to break or the ferry to sink, but we didn't see any.
View attachment 108488

Twin Bridges
Brisbane River near Fernvale​

With the river level dropping, someone had wondered whether they might get across the twin bridges and then thought better of the idea and reversed (with difficulty; right of photo!) to safety.

I kept well away, knowing that going further would see me slip-sliding on the mud and landing on my backside (how embarrassing!). And it was no easier further downstream…

View attachment 108489

Savages Crossing
Brisbane River near Fernvale​

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Early morning ride…

5:00 am; 9 km
Wanora; Brisbane Valley RT​

5:20 am; 14 km
Orb-weaver Spider (Genus: Eriophora; Species: ?)
Fernvale; Brisbane Valley RT​

5:30 am; 16 km
Fernvale; Brisbane Valley RT​

Saturday's one-hour-out (and the same back) ride with my TOP Cycling group started at Lowood next to the Brisbane River.

Being a local, I started from home shortly before sunrise (4:48 am today; sunset 6:42 pm) and rode the 24 km to the start, most of it through countryside like that above. (At 75 km on map, but actually 16 km into the ride rather than on the return.)

Interestingly, today was the first time that we were stopped at the entrance to a café (Lowood's Coffee in the Park) and required to display our digital 'fully vaccinated' certificates before being served. The 'new normal': no certificate = no entry (from this weekend, the state government is enforcing severe restrictions on the unvaxxed).

I am not sure of the orb-weaver spider's identity. I also don't know whether the droplets are goo to catch insects or dew (the former, I guess). Yes, the photo is the right way up! The cute little thing might just have fitted in the palm of my hand (didn't want to scare it, though); it's web (mostly out of the picture) was more than a metre across.

Easy riding all the way with a mirror-perfect elevation profile:

 

[DiggyGun]

Downloaded a new route from Kamoot and tried that today.

A chilly day and some ear warmers were needed.

Part of it was on roads that we know, but there were some new roads that we haven’t been on before.

The memorial was where we had our picnic lunch at Botolph Claydon and the windmill is in Quainton.

 

[Mulezen]

Early this week Virginia's excellent Governor Dr. Ralph Northam while discussing the state budget spoke for some time about one inclusion...Approx. $20 million for the expansion of greenways. As an example he talked at length about the Capitol Trail which runs along the James River from Jamestown to Richmond...approximately 50 miles. He cited as an example economic and health data. So on Friday with temperatures approaching 70f I took my Bike to the trail first stopping at the bike rest area off I295 and route 5 just east of Richmond VA. The giant bike was found there. I took the car further down Rt. 5 and unloaded at Charles City for my little jaunt. I found riding the trail itself less interesting than my home range where the topography is folds and curves rather than the straight rather flat Capitol Trail. I did enjoy my stop in Charles City where I had a fine lunch at The Polar Express which is where the Alpaca was.