Friserando
Active Member
- Region
- Europe
Should innovate to take a selfie when riding alone 
Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos
Readytoride
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Virginia
In order to beat the heat...
...one must NOT give in to the temptation of lingering in bed at 7am in the morning to get a few more winks of sleep, but instead check the clock with bleary eyes, pull on the cycling shorts, roll the bike out of the garage, and set off down the road while the temps were a glorious 59°f (15°c), a short lived gift that was soon to be chased off by the forecasted 90°f (32°c) heat and humidity in less than a few hours.
While the morning was blissfully clear, calm and cool, the "almost July" sun was hot and bright, slicing through the dense roadside foliage with a sharpness that hurt the eyes, even through the expensive lenses of my high dollar shades. I kept to the gravel roads as much as possible to take advantage of the deep shade, thankful that the recent rains had left the road surface soft enough to pack a faultless firm and fast under the tires of numerous vehicles traveling the roads afterwards. The firm surface left me free to really move along, testing (still) the mettle of the new Gazelle on the tough hills for the route I'd chosen.
While the snapshot doesn't do justice to the 13% grade of this hill, the fact that most analogue bikes have to climb in "granny gear" because it is steep meant that I had to employ Turbo and a low gear. I chose this route because of this hill to give the Gazelle the acid "climbing" test. Happy to say, it passed with flying colors, performing even better than the LaFree. Going to give credit to the Gazelle's more powerful Class 3 motor vs the less powered Class 1 LaFree.
There was still ample lingering evidence of the uprooted trees and debris caused by the violent storm, although most road debris had long been carted away. What was left was torn up ground from tree rootballs having been removed, and chainsawed tree limbs discarded in the brush where they had fallen. At the top of the hill I came across this scene of an uprooted shed that, seizing the unique opportunity for a fanciful adventure, had joined the fierce winds mid-storm and taken flight to see what the rest of the world had to offer. The giddy wind, clearly in a comedic mood, had taken the shed on a whirlwind journey across the field directly into the embrace of a more firmly anchored shed on a stone base. And thus the two sheds clung together like a couple dancing at a wedding, the slightly inebriated one gleefully recounting its heady windbourn adventures in a rather risque dance move to the amusement of the upright shed while both waited for the estate crew to come drag the wayward shed back to the field from whence it had flown.
I'm sure the estate crew, already overworked by storm debris cleanup, was not going to be amused.
I had just turned down this road and found myself following a power line truck enroute to yet another site of storm damage where the power poles had been damaged or snapped by falling trees. A brand new power pole proudly rode shotgun on the top of the truck, ready to replace a damaged pole somewhere along the road for the next 30 to 40 years until it, too, would be replaced by storm damage or simply old age. The truck, clearly on a tight time based mission of high importance demanding a traveling speed much faster than my languid pace, was quickly lost on the many bends of the road. I turned off onto another road without glimpsing the power truck again. I am sure, however, I will see that pole again standing alongside a local gravel road somewhere, tall and capable under the heavy power lines it will shoulder for decades to come.
By now the air was starting to warm up, stripping the coolness away, the sun was rising higher and hotter, and my right knee was sourly hinting that I still needed to make a minor adjustment or two to my riding position on the Gazelle.
Time to go home to enjoy the AC, a quick brunch, and maybe an afternoon nap to round out the remainder of the day. Zucchini is on the menu for dinner tonight.
...one must NOT give in to the temptation of lingering in bed at 7am in the morning to get a few more winks of sleep, but instead check the clock with bleary eyes, pull on the cycling shorts, roll the bike out of the garage, and set off down the road while the temps were a glorious 59°f (15°c), a short lived gift that was soon to be chased off by the forecasted 90°f (32°c) heat and humidity in less than a few hours.
While the morning was blissfully clear, calm and cool, the "almost July" sun was hot and bright, slicing through the dense roadside foliage with a sharpness that hurt the eyes, even through the expensive lenses of my high dollar shades. I kept to the gravel roads as much as possible to take advantage of the deep shade, thankful that the recent rains had left the road surface soft enough to pack a faultless firm and fast under the tires of numerous vehicles traveling the roads afterwards. The firm surface left me free to really move along, testing (still) the mettle of the new Gazelle on the tough hills for the route I'd chosen.
While the snapshot doesn't do justice to the 13% grade of this hill, the fact that most analogue bikes have to climb in "granny gear" because it is steep meant that I had to employ Turbo and a low gear. I chose this route because of this hill to give the Gazelle the acid "climbing" test. Happy to say, it passed with flying colors, performing even better than the LaFree. Going to give credit to the Gazelle's more powerful Class 3 motor vs the less powered Class 1 LaFree.
There was still ample lingering evidence of the uprooted trees and debris caused by the violent storm, although most road debris had long been carted away. What was left was torn up ground from tree rootballs having been removed, and chainsawed tree limbs discarded in the brush where they had fallen. At the top of the hill I came across this scene of an uprooted shed that, seizing the unique opportunity for a fanciful adventure, had joined the fierce winds mid-storm and taken flight to see what the rest of the world had to offer. The giddy wind, clearly in a comedic mood, had taken the shed on a whirlwind journey across the field directly into the embrace of a more firmly anchored shed on a stone base. And thus the two sheds clung together like a couple dancing at a wedding, the slightly inebriated one gleefully recounting its heady windbourn adventures in a rather risque dance move to the amusement of the upright shed while both waited for the estate crew to come drag the wayward shed back to the field from whence it had flown.
I'm sure the estate crew, already overworked by storm debris cleanup, was not going to be amused.
I had just turned down this road and found myself following a power line truck enroute to yet another site of storm damage where the power poles had been damaged or snapped by falling trees. A brand new power pole proudly rode shotgun on the top of the truck, ready to replace a damaged pole somewhere along the road for the next 30 to 40 years until it, too, would be replaced by storm damage or simply old age. The truck, clearly on a tight time based mission of high importance demanding a traveling speed much faster than my languid pace, was quickly lost on the many bends of the road. I turned off onto another road without glimpsing the power truck again. I am sure, however, I will see that pole again standing alongside a local gravel road somewhere, tall and capable under the heavy power lines it will shoulder for decades to come.
By now the air was starting to warm up, stripping the coolness away, the sun was rising higher and hotter, and my right knee was sourly hinting that I still needed to make a minor adjustment or two to my riding position on the Gazelle.
Time to go home to enjoy the AC, a quick brunch, and maybe an afternoon nap to round out the remainder of the day. Zucchini is on the menu for dinner tonight.
Last edited:
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
My wife was clad in her new jersey today prior to setting out on our daily training ride. Being a rather avid gardener, I think that the look suits her rather well. 
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Thats actually a saying in the UK, having too much to drink is called a shedfull
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Gee, things grow fast in your neck of the woods. Our community veg plots are still juvenile in comparison and zucchini hasn’t even bloomed yet. Constant rain has hampered progress and only recently were we able to get at the weeds.Time to go home to enjoy the AC, a quick brunch, and maybe an afternoon nap to round out the remainder of the day. Zucchini is on the menu for dinner tonight.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Gawjus! It takes us hours just to drive to the mountains. So nice to have this gem of a day hike so close to your home base.
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
My zuke is much like yours. Not a hint of anything happening.
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
About 40 miles away from home. Although, with the ahem, right traffic is can be hours away. But it is NOT the Canadian Rockies. And I can assure you, with 4th of July weekend, I will avoid both the roads and the trails. We retirees do not need to compete for the trails on weekends or especially holiday weekendsGawjus! It takes us hours just to drive to the mountains. So nice to have this gem of a day hike so close to your home base.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
I hear ya, with July 1st Canada Day celebrations just around the corner, I can assure you that we’re stickin’ close to home too. I’m sure though many will be taking full advantage of the summer skiing up at Sunshine. No siree…not me.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I visited Colorado Springs in the way back 90s and drove up Pikes Peak when it was a dirt track.
So what Im saying is, could you ride up it?
So what Im saying is, could you ride up it?
RabH
Well-Known Member
Rain was threatening once again but wasn't due to arrive until 11am, so off I set at 7am into a lovely morning with light winds for a change! Roads like this were the order of the day, you can see the darkness in the distance here so I turned off the road and headed north to avoid the nasty rain clouds!
I reached the town of Kirknewton which was my destination with no sign of rain so far, in fact it was lovely here and you could see the Queensferry crossing in the distance!
I was now riding along the A70 which was pretty quiet today for a main road, the Pentland Hills can be seen on the left along most of this route!
This road climbs up to 1100ft and can be pretty nasty in the winter, no danger in July though with temps of 16C! I remember cycling it in the middle of winter many years ago with 6 foot snowbanks at either side, the road itself was fine though thankfully!
Harperrig Reservoir!
I was tempted to try this road today but with the threat of rain in the air I will leave it for another day!
The high point of the A70, all downhill after this thankfully!
Thankfully I made it home without a spot of rain, what a fantastic ride I had!
In fact it still hasn't rained and its now after 1pm, the forecasts are very erratic these days....still no sign of summer here but I'm happy with the lower temps, 16C is just perfect for cycling! I may take my bike to the racing on Sunday but I will wait and see what the weather is doing as it will be a long day, I will only take the car if its absolutely necessary....Attachments
D
Deleted member 18083
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kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
I hitch hiked up there years ago since I was not sure my car would make it. But better yet, years ago, "we" drove up Mt Washington and since they charged per person, two guys got in the trunk so we could save some money!!!! Thanks for triggering that ridiculous memory!
RabH
Well-Known Member
So our summer is like your winter, I'm not jealous!
:
D
Deleted member 18083
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The Coastal Path …
The full name of the walking and cycling trail running along the sand dunes next to the Pacific Ocean is the Sunshine Coast Coastal Path: why use three words when you have the opportunity to use a few more?
Be that as it may, a ride along the track is a delightful experience. The beach beside the trail has real waves rolling in from who knows how far away (Fiji, Tahiti?)—a novelty for me, given that my coastal rides are usually beside still waters in the lee of the huge sand islands that dominate the southern of the Queensland coast.
Some locals were determined to plunge into the icy water—I've just checked from the safety of the internet: 21ºC—but I kept to the path, stopping for photos and, more importantly, a chilli-spiced dark chocolate milkshake at Peregian Beach. (Put it on every chocoholic's bucket list!)
Sunshine Coast Coastal Path
Queensland
Queensland
The full name of the walking and cycling trail running along the sand dunes next to the Pacific Ocean is the Sunshine Coast Coastal Path: why use three words when you have the opportunity to use a few more?
Be that as it may, a ride along the track is a delightful experience. The beach beside the trail has real waves rolling in from who knows how far away (Fiji, Tahiti?)—a novelty for me, given that my coastal rides are usually beside still waters in the lee of the huge sand islands that dominate the southern of the Queensland coast.
Some locals were determined to plunge into the icy water—I've just checked from the safety of the internet: 21ºC—but I kept to the path, stopping for photos and, more importantly, a chilli-spiced dark chocolate milkshake at Peregian Beach. (Put it on every chocoholic's bucket list!)
Readytoride
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Virginia
A Solar day
I made a big mistake last night. I texted G at about 9pm and asked if she wanted to ride in the morning with me. I warned her I was planning on getting on my bike at 6am because of the forecasted 95°f (35°c) heat by noon, and because I was expecting a construction crew at our place by 9am.
Woke up at 5:30am, noticed no return text from G, and decided 6am was too early for anything other than a return to sleep. At 6am my phone dinged a text. Eyes closed, I felt around on the night table for the phone and opened one eye to read the message. It was from G. It read "I'm just getting up. Was thinking I might ride for a few [miles] but this is too early".
I mentally agreed, placed the phone on the night table and was just heading back to dreamsville when the phone dinged again. This message read "I'll get dressed."
What? Now?!!
I think it took 30 seconds for me to leap put of bed, get dressed, fill the water bottles, and roll the Gazelle out of the garage to a gorgeous morning full of clear skies and cool temps. Met G at her place and we took off on a 10 mile gravel road ride that, due to the gorgeous morning, soon extended towards 15 miles. Our early morning tour had looped us back 2 miles from home with G, who was having a grand time on the ride, ready to do an additional 5 to 10 more miles ...when my phone dinged. The message was from hubby. It read "They're here!!
I hit the call button and told him "I'm 2 miles from home and heading back now." One mile later G spilt off on the Y intersection to her house yelling back a goodbye while I booked it home on my road. Didn't even bike all the way up the driveway but raced through the open gate to the lower field where the Solar Foundation Company crew was waiting for me to make an executive decision on an adjustment to the direction of the new ground array structure.
It was 8:09am
This was the rest of my day (watching with great excitment):
The company doing the trenching for the wires from the solar array to our house arrived at noon and began work on the 120' of underground boring. Subterranean rocks slowed their progress, and then the thunderstorms rolled in, so they will be returning tomorrow to finish trenching. Both jobs will be inspected and approved by the county on the 5th and the solar panels will be installed on the array on the 7th. The solar company technician overseeing the work of both companies left at the end of the day with a big smile and an armful of fresh veggies from our gardens to bring home to his wife.
Rain and more miserable heat is forecast for tomorrow morning, so I plan to take the day off, relax, and watch the Tour de France on TV.
(The building to the left in the pictures is our carriage house, newly re-sided just 2 months ago. Behind it is the barn.)
I made a big mistake last night. I texted G at about 9pm and asked if she wanted to ride in the morning with me. I warned her I was planning on getting on my bike at 6am because of the forecasted 95°f (35°c) heat by noon, and because I was expecting a construction crew at our place by 9am.
Woke up at 5:30am, noticed no return text from G, and decided 6am was too early for anything other than a return to sleep. At 6am my phone dinged a text. Eyes closed, I felt around on the night table for the phone and opened one eye to read the message. It was from G. It read "I'm just getting up. Was thinking I might ride for a few [miles] but this is too early".
I mentally agreed, placed the phone on the night table and was just heading back to dreamsville when the phone dinged again. This message read "I'll get dressed."
What? Now?!!
I think it took 30 seconds for me to leap put of bed, get dressed, fill the water bottles, and roll the Gazelle out of the garage to a gorgeous morning full of clear skies and cool temps. Met G at her place and we took off on a 10 mile gravel road ride that, due to the gorgeous morning, soon extended towards 15 miles. Our early morning tour had looped us back 2 miles from home with G, who was having a grand time on the ride, ready to do an additional 5 to 10 more miles ...when my phone dinged. The message was from hubby. It read "They're here!!
I hit the call button and told him "I'm 2 miles from home and heading back now." One mile later G spilt off on the Y intersection to her house yelling back a goodbye while I booked it home on my road. Didn't even bike all the way up the driveway but raced through the open gate to the lower field where the Solar Foundation Company crew was waiting for me to make an executive decision on an adjustment to the direction of the new ground array structure.
It was 8:09am
This was the rest of my day (watching with great excitment):
The company doing the trenching for the wires from the solar array to our house arrived at noon and began work on the 120' of underground boring. Subterranean rocks slowed their progress, and then the thunderstorms rolled in, so they will be returning tomorrow to finish trenching. Both jobs will be inspected and approved by the county on the 5th and the solar panels will be installed on the array on the 7th. The solar company technician overseeing the work of both companies left at the end of the day with a big smile and an armful of fresh veggies from our gardens to bring home to his wife.
Rain and more miserable heat is forecast for tomorrow morning, so I plan to take the day off, relax, and watch the Tour de France on TV.
(The building to the left in the pictures is our carriage house, newly re-sided just 2 months ago. Behind it is the barn.)
Mulezen
Well-Known Member
The same humid air as above in R2R's post. I stopped at the mysterious (to me) tree-shrouded nunnery. I don't believe the house to the left of them is affiliated. On the other side of the road I saw this deer in the same place I saw an albino one 18 moths ago.
I've been experiencing growing pains adjusting to the Nyon...and I havent tried to use the map yet. Some problems I've resolved...unlike COBI I no longer have use of Strava and the readout of my Apple Watches' BPM. In fact it seems to block the sampling in the watch itself. Some problems like synching and dialup Wifi is a consequence of living in third world America.
I've been experiencing growing pains adjusting to the Nyon...and I havent tried to use the map yet. Some problems I've resolved...unlike COBI I no longer have use of Strava and the readout of my Apple Watches' BPM. In fact it seems to block the sampling in the watch itself. Some problems like synching and dialup Wifi is a consequence of living in third world America.
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