Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[BlackHand]

Visiting the other side of the family in Michigan I did get access to borrow my nephew's old bike for a couple morning rides while my family slept in.

First ride was 19 miles through downtown Grand Rapids and along the Grand River. Kind of a slow ride as I could only get 6 gears working out of the 18 on the decrepit old Mongoose. The highlights were a family of turtles hanging out on a log just across the river from the Gerald Ford Presidential Library. Continuing downstream I found a few miles of quiet trails along the river. Rather than retrace my steps I crossed back over the river and got to see the recycling plant, power plant, car impound lot, and sewage treatment facility.

The next day I headed the opposite direction outside the beltline for a pleasant 23+ mile ride through farmland that is slowly being ceded to suburbia - as evidenced by this silo that now serves as a climbing wall on a small playground.

Highlights of this ride included stumbling across a 1867 covered bridge in Ada and watching a family of Sandhill Cranes hanging out in a pasture.


Hoping for at least a short ebike ride tomorrow but we also have to pick up our menagerie of pets (dog, bearded dragon, salamander, and hedgehog) from their respective caretakers and get everyone settled.

 

[dodgeman]

I did an easy 12 miles today after a longer ride yesterday. Guess what, I found another barn to take a pic of, this is newer and on an Amish farm.

 

[RabH]

Thankfully the weather forecast was looking good for a ride to the car racing today, 2 miles into my ride the weather closed right in and I got soaked! 2 miles further and the sun was shining and I soon dried up again, that's Scotland for you! No more rain after that, the forecast was almost right...the wind was pretty blustery and I had it behind me most of the way to the circuit! After crossing the Kincardine Bridge I was heading for the back road which leads to the circuit, the Ochil Hills were looking good as always!

Onwards towards the circuit, the roads were pretty quiet and nice and dry!

The actual hill which the circuit is named after, Knockhill!

After many miles of climbing it was good to see the lovely downhill which leads to the road into the track!

My bike was now needing a rest! Well maybe it was me that needed one, I was sitting on a bench above enjoying the racing!

A ride to the other end of the circuit was now in order, I was just in time to catch the slowest cars of the day, Citroen C1's but what a lot of fun they are to watch as they try to keep momentum through the corners!

Next up were the classics, such great variety to enjoy!

It looked warm and it was when the sun was out but when the sun disappeared the blustery wind made it pretty chilly! It was time to head home now and tackle the 25-30mph headwind, I still had 43% left on my first battery but that soon evaporated as I battled into the wind! I came into the circuit from the south so I left to the north, its mostly downhill at first but it didn't feel like it with that wind!

The road runs between the trees on the far right here, it gets pretty dark here even in daylight!

After a mile or so I turned off on to the awesome quiet back road which leads to the village of Saline, its mostly downhill and such a blast to ride down! After Saline I took the back road which leads to Forestmill where you get another nice view of the Ochil Hills!

I soldiered on into the headwind and with all the downhills I had plenty battery power left so I cranked the assist up for the final climbs back home, its such a relief knowing you have all that power on tap to tackle all those climbs! I finally got home and I was pretty tired and thinking I would leave my report until tomorrow but I summoned the energy to post it tonight, I will soon collapse into bed and enjoy a much needed sleep! What a fantastic day, I just love cycling to the racing and enjoying both of my passions at the same time!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Greetings from Bankfurt am Main...

Very little bikes and e-bikes here. Perhaps because of very warm weather...

 

[Prairie Dog]

@RabH - What a great way to take a break from the ride. Very cool to see the different classes of cars out on the track but that yellow Ferrari sticks out like a sore thumb…..but in a good way.

 

[Chargeride]

Greetings from Bankfurt am Main...
View attachment 132796
Very little bikes and e-bikes here. Perhaps because of very warm weather...

Soon to be bankruptfurt

 

[Chargeride]

Visiting the other side of the family in Michigan I did get access to borrow my nephew's old bike for a couple morning rides while my family slept in.

First ride was 19 miles through downtown Grand Rapids and along the Grand River. Kind of a slow ride as I could only get 6 gears working out of the 18 on the decrepit old Mongoose. The highlights were a family of turtles hanging out on a log just across the river from the Gerald Ford Presidential Library. Continuing downstream I found a few miles of quiet trails along the river. Rather than retrace my steps I crossed back over the river and got to see the recycling plant, power plant, car impound lot, and sewage treatment facility.
View attachment 132687View attachment 132688View attachment 132692View attachment 132691
The next day I headed the opposite direction outside the beltline for a pleasant 23+ mile ride through farmland that is slowly being ceded to suburbia - as evidenced by this silo that now serves as a climbing wall on a small playground.
View attachment 132693

Highlights of this ride included stumbling across a 1867 covered bridge in Ada and watching a family of Sandhill Cranes hanging out in a pasture.
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Hoping for at least a short ebike ride tomorrow but we also have to pick up our menagerie of pets (dog, bearded dragon, salamander, and hedgehog) from their respective caretakers and get everyone settled.

Im looking at the astronaut, and thinking.
..whats the bicycle significance?
Then I was ..oh yeah, its yours.

 

[RabH]

@RabH - What a great way to take a break from the ride. Very cool to see the different classes of cars out on the track but that yellow Ferrari sticks out like a sore thumb…..but in a good way.

View attachment 132803

Would you believe the drivers name is Mario Ferrari? He actually destroyed the car in an accident at the track a few years ago, yesterday was his first outing in it since the rebuild!

I have a trip planned to the Isle of Arran this Wednesday, it will be my first time on the island and my first time on a boat for a very long time! You can actually ride all the way round the island which is 55 miles but I'm going for the figure 8 route over the hills! It is just a day trip so fingers crossed all goes well with the ferry...

 

[dodgeman]

I did 12 miles today, was trying for a average speed of 15 mph and did 15.1. And yes, I found another barn of the day. This one had a windmill that was in good shape, I’m betting restored or a new one.

 

[dodgeman]

I did 36 miles today and road to the small town of Plymouth. Took some pics of an abandoned house over the top of the corn and another pic of an abandoned house and barn. Also a pic of the Gazebo in the center of the town square. Looks like they have Old Settler’s Day this weekend in Plymouth. Most likely quite the shindig.

 

[Djangodog]

I did 36 miles today and road to the small town of Plymouth. Took some pics of an abandoned house over the top of the corn and another pic of an abandoned house and barn. Also a pic of the Gazebo in the center of the town square. Looks like they have Old Settler’s Day this weekend in Plymouth. Most likely quite the shindig.
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One plus with the housing shortage is that at least in my area, people are renovating homes that have been vacant for many years. It is finally cost effective. It’s always sad to see areas that have become depressed because the main source of employment has left. Hopefully, new employment will spring up and there will be a re-birth in those areas. Working remotely makes you less dependent on a local employer, but of course there are many jobs that cannot be done remotely.

Seeing what used to be a home to someone becoming a pile of rotting boards is still very sad, and at the same time artistic and has it’s own beauty, (cycle of life and all that).

 

[dodgeman]

The rural population in this area peaked 80 to 90 years ago and the area had a lot of small farms. Both of the houses I took a photo of were outside of town. Today farms are much larger hence a lot of empty houses, but there is even more that we’re tore down years ago.

 

[Chargeride]

Not much riding done, been sorting out the old man, hes not taking his tablets and getting a bit hermit.
Been driving him about to get some enthusiasm back in him, 86 and the creaky hips dont help.
I might stay down with him for a few months to make sure hes doing OK.
He liked the stone features the kids had built on the beach ..

Drone shot near our airbnb in Thurlestone, in the very distance is the original Plymouth the Mayflower left from.

Nights are drawing in, this is only 9.30 down at the Beach Hut.

Here it is around 8.30, great vibe on warm summer nights

The apartment is right in the middle of proper locals, not posh holiday makers.
All Devurn aksents, lots of battered cars and kids playing in the streets.
Loving it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Soon to be bankruptfurt

The only genuine!

 

[Djangodog]

View attachment 133051
The only genuine!

My first time in Germany, my boss’s boss asked me what I wanted to do for dinner. He told me that we could eat anywhere I liked. I said that I wanted some authentic German food. He said no, we’ll go to a Greek restaurant.

The next night he once again told me that we could eat anywhere I liked. I said that I really wanted some authentic German food. He said no, we’ll go to a Turkish restaurant.

Three weeks later, as I was headed home, I spent the weekend in Vienna and finally got to eat some “German” food. It looked a lot like that.

 

[kahn]

My first time in Germany, my boss’s boss asked me what I wanted to do for dinner. He told me that we could eat anywhere I liked. I said that I wanted some authentic German food. He said no, we’ll go to a Greek restaurant.

The next night he once again told me that we could eat anywhere I liked. I said that I really wanted some authentic German food. He said no, we’ll go to a Turkish restaurant.

Three weeks later, as I was headed home, I spent the weekend in Vienna and finally got to eat some “German” food. It looked a lot like that.

I really like Schweinshaxe (ham hock).

On one trip, I found one in a "fast food" deli type place. Pre-cooked. Brought it back to the hotel room and tossed it on the heater. My roommate was not impressed!

 

[RabH]

For years my older brother has told me to go to Arran as he said its just amazing, especially for cycling! I kept putting it off because I was afraid of taking the ferry, its just something that takes me out of my comfort zone! Well I finally plucked up the courage and I regret not listening to my brother years ago....it is cycling heaven especially if you love hills like me!

I got up at stupid o'clock to catch the early ferry, all the way down it poured with rain but the forecast said it would clear up! My ferry arrived at Brodick which is the Capital of Arran and as I disembarked the rain had just stopped, the roads were wet but it was mild and I was raring to go on my adventure! The Caledonian Isles was my first ferry today and it was really plush inside with very comfortable seats, it was perfect for the trip over as the weather was awful so I sat back in the seat and just relaxed for the 55 minute journey!

Caledonian Isles at Brodick!

As I was leaving the boat there was another cyclist who asked me what route I was taking, I told him I was heading west first over the String Road which starts at sea level and rises to almost 800ft (check the profile) very rapidly, he said he was going north first so I told him to have a great ride and maybe we would meet on the way round! As he had a standard road bike he wanted to warm up a bit before climbing, no such problems with an e bike!

The view at the top of the String Road, low cloud all around!

The descent was just awesome even with wet roads, some of the road was lovely new tarmac but some a bit rough so I had to be careful! This road leads to Blackwaterfoot right on the west coast which has a quaint little harbour!

The clouds were still shrouding the mountains at this point!

My next stop would be Lochranza on the northern tip of the island, most of the road is low lying and hugs the coastline! Some of the road has just been repaired and it was just sublime to ride! This is looking back towards Carradale on the mainland I believe, as you can see the road was in awesome condition!

I reached Lochranza and timed it perfect to see the ferry coming in to dock with the ramp starting to open! By now the sun was starting to break through and it was becoming very pleasant! I had some snacks here as I knew a big climb was coming round the corner, it starts gradually and then just goes up and up!

The climb only goes up to just under 700ft but it sure makes you work even on an e bike, not a bad view part way up the climb!

The descent down to Sannox is just breathtaking and the roads were dry now so I was having an absolute blast, it goes from 700ft to sea level in 3 miles! I reached 45mph down that descent, virtually freewheeling as I didn't know the road that well...now I know it a little better so next time who knows what speed I will hit...

I passed through Sannox and I was heading for Corrie when I spotted a seal sitting on one of the rocks, I was wishing I had a decent camera to get a nice close up...a silhouette will have to do!

I was now heading back to Brodick which was my starting point but my intention was to continue to the southern tip of Arran, I had a lovely view of the Holy Isle which is just across the water from Lamlash! I sat on a bench here looking across to the island and enjoyed my packed lunch which I was going to need for the final climbs ahead of me!

The roads here were just amazing and the view back to the Arran mountains was just stunning!

I continued on around the southern peninsula and the stunning views just kept coming!

I was now heading up the west coast of Arran towards Blackwaterfoot which is where my first descent of the day took me, my intention was to go back over the String Road now that it was dry and enjoy the breathtaking descent back down to Brodick where I would catch my ferry back to the mainland!

Just about to start the descent but I had to stop to capture this scene!

Now it was time to enjoy that wonderful descent back down to Brodick, the best thing about it was the lack of traffic and other cyclists because it was a weekday so I could really go for it! Go for it I sure did, I glanced at my display on my bike and it was showing 50.7mph I then looked at my gps and it showed 50.2mph, Ridewithgps regsitered it as 49.8!

Proof required!

Back down in Brodick and I was waiting for the ferry to arrive, time for more pictures...

My personal favourite which just sums Arran up!

Then my ferry arrived, aptly named the Isle Of Arran! This one was a bit of an old banger but it had an open deck up top and with the sun beating down now it was truly wonderful! I had a fabulous view of all the surroundings on my trip back to the mainland! I can honestly say this was my favourite ever bike ride, I will be back in a heartbeat as there is so much more to explore! I took that many photos my phone was down to 5% when I sat down on the ferry home!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Then my ferry arrived, aptly named the Isle Of Arran! This one was a bit of an old banger but it had an open deck up top and with the sun beating down now it was truly wonderful! I had a fabulous view of all the surroundings on my trip back to the mainland! I can honestly say this was my favourite ever bike ride, I will be back in a heartbeat as there is so much more to explore! I took that many photos my phone was down to 5% when I sat down on the ferry home!

Once again, great ride report and enjoyed those wonderful images of the Isle! I love a ferry ride regardless of how long or short it is. Okay, I draw the line at 16 hours which involved a crossing from North Sidney, NS to Argentia (NL).



Shortest was a 7 min ride on the Bleirot cable ferry across the Red Deer River in Drumheller.

 

[kahn]

@RabH

WOW!!!! Stunning trip. But let's quibble - 49-50!!!!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My first time in Germany, my boss’s boss asked me what I wanted to do for dinner. He told me that we could eat anywhere I liked. I said that I wanted some authentic German food. He said no, we’ll go to a Greek restaurant.

The next night he once again told me that we could eat anywhere I liked. I said that I really wanted some authentic German food. He said no, we’ll go to a Turkish restaurant.

Three weeks later, as I was headed home, I spent the weekend in Vienna and finally got to eat some “German” food. It looked a lot like that.

Exactly! So far, it was Balkan and... American food, Southern U.S. style! Lucky me to be to a German schnitzel restaurant, too! (I'm taking German Currywurst for lunch today, popular street food).

Zwiebelschnitzel mit Kroketten, or Onion Schnitzel with Croquettes. Decidedly German food!

Impressive architecture at the Frankfurter Messe. The trade fair in Frankfurt is the world's third by size, and the organization is the largest trade fair company worldwide.

I commute with a public share e-scooter here. It takes me less than 10 minutes to get to the Messe from my hotel at cost of €3.50. Also invaluable for returning from dinners with my American colleagues. Bike lanes are everywhere, and these are safe. If no bike lane, it is possible to ride with traffic. Riding is safe here as the drivers respect riders totally. Yes, it is Germany.

P.S. I taught one of my American friends activating and riding e-scooter, and he enjoyed the ride very much. The thing was easy as the Uber app works with Lime e-scooters!

At an American restaurant. I tried corn soup, teriyaki, pulled pork with baked beans, and corn bread. Not showing the picture from the Balkan (read: Serbian) restaurant as the latter was a culinary disaster for me... My American buddies laughed at my description of "piles of meat". It was a battle we all lost!