Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[RabH]

Hello All

I noticed this morning that David Berry's account has been deleted. David started this popular thread and his many posts are informative and much respected. Good photographer also.

Peter

That is a real shame, David was a huge part of these forums and such a nice guy! He was also such an inspiration, I also hope he will return one day! If you are reading this David, I wish you all the very best!

I replied to a couple of threads and got laughed at by some members, I didn't bother replying again as life is too short....

@Readytoride I hope all will be ok there, its a shame your ride got cancelled but there will be more rides in the future!

 

[Chargeride]

I only read this thread, but looking through the others highlighted, there does seem to be a very heightened level of confrontation from some posters about something as benign as opinions on bicycles.
But looking back on my youth in a roadrace club.
Liverpool Century.
I once saw two guys punching each other over tyre choice.
Maybe theyre on here.

 

[Readytoride]

@Readytoride I hope all will be ok there, its a shame your ride got cancelled but there will be more rides in the future!

Happy to say the forecasted drama was more of a yawn than nose-pressed-against-the-window-front-page-news worthy. By noon the rain had lost any desire to continue, while the winds found it hard to muster up much enthusiam than a normal summer breeze. The winds did little more than simply make the leaves on the trees dance. Ian, hurtling inland to find itself being shredded apart by mountains, fell apart quicker than expected, taking the title of hurricane into a death spiral.

In short, for us, it was a non-event.

However, cancelling the ride was the correct call. I wouldn't have gone anyway due to the weather uncertainty. At this moment what is left of Ian is now touching the Virginia State line.

On a good note: I heard from the bike shop that had my Vado. The bike motor was replaced this morning and during a trial run around the shop parking lot the new motor (I was told) "purred like a kitten". The news made my day. I'll pick the bike up Monday when we see the return of nice weather.

 

[Readytoride]

life is too short....

You got that right!

Forums are like cocktail parties. If you don't like the way a conversation is going, you simply take your drink and wander away to find other likeminded people to chat with.

Stefan is suddenly (not) quiet (anymore). Edited to add ()

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That's impossible! I have just taken a rest from the Forum for the weekend to do an extremely important work to jump in here for a while to see David Berry had become a Deleted Member 18083! The most popular of the EBR Forum members and with the greatest contribution to the site!

@Angela M.: do you know what has happened? Did David delete his account himself or was deleted by the administration?

There is a bunch of members whom I name "trolls" and "stalkers". I have had all of them on the Ignore per administrative advice, which led to less conflicts. I know I was the object of very rude attacks in my thread "Thoughts Of A Mature E-Biker". As I could not see those attacks, I thought it was a normal thread until I could see David Berry defending me. Now, all the "trolls" and "stalkers" are there but David Berry has disappeared? Cannot be! It is not a user is deleted without any warning!

It is terrible what's happening in these Forums nowadays. David Berry: If you can read that and you have left the Forum on your own accord: PLEASE COME BACK! I've been the most respected and loved user here!!!

It is impossible a member is deleted because of such an innocent post!

 

[Angela M.]

That's impossible! I have just taken a rest from the Forum for the weekend to do an extremely important work to jump in here for a while to see David Berry had become a Deleted Member 18083! The most popular of the EBR Forum members and with the greatest contribution to the site!

@Angela M.: do you know what has happened? Did David delete his account himself or was deleted by the administration?

There is a bunch of members whom I name "trolls" and "stalkers". I have had all of them on the Ignore per administrative advice, which led to less conflicts. I know I was the object of very rude attacks in my thread "Thoughts Of A Mature E-Biker". As I could not see those attacks, I thought it was a normal thread until I could see David Berry defending me. Now, all the "trolls" and "stalkers" are there but David Berry has disappeared? Cannot be! It is not a user is deleted without any warning!

It is terrible what's happening in these Forums nowadays. David Berry: If you can read that and you have left the Forum on your own accord: PLEASE COME BACK! I've been the most respected and loved user here!!!

View attachment 136864
It is impossible a member is deleted because of such an innocent post!

David was not removed due to anything he's done or said. He was a great contributing member and will be missed from the forum.

 

[DaveMatthews]

David was not removed due to anything he's done or said. He was a great contributing member and will be missed from the forum.

Thank you for that.

 

[PatriciaK]

I will miss David's beautiful photos, and descriptions of the flora, fauna, and odd and interesting bits he encountered during his many inspiring rides! A real loss, especially in this thread he initiated. It's been a bright spot in my day for almost 2 years, and like Dave Matthews, I'm staying. I'll continue to honor the spirit of the thread by sharing my rides, and appreciating those who share their words, photos and encouragement of riding here. I'm so sad David is gone, and hope he returns someday.

 

[Rome]

No more Magpie territory rides.

 

[BlackHand]

I'm grateful to David for starting and nurturing this community thread, the one unceasingly supportive spot on EBR.

It's inspiring to see others' experiences - from Midwestern barns to exotic Australian flora to the ice cream du jour in Poland - and sharing my own rides is a pleasure I never expected. Thank you David, I hope you continue to find joy in your rides.

 

[Djangodog]

Hello All

I noticed this morning that David Berry's account has been deleted. David started this popular thread and his many posts are informative and much respected. Good photographer also.

Peter

That really is a shame. He seemed to be a genuinely nice and interesting person. I will miss his colorful stories and pictures. I hope that he finds his way back here some day and that he is having a good time, (I am sure that he will get over us).

 

[RandallS]

Really bummed out with the exit - a sensible contributor to turn to when the "friendly banter" turned to "outright rude" in many other parts of these forums.

One thought, and I may be completely off base, but wasn't David's wife very ill?
That would certainly have one making certain choices that might remove one's self from the acidic conditions that have crept in here.

Just a thought...and a sad one at that...

 

[fooferdoggie]

 

[RabH]

Time to make David proud of this amazing thread he created and post another ride! I spotted a weather window today, different apps were giving different conditions so I looked out the window and decided to go for it! I wasn't straying far from home just in case and thankfully it paid off! I headed up the local cycle path which is currently under construction, I have to say its great to see a nice wide path! I think it will be next year before it will be finished unless the weather is kind!

Spot the threatening clouds in the distance....

There was a strong breeze from the southwest and I had it pushing me for the first 20 miles or so, I was constantly checking the clouds behind me and deciding the best route for weather avoidance! It looked okayish to the south so thats where I headed, I knew a great road through Auchengray so that would be my destination and turning point around 25 miles from home! At this point the weather was good to me and so was the awesome road, as you can see here!

It was time for the first big climb, I stopped just before the steep part to grab this photo!

I reached the top of the climb and was now heading for Woolfords, some lovely views around these parts!

The downhill into Woolfords is just lovely, this is looking back up the hill!

I reached Woolfords and the next village was Auchengray, the nice views and nice weather continued for now! The roads are also great here but I knew some rough roads were coming soon (or so I thought)

I passed through Auchengray and turned the corner to see the level crossing lights starting to flash, I quickly stopped to grab a photo of the train passing through! Its a lovely downhill here so I made sure I stopped well back...

I enjoyed the fast downhill over the railway line and knew I was just about to join the rough part of the road just around the corner, I was pleasantly surprised to see this lovely sight! Brand new tarmac and it stretched for about half a mile so that was a lovely and most welcome surprise!

Looking back towards the railway junction!

Looking forward now and I had a big smile on my face looking at this sight! Spot the threatening clouds again though...

More great views along this route from both sides!

I was now heading straight for the rain clouds, I reached a crossroads where I normally go straight through as it means quiet back roads with very little traffic! I could see the rain falling just ahead and looked to the north and it looked more promising that way, decision made despite it being the main route through Forth! Thankfully the traffic was fairly light as it was a Sunday, I then got caught in a rain shower but managed to outrun it with the wind helping me at this point!

I reached Forth but didn't fancy heading due north so I cut off the main road and took the back road to Climpy, time for another big climb but I still had the wind helping me! Once again I started to feel the rain but there was no way I was going to outrun it on the climb! Luckily it wasn't heavy so I wasn't that bothered and by now I was pretty warm after covering 38 miles or so! I reached the top of the climb and knew I would soon have a really nice descent to enjoy and the rain had passed through now!

Going down the descent I found the roads were dry here so it made it so much more enjoyable, I was loving it! From here it was mostly back roads to home and the rain stayed away, I arrived home bone dry and very satisfied with my decision to go out! I love it when a plan comes together, what a fantastic ride I enjoyed! The rest of the week is looking pretty nasty though so this may be my only ride for the time being...

 

[Chargeride]

This man is too happy, some proper Scottish October weather will sort that.

 

[fooferdoggie]

skipper and Gilligan cam. I should have tilted the camera down more. poor Gilligan (the white one this was the first ride together and they like to play together but they don't hang together. so they were climbing on each other and got into one fight. but settled down. after some play at the bark park they were more settled but I still find them switched places. so I took out the kids harness and opened it up and this should keep them off each other. but we did find them laying together latter thats a first.

 

[Mulezen]

This man is too happy, some proper Scottish October weather will sort that.

Well played sir. I left for my ride this morning ahead of the expected lashing of Ian's mild tail but a few miles out turned back defeated by the stinging mist...something the Old World correspondents would laugh at I'm sure.

Rab's anecdote about an ancient 'tyre' disagreement reminded me of this old argument:
When I penetrated back to the day-room I encountered two gentlemen called Sergeant Pluck and Mr. Gilhaney and they were holding a meeting about the question of bicycles.
"I do not believe in the three-speed gear at all," the Sergeant said. "It is a new-fangled instrument, it crucifies the legs, the half of the accidents are due to it."
"It is a power for the hills," said Gilhaney, "as good as a second pair of pins or a diminutive petrol engine."
"It is a hard thing to tune," said the Sergeant, "you can screw the iron lace that hangs out of it till you get no catch at all on the pedals. It never stops the way you want it, it would remind you of bad jaw-plates."
"That is all lies," said Gilhaney.
"Or like the pegs of a fairy-day fiddle," said the Sergeant, "or a skinny wife in the craw of a cold bed in springtime"
"Not that," said Gilhaney.

 

[Art Deco]

This man is too happy, some proper Scottish October weather will sort that.

That's why someone invented Scotch whiskey ....

 

[Prairie Dog]

It was a spectacularly sunny day as we rode up the Moraine Lake Road in Banff National Park then stopped by for a visit at Lake Louise earlier on in the evening. Another ride awaits us tomorrow as we head up the short climb to Takakkaw Falls in Yoho National Park, BC. We've visited the area many times in the past, but like Maligne Lake and Marmot Basin, have never cycled these roads before. The available side shoulders were very narrow but thankfully the traffic along the road during this time of the season was pleasantly light.

Dusk shots of Lake Louise and Mount Victoria Glacier.

A distant view of the Iconic Chateau Lake Louise.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

This man is too happy, some proper Scottish October weather will sort that.

Oh, I don't think so! Rab seems to be riding all year long! Year-to-date he's ridden for almost 7,400 km with 92+ kilometres of elevation gain! I see him getting past the 10,000 km mark this year! (I've only ridden for some 7,000+ km with 14.6 km of elevation gain). Rab is a hard contender! I also need to mention @mschwett who has similar achievements as Rab (more distance, slightly less of elevation gain) and @fooferdoggie who probably is the leader by distance!

I spent 3 days including part of two nights to prepare for an important training I will be holding in Warsaw this week. Late on Sunday's afternoon I decided I needed a lunch and took my Vado SL for a ride to "At The Girls" in Rozalin. Interestingly, as the barmaids/waitresses are all female there, the cook was a male

My decision to ride out late was good as I avoided the raining. The return would be fine after the dark and at 5 C if I didn't choose a forest route! Luckily for me, I escaped from the first muddy and dangerous path back to the gravel roads! (Next time, I'm taking a strong external MTB headlight with me...) And think of the wild boars I could have met in the forest!

There are so many bike paths in the area! Almost all the way to the cafe/restaurant could be taken by bike paths!

@SwimBikeRun: Feel invited to this thread!