Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Prairie Dog]

PD, I'm out of my depth in all things botanical. Twice in one page! The person who would have been able to help is my wife, Jen, who is now in dementia care.

There are three related genera of trees, Angophora, Corymbia and Eucalyptus, which are commonly referred to as 'eucalypts' or, when it is appropriate, 'gum trees'.

Many of the eucalypts shed their old bark, exposing the new bright green or orange bark – bet that's the wrong botanical term! The new bark in the second tree below was actually green a few weeks before the photo was taken.

Eucalypts are also branch-shedders extraordinaire. The first photo below is shows where a major limb has broken off at the tree's trunk: this is commonplace, not exceptional.

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Late January​

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Early November (2009!)
​

Areas of 'bush' like this are major fire hazards because of the debris and the flammable oils both in the leaves and exuded from them. Fortunately for SE Queensland, the hottest time of year – right now! – is usually the wettest. For Melbourne (VIC), Adelaide (SA) and Perth (WA), summers are dry: fire danger!

And one more thing: these trees are prone to falling over, as some in the photos are 'thinking of doing'!

Thanks for the enlightenment, David. Those examples are quite striking in color and appearance! @kahn and I are on the same page when referring to the peeling bark of the Arbutus trees out on the west coast. Many of the ones that I’ve seen are usually clinging to rocks or in shallow soil conditions.

 

[DiggyGun]

Hopefully your shoulder is not too bad.

I was planning to go out this morning to test my new Ortlieb fork bags, before helping a mate move house.

Didn’t go out in the end. The temperature was -1oC, but with wind chill, was around-5oC. Very, very cold and the roads and paths were very slippery.

A quick and short ride this morning to test the Ortlieb front fork bags.

The weather wasn’t too bad. A bit overcast, temperature was 4oC with wind chill, down to 1oC, but didn’t feel that cold.

I'm pleased to report that they worked well. Nice and stable, with effects on the ride. However, they were a bit noisy as the contents rattled a fair bit. Main culprit was the puncture repair kit bits in the plastic box. Swapped the box for a plastic bag and added some padding. Now all nice and quiet: Result…

 

[Prairie Dog]

The recent spell of mild weather is simply too tempting to pass up particularly when there isn’t a soul around riding the trails during the evening hours. The peaceful solitude of the woodlands is further exemplified on night outings.

The main road leading to the Ranch was lit up for visitors who are more inclined to sit in the cozy seat of a horse driven sleigh. Not a bad way to spend a winter's evening.

As luck would have it, the only interruption to an otherwise stellar ride was hearing the shout from the driver of a sleigh telling me to turn off my lights so as not to startle the steeds. I politely complied….after all it is a ranch.

 

[ChezCheese:)]

There is a disease of some sort (fungus? parasite?) affecting Pacific madrones/Arbutus menzeisii. So enjoy them while you can. Their flowers smell lovely, but you have to be up close to catch the smell.

 

[kahn]

A quick and short ride this morning to test the Ortlieb front fork bags.
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The weather wasn’t too bad. A bit overcast, temperature was 4oC with wind chill, down to 1oC, but didn’t feel that cold.

I'm pleased to report that they worked well. Nice and stable, with effects on the ride. However, they were a bit noisy as the contents rattled a fair bit. Main culprit was the puncture repair kit bits in the plastic box. Swapped the box for a plastic bag and added some padding. Now all nice and quiet: Result…
View attachment 112483

Is there no rack or some very minimal rack supporting those panniers? I have their front rollers but use them on the back.

 

[DaveMatthews]

The recent warm spell of mild weather is simply too tempting to pass up particularly when there isn’t a soul around riding the trails during the evening hours. The peaceful solitude of the woodlands is further exemplified on night outings.

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The main road leading to the Ranch was lit up for visitors who are more inclined to sit in the cozy seat of a horse driven sleigh. Not a bad way to spend a winter's evening.
View attachment 112493

As luck would have it, the only interruption to an otherwise stellar ride was hearing a loud shout from the driver of a sleigh telling me to turn my lights off so as not to startle the steeds. I politely complied….after all it is a ranch.

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Magical!

 

[DiggyGun]

Is there no rack or some very minimal rack supporting those panniers? I have their front rollers but use them on the back.

They have a mounting bracket which is fitted to the front forks. This can either be screwed on if there are bosses already fitted or, band-clamps to add bosses to the forks if there are none fitted.

I used the band-clamps as I have a suspension front fork. As usual with Ortlieb products, they were very easy to install.

The bags have the Quick Lock S Adapter fittings which means they clip on and off the brackets with ease.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Only that big?

Mango Hill, Queensland
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[Stefan Mikes]

Good News

As I had been suffering strong aches as the outcome of my earlier crash, I started worrying and decided to spend this Sunday at the Emergency of a local hospital. Tomography and all. Even a covid test (otherwise I wouldn't be admitted into the hospital ward). So... Nothing broken or damaged inside my body. I am expected to suffer aches for the next six weeks though (Ibuprofen does me good).

Now, the surgeon started (almost) shouting at me: "RIDING A BIKE ON ICE (even on studded tyres) IS AN EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION!" Hehe, I knew it would be pointless to tell him crashes used to occur to me at any season...

 

[RabH]

A very blustery day but at least it was dry and free from ice, so I had a fantastic ride! I had the wind at my back for the first half of the ride so I was flying along, it was a different story when I turned into the wind! I was sure glad I was riding an e bike today, I think my 50 mile ride would have taken at least 4 hours otherwise! It was overcast today but at least there was no mist or fog so I did get some photos, not the most scenic of rides but it was ok! A couple of my better ones!

I was hoping to go a bit further today but I was happy to do a nice 50 miler, I was glad to get out of the chilly 30mph wind though and really enjoyed my hot shower afterwards! 249 miles in January is not bad and another week to go so hopefully I can get over 300! I always love a Sunday ride when the traffic is much lighter and I can venture further, I can't wait to get another imperial century ride under my belt! Not sure when it will be though...

@Stefan Mikes I hope you heal well and your ibuprofen does its job, I'm glad you didn't suffer any major damage! Your surgeon is right, do you think you are @Prairie Dog or something?

 

[Mulezen]

Stefan…you could have as easily fallen on the ice AFTER you got off the bike

 

[kahn]

Stefan…you could have as easily fallen on the ice AFTER you got off the bike

@Stefan Mikes glad nothing big was discovered. Obviously, you hurt since you did go to the emergency room.

Ah, you mean like I did on my last day of "not cross country skiing" in the Dolomites where I walked across an icy parking lot and fell and knocked myself unconscious. I did remember the slip and the skis and poles flying out of my hands and then BLACK! I never did tell my doc when back in the states or my driving would have been suspended due to the unconsciousness.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Good News

As I had been suffering strong aches as the outcome of my earlier crash, I started worrying and decided to spend this Sunday at the Emergency of a local hospital. Tomography and all. Even a covid test (otherwise I wouldn't be admitted into the hospital ward). So... Nothing broken or damaged inside my body. I am expected to suffer aches for the next six weeks though (Ibuprofen does me good).

Now, the surgeon started (almost) shouting at me: "RIDING A BIKE ON ICE (even on studded tyres) IS AN EXTREMELY IRRESPONSIBLE ACTION!" Hehe, I knew it would be pointless to tell him crashes used to occur to me at any season...

Glad to hear that your recovery is going well Stefan and that the IBP is doing its job. @Mulezen raises a good point. Did you have your ice cleats strapped on to your boots given what the conditions were like?

As @RabH mentioned, perhaps I should heed your surgeon’s advice and think twice the next time I venture out on ice. I have to admit though after installing the ISPs the feeling is akin to having mini crampons strapped to the tires. Some may think it a bit strange but I still wear my knee/elbow pads during winter outings.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Maybe those of us who live in winter climes should all be wearing Assleds! Nah....I think that I would rather put up with being a bit sore after a long day in the saddle.

https://www.snowfeetstore.com/collections/assleds/products/assleds

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Friends,

While I see no really danger in riding in winter conditions (especially on studded tyres), it is understandable this surface type is not to be ridden...

In the courtyard where I live the day after my crash.
I used to bypass that section by using the sidewalk yet I unfortunately rode into the yard on that unlucky day. (Good I'm always wearing the helmet as I ride!)

A real (ICE) moped? By the Western Hospital in Grodzisk Mazowiecki.

 

[kahn]

Maybe those of us who live in winter climes should all be wearing Assleds! Nah....I think that I would rather put up with being a bit sore after a long day in the saddle.

https://www.snowfeetstore.com/collections/assleds/products/assleds

I first read that as ass LEDS - lights for the ass!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I first read that as ass LEDS - lights for the ass!

Great idea @kahn. There’s nothing worse than running into someone at night while assleding without proper LED lighting. Wouldn’t that be a bummer.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

A short ride from home…

Borallon, SE Queensland​

Brisbane River (far from Brisbane)​

The yellow arrows should be obvious. The purple arrow is the very first photo (post #1) on this thread.

 

[Anna]

My photos are humble in comparison and the landscape much different David! Beautiful.
The snow has melted on the sunny side of the mountains here only to remind us how fast the Sierra landscape is changing.

 

[Art Deco]

The recent spell of mild weather is simply too tempting to pass up particularly when there isn’t a soul around riding the trails during the evening hours. The peaceful solitude of the woodlands is further exemplified on night outings.

View attachment 112490
View attachment 112494

View attachment 112491

View attachment 112492
View attachment 112496

The main road leading to the Ranch was lit up for visitors who are more inclined to sit in the cozy seat of a horse driven sleigh. Not a bad way to spend a winter's evening.
View attachment 112493

As luck would have it, the only interruption to an otherwise stellar ride was hearing the shout from the driver of a sleigh telling me to turn off my lights so as not to startle the steeds. I politely complied….after all it is a ranch.

View attachment 112499

Riding trails in the snow, at night, please turn off your headlight... !