Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[kahn]

The Missing Link is supposed to be done by the end of 2023 - unless it gets stuck in court. That section is confusing for both cyclists and drivers with what seems like random cones, signage and lane markings all criss crossed with the unused railroad tracks.

It has been in court for more than a decade. Kind of like the Lake Sammamish bike trail which I think took twenty years and innumerable law suits.

You do know some of those tracks are still used by the Ballard Terminal Railroad (taken March of last year). I've also got a video of that train.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've also got a video of that train.

Bazinga!!

 

[BlackHand]

It has been in court for more than a decade. Kind of like the Lake Sammamish bike trail which I think took twenty years and innumerable law suits.

You do know some of those tracks are still used by the Ballard Terminal Railroad (taken March of last year). I've also got a video of that train.

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Supposedly SDOT's latest revision will allow them to proceed since it sidesteps the last few lawsuits by leaving the tracks untouched.

I think of the BTRR as more operational than an actual operating commercial concern. I believe they do a couple runs/week at odd hours for Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel (who I think has the same owner?) but I don't know of any other customers.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I use to be quite good decades ago

You’re supposed to write, ‘This was me yesterday as I carved some knarly turns through some steep and deep!’

Actually, I’m impressed at your exquisite form. Telemark skiing has got to be one of the most difficult disciplines to learn on this planet. Not to mention that it’s hard on the old knees.

 

[fooferdoggie]

nothing much today. went out to a small airport usually a ton of small planes land nota one today. some circling helicopters but that's it.
the Trimet max rail yard this has a ton of tracks. it would be fun watching the trains parking. the horse pic didn't to get all of the power liens in the area. they are everywhere in every direction. plus a Bunch of posts I think they use for practice. makes me wonder if the horses glow or have great 5g reception. then my version of fried rice with no rice veggies meat and eggs.

 

[Merle Nelson]

A little more about my riding along with BarnBoy and his buddy. I'm not too much for city areas but if I had to choose this is the city I would want to live in. It's beautiful and clean in and of itself, it has easy access to San Francisco AND he can ride to the open space area I took this picture from.

 

[Merle Nelson]

Along with answering a few people's questions about ebikes we're about 8 or 10 miles back in and I see BarnBoy stop to talk to a hiker (not pictured). I pull up short to give them some room so I only caught the basics of it. This guy wanted to hike and explore more but didn't have his bearings. BB pointed out he had about 45 minutes before the sun drops behind that mountain and the temperature with it - no jacket etc. And by the way, how much water do you have?

He took BB's informed advice and started heading out of the park.

About 18 or 20 miles of riding this incredible pasture land amongst beautiful oak trees, ponds and creeks. It was an amazing ride and a fantasticly memorable event.

 

[kahn]

You’re supposed to write, ‘This was me yesterday as I carved some knarly turns through some steep and deep!’
View attachment 113102

Actually, I’m impressed at your exquisite form. Telemark skiing has got to be one of the most difficult disciplines to learn on this planet. Not to mention that it’s hard on the old knees.

Thanks. I was pretty good at it. It was what kept me going. Most have now moved on to randonnée skiing as it is easier on the body. Bike riding was just the fill in activity when I was not out skiing or hiking. That's why the knees are now old and why the right hip was replaced twice. No specific trauma - just wore the damn thing out!

And doing it with weight was even more of a challenge. As an aside: I made that orange wind shirt! Then I made a second for bike riding. Ah, and here is it, just a tad bit snug!

 

[Prairie Dog]

It was what kept me going. Most have now moved on to randonnée skiing as it is easier on the body.

That image of you standing next to the guy in the Buffalo plaid shirt would have been a dead ringer for a cover shot from an REI winter catalogue.

We have MEC up here in Canada which has literally gone to the dogs.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

nothing much today. went out to a small airport

Was that the 34.7 mi ride I could see on Strava?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Along with answering a few people's questions about ebikes we're about 8 or 10 miles back in and I see BarnBoy stop to talk to a hiker (not pictured). I pull up short to give them some room so I only caught the basics of it. This guy wanted to hike and explore more but didn't have his bearings. BB pointed out he had about 45 minutes before the sun drops behind that mountain and the temperature with it - no jacket etc. And by the way, how much water do you have?

He took BB's informed advice and started heading out of the park.

About 18 or 20 miles of riding this incredible pasture land amongst beautiful oak trees, ponds and creeks. It was an amazing ride and a fantasticly memorable event.

Great shots with the boys!

BarnBoy reminds me of a mature Brent Mydland (keyboardist for the Grateful Dead) if he was still with us. I mean that in the most respectful manner. Must be the tie-dyed shirt.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

First month of the year is over…

I've been fortunate with the weather: warm days with maximums in the high twenties or, on just a few occasions, the low thirties. There was rain, enough to encourage the weeds in the garden to do what weeds to best (go forth and multiply), but insufficient to stop my getting out for at least a short ride every day. (The days between the long rides add up!)

Unfortunately, Queensland had a few pandemic wobbles during January and this resulted in Jen's dementia facility being closed for three weeks: more time to ride which I'd preferred not to have had – usually, I spend two to three hours each day with my wife.

What I do know about February is that it will start with days that the Bureau of Meteorology refer to as 'hot and humid'. That means: the day will heat up to around 37º before ending with a thunderstorm spectacle. No thanks!

February's a short month… and those weeds need to be brought under control. No repeats forecast.

 

[kahn]

That image of you standing next to the guy in the Buffalo plaid shirt would have been a dead ringer for a cover shot from an REI winter catalogue.

We have MEC up here in Canada which has literally gone to the dogs.

I am or was a member of MEC. Visited a few times and liked that they offered different products than REI. I guess they abandoned the co-op model somewhere in the last year or two. I still love my Ferrata tights, in both gray and beige. Swiss Scholler fabric, stretchy and kind of wind blocking. They have nice deep pockets but could have used a "fly" but otherwise perfect.

 

[RabH]

Things didn't go to plan yesterday but I made up for it today, blustery once again but nothing to worry about after our stormy weekend! The strong winds really dried up the roads so I was able to enjoy those lovely downhills at full speed I had a real blast in the sun on wonderful roads like this!

It was quite a workout in the windy conditions with over 4000ft of climbing, my first battery was down to 24% after only 35 miles! Having a second battery sure puts your mind at rest Be glad you can't smell this photo

Its not often I can enjoy this road in the dry and with the trees acting as a wind break it was so much fun!

I was so happy to get out today, I thought it wasn't going to happen at one point! After today the weather isn't looking very nice for the next week so February will be a slow start by the look of it, I was glad to get 365 miles in the bag in January anyway! I just hope we get a break from these awful winds soon! I have averaged just over 40 miles for January so I'm happy with my start to 2022!

@David Berry You were out every day in January? I managed just 9 rides
@Stefan Mikes Amazing effort for January in those awful conditions

 

[Prairie Dog]

View attachment 113122

Things didn't go to plan yesterday but I made up for it today, blustery once again but nothing to worry about after our stormy weekend! The strong winds really dried up the roads so I was able to enjoy those lovely downhills at full speed I had a real blast in the sun on wonderful roads like this!

View attachment 113123
View attachment 113124

It was quite a workout in the windy conditions with over 4000ft of climbing, my first battery was down to 24% after only 35 miles! Having a second battery sure puts your mind at rest Be glad you can't smell this photo

View attachment 113126

Its not often I can enjoy this road in the dry and with the trees acting as a wind break it was so much fun!

View attachment 113127

I was so happy to get out today, I thought it wasn't going to happen at one point! After today the weather isn't looking very nice for the next week so February will be a slow start by the look of it, I was glad to get 365 miles in the bag in January anyway! I just hope we get a break from these awful winds soon! I have averaged just over 40 miles for January so I'm happy with my start to 2022!

@David Berry You were out every day in January? I managed just 9 rides
@Stefan Mikes Amazing effort for January in those awful conditions

Seeing those images, I’m literally green with envy. It’s windy here and to add to our misery there’s a blowing snow advisory (70-80km winds) and temps will plummet to -20C wind chill over the next couple of days. I’m thankful that I was able to ride over the weekend to make up for it. Fortunately, the cold spell will be brief and is only going to last until Friday when things will likely return to more seasonal values.

I’m hoping to hook up with @RandallS for a ride in his hood soon depending on how the weather and ground conditions play out down there.

 

[RabH]

Seeing those images, I’m literally green with envy. It’s windy here and to add to our misery there’s a blowing snow advisory (70-80km winds) and temps will plummet to -20C wind chill over the next couple of days. I’m thankful that I was able to ride over the weekend to make up for it. Fortunately, the cold spell will be brief and is only going to last until Friday when things will likely return to more seasonal values.

I’m hoping to hook up with @RandallS for a ride in his hood soon depending on how the weather and ground conditions play out down there.

We had 60 mph winds on Saturday and 50mph on Sunday, the 35mph winds today were just like a light breeze It was probably about -5C windchill today but the sun sure helped! for you and @RandallS hope you have a fun ride together when it happens!

 

[Art Deco]

We had 60 mph winds on Saturday and 50mph on Sunday, the 35mph winds today were just like a light breeze It was probably about -5C windchill today but the sun sure helped! for you and @RandallS hope you have a fun ride together when it happens!

IDK, but I think 60mph winds mean "take shelter now" , not "Lets go for a fifty mile bike ride." . Just sayin'.

 

[RabH]

IDK, but I think 60mph winds mean "take shelter now" , not "Lets go for a fifty mile bike ride." . Just sayin'.

You think I'm crazy enough to ride in 60mph winds? I'm not @Stefan Mikes or @Prairie Dog 35mph today which is my cutoff point

 

[DiggyGun]

Today’s ride was around the North Buckinghamshire countryside, minor back roads and cycle paths which are part of the National Cycle Route, No. 51.

When we started, the weather was dry, bright and very sunny, albeit cold with the wind. The temperature was around 7oC but with the wind, it was around 3oC. There was a strong 18mph south-easterly wind, which not only made it feel colder, but Mrs DG was again a bit wobbly in areas.

We stopped off at Padbury for some hot Bovril, which was very welcome.

As the sun began to set, the temperature dropped quite dramatically and the final bit of the journey became quite chilly.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

That means: the day will heat up to around 37º before ending with a thunderstorm spectacle. No thanks!

Which reminds me of the coming February. It's always been the most harsh month of the year for Poland ("luty" means "harsh one").
I've just ordered very warm and watertight German CHIBA gloves in the expectation of Luty!

I was glad to get 365 miles in the bag in January anyway!

@David Berry You were out every day in January? I managed just 9 rides
@Stefan Mikes Amazing effort for January in those awful conditions

Congratulations RabH! I'm sure you'll make it up in warmer months! (I had as many as 23 24 rides in January; several days got lost because of my injury).

(70-80km winds)

We had 60 mph winds on Saturday and 50mph on Sunday, the 35mph winds today were just like a light breeze

IDK, but I think 60mph winds mean "take shelter now" , not "Lets go for a fifty mile bike ride." . Just sayin'.

So: No Australia, Canada or Scotland for me. Neither Norway's North Sea coast!

More news: Another smartphone of mine has died on a ride. I think that inexpensive Samsung must have been hit before. Its screen stopped to behave after the Sunday's rainy ride. I replaced that Samsung with a Poco X3 Pro as the "handlebar phone". (Poco is a budget brand of Xiaomi, playing the same role as Honor did for Huawei. Only Xiaomi has never got into the sights of Mr. D. Trump. Exceptionally good smartphones!) Major apps on the new phone are:

• Wahoo ELEMNT Companion app
• Specialized Mission Control
• BLEvo
• Strava
• RideWithGPS
• Mapy.cz
• Weather Underground
• NaviExpert.pl (the best car GPS navigation app of Poland)

as well as several others, all of them related to travelling in one way or another. (I never carry the other expensive Samsung phone on the bars: it is my professional smartphone).