Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!
RabH
Well-Known Member
Going by the forecast today I wasn't expecting to get a ride but lady luck was on my side as the rain finally abated and a very welcome sun peeked through the clouds! I had another look at 2 different forecasts which were conflicting so I took a chance and I was rewarded with a completely dry ride 
When I say completely dry I mean no rain as I had to work my way through many flooded roads, more than once my feet got very wet I was just happy to get out so wet feet weren't going to spoil my day, time constraints meant I only had time for 40 miles today and it was a very enjoyable 40 miles indeed I passed 6,000 miles on my Giant today, now 6,005 and it still rides like new
When I say completely dry I mean no rain as I had to work my way through many flooded roads, more than once my feet got very wet I was just happy to get out so wet feet weren't going to spoil my day, time constraints meant I only had time for 40 miles today and it was a very enjoyable 40 miles indeed I passed 6,000 miles on my Giant today, now 6,005 and it still rides like new Attachments
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Mulezen
Well-Known Member
Rubbing in the rain are You? My pastures are nothing but dirt and manure (Central VA)Going by the forecast today I wasn't expecting to get a ride but lady luck was on my side as the rain finally abated and a very welcome sun peeked through the clouds! I had another look at 2 different forecasts which were conflicting so I took a chance and I was rewarded with a completely dry ride
Readytoride
Well-Known Member
- Region
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- Virginia
Local gravel and paved roads around our Northern Virginia farm today - 32 miles , and Great Falls, M.D. last weekend - 22 miles
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steve mercier
Well-Known Member
That reminds me of Mulholland drive
Readytoride
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- Virginia
It was supposed to rain this morning starting at about sunrise. Someone forgot to give that memo to the rain gods who arrived, like annoying, unwanted relatives, far too early, and in the dark. So, no fun with the bike this morning. But here is yesterday's expanded ride story:
It was cold at sunrise, right at freezing, and not much better when I set off at 10:30am. Earlier that morning we had attended a Cars and Coffee an hour away by car. We met son there and had a great time looking at the cars. Once back home hubby caught up on his missed sleep while on the couch watching This Old House. Meanwhile I slipped away with sights set on a nice 30 mile relaxing bike ride around the countryside.
About 4 miles down the road I passed a beautiful estate, Newstead Farm (founded 1936), that has a unique spot in Thoroughbred racing history - it was the home, and now the burial place, of Genuine Risk - the second of only three mares to win the Kentucky Derby. The first mare to ever win the Derby was Regret in 1915. Racing fans had to wait 65 years for another mare to win the prestigious race, and that happened in 1980 with the chestnut daughter of Exclusive Native (who was also the sire the Triple Crown winner Affirmed). Although foaled in Kentucky, Genuine Risk spent her youth in Northern Virginia at Newstead, and after her Derby win, as well as coming in second at the Belmont and Preakness, she was retired to broodmare duties. First bred to Secretariat, her foal would have made history as being the first ever from two Derby winners. Sadly, Mother Nature had other plans and the foal was stillborn. 17 years of future breedings only resulted in two live foals, neither of which ever raced. Genuine Risk died in 2008 at age 31 and I remember years ago riding my horse through the property, shortly after her death, to visit her grave, proudly placed near the manor house so that all who visited would be able to pay homage to the great mare.
A bicycle sadly, hasn't the prestige or panache or acceptance to gain entry to these old private estates like a ridden horse would, so I had to settle for a photo of my two wheeled steed outside the estate gates.
Then I headed off to continue my ride, my knees still cold, the roads still open and inviting as I passed by mile after mile of groomed fields with grazing horses or cattle, quiet woodlands, and beautiful houses set way back in the distance.
At about 25 miles I was overtaken by not another bicycle, but rather that unique euphoria that settles in when you, your bike, and the roads are in sync, and somehow ...somehow...you just want to keep riding and not stop. Every other road beckons, every pedal stroke seems almost effortless, your body feels good, perhaps even better, even as the miles roll on, and your mind just starts to whisper "Why stop? Why go back? This feels so good. Let's keep on going". And you seriously contemplate extending your distance a bit further and not quite returning home...not just yet.
I could point the accusing finger of blame at my bike as the dastardly culprit in the whisper campaign as it tends to sneak in seductive suggestions all the time. Today it ramped up its efforts, putting the moves on me pretty hard to do another 10 to 15 miles (it would be soooo much fun (it whispered) and you feel great, legs strong, and look at all these lovely roads we can explore), so it was with great reluctance that I finally said "no, it's time to head home. We need to see if hubby has woken up yet". (Note: he had, and also had mowed the back pasture while I was gone. Well done, honey).
A pretty day, a lovely 32 mile ride on both paved and gravel roads, a visit down the annals of Thoroughbred history, and still lots more roads to explore...later.
Maybe by then the trees will realize it is well past time to start dressing for Fall.
It was cold at sunrise, right at freezing, and not much better when I set off at 10:30am. Earlier that morning we had attended a Cars and Coffee an hour away by car. We met son there and had a great time looking at the cars. Once back home hubby caught up on his missed sleep while on the couch watching This Old House. Meanwhile I slipped away with sights set on a nice 30 mile relaxing bike ride around the countryside.
About 4 miles down the road I passed a beautiful estate, Newstead Farm (founded 1936), that has a unique spot in Thoroughbred racing history - it was the home, and now the burial place, of Genuine Risk - the second of only three mares to win the Kentucky Derby. The first mare to ever win the Derby was Regret in 1915. Racing fans had to wait 65 years for another mare to win the prestigious race, and that happened in 1980 with the chestnut daughter of Exclusive Native (who was also the sire the Triple Crown winner Affirmed). Although foaled in Kentucky, Genuine Risk spent her youth in Northern Virginia at Newstead, and after her Derby win, as well as coming in second at the Belmont and Preakness, she was retired to broodmare duties. First bred to Secretariat, her foal would have made history as being the first ever from two Derby winners. Sadly, Mother Nature had other plans and the foal was stillborn. 17 years of future breedings only resulted in two live foals, neither of which ever raced. Genuine Risk died in 2008 at age 31 and I remember years ago riding my horse through the property, shortly after her death, to visit her grave, proudly placed near the manor house so that all who visited would be able to pay homage to the great mare.
A bicycle sadly, hasn't the prestige or panache or acceptance to gain entry to these old private estates like a ridden horse would, so I had to settle for a photo of my two wheeled steed outside the estate gates.
Then I headed off to continue my ride, my knees still cold, the roads still open and inviting as I passed by mile after mile of groomed fields with grazing horses or cattle, quiet woodlands, and beautiful houses set way back in the distance.
At about 25 miles I was overtaken by not another bicycle, but rather that unique euphoria that settles in when you, your bike, and the roads are in sync, and somehow ...somehow...you just want to keep riding and not stop. Every other road beckons, every pedal stroke seems almost effortless, your body feels good, perhaps even better, even as the miles roll on, and your mind just starts to whisper "Why stop? Why go back? This feels so good. Let's keep on going". And you seriously contemplate extending your distance a bit further and not quite returning home...not just yet.
I could point the accusing finger of blame at my bike as the dastardly culprit in the whisper campaign as it tends to sneak in seductive suggestions all the time. Today it ramped up its efforts, putting the moves on me pretty hard to do another 10 to 15 miles (it would be soooo much fun (it whispered) and you feel great, legs strong, and look at all these lovely roads we can explore), so it was with great reluctance that I finally said "no, it's time to head home. We need to see if hubby has woken up yet". (Note: he had, and also had mowed the back pasture while I was gone. Well done, honey).
A pretty day, a lovely 32 mile ride on both paved and gravel roads, a visit down the annals of Thoroughbred history, and still lots more roads to explore...later.
Maybe by then the trees will realize it is well past time to start dressing for Fall.
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RabH
Well-Known Member
Mulezen
Well-Known Member
Finally getting some...just went to the barn and unplugged the SC...hopefully a warm sun tomorrow so I can ride and the grass can growI think I would prefer the rain
David Roy
Well-Known Member
Enjoyed some wonderful fall foliage rides this weekend as the reds and yellows begin to fade.
I recently noticed this pond on a map of the Natchaug Forest and went looking. I've biked by the road leading to it many times but never noticed it.
The Still River in Eastford, Connecticut
Marji enjoying the sun on the porch of Coriander. A wonderful little lunch and coffee spot in Eastford.
I recently noticed this pond on a map of the Natchaug Forest and went looking. I've biked by the road leading to it many times but never noticed it.
The Still River in Eastford, Connecticut
Marji enjoying the sun on the porch of Coriander. A wonderful little lunch and coffee spot in Eastford.
David Roy
Well-Known Member
I know this feeling well. This is a perfect description. Thank you for putting it into words.
harryS
Well-Known Member
Trees in N. Illinois are going to lose their leaves before they change color, but the prairie is looking nice. We've been riding the local bike path about 10 minutes away from the house.. Just a a lot of work to pack the bikes and drive several hours to the big name paths in Illinois, such as they are..
Readytoride
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- Virginia
The Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia as seen from one of our local historic gravel roads in western Loudoun County. They look distant in this shot but in actuality are only 1 mile away as the crow flies. The view looking south towards the start of Shenandoah National Park (you can see the beginning rise in elevation about 30 miles away.)
I was trying out my new Kenekt suspension seat post with a 25.5 mile ride along our local network of gravel roads when I stopped to snap this pic. The majority of trees are in the process of still deciding whether to dress for autumn...or not.
Stopped along the ride to snap this pic (see below) of the driveway at Llangollen estate - 1 mile long from the road to the manor house - which sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge. In the 1930s this estate was owned by John Hay ("Jock") Whitney purchased as a gift to his new bride Mary Elizabeth ("Liz") Altemus. Jock was (among many other things, including US Ambassador to the UK) a major investor and partner, as well as good friend, of Hollywood movie director/producer David O. Selznick ("Gone With The Wind"). Reportedly, while one day visiting Jock and Liz at their Llangollen estate, Selznick was inspired to use the Llangollen driveway as the background for Ashley's homecoming scene after the war. Apparently, Liz also was given a screen test for the part of Scarlet O'Hara, but that was probably just a perfunctory nod to the investor friendship since Selznick was seriously only interested in obtaining a big Hollywood star for the part.
You do need to zoom in catch a glimpse of the manor house, or just check out Wikipedia for the estate, John Hay Whitney, and Liz Altemus Whitney Pearson Lunn Tippett. (Yup, she was married 4 times. Divorced/died/divorced. Her 4th husband outlived her)
I was trying out my new Kenekt suspension seat post with a 25.5 mile ride along our local network of gravel roads when I stopped to snap this pic. The majority of trees are in the process of still deciding whether to dress for autumn...or not.
Stopped along the ride to snap this pic (see below) of the driveway at Llangollen estate - 1 mile long from the road to the manor house - which sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge. In the 1930s this estate was owned by John Hay ("Jock") Whitney purchased as a gift to his new bride Mary Elizabeth ("Liz") Altemus. Jock was (among many other things, including US Ambassador to the UK) a major investor and partner, as well as good friend, of Hollywood movie director/producer David O. Selznick ("Gone With The Wind"). Reportedly, while one day visiting Jock and Liz at their Llangollen estate, Selznick was inspired to use the Llangollen driveway as the background for Ashley's homecoming scene after the war. Apparently, Liz also was given a screen test for the part of Scarlet O'Hara, but that was probably just a perfunctory nod to the investor friendship since Selznick was seriously only interested in obtaining a big Hollywood star for the part.
You do need to zoom in catch a glimpse of the manor house, or just check out Wikipedia for the estate, John Hay Whitney, and Liz Altemus Whitney Pearson Lunn Tippett. (Yup, she was married 4 times. Divorced/died/divorced. Her 4th husband outlived her)
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christob
Well-Known Member
Very nice! I grew up in the little town of Bluemont. In a week and a half I’ll be heading out to Rappahannock County for the day, for their annual RAAC artist tour… It’s such beautiful countryside out that way!
Readytoride
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- Virginia
Western Loudoun really is beautiful thanks to the historic, deeply entrenched, and deeply rural conservation ideals of the multiple area foxhunts. And the gravel roads are second to none. We've lived in Unison for 32 years, and all that time I've ridden my horses, and driven my pair, on the very peaceful gravel roads. (Pic below is me driving my Welsh pair with a neighbor on the back of the carriage - photo made the back cover of the Loudoun magazine years ago). Right now I'm on the front cover of The Piemont Virginian magazine with one half of my pair heading down a gravel road, the photo taken last year by a photographer who also organized a gravel road bike ride out in our area this September (The Tour de Conservation Easement in Upperville) to help preserve the roads. The cyclists in the event also got a ride-through tour of this same private estate "Ayrshire" for a first time ever.) Nice that I now have a bike I can ride on the gravel roads as well as the ponies. 
And yes, Rappahannock County is gorgeous countryside as well. Will have to look up the RC artist tour! Sounds like a fun outing that we'd love to do, too.
And yes, Rappahannock County is gorgeous countryside as well. Will have to look up the RC artist tour! Sounds like a fun outing that we'd love to do, too.
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PDXzap
Well-Known Member
Readytoride
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@PDXzap - That's my "off side" [right side of the pole] half of my Welsh pony pair, Benlea Liberty. A true sweetheart of a mare [now 19], an absolute doll who knows her job to perfection. I've had her ever since she was a weanling. And her brother as well who is the "near side" (left) of the pair.
The funny thing is...I didn't want to do the photo shoot. Said no, ponies aren't shod, haven't been driven in a while, not clipped so look shaggy, blah blah blah, but the photographer and hubby were really keen to do it and basically begged me. Promised the shoot would be really quick, it would be great, yadda yadda. They finally wore me down and I said OK, but it will be a single, not a pair, and didn't want to go far on the road. They said OK and were thrilled.
Got dressed up, selected a hat (I have a LARGE collection of driving hats), put boots on my mare and drove her 4 miles on the gravel roads straight from our farm while the photographer leapfrogged in front of me, setting up shots. He sent me the best of the proofs later...and they are stunning. Truly gorgeous shots. (He was a White House photographer during the Clinten and Obama years) Super nice guy and an avid cyclist.
So these photos (which were taken in the fall of 2018) are now with API as some of their stock photos.
And this is my third magazine cover in 40 years, all of which were driving photos. So funny. Now I need a cycling cover before I'm too decrepit to turn the pedals!!
Oh, and PS - the carriage is a single pony wagonette trap, circa 1890. Drivers seat faces forward, two seats in the back facing one another, and a back door and step to get in. Body and wheels are original. Repainted and re-pinstriped about 15 or so years ago. About the time this carriage was made (in New York), the safety bicycle had been introduced to the American public. I'll bet even money that this carriage had been passed on the road by the new fangled safety bicycle back in the distant past when our grandparents were just little kids. And that little carriage is still roadworthy today 130 years later. It just requires a new "1 horsepower motor" from time to time to stay in use.
The funny thing is...I didn't want to do the photo shoot. Said no, ponies aren't shod, haven't been driven in a while, not clipped so look shaggy, blah blah blah, but the photographer and hubby were really keen to do it and basically begged me. Promised the shoot would be really quick, it would be great, yadda yadda. They finally wore me down and I said OK, but it will be a single, not a pair, and didn't want to go far on the road. They said OK and were thrilled.
Got dressed up, selected a hat (I have a LARGE collection of driving hats), put boots on my mare and drove her 4 miles on the gravel roads straight from our farm while the photographer leapfrogged in front of me, setting up shots. He sent me the best of the proofs later...and they are stunning. Truly gorgeous shots. (He was a White House photographer during the Clinten and Obama years) Super nice guy and an avid cyclist.
So these photos (which were taken in the fall of 2018) are now with API as some of their stock photos.
And this is my third magazine cover in 40 years, all of which were driving photos. So funny. Now I need a cycling cover before I'm too decrepit to turn the pedals!!
Oh, and PS - the carriage is a single pony wagonette trap, circa 1890. Drivers seat faces forward, two seats in the back facing one another, and a back door and step to get in. Body and wheels are original. Repainted and re-pinstriped about 15 or so years ago. About the time this carriage was made (in New York), the safety bicycle had been introduced to the American public. I'll bet even money that this carriage had been passed on the road by the new fangled safety bicycle back in the distant past when our grandparents were just little kids. And that little carriage is still roadworthy today 130 years later. It just requires a new "1 horsepower motor" from time to time to stay in use.
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