Today's Ride

[moonlite]

After another week of freezing winds, with gusts peaking at 100kmh last Tuesday, today was bright, sunny and clear, with a breeze that no longer froze any exposed extremities. It felt distinctly springlike.



Set out on the '98 Explosif for a bit of a spin on local gravel roads and logging tracks. The turbo trainer must be having an effect, as I felt fitter than usual and enjoyed some of the tougher sections. Was swooped by a territorial magpie for the first time this season -- another indication of spring.

On the way back, I detoured through a field behind the local 'waste transfer station' (read: rubbish dump) where there are piles of old concrete pipes and wooden pilings. I've spotted some difficult-to-find Flame Robins here lately, so wanted to see if they were still around. Nothing doing this time, but that couldn't spoil the ride.

 

[GLB]

Just a local potter today. A few after effects from a vaccination tbh, but with a day of Tour of Britain and Vuelta watching in prospect I wanted to get outside for a bit first.



I've never really bonded with my Marin Point Reyes since I got it new in 2005. It's quite good for some of the loose surfaced Sustrans routes around. It's got about 20 gears more than I need, the hydraulic discs are a bit grabby at the speeds I do and I had cracked carbon forks replaced under guarantee which wasn't very confidence inducing. It just feels a bit coarse on anything but smooth tarmac. I guess I've spent too many years on skinny tyred steel road bikes... Still, it makes a change.

Local fishing lake - I think they look for carp, but it might be kippers for all I know.

 

[grantoury]

I waited for a sunny dry day to take the new Marin further out. I did 60km+, of which 20 off road. The bike performed brilliantly, especially off road it seems to fly over anything.







Lunch

 

[Mark Manley]

On tour in Belgium and the Netherlands where there is great cycling infrastructure but riding through Amsterdam is pretty hectic with so much bicycle traffic.

 

[wynne]

Been a bit under the weather this week with some sort of virus. Thought I'd do a gentle off road ride, but it never turns out the way I plan. Just under 30 miles today, but with 4000ft of gravelly climbing - and I felt every bit of it. I'm shattered now.

 

[reindeer]

View into the valley, then 80 km down the river. Lots of apple trees along the way, picked 3 and never felt tired

 

[thom04]

View into the valley, then 80 km down the river. Lots of apple trees along the way, picked 3 and never felt tired
View attachment 998342
View attachment 998343

Where's that @reindeer ? Looks like a nice climb

 

[reindeer]

That's Jagst valley in Görmany

 

[KayOs]

That's Jagst valley in Görmany

Nice, been there this June, a really nice corner of Germany.

 

[Hombre]

massive headwind from this point...

...so strong that I had to pedal all the way downhill!