Recent Posts

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Cycle Tours / Re: Hokkaido, Japan
« Last post by Andre Jute on December 22, 2025, 01:27:14 PM »
I love the tunnel art, especially in the Sapporo cycle path tunnel; so much superior to the brutalist Stakhanovite "art" in the Moscow underground train stations, which is of the same scale.

Who knows, the other decorated tunnel with the small square panels in Ron's set may be equally good or better, but their small individual scale is not conducive to judging on a photograph. You'd probably want to be in that particular tunnel for a few hours to take it all in.

A great pleasure touring vicariously with you, Ron.
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Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Groin pain
« Last post by Andyb1 on December 21, 2025, 09:30:06 PM »
Merry Christmas Matt.
Things always improve as Springtime approaches, and we are just past the winter equinox so longer days and better weather ahead.
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Cycle Tours / Re: Hokkaido, Japan
« Last post by RonS on December 21, 2025, 08:09:55 PM »
Thanks for that Ian. Near the end of the video there is an old coal fired steam locomotive in front of what looks to me to be the cooling tower for a nuclear power plant. Would they have existed at the same time?

And that list of songs brought me back to my childhood. There was an American folk trio in the early 1960s called the Limeliters. I was but a pup then, but they were popular with my older siblings. One of the songs I remember was a rendition of Madeira, M’Dear.

Since we’re on the subject of abandoned rail lines, the pictures for today are from my last day on the road, along the Shiroishi cycling road, created from a rail line decommissioned in 1973, near Sapporo.  (I’ll jump back in time with more photos later) It’s a 20 km cycle and pedestrian path between the suburb of Kitahiroshima and the heart of Sapporo. One of the great things about it is that, despite going being in a city of nearly two million people, there are almost no road crossing. It goes over or under every major road, and I think I had only three stop signs, crossing minor streets. It's apparently very well used on the weekends and before and after school, but, on the drizzly midweek morning that I rode it I was almost by myself. It was cycling bliss.
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Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Groin pain
« Last post by RonS on December 21, 2025, 08:02:26 PM »
Quote from: Danneaux on December 19, 2025, 04:22:02 PM
So, yay for all that! :)

That's for sure!
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Bikes For Sale / Re: Thorn Nomad mk2 590L 26” in California
« Last post by mickeg on December 21, 2025, 11:57:03 AM »
Just an FYI, if you load photos onto this site they have to be smaller than a half meg in size.  I usually post photos that are reduced down to 922 X 691 pixels, that is well under the size limit.  Limit of four photos per post.
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Bikes For Sale / Thorn Nomad mk2 590L 26” in California
« Last post by Kenbrown2 on December 20, 2025, 08:03:26 PM »
I live near Palm Springs, which is near Joshua tree national Park
And I do go to San Diego to visit regularly
Tonka yellow
I bought it a few years ago from a man who had it for 10 years and never got to do the ride that he wanted to do with it and it is sat in his garage
Hi, subsequently had to send the roll off to cycle monkey to redo the seal as it was leaking oil
And it has been great since
It definitely has less than 3000 miles on it
I have only had it out on tour for less than a month a quick trip for a few days along the Pacific coast of a few days and then several weeks in Montana sort of following the great divide route and then I also was using it for a bit to ride to work
This bike according to the specs says that it’s for a person from 5’10-6’2
It feels a little bit big for me and the opportunity came up to buy a smaller one another nomad and so this one is for sale ready to go
It currently has the butterfly handlebars on it, but I do also have the original thorn, flat bar, and grips, depending on what you like
I have an almost new black Brooks Springer seat, or you can have the air gone saddle from the bike that I am buying when it arrives
It has the front generator wheel attached to the front light in addition to the sign wave USB plug-in
I will add photos, hopefully shortly

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/701455136371726/?mibextid=6ojiHh
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Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Groin pain
« Last post by in4 on December 19, 2025, 08:42:02 PM »
Thanks for sharing the update, Dan.
That is good news. I hope Matt’s progress proves unstoppable and the siren calls of his Raven will prove too much to ignore.
Similarly best  wishes to all fellow forumites who also face their own challenges with similar fortitude and optimism.
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Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Groin pain
« Last post by Andre Jute on December 19, 2025, 05:58:55 PM »
That's grand news, Matt.

Thanks for the report, Danneaux.
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Muppets Threads! (And Anything Else) / Re: Groin pain
« Last post by Danneaux on December 19, 2025, 04:22:02 PM »
Hey All!

I am pleased to offer a heartening update from Matt on his condition after surgery for espohageal cancer. At his request and with his permission...

• He's been home from hospital a couple weeks and is receiving ongoing assistance from a dietician. He is progressing toward a fully normal diet and hopes to regain weight soon.

• He's awaiting biopsy results from surgery and will have a better idea of things after discussion with his doctor.

• He's walking and exercising daily within limits and is looking forward to improving core strength and being aboard his RavenTour once again.

So, yay for all that! :)

Best, Dan.
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Cycle Tours / Re: Hokkaido, Japan
« Last post by in4 on December 19, 2025, 01:16:24 PM »
Love the photos Ron. Thanks for sharing. Certainly inspires me for my next tour. 
Re abandoned/closed train lines. Although driven by immediate economic necessity seems quite sad to see them consigned to history.
There’s a comedy duo from yesteryear named Flanders & Swann, some may know them.
Amongst their most well known songs ( Armadillo, Have a Madeira M’Dear etc) is The Slow Train; a bit of a nostalgic ode to many branch line closures under the so called Beeching Report springs readily to mind. Anyway here it is. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/U6OHD2uCpfU?si=WP93Ga4SxbAbkzE7
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