Rides 2013 — add yours

[John Saxby]

Thanks, Dan, for your kind words. I was rushing along the cycle path to get to the hill overlooking our local beach bef the sun went down!  Just made it with a couple of minutes to spare.

I'll take a deep breath before looking hard and long at my rear der--grokking the fullness of the device, as they'd say in California (do they still say that in CA?).  Then maybe I will get in touch to take advantage of your wisdom on such matters--might even take my laptop to the basement & do a skype!?  Will let you know how it goes, in any case.

best,

J.

[JimK]

Thanks so much for the ride report, John! That beautiful country is actually within conceivable riding range for me... just might happen over the next few years!

I was walking back to my tent from the wonderfully hot showers at the campground on Tuesday night by that very same bright moon. Paths through the woods but I didn't need my own light at all!

[John Saxby]

Thanks, Jim, glad you enjoyed the piece.  I've also thought of taking my Raven-in-the-making to New York state next summer -- let's stay in touch about one or both of those possibilities. 

There is an annual roadie ride around some of the hills that I rode, but so far it's only a one-day affair.  I do think that there's cyclo-touring potential in the Madawaska area, but it would take a bit of organization and some investment.  Québec has shown the way with the provincial Route Verte (the Green Route), a 4,000-km network throughout the province.

Those moonlit nights are magical, aren't they?

J.

[JimK]

Yeah I have heard really good things about the Route Verte. Definitely high on the list!

And no question, New York has a lot to offer too! Definitely let's see if some kind of coordinated expedition could work!

[Andre Jute]

Thanks for sharing, john. You have a good eye for a striking photograph!

[sdg_77]

Got in an overnight! Some photos:

Great photographs Jim ..... they definitely give a sense of the journey, you may have started a tend here

sdg.

[John Saxby]

I forgot a few magical details in the account of last week's ride -- the sight and sound of some splendid critters:

There were a few wonderful moments when wildlife appeared unexpectedly. On several occasions, I heard the haunting sound of geese overhead, doing their prep for their huge trek southwards. En route to Denbigh, a couple of magnificent grey herons arose from a marsh less than a hundred metres away. North of Denbigh, as I turned into a side road to climb the ridge leading to the Madawaska River, a big timber wolf came out of the woods and loped across the road in front of me, maybe 50 metres away. He was a handsome fella, as big as a large Alsatian, but more rangy; grey-brown, with black accents on his muzzle, ears, tail and paws, and apparently unworried or unhurried by my presence. First one I’ve ever seen in the wild.

[Danneaux]

...

Isn't it wonderful, John, how the memories of a tour just keep flooding back after it's over? A friend calls them "flashback memories", and there's some real truth to that. Touring is such a immersive experience, it can take awhile simply to process everything one has seen, felt, and experienced along the way.

Touring in more remote areas away from urban environments really opens one up to seeing and experiencing wildlife. What a thrill to see a timber wolf for real and in the wild, unlike how most people see them in the artificial environment of zoos -- or even more remotely -- on television.

...the haunting sound of geese overhead...a couple of magnificent grey herons...

All part of the wonderful soundtrack and "film" that one rides through while on-tour. Nature really *is* magnificent!

Thanks for sharing this, John.

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

unfortunately Dan all my Touring memories are not good ones.

[Danneaux]

...all my Touring memories are not good ones.

Terrible shame, Anto. Come over one day, and we'll do it up right on the tandem with a ride on the Row River Trail before heading over Mount June and then up into the Callapooya mountains to Oakridge.

The tours you've taken may not hold the best people-related memories (neither do mine!), but you surely have some wonderful photos of gorgeous scenery as you passed through. That ride up Healy Pass was one for the lifetime photo album. I'm attaching it per your request.

Just look at *you*, Anto! Anyone looking at that photo would say "well done!"

Best,

Dan.

[jags]

Top of the Healy pass next stop Kingdom of Kerry i was in heaven at point an hour later i was in hell.

[Andre Jute]

unfortunately Dan all my Touring memories are not good ones.

One of my favourite roads that. After I fitted a Chevy Small Block V8 to my wife's Volvo estate, and breathed on the engine and the suspension a little... Ah, I'm on a cyclists' conference. Sorry, fellers!

[sdg_77]

This was perhaps my 'ride of the falling leaves'  ~65km around Warwickshire's lanes,  my last chance to ride around near to home before we go away for a month ....

Not a promising weather forecast and I'm really glad I took Erwin with his mudguards.  As is often the case on these go out anyway rides, it was a brilliant morning and when the sun shone through the, soon to be gone,  leaf canopy there were several 'why did I leave the big camera at home?' moments.

Route here:  http://app.strava.com/activities/90211870  I'm assuming the head wind on the way back is responsible for the 'epic' rating ... it wasn't that hard and we were not going particularly fast.

Hasty Mobile Phone camera shot at the end ....



sdg.

[jags]

Class 

[JimK]

Yeah, how a "go anyway" ride can turn into such a glorious experience. To what extent is it just that low expectations are more easily exceeded? Who cares! But that is one reason I like a tough bike, it gives me the courage to jump the barriers!