Rides 2014 -- add yours

[David Simpson]

Planet X, glad I'm not the only coke drinking cyclist - you wouldn't believe the hassle I get just because I drink it.
I don't drink tea or coffee, so got to get my caffeine somehow I guess.

I'm in the same boat.  I've never acquired a taste for coffee or tea, and so I don't find hot drinks refreshing -- except for perhaps hot chocolate on a very cold day.  I'm a bit addicted to Coke (and chocolate for that matter).  Sometimes people at work at surprised that I drink such unhealthy junk, since I am a cyclist.  I explain that I can drink that stuff without guilt simply because I am a cyclist.  I have earned it.   

(I won't mention that I have also never acquired a taste for beer, since that may no go over well with this predominantly-UK crowd.)

- Dave

[nztony]

davidjsimpson
I know the feeling - I want to cycle Scotland in the next year or two and everyone tells me which Whisky Distilleries I must visit and sample - I couldn't think of anything worse I'm afraid. I'd still want to cycle Scotland though. And to make it worse, my mother was born in Scotland and I'm still not interested in whisky.
Tony

[rualexander]

Another Coca Cola (and crisps) junkie here.
Although just back from tour of west highlands and western isles and hardly had any of either the whole two weeks.

[jags]

Guinness now how any right minded person can that stuff down there neck is a mystery to me horrible stuff
i sometimes use coke and water as an energy drink but other than that i'm a tea /coffee aholic .


jags.

[Matt2matt2002]

Just back from a weekend away with the Raven.
A bus from my house in Aberdeen to Inverness.
Free for me and the Old Bird. 
The 6.30 departure saw me arrive at 9.30 and hit the road to Fort William at 10.
Took the road to the South - less traffic.
Good weather and had to change into shorts half way.

Here's our stop at Suidhe viewpoint, a mile or 2 from Fort Augustus



70 miles approx - 7 hours total time including plenty of stops.

Return trip was along the North side of Loch Ness.
Certainly busier with cars but avoided the massive hill out of Fort Augustus. Don't honestly know how anyone could do it with panniers.

Anyone here done it?

Matt

[John Saxby]

Great photo, Matt, esp the skyscape! (I see you borrowed Rual's camera.)  Nice to be able to put Da Boid and self on the bus, and to ride free of charge.

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks John.
Not all buses take bikes. This one was like a large coach with plenty of storage space underneath.
As an over 60 kinda guy - I get the ride for free up here in Scotlandshire.
Amazing.
I'm almost tempted to hop on a bus even when I don't want to go anywhere!
(Mrs. Matt said I should do that more often!)
 

[FrogPrince]

I wish more buses would take bikes. Some times there's a lot of room underneath for luggage that doesn't get used. As you say one of the benefits of being over 60 is the bus pass. I almost never use mine but if I could take my bike I would use it lots.

[jags]

class photo.

[Andre Jute]

Look at that sky! Incredible colour. If you painted it, people would accuse you of "improving on Nature".

[bikerta]

Hi Matt,

Lovely photo and good to see because this is the road I shall be taking on my JOGLE. Sounds like I am doing it the right way round then. Hopefully the sky will be the same colour for me!!

Jackie

[Matt2matt2002]

Thanks folks.
I had the front panniers on the back since it was only a 2 nighter away.
Still managed to take too much.
Ended up bringing food home with me!
And why did I need 4 pairs of trousers?

[Matt2matt2002]

This one taken near Fort Augustus

Guess it was the old road?



No 'sky' since it was very over-cast. Good day for cycling but not for sky.

[jags]

wow that scotland is some country pity its so feckin hilly or i'd be over there next year for a nice weeks tour.

jags.

[Matt2matt2002]

Funny you should mention hills, Jags.
I knew there were going to be a few so decided to psych myself up before I hit the road.

I decided there would be no hills only slow roads and fast roads.
When I saw those pesky " slow",roads ahead of me, I knew it would take longer to reach the top but accepted my fate.

Well, it worked for me.
But then I believe anything anyone tells me.
Even me!

Matt - from the slow lane.