Show us what you did today, thread
- Thread starter clockworkgazz
- Start date
Re: Re:
You're right, it's a lovely bit of the country to ride (road or off-road).
Some of the hills are absolute bastids though
To be honest, as I was riding around I was thinking "I could probably just ride this route another day and stop off at cafes (lots on the route) to get food/water".
There wasn't as much banter between folk as there was on the Dirty Reiver (off-road), most seemed to be riding in groups, either cycling clubs or mates, so there weren't many solo riders like me, and roadies can be a miserable lot at the best of times
It was well organised and signposted etc. But I just think for what you pay, you might as well just ride the route yourself.
This was a short notice entry for me, a guy on the Singletrack forum was selling his entry as he couldn't make it, he very generously didn't want paying for it, instead I paid the entry fee value to the JustGiving page set up for the family of Mike Hall, so it went to a good cause in the end.
kaiser":yrzh70uh said:
You're right, it's a lovely bit of the country to ride (road or off-road).
Some of the hills are absolute bastids though
To be honest, as I was riding around I was thinking "I could probably just ride this route another day and stop off at cafes (lots on the route) to get food/water".
There wasn't as much banter between folk as there was on the Dirty Reiver (off-road), most seemed to be riding in groups, either cycling clubs or mates, so there weren't many solo riders like me, and roadies can be a miserable lot at the best of times
It was well organised and signposted etc. But I just think for what you pay, you might as well just ride the route yourself.
This was a short notice entry for me, a guy on the Singletrack forum was selling his entry as he couldn't make it, he very generously didn't want paying for it, instead I paid the entry fee value to the JustGiving page set up for the family of Mike Hall, so it went to a good cause in the end.
epicyclo
Senior Retro Guru
Today I went out to check the SSEC 2017 course on my trusty 1x1.
As usual I am easily diverted, so when I got to the top of the 200m climb, I kept going until I reached the Fyrish monument at 450m.
A very tough climb on a singlespeed. I think I'm going to regret it tomorrow...
As usual I am easily diverted, so when I got to the top of the 200m climb, I kept going until I reached the Fyrish monument at 450m.
A very tough climb on a singlespeed. I think I'm going to regret it tomorrow...
epicyclo
Senior Retro Guru
highlandsflyer":1s1rl3ug said:
Putting up a tent tomorrow a.m. because Jamie is coming down. He's soft and wants shelter so I am reluctantly giving up the opportunity to mingle with the midges and forego the gentle drip of highland dew before dawn.*
*And you bet I'll be going home.
Well, I realise we are about to start the SSEC 2017 Champs tomorrow but thought I would post these pics and a brief write up of last Sundays ride.
Last Sunday Brian and myself decided as the forecast was good we would do a ride up my way. Eventually the route chosen was a road one heading out from Thurso to Melvich and then riding down to Forsinard or even Helmsdale if we had time.
The ride was originally going to be on my Big Dummy and Brian on his TD1 Ti machine but I decided on a more randonnuer route and couldn't help but chose the ever faithful, reliable and comfortable Long Haul Trucker.
I knew we were going to have some headwind heading down the Strath valley but was not prepared for the ever increasing scale of it. It didn't feel that strong as it wasn't gusting but when you looked at the speed it was certainly hard going.
After meeting Brian and heading to Melvich we turned south and onto the gently rolling country that would have us following the river nearly all the way to Forsinard where we planned to have a look at the viewing building looking over the flow country wetlands and see how we were for time.
It may have been windy but it was a really nice day for a ride, nice temps and sunny, though the cloud cover increased as the day went on, with rain forecast for the evening.
It was our usual casual ride stopping every now and again for a picture or to check the map to see where various dirt tracks led to, etc. We spotted a Golden eagle on one section, it was further along the road being harassed in flight by a couple of crows. Very nice to see.
We spent a while in Forsinard and rode out to the viewing building, which is a bit of a way out and has a boardwalk pathway over the wet swampy ground. We rode out and shared the view with a couple of birdwatchers. We took a few photos and had a chat before heading back. The visitors centre was closed and with the hotel being long shut down there was only the tea room for something to eat. We decided to drink our water bottles and instead had a lunch of a banana, cheese twist and a snickers each, thanks Brian
By this stage the clouds had increased and the wind was picking up as well as cooling down a bit so it was decided to make our way back the way we came. We certainly made some time up on the way back as in the open section we were riding along chatting like normal, only to look down and realise we were cruising, barely putting in any effort doing 33 - 36 kph. Stopped once or twice for cars on the way back, to let them pass as this is a singletrack road, but we saw hardly any cars all day on this road.
Another nice day out just putting in some nice easy miles in a nice part of the country. Thanks Brian for joining me.
Here's some photos and as usual, if anyone wants to join us next time just drop me a line and we'll let you know when we are going somewhere. Usually it's just decided add hoc a few days before.
Jamie
DSCN3845 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3849 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3851 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3860 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Some open country to be pushing into a headwind
DSCN3863 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3864 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3867 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3873 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
A lot of boardwalk
DSCN3875 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3877 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3878 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
View from above
DSCN3882 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3885 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Last Sunday Brian and myself decided as the forecast was good we would do a ride up my way. Eventually the route chosen was a road one heading out from Thurso to Melvich and then riding down to Forsinard or even Helmsdale if we had time.
The ride was originally going to be on my Big Dummy and Brian on his TD1 Ti machine but I decided on a more randonnuer route and couldn't help but chose the ever faithful, reliable and comfortable Long Haul Trucker.
I knew we were going to have some headwind heading down the Strath valley but was not prepared for the ever increasing scale of it. It didn't feel that strong as it wasn't gusting but when you looked at the speed it was certainly hard going.
After meeting Brian and heading to Melvich we turned south and onto the gently rolling country that would have us following the river nearly all the way to Forsinard where we planned to have a look at the viewing building looking over the flow country wetlands and see how we were for time.
It may have been windy but it was a really nice day for a ride, nice temps and sunny, though the cloud cover increased as the day went on, with rain forecast for the evening.
It was our usual casual ride stopping every now and again for a picture or to check the map to see where various dirt tracks led to, etc. We spotted a Golden eagle on one section, it was further along the road being harassed in flight by a couple of crows. Very nice to see.
We spent a while in Forsinard and rode out to the viewing building, which is a bit of a way out and has a boardwalk pathway over the wet swampy ground. We rode out and shared the view with a couple of birdwatchers. We took a few photos and had a chat before heading back. The visitors centre was closed and with the hotel being long shut down there was only the tea room for something to eat. We decided to drink our water bottles and instead had a lunch of a banana, cheese twist and a snickers each, thanks Brian
By this stage the clouds had increased and the wind was picking up as well as cooling down a bit so it was decided to make our way back the way we came. We certainly made some time up on the way back as in the open section we were riding along chatting like normal, only to look down and realise we were cruising, barely putting in any effort doing 33 - 36 kph. Stopped once or twice for cars on the way back, to let them pass as this is a singletrack road, but we saw hardly any cars all day on this road.
Another nice day out just putting in some nice easy miles in a nice part of the country. Thanks Brian for joining me.
Here's some photos and as usual, if anyone wants to join us next time just drop me a line and we'll let you know when we are going somewhere. Usually it's just decided add hoc a few days before.
Jamie
DSCN3845 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3849 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3851 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3860 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrSome open country to be pushing into a headwind
DSCN3863 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3864 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3867 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3873 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrA lot of boardwalk
DSCN3875 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3877 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3878 by Jamie Dyer, on FlickrView from above
DSCN3882 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
DSCN3885 by Jamie Dyer, on Flickr
Re:
Too hot for riding, but making the best out of a bad situation
https://instagram.com/p/BUzQMy0ARGo/
Too hot for riding, but making the best out of a bad situation
https://instagram.com/p/BUzQMy0ARGo/
epicyclo
Senior Retro Guru
Re: Re:
You poor chap.
clubby":20cdmrn9 said:
You poor chap.
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