First off, I’ll state the obvious and say that the feature photo above has nothing to do with the cycling I was doing today. It is a nice reminder however, of the much warmer place I was four years ago about this time, Driftwood Beach, Jekyll Island, Georgia. Jumping back to 2021, January here in … Continue reading "Ah, February"
Suzanne prompted me to search for other hazards. I had almost forgotten this one. Now I’m sure to start having nightmares again. More here, if anyone wants to revisit 2019: http://bike365.org/bike/20190521a/
In keeping with the theme for the month, on the trail today I encountered these dangerous guys armed with chainsaws and other implements of destruction. They looked hazardous, but kindly agreed to pose for a photo.
The big “atmospheric river” of rain clobbered much of California a couple of days ago. Santa Rosa withstood high winds and a few inches of precipitation, but nothing like the deluge farther south which washed out Highway 1 along the Big Sur coast. And, despite the rainstorms, we remain far, far behind our normal rainfall … Continue reading "Dodging raindrops, fights, and traffic"
We decided to try another hike-and-bike expedition today. We drove up to Shiloh Ranch Regional Park. My ace support pulled on her boots to hike the park. I saddled up the Ogre to pedal Chalk Hill Road. Back in two hours, we agreed. Read more at Bill Bikes
I’m somewhat pleased with myself that I’ve been able to get out for a winter ride three out of the first five days of the New Year. Yesterday was a nice sunny day and quite pleasant to ride. Today unfortunately, was damp and cloudy. That first picture below was taken today. As you can see, … Continue reading "My First Polygon"
Is two enough to qualify as a collection? I considered getting my own two thumbs into the picture too, but was too lazy to set up the camera for a timed shot. So, just imagine mine are there too. They’re there because there’s cause to celebrate! But you’ll have to read further here to understand what … Continue reading "A collection of thumbs"
One last submission for the Collection challenge: a file of mailboxes, on Sasabe Road. Sorry there’s no snow crowning them – that would be perfect for the season – but sadly, all we got was this almost hot sunny day. Darn.
I thought I was done with this month’s collection challenge, but this cute little clump of hedgehog cacti was just too adorable to not share. Sorry, no bicycles, but they’re not allowed on the trails of Saguaro National Park. And besides, it seemed like this site was getting overburdened by a blizzard of snow posts … Continue reading "A clump of cacti / a heap of hedgehogs"
Rocky’s interest sure is. She can hardly wait for this month to be over so I’ll quit holding us up at some stupid spot on the road for a photo I can wrap a post around. She requests that someone, anyone, please come up with a theme for next month so we don’t have to … Continue reading "Is your interest in collections Flagging?"
Much of the San Francisco Bay Area went under lockdown / stay-at-home / shelter-in-place orders weeks ago. Santa Rosa and Sonoma County followed suit shortly afterward. As of this morning, the entire Bay Area joins the bulk of the state under strict isolation rules. Nevertheless, I decided it was essential for me to get out … Continue reading "Golden Gate December"
Last winter, we headed south for a few months to escape the worst of the cold weather. We had planned to do the same this year. After much discussion though, Marilyn and I decided that given the pandemic and the dire predictions of what the next few months might bring, we just weren’t up for … Continue reading "Winter Preparations"
Some time ago, Greg talked about the lengths he and The Feeshko went to in order to get a good pasty on their trip back home. I asked Greg what made the perfect pasty. His description sounded a lot like the pasties in Oz (it turns out those Cornish miners went all over the world … Continue reading "The collection that wasn’t"
I intended to undertake an early ride from our rental cabin on the Klamath River up to our son’s ranch in Montague, then return to the cabin by bike later in the day following familial festivities. However, overnight a thick fog formed in the river valley and the temperature dropped to almost 20° F. When … Continue reading "Klamath"
This doesn’t qualify as a challenge post, since there’s nothing empty about the featured image. Quite the opposite, in fact. I just thought I’d pass on our encounter with a googol of snow geese at a refuge not far from Chico – one of the most memorable bird sightings of our lives. You might especially … Continue reading "A googol of geese"
Frosted seed head of a now deceased firegrass plant “Not hardy in Zone 5” Frosted grass More 50mph + winds on Thursday suggested the fence may have been blown full of corn shucks again Off to check that out this morning under still breezy conditions, and sure enough, there they are After the previous episode … Continue reading "Cycle Life Challenge Ride #9 Frost ‘n Shucks"
I’m not sure why this challenge has been harder for me. I leave home on a ride empty-headed with the best intentions, but return empty-handed. All of the photos seem to have something in them – flowers, trees, birds, the usual riffraff that keep hogging the stage – but finally a suitable image showed up. … Continue reading "An empty wharf"
Last weekend, after I got back from Nigel’s house after the overnight ride up his way, I noticed something very empty. My handlebar bag was devoid of its normal occupants. I’d left Verne and Kermit behind at Nigel’s place! Don’t despair. I am sure they are lapping up beer and potato chips and television, since … Continue reading "Most definitely an empty road"
Since 1984 I’ve hiked through Sugarloaf Ridge State Park many, many times. I pedal the park occasionally, but not as often as hiking it, because few trails are designated for bikes, and they tend to be too steep. Today, however, Sugarloaf deserved a visit on two wheels. Read more at Bill Bikes: Sugarloaf, Part 1 … Continue reading "Sugarloaf"
The empty challenge seems simple enough. And maybe it is, if you are taking pictures of objects that contain something. But a lot of things that are empty are actually full of something else. The landscape could be empty of people, but full of trees. The farmer’s dam could be empty of water, but full … Continue reading "An existential crisis"
Former NBA star and noted recreational cyclist Bill Walton is hosting his Bike for Humanity “Halloween Ride” on Saturday, 31 October. Riders can ride any distance, any location, while physically distancing. Participation is free, but donations are accepted for charities to benefit firefighters, their families, and fire victims, especially related to this year’s wildfires. More … Continue reading "Bill Walton’s Halloween charity ride"
As some of you know already, we’re cutting our tour short and heading home tomorrow. The Covid situation is becoming alarming in Europe, so there’s that of course – but then it’s plenty alarming back home too. There are a couple of other things on our mind calling us back now also, and it’s just … Continue reading "Europe, at the vanishing point"
Due to the amount of rain we have had over the last week and that expected this afternoon today’s Quest to Otmoor (north of Oxford) had to be cancelled. Otmoor is a large, flat, low level area with a number of villages I have yet to visit, as the area floods easily I will go … Continue reading "A Ride to the Blowing Stone"
Those who have followed my rides (and who wouldn’t want to waste a great deal of time doing exactly that?) know I haven’t been out and about exploring new locales as much as usual over the last nine months or so. That’s because of—surprise, surprise—virus, fires, and family obligations. Naturally, I’ve been itching to pedal … Continue reading "Big River"
Before the month vanishes, I thought I would round up a few pictures for the challenge from my October rides. Many look almost the same – a forest path disappearing in the distant trees, but that’s where I ride most often – when I ride. Due to a pesty infection I have been off my … Continue reading "Going Going Gone"
Well, let’s see. So far, Rachael has disappeared in the distance into a mirage, at the end of a long, non-winding road, and into the fog. Somehow though she keeps reappearing, only to disappear again. Today she’s escaped once more, this time crossing the scary bridge over the Po when entering Ferrara. What next?
I’m starting to feel insecure. Day after day, my companion ditches me the first chance she gets. She always comes back, eventually – typically just in time for dinner, because I’m carrying the cash. Today we weren’t even on the road for a mile before she disappeared into the fog.
On my last challenge post, we lost Rocky at the vanishing point. Some of you comforted me by assuring me that she’d return, and you were right! But now, sadly she’s disappeared in the distance again, in the Valleys of Cormacchio. Where’s Rachael?
Today’s task would be to ride to Binsey, a hamlet close to Oxford City centre and locate a Well I had noticed on my map of the area. Binsey would add to my County Quest List.
We aren’t riding our own bikes in this post, so it’s not a challenge entry. There are plenty of bikes in the picture though, so that’s something. Think of this more as a PSA about Pesaro, a place you may not have heard of but should know about: it’s the self-declared City of Bicycles.
To continue with my county Quest I thought I would head up into the Chilterns, an area of the county I haven’t visited for a while. The Chilterns are a range of hills that bisect the South Eastern corner of the county. From Adwell I thought it would be a reasonably straight forward ride home, … Continue reading "To The Maharajah’s Well"
I’m of course exceptionally lucky to have a cycling partner to share my life with. Among the many other benefits, one big plus is that I have a subject at hand to include in action shots. Without that, I’d be dependent on either getting better at cycling selfies or on becoming a better artist so … Continue reading "Rocky at the vanishing point"
Not that we’re sorry to see September go, but we’re dragging our feet just a bit. Here’s one last arch for the road, from our ride to the historically important Croatian city of Nin. Time enough to find some vanishing points for October – they seem easy enough to find.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. It seems like every locale where I pedal a bicycle in California eventually burns down. From Redding to Venado to Berryessa to Bizz Johnson and more, I’ve lost track of the number of places I’ve pedaled that have subsequently been consumed by fire. Of course, that probably has little to do with me. The … Continue reading "Glass Fire Burn Zone"
I was posed a question concerning my last post from the other side of the world, so the easiest way to answer it was to get out on the bike and take the following.
No confusion here. I know it’s September, and I know what the theme of the month is still. We’re running out of days, but I think we can still squeeze an arch or two if we look around. Oh, here’s one: at the entryway to our apartment in Cres.
Now that we live in a village to the south of Abingdon, anything we need that is not stocked in the local shop means we have to travel to either Abingdon or Didcot. Today’s trip out was to Abingdon, as the weather dry though fresh I was able to a turn a six mile return … Continue reading "A Trip to Town"
With the recent good weather due to change in the near future today was selected for my third ride your age trip this month. As I’m still Questing the settlements within my home county of Oxfordshire I decided to head for a village I have never been to before, Fulbrook. Setting off in lovely clear … Continue reading "A Day in the Sun"
Again a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. Today’s ride is longer with more climbing as we approach the Ammergau Alps, it is also more interesting. HERE is the journal entry.
We finally screwed up our courage, packed our panniers and took a real tour, the first time since last summer. Bavaria has a lot to offer, so we opted to dispense with trains and planes (well, we don’t fly with our bikes anyway) and start and end our tour at our front door. HERE is … Continue reading "Four Days on the Road: Day 1"
Does this count? It’s a shot taken looking up at the mirrored ceiling in the lobby of our hotel, at the end of our ride to Labin. It’s a stretch (ha, ha), but there’s nothing else archlike in this post so it will have to do. There are a few arches in the photo gallery … Continue reading "An archback selfie"
I’ve been really impressed with all the arches everyone has been able to find. I’m really becoming convinced that here in New England (or at least my little corner of it), builders are much more into angles than curves. On my ride yesterday, I looked carefully at every house I passed, and there was nary … Continue reading "More looking for arches"
Coyote Hills is relatively close to the Berkeley home of John, with whom I’ve pedaled in San Francisco and in Santa Rosa. He agreed to accompany me. (You’d think he would have learned better by now!) We met at the Don Edwards Wildlife Refuge parking lot, where my heart momentarily sank when I realized the … Continue reading "Coyote Hills"
A deep marine layer swept in this morning, blew away the smoke, blotted out the sun, dropped the temperature, and provided the first real taste of fresh, sweet, cool air in days. I hopped on the Ogre and headed out the Greenway. Read more at Bill Bikes
When Scott put forth this month’s Arch challenge my first thought was, “This should be easy!”, but as I’ve looked around the last few days, there seems to be a lot fewer arches in our local architecture than I thought. So, maybe not so easy. Today is a rainy day. It rained quite heavily all … Continue reading "In Search of an Arch"
I like this! The first subject of interest that I see this month has an arch or three! And, stepping a bit further back, we can bring in a veritable tunnel of arches pointing at them like a weapon. Really, there are enough arches here that I can kick back and take the rest of … Continue reading "Starting the month off right"
I can’t believe it’s the end of the month already. I have to say that the August challenge fell off the mental map for the last few weeks while we were transitioning to Croatia, but I’ll try to do better next month. Surely we’ll see an arch or two along the way here. i wasn’t … Continue reading "In Međimurje"
The “LNU” mega-fire complex in the North Bay includes several big burns—some separate, some merged—like the Walbridge Fire and Hennessy Fire. These roared through sparsely populated areas, but threatened multiple towns and cities, such as Santa Rosa. The populated areas have mostly been saved after more than a week of strenuous effort. But some communities … Continue reading "Ashes"
This morning the AQI (air quality index) looked reasonably decent at “moderate.” Not having been out on two wheels in more than two weeks due to heat, fire, and smoke, I decided to cruise out the Greenway in order to determine if my legs still function. Smoke-filtered sunlight cast a hazy, yellowy pall over the … Continue reading "Smoke City"
Ascending the Ellis Moraine on a project intended for Pope Gregory Moraine surfing is indeed a more hygenic activity than Illinois River surfing — while Chicago has cleaned up its sewage act, the effluent still goes into the Illinois River Peoria even adds a little water into their chlorine system now 😉 Anyway, off to … Continue reading "More Moraine Surfing"
Previous to today’s ride, a sunset photo of the radiating sun and irrigation system Today was a perfect day for August in Illinois Cool temps to start, little to no wind Dwight, Dave, and Rich made the trip to Rossville in a somewhat circuitous route — other than Illinois Route 1 there is no direct … Continue reading "Another Ride Thru The Countryside"
Back a few weeks ago, I headed over to New York State to watch over my son’s house and cat while he was away. It was great to get away (despite being without power for two days), but there was a downside. According to Vermont’s current travel restrictions, when visiting a county in a neighboring … Continue reading "Finally back out and about"
It didn’t take me long to say yes when Nancy asked if I could find a day to do another virtual tour during August. We settled on Tuesday, which at the time was supposed to be dry. The night before that changed to thunderstorms at 1 and 4. I think it was Mark Twain who … Continue reading "Cycling with Nancy #2 — McNeely Lake Metro Park"
Australia is a perfect place to find examples of adaptive radiation. Find yourself a kangaroo or a wombat or a koala or any other marsupial… and there you go, adaptive radiation. Alas, at this time of year, in the areas near my home, I don’t see many marsupials. Many of them nocturnal, which is one … Continue reading "In search of marsupials"
We have all seen various items along the road as we ride, some more interesting than others. Some, for the sake of decency will not be shown here 😉 Road Swag or just plain stuff that fell off, jettisoned, or whatever, who knows? Here are a few photos taken over several rides
Siskiyou County (that’s “sis – kew”) is larger than the state of Connecticut but with a population of only about 45,000 spread across its 6,347 square miles. The county stretches from the Oregon border in the north to majestic Mount Shasta (14,179 feet in elevation) and points south, from Lava Beds National Monument in the … Continue reading "Little Shasta"
Yesterday my ace support crew and I drove up to Siskiyou County on the far northern edge of California—adjacent to southern Oregon—to spend a few days inspecting our new granddaughter. Naturally, Old Grumble-Face found it necessary to bring along the Ogre, and today I managed to slip away for a short ride in and around the … Continue reading "Moon over Montague"
I have some catching up to do – you have all been very busy riding and writing. I noticed one challenge is radiation – or something similar. Well, I did make reference to ‘radiant’ in my most recent post so I will link to it HERE. The thing is that we have days following an … Continue reading "A bit of Radiant Heat wouldn’t go amiss"
Up the road in Yreka important family business was in progress, but in Santa Rosa there wasn’t much I could do about it except maybe boil some water. To pass the time, I drove out to the crossroads known as Two Rock and parked at the church. From there I pedaled toward the coast to … Continue reading "Sonomarin"
Last week I drove over to Winters in Yolo County to pedal through the far western edge of the Central Valley and up into the foothills of the range separating Yolo from Napa County. Today I drove to Lake Berryessa in Napa County on the opposite side of those hills. From the lake, I wanted to pedal … Continue reading "Heat, snakes, ticks, and poison oak"
Ascending the back slope of the Paxton moraine Met up with Dave, and had our usual quandary of where to head on a ride today. He suggested Wellington, 6 miles north, or Rossville, 6 miles south. Thing is, Wellington is on a road that goes directly north, and Rossville requires a diversion east and west … Continue reading "Ride to Rossville"
The Central Valley of California, larger than nine US states, produces more than half of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts grown in the United States. It’s divided geographically into the Sacramento Valley to the north (drained by the Sacramento River) and the San Joaquin Valley to the south (drained by the San Joaquin River). Today I decided … Continue reading "The Big Valley"
Yeah, the challenge of the month is blue, but July in my part of Australia is all about green. It is in that very short period of time in the year when the landscape is well-watered. So we got out and enjoyed all that green on Saturday with several new roads, a fair bit of … Continue reading "Bein’ Green"
I found a bike club website with directions for a ride to the Grizzly Island Wildlife Area in the Delta. It noted the route could be extended to the far side of the island for riders willing to grind gravel. I combed through the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website and the Grizzly Island … Continue reading "Grizzly Island"
Today’s ride took me on a route that’s one of my favorites, since it has a little bit of everything. It starts out on a quiet two lane paved road, then jumps on to a busier state highway, then onto nice gravel, followed by some miles on the West River Trail, then in through town, … Continue reading "A little bit of everything"
I try to pedal from Sonoma to Napa at least once each year, but it’s been a while. Time to ride. The winding route through the Carneros wine region is for the most part flanked on both sides by vineyards. I sometimes think of it as the Grape Road. I had no reason to think … Continue reading "Lost in the Sloughs"
We got good rain over the weekend which made the gravel roads very fast to ride today. I made good on a promise to take the guys up to Reedy Creek for a float. You can check out all the float action and the seasonal change in Reedy Creek here: https://rambleoutyonder.org/2020/07/13/shifting-july-ride-2-untethered/
Suprisingly little is known about the origin of chains First use in Indo-European language dates back to 225 BC Leonardo DaVinci has drawings of a chain that looks amazingly similar to modern bicycle chains The most familiar chain to us Generally 114 inner and outer links with either 10 or 8 parts per link … Continue reading "Looking for Chains for a Change + Fox"
The Paya Indah Wetlands – Paya Indah means Beautiful Swamp – is a man-made wetlands area that was created on land which had been heavily degraded by tin mining and sand dredging activities. The excavations left by the mining works have been converted into lakes which are now home to fish, lotus plants and water … Continue reading "Serendipitous Blues"
Been down this road many many times, almost daily, but this afternoon there was something different to see. This time, a deer I have seen previously was out in plain sight — photo shot on the fly — and blurry, but there she is! On the way south, there were two foxes who watched as … Continue reading "Familiar Route / New Sightings"
I’ve been busy with lumber and power tools on a DIY project for a few days, but my ace support crew allowed me off leash today, so I headed up to Lake Ilsanjo in Annadel State Park. Read more at Bill Bikes
It’s mid-winter here and we are having a foggy, frosty damp time of it. It feels like my brain has shut down and I have gone into a state of torpor. The above picture is from a wintery Melbourne some years ago. Found it when looking at pictures taken in June over the past few … Continue reading "Not doing too much"
I’ve come to the end of my “Travels on a Bicycle” archive of photographs. I’ll finish with some of my favourite photographs. Not all taken while on a bike ride, but all related to cycling. Malaysia I really like the composition of this one. The shot was taken by a photographer for Cycling Malaysia magazine … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 45: That’s a Wrap"
After retiring a few years ago, I’ve made it a point to get away every two or three months for at least a couple of days of bicycling in parts unknown. The lockdown followed soon after I returned from riding in Nevada in February, and that caused me to cancel a couple of expeditions. Since then, … Continue reading "Blue Skies at Tolay"
Not cornflowers, but wild lettuce chicory with a cornflower blue blossom County Line road — Vermilion to the left, Iroquois to the right We aren’t quite up to crop circles yet, so do road circles instead 🙂 Winter wheat ready for harvest beyond the bean field
Teluk Intan is in the state of Perak. About 160km / 100 mi north of Kuala Lumpur. The area around Teluk Intan was originally populated by refugees from the Malacca Sultanate who fled the Portuguese conquest of Melaka in 1511. The sight to see in Teluk Intan is the Menara Condong or Leaning Tower. More about that … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 43: Teluk Intan"
Out the Greenway and then via gravel to the wastewater pond where Santa Rosa Creek meets the Laguna de Santa Rosa. The gate—usually locked—was open today, allowing me to venture past the “No Trespassing” signs near the water treatment facility. More at Bill Bikes
Interesting clouds on a ride down 7th street Ride got more interesting as I was headed back north I had seen this guy before, but never able to get to the camera fast enough This time I saw him early on, but way far away so the photos are far from the best Barely visible, … Continue reading "Fox!"
Alkmaar is best known for its traditional cheese market. Cheese has been bought and sold on Waagplein square since 1365. Today’s Alkmaar Cheese Market is for the tourists. Dutch cheesemaking has been a mass-market industrial operation since the 1960s, and the real business if buying and selling cheese takes place in corporate offices. Much of the … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 42: Alkmaar"
Houston was home from 2008 to 2010. Zulfa and I lived in this building on Main Street. You can’t get more downtown than that. Commerce Towers is marked by the red dot in the centre of the map below. I started cycling in Houston as a painless way to exercise following ACL replacement surgery. My … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 40: Downtown Houston"
You have seen Cameron Highlands. Fraser’s Hill is another hill station that dates from the British colonial era. Not quite as high up as Cameron, but closer to KL. I spent many a childhood family holiday in a Fraser’s Hill bungalow. Louis James Fraser, like Cameron and Dickson, is Scotsman who has a place in … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 39: Fraser’s Hill"
I had mentioned in an earlier post that I had a bit of a break from cycling earlier this year, so I’m still in the process of ramping back up to my pre-break mileage. Today’s ride was exciting, since it’s my first ride over 30 miles since sometime late last fall. The ride goes north … Continue reading "Building up the miles"
A container is any receptacle or enclosure for holding a product used in storage, packaging, and shipping.[1] Things kept inside of a container are protected by being inside of its structure. The term is most frequently applied to devices made from materials that are durable and are usually at least partly rigid. That said, (thanks … Continue reading "I Just Couldn’t Contain Myself"
Low levels of inspiration today. So today’s offering is a selection of photographs taken from Dutch cycling paths. Unusual for it to be so still in the Netherlands. The almost constant wind makes up for the lack of hills. This was taken on the way to Moerkapelle. Rippled water is the norm. Looking down one … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 38: Random Dutch Views"
A fellow R@SKL turned me on to the fact that there are a lot of murals in KL. I knew of some along the bank of the Klang River because they are visible from the rapid-transit trains. I had no idea that there were so many more within 8km / 6mi of where I live. … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 37: Murals in KL"
This is winter – fog season – riding in my part of Oz. I dash out the door as soon as work ends and get in a short ride as the sun sets. Sunset is around 5.07pm. On the day of the feature pic, it had been drizzly mixed with showers all day. The clouds … Continue reading "Fog season riding in Oz"
Malacca, or Melaka as it is known locally, has a history that dates back to around 1402. Parameswara, the last king of Singapura, fled the island kingdom after a Majapahit naval invasion in 1398 and founded his new stronghold on the mouth of the Bertam river in 1402. Malacca is a good port. It is accessible in all seasons and … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 36: Malacca"
Port Dickson (PD) is a beach resort destination in the state of Negeri Sembilan, about 100km / 62mi south of Kuala Lumpur. It was originally a small fishing village named Arang. It was renamed after a British official named Sir Frederic Dickson who turned Arang into a port for transporting the rich tin ore deposits … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 35: Port Dickson"
If you don’t want to ride a bike to these spots in Den Haag you can ride one of these. Everywhere is within walking distance of a tram stop. 1 The Knight’s Hall was built as a castle for the Earls of Holland in the 13th century. It sits in the Binnenhof, which is the … Continue reading "Virtual Tour 34: Den Haag 2"