Saturday 29th June. A few weeks ago I entered Neale and myself into a 200km Permanent Audax ride. The last time I rode this distance was 17 years ago to celebrate my 50th birthday, Neale has never ridden that far. As it turned it would be the hottest day of the year in the UK, … Continue reading "A LONG DAY IN THE SADDLE"
Read MoreMonth: June 2019
June Challenge – Old and new… or maybe, before and after
Thank you to everyone for your kind comments about the new mountain bike. I really appreciate your support and encouragement, and I am sorry that I have not replied to your comments nor kept up and commented on your posts of late. My health has been rapidly deteriorating and I have all the energy of … Continue reading "June Challenge – Old and new… or maybe, before and after"
Read More2019 distance challenge. Cycle 6,000k.
It’s going OK. This year I set myself 6,000 kilometers to cycle and here we are half way through the year. I too am half way through at 3,000k.
Read MoreOld/New Slides
Old playground slide on the right (must be decades old) — new slides, behind Yogi, and behind the gazebo
Read MoreRIDE # 65: 29 JUNE 2019
Malaysia is a fairly new country. It has been 62 years since Independence. So finding something old has been a challenge. (It is especially difficult when you haven’t been riding much). I was out on my bike today and finished my ride with brunch at a café which opened at the beginning of this month. … Continue reading "RIDE # 65: 29 JUNE 2019"
Read MoreGlacial Erratics … and some new and old things
Tuesday June 25, 2019 … It felt like anything but glacial on the day we joined the local chapter of the ADFC or German Biycle Club for their weekly Tuesday afternoon ride. The blazing sun brought the temperatures up to a sweltering 32°C/90°F. Nevertheless, nine brave cyclists showed up for the outing. The program was … Continue reading "Glacial Erratics … and some new and old things"
Read MoreMorning Spin
Bright and sunny day, heat tempered by the fresh Easterly breeze. The Sinodun Hills takes from Sires Hill, I will head up there later on the trip. Church tower and barn, North Moreton. Love the detail of the brickwork. Some of the donkeys at the Sanctuary, Brightwell – cum – Sotwell. Rather liked the marking … Continue reading "Morning Spin"
Read MoreWaiting Until The Last Minute
I’ve been shaken into action by my old pal Scooter and the realization that it’s almost July, so I am posting an Old and New and a Solstice photo. Both probably skirt the edges of the rules, but here they are: These were taken this week at White Ranch Open Space, near Golden. We … Continue reading "Waiting Until The Last Minute"
Read MoreChallenge of the month: July 2019
Well, it seemed to work fine last month posting the challenge a few days early so people can put their thinking caps on. I didn’t see any early entries, so people apparently weren’t confused. Congratulations, and don’t forget we’ve still got a few days left to squeeze in that perfect old/new photo. What may not … Continue reading "Challenge of the month: July 2019"
Read MoreOld & New #9
I have to guess that this will be my final old & new post! And surprised I am to have found so many. I had a lovely sunny ride with two of my riding buddies yesterday through the farms and fields of the Skagit Flats. Here are old and new farm buildings we rolled by. … Continue reading "Old & New #9"
Read MoreOld steel, new steel
Rodriguez is excited to be out of his box again for a few months and has been looking for a way to get back into the action. I could hardly contain him when he saw this old truck. He immediately swerved over to sidle up to it, almost causing an accident. Good instincts though, I … Continue reading "Old steel, new steel"
Read MoreA Wet Though Warm Quest
Tuesday 25th Managed to get away for a couple of hours leaving around 9:30 after heavy early morning rain. Heading to Stanford in the Vale, a large village some 14-15 miles away. Not generating too much power today. Today’s isolated road, this Park Lane near Stanford, recently re-surfaced this mean pouring molten tar on the … Continue reading "A Wet Though Warm Quest"
Read MoreAn enjoyable ride…
Today was the yearly mammogram and I wasn’t sure I’d have time to squeeze in (no pun intended!) a ride. Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long for the doctor to come in to review the images. I dashed home and did a few chores, but within the hour I had Violette on my bike … Continue reading "An enjoyable ride…"
Read MoreOld/New Tire Sealants + Cloud Photos
The inflation/sealer on the left dates from the 70’s or 80’s ? The one on the right is the new version purchased from the big box store today. The instructions read pretty much the same for both — never had to occasion to use the older one, and I imagine the propellant is long gone. … Continue reading "Old/New Tire Sealants + Cloud Photos"
Read MoreQuick morning old / new spin
Managed to get out for an hour before attending a family gathering. The Dry Sandford bungalow on the left though modernised would have been built in the years following the Second World War. The one on the right is replacing one similar to the left one, that was demolished earlier this year. Distance – 14 … Continue reading "Quick morning old / new spin"
Read MoreGREG CRUSHES THE SUMMER SOLSTICE CHALLENGE
“What the mind can conceive and believe, and the heart desires, you can achieve.” -Norman Vincent Peale “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” –Anatole France “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatness.” -Robert F. Kennedy “Optimism is the faith … Continue reading "GREG CRUSHES THE SUMMER SOLSTICE CHALLENGE"
Read MoreLong Ride to the West
Friday 21st June. Managed to get out on the road for 9:00, arm warmers and gilet for the first 10 miles or so. The wind direction and strength dictated today’s Questing trip, moderate westerly. A little dismayed when I got to Buckland only to see this closure sign, that’s the way I need to go, … Continue reading "Long Ride to the West"
Read MoreSummer Solstice in Bavaria – a few days early
This is about a ten-minute ride from home. Had to think about where I would best view the sun sinking below the horizon. We have lots of forests here but not many views to where the sky and earth meet, too many trees. Since sunrise was at 5:14 am and sunset at 9:17 pm, I … Continue reading "Summer Solstice in Bavaria – a few days early"
Read MoreRides in May
I guess I have mentioned our move about a hundred times at least. But here I go again in my blog entry for May…There is so much to explore in our new surroundings, and we have just begun. However, the move was a lot of work and it didn’t leave a whole lot of time … Continue reading "Rides in May"
Read MoreWinter solstice downunder and New and Old Challenge
I left work early and charged up the hill to get a photo of the winter equinox sunset. Also I got two photo entries in the new and old challenge. The first shows my sons new red mountain bike which I had commandeered for a ride that day with some old railway switch points and … Continue reading "Winter solstice downunder and New and Old Challenge"
Read MoreSummer Solstice Vermilion County, Illinois
View due east as the Summer Solstice sun’s rays angle across the lawn (Latitude is approximately 40 degrees North) Sun sets 23.5 degrees north of due west At noon, the sun was 73.5 degrees above the horizon Sun sets due west At noon, the sun was 50 degrees above the horizon Sun sets 23.5 degrees … Continue reading "Summer Solstice Vermilion County, Illinois"
Read MoreWinter Solstice in Tasmania
There goes the sun and here comes another frosty night. I still haven’t managed to spot an “old and new” photo opportunity. Sorry. I have seen some possibilities but they didn’t work out picture-wise. Perhaps I am too busy keeping warm!! Still, there are a few days to go yet.
Read MorePortland, old and new
It’s such a relief to have our tour of Southern Italy behind us so I can move on to the really important things in life – starting of course with the all-important Monthly Challenge. It’s been frustrating to feel a bit upstaged this month by some of the heavy contributors, but with more time on … Continue reading "Portland, old and new"
Read MoreAn Old Home and a New Home 2.0
(I ‘borrowed’ Suzanne’s title) – 🙂 Older home has been there for a long long time — the home under construction is the first new home built here since ?????
Read MoreAn interesting new thing to me
After our lunch stop we were about to remount our bike when I spotted something new on the fence we are always passing when we are on this trail ride. I have never seen one of these before, and wonder if anyone else has. I cannot help but wonder what cigarette butts can be recycled … Continue reading "An interesting new thing to me"
Read MoreVisiting Old and New Places
Many of the places we are now visiting by bike aren’t new to us. We’ve driven here by car or have taken the train with our bikes. Today we rode our bikes to Maisinger See, a small lake in the middle of a nature preserve. We’ve been there often. And of course there is a … Continue reading "Visiting Old and New Places"
Read MoreMono Lake, part 2
After leaving the Forester at the overflowing Lee Vining Creek, I pedaled the Ogre on dirt and gravel “forest roads”—no trees—around the southern shore of Mono Lake to the main tufa area. (See part 1.) These impressive spires and towers of carbonates grew underwater and emerged when the lake level gradually receded over the years. … Continue reading "Mono Lake, part 2"
Read MoreMono Lake, part 1
After riding through the snow on the dirt road from Bodie to Bridgeport on Thursday, on Friday I had time for a morning ride before I needed to drive back home to Santa Rosa. Mono Lake was only about thirty minutes away by car, albeit in the wrong direction. Not having explored that area in … Continue reading "Mono Lake, part 1"
Read MoreAnother (#8) Old & New!!
This one from a breakfast ride with two friends this morning. The minute I was thinking this challenge was way to hard, I started seeing all these things that were old & new!!! I think, no — I know — all the challenges have helped to open my eyes more to my surroundings. I … Continue reading "Another (#8) Old & New!!"
Read MoreOld and New Challenge
Well, looks like I’m online… for a while, anyway. It comes and goes, and no telephone yet. That story is getting very old by now. Let’s talk about old and new with a bicycle. We really don’t have to go far for lovely bicycle outings, we don’t have to take a whole day, we can … Continue reading "Old and New Challenge"
Read MoreBodie to Bridgeport, part 2
After starting up the dirt road from Bodie (see part 1), I gained elevation and repeatedly ran into snow covering my route. It was impossible to ride across the white stuff, so I always had to dismount and push until I could get back on bare dirt. Every time I thought that would be the … Continue reading "Bodie to Bridgeport, part 2"
Read MoreBodie to Bridgeport, part 1
Before bicycling the dirt road through the mountains from Bodie to Bridgeport, while I was still home in Santa Rosa I consulted four local “experts” via email and phone about what conditions to expect. All agreed cars could not get through due to deep snowdrifts at multiple locations. Beyond that, everyone had a slightly different … Continue reading "Bodie to Bridgeport, part 1"
Read MoreSome Random Ride Photos
Diamond Back at grassy roadside and winter wheat field Wheat will be harvested soon — wheat is actually a domesticated form of grass Corn is also domesticated grass So the wheat and corn are domesticated varieties of what was already growing here in the first place after the Ice Age — Prairie grass Road Swag … Continue reading "Some Random Ride Photos"
Read MoreGhost Town, part 2
After arriving at Bodie, now a state park, I started exploring the ghost town for a couple of hours before setting out on my bike ride over the snowy mountains to Bridgeport. This concludes my tour of Bodie. Read more at Bill Bikes
Read MoreGhost Town, part 1
W. S. Bodey and his companions discovered gold high in the hills at the eastern edge of the Sierra Nevada mountains in 1859. After almost twenty years of small scale mining by a few prospectors, in 1877 industrial scale mining on the site brought about the boomtown of Bodie, named—inaccurately—after the deceased W. S. By … Continue reading "Ghost Town, part 1"
Read MoreOld And New For Those Who Enjoy A Little Recreational Grass Now And Then
I was riding my bike around today with no Cycle365 intentions whatsoever. It was just a regular ride–like I do almost every day. ALMOST every day. For those of you keeping a tally of the number of days I’ve not ridden since making my “ride-every-single-day-in-2019” New Year’s resolution, you’re going to have to start a … Continue reading "Old And New For Those Who Enjoy A Little Recreational Grass Now And Then"
Read MoreOlder rocks, newer rocks
I’d say these were old and new rocks, but I’m confident someone would quibble that they both look pretty old to them. So, old and not as old. I’m not even sure which are the older ones either – for all I know they’ve folded over on themselves and the oldest are on top. The … Continue reading "Older rocks, newer rocks"
Read MoreOld & New #7? What??
The Spaghetti Factory was like a institution in Seattle. It closed down a couple of years ago even though it was a very popular place. There is restaurant in Lynnwood that is also popular but the Seattle site is now empty. There is this wonderful brick building sitting amongst the new glass building and other … Continue reading "Old & New #7? What??"
Read MoreOur new ride
It was a very full-on three weeks in America, but now we are home and trying to recover from all of the extra energy we expended seeing family and helping my parents host 12 out-of-town guests and a 50th Anniversary party complete with 100 guests, a live band and a cake the size of Colorado. … Continue reading "Our new ride"
Read MoreThis and That
The last few weeks have been jam packed…..with rides but also with life. I have had to work a lot at the tasting room and Jack has been working extra shifts here in the park. Seems everyone needed to take vacation at the same time. We have been able to get our rides in but … Continue reading "This and That"
Read MoreGrumby Ranch Riding
One interesting thing we’ve discovered about the Denver metro area, aside from the incredible population density and SUV population, are the large number of designated Open Spaces and parklands located in the foothills and mountains. Yesterday we drove from our cushy apartment in Centennial (suburban Denver) to 5500 acre White Ranch Park, which has 21 … Continue reading "Grumby Ranch Riding"
Read MoreOld & New Motherlode #4, 5, 6
We drove about two hours north of us to the resort town of Birch Bay, had a most wonderful three days of camping and enjoying a peaceful time. It was a bonus to find three old & new things to post. So not to confuse some of you: the first one is of another old … Continue reading "Old & New Motherlode #4, 5, 6"
Read MoreTwin Lakes
Time for another getaway, this time to escape a spell of temperatures above 100° F. I drove over to the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, basing myself in the town of Bridgeport (not far from Nevada), which put me in a position to do some riding up to the eastern face of the mountains, … Continue reading "Twin Lakes"
Read MoreOld wall, new wall
Finally, it all comes together. I’ve seen several old/new combos, but at the wrong time – wrong month, or when we’re on foot and there’s no bike nearby to yank into the frame. Not the most inspiring subject, but there’s still time in the month to come up with something better. While you wait for … Continue reading "Old wall, new wall"
Read MoreOgre and Troll
This is especially for Janet. I arrived in Bridgeport on the eastern side of the Sierra today and immediately went for a warm-up ride in preparation for my expedition into terra incognita beyond Bodie tomorrow. Who — or what — should I run into? A local guy — who also makes touring videos — on … Continue reading "Ogre and Troll"
Read MoreOld and New–I DID IT!
This was a challenge I didn’t need. A most difficult challenge indeed. My defeat was practically guaranteed, and I was almost ready to concede. Old and new was everywhere, but old was here and new was there. Or else new was here and old was there. But they were never together as a pair. How … Continue reading "Old and New–I DID IT!"
Read MoreA LADIES CYCLE RACE
The 2019 OVO Energy Women’s Tour of Britain started on Monday in Eat Anglia, today was Oxfordshire’s turn. The race containing most of the world’s top lady cyclist would pass about 5 miles from home, so obviously I had to go and see them. The weather has been really dreadfully since the end of last … Continue reading "A LADIES CYCLE RACE"
Read MoreAn Interlude
I wanted to let you know that I have hit a mother lode of sorts for the old/new challenge. That is if two can constitute a mother lode. But I forgot to bring along my cable to transfer photos to my iPad so that post will need to wait until we get home from our … Continue reading "An Interlude"
Read MoreOld and New
Jim was at the day center and I decided, for a change, that it would be a “Laura” day. After dropping him off, I drove to Mt. Washington, KY (something like 7 miles from home) and had breakfast on the house. Last time we were in there, it took 45 minutes to get our food. … Continue reading "Old and New"
Read MoreOld(est)/New(est)
Oldest bicycle in the fleet is a 1973 Huffy Express — single speed converted to 3 speed with a 1956 Sturmey Archer hub Newest bicycle in the fleet is a 1994 Diamond Back Crossover — purchased after someone (whose mother probably resides under a front porch) stole my Schwinn Traveler Off Topic: Beware of slimy … Continue reading "Old(est)/New(est)"
Read MoreOld & New #3 — who knew?
After writing that I felt I would not be finding any more old & new things to post, I came upon this delightful specimen on yesterday’s little jaunt. I post this with Suzanne’s encouragement that any little effort is appreciated ;’-). Well, it is a big effort to find things for this month’s challenge, but … Continue reading "Old & New #3 — who knew?"
Read MoreSolstice Challenge
As you can see June 21 is fast approaching and the Summer/Winter Solstice As of today’s date (June 10) the sun will only travel an additional 1/2 degree farther north/south — so, any time between now and approximately July 4th/5th the sun will change very little in its path from sunrise to sunset Hence the … Continue reading "Solstice Challenge"
Read MoreChallenge of the Month: LHTs Old and New
Two Surly Long Haul Truckers: The carcass of my old LHT, which I was riding when I was hit by a car in May 2014, and my new LHT, which replaced the one bent, mangled, and destroyed. I’ve salvaged a few useful parts off the old LHT over the years.
Read MoreOld & New #2
This may well be the only other post I will find for this month’s challenge. I keep my eyes peeled and there are just not many things for me to capture. Hopefully this one will will qualify… This was in my very own neighborhood and I spotted it on the way home from running (or … Continue reading "Old & New #2"
Read MoreChallenge of the Month
Looking at tires here The tire guarding the culvert has been there for over 40 years Ive watched it deteriorate over all that time Those are white nylon cords showing thru — bias ply The tires on the Huffy are nearly as old, and unbelievably show little signs of it Compare to the steel belted … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month"
Read MoreOld truck, new truck (June Challenge)
Something old, something new! Not sure if this is cheating the month’s challenge slightly or just bending the rules to suit my own agenda, but the “new” is a new thing to me so that’s what counts, right? 🙂 I’ve succumbed to N+1 for the first time in a few years! After having done nothing … Continue reading "Old truck, new truck (June Challenge)"
Read MoreD-Day
In 1983, as part of my ride from Athens to London, I spent three days bicycling along the D-Day invasion beaches in Normandy. Just in case anyone is interested, here’s a link to the D-Day pages from my ’83 journal, hosted over at CycleBlaze: D-Day
Read MoreIn Memory
Today is the 75th anniversary of the Normandy Landings, so I felt it appropriate to pay my respect at the war memorials in some of the surrounding villages. Quite sunny though cool enough for arm warmers and gilet. Memorial in Appleton commemorates 16 local men who fell in both World Wars. Bigger village, Cumnor, more … Continue reading "In Memory"
Read MoreWillow Creek
I’ve been looking for a chance to bike this route through Willow Creek Open Space Preserve near the coast. I’ve hiked parts of the trails before. I know there are some steep uphills that will require pushing, and they are sensitive to weather conditions. Always too wet in winter, which would have me slipping, sliding, … Continue reading "Willow Creek"
Read MoreAn Old Home and a New Home
Although I love everything about our new home, Victoria’s new residence doesn’t have the romantic ambience that the old one had. She is safe with her buddy at night and it’s clean and dry, and the Şkoda stays outdoors (until winter anyway), but as you can see in the pictures it is lacking in charm. … Continue reading "An Old Home and a New Home"
Read MoreNo Katy ride — bricks galore in STL!!
Thanks everyone for your condolences about my Katy Trail tour being canceled. The most annoying part for me was that I had called the week before to ask these very questions. My family had been sending me warnings of storms, tornadoes and flooding, including some flooding on the Katy. The ride coordinator that I talked … Continue reading "No Katy ride — bricks galore in STL!!"
Read MoreA DAY QUESTING
With a big ride coming up at the end of the month I needed to get some decent miles in. Setting off around 9:00 it was bright and sunny but with a cool SW moderate wind. Out through familiar road to today’s first Quest location, Denchworth. This gateway would have permitted carriages to pass through … Continue reading "A DAY QUESTING"
Read MoreOld & New
There will be no Katy Trail report as the tour was cancelled — more on that in another post. On my neighborhood ride yesterday (day after getting home from STL) I spied an old and new thing. I had just been thinking that I would not find an entry for this challenge and lo! There … Continue reading "Old & New"
Read MoreOld and new: kilometerstones?
So is there a proper term for roadside distance markers in metric countries? It’s impossible to not just think of them as milestones. Whatever you call them, they’ve provided my initial submission for the June challenge. As soon as I started seeing old stone markers on the Gargano promontory I’ve had my eye out for … Continue reading "Old and new: kilometerstones?"
Read MoreAsbestos
Sock Monkey as found as Road Swag by the landfill Sock Monkey after considerable restoration work* — old then new? Sorta? Sock Monkey gives a short seminar concerning old vs new patch kits Thats asbestos I can do for the challenge right now 🙂 *Thanks to neighbor Ellen, former Home Ec teacher supreme, for bringing … Continue reading "Asbestos"
Read MoreChallenge of the Month: New and Old
Took a short afternoon ride yesterday. Promptly for June 1,the weather turned into summer. While Janos was busy cooking for our guests later in the day and so as not to interfere, I explored a bit of our new surroundings on my own. Desperately searching New and Old. Hoping to get internet tomorrow. Also found … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: New and Old"
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