Pic of the Day

[The Hodge]

The Cheviot Hills , Northumberland ,England .
First ride out here in 2026 thinking that the unreal amount of water which has fallen from the sky over winter would have turned them into a complete bog ..
We were wrong !
While the tarmac roads to get to the remote start location look as if they have been bombed from a great height on the 9 mile stretch from Alwinton ( think sink holes not pot holes ) ..the trails were in a surprisingly good condition ..possibly because the road to get there was in such an atrocious condition .
Just myself & Wayne today on a " new route" ..but on trails we have ridden many times before..just never in that order ..and what a little cracker of a route it turned out to be ..

We headed back down to Alwinton after finishing the ride to our favourite pub in these parts ..The Rose & Thistle where the new landlord Gavin showed us the " Whisky Room" ..a complete renovation of the small bar which had been unused by the previous occupants ..
He was quite rightly proud of the fact that he'd done all the woodworking himself and if we'd only known it was open prior to going into the main bar we could have saved ourselves the assault on our eyes of 30+ roadies loving themselves in their tight lycra

Cheers for the pint Wayne..
The route ..15miles / 2169ft ascent ..most of which done in the first half of the ride ..

 

[irie]

Went out yesterday, South Downs chalk and mud. Sloping terrain where rain could run off/down was fine. Flat terrain with puddles built in dips was horrible. So this time of year it's a case of going up or going down, and wherever possible avoiding flat terrain.

Looking South down Chalkpit Lane towards the Eastern Solent and Isle of Wight. In the centre of the pic is the faint image of Chichester cathedral spire.

Chalkpit Lane was used by the Romans to avoid what was then the mud bath on the current A286 from Chichester. Further down it's rutted as hell where you have to pick your lines with care because falling off onto (often broken) flint embedded in chalk isn't a wonderful idea.

Edit: removed duplicate image.

Google: Chalkpit Lane in Chichester (specifically near Lavant) is an ancient, steep route connecting the lowlands to the Trundle hill fort. Historically, it was a crucial, heavily used thoroughfare for extracting chalk for lime, resting horses at the Rubbin’ House, and, in the 14th century, leading to a chapel dedicated to Saint Roche.

 

[Astro66]

Back on the local trails today. 30km racked up over 3hrs. Great session.

 

[GiGaX73]

Today I ride pre-birthday, tomorrow is 53...
Turn in the forest of Tarnova (Slovenia), of course you could not miss the snow...

The situation then got so much worse makes having to do a few kilometers in the high snow, sometimes slightly compact others extremely soft, so much so that you have to do it on foot (ascent nice badass even from dry) sinking up to the calf.
Magnificent panorama from Usja vrata, from the edge of the plateau to the Vipacco valley, shame for the haze:

For the more daring there is also the bench to reach beyond the cliff (easily overcome).

 

[Gila Man]

Today I ride pre-birthday, tomorrow is 53...
Turn in the forest of Tarnova (Slovenia), of course you could not miss the snow...

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The situation then got so much worse makes having to do a few kilometers in the high snow, sometimes slightly compact others extremely soft, so much so that you have to do it on foot (ascent nice badass even from dry) sinking up to the calf.
Magnificent panorama from Usja vrata, from the edge of the plateau to the Vipacco valley, shame for the haze:
View attachment 178511

For the more daring there is also the bench to reach beyond the cliff (easily overcome).
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Happy birthday!

 

[GiGaX73]

Happy birthday!

Grazie, se sei in zona domani ti offro un tajut!!!

 

[Gila Man]

Grazie, se sei in zona domani ti offro un tajut!!!

Thanks for the offer but even with a range extender battery on my bike, I don't think I could make it from Phoenix to Slovenia by tomorrow.

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Back on the local trails today. 30km racked up over 3hrs. Great session.

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That looks like a perfect spot for a snake…

 

[Bear-uk]

My new best mates

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

My new best mates View attachment 178520

Are they as friendly as they look?

 

[Bear-uk]

Are they as friendly as they look?

They are quite docile, even when they have young ones with them.

 

[Mcharza]

The film “8600 ft”, which chronicles Brayden Bringhurst’s climb up The Whole Enchilade route near Moab, is a must watch. TWE is challenging enough to ride down, and no one ever climbed it. The documentary is an incredible demonstration of one man’s strength, skill, and determination. It’s easy to understand the turnout at Hawes.

I've ridden it once down all the way down to the river, but no one would have made me ride up, even though I was much younger then.

 

[Mcharza]

Back on the local trails today. 30km racked up over 3hrs. Great session.

View attachment 178465

That's a nice looking rig.

 

[Powerslider]

Rode Red Mountain Rush (arguably Hawes’ premier trail) a little differently today. I did almost interval training where I rode in complete aggressive mode, but stopped a lot (5 occasions). Working to build up my strength and stamina while also engraining a focused dynamic approach.

 

[Astro66]

That's a nice looking rig.

Yep ..... The Liberace Build, as named by @ckkone in the build thread. Not a taste for everyone. But I love it.

I just find that if I bling the bike up a bit. I'm more motivated to keep it immaculate and do regular maintenance.

Thread 'Amflow PL Carbon Pro Dream Build. The Liberace Edition.'

Feb 12, 2025

So I've ordered an Amflow PL Carbon Pro. Arrival is about 6 weeks. I've ordered lots of parts to customise the bike. I'll run through the order list and post photos as parts turn up.

There are so many parts and upgrades that I'll just post them bit by bit.

First Upgrade is the wheels. I am going to mullet the bike and I want to run Alloy rims for compliance and less chance of damage. I do ride really technical rocky areas, so I am concerned about damage to the carbon rims.

I have some black alloy DT Swiss Rims in 29 and 27 at home. So step one will be to build the rear wheel in 27.5...

• Astro66

• 

 

[2WHLFUN]

Took this of a buddy on his Heckler at Lake Pueblo State Park in Colorado

 

[irie]

A field of tiny wild daffodils in a clearing in the West Dean Estate Woods in West Sussex.

College History & Edward James | West Dean College

West Dean is mentioned in the Domesday book and the in 1891 the James family acquired the estate. The College was established in 1971.

www.westdean.ac.uk

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

Proof that fat old men on e-bikes can occasionally leave the ground

 

[billwarwick]

Proof that fat old men on e-bikes can occasionally leave the ground
View attachment 178590

You can see the wires where your mates have hung you on the tree

 

[Gila Man]

Proof that fat old men on e-bikes can occasionally leave the ground
View attachment 178590

I think you're ready for the Red Bull Rampage Sir!

 

[HandsomeDanNZ]

I think you're ready for the Red Bull Rampage Sir!

As long as Rampage has a maximum jump/drop size of 8", I'm in!

 

[luna87824]

Arizona, Just South of The Grand Canyon

 

[Gila Man]

Arizona, Just South of The Grand Canyon

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[AT

Arizona, Just South of The Grand Canyon

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Is that at the western edge of Apache Lake?

 

[luna87824]

Is that at the western edge of Apache Lake?

Yes.....

 

[The Hodge]

Yes.....

Wow..thanks for confirming and adding further detail..
Your pics are "interesting " if you are a fan of desert scenery ..but starting every post with " Just South Of The Grand Canyon "...thats become more than a little bit boring ( to me anyway)

 

[OldnSlow]

As long as Rampage has a maximum jump/drop size of 8", I'm in!

My wife said something similar to me Handsome.

 

[ozzybmx]

South Aus, no rain for months... Then 2 days ago we got a little bit. Mud and wet is not an issue here, we pray for rain. Driest state on the driest continent, a quick sprinkle to remove dust every 3-4 rides is about all a bike needs.

 

[RustyIron]

Today I ride pre-birthday, tomorrow is 53...

Happy birthday!

 

[Polar]

Within 3 weeks? I wish!

After today, which turned out to be one of my less wonderful decisions on where to ride, landed on my arse three times - twice when the rear spun up and dumped me in the mud and other time just slid out on a corner taken too fast.

New front Shorty 2 turned into a slick.

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New High Roller 3 turned into a slick.

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Was a bit mucky ...

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Sometimes wishes come true.

Todays lunch yoghurt with granola

 

[Just gan]

28 miles last 6 were on tar. Nice to get out and bike comes home relatively clean . Just gave the downtube a dicht with a handful of grass on the way home that's all that was needed. Land army girls memorial looking good as usual .