Pic of the Day

[Bndit]

Sunday ride Been really lucky this winter, every sunday been ride day except one which I was working. Today 32km, tried to find every peace of trails on my way to actual trails to avoid cycle paths, and succeeded . Nice many short sections urban trails and stairs. There was still some short icy sections on trails, but mainly dry and really nice.

 

[Tyjay]

We have a small WhatsApp riding group of 16 members which are spread all over North East England & Scotland ( N.Yorkshire / Lancashire/ Co.Durham/ Northumberland & Glasgow ..some of whom meet up regularly and others because of distances involved on an infrequent basis..
Yesterday on a fantastic Spring day was one of the occasions when the majority of the group ( 9 riders) all came together for a ride suggested by Wayne ( @The EMF )out of The Dales Bike Centre , Grinton, N.Yorkshire ..and led by Dave Brown & Michael Bee..who have excellent knowledge of this fantastic mtb playground ..30.6 miles later with 4028ft climbing with some batteries failing on the way to the last section ( I got back with 0 range but the motor still giving some assist in eco ) ..meant that none of us felt short changed !
A very large selection of pics with contributions from Phil, Dave, Michael & myself ..
Thanks to all ..it was brilliant
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Looks like an epic day oot that like
Was at hamsterely yesterday was a bit rammed with the excellent weather
Don’t go there on weekends due to being crowded

 

[steve_sordy]

Did you enjoy the trails there and find them ok ?

I did enjoy them, indeed I did. Not many there. Half a doz kids 12-14 stunting on the open area half way down the first descent you come to after the climb from the car park. Three adults building something on the next trail over, at it the whole time I was there. I saw no more than six other people. Whichever trail I chose, there was never anybody I caught up, or saw, or heard, or was caught up by. Once I'd committed to a trail, it felt like I was the only one there.

Several trails, maybe many I didn't count, appeared to be out of use. I went down a few that were distinguished by the undisturbed pine needle litter at the start, followed by lots of trail debris and the odd fallen tree. I soon learned not to go down the trails that showed no signs of use at the entrance; it wasn't as if there was a shortage of them. Most of the trails I started down split into a choice of trails, sometimes more than once. On some trails that I started down, I was never really sure whether I did the same one more than once, despite trying.

The trails were dry and dusty, but grippy, but I suspect that after rain they would be a nightmare. The surface is just earth sprinkled with decayed pine needles. The trails are fairly steep and with multiple left-right banked turns with tabletops and small drops over roots. There is the occasional heart in the mouth obstacle that you need to spot early enough to make a decision.

The biggest "problem" is that the trails are relatively short most less than 500 yards, some much less. And all end with the need to climb back to the beginning up three (I think) access roads. Ideal for emtbs really!!

The Watchwood carpark is about a mile away, with a long hard surfaced track to climb to get to the trails. It's wide enough for trucks. The A614 is at the bottom of the trails and there are laybys and gateways to park in. I guess that mtbs would prefer to park there.

 

[Hobo Mikey]

We have a small WhatsApp riding group of 16 members which are spread all over North East England & Scotland ( N.Yorkshire / Lancashire/ Co.Durham/ Northumberland & Glasgow ..some of whom meet up regularly and others because of distances involved on an infrequent basis..
Yesterday on a fantastic Spring day was one of the occasions when the majority of the group ( 9 riders) all came together for a ride suggested by Wayne ( @The EMF )out of The Dales Bike Centre , Grinton, N.Yorkshire ..and led by Dave Brown & Michael Bee..who have excellent knowledge of this fantastic mtb playground ..30.6 miles later with 4028ft climbing with some batteries failing on the way to the last section ( I got back with 0 range but the motor still giving some assist in eco ) ..meant that none of us felt short changed !
A very large selection of pics with contributions from Phil, Dave, Michael & myself ..
Thanks to all ..it was brilliant
View attachment 155832View attachment 155833View attachment 155834View attachment 155835View attachment 155836View attachment 155837View attachment 155838View attachment 155839View attachment 155840View attachment 155841View attachment 155842View attachment 155843View attachment 155844View attachment 155845View attachment 155846View attachment 155847View attachment 155848View attachment 155849View attachment 155850View attachment 155851View attachment 155852View attachment 155853View attachment 155854View attachment 155855View attachment 155856View attachment 155857View attachment 155858View attachment 155859View attachment 155860View attachment 155861View attachment 155862View attachment 155864View attachment 155866View attachment 155867View attachment 155868View attachment 155869View attachment 155870View attachment 155871View attachment 155872

That looks like such a good day out. Thanks for posting.

 

[The Hodge]

My pleasure Mikey

 

[Just gan]

We have a small WhatsApp riding group of 16 members which are spread all over North East England & Scotland ( N.Yorkshire / Lancashire/ Co.Durham/ Northumberland & Glasgow ..some of whom meet up regularly and others because of distances involved on an infrequent basis..
Yesterday on a fantastic Spring day was one of the occasions when the majority of the group ( 9 riders) all came together for a ride suggested by Wayne ( @The EMF )out of The Dales Bike Centre , Grinton, N.Yorkshire ..and led by Dave Brown & Michael Bee..who have excellent knowledge of this fantastic mtb playground ..30.6 miles later with 4028ft climbing with some batteries failing on the way to the last section ( I got back with 0 range but the motor still giving some assist in eco ) ..meant that none of us felt short changed !
A very large selection of pics with contributions from Phil, Dave, Michael & myself ..
Thanks to all ..it was brilliant
View attachment 155832View attachment 155833View attachment 155834View attachment 155835View attachment 155836View attachment 155837View attachment 155838View attachment 155839View attachment 155840View attachment 155841View attachment 155842View attachment 155843View attachment 155844View attachment 155845View attachment 155846View attachment 155847View attachment 155848View attachment 155849View attachment 155850View attachment 155851View attachment 155852View attachment 155853View attachment 155854View attachment 155855View attachment 155856View attachment 155857View attachment 155858View attachment 155859View attachment 155860View attachment 155861View attachment 155862View attachment 155864View attachment 155866View attachment 155867View attachment 155868View attachment 155869View attachment 155870View attachment 155871View attachment 155872

Must have been warmer nobody is wrapped up for a winters day. I like the stodge cakes for eating. I think you have more terrain to choose from closer to you than i have but i could be speaking rubbish . Looks like a great outing.

 

[Deleted member 9676]

We had a sunny 18C/64F Sunday today, i planned a 3-4 hour ride. Usually i ride with my assist switched off to the trails, around 12km from home. I have a Bosch gen4 system, but i use a specialized remote to power on/off a purion (which is hidden in the frame), and the + - to adjust the assist levels.

When arrived to the trails, tried to add assist, but the remote + button did not work... I was in assist switched OFF position, my shop was around 15km away, with some heavy climbs, so i went,and disassembled the whole bike, to investigate what the f**k happened. It turns out the + button really died (around a year old remote). Rewired the assist + to a different button, all of that took around a 2 hour.

When finished, I decided after all if this, i deserve my favourite hamburger, waited 20 min the line, and as i started to ride home, a bird shit my right arm while i was doing around 12 Miles/hour.

It was a fun day. /S

 

[Amber Valley Guy]

I did Vernon Lane and Ravensnest Old Quarry (Ashover/Amber Valley) as part of my ride out today. The lum (chimney) at the bottom of the old quarry is from an old lead mine.

Vernon Lane is extremely muddy and deep rutted but worth it. And can you get a more English scene at the bottom than a babbling brook, an old stone bridge, dry stone walls, old gate posts (that do nothing today) and deciduous woodland, and who knows possibly fairies and elves? In late spring and summer it's magical down there.

 

[The Hodge]

I think you have more terrain to choose from closer to you than i have but i could be speaking rubbish .

Close to 2hr journey time ( yesterday) for most of us to get there Col..with Alan ( Glasgow ) taking the longest at 3.5 hrs +...but he was wanting to check the place out prior to his Ard Rock entry ( and sshh but we did some of the usual stages ) ..
It's a group where there's not a single " bad apple " and everyone enjoys each other's company ..which makes distance & travelling time irrelevant ..

 

[Tyjay]

Looks like there been so good ride outs with the great weather we’ve had
hopefully it’ll be ok when I’m off from thursday-Monday
4 on 4 off has some great advantages until I miss the best best weather

 

[Just gan]

Looks like there been so good ride outs with the great weather we’ve had
hopefully it’ll be ok when I’m off from thursday-Monday
4 on 4 off has some great advantages until I miss the best best weather

4 weeks on and 4 off some folk would give their back teeth for that rota haha . . I had it for years did I appreciate it , you bet I did.

 

[Arminius]

Surprise! TV documentary about Scotland, starting from Glen Nevis including. quick eMTB ride at Ben Nevis:

 

[billwarwick]

My pleasure Mikey

Yes, looks absolutely stunning. And hard work in places by the look of it.

 

[Just gan]

Surprise! TV documentary about Scotland, starting from Glen Nevis including. quick eMTB ride at Ben Nevis:

Hope you enjoyed it. Nèed to feel the midge bite to fuĺly appreciate that area.

 

[Tubby G]

I did enjoy them, indeed I did. Not many there. Half a doz kids 12-14 stunting on the open area half way down the first descent you come to after the climb from the car park. Three adults building something on the next trail over, at it the whole time I was there. I saw no more than six other people. Whichever trail I chose, there was never anybody I caught up, or saw, or heard, or was caught up by. Once I'd committed to a trail, it felt like I was the only one there.

Several trails, maybe many I didn't count, appeared to be out of use. I went down a few that were distinguished by the undisturbed pine needle litter at the start, followed by lots of trail debris and the odd fallen tree. I soon learned not to go down the trails that showed no signs of use at the entrance; it wasn't as if there was a shortage of them. Most of the trails I started down split into a choice of trails, sometimes more than once. On some trails that I started down, I was never really sure whether I did the same one more than once, despite trying.

The trails were dry and dusty, but grippy, but I suspect that after rain they would be a nightmare. The surface is just earth sprinkled with decayed pine needles. The trails are fairly steep and with multiple left-right banked turns with tabletops and small drops over roots. There is the occasional heart in the mouth obstacle that you need to spot early enough to make a decision.

The biggest "problem" is that the trails are relatively short most less than 500 yards, some much less. And all end with the need to climb back to the beginning up three (I think) access roads. Ideal for emtbs really!!

The Watchwood carpark is about a mile away, with a long hard surfaced track to climb to get to the trails. It's wide enough for trucks. The A614 is at the bottom of the trails and there are laybys and gateways to park in. I guess that mtbs would prefer to park there.

Excellent, glad you enjoyed it there. Yes there’s loads of trails. We went there quite regularly this time last year as the trails ride really well in the wet whereas our local trails were still a slick sloppy mess.

The trails are indeed quite short, around 30-40 seconds, but they’re dead easy to loop back round and repeat over & over.

There’s more trails in another wood across the road but they’re far more extreme with large gaps and big drops.

 

[The Hodge]

If Donald won’t give us any planes….we’ll use our own!View attachment 155812

A good few years back now I visited the Carlisle Airport Museum and as part of the tour got to go inside the cockpit of a Vulcan ...
It's incredible how little space was given to the crew on something so huge ..the majority being reserved for " payload " ..
Solway Aviation Museum
01228 573823

Google Search
I also saw it at Sunderland Airshow back in 2010..footage( not mine) on YOUTUBE

 

[The EMF]

I used to live is a small village east of Newark and I vividly remember seeing a formation of three Vulcans out of Cranwell. There was always a single Vulcan primed and ready to go during the Cold War days. You could see it from the A17 heading to Sleaford.

 

[Tonybro]

Close to 2hr journey time ( yesterday) for most of us to get there Col..with Alan ( Glasgow ) taking the longest at 3.5 hrs +...but he was wanting to check the place out prior to his Ard Rock entry ( and sshh but we did some of the usual stages ) ..
It's a group where there's not a single " bad apple " and everyone enjoys each other's company ..which makes distance & travelling time irrelevant ..

Gutted I couldn't make it! :-(

 

[Tonybro]

I used to live is a small village east of Newark and I vividly remember seeing a formation of three Vulcans out of Cranwell. There was always a single Vulcan primed and ready to go during the Cold War days. You could see it from the A17 heading to Sleaford.

Like Binhill, I've seen them coming out of Lossie. I also have seen the Nimrods (same engines I think) and one evening I was riding near Bucksburn (Aberdeen, near the Airport) and one of the Nimrods took off from there. What a noise, as bad as Concorde!

 

[Just gan]

Like Binhill, I've seen them coming out of Lossie. I also have seen the Nimrods (same engines I think) and one evening I was riding near Bucksburn (Aberdeen, near the Airport) and one of the Nimrods took off from there. What a noise, as bad as Concorde!

Buccaneers,Jaguars and all the rest . I had a weekend at the Lossiemouth base when I was a Sea Cadet , wee while ago that.

 

[Stihldog]

Like Binhill, I've seen them coming out of Lossie. I also have seen the Nimrods (same engines I think) and one evening I was riding near Bucksburn (Aberdeen, near the Airport) and one of the Nimrods took off from there. What a noise, as bad as Concorde!

Is Nimrod a nickname for a particular type of jet fighter? There are a few definitions for that term. I think I first that word in the 80’s.
Google is not too helpful.

 

[The Hodge]

wee while ago that.

No way ..you haven't changed a bit
It's quite nice that the two of you ( Tony / Col.) will be able to chew the fat about local matters when we meet up in May ..
Tony being an ex resident of the area ..

 

[The Hodge]

There you go Stihldog ..
Hawker Siddeley Nimrod Google Search

 

[Stihldog]

There you go Stihldog ..
Hawker Siddeley Nimrod Google Search

Ah! Thanks.
Perhaps the term was used in NA to describe someone. I never knew it was a plane.

 

[The EMF]

Buccaneers,Jaguars and all the rest . I had a weekend at the Lossiemouth base when I was a Sea Cadet , wee while ago that.

I did a couple of air shows at Lossiemouth, two things really stuck in my mind, the noise of the Buccaneer and the incredible sight of a B52 doing a low level pass at 400 knots

 

[Stihldog]

I did a couple of air shows at Lossiemouth, two things really stuck in my mind, the noise of the Buccaneer and the incredible sight of a B52 doing a low level pass at 400 knots

I can remember laying in a field at the end of a military runway while an Argus submarine tracker flew above. I don’t know if that caused internal injuries …but it was loud!

 

[The EMF]

Anyway back to things Emtbing……had a few issues with the bike recently, had a 12km walk/push/ride/van recovery coming down from Windy Gyle in the Cheviots, the controller wouldn’t turn the motor on, then in the Yorkshire Dales the only way I got round was to not let the bike be stationary for more than 10 mins or press any button on the controller in that 10 min time frame so the motor wouldn’t switch itself off.
Fixed now new Purion fitted ( bike shop have to drop the motor to route cable )
£200.00……..ouch, but credit to Team Cycles on the Team Valley, Gateshead they turned the job round in s little over 3hrs after dropping the bike off
Below a few pics of the group on the climb out of Grinton, Saturday passed.

Forgot this one off @ The Hodge. Also Alan


So good I posted it twice

 

[The Hodge]

Anyway back to things Emtbing……had a few issues with the bike recently, had a 12km walk/push/ride/van recovery coming down from Windy Gyle in the Cheviots, the controller wouldn’t turn the motor on, then in the Yorkshire Dales the only way I got round was to not let the bike be stationary for more than 10 mins or press any button on the controller in that 10 min time frame so the motor wouldn’t switch itself off.
Fixed now new Purion fitted ( bike shop have to drop the motor to route cable )
£200.00……..ouch, but credit to Team Cycles on the Team Valley, Gateshead they turned the job round in s little over 3hrs after dropping the bike off
Below a few pics of the group on the climb out of Grinton, Saturday passed. View attachment 155933View attachment 155934View attachment 155935View attachment 155936View attachment 155937

Forgot this one off @ The Hodge. Also Alan
View attachment 155938View attachment 155939 View attachment 155940

So good I posted it twice

"So good I posted it twice"
Hey ..your not kidding !
Nice pics ..however you've made light of the climb out of Grinton up to Fremington Edge by not prefacing it with " the bastard "
How I'm smiling ..no idea

 

[Tubby G]

Anyway back to things Emtbing……had a few issues with the bike recently, had a 12km walk/push/ride/van recovery coming down from Windy Gyle in the Cheviots, the controller wouldn’t turn the motor on, then in the Yorkshire Dales the only way I got round was to not let the bike be stationary for more than 10 mins or press any button on the controller in that 10 min time frame so the motor wouldn’t switch itself off.
Fixed now new Purion fitted ( bike shop have to drop the motor to route cable )
£200.00……..ouch, but credit to Team Cycles on the Team Valley, Gateshead they turned the job round in s little over 3hrs after dropping the bike off
Below a few pics of the group on the climb out of Grinton, Saturday passed. View attachment 155933View attachment 155934View attachment 155935View attachment 155936View attachment 155937

Forgot this one off @ The Hodge. Also Alan
View attachment 155938View attachment 155939 View attachment 155940

So good I posted it twice

I hope you all made it up the top rocky section of that climb cleanly with no dabs

 

[The Hodge]

I hope you all made it up the top rocky section of that climb cleanly with no dabs

Not me for one ..wonder if anyone else will come clean ?
I was less than half way up when I realised that I was waaayy over dressed and the Jacket had to come off ..otherwise I'm sure I would have breezed it