General Cycling Discussion - Native Scenery

Here at the Forums we've got people from all over the globe. Along with that, we must see some different things on our rides that people in other parts of the world/country would not. Got anything out of the ordinary?

For me, it's the Amish country. Horse and carriages are not uncommon on the back roads, along with the young boys on their rusty bikes who try to ride with the our pack after church on Sunday's.

velo

Rainforest. Lots of it. It's unlike a lot of other rainforest in that it often sprouts wildflowers for most of the year as well. This area also has a few mountains, which I guess is unusual for most of Australia.

The only things interesting I pass on my commute is a dairy, a college campus and over Interstate 80. So if you think milk, college students and/or the interstate system is strange, then I would say the scenery is out of the ordinary.

My favourite rides include Pacific Coast Highway 101, particularly along the Torrey Pines preserve in La Jolla, and my "Tour de Rancho Santa Fe," much of which resembles the southern European countryside. When I lived in Los Angeles, I greatly enjoyed breaking through the clouds and fog on various hillclimbs up from the Malibu coast.

We have the NY State Barge Canal (aka Erie Canal), which this week looks rather like a ditch (they drained it for the winter 3 weeks ago), and smells quite awful, due to the unseasonably warm temperatures this week.

Here in Maine, I just head off into the serenity of the woods. Ocassional, deer, moose, fox and logging trucks going like abatoutahell. wwhhhhooooosssssshhhhhhh.

Farms, farms and more farms, with the occasional gold mine and lumber mill thrown in for economic purposes. Other than that it is nothing but trees and rocks. I am actually very lucky to have the roads pretty much to myself up here although you do have to watch out for the logging trucks!

Originally posted by Steele-Bike
The only things interesting I pass on my commute is a dairy, a college campus and over Interstate 80. So if you think milk, college students and/or the interstate system is strange, then I would say the scenery is out of the ordinary.
Steele-Bike, as a suburban-sprawl commuter, my ride is pretty much the same mix of interstate bridges, colleges, neighborhoods (no dairy farms anymore) and one-way city streets.

But there is Stone Mountain, a nice distraction (with a 25-mph
road that is really pretty to ride.)

All in all, I would love to ride in some of the places I've visited in Colorado (I think Colorado is one reason SUV's carrying bikes makes some sense!) ;)

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM............. difficult one. My commute takes me over the Forth Road Bridge giving me a great view of the 19th century iron Rail Bridge, and later on I go past Edinburgh Castle, The National Galleries of Scotland, The Scott monument.

Does that count as interesting? :D

Lots and lots of apple orchards, castles, and arable land...

Quite beautiful...I'm lucky I guess :)

Rich

Windmills, just around the corner! :roflmao:
No, not the new ones, these are ancient windmills, build to take out water and create new land (yes, i`m living beneath sealevel, - 4mtr actually)

I have mentioned this before, just not sure I mentioned it here. While riding north of Montgomery Alabama, I encountered an Ostrich. He/she was running down the road in the opposite direction in the other lane. Strange sight to encounter! He just kind of look at us as he and we passed each other! "Did you see that?" "See what?" ; Ahh , never mind, you won't believe it!"

http://www.smilies-world.de/Smilies/Smilies_Animals/animals/chocoboachocoboaa.gif

Hop-fields one route, orchards and woodland the other.

Richard

Nothing interesting down here. Just traffic, unless you call a little old lady who can't see over the dashboard, unusual. Of course down here that's pretty common.

On our normal, local routes - canals, forts and bunker complexes from late 19th century through WW I, a river with a lot of barge traffic, farms, tulip fields, and like toolfreak, several windmills. Even a few of the new turbine variety. The old ones pumped the water out of land areas in which we now live - we too live below sea level. The new ones generate electricity.

We also travel around a bit with the bikes on the back of the car, and particularly love the Veluwe - the largest National Park in the Netherlands (as I understand it), which is near Arnhem. Nice trails through forested areas and farmland, with deer and boar (though we have not seen one of them yet). And something that is hard to find up in North Holland where we live. Hills! :D

We also find some of those when we ride the route through the dunes between Zandvoort and Nordwijk, which is along the North Sea coast.

This must be the best country anywhere for cyclists. There is no end to the bike paths here.

Cheers...Gary

Gary, you are spot on. My wife and I have toured the low countries on several occassions and the Veluwe is beautiful, particularly round Nunspeet and Epe.

We like the Dutch attitude to life too, live and let live and the bike culture is incredible. (As we're both from Dutch families I think we have a genetic memory :D)

There`s one hill in Noord Holland, the Schoorlse heuvelrug, 64 m i believe.

:fun:

Southwestern Pennsylvania...Pittsburgh and surrounding area...cycling the majestic Allegheny Trail Alliance (ATA) aka Yough River Trail, the remnants of the past history of bustling steel mills, smoking coke ovens, coal barges and railcars...and the communities that supported them/or were supported BY them. Everywhere you look is the steel industry's history. Alot of these old railways have been converted into railtrails, and the scenery is simply awesome. From the hardly noticeable strip mines to the mountain laurels and pines. Every railtrail in this state portrays a lifestyle and community history. And there is ALOT of excellent railtrails here in PA. I enjoy exploring a different one most everytime I have a day to ride. Undoubtedly the most awesome is the Yough Trail...presently completed to the 100 mile mark...it will soon be connected to the C&O Trail and will extend from Pittsburgh,PA to Washington,DC. Presently a mile long tunnel is in renovation and stops the completion (Big Savage Tunnel). This trail sports camping, bike shops, state parks, whitewater rafting, fishing, swimming, hostels, group rides, and great people. The trail in Oil City (Titusville) displays one of the first oil wells in this country, and is indeed a must see. I have yet to ride the York Trail in Eastern PA, but am looking forward to it. Also on my agenda is the Erie Canal Trail, which I believe runs through 3 states (Ohio, PA, NY), and simply must be a great trail with much history. With the Allegheny and Laurel Mountains at my fingertips, the scenery is breathtaking,and the cycling possibilities are endless...whether you prefer MTB, BMX,R2T, or Road...its ALL here! Clubs and scheduled rides are everywhere. The only trail that I have heard of which may compare is the KATY trail...another cycling dream of mine. By the way, I have enjoyed reading the other replies to this topic. Windmills must be quite a sight. And I have never passed an ostrich or a moose, but have seen my share of snakes, deer, raccoons, possums, and the like. Id just like to note that I enjoy reading the posts in this club, and enjoy being a member.................Pix

Imagine riding up/down highway 1 along the california coast... mmmm....

We are blessed with four types of rides here in northern San Diego county,if population growth does not ruin it. 1- Down the coast along the Pacific, 2- along a hilly ridge overlooking the ocean,--on a very clear day,you can see the ocean- with the hills covered with citrus, avocados, and persimmons, and deep valleys with same,3 up Palomar mountain with adjacent roads traveling through chapparal and hill country, 4.and if in the mood, out to the desert, through the rocky terrain as far as the Salton Sea, if you choose. Tremendous area to cycle. Who could not but take up cycling here.

Cycling from Frisco (9,000 ft) up Ten Mile Canyon through Copper Mountain Ski Area then up over Vail Pass (10,500 ft)and down the other side on the bike trail a 25-40 mile ride.

An absolutely gorgeous ride, alpine meadows, Big Cone Spruce, challenging hills, constantly changing weather (even snow in August on Vail Pass). Following a roaring creek at the lower end which besome more gentle and mild at places going up.

And, the VERY BEST PART is when we two old fogies (me, 62 and my wife, 64) get to the top of Vail Pass, there are always a lot of tourists there - especially from Nebraska and Kansas - we call them flatlanders. And as we casually cycle (as casually as one can at 10,500 feet) into the rest area for the cars and tourists and head for the bathrooms - the look on those faces is wonderful. I mean, they even say "Did you bike ALL THE WAY UP HERE??"

"Oh, yes, of course. Just out for a short morning ride" is our considered response. "We have to be going now as we have a lot further to go." "This is just the start of our day of riding."

All of course, not truthful - but it is a lot of fun, anyways. The ride down is FANTASTIC. All down hill - I get about 35 mph on the trail.

Of course, some days there are a number of others on the trail - but the further up you get the less folks there are!!

!!!!

"BirdMan,"

I visited my parents and went up the fire road in Estes Park to see the Continental Divide.

(No words.)

For, p2pshcynut. I used to live in Sarasota. Is not the ride to St. Armands and up to Longboat Key pretty nice; even if you do not have hills. Has Florida put in any bike paths.? ps- Is there still that great grouper sandwich shop on the north end of St. Armands, adjacent the pass??

I cycle on the northern edge of the Holy Roman empire 150 B.C.

I often conjure up images as i traverse the Roman Military road with The emporer Hadrains Wall in my sight of those long ago days when roman chariots and cohorts of centurions
marched this way. Poigniant thoughts.

Willi`c

Recorded history covers much less time here in west Texas. I cycle in Tom Green county, Texas, where the first settlers didn't come here until the 1840's. A predominantly rural county, we have hundreds of miles of farm to market roads which follow cattle and stage coach trails developed in the 1850's, past little towns whose fortunes rose and fell with the railways, and across rugged ranch land and dry-land farms. Traffic is light, and the roads are in pretty good shape.

Less than 2 miles from my house is the start of a lovely 20 mile ride through the foothills of the Edwards Plateau that ends at Grape Creek, formerly a stop along the Butterfield Trail. From there I usually come back home along the top of the OC Fisher dam, which offers spectacular views of San Angelo to the east, and the vast rolling plains to the west. Or I can head south to Christoval, established as a settlement on the Concho River in the 1880's, who's current claim to fame is a picturesqe river park, a Carmelite hermitage west of town, and a native son who was on the TV show Survivor. To the east is the Osage plains. Miles of cotton fields, straight roads that run to the horizon, and a grand view of the most glorious blue sky you've ever seen.

Much as I enjoy living and riding here, I have to admit that the scenery is an acquired taste. No lush verdant forests here; with an average rainfall of less that 20 inches (50 cm) a year the predominant vegetation is mesquite trees, prickly pear cactus and prairie grass. Still, when you top a hill and look out over a 30 mile wide valley, or ride along the Concho river with those big old pecan trees along its banks, you realize that there is a subtle beauty to this sometimes harsh landscape.

I read with envy about the rides that some of you can enjoy, but while writing this I realize that I've got some pretty good roads right here at home. I think I'll pay a little closer attention when I go out this evening.

c~

Did I mention some of the waterfalls?

Or rainforest?

(OK, so I moved the camera a little on this one, sue me!)

who can tell I'm having fun with my spanky camera?

How about Lake Ontario, that is a great scenery!!!!!

The Rocky Mountains and LOTS of wild life!

Me n the sheep in my pre-bent days (this past summer) (http://www.vennercs.com/users/aww/baaaaah.jpg)

Wow! Many people have great rides! My everyday ride home is not much by comparison, but I do go through City Park and along the lakeshore here in New Orleans.

Here are some of my "buddies" that I pass every day. Brown Pelicans, our state bird. Brown Pelicans all but disappeared in Louisiana because DDT accumulation in the fish that are their diet caused thin eggshells so few eggs hatched. We actually had to import some birds from Florida. They have done well. In my early life I spent many days fishing in the marshes of Louisiana and NEVER saw a Brown Pelican. Now they are commonplace again. As Martha would say, "It's a good thing." Oh, the little smudgy area at the horizon on the left side is the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. It is the longest bridge in the world at just over 24 miles.
Regards,
Raymond

I saw some scenery not long ago that wasn't terribly attractive. On the way to a popular Montreal-area bike path and park, cyclists coming from our area have to pass through a rather seedy, grungy neighborhood, full of single teen moms, druggies, and other denizens of the underclass (it also seems to host a number of yuppies who have bought formerly grungy homes and turned them into condos). In this neighborhood is a grungy tavern. One day a few weeks ago, parked outside this tavern was a car with a giant moosehead on its roof! Obviously the hunter was in the tavern having a few after hard day's hunting. Needless to say I was horrified and grossed out through the entire rest of the ride. Even worse, the poor moose was still there when we were on our way home. It was just gross. I get upset if I see a squished squirrel when on our rides! Needless to say I was grossed out for days afterward.

While in college not far from Orlando we'd ride past a house with a very large yard, a field really, in which the owner kept a large camel. Eventually found out the camel's name was Gus. Quite often people would be stopped along side the road sharing a 6-pack with Gus. Met the owner who explained that Gus was a "Shriner"s camel." That explained the taste for beer. Gus would be happy to accept a squeeze from a water bottle but if somebody showed up with beer Gus would leave the water behind. :beer:

While younger and living in S. Fla the old Ft. Lauderdale "strip" was a frequent destination. Definitely a "see and be seen" type of ride as opposed to a workout but then I was younger and much more willing to be seen. ;)

Here along the Treasure Coast some real nice stretches of beach visible from A1A and nowhere near the traffic of Ft. Lauderdamdale. I like it fine. I guess I'm getting older. :(

Here's the lovely rolling hills and mountains from around South Wales.

Wow, Greg, that is just the way I pictured Wales. I can almost see Tess trudging along the road.

Hen wlad fy nhadau...

Mountain, desert, occasionally roadrunners, lizards and joggers while on the bike trail (not in the winter though) and homeless men (often hanging out on a bike on the pavement) while passing through a dilapidated part of town.

The mountains are really pretty. YOu can't see it from everywhere but from a large part of the city. It help to find direction bec the mountains are on the East (and it goes up hill that way). They turn red at sunset.

Many commuters cyclist are students but there are older working people too (like myself) who generally have better equipment.

I should mention that aside from poor Mr Moose, there are some pretty scenic rides out here. One of the most popular among local cyclists is a park known as Ile de Cuvee. Once you get past the yukky neighborhood (where i saw the poor moose) you go over a bridge, where you can see lots of huge, black-backed gulls (during the summer) and occasionally even harbor porpoises. The Ile itself goes on for about 11 km all the way to a popular park, the Recreopark, where there is a beach and a spectacular view of the city and the Lachine Rapids. There is no traffic along this road, save for the occasional Parks Canada Vehicle. And because it's a national park and wildlife preserve, you get to see more birds- kingfishers, cardinals, herons, cormorants, ducks and canada geese. There are also otters, groundhogs and of course, squirrels and chipmunks. Once, I saw a garter snake in the road- I thought of stopping to get it out of the way, but I didn't. Then I saw a couple of guys time-trialling in the opposite direction- I hope they didn't run over the snake. I didn't see it squished in the road on the way back, so I assumed it was okay.

Running parallel to the road is a fire road which is great for mountain bikes, although at some parts it's actually pretty hairy. I mentioned this elsewhere- it's also popular among gay men who seem to use the woods and waterfront as a hangout. The woods are beautiful though- some parts of the path are great.

I just spent the day in the dense rainforest of Lamington National Park :D

Ya fink!

Originally posted by wabbit
Ya fink!

It's been so long since I heard that word, I had to look up the meaning at dictionary.com

fink (fngk) Slang
n.
A contemptible person.
An informer.
A hired strikebreaker.


Really??

I get urban, suburban and downright rural....

I live about 9 mi. outside of Cleveland - so going in town is filled with cars, cars, colleges, cars, businesses, cars, buses, trains, hospitals, cars.......you get the picture.

Going into the suburbs...cars....other cyclists, cars, kids, pets, cars, small road kill (squirels, the stray cat or two), cars....lawn maintainence vehilcles - one of which I ran into.......hard hit - my water bottle became a projectile - but the bike survived! (it was my mountain bike w/road slicks).

Into the rural....rolling hills, horses, forest, and Amish too. I love riding around Amish country the best, few cars, more cows - oh, and a one room school house with outside lavatories - no kidding - one marked boys, and the other marked girls.. I've seen hawks, eagles (once) , herons, deer ... I love the rural rides, I sometimes stop and just listen to the silence - it is so cool.

I love :love: my bike,
Anastasia

Another of my favorite rides is through the California wine country. In nearby Temecula we have Southern California's largest wine region.
Travesing through the valley where all the vintners are is delightful. Looking up on all those fields of grapes and in the Spring , smelling a blend of orange blossom- delightful. Like to ocassionally stop at one which has a deli. Combine a good ham and cheese sandwich with a glass of red and I am on my way for another 50 miles.
On last September's Central Coast tour, had a run in with my favorite Santa Barbara Region Vintner. She did not want to sell me a bottle of wine. Said the bike would shake up the tannin and destroy the wine. We had about 35 miles to go to camp.
On a cool night in camp the Merlot was excellant. We all Really slept well that night.