Originally Posted by JJScaliger (Post 14738313)

I haven't had much of a chance to ride lately, except for my short commute to work. I decided to give another attempt at riding this old farm road which had foiled me on my Cinelli earlier this summer, but this time with my sidi mtb shoes, eggbeaters and my Kelly with knobbies. I have been scouting it out on the computer using google satellite images to confirm that it actually existed. A distinct line appeared through the trees where the road should be so I set off today to follow it to one of the other roads it was supposed to meet up with. I rode 55 tough miles today.

After 30 miles I reached Welch Hollow Rd. which starts like this

Then this

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...d12020/102.jpg

and then this.

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...d12020/104.jpg

http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/...d12020/107.jpg

I flipped over the handlebars at almost the exact same spot I did last time. Rode some more and almost crashed 3 other times before I gave up and walked the Kelly down to the bottom of the hollow. The "road" was just too steep, too loose and too chunky to ride through clean.

After I got through this impossibly technical section, Welch Hollow rd was an enjoyable, wide single track for about 3 miles. It went through the back of Wickaboxet and hooked up with some old country roads I like to ride.

Stone wall on Welch Hollow

Old well on Hopkins Hollow Rd

The smooth section of Welch Hollow Rd

Cahoon Rd on the way home

I'm glad I went back and rode Welch Hollow! I probably won't do it again!

Originally Posted by Conan (Post 14739484)

Took a nice ride in the Wisconsin countryside. There was a super cute baby horse when I stopped for a water break.

Originally Posted by JPZ66 (Post 14739605)

Rode the ole 1913 Mead Ranger around in the neighborhood this morning for a couple hours....sorry no pics ! I must say, I'm not a single speed person really, so at times it was a workout ! I will be glad when the temps drop down too, this has been a long hot summer....high today 101*F


Cheers,

Joe

I promise to remember and take some pictures next time out on it !

Originally Posted by JJScaliger (Post 14743621)

I rode the Cinelli sc 73 miles today. Beautiful weather.

Escoheag Hill Rd

Foundation of an old mill

Escoheag schoolhouse

wildflowers

Originally Posted by -holiday76 (Post 14743656)

I did some riding on mars yesterday where we found some water.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Q...96B8B45751.JPG

Originally Posted by jimmuller (Post 14747573)

JJS, those flowers look like astors, common autumn wildflowers in New England and quite lovely! Your pics could have been done along our rides this week.

From four days ago. First spin around Acadia's PLR on the Masi, and the climb up Cadillac Mountain.

For a sense of the geography, overlooking Otter Cliffs on the PLR

The Masi at rest (just like the tandem)

Another coastline pic

Halfway up Cadillac

Near the top

On the summit

Originally Posted by scozim (Post 14751592)

Got in 25 good miles today but mentally it was bothersome as I kept looking over my shoulder for part of the ride and up the rest of it. Another wildfire is burning above our place and in the hills I love to mountain bike in when the winds are really stiff. Last night it wasn't real close to breaching the ridge line - this afternoon it did. All I could keep thinking about was what it will do for my off road riding next year.

Approximately 12:30 pm this afternoon at the start of my ride.

90 minutes later it's much more intense:

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 14752063)

Where was that picture actually taken? It does have a sort of otherworldly look to the terrain and landscape.

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 14752015)

Aren't all baby horses cute, just like kittens? ;) What year and model is your Bianchi? BTW, maybe it is just my eyes of the angle, but are the wheels missing some spokes? :P

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 14752078)

Great shots of you and the Masi Jim! :) Did you happen to ride the tandem to the summit also? If so, how do the times compare for the trip on each bike?

Originally Posted by Conan (Post 14752205)

It's a 1997 TSX Columbus frame. and EL fork. Fully chromed. The wheels are Campy Zonda 16 spokes, maybe that's why some seem to be missing...

Got my personal best on a tough hill that I have been working on. managed 19.6 mph up an 8.4% grade.

http://app.strava.com/rides/22528813

Originally Posted by gomango (Post 14752324)

Good man!

We ride that area once a week, usually cutting through Inver Grove Heights, Woodbury, and Afton on the way to Wisconsin.

Starting point is St.Paul.

I must say though, I don't recall going that fast up a 9% grade. :)

Originally Posted by Conan (Post 14752455)

Cool. Ive been meaning to do a longer ride from WI to the Twin Cities. Is it mostly road riding or is there trails you take?

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 14752106)

That definitely stinks. Is the fire presenting a threat to your home, or is it far enough away there is no imminent danger at this time?

Originally Posted by JJScaliger (Post 14756153)

Great pictures photogravity! Looks like a fun loop to ride. Nice elevation gain for 22 miles.

Originally Posted by photogravity (Post 14761084)

Thanks JJScaliger. It wasn't a long ride, but I didn't have much time before it turned dark, so I had to make do.

Originally Posted by Vonruden (Post 14761119)

Nice pics, but man those shoulders look thin, hopefully not much traffic on those country roads.

Originally Posted by scozim (Post 14763027)

After 2 weeks of smoke from lightning sparked wildfires I decided to "go west" for some clean air. After an idea from Northbend I decided to ride the Iron Horse trail - converted gravel trail from the old Milwaukee railroad. It's pretty easy riding - caviar mountain biking as I like to call it. Total of 44 miles - first half all downhill and the second half an incline of no more than 2% - just enough to slow you down a little. Got the clean air and even some rain and mud so some bike clean up is necessary. The best part was my first opportunity to ride through an old railroad tunnel - this one is said to be 2 miles and I believe it. My light was sufficient but not great. Once the eyes adjusted after the first quarter mile the going was ok with the trail being so smooth.

Tunnel entrance on the downhill side:

The "roughest" part of the trail:

You get to ride through some cool stands of old growth forest

And over several trestles - this one the longest

Signs of a good ride - :thumb:

Originally Posted by b dub (Post 14763182)

Long ride ..... to the playground!

Two kind of vintage bikes, a Raleigh and a Trek.