Photos from your rides.

[benb]

Originally Posted by novacyclist

Amazing wide shoulders! Is that typical or just along some stretches?

I rode out west of Albany. There’s very little traffic and no one bothered me. I have rode out here sporadically for a long time but I can’t really answer your question.

I planned my route on Garmin connect and biased towards roads that other cyclists use, so I might have gotten nicer shoulders. The roads that didn’t have shoulders were pretty much devoid of traffic. It was about 40 mile ride and all but about 4 miles were nearly perfect.

[PurpleBikeChick]

Cycling is great here. Drivers are courteous. Trails are plentiful and even when multi-use, very empty. This was a 30 mile flat, mostly off road, mostly dry ride through green landscapes with distant mountains tops sprinkled with snow.

[Baron Blubba]

Bavaria actually looks a lot like where I live in Virginia, albeit with what appear to be taller mountains and more cobblestones. Very nice!

[BumbleBeeDave]

Thacher isn't THAT steep!

Originally Posted by benb

I was barely geared low enough for the worst section of the 5 mile climb to the overlook I took pictures at. Or alternatively I need to be 5lbs lighter. No walking but I had to pedal down into the 70 rpm range and had to go well over my LT for a little bit.

[jamesdak]

Originally Posted by PurpleBikeChick

Cycling is great here. Drivers are courteous. Trails are plentiful and even when multi-use, very empty. This was a 30 mile flat, mostly off road, mostly dry ride through green landscapes with distant mountains tops sprinkled with snow.

I am so missing Germany! Riding there was great, even back in the day.

[Hilltopperny]

Originally Posted by novacyclist

Amazing wide shoulders! Is that typical or just along some stretches?

It's typical the more West you head from Albany. I am around 1 hour west and a lot of the main roads have a generous shoulder. If you head up Rte10 into the Adirondacks there is practically your own lane and little to no traffic.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using Tapatalk

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . I went on a great trip up to Maine to ride with friends in this state that has so many beautiful places to ride. First on Saturday the 14th we rode in the Maine Woods Rambler ride sponsored by the Bicycle Coalition of Maine just outside of Millinocket, in the shadow of Mount Katahdin. It’s a beautiful area and we rode out of the Knife Edge Brewery, a stunningly nice facility that includes the brewery, cabins, a restaurant right on a huge lake, and proximity to some great gravel riding. Chet, Gary, Ruth and I rode the 36-mile route, while Tim tackled the 65-mile ride. There were great views of Katahdin, which rises prominently above every other peak in the area, and lots of challenging gravel roads that were open to us only for this event. Post-ride we enjoyed the liquid products of the brewery and a delicious spread for lunch. A great day! 35.08mi/10.3mph av/2231ft. Photos with Panasonic Lumix ZS200D and iPhone 15 Pro. (I’m not including the route because it includes segments on private property that are open to bikes only for this event.)

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . event, we gathered again at Acadia National Park on the Maine coast for several days of more riding. I’ve been up to the Acadia area at least 25 times over the past 30 years, so it was a real pleasure to show my friends around on these roads that have been so much fun for me to ride on over the years and have become so familiar. The networks of carriage roads were originally built by John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who loved to drive around Mount Desert Island in his horse and buggy. Despite his efforts to keep the island free of motor vehicles, their presence was authorized across the whole island by 1915. In response, Rockfeller embarked on a major effort to build a network of carriage roads on its eastern half, which would be isolated from the roads open to motor vehicles, and which would provide access to the scenic views of the area. He personally selected the skilled craftsmen who built the roads, bridges, and gatehouses, and directly supervised a significant portion of the work, which took place between 1919 and 1931. The overall design was approved by Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. The entire project resulted in the construction of more than 50 miles (80 km) of roads, sixteen bridges, and two Tudor Revival gatehouses at the points where the system intersected the public roads. The present bounds of Acadia National Park include 47 miles (76 km) of these roads, thirteen of its bridges, and both gatehouses.

On this day we rode just over 30 miles of the network together, enjoying the views and appreciating the tremendous amount of ingenuity and effort that went into constructing this network of roads, and appreciating the result that has let so many people enjoy the scenic beauty of Acadia. Our day also included a stop at Jordan Pond House for some of their blueberry popover sundaes.

These were the high points, but there was also a low point of the huge number of ebikers now on the carriage roads. While there are signs clearly prohibiting class 2 and 3 ebikes, I saw many bikes with obvious throttles (class 2) and a suspiciously high number of people who were not pedaling at all (class 3). Personally, I doubt many of the owners of these bikes even know the difference, and I saw absolutely no active enforcement of the rules. Lotsa folks out there who obviously had meager bike handling skills and we gave them a wide berth.

I arrived early and did 10 additional miles on my own, so a total of about 41 miles for the day. 41.4mi/2710ft. Photos with Panasonic Lumix ZS200D and iPhone 15 Pro. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48632508

[PurpleBikeChick]

Other than Tuesday, one is never more than 15 minutes from coffee, tea (or beer) while riding in this part of Bavaria. Bavarian food is great. This was a short 20 miles ride because we wanted to avoid the rain. Last day of trip.

[NHAero]

Originally Posted by PurpleBikeChick

Other than Tuesday, one is never more than 15 minutes from coffee, tea (or beer) while riding in this part of Bavaria. Bavarian food is great. This was a short 20 miles ride because we wanted to avoid the rain. Last day of trip.

Looks like a terrific trip! Did you bring your Caletti?

[benb]

Originally Posted by BumbleBeeDave

Thacher isn't THAT steep!

It was actually NY 157 that was the issue. Thatcher Park Rd is not that steep.

Strava claims I averaged 74rpm & 8.4mph up the climb on NY 157, which averages 6% but tops out around 10%. 446ft in 1.3 miles.

Thatcher Park Rd. is 435ft in 3 miles, average only 2.4%.

I had a 39x28 low gear. TBH that was the biggest climb of the year for me. I no longer get to play in the mountains very often.

It has been a long time but I remember finding some roads north of the park that were steeper.

[NHAero]

Just another crappy day in paradise
State Forest Bike Path West Tisbury MA

[PurpleBikeChick]

Originally Posted by NHAero

Looks like a terrific trip! Did you bring your Caletti?

I borrowed my friend’s friend's e-mtb.
It was a complex trip & I’m not yet ready for the possibility of my Caletti getting lost or hurt.

OT but the e-mtb allowed me with “medium fitness” in the group to keep up esp when climbing Blomberg. Instead of a travel bike, I’m thinking next would be e-mtb (easy stuff only) once I retire and have more time.

Lovely picture from paradise.

[Xrslug]

Sunrise on this morning’s ride in Los Angeles County.

[BumbleBeeDave]

. . . from Arlington up Kelley Stand Road then turning to go into the Branch Pond trailhead and walk the quarter mile down to the pond. Hardly saw any cars and nobody at the pond. It was dead quiet and so peaceful. Then I had over 11 miles all downhill to get back to my car. Cool day and it didn't get over about 60. Foliage in Arlington was pre-peak, then went peak as I went up the ravine. Up at the pond is was a bit past peak. I used the wheelset with the WTB Raddlers 45mm. 23.8mi/9.92av/2254ft. Photos with Panasonic Lumix ZS200D and iPhone 15 Pro. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48606942

BBD