tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post6603593575609985915..comments2024-03-18T08:41:35.438-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: In Search of the UnpavedVelouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-64451369022025520882014-06-02T12:34:46.813-04:002014-06-02T12:34:46.813-04:00reminds of that sense of discovery looking for mtb...reminds of that sense of discovery looking for mtb trails in the mid/late 80's in the sierra nevada foothills. we would start on fireroads and then venture off on well worn deer and cattle trails that were definitely not on our maps. was always exciting to see where we'd end up.spericnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-16732456093340937292014-06-01T18:21:53.092-04:002014-06-01T18:21:53.092-04:00Its sound like you need to become a member of the ...Its sound like you need to become a member of the Rough-Stuff Fellowship (RSF) which is off-road cycle touring club which was started in 1955, you can find more information on the RSF at www.rsf.org.uk <br /><br />I founding member of South Lakes Group which is local group of the RSF which as its own website at www.southlakesgroup.org.uk and have look at the ride photo galleries on website, as sort thing you want do in Northern Ireland is the sort thing we do on weekly Sunday South Lakes Group ride.<br /><br />The RSF does not have a local group in Northern Ireland but as few living there and the national club is always looking volunteers to start new groups up!Simeon Ormehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02993125716312103829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7859222876650319962014-06-01T14:13:53.106-04:002014-06-01T14:13:53.106-04:00Funny how unpaved roads have become such a big par...Funny how unpaved roads have become such a big part of your cycling enjoyment! If you'd asked me 4 years ago whether or not you would have gone in this direction, I'd have said "no". Now, <br />I have seen the Ordnance Survey maps, and they are amazing. You are going to have a lot of fun with those.<br /><br />Speaking of gravel rides, I have been told that *we* are doing this one next year. <br /><a href="http://almanzo.com/race-almanzo/almanzo-100/.com" rel="nofollow">Almanzo 100</a><br /><a href="javascript:void(0);" rel="nofollow">100 miles of gravel</a><br /><br />It looks like we both get cross bikes this year...<br /><br /><br />Corey Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15381826721030941179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8920331481699128572014-05-31T05:46:53.736-04:002014-05-31T05:46:53.736-04:00somewhere near Newtonstewart, Co. Tyronesomewhere near Newtonstewart, Co. TyroneVelouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-8952990583152325582014-05-30T21:45:24.692-04:002014-05-30T21:45:24.692-04:00That final remarkable photo seems to be Brigadoon....That final remarkable photo seems to be Brigadoon. I like the Ordnance as much as the next man but anyone knows there's no map to follow to Brigadoon.<br /><br />Welcome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-41373279308124763382014-05-30T17:18:15.872-04:002014-05-30T17:18:15.872-04:00A bit further away from you, but check out some of...A bit further away from you, but check out some of the paths like Westport in Mayo and the Deise Greenway in Waterford which is in progress, and you've got the Royal and Grand Canals from Dublin to the west - All worthy adventures! Al_Hhttp://alsphotos.tumblr.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10264294596502670272014-05-30T05:47:30.858-04:002014-05-30T05:47:30.858-04:00I have not been to Slovakia since 1990; guessing i...I have not been to Slovakia since 1990; guessing it is a little different now. Would love to ride through endless fields and forests on a cross bike. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70192056771567428582014-05-30T05:35:46.197-04:002014-05-30T05:35:46.197-04:00same dealsame dealVelouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-42565234831920365842014-05-30T05:32:42.804-04:002014-05-30T05:32:42.804-04:00Unpaved roads are the cyclists retreat - no cars -...Unpaved roads are the cyclists retreat - no cars - I love riding through the narrow, twisty bush tracks which follow the river in the area I live. There is nothing like the feel and sound of tyres over crunchy dirt and stones, with the tall gum trees on both sides providing a sanctuary. Every so often the trails arrive close by the river, providing views that are beautiful in every season and then there are our wild birds all around ....ah Australia.spokeswomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003029599627697118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12435826991080447042014-05-30T05:31:28.603-04:002014-05-30T05:31:28.603-04:00I've ordered the OS maps, but don't have t...I've ordered the OS maps, but don't have them yet. I am told they may not be accurate for my purposes, but couldn't hurt. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-12023979560180129282014-05-30T02:47:40.652-04:002014-05-30T02:47:40.652-04:00As you've noticed, the place is teaming with t...As you've noticed, the place is teaming with tarmac. The ratio of roads to people on the island is second only to Austria and the overwhelming majority of those are paved and maintained. There is,however, a significant amount of de-paved roads (paved roads in such a poor state of repair that they are reverting) throughout NI, particularly in drumlin belts away from the major conturbations. Mid and south Armagh are great for this and days could be spent winding along tracks that see cars only a handful of times a year. The roads are effectivly unpaved, quiet and scenic but riddled with potholes. You really don't have to look too hard.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05363707633008636852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-3317209552614516632014-05-29T19:04:24.778-04:002014-05-29T19:04:24.778-04:00It's little bit ironic, here in Slovakia we ha...It's little bit ironic, here in Slovakia we have maybe opposite problem. Roads and paths through the fields and forests, sideways and roads between farms etc. are not paved at all, not even with gravel. Those few wich was once tarmac road are turning back to dirt in slow decay. But I like to combine them with regular asphalt car roads. I even switched to cyclocross bike from road bike for this purpose. But when I decide to ride just unpaved roads a MTB is much more confortable.kryptahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11542245050364716635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-25677245864381692122014-05-29T18:59:52.665-04:002014-05-29T18:59:52.665-04:00Only the other evening, before you wrote this, I f...Only the other evening, before you wrote this, I followed the link to the Riding the Catskills blog, and it struck me just how many dirt roads there are in New York State. Somervillain's ride report was beautifully put together, and inspiring. In Scotland, where I live, several official countrywide trails have been devised in recent years, but most tracks and trails belong to the Forestry Commission.<br /><br />Over here in Ayrshire, Davie Bell, an iconic cyclist renowned for writing 'The Highway Man' weekly column in the Ayrshire Post, the local newspaper, from 1931 to '65 (before my time!), followed whatever trails he could find using Ordnance Survey Maps, then when the trails ran out he would push or carry 'the machine,' as he referred to the bicycle, until he found another trail.<br /><br />Find out what you can about the legendary Irish cyclist R.J. Mecredy, who rode around the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries (he and his wife were like The Blayleys of their day!) – a true pioneer known as The Father of Irish Cycling. What an adventure cycling must have been back then, eh? (Still is, though; always will be – every ride is an adventure.)<br /><br />P.S. Search the net for 'Pictorial Gems R.J. Mecredy'. The first page is incidental, and nothing to do with Mecredy, but it might give you some ideas about how to get through your next brevet... ;)<br /><br />Or not. :)<br />kylecyclernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-58123608602188289852014-05-29T16:49:24.143-04:002014-05-29T16:49:24.143-04:00Ireland? Wales? Ireland? Wales? GR Jimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01145811568384053426noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-19785776983998494662014-05-29T16:29:06.436-04:002014-05-29T16:29:06.436-04:00You need to get on the Ordnance Survey! Those thi...You need to get on the Ordnance Survey! Those things are AMAZING! Every thing is on the Ordnance Survey. Fifahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15255236451102797818noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28872335721049935402014-05-29T15:56:18.448-04:002014-05-29T15:56:18.448-04:00I was going to ask the same question about Ordnanc...I was going to ask the same question about Ordnance Survey maps. Large scale OS maps typically give a good idea of what kind of surface to expect. There are always surprises though!<br /><br />The Rough Stuff Fellowship (http://www.rsf.org.uk/) don't have a Norn Iron group yet...<br />Fear rotharhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06993209782692168195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-59906783867550926312014-05-29T15:28:27.661-04:002014-05-29T15:28:27.661-04:00Good luck, too much pavement would drive me crazy....Good luck, too much pavement would drive me crazy. There must be original old roads around too. Or look up maps on google earth and see if that indicates anything.<br />Your best bet is to get out and explore or ask around.Heathernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-5251845546380316152014-05-29T15:04:33.923-04:002014-05-29T15:04:33.923-04:00The DROVES routes may have more unpaved, but they ...The DROVES routes may have more unpaved, but they have about the same max % grade and same average elevation gain per mile as D2R2 and the Catskills-- general ballpark of 1000 feet for every 10 miles; Kearsarge has just as steep grades, but on average has less total elevation gain. somervillainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13903377050982678550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-83988854866785239982014-05-29T15:01:02.429-04:002014-05-29T15:01:02.429-04:00Of course it is a good idea to mark down the roads...Of course it is a good idea to mark down the roads you discover. Like, getting lost first, and looking up the roads afterwards on google maps.<br />I also like to note the blackberries, plums, or maybe apples i encounter on my way. Oh, and the wild strawberries too!Chrisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47891566699882533212014-05-29T14:34:11.075-04:002014-05-29T14:34:11.075-04:00Here in Michigan, some of the best dirt roads in r...Here in Michigan, some of the best dirt roads in rural areas are on the county lines. They are usually the furthest from developed areas, do not connect any two points and are the shared responsibility of two road commissions (which equates to little in the way improvements like wide ditching or mowing). The landscape looks the same as it was before the automobile took over the country side. It is my secret place to get away from "car culture". Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-70046535365035911492014-05-29T13:53:56.699-04:002014-05-29T13:53:56.699-04:00This seems a good promotional for tourism. Many b...This seems a good promotional for tourism. Many bike enthusiasts who blog seem to be going the same direction, either subtly or overtly, by sharing their passion for the act of pedaling in combination with exploring new terrain. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-44327964695867720602014-05-29T13:24:10.168-04:002014-05-29T13:24:10.168-04:00The area of VT where the Blayleys host DROVES has ...The area of VT where the Blayleys host DROVES has a higher percentage unpaved terrain… but is so hilly that I'm not sure I'd recommend it to any but the most climb-hungry cyclists!Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-49655676220587443832014-05-29T13:12:02.641-04:002014-05-29T13:12:02.641-04:00The roads/ lanes I've found so far are actuall...The roads/ lanes I've found so far are actually marked on the regular maps, but not indicated as unpaved. Have not looked at larger scale Ordnance Survey maps yet. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-80808985441133075662014-05-29T13:11:18.862-04:002014-05-29T13:11:18.862-04:00Unleashed. Really well put.
SpindizzyUnleashed. Really well put.<br /><br />SpindizzyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39584206816088562592014-05-29T13:07:37.113-04:002014-05-29T13:07:37.113-04:00Thankfully no; already have. Thankfully no; already have. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.com