tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post8990783453584047478..comments2024-03-27T05:14:23.738-04:00Comments on Lovely Bicycle!: A Fine Day for a Bike-and-Hike Velouriahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-84090422766859619652016-06-13T21:39:35.980-04:002016-06-13T21:39:35.980-04:00We northern germanic tribes are forest people. It ...We northern germanic tribes are forest people. It feels like home.Bobby Brooksnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63866485078143123382016-05-12T09:59:15.857-04:002016-05-12T09:59:15.857-04:00The smell of the forest is very important for me t...The smell of the forest is very important for me too. There are obvious forestry smells such as pine sap and less obvious ones such as moss, grass, insects. Some pleasant, some less so, but even the "bad" smells are good to sense. The sense of smell, in fact, is underrated, perhaps because modern life masks so many scents with deodorant, air freshener (yuk!) and the like, as well as backgrounds like traffic fumes and furniture. <br /><br />I don't feel entirely the same way about riding in the forest though. Yes, on foot you can get closer, linger and sense everything more clearly, but sometimes it's very pleasant to ride along forest tracks. Not in a mountain biker's thrill seeking way, but a leisurely, observant way. Or just to get to somewhere on the other side! Bmblbzzznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39876808049381864192016-04-12T08:34:27.317-04:002016-04-12T08:34:27.317-04:00If you are on a cliff edge at all you are not a sc...If you are on a cliff edge at all you are not a scaredy-cat. Be safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-18824816713969023952016-04-06T17:23:55.730-04:002016-04-06T17:23:55.730-04:00See? Wise and practical.
Thanks for this. It r...See? Wise and practical. <br /><br />Thanks for this. It rather confirms what we were thinking, re the challenges of renting. It's not that I am used to a quality bike, necessarily, but I am used to what I am used to. I can/ do get blisters from new socks, let alone shoes (shades of the princess and the pea, my husband says), so the idea of spending an entire vacation on an unfamiliar bike doesn't appeal. It might work out just fine, but ....<br /> <br />Last Oct, we were in Heidelberg for a few days and took a half-day bike tour. There were seven of us, and I was polite and let others choose first, so I ended up on a mountain bike w front suspension—handy for the cobblestones (cobblestones!!!), but a bit of a nuisance on country roads and wasted on pavement. Don't even let me get started on what was passing for grips! Even if we end up renting again, I will at a minimum be taking my own saddle (first-ever Brooks 17S is winging its way to me right now). <br /><br />Will look into the pika bags. That might be the way to go.<br /><br />Best,<br />Lil BruinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-14327869586561157562016-04-06T14:39:10.349-04:002016-04-06T14:39:10.349-04:00Speaking generally I would not recommend renting i...Speaking generally I would not recommend renting if you plan to travel long distances and/or are an experienced cyclist who is accustomed to quality, well-maintained, well-adjusted bicycles. There are exceptions of course, so your destination matters - as in some areas there are specific rental places that are quite good. Still, I'd say if you can find a way to travel with your own bicycles, do. Even if you don't get Bromptons, and assuming that you don't have bicycles with couplers, there are several bike cases on the market that will hold a full-sized bike, partially disassembled, and still fit within TSA's parameters for non-oversized luggage. One of these is the Pika travel case which I use myself (this is them <a rel="nofollow">here</a>) and they even make a 2-bike version of this case, so you can shove 2 bikes into 1 piece of luggage. <br /><br />Hope this helps. It's difficult to offer general advice about traveling to Europe for the purpose of cycling, because so much depends on where you want to go and what kind of cycling you want to do. I have experience in some aspects, but not others, and wouldn't really be equipped to write a comprehensive post on the topic. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-35248605684758471432016-04-06T10:50:49.123-04:002016-04-06T10:50:49.123-04:00I am much better at descending than I used to be. ...I am much better at descending than I used to be. But there are a couple of stretches here on a dirt trail I like to visit where the gradient is so steep, the road so twisty, AND the whole thing on a cliff edge, that I'm just too scaredy-cat to do it. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31588532678681274152016-04-06T10:48:45.956-04:002016-04-06T10:48:45.956-04:00> huckleberries
want!
Around here it's bl...> huckleberries<br /><br />want!<br /><br />Around here it's blackberries that grow rampant. Just pick and eat to your heart's content.<br /><br />And outside Boston, I still remember cycling with Pamela Blalock one day and both of us suddenly overwhelmed by the smell of wild Concord grapes. We stopped, sniffed till we found them, gorged, and cycled on. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-87148267709708224822016-04-05T13:30:19.547-04:002016-04-05T13:30:19.547-04:00Thanks for the link, V. That was a lovely article....Thanks for the link, V. That was a lovely article.<br /><br />It's wonderful how different spaces touch different people. My neighbour, coming west from Ontario, took years to get over feeling uncomfortable and exposed in the prairie landscape. And there are people who feel claustrophobic in the mountains (or in a skyscraper-rich environment).<br /><br />We left Vancouver in '93, and I still miss it. (That was 20 years before I rediscovered my bike, so the only cycling I have ever done there was once round the sea wall while at a conference a couple of years ago.) Living on the coast made me realize that it isn't that the wide open spaces are somehow lesser, but that when I lift up mine eyes unto the hills, I want there to be hills. Ideally, craggy ones with pine, and snow above the tree line. The prairies and the big sky are beautiful in their way and teach you so much about nuance and patience, and I do appreciate the abundant sunshine (though it is snowing right now), and the summer drama of a proper thunderstorm. Yet, it's the rocks and trees and water of a mountain/ forest landscape that nourish my soul, if that makes sense, and I'm happiest if I get a regular fix.<br /><br />As for the biking-Euro trip — there's a future topic for you, if you feel inclined. What advice would you give wanna-be travellers? Do we rent (or buy) bikes when we get there? Do we try to travel w our own bikes? (Can't talk my husband into matching Bromptons, though I pine for one for myself.) I'm just getting to the thinking-about-planning stage and it's daunting. Since you have wise and practical advice about so many things, I would be interested in your insights here. Don't feel compelled at all, but if the writing bug hits and you need a topic....<br /><br />Best,<br />Lil BruinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-47292571355416271652016-04-05T05:54:15.036-04:002016-04-05T05:54:15.036-04:00When I lived in England in my 20s, I was surrounde...When I lived in England in my 20s, I was surrounded by miles of beautiful, but homogenous and open meadows in all directions. Walking through them gave me a strange feeling, like I could not tell which way was right/left/up/down anymore; it messed with my mind. <br /><br />I have <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2011/01/on-winter-skies-and-solace-of-open.html" rel="nofollow">an old post here about reacting to this type of landscape</a>, which also mentions the essay The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich - have a look.<br /><br />Hope your European cycling vacation happens and that you enjoy it very much.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-10705290330220823092016-04-05T05:47:02.171-04:002016-04-05T05:47:02.171-04:00I believe this photo of my neighbour illustrates w...I believe <a href="http://northcoastdelirium.tumblr.com/post/142074679254/mici" rel="nofollow">this photo of my neighbour</a> illustrates what you are talking about? : )<br /><br />[And thank you for the reminder that I need a good melancholy accordion soundtrack. It's on my list.]Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-88256175688026207852016-04-04T23:55:04.139-04:002016-04-04T23:55:04.139-04:00I couldn't imagine not living next to water an...I couldn't imagine not living next to water and forests - even riding to town I can see the beautiful river and all my free riding is along the river, on single track - the joy of listening to water running over rocks never abates - and the scent of eucalyptus is heaven.spokeswomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003029599627697118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-51918861893055741322016-04-04T22:05:24.695-04:002016-04-04T22:05:24.695-04:00Have you ever met one of those people who seem to ...Have you ever met one of those people who seem to have either just stepped out of some centuries old folk tale or are gradually creating one around themselves? You know the type, the whiskery man of indeterminate age with the sack over his shoulder who you only see on foggy mornings as you ride to work, the one who whistles that barely audible tune that stays in your head all morning. Or the dark eyed woman who sells the absolute best Goat Cheese and eggs ever from the porch of her shabby old house, who always has an enormous Hen or a baby Dwarf Goat on her lap and half a dozen fantastic gold rings on her fingers that YOU JUST KNOW came from some dragons hoard. <br /><br />Are you one of those folks?<br /><br /> Because sometimes when I read the stuff you write I smell things that don't grow around here and hear thunder quietly grumbling way off and the breeze picking up and hissing in the trees. If a person saw you reading from some dog-eared old book in a mossy tree in the dimmest corner of the woods, they could be forgiven if when they told the story later, they remembered a melancholy accordion soundtrack and wandering lost for hours till suddenly finding themselves on the doorstep at home, missing their hat but with an old silver coin the size of a walnut in the palm of their hand. <br /><br />I don't really care if this turns into a blog about Knitting or Masonic Conspiracies or Sheepdog Trials, as long as you keep writing stuff that makes me believe I might meet a Wood Nymph or Talking Badger on my next ride I'll keep coming back to see what you're up to...<br /><br />Don't stop. <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21740336580513422762016-04-04T18:04:24.111-04:002016-04-04T18:04:24.111-04:00Cycling through pine-scented woods is one of life&...Cycling through pine-scented woods is one of life's great pleasures. So is kneeling down on spongy moss-covered forest duff and plucking huckleberries from knee-high bushes. When the hucks are on, usually during two glorious weeks in late July and early August, you can't keep my wife out of the woods. MT cyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17451590809473759574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-39292857116479401982016-04-04T17:34:46.321-04:002016-04-04T17:34:46.321-04:00During summer I will see tents in camping areas as...During summer I will see tents in camping areas as I pass by on my way into the State Forest, I have never been tempted - it appears singularly uncomfortable and inconvenient - a cabin with certain basic amenities would be different altogether.spokeswomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003029599627697118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-21617323549974517482016-04-04T17:25:22.893-04:002016-04-04T17:25:22.893-04:00Too steep to descend? It's usually a lot easie...Too steep to descend? It's usually a lot easier to descend in the saddle. Certainly when wearing bike shoes - or any kind of shoe that's not a lug sole boot - tires get better grip. Often enough tires get better grip than lugged hiking boots.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-7620520978690751752016-04-04T17:17:57.428-04:002016-04-04T17:17:57.428-04:00I think you live in a particularly beautiful area ...I think you live in a particularly beautiful area - the forests there have a magical quality.spokeswomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003029599627697118noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-28690510155027483902016-04-04T16:52:17.093-04:002016-04-04T16:52:17.093-04:00It took a few rides for us to both get the hang of...It took a few rides for us to both get the hang of it, but with her not being attached to the steering end, even if she gets excited and wants to pull after something, she doesn't shift my course more than 6" or so, and I can easily stop the bike even if she's pulling strongly. This is a ~65 lb / 4.5 st / 30 kg lab mix. I do have to be careful that we both go on the same side of signposts and mailboxes.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221537769343338514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63703417307649292662016-04-04T16:01:38.098-04:002016-04-04T16:01:38.098-04:00Yes, yes, yes! Rocks and trees and water. It's...Yes, yes, yes! Rocks and trees and water. It's magic.<br /><br />A former yoga instructor used to encourage us to relax and picture our happy place, and then prattled on about warm sand and sunshine. No disrespect to Maui (love it there), but when I need to summon some inner peace (or strength, or solace), I don't need sand and sunscreen. I need mountains and trees. Real trees, btw. Not those palm tree posers :-)<br /><br />Sadly, I live in a prairie city, surrounded by grain and grass and not much in the way of rocks or trees or water. Well, we have a river bank, and cultivated green spaces, so better than nothing, but I do envy you ready access to such lushness as in these photos.<br /><br />On the upside, it isn't too onerous to fly to the Oregon coast, and I am just one province away from the Rockies—rocks and trees and water in spades! I can't get there as often enough as I would like, but that feeling of being sheltered and healed comes home with me, and *almost* lasts until I can get back again. <br /><br />PS: We are deliberating coming for a cycling vacation in Europe next summer. More and more likely with every picture you post! Lovely.<br /><br />Best,<br />Lil BruinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-61782567304022298032016-04-04T11:58:00.214-04:002016-04-04T11:58:00.214-04:00My MTB comfort zone ends at fire roads and fairly ...My MTB comfort zone ends at fire roads and fairly tame trails. Which is okay, because there are lots of those near where I live too.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-31651132166349521652016-04-04T11:55:38.465-04:002016-04-04T11:55:38.465-04:00!! Wow. I have seen that in use a few times and as...!! Wow. I have seen that in use a few times and assumed it was a dangerous DIY rig, not a commercially available product. I guess I underestimate how well behaved dogs must be.Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-79627771980858024032016-04-04T10:35:28.453-04:002016-04-04T10:35:28.453-04:00How far is the beach? I use a "Walkie Dog&quo...How far is the beach? I use a "Walkie Dog" attachment if I'm taking my dog only a few miles. She loves it. Sometimes I take the trailer too if I think she will get tired. Once she's tired out she is happy to sit still in the trailer.Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07221537769343338514noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-63728708282090002392016-04-04T09:12:05.514-04:002016-04-04T09:12:05.514-04:00If you're talking pitching tents, starting cam...If you're talking pitching tents, starting campfires, and cooking meals, in fairness I think it *is* a little more complicated! A lovely thing to do though that I'm sure I will try some day. For now my preference would be to stay in one of the little camping huts that are all over Ireland, and we might try that this summer. There is an open hearth and either a stone ledge or a wooden platform to put bedding on. Will still need to carry (and first acquire) a sleeping bag. But it's probably time I had one of those anyway. Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-81648404076880989242016-04-04T08:57:58.666-04:002016-04-04T08:57:58.666-04:00My two favorite activities. And for what it's ...My two favorite activities. And for what it's worth, you are not that far off from bike camping, which does not need to be complicated either. Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67563326706794701912016-04-04T08:44:10.533-04:002016-04-04T08:44:10.533-04:00I often see pets transported by trailer, and it se...I often see pets transported by trailer, and it seems like the safest method - although if your dog feels nervous and won't sit still I'm not sure what effect that will have on handling! Velouriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00359329171411037482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6467858377106451384.post-67424221695950323262016-04-04T07:08:36.528-04:002016-04-04T07:08:36.528-04:00My dream is to bike to the beach with my dog, but ...My dream is to bike to the beach with my dog, but I have yet to figure out dog transport. He won't sit in a basket, so I am thinking trailer? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com