I've recently joined Helensburgh and District Access Trust as a volunteer and my first job was to chop down some self seeded pine trees that are beginning to encroach on the Three Lochs Way (that the trust established and maintains). Today was a lovely day up here so I pedalled out and did some pruning with my trusty Laplander.
Three Lochs Way path maintenance. by Jurassic690, on Flickr
The ride out on the 3LW, if you look closely you can just make out the ski jump and bow of HMS Queen Elizabeth (the flagship of the Royal Navy) in Loch Long below.
IMG_20210319_135319900~2 by Jurassic690, on Flickr
Here's a crop of the photo.
Three Lochs Way path maintenance. by Jurassic690, on Flickr
Three Lochs Way path maintenance. by Jurassic690, on Flickr
Three Lochs Way path maintenance. by Jurassic690, on Flickr

It good to volunteer, I get up to a local community farm as run by the regional (Yorkshire) wildlife Trust.
military area, be ward of undetonated pine cones.

Now that the evenings are staying lighter longer, I travelled by train to Norwich and had a 15mins cycle through the city at about 7.30am to the office. Quite enjoyable start to the day.

Then left office at 15.30 and rode home 16m via back roads. Sorry no photos. Not quick at all, in fact embarrassingly slow. Made me start to think about changing to smoother tyres, bike and even wearing lycra.

Are they that worried about independence that they've sent the carrier up to keep an eye on you

We did some work for it. I remember that they couldn't afford nuclear power or the steam catapult. Who would have guessed back then that for what track and trace cost you can buy 10 Queen Elizabeth carriers

sean_iow wrote: ↑Fri Mar 19, 2021 11:18 pm Are they that worried about independence that they've sent the carrier up to keep an eye on you

We did some work for it. I remember that they couldn't afford nuclear power or the steam catapult. Who would have guessed back then that for what track and trace cost you can buy 10 Queen Elizabeth carriers

Some of the stuff that goes bang that they use (or hopefully don't use I suppose) is stored up here, it'd be interesting to see what would happen to all that if there was to be independence.

In 5 sentences and pics, todays ride which incedentally was a RTWFH - Bismillah (In the name of God):

Started by looking at my wallpaper and rearranging the PPE gear, between frame/saddle - it being the 'interesting' bit of my rides to work this last year (or two).


Needed making of good progress and so I rode hard and next minute (or a few) I'm at Cawood bridge which thankfully wasn't closed (Alhamdulillah).


Found a farm, said my prayers, noted a gorgeous tree.


Next minute I'm flying down this beauty of a road and notice a shadow, thankfully he was keeping a good 2 metres apart (so no need to report to Boris who doesn't like my sort!*).


Then I get to my beloved work but the bike-park doors still broken cos security/estates obviously have been too busy for the past 2 weeks twiddling them thumbs. My Egen, unlocked for some 'chav' to come take the rear mech. Not on your nelly, so I brought her to the glorified wash-cubicles. My band 7 (yeah, that one, not that one) ain't gonna be happy so I'll have to think of an excuse.



*The reference being to a 'colleague-friend' at B&Q in the noughties... "will you tell your people" she said about some asians/muslims she'd dealt with at the services desk. Suffice to say we weren't 'colleague-friends' anymore (well, as soon as I finally realised what she'd been referring to)...

Apologies for the lack of appropriate commas... Just take a breath when you feel comfy

Managed to get out last night. Didn't see a soul.
So am I touring or bikepacking....?
20210320_131108 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

20210320_134431 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Smile!
20210320_135803 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

So I set up here. I checked it out last weekend. It has a fireplace (hence the fire pics in a mo) and a newly laid stone floor that I put down after getting some slabs from the spoil heaps. I did not remove any slate/stone from any structures.
20210320_152005 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

20210320_160701 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Soaking in the view from my new bench
20210320_171619 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

I had to play about with the tarp at around 10pm as the wind picked up for a couple of hours
20210320_181621 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Lamb steaks in the pan on a slate tray
20210320_183534 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

I gathered other folks burnt wood that was scattered about lower down the quarry. And before you ban me, it's a fireplace!
20210320_185957 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Smoke me a kipper
20210321_062733 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

20210321_075107 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

We'll see how I get on with the panniers, first impressions are they are so simple with less faff than compared to a seatpack.
20210321_083613 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Thanks your a windowful summary of your adventure excel ant pictures to boot.!
also top marks for repecting the industrial archeology heritage.
- All part of #LeaveNoTrace

Just over an hour, bimbling round the local tracks and woods, enjoying the air, and treasuring the birdsong.
Highlight was a couple of boisterous woodpeckers chasing each other through the tree tops.

ledburner wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 6:28 pm ...also top marks for repecting the industrial archeology heritage.
- All part of #LeaveNoTrace

I am tempted to 'rebuild' this one. However it would be interfering with a historic building so probably not. Shame to see the buildings in such state though. I love the fact that most of them (around 12) had a flue built into the corner of the building. Just try to imagine the conditions for them working there, knackered, wet, sore hands, back, cold and then head to the hut for some form of shelter. Harder than us lot!

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:15 am

Love the cardboard slippers .

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:27 pm

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:15 am

Love the cardboard slippers .

Thanks Pete... I have high hopes on him. Invented em himself then made his brother some. Abdurrahman (6). Maybe he'll layer me a carbon frame and give a 5 year warranty that actually lasts the 5 years (sorry, couldn't resist )...

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:31 pm

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:27 pm

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:15 am

Love the cardboard slippers .

Thanks Pete... I have high hopes on him. Invented em himself then made his brother some. Abdurrahman (6). Maybe he'll layer me a carbon frame and give a 5 year warranty that actually lasts the 5 years (sorry, couldn't resist )...

Excellent stuff! Cardboard slippers are entirely logical things for a 6-year-old to make .
Looks like he has plenty of his raw material of choice, in the background, to make you a new frame . Just avoid the rain .

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:31 pm

MuddyPete wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 8:27 pm

redefined_cycles wrote: ↑Sun Mar 21, 2021 1:15 am

Love the cardboard slippers .

Thanks Pete... I have high hopes on him. Invented em himself then made his brother some. Abdurrahman (6). Maybe he'll layer me a carbon frame and give a 5 year warranty that actually lasts the 5 years (sorry, couldn't resist )...

Wait until he discovers Blue Peter!

O I do like to be beside the seaside...
20210327_141238 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

20210327_141724 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Is it Christmas yet?
20210327_144935 by Jeff Price, on Flickr

Am I seeing this right?? A decorated Christmas tree in some wood??
Looks like a great day out

Verena wrote: ↑Sat Mar 27, 2021 10:41 pm Am I seeing this right?? A decorated Christmas tree in some wood??
Looks like a great day out

Yes, a very bizarre find!
Newborough and Llanddwyn Island are a must visit for you when you go to Anglesey.

Hang on... Anglesey has an island?

Mind blown.

#ItsaFractalWorld

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:37 am Hang on... Anglesey has an island?

Well it's an island during high tides
https://www.anglesey-history.co.uk/places/llanddwyn/

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 7:37 am Hang on... Anglesey has an island?

Mind blown.

#ItsaFractalWorld

Isn't Anglesey made up of two main islands? The 'main' island and Holy island (and then the one Jeff just mentioned too)

Which does remind me, I need another tour of the island on the fatbike this summer

Indeed.

I know that there's an island on a loch on an island on Loch Maree.

voodoo_simon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 10:57 am
Which does remind me, I need another tour of the island on the fatbike this summer

Make sure you check out Parys mountain, a surreal place.

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sun Mar 28, 2021 11:08 am I know that there's an island on a loch on an island on Loch Maree.

Had to read several times

Looking at bing maps, I think I know which one you mean (yet to be named - you'll have to claim it!)