A poor year for epic rides as most have been post injury recovery rides, usually manage between 1K and 2K on the road bike as well but I guess 30 miles is closer to the mark this year. But this ride a Thrunton was the best this year laughed a lot on the downs and panted a lot on the up's.
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Peak Pootle in July!! We met at Edale and had a great day out! It was only 2 weeks after I completed an Ironman distance triathlon, amazingly my legs were not completely trashed! And I'd just taken delivery of my new bike the Tuesday before, I did manage to get a puncture, but what the heck! 😀
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/garyhill/7843103616/ ]P8181807_1[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/garyhill/ ]Gary Hill[/url], on Flickr
Long weekend in Bettmeralp, which was every bit as good as the article in the current issue of the mag suggests. The best trail we rode was actually a couple of valleys over from the glacier, but I was too busy grinning like a loon and skimming rocks and roots to stop for a photo!
North Wales bikepacking in March. Awesome
twohats - is that Ash at the head of the queue?
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At the beginning of the year, my wife and I decided to commit to at least 1 "Epic" ride a month to try and make sure we always got out and about. An "Epic" had to involve an OS map and be of sufficient length to allow the consumption of lots of cake on return. The picture above was during our February Epic to The Black Mountains, which was one of our favourites. And it was a cold as it looks!
Looking forward to our December Epic next week, we'll be day tripping to the Isle of Wight.
Manifold Valley
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This thread is magic.
ryanctj.
Mid Wales somewere?
TBC/stevenmenmuir - the ride pictured is more of an epic all day-er with lots of double track and some walking, that pic is about the most techie bit of the whole day! See the pics.
182 miles ridden that day, St Olmer into paris
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b r - Membertwohats - is that Ash at the head of the queue?
Nope, its Ben from The Mountain Bike Chalet.
Got some great riding in this year, despite the weather. Long road rides - the Tour of Flanders, Dunwich Dynamo, dusty spring days on the North Downs. Got to the Laggan for the first time. Managed dusty days in the Peaks and Lakes. Filthy weather in the Brecons. Summer on the Pyrenees.
BUT, probably the most fun I had on a bike all year was a freezing February day in Dorking. A few inches of fresh snow on the ground, sun in the sky and below freezing all day. Nothing technical, one of the shortest rides all year but so many smiles.
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Les Arcs was pretty good.
Taken just after Axe Wound
Mont Blanc in the background whilst doing 'Magic Carpet' with BikeVillage:
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/windydave13/8297090760/ ]Magic Carpet with BikeVillage[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/windydave13/ ]windydave13[/url], on Flickr
A coffee stop on the way down from col du galibier and col de Glandon. An absolutely belter of a day. 30+ deg and 50mph+ on the descent.
If Carlsburg did coffee stops...
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One ride dominated my year; Ironbike in the Italian Alps. None of the pictures I have really seem to do it justice, but I like this one. It's taken just after descending 4000 steps in the Forte di Fenestrelle on day 6.
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Medicine Bow Mountains of Southeast Wyoming. Pure isolated magic
I don't often ride on my own and very few photos get taken when I'm MTBing. But earlier this year I did a great solo ride, linking up my favourite DH tracks and singletrack with quite a few XC miles. It was really hot and sunny (the day of Eurovision) and it was just awesome - fun, testing, in the zone and then on the limit, exhausting but exhilarating and I had a fine meal of pork belly in the middle of it. Then about a month ago, in comically wet and muddy conditions I did the same ride again and it was hilarious fun (even the scarily difficult steep sections with minimal grip). This was taken just before my wife hosed me down.
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I think the Big Dog race and the Enduro1 FOD race were up there as great rides but I don't have a single photo from the latter and none that capture the vibe of the former...
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First overnight bothy ride, near Fort William. Great riding, made all the more challenging carrying kit.
Gary- I've got almost that exact pic as wallpaper on my PC, except it's a still from the film Vast. Uncanny!
I have two equal favourites.
This yin last month in the lakes.
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This yin on my wedding day.
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Great thread idea!
Probably this one for me as it actually has some bikes in it and is in great contrast to the miserable weather on day 2 coming out of Glen Affric.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/allyharp/7065864195/ ]_MG_0379[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/allyharp/ ]allyharp[/url], on Flickr
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Kirkhope Law, Gypsy Glen route above Peebles, late February. My first taste of cycling in the borders, but definitely not my last. 🙂
You know, people on this Forum can get a bit of stick for spending their time posting on threads rather than riding their bike, but this thread shows just how much riding, and a lot of it pretty damm good riding, is actually going on!
So, give yourself a big pat on the back Guys 'n Gals, and here's to the same again in 2013!!!
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LEJoG in March for me!
ryanctj.Mid Wales somewere?
Correct! The Doethie Valley. Despite apperances, ended as one of my muddiest rides this year.
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Big hills and good friends.
Munrobiker, i absolutely love your wedding day photo!
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This was me getting over a fear of really steep stuff during the BasqueMTB/Great Rock skills week.
It took me two attempts but it totally made my day.
Cheers to Ed & Doug.
My favorite
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Then 2 that sum up this years riding!
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July 2012 - weekend at Cwmcarn and Afan - good mates, good weather, good riding and good beer/food - just brilliant!
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This was on a ride, tractors were spotted and bike was abandoned by the side of the trail. This is me sitting in it, had an offer of driving it but was too scared!
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West coast wandering, a wee solo tour in the summer. The view over the summer isles in the sunshine will be forever etched in my memory.
Riding towards Durness
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Looking towards Suilven from north of Lochinver, that coast road is very hilly
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Crickey, that looks like a dangerously fast tractor CG, afterall the speedo goes all the way upto 26 😉
Crickey, that looks like a dangerously fast tractor CG, afterall the speedo goes all the way upto 26
Well, that one was around 50 years old! For more of my pics check out page 11 of this classic thread:
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/tractor-trumps-south-glos-rules-/page/11
Not one particular ride but sums up some fun days in the Surrey Hills in the spring before everything turned to sludge.
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maxtorque - MemberYou know, people on this Forum can get a bit of stick for spending their time posting on threads rather than riding their bike, but this thread shows just how much riding, and a lot of it pretty damm good riding, is actually going on!
Despite all the bitchin that sometimes goes on here i new deep down inside that would be the case when i started this thread. 😀
Keep up the good work next year people.
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7150/6741208733_dae6570d4a.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/yorkshirebiking/6741208733/ ]CIMG0014[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/yorkshirebiking/ ]Riders Cycle Centre[/url], on Flickr
Heading up and over Nan Beild Pass. Our "Cycling on Ice" ride out.
[url= https://vimeo.com/35949459 ]https://vimeo.com/35949459[/url]
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Didcot cyclocross race. Was told it was a characterless course, so with the rain had expectations of a rubbish race.
Course was great fun and the conditions made it even more enjoyable albeit bloody hard work. Also had a good result finishing 5th.
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Rough Ride! Kington
The last time I rode and raised dust!!!! 🙁
A solo on the day before mid summer. Lovely weather in England's Last Great Wilderness.
Dufton, High Cup Nick, Cow Green, Garrigill, Cross Fell and *the* Blencarn descent 🙂
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/clarkpm4242/7409020150/ ]HCN_20062012_small[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/clarkpm4242/ ]clarkpm4242[/url], on Flickr
Last day of another brilliant week with Trail Addiction based in Les Arcs, well deserved lunch time rest on the Meribel ridge line. Quite simply Epic.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/89354383@N07/8297969768/ ]Trail Addiction Sept 2012[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/89354383@N07/ ]pvt0206[/url], on Flickr
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Torridon, start of the awesome Coire Lair section
On my own up on the Beacons for my little evening loop.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/57182396@N07/8298031734/ ]IMAG0990[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/57182396@N07/ ]neil.d.cox[/url], on Flickr
I didn't really get out on my bike much this year, but after seeing a STW thread about the Birmingham and Worcester canal I thought I'd head out (I was cycling on my own, those are completely random people in the photo).
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/manicstreetpreacher/7864461356/ ]Day 1637: Tardebigge Locks[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/manicstreetpreacher/ ]Manic Street Preacher[/url], on Flickr
Snowdon - up in 2 hours, down in 40 mins, scary but brilliant. After a great day before at Coed Y Brenin. Good people, good riding.
[url= http://flic.kr/p/dDbko2 ]Pic[/url]
A warm wet weekend in my local forests culminating in a soggy trail home. It'd been a while since being on MrShmancy made up for long days stuck in the office. Clear fresh air, warm wet winds, damp forest smells.
Beautiful.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/andysweetpics/7190393454/ ]Byway[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/andysweetpics/ ]theseaandthesky[/url], on Flickr
Devon byways in the sunshine...
When Cairngorms felt like the Arctic and summer turned up at the start of May. Loch Einich, an out and back that's just brilliant.
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Alpi bike resort - sauze d'oulx a week of leisure after val d'isere World Cup on a borrowed bike.
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Faraid head, NW Highlands
Torridon, beginning of the descent to Annat 🙂 (Pic not mine, taken by Gav - cheers Gav!)
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/swavis/7243967192/ ]Fanylion Torridon 2012_110[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/swavis/ ]GavinBelton[/url], on Flickr
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/iseepeople/8298226056/ ]The Limestone Way[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/iseepeople/ ]digiphotoneil[/url], on Flickr
Th'Alps
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Snowy riding back in Feb... just plain ace fun 🙂
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jdymond/6824148725/ ]Sun & snow[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jdymond/ ]James Dymond[/url], on Flickr
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This day will stay in my bike memory log for a long time .
The first time we ever descended from the calf in North Yorkshire .
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The holiday that got me back into biking after two or three years off. Four days in Chamonix / Morzine with great mates. A life-changing time 🙂
One? hmmmm
My riding - March, hottest day of the year up here(!), solo round Balqhuidder, Glen Buckie and Glen Finglas
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/7021531949/ ]Where did the singletrack go?[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
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With family - this ride 'clicked' with the kids that riding is just flipping good fun - we did a couple of loops, even the smallest one..
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/7592911488/ ]Callender Estates ride[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/matt_outandabout/ ]matt_outandabout[/url], on Flickr
Didn't get nearly enough bike time in this year due to niggling back problems. However, still managed Lake Geneva to Antibes in July. This is the high point of the route - 2800m, at the Col de Bonette. From this point, there is a 56km downhill...
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/7699091836/ ]Cime de la Bonette[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
can someone techy take these photos and make them into a screensaver (assuming no-one objects)
Great thread. Loving looking at all these photos and loved looking back through all mine to pick one! It's a toughy but this photo my good lady took is one of my favourites. it was on a sunny and crystal clear two day cycle round the Fife Coastal Path. The weather was great and everything just went perfect. Loads of fun.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alpinist-photography/8191799420/ ]16th November 2012[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alpinist-photography/ ]Rob Sutherland[/url], on Flickr
I only really started riding again in mid Autumn - couple of wee rides over the summer, but not really much until October. This was my favorite so far though, the south loop of Whinlatter is a bit silly, I was riding on flats for the first time (and taking it way faster than I should!) on a sneaky late afternoon whilst I should be at work ride 😉
Hoping for a LOT more in the New Year.
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Ibiza in February, a great ride.
The Dales in May.. We all stayed at Stu's, and had an amazing weekend.
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A few mates, a road trip and the Matterhorn.
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Had some great rides in various places thanks to my extended honeymoon/career break/jolly earlier in the year but this photo of me going up in the Skyline gondola for the 1st time in Queenstown, NZ pretty much captures all of the excitment/anticipation/nerves of a new n gnarly trail.
Puts the grin right back on my face
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/21384834@N00/8298598542/ ]Bike grin - Queenstown, NZ[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/21384834@N00/ ]Mama Bovril[/url], on Flickr
STW 'playing nice with cameras' day.
I'm in my preferred spot - behind the camera
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/24817333@N00/7768221374/ ]STW_Photog_Fun_040[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/24817333@N00/ ]chris1968[/url], on Flickr[/img]
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/66452821@N00/7991848839/ ]Throwing shapes[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/66452821@N00/ ]ritcheyp20[/url], on Flickr
A fantastic ride around the Kinder circuit including Jacobs Ladder. A red hot day, great tracks, loved it. It was part of a road trip starting in Gisburn with a skills course for wor lass with Greatrock. That transformed Tashas riding, much more confident and flying. Then onto the Peaks, before finishing in the Quantocks. Bin Combe, simply stunning bit of singletrack. Overall a brilliant holiday
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Stop Crashing with Ed Oxley
As p20 said, we had a great year, with a particularly awesome September NW-Peak-Quantock road trip, plus rides in Aviemore in March, earlier Quantock trip in May, Cross Fell, Loughrigg amble, Borrowdale Bash, Glentress & Inners, Yorkshire Dales, Cheviots, Thrunton and due to the weather, numerous trips to the weatherproof Hamsterley. However, in that I have done Stop Crashing 1 and 2 with Ed this year, and it has totally changed my riding, and I am so grateful. I want to keep going on the courses to not forget anything.
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It's not a singe ride, because I do it so often
this is the view from the circuit..
that starts at my back door 🙂
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Not a single ride,
this is one of the views..on my local XC circuit. 😀
A lot of good rides but Magic Carpet with bikevillage is going to make it's second appearance in this thread, this time with me on it
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The Alps with The Whiteroom in June. Joy of joys.
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Day 6 of 8 on Transpyr and the bladder infection is flaring up....810km, 20,000m of up, 40c first day then riding perfection punctuated by monsoons. I've just carried the bike for a mile uphill through a mudfest and I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself. Best week of my life.
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As many of you will have picked up from the forum Ton has not been well so it was great to get out for a ride with the big fella - 😀
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/23772898@N07/7568940998/ ]Reeth 14-7-12[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/23772898@N07/ ]Dee P Jay[/url], on Flickr
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Descending to Dubh Loch above Loch Muick in spring.