Your best ride ever?

Robspedding

Go on, tell me. When was it? Where was it? Why was it so good?

Rob

Bronzie

Gran Fondo Milan San Remo - the closest an old tugo like me will ever get to riding with the pros in the same event. An amazing day out, and one that I will remember for years to come.

clanton

Etape du Tour 2007. Because it is the hardest thing I've every done and probably the achievement I am most proud of. I went in very fit (for me but still way off most in the event!) and still only just finished. The event was simply fantastic with incredible crowd support, stunning scenery and a great vibe. Having to dig incredibly deep to get myself up first Port de Bales and then the Peyesourde and somehow managing to force myself to keep moving forwards was an experience I'll never forget - as was crossing the finish line!

Nine Stone Cowboy

Itureta - Merkina - Bolivar - Munitibar - Aulesti - Malats - Merkina - Ugaran - Leketio - Ondorroa - Beriatua - Merkina - Itureta.

Beautiful country, great weather, fantastic bike...

APIII

A boys weekend in Barcelona before I got married. A lovely Irish girl with the SWEETEST body made my weekend.

alanmcn1

Around the Dentelles in Provence, then up Mont Ventoux from Malaucene....................no explanation required

Gotte

Down the cyclepath that runs by the river in frieburg, Germany. It was rushour and the path was realy narrow and ran the length of town. It was filled with bikes, all shooting along, up and down. There were precious few safety features, no baqrrier to stop you shooting into the river.
You really felt you were part of it, cycling down there. It was like a little China.

jibi

The Careterra Austral in Chile
1600kms of mainly unsealed roads through rainforests, along the Andes and finishing off dragging bikes over the Lago Del Desierto Sendero ( footpath) into Argentina

Amazing awesome stuff

george

Special K

APIII wrote:

A boys weekend in Barcelona before I got married. A lovely Irish girl with the SWEETEST body made my weekend.

Good thinking

pedylan

APIII wrote:

A boys weekend in Barcelona before I got married. A lovely Irish girl with the SWEETEST body made my weekend.

Tandem was it?

tvxmole

mine would be summer 2006 a tour between french alps and Jura. Awesome journey, great panorama, wine and food,(discovered jura has amazing wines) and a couple of girls we met along the way :P

Massimo

The 2001 Pallotta Teamworks Montana Aids Vaccine Ride - 575 miles in 7 days across the Rockies from Missoula to Billings. There were over 1000 of us. Quite simply the best week of my life ever.....

synchronicity

The longest one.

pneumatic

1968, an early Summer dawn, dew heavy on the ground, sun still trying to burn through the mist. I sneaked out of the house while the family slept. I shivered in the cool air and then breathed it deeply. I wheeled the bike off the patio, climbed aboard, found the right-hand pedal with my foot and pushed off.

After 20 yards, I pulled the brake and hopped forward onto the soles of my feet. My heart was racing, my hair standing on end. I had done it. I had ridden unassisted for the first time in my life.

I've felt the same thrill a few times, most recently on the summit of the Ventoux. But I've never felt better!

Brian B

So many to choose from but I have narrowed mines down to four as thats the best I can do.

1. Years ago when I had just turned roadie after two hard days in the Alps I cycled up the Croix De Fer when I was in pain from the very start. I made it up without stopping however and the scenery and sense of achievement made the pasin vanish.

2. Cycling up the Touramlet with perfect weather and the view from the top was spectacular and so was the descent down the other side.

3. Cycling in through Provence on route to the Ventoux and when I got to top of the climb we had a total cloud inversion and it was pretty spectacular as it felt you were on top of the world.

4. Last but in no way least was last years Fred Whitton Challenge and getting around in a decent time for me and not having to walk.

Monty Dog

Every time I ride through the Trouvee de Arenberg or Arenberg 'Trench' to know the countless riders who've ridden through there and the epic races I've watched over the years - after 100 miles of the P-Rx, to keep it on the big ring and blast through at 40kph plus is both agony and ecstacy.

cyclingfury

I know this is not entirely in the spirit of this thread's title, but my best ride is always the one I've just done. This is because for yet another day I have woken up, found myself alive and have been fit enough to ride my bike! Amen!!

captain_oakley

The 1998 Bordeaux to Barcelona 2 week cycling holiday. Organised by Bike events;
Great Route, Excellent Company, every type of Weather you can think of, and
crossing from France into Spain via the Col de Portillon in a monsoon.... ahhh the
waves of nostalgia.


"They call me Mr Tibbs"

robbarker

The first time I did the Bryan Chapman Audax (Chepstow-Anglesey-Chepstow, 620Km in a weekend) Awesome ride, great scenery, fantastic sense of achievement.

geoff_ss

We'd had a very unsettled night because of a fiesta in a neighbouring village but we still set out to take the track from near Llavorsi (Spain) into Andorra via the mountain village of Tor. It was just a dotted line on the Michelin map but we just hoped it went through.

It was a fantastic ride and, because we were both knackered from lack of sleep, we wild camped in a mown hay meadow by a stream - idyllic. The following morning we part rode part walked up to the pass on a roughish but generally rideable track. We were on Mercian touring bikes with full camping gear. The weather and views were fantastic and, when we reached the col, the border was marked by a painted line on a rock.

Once into Andorra the road improved and we quickly descended through Pal to Andorra la Vella where you couldn't hear yourself think for the sound of cash tills ringing. From Heaven to Hell in one glorious ride. I think it was 1980. I wonder if the road has been 'improved'?

Geoff

geoff_ss

pneumatic wrote:

1968, an early Summer dawn, dew heavy on the ground, sun still trying to burn through the mist. I sneaked out of the house while the family slept. I shivered in the cool air and then breathed it deeply. I wheeled the bike off the patio, climbed aboard, found the right-hand pedal with my foot and pushed off.

After 20 yards, I pulled the brake and hopped forward onto the soles of my feet. My heart was racing, my hair standing on end. I had done it. I had ridden unassisted for the first time in my life.

I've felt the same thrill a few times, most recently on the summit of the Ventoux. But I've never felt better!

Lovely story. I think we all have a memory like that tucked away somewhere. Thanks

Geoff

Gotte

pneumatic wrote:

1968, an early Summer dawn, dew heavy on the ground, sun still trying to burn through the mist. I sneaked out of the house while the family slept. I shivered in the cool air and then breathed it deeply. I wheeled the bike off the patio, climbed aboard, found the right-hand pedal with my foot and pushed off.

After 20 yards, I pulled the brake and hopped forward onto the soles of my feet. My heart was racing, my hair standing on end. I had done it. I had ridden unassisted for the first time in my life.

I've felt the same thrill a few times, most recently on the summit of the Ventoux. But I've never felt better!

Nice one.

bagpusscp

The Nockalmstrasse in Austria. From Seebodden on the Milstattersee 110k . 2, 2000 meter climbs . Stunning landscape empty roads .Once ridden never forgotten . If you have not been to Austria you are missing something very special. 8)

I will link some pictures from my rides in Austria .Some links for now
http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Nockalmstrasse
http://www.tiscover.at/at/guide/5,en,SC ... ntern.html
http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/ ... ics-Places

Anonymous

Cycled many great runs and so difficult and impossible to say all, but a few immediatley spring to mind:-

First time I visited the Lakes, Did a shortened version of the Fred Whitton, most mesmerising thing Ive ever seen in my like was when I first clapped eyes on Hardknott Pass., also did a Reccy Ride for the FWC lastyear, did it in brilliant weather in April and thats one of my best days also, much better than the actual event itself a month later.

In the Alpes we cycled up Les Deux Alpes then afterwards cycled upto La Berarde, at the very top had a lovely spaghetti dish - magical with jaw dropping beauty.

Topping out on the Tourmalet(where I near died-wot a time to have a bad day) and Ventoux also very special.

Cycling up through Masca in Tenerife...most beautiful place i've ever seen.

And I love my runs in the mighty NY Moors...just so demanding and special.

tvxmole

It all began on a Thursday afternoon when as teacher of English in a school just outside Patan, I was told that the winter holidays were begining two weeks earlier as it was too cold. This meant that I had two weeks to spare and no way of convincing my medical buddies to join me as they needed more time to give notice.

As such I trailed through a guide book and at the back found a bike route from Kathmandu to Pokhara where many people start treks to the Annarpurna trail. After gettign through the smog od the Kathmandu valley you get your first glimps of the (smog free) view of the Himalayas and then you wind down and down into a more Jungle like terrain, along the way kids harras you shouting American and freindly locals. After two days of cycling with the Himalayas on your right you come into the beautiful lake at Pokhara with the Anuarpurna range prooving to be absolutrely stunning. The route has some of the best, and at times needed, downhill sections you could ever hope for. You just hold on and take it all in amazing. The road is not very good though and I had a few days where it hurt to sit down but it was totaly worth it.

James

davelakers

tvxmole wrote:

It all began on a Thursday afternoon when as teacher of English in a school just outside Patan, I was told that the winter holidays were begining two weeks earlier as it was too cold. This meant that I had two weeks to spare and no way of convincing my medical buddies to join me as they needed more time to give notice.

As such I trailed through a guide book and at the back found a bike route from Kathmandu to Pokhara where many people start treks to the Annarpurna trail. After gettign through the smog od the Kathmandu valley you get your first glimps of the (smog free) view of the Himalayas and then you wind down and down into a more Jungle like terrain, along the way kids harras you shouting American and freindly locals. After two days of cycling with the Himalayas on your right you come into the beautiful lake at Pokhara with the Anuarpurna range prooving to be absolutrely stunning. The route has some of the best, and at times needed, downhill sections you could ever hope for. You just hold on and take it all in amazing. The road is not very good though and I had a few days where it hurt to sit down but it was totaly worth it.

James

I was going to tell you all about my ride this morning, through Oakenclough, over Harris End Fell, up over Marshaw, through the Trough of Bowland over Boundary Hill, back through Whitwell, Chipping and Inglewhite. All in all 50ish miles of pure enjoyment in wonderful sunshine and quiet country roads.

But after reading the post above, I dont think I'll bother. It makes me feel quite inadequate!!

geoff_ss

davelakers wrote:

tvxmole wrote:

It all began on a Thursday afternoon when as teacher of English in a school just outside Patan, I was told that the winter holidays were begining two weeks earlier as it was too cold. This meant that I had two weeks to spare and no way of convincing my medical buddies to join me as they needed more time to give notice.

As such I trailed through a guide book and at the back found a bike route from Kathmandu to Pokhara where many people start treks to the Annarpurna trail. After gettign through the smog od the Kathmandu valley you get your first glimps of the (smog free) view of the Himalayas and then you wind down and down into a more Jungle like terrain, along the way kids harras you shouting American and freindly locals. After two days of cycling with the Himalayas on your right you come into the beautiful lake at Pokhara with the Anuarpurna range prooving to be absolutrely stunning. The route has some of the best, and at times needed, downhill sections you could ever hope for. You just hold on and take it all in amazing. The road is not very good though and I had a few days where it hurt to sit down but it was totaly worth it.

James

I was going to tell you all about my ride this morning, through Oakenclough, over Harris End Fell, up over Marshaw, through the Trough of Bowland over Boundary Hill, back through Whitwell, Chipping and Inglewhite. All in all 50ish miles of pure enjoyment in wonderful sunshine and quiet country roads.

But after reading the post above, I dont think I'll bother. It makes me feel quite inadequate!!

You shouldn't feel inadequate at all. I've cycled in the Trough of Bowland and also from Kathmandu to Pokhara, though by a longer route. Both are stunning rides but for different reasons. The memories of our Nepal CTC tour in 1989 will remain for all my life but so will memorable rides in the UK.

Geoff

chill888

Few places as beautiful as the Berner Oberland and when the weather is perfect, cycling up high is paradise.

This route started in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, up and above Murren ski station to Schiltalp and down another way via Gimmewald and back through the valley.









Map:
http://www.cycling-challenge.com/swiss- ... -oberland/

red dragon

Best ride ever, easy. Thirteen months ago little local loop (only 13 miles). Half way round had heart attack - I said "I a`nt leaving my bike here, and i am not dying alone" a quick prayer and I cycled home. Thats my best ride ever - I made it round and back and am still here to tell the tale.




Winter miles - Summer smiles.

bonk man

The next one..... at least thats what I always hope.

Special K

red dragon wrote:

Best ride ever, easy. Thirteen months ago little local loop (only 13 miles). Half way round had heart attack - I said "I a`nt leaving my bike here, and i am not dying alone" a quick prayer and I cycled home. Thats my best ride ever - I made it round and back and am still here to tell the tale.




Winter miles - Summer smiles.

'kin 'ell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's amazing. :shock: :shock: :shock:

Respect.