Thought I’d bore you all with my cycling endeavours. Been out and about lately as weather is bright and sunny. Today I only did six miles round Cabrich a lovely part of the country with hills and straits. No big deal, but between five and ten miles regularly is better initially than long miles. Coming into my village I met a chap on his road bike with all the gear on Morning I said nodding my head, no response, that good eh? I say Obviously not interested

Last year I eventually built myself up to do a fifty mile trip, I’m not going to do that this year but I am going to go further afield. Happy trails…..

Good for you, Jim. Keep it fun!

I miss the Highlands for fabulous cycling - so good up there.

Hills are not a thing in this bit of Germany: today we climbed the highest thing for - literally - a couple of hundred miles.

We reached the heady altitude of 85 metres...

But I feel a lot safer on the road with a cycle than in the UK; many roads have either parallel cycling tracks (often shared with pedestrians) or marked cycle lanes. One curiosity is that most bikes require lights to be fitted even in daylight, but for some odd reason, dropped-handlebar racing bikes don't. I have no idea why not.

Great exercise. I love to get out on the bike. I used to cycle long distances when I was young. It became too much so I stopped. Years later I started again but now only go for 1 to 2 hours on nice days. Now I cannot wait to get out again.

Thanks everybody, Hopefully heading out today. The roads that I trundle along are pretty much deserted up here and very safe with stunning views, in fact I came off my bike last year gawping at the scenery. I cycled to Cannich near Glenafric and on the return journey I was looking across Strath glass and my front wheel went into the verge, I landed up in brambles and nettles down an embankment, totally my own fault. I was scratched to buggery but nothing serious, biggest problem was getting my bike back up the embankment on to the road. I do tell myself to be careful, if I had a broken leg or something, I could be stuck for ages.

As a road cyclist of over 30 years I have to agree, most "fellow" cyclists I encounter are miserable sods, the more expensive the bike the more miserable the person. But we are not all like that and there are some decent folks who will say good morning as they pass me. A little nod of recognition is also sometimes exchanged.

In Germany 'hello' is very commonly exchanged with complete strangers whom one might meet on a walk or a bike.

I'm developing a technique of saying hello to oncoming people just too late for them to respond

Jim - I feel for you. I used to commute 25k/15mls each was all year round. In the middle of winter, on an MTB on studded ice Spiker tyres, my greatest worry was coming off and nobody finding me. I had an app on my phone that, if it detected no movement for 5 mins, would text my position to a number of people.

As for different customs, in U.K. , if you see someone stopped beside the road with their bike, the norm is to ask if they need help. I learned in NL that the expectation is that you flag down help for yourself. On a particularly fast training ride, I was flagged down by a guy jumping out in front of me. Having provided the required assistance (spare tube and CO2 capsule), before I’d even packed my stuff up, the guy was in his bike and off without a backward glance! I was told this was quite normal.

Ah Mrs, don’t worry about me, I’m fine I’m only out and about when the weather is fine. I feel far safer up here in the Highlands than say, anywhere South and over populated.

Sweeping statements but the 'new breed' of road cyclist (not so much MTB in my experience) are mostly rude, arrogant and seem to piss off every other road user. I have MTB'd since Uni in Manchester 1990, MTBing to me appears to consist of a far more relaxed and inclusive bunch of riders although this too has recently gone equipment crazy. Still MTBing but now more of a roadie since 2006, the dynamic of MTBing is not reflected with roadies in my experience...who collectively like to judge by bike, apparel, pedals, weight, unshaved legs etc on the bike and social class, job and salary off of it.....or maybe that's just the SE.

I guess there are people who care not whether you are cycling, driving a niche car etc like them and therefore don't feel the need to nod or wave.

I no longer club or group ride....mainly solo and the odd ride or alpine trip with a mate. French roadies are more inclusive, I can say that I think after 15yrs in Morzine.

Female roadies solo or club run seem to buck the trend round my way.....nod, wave and a hello.

It's the same here in South Wales. To be fair, some will acknowledge you, others don't. But definitely loads of snobbery about the bike and gear.i deliberately try to avoid looking too MAMIL and sometimes wear MTB shorts on my road bike (I know, outrageous - it will probably make headline news).

I started as an MTBer too around the same time as you Sub. It's definitely less snobby, though there are some idiots who tear up the woods without a care for other users. But these are a minority. I've got my 2011 era full sus Giant and a 2012 Specialized Road bike. Both are mid range aluminium rather than carbon.

My next challenge is to try and avoid getting an electric MTB.... Is it just cheating?

My bike is a hybrid, good enough for me, it’s all alloy so light enough. I bought it second hand from somebody who rode it a couple of times then stored it in bedroom, they were moving away to Glasgow and wanted rid, I practically stole it, brand new it looked not a mark on it. I played the old man routine and said I’ve only managed to save £180, asking price was £200, even at that price it was a bargain. Once the twenty pound notes were in view, I had my new bike.

To be fair up here in the sticks there are not many who don’t acknowledge you, females will always wave and say hi, I think they feel sorry for me, an old geezer on a bike huffing away… When I come to think about it, the flashier the bike and outfit, it’s less likely a friendly gesture ensues. None of this puts me off though. I do enjoy a trip on the bike in the countryside, there are a few stopping off places to see and grab a coffee and a goodie. Deserted roads for miles at times, gives me thinking time and keeping fit as well..

Varied response in Glasgow and most places I’ve been but generally find a friendly sole to chat with.
Have cycled up north and also over to the islands - love the quieter roads but yes scenery can be dangerous

Well, the time for me to move on has come, electric bike time. The hybrid has done me fine, and although I’m still fit enough for the likes of 20 miles or so, the hills are getting harder to tackle, plus I really want to cycle further afield. Halfords carrera crossfuse is the one, Bosch motor, under two grand. I’ve tried negotiations but no money off for the over 60s, I’m going to trade in my hybrid, it’s in good condition and hoping to get three figures for it, if not I’ll shove it on Gumtree.

I’ve recently joined the mens shed in the next village and a couple of the lads have gone electric bike wise, that kind of made up my mind, but the whole family have been on at me for ages now to go electric. I’ve decluttered the hybrid of all my gizmos and gave it a good clean. Tomorrow I will pop into Halfords and order my bike and see what they will offer. Happy trails……

Anyone else gone electric?

Nice one Jim, just the job to tackle the hills. Edinburgh is built on seven hills so ideal territory for the plug-ins.

Daughter in NL has an ebike to commute, it's just over an hour from Haarlem to the Amsterdam office, but rather longer coming back against the wind, an extra 15mins sometimes, so she doesn't have to struggle. Of course there's dedicated fietspad pretty much all the way

My Dad has recently and finds it very useful for the exact reasons that you mention (I.e. help for the hills). After switching from the full carbon race bike he bought just before his 80th (!!! yes that's what we all though too), he hasn't looked back.

Thanks all. Halfords this morning with my bike in tow for the trade in……….They offered me a tenner :oWhat the f??? Gumtree it is then.

Thought I would lighten things a bit. I’m now the owner of an electric bicycle, bloody hell and what a difference speeding up hills around 15 mph where it be 5 mph. If I keep the bike in ECO mode it has a range of 80 miles, realistically that would be a bit ambitious for me and I doubt I would get that many miles either. You still get a work out the bike obviously helps especially on the hills. All in all I’m a happy bunny a new toy to play with….. Happy trails.

How many charges to get to Carlisle Jim

I would imagine several Simon On a more serious note I have just sold my old bike took about a fortnight. More money to spend on the Coupe…….