Emley Moor Foxtrot

#cycling #offroadcycling #chisel #oakleyjawbreaker
A sunny Saturday morning in mid-May - surely the trails have dried out by now? There's only one way to find out.

[@toddfield4744]

Cracking ride Gordon, it made my Saturday

[@clippingin1593]

Thanks, Todd. It's a compact circuit but there's so much variety and, at long last, the trails are drying out! It makes for a nice change twiddling along and listening to the birds.

[@onemorecyclist]

Great to see the sunny rides returning (those puddles though, still!). I can see the appeal of diving deep into the metrics but equally really resonated with your comments about sometimes just enjoying the 'ramble'. So many ways to approach and enjoy getting out on a bike, great stuff!

[@clippingin1593]

I've read so many blog articles from people quitting sports social media, citing 'Stravanoia' as the primary reason. We're exposed to streams of Greatest Hits and it's easy to feel inadequate in terms of ride frequency, duration, speed, power, terrain, and all the rest. Once people imagine that every ride or run is going to be scrutinised then they feel performance pressure. It's similar to the way that people become reluctant to post photos online without getting their selfie-face on, or applying filters. I've spoken to people agonising over whether to post a slow ride, or a short ride, because it somehow won't measure up. I've seen rides posted with 'excuses' in place for being slow, yet for the majority of us, the value of a ride shouldn't hang on fractions of mph.

[@onemorecyclist]

@@clippingin1593 interesting, not heard the term 'Stravanoia' before but that's a great description for a rather unfortunate phenomena (I feel). I definitely think there's a strong KZbin equivalent too, pulling 'creators' more and more into worrying about metrics, maximising engagement and chasing validation. The channels I enjoy following I'm pretty sure don't have the metrics and like counts top of the priority list when deciding what videos to make, or at the very least have found a nice balance between authenticity and understanding how the algorithms work! No cycling this weekend for me but enjoy your ride if your out today!

[@clippingin1593]

@@onemorecyclist It's so easy to be seduced by the omniscient algorithm and I'm sure we've both seen videos and channels following its suggestions and 'playing the game'. Sadly, we'll have also seen lots of 'burnout videos' and 'stress withdrawals' when channel holders find it difficult to keep up or become disillusioned. There's a balance point in there somewhere, one which only the channel-holder can identify.

[@DuncMcNutt]

Good morning Gordon. Good ride, nice day for it for sure. Emily mast was very clear, great view of it. I was gardening....

[@clippingin1593]

The weather looks half-decent for the next few days before the inevitable descent to bank-holiday rain! It was a nice change to only spend 20 minutes cleaning the bike after off-roading.

[@DuncMcNutt]

@@clippingin1593 hope it stays dry for next weekend! It can rain in the week all it likes. Oh the joys. of cleaning there bike after off roading....one thing I don't miss.

[@gordontyrrall5299]

Another enjoyable video. I used to work part-time at the prison near Flockton so I used to cycle there from Leeds and then go on to Armley in the afternoon. I used a road bike but took that route you took and I couldn't believe it! - that bloody dog was still there! It always used to go for me and I gave up this work when lockdown came so the damned thing is hale and heart still.😄

[@clippingin1593]

Wow, what are the chances of that? As I approached I could tell it was an old dog's bark and it only made a token effort to chase as I passed, but I'll bet four years ago it was a lively thing! That sounds like serious commuting mileage, you'll have been super-fit on that regime.

[@mattjohn7700]

What a bike ride,beutiful scenery you raskal.

[@clippingin1593]

Haha - cheers Matt. That old chocolate labrador is a scamp!

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Leeds Liverpool canal for me today...... Beautiful ride.

[@clippingin1593]

Nice. Some good riding along there, the section around Saltaire is very striking. I've never been west of Gargrave - have to put that on the list.

[@ianhope769]

Yep, that is a 'Beast' climb to Briestfield.

[@clippingin1593]

It caught me out on my first time in the 90s because the OS sheet doesn't show any gradient arrows. Looking at GPS today there's a section of 16% but it's one of those climbs that feels steeper than its numbers. Not a climb for extensive chats.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Nice when conversation happens a dying art now some of roads U,very been on for wks are atrocious just shows damage storms do Well Done

[@clippingin1593]

The trails are slowly drying out but I'd guess it's happening 4-6 weeks later than usual.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Thanks Gordon Alot 🚴🚴👍

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Even early summer is poor. I remember storm babet last October

[@clippingin1593]

I was talking to a farmer after one of those autumn storms and his farmyard, outbuildings, and garden had been ruined by floodwaters and mud. Wild weather.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Thanks Believe Me We got a Late Spring getting later every year whitethorn tree? Full bloom near me shud HV been 2 months ago? Bon Voyage Thank God For Decent Utubers. Brian

[@ajollygoodchap]

Interesting route, in as much as you can link together so many available bridleways and tracks. Are they mainly old farmers ways or are they ancient askter or drovers ways.

[@clippingin1593]

On this route there's a blend of old packhorse routes, industrial 'leftovers', and poorly-maintained farm access tracks, but it's great how it all packs into such a small area. Twelve miles of variety with some fairly challenging climbs - as usual I avoid complicated off-road descending! Finally the trails are drying out, although the mud still beat me in a couple of places.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

Hi Gordon I Need Prayers. Brian my neighbourd ? want my hedges cut down lovely keeps me warm n winter but No Common Sense ??I'm j

[@clippingin1593]

I hope you can all find a sensible solution - anything involving 'territory' can quickly become unpleasant.

[@hiworldstephensonultranate290]

@@clippingin1593 Thanks for Ur response n wisdom