Cycling: Cow Parsley (NOT)

[speedbird591]

The trees have now filled out with their fresh, new, summer foliage and it's one of my favourite times of the year. Especially as the stinging nettles aren't too bad yet. Riding through some of the tight singletrack paths can be quite character building! It's a good incentive to ride faster. It doesn't make it sting less but it's over quicker. I've got that to look forward to later. Meanwhile I'm getting to know my new bike. It's simply amazing and despite being the same weight as the old one it is faster, more nimble and climbs easier - as well as not giving me backache on hard ground.

Here are a couple of pics from last week that show the new rich greenery. And the obligatory one of the bike! Six days off now so if the weather is kind, I'll be doing a lot of riding over the holiday weekend!





Ian

[Garry Russell]

Nice Ian...brings back memories

When I used to be able to ride, this time of year was one of my favourites

The hedges have to be cut back by the end of June and September by law.

By mid June there were some narrow paths, seldom used old bridle ways where the foliage had grown right across and was touching in a loose manner

One of my favourites was to take othere, unfamiliar with this and on the follow me instruction I'd lead them down lanes and suddenly turn into what looked like a solid hedge and charge throught the weeds.

I'm very hairy so on exit I'd have my arms full of various seeds stuck in the hair...better than later in the summer when they serve to filter out flys and other strange insects.

This sort of thing represents some of my happiest memories and all I can say is that if anyone has a bike and doesn't use it...well they perhaps don't know what they're missing

[DaveB]

I love cow parsley for adding a splash of colour.. even though it's only white! One side of my garden looks barren early in the year until the cow parsley springs up and hides it Of course, there's always a downside and the downsides are it doesn't last very long and once it starts to die, it makes that 'natural' area of the garden look worse Ah well.. I enjoy it when I can and I'm doing that now

Not sure what's happened to my Fuggles hop this year but it seems to be on steroids! 2 Roses have been enveloped and it's making it's way toward a third!

ATB
DaveB

[Tomliner]

Lovely shots Ian.Like DaveB I love the Cow Parsley.I think it epitomises this time of the year.Maybe that it is only as you get older(like DaveB !) that you appreciate it. EricT

[VEGAS]

Lovely Ian. Glad your enjoying your new toy.

I always thought all bikes were the same until I started to upgrade over time and buy better frames and components.

Its amazing how much different bikes can feel over the trails. This one you have would take some serious punishment.

Not posted any snaps for a while. I'll have to get out. Although I have been running quite a bit lately to keep the lard off.

Cheers for posting.

[Effoh]

Ian,

The one thing I regret (too strong a word really) about moving to Cambs is lack of MTB routes. I'm now a [shudder][whisper] roadie

Nettles - look at a pair of MTB shinguards - I bought the predecessors of these - http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=30895. Stick 'em in your backpack, on/ off as required, no shoe removal necessary.

Alternatively - http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/tesco-pr ... 1_10g.html. Fits in your pocket, but doesn't stop the itch/pain.

661s prevent, Tesco's soothe

That bike is .....ooooooooooo

[nigelb]

As always, wonderful pictures! Funny you should mention stinging nettles because that is one thing I have not seen in Virginia or elsewhere in the US. We used to have a ton of them behind the garage in our last home in the UK. Nasty little blighters!

Nigel²

[DaveB]

Like DaveB I love the Cow Parsley.I think it epitomises this time of the year.Maybe that it is only as you get older(like DaveB !) that you appreciate it.

OK Eric.. I get the message

You're bang on though.

ATB
DaveB

[Garry Russell]

I'd forgotten about 'Cow parsely'

We call that Hogweed

[airboatr]

Nice photos of the countryside Ian. Nice bike you have there. I'd post a pic of mine but I wouldn't want you to hurt yourelf with all the side splitting from laughter at first site of the thing.

Urban riding is my game, the closest thing remotely connected to cow parsley I could come to is the old milk crate I've got strapped to the rack.