Isolation Cycle Pt 5, more icy local trails near the coast...

A sunrise pic like this would prob make you think of a balmy Mediterrianian morning - there is even a Giraffe if you look closely ;)

But it's the Scottish SE coast...in January... and it's about -2C!... turn around and look at the cars...

But it's mornings like this I crave for mid winter on the coast as the light is fantastic...

Another day out cycling wrapped up warm in winter layers and staying away from other people. 

Covid is still on the rise with more cases every day...

Out here on the coast we can stay away from infection, away from the world this now in a bubble...

 That is a blue sky!, high pressure weather and long shadows...

Frozen trails took us inland and up to Pencraig Hill... exposed by the lack of summer undergrowth is this roadside WW2 Spigot Mortor mount, this was built here in 1940 as our coastline was turned into a defensive line to try stop an expected invading German invasion from occupied Norway and inner defensive positions were built along key roads like here on the rise of the hill on the A1 that would have been used to move enemy troops towards Edinburgh and it's Port -key to a successful invasion.

Approching vehicles vehicles would be at their slowest here and 2" (50mm) mortars would be deployed to stop the enemy...

This is the safe end of a WW2 2" Mortar... a xmas pressie from G!...

Woodland trails on route of the original road to Edinburgh...

This is the line of it on old roads and it then continues over the Garleton hills on a ridge road along the top of the distant hills...

But we today dropped down to skirt around the former RAF East Fortune and returned home as were not riding far from home this now...

Wee film... Song is `Sunshine Recorder`  by Boards of Canada...

More soon...

Isolation cycle Pt 4; frozen trails....

No mud today!

Zero degrees all day with bone dry frozen trails where it had lately been muddy!,  

On the beach it was quite surreal with ice along the shore line....

Find of the day was another WW2 Hispano 20mm cannon shell cartridge, how these survive nearly 80 years intact lying out here with 2 tides a year buried in the sand is quite amazing, most are dated 1942, fired from aircraft which strafed targets practicing in the Bay...

Trails inland were sheets of ice with everything bone dry with the mud frozen solid...

We took advantage of the dry trails and rode a shot loop west of JMCP, the 5" Fatbike tyres smoothing out the frozen ruts and inspiring grip made light work of the conditions...

Wee film from todays cycle, Song is `Stress` by Tycho

More soon...

Isolation Cycle JMCP Pt3, Daily Isolation cycling continues...

Another stunning winter day to get out cycling away from other folks as Lockdown continues, today was quieter out in the bay at John Muir Country Park (JMCP)...

Light was amazing!...

We are so lucky to have this coast on our doorstep, I will never take for granted living here, and as we said last year in Lockdown when were out cycling here nearly every day you would have no idea what is going on in some areas of the UK and World wide this now during very worrying times...

Were happy out here in our bubble enjoying the good weather when we get it, and on days where its grey and cold and rains all day - like it did yesterday  we get on with other stuff, like writing the blog, and working on stuff out in the garage... but when the suns out were out...

Winter sun long shadows...

Our bikes of choice for most of the time out here, Surly Moonlander and Surly `Puglander`. a Surly Pugsley 2.0 with Moonlander wheel set and fork. 

4.8' tyres on 100mm rims (set up Ghetto tubeless) and built up with proven reliable bombproof components like Hope Pro 2 rear hubs, 1x10 speed drive chain with nickel plated chains, Microshift Thumbshifters,  SKS bearings filled with Marine grease etc... you know the builds used for the best reliability...

Stuff that works and lasts day after day on a North Sea coastal environment...

End of another fine winter day on the east coast...

Wee film from today, Song is `Spectre` by Tycho`,

More soon...

Winter sun on the coast...Isolation Cycling Pt 2...

A lovely day out on our usual loop around the local Bay and we crossed paths with friend Billy who was going the same way and keeping a social distance cycled out to the point before going our separate ways to keep with Government  guidelines during this UK Lockdown...

It was a stunning day and were in for a few days high pressure with temperatures dropping after tomorrows forecasted rain and snow is forecasted for higher ground in Scotland.

We cannot travel outside our Region or indeed unnecessary far to exercise and it would be silly to do so but were happy to have such an amazing Bay on our doorstep to ride daily - on the exposed sands at low tide, or inland in the Salt marsh dunes and Pine woods on the sandy single track...

Wee film, Song is `Isla De la Piedra` by Phontaine,

More soon...