A page featuring galleries and links for cycle tours undertaken during July 2022.

I ride regularly, and I do not necessarily post a web page for each tour I do.

I do post to Facebook, Garmin Connect, Strava and occasionally to Komoot and Instagram.

Monthly Tours

Scouting in Gö – July 26 2022 Gravel Ride

ENG
I went scouting for new gravel for the Gö Strade Bianche 40km tour and extra kopfsteinpflaster for the Gö Feldweg Omloop.

DE
Ich suchte nach neuem Schotter für die 40-km-Tour von Gö Strade Bianche und nach zusätzlichem Kopfsteinpflaster für den Gö Feldweg Omloop.

39km

On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/7531405999

Whimsy in Gö – July 24 2022 Gravel Ride

Today we followed our whimsy navigating almost on spontaneity alone. As it was and after a week off the bike having suffered from overdoing it since my crash, we took it easy, plus it was good to just chill especially on a very warm day.

I was able to scout a sector of gravel for a revised 40km Gö Strade Bianchi.

Everywhere there are signs of a scorched landscape because of the recent dry spells and very high temperatures.

37km.

On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/7521620258

Bomben in Gö – July 12 2022 Gravel Ride

Our route was blocked by six World War Two bombs, and we diverted to a Plan B, this included the bonus of riding along single track upon the rewilded banks of the Leine River and then along the Dransfeld Ramp an abandoned railway.

Göttingen during World War Two suffered eight air raids on its rail marshalling yards and some infrastructure. In the skies above interceptions of Allied planes attacking targets across Central and Eastern Germany were common and this resulted in a vicious air war being fought. Subsequently there are several crash sites in the area.

The city itself was not a principal target of the Allied policy of ´area bombing´ and it escaped mass damage (2% and approx. 200 died).

There does exist a deadly legacy of unexploded bombs/munitions that have remained buried out of sight since the end of World War Two – three ordnance soldiers died in 2010 attempting to defuse one such device found during building work. In January 2021 four unexploded American bombs were unearthed near each other and these were successfully made harmless after huge efforts had been made.

Later in the year a bomb was scooped up by a digger near the centre resulting in the evacuation of a large chuck of the city.

For the last year the Göttingen City Authority has been investigation 80 potential sites where unexploded bombs or munitions might be and so far, most sites have been declared clear, but the site pictured on our route has been identified as being dangerous with six. In late July, the area will see another evacuation of thousands of people living and working adjacent to the bombs whilst the devices are made safe. The issue is compounded by the main gas pipe servicing the City runs close to the threat and it would be damaged if an explosion were to occur (controlled or not).

On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/7456639793

The Gö Strade Bianche Vista Ride – July 10 2022 Gravel Ride

This ride has a dedicated page here.

A few cobbles in Gö – July 6 2022 Road Ride

Having played truant to watch the fifth stage of the Tour de France featuring the cobbles of Paris Roubaix, afterward we rode out into the evening feeling almost breathless from the action even if it was via the TV.

We rode two stretches of cobbles, and I even got my 25mm Vittoria´s dusted with gravel.

On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/7426391465

Open Road in Gö – July 3 2022 Road Ride

Legend tells me that in an attempt to instil some measure of the Californian beach lifestyle into the recording studio of surfer band the Beach Boys, they spread sand upon the floor and kicked off their shoes.

Nice idea, but not as good at the real thing (especially if you have a cat or a dog).

Today was hot (30plus) and so we opted for an evening ride and although maybe a home trainer might be easier on my currently post bike crash battered body (see May or June Rides), I wouldn´t give up the smell of the strawberry fields or the sight of the shimmering golden crops in the fields to be found on the open road.

I guess that´s why I don´t ride a turbo, Zwift or any such item.

On Strava: https://www.strava.com/activities/7410758239