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WN2010 - The ride

Legend cycling marathon (brevet) "White Nights" 18th-22nd June 2010
The brevet was held by the bicycle club "Velorus-Marathon" on a circular route with start and destination in Vologda, Russia (1200 km in 90 hours)
across the cities Totma, Nikolsk, Manturovo, Kostroma and Yaroslavl.

Manfred's report of the tour you find here (Манфреда Берихта): https://manfred-tinebor.fotki.com/journals/wn2010/

For your smile (для вашей улыбки) : https://manfred-tinebor.fotki.com/journals/wn2010rb/ :-)))

Легенда веломарафона (бревета) «Белые ночи» 18-22 июня 2010 года
Бревет проводится клубом «Велорусь-марафон» по кольцевому маршруту Вологда-Вологда (1200 км за 90 часов)
через Тотьму, Никольск, Мантурово, Кострому и Ярославль.

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  • Gypsy at Heart Premium user Netherlands (Private)
    14 years 2 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    What a spectacular sunset! Also stunt photography: a cyclist on a recumbent bicycle holding the camera above his head to photograph the sunset behind him, while cycling judging from the waving flag and slight blur on the side of the road. Luckily the cyclist is wearing a good helmet!
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 2 months ago
      Taking photos during riding served only the self-defence. :-)
      Just during the sundown the mosquitoes were highly active. As long as I moved with more than 15 km/h, I remained unmolested. If I had to stop, battalions of mosquitoes used my disadvantage pitilessly!  ;-}
  • Okinew (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    Perhaps, you already read earlier:
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      No dear Olga, I did not know the article yet! Thank you for the link - a good report on a very interesting bicycle tour!
      While I am reading, I am caught by the wanderlust and the desire to start such a cycling tour myself! :-))
  • Bacca (Private)
    14 years 5 months ago
    P6180794
    ... der blick auf das schild sagt fast alles! weit ist der weg, der weg ist so weit!

    sie haben mehr als viel mut bewiesen !
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 5 months ago
      Danke, ich fühle mich geschmeichelt :-)
      ...aber für das Langstreckenradeln benötigt man keinen Mut. Etwas Verrücktheit reicht aus! :o)
  • Mankovskay (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    Nice shot!!! Sky is excellent)
  • Carolynd411 (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    I can't believe these roads are main highways. That 30km stretch of sandy road must have been like driving on a cloud compared to these roads. It seems their Department of Highways could use some expertise in the field of proper road repair.

    Our weather is just as cold--or colder--as in Russia; and we have just as much traffic--including big transport trucks. Our roads take a terrible beating; but at the first signs of spring, the repair crews are out on the job. A road in this condition would be definitely closed to the public. How could anyone begin to navigate such a highway after dark? There isn't any firm foundation on this highway. It just looks like one minor patch after another. Surely a Rescue Squad or Fire Truck could never travel on such roads of disrepair. I'm grateful, Manfred, you made it back home safely and lived to share your photos with us. I might expect such conditions in Africa and/or China, but surely not in Europe.
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      The holes as big as bath tubs in Russian country roads are a particular Russian speciality :-D
      • Carolynd411 (Private)
        14 years 7 months ago
        I admire your great sense of humor. When you made that statement to Olga in an earlier post, I just burst into laughter. Under the circumstances, I guess it is easier to laugh and roll with the punches. Otherwise, you could surely spoil the fun if you complained about all the things that could and possibly did go wrong. More often than not, it's these hair-raising experiences that make the trip so interesting.
  • Carolynd411 (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    A very lovely little village; and it looks like you have a "cheerleading group" to cheer you onward. Regardless of how small or large the group, it must have been a welcoming site for all of you participating in the marathon.
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      In the small Russian towns and villages, I was marveled with my recumbent bike as an extraterrestrial! :-)))
      • Carolynd411 (Private)
        14 years 7 months ago
        With your very vivid attire, helmet, and sunglasses, I can just imagine you were regarded as an "extraterrestrial". LOL!!

        Judging from the expressions of the two people standing on the edge of the sidewalk, I have visions of this going through their minds. You are so funny! I can tell from the expression on your face--as you try to take their picture--that you are about to burst into laughter.
  • Carolynd411 (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    Oh, Wow! What breathtaking beauty!!! A truly outstanding photo, dear Manfred.

    Thank you for letting me bend your ear in the earlier photo of the gorgeous old home. My late husband was born in Venice, Italy. However, during WWII, he spent his youthful years in Cannes, France. Upon receiving his engineer's degree in London, England, he boarded a ship; sailed to Montreal, Quebec; and began his career. About 18 months later, he accepted a job with an international firm; but made his permanent home in Ottawa, Ontario. I often enjoyed listening to his first-hand experiences of survival during WWII. While some of the fears and sadness may have faded over the years, I'm aware there were still moments too unpleasant to talk about. I'm just happy this beautiful human being survived such an ordeal to become the best part of my life--for eight very short, but precious years. Even though it's been 10 years since his death, I miss him every day.
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      I can sympathize, dear Sweet Caroline!
      • Carolynd411 (Private)
        14 years 7 months ago
        Thank you so much, dear Manfred, for your kindness.
        As I viewed the numerous beautiful photos of some of the Fotki photographers, they have brought back many fond and beautiful memories of our annual trips to Prague; Abino and Venus, Italy; Vienna; Frankfurt, Munich, Dusseldorf, Bavarian and Rhine countrysides; and Bruge. Since John-Charles' brother lived in London, England, we spent six weeks every Christmas season with him; and then traveled to Bala, Wales and the Castle country. Every New Years, we Castle hopped to a different Castle in Wales; and what a wonderful experience that always turned out to be. Prague, however, had to be our favorite of all--from the architecture to the delightful people to the superb food. As it was still in the process of being discovered, food, lodging, and shopping were very cheap compared to other parts of Europe. If I were well enough to make one more trip to Europe, it would be to Prague--the City of Music--24/7.
  • Carolynd411 (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    Well, it's our Dutchman looking quite rested and full of life. Are you sure he took the same route as the rest of you? LOL!
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      This is me, dear Sweet Caroline :-D
      • Carolynd411 (Private)
        14 years 7 months ago
        Please accept my apologies for the big booboo! You look fantastic! And rested! Was the Dutchman also riding in the reclining position? BTW, this would make a great Male "Pin-up" Calendar. I think it's much more attractive than the "Firemen's Calendar". Maybe you can start a new trend for the year 2011. (Please know--I love to kid with people; and I hope you will not find it offensive.) I'll bet you were thankful for this particular riding seat quite often. Was it more difficult trying to dodge the many giant-size potholes in the roads in the reclining position? It looks like it might have been more difficult to see and/or judge the locations of such holes than it would have been if you had been riding in the normal position. Well, I've learned a few new things today through some of the photos; and hopefully, I've met two new friends along the way--you and Olga. I've never visited Russia; and yet I've been intrigued by St. Petersburg most of my life. I now have 3 friends from Russia.
  • Carolynd411 (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    This looks like a constant on-going weekend project with quite a mixture of architectural designs. I think the final product could be quite attractive once painted in a nice complimentary color. This is what makes visiting the countryside so unique. You never know what you will find around the next corner.
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      Maybe the house must grow with the family. Every year a new children's room is attached :-D
      • Carolynd411 (Private)
        14 years 7 months ago
        You are probably correct re: the house growing with the family. It's very much like the Amish families who live in Pennsylvania. You can tell how many generations reside in the home by the number of large additions which have been made to it. Sometimes, their homes look more like hotels.
        Once again, Manfred, I thoroughly enjoyed my tour with you today. I greatly appreciate your taking your valuable time to answer some of my questions; or to clarify some of my statements. I've always enjoyed geography. If computers had been around when I was a child, you would probably not have gotten me out of the classroom. The youth of today have no idea how fortunate they are to have such wealth of information at their fingertips. Sadly, there are youth who don't care about education regardless of how much or what is put in front of them. I wouldn't have the patience to be a teacher in today's classroom.
        I hope your Sunday will be a lovely, but cooler day for you.
        Luv ya!
        Sweet Caroline
  • Carolynd411 (Private)
    14 years 7 months ago
    WN2010 - The ride
    This is certainly--in no way--a "cheap" hobby. Have all the marathons had such poorly kept highways? You almost need an auxiliary crew--traveling by van--to keep you all supplied with tires, patches, water, porter potties, etc. I've never watched or been near any form of marathon in my life. Your photographic journal of events is my first of even having a clue as to what takes place. Even though I'm sitting here at my computer, I must admit sometimes I have been in a panic mode when I've seen the road conditions and some very dangerous disasters that were thankfully avoided. I haven't chewed off any fingernails or started to consume any alcoholic beverages so far; so I hope I make it to the end of the journey without doing either.
    BTW, Manfred, I'm originally from the beautiful Commonwealth of Virginia - "Dixie". As a disabled widow, my days are spent on my computer--traveling through the lens of fine photographers such as yourself. I look forward to viewing more of your lovely photos.
    • Manfred Premium user Germany (Private)
      14 years 7 months ago
      For me the special charm of this kind of bicycle marathons consists in having no supporting team and no escort vehicles :-)))
      I am glad very much that you like my photos. Please, dear Sweet Caroline, come and view further!
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