• Maybe spring

    From Mark J cleary@21:1/5 to All on Wed Apr 23 15:15:25 2025
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois spring is
    upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am still in long pants
    riding. I have some running pants I wear and find that they are a good
    option even if warm can protect skin. Cold does rob the overall speed
    average but these days I take any turns with caution,

    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn on the 2
    lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find intersections to do the
    turn if I want to go back the opposite direction. Two things throw me
    and one is the small gravel that can accumulate on edges and
    intersections you can slide. THe other is my riding skills probably
    leave much to worked on. Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a
    bike. Probably should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the
    left leg. I don't the best way.
    --
    Deacon Mark

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  • From Ted Heise@21:1/5 to Mark J cleary on Wed Apr 23 23:25:56 2025
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.

    --
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> West Lafayette, IN, USA

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Merriman@21:1/5 to Ted Heise on Thu Apr 24 10:10:29 2025
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> wrote:
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!

    It’s not quite there yet, in uk the temperatures are getting there though
    the wind is still cold! I’m personally in shorts but long sleeve tops, more importantly much longer days now, as UK is fairly north even if warmed by
    the Gulf Stream.


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.


    All my bikes with exemption of the roadie commuter are off road bikes so
    wide tyres so are generally no plussed about surface dressing which I
    believe is a cheap upfront cost but more expensive overall as it needs
    doing more frequently ie typical political maintenance costing!

    And clearly if one has road bike such surfaces particularly if you get
    ridges or so on if the gravel is pilled up is potentially dangerous!

    Roger Merriman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Catrike Ryder@21:1/5 to All on Thu Apr 24 07:48:18 2025
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:25:56 -0000 (UTC), Ted Heise <[email protected]>
    wrote:

    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.

    I've ridden several times this year at over 90 degrees. I haven't worn
    long pants since early Feburary, but I've been wearing long sleeve
    shirts. MY 80 year old arms have seen far too much sun already.

    It's supposed to be a little under 90 tomorrow, but the humidity is
    up, so there will be much sweat. I'll be ok if I keep moving. I'll be
    taking my rest breaks at about 7/8 MPH. I'll be ok if I keep moving.
    I'll only stop if there's shade.

    --
    C'est bon
    Soloman

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    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Zen Cycle@21:1/5 to Roger Merriman on Thu Apr 24 09:17:33 2025
    On 4/24/2025 6:10 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> wrote:
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!

    It’s not quite there yet, in uk the temperatures are getting there though the wind is still cold! I’m personally in shorts but long sleeve tops, more importantly much longer days now, as UK is fairly north even if warmed by
    the Gulf Stream.


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.


    All my bikes with exemption of the roadie commuter are off road bikes so
    wide tyres so are generally no plussed about surface dressing which I
    believe is a cheap upfront cost but more expensive overall as it needs
    doing more frequently ie typical political maintenance costing!

    And clearly if one has road bike such surfaces particularly if you get
    ridges or so on if the gravel is pilled up is potentially dangerous!

    Roger Merriman


    I Had a very nice ride home tuesday..

    https://www.strava.com/activities/14256779418

    ~ 70F when I left the office, light wind, same for today...



    --
    Add xx to reply

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  • From Joy Beeson@21:1/5 to [email protected] on Thu Apr 24 22:29:54 2025
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500, Mark J cleary
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn on the 2
    lane chip seal that I mostly ride.

    I vividly remember riding on a freshly tar-and-graveled
    road, turning onto a side road, and discovering a deep
    pothole level full of loose gravel.

    I didn't fall over, but I was scared out of a year's growth.

    --
    Joy Beeson
    joy beeson at centurylink dot net
    http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/

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  • From Roger Merriman@21:1/5 to Zen Cycle on Fri Apr 25 08:37:27 2025
    Zen Cycle <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 4/24/2025 6:10 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> wrote:
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!

    It’s not quite there yet, in uk the temperatures are getting there though >> the wind is still cold! I’m personally in shorts but long sleeve tops, more
    importantly much longer days now, as UK is fairly north even if warmed by
    the Gulf Stream.


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.


    All my bikes with exemption of the roadie commuter are off road bikes so
    wide tyres so are generally no plussed about surface dressing which I
    believe is a cheap upfront cost but more expensive overall as it needs
    doing more frequently ie typical political maintenance costing!

    And clearly if one has road bike such surfaces particularly if you get
    ridges or so on if the gravel is pilled up is potentially dangerous!

    Roger Merriman


    I Had a very nice ride home tuesday..

    https://www.strava.com/activities/14256779418

    ~ 70F when I left the office, light wind, same for today...


    Nice supposed to be warmer here next week. Im planning as when the military give the firing times ie open and closed times in May for a Stonehenge and plains ride as it’s a fantastic place to ride.

    Roger Merriman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to zen cycle on Fri Apr 25 12:49:52 2025
    On 4/25/2025 12:16 PM, zen cycle wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 4:37 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Zen Cycle <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 4/24/2025 6:10 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> wrote:
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central
    Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and
    I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants
    I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can
    protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but
    these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN
    area.  First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!

    It’s not quite there yet, in uk the temperatures are
    getting there though
    the wind is still cold! I’m personally in shorts but
    long sleeve tops, more
    importantly much longer days now, as UK is fairly north
    even if warmed by
    the Gulf Stream.


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180
    degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the
    opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small
    gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can
    slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to
    worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike.
    Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly
    the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh,  I avoid chip and seal as much as possible.  Not
    only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are
    somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.


    All my bikes with exemption of the roadie commuter are
    off road bikes so
    wide tyres so are generally no plussed about surface
    dressing which I
    believe is a cheap upfront cost but more expensive
    overall as it needs
    doing more frequently ie typical political maintenance
    costing!

    And clearly if one has road bike such surfaces
    particularly if you get
    ridges or so on if the gravel is pilled up is
    potentially dangerous!

    Roger Merriman


    I Had a very nice ride home tuesday..

    https://www.strava.com/activities/14256779418

    ~ 70F when I left the office, light wind, same for today...


    Nice supposed to be warmer here next week. Im planning as
    when the military
    give the firing times ie open and closed times in May for
    a Stonehenge and
    plains ride as it’s a fantastic place to ride.

    Roger Merriman


    I'm confused by this message. What do you mean by "military
    give the firing time"? How is the military involved with
    Stonehenge?

    I did not know this either but since I visited, the Crown
    sold it to English Heritage and yes Ministry of Defence has
    a security role now.

    https://backpackingguys.com/who-currently-owns-stonehenge/

    Regulation has upped the game since my disappointment at
    seeing chain link fences and posted hours in 1973:

    https://britishheritage.com/guarding-the-stones/

    "[English Heritage], alongside the National Trust, Ministry
    of Defence, Wiltshire Constabulary and many local farmers
    and householders, is responsible for implementing the
    Stonehenge World Heritage Site Management Plan, which covers
    2,600 hectares of prehistoric beauty and more than 400
    ancient scheduled monuments."

    Some of the other comments on English Heritage's page are
    enlightening if not shocking.



    --
    Andrew Muzi
    [email protected]
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From zen cycle@21:1/5 to Roger Merriman on Fri Apr 25 13:16:02 2025
    On 4/25/2025 4:37 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Zen Cycle <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 4/24/2025 6:10 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> wrote:
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!

    It’s not quite there yet, in uk the temperatures are getting there though >>> the wind is still cold! I’m personally in shorts but long sleeve tops, more
    importantly much longer days now, as UK is fairly north even if warmed by >>> the Gulf Stream.


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.


    All my bikes with exemption of the roadie commuter are off road bikes so >>> wide tyres so are generally no plussed about surface dressing which I
    believe is a cheap upfront cost but more expensive overall as it needs
    doing more frequently ie typical political maintenance costing!

    And clearly if one has road bike such surfaces particularly if you get
    ridges or so on if the gravel is pilled up is potentially dangerous!

    Roger Merriman


    I Had a very nice ride home tuesday..

    https://www.strava.com/activities/14256779418

    ~ 70F when I left the office, light wind, same for today...


    Nice supposed to be warmer here next week. Im planning as when the military give the firing times ie open and closed times in May for a Stonehenge and plains ride as it’s a fantastic place to ride.

    Roger Merriman


    I'm confused by this message. What do you mean by "military give the
    firing time"? How is the military involved with Stonehenge?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Merriman@21:1/5 to zen cycle on Fri Apr 25 21:28:00 2025
    zen cycle <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 4:37 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Zen Cycle <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 4/24/2025 6:10 AM, Roger Merriman wrote:
    Ted Heise <[email protected]> wrote:
    On Wed, 23 Apr 2025 15:15:25 -0500,
    Mark J cleary <[email protected]> wrote:
    Today the first real day that I can say in Central Illinois
    spring is upon us for riding. Wind was down early and I am
    still in long pants riding. I have some running pants I wear
    and find that they are a good option even if warm can protect
    skin. Cold does rob the overall speed average but these days I
    take any turns with caution,

    We had temps in the 70s, here in the Lafayette, IN area. First
    short sleeve ride of the year, yay!

    It’s not quite there yet, in uk the temperatures are getting there though
    the wind is still cold! I’m personally in shorts but long sleeve tops, more
    importantly much longer days now, as UK is fairly north even if warmed by >>>> the Gulf Stream.


    One thing that for me is relatively harder is a 180 degree turn
    on the 2 lane chip seal that I mostly ride. I try to find
    intersections to do the turn if I want to go back the opposite
    direction. Two things throw me and one is the small gravel that
    can accumulate on edges and intersections you can slide. THe
    other is my riding skills probably leave much to worked on.
    Sometimes a tight turn it is easy to spill a bike. Probably
    should unclip the inside leg I am turning on, mostly the left
    leg. I don't the best way.

    Ugh, I avoid chip and seal as much as possible. Not only hard to
    do 180s on (especially on the tandem!), they are somewhat dicey
    just going straight--risk being proportional to freshness.


    All my bikes with exemption of the roadie commuter are off road bikes so >>>> wide tyres so are generally no plussed about surface dressing which I
    believe is a cheap upfront cost but more expensive overall as it needs >>>> doing more frequently ie typical political maintenance costing!

    And clearly if one has road bike such surfaces particularly if you get >>>> ridges or so on if the gravel is pilled up is potentially dangerous!

    Roger Merriman


    I Had a very nice ride home tuesday..

    https://www.strava.com/activities/14256779418

    ~ 70F when I left the office, light wind, same for today...


    Nice supposed to be warmer here next week. Im planning as when the military >> give the firing times ie open and closed times in May for a Stonehenge and >> plains ride as it’s a fantastic place to ride.

    Roger Merriman


    I'm confused by this message. What do you mean by "military give the
    firing time"? How is the military involved with Stonehenge?


    It’s on the edge of the firing ranges which covers quite an area number of lumps and bumps and at least one village Imber that is open even less than
    the ranges which are generally open on the weekends though not all.

    <https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/salisbury-plain-training-area-spta-firing-times>

    <https://www.bing.com/maps/?cp=51.188071%7E-1.816413&lvl=13.4&style=s>

    Just north of Stonehenge is Larkhill base and the edge of the Salisbury
    plain few minutes by bike, and clearly the military exercises take
    precedence!

    Roger Merriman

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to Frank Krygowski on Fri Apr 25 21:35:48 2025
    On 4/25/2025 8:21 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 1:49 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 12:16 PM, zen cycle wrote:

    I'm confused by this message. What do you mean by
    "military give the firing time"? How is the military
    involved with Stonehenge?

    I did not know this either but since I visited, the Crown
    sold it to English Heritage and yes Ministry of Defence
    has a security role now.

    https://backpackingguys.com/who-currently-owns-stonehenge/

    Regulation has upped the game since my disappointment at
    seeing chain link fences and posted hours in 1973:

    https://britishheritage.com/guarding-the-stones/

    Are you sure that was 1973? We bike toured through there in
    1976 (our first overseas tour) and had absolutely no trouble
    walking around inside the stone circle.

    I guess we joined a small group that had a tour guide,
    although I don't remember doing that. I definitely remember
    a guide pointing out a barely visible carving of a dagger in
    one of the stones. When one visitor touched it, she said
    "And _that's_ why it's barely visible."

    The group must have moved on, because I remember us being
    alone standing in the absolute center of the circle.

    And I know it was 1976, because while America was
    celebrating the bicentennial, we had gone to England and
    Scotland. British Airways had ads saying something like "All
    is forgiven. Come back home!"


    Yes, circling a large boundary around the site. I was
    carrying a sleeping bag and brought along a girl but the
    place closes overnight. sigh.

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    [email protected]
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AMuzi@21:1/5 to AMuzi on Fri Apr 25 21:45:55 2025
    On 4/25/2025 9:35 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 8:21 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 1:49 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 12:16 PM, zen cycle wrote:

    I'm confused by this message. What do you mean by
    "military give the firing time"? How is the military
    involved with Stonehenge?

    I did not know this either but since I visited, the Crown
    sold it to English Heritage and yes Ministry of Defence
    has a security role now.

    https://backpackingguys.com/who-currently-owns-stonehenge/

    Regulation has upped the game since my disappointment at
    seeing chain link fences and posted hours in 1973:

    https://britishheritage.com/guarding-the-stones/

    Are you sure that was 1973? We bike toured through there
    in 1976 (our first overseas tour) and had absolutely no
    trouble walking around inside the stone circle.

    I guess we joined a small group that had a tour guide,
    although I don't remember doing that. I definitely
    remember a guide pointing out a barely visible carving of
    a dagger in one of the stones. When one visitor touched
    it, she said "And _that's_ why it's barely visible."

    The group must have moved on, because I remember us being
    alone standing in the absolute center of the circle.

    And I know it was 1976, because while America was
    celebrating the bicentennial, we had gone to England and
    Scotland. British Airways had ads saying something like
    "All is forgiven. Come back home!"


    Yes, circling a large boundary around the site. I was
    carrying a sleeping bag and brought along a girl but the
    place closes overnight. sigh.


    photo: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-couple-visiting-stonehenge-peer-through-the-fence-after-the-celebrations-21370952.html

    --
    Andrew Muzi
    [email protected]
    Open every day since 1 April, 1971

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Roger Merriman@21:1/5 to AMuzi on Sat Apr 26 08:31:22 2025
    AMuzi <[email protected]> wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 9:35 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 8:21 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 1:49 PM, AMuzi wrote:
    On 4/25/2025 12:16 PM, zen cycle wrote:

    I'm confused by this message. What do you mean by
    "military give the firing time"? How is the military
    involved with Stonehenge?

    I did not know this either but since I visited, the Crown
    sold it to English Heritage and yes Ministry of Defence
    has a security role now.

    https://backpackingguys.com/who-currently-owns-stonehenge/

    Regulation has upped the game since my disappointment at
    seeing chain link fences and posted hours in 1973:

    https://britishheritage.com/guarding-the-stones/

    Are you sure that was 1973? We bike toured through there
    in 1976 (our first overseas tour) and had absolutely no
    trouble walking around inside the stone circle.

    I guess we joined a small group that had a tour guide,
    although I don't remember doing that. I definitely
    remember a guide pointing out a barely visible carving of
    a dagger in one of the stones. When one visitor touched
    it, she said "And _that's_ why it's barely visible."

    The group must have moved on, because I remember us being
    alone standing in the absolute center of the circle.

    And I know it was 1976, because while America was
    celebrating the bicentennial, we had gone to England and
    Scotland. British Airways had ads saying something like
    "All is forgiven. Come back home!"


    Yes, circling a large boundary around the site. I was
    carrying a sleeping bag and brought along a girl but the
    place closes overnight. sigh.


    photo: https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-a-couple-visiting-stonehenge-peer-through-the-fence-after-the-celebrations-21370952.html


    I think that’s been long removed! The triangle area/field it’s in does have fences, though they are quite low farm type of things.

    Looking at google maps this was the fence on the side road which doesn’t exist any more either the road it’s a path now or such a large fence though that is the tourists side as you where!

    Roger Merriman

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