Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

<figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="e8d2"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*j9yG3hZmYMJ8wAbNF_KFaQ.jpeg"><figcaption>The author happened to ride through the town of Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England, UK on a Friday afternoon, one day before the start of the <a href="https://woodhall-spa-40s-festival.com/">Woodhall Spa 40s Festival</a>. Reenactors, like the couple shown here, were already reliving the World War II era outside a local coffee shop. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="eb57"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*lTkaI-iPKVA0PB9l5YMn7A.jpeg"><figcaption>The House in the Clouds is a combination house and water tower in Thorpeness, Suffolk, England, UK. The author lived in Leiston nearby for most of 1984. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="21e6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*l0TqgAnDCqZF7-zlSNBR0A.jpeg"><figcaption>Crooked houses in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavenham">Lavenham</a>, Suffolk, England, UK entertain. As the story goes, the houses are crooked because they were hastily built with green timber. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="3118"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*kQIBFTO0QvEmompW322irA.jpeg"><figcaption>The author’s English cycling friend, Jeremy, stands between two almshouses in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaxted">Thaxted</a>, Essex, England, UK. Jeremy rode with the author for the first half of the first day of his tour through Great Britain. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="66f6"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*x4KahRuqP3k_krHKgRqsPw.jpeg"><figcaption>The semidetached house where the author and his first wife lived in Leiston, Suffolk, England, UK, in 1984. The house’s brick facade has since been covered in stucco. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="39cb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*_D4Muyj3Ia8izELbCIlwxg.jpeg"><figcaption>The author stopped at The Oyster pub for supper and beer in Butley, Suffolk, England, UK. Local folk musicians were playing old music on vintage instruments. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendlesham_Forest_incident#:~:text=The%20Rendlesham%20Forest%20incident%20was%20a%20series%20of,time%20by%20the%20United%20States%20Air%20Force%20%28USAF%29.">Rendlesham Forest incident</a> (a supposed UFO sighting) took place at nearby RAF Woodbridge airbase in 1980. The author arrived as a young US airman to RAF Woodbridge and nearby RAF Bentwaters in 1982. Two of his friends rented a room in a house deep in Rendlesham Forest. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="75bb"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*IJ0zXQEgtFuXS9H4KJzkgA.jpeg"><figcaption>View of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Cathedral">Lincoln Cathedral</a> (built from 1185 to 1311) from the walls of 11th century <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Castle">Lincoln Castle</a> in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK. One of the original Magna Carta documents is on display in the castle. Summer 2022. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="66b0"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*5KhPGFKMYGGDHdnlRygmyg.jpeg"><figcaption></figcaption></figure><figure id="d76c"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*ogtIQmjhngU1oFX6LSof1Q.jpeg"><figcaption>A mannequin (left) and the author (right, with a serious “jailhouse” look) stand in partitioned booths in the chapel within a 19th century prison that was operated inside the walls of 11th century Lincoln Castle. The jail and chapel design, based on an American model, separates all inmates from each other at all times. The idea was that if bad people were kept separate # Options from each other, they couldn’t have bad influences on each other. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="006f"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*7jf0cIfupGLKgfqnTCbR2g.jpeg"><figcaption>Statue of George Vancouver in his hometown of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, UK. As an officer in the British Royal Navy in the 18th century, he led the 1791–1795 expedition to explore North America’s northwestern Pacific Coast. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is named for him. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="9cad"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*mt6kl6mOsn_3rzSn-Nzeug.jpeg"><figcaption>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Maritime_Museum">National Maritime Museum</a> in Greenwich, London, England, UK. The buildings were the site of the former Royal Hospital School. The author recognized the buildings in parliament scenes in the television series <b>Poldark </b>(2015–2019) and in street scenes in the film <b>Les Misérables</b> (2017). One of the last and fastest clipper ships, used to haul tea, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutty_Sark"><b>Cutty Sark</b></a>, is drydocked nearby where it serves as a museum. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="67a0"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*vLAnLqx_48W1974ZRuzI7g.jpeg"><figcaption>The author’s son, Nick, opens the door of his house in Dublin, Ireland. Here, the author concluded his 3-week, 1,300-mile, bicycle tour through England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Nick and the author rode the last two days of the tour together. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><p id="8b96">Part II of this story will highlight a bicycle tour of Western Europe and rides on the famous Paris-Brest-Paris, a grueling ultra-distance ride held once ver four years. It will feature scenes from Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.</p><p id="87fb">From now on, I will plan bicycle routes with history in mind. That’s because it’s all about making the best of the ride.</p><p id="357d">In September 2022, a cycling friend and I will start a 3,000-mile (4,828 kilometers) transcontinental bicycle camping tour across North America. We will start pedaling in San Diego, California, and after about 45 days will finish in St. Augustine, Florida. Along the route, I will be on the lookout for historic sites. After recovering, I plan to share highlights and photos.</p><p id="4bbb">Happy riding. And when you pass a motorist, pedestrian, or cyclist, remember to smile, wave, and say “hi.”</p><figure id="f03a"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*Atvtr-jml7rWt9nD3ujXPg.jpeg"><figcaption>While touring, the author keeps friends and families updated through posts typed into his iPhone on a folding Bluetooth keyboard. Coffee gives him a boost each morning. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><figure id="e9ed"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*6mYICA-Z5eTaa-fe1Fbphg.jpeg"><figcaption>Old house near the Mayowood Mansion in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. March 2022. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</figcaption></figure><div id="880b" class="link-block"> <a href="https://rruntsch.medium.com/membership"> <div> <div> <h2>Join Medium with my referral link - Randy Runtsch</h2> <div><h3>As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…</h3></div> <div><p>rruntsch.medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/0*ANn6hT6OCcPVi_ze)"></div> </div> </div> </a> </div><p id="eefb"><i>Text and photographs copyright © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.</i></p></article></body>

Bicycling, History, and Photography

Cycling Through History — Part I

The pace of bicycle travel enables the rider to experience historic sites along the way

The author’s bike leaned against a fence near the Mayo Stone Barn and a grand oak tree in southwest Rochester, Minnesota, USA. March 2022. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

After walking, cycling is my preferred mode of transportation. Yes, I drive a car around town and over long distances, but cycling fortifies my soul. It supplies practical benefits, too. Examples include exercise, a sense of freedom, and zero pollution emissions. Also, while cyclists can cover long distances, the rider typically travels on low-traffic roads and trails and moves slowly enough to spot things that might not be noticed from a car.

The author pedals his bike along Hadrian’s Wall, in northern England, on a 1,300-mile bicycle camping tour of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in Summer 2018. The wall was built by the occupying Romans starting in 122 AD. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

While cycling is a favored transportation mode, history is a favorite subject. Just the other day, as I pedaled past historic sites around my city of Rochester, Minnesota, I realized how cycling and history complement each other. While the route wasn’t planned with historic places in mind, an old barn and an unusual house caught my eye. They added pleasure and interest to a ride designed for fitness and building up endurance for the ultra-distance cycling scheduled for later this season.

Barn on the 1850’s George Stoppel farm in Rochester, Minnesota. The Stoppels spent their first year living in a cave carved into the hillside of the property. Note the red door leading to the cave on the right. The author plans to return to the barn soon to take photos that capture its entire cupola. March 2022. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

Since 2014, I have enjoyed long-distance bicycle tours in North America, Europe, and Great Britain. While passing and visiting historic sites along the way was incidental to the routes, they enhanced the experiences and created memories.

A reconstruction of Fort Ross on the coast of California, USA. The site was the hub of the southernmost site that Russia occupied in North America from 1812 to 1841. October 2014. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

This photo essay highlights some of the historic sites I have visited on my tours. Please see the captions for details.

The author’s son, Nick, stands in front of The Crown liquor saloon in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK. Nick is wearing the blue T-shirt in the photo on the left. Nick and the author quaffed a pint of ale in a private booth inside. The bar is one of Northern Ireland’s most well-known gin palace. It was refurbished in 1887 and renovated by the National Trust in 2007 at a cost of £500,000. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

The author happened to ride through the town of Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, England, UK on a Friday afternoon, one day before the start of the Woodhall Spa 40s Festival. Reenactors, like the couple shown here, were already reliving the World War II era outside a local coffee shop. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

The House in the Clouds is a combination house and water tower in Thorpeness, Suffolk, England, UK. The author lived in Leiston nearby for most of 1984. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

Crooked houses in Lavenham, Suffolk, England, UK entertain. As the story goes, the houses are crooked because they were hastily built with green timber. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

The author’s English cycling friend, Jeremy, stands between two almshouses in Thaxted, Essex, England, UK. Jeremy rode with the author for the first half of the first day of his tour through Great Britain. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

The semidetached house where the author and his first wife lived in Leiston, Suffolk, England, UK, in 1984. The house’s brick facade has since been covered in stucco. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

The author stopped at The Oyster pub for supper and beer in Butley, Suffolk, England, UK. Local folk musicians were playing old music on vintage instruments. The Rendlesham Forest incident (a supposed UFO sighting) took place at nearby RAF Woodbridge airbase in 1980. The author arrived as a young US airman to RAF Woodbridge and nearby RAF Bentwaters in 1982. Two of his friends rented a room in a house deep in Rendlesham Forest. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

View of Lincoln Cathedral (built from 1185 to 1311) from the walls of 11th century Lincoln Castle in Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England, UK. One of the original Magna Carta documents is on display in the castle. Summer 2022. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

A mannequin (left) and the author (right, with a serious “jailhouse” look) stand in partitioned booths in the chapel within a 19th century prison that was operated inside the walls of 11th century Lincoln Castle. The jail and chapel design, based on an American model, separates all inmates from each other at all times. The idea was that if bad people were kept separate from each other, they couldn’t have bad influences on each other. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

Statue of George Vancouver in his hometown of King’s Lynn, Norfolk, England, UK. As an officer in the British Royal Navy in the 18th century, he led the 1791–1795 expedition to explore North America’s northwestern Pacific Coast. Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, is named for him. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, England, UK. The buildings were the site of the former Royal Hospital School. The author recognized the buildings in parliament scenes in the television series **Poldark** (2015–2019) and in street scenes in the film **Les Misérables** (2017). One of the last and fastest clipper ships, used to haul tea, **Cutty Sark**, is drydocked nearby where it serves as a museum. Summer 2018. © 2022 Randy Runtsch.

The author’s son, Nick, opens the door of his house in Dublin, Ireland. Here, the author concluded his 3-week, 1,300-mile, bicycle tour through England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. Nick and the author rode the last two days of the tour together. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

Part II of this story will highlight a bicycle tour of Western Europe and rides on the famous Paris-Brest-Paris, a grueling ultra-distance ride held once ver four years. It will feature scenes from Switzerland, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.

From now on, I will plan bicycle routes with history in mind. That’s because it’s all about making the best of the ride.

In September 2022, a cycling friend and I will start a 3,000-mile (4,828 kilometers) transcontinental bicycle camping tour across North America. We will start pedaling in San Diego, California, and after about 45 days will finish in St. Augustine, Florida. Along the route, I will be on the lookout for historic sites. After recovering, I plan to share highlights and photos.

Happy riding. And when you pass a motorist, pedestrian, or cyclist, remember to smile, wave, and say “hi.”

While touring, the author keeps friends and families updated through posts typed into his iPhone on a folding Bluetooth keyboard. Coffee gives him a boost each morning. Summer 2018. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

Old house near the Mayowood Mansion in Rochester, Minnesota, USA. March 2022. © 2022 by Randy Runtsch.

Join Medium with my referral link - Randy Runtsch

As a Medium member, a portion of your membership fee goes to writers you read, and you get full access to every story…

rruntsch.medium.com