2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[PatriciaK]

Am I the only one who thinks that Station looks pretty good?

Stefan has obviously never experienced the standard AMTRAK station (the few beautiful historic buildings in use are exceptions!)

 

[dodgeman]

I did 17 miles today. We are having a bad hot spell. At 8:45 am the heat index was a 103 F. At 10:50 am the air temp is 92 F with the feels like 115 F. High dew point of 83 is the big problem making it very muggy.

A picture of an old windmill tower that has a light on top now and a how that I’m betting was a one room school house at one time. That’s common they are made into a house and our nearest neighbors house is an old country school house.

 

[Surrey Pete]

Short trip down to Bellingham WA for a ride along the south Bay Trail:

Base for the Alaska Ferry:

Continuing on to the Interurban Trail which follows the Chukanut Highway:

 

[Prairie Dog]

So Canada has a late harvest season compared to Poland. Ours is 15th of June to 15th of August!

Traditionally it begins in early Sept and can run well into Oct. Harvest in northern and southern parts of the province can vary depending on environmental conditions. Here in the central region, harvesting of the major crops can extend well into October including fall field work as it did last season. However, many farmers struggling in the south are reporting earlier than usual harvest of their cereal crops due to drought conditions and will likely see lesser yields and smaller payouts.

 

[PatriciaK]

Short trip down to Bellingham WA for a ride along the south Bay Trail:
View attachment 161187



View attachment 161189

Base for the Alaska Ferry:

View attachment 161191

Continuing on to the Interurban Trail which follows the Chukanut Highway:

View attachment 161192

How'd you like the Arroyo section of the Interurban?

 

[Deleted member 57338]

Yes, I just don't get the appeal of mountain biking, particularly with our heavy ebikes. The roots and rocks just shake the shite out of one's spine and joints and the bike itself. And on the downhill you're just riding the brakes the whole way and hoping the gravel doesn't make your wheels slip-slide out from under you. Not to mention the likelihood of crashing into a tree or skewering one's liver or jaw on some broken branch. I'm too old for that crap.

Thank you mister cheeze and sir diggy for the first negative comments i have read towards anyone's postings since contributing to this forum. Just think how boring and crowded this world would be if everyone liked to do the same thing.

 

[DiggyGun]

and sir diggy

I can’t see where I left a negative comment.

DG…

 

[DiggyGun]

Traditionally it begins in early Sept and can run well into Oct. Harvest in northern and southern parts of the province can vary depending on environmental conditions. Here in the central region, harvesting of the major crops can extend well into October including fall field work as it did last season. However, many farmers struggling in the south are reporting earlier than usual harvest of their cereal crops due to drought conditions and will likely see lesser yields and smaller payouts.

Farmers round me are rushing to get the harvest in whilst it’s dry, as it’s supposed to be raining again next week.

DG…

 

[Deleted member 57338]

I can’t see where I left a negative comment.

DG…

I guess the Aug 7th reply to mister cheez's response with a "DITTO", does not imply the same sentiment.

 

[DiggyGun]

Yesterday’s ride. Continuing the theme of doing miles for exercise.
View attachment 161012

I’ll do a similar run today before dropping the bike off at the LBS for them to have a look at the bike which has developed a noise when peddling.

DG…

Picked the bike up from the LBS today and they think that they have sorted out the noise and vibration.

They advised that the small wheel at the rear of the belt was rubbing on the belt and Enviolo hub.

So will try it out on this afternoons bike ride to see if it is fixed.

DG…

 

[DiggyGun]

I guess the Aug 7th reply to mister cheez's response with a "DITTO", does not imply the same sentiment.

Thanks for the clarification

Bit taken out of context though.

DG…

 

[Surrey Pete]

How'd you like the Arroyo section of the Interurban?

I was told there was a closure due to a washout so I never went that far. Not sure when it's opening again.

 

[DiggyGun]

Took a ride over to the new city of Milton Keynes today and had a bit of a tour of it’s famous Red Ways, (cycle paths).

Whilst out, I was also checking for vibration and noises from the bike following its recent trip to the LBS.

I‘m pleased to report that the issues I had appear to have gone. The rubbing noise has gone along with the vibration that was there when you peddled harder.

There is still a little vibration now and again, but that may just normal from the motor.

Couple of other things that I noticed: the ride (peddling) was smoother and my freewheel downhill was much faster.

DG…

 

[RabH]

I hadn't managed an imperial century this month yet so I put that right today, and then some! I was enjoying it so much and I felt really strong so I just kept going and managed to drain all 3 batteries! It actually turned out to be my biggest climbing day ever, passing 8000ft elevation gain for the first time! My day actually started wet but it was only light rain at 6am, thankfully it didn't last long! It had been over 3 months since I visited the stunning Loch Katrine so that was my destination today!

My first stop was at Whitefield Pond in Lennoxtown!

From Lennoxtown I joined the main A81 to Aberfoyle, a busy road but I was early so the traffic was light! When I arrived in Aberfoyle I decided to take the big climb up over the Dukes Pass which would mean I would go round Loch Katrine in the opposite direction to my ride in May this year!

It was time to enjoy the lovely descent down the Dukes Pass, its not particularly fast as its very twisty with many tight hairpins but such great fun! This is at the top of the pass!

Loch Achray at the foot of the pass!

From here its only a couple of miles to Loch Katrine and I timed it nice to catch all the boats at the peir, the newly refurbished Steamship Sir Walter Scott!

Rob Roy III and Lady of the Lake!

I had covered 44 miles now and my first battery was down to 25% which was pretty amazing as it was into a 15mph headwind pretty much all the way! So I changed to my second battery to tackle the big climbs round Loch Katrine!

This is part way round the loch, you can see the mist or low cloud shrouding the hills in the background!

There are quite a few small waterfalls dotted round the loch, they were in full spate today! The noise was deafening here...

I reached the end of the loch on the northern side and now had the wind at my back as I turned to the southern side, a nice sheltered part of the loch with a lovely view of the part I already tackled!

I completed my trip the round the loch and I now had a big climb before a lovely descent down to Loch Chon, I passed Loch Arklet first before starting down the descent!

I soon reached Loch Chon which was looking amazing today, the water was so calm!

Just a couple of miles further and I reached Loch Ard which wasn't as calm but equally beautiful!

I continued towards Aberfoyle and stopped at this stunning little boating pond where some kids were having fun paddle boarding!

I soon arrived back in Aberfoyle and took the road to Port Of Mentieth where the Lake of Menteith came into view from the top of a lovely big descent!

I continued on towards Thornhill where I was intending to take the road south to Kippen but I could see a big squall passing over the Campsie Hills so I had a change of plan and continued east towards Doune with the skies looking much better! I then took the back road to Stirling and then on to Bannockburn with my second battery now at 21% so I changed to my final battery at 94 miles and could now see the Campsies were looking much better! So with 94 miles covered I decided to tackle a 3.7 mile climb up the Campsies with an average grade of 4.7%, yes I'm a glutton for punishment and it was also into a direct headwind of around 20mph...

This is at the top of the climb, it would have been fun flying down there with that 20mph wind at my back but not today...the stunning Ochil hills can be seen in the background here!

I looked to my left here and spotted yet another loch which I didn't even know about, its actually called Loch Coulter!

Now the best part about tackling that beast of a climb, an awesome descent down into the Carron Valley!

Down in the valley I decided to turn east and take the road to Stoneywood, the road that was used for the recent World Championships but for them it was a 3.5 mile climb but for me a fast 3.5 mile descent on mostly smooth tarmac!

I was enjoying it so much I went a bit too fast down the final descent into Stoneywood and approached a roundabout at over 40mph, it was a good test for my brakes which got me slowed down enough to stay in control...I will know better the next time! From Stoneywood I took the road to Bonnybridge and used the back roads to Falkirk, where yet more climbs ensued! From there I used my usual roads through Slammanan and Caldercruix and arrived home a bit tired but with a big smile on my face after a day that will live long in my memory!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 161211

I hadn't managed an imperial century this month yet so I put that right today, and then some! I was enjoying it so much and I felt really strong so I just kept going and managed to drain all 3 batteries! It actually turned out to be my biggest climbing day ever, passing 8000ft elevation gain for the first time! My day actually started wet but it was only light rain at 6am, thankfully it didn't last long! It had been over 3 months since I visited the stunning Loch Katrine so that was my destination today!

My first stop was at Whitefield Pond in Lennoxtown!

View attachment 161212
View attachment 161213
From Lennoxtown I joined the main A81 to Aberfoyle, a busy road but I was early so the traffic was light! When I arrived in Aberfoyle I decided to take the big climb up over the Dukes Pass which would mean I would go round Loch Katrine in the opposite direction to my ride in May this year!

It was time to enjoy the lovely descent down the Dukes Pass, its not particularly fast as its very twisty with many tight hairpins but such great fun! This is at the top of the pass!

View attachment 161214
Loch Achray at the foot of the pass!

View attachment 161215
From here its only a couple of miles to Loch Katrine and I timed it nice to catch all the boats at the peir, the newly refurbished Steamship Sir Walter Scott!

View attachment 161216
Rob Roy III and Lady of the Lake!

View attachment 161217
I had covered 44 miles now and my first battery was down to 25% which was pretty amazing as it was into a 15mph headwind pretty much all the way! So I changed to my second battery to tackle the big climbs round Loch Katrine!

This is part way round the loch, you can see the mist or low cloud shrouding the hills in the background!

View attachment 161218
There are quite a few small waterfalls dotted round the loch, they were in full spate today! The noise was deafening here...

View attachment 161219
I reached the end of the loch on the northern side and now had the wind at my back as I turned to the southern side, a nice sheltered part of the loch with a lovely view of the part I already tackled!

View attachment 161220
I completed my trip the round the loch and I now had a big climb before a lovely descent down to Loch Chon, I passed Loch Arklet first before starting down the descent!

View attachment 161222
I soon reached Loch Chon which was looking amazing today, the water was so calm!

View attachment 161223
Just a couple of miles further and I reached Loch Ard which wasn't as calm but equally beautiful!

View attachment 161224
View attachment 161225
I continued towards Aberfoyle and stopped at this stunning little boating pond where some kids were having fun paddle boarding!

View attachment 161226
I soon arrived back in Aberfoyle and took the road to Port Of Mentieth where the Lake of Menteith came into view from the top of a lovely big descent!

View attachment 161230
I continued on towards Thornhill where I was intending to take the road south to Kippen but I could see a big squall passing over the Campsie Hills so I had a change of plan and continued east towards Doune with the skies looking much better! I then took the back road to Stirling and then on to Bannockburn with my second battery now at 21% so I changed to my final battery at 94 miles and could now see the Campsies were looking much better! So with 94 miles covered I decided to tackle a 3.7 mile climb up the Campsies with an average grade of 4.7%, yes I'm a glutton for punishment and it was also into a direct headwind of around 20mph...

This is at the top of the climb, it would have been fun flying down there with that 20mph wind at my back but not today...the stunning Ochil hills can be seen in the background here!

View attachment 161234
I looked to my left here and spotted yet another loch which I didn't even know about, its actually called Loch Coulter!

View attachment 161235
Now the best part about tackling that beast of a climb, an awesome descent down into the Carron Valley!

View attachment 161238
Down in the valley I decided to turn east and take the road to Stoneywood, the road that was used for the recent World Championships but for them it was a 3.5 mile climb but for me a fast 3.5 mile descent on mostly smooth tarmac!

View attachment 161241
I was enjoying it so much I went a bit too fast down the final descent into Stoneywood and approached a roundabout at over 40mph, it was a good test for my brakes which got me slowed down enough to stay in control...I will know better the next time! From Stoneywood I took the road to Bonnybridge and used the back roads to Falkirk, where yet more climbs ensued! From there I used my usual roads through Slammanan and Caldercruix and arrived home a bit tired but with a big smile on my face after a day that will long in my memory!

Glad to see you've stopped slacking off. Some of your best photos yet!

 

[DiggyGun]

arrived home a bit tired but with a big smile on my face after a day that will long in my memory!

You’ll have to let us know what Porridge you use.

DG…

 

[PatriciaK]

Just a little ride around the Seaplane Base. We were intending to ride the road out along the harbor, but PM started having some knee twinges, so we aborted . Still, nice to get out - the smoke in the air had kept me inside for several days earlier in the week!

 

[dodgeman]

Another epic ride RabH!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So many nice rides of yours friends here! Now in the middle of the night, I've been sitting on the apartament terrace reading your stories and admiring your beautiful photos and videos! Meanwhile, our seaside adventure continues. We saw what we wanted to see during the last two intensive days, and now @Brix and I have decided it is a good time to take some rest

Sopot or Zoppot, or the Famous Resort Town On The Baltic Sea
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023

Zoppot had been a small village until a physician by name of Häffner convinced Danzigers the place's bromide brine springs were making the location worthy to become a spa in 1840's. The rapid development has turned Zoppot into a resort town similar to Brighton or Llandudno but far smaller and cosy (@Chargeride or @DiggyGun or @RabH will understand it perfectly!), with the following attractions:

• The longest wooden pier in Europe (512 m)
• Kasino-Hotel, now Grand Hotel
• Balneological institutions
• Forest Opera
• Horse race-track
• Lawn-tennis courts

Even before WW2 (when the town was a part of Free City of Gdańsk), Poles (especially Warsawers) were the majority of visitors, earning Sopot the nickname of "The Warsaw Quarter On The Baltic", which continues to this day!

Nowadays, Sopot together with Gdańsk and Gdynia form the Tricity.

Brix in the town's famous promenade, the long name of which is shortened to Monciak (Monty), and which is tightly packed with restaurants, bars and cafes.

The city main square. The high building in the bottom photo is a lighthouse. Sopot has always been fashionable but the rapid development in the recent 20 years made it just beautiful!

This tiny piece of amber and silver jewelry is worth US$1,500.

On the longest wooden pier of Europe. The entry ticket is the cheapest thing you pay for in Sopot

A fully packed sand beach in the front of Grand Hotel.

You can take a trip on a fast motorboat...

...or a cruise over the Bay of Gdańsk.

The famous Grand Hotel with its casino and the "Suicide Lane"

We deserved a good rest at the No. 5 craft beer pub (address: Monty 5)

Probably the most famous resort town of Poland.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Gdynia: The Purest Polish City On The Baltic
Thursday 24th of August 2023

After the WW1, the restored Poland craved for the access to the sea. The League of Nations granted Poland a narrow strip of Baltic seashore north of Gdańsk. The authorities of the independent Poland decided to establish a huge seaport and a city on the location of a small village of Gdynia (1920s). Immense propaganda action was launched to make Poles from the mainland move to Gdynia and become sailors, dockers, and shipyard workers. The action had fully suceeded, and by 1930 Poland got her only seaport and a Polish city on the Baltic with Polish and Kashubian population.

The best architects were employed and given free hand to realise their Modernist ideas. As the outcome, the most modern city was created, with wide streets, full of air and greenery, and wonderful architecture.

Necessary to mention, Poland also created Maritime (Merchant Fleet) and Navy Academies as well as shipyards in Gdynia at that time. Actually, Poland had to create the merchant fleet and Navy from the scratch!

Honestly, whenever I am in Gdynia, I'm proud to be Polish as even I am surprised my compatriots could create something such perfect! Now, I only regret I didn't take pictures of the city itself.

The current architecture matches the original Gdynia style very well.

ORP "Błyskawica" (Lightning), a 1937 destroyer warship that saw combat during WW2, was overtaken by the Royal Navy in 1946 and returned to Poland in 1947.

@Brix at the "Dar Pomorza" (The Gift of Pomerania) full rigged sailing ship. She was built in 1909, and bought by the Polish community of Pomerania for £7,000, as the new training ship for the Polish Naval Academy in 1929. Dar Pomorza won the Cutty Sark Trophy in 1980, and was decomissioned in 1982 to become a museum-ship.

A fake sailing ship leaving Gdynia for a cruise. You can, for instance, get to Gdańsk by this ship. There is sea-shanty music played aboard!

A kind lady (which, I am sure was a good photographer) took that photo of us in the Port of Gdynia.

We liked the visit to the Aquarium of Gdynia although we were together in a better Oceanarium before (funny to mention that but the better Oceanarium was located inside the Zoo of Wrocław, which is located in the mainland!)

A nice lunch in a restaurant just opposite the Maritime University (the merchant fleet academy).

Traditionally, we spent the late afternoon sipping good ale. This time, it was the pub of the AleBrowar Brewery.

American Barley Wine

A small part of the big city of Gdynia, a part of Tricity.