2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

Strong sun? in Scotland? Feels like temp was 9C...

UV radiation is independent of the air temperature. In my case, the temperature was at the pleasant 21-22 C. I was cooled (even too much!) by the wind. Therefore, I didn't ever notice the amount of radiation until my arms started hurting... As Scotland is a highland country, I thought UV could be even more of an issue there (especially as you were outdoor for almost nine hours!)

It is 3:00 a.m. now. I woke up and my body is hurting from fatigue. Not riding this Monday! I need a good rest!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 192369

On April 16th 2025 my older brother passed away after a 4 year fight with pancreatic cancer at the age of 70, it was a blessing as the cancer really made his life hell the past few months! I have no doubt his fitness and strong will played a big part in surviving this awful disease for so long, as a tribute to him I decided to ride to one of his favourite parts of Scotland today! He did dabble with cycling but his main passion was hillwalking and he completed over 200 Scottish Munros (mountains over 3000ft) before illness (not the cancer) prevented him completing all 282! My destination would be Callander, he loved to park his camper van there and head for the surrounding hills around the Trossachs area!

I made my way down to Grangemouth and headed north for Airth, it was a grey morning with a chilly easterly wind blowing but it was dry and perfect for cycling!

The road out of Airth with the Ochill Hills in the background!

View attachment 192370
From here I had a nice tailwind all the way to Stirling, from there I headed north to Bridge of Allan passing over the River Forth at Stirling Old Bridge (a bit of a strange name)!

View attachment 192372
From Bridge of Allan I turned NW for Doune and had some amazing views of the hills and mountains to the north!

View attachment 192373
View attachment 192374
At Doune I joined the main road to Callander, thankfully it wasn't too busy today! I stopped on the bridge in the centre of town for this photo of Ben Ledi which my brother climbed many times, its not a Munro though as it stands at 2884ft!

View attachment 192376
I then continued through Callander and arrived in Kilmahog where I turned SW for Brig o' Turk, passing over River Eas Gobhain which is an outflow of Loch Venachar which I would be passing very soon!

View attachment 192377
A stunning view of the hills at Loch Venachar!

View attachment 192378
I enjoyed the fast descent through Brig o' Turk and was now approaching Loch Achray, stopping for a couple of photos!

View attachment 192379
Loch Achray!

View attachment 192380
Another view of Loch Achray at the far side before tackling the big climb over the Dukes Pass!

View attachment 192381
View attachment 192382
I kept stopping for photos all the way up the climb, can you blame me?

View attachment 192384
View attachment 192385
Loch Drunkie!

View attachment 192386
Its such a great road to ride!

View attachment 192387
I then had a blast down the awesome descent into Aberfoyle, lots of lovely hairpin bends to enjoy! From Aberfoyle I headed south on the main A81 and decided to leave the main road and take the back road to Buchlyvie! At the village the back road joins the main A811 which runs all the way to Stirling, my plan was to take the road to Kippen after a few miles! As I was riding along I spotted a back road to Fintry I hadn't used before and decided to take that and what a decision that turned out to be, I'm sure my brother made me turn here to see these amazing views! The weather had really cleared up now and I had sun pretty much all the way home!

View attachment 192388
Still some snow on the mountains to the north!

View attachment 192389
View attachment 192390
View attachment 192391
View attachment 192392
I was being stared down here...

View attachment 192393
It was a tough old climb for over 2 miles but at the top I had the amazing descent down into Fintry to look forward to, I passed Loch Kameron just before the descent and was unlucky to miss seeing this very nice remote control float plane! I think the boat was there to retrieve it from the loch!

View attachment 192394
View attachment 192395
I then headed down the decent grinning from ear to ear on one of the best descents in the country! From Fintry I turned east towards the foothills of the Campsie Hills, stopping for a couple of photos before tackling the 3.5 mile climb!

View attachment 192396
View attachment 192397
After the climb I had the amazing descent down into Lennoxtown to look forward to, I hit 45.7mph on the first part of the descent with the breeze at my back! I passed a roadie on the way up and it was no surprise when he shot past me on the way down, I wonder what speed he was doing... From Lennoxtown I headed SE for Kirkintilloch and took the back road to Twechar alongside the canal!

View attachment 192400
View attachment 192401
From there I headed for Cumbernauld and with 100 miles in my legs I decided to tackle the big climb up past Palacerigg Country Park, I avoided the park though as it was Easter Sunday and very busy! I was just 8 miles from home now and used my usual back roads all the way home, what a ride that was and I'm certain my brother was with me all the way!

RIP big brother, I miss you so much!

Very sorry about your brother. Nice that you have places to ride that hold his memory

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Easter 2025 Tour: How It Started and Ended Wrong (Otwock to Puławy)
Day 1, Good Friday

My original plan was to only explore South Mazovia. While planning, I decided to include a part of Land of Lublin (a province south-east of Mazovia) into the trip. I wanted to get far south of Warsaw by train and then pedal a scenic route of just 62 km on the Vistula right bank.

As I stood on Platform 1 of a certain train station to change trains, I realized with horror the following train rode onto Platform 2... My elaborate plan went down into the pieces! I took the Fast Urban Commuter as far as it travelled, that is, to a resort town of Otwock, and prepared for a long... and boring ride to the city of Puławy (Land of Lublin). The point being, I needed to quickly make a new ride plan, and it was farthest of being scenic...

It was slightly raining when I started. Here, a beautiful bike path along the Mazovian Landscape Park MPK.

Then the sunshine returned. It was a nice, warm day. (Still near the MPK).

Now, you can understand why the contingency plan turned the ride from pleasure to torture It was 60 kilometres of service or access roads along the S17 expressway. Mostly perfect new asphalt. I could ride fast but the ride was boring...

Garwolin, or the first place I could get some food. Expressways and motorways are fenced here. Meaning, a cyclist has no access to any restaurant or service station along the main road!

Despite the ride being boring, I was watching the surroundings. Once, a large wild quadruped jumped into a field just several metres ahead me!

At last! After 60 km of service roads I could return to the civilization. (The name Ryki means ROARS and makes me laugh!) I entered the Land of Lublin.

The first civilized place since Garwolin (a 40 km ride segment).

River Wieprz (Hog).

Now, the ride became more scenic.

A quaint train station in Gołąb (Pigeon).

A beautiful location of Puławy was turned into a beautiful city serving a chemical plant in 1960s. I have had clients in the chemical plant for years and am familiar with Puławy. I have already reported on my visits to "Polish Athens" for several times, for example here. My friend Marek has invited me there again!

Heads-up? Rather heads down! Can you see how many cyclists took the warning literally and banged their heads against that industrial pipe?

It took a short stop in the City Woods (separating the city from the plant) just to take that photo and send a message. As I restarted the ride, a road cyclist overtook me. I just activated TURBO and followed him. That race has actually saved me!

Just after I checked in the hotel and brought my e-bike in, the skies erupted. The thunderstorm was severe! It flooded many locations, it broke many trees, damaged property, and deprived a good part of Puławy the electric power supply. Reportedly, the city fire-fighters were called 220 times that night, which involved evacuation of a large shopping mall.

I was extremely lucky.

An unexpected 70-miler. I was mostly riding against light headwind in 40/40% assistance. The first battery was good for 86 km.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Easter 2025 Tour: Along River Vistula (From Puławy through Kazimierz Dolny and Góra Puławska to Kozienice)
Day 2, Holy Saturday

As my friend Marek joined me at the hotel restaurant on Friday night, he first corrected my Puławy to Kozienice ride plan. Then, he mentioned: "Did you know it was only 16 km to Kazimierz Dolny via a perfect bike path?" He got me thinking!

One of 220 fire-fighter interventions of the Friday night. The reinforced concrete pole broke like a safety match! The fire-fighters cut off the area with a tape but of course I had to ignore it!

The aforementioned bike path to Kazimierz Dolny along the Vistula embankment.

Turned out the last segment of the trail was unrideable because of small flooding. I climbed onto the embankment (Walk Mode rules!) and returned to the asphalt.

Vistula Boulevard in Kazimierz Dolny.

Ignoring yet another fire-fighter tape could have ended my trip for good! As you know, I got stuck in the mud (the outcome of the thunderstorm). I extricated myself in the following way: First, I pressed my hand deep into the mud to hold the toe part of the shoe. Then, I removed my foot and instantly inserted my other hand into the shoe. This way, I could rip the shoe from the mud and throw it far onto the lawn. I did similarly to the other shoe. Now, I was able to slowly wade in socks and step by step pulled myself off the jam! When I saw the fire-fighters coming to rescue me, I was afraid they could be crossed with me, and perhaps demand a fine. No, those good-hearted people first asked me if I needed a medical intervention, and then -- joking -- washed my Vado and myself

Kazimierz Dolny (Casimir Lower) is a resort town on the Vistula, which, due to its exceptional beauty and many cultural events is famous throughout Poland. It mostly attracts the richer folk... (It was my first time in KD ever!)

The only drawback for a cyclist is it is all paved with rough cobblestone (except the Main Square).

The cyclist came to the famous Well to wash himself up His back was stained with mud!

It was not certain whether the KD - Janowiec ferry would already operate (it of course did). I met a married couple from Silesia, both riding Shimano powered e-bikes! A fact that will become important for the Day 3: As I was short on the cash, the ferryman lowered the fare just for me. However, I found a big coin and overpaid him intentionally. Wait for a follow-up...

The photo taken by the Silesian e-biker.

On the other river bank, it turned out my "blue" battery failed. I expected a water ingress but now think the battery became unstable because of the lovely KD cobblestone... Fortunately, the "just in case" Black battery worked OK!

Ruins of Janowiec Castle. I had to climb all the way up the hill! Fancy what I would do if neither battery worked!

Having a hot-dog in Góra Puławska near Puławy. See yet another damage created by the thunderstorm!

The route planned by Marek led along the Vistula embankment on the left bank, and was indeed scenic! Here: waiting at a shuttle-traffic signal.

I often mention Hauländers, originally Mennonite then German settlers along the Vistula. They knew how to control rivers, and got many civil liberties. It was
Hauländers who introduced willows along the Vistula as the measure against Spring ice floe carried by the flood. (Frederic Chopin is often portrayed with his grand piano under a willow, as the tree has become one of the symbols of Mazovia).

The last kilometres are always the hardest...

Once I installed myself at a rented apartment in Kozienice (Mazovia), I explored the survival options for the Easter. After I learned even McDonald's would close for Easter (with a service station as the only source of food and drink), I decided I lived in a sick country and started considering a return ride for Sunday...

A 50-miler this time.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Easter 2025 Tour: Returning Home (South to Central Mazovia)
Day 3, Easter

I was awakened early by ‘Hallelujah’ being sung outside. Watched people wearing smart clothes on their return from the Resurrection Holy Mass. Listened to a marching brass band (they played terribly). I thought to myself I would gain nothing from riding around yet another forest, and paying next US$50 for the next night; I might starve as well. Before I set off home, I rode around to explore Kozienice a little.

King Sigismund I The Old was born in Kozienice on January 1st, 1467.

A historical note
When Duchy of Mazovia was an independent and strong state, Kozienice was located in the Crown of Poland. The first King of the Jagiellonian dynasty, Władysław II Jagiełło (a Lithuanian) was an avid hunter in Kozienice Wilderness ("What happened to that goat you shot at, Sire? -- Goat? Nothing. I missed.") His grandson Sigismund The First didn't deserve calling him "The Old". By today's terminology, he would be "The Older" or "Senior". His brother and his son both were hereditary Kings of Poland. Sigismund I was a good king. In 1526, he incorporated Mazovia into the Crown (and Kozienice belongs to Mazovia today).

The shape of the second most important historical building in Kozienice (Hamernia, yes, from the word "hammer", you guessed that right) or a 18th c. armament manufacture is an abomination. The structure will collapse soon, and it was surrounded by "pure Slavic beauty" or metal garages!

The palace of 18th c. (once belonging to the last King of Poland, Stanislaus August Poniatowski) is beautiful. The blue sky in the pictures actually looked so, contrasted with snowy white walls...

One of the biggest powerplants of Poland is located on the Vistula. (A long telephoto shot from several kilometres).

Don't Pay The Ferryman (Chris de Burgh)

Two Vistula bridges are located 60 km apart (in the straight line). No wonder, a ferry is operating in Świerże Górne. Remember that friendly ferryman in KD who was ready to undercharge me? Now, I approach the ferryman here and ask: "What is the fare?" -- "Eight zloty" -- "I am short on cash. Will you accept twelve zloty for the round trip?" -- "Too little" -- "Thank you". What a stupid greedy man! Taking me both ways would leave twelve zloty in his pocket but he earned nothing at all! There are plans to build a bridge at the location, so the guy will lose his job anyway...

Roaring Ox is located on River Flint Shotgun

Between August 9 and 16th, 1944, a major tank battle was fought between the First Polish Tank Brigade and strong German troops in Studzianki. Even if the Polish fought under the Soviet command, it was the first major fight by Polish troops on the territory of today's Poland. The village was honoured by adding "Pancerne" (Armoured) to its name. The nation is well aware of that battle thanks to a popular TV series "Four Tank Men and a Dog" of 1966. Here, the battle memorial site. (The tank looks like a T-34/76, the Mark I).

The blond man at the front was played by the talented young actor Janusz Gajos. The role of the handsome sharpshooter was a curse for him, but he overcame it and became one of the most outstanding Polish film actors.

Hard to believe it but it is called "Mazovian gravel" I promised to myself to ride gravel elsewhere but never in Mazovia again! (Sand is not gravel and it will never be!)

As you already know, Warka was the place where Casimir Pulaski spent his childhood and young years, and there is a huge brewery in Brew

Stefan Czarniecki was one of the most outstanding Polish army commanders in numerous wars of the 17 c. His palate was damaged by a bullet and replaced by a silver prosthesis. His famous sentence about defining himself, Spartan in form when said in Polish, can be best translated to: "I'm not a salt-mine owner or a landowner. I've become what I am because of my wounds". (It were the times when money were buying an Army commission).

The list of places open on Easter in Poland:

• Church
• Kebab place (I don't eat kebab)
• Liquor store
• A service station (more on that later)

The soil in Land of Lublin is fertile; tobacco and hops are the major produce. The soil in Mazovia is lean. For that reason, South Mazovia (between Tarczyn and River Pilica/Warka) is an immense fruit producing area. You can ride all the day and smell the apple blossoms!

Piaseczno Narrow Gauge Railway means I entered my greater neighbourhood

I was out of my provisions. To my big surprise, I found a big supermarket in Mroków open! For you to understand: Big stores are banned from opening on Sundays in Poland. Any store, big or small is closed on Easter. How come that supermarket was open? The answer is simple: the area is Little Asia. Thousands of Asians working for nearby wholesale business have formed a strong community. Asians don't give a sh*t for Christian holidays. If an inspector ever came, he would be politely and with a smile suggested to f*ck off, and probably he would find a convincing sum of money in his pocket to make sure A miracle for me!

For your information, I could find the first service station to offer coffee and groceries only 117 km into the ride, that is, in our county town

I rode at a high 60/60% assistance with both batteries fully operable. I was additionally assisted by a tailwind!

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from today's 21km ride:

 

[Chazmo]

Very pretty lake, JG!

 

[JGcycle]

Very pretty lake, JG!

It's a section of the Saint John River, seen from Brandy Point Road, in Grand Bay-Westfield NB.

 

[Chazmo]

My ride today! Beautiful day today (this afternoon, really) here in central Massachusetts. Perfect riding conditions. Rode with two buddies.

 

[Chargeride]

I am prepared for the fall out
Starts at 0.30

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I do not quite understand the point, Chris.

This is from Kilian Bron, a multiple champion of Mountain of Hell. He is a Strava user.

 

[Chargeride]

There is no point Stefan, we Brits just love mocking things with humour.
He does argue both sides, but I see exactly that from my friends, they are not going to the trails to enjoy them, they go to improve their times on an app.
You could argue I only ride to film it, its just a diary hobby to me and has hugely improved my motivation.
Im increasingly concentrating on the minute and obscure, they are expanding their experience to a virtual competitive experience overlayed on reality.
Both are valid of course, Ive never been competitive because life was comparitively handed to me on a silver platter.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

There is no point Stefan, we Brits just love mocking things with humour.
He does argue both sides, but I see exactly that from my friends, they are not going to the trails to enjoy them, they go to improve their times on an app.
You could argue I only ride to film it, its just a diary hobby to me and has hugely improved my motivation.
Im increasingly concentrating on the minute and obscure, they are expanding their experience to a virtual competitive experience overlayed on reality.
Both are valid of course, Ive never been competitive because life was comparitively handed to me on a silver platter.

Strava is a form of a diary for me. (How could you even improve your performance on an e-bike?!) I also store some vital information regarding the battery use, range, etc. I can check what the weather was like, etc.

One of the nicest memories: Making my youth dreams come true (together with my brother).

"There is no such place as Lądon. It is Lądek, Lądek-Zdrój..." -- a post office woman said -- "I meant London, a city in England" -- "Why didn't you tell me it was abroad in the start? Now, I need to look it up!" /Miś/Teddy Bear, a 1980s Polish comedy film/.

The social and motivational role is important, too. Each week, @fooferdoggie, @BioWheel, @BlackHand, I and several other members (like) compete for the best weekly outcome. Why not? I should be glad @RabH is not on Strava!

 

[Chazmo]

I am prepared for the fall out
Starts at 0.30

I think that’s funny. "Gotta’ get around you… Strava time."

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Everybody has their own goals in cycling and should use or not use Strava as they see fit.

The competitive part's not for me in this be-here-now phase of my life. But @Stefan Mikes and countless others find value in it. Their call.

 

[Chargeride]

No, youre all babies, is says so in the video

 

[Chazmo]

For my epicurean aficionados… Best meals in Sterling, MA. Probably not very meaningful to my semi-urban European friends here, but definitely valuable to me!

Short ride for lunch today (at Emma’s), but may have more later as the day is young (unlike Fättie’s pilot).

 

[Base]

Well if you watched the women finish on de muur van Huy....

 

[Chazmo]

Oh, I forgot today’s news. On my ride to lunch, I rolled over 2000mi (see lower right corner). That’s 1000 miles since I replaced the rear assembly in December from my donor bike. Anyway, I’m pumped!

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from today's 23km ride: