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

[Stefan Mikes]

No comprehendi

Just ride your Levo and stop worrying.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 196943

So who won, you or the boat?

 

[Chargeride]

Just ride your Levo and stop worrying.

Seriously I went to that post but it was mine and then I got confused

 

[Chazmo]

Seriously I went to that post but it was mine and then I got confused

I talk to myself all the time. Especially when I’m looking at a big hill ahead of me.

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from this morning's 24km ride:

 

[Chazmo]

A few pics from this morning's 24km ride:

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Wow, super beautiful day up there, and wonderful scenery!!! I’m hoping to get out myself as we’re having a gorgeous day here (in central MA) today too!

 

[Chargeride]

So who won, you or the boat?

I think she wants some recharging.

 

[Chargeride]

Good day for riding in Marin, very slight fine rain now and then.
Brian brought his dog, its completely crackers.

Straight away he was knocked off by this fallen branch that was perfectly hidden in camouflage, we heaved it out of the way.

The dog just loves to run

Then he put a hole in his sidewall, had to put a tube in.

The bridge was being repaired so there was a big diversion through the country lanes.

Derelict mining cottages everywhere

The Snowdonian range in the distance, it looked amazing in real life,

Constantly passing buildings in the middle of the forest straight out of a nature reclaiming movie

Marin is probably the most scenic red trail in Wales, the image doesn't remotely convey the feeling of scale.

Rain cooled us down after a long climb

The whole place is picture postcard, you drive right over this bridge to enter the trails..this is some photo off the net.
The ivy tea rooms near Llanrwst

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I'm all on Charge's service, only he doesn't need my help


My Vado SL has 11,490 miles (18,486 km) and 4 years, no single warranty repair required.
My MY 2017 Vado (Gen 1) had two warranty interventions since 1st November 2019:

• Free upgrade to 2020 electronics (including deadly expensive Supernova lights)
• Free rebuild on the "lifetime frameset warranty" 3 years post the purchase, 1 year post the warranty expiry, free upgrade from Vado 5.0 to 6.0.
• The motor replaced once after 14,000 km and 3 years but that was the Gen 1 motor.

I thing @Chargeride your mates really abuse their Levos. You're not that type (could see the delicate shoes you rode your Levo in)

Mountain bikes are made to withstand abuse. Hard not to, off road in mud and rocks and gravity.

My bike shop, part of a chain of bike shops called the Bicycle Chain and a major Spesh dealer, said that over 50% of Spesh EMTBs had motors replaced under warranty. Sone had 3 or 4 motors replaced but that this was not unusual for EMTBs of any brand in U.K. conditions (wet).

My Vado SL had 2 motor replacements & 2 TCU replacements all under warranty.

Also the YT channel EMBN asked a major U.K. ebike motor repairs company about motor wear and tear, they said most of the water seals in e bike motors are just not good enough, that brands have neglected this important aspect but that this was improving. They said when they repair any motor they now tend to replace the seals to improve them.

They were being polite but you could see they were incredulous that major brands do such a crap job in sealing the motor.

 

[Chargeride]

The chinese Bafang motors are far better sealed and weather proof constructed, you can and I have ran them completely submerged with no issues at the time or later,
But they are low tech and heavy, you pick your weapon

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The chinese Bafang motors are far better sealed and weather proof constructed, you can and I have ran them completely submerged with no issues at the time or later,

I had my three motors (Specialized 1.2s, SL 1.1, and Yamaha PW-X2) completely submerged on several occasions, no ill effects. No seawater, though

 

[Stefan Mikes]

SPEC X KONTRA 022 (cancelled): A ride with Tommy

Specialized Warsaw and an obscure road cycling club by name of Kontra 022 announced a gravel group ride two weeks ago. The weather forecast for Saturday was firm and dire: constant raining with a thunderstorm at 16:00. As I set off to get to South Warsaw at 9:00, I was unaware the event was cancelled at 8:50 "due to weather". I met my buddy "Tommy" (he prefers to be nicknamed like that) at Specialized Warsaw at 10:35. Oh, the ride had been cancelled? But it was not raining! Well, I and Tommy took the plunge

Stephan's Sacred Wood, a nature reservation 12.5 km into the ride.

"The event cancelled due to weather" Not only no single droplet of rain but also the Sun started shining

"What a terrible weather!" -- Tommy laughed -- "We must be soaked to the bone by now!" We stopped on a hopeless "rail trail" for a while. It was a bumpy, muddy and overgrown trail along the railroad.

At that point I realised the ride organizer was incompetent, and he even hadn't ridden his own route! It is very easy to draw the ride plan on the map. Only what if your actual route hits a a mound of soil? (Before that, we had to cross an active railroad embankment: that was totally unacceptable!)

"Hey Stef, we need to hurry up! My wife is waiting for me!" -- said Tommy. So we sped up, oh, how we sped up! Meanwhile, Tommy went short on water. I led him to a Warsaw cycling Mecca, the only convenience store on a popular Mt Calvary - Warsaw trail in Cieciszew. There, we made a short stop, and could sit on proper chairs

We made the finish line at Specialized on that "rainy day with thunderstorms"

Tommy hurried up to his Wife (he was there on time!) while I ate lunch at META Bar. Oh, my diabetes hit me there. I took no pill with me and only wanted to sleep... Rode to a Metro station, took a train home and only there could take care of myself. I was exhausted!

78 km for the day. I rode my Vado 6.0 at 35/50% assistance for the main ride.

 

[stompandgo]

Off tomorrow on the Levo to Marin or Gwydir Mawr & Bach as its called now because the Welsh want their names back.

I support this.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Off tomorrow on the Levo to Marin or Gwydir Mawr & Bach as its called now because the Welsh want their names back.

I support this.

Aren't you concerned about the impact on the world supply of Ls? Prices will go through the roof.

Maybe they could hold the reversion rate to 100 Welsh place names a year. That would lock up only 4,000 Ls per year, leaving time to grow new ones.
;^}

 

[RabH]

A bit of a bonus ride today as I wasn't expecting to get out due to a very dodgy looking forecast, with possible thunderstorms! When I got up the sky looked like it might be ok for a ride so I decided to chance it and set off just before 9am into the murk! It was pretty much windless and a bit misty and a mild 15C, perfect for cycling! I decided to head east to Linlithgow and as I passed the Black Loch at Limerigg I stopped for a few photos, some brave women were having a morning swim and I can tell you the water was very cold!

I continued east through Avonbridge and headed up the climb to Standburn and enjoyed this fabulous rollercoaster road for a few miles! The final 4 miles to Linlithgow are all downhill and such a blast to ride, being a Sunday morning the town was quiet and I passed through with no issues! I decided to continue east to Bridgend where I turned south to join the back road to Beecraigs Country Park! I stopped off to grab a few photos at the Union Canal first!

Then it was time to head up the big climb at Bridgend before turning west at the top towards the country park, I was looking forward to the big fast descent into the valley and hurtled down at just over 43mph with a little 10mph breeze at my back! I stopped before the descent for this photo of the locals, I don't think they were enjoying my presence! With the misty conditions there wasn't a great view of the valley below!

I stopped in the valley for another few photos!

Then it was time for the big climb up past the country park and soon I would be descending again down into Torphicen and its quickly followed by another big descent down to Westfield! At Westfield I headed up the climb out of the valley before turning south for Armadale, a trio of lovely descents to enjoy here!

The final one is the highlight, a very fast one!

From Armadale I headed SW towards Blackridge where I turned south towards Harthill to take the back road which joins the main road from Harthill to Salsburgh, another fun road for a bike! Its very narrow but little to no traffic most of the time, today I met 2 cars though so it was busy... The main road to Salsburgh is closed until early August though so I had to take the road to Shotts instead which was in my plan anyway as I wanted to use my favourite local back road to Hareshaw and today I had a nice 10mph tailwind on the long amazing shallow downhill! I was hoping I would see the Ostriches on the way up the climb and I was in luck, they may actually be Emus as I'm no expert but the one nearest to me stood up tall and it was towering above me and I'm 6 feet tall! On reading about them, it seems Emus only grow to a maximum of 6ft 2ins....

They are very intimidating up close and make a very strange sound that goes right through you! I then enjoyed my favourite road to Hareshaw and stopped for a few photos on the way!

It had stayed completely dry for 43 miles and I got a little rain for the last 10 miles but it wasn't even enough to wet the roads so I got lucky! No sign of any thunderstorms and as I type this its a glorious afternoon! Another amazing local ride, I'm so blessed to have these fantastic roads to enjoy my cycling on!

 

[Chargeride]

SPEC X KONTRA 022 (cancelled): A ride with Tommy

Specialized Warsaw and an obscure road cycling club by name of Kontra 022 announced a gravel group ride two weeks ago. The weather forecast for Saturday was firm and dire: constant raining with a thunderstorm at 16:00. As I set off to get to South Warsaw at 9:00, I was unaware the event was cancelled at 8:50 "due to weather". I met my buddy "Tommy" (he prefers to be nicknamed like that) at Specialized Warsaw at 10:35. Oh, the ride had been cancelled? But it was not raining! Well, I and Tommy took the plunge

View attachment 197027
Stephan's Sacred Wood, a nature reservation 12.5 km into the ride.

View attachment 197028
"The event cancelled due to weather" Not only no single droplet of rain but also the Sun started shining

View attachment 197029
"What a terrible weather!" -- Tommy laughed -- "We must be soaked to the bone by now!" We stopped on a hopeless "rail trail" for a while. It was a bumpy, muddy and overgrown trail along the railroad.

View attachment 197030
At that point I realised the ride organizer was incompetent, and he even hadn't ridden his own route! It is very easy to draw the ride plan on the map. Only what if your actual route hits a a mound of soil? (Before that, we had to cross an active railroad embankment: that was totally unacceptable!)

View attachment 197031
"Hey Stef, we need to hurry up! My wife is waiting for me!" -- said Tommy. So we sped up, oh, how we sped up! Meanwhile, Tommy went short on water. I led him to a Warsaw cycling Mecca, the only convenience store on a popular Mt Calvary - Warsaw trail in Cieciszew. There, we made a short stop, and could sit on proper chairs

View attachment 197032
We made the finish line at Specialized on that "rainy day with thunderstorms"

View attachment 197033
Tommy hurried up to his Wife (he was there on time!) while I ate lunch at META Bar. Oh, my diabetes hit me there. I took no pill with me and only wanted to sleep... Rode to a Metro station, took a train home and only there could take care of myself. I was exhausted!

View attachment 197034
78 km for the day. I rode my Vado 6.0 at 35/50% assistance for the main ride.

Looks like an awesome ride, the unexpected trials of the trails

 

[Chargeride]

View attachment 197046

A bit of a bonus ride today as I wasn't expecting to get out due to a very dodgy looking forecast, with possible thunderstorms! When I got up the sky looked like it might be ok for a ride so I decided to chance it and set off just before 9am into the murk! It was pretty much windless and a bit misty and a mild 15C, perfect for cycling! I decided to head east to Linlithgow and as I passed the Black Loch at Limerigg I stopped for a few photos, some brave women were having a morning swim and I can tell you the water was very cold!

View attachment 197047
View attachment 197048
View attachment 197049
I continued east through Avonbridge and headed up the climb to Standburn and enjoyed this fabulous rollercoaster road for a few miles! The final 4 miles to Linlithgow are all downhill and such a blast to ride, being a Sunday morning the town was quiet and I passed through with no issues! I decided to continue east to Bridgend where I turned south to join the back road to Beecraigs Country Park! I stopped off to grab a few photos at the Union Canal first!

View attachment 197050
View attachment 197051
View attachment 197052
View attachment 197053
Then it was time to head up the big climb at Bridgend before turning west at the top towards the country park, I was looking forward to the big fast descent into the valley and hurtled down at just over 43mph with a little 10mph breeze at my back! I stopped before the descent for this photo of the locals, I don't think they were enjoying my presence! With the misty conditions there wasn't a great view of the valley below!

View attachment 197055
I stopped in the valley for another few photos!

View attachment 197056
View attachment 197057
View attachment 197058
Then it was time for the big climb up past the country park and soon I would be descending again down into Torphicen and its quickly followed by another big descent down to Westfield! At Westfield I headed up the climb out of the valley before turning south for Armadale, a trio of lovely descents to enjoy here!

View attachment 197059
View attachment 197060
The final one is the highlight, a very fast one!

View attachment 197061
From Armadale I headed SW towards Blackridge where I turned south towards Harthill to take the back road which joins the main road from Harthill to Salsburgh, another fun road for a bike! Its very narrow but little to no traffic most of the time, today I met 2 cars though so it was busy... The main road to Salsburgh is closed until early August though so I had to take the road to Shotts instead which was in my plan anyway as I wanted to use my favourite local back road to Hareshaw and today I had a nice 10mph tailwind on the long amazing shallow downhill! I was hoping I would see the Ostriches on the way up the climb and I was in luck, they may actually be Emus as I'm no expert but the one nearest to me stood up tall and it was towering above me and I'm 6 feet tall! On reading about them, it seems Emus only grow to a maximum of 6ft 2ins....

View attachment 197062
View attachment 197063
View attachment 197064
View attachment 197065
They are very intimidating up close and make a very strange sound that goes right through you! I then enjoyed my favourite road to Hareshaw and stopped for a few photos on the way!

View attachment 197066
View attachment 197067
View attachment 197068
View attachment 197069
It had stayed completely dry for 43 miles and I got a little rain for the last 10 miles but it wasn't even enough to wet the roads so I got lucky! No sign of any thunderstorms and as I type this its a glorious afternoon! Another amazing local ride, I'm so blessed to have these fantastic roads to enjoy my cycling on!

They look a bit dodgy, lucky they cant fly.

 

[Chazmo]

They look a bit dodgy, lucky they cant fly.

I wouldn’t mess with ‘em!

 

[stompandgo]

 

[Chazmo]

Hey, @Chargeride , I meant to comment on this picture, below… I can’t say I’ve ever seen a house completely taken over by ivy before, but what the heck are they supposed to do if the exterior of that cottage needs work? Would a contractor take on that job? I’m guessing the building is stone and the roof is slate? It’s quite lovely, but rather problematical I’d think.