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

Yes, thats the entire idea of relighting your inner daredevil and falling back on 45 years of experience to see if its still working.
It is..
You may notice Im not wearing any protection either.

What a daft bstrd, but the void calls.

It really isnt that bad, speed improves stability, the track is actually very grippy, the suspension turns it into mild bumping, the faster you go the smoother it is, your enemy is ruts and unoticed dips.
 
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Brians been before, but Gary is more of a trail centre guy and was looking a bit concerned
CUP1.jpg


Funnily enough the fat tyres cope better climbing here.
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The lens flattens everything out, this bit is actually loop the bike steep.
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He gained his confidence in no time
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This was twice as steep as it looks and Brian was waiting for me to fail, I actually made it, but that was my absolute limit, there is no weight on the front and its impossible
to steer around the rocks, you just have to pedal like hell and hang on
CUP5.jpg


Gary kept making 'where's the pub' jokes, the walkers sat around were rolling their eyes, but this entire thing is a bridleway and we are fully allowed to ride here.
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I was trolling Brian as he struggled with the bike, 'remember when we could do that with ease'
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The original plan was High Force waterfall, but batteries were low and we settled for the dam.
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I thought it was lovely, but they always want a spectacle.
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These are the days of your lives being able to ride here on a silent electric bicycle.
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Went back the same way and this farmhouse is five miles from a tarmac road, fully off grid with a huge wind turbine and log store, strangely a telephone wire from a pole.
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Brian got it in his head we could ride over the edge here, we sat debating it and I'm like 'no way', then I spotted some walkers in the valley bottom, they saw them and the entire
scale of the valley came to them, its easily a 60 degree slope 'straight down Bri, really?'
CUP12.jpg


This is the descent, its mostly about careful line picking without doing it too quickly and getting a wobble going, I went through here flat out.
CUP13.jpg


Great day with the boys, the drone was squealing at the wind blowing over the edge, but hung in there.
CUP14.jpg
 
Anyone done this?
Yes many times. My dad would take us gold panning in the 60's, found a fair number of small nuggets. My younger brother has gold claims (about 1500 acres) in the Coldfoot area that he has worked on and off since the mid 70's and has recovered 1000's of ounces over the years. Never panned the Chicken area but used to go there in the fall with my dad and younger brother to hunt caribou and moose, beautiful country.
 
I was referring to visiting the places on the stickers, but I found gold panning next to impossible, the guys pointing at specks and Im like..
The gold coloured specs that arent gold or the gold coloured specs that are gold.
 
I made it!

Yes, I was able to cross the Vistula by the new (seasonal) ferry north-west of Warsaw! Yay! I am as exhausted as I am even unable to process the ride photos as for now.

1755466984771.png

There is a Romanesque church of 1155 behind my back but who cares? :D
 
Wychódźc - Nowy Secymin Ferry (and the land along the Vistula)
I apologise for a big number of photos.

There are 32 bridgeless kilometres (20 miles) along River Vistula between Wyszogród and Modlin. Following the wishes of citizens, local government of Mazovia hired a boat to connect both river banks in the middle: it is a place where a ferry would be just a natural thing! The new ferry operates only on weekends and only in July and August. I learned about that opportunity almost too late!

1755483894632.png

Let me tell you about that guy first :) We met on the train; he got off at an earlier station. When I was about to leave Wyszogród, he arrived, and we just acknowledged the fact we had already met. Five minutes upon my arrival in Czerwińsk, the man arrived! Five minutes after I arrived in Wychódźc, he rode in, too :) Then we eventually allowed ourselves a small talk! :D We both seemed to be condemned to each other! :D

1755484152858.png

I started my ride in Sochaczew, a city known for its Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.

1755484225465.png

A trestle bridge across River Bzura, 17 km into the ride.

1755484262145.png

Late Summer in Mazovia.

1755484288020.png

Wyszogród, a town upon the Vistula, the one having a big and modern bridge.

1755484356251.png

The Vistula, "The Queen of Polish Rivers".

1755484403698.png

A nice resting place with the river view in Wyszogród. Almost obligatory educational path can be found there, too.

1755484485783.png

It was not my first ride in the neighbourhood. I intentionally rode to eat at "The Legend Inn" :)

1755484581031.png

I knew where I was riding to. The Legend serves big and tasty portions!

1755484784381.png

The place was full of naïve folk art, adding to the atmosphere (it was kitsch, I know!) :)

1755484867844.png

Then I tasted many flavours of Mazovian gravel: a lot of sand but sometimes a real "strada bianca"!

1755484942556.png

A Romanesque fortified church of 1155 in Czerwińsk-upon-Vistula. See many cyclists. Poland is indeed a cycling country now!

1755485024704.png

A quaint Main Square in Czerwińsk. If anywhere the lazy and sleepy atmosphere of Mazovian summer can be felt, it would be Czerwińsk!

1755485137688.png

In 1410, our Lithuanian King Władysław Jagiełło (Jogaila) devised a trick to win over the Teutonic Order power. He ordered building a big number of pontoons upriver then transporting them by river to Czerwińsk. As the Vistula is narrow there, a relatively short pontoon bridge was constructed in Czerwińsk. Then the whole army of the Crown of Poland found itself on the right river bank, which allowed for a surprise attack in Grunwald the same year. The Teutonic Order was crushed in a major battle. Here: the symbolic landing place.

1755485671437.png

The Summer upon the Vistula.

1755485704730.png

A picturesque trail.

1755485759007.png

There she is! (the boat). Wychódźc is as a pagan place name for me as it certainly is for @Chargeride :D Trust me, even pronouncing it is not easy for a Pole! And all these special characters! :D

1755485879734.png

Kayaking and motor-boats have become popular in Poland. Wychódźc is located at the 570th kilometre of the river. See also water gauges: the Vistula is low. Not dramatically now but very low! (The top level on the gauge is 6.9 m, or 22.6 ft).

1755486109936.png

The boat has arrived. Commanded by a certified skipper, it can take up to 12 people (to meet a definition of a "small vessel") and up to 10 bicycles. The service is free!

1755486259378.png

Leaving Wychódźc.

1755486286246.png

We were asked to take places at the sundeck.

1755486316991.png

Landing in Nowy Secymin.

1755486344638.png

Disembarking.

1755486364827.png

I rode instantly to "At Marta's" in Secymin Polski for a poppy-seed cake. I was hungry again!

1755486443432.png

I rode my Vado SL at ECO 40/80, SPORT 50/100 and TURBO 100/100. The main battery + Range Extender were good for 95 km, and there was still some juice left!

1755486614305.png

Main ride map.
 
Wychódźc - Nowy Secymin Ferry (and the land along the Vistula)
I apologise for a big number of photos.

There are 32 bridgeless kilometres (20 miles) along River Vistula between Wyszogród and Modlin. Following the wishes of citizens, local government of Mazovia hired a boat to connect both river banks in the middle: it is a place where a ferry would be just a natural thing! The new ferry operates only on weekends and only in July and August. I learned about that opportunity almost too late!

View attachment 198406
Let me tell you about that guy first :) We met on the train; he got off at an earlier station. When I was about to leave Wyszogród, he arrived, and we just acknowledged the fact we had already met. Five minutes upon my arrival in Czerwińsk, the man arrived! Five minutes after I arrived in Wychódźc, he rode in, too :) Then we eventually allowed ourselves a small talk! :D We both seemed to be condemned to each other! :D

View attachment 198407
I started my ride in Sochaczew, a city known for its Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.

View attachment 198408
A trestle bridge across River Bzura, 17 km into the ride.

View attachment 198409
Late Summer in Mazovia.

View attachment 198410
Wyszogród, a town upon the Vistula, the one having a big and modern bridge.

View attachment 198411
The Vistula, "The Queen of Polish Rivers".

View attachment 198412
A nice resting place with the river view in Wyszogród. Almost obligatory educational path can be found there, too.

View attachment 198413
It was not my first ride in the neighbourhood. I intentionally rode to eat at "The Legend Inn" :)

View attachment 198415
I knew where I was riding to. The Legend serves big and tasty portions!

View attachment 198416
The place was full of naïve folk art, adding to the atmosphere (it was kitsch, I know!) :)

View attachment 198417
Then I tasted many flavours of Mazovian gravel: a lot of sand but sometimes a real "strada bianca"!

View attachment 198418
A Romanesque fortified church of 1155 in Czerwińsk-upon-Vistula. See many cyclists. Poland is indeed a cycling country now!

View attachment 198419
A quaint Main Square in Czerwińsk. If anywhere the lazy and sleepy atmosphere of Mazovian summer can be felt, it would be Czerwińsk!

View attachment 198420
In 1410, our Lithuanian King Władysław Jagiełło (Jogaila) devised a trick to win over the Teutonic Order power. He ordered building a big number of pontoons upriver then transporting them by river to Czerwińsk. As the Vistula is narrow there, a relatively short pontoon bridge was constructed in Czerwińsk. Then the whole army of the Crown of Poland found itself on the right river bank, which allowed for a surprise attack in Grunwald the same year. The Teutonic Order was crushed in a major battle. Here: the symbolic landing place.

View attachment 198421
The Summer upon the Vistula.

View attachment 198422
A picturesque trail.

View attachment 198423
There she is! (the boat). Wychódźc is as a pagan place name for me as it certainly is for @Chargeride :D Trust me, even pronouncing it is not easy for a Pole! And all these special characters! :D

View attachment 198424
Kayaking and motor-boats have become popular in Poland. Wychódźc is located at the 570th kilometre of the river. See also water gauges: the Vistula is low. Not dramatically now but very low! (The top level on the gauge is 6.9 m, or 22.6 ft).

View attachment 198425
The boat has arrived. Commanded by a certified skipper, it can take up to 12 people (to meet a definition of a "small vessel") and up to 10 bicycles. The service is free!

View attachment 198426
Leaving Wychódźc.

View attachment 198427
We were asked to take places at the sundeck.

View attachment 198428
Landing in Nowy Secymin.

View attachment 198429
Disembarking.

View attachment 198430
I rode instantly to "At Marta's" in Secymin Polski for a poppy-seed cake. I was hungry again!

View attachment 198431
I rode my Vado SL at ECO 40/80, SPORT 50/100 and TURBO 100/100. The main battery + Range Extender were good for 95 km, and there was still some juice left!

View attachment 198432
Main ride map.
Lovely summers day ride, 60 miles is too much for me, but nothing spells freedom more than a trip like that to such a beautiful area, we are all spoiled on here.
I'd rather do that one day than a week on the beach in the Maldives
 
Wychódźc - Nowy Secymin Ferry (and the land along the Vistula)
I apologise for a big number of photos.

There are 32 bridgeless kilometres (20 miles) along River Vistula between Wyszogród and Modlin. Following the wishes of citizens, local government of Mazovia hired a boat to connect both river banks in the middle: it is a place where a ferry would be just a natural thing! The new ferry operates only on weekends and only in July and August. I learned about that opportunity almost too late!

View attachment 198406
Let me tell you about that guy first :) We met on the train; he got off at an earlier station. When I was about to leave Wyszogród, he arrived, and we just acknowledged the fact we had already met. Five minutes upon my arrival in Czerwińsk, the man arrived! Five minutes after I arrived in Wychódźc, he rode in, too :) Then we eventually allowed ourselves a small talk! :D We both seemed to be condemned to each other! :D

View attachment 198407
I started my ride in Sochaczew, a city known for its Narrow Gauge Railway Museum.

View attachment 198408
A trestle bridge across River Bzura, 17 km into the ride.

View attachment 198409
Late Summer in Mazovia.

View attachment 198410
Wyszogród, a town upon the Vistula, the one having a big and modern bridge.

View attachment 198411
The Vistula, "The Queen of Polish Rivers".

View attachment 198412
A nice resting place with the river view in Wyszogród. Almost obligatory educational path can be found there, too.

View attachment 198413
It was not my first ride in the neighbourhood. I intentionally rode to eat at "The Legend Inn" :)

View attachment 198415
I knew where I was riding to. The Legend serves big and tasty portions!

View attachment 198416
The place was full of naïve folk art, adding to the atmosphere (it was kitsch, I know!) :)

View attachment 198417
Then I tasted many flavours of Mazovian gravel: a lot of sand but sometimes a real "strada bianca"!

View attachment 198418
A Romanesque fortified church of 1155 in Czerwińsk-upon-Vistula. See many cyclists. Poland is indeed a cycling country now!

View attachment 198419
A quaint Main Square in Czerwińsk. If anywhere the lazy and sleepy atmosphere of Mazovian summer can be felt, it would be Czerwińsk!

View attachment 198420
In 1410, our Lithuanian King Władysław Jagiełło (Jogaila) devised a trick to win over the Teutonic Order power. He ordered building a big number of pontoons upriver then transporting them by river to Czerwińsk. As the Vistula is narrow there, a relatively short pontoon bridge was constructed in Czerwińsk. Then the whole army of the Crown of Poland found itself on the right river bank, which allowed for a surprise attack in Grunwald the same year. The Teutonic Order was crushed in a major battle. Here: the symbolic landing place.

View attachment 198421
The Summer upon the Vistula.

View attachment 198422
A picturesque trail.

View attachment 198423
There she is! (the boat). Wychódźc is as a pagan place name for me as it certainly is for @Chargeride :D Trust me, even pronouncing it is not easy for a Pole! And all these special characters! :D

View attachment 198424
Kayaking and motor-boats have become popular in Poland. Wychódźc is located at the 570th kilometre of the river. See also water gauges: the Vistula is low. Not dramatically now but very low! (The top level on the gauge is 6.9 m, or 22.6 ft).

View attachment 198425
The boat has arrived. Commanded by a certified skipper, it can take up to 12 people (to meet a definition of a "small vessel") and up to 10 bicycles. The service is free!

View attachment 198426
Leaving Wychódźc.

View attachment 198427
We were asked to take places at the sundeck.

View attachment 198428
Landing in Nowy Secymin.

View attachment 198429
Disembarking.

View attachment 198430
I rode instantly to "At Marta's" in Secymin Polski for a poppy-seed cake. I was hungry again!

View attachment 198431
I rode my Vado SL at ECO 40/80, SPORT 50/100 and TURBO 100/100. The main battery + Range Extender were good for 95 km, and there was still some juice left!

View attachment 198432
Main ride map.
Wonderful ride! You seem to eat a lot of purple stuff. Is this common in Poland?
 
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