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

[Art Deco]

Road cyclists all all metric despite where they are from

If you are trying to say @RabH Isn't a road cyclist, you will fail. At least among this group, he's the roadie.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

If you are trying to say @RabH Isn't a road cyclist, you will fail. At least among this group, he's the roadie.

Not a kosher one Even American roadies think km and kph (km/h in Europe). (I'd say @mschwett is the genuine roadie among this group).

Me: 'Show your face, o beautiful one!'
Fallow deer: 'You can kiss me where the sun doesn't shine'

From today's fast and picturesque gravel group ride by name Korboloza Vilgoza I organised More: later!

 

[stompandgo]

28 miles, 1:40. Assist levels 0,1, 2. Today I was short on both time and daylight, so I did a fast ride out to Harding's Beach in Chatham. Before the ride, I switched out my ISM saddle for the stock Most saddle just to see if I liked it. I didn't. It's OK, not great. Anyway, it was between 55 and 60 degrees F, with a light wind from the west. We had rain for the last `12 hours, so the bike and I got wet. That's what fenders are for. My feet got cold on the way back because they were wet. Nothing a shower couldn't cure. The bike rode well, although I need to drop some pressure in the tires. The frost heaves are jarring, and they shouldn't be. I got back right after sunset.

 

[dodgeman]

@harryS I’m guessing you must live not to far from where I grew up, St. Charles.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

28 miles, 1:40. Assist levels 0,1, 2. Today I was short on both time and daylight, so I did a fast ride out to Harding's Beach in Chatham. Before the ride, I switched out my ISM saddle for the stock Most saddle just to see if I liked it. I didn't. It's OK, not great. Anyway, it was between 55 and 60 degrees F, with a light wind from the west. We had rain for the last `12 hours, so the bike and I got wet. That's what fenders are for. My feet got cold on the way back because they were wet. Nothing a shower couldn't cure. The bike rode well, although I need to drop some pressure in the tires. The frost heaves are jarring, and they shouldn't be. I got back right after sunset.

View attachment 202086

Beautiful scene! That's one very sharp bike.

Lots of fine fall beach days here lately, too, but SoCal winter put a warning shot across my bow this morning with a gray day in the low 60s. Somehow we'll soldier through.
;^}

 

[Art Deco]

Beautiful scene! That's one very sharp bike.

Lots of fine fall beach days here lately, too, but SoCal winter put a warning shot across my bow this morning with a gray day in the low 60s. Somehow we'll soldier through.
;^}

Pity. That was our high temp. Lasted about 3 hours.

 

[Watana Bob]

SoCal winter put a warning shot across my bow this morning with a gray day in the low 60s

Hell, that’s a good mid summer day here. When it goes over 60 I’m riding in a tee shirt. I’m back in the basement on the fluid trainer for the winter as we have about a foot of snow. In my next lifetime I hope that im born to parents that live in southern California.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Hell, that’s a good mid summer day here. When it goes over 60 I’m riding in a tee shirt. I’m back in the basement on the fluid trainer for the winter as we have about a foot of snow. In my next lifetime I hope that im born to parents that live in southern California.

Where is that? I liked our Denver snows. Typically 6 or so a season, each 3-6 inches, 3-5 days on the ground, then gone — all starting around Halloween. Beautiful punctuation to the winter and early spring.

Wasn't riding much then, but plenty of winter days I could have ridden with good gear — except during the single-digit arctic air masses dumped on us now and then by our Canadian friends.

Sounds like a very different winter story where you are.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Korboloza Vilgoza (full report)
Saturday, the 8th of November 2025, Mazovian Landscape Park

I was really pleased to meet almost entire group already at the Warsaw West railway station. We all met at the last week's Pilavoza group ride; the people were who I describe as "normal and accomplished individuals". They are physically strong but have no need for racing, appreciate riding as a group, and love the idea of stopping for a lunch en route Unfortunately, one of the potential group members missed her train just by 30 seconds!

The young man on an XC bike (Michał) joined us in Pilawa. A very strong rider; he could complete the whole ride solo at a racing speed but preferred riding in the group. So, there were seven of us.

It was very cold en route. I thought I wore warm clothes but those were not enough!

On the Segment One, zooming premium gravel between Pilawa and Cyganówka.

The group turning towards Segment Two of the route.

The beasts at the Pen For Wild Animals didn't want to pose to a photo with me!

II was the author of Segment Two (Cyganówka - Wilga - Celejów). Reading Komoot maps, I could spot a long road described as...

"Fast Gravel Path".

CLIMB!

SUMMIT!

Agata, the wife to Gujos (the man in a red helmet) rode a titanium/carbon gravel bike. Given her petite size and being a lightweight person, Agata described her bike as 'It rides by itself!'

This time I clearly described my role: I wouldn't take care of any stragglers! That allowed me to be the group leader for many kilometres (I rode my Vado 6.0 primarily at 50/100% assistance, that's a lot!)

Marek (54), the Korboloza co-host is a performing cyclist. He was switching his role between being the leader and the rear guard. We were approaching Wilga, which is an area of vacation houses for many Warsawers.

Past Wilga, and from Celejów, we rode Segment Three, designed by a local gravel cycling legend, one CezarQ, His route meant we constantly switched between asphalt (for some rest) and picturesque premium gravel roads with the landscape constantly changing!

Hunting is despised by many Poles. Still, hunters do exist and enjoy what they are doing. The EU requires the hunting must be safe for bystanders. There are rules to clearly mark the hunting area; the hunters must wear Hi-Vis clothing to avoid being accidentally shot by their colleagues.

Following the Segment Three route.

Despite the restaurant "Under Pines" in Osieck was open from 13:00 but we arrived at 12:00 there, we got the full attention of the personnel. The cook rushed to make the meal for our group! Many of us settled with soup, some of us ordered the main course, and two vegans between us got delicious vegan food! Turned out, the cook was a vegetarian/vege cuisine expert! (My Wahoo ACE was met with interest by some group members; it is noteworthy all of them but one used GPS bike navigation. Also, all but two of us used the electronic drivetrain on their bikes!)

Some of us (not I) completed the meal with cheesecake.

Michał said his good-byes and continued his workout before we went for lunch. The remaining six completed the ride as a group in Otwock (we didn't take many pictures past Osieck, just riding fast!)

I entered the platform of SKM S1 train in Otwock just 5 minutes before the departure! Paying just PLN 7 (USD1.90, EUR1.65 or GBP1.45), I could ride all the way from Otwock to Pruszków, and the bike transport was free! Poland is not a bad country to live, eh

Not a bad average speed as for a gravel ride!

 

[stompandgo]

Those are some nice looking gravel roads.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Korboloza Vilgoza (full report)
Saturday, the 8th of November 2025, Mazovian Landscape Park

I was really pleased to meet almost entire group already at the Warsaw West railway station. We all met at the last week's Pilavoza group ride; the people were who I describe as "normal and accomplished individuals". They are physically strong but have no need for racing, appreciate riding as a group, and love the idea of stopping for a lunch en route Unfortunately, one of the potential group members missed her train just by 30 seconds!

View attachment 202095
The young man on an XC bike (Michał) joined us in Pilawa. A very strong rider; he could complete the whole ride solo at a racing speed but preferred riding in the group. So, there were seven of us.

It was very cold en route. I thought I wore warm clothes but those were not enough!

View attachment 202096
On the Segment One, zooming premium gravel between Pilawa and Cyganówka.

View attachment 202097
The group turning towards Segment Two of the route.

View attachment 202098
The beasts at the Pen For Wild Animals didn't want to pose to a photo with me!

View attachment 202099
II was the author of Segment Two (Cyganówka - Wilga - Celejów). Reading Komoot maps, I could spot a long road described as...

View attachment 202100
"Fast Gravel Path".

View attachment 202101
CLIMB!

View attachment 202102
SUMMIT!

View attachment 202103
Agata, the wife to Gujos (the man in a red helmet) rode a titanium/carbon gravel bike. Given her petite size and being a lightweight person, Agata described her bike as 'It rides itself!'

View attachment 202104
This time I clearly described my role: I wouldn't take care of any stragglers! That allowed me to be the group leader for many kilometres (I rode my Vado 6.0 primarily at 50/100% assistance, that's a lot!)


View attachment 202105
Marek (54), the Korboloza co-host is a performing cyclist. He was switching his role between being the leader and the rear guard. We were approaching Wilga, which is an area of vacation houses for many Warsawers.

View attachment 202106
Past Wilga, and from Celejów, we rode Segment Three, designed by a local gravel cycling legend, one CezarQ, His route meant we constantly switched between asphalt (for some rest) and picturesque premium gravel roads with the landscape constantly changing!

View attachment 202107
Hunting is despised by many Poles. Still, hunters do exist and enjoy what they are doing. The EU requires the hunting must be safe for bystanders. There are rules to clearly mark the hunting area; the hunters must wear Hi-Vis clothing to avoid being accidentally shot by their colleagues.


View attachment 202108
Following the Segment Three route.

View attachment 202109
Despite the restaurant "Under Pines" in Osieck was open from 13:00 but we arrived at 12:00 there, we got the full attention of the personnel. The cook rushed to make the meal for our group! Many of us settled with soup, some of us ordered the main course, and two vegans between us got delicious vegan food! Turned out, the cook was a vegetarian/vege cuisine expert! (My Wahoo ACE was met with interest by some group members; it is noteworthy all of them but one used GPS bike navigation. Also, all but two of us used the electronic drivetrain on their bikes!)

View attachment 202110
Some of us (not I) completed the meal with cheesecake.

View attachment 202111
Michał said his good-byes and continued his workout before we went for lunch. The remaining six completed the ride as a group in Otwock (we didn't take many pictures past Osieck, just riding fast!)

I entered the platform of SKM S1 train in Otwock just 5 minutes before the departure! Paying just PLN 7 (USD1.90, EUR1.65 or GBP1.45), I could ride all the way from Otwock to Pruszków, and the bike transport was free! Poland is not a bad country to live, eh

View attachment 202112
Not a bad average speed as for a gravel ride!

Very envious of your miles and miles of "premium gravel". Looks like a fun ride.

How do you get the word out about the rides you organize?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

How do you get the word out about the rides you organize?

I get the most coverage from posting in this Club on Strava:
Koleżeńskie ustawki rowerowe | gravel.LOVE (Friendly bicycle rides - this group involves a big deal of Warsaw gravel cyclists)
A good example is the announcement for Pilavoza:
The Pilavoza announcement, which collected a group of 23. Note 142 "kudos" (or, likes) there. More valuable is when people start asking questions (27 comments).

The other channel is a public event on Facebook. I send invitations to around 75 people I think could be interested. Some click "Interested" and that is seen by their FB friends.

Of course, it is easier to attract people to rides during the warm season. The confidence and recognition comes with time and the number of successfully organised rides; nice pictures published post ride attract more attention.

Very envious of your miles and miles of "premium gravel". Looks like a fun ride.

It is very difficult to design such a perfect route in the "land of sand and tree roots". It requires experience and -- at best -- seeking an advice from a local expert such as CezarQ. My first recon ride in the area was as difficult as it almost sent me crying from despair! (That's why MPK is a favourite area for Cross Country riders for its difficulty). Here's a dialogue of young "XC Michael" of my group (who found me on Strava to express his thanks for the ride; he is a local resident):

LL: Is it a nice route for gravel?
Michael: It was just fantastic! I recollect a harder segment but it was very short. It was even possible to crank up my speed but I had recently ridden a lot and had no need for more performance.
Bartosz (my cycling friend, an XC rider, and formerly a local resident): Michael, I was sure it was you, "the young man"
Michael: I don't understand?
I: Bartosz has recognised you in my ride pictures on Facebook Besides, I can see you could ride pretty fast! (25.4 km/h average)
Michael: Just saw the pictures! Yes, it was a balanced, quite a performance ride without getting too crazy!

Well, Bartosz and Michael certainly know each other from XC rides and races in MPK

 

[RabH]

Not a kosher one Even American roadies think km and kph (km/h in Europe). (I'd say @mschwett is the genuine roadie among this group).

View attachment 202085
Me: 'Show your face, o beautiful one!'
Fallow deer: 'You can kiss me where the sun doesn't shine'

From today's fast and picturesque gravel group ride by name Korboloza Vilgoza I organised More: later!

So I'm not a genuine roadie because I use imperial?

 

[Twin Valley]

Pity. That was our high temp. Lasted about 3 hours.

and I was thinking we wouldn't see those temps now until May or more likely June, but I see the forecast for tomorrow is 17 C so 17 x 2 = 34 take off 10% now 31 and add 32 hence 63 F (I went to grade school in the sixties and we had to learn both systems which comes in handy for many things . . .)

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from today's 20km ride:

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Road cyclists all all metric despite where they are from

Oh really? The 25-35 mostly unmotorized cyclists I sometimes ride with on Wednesday mornings are consummate roadies by any standard — ability, experience, mindset, equipment, you name it. Many are lifelong roadies, some with racing histories.

And no rational person who knew anything about cycling would say otherwise.

Sure, we talk about bike and component specs in metric — cuz that's generally how they're marked and sold. But when it comes to talking about riding here in SoCal, it's miles and feet all the way — cuz that's how our roads and maps and signs are marked.

As fond as I am of metric, it's just not worth the mental effort to fight it. When in Rome...

Really, Stefan, where do you get these sweeping generalizations?? A guy as intelligent as you must know deep down that they couldn't possibly be true on the ground.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So I'm not a genuine roadie because I use imperial?

The second thing: to be a genuine roadie, you must be on Strava
You see, all true roadies use km and km/h because they are comparing their performance. For a true roadie, it is not the long distance. It is the performance Which you can only compare using the same units
UCI is not an American or British organisation, is it

When it comes to gravel cycling, the race formats in Europe are often based on miles: a 50-miler, a 100 mile classic and so on. It is because gravel cycling is the sport invented by Americans!

Jeremy, please do not take what I'm writing as seriously as to scold me!
----------
Rab, please watch some GCN, the Global Cycling Network, a YT channel made by British roadies. They all use metric units!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

The second thing: to be a genuine roadie, you must be on Strava
You see, all true roadies use km and km/h because they are comparing their performance. For a true roadie, it is not the long distance. It is the performance Which you can only compare using the same units
UCI is not an American or British organisation, is it

When it comes to gravel cycling, the race formats in Europe are often based on miles: a 50-miler, a 100 mile classic and so on. It is because gravel cycling is the sport invented by Americans!

Jeremy, please do not take what I'm writing as seriously as to scold me!

So you use smiley emojis to indicate when you're just kidding?

 

[Watana Bob]

Where is that?

I live in Anchorage, Ak. 18* this morning.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I live in Anchorage, Ak. 18* this morning.

FAHRENHEIT?! Dżizaskrajst...

So you use smiley emojis to indicate when you're just kidding?

Sometimes I do forget inserting them!
Certainly, the emojis reflect my mood!