Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Have you ever ridden for 62 miles in the first place?
2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter RabH
- Start date
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
My longest bike ride was 140 miles, all pedal power in the 70s
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
My gloves are wearing out, so I just bought again from Amazon to get the same size.
The originals had wood.fox logo.
The originals had wood.fox logo.
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
Now you know about the Starway to nowhere. I watched this crypt getting built, well at least the foundation. But man, this is crazy. The stars and door are fake. The second pic shows the wall. The monogram is everywhere too. I wonder how many people would fit in 3 or 4? It’s all polished stone too. I wonder if it is in use yet?
JGcycle
Two-Wheeled Shaker
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Saint John
I have the same gloves.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Somewhere north of River Narew on a gravel group ride today. Still 14 km to go
RabH
Well-Known Member
Amazing day of cycling and motorcycle racing all rolled into one!
After almost 5 months of frustration I finally caught a break with the weather and got to cycle to Knockhill Racing Circuit for the motorcycle racing, with the first race due to start just after 9am it was a very early start! The downside was early morning mist though...
Black Loch at Limerigg!
Of course there is also an upside to the mist!
Most of the way up the mist was lingering and I was really worried about the race track being shrouded in mist and fog but my luck was in!
This had me worried though...
A short time later...
It was such a great day of racing and I had the bonus of getting to cycle home after it and the scenery and roads didn't disappoint!
What a fantastic day, I will sleep very well tonight as I'm completely wiped out now!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Robin 103: A Gravel Group Ride
Our plan to take a car (or train) trip to Kazimierz Dolny to explore the famous gorges there for Saturday had to be abandoned. First, it was raining in the gorgeous town on the Vistula. When it had rained, the loess soil in the gorges turns into the most dangerous mud, in which you can get stuck or even possibly drown. Saturday was also the day of a tornado in the region, so we couldn't even set off for the Robin trip on the day!
Marek, Agata and her husband Gujos (gooyos) -- collectively referred to as the Gujoses
-- and of course myself met at the most distant of Warsaw's train stops up north, Warszawa Choszczówka. Marek in his 50s is fit at the competitive level; the Gujoses are very well fit; as for myself, I had my speed Vado 6.0. "You are very difficult to catch up with" -- mentioned Gujos -- so I reduced the assistance from 50 down to 40% and then we all could cycle at the same level.
The sole objective of the trip was riding the "Mazovian gravel". The route was based on the Mazovian Robinsonade, a 2026 gravel rally. The route was nice and smooth with a little difficulty (some sand patches and several trees fallen during the tornado).
My beautiful mates: Agata, Gujos, Marek (L to R). Agata -- a petite and lightweight person -- rides a titanium bike to a great effect!
Gujos took a nice photo involving me (I hide a smartphone behind my back!)
Rivers Bug and Narew join to form the Zegrzyński Reservoir, a popular inland sailing artificial lake.
This is the Narew before the dam. It is wide there (the photo was taken from a bridge). Next, the Narew joins the Vistula near to Warsaw Modlin International Airport WMI.
A nice trestle bridge across River Wkra. I realised it was safer to walk the e-bike than riding it on the wooden planks but it was too late!
The Wkra is a kayaking heaven!
Marek sent me several photos. Unfortunately, no photo had GPS coordinates or the timestamp, so I even cannot place these photos on the map. Here, I was cursing the "barrier men" who often placed a forest barrier the way you had to walk your bike instead of riding it!
There were some long forest road segments that allowed us riding very fast. The real obstacle were many "post tornado" twigs that tended to entangle in our drivetrains!
"Gravel cyclists are these who ride across the highway"
A long stop halfway the planned ride in the town of Pomiechówek.
Here, on one of the field access roads north of Modlin (the airport town). (I want to show to @Chargeride how beautifully the sunshine paints the landscape if you ride anticlockwise).
As we reached Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki (NDM), the Gujoses and I ruined the sophisticated plan of Marek. He wanted to close the loop and return home by trains. The rest of us preferred a long return home "on the wheels". We said goodbyes with Marek and continued the ride south through Kampinos National Park.
I had no chance to ride for 70+ miles for a long time!
Our plan to take a car (or train) trip to Kazimierz Dolny to explore the famous gorges there for Saturday had to be abandoned. First, it was raining in the gorgeous town on the Vistula. When it had rained, the loess soil in the gorges turns into the most dangerous mud, in which you can get stuck or even possibly drown. Saturday was also the day of a tornado in the region, so we couldn't even set off for the Robin trip on the day!
Marek, Agata and her husband Gujos (gooyos) -- collectively referred to as the Gujoses
-- and of course myself met at the most distant of Warsaw's train stops up north, Warszawa Choszczówka. Marek in his 50s is fit at the competitive level; the Gujoses are very well fit; as for myself, I had my speed Vado 6.0. "You are very difficult to catch up with" -- mentioned Gujos -- so I reduced the assistance from 50 down to 40% and then we all could cycle at the same level.The sole objective of the trip was riding the "Mazovian gravel". The route was based on the Mazovian Robinsonade, a 2026 gravel rally. The route was nice and smooth with a little difficulty (some sand patches and several trees fallen during the tornado).
My beautiful mates: Agata, Gujos, Marek (L to R). Agata -- a petite and lightweight person -- rides a titanium bike to a great effect!
Gujos took a nice photo involving me (I hide a smartphone behind my back!)
Rivers Bug and Narew join to form the Zegrzyński Reservoir, a popular inland sailing artificial lake.
This is the Narew before the dam. It is wide there (the photo was taken from a bridge). Next, the Narew joins the Vistula near to Warsaw Modlin International Airport WMI.
A nice trestle bridge across River Wkra. I realised it was safer to walk the e-bike than riding it on the wooden planks but it was too late!
The Wkra is a kayaking heaven!
Marek sent me several photos. Unfortunately, no photo had GPS coordinates or the timestamp, so I even cannot place these photos on the map. Here, I was cursing the "barrier men" who often placed a forest barrier the way you had to walk your bike instead of riding it!
There were some long forest road segments that allowed us riding very fast. The real obstacle were many "post tornado" twigs that tended to entangle in our drivetrains!
"Gravel cyclists are these who ride across the highway"
A long stop halfway the planned ride in the town of Pomiechówek.
Here, on one of the field access roads north of Modlin (the airport town). (I want to show to @Chargeride how beautifully the sunshine paints the landscape if you ride anticlockwise).
As we reached Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki (NDM), the Gujoses and I ruined the sophisticated plan of Marek. He wanted to close the loop and return home by trains. The rest of us preferred a long return home "on the wheels". We said goodbyes with Marek and continued the ride south through Kampinos National Park.
I had no chance to ride for 70+ miles for a long time!
Last edited:
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
A tornado!!
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Ride to Stoneyhurst college, the farmer was spraying some weird stuff from a huge box, we considered tshirt filter would suffice
All around the gates, I gave them the shoo-shoo, they were too interested to obey.
We've never heard of this no pooing was performed
Ribchester, 3 quid and you have to use your card...bloody ell, and he can hear me
Ribchester Arms, well nice on a sunny day
They marked the bridleway at every turn through the paths and fields
But suddenly it was everyman for themselves and pure luck got us here
As we approached the college the houses got smarter
The trails more mystical
That bridleway kicked us out right by the lower school
Its very grand, but the entrance road could do with some trees
Tolkein stayed here with his grandaughter while writing LOTR so obviously they call the paths the Tolkein trail
Half a mile away is the ruined Shire
Rather indistinct paths
Not quite sure stream crossings
The bridleway goes right through some Roman hot baths
The River Ribble
And then a few miles of follow the sat nav
From decrepid shed to mansions on the same trails, great day out only 21 miles but very interesting.
All around the gates, I gave them the shoo-shoo, they were too interested to obey.
We've never heard of this no pooing was performed
Ribchester, 3 quid and you have to use your card...bloody ell, and he can hear me
Ribchester Arms, well nice on a sunny day
They marked the bridleway at every turn through the paths and fields
But suddenly it was everyman for themselves and pure luck got us here
As we approached the college the houses got smarter
The trails more mystical
That bridleway kicked us out right by the lower school
Its very grand, but the entrance road could do with some trees
Tolkein stayed here with his grandaughter while writing LOTR so obviously they call the paths the Tolkein trail
Half a mile away is the ruined Shire
Rather indistinct paths
Not quite sure stream crossings
The bridleway goes right through some Roman hot baths
The River Ribble
And then a few miles of follow the sat nav
From decrepid shed to mansions on the same trails, great day out only 21 miles but very interesting.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
We started at the coast on the right of the picture, it took us an hour to get here.
Then descended twenty minutes to the castle.
Then descended twenty minutes to the castle.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Intercepting Tommy!
I have been underestimating my friend Tommy for a long time. By regular riding on his days free from the work, the man had developed his leg power, endurance and stamina. On Monday evening, he asked me for developing a nice 200+ km asphalt only route, so I did. It was one of the nicest trip you could have in Mazovia on a perfect Summer day: By local roads to Płock and back. For those who don't know it: Płock is the old capital city of ancient Duchy of Mazovia, the second biggest Mazovian city on the Vistula.
He arrived in Ożarów Mazowiecki by train, started the ride at 5:27 a.m. and completed the ride in Pruszków to take a train back home. When I was briefing him on the route the night before, he exclaimed: "Is there anything where you haven't ridden?!" to which I replied: "I rode everywhere except one bridge that was on the reconstruction at a time"
Tommy reported having a crisis near to his 100 mile into the ride. He had a rest in Wyszogród on a hill overlooking the Vistula. Soon, he discovered his Wahoo was close to totally discharging. He rode up a farm, where the female host not only allowed him using a charger but also treated him with coffee, cake, and a chat. (People of Poland are warm-hearted despite we hardly ever smile!)
I haven't seen my friend for a month. It was a quick decision and then I was pedalling my Vado at 60% assistance at high speed following the reverted route! I said to myself it wouldn't take more than 30 km to intercept Tommy.
I was right. It took me 1 h 1 min and 29 km to see my friend at a distance!
Our trip by the original route was leading entirely along (and across, over and over) a smaller river Utrata.
I failed taking an impressive photo of the river valley! You can only trust me there is a white church on a small hill and the river itself in the photo!
After we had dined in McD Błonie, Tommy asked me to take a photo of his Wahoo at the 200th kilometre
Then I escorted Tommy to Pruszków train station. Including the morning shopping, it was 50 miles for me for the day.
I have been underestimating my friend Tommy for a long time. By regular riding on his days free from the work, the man had developed his leg power, endurance and stamina. On Monday evening, he asked me for developing a nice 200+ km asphalt only route, so I did. It was one of the nicest trip you could have in Mazovia on a perfect Summer day: By local roads to Płock and back. For those who don't know it: Płock is the old capital city of ancient Duchy of Mazovia, the second biggest Mazovian city on the Vistula.
He arrived in Ożarów Mazowiecki by train, started the ride at 5:27 a.m. and completed the ride in Pruszków to take a train back home. When I was briefing him on the route the night before, he exclaimed: "Is there anything where you haven't ridden?!" to which I replied: "I rode everywhere except one bridge that was on the reconstruction at a time"
Tommy reported having a crisis near to his 100 mile into the ride. He had a rest in Wyszogród on a hill overlooking the Vistula. Soon, he discovered his Wahoo was close to totally discharging. He rode up a farm, where the female host not only allowed him using a charger but also treated him with coffee, cake, and a chat. (People of Poland are warm-hearted despite we hardly ever smile!)
I haven't seen my friend for a month. It was a quick decision and then I was pedalling my Vado at 60% assistance at high speed following the reverted route! I said to myself it wouldn't take more than 30 km to intercept Tommy.
I was right. It took me 1 h 1 min and 29 km to see my friend at a distance!
Our trip by the original route was leading entirely along (and across, over and over) a smaller river Utrata.
I failed taking an impressive photo of the river valley! You can only trust me there is a white church on a small hill and the river itself in the photo!
After we had dined in McD Błonie, Tommy asked me to take a photo of his Wahoo at the 200th kilometre
Then I escorted Tommy to Pruszków train station. Including the morning shopping, it was 50 miles for me for the day.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Kilometres exist partly in the UK as the game of numbers.
If they want something to look fast or long they use Kms, if they want it to look short or slow its miles.
If they want something to look fast or long they use Kms, if they want it to look short or slow its miles.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Startedthe ride in Colwn Bay, this is Dingle way bridleway, horses riders dismount
Huge up and downs riding in from the coast
Then up a narrow bridleway that felt like it would never end
There were two calves stuck in the stream, no chance Im getting in there with them, all they had to do was turn around
Me chasing the cows, why do they always gather by the gate.
All that climbing was rewarded
Just around the corner were two women in a hilltop hoarders paradise, they were lovely, showing us the way and trying to sell us kittens
It was like a film studio props dept, dressed up mannequins, ancient horse buggies and traps and tons of general rubbish
And a pink convertible Morris Minor plonked on the hilltop
Huge desecnts began, a massive bang front my front brake and the pad seperator got sucked in to the disc, this keeps happening.
Conway, every tourist town says they have the smallest house
I made a real cheeky move after descing past the castle walls at 30 mph, tucked into a gap two foot longer than the bike
Dragons and castles
The coastal path, which runs the entire UK is so nolstalgic and simply beautiful here on a warm day.
We ignored the detour and ended up stuck in soft sand
Lllandudlo, one of the great Victorian seaside resorts
The Alice in Wonderland connection is based on the real life Alice who inspired it, Alice Liddell who was Carols best friends daughter ,who he befriended..cough..
They had a large holiday nearby and the great Orme is creatively suggested to be the zigzag path with the town as the chessboard.
Half of the people on the Orme were Indians, its such an Ironic change in the demographics of the UK that they are visiting the old Victorian resorts we have abandoned
for Spanish holidays, they do love taking pictures of their cars, and stopping to get out to do so was accepted by the queue.
That couple were looking at a photo they had taken of their car , they did photo the scenery as well.
But holy moly a lot of those Indian girls are absolutely stunning
The kids are lovely and always excited, calling out about the bike and running alongside
I know I'm generalising here, but its there to see as you ride around.
The descent is slightly insane and my previous brake episode curbed my confidence a bit.
This idiot took the tram path and then proceeded to coal roll the queue at the bottom with his diesel hot hatch doing a 50 yard burnout past them.
Huge up and downs riding in from the coast
Then up a narrow bridleway that felt like it would never end
There were two calves stuck in the stream, no chance Im getting in there with them, all they had to do was turn around
Me chasing the cows, why do they always gather by the gate.
All that climbing was rewarded
Just around the corner were two women in a hilltop hoarders paradise, they were lovely, showing us the way and trying to sell us kittens
It was like a film studio props dept, dressed up mannequins, ancient horse buggies and traps and tons of general rubbish
And a pink convertible Morris Minor plonked on the hilltop
Huge desecnts began, a massive bang front my front brake and the pad seperator got sucked in to the disc, this keeps happening.
Conway, every tourist town says they have the smallest house
I made a real cheeky move after descing past the castle walls at 30 mph, tucked into a gap two foot longer than the bike
Dragons and castles
The coastal path, which runs the entire UK is so nolstalgic and simply beautiful here on a warm day.
We ignored the detour and ended up stuck in soft sand
Lllandudlo, one of the great Victorian seaside resorts
The Alice in Wonderland connection is based on the real life Alice who inspired it, Alice Liddell who was Carols best friends daughter ,who he befriended..cough..
They had a large holiday nearby and the great Orme is creatively suggested to be the zigzag path with the town as the chessboard.
Half of the people on the Orme were Indians, its such an Ironic change in the demographics of the UK that they are visiting the old Victorian resorts we have abandoned
for Spanish holidays, they do love taking pictures of their cars, and stopping to get out to do so was accepted by the queue.
That couple were looking at a photo they had taken of their car , they did photo the scenery as well.
But holy moly a lot of those Indian girls are absolutely stunning
The kids are lovely and always excited, calling out about the bike and running alongside
I know I'm generalising here, but its there to see as you ride around.
The descent is slightly insane and my previous brake episode curbed my confidence a bit.
This idiot took the tram path and then proceeded to coal roll the queue at the bottom with his diesel hot hatch doing a 50 yard burnout past them.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Been to Llandudno. A gem of Wales!
The Irish use British wall sockets and drive on the left but at least express distances in kilometres (like Canada)
FWIW, the total for Tommy was 140 miles for last Tuesday.
Rás Cnoic
Hillrider a.k.a. The Apostle
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Dartmoor
but at least...
Was miles when growing up but always Celsius for some reason. Joined EEC in '73, same day as UK and gradually kilometers got added to signs. The National Speed change to metric only happened in Jan 2005, full kms ever since. Currency switched from the punt to euro around 2002 I think. Whereas generally Irish people talk in miles or kms I've noticed recently its definitely more kms and miles are dying out. Like my parents with Farenheit, never hear that anymore.
The 3 pin plug is considered one of the safest in the world, we adapted it in the 40s alongside Britain and keep it for safety reasons. Why bother changing? Same with driving, People drive on left all over in 75 countries, its widespread in Asia including Japan and India and in Africa with South Africa Kenya Zimbabwe etc and of course Australia and NZ, Supposedly it's safer & why change just because the Americans got it wrong?! They are not fans of the roundabout either I hear...
A pint is still a pint, but in the pub when ordering a whiskey (with or without the e) rest assured an Irish shot measurement is larger than UK equivalent. Dunno why.
Incidently the alcohol content in Guinness has remained the same for centuries. African/Nigerian is stronger because in the 1800s when transporting Guinness on long sea journeys and to hot climes they upped the alcohol content to preserve it in the casks, thats all. Later the formula changed again because of adding local cane sugar creating a richer sweeter flavour due to tarriffs(ha) stopping the import of sugar. Locals in Nigeria love that sweeter taste, supposedly reminds them of the traditional fermented cow's milk drink they like. I remember chatting to a Vienna barman in the early 90s who said Vienna was full of Serbian gangsters displaced by the war & you can spot these mafiosa drinking in the cafes because they love Iron Bru and vodka (rather then Red bull, all the rage at the time). Supposedly the gangsters loved the tough Scottish image of Iron Bru!! They also drank a lot of Guinness he said. Image is everything.
And no, there has never been a Government or otherwise clamp down in alcohol content in beers etc in Ireland, they are generally the same as in UK with same tax system on alcohol amounts and often sold in both markets in the same cans bottles etc. Donegal would not have more alcohol in beers! Because it's in the same country as the rest of Ireland and same rules.
Anyway you couldn't quietly sink several pints of the black stuff over a long winter evening of measured chat and storytelling in the pub if everyone was polluted after the first or second pint. Thats how we like it. The wife beater strong lagers like Stella in UK was a deliberate marketing campaign to increase alcohol content to seperate it from typical UK lagers of 4% and add to it's fake Belgian image despite it being a made up UK Brewery drink! Very successful marketing in the 80s/90s until the wife beater nickname wiped out profits.
Was miles when growing up but always Celsius for some reason. Joined EEC in '73, same day as UK and gradually kilometers got added to signs. The National Speed change to metric only happened in Jan 2005, full kms ever since. Currency switched from the punt to euro around 2002 I think. Whereas generally Irish people talk in miles or kms I've noticed recently its definitely more kms and miles are dying out. Like my parents with Farenheit, never hear that anymore.
The 3 pin plug is considered one of the safest in the world, we adapted it in the 40s alongside Britain and keep it for safety reasons. Why bother changing? Same with driving, People drive on left all over in 75 countries, its widespread in Asia including Japan and India and in Africa with South Africa Kenya Zimbabwe etc and of course Australia and NZ, Supposedly it's safer & why change just because the Americans got it wrong?! They are not fans of the roundabout either I hear...
A pint is still a pint, but in the pub when ordering a whiskey (with or without the e) rest assured an Irish shot measurement is larger than UK equivalent. Dunno why.
Incidently the alcohol content in Guinness has remained the same for centuries. African/Nigerian is stronger because in the 1800s when transporting Guinness on long sea journeys and to hot climes they upped the alcohol content to preserve it in the casks, thats all. Later the formula changed again because of adding local cane sugar creating a richer sweeter flavour due to tarriffs(ha) stopping the import of sugar. Locals in Nigeria love that sweeter taste, supposedly reminds them of the traditional fermented cow's milk drink they like. I remember chatting to a Vienna barman in the early 90s who said Vienna was full of Serbian gangsters displaced by the war & you can spot these mafiosa drinking in the cafes because they love Iron Bru and vodka (rather then Red bull, all the rage at the time). Supposedly the gangsters loved the tough Scottish image of Iron Bru!! They also drank a lot of Guinness he said. Image is everything.
And no, there has never been a Government or otherwise clamp down in alcohol content in beers etc in Ireland, they are generally the same as in UK with same tax system on alcohol amounts and often sold in both markets in the same cans bottles etc. Donegal would not have more alcohol in beers! Because it's in the same country as the rest of Ireland and same rules.
Anyway you couldn't quietly sink several pints of the black stuff over a long winter evening of measured chat and storytelling in the pub if everyone was polluted after the first or second pint. Thats how we like it. The wife beater strong lagers like Stella in UK was a deliberate marketing campaign to increase alcohol content to seperate it from typical UK lagers of 4% and add to it's fake Belgian image despite it being a made up UK Brewery drink! Very successful marketing in the 80s/90s until the wife beater nickname wiped out profits.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Thank you for your extremely interesting and educating post, Ras! 
I would like to make some comments, though.
Left-side driving would stay. It makes perfect sense on the Isles, why change? It is especially important because of the actual integration of Ireland and Norn Iron, no real border. (Well, Sweden could switch from the left to right hand driving overnight but the country is located on the continent).
Kilometres vs miles: I can remember how confused the satnav of our car was as we were crossing from Donegal to Derry (it had to adjust the road distances, the cruising speed and the speed limits!)
Alcohol: I could watch an interesting programme on alcohol in Ireland, and interacted with many Irish in the comments. The fact is the stronger alcohol is heavily taxed on the Emerald Island. I think 4.4% abv is the limit. Therefore, we have never had any stronger ale or stout during our latest Irish trip. A 0.7 l bottle of Captain Morgan Golden Rum cost a whopping €36 at an off-license in Kenmare while the same can cost as low as £14 in London. The Irish I corresponded with confirmed alcohol was cheaper in Donegal in the north while it was a way more expensive down there in the South. My correspondents even mentioned the "drunk trains" from Belfast to Dublin for stag parties!
And well, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout you mentioned is brewed in the Carribean or Nigeria or in Dublin but is unavailable in Ireland. (The UK is the only country I know of where the FES is available. The variety brewed in Ireland is the best, and I can attest it!) (L: Nigeria R: Ireland).
For your information: Poland does not tax the alcohol content in beer but the amount of malt used for brewing. You can even buy real "wife beaters" of 9% abv at a low price as all the malt/grain used for brewing had been totally fermented to alcohol! (I don't recommend it though. The strong lagers are popular among our foreign workforce when a casual Polish drinker is OK with the standard 5.6%).
The matter of wall sockets is highly debatable. I'd say Euro sockets are as safe as the British ones but are more compact, with often very slim plugs. When necessary, we use Euro 3-pin plug. Or, the ground is on the outer of the plug and the contacts are made inside the socket. For low power applications we just use two pins and nobody complains. Some countries such as Denmark add the kill-switch same as in the British variety. Do you know how to defeat the British wall socket so it fits the Euro 2-pin mini plug? Use a wooden coffee stirrer (a narrow stick). Push it all the way into the "ground" opening of the British socket and then the Euro 2-pin plug (such as an USB-C charger) gets into the two live openings (The need is the mother of invention, ask the Polish immigrants).
Don't get me started on double tap wash basins or monstrous shower batteries of the Isles, though
I would like to make some comments, though.Left-side driving would stay. It makes perfect sense on the Isles, why change? It is especially important because of the actual integration of Ireland and Norn Iron, no real border. (Well, Sweden could switch from the left to right hand driving overnight but the country is located on the continent).
Kilometres vs miles: I can remember how confused the satnav of our car was as we were crossing from Donegal to Derry (it had to adjust the road distances, the cruising speed and the speed limits!)
Alcohol: I could watch an interesting programme on alcohol in Ireland, and interacted with many Irish in the comments. The fact is the stronger alcohol is heavily taxed on the Emerald Island. I think 4.4% abv is the limit. Therefore, we have never had any stronger ale or stout during our latest Irish trip. A 0.7 l bottle of Captain Morgan Golden Rum cost a whopping €36 at an off-license in Kenmare while the same can cost as low as £14 in London. The Irish I corresponded with confirmed alcohol was cheaper in Donegal in the north while it was a way more expensive down there in the South. My correspondents even mentioned the "drunk trains" from Belfast to Dublin for stag parties!
And well, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout you mentioned is brewed in the Carribean or Nigeria or in Dublin but is unavailable in Ireland. (The UK is the only country I know of where the FES is available. The variety brewed in Ireland is the best, and I can attest it!) (L: Nigeria R: Ireland).
For your information: Poland does not tax the alcohol content in beer but the amount of malt used for brewing. You can even buy real "wife beaters" of 9% abv at a low price as all the malt/grain used for brewing had been totally fermented to alcohol! (I don't recommend it though. The strong lagers are popular among our foreign workforce when a casual Polish drinker is OK with the standard 5.6%).
The matter of wall sockets is highly debatable. I'd say Euro sockets are as safe as the British ones but are more compact, with often very slim plugs. When necessary, we use Euro 3-pin plug. Or, the ground is on the outer of the plug and the contacts are made inside the socket. For low power applications we just use two pins and nobody complains. Some countries such as Denmark add the kill-switch same as in the British variety. Do you know how to defeat the British wall socket so it fits the Euro 2-pin mini plug? Use a wooden coffee stirrer (a narrow stick). Push it all the way into the "ground" opening of the British socket and then the Euro 2-pin plug (such as an USB-C charger) gets into the two live openings
(The need is the mother of invention, ask the Polish immigrants).Don't get me started on double tap wash basins or monstrous shower batteries of the Isles, though
Last edited:
Rás Cnoic
Hillrider a.k.a. The Apostle
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Dartmoor
The tax system on alcohol in UK and Ireland uses the same system which historically has kept alcohol content low. But it's also the traditional popular choice. Donegal pricing is the same as other rural areas in the Republic. Traditionally Dublin pricing for a pint is the most expensive especially in tourist ghettos like the Temple Bar area. This is always discussed in rural pubs, but Donegal is no different to most other areas in that regard. The difference in price between the North is totally based on the Sterling/Euro currency exchange and the prices fluctuations each month. I always check the rate before driving over to see whether to fill up the car in Wales on way to ferry or in Waterford after we dock (Last couple of years both far too expensive like everywhere.) In terms of Whiskey vodka etc I havent noticed much difference between Devon UK and Ireland. Obviously if a particular brand or drink is rare it will be expensive but in general they are similar price. I know of nobody in Ireland who drinks Captain Morgan so perhaps its rare. Or that shop is paticularily pricy. Maybe Ireland is a bit dearer then UK due to small population. When we entered the Euro we could immediately compare like to like across the Eurozone and see where we pay more. An eye opener. For instance car insurance is astronomical in Ireland compared to UK. Think that is a small population thing.Thank you for your extremely interesting and educating post, Ras!
Left-side driving would stay. It makes perfect sense on the Isles, why change? It is especially important because of the actual integration of Ireland and Norn Iron, no real border. (Well, Sweden could switch from the left to right hand driving overnight but the country is located on the continent).
Kilometres vs miles: I can remember how confused the satnav of our car was as we were crossing from Donegal to Derry (it had to adjust the road distances, the cruising speed and the speed limits!)
Alcohol: I could watch an interesting programme on alcohol in Ireland, and interacted with many Irish in the comments. The fact is the stronger alcohol is heavily taxed on the Emerald Island. I think 4.4% abv is the limit. Therefore, we have never had any stronger ale or stout during our latest Irish trip. A 0.7 l bottle of Captain Morgan Golden Rum cost a whopping €36 at an off-license in Kenmare while the same can cost as low as £14 in London. The Irish I corresponded with confirmed alcohol was cheaper in Donegal in the north while it was a way more expensive down there in the South. My correspondents even mentioned the "drunk trains" from Belfast to Dublin for stag parties!
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And well, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout you mentioned is brewed in the Carribean or Nigeria or in Dublin but is unavailable in Ireland. (The UK is the only country I know of where the FES is available. The variety brewed in Ireland is the best, and I can attest it!) (L: Nigeria R: Ireland).
For your information: Poland does not tax the alcohol content in beer but the amount of malt used for brewing. You can even buy real "wife beaters" of 9% abv at a low price as all the malt/grain used for brewing had been totally fermented to alcohol! (I don't recommend it though. The strong lagers are popular among our foreign workforce when a casual Polish drinker is OK with the standard 5.6%).
The matter of wall sockets is highly debatable. I'd say Euro sockets are as safe as the British ones but are more compact, with often very slim plugs. When necessary, we use Euro 3-pin plug. Or, the ground is on the outer of the plug and the contacts are made inside the socket. For low power applications we just use two pins and nobody complains. Some countries such as Denmark add the kill-switch same as in the British variety. Do you know how to defeat the British wall socket so it fits the Euro 2-pin mini plug? Use a wooden coffee stirrer (a narrow stick). Push it all the way into the "ground" opening of the British socket and then the Euro 2-pin plug (such as an USB-C charger) gets into the two live openings
Don't get me started on double tap wash basins or monstrous shower batteries of the Isles, though
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
I drink very little alcohol, just by personal choice. Women take advantage of me, and I get too sleepy long before the fun begins.
;^}
But I love beer — especially pilsners — and found some pretty good 0.5% pilsners that work for me. German Clausthaler and Mexican Corona top my list now.
Since your countrymen seem generally OK with less alcohol in their drinks, how do they feel about non-alcoholic beer — not the dishwater, just the good stuff?
;^}
But I love beer — especially pilsners — and found some pretty good 0.5% pilsners that work for me. German Clausthaler and Mexican Corona top my list now.
Since your countrymen seem generally OK with less alcohol in their drinks, how do they feel about non-alcoholic beer — not the dishwater, just the good stuff?
