2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

monthly century ride

Did you say monthly? Oh, my. I wish I had your health, Lee...
You certainly deserve your Powerfly FS 9... Big KUDOS to you!

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

Did you say monthly? Oh, my. I wish I had your health, Lee...
You certainly deserve your Powerfly FS 9... Big KUDOS to you!

Yes, once a month is enough haha, does a body good!

 

[RabH]

@PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee Amazing effort there and 42% battery left after 103 miles is impressive indeed!

For many days the forecast for today was supposed to be dry until around 1pm but when I woke this morning I didn't like the look of the sky, checked the forecast again and it said rain around 9am...sigh! I thought about giving it a miss but I decided to chance it as I wanted to test my new gloves anyway, to say I was lucky (except for a puncture in the first 5 minutes) was an understatement! I think I had about 1 minute of rain the whole ride, of course I had to work hard to avoid it!

Lots of cyclists out today, I'm not the only crazy one! We currently have a 3 week lockdown in place but thankfully cycling is still allowed, we can actually cycle anywhere but we are not allowed to take a car or motorcycle out of the local area unless its absolutely eesential, they even passed a law to prevent it!

Not a good start with my new Schwalbe Marathon tyres, only 620 miles and a puncture already, the tiniest thorn ever which only just protruded through enough to deflate the inner tube! At least it happened right at the start of my ride while the sun was shining, I actually had a route planned in my head but the low winter sun was actually a nightmare so I changed my route instantly to avoid it, the first of many changes to my route! Another very enjoyable 50 miler, shame I didn't get to test my new gloves properly!

This was the theme of the day!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Yes, once a month is enough haha, does a body good!

@PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee, did you record your ride map? @Jerzy Bańkowski would like to see it if doable!

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

@PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee, did you record your ride map? @Jerzy Bańkowski would like to see it if doable!

No, I don't use the gps, don't like tracking!

 

[Art Deco]

@PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee Amazing effort there and 42% battery left after 103 miles is impressive indeed!

For many days the forecast for today was supposed to be dry until around 1pm but when I woke this morning I didn't like the look of the sky, checked the forecast again and it said rain around 9am...sigh! I thought about giving it a miss but I decided to chance it as I wanted to test my new gloves anyway, to say I was lucky (except for a puncture in the first 5 minutes) was an understatement! I think I had about 1 minute of rain the whole ride, of course I had to work hard to avoid it!

Lots of cyclists out today, I'm not the only crazy one! We currently have a 3 week lockdown in place but thankfully cycling is still allowed, we can actually cycle anywhere but we are not allowed to take a car or motorcycle out of the local area unless its absolutely eesential, they even passed a law to prevent it!

Not a good start with my new Schwalbe Marathon tyres, only 620 miles and a puncture already, the tiniest thorn ever which only just protruded through enough to deflate the inner tube! At least it happened right at the start of my ride while the sun was shining, I actually had a route planned in my head but the low winter sun was actually a nightmare so I changed my route instantly to avoid it, the first of many changes to my route! Another very enjoyable 50 miler, shame I didn't get to test my new gloves properly!

This was the theme of the day!

View attachment 72149

View attachment 72150

Looks like even the donkeys are wearing winter clothing.

 

[JeffC57]

What tires do you have Jeff? I was thinking of replacing the pathfinder 38s with something knobblier & 42 size for comfort- which I think is max size for Vado SL with mudguards/fenders. Been exploring rougher tracks and little used lanes recently and worried the terrain might rattle lose parts damage wheels etc.

I replaced my stock Pathfinders with these:

Hemisphere Armadillo Reflect

The Hemisphere Armadillo Reflect tire is a modern, versatile, and durable trekking tire with tough puncture protection and a bold tread that delivers co...

www.specialized.com

I stayed with 38s. For me, these tires rode a bit hard until I dropped the pressure to the minimum recommended 75 lbs.
Others have said that the Schwalbe Marathon E plus is a good off pavement tire which appears to have a similar tread pattern as the Hemisphere.

 

[Dewey]

Planting trees at the nature center

 

[Chargeride]

Visited a hilltop castle today , it was closed and after walking all the way up we had it to ourselves.
More importantly I was impressed it had Tesla chargers.

Amazing place with two castles, taking the bike in the week.

It was so weird, pandemic and you get a castle to yourself, if it wasnt for a few modern wiring and plumbing you could be in the 14th century.

Streamable Video

Watch this video on Streamable.

streamable.com

 

[reed scott]

Threw a vid together of me testing the fatbike, just love what it can do , practically unstoppable.
All speeded up of course or its boring, if you sailed straight out from the beach you would hit Ireland or maybe the Isle of Man on the way at 90 miles.

I'm bumping this for those who missed it. Really really worth watching.

 

[FlatSix911]

Just arrived in Carmel for our annual Family Thanksgiving and had to go for a ride... the weather and views of Point Lobos were great.

Carmel River Beach

Scenic ride on the Pacific Coast

 

[Sierratim]

Just arrived in Carmel for our annual Family Thanksgiving and had to go for a ride... the weather and view of Point Lobos were great.

View attachment 72236 View attachment 72237
Carmel River Beach
View attachment 72238 View attachment 72239
Scenic ride on the Pacific Coast
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I have fond memories of diving off Carmel River Beach!

Is your last pic of the the 'Copper Roof House', the FLW designed Clint Walker house?

 

[Rás Cnoic]

I replaced my stock Pathfinders with these:

Hemisphere Armadillo Reflect

The Hemisphere Armadillo Reflect tire is a modern, versatile, and durable trekking tire with tough puncture protection and a bold tread that delivers co...

www.specialized.com

I stayed with 38s. For me, these tires rode a bit hard until I dropped the pressure to the minimum recommended 75 lbs.
Others have said that the Schwalbe Marathon E plus is a good off pavement tire which appears to have a similar tread pattern as the Hemisphere.

Thanks Jeff those look interesting. I think in Jan I might try something more off-road then the pathfinders, though in fairness I’ve liked these so far on road. Still debating the size. But I’ll check both of those you mention. The other one that looks interesting & well reviewed is the Speccy Rhombus Pro 2Bliss 700x42. Especially with the winter mud we get here. As long as the 42 size fits my mudguards/frame, and looks like front will be fine but rear seat stays on the Vado SL looks a bit tight, but anyway I feel the extra cushioning from larger size would be good. We’ll see if they can fit. Hoping Santa is listening, not cheap changing tyres.

 

[FlatSix911]

I have fond memories of diving off Carmel River Beach!

Is your last pic of the the 'Copper Roof House', the FLW designed Clint Walker house?

Yes, you have a good eye for the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Mrs. Clint Walker house... a local landmark!

Clinton Walker House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Carmel, CA (tripsavvy.com)

Della Walker House - California | Frank Lloyd Wright Sites

 

[Sierratim]

Yes, you have a good eye for the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Mrs. Clint Walker house... a local landmark!

Clinton Walker House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Carmel, CA (tripsavvy.com)

Della Walker House - California | Frank Lloyd Wright Sites

View attachment 72309
View attachment 72310

A stunning location for a beautuful home. We were planning on making the one day a year open house this year, but COVID...

 

[reed scott]

A stunning location for a beautuful home. We were planning on making the one day a year open house this year, but COVID...

Wright was a truly great architect as well as an excellent engineer. His hotel in Tokyo was one of the only buildings left standing after the great Tokyo earthquake.

 

[Art Deco]

Also a FLW fan. Over here it's usually Fallingwater that is shown, but there are several around. I've toured it a couple of times.

Fallingwater Homepage - Fallingwater

Fallingwater Institute Educational Programs Check out the Fallingwater Institute’s 2024 programming, including our Saturday Classes Online and three-day Insight/Onsite workshop for professional architects and designers to discover and observe Fallingwater through group exercises, technical...

fallingwater.org

 

[Sierratim]

Also a FLW fan. Over here it's usually Fallingwater that is shown, but there are several around. I've toured it a couple of times.

Fallingwater Homepage - Fallingwater

Fallingwater Institute Educational Programs Check out the Fallingwater Institute’s 2024 programming, including our Saturday Classes Online and three-day Insight/Onsite workshop for professional architects and designers to discover and observe Fallingwater through group exercises, technical...

fallingwater.org

We try to tour a FLW project on each of our cycling trips. Year before last we rode the GAP trail starting in downtown Pittsburg. We toured the FLW Kentucky Knob home before the tour and Falling Water as a part of the tour; a twofer!

Attended the bidding of the FLW Circular Sun House in Phoenix, AZ a year ago October. My spouse-approved budget didn't win the bidding, but it was fun.

 

[Art Deco]

A word of warning about rehabing a FLW house ... the purchase price is just a down payment. Examples: the big concrete slab deck in Fallingwater that cost millions to rebuild, the in floor radiant heat under flagstone floors that need ripped up to repair the heat pipes. The really awfull kitchens. Bring money.
Also the folks that lived in Fallingwater called it "Rising Mildew" according to the tour guide.

 

[FlatSix911]

An interesting bit of FLW trivia... The Clinton Walker home is based on the Hexagonal design concept.

The house is built in Wright's Usonian style. It's 1,200 square feet in a single story, with a triangular foundation.
The floor plan is based on a hexagon, similar to the Hanna House in Palo Alto. The lines are low and horizontal.