2020 : Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[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.

 

[Babs]

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos of houses by the sea. I'm not envious because I know that owning a house by the sea is most unlikely to happen in my lifetime but, with the assistance of my ebike, I have been able to follow coastal cycling and walking paths. Here's a favourite.

This wonderful over-water boardwalk in Narooma, New South Wales, hardly required an ebike; however, the track over the headland to the next inlet most certainly did!

 

[Akrotiri]

Today I stayed in town completing errands all morning and with little daylight left I had little time for my usual longer tours so I decided to stay in the main town and cruise around some sites I rarely visit.
Entrance to the main gardens. The gargoyles adjacent to my ebike are re-creations of the Chios Sphinx, was common on the ancient coins and statues found in this region going back over 2 millennia. It’s used on the island flag and official municipal documents and buildings to this day.

Western wall of the mostly intact and with people still residing inside the 10th century Byzantine castle constructed during the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Leo“The Wise”. Remains of castle moat in background

More sections of the western facing wall

Main entrance with original doors still intact

More of the moat

Once inside after passing the front entrance

Once inside and reaching the main square. Now populated by trendy restaurants and cafes would normally be busy but currently the country is in COVID lockdown

The Eastern Roman Empire was officially after the great schism and the fall of the Latin western Roman Empire to German tribes the continuation of the Roman Empire. This surviving buildings architecture is testament to that as it is constructed in the Republican Rome style quite clearly. It’s only 1100 years old but wouldn’t be out of place in the Ancient Roman forum in Rome. Nearly identical to the surviving Roman senate building in Capitoline hill today. Within the ERE borders it was known as such, simply the Roman Empire; outside it’s borders it was known as Imperium Graecorum “Empire of the Greeks”

Typical residential road with homes within the castle with some still in use today. There are more interesting sites on the northern section of the castle but it involves many steps and ancient ramparts that would involve me either locking and parking my bike or carrying it up staircases converting my bike tour into a walking one. So I stopped here and turned back.

The main port next to the castle. This port was invaded by ancient Greek General and leader of the Corinthian league Alexander the Great in the early 4th century BCE due to the Greeks of Chios not being a member of the league. They surrendered to Alexander without resistance and accepted his rule. This led to Alexander’s “ letter to the Chian Greeks” which outlined the terms of the treaty and what they would contribute to his war effort onwards to the Achaemenid Empire in Persia. This bronze artifact still exists and is part of the main exhibit and attraction at the Chios Archaelogical Museum. It is the only known surviving artifact in the world with Alexander the Great’s handwriting due to his signature appearing on the treaty.
More recent history of the port is when Christopher Columbus moored here and lived on the island for two years and recruited local sailors and maps before his voyage to the new world.
During World war 2 the port was repeatedly bombed by the British Royal Airforce because of its use by the German navy during the Nazi German occupation of the island.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Today I stayed in town completing errands all morning and with little daylight left I had little time for my usual longer tours so I decided to stay in the main town and cruise around some sites I rarely visit.
Entrance to the main gardens. The gargoyles adjacent to my ebike are re-creations of the Chios Sphinx, was common on the ancient coins and statues found in this region going back over 2 millennia. It’s used on the island flag and official municipal documents and buildings to this day.

What an interesting ride report!

 

[Art Deco]

Today I stayed in town completing errands all morning and with little daylight left I had little time for my usual longer tours so I decided to stay in the main town and cruise around some sites I rarely visit.
Entrance to the main gardens. The gargoyles adjacent to my ebike are re-creations of the Chios Sphinx, was common on the ancient coins and statues found in this region going back over 2 millennia. It’s used on the island flag and official municipal documents and buildings to this day.
View attachment 72379
Western wall of the mostly intact and with people still residing inside the 10th century Byzantine castle constructed during the reign of Eastern Roman Emperor Leo“The Wise”. Remains of castle moat in background
View attachment 72380
More sections of the western facing wall
View attachment 72381View attachment 72382
Main entrance with original doors still intact
View attachment 72383View attachment 72384
More of the moat
View attachment 72385
Once inside after passing the front entrance
View attachment 72387View attachment 72388
Once inside and reaching the main square. Now populated by trendy restaurants and cafes would normally be busy but currently the country is in COVID lockdown
View attachment 72389
The Eastern Roman Empire was officially after the great schism and the fall of the Latin western Roman Empire to German tribes the continuation of the Roman Empire. This surviving buildings architecture is testament to that as it is constructed in the Republican Rome style quite clearly. It’s only 1100 years old but wouldn’t be out of place in the Ancient Roman forum in Rome. Nearly identical to the surviving Roman senate building in Capitoline hill today. Within the ERE borders it was known as such, simply the Roman Empire; outside it’s borders it was known as Imperium Graecorum “Empire of the Greeks”
View attachment 72390View attachment 72391
Typical residential road with homes within the castle with some still in use today. There are more interesting sites on the northern section of the castle but it involves many steps and ancient ramparts that would involve me either locking and parking my bike or carrying it up staircases converting my bike tour into a walking one. So I stopped here and turned back.
View attachment 72392
The main port next to the castle. This port was invaded by ancient Greek General and leader of the Corinthian league Alexander the Great in the early 4th century due to the Greeks of Chios not being a member of the league. They surrendered to Alexander without resistance and accepted his rule. This led to Alexander’s “ letter to the Chian Greeks” which outlined the terms of the treaty and what they would contribute to his war effort onwards to the Achaemenid Empire in Persia. This bronze artifact still exists and is the part of the main exhibit and attraction at the Chios Archaelogical Museum. It is the only known surviving artifact in the world with Alexander the Great’s handwriting due to his signature appearing on the treaty.
More recent history of the port is when Christopher Columbus moored here and lived on the island for two years and recruited local sailors and maps before his voyage to the new world.
During World war 2 the port was repeatedly bombed by the British Royal Airforce because of its use by the German navy during the Nazi German occupation of the island.
View attachment 72393View attachment 72394

Thanks for this post. I have Greece on my bucket list, and have had for decades. Something always comes up to interfere, but I will make it over there.

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

unplugged for the afternoon 21.9 mph headwind, grrrr, hahaha

 

[jabberwocky]

This past saturday, my wife and I met up with readytoride at her farm and went for a lovely loop around southwest Loudoun. I don't think anyone took pics because we were all too busy chatting. The ladies were kind enough to wait on me as necessary (I was the only one not on an ebike, which made our paces... somewhat disparate, especially uphill). Lovely day to be out!

As a relative newcomer to Loudoun, it was pretty fascinating to listen to readytoride give us an abbreviated-yet-expansive history of some of the properties out there! For anyone wondering, shes even more entertaining in person than she is on the forum.

 

[Art Deco]

Never underestimate the value of a good guide

 

[FlatSix911]

Rode to the top of Jack's Peak in Monterey this afternoon... elevation gain of 1,670 ft with max speed descending at 39.8 mph.
The fog is starting to roll in over Monterey Bay in the distance.

 

[Babs]

Sunset or sunrise? I ride along the east coast, so this image was made early in the morning which, at this time of year, is decidedly the best time of day to be out. The four-legged swimmer seems to agree!

As is so often the case on my rides, to take the photo I had only to stop with my ebike propped against the cycleway safety barrier. Careful though, safety rails aren't always there!

Keep calm and ride an ebike!

 

[FlatSix911]

Beautiful... Black and White photos are always timeless.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Took to the local trails once again and managed to put a video together of my non-powered ride several days ago. I’m a virtual newbie when it comes to tech so please go easy on me. Also seemed to have lost some video quality during the upload. It was -14C that morning but it was such a joy having the warmth of the sun overhead.

 

[RabH]

@Prairie Dog Cool video, well freezing actually Looks like a stunning place for a ride, studded tyres are a must for that terrain!

Another day of rain shower avoidance but a very enjoyable 36 miles around the quiet back roads, loved every minute! At least the winds had calmed down today so only 1 battery required, it makes quite a difference not to have to battle 30-40mph winds! Tomorrow and Friday are looking promising so hopefully another couple of rides coming up, I only need another 280 miles to hit 6,000 for the year, hopefully December will be kind to me! I never imagined I would be doing these kind of mileages in my 60's, all thanks to an amazing e bike of course!

 

[RandallS]

Yesterday's "small" group ride in Calgary with myself and fellow EBR member Louis @LouLouLePew .
We had reasonable weather courtesy of a Chinook wind, but of course that means there's a wind...which we rode straight into for a third of the ride.

Louis was taking his first ride on his new MY21 Giant Explore E+1 Pro STA.
The bike has a Suntour NCX suspension seat post as well as studded tires, so was prepped well for the conditions.

Note the facial expression... the photo location is pretty common for my rides.



Apparently it was an appropriate facial expression, but I must admit it's my usual one when out on my Fathom.

Our route was westwards along the Nose Creek pathway system, into the residential areas of Hidden Valley, MacEwan Glen then Edgemont before venturing onto Nose Hill Park.
This was all on multi use paved pathways, which included several tunnels below major roadways.
On our eastward exit from the park, we rode a MUP between the communities of Beddington and Hunting Hills.



On Nose Hill Park itself, we rode the paved and unpaved wide pathways (both clear and snow and ice covered) , as well as some single and dual track trails (mostly snow covered).
Louis zoomed right along - his narrower tires with studs really gripped and my original concerns on taking us to "non-suitable" areas went away.
We did however, stick to the flatter stuff for the most part - as this was a maiden voyage for the Explore Pro and it's Pilot.

Hopefully the next time we do a group ride, a few more regional members @Prairie Dog and @Twin Valley can join in, but I should probably provide better notice next time!
We need a videographer so @Prairie Dog is nominated!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Yesterday's "small" group ride in Calgary with myself and fellow EBR member Louis @LouLouLePew .
We had reasonable weather courtesy of a Chinook wind, but of course that means there's a wind...which we rode straight into for a third of the ride.

Louis was taking his first ride on his new MY21 Giant Explore E+1 Pro STA.
The bike has a Suntour NCX suspension seat post as well as studded tires, so was prepped well for the conditions.

Note the facial expression... the photo location is pretty common for my rides.

View attachment 72514

Apparently it was an appropriate facial expression, but I must admit it's my usual one when out on my Fathom.
View attachment 72516
Our route was westwards along the Nose Creek pathway system, into the residential areas of Hidden Valley, MacEwan Glen then Edgemont before venturing onto Nose Hill Park.
This was all on multi use paved pathways, which included several tunnels below major roadways.
On our eastward exit from the park, we rode a MUP between the communities of Beddington and Hunting Hills.

View attachment 72515

On Nose Hill Park itself, we rode the paved and unpaved wide pathways (both clear and snow and ice covered) , as well as some single and dual track trails (mostly snow covered).
Louis zoomed right along - his narrower tires with studs really gripped and my original concerns on taking us to "non-suitable" areas went away.
We did however, stick to the flatter stuff for the most part - as this was a maiden voyage for the Explore Pro and it's Pilot.

Hopefully the next time we do a group ride, a few more regional members @Prairie Dog and @Twin Valley can join in, but I should probably provide better notice next time!
We need a videographer so @Prairie Dog is nominated!

Looks like another great outing on the bikes, guys! More prime weather is expected for the remainder of the week/weekend so I guess we'll have to make the most of it. Expect that it will be quite toasty in Calgary/Okotoks.
Btw, nice bike Louis!

I'll have to try and make it down for a regional meetup one of these days though I might have a hard time keeping up with the three of you on my current set of wheels.

 

[Sierratim]

Yesterday's "small" group ride in Calgary with myself and fellow EBR member Louis @LouLouLePew .
We had reasonable weather courtesy of a Chinook wind, but of course that means there's a wind...which we rode straight into for a third of the ride.

Louis was taking his first ride on his new MY21 Giant Explore E+1 Pro STA.
The bike has a Suntour NCX suspension seat post as well as studded tires, so was prepped well for the conditions.

Note the facial expression... the photo location is pretty common for my rides.

View attachment 72514

Apparently it was an appropriate facial expression, but I must admit it's my usual one when out on my Fathom.
View attachment 72516
Our route was westwards along the Nose Creek pathway system, into the residential areas of Hidden Valley, MacEwan Glen then Edgemont before venturing onto Nose Hill Park.
This was all on multi use paved pathways, which included several tunnels below major roadways.
On our eastward exit from the park, we rode a MUP between the communities of Beddington and Hunting Hills.

View attachment 72515

On Nose Hill Park itself, we rode the paved and unpaved wide pathways (both clear and snow and ice covered) , as well as some single and dual track trails (mostly snow covered).
Louis zoomed right along - his narrower tires with studs really gripped and my original concerns on taking us to "non-suitable" areas went away.
We did however, stick to the flatter stuff for the most part - as this was a maiden voyage for the Explore Pro and it's Pilot.

Hopefully the next time we do a group ride, a few more regional members @Prairie Dog and @Twin Valley can join in, but I should probably provide better notice next time!
We need a videographer so @Prairie Dog is nominated!

Reminds me an old joke. Paraphrasing here;

"How do you tell a happy cyclist?
.
.
.
.
...By the bugs in his teeth!"

 

[Prairie Dog]

@RabH - Cool video, well freezing actually Looks like a stunning place for a ride, studded tyres are a must for that terrain!

We've had decent snow over the past several weeks that combined with lower than average temperatures keep the surrounding landscape looking relatively pristine. On a day like this, I don't think that I would rather be anywhere else.

That being said, it's always a treat to view photo/trip submissions from other members and yours are no exception. Look forward to your next ride.

 

[FlatSix911]

Afternoon ride from Carmel along the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach

 

[Chargeride]

unplugged for the afternoon 21.9 mph headwind, grrrr, hahaha

View attachment 72411

Unplugged, my legs ached watching it.

 

[RabH]

I thought my ride was going to be scuppered today as we had thick fog at first, I don't do fog! Thankfully the fog eventually cleared (only to return but it wasn't as bad) and I had another very enjoyable ride! It was just above freezing but didn't feel that cold as there was very little wind, perfect cycling conditions actually! Light winds again tomorrow so hopefully another nice ride is in store!

These cows were staring me down, they were thinking @he better not come up this way or else!