2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter Saratoga Dave
- Start date
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Once again, another stellar ride with a blending of surroundings. Touching thoughts with respect to Alaskan too. Is it just me or does the image of that destroyer look like one of those RC scale models? Just a quirky observation.View attachment 149654
A lovely day for a ride and with the rest of the week looking wet it was time for another long one! I haven't been over the Forth Bridge for a while so I put that right today with perfect conditions for the time of year, no ice either so I was on the back roads again! I caught the morning sun lighting up the Ochil Hills from Longriggend, only a few miles from home!
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I enjoyed the quiet roads for a bit before reaching Shieldhill where I would have the awesome descent down into Falkirk, just over 40mph today and a closer view of the Ochil Hills!
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I passed through Falkirk which was fairly busy but didn't encounter any problems and I was now heading for the Kincardine Bridge, this is the view south of the Firth of Forth just before crossing the bridge with the oil refinery in the distance!
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This is the view north of the Clackmannanshire Bridge with the Ochils in view once again! Sadly the sun had now disappeared....
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After the bridge I took the cycle path to Culross where I passed a roadie on an uphill, I knew it wouldn't be long before he returned the favour as the hill flattened outI passed through all the villages with him just in front but I knew there was another climb coming, just before the climb he turned off...maybe he had a different route planned or didn't want me passing him again
I continued towards Rosyth on the busy main road, there are some paths here but they aren't in very good condition so I stuck to the smooth tarmac and didn't have any idiots causing problems thankfully! I passed through Rosyth where it would soon be time to turn south into Inverkeithing and over the Forth Road Bridge!
On the road bridge with the iconinc rail bridge in full view!
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I then spotted one of our Royal Navy ships being escorted under the bridges, it was my lucky day!
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It was travelling painfully slow but I wasn't going to pass up on the opportunity to get a proper photo of HMS Destroyer! Info on the ship! https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-or...ng-arms/surface-fleet/destroyers/hms-defender
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I'm sad that Richard (Alaskan) isn't here to see this as I know he was an avid Mariner and would have loved these photos! I'm sure he is keeping an eye on the forums from above....
The last views of the bridges as I headed for home!
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The rail bridge was opened in 1890, the old road bridge opened in 1964 and the new road bridge known as the Queensferry crossing was opened in 2017! 3 different centuries and I'm almost certain there aren't any other bridges built in the same spot spanning 3 centuries and still in use!
I was now on the main road to Linlithgow but once again despite being busy I had no incidents of note and was buzzing from seeing the Navy ship passing right underneath me, I passed through Linlithgow and was soon back on the quiet roads and looking forward to getting home now and having a lovely hot shower! I passed through the village of Standburn and enjoyed the big descent down into the valley below!
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After this I had a brute of a climb out of the valley and was now on the road to Avonbridge, not content with that climb I decided to then take the climb up to Heights which is another brute but I had lots of battery power left after getting 50 miles from my first one so cranked the assist up and sailed up the climb!
The top of the climb!
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Another lovely descent now down into Blackridge and a straight road home from there, what a fantastic ride that was!I have no idea when the next one will be but I'm on a high after this one and I'm only 50 miles away from 1000 miles for the year so I hope it won't be too long...
BlackHand
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Western WA
I had the same thought. Looks almost like a well made diorama photo.Once again, another stellar ride with a blending of surroundings. Touching thoughts with respect to Alaskan too. Is it just me or does the image of that destroyer look like one of those RC scale models? Just a quirky observation.
I think most of us still expect destroyers to look more like the previous iteration of the Defender where there is a lot more visible armament and structures to give an easier sense of scale.
Fun fact I read while looking up this picture: when the above Defender was decommissioned in 1969, they used it for target practice in the Firth of Forth - the same waters the current Defender just sailed through.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
It’s hard to distinguish the replicas from the real McCoy at first glance until they're revealed in a true to scale setting. The level of detail that model makers put into their builds is incredible.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
My Club buddies were teasing me on the train to Skierniewice:
-- 'How many layers of clothing are you wearing Stefan?' -- 'Just one. Plus the jacket".
-- 'Have you brought your winter helmet?' -- "No, it's the summer one".
-- 'Will you wear goggles?' -- 'Why should I? It's warm enough!'
Friends, the Sunday weather was just gorgeous! If not slightly cold wind, that would be a real Spring!
That was a huge group! 35 people in the photo, then around 15 more people from Łódź arrived just afterwards!
Three groups of riders formed soon: The Performance Group, The Normal Group, and the Coolest Group (the latter formed from a rookie girl, my buddy Tomek who is a kind and a responsible person, and myself). I was told by the ride leader to close the rear, and I was doing it duly!
I'm never in hurry, that's the point.If you are interested, the Performance Group completed the 99 km gravel ride in 3 h 26 mins, that is, at the average speed of 28.4 km/h.
As we were lazily pedalling with the girl Jagoda (the name means Berry), Tomek rushed forward just to be stopped with the crank that fell off... He temporarily repaired it and then calmly continued the ride with our Coolest Group
There's a picturesque crossing of a tiny river Rokita over a steel footbridge. Gravel bikes with a drivetrain good for the plains are not that good as a Vado 6.0 with 1x11 drivetrain for those little climbs though
Unlike the Kampinos National Park, which basically is the domain of MTB and XC bikes, the Bolimów Landscape Park is the paradise for the gravel cyclists. There are numerous "gravel bike freeways" there. Here, one of the most beautiful segments. (I turned Turbo on to gain the distance from my mates, so I could take the pictures there).
At the Bolimów Lake. The only proof I was on that ride!
Crossing River Rawka over a wooden footbridge.
The crank fell off Tomek's bike again! (I advised him to replace the bottom bracket with a more modern type).
Gravel group rides are unpredictable. The Normal Group had to stop to help one wretch to repair a flat on his wheel, and they lost half an hour for that. Meanwhile, The Coolest Group could reach the town of Bolimów. (Later, the Normal Group could easily overtake us).
Bad luck! My Vado was struck by a (little) disaster, too. One of the screws supporting the rear fender fell out, and my rear wheel could get punctured by it! I stopped immediately, put the bike upside down, removed the rear wheel and removed the offending screw (had no tool to fix it). The whole operation took me over 21 minutes, and that meant I lost any chance to catch up with any group anymore. Just behind the corner, I had to stop again as the fresh battery had a bad contact with the e-bike...
To my surprise, I eventually caught up with Tomek and Jagoda near to Skierniewice Rawka train stop. Tomek gave up fixing the crank, and Jagoda had experienced an unpleasant crash. The inner tube of her bike's front wheel exploded on a curb, and the poor girl crashed on the pavement herself. I fare them well, then continued my ride.
Enjoying ice-cream and hot coffee at the Land of Ice in Skierniewice. Then, I had 15 km more to go!
The formal finish line. The monument is called "Before the Battle of Warsaw 1920". The people there are (L to R): Charles de Gaulle (FR), Józef Piłsudski (PL), Pal Tekiely (HU), and Simon Petlura (UA), or four statesmen who actively fought Bolshevism.
As for me, I rode for 6.5 km more to the bike-friendly Skierniewice Rawka station to learn my return train was just arriving
Ride Map. There were three distinctive loops there.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Off to see my dad again, to rebuild his greenhouse .
Im going to try and visit where I grew up, a place called Rock in Cornwall, its a few hours away, but I'll actually do a proper ride about.
.Im going to try and visit where I grew up, a place called Rock in Cornwall, its a few hours away, but I'll actually do a proper ride about.
RabH
Well-Known Member
Yes it was pretty calm, I made the mistake of crossing it on a windy day once and would never do it again as I have never been so terrified in my life
I was controlling it with my phone...Once again, another stellar ride with a blending of surroundings. Touching thoughts with respect to Alaskan too. Is it just me or does the image of that destroyer look like one of those RC scale models? Just a quirky observation.
Yeah, they sure looked more menacing back then!
They really are incredibly life like, the detail is just mind blowing!
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Dont let them mock you Stefan.View attachment 149737
My Club buddies were teasing me on the the train to Skierniewice:
-- 'How many layers of clothing are you wearing Stefan?' -- 'Just one. Plus the jacket".
-- 'Have you brought your winter helmet?' -- "No, it's the summer one".
-- 'Will you wear goggles?' -- 'Why should I? It's warm enough!'
Friends, the Sunday weather was just gorgeous! If not slightly cold wind, that would be a real Spring!
View attachment 149738
That was a huge group! 35 people in the photo, then around 15 more people from Łódź arrived just afterwards!
Three groups of riders formed soon: The Performance Group, The Normal Group, and the Coolest Group (the latter formed from a rookie girl, my buddy Tomek who is a kind and a responsible person, and myself). I was told by the ride leader to close the rear, and I was doing it duly!
If you are interested, the Performance Group completed the 99 km gravel ride in 3 h 26 mins, that is, at the average speed of 28.4 km/h.
View attachment 149739
As we were lazily pedalling with the girl Jagoda (the name means Berry), Tomek rushed forward just to be stopped with the crank that fell off... He temporarily repaired it and then calmly continued the ride with our Coolest Group
View attachment 149740
There's a picturesque crossing of a tiny river Rokita over a steel footbridge. Gravel bikes with a drivetrain good for the plains are not that good as a Vado 6.0 with 1x11 drivetrain for those little climbs though
View attachment 149741
Unlike the Kampinos National Park, which basically is the domain of MTB and XC bikes, the Bolimów Landscape Park is the paradise for the gravel cyclists. There are numerous "gravel bike freeways" there. Here, one of the most beautiful segments. (I turned Turbo on to gain the distance from my mates, so I could take the pictures there).
View attachment 149742
At the Bolimów Lake. The only proof I was on that ride!
View attachment 149743
Crossing River Rawka over a wooden footbridge.
View attachment 149748
The crank fell off Tomek's bike again! (I advised him to replace the bottom bracket with a more modern type).
View attachment 149749
Gravel group rides are unpredictable. The Normal Group had to stop to help one wretch to repair a flat on his wheel, and they lost half an hour for that. Meanwhile, The Coolest Group could reach the town of Bolimów. (Later, the Normal Group could easily overtake us).
View attachment 149750
Bad luck! My Vado was struck by a (little) disaster, too. One of the screws supporting the rear fender fell out, and my rear wheel could get punctured by it! I stopped immediately, put the bike upside down, removed the rear wheel and removed the offending screw (had no tool to fix it). The whole operation took me over 21 minutes, and that meant I lost any chance to catch up with any group anymore. Just behind the corner, I had to stop again as the fresh battery had a bad contact with the e-bike...
To my surprise, I eventually caught up with Tomek and Jagoda near to Skierniewice Rawka train stop. Tomek gave up fixing the crank, and Jagoda had experienced an unpleasant crash. The inner tube of her bike's front wheel exploded on a curb, and the poor girl crashed on the pavement herself. I fare them well, then continued my ride.
View attachment 149751
Enjoying ice-cream and hot coffee at the Land of Ice in Skierniewice. Then, I had 15 km more to go!
View attachment 149752
The formal finish line. The monument is called "Before the Battle of Warsaw 1920". The people there are (L to R): Charles de Gaulle (FR), Józef Piłsudski (PL), Pal Tekiely (HU), and Simon Petlura (UA), or four statesmen who actively fought Bolshevism.
As for me, I rode for 6.5 km more to the bike-friendly Skierniewice Rawka station to learn my return train was just arriving
View attachment 149753
Ride Map. There were three distinctive loops there.
There is nothing wrong with going out prepared for an asteroid strike
Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
The best defense is a good offense. Good move declaring yourselves the Coolest Group. The Performance group will always be wondering what kind of party they're missing back there, and if they'll ever be cool enough to get in.View attachment 149737
My Club buddies were teasing me on the the train to Skierniewice:
-- 'How many layers of clothing are you wearing Stefan?' -- 'Just one. Plus the jacket".
-- 'Have you brought your winter helmet?' -- "No, it's the summer one".
-- 'Will you wear goggles?' -- 'Why should I? It's warm enough!'
Friends, the Sunday weather was just gorgeous! If not slightly cold wind, that would be a real Spring!
View attachment 149738
That was a huge group! 35 people in the photo, then around 15 more people from Łódź arrived just afterwards!
Three groups of riders formed soon: The Performance Group, The Normal Group, and the Coolest Group (the latter formed from a rookie girl, my buddy Tomek who is a kind and a responsible person, and myself). I was told by the ride leader to close the rear, and I was doing it duly!
If you are interested, the Performance Group completed the 99 km gravel ride in 3 h 26 mins, that is, at the average speed of 28.4 km/h.
View attachment 149739
As we were lazily pedalling with the girl Jagoda (the name means Berry), Tomek rushed forward just to be stopped with the crank that fell off... He temporarily repaired it and then calmly continued the ride with our Coolest Group
View attachment 149740
There's a picturesque crossing of a tiny river Rokita over a steel footbridge. Gravel bikes with a drivetrain good for the plains are not that good as a Vado 6.0 with 1x11 drivetrain for those little climbs though
View attachment 149741
Unlike the Kampinos National Park, which basically is the domain of MTB and XC bikes, the Bolimów Landscape Park is the paradise for the gravel cyclists. There are numerous "gravel bike freeways" there. Here, one of the most beautiful segments. (I turned Turbo on to gain the distance from my mates, so I could take the pictures there).
View attachment 149742
At the Bolimów Lake. The only proof I was on that ride!
View attachment 149743
Crossing River Rawka over a wooden footbridge.
View attachment 149748
The crank fell off Tomek's bike again! (I advised him to replace the bottom bracket with a more modern type).
View attachment 149749
Gravel group rides are unpredictable. The Normal Group had to stop to help one wretch to repair a flat on his wheel, and they lost half an hour for that. Meanwhile, The Coolest Group could reach the town of Bolimów. (Later, the Normal Group could easily overtake us).
View attachment 149750
Bad luck! My Vado was struck by a (little) disaster, too. One of the screws supporting the rear fender fell out, and my rear wheel could get punctured by it! I stopped immediately, put the bike upside down, removed the rear wheel and removed the offending screw (had no tool to fix it). The whole operation took me over 21 minutes, and that meant I lost any chance to catch up with any group anymore. Just behind the corner, I had to stop again as the fresh battery had a bad contact with the e-bike...
To my surprise, I eventually caught up with Tomek and Jagoda near to Skierniewice Rawka train stop. Tomek gave up fixing the crank, and Jagoda had experienced an unpleasant crash. The inner tube of her bike's front wheel exploded on a curb, and the poor girl crashed on the pavement herself. I fare them well, then continued my ride.
View attachment 149751
Enjoying ice-cream and hot coffee at the Land of Ice in Skierniewice. Then, I had 15 km more to go!
View attachment 149752
The formal finish line. The monument is called "Before the Battle of Warsaw 1920". The people there are (L to R): Charles de Gaulle (FR), Józef Piłsudski (PL), Pal Tekiely (HU), and Simon Petlura (UA), or four statesmen who actively fought Bolshevism.
As for me, I rode for 6.5 km more to the bike-friendly Skierniewice Rawka station to learn my return train was just arriving
G
Ride Map. There were three distinctive loops there.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
It's been already decided. I feel cool in the Coolest Group
The more people come to group rides, the more people will fall behind and join the Coolest Although too slow ride is tiring on an e-bike. My system allows me precise adjustment of the assistance with button pushes on the remote. I started with 30% assistance with full motor peak power available. It was depressing to click Down, Down, and Down to slow my Vado down; yet was encouraging to see the growing battery range
Me crossing the River Rokita. The two other people were waiting at the other end of the footbridge and taking pictures. I yelled "Give me SPACE!" then I rolled between them and -- with full momentum -- I climbed the other edge of the crevice
Viking1
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- USA RV Living Full Time. Home is where we park it.
No bikes today, but we did tour the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Very neat facility and only about 30 miles from our RV spot in Galveston Island. Also some shots of Mission Control from the Apollo program.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Found this today on reddit ebikes.
Pretty sure this will become more widespread and might migrate to cars.
Pretty sure this will become more widespread and might migrate to cars.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
The ‘Wookie’ and I slipped out for another ride today just before lunch as the weather was idyllic. It won’t be long before conditions will start to deteriorate to a point where the trails will become slimy ruts. Hopefully, it won’t be long before we’re able to start road riding once again even if it means rolling on gravel tires.
Hold that thought….this is what conditions were like on almost exactly the same date a year ago. If I recall correctly, I had to wait almost until the end of April before the seasonal tire swap.
Hold that thought….this is what conditions were like on almost exactly the same date a year ago. If I recall correctly, I had to wait almost until the end of April before the seasonal tire swap.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
SASQUATCH BREEDING AREA.
Hahaha!
Hahaha!
Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
CAUTION, SASQUATCH BREEDING AREA, eh?
I get that it's probably not a good idea to disturb them in the act. But that may not be the worst of it. How picky do you reckon they are about just breeding with other sasquatches?
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
I dunno about you, but when it comes to a menage a Squatch, I'm out...
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
I don’t know how selective the creatures are but if a suitable mate can’t be found the trails are conveniently located on lands where an operational horse ranch is located. Could the Heritage Ranch be harboring something more ominous than just domesticated equines? The plot thickens.
I may have to apply one of these to the Norco.
Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
If I had 10 laughing emojis to give, that would've gotten 11.
Just noticed the sign's bottom line. Looks like menage a Squatch is definitely on the table. And now the Squatch-curious know exactly what to do.
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
I suspect that table may require reinforcement!
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
My dad said the greenhouse had collapsed, I thought he was exaggerating
