JGcycle
Two-Wheeled Shaker
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Saint John
I watched from beginning to end, in full screen mode. It was mesmerizing, like actually being there amongst that stunning scenery. Thanks for this wonderful video.
2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter Saratoga Dave
- Start date
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Thats quite obviously gorgeous, I did a bit of road work today in the warm blustery wind, I admit it was very nice on the empty coastal roads.
Im not buying a roadbike though!
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Did a 15m loop from a tiny village called East Prawle, storm Agnes is about to hit and ended up on this simply perfect bridle path next to the cliffs.
Ive just found this local 50s newspaper in my dads
.
Ive just found this local 50s newspaper in my dads
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Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Thanks JG. This is a classic route that should be on the list for anyone who loves to cycle along scenic roads at their own pace and you don’t have to start in Canmore to do it. It’s a pretty casual ride but due to our late start we didn’t allow ourselves sufficient time to stop at many of the POIs along the way. We got back into Canmore after 6pm and drove the 2 ½ hrs back so it was dark by the time we arrived home. For a more adventurous spin, one could combine the Goat Creek MTB Trail from Canmore and cycle the remainder of the distance to Banff along the paved Legacy.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I need to tell you a story of today! 
Jacek was demo riding two Marin pedal gravel bikes today. One was a flat bar and the other had drop bars. While he was greeted by roadies passing him by when he rode the flat bar Marin, he was treated as their own when he was trying the drop bar gravel bike
Now, you may understand my sudden interest with traditional gravel bikes. I hate being excluded just because I am an e-biker!!! And I want to complete the Mazovian Gravel 100 race in 2024 and take a place! Even the last one!
A photo sent me by a gravel cycling buddy
Jacek was demo riding two Marin pedal gravel bikes today. One was a flat bar and the other had drop bars. While he was greeted by roadies passing him by when he rode the flat bar Marin, he was treated as their own when he was trying the drop bar gravel bike
Now, you may understand my sudden interest with traditional gravel bikes. I hate being excluded just because I am an e-biker!!!
And I want to complete the Mazovian Gravel 100 race in 2024 and take a place! Even the last one! A photo sent me by a gravel cycling buddy
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RabH
Well-Known Member
I caught a break in our crazy weather today, lots of floods around but thankfully they have subsided after yesterdays thunderstorms! Wet roads again but I was just glad to get out and enjoy some fresh air! I decided to head down to the Clyde Valley hoping the roads would be ok, which they were! Yesterday we had 45mph winds but today it was much calmer, the winds are returning again tomorrow!
The first big climb of the day was up to Kirk of Shotts!
Quickly followed by an awesome descent down to Allanton, this road is liable to flooding and not surprisingly it was but it was only across 2/3 of the road and just as I was passing over the shallow part a car came round the corner so I had to turn back to the deeper part, just typical...
I went through Allanton and took the back road towards Carluke where the sun was actually trying to peek through!I was close to Carluke when I spotted these lovely ponies with their warm jackets on!
A few minutes later I was on the road down to the Clyde Valley, a lovely descent which always makes me smile even when its wet!
I crossed the bridge at Crossford where the River Clyde was flowing very quickly after all the rain!
I then turned along the valley towards Lanark and was soon climbing again, this part is so much better in the opposite direction but its not too difficult a climb!
Soon Lanark came into view in the distance!
I reached Kirkfieldbank and stopped on the bridge before the toughest climb of the day up to Lanark!
The Autumn colours are starting to come through!
From Lanark I headed north on the main A706 which can be a busy road but I decided to chance it and it went ok, despite many trucks passing! This is at the far end of Lanark looking north!
Then it was another big climb up through Cleghorn over the railway crossing, the barriers were down while I was climbing but the train passed before I reached the crossing so I didn't need to stop on the incline! Part way up I stopped for a couple of photos, this is looking southeast with the Tinto Hills in the distance!
At the top of the climb I then enjoyed the flatter road for a few miles up to Forth, despite all the trucks! They were well behaved today and gave me lots of room! Its a bit of a climb up through Forth but nothing too difficult and soon I would be enjoying the fast descent down into Breich where I was doing over 40mph and came across a flood in one of the dips in the road (there are many) but with nothing coming the other way I got through unscathed! I continued north through Whitburn and then on to Armadale where I attempted to use the back road to Blackridge but it was closed (probably flooded), so I had to turn back and go through the centre of town!
From there it was a straight road west to home, once again the bike was filthy but its spotless now and ready for the next ride when the weather plays ball... On Monday I was going to fit a new chain as it was close to 0.75% wear after 3549 miles but I noticed my lower jockey wheel was pretty worn now, the upper was still like new after over 28000 miles! The new jockey wheel arrived yesterday so I had the bike ready for todays fun ride!
@Prairie Dog What a spectacular video, you guys sure had a truly awesome ride in that amazing scenery!
Attachments
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Kirk of Shotts you say?View attachment 163430
I caught a break in our crazy weather today, lots of floods around but thankfully they have subsided after yesterdays thunderstorms! Wet roads again but I was just glad to get out and enjoy some fresh air! I decided to head down to the Clyde Valley hoping the roads would be ok, which they were! Yesterday we had 45mph winds but today it was much calmer, the winds are returning again tomorrow!
The first big climb of the day was up to Kirk of Shotts!
View attachment 163432
Quickly followed by an awesome descent down to Allanton, this road is liable to flooding and not surprisingly it was but it was only across 2/3 of the road and just as I was passing over the shallow part a car came round the corner so I had to turn back to the deeper part, just typical...
View attachment 163433
I was close to Carluke when I spotted these lovely ponies with their warm jackets on!
View attachment 163434
A few minutes later I was on the road down to the Clyde Valley, a lovely descent which always makes me smile even when its wet!
View attachment 163435
I crossed the bridge at Crossford where the River Clyde was flowing very quickly after all the rain!
View attachment 163436
View attachment 163437
I then turned along the valley towards Lanark and was soon climbing again, this part is so much better in the opposite direction but its not too difficult a climb!
View attachment 163438
Soon Lanark came into view in the distance!
View attachment 163439
View attachment 163440
I reached Kirkfieldbank and stopped on the bridge before the toughest climb of the day up to Lanark!
View attachment 163441
The Autumn colours are starting to come through!
View attachment 163442
From Lanark I headed north on the main A706 which can be a busy road but I decided to chance it and it went ok, despite many trucks passing! This is at the far end of Lanark looking north!
View attachment 163443
Then it was another big climb up through Cleghorn over the railway crossing, the barriers were down while I was climbing but the train passed before I reached the crossing so I didn't need to stop on the incline! Part way up I stopped for a couple of photos, this is looking southeast with the Tinto Hills in the distance!
View attachment 163444
View attachment 163445
At the top of the climb I then enjoyed the flatter road for a few miles up to Forth, despite all the trucks! They were well behaved today and gave me lots of room! Its a bit of a climb up through Forth but nothing too difficult and soon I would be enjoying the fast descent down into Breich where I was doing over 40mph and came across a flood in one of the dips in the road (there are many) but with nothing coming the other way I got through unscathed! I continued north through Whitburn and then on to Armadale where I attempted to use the back road to Blackridge but it was closed (probably flooded), so I had to turn back and go through the centre of town!
From there it was a straight road west to home, once again the bike was filthy but its spotless now and ready for the next ride when the weather plays ball... On Monday I was going to fit a new chain as it was close to 0.75% wear after 3549 miles but I noticed my lower jockey wheel was pretty worn now, the upper was still like new after over 28000 miles! The new jockey wheel arrived yesterday so I had the bike ready for todays fun ride!
@Prairie Dog What a spectacular video, you guys sure had a truly awesome ride in that amazing scenery!
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Who knew there was more than one!Kirk of Shotts you say?
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Settled back into our NC townhome for the next few months, and got new cortisone in my knees the other day...
Took the Flow, which I've begun to find myself thinking of as "Alan", in remembrance of AHicks, out for the circuit which includes Country Park, and the Guilford Courthouse Battlefield National Military Park (that's a mouthful!), AKA "The Battlefield" this morning. PM and I got sprinkled on a couple of times, and the temperature was more Whidbey Island than NC, but it was a lovely ride, never-the-less! Felt great to be riding again!
"Alan", sitting out a rain shower at Country Park
Took the Flow, which I've begun to find myself thinking of as "Alan", in remembrance of AHicks, out for the circuit which includes Country Park, and the Guilford Courthouse Battlefield National Military Park (that's a mouthful!), AKA "The Battlefield" this morning. PM and I got sprinkled on a couple of times, and the temperature was more Whidbey Island than NC, but it was a lovely ride, never-the-less! Felt great to be riding again!
"Alan", sitting out a rain shower at Country Park
Attachments
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Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Wait, @AHicks is no longer with us?
He went out of his way to make me feel at home on EBR. He was also a frequent voice of reason when discussions got overheated. And he was very generous with his considerable expertise in ebike technology.
If he's gone, I'll miss him.
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Sadly, he recently passed away. There is a thread posted in the forums with his obituary:
RIP AHicks aka Alan Hicks
I had a feeling something was up. We've lost a good one! Rest in peace!! Alan D. Hicks of Waterford; age 72; passed away at home on August 28, 2023 after valiantly fighting a long battle with cancer; He was a lifelong resident of Waterford after moving to the township as a child. Alan was a...
forums.electricbikereview.com
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
There's ample opportunity to view scenery along the entire length of the Bow Valley Parkway but having this specific section of the highway closed to traffic for much of the summer and fall is a special treat. On many occasions I found myself habitually veering over to the side shoulder forgetting that I had the entire side of the road available to me. Doh!@Prairie Dog What a spectacular video, you guys sure had a truly awesome ride in that amazing scenery!
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
I'm a little bit sick in the head... what can I say... it's a living...
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
My 2nd ride was shorter but better than the 1st.
Storm Agnes was meant to be rolling in, but our news bigs it up to a hurricane as usual.
I opened about 10 gates in 1 mile coming out of the village, but this gorgeous steep descent on wet grass picked up my interest.
It led on to a dark path through the woods, ending up at a tiny road deep in the valley.
A picture postcard village Ive never heard of tucked away in the woods
Just around the corner was the hillbilly farmer, but tbh it has a certain charm, a shabby chic they probably call it.
I love finding a long bridle way that starts in the middle of nowhere, goes to the middle of nowhere and hasnt been used for months.
This tractor felt like it had been parked to block the track, but it was just a case of..'that'll do'.
A few miles of slippy rocks and I arrived at the beautiful path that led to the coastal bridle path
Had the entire place to myself, saw one bird spotter in the distance, its unbelievable you can get such solitude in England
It was pretty windy up here, but nothing unusual, the waves were rather docile.
Rode down to the bird spotting hive near the waters edge, my gopro seized up and I exclaimed..
ffs!
Rather loudly, only to discover I was stood right next to the bird spotter dressed in camouflage.
The storm did pick up a bit later and all the beaches were full to the brim with unusual surfing opportunities right next to the road .
Storm Agnes was meant to be rolling in, but our news bigs it up to a hurricane as usual.
I opened about 10 gates in 1 mile coming out of the village, but this gorgeous steep descent on wet grass picked up my interest.
It led on to a dark path through the woods, ending up at a tiny road deep in the valley.
A picture postcard village Ive never heard of tucked away in the woods
Just around the corner was the hillbilly farmer, but tbh it has a certain charm, a shabby chic they probably call it.
I love finding a long bridle way that starts in the middle of nowhere, goes to the middle of nowhere and hasnt been used for months.
This tractor felt like it had been parked to block the track, but it was just a case of..'that'll do'.
A few miles of slippy rocks and I arrived at the beautiful path that led to the coastal bridle path
Had the entire place to myself, saw one bird spotter in the distance, its unbelievable you can get such solitude in England
It was pretty windy up here, but nothing unusual, the waves were rather docile.
Rode down to the bird spotting hive near the waters edge, my gopro seized up and I exclaimed..
ffs!
Rather loudly, only to discover I was stood right next to the bird spotter dressed in camouflage.
The storm did pick up a bit later and all the beaches were full to the brim with unusual surfing opportunities right next to the road .
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
This is the Karma that slaps you after a cheeky ride on a footpath.
I could see the farmer in the distance, so I walked it across the path, tbh it was quite pleasant to stroll along.
I was rewarded with a jungle style path about two miles along with very little mud.
The next road brought me to this tiny burial ground in the middle of nowhere, bit creepy investigating it I must admit .
These tree covered roads make you completely lose track of where you are, and all you can hear is the wind blowing through the branches.
This is actually the main tourist route from the town to the beach, there is carnage every summer as caravans, camper vans, local buses and trucks all with varying degree of competence try to pass each other.
Stopped off at Chillington village shop for a drink and a buttie.
The service in these parts is glacial, its not unusual to stand waiting for the clerk and her friend to finish a long gossip before even acknowledging your presence.
This is actually a proper road to a group of houses, I presume door paint and wing mirrors are for those sophisticated city folk.
I dont think theres much better on Earth than finding a pub in the middle of an offroad ride in a little village on a sunny day.
Up and down through various creekside roads and you come across a hamlet of houses, all in very modernised condition mixed with ancient barns.
Not a soul around.
About three miles later Im splashing through a stream deep in a wooded valley, still havent seen a single other human being.
This was slightly off track, but led to the same place, it was a magical path high above the stream and full of squirrels
All in a great day, a few issues with a failed attempt to carry a spare battery, a rear tyre that needed pumping up every 30 mins and riding two miles before realising I wasnt wearing my helmet.
I could see the farmer in the distance, so I walked it across the path, tbh it was quite pleasant to stroll along.
I was rewarded with a jungle style path about two miles along with very little mud.
The next road brought me to this tiny burial ground in the middle of nowhere, bit creepy investigating it I must admit .
These tree covered roads make you completely lose track of where you are, and all you can hear is the wind blowing through the branches.
This is actually the main tourist route from the town to the beach, there is carnage every summer as caravans, camper vans, local buses and trucks all with varying degree of competence try to pass each other.
Stopped off at Chillington village shop for a drink and a buttie.
The service in these parts is glacial, its not unusual to stand waiting for the clerk and her friend to finish a long gossip before even acknowledging your presence.
This is actually a proper road to a group of houses, I presume door paint and wing mirrors are for those sophisticated city folk.
I dont think theres much better on Earth than finding a pub in the middle of an offroad ride in a little village on a sunny day.
Up and down through various creekside roads and you come across a hamlet of houses, all in very modernised condition mixed with ancient barns.
Not a soul around.
About three miles later Im splashing through a stream deep in a wooded valley, still havent seen a single other human being.
This was slightly off track, but led to the same place, it was a magical path high above the stream and full of squirrels
All in a great day, a few issues with a failed attempt to carry a spare battery, a rear tyre that needed pumping up every 30 mins and riding two miles before realising I wasnt wearing my helmet.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Someone was crying while they made that sticker.I need to tell you a story of today!
Jacek was demo riding two Marin pedal gravel bikes today. One was a flat bar and the other had drop bars. While he was greeted by roadies passing him by when he rode the flat bar Marin, he was treated as their own when he was trying the drop bar gravel bike
Now, you may understand my sudden interest with traditional gravel bikes. I hate being excluded just because I am an e-biker!!!
View attachment 163453
A photo sent me by a gravel cycling buddy
DiggyGun
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Buckinghamshire
We had a ride along the NCN51, which at times runs alongside the River Great Ouse.
A lovely day for riding again and, some nice views along the way.
Had to cross a railway line which had this unusual crossing to get over it.
This was the old Bedford Keep, which us now the Bedfordshire PGL Masonic Centre.
DG…
A lovely day for riding again and, some nice views along the way.
Had to cross a railway line which had this unusual crossing to get over it.
This was the old Bedford Keep, which us now the Bedfordshire PGL Masonic Centre.
DG…
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Why I Cannot Ride A Traditional Bicycle Anymore, Or
The Specialized Diverge Comp E5 EVO Off-Road Demo Ride
It had been (note the tense!) my idea I could complete the next year's Mazovian Gravel 100 race on a pedal bike. Rode my Vado SL to Specialized Warsaw on Friday morning to get the Diverge EVO in my hands. As my previous 1-hour demo ride in very easy terrain on the Diverge turned out to be quite positive, now I rented the same demo bike for a day to make sure if I could ride it in rough terrain and how the climbing would look like.
I loved that bike! It belongs to the category of "flat handlebar gravel bike", which is a specially designed "rigid fork lightweight MTB". I was enchanted with its features. The frame is made of ultrathin super strong E5 alloy tubes. The bike comes with a carbon fork and FutureShock 1.5 suspension stem system, premium components such as SRAM 1x11 drivetrain and Tektro brakes (identical to ones found on my Vado SL), a dropper seat-post, or 42 mm aggressive Rhombus tyres (which turned out to be whisper quiet on the pavement!) Everything in the bike was a product of high technical culture, and I really admired how the bike was built!
After having crossed the Southern Bridge of Warsaw, I realized I was the wrong person to ride that marvellous bike! My medical condition made me barely climb a 4.1% incline! (the bike good for me should help me climbing the iconic 8.6% Góra Kalwaria hill, which was unrealistic with my bad legs and no pedalling assistance). Meanwhile, the temperature rose to 28 C at high air humidity, and the worst had yet to come... As the "hideous singletrack" was to begin soon...
After having crossed yet another sand patch. I was amazed with the Diverge EVO technical singletrack capabilities:
A short rest near to a small lake once formed by the Vistula. Notice I was in the 3rd gear at that moment. I was so weak I had to ride in the 1st gear for most of the singletrack part, and my average speed was ridiculous 12.7 km/h there!
On last Sunday, most of Mazovian Gravel riders made exactly the same navigational error as I did on this Friday. The alternative route led along a dangerous cliff overlooking the Vistula. A single hesitation, and you would end up in the river together with your bike! I felt creepy, especially as I could see a big tree that had recently fallen into the Vistula. Some parts of the trail were leading you straight into the abyss! Can you see the cliff is made of sand? We never miss sand in Mazovia!
Near to the end of the trail, I met an angler, and we had some talk together. He told me many interesting things about his hobby. I learned the Vistula has become a very clean river with a lot of fish; and that the foam I could see on the river was a good sign of wildlife of the river!
As I came back to the civilization, I crossed the river Świder (literally: A Drill) over a small bridge. That shallow river turned out to be quite wild there! Now, I had to cross a steel barrier to get onto the main road... I lifted and moved the Diverge behind the barrier with one hand. It was more problematic to get myself over that barrier!
Again, I was a single passenger on the Gassy ferry. The ferry is doomed. The Southern Bridge has diverted the traffic off the Karczew-Gassy river crossing, and the ferry is mostly used by cyclists and only on weekends...
I took a long rest in the scorching sun in Gassy, rehydrating. It was just 13 km by asphalt to get back to Specialized. I was totally spent to the level it was hard for me to pedal for that short distance! I felt totally humiliated. The good thing was the Specialized salesman charged me nothing for the bike rental, as he probably felt compassion towards me and did not want to bring me down more! I even got a glass of water from a Spec technician!
98 km total for the day.
One thing is sure: I'm remaining in the e-bike community! Yes, I am an e-biker, and cannot return to traditional cycling anymore!
The Specialized Diverge Comp E5 EVO Off-Road Demo Ride
It had been (note the tense!) my idea I could complete the next year's Mazovian Gravel 100 race on a pedal bike. Rode my Vado SL to Specialized Warsaw on Friday morning to get the Diverge EVO in my hands. As my previous 1-hour demo ride in very easy terrain on the Diverge turned out to be quite positive, now I rented the same demo bike for a day to make sure if I could ride it in rough terrain and how the climbing would look like.
I loved that bike! It belongs to the category of "flat handlebar gravel bike", which is a specially designed "rigid fork lightweight MTB". I was enchanted with its features. The frame is made of ultrathin super strong E5 alloy tubes. The bike comes with a carbon fork and FutureShock 1.5 suspension stem system, premium components such as SRAM 1x11 drivetrain and Tektro brakes (identical to ones found on my Vado SL), a dropper seat-post, or 42 mm aggressive Rhombus tyres (which turned out to be whisper quiet on the pavement!) Everything in the bike was a product of high technical culture, and I really admired how the bike was built!
After having crossed the Southern Bridge of Warsaw, I realized I was the wrong person to ride that marvellous bike! My medical condition made me barely climb a 4.1% incline! (the bike good for me should help me climbing the iconic 8.6% Góra Kalwaria hill, which was unrealistic with my bad legs and no pedalling assistance). Meanwhile, the temperature rose to 28 C at high air humidity, and the worst had yet to come... As the "hideous singletrack" was to begin soon...
After having crossed yet another sand patch. I was amazed with the Diverge EVO technical singletrack capabilities:
- Handling and steering: perfect! I was on the same singletrack on Thursday a week ago, and almost shat up myself from fear riding my Vado SL there While the Diverge rode the same singletrack easily, surely, no fear whatsoever!
- Traction: Excellent. There was no surface, no matter how difficult, that would stop me. The Diverge EVO was even capable to ride through the shallow sand. It would probably even cut through deep sand were my legs strong enough...
- Ride comfort: Next to the full suspension. I was intentionally riding rough surfaces such as stones or tree-roots to find out it was not only the bike front perfectly damping any irregularities but also I had no discomfort in the rear part! (Geometry? Tyres? IDK!)
A short rest near to a small lake once formed by the Vistula. Notice I was in the 3rd gear at that moment. I was so weak I had to ride in the 1st gear for most of the singletrack part, and my average speed was ridiculous 12.7 km/h there!
On last Sunday, most of Mazovian Gravel riders made exactly the same navigational error as I did on this Friday. The alternative route led along a dangerous cliff overlooking the Vistula. A single hesitation, and you would end up in the river together with your bike! I felt creepy, especially as I could see a big tree that had recently fallen into the Vistula. Some parts of the trail were leading you straight into the abyss! Can you see the cliff is made of sand? We never miss sand in Mazovia!
Near to the end of the trail, I met an angler, and we had some talk together. He told me many interesting things about his hobby. I learned the Vistula has become a very clean river with a lot of fish; and that the foam I could see on the river was a good sign of wildlife of the river!
As I came back to the civilization, I crossed the river Świder (literally: A Drill) over a small bridge. That shallow river turned out to be quite wild there! Now, I had to cross a steel barrier to get onto the main road... I lifted and moved the Diverge behind the barrier with one hand. It was more problematic to get myself over that barrier!
Again, I was a single passenger on the Gassy ferry. The ferry is doomed. The Southern Bridge has diverted the traffic off the Karczew-Gassy river crossing, and the ferry is mostly used by cyclists and only on weekends...
I took a long rest in the scorching sun in Gassy, rehydrating. It was just 13 km by asphalt to get back to Specialized. I was totally spent to the level it was hard for me to pedal for that short distance! I felt totally humiliated. The good thing was the Specialized salesman charged me nothing for the bike rental, as he probably felt compassion towards me and did not want to bring me down more! I even got a glass of water from a Spec technician!
98 km total for the day.
One thing is sure: I'm remaining in the e-bike community!
Yes, I am an e-biker, and cannot return to traditional cycling anymore!
Last edited:
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