2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[RabH]

I caught a break in our awful weather today and with rain forecast early afternoon I grabbed a quick 50 miler before it was due to hit, I would have been out earlier but had things to do that couldn't wait so I didn't get out until 9.45am! Once I was out I wasn't actually bothered about getting wet as it was pretty mild and there was virtually no wind to speak of, so I picked one of my local routes that would give me a good workout and wasn't intending to take any photos but after reaching my turning point at Broxburn the weather was still fine so...

The Forth Bridges from around 7 miles away!

Looking north with the Ochil Hills way in the distance!

I was now heading west towards Beecraigs Country Park on a narrow back road and was looking forward to the big descent at the end of the flattish road, this road is mostly in the shade in the summer months due to all the trees!

I reached the end of the road and stopped before the descent to grab some photos again, the fields look so nice at this time of year!

I then plunged down the descent at over 40mph and the road then rises steeply up to the Beecraigs Country Park, my gps was showing a climb of 0.8 miles with an average grade of 7.2%! Just before starting the climb I grabbed more photos, the first one is looking back at the descent I just came down!

This is half way up the climb looking north!

I passed the country park and joined the road to Torphicen which starts with yet another big climb but is soon a lovely big descent down to Westfield where I had a choice of roads, another big climb or a big descent...guess what I chose? No, not the climb this time... Although the descent is a big one the road is pretty rough so it has to be taken with extreme care, once down in the valley the road to Avonbridge is just amazing and I didn't meet a single vehicle all the way to the village!

Once again I had a choice of roads coming out of Avonbridge and picked the lovely back road to Slamannan which rises and falls all the way to the village, this is looking back down the road I just climbed and the sky was still looking good but this wasn't the direction I was headed...

I then took the back road from Slamannan to Longriggend which is another narrow one but once again I had it all to myself, I reached Longriggend and turned south for Caldercruix which is one of those places that is known for getting rained on and the skies were getting darker! I passed through the village and the rain still hadn't arrived and I was now hopeful of getting home dry with only 3 miles to go, passing through Plains I could now feel rain in the air and some of the droplets were getting bigger!

I arrived in my home town and I could still feel the rain on my face but it wasn't enough to make me or the roads wet, I reached home and put the bike away and was walking to my back door when the rain really started to come down...it was my lucky day! After 5 minutes the rain stopped and within a couple of minutes it was dry again and it hasn't rained since, another foecast to be taken with a pinch of salt! Another fun day on the bike, it felt strange doing a shorter ride after all those long ones but it was a nice change to get home with something still in the tank so to speak!

@DiggyGun Its nice to see you posting again, I hope you and your wife are keeping well and enjoying some nice picnics when our awful weather allows...

 

[dodgeman]

I did 19 miles today. This picture is a county road that was resurfaced a couple of years ago. It’s one of the smoothest roads I ride on. It’s nice on your body riding roads like this and easier on the bike.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A spoke in the rear wheel of my Vado SL has just snapped! And think I was planning the full "No Man's Land" trip for tomorrow!
It is good to own two e-bikes, isn't it

 

[DiggyGun]

I’ve been a bit remiss lately not posting about our rides. It’s amazing how other things get in the way.

However, will be remedying this as we’ve had a couple of holidays recently, so I’ll be posting some write-ups shortly.

DG…

 

[Chargeride]

Yes same here, Ive been in the peak district for a week celebrating my friends 60th, no wifi, only signal while out walking in the rain.
Britain is having the wettest summer ever while Europe is melting.

Just arrived in Barmouth Bay, awesome scenery, in the distance is the mountains of the 'ear' of the Welsh pigs head.

Its a bit low brow, lots of tattoos and missing teeth..the men are even worse.

Im riding this tomorrow morning.

I'll read the missed posts later.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Back from yet another Imperial Century. It's getting boring...

Injured my knee again. I hate maniacs who cannot distinguish "gravel" from "sand" when planning and sharing "adventure cycling" routes!

 

[Deleted member 57338]

A friend and I decided to go to the abandoned Pa turnpike. Although I have been there last year, he thought it sounded like a cool place to check out....so we went there. From the west end parking area, it looks pretty "abandoned".

Another unexpected adventure as I had forgotten my "big" light. With the small penlight, I had to remain focused directly in front of me, instead of checkin out all the graffiti inside. My friend was properly equipped.
I waited for the return journey before snapping a few shots.
entering the longer of the two tunnels heading west

there were alot of these orange flowers along the way

and alot of this...rough asphalt. My friend says the rail trails are looking much more appealing to him after this ride.

more graffiti on the west end of the shorter tunnel.

Not a long ride at 18 mi and rather mundane. Cool if you like graffiti. There are some real nice pieces of art that I did not show you, but most is just punk scribble scrabble. Its a nice place to visit if you happen to be nearby, but I wouldn't travel hours just to see it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

No Man's Land (a solo ride)
Wednesday, 19th of July 2023

I envied the "Never Gravel Enough" cycling group of their youth, strength, and determination that let those people ride for 180 km of mixed terrain in scorching sun at average speed of over 25 km/h on last Sunday. I decided to emulate the trip of my friends myself, starting on my big Vado from Skierniewice at 8:01 am last Wednesday. This time, I was properly equipped with three batteries, and could ride at 40% assistance that makes my Vado agile but provides far less of battery range. (The 30% assistance gives me 86-90 km range per a battery while 40% reduces the range to some 70 km).

I love when the roads have the trees on either side, which is very typical of the landscape of Poland. It makes everything look pretty.

Sometimes you still can find a quaint farm like this one. A wooden house, a stone cowshed, a well, and a field of rye.

In the beginning of Spała Woods. I have brought my Vado 6.0 to such a level you can comfortably ride cobblestone!

I loved fire-roads in Spała Woods. Good gravel or even asphalt! (The latter is a rarity in forests of Poland).

Meeting A Sheriff

After I got on the other side of the S8 expressway and stopped for a short rest, I was approached by a police car, windows open. Polish Police does not usually talk with citizens, so I was surprised to see a Hollywood type Sheriff inside the car He asked me how many kilometres remained to my ride's end, what my next destination was; he offered directions to Spała, informed me of tourist attractions in Konewka etc. The man just did not want to finish! Oh, I liked the man! He really had an eye on what was happening in his jurisdiction! I wish we had more men in blue like him!

No Man's Land

As I passed the quiet resort of Spała (on the Pilica), I found myself in the No Man's Land. There was a huge forest complex with excellent wide gravel fire-roads extending for many kilometres with no soul around!

The long gravel ride in very warm weather made me exhausted. I stopped at the roadside, laid down on the ground with my backpack under my head and was enjoying the life. To be approached by a fire truck! (It was the first time in my life to see a fire truck in the forest...) I realized the firemen would stop to ask me if I were alive and OK, so I vigorously shook my hand to make them pass me without stopping!

As I briefly got myself in Mazovia (from the Land of Łódź), I followed the route and crashed into the sand, injuring my knee again! The man who made the route plan apparently confused "gravel" with "sand"! I have never ever heard of "sand cycling"! Irritated, I returned to asphalt...

The Five Road Crossing
As I was pedalling, I realized I recognized a very specific road crossing near Różanna. It is a junction of five roads. Two years ago (minus 4 days) I went for my first Imperial Century ride. I met a woman wearing a skirt and with a bicycle at the Five Road Crossing. At that time, she stopped me to tell me she confused me with a friend who she expected there. We had a long talk and then I left.

Five Road Crossing, July 24th, 2021.

This time, I saw a similar woman wearing a skirt and holding a bicycle there! I got scared and accelerated! It must be a haunted place...

The Ferry Story
As I was riding towards the Pilica river crossing, a terrible thought started bogging me: "What if the ferry is inoperable?"

I was right! There was no sign on life on the other shore... Worried, I gave the ferryman a phone call (he posted his phone number). It turned out the man was away at least for an hour. I tried to bribe him with fifty zloty (it is five times the fare, and any villager would do a lot to get it!) He said he could not come earlier and I had to wait.

So I waited. Shorter than I expected! (Pictured: Kayaking on the Pilica).

'So, you are the man who offered fifty zloty to me?'
'Indeed! Here you are!'
'Let's make the deal: let it be forty' - he joked.
'No problem!' - I replied.
'No way, man! The fare is ten, and we need to think how you can get the change. Besides, I was at a nurse to take a medication. You see, I had infarction last year, and now am on medications; that's why you had to wait'.

Eventually, I rode to the grocery store, bought something to get the change, gave the ten zloty to the ferryman's cousin who followed me, and even bought the cousin beer because he was so funny! Interestingly, the Domaniewice ferry is hand operated! The guy first uses a windlass to raise the rope, then he attaches the end of (a kind of) a paddle to the rope and pulls the boat. It is easier when two people do the work, hence the cousin. I lost an hour for the river crossing, and it started to be late with 70 km to go!

I realized I wouldn't be able to ride gravel for the next 70 km, not before the sunset. I rerouted my return ride plan, bravely crossed Nowe Miasto-on-Pilica, increased the assistance and rode long 61 km by roads against the headwind!

After a long boring ride, I rode in Biała Rawska and headed straight to the local café. "Coffee! Give me a big cup of coffee please! I haven't had coffee for 12 hours!" -- I croaked to the female owner And then... I ordered a portion of strawberry ice cream... Friends, it is the fruit producing area of Poland. I could see the owner working on a big pile of fresh strawberry (to make more ice cream for the next day), and the ice cream was genuinely made of fresh strawberries! It was worthy to take a long ride just to taste the ice cream at Caffe Adriano! (It is only 106 km from my place round trip to get more strawberry ice cream there!)

The Train Miracle

As I zoomed onto the platform of the train stop in Międzyborów at 20:16, I spotted an elderly man. I nervously asked him: "Sorry, any chance for a train early?" to which he replied "The train is just rolling in!" You should have seen the speed I was buying the ticket in the SkyCash app! (I think I made a World Champion with that, haha!) The point is, you must get on the train with a valid ticket, and it would be impossible to buy the ticket with the app just 30 seconds later! I threw my Vado onboard (with the motor on and Wahoo still working!) I was so lucky!!!

Well, if someone told me just three months ago I would be making an Imperial Century every few days, I would not believe him... "The Distance Only Exists In Your Mind".

 

[Deleted member 57338]

I have never ridden bikes on the road until last year. 20 years ago I was an avid mountain biker but no ebikes involved. Severe back pain took me out and I did not ride for 20 years until I recently learned of ebikes, and then again mostly on trails.
Today I think I can say I have achieved my first metric century, if I am allowed to say so (not knowing the rules and all).

My father who is at the age of 95 was admitted into the hospital in Gettysburg, Pa. I decided to ride up and visit.
roadside weed "mullien" said to relieve respiratory ailments by making tea from its leaves.

I will call these tires "the bottle cutters". Only 10 miles into the ride, while focusing on the mud hole, I suddenly heard a POP! or POOF! sound. I stopped abruptly to find I had just run over a wine bottle and caused it to explode! A miracle from a higher power caused no damage to either tire...so I continued onward.

An old church established in 1763 with some welcome shade and a quick rest.

I wanted to go to some of the battle field, but thought I should be on my way. Here is a shot of a few monuments from the roadway.

After visiting, and sister arriving I proceeded down Baltimore Pike (rte 97) thru Littlestown and down to Westminster. Roughly 25 miles of busy, busy roadway but it had a pretty good shoulder all the way.

Stopped at the bike store in Westminster to pick up a couple of rotors and adaptors that were ordered, zig zagged alittle thru town to accumulate the required distance, then completed the 10 mile journey home.
I think my legs are gonna cramp up tonite. I feel it already.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Sorry to hear about your Dad @rbush but congratulations on your first Metric Century!

(Riding over a wine bottle... what a strange incident!) There was a steep descent on my latest ride (just before entering the Spała Woods). I was happily riding at 49.5 km/h to recollect there would be a nasty speed bump ahead (one made from a pipe!) I'm very very stupid at times but decided to ride through the bump at the full speed in a controlled way (a Darwin's Award candidate, eh?) The CLUNK the front wheel of my Vado was terrible! I'm surprised nothing wrong happened. Someone stop me doing stupid things!

 

[Twin Valley]

I have never ridden bikes on the road until last year. 20 years ago I was an avid mountain biker but no ebikes involved. Severe back pain took me out and I did not ride for 20 years until I recently learned of ebikes, and then again mostly on trails.
Today I think I can say I have achieved my first metric century, if I am allowed to say so (not knowing the rules and all).
View attachment 158600
My father who is at the age of 95 was admitted into the hospital in Gettysburg, Pa. I decided to ride up and visit.
roadside weed "mullien" said to relieve respiratory ailments by making tea from its leaves.
View attachment 158601
I will call these tires "the bottle cutters". Only 10 miles into the ride, while focusing on the mud hole, I suddenly heard a POP! or POOF! sound. I stopped abruptly to find I had just run over a wine bottle and caused it to explode! A miracle from a higher power caused no damage to either tire...so I continued onward.
View attachment 158602
An old church established in 1763 with some welcome shade and a quick rest.
View attachment 158603
I wanted to go to some of the battle field, but thought I should be on my way. Here is a shot of a few monuments from the roadway.
View attachment 158605
View attachment 158606
After visiting, and sister arriving I proceeded down Baltimore Pike (rte 97) thru Littlestown and down to Westminster. Roughly 25 miles of busy, busy roadway but it had a pretty good shoulder all the way.
View attachment 158604
Stopped at the bike store in Westminster to pick up a couple of rotors and adaptors that were ordered, zig zagged alittle thru town to accumulate the required distance, then completed the 10 mile journey home.
I think my legs are gonna cramp up tonite. I feel it already.

oh, the rules on reporting on a metric century or imperial for that matter - unless your name is Stefan or Rab or - just kidding - most of us ride metric centuries as well, we just divide the distance over several rides . . .unfortunately, I also know about back issues taking the fun out of things and what a rabbit hole you go down to try and sort that out but the e-bike always brings back that e-smile!

 

[DaveMatthews]

oh, the rules on reporting on a metric century or imperial for that matter - unless your name is Stefan or Rab or - just kidding - most of us ride metric centuries as well, we just divide the distance over several rides . . .unfortunately, I also know about back issues taking the fun out of things and what a rabbit hole you go down to try and sort that out but the e-bike always brings back that e-smile!

I can E for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles... oh yeah!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

oh, the rules on reporting on a metric century or imperial for that matter - unless your name is Stefan or Rab or - just kidding - most of us ride metric centuries as well, we just divide the distance over several rides

Just recently, a road/gravel cycling friend noted that "road racers only think in kilometre distances". How Europe centric he was! Just a short summary of recordable cycling distances:

• Metric Century: 100 km (62.2 mi)
• Gran Fondo: 130+ km or 80 miles for the U.S.
• Imperial Century: 100 miles (160.9 km)
• Double Metric Century: 200 km (124.3 mi)

I do not count the distances above, haha! Once I returned from my last Imperial Century, my long-distance mentor smiled and said: "Didn't I tell you the distance was only in your mind?" to which I replied: "Indeed! We e-bikers are, however, limited by our battery range!"

@DaveMatthews: I love The Who, too!

 

[Deleted member 57338]

(Riding over a wine bottle... what a strange incident!)
Thank you Stefan Mikes, the strange just seems to seek me out! (or I just need to be more observant!)

 

[RabH]

2 rides in the same week, been a while since the weather has allowed that! My legs were still feeling Tuesdays ride but with a nice forecast and the weekend looking awful I had to get out, I decided I would do the Forth Road Bridge crossing in the clockwise direction this time! I left at 6am to avoid the morning traffic again, passing the Hillend Loch not long after 6am and it was nice see it calm in the light winds!

I then took the road to Limerigg and what a road it is, I have probably cycled it well over 1000 times but will never get bored of it!

A short time later I passed loch number 2, the Black Loch!

From here I stayed on the back roads to Shieldhill where I would enjoy the big descent down into Glen Village, 42.3mph today and as soon as I reached the bottom of the descent its a short sharp climb up into Falkirk which is quickly followed by an exhilirating descent down into the town centre! This was the main reason I left so early, the town was very quiet just after 7am and I was soon passing the Kelpies in Grangemouth!

Looking east towards Fife!

I noticed quite a few signs warning of road closures on August 6th for the UCI Cycling World Championships, when I arrived home I looked at the route which will be 271km and they will be using a lot of the roads I ride including the Campsie Hills climb over Crow Road! I hope this means they will be fixing the roads as they are pretty rough in parts and there are some very fast descents where I'm sure these guys will be well over 50mph! The route will start in Edinburgh and finish in Glasgow, I can't wait to watch it and recognise most of the roads!

I was now heading over the Kincardine Bridge heading into Fife, this is looking north at the Clackmannanshire Bridge and the Ochil Hills lit up in the morning sun!

Looking south at the Grangemouth oil refinery!

After crossing the bridge I used the cycle path past the now defunct Longannet power station and joined the road to Culross, imagine my surprise when I saw signs about the cycling championships taking place here also! I used this road back in May and there was a lot of resurfacing work going on which I'm sure is because of the cycling, the riders will love this road especially with the lovely new tarmac!

A few miles later I arrived in Torryburn which is still on the world champs route, the tide was out today!

The roads were starting to get busier as I was nearing Rosyth so I took to the cycle paths where possible, I continued through Rosyth and then into Inverkeithing which is where I would turn south to cross the Forth Road Bridge! I'm not sure if the world champs route will use this bridge or the new bridge, I have a feeling they will be using the new bridge though as the old bridge has lots of gaps which would probably destroy some of their flimsy wheels... The new bridge is actually motorway status so cycling isn't allowed but they will be closing it to traffic of course, that will cause mayhem I'm sure for anybody wanting to travel into Fife or Edinburgh!

Just about to cross the Forth Road Bridge with the iconic rail bridge in full view!

The Queensferry Crossing which will look amazing with all the professional teams passing over it!

All 3 bridges this time!

After crossing the bridge I turned west and was soon passing through Newton and heading for Linlithgow, I normally stay on this road all the way to Linlithgow but decided to take a small back road which leads to Philpstoun and came across this lovely scene at the canal!

I arrived in Linlithgow which was busy as always through the town centre, there is a cycle path which runs alongside the main road but its pretty narrow and not in the best condition so I was glad to pass through the town and join the quiet back roads again passing through Standburn and enjoying the big descent down into Avonbridge! I had to be home by 12.30pm so time was on my side, so I took the big climb up over Heights and down into Blackridge where I normally turn right and its a straight road home but I continued straight across to Harthill and took the back roads into Shotts!

I was passing through the town and came across a young guy pulling a huge wheelie on a mountain bike with cars in front and behind him! A bit foolish but also very impressive, I was going to copy him and show off....NOT!
I then had a lovely descent down towards Allanton and was starting to feel a bit worn out, I reached the end of the road and could have turned left and picked the easier climb but me being me decided to turn right and do the big climb up past the Shotts prison! Its a beast of a climb but I had lots of battery juice left and cranked the assist up, I eventually reached the top and was totally shattered!

From here I took the easy route home and arrived at my door totally worn out but ecstatic about another great day on the bike! I can't wait to watch the pros on August 6th riding a lot of my favourite roads!

 

[dodgeman]

I did 36 miles today with 900 feet of elevation gain, which is a lot of gain for around here. Rode by a llama farm. Also a picture of an abandoned house. I took a photo of this house last year but you could only see the second story because of the corn, this year had soy beans out front. The place had an old windmill turning still but probably not pumping anymore.

 

[Chargeride]

My road cycling club 45 years ago was named Liverpool Century, and Ive realised I have no idea why.

Just recently, a road/gravel cycling friend noted that "road racers only think in kilometre distances". How Europe centric he was! Just a short summary of recordable cycling distances:

• Metric Century: 100 km (62.2 mi)
• Gran Fondo: 130+ km or 80 miles for the U.S.
• Imperial Century: 100 miles (160.9 km)
• Double Metric Century: 200 km (124.3 mi)

I do not count the distances above, haha! Once I returned from my last Imperial Century, my long-distance mentor smiled and said: "Didn't I tell you the distance was only in your mind?" to which I replied: "Indeed! We e-bikers are, however, limited by our battery range!"

@DaveMatthews: I love The Who, too!

 

[Chargeride]

Everything is on my gopro, but I took a few pics.
I rode from our campsite along the beach and dunes to Harlech Castle.

Rode up into the dunes to get the money shot.
Snowdonia in the background and the 13th century Harlech castle on the right.

I rode a stupidly steep switchback to the castle and met a brummie...hint, thats what Ozzie Osbourne is, same accent.
He proceeded to give me a full rundown of the place like he was a local.
Anyway, its pretty impressive, if only for the view across to the mountains.

 

[PatriciaK]

Geez I feel like a real baby posting my big almost 9 miles after Rab, Stefan, Dodgeman and rbush !

But, today was my longest ride since COVID, so I'm proud of it! I'm going to crack 10 miles next week...I can just feel it !



Obligatory bike photo, at the top of the bike trail, ready to hit the rural road.



A barn, for you-know-who .



Looking towards town on the return with the Cascade Mountains in the far distance.



More Cascades behind the City Marina and the "tit on the hill" on the Seaplane Base.

It was a glorious day for riding! Lots of people out in the park... Unfortunately, playing Pokemon on their phones so not paying a lot of attention. The bell got a workout, too !

 

[DaveMatthews]

Geez I feel like a real baby posting my big almost 9 miles after Rab, Stefan, Dodgeman and rbush !

But, today was my longest ride since COVID, so I'm proud of it! I'm going to crack 10 miles next week...I can just feel it !


View attachment 158787
Obligatory bike photo, at the top of the bike trail, ready to hit the rural road.


View attachment 158788
A barn, for you-know-who .


View attachment 158789
Looking towards town on the return with the Cascade Mountains in the far distance.


View attachment 158790
More Cascades behind the City Marina and the "tit on the hill" on the Seaplane Base.

It was a glorious day for riding! Lots of people out in the park... Unfortunately, playing Pokemon on their phones so not paying a lot of attention. The bell got a workout, too !

View attachment 158791

The whole point is getting out and enjoying the experience, total distance notwithstanding.
Winning!