2023 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter Saratoga Dave
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
So many nice rides of yours friends here! Now in the middle of the night, I've been sitting on the apartament terrace reading your stories and admiring your beautiful photos and videos! Meanwhile, our seaside adventure continues. We saw what we wanted to see during the last two intensive days, and now @Brix and I have decided it is a good time to take some rest 
Sopot or Zoppot, or the Famous Resort Town On The Baltic Sea
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
Zoppot had been a small village until a physician by name of Häffner convinced Danzigers the place's bromide brine springs were making the location worthy to become a spa in 1840's. The rapid development has turned Zoppot into a resort town similar to Brighton or Llandudno but far smaller and cosy (@Chargeride or @DiggyGun or @RabH will understand it perfectly!), with the following attractions:
Nowadays, Sopot together with Gdańsk and Gdynia form the Tricity.
Brix in the town's famous promenade, the long name of which is shortened to Monciak (Monty), and which is tightly packed with restaurants, bars and cafes.
The city main square. The high building in the bottom photo is a lighthouse. Sopot has always been fashionable but the rapid development in the recent 20 years made it just beautiful!
This tiny piece of amber and silver jewelry is worth US$1,500.
On the longest wooden pier of Europe. The entry ticket is the cheapest thing you pay for in Sopot
A fully packed sand beach in the front of Grand Hotel.
You can take a trip on a fast motorboat...
...or a cruise over the Bay of Gdańsk.
The famous Grand Hotel with its casino and the "Suicide Lane"
We deserved a good rest at the No. 5 craft beer pub (address: Monty 5)
Probably the most famous resort town of Poland.
Sopot or Zoppot, or the Famous Resort Town On The Baltic Sea
Wednesday 23rd of August 2023
Zoppot had been a small village until a physician by name of Häffner convinced Danzigers the place's bromide brine springs were making the location worthy to become a spa in 1840's. The rapid development has turned Zoppot into a resort town similar to Brighton or Llandudno but far smaller and cosy (@Chargeride or @DiggyGun or @RabH will understand it perfectly!), with the following attractions:
- The longest wooden pier in Europe (512 m)
- Kasino-Hotel, now Grand Hotel
- Balneological institutions
- Forest Opera
- Horse race-track
- Lawn-tennis courts
Nowadays, Sopot together with Gdańsk and Gdynia form the Tricity.
Brix in the town's famous promenade, the long name of which is shortened to Monciak (Monty), and which is tightly packed with restaurants, bars and cafes.
The city main square. The high building in the bottom photo is a lighthouse. Sopot has always been fashionable but the rapid development in the recent 20 years made it just beautiful!
This tiny piece of amber and silver jewelry is worth US$1,500.
On the longest wooden pier of Europe. The entry ticket is the cheapest thing you pay for in Sopot
A fully packed sand beach in the front of Grand Hotel.
You can take a trip on a fast motorboat...
...or a cruise over the Bay of Gdańsk.
The famous Grand Hotel with its casino and the "Suicide Lane"
We deserved a good rest at the No. 5 craft beer pub (address: Monty 5)
Probably the most famous resort town of Poland.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Gdynia: The Purest Polish City On The Baltic
Thursday 24th of August 2023
After the WW1, the restored Poland craved for the access to the sea. The League of Nations granted Poland a narrow strip of Baltic seashore north of Gdańsk. The authorities of the independent Poland decided to establish a huge seaport and a city on the location of a small village of Gdynia (1920s). Immense propaganda action was launched to make Poles from the mainland move to Gdynia and become sailors, dockers, and shipyard workers. The action had fully suceeded, and by 1930 Poland got her only seaport and a Polish city on the Baltic with Polish and Kashubian population.
The best architects were employed and given free hand to realise their Modernist ideas. As the outcome, the most modern city was created, with wide streets, full of air and greenery, and wonderful architecture.
Necessary to mention, Poland also created Maritime (Merchant Fleet) and Navy Academies as well as shipyards in Gdynia at that time. Actually, Poland had to create the merchant fleet and Navy from the scratch!
Honestly, whenever I am in Gdynia, I'm proud to be Polish as even I am surprised my compatriots could create something such perfect! Now, I only regret I didn't take pictures of the city itself.
The current architecture matches the original Gdynia style very well.
ORP "Błyskawica" (Lightning), a 1937 destroyer warship that saw combat during WW2, was overtaken by the Royal Navy in 1946 and returned to Poland in 1947.
@Brix at the "Dar Pomorza" (The Gift of Pomerania) full rigged sailing ship. She was built in 1909, and bought by the Polish community of Pomerania for £7,000, as the new training ship for the Polish Naval Academy in 1929. Dar Pomorza won the Cutty Sark Trophy in 1980, and was decomissioned in 1982 to become a museum-ship.
A fake sailing ship leaving Gdynia for a cruise. You can, for instance, get to Gdańsk by this ship. There is sea-shanty music played aboard!
A kind lady (which, I am sure was a good photographer) took that photo of us in the Port of Gdynia.
We liked the visit to the Aquarium of Gdynia although we were together in a better Oceanarium before (funny to mention that but the better Oceanarium was located inside the Zoo of Wrocław, which is located in the mainland!)
A nice lunch in a restaurant just opposite the Maritime University (the merchant fleet academy).
Traditionally, we spent the late afternoon sipping good ale. This time, it was the pub of the AleBrowar Brewery.
American Barley Wine
A small part of the big city of Gdynia, a part of Tricity.
Thursday 24th of August 2023
After the WW1, the restored Poland craved for the access to the sea. The League of Nations granted Poland a narrow strip of Baltic seashore north of Gdańsk. The authorities of the independent Poland decided to establish a huge seaport and a city on the location of a small village of Gdynia (1920s). Immense propaganda action was launched to make Poles from the mainland move to Gdynia and become sailors, dockers, and shipyard workers. The action had fully suceeded, and by 1930 Poland got her only seaport and a Polish city on the Baltic with Polish and Kashubian population.
The best architects were employed and given free hand to realise their Modernist ideas. As the outcome, the most modern city was created, with wide streets, full of air and greenery, and wonderful architecture.
Necessary to mention, Poland also created Maritime (Merchant Fleet) and Navy Academies as well as shipyards in Gdynia at that time. Actually, Poland had to create the merchant fleet and Navy from the scratch!
Honestly, whenever I am in Gdynia, I'm proud to be Polish as even I am surprised my compatriots could create something such perfect! Now, I only regret I didn't take pictures of the city itself.
The current architecture matches the original Gdynia style very well.
ORP "Błyskawica" (Lightning), a 1937 destroyer warship that saw combat during WW2, was overtaken by the Royal Navy in 1946 and returned to Poland in 1947.
@Brix at the "Dar Pomorza" (The Gift of Pomerania) full rigged sailing ship. She was built in 1909, and bought by the Polish community of Pomerania for £7,000, as the new training ship for the Polish Naval Academy in 1929. Dar Pomorza won the Cutty Sark Trophy in 1980, and was decomissioned in 1982 to become a museum-ship.
A fake sailing ship leaving Gdynia for a cruise. You can, for instance, get to Gdańsk by this ship. There is sea-shanty music played aboard!
A kind lady (which, I am sure was a good photographer) took that photo of us in the Port of Gdynia.
We liked the visit to the Aquarium of Gdynia although we were together in a better Oceanarium before (funny to mention that but the better Oceanarium was located inside the Zoo of Wrocław, which is located in the mainland!)
A nice lunch in a restaurant just opposite the Maritime University (the merchant fleet academy).
Traditionally, we spent the late afternoon sipping good ale. This time, it was the pub of the AleBrowar Brewery.
American Barley Wine
A small part of the big city of Gdynia, a part of Tricity.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
A Little Bit Of Tatty Poland
Friday 25th of August 2023
Year 1772 meant the First Partition to Poland. As Polish Pomerania fell to Prussia, King Frederick the Great wanted to lay his dirty hands on rich Gdańsk. However, he was unable to capture the city militarily. For that reason, he created a harbour settlement by the name of Neufahrwasser, which is today known as Gdańsk Nowy Port (Newport). As Prussia now could control the mouth of Vistula, Gdańsk had to capitulate to become Prussian Danzig after several years of economic misfortune.
Today, Nowy Port occupies the greater part of the Inner Harbour of the Port of Gdańsk. It has always been what you think of a harbour quarter of a seaport city
Our friend Arek invited me and @Brix to the best restaurant of Gdańsk, "Perła Bałtyku" (Pearl of the Baltic), and I can tell you he was not wrong as to the food quality!
Salmon (top), meatballs (bottom).
Me having a cigarette in a funny smoking area. Notice an old washing machine as a flowerpot, and the big ferry in the harbour.
In the front of the restaurant. Looking quite shabby, right?
A dilapidated building.
A mural.
Typical Slavic garages
A poor but colourful house. The left part is shoemaker's shop.
This block of flats deserves some paint!
A tram depot.
A fake tall-ship on the Dead Vistula. The Fortress Wisłoujście (Vistula Mouth) in the background.
A cruise ship crossing the path of the former ferry across the Vistula. The ferry has been replaced by a tunnel.
The red pin marks the restaurant location.
.
Friday 25th of August 2023
Year 1772 meant the First Partition to Poland. As Polish Pomerania fell to Prussia, King Frederick the Great wanted to lay his dirty hands on rich Gdańsk. However, he was unable to capture the city militarily. For that reason, he created a harbour settlement by the name of Neufahrwasser, which is today known as Gdańsk Nowy Port (Newport). As Prussia now could control the mouth of Vistula, Gdańsk had to capitulate to become Prussian Danzig after several years of economic misfortune.
Today, Nowy Port occupies the greater part of the Inner Harbour of the Port of Gdańsk. It has always been what you think of a harbour quarter of a seaport city
Our friend Arek invited me and @Brix to the best restaurant of Gdańsk, "Perła Bałtyku" (Pearl of the Baltic), and I can tell you he was not wrong as to the food quality!
Salmon (top), meatballs (bottom).
Me having a cigarette in a funny smoking area. Notice an old washing machine as a flowerpot, and the big ferry in the harbour.
In the front of the restaurant. Looking quite shabby, right?
A dilapidated building.
A mural.
Typical Slavic garages
A poor but colourful house. The left part is shoemaker's shop.
This block of flats deserves some paint!
A tram depot.
A fake tall-ship on the Dead Vistula. The Fortress Wisłoujście (Vistula Mouth) in the background.
A cruise ship crossing the path of the former ferry across the Vistula. The ferry has been replaced by a tunnel.
The red pin marks the restaurant location.
.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Nope, still looks good 
I'll give you the block of flats
I'll give you the block of flats
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
We do tatty properly in Liverpool.
pmcdonald
Well-Known Member
My grandfather, may he rest in peace, was from Liverpool. He was very proud of the Beatles, but didn't care much for their music. He lived his life on the seas and settled in Australia, only returning to Liverpool very intermittently to stock up on essential FC merch. This was obviously in the days before online shopping.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Only 2.5 minutes.
Two of my Norfolk rides.
Two of my Norfolk rides.
DiggyGun
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Buckinghamshire
We did the Brampton Valley Way today. This is now also part of the NCN, Route No. 6.
Some of the mile markers en-route.
This is a disused railway line from Northampton to Market Harborough.
There is a preserved railway line running along part of it, so nice to see some old steam locomotives.
There are two tunnels that you go through which are pitch black as they’re not lit, but we have some good lights, so that helps. The first tunnel was nice and dry, but the second half of the second tunnel was very wet and slimy and you could feel the back tyre struggling a bit to grip, but managed OK.
Mrs DG modelling her new coat and cycling glasses.
The noise from the rear of my bike started to make a comeback, so had a quick check to see if anything had moved. What I did find was that everything was covered in thick dust.
As it’s a belt drive, I poured some water over it to clean the dust off. This seemed work, so I’ll keep and eye on it.
I’ll clean it down and spray some silicone spray on it to try and protect it, but make sure it’s clean for future rides.
DG…
Some of the mile markers en-route.
This is a disused railway line from Northampton to Market Harborough.
There is a preserved railway line running along part of it, so nice to see some old steam locomotives.
There are two tunnels that you go through which are pitch black as they’re not lit, but we have some good lights, so that helps. The first tunnel was nice and dry, but the second half of the second tunnel was very wet and slimy and you could feel the back tyre struggling a bit to grip, but managed OK.
Mrs DG modelling her new coat and cycling glasses.
The noise from the rear of my bike started to make a comeback, so had a quick check to see if anything had moved. What I did find was that everything was covered in thick dust.
As it’s a belt drive, I poured some water over it to clean the dust off. This seemed work, so I’ll keep and eye on it.
I’ll clean it down and spray some silicone spray on it to try and protect it, but make sure it’s clean for future rides.
DG…
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PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Drove the bikes down to Coupeville to ride a bit of the central part of the island. Turned out to be a VERY little bit, as PM rode my bike yesterday but neglected to charge, after 
. Oh well... He has his positive traits, so I think I shall keep him .
Stopped to take a stroll through a sculpture park in the woods - here are some of the pieces that particularly appealed:
A large eagle
These are supposed to be spores
This one titled "Playa Flowers"
A T-Rex made of bark
My favorite (favourite, neighbors to the north) piece, front and back, titled "All Things Equal"
A "crash site" titled "Icarus Was Here" (loved the title!)
Rode down to a place called "Long Point" for some close up views of Penn Cove. We used to come here to watch the sailing races, back in the day when our little city hosted a major regatta week - large sailing boats used to come from near and far!
The Cove is also where the young Lolita (RIP) was caught and penned (no relation to the name) before being shipped off to spend life in a tank in FL
.
Today was a much happier day!
Finished up back in town, snacking on a bench at the boat launch, and watched a couple inflate their kayak, and put the seats in backwards! PM opposed informing them, so I let them be.
Nice little ride, all in all - we packed a lot in to those 6.2 miles
!
. Oh well... He has his positive traits, so I think I shall keep him .Stopped to take a stroll through a sculpture park in the woods - here are some of the pieces that particularly appealed:
A large eagle
These are supposed to be spores
This one titled "Playa Flowers"
A T-Rex made of bark
My favorite (favourite, neighbors to the north) piece, front and back, titled "All Things Equal"
A "crash site" titled "Icarus Was Here" (loved the title!)
Rode down to a place called "Long Point" for some close up views of Penn Cove. We used to come here to watch the sailing races, back in the day when our little city hosted a major regatta week - large sailing boats used to come from near and far!
The Cove is also where the young Lolita (RIP) was caught and penned (no relation to the name) before being shipped off to spend life in a tank in FL
.Today was a much happier day!
Finished up back in town, snacking on a bench at the boat launch, and watched a couple inflate their kayak, and put the seats in backwards! PM opposed informing them, so I let them be.
Nice little ride, all in all - we packed a lot in to those 6.2 miles
!
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Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Rainy Creek Road To Leslieville
Today’s ride brought us further afield once again as we would ride an out and back circuit along what would initially seem to be a rather mundane road. However, we were pleasantly rewarded with vistas of the surrounding farmland as well as the introduction of several hilly climbs which made for some stimulating moments. No batteries required.
A stopover in the sleepy town of Leslieville at the midway point was a new experience for the both of us and proved to be quite uplifting.
Rural scenes like this have become focal points of our rides as we know all too well that agriculture plays a vital roll in local economies. I love how far this farm family has gone to show off the lifestyle that they are proud to be a part of.
Taking a stand. The Missus makes her way up Rainy Creek. Standing climbing can be an efficient technique for powering up hills. Selecting the right gear ratio and maintaining a steady cadence for the terrain while not depleting those glycogen stores is key.
The pattern of this swathed hay field appears to flow through the landscape like a winding river.
Taking advantage of the views from atop the hills.
A typical example of a farm driveway entrance. The log arch and vintage wagon were a nice touch. Some can be quite elaborate with no expense spared.
Our day wouldn’t be complete without someone going about their daily business.
Arriving in Leslieville with a stopover at the Old Post. A convenient watering hole for both visitors and locals looking for a light snack or refreshing beverage.
Everything on the menu looked yummy particularly their pies a la mode. We settled for ice cream floats as the sweet treats would give us the sugary jolt needed on the way back.
Several kms outside of Leslieville, we anxiously look forward to the long climb ahead of us.
Another farm operation many of which are multi-generation family run such as this one.
With the biggest hill behind us, we are confronted by nothing but big skies and open road flanked by fields of gold.
In the distant south, Sunbreaker Cover at Sylvan Lake looked inviting from our position. Temp hit a high of 33 C at one point.
Closer to the end of the ride, we're greeted by another picturesque homestead setting.
Rainy Creek Ranch is a guest ranch and rodeo training center for youth. Not only is it an equestrian center they also offer mountain guide training as well as indigenous interpretive learning.
Today’s ride brought us further afield once again as we would ride an out and back circuit along what would initially seem to be a rather mundane road. However, we were pleasantly rewarded with vistas of the surrounding farmland as well as the introduction of several hilly climbs which made for some stimulating moments. No batteries required.
A stopover in the sleepy town of Leslieville at the midway point was a new experience for the both of us and proved to be quite uplifting.Rural scenes like this have become focal points of our rides as we know all too well that agriculture plays a vital roll in local economies. I love how far this farm family has gone to show off the lifestyle that they are proud to be a part of.
Taking a stand. The Missus makes her way up Rainy Creek. Standing climbing can be an efficient technique for powering up hills. Selecting the right gear ratio and maintaining a steady cadence for the terrain while not depleting those glycogen stores is key.
The pattern of this swathed hay field appears to flow through the landscape like a winding river.
Taking advantage of the views from atop the hills.
A typical example of a farm driveway entrance. The log arch and vintage wagon were a nice touch. Some can be quite elaborate with no expense spared.
Our day wouldn’t be complete without someone going about their daily business.
Arriving in Leslieville with a stopover at the Old Post. A convenient watering hole for both visitors and locals looking for a light snack or refreshing beverage.
Everything on the menu looked yummy particularly their pies a la mode. We settled for ice cream floats as the sweet treats would give us the sugary jolt needed on the way back.
Several kms outside of Leslieville, we anxiously look forward to the long climb ahead of us.
Another farm operation many of which are multi-generation family run such as this one.
With the biggest hill behind us, we are confronted by nothing but big skies and open road flanked by fields of gold.
In the distant south, Sunbreaker Cover at Sylvan Lake looked inviting from our position. Temp hit a high of 33 C at one point.
Closer to the end of the ride, we're greeted by another picturesque homestead setting.
Rainy Creek Ranch is a guest ranch and rodeo training center for youth. Not only is it an equestrian center they also offer mountain guide training as well as indigenous interpretive learning.
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RabH
Well-Known Member
A nice recovery ride today, the weather was a bit iffy but nice light winds made it the perfect day for cycling! I headed over to the big descent at Gartness first where I plunged down the fast descent at 43.1mph, on a good day I have managed 48mph down this one! I then took the main road through Chapelhall up to Newhouse where I used the new cycle path up to Salsburgh, I was pleasantly surprise to see they are in the process of putting lighting all the way up the path!
I continued up the climb towards Harthill and enjoyed the lovely big descent down through the village and joined the nice wide cycle path towards Whitburn, where I then turned south to Longridge and for a minute I thought about continuing south and tackling the big climb up to Forth but I had my sensible head on today and turned east towards West Calder instead! Its been a while since I cycled this road in this direction and forgot how good it was, almost 5 miles of descending was just what my legs needed after Thursdays epic ride!
When I reached West Calder I turned southwest and now had a 6 mile climb which was just a gradual one thankfully, followed by a nice descent down towards Forth! Just before Forth I turned off the main road and enjoyed the best road of the day towards Braehead, lots of twists and turns and fast descents!
I then turned before Braehead back towards Forth but as soon as I arrived In the village I turned on to the back road through Climpy, which starts with a big climb followed by a few big fast descents before turning west on to the main road to Allanton!My legs were feeling good now so I turned off just before Allanton and took the back road to Hartwood before heading up the beast of a climb up to the Kirk of Shotts, the steepest part is close to 20% but Ridewithgps says the maximum gradient was 13.4%!
At the top of the climb the road then plunges back down towards Salsburgh, I then took the back road up past the Blackhill Transmitter which is another big climb but such a fun road to ride and after the climb there are some cracking twisty descents!The final descent takes you down into the village of Plains where it was a left turn on to the main road back to my home town! I just arrived in my home town and there is a tight left hand bend and the road is in need of repair so I always stay well away from the kerb to avoid the worst part, I looked back to see a guy in a car waving his finger telling me to move over to the left...he then pulled alongside me and wound his window down and shouted "you think you own the road?"
I asked if he would drive his car through the potholes in the road and he just shrugged his shoulders and drove on...what a moron! The best part is I noticed one of his rear brake lights were out so I let him know his car wasn't legal to be driven on the road, he didn't enjoy that!Another awesome ride despite the dodgy weather, I did get some rain but nothing too bad thankfully! No photos today as the weather was a bit murky with low visibility at times but I have added some more pictures from Thursdays ride, I took so many and think they are worth sharing!
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Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
I live in a land of short, steep hills. As much as I like RideWithGPS in general, it routinely underestimates grades around here. Some kind of interpolation problem?My legs were feeling good now so I turned off just before Allanton and took the back road to Hartwood before heading up the beast of a climb up to the Kirk of Shotts, the steepest part is close to 20% but Ridewithgps says the maximum gradient was 13.4%!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
RabH
Well-Known Member
You lost me at interpolation...
All I know is I saw 19% showing on my gps at one point!
DiggyGun
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Buckinghamshire
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
From today's 30 km ride - Marshmallow fields forever.
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PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
I miss the days when our kiddos were young enough to believe in fields of giant marshmallows
