2024 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

Two Metric Centuries

A Barbecue Ride
Saturday 10th August 2024

Tomek (a big guy riding a Marin bike) had already enjoyed the three group rides I had organised, so at the first convenient opportunity he suggested a 'visit to his area'. Following his description, I planned a route that he accepted. The recently met e-biker Anna gladly agreed to join (as she could not find any follow e-bikers to ride with).

A single train was necessary to collect us from different stations and bring us to Tłuszcz (literally: Fat) I quickly centered the brake calipers on Tomek's bike, and we were ready to ride at 10:25 am.

I was playing with new features of my Samsung S24 Ultra smartphone. Now, you can quickly press the main button twice in a rapid succession to activate the camera, which enabled me to do a single-hand photo shooting. As I was focused on taking photos, I missed the first turn on our ride!

Necessary to mention early: The area of Rivers Liwiec and Bug is extremely popular among Warsawers, who have their summer cabins, huts and cottages there.

Jadów is one of such locations. There has been a fad of "craft ice-cream" for several last years in Poland. The ice-cream of Jadów was once famous. Now, given the serious competition, the local ice-cream feels overhyped and expensive!

I asked Tomek to take us to the bank of Liwiec. We took some photos there: both I and Ania were trying to look taller than Tomek!

Kayaking is the most popular activity in the area of both rivers. Liwiec is extremely shallow, making the activity very safe

There is the Sanctuary of the Holy House in Loreto, Italy. Poles are good at copying things, and they are apt to overdo them Hence, the sanctuary we met en route is located in Loretto (double "t"), making the place name more Italian than the original

I bought a kilogramme of good sausage in nearby Kamieńczyk-upon-Bug, and then we stopped on an old wobbly bridge over the Liwiec.

Even in this photo, it is visible the river water is clear, and you can see the sandy bottom there!

That's how Warsawers spend their holiday in the area. Tomek's Mom and Dad welcomed us with barbecue. Grilled sausage, black pudding, fermented cucumber, and even mint flavoured honey! We got full soon!

Anna pedalling her Flyer e-bike hard! I determined her Bosch E-Bike must have had a wrong wheel circumference figure set in the system, as Anna's speedometer was 3 km/h off compared to mine on Vado SL, making the motor cut-off occur a way too low! (I recommended Anna paying a visit at a Bosch E-Bike rep). Anyway, we had to catch the return train, so she was pedalling above the cut-off on her own leg power, and refrained to using Turbo mode upwind! (Tomek was more than surprised to find out a part of my route led through the forest, gravel, and some sand! He was expecting asphalt only!)

We caught the train well before the time!

The group ride.

Now, the issue with the trains on the line past Tłuszcz was they were not only scheduled every full hour but also all of them were to arrive to Warszawa Wileńska station, which was the most inconvenient for me! What to do... I simply pedalled from Warsaw Vilnius Station home "on the wheels" Making a Metric Century. Because of the relatively slow ride speed, and only a single battery set, I had to ride in the SL 30/60% assistance all the way, making me very tired on returning home!

A Pasta Ride
Sunday 11th August 2024

I had no idea where to ride on Sunday. I thought I had not been to Góra Kalwaria (Mt. Calvary) for a while, so I took my Vado 6.0 (and two batteries) for a quick ride!

-- What's going on, Officer?
-- What, now?
-- Yes, sir. Asking out of curiosity.
-- Ah. The cyclists on their pilgrimage ride -- the policeman said.
I too often forget I'm living in a Catholic country!

Warsaw cyclists usually stop at Mt. Cafe in Mt. Calvary. Overpriced, good coffee, good cake but bad food. Meanwhile, just behind the corner, there is a nice restaurant no cyclist seems to notice! (The best non-alcoholic IPA of Poland here!)

A big portion of delicious pasta. The place name is Delizza.

While I used 40/40% assistance for my Vado 6.0 on the outward leg of the trip, I had to counter a massive headwind with the 70/70% for the first 26 km of the return ride...

Then, I went full Turbo for the remaining distance, such strong the headwind became! Here: I know a single manual car wash in the neighbourhood that can wash a bike at low pressure, and there is an option to clean the wheel rims, too

Another Metric Century, faster this time. Still tiresome!

 

[dodgeman]

We rode 21 miles today. A near perfect day, no wind and about 68 degrees, it would normally be more like 88 this time of year. Because of the light winds we averaged 14.3 miles per hour which is fast for us. A picture at a rural cemetery we took a break at.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

We rode 21 miles today. A near perfect day, no wind and about 68 degrees, it would normally be more like 88 this time of year. Because of the light winds we averaged 14.3 miles per hour which is fast for us. A picture at a rural cemetery we took a break at.
View attachment 180362

Weren't you concerned that the zombies who escaped through that fence might still be around?
;^}

 

[dodgeman]

Weren't you concerned that the zombies who escaped through that fence might still be around?
;^}

Of course, that’s why my wife is closest to it. When they jump her I make my getaway.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Today’s 52km ride started out along the C & E Trail which used to be part of the main corridor where people would travel between Forts Edmonton and Calgary dating back to more than a century ago.

The surrounding area is likely a far cry from those bygone days when horse driven carriages once plied this road. Red Deer was the mid stopping point where travelers and stagecoach crews could receive food and shelter. It’s now home to hectares of lush farmland and acreages where monster houses now supplant settler homesteads. I can’t imagine the upkeep required to maintain the massive front lawn of this property.

A friendly wave from a couple of fellow roadies. This is road made for cyclists as traffic is less hectic considering that it’s largely used by the local residents.

Sai recruits some additional power and gets a jump start on this hill. Wind was gusting SE at the time judging by the flags in the distance up at the top.

I’m not sure what the proper protocol is for flying flags of different nations but I think the owner of this property has done so correctly.

More fields of prairie gold.

A relic from the past. I wonder if the lightening rods helped spare this barn over the years from an otherwise potential demise?

We head towards home along Hwy 592 with Pennington Lake in sight. The lake is actually a shallow wetland surround by cultivated fields but is home to notable bird species such as grebes, ospreys, stilts, and other shorebirds.

The shoulders along the roads near the town of Penhold are not the best to ride on at times especially with skinny tires. With a prominent rumble strip to the left and poorly maintained tarmac strewn with gravel everywhere else.

We cross over the modern-day C & E Trail aka the QE2 which is the longest and busiest highway in the province.

We decided to take the opportunity and ride our normal rural route back towards home base along MacKenzie Road and RR 270 knowing in advance that the road would be closed for major repairs that were taking place. Since it was a weekend, there was a good chance we could find our way across the heavily machined work zone.

Sure enough, a small gap between a fence and the excavator provided more than enough space to get our bikes through to the other side. Unfortunately, this method will only merit success on weekends when the crews are idle. The road is not expected to reopen until Sept 3.

 

[Chargeride]

Spongebob tshirt rulz.

 

[Chargeride]

Moved further up the coast nearer Aberystwth.
Proper Welsh here, you will most people speaking it in the streets and shops.

Carew castle sits in a scenery that gives it a real authentic look, I'd have loved to have visited on a misty morning.

I presume its mostly a mock castle, dont think those large windows would be of much use

Were in a 'five star' Pod on top of the hill near Aberaeron with a spectacular panoramic view ..when its not misty.

The little village at the bottom of the lane only has 280 occupants, and after a quick ride around on the bike they give the vibe of mountain hillbillies vs hippy commune.

I was sat outside a locals bar , the wife was inside and I started getting chatted up by the gayest man in Wales..which is a UK meme you may not understand.

So it turns out hes a UK soap star...never watch them... and he knows people we know and his family turn up and hes on stage in Willy Wonka and next hes doing all the dance moves in the gayest style ever in front of the pub.
All the spins and poses, the local old farmers were sat there probably thinking that Caligula himself had turned up.

Anyway the sunsets are very dramatic.

 

[JGcycle]

A couple of pics from today's 26km ride:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

A friend told me about this website:
MyWindsock.com

Here is the wind I met on my Sunday ride. The more red the line becomes the stronger headwind is. The app told me the headwind I met on the ride was 25.4 to 46.2 km/h (15.6 to 28.7 mph). No wonder I had to complete my ride in Turbo mode!

I can recommend the app to anyone interested in planning and analyzing their long rides!

 

[RabH]

We had our best weather for a long time yesterday but I couldn't go cycling as I was attending the British Touring Car championships at Knockhill, cycling wasn't an option with a crowd of over 10000 spectators and most of them had a car! I got burnt to a crisp most unusual weather for Knockhill but very welcome and it was such a brilliant race meeting!

This morning we had thunderstorms and very strong winds but the forecast was looking better in the afternoon, the wind was supposed to die down as the afternoon progressed but was still around 30mph when I left at 12.45pm! So I made use of the strong tailwind and headed east for Uphall, the back roads were ruled out as there was a good chance of flooding so I made use of the cycle paths as much as possible! The strong wind really helped to dry things up though and the sun shone for the whole ride so that really helped! When I reached Uphall my average speed was almost 18mph, that tailwind sure was fun!

At Uphall I turned north towards Threemiletown, turning west before the village and on the road to Beecraigs Country Park! Time for some photos while I had a short break and a snack!

The Ochill hills were looking very nice today!

I also had a nice view of the bridges over the Forth!

I was battling the wind now and it was still very strong at this point, I did have a lot of tree cover helping though! This was the view to the south!

Another nice view of the Ochils to the north!

I decided not to take the road to the country park due to the wind and opted for the descent down into Bridgend instead, from there I turned west for Linlithgow! The town was very busy and I was glad to reach the back road out of town which leads to Torphicen, its such a great road and is well protected from the wind thanks to all the trees!

I had this awesome view of the Ochils from the back road also!

The road is very smooth for the most part, the main reason I love road riding is amazing roads like these!

I reached the turning point for Torphicen and tackled the big climb which is worth it for the views from near the top!

The road does start with a nice descent before ramping up!

I then continued the climb up through the village and turned west to enjoy the descent down towards Westfield, I really enjoyed that despite the strong headwind! Speaking of which it wasn't getting less windy at all like the forecast said, I wasn't surprised though and half expected it...my intention was to do just 50 miles today as I had a long tiring day on Sunday and I had this headwind to contend with! I arrived in Westfield with 38 miles covered but I was feeling pretty strong so I turned south and took the back road to Bridgehouse which starts with a climb followed by a big descent into the village!

Then its a big climb up towards Heights, just over a mile and directly into the wind with no tree cover, no problem for level 2 assist though! At the top of the climb I reached the turn off for Heights but decided to take the descent down into Avonbridge instead as its been a while since I enjoyed this awesome descent! Of course after descending its time to go up again, thankfully it was a gradual climb to start with but soon ramped up! It was time for another snack break before the steeper parts and some photos!

I was tempted to take the road in the background here but decided against it due to the exposed climb into that headwind!

Time for the first climb which is well sheltered and the reason I took this road!

The road leads to Limerigg and passes the Black loch which was very choppy today, I didn't bother taking any photos this time! At this point I had covered 45 miles and I was still feeling strong so I decided to go for a metric century! At Limerigg I headed down the big descent into Slamannan, I have been mostly climbing this one recently so it was good to enjoy this amazing descent again! From Slamannan I headed west which means some climbing again but nothing difficult although it was directly into the wind! I was now approaching Greengairs and had just passed the 50 mile mark so I turned north before the village and enjoyed another big descent I haven't been down for quite a while!

I then took the road towards Palacerigg Country Park which is a big climb followed by a really nice descent down into Cumbernauld! From there I turned south through Luggiebank and up the big climb to Wattston with almost 58 miles in the bag now! I had planned it perfectly as I had 4 miles to go from here, over the quiet back roads to home! Of course a couple of miles from home the wind finally subsided, still around 20mph but it felt like a light breeze now! What a great ride that was, especially that tailwind which lasted for almost 20 miles!

 

[Saratoga Dave]

I’ve been riding pretty much every day, but nothing particularly compelling as far as visuals. Went out with a couple of friends today over in Washington County, NY (right next door, so to speak), near the Vermont border on some roads we really love, and actually got some decent pictures.

This lovely gravel road goes from open fields to dark woods again and again and is a real favorite.

Looking back west across the Hudson into Saratoga County

We had a great ride for a few hours and dodged a pretty good rainstorm while we were at it. Always good riding with these guys. Mike dug out an old Giant hard tail from 1994 with the three chain rings in the front, and the thing performed extremely well. It was $700 new when he bought it, which in those days was a pretty good hunk of change for a bike.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I’ve been riding pretty much every day, but nothing particularly compelling as far as visuals.

Yep, that pretty well sums up my summer ride calendar too. With the season here shorter than most, it doesn’t leave much choice other than to take advantage of each day the weather gods are smiling down on us. Even on those days when the wind is unrelenting, we’re usually out riding. Once the cold winter is upon us, I don’t want to look back and be kicking myself for having missed those days when there was absolutely no excuse not to be in the saddle. From today’s ride. An all too familiar road but still somewhat visually compelling.

 

[fooferdoggie]

Providence Bridge pedal ride

 

[Chargeride]

I love a bridge me.

 

[Chargeride]

So I was stopped admiring the view and a man with a very obvious German accent came over to ask me about the tyres on my bike.

Straight away I took the opportunity to ask him about the sharkbike name.
'Where are you from?'

I live here he replied

This is where it gets a bit weird, but less weird for two caucasians.
'Yes but your accent is obviously...'

An uncomfortable 'I grew up in Germany'

I dont know if somehow he thought Id start rambling about the war or something.
Anyway I replied, pointing at the battery, 'does that say Sharkbike.'

Well yes, the german word for shark and the english word for bike put together.
He loved the bike and I pointed out it was a German brand.

Never heard of them he said.
I replied, 'you want one now ,dont you'.

Yes, yes I do.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So I was stopped admiring the view and a man with a very obvious German accent came over to ask me about the tyres on my bike.

Straight away I took the opportunity to ask him about the sharkbike name.
'Where are you from?'
View attachment 180459
I live here he replied

This is where it gets a bit weird, but less weird for two caucasians.
'Yes but your accent is obviously...'
View attachment 180460
An uncomfortable 'I grew up in Germany'

I dont know if somehow he thought Id start rambling about the war or something.
Anyway I replied, pointing at the battery, 'does that say Sharkbike.'

Well yes, the german word for shark and the english word for bike put together.
He loved the bike and I pointed out it was a German brand.

View attachment 180461

Never heard of them he said.
I replied, 'you want one now ,dont you'.

Yes, yes I do.

An entertaining story indeed!

Not sure how it is now but Haibike used to be a huge bike and e-bike manufacturer of Germany.


This traditional Sharkbike (belonging to a friend) is the 2016 model.

 

[dodgeman]

My wife and I rode 25 miles today, all the rural roads near our house. Once again near perfect day, light winds and temps in the low 70’s. We stopped to take a break on a ridge over a larger creek, a picture looking downstream, a bit of a log jam.

 

[Prairie Dog]

We hit the C & E Trail once again today but ventured further south, bypassing the hamlet of Penhold while riding another 20km into the town of Innisfail.

We came across a few stately homes along the way including one with a well crafted bright red garage. I have to admit that the adjacent home paled in comparison.

A bee’s work is never done.

A seemingly pastoral setting but what was once known as a sure crop area isn’t anymore. Increasing temperatures combined with powerful winds, hailstorms, and reduced levels of ground moisture have resulted in massive feed shortages both here and in other parts of the province. Bales of hay can fetch up to over $200 making it extremely difficult for ranchers to feed their animals.

Amidst the pastureland, these four farm buildings still stand, a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who built them.

For over 60 years, the Daine’s Ranch has played host to their annual pro rodeo which attracts cowboys and cowgirls from all parts of the province but also draws it’s share of Americans who want to qualify for the CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo)

These Charolais cattle strike a pose as they curiously gaze at the stupid human taking their photo.

Another typical albeit poignant prairie landscape and the township road that we are about to cross as we continue our march into the Town of Innisfail.

We dropped by this brew pub/coffee roaster/eatery but service was lacking so we went looking elsewhere.

Naturally, no visit to the town center should be without an obligatory pic of a 104 Starfighter jet.

We finally settled on the Coffee Cottage which doesn’t look like much at first glance but the staff were exemplary and the breakfast croissants and Italian sodas delightful.

Nice mural on the side of the building with an international flavor.

After lunch, we casually head north back towards homebase.

What a small world. A roadie friend, Dave, just happened to be riding the same out-and-back route and we obligingly stopped for a brief chat before moving on.

A view lot for sale. Any takers?

A 61km outing turned out to be somewhat a celebratory ride for the missus since acquiring her road bike almost two years ago. Decent considering she only rides six months out of the year.

 

[DaveMatthews]

We hit the C & E Trail once again today but ventured further south, bypassing the hamlet of Penhold while riding another 20km into the town of Innisfail.

View attachment 180475

We came across a few stately homes along the way including one with a well crafted bright red garage. I have to admit that the adjacent home paled in comparison.

View attachment 180477
View attachment 180478
View attachment 180479
View attachment 180480

A bee’s work is never done.

View attachment 180483

A seemingly pastoral setting but what was once known as a sure crop area isn’t anymore. Increasing temperatures combined with powerful winds, hailstorms, and reduced levels of ground moisture have resulted in massive feed shortages both here and in other parts of the province. Bales of hay can fetch up to over $200 making it extremely difficult for ranchers to feed their animals.

View attachment 180485

Amidst the pastureland, these four farm buildings still stand, a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who built them.

View attachment 180486

For over 60 years, the Daine’s Ranch has played host to their annual pro rodeo which attracts cowboys and cowgirls from all parts of the province but also draws it’s share of Americans who want to qualify for the CFR (Canadian Finals Rodeo)

View attachment 180487

These Charolais cattle strike a pose as they curiously gaze at the stupid human taking their photo.

View attachment 180488

Another typical albeit poignant prairie landscape and the township road that we are about to cross as we continue our march into the Town of Innisfail.

View attachment 180489
View attachment 180490

We dropped by this brew pub/coffee roaster/eatery but service was lacking so we went looking elsewhere.

View attachment 180491

Naturally, no visit to the town center should be without an obligatory pic of a 104 Starfighter jet.

View attachment 180492

We finally settled on the Coffee Cottage which doesn’t look like much at first glance but the staff were exemplary and the breakfast croissants and Italian sodas delightful.

View attachment 180493

Nice mural on the side of the building with an international flavor.

View attachment 180494

After lunch, we casually head north back towards homebase.

View attachment 180495

What a small world. A roadie friend, Dave, just happened to be riding the same out-and-back route and we obligingly stopped for a brief chat before moving on.

View attachment 180496

A view lot for sale. Any takers?

View attachment 180497

A 61km outing turned out to be somewhat a celebratory ride for the missus since acquiring her road bike almost two years ago. Decent considering she only rides six months out of the year.

View attachment 180498

Fabulous!

 

[Chargeride]

An entertaining story indeed!

Not sure how it is now but Haibike used to be a huge bike and e-bike manufacturer of Germany.

View attachment 180462
This traditional Sharkbike (belonging to a friend) is the 2016 model.

I was surprised he hadnt heard of them, he was quite a thoughtful fellow with long pauses before he spoke, I might have mistaken that for him being a little reticent to reveal his obvious german ubringing.
When I joked he wanted one now, it was a good ten seconds before he replied.