2024 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter Saratoga Dave
- Start date
Watana Bob
Active Member
- Region
- USA
Looks very peaceful and beautiful JG!
JGcycle
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Saint John
Yes, it sure was a great morning along the Saint John River.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Three Saturday Rides
Friday evening was not a good time for me. As I received a shipment with a XLC SP-T09 dropper seat-post, I vigorously started installing it on my Vado SL. There is a part in the Vado SL that brings me to tears
It is the seat-post fastener, consisting of an element with a bolt, and a little wedge. If you loosen the bolt and remove the existing seat-post, the wedge is guaranteed to drop into the seat-tube, and might even disappear somewhere inside the frame! Oh no. I gave up immediately until early Saturday morning. Removed the wheels, turned the frame upside down and started shaking it vigorously! And yes, the wedge fell out the frame (Jacek wrote me I should insert a big piece of a sponge into the seat-tube to prevent the wedge falling into the frame, which I later did).
With the dropper seat-post installed, I set off for a shopping ride to test and adjust the new seat-post. Turns out I must have ridden for a couple of years with my saddles too high
Suffice to say the inexpensive, hand actuated dropper post fully met my expectations. 8.4 km to start the day well
My daughter Magda asked me to come to her Social Care Home and bring her, among others, ice-cream! We are now at yet another Summer heat-wave... The timing was vital. I mounted my Vado 6.0, set 70/70% assistance, and pedalled as fast as I could to see my daughter! Another 40.5 km.
In the late afternoon, I decided I needed some new towels. Got on my Vado SL again, rode to a shopping centre, did the purchase. Then ate a late lunch and...
Gave my Fearless a wash at a manual car wash. I discovered the best bike cleaning agent was the low pressure spray "rim cleaner", and I could literally see the dirt flowing off my e-bike! When I was rinsing my SL, the warden asked me why I did not apply the full high pressure spray... How little he knew of bicycle washing! (13.7 km).
I'd say almost 40 miles on a single very warm day was not bad at all! I announced an 80 km hilly ride on Facebook. It will be a record hot day in our area! Will anybody come to the group ride? I don't care!
------------
The Forum seems to be technically dying. I am afraid Court left the site to some careless new owners... Are we saying our goodbyes, EBRF friends?
Friday evening was not a good time for me. As I received a shipment with a XLC SP-T09 dropper seat-post, I vigorously started installing it on my Vado SL. There is a part in the Vado SL that brings me to tears
It is the seat-post fastener, consisting of an element with a bolt, and a little wedge. If you loosen the bolt and remove the existing seat-post, the wedge is guaranteed to drop into the seat-tube, and might even disappear somewhere inside the frame! Oh no. I gave up immediately until early Saturday morning. Removed the wheels, turned the frame upside down and started shaking it vigorously! And yes, the wedge fell out the frame (Jacek wrote me I should insert a big piece of a sponge into the seat-tube to prevent the wedge falling into the frame, which I later did).With the dropper seat-post installed, I set off for a shopping ride to test and adjust the new seat-post. Turns out I must have ridden for a couple of years with my saddles too high
Suffice to say the inexpensive, hand actuated dropper post fully met my expectations. 8.4 km to start the day well
My daughter Magda asked me to come to her Social Care Home and bring her, among others, ice-cream! We are now at yet another Summer heat-wave... The timing was vital. I mounted my Vado 6.0, set 70/70% assistance, and pedalled as fast as I could to see my daughter! Another 40.5 km.
In the late afternoon, I decided I needed some new towels. Got on my Vado SL again, rode to a shopping centre, did the purchase. Then ate a late lunch and...
Gave my Fearless a wash at a manual car wash. I discovered the best bike cleaning agent was the low pressure spray "rim cleaner", and I could literally see the dirt flowing off my e-bike! When I was rinsing my SL, the warden asked me why I did not apply the full high pressure spray... How little he knew of bicycle washing! (13.7 km).
I'd say almost 40 miles on a single very warm day was not bad at all! I announced an 80 km hilly ride on Facebook. It will be a record hot day in our area! Will anybody come to the group ride? I don't care!
------------
The Forum seems to be technically dying. I am afraid Court left the site to some careless new owners... Are we saying our goodbyes, EBRF friends?
Last edited:
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Bar space certainly came at a premium on her bike too. Riding in such a forward position is definitely more of a workout for the abs and she certainly doesn’t feel any strain on her lower back. Her body has adapted quite well and is able to sustain the aero position for about ¾ of the duration of a normal ride or roughly 25-30km. Before she started using the aero bars, I shudder to think what might happen while watching her precariously balance both arms on the bars. She finds the new setup also reduces strain on both wrists and hands.I was thinking about installing these aerobars. First of all, there is a very little of space left on my Vado SL bars. Secondly, this e-bike is expected to spend a lot of time off-road, which is not the ideal environment for aerobars (yes, I know they are removable). The most important factor though was my anxiety of riding aerobars
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Another Haibike at Salcombe, its got that fancy new drive
One thing you can say about rich Londoners, they sure keep these quaint second homes in splendid condidition.
I noped out of this track on my BMX, the fattie cruised up it.
Everyone walking down to a Fete at Hope Cove
I rode into the extended carpark and proceeded to just straight climb the insane hill next to it.
That was the absolute climb limit of the bike, it just stalled into a wheelie at this point, the view was worth it and I scoffed my egg and mushroom bap.
It doesnt look that steep, but trust me, it was practically 45 degrees, I could just sit there like a chair with my feet at a lower point.
The crowds at Salcombe are ridiculous now, that queue was for the boat hire.
This is National Trust Overbecks, you pass it to get to Bolt Head, everyone is impossibly posh, it's like being at a day out version of Dowton.
An actual conversation.
'Martin, Martin, the children are impossible without food.'
'Im trying, but they only have ginger and Elderberry and I know Harriet doesn't lik.'
'This is not the time ,just buy them Martin, she can fuss all she likes.'
Looks at the Lady running the stall.
'I'm terribly sorry, I'm at my wits end.'
I watched them walk 50ft from a Range Rover.
It is beautiful, a Stately Home and gardens over looking the sea cliffs, that is just the modern cafe extension.
I confused a German couple with my explanation for the photograph.
'Theyre both made in Germany', I could tell they had no clue what I was rambling on about.
More of these giant leaves.
Bus stop, but not the King George you are thinking of.
Out for four hours, rode the last hill to my dads in High, that's what you call cutting it fine.
One thing you can say about rich Londoners, they sure keep these quaint second homes in splendid condidition.
I noped out of this track on my BMX, the fattie cruised up it.
Everyone walking down to a Fete at Hope Cove
I rode into the extended carpark and proceeded to just straight climb the insane hill next to it.
That was the absolute climb limit of the bike, it just stalled into a wheelie at this point, the view was worth it and I scoffed my egg and mushroom bap.
It doesnt look that steep, but trust me, it was practically 45 degrees, I could just sit there like a chair with my feet at a lower point.
The crowds at Salcombe are ridiculous now, that queue was for the boat hire.
This is National Trust Overbecks, you pass it to get to Bolt Head, everyone is impossibly posh, it's like being at a day out version of Dowton.
An actual conversation.
'Martin, Martin, the children are impossible without food.'
'Im trying, but they only have ginger and Elderberry and I know Harriet doesn't lik.'
'This is not the time ,just buy them Martin, she can fuss all she likes.'
Looks at the Lady running the stall.
'I'm terribly sorry, I'm at my wits end.'
I watched them walk 50ft from a Range Rover.
It is beautiful, a Stately Home and gardens over looking the sea cliffs, that is just the modern cafe extension.
I confused a German couple with my explanation for the photograph.
'Theyre both made in Germany', I could tell they had no clue what I was rambling on about.
More of these giant leaves.
Bus stop, but not the King George you are thinking of.
Out for four hours, rode the last hill to my dads in High, that's what you call cutting it fine.
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Jeremy McCreary
Very Stable Genius
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Such serene places you ride in!
JGcycle
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Saint John
Yes, and it's particularly peaceful early in the morning.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Ice-Cream and Apples in Biała Rawska
I announced a group ride on a Facebook group for Sunday. Only one person appeared on the start line, Justyna with who I have already been together on several rides. She proudly demonstrated her new bike, a TREK FX 3. Given she is a very lightweight person, she would certainly benefit from riding a lightweight bicycle! My choice of Jaktorów train station as the start/finish line turned out to be excellent. We reached Radziejowice in no time, and then we started climbing all the way to Biała Rawska!
At some point, I discovered the saddle mount got loose. I shouted 'We have to stop!'. Justyna continued her ride and replied 'Catch me if you can!' Well, I took a 4 mm hex wrench, set the Bubble Level app on my smartphone, levelled the saddle, tightened the screw very strongly, drank a lot of isotonic drink, started having a cigarette... It took me several kilometres to catch up with my companion. 'I can bet you had a cigarette, too?' -- she asked, to which I answered: 'Two of them, actually!'
If you were ever interested in Strongman competition, you must have heard the name of 'Pudzian', Mariusz Pudzianowski. He was a multiple world champion Strongman in 2000s. Turns out he was born in Biała Rawska, and still lives on his home property! (He is now a martial arts fighter at age of 47).
Some stonemasons honoured the Strongman with a figure, decorating the driveway.
Whenever I arrive in Biała Rawska, I take a portion of seasonal ice-cream. It is always made of fresh fruit! This time: Raspberry Ice-Cream.
As some of you already know, the big area shared by South Mazovia and Northeast Land of Łódź is the Poland's biggest Apple Land. I took an apple that fell on the ground and took it home!
Justyna made an interesting decision: we shall ride to the planned finish line, and then she would return home "on the wheels". I decided riding yet another Metric Century was a good idea, so I we rode together and then I rode for a late lunch. Important: European McD, and specifically McD of Poland are actually a nice place, air-conditioned, very clean, and serving delicious food exactly as advertised!
My body + Vado SL + pannier weight must have been twice of Justyna and her bicycle. On any descent, I was getting a high speed just by gravity, while my companion was left in the dust!
+4 km for the ride to the train station.
PUBLIC ALBUM ON FACEBOOK
Guys: As I can see it, the Forum will cease in exist in days. Please join me on:
I announced a group ride on a Facebook group for Sunday. Only one person appeared on the start line, Justyna with who I have already been together on several rides. She proudly demonstrated her new bike, a TREK FX 3. Given she is a very lightweight person, she would certainly benefit from riding a lightweight bicycle! My choice of Jaktorów train station as the start/finish line turned out to be excellent. We reached Radziejowice in no time, and then we started climbing all the way to Biała Rawska!
At some point, I discovered the saddle mount got loose. I shouted 'We have to stop!'. Justyna continued her ride and replied 'Catch me if you can!'
Well, I took a 4 mm hex wrench, set the Bubble Level app on my smartphone, levelled the saddle, tightened the screw very strongly, drank a lot of isotonic drink, started having a cigarette... It took me several kilometres to catch up with my companion. 'I can bet you had a cigarette, too?' -- she asked, to which I answered: 'Two of them, actually!' If you were ever interested in Strongman competition, you must have heard the name of 'Pudzian', Mariusz Pudzianowski. He was a multiple world champion Strongman in 2000s. Turns out he was born in Biała Rawska, and still lives on his home property! (He is now a martial arts fighter at age of 47).
Some stonemasons honoured the Strongman with a figure, decorating the driveway.
Whenever I arrive in Biała Rawska, I take a portion of seasonal ice-cream. It is always made of fresh fruit! This time: Raspberry Ice-Cream.
As some of you already know, the big area shared by South Mazovia and Northeast Land of Łódź is the Poland's biggest Apple Land. I took an apple that fell on the ground and took it home!
Justyna made an interesting decision: we shall ride to the planned finish line, and then she would return home "on the wheels". I decided riding yet another Metric Century was a good idea, so I we rode together and then I rode for a late lunch. Important: European McD, and specifically McD of Poland are actually a nice place, air-conditioned, very clean, and serving delicious food exactly as advertised!
My body + Vado SL + pannier weight must have been twice of Justyna and her bicycle. On any descent, I was getting a high speed just by gravity, while my companion was left in the dust!
+4 km for the ride to the train station.
PUBLIC ALBUM ON FACEBOOK
Guys: As I can see it, the Forum will cease in exist in days. Please join me on:
- My Facebook, and/or
- My Strava
Last edited:
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
this is a great ride though forrest park you go through a very nice neighborhood to. get there.. it used to be a paved road Burt the pavment is mostly gone. the bad part is its 27 mile round trip to get there and back and about 16 miles mostly climbing as zig zag route. kind of on the rough side. so on the tandem you can't go too fast or the wife is banging my on my back to slow down. but is the nice right and we got almost to the top maybe another 1/2 mile. not much up there but a portapotty and connection to a fast narrow road.
The plant looks like Gunnera sp
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Posts #1,249 and #1,256 have been updated with photos.
@MTO I think you could post yours now, too.
Besides, I measured my body today to make sure what was wrong with me or my saddle height. I have not shrunk, still being 173 cm tall. It were my saddles installed too high! Only the initial sag of my suspension seat-posts masked that fact!
@MTO I think you could post yours now, too.
Besides, I measured my body today to make sure what was wrong with me or my saddle height. I have not shrunk, still being 173 cm tall. It were my saddles installed too high! Only the initial sag of my suspension seat-posts masked that fact!
RabH
Well-Known Member
Sometimes you just get lucky and today was the case in point, I suppose I was due it after my hard drive failed on my pc last week! It was pouring down in the morning and it cleared up just a little so I chanced a walk at a local park and made it round without getting a soaking! The wind wasn't too bad for a nice change, it was from the SW once again and around 20mph! On the way home from the park the sky didn't look very promising at all, when I got home I had a look at the forecast for various areas but it was mostly 40-60% chance of rain! Looking at tomorrow it was just dire so I decided to brave it fully expecting to get wet!
The sky to the north and the south was pretty dark so I opted to head east as it looked the most promising, my choice was beginning to look good until a dark cloud seemed to appear from nowhere and the rain started to fall at Limerigg which is only 8 miles from home! It wasn't heavy rain but it was that stuff that just seems to soak you, thankfully it soon cleared and I reached Avonbridge 4 miles later and the roads were dry! I took the back road up to Standburn which involves some big climbs but its such a great road for a bike!
I then had a brilliant descent to look forward to down to Whitecross then more climbing out to Linlithgow, where I stopped for lunch and the sun made a welcome appearance! I continued the climbing to the far side of Linlithgow and stopped for some photos looking north with the Ochils shrouded in dark clouds in the distance!
I also got my first glimpse of the bridges over the Forth from here, which was going to be my destination!
I then continued east passing through Kingscavil and Threemiltown, enjoying some lovely descents with the wind at my back! At Winchburgh I turned north towards Newton, near the town I had a nice view of the Pentland hills to the south!
Those dark clouds were also shrouding the Pentlands but luckily I was in the middle with dry weather! I arrived in Newton and got a nice close view of the bridges!
I then crossed the Forth road bridge, where I looked to the west and all I could see was a wall of darkness in the direction I would be heading very soon! It was still dry though so I was having fun and had the bridge mostly to myself!
After crossing I was heading north for the Rosyth and got some more photos looking north at the Queensferry Crossing!
I arrived in Rosyth where it was time to turn west for home, now into the headwind but it was still dry so no complaints from me! A couple of miles later I turned on to the coast road down into Limekilns, stopping for this photo looking south at the Pentlands!
I passed through Limekilns and arrived In Charlestown where I had this cobbled climb to tackle, only an 8% gradient though so no problem for my e bike!
The road then heads north and joins the main A985 which runs from Rosyth all the way to Kincardine, of course I wasn't taking the main road! I joined the cycle path that leads to Crombie and didn't like the scene ahead of me! The photo doesn't really show it but that was a huge squall ahead, luckily it was moving to the north though and I was turning west on to the coast road!
I passed through all the villages along the coast and reached Kincardine bridge with no sign of any rain, what a result! After crossing the bridge I grabbed these photos looking north at the Clackmannanshire bridge and the Ochils which were still covered in those dark clouds!
The construction work on the Kincardine bridge (which was sinking at the western end) is due to finish next March and I will be glad when its all done! I then headed south towards Grangemouth and then on to Falkirk and up the big climb near Shieldhill, its more fun going down it!
From here I took the awesome back road to Slamannan and had the road all to myself, its mostly farmland!
I had this climb next directly into the wind but its quickly followed by a great descent down into Slamannan!
Looking back down the road!
I had about 10 miles to go now and took the usual roads to home and all I could see was darkness out to the southwest, I was certain I was going to get drenched but as I said at the start of this post I got lucky! I got home totally dry, the rain completely missed my area! In essence I picked a route that cut right through the centre of the squalls, what a fantastic day that was!
Thankfully the photos seem to be uploading again and very quickly too, I hope it remains that way as my last post took forever...Attachments
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Today’s ride was a bit of a mixed bag but there never seemed to be a dull moment.
From the usual root riddled singletracks.
To some that were lusher.
From high vantage points.
To ones that were slightly less elevated.
From wide open expanses.
To ones more that were more verdant.
Encountering different strokes…
as well as different folks on the way home.
Through it all, the Magpeds haven't let me down.
From the usual root riddled singletracks.
To some that were lusher.
From high vantage points.
To ones that were slightly less elevated.
From wide open expanses.
To ones more that were more verdant.
Encountering different strokes…
as well as different folks on the way home.
Through it all, the Magpeds haven't let me down.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
That a lovely place, but two hour video
, how do you film for that long?Chargeride
Well-Known Member
That vantage point shot, delicious.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
After telling everyone I was cutting back on my drinking, I started a sad solo pub crawl.
This is the scenic entrance to the Crab Pizza restaurant
I visited a few more, but they were full of families and toddlers, so I don't like to take pictures.
This is on my way to the Rock Box, i was told there was some bands on.
This guy said 'awesome tyres' as I passed, you could tell his girlfriend was thinking, youre not having one
Another Haibike and a pretty rad escooter, kinda looks like they just based it on an eskateboard.
Getting a bit merry now and rode up the hill, no I havent crashed, just a handy way to park, sun is going down and Im 5 rum and cokes riding near cliff edges.
It was very surreal, there were jetskiers on the water, the sky was getting dramatic and you could hear the dance music from the field.
It was like entering a polite festival.
I was sat on a log listening to this guy, he was an incredible singer, knocking out country songs and then oasis, even did baby shark for the kids.
I was getting all Ibiza chill down as it changed to cool beats and the sky was helping along.
The beach house was still open and I got cheesy chips and Havana Club, living the dream.
Of course I was three miles from home, pitch black, no lights, single track 60mph country roads, all uphill, what could go wrong.
Ofcourse falling off the bridge straight away was a possibility
Another bar, one for the road.
This was my view all the way home, I held my phone light as a back or front light, but no cars were seen.
It was actually better to leave the light off and let my eyes adapt, I could see relatively well after a few minutes.
Such an exhilarating ride in the warm night air, made me feel alive.
This is the scenic entrance to the Crab Pizza restaurant
I visited a few more, but they were full of families and toddlers, so I don't like to take pictures.
This is on my way to the Rock Box, i was told there was some bands on.
This guy said 'awesome tyres' as I passed, you could tell his girlfriend was thinking, youre not having one
Another Haibike and a pretty rad escooter, kinda looks like they just based it on an eskateboard.
Getting a bit merry now and rode up the hill, no I havent crashed, just a handy way to park, sun is going down and Im 5 rum and cokes riding near cliff edges.
It was very surreal, there were jetskiers on the water, the sky was getting dramatic and you could hear the dance music from the field.
It was like entering a polite festival.
I was sat on a log listening to this guy, he was an incredible singer, knocking out country songs and then oasis, even did baby shark for the kids.
I was getting all Ibiza chill down as it changed to cool beats and the sky was helping along.
The beach house was still open and I got cheesy chips and Havana Club, living the dream.
Of course I was three miles from home, pitch black, no lights, single track 60mph country roads, all uphill, what could go wrong.
Ofcourse falling off the bridge straight away was a possibility
Another bar, one for the road.
This was my view all the way home, I held my phone light as a back or front light, but no cars were seen.
It was actually better to leave the light off and let my eyes adapt, I could see relatively well after a few minutes.
Such an exhilarating ride in the warm night air, made me feel alive.
