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

[RabH]

I will try a new post to see if I can finish my story! I arrived home just in time for dinner and had a look at the evening forecast which was looking rather iffy but it showed the winds dying down, I had a look out the window and could see a clearing to the south! I stepped outside and the rain started but I decided to brave it, it started getting heavier and was still very windy and I questioned my sanity...

Thankfully the clearing I saw came to fruition and after 30 minutes or so I reached dry roads and I decided I would head for the Clyde Valley! As I got closer the dark clouds moved in and I had to change my plans as I could see a big squall down the valley, so I turned NE towards Braidwood and then over to Carluke and up the climb to Yieldshields where I took the back road to Morningside!

The winds had now dropped considerably thankfully and the rain stayed away for the remainder of my ride from Morningside over all the back roads to home, what a great ride it was depsite getting soaked for the first 30 minutes!

 

[dodgeman]

My wife and I rode 23 miles today, the longest she has ridden in a while. Still nice weather, lighter winds and temps in the 70’s.
If you want excitement, this pic has it all. Pictures of two crops, corn on one side, soybeans on the other.
Somethings wrong, I’ll try and add the picture later.

 

[Chargeride]

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After 8 days of crazy weather I finally got back out yesterday, not to say the crazy weather was gone but I just had to get out so I braved 40+ mph winds and had a great ride which was in 2 parts! The wind was almost a direct westerly so I opted to head east, passing the choppy Hillend Loch after a few miles!

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I continued east to Armadale and took the back road to Bridgehouse, I have used this road many times but surprisingly always in the opposite direction (well its all big fast descents so I guess thats the real reason) Anyway I reached the first hill...

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Its in 3 parts and each one is as steep as the other!

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This was looking down part 3!

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The best part about taking on the climbs was the descent down into Bridgehouse where I had the tailwind right at my back, just over 41mph, it could easily have been over 50 but I bottled it a bit due to the wind swirling at times! I then headed up the climb into Westfield and grabbed a photo of the viaduct!

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Then it was the big climb up to Torphicen and it then continues all the way up to Beecraigs Country Park, just before the climb I took this photo! There are some really nice houses in this part of the village!

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I reached the top of the climb and enjoyed some nice descents before stopping for this photo!

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The Ochil hills were just a silhouette this time!

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It was then time for the scary descent down into the valley, once again the wind was swirling so I took it easy!

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In the distance my next climb could be seen!

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With the wind as strong as it was I had to be very careful with crosswinds so I chose my route wisely, I opted for the rollercoaster Burnhouse road as its mostly treelined and so much fun to ride!

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Just before the final descent down into Dechmont I stopped for some photos!

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I think the cows thought I was there to feed them...

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This part of the road is a real blast!

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Then I reached the scary part with no tree cover to protect me from the wind...

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I slowed to a crawl going down it and stopped for these photos at Dechmont!

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At Dechmont it was time to turn into the very strong headwind and head west for home, as I turned into the village I saw a roadie in the distance battling the headwind! Amazingly as I reached the road junction he was closing me down, I crossed the junction and joined the cycle path which leads to Bathgate and turned to see him bearing down on me but he stuck to the road and he shot passed me like I was standing still! It was a gradual incline also and he stood up on the pedals and pulled away, he was probably less then half my age though and 10 times fitter!

I stuck to the cycle paths all the way to Whitburn and then up the climb to Armadale and took the back road to Blackridge! In the distance I could see one of the massive wind turbines with no blades, I eventually reached it to see this sight! The crane was just massive, I couldn't get it all in the picture!

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From Blackridge it was a straight road home directly into the headwind, assist level 2 was used all the way! I passed Hillend loch again and decided to use the cycle path alongside it to get some closer photos!View attachment 181028
I'm having problems with the site so can't post the remaining photos, I really hope this posts as it has taken me ages!

I love that you ride alone, I nearly always do, born loner, only child syndrome.

 

[Prairie Dog]

This day marked the 31st consecutive day of riding for me. It’s actually not as noteworthy a date which led up to this point when one considers the exceptional weather conditions that we’ve experienced. Rain has been sporadic and the timing of showers has occurred mainly during the late afternoon or evenings which has worked well in our favor as we tend to hit the road in the mornings.

Harvest time has come earlier here as the dry weather has hastened the growth and maturity of crops. The big concern looming over farmers now is the imminent delay with respect to transporting and storing their product out at the west coast terminals. A potentially disastrous country wide rail workers strike would affect their livelihood which depends so much on the getting their harvest to market solely by rail.

Today’s 35km ride also featured a new accessory of sorts. The missus was testing out a set of Redshift aero bars that I installed for her. She has a propensity to lean over and rest her forearms on the bars of her bike during sections when the road is consistently straight and level. Oddly enough she found this position to be quite relaxing and to her liking but agreed that it wasn’t a very conventional path going forward.

The bars/ armrests have quick release attachments so on days when, for example, more climbing is involved, she can remove them in a matter of seconds. Installation required a bit of finesse in shifting the front light and Varia display outboard to accommodate the brackets as well as adding a Garmin stem mount for her phone but it all came together in the end. The extension lengths, armpad fore/aft are all adjustable to fine tune the fit. The assembly does add 600g of weight but she felt that it was a small sacrifice to make in exchange for a more comfortable and stable ride position.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Harvest time has come earlier here as the dry weather has hastened the growth and maturity of crops.

I can notice the same here in Poland. We had an early warm Spring and then a hot and dry Summer. The indication of the things happening fast were berries to appear on rowan trees by the end of June! (Usually, it is late July).

Today’s 35km ride also featured a new accessory of sorts. The missus was testing out a set of Redshift aero bars that I installed for her. She has a propensity to lean over and rest her forearms on the bars of her bike during sections when the road is consistently straight and level. Oddly enough she found this position to be quite relaxing and to her liking but agreed that it wasn’t a very conventional path going forward.

The bars/ armrests have quick release attachments so on days when, for example, more climbing is involved, she can remove them in a matter of seconds. Installation required a bit of finesse in shifting the front light and Varia display outboard to accommodate the brackets as well as adding a Garmin stem mount for her phone but it all came together in the end. The extension lengths, armpad fore/aft are all adjustable to fine tune the fit. The assembly does add 600g of weight but she felt that it was a small sacrifice to make in exchange for a more comfortable and stable ride position.

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

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from this morning's 23km ride:

 

[Watana Bob]

A few pics from this morning's 23km ride:

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Looks very peaceful and beautiful JG!

 

[JGcycle]

Looks very peaceful and beautiful JG!

Yes, it sure was a great morning along the Saint John River.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

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!
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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?

 

[Prairie Dog]

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

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.

 

[dodgeman]

We rode 12 miles today to a nearby small town with an antique store. It’s only open on Saturdays.

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from this morning's 28km ride:

 

[Chargeride]

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.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

A few pics from this morning's 28km ride:

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Such serene places you ride in!

 

[JGcycle]

Such serene places you ride in!

Yes, and it's particularly peaceful early in the morning.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

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.

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Guys: As I can see it, the Forum will cease in exist in days. Please join me on:

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Let's stay in touch!

 

[fooferdoggie]

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.

 

[peterh_nz]

More of these giant leaves.

The plant looks like Gunnera sp

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from this morning's 37km ride:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

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!