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

From the Duchy of Mazovia to the Crown of Poland (Inowłódz)

I eventually decided to set off for a long ride for Sunday. However, it had to be done on my own terms (a stop whenever I needed it), and it had to be 100% asphalt :) As I could potentially ride for 1 Rab, I started very early on the day. Got my Vado 6.0 to Skierniewice-Rawka by train and started riding at 7:50 am (I started my ride to the train stop as early as 6:28!) This time, almost the entire ride was confined to the Land of Łódź (a voivodeship or province).

Necessary to mention it was pretty cold until noon, making the ride perfect for the time!

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No time to take photos! My first stop was only in the village of Głuchów. It was not my first time there, still, I was impressed. The Borough of Głuchów looks like a model EU village! I could see different plates explaining how wisely the Borough used to apply for the EU funds, and how nicely they could use them. I really enjoyed resting there!

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A former train station now converted to a home. The name of the building is "The PKP House" for the former Polish State Railways :)

I had no time for photography. Just let me tell you I was impressed with the countryside of Land of Łódź. Good asphalt roads, affluent farming area, rolling hills, and natural beauty. The province has tremendously developed for recent years! Note: Central Poland exactly means Land of Łódź. Warsaw is not located in Central Poland! (It is in Mazovia, NE).

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It is poor quality gravel or dirt for most fire-roads in Poland's forests. The Land of Łódź can afford either premium gravel roads or even asphalt for its woods! Which makes Spała Landscape Park very popular among recreational cyclists, roller-skaters or runners.

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Spała is a popular resort village near Tomaszów Mazowiecki. I had a big portion of ice-cream there. It started to be hot!
Necessary to mention there was a perfect fine gravel bike path from Spała to Inowłódz.

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A mine of chalcedony in the town of Inowłódz. The company is probably the largest employer there, and it looked rich!

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The Inowłódz Castle (King Casimir The Great Castle). Completed 1366, destroyed 1657, under reconstruction since 2007.

A historical note
King Casimir III the Great (reign: 1333-1370) who "inherited wooden Poland and left her fortified in stone and brick" is perceived as one of the greatest rulers of Poland. He was the monarch who eventually consolidated the state of Poland after several hundred of years collapse, reformed the law, funded the first University, and above all, he actually built Poland: fortified 30 towns and invested in 50 new border castles.

Yes, you read it correctly: "border castles". Why on earth should the border of the Crown of Poland be located on River Pilica, in Inowłódz? It was because there was mighty Duchy of Mazovia northwards of the river. Until 1526, the Duchy of Mazovia was an independent state (fortunately enough, friendly to Poland). Nowadays, Mazovia is the biggest and richest province of Poland, hosting her capital city. Go figure :)

Inowłódz was demoted to a village during the Partitions of Poland (1780) and restored to the town status on January 1st, 2024 :)

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A nice mural on an art gallery, Casimir the Great Street, Inowłódz.

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I was lucky as I got the last portion of pierogi at Cafe Bona!

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The first battery range at 30/50% Vado assistance. I bonked there. Took another rest for half an hour.

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The Duchy of Mazovia had as many as three capital cities, each ruled by a sovereign Duke: Płock, Warsaw, and Rawa Mazowiecka. (Or course, there is a castle of Mazovian Dukes in Rawa, too). The road flanked by old trees is a common sight in Poland but Land of Łódź is particularly rich in such roads.

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The town-hall of Rawa Mazowiecka. I liked the main square because it was full of greenery (a rare sight in the country of concrete main squares...)

1725257589155.png

Oh no, no, no! This single 2 km stretch of sand made me miss my return train, adding an hour to the trip! I had to walk my Vado for at least a mile! This view should give you some taste what "Mazovian Gravel" cycling is all about, and why I'm giving up the idea of gravel group rides in Mazovia! @Jeremy McCreary: Pathfinders could not handle it! :D

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September 1st, and the hot summer still holds! It is one of the sights you enjoy during a hot late afternoon in Central Poland...

1725257926138.png

So, historically speaking, I rode from the Duchy of Mazovia to the Crown of Poland. The whole trip was 90 miles, 137 km of which was the main trip. I feel I've lost my strength. To little of riding! (A 0.9 Rab ride) :D

1725281477148.png

This map explains why Land of Łódź actually forms Central Poland.
 
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Thats pretty soft sand, I'd probably have to change from ecoplus to eco to get through that desert :)
In unrelated news, just watched a review of Disco Polo music.
Hmmmmm.
 
Chargeride said:
Thats pretty soft sand, I'd probably have to change from ecoplus to eco to get through that desert :)
Click to expand...
I rode exactly the same road on my 2.6" Giant Trance E+ with no issues back in 2020. I can remember that very clearly: there is a solitary tree by the road. There, a police car stood, apparently in an ambush for someone, or, to block any road in the area!

Chargeride said:
In unrelated news, just watched a review of Disco Polo music.
Click to expand...
Spare me.
:D
 
Stefan Mikes said:
From the Duchy of Mazovia to the Crown of Poland (Inowłódz)

I eventually decided to set off for a long ride for Sunday. However, it had to be done on my own terms (a stop whenever I needed it), and it had to be 100% asphalt :) As I could potentially ride for 1 Rab, I started very early on the day. Got my Vado 6.0 to Skierniewice-Rawka by train and started riding at 7:50 am (I started my ride to the train stop as early as 6:28!) This time, almost the entire ride was confined to the Land of Łódź (a voivodeship or province).

Necessary to mention it was pretty cold until noon, making the ride perfect for the time!

View attachment 181575
No time to take photos! My first stop was only in the village of Głuchów. It was not my first time there, still, I was impressed. The Borough of Głuchów looks like a model EU village! I could see different plates explaining how wisely the Borough used to apply for the EU funds, and how nicely they could use them. I really enjoyed resting there!

View attachment 181576
A former train station now converted to a home. The name of the building is "The PKP House" for the former Polish State Railways :)

I had no time for photography. Just let me tell you I was impressed with the countryside of Land of Łódź. Good asphalt roads, affluent farming area, rolling hills, and natural beauty. The province has tremendously developed for recent years! Note: Central Poland exactly means Land of Łódź. Warsaw is not located in Central Poland! (It is in Mazovia, NE).

View attachment 181577
It is poor quality gravel or dirt for most fire-roads in Poland's forests. The Land of Łódź can afford either premium gravel roads or even asphalt for its woods! Which makes Spała Landscape Park very popular among recreational cyclists, roller-skaters or runners.

View attachment 181578
Spała is a popular resort village near Tomaszów Mazowiecki. I had a big portion of ice-cream there. It started to be hot!
Necessary to mention there was a perfect fine gravel bike path from Spała to Inowłódz.

View attachment 181579
A mine of chalcedony in the town of Inowłódz. The company is probably the largest employer there, and it looked rich!

View attachment 181580
The Inowłódz Castle (King Casimir The Great Castle). Completed 1366, destroyed 1657, under reconstruction since 2007.

A historical note
King Casimir III the Great (reign: 1333-1370) who "inherited wooden Poland and left her fortified in stone and brick" is perceived as one of the greatest rulers of Poland. He was the monarch who eventually consolidated the state of Poland after several hundred of years collapse, reformed the law, funded the first University, and above all, he actually built Poland: fortified 30 towns and invested in 50 new border castles.

Yes, you read it correctly: "border castles". Why on earth should the border of the Crown of Poland be located on River Pilica, in Inowłódz? It was because there was mighty Duchy of Mazovia northwards of the river. Until 1526, the Duchy of Mazovia was an independent state (fortunately enough, friendly to Poland). Nowadays, Mazovia is the biggest and richest province of Poland, hosting her capital city. Go figure :)

Inowłódz was demoted to a village during the Partitions of Poland (1780) and restored to the town status on January 1st, 2024 :)

View attachment 181581
A nice mural on an art gallery, Casimir the Great Street, Inowłódz.

View attachment 181582
I was lucky as I got the last portion of pierogi at Cafe Bona!

View attachment 181583
The first battery range at 30/50% Vado assistance. I bonked there. Took another rest for half an hour.

View attachment 181584
The Duchy of Mazovia had as many as three capital cities, each ruled by a sovereign Duke: Płock, Warsaw, and Rawa Mazowiecka. (Or course, there is a castle of Mazovian Dukes in Rawa, too). The road flanked by old trees is a common sight in Poland but Land of Łódź is particularly rich in such roads.

View attachment 181585
The town-hall of Rawa Mazowiecka. I liked the main square because it was full of greenery (a rare sight in the country of concrete main squares...)

View attachment 181586
Oh no, no, no! This single 2 km stretch of sand made me miss my return train, adding an hour to the trip! I had to walk my Vado for at least a mile! This view should give you some taste what "Mazovian Gravel" cycling is all about, and why I'm giving up the idea of gravel group rides in Mazovia! @Jeremy McCreary: Pathfinders could not handle it! :D

View attachment 181587
September 1st, and the hot summer still holds! It is one of the sights you enjoy during a hot late afternoon in Central Poland...

View attachment 181588
So, historically speaking, I rode from the Duchy of Mazovia to the Crown of Poland. The whole trip was 90 miles, 137 km of which was the main trip. I feel I've lost my strength. To little of riding! (A 0.9 Rab ride) :D

View attachment 181593
This map explains why Land of Łódź actually forms Central Poland.
Click to expand...
Great write up and epic ride Stefan! Love your history lessons that you include in your write ups.
 
Bike minded people - Comradery and meeting new and old acquaintances seemed to be the theme on today’s ride.
It was another exceptional morning under azure skies.

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Midway into our ride we crossed paths with another roadie who we’ve never met before. Bruce, like us, is not affiliated with any local cycling clubs so we hit if off immediately. He acquired his Hi-MOD Cannondale Supersix a year ago and has been avidly riding it ever since. Hope to meet up with him again sometime soon

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Sending out some good vibes to another familiar face who we spotted along the way.

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And another buddy Dave was just starting his ride out to Hwy 42 on his CD Synapse when we pulled over to the side of the road to chat. These might seem like small informal gatherings and greetings but they do make a difference in my mind.

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The one consistent thing in these uncertain times is that cycling makes everyone happy. We all know that riding brings people together figuratively, physically and creates communities of like-minded folks, but perhaps the bigger benefit for many is that cycling brings a clarity of mind and thought.
 
A True Lunch E-Bike Ride :)

If you do not provide your own title, Strava would name it, like, "Morning E-Bike Ride" or "Lunch E-Bike Ride". Why not ride for lunch to Warsaw on Saturday if there is nothing better to do?

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(Let me whisper to you one of the reasons for the ride was determining the Vado SL range at 60/80% assistance). Here, in the far Aleje Jerozolimskie, one of the city arteries, extending from Pruszków to the Vistula River in central Warsaw. The road is pretty safe on Sundays but traffic is pretty heavy on Saturdays. Still, I have no fear to ride in the Aleje, and then switch to the bike path system inside the city. (Necessary to mention, I am possibly one of the very few who dare to cycle in the Aleje!) :)

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In the 1962 'Fregata' restaurant bar in Saska Kępa of Warsaw. Pierogi Ruskie (Rusyn or Ruthenian Pierogi), my favourite meal of Poland :)

The Food the Poles Invented (but pretend it was invented elsewhere)
  1. Pierogi ruskie (Ruthenian Dumplings). The name suggests the potato/curd dumplings were invented in Ruthenia, now part of Ukraine. When you ask Ukrainians, they would say: 'It is Polish food for unknown reasons now called Ukrainian Pierogi; we have never had that food!'
  2. Chłodnik litewski (Lithuanian Cold Soup), which is a chilled red-beet soup served with sour cream and hard-boiled egg. Ask Lithuanians, and again they will say the same as the Ukrainian :D
  3. Placek węgierski (Hungarian Pancake). It is a folded pancake filled with beef stew and red pepper. The Hungarian have never heard of such a meal :D
  4. Fasolka po bretońsku (Breton Beans). Jumbo beans in tomato sauce with a lot of minced bacon/sausage. Never heard of in Brittany!
  5. Śledź po japońsku (Japanese Style Herring). A cold mix of herring, hard-boiled egg, gherkins, green peas, onion and apple. Japanese? Really?
  6. Ryba po grecku (Greek Style Fish). Decidedly not Greek food!
What can I say... 'No one is a prophet in one's own country'? Or, does foreign food taste better? :D

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In Park Skaryszewski, the Rosarium.

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The park is now named Ignacy Paderewski Park for our famous pianist, politician, and then the Prime Minister of Republic of Poland after WW1.

A short historical note
Just neighbouring that park, there is a green recreational area by name Kamionek Election Fields. Under the Commonwealth of Both Nations (Poland and Lithuania), that is, when the country was a European superpower, there was the Free Election of the King, a part of the Nobility Democracy. Unlike the Sejm Wielki (the Parliament), to which only nobility representatives were delegated, any noble -- rich or poor -- could come to Warsaw and elect the King. As the Kamionek area was big, it could fit many thousand of nobility, their servants, horses, etc.

I admit I was not fond of the Park or the Election Fields in my youth, even if I could easily come there with my bike. The reason was youth gangs present there during that era... (Now, the level of safety is day vs night but still I cannot help my aversion...)

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The skyline of Warsaw City as seen upon exiting the Park. The foreground is the newly reconstructed Warsaw Stadium train station. Behind (right), there is the Holy Cross (suspension) Bridge. Far left, there is the Varso Tower, which is the highest building in the European Union. Next, it is the 1955 Palace of Culture and Science (built by the Soviet). The third building is Złota 44 (44, Golden St.), probably the most expensive housing in Warsaw :) It is the only honest perspective view I could find so far!

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On the Holy Cross Bridge. @Jeremy McCreary see the traditional cyclist struggling with the incline :D Besides, I later had to climb a 5.8% incline, one of the steepest in Warsaw, no problem!

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Świętokrzyska (Holy Cross Street), March 19th, 2024. The City Centre is flanked by 1960s apartment blocks from the North. We stayed there together with @Brix in April this year. The reason for showing this photo is...

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(The current photo, the same street). In April, there was a long day full of parties. When we run out of alcohol, our guests were doing 'pilgrimages' to the liquor store shown here :) How the times have changed... Nowadays, you can buy alcohol whenever you want in Warsaw. During them olden days, the alcohol selling at night was strictly prohibited, leading to the development of "melina", or illegal alcohol dens. Now, Świętokrzyska is teeming with life, also at night, with many restaurant operating round the clock!

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Ride Map. The range (Main + Range Extender) @60/80%: 88 km (55 mi). Main battery range: 58 km (36 mi).

'What's going on, Officer?'
As I was passing the National Stadium by, I could see a lot of security and police there. I had to ask a security guard to let me go so I could enter the Stadium Station! Eventually, I stopped by a foot police patrol.

-- 'What's going on at the Stadium, Officer?'
-- 'There's a fighting' -- replied the man.
-- 'An MMA Gala' -- added the other.
-- 'A martial arts event' -- a female officer helped her less bright colleagues :)
-
 
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BlackHand said:
You Canucks sure seem to like your Cannondales!
Click to expand...
Yeah, what are the chances of that occurring? Complete strangers (Dave being the exception) all riding the same brand of bike. According to this article, Cannondale ranks lower in popularity among Canucks compared to other major brands. It appears that Specialized is the overall king in the Canadian market. Made in Canada, eh? On my own local trails, Rocky Mountain and Norco have a strong presence among mtb riders with good reason seeing that they are domestic products.
 
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Less Than Three Weeks To The Great Lakes Gravel Race!

Good news: As for now, there will be three competitors for the e-Sprint format, making the podium full, no shame. If all the competitors reach the finish line of course!
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The rules of the electric race have been simplified:
  • A production e-bike
  • Speed restriction: 25 km/h
  • The factory battery
  • 84 km (50+ miles)
  • 500+ m elevation gain
  • Gravel or asphalt.
The only e-bike that fully obeys the rules is my Vado SL (despite its low power). It is the best of my e-bikes to handle rough terrain. "The factory battery" is somewhat fuzzy condition. I intend to ride with the main battery and a Range Extender (otherwise I would stand no chance against any 500-750 Wh battery e-bike).

The battery range might be an issue. I might go with my own standard ECO of 55/55%, SPORT at 50/100%, and TURBO for climbs (the max climb of 8.4%).

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The GLG e-Sprint route.

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The regional map.
 
RabH said:
Is your weather good every day? it certainly seems to be and I'm just a little jealous despite it being lovely here today...;) Its supposed to be nice tomorrow also so I will almost certainly be out on the bike tomorrow after missing out today!
Click to expand...
The weather here has been very good this year. I have usually been able to get out riding 5 or 6 days a week.
 
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