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

[Stefan Mikes]

Cold Autumn!

I went on a utility ride to my borough town, Brwinów. Went in Jakoobcycles, a friendly LBS to buy an AssSaver or an equivalent.

One of goals of my ride was to make sure my latest adjustments to the front/rear Redshift suspension were correct (they were!) As the temperature can be as low as 9 C now, and it is frequently raining, I installed an SKS Speedrocker mudguard at the front. However, it turned out my 42-622 aggressive Specialized Tracer Pro tyre was too big for the rear Speedrocker! What to do... Went in Jakoobcycles and Jakub sold me an SKS S-Guard, a rear splash guard, which is the minimum I need for the Autumn!

I visited places such as the post office (to collect my new debit card), the tabacchi... Then went in a local sushi restaurant. Ordered a One Person Set, and having to wait up to 20 minutes, I went in a local craft beer store...

Two West Coast IPAs, an American IPA, and an Imperial Stout (which we recently stopped naming "Russian", hehe) (All these ales and stouts are brewed in Poland).

When I got back into the restaurant, and took my warm cycling clothes off, I was met by the personnel with confusion: 'We thought you wanted a take-away, Sir?' -- 'Don't worry, I'm just hungry, let me sit in!'

I was full after 2/3rd of the portion The added benefit of getting the take-away was I could pack the leftovers easily!

I even have been able to (eventually) enter the proper figure of Wheel Circumference into my Wahoo! Necessary to mention, now I need to wear "the Autumn clothing set" that involves, i.a., a winter helmet with goggles, full gloves, and long bibs.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

How did you carry the lunch leftovers?

Here in coastal SoCal, fall and late summer days are still taking turns, with fall slowly but surely taking over. The one thing I can count on this time of year: The clothing I pick to leave the house in will turn out to be wrong.

 

[BlackHand]

It's supposed to rain hard here tomorrow morning, we'll see if I bike in to work or not. Haven't driven to work in over 2 months. Fall is definitely here, crisp mornings and rain creeping into the forecast bit by bit.

From last night's ride home

 

[Stefan Mikes]

How did you carry the lunch leftovers?

I just put the provided take-away box protected by a paper bag into my Samsonite backpack I use for short rides

 

[Chargeride]

My dad popped his clogs last week, it was very sudden and not sad at all, he had recently lost most
of his faculties, even though this pic was taken a few weeks before.
88 and barely changed at all.
I'll be off to Devon to sort it out.
Its going to be weird shutting his front door for the last time.
I'll probably be taking my madmate Brain with me and the bikes, might be burying two

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Condolences, Chris...

 

[JGcycle]

My dad popped his clogs last week, it was very sudden and not sad at all, he had recently lost most
of his faculties, even though this pic was taken a few weeks before.
88 and barely changed at all.
I'll be off to Devon to sort it out.
Its going to be weird shutting his front door for the last time.
I'll probably be taking my madmate Brain with me and the bikes, might be burying two
View attachment 183456

Sorry for your loss.

 

[Chargeride]

Thankyou, but its not sad, sad was watching him wither.

 

[RabH]

I had a route planned for yesterday that would have been close to 125 miles, my plan was to drive to Kincardine and cycle inland to St Andrews and then head down the east coast back to Kincardine! Unfortunately the weather had other ideas with mist and fog pretty much all the way to Kincardine, it was really thick patchy fog around the Forth estuary! So I decided to keep driving in the hope things would clear up and thankfully near Kinross things were looking much more promising so I parked the car in a safe layby and had a think about a new route!

I set off just before 8am and passed through Kinross and Milnathort and joined the main road towards Gateside, there I turned north for Newburgh on a quieter road! It starts with a short climb but soon becomes a cracking 3 mile descent down into Aberargie, its a twisty descent and a lot of fun! At Aberargie I turned east passing through Abernethy before arriving in Newburgh at the 20 mile mark, where I had a nice view of the River Tay!

I continued east passing through Lindores and Dunbog, it was still a little misty but nothing bad and there was no wind whatsoever for a nice change! You can see the steam rising in the background here and it was going straight up!

The mist was hanging over the hills but it was fine at low levels!

I had the road mostly to myself until I arrived in Cupar at the 30 mile mark, its always busy here and even more so yesterday thanks to some roadworks! I was so glad I was on the bike and managed to ease my way through all the cars and trucks and turned off the main road at the far side of Cupar to take the road to Pitscottie which is much quieter! It starts with a lot of climbing but then a short descent into Pitscottie before ramping up again for a couple of miles, then a cracking 5 mile descent!

The fields were looking great, a lot of work for the farmers though! As you can see its mostly farmland as fas as the eye can see!

I arrived in St Andrews at the 40 mile mark, when I checked the forecast the day before it was showing wall to wall sunshine but when I arrived it was very cloudy!

I had an early lunch at the Harbour cafe and the sun made a welcome appearance!

I then started the climb out of the town and stopped for a couple of photos at the top of the hill!

A short time later I spotted this in one of the fields and had to stop for a photo!

I then started making my way down the east coast with the sun making things a bit warmer, I stopped for a photo at the Fairmont Hotel grounds! Only the rich and famous stay there...mainly golfers!

This lovely little church always catches my eye on the way down the coast, I thought it was time I stopped for a photo or two!

I then passed through Kingsbarns where the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships started yesterday, I bet they were all wrapped up well as it wasn't very warm even in the sunshine! At the 50 mile mark I arrived in the seaside town of Crail where I spotted this lovely old 1971 Morris Minor van! I used to work on them back in my mechanic days in the 70's!

This was right next to the very tiny harbour!

The view out to the North Sea with the Isle of May way in the distance!

I continued down the coast passing through Anstruther, Pitenweem and St Monans before arriving in Elie at the 60 mile mark! I stopped at the harbour for a snack and a break!

I continued along the coast road through Upper and Lower Largo where this amazing view always catches my eye!

I then arrived in Lundin Links where I decided to cut inland as time was getting on and I was now settling for 100 miles instead of the orginal 125! I opted to head for Glenrothes and Leslie and then take the road past Loch Leven, the downside is the traffic through Glenrothes and Leslie but it wasn't too bad! I then had this big climb up to Auchmuirbridge where Loch Leven comes into view at the top of the climb!

For many years I have been passing a road on my way out of Knockhill which passes through the village of Cleish and I have never checked it out! So when I spotted a sign for Cleish I just had to follow it and I knew it would eventually take me to the road near Knockhill! It was such a great road if a little straight for my liking but at least it was undulating and had amazing views!

Eventually the road came to an end and I was right about it bringing me out near Knockhill, the road then descends down into Powmill! On my way down I stopped for this photo of this stunning Clydesdale horse!

The road is like this all the way down, its so much fun!

I soon arrived in Powmill with 94 miles covered and I knew my car was only about 3 miles away now, I had to think of a route to get my 100 miler done! I used the cycle path coming out of Powmill as it was pretty busy and I had a nice view of the Ochil Hills from the path!

As my car was parked on a big downhill I decided to head straight there and enjoy the downhill for the second time! At the bottom of the descent there is a very narrow back road which leads to the village of Carnbo but it joins the main A91 for a few miles so I was in two minds about it! I reached the main road and the traffic was light thankfully so I decided to chance it and after 3 miles of no traffic whatsoever (I guess I got lucky) I turned on to the back road into the village of Drum and headed back to the car!

It wasn't the ride I had planned but was still very enjoyable, it was a very chilly start and I used my thick gloves for the first time and they kept my fingers nice and toasty! Once the sun appeared it made quite a difference so the lighter gloves were just perfect!

@Chargeride Sorry for your loss, its awful to watch your parents deteriorate like that!

 

[JGcycle]

A couple of pics from today's 25km Ride:

 

[Chargeride]

I love your pics, they have a relaxed composition I cant quite put my finger on, but the bench is testing me ))

Im joking, I see what youre doing there.

 

[Chargeride]

View attachment 183471

I had a route planned for yesterday that would have been close to 125 miles, my plan was to drive to Kincardine and cycle inland to St Andrews and then head down the east coast back to Kincardine! Unfortunately the weather had other ideas with mist and fog pretty much all the way to Kincardine, it was really thick patchy fog around the Forth estuary! So I decided to keep driving in the hope things would clear up and thankfully near Kinross things were looking much more promising so I parked the car in a safe layby and had a think about a new route!

I set off just before 8am and passed through Kinross and Milnathort and joined the main road towards Gateside, there I turned north for Newburgh on a quieter road! It starts with a short climb but soon becomes a cracking 3 mile descent down into Aberargie, its a twisty descent and a lot of fun! At Aberargie I turned east passing through Abernethy before arriving in Newburgh at the 20 mile mark, where I had a nice view of the River Tay!

View attachment 183474
I continued east passing through Lindores and Dunbog, it was still a little misty but nothing bad and there was no wind whatsoever for a nice change! You can see the steam rising in the background here and it was going straight up!

View attachment 183475
View attachment 183476
The mist was hanging over the hills but it was fine at low levels!

View attachment 183477
I had the road mostly to myself until I arrived in Cupar at the 30 mile mark, its always busy here and even more so yesterday thanks to some roadworks! I was so glad I was on the bike and managed to ease my way through all the cars and trucks and turned off the main road at the far side of Cupar to take the road to Pitscottie which is much quieter! It starts with a lot of climbing but then a short descent into Pitscottie before ramping up again for a couple of miles, then a cracking 5 mile descent!

The fields were looking great, a lot of work for the farmers though! As you can see its mostly farmland as fas as the eye can see!

View attachment 183480
I arrived in St Andrews at the 40 mile mark, when I checked the forecast the day before it was showing wall to wall sunshine but when I arrived it was very cloudy!

View attachment 183482
I had an early lunch at the Harbour cafe and the sun made a welcome appearance!

View attachment 183481
I then started the climb out of the town and stopped for a couple of photos at the top of the hill!

View attachment 183483
View attachment 183484
A short time later I spotted this in one of the fields and had to stop for a photo!

View attachment 183485
I then started making my way down the east coast with the sun making things a bit warmer, I stopped for a photo at the Fairmont Hotel grounds! Only the rich and famous stay there...mainly golfers!

View attachment 183486
This lovely little church always catches my eye on the way down the coast, I thought it was time I stopped for a photo or two!

View attachment 183487
View attachment 183488
I then passed through Kingsbarns where the Alfred Dunhill Links Championships started yesterday, I bet they were all wrapped up well as it wasn't very warm even in the sunshine! At the 50 mile mark I arrived in the seaside town of Crail where I spotted this lovely old 1971 Morris Minor van! I used to work on them back in my mechanic days in the 70's!

View attachment 183491
This was right next to the very tiny harbour!

View attachment 183492
The view out to the North Sea with the Isle of May way in the distance!

View attachment 183493
I continued down the coast passing through Anstruther, Pitenweem and St Monans before arriving in Elie at the 60 mile mark! I stopped at the harbour for a snack and a break!

View attachment 183494
View attachment 183495
I continued along the coast road through Upper and Lower Largo where this amazing view always catches my eye!

View attachment 183496
I then arrived in Lundin Links where I decided to cut inland as time was getting on and I was now settling for 100 miles instead of the orginal 125! I opted to head for Glenrothes and Leslie and then take the road past Loch Leven, the downside is the traffic through Glenrothes and Leslie but it wasn't too bad! I then had this big climb up to Auchmuirbridge where Loch Leven comes into view at the top of the climb!

View attachment 183497
View attachment 183498
View attachment 183499
For many years I have been passing a road on my way out of Knockhill which passes through the village of Cleish and I have never checked it out! So when I spotted a sign for Cleish I just had to follow it and I knew it would eventually take me to the road near Knockhill! It was such a great road if a little straight for my liking but at least it was undulating and had amazing views!

View attachment 183500
View attachment 183501
Eventually the road came to an end and I was right about it bringing me out near Knockhill, the road then descends down into Powmill! On my way down I stopped for this photo of this stunning Clydesdale horse!

View attachment 183502
The road is like this all the way down, its so much fun!

View attachment 183503
I soon arrived in Powmill with 94 miles covered and I knew my car was only about 3 miles away now, I had to think of a route to get my 100 miler done! I used the cycle path coming out of Powmill as it was pretty busy and I had a nice view of the Ochil Hills from the path!

View attachment 183504
As my car was parked on a big downhill I decided to head straight there and enjoy the downhill for the second time! At the bottom of the descent there is a very narrow back road which leads to the village of Carnbo but it joins the main A91 for a few miles so I was in two minds about it! I reached the main road and the traffic was light thankfully so I decided to chance it and after 3 miles of no traffic whatsoever (I guess I got lucky) I turned on to the back road into the village of Drum and headed back to the car!

It wasn't the ride I had planned but was still very enjoyable, it was a very chilly start and I used my thick gloves for the first time and they kept my fingers nice and toasty! Once the sun appeared it made quite a difference so the lighter gloves were just perfect!

@Chargeride Sorry for your loss, its awful to watch your parents deteriorate like that!

Thanks Rabh, Moggy Minor, been in a lot of them!

 

[Watana Bob]

My dad popped his clogs last week, it was very sudden and not sad at all, he had recently lost most
of his faculties, even though this pic was taken a few weeks before.
88 and barely changed at all.
I'll be off to Devon to sort it out.
Its going to be weird shutting his front door for the last time.
I'll probably be taking my madmate Brain with me and the bikes, might be burying two
View attachment 183456

Condolences Chargeride, sorry for your loss. May your memories of happy times never fade.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My dad popped his clogs last week, it was very sudden and not sad at all, he had recently lost most
of his faculties, even though this pic was taken a few weeks before.
88 and barely changed at all.
I'll be off to Devon to sort it out.
Its going to be weird shutting his front door for the last time.
I'll probably be taking my madmate Brain with me and the bikes, might be burying two

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Chargeride but as you say, sometimes it is a blessing.

 

[Prairie Dog]

It’s been a hectic week as fall yard and garden chores have kept us busy with little time to ride. I did manage to fit in a few last outings on the bike and was still able to eke out over 1000 km last month.

Talk about horsepower. I spotted these saddled riders on their steeds in an open field as they made their way east.

On my way back home, our paths crossed again. They didn’t seem to concerned about their pace and were likely enjoying some quality family time together.

With all of our fall work now completed, we have been busy prepping for a month long cycling trip in Japan. We took a bit of extra time packing the bikes and gear making sure that we were within the allotted weight and lineal dimensions.

We leave this weekend and will likely spend the first couple of days in Tokyo before departing by limo bus to the rural countryside near Mt. Fuji. We’ll do the normal day trips out of my wife’s hometown but also have our sights set on a few overnight excursions that will take us farther out by train. We will be focused on traveling fast and light bringing only essential items along with us. I hope to post updates during our time on the road which should provide for some spectacular scenery.

 

[JGcycle]

It’s been a hectic week as fall yard and garden chores have kept us busy with little time to ride. I did manage to fit in a few last outings on the bike and was still able to eke out over 1000 km last month.

Talk about horsepower. I spotted these saddled riders on their steeds in an open field as they made their way east.

View attachment 183540

On my way back home, our paths crossed again. They didn’t seem to concerned about their pace and were likely enjoying some quality family time together.

View attachment 183539

With all of our fall work now completed, we have been busy prepping for a month long cycling trip in Japan. We took a bit of extra time packing the bikes and gear making sure that we were within the allotted weight and lineal dimensions.

View attachment 183542
View attachment 183543

We leave this weekend and will likely spend the first couple of days in Tokyo before departing by limo bus to the rural countryside near Mt. Fuji. We’ll do the normal day trips out of my wife’s hometown but also have our sights set on a few overnight excursions that will take us farther out by train. We will be focused on traveling fast and light bringing only essential items along with us. I hope to post updates during our time on the road which should provide for some spectacular scenery.

Have a happy and safe journey.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

'Mazovian Tuscany Fun' Gravel Race

I could intercept Jacek and our buddy Paul at the 100th kilometre of their 210 km gravel race. It will be a metric century ride for myself!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Have a happy and safe journey.

Thanks JG. See you on the flip side.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Mazovian Tuscany Fun Gravel Race: Interception

I would not ride in the "Toskańska Heca" race: no e-format, too long a distance, too cold. My brother Jacek and our mate Paul (who is a Polonized Welsh) decided to form a team for the race; they were badly surprised by the cold weather (9 C, pretty windy, luckily hardly any raining...) I decided to intercept them on the race for photos Rode my trusty Vado 6.0, and wore really warm clothes, the winter style.

One of pit-stops was hosted by a luxury hotel located in the palace of Mała Wieś. I went in the hotel and must admit it was too posh for me!

It was probably the best pit-stop of five to be found on the 210 km (gravel) or 230 km (road) race routes. A warden set up a bonfire, and two female servers helped the incoming riders. There was abundance of food and drinks; I only took coffee and two biscuits as I didn't feel it right to eat something I didn't pay for!

'Where's the pit-stop?' Paul was leading that small group at the moment.

My brother formed a strong team with Paul. They rode the whole race from the beginning to the finish line together!

The boys were in excellent mood despite the terribly cold weather!

I spent some time at the site as I could meet some people I rode with earlier!

Why "Mazovian Tuscany"? I was not inclined to take many photos on my ride but let me explain: The area south of Warsaw, which is a huge fruit producing area is undulated and full of orchards. Many hills have tree lines at their ridges, making the area somewhat resembling Tuscany, especially in the Summer. Only we have apple trees As funny as it might sound, I learned we also had some vineyards in the Mazovian Tuscany, too!

Cities of Warka, Grójec and Tarczyn all three compete for the title of the "Apple Capital of Poland" Here, an apple figure in the main square of Tarczyn. (I rode through Grójec on Saturday, too). The racers rode through all three cities!

In Tarczyn. The rider in the lead is Rudy (Redhead). The man impressively took the bronze on the podium!

My team took the 14th place ex aequo of 109 who completed the GRVL race. Not bad at all!

Eventually, I had a late lunch at the Partisan Cuisine bar

Both rides on a single map.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 183574
Eventually, I had a late lunch at the Partisan Cuisine bar .

Ah, so they politicize everything in Poland, too! Guessing the sausage is far right-wing, the roll is left-centrist, and the pickle belongs to the far-left Green Party.

Personally, I'd set aside my partisan leanings and eat all of them.
;^}