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

[dodgeman]

We continue riding in Gulf Shores Park. They have a lot of raised walkway/bridges over low and swampy areas. I’m not sure how long this one was, maybe over a mile.

This a place we took a break at a walkway and viewing area. We rode 12 miles today.

Great weather for temperatures highs in the low 80’s but very humid and a little rainy.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Too Many Errands!

I started my Friday ride after 14:00, that is, when I did all the work for the day. Riding my Vado 6.0, I didn't expect into what my ride would develop!

InPost Parcel Locker
Poland is unique in the EU with her low shipping cost. Courier service is really inexpensive but what has exploded in our country are InPost digital parcel locker services. One Rafał Brzoska started the company in 2006, and now you can find InPost lockers virtually everywhere. You do not need to wait for the courier; you can pick-up or send your parcels just using your smartphone (this, along with the BLIK online instant payment system, has made online sales great in Poland). My nearest InPost locker is just a half mile away... So I rode up there to pick up my new Lezyne Strip Drive Pro 400+ tail-light for my Vado SL. (The first impression: the light is terribly bright! Too bright!)

Shopping Mall
As I'm seeing my daughter on Saturday, I had to go to a big supermarket to buy some specific goodies for Magda (as well as inexpensive Carrefour 'Nespresso' coffee capsules) there. As I was riding a long bike path, I was overtaken by a roadie. Obviously, I went TURBO to follow him. Then I said: 'Hi, you have an excellent tail-light! What is this?' -- "Ah, that's a radar. A Varia. A Garmin Varia radar!' -- 'Oh, I've heard of it but it is the first time I can see it in person! Thank you!'

Specialist Beer Store
Not quite the U.S., but Craft Beer has got quite popular in Poland since 2013. A specialist shop in my small town of Brwinów is just excellent, and they know how to advertise on the social media! Bought: Black IPA (Cascadian Dark Ale), Imperial IPA, West Coast IPA, and Double Northeast IPA. All strong ales, all brewed in Poland Necessary to mention, Polish craft brewers learned everything from their U.S. colleagues, at least in the beginning!

Orange Showroom...
I was just forced by Orange, the biggest telecom of Poland to switch to fibre-optics Internet. The company rules require the customer to return the old gear directly to an Orange showroom. Not a big deal... Until the assistant innocently asked: 'Have you brought our HDMI cable as well...?' I even didn't think the cable had been the part of the set! Aaaargh! (If I didn't return the cable, the company would send me an expensive bill, that's how they work!) No choice, I had to go home to collect the cable and bring it back... The time became very short! (I had to return the gear by 18:00, or I would be automatically charged for the missing cable. We have the Independence Day on Monday 11th November!)

Local Grocery Store
Why not to drop in there to do the last shopping before the national holiday?

This is how I set off for the rides in the current cold season (I started wearing a Hi-Vis vest mimicking British and Irish cyclists: Not a bad thing at poor visibility!)

Orange Showroom Again...
+12 km

Local Service Station
Cigarettes and a supper

Suddenly it turned out I rode for 46 km (28.6 mi). I could not do all those things with a car, as the whole area was stuck in traffic jams!

 

[Chargeride]

I always ride my bike ready for accidently turning onto a ski slope.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I always ride my bike ready for accidently turning onto a ski slope.

It will be around 0°C when I'm back from my ride


A suburban bike path in Poland

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 16 miles on a bike path in Gulf Shores today. It parallels a highway that goes to Fort Morgan at the end of the peninsula. The bike path only goes halfway. We’re lucky hurricane Rafael didn’t keep coming north but turned west and has died down. A couple of pictures. Ones a nice church.

 

[Readytoride]

My friend and I had planned a ride yesterday, a nice outing to enjoy the autumn views and a midway stop at an upscale restaurant for lunch. The outdoor weather, unfortunately, had other plans. The morning brightened with cold temps and an even colder wind, not at all to our liking. We mutually agreed to postpone for more agreeable weather.

I decided to bundle up and brave the elements for a quick 11 mile ride on the paved roads, incorporating some litter pickup along the way on one of my adopted roads. The constant on/off the bike to pick up trash was a very warming exercise. Fortunately the road was heavily lined with trees so the wind ended up being a non-issue, and my jacket kept me toasty warm.

The litter pickup did prolong my ride, which ended up being a fortunate thing. Coming back I opted to return on my local gravel road, and exactly 1 mile from home I ran into a collection of old friends out for a carriage drive. Even though it's been 10 years since I was a member of the carriage club, and I had on a helmet and sunglasses to obscure my face, the second i called out hello I was instantly recognized by the occupants of all 4 carriages. Everyone was so excited to see me, and it was great exchanging happy, albeit quick, pleasantries as they trotted on by. I snapped a quick set of photos as they descended a rise at a walk before they trotted up the following rise.

Had I not prolonged my ride, or returned home via the paved roads, I would have missed them entirely.

It was a nice, nostalgic way to finish my ride.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Getting a little worried about the uncharacteristic radio silence from @Prairie Dog . Hope he and Sai are just having too much fun to check in.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Getting a little worried about the uncharacteristic radio silence from @Prairie Dog . Hope he and Sai are just having too much fun to check in.

Positive vibes...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

One Mile Mountains and Anin Mountains (an XC Group Ride)

Some cycling friends of mine were surprised I have never been on one of the group rides organized by Grubool (Fat Man). Maciek is a fat-bike lover. His group rides are advertised as slow (which is compelling to many people), and he learned to not surprise his guests with too difficult terrain (or dragging bikes through the bushes) As riding with Grubool was highly recommended by my friends, I took part in a Sunday group ride of Grube Trasy (Fat Trails).

I was worried of the weather. Riding the whole day at 3 C was a little bit intimidating... It was not bad at all as I warmed up by intensive pedalling, and got hot out of fear on the singletracks!

Sixteen people (including several females and one very young cyclist!) arrived to the start line at the southernmost Metro station of Warsaw.

I admit I was not expecting that. As a born Warsawer, a person who cycled since the age of 11, I simply could not recognize my city from the XC perspective. Plethora of "hidden" urban singletracks, bodies of water I was unaware of, a big number of woods and forest paths, climbs and descents (on tree roots), and too many gravel roads: Was it indeed my Warsaw?

The first rest, 19 km into the ride.

Fat Man on the right. He expertly used a DJI Neo drone on our ride!

XC riders certainly know their clothes for cold weather!

At the Józef Piłsudski obelisk in One Mile Mountains.

An explanatory note
Neither One Mile nor Anin Mountains are real hills These are long post-glacial inland dunes, and you ride on the ridge via singletracks. Why 'One Mile Mountains'? When Poland was eventually totally partitioned in 1795, Warsaw got in the hands of Prussia but a big piece of land neighbouring the city became Austrian (the Russian grabbed Warsaw as the outcome of Napoleonic Wars only in 1815). Now, a Polish Mile was 7.146 km. One explanation is the 'mountains' started exactly 1 Polish mile from the Prussian/Austrian border. The other theory is the dune was approximately one Polish mile long. Nobody knows for sure.

Unfortunately, I was unable to take any photo of the actual trail. I had to control the e-bike to survive Oh, all the MTB techniques I learned in the past certainly helped!

What we gravel and XC riders love is a long stop by a convenience store (26 km).

St. Martin's Croissant
11th of November (tomorrow) is the Poland's Indepedence Day as on that date in 1918 Poland regained independence after 123 years of partitions. The holiday is emotional for the Poles and often means clashes between the Right and the Left, at least in Warsaw. However, Nov 11th is also the St. Martin's day, celebrated in Poznań, Greater Poland. Poznaners have invented St. Martin's Croissants to be eaten on that day.

St. Martin's Croissants (a stock photo),

As I went in the convenience store, I had to grab something highly caloric. I chose some available cake. Started eating it to find out my mouth were full, and I could only swallow the very sweet cake if I drank a lot of water! That was the first time ever I tried a St. Martin Croissant! (Half of my water bottle was necessary for a single croissant!)

Anin 'mountains' were a way easier. Unfortunately, my medical condition struck. Long pedalling on cold weather makes my left foot freeze. I had to make a longer stop and revive the foot. After that, I was unable to catch up with the group!

Technically speaking, this is still Warsaw!

Ride Map.

A 6 minute video. You can see me at times, not often though

 

[RandallS]

Just got back from an extended trip (50 days) which included a trans-Pacific cruise from Vancouver to Auckland NZ.

Had two rides in there, one in San Francisco and one in Napier NZ.

First - SF. Photos in no particular order,

And now Napier, on Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. Beautiful place, seemed very liveable.

The ride was captured in two parts, but was still incomplete.
We stopped for a very nice lunch where my wife and our private tour guide drove to meet us.

My bike tour team: Liz on the left and Kay on the right. Super ladies in their late 70's, Liz is our tour guide Sandie's mother and Kay is her friend who also toured us around the day before in a '39 Packard as we viewed the Art Deco highlights of Napier. There is a rumour that we may have been to a few wineries that day too!

Our Hotel and then some wine tours (from the day before the ride). The lady in period costume is Kay from the bike ride.

Some photos of the bike trails and surrounding area. There were a few spots that would have been unpassable at high tide.

A few geese crossed our path and lots of sheep (as expected) and cattle in the paddocks as we rode by.

My bike. Not normally my style but very comfortable and just fine for "tootleing" around. It is Liz's husband's bike.
Also my hiviz vest as supplied by Liz, and some lunch pics.
We passed a LOT of seniors on ebikes on this ride, and there must have been 20+ bikes at our lunch spot.

Great trip - I'd move to NZ in a heartbeat. I also visited a bike park in Rotorua for lunch, and if I ever go back it will involve as much biking as I can fit in.

Cheers!

 

[DaveMatthews]

Just got back from an extended trip (50 days) which included a trans-Pacific cruise from Vancouver to Auckland NZ.

Had two rides in there, one in San Francisco and one in Napier NZ.

First - SF. Photos in no particular order,

View attachment 185636


View attachment 185647 View attachment 185648 View attachment 185649 View attachment 185650View attachment 185651 View attachment 185652View attachment 185653 View attachment 185654View attachment 185655

And now Napier, on Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. Beautiful place, seemed very liveable.

The ride was captured in two parts, but was still incomplete.
We stopped for a very nice lunch where my wife and our private tour guide drove to meet us.

View attachment 185638View attachment 185637

My bike tour team: Liz on the left and Kay on the right. Super ladies in their late 70's, Liz is our tour guide Sandie's mother and Kay is her friend who also toured us around the day before in a '39 Packard as we viewed the Art Deco highlights of Napier. There is a rumour that we may have been to a few wineries that day too!

View attachment 185639 View attachment 185640

Our Hotel and then some wine tours (from the day before the ride). The lady in period costume is Kay from the bike ride.

View attachment 185657 View attachment 185663 View attachment 185661 View attachment 185660
https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOUTKRMRUhUhDXYuG53_2ypUX3TnAf1WA4CnHls
Some photos of the bike trails and surrounding area. There were a few spots that would have been unpassable at high tide.

View attachment 185641


View attachment 185642View attachment 185643

A few geese crossed our path and lots of sheep (as expected) and cattle in the paddocks as we rode by.
View attachment 185644View attachment 185645

My bike. Not normally my style but very comfortable and just fine for "tootleing" around. It is Liz's husband's bike.
Also my hiviz vest as supplied by Liz, and some lunch pics.
We passed a LOT of seniors on ebikes on this ride, and there must have been 20+ bikes at our lunch spot.

View attachment 185646 View attachment 185666

View attachment 185664 View attachment 185665

Great trip - I'd move to NZ in a heartbeat. I also visited a bike park in Rotorua for lunch, and if I ever go back it will involve as much biking as I can fit in.

Cheers!

Awesome trip, nicely done!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Just got back from an extended trip (50 days) which included a trans-Pacific cruise from Vancouver to Auckland NZ.

Had two rides in there, one in San Francisco and one in Napier NZ.

First - SF. Photos in no particular order,

View attachment 185636


View attachment 185647 View attachment 185648 View attachment 185649 View attachment 185650View attachment 185651 View attachment 185652View attachment 185653 View attachment 185654View attachment 185655

And now Napier, on Hawkes Bay in New Zealand. Beautiful place, seemed very liveable.

The ride was captured in two parts, but was still incomplete.
We stopped for a very nice lunch where my wife and our private tour guide drove to meet us.

View attachment 185638View attachment 185637

My bike tour team: Liz on the left and Kay on the right. Super ladies in their late 70's, Liz is our tour guide Sandie's mother and Kay is her friend who also toured us around the day before in a '39 Packard as we viewed the Art Deco highlights of Napier. There is a rumour that we may have been to a few wineries that day too!

View attachment 185639 View attachment 185640

Our Hotel and then some wine tours (from the day before the ride). The lady in period costume is Kay from the bike ride.

View attachment 185657 View attachment 185663 View attachment 185661 View attachment 185660
Some photos of the bike trails and surrounding area. There were a few spots that would have been unpassable at high tide.

View attachment 185641


View attachment 185642View attachment 185643

A few geese crossed our path and lots of sheep (as expected) and cattle in the paddocks as we rode by.
View attachment 185644View attachment 185645

My bike. Not normally my style but very comfortable and just fine for "tootleing" around. It is Liz's husband's bike.
Also my hiviz vest as supplied by Liz, and some lunch pics.
We passed a LOT of seniors on ebikes on this ride, and there must have been 20+ bikes at our lunch spot.

View attachment 185646 View attachment 185666

View attachment 185664 View attachment 185665

Great trip - I'd move to NZ in a heartbeat. I also visited a bike park in Rotorua for lunch, and if I ever go back it will involve as much biking as I can fit in.

Cheers!

Fabulous trip! Loved our time in NZ in 2010, though it took us 3 days to believe that they really do speak English. The things they do to vowels are downright criminal.

Recycled Rebels
Retired Blokes Spinning Spokes

Priceless! Gotta get one of those vests. Fits me — and many others around here — to a T.

 

[DaveMatthews]

Getting a little worried about the uncharacteristic radio silence from @Prairie Dog . Hope he and Sai are just having too much fun to check in.

Found an email address for @Prairie Dog and sent a message to check in.

 

[Saratoga Dave]

Good lookin out, boys

 

[RandallS]

Found an email address for @Prairie Dog and sent a message to check in.

I have other means of contacting him. He may be in Japan again, but I thought he was active in here the last time he went.

Stay tuned.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I have other means of contacting him. He may be in Japan again, but I thought he was active in here the last time he went.

Stay tuned.

He was still in Japan a week or so ago and checking in regularly up to that point. Then nada.

 

[DaveMatthews]

I have other means of contacting him. He may be in Japan again, but I thought he was active in here the last time he went.

Stay tuned.

Yes, he's posted pics and video from this current trip, but has been a no show for almost a couple of weeks

 

[RandallS]

He was still in Japan a week or so ago and checking in regularly up to that point. Then nada

Yes, he's posted pics and video from this current trip, but has been a no show for almost a couple of weeks

I've texted him - If he has his phone on roaming he'll get it, and if using a dual setup (travel eSim in his phone, like I do), he may as well.

Otherwise he won't until he returns to Canada.
Art is not really a big "attached to his phone" in my experiences, so he may in fact just be "running quiet" for a while.

It's funny how our minds sometimes are all in alignment.
I'd just noticed he'd not commented on my post when you guys posted about your concerns,

 

[MartsEbike]

Your eyes don't deceive you... blue sky! The first we've seen in a couple of weeks.

Looking across Dunstable Downs.

I can't lie... The views are worth it once you get to the top of the hills.

Steps of doom. Some of these steps are a foot deep, and riding down them is not for beginners! But it's better going down than trying to get up!

More views across the Buckinghamshire countryside from the top of Gallows Hill.

Ivinghoe Hills ... Loads of hills to explore.

Oh great... another hill.

The most dangerous animal you'll encounter in the British countryside.

Aldbury Village... Plenty of old buildings to see.

Diverted off course to Ashridge Estate for snacks from the cafe.

The restoration of the Bridgewater Monument appears to be finished.

Cafe at Ashridge. Can I have a Bacon Bap and a Coffee, please? "We've stopped serving hot food for the day". 2.45pm

I might be going mad but as I rode through these woods I'm sure I saw a dog running with 4-5 deer. I wish I caught a photo of it but they ran off quickly.

Donkeys!

Found a little pub in the outback of nowhere. "Do you do hot food?" YES... woohoo at last.

Descent to somewhere...

All important village news. They still live in the 1800's around here.

More hills because 1 is never enough.

View from the top of the hill.

Getting dark! Need to get home quickly.

I saw this on my ride back. I had no idea it was a school... Bit posh.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Your eyes don't deceive you... blue sky! The first we've seen in a couple of weeks.
View attachment 185737

View attachment 185690

Looking across Dunstable Downs.

View attachment 185691

I can't lie... The views are worth it once you get to the top of the hills.

View attachment 185692

Steps of doom. Some of these steps are a foot deep, not for the beginners! But it's better going down than trying to get up!

View attachment 185693

More views across the Buckinghamshire countryside from the top of Gallows Hill.

View attachment 185697

Ivinghoe Hills ... Loads of hills to explore.

View attachment 185703

Oh great... another hill.

View attachment 185699

The most dangerous animal you'll encounter in the British countryside.

View attachment 185704

Aldridge Village... Plenty of old buildings to see.

View attachment 185706
View attachment 185707
View attachment 185708
View attachment 185709
View attachment 185710

Diverted off course to Ashridge Estate for snacks from the cafe.

View attachment 185711

The restoration of the Bridgewater Monument appears to be finished.

View attachment 185713

Cafe at Ashridge. Can I have a Bacon Bap and a Coffee, please? "We've stopped serving hot food for the day". 2.45pm

View attachment 185714

I might be going mad but as I rode through these woods I'm sure I saw a dog running with 4-5 deer. I wish I caught a photo of it but they ran off quickly.

View attachment 185715

Donkeys!

View attachment 185716

Found a little pub in the outback of nowhere. "Do you do hot food?" YES... woohoo at last.

View attachment 185718

Decent to somewhere...

View attachment 185719

All important village news. They still live in the 1800's around here.

View attachment 185720

More hills because 1 is never enough.

View attachment 185721

View from the top of the hill.

View attachment 185722

Getting dark! Need to get home quickly.

View attachment 185723

I saw this on my ride back. I had no idea it was a school... Bit posh.

View attachment 185724

Gorgeous ride! I see that you're putting your new SL to good use. Impressive that you averaged 219W in this topography. I'm averaging only 150-170W but getting stronger.

I also see from Wikipedia that "downs" — a common landform in southern England — are just hills underlain by chalk. But I'm sure that many have felt just as strongly that these are really "ups".

What's your position on this? Wonder how the downers prevailed?
;^}