2024 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter Saratoga Dave
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The First Ever Official E-Bike Recognition In The Gravel Cycling Racing Of Poland 
Stefan Mikulski (Specialized Vado 6.0) - gold.
Darek Ługowski (Kross Trans Hybrid 630 Wh - Shimano STEPS) - silver.
The E-Sprint Podium in Szelment, Jeleniewo, Sudovia, Podlachia Voivodeship, Poland We wish we had more competitors for the future!
The backdrop and all the graphics for Sudovia Gravel have been designed and produced by my riding buddy Krzysztof "Alfer" Kowalczyk.
An interview with Radio Białystok. We explained to the reporter electrically assisted gravel racing made a little sense as a competition sport, and was rather a great chance for more people to experience a Great Adventure and to Accept Personal Challenge.
I and Darek share very similar views on the sport!
Stefan Mikulski (Specialized Vado 6.0) - gold.
Darek Ługowski (Kross Trans Hybrid 630 Wh - Shimano STEPS) - silver.
The E-Sprint Podium in Szelment, Jeleniewo, Sudovia, Podlachia Voivodeship, Poland
We wish we had more competitors for the future!The backdrop and all the graphics for Sudovia Gravel have been designed and produced by my riding buddy Krzysztof "Alfer" Kowalczyk.
An interview with Radio Białystok. We explained to the reporter electrically assisted gravel racing made a little sense as a competition sport, and was rather a great chance for more people to experience a Great Adventure and to Accept Personal Challenge.
I and Darek share very similar views on the sport!
- 'A legal Euro e-bike must be pedalled hard to ride. The e-bike does not ride you; you ride the e-bike. You need the skill to ride demanding trails'.
- 'The e-bike is no threat to traditional gravel cyclists. We just ride slower. And we do not race against you'.
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RabH
Well-Known Member
Another perfect cycling day with no wind and a temp of 12C at 7.30am, I got out early when it was much cooler but it was very misty! My plan was to head for Biggar and being a Sunday I decided to use the main roads for a change with very little traffic around! So I used the A73 down to Carluke where I joined the A721 to head for Carnwath, I tackled the big climb up to Kilncadzow at just under 1000ft and then enjoyed the awesome descent but there was patchy fog here which was thick in places! Thankfully it disappeared once I was lower down and the visibility vastly improved on the road to Carnwath!
At Carnwath I turned SE for Biggar and what a road this is, I usually do this road in the other direction but thought it would be fun to do it this way and I wasn't disapppointed with awesome descents like these to enjoy!
Thankfully conditions remained good for the most part and the temp was just perfect! I soon had a big climb to contend with, stopping just before the start for this photo!
After the climb I had another big descent before the final big climb close to Biggar, I grabbed another couple of photos before arriving in the town!
At Biggar I joined the A72 towards Symington where I passed over the River Clyde which was really low after the recent dry spell!
I passed through Symington and joined the A73 towards Lanark, another amazing road!
Normally I have a really nice view of both the Pentland and Tinto hills here but the Pentlands were hidden today due to the mist!
Tinto hill was a bit more visible though!
This road is so much better on a Sunday with no trucks around, quite a few cars passed me though but they were well behaved and with the road in such great condition I was having a blast!
I reached Hyndford where I crossed the bridge to take on the big climb up to Lanark!
I stopped at Lanark loch for a few photos!
As usual Lanark was pretty busy and I decided to get the hell out of Dodge and head NE towards Cleghorn and made it over the railway crossing without stopping for a change! I grabbed a couple of photos before heading up the climb!
After the climb I continued north towards Forth, stopping for this photo with the Pentland hills (only just visible) way in the distance! The sun made a very brief appearance here!
Thankfully the sun lost the battle as it was so warm when it appeared, the temp was perfect once again! I turned on to the back roads a short time later, heading towards Yieldshields! Another awesome road where I saw only one car for miles, I passed through the village in the blink of an eye and turned north to enjoy the new tarmac on the back road to Carluke! This road used to be extremely rutted, what a difference now!
The descent at the end near Carluke is just superb, I hit 35mph on the new tarmac whereas before I had to dodge all the holes to try to stay upright!
I then took the back road to Morningside followed by the back road to Allanton, then it was time to tackle the big climb from Hartwood up to Kirk of Shotts! Imagine my surprise part way up the climb when I saw 2 Ostriches, not something you see every day in these parts!
I think one of them wanted to try out my bike...well maybe not as it was hissing and not happy with my presence on its territory! It was huge and not to be messed with!
Near the top of the climb I turned on to my favourite back road towards Hareshaw again!
I passed through the village and continued north towards the main road from Newhouse to Salsburgh, passing under the M8 motorway and heading up a beast of a climb towards home! Part way up the climb I came across 2 beautiful young Clydesdale horses, I just had to stop for photos!
The parents weren't even bothered by my presence and just continued munching the grass!
One of the young ones eventually jumped to its feet!
I was only a few miles from home now and decided to enjoy the big descent at Gartness where I shot down at close to 45mph before reaching Chapelhall and heading NW for home! What a brilliant day once again, the early mist was the only downside as I had to keep cleaning my glasses and probably should have removed them but with fast descents I erred on the side of caution with flies bombarding me from all angles!
Attachments
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Sudovia: A Hidden Gem of Poland
Sudovia Gravel 2024
Let me tell you about a unique area of outstanding natural beauty. You need to see two maps first
In the big map. Sudovia occupies the farthest northeastern corner of Poland. That's 320 km/200 miles from where I live near Warsaw.
Unlike the neighbouring Mazuria (the Lakeland of Poland), Sudovia has never been in East Prussia. Located around the city of Suwałki (read: Soo-'vaw-kie), it is almost unknown to an average Pole. Yes, they might have heard of Lake Hańcza (one of the deepest lakes in Europe, a scuba-diver heaven) or the beautiful Lake Wigry, and they know Suwałki as the "gateway to Lithuania". People often wrongly think Sudovia is just Mazuria! They are totally unaware the small area is densely packed with very steep hills of post-glacial origin, or "Mountains where you don't expect any mountains" By contrast, just go to Lithuania, and you will find a total flatland!
By some miracle (or skill), my nephew Sebastian could fit my Vado 6.0 and our baggage into his small BMW Series 1 car! (Sebastian has been raised by my brother Jacek as a driver from his younger son's childhood!) Sebastian is as an excellent driver as he took us in Suwałki in no time! (Sebastian is also a scuba-diver, a sailor, and I even don't know what else!)
In the "Under The Ear of Grain" pizzeria in Suwałki. The restaurant supports Sudovia Gravel, so we got 10% discount (usually, the personnel has a salary, so tipping is unnecessary in Europe). The "Pod Kłosem" pizzeria serves both Italian and Sudovian varieties of pizza. I chose Herb Pizza with herb cheese from Wiżajny and herb sausage from Ejszeryszki (these locations will get a notable mention later!) The pizza was as big as we asked for packing the leftovers for the supper!
As you can see, I was totally happy about the pizza!
We stayed at the Pension Aga in Szurpiły by a deep Lake Szurpiły. @Chargeride you wanted to know what "agrotourism pension" was all about, so please watch this short movie
Four seasons at Pension "Aga" 
We did a stroll towards the lake, where a Warsaw angler proudly presented a freshly caught 3 kg pike to us!
Then we took a (free) rowing boat to explore Szurpiły Lake at the sunset...
The northern shore of the lake. We were unaware the technical singletrack for the race would be leading along that very shoreline!
Because we had limited space in the car, I did not take a suitcase with me. Meaning, no warm clothes taken! Just after the sunset, it became cold... We took the shower, buried ourselves in blankets and survived the night. Later, I gave Aga the owner a phone call and humorously described the situation, to which she shocked replied:
-- 'I told you for several times our Pension was more than a hotel! Why didn't you ring me up? I would drive to the place and set fire in the fireplace! Ask me ask me ask me if you need anything!'
Guess the price per the room per night?
Well? US$40 off-season, US$45 high season. No, you would not find Agropensjonat Aga Szurpiły 27 on Booking.com
to be continued...
Sudovia Gravel 2024
Let me tell you about a unique area of outstanding natural beauty. You need to see two maps first
In the big map. Sudovia occupies the farthest northeastern corner of Poland. That's 320 km/200 miles from where I live near Warsaw.
Unlike the neighbouring Mazuria (the Lakeland of Poland), Sudovia has never been in East Prussia. Located around the city of Suwałki (read: Soo-'vaw-kie), it is almost unknown to an average Pole. Yes, they might have heard of Lake Hańcza (one of the deepest lakes in Europe, a scuba-diver heaven) or the beautiful Lake Wigry, and they know Suwałki as the "gateway to Lithuania". People often wrongly think Sudovia is just Mazuria! They are totally unaware the small area is densely packed with very steep hills of post-glacial origin, or "Mountains where you don't expect any mountains"
By contrast, just go to Lithuania, and you will find a total flatland!By some miracle (or skill), my nephew Sebastian could fit my Vado 6.0 and our baggage into his small BMW Series 1 car! (Sebastian has been raised by my brother Jacek as a driver from his younger son's childhood!) Sebastian is as an excellent driver as he took us in Suwałki in no time! (Sebastian is also a scuba-diver, a sailor, and I even don't know what else!)
In the "Under The Ear of Grain" pizzeria in Suwałki. The restaurant supports Sudovia Gravel, so we got 10% discount (usually, the personnel has a salary, so tipping is unnecessary in Europe). The "Pod Kłosem" pizzeria serves both Italian and Sudovian varieties of pizza. I chose Herb Pizza with herb cheese from Wiżajny and herb sausage from Ejszeryszki (these locations will get a notable mention later!) The pizza was as big as we asked for packing the leftovers for the supper!
As you can see, I was totally happy about the pizza!
We stayed at the Pension Aga in Szurpiły by a deep Lake Szurpiły. @Chargeride you wanted to know what "agrotourism pension" was all about, so please watch this short movie
We did a stroll towards the lake, where a Warsaw angler proudly presented a freshly caught 3 kg pike to us!
Then we took a (free) rowing boat to explore Szurpiły Lake at the sunset...
The northern shore of the lake. We were unaware the technical singletrack for the race would be leading along that very shoreline!
Because we had limited space in the car, I did not take a suitcase with me. Meaning, no warm clothes taken! Just after the sunset, it became cold... We took the shower, buried ourselves in blankets and survived the night. Later, I gave Aga the owner a phone call and humorously described the situation, to which she shocked replied:
-- 'I told you for several times our Pension was more than a hotel! Why didn't you ring me up? I would drive to the place and set fire in the fireplace! Ask me ask me ask me if you need anything!'
Guess the price per the room per night?
Well? US$40 off-season, US$45 high season. No, you would not find Agropensjonat Aga Szurpiły 27 on Booking.com
to be continued...
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dodgeman
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Macomb, Illinois
I rode 22 miles today and for the first time I about hit a deer. I’ve had several run out in front of me but far enough in front of me and I was going slow enough they weren’t close calls. This time I was going downhill, about 30 mph when it ran out in front of me. I was hard on the brakes and had time to realize I wasn’t going to get stopped. Luckily the deer didn’t slip when it hit the pavement and got across in front of me. I’m not sure how close I got, 10 to 15 feet probably.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The e-Sprint Race
Sudovia Gravel 2024
Group 14th, Classic 100 Mile Race starting from Szelment at 9:39 am on Saturday 18th May 2024. The organizers Paweł and Filip can be seen in the background, at the shade.
The only e-bikers taking part in the race: Darek and Stefan We had just finished the interview with Radio Białystok (the reporter was wildly interested to listen on e-bikes!) Darek is a very nice man riding a Polish made Kross e-bike with a Shimano motor and a 630 Wh battery. We started talking the same language from the moment we first met! We both said it made a little sense to compete being electrically assisted...
The northern shore of Lake Szurpiły, a technical trail. As soon as we left the asphalt for off-road, I started riding slowly and carefully. Soon, Darek disappeared at the distance. He either used more assistance than my ECO, or simply had stronger legs than I!
When I was fighting for dear life on the first technical rocky descent, I could see a pannier on the trail. I swapped the track to evade the obstacle, rode in the sand, panicked, and crashed in a controlled way. Almost no harm but a part of the handlebar painfully hit my abdomen. As I believe in the Swedish principle 'Not yours? Never touch it!', I didn't give the pannier a second thought and started fighting for my own life again
'Obligatory technical obstacles' A walkway above water, and a bog! Not joking! I'm sure lightweight strong riders just negotiated the obstacle at high speed but I had to walk my Vado through it. I already felt my feet being sucked in... Started running together with the e-bike very fast!
Top: I had to negotiate a steep descent on the grass to get out of the technical trail! Long ago in the history that hill hosted a Yotvingian (Old Prussian) burgh. Nowadays, people identifying themselves with that old extinct nation prefer calling themselves "the Sudovian".
Centre: As advertised! The most premium gravel roads of Poland! The area consists of only very steep hills, up and down and up! Nothing in between.
Bottom: The Classic riders rode anti-clockwise while we Sprinters travelled clockwise. Of course, we greeted one another. Whenever a group met a stationary rider, the questions "Are you okay?" were uttered in Polish by the Poles, and "All good?" in English by the Lithuanian riders
Somewhere on the trail, we met the 15.4% grade hill. I could see some riders walking their bikes up the hill. I went Turbo with 44-46T gearing and smoothly negotiated the hill. I could see the official race photographer "laying in wait for an ambush" by a wooden fence at a roadside, so I made a brave face, leaned on the bars and pretended working hard!
That borough could really show off! A very wide freshly rolled gravel road! The downhill ride was very fast, only you had to sharply turn to the forest in the middle
Another hard part followed. It was a very steep climb through deep sand... My Vado in Turbo mode and on 47 mm Pathfinder Pro tyres easily got me onto the summit!
Gorgeous clean lakes between the hills.
And then I met Darek again. The man had a really bad luck! The pannier I spotted at the trail beginning was his! Now, the man effectively finished his race: No GPS tracker (!!!) no water bottles, no cash! However, someone had already given Darek a phone call that the pannier was found because Darek was as smart as to place a sticker with his phone number on his wallet! Darek was ready to return to collect his belongings. I lent him some cash for beverages, and we said our good-byes.
He was indeed very lucky. He identified his approximate position to the caller. As Darek rode up the crossroads, he spotted a group of motorbikers there. 'Don't you by chance have my pannier?' -- he asked -- 'Yes, we do!' Those people just mounted their motorbikes and rode up the village of Smolniki (Darek's approximate position) to deliver the found pannier to him! What a spirit! What kind and honest people! Now, Darek was saved. However, the GPS tracker held the invalid data. Darek gave the organizer a phone call: 'Ride on, man! We're gonna sort it out!" So, having lost an hour, Darek rode the course as fast as he could!
Top: 'Are you okay?'
Bottom: Every village passed had its own stork family, the symbol of the countryside prosperity and welfare!
Near Wiżajny (remember the Wiżajny Herb Cheese?) An informal pit-stop with lemonade, operated by the family of one of the organizers. As the riders knew the 4-year old boy dreamed of LEGO, every rider taking the lemonade was giving 3 Euro as a pay to the young worker!
Ejszeryszki (remember the Ejszeryszki Herb Sausage?) Heading east then south.
In Lithuania! Of course, crossing borders in the EU is free. (Don't, however, even dare to do the same at the Russian border to the Kaliningrad Exclave! The border soldiers are there immediately, and you would probably go to jail if not being shot -- you would not believe how many people got into trouble just setting their foot on the Russian soil!)
Sudovia: Green rolling hills and more cows than people!
Top: The only bigger location en route.
Centre: An official pitstop for all race formats: 'Hi! Can I show you to cyclists in North America?' -- 'Sure!'
Bottom: If you think the number of steep climbs on the last 24 km was smaller than before then you are very wrong... I started being tired, and even the Turbo mode didn't seem to be helping that much...
At some steep descents on a perfect gravel, I achieved 58.5 km/h, not pedalling at all. Then, I had to abruptly stop to be able to do a hairpin turn into another steep climb! How I loved the brakes of my Vado!
The graphics designed and manufactured for the races by my buddy Alfer.
A horse atop a hill, 10x zoom. Not many horses there; the cows dominating the landscape
I made a picturesque finish Riding at a high speed in an athletic position, I crossed the finish line, stood on the pedals in an MTB position, then energetically but silently braked I was only careful not to crash as that would make me look foolish! I got non-alcoholic beer and was asked some questions on my race impressions. Then I sprinted to the restaurant!
I had dreamed of the Lithuanian Cold Soup since very morning! (Ask a Lithuanian: 'Cold Soup is a Polish invention but the Poles strangely call the soup "Lithuanian" for something we do not even have in our cuisine!')
My brave competitor entering the finish line!
And the last Sprint rider, Jagoda
#followyourdreams
Ride Map with POI.
Thank you for your patience!
Sudovia Gravel 2024
Group 14th, Classic 100 Mile Race starting from Szelment at 9:39 am on Saturday 18th May 2024. The organizers Paweł and Filip can be seen in the background, at the shade.
The only e-bikers taking part in the race: Darek and Stefan
We had just finished the interview with Radio Białystok (the reporter was wildly interested to listen on e-bikes!) Darek is a very nice man riding a Polish made Kross e-bike with a Shimano motor and a 630 Wh battery. We started talking the same language from the moment we first met! We both said it made a little sense to compete being electrically assisted... The northern shore of Lake Szurpiły, a technical trail. As soon as we left the asphalt for off-road, I started riding slowly and carefully. Soon, Darek disappeared at the distance. He either used more assistance than my ECO, or simply had stronger legs than I!
When I was fighting for dear life on the first technical rocky descent, I could see a pannier on the trail. I swapped the track to evade the obstacle, rode in the sand, panicked, and crashed in a controlled way. Almost no harm but a part of the handlebar painfully hit my abdomen. As I believe in the Swedish principle 'Not yours? Never touch it!', I didn't give the pannier a second thought and started fighting for my own life again
'Obligatory technical obstacles'
A walkway above water, and a bog! Not joking! I'm sure lightweight strong riders just negotiated the obstacle at high speed but I had to walk my Vado through it. I already felt my feet being sucked in... Started running together with the e-bike very fast! Top: I had to negotiate a steep descent on the grass to get out of the technical trail! Long ago in the history that hill hosted a Yotvingian (Old Prussian) burgh. Nowadays, people identifying themselves with that old extinct nation prefer calling themselves "the Sudovian".
Centre: As advertised! The most premium gravel roads of Poland! The area consists of only very steep hills, up and down and up! Nothing in between.
Bottom: The Classic riders rode anti-clockwise while we Sprinters travelled clockwise. Of course, we greeted one another. Whenever a group met a stationary rider, the questions "Are you okay?" were uttered in Polish by the Poles, and "All good?" in English by the Lithuanian riders
Somewhere on the trail, we met the 15.4% grade hill. I could see some riders walking their bikes up the hill. I went Turbo with 44-46T gearing and smoothly negotiated the hill. I could see the official race photographer "laying in wait for an ambush" by a wooden fence at a roadside, so I made a brave face, leaned on the bars and pretended working hard!
That borough could really show off! A very wide freshly rolled gravel road! The downhill ride was very fast, only you had to sharply turn to the forest in the middle
Another hard part followed. It was a very steep climb through deep sand... My Vado in Turbo mode and on 47 mm Pathfinder Pro tyres easily got me onto the summit!
Gorgeous clean lakes between the hills.
And then I met Darek again. The man had a really bad luck! The pannier I spotted at the trail beginning was his! Now, the man effectively finished his race: No GPS tracker (!!!) no water bottles, no cash! However, someone had already given Darek a phone call that the pannier was found because Darek was as smart as to place a sticker with his phone number on his wallet! Darek was ready to return to collect his belongings. I lent him some cash for beverages, and we said our good-byes.
He was indeed very lucky. He identified his approximate position to the caller. As Darek rode up the crossroads, he spotted a group of motorbikers there. 'Don't you by chance have my pannier?' -- he asked -- 'Yes, we do!' Those people just mounted their motorbikes and rode up the village of Smolniki (Darek's approximate position) to deliver the found pannier to him! What a spirit! What kind and honest people! Now, Darek was saved. However, the GPS tracker held the invalid data. Darek gave the organizer a phone call: 'Ride on, man! We're gonna sort it out!" So, having lost an hour, Darek rode the course as fast as he could!
Top: 'Are you okay?'
Bottom: Every village passed had its own stork family, the symbol of the countryside prosperity and welfare!
Near Wiżajny (remember the Wiżajny Herb Cheese?)
An informal pit-stop with lemonade, operated by the family of one of the organizers. As the riders knew the 4-year old boy dreamed of LEGO, every rider taking the lemonade was giving 3 Euro as a pay to the young worker! Ejszeryszki (remember the Ejszeryszki Herb Sausage?)
Heading east then south.In Lithuania! Of course, crossing borders in the EU is free. (Don't, however, even dare to do the same at the Russian border to the Kaliningrad Exclave! The border soldiers are there immediately, and you would probably go to jail if not being shot -- you would not believe how many people got into trouble just setting their foot on the Russian soil!)
Sudovia: Green rolling hills and more cows than people!
Top: The only bigger location en route.
Centre: An official pitstop for all race formats: 'Hi! Can I show you to cyclists in North America?' -- 'Sure!'
Bottom: If you think the number of steep climbs on the last 24 km was smaller than before then you are very wrong... I started being tired, and even the Turbo mode didn't seem to be helping that much...
At some steep descents on a perfect gravel, I achieved 58.5 km/h, not pedalling at all. Then, I had to abruptly stop to be able to do a hairpin turn into another steep climb! How I loved the brakes of my Vado!
The graphics designed and manufactured for the races by my buddy Alfer.
A horse atop a hill, 10x zoom. Not many horses there; the cows dominating the landscape
I made a picturesque finish
Riding at a high speed in an athletic position, I crossed the finish line, stood on the pedals in an MTB position, then energetically but silently braked I was only careful not to crash as that would make me look foolish! I got non-alcoholic beer and was asked some questions on my race impressions. Then I sprinted to the restaurant!I had dreamed of the Lithuanian Cold Soup since very morning! (Ask a Lithuanian: 'Cold Soup is a Polish invention but the Poles strangely call the soup "Lithuanian" for something we do not even have in our cuisine!')
My brave competitor entering the finish line!
And the last Sprint rider, Jagoda
#followyourdreams
Ride Map with POI.
Thank you for your patience!
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Very nice, the confusion of course was the use of the word pension in poland and other places as guesthouse and retirement .
Seems a strange combination, I have never heard of that usage of the word.
Seems a strange combination, I have never heard of that usage of the word.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
I’m envious of the epic conditions that most of you are able to take advantage in particular @RabH. We’ve been pestered by sporadic showers and strong wind gusts that have clearly impacted the frequency and duration of our rides. Despite the inconsistent weather patterns, we’ve still managed to fit in brief outings here and there.
Today’s solo ride wasn’t much of an improvement but I decided to seize a small window and took a chance that the skies wouldn’t open up. It was only 5C when I left the house. Angry looking clouds gathered en mass as I rode west along this township road.
Glancing towards the north, the rain already appeared to be coming down in sheets.
I see this bird house on every ride with its hand carvings of a bear and a deer but it also happens to be attached to a municipal power pole. I’ve often wondered if and/or when a city crew would come by and take it down but so far, it’s remained untouched. It's obvious the person behind its creation thought otherwise and put some effort not only into crafting it but also placing the structure high enough that it’s safely out of reach.
Uh oh. I thought that I would be able to make it home without getting drenched but I’m afraid that my luck just ran out.
Without a rain jacket on, I took shelter at a friend’s house nearby and got a dime tour of his newly constructed shop which likely falls outside the scope of what most would consider a typical residential garage. Complete with a ½ ton electric chain hoist and vehicle lift there is enough space to house and work on several of his vehicles including a Rush one-seater ‘Ferrari killing’ race car.
After an hour or so, the rain stopped and I was able to ride home dry and in relative comfort. More inclement weather is expected over the week but we’ll try and make the most of it.
Today’s solo ride wasn’t much of an improvement but I decided to seize a small window and took a chance that the skies wouldn’t open up. It was only 5C when I left the house. Angry looking clouds gathered en mass as I rode west along this township road.
Glancing towards the north, the rain already appeared to be coming down in sheets.
I see this bird house on every ride with its hand carvings of a bear and a deer but it also happens to be attached to a municipal power pole. I’ve often wondered if and/or when a city crew would come by and take it down but so far, it’s remained untouched.
It's obvious the person behind its creation thought otherwise and put some effort not only into crafting it but also placing the structure high enough that it’s safely out of reach.Uh oh. I thought that I would be able to make it home without getting drenched but I’m afraid that my luck just ran out.
Without a rain jacket on, I took shelter at a friend’s house nearby and got a dime tour of his newly constructed shop which likely falls outside the scope of what most would consider a typical residential garage. Complete with a ½ ton electric chain hoist and vehicle lift there is enough space to house and work on several of his vehicles including a Rush one-seater ‘Ferrari killing’ race car.
After an hour or so, the rain stopped and I was able to ride home dry and in relative comfort. More inclement weather is expected over the week but we’ll try and make the most of it.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
It is a German word borrowed by Polish
Thank you for teaching me the proper English one!He absolutely deserved the win!Stefan, it looked like quite a battle between you and your competitor.
There's something that makes me sure e-racing makes a little sense: We were told we should ride on a single battery. First of all: What size battery? 320 or 800 Wh? I was riding the first part at low assistance, only helping myself with Sport or Turbo on steep climbs. It turned out such assistance level would only be good for 58 km with my 500 Wh first battery (Darek reported a similar range with his 630 Wh battery). So it was clear to both of us the spare battery had to be eventually used.
Now, the motor. My Vado had a stronger motor than Darek's Kross. His e-bike was assisted to 25 km/h while mine could benefit from the motor up to 45 km/h. I expect I would have caught up with him sooner or later hadn't he lose his pannier. Then what? We would be riding together, and then it would be my decision if I let him win
For me it was just a Great Adventure in the gorgeous area on a day of Summer weather combined with a lot of adrenalin, especially on steep descents!
To get soaked is one of the most unpleasant things for a cyclist. Good that you had a friend nearby!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Some Sudovia Gravel photography from Szymon Gruchalski Cycling
'The photographer laying in wait for an ambush'
FYI: Szymon Gruchalski is a world class cycling photographer who covers the biggest world cycling events. The date for Sudovia Gravel is picked to fit the busy timetable of Szymon!
Yes, my Vado 6.0 could climb there, too
The Lithuanian Train (The winners in all three Staged Races).
Clouds of dust!
The Lemonade Joe
Rolling hills.
Up and up and up and down and up!
A joker
Not the steepest of the descents!
'The photographer laying in wait for an ambush'
FYI: Szymon Gruchalski is a world class cycling photographer who covers the biggest world cycling events. The date for Sudovia Gravel is picked to fit the busy timetable of Szymon!
Yes, my Vado 6.0 could climb there, too
The Lithuanian Train
(The winners in all three Staged Races).Clouds of dust!
The Lemonade Joe
Rolling hills.
Up and up and up and down and up!
A joker
Not the steepest of the descents!
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This wasn't the only offload racing event in Poland over the weekend Stefan! Here's young Irishman Ronan Dunne winning the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup in Bielsko-Biata yesterday. Beating the French legend & 6 time world champion Loíc Bruni by less than one tenth of a second. His second victory after Red Bull Hardline in Tasmania.
Just insane the speeds these guys can do.
Just insane the speeds these guys can do.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The strongest of Specialized e-bike stores is located in Bielsko-Biała
High mountain country!
Jeremy McCreary
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Yeah, I ride like that all the time.
;^}
Was he riding a single-speed? Didn't hear any gear changes, and I doubt he had time for them.
I think they have some gears, but where on earth he'd get the time to change I don't know! Maybe they don't anymore. I loved his explosive ffff*****k near the bottom when he felt he wasn't going quick enough! Yelling at himself to do better. That might have made the extra .10 of a second that won it!
Looking at those trails bet they get hit by plenty of warranty claims!The strongest of Specialized e-bike stores is located in Bielsko-Biała
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
I could easily ride like that!
For about 300'
Once
Autopsy 2 days later
Funeral the following Saturday...
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
They do not pedal at all. Using the gravity as the motor. Cheaters!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Paweł: 'Take these two bottles of TREZADO, too!'
Stefan: 'We are missing no swords; we, however, will take these two naked swords as the victory augury!'
Paweł handed me two bottles of bicycle tyre sealant, which is renowned for its quality in Europe.
I quoted the famous words of our King Władysław Jagiełło to Teutonic Knights' emmisaries who handed out two naked swords to him so "he would not be afraid to accept the battle", which happened in 1410 before the Battle of Grunwald. The battle ended up in a decisive victory for Poland and Lithuania over the Teutonic Order.
I simply am drowning in TREZADO now!
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