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

[Stefan Mikes]

After a full week off the bike due to the weather I spotted a chance to get a decent ride in today, if I left around 6am and with the rain due to arrive between 10-11am!

Just fancy we have a Summer-like weather in Poland right now! I have little chances to be riding (work) but today I took a day off and rode to Warsaw to:

• Find out my 1st Vado battery could not be fixed (a write-off)
• Buy a brake rotor and pads for my Vado SL
• Buy milk and beverages not to dehydrate!

My favourite street recently, the Aeronautics/Airborne Sailing St. with a meadow full of poppies... It gives an impression of the outskirts of an airport but it is not!

We will have the Corpus Christi on Thursday, perhaps I could take a day off again!

For the record my photos were taken with my Samsung Galaxy S23 phone, no complaints about the quality from me!

Your photos are excellent!

 

[Chargeride]

I found some hire ebikes!!

But the wife wanted to do the trails for the views, we hired this quad and within two hours we ended up on our third one.

I'll hire a bike later on, its actually more expensive than the quad!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I found some hire ebikes!!

Cube e-bikes! Well well well...

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 12 miles today into town. I visited a friend to check out his new zero turn mower and then visited a building they are working on at the local college. It will be a performing arts center. When I was working I did the topographic and boundary surveying for it, it’s probably been over 20 years ago, it took a while to get funding.

 

[Watana Bob]

Just my 2 cents.
I gave up taking ride photos with a DSLR quite a long time ago as the camera was too heavy. Currently, taking photos with a Samsung S21 Ultra, which produces adequate photos per se. However, I love colour and tonal balance in my photos, so I often process them in Adobe Lightroom and the ON1 photographic software: they are properly cropped and tonally corrected.

An interesting example: a world-class cycling photographer was asked -- as a friend -- to cover a gravel race in Poland. He had to shoot several thousand of takes, select good ones, then at least develop the RAW files while adding watermarks. He had to work very fast and produced around 2,000 impressive photos in a record short time. (When he covers the UCI World Tour, he spends far more time on photo processing!)

View attachment 176607
The top photo is the original. It is absolutely good! However, having a chance to re-process that photo, I came with the bottom one. The original hides a lot of unnecessary details. My processing shows these details. For instance, anyone can see now my butt was stained (as I had crashed on a singletrack). I would not actually process the original as the photo belongs to the author and it is fantastic. I'm just demonstrating my personal photo taste here.

Thank you Stefan, I can clearly see the color and contrast difference. Your photos of your adventures are always first rate.
P.D ,Chargeride and Jeremy thanks for the info on what you guys use, great photos.
Rab what are you using. Your photos always have great color, contrast and clarity.
Someday I hope to get this sorted out, guess it is time to quit resisting and become assimilated into the borg with an android.

 

[RabH]

Thank you Stefan, I can clearly see the color and contrast difference. Your photos of your adventures are always first rate.
P.D ,Chargeride and Jeremy thanks for the info on what you guys use, great photos.
Rab what are you using. Your photos always have great color, contrast and clarity.
Someday I hope to get this sorted out, guess it is time to quit resisting and become assimilated into the borg with an android.

I use the Samsung Galaxy S23 as stated in my last post, love the quality it produces!

 

[Watana Bob]

I use the Samsung Galaxy S23 as stated in my last post, love the quality it produces!

Thanks Rab, Looks like the androids are ruling the world !

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from today's 30km ride. Taken with a Samsung Galaxy S20:

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Thanks Rab, Looks like the androids are ruling the world !

Don't worry — Android's an impressive but very intuitive phone OS. Some homework's probably in order, though, as the phones using it aren't created equally.

Samsung's higher-end phones have a reputation for high camera and image quality, which also depends on the manufacturer's camera software. I can vouch for that in their Note phones but don't know much about other Androids.

 

[dodgeman]

I rode 29 miles today, a long ride for me. Bardolph Illinois was my destination, population about 200 people, a picture of the only thing of significance, the post office. I use an iPhone 15 for my pictures.

 

[Watana Bob]

A few pics from today's 30km ride. Taken with a Samsung Galaxy S20:

View attachment 176711View attachment 176712View attachment 176713View attachment 176714View attachment 176715

JGcycle those photos have phenomenal color and contrast!
Jeremy thank you for the clarification on different manufactures using the android operating system.
Dodgeman thank you for your imput on the I phone.

 

[dodgeman]

Just to add my opinion on cell phone pictures. I own a Cannon Rebel DSLR camera. On paper it takes a better picture than a cell phone camera. In the real world any newer cell phone with a good quality camera will match it for quality. The only advantage of a DSLR camera is if you start blowing up images a lot digitally you might see a difference and you can fit better zoom lenses on them. I think my iPhone 15 takes very high quality low light pictures without a flash, much better than my Cannon. When we went to Ireland for two weeks recently I didn’t even bring the big camera with and I didn’t miss it.

 

[Chargeride]

AI will soon change everything, you can run any potato quality shot through upscalers and its now built into the latest phones.
Strange times.
Youll take a pic of your bike, the software will adjust it to an amalgamation of trending styles and your media feeds will be adverts for products related to it at prices they know you can afford.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Okęcie, the quarter of Warsaw Chopin Airport

With the Corpus Christi (a holiday) occuring on Thursday, I had to do a big grocery shopping on the preceding day (23 km, Vado). Then I decided to ride to Okęcie, Warsaw again even if I was already there on Tuesday! Reason? Explained soon!

Despite thousands of kilometres ridden every year, I can still find new routes. Here, a nice (and rich) Warsaw suburb by the name of Michałowice.

yhe
The reason I wanted to go to Okęcie was buying the second pair of brake pads for my Vado SL. I was assisted by a CentrumRowerowe.pl (Bike Center) salesman (who is my gravel cycling buddy) re the choice of the brake pads on Tuesday. Having the compatibility confirmed, I returned to CR.pl on Wednesday to buy the second pair and installed the pads on the spot! (Good brake pads are not for dimes!)

An excerpt from my Vado SL maintenance log on Strava.

Two different e-mobility vehicles. Which of them makes a bigger sense?

An American restaurant where @Brix and I ate on our first date back in 2013 Can you see the airplane taking off? The WAW airport is straight ahead!

The poppy season! Photo taken at a meadow in the Aeronautics Street.

As I was enjoying the Summer weather in May, I heard a thunder! Uh-oh! Jumped on my Vado SL and sprinted for the last 8 kilometres As I entered my flat, a short but violent thunderstorm erupted outside!

56 km total for the day.

 

[Chargeride]

Okęcie, the quarter of Warsaw Chopin Airport

With the Corpus Christi (a holiday) occuring on Thursday, I had to do a big grocery shopping on the preceding day (23 km, Vado). Then I decided to ride to Okęcie, Warsaw again even if I was already there on Tuesday! Reason? Explained soon!

View attachment 176734
Despite thousands of kilometres ridden every year, I can still find new routes. Here, a nice (and rich) Warsaw suburb by the name of Michałowice.

View attachment 176736yhe
The reason I wanted to go to Okęcie was buying the second pair of brake pads for my Vado SL. I was assisted by a CentrumRowerowe.pl (Bike Center) salesman (who is my gravel cycling buddy) re the choice of the brake pads on Tuesday. Having the compatibility confirmed, I returned to CR.pl on Wednesday to buy the second pair and installed the pads on the spot! (Good brake pads are not for dimes!)

View attachment 176744
An excerpt from my Vado SL maintenance log on Strava.

View attachment 176738
Two different e-mobility vehicles. Which of them makes a bigger sense?

View attachment 176739
An American restaurant where @Brix and I ate on our first date back in 2013 Can you see the airplane taking off? The WAW airport is straight ahead!

View attachment 176740
The poppy season! Photo taken at a meadow in the Aeronautics Street.

As I was enjoying the Summer weather in May, I heard a thunder! Uh-oh! Jumped on my Vado SL and sprinted for the last 8 kilometres As I entered my flat, a short but violent thunderstorm erupted outside!

View attachment 176743
56 km total for the day.

only liking cos no food pics

 

[Chargeride]

Found two more ebikes.
La Pierre, nice but only works in reverse.

Some Greek contraption

Lots of stunning Greek women on tiny scooters doing 30mph dressed in next to nothing
Cant take pictures ..with wife and look like weirdo taking them.

Pray for me, its tough out here.

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from today's 36km ride:

 

[RabH]

I took advantage of the nice weather today with imperial century #7 for the year! The wind was a direct northerly and around 20mph so I planned a route to take advantage of it! It was a little chilly when I set off just after 6am but not too bad considering I was heading into the wind! I made my way to Falkirk, hurtling down this descent near Shieldhill!

Just over 40mph down this one with the Ochill Hills lit up by the morning sun in the background!

From Falkirk I made my way to Carronshore and spotted this lovely young Clydesdale, I'm sure it was smiling!

Its mother didn't mind me stroking it!

I was now heading for the Clackmannanshire bridge, using the path to avoid the busy traffic! The Forth was a bit choppy but looking great as always!

The path leads to Kincardine and from there I continued north towards Forestmill, stopping for more photos of the Ochils on the way!

At Forestmill I turned on to the quiet back road that leads to Saline, as I arrived in the village I decided to take the back road up to Knockhill as I recently passed the road and they were resurfacing it! Its a 2 mile climb with some steep parts but no problem for my e bike!

What a difference, although the road is still a bit rough down at the Saline end!

The other reason I decided to take this road is the awesome descent once you pass Knockhill Racing Circuit, its a real blast and I should get to enjoy it again on Sunday when I head up to the car racing! I was now heading east towards Kelty where I turned south towards Crossgates and had the wind at my back for the first time! I was very glad about that as some of the climbs are really steep, then I had a cracking descent down into Crossgates! I was heading east now towards Kinghorn, its a very good road, starting with this downhill!

Then it was another climb!

Dunearn Loch part way up the climb!

I was looking forward to reaching the top, with this amazing descent down into Burntisland awaiting me! This was the main reason I decided to take this route today, its one of the best descents in the country! I had a bit of a crosswind on the way down which kept my speed down to 43mph...

This is part way down the descent looking back up, its a tough old climb going this way!

As I arrived in Burntisland I spotted a sign for Kinghorn Loch and decided to go and have a look, it wasn't worth the 1.5 mile climb... I then joined the coast road passing Pettycur Bay where I stopped for a couple of photos looking over the Forth!

I then had a tough climb towards Aberdour and spotted this lovely view of the Forth bridges!

Then I enjoyed the big descent down into Aberdour and was heading for Inverkeithing where I enjoyed lunch before heading over the Forth bridge!

Another view of the road and rail bridge from near Newton!

After Newton I turned south through Old Philpstoun and Threemiletown and took the road towards Beecraigs Country Park, grabbing a few nice photos on the way!

I decided to turn south for Dechmont and enjoy the wind at my back for the big climb over Burnhouse Road, the steepest part starts round the corner through the trees! My gps showed 19.3% despite Ridewithgps recording 15.1% as the maximum gradient...

After all the climbs the descent down into Dechmont is just superb and with the wind at my back it was even more fun today! That was the last of my photos at the 86 mile mark, from here I used the cycle paths all the way to Armadale and headed back into the wind down the descent towards Westfield! Then it was pretty much climbing for many miles up over Heights where the 100 miles was passed! I then enjoyed the descent down into Blackridge where I turned west for home! What a cracking ride it was, I pretty much picked the perfect route for the conditions and no sign of any rain all the way!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

View attachment 176781

I took advantage of the nice weather today with imperial century #7 for the year! The wind was a direct northerly and around 20mph so I planned a route to take advantage of it! It was a little chilly when I set off just after 6am but not too bad considering I was heading into the wind! I made my way to Falkirk, hurtling down this descent near Shieldhill!

View attachment 176784
Just over 40mph down this one with the Ochill Hills lit up by the morning sun in the background!

View attachment 176785
From Falkirk I made my way to Carronshore and spotted this lovely young Clydesdale, I'm sure it was smiling!

View attachment 176786
Its mother didn't mind me stroking it!

View attachment 176788
I was now heading for the Clackmannanshire bridge, using the path to avoid the busy traffic! The Forth was a bit choppy but looking great as always!

View attachment 176789
View attachment 176790
The path leads to Kincardine and from there I continued north towards Forestmill, stopping for more photos of the Ochils on the way!

View attachment 176791
View attachment 176792
At Forestmill I turned on to the quiet back road that leads to Saline, as I arrived in the village I decided to take the back road up to Knockhill as I recently passed the road and they were resurfacing it! Its a 2 mile climb with some steep parts but no problem for my e bike!

What a difference, although the road is still a bit rough down at the Saline end!

View attachment 176795
The other reason I decided to take this road is the awesome descent once you pass Knockhill Racing Circuit, its a real blast and I should get to enjoy it again on Sunday when I head up to the car racing! I was now heading east towards Kelty where I turned south towards Crossgates and had the wind at my back for the first time! I was very glad about that as some of the climbs are really steep, then I had a cracking descent down into Crossgates! I was heading east now towards Kinghorn, its a very good road, starting with this downhill!

View attachment 176797
Then it was another climb!

View attachment 176798
Dunearn Loch part way up the climb!

View attachment 176800
I was looking forward to reaching the top, with this amazing descent down into Burntisland awaiting me! This was the main reason I decided to take this route today, its one of the best descents in the country! I had a bit of a crosswind on the way down which kept my speed down to 43mph...

View attachment 176801
This is part way down the descent looking back up, its a tough old climb going this way!

View attachment 176802
As I arrived in Burntisland I spotted a sign for Kinghorn Loch and decided to go and have a look, it wasn't worth the 1.5 mile climb... I then joined the coast road passing Pettycur Bay where I stopped for a couple of photos looking over the Forth!

View attachment 176804
View attachment 176805
I then had a tough climb towards Aberdour and spotted this lovely view of the Forth bridges!

View attachment 176806
Then I enjoyed the big descent down into Aberdour and was heading for Inverkeithing where I enjoyed lunch before heading over the Forth bridge!

View attachment 176807
View attachment 176808
Another view of the road and rail bridge from near Newton!

View attachment 176809
After Newton I turned south through Old Philpstoun and Threemiletown and took the road towards Beecraigs Country Park, grabbing a few nice photos on the way!

View attachment 176810
View attachment 176811
View attachment 176812
View attachment 176813
View attachment 176814
View attachment 176815
I decided to turn south for Dechmont and enjoy the wind at my back for the big climb over Burnhouse Road, the steepest part starts round the corner through the trees! My gps showed 19.3% despite Ridewithgps recording 15.1% as the maximum gradient...

View attachment 176816
After all the climbs the descent down into Dechmont is just superb and with the wind at my back it was even more fun today! That was the last of my photos at the 86 mile mark, from here I used the cycle paths all the way to Armadale and headed back into the wind down the descent towards Westfield! Then it was pretty much climbing for many miles up over Heights where the 100 miles was passed! I then enjoyed the descent down into Blackridge where I turned west for home! What a cracking ride it was, I pretty much picked the perfect route for the conditions and no sign of any rain all the way!

Gorgeous ride! SoCal is semi-arid at best. San Diego County gets pretty green in the inland mountains above about 4,000 ft elevation, but it's a darker conifer kind of green on the forested slopes — never the lush bright green as far as the eye can see like you have.

 

[Watana Bob]

View attachment 176781

I took advantage of the nice weather today with imperial century #7 for the year! The wind was a direct northerly and around 20mph so I planned a route to take advantage of it! It was a little chilly when I set off just after 6am but not too bad considering I was heading into the wind! I made my way to Falkirk, hurtling down this descent near Shieldhill!

View attachment 176784
Just over 40mph down this one with the Ochill Hills lit up by the morning sun in the background!

View attachment 176785
From Falkirk I made my way to Carronshore and spotted this lovely young Clydesdale, I'm sure it was smiling!

View attachment 176786
Its mother didn't mind me stroking it!

View attachment 176788
I was now heading for the Clackmannanshire bridge, using the path to avoid the busy traffic! The Forth was a bit choppy but looking great as always!

View attachment 176789
View attachment 176790
The path leads to Kincardine and from there I continued north towards Forestmill, stopping for more photos of the Ochils on the way!

View attachment 176791
View attachment 176792
At Forestmill I turned on to the quiet back road that leads to Saline, as I arrived in the village I decided to take the back road up to Knockhill as I recently passed the road and they were resurfacing it! Its a 2 mile climb with some steep parts but no problem for my e bike!

What a difference, although the road is still a bit rough down at the Saline end!

View attachment 176795
The other reason I decided to take this road is the awesome descent once you pass Knockhill Racing Circuit, its a real blast and I should get to enjoy it again on Sunday when I head up to the car racing! I was now heading east towards Kelty where I turned south towards Crossgates and had the wind at my back for the first time! I was very glad about that as some of the climbs are really steep, then I had a cracking descent down into Crossgates! I was heading east now towards Kinghorn, its a very good road, starting with this downhill!

View attachment 176797
Then it was another climb!

View attachment 176798
Dunearn Loch part way up the climb!

View attachment 176800
I was looking forward to reaching the top, with this amazing descent down into Burntisland awaiting me! This was the main reason I decided to take this route today, its one of the best descents in the country! I had a bit of a crosswind on the way down which kept my speed down to 43mph...

View attachment 176801
This is part way down the descent looking back up, its a tough old climb going this way!

View attachment 176802
As I arrived in Burntisland I spotted a sign for Kinghorn Loch and decided to go and have a look, it wasn't worth the 1.5 mile climb... I then joined the coast road passing Pettycur Bay where I stopped for a couple of photos looking over the Forth!

View attachment 176804
View attachment 176805
I then had a tough climb towards Aberdour and spotted this lovely view of the Forth bridges!

View attachment 176806
Then I enjoyed the big descent down into Aberdour and was heading for Inverkeithing where I enjoyed lunch before heading over the Forth bridge!

View attachment 176807
View attachment 176808
Another view of the road and rail bridge from near Newton!

View attachment 176809
After Newton I turned south through Old Philpstoun and Threemiletown and took the road towards Beecraigs Country Park, grabbing a few nice photos on the way!

View attachment 176810
View attachment 176811
View attachment 176812
View attachment 176813
View attachment 176814
View attachment 176815
I decided to turn south for Dechmont and enjoy the wind at my back for the big climb over Burnhouse Road, the steepest part starts round the corner through the trees! My gps showed 19.3% despite Ridewithgps recording 15.1% as the maximum gradient...

View attachment 176816
After all the climbs the descent down into Dechmont is just superb and with the wind at my back it was even more fun today! That was the last of my photos at the 86 mile mark, from here I used the cycle paths all the way to Armadale and headed back into the wind down the descent towards Westfield! Then it was pretty much climbing for many miles up over Heights where the 100 miles was passed! I then enjoyed the descent down into Blackridge where I turned west for home! What a cracking ride it was, I pretty much picked the perfect route for the conditions and no sign of any rain all the way!

Holy cow, what a ride, beautiful scenery. Rab you must have some of those Clydesdale legs hooked to your carcass to do these kind of rides. If I do 30 miles with 1000 feet of climbing I think I'm Lance Armstrong jr. You can't be human, you must be some kind of alien life form