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

[Chargeride]

Caught hike biking, but the path is 99% rideable, tbh it is doable, but sliding into the sea put us off.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In The Warsaw City Centre
Which is the very centre of the City

Under progressive local governments, a lot has been done to promote cycling in Poland. Here, inside an SKM train. SKM belongs to ZTM (Transport for Warsaw), and the tickets are shared with KM (Mazovian Railways), and WKD (Warsaw Commuter Train). (Yes @Chargeride I know there is a British vodka brand by the name of WKD!) Important: you do not pay for transporting your bike in Warsaw or in the whole Mazovia. You only need to reserve space and pay for your bike on long distance trains.

The City Centre. Palace of Culture and Science PKiN (read: Peking) on the right and Varso Tower (left) are the highest buildings in Poland. (Wrocław's Sky Tower is very high but not that high). FYI: PKiN is the highest of all Soviet constructed 'palaces', and it is higher than any similar 'palace' of Moscow!

There is a well known anecdote. When the architect Lev Rudnev was standing with both Soviet and Polish Communist officials in Praga (right bank Warsaw) in early 1950s, there was an aeroplane with a large balloon attached hovering above the post-war ruins of Warsaw, as the experiment was to set the future PKiN height. 'Higher, higher comrade!' the Polish officials cheered When the height of PKiN was eventually determined, Rudnev was reportedly pale out of fear He had never designed anything that high!

Inside Warsaw Metro.

A cycling friendly city.

PKiN and Golden 44 at night.

Lovely, but whats with this bridge obsession, is it a new achievement in Strava

You didn't read before It is the Leonhard Euler "Seven Bridges of Konigsberg" mathematical problem of 1736.

 

[MartsEbike]

In The Warsaw City Centre
Which is the very centre of the City

View attachment 185335
Under progressive local governments, a lot has been done to promote cycling in Poland. Here, inside an SKM train. SKM belongs to "Transport for Warsaw", and the tickets are shared with KM (Mazovian Railways), and WKD (Warsaw Commuter Train). (Yes @Chargeride I know there is a British vodka brand by the name of WKD!) Important: you do not pay for transporting your bike in Warsaw or in the whole Mazovia. You only need to reserve space and pay for your bike on long distance trains.

View attachment 185336
The City Centre. Palace of Culture and Science PKiN (read: Peking) on the right and Varso Tower (left) are the highest buildings in Poland. (Wrocław's Sky Tower is very high but not that high). FYI: PKiN is the highest of all Soviet constructed 'palaces', and it is higher than any similar 'palace' of Moscow!

There is a well known anecdote. When the architect Lev Rudnev was standing with both Soviet and Polish Communist officials in Praga (right bank Warsaw) in early 1950s, there was an aeroplane with a large balloon attached hovering above the post-war ruins of Warsaw, as the experiment was to set the future PKiN height. 'Higher, higher comrade!' the Polish officials cheered When the height of PKiN was eventually determined, Rudnev was reportedly white on his face out of fear He had never designed anything that high!

View attachment 185337
Inside Warsaw Metro.

View attachment 185341
A cycling friendly city.

View attachment 185342
PKiN and Golden 44 at night.


You didn't read before It is the Leonhard Euler "Seven Bridges of Konigsberg" mathematical problem of 1736.

Great pics of Warsaw! What camera do you use? They look too good for a phone camera! Or perhaps you're just a good photographer!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Great pics of Warsaw! What camera do you use? They look too good for a phone camera! Or perhaps you're just a good photographer!

It's a Samsung S24 Ultra but I process photos in Adobe Lightroom Classic and give the final touch with ON1 Effects

 

[MartsEbike]

It's a Samsung S24 Ultra but I process photos in Adobe Lightroom Classic and give the final touch with ON1 Effects

Wow surprising! Very sharp photos, edited well! I was expecting it to be an expensive DSLR! I think the Warsaw tourist board will be in touch soon asking for permission to use some of these pics.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Agree, excellent photos from Stefan here, as usual.

Famous Colorado landscape photographer John Fielder shot his entire Yampa River float trip through NW Colorado on an iPhone. For his next coffee table book, no less. That's when I decided to make my Samsung Note5's even better camera my default, demoting my heavy, bulky Canon 7D to special use.

Wouldn't be surprised to find Fielder books on most of the coffee tables in Colorado. If a phone camera's good enough for him, it's plenty good enough for me — and I'm pretty picky.

 

[MartsEbike]

I stuck some big knobbly tyres on the Frey EX and went looking for muddy ground this afternoon. Only a short ride of 14miles. Most of it in the dark so not many pics to share!

Its still misty, murky and grey out!

Lights on... The nights arrive quick in winter! By 5pm its pitch black down these paths.

Spotted this fury thing in the undergrowth... Only a blooming Wallaby!

Not for the fainthearted riding off-road in the dark, but it sure is fun. I lost the path just beyond this point and started making my own path through thick tree growth.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Stopped in at South Ponto Beach on today's sunset coast ride on the Vado SL.

It happened to be low tide — in fact, a lower low than usual at 3 days past the new moon. The wide expanse of firm, damp sand was just begging for a ride.

Normally don't expose the SL to the salt and sand of beach rides — have my old hub-drive for that. But I just couldn't resist.

The 38 mm Pathfinder Pro gravel tires performed beautifully at 38 psi. So little sinkage, in fact, that no assist was needed.

Didn't even try to ride South Ponto's ever-present cobble berm. This stuff is treacherous — even with 2.3" hybrid tires!

Never tire of the backlit waves and spindrift this time of day.

Time to go. Usually ride this ebike in ECO or OFF mode, but the fast-fading light was a good excuse to sprint home in SPORT the whole way.

 

[RabH]

I finally had a nice day and enjoyed a cracking ride, conditions were just perfect with light winds and a temp of 10C! I had a nice walk in the morning when it was rather misty and headed out on the bike just after midday and even had a big yellow glow in the sky that has been almost non existent for weeks! I made my way down to the Clyde Valley and had a blast flying down the descent into Crossford, I stopped before the descent for some photos where you can see it really was sunny!

The start of the descent!

Looking back up the hill here!

The River Clyde at Crossford!

The old footbridge part way along the valley, it has been closed for years sadly!

I continued along the valley into Kirkfieldbank and it was time for the huge climb up into Lanark, its only half a mile but a 10% average ascent! I arrived in Lanark and turned north for Cleghorn up over the railway crossing and luckily I only had a short wait as a single train passed through!

The colours at this time of year are just glorious!

Tinto hill to the south!

After the climb I stopped for a couple of photos at Harelaw with the Pentlands Hills way in the distance!

I then turned east towards Carstairs and then north to enjoy the quiet back roads towards Braehead, passing the Alpacas on the way!

The loner!

After passing the Alpacas I turned east for Auchengray and stopped for more photos along the way with the Pentlands still in view and a little closer!

From Auchengray I continued north through Woolfords and enjoyed the quiet roads and the lovely views!

After quite a bit of climbing from Woolfords it was time for some lovely descents again!

Just over 42mph down this one!

At the end of the road I turned NE for West Calder and then headed west through Stoneyburn and then north up the big climb through Longridge which is followed by some nice descents through Whitburn! I then joined the cycle path up into Armadale and took the back road to Blackridge, a very narrow but very smooth road!

I timed it nice to catch setting sun just before Blackridge, my favourite photos of the day!

At Blackridge I turned west for home, pretty much a straight road from here! I was passing Hillend Loch and decided to stop for one last photo, it was a shame the sun had gone down as it would have looked incredible!

I arrived home just as it got dark, my timing was pretty much spot on!It was so good to see the sun again, the temp dropped dramatically when it went down though but what a brilliant day for riding a bike!

 

[Readytoride]

@RabH - Thank you for the lovely photos and your wonderful tales of your rides. It's always a pleasure to read.

 

[MartsEbike]

Had a little ride out on the Vado SL 5.0 last night.

Luton Town Hall. Just out of shot I had a couple of shifty characters eyeing me up and then walking in my direction, too close for comfort. Possibly phone snatchers! I quickly moved on.

As you exit Luton on the Nation Cycling Route 6 you'll find silhouette statues of Eric Morecambe, Capability Brown and a Luton Sea Scout.

Eric Morecambe, of Morecambe and Wise fame, was a comedian and entertainer and a fan of the local Luton Town Football Club. Capability Brown was a famous landscape architect, responsible for landscaping many stately homes, including the nearby Luton Hoo. (Now a hotel and spa!). I have no idea why they've included a Sea Scout!

Reached Harpenden, a small market town just 7 miles away. Couldn't help but take a pic of a pub I frequented many times in my younger days! The George, located on the highstreet.

Finally reached St Albans, where you can find many interesting and historic buildings. Below is the City Hall, it also use to function as a court house. Today it's a museum and art gallery. They've restored the old court rooms and cells where they now give lectures about local history. Surprising given this city has existed since Roman times, and with evidence of such all around, the museum itself is rather sparse of artefacts!

Looking down the highstreet

Another photo of a side road heading towards St Albans Cathedral.

The Great Gateway of the Monastery

Going through the arch there is a sign giving more information about the buildings history.

Right next-door you'll find St Albans Cathedral.

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub - St Albans, was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in England. Its listing was removed about 20 years ago as the claim couldn't be verified. However, its certainly very old!

Next up was the "Old Town" in Hemel Hempstead, where you couldn't miss the tall spire of St Marys Church.

My phone battery was low by this point so I grabbed a pic of the "old town" highstreet and then moved on.

On the home stretch now. My garmin took me along pitch black plus boggy bridleways and country lanes, and too top it off then headed up the canal towpath.

4 Miles of riding a bike with no suspension down a bumpy towpath, in the dark and right next to water, was like hell on earth. Never again! My backside still hurts and I'm surprised I didn't end up in the canal.

Finished it off by stopping off at the KFC in Leighton Buzzard. By this point I was done, I could take no more... I just needed food and to get home as quick as possible. Turbo Mode all the way!

My filthy dirty Vado SL after the ride... Mudguards would be a good investment.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Had a little ride out on the Vado SL 5.0 last night.

Wow, over 80 km with 750 m elevation gain! And you say you are not fit? Curious how much of battery charge was left post ride?

Mudguards would be a good investment.

SKS Speedrockers and never look back! (as long as your tyres are still 38s)

 

[Chargeride]

Had a little ride out on the Vado SL 5.0 last night.

View attachment 185427

View attachment 185426

Luton Town Hall. Just out of shot I had a couple of shifty characters eyeing me up and then walking in my direction, too close for comfort. Possibly phone snatchers! I quickly moved on.

View attachment 185423

As you exit Luton on the Nation Cycling Route 6 you'll find silhouette statues of Eric Morecambe, Capability Brown and a Luton Sea Scout.

Eric Morecambe, of Morecambe and Wise fame, was a comedian and entertainer and a fan of the local Luton Town Football Club. Capability Brown was a famous landscape architect, responsible for landscaping many stately homes, including the nearby Luton Hoo. (Now a hotel and spa!). I have no idea why they've included a Sea Scout!

View attachment 185425

Reached Harpenden, a small market town just 7 miles away. Couldn't help but take a pic of a pub I frequented many times in my younger days! The George, located on the highstreet.

View attachment 185428

Finally reached St Albans, where you can find many interesting and historic buildings. Below is the City Hall, it also use to function as a court house. Today it's a museum and art gallery. They've restored the old court rooms and cells where they now give lectures about local history. Surprising given this city has existed since Roman times, and with evidence of such all around, the museum itself is rather sparse of artefacts!

View attachment 185429

Looking down the highstreet

View attachment 185430

Another photo of a side road heading towards St Albans Cathedral.

View attachment 185431

The Great Gateway of the Monastery

View attachment 185434

Going through the arch there is a sign giving more information about the buildings history.

View attachment 185433

Right next-door you'll find St Albans Cathedral.

View attachment 185435

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks pub - St Albans, was once listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in England. Its listing was removed about 20 years ago as the claim couldn't be verified. However, its certainly very old!

View attachment 185436

Next up was the "Old Town" in Hemel Hempstead, where you couldn't miss the tall spire of St Marys Church.

View attachment 185437

My phone battery was low by this point so I grabbed a pic of the "old town" highstreet and then moved on.

View attachment 185438

On the home stretch now. My garmin took me along pitch black plus boggy bridleways and country lanes, and too top it off then headed up the canal towpath.

4 Miles of riding a bike with no suspension down a bumpy towpath, in the dark and right next to water, was like hell on earth. Never again! My backside still hurts and I'm surprised I didn't end up in the canal.

View attachment 185439

Finished it off by stopping off at the KFC in Leighton Buzzard. By this point I was done, I could take no more... I just needed food and to get home as quick as possible. Turbo Mode all the way!

View attachment 185440

My filthy dirty Vado SL after the ride... Mudguards would be a good investment.

View attachment 185441

Holy crp, at night, you mad hero.

 

[MartsEbike]

Wow, over 80 km with 750 m elevation gain! And you say you are not fit? Curious how much of battery charge was left post ride?

SKS Speedrockers and never look back! (as long as your tyres are still 38s)

Hi Stefan haha I'm getting fitter and more confident on this bike! Its liberating knowing you won't be completely stranded if you run out of power!

I'm definitely going to invest in mudguards, and a suspension seat post! I have some Crankbrothers pedals being delivered tomorrow too

I also have a range extender! I rode to St Albans on virtually no power, just a couple of squirts of eco mode to help on a few small hills but otherwise over half of this ride was unpowered. When I got to St Albans I still had 142% of charge. The built-in lights had used up around 5-6% of charge!

By the time I reached Hemel Hempstead I still had 122% of charge available! After that I was in "get home mode", and knowing I had power to spare it was pretty much all Sports and Turbo mode - especially down the bridleways and canal towpath. My legs didn't have much left in them by then!

The "off-road" sections used up most of the charge but I still reached home with 86% charge in the batteries. This might be the first bike I'll do a 100 mile ride on.

 

[RabH]

@RabH - Thank you for the lovely photos and your wonderful tales of your rides. It's always a pleasure to read.

Thank you, Flora! I miss your wonderful posts, I hope you are doing ok?

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I also have a range extender! I rode to St Albans on virtually no power, just a couple of squirts of eco mode to help on a few small hills but otherwise over half of this ride was unpowered. When I got to St Albans I still had 142% of charge. The built-in lights had used up around 5-6% of charge!

Find myself riding my SL in OFF more and more. Very peaceful, but it seems a little too easy at times. Maybe it has a hidden motor. Or maybe the mothership's messing with me with their tractor beam again.
;^}

By the time I reached Hemel Hempstead I still had 122% of charge available! After that I was in "get home mode", and knowing I had power to spare it was pretty much all Sports and Turbo mode - especially down the bridleways and canal towpath. My legs didn't have much left in them by then!

My last comment notwithstanding, I also find myself staying out a little longer than I should — partly because I'm enjoying the bike, and partly to have a good excuse to dash home in SPORT. The Carrot Effect definitely kicks in here, as my own power output also goes up.

These SLs seem to have a curious psychology of their own.

 

[MartsEbike]

Find myself riding my SL in OFF more and more. Seems a little too easy at times. Maybe it has a hidden motor. Or maybe the mothership's messing with me with their tractor beam again.
;^}


My last comment notwithstanding, I also find myself staying out a little longer than I should — partly because I'm enjoying the bike, and partly to have a good excuse to dash home in SPORT. The Carrot Effect definitely kicks in here, as my own power output also goes up.

These SLs have a curious psychology all their own.

I completely get it now Jeremy! You can get so far on leg power alone that it allows you to be more liberal with the power on the run home! Have to say on my Frey I never really had a carrot effect - you could settle into "ghost pedalling", but on the Vado SL you're 100% right, as you up the power your legs want to spin faster! Cadence goes up considerably! I had to knock it back to Eco/Sports on occasion to give my legs a rest!

 

[JGcycle]

A few pics from today's 27km ride:

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Hi Stefan haha I'm getting fitter and more confident on this bike! Its liberating knowing you won't be completely stranded if you run out of power!

I'm definitely going to invest in mudguards, and a suspension seat post! I have some Crankbrothers pedals being delivered tomorrow too

I also have a range extender! I rode to St Albans on virtually no power, just a couple of squirts of eco mode to help on a few small hills but otherwise over half of this ride was unpowered. When I got to St Albans I still had 142% of charge. The built-in lights had used up around 5-6% of charge!

By the time I reached Hemel Hempstead I still had 122% of charge available! After that I was in "get home mode", and knowing I had power to spare it was pretty much all Sports and Turbo mode - especially down the bridleways and canal towpath. My legs didn't have much left in them by then!

The "off-road" sections used up most of the charge but I still reached home with 86% charge in the batteries. This might be the first bike I'll do a 100 mile ride on.

I'm proud of you Marts, I really am! I think your leg output is twice of mine, and that's a real battery charge saver! (I am also proud of Jeremy, as you both guys have really won new life with your SLs!) The Range Extender will surely enable you Martin to do Centuries, I'm sure! Now, reconsider the suspension seat-post. Do you really need it?

Now guys, @RabH, @Jeremy McCreary, @JGcycle, @MartsEbike please report the weather! As for myself, I'm just back from an evening shopping ride, which involved dense fog and -1 deg C (that's the proper Polish November for you). The fog caused a very low average speed for my ride, around 18 km/h, which is very slow as for the big Vado!

 

[JGcycle]

I'm proud of you Marts, I really am! I think your leg output is twice of mine, and that's a real battery charge saver! (I am also proud of Jeremy, as you both guys have really won new life with your SLs!) The Range Extender will surely enable you Martin to do Centuries, I'm sure! Now, reconsider the suspension seat-post. Do you really need it?

Now guys, @RabH, @Jeremy McCreary, @JGcycle, @MartsEbike please report the weather! As for myself, I'm just back from an evening shopping ride, which involved dense fog and -1 deg C (that's the proper Polish November for you). The fog caused a very low average speed for my ride, around 18 km/h, which is very slow as for the big Vado!

It was 16c, with a mix of sun and clouds for today's ride.