2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Very Bad Rider]

An unexpected encounter…

I turned my back for one moment — that's all — and Daisy sauntered over to inspect.

Cows: who needs them! Do I have my genders, even species, correct? I have no idea when farmyard animals are concerned.

Be all that as it may, it was a pleasant Easter Saturday ride with no goopy mud or handsome firefighters with bulging biceps involved; just Daisy Girl, or was 'it' Danny Boy, taking an interest.

Thanks for looking.
— VBR

 

[Chazmo]

You don’t see that every day, VBR!

 

[Chazmo]

Snake bitten

Let me tell you the whole story within a few days. Enough to say the yesterday disaster created some phenomena. When I was riding in a Kazimierz Dolny street, I rode in mud so deep it sucked me in as it were a bog! Fortunately, I still could use my mobile phone.

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Called 112. Firefighters came in to rescue me from the dire situation...

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They washed the e-bike as well as my hands, shoes and legs.

A Polish tradition called Lany Poniedziałek (Spray Monday) requires people pour water onto one another on Easter Monday. I had it already done on Holy Saturday!

The main battery stopped working* because of water ingress. The spare one works OK. Again, I'm lucky

45 km left to my next destination, Kozienice in South Mazovia.
––––
*) The battery came back to life after several hours I'm now just 10 km to my destination.

Gee, I hope you can salvage your main battery, Stefan. That’s some really nasty mud! I ruined one myself riding through wet mud/slush kind of like that over the winter. Of course, my battery had open areas. Yikes!

You’re having an eventful Easter weekend, eh? Hope the rest is less, well, difficult-eventful and more fun-eventful!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Ran into a leshy?

?

 

[Base]

Leshy - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You’re having an eventful Easter weekend, eh? Hope the rest is less, well, difficult-eventful and more fun-eventful!

I've decided to return home on Easter (today) and give up the pleasantries of exploring Kozienicka Wilderness.

Easter is not the good time for riders. The supermarkets closed at around 13:30 on Saturday. If McDonald's closes for Easter then know this country is sick. The single supply point is a service station! I cannot rely on that.

Plus, my butt is saying "enough"

The "blue" battery is unreliable. I start to think the cobblestone streets of otherwise beautiful resort of Kazimierz Dolny could cause some internal damage to the battery. As I am recharging the battery now, I keep an eye on it!

I might return to South Mazovia some day. As it is now, I spent most of the time in the Land of Lublin. I will for sure return to the Land of Lublin as I have found it very interesting!

Ruins of the Janowiec Castle. I had to do a steep climb up the hill. Cannot fancy doing that without electrical assistance!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Leshy - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Base, you have to realise there is nothing such as "Slavic world". It is several Slavic countries, each of them having its own language, alphabet, rich history, tradition, and pagan mythology.

Having said the above: no Pole has ever heard of Leshy. I could tell you about the sad devil Smętek or god Światowid but Leshy? Not Poland.

To illustrate how different it is: the staple food of Poland is "pierogi ruskie" (Ruthenian). Once, Poland owned Ruthenia (Ruś) in now Ukraine. As the word "russki" is associated with Russia, many Polish restaurants now offer "Ukrainian pierogi". Ask a Ukrainian for the meal and they will tell you: "it is not our food. The Polish have invented that and now say it is Ukrainian" Same with many other things.

Ukrainian and Polish languages are mutually intelligible but both nations have a totally different tradition.

 

[Chazmo]

I've decided to return home on Easter (today) and give up the pleasantries of exploring Kozienicka Wilderness.

Easter is not the good time for riders. The supermarkets closed at around 13:30 on Saturday. If McDonald's closes for Easter then know this country is sick. The single supply point is a service station! I cannot rely on that.

Plus, my butt is saying "enough"

The "blue" battery is unreliable. I start to think the cobblestone streets of otherwise beautiful resort of Kazimierz Dolny could cause some internal damage to the battery. As I am recharging the battery now, I keep an eye on it!

I might return to South Mazovia some day. As it is now, I spent most of the time in the Land of Lublin. I will for sure return to the Land of Lublin as I have found it very interesting!

View attachment 192362
Ruins of the Janowiec Castle. I had to do a steep climb up the hill. Cannot fancy doing that without electrical assistance!

You made a valiant effort, Stefan. Good job, and probably a good decision to head home after the mud swim. After a 5 hour rehearsal today (I’m a trumpet player), I couldn’t muster up any energy to ride at all. Hoping to be out for a few hours tomorrow.

 

[BlackHand]

Quiet in the forest and really nice weather to ride.

It looks very peaceful there

 

[Very Bad Rider]

Kind and gentle people…

Pete and Mavis have lived in this area for many years, and have fond memories of travelling into 'town' on the old steam trains. With the trains long gone, and the rails replaced by trails, these kind people set about beautifying the new trail by planting flowering shrubs and shade trees where it passed by their homes.

There was a problem (you hardly need me to tell you c that): they didn't know how to stop!

Mavis and Pete's commitment was staggering, but an endpoint (geographically speaking) had to be declared. Three kilometres from their homes, the trail crosses a local road. That would be it!

A triangular plot of bush was partially cleared and a shelter set up. With that done, the satisfying toil of planting parallel sinuous avenues of shade trees commenced. It's a long way back to the start of their new garden project three kilometres away!

Thanks for reading.
— VBR

 

[Stefan Mikes]

56 km into my long return ride...

In Warka (the name means Brew, and indeed a huge brewery is located here). The hometown of Casimir Pulaski. The person on the monument is Hetman (Duke) Stefan Czarniecki who won a major battle against Swedes in April 1656 there. Czarniecki is one of very few people who found their place in our national anthem (Bonaparte is the other person, and General Dąbrowski is mentioned in the chorus).

 

[Chazmo]

Nice ride/explore of trails on the Holden side of the Mass Central Rail Trail (MCRT). Daffodils blooming… Happy Easter.

 

[RabH]

On April 16th 2025 my older brother passed away after a 4 year fight with pancreatic cancer at the age of 70, it was a blessing as the cancer really made his life hell the past few months! I have no doubt his fitness and strong will played a big part in surviving this awful disease for so long, as a tribute to him I decided to ride to one of his favourite parts of Scotland today! He did dabble with cycling but his main passion was hillwalking and he completed over 200 Scottish Munros (mountains over 3000ft) before illness (not the cancer) prevented him completing all 282! My destination would be Callander, he loved to park his camper van there and head for the surrounding hills around the Trossachs area!

I made my way down to Grangemouth and headed north for Airth, it was a grey morning with a chilly easterly wind blowing but it was dry and perfect for cycling!

The road out of Airth with the Ochill Hills in the background!

From here I had a nice tailwind all the way to Stirling, from there I headed north to Bridge of Allan passing over the River Forth at Stirling Old Bridge (a bit of a strange name)!

From Bridge of Allan I turned NW for Doune and had some amazing views of the hills and mountains to the north!

At Doune I joined the main road to Callander, thankfully it wasn't too busy today! I stopped on the bridge in the centre of town for this photo of Ben Ledi which my brother climbed many times, its not a Munro though as it stands at 2884ft!

I then continued through Callander and arrived in Kilmahog where I turned SW for Brig o' Turk, passing over River Eas Gobhain which is an outflow of Loch Venachar which I would be passing very soon!

A stunning view of the hills at Loch Venachar!

I enjoyed the fast descent through Brig o' Turk and was now approaching Loch Achray, stopping for a couple of photos!

Loch Achray!

Another view of Loch Achray at the far side before tackling the big climb over the Dukes Pass!

I kept stopping for photos all the way up the climb, can you blame me?

Loch Drunkie!

Its such a great road to ride!

I then had a blast down the awesome descent into Aberfoyle, lots of lovely hairpin bends to enjoy! From Aberfoyle I headed south on the main A81 and decided to leave the main road and take the back road to Buchlyvie! At the village the back road joins the main A811 which runs all the way to Stirling, my plan was to take the road to Kippen after a few miles! As I was riding along I spotted a back road to Fintry I hadn't used before and decided to take that and what a decision that turned out to be, I'm sure my brother made me turn here to see these amazing views! The weather had really cleared up now and I had sun pretty much all the way home!

Still some snow on the mountains to the north!

I was being stared down here...

It was a tough old climb for over 2 miles but at the top I had the amazing descent down into Fintry to look forward to, I passed Loch Kameron just before the descent and was unlucky to miss seeing this very nice remote control float plane! I think the boat was there to retrieve it from the loch!

I then headed down the decent grinning from ear to ear on one of the best descents in the country! From Fintry I turned east towards the foothills of the Campsie Hills, stopping for a couple of photos before tackling the 3.5 mile climb!

After the climb I had the amazing descent down into Lennoxtown to look forward to, I hit 45.7mph on the first part of the descent with the breeze at my back! I passed a roadie on the way up and it was no surprise when he shot past me on the way down, I wonder what speed he was doing... From Lennoxtown I headed SE for Kirkintilloch and took the back road to Twechar alongside the canal!

From there I headed for Cumbernauld and with 100 miles in my legs I decided to tackle the big climb up past Palacerigg Country Park, I avoided the park though as it was Easter Sunday and very busy! I was just 8 miles from home now and used my usual back roads all the way home, what a ride that was and I'm certain my brother was with me all the way!

RIP big brother, I miss you so much!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I wonder if I should venture a metric century ride on Easter Monday (riding along River Wkra). After the 122 km of today, my arms are burnt with UV! The tailwind was cooling my body perfectly and I even didn't think being exposed to direct sun for over 8 hours could be as dramatic!

@RabH: Is the Scottish sunshine as strong as it is in Poland? (Congrats for your next ultra ride!)

 

[Chargeride]

Sorry to hear that Rab, that's quite a bit too young, lovely ride for him.

 

[RabH]

I wonder if I should venture a metric century ride on Easter Monday (riding along River Wkra). After the 122 km of today, my arms are burnt with UV! The tailwind was cooling my body perfectly and I even didn't think being exposed to direct sun for over 8 hours could be as dramatic!

@RabH: Is the Scottish sunshine as strong as it is in Poland? (Congrats for your next ultra ride!)

Strong sun? in Scotland? Feels like temp was 9C...

 

[Chargeride]

I grabbed a lift with my friends to Llandegla, they went racing around the trials, I decided to break off after the climb for scenic ride around Worlds End.

Lovely warm Sunday, the trails were rammed but this windy single track road puts off most car drivers.

Its like a mini Alps with very dramatic layered rock.

There are stone built farms everywhere, the views out of their windows must be incredible in the various weather extremes Wales gets

I was either draining the battery or melting the brakes.

There are always escaped sheep, never pass them quickly, they are our version of deer and can send you right over the bars in a collision.

Thats the new and old horseshoe pass sign, the cute little bus stop.

This old horseshoe pass climb devoured two bars, it goes on for ever.

You can see the climb. almost completely straight up, the wide angle lens flattens it, a first gear slog all the way.

This is a bridleway past the pillars onto the mtb trails, the absolute climb limit over shale and small rocks.

Back to the cafe, the only fatbike there for obvious reasons, my friend Brian got two punctures which ruined his day by messing up his Strava achievements.
Perfect day out, we both got back exactly the same time.

 

[peterh_nz]

Do I have my genders, even species

"Daisy" is a bull (or steer)!

 

[DaveMatthews]

View attachment 192369

On April 16th 2025 my older brother passed away after a 4 year fight with pancreatic cancer at the age of 70, it was a blessing as the cancer really made his life hell the past few months! I have no doubt his fitness and strong will played a big part in surviving this awful disease for so long, as a tribute to him I decided to ride to one of his favourite parts of Scotland today! He did dabble with cycling but his main passion was hillwalking and he completed over 200 Scottish Munros (mountains over 3000ft) before illness (not the cancer) prevented him completing all 282! My destination would be Callander, he loved to park his camper van there and head for the surrounding hills around the Trossachs area!

I made my way down to Grangemouth and headed north for Airth, it was a grey morning with a chilly easterly wind blowing but it was dry and perfect for cycling!

The road out of Airth with the Ochill Hills in the background!

View attachment 192370
From here I had a nice tailwind all the way to Stirling, from there I headed north to Bridge of Allan passing over the River Forth at Stirling Old Bridge (a bit of a strange name)!

View attachment 192372
From Bridge of Allan I turned NW for Doune and had some amazing views of the hills and mountains to the north!

View attachment 192373
View attachment 192374
At Doune I joined the main road to Callander, thankfully it wasn't too busy today! I stopped on the bridge in the centre of town for this photo of Ben Ledi which my brother climbed many times, its not a Munro though as it stands at 2884ft!

View attachment 192376
I then continued through Callander and arrived in Kilmahog where I turned SW for Brig o' Turk, passing over River Eas Gobhain which is an outflow of Loch Venachar which I would be passing very soon!

View attachment 192377
A stunning view of the hills at Loch Venachar!

View attachment 192378
I enjoyed the fast descent through Brig o' Turk and was now approaching Loch Achray, stopping for a couple of photos!

View attachment 192379
Loch Achray!

View attachment 192380
Another view of Loch Achray at the far side before tackling the big climb over the Dukes Pass!

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I kept stopping for photos all the way up the climb, can you blame me?

View attachment 192384
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Loch Drunkie!

View attachment 192386
Its such a great road to ride!

View attachment 192387
I then had a blast down the awesome descent into Aberfoyle, lots of lovely hairpin bends to enjoy! From Aberfoyle I headed south on the main A81 and decided to leave the main road and take the back road to Buchlyvie! At the village the back road joins the main A811 which runs all the way to Stirling, my plan was to take the road to Kippen after a few miles! As I was riding along I spotted a back road to Fintry I hadn't used before and decided to take that and what a decision that turned out to be, I'm sure my brother made me turn here to see these amazing views! The weather had really cleared up now and I had sun pretty much all the way home!

View attachment 192388
Still some snow on the mountains to the north!

View attachment 192389
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View attachment 192392
I was being stared down here...

View attachment 192393
It was a tough old climb for over 2 miles but at the top I had the amazing descent down into Fintry to look forward to, I passed Loch Kameron just before the descent and was unlucky to miss seeing this very nice remote control float plane! I think the boat was there to retrieve it from the loch!

View attachment 192394
View attachment 192395
I then headed down the decent grinning from ear to ear on one of the best descents in the country! From Fintry I turned east towards the foothills of the Campsie Hills, stopping for a couple of photos before tackling the 3.5 mile climb!

View attachment 192396
View attachment 192397
After the climb I had the amazing descent down into Lennoxtown to look forward to, I hit 45.7mph on the first part of the descent with the breeze at my back! I passed a roadie on the way up and it was no surprise when he shot past me on the way down, I wonder what speed he was doing... From Lennoxtown I headed SE for Kirkintilloch and took the back road to Twechar alongside the canal!

View attachment 192400
View attachment 192401
From there I headed for Cumbernauld and with 100 miles in my legs I decided to tackle the big climb up past Palacerigg Country Park, I avoided the park though as it was Easter Sunday and very busy! I was just 8 miles from home now and used my usual back roads all the way home, what a ride that was and I'm certain my brother was with me all the way!

RIP big brother, I miss you so much!

Condolences mate, nicely done sir.

 

[Watana Bob]

Condolences on the loss of your brother Rab, gives me motivation to get out and ride, as you realize just how fleeting life can be.
Beautiful ride that you did as a tribute to your brother, I can feel that he is smiling down at you.