2025 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter Saratoga Dave
- Start date
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
He said (inter alia) "Someone pinch me! I can't believe it!" He put the "Someone pinch me" in the title of the video.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Re the beautiful flower shot: Kandinsky the impressionist painter once bemoaned that nature can get away with color combos he can't. Like purple and green.
Mulezen
Well-Known Member
Above a mile from home near the end of my ride. Rain until 10am when I launched knowing more was coming though not the tornado warnings that were issued later. Missed me ty...but the deer are coming close. My road dead-ends into a farm road, and coming home I often go to the end to pad my milage and ascents. Today a doe was surprised by me and ran along the fence for a hundred feet before crossing into my neighbors yard...I return from the road's end and she is back at the same place. Now, just before posting, I stand on my deck and see her behind the barn.
Rode 14miles and passed the self-serve baked goods cupboard wheeled out on Sundays. I had forgotten about it but scrounged $3 from bar bag and got a poppyseed loaf
.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Retrieving the pannier; Bródno Cemetery
On Sunday, I took my (magically good now) Vado SL for a ride to META Bar. The personnel picked up the pannier (full of tools and Range Extenders) as soon as I left it in their parking lot, and they were perfectly aware who left it
As soon as I reached META (the Finish Line, haha!) the man handling the barbecue grill smiled, and handed the pannier to me. 'It's as heavy as we thought it was full of gold!' The lady owner complained I should have brought a small gift to them (such as a chocolate) to express my gratitude I apologized by explaining I was an anti-social type and ordered lunch as a form of gratitude from a regular customer
Grilled pork neck.
The Race to Bródno Cemetery
There was one of the best people I've ever met, one Radosław S, who suddenly passed away in 2021 at age of 47. I was talking with his sister about visiting his grave in Bródno cemetery, and convinced her she could come in spite of forecasted raining.
It was 21 km on bike paths including traffic lights. I'm proud to said I made it in 1 hour sharp, gross time. Meanwhile, I was racing against two roadies and a gravel cyclist! It was always the same: I was slacking and someone was overtaking me on a fast pedal bike. Then I was putting all my effort into the cranks, and the derestricted Vado SL at 50/100% assistance was turning into a racing machine! Overtaking a roadie boy was easy. I had to try hard on a roadie girl (she was really good!) and she lost her spirit when I disappeared at a distance. The senior grey haired man who wore braces but no helmet and rode a fully equipped gravel bike was the hardest. Yes, I overtook him and was in the lead for several kilometres but let my guard down; he overtook me again and as he was really racing, I eventually had to give up!
13.68 km, average speed 23.9 km/h, city bike paths, traffic lights, tailwind, racing.
Commemorating Deceased Friends
Kata the Radosław sister came on a pedal bike. We honoured the memory of the deceased friend and then I suggested we also could commemorate Paweł "Kelner" Rozwadowski on his birthday: a well known musician in punk-rock, reggae and techno; a friend who also sang in several songs of my SZMATA and died in 2020 (age 58).
While I would't find Radosław grave without his sister, I had the GPS coordinates of Kelner's tomb, so I simply navigated to it!
Bródno Cemetery is big! (The shortest distance between both graves was 1.2 km). As this is a communal graveyard (not a Church one), it was perfectly fine to cycle there. (We were looking for other graves, too).
A Belarussian Marin Bike Owner
I'm totally bored with home returns "on the wheels". There are only several routes, and I'm fed up with all of them! As I was riding a long bike path in Wola Warsaw, I spotted a guy riding a Marin drop handlebar bike in a familiar painting scheme. As I was taking him over, I uttered a shout of admiration! Slowed down and started talking with the guy. I can tell you one thing: of all the neighbouring nations, the Belarussian learn the Polish language the fastest and the best. The guy had only traces of foreign accent and was missing some words such as "tyre". Turned out he rode a Marin Gestalt 1, a gravel alloy bike on skinny road tyres. That encounter relieved the boredom so I could continue home in high spirits!
Ride Map.
On Sunday, I took my (magically good now) Vado SL for a ride to META Bar. The personnel picked up the pannier (full of tools and Range Extenders) as soon as I left it in their parking lot, and they were perfectly aware who left it
As soon as I reached META (the Finish Line, haha!) the man handling the barbecue grill smiled, and handed the pannier to me. 'It's as heavy as we thought it was full of gold!' The lady owner complained I should have brought a small gift to them (such as a chocolate) to express my gratitude I apologized by explaining I was an anti-social type and ordered lunch as a form of gratitude from a regular customer Grilled pork neck.
The Race to Bródno Cemetery
There was one of the best people I've ever met, one Radosław S, who suddenly passed away in 2021 at age of 47. I was talking with his sister about visiting his grave in Bródno cemetery, and convinced her she could come in spite of forecasted raining.
It was 21 km on bike paths including traffic lights. I'm proud to said I made it in 1 hour sharp, gross time. Meanwhile, I was racing against two roadies and a gravel cyclist! It was always the same: I was slacking and someone was overtaking me on a fast pedal bike. Then I was putting all my effort into the cranks, and the derestricted Vado SL at 50/100% assistance was turning into a racing machine! Overtaking a roadie boy was easy. I had to try hard on a roadie girl (she was really good!) and she lost her spirit when I disappeared at a distance. The senior grey haired man who wore braces but no helmet and rode a fully equipped gravel bike was the hardest. Yes, I overtook him and was in the lead for several kilometres but let my guard down; he overtook me again and as he was really racing, I eventually had to give up!
13.68 km, average speed 23.9 km/h, city bike paths, traffic lights, tailwind, racing.
Commemorating Deceased Friends
Kata the Radosław sister came on a pedal bike. We honoured the memory of the deceased friend and then I suggested we also could commemorate Paweł "Kelner" Rozwadowski on his birthday: a well known musician in punk-rock, reggae and techno; a friend who also sang in several songs of my SZMATA and died in 2020 (age 58).
While I would't find Radosław grave without his sister, I had the GPS coordinates of Kelner's tomb, so I simply navigated to it!
Bródno Cemetery is big! (The shortest distance between both graves was 1.2 km). As this is a communal graveyard (not a Church one), it was perfectly fine to cycle there. (We were looking for other graves, too).
A Belarussian Marin Bike Owner
I'm totally bored with home returns "on the wheels". There are only several routes, and I'm fed up with all of them! As I was riding a long bike path in Wola Warsaw, I spotted a guy riding a Marin drop handlebar bike in a familiar painting scheme. As I was taking him over, I uttered a shout of admiration! Slowed down and started talking with the guy. I can tell you one thing: of all the neighbouring nations, the Belarussian learn the Polish language the fastest and the best. The guy had only traces of foreign accent and was missing some words such as "tyre". Turned out he rode a Marin Gestalt 1, a gravel alloy bike on skinny road tyres. That encounter relieved the boredom so I could continue home in high spirits!
Ride Map.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Thats a nice effort, a sudden passing at 47 is awful, Ive told everyone if I croak suddenly that I've had a perfect life, much better than theirs 
.
.Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Off to Scotland with the crew on Friday, the places look beautiful, they are
blitzing the trails, I might well go on a pub crawl.
Pitlochry.
Glentress forest
blitzing the trails, I might well go on a pub crawl.
Pitlochry.
Glentress forest
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Sudovia Gravel 2025 #morephotos
Emerging from another steep climb (gravel)...
In a full blown raining (see goggles).
Another steep climb (asphalt).
The raining had temporarily stopped (goggles up!)
My competitor, smiling...
My competitor with her emotional support rider How little those girls knew... (neither could finish that difficult race).
All photos by Mateusz Klimek.
Emerging from another steep climb (gravel)...
In a full blown raining (see goggles).
Another steep climb (asphalt).
The raining had temporarily stopped (goggles up!)
My competitor, smiling...
My competitor with her emotional support rider
How little those girls knew... (neither could finish that difficult race).All photos by Mateusz Klimek.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Well done Stefan... looks out of window, reaches for sun tan cream 
RabH
Well-Known Member
Another hilly and very windy 60 miler out to West Calder and back, I don't have time to type a story up( a few of you will be happy about that I think
) so I will just post a selection of photos from a brilliant ride in lovely sunshine!Attachments
Chazmo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Central Massachusetts
No specific ride pictures to show, but it’s a spectacular riding day today in Massachusetts. I got my daily 20-miler in earlier, and I’m hoping to get to complete my chain replacement and full bike cleaning later.
I’m also looking forward to performing in Concord Band’s first summer concert tonight (I’m a trumpet player).
Anyway, here is a dogwood tree that stands out as this is the spring white-flower bloom week here. There are many of these in their full glory out there today, but this one is a landmark in that neighborhood:
I’m also looking forward to performing in Concord Band’s first summer concert tonight (I’m a trumpet player).
Anyway, here is a dogwood tree that stands out as this is the spring white-flower bloom week here. There are many of these in their full glory out there today, but this one is a landmark in that neighborhood:
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I love these pics, but I demand you show a tatty part or it isnt fair.
JGcycle
Two-Wheeled Shaker
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Saint John
I'll see what I can do next time out.
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I was busy yesterday and today painting the breezeway, but I made time for a short ride this afternoon. I removed the 2nd battery, as the ride would be short. I ended up with 29 mi, 1:15 out and back to Hardings Beach in West Chatham. I am getting more comfortable riding on the road. On the MUP, it was fairly empty today, so I took advantage of it and did a bunch of 20s intervals. On the flat, I also tried my best to get to 30mph but I could not break 29.5. Next time.
These houses overlook the beach. That's at least $100M right there.
These houses overlook the beach. That's at least $100M right there.
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Thanks. BTW, my house does not look like any of those. It could be a shed or a maid's quarters, though.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
An epic 60km ride with my friend, we took the train into Liverpool, this is South Road in the town I grew up in from my late teens.
Its getting very tired, but in its day was very well to do, as in the owner of the Titanic and the Captain lived just over the railway bridge.
The Wave Ruler fast tanker, there is definitely more military equipment moving about around the country, great big grey planes and chinooks in the sky.
We are setting off to Runcorn bridge and on the way visiting probably the most beautiful and nostalgic parts of Liverpool
Cressington has a completely conserved Victorian private estate, its simply magical and just eats into your soul as you look at what we build now.
The original gas lamps and street after street of iron railings and canopies of tree cover
This is the front facing the Mersey, every house is immaculate under strict maintenance covenance, but of course this theme park level of stalling time
can only ever exist under a wish to hold on to a cherry picked past.
You can imagine the top hatted elite strolling down these streets, when the sidewalks were flagged and the road cobbled,
The modern malaise of cheap galvanised street furniture, when just the minimal effort can raise your mood.
The railway station, just crying out for a perfectly polished and painted steam train.
The inevitable patchy repairs of tarmac roads and pavements/sidewalks, then covered in fading health and safety markings, it just looks so cheap compared to the
artistry of the building, even that unsecured white sat cable.
Anyway you can contact me at victoriangrandpa.com
Found a short cut to the river, we both exited with leaves sticking out of our helmets
My fatbike cruised up this very steep sandy climb, Dans 2.6s failed him, he nearly made it and this shot is after an uncontrolled backward slide.
Lots of posh people along this path, its actually a proper bridleway.
This is called Pickerings Pasture and is excitedly posted with signs from miles away.
At this point I suddenly became unwell, the strangest feeling of light headiness and oversaturation of light in my vision, it literally looked like someone had
turned the brightness to full, I was having a white out.
I found some shade and soaked my head in cold water, it quickly passed, but I really think I underestimated the heat and effort climbing this walkway.
We returned along the Liverpool Loop Line, a disused railway line cycle trail right across the city, at this point I had developed the most excruciating cramp in both legs, it was truly
agony to pedal and there was no cure, walking was impossible, pedalling felt like I was tearing my thighs apart.
Then as suddenly as it appeared it eased.
The line varies from atmospheric cuttings to large bridges over road intersections, and absolute must for exploring the city, you can leave it on side paths to interesting
areas every few hundred yards.
I made it home completely knackered and borderline sunstroked, slept like a baby.
Its getting very tired, but in its day was very well to do, as in the owner of the Titanic and the Captain lived just over the railway bridge.
The Wave Ruler fast tanker, there is definitely more military equipment moving about around the country, great big grey planes and chinooks in the sky.
We are setting off to Runcorn bridge and on the way visiting probably the most beautiful and nostalgic parts of Liverpool
Cressington has a completely conserved Victorian private estate, its simply magical and just eats into your soul as you look at what we build now.
The original gas lamps and street after street of iron railings and canopies of tree cover
This is the front facing the Mersey, every house is immaculate under strict maintenance covenance, but of course this theme park level of stalling time
can only ever exist under a wish to hold on to a cherry picked past.
You can imagine the top hatted elite strolling down these streets, when the sidewalks were flagged and the road cobbled,
The modern malaise of cheap galvanised street furniture, when just the minimal effort can raise your mood.
The railway station, just crying out for a perfectly polished and painted steam train.
The inevitable patchy repairs of tarmac roads and pavements/sidewalks, then covered in fading health and safety markings, it just looks so cheap compared to the
artistry of the building, even that unsecured white sat cable.
Anyway you can contact me at victoriangrandpa.com
Found a short cut to the river, we both exited with leaves sticking out of our helmets
My fatbike cruised up this very steep sandy climb, Dans 2.6s failed him, he nearly made it and this shot is after an uncontrolled backward slide.
Lots of posh people along this path, its actually a proper bridleway.
This is called Pickerings Pasture and is excitedly posted with signs from miles away.
At this point I suddenly became unwell, the strangest feeling of light headiness and oversaturation of light in my vision, it literally looked like someone had
turned the brightness to full, I was having a white out.
I found some shade and soaked my head in cold water, it quickly passed, but I really think I underestimated the heat and effort climbing this walkway.
We returned along the Liverpool Loop Line, a disused railway line cycle trail right across the city, at this point I had developed the most excruciating cramp in both legs, it was truly
agony to pedal and there was no cure, walking was impossible, pedalling felt like I was tearing my thighs apart.
Then as suddenly as it appeared it eased.
The line varies from atmospheric cuttings to large bridges over road intersections, and absolute must for exploring the city, you can leave it on side paths to interesting
areas every few hundred yards.
I made it home completely knackered and borderline sunstroked, slept like a baby.
Chazmo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Central Massachusetts
@Chargeride Love that shot of the steep hill and your friend bonking on the way up! Glad you were able to conquer it on the fatty!
I really love the contrast of stuff you show on your rides. I live in a much more rural area, and I don’t get to see much more than nature on most of my riding. Thanks for all the (great) pix!
Glad you were able to conquer it on the fatty!I really love the contrast of stuff you show on your rides. I live in a much more rural area, and I don’t get to see much more than nature on most of my riding. Thanks for all the (great) pix!
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I've looked up my symptoms and it exactly ties with heat syncope.(fainting)
Dehydration in hot weather with over brightness in vision and lightheadness.
There you go
Dehydration in hot weather with over brightness in vision and lightheadness.
There you go
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