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

[stompandgo]

Daffodils flower in the early spring. Daylilies flower in the summer.

 

[Chargeride]

So I rode the new bike over a railway bridge steps, pretty steep, hard going.
Now it developed a creak on taking off from a standing start.
Nothing drastic, just a clicky creak.
Carbon frames are renowned for it.
Tried a few fixes, might just grease and tighten everything while Im at it.
It still feels weird to ride, looking down at the bike is odd as well, the frame is completely non symetrical, I'll get used to it.

Anyway here it is outside the Titanic captains house because its the only famous person we have.

 

[stompandgo]

Nice bike. Pretty hydrangeas.

 

[Chargeride]

Theyre Daypinkies.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So I rode the new bike

Chris, I'd love to read your report after some rides in difficult terrain! (Creaks can come from the strangest places on a bike...)

 

[Chargeride]

Its just been a funny week, birthdays and family events, Bri is coming around to pump up the shock and look at my motor stats

 

[Chazmo]

Lots of hills today! Washington County again, just west of the Vermont border. High 80s and very humid, but as long as you keep moving it never really seems to be a big problem until it gets closer to 100, for me at least.

So this is a “good” hill, going in that nice Down direction:

View attachment 196836

So’s this one, going down to the old Rexleigh covered bridge. Not of a lot of these left in New York. This spot is sort of the focus of this particular ride, and happily located almost exactly at the halfway point, so once you start this ride you ain’t bailing out just because it gets a little hot.

View attachment 196837

So obviously, heading on from here is going to be the other end of the Hill spectrum! I was a little surprised by how enthusiastic the hills were today... had to go to first gear on my Stance for the first time since I bought it (and just over 1000 miles) on a section that peaked at 17% and ran consistently at 15% for a respectable distance. I do love climbing these things on this bike, always looking for another one!

View attachment 196841

Can’t ever get enough of riding this area. Hardly saw a car at all till the last four or five miles down a state road, and even that was very lightly traveled, with a good shoulder and the Battenkill Creek right next to you.

Also, for the third year I am keeping up with my self imposed rule that says I can’t watch the day’s Tour de France coverage until I have a 20 mile or more ride behind me. Recaps okay, but the actual show with Bob Roll trying to keep Phil on task for the whole time. Gotta love Bob!

Ah, the covered bridges. Would love to have a chance to ride up there someday, Dave. Beautiful country. My ex ran several half marathons up there in covered bridge territory. Just lovely!

 

[Chargeride]

Shock sorted, only 100psi in it.
Heres how we left it.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Shock sorted, only 100psi in it.
Heres how we left it.
View attachment 196882

Way to dig right in! Please let us know how this tuning rides after you've had the bike out on a variety of roads and trails.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Shock sorted, only 100psi in it.

You mean, the shock and the rear damper?

Heres how we left it.
View attachment 196882

Quite interesting Assistance settings. ECO will give you the same motor power as your own leg power with the limit of 140 W (long range setting). TRAIL is for a more demanding terrain with your legs amplified more than twice and the motor capped at 340 W (that's a lot!) I'm surprised the TURBO is not just 100/100 but it is your leg power times 4 with the max motor power of 536 W. (TURBO is used either for extreme climbs or in emergency). The motor will start in TRAIL. I trust Brian for Shuttle and Responsiveness as I am not familiar with these e-MTB parameters.

Now, it's time for some rides!

 

[Chargeride]

They all thought that startup setting was a boost from a standing start, so Im giving them a quizzed look and when it was changed to trail I turned it back on and saw it in trail straight away.
They all pondered for a moment and realised together it was the power on setting.
This was just a quick look , just connecting was the issue, had to take display out and use the 6 digit code but it wouldnt work, restarted bike a few times, then the app and it connected.
Thats bluetooth for you, worst short range low power connectivity evah, its all those stacks.
And yes its the Carbon expert

 

[Stefan Mikes]

They all pondered for a moment and realised together it was the power on setting.

Haha! I think the boost from the cold start is controlled by Responsiveness

This was just a quick look , just connecting was the issue, had to take display out and use the 6 digit code but it wouldnt work, restarted bike a few times, then the app and it connected.

You're not alone!

Setting up my new Vado SL in June 2021. My TCU (the e-bike controller, not a display) is the same as yours. We could not connect the App with the e-bike. Turned out, the App (then called Mission Control) was outdated on my phone

 

[RabH]

40000 miles of pure pleasure!

After 8 days off the bike I was itching to get out again and thankfully I had more time on my hands today so a longer ride was in order! I set off at 8.15am and immediately had issues with closed roads and it was my back roads so I was forced to use the main roads for a bit! Thankfully I got on to my back roads again after only a couple of miles and with the morning rush hour traffic in town I was very happy to get on to quiet roads! It was a pleasant 15C with light winds directly from the south so I decided to head south into the Clyde Valley, the descent down into Crossford is so much fun and as you can see it was a beautiful morning!

I stopped on the bridge at Crossford for a photo of the River Clyde!

I then headed SE along the valley grabbing some photos as I went!

A photo of the River Clyde at Kirkfieldbank before tackling the big climb up to Lanark!

I stopped part way up for another photo looking across the valley!

Luckily Lanark wasn't too busy so I made my way though without any issues and then stopped at Lanark Loch for a short snack break and a photo of the loch, I timed it nice to catch the swans with their 6 cygnets! I can't believe how much they have grown!

I then enjoyed the lovely descent down to Hyndford Bridge and stopped for a few photos on the bridge!

I joined the main A73 for a short time before turning on to the quiet back road towards Thankerton, it starts with this big climb and is quickly followed by a nice fast descent!

I had a nice view of the Pentland Hills so I stopped for more photos!

As I neared Thankerton I had this stunning view of Tinto Hill bathed in sunshine for a nice change!

As I arrived in Thankerton I stopped on the bridge in the village for a couple of photos, once again I had the River Clyde in view!

The bridge where I took the photos!

I now had a big climb up to Quothquan and part way up I stopped for another couple of photos, it was so beautiful today!

As I passed through the village I decided to go straight through for a change, I usually turn off here and head up the big climb to Libberton! I passed Shieldhill Castle a short time later, it dates back to 1199!

At the end of the road I took the back road to Newbigging which starts with a big climb and ends with a long fast descent, this is the start of the descent where I hit almost 42mph after rounding the corner!

I grabbed more photos of the Pentlands on the way down!

I then passed through Newbigging and started up the climb towards Carnwath, stopping part way up for this photo looking back down the hill!

I decided to give Carnwath a miss and took the back road at Kaimend to join the A70 to Tarbrax, its a big climb once again and such a great road for the bike! I turned off the A70 at just over 1100ft to enjoy the descent down past Tarbrax and Woolfords, where the road ramps up for a mile or so before plunging down into the valley! The wind had picked up now and it was still a direct southerly and it was right at my back as I was heading north! The final part of the descent is very steep and with that wind at my back I freewheeled at almost 44mph! I would have gone faster if I had pedalled but there's a tight bend at the bottom so I erred on the side of caution!

At the end of the road I turned east towards West Calder to take the back road west through Addiewell and Stoneyburn and then turned north up the big climb through Longridge! Then I had a big descent down through Whitburn where I joined the cycle path up to Armadale, as I arrived in the town I took the back road towards Blackridge and had to turn back as the road was closed! No closure signs anywhere to be seen so I had to head back into Armadale! I had to ride through the centre of town and at 66 miles I turned west for home where I arrived with just over 77 miles covered so I did a few circuits to bring up the 80 miles!

After just 18 miles today I reached 40000 miles on my amazing e bike, so I ended up with 40062 when I arrived home! The bike has been a real life changer for me, it has been 7.5 years of total pleasure on the best bike I have ever owned! I would love to take it past 50000 miles if possible but who knows how much life it has left...maybe it will outlast me though!I also passed 4000 miles for the year, 4008 to be exact!

 

[Rás Cnoic]

View attachment 196899

40000 miles of pure pleasure!

After 8 days off the bike I was itching to get out again and thankfully I had more time on my hands today so a longer ride was in order! I set off at 8.15am and immediately had issues with closed roads and it was my back roads so I was forced to use the main roads for a bit! Thankfully I got on to my back roads again after only a couple of miles and with the morning rush hour traffic in town I was very happy to get on to quiet roads! It was a pleasant 15C with light winds directly from the south so I decided to head south into the Clyde Valley, the descent down into Crossford is so much fun and as you can see it was a beautiful morning!

View attachment 196901
I stopped on the bridge at Crossford for a photo of the River Clyde!

View attachment 196902
I then headed SE along the valley grabbing some photos as I went!

View attachment 196903
A photo of the River Clyde at Kirkfieldbank before tackling the big climb up to Lanark!

View attachment 196904
I stopped part way up for another photo looking across the valley!

View attachment 196905
Luckily Lanark wasn't too busy so I made my way though without any issues and then stopped at Lanark Loch for a short snack break and a photo of the loch, I timed it nice to catch the swans with their 6 cygnets! I can't believe how much they have grown!

View attachment 196907
I then enjoyed the lovely descent down to Hyndford Bridge and stopped for a few photos on the bridge!

View attachment 196908
View attachment 196909
View attachment 196910
I joined the main A73 for a short time before turning on to the quiet back road towards Thankerton, it starts with this big climb and is quickly followed by a nice fast descent!

View attachment 196911
I had a nice view of the Pentland Hills so I stopped for more photos!

View attachment 196912
View attachment 196913
View attachment 196914
As I neared Thankerton I had this stunning view of Tinto Hill bathed in sunshine for a nice change!

View attachment 196916
As I arrived in Thankerton I stopped on the bridge in the village for a couple of photos, once again I had the River Clyde in view!

View attachment 196917
View attachment 196918
The bridge where I took the photos!

View attachment 196919
I now had a big climb up to Quothquan and part way up I stopped for another couple of photos, it was so beautiful today!

View attachment 196920
View attachment 196921
As I passed through the village I decided to go straight through for a change, I usually turn off here and head up the big climb to Libberton! I passed Shieldhill Castle a short time later, it dates back to 1199!

View attachment 196922
View attachment 196923
At the end of the road I took the back road to Newbigging which starts with a big climb and ends with a long fast descent, this is the start of the descent where I hit almost 42mph after rounding the corner!

View attachment 196924
I grabbed more photos of the Pentlands on the way down!

View attachment 196925
View attachment 196926
View attachment 196927
View attachment 196928
I then passed through Newbigging and started up the climb towards Carnwath, stopping part way up for this photo looking back down the hill!

View attachment 196930
I decided to give Carnwath a miss and took the back road at Kaimend to join the A70 to Tarbrax, its a big climb once again and such a great road for the bike! I turned off the A70 at just over 1100ft to enjoy the descent down past Tarbrax and Woolfords, where the road ramps up for a mile or so before plunging down into the valley! The wind had picked up now and it was still a direct southerly and it was right at my back as I was heading north! The final part of the descent is very steep and with that wind at my back I freewheeled at almost 44mph! I would have gone faster if I had pedalled but there's a tight bend at the bottom so I erred on the side of caution!

At the end of the road I turned east towards West Calder to take the back road west through Addiewell and Stoneyburn and then turned north up the big climb through Longridge! Then I had a big descent down through Whitburn where I joined the cycle path up to Armadale, as I arrived in the town I took the back road towards Blackridge and had to turn back as the road was closed! No closure signs anywhere to be seen so I had to head back into Armadale! I had to ride through the centre of town and at 66 miles I turned west for home where I arrived with just over 77 miles covered so I did a few circuits to bring up the 80 miles!

After just 18 miles today I reached 40000 miles on my amazing e bike, so I ended up with 40062 when I arrived home! The bike has been a real life changer for me, it has been 7.5 years of total pleasure on the best bike I have ever owned! I would love to take it past 50000 miles if possible but who knows how much life it has left...maybe it will outlast me though!I also passed 4000 miles for the year, 4008 to be exact!

Why the hell Giant (and Yamaha) aren't singing your praises from every mountain peak I don't know. Best advert for that bike that's possible! Congratulations Rab, extraordinary achievement!

 

[Chargeride]

The way you are going you'll need to cross the border for new roads to ride.
I'll try and get you a pass

 

[DaveMatthews]

View attachment 196899

40000 miles of pure pleasure!

After 8 days off the bike I was itching to get out again and thankfully I had more time on my hands today so a longer ride was in order! I set off at 8.15am and immediately had issues with closed roads and it was my back roads so I was forced to use the main roads for a bit! Thankfully I got on to my back roads again after only a couple of miles and with the morning rush hour traffic in town I was very happy to get on to quiet roads! It was a pleasant 15C with light winds directly from the south so I decided to head south into the Clyde Valley, the descent down into Crossford is so much fun and as you can see it was a beautiful morning!

View attachment 196901
I stopped on the bridge at Crossford for a photo of the River Clyde!

View attachment 196902
I then headed SE along the valley grabbing some photos as I went!

View attachment 196903
A photo of the River Clyde at Kirkfieldbank before tackling the big climb up to Lanark!

View attachment 196904
I stopped part way up for another photo looking across the valley!

View attachment 196905
Luckily Lanark wasn't too busy so I made my way though without any issues and then stopped at Lanark Loch for a short snack break and a photo of the loch, I timed it nice to catch the swans with their 6 cygnets! I can't believe how much they have grown!

View attachment 196907
I then enjoyed the lovely descent down to Hyndford Bridge and stopped for a few photos on the bridge!

View attachment 196908
View attachment 196909
View attachment 196910
I joined the main A73 for a short time before turning on to the quiet back road towards Thankerton, it starts with this big climb and is quickly followed by a nice fast descent!

View attachment 196911
I had a nice view of the Pentland Hills so I stopped for more photos!

View attachment 196912
View attachment 196913
View attachment 196914
As I neared Thankerton I had this stunning view of Tinto Hill bathed in sunshine for a nice change!

View attachment 196916
As I arrived in Thankerton I stopped on the bridge in the village for a couple of photos, once again I had the River Clyde in view!

View attachment 196917
View attachment 196918
The bridge where I took the photos!

View attachment 196919
I now had a big climb up to Quothquan and part way up I stopped for another couple of photos, it was so beautiful today!

View attachment 196920
View attachment 196921
As I passed through the village I decided to go straight through for a change, I usually turn off here and head up the big climb to Libberton! I passed Shieldhill Castle a short time later, it dates back to 1199!

View attachment 196922
View attachment 196923
At the end of the road I took the back road to Newbigging which starts with a big climb and ends with a long fast descent, this is the start of the descent where I hit almost 42mph after rounding the corner!

View attachment 196924
I grabbed more photos of the Pentlands on the way down!

View attachment 196925
View attachment 196926
View attachment 196927
View attachment 196928
I then passed through Newbigging and started up the climb towards Carnwath, stopping part way up for this photo looking back down the hill!

View attachment 196930
I decided to give Carnwath a miss and took the back road at Kaimend to join the A70 to Tarbrax, its a big climb once again and such a great road for the bike! I turned off the A70 at just over 1100ft to enjoy the descent down past Tarbrax and Woolfords, where the road ramps up for a mile or so before plunging down into the valley! The wind had picked up now and it was still a direct southerly and it was right at my back as I was heading north! The final part of the descent is very steep and with that wind at my back I freewheeled at almost 44mph! I would have gone faster if I had pedalled but there's a tight bend at the bottom so I erred on the side of caution!

At the end of the road I turned east towards West Calder to take the back road west through Addiewell and Stoneyburn and then turned north up the big climb through Longridge! Then I had a big descent down through Whitburn where I joined the cycle path up to Armadale, as I arrived in the town I took the back road towards Blackridge and had to turn back as the road was closed! No closure signs anywhere to be seen so I had to head back into Armadale! I had to ride through the centre of town and at 66 miles I turned west for home where I arrived with just over 77 miles covered so I did a few circuits to bring up the 80 miles!

After just 18 miles today I reached 40000 miles on my amazing e bike, so I ended up with 40062 when I arrived home! The bike has been a real life changer for me, it has been 7.5 years of total pleasure on the best bike I have ever owned! I would love to take it past 50000 miles if possible but who knows how much life it has left...maybe it will outlast me though!I also passed 4000 miles for the year, 4008 to be exact!

Freakin' fantastic mate! And I agree with @Rás Cnoic Giant needs to come to this party!!!

 

[stompandgo]

Eight days off and your next ride is 80 miles. Awesome.

 

[RabH]

Why the hell Giant (and Yamaha) aren't singing your praises from every mountain peak I don't know. Best advert for that bike that's possible! Congratulations Rab, extraordinary achievement!

Freakin' fantastic mate! And I agree with @Rás Cnoic Giant needs to come to this party!!!

Thanks guys, I'm sure a massive company like Giant don't give a hoot about an old guy riding one of their bikes past 40000 miles...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

After just 18 miles today I reached 40000 miles on my amazing e bike, so I ended up with 40062 when I arrived home! The bike has been a real life changer for me, it has been 7.5 years of total pleasure on the best bike I have ever owned! I would love to take it past 50000 miles if possible but who knows how much life it has left...maybe it will outlast me though!I also passed 4000 miles for the year, 4008 to be exact!

Tempted to call Giant marketing and say, "There's a guy in Scotland you should probably know about. His trusty and much-loved Giant ebike's still going strong after 40,000 miles, but I bet he wouldn't mind a fancy new one to ride now and then. BTW, he's well-spoken, rides in some very photogenic places, and is a bit of a daredevil on the descents."

Of course, you'd be followed by camera crews for a while, and after the ads air, by paparazzi and screaming fans. Your life would no longer be your own, but for the latest and greatest Giant, might be worth it!

Let me know if you'd like me to go ahead.
;^}

 

[Chazmo]

Tempted to call Giant marketing and say, "There's a guy in Scotland you should probably know about. His trusty and much-loved Giant ebike's still going strong after 40,000 miles, but I bet he wouldn't mind a fancy new one to ride now and then. BTW, he's well-spoken, rides in some very photogenic places, and is a bit of a daredevil on the descents."

Of course, you'd be followed by camera crews for a while, and after the ads air, by paparazzi and screaming fans. Your life would no longer be your own, but for the latest and greatest Giant, might be worth it!
;^}

The big question… What about groupies????