2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos

[Base]

Still a lot of snow here, even the small birds are a bit of

 

[stompandgo]

62F. I don't remember what it feels like. We've had an unusually cold winter here. It warmed a bit today and the ice started melting off of the pond. 33 degrees now. Maybe a beach walk tomorrow.

 

[Chargeride]

I had to know why theyre called Semi, its short for Semi Trailer, we called them articulated trucks, or artics.

The weather here is the worst, cold wind and rain, just walking to the corner shop is horrendous

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Real Winter E-Biking

I'm condemned to winter e-biking as riding an e-bike is the only way for me to get any groceries (except for the online shopping, which I dislike).

Perhaps I look scared in this photo It was because covering my nose made my glasses fog up (the fog disappeared on the actual ride). So I held my breath for the photo

The bike path and the road were properly cleaned. Any small patches of ice were handled by my studded tyres. I was walking my Vado SL in the icy parking lots as crashing there would be a shame!

The minimum temperature on the ride was -10 C (14F). No wind.

There's nothing like "cold". It is just improper clothing. I wore:

1. Merino longjohns
2. Two pairs of socks (one of them "winter rated")
3. Skiing trousers on strong regular braces
4. Winter wind- and waterproof Endura cycling boots
5. A merino base layer for the torso and arms
6. A skiing jacket
7. A winter balaclava
8. A warm snowboarding helmet
9. MTB goggles
10. Very warm but not skiing gloves.

I felt totally comfortable. Only the trousers restricted the leg movements to the level I had to do some tricks to mount or dismount the High-Step frame

A succesful 4 mile shopping ride at night, meaning I'm self supported

The weather here is the worst, cold wind and rain, just walking to the corner shop is horrendous

The English have no idea on what "harsh weather" even is

 

[Chargeride]

Poland couldnt handle the Gulf stream, you might get all chatty to strangers

 

[stompandgo]

They don't clear the rail trails around here, they wait until Mother Nature does. They barely even plow and treat the roads.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

There's nothing like "cold". It is just improper clothing. I wore:

1. Merino longjohns
2. Two pairs of socks (one of them "winter rated")
3. Skiing trousers on strong regular braces
4. Winter wind- and waterproof Endura cycling boots
5. A merino base layer for the torso and arms
6. A skiing jacket
7. A winter balaclava
8. A warm snowboarding helmet
9. MTB goggles
10. Very warm but not skiing gloves.

Well, I've officially stopped complaining about suiting up for every ride now.

Used to jump on the bike with whatever I was wearing at the time. Quick and easy.

But The Great Saddle Rash of 2025 taught me that I must wear a clean pair of padded shorts or tights without underwear on every ride, no matter how short. And EBR taught me to wear stiff-soled MTB shoes and a cycling jersey with big rear pockets — the latter to avoid a bulky trunk bag on my fitness bike.

More bother than I would've liked, but nothing like the suiting up you're doing just to eat.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Well, I've officially stopped complaining about suiting up for every ride now.

Used to jump on the bike with whatever I was wearing at the time. Quick and easy.

But The Great Saddle Rash of 2025 taught me that I must wear a clean pair of padded shorts or tights without underwear on every ride, no matter how short. And EBR taught me to wear stiff-soled MTB shoes and a cycling jersey with big rear pockets — the latter to avoid a bulky trunk bag on my fitness bike.

More bother than I would've liked, but nothing like the suiting up you're doing just to eat.

Jeremy, dear friend, many of us learned various lessons from the EBR. I started learning on winter clothing from the "Winter Biking Advice From A Minnesotan" thread. It took me several winters to get to what is now best for me. For instance, the member @Readytoride (I think it was her) said a skiing suit would be the most appropriate for the frost. Etc. etc.

You are in a lovely position in So-Cal! I appreciate the effort you took to clothe properly for your rides!

P.S. I do hate suiting up in the winter but there is no other option. Well, it is a pleasure for me to be riding so well protected against the elements!
P.S.2. I'm waiting for these deliveries:

• 50 mm Schwalbe Marathon Winter Plus tyres from Germany so I could equip my Step-Through Vado 6.0. Not only a lower step for mounting/dismounting the bike but also one needs more motor power in the winter!
• New "100%" MTB goggles from France. The foam on the old ones is damaged
• "100%" winter gloves from France as a second pair.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

you might get all chatty to strangers

Hey, Charge, something has changed in me for good regarding chatting with the strangers. On my last London trip, I actually initiated the small talk very often and to my great pleasure! The reason for that could be...

Having the Full English every morning... I cannot understand why many foreigners despise the British sausage; it is just delicious!

On Sunday, there had to be the Sunday Roast, of course (Yorkshire Pudding, Meat Pie, Mash Potato, Gravy). It was a Gordon Ramsay restaurant. Upon seeing where we were going, Brix warned me 'That's gonna be expensive!' Well, the price of lunch in the hotel restaurant was even higher, and the GR price was reasonable!

Now, Charge, I cannot wait until you start chatting with strangers in Polish in Poland

 

[Chargeride]

Im sure that would go just fine..

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

On Sunday, there had to be the Sunday Roast, of course (Yorkshire Pudding, Meat Pie, Mash Potato, Gravy). It was a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.

So how much did that Gordon Ramsay Egg McMuffin with sausage set you back? Guessing about $5 at a US McDonald's these days.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So how much did that Gordon Ramsay Egg McMuffin with sausage set you back? Guessing about $5 at a US McDonald's these days.

It was not a muffin It was a proper Sunday Roast! Two portions with beverages and the service fee (you need not giving a tip) was below 60 pound sterling. A usual London price for a restaurant visit.
(Besides, the European portions are a way smaller than you get in your country)

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

It was not a muffin It was a proper Sunday Roast! Two portions with beverages and the service fee (you need not giving a tip) was below 60 pound sterling. A usual London price for a restaurant visit.

You can put lipstick on a pig and call her Monique, but it's still a pig — or McMuffin in this case.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm afraid you would starve in Europe, Jeremy

 

[RunForTheHills]

I read that a quarter of Americans skip breakfast altogether. I usually only have a banana. We more than make up the calories at other meals.

 

[stompandgo]

Something tells me at @Jeremy McCreary doesn't like Gordon Ramsay.

 

[RunForTheHills]

Something tells me at @Jeremy McCreary doesn't like Gordon Ramsay.

I ate at one of his restaurants in Las Vegas a few years ago. It was a good steak (small filet), but not $60 good. I think the bill for four of us was north of $300. It would probably be a lot more expensive these days though.

 

[Chargeride]

I really dislike eating out thesedays.
It just isnt fun, especially with family, theres always an issue, someones cold or hot, or the food is not hot enough or missing some game changing garnish, or a dirty plate or noisy people at the next table and then you get the 400 quid bill for two hours of bored tension eating faffed up junk food.

Eating fish and chips on the beach or a toasted sandwich in a beachside cafe alone is pure ecstasy to me, I wouldnt swap it for the most expensive meal in the world.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm afraid you would starve in Europe, Jeremy

Au contraire! I've been all over western, eastern, and southern Europe. Never once managed to lose weight. Usually the opposite — especially in Spain.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Something tells me at @Jeremy McCreary doesn't like Gordon Ramsay.

Definitely hated his TV persona. You just don't treat people that way. And sadly, what happens on TV tends to find its way into real life.

I ate at one of his restaurants in Las Vegas a few years ago. It was a good steak (small filet), but not $60 good. I think the bill for four of us was north of $300. It would probably be a lot more expensive these days though.

We also tried one of his restaurants while passing through Vegas. I didn't want to give him a penny, but the missus was a fan.

Put down my fork halfway through and told her, "Can't tell you how much it pains me to say this, but that's the best steak and pureed potatoes I've ever had — by a long shot!"