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

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Sunny and warm @ 18C today, so I finally got to go on my first ride of 2026. Normally I ride rail-trails, but they haven't been groomed yet, as some portions of the trails remain snow covered, while other parts can be boggy due to rain and snow-melt. It was a great ride, 35k; 32k of pavement, 3k of mucky gravel. The streams and ditches are running high, with flooding in low areas; the lakes are still ice-covered.

We live in a cabin beside a smaller river. Over the past 3 weeks the water level has risen 2-1/2m; over 1m in the past 4 days. Some rain in the forecast, we still have over 1m of freeboard but remain watchful.

After tomorrow, temps are supposed to be in single digits for the next week. Great temps for slowing the snow melt and rising waters, not that great for biking.
 
Korboloza Grodziskoza :)
I and Tommy were very pleased when we -- upon leaving Grodzisk Mazowiecki train station -- met two other guys: Gujos and Dominik. Gujos was together with me on two group rides I had organised while Dominik was his best friend. Both guys were riding excellent gravel bikes, electronic drivetrain and whatnot :) The weather was splendid! I took the men for the trip I had planned and check ridden, so no surprise was expected. I was leading the group for some 50 km, then let others replace me in that role.

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That funny village: "Beware, squirrels! Beware, cats!" :D

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"Beware, moose!" :D

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At the entry to the most beautiful gravel trails: Grabina Radziejowicka and Rail Trail Street.

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Crossing Pisia-Gągolina (a small river)

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My team ❤️

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Picturesque Bolimowski Landscape Park

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While the area is full of champagne gravel, I chose a more difficult route: a lot of stones, loose gravel and damaged roads. Here: at the crossing with the most beautiful Gravel Highway #33. This time, we just crossed it and went for more demanding trails!


There was a moderate headwind on a good part of the trip. This, and one Range Extender blocked by the BMS against discharging (the battery might be kaputt!) made me very tired. I also suffered aching butt (the saddle too high? Maybe!) For this reason I let the pair of friends finish the trip alone (they continued my route to Grodzisk where they left the car), and I with Tommy continued on the Żyrardów Trail of Shame* to finish the trip in a restaurant. Alas! That restaurant let me down for the second time: they booked a wedding, no lunch!

A lovely day but hard for me!
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*) There is a very long stretch of a forest road leading to Żyrardów. It has been damaged by lumberjacks and never repaired. The most hated trail!

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Ride Map
 
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Gary and I took the train up to Southport, and rode back completely on forest trails, then it furned into a pub crawl, this is the Railway in Formby.
Brian joined us , they were both on manual fatties, I left them in the dunes, but once we got to tarmac they could cruise at 20 and I was sat at 16.

Day ended in mine at 1am eating Chinese and watching mtb crashes.

Superb

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Gary and I took the train up to Southport, and rode back completely on forest trails, then it furned into a pub crawl, this is the Railway in Formby.
Brian joined us , they were both on manual fatties, I left them in the dunes, but once we got to tarmac they could cruise at 20 and I was sat at 16.

Day ended in mine at 1am eating Chinese and watching mtb crashes.

Superb

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That pint of plain is calling to me, whispering sweet nothings...
 
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