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

[Chargeride]

Final update, Gary took the motor out to send it off and two off the lugs are snapped off.
They are quoting 350 to fix everything and upgrade bearings.

 

[edobici_forza]

Haha, what a coincidence Chargeride, I was just coming on to post about my brake pad swap yesterday. But you ride through some rough stuff, so I am not surprised by the wear. My brakes were screaming like a banshee. But I also changed the rotors too - transferred from another bike. And, I got a new tool to help out with the process: a caliper piston press. Yesterday I did a piston cleaning with DOT fluid just to get everything to baseline. I have 1300 miles on the original pads, whatever comes with SRAM Apex brakes in 2025. Now using MTX Red ceramic pads, which I have on my MTB. The shakedown ride afterwards went well. Though, I still hate the feel of the Apex brake levers (D1) – poor modulation and slow return. I may upgrade to the Rival E1 levers, in the future.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Haha, what a coincidence Chargeride, I was just coming on to post about my brake pad swap yesterday. But you ride through some rough stuff, so I am not surprised by the wear. My brakes were screaming like a banshee. But I also changed the rotors too - transferred from another bike. And, I got a new tool to help out with the process: a caliper piston press. Yesterday I did a piston cleaning with DOT fluid just to get everything to baseline. I have 1300 miles on the original pads, whatever comes with SRAM Apex brakes in 2025. Now using MTX Red ceramic pads, which I have on my MTB. The shakedown ride afterwards went well. Though, I still hate the feel of the Apex brake levers (D1) – poor modulation and slow return. I may upgrade to the Rival E1 levers, in the future.

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Is there some kind of brake virus going around now? Just did a total brake upgrade on my Vado SL for a recurring drag in the rear.

 

[edobici_forza]

@Jeremy McCreary, likely just that we are riding so much that our pads get worn quickly, and the system gets dirty. you can see in my first Before photo of my rear, the pistons are compensating for the thin pad material so, that can cause some drag. The funny thing is my rear pads in my photo were double the thickness of my front, which was the one really squealing! All, nice and quiet on my 21 mile ride yesterday.

BTW, I followed this video for cleaning the pistons. My first time doing it on SRAM, so I had to go get some DOT 4 brake fluid (my other bikes are all Shimano)

Park Tool Brake Piston Cleaning Video

.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

@Jeremy McCreary, likely just that we are riding so much that our pads get worn quickly, and the system gets dirty. you can see in my first Before photo of my rear, the pistons are compensating for the thin pad material so, that can cause some drag. The funny thing is my rear pads in my photo were double the thickness of my front, which was the one really squealing! All, nice and quiet on my 21 mile ride yesterday.

Recurring dirt accumulation on the exposed part of one (steel) rear piston definitely played a big role in my case. The pads themselves were never an issue.

Among other things, hoping the new ceramic pistons will be less prone to gathering dirt.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

BTW, I followed this video for cleaning the pistons. My first time doing it on SRAM, so I had to go get some DOT 4 brake fluid (my other bikes are all Shimano)

Park Tool Brake Piston Cleaning Video

Sorry, just watched your piston cleaning link. EXTREMELY helpful — hopefully no more lazy seals for me!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

"Horses, Go!"

That was a big evening gravel group ride, 40 km of gravel along the Vistula, a weekly event known as MOSTy (BRIDGEs). What was special, the "normal" group was controlled by the leaders not to exceed 23 km/h in the terrain. I will write a report on the "Laid Back MOSTy" but let me just tell you riding in a big group is something worth living for! I'M HAPPY!

Part of the riders were known as "horses": extremely fit racers. These were put in the front, and the organizer (blue trousers) said loudly: "Fast group, ALLEZ!" but the racers didn't understand the command. So someone said distinctly: HORSES, GO! And the horses went The three men on the left were controlling the "normal" group. The jersey of the fourth one reads: "Step up the pace".

My brother Jacek "a horse" awaiting the command

Me taking pictures The man looking in the camera is Janek, a Belarussian immigrant, and a riding mate from my former Graveloza club.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

It's all our fault... Blame Canada!

In the US, we're taught from an early age that it's always Canada's fault till proven otherwise. Thanks for confirming!

 

[DaveMatthews]

In the US, we're taught from an early age that it's always Canada's fault till proven otherwise. Thanks for confirming!

We're such bullies... we're bigger, and we're on top!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Laid Back MOSTY

MOSTy is a unique urban gravel trail along the Vistula with only two traffic lights altogether. Usually, the weekly group ride is frequented by a small bunch of addicts. Join such a ride, and you will be left in the dust, no fun! This time, Paweł Kuflikowski (an excellent rally organiser and also an e-biker at times -- e-XC, e-MTB) decided to bring the fresh blood to his event. He solemnly promised controlling the speed of the main group at the average of 20 km/h, so normally fit riders (but not the "snails") could enjoy the ride. We first met for coffee and then rode to the start line at Warsaw Mermaid 1937.

'So boys and girls: we are riding the urban segment to the trail beginning in a single file at a safe speed. No racing allowed! You can ride two-abreast in Bartycka Street though'. Paweł brought his XC bike to the ride for a lower speed.

It was around 30 people on the ride. See Warsaw Mermaid and Holy Cross Bridge in the background.

The riders arriving at the gravel trail beginning.

'Fast group, ALLEZ!' -- 'Horses, GO!' The orange jacket and the blue helmet men were leading the "normal" group while Paweł rode as the rear guard.

A 2-minute short by my buddies Mariusz and Krzysiek. I can be seen in several places there

I rode my Vado 6.0 at 30/100% setting, which allowed me easily ride in the group head and accelerate effortlessly. It was too high assistance! (I'd say 25/50% would be just right). Riding in a big group at a reasonable speed allowed me watching how beautiful Warsaw at the golden hour was! No stop was planned, so the ride was flowing like I were in Heaven!

There was a strange incident though! As we were climbing two abreast with the group leader Marcin up the Marie Curie Bridge, I said 'A motor error...' and he replied 'A motor error on a climb? Not good!' (His both parents ride e-bikes: Bosch and Shimano). I had to stop and restart the motor. Then, I could accelerate as quickly as I got to the head of the group again!

There were traffic lights on the main trail one time. I stopped there for 6 minutes to wait for the group tail, so I would continue with Paweł, several girls, a senior man Waldek (he was a fantastic companion!) and my buddy Krzysiek. So we reached the Mermaid again, said good-byes for the big group waiting for us there and then pedalled to Viaduct Pizza below Poniatowski Bridge for a chill out

My "horse" brother Jacek in the centre with Paweł at the right. Note: No one drank alcohol (the IPAs were alcohol free).

Pizza Polacco I was as hungry as I could eat a horse!

The tall bald man here is Artur, a man I first met on my own group ride several months ago! Waldek (red jacket) can be seen in the reflection (he rode with his daughter).

Main ride map. 51 km total for the day.

An interesting statistic:

My brother holds the e-bike KOM on the gravel segment. I am the second. Only two of us have completed that segment on e-bikes in 2025/2026. My brother only uses the assistance on his Giant Trance E+ when his speed drops below the legal 25 km/h!

 

[Chargeride]

What are all those Poles smiling about

 

[Chazmo]

Laid Back MOSTY

MOSTy is a unique urban gravel trail along the Vistula with only two traffic lights altogether. Usually, the weekly group ride is frequented by a small bunch of addicts. Join such a ride, and you will be left in the dust, no fun! This time, Paweł Kuflikowski (an excellent rally organiser and also an e-biker at times -- e-XC, e-MTB) decided to bring the fresh blood to his event. He solemnly promised controlling the speed of the main group at the average of 20 km/h, so normally fit riders (but not the "snails") could enjoy the ride. We first met for coffee and then rode to the start line at Warsaw Mermaid 1937.

View attachment 209264
'So boys and girls: we are riding the urban segment to the trail beginning in a single file at a safe speed. No racing allowed! You can ride two-abreast in Bartycka Street though'. Paweł brought his XC bike to the ride for a lower speed.

View attachment 209265
It was around 30 people on the ride. See Warsaw Mermaid and Holy Cross Bridge in the background.

View attachment 209266
The riders arriving at the gravel trail beginning.

View attachment 209267
'Fast group, ALLEZ!' -- 'Horses, GO!' The orange jacket and the blue helmet men were leading the "normal" group while Paweł rode as the rear guard.

A 2-minute short by my buddies Mariusz and Krzysiek. I can be seen in several places there

I rode my Vado 6.0 at 30/100% setting, which allowed me easily ride in the group head and accelerate effortlessly. It was too high assistance! (I'd say 25/50% would be just right). Riding in a big group at a reasonable speed allowed me watching how beautiful Warsaw at the golden hour was! No stop was planned, so the ride was flowing like I were in Heaven!

There was a strange incident though! As we were climbing two abreast with the group leader Marcin up the Marie Curie Bridge, I said 'A motor error...' and he replied 'A motor error on a climb? Not good!' (His both parents ride e-bikes: Bosch and Shimano). I had to stop and restart the motor. Then, I could accelerate as quickly as I got to the head of the group again!

View attachment 209268
There were traffic lights on the main trail one time. I stopped there for 6 minutes to wait for the group tail, so I would continue with Paweł, several girls, a senior man Waldek (he was a fantastic companion!) and my buddy Krzysiek. So we reached the Mermaid again, said good-byes for the big group waiting for us there and then pedalled to Viaduct Pizza below Poniatowski Bridge for a chill out

View attachment 209269
My "horse" brother Jacek in the centre with Paweł at the right. Note: No one drank alcohol (the IPAs were alcohol free).

View attachment 209270
Pizza Polacco I was as hungry as I could eat a horse!

View attachment 209271
The tall bald man here is Artur, a man I first met on my own group ride several months ago! Waldek (red jacket) can be seen in the reflection (he rode with his daughter).

View attachment 209272
Main ride map. 51 km total for the day.

An interesting statistic:
View attachment 209273
My brother holds the e-bike KOM on the gravel segment. I am the second. Only two of us have completed that segment on e-bikes in 2025/2026. My brother only uses the assistance on his Giant Trance E+ when his speed drops below the legal 25 km/h!

Looks like a nice ride, Stefan. That pizza is a little too loaded for my taste, but I’ll be it’s an awesome motivator for the ride.

 

[RabH]

I had a really nice 53 mile ride on Sunday, I didn't take any photos on that ride so didn't bother writing a report but it was a lot of fun on my local roads! It was another nice day today, been a lot of those this month actually and I'm not complaining and as of today I have managed 725 miles this month! That means I'm only 27 miles short of my all time monthly record of 752 miles way back in March 2012, I intend to get out again on Thursday to smash my record if all goes to plan! It would be good to do a 75 miler to make it a round 800 miles but I may not have time...

We have been stuck with chilly easterly winds this month but our afternoon temps have been pretty warm for the time of year, today it was perfect cycling weather so I made the most of the time I had and used as many back roads as possible! We have so many roads closed at the moment though and it means cars have been using some of my quiet back roads which isn't ideal but it is what it is! I made my way down to Allanton and took the back road to Yieldshields where I stopped for a few photos!

Then I made my way down the back roads towards Braehead, mostly amazing roads like these!

At the end of the road I turned NE on the back road to Auchengray, grabbing many photos on the way!

I decided to turn SE on this awesome road and take a longer route to Auchengray!

Its very twisty and undulating, one of those perfect roads for cycling and at the end of the road I turned north for Auchengray and enjoyed another amazing road!

After passing through the village I turned east and joined the back road to Tarbrax which leads to the fantastic A70, where I turned south for Carnwath! This road is just incredible and I had a 15-20mph tailwind to enjoy now!

It also has stunning views of the Pentland and Tinto Hills!

It really was cycling at its very best for the 7 miles of mostly descending to Carnwath! My plan now was to head west to Carluke but as I reached the Harelaw roundabout I found the road to Carluke was closed with barriers blocking the road completely! I stopped for a snack break here and took my final photos of the Pentlands!

I now had 2 choices, turn south to busy Lanark or north to a much quieter Forth! Easy choice for me, north for sure and thankfully the road wasn't too busy! After 2 miles though I decided to turn off the main road and head for Yieldshields again which was the best option although I was using the same road as earler its so much quieter and a great road anyway! I arrived in Yieldshields and took the back roads to Carluke and up to Allanton and decided to take on the big climb up to Kirk of Shotts!

I battled my way up the climb and lo and behold the road up to Kirk of Shotts was also closed! It wasn't completely blocked though and it said local access only so I chanced it and got through without any issues! Near the top of the climb I took the back road to Hareshaw, one of the best roads there is in my area and with a tailwind and 3 miles of downhill it was just incredible! 60 miles appeared on my gps as I passed through Hareshaw with 5 miles to go, then it was over the back roads to home! What a brilliant day of cycling once again, I really am blessed to be able to ride these roads over and over and I will never get bored of them!

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

@RabH , did you have to ride far on the pavers seen in the first of the snack break photos?

 

[RabH]

@RabH , did you have to ride far on the pavers seen in the first of the snack break photos?

Its a parking area Jeremy so a matter of feet only!