Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Ah, Scootlund in June.
The locals still get sunburnt
The locals still get sunburnt
2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter RabH
- Start date
RabH
Well-Known Member
I don't think they would be fun in the Firth of Clyde over to Arran...Not sure how ferry ride is, Rab, but this idea has always intrigued me. Having said that, I probably wouldn’t use one of these on open water. Still, these “shuttle bike” kits can be carried in a backpack and they look like fun!
A hard pass from me Chaz, I prefer dry land! 
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Ben Nevis gondola trails, quite a snazzy place but thirty quid each for one lift!!
We chose the severe black.
It was insane, descending into cloud.
Bri punctured, took us 20 minutes to get it fixed on a mountainside in light rain.
Just a bit too much for me, the boardwalks were incredible, but these steep rutted slabs were horrific.
Glad to get into the easier stuff, but the scenery was stupendous.
We chose the severe black.
It was insane, descending into cloud.
Bri punctured, took us 20 minutes to get it fixed on a mountainside in light rain.
Just a bit too much for me, the boardwalks were incredible, but these steep rutted slabs were horrific.
Glad to get into the easier stuff, but the scenery was stupendous.
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Gotta hand it to ya for stepping up and trying that!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
In Amazing Sudovia Again
I and Tommy took a train from Warsaw to Suwałki yesterday. The train with its final destination in Mockava (Lithuania, not Moskva of Russia!) was full of cyclists, and we are talking multiple carriages. For instance, there were as many as 13 bikes in our carriage! All people travelling to Suwałki, which should say something about how attractive cycling area the northeastern tip of Poland is!
We live at a guest house of my "cousin" I met during the latest Sudovia Gravel rally. I feel like in heaven here!
As elsewhere in Europe, we are hit by a heat-wave. So we decided to ride to a beach by nearby Lake Szelment for a proper holiday!
The food in the area is of the highest quality, and it is served in a few minutes! I feel like a pampered child here!
We're skylarking like teenagers!
Tommy is extremely happy about the Marin Muirwoods 2026 he has recently bought. It is a hybrid of a fitness and mountain bike, with a strong shift towards MTB. 27.5x2.35" wheels, 1x drivetrain with a 11-51T cassette and a 36T chainring, just name it. It handles the extreme climbs of Sudovia as well as loose gravel perfectly!
However, the 20% grade Ash Tree Hill climb has defeated him!
Today, we're riding the 100 km route of Sudovia Gravel 2026 but raised to LVL Hard We also plan a swim in Lake Hańcza (the deepest in Poland) as well paying a short visit to Lithuania. What a holiday!
I and Tommy took a train from Warsaw to Suwałki yesterday. The train with its final destination in Mockava (Lithuania, not Moskva of Russia!) was full of cyclists, and we are talking multiple carriages. For instance, there were as many as 13 bikes in our carriage! All people travelling to Suwałki, which should say something about how attractive cycling area the northeastern tip of Poland is!
We live at a guest house of my "cousin" I met during the latest Sudovia Gravel rally. I feel like in heaven here!
As elsewhere in Europe, we are hit by a heat-wave. So we decided to ride to a beach by nearby Lake Szelment for a proper holiday!
The food in the area is of the highest quality, and it is served in a few minutes! I feel like a pampered child here!
We're skylarking like teenagers!
Tommy is extremely happy about the Marin Muirwoods 2026 he has recently bought. It is a hybrid of a fitness and mountain bike, with a strong shift towards MTB. 27.5x2.35" wheels, 1x drivetrain with a 11-51T cassette and a 36T chainring, just name it. It handles the extreme climbs of Sudovia as well as loose gravel perfectly!
However, the 20% grade Ash Tree Hill climb has defeated him!
Today, we're riding the 100 km route of Sudovia Gravel 2026 but raised to LVL Hard
We also plan a swim in Lake Hańcza (the deepest in Poland) as well paying a short visit to Lithuania. What a holiday!
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Lovely, but can we have a trigger warning on that first pic.
Chazmo
fat-tire biker
- Region
- USA
- City
- Central Massachusetts
Was it all downhill, Charge?
No thanks on the rutty descent. Yikes!!! I think you were smart to avoid that.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Lets put a stream in the middle of swooping downhill, friction factor zero
Miami weather in Scotland baking hot..then
Linear mode shows the true gradient
No sign of anyone riding down this, I'm not going to be the first
I presume this is the leftovers of some industry
The pods at Glentress
Golfie trail centre, this went on from the top to the bottom
Smoo cave on the NC500
Miami weather in June, I hear hes still screaming
This was every time you looked out of the window
A whole mountain disappeared as we drove towards it.
Conclusive evidence of continental drift
Two approaches to maintenance, my 700wh battery refused to power the bike again, the 500w worked fine.
They werent allowed to help or give advice, we just had to follow this video, insurance rules he said..what a world we are creating.
At this point I was considering taking the gondola back down
We started on the Blue
And foolishly swapped to the black a quarter of the way down
Its pretty grippy granite but not when its drizzling
Miami weather in Scotland baking hot..then
Linear mode shows the true gradient
No sign of anyone riding down this, I'm not going to be the first
I presume this is the leftovers of some industry
The pods at Glentress
Golfie trail centre, this went on from the top to the bottom
Smoo cave on the NC500
Miami weather in June, I hear hes still screaming
This was every time you looked out of the window
A whole mountain disappeared as we drove towards it.
Conclusive evidence of continental drift
Two approaches to maintenance, my 700wh battery refused to power the bike again, the 500w worked fine.
They werent allowed to help or give advice, we just had to follow this video, insurance rules he said..what a world we are creating.
At this point I was considering taking the gondola back down
We started on the Blue
And foolishly swapped to the black a quarter of the way down
Its pretty grippy granite but not when its drizzling
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
You can't unsee that.
stompandgo
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
In the rain, no less.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The Sudovia Trip, Return, The Hottest Day in Poland!
Friday afternoon to Sunday 2 p.m. were fabulous riding days for me and Tommy. We were cooled by the wind, were properly fed and hydrated, swam in lakes, ate delicious Podlachian/Sudovian food. We even took a trip to Lithuania! I'll try to make nice photo ride reports later. All went wrong on Sunday afternoon when 37 C (99 F) erupted, and we had to ride a mere 14 km from Lake Szelment to Suwałki in the open. As we had all our belongings on our bikes and backs, Tommy had to ride all those hills without a proper hydration but with a heavy backpack! As I could see him on the brink of fainting, I dragged him inside a supermarket (miraculously, that was a rare "trade Sunday") and forced him to swallow a bottle of water. As we approached the train station, I managed to find a bench in the shadow for him and he partly recovered.
We got onto the train, bikes and cargo. Turned out, the AC on that very carriage was down! Sweating, we were informed by two gentlemen two stops later we took a wrong carriage! We left the bikes and cargo in the wrong carriage and moved to the next one, where the air conditioning was working
Eventually, the train was delayed at least 50 minutes at Warsaw-West station. I got off with all my stuff, to find out my local train (delayed 25 minutes) was waiting for me. Turned out, the Mazovian Railways decided to expedite that train making it a non-stop one. I got hijacked and had to take a return train from Grodzisk Mazowiecki back to Pruszków...
From what I hear, railways of Poland collapsed on Sunday because of temps approaching and exceeding 40 C (104 F)! I probably can count myself lucky...
Our fabulous weekend in northeast of Poland. 169 km and 1980 m elevation gain.
Friday afternoon to Sunday 2 p.m. were fabulous riding days for me and Tommy. We were cooled by the wind, were properly fed and hydrated, swam in lakes, ate delicious Podlachian/Sudovian food. We even took a trip to Lithuania! I'll try to make nice photo ride reports later. All went wrong on Sunday afternoon when 37 C (99 F) erupted, and we had to ride a mere 14 km from Lake Szelment to Suwałki in the open. As we had all our belongings on our bikes and backs, Tommy had to ride all those hills without a proper hydration but with a heavy backpack! As I could see him on the brink of fainting, I dragged him inside a supermarket (miraculously, that was a rare "trade Sunday") and forced him to swallow a bottle of water. As we approached the train station, I managed to find a bench in the shadow for him and he partly recovered.
We got onto the train, bikes and cargo. Turned out, the AC on that very carriage was down! Sweating, we were informed by two gentlemen two stops later we took a wrong carriage! We left the bikes and cargo in the wrong carriage and moved to the next one, where the air conditioning was working
Eventually, the train was delayed at least 50 minutes at Warsaw-West station. I got off with all my stuff, to find out my local train (delayed 25 minutes) was waiting for me. Turned out, the Mazovian Railways decided to expedite that train making it a non-stop one. I got hijacked and had to take a return train from Grodzisk Mazowiecki back to Pruszków...
From what I hear, railways of Poland collapsed on Sunday because of temps approaching and exceeding 40 C (104 F)! I probably can count myself lucky...
Our fabulous weekend in northeast of Poland. 169 km and 1980 m elevation gain.
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I have to listen to fellow brits moaning about rain and cold and as soon as its hot theyre screaming armeggedon..
This is our first proper heatwave since 1976, it rained for 5 months this year.
This is our first proper heatwave since 1976, it rained for 5 months this year.
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
As a rule
Man's a fool
When it's hot
He wants it cool
When it's cool
He wants it hot
Always wanting what is not...
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
@Chargeride: I just want to remind you England suffered drought in 2025.
"When you start complaining about the heat in August, I'll remind you what you said in July". A 2011 meme I made during a cold and rainy month of that year.
"When the summer weather gets to you
Remember, remember the seventh of April!"
The 7th of April 2013. -7 C.
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Sudovia with Tommy: Day 2 - Main Ride
After we ate a big breakfast at Aga's guest-house, I and Tommy went straight on the ride to follow the route of Sudovia Gravel 2026 that I already completed in May under perfect weather and road conditions. The plan was to ride for 102 km with 1,400 m elevation gain (the weather and terrain have both verified the feasibility of the plan!)
Only now, Tommy could realise what type of climbs were expected in the Sudovian Mountains: up and down, short but very steep climbs over and over! Here: his first 12% grade climb. (Notice the quality of gravel!)
This prosperous farming land is blessed by stork families! These are in any village!
20 km into the ride, the quality of roads started deteriorating. Drought, high temperature and use of farming equipment turned the "best gravel in Poland" into sand mixed with pieces of rock. We met a big cycling group, using several types of bikes from gravel ones to several premium e-bikes. Those guys rode at a slow but stable pace: something I and Tommy should emulate indeed!
That was a fantastic view! A farmer brought the water supply for his cows. The beasts formed a proper file and patiently waited for their turn! How to continue the ride? Helpfully, the farmer descended to stop the next cow crossing the road
Interesting information: Almost 100% farms in Poland are owned and operated by families. It is not the same for most of Europe where businesses control the majority of farming (only Ireland sticks to the family farm model, too).
Wodziłki, the Old Believers village and their church, the "molenna" (meaning 'place of prayers').
Tommy has just completed the toughest, 14.8% grade climb of 2 kilometres in sand mixed with gravel. I took the photo from exactly the same spot where I had the first rest during Sudovia Gravel 2026 in May.
35 km into the ride. The temperature reached 33 C (91 F) there. We arrived to a small beach in Blaskowizna by Lake Hańcza, the deepest in Poland, the scuba divers' heaven.
TRIGGER WARNING!
The Whale Of Hańcza!
The ride was becoming harder and harder especially on damaged gravel roads and high ambient temperature. As we rode a wild singletrack to the northern tip of Lake Hańcza, we decided to give the ride completing up. Found a nice gravel road heading east.
YOU RIDE IN.
SEE THIS.
WAT DO.
We met a family (Dad, Mom and two children) of wandering horses. Those occupied the whole width of the road and were busy with fighting horse-flies. We squeezed ourselves into the bushes at the right. One of the horses approached me and licked my hand in the search of a sugar-cube (I guess). The sheer mass of the horses was scary! Eventually, the beasts passed us by but the poor driver from Warsaw was still stuck!
It was good we listened to the internal voice of reason and DNF. We reached the main highway and rode all the way to the guest-house on the asphalt. Which didn't mean we could stop climbing as some segments were long 7% grade ascents!
We swam in Lake Szelment and then rode to an excellent restaurant Ulotne Chwile (Fleeting Moments) by the lake. Here, Potato Cake, one of famous Podlachian/Sudovian meals. In Sudovia, whatever is not potato is meat
Ride Map.
Later, we asked several cyclists (the ones we met on the train and were returning with them as well). All had to shorten their rides because of the excessive heat!
After we ate a big breakfast at Aga's guest-house, I and Tommy went straight on the ride to follow the route of Sudovia Gravel 2026 that I already completed in May under perfect weather and road conditions. The plan was to ride for 102 km with 1,400 m elevation gain (the weather and terrain have both verified the feasibility of the plan!)
Only now, Tommy could realise what type of climbs were expected in the Sudovian Mountains: up and down, short but very steep climbs over and over! Here: his first 12% grade climb. (Notice the quality of gravel!)
This prosperous farming land is blessed by stork families! These are in any village!
20 km into the ride, the quality of roads started deteriorating. Drought, high temperature and use of farming equipment turned the "best gravel in Poland" into sand mixed with pieces of rock. We met a big cycling group, using several types of bikes from gravel ones to several premium e-bikes. Those guys rode at a slow but stable pace: something I and Tommy should emulate indeed!
That was a fantastic view! A farmer brought the water supply for his cows. The beasts formed a proper file and patiently waited for their turn! How to continue the ride? Helpfully, the farmer descended to stop the next cow crossing the road
Interesting information: Almost 100% farms in Poland are owned and operated by families. It is not the same for most of Europe where businesses control the majority of farming (only Ireland sticks to the family farm model, too).
Wodziłki, the Old Believers village and their church, the "molenna" (meaning 'place of prayers').
Tommy has just completed the toughest, 14.8% grade climb of 2 kilometres in sand mixed with gravel. I took the photo from exactly the same spot where I had the first rest during Sudovia Gravel 2026 in May.
35 km into the ride. The temperature reached 33 C (91 F) there. We arrived to a small beach in Blaskowizna by Lake Hańcza, the deepest in Poland, the scuba divers' heaven.
TRIGGER WARNING!
The Whale Of Hańcza!
The ride was becoming harder and harder especially on damaged gravel roads and high ambient temperature. As we rode a wild singletrack to the northern tip of Lake Hańcza, we decided to give the ride completing up. Found a nice gravel road heading east.
YOU RIDE IN.
SEE THIS.
WAT DO.
We met a family (Dad, Mom and two children) of wandering horses. Those occupied the whole width of the road and were busy with fighting horse-flies. We squeezed ourselves into the bushes at the right. One of the horses approached me and licked my hand in the search of a sugar-cube (I guess). The sheer mass of the horses was scary! Eventually, the beasts passed us by but the poor driver from Warsaw was still stuck!
It was good we listened to the internal voice of reason and DNF. We reached the main highway and rode all the way to the guest-house on the asphalt. Which didn't mean we could stop climbing as some segments were long 7% grade ascents!
We swam in Lake Szelment and then rode to an excellent restaurant Ulotne Chwile (Fleeting Moments) by the lake. Here, Potato Cake, one of famous Podlachian/Sudovian meals. In Sudovia, whatever is not potato is meat
Ride Map.
Later, we asked several cyclists (the ones we met on the train and were returning with them as well). All had to shorten their rides because of the excessive heat!
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Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Thats no whale, its a Siren calling unsuspecting mountain bikers to Specialized.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
So non scientific appraisal of bike reliability.
Three five year old Levos, all on third motor one on fourth battery.
Mine wouldnt start on day one, faffing about, contact cleaner..got it going.
Day two Brians wouldnt turn on, same procedure.
Day three Gary hits edge on dropoff, bike dead, this is brand new motor, cable and battery.
Rolled it home.
Disconnected and reconnected everything, new display battery.
Started randomly after 20 mins.
Day four mine conked out at beginning of cliff edge ride, got it going.
Day five dead again at Fort William, Brians 500wh batt worked.
Now bike is dead, new display battery, no batteries work.
They are coming around to swap parts.
Nobody else had the slightest issue or any electrical issues since purchase.
Whyte
Forbidden
Trek.
Three five year old Levos, all on third motor one on fourth battery.
Mine wouldnt start on day one, faffing about, contact cleaner..got it going.
Day two Brians wouldnt turn on, same procedure.
Day three Gary hits edge on dropoff, bike dead, this is brand new motor, cable and battery.
Rolled it home.
Disconnected and reconnected everything, new display battery.
Started randomly after 20 mins.
Day four mine conked out at beginning of cliff edge ride, got it going.
Day five dead again at Fort William, Brians 500wh batt worked.
Now bike is dead, new display battery, no batteries work.
They are coming around to swap parts.
Nobody else had the slightest issue or any electrical issues since purchase.
Whyte
Forbidden
Trek.
