Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Agree, he and his sister actually do pretty good video journalism in a totally tubular kind of way.
2026 - Our Rides in Words, Photos, Maps and Videos
- Thread starter RabH
- Start date
Agree, he and his sister actually do pretty good video journalism in a totally tubular kind of way.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
TIL what Tubular is.
Jeremy McCreary
Bought it anyway
- Region
- USA
- City
- Carlsbad, CA
Comes from the serious surfer's wave of choice — one that breaks over leaving a tube of water big enough to surf in.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Łódź Sigh(t)s 
The third time in Łódź Heights this year!
Only a few of you might know our largest Poland's province of Mazovia with Warsaw was not Central Poland. The latter term is reserved to Land of Łódź, located at the intersection of N-S (A1) and E-W (A2) motorways and with a mighty railroad infrastructure.
My plan to complete the Łódź Heights Ultimate route under 5 hours gross (SUB 5) turned out to be infeasible because getting out of Łódź alone took almost an hour! Therefore, I switched my mindset to riding for pleasure and occasionally taking some pictures.
You could see that tree in my previous Heights reports. Obviously, such things may only happen in Vodka
Only now the Golden Polish Autumn is in its full bloom (as to say) (The arch in the trees had been made by lorries).
I revisited all locations with funny geographical references. Here: the missing one, Podolia (a former historical area of Poland, now in Ukraine).
Mighty railroad infrastructure. Here is how an ŁKA train looks like (Łódź Municipal Railway).
In Ukraine again! (It was cold on the ride, like 8 C, and you can see that!)
Now, I could shoot nice takes of Łódź Heights in their full glory!
Atop Snail Hill. Here, a 52 km ultramarathon by name of Autumn Jackal Festival. I made friends with the event photographer. He was encouraging any runner to use a patch of grass for better pictures, and he was telling them to actually run. Most girls and boys already had 40 km in their legs and were only able to walk up the hill.
Unlike Mazovia, Land of Łódź is full of pleasantly rolling hills. Here, a long 6% grade climb on rough cobblestones
This time, I rode off the main road to see Boginia (Goddess). I had a chat with the rider in yellow. We both were stunned with the beauty of Nature in the area and were both as happy as we had trouble to express the level of our happiness! "Sir, you must ride that road till the very end. It is weaving, rolling, perfect asphalt and amazing colours!" he said.
3 km of "brushed gravel" especially for @Chargeride so he could suffer from jealousy!
The Return Route Blunder!
As I had a social appointment in Warsaw for the evening, I realised I needed to shorten the trip. Found out Rogów with its train station could be the way to go. Just 13.7 km? Phew! What I was not aware of though was the shortest way to Rogów led through a popular MTB trail...
Crossing River Mrożyca on the MTB trail. Packed sand, tree roots, occasional fallen trees, steep climbs and descents! For what sins?!
OK, managed that on time, caught a fast train to Skierniewice, had a pizza in hurry, jumped on a Mazovian train to my place, changed e-bikes , rode to the train station, took a train, cycled again and...
Golden Donkey Party
Złoty Osioł (Golden Donkey) is an alternative/underground art club in Warsaw's right bank quarter of Praga. Owned by a PUNK and Reggae lover, it is a safe haven for Old Punks Who Have Not Died Yet I was invited there by an old family friend Grace. Well, had a bottle of non-alco beer, chatted for a while and left. Today (Sunday) I'm visiting my daughter Magda, so had to return home at a reasonable hour!
Main ride map.
The third time in Łódź Heights this year!
Only a few of you might know our largest Poland's province of Mazovia with Warsaw was not Central Poland. The latter term is reserved to Land of Łódź, located at the intersection of N-S (A1) and E-W (A2) motorways and with a mighty railroad infrastructure.
My plan to complete the Łódź Heights Ultimate route under 5 hours gross (SUB 5) turned out to be infeasible because getting out of Łódź alone took almost an hour! Therefore, I switched my mindset to riding for pleasure and occasionally taking some pictures.
You could see that tree in my previous Heights reports. Obviously, such things may only happen in Vodka
Only now the Golden Polish Autumn is in its full bloom (as to say)
(The arch in the trees had been made by lorries).I revisited all locations with funny geographical references. Here: the missing one, Podolia (a former historical area of Poland, now in Ukraine).
Mighty railroad infrastructure. Here is how an ŁKA train looks like (Łódź Municipal Railway).
In Ukraine again!
(It was cold on the ride, like 8 C, and you can see that!)Now, I could shoot nice takes of Łódź Heights in their full glory!
Atop Snail Hill. Here, a 52 km ultramarathon by name of Autumn Jackal Festival. I made friends with the event photographer. He was encouraging any runner to use a patch of grass for better pictures, and he was telling them to actually run. Most girls and boys already had 40 km in their legs and were only able to walk up the hill.
Unlike Mazovia, Land of Łódź is full of pleasantly rolling hills. Here, a long 6% grade climb on rough cobblestones
This time, I rode off the main road to see Boginia (Goddess). I had a chat with the rider in yellow. We both were stunned with the beauty of Nature in the area and were both as happy as we had trouble to express the level of our happiness! "Sir, you must ride that road till the very end. It is weaving, rolling, perfect asphalt and amazing colours!" he said.
3 km of "brushed gravel" especially for @Chargeride so he could suffer from jealousy!
The Return Route Blunder!
As I had a social appointment in Warsaw for the evening, I realised I needed to shorten the trip. Found out Rogów with its train station could be the way to go. Just 13.7 km? Phew! What I was not aware of though was the shortest way to Rogów led through a popular MTB trail...
Crossing River Mrożyca on the MTB trail. Packed sand, tree roots, occasional fallen trees, steep climbs and descents! For what sins?!
OK, managed that on time, caught a fast train to Skierniewice, had a pizza in hurry, jumped on a Mazovian train to my place, changed e-bikes , rode to the train station, took a train, cycled again and...
Golden Donkey Party
Złoty Osioł (Golden Donkey) is an alternative/underground art club in Warsaw's right bank quarter of Praga. Owned by a PUNK and Reggae lover, it is a safe haven for Old Punks Who Have Not Died Yet
I was invited there by an old family friend Grace. Well, had a bottle of non-alco beer, chatted for a while and left. Today (Sunday) I'm visiting my daughter Magda, so had to return home at a reasonable hour!Main ride map.
Last edited:
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Ahh, punk pussiez
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I went the beach , holy mother of god.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
The sand was lighter, so it was only the normal issue, but the wind strength was insane, I could barely breathe.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Yes, I know, just trying to stay alive
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
This banner shows bikes riding the coastal path in cornwall, so thats a green light for me.
The bad news is theyve replaced the ticket carpark payments with ANPR predatory centralised gangster corporation data selling vultures.
I have a National Trust membership, but I now need to punch my licence plate in, complete with 90 quid fine if I make the tiniest mistake, the classic being O and 0.
The scanning process is bizarre, you hold your card horizontally against the machine with no apparent way for it to read the barcode, but it does after a long period where you are sure it isnt.
The endless shotification of life.
The bad news is theyve replaced the ticket carpark payments with ANPR predatory centralised gangster corporation data selling vultures.
I have a National Trust membership, but I now need to punch my licence plate in, complete with 90 quid fine if I make the tiniest mistake, the classic being O and 0.
The scanning process is bizarre, you hold your card horizontally against the machine with no apparent way for it to read the barcode, but it does after a long period where you are sure it isnt.
The endless shotification of life.
Watana Bob
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
Beautiful JG, I enjoy seeing the seasonal changes where you ride.
oliviathompson4
New Member
- Region
- Canada
Such a beautiful compendium of pics.... The landscapes are so beautiful, I can imagine how delighted you were, I'd love to experience that somedayŁódź Sigh(t)s
The third time in Łódź Heights this year!
Only a few of you might know our largest Poland's province of Mazovia with Warsaw was not Central Poland. The latter term is reserved to Land of Łódź, located at the intersection of N-S (A1) and E-W (A2) motorways and with a mighty railroad infrastructure.
My plan to complete the Łódź Heights Ultimate route under 5 hours gross (SUB 5) turned out to be infeasible because getting out of Łódź alone took almost an hour! Therefore, I switched my mindset to riding for pleasure and occasionally taking some pictures.
View attachment 216951
You could see that tree in my previous Heights reports. Obviously, such things may only happen in Vodka
View attachment 216952
Only now the Golden Polish Autumn is in its full bloom (as to say)
View attachment 216953
I revisited all locations with funny geographical references. Here: the missing one, Podolia (a former historical area of Poland, now in Ukraine).
View attachment 216954
Mighty railroad infrastructure. Here is how an ŁKA train looks like (Łódź Municipal Railway).
View attachment 216955
In Ukraine again!
View attachment 216956
View attachment 216957
Now, I could shoot nice takes of Łódź Heights in their full glory!
View attachment 216958
View attachment 216959
Atop Snail Hill. Here, a 52 km ultramarathon by name of Autumn Jackal Festival. I made friends with the event photographer. He was encouraging any runner to use a patch of grass for better pictures, and he was telling them to actually run. Most girls and boys already had 40 km in their legs and were only able to walk up the hill.
View attachment 216960
Unlike Mazovia, Land of Łódź is full of pleasantly rolling hills. Here, a long 6% grade climb on rough cobblestones
View attachment 216961
View attachment 216962
This time, I rode off the main road to see Boginia (Goddess). I had a chat with the rider in yellow. We both were stunned with the beauty of Nature in the area and were both as happy as we had trouble to express the level of our happiness! "Sir, you must ride that road till the very end. It is weaving, rolling, perfect asphalt and amazing colours!" he said.
View attachment 216963
3 km of "brushed gravel" especially for @Chargeride so he could suffer from jealousy!
The Return Route Blunder!
As I had a social appointment in Warsaw for the evening, I realised I needed to shorten the trip. Found out Rogów with its train station could be the way to go. Just 13.7 km? Phew! What I was not aware of though was the shortest way to Rogów led through a popular MTB trail...
View attachment 216964
Crossing River Mrożyca on the MTB trail. Packed sand, tree roots, occasional fallen trees, steep climbs and descents! For what sins?!
OK, managed that on time, caught a fast train to Skierniewice, had a pizza in hurry, jumped on a Mazovian train to my place, changed e-bikes , rode to the train station, took a train, cycled again and...
Golden Donkey Party
View attachment 216965View attachment 216966
Złoty Osioł (Golden Donkey) is an alternative/underground art club in Warsaw's right bank quarter of Praga. Owned by a PUNK and Reggae lover, it is a safe haven for Old Punks Who Have Not Died Yet
View attachment 216967
Main ride map.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Off to Ingleton tomorrow, North Yorkshire, nothing much, see how it goes.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Is this by chance you, Base?
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
The North Yorkshire moors on an overcast day are just a little bit disconcerting, the place feels a little unreal
Within a mile we had pulled over to pay 40 dollars for a cave visit, gutted I forgot my blasting apparatus
We concluded this was the spookiest formation.
Just very bleak and very odd landscape
Miles of silence and then a proper horse width bridge.
Little displays of interest pass by
Im building a house here if you like it or not.
Remarkably we came so accustomed to the vibe that we didnt even wave to this couple, like we were respecting the melancholy.
Still in use the Ribblehead viaduct, built in 1869 a hundred men died constructing it.
We were warned not to attempt the Scar bridleway, here we are at the start of it.
It felt moody and remote straight away.
Boggy and endless under a very dominating sky
There were several of these bizarre rock formations
Approaching the descent
Civilisation returns
I noped out of this
Nice long road down into Ingleton
Seriously quaint village
A bit tourist stylised
A trendy bar for the hikers, this area is famous for the three peaks challenge, you'd need some happy sauce after it.
Within a mile we had pulled over to pay 40 dollars for a cave visit, gutted I forgot my blasting apparatus
We concluded this was the spookiest formation.
Just very bleak and very odd landscape
Miles of silence and then a proper horse width bridge.
Little displays of interest pass by
Im building a house here if you like it or not.
Remarkably we came so accustomed to the vibe that we didnt even wave to this couple, like we were respecting the melancholy.
Still in use the Ribblehead viaduct, built in 1869 a hundred men died constructing it.
We were warned not to attempt the Scar bridleway, here we are at the start of it.
It felt moody and remote straight away.
Boggy and endless under a very dominating sky
There were several of these bizarre rock formations
Approaching the descent
Civilisation returns
I noped out of this
Nice long road down into Ingleton
Seriously quaint village
A bit tourist stylised
A trendy bar for the hikers, this area is famous for the three peaks challenge, you'd need some happy sauce after it.
RabH
Well-Known Member
The weather gods finally smiled on me today and I finally got the chance to test my refurb motor on my Giant, its like riding a new bike again and it transported me back to 2018 when I purchased this amazing bike! I was planning to head SE for Peebles today but the forecast took a bit of a dip overnight and it was looking much more promising to the NE so I decided to head to Kinghorn instead! Earlier this month I took my new Dolan on its first 100 miler to Burntisland and I did the anticlockwise route, so today I did the clockwise route and gave the Giant a proper test and it passed with flying colours!
The E bike Motor Centre really did a fantastic job, I can't recommend them highly enough!I passed the Black Loch at Limerigg and stopped for this photo, the light was amazing at 8am! Sadly the sun was short lived though...
I shot down the descent into Glen Village at almost 43mph, I will never tire of this incredible road! Just my luck though as I turned the bend after the steep part a 40ft truck and trailer was reversing into a farm, my brakes got a good test!
My next stop was at the Kelpies in Grangemouth, the sun was just clinging on now and made for a couple of very nice photos of the canal!I then crossed the Kincardine Bridge into Fife and headed north, then east towards Oakley before turning north again on the amazing back road to Forestmill where I grabbed a few photos! I had to be careful though as there was a lot of debris strewn across the road after Storm Boelo!
This is a tough climb but no problem for the powerful Giant!
I continued east and enjoyed some amazing descents on the road to Kelty, the descent down into Kelty itself is incredible but soon after I faced this climb!I needed level 3 to get up that one! Before starting up the climb I stopped for these photos, the goat was really eyeing me up...
The Shetland pony was more interested in the grass!
From Kelty I headed south through Hill of Beath and Crossgates before turning east towards Mossmorran, I was looking forward to the descent from here which is a really fast one and it didn't disappoint! I then had this tough climb before the amazing descent down into Burntisland!
The Firth of Forth with the Pentland Hills in the background!
I walked up a steep hill to get this photo of the descent down into Burntisland! I was close to 40mph all the way down, I have been way quicker down this one but the wind was a bit swirly here so I was taking it easy! It wasn't a blustery day for once thankfully, just 15-20mph and mainly from the south!
From Burntisland I continued east up the climb into Kinghorn, where I passed Kinghorn Loch!
I was now at my turning point and enjoyed a nice descent down into Kinghorn Village!
The road takes you back into Burntisland and passes beautiful Pettycur Bay!
I then had a big climb on the road to Aberdour but soon I would have the 16% descent to enjoy down into Aberdour! I stopped for a couple of photos before the descent, looking across the Forth!
From Aberdour I continued west towards Inverkeithing, where I stopped for lunch before heading south over the Forth Road Bridge! A few photos on the way over!
I was now heading west towards Newton and then turned south for Winchburgh, I had a nice view of the Pentlands on the way!
I was using the cycle path through Winchburgh when I spotted this little loch that has no name!
I continued west to Threemiletown and turned south towards Uphall before heading west for Beecraigs Country Park and then south on the amazing Burnhouse road down into Dechmont! I stopped for a couple of photos on the way!
Burnhouse road is full of ups and downs and the final descent into Dechmont is incredible!
I then headed west towards Bathgate but decided to turn north and take the road to Torphicen, it starts with a massive climb but I had the breeze at my back all the way up! Its such a great road and very undulating after the climb, the final descent is very fast but very twisty also and with leaves on the road I had to keep my speed right down! I took my last photos near Torphicen, what a great road for a bike!
I then enjoyed the descent from Torphicen to Westfield and then tackled the big climb up over Heights and then the awesome descent down into Blackridge, my gps showed 95 miles as I passed through Blackridge with 9 miles to home! I arrived home absolutely buzzing but totally spent after a tough but incredible days cycling! The bike is just incredible with the refurb motor, very smooth indeed and very different to the Polini motor in my Dolan! The Yamaha has a sort of gentle whine and the Polini more of a whirring sound! Both bikes are fantastic but at the moment the Giant is slightly ahead in the fun department, probably due to having 3 batteries at my disposal though! The Dolan handles the rough roads so much better due to the carbon frame and forks! Having only ridden it 4 times so far its hard to do a proper comparison just yet!
DaveMatthews
Dave's not here. Cheating since 2018
- Region
- Canada
Congrats on successfully resuscitating the Giant! So glad it worked out well.View attachment 217084
The weather gods finally smiled on me today and I finally got the chance to test my refurb motor on my Giant, its like riding a new bike again and it transported me back to 2018 when I purchased this amazing bike! I was planning to head SE for Peebles today but the forecast took a bit of a dip overnight and it was looking much more promising to the NE so I decided to head to Kinghorn instead! Earlier this month I took my new Dolan on its first 100 miler to Burntisland and I did the anticlockwise route, so today I did the clockwise route and gave the Giant a proper test and it passed with flying colours!
I passed the Black Loch at Limerigg and stopped for this photo, the light was amazing at 8am! Sadly the sun was short lived though...
View attachment 217085
I shot down the descent into Glen Village at almost 43mph, I will never tire of this incredible road! Just my luck though as I turned the bend after the steep part a 40ft truck and trailer was reversing into a farm, my brakes got a good test!
View attachment 217086
View attachment 217087
I then crossed the Kincardine Bridge into Fife and headed north, then east towards Oakley before turning north again on the amazing back road to Forestmill where I grabbed a few photos! I had to be careful though as there was a lot of debris strewn across the road after Storm Boelo!
View attachment 217088
View attachment 217089
This is a tough climb but no problem for the powerful Giant!
View attachment 217090I was now heading east towards Saline with some big climbs ahead of me, eco setting on the Giant is like level 3 on the Dolan and I made it up the first climb in eco before having to use level 2 for the steeper part up through Saline! The road flattens at Steelend before ramping up again to Upper Steelend, I wonder how they came up with that name?
View attachment 217091
I needed level 3 to get up that one! Before starting up the climb I stopped for these photos, the goat was really eyeing me up...
View attachment 217092
The Shetland pony was more interested in the grass!
View attachment 217093
From Kelty I headed south through Hill of Beath and Crossgates before turning east towards Mossmorran, I was looking forward to the descent from here which is a really fast one and it didn't disappoint! I then had this tough climb before the amazing descent down into Burntisland!
View attachment 217095
The Firth of Forth with the Pentland Hills in the background!
View attachment 217096
I walked up a steep hill to get this photo of the descent down into Burntisland! I was close to 40mph all the way down, I have been way quicker down this one but the wind was a bit swirly here so I was taking it easy! It wasn't a blustery day for once thankfully, just 15-20mph and mainly from the south!
View attachment 217097
From Burntisland I continued east up the climb into Kinghorn, where I passed Kinghorn Loch!
View attachment 217099
I was now at my turning point and enjoyed a nice descent down into Kinghorn Village!
View attachment 217100
The road takes you back into Burntisland and passes beautiful Pettycur Bay!
View attachment 217101
I then had a big climb on the road to Aberdour but soon I would have the 16% descent to enjoy down into Aberdour! I stopped for a couple of photos before the descent, looking across the Forth!
View attachment 217102
View attachment 217103
From Aberdour I continued west towards Inverkeithing, where I stopped for lunch before heading south over the Forth Road Bridge! A few photos on the way over!
View attachment 217104
View attachment 217105
View attachment 217106
I was now heading west towards Newton and then turned south for Winchburgh, I had a nice view of the Pentlands on the way!
View attachment 217107
View attachment 217108
I was using the cycle path through Winchburgh when I spotted this little loch that has no name!
View attachment 217109
I continued west to Threemiletown and turned south towards Uphall before heading west for Beecraigs Country Park and then south on the amazing Burnhouse road down into Dechmont! I stopped for a couple of photos on the way!
View attachment 217110
Burnhouse road is full of ups and downs and the final descent into Dechmont is incredible!
View attachment 217111
I then headed west towards Bathgate but decided to turn north and take the road to Torphicen, it starts with a massive climb but I had the breeze at my back all the way up! Its such a great road and very undulating after the climb, the final descent is very fast but very twisty also and with leaves on the road I had to keep my speed right down! I took my last photos near Torphicen, what a great road for a bike!
View attachment 217112
View attachment 217113
I then enjoyed the descent from Torphicen to Westfield and then tackled the big climb up over Heights and then the awesome descent down into Blackridge, my gps showed 95 miles as I passed through Blackridge with 9 miles to home! I arrived home absolutely buzzing but totally spent after a tough but incredible days cycling! The bike is just incredible with the refurb motor, very smooth indeed and very different to the Polini motor in my Dolan! The Yamaha has a sort of gentle whine and the Polini more of a whirring sound! Both bikes are fantastic but at the moment the Giant is slightly ahead in the fun department, probably due to having 3 batteries at my disposal though! The Dolan handles the rough roads so much better due to the carbon frame and forks! Having only ridden it 4 times so far its hard to do a proper comparison just yet!
View attachment 217114
View attachment 217115
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I'm so glad to learn about the fascinating trips of Charge and Rab! As for me, I rode for 40 km to see my daughter Magda on her Halloween Ball of today. Here, a word about the weather forecast and reports. Nothing had warned me about bad weather for today's afternoon!
By the time I left Magda's, the temperature had dropped and a light drizzle had started. I stopped at a restaurant for lunch. After I left the inn, it got even colder and it was already lightly raining! The weather report I trust said: "Dry". The civilian weather radar said: "Clear and dry". Hah.
Well, there are days when you are lucky to own a full power "speed" Turbo e-bike. It felt magical as I rode just before the darkness in fog and drizzle, enjoying the e-bike speed and excellent lighting. No photo could render the scenery!
Had the apps warned me, I could just ride in my waterproof breathable clothes and shoes... Well, I should have had a look at the local airport METAR (aviation weather report) prior to the ride. The METAR was devastating but true!
By the time I left Magda's, the temperature had dropped and a light drizzle had started. I stopped at a restaurant for lunch. After I left the inn, it got even colder and it was already lightly raining! The weather report I trust said: "Dry". The civilian weather radar said: "Clear and dry". Hah.
Well, there are days when you are lucky to own a full power "speed" Turbo e-bike. It felt magical as I rode just before the darkness in fog and drizzle, enjoying the e-bike speed and excellent lighting. No photo could render the scenery!
Had the apps warned me, I could just ride in my waterproof breathable clothes and shoes... Well, I should have had a look at the local airport METAR (aviation weather report) prior to the ride. The METAR was devastating but true!
Last edited:
