Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

Friends,
What a good news!
Shimano Polska has not only accepted Jacek's warranty claim on the broken freewheel in my Trance E+ but also fixed and returned it. So my brother has got a nice e-bike for our group rides!
Shimano wrote a letter to him: "We need to draw your attention to the fact bike wheels shall never be washed under pressure!" :D
My stubborn brother... and his Karcher! :D
@PDoz and @Browneye: you might be interested.
1624685113085.png


Now I'm setting off for a nice ride on my Vado SL. Sunday will be the right day for a group ride at higher speed.
 
Stefan Mikes said:
Shimano wrote a letter to him: "We need to draw your attention to the fact bike wheels shall never be washed under pressure!"
My stubborn brother… and his Karcher!
Click to expand...
Too late! Too late! I've just had a blast bringing Homage #2, recently discharged from R&M hospital, back to 'Rab Standard'.

Only kidding.:D The attention-to-detail enthusiasts might notice that there is no hose connected to my Karcher's inlet… and nothing's wet!

The showroom presentation is courtesy of the kind folk at Electric Bikes Brisbane who organised for R&M to airfreight out a new rear shock and cranks. They, the dealer, also replaced my Shimano MTB pedals which, like the cranks, had been bashed around because of the failed shock. All repaired under warranty with a generous supplement of goodwill.

Sunday will see H2 back on the road again… or, perhaps, 'off' as I'm torn between taking a long and leisurely saunter up the bayside cycleway on my own, or joining my TOP friends on the rail trail. What's to be done: keep H2 clean on bitumen and concrete, or give the replaced rear shock a proper test on the gravel?

2021-06-26-163811.jpg


Trivia: Note the Fidlock Twist magnetic water bottle mount on the down tube.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Took a quick trip to the Lake District while waiting for parts to arrive, botched on a 40yr old Shimano derailleur and headed off to hills far too steep for the gearing I had.
Lovely weather, but it would seem the entire population agreed with me and that is the first time I couldnt find a parking spot anywhere, not a grass verge..not a single 30ft square patch of anything not patrolled by a traffic warden with a private Nazi memorabilia collection.
Ended up waiting 20 mins for a space in the car park.
This pandemic has revealed Englands hideous overpopulation like never before, it wasnt too bad on the trail, but lovely footpaths that I could normally ride without seeing a soul were now full of walkers and it kind of messed up the day.
Well it was something else that messed up the day and that would be the bike snapping in half...but I digress.
It did give that lovely feeling of shared experience and little kids playing games in the quaint grounds of the youth association in the mountains really lifted your heart.
I didnt film it though..for obvious reasons.
I caught up with a mountain biker on a very steep tarmac rd, he was in crawler gear and turbo mode he informed me, it was revealing how easily I sped past and thats why I only do road when I really have to.
The bike was making some strange noises..the obligatory puncture, gorgeous views..lots of thankyous......oh and a giant crack in the frame, rode back to the car park at 2mph, it turned out it was so close to parting ways that it actually did so in the van on the drive home.
So goodbye little chinese frame, you shone for a few trips and now Im back to hardtail...which is probably for the best.
It did bring home to me that carrying a potential bxxmb on your bike does slightly raise the consequences, the failure caused the shock to slam into the battery and if Id been on the bike when it happened it would have been an enormous force aided by leverage.

Edit..just got a message off youtube saying the vid was temp blocked because of the title.
RIP little and chinese.
Never thought of that. :(

Waits for Stefan to tell me to get a proper bike :)
 
Last edited:
Chargeride said:
Took a quick trip to the Lake District while waiting for parts to arrive, botched on a 40yr old Shimano derailleur and headed off to hills far too steep for the gearing I had.
Lovely weather, but it would seem the entire population agreed with me and that is the first time I couldnt find a parking spot anywhere, not a grass verge..not a single 30ft square patch of anything not patrolled by a traffic warden with a private Nazi memorabilia collection.
Ended up waiting 20 mins for a space in the car park.
This pandemic has revealed Englands hideous overpopulation like never before, it wasnt too bad on the trail, but lovely footpaths that I could normally ride without seeing a soul were now full of walkers and it kind of messed up the day.
Well it was something else that messed up the day and that would be the bike snapping in half...but I digress.
It did give that lovely feeling of shared experience and little kids playing games in the quaint grounds of the youth association in the mountains really lifted your heart.
I didnt film it though..for obvious reasons.
I caught up with a mountain biker on a very steep tarmac rd, he was in crawler gear and turbo mode he informed me, it was revealing how easily I sped past and thats why I only do road when I really have to.
The bike was making some strange noises..the obligatory puncture, gorgeous views..lots of thankyous......oh and a giant crack in the frame, rode back to the car park at 2mph, it turned out it was so close to parting ways that it actually did so in the van on the drive home.
So goodbye little chinese frame, you shone for a few trips and now Im back to hardtail...which is probably for the best.
It did bring home to me that carrying a potential bxxmb on your bike does slightly raise the consequences, the failure caused the shock to slam into the battery and if Id been on the bike when it happened it would have been an enormous force aided by leverage.

Edit..just got a message off youtube saying the vid was temp blocked because of the title.
RIP little and chinese.
Never thought of that. :(

Waits for Stefan to tell me to get a proper bike :)
Click to expand...
Stefan cannot advise you properly any longer. He has transmogrified into a roadie. 🤣
 
Catalyzt said:
Incredible, Alaskan, and totally inspiring. I now feel pretty silly for feeling debilitated after Pfizer #1 and dialing my ride down to 7 miles and 900 feet or so! Obviously, not a contest, and we all have to know our limits, but your rides do make me want to ask myself, "Am I pushing too hard, or am I just more uncomfortable?" Probably the latter!

Always wanted to see the San Juan Islands! I don't know why I've never been north of Mendocino, I've lived in LA since '91.
Click to expand...
The day after Moderna #2, I felt like I had just had chemo and and passed on one of my regular weekly rides. What I have found is that, if I get up in the morning and am just not feeling it, I go anyway, with the idea that I can turn around if it just is not working. More often than not I get started with a higher assist, after a few miles, the endorphins kick in, the wind is in my face, my energy level lifts, I lower the assist and have a good ride.

If you ever get up this way, get in touch and I will take you on a few good ones.
 
David Berry said:
Too late! Too late! I've just had a blast bringing Homage #2, recently discharged from R&M hospital, back to 'Rab Standard'.

Only kidding.:D The attention-to-detail enthusiasts might notice that there is no hose connected to my Karcher's inlet… and nothing's wet!

The showroom presentation is courtesy of the kind folk at Electric Bikes Brisbane who organised for R&M to airfreight out a new rear shock and cranks. They, the dealer, also replaced my Shimano MTB pedals which, like the cranks, had been bashed around because of the failed shock. All repaired under warranty with a generous supplement of goodwill.

Sunday will see H2 back on the road again… or, perhaps, 'off' as I'm torn between taking a long and leisurely saunter up the bayside cycleway on my own, or joining my TOP friends on the rail trail. What's to be done: keep H2 clean on bitumen and concrete, or give the replaced rear shock a proper test on the gravel?

View attachment 91299

Trivia: Note the Fidlock Twist magnetic water bottle mount on the down tube.
Click to expand...
David, what are your thoughts now after having gone back to a derailleur from Rohloff?
 
Chargeride said:
Took a quick trip to the Lake District while waiting for parts to arrive, botched on a 40yr old Shimano derailleur and headed off to hills far too steep for the gearing I had.
Lovely weather, but it would seem the entire population agreed with me and that is the first time I couldnt find a parking spot anywhere, not a grass verge..not a single 30ft square patch of anything not patrolled by a traffic warden with a private Nazi memorabilia collection.
Ended up waiting 20 mins for a space in the car park.
This pandemic has revealed Englands hideous overpopulation like never before, it wasnt too bad on the trail, but lovely footpaths that I could normally ride without seeing a soul were now full of walkers and it kind of messed up the day.
Well it was something else that messed up the day and that would be the bike snapping in half...but I digress.
It did give that lovely feeling of shared experience and little kids playing games in the quaint grounds of the youth association in the mountains really lifted your heart.
I didnt film it though..for obvious reasons.
I caught up with a mountain biker on a very steep tarmac rd, he was in crawler gear and turbo mode he informed me, it was revealing how easily I sped past and thats why I only do road when I really have to.
The bike was making some strange noises..the obligatory puncture, gorgeous views..lots of thankyous......oh and a giant crack in the frame, rode back to the car park at 2mph, it turned out it was so close to parting ways that it actually did so in the van on the drive home.
So goodbye little chinese frame, you shone for a few trips and now Im back to hardtail...which is probably for the best.
It did bring home to me that carrying a potential bxxmb on your bike does slightly raise the consequences, the failure caused the shock to slam into the battery and if Id been on the bike when it happened it would have been an enormous force aided by leverage.

Edit..just got a message off youtube saying the vid was temp blocked because of the title.
RIP little and chinese.
Never thought of that. :(

Waits for Stefan to tell me to get a proper bike :)
Click to expand...
Chargeride I think considering the terrain you ride on you would benefit from Tannus Armour inserts. I believe they would have prevented that snakebite.
 
Chargeride said:
Took a quick trip to the Lake District while waiting for parts to arrive, botched on a 40yr old Shimano derailleur and headed off to hills far too steep for the gearing I had.
Lovely weather, but it would seem the entire population agreed with me and that is the first time I couldnt find a parking spot anywhere, not a grass verge..not a single 30ft square patch of anything not patrolled by a traffic warden with a private Nazi memorabilia collection.
Ended up waiting 20 mins for a space in the car park.
This pandemic has revealed Englands hideous overpopulation like never before, it wasnt too bad on the trail, but lovely footpaths that I could normally ride without seeing a soul were now full of walkers and it kind of messed up the day.
Well it was something else that messed up the day and that would be the bike snapping in half...but I digress.
It did give that lovely feeling of shared experience and little kids playing games in the quaint grounds of the youth association in the mountains really lifted your heart.
I didnt film it though..for obvious reasons.
I caught up with a mountain biker on a very steep tarmac rd, he was in crawler gear and turbo mode he informed me, it was revealing how easily I sped past and thats why I only do road when I really have to.
The bike was making some strange noises..the obligatory puncture, gorgeous views..lots of thankyous......oh and a giant crack in the frame, rode back to the car park at 2mph, it turned out it was so close to parting ways that it actually did so in the van on the drive home.
So goodbye little chinese frame, you shone for a few trips and now Im back to hardtail...which is probably for the best.
It did bring home to me that carrying a potential bxxmb on your bike does slightly raise the consequences, the failure caused the shock to slam into the battery and if Id been on the bike when it happened it would have been an enormous force aided by leverage.

Edit..just got a message off youtube saying the vid was temp blocked because of the title.
RIP little and chinese.
Never thought of that. :(

Waits for Stefan to tell me to get a proper bike :)
Click to expand...
@Chargeride I am truly sorry your bike broke, but having watched some of your videos, I doubt you are surprised.
I think that bike deserves an award for service "above and beyond the call of duty", really.
 
Chargeride said:
Waits for Stefan to tell me to get a proper bike :)
Click to expand...
Not sure about the UK but the Polish Police wear blue uniforms:

There was a cop whose patrolling route led by a pet shop. There was a parrot on the display. When that parrot saw the cop, it shouted: "You Blue... @#$%^|^&!" (assorted curses and insults). The cop pretended not to notice. The same situation happened on the next day; the cop held his composure bravely. The cop had a bad morning on the third day and was very much irritated before he reached the pet shop. The parrot just opened its beak and managed to say "You Blue..." when the cop stormed in, grabbed the bird in his hand and nastily asked:
-- "Blue what?" -- to which the parrot calmly replied:
-- "You know the best what, Blue!"

You know the best what, Chargeride! :D
 
reed scott said:
Just being silly, as usual. I hide my lycra under my baggies.
Click to expand...
What are the baggies for, adding un-aerodynamic drag, hiding your physique or just a fashion statement? ;) I like the wicking effect of technical fabrics. I like the physical support of lycra. I like wearing bright, highly visible colors when I ride. I don't like loose clothing catching on the nose of my saddle and I don't much care if people can see my jelly roll.
 
How TurboSnail Has Become The Bike, or Vado SL First Metric Century

If someone had told me a month ago I would just have walked out from my flat with a lightweight, low-powered and slow bike in my hand to have a cookie, and the trip would have ended up in a metric century ride, I would only laugh at that. If someone had told me two years ago that a certain bicycle brand would produce a lightweight e-bike with a low power mid-drive motor and a small battery, and furthermore such an e-bike would turn out a technological marvel, it would only be Science-Fiction. (Creo SL was launched only on July 14th, 2019).

Very early on the Saturday morning, Jerzy messaged me: "Raining is forecast to start at 8 am. Not riding". I went onto my balcony, had a look and said to myself "It does not look a rainy day to me!" I fancied having a cookie at Góra Kawiarnia biker cafe and set off with my Vado SL at 7:42 am. I had the Range Extender on the bike (just in case, as I was planning the return by a commuter train). It was excellent cycling weather with moderate tailwind. I was riding with 45/45% assistance, as I wanted to ride at exactly the 25 km/h limit whenever possible.

1624739670089.png

Raszyn Ponds. I rode into that tiny Nature reservation to see how my bike would handle muddy trail full of puddles. Excellent experience!

Somewhere, I found myself in a dangerous road situation. I pushed on pedals and sped up to 31 km/h on my own leg power!

1624740205691.png

I was zooming through almost vacant "avenues" of the Kabacki Forest. Most of people believed the weather forecast... My good luck!

Upon arriving to Konstancin-Jeziorna, I was already bewitched by my marvellous Vado SL! What a bike! I started a Facebook "Go Live", told my friends I was totally sold on the Vado SL, and announced: "You, TurboSnail, are now re-christened to The Bike! Because you are a true bike, the bike I've always dreamed of!" :)

Just before Góra Kalwaria (Mt. Calvary), there is a short but very steep climb. Using 100% Turbo and the granny gear allowed me climbing that incline without shame. (Anybody living in a hilly area should consider swapping the 44T chainring for 38T one!)

1624741255357.png

I was lucky to ride out early. I got into the Góra Kawiarnia cafe before the rush hour. And I was lucky to take this photo. I hanged my Bike on the rail; I shouldn't have done it. During rush hours, roadies hang their bikes there. As the space is limited, there is war and constant quarrels among roadies related to that rack. I was done with my cookies and coffee when a roadie came up and tried to remove his Specialized Tarmac. I offered my help (I shouldn't have). The guy was very nervous and he couldn't get his stuck bike from the tight space. His drop bar got hooked on another drop bar. The guy has attributed all his trouble to my Vado SL, accused me of blocking his Tarmac with my SL, and almost demanded paying him for possibly scratched bike. If he pushed me more, I had this photo taken earlier, where it can be clearly seen our bikes had not been in the slightest contact!

Although I know several fine roadies, most of the other are haughty & arrogant "cycling aristocracy". I despise these.

1624741813220.png

Yet the mango cheesecake and the rhubarb tart as well as coffee were delicious! (I could not fail to notice the cafe was very expensive; but if you can afford an S-Works or a Trek Madone, then you can certainly afford expensive cakes, too!) :D

1624742031280.png

Top: Roadies taking a rest.
Center: Expensive bikes.
Bottom: Rush hour.

Being on the ride with The Bike, I experienced the kind of freedom strong traditional cyclist enjoy: no range anxiety. The Bike as ridden with the 25 km/h Euro speed limit is enormously economical, especially if you can provide solid own leg input. I was aware I would be facing headwind on the way back but said to myself: "You're a free person now. If you can survive pedalling on the way back, The Bike won't let you down with flat batteries for sure!" -- and I made a metric century on that day.

1624742274408.png

I almost bonked even if I was riding with 60/60% assistance on the way back. My leg power output was very high compared to my "big" Vado rides. My jersey was soaked with sweat! I took food, coffee and a long rest in Gołków, at "Żabka" (The Frog) chainstore (These are always open, even on Sundays by a legal trick of the chain management). And I was good to ride again.

1624742828690.png

"If someone had told me a month ago I would just have walked out from my flat with a lightweight, low-powered and slow bike in my hand to have a cookie..." were my thoughts at that stop, 14 km to reach home.

1624742926070.png
\
I'm on a long and fast group ride on Sunday, riding my "big" Vado. I'm scared. Will I be able to like a full power e-bike again? My world has gone upside down!
 

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Alaskan said:
What are the baggies for, adding un-aerodynamic drag, hiding your physique or just a fashion statement? ;) I like the wicking effect of technical fabrics. I like the physical support of lycra. I like wearing bright, highly visible colors when I ride. I don't like loose clothing catching on the nose of my saddle and I don't much care if people can see my jelly roll.
Click to expand...
Come come Alaskan, You know I don't even consider aerodynamic drag. I wear baggies because I'm the reincarnation of the Marlboro man only on a bike not a horse (any more). 🤣
 
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