Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[steve mercier]

New Zealand would be the place to start your search.

Did you actually watch the Castle mountain video David?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Nothing to look back for and nothing to listen for except bells .., edit fat tires

Old habits are sometimes hard to break. No one typically rings their bells on a two lane highway. They simply zip by you on the other side of the road. Spotted plenty of e-bikes as well as standard rides but me thinks a fat bike might be out of its elements. We did see a few recumbents but being slung so low to the pavement on such a hot day must have been challenging. There were plenty of hard core riders too who seemed to care less about their surroundings and more about getting from point A to B as fast as possible. To each their own I guess.

 

[Art Deco]

Old habits are sometimes hard to break. No one typically rings their bells on a two lane highway. They simply zip by you on the other side of the road. Spotted plenty of e-bikes as well as standard rides but me thinks a fat bike might be out of its elements. We did see a few recumbents but being slung so low to the pavement on such a hot day must have been challenging. There were plenty of hard core riders too who seemed to care less about their surroundings and more about getting from point A to B as fast as possible. To each their own I guess.

/offtopic My roadie brother described a night in a B&B with windows open only the sound of derailleurs coming from the streets .
All cars trucks etc.banned. Downtown closed for a race./offtopic

 

[Deleted member 18083]

A bleak winter's day …

Fairney Brook Floodplain
South East Queensland​

After days at home, I had to get out! This morning the rain cleared for a few hours, so I donned three layers of winter gear and headed up the rail trail.

My wildlife experience wasn't up to PD's grizzly encounter – the furry brown bounder nibbling its way trough the grass beyond the creek on the extreme right of the photo is an eastern grey roo. And, almost as exciting as PD's bear scat, cow plops on the trail…

This is one of the 'rough' sections of our rail trail which, as is the case for most of its length (161 km; the continent's longest), is seen passing through cattle country with only vestiges of past fences. This is a place for dodging the beasties – Brahmans, roos, wallabies, camels and magpies.

It is also the perfect place to ride Delites, Homages and Topstones. There'll be a good deal of jeering, as well as cheering, when the trail is 'upgraded' before too long.

 

[Art Deco]

Old habits are sometimes hard to break. No one typically rings their bells on a two lane highway. They simply zip by you on the other side of the road. Spotted plenty of e-bikes as well as standard rides but me thinks a fat bike might be out of its elements. We did see a few recumbents but being slung so low to the pavement on such a hot day must have been challenging. There were plenty of hard core riders too who seemed to care less about their surroundings and more about getting from point A to B as fast as possible. To each their own I guess.

Cargo bikes. Big loads . DownHills.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Did you actually watch the Castle mountain video David?

In David’s defense, NZ is one place where I would love to return to. We spent three weeks back in 2007 touring both islands in a campervan and dearly wished we had bikes to compliment our trip with.

That being said, Canada is also hard to beat in terms of coast-to-coast splendor and beauty.

 

[Art Deco]

A bleak winter's day …

View attachment 91794

Fairney Brook Floodplain
South East Queensland​

After days at home, I had to get out! This morning the rain cleared for a few hours, so I donned three layers of winter gear and headed up the rail trail.

My wildlife experience wasn't up to PD's grizzly encounter – the furry brown bounder nibbling its way trough the grass beyond the creek on the extreme right of the photo is an eastern grey roo.

Great Shot. Do you wear the same winter googles and headgear as the Europeans and N. Americans do? How can you see to even line up a picture like these I don't get. Cold and dry? Winds? Sweltering people want to know.

 

[Art Deco]

In David’s defense, NZ is one place where I would love to return to. We spent three weeks back in 2007 touring both islands in a campervan and dearly wished we had bikes to compliment our trip with.
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That being said, Canada is also hard to beat in terms of coast-to-coast splendor and beauty.
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Just wow. I love seeing other views of the wide world.

​

 

[mschwett]

beautiful light for this evening's ride.

sunlight peeking through the trees


destination, straight ahead!


my own shadow


this is about to become a 19% descent. no one-handing that.


but the light was so interesting that i stopped for a moment (almost fell off stopping on such a steep grade!) and took a few quick shots




rollin again


each of these bunkers had a little cluster of people on the roof


cockpit view.


lots of birds out.

 

[RabH]

Back on one of my favourite routes today, no sun this time but it was a very pleasant 18C with light winds! It did actually rain at one point but it quickly dried up! We really have been through a pretty dry spell here which is most unusual, I don't ever recall seeing a sand bar at my local loch!

That will all change next week though as the rain is about to hit again, back to normal! No sign of any grizzly's thankfully, the scariest thing here is the rabbits running into your path! I can't even come close to @Prairie Dog with my photos today, you sure live in a stunning part of the world!

I never even noticed the Forth bridges in the distance when I was taking this photo, I guess I better get my eyes checked!

The Grangemouth oil refinery below was founded in 1924, 4 years before my dad was born and its the only operating crude oil refinery in Scotland now! My dad used to run tanker trucks into here for many years!

Another great day on the bike, loved every minute! I only saw 1 other cyclist today, looks like most people have returned to work now! Everything is starting to get back to as near normal as possible here now, thanks to the massive vaccination program, fingers crossed for an end to this nightmare we have been living!

 

[steve mercier]

In David’s defense, NZ is one place where I would love to return to. We spent three weeks back in 2007 touring both islands in a campervan and dearly wished we had bikes to compliment our trip with.
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That being said, Canada is also hard to beat in terms of coast-to-coast splendor and beauty.
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Of course it is a beautiful country. I would not compare a single bike ride to a whole country. David needs no defense against me. You had a TRAFFIC-FREE ride on smooth asphalt through an enormous pristine wilderness. Tough to beat that.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

it was a very pleasant 18C with light winds!

Jealous!

 

[steve mercier]

Old habits are sometimes hard to break. No one typically rings their bells on a two lane highway. They simply zip by you on the other side of the road. Spotted plenty of e-bikes as well as standard rides but me thinks a fat bike might be out of its elements. We did see a few recumbents but being slung so low to the pavement on such a hot day must have been challenging. There were plenty of hard core riders too who seemed to care less about their surroundings and more about getting from point A to B as fast as possible. To each their own I guess.

A bleak winter's day …

View attachment 91794

Fairney Brook Floodplain
South East Queensland​

After days at home, I had to get out! This morning the rain cleared for a few hours, so I donned three layers of winter gear and headed up the rail trail.

My wildlife experience wasn't up to PD's grizzly encounter – the furry brown bounder nibbling its way trough the grass beyond the creek on the extreme right of the photo is an eastern grey roo. And, almost as exciting as PD's bear scat, cow plops on the trail…

View attachment 91803

This is one of the 'rough' sections of our rail trail which, as is the case for most of its length (161 km; the continent's longest), is seen passing through cattle country with only vestiges of past fences. This is a place for dodging the beasties – Brahmans, roos, wallabies, camels and magpies.

It is also the perfect place to ride Delites, Homages and Topstones. There'll be a good deal of jeering, as well as cheering, when the trail is 'upgraded' before too long.

How do you like those tyres David ?

 

[steve mercier]

95% of the UK is green space; 56.7% is farmland, 34.9% is natural, 2.5% is green urban, 5.9% is built on. Overpopulation is a right wing con. It provides housing scarcity, maintains high housing costs and high demand. It is also used to drive Facism; ie housing crisis caused by 'immigration' 'refugees' anything except the truth, they need you tied to a mortgage (mort - death, gage - pledge) in order to ensure your servitude.

8.4 million people are inadequately housed in the UK

I get your point but it always comes down to Location Location Location. " In 2018, Canada had a population density of about 4 people per square kilometer. The country has one of the lowest population densities in the world, as the total population is very small in relation to the dimensions of the land " , yet Vancouver has one of the highest real estate prices in the world. Buying a house in Canada it is not a problem if you are willing to live where nobody else wants to live.

 

[Haystacks]

I get your point but it always comes down to Location Location Location.

It's pointless Steve, i posted the facts in reply but the moderators seem to see fit to remove facts and proliferate right wing propaganda, that is the only reason i can see to have removed a post that only contained factual information.

The data can be drilled down further into individual postal codes. The UK is not over crowded, abuse of power will not make me cower.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

How do you like those tyres David ?

Johnny Watts + Panaracer Flataway + Tannus Armour.

I've hardly ridden the new Homage – the other two ebikes have been standing in – but the new tyres seem okay.

I've just noticed the date: Happy Canada Day!

 

[steve mercier]

Johnny Watts + Panaracer Flataway + Tannus Armour.

I've hardly ridden the new Homage – the other two ebikes have been standing in – but the new tyres seem okay.

View attachment 91847

I've just noticed the date: Happy Canada Day!

My mistake. I thought by looking at the tread pattern you were using Schwalbe marathon plus mtb on your R+M.

 

[steve mercier]

It's pointless Steve, i posted the facts in reply but the moderators seem to see fit to remove facts and proliferate right wing propaganda, that is the only reason i can see to have removed a post that only contained factual information.

View attachment 91845

The data can be drilled down further into individual postal codes. The UK is not over crowded, abuse of power will not make me cower.

If you were not being rude and obnoxious in your post then I am sad to hear that it was deleted. I guess we are way off topic so perhaps that is why ?

 

[Chargeride]

The Herbalist Homestead, or (Almost) an Imperial Century

I spent busy (early) Sunday morning making a tutorial video* at my original homestead; I rode for 16.8 km on The Bike

At 9:36 I and That Woman set off from Piastów to intercept The Roadie and My Brother in Pruszków. The trip goal was to visit Justyna's Aunt, who is a famous herbalist; Ewa and her lifetime partner Jurek own the Herbalist Homestead in Wycinka Wolska, Land of Łódź. The peloton consisted of (and mostly in that order):

• Yours Truly as the team leader (for 90% of the trip) and navigator, also carrying the team's goods (a lot of vegetables and drinking water) in two panniers (Speed-Vado 5.0)
• The Roadie riding as the "Queen of Drafting" behind the current leader (a road bike nicknamed Princess, 28 mm lowly inflated tyres)
• That Woman, riding her Haibike XC bike for most of the trip (and Giant Trance E+ for 30 km)
• Brother, acting as the Support & Gear and also carrying some cargo (aforementioned Trance E+, except 30 km, when he rode the traditional Haibike).

I can only say it is difficult to be a team leader but I seem to have fulfilled that role well.

Fast ride all the way except on strong headwind segments (typical cruising speed was 30 km/h). We stopped for coffee and ice-cream at the Radziejowice Palace, then continued the ride. We were expected at the Herbalist Homestead at 14:00, and we would have made it if not a navigation error of yours truly that added 10 km to our trip and cost us another half an hour.

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Ewa and Jurek managed to create a quaint paradise (including their Bernese she-dog and cats) in secluded countryside of Central Poland. The couple make for living by organizing herbalist workshops, and they are popular on the telly. Top: We're all enjoying delicious "Green Soup" cooked by Jurek; the soup was made solely of herbs, water, butter, and salt.

View attachment 91474
Top: Ania The Roadie (who is a vegan) preparing vegetables. Bottom: Justyna That Woman prepared vegan lecho as the main meal. (You can see I was very tired at that moment).

I admit the Saturday's metric century and the Sunday's ride made me exhausted. Just after finishing the meal, I excused myself, and took a nap. (My team was worried, thinking they lost their leader, haha!) After I woke up, I washed my face, neck, and hands with cold water and took some sightseeing.

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Centre: The thatched-roof barn
Top, bottom: The Old House (1924). Ewa and Jurek bought it, cleaned it up, and happily lived there for 20 years (until they built the new house).

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Top, centre: brick & stone cowbarn (1936)
Bottom: An old well.

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Inside the Old House (kitchen). Justyna used to spend her vacation there as a kid.

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Inside the Old House. Top: Bedroom/living room. Centre: Assorted artefacts; see a charcoal-heated iron! Bottom: Ewa presenting a toy airplane.

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Skylarking in Wiskitki on the return way (I jokingly renamed Wiskitki to Wisconsin, as the latter is easier to pronounce!)

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The day was full of adventures. Ania -- who was riding her road bike -- had to cope with: concrete block road, sand, cracked asphalt, and even off-road! All with flying colours! Justyna tried riding an e-MTB for 30 km, and Jacek proved his own fitness by riding Justyna's XC bike at the same segment.

Several kilometres before the finish line, our group (riding at steady 30 km/h with slight tailwind on the flat) was overtaken by a young girl riding a hardtail bike. She virtually zoomed by us. "Stefan, don't" Ania exclaimed but it was too late A nasty smile on my face, Turbo on, high cadence, and I rode side by side with that girl instantly. "Nice riding indeed!" I shouted to that girl and disappeared at distance. My own peak power was 433 W, Specialized 1.2s motor added its 520 W, and I sped up past the limiter, reaching 47.9 km/h! That is my guilty pleasure: Breaking morale of fast traditional cyclists And that girl gave up (she shouted to Ania she had to stop to wait for her partner; they always give up -- save Time Trial roadies)

My pride was punished soon. Upon arriving to Piastów, I found a tyre of my car being flat. My brother turned back from his way home and saved me. He's an incredible person that Jacek!

Summary: 157 km ridden on a single day. Two miles short of the Imperial Century.

----------
*) The tutorial video made early on Sunday morning:

What a lovely, warm, cosy place and delightful people.
I do hope there legs are not bad..really bad.

 

[Chargeride]

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View of Castle Mountain
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My wife and I hit the road, once again, this time riding out of the resort town of Banff, AB. We would ride to Castle Mountain and back, a 30 km stretch of road along Hwy 1A which is closed to vehicular traffic during the summer months allowing only cyclists/hikers open access. Much of Western Alberta has been hit by the heatwave and the forecast on this day was expected to top 34C. Nothing like what the folks out in BC are enduring or, for that matter, our American friends in the western states.

The start of the ride was relatively cool (17C) and even dipped a few degrees in the shade as we made our way to 1A. A good sign to start the day.

Scenic Vermillion Lake and Mount Rundle
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One of the five sets of gates and electrified mats that one will encounter when cycling the Legacy Trail. These are installed to prevent wildlife from wandering out onto the adjoining hwy. No worries if you’re riding a bike or walking across grid although it’s suggested that you keep your pets off of them.
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A definite sign that bears are nearby and this particular morning was no exception.
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Backswamp view along the Bow Valley Parkway. Having the train enter into the photo was a bit fortuitous.
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Mule Shoe Lake
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I’ve never encountered a grizzly this close before so we kept our distance and slowly moved on. Several other cyclists could be seen placing calls into Parks Canada and it wasn't long before a parks staff vehicle drove right by us.
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A video tribute of our ride to the Bow Valley Park System and Castle Mountain.

… a few more images of the morning’s ride.

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Omg..I was told in Alaska years ago that the Grizzlies can reach 40mph in bursts.
Not a time for a drive error!