Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[PatriciaK]

Jeepers Christmas I'm going to start feeling this ride in about an hour - time to pop the extra strength Tylenol!!!

20.8 hilly miles on the back roads of northern Whidbey Island. It was fairly traffic-free, except the stretch between military housing and the gate to the base, but the shoulder was pretty wide most of the ride so we felt pretty comfortable.

Husband/bike mechanic had borrowed his buddy's Rad City, and it was SO nice not to have to wait at the tops of the hills for him to catch up !

He did notice that he was running a little hot, near max output on a few of the biggest hills, so backed way off and tried a combination of eco, throttle, and human power. He also noticed the hub drag when he was coasting.

When we stopped for our snack, he was giving the bike the once-over, and noticed that the front wheel was dragging too - lifting the front up, he had to manually rotate it or it wouldn't spin at all. As soon as we got home, he took care of that - his bud should be happy .

Used a combination of Giant Ride Control and my fitness band to record the ride:






Why does my Giant Ride Control ride look like this:


Why no map detail???

Wildlife consisted of cows, which I didn't take pictures of, and minions, of which I took one:



Finally, the obligatory bike shot, taken at the beginning of the ride:



And one of the Whidbey country roads we rode :



Time for a shower and a nap!

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

Lee Martin - I was so envious of your ride in the rain, finally I see clouds on our horizon so hopefully we will cool off - the one good thing about the heat spell is you need to get out early to log some miles - today's ride took me across Pine Coulee at two spots - these foothills track for several miles in Southern Alberta and signal the dividing point to ranching country on the west and farming country to the east - in the background you might see (I know, I'm not much for taking good pictures) a stretch of dark signalling Timber Ridge which I hope to ride tomorrow - Timber Ridge pretty much runs to a local highway 22 which snuggles along the base of the Rocky Mountains - today's ride was two hours of peaceful pedalling without seeing a vehicle or person for that matter compared to my ride yesterday further east towards the lakes which seemed every person in the country was heading for with the bumper to bumper traffic towing boats and campers! View attachment 92066

Yes it was glorious your rear tire looks like it is a 39er! Funny how the angle makes it look so much longer. Looks like a lot of good open land to ride in for sure. It's mostly sea level here in Baltimore, grrrr, I miss the Blue Ridge Mountains, only around 900 to 1000 m, nothing like the Rockies. That might be too much for me!

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

Just wasn't feeling it today! On a more positive note though, did have a killer month last month!

9,225 m! not bad considering I'm at sea level

these heatmaps in Strava are pretty cool too.
Well, off to the land of nod. Busy day tomorrow, stay tuned

 

[Mulezen]

I rode my bike for the first time since late March. I was warned about farm road riding by the roadie PT who reluctantly cleared my rotator for easy riding, as if there would be any other kind with my lack of conditioning. This route is the shortest loop from my place with an invigorating finish down a short steep hill hit 34mph just to blow out the carburetor.

My neighbors recent creation, and at the road intersection tardy hay because of Spring dryness, the grass yet to be when I last rode. And this omen a half mile from me as the crow flies. Some of my calves last year came from this pasture. young friend and the obligatory cow portrait

 

[Mulezen]

David Berry My belated apology for laughing at your posts last year about menacing Magpies. I've been set straight on the matter by Jennifer Ackerman's recent 'The Bird Way'. And yes, to my surprise, Magpies do specialize in swooping cyclists. Only certain males at nesting time (10%) attack. Of these "The magpies seem to specialize. Around 50% are pedestrian magpies...Cyclist magpies swoop only cyclists.
And then there are magpies that specialize in hammering Posties..."

 

[Deleted member 18083]

David Berry I've been set straight by Jennifer Ackerman's recent The Bird Way. And yes, to my surprise, magpies do specialize in swooping cyclists.

Right now* is a delightful time to ride through magpie territory; the birds are all sweet-natured, chortle to themselves (and us) and are happy to join relaxing cyclists for a lunchtime handouts. Come the first day of September – some are impatient and jump the gun – and the malevolent (male violent?) 10% are in full attack mode for the next three months.

I'll see whether it's possible to rig a helmet cam before the arrival of spring.

* Not literally 'now' because today has been a thoroughly rainy Saturday.​

 

[Chargeride]

Specialized Warranty Service Ride

My last Thursday started early in the morning when I discovered I had no coffee capsules and no milk. I'm a coffee addict; since Nespresso capsules are expensive, I buy Carrefour branded ones (they are excellent and very cheap) but these can only be bought in a store that is 8 km/5 mi away. To make the morning ride more interesting, I took a longer route for my Vado SL aka "The Bike". Just nice 20 km ride. I was in hurry because I was expecting a visit from a DHL courier (the DHL base is the next door, and I'm getting shipment from them early in the morning). Indeed! When I was back from shopping and just sat in front of the PC, the courier knocked on my door

Now, let me tell you about Specialized Warsaw brand store. A fantastic place, fantastic people. As they don't sell anything cheap:

• They are extremely polite, helpful, and make you feel good, willing to return; and the personnel makes you addicted to Specialized bikes
• They always have time for you, and servicing is done fast, often immediately
• They have almost the whole collection of Specialized bikes on sale, and a big stock of spare parts, something unusual nowadays. (Not that you could get any bike you needed)
• They offer daily rental at low price because they know you would buy such bike sooner or later (if you can afford taking financial consequences of rental it means you can afford the bike).

And the buyers can be found.

View attachment 91963
A week ago, the Spesh WAW salesman told us the obligatory warranty service should be done "after riding 200 km but no later than three months post-purchase", to which my brother replied: "For him? That would be in a week!" How true! I rode to Specialized LBS in a week after I bought the Vado SL. (Of course, I made an appointment in advance, so the warranty service could be done on the spot).

Upon reaching the LBS, standard procedures including firmware update were carried out on my Bike, and I had some half an hour to explore the store in detail.

View attachment 91964
The white bike is Specialized Sirrus, the traditional sibling to Vado SL. Notice how similar to each other the two bikes are!

View attachment 91966
Specialized Chisel, an XC bike. If I were a healthy person, I could think of buying this bike. (The other option would be the Specialized Diverge, a gravel bike, not pictured here).

View attachment 91969
Specialized Epic, a racing XC bike. The cheapest model is priced at the level of say, Turbo Vado 6.0. Carbon fibre, of course.

View attachment 91970
The brother of Turbo Levo, or Specialized Stumpjumper. The prices range from entry-level to some taken from the Outer Space (The RETÜL room at the right hand side is for matching bikes to competing cyclists, and for bike-fitting).

View attachment 91971
I think Specialized do not see their future with fat bikes and leave that market segment to the Chinese (I hated the looks of Fatboy).

When I got my Vado SL back, I paid a symbolic fee of 35 PLN (less than US$10) but I still stayed inside the store.

There was a new customer who got a presentation of Turbo Levo SL from the leading salesman. The presentation was so good the client made a booking for the e-bike, and then he left. The salesman smiled at me, mounted the bike, demonstrated the suspension quality to me, smiled again, and then asked: "Want to rent the demo bike?" Good, good salesman! He knew so well how to get customers hooked! We had a chat. I learned the bike cost PLN 28 grand (USD7350), and that Spesh people were offering fitting Levos with less aggressive tyres to urban customers.

View attachment 91972
As I burn a lot of calories on the Bike, I had to eat on my trip (which is untypical of me). Sausage and bun, it's Poland, right? (There is a grocery store in Łady that is at the ideal distance to stop there on my trips eastwards of my place).

View attachment 91973
Full power e-bikes taught me to ride for long distances and fast. I emulate that on Vado SL, which means a lot of effort to me. Actually, I return home exhausted! (The total distance for Thursday was 93 km).

Im not sure about that sausage pic...it uneases me.

 

[Dallant]

Right now* is a delightful time to ride through magpie territory; the birds are all sweet-natured, chortle to themselves (and us) and are happy to join relaxing cyclists for a lunchtime handouts. Come the first day of September – some are impatient and jump the gun – and the malevolent (male violent?) 10% are in full attack mode for the next three months.

I'll see whether it's possible to rig a helmet cam before the arrival of spring.

* Not literally 'now' because today has been a thoroughly rainy Saturday.​

There are a small group of Red Winged Blackbirds that have made my helmet their target this last month. Maybe my GoPro will show at least one actually hitting my helmet. Better that than my bare head.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Jacek Making The Bike A Perfect Machine

Currently wrapping The Bike in protective film.

I have also formally transferred Trance E+ to him. E-bikes stay in the family!

I chose a mixed terrain route (50/50 paved/off-road) to come to his place. Vado SL on proper tyres can do it!

 

[Sierratim]

Jacek Making The Bike A Perfect Machine

View attachment 92145
Currently wrapping The Bike in protective film.

I have also formally transferred Trance E+ to him. E-bikes stay in the family!

I chose a mixed terrain route (50/50 paved/off-road) to come to his place. Vado SL on proper tyres can do it!

I like the tool board. Is it Jacek's?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I like the tool board. Is it Jacek's?

Yes, it is his pride!

 

[steve mercier]

I found the ingredients now I wonder what recipe uses Artichokes and Currants?

 

[steve mercier]

The weather is back to normal now but with that record shattering 49 /120 degree spell in Lytton last week the writing is likely on the wall for all this greenery...gulp.

 

[reed scott]

I like the tool board. Is it Jacek's?

I like the grease pit. At least I'm assuming that is what's under those planks. What I wouldn't give ......

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

Got the flat fixed, but the damage was done, so just got some coffee and came home. We'll see if I have better luck tomorrow.

 

[Art Deco]

View attachment 92201View attachment 92202
Got the flat fixed, but the damage was done, so just got some coffee and came home. We'll see if I have better luck tomorrow.

You keep plugging away, and you'll get a decent ride soon. Murphy has a tough time with guys like you.

 

[Art Deco]

I found the ingredients now I wonder what recipe uses Artichokes and Currants? View attachment 92180

Artichokes and garlic butter....appetizer.
Currents baked in scones .... desert
You still need a main course.

 

[steve mercier]

View attachment 92201View attachment 92202
Got the flat fixed, but the damage was done, so just got some coffee and came home. We'll see if I have better luck tomorrow.

Was the flat in the same tire? If so check inside with a magnifying glass before inflating again

 

[ActionJackson]

Jacek Making The Bike A Perfect Machine

View attachment 92145
Currently wrapping The Bike in protective film.

I have also formally transferred Trance E+ to him. E-bikes stay in the family!

I chose a mixed terrain route (50/50 paved/off-road) to come to his place. Vado SL on proper tyres can do it!

Please post pics when it’s finished. Any recommendations on film appreciated.

 

[reed scott]

Artichokes and garlic butter....appetizer.
Currents baked in scones .... desert
You still need a main course.

Be patient though. The currents have to be dried.