Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Mulezen]

The death rate has been soaring in the US particularly in the ‘challenged’ states down south

 

[kahn]

So how much was that sandwich? About $12 is my guess.

I was going to sell my e-bike to afford that sandwich!

 

[Dallant]

Queensland has a population of just over five million which would rank us midway amongst US states. The land area is slightly larger than Alaska, more like a Canadian province.

In 2020 there were six COVID fatalities in Queensland (early in the year); in 2021 there has been one death (an elderly person returning from the Philippines).

I just meant I hadn’t heard of a lockdown yet. Sounds quite effective.
Given how some Americans refuse angrily to get a vaccination or wear a mask, I can only imagine their reaction to travel limitations.

 

[PedalUma]

I was going to sell my e-bike to afford that sandwich!

That place with the lgbtq sandwich Is kind of pricey but oh so good and bike friendly. A lot of people ride there and they have money to spend on the sorts of things that I can do but LBS will not do.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

Back on the bike in a singed landscape:

 

[Cowlitz]

Back on the bike in a singed landscape:

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Just rode to a store and saw smoke from a fire near Omak Lake increasing. Winds picked up here and cleared out the smoke, but caused the fires to blow up. My happy place for camping and riding is on fire. Not a happy time.

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

A quick recovery ride, mega ride tomorrow, stay tuned...

Thought I would shake things up a bit Orioles Orange, well, close as I could get anyway

 

[kahn]

Back on the bike in a singed landscape:

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Sad. Friends in Mazama are down to Level 2 from 3. See the North Cascades Hwy is still closed.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

mega ride tomorrow

The Imperial Century, perhaps? Good luck!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Having Had Prepared My Vado For Our Grand Mountain Tour (with Jacek)

Brakes inspected. Rotors degreased. Drivetrain degreased. Chain lubed. Tyres inflated. Now, the tedious time for packing has begun. We're starting on Sunday around the noon.

 

[Dallant]

Having Had Prepared My Vado For Our Grand Mountain Tour (with Jacek)

View attachment 95675
Brakes inspected. Rotors degreased. Drivetrain degreased. Chain lubed. Tyres inflated. Now, the tedious time for packing has begun. We're starting on Sunday around the noon.

Best of luck! We’re expecting lots of pictures!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Taking On the Bluff

I transitioned over to trail mode yesterday as we rode the MacKenzie Bluff which happens to run along the east side of the Red Deer River. I’ve covered this trail before in previous posts but we decided instead to check out the lower section of the Bluff which can be notoriously muddy and sloppy even at the best of times. With almost arid conditions being the norm so far this summer, we took a gamble and decided to check it out. The gamble paid off and despite the usual roots and impediments which halted our progress on numerous occasions, the ride was relatively clean. It was difficult to stop and take photos at the time as I was straining to keep pace with my riding buddy Kelvin and only managed to snap this slightly blurred image of one section of the trail. We managed to eventually work our way up to the top section of the bluff and carry on. We completed the ride with usual outings at the MTB park and The Pines.

Here’s a longer than usual video of our ride from the bottom to the top of the bluff.

 

[kahn]

Having Had Prepared My Vado For Our Grand Mountain Tour (with Jacek)

View attachment 95675
Brakes inspected. Rotors degreased. Drivetrain degreased. Chain lubed. Tyres inflated. Now, the tedious time for packing has begun. We're starting on Sunday around the noon.

What's the wrap of tape for?

 

[kahn]

Taking On the Bluff

View attachment 95683
I transitioned over to trail mode yesterday as we rode the MacKenzie Bluff which happens to run along the east side of the Red Deer River. I’ve covered this trail before in previous posts but we decided instead to check out the lower section of the Bluff which can be notoriously muddy and sloppy even at the best of times. With almost arid conditions being the norm so far this summer, we took a gamble and decided to check it out. The gamble paid off and despite the usual roots and impediments which halted our progress on numerous occasions, the ride was relatively clean. It was difficult to stop and take photos at the time as I was straining to keep pace with my riding buddy Kelvin and only managed to snap this slightly blurred image of one section of the trail. We managed to eventually work our way up to the top section of the bluff and carry on. We completed the ride with usual outings at the MTB park and The Pines.

View attachment 95682
Here’s a longer than usual video of our ride from the bottom to the top of the bluff.

Remarkable Image Stabilization.

You could have done a few screen grabs from that video.

And watching, I know I'm too old for that kind of adventure.

 

[Dallant]

What's the wrap of tape for?

To keep more paint from being scraped off?

 

[reed scott]

Remarkable Image Stabilization.

You could have done a few screen grabs from that video.

And watching, I know I'm too old for that kind of adventure.

I'm too old to even watch that kind of video.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What's the wrap of tape for?

My long rides require taking one or two panniers with me. Whatever I can do, a heavy (battery-loaded) pannier will rub not only the rack but some stays, too.

To keep more paint from being scraped off?

Exactly!

 

[Dallant]

My long rides require taking one or two panniers with me. Whatever I can do, a heavy (battery-loaded) pannier will rub not only the rack but some stays, too.

Exactly!

Goodness! What’s that scraping on? Rocks? That looks like it’s scraping frame metal off.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Goodness! What’s that scraping on? Rocks?

I ride that e-bike in almost any terrain. As panniers are heavy, vibration makes the panniers shake and rub against the bike components. There's completely different situation with my SL where the single pannier I carry is lightweight (no need for a battery), and I have protected the delicate areas of that e-bike well in advance.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Remarkable Image Stabilization.

I have an ND filter attached to the camera lens for brighter shoots and it might compromise stabilization slightly. I forgot to remove it for this ride.

You could have done a few screen grabs from that video.

Here you go. I’ve never had very much luck with screenshots in terms of image quality. They always seem to turn out grainy.

And watching, I know I'm too old for that kind of adventure.

I also thought that I wasn’t capable of taking on such trails but that all changed when I acquired the Trance. Here’s my take on the subject.

1. Try to ride with those who have a higher skill set than you and better knowledge of the local trails.
2. Get a bike with the largest battery and torque specs as possible relative to your budget.
3. Set up the bike’s suspension in accordance to your own personal specs and objectives.
4. Take on a few benign trails and work your way up gradually to more difficult/technical rides.

Road riding has also helped with my conditioning and provides a fresh change from riding the trails and vice versa.