kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
What are winter time temperatures down there?
Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos
PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee
Well-Known Member
Yes, it has been another busy week, building up the stamina for next Summer's #BikeAcrosstheUSforMS. Not sure if I can take the ebike, they are researching the issue, hopefully will be able to. Otherwise I will be looking for a suitable stallion to carry me westward
Oops
Nessie
Nessie with Lunch
Down the Hatch
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Incredible Lower Silesia & Sudetes
(Sun Aug 8th, 2021)
As we drove from Mazovia to Lower Silesia (and specifically, to the Kłodzko Valley), we were greeted by the "Welcoming Cyclist" sculptures in Bardo. I could also see the first real MTB singletrack in my life. These singletracks are created by the Euroregion Glacensis, and bear the common name of Singletrack Glacensis (Glacensis is the Latin name for Kłodzko).
We settled at a hotel in Kłodzko and instantly went for a ride.
Top: A tomb of a Polish lord who fought Hussites hard until he eventually got killed by them.
Centre, bottom: The large village of Stary Wielisław (Altwillmsdorf) has declared itself as bike friendly
In Polanica-Zdrój (Zdrój means Springs or a resort). We didn't like it there. Too crowded, too noisy, too much of festivity.
Springs Park in Polanica.
The (Commie style) soda fountain, and a candyfloss bowl.
We left Polanica for another resort, Duszniki-Zdrój. We even didn't ride to the Springs Park but enjoyed the town square.
Note: Frederic Chopin was treated against tuberculosis in Duszniki-Zdrój. For that reason, the city organizes annual Chopin Festivals.
A pillory.
No, he is not doing that Jacek taking a panorama with his iPhone.
Picturesque post-German building.
As we left Duszniki-Zdrój, the ride was mostly downhill. At some junction, I touched the brake rotor with my fingers. To burn them. I'm so glad my Vado is equipped with TRP Zurich brakes; and that I inspected them prior to our tour! Also, the decision to swap the chainring for a 38T one was more than right. I and Jacek have already been on a 14% grade climb, and there will be steeper ones! I cannot estimate the battery range in the mountains...
An intriguing female cyclist at Baron von Münchhausen Castle (1840), Szalejów Dolny, Kłodzko Valley, Lower Silesia, Poland.
An unexpected urbex She was really missing a young and strong companion to complete her mission!
What a picturesque area!
At Kłodzko Fortress, which was an important fortification in 17th and 18th centuries, belonging to the Austrian first, the Prussian next.
A Gothic bridge of 1390, Kłodzko (German: Glatz, Latin: Glacensis).
Ride Map and Metrics.
(Sun Aug 8th, 2021)
As we drove from Mazovia to Lower Silesia (and specifically, to the Kłodzko Valley), we were greeted by the "Welcoming Cyclist" sculptures in Bardo. I could also see the first real MTB singletrack in my life. These singletracks are created by the Euroregion Glacensis, and bear the common name of Singletrack Glacensis (Glacensis is the Latin name for Kłodzko).
We settled at a hotel in Kłodzko and instantly went for a ride.
Top: A tomb of a Polish lord who fought Hussites hard until he eventually got killed by them.
Centre, bottom: The large village of Stary Wielisław (Altwillmsdorf) has declared itself as bike friendly
In Polanica-Zdrój (Zdrój means Springs or a resort). We didn't like it there. Too crowded, too noisy, too much of festivity.
Springs Park in Polanica.
The (Commie style) soda fountain, and a candyfloss bowl.
We left Polanica for another resort, Duszniki-Zdrój. We even didn't ride to the Springs Park but enjoyed the town square.
Note: Frederic Chopin was treated against tuberculosis in Duszniki-Zdrój. For that reason, the city organizes annual Chopin Festivals.
A pillory.
No, he is not doing that
Jacek taking a panorama with his iPhone.Picturesque post-German building.
As we left Duszniki-Zdrój, the ride was mostly downhill. At some junction, I touched the brake rotor with my fingers. To burn them. I'm so glad my Vado is equipped with TRP Zurich brakes; and that I inspected them prior to our tour! Also, the decision to swap the chainring for a 38T one was more than right. I and Jacek have already been on a 14% grade climb, and there will be steeper ones! I cannot estimate the battery range in the mountains...
An intriguing female cyclist at Baron von Münchhausen Castle (1840), Szalejów Dolny, Kłodzko Valley, Lower Silesia, Poland.
An unexpected urbex
She was really missing a young and strong companion to complete her mission! What a picturesque area!
At Kłodzko Fortress, which was an important fortification in 17th and 18th centuries, belonging to the Austrian first, the Prussian next.
A Gothic bridge of 1390, Kłodzko (German: Glatz, Latin: Glacensis).
Ride Map and Metrics.
Last edited:
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
10,000 people on bikes and feet were on the portland bridge ride.
Explorer-1
Have bike, will travel
- Region
- USA
- City
- Boston North Shore
A saw attachment for the rear wheel would be useful.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
Maybe an electric chainsaw that runs off the bikes battery. Seriously @CityExplorer I am glad to see you doing some trail maintenance yourself, but lifting and aiming a whole bike is above and beyond.A saw attachment for the rear wheel would be useful.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
Like Sturgis without the noise ?
kahn
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- northWET washington
Looks as if you folks had excellent weather down there.
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
ya it was on the cool side about 65 in the morning.
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
and the drinking and all outside.
Dallant
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
But with a lot more vaccinations and masks.
Art Deco
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Selinsgrove Pennsylvania
10,000 people vs 500,000 people ... a city vs a town ...But with a lot more vaccinations and masks.
PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee
Well-Known Member
The haze, uggh. 39 C with 87% humidity...
This is why I never ride over grates; Never!!!!
Nice big thunderstorm rolling in.
Somehow jammed my big toe, hurts like the dickens
RIP Mom, it's been eight years today and I still haven't accepted it fully. Probably never will
Time to grill up some burgers and fries.
BlackHand
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Western WA
No e-bike rides for me since we're visiting family in Western PA. I did find my old BCA 10 speed from 1983 out in a barn where it's been sitting for the last 30+ years except for occasional niece/nephew rides in the driveway. Was surprised to find that the original tubes and tires still hold air. So after wiping off the cobwebs and wiping down the chain I've taken it for some rides the last couple of days through my old routes around the Amish/farm country around here. Keeping the rides short and close to where I'm staying as the bike is a bit creaky especially in the front hub. 14 miles the yesterday and 16.5 today.
Because of the rolling terrain and many cricks, creeks, and rivers the farmland is very patchworked with small fields mixed in with forests and wetlands. It's really a joy to ride in - every 5 minutes brings completely different scenery.
I even felt nostalgic about having to avoid road apples (road apples are the emissions of Amish buggies, in case you're unfamiliar)
Because of the rolling terrain and many cricks, creeks, and rivers the farmland is very patchworked with small fields mixed in with forests and wetlands. It's really a joy to ride in - every 5 minutes brings completely different scenery.
I even felt nostalgic about having to avoid road apples
(road apples are the emissions of Amish buggies, in case you're unfamiliar)Attachments
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Bet if you pull that hub apart, clean it and grease it ... go another 30 years. Still a good lookin bike.No e-bike rides for me since we're visiting family in Western PA. I did find my old BCA 10 speed from 1983 out in a barn where it's been sitting for the last 30+ years except for occasional niece/nephew rides in the driveway. Was surprised to find that the original tubes and tires still hold air. So after wiping off the cobwebs and wiping down the chain I've taken it for some rides the last couple of days through my old routes around the Amish/farm country around here. Keeping the rides short and close to where I'm staying as the bike is a bit creaky especially in the front hub. 14 miles the yesterday and 16.5 today.
View attachment 95975 View attachment 95978
Because of the rolling terrain and many cricks, creeks, and rivers the farmland is very patchworked with small fields mixed in with forests and wetlands. It's really a joy to ride in - every 5 minutes brings completely different scenery.
View attachment 95983 View attachment 95984 View attachment 95985
I even felt nostalgic about having to avoid road apples
View attachment 95986View attachment 95987
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Around The Kłodzko Valley
(Mon Aug 9th, 2021)
Mikulski Brothers celebrate conquering the Puchaczówka Pass climb by the hardest access ascent.
It has been my dream to circumnavigate the Kłodzko Valley since my youth. (The Valley is packed with sightseeing attractions to the level you'd need a car and two week vacation to see the most of them). The farthest point of my dream trip was Międzylesie (Mitterwald, or Between-Forests) in the South, near to the Czech border. (The mountain ridges define the frontier between the two countries).
Lower Silesia (and especially the Kłodzko Valley) is picturesque. People decorate the valley with artefacts and flowers there (many other regions prefer creating religious symbols instead). Top: A bus shelter. Centre: Even if the first segment of the trip was fairly easy, we encountered an extreme ascent somewhere (taking a short rest afterwards). Bottom: Arrived in the famous Lądek-Zdrój.
The area is full of resorts (Zdrój denotes Springs or Spa). Lądek-Zdrój was made famous in the 1981 comedy movie "Miś" (Teddy Bear). A guy orders sending a telegram to London. The post-office clerk is unaware of the very existence of London and tries to find the city in the directory for similarly sounding Polish locations.
– There's no such a city. There's Lądek, Lądek-Zdrój...
Unlike the crowded Polanica-Zdrój, Lądek-Zdrój is peaceful and quaint. Bottom: Drinking healing water right from the spring!
It did me good (Jacek hated it).
At the Puchaczówka Pass in the Śnieżnik (Snow Mountain) massif. Jacek and I took the most steep climb from the east (e-bikes, aye?) Traditional cyclists take the western climb as it is long but far easier. Our riding direction allowed us long descending for 10 km at high but controllable speed and taking easier bends on the way down. (There was just a single cyclist climbing together with us, and he was riding a Cube e-MTB).
The Śnieżnik Massif is huge, and the peak itself is one of the tallest in Poland and Czech Republic. The Puchaczówka Pass is the only road that dares enter the massif. Bottom: The low part of the massif with the Pass indicated.
The first 600 Wh battery of my Vado was good for 61 km. I was very tired and hungry when we reached Międzylesie at the 75th kilometre. The town was badly hit by former covid restrictions. The pizza bar was the only place to get some food there!
The return way was downhill and downwind, therefore easy. German architecture of the area makes the region look interesting.
Here, the picturesque (and very old) town of Bystrzyca Kłodzka.
St. John of Nepomuk, the Czech patron of Lower Silesia. Bystrzyca Kłodzka is the "City of Two Rivers" that join there.
Jacek has used the whole usable charge of his 625 Wh battery for the ride. He tells me not to ask him for taking the spare battery for his rides anymore! Here, potato pancakes at our hotel. Bad surprise was to discover the (presumably Czech) Kozel lager was now being made by a Polish beer concern and was not good at all!
Jacek's Garmin ride map shows the geography very well.
Ride map and metrics. Assistance levels: 45/60, 60/80, and 100/100%.
(Mon Aug 9th, 2021)
Mikulski Brothers celebrate conquering the Puchaczówka Pass climb by the hardest access ascent.
It has been my dream to circumnavigate the Kłodzko Valley since my youth. (The Valley is packed with sightseeing attractions to the level you'd need a car and two week vacation to see the most of them). The farthest point of my dream trip was Międzylesie (Mitterwald, or Between-Forests) in the South, near to the Czech border. (The mountain ridges define the frontier between the two countries).
Lower Silesia (and especially the Kłodzko Valley) is picturesque. People decorate the valley with artefacts and flowers there (many other regions prefer creating religious symbols instead). Top: A bus shelter. Centre: Even if the first segment of the trip was fairly easy, we encountered an extreme ascent somewhere (taking a short rest afterwards). Bottom: Arrived in the famous Lądek-Zdrój.
The area is full of resorts (Zdrój denotes Springs or Spa). Lądek-Zdrój was made famous in the 1981 comedy movie "Miś" (Teddy Bear). A guy orders sending a telegram to London. The post-office clerk is unaware of the very existence of London and tries to find the city in the directory for similarly sounding Polish locations.
– There's no such a city. There's Lądek, Lądek-Zdrój...
Unlike the crowded Polanica-Zdrój, Lądek-Zdrój is peaceful and quaint. Bottom: Drinking healing water right from the spring!
It did me good (Jacek hated it).At the Puchaczówka Pass in the Śnieżnik (Snow Mountain) massif. Jacek and I took the most steep climb from the east (e-bikes, aye?) Traditional cyclists take the western climb as it is long but far easier. Our riding direction allowed us long descending for 10 km at high but controllable speed and taking easier bends on the way down. (There was just a single cyclist climbing together with us, and he was riding a Cube e-MTB).
The Śnieżnik Massif is huge, and the peak itself is one of the tallest in Poland and Czech Republic. The Puchaczówka Pass is the only road that dares enter the massif. Bottom: The low part of the massif with the Pass indicated.
The first 600 Wh battery of my Vado was good for 61 km. I was very tired and hungry when we reached Międzylesie at the 75th kilometre. The town was badly hit by former covid restrictions. The pizza bar was the only place to get some food there!
The return way was downhill and downwind, therefore easy. German architecture of the area makes the region look interesting.
Here, the picturesque (and very old) town of Bystrzyca Kłodzka.
St. John of Nepomuk, the Czech patron of Lower Silesia. Bystrzyca Kłodzka is the "City of Two Rivers" that join there.
Jacek has used the whole usable charge of his 625 Wh battery for the ride. He tells me not to ask him for taking the spare battery for his rides anymore! Here, potato pancakes at our hotel. Bad surprise was to discover the (presumably Czech) Kozel lager was now being made by a Polish beer concern and was not good at all!
Jacek's Garmin ride map shows the geography very well.
Ride map and metrics. Assistance levels: 45/60, 60/80, and 100/100%.
Attachments
Last edited:
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Once again, great write up Stefan.
It’s true that you’d need a car to take in all of those attractions but there is so much more that you would miss seeing from a vehicle compared to bike touring. Nice to know that you were able to live out your dream. Kudos to you.
D
Deleted member 18083
Guest
New friends…
Brisbane Valley RT
Wanora, near Ipswich, QLD
One day towards the end of July this mob of twenty-plus young Brahmans turned up on the paddock next to our rail trail. They're somewhat inquisitive on occasions but, for most of the time, they put their heads down and eat, eat, eat… Short, happy lives?Wanora, near Ipswich, QLD
RabH
Well-Known Member
After 5 days of rain (I wish I could send some to those in more need of it, its awful to see those fires
) I finally got out again, I had to avoid most of the back roads today as a lot of them are flooded after all the thunderstorms! It was a real blessing to get out again, loved every minute! No photos today, they would just be repeats of the ones I have posted many times and my time was limited also! Heavy rain again tomorrow but Thursday is looking promising!
Nothing much to report today, all of the drivers were behaving themselves!Attachments
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Wielka Sowa (Great Owl Mt.)
(Tue Aug 10th, 2021)
I was on a similar ride just a year ago. This time, we set off from Walim together with Jacek.
The road climb up to the Walim Pass was a pleasant ride. We happily zoomed along young kids, aspiring roadies from a town of my neighbourhood, and even talked with them Then, the MTB zone began.
The first of only two clearings on our forest ride segment (northeast view). That part was really easy.
The second clearing (southern view). The hill seen here is the Sokół (Falcon Mt).
It was my fourth time on the Great Owl, and it was the first time for Jacek. Jacek climbed onto the tower, and I kept an eye on the bikes
I need to mention my big Vado with mountain gearing turned out to be an excellent climber. I could not believe it climbed the steepest incline as easily as Trance E+ 2 Pro!
Here's what Jacek could see from the observation tower.
To my big surprise, the only beer available on Wielka Sowa was non-alcoholic craft APA from a local brewery! Delicious!
I had the last year's route with me. That route included very fast downhill/rocks segment, which would be difficult but manageable. Instead, I modified the route and it soon turned out to be only walkable...
My "Walk of Shame". I admit I walked my Vado all the way down to the mountain's foot. It was a long walk. (Here: We haven't even covered the half of the segment!)
The road downhill ride (from Rzeczka to Walim) was a real pleasure. Smooth asphalt, easy bends, and pretty safe. My actual max speed was 57.7 km/h (I was using brakes there).
A nice lunch in Walim (no food shown as I was too hungry to take a photo)
And then Jacek went back on the road to beat his own speed records. Uphill - downhill and again. He recorded 67.7 km/h at cadence of 120. He was ready for more but he was met by a short downpour...
Jacek riding up and down to beat his personal best, and to be stopped by the raining
Finally, Jacek packed my Vado into his car and told me to drive to our new hotel in Nowa Ruda. While he rode there on his e-bike! He was so fast he almost arrived at the hotel before me! My luck he's not as good as I am with GPS navigation and he got lost in the city...
The townhall in Nowa Ruda (Neurode).
The issue we had with Nowa Ruda was it was virtually impossible to get a dinner there. So we went to a cafe, had some local Czech beer, and ate some apple-pie and a vegan snack for the dinner It was the only time on the trip we had no dinner! (Oh, wait. We had no dinner in Trutnov on the last day, either).
Riding e-bikes in Nowa Ruda is just a pleasure. Walking up to the hotel is not
Ride map and stats.
(Tue Aug 10th, 2021)
I was on a similar ride just a year ago. This time, we set off from Walim together with Jacek.
The road climb up to the Walim Pass was a pleasant ride. We happily zoomed along young kids, aspiring roadies from a town of my neighbourhood, and even talked with them
Then, the MTB zone began.The first of only two clearings on our forest ride segment (northeast view). That part was really easy.
The second clearing (southern view). The hill seen here is the Sokół (Falcon Mt).
It was my fourth time on the Great Owl, and it was the first time for Jacek. Jacek climbed onto the tower, and I kept an eye on the bikes
I need to mention my big Vado with mountain gearing turned out to be an excellent climber. I could not believe it climbed the steepest incline as easily as Trance E+ 2 Pro!Here's what Jacek could see from the observation tower.
To my big surprise, the only beer available on Wielka Sowa was non-alcoholic craft APA from a local brewery! Delicious!
My "Walk of Shame". I admit I walked my Vado all the way down to the mountain's foot. It was a long walk. (Here: We haven't even covered the half of the segment!)
The road downhill ride (from Rzeczka to Walim) was a real pleasure. Smooth asphalt, easy bends, and pretty safe. My actual max speed was 57.7 km/h (I was using brakes there).
A nice lunch in Walim (no food shown as I was too hungry to take a photo)
And then Jacek went back on the road to beat his own speed records. Uphill - downhill and again. He recorded 67.7 km/h at cadence of 120. He was ready for more but he was met by a short downpour...
Finally, Jacek packed my Vado into his car and told me to drive to our new hotel in Nowa Ruda. While he rode there on his e-bike! He was so fast he almost arrived at the hotel before me!
My luck he's not as good as I am with GPS navigation and he got lost in the city...The townhall in Nowa Ruda (Neurode).
The issue we had with Nowa Ruda was it was virtually impossible to get a dinner there. So we went to a cafe, had some local Czech beer, and ate some apple-pie and a vegan snack for the dinner
It was the only time on the trip we had no dinner! (Oh, wait. We had no dinner in Trutnov on the last day, either).Riding e-bikes in Nowa Ruda is just a pleasure. Walking up to the hotel is not
Ride map and stats.
Last edited:
Similar threads
- Deleted member 18083
- General Ebike Discussion
