Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Art Deco]

I suspected as much but you gave me an opening for a funny. Being silly is what keeps me from jumping off a cliff these days. That and cigars and good scotch.

Leave the cliff jumping to those who are good at it ... @Chargeride comes to mind.

 

[reed scott]

Leave the cliff jumping to those who are good at it ... @Chargeride comes to mind.

I think maybe we should get up a 'go fund me' drive for ole Chargeride and get him on a really good bike. Imagine the videos he would provide us with then. He'd prolly tear it up though.

 

[Haystacks]

I think maybe we should get up a 'go fund me' drive for ole Chargeride and get him on a really good bike. Imagine the videos he would provide us with then. He'd prolly tear it up though.

I think we need to tune your definition of 'tear it up'.

 

[Chargeride]

A herd. A bunch of cows is a herd.

This was a pack..they had knives and leather coats.

 

[Chargeride]

I think maybe we should get up a 'go fund me' drive for ole Chargeride and get him on a really good bike. Imagine the videos he would provide us with then. He'd prolly tear it up though.

Hey..that bike haul axx, anyway its 90% rider and 90% motor.

 

[Prairie Dog]

A Day in Kananaskis Country

I spent Tuesday with family and cycled an out-and-back route that none of us had ridden before. Bragg Creek is a small bedroom community and is about a 40-minute drive SW of the bustling metropolis of Calgary. It would be the staging point of this ride as we would eventually make our way to picturesque Forget-Me-Not-Pond.

The weather forecast called for overcast skies, no rain and sunny breaks later on in the afternoon. We weren’t disappointed and the cooler temps helped to buoy our spirits.

Cattle are allowed to be in the area as part of a government grazing allotment and appear to be quite at ease with all of the passing traffic. Not sure if I felt the same about cow manure dotting the shoulders as we weaved our way around the piles of poo.

Scenic vistas of the open road ahead. It definitely helps to have e-bikes on these alpine outings.

I came late upon the scene as a mountain goat ewe and her two kids were crossing the hwy. I did manage to get a pic of them as one of them curiously glanced back at me during their ascent up the base of the mountain.

Forget-Me-Not-Pond – We stopped for a break and took in the beauty of this gem in K- Country.

My brother-in-law’s Creo CC Evo decked out in Gloss Navy and White Mountains – an appropriate name based on its current surroundings.

The Elbow River with a glimpse of my wife as she makes a break towards Elbow Falls.

Scenic Elbow Falls.

A closing shot of the Elbow River.

A video tribute to Forget-Me-Not-Pond and Kananaskis Country.

 

[PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee]

Even the deer were hiding in the shade of the trees!


This week's showing at the drive-in.

Tomorrow is supposed to be even hotter, so I'll be riding like 6 or 6:30 am

 

[reed scott]

A Day in Kananaskis Country

I spent Tuesday with family and cycled an out-and-back route that none of us had ridden before. Bragg Creek is a small bedroom community and is about a 40-minute drive SW of the bustling metropolis of Calgary. It would be the staging point of this ride as we would eventually make our way to picturesque Forget-Me-Not-Pond.

The weather forecast called for overcast skies, no rain and sunny breaks later on in the afternoon. We weren’t disappointed and the cooler temps helped to buoy our spirits.
View attachment 96184
View attachment 96185

Cattle are allowed to be in the area as part of a government grazing allotment and appear to be quite at ease with all of the passing traffic. Not sure if I felt the same about cow manure dotting the shoulders as we weaved our way around the piles of poo.
View attachment 96186
View attachment 96187
Scenic vistas of the open road ahead. It definitely helps to have e-bikes on these alpine outings.
View attachment 96188
View attachment 96197

View attachment 96189View attachment 96193
I came late upon the scene as a mountain goat ewe and her two kids were crossing the hwy. I did manage to get a pic of them as one of them curiously glanced back at me during their ascent up the base of the mountain.
View attachment 96191
Forget-Me-Not-Pond – We stopped for a break and took in the beauty of this gem in K- Country.
View attachment 96192
My brother-in-law’s Creo CC Evo decked out in Gloss Navy and White Mountains – an appropriate name based on its current surroundings.
View attachment 96194
The Elbow River with a glimpse of my wife as she makes a break towards Elbow Falls.
View attachment 96198
Scenic Elbow Falls.
View attachment 96199
View attachment 96200
A closing shot of the Elbow River.
View attachment 96201

A video tribute to Forget-Me-Not-Pond and Kananaskis Country.

Texas Gate !?!? They ain't no sech theeng as no 'Texas Gate'! That there is a dang cattle guard. Sheesh! Kanaydeens.

 

[kahn]

Texas Gate !?!? They ain't no sech theeng as no 'Texas Gate'! That there is a dang cattle guard. Sheesh! Kanaydeens.

I was going to comment similarly but forgot!

But the ones I like the best are the ones just painted on the highway with no real grates!

You’ve Seen These Bars Everywhere, But Did You Know That They Serve An Important Purpose? - ScoopWhoop

I’m sure that you’ve noticed those iron bars with hollow spaces in between, at the entrances of hospitals, government offices and colleges? As a kid, I remember the excitement whenever I had to cross these [...]

www.scoopwhoop.com

 

[reed scott]

I was going to comment similarly but forgot!

But the ones I like the best are the ones just painted on the highway with no real grates!

Never seen one. Texas critters'd be too smart for that.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Texas Gate !?!? They ain't no sech theeng as no 'Texas Gate'! That there is a dang cattle guard. Sheesh! Kanaydeens.

This article doesn't shed any more light as to how the origin of the name came about.

What is a Texas Gate — and Why Are They in Canada in National Parks?

What is a Texas gate — and why are they found in the national parks in Canada so far away from Texas? Texas gates are designed to...

thegate.boardingarea.com

 

[kahn]

This article doesn't shed any more light as to how the origin of the name came about.

What is a Texas Gate — and Why Are They in Canada in National Parks?

What is a Texas gate — and why are they found in the national parks in Canada so far away from Texas? Texas gates are designed to...

thegate.boardingarea.com

Which brings up my real AHA moment in the Swiss Alps hiking the Haute Route. You are all familiar with STILES. Those spots in fences that allow a hiker/walker to cross from one side to the other. Sometimes swinging gates or ladders that allow one to climb up and over. You are probably also aware of turnstiles that limit/allow access to subways (I'm originally from NYC and used the subways extensively) or other venues. Well, there I was hiking one day on the Haute Route and there was a STILE but a type I had not seen before in the wilderness. It was in fact a rotating stile and my AHA moment, it was a turnstile, rudimentary but nonetheless a turnstile. And I finally figured out what all those things in NYC were about! I had never thought of them in terms of being STILES. (I probably have a photo of it in my collection somewhere)

Now back to our regularly scheduled bike trip reports.....

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Table Mountains (PL & CZ)
(Wed Aug 11th, 2021)

Jacek is not a tourist. He actually despises sight-seeing. He just loves riding e-bikes in new places. I had to ask him for a 10-minute break in Wambierzyce on our car trip from Nowa Ruda to Polish Table Mountains!

There was a rich burgher family of Osterberg that owned (then) Albendorf in 17/18th c. As the village was popular for pilgrims, Mr Osterberg converted it to become the "Silesian Jerusalem" between 1695-1710. A huge Baroque basilica was built, artefacts created, the whole pilgrimage infrastructure made. And all the places around have been given new, Jerusalem related names (starting with the creek of Cedron).

There are numerous artefacts in Wambierzyce. For example, the sculptures for the Stations of the Cross are made of basswood and are as good as they were in 18th c. The basilica displays paintings of Michael Willmann (a.k.a."the Silesian Rembrandt") that include biblical scenes in the Table Mountains setting!

A downhill ride in the Polish Table Mts towards the Czech Republic.
Jacek is not interested in wild nature, either. For that reason we just zoomed uphill from Batorówek to Karłów through the National Park of Table Mountains not seeing any of the famous sandstone rocks there But when we reached the Machov Road, he was in heaven!

Travelling between different EU countries is as easy as moving between U.S. states or Canadian provinces. No border, customs, or sanitary control. Yes, you need to keep the EU Vaccination Certificate in your smartphone but even that was never checked on our Czech stay.

In Machov. Hospoda (a tavern) or hostinec (an inn) are specific to Czech Republic. You always start ordering with beer. It is enough to say "pivo" and the man will bring something good. You can order pale or dark beer, and three strengths: 10, 11, or 12 degrees (Balling). Even the strongest of these beers is barely over 5% abv. It is perfectly normal to have a beer and then ride a bike in the Republic. And you drink beer to any meal there. We ordered "utopenec" for the snack. The Czech specialty is a small sausage marinated in vinegar with onion.

The typical price of a half-litre glass of beer is 30 CZK, or US$1.40. (You can even get it for one dollar if the pub belongs to a brewery).

To my surprise, it turned out the only practical route to reach the next border crossing was an MTB trail along the Polish border... It was a 17% grade incline! On pebbles! (My Vado helped me making that).

The Machov Cross, a landmark, perhaps 50 metres from the Polish border.

Then large stones started. Guess what? I walked my e-bike down to some civilization. (I was later told by a friend non-MTB bikes get their frames broken if you attempt to ride there).

The village of Božanov and a herd of Scottish cattle with Table Mountains in the background.

Especially for @RabH and @David Berry!

Back to Poland again. Such view of Table Mountains is only possible from the Czech side of the border.

In the "Graniczna" (Frontier) restaurant in Radków. I ate there for the last time back in 1982. We got Silesian Beef Roll for the lunch. Accompanied with genuine Czech beer from Broumov.

We had a demanding climb via the One Hundred Turns Highway to get back to Karłów. Here, touristically attractive Szczeliniec massif (Slotted Mt).

Szczeliniec (and Karłów) are infested with tourists. However, I WUZ THERE a year ago, so I found a nice, vacant and quiet place for taking some pictures.

Immense magnification of my smartphone camera let us see a tourist, sight-seeing the Slotted Mt labyrinth.

Surprise! Just a year ago, Kręgielny Trakt (Bowling Tract), a post German forest road was in the shape I needed a full-suspension e-MTB to descend. This year? We have got a brand new Bowling Tract, paved with sandstone and prepared for asphalt for a bike path! Half of the road is almost ready, and the other half is now nicely rolled fine gravel. The whole project is expected to be finished by the end of 2021.

And then we directly drove to the Czech Republic.

A 1892 statue of Krakonoš (Liczyrzepa, Rübezahl), the Mountain King in Trutnov (Tratenau). Trutnov is the Czech capital city for Krknoše (Giant Mountains).

At the "No 1" restaurant in Trutnov. I got another Czech staple food: Goulash with knedliki. And Krakonoš beer, of course

3D Ride Map.

Ride Map and Metrics.

 

[RabH]

Back on one of my favourite routes today with tons of ups and downs, it was a real blast in nice dry but overcast conditions! A strong southerly wind did a great job of drying the roads after yesterdays downpours, that same wind helped me to descend at almost 45mph on one of my favourite descents! Its awesome on the e bike but very exhilarating on the motorbike as it rises and falls all the way down, a real rollercoaster! Some of the roads were a little busy but once again the drivers were well behaved, even the crazy truck drivers were giving me lots of room!

There were some dodgy clouds about but no rain whatsoever thankfully!

I was keen to get a 50 miler done as I will be at the motor racing on Sunday and its the big event of the year, finally a full quota of fans are allowed to return! Things are gradually returning to near normal but we still have to wear facemasks indoors! Next week is looking more promising so hopefully there will be a few rides to report on, maybe even another big ride if things go to plan!The temps will be around 15-17C which is perfect for me, August is normally pretty dry but not this year, hopefully the remainder will be dryish! I'm making up for the lack of photos from my last ride!

 

[Dallant]

Great to see you guys riding as it’s just been way hot and humid here!

 

[kahn]

No riding yesterday or today. I received "blue light" treatment from my dermatologist yesterday and have to play vampire for two days completely out of the sun and even bright skies! But if I had ridden, it would be early since temperatures hit 90F yesterday and are expected to be hotter today and tomorrow. And they predict wild fire smoke may also settle in. YECH!

 

[Chargeride]

Drove for 45 mins.
Yes I know, I should be riding from home...
Anyway, rode the bike for 2 mins and the battery died, had taken all the tools out of the van so had to drive all the way home and disect the battery.
Turned out the fuse hsd been arcing in its mount and eventually had lost connectivity.
I cleaned it up and all seems well.

So ride abandoned..went for a 30 min spin on the beach to test it and the weather went a bit grim for 10 minutes and it really felt great to be alive, riding through the rain and wind.
Probably not the best idea with my sore throat...but worth it.

 

[Chargeride]

This is the Helvellyn vid if you have 8 mins to spare.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Along The River Metuje (Broumov Nature Protection Area CZ)
(Thursday, Aug 12th, 2021)

– "No sightseeing. Road only. Just cycling" – my brother declared. Well, you could travel to Anaheim CA and not see Disneyland; that's Jacek
We set off for a ride in beautiful green and mountainous area of Broumov Nature Protection Area on Thursday.

To encounter that nice climb early on our ride Honestly, I'm so happy I own a Turbo e-bike, "mountainized" innit
So, we rode in Adršpach with its famous Rock City (a park of fantastically shaped rocks) and just passed it by. Like not seeing Disneyland in Anaheim CA

Czech countryside is idyllic. By comparison, Poland villages are ugly (with the exception of ones found in Lower Silesia).

We had a fantastic ride between Meziměstí and Police nad Metují. There were two 11% grade inclines on the road, followed by a long, very fast and safe descent.

My personal best downhill maximum speed.

There was nothing for us in the resort town of Police nad Metují. We just left the city and found the next countryside inn (hospoda or hostinec) for the lunch.

Bramboráky, or Czech potato pancakes (very nourishing). Czech Republic is very specific regarding the lunchtime. You cannot order your meal freely; you have to choose from the Menu of the Day. Lunch is a sacred thing for Czech people. As the things need to be kept simple and inexpensive, you just eat what you are offered on the given day. And beer is almost obligatory (you can ask for nealko – alcohol free beer - if you are a driver). A glass of 10 BLG (4% abv) beer is normal for a cyclist; also to the breakfast.

Where has my brother gone? He forgot taking his backpack (with the car key!) in the village we were taking our rest... An extra hard climb for him!
Czech parcel locker Zasilkovna gives the user less capabilities than the Polish InPost but the Czech lockers are very modern and can only be controlled with a smartphone.

No Coke or Pepsi for the Czech people; old good Kofola does Introduced in Czechoslovakia in 1960, Kofola remains the nation's favourite soft drink. Yes, you can buy both Coke or Pepsi but these are perceived as beverages for high society, and are not popular. A typical Czech doesn't need any IPA either!

And we could meet in person Vlasta, my Facebook friend! Vlasta is riding a recumbent e-bike! She has become our host and guide for the coming Friday's ride. We intend to ride up near the Sněžka/Śnieżka peak and conquer the mountain by foot, with Vlasta keeping an eye on our e-bikes. Sněžka is the tallest mountain of the Czech Republic, and it is located on the Czech/Polish border. We're excited! Necessary to mention the Czech nation has embraced e-bikes totally. It is a mountainous country, and e-bikes make great sense here. Interestingly, everybody accepts the 25 km/h assistance speed limit in the Republic. You ride uphill rather slowly anyway, and gain speed downhill. Nobody buys S-Pedelecs here!

Centre: "Moravian Sparrows". No, not birds. Polish "pigeons" are not birds either. Moravian Sparrows are just tiny bits of grilled meat.

Bottom: The Czech national specialy, or "řezané pivo" ("cut beer"). Don't try making it at home yourself! You will need meticulously selected pale and dark lagers of specific temperature. A skilled bartender pours the pale beer first, the dark ale next. I was trying to make it myself and failed.

Ride map and metrics.

 

[Dallant]

Along The River Metuje (Broumov Nature Protection Area CZ)

– "No sightseeing. Road only. Just cycling" – my brother declared. Well, you could travel to Anaheim CA and not see Disneyland; that's Jacek

We set off for a ride in beautiful green and mountainous area of Broumov Nature Protection Area on Thursday.
View attachment 96324
To encounter that nice climb early on our ride Honestly, I'm so happy I own a Turbo e-bike, "mountainized" innit

So, we rode in Adršpach with its famous Rock City (a park of fantastically shaped rocks) and just passed it by. Like not seeing Disneyland in Anaheim CA

View attachment 96325
View attachment 96326
Czech countryside is idyllic. By comparison, Poland villages are ugly (with the exception of ones found in Lower Silesia).

We had a fantastic ride between Meziměstí and Police nad Metují. There were two 11% grade inclines on the road, followed by a long, very fast and safe descent.

View attachment 96327
My personal best downhill maximum speed.

View attachment 96328
There was nothing for us in the resort town of Police nad Metují. We just left the city and found the next countryside inn (hospoda or hostinec) for the lunch.

View attachment 96329
Bramboráky, or Czech potato pancakes (very nourishing). Czech Republic is very specific regarding the lunchtime. You cannot order your meal freely; you have to choose from the Menu of the Day. Lunch is a sacred thing for Czech people. As the things need to be kept simple and inexpensive, you just eat what you are offered on the given day. And beer is almost obligatory (you can ask for nealko – alcohol free beer - if you are a driver). A glass of 10 BLG (4% abv) beer is normal for a cyclist; also to the breakfast.

View attachment 96330
Where has my brother gone? He forgot taking his backpack (with the car key!) in the village we were taking our rest... An extra hard climb for him!

View attachment 96331
And we could meet in person Vlasta, my Facebook friend! Vlasta is riding a recumbent e-bike! She has become our host and guide for the coming Friday's ride. We intend to ride up near the Sněžka/Śnieżka peak and conquer the mountain by foot, with Vlasta keeping an eye on our e-bikes. Sněžka is the tallest mountain of the Czech Republic, and it is located on the Czech/Polish border. We're excited!

View attachment 96332
Ride map and metrics.

Necessary to mention the Czech nation has embraced e-bikes totally. It is a mountainous country, and e-bikes make great sense here. Interestingly, everybody accepts the 25 km/h assistance speed limit in the Republic. You ride uphill rather slowly anyway, and gain speed downhill. Nobody buys S-Pedelecs here!

Stefan, you need to program your stats to show your BPH (Beers Per Hour)!