Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[kahn]

I think the reference to Kate Bush that @Chargeride made in the video was that she owned a home in the general area where he was cycling through at the time. Pity she wasn’t around to wave to the camera!

Skye Edward’s (formerly of Morcheeba) silky voice could be heard throughout the video and at the very end. ‘The Sea’, how befitting.

Yes, he also said if you don't know her, quit watching now or something similar!

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Crossing to the Peninsula…

My rides up the northern section of the Moreton Bay Cycleway tend to be repetitive. Brisbane is separated from the Redcliffe Peninsula by Hays Inlet where the Pine Rivers empty into Bramble Bay. Not unexpectedly the twin road bridges linking the coastal settlements are positioned at the narrowest point, but it still takes about eight minutes to cross.

Midway across the bridge my Ride with GPS app chirps out the distance — thirty heading north; ninety returning south — and does so in an accentless (that is, Australian) female voice.

Enough of that: here is the bridge from the northern side, looking south.

Ted Smout Memorial Bridge
Bramble Bay
30/90 km on map​

And to the north, the Moreton Bay Cycleway hugs the coast: you might just be able to make out the sliver of concrete between the Norfolk Island pines and the houses. The Port of Brisbane cranes can be seen in the distance (about 30 km away).

Scarborough Beach
Redcliffe Peninsula
42/78 km on map​

 

[Prairie Dog]

We don't have proper mountains like that! I hope you can tick it off your bucket list soon!

We’re gunning for Sept 7 but will be keeping a close eye on the forecast. Looks good now but things can change in an awful hurry.


Your ride might be a tad bit on the cool side by the looks of it.

 

[RabH]

We’re gunning for Sept 7 but will be keeping a close eye on the forecast. Looks good now but things can change in an awful hurry.
View attachment 98077View attachment 98078

Your ride might be a tad bit on the cool side by the looks of it.

I thrive in cooler weather, I could choose a route tomorrow where the temp will be around 17C but I would prefer the lower temp of the ride up the mountain!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I thrive in cooler weather, I could choose a route tomorrow where the temp will be around 17C but I would prefer the lower temp of the ride up the mountain!

I hear ya. The start of our ride out of Lake Louise ten days ago was a brisk 5C but once we started riding and the sun made its appearance, those additional layers became a nuisance and were dispensed with after the first few climbs.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

(I was on a 93 km ride with Jerzy. I rode Vado SL in 40% assistance mode -- very low support -- and am too exhausted to post my report now...)

See the ride data: If you agree to ride an SL at low speed, the battery range becomes HUGE (I didn't need to take the Range Extender for the ride, actually).

A 70-miler on my full power Vado will commence tomorrow at 8:00 am in a city distant for more than 40 km from my place (car ride needed). I expect I would need to get up terribly early...

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Jerzy's Visit To The (Future) Central Transportation Hub (CPK)

Our enlightened Government has come with yet another great proposal to build the Central Transportation Hub (CPK) in the middle of Mazovia. The decision is controversial, as that would mean expropriating thousands of people and taking up a huge area of land for the big airport. I hope that fantastic idea (as many other our Government has proposed) wouldn't come true. Anyway, seeing the area before anything would happen there was a good pretext to invite my friend @Jerzy Bańkowski for a longer ride in my larger neighbourhood

We used train to start the ride in Jaktorów (it took Jerzy 2 hours overall to get there from the other side of the River Vistula in Warsaw).

We had hoped for getting pączki in Jaktorów cake shop. Alas! The shop is open from 6 am., and people buy pączki out very early there. So we had to console ourselves with jagodzianki (bilberry jam filled buns).

Baranów is to become the central point of the CPK. The locals are very clear about the whole idea: "No to the CPK!"

Our "pee range" is somewhat limited By that occasion, I took the picture presenting our bikes.

An 1830 palace in Pass. Unfortunately, it is in private hands so we could not approach it more closely.

I got infuriated with the approach of the owner of the Climatic Cafe in Leszno. She has taken the second vacation this Summer! As for a cafe focused on cyclists, the owner's decision of taking holidays in the middle of the season twice made me really upset.

Jerzy's first time in Mariew, near to the Kampinos National Park.

At the Biker Pub. Jerzy enjoying "Opat", a Czech lager from Broumov. That's the same beer we enjoyed with Jacek earlier this month.

Yes, you can buy kiełbasa at the Biker's Pub but you need to grill it yourself!

At the Detox "Phoenix" clinic in Umiastów (That's the place where I got my covid vaccinations).

Eventually, we reached the train station in Pruszków. Jerzy was very lucky as his direct return train was about to come in just 14 minutes!

 

[RabH]

9 years ago I completed this ride on my Focus Cayo Carbon road bike, I really wanted to try it on my e bike and today was the day! It was a truly epic ride, no sign of the wall to wall sunshine that was forecast but I'm not complaining! It was very misty when I set off from the car at the beautiful Loch Lubnaig, no picture as it was invisible this morning! Further on the road meanders alongside Loch Tay, which was also pretty misty early this morning but by the time I descended the mountain it was much clearer!

Loch tay in the mist this morning!

Eventually the road leads to a small village called Fearnan where I make the turn to Glen Lyon which leads to the foot of the mountain! Fearnan has some lovely views of Loch Tay also!

I wouldn't mind living here looking at Loch Tay every morning!

They don't come cheap! https://www.cottages.com/cottages/the-bothy-uk11867

The start of Glen Lyon, I forgot how beautiful it was! I won't be waiting another 9 years to return here!

A few miles along the valley I made a new friend!

Glen Lyon really is amazing, with roads like this who wouldn't love it?

Eventually I reach Bridge Of Balgie which signals the start of the climb up Ben Lawers!

I'm so glad I decided to climb at this end as the road was pretty rough on the climb and wouldn't have been much fun to descend!

Up at 1500ft where the road is a little better!

The top of the climb at Lawers Dam, 1800ft up!

The reservoir!

Time for the descent and I was lucky as the mist had cleared, on the way up I met a cyclist going down who said it was very poor visibility at the top!

I stopped here to take this photo and started to descend again when I met a huge logging truck with a giant single wheel at the front, I wish I had waited as I couldn't get my phone out quick enough to take a photo! It was taking up the whole road, the front wheel was taller than me and I'm 6ft tall, it really was a beast of a machine!

The bottom of the descent which is pretty scary, there's a very tight bend which has a really bad camber where you have to drop your speed significantly!

The end of the quiet roads before I turn on to a busy highway with a big climb and a lovely descent at Glen Ogle, thankfully no trucks today but lots of motorhomes and caravans! The road was very quiet at 6am but crazy busy at 10.30am!

What a fantastic trip that was, I'm so glad I made the effort to get up at 4am to make it happen!

A comparison of my ride in 2012 with my ride today!

2012!

Today!

In 2012 I was using a Garmin GPS and its stange to see the different stats from today using my Wahoo GPS as both rides were exactly the same!

 

[kahn]

Someone keeps ruining these great scenic shots by putting a bike in the picture!!!!

Sounds and looks wonderful. 4am, even from this morning person, is a bit tough, though.

 

[Prairie Dog]

@RabH - Wow! The images speak for themselves and thanks for sharing those comparative stats. Interesting to see how close the numbers are. Bravo!

 

[RabH]

Non bike pics from my ride!

 

[RabH]

The remainder, who needs sun?

 

[kahn]

The remainder, who needs sun?

It's nice that you take the time to take all of those terrific photos. I did dedicate two rides a few weeks ago to actually taking photos on those rides. It was fun but also interrupts the flow. But if I ride with someone else - very few photos are taken.

 

[RabH]

It's nice that you take the time to take all of those terrific photos. I did dedicate two rides a few weeks ago to actually taking photos on those rides. It was fun but also interrupts the flow. But if I ride with someone else - very few photos are taken.

It was one of those days where everytime you turned a corner you just had to stop and take a photo, I was making up for the last time I did this route and my photos were just awful...thanks to a rubbish phone!

 

[Prairie Dog]

It's nice that you take the time to take all of those terrific photos. I did dedicate two rides a few weeks ago to actually taking photos on those rides. It was fun but also interrupts the flow. But if I ride with someone else - very few photos are taken.

I tend to agree, though for me riding with family is a bit different as we are all respectfully aware of stopping for one another to snap photos along the way. I can usually be seen zipping farther ahead and playing catch up, that way I don’t disturb the flow of the group. However, when I’m out riding the trails with others, it’s difficult to stop and shoot in the midst of action unless we’ve all gathered at another trailhead or have come across impediments along the trail and are forced to stop.

That is what’s so great about action cams. My aim with the GoPro is to capture moments to allow the viewer to be able to get a true sense of the surroundings. It would be amazing to see video footage of RabH’s trips as well as others.

My dad, bless his soul, always brought along his Canon super 8 when taking the family out on vacation trips to the west coast or during backyard gatherings with relatives. I still have those memories preserved on flash drives.

 

[RabH]

I tend to agree, though for me riding with family is a bit different as we are all respectfully aware of stopping for one another to snap photos along the way. I can usually be seen zipping farther ahead and playing catch up, that way I don’t disturb the flow of the group. However, when I’m out riding the trails with others, it’s difficult to stop and shoot in the midst of action unless we’ve all gathered at another trailhead or have come across impediments along the trail and are forced to stop.

That is what’s so great about action cams. My aim with the GoPro is to capture moments to allow the viewer to be able to get a true sense of the surroundings. It would be amazing to see video footage of RabH’s trips as well as others.

My dad, bless his soul, always brought along his Canon super 8 when taking the family out on vacation trips to the west coast or during backyard gatherings with relatives. I still have those memories preserved on flash drives.

Maybe if I win the lottery, my pension wouldn't stretch to a fancy camera!

 

[mschwett]

I haven't taken a long ride (>40mi) in a few weeks, and made it out today. I've ridden this route once before, and while it took just about the same amount of time (just 5 minutes faster), this ride only used 73wh of the 320wh internal battery, whereas the last one used 108wh!

Few pictures were taken, here in a shady spot in the forest just past the peak of the long climb of around 2,000' with a few breaks:

and after the descent and a long flat run along the coast, (with the usual discouraging headwind!) soft serve ice cream was had.

i have noticed that many of my favorite routes take this form - two loops connected by a out-and-back two way section. even within the city i see this! must be my preference for loops combined with geographic reality.

 

[kahn]

I haven't taken a long ride (>40mi) in a few weeks, and made it out today. I've ridden this route once before, and while it took just about the same amount of time (just 5 minutes faster), this ride only used 73wh of the 320wh internal battery, whereas the last one used 108wh!

Few pictures were taken, here in a shady spot in the forest just past the peak of the long climb of around 2,000' with a few breaks:

View attachment 98322

and after the descent and a long flat run along the coast, (with the usual discouraging headwind!) soft serve ice cream was had.

View attachment 98323

i have noticed that many of my favorite routes take this form - two loops connected by a out-and-back two way section. even within the city i see this! must be my preference for loops combined with geographic reality.

View attachment 98325

You are much, much stronger than I am!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I haven't taken a long ride (>40mi) in a few weeks, and made it out today. I've ridden this route once before, and while it took just about the same amount of time (just 5 minutes faster), this ride only used 73wh of the 320wh internal battery, whereas the last one used 108wh!

Few pictures were taken, here in a shady spot in the forest just past the peak of the long climb of around 2,000' with a few breaks:

After a ride like that, I would have thought that someone should have at least treated you to an ice cream.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Przemek's Loop, or 2 Gravel & 2 Electric Bikes Ride

What a group ride! Let me introduce the participants and their gear first:

Przemek a.k.a. The Gravel Man: Experienced gravel cyclist with many 200 km trips behind him (the longest one of 261.7 km). He rides a Merida Silex 400, and is very good with his Wahoo. A natural group leader.

Michał a.k.a. Mr Fast. A close friend to Przemek, a gravel cyclist (265.6 km longest ride). Riding a Focus gravel bike.

Jarek, a friend to Przemek and Michał. He and his wife both ride Overfly Bolt Plus e-bikes. As Jarek's wife was not ready for that trip, she let Jarek use a spare 630 Wh battery from her e-bike.

A word on Overfly Bolt Plus e-bikes. These are quite popular for Poland because of their attractive price. The Overfly is equipped with Ananda M100 mid-drive motor, 630 W battery, and comes with 27.5 x 2.4" comfortable wheels, with a decent suspension fork. (No need to mention the e-bike was derestricted). The price of the e-bike is roughly US$2400.

Yours truly, riding Vado 5/6 with two 600 W batteries.

Both strong traditional cyclists agreed to ride somewhat slower with us, e-bikers. Przemek's knees were hurting, additionally motivating him to ride slower. The ride was... just a ride. We were riding asphalt, gravel, concrete slabs, and dirt. Przemek is known for planning difficult rides: a road with no exit, railroad to be crossed, a morass etc Fortunately, his route was fairly easy that time!

When I could see plums in an orchard, I could not resist; stole and ate a plum!

Przemek's route led through an open orchard. Here, my buddies stole and ate pears and apples!

A longer stop in Łowicz. Łowicz is a city in the Land of Łódź proud of its folklore. The most famous Corpus Christi procession of Poland occurs in Łowicz, with participants wearing folklore clothes. (The ice cream there was delicious!)

When we reached Sochaczew on our return trip, I was riding main road at high speed (my Vado is technically speaking a roadworthy moped) while the guys were riding a bike path. When they came to the main square, Michał spotted me too late, and suddenly braked near to a fountain. He slipped as it were ice and fell! We rewarded ourselves (and consoled Michał) in the nice cafe. I had a mochaccino and a cake (so much of sugar taken in!)

A word on Mr Fast: On Summer riding afternoons, I have a little of motivation for riding. I told Michał I needed a road cyclist who I could race with. Michał smiled and demanded: "What is the max speed you can achieve?" -- "45 km/h" -- "Let's race!" and he spurted forward! Oh my! I was riding 45 km/h and he was only that faster as to be in the lead! He won the race, and gave me a nice shot of adrenalin at the same time!

A short video.
Both I and Jarek had to swap our batteries at exactly the same time! Przemek and Michał asked us to let them demo ride our e-bikes. Przemek's reaction to riding my Vado: "I WANT IT!" And someone's reply: "I knew it before!" -- "He fell into it!"
Second part: Jarek and Przemek skylarking in the afternoon.

Przemek and Michał added as many as two kilometres to my stats by testing my Vado!