Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Stefan Mikes]

Just a small update, so you can understand how much pissed off irritated I am.
In 2014, the street numbers where I lived were re-organized (so the houses would be uniquely identified at a street shared by two towns). At that time, you had to make a new national ID (nobody told us, so the IDs for the whole family got invalidated). Later, the law changed and you didn't need to have any address in your ID. I was travelling to non-Schengen countries (UK, Norway) for many times since, always using the same invalid ID and nobody ever cared! Only today, my ID was thoroughly inspected against a digital database, and I had to return home in shame, losing quite a lot of money spent on non-refundable expenses (only Covid tests were over 100 quids!).

I attribute the detailed Polish border control to Brexit.

I don't want to say anything more.

 

[Dallant]

I could take a coach to England instead of the airplane. I don't think the British Border Control has data of all EU national IDs. However, I'll try to convince my gf to take a flight to Poland instead.

Bummer to hear. How about a train?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Bummer to hear. How about a train?

Not to avail. Even if there are many transportation means (e.g. minibus, coach), the expensive Covid test would be invalid already tomorrow. I have agreed with gf she would come to Poland in 1-2 months, her work arrangement allowing that. Meanwhile, I need to make a new ID and passport.

 

[Chargeride]

On the bright side it stops these polish hunks seducing our women.

 

[kahn]

Curious to know what the coiled wire is for that’s seen routed into the non-drive side port along the top tube? Are those cables for the road remotes? Sharp looking Creo, BTW.

Good eye, there!

Well, I sprung (pun possibly intended) for some of those coil springy bracelets so that I had something colorful to place on my saddle or handlebars or somewhere obvious so that I was reminded that had engaged my Abus Cafe lock. At my age I needed some memory aid so that I did not just try rolling the bike with the spokes entangled in that lock. Any purchase like that from Amazon meant I got about 3 gazillion of them.

The original question - yes, the wires from the remote were fairly thin and hung fairly loose. They have to be somewhat loose to allow the handlebar/wheel to rotate extremely left/right. But they looked like they could get caught on something including my fingers. I found the black (not colorful and matched the wire color) springy bracelet and tugged on it to find if it was weak or I could find its seam. Did not, so I just cut it and wrapped it around those wires. I could probably cover more of the wire further up but would have to settle for a dark brownish color - what a clash that would be!

And I should THANK YOU for the lead to that "kickstand" idea. Yesterday was my first opportunity since getting it (he was away for vacation for two weeks). If I had to do it all over, I would have opted for the heavier duty one since that one has a larger accessory foot which might help in sand. It does not fit the thinner version. But I'm sure that I could manage something in the field.

http://www.click-stand.com/

And now I have 3 gazillion minus 1 coil bracelets for all kinds of other things!

Oh, I wish I could take credit for the Creo's paint job but Specialized did all of that. I could go down to the basement and take a picture of my red/purple fade custom steel frame to show my skills. Alas, the top tube on that frame cracked after it rusted through - I have incredibly toxic, salty sweat and a paint chip on the bottom rusted and spread. And, I have too much crap on this bike!

 

[kahn]

Just a small update, so you can understand how much pissed off irritated I am.
In 2014, the street numbers where I lived were re-organized (so the houses would be uniquely identified at a street shared by two towns). At that time, you had to make a new national ID (nobody told us, so the IDs for the whole family got invalidated). Later, the law changed and you didn't need to have any address in your ID. I was travelling to non-Schengen countries (UK, Norway) for many times since, always using the same invalid ID and nobody ever cared! Only today, my ID was thoroughly inspected against a digital database, and I had to return home in shame, losing quite a lot of money spent on non-refundable expenses (only Covid tests were over 100 quids!).

I attribute the detailed Polish border control to Brexit.

I don't want to say anything more.

An acquaintance was leading a Himalayan group trip about two years ago. Showed up for the flight - "sorry, your passport expires in 6 months and you need a new passport!" He could not board the flight and the co-leader had to take over. Some of you are probably aware that you cannot exit the country and go somewhere if your passport MIGHT expire in about six months." So the pull date (use by date) like on milk is completely useless for a passport!!!!

Really sorry that they threw a monkey wrench into your plans.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Good eye, there!

Well, I sprung (pun possibly intended) for some of those coil springy bracelets so that I had something colorful to place on my saddle or handlebars or somewhere obvious so that I was reminded that had engaged my Abus Cafe lock. At my age I needed some memory aid so that I did not just try rolling the bike with the spokes entangled in that lock. Any purchase like that from Amazon meant I got about 3 gazillion of them.

The original question - yes, the wires from the remote were fairly thin and hung fairly loose. They have to be somewhat loose to allow the handlebar/wheel to rotate extremely left/right. But they looked like they could get caught on something including my fingers. I found the black (not colorful and matched the wire color) springy bracelet and tugged on it to find if it was weak or I could find its seam. Did not, so I just cut it and wrapped it around those wires. I could probably cover more of the wire further up but would have to settle for a dark brownish color - what a clash that would be!

And I should THANK YOU for the lead to that "kickstand" idea. Yesterday was my first opportunity since getting it (he was away for vacation for two weeks). If I had to do it all over, I would have opted for the heavier duty one since that one has a larger accessory foot which might help in sand. It does not fit the thinner version. But I'm sure that I could manage something in the field.

http://www.click-stand.com/

And now I have 3 gazillion minus 1 coil bracelets for all kinds of other things!

Oh, I wish I could take credit for the Creo's paint job but Specialized did all of that. I could go down to the basement and take a picture of my red/purple fade custom steel frame to show my skills. Alas, the top tube on that frame cracked after it rusted through - I have incredibly toxic, salty sweat and a paint chip on the bottom rusted and spread. And, I have too much crap on this bike!

Good call on wrapping those remote wires as they can be quite thin and somewhat finicky to deal with. I used a length of 3/8” heat shrink tubing to bundle mine and left enough slack so that it doesn’t impinge when rotating the bars.

The cables on the non-drive side of my Trance came installed with a spiral wrap which seems to work just as well.

The Click Stand certainly comes in handy when there’s nothing around to prop up the bike. Forgetting to release the brake band before setting off can be a bit unsettling though.
Seeing SPECIALIZED emblazoned in hypergreen on your bike is what sold me!

 

[kahn]

Good call on wrapping those remote wires as they can be quite thin and somewhat finicky to deal with. I used a length of 3/8” heat shrink tubing to bundle mine and left enough slack so that it doesn’t impinge when rotating the bars.
View attachment 100989
The cables on the non-drive side of my Trance came installed with a spiral wrap which seems to work just as well.
View attachment 100990
The Click Stand certainly comes in handy when there’s nothing around to prop up the bike. Forgetting to release the brake band before setting off can be a bit unsettling though.
Seeing SPECIALIZED emblazoned in hypergreen on your bike is what sold me!

I was going for one of those wire wraps and have thick, heavy spiral in the basement and then thought of my coil bracelets! But I was on Amazon looking at what they have and had these two in my shopping cart:

While my shop had that color in my size, I also preferred it to the two other choices. I don't need eye catching red.

Forgetting brake bands or Cafe locks was what led me to those coil bracelets.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

On the bright side it stops these polish hunks seducing our women.

My Ewa is Polish

 

[kahn]

My Ewa is Polish

Is she going to have Brexit issues working there?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Is she going to have Brexit issues working there?

No, she's a British resident. Britons would be very stupid to get rid of the remaining workforce of the UK.

Let us go back to Our Rides. I plan a very intensive cycling weekend.

 

[Haystacks]

For the first and hopefully last time i applaud our border control, it's also good to hear that at least one European is able to enjoy British sausage, probably tired of the bland, shrivelled Polish variety.

 

[RandallS]

Haven't posted in a while, for various reasons, including I spend too much time in front of a screen as I've gone back to work for a while.
Retirement #4 was over and I was getting bored.

But often it's because I ride mostly in the same place all the time because it's so close to home and how many pictures of Nose Hill and the Rockies in the distance do you want to see???

However, autumn is here and it was a glorious day - these pictures are all from around 10-15 minutes from my house.






Hope everyone here is doing well!

 

[m@Robertson]

Moved my Envoy home last week so I can have a bike for shopping duty instead of the car. Went to the local bakery that morning, grabbed a breakfast Brötchen and a baguette for later. Cruised to the shore and polished off the world's best egg sandwich. This is a fantastic place to be a utility rider, as posted speed limits are right at home with the bike's pedelec cruising speed, and there are bike racks all over the place. Thats a fog bank in the background, not the crest of a tsunami. Also back where I am temporarily residing in the Central Vallley, its about 100 fahrenheit vs. 60 here. Only 160 miles separate the two places.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Haven't posted in a while, for various reasons, including I spend too much time in front of a screen as I've gone back to work for a while.
Retirement #4 was over and I was getting bored.

But often it's because I ride mostly in the same place all the time because it's so close to home and how many pictures of Nose Hill and the Rockies in the distance do you want to see???

However, autumn is here and it was a glorious day - these pictures are all from around 10-15 minutes from my house.

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Hope everyone here is doing well!

Sure is good to see you back on the forums Randall. I’ll make it down to your neck of the woods one of these days or perhaps we could risk it all and ride Goat Creek. Nice to see some fall colors up on the Nose.

 

[kahn]

Haven't posted in a while, for various reasons, including I spend too much time in front of a screen as I've gone back to work for a while.
Retirement #4 was over and I was getting bored.

But often it's because I ride mostly in the same place all the time because it's so close to home and how many pictures of Nose Hill and the Rockies in the distance do you want to see???

However, autumn is here and it was a glorious day - these pictures are all from around 10-15 minutes from my house.

View attachment 101020 View attachment 101021 View attachment 101022 View attachment 101023 View attachment 101024

View attachment 101025 View attachment 101026 View attachment 101027 View attachment 101028


Hope everyone here is doing well!

Nice Fall colors coming through.

 

[kahn]

Hey Randall I've been indirectly called Dr Jekell and Mr Hyde. I'm new to the forums. From Hawaii. My trails are also within 15 mile radius from home base. I was on a 11 mile ride today
It gets pretty colorful here on the Island during autumn It's rainy time of the year.
I have photos from my ride to a nearby Coast Guard base commissary to buy my favorite beverage to go with my Lady's spicy Korean dish
The flowers on the trees are wild bougainvillea.
I had to snap a shot of the roadie bike.
Must be a new coastie on the Island. Two locks on his bike!!! On Federal properties I don't lock my bike.

I like the wild bougainvillea images.

 

[Chargeride]

A perfect storm of promises to help friends with house improvements, grandchild birthdays, rescuing pigeons from fireplaces and a leaking roof has kept me off the bike this week.

In my 'retirement' I trained to be a boiler installer, got the qualifications and I really should have done it years ago, what a different life I would have had, I was a 9-5 software writer, under the thumb of a salaryman and to make things worse I was sat on the top floor of a building with a panoramic view of the sea and the Welsh mountains.
Running out of annual leave within months, even though I was up to 7 weeks of it, by scooting off into them every sunny day and then being stuck in the office for the rest of the year.

This job, if I had it as a normal income allows me to take time off at will, there is nothing sweeter than freedom once youve tasted it.
Even the van I use now to transport the bike about is a tax write off.
Anyway, I guess most people here are past that pesky employment stage.

The link here is that I fitted my friends boiler in exchange for all the parts off his efatbike which he returned to its original acoustic form.
So I'll be building another efat for the wife and even though she doesnt want one, Im convinced the first ride, fire, smoke, bits falling off or coming loose will convert her forever to the clan.

Were going through media driven hysteria in the UK at the moment.
Dont panic buy fuel!!! They said with the resultant massive queues at garages, now its hilariously christmas dinner shortages..its still september.
So the daughters partners cousin rolls up in a Tesla with an ebike on the back in the middle of this and it brought home the possibilities of e-things being a way out of fuel reliance with a bit of local inginuity.

I realise they are a million other ways that setup still needs the infastructure of society, but for getting about , battery power really does open up a small crack to escape from the clutches of the oil barons.

Just a ramble sorry, no rides to report.

 

[Readytoride]

@Chargeride **battery power really does open up a small crack to escape from the clutches of the oil barons.**

For the past three years I've been driving my BEV (battery electric vehicle) - a 2018 Leaf - and the joy of being totally 100% "free" from the gasoline stranglehold (barring the need to still purchase the obnoxious fuel for tractors and grass mowers) has been...in a word...amazing.

Hubby and I were discussing yesterday that soon we will no longer be seen as one of the early adopters of BEV technology. In a few more years we will be surrounded by silent, non-polluting cars and trucks. Sadly, all the free charging offered just about everywhere now will probably be replaced by a cost driven system. Still, it is incredible to see how fast the charging infrastructure is already being built out on the major highways where it didn't exist 2 years ago.

Oil is fighting to slow the progress of the BEV and retain its hold on our economies, just as the horse drawn business community did 120 years ago attempting to prevent motor cars from making any forward progress in the cities and countryside. Oil is already losing, just as the horse transportation based society did in the early 1900s. Horses were pretty much gone by 1940. I suspect gasoline cars will follow that same trend by 2040.

We are waiting for our maximum range (400+ miles per charge) Rivian to be ready for delivery (hopefully this December), and then we will be selling our remaining ICE vehicles, which are barely driven now except to keep them in operating condition and prevent their batteries from dying, to make us a 100% BEV household.

Next step will be the installation of solar panels to "fuel" our vehicles and bikes.

And yes, I carry my e-bikes on the back rack of my e-car. I consider that a class act.

 

[ActionJackson]

Massage reclining chair from Asia.

Hehe I tossed my fancy red Italian leather one a few years ago and last year imported a real Lazy Boy recliner - from China