Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[kahn]

Massage reclining chair from Asia.
Highly recommended for every body.
Leather perfect!!!!!@

Does that bottle of whatever come with it?

 

[kahn]

@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.

Sounds as if you have applied some of the electric magic. Of course, we do still have to generate the power. Much of ours comes from rivers that even with rising temperatures, the rivers still flow. And our City is our power generator and purveyor.

But nonetheless - Installed April 2013 and still ticking.... In yesterday's sunshine.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Russian brand vodka made in the US It helps relax my muscles.

Is Stolichnaya made in the U.S.?!

 

[Deleted member 18083]

The perfect deterrent?

Australian Magpie
Rothwell, Redcliffe Peninsula​

My name's Magnus the Magnificent – Mad Mags to my friends – and my world is ire and cyclists' blood.

Now, I have a deal for you: share some of that homemade cake and I'll never pursue you again!

What's that: bird scare tape and a Da Brim? That's bait! The deal was I wouldn't… but I reckon you got a bargain; don't you?

You know, hope is a mistake.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Pruszków Critical Mass

Being stuck in Poland, I had nothing to do on Saturday. It was rather a cold and windy day, with occasional drizzle. I set off (at 9 a.m., Vado SL) for a morning coffee with my friend Jazza in Warsaw; her close friend (and my recent e-bike riding mate) Howard was there, too. The remaining part of the day didn't seem to offer anything interesting.

One of the worst cycling spots in the Warsaw suburbs. The bike path is just hopeless but you are not allowed to ride with traffic there. If I ride my S-Vado, I just ride with traffic (it is OK and even not dangerous). When on a bike (that is, a 25 km/h Euro e-bike), I have to take that bike path, (so I avoid that area whenever I can).

On my return way home, I was overtaken by a roadie. I only sighed, derestricted my SL, switched Turbo on and was following the roadie. At some point, his tail-light detached and fell on the pavement. I shouted a warning, the guy stopped, collected the lamp (it seemed it could be reassembled), and we started talking:

-- "Are you joining the Mass?" -- he demanded -- "What do you mean?" -- "You know, the Bike Critical Mass event" -- "I know what it means; where and when?" -- "13:00 hours at Potulicki Palace. Will you join, sir?" --- "Sure, let me follow you!"

By the Palace, we talked more. He admired my Vado SL, was aware that I needed to pedal the thing to ride, and told me he was trying to escape my pursuit but was not able to do it Now, couple of words on how we do the Critical Mass in Poland.

In my opinion, Critical Mass has lost its importance in our country. Important in the past, it is obsolete now, as the local governments willingly spend astronomic sums of EU money to built and improve the cycling infrastructure in Poland. Nowadays, the Critical Mass only makes drivers irritated, and is a kind of cyclists' communion, or parade. Nothing else.

Moreover, Critical Mass used to be a spontaneous direct action: it is not doable today. The parade was escorted by a police car, and a policeman on motorbike; the City Guard was "corking" intersections for the cyclists' safety. Of course we rode underneath red lights and over "bike ban" segments with the full acceptance of the law enforcement.

So I joined my first Critical Mass.

I liked the parade. Moving at the slowest speed possible (some 10 km/h), it had to be done in the lowest gear. I rode with no electric assistance although I admit I turned it once for a while. I made a furore in the eyes of two attractive female cyclists by showing them pedalling at 140 rpm cadence: "Now, that's some spinning!" one of them remarked in awe I admired little kids, effortlessly having ridden for 15 km on tiny kid bikes. Yes, Poland is a cycling country. (Pruszków is only a 60,000 county town but the number of cyclists who gathered was significant). Notice organizers in orange vests: they actively participated in "corking" of intersections.

Almost 60 km on that unpleasant day. I'm happy!

P.S. I made my 8,000th kilometre as of today. And it is only the end of September!

 

[BlackHand]

Organised an army of off duty cops and teachers along with their families, also concern citizens, me included. For a clean up party.

Nice to see community come together. Seattle is really struggling to come to any consensus on how to address our homeless problem and the resultant issues from the many encampments here. Luckily, the bike paths are fairly clear.

 

[kahn]

Nice to see community come together. Seattle is really struggling to come to any consensus on how to address our homeless problem and the resultant issues from the many encampments here. Luckily, the bike paths are fairly clear.

I probably ride past the Ballard Commons "Park" about twice a week on the 58th Street bike route. It use to be a nice park with the skate board ramps. Last week there was the fire. My friend now bypasses that street as she is uncomfortable there. I pedal quickly past it.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Do they mean us?

Toogoolawah, Queensland​

 

[Chargeride]

Pruszków Critical Mass

Being stuck in Poland, I had nothing to do on Saturday. It was rather a cold and windy day, with occasional drizzle. I set off (at 9 a.m., Vado SL) for a morning coffee with my friend Jazza in Warsaw; her close friend (and my recent e-bike riding mate) Howard was there, too. The remaining part of the day didn't seem to offer anything interesting.

View attachment 101095
One of the worst cycling spots in the Warsaw suburbs. The bike path is just hopeless but you are not allowed to ride with traffic there. If I ride my S-Vado, I just ride with traffic (it is OK and even not dangerous). When on a bike (that is, a 25 km/h Euro e-bike), I have to take that bike path, (so I avoid that area whenever I can).

View attachment 101096
On my return way home, I was overtaken by a roadie. I only sighed, derestricted my SL, switched Turbo on and was following the roadie. At some point, his tail-light detached and fell on the pavement. I shouted a warning, the guy stopped, collected the lamp (it seemed it could be reassembled), and we started talking:

-- "Are you joining the Mass?" -- he demanded -- "What do you mean?" -- "You know, the Bike Critical Mass event" -- "I know what it means; where and when?" -- "13:00 hours at Potulicki Palace. Will you join, sir?" --- "Sure, let me follow you!"

By the Palace, we talked more. He admired my Vado SL, was aware that I needed to pedal the thing to ride, and told me he was trying to escape my pursuit but was not able to do it Now, couple of words on how we do the Critical Mass in Poland.

In my opinion, Critical Mass has lost its importance in our country. Important in the past, it is obsolete now, as the local governments willingly spend astronomic sums of EU money to built and improve the cycling infrastructure in Poland. Nowadays, the Critical Mass only makes drivers irritated, and is a kind of cyclists' communion, or parade. Nothing else.

Moreover, Critical Mass used to be a spontaneous direct action: it is not doable today. The parade was escorted by a police car, and a policeman on motorbike; the City Guard was "corking" intersections for the cyclists' safety. Of course we rode underneath red lights and over "bike ban" segments with the full acceptance of the law enforcement.

So I joined my first Critical Mass.


View attachment 101097
I liked the parade. Moving at the slowest speed possible (some 10 km/h), it had to be done in the lowest gear. I rode with no electric assistance although I admit I turned it once for a while. I made a furore in the eyes of two attractive female cyclists by showing them pedalling at 140 rpm cadence: "Now, that's some spinning!" one of them remarked in awe I admired little kids, effortlessly having ridden for 15 km on tiny kid bikes. Yes, Poland is a cycling country. (Pruszków is only a 60,000 county town but the number of cyclists who gathered was significant). Notice organizers in orange vests: they actively participated in "corking" of intersections.

View attachment 101098
Almost 60 km on that unpleasant day. I'm happy!

View attachment 101099
P.S. I made my 8,000th kilometre as of today. And it is only the end of September!

Thats a good turnout, I dont know of any such events near us, probabky because being coastal and semi rural we have plenty of quiet roads, seperated cycle paths and seafront to ride along.
All I can say is the massive cycling uptake during lockdown has almost entirely disapeared and the roads are busier than ever.
This self inflicted fuel crisis...who they are now blaming on an anti brexiter who leaked false information to the press....certainly shows how unlikely reducing car use or getting people on bikes really is.
I think you had a splendid day out in the end.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Polish Gravel Cycling

Did anyone say Specialized e-bikes weren't waterproof? They are...

Ankle deep!

 

[kahn]

Polish Gravel Cycling

View attachment 101127
Did anyone say Specialized e-bikes weren't waterproof? They are...
View attachment 101128
Ankle deep!

All I will say is "better you than me!!!" YECH. I'm too old to splash through puddles even while "puddling" a bike.

 

[ActionJackson]

Polish Gravel Cycling

View attachment 101127
Did anyone say Specialized e-bikes weren't waterproof? They are...

Ride through standing water like that where I came from and you’ll wind up stuck ass deep in mud and gators hahahaha

 

[RabH]

I was intending to go to a Rallycross meeting today but on checking the forecast it was looking very windy with gusts around 40mph, so I had a look at a possible cycle route to suit the strong winds and made the decision to go cycling instead! At least the winds on my cycling route were only going to be around 30mph so it was a no brainer and with the forecast for the coming week not looking very nice at all I was making sure I got a proper ride done!

Normally I start my ride with the wind behind me but with the strong southerly wind I didn't want to head north, so made the decision to ride into a 30mph headwind and have a lovely tailwind on the way home! I had that headwind to contend with for 40 miles but with 2 batteries I wasn't worried about running out of juice! My first battery actually lasted for that 40 mile outward journey, which was good going as I had climbed 3000ft into a headwind!

There were some dodgy looking clouds around but I had a good bit of sun to enjoy and had some lovely views on my journey!

On this route there is a really good cycle path which is pretty quiet on a Sunday, I had it almost all to myself! I normally avoid cycle paths but this one is a real joy to ride!

At the end of the path its back on to main roads but thankfully there wasn't much traffic to contend with and once again there were some lovely views to enjoy!

Getting close to my destination and this was the view in the distance, exactly where I was headed!

I was sure I was going to get wet but it was my lucky day and the strong winds blew the rain clouds away to the north! I now had that lovely 30mph tailwind to enjoy and I certainly made the most of it and had a real blast on the 35 mile journey home! The nice views continued also!

I actually still had 52% left on my battery when I got home, what a difference that tailwind made! I think I made the right choice today, what a fantastic ride that was! It may be some time before I get out again but what a way to close out September if this was my last ride! At least I will be able to watch the Rallycross at a later date as it was being filmed so that will be something to look forward to! Its not the same as being there but I made the right choice today!

 

[Chargeride]

Martin Schanche.
My hero.

 

[Chargeride]

I did a little ride to get my van, which was left in a car park due to alcohol consumption.

The track to this first pic has completely overgrown during lockdown.

Then I found the result of all the recycling centres having huge queues.

I love this road sign.

This estate actually contains the largest roman sculpture collection in Britain.
And more fly tipping.

The wall around it is starting to show its age though.

Blundell Hall its called.

 

[Chargeride]

I

Polish Gravel Cycling

View attachment 101127
Did anyone say Specialized e-bikes weren't waterproof? They are...
View attachment 101128
Ankle deep!

I'll have to say thats a bit of a challenge, I'd be a bit wary without my wellies on.

 

[PatriciaK]

Finally back in NC, after visiting family in NE Ohio. Took the Flow out of the shed - Didn't seem any the worse after spending the summer in the blistering NC heat (the bike, not the battery - that was in the house) other than needing a bit of air in the tires. The battery was at 80%, just where I left it in June.

Most of our riding here is MUP within the city limits - we avoid road riding as much as possible due to lack of bike infrastructure (I do not count the occasional 18" shoulder as being sufficiently safe, the way drivers are here).

Had a very nice just over 10 mile ride along the Bicentennial Greenway, with loops through Country Park and the Guilford Courthouse battlefield. I could have gone further, but my "mechanic" on his dino-bike said this was sufficient for a first ride .

Over the summer, a nice new boardwalk had been installed over a particularly soggy bit of gravel trail through the woods:


Major Street crossings are well signaled, but we still have to watch out for turning drivers who are paying more attention to getting through the intersection than people in florescent vests and helmets crossing the street:


Rest stop with a giant duck at Country Park Lake :


Stats and more detailed map:


What a FABulous start to our fall riding season in the Piedmont Triad!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

30mph headwind

No wonder there are so many windmills in Scotland

Ride through standing water like that where I came from and you’ll wind up stuck ass deep in mud and gators hahahaha

No alligators in Poland but mosquitoes can eat you alive!

 

[Haystacks]

Polish guy tries to tell a scot about midges. Priceless.

 

[Dallant]

Polish Gravel Cycling

View attachment 101127
Did anyone say Specialized e-bikes weren't waterproof? They are...
View attachment 101128
Ankle deep!

That’s the turn around point in my world.