Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Art Deco]

@RandallS 's pics speak for themselves as spring still appears to be a long way from arriving here on the wintry prairies. Meanwhile, 150 km to the north of him…..

I finally got a reprieve from shoveling after several consecutive days of snowfall and decided that today was a good time to hit the trails. I waited well into the afternoon when the temperature was expected to rise to -7C which for me is typically ideal for a winter ride.

What more can we say about sunny Alberta winters? I wasn’t disappointed as the conditions were near perfect.

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There wasn't even a hint of a footprint or track on the snow covered river today.

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Heading home on the old Canadian Pacific trestle I took time for a few brief stops along the way.

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Beautiful. But what did your derailleur look like after that?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Beautiful. But what did your derailleur look like after that?

Actually, the bike fared rather well as the snow on the trails was packed down rather well from the previous day’s traffic. As long as one keeps to the center there’s no issue with getting bogged down in the deeper stuff on either side. I ran into a few fat bikers along the way and thanked them for setting the trails for the rest of us poor saps.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

What's to be done about the deluge?

Two days off the bike; and tomorrow is going to be just as bad. That'll make three days!

What would be the point of heading out into the deluge when the birds of the forest are heading to our deck for shelter (and to sit there in their own little private puddles)? Even this parrot was scratching his head in bewilderment! (Females and junior males have to make do with green heads.)

Enough of summer showers: bring on autumn!

Australian King-Parrot (male)
​

 

[Stefan Mikes]

David,
Given Australia is perceived as a dry country, some raining would certainly help? Or, could it end up with flood?

Lovely picture of the bird!

 

[Chargeride]

Moreton Bay Cycleway : Redcliffe Peninsula …

That is beautiful, it just looks so pristine, poor old England has so much history of clutter, I guess its how you look at it I suppose.
Brave of all those people to be wearing tshirts in the freezing weather.
It is freezing isnt it?
Tell me its freezing.

This is our Scarborough by the way.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Jacek's Vado 5.0 Service

My brother is just an amazing person! I drove to him today, and he:

• Swapped the tyres for Smart Sams. I wanted the winter tyres swapped for Electraks but Jacek determined the bead in both original Specialized tyres was damaged!
• Did the full servicing of my front TRP Zurich brake...
• And bled lines for both hydraulic brakes, replacing the mineral oil in them.

The hydraulic brake anatomy. The three visible pistons (of four) are made of stainless steel. These are practically indestructible, conduct heat easily, and are hard to pick up dirt (unlike the ceramic variety). The gaskets in TRP Zurich are made of polymer (not rubber). The large brake block is internally finned for good cooling. The matching rotors are made the way they prevent brake pad glazing.

The brakes on "big" Vado have never been serviced so deeply since 2017 when the e-bike was built. The operation (activating partly stuck pistons, removing them, ultrasonically cleaning them etc) took a lot of time. Jacek offered detailed service of the rear brake next time we meet.

I hope I can go on a long ride in the Bolimów Forest on Sunday!

 

[RandallS]

Jacek's Vado 5.0 Service

My brother is just an amazing person! I drove to him today, and he:

• Swapped the tyres for Smart Sams. I wanted the winter tyres swapped for Electraks but Jacek determined the bead in both original Specialized tyres was damaged!
• Did the full servicing of my front TRP Zurich brake...
• And bled lines for both hydraulic brakes, replacing the mineral oil in them.

View attachment 115345
The hydraulic brake anatomy. The three visible pistons (of four) are made of stainless steel. These are practically indestructible, conduct heat easily, and are hard to pick up dirt (unlike the ceramic variety). The gaskets in TRP Zurich are made of polymer (not rubber). The large brake block is internally finned for good cooling. The matching rotors are made the way they prevent brake pad glazing.

The brakes on "big" Vado have never been serviced so deeply since 2017 when the e-bike was built. The operation (activating partly stuck pistons, removing them, ultrasonically cleaning them etc) took a lot of time. Jacek offered detailed service of the rear brake next time we meet.

I hope I can go on a long ride in the Bolimów Forest on Sunday!

Please send Jacek over - he sounds like a very handy person to have around.

 

[Chargeride]

I honestly believe I will never have good brakes and its entirely my fault
They are like a distant dream.. only sensible people have them

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Please send Jacek over - he sounds like a very handy person to have around.

Word!
That's what he said to me: "Last year, I only activated the pistons in your brakes and bled the lines but didn't want to service them. Only after I totally dismantled the brakes in the Trance E+ to understand how those were made, I felt competent enough to service yours"....

 

[BlackHand]

the meat is great quality but as bbq nothing outstanding. the coleslaw was really good. they had deviled eggs with Burt end on them that were really good.

If Portland is anything like Seattle, it's easier to find good Hawaiian or Korean BBQ than it is to find decent K.C. or Texas style BBQ.

 

[fooferdoggie]

we

If Portland is anything like Seattle, it's easier to find good Hawaiian or Korean BBQ than it is to find decent K.C. or Texas style BBQ.

have some great bbq. one good place just closed the one I usually go to. but a lot of so so too.

 

[Cowlitz]

I think Jacek needs to come here to stay safe! Please send him right away. I'll meet him in Spokane.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I told Jacek of what you said. He smiled (I could hear his smile) and replied: "Most of things I know now were known to me by 1989. However, emigrating was not easy at that time, and now when it is easy, it is a little bit too late for me"

 

[RabH]

My first Sunday ride for quite a while, the weather was just about perfect for the time of year! Still windy of course so as it was a southerly wind I decided to head north to the Campsie Hills, earlier in the week they were covered in snow but with a rise in temperature yesterday and very strong winds the roads were pretty much clear and mostly dry, some sheltered parts were still a little dodgy but I was able to avoid the worst of the ice! The good weather attracted a lot of cyclists today, who were mostly headed in the opposite direction to me!

I stopped here to take some photos and a cyclist appeared, his first words were "any ice?" I was able to put his mind at rest as the only ice would be on his climb up the northern side, the descent on the southern side was totally clear of ice which was just as well because the road was a bit of a mess with potholes!

I was now heading west towards Carron Bridge, where the dam was in full flow after all the snow melted!

The water in the Carron Valley reservoir was as high as I have seen it and looking beautiful in the morning sun!

Just about to head south now and I can see my climb in the distance!

Near the top of the climb I stopped for more photos and spotted this truck climbing the hill, its not a place you see many trucks as there are many tight hairpin bends on the lower slopes!

Some cyclists enjoying the fast descent with the strong wind behind them, I was riding into the wind and very thankful I had a powerful e bike!

Now it was my turn to enjoy the southern descent which is such a blast as the road is so smooth here and it was almost completely dry, I was touching 38mph into the headwind! As I was descending there were loads of cyclists climbing in the opposite direction, struggling up the climb even with the strong wind behind them, I'm sure they were looking forward to the descent on the other side!

What a fantastic day in the lovely sunshine, it sure lifts your spirits and puts a big smile on your face! I really wasn't sure about using this route today but my gamble really paid off big time, I'm hoping March will be kind to me as February was a tough one! Wednesday is looking promising with a high of 8C, about double what it was today but it will be cooler in the morning of course and that's when I'm hoping to get out!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Following the Bike Tyre Ruts of Justyna & Michał
Yet Another Bolimoza Ride

I often mention the great social and motivational function of Strava. When browsing the last Saturday's Strava Activity Feed I could spot a beautiful gravel-cycling route completed by "That Woman" Justyna and her bf & mentor Michał on that day. It is my dream to set off for a ride with that couple of hard riders, so I wanted to match my own performance against theirs. I contacted the couple by Messenger audio and they told me about some tricky places on the route. So I wouldn't need to carry my heavy Vado over fallen trees, for instance!

Sunday morning, -2 C, mild wind from an undetermined direction, misty. At 10:00 am I started the ride from Żyrardów. 100 m after entering off-road the overhyped Quadlock phone mount (Universal Adapter) failed... I tucked the "e-bike software" phone into my pocket and continued the ride. The first part led through demanding damaged mud roads... (I was at least not bored, haha!)

The first asphalt road on the trip. It was misty. Pay attention to famous "Mazovian Willows" brought to the region by ancient Hollander settlers. (We always picture Frederic Chopin as a pianist playing under a Mazovian willow).

The Bolimów Forest is beloved by gravel cyclists because of a big number of "forest gravel freeways". I was surprised to see that the road pictured here has been recently rebuilt and improved by foresters! Before, it led through a swamp that broke that road (I still can remember my adventure when I rode through 200 m of deep & cold water there...)

A typical Polish barrier at an entrance to a forest.

Picturesque bends at yet another "forest gravel freeway".

Ride enough times in the Bolimów Forest, and suddenly all places become familiar. On my first ride, I had to walk my e-bike there (I chickened at that time). Now, it is an easy ride for me, completed with a steep climb (towards the camera).

Whenever I'm around, I'm adding several kilometres for a stop in the "Iceland" in Skierniewice. The place is described as "Ice Cream Shop/Café", therefore I...

...ordered both ice-cream and coffee (Despite of 0 C outside).

The more southwards I rode, the more asphalt roads could be found there.

This (totally unimportant) road might be exemplary as for its quality but ask me again why we hardly ever experience tyre flats on pavement in Poland... I need to repeat: Polish roads and shoulders are surprisingly clean!

The grey battery of current (degraded) capacity of 502 Wh was assisting me for 59.3 km. The Assistance Level was 1.44x (45% of maximum 3.2x), and the motor power was capped at 234 W (45% of 520 W). (Deep insight into the workings of my Specialized e-bikes allows me accurately plan the assistance scenarios for long rides).

Sunshine! The temperature rose to 3 C. Only pity that happened close to the end of my ride...

A place called "Jealousy" Is yellow the colour for jealousy in your country, too?

Back to Żyrardów, once a significant textile mill town (the name comes from Philippe de Girard, a French inventor, and one of the directors of the factory in its beginning). Nowadays the former Spool Building hosts, among others, a restaurant.

There is no other Polish meal as Polish as Pork Chop with potato and fried sour cabbage! Restaurants serve the pork chops big, so the potato and cabbage here are covered by the cutlet.

I completed the trip 30 minutes later than Justyna and Michał would have made it (net). It is not the matter of the speed of my Vado. The heavy e-bike just cannot ride so easily over rough terrain as a lightweight gravel bike can!

 

[PatriciaK]

Following the Bike Tyre Ruts of Justyna & Michał
Yet Another Bolimoza Ride

I often mention the great social and motivational function of Strava. When browsing the last Saturday's Strava Activity Feed I could spot a beautiful gravel-cycling route completed by "That Woman" Justyna and her bf & mentor Michał on that day. It is my dream to set off for a ride with that couple of hard riders, so I wanted to match my own performance against theirs. I contacted the couple by Messenger audio and they told me about some tricky places on the route. So I wouldn't need to carry my heavy Vado over fallen trees, for instance!

Sunday morning, -2 C, mild wind from an undetermined direction, misty. At 10:00 am I started the ride from Żyrardów. 100 m after entering off-road the overhyped Quadlock phone mount (Universal Adapter) failed... I tucked the "e-bike software" phone into my pocket and continued the ride. The first part led through demanding damaged mud roads... (I was at least not bored, haha!)

View attachment 115478
The first asphalt road on the trip. It was misty. Pay attention to famous "Mazovian Willows" brought to the region by ancient Hollander settlers. (We always picture Frederic Chopin as a pianist playing under a Mazovian willow).

View attachment 115479
The Bolimów Forest is beloved by gravel cyclists because of a big number of "forest gravel freeways". I was surprised to see that the road pictured here has been recently rebuilt and improved by foresters! Before, it led through a swamp that broke that road (I still can remember my adventure when I rode through 200 m of deep & cold water there...)

View attachment 115480
A typical Polish barrier at an entrance to a forest.

View attachment 115481
Picturesque bends at yet another "forest gravel freeway".

View attachment 115482
Ride enough times in the Bolimów Forest, and suddenly all places become familiar. On my first ride, I had to walk my e-bike there (I chickened at that time). Now, it is an easy ride for me, completed with a steep climb (towards the camera).

View attachment 115483
Whenever I'm around, I'm adding several kilometres for a stop in the "Iceland" in Skierniewice. The place is described as "Ice Cream Shop/Café", therefore I...

View attachment 115484
...ordered both ice-cream and coffee (Despite of 0 C outside).

View attachment 115485
The more southwards I rode, the more asphalt roads could be found there.

View attachment 115487
This (totally unimportant) road might be exemplary as for its quality but ask me again why we hardly ever experience tyre flats on pavement in Poland... I need to repeat: Polish roads and shoulders are surprisingly clean!

View attachment 115490
The grey battery of current (degraded) capacity of 502 Wh was assisting me for 59.3 km. The Assistance Level was 1.44x (45% of maximum 3.2x), and the motor power was capped at 234 W (45% of 520 W). (Deep insight into the workings of my Specialized e-bikes allows me accurately plan the assistance scenarios for long rides).

View attachment 115491
Sunshine! The temperature rose to 3 C. Only pity that happened close to the end of my ride...

View attachment 115492
A place called "Jealousy" Is yellow the colour for jealousy in your country, too?

View attachment 115493
Back to Żyrardów, once a significant textile mill town (the name comes from Philippe de Girard, a French inventor, and one of the directors of the factory in its beginning). Nowadays the former Spool Building hosts, among others, a restaurant.

View attachment 115494
There is no other Polish meal as Polish as Pork Chop with potato and fried sour cabbage! Restaurants serve the pork chops big, so the potato and cabbage here are covered by the cutlet.

View attachment 115495
I completed the trip 30 minutes later than Justyna and Michał would have made it (net). It is not the matter of the speed of my Vado. The heavy e-bike just cannot ride so easily over rough terrain as a lightweight gravel bike can!

Jealousy is green here, Stefan - some common expressions are : "green with jealousy", and referring to jealousy as "the green-eyed monster" .

 

[kahn]

Following the Bike Tyre Ruts of Justyna & Michał
Yet Another Bolimoza Ride

I often mention the great social and motivational function of Strava. When browsing the last Saturday's Strava Activity Feed I could spot a beautiful gravel-cycling route completed by "That Woman" Justyna and her bf & mentor Michał on that day. It is my dream to set off for a ride with that couple of hard riders, so I wanted to match my own performance against theirs. I contacted the couple by Messenger audio and they told me about some tricky places on the route. So I wouldn't need to carry my heavy Vado over fallen trees, for instance!

Sunday morning, -2 C, mild wind from an undetermined direction, misty. At 10:00 am I started the ride from Żyrardów. 100 m after entering off-road the overhyped Quadlock phone mount (Universal Adapter) failed... I tucked the "e-bike software" phone into my pocket and continued the ride. The first part led through demanding damaged mud roads... (I was at least not bored, haha!)

View attachment 115478
The first asphalt road on the trip. It was misty. Pay attention to famous "Mazovian Willows" brought to the region by ancient Hollander settlers. (We always picture Frederic Chopin as a pianist playing under a Mazovian willow).

View attachment 115479
The Bolimów Forest is beloved by gravel cyclists because of a big number of "forest gravel freeways". I was surprised to see that the road pictured here has been recently rebuilt and improved by foresters! Before, it led through a swamp that broke that road (I still can remember my adventure when I rode through 200 m of deep & cold water there...)

View attachment 115480
A typical Polish barrier at an entrance to a forest.

View attachment 115481
Picturesque bends at yet another "forest gravel freeway".

View attachment 115482
Ride enough times in the Bolimów Forest, and suddenly all places become familiar. On my first ride, I had to walk my e-bike there (I chickened at that time). Now, it is an easy ride for me, completed with a steep climb (towards the camera).

View attachment 115483
Whenever I'm around, I'm adding several kilometres for a stop in the "Iceland" in Skierniewice. The place is described as "Ice Cream Shop/Café", therefore I...

View attachment 115484
...ordered both ice-cream and coffee (Despite of 0 C outside).

View attachment 115485
The more southwards I rode, the more asphalt roads could be found there.

View attachment 115487
This (totally unimportant) road might be exemplary as for its quality but ask me again why we hardly ever experience tyre flats on pavement in Poland... I need to repeat: Polish roads and shoulders are surprisingly clean!

View attachment 115490
The grey battery of current (degraded) capacity of 502 Wh was assisting me for 59.3 km. The Assistance Level was 1.44x (45% of maximum 3.2x), and the motor power was capped at 234 W (45% of 520 W). (Deep insight into the workings of my Specialized e-bikes allows me accurately plan the assistance scenarios for long rides).

View attachment 115491
Sunshine! The temperature rose to 3 C. Only pity that happened close to the end of my ride...

View attachment 115492
A place called "Jealousy" Is yellow the colour for jealousy in your country, too?

View attachment 115493
Back to Żyrardów, once a significant textile mill town (the name comes from Philippe de Girard, a French inventor, and one of the directors of the factory in its beginning). Nowadays the former Spool Building hosts, among others, a restaurant.

View attachment 115494
There is no other Polish meal as Polish as Pork Chop with potato and fried sour cabbage! Restaurants serve the pork chops big, so the potato and cabbage here are covered by the cutlet.

View attachment 115495
I completed the trip 30 minutes later than Justyna and Michał would have made it (net). It is not the matter of the speed of my Vado. The heavy e-bike just cannot ride so easily over rough terrain as a lightweight gravel bike can!

They say "Green with envy!"

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Jealousy is green here, Stefan - some common expressions are : "green with jealousy", and referring to jealousy as "the green-eyed monster" .

They say "Green with envy!"

That's interesting.
Here, I would send a female person a bunch of yellow tulips to indicate my jealousy.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

After the rain …

Pine Mountain, Ipswich, QLD
2 km from home​

Bradfield Drive, Ipswich, QLD
7 km from home​

Brassall Bikeway
Mihi Creek is usually 17 metres below bridge.​

Haig Street, Brassall​

 

[kahn]

That's interesting.
Here, I would send a female person a bunch of yellow tulips to indicate my jealousy.

Coming up with GREEN flowers would not be easy.

One found in the mountains comes to mind, Corn Lily:

Green False Hellebore (Indian Corn Lily)​