Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Deleted member 18083]

Not drowned by the storm …

Moreton Bay, Brisbane
9:45 am; 60 km​

Mangroves: flooded twice a day, every day! That's their idea of paradise. Maybe, a concrete retaining wall shouldn't be feature in 'paradise'.

I had ridden down to the sea from Brisbane's western suburbs and, after a few more flood-induced detours, called in at Pam and Harry's bayside café for a flat white and a sandwich (a late breakfast). Here's where Homage #1 was parked while I enjoyed my coffee.

On the horizon you might be able to discern a low smudge below the clouds: Moreton Island, separating the calm waters of the bay from the not-so-pacific Coral Sea.

• RED : ride
• YELLOW : photo
• BLUE : East Australian Current – endless warm water (and clouds)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Battery standardisation needs to be a thing, charging leads for starters

Cartridge, I pass greetings from @Brix to you
She likes calling you Cartridge, I have no idea why

 

[Chargeride]

Well, plans of mice and men and all.
Firstly I got into trouble for not showing enough enthusiasm for an afternoon tea in a posh hotel that cost......a 100 Euros!!!!!
Im still feeling faint just writing it down, little miss save the refugees eh.
We could have sent that to charity and had a piece of toast.
Secondly it was St Patricks day and we ended up in an Irish pub, where little miss teetotal ended up in a state that resulted in the sick bag being used on the plane.
So no, I should have realised my dreams of ebiking the Island were just that.
I guess it was her holiday.

 

[Chargeride]

PONTINS HOLIDAY PARK
I took a ride up through the forest to a local holiday resort called Pontins, stopping on the way to see how many felled trees they had cleared and it looks like they are leaving most of them in place, people have created plenty of routes through and around them so its not a problem and to be honest I think they add a bit of interest to the paths.

Found a pair of pretty good nick climbing boots wrapped in ships rope, either this happened at sea or more worrying someone was tied to it and thrown overboard and this is all thats left.

RAF Woodvale, I think it's mostly a beginner pilot training centre, not much going on at all , which in these days is comforting, there used to be a huge model aircraft show every year on the runway, proper huge models and superfast jet drives.
Then they found asbestos in the runway and the whole thing was cancelled for ever.
The sign says you will arrested and prosecuted for climbing the fence and its a prohibited place under the official secrets act, of course the local flying club share the hangers with the RAF planes and entry is solely based on knowing your face as Ive watched the guards lift the barrier in response to a wave.

Hilariously there are loads of family picnic tables right nest to that sign in the most glorious...we dont take this seriously..british way.

This is the orginal Fishermans path and is a treat to ride along as it meanders through the trees with endless little side tracks for me to investigate, you would be lucky to find a single person on it on a cloudy day

OK, heres Pontins, a long past its best working class holiday resort, there are several in the UK, but this one often gets the worst reviews, paper thin walls, very poor levels of cleaning or prep for guests, which is a shame because it's in such a lovely area.
The buildings havent been updated since the 50s and resemble Soviet military blocks, the power supplies are so poor that you cant plug two high power items in at once without risking tripping the fuses.

Saying that all you ever hear is kids having a great time, theres a go kart track, swimming pool, bmx track, climbing frames.
I think the place gives a great atmosphere to this end of the beach, the local gypsies/travellers turn up every summer to camp with their fancy caravans and all kinds of exotic horses, you see a completely different side to their usual reputation, holiday makers, kite surfers, hopefull board surfers, all kinds of food vans.
Your allowed to drive on the beach and all types of custom and classic cars turn up.

WARNING GROSS*
The reviews are stuff of legends in the UK, mostly I presume from people booking without considering the price.
They include..and you may wish to skip this part, people finding on arriving.
Bedsheets with the brown stuff on them
Contraceptives in the showers
unflushed toilets
Bare electrical wires where someone has stolen the microwave and and simply wrenched it out
Vomit in pans on the grill
Piles of toenail cuttings in bowls in the cupboards
This is mostly due to the fact that dance raves are held here and I'm pretty sure everyone joins in, including the staff and theres no one left conscious to clean up before the guests arrive.
Its either your worst nightmare or a spectacle to behold

The rooms dont look too bad on inspection and this is actually the first time Ive looked in one.
No one challenged me as I rode around, no one at the gate, a few bored looking workers sat smoking didn't even acknowledge me riding past.
Of course it does come alive in the summer, lots of heavily tattooed men sat outside saving the world, kids running around screaming and laughing.
Local student workers serving cheap food, excited toddlers going to the beach with buckets and spades...it always brings a smile to my face, and I often sit off eating my KFC and watching
them arrive from the nearby train station, pulling their bags past the posh houses.
I dont wish to sound condescending, its just the great british holidaymaker, we do have a reputation.

 

[kahn]

Picnic prepared and ready for today’s ride.
View attachment 117122
What can I say, Mrs DG loves me…

Oh, is the champagne kept in a separate cooler?

 

[kahn]

PONTINS HOLIDAY PARK
I took a ride up through the forest to a local holiday resort called Pontins, stopping on the way to see how many felled trees they had cleared and it looks like they are leaving most of them in place, people have created plenty of routes through and around them so its not a problem and to be honest I think they add a bit of interest to the paths. View attachment 117123


Found a pair of pretty good nick climbing boots wrapped in ships rope, either this happened at sea or more worrying someone was tied to it and thrown overboard and this is all thats left.
View attachment 117124


RAF Woodvale, I think it's mostly a beginner pilot training centre, not much going on at all , which in these days is comforting, there used to be a huge model aircraft show every year on the runway, proper huge models and superfast jet drives.
Then they found asbestos in the runway and the whole thing was cancelled for ever.
The sign says you will arrested and prosecuted for climbing the fence and its a prohibited place under the official secrets act, of course the local flying club share the hangers with the RAF planes and entry is solely based on knowing your face as Ive watched the guards lift the barrier in response to a wave.
View attachment 117125


Hilariously there are loads of family picnic tables right nest to that sign in the most glorious...we dont take this seriously..british way.
View attachment 117126

This is the orginal Fishermans path and is a treat to ride along as it meanders through the trees with endless little side tracks for me to investigate, you would be lucky to find a single person on it on a cloudy day
View attachment 117127

OK, heres Pontins, a long past its best working class holiday resort, there are several in the UK, but this one often gets the worst reviews, paper thin walls, very poor levels of cleaning or prep for guests, which is a shame because it's in such a lovely area.
The buildings havent been updated since the 50s and resemble Soviet military blocks, the power supplies are so poor that you cant plug two high power items in at once without risking tripping the fuses.
View attachment 117128

Saying that all you ever hear is kids having a great time, theres a go kart track, swimming pool, bmx track, climbing frames.
I think the place gives a great atmosphere to this end of the beach, the local gypsies/travellers turn up every summer to camp with their fancy caravans and all kinds of exotic horses, you see a completely different side to their usual reputation, holiday makers, kite surfers, hopefull board surfers, all kinds of food vans.
Your allowed to drive on the beach and all types of custom and classic cars turn up.
View attachment 117129
WARNING GROSS*
The reviews are stuff of legends in the UK, mostly I presume from people booking without considering the price.
They include..and you may wish to skip this part, people finding on arriving.
Bedsheets with the brown stuff on them
Contraceptives in the showers
unflushed toilets
Bare electrical wires where someone has stolen the microwave and and simply wrenched it out
Vomit in pans on the grill
Piles of toenail cuttings in bowls in the cupboards
This is mostly due to the fact that dance raves are held here and I'm pretty sure everyone joins in, including the staff and theres no one left conscious to clean up before the guests arrive.
Its either your worst nightmare or a spectacle to behold

View attachment 117133

The rooms dont look too bad on inspection and this is actually the first time Ive looked in one.
No one challenged me as I rode around, no one at the gate, a few bored looking workers sat smoking didn't even acknowledge me riding past.
Of course it does come alive in the summer, lots of heavily tattooed men sat outside saving the world, kids running around screaming and laughing.
Local student workers serving cheap food, excited toddlers going to the beach with buckets and spades...it always brings a smile to my face, and I often sit off eating my KFC and watching
them arrive from the nearby train station, pulling their bags past the posh houses.
I dont wish to sound condescending, its just the great british holidaymaker, we do have a reputation.

View attachment 117134

You are ON today. Great report obviously taking out your review on the fact that you did not get to ride on Madeira!!! Thanks for a fun post this morning.

 

[Art Deco]

Oh, is the champagne kept in a separate cooler?

 

[DiggyGun]

We went to Stanwick Lakes in Northamptonshire today.

It’s a very nice place to cycle round as it it quite varied. There’s the lakes obviously, plus the Nene Valley Wetlands Nature reserve and a disused railway track. On this route there is also a canal and a canal basin

The lakes were from old gravel pits from the Second World War, the gravel being used in the construction of military establishments for the war effort.

So a bit of everything for everyone. The riding terrain varies also which keeps it interesting. Some of the tracks are raised through the lagoons and head towards the outlying villages. There was a lot of local flooding which changed as to how the place looked from our first trip there.

Some of the tracks were heavily flooded and there were notices advising that wellingtons were required. We tried them, they were deep in places, but it did clean the wheels and tyres.

This was our first snack stop at a retail park at Rushden which is part of the Wetlands. There is a big bike shop called AJ Cycles, had a look in, but didn’t get anything. Opposite was a viewing point to a brave and well decorated local man, Lt Col Bernard Vann from the First World War, not only being award two Military Crosses, but also the Victoria Cross.

This was our second snack stop, the churchyard of St Peter’s Church in Irthlingborough.

As you can see from the photos, the weather was again kind to us today. The temperature was 12oC, but the wind was 15mph. However, the sun made up for this.

Our stats for the day.

 

[DiggyGun]

View attachment 117150

Mrs DG says, can she have two

 

[Art Deco]

Mrs DG says, can she have two

Because nobody can drink just one.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mrs DG says, can she have two

Just imagine how impressed the missus would be if you could bring her a bottle to one of your picnics in this fashion.

 

[DiggyGun]

Another day out on a disused railway line, this time in Northamptonshire. It is now called the Brampton Valley Way, which closed in 1965. It was used for a small Iron Ore Quarry and used to run from Northampton to Market Harborough. At one end now, is a preserved railway line called the Northampton and Lamport line.

Quite interesting to see some if the old railway infrastructure and paraphernalia in place.

Although basically a straight line the trail trail does have some interesting features, including two tunnels that you can go through which was good fun. We use Moon USB lights, which have a high lumen rating, mine on full power is 4000 lumens, so the tunnels were nicely lit up.

The weather was extremely kind to us today with virtually no wind and the temperature around 12oC. However, with the sun out, we actually had to remove the gloves and some layers as we got too warm.

All was going well, until I got a puncture at about 20 miles, unfortunately, that was about ten miles from our van. Luckily it hadn’t gone completely down, but was soft. So I checked it over and found nothing sticking out. Took the risk of re-inflating the tyre using my CO2 kit, pumped up OK and so we rode the ten miles or so back to the van with no further issues.

So far it has stayed up. Looks like the WeldTite sealant is doing its job, but will check it again in the morning to see if all OK.

Here are some photos from today.
View attachment 116802View attachment 116803View attachment 116806View attachment 116810View attachment 116814View attachment 116816View attachment 116817View attachment 116818View attachment 116819View attachment 116820View attachment 116821

Today‘s stats.
View attachment 116822View attachment 116823View attachment 116824

Took some videos of riding through the two tunnels on the Brampton Valley Way. However, when trying to upload them, get a message that they are too large to process.

Can someone advise the best way of uploading a video.

Many thanks.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Took some videos of riding through the two tunnels on the Brampton Valley Way. However, when trying to upload them, get a message that they are too large to process.

Can someone advise the best way of uploading a video.

Many thanks.

Your best bet might be to upload your footage to a free video sharing site such as YouTube.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Błażej's Coffee. Cemetery. Warsaw. Jazza's Coffee.

Saturday March 19th, 2022 was such an intensive day for me! (Vado SL tested for Range Extender range in 80/80% Assistance/Max Motor Power mode).

It just took me 1 hour and 3 minutes gross to get to Błażej's place in Bielany, North Warsaw. Błażej is now a "craft coffee" afficionado. We both enjoyed properly made, rare Colombian coffee. Worthwile to mention Błażej lives in the 5th floor, a spiral staircase: He had to carry my SL both ways!

These of you who have been for more than 1 year here might remember a sad story of March 17th, 2021. There was an extremely valuable friend to me, Radek The Cyberpunk. Radek unexpectedly passed away a year ago. A group of Radek's family members and close friends gathered at the Bródno Cemetery on Saturday to commemorate The Cyberpunk. As Radek liked "Królewskie" (Royal) beer, we all celebrated him with his favourite lager.

A story! You should know well I am a born Warsawer, raised in that city. Still, I could confuse two major streets of the East bank of Vistula part, Praga! When I realized I was on the totally wrong street, it was only a few minutes left for the beginning of the gathering. I did my best to pedal up the cemetery very fast, and I came on time!

Gdański Bridge with its green colour and the famous spiral staircase.

The next part of my ride led through a part of the Warsaw's King's Road. I chose that route to be able to take several pictures just for you!

In the Main Square of Warsaw's New Town.

Freta Street connects the New Town with the Old Town via Warsaw Barbican (invisible here).

The latest and the old. In Nowomiejska Street (Old Town), past the Barbican.

"A Roll with Mushroom, since 1974". Meat was in shortage during the Communist Poland era. Rare private entrepreneurs discovered they could use mushroom instead of meat in a hot-dog. You can still buy that specialty nowadays!

The Warsaw Mermaid of the Old Town Main Square was surrended by an ice rink for the last Winter. Now, the rink is being dismantled.

@Brix by the Kanonia Street Bell, 2013.

Yours truly by the same Bell, 2022. (If you want to ask someone a question in the Old Town, ask it in English: So many English speakers frequent the area nowadays! I asked some Poles to take a photo of me -- in English -- to be on the safe side!)

The Royal Castle of Warsaw.

The Sisigmundus III of Vasa column in the Castle Square. That Polish king of Swedish descent moved the capital city of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596. The exit of the square marks the beginning of the King's Road proper.

Polish Academy of Sciences in the former Staszic Palace, King's Road. There is a monument of Nicolaus Copernicus in the front. Two major Warsaw streets connect by the Palace: Krakowskie Przedmieście (Cracow Suburb) and Nowy Świat (New World). (King's Road formally ends far in the south at the Wilanów (Villa Nova) Royal Palace).

I had no idea where to go next, as the return options were too numerous. Eventually I paid a visit to my friend Jazza for yet another coffee. (Jazza lives near to the Warsaw Chopin Airport).

 

[Chargeride]

Lovely pics there, I would love to ask the balloon seller for the bear right at the top.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

I would love to ask the balloon seller for the bear right at the top.

Careful what you wish for.

That's Posh Bear (not Pooh Bear) and he'll set you back a good deal more than posh tea and Madeira cake did.

 

[Chargeride]

stop reminding me
Here it is by the way.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

In Warsaw
Preparing for a leisurely Graveloza Addicts group ride.

The National Bank of Poland, Świętokrzyska (Holy Cross) Street by Napoleon Square.

Tamka (Little Dam), or one of the steepest of Warsaw streets. The steep part begins behind the corner, by the Chopin Society building.

The most important statue of the Warsaw Mermaid, George Patton Bvd., by River Vistula. The Holy Cross Bridge in the background.

Yours truly by the Warsaw Mermaid. The photo as shot by a Ukrainian female.

 

[Art Deco]

stop reminding me
Here it is by the way.
View attachment 117268

We took a couple dozen American University students to one of those super posh teas. British culture studies or such tripe. They (and I) would have much preferred a pint in a pub ...

 

[RabH]

I managed to order the wrong wheels for my bike, in my rush to order them on Friday to arrive on Saturday I ordered centrelock wheels by mistake! Instead of returning the wheels I have ordered adaptors which will convert the wheels to a 6 bolt fitting, they are due to arrive in the next few hours so no ride today! My £40 saving on the wheels has now evaporated due to my error but with the adaptors they are about the same price as 3 years ago so the mistake hasn't cost me a fortune! All going well I will get to test the wheels tomorrow, the weather is looking good all week!