Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Chargeride]

I know its a off topic, but if you want to know what Madeira is like, its only 2 mins.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I know its a off topic, but if you want to know what Madeira is like, its only 2 mins.

Lovely!
And it shows how well you have mastered videography!
But don't lie. The video was 3 minutes long!

 

[Saratoga Dave]

And well worth the three minutes! Terrific.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

Going my way?

Actually, I was cycling in the same direction (south) as the local cyclist and the man trailing his fishing kayak – the sort that one pedals along, and that has a cooler box strapped on the back (filled with freshly-caught fish and/or freshly-emptied stubbies, depending on one's luck).

There was no way that I was going to pull over to the left without first turning around and facing my ebike the 'wrong' way.

9:50 am; 83 km
Suttons Beach, Redcliffe, QLD
​

Trivia: The tall trees are Norfolk Island pines. They grow wonderfully well in sandy soils near the coast and are now well represented in subtropical seaside towns around the world.

Norfolk Island is somewhere midway between where we are here and the northernmost tip of New Zealand, in other words 'in the middle of nowhere' which made it an excellent place in centuries past to send convicts of the worst sort (meaning those who made a break for freedom from New South Wales).

James Cook is credited with identifying the trees as suitable for ships' masts. Unfortunately Norfolk Island pines have an awkward tendency to snap in inordinately brisk winds, so mariners would have needed to be desperate to use them: many were.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Going my way?

Actually, I was cycling in the same direction (south) as the local cyclist and the man trailing his fishing kayak – the sort that one pedals along, and that has a cooler box strapped on the back (filled with freshly-caught fish and/or freshly-emptied stubbies, depending on one's luck).

There was no way that I was going to pull over to the left without first turning around and facing my ebike the 'wrong' way.

View attachment 118067

9:50 am; 83 km
Suttons Beach, Redcliffe, QLD
​

Trivia: The tall trees are Norfolk Island pines. They grow wonderfully well in sandy soils near the coast and are now well represented in subtropical seaside towns around the world.

Norfolk Island is somewhere midway between where we are here and the northernmost tip of New Zealand, in other words 'in the middle of nowhere' which made it an excellent place in centuries past to send convicts of the worst sort (meaning those who made a break for freedom from New South Wales).

James Cook is credited with identifying the trees as suitable for ships' masts. Unfortunately Norfolk Island pines have an awkward tendency to snap in inordinately brisk winds, so mariners would have needed to be desperate to use them: many were.

I can only presume that after you snapped this photo you were seen frolicking along that lovely stretch of beach barefooted. I mean, who could resist.

Thanks for sharing that enlightening piece of trivia with us.

 

[DiggyGun]

Mrs DG was working this afternoon, so I went on a solo, local ride after lunch.

The weather was good, with the temperature being 16oC with a wind of only 3mph, so no wind chill. But as the time got on, the heat from the sun started to recede and again, it got a bit chillier, so another layer went on

As it was after lunch, I took some coffee and cereal bars and have a couple of breaks for some snack stops.

Mrs DG has a day off tomorrow as she has a hospital appointment, so we will go somewhere after we’ve done that and some shopping and had some lunch.

 

[BlackHand]

Breakwater Reflections

Still no cycling for me as I'm halfway through the rehab on my thumb. I was told not to even think about biking until I'm allowed to grip and lift, likely 6 more weeks.

Walks along our waterfront are a pretty good consolation but are no replacement for getting out and exploring on the bike.

Luckily, I can come here where others share their experiences and I can explore paradise(even though it floods sometimes), and mountains, plains, highlands, cities, the Old World and more. Thanks everyone!

Here's a few shots from tonight's stroll on the public fishing pier. I'm fairly sure many more sunsets are caught here than fish.

 

[DiggyGun]

Breakwater Reflections

Still no cycling for me as I'm halfway through the rehab on my thumb. I was told not to even think about biking until I'm allowed to grip and lift, likely 6 more weeks.

Walks along our waterfront are a pretty good consolation but are no replacement for getting out and exploring on the bike.

Luckily, I can come here where others share their experiences and I can explore paradise(even though it floods sometimes), and mountains, plains, highlands, cities, the Old World and more. Thanks everyone!

Here's a few shots from tonight's stroll on the public fishing pier. I'm fairly sure many more sunsets are caught here than fish.
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Lovely sunset

 

[RabH]

Another lovely day for a bike ride, perfect conditions for the time of year! It was a little misty but nothing to spoil the enjoyment, after leaving my home town I had the back roads almost to myself! I even had a robin serenading me as I stopped for a snack!

I'm really being spoiled by the council these days, it has been a long time coming though but the back roads are really getting the new tarmac treatment they deserve!

Just after this there is a lovely descent which has also been treated, I used to climb it mostly because it was a dangerous descent due to the state of the road! Now its such a joy to ride down, I really was in cycle heaven! I returned to one of the roads I have been neglecting for a while, mainly due to water running across it and freezing solid! With a temp of 6C this morning I knew it would be safe, after a dry spell I didn't see any signs of water all the way down it!

The poor weather forecast for the coming days seems to have improved so I'm hoping to get out on Thursday for my final March ride, I have now covered 450 miles this month from 11 rides! There's still a possibility of some snow tomorrow, that's why I went out today! It would be great to make it to 500 miles for the month but I don't think I will manage a 50 mile ride during the week, it will probably be another 30 miler!

 

[PatriciaK]

Breakwater Reflections

Still no cycling for me as I'm halfway through the rehab on my thumb. I was told not to even think about biking until I'm allowed to grip and lift, likely 6 more weeks.

Walks along our waterfront are a pretty good consolation but are no replacement for getting out and exploring on the bike.

Luckily, I can come here where others share their experiences and I can explore paradise(even though it floods sometimes), and mountains, plains, highlands, cities, the Old World and more. Thanks everyone!

Here's a few shots from tonight's stroll on the public fishing pier. I'm fairly sure many more sunsets are caught here than fish.
View attachment 118215
View attachment 118218View attachment 118217

I hear you! The biking gods have been conspiring against me since arrival in the Piedmont Triangle almost 3 weeks ago! First, horrible cold weather, then a death in the family up north, and now respiratory infection (NOT COVID) is busy developing into bronchitis. At this rate, it's going to be well into April before I get out .

Speedy recovery to you - you'll get there!

 

[DiggyGun]

I know its a off topic, but if you want to know what Madeira is like, its only 2 mins.

Looks like a nice place. Plenty of different weather though...

 

[Chargeride]

Holy Moly, was going the Lakes tomorrow and its going to snow!
Moved to Thursday.

 

[DiggyGun]

Holy Moly, was going the Lakes tomorrow and its going to snow!
Moved to Thursday.

I know, Mrs DGs hospital appointment was delayed, so we had a later lunch. Then when we wanted to go out, it was all cold and wet and, likely to be so for the next few days. So cold in fact, that the heating has come back on.

 

[Mulezen]

18 degrees here (Virginia) early this morning…too cold for a ride today…my name’s not Stefan

 

[Stefan Mikes]

18 degrees here (Virginia) early this morning…too cold for a ride today…my name’s not Stefan

-7 C? Ooh. I would have to wear my warmest winter gear to stand that (been there, done that)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Ice Cream Ride and Other Adventures

What a day! I wanted to ride, ride, and ride! Vado SL was involved on all three rides as I can carry it downstairs from my flat anytime I wish

• 7:27 am: Riding to Podkowa Leśna to buy some "pork in jelly", 5°C, 16 km
• 11:06 am: Riding to Pruszków to apply for a new passport. 7°C, 11.2 km
• 3:09 pm: Riding to Klimatyczna Cafe, for ice cream. 8°C, 42.4 km. Two Personal Records (more on it later).

Altogether, almost 70 km on the day

In the Passport Office in Pruszków (the county capital town). Round-trip ride time of 31 minutes, waiting time 1h 35 min

At Klimatyczna Cafe: Double Flat White coffee with a Ball (which resembled a red-beet to me)

The ice-cream season has just started! Here, with Pear Ice Cream. I also tried Cheesecake & Blackberry variety.

The Ice Cream Ride was very interesting from e-biking viewpoint. On the ride "out", I needed to counter a 22 km/h cold headwind. I decided to use the SL Turbo mode. And I was pedalling hard. I did everything to reach Leszno as quickly as possible. I managed that in 45 minutes.

On the way "back", I was assisted by tailwind. Still in Turbo, I made an attempt to actually beat my Strava CRs, which I made earlier on two long Strava E-Bike Segments; I rode my Speed Vado at that time.

For these of you who are not quite aware how Strava works:

• A CR (Course Record, or Crown) is the ultimate speed record on a given segment. It is only granted if the leader's performance greatly outmatched all other competitors.
• A KOM/QOM (King/Queen Of Mountain) is the best result on the segment, by sex.

(CR is ultimate, and rarely granted. I own two E-Bike CRs. I tried to beat them using Vado SL and being assisted by the wind).

In Umiastów, after my both attempts I pedalled Vado SL with all my powers!

Well...

• On Feb 20th this year, I achieved the CR on that segment
• I have achieved the second place today, riding a half powerful e-bike compared to the big Vado
• My strong brother is just a KOM there He has to try harder!

It was identical for the other segment I'm so proud! Necessary to mention my average speed on the whole loop was 28.3 km/h, something I have never achieved on the Vado SL before.

Who disagrees the reason was the swap for Specialized Pathfinder Pro tyres?

 

[kahn]

I hope these show up OK. Here is some of the back county areas, I spend time riding in.
This photo is looking East at the Humbolt Range, the highest peak on the left is Star Peak almost 10,000' elevation. The light color strip is I-80 going EB and about 4000'.


This is looking SW into Trinity Mtn Range, as far as you can see is Decomposed Granite Rock, and this road is going down into the bottom.


Going down.......!

While I love the shots of the Canadian Rockies shared by our friends up north, I too, really like the desolate vast spaces on the east side of the Sierra.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Too cold or inclement for a ride? Welcome to my neck of the woods.

I woke up this morning to a trifecta of sorts. Snow, fog, and a temp of -6C but that did little to discourage me from getting out on the bike. It sure beats riding through slush that would have greeted me on the trails later in the afternoon. I must admit that this was kind of a downer after my trip up to the mountains but I’ll get over it.

The trails at Heritage Ranch were in superb condition as usual with a few icy spots.

I followed up that up by riding an out-and-back along the icy Pines Singletrack.



Upon heading back out, I always try and follow my tire tracks to the best of my ability preventing the chance of any misjudgement which could result in a nasty fall.



A sure sign of spring when Canadian geese can be seen and heard anywhere near the river.

Even though the temps have been feeling more spring like over the past few weeks, large patches of ice are still prevalent especially on morning rides.



A parting shot of our local tributary on my way home.

 

[kahn]

I know its a off topic, but if you want to know what Madeira is like, its only 2 mins.

Great consolidation.

You'd love my China video - runs to about two hours!

 

[kahn]

Mrs DG was working this afternoon, so I went on a solo, local ride after lunch.

The weather was good, with the temperature being 16oC with a wind of only 3mph, so no wind chill. But as the time got on, the heat from the sun started to recede and again, it got a bit chillier, so another layer went on

As it was after lunch, I took some coffee and cereal bars and have a couple of breaks for some snack stops.

Mrs DG has a day off tomorrow as she has a hospital appointment, so we will go somewhere after we’ve done that and some shopping and had some lunch.

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How did you British arrive at centigrade/Celsius for temperature but maintain miles for distance/speed?