Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

The scenery where I ride near my house (western Illinois) is pretty boring compared to some of these pictures but I’ll share what I see. I rode about 18 mikes yesterday to a greenhouse out in the middle of nowhere owned by the Amish. No real reason to go there other than some place to go. The pic was on the way of several horses. I thought it was an Amish farm but once I got past the barn I saw a car in the driveway and an electric service going in the house.
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DiggyGun said:
Part Two: The Lakes

We decided to stay in Premier Inns hotels for the two weeks.

Our first one was in the centre of Penrith on the top right side of the Lake District National Park.
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The first ride was the Langdale Trail, which runs from Ambleside to Little Langdale, but added an extra bit onto Coniston.
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Had our first picnic stop in St. Andrew’s churchyard in Coniston, where we found the grave of a VC holder from the First World War. Looked up his details and his citation was a very interesting read.
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Our second picnic stop was back in Ambleside.
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The second ride was the Gorse Trail in the Whinlatter Forest. This is operated by the Forestry Commission and has a number of cycle trails, including some technical MTB trails, but we took the leisure trail.
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Although, not a long ride, it was very steep in places, using Turbo power and the lowest gear setting. One of the inclines was so steep, that if you stopped, you would not be able to restart and would have to walk the bike up. Because of the greater use of power, at the end of the ride I only had eight miles left on the battery.

Only one picnic stop today, but it was a fantastic view with spectacular surroundings.
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The third ride was postponed due to a rain forecast for most of the day. And boy, when it did come, it was very hard.

Ended up having a drive round to see the area and finished up at Maryport after a walk around Keswick.

Maryport had a harbour with some commercial fishing boats. However, some of these did appear to be rusting hulks, so not sure if they are still working.
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The fourth ride was along the West shore of Windermere Lake from Ambleside to Bowness on Windermere.
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Our first stop for lunch by the edge of the lake.
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We called in to see Wray Castle, which had some excellent views.
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There were some very good bridleways, so very little riding on the road.

We noticed that there was quite a number of trees that had been blown over in the recent storms.
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Our second picnic stop.
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The fifth ride was round the Lowther Castle and Gardens Estate, near Penrith. There has been a castle here since the Middle Ages, but these ruins were built between 1806 and 1814. It closed on 1937 and the roof was removed in 1957.
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There were a number of trails with a mixture of off road trails, estate roads and minor lanes. We took a number of these and saw some spectacular views.

Our first picnic stop.
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We had another picnic stop in the old stables courtyard of the castle.
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Saw a nice vista of water reflecting on the underside of a bridge.
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The sixth ride was the Grasmere Trail, from Ambleside to Grasmere.
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Our first picnic stop.
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Our second picnic stop.
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Had a change today, had a third picnic stop.
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End of Part Two and onto Part Three…
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Really lovely pics, I recognise the lot of it!
You cannot beat the Lakes for utterly sublime views mixed in with handy civilisation.
This is why Id probably never leave Liverpool, all the great terrain is just an hours drive in every direction.
Any punctures?
 
kahn said:
@DiggyGun and @Chargeride

You folks have so many real castles whatever their state of repair or disrepair. We only have fake castles on this side of the pond.

@DiggyGun Your bikes were really loaded for each ride with those panniers full? I guess those picnics need space!
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As we are out most of the day, we are always prepared. Not only our picnics, but spare clothing for whatever the weather and if we get caught in the rain.

In the fork bags, there are some tools for minor repairs, tweaks on the way in one and in the other spare tubes and puncture repair kits.
 
A Story As Old As E-Bikes Are :)

I still intend to write a report on our May 3rd ride (which was exciting!) but now: an e-bike story.

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I, Katy and Jerzy had a little party at the "Finish Line Bar" prior to our group ride on the greatest of Polish public holidays (The Day of the Constitution of May 3rd, 1791). There, I could spot two large e-bikes. As I approached those to take a photo, a female owner of the Liv Rove E+ smiled and joked: "You own me ten Euro for that!" :)

The story was as old as the e-bike world is. The wife wanted to ride together with her husband but could not make it on a traditional bike. The hubby bought her the Liv. Then, he discovered he was sweating too much while trying to follow her up! So he bought the Giant Fathom E+ Pro for himself. Rings familiar? :)

The lady was describing her e-biking experiences. An old tale again: "Faster, more frequently, and for far longer a distance". What is a 60-km ride for her today? A nice, leisurely trip!
 
"Vivat May! The Third of May! Poles' Blissful Paradise!"

Our patriotic song tells us we Poles should celebrate our most joyful public holiday, or "The Day of the May 3rd 1791 Constitution" by singing, partying, and drinking wine! :) The second world's constitution (following the one of The United States), and the first in Europe. It only survived for 19 months but we are still partying on the day! I rode by e-bike, train, and e-bike again to meet Jerzy and Katy in the designated point at noon.

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So we, of course, started our group ride with a pre-ride party :D As a proper Pole, I could not resist having a grilled sausage :) Besides, that was at the "Finish Line Bar" :D

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Jerzy is the only man who carries cash on him :) He paid our tickets for the Gassy-Karczew ferry over River Vistula.

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A historical steam locomotive in Karczew. A narrow gauge railroad with a train that used to ride at a dramatically low speed, and which was connecting countryside very north with very south of Warsaw played a vital role during the Nazi occupation during WWII. Warsaw was starving. Country people were continuously (and illegally) feeding the city with meat and spirits. A song of those times: "It's a wartime now, who is in the trade he's living! I've sold chopped meat, bought black pudding, and I will drink vodka, too!" :)

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We rode into the gravel-cycling territory: The Red Road in the Mazovian Landscape Park. A lot of sands!

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A tourist attraction: Former German bunkers in Dąbrowiecka Góra.

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'I wonder if I could wipe both boys out with a single burst?' :D

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Celestynów. A Polish owner had his pizzeria closed but a Turkish guy had kebab on sale, and the Chinese guy was offering Chinese food :) I do not eat kebab, and don't like Chinese food but settled for the latter because of hunger and for a company :) (Jerzy paid again!)

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A 1910 railroad lineman's hut between Śródborów and Otwock.

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The time was running out. Katy had to be back at home by 7 p.m. We would not have made it if we didn't shorten the trip by taking the train. Here, a historical train station in Otwock.

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Warsaw skyline as seen from the latest Southern Bridge, which is far away from the City.

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Katy on her last climb. She rides a new traditional Liv XC bike.

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It was past 7 p.m., the temperature dropped to 13 C, there was a strong headwind, and I had summer clothes on me. Still 19 km to go!

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A complicated trip involving two train rides, and five different cycling segments. I took the group ride with Katy & Jerzy at no or with minimal assistance! I rode unassisted downwind, and used 20/20% Vado SL assistance otherwise. The latter meant providing only 36 W of motor power for 100 W of my leg power! The total main battery consumption only was 84%! Including a Turbo "red" segment as seen on the map!
 
Last edited:
Chargeride said:
So I repaired the snapped in two wobbly bike, two alloy plates and a few bolts.
Now hubdrive and still silly.

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Dont zoom in if you are some kind of perfectionist, theres only demons here for you.
Just needs wide rim fitting on back
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Cartridge (it is how @Brix calls you, haha!)
Buy yourself a decent e-bike please... A Levo? :)
 
Cowlitz said:
I was told by a guy who was trying to recruit folks from here to NZ that I'd feel right at home there due to the similarities in climate and topography. So, I guess I can stay here? 'Cept we have too many cars on roads. Sigh.
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Where's "here"?

In latitude range, NZ is equivalent to Spain. Topography wise the South Island is (very) different compared to the UK.

Cheers
 
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