Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[reed scott]

Where's "here"?

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

Cheers

From what I hear you have to be a billionaire to get in.

 

[RabH]

I woke this morning and it was dry outside, had another look at the weather forecast and they said rain was expected at 9am but only light stuff! So I had my breakfast and got ready, out the door at 8.15am and just as I took my bike out of the garage down came the rain! It wasn't light rain either but I noticed the sky looked clearer to the south so off I went into the rain, at least it wasn't cold so it didn't bother me! After about 10 minutes I had outrun the rain and the roads were now dry, now I could really enjoy my ride!

I headed over a local back road which I use a lot and came across a very cute new born Shetland pony! It looks like mom might have another one coming or maybe she is just plump, the young ones legs are actually longer than hers!

Some miles later it was time for a big climb, the camera makes it look like a mole hill!

Of course after the climb comes the lovely descent, I have almost hit 50mph down this one before but only just over 40 today due to the wind direction!

Recently I noticed some bikes on a new cycle path which has been built next to one of my favourite roads, that day I was descending so I stayed on the road! Today it was time to climb it so I tried the new path, they have done a really nice job of it! They did take almost a year to build it though so I would like to think it would be a proper path!

Thankfully it stayed dry so I had a great ride on amazing roads, tomorrow is looking nasty but Sunday is looking promising so I can't wait to get out again! I didn't take so many photos today, I really just wanted to ride my bike and enjoy it as much as possible!

 

[kahn]

I

View attachment 122392

I woke this morning and it was dry outside, had another look at the weather forecast and they said rain was expected at 9am but only light stuff! So I had my breakfast and got ready, out the door at 8.15am and just as I took my bike out of the garage down came the rain! It wasn't light rain either but I noticed the sky looked clearer to the south so off I went into the rain, at least it wasn't cold so it didn't bother me! After about 10 minutes I had outrun the rain and the roads were now dry, now I could really enjoy my ride!

I headed over a local back road which I use a lot and came across a very cute new born Shetland pony! It looks like mom might have another one coming or maybe she is just plump, the young ones legs are actually longer than hers!

View attachment 122396
View attachment 122397

Some miles later it was time for a big climb, the camera makes it look like a mole hill!

View attachment 122398

Of course after the climb comes the lovely descent, I have almost hit 50mph down this one before but only just over 40 today due to the wind direction!

View attachment 122399

Recently I noticed some bikes on a new cycle path which has been built next to one of my favourite roads, that day I was descending so I stayed on the road! Today it was time to climb it so I tried the new path, they have done a really nice job of it! They did take almost a year to build it though so I would like to think it would be a proper path!

View attachment 122400

Thankfully it stayed dry so I had a great ride on amazing roads, tomorrow is looking nasty but Sunday is looking promising so I can't wait to get out again! I didn't take so many photos today, I really just wanted to ride my bike and enjoy it as much as possible!

I want to thank you and others for taking me/us along on some of these beautiful adventures. Green pastures and Shetland Ponies first thing in the morning. Terrific.


Aside: I do have a question about included photos. I see some full size and others reduced in size. How is that accomplished?

 

[reed scott]

I

I want to thank you and others for taking me/us along on some of these beautiful adventures. Green pastures and Shetland Ponies first thing in the morning. Terrific.


Aside: I do have a question about included photos. I see some full size and others reduced in size. How is that accomplished?

By choosing 'thumbnail' as opposed to full size in the pic transfer ( from your file to the board ) function.

 

[Cowlitz]

Where's "here"?

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

Cheers

Washington the State. The work would have been on the South Island and this was three decades ago. It was a large timber company recruiting. The pay would have been half of what it was here though.

We have steep ground, rain, glaciers etc. and even deserts. It all depends on what side of the mountains you are on. Unfortunately, this corner of the U.S. has been discovered.

On the wet side of the state:

On the dry side, about the same elevation:

If you don't like the weather, a few hours drive and you can be in another climate

 

[kahn]

Washington the State. The work would have been on the South Island and this was three decades ago. It was a large timber company recruiting. The pay would have been half of what it was here though.

We have steep ground, rain, glaciers etc. and even deserts. It all depends on what side of the mountains you are on. Unfortunately, this corner of the U.S. has been discovered.

On the wet side of the state:
View attachment 122414
On the dry side, about the same elevation:
View attachment 122415
If you don't like the weather, a few hours drive and you can be in another climate

I was just explaining to someone about the impact of the Convergence Zone and freezing level on snow accumulation. East of Everett, Mt Dickerman is always an interesting example of both the convergence zone and the general winter freezing or snow level. You'd be hiking along in Spring and there'd be some snow but as you reached about 4,000 feet or so, suddenly the snow accumulation would increase greatly from inches of a foot to 4, 5 or 6 feet in depth. Below that level over most of Winter it would generally rain and so not a lot of accumulation. Above 4,000 feet or so, it would be snow much of Winter and so tons of snow.

The Convergence Zone is the term applied to weather conditions east of the Olympic Mts. They tend to block incoming storms and the winds diverge around them and then re-converge east. Depending on the wind direction, the convergence swings a bit north or south, focusing rain/snow differently. It generally tends to focus just north of Seattle but again, varies. And, yes, the east/west divide in Washington state as well as Oregon and Calif is quite dramatic. I like how it affects those areas.

 

[PatriciaK]

Washington the State. The work would have been on the South Island and this was three decades ago. It was a large timber company recruiting. The pay would have been half of what it was here though.

We have steep ground, rain, glaciers etc. and even deserts. It all depends on what side of the mountains you are on. Unfortunately, this corner of the U.S. has been discovered.

On the wet side of the state:
View attachment 122414
On the dry side, about the same elevation:
View attachment 122415
If you don't like the weather, a few hours drive and you can be in another climate

I love our State!

 

[kahn]

I love our State!

Let's not go overboard. As I just wrote elsewhere, it is 46F (7.x C) and raining hard. It is quite miserable out there. But it might be sunny on the other side of the Cascades (it is NOT).

 

[Stefan Mikes]

42 km To Just Buy Salt, Sweetener, Bread & Nespresso

I woke up early in the morning with a terrible feeling I was not interested in riding anymore. As I live in a secluded area with very few access roads, any ride means covering the same boring area again! Fortunately for me, @mogulman asked how you connected a Garmin Edge to Vado SL (in another thread). I decided to pay a visit to Jacek at his business to ultimately find out! And, I discovered I was missing salt, a sweetener, bread and coffee capsules! What a good reason for riding to the Wola quarter of Warsaw!

It was very warm and sunny. The Spring Has Come!

An unusual sight: Garmin displaying Polish headings Fortunately, a Wahoo cannot "speak" my native tongue

I can buy proper bread and inexpensive nespresso capsules in Carrefour Market only. Fortunately, I could find one nearby Jacek's business.

I took a long route for a better workout. Here, the notorious Moszna Stack as seen from 6.5 km (10x zoom).

The borough of Ożarów Mazowiecki uses EU money (among others) for restoration of historical places, and you also can find a signpost leading to such locations. That way, I could find some interesting places just 3,400 m away from where I live: in Gołaszew. Here, a chapel from the 2nd half of 19th c.

A mansion from 1858. That almost modern, delicate structure was designed by an architect who was fascinated with Far East.

A late 19th c. granary.

I was pedalling with the "fitness assistance" of 35/100% SL. This kind of setting makes you pedal hard if you want to move at a decent speed, with the motor rewarding your effort. I only used up the charge of a single Range Extender for the ride!

 

[Chargeride]

The saga continues..
I present to you the only full suspension, electric, hub drive, mullet fatbike in the world.

Cartridge (it is how @Brix calls you, haha!)
Buy yourself a decent e-bike please... A Levo?

 

[Chargeride]

42 km To Just Buy Salt, Sweetener, Bread & Nespresso

I woke up early in the morning with a terrible feeling I was not interested in riding anymore. As I live in a secluded area with very few access roads, any ride means covering the same boring area again! Fortunately for me, @mogulman asked how you connected a Garmin Edge to Vado SL (in another thread). I decided to pay a visit to Jacek at his business to ultimately find out! And, I discovered I was missing salt, a sweetener, bread and coffee capsules! What a good reason for riding to the Wola quarter of Warsaw!

It was very warm and sunny. The Spring Has Come!

View attachment 122420View attachment 122421
An unusual sight: Garmin displaying Polish headings Fortunately, a Wahoo cannot "speak" my native tongue

View attachment 122422
I can buy proper bread and inexpensive nespresso capsules in Carrefour Market only. Fortunately, I could find one nearby Jacek's business.

View attachment 122423
I took a long route for a better workout. Here, the notorious Moszna Stack as seen from 6.5 km (10x zoom).

View attachment 122424
The borough of Ożarów Mazowiecki uses EU money (among others) for restoration of historical places, and you also can find a signpost leading to such locations. That way, I could find some interesting places just 3,400 m away from where I live: in Gołaszew. Here, a chapel from the 2nd half of 19th c.

View attachment 122425
A mansion from 1858. That almost modern, delicate structure was designed by an architect who was fascinated with Far East.

View attachment 122426
A late 19th c. granary.

View attachment 122427
I was pedalling with the "fitness assistance" of 35/100% SL. This kind of setting makes you pedal hard if you want to move at a decent speed, with the motor rewarding your effort. I only used up the charge of a single Range Extender for the ride!

So how is the cost of living going in Poland?
Everythings gone up about 10%, building materials more like 30%, I do some occasional work for a friend fitting boilers as Im gas registered.
He's paying me £50 a day extra straight off the bat, this is just going to spiral out of control.
So what Im actually saying is I cant afford a Levo on my pension

 

[mikeschn]

42 km To Just Buy Salt, Sweetener, Bread & Nespresso

I woke up early in the morning with a terrible feeling I was not interested in riding anymore.

Stefan,

Are you sure it's not the wine, causing a lack of serotonin?

Mike...

 

[Chargeride]

Thats my biggest fear, a few years back I was driving to the mountains with the bike and a total lack of interest washed over me, I actually turned back.
Its part of the reason I ride my stupid creations, its an extra level of involvement and consequence.
Building something and having it survive or be an improvement is just a bit of extra feedback.
I guess posting the rides here helps as well, I do like to read about other peoples rides and Stefan does put a lot of effort into his reports, and they come thick and fast, I dont think hes posted a boring one yet.

 

[DiggyGun]

Thats my biggest fear, a few years back I was driving to the mountains with the bike and a total lack of interest washed over me, I actually turned back.
Its part of the reason I ride my stupid creations, its an extra level of involvement and consequence.
Building something and having it survive or be an improvement is just a bit of extra feedback.
I guess posting the rides here helps as well, I do like to read about other peoples rides and Stefan does put a lot of effort into his reports, and they come thick and fast, I dont think hes posted a boring one yet.

Stefan always has better food than me…

We shop in a number of Polish shops as Mrs DG is Polish. I must admit that their choice is more interesting than some of the offerings in the UK supermarkets. Plus their meat and deli counter has some great choices.

 

[PatriciaK]

Let's not go overboard. As I just wrote elsewhere, it is 46F (7.x C) and raining hard. It is quite miserable out there. But it might be sunny on the other side of the Cascades (it is NOT).

I learned long ago not to expect "nice" weather on a regular basis until after 15 July... Too many July 4th fireworks displays enjoyed while bundled up in sleeping bags, sipping hot chocolate !

Plus, the north end of Whidbey gets half the rain Seattle does, and is well out of the way of the dreaded convergence zone .

 

[kahn]

I learned long ago not to expect "nice" weather on a regular basis until after 15 July... Too many July 4th fireworks displays enjoyed while bundled up in sleeping bags, shipping hot chocolate !

Plus, the north end of Whidbey gets half the rain Seattle does, and is well out of the way of the dreaded convergence zone .

I can recall many a WET, well, VERY WET 4th of July. I can specifically remember the one where my sister was here from Tucson and we drove to Myrtle Edwards where the fireworks were at that time. It was in the middle 50's and she was wearing down jackets from both myself and my partner. She was freezing. That may also be the same 4th of July when campers from "normal" parts of the US were camping at Mt Rainier covered in SNOW.

And I also remember fleeing to the EAST side for the warmth and sun only to be rained on, on 4th of July. I've commented that coming from NYC, June was summer. NOT here. As you note, they claim that the jet stream does not settle down till the second week in July. I remember training for Ramrod (Ride around Mt Rainier in one day) and having to buy summer weight tights since it was so damn cold. I also remember we did not do the ride due to the forecast - we had no sag help. Yes, they had to take people off the ride suffering from hypothermia in the sleet!!! (and I'm chuckling now as I type type this since it just seems to ridiculous - I should have moved decades ago!)

 

[Stefan Mikes]

So how is the cost of living going in Poland?
Everythings gone up about 10%, building materials more like 30%, I do some occasional work for a friend fitting boilers as Im gas registered.
He's paying me £50 a day extra straight off the bat, this is just going to spiral out of control.
So what Im actually saying is I cant afford a Levo on my pension

Oh yes. The inflation is very high here, too. And I can fully understand you cannot afford a better e-bike. I only think your creation might turn very dangerous for you, taken into account where and how you're riding.

Stefan,

Are you sure it's not the wine, causing a lack of serotonin?

Mike...

Don't take everything I'm writing literally, Mike I often use figures of speech and other tricks to try making my writing more interesting. Honestly, it is the greatest joy for me when I'm back in the saddle, pedalling! And the fifth of May was as Spring-like as it only could be with its very warm and sunny weather! If we're talking about the lack of serotonin, it was the lack of sunshine and many months of cold weather, rather.

Stefan always has better food than me…

We shop in a number of Polish shops as Mrs DG is Polish. I must admit that their choice is more interesting than some of the offerings in the UK supermarkets. Plus their meat and deli counter has some great choices.

I like the food of Poland, true. However, I like the British food when I am in the Isles, as it is so different from ours. The English Full Breakfast is one of the best of human inventions for me! (And I like British sausage too because it is so different!)

English Full Breakfast at Goldsmith's Cafe, 25 Lewisham Way, London SE14 6PP, United Kingdom. The best place I could find. And the price was so attractive as for the expensive London!

 

[Surly]

I wouldn't feed that to a pig. Wrong in every way, what sort of tw@ puts chips on an english breakfast, sausages look old, bacon is cheap shite, no mushrooms, no black pudding. Possibly the worst example ever - but it is london.

 

[reed scott]

I wouldn't feed that to a pig. Wrong in every way, what sort of tw@ puts chips on an english breakfast, sausages look old, bacon is cheap shite, no mushrooms, no black pudding. Possibly the worst example ever - but it is london.

OK. Surly, We need a pic of a good English breakfast.

 

[Surly]

OK. Surly, We need a pic of a good English breakfast.

When i next make one i shall take a picture for you, it might cause controversy though - i put maple syrup on