Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Readytoride]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022...

View attachment 125095

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

The first 22 miles were into a 25-30mph headwind, was I glad when I turned to have that wind behind me? You bet I was and what a return ride it was, I decided to check out some new roads and I wasn't disappointed!

I have passed this road many times and today I decided it was time to check it out, what a shock I got when I turned the corner to see this! Of course the camera doesn't do it justice, it was just over 20% despite Ridewithgps saying my max grade was 15.7%...

View attachment 125097

This is my kind of road, at the top I joined the road I have cycled many times so I knew what was in store and today I had that wind behind me, its a huge downhill where I have reached 40 mph+ many times! Well today I was unlucky as I was closing in on 45mph some cars ahead had me on the brakes, I'm sure I could have hit 50mph today...another day maybe!

This is the hill from the opposite direction!

View attachment 125098

There are some nice views around this area, its not just the roads that are awesome!

View attachment 125099

The hill I descended at 44.3mph can be seen in the distance here, it doesn't look that steep huh?

View attachment 125100

I was now back on familiar roads but once again I decided to try a new road and this turned out to be spectacular with big ups and downs and twists and turns, it eventually led me to Beecraigs Country Park which I know really well!

View attachment 125101

I was now heading for another twisty road I know very well, this one is also very steep and a lot of fun to ride!

The cork screw which always reminds me of Laguna Seca, except for the weather!

View attachment 125103
View attachment 125104

It was very surreal today, for the first time in years I had no time constraints as dad wasn't awaiting my return! It will take some getting used to but I know he is in a better place now! What a fantastic ride I had despite the windy conditions, the roads were just sublime!

My Ridewithgps recap for the month of May, not many rides but my best month of the year so far mileage wise!

View attachment 125120

So sorry to hear about your father passing away. Big hugs and deepest sympathy from your ebike friend here in Virginia USA.

 

[kahn]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022...

View attachment 125095

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

The first 22 miles were into a 25-30mph headwind, was I glad when I turned to have that wind behind me? You bet I was and what a return ride it was, I decided to check out some new roads and I wasn't disappointed!

I have passed this road many times and today I decided it was time to check it out, what a shock I got when I turned the corner to see this! Of course the camera doesn't do it justice, it was just over 20% despite Ridewithgps saying my max grade was 15.7%...

View attachment 125097

This is my kind of road, at the top I joined the road I have cycled many times so I knew what was in store and today I had that wind behind me, its a huge downhill where I have reached 40 mph+ many times! Well today I was unlucky as I was closing in on 45mph some cars ahead had me on the brakes, I'm sure I could have hit 50mph today...another day maybe!

This is the hill from the opposite direction!

View attachment 125098

There are some nice views around this area, its not just the roads that are awesome!

View attachment 125099

The hill I descended at 44.3mph can be seen in the distance here, it doesn't look that steep huh?

View attachment 125100

I was now back on familiar roads but once again I decided to try a new road and this turned out to be spectacular with big ups and downs and twists and turns, it eventually led me to Beecraigs Country Park which I know really well!

View attachment 125101

I was now heading for another twisty road I know very well, this one is also very steep and a lot of fun to ride!

The cork screw which always reminds me of Laguna Seca, except for the weather!

View attachment 125103
View attachment 125104

It was very surreal today, for the first time in years I had no time constraints as dad wasn't awaiting my return! It will take some getting used to but I know he is in a better place now! What a fantastic ride I had despite the windy conditions, the roads were just sublime!

My Ridewithgps recap for the month of May, not many rides but my best month of the year so far mileage wise!

View attachment 125120

My condolences on the passing of your dad. May he rest in peace with a view similar to what you've posted.

 

[Chargeride]

Still no biking for me, the Queenie is having a do and I have to get involved.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

My sincere condolences, @RabH...

 

[DiggyGun]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022..

Sincere condolences from us. RIP and Respect Sir. Gone But Not Forgotten.

 

[fooferdoggie]

a short ride 19 miles dow not the river then through town. last year we went down to the river and it was 114 degrees the 6 mile ride about did us in.
this bridge sees a lot of traffic no cars only busses and trains and peds one dragon boat. some small wind turbines going. wonder how much juice they produce? Crap I see the counter that shows how many cyclists crossed does nto show. yesterday 667 cyclists coursed and over 60,000 this year.

 

[jabberwocky]

I did manage to grab last Saturday for myself to join in the 20/26/34 mile group ebike ride. 11 members, a perfect day, and a very memorable, fun ride that was incredibly challenging (difficult) on the paved assent up to the summit of the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland, and then on the rough washed out interior gravel roads running along the crest in an endless gorgeous woodland with full rushing streams on both sides. I was planning on doing the 26 because I haven't been riding much at all due to other more pressing and time sensitive commitments. But when the assent sucked my battery down to just 52% for the first 7 miles - it sucked at least half the life of the batteries of everyone - several of us were going for the 26 opted to switch over to the 20.
View attachment 124867

Been MTBing the shed for probably two decades now. The roads and gravel around there are insane; Coxey Brown from Harmony Rd up to Gambrill Park Rd is an infamous road climb, but all the gravel in the shed is pretty tough. Never done it on the gravel bike, but have ridden most of it on mountainbikes over the years connecting trails.

You think the gravel is bad, you should try some of the singletrack that weaves around between those gravel roads, of which there is dozens of miles all over the shed and Gambrill. Theres a bunch of trails between Fishing Creek and Mountaindale that is popular with the DH shuttle crew; some of those trails are difficult to even walk down.

 

[RabH]

Thank you everyone, I forgot to mention I passed the 20,000 mile mark on my bike today! 20,004 to be exact!

 

[Prairie Dog]

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

My deepest condolences to you and your family RabH. You were truly a divine soul to be with him during his final years. Glad to know that you were able to get out for a ride as I'm certain that he would have wanted you to.

 

[Prairie Dog]

First, I hope your weather cooperates.

Second, why post those boring pictures of Gap Lake with the humdrum background!!!!

How ‘bout we add a train to the mix then?

Weather turned out fine after all and we completed our ride in epic fashion. More to come.....

 

[Chargeride]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022...

View attachment 125095

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

The first 22 miles were into a 25-30mph headwind, was I glad when I turned to have that wind behind me? You bet I was and what a return ride it was, I decided to check out some new roads and I wasn't disappointed!

I have passed this road many times and today I decided it was time to check it out, what a shock I got when I turned the corner to see this! Of course the camera doesn't do it justice, it was just over 20% despite Ridewithgps saying my max grade was 15.7%...

View attachment 125097

This is my kind of road, at the top I joined the road I have cycled many times so I knew what was in store and today I had that wind behind me, its a huge downhill where I have reached 40 mph+ many times! Well today I was unlucky as I was closing in on 45mph some cars ahead had me on the brakes, I'm sure I could have hit 50mph today...another day maybe!

This is the hill from the opposite direction!

View attachment 125098

There are some nice views around this area, its not just the roads that are awesome!

View attachment 125099

The hill I descended at 44.3mph can be seen in the distance here, it doesn't look that steep huh?

View attachment 125100

I was now back on familiar roads but once again I decided to try a new road and this turned out to be spectacular with big ups and downs and twists and turns, it eventually led me to Beecraigs Country Park which I know really well!

View attachment 125101

I was now heading for another twisty road I know very well, this one is also very steep and a lot of fun to ride!

The cork screw which always reminds me of Laguna Seca, except for the weather!

View attachment 125103
View attachment 125104

It was very surreal today, for the first time in years I had no time constraints as dad wasn't awaiting my return! It will take some getting used to but I know he is in a better place now! What a fantastic ride I had despite the windy conditions, the roads were just sublime!

My Ridewithgps recap for the month of May, not many rides but my best month of the year so far mileage wise!

View attachment 125120

Sorry to hear that Rab, I posted without my glasses and didn't see the post.

 

[DaveMatthews]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022...

View attachment 125095

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

The first 22 miles were into a 25-30mph headwind, was I glad when I turned to have that wind behind me? You bet I was and what a return ride it was, I decided to check out some new roads and I wasn't disappointed!

I have passed this road many times and today I decided it was time to check it out, what a shock I got when I turned the corner to see this! Of course the camera doesn't do it justice, it was just over 20% despite Ridewithgps saying my max grade was 15.7%...

View attachment 125097

This is my kind of road, at the top I joined the road I have cycled many times so I knew what was in store and today I had that wind behind me, its a huge downhill where I have reached 40 mph+ many times! Well today I was unlucky as I was closing in on 45mph some cars ahead had me on the brakes, I'm sure I could have hit 50mph today...another day maybe!

This is the hill from the opposite direction!

View attachment 125098

There are some nice views around this area, its not just the roads that are awesome!

View attachment 125099

The hill I descended at 44.3mph can be seen in the distance here, it doesn't look that steep huh?

View attachment 125100

I was now back on familiar roads but once again I decided to try a new road and this turned out to be spectacular with big ups and downs and twists and turns, it eventually led me to Beecraigs Country Park which I know really well!

View attachment 125101

I was now heading for another twisty road I know very well, this one is also very steep and a lot of fun to ride!

The cork screw which always reminds me of Laguna Seca, except for the weather!

View attachment 125103
View attachment 125104

It was very surreal today, for the first time in years I had no time constraints as dad wasn't awaiting my return! It will take some getting used to but I know he is in a better place now! What a fantastic ride I had despite the windy conditions, the roads were just sublime!

My Ridewithgps recap for the month of May, not many rides but my best month of the year so far mileage wise!

View attachment 125120

Sorry for your loss mate.

 

[Readytoride]

My ride today was a very quick 17 miles on paved road. I'm down one ebike at the moment so am riding the "Pavement Princess" (Turbo Vado) which means extremely limited gravel road riding until I get the carbon belt LaFree back from the shop. The LaFree went in for repairs the other day when i suspected my brake pads and the back tire needed replacing. Both did, but it also needs the brake lines bled, and possibly new rotors from braking with zero pads left. I was seriously abusing my poor bike without knowing it. I was told it would be about the 16th to get it through the busy repair schedule and back into my hands

Now I have a gravel road ride coming up on the 13th, and only my Vado to use. (Insert frowning face here)

After this morning's 20 mile bike shop group ride, I will be heading west over the mountains to another bike shop that carries the Gazelle brand carbon belt drive bikes. They have a Class 1 20mph assist, but I need the 28mph Class 3. Fingers crossed that, if I like the bike, they can get me a Class 3 before the gravel road ride.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

What tyres are there on your Vado, Flora? Use them at the minimum allowable pressure and you will be fine on gravel!

 

[Readytoride]

Thanks, Stefan, but my reason for not wanting to ride the Vado on gravel isn't the tires. It's the chain. Gravel roads are harsh on chain drives, and if there's one I hate having to clean on a bike...it's the chain. Petty, I know, but what can I say? I'm spoiled having a belt drive bike for gravel because the belt requires zero care even in the harshest environment.

If I like the Class 1 Gazelle I'm tempted to just rent it to use on my gravel roads until they can get me a Class 3.

 

[Readytoride]

Been MTBing the shed for probably two decades now. The roads and gravel around there are insane; Coxey Brown from Harmony Rd up to Gambrill Park Rd is an infamous road climb, but all the gravel in the shed is pretty tough. Never done it on the gravel bike, but have ridden most of it on mountainbikes over the years connecting trails.

It was white knuckle riding. Not gonna lie, my heart was in my throat for a couple of descents over that rocky washed out insanity called a road. I had a rear tire sidewall ripped open once by a sharp rock on an unassuming road, and this road was anything but unassuming. It had death written all over it. (Not really but you get the picture.) I was having flashbacks to that blowout so I had my bike at a barely above a crawl. At the same time one of my friends was having the time of her life, pretty much freewheeling down the Road of Fear in her Vado. (She had been quite disappointed that I hadn't brought my Vado - same color same year - for us to be "twins" again on the ride. But all the prior rides had been on pavement). All I could think was she was lucky to have zero clue. And those commuter tires of steel.

We did meet with a few mountain bikers on bona fide mountain bikes, the riders drenched in sweat and breathing hard coming up the steep road. I admired their fortitude because honestly they looked like they knew just what they were getting into. And they were riding the right kind of bikes.

As for me? Well, I was never so happy to see a paved road in my life when the so-called gravel road ended.

 

[PatriciaK]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022...

View attachment 125095

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

The first 22 miles were into a 25-30mph headwind, was I glad when I turned to have that wind behind me? You bet I was and what a return ride it was, I decided to check out some new roads and I wasn't disappointed!

I have passed this road many times and today I decided it was time to check it out, what a shock I got when I turned the corner to see this! Of course the camera doesn't do it justice, it was just over 20% despite Ridewithgps saying my max grade was 15.7%...

View attachment 125097

This is my kind of road, at the top I joined the road I have cycled many times so I knew what was in store and today I had that wind behind me, its a huge downhill where I have reached 40 mph+ many times! Well today I was unlucky as I was closing in on 45mph some cars ahead had me on the brakes, I'm sure I could have hit 50mph today...another day maybe!

This is the hill from the opposite direction!

View attachment 125098

There are some nice views around this area, its not just the roads that are awesome!

View attachment 125099

The hill I descended at 44.3mph can be seen in the distance here, it doesn't look that steep huh?

View attachment 125100

I was now back on familiar roads but once again I decided to try a new road and this turned out to be spectacular with big ups and downs and twists and turns, it eventually led me to Beecraigs Country Park which I know really well!

View attachment 125101

I was now heading for another twisty road I know very well, this one is also very steep and a lot of fun to ride!

The cork screw which always reminds me of Laguna Seca, except for the weather!

View attachment 125103
View attachment 125104

It was very surreal today, for the first time in years I had no time constraints as dad wasn't awaiting my return! It will take some getting used to but I know he is in a better place now! What a fantastic ride I had despite the windy conditions, the roads were just sublime!

My Ridewithgps recap for the month of May, not many rides but my best month of the year so far mileage wise!

View attachment 125120

Condolences for the loss of your Dad, Rab. Wishing you much comfort in your rides in the beautiful countryside - nature has an incredible capacity to restore the soul .

 

[jabberwocky]

Thanks, Stefan, but my reason for not wanting to ride the Vado on gravel isn't the tires. It's the chain. Gravel roads are harsh on chain drives, and if there's one I hate having to clean on a bike...it's the chain. Petty, I know, but what can I say? I'm spoiled having a belt drive bike for gravel because the belt requires zero care even in the harshest environment.

If I like the Class 1 Gazelle I'm tempted to just rent it to use on my gravel roads until they can get me a Class 3.

Recommend a hot wax lube. All I do on the gravel bikes these days. It’s a pain in the ass to apply the first time (needs a totally clean drivetrain, then submerging the chain in molten wax) but requires minimal maintenance for a while once done, even on dusty gravel roads.

 

[Anna]

This ride is dedicated to my dear old dad who passed away peacefully on May 30th 2022...

View attachment 125095

After losing my dear old dad at the start of the week I really needed a ride to clear my head, it was another windy day and today it was from the east! I was actually fully expecting to get wet today but my luck was in and the misty conditions evaporated eventually and it brightened up a little!

The first 22 miles were into a 25-30mph headwind, was I glad when I turned to have that wind behind me? You bet I was and what a return ride it was, I decided to check out some new roads and I wasn't disappointed!

I have passed this road many times and today I decided it was time to check it out, what a shock I got when I turned the corner to see this! Of course the camera doesn't do it justice, it was just over 20% despite Ridewithgps saying my max grade was 15.7%...

View attachment 125097

This is my kind of road, at the top I joined the road I have cycled many times so I knew what was in store and today I had that wind behind me, its a huge downhill where I have reached 40 mph+ many times! Well today I was unlucky as I was closing in on 45mph some cars ahead had me on the brakes, I'm sure I could have hit 50mph today...another day maybe!

This is the hill from the opposite direction!

View attachment 125098

There are some nice views around this area, its not just the roads that are awesome!

View attachment 125099

The hill I descended at 44.3mph can be seen in the distance here, it doesn't look that steep huh?

View attachment 125100

I was now back on familiar roads but once again I decided to try a new road and this turned out to be spectacular with big ups and downs and twists and turns, it eventually led me to Beecraigs Country Park which I know really well!

View attachment 125101

I was now heading for another twisty road I know very well, this one is also very steep and a lot of fun to ride!

The cork screw which always reminds me of Laguna Seca, except for the weather!

View attachment 125103
View attachment 125104

It was very surreal today, for the first time in years I had no time constraints as dad wasn't awaiting my return! It will take some getting used to but I know he is in a better place now! What a fantastic ride I had despite the windy conditions, the roads were just sublime!

My Ridewithgps recap for the month of May, not many rides but my best month of the year so far mileage wise!

View attachment 125120

It was obvious to all of us how attentive you had been to your father…I am sure he knew how much you loved him. Take care of yourself.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The Four Hills of Banff

We've been wanting to do this ride for a while now and we’re glad that we did it before the onslaught of the summer holiday traffic. The weather was ideal contrary to what the most recent forecasts were telling us. It’s still a bit early in the season to say what Mother Nature has up her sleeve particularly when it comes to the unpredictable conditions in this mountain resort town.

We would start off the outing at Cascade Ponds just outside of the entrance to the townsite of Banff. There’s plenty of parking here and safe access to the Banff townsite is possible thanks to a section of the paved Legacy Trail that runs beneath the main highway.

The first climb up towards Lake Minnewanka wasn’t too difficult and we managed quite well for the most part of the ride without assistance from the motors. We decided only to use PAS on the steepest of the climbs including the switchbacks up to Mt. Norquay. I recommend doing the 13 km Minnewanka loop counter clockwise as it affords the best views off to one’s right for photo opps. Brief stops along the way included picturesque Johnston Lake and Two Jack Lake. If it wasn’t for it’s smaller size, Johnston would make an excellent spot to kayak. It is a popular area for paddle boarders though.

View of Two Jack Lake from a point above. There is also a nice campground near the lake that was partially occupied at the time by a tour group of bike campers.

Lake Minne is a perfect place to stop along the road and admire the view. Wind wasn’t an issue on this day but it’s known to get very gusty here on the open water.

We would loop back along Minne’s scenic road towards Banff avoiding the heavily trafficked TC Hwy and opted instead to ride the safer route into town along Banff’s main street. We would eventually make our way to Mt Norquay Road for the second climb of the outing, a 302 meter elevation gain over 5.5 km.

This is one of the Texas gate rails we encountered before entering the road up to Norquay. It required us to dismount from our bikes and carefully tip toe to the other side all while trying to avoid slipping through the wide gaps. A MTB would likely have no problem traversing these grates but not so with narrower gravel/road tires.



There was a decent amount of climbing as we made our way up the six switchbacks towards the summit to Norquay. Fast descents are always fun but the proximity between the turns prevented any exhilarating high speed thrills. With the Norquay ski resort now closed, traffic was relatively light with the exception of a few vehicles making their way up to the lookout or the summit.

A nice view of the Banff Townsite as seen from final switchback before the summit.

The third assent is up to the Sulphur Gondola/Upper Hot Springs before a quick down hill run then up another slight climb towards Surprise Corner where the Iconic Banff Springs Hotel comes into view which seems like only a stone throw from the flowing Bow River below. The hotel takes on a more grandeur look from this vantage point compared to riding past it as I did on a visit to the area last year. My wife recalls when we were both employed by the CP Hotels 35 yrs ago standard room rates with our staff discounts were a paltry $50 Cdn/night. During peak season, a room now with a mountain view at current rates could likely set you back a c-note.

We stopped for a quick bite atop near the Banff Gondola before heading back down Mountain Ave.

A splendid view of the Banff Spring Hotel from atop Surprise Corner

One more final short climb that would take us up to the Banff Center of Fine Arts and yet another wonderful lookout which features a walking trail back down to the town’s center.

As we made our way back along Tunnel Mtn Road we spotted two of BNP’s finest working on the relocation of signage. Sections of this road are familiar having cycled the nearby Tunnel Mtn Bench Trail this spring with @RandallS and my BIL on our mtbs. Our ride ended where it started back at Cascade Ponds.

A video tribute to the Four Hills of Banff.