ChezCheese:)
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Kitsap Co, WA
"If you see a cow sleeping in the grass, does that mean it's pasture bedtime?"
"No, it means you're outstanding in your field."
Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos
"No, it means you're outstanding in your field."
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
I just want to quickly report that Gravel Przemek grovelled me over local gravel and dirt. In turn, I did the same to Roadie Staszek because my e-MTB had the motor and full suspension and Staszek had a worse day 
Full report, pictures, maps etc will eventually come. Now, I'm trying to recover a little 
Full report, pictures, maps etc will eventually come. Now, I'm trying to recover a little
Last edited:
D
Deleted member 18083
Guest
A perfect morning for kayaking …
years decades past often set out from Bribie Island which is the bumpy bit on the horizon in the centre.
On the right, below the distant smudge of cloud, is the Coral Sea (Pacific Ocean).
Osbourne Point, Moreton Bay
For me, the inclusion of 'perfect' and 'kayaking' in the same sentence assumes the absence of both wind and waves. I have never paddled out from the Redcliffe Peninsula but, in On the right, below the distant smudge of cloud, is the Coral Sea (Pacific Ocean).
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Windy Gravel Hardcore 
I knew it before. Gravel Przemek is very careful not to scare off his potential riding buddies prior to a trip. "We're going to ride mostly on asphalt roads, with a little bit of off-road". Fortunately, I saw him through! For that reason, I chose my Monster for the Sunday ride. I knew it before. I ride enough to be able to verify reliable weather forecast already several days prior to a planned ride. It was blowing. It was blowing! As I drove with my Trance E+ to Grodzisk Mazowiecki (including proper clothing to be replaced before the ride -- as MTBers do), I could see the effects of the massive westerly wind, for instance on the posts of street signals that were swaying. (Because of the wind, most of group rides in the region have been called off). Roadie Staszek arrived with his HT MTB late -- and he was already tired with the wind. He instantly noticed the tubeless tyres of my Monster had been inflated to low pressure. It had good and bad sides... We rode out at 8:48 a.m, right into the wind.
The first stop. Staszek eating his Dried Apples of Power Notice the road: sand. I would say 80% of the trip was over gravel, sand, dirt and crushed stone. Yes, you read it correctly: crushed stone in big lumps. My Monster felt there like in Heaven - I could easily speed up to 21 km/h on such roads while my buddies had to negotiate such segments rather slowly. They were, however, very fast on-road, downwind (where I suffered because of the low pressure in the wheels). Photo by Przemek.
Merry Przemek demonstrating how you ride drop bars We hid ourselves in some woods to get some rest from the wind.
Fotografers, damn! (Photo by Przemek).
Staszek and his steed. Staszek is a competing road cyclist. He doesn't call his ride "an MTB". It is his "winter bike"!
Because of new overpass construction in Świnice, Przemek had to find a detour. See the practical application of Walk Mode here
Suntago, or the largest Water Park of Poland (in the village of Wręcza). Sadly abandoned because of the pandemic.
Our riding gang in front of Suntago. There, I had to replace the battery. The 500 Wh one got almost entirely emptied in just 40 km! And I only rode in Basic mode (2 of 5)! The headwind! (Photo by Przemek).
The last stop in Międzyborów. I have been already there with one of my e-bikes (can remember buying sausage for a snack in a little store by the train station). The return way consisted of many asphalt road segments and mostly was "not into the wind" as Przemek commented.
Hot shower and post-ride rum I was terribly tired (low pressure in Monster tyres, see?)
One of the last ride segments led through a narrow muddy trail. I was green from fright there! Interestingly, my suspension fork inflated to only 65 psi used only 50% of the travel for the whole trip! Darn, that 150 mm Fox Rhythm 36 sus fork is really made for jumps...
It was Przemek who opened my eyes to the fact there were so many gravel and off-road trails in my neighbourhood. Interestingly, Staszek's neighbourhood involves solely good asphalt roads with minimal traffic, ideal for a roadie he really is.
As for the massive headwind and off-road riding, our gang got quite decent average speed. At one place (still riding in Basic Mode and the speed limiter set to 36 km/h), I have demonstrated the acceleration quality of Monster to my buddies. Just strong press on the pedals, fast spin and I rode 3 km/h over the speed restrictor! But Staszek.... He accelerated to 41 km/h on his own leg power! That's a road cyclist for you
I don't even need to tell you our feat was met with awe on a FB cycling enthusiast group
I knew it before. Gravel Przemek is very careful not to scare off his potential riding buddies prior to a trip. "We're going to ride mostly on asphalt roads, with a little bit of off-road". Fortunately, I saw him through! For that reason, I chose my Monster for the Sunday ride. I knew it before. I ride enough to be able to verify reliable weather forecast already several days prior to a planned ride. It was blowing. It was blowing! As I drove with my Trance E+ to Grodzisk Mazowiecki (including proper clothing to be replaced before the ride -- as MTBers do), I could see the effects of the massive westerly wind, for instance on the posts of street signals that were swaying. (Because of the wind, most of group rides in the region have been called off). Roadie Staszek arrived with his HT MTB late -- and he was already tired with the wind. He instantly noticed the tubeless tyres of my Monster had been inflated to low pressure. It had good and bad sides... We rode out at 8:48 a.m, right into the wind.
The first stop. Staszek eating his Dried Apples of Power
Notice the road: sand. I would say 80% of the trip was over gravel, sand, dirt and crushed stone. Yes, you read it correctly: crushed stone in big lumps. My Monster felt there like in Heaven - I could easily speed up to 21 km/h on such roads while my buddies had to negotiate such segments rather slowly. They were, however, very fast on-road, downwind (where I suffered because of the low pressure in the wheels). Photo by Przemek.Merry Przemek demonstrating how you ride drop bars
We hid ourselves in some woods to get some rest from the wind.Fotografers, damn!
(Photo by Przemek).Staszek and his steed. Staszek is a competing road cyclist. He doesn't call his ride "an MTB". It is his "winter bike"!
Because of new overpass construction in Świnice, Przemek had to find a detour. See the practical application of Walk Mode here
Suntago, or the largest Water Park of Poland (in the village of Wręcza). Sadly abandoned because of the pandemic.
Our riding gang in front of Suntago. There, I had to replace the battery. The 500 Wh one got almost entirely emptied in just 40 km! And I only rode in Basic mode (2 of 5)! The headwind! (Photo by Przemek).
The last stop in Międzyborów. I have been already there with one of my e-bikes (can remember buying sausage for a snack in a little store by the train station). The return way consisted of many asphalt road segments and mostly was "not into the wind" as Przemek commented.
Hot shower and post-ride rum
I was terribly tired (low pressure in Monster tyres, see?)One of the last ride segments led through a narrow muddy trail. I was green from fright there! Interestingly, my suspension fork inflated to only 65 psi used only 50% of the travel for the whole trip! Darn, that 150 mm Fox Rhythm 36 sus fork is really made for jumps...
It was Przemek who opened my eyes to the fact there were so many gravel and off-road trails in my neighbourhood. Interestingly, Staszek's neighbourhood involves solely good asphalt roads with minimal traffic, ideal for a roadie he really is.
As for the massive headwind and off-road riding, our gang got quite decent average speed. At one place (still riding in Basic Mode and the speed limiter set to 36 km/h), I have demonstrated the acceleration quality of Monster to my buddies. Just strong press on the pedals, fast spin and I rode 3 km/h over the speed restrictor! But Staszek.... He accelerated to 41 km/h on his own leg power! That's a road cyclist for you
I don't even need to tell you our feat was met with awe on a FB cycling enthusiast group
Last edited:
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
Well, it is too damned warm to ski so I broke the bike out for a short ride: actually I spent more time driving to an from the riding then actually riding
Bill Shaw Road and Buckhorn Mountain Road near Pateros, WA:
Bill Shaw Road and Buckhorn Mountain Road near Pateros, WA:
bmatt
Member
- Region
- Australia
Sunday was a perfect day for a long ride, where I mixed a bit of road, gravel and mountain trails. It keeps raining (luckily I've been taking my rain jacket with me) and so the single tracks are still too wet to ride. The variety Sunday provided was great!
Started late, for my usual times, around 11am ... so, of course, covered myself in sun protection (sunscreen, clothing, etc) and filled up my 3L reservoir and off I went ... I took a road that I had been avoiding, mostly out of ignorance, and it was a lot of fun! Quite a bit of ascent, going through a national park, and then followed the Bellinger river west (from a distance) along paddocks and organic farms, crossing paths with many people having a good time swimming at the bridges. What a pleasant ride ...
Oh! Look at the time ... ! Dammit ... need to switch over to eMTB or Turbo to make it back on time for the meeting I had this afternoon ... pushed it quite hard, arrived with over 55% of battery left, so absolutely no "range anxiety" to find out our meeting had been cancelled at the last minute ...
it doesn't matter ... I got to spend 4h+ on the bike, exploring this beautiful part of the world even further.
Started late, for my usual times, around 11am ... so, of course, covered myself in sun protection (sunscreen, clothing, etc) and filled up my 3L reservoir and off I went ... I took a road that I had been avoiding, mostly out of ignorance, and it was a lot of fun! Quite a bit of ascent, going through a national park, and then followed the Bellinger river west (from a distance) along paddocks and organic farms, crossing paths with many people having a good time swimming at the bridges. What a pleasant ride ...
Oh! Look at the time ... ! Dammit ... need to switch over to eMTB or Turbo to make it back on time for the meeting I had this afternoon ... pushed it quite hard, arrived with over 55% of battery left, so absolutely no "range anxiety" to find out our meeting had been cancelled at the last minute ...
it doesn't matter ... I got to spend 4h+ on the bike, exploring this beautiful part of the world even further.Attachments
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
I took on some challenging single track today and got more than I bargained for. A section of the Pines trail was a bit muddy but was well worth the effort. I spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning the bike as well as myself.
We stopped briefly to take a pic or two of a couple of moose calves feeding. Their mother was likely nearby so we didn't stick around very long. Overall, the ride terrain was a mixed bag including some hardpack, mud, dirty ice, pure ice, roots/stumps and snow. Near the end of the trail, we rode a small section of the local MTB park which was a nice changeup.
Some narrow sections as well as a few steep drops thrown in made it interesting.
Passing by the local MTB park....
Nearing the end of the trail.
Nuff said....
Video(s) to follow....
We stopped briefly to take a pic or two of a couple of moose calves feeding. Their mother was likely nearby so we didn't stick around very long. Overall, the ride terrain was a mixed bag including some hardpack, mud, dirty ice, pure ice, roots/stumps and snow. Near the end of the trail, we rode a small section of the local MTB park which was a nice changeup.
Some narrow sections as well as a few steep drops thrown in made it interesting.
Passing by the local MTB park....
Nearing the end of the trail.
Nuff said....
Video(s) to follow....
Attachments
Last edited:
reed scott
Well-Known Member
Wild !I took on some challenging single track today and got more than I bargained for. A section of the Pines trail was a bit muddy but was well worth the effort. I spent a good part of the afternoon cleaning the bike as well as myself.
View attachment 80932
View attachment 80928
View attachment 80943
We stopped briefly to take a pic or two of a couple of moose calves feeding. Their mother was likely nearby so we didn't stick around very long. Overall, the ride terrain was a mixed bag including some hardpack, mud, dirty ice, pure ice, roots/stumps and snow. Near the end of the trail, we rode a small section of the local MTB park which was a nice changeup.
View attachment 80930View attachment 80944View attachment 80931
Some narrow sections as well as a few steep drops thrown in made it interesting.
View attachment 80933View attachment 80934View attachment 80935
Passing by the local MTB park....
View attachment 80936View attachment 80937
End of the trail.
View attachment 80938
Nuff said....
View attachment 80939View attachment 80945View attachment 80940View attachment 80941
Videos to come later....
RandallS
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Calgary
Weekend rides, after a week of "other stuff".
On Saturday, the weather was reasonably warm, but of course windy. I wasn't going to head out for very long and didn't feel like riding pathways, so I headed up onto Nose Hill to see how rideable it was.
As it turned out, some technical difficulties sent me home a little earlier.
The main issue was my external battery pack for my phone wasn't working (been repaired now) but as I ride solo most of the time, a functioning phone is a must.
The secondary issue is that with the Quad Lock case on my phone, you have to set the phone on the wireless charger properly, or it won't charge. I must have knocked it slightly off centre at some point, as it was only 25% when I headed out, but I thought it would be fine - I'll just plug it into the external battery pack. ACK!
I continue to ride with my better suspension suspension seatpost, the Suntour NCX, rather than the PNW Coast dropper as the icy, packed snow surface, can be quite jarring.
Of course when it's not firm, the slush can be difficult to ride in, but on Saturday, it was not sunny and the conditions stayed relatively firm.
A lot of the trails were like this:
But there were a lot like this too.
On the way out, I stopped just before a 75m downhill section where I'd turned around the previous week on my up, as the snow drift was too deep.
As you can see to the right of my tire, a place where a walker stepped off the centre packed section and sunk about 20-30cm (8-12").
This is why you absolutely have to stay centred on the packed section or your front end disappears and a hard dismount may occur...
Regardless of conditions, it was still a good little ride, but more of an upper body workout than normal as the conditions tended to throw the front end around and one had to be really strong on the bars.
Next post - Sunday's ride on some new parts of Nose Hill.
On Saturday, the weather was reasonably warm, but of course windy. I wasn't going to head out for very long and didn't feel like riding pathways, so I headed up onto Nose Hill to see how rideable it was.
As it turned out, some technical difficulties sent me home a little earlier.
The main issue was my external battery pack for my phone wasn't working (been repaired now) but as I ride solo most of the time, a functioning phone is a must.
The secondary issue is that with the Quad Lock case on my phone, you have to set the phone on the wireless charger properly, or it won't charge. I must have knocked it slightly off centre at some point, as it was only 25% when I headed out, but I thought it would be fine - I'll just plug it into the external battery pack. ACK!
I continue to ride with my better suspension suspension seatpost, the Suntour NCX, rather than the PNW Coast dropper as the icy, packed snow surface, can be quite jarring.
Of course when it's not firm, the slush can be difficult to ride in, but on Saturday, it was not sunny and the conditions stayed relatively firm.
A lot of the trails were like this:
But there were a lot like this too.
On the way out, I stopped just before a 75m downhill section where I'd turned around the previous week on my up, as the snow drift was too deep.
As you can see to the right of my tire, a place where a walker stepped off the centre packed section and sunk about 20-30cm (8-12").
This is why you absolutely have to stay centred on the packed section or your front end disappears and a hard dismount may occur...
Regardless of conditions, it was still a good little ride, but more of an upper body workout than normal as the conditions tended to throw the front end around and one had to be really strong on the bars.
Next post - Sunday's ride on some new parts of Nose Hill.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Honestly, what hurt me the most after my last ride were hands and arms. Legs next.
RandallS
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Calgary
As promised, Sundays ride. It was really nice out, very sunny and around +7C.
I rode some pathways to begin with, and then went up to pop in at my brothers place, but he wasn't home.
Since I was up there, I thought I'd try some new trails up near his place.
In the left most section of green, I found some trails I probably haven't been on on 6 years or so, and when I did, it was not on a suitable ride.
The middle picture below, does not show the steepness off that mound very well. I've been up there a few times and have always turned around.
Once I climbed around the mound, including some difficult climbs through soft snow and mud (and a nice standing ovation from some dog walkers on one section), I was up top on the park, where most of the snow was gone.
I didn't really feel like heading across the top, so I did some fooling around on some snowy singletrack in some valleys - there were times where I rode on prairie grasses next to the normal paths.
Almost out of the park, I faced one more muddy climb and this is where I discovered that Ice tires are NOT very good in mud at all! They clog up nicely and won't release the messy stuff until you get a firm surface. To say that it was a bit "squirrelly" going up that slope would be an understatement. Is that term used elsewhere - if not, insert "sketchy" to be more MTB centric.
From there I was on paved surfaces for most of the rest of the ride. As I don't use a rear fender, I got rather dirty, but that's part of the fun. The front mud flap did it's job, and I didn't endanger my eyes!
Further along, I stopped at a rest spot above a golf course I've shot pics from before, and most of the snow is gone. 2 weeks ago, that would have all been white.
More paths and a few roads took me to another section of new trails in the Nose Creek Park area on the top right of the route map.
No photos this time, but lots more mud. I really should have taken some shots of the tires as my 2.6" tires looked like +3" with all the mud on them.
I also should have shown the state of my bike (and my jacket) but I'm sure there'll be ample opportunity to do so in the near future.
One final thought - it's too bad I don't have a second set of wheels to do quick changes. In the mornings or dull days, the gripping power of the Ice Spikers is fabulous, but when it's sunny and later in the day, the Forekasters would be better. Add to that, if only on paths and roads, the Johnny Watts would be best.
Things to think about and budget for...I certainly can't see 3 wheelsets, but maybe 2 if I can find some decent used ones.
Seasonal setups... One set with studs and one set with JW's for the winter. Change the studs for knobbies in the other 3 seasons.
As we say in Calgary here, Spring and Autumn are some of my favorite days all year.
I rode some pathways to begin with, and then went up to pop in at my brothers place, but he wasn't home.
Since I was up there, I thought I'd try some new trails up near his place.
In the left most section of green, I found some trails I probably haven't been on on 6 years or so, and when I did, it was not on a suitable ride.
The middle picture below, does not show the steepness off that mound very well. I've been up there a few times and have always turned around.
Once I climbed around the mound, including some difficult climbs through soft snow and mud (and a nice standing ovation from some dog walkers on one section), I was up top on the park, where most of the snow was gone.
I didn't really feel like heading across the top, so I did some fooling around on some snowy singletrack in some valleys - there were times where I rode on prairie grasses next to the normal paths.
Almost out of the park, I faced one more muddy climb and this is where I discovered that Ice tires are NOT very good in mud at all! They clog up nicely and won't release the messy stuff until you get a firm surface. To say that it was a bit "squirrelly" going up that slope would be an understatement. Is that term used elsewhere - if not, insert "sketchy" to be more MTB centric.
From there I was on paved surfaces for most of the rest of the ride. As I don't use a rear fender, I got rather dirty, but that's part of the fun. The front mud flap did it's job, and I didn't endanger my eyes!
Further along, I stopped at a rest spot above a golf course I've shot pics from before, and most of the snow is gone. 2 weeks ago, that would have all been white.
More paths and a few roads took me to another section of new trails in the Nose Creek Park area on the top right of the route map.
No photos this time, but lots more mud. I really should have taken some shots of the tires as my 2.6" tires looked like +3" with all the mud on them.
I also should have shown the state of my bike (and my jacket) but I'm sure there'll be ample opportunity to do so in the near future.
One final thought - it's too bad I don't have a second set of wheels to do quick changes. In the mornings or dull days, the gripping power of the Ice Spikers is fabulous, but when it's sunny and later in the day, the Forekasters would be better. Add to that, if only on paths and roads, the Johnny Watts would be best.
Things to think about and budget for...I certainly can't see 3 wheelsets, but maybe 2 if I can find some decent used ones.
Seasonal setups... One set with studs and one set with JW's for the winter. Change the studs for knobbies in the other 3 seasons.
As we say in Calgary here, Spring and Autumn are some of my favorite days all year.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
No plans for SKS fenders?
You better think of the N+1
You would own two wheel sets! Chargeride
Well-Known Member
You mean...Just remember when its attached, don't be heading up mountains and riding in huge ditches
We are again on the good in the spring to run the dog ragged road. My human bike friend is out of commission with some serious health problems so it was just the Demon Dog and me.
This is where I go to run the batteries in the Demon Dog down and I was thinking (wrongly) that 7 miles would be enough to do so for a first run of the year. She did need to brush up on her cattle guard crossing technique. At one such spot, I looked in the mirror to see that either one or both rear legs had gone through, but she needed no help to get back up and was OK on all the other crossings. The dog is a natural born acrobat/escape artist.
This is part of the Cold Springs fire area. It ran through here on Labor Day and kept going.
Note the brand new fencing.
Some snowy mountains in the background.
This is where I go to run the batteries in the Demon Dog down and I was thinking (wrongly) that 7 miles would be enough to do so for a first run of the year. She did need to brush up on her cattle guard crossing technique. At one such spot, I looked in the mirror to see that either one or both rear legs had gone through, but she needed no help to get back up and was OK on all the other crossings. The dog is a natural born acrobat/escape artist.
This is part of the Cold Springs fire area. It ran through here on Labor Day and kept going.
Note the brand new fencing.
Some snowy mountains in the background.
Bobsiii
Active Member
Second Covid shot yesterday, some soreness at injection site but no other probs, so took a cruise thru Cherry Creek State Park today. Spring is just a bit more than a rumor in Denver, saw my first crocus yesterday and the grasses are getting that hazy green look, a string of 60 degree days coming to a wet end Wed. Cloud cover broke late today, it's hard to see the Mtn peaks in the pics. Taken just past the East entrance.
PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee
Well-Known Member
No pain, no gain
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Just got my shot booked, I'm the last one in the family!
PowerflyLee formerly known as CheetahLee
Well-Known Member
Another 27 miler today, needed to loosen up after spending the morning thatching my backyard for this years grass. Lucky for me the birds haven't noticed the grass seeds yet!
Took the scenic route hahaha
Ahhh, the blue bird of paradise.
Took the scenic route hahaha
Ahhh, the blue bird of paradise.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
I use an old school phone with removable battery, take two charged spares.
RabH
Well-Known Member
I get my first one on Sunday, nice birthday present
It will probably stop me cycling on Sunday though unless I can get out early! I might get out later today, fingers crossed!Similar threads
