Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Chargeride]

EBR Small Group Ride - Red Deer Alberta

Today, @LouLouLePew "Louis" and I drove north from Calgary (COVID = separate vehicles) to Red Deer to join @Prairie Dog "Art" and his e-MTB buddy "Kelvin", for some riding around on his city's beautiful terrain.

We started out about 10am as we didn't want the conditions to get too warm as we wanted firm conditions for our studded steeds.

Kelvin was on a Levo, I was on my Fathom, Art was on his Trance and Louis was on his Explore. So 3 Giants on PW-X2 Pro motors, and one Specialized w/Brose.

STRAVA Details:
View attachment 81176
The stats say we did almost an hour and a half of standing around - but I think I may have started the recording early and we were on pause, but that doesn't matter.

Here's the route:
View attachment 81175
We did indeed stop for a while somewhere in that loop up top, as a couple of Pine trees had toppled over and blocked a pathway.
We stopped and did the community thing and cleared the trail.

Here's a picture of Art and Louis followed by me wondering how I lost their attention!
Once again, my helmet is truth in advertising...

View attachment 81172 View attachment 81173

We rode a number of trails that Art has documented before, and with his GoPro on today, will be topping up our adventure later after his bout of editing.
It was all fun, but especially the cross country ski club area at the top of the map. Climbs were just about right for length and pitch, and the downhills were a blast.
Super area to ride in!!

There were a few mechanical/electrical issues today as Kelvin was having chain issues on his Levo, and on the return leg of the ride, Louis had electrical issues on his Explore and he had to ride most of the last 8 KMs without battery. It was cutting in and out over some bumps - unfortunately mostly "out".

View attachment 81174

Left to right, Kelvin, Louis (still smiling whilst in Analog mode) and Art, and of course "me and my shadow".

Excellent day for riding as it was sunny and the right temperature for riding on snow and ice.
More than one slope we climbed or descended would likely be very tricky had it been warmer.

I can't wait to play the host on Nose Hill sometime soon, but it's been too warm and the conditions are becoming a little tough.
Stay tuned for Art's version of today - looking forward to seeing it!

Well I need that helmet....

For the wife.

 

[Chargeride]

I came here to moan its raining for a week, my tax returns are overdue and the conservatory is leaking.

Then I read your post Alaskan and decided to moan anyway.

One of us has to.

 

[RandallS]

Well I need that helmet....

For the wife.

Would this one do?
Probably dangerous, but I couldn't find one with a St Andrew's cross.

This one may be less locationally controversial, but based on the way the world is, it will probably offend someone.

 

[zzRider]

I have been absent on this thread and much of the 2020 edition due to two Cs, covid and cancer. I get my second vaccine this coming Thursday so no further worries there. The sarcoma that was found in my left quad, shrank under chemo last spring, was radiated in July and removed in August in a 5.5 hour surgery that sidelined me for almost three months and left me with a 10" zipper down my thigh. Then in December "nodules" were found in my lungs r and more chemo which is still ongoing. They are shrinking thus far with infusions every two weeks followed by five very low energy days and 9 days on which I can ride.

Two weeks ago, after learning that the chemo is working and I will likely live beyond the rather grim average future of people with soft tissue sarcomas, I sprang for a new ebike, a Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon Lefty 3. It is 39 lb. carbon gravel bike with a Bosch speed motor, lefty front suspension, kingpin rear suspension and a real joy to ride. I can ride this bike in Eco/Tour at the speed that requires Tour/Sport assist on my Delite and Allant.

Today, after installing a new Nyon and larger tires, Nancy and I did a wonderful ride in the Skagit valley, checking out then snow geese and trumpeter swans that frequent this area each winter. We stopped for a nice lunch in the waterside town of LaConner and just has a wonderful day together.

I am so grateful to be alive and still have the stuff to ride. Today was a good day, tomorrow looks like it will be as well. Life is good!

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Great news on your cancer status. As a cancer survivor myself, it's a gift to recover from this disease.

Life you best life now, Alaskan!

 

[Art Deco]

Would this one do?
Probably dangerous, but I couldn't find one with a St Andrew's cross.


View attachment 81231

This one may be less locationally controversial, but based on the way the world is, it will probably offend someone.

View attachment 81232

Someone on here has a Marvel Comics Captain America helmet and a matching ebike.

Cheetah Electric BIKE Marvel themed

I have had my bike for 14 months and have put 2300 miles on it so far , only problem was front tire inner tube needed replacing after only 200 miles I recommend getting a lizard skin chain guard , everything added to my bike was purchased on ebay. I will be adding a rear rack and battery...

electricbikereview.com

 

[Chargeride]

Would this one do?
Probably dangerous, but I couldn't find one with a St Andrew's cross.


View attachment 81231

This one may be less locationally controversial, but based on the way the world is, it will probably offend someone.

View attachment 81232

No concerns, the wife wore her Brittania dragon boat ladies top in venice.
Its just a giant union jack with Britannia over the top.
We'd just left the EU and I was being a big wuss and worrying it might look a bit crass.

 

[Chargeride]

So, anyone interested?
I fleakin love it, even got a heater.

I might have posted this before.

 

[RandallS]

No concerns, the wife wore her Brittania dragon boat ladies top in venice.
Its just a giant union jack with Britannia over the top.
We'd just left the EU and I was being a big wuss and worrying it might look a bit crass.

Jeez I am an idiot - I somehow got confused with RabH.
He is of course, up there in central Scotland, and you seem to be somewhere in the NW of England.
Greater Manchester??

 

[Catalyzt]

Whoa, some great rides posted here! I won't be traveling for a while, so it's great to see all these photos from all over the world. And I'll have to look into some of these apps, I'm just using a basic speedometer and Google Maps.

New member introducing myself, just dipping my foot in the water...

This is one of my typical 70-90 minute rides near my house. The 14-mile distance is unremarkable... except that the battery is rated 12-miles and this route-- and the many variations of it that I do-- has about 1,200 feet of vertical. Average speeds are around 10 MPH, top speeds are usually just north of 30 MPH, range anxiety is significant and choosing the right route is critical. I have been known to run out of juice at the crest of the very last hill on the way home, or halfway up it. One day, my battery was not locked-in properly, and the battery died 9 miles out and three miles (and 400 vertical feet) from home. The bike is a heavily modified Trek 920 with a '90s Girvin Flexstem (which actually works, to a degree, way more comfortable than a regular stem), suspension seat post, as some of these roads are in very bad condition-- broken asphalt, deep potholes, and gravel-- and the powerplant is a CleanRepublic Hilltopper Sprinter. Total weight is 40 pounds, motor rated for 16 MPH on flat ground, but does a little better, can hit 18. The armored jacket is kind of overkill, but I'm on blood thinners, so I'll do anything I can to reduce the possibility of internal bleeding in case of an accident.

The back side of Griffith Park in Hollywood is not well traveled; parts of it are still wild, and like the San Gabriels, where I used to ski. Windswept deciduous trees grow at a 60 degree angle, and the area has ruins of strange outbuildings whose original purpose I couldn't guess, picnic tables smashed by falling trees, a wonderful but lonely sense of nature reclaiming whatever mankind ignores for 10, 20 years or longer. This ride in particular is really crazy, because I ride past multi-million dollar homes in the Hollywood Hills and a major homeless encampment, cruise through both idyllic natural scenes and crumbling concrete.

I'm obviously at the point where I need more range and probably a bit more speed, I'm just hammering this battery! I like a good workout, but I'd like to cover even more territory. I can't deal with much over 45 pounds, because some routes involve portaging the bike down short flights of stairs or pushing it up dirt inclines greater than 15%. (This bike can manage 15% on asphalt.) I wonder if rear-wheel drive will handle as well... with the tiny front-wheel drive motor, I can take some tight hairpin curves faster than I can in my MX5, love the way it pulls through the back end of a turn.

I look forward to browsing this thread at greater length! Great to find this cool community.

 

[Marci jo]

EBR Small Group Ride - Red Deer Alberta

Today, @LouLouLePew "Louis" and I drove north from Calgary (COVID = separate vehicles) to Red Deer to join @Prairie Dog "Art" and his e-MTB buddy "Kelvin", for some riding around on his city's beautiful terrain.

We started out about 10am as we didn't want the conditions to get too warm as we wanted firm conditions for our studded steeds.

Kelvin was on a Levo, I was on my Fathom, Art was on his Trance and Louis was on his Explore. So 3 Giants on PW-X2 Pro motors, and one Specialized w/Brose.

STRAVA Details:
View attachment 81176
The stats say we did almost an hour and a half of standing around - but I think I may have started the recording early and we were on pause, but that doesn't matter.

Here's the route:
View attachment 81175
We did indeed stop for a while somewhere in that loop up top, as a couple of Pine trees had toppled over and blocked a pathway.
We stopped and did the community thing and cleared the trail.

Here's a picture of Art and Louis followed by me wondering how I lost their attention!
Once again, my helmet is truth in advertising...

View attachment 81172 View attachment 81173

We rode a number of trails that Art has documented before, and with his GoPro on today, will be topping up our adventure later after his bout of editing.
It was all fun, but especially the cross country ski club area at the top of the map. Climbs were just about right for length and pitch, and the downhills were a blast.
Super area to ride in!!

There were a few mechanical/electrical issues today as Kelvin was having chain issues on his Levo, and on the return leg of the ride, Louis had electrical issues on his Explore and he had to ride most of the last 8 KMs without battery. It was cutting in and out over some bumps - unfortunately mostly "out".

View attachment 81174

Left to right, Kelvin, Louis (still smiling whilst in Analog mode) and Art, and of course "me and my shadow".

Excellent day for riding as it was sunny and the right temperature for riding on snow and ice.
More than one slope we climbed or descended would likely be very tricky had it been warmer.

I can't wait to play the host on Nose Hill sometime soon, but it's been too warm and the conditions are becoming a little tough.
Stay tuned for Art's version of today - looking forward to seeing it!

What a fun day for you guys. Wonderful sun.
I'm liking that blue and black ebike. Guessing maybe a Giant?

 

[Chargeride]

Jeez I am an idiot - I somehow got confused with RabH.
He is of course, up there in central Scotland, and you seem to be somewhere in the NW of England.
Greater Manchester??

Nope, on the coast in Sefton.

Yes..no ones ever heard of it

 

[Marci jo]

Whoa, some great rides posted here! I won't be traveling for a while, so it's great to see all these photos from all over the world. And I'll have to look into some of these apps, I'm just using a basic speedometer and Google Maps.

New member introducing myself, just dipping my foot in the water...

This is one of my typical 70-90 minute rides near my house. The 14-mile distance is unremarkable... except that the battery is rated 12-miles and this route-- and the many variations of it that I do-- has about 1,200 feet of vertical. Average speeds are around 10 MPH, top speeds are usually just north of 30 MPH, range anxiety is significant and choosing the right route is critical. I have been known to run out of juice at the crest of the very last hill on the way home, or halfway up it. One day, my battery was not locked-in properly, and the battery died 9 miles out and three miles (and 400 vertical feet) from home. The bike is a heavily modified Trek 920 with a '90s Girvin Flexstem (which actually works, to a degree, way more comfortable than a regular stem), suspension seat post, as some of these roads are in very bad condition-- broken asphalt, deep potholes, and gravel-- and the powerplant is a CleanRepublic Hilltopper Sprinter. Total weight is 40 pounds, motor rated for 16 MPH on flat ground, but does a little better, can hit 18. The armored jacket is kind of overkill, but I'm on blood thinners, so I'll do anything I can to reduce the possibility of internal bleeding in case of an accident.

The back side of Griffith Park in Hollywood is not well traveled; parts of it are still wild, and like the San Gabriels, where I used to ski. Windswept deciduous trees grow at a 60 degree angle, and the area has ruins of strange outbuildings whose original purpose I couldn't guess, picnic tables smashed by falling trees, a wonderful but lonely sense of nature reclaiming whatever mankind ignores for 10, 20 years or longer. This ride in particular is really crazy, because I ride past multi-million dollar homes in the Hollywood Hills and a major homeless encampment, cruise through both idyllic natural scenes and crumbling concrete.

I'm obviously at the point where I need more range and probably a bit more speed, I'm just hammering this battery! I like a good workout, but I'd like to cover even more territory. I can't deal with much over 45 pounds, because some routes involve portaging the bike down short flights of stairs or pushing it up dirt inclines greater than 15%. (This bike can manage 15% on asphalt.) I wonder if rear-wheel drive will handle as well... with the tiny front-wheel drive motor, I can take some tight hairpin curves faster than I can in my MX5, love the way it pulls through the back end of a turn.

I look forward to browsing this thread at greater length! Great to find this cool community.

Welcome Catalyst, thanks for posting your adventures and experience.
There's quit a few apps out there for tracking rides: MapMyRide, RideWithGps, Stava, Relive. I've been using Relive this winter for my hikes and snowshoe routes. It creates a really cool 3-d video of your route. And you can include photos along the way. Can't wait to use it for cycling.
You mentioned looking for a different ebike but need to have it under 45 pounds. It's a challenge but there're out there, of course depends on you budget.

 

[steve mercier]

Todays ride with a gang of six. One Trek , one Rize , one R+M , one Envo , one Giant and one Liv!

 

[RandallS]

Nope, on the coast in Sefton.

Yes..no ones ever heard of it

Some of your ride videos with commentary made me think of Liverpool area, but you didn't sound the part.
Location had me thinking NW, especially your canal ride and the Ironmen. But some other rides had me thinking Manchester area.

Paternal Grandmother from north of you in Barrow in Furness and Grandfather from Peak District (Alstonefield).

Based on here in western Canada, almost everywhere is nearby in comparison.
Yesterday, my travel was 140 kms each way for my ride with Prairie Dog - for you, that would be to York.
We do that without blinking, but then again, our motorways are usually relatively quiet in comparison.

 

[steve mercier]

Does it look familiar Dave M?

 

[steve mercier]

Yesterday in Matsqui Prairie

 

[steve mercier]

This trail goes up on the left through Sumas mtn road with a nice view overlooking the Fraser, and comes back out at Clayburn. You can make it a 40 km loop using part of the Trans Canada trail.

 

[steve mercier]

Stock pic of the view from the top

 

[Mulezen]

Alaskan...the best of outcomes to you.
Pending rotator surgery and a few other flesh wounds have kept me planted in my chair reading the forums. A recent thread involving Canyon, in which you were chief instigator, had stoked my ire. Why put ideas of a beautiful new bike in my head when I can’t even ride my plush Allant, but I’m glad I held my tongue.
All the best.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Meanwhile...

The Mazowiecki Gravel cycling club has suggested a mixed-terrain 91 km ride for the coming Sunday. It's going to be the Bolimowski Forest ride, the area I truly love.

It looks truly exciting, especially as the weather wouldn't be hopeless. I have of course asked the leaders if they would let an e-biker join the group ride (over 40 people want to join). "No worries!" Taking Trance E+ for the trip, dual battery, Johnny Watts tyres (unfortunately, I need to stay on Ice Spikers - the Winter will be back soon), and I only regret I won't be able to replace the 36T chainring with the 48T in time. These people are expected to ride asphalt roads very fast!

I'm very much interested how an e-MTB would compare to gravel bikes ridden by experienced traditional cyclists. (The hopes are great).

P.S. I intend to take a real camera (not a smartphone) for the trip.