Blizzard (And Other Adventures)
I had known that would be a cold day. Suffice to say, the weather forecast of 20s F and strong wind made me wear my Winter Armour
Ultimate for the Saturday' s ride. Consisting of some 30 individual items, it now includes five clothing layers on the torso, four for the legs, heated socks and insoles as well as double gloves. I rode out quite early for me, at 8:47 am. The ride out was quite uneventful. Mild tailwind, dry, and despite of the frost, I was warm in my Armour. I used 50% Sport assistance on that ride leg.
Giant LBS disappointment
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Bikeman.pl, a Giant LBS in Warsaw Ursynów, the southern quarter. The skid-plate for my Trance E+ should have been there since Friday afternoon. It was not there. Making me quite irritated. So I rode 30 km for nothing?!
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The architecture of Ursynów North has its origins in 1980s. (An InPost parcel locker seen at the right). It was already snowing a little.
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Riding southwards via Jan Rosół Street. There was a small sledging hill at my right hand side (I regret I took no picture!) As you can see, the more southwards you go, the more modern architecture appears.
Good Vittles at Anita & Lech
Friends, Anita & Lech is a married couple living in South Ursynów at their house. Both have high-profile jobs. Anita served me a brunch, consisting of excellent victuals! From pierogi to organic sausage, ham, etc. Even if I'm on a diet, I allowed myself to become satiated
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Lech has been working in Africa for couple of years. He served this delicious Nigerian bitter in microscopic glasses (I don't drink and ride).
Anita Buying An E-Bike!
What a story! We've been talking with Anita to get her an e-bike for more than a year. While staying with the couple, I asked if they would like to drive to the Warsaw Specialized Brand Store to size a Como for Anita. Yes, we drove up there. The first person met was the sales guy Mateusz, who recognized me as the owner of "the Vado on winter tyres"! Our dialogue:
-- I'll serve you in a minute. Just let me bring my Levo from my car inside the store! -- he said.
-- Ah, so you're an MTBer! I recognized you were not a roadie from the very start! -- I smiled at him.
-- How come?
-- You're not arrogant. On contrary, you are very polite and friendly!
-- and he laughed at that.
So Anita tried a Como 5.0 inside. And bought it! (She even managed to get some discount!)
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This brand new Como 5.0 (EU version on 700C wheels and with suspension fork) has not been ridden before. It is a miracle you still can buy an e-bike in Warsaw. (I told Anita it was the last moment to get an e-bike at all in many months!) I'm so happy; my friend getting the premium comfortable e-bike!
I tried a Vado SL 4.0 EQ myself. Friends! I crave for that e-bike! So nice to ride!
Blizzard Imminent
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On my return trip, I noticed the wind becoming very strong. So strong I had to ride in 100% Turbo mode to maintain any decent speed. Here, in the bike path southwards Puławska Street, the southbound Warsaw avenue. As you can see, the bike path is not maintained. I noticed first ride stability issues there.
The Blizzard
It started snowing heavily. And I lost my way. Thanks to my GPS navigation, I could return to the route, and then the blizzard exploded.
Blizzard building up. You can hear me panting; it was more from me being tired on pedalling that from the scare
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I was not scared. What could potentially go wrong? I was still full on food, drunk with oxygen inhaled, happy. The Winter Armour Ultimate held, and I was warm. I had a spare battery. Yes, the wheels of my Vado were occasionally slipping in fresh snow but come on... So I was riding happily in the blizzard It was my first difficult
ride during which I didn't panic
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Battery swapping in Falenty on sunset. What you can see on my tubular hood is a thick layer of ice
Yes, there had been some issues. Because of the battery contacts contaminated with snow, the Vado motor experienced occasional "hiccups", No Battery messages and the like. So what? I was so much on adrenalin I was ready to go back home on pedals alone! Ha! I stopped for warm coffee and to buy some tissues at BP gas station in Sokołów. A quarter of hour spent there (outside the building of course) meant I and Vado got covered with snow but eventually the blizzard ended, the battery and motor warmed up and the electrical problems disappeared.
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At home, 17:00. It turned out the ventilation holes of my Vado motor were blocked with a clump of snow. No worries! It was no danger for the motor to overheat...
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The ride map with POI.
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For me, the ride meant a feat equivalent to climbing the K2 in the winter
)
