E-Bike Day of Wonders
Manufactured e-bikes suddenly emerged in the Warsaw cycling community on the first real day of the Spring. Up to 21 C (70 F), sunshine, and even stiff SSE wind didn't feel nasty! I'll tell you a word or two on e-bikes but let me start with the Sunday's ride story first.
My final decision was to drive with my Vado to
@Jerzy Bańkowski's place, so we could do the whole trip together. Although our farthest waypoint would be notorious Góra Kalwaria, we rode on the right bank of the River Vistula on the way out. I set my assistance to 25% (it is 0.75x leg power amplification) to be exactly on par with my friend. And I was (almost) consistent with my choice. If we both were to climb -- for instance -- I was downshifting even to granny gear but I kept the 25% setting! No cheating!
Exploring the right bank of Vistula southwards of Warsaw.
Top: It is hard to imagine that but these two houses (including the green one) once were narrow-gauge railway-station buildings.
Center: Jerzy with our bikes on a tactical stop 
Bottom: Karczew was the truest countryside even in 1970's. What is a town now, the village of Karczew was feeding starving Warsaw with illegally delivered meat during WW2 (under German occupation). A nice, green and colourful small town of today still holds the remnants of the past, such as this very old but still inhabited wooden house. It is certainly a pre-WW2 building. (See enormous attic).
Jerzy pedalling hard upwind.
At a nice wedding house/restaurant/hotel near Otwock Wielki. We hope the things will go back to normal soon.
Top & centre: In the Apple-Tree Land.
Bottom: River Vistula as seen from the Góra Kalwaria road bridge.
Now, some thriller will come there.
Although there is no bike ban on the Góra Kalwaria bridge, riding there is extremely dangerous. A narrow road shoulder
might be ridden but heavy traffic (especially of big lorries) makes you jeopardized. As I
stopped on the bridge to take the photo, it was noticed by truck drivers (it was a traffic offence to stop on a bridge) and was punished with horn blaring and headlight blinking. Worse. Jerzy was consistently riding and missed the exit to Góra Kalwaria! What to do then?
-- Jerzy. Listen. We have to slowly ride the road shoulder against the traffic. No other way... -- and we did it.
Then, we had to climb onto the Mt. Calvary. Trust me. I made it with 25% assistance
No cheating!
The Góra Kawiarnia cafe was in the state of madness. All roadies (and other cyclists) used the good weather and frequented the GK cafe as if the town had no other cafes available Long line to the bar, no space to sit. However...
That will be a long story
More than a year ago, some Archie paid a visit to EBR Forums and asked for an e-bike for his wife. As Archie was Polish and a Warsawer, you EBR friends directed Archie to me to help him. Eventually, Archie bought a Giant Explore E+ 1 Pro for Anna. I had a single exciting ride with Anna in May last year and we haven't ridden together since but we were in touch. 6:38 am on Sunday, Artur contacts me -- and we finally agree to meet at Góra Kawiarnia around 1 pm. And we met. Anna, Artur, Jerzy, and me. The couple had found a quiet square with benches around 100 m from the cafe and we could drink coffee, eat Dem Cookiez and enjoy life...
...and we decided to ride together!
What a selfie! The whole gang seen riding! An electroacoustic ride indeed!
Newly met Astrid and Steven (they are Polish) on Specialized Turbo Levo Comp.
Did I tell you e-bikes seemed to emerge in Góra Kalwaria on this first day of real Spring? They did. I could see many manufactured e-bikes there on Sunday. What attracted my attention was a couple riding some Specialized e-bikes: I could not guess what model these large bikes really were. Now, our group is peacefully pedalling and we are overtaken by that couple riding at high speed! "Oh, you two... Let me show you..." I murmured. Turbo mode on and I really spun the cranks! To no effect. Those devils rode so fast I could at best follow them but not overtake. I gave up. Yet, we met Astrid and Steven later in Cieciszew; and we started talking.
Yes, their Levos had been derestricted. Yes, they rode in Turbo mode because they liked that. Now, my 45 km/h registered
Vado made a little furore. Other people were asking for details. And the couple were interested in finding more e-bikers for group rides; it might come true!
The ferry in Gassy, very popular among cyclists. The fee is around 1 EUR.
And a next wonder! As we stopped at Tandem Cycling Bar, Jerzy spotted Lidka. Well. Lidka has been my friend since the high school. Three or four years ago, there was some bad blood between us based on ambition... Now, we decided to restore our friendship. All because Lidka is an avid cyclist herself! (Note: Jerzy's SMILING!)
Post-ride beer purchase
Whatever the average speed was, over 4 hours of solid pedalling made me so tired I wouldn't put any Points Of Interest on the map tonight
I have the same cassette/lockring removal tool but also had to acquire a different version that fits the newer micro-splined 12 speed cassettes. 
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