Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

[Prairie Dog]

-22 C? I'd rather stay at home! Nice goggles and thick balaclava!

I was actually quite warm. Note the heat signature transferred from my forehead to the helmet. Today I field tested the new goggles and heated insoles. The external batteries that power the insoles and glove liners are stowed in a neoprene waistbelt controller. My feet and hands have never felt toastier. I too would likely have stayed at home without this heated wear.

 

[Deleted member 18083]

More masked men …

Pine Mountain Road, Ipswich
About 6 km from home.​

The truth: I'd stopped to photograph some cows – getting desperate again – and these fellows came past. Click!

The cows wandered off.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

I'm impressed, PD! It is only -4 C here today but I shudder when thinking of riding. Yet I will have to ride to see my daughter: I made a promise. The only dilemma is: Vado on ice tyres or Trance on off-road ones?

@Prairie Dog: Why don't you ride in a snowboarding helmet? It's warmer!

The cows wandered off.

You made my morning!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'm impressed, PD! It is only -4 C here today but I shudder when thinking of riding. Yet I will have to ride to see my daughter: I made a promise. The only dilemma is: Vado on ice tyres or Trance on off-road ones?

@Prairie Dog: Why don't you ride in a snowboarding helmet? It's warmer!


You made my morning!

I would say that you chose to ride for a very good reason then. As for your dilemma, I'd say go with the monster as it seems to do well in all conditions.

As for the cold temperatures here, Albertans simply have no choice but to play the cards that their dealt even if it means finding creative ways to stay warm. I do have to admit that a full day of sun makes a world of difference.

Actually my helmet is of the snowboarding variety as Giro also makes snow helmets. Mine happens to be the Giro 9 that comes with a comfy liner and ear pads. I even fit bluetooth speakers inside the pads for listening to tunes while on the trails.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The truth: I'd stopped to photograph some cows

Truth be told, I see plenty of cattle. Camels, on the other hand, I’ve only seen a handful of them in zoos here. Hope to see more photos of Humpy!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Close Your Eyes Before You Watch This Picture!
Once Seen, It Cannot Be Unseen

Several days ago, I rode to our local shopping mall. Due to my own convenience (and because of covid), I only remove my gloves upon entering the building. People there got used to seeing me in my attire. When I was waiting in a line to the checkout, a young kid (as kids tend to do) was asking his Mom some questions while staring at me.
She told him:
-- This gentleman wears a skiing helmet.
The boy was restless and asking more questions, to which she replied:
-- I don't know. I'm only telling you: This man is wearing a skiing helmet!
Well. Central Mazovian Plain. No hills. And a man wearing full snowboarding attire. How odd.
---------------
Even before, I managed to drive up to the mall, wearing normal clothes. I get into a newsstand and say to the assistant there: "Cigs, please. As usual". She stared at me, and said "What brand, exactly?" She did not recognise me because I was not in my winter cycling clothes!

Actually, I intend to wear navy blue snowboarding trousers for today's ride (I played a little bit with the camera to reduce perspective distortion). Yes, we have a plenty of snow today. Sunny!

 

[reed scott]

More masked men …
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Pine Mountain Road, Ipswich
About 6 km from home.​

The truth: I'd stopped to photograph some cows – getting desperate again – and these fellows came past. Click!

The cows wandered off.

These guys ride in groups because if they happen to lay a bike down it takes three men to pick it back up again.

 

[RabH]

@Prairie Dog I thought I was crazy going out in -8C last Sunday, now I feel like a wimp Hats off to you for braving that weather, if anybody needs motivation to get out just read Prairie's post!

Today I was blessed with a beautiful day for a nice change, temp was hovering around 0C which felt balmy after last week When I looked out this morning I thought it had been snowing overnight but it was actually 1" thick frost So I pushed the bike to the end of the road again and thankfully the gritters had done a sterling job! Being a Sunday the roads were very quiet which made the ride so much more enjoyable, I was so glad to get out again after some awful weather during the past week!

It really was a perfect day for winter cycling and some of the scenery was truly stunning!

No I wasn't brave enough to attempt this road!

I stopped for a snack and I could hear horses making quite a noise only to discover they were right next to me but hidden out of view!

I really enjoyed todays ride from start to finish, it was truly epic! I have actually managed 267 miles this month which isn't bad for January considering the weather! Once again our weather is going downhill after today so I will just bask in the enjoyment of todays ride and look forward to a better February after the snow which is forecast!

 

[RandallS]

As always, a great ride and post. I think that horse was judging you...

 

[reed scott]

@Prairie Dog I thought I was crazy going out in -8C last Sunday, now I feel like a wimp Hats off to you for braving that weather, if anybody needs motivation to get out just read Prairie's post!

Today I was blessed with a beautiful day for a nice change, temp was hovering around 0C which felt balmy after last week When I looked out this morning I thought it had been snowing overnight but it was actually 1" thick frost So I pushed the bike to the end of the road again and thankfully the gritters had done a sterling job! Being a Sunday the roads were very quiet which made the ride so much more enjoyable, I was so glad to get out again after some awful weather during the past week!

It really was a perfect day for winter cycling and some of the scenery was truly stunning!

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No I wasn't brave enough to attempt this road!

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I stopped for a snack and I could hear horses making quite a noise only to discover they were right next to me but hidden out of view!

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I really enjoyed todays ride from start to finish, it was truly epic! I have actually managed 267 miles this month which isn't bad for January considering the weather! Once again our weather is going downhill after today so I will just bask in the enjoyment of todays ride and look forward to a better February after the snow which is forecast!

Wow! David Berry quality pics!

 

[Art Deco]

Wow! David Berry quality pics!

Yes, nice pictures @RabH . Although some of @David Berry pics are pure magic. Maybe summer has something to do with that...

 

[Prairie Dog]

I really enjoyed todays ride from start to finish, it was truly epic! I have actually managed 267 miles this month which isn't bad for January considering the weather! Once again our weather is going downhill after today so I will just bask in the enjoyment of todays ride and look forward to a better February after the snow which is forecast!

With such stunning and picturesque views of your native countryside, I can see why so many of your rides would be considered truly epic!

 

[RabH]

As always, a great ride and post. I think that horse was judging you...

It was actually eyeing up my chocolate bar!

 

[FlatSix911]

Yesterdays ride... with a beautiful cloud formation after some much needed rain in NorCal.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

@RabH: What great photos!!!

 

[fooferdoggie]

out in the portland suburbs. nothing too thrilling.

the first pic is a really small Vinyard. two fields this size. the coming down the hill fro meh Vinyard a cool fog patch.. I was in the middle of it when I got the pic of this hidden falls in the middle of a expensive suburb thats still getting built.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

The Taste Of Salt...

As @Prairie Dog wisely suggested, I rode out to see my daughter on the Monster (as it would take me anywhere). Mild frost, yes; the Sun was making the ride extremely pleasant; the only effect the headwind was taking on the outbound trip was slowing me down. Most of roads had the snow already removed (but not all of them). I took the opportunity to ride in the snow wherever I could!

The 4102W, or my beloved local road. It is smooth, winding, almost traffic-free and snowy

Upon reaching Żukówka, a passer-by smiled at me and shouted: -- "Are studs in your tyres present?" -- to which I replied (while demonstrating braking) -- "No need. These off-road tyres are perfect for riding the snow!" I tried to take as many snowy roads I could. For instance, I rode a snow covered bad gravel road along the railway; that's the road I normally avoid but riding it with an e-MTB was a pure pleasure!

A new sensation: Breath-wet balaclava mouthpiece and constant taste of road-salt in my mouth...

Magda was on a walk today, enjoying the sunshine and snow (her own selfie here).

A long MUP between Bramki and Błonie along Hwy 92. I normally avoid it at any cost because of its poor quality. With my full-suspension e-bike, it was a pure pleasure to ride it!

"A dirty e-MTB is a happy e-bike" I had Mocha coffee and a "sugar-free freeze-dried apple bar" at an ORLEN gas station in Błonie. I felt as if I were in trance Note: A typical Polish bike stand wouldn't accommodate 2.6" tyres. The one as seen in the picture could. κῦδος!

If I rode my Vado, I would have taken the road. Riding my Trance E+ I should (and wanted) to take this new bike path. See the nice lighting along! Yes, the path was covered with snow but it was exactly my intention to ride in the snow!

An impressive church (1797) in Rokitno-Majątek ("Rokitno-Property"). At the crossroads of Roads 700 and 720 (I rode the latter).

A visit to the specialist craft beer store in Brwinów. Three top notch beer:
-- Crazy Mike, technically an Imperial IPA, 20 BLG, 9.0 % abv (Ale Browar)
-- Too Young To Be Herod, Christmas Stout, 11% abv (Artezan)
-- Samiec Alfa 2020, Russian Imperial Stout, 13% abv (Artezan).
I need to add that Samiec Alfa has been listed among the "100 Best Beer Ever" by RateBeer.com for several past years. Artezan is a renowned craft brewery in Błonie (that I rode through today).

Ride map with POI.

The only drawback of riding an e-MTB on roads is it requires far more of physical exertion than, say, my Vado or Lovelec. Good for me!

 

[Anna]

My Chameleon or “Mini-Monster”. Be brave and tackle the snow!
Maybe not !

 

[Prairie Dog]

As @Prairie Dog wisely suggested, I rode out to see my daughter on the Monster (as it would take me anywhere). Mild frost, yes; the Sun was making the ride extremely pleasant; the only effect the headwind was taking on the outbound trip was slowing me down. Most of roads had the snow already removed (but not all of them). I took the opportunity to ride in the snow wherever I could!

Clear skies, family, beer and road conditions made for the Monster. What more could you ask for?

 

[FlatSix911]

The afternoon ride stats from Strava... 27+ miles, 2,185 ft of steep climbing, and 29.5 maximum speed.... the panoramic view was worth the effort.

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