Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos

Brake Pads, etc.

The day was sunny but cold and very windy. My brother told me he would be at my place "before 17:00 hours" to fix my mailbox. At 15:52, I rode out to my old home to see whether my Vado was still there in the cellar :) The wind was very strong and cold, yet an 8 km (5 mi) ride took me just 20 minutes; I would spend the same driving a car because of heavy afternoon traffic. When I reached my old home, my brother reported he was "very close to the smoke stack" (or, to the new home). He made me upset -- why to come so early? So I sped back. And was riding in hail! Coming back wet ;)

Now, Jacek actually fixed the mailbox and then tried the brakes of my Lovelec. "You have no front brake" he announced, then left soon :) Oh, no. He was right. The brake pads in the front brake worn again! I mumbled something to myself, put dry cycling clothes on and rode out again. Now, the wind was really blowing. I reached an LBS, bought a pair of Shimano brake pads and sped up home. (When I say "sped up" I really mean it). Just to discover I forgot to make vital shopping back in Brwinów :D

So I rode to Pruszków-Żbików for shopping... 35 km on the day.

Then, I replaced the brake pads.

View attachment 85536
Worn pads.

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New pads.


After having the work done, I called Jacek:
-- "Bro, the brake doesn't work. No action whatsoever"
-- "Have you turned the bike back to normal position? Heheh" :)
-- "Okay. Turning it. Well, no braking. What's wrong?"
-- "Maybe the brakes need bleeding. Yet, can you remember that little screw in the brake lever? Give it a few turns anti-clockwise".
-- "What's the point?"
-- "Just do it".
...
...
-- "Thank you, bro. Everything's working now".

It's so good to have a knowledgeable brother! :)

Wow, you are so dedicated Stefan. I think I would have quit after riding in hail. Ouch.
 
A bridge over untroubled waters…

Nudgee Wetlands, Brisbane

Nudgee Wetlands, Brisbane
 
Took a quick ride to Ahwatukee to check out my new pedals, third set on this new bike. The set that came with the bike was not suited for the type of riding I do so I purchased an inexpensive SPD platform pedals two sided, those did not work out. I like to set them loose so it is easy to click in, that worked but the looser I set it the more inconstant they were to the point I could not determine when they would release, they got stuck it got tricky several times and the tension screw had no detent so it would change over a short time. Just got a Shimano half SPD and half cage – so far, they are working out great it’s just a little tricky getting snapped in after a stop, much better than not being able to step out and if needed to I can ride without a SPD latch when on the cage side.

32 miles, two and half hours used allot of assist.

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Most of the ride to Ahwatukee foothills was wide open which is at the base of South Mountain seen in the background, return route was through the metro area.

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Rode past Wild Horse Pass Motor Sports Park https://racewildhorse.com/

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I enjoy watching Drag racing in particular unlimited Nitro.
From a few years back at Wild Horse Pass
 
Everyone's a winner!

Redcliffe Tigers Australian Rules Football Club

Redcliffe Tigers Aussie Rules Football
Kippa-Ring, Queensland
Can you imagine anything more ridiculous: footballers who totally fail to kick the ball between the goalposts are awarded a consolation point (called a 'behind') provided they aren't too wide of the mark. The few who do manage to boot the ball between the real posts – and presumably over the fence and the cycleway beyond – are awarded six points (why not?) for such a startlingly brilliant effort.

The floodlights aren't really set atop the goalposts: silliness got the better of me and I succumbed to aligning the shot that way!
 
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Pedal(less) In the Pines

Web capture_24-4-2021_114228_ridewithgps.com.jpeg

Yesterday was a day filled with ups and downs including a somewhat anxious ordeal involving the pedals on my Trance. Turns out the shop where I recently had warranty work done on the bike mistakenly installed the crank arms incorrectly as on the wrong sides. It couldn’t have happened at a more critical time while I was out riding the trails. Fortunately, only one of the pedals became detached during a flat section along the Pines singletrack and I felt an added sense of relief that it didn’t occur during a more technical climb/decent of the trail which could have resulted in a nasty tumble. :(

With my final part of my ride cut short, I was forced to push the bike out onto the cutline above the trail and proceeded to try to reattach the pedal using the 8mm hex wrench in my kit. I observed that a few of the threads were noticeably stripped inside the left crank and was hoping that I would still be able to attach the CroMoly spindle onto what threads remained. After cleaning out the metal shards I managed to get the pedal back onto the arm but noticed that the other pedal was barely hanging on. With both pedals hand tightened, I carefully rode the cutline back to the trailhead but stopped every few minutes to re-tighten each pedal. I was amazed that they didn’t come off earlier when I rode the Heritage Loop.

@Chargeride – Seems like we both had our share of ills on the trail.

The moment prior to the event.
Lost Pedal.jpg
Where the pedal came off.
IMG_20210423_1420008.jpg
The ride back to the trailhead.
IMG_20210423_1415111.jpg

On the upside, I did have a trouble-free ride along the Heritage Ranch Loop and enjoyed rounding the less muddy option of the trail which runs further inland from the river. The morning was on the cooler side (0 C) which is relatively unseasonal for this time of year so I donned my balaclava and packed warmer gloves just in case. Good thing that I did, as the temperature and overcast skies didn’t change much during the session.
Web capture_24-4-2021_125450_ridewithgps.com.jpeg
 
North of Warsaw (A Metric Century)

A good friend of mine nicknamed Howard (the person who helped me the most after the fire) has recently asked to have a ride together (he's excited to try Lovelec out). As the bike size should be just OK for him, I agreed, only told him we'd ride together after two weeks (hopefully, it would be warm already). He had suggested we might try a trail to Fort Beniaminów; I decided I would explore that option myself first -- as every good leader of a future group ride does it in advance.

The day would be wonderful if not strong and cold westerly wind. My good balaclavas have all worn out, and new ones will be delivered only on the coming Monday... Jacek's homestead was my base (brother could not join because he felt he caught cold).

1619326225168.png

Żerański Canal, a 17-km long waterway connecting Bug and Vistula rivers. Part of it is named Royal Canal, as the first part of the channel was ordered by King Sigismundus III Vasa (the guy who moved Poland's capital city from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596). The waterway is popular among rowers and anglers. Notice that the first part of the Żerański bike trail was made of gravel.

1619326693161.png

The second part of the Żerański trail is a perfect asphalt bike path. Because of cold and wind, there were not many cyclists met (yet enthusiasts were riding, though).

1619326860341.png

The most funny bike ramp I've ever seen! The ramp has 12 flights on each side of a foot-bridge over the Royal Canal. The turns are so tight it makes little sense to actually ride there, and it is just easier to carry a bike through the stairs. (Unless it is a heavy e-bike or a wheelchair, of course).

1619327179040.png

My route led through some forests. It turned out Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres made quite capable off-road e-bike from my Vado. I could even cope with some sand. The bottom picture sports "John Casimir" oak-tree. (John II Casimir of Vasa was the third elected king coming from the Swedish Vasa royal dynasty; in those times Poland had elected -- not hereditary -- kings; Poland actually enjoyed democracy between 1572 and 1791).

1619327721595.png

Fort Beniaminów, a Russian fortress that had very short lifespan :) Warsaw, the capital city of Russian province "Vistula Land" was encircled with fortresses, forming together The Fortress Warsaw (for that reason, the city could not grow by 1916). Beniaminów was under construction when the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 stopped the works. In 1909, Russia changed the strategy. Fortresses had already been an obsolete and costly concept; the Russian decided to destroy all their fortresses in the Vistula Land and lead mobile warfare closer to her native territory. Fort Beniaminów was destroyed by the Russian themselves in 1915.


There was so deep sand inside the fortress my Vado refused riding inside :) But ATV enthusiasts just love driving there :D

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Zegrzyński Reservoir, a large artificial lake made of Rivers Bug and Narew is a recreational mecca for Warsawers. Especially, sailing boats and windsurfers are popular there. (During heavy winters, iceboats used to be popular there).

1619328803988.png

Top: Long, long way against strong headwind. I was gradually increasing assistance: 35, 50, 70%. Bottom: The dam in Dębe holds the Zegrzyński Reservoir in place :)

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Battery replacement at 2/3 of the trip distance. Notice how much my 604 Wh battery #1 is already degraded now (93% health).

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Ride map with POI, stats.
 
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Pedal(less) In the Pines

View attachment 85717
Yesterday was a day filled with ups and downs including a somewhat anxious ordeal involving the pedals on my Trance. Turns out the shop where I recently had warranty work done on the bike mistakenly installed the crank arms incorrectly as on the wrong sides. It couldn’t have happened at a more critical time while I was out riding the trails. Fortunately, only one of the pedals became detached during a flat section along the Pines singletrack and I felt an added sense of relief that it didn’t occur during a more technical climb/decent of the trail which could have resulted in a nasty tumble. :(

With my final part of my ride cut short, I was forced to push the bike out onto the cutline above the trail and proceeded to try to reattach the pedal using the 8mm hex wrench in my kit. I observed that a few of the threads were noticeably stripped inside the left crank and was hoping that I would still be able to attach the CroMoly spindle onto what threads remained. After cleaning out the metal shards I managed to get the pedal back onto the arm but noticed that the other pedal was barely hanging on. With both pedals hand tightened, I carefully rode the cutline back to the trailhead but stopped every few minutes to re-tighten each pedal. I was amazed that they didn’t come off earlier when I rode the Heritage Loop.

@Chargeride – Seems like we both had our share of ills on the trail.

The moment prior to the event.
View attachment 85718
Where the pedal came off.
View attachment 85719
The ride back to the trailhead.
View attachment 85720
On the upside, I did have a trouble-free ride along the Heritage Ranch Loop and enjoyed rounding the less muddy option of the trail which runs further inland from the river. The morning was on the cooler side (0 C) which is relatively unseasonal for this time of year so I donned my balaclava and packed warmer gloves just in case. Good thing that I did, as the temperature and overcast skies didn’t change much during the session.
View attachment 85721
You were so lucky ..a friend had a pedal come off over rough ground and had a horrendous crash.
 
North of Warsaw (A Metric Century)

A good friend of mine nicknamed Howard (the person who helped me the most after the fire) has recently asked to have a ride together (he's excited to try Lovelec out). As the bike size should be just OK for him, I agreed, only told him we'd ride together after two weeks (hopefully, it would be warm already). He had suggested we might try a trail to Fort Beniaminów; I decided I would explore that option myself first -- as every good leader of a future group ride does it in advance.

The day would be wonderful if not strong and cold westerly wind. My good balaclavas have all worn out, and new ones will be delivered only on the coming Monday... Jacek's homestead was my base (brother could not join because he felt he caught cold).

View attachment 85744
Żerański Canal, a 17-km long waterway connecting Bug and Vistula rivers. Part of it is named Royal Canal, as the first part of the channel was ordered by King Sigismundus III Vasa (the guy who moved Poland's capital city from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596). The waterway is popular among rowers and anglers. Notice that the first part of the Żerański bike trail was made of gravel.

View attachment 85745
The second part of the Żerański trail is a perfect asphalt bike path. Because of cold and wind, there were not many cyclists met (yet enthusiasts were riding, though).

View attachment 85746
The most funny bike ramp I've ever seen! The ramp has 12 flights on each side of a foot-bridge over the Royal Canal. The turns are so tight it makes little sense to actually ride there, and it is just easier to carry a bike through the stairs. (Unless it is a heavy e-bike or a wheelchair, of course).

View attachment 85747
My route led through some forests. It turned out Schwalbe Smart Sam tyres made quite capable off-road e-bike from my Vado. I could even cope with some sand. The bottom picture sports "John Casimir" oak-tree. (John II Casimir of Vasa was the third elected king coming from the Swedish Vasa royal dynasty; in those times Poland had elected -- not hereditary -- kings; Poland actually enjoyed democracy between 1572 and 1791).

View attachment 85748
Fort Beniaminów, a Russian fortress that had very short lifespan :) Warsaw, the capital city of Russian province "Vistula Land" was encircled with fortresses, forming together The Fortress Warsaw (for that reason, the city could not grow by 1916). Beniaminów was under construction when the Russo-Japanese War of 1904 stopped the works. In 1909, Russia changed the strategy. Fortresses had already been an obsolete and costly concept; the Russian decided to destroy all their fortresses in the Vistula Land and lead mobile war closer to her native territory. Fort Beniaminów was destroyed by the Russian themselves in 1915.


There was so deep sand inside the fortress my Vado refused riding inside :) But ATV enthusiasts just love driving there :D

View attachment 85749
Zegrzyński Reservoir, a large artificial lake made of Rivers Bug and Narew is a recreational mecca for Warsawers. Especially, sailing boats and windsurfers are popular there. (During heavy winters, iceboats used to be popular there).

View attachment 85750
Top: Long, long way against strong headwind. I was gradually increasing assistance: 35, 50, 70%. Bottom: The dam in Dębe holds the Zegrzyński Reservoir in place :)

View attachment 85751
Battery replacement at 2/3 of the trip distance. Notice how much my 604 Wh battery #1 is already degraded now (93% health).

View attachment 85752
Ride map with POI, stats.
Dragonboats, thats the wifes 2nd hobby, the head and tail get fitted for events.
 
Had a quick blast around the beach, starting from the North end which is usually a fast 3 mile blast through sandy ranger paths.

It was a case of 'Ive started so I'll finish,' it was 6 inch deep, tyre caking mud inbetween 2ft deep lakes.
It got to the point where I just wanted it to end, my jeans were soaked up to the knees, my ass was wet through to my boxer shorts.
But it was a lovely warm day, so my feet dried off into two lumps of sand and my pants dried in the hot breeze.

Lots of pushing in the dry, soft sand, let them down to 5psi and that makes a huge difference in the grip and its quite exhilarating to be able to motor along on top of dunes in sand its difficult to walk on.

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It was hot enough to give you that dreamy, sun baked feeling, which I just love to experience, the one that takes you back to your yourh on sunny beach holidays.
Only out for three hours, slept like a baby that night.
 
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I headed north into the hills today, yet another glorious sunny day! It was a little chilly at first but it soon warmed up and with views like this it was such a joy to ride my e bike up those hills and enjoy the excellent descent at the other side! There were lots of cyclists out today, no surprise considering the lovely weather and roads like this! I did this same ride in March 2020 but in the opposite direction, its amazing both ways!

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At the top of the climb!

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Now for that lovely descent! 😁 I'm sure this cyclist was looking forward to the descent in the opposite direction which is also pretty awesome!

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I just had to stop for a photo or two on the way down of course!

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Loved this gorgeous 1972 Triumph Bonneville! Still too chilly for me to take my motorbike out but I'm sure these bikers had a blast in the lovely sunshine!

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Not a bad view at the bottom either!

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I had such a blast today but now its time to remove my motor and send it for a full overhaul, I'm hoping to have it back in 2 weeks or so! Back to pedal power for now, watch my average drop like a stone!🤣
 

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