Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
Wow!! Such masterful skill that you possess with the lens, David. You nailed it right down to the details on the feathers.
Our Rides in Words, Photos & Videos
RandallS
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Calgary
Guess why I don't post a lot of pics anymore!Wow!! Such masterful skill that you possess with the lens, David. You nailed it right down to the details on the feathers.
DaveMatthews
Well-Known Member
That shot above the road with the white rocks etc. (salt?) is killer.There's nothing bad about these lands.
We decided, at the last moment, to make the 1 ½ hour drive from home to the Drumheller Badlands yesterday as the skies appeared to be mostly free of smoke and we knew that traffic would be light now that the hectic holiday traffic was no longer an issue for this popular summer destination.
View attachment 135227
The 50km loop was relatively benign with the exception of a couple of steeper climbs so, as usual, we departed town non-PAS and only deferred to it on the final push up the second ascent.
View attachment 135228
Sai makes her way up to the midway point of the first climb. There was still a bit of haze that lingered in the skies but at no time did we ever detect a hint of smoke in the air.
View attachment 135229
View from the top looking down on the Red Deer River and a backdrop of the steep sloped mesas. Cycling the Badlands has to be one of the best ways to experience this geological wonderland.
View attachment 135230
Shortly after, we arrived at Horse Thief Canyon we were greeted with more stunning vistas. The drone was the ultimate tool to bring along particularly on this ride.
View attachment 135231
View attachment 135232
While we were parking our bikes, it wasn't long before I met up with a few furry acquaintances who treated me just like one of their own.
View attachment 135233
View attachment 135234
Then it was off to the Bleriot Ferry where we would hop on for the shortest river crossing of the trip.
View attachment 135236
View attachment 135235View attachment 135237
Near the midway point on the second climb was another breathtaking view of this otherworldly landscape. All of that elevation gain is translated to lovely downhill stretches that fully compensate for one’s efforts.
View attachment 135239
View attachment 135240
The icing on the cake was this stunning aerial shot of the Red Deer River Valley as seen from Orkney Point.
View attachment 135245
A video tribute to the Drumheller Badlands
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
A Teaser...
A 36 mile (58 km) gravel group ride of 17 people in a military range. I made 103.7 km (64.4 mi) with +307 m (1000 ft) elevation gain on my Vado SL today. Here. we are atop of a high sand dune, watching the cliff. Even @Chargeride would have hesitated before trying a downhill ride there!
A 36 mile (58 km) gravel group ride of 17 people in a military range. I made 103.7 km (64.4 mi) with +307 m (1000 ft) elevation gain on my Vado SL today. Here. we are atop of a high sand dune, watching the cliff. Even @Chargeride would have hesitated before trying a downhill ride there!
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Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
The Military Range, Romantically x Centrala Gravelowa
I would have not realized an exciting group gravel ride was to take place on Saturday if not my Graveloza mate Piotr. Who also told me I needed a single commuter train and less than one hour to get to the starting point! My Vado SL -- made a gravel capable e-bike with the full arsenal of Range Extenders -- was my ride. Yes, I deflated the tyre pressure to 2.5 bar (36 psi) for comfort and improved traction.
At the Centrala Gravelowa (a repair shop focused on gravel bikes) before the ride. The man in red is Piotr. He was very interested in my e-bike. The man in black (in the shop door) is Maciek, a man I met through Strava. Another Graveloza member, a girl called Ola also joined, all three of them making me feel not alone We got coffee and delicious freshly baked cakes from the organizer Paweł! (He said he would offer alcohol-free beer to us post-ride if it were not that cold!)
They call those somewhat slower group rides "Romantic Cycling". We were exploring the Rembertów Military Range. Typical cruising speed was 23-25 km/h, and almost all terrain was gravel or dirt or concrete slabs or stones or sand That required me to use 80/80% SL Sport assistance, or 100% SL Turbo at times! The Military Range is being used by the Army even today. On that specific ride, we had to make a detour. There is a 2-km long unique shooting range used by snipers in the forest, and snipers had their practice day on Saturday... I hated sand and was close to crashing twice. Thanks to my Vado SL quality, I saved myself from the trouble though!
There were 17 people on the ride. Gravel cyclists make a single stop on a 60-km ride, and it shall either be a grocery store or a restaurant. Here, at a countryside grocery store in Pustelnik.
The group leader Paweł was explaining many peculiarities related to the Military Range to us.
The crème de la crème of the trip: The Hill. Long time ago in the prehistory, a mighty glacier stopped moving in Mazovia. It formed long sand dunes of the kind you can find in the Kampinos National Park today. The same type of sand dunes can be found in the Military Range. We had to walk our bikes up the Hill, occasionally riding them.
I tried to make an impressive photo of the cliff. I asked the group: "Do you think someone could ride downhill here, say, on a fat bike?" to which the answer was: "Yes. Only once" Paweł told us about a place inside the Range where three consecutive riders made Over-The-Bars on a far less dramatic sandy descent!
We had to cross the ford of the River Długa twice. The reinforced concrete slabs were so damaged we had to walk our bikes there!
The Tank Road. The Military Range is alive until this day!
A long way home against stiff headwind. The Warsaw Royal Castle, Cathedral and Old Town as seen from Kierbedź Bridge.
Warsaw Old Town as seen from the East-West Road. St. Anna Church with the Bell Tower and the tunnel under the Castle Square.
The Castle Square, the King Sigismund III of Vasa Column, and the Royal Castle of Warsaw. It was the King Sigismund who moved the capital city of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596!
It was about 58 km on the group ride...
but 103.7 km for me on that day!
It was only 7-8 C in the forest. However, lack of wind there was making the gravel ride pleasant. In the open space of Warsaw, the temperature of 10-12 C felt much colder because of the wind chill factor!
Extra photo (by Ola Żak, a female 410.5 km PR on a gravel race). The ford on River Długa, the real dramatism!
I would have not realized an exciting group gravel ride was to take place on Saturday if not my Graveloza mate Piotr. Who also told me I needed a single commuter train and less than one hour to get to the starting point! My Vado SL -- made a gravel capable e-bike with the full arsenal of Range Extenders -- was my ride. Yes, I deflated the tyre pressure to 2.5 bar (36 psi) for comfort and improved traction.
At the Centrala Gravelowa (a repair shop focused on gravel bikes) before the ride. The man in red is Piotr. He was very interested in my e-bike. The man in black (in the shop door) is Maciek, a man I met through Strava. Another Graveloza member, a girl called Ola also joined, all three of them making me feel not alone
We got coffee and delicious freshly baked cakes from the organizer Paweł! (He said he would offer alcohol-free beer to us post-ride if it were not that cold!)They call those somewhat slower group rides "Romantic Cycling". We were exploring the Rembertów Military Range. Typical cruising speed was 23-25 km/h, and almost all terrain was gravel or dirt or concrete slabs or stones or sand
That required me to use 80/80% SL Sport assistance, or 100% SL Turbo at times! The Military Range is being used by the Army even today. On that specific ride, we had to make a detour. There is a 2-km long unique shooting range used by snipers in the forest, and snipers had their practice day on Saturday... I hated sand and was close to crashing twice. Thanks to my Vado SL quality, I saved myself from the trouble though!There were 17 people on the ride. Gravel cyclists make a single stop on a 60-km ride, and it shall either be a grocery store or a restaurant. Here, at a countryside grocery store in Pustelnik.
The group leader Paweł was explaining many peculiarities related to the Military Range to us.
The crème de la crème of the trip: The Hill. Long time ago in the prehistory, a mighty glacier stopped moving in Mazovia. It formed long sand dunes of the kind you can find in the Kampinos National Park today. The same type of sand dunes can be found in the Military Range. We had to walk our bikes up the Hill, occasionally riding them.
I tried to make an impressive photo of the cliff. I asked the group: "Do you think someone could ride downhill here, say, on a fat bike?" to which the answer was: "Yes. Only once"
Paweł told us about a place inside the Range where three consecutive riders made Over-The-Bars on a far less dramatic sandy descent!We had to cross the ford of the River Długa twice. The reinforced concrete slabs were so damaged we had to walk our bikes there!
The Tank Road. The Military Range is alive until this day!
A long way home against stiff headwind. The Warsaw Royal Castle, Cathedral and Old Town as seen from Kierbedź Bridge.
Warsaw Old Town as seen from the East-West Road. St. Anna Church with the Bell Tower and the tunnel under the Castle Square.
The Castle Square, the King Sigismund III of Vasa Column, and the Royal Castle of Warsaw. It was the King Sigismund who moved the capital city of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596!
It was about 58 km on the group ride...
but 103.7 km for me on that day!
It was only 7-8 C in the forest. However, lack of wind there was making the gravel ride pleasant. In the open space of Warsaw, the temperature of 10-12 C felt much colder because of the wind chill factor!
Extra photo (by Ola Żak, a female 410.5 km PR on a gravel race). The ford on River Długa, the real dramatism!
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RabH
Well-Known Member
I woke this morning feeling so much better and the weather was perfect for cycling, I just had to get out! It would be a good test to see if I was fit enough for Arran, I'm glad to say I passed with flying colours!
It was so good to get out again and feel good on the bike, so very different to a week ago! I just did one of my favourite loops that I knew would test my fitness without going too overboard, 50 miles was just perfect! I headed for Bridgend and then turned south to join the road up to Beecraigs Country Park, the straight before the big descent was in great condition! We have been having easterlies for quite some time but today the breeze was from the west, not that it was that strong but it sure slowed me on the descent where I normally go over 40mph!After the descent into the valley it was time to climb up to the country park, the locals were looking on with interest!
Part way up the climb looking towards the Forth bridges!
At the top of the climb the locals didn't seem that interested, I think the lush green grass was too inviting! The sheep were more interested in the large bucket of water!
The view of the road I was just about to join, the lone highland cow wasn't talking to its mates today!
More climbing to come of course...After the climbs I knew I was in for some lovely descents and did I enjoy them, I was in cycling heaven once again! I reached Torphicen and knew the biggest descent was just around the corner and no wind to hold me back on this one, just over 41mph this time! This is the view looking back at the hill I descended! It goes straight down and then straight back up, the momentum can only carry you so far!
I have been down this road many many times and never noticed the stables until today, it was so busy today but its hard to see in the photo!
I had such a great ride today, I'm really looking forward to my Arran trip on Tuesday now! I didn't notice last week, probably due to being very sick but I passed 22,000 miles on my bike! 22,095 to be exact after today, what a blast the past 4 and a half years have been on this wonderful bike!
Attachments
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Beautiful ride, as usual Rab - glad you're feeling better!View attachment 135536
I woke this morning feeling so much better and the weather was perfect for cycling, I just had to get out! It would be a good test to see if I was fit enough for Arran, I'm glad to say I passed with flying colours!
View attachment 135537
After the descent into the valley it was time to climb up to the country park, the locals were looking on with interest!
View attachment 135538
Part way up the climb looking towards the Forth bridges!
View attachment 135539
View attachment 135540
At the top of the climb the locals didn't seem that interested, I think the lush green grass was too inviting! The sheep were more interested in the large bucket of water!
View attachment 135541
View attachment 135542
The view of the road I was just about to join, the lone highland cow wasn't talking to its mates today!
View attachment 135543
View attachment 135544
After the climbs I knew I was in for some lovely descents and did I enjoy them, I was in cycling heaven once again! I reached Torphicen and knew the biggest descent was just around the corner and no wind to hold me back on this one, just over 41mph this time! This is the view looking back at the hill I descended! It goes straight down and then straight back up, the momentum can only carry you so far!
View attachment 135545
I have been down this road many many times and never noticed the stables until today, it was so busy today but its hard to see in the photo!
View attachment 135546
I had such a great ride today, I'm really looking forward to my Arran trip on Tuesday now! I didn't notice last week, probably due to being very sick but I passed 22,000 miles on my bike! 22,095 to be exact after today, what a blast the past 4 and a half years have been on this wonderful bike!
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Magda, and Some More Ride
Magda gave me a phone call mid last week, not only asking to see her but also to bring the pump to re-inflate the wheels of her wheelchair. Again? The daughter asks, the Dad fulfils the request! It had been raining at night and in the morning. No raining in the afternoon! I took my Highway Star as the big Vado has to be ridden from time to time, too!
The Summer has not finished yet, and the pumpkins? The Autumn seems to have started very early this year!
"Dad the Strongman" The tyre pressure was OK! I just made sure I left the tyres at 4 bar!
Even if it was cold (10 C or less) and there was strong westerly wind, I decided to ride some more. Here: an excellent new road among Mazovian farming fields.
"Stefan, who took the picture of you?!" See my "tripod" On one of my mountain road trips, I forgot removing a gas-lighter from the saddle. Then, I rode for 12 km and 500 m descents (vertical) over switchbacks. When I and brother were already sat at an inn table, I discovered the lighter was still in the saddle!
"At The Girls": A cycling friendly café/restaurant in Rozalin with female personnel. Our September 24th gravel group gravel has selected the place as the major stop at the planned 70-mile ride!
The café. It would be an inexpensive place for many of you. It is expensive with the level of Polish incomes!
Kotlet schabowy, or the Polish version of pork Schnitzel. With baked potato and vegetables.
Ride Map and Stats.
Magda gave me a phone call mid last week, not only asking to see her but also to bring the pump to re-inflate the wheels of her wheelchair. Again? The daughter asks, the Dad fulfils the request!
It had been raining at night and in the morning. No raining in the afternoon! I took my Highway Star as the big Vado has to be ridden from time to time, too! The Summer has not finished yet, and the pumpkins? The Autumn seems to have started very early this year!
"Dad the Strongman"
The tyre pressure was OK! I just made sure I left the tyres at 4 bar!Even if it was cold (10 C or less) and there was strong westerly wind, I decided to ride some more. Here: an excellent new road among Mazovian farming fields.
"Stefan, who took the picture of you?!" See my "tripod"
On one of my mountain road trips, I forgot removing a gas-lighter from the saddle. Then, I rode for 12 km and 500 m descents (vertical) over switchbacks. When I and brother were already sat at an inn table, I discovered the lighter was still in the saddle! "At The Girls": A cycling friendly café/restaurant in Rozalin with female personnel. Our September 24th gravel group gravel has selected the place as the major stop at the planned 70-mile ride!
The café. It would be an inexpensive place for many of you. It is expensive with the level of Polish incomes!
Kotlet schabowy, or the Polish version of pork Schnitzel. With baked potato and vegetables.
Ride Map and Stats.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Do you think someone could ride downhill here, say, on a fat bike?" to which the answer was: "Yes. Only once"The Military Range, Romantically x Centrala Gravelowa
I would have not realized an exciting group gravel ride was to take place on Saturday if not my Graveloza mate Piotr. Who also told me I needed a single commuter train and less than one hour to get to the starting point! My Vado SL -- made a gravel capable e-bike with the full arsenal of Range Extenders -- was my ride. Yes, I deflated the tyre pressure to 2.5 bar (36 psi) for comfort and improved traction.
View attachment 135481
At the Centrala Gravelowa (a repair shop focused on gravel bikes) before the ride. The man in red is Piotr. He was very interested in my e-bike. The man in black (in the shop door) is Maciek, a man I met through Strava. Another Graveloza member, a girl called Ola also joined, all three of them making me feel not alone
View attachment 135482
They call those somewhat slower group rides "Romantic Cycling". We were exploring the Rembertów Military Range. Typical cruising speed was 23-25 km/h, and almost all terrain was gravel or dirt or concrete slabs or stones or sand
View attachment 135483
There were 17 people on the ride. Gravel cyclists make a single stop on a 60-km ride, and it shall either be a grocery store or a restaurant. Here, at a countryside grocery store in Pustelnik.
View attachment 135485
The group leader Paweł was explaining many peculiarities related to the Military Range to us.
View attachment 135486
The crème de la crème of the trip: The Hill. Long time ago in the prehistory, a mighty glacier stopped moving in Mazovia. It formed long sand dunes of the kind you can find in the Kampinos National Park today. The same type of sand dunes can be found in the Military Range. We had to walk our bikes up the Hill, occasionally riding them.
View attachment 135487
I tried to make an impressive photo of the cliff. I asked the group: "Do you think someone could ride downhill here, say, on a fat bike?" to which the answer was: "Yes. Only once"
View attachment 135488
We had to cross the ford of the River Długa twice. The reinforced concrete slabs were so damaged we had to walk our bikes there!
View attachment 135489
The Tank Road. The Military Range is alive until this day!
View attachment 135490
A long way home against stiff headwind. The Warsaw Royal Castle, Cathedral and Old Town as seen from Kierbedź Bridge.
View attachment 135491
Warsaw Old Town as seen from the East-West Road. St. Anna Church with the Bell Tower and the tunnel under the Castle Square.
View attachment 135492
The Castle Square, the King Sigismund III of Vasa Column, and the Royal Castle of Warsaw. It was the King Sigismund who moved the capital city of Poland from Cracow to Warsaw in 1596!
View attachment 135494
It was about 58 km on the group ride...
View attachment 135504
but 103.7 km for me on that day!
It was only 7-8 C in the forest. However, lack of wind there was making the gravel ride pleasant. In the open space of Warsaw, the temperature of 10-12 C felt much colder because of the wind chill factor!
View attachment 135520
Extra photo (by Ola Żak, a female 410.5 km PR on a gravel race). The ford on River Długa, the real dramatism!
Hold my beer.
Chargeride
Well-Known Member
Look at you with your fancy pump.Magda, and Some More Ride
Magda gave me a phone call mid last week, not only asking to see her but also to bring the pump to re-inflate the wheels of her wheelchair. Again? The daughter asks, the Dad fulfils the request!
View attachment 135562
The Summer has not finished yet, and the pumpkins? The Autumn seems to have started very early this year!
View attachment 135563
"Dad the Strongman"
View attachment 135564
Even if it was cold (10 C or less) and there was strong westerly wind, I decided to ride some more. Here: an excellent new road among Mazovian farming fields.
View attachment 135565
"Stefan, who took the picture of you?!" See my "tripod"
View attachment 135566
"At The Girls": A cycling friendly café/restaurant in Rozalin with female personnel. Our September 24th gravel group gravel has selected the place as the major stop at the planned 70-mile ride!
View attachment 135567
The café. It would be an inexpensive place for many of you. It is expensive with the level of Polish incomes!
View attachment 135568
Kotlet schabowy, or the Polish version of pork Schnitzel. With baked potato and vegetables.
View attachment 135570
Ride Map and Stats.
And Ive just bought this for 99p.
Why am I so cheap
Magdas lucky to have you
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
A bottle of Bacardi for 99p? Tell me where you bought it, I come to South England pretty soon!Look at you with your fancy pump.
And Ive just bought this for 99p.
Why am I so cheap
Magdas lucky to have you
B'TWIN 900 is a Decathlon pump. Reliable and inexpensive.
Frankly, I believe you could make that cliff! You are a reckless person, Chargeride! The question is whether your Frankenfatbike would stand it!
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Well, maybe you're spending too much on the BacardiLook at you with your fancy pump.
And Ive just bought this for 99p.
Why am I so cheap
Magdas lucky to have you
!
BlackHand
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Western WA
Longer work days, shorter daylight, and shuttling kids to practices in the evening are making it harder to get in decent rides these days.
Thursday finally offered opportunity when I had to go to a couple different work locations to help out colleagues and didn't have to rush home. By the time I got home 13 hours later I had covered a little over 44 miles with about 2000 feet of climbing spread across a little under 3 hours of riding.
Going across the 520 bridge at rush hour was a little noisy but still nice. The view from mid span:
This is the first time I've used the Cross Kirkland Corridor so I was surprised when I rolled up on this frog:
The last 30 minutes were in the dark but the ride was quite pleasant along the lake then up Perkins Way next to a babbling stream. I inexplicably had the road to myself until I got over the highway. All in all a good day.
Thursday finally offered opportunity when I had to go to a couple different work locations to help out colleagues and didn't have to rush home. By the time I got home 13 hours later I had covered a little over 44 miles with about 2000 feet of climbing spread across a little under 3 hours of riding.
Going across the 520 bridge at rush hour was a little noisy but still nice. The view from mid span:
This is the first time I've used the Cross Kirkland Corridor so I was surprised when I rolled up on this frog:
The last 30 minutes were in the dark but the ride was quite pleasant along the lake then up Perkins Way next to a babbling stream. I inexplicably had the road to myself until I got over the highway. All in all a good day.
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
PatriciaK
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Pacific Northwest and Piedmont Triad
Took a shorter, flatter ride (just one longer, not too steep hill) today to test out the knee and see if the Prednisone is making a difference... Now that I'm down to just 2 days left:
It's been much less painful walking since beginning the steroid treatment, but still have a little burning spot right at the top of the inner tibia/fibula where the knee joint begins. Interestingly, it has never hurt WHILE riding, just after..and before.. and in between
. Oh well.
Hope I won't need a cortisone shot before leaving for the east coast soon and on to my tour in a couple of weeks, but if that's what it takes, I'll do it!
It was a lovely day to be riding, and I'm going to try a couple of longer ones this week before I bid arrivederci to the lovely Isle of Whidbey for a few months, later this week!
It's been much less painful walking since beginning the steroid treatment, but still have a little burning spot right at the top of the inner tibia/fibula where the knee joint begins. Interestingly, it has never hurt WHILE riding, just after..and before.. and in between
. Oh well.Hope I won't need a cortisone shot before leaving for the east coast soon and on to my tour in a couple of weeks, but if that's what it takes, I'll do it!
It was a lovely day to be riding, and I'm going to try a couple of longer ones this week before I bid arrivederci to the lovely Isle of Whidbey for a few months, later this week!
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
Yeah, I hear a geared hub drive can climb any hill just fine. Preston-Snoqualmie Trail, WA.
Prairie Dog
Well-Known Member
- Region
- Canada
- City
- Red Deer
I just noticed the comment at the bottom of your post. Congrats, Rab!I had such a great ride today, I'm really looking forward to my Arran trip on Tuesday now! I didn't notice last week, probably due to being very sick but I passed 22,000 miles on my bike! 22,095 to be exact after today, what a blast the past 4 and a half years have been on this wonderful bike!
That’s quite the accomplishment but seeing that you ride around such gorgeous scenery it’s understandable how you can log so many miles. We’re heading off to Jasper National Park on Tuesday and are hoping for a bit of color seeing that Thursday will officially be the first day of fall. We’ll also have to keep our eyes peeled out for bears as it’s that time of the season.
Stefan Mikes
Gravel e-biker
- Region
- Europe
- City
- Mazovia, PL
Rab has logged more kms this year than I did, even not mentioning the whooping elevation gain. Kudos to you, Rab!I just noticed the comment at the bottom of your post. Congrats, Rab!
Mr. Coffee
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- A Demented Corner of the North Cascades
Pleasantly cool in the morning, baking hot by mid afternoon... But the tunnel was cool.
Readytoride
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Virginia
Yes Yes Yes Nooooooo!
Saturday was the 26th annual Rappahannock Rough Ride, the 2nd of my 6 chosen charity rides for the 2022 Fall cycling season.
Their capped limit of 600 cyclists had been filled quickly as the rural scenery along their 4 routes was spectacular. Rolling and hilly, but spectacular none the less.
Now, when I say "rolling and hilly", just envision swells on an ocean, rising and falling in an endless choreography over beautiful farmland with mountain views as far as the eye can see. Each swells rose to catch glimpses of the blue tinged mountains in the distance, while the troughs dipped down into the woodlands where the scattered enclaves of rural houses, some old, some even older, hugged the byways with freshly mowed lawns and the assorted bric-a-brak of humanity via an organized line of comfy sitting furniture on the front porches.
Two groups of riders were scheduled to head off on gravel road voyages, while the remaining two groups, a half metric and a full metric century, would be cruising the countryside on the faster paved roads. My selected route was the half metric cruise - a route I'd enjoyed in the past which lent a bit of familiarity to the sea of hills I knew were to come.
But first was the arrival, the checking in, the socializing as bikes were unloaded from a flotilla of cars, tires pumped, and the start line-up swelled with colorfully dressed riders on smart bikes as the start time grew close. Then came the speeches, the ride instructions, and the results of the raffle (which I had not been aware they had). I happened to be standing towards the back of the line, watching as the winner of a 2 day stay at a local B&B was declared. The assembled crowd cheered and clapped for the happy winner as she raised her hand in the air in delighted acknowledgement of her win. The 2nd raffle item was a gift certificate for dinner for two at the 3 star Michelin "Inn at Little Washington" restaurant. If ever there was a destination restaurant along the east coast of the US, this was it. I had dined there, once, decades ago for an anniversary, and it was beyond measure the best I'd ever eaten. It was expensive back then 20 years ago. It was even more so today. My hubby had (jokingly?) suggested we stay after the bike ride to have dinner there, and I had looked at him in astonishment. "Are you crazy?" I asked. "We talking upwards of $750 for just dinner? Dream on, pal!"
So there I stood, in the back of the crowd of bikes, thinking how great it would be if they called out my name as the winner. And then...they did!!!!!! YES!!!!! I jumped up and down, waving my arms while all the cyclists around me erupted in cheers. I dashed to the announcers, got my certificate, had my picture taken with one of the charity officials for their Facebook page, and dashed back to my bike, still among the cheers of the surrounding cyclists. While the start countdown took place, I took off to where my car was parked to give the treasured certificate to my astonished hubby. He was going to get his dinner at the Inn after all!
The flow of cyclists had started streaming down the road as I got back in line, and soon all the divisions had set off, following their respective routes into the vast seas of rural America.
A more perfect day could not be found. The weather was spectacular - cool, bright, and calm - and the roads drifted onwards, up one swell and down another, in the gentle silence that only a quiet Saturday morning could promise. It was a YES everywhere one looked.
I was amused at the variety of road signs named after individuals of the local population, or the effort travelers encountered sailing these terrestrial waters, and couldn't resist stopping to take a few photos.
Our passage was noted by the local canine population, safely secured behind front and backyard fences. Their eagerness to announce our passing through their territorial waters was both loud and enthusiastic. I suppose we made their day, there were just so many of us to acknowledge.
There was just so much to see, so much to enjoy in this exquisite part of middle Virginia. Well known as part of the Foxhunting Capital of Virginia, the sweep of pasturelands was legend, bounded by fences dotted with hunt "coops" for horses and riders to jump while following the hounds in pursuit of a fox. The season had just begun, so all of the hunt jumps were already opened and groomed, ready for the fall and winter sport that only the well heeled could afford.
For those of us cruising along on our bikes the scenery was ours to take in and enjoy. For those of us on electric bikes, there was a lot more enjoyment as the deeper into the countryside one sailed, the greater and more numerous the hills swelled. I was on my Vado, which had performed flawlessly in last weekend's 50+ mile ride, and which was once again performing flawlessly, speeding up one steep hill after another, and zooming down the backsides. For miles. YES!
The rest stop was well packed, well attended, and well organized. I paused only briefly, then took off, counting down the rolling miles as the route looped back towards the start.
I was about 8 miles from the finish when I heard the sound coming from my crank shaft. Softly at first, then progressively louder. Clunk, clunk, clunk. I frowned as I looked down at my pedals. Something was wrong. At each turn of the crank the sound increased until it was too loud to ignore. I dropped down a level of assist and the sound went away...for a moment. Then it began to ratchet louder. I dropped to the lowest assist, trying to get away from the worry that my motor was rapidly failing. No such luck. The clunk, clunk, clunk became CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! In one last ditch effort I turned off the assist. My glorious speed boat had become a rowboat in open water. The noise stopped, but I was now faced with the daunting prospect of 6 remaining miles of hills, all determined to drown me. I tried to power the bike on my own up a hill, but it felt like I was dragging an anchor. It just wasn't going to work. I turned the assist back on, and rather than simply clanking, it now sounded like two cats in a bag fighting. Then 4 cats, then 8 cats, and then...and then...the motor gave a death scream, a screech so loud and piercing it was probably heard in the surrounding counties. And promptly died.
NOOOOOOOO!
I was on my own now, adrift, with 6 miles of agonising hills between me and the finish. And no motor. This was not good. Not good at all.
It was time to call in the coast guard.
Fortunately my motor had blown right at a cross roads manned by a ride volunteer standing vigil to stop cars to let any cyclists across the road to take the short cut back to the start. It was easy for my hubby to find, so I waited and chatted with the volunteer until my rescue appeared with the car. We loaded the bike on the rack, waved goodbye to the volunteer, and headed back to the ride meet so that I could check out, and hubby could get a Cajon burger at the food truck parked next to the registration tent.
Then we made a bee line due north, through several counties, until we hit Winchester, the big town just 24 miles west of where we lived, and pulled into the parking lot of the Specialized dealer. They took the bike, gave it a trial run around the parking lot, and came back with the diagnosis that something was "seriously wrong". Like, yeah. I already knew that. The necessary paperwork was exchanged digitally (bless the synching capability of the internet across platforms, and retaining sales receipts and documents online!), a warranty claim submitted, and we left the beached, disabled bike in the bike shop's capable hands while we sailed home in the car, happily discussing plans for our dinner at the Inn.
Next ride is this Saturday, the Tour de Conservation - a metric century on the gravel roads in my own neck of the woods. The Gazelle will be on deck for this adventure, as well as several of the other upcoming rides on pavement since I'm not sure how long it will take for the Vado's motor to be repaired, or replaced.
Upon reading up on my bike's problem I found motor issues have plagued the 2019 and 2020 Vado and (especially the) Levo models, something I hadn't been aware of until now. Wouldn't you know - my Vado is a 2020. And 5 months out of warrenty. Guess I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that (with the raft of issues regarding these '19-'20 model year motors) Specialized will extend the 2 year warranty to fix mine. We shall see!
Saturday was the 26th annual Rappahannock Rough Ride, the 2nd of my 6 chosen charity rides for the 2022 Fall cycling season.
Their capped limit of 600 cyclists had been filled quickly as the rural scenery along their 4 routes was spectacular. Rolling and hilly, but spectacular none the less.
Now, when I say "rolling and hilly", just envision swells on an ocean, rising and falling in an endless choreography over beautiful farmland with mountain views as far as the eye can see. Each swells rose to catch glimpses of the blue tinged mountains in the distance, while the troughs dipped down into the woodlands where the scattered enclaves of rural houses, some old, some even older, hugged the byways with freshly mowed lawns and the assorted bric-a-brak of humanity via an organized line of comfy sitting furniture on the front porches.
Two groups of riders were scheduled to head off on gravel road voyages, while the remaining two groups, a half metric and a full metric century, would be cruising the countryside on the faster paved roads. My selected route was the half metric cruise - a route I'd enjoyed in the past which lent a bit of familiarity to the sea of hills I knew were to come.
But first was the arrival, the checking in, the socializing as bikes were unloaded from a flotilla of cars, tires pumped, and the start line-up swelled with colorfully dressed riders on smart bikes as the start time grew close. Then came the speeches, the ride instructions, and the results of the raffle (which I had not been aware they had). I happened to be standing towards the back of the line, watching as the winner of a 2 day stay at a local B&B was declared. The assembled crowd cheered and clapped for the happy winner as she raised her hand in the air in delighted acknowledgement of her win. The 2nd raffle item was a gift certificate for dinner for two at the 3 star Michelin "Inn at Little Washington" restaurant. If ever there was a destination restaurant along the east coast of the US, this was it. I had dined there, once, decades ago for an anniversary, and it was beyond measure the best I'd ever eaten. It was expensive back then 20 years ago. It was even more so today. My hubby had (jokingly?) suggested we stay after the bike ride to have dinner there, and I had looked at him in astonishment. "Are you crazy?" I asked. "We talking upwards of $750 for just dinner? Dream on, pal!"
So there I stood, in the back of the crowd of bikes, thinking how great it would be if they called out my name as the winner. And then...they did!!!!!! YES!!!!! I jumped up and down, waving my arms while all the cyclists around me erupted in cheers. I dashed to the announcers, got my certificate, had my picture taken with one of the charity officials for their Facebook page, and dashed back to my bike, still among the cheers of the surrounding cyclists. While the start countdown took place, I took off to where my car was parked to give the treasured certificate to my astonished hubby. He was going to get his dinner at the Inn after all!
The flow of cyclists had started streaming down the road as I got back in line, and soon all the divisions had set off, following their respective routes into the vast seas of rural America.
A more perfect day could not be found. The weather was spectacular - cool, bright, and calm - and the roads drifted onwards, up one swell and down another, in the gentle silence that only a quiet Saturday morning could promise. It was a YES everywhere one looked.
I was amused at the variety of road signs named after individuals of the local population, or the effort travelers encountered sailing these terrestrial waters, and couldn't resist stopping to take a few photos.
Our passage was noted by the local canine population, safely secured behind front and backyard fences. Their eagerness to announce our passing through their territorial waters was both loud and enthusiastic. I suppose we made their day, there were just so many of us to acknowledge.
There was just so much to see, so much to enjoy in this exquisite part of middle Virginia. Well known as part of the Foxhunting Capital of Virginia, the sweep of pasturelands was legend, bounded by fences dotted with hunt "coops" for horses and riders to jump while following the hounds in pursuit of a fox. The season had just begun, so all of the hunt jumps were already opened and groomed, ready for the fall and winter sport that only the well heeled could afford.
For those of us cruising along on our bikes the scenery was ours to take in and enjoy. For those of us on electric bikes, there was a lot more enjoyment as the deeper into the countryside one sailed, the greater and more numerous the hills swelled. I was on my Vado, which had performed flawlessly in last weekend's 50+ mile ride, and which was once again performing flawlessly, speeding up one steep hill after another, and zooming down the backsides. For miles. YES!
The rest stop was well packed, well attended, and well organized. I paused only briefly, then took off, counting down the rolling miles as the route looped back towards the start.
I was about 8 miles from the finish when I heard the sound coming from my crank shaft. Softly at first, then progressively louder. Clunk, clunk, clunk. I frowned as I looked down at my pedals. Something was wrong. At each turn of the crank the sound increased until it was too loud to ignore. I dropped down a level of assist and the sound went away...for a moment. Then it began to ratchet louder. I dropped to the lowest assist, trying to get away from the worry that my motor was rapidly failing. No such luck. The clunk, clunk, clunk became CLUNK! CLUNK! CLUNK! In one last ditch effort I turned off the assist. My glorious speed boat had become a rowboat in open water. The noise stopped, but I was now faced with the daunting prospect of 6 remaining miles of hills, all determined to drown me. I tried to power the bike on my own up a hill, but it felt like I was dragging an anchor. It just wasn't going to work. I turned the assist back on, and rather than simply clanking, it now sounded like two cats in a bag fighting. Then 4 cats, then 8 cats, and then...and then...the motor gave a death scream, a screech so loud and piercing it was probably heard in the surrounding counties. And promptly died.
NOOOOOOOO!
I was on my own now, adrift, with 6 miles of agonising hills between me and the finish. And no motor. This was not good. Not good at all.
It was time to call in the coast guard.
Fortunately my motor had blown right at a cross roads manned by a ride volunteer standing vigil to stop cars to let any cyclists across the road to take the short cut back to the start. It was easy for my hubby to find, so I waited and chatted with the volunteer until my rescue appeared with the car. We loaded the bike on the rack, waved goodbye to the volunteer, and headed back to the ride meet so that I could check out, and hubby could get a Cajon burger at the food truck parked next to the registration tent.
Then we made a bee line due north, through several counties, until we hit Winchester, the big town just 24 miles west of where we lived, and pulled into the parking lot of the Specialized dealer. They took the bike, gave it a trial run around the parking lot, and came back with the diagnosis that something was "seriously wrong". Like, yeah. I already knew that. The necessary paperwork was exchanged digitally (bless the synching capability of the internet across platforms, and retaining sales receipts and documents online!), a warranty claim submitted, and we left the beached, disabled bike in the bike shop's capable hands while we sailed home in the car, happily discussing plans for our dinner at the Inn.
Next ride is this Saturday, the Tour de Conservation - a metric century on the gravel roads in my own neck of the woods. The Gazelle will be on deck for this adventure, as well as several of the other upcoming rides on pavement since I'm not sure how long it will take for the Vado's motor to be repaired, or replaced.
Upon reading up on my bike's problem I found motor issues have plagued the 2019 and 2020 Vado and (especially the) Levo models, something I hadn't been aware of until now. Wouldn't you know - my Vado is a 2020. And 5 months out of warrenty. Guess I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that (with the raft of issues regarding these '19-'20 model year motors) Specialized will extend the 2 year warranty to fix mine. We shall see!
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