Show us pictures of where you ride your ebikes!

Jeremy McCreary · Mar 23, 2026

DaveMatthews said:
Been feeling a bit "off" over the past few weeks. Doc is thinking perhaps Crohn's or Colitis or something. I thought he was way off base until this past week. Couple of bad bouts with stomach pain, and exhaustion.
Should get some more test results this week, so we shall see.
Anyway, shook that off and went for a quick blast around the hood today...

Howdy Bugs!

Never mind Bugs, things are looking a bit Daffy!

A look from underneath the canopy...

Kids softball starting up...

You're wise not to get too worked up till you have a firm diagnosis. These things can be hard to pin down.

As a retired MD with some major adventures of my own, just want to remind you that laughter really is the best medicine. Realistically, you also end up getting better care as a joker than a grump.

I know you'll know what to do.

DaveMatthews · Mar 23, 2026

Jeremy McCreary said:
You're wise not to get too worked up till you have a firm diagnosis. These things can be hard to pin down.

As a retired MD with some major adventures of my own, just want to remind you that laughter really is the best medicine. Realistically, you also end up getting better care as a joker than a grump.

I know you'll know what to do.

Bingo!

Thanks for that mate. Didn't realize you were part of the medical community! Good on ya!
Yeah... I decided at a very early age that if I'm not going to have any fun, then I don't want to do "it". Consequently I try to make anything/everything less stressful if I possibly can.
Whatever this is, I do not necessarily recommend it as a weight loss plan...

snipechief · Mar 27, 2026

DaveMatthews said:
Bingo!
Thanks for that mate. Didn't realize you were part of the medical community! Good on ya!
Yeah... I decided at a very early age that if I'm not going to have any fun, then I don't want to do "it". Consequently I try to make anything/everything less stressful if I possibly can.
Whatever this is, I do not necessarily recommend it as a weight loss plan...

Sound wisdom.

Jeremy McCreary · Mar 27, 2026

Had to drop off the Vado SL 1 yesterday for yet another rear brake service — this time hopefully for a richly deserved warranty replacement.

So I got in a 16 mi Coast Highway fitness ride on the way. North turnaround was the Carlsbad State Beach overlook just as you come into Carlsbad Village.

Beach views north and then south from the overlook. Very busy for a Thursday afternoon in March, but it was an exceptionally nice day.

LEGO colors at the next stop, South Ponto Beach. Getting close to the water's so easy on a bike here that it's pretty much a mandatory stop on Coast Highway rides south.

South turnound at Moonlight Beach, a few blocks from the LBS. The circling gulls were what was left of a major air battle involving dozens of gulls — all over what looked like a stolen sandwich dangling from one gull's beak. Never saw such combat aerobatics from gulls!

Moonlight Beach marks the mouth of Cottonwood Creek, still flowing after winter rains.

The water was apparently fresh enough for this micro-lagoon to serve as watering hole and birdbath to several gull species.

Cottonwood Creek carved itself a wide but steep-walled little canyon through the bluffs here. This steepest climb-out on 5th Street is 16%. All the others are above 12%.

At the LBS, some bikes in for tweaking before an upcoming triathlon. My SL's chopped liver compared to most of the bikes I see in this shop (Cadence Cyclery Encinitas), but it's the friendliest and most helpful LBS I've ever come across.

edobici_forza · Mar 27, 2026

Jeremy... coincidence, I had some tough 16% grades on my ride today too. also 16 miles! pix soon.

What brake calipers do you have? The SRAM Apex on my Creo 2 are terrible. it is well documented online. I had mine bled after 3 rides. still crappy. terrible modulation. lots of noise, even after re-centering, cleaning. I am considering the E1 update calipers and levers. just rode my 6 yr old GRX and they are perfect!

Jeremy McCreary · Mar 27, 2026

edobici_forza said:
Jeremy... coincidence, I had some tough 16% grades on my ride today too. also 16 miles! pix soon.

What brake calipers do you have? The SRAM Apex on my Creo 2 are terrible. it is well documented online. I had mine bled after 3 rides. still crappy. terrible modulation. lots of noise, even after re-centering, cleaning. I am considering the E1 update calipers and levers. just rode my 6 yr old GRX and they are perfect!

The SL still has its stock Tektro 2-piston calipers with 160 mm rotors. The front's been fine for the whole 3,600 mi, but one piston on the rear keeps getting stuck against the rotor.

Not sure how the warranty claim will go, as it will be with Tektro, not Specialized. If I end up paying out of pocket, should I consider replacing the rear with another brand or model?

Or maybe a modest brake upgrade all around? The SL's braking has always been adequate but hardly stellar.

DaveMatthews · Mar 27, 2026

Jeremy McCreary said:
The SL still has its stock Tektro 2-piston calipers with 160 mm rotors. The front's been fine for the whole 3,600 mi, but one piston on the rear keeps getting stuck against the rotor.

Not sure how the warranty claim will go, as it will be with Tektro, not Specialized. If I end up paying out of pocket, should I consider replacing the rear with another brand or model?

Or maybe a modest brake upgrade all around? The SL's braking has always been adequate but hardly stellar.

I have Tektro on my Stance, but they are 4 piston. Likely because of the overall weight.
Although they have been flawless for me, if your issue persists I could easily understand a change to Shimano or some such.
Are your discs trued?

Jeremy McCreary · Mar 27, 2026

DaveMatthews said:
I have Tektro on my Stance, but they are 4 piston. Likely because of the overall weight.
Although they have been flawless for me, if your issue persists I could easily understand a change to Shimano or some such.
Are your discs trued?

Wondering about the rear, so that will be checked.

DaveMatthews · Mar 27, 2026

Jeremy McCreary said:
Wondering about the rear, so that will be checked.

Good idea.
My son came over to get his wheels with new tires on today. After install I was checking the discs and the front one was a tad warped in one spot.
This sucker had that sorted...

DT-2 Rotor Truing Fork

A specially-designed tool for adjustment of bent bicycle disc brake rotors.

www.parktool.com

stompandgo · Mar 28, 2026

Has your shop rebuilt the rear caliper? I can't remember. If so, what did they find, if anything? You have some options for flat mount rear calipers. What kind of levers are on the bars?

Jeremy McCreary · Mar 28, 2026

stompandgo said:
Has your shop rebuilt the rear caliper? I can't remember. If so, what did they find, if anything?

Yes, last time around. I think he found a little "debris" inside, but parts looked intact. Replaced pads with better metallics. Better grip, a little less modulation, just like he said, but I like them.

stompandgo said:
You have some options for flat mount rear calipers. What kind of levers are on the bars?

Bike's at the shop, so can't look. Stock, whatever that is — presumably Tektro.

Official specs:

Screenshot_20260328_072833_Chrome(1).jpg

Found these old photos, if that helps.

DaveMatthews · Mar 28, 2026

No threat of rain today, and wanted to get a few clicks in so decided to try a Tour de Delta. Feeling a bit better than last weekend so waited until 1pm to catch the max temp for the day.
Headed out around 8C... rather nippy...

Around 10kms in I had to turn on the heated gloves and vest...

Deas Island park slough almost empty...

Millennium Trail...

Sign? What sign? I didn't see no sign!

As Homer would say... BORING!

OK fine then!

A million years ago I was the DJ at a friend's bachelor party here. The young lady who was providing the evening "entertainment" was upset at my choice of first song. I then found out it was because it was supposed to be her opening song as well. Oops... Oh well, DJ Dave says once it starts ya gotta let it go...

Farming area...

Looks like a pretty fancy club house for a tiny 9 hole pitch and putt...

On the way home...

Ended up cutting it a bit short at 36kms, but it did feel good to get out!

edobici_forza · Mar 28, 2026

A last minute decision to check out the local No Kings. Then visited a friend. then passed by the local Little League field

WattsUpDude · Mar 30, 2026

Another wonderful weekend.

edobici_forza · Mar 31, 2026

Rode over to Arastradero Park from my house. Had a short break at the pond. The weather cooled down, so it was a nice mellow ride. 26 miles, 1700ft only a few miles on dirt trails.

DaveMatthews · Mar 31, 2026

edobici_forza said:
Rode over to Arastradero Park from my house. Had a short break at the pond. The weather cooled down, so it was a nice mellow ride. 26 miles, 1700ft only a few miles on dirt trails.View attachment 207957 View attachment 207958

Serene...

Chargeride · Apr 1, 2026

edobici_forza said:
A last minute decision to check out the local No Kings. Then visited a friend. then passed by the local Little League fieldView attachment 207824 View attachment 207825 View attachment 207826 View attachment 207827 View attachment 207828

I fully support those banners, so Im sending some bloke over to help

.

King Charles’s state visit to US will be ‘humiliation’ amid Iran war

Visit with Camilla to go ahead in late April despite calls for delay over conflict and Trump-Starmer tensions

www.theguardian.com

edobici_forza · Apr 1, 2026

Just gray at the start, light rain in the middle, and sunny back at the start. Quick hour ride for 16mi, 1100ft.

Video: Olive tree grove at Filoli

EDIT:
My photo is the rear of the 1917s mansion, which was used for the intro and opening credits for the popular 1980s TV Show ‘Dynasty’, with Linda Evans, Joan Collins and Heather Locklear. Filoli Estate in Woodside, CA. was the fictitious setting for the estate of the Carrington family, in Denver, CO. But the majority of the show was filmed on a sound stage with recreations of the rooms in the mansion, Some footage of the house and gardens were used in the show. I did not watch the show myself. I was in High School when it began. there was a lot of landscape maintenance going on when I was there. Likely they have special Easter themed events this weekend, with lots of visitors. There is a fee for entrance to the house and gardens... I was just on the periphery.

WattsUpDude · Apr 1, 2026

edobici_forza said:
Just gray at the start, light rain in the middle, and sunny back at the start. Quick hour ride for 16mi, 1100ft.

Video: Olive tree grove at Filoli

EDIT:
My photo is the rear of the 1917s mansion, which was used for the intro and opening credits for the popular 1980s TV Show ‘Dynasty’, with Linda Evans, Joan Collins and Heather Locklear. Filoli Estate in Woodside, CA. was the fictitious setting for the estate of the Carrington family, in Denver, CO. But the majority of the show was filmed on a sound stage with recreations of the rooms in the mansion, Some footage of the house and gardens were used in the show. I did not watch the show myself. I was in High School when it began. there was a lot of landscape maintenance going on when I was there. Likely they have special Easter themed events this weekend, with lots of visitors. There is a fee for entrance to the house and gardens... I was just on the periphery.