Category: Events

Yesterday I rode on my bicycle from Polevskoy to Yekaterinburg, then to Sredneuralsk on the shore of Iset lake and back home. There should have been performed bicycles tour with participation of many persons, but organizer of event was not able to participate in it due to technical reasons and we did not organized ourselves with other participants ahead of time ( this is the lesson to learn for next events ). At the morning ride from Polevskoy to Yekaterinburg was a pleasure itself : Sun was shining, dirt froze and road were dry; also, transport traffic at 9 – 10 a.m. is not so strong here. I rode to Ceramics station ( 40 km ) almost in the same time, as previous time : in 1 hour 50 minutes. Then I rode some circles in the city between bicycles shops Sportek, Velkom and Service Multi ( I’ll advertise them for a little : these are one of the best bicycles shops in Yekaterinburg ). I made some technical service of my bike at Service Multi and headed to Sredneuralsk.

Sun shined even more on the streets, temperature raised above 0 degrees on Celsius and dirt started to unfreeze, but Serov highway is relatively clean and this did not caused any difficulties. By the way : it is very wide and roadside there is asphalted, so it is quite convenient to ride on the bicycle there. All in all, way to Sredneuralsk went on without problems : speed and freedom are the best feelings, ever. Near the city cold wind started to blow, proximity of lake felt there. Through the city almost direct road leads to its western part, only near lake there is need to turn to the south to go past plant. There is beautiful city area located on the shore of lake ( new living buildings should be insulated very well there, otherwise, despite beautiful view, there will be very cold under such wind or there will be high costs for heating them ). People walked on the shore, somebody trained themselves and made evening runs; only 1 small motor boat rode on the surface of water in this before-winter day. I made some photos and looked on these beautiful views and headed back to not stay under cold wind for too long.

Snowfall and winter started above Serov highway, views are great, but there is need to be cautious, because road side is hardly noticeable under new snow, bicycle loses control on its edge and there is possibility to fall down. Which I made, then stood up, cleaned myself from snow and headed further to city. In all other respects way to Yekaterinburg went without problems. There is wholesale base at the entrance of the city, I wanted to buy some bananas in it, but at that time fruits shop was closed. Then I rode to the center of the city, there was ability to ride around city and save time on traffic and traffic lights, but I did not wanted to refuse myself in the pleasure to ride at the evening city with the street lights and buildings backlight, this time and city has some magic, in which I feel myself very calm and balanced and rest with my soul. Road through the city went without problems, only bike was covered with wet snow.

At the edge of Yekaterinburg and closer to Mountain Shield village temperature abruptly went down from +1 – 0 degrees on Celsius to -2 – -5 degrees, it seems, that city produces lots of heat, which heats atmosphere, also, stars started to shine in the sky and heat, that was no longer held by clouds, went up and temperature by itself goes down closer to night. All wet snow froze, front shifter stopped to switch on the first gear from the second, initially it did not wanted to do so in the third gear respect, but I persuaded and moved back and forth it in Kurganovo village; back shifter worked only on 3, 4 and 5 gear; also, crust of ice formed under wings and on the frame. Two streams of fresh snow flew from under frontal wing and turned back; at the evening Polevskoy highway periodically is free from traffic and there is ability to ride alone with yourself for some time, but cars moved nearby periodically in caravans or alone. Sometimes black machines silhouettes in the glow of long distance lights of the cars, that move from the front, appeared.

On the entrance into Polevskoy I rotated pedals up to my home. I froze, but was dry, so in some respect it was easier, than in previous time, and I received my portion of pleasure. Next times I’ll dress my self warmer, lower part is not purged, but arms near elbows are cooled very much. I sent messages to other tour members, that lost me, and said that everything is good. Placed my bike in the bathroom, so that melting ice would not flood floor. Ate food and went down to sleep. At winter time and up to next Spring I’ll ride only at distances below 100 km, so that I’ll not freeze and to not force others to worry about me. Just only competitions in Upper Ufaley ( if they will be held ), Shunuth mountain and maybe other above 100 km, and for the next times until next Spring only distances below one hundred kilometers. See ya on the next bicycles event!

You can see rest of photos here.

Yesterday small bicycles ride in direction to Krasniy village near Yekaterinburg was held on. At morning there was no rain and there was hope for dry day. Start was located near Carnival trade center in Yekaterinburg, I rode to it from Polevskoy. Wherein, for the first time I rode to Yekaterinburg in less than 2 hours : at 9:20 a.m. I went from home and at 11:11 I made a phone call to other tour participants from Ceramics station in Yekaterinburg, distance between these points is 40 km. Most of the way to city it was dry and ride was a pleasure itself, but on the entrance into Yekaterinburg it started to rain and there was hope, that it will be weak. On the start point I met and became acquainted with other adventurers, we talked for a while and hit the road.

We rode near railway and made small stops, on which Dmitriy ( on the left side of upper photo ) told to us story of this railway. 10 years ago it was used also for passengers transportation, but now only different technical tasks are performed on it. On the way rain amplified to downpour and puddles started to form on the road, after riding through which shoes and pants became wet. Despite the weather it is beautiful in these places : there are birch forest to the sides of railway and Shuvakish lake, that can be seen between trees. After around 10 km of a way, we decided, that riding under heavy rainfall with +4 – +6 degrees temperature is not very interesting and on one of the road turns we navigated to Yekaterinburg; after small ride on the unpaved suburbs roads we set our wheels on the asphalt road and headed in the direction of the start point. In some areas road looked like river stream and there was need to wade through it with 1/3 of wheels in water and with shoes going into it with pedals, but that had no matter anymore, because our clothes and shoes was already wet. Near the start point we asked woman, that walked near us, to make “after ride” photo; then said good by to each other, other adventurers went to warm and dry off themselves, I navigated in the south direction to Polevskoy highway. On the way to it rain weakened, but on the whole ride to Polevskoy it went to downpour again; heavy cars left water dust walls after them, at some places cars made shower from the puddles to me, bit this had no matter anymore, because clothes drenched already. I rode to home not so fast and way took 2 – 3 hours. On the entrance to Polevskoy I was wet, froze, hungry, with my strengths left in the adventure and satisfied with the ride of that day; 2 or 3 times I even went to near sleep state, but quickly activated myself and drove myself to conscious state. All in all it was great ride : for a long time I had no such pleasures from activations of myself and movements of the body, mind and soul into survival and difficulties overcoming mode. At home I hardly unbuttoned my wet clothes with frozen hands and hung them out to dry, washed myself, warmed up and ate food, but pleasure remained. See you on the next bicycles ride!

At Sunday 20th September bicycles ride to Azov mountain near Polevskoy was held on. Main group of riders moved to Polevskoy from Yekaterinburg and went on the Polevskoy highway. I met them at the entrance into city; we bought food in nearby supermarket and then navigated to Azov. I know way to it, so I moved ahead and showed road to the rest of group. On the way there was breakage with bicycle of one of participants; we quickly fixed it and moved to Zyuzelka village. Road from it to Azov goes up and often there are winds from West ( they blow in the face ); because of this bikers with big body mass exhausted on it very much. After 3.3 km from Zuzelka village there is ground road, which goes from it to the North and to the hill itself; it is easy to recognize it, because there are posters with information.

Uphill into Azov itself is not hard, most difficult part is boulders, trees roots and puddles with mud. On the way there Small Azov rocks located ( they are smaller than Big Azov rocks, as it follows from their name, but they are also interesting to view on ). At the roots of Big Azov rocks viewing platforms are located, from which great view on the Polevskoy and its surroundings opens : there is even ability to see Poldnevaya village and hills, that are located near it. On one of the rocks of Big Azov there is fenced area, from which magnificent view opens in almost 360 degrees around, for example : in the West direction there is ability to see Shunut mountain on the horizon. We ate some food and talked on different topics for some time at the rocks roots and at around 5 o’clock moved in return trip. Downhill from Azov is breathtaking and with good bicycle fork it is worth it, but there is need to note, that it is better to not repeat such rides without bicycles helmet and experience in cross-country rides, because there are lots of rocks, tree roots and puddles with mud on the way. After downhill we waited for rest of group; most of participants headed their way back to home to Yekaterinburg. I moved in the direction of Big Lavrovka village to explore way to Shunut hill. Approximately after 6 km from Azov hill good asphalt road ends and wet clay road begins; movement on this type of road takes lots of energy and time, so we will move to Shunut mountain at the middle of October, when at night time there will be negative temperatures and clay will freeze, so that there will be ability to move on it on the bicycles. See you on the next bicycles event!

You can see rest of photos here.

Yesterday I rode into little bicycle trip into Chelyabinsk prairie. I headed to Upper Ufaley through Poldnevaya and Cheremshanka villages. It was +8 degrees on Celsius at the morning, Sun was shining and there were no wind, so it was nice to ride without overheating. On the road to Poldnevaya village foresters burned trees branches and there was pleasant smell of wooden fireplace above the road. At the beginning of day it became warmer and ride felt almost like at Summer. Trip from Poldnevaya village to border of Sverdlovsk and Chelyabinsk regions is very pleasant, because of highway with very good asphalt coverage. But later and to the Cheremshanka village : hard ride goes on, because there are long slopes to Itkul lake and lots of bumps in the road with the ability to ride into them on high speed, which lead to the flying above bicycle handlebar. On the road I met 2 bicycle riders and after 10 km another one, I greet them and they answered to me the same.

Most of the road to Cheremshanka village I rode without problems, but closer to it on one of the slopes I punched through my tire camera on one of the stones. I stopped and replaced camera ( there is need to note, that one car stopped and offered to me help, I gave my thank to driver, but refused his offer, because I already handled situation by myself ). To not to play with the fate without replacement camera and to not go back on my feet to my home 100 km, if camera will be punched again, I rode slightly ahead, climbed hill near Cheremshanka, ate my lunch and moved back to home. I rode back not so fast to keep my tires safe, and road to Polevskoy was without problems. On the way back I met the same two riders : it is pleasant to met them again, we greet each other and continued our ways to our homes. Next : calming ride after sunset on the highway, that is lit by street lights, was went on. At home I ate my dinner, made slight repairs and adjustments to bike and went to sleep. I rode 130 km and made following conclusions for my next rides : there is need to take with me 2 replacement cameras and cameras repair kit, so that there will be no need to turn back on the 2 / 3 of a way. Now : see you on the next bicycle event, I’ll prepare to it much better, so that there will be no need to turn back on the most interesting part of a story.

You can see rest of photos here.

At this Saturday there was bicycles tour to “Talc Stone” lake. Main group, that consisted from 7 persons, headed to it from Yekaterinburg and rode via Aramil highway. I rode from Polevskoy and moved through Kosoy Brod village, according to Google Maps there should be good road to Sisert after it, but it is just painted and there is need to move through the fields from one road to other. So, I missed it and moved to Mramorskoe village; from there I headed to Sisert through wild lands and roads full of dirt and water. After 30 km forest ride I came to asphalt road to Sisert and moved to city on it. There I learned a way to “Talc Stone” lake and navigated to it. There I met rest of group, they came to lake 1 hour before me and already prepared to go home. We talked for a while and drank some tea and said goodbye to each other. I stayed there for one hour, looked at the nature and made some photos and videos.

I decided to move back on asphalt road. To Asbest village and around 4 km after it road is very good; then there are 3 – 4 km of sandy and stony road; then there are 4 – 6 km of dirt to Kosoy Brod village. When I approached it, it was already dark, but prints of protectors of cars and bicycles was still visible on the road. Ahead there were sounds of : train, dogs barking and motors of different machines. After small downhill I came into village and reached asphalt highway. There was full Moon on the East and on the high speed on the good road bicycle freed itself from the mud. After 6 – 8 km from village I came to home, ate dinner and went to sleep. There are new adventures ahead!

You can see rest of photos here.

At this Sunday there was bicycles tour to Old Lens quarry, which is located near Yekaterinburg. I rode to it from Polevskoy and met with rest of group at Sisert train station. 8 persons participated in it. Quarry is located near Shabrovskiy village and road to it from Polevskoy highway takes around 20 minutes. While moving inside and outside of quarry there is need to carry bicycle on hands and move on on wooden stairs cases. Quarry is often visited by tourists on weekend days.

On Old Lens quarry previously talcum was extracted; first mining started in XIX century and industrial mining started in 1931 year. This quarry was one of the biggest in Soviet Union. It was closed in 1974 year due to new mining techniques, which were adopted, and now only water is pumped out from quarry. Its depth is 100 m and width and length are 250 and 400 m, accordingly. After quarry we moved back to Polevskoy highway; I separated there from group and moved to my home.

You can see other photos here.

At this Sunday ( 16th August ) there was bicycles tour to “Sands” and “Draga” near Yekaterinburg. Around 16 people participated in it. Road to “Sands” went on the shore of Shartash lake, then through the forests trails and roads of small villages. “Sans” is the place, where nearby plant stores waste rock after taking minerals from it. After small rest we rode around this storage and few people separated from group, they went back to Yekaterinburg.

Next our way was laid on forests trails ( some of which had lots of dirt ) and highways, which allowed to ride with high speed on them. We wanted to visit nearby dam on our way to “Draga”, but missed on high speed small road, which turns to it from highway. Road to “Draga” laid near small half boggy river and there were lots of flooded areas, on which dirt flew in the air from wheels of bikes. “Draga” itself is located in wetland area and is a giant machine, that takes soil mass inside, recycles it, takes useful minerals and throws out unused soil mass. Near it we made small halt and some photos and then rode into way back, which after wetland laid on highway to Berezovskiy city. Near it some people started to separate from group : I rode to Polevskoy throug Berezovskiy and Yekaterinburg ( there was ability to turn to highway around Yekaterinburg, so that there would be no need to waste time on traffic lights and traffic itself, next time I’ll do exactly this way ) and rode additional 40 km after Yekaterinburg to my city of living. Overall bicycles tour was interesting and left lots of positive impressions. After 2 weeks from now weather should be less rainy and more warm and after competitions there will be ability to go into next bicycles adventure.