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It was wicked hot today. My station logged 101.8° for the high temp. I saw 111 feel like temperature. I have no idea what was the high. When I finally got done mowing I came home and hit the showers. After dinner I thought I might get in a little ride. I was half way to the sidewalk South when the wind got up big time from the West. It was a cold wind and there were storm clouds on the SW horizon. I turned around and headed back towards home. I wanted to be half close when the rains hit. It continued to look threatening so I rode my in town loop over and over. Talk about boring.. sheesh. It was a safe bet that I could make a mad dash home and not get very wet if it started raining. It was getting dark when I ran across a guy pushing his bike. His back tire was flat and he said he picked up a nail. I offered him the use of my pump but he turned me down. He was almost home and thought it would be a waste of time after it went flat so fast. I know exactly how that is... I'm afraid. I almost rode up my battery before it was dark. I logged only 32 miles tonight. That's how stop and go effects the 40 mile average battery. I might have squeaked another three or four miles out if I had more daylight.
 
Today's riding conditions were similar to yesterday. The wife and I put the clean on our patio this morning and then I went riding before it got super hot. I saw Tim the trike guy and two other cyclists on my first loop. I saw a couple more riders before I had drained my battery. Only one cyclists was young. I'm guessing mid twenties. All the rest looked to be old retired gentlemen. I'm guessing the sidewalk sees regular traffic weekday mornings and I miss out because I'm mowing. I only have every other Friday morning off. I rode again after dinner. It was uncomfortably hot and I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk. I logged 92 miles between the two rides.

I know I've likely mentioned the park I ride into now and then to use the nice restrooms they have. The park has a super nice doggie park with pond and pier and three separate fenced areas. One just for small doggies. One that's big for throwing balls or frisbees. And one that has tunnels and bridges and things for the dogs to play on. The rest of the park consists of two state of the art girls softball fields. The sport has either gotten to be a huge thing for young ladies or there aren't many area facilities for them. One way or another, the two diamonds are busy every night and every weekend. The parking lot is huge and it is always packed. They are nearing completion of another two diamonds and what looks to be a huge indoor viewing and eating or some stadium thing. Nobody is allowed down there but it looks cool and I assume the two home plates back up against this stadium thing. I'm excited to see the finish product and glad such a special environment is being created for the girls. When I was a kid... the girls got to watch us boys play sports. Far from fair. We played ball with a few girls but it was unorganized back yard or pasture ball. There was one girl that was quite a bit better than most all of us guys. She didn't get to play real ball but she was damn good. It didn't seem like a big deal at the time but it has eaten at me most of my adult life. Not fair. I'm proud of my city for building the park with my tax money and thankful for the farmer that left his farm ground to the city for the project.
 
After a little overnight shower, it was a bit cooler today. I rode this morning and it was a beautiful morning for it. I rode 41 miles and was home before noon. It was just starting to get hot when I ran low on battery. My son came over this afternoon to share his recent vacation experience and have a couple of beers. They were enjoying a week around Breckenridge Co. Hiking and golf and hitting the different eateries was the itinerary but he also found a new love... down hill biking. He and his wife rented bikes and gear and did the easy trail first. They enjoyed it so they did the next harder trail. That was enough challenge for his wife. She sat out while he took on the most difficult down hill run there. It was so much fun that he did it twice. We pulled up a YT of someone riding that trail and it looked far more difficult than I would attempt. He said he had not been that challenged since his boxing days. He's ready to move there ride every trail in Colorado. :)
I rode my flat boring loops again tonight. Nothing exciting but I enjoyed it. I didn't see anyone riding tonight but I saw a number of riders and walkers this morning. I rode another 43 miles tonight.
 
It was a pretty morning and I took the opportunity to ride. I had just cut through town and was heading for the sidewalk for my third loop when I had a flat. It wasn't a nail. It looked like it might have been a segment of a snap ring. Whatever it was, it had no trouble piercing the tire, tire liner, and tube. I had three cyclists, three cars, and a police car all stop and asked if I needed help. The best part about having my flat there was one of the cyclists was Tim the trike guy. I had everything I needed to change the tire and it's a one man job but it gave an opportunity for us two old farts to visit. He's getting ready to move to Minnesota to be near his son and his grandkids. I can't blame him. Family is all a man ever really has. We exchanged phone numbers so we could stay in touch. I'll miss seeing him. I needed to get home to put my dinner on the smoker. Besides, my spare was now on the bike. Another flat and I'd be walking. I started my dinner and had a beer then went riding again to use up my morning battery. I went riding again after dinner. Between the three different rides, I logged 95 miles.
 
I had just finished mowing a couple of lawns and was getting into my truck when a cyclist blew by me just tearing it up. It was a high dollar road bike that had no E on it.
Around the corner he went and was out of sight. I had to head back to the North side of town to catch some more lawns and I caught up to the rider that was wearing a USA riding jersey and still killing it. When I passed the rider I found it was a she and not a he cyclists. That girl was flying.

I showered after mowing and the wife and I went shopping. I ate dinner a little early and went riding. I took my best battery and planned on doing a lot of riding. I was shocked that after three loops that I didn't have enough battery left for a fourth. I rode a half loop (taking a mile road that runs between the sidewalk and highway) shortcut and then rode off the rest of the battery in town. I logged 39 miles. It wasn't windy. I think the battery drain was due to pushing the bike the entire ride. Sometimes a hard and fast ride just feels good. If there was a means to accurately measure calories burned, I suspect the 39 mile ride would be nearly the same as an easy 50 mile coasting ride.

I failed to mention that I stopped at a lemonade stand yesterday. A boy, I'm guessing ten or eleven, was set up in the hot sun selling his lemonade at yester years prices. Fifty cents a glass where almost all stands have it at a dollar nowadays. I gave him five bucks anyway. It seemed to make his day.
 
I only had two large lawns and three small ones to mow today. I started out early to beat the heat and went riding afterwards. I only saw one cyclists on the sidewalk but I was early enough to see some riding in town. I went riding again after dinner. It had cooled off some which made for a really beautiful evening to be riding. I didn't see any other riders but I did see a couple of joggers.

My first ride I rode with the original battery that came with the bike. I was riding my normal pace and managed to log 38 miles. My evening ride was with the battery I bought with the money I got when I sold my 2019 bike to my buddy. I logged 47 miles on that battery. They are the oldest batteries with the most charging cycles.
They both have degraded over time and use. I think it's outstanding that they still are serving me well. The original has seen the most use and the second has less, but between the two, they pushed that bike 23,000 miles.
 
I got in two rides again today. It was just plain hot this afternoon but it was was a nice evening to ride. I saw a couple of riders on the sidewalk my early ride but only a lone jogger on my evening ride. They picked the wrong time of day to be out. I logged 86 miles between the two rides.
While I was going from one lawn to another this morning I saw a group of riders. It was a mom and pop on a bicycle for two and three stair step kids. They looked to be having fun. It was fun seeing the family group biking.
I waited on a preschooler riding a three wheel e-trike thing on the sidewalk in front of the house I was going to mow. I just tried to google up the toy but I couldn't find it.
He rode it to the next drive, slid to a stop while doing a 180 and then came back up the sidewalk and on his merry way. No pedals... just pegs for the feet. The kids today are growing up with no intentions of exerting effort to go somewhere. As I mowed the rest of my lawns I thought about that. I see a lot of people walking their little ones in strollers. Why not an e-stroller? I googled it up when I got home and sure enough, there are a number of brands and models to be had. All were assist and could be placed in a rocking mode etc. I was thinking about a stroller that had a platform behind that the mom or pop pushing would stand on. Instead of pushing, they were driving. I didn't see any on the net that resembled my concept stroller but mark my words... it will be a thing. When the youth of today become adults, they will demand such a vehicle. Maybe the stroller could be one of many attachments to the power plant. Shopping cart comes to mind. Utility cart.. They won't be walking unless it is to get onto their PEC (personal e cruiser) :)
 
I mowed my lawns today and then mowed my cabin property. It was late afternoon when got home so I fixed dinner and then went riding. I saw a couple of bike and a trike on the sidewalk. The trike was being ridden by an elderly woman. It wasn't the gal that I often see. Here trike wasn't electric and she was really working at riding. Good on her. I logged 48 miles and called it a night.

Three more days of riding will complete my third year riding my RipCurrent S. The first year I averaged riding 15 miles a day. The average was skewed because I had a heart attack and wasn't cleared to ride again for three months. The second year I averaged riding 29.5 miles per day. I'm anxious to see how this year stacks up. At a glance, I should exceed previous years averages. I'll put a pencil to it after riding the 19th.
 
It was kind of a weird day riding. I managed to ride 18 miles this morning and got home without getting drenched. The sidewalk South was wet and had water pooled in places. It sprinkled just a bit on me but I was basically behind the shower. I made my first loop and was heading South again when I could see dark rain clouds to the South. I decided to head home. When I got into my neighborhood the water was running down the street from another shower that I just missed. I decided I would just ride around in town but as I got close to home it started raining. I rode on home and put the bike up. The rain lasted no time at all so I went riding again. I drained the battery and came home. We had an early dinner date with my son and his wife so I called it a day. I had time after dinner to get in a quick ride. I was passing through town to make a third and final loop when I felt the back tire was low on air. I stopped and aired it up. It took air so it was a slow leak. I decided it was best to get home and not flirt with a flat that had to be fixed in what would soon be darkness. I'll have to fix the flat before I ride tomorrow. I logged 83 miles between the three crazy rides today.
 
I fixed my flat to start my biking day. I put the military-grade tube I last purchased in the tire with some effort. I'm guessing it will go flat with a nail as easily as a regular tube. The tube is easily twice and perhaps more thicker and heavier than a normal heavy duty tube. So heavy in fact that it was hard to cram it in the tire and its weight effected my mileage. When it goes flat it will be history. Live and learn...
While I had the brake levers loose so I could turn the bike upside down without scratching them up, I adjusted the lever pull. There is a tiny screw that adjusts the levers in and out. I moved them out some so they didn't bottom out against the handlebar. I like where I have them set now. They lack about a half inch of touching the handlebar when they are tightly pinching the rotor.
I rode three times today. I only had a couple of home projects to do so I knocked them out and rode my bike. I did see a few cyclists early on, but as it got into the high nineties with feel like triple digit temps, they disappeared. I will likely cook out something tomorrow that will cut into my riding time so I kept right on riding today.
I logged 120 miles today and used up three batteries. There was a South wind today so I'm not certain just how much the new larger that life tube cut into my mileage. I doubt whatever it's costing is all for not. The nail that I picked up last night would have punctured the military-grade tube without slowing down.
There is what appears to be a small creek or low area that is heavily populated with wild sumac along the side of the sidewalk. Yesterday I saw to young deer entering the area from the field beyond. Today I thought I saw another and stopped. I got my phone out and walked down the steep embankment but before I reached the sumac it took off. It was into the heavy sumac and out of sight in an instant. What I'm seeing has to be just old enough to be out on their own. I'll keep an eye out and try to get some pictures.
 
(failed to post yesterday)

I got in a couple of rides today. The early ride was a test of the new mega tube draining factor. I replicated my #2 assist ride with limited throttle with my next to my best battery. That original test ride I was able to get 55 miles out of the battery. Today's test was with my best battery, similar weather, using limited throttle, and #2 assist. I got 51 miles when I anticipated 60. That's the mileage toll of the heavy tube.
There were a few riders out this morning. I saw Tim the trike guy this morning. There were a few joggers and walkers as well. I rode again this afternoon and had the place to myself. Between the two rides I logged 90 miles.
As I mentioned, today was the last day of my third year. Tomorrow marks the beginning of year four. The first year I averaged 15 miles per day. Considering I wasn't cleared to ride for almost three months following my heart attack, that's not bad. The second year I averaged 29.5 miles per day. This last year I had multiple days that my bike was broke. Fortunately, I didn't miss too many days riding because I had purchased the Napune Aquila. With the combined miles that I logged on the RCS and the Aquila I averaged 35.5 miles per day. I doubt that I can exceed that many miles next year. It's not a matter of getting lazy, it's a matter of time. Thirteen thousand miles at an average speed of twenty miles per hour equates to 650 hours riding. That's over eighty one eight hour days riding.
 
It was very hot today but it is to be even hotter tomorrow. With that in mind, I decided to ride this afternoon and then again after dinner. It might be too hot to ride tomorrow.
When I came in from riding this afternoon, my station had the temp at 101° and the feel like temp at 112°. There wasn't anyone else out riding. I did see a jogger... he was walking at the time I met him but I saw him running as I approached him. I saw nobody tonight. The temperature had dropped back into the nineties and it wasn't quite so miserable riding. I logged 65 miles today.
They are getting close to finishing the construction on the road that I normally take to cut through town between loops. A small creek that the city made into a concrete spillway passed under the road and I guess it was failing. They dug it up and have replaced the concrete culverts that run under the road. They recently back filled it and today they poured the new gutters on the road. I suspect to see it repaved very soon. I'll be glad to see it completed. It is the best expressway through that part of town and it has been closed for weeks.
 
I did post about taking BBS, (the Harley) to the shop ?

It is fixed, got it back right before all this heart stuff went South.

I have a new front tire for it and need to pull the front wheel off and take um to the shop for changing. I was forbidden from going into the garage for a month, now, I have been given the ok to go back to having a real life.

It has been too hot, by the time I get around to it, I need to get out there about daylight, before it hits the danger zone for hot !
 
I went riding this afternoon. It was too hot to enjoy riding but I needed the exercise. I didn't share my time riding with anybody. In fact, I pulled into the park to use the restroom and there wasn't even anybody at the dog park. It is supposed to be around ten degrees cooler tomorrow and Friday and then get crazy hot. I best get some quality riding in while the temperature is down. I logged 36 miles today and that was plenty.

It's funny that just last night I mentioned that they had poured the gutters and looked to be nearing paving the road I use to cut through town. They did pave it today. They just laid one layer and it looks to need another to be even with the old road and the bottom of the gutters. I bet they put the second layer on it tomorrow. They also need to replace the sidewalk that they also excavated to install the new concrete culverts. It won't be long before the barricades are removed and traffic can resume using the road.
 
It was cooler today though muggy. I rode this afternoon and again after dinner. I logged 79 miles. I saw a few riders in town but nobody on the sidewalk my early ride.
I met two young ladies who were riding together close to the park this evening. It was very nice out this evening and I expected to see a few more riders.
 
ozonetrooper said:
Dude !

That is almost a round trip to Houston and back from here.
Click to expand...
I like to ride. That's why I put over 27K on my bike in three years.

It was cooler today and there came a little shower early this morning. I waited for the water to get off of the grass before I went mowing. I had plenty to mow so it was fairly late in the afternoon when I was through. I fixed dinner a bit early and then went riding. It was a nice evening and I did see a couple of joggers and a couple of walkers.
I guess it was just too nice for the bike riders. I logged 42 miles and enjoyed each of them.

I noticed they are making progress on the road I use to cut through town. They poured the sidewalk today. I suspect it will get a railing. The road passes a grade school. I should remember if there was one there in the past. I've only been riding over that stretch of road daily for three years :) They still need to put the final surface on the road. School starts in three weeks. I know it will be done before then.
 
It rained a bit again this morning. Less than a tenth of an inch fell here and everything stayed wet most of the morning because of the high humidity. I put on my riding gear and planned on draining two batteries before dinner and then watching my local universities alum compete in The Basketball Tournament tonight.
I was still in town and heading South when my buddy that bought my first bike called. He fixed a flat and couldn't figure out how to correctly get the back wheel back on the bike. He loaded it up and brought it to the olbriar bike shop and we put it together as it should be. Then, as good buddies will do when given the opportunity, we came into the cool office and drank cold beers. I went riding just as soon as he left and then ate dinner late. I rode again after dinner and got home in time to see the second half of the second basketball game. I logged 66 miles. I didn't get to ride as much as I had intended and I missed a game and a half of basketball. I enjoyed my time with my good friend. Time well spent.
 
OK then, made it to the Harley Shop this morning and hung out while they changed it. It was almost noon when I got home and way too hot to deal with it.

I will get out there early in the morning and put it back on and then see if it not too hot to ride it !

Supposed to be triple digit weather all next week ! ! !

Here yah go Mike, a free plug just like I promised you : (glad I got to see him - he is starting a 2 week vacation on Monday)

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I went riding this morning and was home by one. I rode slow and in #2 assist and managed 50 miles out of my best battery with the larger than life military grade tube. That tube is just a battery hog that I'll not be upset when it has a flat. Unless I get thousands of miles without a flat, it will be history and not be mounted again.

It was brutally hot today. My weather station almost always registers the correct temp and humidity but the feel like temperatures are a couple of degrees high. I have yet to figure out why or I could add or subtract a bit of the variable to make it a bit more accurate. Anyway, It had the temp at 101° and the feel like temp at 119° when I went riding after dinner. Google says the high index was 115°. All I know for certain is that it was very hot. It was the first time that I had to stop and mop the sweat from my forehead to keep it out of my eyes while riding. Between the two rides I logged 80 miles and saw nobody on the sidewalk South.
 
I rode again this morning. It was hot by the time I ran a battery down. Just like yesterday, it became ridiculously hot. I watched baseball and planned to ride after dinner. It just kept getting hotter. My wife insisted that I stay home this evening. I do a heart stress test tomorrow at eight. I finally agreed. At the time I was wanting to ride, it was 104° with no wind. It did seem a bit stupid to try riding in that sort of weather. It's 100° now at seven twenty pm. It's crazy dangerous weather. I rode 45 miles this morning. I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk.
 
I was left unsupervised so I went riding tonight. I only rode 31 miles but it was not a night for a marathon. My station had the temp at 104.9° when I left. It had cooled down from 105.6° :) It really was hot. Too hot really. I saw one jogger on the sidewalk. I see this guy often. He runs like the devil is on his heels. I admire his effort and his desire to attack in weather like today. I can't imagine how much he had to rehydrate. My bike jersey was soaked and when I stopped riding the sweat just ran off of me. He was working harder than I was.

They finished paving the road I take through town today. They still have it blocked off for traffic but I became a blockade runner. It's plenty easy to go between or around with a bike when they set up barricades to keep auto traffic from passing.
I don't know why it is still blocked off. It sure is nice and a lot safer to take that road.
 
I rode twice today. It was plenty hot but a couple of degrees cooler than yesterday and there was a bit of a South wind. It seemed cooler. I didn't see anyone this afternoon but I did pass an elderly man on a traditional bike this evening. We were in the North end of the town South when I rode up behind him. He was pretty much all over the sidewalk and I just coasted behind him until we crossed the bridge over the railroad tracks then I passed him. It was funny watching him ride. He was trying, without luck, to find a comfortable position to sit on his bike seat. I've been there and done that millions of times. I logged 70 miles today.

The barricades were removed from my expressway through town. I think they are pretty much done. The road and sidewalk are complete and they have laid some sort of new grass netting or something on the dirt on both sides of the sidewalk. I guessed they would be done prior to school starting. It looks like they have pulled it off.
 
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