Safe travels my friend.
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E-Bikes
- Thread starter olbriar
- Start date
It was a bit cooler today but there was zero wind and the humidity was crazy high. I had melt down while mowing. It was just miserable. I finished my lawns and pulled the starter off of one of my mowers. A replacement is to be delivered tomorrow AM. I ate early and went riding. There was a basketball game on that I wanted to catch the last of. I rode three loops and came home. I logged 36 miles. If I had known that the team I wanted to win was getting stomped, I would have ridden longer.
The state appears to be preparing to mow the ditches along my return on the state highway. Most of the way they have mowed one strip with a 3' mower beside the road siding. That cleans up the grass around the guard railings and traffic signs. I suspect the big tractor pulled mowers will be busy mowing tomorrow. It always amazes me when they mow along the road of how much trash was hidden by the tall grass.
Speaking of tall grass, the fields that have been let go have been cut and the prairie hay turned into round bales. They cut the field where the large turtle I use to see today. I haven't see the turtle since they cut the hay this time last year. He might have moved on after his habitat was destroyed or he might have ended up in a round bale.
The state appears to be preparing to mow the ditches along my return on the state highway. Most of the way they have mowed one strip with a 3' mower beside the road siding. That cleans up the grass around the guard railings and traffic signs. I suspect the big tractor pulled mowers will be busy mowing tomorrow. It always amazes me when they mow along the road of how much trash was hidden by the tall grass.
Speaking of tall grass, the fields that have been let go have been cut and the prairie hay turned into round bales. They cut the field where the large turtle I use to see today. I haven't see the turtle since they cut the hay this time last year. He might have moved on after his habitat was destroyed or he might have ended up in a round bale.
Next time while riding, check the scores on your phone to see if worthwhile getting home quicker, or better yet, record it and check it out when you get home. LOL Nothing worst then getting let down after doing something pleasurable.
The basketball game was Kansas alumni mostly made up team playing in a winner takes all $2,000,000 tournament. Last year, the Wichita State alumni won The Basketball Tourney. This year, Kansas beat Wichita and then lost last night. It's sort of fun to watch the grad players that aren't still playing professionally, playing again. Not fun enough to miss riding. That's why I was riding and then coming home in time to watch the very last of the game.Next time while riding, check the scores on your phone to see if worthwhile getting home quicker, or better yet, record it and check it out when you get home. LOL Nothing worst then getting let down after doing something pleasurable.
I had a busy day but managed a couple of rides. I installed a new starter on my Toro Grandstand mower and then went mowing. When I had my lawns mowed I came home, mowed mine, had a beer, and then went to the cabin and mowed that property. When I got back home I drained a battery riding 36 miles. I ate dinner and went riding again. I rode another 30 miles and called it day. I ran out of daylight before I ran out of battery. There was just a bit of traffic on the sidewalk South. I met a kid on an e-bike. He wasn't pedaling so I'm not sure what the purpose of the ride was. I met another rider on a traditional bike later. I don't think he was acclimated to the hot and humid for he looked used up and was dripping sweat. I saw three walkers tonight. At least I wasn't alone for a change.
I finished my coffee this morning and then went riding before it became miserably hot. I rode 43 miles and was home just about noon. It was in the upper nineties after dinner when I went out to ride again. I found my back tire was low and I found the culprit bent over in my tire. I put on my street clothes and pulled the rear wheel off of the bike and brought it in to change out the tube. I was very happy to rid my bike of that heavy tube and super happy that I was able to tackle changing it out at home. It is nearly impossible to break the tire off of the wheel and to remount it. It's like the tire is just a little bit smaller in circumference than it should be. It is the factory tire and it came mounted on the new wheel when I bought it. It fits but man it's a struggle to get to the tube. And then the tube problem. It was a purchase I'll not make again. It is a heavy duty military grade tube. It is nearly impossible to stuff it in the tire and it proved just as difficult to remove. Besides the fact that it became impaled just like a regular tube, it is a battery hog to spin that heavy tube. I patched the tube and will save it with hopes that I never have to use it again. The flat repair ate up some of my riding time but I did get to ride finally. I rode another 33 miles before darkness drove me home. It was cooling down my last loop or so and I hated to quit riding with comfortable temps.
I'm looking forward to riding today. I'm waiting for it to warm up. 
Seriously, I planned on riding early today, but I find it is only in the sixties and would feel cold riding. I could easily dress to accommodate the temperature but I don't want to try to lug it around after it warms up... which I'm sure it will.
I ordered some new pedals last night. I think it's amazing that the old pedals are still perfectly functional. Considering I'm always pedaling, the amount of revolutions they have made without wearing out blows my mind. The problem I'm having is they were made with a series of bumps on each side to create a non-skid surface. I've pedaled so much that those bumps are worn down to the point that my feet slip some. The right pedal is worse than the left. I must fidget my right foot or something. I'm betting I hate the new pedals and I've put off ordering them for that fear.
Seriously, I planned on riding early today, but I find it is only in the sixties and would feel cold riding. I could easily dress to accommodate the temperature but I don't want to try to lug it around after it warms up... which I'm sure it will. I ordered some new pedals last night. I think it's amazing that the old pedals are still perfectly functional. Considering I'm always pedaling, the amount of revolutions they have made without wearing out blows my mind. The problem I'm having is they were made with a series of bumps on each side to create a non-skid surface. I've pedaled so much that those bumps are worn down to the point that my feet slip some. The right pedal is worse than the left. I must fidget my right foot or something. I'm betting I hate the new pedals and I've put off ordering them for that fear.
I finally went riding around nine thirty. It was still cool with the cycling wind. It was getting windy as well and it was from the North and cool. Riding into the wind was chilly my first loop. I only logged 34 miles because of the wind.
It was fun riding this morning. I saw at least a half dozen cyclists on the Sidewalk and a lot of people riding around in town. I'm guessing I saw more trikes today than any other day I was riding. They weren't all e-trikes but most were. I had three cross my path while riding my cool down loop in town. They were too far in front of me to guess an age but they were traveling together and on e-trikes.
I rode again after dinner. The wind was still out of the North but wasn't gale force. It had cooled back down after the afternoon low nineties and was a really nice evening to be riding. I didn't see any riders tonight. There were some couples walking and a couple of young ladies pushing baby carriages and that's it.
I was able to squeak out 43 miles on my next to best battery tonight. I rode a bit slower and the wind wasn't brutal. The military lead tube removal makes a huge difference. Today I picked up an almost full roll of black duct tape and a bungee cord. I see a lot of bungee cords but they rarely have both ends.
The duct tape was a new item. I have some but another roll is okay by me.
It was fun riding this morning. I saw at least a half dozen cyclists on the Sidewalk and a lot of people riding around in town. I'm guessing I saw more trikes today than any other day I was riding. They weren't all e-trikes but most were. I had three cross my path while riding my cool down loop in town. They were too far in front of me to guess an age but they were traveling together and on e-trikes.
I rode again after dinner. The wind was still out of the North but wasn't gale force. It had cooled back down after the afternoon low nineties and was a really nice evening to be riding. I didn't see any riders tonight. There were some couples walking and a couple of young ladies pushing baby carriages and that's it.
I was able to squeak out 43 miles on my next to best battery tonight. I rode a bit slower and the wind wasn't brutal. The military lead tube removal makes a huge difference. Today I picked up an almost full roll of black duct tape and a bungee cord. I see a lot of bungee cords but they rarely have both ends.
The duct tape was a new item. I have some but another roll is okay by me.
I was out and about early this morning getting my pork shoulder on the smoker. I had my coffee and went riding. It was a pretty morning and I wasn't the only one grabbing a bit of the sunshine. I came home when I was low on battery and had a brew and relaxed a bit and then went riding again. The new pedals I had ordered were delivered just before dinner so I removed the old and installed the new. After dinner I went riding again. It was a pleasant evening for another ride. I logged 116 miles today.
This morning there were a lot of people out enjoying the weather. I not only saw walkers, joggers, and bikers on the sidewalk South, I saw three cyclists on the highway siding. One was my buddy Tim the trike guy. The other two were on conventional bikes. I saw them at different times and all three were heading South while I was heading North.
I like my new pedals. I should have replaced the original pedals a few thousand miles earlier. I forgot how it feels to have a positive acquisition of the pedal with the foot. My feet could exert pedal pressure farther through the crank revolution. Back in the stone age when I rode my Iguana, I replaced the original pedals with clipless pedals and matching shoes. The shoe actually hooks to the peg like pedal and the rider has to rotate his foot outward to unlock the shoe from the bike. It's amazing how much a rider gains by have a bit of upstroke with the off foot while the other foot is doing the traditional downstroke. It's difficult to train the brain to quickly react correctly to free a foot or both feet. The automatic reaction is to throw a foot out in an emergency which will just toss you and the bike in the dirt. City riding is more than a bit awkward. I would go clipless again if I was exclusively doing road work. As is, the new pedals are a great compromise. They will tear up a shin sooner or later but I love the grippiness they provide.
This morning there were a lot of people out enjoying the weather. I not only saw walkers, joggers, and bikers on the sidewalk South, I saw three cyclists on the highway siding. One was my buddy Tim the trike guy. The other two were on conventional bikes. I saw them at different times and all three were heading South while I was heading North.
I like my new pedals. I should have replaced the original pedals a few thousand miles earlier. I forgot how it feels to have a positive acquisition of the pedal with the foot. My feet could exert pedal pressure farther through the crank revolution. Back in the stone age when I rode my Iguana, I replaced the original pedals with clipless pedals and matching shoes. The shoe actually hooks to the peg like pedal and the rider has to rotate his foot outward to unlock the shoe from the bike. It's amazing how much a rider gains by have a bit of upstroke with the off foot while the other foot is doing the traditional downstroke. It's difficult to train the brain to quickly react correctly to free a foot or both feet. The automatic reaction is to throw a foot out in an emergency which will just toss you and the bike in the dirt. City riding is more than a bit awkward. I would go clipless again if I was exclusively doing road work. As is, the new pedals are a great compromise. They will tear up a shin sooner or later but I love the grippiness they provide.
I had a medical test this morning and then came home and mowed. By that time it was pretty hot. I went riding and logged 41 miles. As I guessed, the highway mow boys had mowed the North bound ditch between the two towns. I couldn't tell if they had mowed the Southbound area between the highway and the railroad tracks that run parallel. Their work is far from leaving a groomed look but I must say it's a vast improvement having it knocked down. I went riding again after dinner and logged 43 more miles. I passed the 28K milestone this afternoon.
I encountered a problem while riding tonight. I was riding with my second best battery and as I stated, I managed 43 miles out of it. I was in town and doing my cool down and finish draining my battery ritual when my bike shut off. I had just looked at the display and the battery was at 20%. I have the software set to throttle down my assistance at that point. I know it's time to head home by the lack of assistance and I was doing just that. I likely rode two blocks from that point when the bike simply shut off. I checked the battery and it was dead. I couldn't get it to light up the display. I had to ride about a half mile with one old man power. It is doable but certainly no fun. Bike plus battery weigh close to 90 pounds. I checked the bike with a fully charged battery when I got home and the bike seemed fine. I have the battery on the charger now and it appears to be taking a charge. I don't know if the battery was at fault or the controller was in error reporting the amount of remaining charge.
What I do know is riding with no assist sucks and my confidence in the #2 battery has dropped considerably.
I encountered a problem while riding tonight. I was riding with my second best battery and as I stated, I managed 43 miles out of it. I was in town and doing my cool down and finish draining my battery ritual when my bike shut off. I had just looked at the display and the battery was at 20%. I have the software set to throttle down my assistance at that point. I know it's time to head home by the lack of assistance and I was doing just that. I likely rode two blocks from that point when the bike simply shut off. I checked the battery and it was dead. I couldn't get it to light up the display. I had to ride about a half mile with one old man power. It is doable but certainly no fun. Bike plus battery weigh close to 90 pounds. I checked the bike with a fully charged battery when I got home and the bike seemed fine. I have the battery on the charger now and it appears to be taking a charge. I don't know if the battery was at fault or the controller was in error reporting the amount of remaining charge.
What I do know is riding with no assist sucks and my confidence in the #2 battery has dropped considerably.
I mowed my lawns this morning, had a bit of a cool down and a brew, and then went riding. I rode with the #2 battery that just shut down last night. I rode three loops and then stayed in town riding my cool down loop repeatedly. I wanted to drain the battery but be within non assist distance from home. The battery behaved exactly as it normally does. I rode home and put the bike up. I had ridden 39 miles and had 27% battery remaining. The battery was reading 48.1v of the 52v capacity. Last night it was showing 20% at 43 miles. All things considered, I can't say if the bike or the battery had a problem. I couldn't replicate whatever went down yesterday.
I went out to ride again after dinner. I planned it to be a sort outing. The heat of the day had beat me up. My ride was a lot shorter than anticipated. My back tire was flat. I changed back into my work clothes and changed the flat tube for another. I found just a small wire in the tire. I pulled it out, double checked for anything in the tire or liner, put in another tube and remounted to the wheel. I came back in to put my riding clothes back on when I saw a washer on the floor. It had fallen off the wheel when I was working on it and I had failed to notice. I repeated the removal of the back wheel, put the necessary washer back onto the wheel, and remounted it. I rolled the bike back into the shed and locked the door. That's how short my evening ride was.
I was a hot and humid week day. There were no cyclists and only one lone guy walking on the Sidewalk. School busses were running everywhere around town. It must have been practice day for the new drivers. I think school starts next week or so. It seems to start earlier every year. I guess it has to start in the middle of summer to get all the days off they have nowadays.
I went out to ride again after dinner. I planned it to be a sort outing. The heat of the day had beat me up. My ride was a lot shorter than anticipated. My back tire was flat. I changed back into my work clothes and changed the flat tube for another. I found just a small wire in the tire. I pulled it out, double checked for anything in the tire or liner, put in another tube and remounted to the wheel. I came back in to put my riding clothes back on when I saw a washer on the floor. It had fallen off the wheel when I was working on it and I had failed to notice. I repeated the removal of the back wheel, put the necessary washer back onto the wheel, and remounted it. I rolled the bike back into the shed and locked the door. That's how short my evening ride was.
I was a hot and humid week day. There were no cyclists and only one lone guy walking on the Sidewalk. School busses were running everywhere around town. It must have been practice day for the new drivers. I think school starts next week or so. It seems to start earlier every year. I guess it has to start in the middle of summer to get all the days off they have nowadays.
As much as I wanted to, with a tooth ache from hell today, I skipped riding. I mowed my lawns and came home and roosted.
The prescribed antibiotics to tide me over until next Wednesday finally relieved the pain to a level that I actually got a couple of hours sleep. I didn't sleep at all the night before so I was getting desperate. I actually felt pretty good mowing and ate dinner early with intentions to do some make up riding. I rode one loop to the town South and put the bike up. The bouncing of the bike was making my tooth hurt so I called it a day. I'll not purposely make myself suffer like yesterday again. It felt good to ride and there wasn't much wind to contend with. Hot and humid naturally, but was a nice night to do some riding. I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk but I was only on it once. 
I hope to get in some good riding tomorrow AM while it's cool and my tooth abscess has decreased.
I hope to get in some good riding tomorrow AM while it's cool and my tooth abscess has decreased.
So far, my early morning ride was postponed due to inclement weather. A weather cell passed over my area and dropped 2.66" of much needed rain. As desperate the area is for moisture, I'll gladly trade my ride for rain.
I finally went riding around ten this morning. I took it easy and managed the ride in fair comfort. I logged 31 miles and put the bike up. I had more battery but I was hurting and I wanted to get home to return a call from my sister. It was a good ride and I was glad I made it happen.
My son came over after he got off work and we had a good visit and a few brews. With the morning storm, I had received some nickel size or a bit larger hail. It knocked a lot of leaves from the trees that almost paved the street in green. When I went riding the hail seemed to be a pretty local thing, just a few blocks either direction from my home looked to be the only effected area. However, my son soon showed me pictures of his house. His lawn was blanketed in leaves and debris. His patio furniture was damaged. All of his outdoor plants were reduced to stubble. His gutters are sagging and he found they are filled with granules from his shingles. He plans to spend the tomorrow trying to clean up the mess. His area was hit a lot harder than mine.
I finally went riding around ten this morning. I took it easy and managed the ride in fair comfort. I logged 31 miles and put the bike up. I had more battery but I was hurting and I wanted to get home to return a call from my sister. It was a good ride and I was glad I made it happen.
My son came over after he got off work and we had a good visit and a few brews. With the morning storm, I had received some nickel size or a bit larger hail. It knocked a lot of leaves from the trees that almost paved the street in green. When I went riding the hail seemed to be a pretty local thing, just a few blocks either direction from my home looked to be the only effected area. However, my son soon showed me pictures of his house. His lawn was blanketed in leaves and debris. His patio furniture was damaged. All of his outdoor plants were reduced to stubble. His gutters are sagging and he found they are filled with granules from his shingles. He plans to spend the tomorrow trying to clean up the mess. His area was hit a lot harder than mine.
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I went riding this morning. It was ideal riding conditions. There was zero wind to speak of and it was in the mid to upper seventies. Before I was done, the wind had come up from the South, in the lower single digits and the temp had gotten into the low nineties. I met two young ladies riding together and I saw Tim the trike guy twice this morning. I saw Tim heading South on the highway when I was riding North and I saw him a few loops later as he was headed back to town on the sidewalk. He didn't see me the first time but waved when he saw me on the sidewalk. I'll miss seeing the guy when he moves.
I came home, rested and hydrated, and went riding again. It was hot but it felt good as long as I was moving. It was hot enough that I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk this afternoon. I was on my way home riding a couple of cool down loops and draining the last of my battery when it shut off again. It was the same battery and almost the same location. Being as I didn't have full confidence in it, I was closely watching the battery percentage. It dropped from 21 to 20% remaining as I was looking at it and then it shut off. It was no fun pedaling that 90 pound bike home. When I got home, my weather station said it was 99.1° and felt like 111.2°. I think I will quit calling the in town loops the cool down loops.
I was getting extraordinary mileage today. I first rode with my best battery and logged 48 miles. I was riding in #3 assist and wasn't just coasting around. I was very impressed. I then rode with next to best battery and it logged 43 miles before it shut off. I think where I rode home from is less than a mile. I don't know why I was enjoying such good mileage. If I wasn't butt sore, I'd ride my original battery tonight but I think I'll do some r&r instead. 91 miles of fun today. I loved it! And the off the record ride home was a real workout.
I came home, rested and hydrated, and went riding again. It was hot but it felt good as long as I was moving. It was hot enough that I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk this afternoon. I was on my way home riding a couple of cool down loops and draining the last of my battery when it shut off again. It was the same battery and almost the same location. Being as I didn't have full confidence in it, I was closely watching the battery percentage. It dropped from 21 to 20% remaining as I was looking at it and then it shut off. It was no fun pedaling that 90 pound bike home. When I got home, my weather station said it was 99.1° and felt like 111.2°. I think I will quit calling the in town loops the cool down loops.
I was getting extraordinary mileage today. I first rode with my best battery and logged 48 miles. I was riding in #3 assist and wasn't just coasting around. I was very impressed. I then rode with next to best battery and it logged 43 miles before it shut off. I think where I rode home from is less than a mile. I don't know why I was enjoying such good mileage. If I wasn't butt sore, I'd ride my original battery tonight but I think I'll do some r&r instead. 91 miles of fun today. I loved it! And the off the record ride home was a real workout.
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I'm having my morning coffee and then will go riding early. It is to get into the triple digits today with high humidity and a double digit South wind. The #2 battery that is failing is finishing its charging. The batteries have four indicator lights showing the amount of charge. While charging, as the battery gains charge, the first indicator will blink until the battery reaches that level and then remains on as the next cell starts to blink etc. The fourth indicator is still blinking but the charger indicates that the charging process is complete. With it shutting off at 20% and not behaving as it should, I'm guessing I have a cell or perhaps two that have a problem. Interestingly enough, the indicators have turned off now which is the normal behavior of a fully charged battery. Who knows?? I've not shopped batteries but I have read that the old can be re-celled by a professional... mixed reviews, a new company making replacement like batteries, and a larger amp hour 52v battery that is designed to fit the bike are buying options. I would do a lot of research before I invested in another battery. Fortunately, I have four reliable batteries.
Be careful with those batteries- so many fatal fires here in NYC caused by charging e-bikes.
I wouldn't trust a service that re-cells them, you have no idea where they are sourcing those cells from and you can also end up with a pack where the cells are out of balance which is bad. I'd get a new battery of known quality and recycle the old one.
I wouldn't trust a service that re-cells them, you have no idea where they are sourcing those cells from and you can also end up with a pack where the cells are out of balance which is bad. I'd get a new battery of known quality and recycle the old one.
My batteries are all UL tested and rated which means they are only charging when I'm in the office with them. I'm not the trusting type. I'm with you on the re-cells and as I noted, what I have read are mixed reviews. I only require one negative and you can count me out. I'm not in the need or market for a replacement battery at this time. When and if the need and desire strikes, I'll likely try to find a 52v battery that is designed to fit my bike with greater ah than the original 19.2ah batteries. I have three 19.2 that have degraded to the point they are quite similar to the range of the almost two virgin 15.6ah batteries I own.
I rode twice today. If some freak of nature caused it to drastically cool, I'd go riding again. I had fun this morning and just an alright sort of ride this afternoon. This morning, it was in the low eighties with a South wind and it felt great to be out riding.
I wasn't the only one taking advantage of the riding conditions. I saw a number of cyclists, joggers, and walkers this morning. I saw my buddy Tim the trike guy riding North on the highway as I was riding South to complete my second loop. He saw me and waved. I met him as I was riding South for my last loop and he was heading home on the sidewalk. We stopped and visited. He said he saw me the other day and waved but I was almost by him but he saw me wave. I told him I waved until I gave up and he was like an old buck in rut. And had narrow vision. He has his house sold but won't move for a couple of months. I'll get to see him a few more times. A good ol boy. I noticed today that he is riding clipless on his trike. He said it's ideal on the trike... one doesn't need to put a foot out when they stop. I saw a trike gal and likely her husband following on a bike today. They were moving slow, saw me coming up from behind, and pulled over and stopped. They both were on e vehicles. They looked to be having a great time.
I rode again this afternoon. It was just hot as hell this afternoon. I rode three loops and one cool down loop in town and called it a day. My station had the temp at 104.5° when I got back into the house. My weather app had the temp at 104°. It's hot.. it's damn hot, it's real damn hot! To no surprise, I was the only idiot out this afternoon. Between the two rides I logged 73 miles. It was fun but I had enough. I had charge left in both batteries I used today when I put the bike up. There is no trophy for killing yourself out there lol.
I wasn't the only one taking advantage of the riding conditions. I saw a number of cyclists, joggers, and walkers this morning. I saw my buddy Tim the trike guy riding North on the highway as I was riding South to complete my second loop. He saw me and waved. I met him as I was riding South for my last loop and he was heading home on the sidewalk. We stopped and visited. He said he saw me the other day and waved but I was almost by him but he saw me wave. I told him I waved until I gave up and he was like an old buck in rut. And had narrow vision. He has his house sold but won't move for a couple of months. I'll get to see him a few more times. A good ol boy. I noticed today that he is riding clipless on his trike. He said it's ideal on the trike... one doesn't need to put a foot out when they stop. I saw a trike gal and likely her husband following on a bike today. They were moving slow, saw me coming up from behind, and pulled over and stopped. They both were on e vehicles. They looked to be having a great time.
I rode again this afternoon. It was just hot as hell this afternoon. I rode three loops and one cool down loop in town and called it a day. My station had the temp at 104.5° when I got back into the house. My weather app had the temp at 104°. It's hot.. it's damn hot, it's real damn hot! To no surprise, I was the only idiot out this afternoon. Between the two rides I logged 73 miles. It was fun but I had enough. I had charge left in both batteries I used today when I put the bike up. There is no trophy for killing yourself out there lol.
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I rode this afternoon after I had my Monday's mowed. It was just a bit hotter than I wanted it. I rode three loops and one cool down loop and locked the bike in the shed with no intentions of riding again today. It was 102° when I came in and I was drenched in sweat. I relaxed and had a beer. I warmed up a leftover hamburger from last night and had it for dinner. Then came the oh hell why not and I geared up and went riding again. It was 99° when I left but only 92° when I was finished riding. I actually enjoy the evening ride and between the two rides I logged 66 miles. The bike is performing well. I had battery remaining after both rides today.
I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk today. It being a week day and incredibly hot, pretty much thinned the crowd. The someone I've been playing a game with was on the sidewalk either last night or this morning. He must be as big of an idiot as myself. I should explain.... Three or four weeks ago, a four foot mower mowed one pass on each side of the sidewalk. The cut exposed the expected trash and a 1x4 that's a bit over a foot long with one end square and the other end cut at an angle.
It is weathered and catches my eye. When I ride by it daily I note it being there by saying stick to myself. A week ago it was gone. A few days ago I spotted it about ten feet on to the South. I stopped, and put it back where it has been for quite some time. The next day, it was gone again. A loop or two later I spotted it again up the sidewalk about ten feet. I put it back into the impression in the ground where it has sat. Today it was again moved back up the sidewalk. Obviously, someone is as bored as I am riding the same path over and over again. I felt obligated to return it to it's spot.
Speaking of being bored and seeing things... Yesterday, I saw the lower front bumper air foil of an auto laying on the inside Southbound lane of the highway. The highway is divided with a raised area with reflectors between the North and South lanes. I stopped and dragged the bumper section onto the median before it caused an accident. It was gone when I returned with my next loop. Hopefully, the person who lost it returned to retrieve it.
I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk today. It being a week day and incredibly hot, pretty much thinned the crowd. The someone I've been playing a game with was on the sidewalk either last night or this morning. He must be as big of an idiot as myself. I should explain.... Three or four weeks ago, a four foot mower mowed one pass on each side of the sidewalk. The cut exposed the expected trash and a 1x4 that's a bit over a foot long with one end square and the other end cut at an angle.
It is weathered and catches my eye. When I ride by it daily I note it being there by saying stick to myself. A week ago it was gone. A few days ago I spotted it about ten feet on to the South. I stopped, and put it back where it has been for quite some time. The next day, it was gone again. A loop or two later I spotted it again up the sidewalk about ten feet. I put it back into the impression in the ground where it has sat. Today it was again moved back up the sidewalk.
Obviously, someone is as bored as I am riding the same path over and over again. I felt obligated to return it to it's spot. Speaking of being bored and seeing things... Yesterday, I saw the lower front bumper air foil of an auto laying on the inside Southbound lane of the highway. The highway is divided with a raised area with reflectors between the North and South lanes. I stopped and dragged the bumper section onto the median before it caused an accident. It was gone when I returned with my next loop. Hopefully, the person who lost it returned to retrieve it.
I mowed my lawns today and mowed mine for good measure. I get to water after six on Tuesdays which prompted my home lawn grooming. A good watering after being mowed is advisable in triple digit weather. I'd love to go for a ride. It is 103° with a South wind at 16 mph. I sit here and pout instead. I have hopes of getting in a little ride after dinner when the sun is at an angle and the temps a few degrees cooler.
I finally gave up and went riding just a touch after seven pm. The temperature had fallen to 101° and the wind had died down to low single digits. I rode 27 miles before dark. I saw only one rider tonight. The old trike lady was on the sidewalk when I reached the town South. I hadn't seen her in a while. It was good to see her. She always has a big smile and a hearty wave. The stick mover had been by and did his thing before I rode tonight. I moved the stick back so he'll have something to do tomorrow.
I finally gave up and went riding just a touch after seven pm. The temperature had fallen to 101° and the wind had died down to low single digits. I rode 27 miles before dark. I saw only one rider tonight. The old trike lady was on the sidewalk when I reached the town South. I hadn't seen her in a while. It was good to see her. She always has a big smile and a hearty wave. The stick mover had been by and did his thing before I rode tonight. I moved the stick back so he'll have something to do tomorrow.
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I'm playing it by ear today. I mowed a Wed lawn yesterday and I'll mow another tomorrow and I mowed the rest of them today. I'm home and getting ready to shower. I have a dentist appointment in an hour and a half and I don't know what I'm up against. My teeth are giving it up and I put up with them hurting and finally giving up on them one tooth at a time. I've taken good care of my teeth but they were not good to start with and now they are in their seventies. I hope to ride tonight but I have no idea just how I'll feel about it later.
About the time I felt like I could ride, it was entirely too hot. I finally went riding a bit before seven. I rode hard and barely got in three loops. It felt good to be riding and took my mind off of my newly missing tooth. I was prescribed some pain meds but I've never leaned on a prescription for pain. I picked it up all the same... just in case.
On my way out of town, I stopped at an intersection and let a young couple pass in front of me on their e-bikes. To my amazement, the Mrs. had an infant on her lap as they cruised by. I'm not so sure that is a safe way to travel. That couple was the only cyclists I saw tonight. I stopped at the park to visit the john and saw something shinny in the parking lot. I picked it up. It was a tiny jeweler's phillip head screwdriver. I have a couple of tiny screw drivers for working on glasses. This one is a quality tool. My father had a set for working on antique watches and clocks. Like most of his things, somehow they were gone when he passed away. I put the stick back where it belongs and enjoyed my 34 miles of hot tonight.
About the time I felt like I could ride, it was entirely too hot. I finally went riding a bit before seven. I rode hard and barely got in three loops. It felt good to be riding and took my mind off of my newly missing tooth. I was prescribed some pain meds but I've never leaned on a prescription for pain. I picked it up all the same... just in case.
On my way out of town, I stopped at an intersection and let a young couple pass in front of me on their e-bikes. To my amazement, the Mrs. had an infant on her lap as they cruised by. I'm not so sure that is a safe way to travel. That couple was the only cyclists I saw tonight. I stopped at the park to visit the john and saw something shinny in the parking lot. I picked it up. It was a tiny jeweler's phillip head screwdriver. I have a couple of tiny screw drivers for working on glasses. This one is a quality tool. My father had a set for working on antique watches and clocks. Like most of his things, somehow they were gone when he passed away. I put the stick back where it belongs and enjoyed my 34 miles of hot tonight.
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It just wasn't a good day for anything outdoors. After I had my lawns mowed, I did some grocery shopping and then vegged. I went riding once the temp dropped from 106° to 103°. I rode 30 miles and came home. It had cooled down to 100°. It's 94° now... 10:22pm. Bummer. I actually passed a rather over weight guy on a traditional bike on the sidewalk. There was a fair South wind and he was struggling big time. He was nowhere to be seen my next loop so he must have turned around and headed back into town. At the pace he was going, I would have passed him again my next loop if he was heading to the town South.
I plan to ride in the morning. I'm anxious to ride when it is somewhat cooler. I love riding but the heat melts the gloss off of the fun. Maybe I'll meet the stick mover. It was neatly moved again today. It is not a fair weather stick mover. It has been moved daily for a week now with this terrible heat. I bet it's not an afternoon activity.
I plan to ride in the morning. I'm anxious to ride when it is somewhat cooler. I love riding but the heat melts the gloss off of the fun. Maybe I'll meet the stick mover. It was neatly moved again today. It is not a fair weather stick mover. It has been moved daily for a week now with this terrible heat. I bet it's not an afternoon activity.
I went riding this morning. It was so much fun not melting into my bike shorts. I saw a few people on the sidewalk this morning. I saw Tim the trike guy on the highway and then on the sidewalk a couple of loops later. I rode 42 miles and after a snack and a brew, I am heading out for another ride. We have dinner plans with our son and his wife tonight. Traditionally, we eat early to beat the Friday night crowd. I'm not sure of the plans so I'm getting my rides in now just in case I don't get to ride tonight. I put the stick back in its place at nine this morning.
I'm back from some fun in the sun. I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk this afternoon besides a guy mowing along the sidewalk again. The vegetation between the sidewalk and the road is about titty high. I bet it was scheduled to be mowed a couple of weeks ago when the guy last mowed along the sidewalk. I rode another 33 miles and called it day. It was 102° when I got home. The guy that's moving the stick is going to be upset. The last sidewalk mow exposed the sticks. Today's mowing left the stick that has been there over the years undisturbed but mowed the stick he has been putting that stick next to. It was mowed into splinters. I hope it's game over.
I might get to ride again tonight. The kids are picking us up before four so we'll likely be home early. We might visit and have a beer or two which is always fun but will eliminate tonight's ride. Nothing trumps family time.
We had a fun time and a great meal. They had early morning plans so we didn't hang out long once we were home. They left and I suited up and rode a bit more.
It was 100° when I headed out. It did cool down some before I was done. I rode another 28 miles tonight bringing my total to 103 miles today.
I'm back from some fun in the sun. I didn't see anyone on the sidewalk this afternoon besides a guy mowing along the sidewalk again. The vegetation between the sidewalk and the road is about titty high. I bet it was scheduled to be mowed a couple of weeks ago when the guy last mowed along the sidewalk. I rode another 33 miles and called it day. It was 102° when I got home. The guy that's moving the stick is going to be upset. The last sidewalk mow exposed the sticks. Today's mowing left the stick that has been there over the years undisturbed but mowed the stick he has been putting that stick next to. It was mowed into splinters. I hope it's game over.
I might get to ride again tonight. The kids are picking us up before four so we'll likely be home early. We might visit and have a beer or two which is always fun but will eliminate tonight's ride. Nothing trumps family time.
We had a fun time and a great meal. They had early morning plans so we didn't hang out long once we were home. They left and I suited up and rode a bit more.
It was 100° when I headed out. It did cool down some before I was done. I rode another 28 miles tonight bringing my total to 103 miles today.
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