E-Bikes

[olbriar]

Once again I had a full schedule to mow today and all of the lawns were in dire need of my services. The grass had nearly stopped growing and then the temperature dropped close to twenty degrees daily and we had some slow rains that soaked into the ground. Between the two, the grass has gone crazy. It can't keep this up for long because the light cycle is far less than a month ago. Right now, it is taking a lot more time to mow. That gets me on my bike later in the afternoon. I got in a good ride in spite of the grass. I rode up my best battery and logged 42 miles. It was a bit warm riding today. If I stopped riding, I would break into a sweat. Perfect weather for a bike ride.

I talked to my buddy that bought my original RCS bike today. He is a year older than me and was a very heavy cigarette smoker most all of his life. It took quite a toll on his lungs and he struggles for air when he exerts himself riding. He is still riding but is riding less as time passes. The humid air, which we've had most all summer, is particularly difficult for him to handle. He is blown away at the miles I have put on my bike. Really blown away on days that I ride 100+ miles. Being as I have to change batteries, I have no idea how many miles I could ride if I didn't have to stop.
I guess I'm fortunate that I don't struggle for air. Even though he struggles, I think he has logged over 500 miles in the two years of riding the bike. That's likely the typical mileage for the occasional rider. My son, who loves his RCS, has less than a thousand miles on his 2019 bike. Unless you are an addict, you ride when it's perfect weather and you have nothing better to do.

 

[olbriar]

It was almost hot this afternoon. My station topped out at 90°. It really felt great while riding. I saw a couple of walkers and a jogger and one cyclist while riding on the sidewalk. I enjoyed my ride which drained my best battery. I failed to take note of the odometer, but I would guess that I rode a bit over 40 miles. The bike is running good and no sign of anything wrong with it. I hope it remains that way.

 

[olbriar]

It was another nice day and I went riding... imagine that. I had a Dr's appointment on the NW side or Wichita early morning. And then we were meeting a visiting cousin and her husband for an early dinner out. She is wheelchair bound so it was best to do the get together early on a Friday and skip the hassle of a steakhouse being busy. With that in mind, I rode up one battery on my return from town. And then another when I got home from dinner. It was great riding early but the evening ride was a bit windy. It was still a great day of riding and I logged 58 miles between the two rides.

The last addition I cut through, to make my way to the sidewalk South, has a house the two ladies live in. They hang out in the garage and watch TV and they always wave as I ride by three or four times depending on the battery. Today, one of them was laying in the yard beside their tractor mower. I stopped as she was getting up and I asked if she was alright. It was the mower she was tying to diagnose. It would start but not run and had quit half way through their front yard. I guessed it was a fuel filter problem being the mower had gas and would fire but then die. Definitely a fuel problem IMO. She said she had already called a guy to come and get it. It gave us a chance to visit. After seven years of waving at each other, it was about time. A very nice lady. Her name is Pam and she used to ride. She had an interest in E-bikes and said they always wondered where I rode to and why I always passed their house going the same direction. I can see an E-bike in her future.

 

[olbriar]

I finally got to ride this afternoon after buying and charging two different sets of earbuds. The first set couldn't hold a BT connection. By the time I had some tunes to ride with, it had become super windy. I was only able to squeeze 37 miles out of the battery that I get 42 to 44 miles from. I only saw one other cyclist while riding. I met the younger lady I've mentioned that rides a traditional road bike. It was good seeing her for I haven't in some time. There were two walkers and that was the traffic count while I was on the sidewalk. I don't get to ride tonight. My wife has a class reunion that we are attending. Maybe tomorrow will be a better day.

 

[olbriar]

I rode twice today. I rode this morning before it got windy. It was a little cool when riding but it was a beautiful morning to be outside. I saw a few other cyclists but mostly the sidewalk was busy with dog walkers. I logged 31 miles of fun and put my bike up. I changed clothes and went to my cabin and mowed that property for the last time this year. I was afraid it was going to really needing mowed but I timed it about right. I came home and changed back into my bike clothes and went riding again. The wind had picked up and I had the sidewalk to myself. The battery drained quick battling the wind. I sure wouldn't have been riding without it. The wind was brutal. I logged 32 miles this afternoon.

I had my bike lose power this afternoon. I stopped to investigate the problem. I honestly thought that it was a repeat of the outage I had a week or so ago. Oddly enough, I was almost happy and excited for a moment thinking I would be ordering the bike I've been contemplating. The acceptance of the end of life of my beloved RCS came far easier than I ever imagined. The cable to the torque/cadence sensor had become disconnected. I was back riding in a flash. I was relieved but surprised that I could move on that easily.

Speaking of bikes, my granddaughters got their rebuilt Giant Iguana bike back. Total cost was a bit over seven hundred dollars. It should be just like new. The guys at the bike shop said they enjoyed seeing it and working on it. They probably don't see many 35 year old bikes that still look great. Here is a pic of the old girl.

I found someone's lost Leatherman Curl multitool this morning. It must have fallen off of someone's auto. In searching for a pic to share, I see that it has 15 tools and it was recently discontinued. It's a $90 item if you can find one.

 

[olbriar]

I rode twice today. I went riding once my lawns were mowed. It was super windy which eliminated any cyclists on the sidewalk. I did see a couple of dog walkers. They are resurfacing the four lane so there was a lot to see while riding beside the road. I road after dinner and the road crew was done for the day. They managed to pave two lanes a couple of miles. I assume they will pave the inside lanes tomorrow. I saw nobody while riding tonight. I only rode two loop before darkness set in. I logged 58 miles between the two rides.

It's difficult to enjoy riding when it is really windy. Even with assistance, the wind pushes the bike around. It is easy to understand why not many ride when it is windy like today. My station logged a 30.9mph wind gust this afternoon. It pretty much put me out of the mood to ride. I wouldn't have been out twice but we are hooking up with my visiting cousin tomorrow afternoon. She is flying out Wednesday. Rain is in the forecast for the latter part of the week as well. I might be struggling just to get my lawns mowed. Riding comes second so I decided to get in a few extra miles today.