Another Comparison Ride~

 It was another perfect spring day - except for the howling winds making it feel colder than it was.  It seems spring brings the winds & it's a shame, since the little rain we received is dried away to no moisture at all.  I would not have gone out, but my idea was to do another comparison ride.  

Leaving the Mineola Trail head~

I'd done this same route on Smokey a couple weeks ago, under similar wind conditions & wanted to see how much difference there would be riding Shadow (my new e-bike).  The wind gusts leaving Mineola were terrific - more sustained than my last ride.  I shifted the computer mode up to the sport setting & was in 8th & 9th gear.  I couldn't believe how much easier it was.

Cowboy Pass~

Once I was into the hills, the wind lessened & I dropped the assist, even going up the climb to tour & stayed in the same gears.  My goal is to maintain my usual ride speed & effort level, without as much stress on my legs.

Arriving Margaritaville~

The wind didn't let up, but at least the trees broke the force of the gusts.  I only saw two other riders. One on a powered trike & a lady on a fat tire powered bike.  With the wind I'm not the only one who can now take advantage an electric motor to ride without being blown off the trail.  The extra weight of the bike felt more stable in the wind too.

By the big Cottonwood~

I continued further north, past the rest spot at the crest of the hill.  The horse trail, now 99% used by mountain bikes was off to the side.  I spotted the huge old Cottonwood where Farah & I used to stop.  I had to get a photo of Shadow there & turned back.

Almost back to the Explorer~

I was having too much fun on the return ride to stop for photos!  At one point I was in the lowest assist mode - eco & 10th gear.  I pedaled hard & reached just over 20 mph on the bike odometer.  My Garmin 310 XT only recorded 19+.  I'm going to say the bike wheel sensor was correct. 

Comparison data~

Between these two almost identical rides, you can see the e-bike provided a distinct advantage.  About a 2.5 mph difference in average speed & the fastest top speed I've ridden.  I could feel the difference in the amount of effort I expended & I'm not going to complain!  I wasn't nearly as sore as I was the last ride on this section of trail. I think my riding distance will increase, too.  I'll be interested to see my average speed on my old route from Silver City to Malvern once the Trestle is back open. 

  

E-bikes have been improved quite a lot since they came on the scene. Many of the old issues have been resolved by manufactures like Cannondale.  There's still a lot to consider before purchasing one.  The difference in the type of motor Cadance vs. Torque is important.  The bike Butch returned had a cadance motor, Shadow has a torque.  

Shadow gave me a great ride & I'm looking forward to enjoying the trail more & without the pain that's been involved for the last couple years. 

Powering Up ~

 As usual, I think we found the last of this model bike in the US.  Butch did an extensive search & eventually found the Cannondale at Martins Bike & Fitness in Ephrata, PA.  

We'd taken a drive to the REI in Gretna, NE to look at different e-bikes.  (I knew Cannondale had come out with an e-bike a couple years ago, based on the same frame & build as my current bike.)  They didn't have the exact model I wanted but did have one with an identical frame.  We both tried it out & agreed that the fit was the same as the bikes we've enjoyed for over two-years.

Shadow on the bike rack~

Shipping was actually easier than I'd imagined & the bike arrived by UPS in just a week!  It was double boxed.  The UPS man looked like Aquaman if you can visualize that!  He easily picked the box up & carried it in for me. 

Of course I was anxious to get it out of the box!  I managed that, but the front tire & handlebars had been removed for shipping.  Never mechanically inclined - I planned to wait until Butch's next visit home to have him put it back together.  But no, he told me I could do it myself!  Looking at the directions & tools required, I sent a photo to Butch.  After he'd stopped for the day & I had gathered all the necessary items my husband talked me through the process of putting it back together! 

Ready to leave~

After days of bitter cold & wind, Thursday was a perfect day!  Not much wind & temperatures in the low 60's.  We'd had almost an inch of badly needed rain last Sunday, so I didn't expect the Wabash to be dry enough to ride.  The hard surface trails at Lake Manawa would work!

South side of the lake~

My plan was to ride my entire loop in the lowest mode, Eco.  I decided that should make up for Shadow's additional weight.  Smokey, my Adventure 1 EQ weighs 30 lbs., while the Adventure Neo 1 weighs in at 54 lbs. 

Piles of debris~

I always wear my Garmin 310 XT, so had it to compare with the computer on the bike.  They read identically throughout the ride.  By the time I'd reached my usual break spot, Butch was within an hour of Omaha!  Our plan was to meet for dinner in Council Bluffs before continuing on home.

3-25-2023 When the Cottonwoods stood~

The piles of debris told me the park maintenance staff had been hard at work, continuing their project of cutting down all the Cottonwood trees...  I was so sad.  

Cottonwood trees down~

The view is changed forever...  I will hope to see new trees planted around the park, as has been done at Glen Cunningham Park in NE.  

Butch called again when he was leaving the trailer at Nationwide.  By now I'd covered ten miles & felt pretty comfortable on the bike.  I decided for the last mile to move up through the four speed settings.  Shadow about ran away with me in Turbo mode!  By the time I'd returned to the Explorer, I was very happy with my new ride.  The battery reading was still five bars, exactly what I'd started out with.  The bike had no battery consumption during the 11+ mile ride.

Ride stat comparison - 3/28/24 e-bike to 2/21/24 self-pedaled~

When we got home & I downloaded my stats, I was pleasantly surprised to see how extremely close I'd come to matching my time on Smokey!  After four years of self-pedaling, combined with the damage to my left leg & ankle in 2020, I'm excited about riding without as much pain the following day.  It will also be fun to extend the distance of my rides & not have wind as much of a concern.  

Thanks to my husband for a great new bike!  

A Perfect Spring Ride ~

 Butch arrived in town mid-day yesterday.  He picked me up on his way by & we spent the afternoon getting the trailer washed out at Blue Beacon in Council Bluffs.  The line was long as usual.  The groves in the floor were full of small potatoes from CO.  Cleaning those out cost an extra $20.  We thought the price was pretty reasonable considering! Traveler had a bath too!  

Slighty bruised potatoes anyone?  

Butch didn't know he'd be coming home until yesterday morning - when he was ready to leave Topeka.  After seven-weeks on-the-road, he had laundry & supplies to restock.  This morning he visited Brianna at the Hair Station in Tabor for a overdue haircut & beard trim!  After lunch, he installed the rear rack on his bike, loaded both bikes onto the Explorer & we were on our way to the park!  It was truly the most perfect day we've had this year-to-date!  Such a gift to be able to enjoy it together!

Butch & the bikes~

The park was busier than I'd seen it in quite a while.  Everyone wanted to take advantage of the sunshine, before the forecast drop in temperatures & rain/snow due for tomorrow.  One cyclist who passed us commented on how wonderful the warm sunshine felt!  Here, a lack of sun seems to be noticed so much more than it was in WA.  We're spoiled in so many ways!

Lake Manawa looking north toward Council Bluffs~

There was some haze in the air.  The only wind was intermittent & not as cold as it has been.  We took the trail out to the picnic area & sat on the bench for quite a while.  I'd stashed a couple fresh oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies in my bag.

Bandit & Smokey at the picnic area~

Every time we ride these bikes, we're so happy we found them.  The level of comfort & ease of riding is great.  I was beginning to think comfortable bikes were a thing of the past.  The Cannondale's proved me wrong.  If Butch can get out of the truck, get on his bike & easily ride ten-miles, it says a lot.

Connie & Smokey, Indian Creek Bridge~

There was a motorized vehicle using the shoulder of the Indian Creek trail.  Motorized are not allowed, but he didn't seem to care.  Otherwise, just a few people walking & a few bikes.

Mid-America Power Plant

We took a road that turns due south off the southern section of trail.  It ends at the public boat launch on the shore of the Missouri.  There's a great view of the power plant.  We stopped again to walk the shore, before riding back to the Explorer.

The Missouri~

The ride was over almost before we wanted it to be, but I had a alterior motive!  Tastee Treet was - of course - on our way home!  We picked up two smoked beef brisket meals for our dinner & ice cream for the drive home!  Yum!