A New Bike & Rider!

My friend Laura had been considering a bike!  When she mentioned shopping for one - I was in!  The first shop listed by Google, was closed.  The second was Endless Trails!  This was a Great shop!  The owner was so helpful from when we first went in the door.

A totally different experience from when Butch & I bought my bike at Xtreme Wheels.  (We would have walked out without purchasing a bike, if there had been anyone else in the area that carried Electra Townies.  The owner was on the edge of truly rude & even though he knew we were going to purchase the bike, waited on customers who came in after us, with issues like a flat tire.  Not a shop I'll buy from again.)  I ended up calling Electra corporate to get answers to my questions.

Laura with her new bike!

At Endless Trails, we were told there was a bike shortage!  From many racks for bikes, the selection had dwindled to only a very few.  Even so, this owner was determined to assess the type of bike that would work for Laura & customize it to fit her.  We ended up waiting a day to have the bike assembled.  When we arrived to pick it up, we were taught how to remove the front tire, proper tire pressure, etc.  We both highly recommend this shop!

Laura at the trail-head!

After an inch of rain yesterday, Butch checked the trail on his way to work & it was fine.  I was so excited to get Laura out on the Wabash!  She was game & gutsy to start out on the limestone & within a few feet was riding better than I'd expected!  On our way - we passed a Mom with four kids.  They were on their maiden voyage too, having just purchased five bikes!   No wonder the bike shops are out of stock.  Of course the problem arises because almost all the bikes now, are manufactured overseas...

Both directions are uphill grades, we headed toward Council Bluffs.  We made a few stops for seat adjustments etc.  (It reminded me of going out with a new to horses rider. :-)  After a few miles, Laura was ready to turn back.  I'd encouraged her by saying - once we turned around, it would be a downhill glide!  ;-)

Black Swallowtail!

It was a beautiful day, if a little warm for me - at low 80's.  The trail is mostly shaded, so we did fine.  I will be adding electrolytes to my pack now too.  Speedy is happy to have a new friend - we're waiting for Laura to decide on a name.  Once back at the parking, Laura headed home.  She looked happy!  Since she likes the heat, I hope she'll motivate me to ride more this summer.

4:21 p.m. Toward Silver City~

I hadn't been on the trail from Mineola to Silver City since April 15th, when I'd ridden on through to Malvern.   I remembered this section as having a pretty difficult uphill grade for the first couple miles.  I wasn't wrong, but today, Speedy & I were in top form, at least to date.  We even passed our first group of riders!  I hesitated - remembering my endurance days.  When you pass, you'd better be prepared to keep going.  It's embarrassing, at least to me, to ask to pass, then end up being passed!

Concrete~

Once you're past the two-mile mark, the trail turns downhill & the concrete comes up fast.  We really flew along this section today!  I think Speedy is just a little competitive - she had an ear cocked behind us :-)  We were in Silver City & had been there several minutes, before the group behind us arrived.  I congratulated Speedy :-)

4:21, Silver City~

Since we'd made such good time, I was ready to start back & see if we could match it.

On our way back~

Cardinals, were flying across the trail & Goldfinches were everywhere!  It's so much fun to see those bright spots of color against the blue sky.  I can never help stopping for pictures!

5:12 p.m. Speedy & the Bronco~

We were back in almost the identical time.  Making an average speed of just over 10 mph. - on the 8.22-mile round-trip.  Rain is due tomorrow.  Hopefully, Sunday we'll head south to finish off riding the length of the trail!

New Wheels!

Growing up in Boulder, the first big item I remember wanting - besides a horse - was a bike!  I think my Schwinn was a gift for my tenth birthday, but I can't find a photo to confirm.  Dad taught me to ride in the paved ally behind our house on 9th street.  It was a straight shot to North Boulder Park, where I occasionally signed up for summer craft classes.  It was also a great park for kite flying!

Connie & Blue, Boulder, CO

 In short order I was riding to the library, where I borrowed & read every book on horses I could find. There was a huge hill between our house & town.  I'd make it all the way to the top, before the fun of coasting the rest of the way.  Dad worked at the Pontiac garage.  The building had a ramp from street level, down to the service entrance in basement.  Dad would have the door up - I'd fly down the last hill - turn onto the ramp & right down into the building!  Blue & I had some amazing rides.  My bike stayed at home when I married...  My brother took it apart & I never saw it again...

3-16-13 Connie & Sunny on the Haller Trestle Bridge, Arlington, WA

It was many, many, years later I thought about getting another bike.  I was involved with the Centennial Trail Coalition, originally as the Equestrian Representative & eventually as Chairman.  I'd had another of my ideas - to ride the 30-mile trail point-to-point - on Farah.  ( Horses had been excluded from the sections going through towns.)  Butch bought a bike too & we started riding the trail through the towns, to see if Farah & I could pull it off.  We did!  With Butch's help, just two weeks later.

3-23-13 Butch & the bikes

Being a paved trail, we bought cruiser style Electra bikes.  We both loved the old-fashioned style & comfort of the ride.  Soon, we had Grandson Ben riding with us!  We had fun camping trips riding bikes with the Peter's family too!  When we moved to IA, the bikes came, even though they took up a lot of room.

Last Easter we rode from Mineola to Silver City & found the limestone to be more of a workout than paving.  I only rode around locally last year, I was spending most of my time working outside.  This season though, I've been missing Farah, missing my time out in nature & decided I'd be falling back on a bike for locomotion.

After my first solo ride, longer than I'd expected, I called Electra.  They couldn't believe that I'd ridden my 3-speed model that distance on limestone.  In the years since mine was new, they had improved the Townie & suggested I go try one out!

My new wheels, Speedy~

 Xtreme Wheels had a lot of bikes, but only one Electra Townie.  Lucky for me, it was the model I was interested in.  Zack offered to let me take it for a spin.  (It was somewhat reminiscent of the first time I rode Farah.)  I got on, rode around the bank parking lot & came back to Butch with a smile on my face!  The difference was incredible - lighter - nimbler - easier to turn & the gearing was so smooth!

Butch - staying a step ahead of me as usual - had loaded Sunny in the back of the truck.  We traded Sunny in.  Had I known about the bike shortage, I might have tried to sell her myself.  I kept my saddle, added fenders, tire liners & a small gear bag.

If our weather ever returns to anywhere near our usual wonderful 60's - I can't wait to get back on the trail!