HerdingChaos

While I was out on vacation the scooter dealer called and said they could not reproduce the problem I had. Once I got back from vacation I went a picked it up. It rained the next few days, and then I flew out to San Jose for work. Yesterday was the first time I was able to ride it since I got it back from the dealer. The dealer was right and the problem is not there anymore. However, I think the top speed dropped 2 mph. I am not sure if the speed will come back up after I ride a few times and the batteries get a few cycles on them, but I rode to work and back on Friday and everything was fine. I guess it could be I gained enough weight on vacation that it dropped the top speed 2 mph…

So tonight on the way to a friend’s house the scooter started acting flaky. It would only go 14 mph and the throttle control was acting strange. I have loaded it in a truck for a trip to the dealer tomorrow but I am really bummed. It only has 130 miles on it.

I subscribe to MAKE magazine and I love it. In Vol 5 they had an article about how to make your own electric car by using an old econo-box from a junkyard and replacing the engine with a forklift electric motor, batteries, and a controller/charger. Building my own electric car sounded like fun, but I don’t really have the time or the money ($5000 for a good set of batteries and the charger/controller). But I did enjoy looking around a bit on line at the electric vehicle enthusiasts.

While poking around I ran across electric bikes, electric scooters and electric mopeds. I didn’t really think I wanted one but I thought it might be fun to look at a few. I found a local dealer for electric bikes/scooter/mopeds and decided to take a lunch break and check it out.

I rode about 5 different types bikes and when I rode the eGo Cycle 2 LX I really enjoyed myself. It will go around 20 miles at 24 mph with each charge. Then I started thinking about my commute and most of the trips I currently take by car. I only work around 5.5 miles from home, my brother lives around 2.5 miles away, many of my friends live within 5-6 miles, and I had a total blast riding the scooter. So I bought one. I have been riding it to work since I got it. I have also gone to my brother’s place a few times, shopping at Wal-mart, to visit a friend a few times, shopping at the local bike shop, and out to the corner store. I have put around 100 miles on it already and I have only had it for around 7 days (that I have been in town).

I have only driven my convertible to the airport since I got the scooter. I am thinking about selling the convertible. Charging the bike cost around 8 cents if it is fully drained. If I do sell the convertible, then I figure I will save around $40-50 bucks a month in gas, insurance, registration, and service for the car.

The Harley riders that pull up behind me at lights laugh at me. Some of the people at work laugh, and some think it is cool. I don’t really care what they think. I know I am a nerd and I am okay with that. I enjoy riding to work and being outside. The scooter is very quiet so the only noise I hear is the wind at I cut through it at a staggering 24mph.

This should probably be an update to this entry, but I am too lazy.

I went 20.06 miles in 83 min for an average of 14.5mph.

Couple of notes for myself when I decide to once again wait 5 months between rides:

• The water bottles in the pantry hide behind the Pringles you have been eating when they go unused this long.
• If your bike has been sitting this long you need to lube the chain before riding 20 miles or you end up turning up the iPod so you don’t hear the chain’s death rattle.
• Remember to check the tightness of the straps on the shoes after you have been out for a while. Your left foot will thank you once you get home.
• The heart monitor watch is under the huge pile of crap on your desk in the office. And yes, the battery is dead.
• When waiting 5 months between circuits on your "regular" route there is a chance that someone built a house in that place that just used to be a field. Don’t let that confuse you.
• The instructions for the bike computer are in the top drawer of your desk. Yes you are getting old and you will forget how to operate it in just 5 short months.
• 3.66 miles. That is how long it will take you before you stand on your pedals because your ass is already sore.

I think I might start a photo of the week on the blog also to ensure that I do some photography.

Al pointed out that I should spend time with Tracy before it is too late.  For the record I had just finished tucking her into bed before I made that entry and followed it up with the ride. He still has a good point. I need to spend all the time with the kids that I can before I am uncool.

I got home from work today at around 7:30pm. After giving me a hug and a kiss Tracy told me: "You know what daddy? I wish daddies didn’t have to work."

Me too.

I have not updated to blog in forever. I have not seen my kids as much as I want to. I have not had too many chances to do any photography. I have not been on my bike since… uhm. wow! I just looked in my log and I have not been on my bike since 4/26. wow.

This stops tonight. Tonight I ride. 

Went little over 38 miles @ 17mpg average this morning. Woohoo!

Took my first longish ride today. Woke up early and rode a little over 46 miles in a little less than 3 hours. Then proceeded to clean the house, do laundry, do the dishes, and then drove over and helped my brother replace motor mounts on a chevy pickup.

This will be the first time I have gone to bed before midnight in over a month. And man am I looking forward to it

My brother is an avid cyclist. He bought this really cool carbon fiber bike that weighs less than my children did when they were born. He had been trying to get me back into riding for while so he offered me a great deal on his old bike. We are the same size so the bike fit. I bought it and started riding.

All that took place in October of last year. I have been trying to ride 20 miles each night after it gets a little cooler. A few things will keep me from riding: I get sick, we have baseball tickets for that night, it is raining, work, etc..

Tonight I passed 1200 miles (1211 to be exact) and I am nearing 80 hours of ride time since I started. My overall average is around 15.2mph. My average on the last 20 miles was 17.2mph. I’m no Lance Armstrong, but I am feeling good about doing something I find fun for exercise.