Well having received my new battery - the larger lion 14Ah battery for my Ezee Sprint - I finally went out for my first cycle ride since August 2008. At that price it is important to condition the battery correctly so needed to fully discharge the battery!
Well what a lovely experience it was, I had sort of forgotten the joy of the smell of the spring flowers, being able to see over hedges and stop and enjoy sites more or less as you wanted. It was a fairly warm day with a bit of an icy cold wind when riding, the sun was out - as well as the moon (which was lovely for me because when I see the moon I always feel my Richard is the man in the moon) so he was there with me on my first cycle ride.
I was out for nearly three hours !! trying to run the battery right down. I gave up at 34 miles, a good mixture of hills, assisting, and in the end just letting the battery move me along, or I may have been out all day.....
The battery did cut out on me twice when climbing an average hill, but this may have been because my legs were so tired from my riding that I may have forgotten to pedal. I think this happens with Lion when under pressure and are low in juice (? Flecc). I stopped for about 15 mins at the cemetary, other than that I was cycling at what was an average speed (on my computer thing) of 14 mph.
I had to smile, as normally I would be praying my battery did not get into the red. And to think I've got to do this again to complete the conditioning - can't wait really. I tried to cycle routes that would end up with me going downhill when it ran out, there are advantages to living at the bottom of a hilly village.
Now I'm in bed with a hot water bottle as I got rather cold and exhausted, so keeping my muscles warm. It feels good though to have persevered and although naturally I had so many thoughts of our rides together, it felt right.
I certainly intend to use the bike as much as possible, saving the car/petrol.
One thing that did occur to me whilst on my ride was that this is one of those activities you can do alone and not look out of place.
Sorry this is so long but those of you who were here in 2008 will understand how important this ride was to me, finding a way forward after such a loss in 2008. Cycling is something I used to enjoy and will now continue to (can only ever ride an electric bike in our area and I don't mind admitting it).
Jeanette
Well what a lovely experience it was, I had sort of forgotten the joy of the smell of the spring flowers, being able to see over hedges and stop and enjoy sites more or less as you wanted. It was a fairly warm day with a bit of an icy cold wind when riding, the sun was out - as well as the moon (which was lovely for me because when I see the moon I always feel my Richard is the man in the moon) so he was there with me on my first cycle ride.
I was out for nearly three hours !! trying to run the battery right down. I gave up at 34 miles, a good mixture of hills, assisting, and in the end just letting the battery move me along, or I may have been out all day.....
The battery did cut out on me twice when climbing an average hill, but this may have been because my legs were so tired from my riding that I may have forgotten to pedal. I think this happens with Lion when under pressure and are low in juice (? Flecc). I stopped for about 15 mins at the cemetary, other than that I was cycling at what was an average speed (on my computer thing) of 14 mph.
I had to smile, as normally I would be praying my battery did not get into the red. And to think I've got to do this again to complete the conditioning - can't wait really. I tried to cycle routes that would end up with me going downhill when it ran out, there are advantages to living at the bottom of a hilly village.
Now I'm in bed with a hot water bottle as I got rather cold and exhausted, so keeping my muscles warm. It feels good though to have persevered and although naturally I had so many thoughts of our rides together, it felt right.
I certainly intend to use the bike as much as possible, saving the car/petrol.
One thing that did occur to me whilst on my ride was that this is one of those activities you can do alone and not look out of place.
Sorry this is so long but those of you who were here in 2008 will understand how important this ride was to me, finding a way forward after such a loss in 2008. Cycling is something I used to enjoy and will now continue to (can only ever ride an electric bike in our area and I don't mind admitting it).
Jeanette
