I have one more wake-up to go before I start a 16-day vacation. The last two days I gave up the bike commute for an extra hour of sleep, likely I will do this tomorrow too - but we shall see.
When I work 12-hour day shifts it is really difficult waking up at 3:30 AM, get on the bike at 04:30 AM, arrive at work and dry off and change, and then take over the shift at 5:30 AM is really very early. After working a 12-hour rotating shift for the past 6 weeks, by the last 4-days I am burnt-out and the extra hour of sleep I get by driving is well worth costs associated with driving
luckily, I have been driving my wife's convertible VW Beetle, not quite a bike, but with the top down I still have the wind in my face. The car also gets about 32 miles per gallon of gasoline (or it only cost me $5.00 in gas to commute 4 days).
There was interesting article in the New York Times on Sunday, August 7, 2005, Section 14 - the "Westchester" section, commuters Journal, "The Ride Is Sweatier But a Lot More Fun", by Jack Kadden. The article is written about those commuters who bike commute to railroad stations.
Thinking about what I have observed at train stations in the New York metropolitan area, if you add up all the bicycles chained "willy-nilly to signpost and railings" you will find out there are a significant number of commuters who rely on bicycles for some, if not most of their commutes. I feel if the number of uncounted bike commuters are organized they could become a strong lobbying group for getting better bike commuting infrastructure. If you count the 47+/- railroad stations in Westchester County (http://ny.existingstations.com/counties/Westchester.html) and conservatively estimate an average of 10 bike commuters per station, that's almost 500 people using bicycles as part of their commutes, and this is likely underestimating the real number!
There is a lot information on bicycles as transportation system solutions and how to integrate bicycles into every day commuting. With the price of fuel and the nation being obese, now is a good time to start bike commuting.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Ebike as a vehicle, not a bicycle.
On my commute to work this morning, aside from dodging juvenile skunks along the side of the road, I was revisiting a series of thoughts I have been having relating to the feeling I have that my bicycle is no longer a bicycle, it is a motor vehicle. Kind of deep, kind of obvious, and really dangerous, isn't it.
Adding the power-assist to the bike has definitely increased my top speed and dramatically reduced the size of hills (it has also reduce the amount of ga$oline I would normally buy). The added speed must release some type of adrenaline because the faster I go, especially in traffic, the more invulnerable (numb) I feel as a cyclist. I sort of relate this feeling to how when motorists enter their vehicles they quickly become detached to their surrounding environments and act in ways that lead me to believe when people drive a car their IQs are lowered proportionately to how much the car cost.
The last thing I want to be doing is be riding fast in traffic and feeling invincible. I am vulnerable, and I could easily find myself on the ground with thousands of pounds of motor vehicles inches from my body. These thoughts leave me feeling very uncomfortable.
Too bad that because we live in an over-automobiled world cyclists can't feel comfortable on the road. I guess this is a reminder to myself to be vigalant, remain aware, and not get too cockie.
Adding the power-assist to the bike has definitely increased my top speed and dramatically reduced the size of hills (it has also reduce the amount of ga$oline I would normally buy). The added speed must release some type of adrenaline because the faster I go, especially in traffic, the more invulnerable (numb) I feel as a cyclist. I sort of relate this feeling to how when motorists enter their vehicles they quickly become detached to their surrounding environments and act in ways that lead me to believe when people drive a car their IQs are lowered proportionately to how much the car cost.
The last thing I want to be doing is be riding fast in traffic and feeling invincible. I am vulnerable, and I could easily find myself on the ground with thousands of pounds of motor vehicles inches from my body. These thoughts leave me feeling very uncomfortable.
Too bad that because we live in an over-automobiled world cyclists can't feel comfortable on the road. I guess this is a reminder to myself to be vigalant, remain aware, and not get too cockie.
August 6 - Morning Commute
Today's a first. I left the house at 04:30 this morning, in the dark. Riding in the dark is a blast, totally different from daylight commuting.
First, I don't recomend night riding for the week hearted or unlight rider. I have been riding the same route for 2 months and I have a pretty good idea of what the road conditions are along the way (i.e. where the "mother...." potholes are, road breaks, ripples, broken pavement, etc.). But in the dark, you don't see the road blemishes very well. It's a good thing to know your route well before trying it in the dark. One benefit to my ride is, because there is so much light pollution, there really isn't any strech of roadway you can't see except perhaps the surfaces that are in shadows - again a good reason to know your route well.
For safety, I wore a reflective vest and used 3-blinking LED reflectors (of course, I always wear a helmet). I am going to pickup a Cateye headlight on the way home today.
Regarding helmet use. About 12 years ago, a mentor in the consulting firm I was working in was riding his old black Raliegh home from the railroad station. A person delivering newspapers from their car was driving on the wrong side of the street and looking for house numbers, not looking at the road like they should have. Well Peter was hit head-on, thrown over his handle bars, and landed on his head. Peter wasn't wearing a helmet and died of head injuries. Peter was 64, a recent cancer survior, and 6-months from his retirement date. The driver of the car was found not guilty of anything and probably is still driving on the wrong side of the street somewhere. According to Peter's son and based on the type of injury, Peter would likely have survived had he been wearing a helmet. I now always wear a helmet - no excuses.
First, I don't recomend night riding for the week hearted or unlight rider. I have been riding the same route for 2 months and I have a pretty good idea of what the road conditions are along the way (i.e. where the "mother...." potholes are, road breaks, ripples, broken pavement, etc.). But in the dark, you don't see the road blemishes very well. It's a good thing to know your route well before trying it in the dark. One benefit to my ride is, because there is so much light pollution, there really isn't any strech of roadway you can't see except perhaps the surfaces that are in shadows - again a good reason to know your route well.
For safety, I wore a reflective vest and used 3-blinking LED reflectors (of course, I always wear a helmet). I am going to pickup a Cateye headlight on the way home today.
Regarding helmet use. About 12 years ago, a mentor in the consulting firm I was working in was riding his old black Raliegh home from the railroad station. A person delivering newspapers from their car was driving on the wrong side of the street and looking for house numbers, not looking at the road like they should have. Well Peter was hit head-on, thrown over his handle bars, and landed on his head. Peter wasn't wearing a helmet and died of head injuries. Peter was 64, a recent cancer survior, and 6-months from his retirement date. The driver of the car was found not guilty of anything and probably is still driving on the wrong side of the street somewhere. According to Peter's son and based on the type of injury, Peter would likely have survived had he been wearing a helmet. I now always wear a helmet - no excuses.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
August 4 - $2.70 per gallon
Yep, on my ride home this moring I finally saw gasoline has broken the $2.70 per gallon mark.
I am off for the next two days and will not be commuting anywhere, but I will be running erands on my ebike, elebike, pedelectric, etc.
Right now I am off to the bank and wine store.
It's almost 95 degrees out, its the late afternoon, so what do I have to loose taking a 5 mile ride to the store? It sure beats driving.
I am off for the next two days and will not be commuting anywhere, but I will be running erands on my ebike, elebike, pedelectric, etc.
Right now I am off to the bank and wine store.
It's almost 95 degrees out, its the late afternoon, so what do I have to loose taking a 5 mile ride to the store? It sure beats driving.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
August 3 - Scooter Dude Sighted Again
I saw the e-scooter guy again today. As we pasted he pointed to my hub motor and said "I see it!".
It was very hot today on the ride in, the local bank thermometer was showing 92 degrees and it was humid. I stopped half way in to by a lemonade which quenched my thirst and gave me a quick sugar boost.
The ride home today was surprisingly pleasant despite the high humidity. Using the panniers, I was able to get home with a dry shirt.
It was very hot today on the ride in, the local bank thermometer was showing 92 degrees and it was humid. I stopped half way in to by a lemonade which quenched my thirst and gave me a quick sugar boost.
The ride home today was surprisingly pleasant despite the high humidity. Using the panniers, I was able to get home with a dry shirt.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
August 2 - Back and Forth w/panniers
Panniers are the best! Yesterday, I had to bring some packages to the Post Office so I grabbed my 17 year old Eastpack panniers and clipped them on my rack to carry the load. I had too much stuff so I also wore my back pack. However, today on my ride in I lightened my load and only used the panniers. My back was more comfortable and my shirt didn't get soaked with sweat trapped between my back and the back pack.
My panniers will now remain on the bike.
I now need a headlight and a computer so I can see in low light, and see how well I am doing. Now that I have the bugs worked out on the bike (I still want a new rear wheel, I need to adjust the chainring derailer, and I need to lube the bike).
My wish also includes lighter batteries. Lighter means going the same distance with less energy and easier climbing. Note: Lance Armstrong's bikes in the Tour De France weigh 15 pounds and some cost as much as $25,000. Look, he has light bikes and he goes really fast. I am guessing but my bike with motor, batteries, panniers, fenders, etc. weighs 70 pounds - that's a lot. If I could keep the motor and shave 20 or 30 pounds, I would be very happy.
Even at 70 pounds, my bike is doing really well considering the average car (not all those SUVs on the road) weighs about 3,500 pounds and gets about 21 miles per gallon (that's about 1.5 million callories per mile or 2,560 Big Macs per mile). On a good day the average car is driven 35 miles with most trips being under 10 miles. Now my 7.5 mile commute takes about 30 minutes by bike, 20 minutes by car. By bike, I use about 120 calories per mile, or about 99.92 percent less energy than the average car to go the same distance (the bike gets an equivalent of about 12,500 miles per gallon, or about 4.8 miles per Big Mac). Based on recent $2.67 per gallon gasoline prices, my energy cost to bike to work (after rounding) is $0.02 per day. Driving (because I drive a pickup truck that averages 15 MPG) costs $3.56 per day.
Now, my bike commute takes 10 minutes longer per leg, or 20 minutes more per round trip than by car. By bike comuuting, I am getting a solid 1 hour of aerobic excerise per day including a good upper and lower body muscle workout. When I commute by car I sit 40 minutes per day. To drive and get the same excercise I get when I bike commute, after sitting for 40 minutes I would then need to workout for and additional hour taking up 1 hour 40 minutes per day. By bike commuting, the extra 20 minutes I spend commuting, I save 40 minutes that I would otherwise spend excercising. My time, based on my pay, is worth about $50 per hour. So each day I bike commute I save $33.00 in time value alone.
My panniers will now remain on the bike.
I now need a headlight and a computer so I can see in low light, and see how well I am doing. Now that I have the bugs worked out on the bike (I still want a new rear wheel, I need to adjust the chainring derailer, and I need to lube the bike).
My wish also includes lighter batteries. Lighter means going the same distance with less energy and easier climbing. Note: Lance Armstrong's bikes in the Tour De France weigh 15 pounds and some cost as much as $25,000. Look, he has light bikes and he goes really fast. I am guessing but my bike with motor, batteries, panniers, fenders, etc. weighs 70 pounds - that's a lot. If I could keep the motor and shave 20 or 30 pounds, I would be very happy.
Even at 70 pounds, my bike is doing really well considering the average car (not all those SUVs on the road) weighs about 3,500 pounds and gets about 21 miles per gallon (that's about 1.5 million callories per mile or 2,560 Big Macs per mile). On a good day the average car is driven 35 miles with most trips being under 10 miles. Now my 7.5 mile commute takes about 30 minutes by bike, 20 minutes by car. By bike, I use about 120 calories per mile, or about 99.92 percent less energy than the average car to go the same distance (the bike gets an equivalent of about 12,500 miles per gallon, or about 4.8 miles per Big Mac). Based on recent $2.67 per gallon gasoline prices, my energy cost to bike to work (after rounding) is $0.02 per day. Driving (because I drive a pickup truck that averages 15 MPG) costs $3.56 per day.
Now, my bike commute takes 10 minutes longer per leg, or 20 minutes more per round trip than by car. By bike comuuting, I am getting a solid 1 hour of aerobic excerise per day including a good upper and lower body muscle workout. When I commute by car I sit 40 minutes per day. To drive and get the same excercise I get when I bike commute, after sitting for 40 minutes I would then need to workout for and additional hour taking up 1 hour 40 minutes per day. By bike commuting, the extra 20 minutes I spend commuting, I save 40 minutes that I would otherwise spend excercising. My time, based on my pay, is worth about $50 per hour. So each day I bike commute I save $33.00 in time value alone.
Monday, August 01, 2005
August 1 - Scooters, Commuters, and Post Office
Happy August!
Today's commute to work - 1 hour!!!
On my ride in today, I stopped at the Mamaroneck Post Office to mail some packages for my side business (I buy and sell used books). The Mamaroneck PO has extended hours, now I know why. It takes so long for the clerks to do anything that they must have had to extend the hours just to do their normal work load. There were two people in front of me on line and it took twenty minutes to process one money order and two letters, then it took ten minutes to process my four little packages. It took over 30 minutes for normally only takes 10 minutes. I am going back to the Larchmont Post Office from now on.
I have seen a lot more motor scooters on the road, mainly being ridden by older individuals. With gasoline costing as much as it is, I am not surprised to see more people riding scooters. I just hope the scooters, with fewer air pollution controls, don't start becoming more of a problem than a solution to high gas prices as has been seen in some countries where scooters replaced bicycles and increased air pollution has been linked to scooter use. Considering the normal scooter trip is short, perhaps electric scooters are the better choice when buying one.
There are more bike commuters on the road. I don't think it is the warm weather, because it is too hot and humid these days. I am suspecting the $1.00 increase in gasoline price during the past 12 months has more to do with the increase in bike riders. Part of my observation is actually seeing more and more bikes on the road. The other part of my observation is seeing more and more bikes chained to parking meters, lamp posts, and trees. There are all sorts of bikes out on the road. Chain-store specials with names I'd never seen before, old name brand mountain and road bikes. Today I saw an old Raleigh in great condition. Now is a case where more (bike commuters) is better.
Today's commute to work - 1 hour!!!
On my ride in today, I stopped at the Mamaroneck Post Office to mail some packages for my side business (I buy and sell used books). The Mamaroneck PO has extended hours, now I know why. It takes so long for the clerks to do anything that they must have had to extend the hours just to do their normal work load. There were two people in front of me on line and it took twenty minutes to process one money order and two letters, then it took ten minutes to process my four little packages. It took over 30 minutes for normally only takes 10 minutes. I am going back to the Larchmont Post Office from now on.
I have seen a lot more motor scooters on the road, mainly being ridden by older individuals. With gasoline costing as much as it is, I am not surprised to see more people riding scooters. I just hope the scooters, with fewer air pollution controls, don't start becoming more of a problem than a solution to high gas prices as has been seen in some countries where scooters replaced bicycles and increased air pollution has been linked to scooter use. Considering the normal scooter trip is short, perhaps electric scooters are the better choice when buying one.
There are more bike commuters on the road. I don't think it is the warm weather, because it is too hot and humid these days. I am suspecting the $1.00 increase in gasoline price during the past 12 months has more to do with the increase in bike riders. Part of my observation is actually seeing more and more bikes on the road. The other part of my observation is seeing more and more bikes chained to parking meters, lamp posts, and trees. There are all sorts of bikes out on the road. Chain-store specials with names I'd never seen before, old name brand mountain and road bikes. Today I saw an old Raleigh in great condition. Now is a case where more (bike commuters) is better.
Monday, July 25, 2005
$2.67 per gallon regular gasoline
Almost half way through the summer, and I have only reached 20% of my goal to bike commute to work 42 days this summer (that's from June through September, and not easy considering I am only working 62 days during this period). I'll just have to mount up more!
I noticed gasoline has reached $2.67 per gallon this past weekend. As such the pay back on the electric conversion kit will be even sooner. Based on the cost of gasoline and tolls only (what I call my variable costs), and not including savings from reduce wear and tear on my vehicles, the exercise benefit/health, or environmental benefits, I have avoid spending $40.00 in gasoline and $12.00 in tolls by bike commuting. I have bike commuted 12 days out of 38 days during the past 2 months (or 32% of the possible times I could bike commute). My average cost avoidance is $4.30 per day. Based on today's gasoline prices, I need to bike commute 80 more days to pay back my cost for the electric conversion kit I am using on my bicycle.
Over the weekend I bike commuted errands three times (this is not calculated in my bike commuting costs). The Post Office/bike store/hardware store on Saturday, the bagel store Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon the pharmacy and grocery store. The car, minivan, and truck stayed in the driveway.
I noticed gasoline has reached $2.67 per gallon this past weekend. As such the pay back on the electric conversion kit will be even sooner. Based on the cost of gasoline and tolls only (what I call my variable costs), and not including savings from reduce wear and tear on my vehicles, the exercise benefit/health, or environmental benefits, I have avoid spending $40.00 in gasoline and $12.00 in tolls by bike commuting. I have bike commuted 12 days out of 38 days during the past 2 months (or 32% of the possible times I could bike commute). My average cost avoidance is $4.30 per day. Based on today's gasoline prices, I need to bike commute 80 more days to pay back my cost for the electric conversion kit I am using on my bicycle.
Over the weekend I bike commuted errands three times (this is not calculated in my bike commuting costs). The Post Office/bike store/hardware store on Saturday, the bagel store Sunday morning, and Sunday afternoon the pharmacy and grocery store. The car, minivan, and truck stayed in the driveway.
Thank you Lance.
Way to go Lance!
Regardless of what the Monday morning Quarterbacks are now saying about how good, bad, and/or indifferent Lance Armstrong's 7th consecutive win of the Tour de France was, his achievement is something no other human has done, or will likely do for a long time to come.
I for one have had my spirts uplifted and my feeling for hope of a better future are at an all time high after seeing Lance's victory and knowing what he had overcome to get where he is today.
Lance, if you ever read this blog, I want you to know I am one of the millions of lives you have touched, and I hope you continue your meaningful ways of being part of millions of more lives. Thank you.
Regardless of what the Monday morning Quarterbacks are now saying about how good, bad, and/or indifferent Lance Armstrong's 7th consecutive win of the Tour de France was, his achievement is something no other human has done, or will likely do for a long time to come.
I for one have had my spirts uplifted and my feeling for hope of a better future are at an all time high after seeing Lance's victory and knowing what he had overcome to get where he is today.
Lance, if you ever read this blog, I want you to know I am one of the millions of lives you have touched, and I hope you continue your meaningful ways of being part of millions of more lives. Thank you.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
July 17th - PM Ride to Work
I have eBike commuted 3 out of 4 days this week.
I took one day off (yesterday). Saturday morning on my ride home I ended up getting violently ill before I was half way out of the parking lot at work - thank heavens it was Saturday morning and it was early - more of a spectical I need not be. I must of had a 24 hr bug. I slept all day Saturday until I had to get up and return to work. I was so out of it that I drove the truck (reminder: minivan needs an inspection).
Looking into next week, I have three work days and they fall within "normal" working hours. I am tempted to eBike commute, but it looks like those days will be the hottest, muggiest, nastiest, and highest energy demand days of the year - a busy time when, like me, you work for an energy utility. Time will tell.
Today my timing was off by 15 minutes. Had I left the house 15 minutes earlier I would have missed getting soaked by a rain shower. I would have left earlier, but my wife was still cooking food that I was taking for dinner (considering food at work is twice the price, half the quality, and nowhere near the taste of TLC prepared home cooking, it was worth the wait despite getting a little wet).
I must remember to service the eBike. I need to lube the pedals and bottom bracket. I have accumualted a lot of road grime - despite the grime streak that went up my back on tonights ride in the rain. I also need to adjust the brakes and chain ring shifter.
I need to give some serious thoughts to whether or not to upgrade the eBike or get a new bike and convert it. If I upgrade the bike I need new brakes and tires, I would upgrade the rear wheel with heavier spokes, and I could also use fenders and a descent lighting system. Oh, let me not forget about the time to tool all these changes. Now a new bike with a conversion kit may be a little pricey, but if I sell the conversion - as is -, the cost of a new bike may only be a few hundred dollars more than fixing up the existing 10 year old bike, but amortized over 10 years, overall the cost of a new bike may be negligable. Anybody want to by an e-converted Cannondale M400? Price: $450.00
As I keep on dreaming, my next e-bike will likely be a recumbent. Recumbents are just too comfortable and fast, and with a little extra power from a motor, you're rocking.
I took one day off (yesterday). Saturday morning on my ride home I ended up getting violently ill before I was half way out of the parking lot at work - thank heavens it was Saturday morning and it was early - more of a spectical I need not be. I must of had a 24 hr bug. I slept all day Saturday until I had to get up and return to work. I was so out of it that I drove the truck (reminder: minivan needs an inspection).
Looking into next week, I have three work days and they fall within "normal" working hours. I am tempted to eBike commute, but it looks like those days will be the hottest, muggiest, nastiest, and highest energy demand days of the year - a busy time when, like me, you work for an energy utility. Time will tell.
Today my timing was off by 15 minutes. Had I left the house 15 minutes earlier I would have missed getting soaked by a rain shower. I would have left earlier, but my wife was still cooking food that I was taking for dinner (considering food at work is twice the price, half the quality, and nowhere near the taste of TLC prepared home cooking, it was worth the wait despite getting a little wet).
I must remember to service the eBike. I need to lube the pedals and bottom bracket. I have accumualted a lot of road grime - despite the grime streak that went up my back on tonights ride in the rain. I also need to adjust the brakes and chain ring shifter.
I need to give some serious thoughts to whether or not to upgrade the eBike or get a new bike and convert it. If I upgrade the bike I need new brakes and tires, I would upgrade the rear wheel with heavier spokes, and I could also use fenders and a descent lighting system. Oh, let me not forget about the time to tool all these changes. Now a new bike with a conversion kit may be a little pricey, but if I sell the conversion - as is -, the cost of a new bike may only be a few hundred dollars more than fixing up the existing 10 year old bike, but amortized over 10 years, overall the cost of a new bike may be negligable. Anybody want to by an e-converted Cannondale M400? Price: $450.00
As I keep on dreaming, my next e-bike will likely be a recumbent. Recumbents are just too comfortable and fast, and with a little extra power from a motor, you're rocking.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
July 14 - ride to work (gasoline $2.60/gal)
Well, tonight is the first night back to work after 16 days of vacation. We did a couple of interesting things, we house sat for my sister-in-law in Bangor Maine (Maine is Vacation Land!) and visited some touristy sites, we ate a lot of lobster meat, saw two movies (movies are a lot cheaper in Maine than they are here near New York City - I paid $4.50 for Adult tickets!), we kayaked, swam, and on the way home we went to the antique fair in Brimfield MA.
While in Maine, one day the Bangor Daily News had an article on this guy who is eBike commuting on a converted mountain bike and using NiMH batteries - way cool.
Last night I charged up my battery pack, and today had a very pleasant 30 minute ride to work. Seeing I haven't eBike commuted since June 23rd there were a few creeks and growns from the bottom bracket that I haven't heard before. It looks like I might need to replace some bearings - I'll lube them first, but I don't have a good feeling about this.
I am still thinking that a new purpose-built eBike is better than a conversion because I now have to deal with all the little anoyances you have with a 10-year old bike in addition to making the conversion and keeping that running too.
Gasoline is $2.60 per gallon. I bet we will see $3.00 per gallon by the end of the year. As long as I keep riding the bike, I can go 2 months without filling up the truck, 1 month without filling the minivan, and 2 weeks without topping off the VW. Basically, my gasoline expenses remain the same but my miles drivin drops. If gasoline goes above $3.00 per gallon, I will convert my delta trike to be an eTrike.
While in Maine, one day the Bangor Daily News had an article on this guy who is eBike commuting on a converted mountain bike and using NiMH batteries - way cool.
Last night I charged up my battery pack, and today had a very pleasant 30 minute ride to work. Seeing I haven't eBike commuted since June 23rd there were a few creeks and growns from the bottom bracket that I haven't heard before. It looks like I might need to replace some bearings - I'll lube them first, but I don't have a good feeling about this.
I am still thinking that a new purpose-built eBike is better than a conversion because I now have to deal with all the little anoyances you have with a 10-year old bike in addition to making the conversion and keeping that running too.
Gasoline is $2.60 per gallon. I bet we will see $3.00 per gallon by the end of the year. As long as I keep riding the bike, I can go 2 months without filling up the truck, 1 month without filling the minivan, and 2 weeks without topping off the VW. Basically, my gasoline expenses remain the same but my miles drivin drops. If gasoline goes above $3.00 per gallon, I will convert my delta trike to be an eTrike.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
June 21 - On ride to work, "E" passes "E"
It happened today! I was 2/10 of a mile from the office and I couldn't believe what I saw... an eScooter!
It took me a minute to understand what I was seeing, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was different. This guy was on a Razor-style scooter, he was an adult wearing a helmet, and he was coasting uphill. Uphill? Then I saw how thick the deck was on the thing. No way! An eScooter!
I was lost for words, here I was in the middle of an intersection less than 20 feet from the guy and all I could say was "wow, cool, your "E"". His reply was "I see your fat hub motor too". We continued our separate ways like two ships passing. Will this ever happen again? Will I ever see another "E"? Perhaps this is just the begining, and maybe I will start to see more? I hope so.
It took me a minute to understand what I was seeing, but as soon as I saw it I knew it was different. This guy was on a Razor-style scooter, he was an adult wearing a helmet, and he was coasting uphill. Uphill? Then I saw how thick the deck was on the thing. No way! An eScooter!
I was lost for words, here I was in the middle of an intersection less than 20 feet from the guy and all I could say was "wow, cool, your "E"". His reply was "I see your fat hub motor too". We continued our separate ways like two ships passing. Will this ever happen again? Will I ever see another "E"? Perhaps this is just the begining, and maybe I will start to see more? I hope so.
June 21 - Ride Home
A little chilly this morning. I made the trip in 35 minutes. I cranked up the last hill with no problem. I read somewhere the hub motor smooths the hills, well it does.
I am starting to think of how I would design an eBike if I were given a blank sheet of paper. The two criteria I think are most important are 1) light weight, and 2) bomb-proof. More on this later.
Why don't more people ride eBikes?
I am starting to think of how I would design an eBike if I were given a blank sheet of paper. The two criteria I think are most important are 1) light weight, and 2) bomb-proof. More on this later.
Why don't more people ride eBikes?
Monday, June 20, 2005
June 20 - Ride to work.
With the batteries newly charged and a mindset to peddle as much as possible in as high a gear as possible, I made the trip in 30 minutes include one stop at the post office. I am confident that I will make it home on a single charge so I left the charger at home (it saves weight and I found out the "hard" watt that it is fragile).
I need to focus on the front wheel. It sounds like the spokes aren't tight enough - probably sloppy construction - I suspect the wheel was machine laced, not hand-built. I also need to tighten up the brakes.
It is amazing how heavy the bike has become with the motor and batteries. I notice the handling doesn't suffer, but the ride is harder. My plan still includes swapping the rear wheel with a 26" tandem wheel with beefier spokes. I should also swap from knobby tires to high pressure slicks.
I want to lower the battery weight and I think mounting them in panniers would be better than having them on top of the rear rack. However, 36 volts is 3-12 volt batteries or 6-6 volt batteries. The 6-6 volts will be too much weight, and the 3-12 volts will cause an imbalance, so I think 48 volts (4-12 volts, 2 in each pannier) is the way to go, but now I need to start thinking about a new controller and charger ($$$$$). I may be better off just buying a new Tidalforce S-750 X and spend more time riding and less time tinkering.
I need to focus on the front wheel. It sounds like the spokes aren't tight enough - probably sloppy construction - I suspect the wheel was machine laced, not hand-built. I also need to tighten up the brakes.
It is amazing how heavy the bike has become with the motor and batteries. I notice the handling doesn't suffer, but the ride is harder. My plan still includes swapping the rear wheel with a 26" tandem wheel with beefier spokes. I should also swap from knobby tires to high pressure slicks.
I want to lower the battery weight and I think mounting them in panniers would be better than having them on top of the rear rack. However, 36 volts is 3-12 volt batteries or 6-6 volt batteries. The 6-6 volts will be too much weight, and the 3-12 volts will cause an imbalance, so I think 48 volts (4-12 volts, 2 in each pannier) is the way to go, but now I need to start thinking about a new controller and charger ($$$$$). I may be better off just buying a new Tidalforce S-750 X and spend more time riding and less time tinkering.
Last Week
Last week the new charger arrived from Wilderness Energy. I was on-call so I had the Company truck all week so it really didn't matter much. Two days were above 105 with bad ozone so I didn't attempt to ride. One day I was in New York City first thing for a meeting, another day I reported to a service center too far away to ride (40 miles) to for a 7:00 AM presentation, and then one day I pulled an all-nighter cleaning up an oil spill from a lightening strike that took out an oil filled pole-mount transformer (what a mess).
There was little time for riding until Friday. I used the e-bike to run errands Friday afternoon. I hooked the Burley trailer to the e-bike to haul the groceries. The trip was under 4 miles so I motored most of the way.
Saturday, the girls had their softball championship playoff game (they won - undefeated all season) and due to some logistical issues I ended up riding my 7 year old to the game in the trailer. Most of the trip was downhill but the motor helped on the uphills. I don't think it took us any longer to go the 3 miles on the e-bike as it would have by car because we pretty much paced traffic the whole way. After the game we went to Dudley's, a local bar with some o.k. food on a pier in the harbor - the fries are good for feeding the seagulls. After a "barge burger" and a pitcher of beer I peddled home - mostly uphill. The motor really helped here, but I did notice the batteries were not putting out as much by the time we got home. I figure round trip was 7 miles and the total weight with me, bike w/motor and batter, and trailer with 7 year old was about 400+ pounds. So, considering the amount of uphill, less than sober condition of me, all the weight, and the amount of throttle I used, 7 miles is not too bad a range for the 12 Amp Hr 36 volt battery pack.
There was little time for riding until Friday. I used the e-bike to run errands Friday afternoon. I hooked the Burley trailer to the e-bike to haul the groceries. The trip was under 4 miles so I motored most of the way.
Saturday, the girls had their softball championship playoff game (they won - undefeated all season) and due to some logistical issues I ended up riding my 7 year old to the game in the trailer. Most of the trip was downhill but the motor helped on the uphills. I don't think it took us any longer to go the 3 miles on the e-bike as it would have by car because we pretty much paced traffic the whole way. After the game we went to Dudley's, a local bar with some o.k. food on a pier in the harbor - the fries are good for feeding the seagulls. After a "barge burger" and a pitcher of beer I peddled home - mostly uphill. The motor really helped here, but I did notice the batteries were not putting out as much by the time we got home. I figure round trip was 7 miles and the total weight with me, bike w/motor and batter, and trailer with 7 year old was about 400+ pounds. So, considering the amount of uphill, less than sober condition of me, all the weight, and the amount of throttle I used, 7 miles is not too bad a range for the 12 Amp Hr 36 volt battery pack.
Monday, June 06, 2005
June 6 - Nice ride home.
Less than 45 minutes - nice ride home (I rode the EZ-3 AX Trike). The last hill has tough - I bonked - should have eaten something before riding home.
I slept all day and got up feeling like road kill. This early in the season, and considering in what horrible shape I am in, taking the day off is a good thing. I'll ride a few more times this week.
Now that it is lighter earlier in the day I am seeing more cyclists during my morning commute - it's nice to have company. I am really enjoying the fairing too. I hear more of the bike than I am use to, but that is good. Flying down hills is a blast.
I slept all day and got up feeling like road kill. This early in the season, and considering in what horrible shape I am in, taking the day off is a good thing. I'll ride a few more times this week.
Now that it is lighter earlier in the day I am seeing more cyclists during my morning commute - it's nice to have company. I am really enjoying the fairing too. I hear more of the bike than I am use to, but that is good. Flying down hills is a blast.
Saturday, June 04, 2005
$15.42
$15.42, the amount of money I did not spent this week because I commuted by bike/trike.
Because the charger pooped-out on the ebike, tonight I commuted on the EZ-3.
Because my commute is about 60% rolling coastal hills and 40% flat, 30% of the trip is down hill and awesome to fly down on a faired trike. I still get the "silly-bike" looks, but I know I am leaving a green tread mark.
Scary moment happened on the ride in. At a intersection in the middle of Larchmont, NY, between the Starbucks and the Gormet coffee shop that are next to the deli where the "real people" buy their coffee, a young women driving a larger than large SUV was trying to make an unlawful u-turn ("ill eagle" is a sick bird - so say my daughters). Well she saw me, let me pass, but as I was right in front of her - inches from her bumper - she hits the gas peddle! I shouted "hey lady", and in her cute little suburban voice said "oh, I would never hit you" - Yeh right! I guess perspective is every thing [she should be driving a twike].
I have set my bike-commute goals for the summer (through September). I am scheduled to work 60 days between now and then. My goal is to bike commute 70% of the time (or better), or 42+ days. I have already bike commuted 6 days. I am at 14.3% of my goal.
Because the charger pooped-out on the ebike, tonight I commuted on the EZ-3.
Because my commute is about 60% rolling coastal hills and 40% flat, 30% of the trip is down hill and awesome to fly down on a faired trike. I still get the "silly-bike" looks, but I know I am leaving a green tread mark.
Scary moment happened on the ride in. At a intersection in the middle of Larchmont, NY, between the Starbucks and the Gormet coffee shop that are next to the deli where the "real people" buy their coffee, a young women driving a larger than large SUV was trying to make an unlawful u-turn ("ill eagle" is a sick bird - so say my daughters). Well she saw me, let me pass, but as I was right in front of her - inches from her bumper - she hits the gas peddle! I shouted "hey lady", and in her cute little suburban voice said "oh, I would never hit you" - Yeh right! I guess perspective is every thing [she should be driving a twike].
I have set my bike-commute goals for the summer (through September). I am scheduled to work 60 days between now and then. My goal is to bike commute 70% of the time (or better), or 42+ days. I have already bike commuted 6 days. I am at 14.3% of my goal.
Friday, June 03, 2005
June 4 - Charger not working
Can't believe it.... The Wilderness Energy (WE) battery charger crapped out. I contacted WE and they are sending a new one, but it sidelines the e-bike for a week. Tommorrow I am back to the EZ-3 AL trike. I can't believe I know have to pull out the soldering iron and take the charger a part to fix it before the new one arrives.
I am pricing the difference between my conversion vs. a new Tidalforce S750x.
I am pricing the difference between my conversion vs. a new Tidalforce S750x.
June 3 - Still working night shift.
The ride home at 6:00 AM today was quick, 35 minutes. I didn't peddle too hard and there weren't too many cars on the road. The battery kept powering all the way home (7.5 miles). The last hill I hit with full throttle and I still pushed a pretty high gear, it took about half the time to get up the hill - a great boost.
The thumb throttle really started to hurt my thumb. I cut a 3/4 inch length of stout dowel and taped it to the thumb pad on the throttle, in effect moving the lever closer to my thumb - this was easier than flopping it to the other side of the handle bar.
The ride to work tonight was a blast - 30 minutes. I spun fast and actually overspun the top gear on a couple of the flats and all down hills - I should replace my chain ring with a larger ring set it will improve my travel time. I am still trying to find the limits to the battery pack, but tonight didn't even come close to draining them - they still should full charge by the time I got to work. I am thinking if I get a bigger chain ring, replace the rear wheel with a 40 spoke tandem wheel, and reshod the wheels with high pressure low rolling resistant AirFree tires I will probably get my travel time to 25 minutes [it takes 20 minutes to drive]. With all the tinkering, I can see the value in the Wavecrest powered bikes http://www.tidalforce.com/.
I have to keep reminding myself, this is an e-bike, this bike has a motor, the bike has a battery pack, this bike is beefy (almost 75 pounds), and this bike is much better than the moped I use to ride in 1980's.
Today I heard gasoline prices are likely to rise another $0.08 per gallon because the EPA is demanding oxygenated gasoline still be sold in New York State. I'll keep peddling.
Adding the dowel to the thumb throttle lever took a lot of stress off my thumb. I am thinking I will try a little longer piece of dowling - but this seems to be the solution.
The thumb throttle really started to hurt my thumb. I cut a 3/4 inch length of stout dowel and taped it to the thumb pad on the throttle, in effect moving the lever closer to my thumb - this was easier than flopping it to the other side of the handle bar.
The ride to work tonight was a blast - 30 minutes. I spun fast and actually overspun the top gear on a couple of the flats and all down hills - I should replace my chain ring with a larger ring set it will improve my travel time. I am still trying to find the limits to the battery pack, but tonight didn't even come close to draining them - they still should full charge by the time I got to work. I am thinking if I get a bigger chain ring, replace the rear wheel with a 40 spoke tandem wheel, and reshod the wheels with high pressure low rolling resistant AirFree tires I will probably get my travel time to 25 minutes [it takes 20 minutes to drive]. With all the tinkering, I can see the value in the Wavecrest powered bikes http://www.tidalforce.com/.
I have to keep reminding myself, this is an e-bike, this bike has a motor, the bike has a battery pack, this bike is beefy (almost 75 pounds), and this bike is much better than the moped I use to ride in 1980's.
Today I heard gasoline prices are likely to rise another $0.08 per gallon because the EPA is demanding oxygenated gasoline still be sold in New York State. I'll keep peddling.
Adding the dowel to the thumb throttle lever took a lot of stress off my thumb. I am thinking I will try a little longer piece of dowling - but this seems to be the solution.
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Day 1 - 7.5 miles in 35 minutes to work
I am working the overnight shift. I rode my hybrid ped-electric e-bike. The battery is charging as I work. Note: I need to flip the thumb throttle and place it on the other side of the handlebar to reduce stress on my thumb and carple tunnel.
Today's was a pleasant ride. I noticed I made better time going through down-town areas than did the cars and trucks I passed along my route. I noticed a little road rage when one driver expressed discussed that I passed her for a fourth time (slow and steady rules!).
Even thought today was humid, I peddled the entire way using the electric on flats and up hills, and with the electric assist I didn't break too much of a sweat. My motor is "brushed", meaning there is a mechanical contection between the motor and the axle which is a source of internal drag. The drag is quite noticeable on the flats and up hills, but I find sending a bit of current through the motor eliminates the sensation of drag, and it makes peddling way easy. Essentially, the motor is on continuously except for going down hills.
I am still trying to get a sense of how long/far a battery charge lasts. So far, the farthest between charge distance has been 10 miles and there has been plenty of charge to get me back up to the top of the hill I live on.
Hybrid ebikes are awesome. Mine started life 15 years ago as a Canandale mountain bike that was a raffle prize from a local beer distributor. The frame has "Bud-Lite" stickers all over it. The bike served as my station bike for years until last week when my Wilderness Electric conversion kit came with a 1000 Watt hub motor and 36 volt 12 amp hour battery pack. My commute time is back to where it was when I rode the same distance on my Trek 400 road bike (that was 60 pounds ago), and I was way-less sweaty.
Why ped-electric hybrid? 1) I can. 2) This week gasoline prices are $2.25 per gallon. 3) I believe it makes a difference.
A note on the conversion process: I have found most local bike shops (LBS) don't really care much for do it yourselfers (d-i-y) like myself, and none of the dozen or so local shops I went to was knowledgeable or helpful with my conversion. My conversion required some work on the fork. I had the work done at a local custom motorcycle shop - they can relate to motors and two wheels.
My wish list includes a beefier 40-spoke rear wheel - perhaps one built for a tandem, up the voltage to 48 volts, lower the batteries - to lower the center of gravity, changes the batteries from sealed lead-acid to NiMH to reduce weight, extend range, and increase the lifespan of the battery, and puncture-proof AirFree tires.
Today's was a pleasant ride. I noticed I made better time going through down-town areas than did the cars and trucks I passed along my route. I noticed a little road rage when one driver expressed discussed that I passed her for a fourth time (slow and steady rules!).
Even thought today was humid, I peddled the entire way using the electric on flats and up hills, and with the electric assist I didn't break too much of a sweat. My motor is "brushed", meaning there is a mechanical contection between the motor and the axle which is a source of internal drag. The drag is quite noticeable on the flats and up hills, but I find sending a bit of current through the motor eliminates the sensation of drag, and it makes peddling way easy. Essentially, the motor is on continuously except for going down hills.
I am still trying to get a sense of how long/far a battery charge lasts. So far, the farthest between charge distance has been 10 miles and there has been plenty of charge to get me back up to the top of the hill I live on.
Hybrid ebikes are awesome. Mine started life 15 years ago as a Canandale mountain bike that was a raffle prize from a local beer distributor. The frame has "Bud-Lite" stickers all over it. The bike served as my station bike for years until last week when my Wilderness Electric conversion kit came with a 1000 Watt hub motor and 36 volt 12 amp hour battery pack. My commute time is back to where it was when I rode the same distance on my Trek 400 road bike (that was 60 pounds ago), and I was way-less sweaty.
Why ped-electric hybrid? 1) I can. 2) This week gasoline prices are $2.25 per gallon. 3) I believe it makes a difference.
A note on the conversion process: I have found most local bike shops (LBS) don't really care much for do it yourselfers (d-i-y) like myself, and none of the dozen or so local shops I went to was knowledgeable or helpful with my conversion. My conversion required some work on the fork. I had the work done at a local custom motorcycle shop - they can relate to motors and two wheels.
My wish list includes a beefier 40-spoke rear wheel - perhaps one built for a tandem, up the voltage to 48 volts, lower the batteries - to lower the center of gravity, changes the batteries from sealed lead-acid to NiMH to reduce weight, extend range, and increase the lifespan of the battery, and puncture-proof AirFree tires.
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