Cold Commutes

The sky was clear and cold as I pedaled east.  It had been nearly a week since the roads were dry, and the recent end of day light savings time had brought the faint dawn light back into my commute, if only for a short while.  

Instead of turning east on the main highway after emerging from my rural back-country path, on a whim I continued straight toward the river, lured perhaps by a glimpse revealed by the dwindling fall foliage.  There was a car parked in nearby, facing the river and with a sun shade in the windshield.  Piled belongings in the back hinted at the possible presence of an unfortunate slumbering occupant.  Cars are designed to keep you dry and warm, although the latter only when running.  I imagine it was a long, chilly night.

The path meandered  down toward the river and closer to the bridge.  Several other cars were there, obviously not there for recreation, but their occupation status unclear. I made my way down the boat ramp to watch the cold, silent river, make its way past.  I'm sure we must have paused here on one of my many canoe trips down the river during warmer seasons.  This morning the river was all business.

Not wanting to backtrack too far, I made a brief scramble up an embankment to gain the familiar roadway just prior to the bridge launching out into air above the river.  Riding to the crest, I paused to take in the view of the fall colors showing warmly in the morning light.  I have been trying to apricate the views from bridges more, although it is usually difficult with close traffic and narrow paths.

Onward to work, where I can warm up from my morning passage.  I will pause again on the west-bound bridge on the way home to enjoy the view from the other side in very similar light, the sun disappearing from its short journey across the sky.

Cycling into Fall

I'd ridden almost a thousand miles over the summer on an e-bike, mostly commuting.  With fall weather closing in, I took the opportunity to test my fitness level out on an extended ride.  I have fond memories of riding out to the Buena Vista ferry with Neil, and had mapped out a loop that was within the capacity of my battery if I rode conservatively (and contributed some wattage).

Relive 'Buena Vista Loop'

Regretfully, I only took one picture along the way.  It was a beautiful old barn set against the fall colors.

There were lots of cute Halloween displays at the farm houses in the area.  There was only one farm dog to keep an eye on, thankfully behind a fence.   I did get quite a scare by a red-tailed squirrel making a surprise run at me before veering off.  That bushy tail in the blur of peripheral vision makes it look like a much bigger animal!  There was also a small bushy gerbil-size rodent along the road I stopped to check on.  He did not look too healthy, but when I reached down to share a pretzel with him, he high-tailed it with remarkable vigor.  I left the pretzel as a peace offering and hopefully he came back for it.  

I've been using an app call Komoot to plan and track trips.  I can then use the generated data and photo(s) to create the video at the top.  Technology has come quite a ways.

The ride took a little more than 2.5 hours with rest stops at the ferry, the bridge, and Hill Top Cemetery.  It clocked in at 38 miles and took 540 Wh (according to my Kill-a-Watt meter).  This is ball-park to the stated 40 mile range and 500 Wh capacity of the battery.  I don't think I could trust my luck much farther since pedaling a 50 pound bike without any help is quite a chore (ask me how I know).

My legs were sore the following day, but a good sore.  I am very curious how I would do on a regular bike at this point, and reckon a 20 mile pedal-only trip would be roughly equivalent.  Might be time to dust off the now thirty year old Trek and find out.