5000 Km and still enthused

With the full blessings of summer's heat in the rear view mirror it's time for a review. Combined distance on Rover I and II since the first of the year now topping 5000 km and still going strong and as enthused as ever. I now try to get out every day for my 24 km roll around the town. I try to scare the Canada Geese off our riverfront trail, but only managed to bring a little organic fertilizer back to the yard so far. My route up Hwy 600 has been out of order for the last month as that road is being resurfaced. I took a run up it today, but the surface treatment still has a way to go to be pleasant. Hopefully it will be a lot better next year.

Rover II is standing up well without even a flat tire so far, but the fronts are pretty worn down and one developed an aneurysm last week so I popped the original rear onto the front rim. Had to adjust the rear derailleur a couple of times as well as regular lube and maintenance and the odd bolt, tightened the spokes once, brakes are fine, but really not much else. I fabricated a derailleur post for the front and it worked... sort of, but I shift so rarely and just nudging the chaintube sideways works so well I removed it in preparations for future mods (more later)

I've learned a lot over the past 5000 kms... good and bad.

The good::

• Theft insurance a must.
• Cadence is king. Keep those rpms up for happy knees and pleasant riding. Got lots of gears...use 'em.
• The three speed chain ring on the front... great inexpensive addition.
• USB rechargeable lights- real bright, retina burning red rear...great
• Mirracycle Mirrors both sides... a must
• SPD type Clipless pedals and shoes... should start that way, don't delay,. minimizes heel strike too
• Bright yellow shirts and flags... Under Armour the most comfortable, but any is good.
• Layers. Weather is either too hot or too cold for what I go out the door wearing.
• Got rid of the old Schwinn MTB... yeah
• Trailer hitch Hollywood carrier works great. Hauled Rover II 8000+ kms.
• 24" rear wheel got rear derailleur up out of dirt, smoother ride, higher top end speed
• Cards with TT and website info.

The bad:

• Bike locks... close to useless. Thieves
• Helmets... mediocre. better brim needed, sunburn through the holes
• Chain tubes part top one is a bit too short so greasy chain contact. Tuck pant legs in socks
• Ranaico Bike Computer. Original plus free replacement both died after a month use

So the enthusiasm is still there. On the health front I lost a bit of weight 5+ kilos. My A1C hemoglobin is now 6.8 and 6.7. The first it has been below 7 in years. For years I suffered with resting or night leg cramps almost daily. Now they are extremely rare and I would credit that to better circulation from the exercise. My butt doesn't hurt, my back doesn't ache, my knees are great, my shoulders don't ache, and neither do my wrists.

So what from here? A new set of Big Ben tires all round is on order. See if that will help with some of my favourite bumps. I'm looking at the weather reports and thinking seriously about faring. Been spending much of my web surfing looking at E-assist and have it narrowed down to mid mount either Bafang BB02 or TSDZ2. Don't want to go 50 kph. 20-25 would be great with some help for the hills and headwinds and torque sensing would be nice. That field is changing so quickly almost afraid to jump.When I do I'll let you know.

So for the next while I'll be quiet. Wanted to make it down to Recumbent Con or the Chicago show, but ain't gonna happen this year. probably heading for the west coast this winter so may see you BC interior or Vancouver trikers.

Still grinning