7.11.2025 Another 60km round trip [to the hospital.]

 ~o~

  Friday 7th 40F/4.4C [6.50] A sunny morning is promised with light winds. I can see patches of white frost on the overgrown western lawn. The overnight mist is almost absent.

 I deliberately got up at 6am. To avoid eating or drinking before my ultrasound scan within four hours. I sneaked a half bowl of porridge flakes with milk and a cup of coffee. I am supposed to fast within four hours of the scan. Which raises some other problems.

 As I mentioned yesterday, I shall have to ride to the hospital in the city. Some 32km away. Because the Morris is choosing just now to badly misbehave. The engine keeps misfiring and losing power. So I didn't want a fairly long ride on a completely empty stomach. 

 Getting up early to circumvent these fast restrictions seemed sensible. I don't want to have hunger knock half way to the hospital. Because I have so little battery reserve as it is. My 60km ride on Wednesday put the battery into the red. I just checked. My average moving speed was 21kph. [12.4mph] With lots of stops for window shopping and sightseeing. Bringing the overall average speed down to only 16kph. 

 I shall be using my second battery with 100% charge. Though there is no difference between the two batteries. Not that I know of. I simply swap back and forth. Depending on need and the battery charge available when I need it. I usually charge at least one of the batteries to 100%. Because they don't spend long periods in storage. When a lower voltage would be kinder to the battery chemistry. Swapping back and forth gives both batteries some exercise.

 While I could take the spare battery with me today I can't safely leave it outside the hospital. It would be a considerable financial loss. Carrying the spare battery into the hospital would add considerably to the load I'd need to carry. Though there is no history of Bosch batteries catching fire. They are considered very safe thanks to extensive research, the sturdy casing and charging protection. The battery weighs 3.5kg/8lbs but feels much heavier when handling it. 

 It always makes me cynical when considering the piss poor range on offer for e-bikes compared to electric cars. 70km maximum range in Sport mode is only 43miles. Most buyers would sneer at an electric car which had a range of TEN times that distance. 

 It should be remembered that I am riding a 'Speed 45' e-bike. 28mph maximum pedal assistance. The higher speeds are inevitably going to demand more from a battery than the standard e-bikes. With their miserable 15mph assisted speed limit. The average price of the Bosch 625 Powertube battery is around 7000 danish kroner. Or £824 at today's exchange rate. Retail prices seem slightly lower in the UK.

 Another worry is that Bosch is developing equipment which is not backwards compatible. Their 'Smart' electronics system won't work on my 2022 bike. Nor will their 'Smart' batteries. The chances of major breakthroughs in battery chemistry are very unlikely to trickle down to older models. There is too much profit to be made. By keeping the buying public hungry for the latest kit. For those who can afford it.

 Paying several thousand pound equivalent for a new e-bike every three to four years is not a pleasant prospect. Yet the media is constantly full of the latest hype. Surrounding new motors, new "improved" power levels, batteries and their complex control systems. Which is ironic considering that the vast majority can only dawdle [legally] at 15mph. 

 All thanks to legal restrictions. Which leave the youth demanding more power and higher illegal speeds. A whole industry is catering for upgrades and de-restriction add-ons. Just as they do for IC motorbikes, mopeds and scooters. Why not simply arrange for different classes of e-bike? With insurance, helmets, training, registration plates and age limits appropriate for each class.  

 8.50 Leaving. 

 12.30 Back again. I was glad for my mitts. As my GripGrab gloved hands soon ached with the cold. The cloud never lifted until well after 11.0. Then only slowly revealed a veiled sun. I used Tour mode for most of both journeys. The scan took only a few minutes. It seems that the enlarged artery is no worse than before. I stopped twice on the way home to munch a bread roll. 

 I was following an electric scooter. Where the teenage lad was standing bolt upright. With his clothing flapping in the light headwind. It took me ages to catch him in Sport mode and then to match his speed. He was traveling at 30kph on every slight descent. 26-28kph on every slight climb. The 60km total distance today reduced the battery from 100% charge to 33%. Still a useful margin to get home. 

 As my energy levels were depleted I decided on a decent dry-up for dinner. 

 Update: I changed the title. I am unlikely to be capable of 60kph even in free fall!  😊

  

 

  ~o~