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Wednesday 29th 42F/5.6C [7.30] Yet another sunny day. Expected to peak at 15C/59F in the late afternoon. 69F/21C in the room with the heat pump on all night. Remotely set to 17C/62F. Greenhouse at 44F/6.7C. Northerly breeze light and increasing as it becomes variable in direction.
Up at 6.45 after a rather busy night with more weird dreams.
A visit to my English friend was postponed yesterday due to his B&B business demands. However tempting it might be to ride there today I shall be sensible and drive over. 64km[40miles] is a two battery ride at these lower temperatures. EV car owners who complain about 600kms per charge take note. Bosch e-bike batteries are a pitiful joke when it comes to range in Sport mode. Lighter bike batteries, with modern chemistry, are said to be decades away.
Sport mode provides enough assistance for me [aged 79 and 70kg] to manage average pedal bicycle speeds on the flat Using Turbo mode, for me to average the speed of a fit racing cyclist, would reduce the range even further.
Remember that the motor has to drag a massive all-up bicycle weight with it. The "Speed" models can supposedly reach 28mph or 45kph with motor assistance while continuously pedaling. A speed I very rarely see. Even on long, steep descents! They say extra weight helps here. I haven't noticed.
You can buy a complete racing bike. Which is lighter than a bare, Bosch battery alone. The Moustache Friday 27FS "Speed" bike weighs in excess of 30kg or 66lbs. Even more with panniers and enough spare kit for a modest ride. Including the vital ABUS U-lock.
I ought to weigh my normally loaded Moustache e-bike again with my digital scales. To get an accurate measurement. I can vaguely remember having done so. But when? Aha! Blog of 29th June last year in 2025.
https://pedal-trikes.blogspot.com/2025/06/29062025.html
Let's call it 40kg with a spare battery, panniers and kit but without me aboard. 88lbs! A Tour de France bike weighs about 7.5kg or 16lbs. 5x times lighter!
13.30 Back from visiting my friend. On the way there I chose the most scenic and quietest route. Choosing narrow rural lanes over main roads. The Danish countryside is absolutely gorgeous at the moment. With early flowering trees and shrubs. Adding to the overall wash of fresh green leaves.
We sat and chatted in the warmth of his large new greenhouse. While enjoying the Danish pastries I had bought on the way. With a flask of coffee on the table fresh from the machine indoors. Later we had our traditional stroll around his extensive garden. Where lawns dominate. Still decorated by a multitude of spring bulbs. Like tulips and a whole variety of daffodils. The lack of recent rain meant the natural stream was running low. My hip was hurting but I survived.
I fell asleep after lunch. While pretending to watch YouTube. Which meant I missed the chance to warm the house. With free heat from the greenhouse at the hottest time of the day. An error quickly corrected. By switching off the heat pump and opening the interior windows and doors.
Dinner was a pork chop fry-up. With mushrooms, tomatoes, and tweggs on toast.
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