Jordan Canada to Denver Day 2

The day began with a much-needed night’s sleep. I woke at 4:30 AM and quietly packed so Jordan could rest. He aimed to be on the bike by 7:30 AM, so everything was packed by 6:00 AM. Jordan woke at 6:15 AM and had a traditional free hotel breakfast of eggs, oatmeal, toast, cereal, biscuits, and gravy.

We arrived east of Big Fork at 7:50 AM, where the ride began. Considering yesterday’s hard day, Jordan looked tired. Concerned about Highway 83 out of Bigfork, a sign read, “Construction underway, motorcycles consider another route.” Though there were no logical routes for bicycles, he proceeded onward. (See video here.) The views were pleasant!

The wind, despite the web’s claim of only 2 mph, was a substantial headwind. Jordan exclaimed, “I rode 17 mph yesterday with the same effort as 12 mph today.” We estimate the wind was over 10 mph.

The temperature rose, and the road was busy (see video here). After traveling 50 miles, we encountered a road under construction. We knew it’d be dangerous, so we skipped the next 5 miles. Eventually, a new paved road appeared, smooth as silk. We used a lot of gas in Kalispell. When we realized we needed gas, we were deep in the mountains. Condon said MT had a gas station, but it was permanently closed. Another gas station was 40 miles away (Seeley Lake), and the car estimated 80 miles of fuel remained. The 80 miles were concerning because there were many steep climbs.

We arrived at Seeley Lake, a large city with more services than expected. We found a food cart by the lake, had burgers, and rested for an hour. We hoped for cooler temperatures but were disappointed. After 6 miles, Jordan’s road narrowed, making it unsafe to continue. I offered to drive him 6 miles to Highway 200 (Clearwater Rest Stop). Highway 200 had a good shoulder. Realizing he needed only 30 miles to reach 100 miles for the day, he decided to ride to Missoula instead of staying at the earlier spot. The last 30 miles had significant descents, making for a great time.

This route also had some desperate barns, which I was able to photograph.  

Jordan arrived in Missoula at 6:30 p.m. and was tired, ready for bed by 9:00 p.m. While I washed clothes and prepared for the next day, we ordered pizza.

The total miles for the day was 102.4, totaling 202.5 for the first two days. The first and last segments were:

The first and last Segment:

Ride (first 57.5 miles) Summary:

• Strava Link - 57.5 miles – 4:01:47
• The average speed is 14.2 MPH, and the maximum speed is 38 MPH
• The average cadence is 77 RPM, and the maximum cadence is 108 RPM
• Average heart rate of 116 BPM and maximum heart rate of 155 BPM
• Ascent 2,240 feet and descent 1,200 feet

Ride (last 34.6 miles) Summary:

• Starva Link - 34.6 miles – 1:52:50
• The average speed is 18.39 MPH, and the maximum speed is 34.88 MPH
• The average cadence is 77 RPM, and the maximum cadence is 98 RPM
• Average heart rate of 136 BPM and maximum heart rate of 158 BPM
• Ascent 754 feet and descent 1,200 feet

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Jordan Canada to Denver Day 1

It was such a treat to catch some Z’s in a hotel last night! A good night’s sleep really helps both of us feel less grumpy and more awake. We hit the road bright and early at 5:45 AM, heading from Kalispell to the Canadian border, where our adventure would begin.

The drive to the border gave us a chance to take a peek at those less-than-ideal roads! The shoulder areas were covered in debris, and the roads without shoulders were super fast (70 MPH) and twisted through the forest. The weather was just perfect: a light breeze from the north and a cool 45 degrees. To keep everyone safe, we mounted the NightRider Lumina 350 with the strobe on the back to ensure we were visible.

We arrived at the border just before 7:00 a.m., and Jordan crossed into Canada. Londell, unfortunately, didn’t have a passport, so he had to stay behind.

Jordan had a quick chat with some Mounties and USA Border Patrol before hitting the road. After just a mile, he realized he was overdressed and quickly shed the jacket, arm warmers, and gloves. Not long after, he was back on the road, heading to Kalispell (73 miles). The road was relatively quiet, and the first 90 minutes were uneventful, making for a relatively enjoyable ride.

Londell discovered a car wash in Eureka, Montana, where two days of insects had been removed from the vehicle. Eureka, Londell thoroughly washed the car (Pun intended)! Soon after, Londell and Jordan were reunited, and the day appeared promising.

You know how it is, right? Everything good has its challenges! The rocks and stones were a real headache, and we figured they caused some trouble with the bike. Jordan mentioned that the rear tire seemed to lock up, which gave him some concern. So, we put the bike on the rack and took a good look. It turns out the brakes might have been the culprit. Since we couldn’t find anything wrong, he was back on his way! Londell managed to snap a few photos and get a good feel for the road.

The last 20 miles were a bit of a slog. People were generally friendly, but there were a few who weren’t too keen on sharing the road with a bicycle. We finally arrived back at the hotel just before noon. The tourists were out in full force, and it was great to take a break from the road for a bit. Jordan took a quick break before heading to the store to grab some Powerade and oranges. Now it’s time to chill out, but Jordan might go for a quick ride later.

Ride summary:

• Strava - 72.8 miles - 4:26:27
• Speed 16.4 MPH average, and maximum 33.52 MPH
• Cadence is 76 RPM average, and maximum 128 RPM
• Heart rate 128 BPM average and maximum 169 BPM
• Ascent 2,565 feet and descent 2,221 feet

In addition, we encountered challenges during our evaluation of the trip from North Kalispell to Swan Lake. The available options were either unsafe or unappealing. Consequently, Jordan opted to embark on a 20-mile journey out of town in the morning, followed by an additional 10 miles to complete the 100-mile day.

At approximately 4:00 PM, we packed our bicycles (including the second one, which Londell would ride), and proceeded to Kila, located at the western terminus of the Great Northern Historical Trail. This trail would lead us to Somers, Montana, situated at the northern end of Flathead Lake. Jordan would ride the trail to Somers, Montana, where Londell would park and ride in reverse to rendezvous with him.

Londell and Jordan met up on the trail, and Londell covered just over 2 miles. After getting back to the car, Jordan thought it would be awesome to ride back and hit 30 miles for the day! So, he set off again on the trail. Once he got to the Kalispell trailhead, we loaded up the car, grabbed some food at Q’doba, and headed to the hotel to pack and get ready for another ride tomorrow.

Ride summary:

• Garmin tracking - 30 miles - 1:50:52
• Speed 16.23 MPH average, maximum 26 MPH
• Cadence 77 RPM average, maximum is 117 RPM
• Heart rate 128 BPM average and maximum 161 BPM
• Ascent 347 feet and descent 528 feet

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Getting set for Jordan's Canada to Denver ride

On June 21, at 5:00 PM, I headed to Colorado to meet Jordan. We planned to drive to Canada for his bike ride. Despite the good weather, I was tired from a hard few weeks. The drive was easy, with little traffic after leaving the Twin Cities. I stopped at a rest stop in York, Nebraska, at 11:45 PM. The Scion IA seat was uncomfortable, and the temperature was in the 80s. I slept little and drove again at 3:45 a.m. The drive was easy, and I arrived in Golden, CO, by 8:00 a.m. Jordan was sleeping, so I ran a few errands.

At 9:15 AM, I called Jordan, and we packed and prepared for our trip. I set up the new bicycle rack while packing the car. We met the real estate agent in Keystone at 3:00 PM and bought an air bed, tarp, and bungee cords. I was exhausted and getting double vision, but we needed to leave by 2:00 PM.

At noon, we tried to start his car, but the battery was dead. I bought jumper cables and a $100 jump-start kit from the hardware store. The cable couldn’t reach, so I planned to return the kit. It didn’t work! The neighbor was gone, and we couldn’t move the car. Then we realized the jump kit worked (initial user error). We headed to return the jump kit and found Walmart was closing. Everything was 50% off, but we couldn’t find an airbed pump. We did see a jump-start kit for $35, which was better than the one we returned. Things are looking up!

We were on the road at 2:10 PM, late due to heavy rain and concerns about being late. I was exhausted from having slept only a few hours the previous night. We reached Keystone by 3:30 p.m. and met the agent. It’s a great place, and I hope he finds a home here. His face and body language conveyed his affection for the area.

We left for Montana at 5:00 p.m., but encountered heavy traffic. We had close calls with deer as dusk set in. We stopped at a rest stop near Rawlins, WY, to sleep. We settled in and were sleeping by 11:00 PM, but the inverter broke, making it uncomfortable.

It was 4:15 AM, and I was wide awake, ready to head to Kalispell! We made a pit stop in Rock Springs, Wyoming, where we stopped to grab an inverter. Jordan was also craving ice cream for breakfast, and guess what? He got his wish! We tried to make good time, but we took the scenic route so Jordan could check out the road. I was starting to feel tired, and we had a minor disagreement. I kept it under wraps to maintain peace.

We finally arrived in Kalispell at 6:00 and quickly unpacked. We headed to MacKenzie River Pizza, Grill & Pub. I’ve been there before and loved it just as much as the second time. By 8:30 PM, we were both so tired that we were ready to start the ride and crashed HARD!

All you quiet dreamers, carry on!

Only way to go is up!

After weeks of treatment, my chest pains are less frequent, but I’m still tired and winded walking up stairs. I struggle with getting older and heavier. Exercise reduces stress and helps with weight loss, but I’m tired most days and don’t feel like working out. I try, but I fail. Riding a bike is my best workout option because it alleviates the pain in my left ankle when I walk. I enjoy riding, but it’s becoming increasingly challenging each year, especially with headwinds. The ride is 18 miles one way with an overall climb of about 550 feet.

Now that the Old Cedar Bridge is open, my ride to work should be just under 13 miles one way, five miles less. However, it has an additional 200 feet of climb (for a total of about 750 feet). It may not seem like much, but it’s tough when you’re fat and in your 50s. Even with my 5-year-old Bionx PL250, it was a hard ride that left me exhausted and the battery dead!

I bought a Surly Long Haul Trucker and upgraded it with the 2017 Bionx D500 DV. The D500 has twice the power, range, and torque of the 24-volt PL250 battery. It adds 16.1 pounds to the bike, so I needed to use half the battery, and it occasionally overheated the motor. The most challenging hill is 0.4 miles long, climbs 175 feet, and has a continuous slope of 7 to 8 percent. The D500 DV has four times the nominal and twice the maximum torque of the PL250. Although it adds three more pounds, the Long Haul Trucker is about the same weight as the Cannondale Quick 5. Will it make the hill less taxing? We will see the results once the weather cooperates and I get on the bike.

I look forward to exercising and hope it gets me back on track to a happier and less stressful life. If you are interested, a comprehensive D500 review can be found here, or you can view the video below: https://electricbikereview.com/bionx/d-500/.

   OLD VS NEW SPECS    

	PL250	D500
Watts	250	500
Est Range (miles)	40	80
Battery Volts	26	48
Batter Amps	9.6	11.6
Total Wh	248	555
Torque Nom.	7	25
Torque Max	25	50
Weight (lbs)	16.1	19.2
Low Assist (%)	25	35
Max Assist (%)	200	300

                     Range Comparison                   

	PL250 New       (rated)	PL250 Me (new)	PL250        (me 5 years)	D500    rated
Level 1	40 Miles	40 Miles	26 Miles	84 Miles
Level 2	30 Miles	30 Miles	17 Miles	58 Mile
Level 3	20 Miles	20 Miles	9 Miles	38 Miles
Level 4	10 Miles	10 Miles	5 Miles	26 Miles

                                 D500 Range Chart                                   

We will see the results once the weather cooperates and I get on the bike.  I look forward to exercising and hope it gets me back on track to a happier and less stressful life.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

wildknits wrote - Sounds like a good start! My LBS owner's wife uses an electric-assist bike to climb the hills in Duluth. It would turn a daunting commute into a much more pleasurable ride.   Glad you are starting to feel a little better. Slow, steady progress will win this race.  Monday, February 20, 2017 at 8:13:00 PM CST

Life could be short?

I had an echocardiogram and consultation, and I learned that stress is killing me. Despite being financially secure and having the freedom to enjoy activities I once dreamed of, my 70-hour work weeks and lack of breaks make it impossible. Work stress severely impacts my health, and my vitals are near life-threatening. I must systematically reframe my work and stress or die. This doesn’t mean quitting, but I must approach work differently. The key change is finding successful ways to remove stress. I’ve read that controlling stress and anxiety could make me more effective at my job.

I have internal issues. I carry immense responsibility for my team, which causes tremendous stress. I need to solve every problem and focus intensely. Thinking and working harder could overcome any obstacle. However, continuously increasing my intensity was harming my health. Medical professionals say it’s almost fatal.

I need to initiate the process and make the necessary changes. I’m exhausted and require awareness, intelligence, problem-solving skills, and effectiveness to know where to begin. One issue is the workload. Beyond my workload, dwelling on risks and potential adverse outcomes creates reasonable fear patterns. I’ve become accustomed to accepting this fear, losing sight of the primary issue. I work harder.

Raised by ambitious people who view life as high-stakes projects, I’ve adopted this dangerous thought process. I need to rewrite it. I should view stressful situations as opportunities for love and creativity. It sounds touchy-feely, but it’s concrete and scientific. The creative mind is opposite to the fearful mind. The innovative spirit is expansive and parallel, while the fearful mind is reductive and linear. Being mindful enough to shift anxiety into a relaxed, creative mode yields better results.

Moreover, things will surely improve if I change my mind that way.

Carry on my friends, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.

wildknits

That’s tough news, but not surprising given your past posts. It’s easy to say “reduce stress,” but were concrete ideas given to help you achieve that? For example, work restrictions (a 40-hour workweek, as per the doctor’s orders), therapy referrals, medication/relaxation tips, etc.? Does your workplace support working less, self-care, and a healthy work-life balance? Would you leave the job if you knew it was harming you financially? Friday, February 3, 2017 at 11:05:21 PM CST

LDP

It is a balance. I have matching pension that I need another 4.5 years to get, and that is huge. I also can get health coverage fully paid by me at the group rate if I wait. So I want to keep that as it will make the rest of my years so much easier. Sunday, February 5, 2017 at 11:12:09 AM CST

wildknits

I understand the need to keep working for insurance and benefits, especially when you are so close to the maximum benefit. Hopefully, you can find a way to achieve a more reasonable work-life balance, as your health is very important. Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 10:01:46 PM CST