Happy 4th, Just Now Catching Up

Hope you had an amazing 4th of July! I've been a bit slow in updating the blog, and now I'm racking my brain to remember what we did on that day.

Oh yes, it's coming back to me now. We embarked on an enjoyable bike ride up old High Drive and then descended via Gold Camp Road. It was a nostalgic trip down memory lane as I used to hike this area frequently, and it was interesting to observe some alterations, mostly for drainage purposes. This was our inaugural bike journey on this route, and it was truly enjoyable with the bikes performing splendidly. What caught my eye was the growing popularity of e-bikes, especially the mountain bike variants, on the trails. They certainly looked enticing.

We made it home by 10:00 AM, ready to kick off the day's celebrations. Our plan was simple, just grill some burgers and hot dogs. Clark joined us a bit after noon. Given the heat of the 4th, we were in need of some cooling refreshments, and so we started concocting Mojitos.  That's when the fun really began.

I had some paracord and buckles to make some bracelets.  So we all cut our cords to length and after watching a short reminder video, we were on our way.  We whipped out some nice bracelets.  It really doesn't take long and its just being repetitive in how you braid the cord.  Luckily had some great colors to choose from

and I think they came out really nice.  I have several already that I have made for Candy and I, so we sent Clark home with the ones we made.  Time for another Mojito!

It was time to fire up the grill, I am going to need to replace our grill at some point, it pretty old and half the burners work.  We cooked up some burgers, hot dogs.  Candy cut up some watermelon we had potato salad and some other fixings. 

 After the bike rides and having a couple of cocktails we were all ready for a bite to eat.  Luckily I didn't burn the burgers and dogs.  Late in the afternoon, we had a little storm blow in and cooled things off, which was nice.  As evening approached we popped off a few fire crackers and then lit some sparklers.  It was a nice time had by all.

Rad Power Bikes - An In-depth Overview

Revving up the electric bike industry since 2007, Rad Power Bikes has made a name for itself with its innovative designs, top-notch quality, and unbeatable affordability. These bikes are not just about getting from point A to B; they're about enjoying the journey, making every ride an adventure!

Now, I know I might sound like a broken record, always raving about Rad Power Bikes. But let me tell you, some of the best moments of my

day are spent on my Rad Power Bike. It's a sweet, smooth 30-minute ride to work and another 30 minutes back home. That's one whole hour of pure, unadulterated joy, covering six miles round trip.

My daily route takes me through the serene trails of Bear Creek Park, where every day brings a new discovery. There's a short stretch on a major street that requires a bit of extra vigilance. With distracted drivers around, it's crucial to stay alert and safe. After all, as we riders know, safety first!

If Rad Power Bikes ever needs a volunteer to test their e-bikes, I'm their man! Especially with this fantastic weather, there's nothing I'd rather do than spend more time outdoors on these beauties. Plus, with my JBL 5 speaker mounted upfront, my rides are always accompanied by my rockabilly playlist.

Believe it or not, my music choice seems to be a hit among passersby too! People often start dancing or shout out, "Hey, I love that song!" as I zoom past. Talk about spreading the joy of music!

But what makes Rad Power Bikes stand out in the crowd? It's their commitment to delivering a superior biking experience. Each bike boasts a sturdy aluminum frame for durability, a powerful 750W motor for a smooth, effortless ride, and a long-lasting battery that offers a range of 25-45 miles on a single charge. Perfect for long commutes or leisurely rides!

Rad Power Bikes aren't just about transportation; they're about transforming everyday commutes into exciting adventures. They make every ride an opportunity to explore, enjoy, and embrace life. So if you're looking for a fun, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to travel, Rad Power Bikes is the way to go!

Staycation

Golly gee, time sure does fly! Last week, I treated myself to a staycation and boy, did I get stuff done! On Monday, I was at my workshop all day, getting heating installed so I can stay toasty while working on projects during the winter months. I am putting in a 20ft radiant heating solution.  This will hang from the ceiling.  A crew was there running the gas line and prepping the heater installation. But, wouldn't you know it, they discovered a missing part on Wednesday! So, they had to order it, which slowed things down a bit.  Guess they will be back on July 5th to hopefully wrap this up. Had a full house with

the workers.  I took a picture of all the vehicles that were parked in the drive.  It was three individuals but they each had there own transportation.

On Tuesday, a friendly electrician came by to work on the wiring for the shop heating. They got their part done, but will have to come back once the heater is up. I spent most of Monday sprucing up the shop - mowing, weeding, and trimming those pesky little starter trees. The place is looking spiffy now! I met with some furnace repair folks on Tuesday and Thursday to get estimates for replacing our old house furnace and adding some much-needed A/C.

I did manage to get one item off my list that has been pestering me.  In the front of the Shop there is a power pole and there has been a line down for at least six months.  I called the city and they checked it and said it wasn't there's and that it was not a live wire.  They suggested I call the cable company.  Well after many a calls and not luck, I finally took matters into my own hands.  So instead this wire laying all over the ground it is now wrapped around the stop sign and out of my way.  Maybe this will get some ones attention and they will fix it correctly.

Since I had time at the shop waiting on the work to be done and finished up with the yard work, I cleaned up and painted our Frisbee Disc Golf Basket.  It was gray and showing it's age.  I think it looks better in red.

In the evenings, I've been diving into my Batman Lego Shadowbox project. It's got almost 4,000 pieces, and I'm still not done! Fingers crossed I'll finish it this week because it's shaping up to be super cool!  Pictures will follow once I get it completed.

I also ordered a couple of rad Rad E-bikes (see what I did there?). They're
different from our other E-bikes - lighter and foldable for easy transportation. We're planning some exciting day trips to the mountains to discover new trails to ride.  They had arrived so I spent one afternoon putting them together.  Did a couple of test runs and I think we are good to go.  So we will look for you on the trails.  My other E-bike is becoming my daily driver when the Colorado weather permits, which is most of the time.  I ride back and forth to work, use them to go to the grocery store.  Candy even used hers and took one of the dogs to the vet for shots. 

Been doing some research on E-bike rentals in the area.  Seeing pricing from $69 to $99 for two hours and $130 to $150 for four hours.  With the location of my shop, a block from Red Rock Canyon, 3 blocks from Old Colorado City, one block from the road for Gold Camp Road and Cheyanne Canyon and a direct bike path to Garden of the Gods I think it would be the ideal place to setup a E-bike rental, service and sales business.  In addition I have the parking needed as well.  Who knows, maybe that's what I can do when I retire someday, if the someday ever comes.

On Wednesday morning we got out for a nice little hike.  It was early and there was no one else out yet or at least we didn't see anyone else out.  We stopped by the Beaver pond to see what new progress he/she has made.  Our little dog Lilly went with us and she had a great time jumping in the water. 

One day, we pedaled our way to the zoo, which I just adore! We go early in the morning, around 8 AM, when they start feeding the animals. This way, we get a great view of them before the heat sends them off to hide from the sun.  Maybe someday I will be able to take the grandkids back to the zoo with me. 

The zoo was followed up by a couples massage (Candy got it for me as a Fathers Day present.)  I haven't had a massage in over a year or more.  The masseuse had to wake me up when she was done.  Then we headed out for dinner.  It was actually like being on vacation, it was a great day.

All in all, it was a swell week! Sure, I took a break from work, but I still kept an eye on my emails and handled a few things. After all, you can never truly escape work, can you?