New four wheeler

In the week previous to Ellen's arrival we were test driving cars and planning a swap of the truck for something more fuel efficient and fun to drive.  Of course a prerequisite for the vehicle was the ability to fit a bike inside and the ability to add a hitch for a bike rack. 

The first pick, and the car that started the whole idea, was the Honda Fit.  The cargo versatility in this small car is the selling point but unfortunately the tiny, underpowered engine offsets the cargo carrying prowess.  If this car had another 30 horsepower under the hood it would be in my garage right now.

At KT's suggestion we went to see our friend at Park Mazda and test drove the Mazda3 hatchback.  Now this is a fun car to drive with nimble handling and adequate power without sacrificing too much fuel economy.  Plus the styling, interior and out, trumps the Fit in our eyes.  The cockpit of the Mazda3 is exciting and useful.  The cockpit of the Fit... not so much.

 Mazda3 hatchback.

The first project with the car was a hitch for use with the bike rack.  The install went very smooth and I'm happy with how sturdy the attachment is on this car.  I've installed hitches on five different vehicles now and this is the most solid mounting I've seen on a car.

My helper with the instructions.

Not having the truck is going to be a disadvantage at times, but I know I'm always welcome to borrow dad's truck.  When it comes down to it, I only used the truck as truck about once a month and probably not every month.  Most of the time it was hauling bikes, which the car can do.  When it comes time to buy lumber or transport firewood I'll take dad up on his offer to borrow the truck.

I like hatchbacks.

 

 Side view.  My large Paragon 29er uses up the

whole hatch area lengthwise.

Riding Daniel to Sleep

We packed up the guys (Daniel, Ryan, and I) and headed down to the Fredericksburg for a ride on the trail.  Having a new sister must be taking its toll on Daniel, because he fell asleep just south of Holmesville.  We continued past Millersburg and turned around at some point when he woke up and asked "Are we at the playground yet?"  Of course we had blown by the playground taking advantage that he was still asleep.

Sleeping in the trailer.

 Always a highlight, the vending machine.

 Taking a break with Ryan at the playground.

Ellen's Homecoming

At home in her crib.

Sleeping like a baby.

 While we were in the hospital a life flight chopper

landed and Grandpa arranged for a picture

of Daniel with the pilot.

Welcome Ellen!

Baby Ellen has arrived!  We are blessed to have a healthy baby and KT is doing well too.

Ellen Esther Holmes, about 5 minutes old.

 

 Daniel meets Ellen for the first time.

He is saying, "this is my baby sister!"

My little girl.

First Flat

Went for a ride at Mohican today.  Not enough time for a full loop, so I parked at the main trail head and rode the road to the second trail head.

It was logging time at the second trail head.

I knew I was running low pressure (with tubes) and after a sharp impact on the rear wheel I flatted.  My first on the trail flat in a year and a half of mountain biking, can't complain I guess.

Shaky cell phone picture because I was trying

to stay in constant motion to deter the hungry mosquitos!

MTB Maintenance

 Tonight I was cleaning my mountain bike to take to the shop for its complimentary tune-up.  As I walked past my bike in the workstand I reached out and spun a pedal... it screeched at me.  Wow, that sounds dry.  Come to think of it I had never disassembled and greased this pair of pedals before.

Image I posted on the mtbr.com forum on the topic of Carve pedals.

The pedals are an inexpensive pair of Performance brand SPD compatible pedals, the Forte Carve.  They have been pretty solid for the past couple years on my mountain bikes and the previous three or four years on my cross bike.  Upon disassemble I realized they only have one bearing, with a bushing taking up the main load bearing duty.  Note to self: grease more often.

After cleaning and greasing they seem ready to have some more pedaling fun!

Solo Knob

Rode at the knob after work today.  Given the warm and finally dry weather of the past week or more I was surprised how wet the course was.  Maizeville was a mess and I bypassed it on the second lap.

 Another sun setting vulture picture.

It was within 20 or 30 minutes of sunset when I got back to the car.  I took a couple pictures of what I have to believe is an often photographed sign and packed my stuff back into the car.  About this time a couple "kids" showed up in a truck and jumped on their Mongoose bikes.  I was trying to figure out how they were going to get in a ride before dark.  I hope they had fun.

Ride complete, ready to head home.