A Shiny New Silver Valetta

I bought my first ebike 4 1/2 years ago, the "Smart Bike," but shortly after exchanged it for a bigger model, the "Austin."

Austin

 Over that time I have gone through 3 batteries and 2 chargers. I've had two brake repairs after they snapped, and another repair after someone tried to steal it. They broke the handlebar lock, the ignition, they tore wires out from under the bike, ripped the back tire and did whatever they could to get it out of the underground garage. They failed.

One day the lock from the helmet trunk broke and so it no longer locked and rattled every time I rode the bike.

So I decided that this year it was time for a new bike. I bought a silver Valetta and a new silver helmet too.

Valetta

I have had to take the bike back a couple of times over the past couple of weeks, the steering column wasn't screwed in properly and the brakes failed at a stop light on a hill! Also it has a smaller battery and so the bike goes really slowly up hills and the pick up is a lot slower than the old bike. But overall I like the look of the bike and the price was perfect. Less than $1000. It is smaller in size too and can only carry one passenger. I did change the mirrors as the originals didn't work for me, I liked the ones on my old Austin.

After a week of the new bike, I decided to put the Austin on Craigslist, as there really isn't any space and I'd probably never use it again. I asked $500 as I wanted the money I paid for the new battery and charger at the end of last year. I initially paid almost $1400 for the bike, but with all the rattles and age, I figured no one would want to pay anywhere near that. I had made a mental decision that I would go down to $400 should anyone ask. The first offer I got was for $200, so I deleted that. The next was from a man who wanted to see the bike. He came over took it for a test ride around the garage. I told him about the history and he pulled out $500 cash and handed it to me! He didn't even try to barter.  I was shocked! But I took his money without a word.

So I got more than half the price of the Valetta back with the sale of that old rattling bike.

I do however, miss its pick up and hill climbing ability!!

March Break in Florida

I was invited to visit some friends for March Break and after Moe, my friend who lives in Naples, found a cheap flight for me, I made my way to the airport and flew into Fort Lauderdale just before midnight. It was a little over 2 hours to drive to Naples, but it gave us time to catch up.
The following day Pam came over and we just chilled on the back deck. I was given lots of warnings to not stay in the sun too long. But that really was what I wanted to do. I did heed the warnings though. We went to dinner at a fish restaurant and I enjoyed my grilled fish and veggies.
That was all I really did, just sat around, watched the wild life in Moe's back yard, looked at the stars at night, gossiped, took a few pictures, and ate!
It was a well earned rest and made me feel like I want to be in Florida as a retired person. The pace of life is definitely much slower that here in Toronto.
Here are a few pictures that I took.

Pam , Mary and Moe

Cardinal

Squirrel

Woodpecker

Bluejay

Salamander

 

Happy 14th Birthday

It is already April and I just realised that i haven't posted any birthday pictures!
Anyway I had about 20 people join me at C'est What just up the road from me, and most of us ate dinner and had birthday cake. I had asked people to not bring presents, but I got them anyway. I did however ask for people to write me a poem, unfortunately I got none! Here are a few shots of my party.

My dinner

The two cakes, one gluten free the other not

A few friends

A few more

Christopher serving the cake

So thanks to all who came out for sharing my very special Birthday that only comes up every four years, (yes, that explains why I look so young!)