Here are some stories, pictures, and videos documenting my experiences riding the ELF
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Day 5 - first ride in the rain, Friday May 24th
Parked at work. Nice sunny spot.
When I got up this morning there were no eggs in the fridge so I rode the ELF over to the CVS. It had been raining over night so the windshield was fogged up. I hadn't had any coffee yet so I just squinted through it and made my way up the hill. The eggs fit nicely in the shelf and they survived the bumpy ride without any breakage.
Twist ties hold the saddle bags on the cleats
After breakfast I took some time to clean the windshield with some
Windex (recommended with the user's manual) and that made the visibility
much better. The ride on the trail was a bit messy but the front
fenders kept most of the sand and water away. The back window got
pretty splashed, though, so I might want to look into getting a fender
for the back. I was riding along at one point and noticed that there
were rain drops falling on the road. But I was completely protected so
wouldn't have even known it was raining but for the visuals. I only got
a bit of a spray while waiting for the light to turn at Southwood and
29 due to a stray gust of wind that blew the rain in the door. I also
got a few drips from where the roof isn't completely closed on the
sides. I arrived at work much dryer than when I usually ride in the
rain. In fact, I'm wondering if if I should even consider wearing work
clothes during the commute.
Water bottle mount on the steering column
Kryptonite lock through the frame
Charging Station in the office
I've decided to continue riding on the sidewalk along route 29 to avoid the traffic going up the hill between the Northwest Branch stream bridge and Southwood Drive. I'm getting on the sidewalk at Lockwood and rolling down the hill to the bridge. So far I haven't had any problems with bikes or pedestrians going the other way, but I'm sure one of these days a biker going the other way is going to have to stop and carry the bike around the ELF.
Here's a video of my ride home on the sidewalk along 29.
As you can see from the end of the last video segment, due to a large light pole with a cement block base the sidewalk is
impassible by the ELF. I had to put one wheel of the ELF on the road
and ride along the sidewalk to the crosswalk over Route 29 bypassing the blockage on the sidewalk and crossing route 29
Curious, when you peddle does that alone charge the battery? When get "some" sun where I live but it's often thick overcast skies. Thanks for any feedback, great to hear more about the ELF. I'm finding that their website does not help much in this department. They should "really" consider spending more time in developing it.
No, the battery only charges via the solar panel or if you plug it into the wall. It takes about 12 hours in the sun from a dead battery and about 2.5 hours when plugged in.
Curious, when you peddle does that alone charge the battery? When get "some" sun where I live but it's often thick overcast skies. Thanks for any feedback, great to hear more about the ELF. I'm finding that their website does not help much in this department. They should "really" consider spending more time in developing it.
ReplyDeleteNo, the battery only charges via the solar panel or if you plug it into the wall. It takes about 12 hours in the sun from a dead battery and about 2.5 hours when plugged in.
ReplyDelete