Rise Up 05Nov21

Back on the Front Range, and with glorious weather holding, I was able to take the maiden ride on the Orbea Rise at Ute. What a blast, quite a few PRs as one might hope. I am still getting used to controlling the beast however and did clip a tree... but did not put it down. I donned my full knee and elbow protection kit today just in case. I was never passed, which was weird. The sand steps of Ute have gotten bigger in late season but the DHFs didn't slip out. Climbing is a bit learned with the "rider synergy" tuned motor. Even in boost mode you have to spin it to win it - so prior actions using out of the saddle power is not right - staying seated and spinning in lower gears got me the uphill aid I was seeking. I cleared stuff clean today on which I have struggled recently. More great weather is in the offing so I will get more fun.

Update 06Nov21 - Wow the weather is great. I hit Falcon today and rode without many fails. I did walk up some steps in the back but didn't hit anything today. Even though I'm heavy and haven't biked enough this year, the Rise makes me feel like a 60 year old again. ;) I don't know when I started using Strava exactly but I met my Falcon PR from '16 with a gross time of just @ 2 hrs over the 13.2mi and 1465ft of gain. Moving time was less with avg speed of ~7.9mph, as I did rest (not aerobically fit at all right now) - the motor can't put wind back in the lungs. I even got some PRs on DH segments - the Rise is awesome. Most of the advantage for me is on bigger ups and technical power moves. The pic is from a stop to let hikers pass at the creek - just before the Switchback & Bitch Hill in back I think, where I did rest for 5 min. I added a tool kit and appropriate tube under the seat so I probably now am at 40# on the nose... 9# heavier than my Yeti SB95 but with juice! The 360wH internal battery was still dolling out back at the car but I did use eco-mode or off on the flats, mid-mode on small rises and boost-mode was reserved for the bigger, longer climbs. Not bad. I now need to connect my iPhone and see how to tailor the motor torque curves... meaning I'd like boost power sooner in the spin cycle.

Update 11Nov21 - Rode Falcon again today with the boys (Andy, Daryle & Jim). I held my own readily on the Rise. 1st off it was a blast and 2nd, later, I learned I've been riding in Profile 1, which is not really for Colorado trails ~ its targeted for less strenuous terrain. I gotta try Profile 2 which delivers more juice. I can even adjust what P1 and P2 deliver in each mode. I connected my iPhone to the bike (via bluetooth) and ran an app from Shimano which showed me such data ~ and the fact that I had only really used 25% of my 360whr battery anyway. I gotta try P2 and check full climbing power (60nM) and assess battery drain rate. I also did a firmware update on the drive system; WTF, never had I ever expected to connect a phone to a bike and to adjust power profiles and perform software updates - sheesh.