Ten Miles of Bicycle Bliss

Tracking via Ham Radio and GPS
The lovely Jacque was available for stoking duty yesterday so we took the Tandem Terratrike for a ride.
We got going early enough to avoid the later-afternoon heat problems but did not avoid a strong headwind..... thankfully, that is.
On the recumbents we learned we enjoy headwinds more than hate them in hot weather... it really helps with the cooling and does not slow us down enough to discourage us.  A few days ago when I rode my old upright DF DiamondBack a couple hours later facing a stiff headwind it WAS discouraging, pushing full upright against it.  Having to pedal, HARD, just to go downhill, is absolutely discouraging.  Although, as Calvin and Hobbes used to say, it builds character, of course.
Yesterday's ride was then evidently not character-building since it was so enjoyable.  Again I found myself amazed at the relief from sore back and shoulder while riding the trike and afterwards for many hours.  As usual, though our speeds are not legendary by any means, we both get a thorough workout going up hill and down dale.
This time of morning we often encounter one of the local mail delivery contractor-ladies, who always enjoy the encounters as we pass by with the bicycle-flag antennas and doggies ears flapping in the breeze.  We normally pass her several times as we go much slower than she does but she stops every mile or so for the mailbox cluster-pods.  We were taking a rest break right next to one of them when she pulled in behind us so she got to actually pet the furry girls as well as talk to them.  She enquired of us:  "Do you ever have any close calls?"  To which we answered truthfully "Not Really".
This trike is such an outrageous looking contraption that we never experience close calls.... everyone we've ever encountered coming up from behind us will slow and watch us if there is oncoming traffic, and then pass us clear over in the opposite lane to give us wonderful clearance.  We can doubtlessly avow some of that consideration is due to the cute doggies on board:  One in my front belly-harness and the other in her perch in the rear behind Jacque's head.
Arrived back safe and sound, not overheated, but enthused about another few miles of enjoyable exercise in the great outdoors.

Ride Started:  9:52 AM    Ride Ended:  11:53 AM
Beginning Battery Voltage:  14.1       Ending Voltage: 13.0
Lowest Temp  67 F      Highest Temp:  75 F
Stats from the GPS:    Total Miles:  9.58
Overall average speed            Moving Avg               Max Speed
  4.9 MPH                               6.9 MPH                    32.6 MPH
Total Trip time                       Moving Time             Stopped Time
1 hour  57 mins                      1 hour  23 mins         33 minutes