What's been happening this week? And do I really need another bike? - Well of course I do...

Fox and AXS equipped 

I'm bored! And what do I do when I have a week’s holiday, and the weather hasn't exactly been great. Well apart from trying to help my dad out with our garden I have of course been looking at "Bike Porn".

I'm sure I have some sort of an addiction. My way of thinking was, as I have gone halfies on a new bathroom with the Ern, which dented my plans to save up for a campervan, well I may as well blow the remaining bit of savings on yet another bike. I was quite surprised my dad didn't put up much resistance. I guess after all these years he has just become accustomed to how I operate.

Of course, the dream of a campervan, and even one day that house in Scotland is still alive. I just printed out some pictures of the latest dream house, using my new printer I blogged about the other week, it's a Canon Selphy C1500, and I have to say it is a most excellent bit of kit for doing small postcard sized prints. The colours are vibrant and it's very quick. Just what I need to continue adding things to my now four dream boards, as Ern went and got me another one just the other day.

It has been a while since I mentioned how my book is going. That's right I have written a book about my journey, and I am in the process of getting it self-published, using a company called Publish Nation. So far, I have paid for an express critique and an express proof reading. I received some very positive feedback from the critique concerning my tone, and how my personality came through. Things to look at were as I expected my grammar, and punctuation. I have learned a lot over the last few months about writing and layout, punctuation and grammar. I didn't realise I was quite so bad at certain aspects. I have to say Publish Nation so far have been excellent and they even helped put me in touch with a friendly gentleman to help design the cover of my book. 

This will be part of the front cover to my book Lost2bFound

The cover of a book is apparently what can sell a book. I always had this idea in the back of my mind of how I wanted it to look, and what I would like it to represent; however, I am not sure everyone will get it. For me the reason I chose black and white for the cover, is because I wanted to convey a sense of "Darkness to Light", which kind of described my life’s journey.
Anyway I guess once it's out there, that will be that, and it will either be of interest to people or a complete fail. At the end of the day, I'm just pleased I had a go, and if nothing else I enjoyed the reflection, and some of the memories it brought back. If it receives some positive feedback well that would be a bonus.

I will post when my book is out and links to where anyone interested can get a copy. It will be released in ebook, paperback and hardback.

Next on the agenda, wor Neville, wor ickle border terrorist. He is settling in nicely and growing ever so slightly in size. He has a wonderful if somewhat mischievous character and has brought so much joy and happiness into our home, even if I am now getting up at around five in the morning every day. Nev is my constant companion. I can't go anywhere without him wanting to be by my side, this includes when I want to have a bath or shower. He will whine at the bottom of our stairs until I open the baby gate then follow me up into our bathroom, then stand on his little back legs with his front placed over the edge of the bath, watching as I get washed. Each morning, he goes ballistic when I let him out of his crate, as if he had not seen me in months, and once settled somewhat appears to smile and is keen to play.

Wor Neville

 

Okay well I guess onto this new bike I got my eye on, but before I do a little background. So the other week I went out on my Santa Cruz Heckler SL. I love the bike, the Fazua motor has taken a bit getting used to in how it works and the power delivery, however, I like the overall feel of the bike. I think the only drawback is that Fazua don't offer a larger battery or range extender, so upon my latest ride out I covered approximately thirty-four miles, and upon returning home I was on one bar of battery remaining. The Heckler feels and probably is more like a trail/enduro bike, something I knew before purchasing it, and I was happy with my decision to get it, as I intended to use the bike on rougher trails with jumps and drops and whatnot, I still do.

Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR

So on to this new bike. I started looking at bikes that were more XC orientated, in fact some months earlier I was actually thinking of getting an analogue gravel bike. Pretty much as soon as I went online, I saw a Scott Lumen. Now what drew my attention initially to this bike was the fact it looks so neat and tidy in its design. I particularly liked how the rear shock was hidden inside the frame. I then started researching weight, the motor, which is a TQ, the range, and whether a range extender could be fitted, specs and of course prices.

Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR

Following a little more research I could see I could get a Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR 2024 at a considerable discount from when new, and the only difference I could see between it and a 2025 model was the colour and the rear shock. The 2024 model having a Fox Nude 5 EVOL and the 2025 having a Fox Nude 6. I have to admit I am not entirely struck on the 2024 colour scheme, which is prism grey green, but saying that I haven’t seen one in the flesh as yet. One of the main reasons I went for this bike is the range, which certain sites have said can be as much as 100 miles with the range extender, and of course dependent on terrain and level of assist.

Love the frame and shock intergration

Scott Lumen eRide 900 TR with AXS 

Not sure of colour

Range extender fits canny neat

Very neat display

 

 

 

I didn't want another full power bike; part of the reason I opted for the 60nm Santa Cruz Heckler SL and now this lighter Scott Lumen which has a claimed weight of 16.6 kgs, and has a TQ motor offering 50 nm with a 300-watt hour battery. The range extender at 160 watts, adding an extra 44% battery capacity.

Now all I have to do is await J's Cycles to get my bike in from Scott and of course start saving up once more for more toys.