At the end of their 1,000 mile trip east, Adam and Droz swung by the park for a few days before heading west again. While here, our new ebikes arrived, which we all took for a spin. And we still found time to continue helping out the park with their successful National Public Lands Day event. We also enjoyed time visiting with one of our Cabin Work Week volunteers, Kathy, at her home nearby north of Farmville.
Family Time
Arriving at the beginning of the rainiest 3 days we had seen in quite a while, Adam and Droz pulled in early to ensure they were ahead of the weather. Between rain storms, we enjoyed introducing them to Twin Lakes, but mostly it was just about getting to spend time together. Our storage locker is a little emptier as well, since our son was interested in some of our camping and backpacking gear.
Arriving at the beginning of the rainiest 3 days we had seen in quite a while, Adam and Droz pulled in early to ensure they were ahead of the weather. Between rain storms, we enjoyed introducing them to Twin Lakes, but mostly it was just about getting to spend time together. Our storage locker is a little emptier as well, since our son was interested in some of our camping and backpacking gear.
Our grandson helped Grandpa with the smoker and the grill, which we fired up for some sausages and chicken. But maybe the most fun was taking turns on our new “toys” – some ebikes. As the week ended, so did the rain, and it meant good traveling weather for their return trip home. After comparing notes on the best route over the mountains, the Greenbus was ready to head out. Adam "Patches" made some videos of the bike riding and the park, which are included below.
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Since there had been a couple of electrical issues with the bus before arriving at our park, we kept in touch over the next few days as they made their way west. All was well on the trip home, and we had some good memories of the visit to keep with us.
Bikes, bikes and more bikes
We’ve been carrying 2 bikes with us for years, but over the last couple of years, we haven’t taken them off the rack behind the RV. Since we weren’t riding them, something had to change. We either needed to get rid of the bikes completely, or maybe there was another option. Dave started researching e-bikes. Several hours of YouTube videos later, he had decided on 2 Ancheer gladiator ebikes. These happened to arrive during Adam and Droz’s visit. After some assembly and time to charge the battery, we were ready to give them a test ride.
We’ve been carrying 2 bikes with us for years, but over the last couple of years, we haven’t taken them off the rack behind the RV. Since we weren’t riding them, something had to change. We either needed to get rid of the bikes completely, or maybe there was another option. Dave started researching e-bikes. Several hours of YouTube videos later, he had decided on 2 Ancheer gladiator ebikes. These happened to arrive during Adam and Droz’s visit. After some assembly and time to charge the battery, we were ready to give them a test ride.
And everybody wanted to give them a try.
They certainly make it easier to climb hills, and we have since taken them on longer rides. We managed to ride the eastern half of the High Bridge trail, about 12 miles one way. Those trips encouraged us to order more comfortable seats and risers to lift the handlebars from racing height to comfort height, which made a huge difference.
They certainly make it easier to climb hills, and we have since taken them on longer rides. We managed to ride the eastern half of the High Bridge trail, about 12 miles one way. Those trips encouraged us to order more comfortable seats and risers to lift the handlebars from racing height to comfort height, which made a huge difference.
So, briefly, we actually owned 5 bikes: 2 conventional bikes on the back of the RV, 2 ebikes and our tandem mountain bike. We needed to downsize. So, with Adam’s arrival, the tandem and Dave’s bike found a new home. One of the other hosts at Twin Lakes was looking for a bike, so Cathy’s bike became a good fit. So, within a week, we were down from 5 bikes to 2. Whew!
But we had just one more problem. Ebikes are heavier than regular bikes and even though we chose bikes that were among the lightest, we discovered our bike rack wasn’t up to the task. While it could hold 100lbs of weight in total, each individual bracket could hold only 35lbs. Our new bikes were close to 50 lbs. That meant we needed a new bike rack that was designed both for the RV and ebikes. We found one in Swagman’s eSpec bike rack. It slipped into the receiver on the back of the RV and our bikes ride securely within it. We do have to turn the handlebars of one of the bikes to keep it from colliding with the RV. But it was a pretty simple rack to assemble and to mount the bikes on.
The only other adjustment was to ensure the bikes stayed dry. Ebikes are much more sensitive to getting wet. While our existing cover was big enough for the new bikes, it had not been waterproofed in quite a while. Cathy cleaned it and put several coats of fabric waterproofing on it. It seems to be holding out the water again. So, the bikes stay mostly dry, even though it has rained a LOT since we got them.
National Public Lands Day and more
Our efforts for the park shifted to preparing for National Public Lands Day on the last Saturday of September. The park had a great turnout of mostly college students, who had a lot of enthusiasm for the different tasks we asked them to do. While a group picked up litter in the campground, several more picked up debris on the trails after the recent storms. And another group installed trail blaze posts along the road. After lunch, a smaller group took pride in assembling a new park bench. The volunteers felt good about their efforts and the park was the better for them.
We had an opportunity to attend a Friends of Twin Lakes meeting, which led to more discussions about their need for a website. We developed a prototype and gave an overview of the process of maintaining it so they could consider how to proceed. It seemed to be well-received.
Our efforts for the park shifted to preparing for National Public Lands Day on the last Saturday of September. The park had a great turnout of mostly college students, who had a lot of enthusiasm for the different tasks we asked them to do. While a group picked up litter in the campground, several more picked up debris on the trails after the recent storms. And another group installed trail blaze posts along the road. After lunch, a smaller group took pride in assembling a new park bench. The volunteers felt good about their efforts and the park was the better for them.
We had an opportunity to attend a Friends of Twin Lakes meeting, which led to more discussions about their need for a website. We developed a prototype and gave an overview of the process of maintaining it so they could consider how to proceed. It seemed to be well-received.
Parting Shots
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Twin Lakes. It is a beautiful park, with a welcoming staff. It is also a storied park, since it encompasses what was once the only park open to blacks in Virginia for several decades. Prince Edward State Park for Negroes was hugely popular from its opening in 1950 until it was combined with its whites-only neighbor to become Twin Lakes State Park. The park honors its history with interpretive displays throughout the park.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time at Twin Lakes. It is a beautiful park, with a welcoming staff. It is also a storied park, since it encompasses what was once the only park open to blacks in Virginia for several decades. Prince Edward State Park for Negroes was hugely popular from its opening in 1950 until it was combined with its whites-only neighbor to become Twin Lakes State Park. The park honors its history with interpretive displays throughout the park.