Bent in Leduc

Finally

2011-10-02T15:53:00.001-06:00

Since I started my Atkins based diet Sept 19 I have lost an official 14 lbs. That puts me under 270lbs, for the first for the first time in 20 years. I finally broke that 270 barrier after 7 years of yo - yo dieting. Now to reach 245 - 101 lbs lighter than my heaviest ever! Keep encouraging me!
Larry

godspoke BBQ

2011-09-10T00:00:00.001-06:00

Attended a wonderful post Jasper Banff riders BBQ at Denis@ Audery Newmans park like farm. lylesribs and Fayes chocolate cherry cake were Devine. I thot I did well butt glucose readings were highest I have seem tonight. I am seeing just how eating after 9 pm really affects me!
but I had a great night catching up with every one
TTFN

blogger iOS

2011-09-09T01:17:00.001-06:00

this my first post using new app on my iPhone. Had a good day, had to go to a diabetes class this afternoon- was sort of a rehash of stuff I knew.
Controlling diabetes and trying to lose weight is alot more of a lifestyle change than I was thinking. Have to make big changes in though processes and discipline.
Went to Costco with Alice tonight- had bad dinner choice- but rode 5 k home.
Must limit fruit and any food intake after supper!!!!! glucose was 12.1 2 hrs later :(
hmmm this new app could be nice; or I could get TMI if I am not careful
TTFN

gREAT rIDE TONIGHT

2011-09-07T23:01:00.000-06:00

WOW What a nice night for a ride! Unusaully warm for Sept. 8 riders

SEE ya

Summers End

2011-09-05T18:18:00.003-06:00

Wow what a summer. April, I rode every day and was looking forward to a solid season of high mileage; then May hit. I was so lacking in energy and was tired All the time. I even took a few afternoons and went home early from work. I ended up riding only a handful of km. June 5 and a ride around Pigeon Lake; Arrrggg! I had cramps so bad my legs literally seized 6 times. I knew then something was wrong. Went to the Doctors, got some blood tests. Verdict: Highblood pressure, Diabetes II and high cholesterol. I was a sick boy! Got meds, a diet and slowly stared to ride!
July – Ride from Jasper to Banff – an epic ride, for 17 lucky riders,

Jasper to Banff

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

Was supposed to be 18, but 5 minutes after starting a fast downhill run from the last big hill from Miette Hot springs, (my first 5 min of riding on the trip) screech, slide, rumble… I hit a patch of gravel on the side of the road and went down! Ended up with a dinner plate sized patch of road rash on my left cheek (butt).

Could not ride ie.: pedal for the rest of the trip OUCH!! Still had a great time being the sag driver. What utterly fantastic panoramas'! So I had to wait three weeks before I could ride comfortably again. So far this year was becoming one of my lowest mileage years in a long time.

But since then things have picked up nicely.
I rode from Calmar to Bentley.

This was one of my bucket list rides; it took abit long than what i had planned due to detours and a lot of big hills but It was a great day of riding!

In August we also got a chance to go to Calgary for my nieces wedding and to drop in for a visit in Cochrane to see and ride with Cornell.
The highlight of that was I got to squeeze into his Strada velomobile !!

ME WANT A VELO!!

I have tried to commute home from work or at least partially every other day in Aug ust and hope to do the same as long as the weather holds up this Fall. I did ride in one morning which was nice but I don't like the stress of arriving when clients are waiting and chomping for us to open up. I like morning riding alot the day seems "perky", full of promise and refreshing on those days i can ride somewhere in the morning.

Today I rode from Calmar a St.Francis - Warburg - Calmar Loop; another ride I that has been on my to do list for a couple of years

I Burned over 5000 calories. Did good on water just under 4 liters, and ate good: 1 cinnamon raisin bagel, 3"garlic sausage, 1 eatmore, a bit of black licorise, 50gm of beef jerky, a nut and fruit bar and 2 tabs of Fizz endurlytes and 7 caps for endurolytes. I Felt goodall day no cramps or bonking in the +25 heat! just tired calf and thigh muscles; Great ride!!

I “hope" to add more on this blog, like the Garmin reports above and to chronicle more for the rest of the season. I hope to ride Lake Louise to Canmore later this September and to Ride around Pigeon Lake again. Plus Alice is planning a trip to Kelowna to pic apples yet this fall too. so we will see.
TTFN

My Best Friend

2011-06-13T23:39:00.001-06:00

Don Martz

Died today of a massive heart attack. He was one of the few that I could be totally honest and open. We would laugh so hard of the commonest things in our lives we thought was so private. but ended up to be so everyday. If our wives only knew what we talked about.

I will miss him terribly – but he will be with me always.

You made it home first….See ya Later buddy…..

30 Days of Cycling

2011-04-15T20:12:00.001-06:00

There are times you wonder why you make goals and commitments – Snow Day- 5 km of wet, slush and obstacles. If I did not make this self imposed challenge I would have missed an awesome short ride!

I loved it!

Set your self a goal this week!

Larry

30 days of Cycling

2011-04-03T17:57:00.001-06:00

I was reading Kent Peterson's blog the other day and he was commenting how even he a major cycling commuter and car free family guy had gotten out of the habit of riding consistently he walks to work etc.) and how he missed it but was "out of the habit" so to speak. When you have stopped or slowed down doing something that it is hard to resume it.

Boy I understand that. After the winter and spring around here I find it tough mentally so get riding, I want to but I find a lot of excuses not too or I postpone it until it's too late.

Kent found a challenge that started April 1. Called 30 days of Cycling. You were supposed to sign up by the 1st and no matter what you ride for 3o days straight. If its raining, snowing, sunny, windy ; don't mater even if it's just a quick ride around the block.

JUST DO IT!

I think I need this type of motivation to get my head back into my riding and weight loss thing. So I started Saturday April 1. I am going to ride every day for 30 days too. So stay Tuned I will try to update this 1 or 2 times a week. See you on the road!

Larry

My Cheeks Are Sore!

2011-02-12T19:33:00.001-07:00

Man ya just don’t realise how out of shape you are until you go for a long ride after 4 months of relative inactivity. I rode in from Calmar this afternoon- 20 km. Great weather and it sure beats riding a trainer like I did last year! It seems like the roads and paths are lot cleaner and it “warmer” too!

So get your bike off the trainer and get some Vitamin D exposure. Get a break from cabin fever syndrome and do something outdoors (like ride a bike) on Sunday! You never know how long the nice weather will last.

Some of us Rode in Feb ‘08

(gotta get those training kms in for the Jasper to Banff tour this summer, those mountain passes are gonna be a grunt)

Larry

Summers Gone - Where did all the Posts Go?

2010-09-05T10:32:00.003-06:00

Arrg!!
Seems like I have all the best intentions about adding to this blog but, time seems to slip away…
So As the Fall progresses I will endeavour to catch up with what transpired in the last couple of months. Just a few highlights today.

June, July and August ended up being one of the coolest and wettest in recent years, We had the lowest attendance on average for our weekly Godspoke rides, we just got rained out to often or people just had things to do.

On a more personal note, my business really went through a tough time, it ended up being better than I thought but, the last 8 months have been extremely stressful to say the least. The current economic situation in N. A. is effecting us and if things don’t improve … well I could be doing something else in the spring. But that’s life. It keeps rolling along. As a good friend in high school used to say to me: ”let it ride, this too shall pass!”

This is what helps me get through tough times (Besides relying and trusting My GOD) :

I made this poster with a modified quote from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle that hits home with me :

“When you’re feelin’ low;
when the day didn’t go right;
when the stress becomes overwhelming;
just grab your recumbent (bike) and
go for a spin down the road,
without a thought of anything but the ride you are taking.”

I did that so much this past summer, Just got on and wondered around Calmar for 17-10 km or so, just riding.

My recumbent is so much a part of my life. Cornell, the ‘Bent rider from Cochrane that I got the GRR from, said he was always amazed how quiet and smooth it was; I hear my self thinking those same thought often as I ride it. It’s such a great ride. It gives me such, simple pleasure, adventure, fitness and a great group of friends who share cycling too!

I passed my 10,000 km ride mark
both on total recumbent riding and for my C-KAP tracking in August. Woo Hoo! Some riders achieve this mark yearly, But I am quite satisfied that I have achieved it and I’m pressing for the 25,000 mark. (took me 5 great years) It may take me another 10 years or so, but it’s a goal – and if you don’t have a goal what do you achieve? If I shoot for it, I will get closer-right. Its the journey that counts even more than the destination. ( Harry Kim- Star Trek Voyager :) )
I really like the Journey!!!

Well this is getting long, I will post more later about the rides we had this past summer and other cycling related thoughts.

TTFN & GB

1000 km

2010-05-26T22:32:00.000-06:00

Tonight I rode past the 1000 km mark for the year! Yea! I know as I read the totals each year for CKAP that many people do that in a month - but I have a life and .... Well this past weekend I also past 10,000 km (that I have been charting) of riding a recumbent. A milestone.

As I have posted before riding a recumbent has changed my life and I see riding one (or two or three) for alot of years to come. Some years I may get more in others less. Will I ever own a regular bicycle again - Maybe; but I know that I enjoy cycling, its part of my life now. I hope and pray I can still ride for another 25-30 years. But I made it to 10,000 - I only have another 991 to go to get a official CKAP reconigtion for riding 10,000 km since logging with them. I hope to reach 25,000, it might take me another 15 years of life getting in the way but I will enjoy every ride until I do.

At least riding has enabled me to get fit enough to try. I worry about the growth of obesity I see around me and a real lack of willingness to get off the couch, put down the cheezies, turn off the T.V. and get involved in some sort of ongoing healthy excercise! Just sit down in a mall andn watch the people going by. Too many people are getting heavier younger and as they get past thier 40's. I really believe that technology ie: the net and TV is ruining the health of the nation. The people I see in the gyms and engaged in fundraising athons are not the majority of the population. I just shake my head - cause even 5 years ago I there. It took a move and a little blue BikeE recumbent bike to get me on the the road to a healthier, broader life!

See ya along the next 10,000- Larry

I’m A Cycle Tour Wimp (wannabe)

2010-05-22T22:15:00.001-06:00

I came to the sudden realization tonight that I am a cycling tourist wannbe. A what? I wanna be a cycling tourist but several things hold me back:

1) No time; really I run my own business; it is really feeling the economic times, a lack of staff and work does hamper taking time off during the summer season
2) Lack of funds; see above
3) where do I go
4) I really am a social person so who do I go with
5) Fat and somewhat lazy; I don’t like to ride more than 50-100 km in a day, several days in a row
6) Time and money; see above
7) Motivation; its a lot easier to live through others ride reports, isn’t it

I research all over the net, read ride reports, about others that just plan and then do it. I feel so tied down and constrained some times. I know that its not right to envy others but it can weigh a person down. I am slowly getting fitter to do these things, but I am still 50-60 lbs too heavy still. Got to be disciplined to get the fat off over the next 12 months.

Okay, If I really could plan and do it what/ where would I want go…

hmm …
day trips and S240’s for now
Jasper to banff in 5+ days (2011?)
Quebec
Olympic Penninsula, Wash State or any ride in the Oregon/Wash area
Florida

Our cycling Group Godspoke and Marvelous Marv’s SDG Tours do some fun, challenging, thrifty rides. I am lucky to be a part of them. They are in my range: I guess I like to be a tourist that cycles, SAG’ed, low km days, low budget - and they are a fun group of misfits to do things with!

Someday another real Adventure awaits; I have real fond (though some what pained) memories of the Southern B.C. trip a few years ago ( I got hurt and could not ride) but what an adventure!

It really is about time and money. At least I can take a week and Do the SDG Tour this year to Penticton. If I get fitter and keep my health, I still have 15 years or so to do a couple of bonafide cycle tours!!

Thanks for letting me vent. I am lucky, I know… I was just was planning to go to an event this summer in Kellogg, Id. the TOT. But came to the realization I don’t really have the money or time to go this year – and that sucks! The Penticton ride is not second rate in any way – its just that I have to go alone again without Alice, I wanted to go with her somewhere but we have to keep the shop goin,’ so we’ll have somewhat separate holidays again. I had to be real in my hopes and expectations this year like thousands of others …

Well stay tuned , If you hang around long enough you can read the ride report. LOL
TTFN-& GB
Larry

Cool Day for A Charity Ride!

2010-05-09T14:46:00.001-06:00

Saturday we set up for the the Annual MS Tour Training ride: Devon to Wilton Park Hall and back. This is a small way for Godspoke to give back to the community and help promote our group. This is the fourth year we have set up a refreshment stop for them. its always great to know that it is appreciated.

Happy Mothers Day Ladies!
Larry

April showers bring May....

2010-04-30T21:50:00.001-06:00

So April is done. I surpassed my riding goal for the month with over 320 km. Cool and that was with a week of crappy cool weather. Diet wise not a great month I sort of plateaued, fumbled along, and zoned out. Partly it was weather change, partly needing a break, work and family and volunteer commitments. Mostly it has been a "okay sluff today start monday attitude. Every week. I lost motivation. Why I don't know, I really like the results and the comments I get, so what gives? I truly believe this was a hiccup. I know I need that mental kick in the arse to get back on track. So May its no excuses, every day is a new day, JUST Do IT.

I have had my Gold Rush for a month now and it is supassing my expectations. Yet I sit here and realize that I have said that about every new bike I have gotten. But the other day I was riding into the wind for a 10 km ramble around Calmar and started to laugh. I was riding into the wind and enjoying it. All I could think about was "sorry Lance, IT IS ABOUT THE BIKE! he he he he. I am truly Blessed to have the oppurtunity to ride such a fun and efficient machine. Thanks to Keith who bought my TE and to Cornell who sold me his and to Uhaul for my over ride commissions and to Alice who puts up with it and hopes to gain a healthier hubby. And to an Awesome God who listens and hears and does bless His childern.
My goal for May is to lose over 8 lbs and ride over 400km. Pray for me I'm going to need it. Next month I will post some pics of my ride and some of the Bling I have and a review of a couple of really cool addons.
TTFN -GB
Larry

After the Wind Ride

2010-04-11T19:40:00.001-06:00

Finally the winds died down (after 3 days). So after getting back from lunch at Kosmos with Alice, Darrel & Carol Rachel, Alice and I went for a ride. As we started out we heard Alices rear tire rubbing on her brakes. Jocelyn and I had tightened the rear cone and adjusted and lubed the brakes on Monday. But when Alice rode it we needed to adjust the tension on the brake springs. Jocelyn showed me how this is done and so it was easy to do on the side of the road. We got going agian and relazied the wind had picked up, after turning onto the highway I zipped ahead and noticed Alice was lingering. Once I got to the top of the rise on the east side of Calmar I didn't see her so I called her on her phone. She had decided that the wind was too cold for how sahe has dressed so she bailed. I continue to the 10k mark and headed back. It was good to be back on the bike after 3 days. I cannot believe how more efficient the GRR is over the TE. I likey my bikey! Here is my Garmin GPS recording of my ride: . If you click on the see details you may be able to use the player to see a dynamic portrayl of my ride. I am experimenting with links here;
Anyways have a great day - Now Git out and RiDE!
Larry

Carry All For Seat back

2010-04-10T16:00:00.006-06:00

I always seem to be on the hunt for an alternative bag to hold the basics while I ride. Basics what basics you ask? Well you should always carry a few essentials while riding. A flat repair kit (spare tube, glue less patches, tire levers and a pump or CO2 cartridges & valve). bike tool w/ chainbreaker, phone, light snacks, and maybe a few other person things. I like using a water bladder instead of a bottle for rides over 30 min., as I tend to drink more often with it;so i need a bag that can hold this too. This year I want to ride a little lighter and don’t want to add a rack and big bag to my GRR, except when on tour. So I need a seat bag that will hold the minimum for a commute home or expand for a century ride. I was going to get Alice to sew me up a new basic bag. I even thought out the design, made a pattern, got the fabric and notions, cut then out but then Tax season hit and Alice is way too busy for the next couple of months! Arrrggg!
While I was in Calgary last month I stopped in at MEC and was browsing around and found a small shoulder bag that I Modified.

MEC Sml Shoulder Carryall
This bag is great and has a lot of compartments.

First thing I did was cut off the shoulder strap and then sewed on a web belt to hug the lower part of the bag to the seat to stop flopping. I placed rivets at the stress points to strengthen them.

I then sewed and riveted nylon male buckles to the top corners to attach onto the bike seat. A lot of seat bags use a sleeve to go over the seat to attach a bag. A couple of years ago I devised a way to attach a bag using industrial double sided Velcro and these clip buckles. I just loop a female buckle onto the seat frame on either side and then can quickly attach or detach my bags.

To finalize the bag I sewed a safety triangle and a C-KAP patch to the flap and TA –DA:

It can expand outside the seat frame for longer rides or for shorter jaunts hang inside for a lower profile.

The flap strap will cinch up the bottom and keep it away from the wheel & fender. It looks great and is very versatile!

Now Git out and ride

Larry

GRR Pick up Adventure!

2010-04-02T15:29:00.004-06:00

I Went down to Calgary for the weekend of March 27. On my way I visited and helped Grant at Bentley Cycle Saturday afternoon (well really hung out, answered some customer questions regarding bents, accessories, blogs, etc and almost was in the way! He He) . Had a great time! Then stopped at Robs In Olds (of The Recumbent Blog) to see his Manga Velo Cool, I think I want one in the future! We talked about velos, recumbent stuff and the TOT in Idaho this year.
I finally got to Ken & Lenores close to 11pm - kinda late for dinner!

Next morning I got up and using new gps software for my Iphone Called Motion-X GPS Drive, drove to Bow Cycle to look around (no 'bents!) Why are all the "bigger" bike stores so hesitant to bring in ``some`` quality recumbents? They bring in the cheap stuff and then say they don't sell - duh!! I got back into my van and proceeded to make my way to MEC. While I was there I got some new rechargeable batteries (the best price for good 2650 mahs in town), a new seat bag, some clips, & glueless tire patches. After spending my allowance there I drove to Cochrane to pick up the GRR using the Motion-X Drive app. This app for $.99 works really well. It gave pretty good voice directions.

As I got close to Cornells cul-de-sac, I saw him turn a corner on his Cat Trike EXP and pulled up behind him. After razing him abit I followed Him to his house. The first thing I see is a Rans Crank Forward bike that he had built up. Neat, it would nice to have some day, for off road adventures. Sitting beside it was the Blue GRR! Wow, a beautiful cool blue and its so light. After gabbing and gushing over the bike, we went in and had a nice lunch of homemade minestrone soup and scones. Mmm, Cornell is a good cook - Lucky for Muriel his wife! After lunch and looking at his drum, snare and Roy Rogers/Lone Ranger collection we went went back outside.

With my excitement growing about riding a GRR for the first time, we put om my Crank Bros Mallet pedals, a Planet Bike Super Flash light on rear of the GRR, adjusted the seat and went for a sunny, very windy, 25 km ride among the rolling hills and vistas near their acreage! Cornell & Muriel sure live with a majestic view! Boy, the GRR is so much more responsive and so much easier to go over rolling hills than even the TE! Being my first ride on a GRR I was very impressed. Yes, I sold a great bike and bought another without ever riding it before; but the I expected it after reading so many ride reports and talking to others about the GRR vs. TE, I had simply out grown the TE as far as performance and efficency was concerned.

When we got back and were just gabbing, I found out that Cornell was with Canada Parks for over 25 years and had been in every back woods cabin in Jasper and Banff Parks and was responsible for the furnishing of many of the historical sites in many western Parks; WAY COOL! As were going for a coffee Cornell showed me a cool battery charger: PowerEX. Another electronic gadget that the wives would roll thier eyes up on. Anyways this thing recharges, discharges, renews and tells you if the battery is toast! drooooool gadgets! With all the lights and other gizmos I run with having reliable, reusable batteries is important, green and inexpensive.

We had a great cup of coffee and Cornells homemade blueberry bran muffins (mmmm) while talking about ‘bents and BROL, TOT and diet stuff.(TOT 07: a video) We then concluded our transaction, then he showed me his horses (well mostly Muriels) and acreage. Around 6:45 pm, I loaded up the bike into the van, said bye, and started the drive back to Edmonton. Stopped off in Bentley to drop off a trike rack to Grant; picked up a friend of Kara’s and drove home, got there around 11 pm.

Over all an Utterly Wunderbar Weekend!

This Guy IS GONE!!!!!

2010-03-25T23:22:00.002-06:00

Today I hit my 1/2 way point to my immediate weight loss goal

Since January 1, 2010 I have decreased my body fat from
37% to 28%

over 35 lb of Fat Gone

over15 lb of lean muscle gained

Jan 1- 307

March 24 -276

my goal 245 by July 1

Discipline, Exercise, Diet

Some Days it is really tough to do the calorie burn, some days easy..

I expect the next 12 weeks to be the same...

So Long Rosie!

2010-03-21T23:32:00.001-06:00

Today was the end of a beautiful relationship. Its bitter sweet one, both sad and happy. I shall miss Rosie, we had alot of wonderful times and yet like all relationships there were some incidents. She tossed me a couple of times, but I was either foolin' around or I took her where she really didn't belong. She was a great stress relief and comfort. A wonderful traveling companion. She carried her fair share and more. From her I learned how to press on when things are tough, and little by little you can accomplish great things. She helped me make alot of new freinds; But she has moved on to another guy.

Yes, today I sold my Easy Racer Tour Easy Recumbent bike "Rosie".

Her new owner is excited and very happy tonight. All week as she sat in my shop lobby waiting to be picked up, I wondered what was I thinking. She looks so good. She rides so well. But another has taken her place; prettier in some ways, faster, stronger, just a little bit more lively. Hopefully she will come up to Edmonton real soon and I will introduce her to you. Like me she is from cowtown,
her name Bleu....

Wilton Hall Ride

2010-03-13T18:17:00.002-07:00

Today I was able to ride 30 km to Wilton Park Hall. It's a nice ride 8 km west of Calmar, then north 5km to the Hall, Then I did a loop around town to pick up some wings for supper.

The ride to the hall has some nice rolling hills and long grades of 2-3 degrees or more, so I get a nice burn out it and some nice speed. Its about 2/3 highway with wide shoulders and 1/3 quiet paved rural road.

The ride and a visit to the gym today earned me 2350 calories. It was still a bit cool +6 but sunny. It will be nice to ride with out face protection in a couple of weeks.

I also stopped and raised my fairing 1.5 inches. In emails with Lonnie Morse from Portland (Long time Easy Racer Rider and tech guru) he advised me to raise my fairing after I had sent him some pix of me on the TE. It might create a bigger hole in the air this way but he says it is more areodynamic and it would help my speed and agianst the wind. My Ride back was into the wind for 1/3 so I thought I would try it. Yep, it worked, instead of the wind coming off the fairing and into the top of my chest, it was hitting me in the eyes. I may need to raise it another 3/4 of inch so it hits my visor and over my head. We'll see how it goes.

Well I reached 1/3 of my goal weight loss today. I am down 21 lbs towards 62 or more! I can really see the difference in how my clothes are fitting. I have a wall I hit around 280 -275. I have not made it past this mark in 5 years of trying. Pray for me that I keep on exercising and watching what I eat. Once I hit 275 I know I can do it and the next 25 - 30 will be just as tough/easy as this first bit. Stay Tuned ....

Have a great day and get out and ride!
GB- TTFN

First Commute Home

2010-03-05T20:38:00.000-07:00

Wow! This is the earliest I have ever started commuting from the shop! It took me about 51min odo time and probably a total of 60 min all together for lights and stops for a drink or 2. I also rode to Wendys to grab lunch and rode the long way back to the shop for a 23 km riding today. I sure can tell I have been sick for 2 weeks AND its my first commute. I was wasted by the time I got home. I had a cross wind that wasn't to bad, averaged 19.5 kph hiting 30 a few times. Over all I feel stronger this year already, so it could be a good year (I hope)

It was slower at the shop this week so I took the oppurtunity so clean up my recumbent. I also took the plunge and today I split my Garmin Speed/cadence sensor, so I can finally use use the speed pick up on the back wheel and get a bit better accuracy on the Garmin 705. Man them wires are small! I had to crack open the sensor to get the longer cord soldered. It took alot of patience but I finally did it. I wasn't sure for a while and thought I had screwed up the whole thing at one point. But tonight I can say it worked great on the way home SUCCESS! whew! Next week I will seal up the sensor real good with some urethane and then make a better mount for the rear speed sensor using some remouldable plastic

(ShapeLock).

The weather is cooler; but it is so nice and sunny; Don't be a wuss, bundle up and go for a ride - you'll be glad ya did
I have My recumbent (an Easy Racer Tour Easy) for sale as I have an oppurtunity to get a similar but upgraded version (GRR) this spring. so if you are interested or know someone, let them know eh?!

GB TTFN

A Nice ride

2010-02-28T18:07:00.001-07:00

Today, while the Canadain Mens Olympic team was battling the US for Gold, I was out for a nice prespring Ride with My Daughter Kara. 20 Klm later I had burned off 1135 calories, spent some quality time with my youngest, and the Canadians WON Gold! Not being a hockey enthusist, I feel like a minority. But I still take pride and I know alot of my friends will be happier for a day or 2. I look forward to riding in warmer weather (+3C Today) and not having to bundle up so much and seeing something other than white scenery. I have a couple of acquaintences in Portland - they say they don't go riding until it gets
+45F - Humph ... no wonder the Canadians Win in Hockey!
GB TTFN
Larry

After the Cold...coff, coff

2010-02-27T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well finally I decided to just get out and ride after suffering for two weeks with a really bad chest cold. The weather is starting to change as it slowly melts the roads clear. I only had to put my feet down as outriggers on snowy patches a few times. The main roads are clear, its just some of the sides that are loose and treacherous. Funny how when you are riding that the cold symptoms seem to disappear until you get back home and indoors. This was the first time I got any exercise for 14 days, feels good to be out again.

All that I have been able to do lately was look at other 'bents online - and that can be potenually expensive. I miss riding. Maybe I can get out tomorrow- I'm a bit behind '09 already in ride km.

I was out taking a few pics also today - here' one for ya
Larry

Family Day Ride

2010-02-15T20:33:00.001-07:00

So today was a really nice Sunny mid winter day, So I loaded up the TE and went for a spin and some intervals. Just as I was leaving Calmar I heard a honk on a horn, looked over and there was Lyle and Carol driving by, so we stopped and got caught up on the Thai Wun On trip. Lots of laffs and remembering, It was great to see and talk to 'em. Then I headed west to the Buford turn off for a nice ride. On the way back I tried out the interval setting on my Garmin 705 GPS. Worked out great! found out that using the scroll button I could go back to my general screen and it would buzz me at the right times, SWEET. I could switch back and forth between the two screens easily with my big ole winter gloves too. Did a total of 19km. to day, NICE. A bit behind last year but I think I will catch up ! I want to ride over 3000k this year!

The progress bar on the top shows I am making progress on the fitness strategy. Learning that fitness is the ultimate goal with a healthy level of body fat around 20-25% is the ultimate. I started somewhere around 36% at the beginning of 2010. I have lost 17lb, gained some muskel, so I don't know what percent I am today. Tammy from believe fitness will not test us again until the class is over at the end of march. My goal is have lost 30 lbs and near 32% body fat. weight wise I have a 2 goals - 245lb by july 1 and to settle around 25% (205lb?) about this time in 2011. We shall see if I obtain these goals - steady exercise and balanced calorie intake will get me there soon enough. Keep watching and encouraging. So far I am 4 months ahead of any time in the past 5 years when I was this svelt! I always seem to start at Jan 1 for a goal near The MS Tour in June, as a bench mark.
GBTTFN - Larry
okay the picture was from Last year but hey.....

Fitness Goal

2010-01-19T23:42:00.001-07:00

Well I decided to go for it once again and LOSE the weight I have been boomeranging with over the last couple of years. So I have pass to the LRC and I am involved with a class with Believe Studio (Tammy) and I'm just going to do it.
I have the head knowledge and resources, I just have to stick to it! I signed up with Livestrong.com to track my calories and fitness (As you can see from me progress bar above) I have an intermediate goal of 54 lbs to shed. So If you can, please occasionally leave a comment to encourage me. Its really motivating to get a sporatic encouragement or butt kicking from others. So Hang on here we go....
Oh yeah; This year I will endeavor to write at least 1 paragraph report from every ride I do. So with the great weather we had on jan 16, I got all bundled up and went for a bright, brisk, bike ride Saturday afternoon to my 5.5 mile mark west on hiway 39, for a great total of 11 km. was a really nice ride. And this week I read some essays from Covert Bailey on fitness training - I learned the importance of doing sprints or intervals in areobic excercise. So I'll incorporate them into my training; beware I may even add them to the regular ride nights with Godspoke this year.
TTFN - Larry

New year first ride

2010-01-03T16:59:00.000-07:00

So the weather wasn't too bad (-12) and the gravel roads are packed with snow. Hmm ... BIKE RIDE!
I convinced my daughter Kara (14 y.o.) to join me for a 8.5 km ride around Calmar this afternoon. For 36 min, we jousled along the packed snow roads around town trying to keep our glasses from fogging and icing up. We passed 4 vehicles, (who musta thot we were nuts). I only slipped on loose snow once and that was enough for my first pedal scrape of the year, yea :(. But its a great beginning to a wonderful year of riding when my 'lil girl wants to ride and spend some of her precious, teen, angst filled life, with her dear ole 'bent demented pa!

a relaxing sunday afternoon, crisp winter weather, a great recumbent bike, my lil girl, man I have a great life!
TTFN
Larry
yes the pic is from last year but I looked the same ...

So where has Larry Been?

2010-01-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

Hmmm… its the second day of January 2010. The last month has been a cold one and my posts this year have been nearly nonexistent.

2009 was a year of cycling adventure and a year of financial pain. Its been hard to be motivated to blog when I have been stressed at the shop. Riding my recumbent alone and with Godspoke was a great relief from daily pressures. My business has gone through the ropes as have many others in the economic climate that surrounds us. Between staffing and a lessened work load my biz has survived. But has left me numb and not to motivated. Anyways Life goes on….

So what did I do this past year?

I rode 2101 km this year! WAHOO! I have 9075 km since I started riding a recumbent, and 8009 km for my C-KAP mileage. I will get my Bronze medal from C-KAP next winter as I cross the 10,000 km mark in 2010. If you have read this blog in the passed few years you know that I attribute getting and riding a recumbent to changing my life. I am healthier, happier and motivated to do more than sitting around watching TV.

A big part of life is being associated with Godspoke cyclists.

These are a great group of adventurers. we have a lot of fun riding and socializing together:

I was able to get a ride in every month this past year; even in the cold winter months. Most of my riding for the first 5 months was commuting and riding with Godspoke;
I didn’t do any rides over 35 km until the end of May. I rode the usual amount that I normally do for this part of the year. Then in June I did the MS Tour to Camrose (180km)

and back and left on a tour to Drumheller called the You Do Hoo Doo
.

The U DO HOODOO trip was a blast. 10 days of riding and adventure with 17 hearty souls from Godspoke. (465km?.)
Nadine Lemming drove the SAG trailer -We never knew where lunch would be, more often than not a clean ditch sufficed quite nicely.

We stayed in cabins, church basements and moderized Teepees.

A typical Marvino adventure put together by the Greers mostly with great food arranged by chef Lyle and Carol Garstad. Best food of all our trips so far yummm.

The other two major rides we did this year was Bike for Bibles In Aug around Pigeon Lake with a campout at Eillens’ and Barry’s.

Just a word in for Barry here; while on the U Do Hoo Doo tour I kicked my front derailleur and it got bent just as we were riding into our camp site one night at one of the others riders relatives farm.

Barry along with an old 10 speed derailleur was able to get my bike in action with some patience and a lot of finagling!

If you need a bike mechanic in the Leduc area, Barry can Help!

On Labour Day 5 of us rode from Drayton Valley to Leduc.

A Century ride that I have been wanting to do for a while. It was a great day with nice scenery and rolling country riding! The companionship was great to Alice, Lyle and carol shared the Swag vehicle driving which was really nice.

Again this year I slagged off riding during Aug and the fall. I think it was a combination of work stress and cycling malaise. I have sloughed off riding in Aug for 2 years now. I gotta find a reason for this. It greatly hinders my weight reduction scheme. Hey I was the slimmest for Christmas that I have been in 10 years. I have find a way to be motivated to ride more consistently in the next few years If I wanna live longer and healthier.

Well for 2010 I have some goals and tentative riding I want to do. These include:

- commuting to work more in the mornings instead of home at night (wind in right direction)
- doing a 50+km ride every month between March and October

- Going to Vancouver @ Easter for the Pacific Populair

- An s24o to Sunnybrooke

- the MS tour 6th year

- Back to Cour D’lene for the TOT maybe some riding in Banff and
Radium on the way

- ETBC Ride

- Bike for Bibles

- A 4 day 4 night self contained ride- where? with? we will see

I will continue to reduce my weight (goal of 250-225 some day)

So drop in once in a while and see how I am doing.

P.S. I rode out of 2009 and into the New Yea 2010 it was –35 out at 12:00am and Alice was shivering when she took this Pic!

TFN

Larry

A Unique Day at My LBS

2009-04-26T14:33:00.006-06:00

Saturday April 25 I took a trip back down to Bentley Cycle to check out the new Catrike 700 that Grant Patton, the owner was all excited about. Grant and I have become friends as we are both real recumbent enthusiasts, he either phones or calls me when he gets some new bent or cool accessory in. Plus, he had asked me to pick up a couple of things my local Canadian Tire had but his didn't; so off 110 km to Bentley I went with my son Brian in tow.

When I get there I see this bent parked in front of his store:I get all excited as it is a vintage Rans Nimbus, complete with the old "bucket seat" copy of a plastic chair. Rans just had an article on their site about the history and evolution of their seats, so I was excited to see some recumbent history. Grant got it on trade earlier this winter; he even got an original Rans brochure with the trade. Cool!

Then as I was gaping at the Rans, Grant came out and with his helmet to test ride a bike some one had brought to the store that day to trade on a Catrike expedition. To my amazement I realized that it was a vintage Lightning P38. Wow, I knew more about it than Grant or the owner did!

I had just had to try it out. It was a tight fit and I realize it is too closed a riding position; my areo belly didn't like it. My son Brian took it for a spin and thought it was a cool ride and real easy to ride up the hill that Grants shop resides on. Well now I can add a P38 to my list of 'bents I have test rode!

So needless to say I spent the afternoon riding vintage bikes, testing and comparing a new Catrike Expedition and 700; talking with the owner of the P38; getting him to test ride both trikes and an Easy Racer Tour Easy. I was there for 4 hours but it felt like 20 minutes. What a fantastic way to spend a cold, drizzly, Saturday afternoon!

Its interesting to see a shop like Grants getting more bents while larger, busier bike shops are getting out of the recumbent segment. I guess they just don't get it ......

If you need a new 'bent, trike or a good used recumbent, check out Bentley Cycle, Grant is getting a greater variety of new and used stock all the time.

Keeping your seat Dry

2009-04-19T16:37:00.010-06:00

I have tried several ways to keep my recumbent seat dry over the last couple of years. From garbage bags to sewing part of a blue tarp to fit. Some successful some not, the blue tarp one was a step in the right direction but was bulky. Lately I thought of redoing the tarp one in a lighter material, but to find the right material was a challenge. Then I remembered back to my hiking days and remembered that I had a rain cover for my JanSport frame pack that worked really well. Hmmm, maybe I could buy one at MEC and cut it up to make one for my seat!

So I headed over to MEC and picked up three items: one Red Zepplin CO2 Inflator with 2-16 oz. cartridges: so I have a pump back up. (hopefully now I'll avoid another escapade like last weekends)A tube of WildBerry Nuun electrolyte drink tablets. It uses a sort of carbonation tablet, so I was surprised when I took my first sip and it shot out like it was under a bit of CO2 pressure.

And I picked up 2 yellow XS Raincovers made of waterproof coated nylon to mangle into shape for seat covers. For only $6 cdn each; they come with a drawstring to snug it down in either black or yellow and a small stuff sack to store it in.

When I got home I wanted to see if they would fit out of curiosity. Well sure enough they fit really good over and under the seat well enough that I will not have to get Alice to chop them up at all. So If you want a cheap seat cover for you recumbent look into xtra small pack rain covers at your Local MEC, REI or camping supply store!

AN Easter Ride to Remember

2009-04-12T20:00:00.004-06:00

Ever have one of those rides when you wish you had never started?

For me My ride home from Church today was one. A little windy, but sunny. I thought it would be great to burn some calories before the big family dinner. So I loaded up the 'bent on the back of the van and went to church. After the service I got changed, got me bike ready and started off on my 17km trip home from Leduc to Calmar west on highway 39. I just got out of town when I heard a pssssst. No problem. My wife should be by any minute, I'll just be lazy and throw the bike on the van and fix it later at home.

15 min later no wife no van. Hmmm, better start fixing the flat. Some one honks their horn - I look up, its my kids, GREAT I am rescued; I wave, they wave, they keep on going.... Did I mention I left my cell phone in the van with my sunglasses. Sigh -

So I start fixing my bike and low and behold Sandy and Murray Greer from Church stop and see if I need help. Naw, I have a patch kit and a PUMP. I got it handled. Start pumping up the tire and for some reason the head keeps popping off the presta head. but I get the air in. So Off they go. Hmm where is Alice? I bet she already went by when I went down a side street to get to the highway. No problem. I got the flat fixed and head off into a nice stiff head wind. Rode about 9 km up the road, just get over the major hill an this route and so I stop for a sip from my Camelback. Okay I am slower than usual for averages but its a nice day.

PSSSSSSSSSSSt - aw no, the same tire went flat.

So I get off the bike, take off the tire and a lady on a bike pulls up and asks if I need help. Nope I got time and the tools I should be okay. So off she goes to Calmar. I get the tube out of the tire, find out I did not set the patch right and so I fixes that. Start to inflate the tube, no air with alot of pumping, what gives? Aaah, the pin holding the lever is out , I pop it back in, and start to pump ... no air, sigh, pin out, put it back; I do do this several times, getting a wee bit frustrated, I might say! Finally I look at the lever on the pump head, what! its cracked, so I flick it with a finger nail and the whole side comes off. No wonder I can't get any pressure, the lever can not hold the valve head open.

Well I wanted to do some cross training this year. I guess circumstances says it will be now. So I put every thing back together and start walking the remaining 8km home.

You figure that someone would have stopped and wondered why a fat cyclist would be walking down the highway pushing his bike, right? NO. I walked 5 km before I stop a fellow coming on to the highway from a side road. Asked to use his cell and called Alice to come pick me up.

By then I was tired grumpy and hungry, and oh yeah 2 hrs past my usual ride time.

So what did I learn?

1) Carry a cell phone on the Highway

2) Carry and extra tube - on the highway

3) Have working pump and a emergency O2 cartridge and inflator as a back up on the highway

4) If you are moving nobody will stop on the highway to ask if you need help

5) Get the wife to come and find me if I am over an hour late , especially If I forget the other 4 items

I hope you had a memorable Easter I did.

Related Info

2009-04-10T20:57:00.005-06:00

Hi Again,

Well my riding season is well under way and so far I am on par with last years km or even a bit ahead. I have decided to ride home fro work at least 2 times a week. I've been able to do that since mid March.

I have been impressed with other bloggers adding in more links and articles to their blogs; so I am going to do the same.

I started this blog to help chronicle my endeavors to ride and lose some weight. I started and continue to help run a local cycling group to promote fun, fitness and fellowship into our community. we have seen alot of people start into riding because of this.

Because alot are "new" to riding I found this web/blog site that will really help those who are just getting into this cycling thing anew http://biketoledo.net/index.html

Check it out, it has alot of info from chosing a bike to outfitting for a tour and everything in between. I will add this to the side bar for future reference. So stay tuned for more great info taht will encourage you to ride more!

Larry

Very Cold Winter

2009-03-12T18:11:00.016-06:00

Well, here it is March 12/09
I have 53 km in for the year due to outrageous cold and snow - last Monday it was -52c with the wind chill! BRR, I think things break on bikes when it is that cold. I'm only 14 km short of last year, so I guess it isn't so bad.
Last Saturday I went down to Bentley Cycle and met up with Cornell from Calgary, Both Grant the owner, and him were extolling the benefits of trike ownership. Sorry Guys, I am not ready to convert yet. I have the GRR fever and no funds. But an Expedition could follow me home someday...
Anyways, I was in at Bentley Cycle to pick up my bike from a tune up and to get new rear rim installed. While there Matthew, the tech, saw that my rear derailleur set screw is bent, so now I need a new derailleur- man that sucks. Oh well, the current one should be okay for a month or so until I can save or trade Grant for something.

Oh yeah, I ordered a Dinotte rear light last month for my bike and front light for Alice 's TE when they came up for sale on the website

Mentioned them to Grant and he ordered one too. Here is a photo of how well they light up the rear in snow :

For all the years he has been selling trikes he had never heard of them. Once he got his and saw how amazing bright they are for their size, he is now becoming a dealer for them!
As much as I would like to get a GRR this year it doesn't seem in the cards ( I think I have said that in years past about other bikes I ended up gettin... hmm) So I wanted to add some bling to my TE. But with no funds and too much time on the Internet what could I do? Hmmm, a couple of guys have painted their fairings when they get too scratched up. So I went did some research and Wal la - A cool looking fairing!

Then I got carried away with the paint can ... Painted my kickstand (saved $75 ), sprayed my rear rack (looks new), then my seat supports (awesome now they blend in with the rack supports),

then my front Rim (saved $110) and finally my front cranks.

Result- 1 Cool Looking 'Bent:

(it helps that I was into automotive small damage repair for a couple of years and learned a few tricks that carried over to this project). So I saved a lot of moula and got a cool bike until my GRR. So stay tuned as the season is upon us I hope to write a bit more often and will do some reviews and stuff too.

Ride safe ...

Selah

Milestone

2009-01-20T19:22:00.007-07:00

Last Sunday I hit a milestone, my odometer went over 7000 kilometers (on a recumbent).

I started on this journey in August 2002. I couldn't even ride 1 kilometer without being totally winded then. Last summer I did 165 km in 1 day easy. Am I proud of this accomplishment? ... no; satisfied? ... Yes! My life has altered dramatically since I first saw a real 'bent at Bentley Cycle that August. No longer a couch potato drooling his life away in front of a TV, I spend alot of my time cycling and doing stuff related to cycling. My holidays are filled with kilometers cycled instead of watching a campfire all day. I have seen beautiful vistas, met people from all over N.A. and slept in a horse tack barn. I even started a bike club so I could ride with others like minded; in doing so has touched alot of people in my area.

Here is alist of some of the rides I've done:

Ms Tour ... Completed ... June 05, 06 ,07, 08,
EBTC Tour de Alberta ... Completed ... July 06, 08 4:45 rt

David Thompson Hi-way Sask Crossing To Thompson Resort ... Completed ... Aug 07, 08
Leduc to Hastings lake ... Completed ... July 07. May 08
Calmar to Thorsby ... Completed ... Juy 06, July 07, Aprl 08
Calmar to Wizard Lake ... Completed ... July 06, 07

Calmar to Devon Short way return ... Completed ... Aug 06

Oregon Bent Retreat ... Completed ... Aug 06

Westside Kelowna Crystal Mtn ski hill road to Lake ... Completed ... Aug 06
KVR Railway Kelowna to Naramata ... Completed ... Aug 06
Kootenai Valley Sandon to Castlegar ... Completed ... July 07 10 day Tour
North Side Of Bow Pass To Sask Crossing ... Completed ... 07
Edmonton River Valley ... Completed ... Sept 07

Bow Valley Park Way ... Completed ... Oct 07 Upper half
Calmar to Devon Long way return ... Completed ... Jun 08

Hiawatha trail , Montana ... Completed ... July 08

TOT Cour d’lene 08 Centennial trail Plummer to Mullan ... Completed ... July 08
10 day Trip 1st standard century 100miles -165km
Bike 4 Bibles - Drayton Valley to Rocky Mtn house & Back ... Completed ... July 08 -215 k Pigeon Lake Loop ... Completed ... Aug 08

Devon trails ... Completed ... Aug 08

Calmar to Devon s24o... Completed ... Aug 08

This year I hope to surpass the 10,000 km mark. Am I a super cyclist? ... no just a fellow trying to lose 100lbs; live longer, life fuller and touch a few peoples lives in a small way. Stay tuned for lot more kilometers to come - God Willing

Larry

Happy New Year

2009-01-01T19:07:00.008-07:00

I hope you have a good year of riding, adventure, oppurtunities to meet new people and make a couple of new friends!

I wanted to roll out my year starting with a brisk ride around my small town. So I bundled up, got out the GPS (for mileage) and hopped on my 'bent for quick ride. Well, as the ride progressed I felt great; warm, dispite the -19c temps and N.E. wind (5km) and the road was surprisingly good. I soon realised that the rural gravel roads were hard packed and made for great cycling. So I headed down a couple of roads that I never would ride in the summer and looped around the north part of town on very quiet country, scenic byways.

I learned a couple of things while riding in the winter. When I stop or slow down, my glasses fog up. If I didn't go fast enough for a cold breeze to keep them clear, I was quickly blinded. Ever try wiping iced up glasses with big heavy gloves on? When I took the gloves off and wiped the glasses, they would stay moist. So I quickly tried to put them back on and attempted to get up enough speed so they would not fog up! Had to do this a couple of times before I got it. Guess I had on the right stuff! My body was pumping out alot of warmth and moisture.

The other thing was in the winter gravel roads can get packed enough to make local rides a bit of an adventure!
Orginally I went out for a token 2-3 km ride;
I ended up doing 8.5 km.
Woo Hoo!
Not bad for riding a 'bent with 1.25" smooth tires!

I hope to do a bit better riding this next year.
I made some goals today and I want to ride 20% more this year; increasing commutes, days riidden, centuries and tours. So drop by and see how I am doing. Hopefully I'll do some more reviews and stuff too.

Take Care,
Larry

Year End Wrap up

2008-12-28T15:33:00.011-07:00

Well Hi There!

I bet you thought I had abandoned this blog, eh?
Nope, I just got caught up in my life.

One of the main hinderances to my blogging was an abrupt change after my summer vacation. My assistant at my shop quit the day I got back. With the Alberta economy, up until the end of september it was really hard to replace him and add staff. I hired over 3 people last summer, that came and went as they found "better for them" employment. Now I have a stable helper and I am looking forward to hiring a couple more and growing this next year. That should mean more regular posts here too. I see this as a memoir for myself so adding to it is important to me.

To catch up on my riding let see; in July-I rode 665 klm. Alice and I went down to the Spokane - Cour D'lene area and rode with a bunch of recumbent trikers at a gathering Called "Trikes Only Tour".
We had a great time with the group. Highlights were camping along the way (there and back);

riding a trike (cat trike expedition) along the Hiawatha Trail with a 2 km train tunnel;

The Cour d'lene Trail, we rode most of the paved trail from Mullan Idaho the Plummer on our TE's(some of it was flooded out);
I did my first ever standard century in 1 day (dats me doin a celebration pose with Joel from California - he encouraged me all the way!)

and on the way home we stayed for a couple of nights in Glacier Park and drove the Road to the Sun on our way back to Alberta. Here is a slide show about our Trip:

Later that month I Rode in the Tour D'ALberta -100 km route with 400+ other riders with theEdmonton Touring and Bike club.

Was a hot ride again this year, but I, and alot of others, felt that lunch should have been more substntial and the after ride BBQ Less so. Other than that a great ride!

I rode 210 odd km total for "Bike for Bibles"- Drayton Valley to Rocky Mountain House ; 105 km one day and 105 Back the next - a beautiful hilly ride. Great Support- Rustic accomodations.

But I think that ride is doomed -because with out our group from Godspoke they had only 2 other riders. The organisation is struggling with the ride and those there don't have the vision or man power to make it bloom. Sad, but maybe it has to have a fallow year and sprout again later.

August- I got 222 km in; of which most was our weekly Godspoke Club rides. But Alice and I again rode part of the Thompson High from the Sask Crossing to Thompson resort before the weather changed. Our Good Freinds Ken and Lenore Johnson drove SAG for us and enjoyed the time waiting for us taking Pix and relaxing.

The Big Ride for the month was a 65 km ride around Pigeon Lake starting with an overnight at Barry and Eileens Cabin by the lake.

We had alot of fun that day; riding, eating, laughing, swimming, with a nice boat ride and swim on the middle of the lake that evening using Clarence and Ingrids boat- aww so refreshing!

September, October, November I rode only 210 km combined. Mostly a few commutes and riding on Wednesday nite with the group. October was a riding disaster. Over half of our core riders went to Itay for 4 weeks on a bike tour. (they Had a fantastic time though) Plus real lousy weather and family commitments I rode only 19 km. ARGG!! but I regathered and rode over 60km in November.

December- We completed the years ride with a Christmas party at the Greers with over 30 people out for a Hawian theme - A bit of a laugh, was the potluck where we had over 7 types of Meatball dishes brought. With the change in daylight savings and snow with arctic temps around -30c, Dec was a wash too; but I did get out During the Christmas break for a few km.

Here is a slide show of our rides this past year:

Well I got in just ove 2400 km this year- lost 35 lbs before july (but gained them back since with a net loss of 10lbs this year) I know how to lose it- Count calories and exercise. When I stop counting calories I stop loosing and start to gain. Since 2004 I have lost and gained over 120lbs from 345 as low as 278. I know how to do it; I just got to make it stick!!! Now at 315. net loss=30lb.
This year I will be even more successful and get real close to the 240lb mark and maintain.

May God Bless You and Keep you in 2009!

Talk to you next month: Larry

Just riding along

2008-06-10T20:08:00.007-06:00

If anyone has been reading my blog - I'm sorry that I have not posted for a while, but I have been riding! So far this year I have almost 1100 km past the wheels of my Tour Easy; almost 2/3 of my total km for '07! Plus I have really been disciplined since Xmas and have lost 50 lbs total so far! Was 327 now am 278! I have noticed that as I lose weight I am getting faster on my "bent , too! I started to drive into work with my wife and my T.E. on the back of the van and ride home to Calmar at least twice a week, which really helps burn the calories and add in the kms for the year.

yep that is me letting it all hang out, no photoshopping or sucking it in!

Our bike group Godspoke Cyclists is averaging 27-30 people every Wed. nite! And It don't matter if its raining or not: If its liquid sunshine, we ride shorter and sit in the coffee shop longer!Its great to see so many adults getting off the couch and getting out for some socialization and excercise!

The premise of a social/recreational ride (20kph or alot less) is really meeting a need in our community and I am reading of other groups in towns starting all over N.A. I guess with aging babyboomers and gas prices peple are getting motivated! Plus we are not spandex clad road warriors just plain folk wanting to ride, have fun and some motivation! Most riding clubs host faster, longer rides and are intimidating for newer riders.
We have helped immigrants and lower income families to get bikes, seen relationships heal and people less stressed and isolated new comers to our area find friends! It gives me a warm feeling to know that because this fat guy wanted to get skinnier so many others are getting benefits too!

This past weekend I completed my 4th MS tour!

I finished in the top 200 out of 1700 riders, I definitely was faster this year and Sunday was really windy; many suffered in the fierce head winds coming back from Camrose. alot of people commented on the fairing my bike has and many thought I had an unfair advantage!

I am not a recumbent snob, but my bike is the best bike for me for now, I hope to some day upgrade it to a Aluminum GRR Easy Racer, add a hi racer, a reg hibred or crank forward and in my later years a trike to my riding stable. but I love the TE the more I ride it! So if I have an advantage its that I enjoy my bike right now !

I hope to take a few blogging tips from Vic in Calgary and add some thing each week or ride from here on in, even if its just a pic and line to keep you posted and motivated. I know I need motivation to keep me going, usually after I do the MS tour each year I slack off on the diet and riding thing, but I have a slight KM competion with a good riding buddy and I don't want to lose so i have to try and beat her goal of 3001 km this year so here comes 3050! (nyna, nayn S***y G!)
Between the diet and the riding my Wife, Alice, thinks I am addicted to em; that's all I do or dream, talk about. My response is: "so at least you know what I doing, with whom and where I am and because I will hopefully live longer, I will be around longer to driver you even crazier, dear! Aint Love Grand!"

TTFN Larry

now git out and ride!

Spring Has Sprung?!!

2008-03-30T18:33:00.007-06:00

While it was sunny and clear today I have heard (via BROL) that certain riders in Cowtown were again getting another dose of cabin fever as it snowed there this weekend! (sorry Vic!)

I am trying to get motivated to commute home at least a couple of days a week this year from Leduc to Calmar. Yes, I know its only 19km or just over 11 miles but for my weary (fat) bones its takes some motivation. Its my endeavor to finally lose wieght this year consistently. I am taking some points from "Large fella on a bike" blog and his diet. He lost almost 300 lb in 2 years. Check out his story here: http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/16782826.html be sure to see the slide show its real motivating! I modified the diet somewhat and it seems to be working for me, as I have lost 5 lb in 10 days. it Yahoo! Now to get the excercise part going...

With spring here, sorta, I have been checking out my gear and sorting it out for the types of rides I do: 1-solo training rides up the highway and back, 2-groups rides around Leduc and area with riders of various skill levels, 3- day trips and tours. I wanted a slimmed down version road kit for my solo rides and don't want to pack the kitchen sink (so to speak) I was at MEC agian this weekend and found a great inexpensive, lite mutli-tool The Filzer I Tool Grande

Just what I wanted to reassure myself as I cruise down the hiway. I can now load up my hydration bag with it , some Park glueless patches, some tire levers, a mini Park Crescent wrench, my Brave soldier Crash Pak (sm 1st aid kit), water and zoom!

Well, If I convince myself to ride home tomorrow, I will have ridden over 100km for March - not bad considering the -3 weather hanging around most of the month-

Take care, Ride Safe...Larry

It still be chilli

2008-03-19T22:15:00.004-06:00

Oh when the sun goes down, the temp plummets! We found that out as we rode tonight.

A small group was out tonight basking in the dry streets and almost biking weather. Still a chance to ride with a couple of friends is a great way to burn 1400 calories and think seriously about getting back on track witht the weight loss thingy. I have been getting several comments lateely on how good I look. Kind of puzzling since I am on a bit of a weight loss plateau right now. But IT DOES give me some sparks of motivation. The MS TOUR in June is appproaching fairly fast and has been a great motivator for me in the past. Plus the more I ride the more I remember how much I like my bike. Oh yeah..

I ordered a new Planet Bike Super Spot Stealth rear blinky from Planet Bike this last week and then I stopped at MEC and they had them finally; at $14 instead of the $29 plus shipping I paid from Planet Bike, oh well! You sure cannot beat MEC pricing on alot of bike related gear!

I also Ordered an electolyte replacement drink for Bike Nashbar- Clif Shot - Green Apple- Mmmmm I like!- Powerade had a drink called Atomic Apple that I love but they took it off the market just over a year ago; ever since I have been looking for the Clif Shot drink here in Canada- Nobody sells it so I finally got it on a sale price from Nashbar...just what I have been waiting for - a nice tart drink that is a good balnce of all the goods bits one is supposed to get whiule riding. Try it you might just like it!

I went to a bike prep seminar this past sunday held by the Edmonton Biking and Touring Club. About 30 people showed up. It was a good refresher to have someone show us what to look for in tuning up your bike for the new season. Good Time - one of the long time club riders brought his $10,000 titanum and carbon hand made road bike.It was really nice with some cool engraving in the titanium!

Well its getting late - I hope that it is not too cold this Easter - I would like to ride at least 50km during the break.

Ride safe - Larry aka: the diff

First Club Ride

2008-03-12T22:06:00.004-06:00

Well it was OFFICIAL tonight. Our Local Recreational Riding Club, GodSpoke Cyclists, had our first '08 Season ride. It was cold and windy but 6 brave souls pedaled around the paths in Leduc and the headed to TIMs to warm up over a cup hot JOE! We rode for 80 min total- half in the dark; but most had lights on, sort of looked like a parade with all the twinkling lights!
We had a great time even with the chilly wind. Its amazing that after being outside you go in for a drink and realize how hot it is indoors after you have gotten used to outside. Everyone was commenting how fresh and brisk they felt after the ride. Its nice to be outside after winter!
So bundle up and get out. You'll feel great for it.
See ya later

Family Day

2008-02-18T21:00:00.004-07:00

Sunny, warm weather for several days melted the snow and ice from our local pathways; an email had arrived the day befor announcing a ride, so I loaded up the TE into the van and went into Leduc and met up with a few other adventurous souls.

With the sun shining gloriously we toodled around Leduc bike paths for a couple of hours. We got alot of amused looks as we rode past the new speed skating oval - february - most people are out skating or snowmobling at this time of year and there go 6 nuts on bikes :)
Well crazy or not we had a great time and spent a while in the local coffee shop loosely planning rides for the year. Its was nice to be in the "company of brothers!" (and sisters)

I enjoy riding my Easy Racer Tour Easy!

I rode today, I rode today !!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Ahh at Last

2008-01-12T15:58:00.000-07:00

I got out for a ride today, man can I tell I have not ridden for almost 2 months!

Today was the first time the weather has co- operated enough to have clear MUPs and warmer temps. Was +1 today and very sunny. Got a chance to wear my headphone wool hat. Was very warm and great sound. I like to listen to Audible books while I ride alone.

I was getting a bit of cabin fever, and cruising the net watching vids of other bent riders enjoyin the weather alot further down south was getting to me.

I can not believe how cycling , especially on my recumbent is so much a part of my life. It is such a turn around from my couch potatoe lifestyle of just a couple of years ago. I almost "crave" to ride. My life is so much richer for it.

Well, I hope to do alot more long distance riding this year. More at least 1 century a month (april to Sept) and a maybe 1 or 2 brevets. I just got to send in my registration for the Alberta randonneers. One randoneer said "Its all about making goals and attempting to persever and achieve them". I am pretty sure I can do a 200k in 13 hrs, no problem; its just the dates of the rides that make it tough.

I'm always striving to loss weight, maybe I will hit the right combo and get down to a reasonable weight and keep it off ; I keep yo-yoing from year to year! Stay tuned I'll try to keep you in touch with some ride reports, reviews and a couple of videos!

TTFN

Arrg Winter has only just begun!

2007-11-25T16:01:00.000-07:00

I wrote this about a few days ago, its amazing how a couple of wee rides can change a persons outlook:...

Well here it is near the end of November, with the prospects of another winter looming ahead. Sigh... I already miss my regular riding group and regular riding schedule. Evenings that used to be eventful by doing something related to riding are now hum drum time spans with nothing exciting to do. I search the cycling blogs I know for momentary spikes of excitement, read cool "crazy guy on a bike" journals of others epic journeys and dream about doing the same If I can get rid of all my debt and sell my business. I even got a new bike trainer to justify watching the tv at night but that is boring.

I should get out and do some other activity but my toes don't like the cold. The winter games are coming and they are looking for volunteers...na its too cold out!

I am a cycling addict, and no real way to get a fix. except on weekends. Does anyone want to get together for a coffee? Talk bikes? Gander at some cycling catalogues? Day dream about the their perfect ride or trip?

I need to move to Florida so I can ride all year round; but wait it has been along season and maybe we need this break to plan and get excited about the new years riding schedule and events, yeah, that's it!

Rest- plan - veg! ARRRRRRGGGGGHHH!!!!!!!!

Lethargic in Leduc

I have gone for a couple rides since and I feel more sunny but I know that the snowy blues will come again ...I guess that’s life in Alberta!

And Now here the real blog for today!:
Yea- 1600KM FOR 2007

I know I have another month to go but the weather here in the Edmonton area is cold but no snow so we are pushing it as far as winter conditions go. I hope to get in another measly 26km by the end of the year If I can I will have 5000k on my bents! I was hoping to do another 900k this year to reach 2500km but with a broken foot and very busy fall at the shop it didn't work out. I know alot of 'bentriders do over 5000k in one or two seasons. But considering the weight and physical condition I was in when I started (I couldn't even ride 1 kilometre without being totally out of breathe for hours later), I feel quite pleased so far. I have said it several times before but I KNOW that riding recumbents has prolonged my life, stretched my limits and made some great friends. I look forward to next year and the years after YAHOO!

Since winter is upon us in the Great White North I have been gearing up for riding in below 0c temps. Keeping warm can be tricky and once you get warmed up by riding stopping can chill you right to the bone if you are not layered right.

The latest gear I picked up is a Stereohead by BULA:

I nifty wool hat with speakers for my ZEN to plug into. It very warm and the speakers have great sound. I picked it up Sportmart in Leduc.

To keep the wind off my face I use either a neoprene ski mask or a Buff based on the Survivor TV series.

I picked it up at the Valhalla store in New Denver a couple of summers ago. Its light and long enough to protect my face neck and ear tips-sort of a bandit look, but it works great. When it gets really cold it plan to setup my bike trainer in the basement so I can keep my legs in shape and get a head start for the 08 season.

Well I better go see you soon!

The Last Great Ride of Autumn or the Chilly (Willy) Chili Ride

2007-11-04T15:27:00.000-07:00

Well we timed it just right- A nice 31k ride around the south west cottage roads and highways of Pigeon Lake and paths in the provincial park. On Sat Nov 3, 10 urban adventurers mounted their steeds and did the tour. I think there was at least 3 new steeds out for their first trips (2 Norco and 1 trek hybred tourers)

We started and ended up at Barry and Eileens Cabin. About 3/4 of the way we stopped at a nice Cafe at Village on Lake for some Lattes and Mochachinos. Mmmm a great way to warm upo and replenish some energy on a cool ride!
When we got back to the cabin we had a great Chili feed and later, a dip in the Hot Tub. Now that is an accessory every "mature" rider should have - a hot tub to soak out those weary muscles. Weary muscles were quite common as some of our riders had not ridden much this fall and I know they enjoyed that tub!
As some were soaking in the tub it started to snow - this morning we woke up to about 3cm of the white stuff, Timing was just right! Now we look forward to riding in colder weather and snowy landscapes - CAN"T WAIT! its a new, fresh perspective on known cycling routes.

keep riding!
Larry
(of note to some: Chilly Willi was a cartoon character with Woody the WoodPecker but had much cooler adventurs!no other meaning is implied )

Fall Rides

2007-10-15T19:44:00.000-06:00

It's been a while since I last updated this blog. I have been riding, but after the ride I don't feel like writing so I let it slide. Sorry, but that's the way it is.
Lets see since I wrote last I went out riding with our group into Edmonton along the river valley

it was real nice day with lots of sunshine and a hot dog roast after.

On the Oct 1, our group helped out the local food bank by collecting food in the neigbourhood. Recumbents are great to do this with all the ways you can load up plastic bags off food on them.

This past weekend Alice and I spent in the Banff area riding along the Bow Valley Parkway.

We stayed in a cabin by Castle mtn and rode the north half and back .

Fantastic Scenery
Smooth road (quite a bit of new ashphalt) and Varied terrain

Lunch Via Kelly Kettle
(best touring Accessory for a hot tea or Freeze dried meal!)
Warm and Sunny for Oct

Then on Sunday I did some of the downhill bits of the Bow Pass towards the Sask Crossing. Going over 80kph without my fairing on the TE was exhilorating to say the least. The weather all weekend was just right! I think this is one of my most favorite rides in Alberta. A yearly event I think!
Larry

Red Deer Ramble

2007-09-21T16:57:00.000-06:00

On September 9
5 of us loaded up the trusty mini van and headed south to ramble around the Red Deer River pathways. We rode a total of 48 km in and around the central valley. If have never taken the time I highly recommend this as a great getaway for a lazy saturday or sunday ride. If you start at the Fort along highway 2 you can ride across town and back. You can also pick up a map of the local path system to figure out you route. The ride is along great views, river and forested areas. At times I thought we were in the mountains or along the Oregon coast. Most of the paths ways are fairly level making it a great family ride. We met some folks who showed us a way south of town and then back down a winding, beautiful gorge all the way back to the river.
After getting back to our bikes we headed over to Boston Pizza for some food and recovery. We left Leduc at 1:00 pm and arrived back at 9:30 p.m. I have to say it was one of the nicest rides for the summer!
Ride on

Ima Singin in da rain

2007-09-05T22:09:00.000-06:00

Due to circumstance entirely under my control, I have been in a funk lately and have not ridden for about 10 days. Tonight was our 'lil bike club ride so I bit the bullet and loaded up the bents and both my wife and I went. On the way to the meetin spot it started to sprinkle, by the time we rolled up to the parking lot it was a rainin! I hollered to the other 4 people that they were crazy they replied: So was I since I showed up. Now here is the great part; both my wife and I, as you know, own Tour Easys, with fairings. NOW I KNOW WHY They are so popular on the West Coast! Fairings are great in Foul Weather, they protect you from a significant part of the rain!
Riding around Leduc tonight was fun. It was refreshing and I bet alot of the drivers passing us thought we were nuts. But WE were out riding, Not Fair weather couch potatoes. So Don't be afraid of a little rain. Gear up - get some half decent rain and cool weather clothing, a Faired TE and go out and have some Fun! (P.S. I really like my bike!)

Pigeon Lake Ride

2007-09-03T12:57:00.001-06:00

A Most Glorious Ride
Sunday Afternoon, Aug 26.2007

Grey Skies, A Desire to Ride no Matter what and good food. I had been looking forward to riding the pigeon lake area for a couple of years. We had ridden out to there last year but had not rode around the lake as of yet.

So We put the word out that the ride was on and we met At the Cedar Crest motel and restaurant in Mulhurst around 3 pm. As we were gathering we realized that the Edmonton Bicycling and Touring Club was just finishing their ride and lunch. They ride around the lake every year, but it is a lot faster ride for faster riders; we much more pokier and stop to much. We are the tourists, they are the more serious roadies. They ride @ 25-30 kph, we ride 14-20 kph. Different strokes, Great folks. So we road east out of town up hill to get on highway 616 to take the north route around to Zender Provincial Park and then back along the cottage road along the lake edge. The ride on the highway was great, little traffic with enough rolling hills and flast to make a good work out. As usual I was on the tail end until I got the top of the hill and then zoomed past everyone else until I was way out front leading. I tried to maintain my lead on this ride to even out the hills. On my Recumbent it means a lot of riding alone until we meet up on the crest of most hills. Then away I go again. 18 or so kilmoters later, just before we got to Zender Park the grey skies let loose with a shower and it was wet riding. Its fun to ride in a drizzle with the right gear and bike! Having fairing on the TE is great as I typically get wet on my face only. Once we got o Zender Park we stopped for about 40 minutes for a potty and snack break. I rustled up some tea with my Kelly Kettle. It was a great hit on a cooler day. Everyone chipped in to find little twigs to stuff down the throat of the kettle. We had boiled water in about 6-7 minutes the first round and within 4 min for each pot after. I was really pleased with my fathers day gift; it worked out just as I expected.
Then we saddled up and back tracked a couple of kilometers to the village of Mission and rode 20 odd kilometers back along the lake front road. This hard packed gravel road has been divided up the by barricades to allow local traffic only. But they have portals and pathways for pedestrians and cyclists along the way. This was a great ride along the lake to gawk at the cottages, docks, boats and water fronts. There are some pretty impressive retreat up there! It was a lot slower paced than the high way but that is what a Sunday ride is for: to gawk at the scenery, right?! Eventually we arrived back for dinner at the Cedar Crest around 7 pm for the usual ride follow up stories, etc.. This was a great ride, weather and all. Its now an annual must do every August from now on. Ride lots and have fun. Next year we may stay overnite at the Inn and cycle around the lake for a nice weekend get away. Wanna come?
Larry

B.C. Adventure Report- Finally...

2007-08-21T20:48:00.000-06:00

Summer time, sum sum summertime
One thing about this summer I can tell you: Avoid being in a cast.
I many aspects this has been a tough summer.

You know about me breaking my toe : well here is the rest of the story:

I joined up with 15 other hearty souls to explore the rail trails in the south western mountains of BC. north of Casltlegar and over to Nelson. The scenery and companionship was awesome. The hills and rail trails were a challenge on my Tour Easy Recumbent. Plus 1/2 way along the first day I had a spill and severely twisted my other ankle and achilles tendon. I rode another 40 km that day up one of the steepest longest climbs in my life. But I did it. I can climb anything it seems after that. 7% grade for 7km. I was unable to ride a total of 1/2 the trip due to the ankle and the toe.

Trip synopsis:
Stayed at the Nakusp Hot springs: was a great soak and the scenery awesome; turns out it was my favorite hot springs of the tour.

Next day we rode the Galena Trail to New Denver down hill from the old mining town of Sandon. It was an awesome morning with the history of the area around you and the tram over the creek made it a great ride on my bent. It was the best trail surface of the week. But ¾ down I took a spill to avoid a log down across the path, twisting my ankle, I could have done with that. Then it was on the road to Slocan on the pavement. I never thought the hill south out of Silverton would end. I geared down and pushed my way up in my granny gear at an average of 5.3 kph. I would not reccommend doing this with a healing broken toe on one
foot and a sprained anke and pulled achilles heel on the other. Once we rested at the summit we pushed on a nice rolling (mostly downhill) ride to Slocan on the highway. A beautiful ride. The next day was the Slocan rail trail. I was very sore but determined to ride. The trail was good except the loose sand near the south end in Little Solcan near Frog mountain. Lots of wild berries to eat and bear poop to dodge. Riding alot besides the river, a great ride. Again down grade with mostly packed sand and gravel.
Last 20k on a rolling up hill ride up the pass creek road then down into Castlegar. That night we stayed at the community college. Nice single dorm rooms but my cel phone died and my ankle really began to ache. Did not ride the C&W trail the next day to Christina Lake. I started out with every one but was not feeling well after 5km of riding, was shaky and nauseous.
Yeah, I Bailed out and got on the Sag Truck. Turned out that it wa a good decision not to ride a recumbent on that trail even with the fat tires I had. The mtn bikers had a tough time and it turned out to take 12 hrs instead of 8! The first 6 hours were okay because they allow quads and they packed and cleared the trail; the last 6 hours no trikes allowed, so it was very large, loose gravel. It made me feel a bit better to not ride that day, but not much.
The others who did it did not enjoy it; but hey, they Did it! I felt a wee bit left out.

Next day we had a lay over around Christina lake, so we did the cafe latte and beach thing.

The next day we drove up to the Nancy Greene summit and rode down into Rossland. 30 k of downhill highway was a nice ride. Yep I felt I could ride downhill most of the day so I jumped on the Te and zipped down. Had a warm wind in my face so I did not get going to fast. I felt my back tire feeling kinda mushy, I stopped and I found that it was flat due to a leak in the rear wheel valve stem and had to blow it up twice in 3km to make it into town. Walked around Rossland to much that night; feet were too sore the next day. So I rode in the Sag wagon the next day hoping to recuperate for the last days ride.

Salmo to Nelson.
Next evening I went to put a tube in my rear tire to get ready for the last days ride but once I got the new tube in and inflated the valve came off. Nobody else had the right sized tube so I was bummed I could not ride the last day. I do not like schrader rubber valve stems any more! It turned out the trail was again fairly rough so the group bailed and rode the highways. They had a great time, even stopping at a lake and swimming for a couple hours, sigh.
After arriving in Nelson we took two days more to get home with stops at Aimsworth and Radium hot springs. It was so nice to rest and soak my legs! I have to admit I was not in great shape and in constant pain for those last few days. I could barely walk down the stairs.

On the way home from Radium I was dropped off in Nordegg to spend the next week camping with my family and friends from Calgary. Alice and I took a morning to ride the David Thomson highway from the crossing to the Davis Thomson Resort. What a gorgeous ride!

I realized on the trip that most long distance riding ability is in your mind and you can do alot more than you think if you just suck it up and push a pedal. With a low enough granny gear riding even at 4kph, you can ride up anything if you want to. I learned to appreciate my Tour Easy even more on this trip. The TE is The Touring bike. When we were on the road it shined. On my other bents I would have walked up the slopes. But it really is not a mountain bike. The main weakness is the lower, rear based center of gravity that throws the back wheel out in loose conditions. For me it’s a great fit. I just gotta get a Rans Dynamik Trail for the off road stuff! (don’t tell my wife!)

I realized that for long, mountainous road tours, a fat man on a recumbent, with too much gear is not the best combo. Its a long, slow, grind that tests ones spirit to the bone! Can I do it YES. Is it enjoyable? Only when the day is over and you are drinking something big and cold reminiscing. Is it worth the effort? OH YEAH!
I hope to do some more tour group rides in the future when I feel better and have lost some more weight. Or Not. What I mean is I am 49yrs old, 310 pounds and more alive now than I was 3 years ago. Sure I was the heaviest person on the trip, BUT I WAS THERE! Will I lose more weight for Next year? I hope so; but even if I don’t I’ll still be on the bike! Riding somewhere. I am fat but fit! (Slimmer would just make it faster and easier) Hmm maybe a Bionx Electric Assist would help mmmm
See ya on the road!
Larry

I'm Back

2007-08-11T11:55:00.000-06:00

Well after my last post I was called back to the hospital and found out that, yes I HAD broken my big toe. I had a crack in the long bone of the big toe right at the joint in the ball of my foot. I was in a removeable cast for over 4 weeks. NO riding! No work on my feet. NADA. So I went to the shop and was stuck at the desk and sat around the house for almost 6 weeks of no excercise. As of this morning I had gained back what I had lost this spring I am now back at 314lbs. Arg! Well now I can get back to my regular riding and weight loss reigm again!

So the rest of june and until the 15th of july I was in a funk. I did cheat towards the end; I traded the cast for my stiff soled biking shoes and did a couple of short rides. As long as I pedaled in the arch of my foot I did okay. It was actually easier to ride than walk!

On the 17th of july I took off for My biking trip and holidays. I will upload another blog report tomorrow. Was it a good time -well yes and no- would I do the rail trtails again- yes, but not on a recumbent- At least not those. Will I ever go on another organised biking trip? In a heart beat. Stay tuned...

Fathers Day Report

2007-06-18T18:12:00.000-06:00

I had a fairly nice Fathers Day-Did you?

After lunch on Sunday I received my gift from my family- A Kelly Kettle/1 pint. It is a volcano kettle used and originated by Irish Fisherman for over a century. http://www.kellykettle.com/ It uses small kindling (leaves, grass, twigs etc.) to boil 20oz of water under 5 min. It is fast. We can use it for a "spot of Tea or hot chocolate " on a bike trip or a picnic. or to heat water for freeze dried on a overnight 24hr trip. It is small enough to fit in a bike bag. I read about it on Kent Petersons blog. http://kentsbike.blogspot.com/

Later that afternoon worked on my TE and removed the rear fender and replaced it with a rat tail and then I replaced the 1.35 marathon tires on my Tour easy with wider XC tires. A Specialized CX Borough 1.9 rear, and a Kenda Kontact 1.8 on the front. I rode it down the gravel packed road by my place and was amazed at the difference!.The wider tires seemed to float across the loose stuff. My narrow marathon tires just seem to plough in. On the asphalt it was a little slower and more bumpy with the kenda on the front. So I switched it out with a 1.75 Chen S. from a Bike E and it improved the tarmac ride and speed and still rode exceedingly well on the gravel. I think I will take both tires on the tour and use the knobby on the days on the rail trail and the smoother chen s. on the road days. Speed on the tour is not primary, stability on varing rail trail surfaces is.

Marathon - Cheng S. - Kenda Kontact

Later that evening Alice and I went for a ride around Calmar - I was fooling around and the front tire went out and I ended up on the road. I thought I pulled a muscle in my foot when I got up. But rode home, a wee sore but not for worse. Until I got 50 feet from home when I felt/heard a pop from my left foot and I was in agony. Well it didn't go away over night; so I went into the emergency for an xray this morning. Nothing broken- just pulled and tender- so its no cycling for a couple of weeks or so. Hopfully I can be ready to go on my tour! My wife says it serves me right for "swoopin" around - but hey its so fun!

Take care - ride safely -

Larry

07 MS Tour Report

2007-06-16T20:43:00.000-06:00

Faster, Stronger,
More Endurance,
More FUN!

That really describes my tour this year.
It was a perfect riding weekend, Sunny warm lite wind blowing to south east on Saturday. Cooler, wind blowing strong to the west Sunday!

We had great ride on the weekend on the Leduc to Camrose AB. MsTour. Over 1.2 million dollars will have been raised for MS research and programing. Thanks for all you who sponsored Alice and me. Alice and I rode with Sandy and Murray G.

Every year I have had better times, due to a different bike, better conditioning and support from family and friends. I flew the course on the Easy Racer Tour Easy with comfort and speed. I hit 40- 50 kph on some stretches and avg in the low 30kph range alot of the east trip back-I almost felt like an athlete! Look out Lance - yeah a 300lb Lance! right......

Made it up ALL the hills, TOO!

It was alot more fun this year with my wife Alice along on her TE and our friends Sandy and Murrray on their Agios. Alice did great too, Not only did she look great she rode strong avg 20kph for the whole ride!

I really enjoy the comradery with other riders.

Sandy egged Murray and I to push it up a notch to ride a full metric century on Sunday. (It was easy -we had a east wind pushing us Sunday)

So I rode from Camrose to Calmar- 105km, for a total for the weekend of 180+km.

Not bad for a 300#, 50 year old eh?! I can hardly wait for my Kootenay adventure next month. Boy for a 300lb dude those 200km plus brevets look like they are in reach...next year. I need less of me and more time on the bike, but I can see 'em in the future!

Lower pic: The BEnt Posse
Larry, Alice, Sandy, Murray, Joe Justice - 70 yr. young riding a Bacchetta Corsa (He sells em at United Cycle!)
The more I ride- the more I want to ride. It is a real stress reliever and healthier way to enjoy life!

Now I'm getting into Kootenay Adventure mode: I just need to modify the TE for Rail Trails and keep up the riding 'til then.
I'll keep you posted

Larry

If you want to see some more pics click on the link to the right to see my flickr site.

Long Ride

2007-06-03T20:43:00.001-06:00

Alice, my significant other, riding and life partner and I went for good long ride today. It was +30 on the road. Sweaty, salty, hot. Anyways, we rode from Calmar to Thorsby and back on a long loop. 50.2k. Alices longest 1 day ride to date. It was a real nice day until we headed east on highway 39. Can you say HEADWIND! felt like we did 75k. I averaged 21kph for 2hr 23 min. Alice averaged 17.8 for 3hr 15. Needless to say I stopped and waited for her every 5 k or so. Hey she is worth it. I have several friends whose wifes would never ride woith them. I'm very fortunate. She is improving alot but the wind just messes with her head and she forgets to keep cadance and starts to mash dem pedals.
Well next weekend is the MS Tour, we are both riding along with the Greers and a new rider in our group named Teresa. It will be great to have company this year.
Put a terracycle idler on the TE yesterday. When I changed to a larger 52t chain ring earlier in the spring it shortened the chain a bit. So it was a good excuse to order one from the states and put it on. I saved about $50 ordering it instead of picking it up at a Lbs a ways from home. Mail order can cut into a lot of local business. But I only have so many dollars to spend and gas is getting real expensive.
Well, Get up off the couch, get away from the computer and family and go for a ride a couple of times this week, eh. It does wonders for the body mind and spirit.
Larry

Wizard Lake Ride

2007-05-29T22:08:00.000-06:00

Hi de ho Riders!

Well as of this past weekend I passed the 500k mark for the year. While this number may seem tiny to some I think I am doing great. I do think that 2500k this year is an attainable goal. Besides we have had a very cold spring up here! The good weather is upon us and I am going to make up k.

This past weekend ALice and I went up to Alberta Beach saturday for our Annual ride around the Lake (well south east roads anyways) It was a great ride and our daughter Kara rode with us. Its nice to ride and see the open water and wondering road. Our regular training rides are straight east or west and back along highway 39. Same old thing alot.

Sunday we had 9 riders out for 1st ananual Wizard Lake and Picnic Ride. It was a Sunny and breezy day with a good stiff headwind on the way back. We had a nice hot dog roast along the shores of the Lake and then rode back to Calmar. A relaxing weekend with a total of 63k of riding. But thats not the exciting News!

A couple of weeks ago I went to an informational meeting at a local church to see if there was enough interest for a 10 day rail trail ride in the West Kootenays this summer. Alas the dates did not hook up with my holidays so I decided to pass. Fellow 'bent ryders Sandy and Murray Greer lLoved the idea and decided to go. I have had my eye on those trails for couple of years and was envious of them, but I couldn't take the time off and force my kids to ride that much on "our" holidays. Well over a couple of weeks and listening to the Greers I was starting to feel trapped by my business. (Small business owners can be slaves to thier enterprises and find it really tough to take breaks often) To make a long story short: Alice surprised me with the offer to stay home and run the shop then we would go on our family holiday. I was astounded. It took another 12 hours before it would sink in and ask if she was really serious. She was/is! I have a wonderful spouse. So I will be away from my shop for almost three weeks. The longest time I have had off in over 17 years! WA hOO! It looks like I will be joining the group on my TE on a large segmant of the Spirit Of 2010 Rail trails. http://www.spiritof2010trail.ca/ Part of the Trans Canada Trail in BC. Trestles, trains, tunnels and track.
I am so excited! hmm how many sleeps left...

Home made tailsok frame

2007-05-19T20:50:00.000-06:00

I thought it was time to share how I made my tailsok frame. I originally found how to do this from a now defunct web page (tigrr8?)
I also believe that this was from an ERRC magazine article a few years ago (I have not seen the issue. But since I was interested at the time I copied the web pages into a CorelDraw file that I used.) So I don't deserve the credit.
Items needed:
4- smaller hose clamps
2- zip ties
2 fibre glass bike flags from Canadian Tire
some flexible metal clamping strips
dremel
assorted small nuts and screws
some copper airplane tubing (from local hobby shop)

Actually its easy to do this if you have the time and are patient. I think the total cost was $30 cdn .

So here is the pics use them if you you want to create your own tailsok

The rack ferruls - just clamp on a piece of copper tubing, cut to about 1.75" on the diagonal braces oon eitherside your rack. Use a nail set to ding a couple of insets about 1/4 from the bottom of the tubes, so the fiberglass poles won't pass all the way though.

For the seatback ferruls I used the ones that came with the flag poles. I just flattened the ends drilled a hole and used the flexible metal clamp stuff to attach to the seat back. Worked out nice as they are on sort of a swivel too.

I cut down flag poles -they come in a pack with a flag at the top that I ripped off along with the joining ferruls. I sized the poles to meet at a point.

I adjusted the fibreglass poles to fit together using an antenna ball from Jack in the Box. Drilled the holesin the ball, stuck the poles in.
The Tail Sok its self came from Terracycle via the Hostel Shoppe; but you can search the web or the Easy Racer Forum for other places to get one.

Overall I am happy with the looks, safety and perforance I get with the Sok. Now I should fly on the MS TOUR!

Oh Yeah!

I saw in ERRC Magazine letting on a fellows fairing. I made some minor adjustments and had a local sign company do it in vinyl and put it on mine. I have so many people ask about the bike or oogle it when I am in a store or restaurant. So I thought this was a cheaky self promoter when they do:

I like to listen to music or Audible books when I do longer rides. This year the local MS TOUR has stated they would like riders to not use earphones on the Ride. So after some thought and seeing some examples on the web and at the Recumbent Rally; I added a pair of Creative Travel Sound Speakers to use with my mp3 player. They sound great and my wife likes 'em also when we ride together. I will probably let her use them on the Tour (I always use earphones that sit on my ear not in the ear canal, so I hear all the traffic anyways.)

Well it looks like I got the Tour Easy all Blinged out and ready to go on the MStour. Just gotta ride some more to be ready!

See ya Soon
Larry

T shirts

2007-05-18T22:41:00.000-06:00

I like to fool around with Coreldraw and have always created my own riding and work t-shirt iron ons. A couple of years ago I found a site that takes my designs and adds them to shirts for you to buy direct. I have several images, If you like one get it. Its fun to promote our kind of ride. The little I make helps to send a couple of kids to summer camp!

Click the link on the side:

Larry

Slip sliding Away

2007-05-15T21:20:00.000-06:00

on Beboop Cleats and pedals. Last year I had put on some clipless pedals on the Django. When I traded it in, I took off the Beboops and kept them in my bike stuff drawer until Sunday. I replaced the bigger platforms with studs for the Beboops and dug out my biking sadals to test how I liked riding clipless on the Tour Easy. So far I have mixed feelings. Going flat out on a training ride down the highway they seem to deliver more power (speed). Starting and stopping in town is a pain. I plan to give them a couple of weeks to break myself in again . I know that alot of riders use them for speed and distance. The Editor of Recumbent Cycling News dosen't seem to care for them on a 'bent. I plan to take my other pedals and wrench to the lake this weekend, just in case.

Got an opinion?
Larry

And The're Off!

2007-05-12T20:06:00.000-06:00

Today we rode with 60 others for the MS tour Rookie Ride,

Okay I'm not a rookie but my wife and other team members are. Plus our team supplied the refreshments at the turn aound point, so I thought I was justified in riding with the group.

It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, reason... it was bloody windy! I had to lean the TE over to go striaght! Needlesss to say it was a bit nasty for some of the newbies. Have I mentioned how much I like a fairing in windy conditions? While my team mates were toiling away trying to to do 13k I was toodling along at 23k . (evil smirk) It was a great ride I did 79.3 kph down the coulee on the way back. Would have matched it on the way out but my visor bent down into my face after I hit 60kph, so I did 60kph one handed, with the other holding the visor up so I could see! So on the way back I put it in my jacket and gave 'r! Wa hoo!

This is My TE with a New Zipper Extreme BodySok Width Fairing
and Terra Cycle Tailsok with home made frame.

I get alot of comments and questions from other riders about the bikes and why we ride them. I ride em 'cause I can go further and stay reasonably comfortable. Can others go faster.. yep, Can others go on single trak ...yep. But thats not why I ride recumbent. Its fun for me! Everytime I ride my TE I enjoy it more!
Have a good ride today!
Larry

Not BAD!

2007-04-25T22:39:00.000-06:00

I mean, Went out with my riding group tonight for a 23k ride out to the dreaded Rollyview hill and back. Some of the others wanted to try thier new 'bent on the biggest hill in the area. Sigh... newbies! Well I had not run the TE out there yet and am not down to what I weighed on my django when I did this hill last year. All I got to say after the fact is: I LOVE MY EASY RACER!

I found pedaling up this hill tonight, the easiest yet. I did hit the lowest gear near to top so I would keep a 70 ish cadance but, I felt great. Oh yeah I hit 65.3kph going down and 7.6 going up again!

Bring on the MS 150 in June baby!

6 months of Winter

2007-04-19T21:12:00.000-06:00

As I sit a the computer tonight the rain has turned to snow. A friend of mine said that the long cool winter is starting to make her angry, she feels so shut in. I don't like it but, I also have been riding every month so far in 2007. Every time the weather gets better I run out the TE.
Easter Sunday We went for aride with our Friend Cathy Loudon from Grand Prairie, AB. Who is considering a bent for commuting to work. Here a Vid I took of our ride: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWKcYpLLujw

Easter Monday our newest 'bent convert, Linda and her husband Wayne, came over for her first real ride on her new EZ Sport. I let Wayne, ride the BikeE.

She loves her new ride and is slowly enjoying it more everytime she rides. Her husband had not ridin anything in 10 years (besides horses and motorbikes) he rode 10k and blown away how comfortable it was. (here's hoping!). When we out on the highway I was just dooodling along, having a nice ride, I looked back and could not see the others. They were battling the wind heading back east into Calmar. I am the only one with a fairing. I realized that day they are not fair to others in your group; they struggle, you cruise. I has giggling with malious glee. Fairings are sooooo cool. So I stopped to wait for them and hunkered down below the top of the fairing out of thewind just laughing the whole time. I know it was not fair, but I loved it!

Last weekend I went for a ride in Edmontons river valley with the MS bike Tour Team Captains. Yes I have a Team of 'bent riders. We are commited to riding 160k for MS in June, from Leduc to Camrose and back the next day. Even Alice is riding.

It was a nice day, but I must say the path on the south side of the river is hilly, well, rolly with very steep parts. I was the only bent. yeah, I missed geared on a hill and had to walk the rest of the way up (with 30 other DF riders watching) I feel I did well on the hilly bits but promised myself more hill training! A nice enjoyable ride Getting to know other captains as and a great Italian meal after.

Part of the bonus of being a Team Captain is small incentives. We were given bonus bucks for United Cycle and I picked up a new rack bag for the TE that is expandable. That along with the Palatypus insulated bag I had Alice sew straps and clips on will suffice for 90% of my rides. Alice is a bang up seamstress and puts up with my last minute designs. We sewed up a seat back bag support Sunday that fits on our TE's. Now we can just clip on our hydration bags, packs etc. fast and easy! Way to go ALice!

We have moved our weekly ride with GodSpoke Cyclists from Thursday to Wednesday nights, hopefully we can get more riders. We are also getting TShirts and Jackets for those who want them.

We are supposed to ride this weekend with our group but with the cool weather and snow... We'll see.
Ride when you can

March Madness

2007-04-01T17:29:00.000-06:00

Hi di ho Neighbors!

Well March turned out to be an interesting month: Got some riding in, weather was extreme; business was good but had some major bumps and to top it all off I went to Toronto for 3 days.

Our Local riding group Started officially on the 16th and we have had 2 nice evening rides around the Leduc area.

We have 50 people on the emailing list but so far we only have had 6 out at any one time. They claim its the weather, still to cold, they havn't had time to get their bikes prepped yet; yeah right...

warm weather cyclists!

Two weeks ago my main helper - Ty, broke his collar bone. He is out for at least 8 wks. Sort of a bad time as my business starts to recover at this time of year; so I have not been riding as much as I was hoping. Just to busy or too tired.

I use a Creative ZEN V plus to listen to music or Audible books when I ride. I made a handlebar MP3 hugger for it.

Since we repair plastic bumpers at my shop, I hacked off a piece of a discarded one and reshaped it to hold the ZEN. Works great!

My wife Alice decided to cycle the MS Tour with me this year in June. (after I signed her up). We also have the Greers (new Agio owners) riding in the MSTour with us. So it will not be as lonely for me this year. We should have a 'bent good time.

About 3 weeks ago I brought my Tour Easy to my Church to promote the Riding club and had it sitting in the lobby. Many people had never seen a recumbent before aand sat on it, asked alot of questions and went away going Hmmm... . One lady, Linda, was fairly Impressed and after talking to the Greers and my wife Alice, she came over one night while I was in Toronto and went for a ride with Alice an our BikeE CT. She left with it to ride for a few days.

Thursday she showed up with it at our ride and rode 12k with us, the last time she rode 12k was 20 years ago! She is looking for a 'bent of her own now!

My trip to Toronto was business related. Along with 26 others, we toured PPG Glass factories and assemby plants. At one point on our tour I stood over a river of molten glass 4 football feilds in length as it cooled from the cauldron. That river has been running for 12 years non stop. Was a cool Trip to see how they make side glass and windshields!

Well as the season is upon us I will try to post a little more regularly.

Thanks for reading

Larry

new beginnings

2007-03-18T21:41:00.000-06:00

Spring is Here!

Well I CAN pretend Can't I!?

So Far this year I have 118km on the TE. Ken and Lenore Johnson (my collage buddy) were up from Calgary during the weekend. Ken and I went for a ride on the TE's. Ken first longish ride on a 'bent-15 k. He rode our BikeE's a couple of years back. He liked the ride but I think I wore him out.

Today I went riding with Murray and Sandy Greer along Leduc multi pathway. They have new Bacchetta Agios. They really like em! It was cold and as I looked out the window this morning I saw snow. but by 2:00 the snow was gone. but as you can see from the pic it wwas nippy! But we rode! then we stopped for coffee and pie at Smittys. The paths were wet in spots but very clear of snow. Thanks to the Leduc snow crews!

This was the second ride with them and the new bikes. Last weekend we rode up and around Nisku. Murray being lighter than me can really blaze on the Agio. I must say that with the right rider, it can really go!

I almost have Alices TE all set up to go. This week I but a new light from Planet Bike on and tested it last night. Its thier 5000 series Halogen triple A battery light. At 3 watts out put I was very pleasently pleased with the light it gives. Alice should do nicely with it. I also got a Planet Bike Super Spot Blinky, Wow 1/2 watt of brightness, I but it on the front of my bike. I also found a 20" freddy Fender at United Cycle for Alices bike and I got her a Nike II odometer with cadance. I picked up some new chainrings from MEC last week but they were the wrong size so I have to return them and order some out of the States; probably the Hostle Shoppe. Enough Bling for the bikes for NOw. Actually I have the Bike almost complete, just have to ride em!

My tailbone has been acting up again. Seems when I slouch on the bike it gets sore. However when I tuck my butt into the seat back it is alot better. I think I need to lose some more weight and this should go away.

The more I ride my Tour Easy the more I like it. It "may not" be as fast as my SWB burley but for the riding I do, its great! I am motivated to lose more weight so I can fly on it! Seeing Murray just zoom away today on his Agio was a great motivator. I was thrilled to see him enjoy the ride so much! I was a bit envious but I'll get there!

I am riding more so I will post more ride reports. I hope that my blogging is entertaining. I some times don't know what you may be interessted in reading but hey, Its my life and I'm living it the best I can for HIS Glory

Talk to you soon

Larry

A new stable mate

2007-02-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

This week was a Cold one, but I still was able to have a great bike week!

A ride Monday. Friday came and I brought my TE to work, gave it a good wash, and general winter detail. I wanted to make it look good 'cause the next day I was going to pick up a new stable mate, but more on that later.

After work I headed up to the city and dropped in a couple of hobby/kite/modeling stores to see if I could find tubing for a tailsock project that I have in mind for the TE. I was able to pick up 4- 36"x 9/16" hollow aluminmum poles. I then went to United Cycle in Edmonton to see the rumored Bacchetta bents I heard they had.

Yep there they were a Cafe', Agio, Giro 20, Corsa and they brought out a Aero for me to drool over! A couple of friends of ours are seriously looking at getting a couple of Cafe's. So I spent an hour or so comparing and sitting on all the models; and came away impressed with the Cafe' Nice! (But the Aero is so light! Now if I was 120lbs lighter and had alot of cash....hmmm. Ain't going to happen!) It was a nice visit. If you are interested in a good quality, fast, 'bent, check out United cycle.

Saturday I headed down to Bentley to pick up ALice's TE, a new rack and panniers. Had a great visit with Cornell (trike) another 'bent owner from Cochrane owner and another dude who bought a Gold Rush. Cornell is a great guy who loves to ride too! Maybe we'll go riding one day this summer! Cornell rode Alices TE and he enjoyed it! But I think he is leaning towards a Gold Rush Replica -Blue with a bunch of upgraded parts.

So I brought home Alices TE and spent the rest of the day (and evening) adding gear from the burleys!

Let see I added the rack, bell, light, coroplast rear fender, pedal extenders. mirracycle mirror and rear blinky taillight. I still have to put the 3M protection on the top tube, get a fender set and a fairing down the road. I will probably switch out her chain rings 52/42/26 for mine 48/38/26 as she is more a tourer than a racer!

Today we went for a short ride about 3 k to test it out;we were going to go longer but the wind chill was fierce today, even with the adhoc poroplast fairing for Alices TE.

Well thats it for February. See ya soon

God speed

Larry

February Frolic

2007-02-19T16:31:00.000-07:00

It has been an awful month for snow and cold this Feb. We have had record snow this year. Finally on our Family Day long weekend I was able to get in a ride!

I went into bike mode today. I dug out the poly' underwear and doned some warm outer wear and went out to the garage to prep the bike. I don't have fenders yet for my TE, so I thought I would take a cue from posts I've seen on the web and make one for the rear tire. So I dug out some coroplast, sliced about a 3-4inch width, 3 feet long. Then I shoved it along under the rear rack and along the curve of the tire; resting on the rear fork cross member, down by the brake mount and fender hole. I added a few zip ties and Wa-la, a winter rear fender! Worked fairly good keeping the melting sludge & water off my back!

I then checked and added some air to both the TE and the BikeE CT. Clicked on the odometer onto the TE. Loaded up a polar water bottle full of nice hot tea. Then Alice and I took off for a nice ride down highway 39, west of Calmar. It was about -6c or 19F. Beautiful sunny blue skies. We rode about 10k in total! I loved it and I really like the TE! It just soars with the fairing! I love how the fairing keeps your core out the wind. I found that If I placed my hand up on top of the fairing it would protect my face! I was laughing it was soo cool! Total milage: 10 k, top speed 30.9kph. (I have no regrets trading in the burleys. Alice gets her TE in the next couple of weeks)

I can only imagine what my cruising speed will be in the summer when I weigh less and have a 26/42/52 chainring insted of the 26/38/48 I have now - zoom -zoom.

Oh yeah, I am down to 307# I have had a major head cold this past week, so I did not go to the gym all week. Nor did I stick to my diet at all since Wed. No gains though and it is probably good to reset my metabolism anyways. I have to get into my head that eating more than 2000 cals a day is my norm until I get down to my goal weight. I already feel so much better.

Next month some friends of ours are seriuos about getting 'bent. United Cycle has brought in the Bacchetta line. http://www.bacchettabikes.com/recumbents/index.html They went and looked at them sat on the Agio and Cafe'. Looks like the Cafe' is the front runner. We are getting new 'bent buddies! Ya hoooo!

More a converting to the dark side "moo haa hahaha"! Why not? No pain- wrists, arms, neck, back or butt; great viewing position, fast, comfy!

An Early Start

2007-01-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

Happy NEW YEAR!

Did you have a great New year? Enough time off?
We did, we went over to my Buddy Don Martz for New Years Eve and had a great time!
Lots of food, games and good conversation!

Well, I am looking forward to having a great year in 2007. I want to ride lots, loose lots of FAT and enjoy my family, friends and business. I hope to lose at least 75 lbs this year and KEEP it off with a goal of reaching 195# by Christmas 2008. Plus I want to ride the MS Tour again and a few other organised rides AND a couple of Brevets too. Hope fully I can ride over 2000 km this year. Its going to be interesting to reach this goal because my business has been picking up alot and may interfere with my riding somewhat, So keep dropping by and we will see what happens. eh?!

I think I know what I did last year to stop losing weight and regain what I had lost. I Stopped counting calories, Yep in a nut shell that was it. Stopped counting and gradually ended up eating just whatever I FELT like it. ARGG! Well it was a lesson learned, I know I have to do this time: Proper Portion sizes I have to ingrain; do cardio and weights, not eat after 8pm, do not eat back all my excercise calories; stay on this for the REST of my life. I did get a set of 10# dumb bells, a electronic food scale and a set of measuring cups for Xmas. Plus a month at FlexFX and I signed up for a weight and excercise course with my trainer. I will also get the Biggest Loser 2 video. When the weather improves I can then begin to ride and burn away that which do not belong.

Anyways the ride report:

Jan 6, 2:30 pm, 5 hearty adventurers, struck out amidst sunny skies and -2 degree temps; and took to the cleared and dry multi pathways of Leduc, for a total of 12 km and 55 min riding.

We had a great time in the brisk winter air. We were all fairly warm, bundled up the way we were. Carol snapped her chain about 15 min into the ride and thought she might have to walk back, but Sandy said " Larry the toolman can fix it up". So I whipped out the trusty ol' Park MTB 3 muti tool and used the intregrated chain tool and within 10 min and 1 link less we were off as good as new. Man, its good to be prepared, when I was growing up I never rode with any tools, now I gots a mini bike shop in the the old panniers. Sure can come in handy when you are alone or riding in a group. Don't leave home with out em!

We stopped at Bits and Bytes Coffee House for a Latte and fellowship. Definitely a highlight of the ride! We hope to include more riders this year, do some more adventures, and a trip this year; maybe even the MSTOUR as a team?! We want it to be a regular ride that is fun and easy for most adults. Hey, riding along at 15 kph for an hour will burn almost 500 calories, enough for a dessert or not!

If this winter ride was any indication; than this year looks like it will be a fun ride!
See ya soon ...

I had it

2006-10-29T15:36:00.000-07:00

Seems like dare be snow outside!

So riding in the future is probably on hold until spring. If that is the case I rode over 1600k in 2006! This past week our wee bike club had its last ride; 5 of us rode 13.5 k around Leduc in cool and wet night streets, then met a couple at the Local cafe for lattes and Chias. We had a great time! From local rides around Calmar and Leduc, The Ms Tour and Tour de Alberta and The Recumbent retreat in Oregon - I had a great season.

I did my first 1 Day century with the Tour De Alberta and learned alot about my self. 1-I like to ride with some one. Not nessarily beside them all the time but with hailing range. 2- the longer I rode the longer it would take for my tailbone not to be tender. gotta lose more weight. 3- I like long rides with friends. 4-I like to ride with Audible books (scifi) and good music. 5-I gotta lose more weight 6- riding takes commitment. 7- Just do it!

My 2 most favorite rides this year were The MS Tour- cause I surpassed some challenges over last years ride and Our Godspoke Ride to Pigeon Lake-38k - we had a lot of fun and great company! I really am Blessed that Alice my wife enjoys riding ... with ME!

This saturday afternoon I drove down to Bentley Cycle to spend the afternoon with Grant the owner and say goodbye to my Burleys, the Django and the Jet Creek. I delivered them to Grant for consignment 'cause Alice would like to ride a TE too! If you are looking for a great ride drop into Grants and check them and all the other bike he has. Alice and I really like the ride, handling and speed the Tour Easy has. I find them so much easier to start and stop on and ride with other Df riders. Plus the fairing is nice on cooler rides, sleek looking and Fast. We hope that this will be our last upgrades for awhile. I have had 5 different bents in 5 years! Now I get to outfit TWO TE's

As for the engine improvement I was down to 285lb in june and have gained up 20lb back. But I learned alot about weight loss and conditioning- ITS NOT EASY! and so easy to regain what you lost. SO I am going back to the gym I November, I have swayed my trainer into offering a set of areobic classes in January to help and encourage more significantly obese people. She has been caught in a gym culture mindset and was frustrated that obese, out of shape people were not not enthusiastic about weight training and classes so we had a long talk one afternoon about my preceptions from the otherside of the fence. So her next set of classes that I will be in will focus on the other side. we will see what happens.

I want to get to and maintain 275-250 by june 07 , Hey its a goal! 2008 to 225lb. With all the riding I want to do in 2007 (2-2500k) it will be a challenge. And HEY, there is very little commuting miles in that goal. Riding this kind of mileage takes significant time. Family, work, and other committments gotta squeeze around it. But I'm lucky -I have my family and friends who like to ride!

Talk to you soon ,

Larry

The Last Ride?

2006-10-15T15:51:00.000-06:00

Well my wife Alice and I went for a short ride and photo op on Saturday. The weather reports said snow on Sunday so we drove into Leduc and a ride around Telford lake area and took some pictures of my TE and Alice riding. I picked up a tripod for my camera at Staples and away we went.

It was a great fall afternoon and I hope not the end of my riding for 2006. I am just 35k short of riding 2000k for the year. I am going to do over that even if I have to ride in the snow New Years Eve! This is by far the most I have ever ridden in any year. I had a list of riding goals I wanted to do in the next couple of year and did them this year! Wa hoo.I am getting a bug for long distance riding. I have been reading the exploits of Micheal Wolfe http://escapevelocipede.blogspot.com/ and others who do long distance riding and am developing the goals of riding in some of the local brevets (randoneeering) in 2007. These are sanctioned riding events with timing and checkpoints with lenghts of 200k, 300k, 400k, 600k and 1000K. If you can ride an average of 16k/hr and endure the seat for 7.5 hrs per 100k you can do it easy. Plus you can get a medal and record posting in Paris, France! I hope to do a 200k and 300k in 07. This will envolve training and discipline on my part. I am finding that if I want to lose weight and maintain it I gotta have some goals set.

Will I lose the weight and accomplish it ... who knows but I am going to attempt them along with the MS Tour, Ride LA, and our Godspoke rides and tours next year. So Stay tuned, Look for posts reguarding the training, equipment, and stuff this next year.
TTFN Larry

The End of Summer '06

2006-10-08T14:22:00.000-06:00

Well, its been a while since I last updated this blog. Let see;
I have been riding abit, at least every thursday with our local riding group Godspoke. We meet at 6:30 pm, ride around town and stop for coffee somewhere, usually the local Tim Hortons. Anywhere from 3 to 8 of us ply the roads of Nisku and Leduc. We have found that riding after dark can be fun and a totally different experience.

We have all gotten lights to illuminate our path. I Picked up a Nite Hawk Digital Emitter with Recharger from MEC (This super bright (approximately 10 watt) white LED headlight system has 11 light-output settings and features an advanced microprocessor to ensure continued brightness throughout the battery cycle. Includes rechargeable NiMH batteries and recharging kit.)
I really like it. It really lights up the road in front, but I still think If I was riding alot after dark I would get another to really widen the total path of light, maybe a helmet mounted one! On the back of my bike I have a: Blackburn Mars 2 Rear blinky - from REI in Seattle. This is one bright taillight with 3 modes -highly recommended.

This september I did it again. I have been riding recumbents for 4 years. Some how I have managed to get 4 'bents in that time. First was a BikeE AT that I traded up for a BikeE RX that I found later was too small for me. Then my LBS got in a Burley Jet Creek for which I traded in lieu of my RX. Then BikeE went out out biz and I got a CT from Ebay. Then Last year I got a Burley Django which I rode last summer and the summer of 05. Then I went to the recumbent retreat in Oregon, and relazied that I was a Easy Racer wanna be. Riding my Django was fun and fast but after a couple of centuries this summer I was getting a severly sore tailbone. Due to the fact I was so reclined on the Django, because I had to recline to get my belly out of the way. I like to ride fairly fast but I also am beginning to like riding far. The MS tour, Tour de Alberta gave me a taste of going the distance. I think I may see randoneering in my future.

Randoneering is riding set distances in a certain time, 200 to qualify for a 300k then 400 then 600 then 1200k. If you can ride consistently at 15mph you can finish the rides on time. I may not get beyond the 400k rides but I wanted a bike that would help get me there in comfort and speed. The more I talked to people at the recumbent rally the more I was Impressed with the Easy Racers. They are made for faster long distance rides. And the enthusiasium from current oners really impressed me that a Tour Easy was in my future.
So late August I started my research to see what a second hand one would cost, looking on Ebay, the classified on BROL and the Easy Racer Forum. I was thinking of Spring but if I got the right one I could extend my riding into November if I had a fairing.
Then mid September I posted a note on BROL that I was looking for a good used TE. A couple of days later I got a private message from a lady in Seattle who said she had what I was looking for and would email me pics and more info after the weekend.
A few days later I got an email with pics of a Tour Easy freshly uncrated. She had gotten this TE in a round about way from someone in northern California, she had them take it to Easy Racers nearby, they wrapped it and sent it to her. How long it sat in her garage up unopened I don't know. But before my eyes I am seeing this TE with fairing, rapid fire shifters, rack, (the bike I envisioned I would get) lying amidst cardboard and cellophane. She never rode it, she had to unpack it to take the pics! From what she told me it is a 2004 that the fellow never took to. It sat and was hardly ever ridden. the rear cassette looks brand new!
So we haggled a bit then I decided to get it. We found out that some friends of ours were going to Vancouver for the weekend and that they would pick up the bike there and bring it back. So Rosie from Seattle loaded up her car and drove to Vancouver dropped it off at Cambie Cycle and Dale & Judy picked it up from there and dove to Calmar and WA LLA I am an EasyRacer, Tour Easy Owner and Rider.

So, I am very happy with my TE which I call "Rosie" After the generous Lady who went out of her way and country to get me this 'Bent. The more I ride it, the more "right" it feels for me. I want to change a few things, what 'bent rider doesn't want to add a few mods and make it thiers, eh! Eventually I will upgrade the Touring gearing for a higher front chain ring, add at least a tail sock; but I enjoy the ride, it is allowing me to ride further in the fall (like that fairing) Well, I think I going to go for a ride on this nice Autumm Thanksgiving Sunday. I will write soon and post more pics of the TE and our rides.

Enjoy the Ride

Larry

P.S. I have a Burley 2004 Jet Creek and a 2002 Burley Django upgraded with xt gearing for sale now, my wife would like a TE in the spring!

Ridn in Aug

2006-08-27T13:31:00.000-06:00

Hey Hey! I can see from the prior post that August has been busy! No Posts 'til now!

I have been riding while I was not posting,
Aug long weekend we went to the Fat tire Festival at Frontier Lodge near Nordegg AB.
Then we went on vacation. August 12-22. We went to Ft. Stevens Park in Oregon for the 8th Annual Recumbent retreat!
We stopped in Kelowna for a couple of days then drove south to Winnachee/Leavensworth Wa. and Stayed at the KOA in a cabin. then over to the wash/oregon border.

While in Kelowna I was able to do a ride I wanted to do since last year, RIDE down Crystal Mtn and along Okanogan Lake.

It was fantastic- total km was 46 on a hot 30c day! click here for a short video and other photos of our trip. http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m157/leducdjango/
When we got to Ft. Stevens we were amazed at the treed, paved paths. They have over 9 miles of these paths. We rode around for 4 days in the area. We participated in the Poker Run, (won a new carbon spider visor, bentretreat coffee mug), Went to Ernies Diner Saturday morning for Breakfast (8 miles), Did the ride Sat afternoon to Ft. Clapstop (where Lewis and Clark finished their historic trek and steyed for 9 months scouting and reprovisioning for the trk back)(28 m).
Saturday nite everyone Dressed up thier bikes with light and paraded through all the camp ground loops, to the delight of the campers! Truly a high Light of the weekend.
Had a surprise visit from my freind Craig Stinson who is living in the Salem area. Sunday we rode around the campground trails, saw awesome kiters on the beach with huge kites and kite surfing. In total I rode almost 100 miles or 158km during
that weekend. Yeehaw!

It was Great to make new friends Like Mark (I really am glad we spent time together riding and eating popper CLAMs!) and Glen (thanks for the guided tour of Warrington). TO meet and hear Fast Freddy and the RAAM team, meet Connie, Lonnie (NO5) from the OHPV, Pat from Terra Cycle and Jim Wills, eat tons of food at the potluck. I have uploaded photos onto photobucket, click on the above link to see em.

Would I go back OH Yes! I am not sure about next year but I am planning to be there for the 10th Annual ride for sure!

Saturday we packed up and drove to Yakima and bought a rear blinky from REI and the drove to Chilliwack BC. Stayed over night and then drove to Jasper them home to Edmonton. whew .
One of my main reasons for going was to see and ride types of 'bents I don't see up here. I did, I asked alot of questions and rode: the New ER Javalyn prototype, a Volea Club, Rans F5, and several Easy racers. Going I knew that it was EASY Racer territory, and was going to see and hear and ride them. I came back convinced to get a second hand one. Don't get me wrong I love my Django but the easy racer is much better suited to my current girth.

The overwhelming conviction of ER Riders is the bikes speed and comfort. Speed- I could not keep up to those faired demons; even ALice my wife liked em. So I am on the hunt for a used Tour Easy under $1000 cdn. They are too expensive to buy new outright, and If I don't like it I can sell it. Man that will be 5 bents in 5 years. This has got to stop!

Here is a list of Items for my 'bent I have picked up in Aug:
Blackburn Mars 2 Rear blinky - REI
4xl Riding Jersy- g & j cyclewear EUGENE OR.
NIGHT HAWK EMITTER 10 WATT HEADLIGHT - mec
LONG FINGER RIDING glOVES - MEC
XL Giro HELMET -UNITED CYCLE
BLINKY rearLIGHT Flilzer -me
Tri socket wrench -united cycle
Park MTB7 mutli tool for ALices bent- United cycle
Terracycle Burley Idler. Bently Cycle

Life should be getting back to a more normal schedule now so I will talk to you soon TTFN

July ramblings

2006-07-24T12:58:00.000-06:00

Hey there,
Its been awhile since I last posted, but I have been riding!
After the Cycle LA event I got a phone call from Jocelyn, one of my LA riders, he was informing me that he had ordered an ActionBent Jet Stream 3. So a week later it arrived and he has set it up. He loves it! Not only that but I had lent him a BikeE Ct for his wife to test, she liked it; so we found another used CT for her now they are both 'Bent. Jocelyn has the "fever" as he is in accessory mode right now. We went for a 16 k ride 2 weeks ago and he just loves the ride, now we are working at converting our friend Tom L "to the Dark side".

My family and I spent the long july weekend at Alberta Beach, I rode 86 k in all that weekend; fell and got a minor road rash when I hit a sand patch while turning around. Its a nice area to do some nice short rides along the lake side, I did a 46 k loop around the south end of the lake and back along the high way.

The Big News is that I completed my first Metric Century this past Sunday on the Tour De Alberta! A ride that North OF Greater Edmonton sponsored by the Edmonton Cycling and Touring Club. It was a great day, Clear hot and fun. I did really well ... until the last 30k, my legs were getting really tired and the last 8 k I could feel them begin cramping up if I stopped pedaling. I drank almost 5 liters of water( 2 of were loaded with an electrolyte replacer) along with Ecaps. Last night my thighs were quite tired and sore but I am okay today.
I did 101 k in 5hr 17 min at and avg of 25kph. I was pleased with that even though it seemed like everyone on a skinny tire DF passed me all the time with a higher cadence and less effort. My desire to get a more efficent 'Bent waxes and seems to get stronger on rides like this. I would like to try a dual 26 Swb, a Rans F5 Enduro catches my whim. We'll see...

Anyways, my fitness program stalled badly this last month ( gained 12lb) but I feel that I am back on track with even more determination than ever to get down to under 225. Its not easy, its going to take longer than I expected, but I will get there! In the following month I plan on going to the Oregon Recumbent Retreat and doing a a couple of 60k or so rides. And go on a potatoe free diet (nothing with potatoes, fries, chips, etc.) I'll keep you posted, until then ride comfortable, ride fast, ride 'Bent!
Larry
Oh yeah ... Keep yur feet up!

Cycle LA

2006-06-25T16:06:00.000-06:00

8:00 am BANG! goes the starter gun and the cyclists are off on another Cycle LA to raise funds for new equipment for our local hospital.

My Team: Godspoke ( 5 of us : Jocelyn, Tom, Art, my wife Alice and my self) had a great day of relay cycling, chatting, encouraging and laughing. We didn't even finish last.

It was a sunny hot day (the best weather in Cycle LA History!+27c) The course was fairly level with low sloping hills, except for 2 biggys that I didn't do. Its fun to do this type of relay, each person rides the best they can and yet over a smaller distance. Alot of roadies ride the full 120 km (winner did it in 3hr 46 min). The ride ends in 6 hours, that is why I don't ride the whole thing. It took me 5 hours to ride 80k on the Ms Tour, 120k would take me 7 hrs at my present speed and ability- maybe in a couple of years.

At one point I had a real good tailwind riding north into Thorsby, my wife found me in the van and was following me in Thorsby I was doing 38-40 kph acording to the Van Odo. I forgot my odo at home. I Know that just before entering the town that I was going faster 40-43kph. What a blast! My friends Tom and Jocelyn mentioned to Alice that "Larry has a fast bike".

There was one other bent on the ride a tidalwave 2 action bent, Mike, young fella from Beaumont. Overall Next year is a redo, slimmer, faster and funner!

Ride lots 'til next time

Larry

I did It!

2006-06-18T15:36:00.000-06:00

I accomplished the
'06 Edmonton MS Tour!

Thanks to all of you who contributed- We raised $1175!

It was a great weekend, not to hot, windy or rainy. On Saturday I finished an hour earlier than last year, and finished Sunday 45 min faster than the year before. Plus, I hung out longer at the rest stops, was not as tired and I pedaled my butt up all the way 2.75 out out of 3 big hills. I averaged just over 23 kph on Sat and 19.9 on Sunday. I love riding my Burley Dajango Short wheel base recumbent. It was fast and comfortable, why would anyone ride long distances on a regular bike?

Long fingered gloves and wicking thermal undershirt really helped in the rain and wind.

I hung out with Kel, and was encouraged alot by him. He has a cool new trailer and really nice wife!
I really seemed faster, I thrilled at the perception that I was passing 60% of the riders. On Sunday in the section I suffered on last year, I had a ride marshal draft me for over 10k. I asked him how the ride was back there, he replied:"you could sit up a bit higher ... you got a real good pace going, thanks." I was spinning around 85 rpm and cruising at 25kph then and I thot and felt: "cool I can ride with the best of them!" that comment and the triumph of spinning up the big hills and finishing the ride not exhausted, really gave me a strong sense of accomplishment and reward. It enforces the desire I have to lose more weight and get even fitter!

From Xmas '05 to the ride I reduced 25% body fat and added alot of muscle (lost 45 lbs). My next goal is to ride 20-35 km on Cycle LA on june 24; ride the Tour De Alberta July 22. So I keep the motivation to reduce, live longer and fitter. I did not reach 275lbs this time, but it was a goal. I hope to get close to 260 by Sept - 230 by Xmas '06 - 195 for the '07 Tour.

Encourage me and pray that I stick to it. Being healthier and fitter is fun! Larry

I'm READY

2006-06-08T22:11:00.000-06:00

as I 'm gonna get for the 2006 MS tour.
According to the test my trainer gave me yesterday, I have reduced my body fat from 4-.1- 30.2 since march. Thats 25% LESS! waa whooo! Now only 288 lbs of jiggling muscled fat -next year I hope to be @199-215 for the MSRide!

Last weekend I put on a set of burley moustache handlebars (and longer cables) so my knees would not be hindered and that I would not have any upper arm pain. 30 km later no pain and I love the new bars!

Since I like to listen to audible books and music while I ride, I needed a place to set my MP3 player. I found a white reflector, removed the clear face, added industrial velcro to it and my players and Voila a great holder right on the handle bars. Works great for $1 eh! I use a rubber ring for added secruty.

I finally got a wicking thermal undershirt for cooler and wet riding. More layers the better, right?! Went for a 10 k test ride tonight all decked out in the gear I have for wet weather; was all toasty and warm. Top: wicking under shirt,wicking bike shirt, weather resistant biking jacket, thinsulite gloves, neofleece masque, skull cap, bike helmut and earuffs. Lower: lake sandals, merino wool socks, leg warmers, cotton briefs, running tights, and wind resistant long pants. Now I Just have to do something for foggy glasses.

Tomorrow I pack, sleep, then on Saturday we ride. Sat/Sun weather forecast: cloudy with 40% chance rain hight 16 -19. If there is no rain and very little wind, it should be a nice riding weekend. Expect the wind from east this time of year so heading to Camrose south east will slow us down. Sunday could be a faster day with tailwind most of the day! Stay tuned monday or tuesday for a post ride report and pix. (soggy fat man in tights!)
Larry

My first 1/2 Century 06

2006-05-29T23:11:00.000-06:00

This past Sunday I did my first solo half century!
It was a cool 12 degrees, overcast, wind from the SE.
I averaged 22.3kph for a total wheel time of 2h 16 min. actual 'bout 2:45. 3 stops at 21 k ea.
I painted marks at about every 5 k a couple of months earlier and have ridden most of it. And posted some reports but I thoufght I load up some pics so you could see my ride.

If you look near the bottom of this pic you can see the 8 km mark this is 8 k west of Calmar and I turn north here to Wilton hall. Turning north hera we get onto what the local Edmonton riding Clubs call thier "private biking Highway" Paved and very little traffic.

This is the typical terrain I ride mostly flatish with a few dips. Its the wind that we struggle against or cruize with.

this is Wilton Hall . 13 k from calmar or 16 k from Devon. Its a nice break/rest area (has a girl/guy outhouse) you can see the 13 on the road in the pic. The '06 Ms tour training ride used Wilton Hall as the turn around point and headed back to Devon, a 32 k ride.

Continuing east from the hall, Next @ the 23 k mark, is the gorge, a set of great training hills. Max speed down from east to west 74.7 kph and I was able to spin all the way up the other side!

This past week I didn't get down to the small chain ring so I had to stop half way up the east side, fix the chain line then; spun up the rest of the way. Max speed was 47 k into the wind. Its fun and a good way to practise hill climbing!

Heading south again, At the 30 k mark we pass the Leduc No.1 well site and museum. It was here in the 1940's that oil was first found in Alberta and why the town of Devon exists, it was a company town for the oil workers. Alberta's Black Gold Economy has its roots from here.

Finally heading west again at the 35 k mark is the sign telling us Calmar is just over the horizon.

Finally, a blurry shot from inside the van going down main street of the wee town of Calmar, AB. I had to ride out of town west 5 k and back to get 50 km. But It was a great ride. Sure beats staying in the house watching the Oilers Duck hunting in Anaheim.

Ride Fast, Ride Comfortable, Ride 'Bent!

Riding on May Long Weekend

2006-05-22T20:46:00.000-06:00

Its great to have a long weekend! Did almost 100 k Sunday and Monday. Sunday Afternoon I rode by myself out on highway #39 to Thorby the next town west of us; was 42 k trip total weather was great slight wind on the return. Monday I rode with my friend Tom L and did a 48k loop to Devon, West to Milton hall to Calmar. Maxed out down the gully @74.7 kph and Pedaled ALL THE WAY up the other side! WAHOO! A personal best all the way! Maxed out the heart rate though 179 bpm. Tom lent me an extra heart rate monitor to see if I want one. So Far I like it, my avg HR riding is 136. In the middle of the cardio zone for my age.
Tom was bushed and butt sore after the ride. It was his first real ride of the year, and the wind set him back a bit. I was afraid I was going to slow him down and only see his rear in the distance all day. But 'BENTS RULE! this chubby bunny was ahead all day! Tom has been the best rider I ride with for the last couple of years, he is a weekend roadie; but work has tied him up over the winter and he needs to do alot more riding. Then we will see (he says).

Well we seem to have a team for Cycle LA June 24. A 120 k bike relay to raise funds for our local hospital. Should be fun. I will keep you posted.

I finally got a Minora Swing Post on the front derailer, for my L.E.D. headlight. Now its mounted out of the way and looks cool too! Plus Alice sewed on a reflective triangle on the burley bag for more visiblity. Also, I took accessory bag out of the car and added it to the handle bars to keep the cel phone and MP3 player handy (I was getting strangled by the earphone cord). On long windy rides having some tunes or an audio book on low vol sure passes away the time better.
Well gotta go, see soon,
Ride safe - Larry

Ms Tour Training Ride

2006-05-13T23:05:00.000-06:00

Today I joined up with Kel, a Vision recumbent owner from Edmonton, on the MS Tour training ride. We rode on Twnroads 504 & 502 or hiway #19 west, from Devon church to the Wilton Park community hall and back. Its like a private cycling hiway, in two hrs we had less than a dozen vehicles pass us!
35.5 km in 1.5 hrs
avg 20.5 kph with a Top speed 69.9 kph (woo whoo) down the gorge hill and pedalled out 1/2 way up the other side. Had to walk, legs burned out on the climbs out- still just pushing to much weight. (someone told me that when riding every 10 lb feels like a 2 % grade; so if thats true I am still going up a additional 20% grade! no wonder the legs burn!!) But I got 1/2 way and the calves didn't hurt to walk. A big improvement over last year!
beautiful weather 17 +
Great bike n hiway. Nice to ride with another ´bent ryder!

Then went into town with Tom L and hit alot of bike stores. Bought an airzounds, pressure guage and leg warmers from MEC; fruit bars from Costco and a latte from 2nd cup
Tom gave me a Polar 520 heart rate monitor/cycling to try out. It has a wireless hookup for the bike functions so I am not sure it will work on the Django. I want to maximise my work outs and rides.
Overall a Great Saturday, I really, really enjoyed the day! oh yeah, I closed the shop too!
Ta Ta fer Now

Had a blast today!

2006-05-11T23:36:00.000-06:00

I am participating in a pre ride for the Ms Tour on Sat, so I am trying to get my engine tuned for it. Today I decided to ride home @ 5 from the shop, its 17.8 km. During the Red Neck Rally on the high way I drive home on; its during the evening dash the workers from the Nisku Industrial Park and city buzz home on.
Had a tail wind.
Seriously hit 52.9 kph at one point.
Laughing all the time cause I know that the computer IS tracking right this time. Made it in 36 min. 17.8 km. I was smoking! avg speed was about 36kph. tailwinds are a blast!. If only I could ride home like that all the time! I was at a cadence of around 74rpm on avg. felt great after, limber not tired! 'Bents ... gotta lov em!
Then around 8:30 I was feeling restless so I went for another 10.8 k ride west on highway 39; wind was at my back again out, avg 28.9 k max 38.9. cadence 74 rpm. Then I turned back east, speed 19k total time 29 min. 10.8 k, avg 24.2kph for the whole ride.
I really like having a cadence on the computer. I almost watch this more now than the avg speed. I feel that I am getting a better work out, easier on the knees and more efficent. My legs have muscles I did'nt know I had; now that they are letting me know their there from the aches and tiredness I feel . But they is growing and getting better.I love my Django! Can't think of a better way to spend time than cruising down the high with the wind behind my back!
Get out there and have a great ride
Larry

May meaderings

2006-05-08T18:45:00.000-06:00

Well I am making progress in preparing for the MS Tour in 5 weeks. Riding @ around 22-26kph avg and 10-20k a ride every other evening. I am on target for getting my weight down, 285 now; I should be at 275 in time, getting up them hills will be easier. Yes, I do have other trips I am planning this summer to further encourage me to lose more weight. I am planning to do the Tour de Alberta metric century in July, 21. The Oregon 'bent rally Aug 19, and another century in late Sept, maybe Calmar to Drayton Valley. My goal is to continue riding as long as I can and be working out all winter, so this time next year I should be fit at around 185-190.

I am very happy to say that I have successfully made the transition to clipless pedals. I've only fallen once. Took me awhile to figure out all the wee little tweaks. At first I didn't like the position of riding on the balls of my feet instead of the arch; my right foot was going numb until I moved my seat up a bit and tightened the straps on the Lake sandals; and I had to turn in the cleats more, 'cause I ride toes out heels in and was unclipping to easily. I really like the added power being clipped in gives and surprisingly the added endurance. If you ride 'bent having the clip in system is worth it.

Last week I added a new long cable Trek computer, along with the usual features it has temperature and cadence, it sure is helping me with my spinning and heartrate. I found that I was spinning around 60 rpm so I am retraining myself to be at least in the mid 70's. Later in the season I want to be in the low 80's. Gearing down and spinning faster IS helping my speed factor and endurance. I feel like I am training for some big time event. Its kinda cool to have this feeling like I am tackeling and accomplishing something significant (well, to me anyways).

I also added a 1 watt L.E.D. headlight from Planet bike for those later evening rides where I am finishing on the hiway at dusk. I want the oncoming traffic to know some one is approaching.

And I finally got my Swagman XC bike rack adapted to accomodate a swb and lwb bent. I love the way my friend Rudy remade the hitch and beefed up the poles to support more weight.

I had to dremel more notches so the hooks would "click" in low enough to secure the Jet Creek. I was easy with a cut off disk!

To finish this report I must say that I am enjoying riding my Django even more than last year. I mentioned to my wife Alice just the other night, that some days I feel really stiff, especially my back and I do not want to ride, but I go an wa-la I get back no longer stiff! Riding 'bent "is" good for me!
Thanks for check'n in
Larry

RIding at Last!

2006-04-23T21:17:00.000-06:00

Wow, I didn't realise that I have not posted for a couple of weeks.

Well Easter weekend we went up to Grand Praire to visit some friends and ride around town. They have a wonderful bike path system through a winding creek bed that is almost the whole

length of the city 18 km or so. So Sunday I hoped on the burley and away I went. I got lots of looks and positve comments, did a total of about 45 km all weekend.

This is a pic of my friend Ken and I.

I tried his Mtb: first time I was on a df for over 3 yrs. Why anyone would really WANT to ride one of those after riding a bent I don't get.... things get in the way or mashed...
Anyways Ken tried my burley and was astonished at the lack of wind resistance and the speed at so little effort. Then on the way home I crushed him and just left him in the dust. My that was a great feeling. I think he is seriously considering the "bent side"

Today was a great evening for a ride went west down the highway and back for a 20 km ride in 50 min. After reading the comments on BROL tonight about commuting, maybe it would not be so hard to ride the 18km to work and back a couple of times a week. hmmm
Well got to go,
Ride fast, ride comfortable, ride a Bent!
Larry

Springs Here, Springs Here!

2006-04-10T20:33:00.000-06:00

Yea! Spring is here in Leduc,
Todays temp was around 16. Went for my first ride on Saturday for 10 k, was good to ride again. Had to move my seat up 1/2 inch due to the weight I've lost so far - @ 294 lb now. Starting to see results .
Went out for a short ride with Alice my wife, tonight. My max speed just entering Calmar from the west was 50 KPH!!! just for a sec. Nope no wind at my back tonight. I likey my bikey! My Django is sooo cool. Losing weight sure helps! I know Burleys are not known for sustainable speed but, WoW I am impressed. Now if I can just lose another 90 lbs I should be able to fly!
Got my bebop cleats in the mail today, they look so tiny. I am going to wait until after Easter to put them on the Django. I am abit leary of putting them on, but I gotta go forward and try them, and get fairly used to them BEFORE the MS tour in June. Plus my friend Rolly is expanding the arms on my bike rack to fit the jet creek this week so I am almost set to go on another great NO, I mean the best year riding so far!
I keep forgetting to take along my camera so you can see the area in which I ride. I'll post later this week with a couple of pics!
Larry
TTFN

Springs Comin

2006-03-26T15:42:00.000-07:00

After the last 4 weeks of snow, I believe that spring is coming. At Last. Still lots of the white stuff on the ground but the streets are clear. So I am getting fairly eager to do some riding. I have started going to the gym to get my legs and wind back from inactivity this winter.
I have been doing a few upgrades on the Django too. I decided to bite the bullet and get into clipless. I really want to be able to climb the hills alot better this year. So I got some Lake Sandals from Bike Nashbar on Sale and I lucked out on a pair of New Bebop Pedals from a fella on BROL last week. Just waiting for them to arrive. I decided to go for a pair of frogs on Ebay (cause they seemed more available locally)but lost out at the last then switched over to BROL and saw an ad posted for the bebops. I really wanted bebops for the float, but availability seems severely low. But production is being ramped up and I got what I really wanted.
The big news this week is that for the first time in 10 years I weigh under 300 lbs. 298.5! So I am on target for the amount I want to lose for the MS Tour June 10-11. I am trying to stay around 1800 cal a day and at 350+ cal excercise daily until I can ride consistently. I heartily recommmend: myfooddiary.com for helping me stick to this engine reduction and performance regimem.
Get ready to ride,
Larry

Snow Daze

2006-03-12T18:45:00.000-07:00

Well we finally got winter. Must have gotten 8 inches in the past week. That going to crimp my riding. So in the mean time I just sit in front of the computer dreaming of 'bents I can not afford.
Yesterday I went into Edmonton and picked up a new Swagman 2 bike xc platform rack for my 'bents. I was going to make one but it didn't pan out. So I spent sunday afternoon putzing around the garage with it and my Django. To fit both the Django and the Jet Creek I am probably going to get new bars about 8" longer on a side, for the Jet Creek to fit. It certainly seems stable with the Django and fast to put on and take off.
(But I broke my kick stand today when I took the bike off the counter after I took some pictures; now I got to call Bentley...)

I had mentioned previously I got a BikeE bag for my Django, well I finally got a couple of pics for you to see how it looks and how I attached it:

this will work for now. I will probably resew the clips on the bag so that the whole thing rides about an inch or 2 higher. It only has about 1/2 inch clearance over the fender, with some wieght in, I want it higher. Or, if I lose some weight I can raise the seat back up a bit and get more distance that way!
As far as my weight reduction is going, I am doing well on the diet but I think the snow zapped my will to excercise this week. I gained 2lbs, but they say "don't focus on the scale" it fluctuates and I should foucus on "fat loss" and how my clothes fit. hmmm, lately all my pants seem to droop and slide alot.
well better go, take care
Larry

New product

2006-03-05T19:51:00.000-07:00

Because I am in the Car Car Industry we use 3m Paint Protection Films to protect hoods and front ends of autos. I found that during the mounting of my 'bents that my bike was getting scuffed as I lifted my foot across the frame. I had a scrap of 3M film in the shop so I took it home and put it on my BikeeE. No more scuffs and decals were protected. Since, I have put it on my 2 burleys and couple of friends bikes. It is an almost invisible, clear protection film that is easy to install. (weighs almost nothing)
Stepping over ones expensive recumbent and scuffing it is an inherent fear with most 'bent owners. So I will be hawking this film to other riders and shops. it will be a packaged 2"x 36", 4"x 36" sheet.(with a 48" option, too), with easy to follow directions.
If you are interested in protecting your 'bent email me at thediff@telus.net we'll talk prices and shipping, etc.

As for my Burley Django engine performance training and modification update: its down to 305 lbs this week; I signed up for the Camrose to Leduc MS 160 tour, met with a personal trainer and started doing low impact aerobics with the "Biggest Loser DVD". I am on my way to being under 275 for the tour and to my "ideal" wieght in less than 16 months!
Keep in touch
Larry

Nice Long Weekend

2006-02-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Well here in Alberta, Monday Feb. 20 /'05 is "Family Day." Most of the province is taking the day off. I took friday off too, and drove to Calgary to pick up an item I bought on ebay and to see my Dad, a supplier and a couple of friends.
I also stopped in at Bentley Cycle and traded a bikeE trainer for a BikeE bag and a new Park MTB-3 Rescue tool.
I had my wife sew a cap with plastic quick releases for my Django seat, so I can just clip on the bikee bag. Works great, post a pic later this week. Now I have a large enough bag to pick up a bag of groceries, a movie or even some take-out at a local burger joint or chinese restaurant. Plus it will be great for larger family outings, day trips: food, jackets, etc.. It has over 1000 cu in. This was a good way to go instead of buying a rack and panniers (cheaper). If I ever go on a tour the larger seat bag will still be an asset.

The Park rescue tool is for my wife's Jet creek. I want each bike to have a basic emergency and repair kit.

I read on BROL about how a fella made a tail sock out of tent poles; and then read a story for the OHVP how they tested a bunch of tailsocks for Terra cycle http://www.ohpv.org/albums/coastdn05/index.htm . Now I am wondering: is a tail sock in my future? hmmmm
Ride safe,
Larry
'Bent in Leduc

2006-02-11T22:25:00.000-07:00

Okay I have to confess... I have a had a badly held secret for couple of years now. I like Desktop publishing and it has crept into my 'bent life so much that well .. I have some bent tshirt designs and other promo stuff at http://www.cafepress.com/ridebent

Mostly I just sell the stuff to get free shirts, but
I try to convince myself that: "I AM PROMOTING THE 'BENT WAY OF LIFE" but I do it 'cause I want free shirts and get this kick out of seeing others actually buy my stuff... its so cool.
help a 'bent addict.
check it out
buy something
or not
sigh

hello, my Name is Larry,
I am a 'bent addict,
I have not ridden for 3 months
ARRRRRRGGGG
I need to ride!!!!!!!!!!!
going to BROL is not enough, I need help
buy, read, ride
bye
Larry

mini me

2006-02-11T12:07:00.000-07:00

Well I am beginning to see some results with my SWB engine reduction strategy. When I went to the Doctors last month he wieghed me at 315 on his scale - I got home and wieghed myself on the home scale and it said 322. Today about a month later it says I am 311.5 - woo who! At this rate I should make my goal for the 06 Ms tour of less than 265. I'd like 250 - Pray for me. I should be able to really start riding next month outside. I have a free membership to a local gym. I plan to start next week to get my legs and lungs in shape.
As for the less calorie intake; the New american plate seems to be working. I also don't seem to have the craving for potatoes and pasta I used to either. I love the vegies! If you want more info on the New American plate, check out this site: http://www.gayot.com/lifestyle/health/features/newamericanplate.html A friend of ours (Cathy) is a dietcian and says that the new Canadian food plan will likly be similar). If I splurg I just take it up the next day. I plan for this to be a life change not just a diet.

On the bike front I am trying to get or design an inexpensive, easy to use bent bike rack. I like the Sportworks X country or Sportrack ez2 , but it is too short for the jet creek.
A fellow in my church (Rudy) may help me weld one up. The design below is what I have in mind. At the very least I can use the Sportwork or SportRack as a parts supplier or modify one with extensions to fit.
what do you think? want one? we may make em too! any suggestions ?
well have a great week!
Larry

Spent the Day In Bentley

2006-02-05T17:45:00.000-07:00

Yestersday I had a me day, I didn't open the shop. I spent the day with my friend and 'bent dealer Grant Patton @ Bentley cycle. All afternoon I was in 'bentland. He was putting new green Django in the window and working on a brand new out of the box, Burgundy '02 Django
(just what I have). We were comparing the differences and I think the older ones were just a tad better. He has a used Hepcat, 3 new Djangos, and 3 new , 05 jett creeks. He also has 5 trikes in his shop including a carbon fibre catrike. I think he has 2 used catrikes and 3 new wiz wheelz.

this is Grant on a Cat trike Speed during his towns parade last year ('05)

I also helped him setup a blog, so he can keep his clients up to speed on the stuff he has in his shop. drop by and see what he doing http://bentleycycle.blogspot.com/

2006-01-29T16:26:00.000-07:00

This is my wife Alice's Burley Jet Creek. I decided to get a faster 'bent after the '05 Ms tour. She really likes it. I have to admit I am lucky that she enjoys riding alot too. She is not as fast, but just having her along and encouraging me to ride is great!
This is a pic of my son and I at the start of our ride on the Kettle Valley Railway path up on the mountain above Kelowna B.C. September 04. We had planned to ride the Myra canyon section but a month prior it went up in flames. It was a great ride regardless, we rode 35 km to Naramata. Coming down the mountains in the vineyards was cool I hit 48 km an hour down the twisty, windy roads.When the bridges along Myra are rebuilt in 07 we will do the route from Myra to Penticton.
This past summer we road the Misson Creek trail downtown Kelowna and around the town a bit. It was a great afternoon ride with the whole family. We are going there again this next year and plan on doing some more riding around this great area. There is a run from a ski resort down to West side that I really want to try! Its down hill all the way almost 36 Km, Woo who!
Next time I will show some of the accessories I have for my Django.
Larry

A new start!

2006-01-28T19:47:00.000-07:00

This is me last june just before the MS Tour From Leduc Alberta to Camrose and back. I did a total of 122 klms, then wimped out near Hay Lakes. Good for my first try. Too heavy for the hills -344 lbs.
I went to the doctors last week for a general check up and found out (not surprising) that my blood presure is up. (was last time too 4 years ago). Good news is from riding my trusty new Django and eating from a small plate I have lost 25 lbs from last christmas 04. Yahoo! my goal is to lose 50 more lbs by the time the MS Tour comes in June. I am 315 now. I have started to eat from an even smaller plate and I am counting calories more. Trying to follow the 1/2 veggies, 1/4 meats, 1/4 starches, portions on the plate as recommended by the New American Plate eating guidelines. It tougher than I thought, I used to really pig out on the potaoes and pasta. Pray for me I'm going to need it!

2005-08-13T12:31:00.000-06:00

Hi this is my new (to me ) Burley Django. I picked it on june 31, 05 up at Bentley Cycle in Bentley Alberta. Grant has been selling 'bents for a lot of years and is really selling alot of trikes lately. This pic was taken near the suspended bridge near Sifler Falls on the Kootenai plains west of Rocky Mtn House, Alberta.

Before this 'bent I rode a Burley Jet Creek for a year, then gave it to my wife. Previous to these we had BikeE's for a year (AT xl for me, Ct for her). I can honestly say that If I had not "found" the recumbents 3 years ago I would be in sorry shape today. It has allowed me to be more active and spend more time with my kids than ever before. I even rode in the local MS tour this year (didn't finished but I did 122 km), next year I'm going to finish and I'm going to do a couple of more too!

I am going to update this blog retroactively to include some rides I've done and upgrades too, se ya later