Springs Comin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/

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!

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!

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