Wizard Lake Ride

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

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

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

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!

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!

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

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

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

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

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