A Short Story

Like most people, I started enjoying cycling when I was just a kid. A group of ten or so would take long tours from Queens, NY to Long Island and back. We would ride anything we could find including small unfitted bikes. I even made a tandem, buy filing the rear drop out of my bike and attaching the front wheel of my friends bike. Wobbled at slow speeds, but stayed the course. Bikes turned into cars and marriage and kids. Moving to NJ over 20 years ago renewed my interest. I bought a Mongoose for $225. I saw a Zzipper fairing in one of my bike magazines and thought how cool. I also added fenders and panniers and began using the bike for shopping and errands. Thanks to the net I became fascinated with recumbents and bought a Bikee in 2000. I have experimented with different recumbents, but have now settled on my ICE T trike. I still have a few folders and a retro urban tourer I built up inspired by Alan of Ecovelo. I have learned to do my own repairs and upgrades. I leave my car at home when possible. Cycling has become my Olympic flame that I hope will never extinguish.
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IN TOW

Today I got an opportunity to really utilize my trailer. I am working on the house and needed some things from the Big Box store. I purchased fertilizer, 7 door locks, a gallon of paint and some odds and ends. Total weight 63.5 lbs. Total miles round trip 8.5. The trailer and I handled the load well. The only thing I noticed was a back and forth motion when pedaling with the full load. Not a deal breaker, but, I don't think I would use it for touring. For around town shopping it handled and tracked well and even climbing some minor hills was not overly challenging. I had a 30 gallon tub not being used which I attached. Perfect for those big items and lots of grocery bags. You can't be shy riding a trike or any recumbent for that matter. When you add in the trailer the faces on people are just total amazement. For the past 20 plus years I try to leave my car at home and use my bikes for errands, shopping and of course just fun. Having the trailer adds more utility miles and gives me another excuse to:

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Heir to the Throne

Jesse James

Born to Ride

New Carry Freedom Trailer

I use my bike for most errands, however, when shopping for larger items this can become quite challenging. I thought a trailer would be just the ticket. I looked at a few inexpensive ones on the net. Aosom makes steel cargo trailers for about $100, but they weight 35lbs. Croozer also makes a nice steel cargo trailers for $200, but again the weight is 25lbs. Avenir has a light weight one for $200 but uses a chainstay mounting system not suitable for my trike. The better and lighter ones such as Burly and Quik-Pak exceeded my budget. After scouring the web, I came across what was advertised, as a Croozer Y frame trailer. I new Croozer didn't make a Y frame and remembered that Carry Freedom did. I checked there site and found the trailer for about $310 plus shipping. It was exactly what I was looking for. Light weight alloy frame, with 20 inch wheels under $175 shipped. It came in a Croozer box, but upon opening it I immediately saw the decal for Carry Freedom. It came mostly assemble and took just 1/2 hr to tweak everything. It tracks great, can accommodate various configurations, has a ridiculous load capacity of 198 lbs and weights just 15.7 lbs. My only complaint is it is a bit rattly, especially when empty. I will work on that. I feel I lucked out on this purchase and look forward to many more utility miles.

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Snow 1 Trike 3

The snow finally started to recede. We got almost 3 feet of it with the last 2 storms. The snow banks were so high that peeking around them to see in my small car was a challenge, even for this X New Yorker. I dare not try and get out on my trike. With the snow banks down to about 1 foot and me on the trike at 3 foot I finally felt able to chance it with a 25 miler. Beautiful sunshine, temps high 30's with winds in the upper teens and gusting to who knows what. I dressed appropriately sporting my new Sporthill shirt, fleece pants, balaclava, wool socks and hat and other layering clothes. The fairing did it's job in helping to carve through the wind. Of course, my average speed was a bit down and the trike was quite dirty when I got home. A few minutes with Fantastic and a quick chain lube and I am ready for the next ride.

I look forward to warmer weather, but, still had a very enjoyable day.

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Sporthill Winter Shirt

It's been a pretty tough winter this year with all the snow. I have not been able to get out and ride as much as I would like. This does not keep me from surfing the web looking for new ideas to enhance my riding. A few years ago when I first started this blog I wrote about some pretty expensive pants. Sporthill XC winter pants designed for skiing. I read about some cyclists using theses pants with great reviews and decided to spend the $100. Normally I would wear some sweats and only buy clothes I have tried on a dozen times. I almost never bought on line. The pants are exactly as described in fit and warmth. I later found a great price on Sporthill Infuzion slacks and shirts. They have proved to be outstanding quality and fit. Sitting at home over the last 2 weeks with all the snow I thought it might be a good time to look for some great winter deals. I had purchased the Sporthill Infuzion Splice shirts and love them. I found some Sporthill Infuzion Stripe shirts at less than half off and decided to give them a try. I just received them from REI Outlet. They have the same comfortable fit and warmth as the Splice but do not have the articulated sleeves and don't have the longer back. I couldn't figure out what the difference in shirts was on there web site and now I now. In spite of the difference they have a great comfy feel and fit. I wear them as my base layer. The zipper is 12 inches long and has a storm flap so next to the skin is like warm fleece and the large zipper allows for ventilation as needed. The shirts and pants have great wicking ability. Sporthill pays great attention to detail and IMHO makes some of the finest active wear around. They are unfortunately, a bit expensive. I know have enough winter and cool spring wear as needed. Now if the snow would just melt a bit.

I do long for the warm weather when I don't have to think about what to wear. Regular shorts, shirt, and sneakers or sandals work for me.

Until then,

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Braving the Cold

I have been off from work the past 4 days. Unfortunately, temperatures have been extreme, and I have been unable to ride. Today I decided to brave the cold. Temps a balmy 32 with winds at 11mph. Feels like 26. Road edges are white consisting off leftover salt. Ice patches along the sides also prevail. IMHO triking is the safest way to Winter ride. My biggest problem is keeping my feet warm. Wool socks and my fairing help, but, do not totally solve this aching problem. It is warmer weather I crave and every winter seems to take a greater toll on my sanity. I long for the warming sun of Spring and until then, I
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