Friday, September 30, 2016

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Devin's "Batmobile" in Adventure Cyclist Magazine

Back in August I wrote about the loss of Devin Skelton.  Devin's legacy lives on on page 8 of the Oct/Nov 2016 issue of Adventure Cyclist magazine. In the below picture he's the one next to the Velomobile that he has fondly dubbed the "Batmobile". Although new to the world of Velomobiles he logged over 7,000 miles in one year. Shortly after that on August 14th 2016 Devin passed away while pedaling around Cape Cod.





Devin always stopped to talk to folks about his Velomobile and his recent decision to "go car free". It wouldn't be unusual to see kids taking a test ride in his Velo.

The only thing missing from the Adventure Cyclist article is his name. So I'll write Adventure Cycling and I hope they'll include his name in the Letters from the Readers section in the next issue.






Sunday, September 18, 2016

ICE at Bent Up Cycles

Email from Bent Up Cycles

ICE will be here on Sept 17.

The owners of ICE (Inspired Cycle Engineering) are visiting from Cornwall. We will be hosting a meet-and-greet this Saturday morning, September 17, at 10am. The crew will be delighted to answer any questions you may have, talk to you about their amazing trikes and show you some of their offerings. This is a rare opportunity to get an inside look at ICE. Come on over and hang out!
________________________________________
When I received the above email I decided to head down to North Hollywood to check out the ICE Suspended Sprint and ICE VTX. I need something that will handle the rougher and faster roads of the Central Coast. I'm not so concerned about the rough ride as I am with the steering taking on a life of it's own when riding at speed on rougher roads. I'm looking at indirect steering and suspension as a way of maintaining a better since of steering control. With the feedback of other trikers and now after meeting and talking to Neal with ICE trikes I'm closer to making a decision about a new trike.
All things considered I still want the speed of a fast trike so the jury is still out on suspension vs no suspension. As for the ICE VTX he chromoly front end of the VTX is considered to me more complaint then an all aluminum frame.  And with a seat that forms to the body it makes sense that the VTX should be more comfortable then my 700. But more important is having total confidence in my steering when bombing down a hill approaching 50mph. Indirect steering seems to be the way to go. 
For now I'm seriously considering a VTX. The VTX seems to be the right trike to handle the road conditions I'm dealing with now with no compromise in speed. But the Sprint would also handle the road conditions and soften the ride a bit. It would be interesting to try and set it up with as little loss in speed as possible. Plus it folds and it would leave the option open to tour a little bit around the Central Coast.

VTX or Sprint? Oh well, I got to think this one out for a while.

Feels good!

Bent Up Cycles showroom 

Fellow bent rider Roger checks out the VTX

Neal (on the right) with ICE trikes discusses the VTX with Roger




Carrie checking out the fat.

Leaving Bent Up Cycles with much to think about.


Thursday, September 15, 2016

AEROVELO-New World Record 89.59mph

New human powered speed record. An impressive 88.26mph (142.04kph). Will we be seeing 90 mph before the end of week?

Updated 9/17/16
Todd Reichert and Aero Velo have broken their own record set just two days ago. The record nows stands at 89.59mph (144.17kph).

Todd Reichert and AeroVelo broke their own record of 86.65 set last year at Battle Mountain.










Go To AEROVELO Website





Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Battle Mountain 2016 Video

While the ultimate test of human powered speed goes relatively unnoticed by the media or the cycling world in general at least Al Jazeera has taken note.








Sunday, September 11, 2016

Paso Robles and Wine Country

After living for 4 months on the Central Coast I finally gave Hwy 46 a try. Short fast and sweet describes my ride to Paso Robles from the top of Hwy 46. I didn't want to make the 1,700 foot climb from the coast to the top of the Hwy. I was looking for speed and a relaxing ride not sweat. There was still plenty of climbing to do but nothing like the unrelenting climb from the coast to the top of the grade. 

I was a bit disappointed with my top speed of 46mph. I was hoping for more. Maybe it's time to ditch the air catching riding shorts and break out the Lycra for those rides that promise fast downhill runs. Next on my to do list is the ride from the top of Hwy 46 down to Hwy 1 on the coast. I anticipate getting to at least 55mph and possibly break 60 on this steeper section of the 46 that offers long downhill sections to build up speed.



Unloading 1/2 mile before the top of Hwy 46

Quick ride up to the top of Hwy 46. Just enough to warm up the legs before heading down the other side.

Ready to head down. A bit of ocean fog passing over the top of Hwy 46

Grapes and more grapes

An estate overlooking the vines

Cruising along Hwy 46

Another vineyard

Gates to vineyards everywhere

In Paso Robles with Carrie. After lunch we'll heading back over the grade to Cambria and home.