Not Much Time To Ride

Won't be posting much until Carrie and I can make a move...AGAIN. 

We have come full circle in the last two and a half years. From our home of 16 years in Agoura Hills (next to Thousand Oaks) where we raised or two kids to Cambria to Paso Robles and now back to Thousand Oaks. Where in Thousand Oaks is to be determined. We've had a great adventure along the Central Coast of California but family is calling to us. We plan on staying put once we make, what I hope is, a final move.

Leili is now a Company apprentice with the San Francisco Ballet. We want to live closer to an airport so we can more easily visit her. 

Byron is now moved into his new apartment in Thousand Oaks. He is an editor for a reality based TV show. Another reason to move back to Thousand Oaks.

 Us

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THERE'S MORE

And my three older kids who have blessed me nine grandkids (pics to follow) are all living in the Thousand Oaks and Agoura area. 

11- 42t 10 Speed Cassette

Unlike my Catrike 700 which is set up for speed my Expedition serves a more utilitarian purpose where the ability to climb is important. With this in mind I'm installing a 11-42t cassette on my Expedition. I didn't want to make a big investment so I found an 11-42t that I could use with my existing 10 speed drive train. Most 11-42t cassettes are designed for 11 speed (and more recently 12 speed) drive trains. So there are many more 11-42t cassette and rear derailleur options in the 11 speed world. To change over to a 11 speed system would require forking out more money for a new 11 speed derailleur, indexed shifters, chain and possibly new chainrings.

I installed a  JGbike Sunrise 11-42t 10 speed CSMX3 cassette. Besides being functional it also looks good. The Cassette also comes with an rear derailleur extender to accommodate the larger 42t cog.  It was easy to install and seems to be solid. You can also try adjusting the derailleur back with the B-screw to make room for the 11-42t without using the extender. I tried this but found that I had to crank the B-screw all the way down to barely clear the new cassette. With the derailleur all the way back the chain coverage on the 11t was reduced by nearly 20%.

A 10 speed 11-42t cassette has a wide gear range which may be uncomfortable for some but I welcome the extra low gear on the steep grades. Going with a 11 speed cassette would bring the gear range back down to a more normal range. However your other drivetrain components would have to be 11 speed compatible.

Once the 11-42t is installed and the derailleur is adjusted then the next next step is to figure out the crankset configuration. After toying around with a couple of different crankset ideas I'll have more to say.

Before

Existing 11-36t with Sram GX derailleur.

After

11-42t with the GX derailleur on the provided extender

11-42t with the GX derailleur on the provided extender

My Instagram 11/4/18 - No Speed Records Today

Today's pics on my Instagram

No speed records today. Haha. Getting there one pedal stroke at a time.

At least I manage to keep my rusty bones lubricated.

Catrike Headrest

I posted about my new Finer Recliner headrest back on Sept 24th.  After putting a few miles on the Finer Recliner I'm now posting that I'm back to using the Catrike headrest modified with the addition of an extra 3/4'' dense foam pad.

The medium density memory foam of the Finer Recliner is very comfortable. Maybe too much so for the way I like to ride. Most of the time while riding my Expedition I don't use the headrest but when I do use it I want firm support without my head sinking to deeply into the headrest. In that regard the Finer Recliner had to much give and my head would be further back then I like. 

In the end I went back to the factory Catrike headrest. With the addition of the extra foam the factory headrest works fine.

16 Inch Wheel for Transporting My Trikes

Big thank you to Dana at Bent Up Cycles for the 16" rear wheel that he had laying around his shop. Makes it soooo much easier to transport my non-folding Catrikes inside of my car.

READY TO TRANSPORT

READY TO RIDE

REAR WHEEL PEEKING OUT BETWEEN THE FRONT SEATS OF MY FORD ESCAPE

Finer Recliner for Catrike

Undated with a new post October 10th.

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A new Finer Recliner headrest on my Catrike Expedition from T-Cycle. I use the medium density memory foam version. Super comfortable for use on my Expedition. 

The Finer Recliner with it's Catrike specific brackets (silver) on the existing Catrike headrest mount. The Catrike brackets are a nice T-Cycle upgrade.

New Records from Battle Mountain 2018

IHPVA Arm Powered World Speed Record 2018-University of Liverpool's Arion 4
 Ken Talbot - Men's Arm Powered 51.58mph (83.02kph)

Karen Darke - Women's Arm Powered 46.54mph (74.91kph)

IHPVA Junior Multi-Track World Speed Record 2018 - 60.94mph (98.08kph)

Ishtey Amminger

All WHPSC results from Battle Mountain here.