Another Ride with Betzi - Taking Shortcuts

Betzi is ready to go...

...and now the movie!!

Taking a Ride with Betzi

Riding with Betzi

Another ride with Betzi. She jumps right into her trailer when we go for a ride.

It's a steep climb to get home. So........Betzi walks instead of riding in her trailer.

Good for her and better for me.

Getting there.

Home at last.

Trike and Bike

I took Betzi our for a quick spin with my trike. On the way up my hill to get home I let her out of the trailer so she could walk alongside.

When I got home I was all geared up and sweaty and ready to ride some more. I saw my new Bacchetta sitting there and took it out for a little ride. Due to bad gearing on my part I got stuck on the way the hill to my home. It's a 11% grade and it was the first time starting on a hill with a two wheel recumbent. I here all the stories about newbies starting on hills with a recumbent bike and thought about walking. I didn't want to do a code W (wimp) so I gave a firm push on the pedal and did fine. Wasn't exactly a straight line but it was good enough. I think that I may be starting to like being laid back on two wheels. But I'm still taking the Catrike 700 out tomorrow.

Recumbent Bicycle?

Yep....I picked up a used Bacchetta in unbelievable condition today. I just have to try a recumbent bike to see if there is anything I'm missing by not having a two wheeler in my stable. I picked it up for a good price. If I decide to stick with three wheels I'll sell it for what I paid. Nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Took it out for a ride and had a lot of fun. Enjoyed leaning into curves. I can see why folks get hooked on these things, but probably not me. I think I'm spoiled by the ease and fun of riding a recumbent trike. My Catrike Expedition is the family work horse and my Catrike 700 is simply too much fun. Maybe I'm just getting old and practical.

I haven't made my final decision yet but I am looking forward to taking my 700 out for a fast ride tomorrow.

47 mph Not Enough

Got the new 700 up to 47mph today and it feels like it can easily go over 50. I need to find some longer downhill stretches.

I could care less about going fast in any motorized contraption but it is still an adrenline rush when you can push speeds with the effort of your own muscles and a little gravity while your butt is only a few inches off the ground.

Failed Brake

I took my new Catrike 700 out for a maiden voyage. Rolled out of my garage and started down the hill. I got it up to 43 mph. After a quarter of a mile I had to slow down at the intersection. Immediately the braking noise from my right brake was deafening and the smell of a brake burning filled the air. Needless to say my maiden voyage in my new 700 lasted all of a quarter mile.

The brake pad had a slight rub before starting off. I thought that after a few stops it would wear in. Wear it in I did.

I don’t know if the pad was defective or seated poorly before my quarter mile run but this is how the pad looks now.

Replaced the pads and inspected the rotor. I'm not 100% sure about the rotor.

(7/6/10 update - Had to replace rotor because it was to deeply etched and it was still causing some problems. Working fine now.)