ICE Sprint 26fs Back in the Stable

For reasons I'm not sure of the ICE Sprint 26fs I returned to Bent Up Cycles for re-sale did not sell after 10 months. I decided to give it a second chance but with a mesh seat. I went to Bent Up Cycles to pick it up. It turned out that the Carbon Seat had been sold off the trike. Oh well I didn't want it anyway. I picked up the seatless trike and ordered a mesh seat and Bent Up Cycles refunded me the difference.

It didn't take long for the new seat to arrive at my home.  I'll give the trike with the new seat a few spins along the coast and see how she feels.

Getting the ICE Sprint 26fs with new mesh seat setup for riding.

Central Coast Weather

A typical summer day along the Central Coast. I usually bring along a couple extra layers of clothing to prepare for the varied conditions along the route.

This is the extent of the blue sky I saw today.
HWY 1 is to the left of the picture.

Central Coast Pics

Along HWY 1 north of Cambria in the area of Hearst Castle you'll find some of the best Central Coast riding around. You're riding close to the coast line and there's many opportunities to pull off the road and take it all in. As us bent riders know it's so easy to see it all from the comfort of a laid back seat.

Nerve Damage Post Hip Replacement

If you're considering a hip replacement please read.

Back in 2013 both my hips were replaced and left me with some problems. To begin with the right hip has suffered calcification of the soft tissue (heterotopic ossification). It hasn't gotten any worse after the first year and I've learned to mitigate the stiffness it causes through exercise, cycling and an occasional deep tissue message. 

The other problem caused by the replacement is the atrophy of the medial head of the Gastrocnemius of my calf muscles. It took a long time to recognize the problem. I've concluded that there is nothing I can do on my own to build up the muscle. I can't get that part of the Gastrocnemius to fire up. It seems that the nerves were damaged to that part of muscle. It might been caused by the torture table that was used to rotate the hips open as part of the anterior hip replacement procedure. Severe twisting of the lower leg to open the hip joint is my guess as to what caused the damage. 

For now I've become used to the situation and it has no pronounced effect on cycling as long as long as I'm clipped in to the pedals. The Gastrocnemius attaches to the back base of the Femur. Along with the less powerful Soleus muscle which attaches to the top and back of the Fibular the Gastrocnemius and Soleus comprise the primary muscles of the calf. So I still have enough strength to stabilize the lower leg and ankle. However walking is a little funky. 

I would think twice about doing the Anterior hip replacement again if I had more hips to replace.

W R Hearst State Beach

A ride up the Coast to William Randolph Hearst Memorial State Beach. The beach and the pier are opposite the entrance to the Hearst Castle. The cove was used for trade as well as to harbor ships full of guests to Hearst's little get togethers.

The Difference a Mile Makes

Riding on the Central Coast

About one mile inland

An Extra Pound for Longer Rides

0.9 pounds (408grams) to be exact.

For longer rides or rides on isolated roads I take some extra gear that adds up to 0.9 pounds (408 grams). Well worth the peace of mind

All the extra gear is stowed in an titanium cup covered with an old cut off sock.

The extra stuff fits in nice and neat.

A brake cable, derailleur cable, one brake pad set and a chain repair kit stuffed into old 1.5" (40mm) tube sections. Also included is a second spare rear tire tube (I always carry 1 rear and 2 front spare tubes) and a spare DiNotte O ring I use to secure my flag. The titanium cup is used for filling water bottles at drinking fountains. 

Cables, brake pads and chain kit stuffed in tubes.

Brake pads and chain kid unstuffed. Included in my chain kit is a Park Master Link plier with a cut down handle.