When Cycling Meets Sailing

Cyclists powering New Zealands hydraulics that control the wing, foils and other systems in the 35th Americas Cup Challenge now under way for the next few weeks. All the other boats are using the traditional hand cranks.

Cruising the Central Coast

Recumbent cycling gives us laid back riders a unique perspective of our surroundings. And when your surroundings are the Central Coast it's not hard to want to slow down and take it all in. 

Taking a break along HWY 46

I've finally given in to the slower pace of living on the Central Coast. With Tubus rack and Small Ortlieb Panniers mounted I'm now in cruising mode. I'm now able to carry extra clothes and lunch for longer relaxing rides along the coast and valleys. The extra weight with all my stuff loaded in the panniers (including a pair of walking shoes) adds up to under 8 pounds (4.5 Kg). I plan on spending more time meandering through wine country where the extra storage space will come in handy. Wine bottles take up a lot of room. 

My Catrike 700 is still fast and nibble as the extra weight is kept low and the Tubus rack is cambered in towards the top of the rack bringing the weight of the panniers towards the centerline of the trike. Now I'm better prepared for time off the 700 when I may want to take a break and go down to the beach or simply explore a bit on foot before continuing my ride.

Before moving to the Central Coast most of my rides were on busy suburban roads with an occasional break at a park. Back then my focus was on speed and challenging myself. There wasn't much to see back in suburbia but concrete, asphalt and track houses. That all changed for Carrie and me when we moved to the Central Coast. 

Thule Roof Rack, Seasucker and Trike

I sold my trike carrying Ford Escape and we're down to only one car. I wanted a way to carry the 700 on top of our Ford C-Max. It's not always practical to stuff it inside the C-Max. Here's pics of what I came up with.

The flush mount Thule Roof Rack is installed so my front tires fit nicely in between the racks. A SeaSucker suction cup holds the rear tire in place. Note that I put my rear rack on my 700 in preparation for rides through wine country. You never know what you'll end up coming back with after a visit to the Central Coast wineries. More on that later.

A closer look.

Hook and loop straps (the same DiNotte straps that hold my batteries) hold the tires to the Thule Rack. For long trips I use heavy duty straps with buckles.

SeaSucker rear tire holder. I don't have enough faith in suction cups to do the entire job, front and back, of holding my trike down. No harm will be done, other then a little bouncing around, if the rear cup looses suction. 

Enough room for two trikes. Just need an extra rear suction cup.

By old Ford Escape with my old Catrike Expedition on top.

Harmony

Taking a break in Harmony on the Central Coast

Old Post Office

Harmony Cellars Winery

I Don't Like Guardrails

I'm always scanning for places to bail out in the event of an errant car or truck. If there is ever a time I might feel a bit uncomfortable it's when riding next to a guardrail. Fortunately where I ride there are few guardrails and wide shoulders. Also cyclists are a common sight along the Central Coast. Safety in numbers.

By the Bay

Hanging in San Fransisco. I would not ride a trike or bike in the heart of this City. Riding a trike on the downtown streets of SF would be a real challenge to say the least.

Down to One Car

Down to one car. At least for now.

I'm getting good at stuffing the 700 into our Ford C-Max plug in. The plug in C-Max has a rather large battery tucked away in the trunk. It would be easier without the battery taking up so much room but I've managed to make it work. After becoming confident in my "stuffing the trike into a small car skills" I sold the Ford Escape that has severed me well for 10 years.

I'm considering an all small electric vehicle (or possibly a e-assist trike) for myself for getting around town. For now we'll just give it a go with one car. 

Goodbye old beast of burden.

Picture from January 2011. 
Byron's been living on his own for the last three years while studying film. And Leili, now 17, has been living in San Francisco for the last 2 years and dancing with the SF Ballet. So it's just Carrie and me and no need for 2 cars.