Caring a Cane on My Trike

 

I resolved the problem of caring a cane without it protruding awkwardly out from my trike.

Up until recently I carried a folding cane in my pannier for my wonky legs (post here "Cane"). There are times when I want to ride without panniers but still have my cane with me. When I'm off the trike a cane keeps me balanced, especially on uneven dirt or gravel. I can manage reasonably well without a cane but I probably look like I've started my day off with a couple of Tequila shots. 

I have three Leki collapsible (not folding) canes that are tall enough for me when extended. The Black Carbon, Makalu and the High Fives. All with a trekking basket at the tip.The High Fives handle is not as comfortable as the the other two but the pack size is just over one inch (3cm) shorter than the other two. It's the cane that fits nicely under my seat.

I'm a big fan of DiNotte lights and I have a bunch of spare fasteners that I incorporated into putting a carrying system together.

Cane tip inserts into fixed clamp. 

The trekking basket on the cane helps 

to keep the cane in place.

Shimano Di2 - Again

On  September 21, 2021 I ditched the Shimano Di2 (post here). The main reason for the change to cable was the shift buttons were wearing out fast. 

After studying the compatibly of other Shimano switches with my e-assist system I bought a Shimano SW-E7000-R switch. I'm giving it a try to see if it holds up longer than the SW-E6000 switch. At least the SW-E7000-R switch is easy to find in the States whereas I had to buy the SW-6000 switch internationally.

The Shimano compatibility chart can be found at Shimano.com (here). On the chart scroll down to the sixth page for the E8000 system.

The top SW-E6000 switch is used for the assist which gets 
far less use than the shift switch.
The bottom new SW-E7000-R switch is used for shifting the Di2.

Back On the Road with Schwalbe GT 365

Now that I'm starting to get back out on the road after my crash I've decided to try and spend a little more time off road and less time on the pavement.

I’ve been trying Schwalbe GT 365 tires. They make a good choice for when a ride includes both dirt and pavement. They’ve made my ICE Sprint FS E8000 a worthy gravel and dirt road trike.

GT 365 - 55/559 (26" x 2.15") rear.

GT 365 - 40/406 (20" x 1.5") front

First Crash

You might have control over how you ride but you do not have control over the stupidity of others on the road...

WEAR A HELMET, PLEASE.

Trikes are very stable but shit happens.

It could have been a lot worse. After 13 years of riding trikes I had my first crash. If I were riding a traditional bike I would have been toast. I was doing about 25mph coming down a hill and a clueless driver coming up the hill suddenly made a left turn in front of me with a split second to react. I could have t-boned his car but instead I turned the trike sideways and hoped for the best. The next thing I know I was on the ground with the trike upside down on top of me and me looking up at Mr Clueless's blue passenger door. I left some blood on the pavement from a flap of skin torn back on my elbow, I ended up with three fractured ribs and a punctured lung. The trike only needed some minor repair and wheel balancing as it did not make contact with the car. I'll have to replace my helmet as it did get dinged.

The driver got out of the car asked if I was okay and I said NO I'M NOT OKAY. He then got back into his car and drove off into a large apartment complex leaving me lying in the street alone. I told the police to look for a blue sedan. Eventually the driver showed up, whether voluntarily or the police found him I don't know. With my attorneys help his insurance paid for my pain and suffering without question. 

I now have a camera on the front of my trike.

Sheriff Report

Spent the day in the ER and then went home. The hospital was reluctant to send me home but once I told them Carrie is a nurse they relented. For the following 10 nights I had to sit up in a chair to sleep at night. Once in bed at night I still needed a ton of pillows to prop me up.

My Instagram 11/23

From my Instagram "Crazy_On_Three"

Since 2017

Staying active for the last 13 years on recumbent trikes and for the last three years on my ICE Sprint FS 26 E-Assist. Keep moving…adapt.

#icetrike  #icetrikes  #recumbenttrike  #recumbenttrikes  #adaptivecycling   #shimanoe8000   #e8000  #etrikes  #electricassist  #peopleforbikes  #ridewithgps  #clubrideapparel #crazyonthree

 

Autumn Tire Change - Marathon Plus

I've been enjoying the performance of the Continental Contact tires (37/406 and 47/559) but the Fall road debris is back and so is the occasional flat tire. Acorns, pine cones, endless twigs with jagged points and the occasional downed branch. And of course piles of leaves hiding who knows what. It's time to put on Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires. I have the skinner 35/406 Plus on the front and this time I'm trying the skinner 35/559 Plus on the rear. I'll see if having the 35mm tires all around helps with performance. Time will tell.

In late Winter or early Spring the road is usually clear of most of the debris from the trees and I can go back to the lighter faster and better handling Continental Contacts. 

Acorns...usually they just crunch as you roll over them
but hit them just right and the hard shell turns into a weapon
that wants to stop your ride with an untimely flat.

Battle Mountain 2022

2022 Battle Mountain Sept 11th - 17th. 

Facebook -World Human Powered Speed Challenge

Blog - Biking in a Big City

My IHPVA Speed Records Page here.

MULTI-TRACK UNDER 12