Silk [My CT700]

Well, I thought my Catrike 700 would be faired near the end of June, having ordered and paid for an unfinished Goblin Fairing May 25, 2009. I paid for painting June 25, 2009. There have been delays and more delays. Now, I’m hoping next week; but, I’ve said that many times. Please, let me be wrong this time…

Okay, here’s an update [last CT700 postings with pictures 06/06]:

~ Click on an image to enlarge it ~

• Changed her shoes ~ gone are the Schwalbe Stelvios, replaced by Kojaks. They look better than my Stelvios—slightly wider.
• Replaced her "dress" [seat mesh] with the new one [Catrike seat mesh--has more pockets and now has buckles. My new mesh is not lighter. I weighed the two. The new CT700 mesh is slightly heavier actually. I like its look on my trike!
• Placed two DiNotte Li-Ion Batteries [separately power front & rear switch-controlled lights] in the lower left-side seat pocket.
• Put the front fenders back on [no Goblin front fairing anytime soon]–left the mirrors off. I’ll use my Take-A-Look Mirror.
• Moved the "inboard DiNotte taillights back to the fenders ~ wider than the inboard position, but wider. From Mark’s picture of the rear of his faired trike, this position will definitely work.
• Raised the 2 front DiNotte Amber Headlights [from my Gobling fairing position], yet more inboard than I had when they were placed above the fenders. Should I have a Goblin Front Fairing at some point, I’m positioning items [mirror, lights, etc.] to be inside the fairing’s airflow.  Until I have a fairing, I cannot know what works best.
• Working on a Mueller Winwrap XT Fairing support redesign where the t-bar support is no longer in my line of vision. I accept that I’ll look through the fairing on a CT700. That is not a problem. Seeing the vertical [and horizontal] tubing as annoying. On of the things that attracted me to the Goblin concept was the lack of vision interfering supports. I have inverted the t-bar and will attach it to the bottom of the boom. I want rails of some type to provide support for the sides. I have discussed a mod with Carl of Windwrap Fairings, who is open the developing a concept design for me. He still has in mind a derailleur mounted bar. At this point, I want to explore  my design first. It will likely involve some pipe bending and welding. I will seek advice from Mark of Big Cat HPV, LLC [Catrike]. Conceptually my design looks promising for what I want to achieve. I may have something to show you as early as next week.
• Purchased and installed 2 iHome stereo speakers for my iPod Touch. They are lighter than the speaker I replaced and frees the water bottle holder. I’ve placed them where they will be within the tail fairing. Each speaker has a power switch. The question is how easy will it be to turn them on/off with the fairing in place, or is there a more practical location?
• Moved the iPod Touch closer to the seat to avoid using an audio extender cable.
• Moved the AirZound air bottle to the rear of the trike, hoping to conceal it within the fairing. If so, it gets to come out of its stainless steel camouflage.
• Added different holders [to the left and right of the seat] for my drink tubes.
• Fashioned a flag holder for stationary photos and maybe riding with others [on occasion].

I think my planning is sound, where I need to adjust, I will. I will be happy to receive the fairing so that I can be about riding. I began tail fairing preparation 04/16. That’s over 90 days ago. I want to ride so that I can make a real evaluation of the tires, the seat, etc.

As you see, I have been busy as I reported on Mr. Giraldo, RAAM, more Mr. Giraldo and now some Tour de France articles. That is the nature of cycling experiences. After Mr. Giraldo’s arrival in Pueblo, Colorado, tires resolved, Arkel bags picked up, etc. I’ll give weekly summaries of his travel. TDF will end and my articles will focus more on my personal cycling experiences. Of course, I have the trip to Niagara Canada coming up mid-August and I have the possible ride with Mr. G through North Carolina, providing no overlap with my Canada riding and providing his tour continues to and through NC.

Stay tuned, there are exciting things ahead. Thanks for your patience and the many pageviews [today (07/15) going over 46K hits] as I helped tell the Team RANS RAAM and the Mr. G stories. I’ve certainly learned a lot in the process.

Thanks AGAIN!!!

Jim