My cycling experiences on tour ~ Day 15 12

Budget Rental Chicrac The last riding day was Friday, Tour Day 12. The tour has come to its riding end at Ashford, Connecticut. With Chirac’s [Ashford Motel Manager] assistance, I hope to pick up a Budget 10’ Rental Truck from Plainfield, Connecticut later today. Budget’s rates are substantially better than U-Haul’s.

I caught Davis at the Bath Bicycle Shop before he shipped my trailer. I’m have it shipped to the Ashford Motel. I also stopped a package that was to have been shipped from home. Now, I only have the items Gary is shipping. For costs and his time, they can be shipped to Fayetteville.

My planned departure is Tuesday after I receive my SPOT Batteries from Zeke and the trailer boxes from Davis.

So, this tour was from Bar Harbor, Maine to Ashford, Connecticut. Not nearly as far as I wanted, even after riding on my own. But far enough for Ashley Guy to obtain useful information for subsequent modifications to this quad design. Once those are made, I’ll strike out again to see how well they work. Thanks to Ashley for his support, both as the builder and his personal financing of much of this tour. Thanks to my BROL friends who also assisted financially. Without you, we would not have made it this far.

I hope I have brought you a little piece of the Northeast USA and one’s cyclist journey along the way. The people I met and their willingness to help where they could. I am blessed to have met them and graced with the protection they gave. This is an experience to treasure for the results are so positive. Thanks to all my readers for following along. Now, stay tuned for the Fargo mods.

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12 Comments

  1. I received this from Ashley this morning:

    I can see already that we need to set the rear end up with disassembly in mind. Using collars on all sides would make it easy.

    The sprockets we use are 7005 aluminum which is very hard stuff. We have been using them on our gas quad without issue for a couple years. I’m sure that the wear and breakage issue was caused by insufficient tension on the chain.

    Ultimately a larger sprocket on the Samagaga would be the best solution as it would match the sprocket on the Rohloff, increase the holding force, and even lower the gearing some for better climbing.

    We have some decisions at this point and I will leave it up to you as to what you want to do.

    We can send you a replacement rear sprocket same as you had. increasing the tension on the tensioner will be the only thing that will change the ultimate results. Switching the tensioner to an upwards motion might allow for a harder force. This will also depend on your confidence in putting everything back together.

    I know now what changes need to be made, but ultimately I would like to get the entire rear section of the quad in my hands to check out the differential and other alignments versus trying a field repair.

    Let me know your thoughts and I will call you later.

    Ashley Guy
    Utah Trikes

    • My response to Ashley:

      Thanks Ashley,

      For me the question is: Do you need more information from this tour or can we get that later? I’m not sure what to do with the tensioner. With instructions, I am confident I can manage and hopefully get it all back together. I’m not sure we need to do so just to continue this ride. I will test as needed with whatever the modifications.

      I agree the rear-end set up with disassembly in mind is good.

      I await your call for further discussion.

      Jim

  2. My latest from Ashley: [He had not seen my decision yet. We are in sync!]

    Give me a call.

    As far as testing goes I don’t think anything can be gained by further riding since it is not really possible to implement the changes in the field. We do know what to expect though and you could replace the the sprocket if you wanted to continue, but there is a probability that the situation would repeat itself without modifying the tensioner setup.

    I leave that decision up to you. We have learned a lot and your testing has been invaluable.
    Do you want to be home for the 4th, or do you want to keep riding?

    Ashley Guy
    Utah Trikes

  3. Well, it seems it is time to “call it a day” and benefit from what has been done and tested to this point. It sure helps us all learn that sometimes the best laid plans GET CHANGED! As you well state, the experience has been invaluable and you have life experiences you wouldn’t have had sitting at home in Fayetteville.

    We’ll look forward to the ongoing Tales of Fargo! Be safe getting home!

    Zeke

    • Hi Zeke,

      It is. Ashley and I have talked and are of the same mind. The Fargo story continues–mods and back on the road. Thanks to a re-energized SPOT, you should be able to track my drive home. I’ll be waiting for those batteries tomorrow. Thanks and I’ll be in touch. –jim

  4. I interpret Ashley’s first remarks as being that he wants to get Fargo back in his shop for “hands on” review and remodel. I’m pretty sure you won’t be riding Fargo there so I guess that means boxing her up and shipping back to Utah. It’s a good thing you saved the shipping crate!

    Zeke

  5. Jim,

    As you can imagine I was saddened by your decision to abandon the ride home with Fargo. Although knowing nearly first hand your situation, and some of what would be involved to keep going I understand it.

    If your departure on Tuesday is not too early in the day, perhaps I can get your bail out items to you before you leave to drive home. I’m not sure about attempting the drive to you tonight yet, although if you can eat barbeque again I maybe could rearrange things.

    If we don’t connect I’ll say so long friend, and Happy Trails.

    Gary

    • Hi Gary,

      My Internet connection was dropped and my previous reply lost. Here goes again. Thanks for the offer. I’d rather pay for shipping than have you use your time to drop those items here.

      Please do not think of the tour as being abandoned. We obtained valuable information and will use it for the next Fargo ride. There are exciting mods ahead.

      I was to get the rental truck today. That will now have to be tomorrow. I do not expect to leave early. I’ll be waiting on 2 packages.

      Thanks again! I’ll give you a call soon.

      Jim

  6. Jim, I am so sorry.
    When I m home, we should have a serious talk about Quad tech.
    Mine works. Off road and ON ROAD.
    Its going to work a whole lot better … close to ideal.

    • Hi Terry,

      Please do not be sorry. We have what we need to make adjustments. We will make those adjustments and return to the road. It is good yours works for you. In time, the Fargo design will also. I am pleased to have ridden, met the people I did, and now have the opportunity the continue the development of this machine. Thanks! –jim

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