Cycling Experiences…

I learned from the Catrike Board this morning the Bruce’s [BROL's TrikeBldr] dog—Sierra has died. Those of us who know Bruce, know how much Sierra meant to him as a companion, a friend, and a dog that Bruce’s relied on for aspects of his health.

My condolences and sympathy to Bruce.

Here are some additional pictures I have published of Sierra, Bruce included. I have asked Bruce for information that I can include here. Thanks!

Bruce says: Sierra is now my service animal to warn me if my heart is about to go into fibrillation so I can take a dose of meds. It only happens every six years or so, and just happened this past September, so I don’t expect anything like that to happen for a long time now. Sierra has to go everywhere with me now, legally!

I did a piece on Sierra, a rescue dog, near the end of March 2010. I think I understand some of what Bruce may be feeling. I wish him the best. Others have express their condolences and feelings in this Catrike Board Thread and especially in this Trike Doctor Thread. There, Bruce gives details of what happened to Sierra. It is a sad story.

Related Links:

We almost lost Sierra, again! [started by Bruce 08/02 on The Trike Doctor Forum]

Literally at the end of the day, I experienced another mechanical failure. That is a Rohloff IGH failure. I purchased the Rohloff so I would not have gearing problems during the tour. It appears shear pins(s) may have sheared. This is the best I have found so far:

When confronting the Rohloff people with this they sure enough told me that this was not covered under warranty but in the same breath assured me not to worry as the hub was built to last. First of all it is built plenty strong (it is designed to handle Pro racing and tandem usage!), secondly there are several safety features built in the hub that would fail when overloaded before serious damage occurred to the hub. For example the internals of the hub are fixed to the shell by 9 small nylon pins that will shear when overloaded prior to any gearing damage. Then there are the bolts that hold the torque plate in place and the list continues …. All things that are easy to fix. GERMAN ENGINEERING at its best.

Anyway, I will call Darcy at:

Bath Cycle And Ski
Rr 1 Box 372
Woolwich, ME
04579-9705
207-442-7002

Thanks to Zeke and Darcy, my trailer is position for shipment to Fayetteville. I’m fortunate to be on the road and through the use of electronics have a direct source to problem solutions as I ride. Now pushing the quad up this gigantic hill was no fun. Mr. Giraldo rode that hill last night.

Mechanical #1 [trivial—just time consuming]

Rafael Giraldo departed Weston, Florida in a Ford Explorer rental vehicle at 7:00 a.m. this morning. Manifest Destiny [his HPV] and trailer are therein. His target for today is the Virginia State Line. I suggested Emporia, VA as a place to overnight.

I plan to pick up a rental cargo van at 4:45 p.m. today and leave early tomorrow morning. I plan to link with Rafael in Emporia and we convoy from there to Bar Harbor, Maine.

We both want to end Saturday in Bar Harbor. He is to shoot a special sunrise video Sunday Morning.

There you have it.

Dear Friends,

Since last year, I have enjoyed the committed support Jim Artis has offered Tour of Discovery. Through his efforts many in the recumbent cycling community became aware of the tour’s existence. His coverage of my 2009 continental crossing disseminated the story for the good of the many. Among these were my students and their families. We all benefited from his detailed comments and rich analysis. I am very appreciative of what he has done and continues to do.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mr. Giraldo’s Invitation to his Send Off Party

Basic Quad:

• Both generators are installed and working
• All machining of quad parts are complete
• Mockup quad fully assembled and ready for weekend testing
• Early next week, a local powder coater will paint the rear axle cage assembly to match the Catrike Frame painting
• Late next week, assemble final quad on my frame

Cage: Note—The cage will not be connected to the rear axle cage assembly because the suspension effect would be lost. Instead Utah Trikes will incorporate the cargo area into the cage itself and support it by the main frame.

• Planning is complete and all materials ordered
• Rough Assembly of bottom and rear completed by day’s end
• Early next week, complete front and top of cage
• Late Next week, complete cage, including Lexan

Trailer Hitch: Ashley will make a custom hitch, using a 3/8″x24tpi heim joint to thread on a mount on/in my trailer tongue. The hitch is to be 12″ off the ground. This match up had been one of my concerns [until last night] because, if it does not work, I’ll be forced to resolve before departing. Thanks to Ashley, that concern has been set aside.

Final Fargo Graphic: Early next week, Andie returns to her studio to await a left-side photograph of the Catrike Expedition based quad that will be silhouetted [like the stage coach] to replace the CAD TerraTrike Path you have seen on the artwork. The timing works for Ashley and for me to get to my graphics installer.

KrispySteve Neck Rest: I have 2 in the mail. I hope to determine which is best for touring comfort. Of course, I have to have the quad and time to evaluate.

Time is extremely critical here. The exact ship date is still uncertain. Ashley hopes to ship NLT 06/01. I’m hoping for early. The estimated cross-country time is 4 days. That means I could receive it 06/07 [a day earlier] and must get graphics install as well as my accessories and components and be ready to travel with Mr. Giraldo on 06/10. My fall back plan is to delay my departure, travel along, hoping to meet Rafael at Bar Harbor on the 11th or 12th, or elsewhere on the route. Needless to say, the next 24 days will be interesting and exciting. My best-case planning did not happen—no test riding; no trip to Florida, etc. Please stay tuned and lets see how this plays out…

Related Links:

• Fargo [my quad] ~ The Anticipated Build
• My Cycling Calendar

Mr. Giraldo shares an inspirational video that exemplifies the essence of his Tour of Discovery.

Make a donation ~ purchase a raffle chance for either the Catrike Dash or the Catrike Expedition, or both and sponsor a Green Mile. With your purchase, your name will be added to the Sponsors’ Page of Green Miles.

Please allow 5 to 10 days for delivery of wristband(s).   Delivery is presently limited to the U.S. & Canada.

Please allow 24-48 hours for your name to appear in the Green Miles – Sponsors’ Page

Your contributions help Mr. Giraldo bring his story to students who will be tracking his progress and learning from his example.

Drawings to take place at Atlantic Bicycle, Inc. 4980 W. Atlantic Blvd., Margate, Florida  33063 on Saturday, August 14, 2010, at 1:00 p.m.