My Recumbent Days

I had to cut my ride short do to rubbing of the left front brake. It needs an adjustment, which the bike shop seems unable to get done.  My old mechanic is no longer with the shop, and the new guy is just not as good.  I will give him another chance to get it right, before I go somewhere else.  My ride stats are below. Route 27 Local route by joelw135 at Garmin Connect - Details

 I rode a little over 10 miles at an average speed of 13 mph, my seasons best.  The winds again followed me wherever I went.  The temperature was perfect for riding, but I still worked up a lather.  Below is a link to my stats. South MiddleBush Road Local Route by joelw135 at Garmin Connect - Details

It looks like strong winds are now the constant factor for every ride. Today the winds were variable with speeds from 5 to 15 mph. The average temperature was 73º, which is perfect riding temperature. I rode a little over 10 miles at an average speed of 12.5 mph. I truly enjoyed the ride after two days of not riding. I lowered the pressure in my tires to 75 lbs from 85 lbs all around, but I think my rear tire will be put back at 85 lbs. I thought I might get some better speed with the lower pressure, but maybe only for the front tires. Below is the link to my stats on Garmin Connect. South Middlebush Road Local Training Route by joelw135 at Garmin Connect - Details

I am suffering big time from "Big Meal Syndrome".  Saturday night is the night my wife and I usually go out for a nice meal on the town.  Last night was a little different!  We usually share a large salad and one main course, but last night we each had a small salad and a main course.  I was stuffed to the gills and not feeling so well.  This morning I got up and had no get up and go, I felt like I had lead in my shoes and no feeling of drive.  I decided I wouldn't let the syndrome get the best of me and I headed out for my ride.  It was unusually hard, or at least it felt that way. Yes there were very strong headwinds of about 19 mph, but it was something else holding me back, I can't tell you what, but it was there.  I still rode a little over ten miles at 12.2 mph, but I felt like I was walking. UPDATE : I changed the seat bolts at the top back of the seat yesterday and I am happy to say I don't feel them through the padding.

I rode my usual route today and fought the strong headwinds, but didn't do so bad at the end. My average speed was 12.3 mph which I felt was very good for the conditions.  Today I need to do some preventative maintenance on the seat mounts to avoid seat cracking.  I hope I will be able to find the correct bolts for the job. W ell I found the correct size bolts, but they were hex bolts not cap bolts, I hope they will not hurt my back.  Time will tell.  I also added sealing washers behind the bolt head to spread the pressure on the hole so it won't crack.

T his morning I set out for my daily fitness ride, not expecting to push myself.  I rode a little over 10 miles at an average speed of 12.6 mph.  Nothing new to report, the trike handled great, I need to tighten my seat bolts a little, but nothing else to worry about.

T oday was the best ride I have had so far this season.  I rode a bit over 10 miles at an average speed of 12.4 mph.  I had to put a lot more effort into maintaining speed as there seemed to be a wind following me from road to road. The funny thing is that it always seemed to be in my face not behind me giving me a push. No matter what, if felt good to push myself. The new paved surfaces have created a little more of a challenge as they have a sticky surface that seems to hold the tires. Well at least they aren't full of holes as they were before. I came to this one hill which always seemed to be a problem, but in the last few rides it seemed easier as my legs are getting stronger.

Y esterday I went for a pain shot so I was unable to ride, but today I made up for it with a great ride. I rode a little over 10 miles at a bit over 12 mph.  I feel great, but I am a soaking wet mess, I will hit the shower after a cool down period. I needed a new set of brake pads on my left side after dragging it for mile after mile. The caliper also needed a spacer to make it ride the disc more evenly.

T oday after completing my ride I found out how an amateur error can cost me in frustration and physical pain.  For days I have been complaining that I am not able to get my bent legs back in shape and that it is extremely hard on my legs and is has sapped me of strength.  Well after today's ride I was pushing the trike into its position in the garage and I noticed how hard it was to move.  I decided to see what was wrong and I spun each wheel and found that the left front disc brake was rubbing firmly against the rotor. In two minutes I adjusted the caliper and once again the brakes are in place and the wheel spins freely.  I am sure I put a lot of stress and wear on the rotor and brake shoe, so by the end of the season I might have to check if a new one is necessary.  How stupid I have been not to check such a simple thing, and how a simple solution solved my problem.  My legs feel like rubber and I hurt, but it was a lesson I will not soon forget.  ...

T oday is house work day so I went for a shorter ride.  Still can't seem to get my bent legs back into shape.  I did come across a new performance degrade!  The area around here is using a new road patching technique which is applied by one man in a truck that sprays a sticky gray compound into the pot holes and the compresses this compound.  This compound seems to have a huge amount of sticky pieces that adhere to your tires making your tires much slower.  After my ride it took about one half hour to scrape this sticky globes off my tires.  I don't even think I got all of it.  On roads that i would reach 12 mph I was having trouble keeping 9 mph.  Not only do you feel this stuff you hear it.

I decided I would try the canal tow path for a change, and it was good for the first 2.75 miles than the smooth clay turned to pea gravel.  But I wouldn't call it a bad ride as I did get my training in.  The weather was great to say the least. The trike performed as expected the the pilot is out of shape.  I plan on getting out at least every day weather permitting.

I have tried to get a few more rides in, but have had nothing but bad luck. First I got a flat at the valve on my rear tire and had to walk home. Next I rode and after five miles it started to rain.  Today I left and as I unloaded the trike from my SUV and then the rain started.  I am very disappointed to say the least.  The weather calls for rain the next few days so maybe Friday I will have a little luck.

T his morning I headed out before the heat hit us, expecting a slow start, and a good end.  Well things didn't go as expected.  First off, my legs felt like rubber and I had a hell of a time keeping 9 mph.  Next I ended up behind a truck that was carrying a wide load and riding on the shoulder and the only lane, so I was breathing in the fumes. Next at 5 miles from home I got a flat. at the neck of the valve. A rough hole in the rim from when it was drilled for the valve stem.  I went to get a spare tube from my bag and found it split at the seam.  I now had to walk all the way home. To say this was a bad first ride of the season is a huge under statement. Maybe tomorrow will be better.  I had to install a Presta tube as that was all I can find with a long stem.

I truly thought I would be out riding by now, but all we have here is threats of violent thunderstorms and rain.  The skies are dark and threatening, so I haven't dared getting caught out. As all this ride posturing is going on I have been stuck at home waiting for my cable provider to fix my Internet and phone. It has been over a month where my phone either disconnects or is totally unavailable.  Then when that is working my Internet goes out. I have had four service calls and still problems.  I finally got so upset I contracted with FIOS which it has some limitations that I will have to live with. I will loose my mirror web page, but no big deal as I have my high speed primary.  Oh well enough wind for today, I will post as things progress and I get out to ride.

A s I sit at my desk looking out at the rain filed sky I wonder about what to do next on my trike.  I seem to be in a funk of sorts as the weather has not been cooperating.  As the readers that follow my blog realize my trike goes through changes every year or so. It goes from having many accessories to be stripped down to nothing.  I finally think I have found a good balance of weight to gadgets.  I am afraid if the weather doesn't allow me to get out on the road, I might have a relapse and start adding to the trike.  I am trying to keep the trike and the engine at a certain weight, and so far I have achieved both.  My weight is down to 140 lbs and I am feeling well, but I still have to get back on the road to build some muscle mass which I lost over a period of bad physical health. T he seat and neck rest are adjusted to accommodate my bad cervical condition. My lower lumbar is now as comfy as it is going to get, with the seat in this more reclined posi...

Y esterday USPS delivered my Kuat bottle lock and I was highly impressed with the ingenuity of the thing.  As I said it isn't a heavy duty theft protection device, but a secondary line of defense for when I make short stops.  The cable isn't very thick about 5 mm I guess and a length of 5 feet.  Enough length to go through the back wheel and frame around a post through the front wheel and back to the Bottle Lock.  It has a compartment on the bottom to hold the keys, but I wouldn't do that. The key goes around my neck on a light chain. T he lock slides easily into my Carbon Fiber bottle cage.  I have three cages on the trike but only one is suitable for the lock as the others seem a bit to loose for my liking and might rattle.  you know how much I detest rattles. A t this time I feel confident that the combination of the Kuat Bottle Lock and my Bike alarm will serve as a mid level deterrent.

Y esterday I purchased two (2) Radio Shack part # 270-409 and a RCA Female plug.  I connected the two 4 AA battery packs in series for a total of 1.5 volt X 8 giving me a total of 12 Volts.  Then making sure the polarity was correct I attached the RCA plug. Connecting the two in series battery packs, created a extremely loud horn.  My project was a total success.  The battery life should be extended as all a 9 Volt battery is is 6- 1.5 volt AAAA cells with a MA rating of 500.  The AA cells have a MA rating of 2000 each.  ON my next ride I will test the horn in real life conditions. Below is a photo of the inside of a 9 Volt battery.

I had sent two emails to the makers of the Gale Force Blaster regarding the use of two 9 volt batteries with the horn, and to my surprise no answer.  I don't like the idea of the extra heavy 12 volt battery and the space it requires, but two 9 volt batteries would be the ultimate solution.  All I can do now is wait. I am not the only person to request this same info, but they also have not heard back.  This is the first time that communication was lax with them. I hope all is well with them.

L ast season when I flipped my trike on a nearby back road I not only damaged myself I lost my Kuat Bottle Lock.  This lock is not what you would call heavy duty, but for the times I go into the local store or bathroom it serves the purpose.  I know I can't just depend on the lock, so I also use my bike alarm as a second line of defense.  So yesterday I ordered the replacement for the Bottle Lock from Amazon and it was shipped today. What is nice about this lock is that it fits nicely into one of my bottle cages. "Kuat Bottle Lock (White)" UPDATE: Received word that the Bottle Lock will be delivered May 15th.  A day later that I thought. It is being delivered by FedEX Smartpost and USPS.  Since 1:10 AM this morning it has been sitting 6 miles from my door. I hate Smartpost as it can sit for days before being delivered to the post office.

E arly this afternoon the USPS truck dropped off the brake light.  I promptly opened the little box and inserted the two AAA batteries.  So far no problems.  I then choose the mounting bracket to fit my custom mount and headed to the garage and the awaiting Black Widow.  It took only a few minutes with a Phillips screwdriver and a level to get the Maxxon mounted. The unit looks well made, but as most taillights the bracket looks like the weak link, but only time will tell.  There is a button centrally mounted on the top of the unit to set the different modes. But if I start to ride before turning on the unit it will automatically go into mode 3 (Daylight) mode within 30 seconds of riding.  It will also turn off within 4 minutes of inactivity.  Below are a few photos of it mounted.  It looks very nice, but the ride reports will follow. Maxxon Rear View   Maxxon Side View