Packing Up The Recumbent Trike

I managed to get most of the items on my packing list into my panniers and on the back of my trike this morning.  It took a bit of struggling to figure out where everything goes, but ultimately it all fit.

For this tour I have a brand new tent.  The Hilleberg Nallo 2 GT is lighter than my old tent, but a lot larger.  Not only is there more room inside, but it includes a big covered vestibule area that will hold my panniers at night.  In the old tent, things got pretty crowded with my clydesdale self and both panniers inside the main tent.  I’m really looking forward to spreading out in all the extra space on this tour.

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Front Fenders Are Back!

When I bought my trike, I got fenders for it.  Living in Southern California, I found fenders on the trike unnecessary.  It hardly ever rained, and when it did, I did not ride. So shortly after The Pacific Coast Tour, I removed the fenders and I’ve been happy ever since.

Until Florida that is.  Here is Florida it rains.  A lot.  Pretty much every day.  It usually only rains for a few minutes, although it has rained for a few entire days this summer.   If I ride regularly, I will get caught in a rain storm occasionally.  If if I’m not stuck in the rain itself, the water stays on the roads and trails for hours after, so I am always riding through puddles and mud.

So today I dug through the garage, found the fenders and put them back on.  When out for a quick 25 miles.  No problems.  They rattle a little, and one of the bolts came loose part way through the ride.   I tightened everything up and added some Locktite when I got home.  I don’t really like the way they look though – but I’ll probably get used to that.

I’ll keep them on through my tour to St. Augustine, then I decide again if I want to keep them on.

So what do all you folks think?  Fenders, or no?

St. Augustine Equipment List

I’m starting to complete the equipment list for this ride.  Even though this is a relatively short ride, there seems like a lot of stuff to drag along.   I need to decide what I really need.  Where is it all going to fit on the bike?

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Win The High Street Victorian!

Source: Win The High Street Victorian!

Now here is an interesting idea!  The couple that owns the High Street Victorian Bed & Breakfast along the famed Katy Trail in Boonville Missouri, are offering to give their property away (estimated value $375,000) to the winner of an essay contest!

That’s right!  Just write your brilliantly worded missive (200 words or less) about ” Why do you want to own The High Street Victorian Bed and Breakfast?”.  If the contest organizers select your essay as the winning entry,  then you will receive the entire property free of any mortgage or other debt.

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The St. Augustine Plan Starts to Come Together

I’ve Got A Plan!

Well, at least I have a little more clarity on the plan to ride to St. Augustine.   I’ve studied up on the route, and I know where the campgrounds are located.    I have put together a tentative plan for my ride north.  6 days should do it, without too much stress, and no horribly long days.

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Answering The Inevitable Recumbent Questions

When we are out riding, people will often approach us to ask questions about the trikes.  They are naturally curious about them, and we usually love to talk about them.  We have started a few interesting conversations this way.  And we have met many wonderful and interesting people.  It is actually these conversations with strangers that prompted us to put together our Recumbent FAQ’s Page.

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Impress The Guests with this Easy Meat Meal!

If you’ve got a big crowd coming, and you don’t want to spend a ton of time and energy cooking after they arrive, then this simple rib roast with grilled vegetables is just the trick.  Prep time is minimal,  cooking can be almost finished before your guests even arrive,  and it’s really easy to adjust quantities up and down for more or fewer people.  Best of all, it’s almost guaranteed to be a hit!  Because, after all, it’s meat.

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The Recumbent Gourmet Heads To St. Augustine

You heard it here first!  The Recumbent Gourmet is heading to St. Augustine.  Mike will pack up his trike and ride the approximately 350 miles from Lakewood Ranch to St.Augustine.  Nancy will meet him there, and they will spend a few days of fun and sun together in the United State’s oldest city.

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Riding South From Linger Lodge

A quick post today –  really only of interest to cyclists here in Lakewood Ranch.  Every local cyclist I know has lamented that there is no way to ride south into Sarasota after crossing the I75 Freeway on Linger Lodge Road.  But I’m here to tell you,  there is a way. It’s not a great way.,  Many people will say it’s not worth the effort, but it is possible to cross the Freeway on Linger Lodge Road and then  ride south toward Sarasota.

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Loop Around Anna Maria Sound

I have not done a long ride in a while, so I decided I’d head out on Friday for a longer ride  to Anna Maria Island and back.  I planned a route that would take me into some new territory – a neighborhood called Cortez that I have never ridden through,   and an area called Palma Sola where I’ve only ridden in a small corner.

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