All posts by Mike

Middle aged, over weight, bald guy on a tricycle!

Anticipation

“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”
A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

It always comes to this moment.  Before every big ride, I get to a point where the planning is finished. The trike is packed.  All I need to do now is climb in and ride.  But it’s not yet time to leave, so I must wait for another day.

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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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