misc

[gfish]

I've been working on the mark III hovercraft. It will have a much more advanced 'tube skirt' design, and a much greater surface area for both lifting power and stability. At 4' x 4' it is far too large to be put on a bench. That means a lot of crawling around on hands and knees on the hard, concrete floor. After a few days of this my knees were a solid bruise. So I finally bought some cheap kneepads, and I'm in love. They're great! A couple bucks and the problem is completely solved. Plus, it feels like wearing armor.

I want to do more long distance biking this summer. I at least want to do all of STP, and I'm looking at the possibility of a 3 or 4 day solo camping trip to Spokane. My problem before has always been joint pain: wrists, ankles, neck and back. My actual muscle endurance was fine, as long as I was careful not to let my blood sugar crash, but the grating joint pain was a huge barrier to training properly. The solution was obvious: a recumbent bike. Last week I found one used on craigslist for cheap and bought it. Short-wheel base, so I'm not too low to the ground and under-seat steering, to prevent arm strain for long distances. If I'm ever home when it isn't dark and raining, I'll be able to say something about it other than 'it sure is pretty'. I might even post pictures.

Finally, the printing press should be arriving any day now! Squee!

Comments

[tylik.livejournal.com]

What 'bent bike did you get?

[gfish.livejournal.com]

A 2001 Vision R42. Nothing too fancy.

[tylik.livejournal.com]

Hey! Just like mine ;-) Did it come with fenders?

[gfish.livejournal.com]

Nope. I'm very much going to have to get some.

[tylik.livejournal.com]

Well, welcome to the fun world of accessories for recumbent cycles, and be glad you have access to decent tools ;-)

I got mine at Aurora Cycle, and I believe they're the local shop most geared up to handle recumbents. However, that was while Vision was still in business. Fenders probably won't be too much of a problem, but generally things don't fit right on 'bents, and you get to spend an awful lot of time cutting things down or attaching them with hose clamps. It's not a huge problem, but it generally means everything needs a bit more planning ahead and takes a bit long than one would otherwise expect.

[crimmycat.livejournal.com]

Recumbents, I have been happily informed by the commutes-to-work-in-one rafn, are wonderful for long distances, great for going fast, and sometimes a, ah, bit challenging on hills.

In general, though, visibility is a great thing - reflectors, LED lights, anything to make you visible since your profile isn't what people expect to see (and people can be very blind to what they don't expect to see.)

[gfish.livejournal.com]

I've heard about the hill problem, but that seems to be because you can't stand up and pump. But I almost never do that anyway -- I tire ridiculously quickly pumping, and going slow in a very low gear is good enough for me.

I'll certainly get the standard set of lights for it, a warning triangle to mount on the back of the seat and probably a flag too. The visibility thing has always been my biggest concern with recumbents.

[beaq.livejournal.com]

You need a rodeo clown to run alongside.

[randomdreams.livejournal.com]

and strobe lights. Don't forget the strobe lights.

[tylik.livejournal.com]

Data point: I've generally found it harder to deal with hills on the recumbent, and I'm not particularly fond of standing up and pumping either. That having been said, scuttlebutt says the problem improves a lot if you use straps, clipless pedals or some other mechanism to better capture the energy of the return stroke. (I still haven't moved my clipless pedals over to the recumbent, even though it's been my primary bike for the last four years. How lame is that? I think I'm still in denial.) The one bike which is supposed to best deal with hills has almost identical mechanics compared to the vision R40s, so I suspect the vision would adapt similarly well.

[crimmycat.livejournal.com]

Thank you - I completely forgot about that. Yes, the straps/clipless pedals do help.

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

what's STP? why Spokane?

[gfish.livejournal.com]

STP is Seattle To Portland, a 2 day ride that attracts a couple thousand riders every summer. Sort of the Bloomsday of biking; it has a very similar atmosphere. Two years ago I did the first half (http://www.livejournal.com/users/gfish/101713.html).

[olafthunderfoot.livejournal.com]

that would so kill me!

[helenangel.livejournal.com]

YAY! Printing press & hovercrafts! =D

[ionan.livejournal.com]

Jen and I are planning to do the STP this year, also. I will see you there.

[vixyish.livejournal.com]

Oh honey! You should've told me about the knee bruises; I'd have recommended knee pads to you sooner. I'm trying to remember when it was that I had some and discovered they were heavenly. I believe it was for a dance class that had a lot of knee-stuff going on.