Grandpa's Grumblings

We ordered Janet a Terratrike Rambler while travelling through Utah this year.  Stopped at Utah Trikes in Payson and tried out a couple of different models, but decided on the Rambler.  After doing research, we were relatively sure this was what she wanted, but wanted to test ride one first. UTT was offering a free paint upgrade with a new Rambler purchase, so Janet opted for the neon pink and we ordered one for her.

It arrived today and got it unpacked and all the bling installed, here is a shot of it after her ride around the block a few times… very nice looking.  Still waiting on the flags from Purple Sky, but its as it will be mostly now.

Here are the Rambler and the Rover side by side.  The Rover is a few inches longer and 5 lbs heavier and admittedly, not quite as pretty as the Rambler.  In riding, I think the Rambler rides better, feels a little more “sporty” in its handling.  A much better seat, its same frame, but the mesh seat of the Rambler is more comfortable.

Didn’t put much on Janet’s trike, she wanted to keep it simple, no homemade attachment pieces, not a ton of lights, but the necessities… So she has two tail lights (Q-Lights) and a steady and flashing front white light (Topeak), with a special mount from my China bike supply place.  Put the triangle on hers and added the accessory bag on the rear seat.  So with the short rear fender, computer, and pwer pedals she is all set.

The Rover, or the beast, on the other hand is probably overloaded with my crap. I have a couple of custom made pieces for attaching the rear seat bag and the front light, also the rear light on the rack.  Power grip pedals, rack, rear fender and of course lots of carrying capacity…

Probably got a lot more stuff than I need, but that’s my job, to carry stuff and the Rover is good at it….

The trail head for this starts about a mile from my house and its downhill most of the way, so that is a plus. The trail is abut 5 miles long and goes through Olympia and Lacey Washington.  Its on an old railway bed, so it is gently sloping and paved the entire way. It is really two trails, through Olympia, it is in a park-like forest setting and through Lacey, a very urban environment.

At the Olympia trail head they have a nice restroom facility, parking, and water fountains.  From there it is slightly uphill for about 3 miles, but the grade is gentle (less that 2.2 degrees).  Along the way you can access the I-5 trail, this takes you along the freeway and provide access to the northern route of the Western/Chehalis Trail, out to Woodward Bay. The Olympia section crosses very few streets and is a very nice peaceful setting.  You can access the southern segment of the Western/Chehalis Trail from this segment. After about 3 miles you cross into the Lacey setting.  This section of the trail crosses numerous streets, many very busy intersections, but has crossing lights a the majority of them.  It is an urban setting and parallels some industrial areas. But its highlights are 2 coffee shops right next to the trail, the Coffee Bean and Cutters, about a mile from the Woodlawn Park turn around. There is also a local bicycle shop (lbs), Joy Ride Cycle, about a block off the trail, if you need assistance.

The turn around point for me is Woodlawn Park in Lacey.  This park is part of the Lacey Community Center and contains a large parking lot, playground, children’s fishing lake and the Community Center building.

On my return, I take the I-5 Trail junction and come back to my house via city streets (with bike lanes).  This allows me to miss one of the steepest hills in the area, right in front of my house.  I can come down it, instead of up it, makes a huge difference in the ride, but only takes off .3 miles.  The round trip is 10.3 miles and is my normal daily ride.

From the Olympia/Woodlawn – Western/Chehalis Trail system, I have access to over 35 miles (one-way) of paved, former rail trails, to choose from.  Round trip rides in access of 75 miles are possible on any day, all without endangering my life by being on surface street or roads.

So if your coming to the Olympia Washington area, please bring your bike and give the trails a try.

Well took a couple of weeks off from riding, 1 to go fishing and 1 because of heat and laziness. Got back on my schedule today.  My ride is from my house to the Olympia/Woodlawn Trail head, then the length of the trail to Woodlawn Park and back to the I-5 Trail, then to the house, 10.5 miles round trip.

From my house to the trail head is downhill, so that means coming back via that route is all uphill, with a couple of really steep ones right near the house.  So on the return, I hit the I-5 trail and come back via another route, this route takes out the hills, but reduces the trip by a half mile or so.

The Olympia/Woodlawn Trail runs through Olympia and Lacey and is what I call a “Trail of Two Cities”, each segment is very different.  From the Olympia Trail head, it is through a woodland setting, lots of trees and shade,not hardly any streets to cross, a quiet park like setting.  That runs about 2-3 miles. Then You get to the Lacey segment, very urban, lots of street crossings, and unfortunately some of them are relatively busy.  But its nosier and more stops for crossing signals.

The Lacey segment does have 2 coffee shops adjacent to the path, so that makes it nice for my morning ride.  Woodlawn Park has parking and a great playground, not that I need a play ground, but makes a nice trip for the grandkids..

Anyway, back to riding again.  new target is 75 miles per week.  So far my long rid is 35 miles, maybe next week as it cools down, I’ll do a 50 miler. Slowed down my cadence today, tended to use a higher gear instead, little slower average, but knees felt a lot better.

Ride miles: 10.5
Average MPH: 8.1
Max Speed: 20.1
Odometer: 150.2

I finally got a seat bag to hold some water bottles.  Finding stuff for a trike is not as easy as for a 2 wheeler, not much to hang it from.  This is a Fastback seat bag made for a solid recumbent seat.  So I made a bracket for the back of the seat to hang it from and it works great.

The bracket is made from 1/2” PVC tubing and parts.  First a tee fitting, cut to fit the seat bracket (2), then a few inches of PVC tubing cut to fit (2), then a 45 degree fitting (2), then a PVC electrical conduit 90 degree piece, cut to fit.  I use hose clamps to attach it to the seat.  It was a little loose fitting for the bag, so I added the pipe insulation to it, fits perfectly now.

A couple of more shots from different angles to give you a better idea.

Works great to carry water bottles, my emergency tool kit, tire changing tools, patch kit, and a extra tube.  With room left over.

Got this next one off e-bay.  Got the lead from the Bent Riders Forum.  Only $6, free shipping.  Took awhile since it came from China.  Works very well for camera, wallet, phone etc. Stuff you might want ready access to.

Took last week off to go fishing, back to the ride this week….

well got in a 35 mile ride today.  From the house to the Western/Chehalis Trail, via the Olympia, Woodlawn Trail.  17.6 miles to the intersection with the Yelm/Tenino Tail and back.  Lots of people out today, pleasant weather.  Say a few recumbents and a few delta trikes, but no other tadpoles. Lots of people wanted to stop and ask questions about mine.

Slower that a 2 wheeler, but steady and less strain on the body.  I wasn’t really tired, although my knees did ache a little.  But no heavy breathing or chest pains.  Nice relaxing ride.

Total miles: 34.95
Average MPH: 8.7
Max Speed: 18.7
Odometer: 136.4

I added some stuff to the trike this week.  I have been trying to figure out a way to mount the flashing white light in front.  Didn’t like the dowel in the handle bar method.  So first off, my Army wind sock.

Works pretty nice.  Its not as big as it appears here, it’s the camera angle.  Give me a lot more profile to on coming traffic and makes the trike more visible.  The wife hates it, so I just take it off when she is riding.

New handle bar mount.  This is nothing more that a male PVC 1/2 inch plug.  Took a 5/8 inch dowel, removed some wood from one end to let the plug fit snuggly on it, then painter it black and stuck it into the hollow area of the handlebar.

Looks better than just sticking the dowel in and covering it with black tape.

Then I started on a front light mount.  I mount this into the hole used for the front reflector. I wanted to get the light out to the end of my foot to prevent the strobe effect bouncing off my feet.  The hanger is a 1/2 inch conduit bracket, then 1/2 inch pvc pipe fillings for the rest. Works OK, but I have a few plans to improve it.

Got in 22 miles today, that put me over a 100 on the odometer.

Trip: 22 miles
Avg: 8.5 mph
Max: 23.3 mph
Odometer: 101.3