July 21, 2020

Started out on a ride yesterday and near the Feeder canal Gate Keepers house. FLAT

Not a good start, I was planning to replace thew tires with the new ones I had already bought, but wanted to make sure everything was sorted out

A flat is never a good sight!

Fortunately we were only 3 blocks from home, so Judy went and got the Buick Regal TourX to haul it home!

In this picture you are able to see the 

adjustable seat back I made for my Expedition.

So back at home the Cat went up on just the front stands on the Bike Stand and soon both front tires were on.

Just a comparison of the old (less than 500 miles) Just shows a real good reason to stay on

top of your toe in. Ruins tires very quickly if it is off. Mine was a difference of 1" between front and back, should be about a 1/16" wider on the back of the tire!

I don't believe mine was ever set right. 

Live and LEARN! 

The hard and expensive way!

Hill Training

We chose a route today to give us some hill challenges to help get us into shape. We decided to ride across the damn across the Rock River a few blocks from out house and take the trail along to river into Sinnissippi Park and beyond. We did well on all except the hill leading up into the park on the far east end. We made it about 3/4 of the way and mainly improper shifting we ground to a stop! The rest of the hills on our coarse we handled well. Again the two year layoff affected our shifting. 

This picture, Shows a sign warning "Steep Grade Ahead. " That is the hill we came to a halt on, coming from the other direction, going the direction the photo is taken from is a inside wheel lifting hill. 

Some high speeds and tight curves are on the way down. I have to use the brakes to keep from doing that wheel lift! Here we have leveled out.


We proceeded thru the park into Woodlawn Park and out into the country. 

We returned the way we came, shown here is one of the many shelters for picnicking.

On the bluff overlooking the river.

It was a beautiful day for a ride. 

Here is the link to our garmin Report. Be sure to click on the arrow at the bottom of the Satellite View, to follow along on our ride!

Click on Link!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5266889657

Long Ride July 18.2020

We started out about 9:00 and it was starting to get warm, we were riding into a moderate breeze as we headed down the canal. It was smoother than i remember the last ride on it 2 years ago. Lots of trash on the trail as the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources tends to blow cut vegetation onto the path when they mow. I have pointed this out before but it continues. We rode as far south as Bridge 50 and then got off onto Star Road or Route 172 and headed east to Hickory Hills Road, we followed it to Gaulrapp Road and headed north to Buehl Road to get back on the canal to head home. When we got home it was really hot and we were soaked  in perspiration. Close to 20 miles, or longest ride this season, so far. I am happy on the way the Trike performed.  Just a couple more bugs to work out! 

First Picture is a Selfie, I don't do them often, 

now I remember why! 

This picture we are coming up to Buehl Road. 

The last picture is a few miles south of Buehl Road.

Click on the link

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/5256781469

July 16, 2020 Back at it!

We started riding again this week, the Falco System has made it a pleasure to ride again. It is so nice to just RIDE. We have been riding about 10 miles a day to get back in shape after a 2 year layoff. Today was an absolutely beautiful day to ride!

As we were riding along Shore Acres, 

I saw these beautiful Lilies.

These were especially pretty!

This yellow one must be a type of Calla Lily.

Near the end of our ride we stopped at the 

Ardini Boat Launch Parking lot for a water break. 

Nice view of the upper dam and Sterling in the background.

2020 - A New Start!

I can hardly believe it that it has been 3 years since I posted on here.

Things got worse health wise, to the point I couldn't ride, my lack of stamina and shortness of breath took away one of the greatest  joys, RIDING!

First I tried a SunTrike Tadpole, nice trike, but not what I wanted, 

So then I tried a Catrike, that is what I was looking for.

I actually rode for about a year and had a great year with it, but the following year, I just couldn't manage it.  So our riding was greatly cut back and last year no riding at all.

 I made several trips to the VA in Iowa City, by the way GREAT facility,

But they were unable to solve my problem and their efforts are ongoing.

The majority of my issues are related to Agent Orange exposure.

BUT, my desire to get outside and ride did not decrease. SO, I decided to buy a Falco System, to help me ride, when I just couldn't make it up that hill. I also made an adjustable backrest for my Catrike Expedition. Preliminary test ride, I hit 28 MPH on setting 4, without even trying, will have to dial that back when Judy and I riding together!

With nice days coming I need to make a few adjustments and get out there and RIDE!

Look for that post!

Last Ride of the Year 2017?

This afternoon, I decided it was nice enough to go for a ride, it was in the mid 50's so why not, we took off and the only thing cold was my ears, all was going well until I rounded a corner and didn't see the pot hole in the shadows, I hit it and punctured a tube, end of ride, I took the tire apart and then realized I didn't have a repair kit, or the right spare inner tube, a guy that lived right next to where I was sitting came out and offered to haul the Trike home for me, which he did and he refused any kind of payment! 

Well tomorrow I get a new tube repair kit and 2 better tubes and maybe tomorrow will
be the last ride of the year, It is supposed to be in the 60's tomorrow!

About 3 minutes later disaster struck!

Here is the Garmin report of the short ride before the flat!

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2352589811

October 8, 2017 Beautiful day for a ride.

Got a late start and so we decided to wait til after lunch, took off across the dam and rode thru Sinnissippi Park and out into the country, should have taken a country route, lots pf pedestrians, had to be continually on the look out for them, most of them have no idea of path etiquette, don't have any idea of which side of the path to be on. But still a beautiful day to ride. Look at the Garmin report for the Satellite view of the ride.

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/2070343901

1. Looking at the dam from the boat dock parking lot, east of the dam.