Thinking about a cradle

Thanks to Steve Sussman (krispysteve) of BROL he send me some photos of a cradle that I will try to make out of some scrap lumber I found out behind the shed. Well as you would guess it started raining again so - we will see if the weather guys are right about the weekend.

Got my Onyx stickers...

Well I was blessed to have gotten extra stickers because the one I wanted to use refused to work for me. And tore up while I was peeling the backing off and praying for help.

Thanks the Gods the second one worked a lot better. Like the first should have. Thank you Eric.

Then when that was finished I look out side and it is raining yet again! Goodness The weather guy says the weekend will be hot and sunny! We will see.

Memorial Day???

I am a Vietnam Veteran serving in the USMC from 1975 to 1980. I understand the reason for Memorial Day, but not on the 25th. It has always been the traditionally the 31st of May. It seems that our Congress has decided to change the dates all around based on this schedule. Currently there is only 4 of 11 holidays that still fall on a traditional date. January 1st, July 4th, November 11th, and December 25th. I guess when they move the Independence Day to a day other than July 4th then I will really be concerned. Of course the most important date of November 10th is not even noticed any more. Semper-Fi !!

They have also changed when the Daylight Saving Time schedule is.

My USMC Flag.

Back in October and November of 2008 I asked Jerry of Catrike's Flag fame to make me a USMC flag. I even designed it from scratch.

I have become aware of seeing my flag on another Catrike Expedition, painted red. So I asked Jerry - apparently he decided he liked my design and sold another copy of my USMC flag. I just thought it was only mine - kinda wished Jerry would have asked or told me about copying my flag design. Jerry said there is just 2 (two) flags out there. Mine and Kirk's! Hope Kirk enjoys it as much as I do. Just hope the other Catrike is not named "Onyx".

All this Rain...

The weather forecast for the next 5 days is rain... give me a break. The month of May is celebrated as Bicycling Month right so where did all this rain come into the picture. I know as soon as the rain goes away it will be as hot as the Mojave desert. I just want to ride Onyx a little.

Sticker is on its way... Thanks Eric.

Got Email today...

Your package will be shipped by PayPal Shipping with U.S. Postal Service

Giving Blogger a 2nd shot.

After looking at all the features that Word Press.com was offering I decided to try Blogger again - to me it seemed that if you really wanted your blog page to "sing" you need to a have your own domain and upgrade your blog page at cost that I can not afford right now since I am still waiting for Social Security benefits to be my only source of income.

Ordered my Onyx Sticker

Message:
Eric, as per email one (1) “Onyx” sticker to go on the crank tube between the pedals; the tube measures 2 3/4 inches across. Thanks you. – Andy

3rd attempt to reach Catrike in 2 weeks

So I call them after I sent the last email @ 407-905-0626 They said they would get right on my problem…

My Problem…Okay thanks for the conservation on the phone… the first 2 pictures show where the stickers are starting to peel, the third picture show where a rock must have hit Onyx and left a small cut down to the metal… How may we fix these small problems before they get worse. Again I have only made one major ride of 160 miles in 3 days. I have given Onyx 1 Bath to clean her up after that trip. Onyx is Great – not sure about the fenders, they move to much. Thank You All for just a fine machine. Keep up the great work!

They say they would call back in a couple hours… I hope so.

On Safari...

My Friend Jim pointed me to a browser called Safari… so I have been caught up playing with it today while the wind howls outside… April Showers bring May flowers and the wind to boot. Peeked at Onyx she is doing fine, got her under a 8 foot high deck right outside my bedroom window, where I can keep an eye on her.

Onyx - The Movie

Created a slideshow movie - look under the videobar -->

Checking In

Hi, It has been a wet week here, and the blogspot was not working right – it would not open and load the downloaded pictures, so I deleted it and I am looking for something else better.
Before the wet weather hit I had moved the lights down below and just in front the fairing, bad mistake, mangled the tereacycle mount, leaving the driveway, so I am re-thinking where to mount them.

The weather looks clear for the next two days so I am thinking about a ride. Need this dry weather my shoulder doesn’t handle the wet, cold weather well anymore. So the weather has dampened things here and I had to replace a modem too, thanks Charter.

Well I will go see how Onyx has faired the weather – more later.

The wind is howling outside, the tree are swaying – may be dryer but the cold temperatures are coming back for a few days. Dropping down in the 40’s. Where is all the hot summer days.

Looking at Word Press

Having problems with Blogger so I will look at Word Press.com

Bad weather again.

Friday night, Saturday and Sunday is looking like bad weather. The weather is affecting my shoulder, so I will pace myself. Wish I could sleep at nights, since my shoulder injury I have nort slept a good night in a while, except when with Sharon. Guess she has that special touch. Monday will be 2 weeks apart, that is far to long apart, and we are talking the 1st week of June. I may have to take a trip north, on my Onyx. But, of course everyone has a fright when I do.  I will need to plan my overnights better. need a larger 12 v battery.  Will not stay at motels... to costly.  more later.

Mangled the lights!

Yep Onyx dipped down just right, while leaving the driveway and mangled the terracycle accessory mount, which I used to mount the lights. So I have to find another place to mount the lights. Decided to move the Cateye readout over to the right handlebar just off the mirror extention.

I just went around the block yesterday when I decided to go back to the drawing board.

First Report

Hi All,

Well Onyx is now home I have logged about 186 miles on her (160 miles on first trip), she had her first hand washed bath and I have moved her accessories around a bit to suit me better.  She is great.  

She has picked up a small cut  along the way and the stickers are starting to peel. "Already!" How can I fix them and prevent further peeling?  What type of touch up paint should I get for the cut? 

I wish the front fenders were more stable - they move around to much. I am sure a different front fairing would help.  Also how much are those vertical handle bars, trying to figure out how to mount more gadgets? Any suggestions?

Got to go the SUN is out got to RIDE!

Rainy Day

To wet to have any fun.

Re- Calibrated the Cateye

Today I moved the lights on Onyx, yes again! They are now way in front just under the front fairing. I also re-calibrated the Cateye wireless sensor, it was set at 18 inches now set to 20 inches. How did Dennis miss that.  Hope the weather is nice tomorrow.

Finshing up on the tar removal.

Ok, finally got all that tar off Onyx. 

I also moved the mirrors up on top of the steering handles.

Also placed the airzound horn on the left steering handle.

Moved the wireless readout to thre left steering handle.

Moved the lights to the outside of the fairing.

Not sure where to put the hydration bag.

If weather is good tommorow I may ride her and check out my changes.

Broadband cable is out right now using internet sharing with my cell phone, so I will try to get so more pictures up later.

Talked with Jim to today!

Enjoyed talking to Jim for about 50 minutes wish I had more time with him, but I was at the hospital with my Dad. They are keeping him over night, hope to know more tommorow. 

I wish I could spend more time talking to him. The BROL needs a chat mode - just a spot for guys and girls like us - just wanting to share about our riding experiences.

A big red juicy Grapefruit

Out of nowhere I swear... If found lying under the awning of one of those many closed down gas stations. That and a table and chair all for me? It was nice and cool and boy was it juicy. Thanks be to thoses watching over me. that happen on Wednesday, May 6th.

Home in Dadeville...

Thursday, well had SAG pick me up from the last 35 miles - did not want to tangle with the tornado's. I was told there was 5 storms back to back... They lied... well I am here.

So last Monday I started about 6:30am stopped at Subway ordered 6" sub all the way and water to drink. That night I stayed in Atalla, AL. It did start to rain the last 2 miles.  51 miles, found a Best Western to stay at. Boy it was not cheap... Took a shower to warm up. Ordered a small pizza, bread sticks and two drinks. Caught up on text msgs, emails, and calls. Made blog entery, Got some sleep. 

Tuesday up and left by 8:30 am then I peddled  57 miles to a spot called Waldo, AL - Dark just set in so I stayed under the awning of an old gas station, that was Tuesday night.  Cell coverage was poor and battery power down to 27%. It sucks up juice looking for those cell towers. Left msg with Sharon. Had a couple honey buns and a poweraid drink. 

Wednesday, took off after the morning had good light. No signal - almost no power left; by 1:30 pm I made it to Goodwater, the last 2 miles again it poured down rain solid. Not to mention the last 1.5 miles was fresh tar on the both sides of the road. I found a Pig Wiggly store with coke machines outside. So I parked Onyx, and dryed off and changed shirts, the store manager offer coffee which I gladly took to warm up. ate a couple honey buns, peanuts  and drank water as well. Plugged up cell phone and put a 30% on it. No signal, darn. So I plotted my course to Alexander City, AL.  I tried the cell at 13 miles out from Alex city, still no cell service.  Finally got a signal when I stopped out at 3 mile till Alex City. Everyone was looking for me!  Finished the 3 miles in at stopped a Huddle House.  Had a good meal and found a place to stay. Planning to finish the next 35 miles on Thursday.

First leg of the trip.

My first long trip.  5o + miles today heading to Dadeville from Cullman AL  Still have 128 miles to go. Hope I can do it. I am doing it without a SAG vehicle.  Sharon is worried I will have a heart attack.  I hope not.  She is upset with me but still cares about me.  Left early this morning with out really talking to her about. I guess 2 wrongs don't make a  right. The damages to the Camry amount to $750. to repair the spoiler and bumper.  Good night!

Boy I messed up!

Sharon is still full of fury over the damage to her bumper and spoiler.  Rightfully so. I take all the blame. I believed Dennis and others that said there would not be any problems putting my trike on the trunk mounted bicycle rack.  Maybe no one else has had a problem carrying their trike, but we DID.  So I am ready to take Onyx on our first trip to Dadeville.  I need to buy a poncho before I leave.

Riding Progress...

Date Location                 Mileage    Totals 26 miles

2009/05/07 to 2009/05/07   Rest day

2009/05/04 to 2009/05/06  Cullman to Dadeville AL           160                               trip

2009/05/03 to 2009/05/03 Cullman, AL 00 Rained out

2009/05/02 to 2009/o5/02 Cullman, AL                                     10                        Around Cullman

2009/05/01 FL to AL 00 Traveling

2009/04/30 Winter Garden, FL                                                       16 West Orange Trail

Camera mount to low...

All you could see is 2/3 th's of the view was my shoulder and then the sky.  Need to mount the camera about 6 inches higher to get past my shoulder or somewhere in front.

Back track a little

Wednesday, April 29 th, 2009.

Sharon, Momma, and I got up at 5am and hit the road before 6am for the trip to Winter Garden, Florida. Weather was great and the trip as long. We arrive 590 miles later and 15 minutes till the WinterWheels bike shop is to close up. 

David was there I thought he was Dennis (They really look  quite alike), we said our "Hello's" and David pointed out Onyx in the area right in front the the main window of the shop. 

Onyx already had her "cover" on her fairing already for bedding in. I quickly removed it and just could not believe how "Good" Onyx looked in person.  Well I had to just sit in her seat just for a moment before we had to leave for the night. That is when I found out how loud the Airzound horn really is. In a small LBS no less!  She is LOUD! Well I said real quick we got to move that before I try that again.  

About this time Dennis came in (David called Dennis and warned him I was in town) We said our "Hello's again. We talked briefly about the time they had getting Onyx together in the last week prior to our trip down to pick her up.  He even told me about how Mark from Catrike came over earlier in the day and took Onyx out for a ride and put her through her paces - checking her out!

So Onyx got his blessing's.  Well it was time to close up shop and we were all tired. So we said "Goodnight".  

I had reservations for us at the Edgewater Hotel - right next door! Boy was that great. We checked in and checked out the view from the 2nd story of the Hotel.  They have an very old but fully working Otis elevator that took us up and down the trip.  It was still daylight and the Lady's wanted to walk around a bit before bedding down for the night... So about 9:30 we called it a  night and went to sleep. Tomorrow would be a busy day for me while the Lady's took off to enjoy this wonderful part of Florida.

Thursday, April 30 th 2009.

Of course I could not sleep, tossed and turned all night, just waiting for daybreak.  7:30am could not stand it any more just had to get up!  Got dressed and stepped out of the room, while the Lady's made themselves ready for their day. They caught up with me in the dinning area of out "Bed and breakfast" where Katie took our request and served us a breakfast fit for any royalty.

By 9:30am I was next door peeking through the windows at WinterWheels to see if Dennis had made it in early. 

Yep! He motioned me to come in and I was starring at Onyx in a flash. The rest of the day was a blur of excitement. Meet Karen, Dennis's better half while, Dennis checked the fitting of the boom and the fairing, we moved the horn, so I could get in the seat without setting it off.  I picked out shirts and a helmet to match Onyx's color theme with Dennis and Karen attention to detail. Tried on my new sandals for Onyx (a must have). We took off for a test run to make sure everything fit just right.  The fairing started rubbing both knees while I peddled.  So back to the shop. 

It was now working on 1:30pm. Dennis had lunch waiting on him. My Lady's were out and about, and I was getting hungry.  I found a Pizza shop  right across from the LBS and I pick out an Italian sub sandwich with everything. had it cut into three, just in case the Lady's found me. In 15 minutes I had another meal fit for a king. I ate 2/3 th's of the sandwich in 10 minutes guess I was hungry. Paid my bill and put the rest in a box for later. 

By now it was getting to be 2:30pm and I heard that the guys had planned a special trip to the Catrike plant for me. I was told the was something very special and rare. After a quick trip to the plant about 6 miles I guess, I was there at the Mecca of trikes, the Catrike plant. Where just 7 days prior Onyx was custom built just for me. Dennis introduced me to Mark (like 2nd in command),  where he took me through a walk about in the plant briefly describing each station in the process that Onyx took in her creation, meeting and thanking each Catrike team member along the way.  All to soon the tour was over.  Then Mark said that he wanted me to meet Paulo, Wow, you know the main Guy himself. I soon learned that Dennis and Paulo had a friendship that went way back. It was a great meeting, they shared with me a soon to be released secret, if I would not spill the beans... I said of course I would... err... not! Boy does it look cool, great colors and graphics.  Way to go guys!

So we go back to Onyx, Dennis has an idea how to solve the problem with the fairing rubbing my knees plus get me in Onyx easier.  After shortening the derailleur post about a inch or so and re- mounting the fairing. It looked like a job well done.  They even had my GPS and camera mounted. Now I got a chance to hit the West Orange trail on my own. Alright!  After riding a while down the trail I notice the time 4:15 Oh no that is 5:15 here right, well I better start back,  about 15 minutes later going up a "hill" I finally turn around.  After a quick count I realize I have about 6 miles or so to get back.  

Yep! the Lady's are waiting, they had called but I was in another world and did not even noticed that they had called me - wondering if I was hungry - if I was having a good time - if I was ever coming back!  Dennis offer to bed down Onyx for the night and we took off for the night. Tomorrow we would mount the rack on the car and head back to Cullman, Alabama.

In the Doghouse!

Okay back in Culman, Alabama, with Onyx. I am in the doghouse with Sharon right at the moment. I chose to bring back Onyx on a Saris bike rack built for two. She (Onyx) was mounted vertical so not the have she parts laying on the back windshield.  I did put some foam around the rear tire so not to mare the finish on the rear bumper. Dennis did help but I take all the blame. 

Here's the rub - the pressure and weight of Onyx pushed against that one spot and pressed a dent into the rear bumper. I did push most of it back out but still there is a still slight dent. I hope and pray when the hot sun cames back out (raining right now) it will finish smoothing the bumper back out.  There is nothing like, not having the prettiest woman in the whole world not talking to you! 

I think I know how to solve that problem, if Sharon lets me put the rack back on the trunk.  I will use a large 4 or 6 inch pvc pipe cut in half and about 2 feet in lenght to lie against the bumper to distribute the pressure ans weight across the bumper.  I would cut 2 holes in the pvc - just far enough to mount the rear tire of Onyx between them and strap the tire to the pvc.  

NEWS FLASH - I have messed up the finish on the rear edge of the spoiler, at this rate I will NEVER get out of the Doghouse!