Accessories Part 2 - the GPS

Next I would want to add a GPS system - thats got to be nothing but a GARMIN system.  Wherever you go, you can bring it on with the Garmin Edge 705 navigating trainer. Edge 705 pushes you to do your best, then shows you the way back. This GPS-enabled cycle computer knows no limits. Get heart rate, cadence, turn-by-turn directions, power data (from ANT + Sport-enabled third-party power meters) - the works. Even share your data with other Edge 705 buddies after your ride. All wireless with a color display, this is no ordinary cycle computer.

Navigate Your Ride

Lose yourself in the ride without losing your way. Edge 705 comes with a built-in basemap, plus it has a microSD card slot for adding map detail and storing workout data (excludes history). Just plug in detailed MapSource City Navigator street maps on a preloaded data card from Tiger GPS and get turn-by-turn directions on a sunlight-readable, color display as you pedal. Add optional topo mapping for your off-road adventures. Edge snaps easily into the included bike mount to guide you to your destination.

Not sure what maps you need? Check out our Garmin Software Guide (click here).

Get the Data You Need

Available in 3 versions (see below), Edge 705 comes bundled with different accessories to keep you on top of your ride. Edge 705 automatically measures your speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, and records this data for your review. For extra-precise climb and descent data, Edge also incorporates a barometric altimeter to pinpoint changes in elevation. It features a high-sensitivity receiver that holds a signal under trees and near tall buildings, and comes with a click stick for easy screen navigation.

See Your Power

Edge 705 works with third-party ANT + Sport-enabled power meters (coming soon) to display your power output in watts as you ride. This valuable data shows you how hard you're working, regardless of conditions affecting your ride, so you can train smarter. Get a competitive advantage by viewing power output along with Edge data all on the same display and storing this information to analyze your workout.

Measure Heart Rate and Cadence

Garmin's innovative ANT + Sport wireless technology means you get heart rate and speed/cadence data with no strings attached. All versions of Edge 705 include a wireless heart rate monitor to measure your heart rate and track your heart rate zone. Some packages also include a speed/cadence sensor to monitor your pedaling cadence and wheel speed as you ride. You can even use it to train indoors because the sensor attaches to your rear wheel.

Swap Rides Wirelessly

With Edge 705 you can share your courses, workouts and saved rides wirelessly with other Edge 705 users. Now you can prove that 20-mile uphill climb with a 2000-foot elevation gain. Better yet, send it to your buddy to ride. Sharing data is easy. Just select "Transfer Data" to send your information to other Edge 705 units within a 3-meter range.

Share, Store and Analyze

You rode hard and now you want to store and analyze your workout. With a simple connection to your computer, you can join a worldwide network of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts through Garmin Connect - the new, one-stop site for data analysis and sharing. Also upload to optionalGarmin Training Center software for further analysis.

The other one is theGarmin model 60 CXS Handheld Navagator.   The Garmin 60CS just got a whole lot better. The 7.5-ounce GPSMap 60CSx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons. Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 64 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Add all that to the 60CSx's integrated barometric altimeter and electronic compass, and you've got a unit that is ready to take you anywhere on land or sea.

The 60CSx is a refreshing upgrade of the 60CS, and features a removable microSD card for detailed mapping memory.

The device features the powerful SiRF GPS navigation chip for supreme accuracy in all conditions. You also get an electronic compass and a barometric altimeter.

You also get a large color TFT display and turn-by-turn routing capability.

You can use the60CSx's memory card slot with preprogrammed microSD cards from Garmin (sold separately) that provide topographic maps, city streets, and nautical charts. In fact, the unit is compatible with most Garmin MapSource products including BlueChart, City Navigator, U.S. Topo 24K, and U.S. Topo and Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots. The unit comes preloaded with an Americas autoroute basemap that provides automatic routing capabilities including highways, exits, and tide data. There's also a preloaded marine point database. You can even get turn-by-turn directions when you're driving, and an integrated trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more.

The 60CSx's 2.6-inch, 256-color TFT color display is designed to present mapping and trip information clearly and accurately in any lighting conditions. Plus, the case is lightweight, rugged, and water resistant to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards (can be submerged in one meter of water for 30 minutes). When using two AA alkaline batteries, you'll get up to 20 hours of battery life from the unit. The unit's barometric altimeter system features automatic pressure trend recording while providing current elevation, ascent/descent rate, minimum/maximum elevation, total ascent and descent, and average and maximum ascent and descent rate. Meanwhile, the electronic compass allows you to get accurate headings while standing still.

Another key feature of the 60CSx is the 10,000 point automatic track log; 20 saved tracks (500 points each) let you retrace your path in both directions. There's also a large-numbers option for easy viewing, as well as a dual-position display mode.

The 60CSx's trip computer provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. Meanwhile, a fast processor allows the 60CSx to provide quick auto-routing, turn-by-turn directions, and audio alerts when you use the optional MapSource software, which can be stored on the unit's included 64 MB microSD card. Downloading information is quick with the USB or serial port interfaces. Using the dedicated serial port, the 60Cx can share navigation instructions with repeaters, plotters, and autopilots. The four-position rocker pad and dedicated high-use buttons make navigating through the unit's features easy, even when your fingers are cold or wet.

Finally, the GPSMap 60CSx is packed with some extra fun features. An integrated outdoor calendar provides ideal hunting and fishing times, plus moon rise/set/location information. There is a dedicated geocaching mode for those of you into the hot GPS community treasure hunt game. Finally, there are indoor/outdoor GPS games to help you and your friends enjoy the outdoors.

Accessories Part 1

Now as I said earlier the base model of the my Trike "Onyx" is harder to choose than the optional accessories that I want to put on her. I am hoping that once I am physically at the dealership I can touch and feel and see which model to choose.

If I do not change my mind (which of course is possible) I have been looking at adding a fairing to "Onyx".   It is the Mueller Windwrap GX Fairing with a Classic Swing Forward Mount.  It is showed below.

The only reason I would want to change out the fairing is the one called "Aergo" a velomobile shell that is being designed to Catrikes, by a company called RBR. They have set out with the goal to create a velomobile for the commuter and the more casual rider, a velomobile that would fit the trike one already owns. I would of course have to repaint the shell "Black" and I am not sure which model of the Catrikes would the able to use the shell. The sized of the wheels has a big parts on choosing the base model of the Catrike. I am currently leaning towards 26" rear wheel and two 16" front wheels.  That pretty much places the "Onyx" in the "Expedition" model since the frame is designed for that that size wheel.  I could take a small step up to the "700" model which uses a "700" size wheel (somewhere around 28" or 29" wheel, I think).  If I was to choose a 20" rear wheel then the "Speed" or Road" model could be used.  The "Speed" already has the 16" wheels in the front as well as the "700" model.  So that would be my choices the the wheels.  I understand the "700" model sits very low on the ground, possible road bump problems. So I would think I would still lean towards the "Expedition" with 16" wheels . 

While I am thinking about the wheels the disc brakes are mounted on them, I could only go with the top of the line hydralic brakes, spending this kinda money on a HPV you want to be able to stop on a dime. So I have coosen the Avid Juicy 7 Hydraulic Disc Brake Set.

                                                  

 I am sure the standard brakes would work fine but I would rather put safety first. There is also unique disc brake rotors that you can add to "Onyx" that would set her apart from most Catrikes. They are known as Dirty Dog Custom Rotor Brakes.

They comes in different designs, Aliens, Skull, Bone Burner, Gecko, Dragon, and Tadpole.  I think the Tadpole design is a nice idea, due to the fact that "Onyx" is a Tadpole Recumbent Trike design.  What do you think? 

The Name "Onyx"

I have always loved the PBY Catalina's especially the "Black Cat"s of WWII. So I said 'Wow" now I could have my own Black Cat in the style of a Catrike. This was about the same time I started to see pictures of  Jim's 'Silk" and also Ashley Guy has a modified Edge that looks almost as sweet. I knew then that my black cat "Onyx" would be born soon.  

Onyx is a special stone, black being more so.  It has healing ability: Onix is used as a heart, kidney, nerve, capillary, hair, eye and nail strengthener. Onyx is said to help one sleep. This gemstone helps to eliminate apathy, stress and neurological disorders. 

It is known to have mystical power: This gemstone eliminates negative thinking, it is also believed to sharpen the wits of the wearer. Onyx is said to bring spiritual inspiration. It is a great assistance in holding emotions and passions under control. Black Onyx is used to help one change habits. 

So "Onyx" will be used to change my way of life and health.

The Research

So as I was researching I found a company that produce a line of trikes know as TerraTrikes. They were interesting they offered several models priced from $999 and up. I soon found a TerraTrike Dealer out of Spanish Fork, Utah, known as Utahtrikes.com They offered more options and customized TerraTrikes. I soon picked out the Commuter model - one of elegance and beauty. 

Shortly afterwards I found a place that would let test drive a TerraTrike. So I went to Atlanta, GA, after emailing and confirming when to be there to check out the trike.  I was shortly disappointed to discover, "yes" they had a model of the TerraTrike, but it had not been finished being put together.  But they did have another brand of trike, called Catrike, with a model  called the Trail and another called the Pocket. They said the Pocket was designed for much shorter people (I'm 5'10"). So they offered me and chance to ride the Trail. They had a community trail right there setup for biking, walking and triking, so I rode up and down the trail for a while.  I  enjoyed it for the most part except for some problems that I would later find out could be solved.  So I was now really hooked! Best of all no PAIN.

Later I stumbled across a website called " 'Bentrider Online Forum ". Now my learning experience had just to begin. Soon made friends with people all over the world, some fairly close, barely 5 or 6 hours away.

Repeatly I found people sending private messages begging me to reconsider my choice of TerraTrikes. Apparently all was not well in the world of TerraTrike. 

I opened up my mind to other potential trikes - discovering well over 50 different models all over the world.  Somewhere along the way, I discover that TerraTrikes were not made in the USA, which I had believed to be the case. Only the "upper-end"  models were built in the USA. The other were built else where to keep cost down. 

Shortly after this I discovered that Utahtrikes.com now started dealing in several other brands of Trike. Wholly Cow - Batman this was great news.  I soon learned that Catrike's were built in Florida, USA. Wow. Their frames were more robust and solid, the seat was built into the frame and each model offered a different inclination to the angle of the seat.  NOW I was sold on Catrikes. There were 7 different model to choose from. More to learn and understand the differance bewteen them, the advantages and dis-advantages was my next learning phase.

The Waiting

Feels like I am waiting for another child to come into this world. 

I have been wanting a recumbent tadpole trike for a long time now.  The desire became more apparent to me shortly after I was injured late of 2007.  I was placed on disability while on therapy for my right shoulder.  While I was on disability I thought I could ride a bike and try to enjoy my abundance of time off. I soon realize that my shoulder would/could not allow me to ride a regular diamond frame bike, the pain was to great to enjoy the ride.  So I started researching and discovered that people with similar injuries had found that riding recumbent trikes would not pose problems to thier upper body injuries.  Since I have had an interest in recumbent tadpole trikes for sometime, I felt I sense of renewed interest and joy.  

As I keep researching the various model that were now on the market, I was hit with bad news. My Doctor placed me on MMI (Maxium Medical Improvement) and in the state in Alabama Workmen's Comp. can stop all disability payments to the paitent. Of course my Doctor suggested to get a Lawyer. That was July of 2008. It is now January of 2009 and I am still waiting on a form of income.