What a beautiful night...

I love Night Trikking. I was out for an hour and a half this morning, but by 12:30 pm it was getting hot outside. I went out again from 10 to 11 pm this evening and it was absolutely beautiful. It was much cooler and I could stargaze if I wanted to. There were a few white clouds passing overhead which were very pretty to look at in the moonlight. As usual, there were very few moving cars to think about and the couple I did share the road with had their headlights on so were very easy to spot and accomodate for long before they were anywhere near me.

Trikking with the air wheels on the rear is quite different than the poly wheels. With the polys, I always could hear a swoosh swoosh and rattle rattle as I went down the street. With the air wheels on, it is so quiet. It's like having a stealth Trikke. The air wheels of course go right over the surface imperfections like rocks and sticks and cracks that caused the poly wheels trouble. That is very nice. I can also get more momentum going so that I can go uphill easier. I think that I was just being cheap by running the poly wheels down to the nub. In retrospect, I think the front wheel should be replaced as soon as there is cord showing and the poly wheels should be replaced when they are about half worn (you could rotate them to get a little extra usage). Of course you might do what Pete did and just replace the poly wheels when you realize that the terrain you are rolling over is too rough to not have the air wheels. One thing about riding on the road in Trikke Heaven, it is pretty flat and has few significant imperfections in it's surface. Now the new path in the park (which will probably be finished this week) is smooth and wide and much nicer to ride on so I ride less on the road (except for Night Trikking because of the street lights on the road).

Brake issue...

It turned out that while adjusting the brake cable after I moved the brake mechanism to accomodate the 8 " wheels, two of the wire strands in the cable broke which was followed by more breaking. This resulted in wires rubbing on the tire (which I couldn't have) so I had to remove the brake assembly on that side. What a pain. I don't feel that I did anything wrong when I was adjusting the cable tension and the cable was lying in the channel like it was supposed to. Two of the strands just broke which started the breakdown of the cable. I've only had my Trikke for about 5 months so I am unhappy with this. I wonder if it's under warrenty. I'll have to check. Anyway, perhaps this is another reason to go for the T-8 rather than the T-78cs as you wouldn't have to change the brake setup and risk a cable breaking.

Be that as it may, I am back on my Trikke and having a great time. I met another Trikker named Pete. Hi Pete. He got his Trikke last Thanksgiving and apparently has a number of regular paths that he likes to go to (including my neighborhood). It's nice to see another Trikker out there.

Changing from 7" poly wheels to air tires...

The tires finally came today and I switched the new wheels onto my Trikke. When I was putting the new 8 1/2 " wheels on, I thought the hardest part was moving the brake setup. Before you start, you should loosen the brake cable to take the tension off of the brake. You have to move the springs to the last little hole and then thread the bolt through the springs and through the last big holes in the frame. The bolt goes through the big hole and the end of the spring goes through the little hole next to it. After I got the wheels on, I went out and had them inflated to 80 psi as recommended. I then came home and went Trikking. By this time I had gone into Trikke withdrawal. After checking out the new path in the park, I have to report that I am very happy with the new paved path. It is about 60% finished to Duke St. I imagine that the work will be finished soon and then I'll have more than 1/2 mile to ride on with a lot of ups and downs which I have to say makes it a little more interesting and challenging.

I am having trouble with the brake adjustment though. I get it set and the wheels are spinning freely but if I apply the brakes a couple of times, it isn't adjusted properly anymore and the brakes drag. I'll readjust it in the morning and tighten them down really well. The brake cable must be slipping a little.

The waiting is killing me...

After my last post I went out Trikking and soon felt a bump bump under my right foot. I stopped and looked and found that the right rear tire had worn completely out and separated. I haven't been able to get on my Trikke since monday morning and it is driving me crazy! The new air wheels are supposed to come tomorrow. In the meantime, they are continuing to make a new, wide path across the street in the park that I am just itching to try out.

As far as the T-78cs and how it has worked out for me, I am very happy. I wonder if Trikke recommends the T-78 as the model to learn on just as a marketing strategy to keep the price at $250 rather than $300. It probably worked with me. Once you are hooked on Trikking to the point that you miss being on the Trikke, you are very willing to pony up the additional $50. After you have upgraded to the air wheels, replacing those wheels is less than $9 each. I'll probably go through a set of wheels several times a year. What fun I'll have in the process! And I will have gotten the Trikke body I want to create.

Changing a tire...

I said in an earlier post that it would be like changing a bike tire, but that wasn't really true. Because of the smaller size, the 8 1/2 " Trikke tire is thicker and less flexible than a bike tire. Consequently, it is harder to get over the rim of the wheel. Trikke sells plastic paddles for helping change tires. While I was able to make do with other implements I think I will order a set of these (less than $10) when I order my next tire.

I overestimated how long I could make the T-78cs hard rubber tires last. I'm beginning to think that I won't have the few weeks more of usage that I thought I had. I also am curious what the air tires on the back will be like. Once the new tire was on the front, I wanted to have new air tires on the back. Once I have upgraded to the air tires I will only have to replace tires as needed (less than $9 per tire). I still don't know how many miles one can expect to get from a Trikke tire.

I think I will order the air tires for the back wheels tonight. I'll probably get delivery by Friday.

Finally...

Finally, the new tire came for the front wheel. I ordered it on a Thursday and it arrived on the next Friday. Even then I rode the Trikke on Friday and then again this morning (keeping a watch on the amount of cord I could see). Finally, I am going to change the tire before I go out again. I've already lubricated the bolts to remove the wheel. From there on, it's just like changing a bike tire, only smaller. When you do this yourself, don't forget to keep track of the spacers holding the tire in place. Also, there is a correct direction to have the tread facing. Look for the word DRIVE and the arrow indicating the correct direction of spin.

Finally, I am beginning to see the Trikke body that I'm sculpting. There is greater definition and less fat covering the musculature. I've always had at least a six pack but it was obscured by an ever-thickening layer of fat. I'm now doing a different kind of "carving" that is somewhat akin to the carving that you might do on a Thanksgiving turkey or when whittling wood. (Too much alliteration?) :)

Only in heaven...

You expect things to be great in heaven. But in heaven things can get even better.

I've been wondering what was going on in the park for the last week or so. They seemed to be digging along the length of the jogging/bike path. While Trikking this morning, I stopped and asked the workers if they were widening the path. Indeed they are. The path in the park is now going to be 10 ft. wide and it will run from the west end of the park (where I usually turn around and head back towards my house) all the way to Duke St. This will be a newly-surfaced path 10 ft. wide by 1/2 of a mile or more long. And right outside my front door. Only in Trikke Heaven.

I see cord under the rubber...

This is not a good sign. I hope the tire gets here today. As for now, I am going to watch the tire very closely and change the way I am Trikking. I'm going to take it easier and not go for speed. I don't want to wear through and nick the tube. Then I have to replace the tube too, or at least fix it. When I went out today, I worked a lot of slower, wider moves (one of the joys of living in Trikke Heaven). I also didn't work the front wheel nearly as much as I did the rear wheels. By focusing on the action of my legs and shifting my center of gravity more to the rear, I take stress off the front wheel and get a good leg workout in the process. Caution, when you shift your weight more to the rear, don't let the front wheel leave the ground. That destabilizes your weight and can cause you to begin to fall backwards. That's one of the first things I noticed when I started Trikking.

In working your legs, you should be aware of your weight distribution when you let your weight sink into your foot, through the platforms under your feet and on to the wheels. As you apply force to the front part of your foot, you can feel it in your thighs. As your weight sinks into the heel, you can feel it more in your calf muscles. Also, when I let the weight sink into my heels I can feel the effects in my abs too, specifically the ab muscles on the sides ( the internal obliques and the TVA or transverse abdominis). It's the flow back and forth that helps you roll down the road and get a great leg and ab workout to boot. Again, the rhythm and balance come into play.

How do you make it go?

I get that a lot. To actually make it start going, I suggest that "newbies" just kick off once or twice. Or you can use either method a) punch the handlebars back and forth or method b) brake and then shift your body weight forward suddenly and release the brakes. Either way begins the forward roll. Usually I say that once you get it going, it relies on Conservation of Lateral Momentum. That's straight out of the DVD that comes with the Trikke. When you "punch" one side of the handlebar you form an arc with the front wheel to the opposite side. You then go back and forth first one side then the other building momentum as you go. When you throw in the action of the legs, your lower body is performing an action very much like skating. It's when you put the lower body and upper body together that you hit the Trikke "sweet spot" ( the place where everything just flows). Trikke says lean (and that's true), but it's in the rhythmic back and forth leaning motion that you hit and maintain a pace. Trikking is following a beat with your whole body using the Trikke to carry you along and keep the beat. I sometimes think about a piece of music and then try to make my movements fall into the rhythm of the song. The process of staying on the beat helps you build speed and fluidity of motion. The more forward momentum you build, the less energy is required to keep you going at that pace.

I wonder if Trikking makes people better dancers. That would be cool.

Trikking gives you time to think...

I do not recommend Trikking while listening to music. I realize that some people really like to roll along listening to music but, frankly, I think it's unsafe. If you are Trikking on a path, you need to hear people calling out to you. "On your left" or "Watch out!" would be good to hear when you need to hear it. A simple "Hi" is nice too. When I am Trikking on the street, it is essential to hear cars behind me so I don't listen to music when on the Trikke. A byproduct is that it gives me time to think. I also notice my neighbors and exchange greetings. I help build community in the process.

Today I was thinking about how Trikking is like life in general in that it is about rhythm, balance and knowing when to change up. When you find a rhythm you can build momentum by keeping the rhythm going and, after a bit, increasing the pace and then maintaining that new level. That works in Trikking as in daily life.

Everything should be in balance, whether you're talking about your body position on the Trikke or anything else in your life. You have to balance your needs with others' on bike paths or negotiating passing cars or in your interpersonal relationships. You have to balance using upper body with lower body and how much time you spend on each. When you find that balance, your core is getting a good workout. You are in the Trikke "sweet spot".

Life is about changes and you will find that the road in front of you will require you to adjust as you go along. Knowing when to change the rhythm can save you in the end. I am a definite believer in "when it hurts, stop what you are doing". When I feel a twinge in my body that just doesn't feel right, I listen to it and either change pace or take it easy and head for home. I can always get back out there later and pick it up again.

One plus about Trikke Heaven is that I know the surface I am rolling on pretty well. There are only a couple of spots that could cause me trouble if I am not careful. Also, when I run over a rock or stick I usually stop and kick it out of the way. I have tried steering around them a couple of times and that can work, but why not just stop a minute and remove the obstacle? As in life, removing small obstacles that you know about and can predict just makes sense. Things work better that way.

Community Building

I went out Trikking at 8 in the evening. This was after my earlier post musing whether I might be overdoing it. I'm enjoying Trikking so much that I went out anyway and, of course, it was fine. I certainly feel like I got a good workout today.

My point about community building is based on my experience in Trikke Heaven. I found as I went Trikking up and down my street that I met or met again a number of my neighbors. I was down at the other end of the street tonight when a little boy that I have talked to before said, "Hi, Mr. (pause) Scooter". I called back, "It's David". And another connection was made.

Anything that helps build a sense of community in a neighborhood is very welcome wherever you live. I hope to see my neighbors out on Trikkes soon. I've had many people say that they were very interested in getting one.

Can you get too much of a good thing?

Since Trikking is really a whole body exercise, I find myself asking the question "can I do it too much?" When I was Trikking today I was focusing on what muscles or muscle-groups I'm working when I Trikke. I feel I work the triceps, shoulder, chest and back muscles more than the biceps. I have found muscles in my forearms that I didn't know I had. I feel it works all the leg muscles. Then, when I get it just right and get the upper and lower body working together, I can really feel it in my core as the action flows back and forth. It's a great ab workout.

When I do resistance training at the gym, I usually alternate between upper body workout one day and then lower body work on the next day. That way, you give your body a chance to rest between workouts. On the Trikke, I can change up my emphasis a little between upper and lower body, but it's not the same as when lifting. You really can't rest without giving Trikking a rest.

Is a couple of hours a day too much?

Great leg workout...

One thing that I can get in Trikke Heaven that is difficult to find on bike and jogging trails is the freedom to swing wide in my side to side movements. On a bike/jogging trail, you have to worry about sharing the path with all the other people. Even when you have the path to yourself, it really isn't that wide so you can't take full advantage of the accretion of the burn in your leg muscles that you can get with really wide side to side movements. It's like slow lifting of weights to increase your burn and build up to 50% more muscle mass. I really feel it in my legs when I swing wide (which I can easily do with two full car lanes to work with). While you can only build one or two pounds of muscle a month, putting on 3 lbs. of muscle burns an extra 9000 calories a month or an extra 100 calories per pound of muscle per day. All that adds up.

"That looks like a lot of fun!"

How many times have I heard that? In phrasing an answer to that I have gone through some changes over the months. Part of the thinking has been to examine exactly why I Trikke. For me, it is exercise pure and simple. Perhaps that is because staying primarily in Trikke Heaven I find Trikking to be, so far, a solitary activity. I have seen one kid with a Trikke and heard about one other adult on a Trikke in my neighborhood. Also, I am not looking to use the Trikke for meeting other people, dating, playing group Trikke games, etc. I work out on my Trikke. I have yet to find another piece of outdoor exercise equipment that is total body and non-impact like the Trikke. Originally, I would respond that I didn't know if I would call it fun, but I could definitely say that it was a good workout. Now that my endurance, form and physical shape have improved, it is less work (unless I push it, which I often do) and more fun. So now I respond that it is a lot of fun (in addition to being a great total body, non-impact workout).

Oh, I did order a new front tire for my T-78cs. It is part TR-003 and Trikke sells them for $8.92 with $5.63 for shipping bringing it to $14.55. That is an acceptable cost for the tire. If I have to buy a new one a couple of times a year, so be it. I think it is excellent testimony for the Trikke that someone would use it so much that the tires wear out. That's a lot of use. I figure that I will buy the inflatible tires for the rear in a couple of months.

Tempo...

As I was Trikking in Trike Heaven this morning, I was thinking about how I vary the pace as I go down the road. As in lovemaking and music, changing pace makes things more interesting. I usually make the first half-mile or so more of a warm up and then pick up the pace for a couple of miles. Then I like to change it up a bit and work more from side to side and maybe switch from upper body to lower body and then finally I feel it in my core as I put it all together. Hmmm. It does have a lot of parallels to lovemaking. :)

What about the front wheel?

I understand that if you bought the T-78 cs (which I did as they recommend that model for beginners), you are probably going to want to replace the 7 inch hard rubber tires with the 8.5 inch inflatibles at some time. I am wearing the 7 inch tires out. Although I have rotated the tires and so bought more time with those wheels, I will have to replace them within the next few months (at a cost of a little less than $50 for the inflatibles). I now wonder about the front tire. I e-mailed Trikke tonight and posed the question as I found the pair of inflatibles on their web site, but didn't see a single wheel for replacing the front tire. They recommended keeping a spare tube (and I see they sell plastic paddles for helping to change the tube) but I can't be the only one who has ever been concerned about wearing out the front tire. It's a testament to my use of the Trikke that I am wearing out tires! I'll see what Trikke has to say.