Fair Warning to 25k'ers

General
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Who am I kidding? I really just need to advertise the intent, in order to provide a little extra motivation. In spite of the spinal procedures of late, I’m still eyeballing a likely improvement over the current 25k time (break it while you have the chance!), even though I limp a lot worse for a week after every unibike ride. Everything but the back and left leg continues to get stronger thanks to my new exercise machine. Possibly strong enough to carry the dead weight?? Stay tuned!

I’ll try to get a photo of this stamina builder into the gallery before long. I even have Tommy’s approval on this one.

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Great to se that you are back in the saddle again!

Tommy

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Re: Fair Warning to 25k’ers

Jeff,

When you first came to the board and saw pictures of you riding your uni bike, especially over the distances you ride,I was really impressed, didn’t know it could be done. Now, despite your discomfort and difficulty riding through the healing process, your still riding. My hat is off to you and I am doubly impressed. You go guy!!! Keep it up!

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Thanks guys.

But I must recant my previous message. Assumptions can sometimes be a problem. Like, I assumed that after five years of on and off usage of the ‘bike only’ lane at Audubon Park in New Orleans, I would still have a place to ride. Not so. Chalk it up to another clown (actually ranger this time) that doesn’t understand the level of control that is attainable. Standard issue “If I can’t do it, it must be too dangerous, so let’s call it illegal.” This is why I had to stop riding street bikes – tickets, heavy fines, court appearances (mandatory for reckless driving), and a night in jail.

This account of my day is not a good example for children. Gilby, you are more than welcome to kill the thread if you see fit, but it’s a story worth telling for those who are fighting the same problem of nowhere to ride. At 44 years old, I still have a problem with authority, when somebody has absolutely no business interrupting what I am focused on.

The first time I was told to “put that wheel down”, I thought it was just another uni comment, which I have heard before from many rangers over the years at Audubon, and other parks around the country. A few laps later, now about 20k and 45 minutes into the ride, I heard it again. It sounded a little more stern this time. Hmm, I thought. Bicycle only lane? speed limit 20? (I’m doin’ about 16); I’ve circled the park about 10 times; the ranger in question (as well as a few others) has seen at least 5 of these laps; (you would have to consider that I just might be in control); she’s gotta be jokin’, I thought. I continued on once again.

The next time around, oh so close to 25k, the ranger was standing in the middle of the bike lane, hand out, yelling “STOP!” followed by some nawlins jabber that sounded sorta like ‘yuh unda west’. Carelessly reverting to my childhood days, I continued on as you would to avoid a dog (no pun intended), aiming closely enough at the subject to cause it to step back a bit, and then steering away at the last second. This is when she reached for my handlebar. I came to my senses quickly, realizing that if a ranger is willing to crash me out at 15 mph, it must be serious, and this wouldn’t be a comical $10 or $15 ticket like a got years ago for reckless driving on the unibike. I continued on, still on one wheel, so as not to provide her with the satisfaction of stopping me, but after a quarter mile or so, with the sound of a vehicle driving up behind me, I calmly steered toward a closed gate with a small trail beside it, controllably slowed to a dead stop and put my foot down while the front wheel was still in the air. After meandering down the trail at a calm pace, I disappeared into the neighborhood, stashed the unibike (a benefit of riding old junk that doesn’t appear to be worth stealing), and jogged back, mingling with the pedestrians, to get the vehicle. I had no wish for an argument at the time, since I was in the dark concerning the power that park rangers have. Does anybody have the facts? I’ve been told that they have the same power as a cop. Looked kinda like a rent-a-cop at Wal-Mart to me, hence my persistent resistance. I’m undecided as to whether or not to write a letter of complaint to the parks commission. If the rangers do have cop type power, I might just be uh….uh, a fugitive from the law!

No more 25k track. Must be an omen. I hear there’s a nice track in Austin, and I know there’s a good one in Denver, with skiing close by. I may have to consider the priorities. I must have a good place to ride, and good motocross riding as well. My new exercise machine is actually a YZ450 motocross bike. I think I’m continuing to grow younger as I continue to grow older.

I had problems downloading the required file for uploading a picture to the gallery, so it might be a while before I can get a picture in there. As I mentioned to Tommy, it has two wheels (as the unibike does these days), but I spend my fair share of time on the rear one (at least when both of them are not in the air), so maybe I can get by with it.

I think I have attached a photo (maybe twice, but I couldn’t verify it), which includes one of my many practice track acquaintances. There is a lot of rarely seen wildlife out there in the swamp, as well as park rangers that actually help out when you need it.

Cheers, and don’t let them run you out without a fight!

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Let’s try again for photo.

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Hey, it works now. But why is it so huge? Let’s try again.

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Ahh, one picture at a time is it.

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The time was bound to come. I think this is it!

I always look for options to turn a bad thing into a good thing.

I shouldn’t be pushing for high speed right now anyway. I’m in serious pain today (from my lower back all the way to my foot) from the 55-minute ride yesterday. Yes, it was worth the pain if that’s the only choice, but let’s sit back, re-think things, and make the best of a bad situation. Since I’ve been thrown out of my riding area, why not use the time while I have no place for high speed long distance riding, to re-train myself to a sorely needed new unibike! Now there’s a plan that’s long overdue!

This is the lightbulb that wouldn’t turn off today:

Special order a new toy with all of the best components to suit my picky taste, put in the time to get used to it while I’m in bad shape and need to take it easy anyway, and by the time I’m healed up and ready to rock, I’ll be accustomed to a lighter, stronger, full suspension (if I can find a very stiff rear suspension setup), brand new unibike with all of the best components, that will suit my needs for unibiking AND that will take the beating of mountain biking/bmx’ing! Hey, I can clear a bike out of the garage! The biggest concern is the quality of the new index shifters. I’ll have to check the past threads. I think John Childs mentioned a Rapid Rise system, which I haven’t gotten around to testing yet.

Maybe that rent-a-cop did me a favor.

Does anybody know of a good internet source for something like this? I’d like to pick and choose the ideal combination late at night when I have the free time (standard 12 to 2am surfing - I doubt if any shops are interested in me browsing at this hour). I expect to be hearing from John Childs, who has already provided much useful information in the past.

In addition to having nowhere to ride, this idea was prompted in part by the extreme improvement in the fun factor of this new motocross bike, as compared to the bikes that were available when I was racing, which by the way, a comeback is being considered. The main reason for giving it up was the waste of a whole day to ride four 15-minute motos (there were only two classes that I could run in one day). Not that I have a need to win, or space for any more trophies; I just enjoy the battling with other riders, whether it’s for 1st place or 20th. At my age, there are 5 or 6 different classes that I can compete in (but I’ll start with only 2 or 3), and I’m in better shape than when I was 20 (except uh, that spine thingy, which continues to force my good side to get stronger by itself). On a good, challenging practice track which I currently have access to, I burn up a full tank of gas on nearly every ride, which on this 450 only lasts 45 to 50 minutes (yes - in Louisiana - in July), and that time continues to get shorter as I’m coming up to speed. I’m currently searching for a suitable high volume tank. There’s nothing like fun exercise.

Miraculously, this thing is much easier on my back than running, walking, pedaling, or even sitting in a chair, since when I’m standing, my torso is supported by my arms, and whether I’m sitting or standing, my back is in constant motion. With a little extra focus on the balance, I am easily able to absorb 95% of the impact forces with my arms and the bike’s suspension. My back is just along for the free ride! Physical therapists take note! This is super fun rehabilitation.

The goal after healing? In addition to a return to the motocross scene, if I could take the liberty of borrowing a headline from Greg Harper, and slightly modify it, it would read 50-B4-50. A 50-minute, 15-mile TT, before I reach 50; a challenge that will keep me motivated to improve for more than 5 years. Going out on a limb, considering last year’s 56:09 on a 30-pound tank (I was hurting like hell after that one too), with a lighter ride, I think it’s doable.

Of course, any sponsorship ideas are welcomed, but not necessary. I’ve never promoted any products, but it might be a thought. I do seem to attract very close to 100% of the attention of everyone within seeing distance, whether on the unibike or on a motocross track.

Any thoughts?

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On a side note, this is a shot (if the photo gods are working this morning) of the gecko who came to visit while I was typing the previous post. You can’t keep them out.

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I guess they’re asleep, which I should be.

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Your best bet is to go to a couple of good bike shops and ask them about what kind of bike and what kind of components would work best. Internet sites are not very useful for that kind of research and information. There is a lot of bad information about bikes and reviews on the internet. A good bike shop will have current and up to date info about parts and they can help determine what will likely work and what won’t for your needs.

Finding a good rear suspension bike for wheelie riding is going to take some research. Not all rear suspension designs are good for wheelies. In addition to the suspension design there is also the issue of chainstay length. Rear suspension bikes usually have longer chainstays because they need the extra room for the suspension movement and suspension parts. Bikes with longer chainstays are generally more difficult to lift the front wheel off the ground. Maybe using a Thudbuster seatpost instead of a rear suspension bike would work better. There’s lots of variables to consider.

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Maybe a group of giraffe unicycle riders in your area can organize a group ride around that park just to see if the park patrol or rangers try to kick the giraffes off the trail. :slight_smile:

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Thanks again John. Pulling the wheel up is not a problem. I’m used to the healthy yank that’s required to get my sherman tank off the ground. The problem I need to avoid is the rear end sag that comes with strong pedaling (if my left leg ever gets strong again). Here’s another attempt at the photo of my visitor a few hours ago. The first time I saw this guy he was peeking over the top of my monitor. He didn’t seem to be bothered by my presence. I thought I had him on camera. But the pre-flash spooked him and he darted away probably a milli-second before the camera provided me with a beautiful shot of the monitor but no gecko.

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Oh well.

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Presto! Third time’s a charm. Gotta love computers.

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Cambria Bike occasionally has really good deals on frames and components. www.cambriabike.com I picked up a pair of Kookas for $59.

We’d love to have you in Denver!

Do you have stock gearing on your other wheelie machine? Here’s mine:

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New Unibike Progress

The Rapid Rise sounded interesting at the time, John, but for some idiotic reason, I let an LBS dampen the interest when they (very knowledgably sounding) explained that it would not do what I needed. Six months later, I still haven’t found one to test, to the delight of my lower back. I don’t think there’s a high-end mountain b*ke dealer in the whole damned state of Louisiana (‘pay first and we’ll order it’ is the standard line). However, I recently talked with an LBS that I previously frequented (a shop that knows what they’re talkin’ about). I’m now convinced it’ll work. Thanks again for the steering. You’d better be right! :wink: If it doesn’t work, I’ll have a $3000 top-of-the-line unibike replacement, with 20-year-old friction shifters! :astonished: That’ll look classy, but it will still be a much needed improvement.

The decision is almost complete, but the purchase will have to wait until after the b*ke show in Vegas (also to the delight of my lower back), to see what other options I might find. Apparently there’s a new style rear shock coming out that’ll do the same work with less than half of the air pressure - more reliability!

I think I’ve narrowed it down to three choices, in the $3000 price range. No mention of a discount yet. Maybe I’ll get a break if I save the factory the trouble of putting their decals on it, which (like the current unibike, and the $6000 motocross bike) will be removed anyway, if I pay full price for it. No free advertising! Except for Gilby, of course; he’s providing a great service here for everybody, and it will be advertised on the toys. Gilby, you got a logo for my windsurfing sails? Another attention commanding hobby (with a lot of real estate for advertising, with a dozen 4.0 to 7.4 square-meter sails - usage depending on the wind speed) that I hope to return to immediately after the spine correction.

Just curious; what’s the longest race currently being run by NAUCC? Even if they don’t allow the unibike, I may be considering something along the lines of a geared Coker, but at my age (and less than stellar spine), I’m not a sprinter. I’m interested in the 25k to 50k range, so I can rely on my improving stamina to make up for some lost youth. My motocross rides are now lasting a full hour, two or three times a day, twice a week (thanks to a huge gas tank, and a fuel valve with a reserve setting). No more pushing!! Well, er, except for the pinch flat at the Kentwood, LA, motocross park (those jumps are huge). Time to boost the tire pressures a bit.

Along with a few flat spots on the front rim, two half-inch-long slices in the rear tube and a barely salvageable rear tire (steel cord exposed through the shredded rubber) ended the day early, and provided a little pushing from the far side of the track.

One day, I hope to learn the art of timing my failures to coincide with the finish line.

At least in this instance, I was able to keep the engine running, feather the clutch, and lean on it as it pulled me along. No, I’m still not walking straight, and after a bout of physical therapy, I spent two weeks walking with the crutch. Knee and shoulder problems are beginning to surface from 15 months of hobbling/crutching. I’d better start looking for a retirement home. It must look pretty silly to walk around with a crutch (or limp/hobble) until I’m prepared to climb aboard. The back still feels better after a motocross ride than at any other time.

PS: I finally made the time to tinker with the new gallery download. I’ve added some photos that might be worth a look. The new setup works great. Thanks again, Gilby.

Cheers!