More Manatee Mayhem - 2017 Edition - Closed (Page 97)

Been having some fun getting my Mom riding again. She's had trouble with anemia and is pretty light, so ended up getting a pedal assist bike*. Loves the different settings for it so she can adjust to keep up with who she's riding with and still do her own work. Also in case she goes a little far that day, can dial it up to get back. Rides soft and has a minor shock in the headset too.

One difficulty is that the thing weighs aboutt 46 lbs (seriously). She can't actually load it onto her car by herself. Hitch rack or inside. So far I've figured out techniques to make it easier for someone assisting her, but still trying for on her own. Once on the car though, we found a previously unknown safety feature of the vehicle. When the back-up camera detects an obstacle, it will automatically hit the breaks. And you can guess exactly where the bike is situated on the rack. She couldn't back up until getting the auto braking disabled. Now it's down to just an alarming beep. Hoping to figure that out soon too as the rack is still in view of the camera, even without the bike on.

*This isn't a truly motorized bike or e-bike because the motor only assists when pedaling as it's attached up in the crank area. It does nothing when coasting, otherwise the pedals would keep going around too. This model also has a speed limitation on the assist of 28 mph. So faster than she'll ever see. My brother got a kick out of testing this before bringing it over.

Been having some fun getting my Mom riding again. She's had trouble with anemia and is pretty light, so ended up getting a pedal assist bike*. Loves the different settings for it so she can adjust to keep up with who she's riding with and still do her own work. Also in case she goes a little far that day, can dial it up to get back. Rides soft and has a minor shock in the headset too.

One difficulty is that the thing weighs aboutt 46 lbs (seriously). She can't actually load it onto her car by herself. Hitch rack or inside. So far I've figured out techniques to make it easier for someone assisting her, but still trying for on her own. Once on the car though, we found a previously unknown safety feature of the vehicle. When the back-up camera detects an obstacle, it will automatically hit the breaks. And you can guess exactly where the bike is situated on the rack. She couldn't back up until getting the auto braking disabled. Now it's down to just an alarming beep. Hoping to figure that out soon too as the rack is still in view of the camera, even without the bike on.

*This isn't a truly motorized bike or e-bike because the motor only assists when pedaling as it's attached up in the crank area. It does nothing when coasting, otherwise the pedals would keep going around too. This model also has a speed limitation on the assist of 28 mph. So faster than she'll ever see. My brother got a kick out of testing this before bringing it over.

Originally posted by marysia83

Originally posted by IndoIronYanti

Oh hai. Like Stace Face I stalk but also am so massively busy I feel like I can't breathe at times. I'm racing tomorrow too -- Bengkulu Triathlon (sprint distance). 

GO MANATEE RACERS!!!

I have this fascination going on every time Yanti does Sprint triathlon

Actually, me too. But it's a really awful fascination going on during the race, like whyyyyyyy do I do Sprints ... they hurt SOOOO much! You're pretty much on the red line the whole time. Barfy!

That said I got to take home some hardware and even cash for 3rd in AG. So what if the trophy looks like a crack pipe. The medal is pretty (that and I think there were only 6 ppl in my AG, and I coach & outfit the one who came in 2nd so of course she was going to come in ahead since she actually does what I advise! ha! unlike me)

CONGRATS KAREN!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANDS-MARIE!!!

The whole situation turned out hilariously complex. There is a lock on the battery pack, which has to be removed to go on the bike rack. There are also locks for the hitch itself and the cable lock.

Think she's close to your size too, but with more health issues. Her vehicle is a Grand Cherokee, and the hitch & trunk area are surprisingly high up in the air. I have to lift one of the dogs up and in. The other can just make the jump. Grocery loading and such it's a great height for her. Bike loading would be less difficult on my car, a Subaru Impreza, but not quite sure she could get it yet. I showed her some leverage tricks to help, but still needs to practice at that. Things like standing to the side, brake one wheel and push/pull the handlebars to get the other in the air.

Congrats on the races last week everyone.  Hope everyone is having a good week.

Our tri community has had a rough week.  We lost a member in his sleep overnight Monday.  He had been having a heart issue investigated, but was cleared to train and race so long as he kept his heart rate under a certain rate.  I saw him at the Y just last week.  We weren't close, but I really enjoyed his dry sense of humour.  Leaves a wife and an adult (or almost adult) daughter.  RIP Peter.

Then on Tuesday another member was in Bellingham, WA riding solo when a woman turned into him.  Broken wrist, ribs, punctured lung, fractured back and brain swelling.  Still unconscious.  Super nice guy, wife and two kids (tweens).  Please keep Todd in your thoughts.  

Partly makes me scared to continue in this sport, but partly makes me more resolved to continue--life is short, do what you love.  I try not to dwell on what could happen but when it is so close it's tough.

Do we know how Conner's race went?

Congrats on the races last week everyone.  Hope everyone is having a good week.

Our tri community has had a rough week.  We lost a member in his sleep overnight Monday.  He had been having a heart issue investigated, but was cleared to train and race so long as he kept his heart rate under a certain rate.  I saw him at the Y just last week.  We weren't close, but I really enjoyed his dry sense of humour.  Leaves a wife and an adult (or almost adult) daughter.  RIP Peter.

Then on Tuesday another member was in Bellingham, WA riding solo when a woman turned into him.  Broken wrist, ribs, punctured lung, fractured back and brain swelling.  Still unconscious.  Super nice guy, wife and two kids (tweens).  Please keep Todd in your thoughts.  

Partly makes me scared to continue in this sport, but partly makes me more resolved to continue--life is short, do what you love.  I try not to dwell on what could happen but when it is so close it's tough.

I am so sorry to hear this, Kirsten. {{hugs}}

Yeah, this is the second of my circle that have had bad collisions.  The other was a couple years ago--fractured bone in his neck but fully recovered.  I try to ride really early in the morning so that there is little traffic.  If I am out on my own, I try to stay to MUPs where I can and non-arterial roads.  I know stuff can happen anywhere, but I feel like the less traffic, the better.  Bright clothing, head on a swivel.  There is just no way I could do all my training on a trainer.  There are risks with anything I suppose....

So sorry about the people in your club! 

My weekday rides are on the trainer, my long weekend ride is outside in a place that is used to cyclists taking over the area weekends. The city actively promotes cycling, but that doesn't mean that all the residents are happy with the situation or that careless drivers aren't present. Luckily, pretty quickly you get into the rural areas and car traffic is pretty light.  The downside is it's a 30-40 minute drive from my house, but I make the drive as I don't feel comfortable riding from home in the heavy city anti- cyclist traffic around here. Plus, it's the only place with hills

s pretty 

Kirsten - I'm very sorry to hear about your friends.  Losing someone unexpectedly is tough even if you weren't close.

On the subject of bike vs car incidents, there have been 2 that affected me recently.  Last week my masters coach got hit by a FedEx truck and ended up needing surgery on his elbow complete with some pins and plates to help put it back together and heal. He got hit on a road I ride fairly often.  Over the weekend the unimaginable happened (near me but thankfully not where I usually ride): an SUV intentionally mowed down 2 out of 3 bikers http://www.pennlive.com/news/2017/07/suv_swerves_into_bicyclists_so.html. So far they haven't caught the driver who did this but are on the lookout for the vehicle. Really makes you wonder WTF is wrong with some people. Reminds me of the jerk who swerved at EFP and I earlier this year from the other lane - why, just why?

Crazy.  That one just seems like a senseless moron who just wants to hurt people, thankfully no on was killed. I have definitely experienced the drivers that can't wait 7.5 seconds to have room to pass.  Sorry your community is dealing with that too, especially given that the dude has not been caught.  

Racing Manatees!!!

July 29-30
Kirsten - IM Canada 70.3 on Sunday
Tom S. - Salford Triathlon on Sunday

Is anyone else racing?