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| Robert, out of the Adirondacks “blue line,” and into another thunderstorm. |
Have fun and keep your feet dry. Or not.
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
Tag: HP Velotechnik
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| Robert Matson (hi), modeling high-viz in high places, at the end of the road to the top of Whiteface Mountain, fifth highest peak in the Adirondacks at 4,867′ at summit. You can see a bit of Lake Placid in the background. On a good day you can see hundreds of miles, but not today. There was no safe place to leave my luggage, so I rode to the top with my Street Machine Gte fully loaded, with my stuff heavy and wet from the rain. In other words, yes, recumbents can “do hills.” And, yes, the Street Machine kicks butt. Photo copyr. 2013 Robert Matson |
I recently got back from a solo, unsupported trip through the Adirondacks in New York state. I took the Metro North from New York City to Poughkeepsie, NY and began riding from there. Over the next few weeks, as time allows, I’ll post photos and notes.
Stats:
750 miles
12 days
1 mountain above 4,600 feet (Whiteface Mountain).
Avg. speed for trip: 10.3 mph
Max speed: 50.4 mph (I hit 50.2 going from Whiteface down into Wilmington, and then hit 50.4 on the road from Lake Placid to Keene. Whiteface into Wilmington was fine, with a good road surface and very few cars. Placid to Keene was a different story, with steep, narrow roads with cracked surfaces and terrible drivers. I was so glad I was riding a Street Machine.)
Total elevation climbed: uncountable.
Started/ended riding in Poughkeepsie, NY. (Rode from Brooklyn to Grand Central Station. Took Metro North to Poughkeepsie.)
Solo trip, fully loaded, unsupported.
Weather? It stunk. Thunderstorms and rain every day but one, with hot humid weather between the storms. Most of the scenic views were obscured by rain, clouds, mist and fog. (Yes, there were moments of whining to myself.) But at least it wasn’t windy.
Zero incidents, zero accidents, zero flat tires, zero mechanical problems, zero animal bites. But don’t ask me about mosquito, black fly, and midge bites.
No. of appearances of the first aid kit? Maybe once or twice. But my feet began to blister on Day 11.
No. of incidents of road rage? One. An SUV (what else) with California plates (where else) on a road…in a campground (WTF?). In general, other than on the road out of Lake Placid, drivers were quite cool.
Number of wrong turns and times I got lost? One. I took a wrong turn on the second to last day in Hudson, NY, but it was quickly corrected. That’s a pretty darn good record, if I may say so myself.
Panniers: Radical Designs
Bike: HP Velotechnik Street Machine Gte (accept no substitutes).
Stop whining about the rain and just ride,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
Dear Robert,
I have an HP Velotechnik Speedmachine, using one Ortlieb Classic Plus. In time it made the rack bend and it touches the rear triangle when the suspension works. Wanted to move to a rack bag- more aero and balanced.
Read your article about the Ortlieb Recumbent Backpack, but the Radical fits me more IF its convenient to fit to the rack. So how is it compare in that area?
Thanks a lot,
Aero and Balanced
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| HP Velotechnik Speed Machine |
Dear Aero and Balanced,
Congratulations on your good taste as demonstrated by owning a Speed Machine. Before we talk about bags, I need to say that I’m surprised that the rack of your Speed Machine has become bent on one side to the point that it touches the rear swing arm when the suspension is compressed. Have you overloaded the rack? Have you been carrying cinder blocks in your saddle bags? Or sand? Is your rack broken? Is your bike broken?
The contemporary design of the Speed Machine and its rack are such that it’s hard for me to imagine how they could come into contact. Though, I suppose if you actually bent the rack, and twisted it sideways, and bottomed-out the suspension, you could make the two come into contact (while voiding your warranty).
Keep in mind that racks (and the bikes on which they are mounted) have payloads and intended usage. If you exceed that payload, or use the thing for something other than that for which it is designed, you may break or bend the thing, whether it’s a rack or bike or shock or wheel or whatever. The rear rack of the Speed Machine has a maximum payload of 55 lbs. (not kg, but lbs.). The max. payload of a Speed Machine is 286 lbs. (not kg.), including you and whatever bricks and cinder blocks you’re carrying. Bending of the rack (or whatever) shouldn’t occur as long as you don’t overload (and thereby damage) the rack (or whatever). At least, this is true for HP Velotechnik’s machines. For other manufacturers, this may not necessarily be the case.
[Later.] To satisfy my curiosity — could it be true that the HPV SpM’s rear rack can touch the swing arm? — I went over to the shop’s demo Speed Machine here, which has a rear rack that has been (properly) installed and which rack (and bike) is neither bent nor broken. I sat on the rack, all 165 lbs. (not kg.) of me in order to bottom out the shock and see if the rack can touch the frame or swing arm. It doesn’t. It doesn’t come anywhere close. Nor does it jiggle. Nor does the rack bend when I sit my ass on it. If you have a Speed Machine (or any HP Velotechnik) where the rear rack contacts the frame or swing arm, then you have a damaged machine or rack. Was your bike assembled incorrectly? Was it in an accident? Did your cousin run over it with his car and not tell you?
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| Radical Design, Rackbag Extended |
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| Ortlieb Recumbent Backpack |
As for the Radical Design Rack Bag versus the Ortlieb Recumbent Backpack, they are both great, durable bags and I’ve used both for hundreds of miles. They are equally easy to mount and un-mount to the rack-top. The RD bag has a nice capacity (30 liters), is lightweight (720 grams), and is water resistant (waterproof fabric, but no waterproof zipper or seams). The Ortlieb is almost half the size (17 liters) and is comparatively heavy due to the excellent waterproofing (980 grams) — it’s so waterproof it’s nearly a dry bag — and the backpack straps are a cool thing; the Ort. also has nice pockets for organizing and a port for the hose from a water/drinking bladder. Both will give you some aerodynamic benefit. The rack on the Speed Machine is short compared to that on touring bikes like the Street Machine or Grasshopper, but my experience has been that both bags fit fine.
In summary, I’d make my decision based on capacity and whether I was riding/living in a wet climate.
All best,
Your Recumbent Bikologist.
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
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| “Riding a recumbent bicycle 12,000 km solo from Japan to England.” |
Found this great photo today from the writer of this blog: 14 degrees Off The Beaten Track“
Author of photo: Robert Thomson from Christ Church, New Zealand, but currently from Beppu City, Japan.
I can’t help but notice it is an HP Velotechnik Street Machine, the classic — and very possibly the world’s best — touring bike.
Have fun, stay healthy and ride some more,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
Categories
Street Machine Gte on Bear Mountain
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| HP Velotechnik’s Street Machine Gte improves an already gorgeous view from the top of Bear Mountain. |
The other weekend I had a nice 2-day ride across Harriman State Park (New York). I had clear, dry, non-smoggy air, perfect temperatures, and, as always, a great view from the top of Bear Mountain. I packed light and slept at the Adirondack Mountain Club’s camp. On Sunday, it rained. Those who enjoy riding recumbent bikes up hills would enjoy this trip. Bear Mtn. has an average grade of about 6% with a short section of around 10%. In the city, I get a lot of “cool bike!” comments when I ride an HP Velotechnik. But on Bear Mountain, I got many a “good morning” and thumbs-up from the road cyclists who frequent Harriman’s roads and who, maybe, up until that point thought that recumbents “can’t do hills.”
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| A “cool bike” posing for a photo in front of the Bear Mountain lookout tower. |
Have fun and support your state parks,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
Categories
Pedals of Honor
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| Nano (L) and Antonio (R) are two of New York’s most recognizable athletes. They lead an 8am Saturday morning hand-cycle training ride in Central Park. In upper left hand corner, left to right, Robert Matson, Joe Traum and Sze Wing Kwok speak with an athlete about hand cycles and an upcoming race. |
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| Lining up to ride the Central Park loop. |
Today I assisted with the recumbent trikes at the Pedals of Honor program from the VA Veterans Integrated Service Network 3 Adaptive Sports Program. Neile Weissman, New York Cycle Club’s ‘bent-riding ride leader extraordinaire, helped. The HP Velotechnik Gekko fx seemed to be the favorite trike foot-cycle.
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| Nice shirt. Photo of me (Robert) taken later that day. During the event I was too busy to ask for a photo, as usual. I need to start asking people for photos, while the action is…in action. |
What is “Pedals of Honor”?
From the press release…
Pedals of Honor makes cycling a reality for Veterans with limb loss
A new program from the VA Veterans Integrated Service Network 3 (VISN 3) Adaptive Sports Program and Achilles International invite Veterans with limb loss to participate in a bike riding experience, Cycling in Central Park, on Wednesday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The event, sponsored by DAV Transportation Network, the Long Beach VFW Post 1384, Hicksville VFW Post 3211, VVNW Nassau County Chapter 82 and DAV Amputation Chapter 76, serves as the kick off for what will be a weekly cycling program in Central Park for Veterans.
“Adaptive sports are an amazing way to facilitate overall health and wellness while providing an opportunity for our New York and New Jersey Veterans to explore the city in ways they haven’t before,” said Leif Nelson, Prosthetics Clinical Coordinator at VA New York Harbor Healthcare System, which houses the VISN 3 Prosthetics Program.
Achilles International has partnered with the VA VISN 3 Adaptive Sports Program to provide top level instruction for Veterans wanting to participate in cycling. The program uses top of the line cycles that will accommodate Veterans with a wide range of disabilities including Spinal Cord Injury, Limb Loss and Visual Impairments.
Eligible Veterans can participate in group rides and instruction and the program is open to all experience levels from beginners to experts. Equipment can accommodate any and all disabilities.
Have fun and stay well,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
A customer who recently bought an HP Velotechnik Gekko was mystified as to how to attach the nylon seat cover.
I replied:
He wrote me:
“Does HPV make a rain cover that actually fits the mesh seat? That one I bought from you is unusable.”
I replied:
Hi J___,
Thanks for checking in.
Attaching the seat cover…
The top of the seat cover attaches to the inside of the seat back pocket.
You’ll see the velcro.
The bottom of the cover attaches at the front of the seat, to plastic hooks on the bottom of the seat.
Sorry for forgetting to show you how to do it.
This may have solved three mysteries at once for this rider: Why is there velcro in the seat back pocket?! What the heck are those plastic hooks for?! And, yes, how in the world do you put on the seat cover?!?
Have fun, stay healthy, and keep your seat clean,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
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| Photo credit: Bentrider Online, 2013 |
Here is a review of HP Velotechnik’s Scorpion fs 26 by Bryan Ball, from Bentrider Online.
HPVelotechnik Scorpion fs 26
By BRYAN J. BALL, Managing Editor
Posted on April 30, 2013 by Bryan Ball
“HPVelotechnik has an unqualified hit on their hands with their Scorpion fs full-suspension tadpole. Dealers are moving them quickly and owners adore them. However, it’s not in HPVelotechnik’s nature to ever leave well enough alone. Therefore, it was inevitable that there would be a new version eventually. So came to be that the new Scorpion fs 26 that was unveiled with much fanfare at last year’s Eurobike show….”
Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
Categories
Just chatting about the weather.
Warmer weather is here. I like it. But I also like skiing and this marks the tailing of the remotely-local cross-country ski season…and the tailing of my slow season.
A manufacturer in Finland, Mirage Bikes (www.miragebikes.com/en), wrote me that their x-c ski season is coming to an end as well, but he (the writer) hopes to complete 1000 km (!) of skiing — apx. 620 miles — before then. I’m envious.
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| Mirage Bikes’ Nomad. |
I’m settling for one more weekend of skiing in the Adirondacks and then we’re in the backpack and pannier season. Today was the first day in ages to ride withOUT studded winter tires and WITH the sunshine, both. How nice.
Bike trips planned? There’s the 10-day 2014 Prince Edward Island bike trip I’m co-leading for the Appalachian Mountain Club, but that’s ages away. Sooner than that, if I can get away for a week, I may schedule an AMC trip in the Daks, VT, or Catskills. What’s with the idle chatter? I’m supposed to use the world’s most pervasive media outlet — FB — for marketing right? Or improving the world?
Okay, how’s this: HP Velotechnik’s new Scorpion fs 26 came in the other week. Unbelievably nice trike. Get your demos here.
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| HP Velotechnik’s Scorpion fs 26 |
Have fun, stay healthy, and go like “New York City Recumbent Supply” on Facebook,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson
Categories
Panniers for the Gekko fx
HP Velotechnik’s Moonbiker panniers are not designed for the Gekko fx. Instead, use the nearly identical “Side Panniers Large” for mesh seats made by Radical Design (“RD”) (Netherlands). You can buy them from New York City Recumbent Supply. Note that the Radical Design panniers are made in three formats: for hardshell seats (like the HPV BodyLink seat), for mesh seats (like the Ergo Mesh seat) and “banana” (universal fit, for hardshell or mesh seats). Be sure to order the correct one!
The RD panniers are made from cordura nylon that is coated for water resistance, are very durable, and are lighter weight than most other options for panniers. They also come in five saturated colors and with reflective tape for nighttime visibility. I’ve used them on several multi-day rides and like them quite a bit.
Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
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Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson