Gas engines on two of my recumbents

But as soon as the road took an upgrade tilt he was around me like a cannon shot. They call it a Mosquito, and for good reason. Less than 50cc engine; sounded like a million skeeters gaining on me. Looked in my rear view mirror and thought I saw one of the Three Horses of the Apocalypse. Scared me.

 

At 0700h, a half hour from now, I will drive south and meet Buddy from the east and Don from the west. Like rides of years past, we will load Buddy's faithful old truck with our bikes and drive to Bryson City, NC (about 100 miles). We will again tackle the Road to Nowhere. Different this time will be Buddy's RANS Wave outfitted with the 33cc Mosquito. Should be an interesting day, but I expect to see mostly leaf-lit trees and Buddy's rear wheel with Don in pursuit.

Dave

 

The Road to Nowhere trip was a complete success. The weather was perfect, traffic was low, skies were 100% sunny allowing very good picture taking. The total out-and-back distance was only about 20 miles. But it is one of the most difficult 20 mile rides I've ever done, probably second only to a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Uphills beginning immediately out of town with grades up to 12% followed by screaming downhills (I tapped out on one at nearly 46 mph) followed by more uphills and downhills. The view of Fontana Lake is great, especially now that many of the leaves have dropped. This goes on for almost 10 miles, terminated at the incredible 1200 ft. tunnel that leads to... nowhere. A few hundred yards of pavement beyond the tunnel and then just stops at hiking trails into the Woods that, while past peak, were still ablaze with leaf color.

This was my third trip there. We speculated why we drive over 200 miles round trip to ride 20 miles of a crazy hilly ride. Decided it was to make me appreciate all the less crazy hills near home.

In addition, we discovered Clyde's, a home cookin' restaurant in West Waynesville, NC. Something for everybody even vegetarians. Best meal in some time with drink and dessert for about $12. It was packed with locals but we got seated immediately. Salad and dinner was on the table before we got back from washing our hands. I highly recommend it.

This is a tremendous ride as we have reported twice before in the past 4 years. Traffic is minimal and the pavement surface is remarkably good for 65 years old. It is not for the timid; timidity will only burn up your brakes. It is not for the weak of knees and legs. There are zero facilities so you take all you need. It is a Challenge with rewards of incredible nature views and sense of accomplishment.


This trip was decidely different. I on the Rocket and Don on the V-Rex were the same except that I'm 3 years older and slower. But Buddy is a new man... or at least a new rider. After nearly 50 years of hassling with a knee problem he has hit on a solution. We used to ride all the time together. But he hasn't ridden much aside from his back yard for some time cuz the knee is keeping him away. Enter the 33cc Mosquito friction roller drive integrated into his RANS Wave. The man who would often push his bike up 9% hills can now pedal up them at 10mph and never break a sweat. As expected, he ran circles around us all day. Some might look at engine assist as "cheating." Instead in this case it is a means to get one of the recumbent greats back into the saddle and out with the rest of us to enjoy his company. Buddy can elaborate on the trip more. But suffice to say the old Buddy is back and he appeared to enjoy every high-speed minute of it.

Dave

 

Life is good because of old friends. Thank you AD and Dave for the kind words. Warms an old man's heart. Nice to get to ride with Don too.

When Dave has to stop on a hill, it is a bad one. I had the Garmin Edge 305 charged up and recording this ride. There were miles of 12% grade. This was
also my 3rd trip to the Road To Nowhere and even with the power assist, it was a challenge.

Good friends, good food and a fine day. Doesn't get any better than this.
Dave drove the truck the 200+ miles and even that was a real chore. That
portion of I-40 is the worst there is from coast to coast. I've driven it all and kid you not.

I'm looking forward to the pictures that Dave is editing. They will be super.

 

http://ridewithgps.com/routes/219681

This is my ride today with the Rans Wave and Honda GX35 four cycle engine. Did this 33 mile loop through Greene County TN. It took 1.5 hours and the gasoline cost was about .5$. The engine is nice.

Couple pics.

 

Buddy,

This looks like WAAAAY too much fun!!!

 

It is fun and work at the same time. I pedal all the time. The little Honda
can't do it alone. I have to pedal, but my effort is much more productive
and the up hills and down are close to the same speed---15 to 20 mph.
I love it and it loves me/knee right back.

 

Just took a second look at your pics. When you get thirsty, BE SURE YOU KNOW WHICH BOTTLE TO REACH FOR!

 

Not a problem. Brain still working some.

Pulled up to gas pump and sweet young thing came out (country store)
and ask how much I wanted and I said 25 cents. She very careful pumped
and filled it at 28 cents. That comes out to 1 cent per mile. I gave her a
dollar and she came back with the change, and said, this is a first for
me and I said, me too dear, but I'll be back for more.

The young man on the other side of the pump had to pump his own
gas. He wanted me to pay his bill and wanted to pay mine. He wanted
to see my take off and I said OK "watch 'is". I rode around
and he was totally blown away. Questions: Where did you get, how
much did it cost and how fast will it go? He came over and looked it
over and said "that is a weed eater engine". Yep, sure is. I love it
when things come together.

I'm riding these Tennessee hills like a flat lander. I still get a good
work-out and get on down the road. I like work, but hate drudgery.
The Honda four cycle is nice and my only friend right now. I'll start
a recumbent assist club------just watch.

 

Ingenious!
Looks like way, way too much fun!
-I've been lurking on this thread ... grinning.


As a retired motorcycle test rider, these underpowered
motorised 'cycles look way too tempting for me.
Sort of like (maybe/possibly)
what just one light beer might look like to a raging
alcoholic on the wagon....

You know how fast your bike'd be if you bolted on
a little turbocharger...?

Muahahahaaaa....

 

Hey Steve, yes I do know...too D*** fast. Fact Is, I have a fire spitting
49cc engine, 2 cycle on an EZ-1 SC-Light (Aluminum) that I'm Not
going to complete the installation on. It goes back in the box. I've
found my niche. There is a Honda 90 Trail in the shed that will haul
a large dairy-air on down the road, but all I need is just a little assist
on these pesky Tennessee hills.

BTW, I have to pedal just as before, but can go over a 12% grade
a 1/4 mile long non-stop with little sweat.

 

I have a short video of Buddy on his Wave outfitted with the Mosquito drive. Filmed a couple of weeks ago on the Road to Nowhere. Problem is I don't know the best way to link the file for public viewing as it is 17MB.

Dave

 

Upload it to http://www.megashares.com/

It will give you a url when through you can post. Then others can view it if they want to download it.

 

Cherokee Forrest

Monday was the best forecast, so drove over to Hot Springs with the Lightfoot Greenway in the van. Rode from parking lot across RR tracks
and along river and up into Paint Creek park and campground. Then took Hurricane Gap Road on up 1400? feet into Cherokee National Forest.
There is no phone service, so it could be a long time for anyone to come to the rescue. Anyway, it was a tough go. The engine couldn't get
me up the Mt. with my assist and I couldn't crank it out, so had to walk along side and let the engine move the trike as I held the throttle.
It was a grind and got my aerobic exercise for the day. Made it to the cross roads where it levels out and starts descent back toward 25/70
which leads back to Hot Springs. I wanted to go on up to fire tower, but was low on gas and didn't want to push a hundred pound trike
10 miles over some steep grades.

When I made it back to 25/70, the Appalachian Trail cross walk goes over head right there. I looked to my left and at a distance I could see
a DF struggling/climbing. As I pulled out, the trike immediately gained speed with engine off. I started holding brakes at 30 mph. In a very
short time, the guy on the bicycle passed me and he was up around 40-50 mph. He was out of sight in a minute. Probably a steeper grade
than coming out of Cades Cove.

This was quite a solo adventure for an old man. I will take the P-38 next time.

Lloyd (Buddy) Bishop
Greene County Tennessee