Growing up, I found the freedom of riding bicycle to be the most enjoyable pastime.
Over the years I have owned a few different road and
mountain bicycles and modified most to suit me and built one for my particular sense of freedom.
Having become unable to ride the "normal" upright bicycle,
I had been searching for something that I could ride to enjoy those freedoms again,
I finally found this:
My original purchase was:
Catrike Trail
CTT264
Purchased in Oct of 2006 as a "Snow Special".
I tend to 'ride' my bike.
I found it needed my special touch to make it more suitable for me.
Before I had put 1 mile on my brand new CATRIKE Trail
I got a pinch flat from a steel plate in the road around the corner from my house
and decided then that modifications were needed.
First thing I did was change out the 3 stock wheels from the 20" road tires & rims
to 24" mountain tires w/double track rims.
Strong, durable & dependable.
I changed out the 48T sprocket for a 60T sprocket and moved the 52T sprocket to the inner side
of the outer ring of the bottom bracket, and kept the 32T low gear. Air ride suspension (my design) to the seat and a 'Delta Airzounds' air horn.
Increased the front frame upper-tube length to accommodate a standard water bottle and Sunding Speedometer.
Managed 600 miles on that setup in my first full season, 2 front and 2 rear derailleur changes
as the high performance ones broke and fine tuning this and that.
I also added a pillow to the purchased and modified headrest
(nothing comes manufactured to fit me) and a splash shield in between the seat strapping's so the puddles didn't make me look like I had wet myself...
I didn't like the fenders CATRIKE supplied and they also were having trouble with their supplier
at the time so since necessity is the mother of invention, I purchased regular 26" Planet Bike Fenders and modified for the Catrike.
I didn't want the little one riding behind me getting mudded from my rear wheel after I modified a trailer hookup to tow him along.
Riding local, groomed trails with my little one in tow...
I spent the winter of 2008 - 2009, moving to a 29" rear wheel, extending the frame to make it fit, etc.
I added dual headlights mounted on the steering posts that turn with my CATRIKE, a compass and a generic bike rack w/tail light.
Doubled up on the 'Bear Trap' pedals and added a second stationary rear derailleur on the forward frame to accommodate the chain slack created by the huge sprocket
differences from 30T to 48T to 60T to allow for more power and a second mirror as well.
This is my finished Human Powered Vehicle.
I completed just over 1000 miles (my goal) in the 2009 riding season.
I have achieved 450 plus miles this season (2010) with most of that in April when it was unseasonably warm.
The completed 'Trike' weighs in at 50.2lbs (and I am working to lighten the load) but it is strong,
durable and DEPENDABLE.
I also found this Gary Fisher 'Freeloader" trailer
for my little one to ride with me instead of just being baggage...
so I changed over the previous trailer modifications to add support to the rear wheel.
Us riding.
I Love my RIDE!!!
