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I have been looking forward to the upcoming bicycle trip for quiet some time. As part of my training, I planned to ride to the Dairy Queen in Picacho on the Memorial Day holiday. AJ offered to accompany me, and I accepted. He borrowed a shirt, a hat and my bike (having left all his "stuff" in Tucson) and off we went. We were quite an odd looking pair, but I didn't get any photo documentation, and he has been stingy with the images he took. All I have from the bike ride is this image of a gila monster we encounter on Park Link Drive. |
| I have been "servicing" the recumbent, and broke my chain tool, so I purchased a replacement. This is what happened the first time I use it. You just can't get good tools... When I first acquired the bike, I replaced the front chain ring (that had 48 teeth) with one that had 52 teeth. It hasn't shifted well, so I added four more links to the chain. That made the chain jump (in the high range) so I removed two links. Hopefully that will correct the problem. |
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I spent a fair amount of mental effort designing a hanger that would allow me to carry the Desert Water Bag. On the trip to Picacho, AJ managed to locate some loose gravel, and laid the recumbent down (his posterior pained him after a few miles on the diamond frame bike, so I lent him the recumbent). This broke the bag rack, version 1.1. That occurrence was not unexpected, since it had been manufactured out of arc welding rod (which had been ruined by being rained on) that was amazingly brittle. |
| Although not obvious at the time, it also broke the fiberglass rod that keeps the seat posts separated. After redesigning and replacing the seat post spreader, I modified the bag holder design, and manufactured rack 2.1.2 out of gas welding rod which is much more ductile. While I was patting myself of the back (I think this design is stronger and will work well), I realized that if at some point in the future I am going to ride cross country carrying anything other than a small notebook and a large toothbrush, I will have to use the rack behind the seat, and the water bag (which slowly drips) hangs almost directly over that area. Not good... |
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Hence the need for a new location. The first design was complex and required a lot of welding (on small pieces). After being forced to quit work (nightfall and no shop light), I pondered and ruminated, and finally scrapped that design in favor on one made out of wire. Thus entered bag rack 3.2.1. One weakness is that the bag clears the ground by only about 4 inches, and will probably drag when I cross uneven surfaces (such as a curb). Fortunately, that happens only rarely, and then not at high speeds. |
| By moving the kick stand as far to the rear as possible, the bag is clear of the circle of foot rotation by about 4 inches. A second down side is that the bag swings laterally, and contacts the moving drive chain with some frequency. I solved that problem (I hope) by wrapping a piece of window screen around the bag to absorb the abrasion. This screen will eventually wear out, but I look at it as "disposable." |
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Barbara and Brittany "rescued" us at Picacho, and we visited the Rooster Cogburn Ostrich Ranch, located nearby. |
| AJ, who is planning of hunting this year, got a good look (up close and personal) at the deer (the $5.00 entry fee included a cup of feed and a few milliliters of nectar). Hopefully he will be able to identify these critters when he meets them in the wild. |
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We also fed the ostriches. Given that they have a brain the size of a walnut, they aren't the smartest animal on the planet, and they had a definite perchance for biting the hand that fed them. Barbara got a couple of welts, but fortunately, no one lost any skin. |
| There were a plethora of warning signs, but I still wonder how they avoid litigation. Simply disclaiming liability does not remove that liability. |
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It was kind of fun. In todays world, it is rare to do that sort of thing. It was refreshing. |
| Granted that the angle of the camera foreshortens the beak and distorts the appearance somewhat, but even so, you have to admit this is a face only a mother could love... |
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I addition to deer, donkeys, and ostriches, they had an enclosure housing lorikeets--a brightly colored bird with a curved beak similar to a parrot (but smaller). |
| They were quite willing to accept the nectar we had, and (reminiscent of some events in my hazy past) even squabble with each other over it. |
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A sign it their enclosure proclaimed that being defecated on by one of these birds brought the defecatee good luck... We decided not try it... |
| In addition to there friendly wildlife, this 600 acre ranch sells meat, eggs, and feathers. An interesting example of entrepreneur ship... |
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All things considered, it was a fun day (even if we did decline a tour in their monster truck/bus). |