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Advisory for Brooklyn Bridge Walkway – Good Friday, 4/3/15 10:45 a.m

Avoid the Brooklyn Bridge walkway on Good Friday (4/3/15) between 10:45 a.m and 12:30 p.m.

I’ve been caught in this procession once in the past and, as the gentleman says, it’s essentially impossible to get through.

Mr. Joe Wiener writes:
I am writing to ask you to notify your members about a large religious procession (between 1,000 and 2,000 people) that will be using the Brooklyn Bridge walkway this Friday morning (4/3/15) from about 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be several thousand people walking from Brooklyn to Manhattan, and it will be impossible to even walk a bike through. Please use the Manhattan Bridge as an alternate.

Cyclists heading from Brooklyn to Manhattan should be okay up to 10:45 a.m. if they arrive at the bridge and the procession has not arrived yet. Cyclists heading from Manhattan to Brooklyn, however, should not enter the bike path unless they are sure they can reach the Brooklyn side stairs by 10:45. Please notify your members and forward this notice to other cycling organizations and message boards you may know of.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

— Mr. Joe Wiener

Have fun and avoid processions,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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Spring Sale! Sale ends on tax day: April 15, 2015.

Spring Sale on HP Velotechnik Grasshopper recumbent bikes!

Sale ends April 15, 2015!

HP Velotechnik Grasshopper fx under-seat steering recumbent bicycles, custom built for performance and light weight.

Sale price: US$ 4,399.00. Was $4,564. Save $165.

Configuration:

Grasshopper fx (magic green or dark blue, your choice) with under-seat steering, hardshell seat, carbon fiber front boom, Rock Shox Monarch RL rear shock, MEKS SASO Carbon AC suspension fork, Shimano XT drivetrain with Dura-ace bar end shifters, AVID BB7 disc brakes.

Price includes tariffs and duties. Order and payment must be received by April 15.
Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2015 Robert Matson

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Cruzbike heavy duty rack modifications

Here’s the rack.

A customer called me the other day about getting some Radical Design panniers. He had made some modifications to the Cruzbike Heavy Duty rack on his Quest 20. Talking to him, I became very curious about the mods because it sounded like he was solving a problem I too had observed: no place to anchor pannier bags on the side of the heavy duty rack and no way to ensure the Rad. Design bags wouldn’t touch the rear wheel.

His name is Tor Matson (no relation to me, as far as I know). Here are his notes and photos. He’s happy to make the rack for others if you wish.

Hey Robert, here you go…  Here’s my rack, and a shot of my plush air shock, to boot…

This little aluminum rod bit is what makes it all happen; it’s relieved to fit the CB HD rack. Does require drilling and tapping of the rack. I could make these bits if there’s interest…

Here’s the kludge bit. Having the quick-release option is nice, as you can just slide the rack out of the tube, but the hose clamps aren’t so nice. Could TIG some aluminum tube onto the CB rack for a cleaner look, or fab up a better tube-and-clamp system. This is a beta test mule, function only!

Slipped some tubing over the pannier rack, and got a really secure mount. Solid and rattle-free!

I asked him if I could post the photos and his contact info. in case anyone else wants to order one.
Here was his reply:

Bueno! Post it if you like; I could make those pieces if anybody wants one, but I’m happy to just share the idea; it’s pretty simple to fab and is kind of a custom fit thing anyway, but happy to help if I can… If there’s demand, I could make a batch, not totally sure about the tolerances between racks… Mine took a bit of fitting to be perfect…
Cheers,
Tor Matson
Email him at “maryselapierre [AT] gmail”
You’ll need to add the extension, etc. to that e-mail address.

Have fun and ride like the wind,
Robert

————

Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2015 Robert Matson

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Happening this evening!

David Kroodsma wrote me this afternoon about his slideshow and talk.  It sounds worthwhile.  I realize this is kind of last minute, but here’s the info.

The Bicycle Diaries — Slideshow and Book Talk


Manhattan: Monday, March 30th, 7pm — NYC Velo Hell’s Kitchen:
http://www.nycvelo.com/slideshow-and-book-reading-david-kroodsma/ [1]

Brooklyn: Tuesday, March 31st, 7pm — Red Lantern Bicycles:
http://www.redlanternbicycles.com/weekly-events/2015/3/31/a-slide-show-presentation-with-mark-kroodsma
[2]

Former Stanford climate change researcher David Kroodsma has bicycled from
California to the southern tip of South America, from Turkey to Myanmar, and
across the U.S. twice. Along the way he has talked to hundreds of
people—both laypeople and experts—about climate change, gathering
personal stories about its impacts across three continents.

Join David for a slideshow of his best photos and videos. In addition to
stories of adventure—ranging from fending off a jaguar in Belize to hiding
from police in Tibet—David will share how people across the globe are
currently experiencing climate change, drawing on interviews with people in
28 different countries.

Copies of his recent book, The Bicycle Diaries, a Shelf Unbound Notable Book
of 2014, will be available for purchase.

Visit http://rideforclimate.com/ [3] for more information.

[1] http://www.nycvelo.com/slideshow-and-book-reading-david-kroodsma/
[2] http://www.redlanternbicycles.com/weekly-events/2015/3/31/a-slide-show-presentation-with-mark-kroodsma
[3] http://rideforclimate.com/

Check it out,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2015 Robert Matson

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Riding across the USA: Tom Braunagel

Tom and I on a weekend trip in 2013.

Tom Braunagel, a friend and customer, is in the final stages of planning his USA cross-country trip.  He plans to leave on May 1, 2015.  The link to his journal is here, on the Crazy Guy on a Bike website. He’s riding in part to carry a dream of his father’s and also to raise money for the orphan children of a friend. Very cool.

Tom’s a good guy and I wish him beautiful weather and a tail wind.

I sold Tom a really neat custom yellow HP Velotechnik Street Machine Gte recumbent bike.

Have fun and go for it,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2015 Robert Matson

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Sebring 2015: Maria Parker sets new record on a Cruzbike Vendetta to win the 12-hour race.

Maria Parker set a new female record for the 12-hour race at Sebring, riding a Cruzbike Vendetta.  A good number of the Cruzbike crew were present at the race, and I heard from an authoritative source, who was present at the race, but who I will not name, that the diamond frame riders were seriously pissed.  The DF peloton refused to ride cooperatively with the recumbent riders during the race, one of them told a recumbent rider during the race that they “don’t want [you] here,” and, at the award ceremony, the actual trophy was handed to the top-finishing diamond frame female rider, instead of Maria, who was the female rider who rode the greatest number of miles. Wait, what’s that?  Whoever rides the greatest number of miles wins, right?

Maria has a nice blog entry about the day here.  True to her good character, she makes no mention of the unsportsmanlike conduct of the standard frame riders.

Jim Parker won the 100 mile race in 4 hours, 14 minutes on a CB Vendetta.  He wrote an enjoyable blog entry about the Florida HPRA race, which occurred in the days before Sebring.

Charlie Ollinger, riding a Vendetta, broke course records in the 200 meter (36.725 mph) and 1 km (31.129 mph) velodrome events that had previously been set by Mike Mowett on a Morciglio M1 lowracer. Charlie also won the 50-lap velodrome event — apparently — “easily.”

Interesting side note: a Bachetta rider, who lost the race, bought a Vendetta after the race.

Other fun little tidbit is that another Cruzbike contender, Daryl Hanger, raced his recently acquired Sofrider in the Stock category and scored 7th overall in points out of 15. I love it. The Sofrider is NOT built for speed, but as someone who rides one for city commuting, I have to say I’m not astonished to hear this. I continue to think it’s one of the fastest, low cost recumbents available today.

Daryl Hanger
Daryl Hanger shows what a Cruzbike Sofrider can do.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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Staying warm when it’s cold.

Neile Weissman, current President of New York Cycle Club, leads a tropical ride on an incredibly cool Rans Enduro set up for snow.
I wrote several blog entries about staying warm during the winter.  They remain as valid today as the days I wrote them.
Artist and outdoorsman Mike Clelland drew this awesome illustration
for New Yorkers after superstorm Sandy came through.

10 Tips for Getting Warmer When the Heat Is Off
http://blog.nycrecumbentsupply.com/2012/11/10-tips-for-getting-warmer-when-heat-is.html

Wind chill, warm hands and telemagenta Speed Machines

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Hardly winter doldrums…

Happy New Year!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted, but it’s hardly winter doldrums at NYCRS.  There are a lot of exciting developments in the bicycle world.  And, this is the time of year that I get to take some of my own trips!  And build a new website.  Also, it seems that winter is a good time for cyclists to do research.  I have had more long phone conversations during the winter than I have time for during the bike season.

Meanwhile, I’ve been traveling a lot but, aside from the usual city bike-commuting runs, doing a lot more running, hiking and skiing than bicycling.  And in a couple days I leave for a NOLS field class for winter outdoor educators.  I imagine I’ll come back with some new ideas related to winter cycling.

Look for a new NYCRS website soon.

Have fun and stay healthy,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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Christmas note from Matthew Hopkins

“I’m cycling south on the 15-D AutoPista from Los Mochis trying to get to Mazatlán as rapidly as possible….”
Matthew Hopkins in Mexico on his custom blue-green HP Velotechnik Street Machine.

Photo by Matthew Hopkins

Our friend Matthew Hopkins is continuing his journey from Alaska to the southern tip of South America.  He sent me this nice Christmas note from Mexico.

Hello.
I just wanted to wish you a very happy holiday season.

I’m currently in Mazatlán Mexico having ridden almost 18,000 kilometres to date and enjoying a few days off my bike in the company of the family of a cyclist I met a few weeks ago. Hugo,  who featured in one of my last blog posts.
He was generous enough to invite me to spend Christmas with his family.
I’ll spend the new year in Guadalajara and continue east over to Mexico City and eventually to Cancún.

This year has been an incredible one for me.
The beginning and continuation of an amazing adventure, which is far from over.
I am lucky that I have gotten this far and equally fortunate enough to have received support and assistance from you.
I’m very grateful for that.
Thank you very much.
Suffice to say I may well have quit by now, were it not for your generosity.
I’d like to wish you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2015.

With tremendous gratitude amd continued friendship,

Matthew Hopkins
http://theroadoflittlemiracles.ghost.io/

Stay healthy and ride and ride,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson

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“80 and Still Cycling”

“Portrait of my grandfather : 80 and still cycling” by Florent Piovesan on Vimeo.


This very cool video by Florent Piovesan was sent to me through the Prospect Park Peleton list.  It’s not about recumbents.  It’s about bicycling.  And that’s what it’s all about.

Have fun and stay 20,
Robert
————
Robert Matson
New York City Recumbent Supply
The Innovation Works, Inc.
copyright 2013 Robert Matson