Yes, I need your help to keep this website current. When I first post new pages and posts everything was current and links worked and videos played. Over time that can and does change. If you come across something on this website that no longer works please let me know by email (preferably) or in a comment so I can try to fix the problem.. Thank you. STEVE
You can email me at: tadpolerider2 at gmail dot com
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(in case you haven’t figured it out that is suppose to be a shade tree mounted on the trike)
As much as we may like the idea of having shade trees to ride under when it is hot and the sun is beating down on us I am pretty sure it is not likely it is going to happen. A portable shade tree is just not too practical. Many of us would like to have a canopy on our trike providing portable shade that goes with us, but we find the cost prohibitive. Some riders have made their own and have done so saving a bunch of money. Not everybody is gifted so that they could do so or for whatever reason they just don’t want to mess with it. (I haven’t because I lack the sewing skills as well as the sewing equipment. I recently ordered the $56 kayak canopy shown below. I expect it may prove to be a bit challenging to mount, but I am confident I can succeed at it.)
There are a few low cost alternatives to the DIY route. That being said be aware that there may still be some DIY work involved to get them mounted and functional. As one might expect “made in China” comes into play. I looked at two recently … both are made for recumbent tadpole trikes.
As I write this the $114 one is nearly out of stock (only 1 black color remains) and the $150 one is completely out of stock (sold out).
And then there is the option of a canopy made for a kayak which Amazon sells for $56 … but I found it on Ebay for only $36.
The side screens were added by the rider. They don’t come with the canopy. Here is a picture of what you get …
It is 4 foot long, 2 foot wide and the back vertical part comes 7.5 inches down.
Some riders have used baby stroller canopies …
Obviously it doesn’t extend very far forward so it only shades the head and possibly the neck and shoulders at times.
Here it is in the down position. It definitely would catch the wind.
Even kites have been used to make a canopy on a trike (…
And one can use a canopy made for a bicycle …
Lastly, an umbrella has been used as a canopy …
It is so high up it doesn’t offer near as much shade as it could if it were lower. And I am sure it would do very poorly in the wind.
I am adding this here as an idea as how to fasten the front of a canopy down. The front derailleur post can be used to anchor to by placing a rubber pipe plug with an eyebolt and adjusting lock nut into the top of it. First the plastic plug in the derailleur post needs to be removed.
A canopy should indeed help you to …
ENJOY THE RIDE!
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I came across this video and thought I would share it. I have often heard a lot about Cades Cove in the Tennessee Smoky Mountains and I am sure it would be a great ride. I am equally sure that the closest I will ever get to riding there is watching videos of others who rode there.
Ed Miller has several videos of riding thru Cades Cove …
There is camping and lodging available for those visiting Cades Cove.
Cades Cove is rich in wildlife …
Cades Cove is rich in history …
Cades Cove is rich in natural beauty …
There are several waterfalls to see …
For those who can manage and handle a winter day excursion there is more natural beauty to behold …
HERE is an interesting read about Cades Cove as well as info resources on several topics including places to stay overnight.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to ride in the Cades Cove area be safe (don’t attempt to get too close to the wildlife) and …
ENJOY THE RIDE!
HERE are more videos of recumbent trike riding in Cades Cove.
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While looking for a battery charger on LunaCycle.com I came across these articles on batteries and battery charging and read them. They are well written with useful information so I am sharing them here. They are found on the ElectricBike.com website.
How to make a lithium battery last, or…kill it, if you like.
Mid Drive Kit Install Part-2, Matching Connectors from Battery to Controller
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Anyone up for a race? Just 35 miles west of where I live is a small town where they have recumbent races. Here is a video highlighting some of the racing. I found it interesting that the tandems and the velomobile were not competitive at all. They got passed like they were sitting still. I thought the velomobile would be leading the pack followed by the tandems.
If I were younger I might participate in something like this. But, alas, I am now an old man and age has caught up with me. I am sure that this was a fun event for those who raced.
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I am happy to be able to say that I keep seeing more tadpole trikes out there as I go out riding. This Spring alone I have seen at least a dozen trikes I have never seen before. Just today I saw 5 new ones one of which was a tandem. And now that we have a Catrike dealer in town I am definitely seeing a bunch more Catrikes out there … far more Catrikes than any other brand … which pleases me greatly as I think there is no better made trike out there. I am trying to meet them and get acquainted, but I tell ya what it is starting to get confusing and overwhelming trying to keep the whole picture straight. I need a photo album of the trikes, riders and their names. This is a good thing. Even though it is taxing my feeble brain I am so glad to see the numbers growing like they are. I am terrible with names anyway so this is difficult and always embarrassing for me when I can’t/don’t remember their names. I always joke about my problem remembering names. I say that the name goes in one ear and out of the other ear like there is nothing in there to stop it.
But hey, the important thing is that it is happening. The total number of tadpole trikes I know of in my area is now up to at least 24. When I first started riding a tadpole trike back in 2007 I think there were about 5 trikes around. It has been a slow but steady growth, however, the last couple of years it has sped up considerably.
If any of those in my area are reading this I apologize to you if I don’t remember your name and have to ask … and ask … and … well, you get the picture. Regardless of whether or not I remember your name I just want you to know I welcome you to the world of tadpole triking. May we all …
KEEP ON TRIKIN’
and
ENJOY THE RIDE!
And BE SAFE OUT THERE!
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It seems that just about everybody loves watching the high speed police chase videos. I know I do. However, riding peacefully along a bicycle trail and suddenly finding yourself enveloped in one is not my idea of fun. I mean a guy could get killed out there. Just recently this was a reality for several trail users … most of them tadpole trike riders … as they were riding along on the Withlacoochee Trail in Florida and hearing sirens getting louder and louder. I would imagine that upon hearing the sirens their thoughts were that these emergency vehicles were over on the nearby road which ran alongside of the trail. It probably never entered their minds that the unfolding scenario was on the trail. Fortunately the trail users all managed to avoid catastrophe. I have watched the various videos of this pursuit a few times trying to watch for trail users. I have captured “screenshots” of the various trail users I spotted. All but one was off to the side of the trail. The one who was still on the trail was most fortunate that this parade passed him by rather than scoop him up as a grill ornament.
This was a dangerous person. He attempted to kill police officers and shot at one. You can see the bullet hit the windshield of one of the police cars.
I personally think this should have been handled differently for the safety of the public. At the very least I think a policeman should have used their outside PA system to warn trail users to get off of the trail. Whenever possible I think that helicopters should be used to track these people rather than engage in these car chases. It seems that rarely there is a good outcome. Innocent people end up getting injured and killed. Property damage occurs. Usually the stolen vehicle involved gets destroyed.
Lastly HERE is a news article to read about this happening.
Not at really high speed, but we have had police chasing people on our local trails here in Fort Wayne, IN.
Hopefully none of us will ever deal with such a dangerous situation. Try to be safe and …
ENJOY THE RIDE!
A FREE GIFT awaits you!
Tadpole Rider 