Reading through the various crazyguyonabike blogs I was able to piece together a pretty good schedule for my Coast 2 Coast ride this spring.
The map is probably not exact because the ride varies slightly year to year.
Put your mouse over the markers to see the date and location (city, state).
Reading through the various crazyguyonabike blogs I was able to piece together a pretty good schedule for my Coast 2 Coast ride this spring.
All the dates and places below are subject to some amount of change. The begin and end dates are solid though.
Robyn is going to be loosely follow along in El Heffe Rojo (our big, fire engine red, Mercedes Crew Van). She will be joining up with me every now and then.
# | Date | Day | Leave | Arrive | Mil | Total | Type | Notes | Lunch |
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26-Feb | Sun | Austin, TX | El Paso, TX | Drive to CA | |||||
27-Feb | Mon | El Paso, TX | San Diego, CA | Hotel | Drive to CA Ocean Villa Inn 5142 W Point Loma Blvd San Diego, CA 92107 |
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28-Feb | Tues | El Paso, TX | Hotel | ||||||
01-Mar | Wed | Hotel | Tour San Diego | ||||||
02-Mar | Thurs | Hotel | Tour San Diego | ||||||
03-Mar | Fri | San Diego, CA | Hotel | Rider's Meeting | |||||
01 | 04-Mar | Sat | San Diego, CA route |
Alpine, CA | 42 | Camp | START! Ma Tar Awa Viejas Camper Park 25 Browns Rd, Alpine, CA 91901 Jan27 talk w/Veronica Check in when there She'll place close to Bubba's |
Roberto's Taco Shop 12401 Woodside Ave Lakeside, CA 92040 |
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02 | 05-Mar | Sun | Alpine, CA | Live Oak Springs, CA | 32 | 74 | Camp | Ma Tar Awa Viejas Camper Park 25 Browns Rd, Alpine, CA 91901 |
37820 Old Hwy 80 Boulevard CA 91905 |
03 | 06-Mar | Mon | Live Oak Springs, CA | Calexico, CA | 63 | 137 | Indoor | Calexico Mission School +40 miles is center of world The Spot - Felicity CA |
Red Feather Cafe,Ocotillo |
04 | 07-Mar | Tue | Calexico, CA | Yuma, AZ | 65 | 202 | Indoor | National Guard Armory | Center of the World, Felicity Cafe open 11:00 to 3:00 |
05 | 08-Mar | Wed | Yuma, AZ | Dateland, AZ | 70 | 272 | Camp | Date milk shake | Jac's Whistle Stop Cafe Tacna, CA |
06 | 09-Mar | Thur | Dateland, AZ | Gila Bend, AZ | 52 | 324 | Camp | Gila Bend KOA Journey Mar06 thru 10th reserved for Robyn |
Sofia's Mexican Food 616 E Pima St Gila Bend, AZ 85337 |
07 | 10-Mar | Fri | Gila Bend, AZ | Casa Grande, AZ | 74 | 398 | Indoor | Guard Armory 302 E Cottonwood | Stanfield Ranch Market Stanfield, CA |
08 | 11-Mar | Sat | Casa Grande, AZ | Catalina, AZ | 69 | 476 | Camp | Catalina State Park Have to move each night B72,B13,B42 Reserved 10th-12th |
Nico's Mexican Food 11855 W Marana Rd Marana, AZ 85653 |
09 | 12-Mar | Sun | Catalina, AZ | REST DAY | |||||
10 | 13-Mar | Mon | Catalina, AZ | Tucson, AZ | 43 | 510 | Camp | Adventure Bound Camping Resorts 10195 S Houghton Rd Tucson, AZ 85747 Cactus Country |
Seis Regional Mexican Cuisine 100 South Avenida del Convento #200 Tucson, AZ 85745 |
11 | 14-Mar | Tues | Tucson, AZ | Tombstone, AZ | 73 | 583 | Hotel | Landmark Lookout Lodge Hotel 781 N Highway 80 Tombstone, AZ King Room Booked |
Cunningham's Ranch House Restaurant 3250 AZ-82 Sonoita, AZ 85637 |
12 | 15-Mar | Wed | Tombstone, AZ | Douglas, AZ | 50 | 633 | Hotel | Gadsden Hotel 1046 G Ave, Douglas, AZ (520) 364-4481 Robyn in Best Western |
High Desert Market 203 Tombstone Canyon Bisbee, AZ 85603 |
13 | 16-Mar | Thurs | Douglas, AZ | Rodeo, NM | 59 | 692 | Indoor | Painted Pony Ranch (John Mcafee) Painted Pony Resort 257 Painted Pony Road Rodeo, NM 88056 Bring $50 cash to estate mgr |
Geronimo Surrender Monument San Simon, AZ 85632 NO FOOD - Pack Lunch |
14 | 17-Mar | Fri | Rodeo, NM | Columbus, NM | 95 | 787 | Indoor | Columbus Elementary School 7450 Altura Ave, Columbus, NM (575) 531-2710 Mar 17th-18th reserved hacienda de villa motel confirmed by phone Mile 26 Continental Divide |
Hachita NM NO FOOD - Pack Lunch |
15 | 18-Mar | Sat | Columbus, NM | REST DAY | |||||
16 | 19-Mar | Sun | Columbus, NM | El Paso, TX | 75 | 862 | Hotel | Sleep Inn - 953 Sunland Parkway Robyn reserved Comfort Inn |
Lunch at MM134 NO FOOD - Pack Lunch |
17 | 20-Mar | Mon | El Paso, TX | Ft. Hancock, TX | 61 | 923 | Indoor | Fort Hancock High School 100 W School St, Fort Hancock, TX (915) 769-3811 Robyn reserved at Van Horn RV Park (tomorrow's destination) |
La Changa Restaurant 108 Main St Fabens, TX 79838 |
18 | 21-Mar | Tues | Ft. Hancock, TX | Van Horn, TX | 74 | 997 | Camp | Van Horn RV Park 10 Kampers Lane, Van Horn, TX (432) 283-2728 |
Michael's Restaurant 561 E El Paso St Sierra Blanca, TX 79851 |
19 | 22-Mar | Wed | Van Horn, TX | Marfa, TX | 73 | 1,070 | Indoor | Marfa Activity Center 105 N Mesa St. Thunderbird Hotel Queen Reserved |
Kay Johnson Memorial Library Valentine, TX |
20 | 23-Mar | Thurs | Marfa, TX | Marathon, TX | 57 | 1,127 | Camp | Marathon Motel & RV Park 701 US-90 Marathon, TX 79842 |
Bread & Breakfast Bakery Cafe 113 W Holland Ave Alpine, TX 79830 |
21 | 24-Mar | Fri | Marathon, TX | REST DAY | |||||
22 | 25-Mar | Sat | Marathon, TX | Sanderson, TX | 55 | 1,182 | Indoor |
Sanderson High School 100 W Hackberry St Sanderson, TX 79848 Robyn leaves for home 5 hour drive to Georgetown |
Sanderson. Food available in Stripes Gas station |
23 | 26-Mar | Sun | Sanderson, TX | Comstock, TX | 81 | 1,263 | Camp | Seminole Canyon State Park | |
24 | 27-Mar | Mon | Comstock, TX | Fort Clark Springs, TX | 73 | 1,336 | Camp | Campers World on Campers World Rd | |
25 | 28-Mar | Tues | Brackettville, TX | Concan, TX | 74 | 1,410 | Cabin | Yeargan's RiverBend Resort 830-232-6616 Robyn camping w/Liz 28th & 29th. |
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26 | 29-Mar | Wed | Concan, TX | Cabin | REST DAY | ||||
27 | 30-Mar | Thurs | Concan, TX | Kerrville, TX | 72 | 1,482 | Camp | Kerrville-Schreiner Park 2385 Bandera Hwy Kerrville, TX 78028 Site #211 |
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28 | 31-Mar | Fri | Kerrville, TX | Blanco, TX | 59 | 1,541 | Camp | Blanco State Park Screened shelter w/electric |
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29 | 01-Apr | Sat | Blanco, TX | Lockhart, TX | 62 | 1,603 | Camp | Lockhart State Park Robyn attending concert in Canyon Lake Robyn going ahead to Mexican Hill Ranch Reserved Apr01-Apr05 |
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30 | 02-Apr | Sun | Lockhart, TX | La Grange, TX | 60 | 1,663 | Indoor |
Randolph Recreation Center 653 E Pearl St La Grange, TX 78945 |
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31 | 03-Apr | Mon | La Grange, TX | Richards, TX | 89 | 1,752 | Camp | Mexican Hill Ranch Checkpoint Harley 7774 FM 1486 Richards, TX 77873 |
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32 | 04-Apr | Tues | Richards, TX | Camp | REST DAY | ||||
33 | 05-Apr | Wed | Richards, TX | Shepherd, TX | 64 | 1,816 | Camp | Shepherd Sanctuary 1445 Shraderville Rd. Shepherd, TX (281)705-2581 |
The Hop 14801 TX-150 Coldspring, TX 77331 |
34 | 06-Apr | Thurs | Shepherd, TX | Silsbee, TX | 61 | 1,877 | Camp | Red Cloud RV Park 2351 US-96 Silsbee, TX 77656 Cabin 2 night minimum She'll call Robyn on 04/01 to confirm. |
Mama Jack's 215 S Pine St Kountze, TX 77625 |
35 | 07-Apr | Fri | Silsbee, TX | DeRidder, LA | 73 | 1,950 | Hotel |
Quality Inn 505 E 1st St DeRidder, LA 70634 Robyn in Austin Apr07-12 |
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36 | 08-Apr | Sat | DeRidder, LA | Opelousas, LA | 91 | 2,041 | Hotel |
Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Opelousas 5696 I-49 Frontage Rd Opelousas, LA 70570 Robyn attend Patty Griffin concert in Austin |
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37 | 09-Apr | Sun | Opelousas, LA | St. Francisville, LA | 68 | 2,109 | Camp | Camp Marydale, a Girl Scout camp Robyn in Austin |
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38 | 10-Apr | Mon | St. Francisville, LA | Camp | REST DAY
Robyn in Austin |
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39 | 11-Apr | Tues | St. Francisville, LA | Franklinton, LA | 86 | 2,195 | Indoor |
Hillcrest Baptist Church Gym 2201 Washington St Franklinton, LA 70438 Robyn in Austin |
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40 | 12-Apr | Wed | Franklinton, LA | Poplarville, MS | 45 | 2,240 | Indoor | Armory Robyn in Austin |
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41 | 13-Apr | Thurs | Poplarville, MS | Ocean Springs, MS | 72 | 2,312 | Indoor |
National Guard Armory 7104 McCann Robyn in JellyStone (Kerrville) Apr13-16 |
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42 | 14-Apr | Fri | Ocean Springs, MS | Dauphin Island, AL | 83 | 2,395 | Camp |
Dauphin Island Park & Beach Board 109 Bienville Blvd Dauphin Island, AL 36528 Robyn in JellyStone (Kerrville) |
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43 | 15-Apr | Sat | Dauphin Island, AL | Camp | REST DAY
Robyn in JellyStone (Kerrville) |
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44 | 16-Apr | Sun | Dauphin Island, AL | Pensacola, FL | 57 | 2,452 | Indoor | Days Inn 710 N Palafox Robyn leaves JellyStone (Easter) Drive 536 miles to Baton Rouge |
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45 | 17-Apr | Mon | Pensacola, FL | Milton, FL | 45 | 2,497 | Camp | KOA 8700 Gulf Pines Dr. Milton, FL Robyn drives 270 miles to KOA (30 year anniversary) |
Shrimp Basket Milton 6389 US-90 Milton, FL 32570 |
46 | 18-Apr | Tues | Milton, FL | DeFuniak Springs , FL | 55 | 2,552 | Camp | Paradise Island Resort Robyn drives ahead to: Arrowhead Campground Cabin #4 for two nights w/bathroom and shower prepaid one night |
Simply Good BBQ 12496 US-90 Defuniak Springs, FL 32433 |
47 | 19-Apr | Wed | DeFuniak Springs , FL | Marianna, FL | 69 | 2,621 | Camp | Arrowhead Campground | Bailey's Surf & Turf 1229 Jackson Ave Chipley, FL 32428 |
48 | 20-Apr | Thurs | Marianna, FL | Tallahassee, FL | 80 | 2,701 | Hotel | Best Western Seminole 6737 Mahan Dr Tallahassee BW is closed. Robyn at Quality Inn (same address). |
Gadsden County Clerk of Courts 10 E Jefferson St Quincy, FL 32351 |
49 | 21-Apr | Fri | Tallahassee, FL | Live Oak, FL | 77 | 2,778 | Indoor | Suwannee County Fairgrounds 1302 SW 11th St. Live Oak, FL Apr21-24 Robyn reservations at: Holliday Inn Gainesville FL. |
Madison! Food options next 1.5 miles. Eat lunch here. No restaurants after this point today. |
50 | 22-Apr | Sat | Live Oak, FL | Gainesville, FL | 83 | 2,861 | Indoor |
North Central Florida YMCA 5201 NW 34th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32605 |
Bob's Butts BBQ Restaurant and Catering 12224 Co Rd 137 Wellborn, FL 32094 The Diner 19726NW hwy 441 High Springs, FL 32643 |
51 | 23-Apr | Sun | Gainesville, FL | Palatka, FL | 53 | 2,914 | Indoor | Florida National Guard 1301 Moseley Ave Palatka, FL 32177 |
Nanna's Country Cafe 1156 FL-20 Interlachen, FL 32148 |
52 | 24-Apr | Mon | Palatka, FL | St. Augustine, FL | 43 | 2,957 | Hotel | FINISHED! Hampton Inn 430 A1A Beach Boulevard St. Augustine |
A1A Ale Works 1 King St #101 St Augustine, FL 32084 Get a balcony seat and enjoy lunch with a view! |
I’ve signed up for Bubba’s Coast2Coast ride.
Starting March 3rd on the Pacific Coast, San Diego CA, we will bike ~ 3,000 miles and end up on the Atlantic Coast in St. Augustine FL.
The route:
I’ll be riding my Lightning R-84.
For reference: blogs of people who have ridden Bubba’s Coast 2 Coast ride.
Coast2Coast 2016 - blogspot - By Wayne Andresen
Coast2Coast 2016 - crazyguyonabike - By Chrysa Niewald
Coast2Coast 2015 - crazyguyonabike - By Wayne Andresen
Last weekend I bought a “used” Velokraft NoCom.
I purchased the NoCom from a friend (Gary Bradford), who purchased from a friend (Andy Baker), who purchased from a guy in Oklahoma City. That is all I know about the history of the bike.
It looks like the bike has NEVER been ridden. Not a drop of oil, grease, grime, dirt or anything on the bike.
All pictures on this page are small images. Click any picture to view an original actual size picture (about 30 MB each).
###A little NoCom history###
In the early 2000’s several bike enthusiasts, bike racers and dealers were collaborating to design the ultimate racing bike. In 2003 the group approached Kamil Manecki, owner of Velokraft Recumbents in Poland regarding manufacture of their design. Velokraft was world renown for it’s beautiful carbon work and recumbent bikes. The group agreed that there was to be “No Compromise” in the design and build of this bike - it was to be built for speed. Therefore the name of this bike was conceived, the Velokraft “NOCOM”.
The main requirements levied by the group were that it be light in weight, made of carbon fiber, have a 700c rear wheel for reduced road drag, be as aero as possible, the seat be integrated into the frame, a sliding front boom for adjustment and the frame extend over the wheels to provide small splitter fairings as much as possible.
In 2004 the first NoCom was completed. During the next years improvements were made to the NoCom making it lighter and faster. This NoCom is the 3rd generation of the original. The bike does have an internal frame compartment which can house the rider’s water bladder and small toolkit. That is the only convenience - no water bottle holders or anything else.
In late 2014 or early 2015 Kamil closed Velokraft recumbents so there may never be another NoCom. I would guess that fewer than 100 were built. Many people have said that the NoCom was the fastest bike ever built.
###Extra parts###
It came with an extra rear wheel, an extra front wheel and two extra front booms.
The rear disk wheel is an 8 speed and the rear training wheel is a 9 speed. If you click the through to the larger picture you can see the wheels have never been used.
###Other pictures of the bike###
This summer Robyn and I (and a whole bunch of friends) are going to trike the Erie Canal - 400 miles long and a wealth of history.
Starting in Buffalo NY and traveling 40 to 50 miles per day we expect to finish in Albany NY about 10 days later.
The Erie Canal ride is actually the main attraction of a much larger summer road trip:
Here we will part with our friends and Robyn and I will head west to Portland OR to visit our kids.
This post is divided into the following parts:
Most of use will be riding a “HP Velotechnik Scorpion FS26 S-Pedelec”.
Hereafter referred to as “the trike(s)”, or “the scorpion(s)”. :smile:
Designed for touring these trikes are amazing. With three wheel independent suspension, two large panniers, comfortable padded lawn chair type seat and an electric assist motor (mechanical doping) these trikes are traveling machines.
Robyn and I have taken a couple of extended trips on our trikes with our friends around the US.
The other couples have purchased “HP Velotechnik Scorpion fs 26 S-Pedelec” trikes.
What a mouthful to say. From here on out we’re going to call them “HPScorpion"s.
Next summer we are planning on doing the Erie Canal trail. 440 miles in upstate New York starting in Buffalo and ending in Albany.
Just got the HPScorpions late last week and did a shake down ride last Friday morning.
Here are the pictures with some comments.
Outfitted for touring the trike has two big Ortlieb panniers and the extra second battery for longer distances.
Shake down ride
Friday morning I went out for a short ride to get initial impressions of the HPScorpion. I meet up with Nelson Lamb at the top of the Georgetown Dam. What started as just a little easy ride turned into a 25 mile, two and a half hour, fun filled time with Nelson just cruising the neighborhoods and gabbing.
The three miles from home to the top of the dam to meet Nelson I had the pedelec assist on and it is amazing. Kick back, move the pedals, and enjoy the scenery. The trail to the dam is narrow, twisty and for a short section very rough uneven gravel. The HPScorpion did great.
After I met up with Nelson I turned off the assist and rode the next couple of hours pedaling manually. The HPScorpion is a cruising machine. Even the roughest chip-seal is not noticeable because of the HPScorpion’s suspension. It makes for a very relaxed ride - on my Catrike Expedition my teeth would be rattling.
The only downside is the HPScorpion is HEAVY. Going up hill, without the pedelec assist engaged, is the same as going uphill in my Quest velomobile. It probably weights close to 75 pounds with the extra batteries and panniers. When I get those panniers loaded up the weight is going to be close to 100 pounds. My Quest was 85 pounds.
I did not seem to have any problems riding the HPScorpion manually with Nelson on his Catrike Expedition.
Summary: What an awesome trike! Sometime in the next month Robyn and I are going to take an overnight ride to a small town 35 miles north of here to check out it’s touring abilities.
Ordered mid October each HPScorpion is custom ordered from Germany so they take awhile to be delivered. Ours finally arrived December 9th.
The right side handle bar contains the controller. The the left top round button controls all the functionality. Press the top power button for on/off. Press the plus and minus to increase or decrease the power assist.
Press and hold the minus button (and then goose the pedals just a smidgen) to engage the reverse gear.
The mirrors came detached. Remove the headset on the top of the suspension and replace them with the mirrors.
The front chain ring setup is quite impressive. The pedals came detached. Put a little grease on the threads and use an allen wrench to screw them in.
I really like the chainring guard and the headlights already assembled.
We ordered our with the Terricycle Boom Adjusters. Glad we did. Made the initial setup for getting the boom length correct really easy.
This is weird compared to our Catrike Expeditions.
The right side brake is hydraulic with a splitter just below the seat so that the right side hand actually actuates both front brakes at the same time. No more pulling to the right or left when braking due to uneven pressure with your hand strength.
The left side brake goes to a rear wheel rim brake. Included is a parking brake level that is tons better than the velcro strap included on the Catrikes.
It was not obvious how to attach the panniers. Took many tries to finally find the correct combination. They tended to collide with either the batteries for the water bottles.
Here is the final position that seems to hang together with everything.
From the top.
How you have to adjust the SL2 system so that the pannier just easily clips on and off the HPScorpion.
Surprise! The second battery has just a placeholder and is not electrically connected to the system. When the first battery runs dry you have to get off the bike and move the battery cable from one side to the other.
The battery cable is long enough to reach from one side to the other.
The Pedelec motor is a beast. It has no problems moving my fat butt up the steepest hills.
The Ortlieb panniers are first class. Also, very large.
Was not obvious how to attach the headrest. Seems to work ok like this.
Beautiful day for a ride today! 66 miles @ 20.7 mph. Although, I did stop for a nice leisurely breakfast.
On my bike ride today, just south of Salado, I saw an Osprey! Huge bird. Stopped and took as good a picture as I could with my cell phone. Saw it fly away and chase / pester some buzzards!
Early spring 2014, with a wicked tailwind, Ron Swift rode his Carbent recumbent the 70 miles from Waco (Lorena), along the IH35 access road, to the Round Rock Outlet malls averaging 23.3 mph and capturing pretty much every Strava KOM along the way.
For the last year and a half I’ve been trying to retake the one Strava KOM close to Georgetown that Ron set - 1.6 miles at 31.1 mph - I’ve never even come close.
Well, today the perfect storm happened.
Within the last couple of weeks the access road has been repaved and is now glass smooth for the 1.6 mile segment, I have the latest, fastest, velomobile the IntercityBikes DF-XL, my legs are starting to get in pretty good shape and, finally, today, there was a forecasted 16 mph tailwind. Warming up with a 20 mile route to the start, I quickly accelerated to the segment, and with the slight downhill, and the wind pushing the velo, my speed varied from the low 30s to the low 40s.
Success - new KOM - 1.6 miles at 35.4 mph. Gonna be awhile before I lose that one.
Today I sold the TiAero and shipped it out to it’s new owner in Eugene OR.
I’m going to miss the TiAero but I have to make room in the garage for velos and trikes.
In February of 2014 I purchased a used TiAero at the HOT rally in Austin Texas.
After riding up and down the street to dial-in the fitting I hopped on it and did a first ride of 51 miles. The TiAero is extremely easy to ride, coasts like crazy and is solid as a rock.
Lots of great rides, and several ride videos, with the TiAero.
Date | Miles | Event |
---|---|---|
22 Mar 2014 | 51 | Ti-Aero First Ride Impressions |
05 Apr 2014 | 43.5 | TiAero - Liberty Hill Spokes 'n Spurs |
19 Apr 2014 | 30.5 | TiAero - Tour de Vineyard Ride Report |
28 Apr 2014 | 0 | TiAero - Getting ready for GASP |
30 Apr 2014 | 30 | TiAero - Easy 30 miles |
03 May 2014 | 101.5 | TiAero - GASP Ride Report |
15 May 2014 | 70 | TiAero - Easy 70 miles today |
17 May 2014 | 29 | TiAero - Real Ale Ride Report |