Now Where Is That Credit Card?

Coming home from work Friday I saw an astonishing sight. There was a person land paddling along side Lafayette Park. This is only the second person besides Heather and me that I have ever seen land paddling here in St. Louis. I just had to stop and meet her.

I've mentioned before that one of the great things about the Symba is how non-intimidating it is. Well, I may have to rethink that. It seems when I pulled up next to the land paddler, the first things she noticed were my Courts parking sticker and the black and white colors of Billie. Her first thoughts were, "Am I doing something wrong? Am I being pulled over?" So much for being non-intimidating.

Anyway, we had a nice chat. She was impressed that I was wearing all the gear. She called me a "Serious Rider." I was impressed she was wearing a helmet.

Nice helmet and really cool stick.

She didn't know anyone else who land paddled. She hasn't had her Kahuna Big Stick for very long and has been looking for trails and places to play. I told her about the trails over in Madison County and about Grant's Trail. Unlike Heather and me she was a skateboarder before taking up land paddling.

When I got home and told Heather about meeting another land paddler she asked me how this person had heard about land paddling. Isn't that a great question? I wish I'd thought to ask. Oh well, maybe next time. Hopefully the three of us can get together and do some trails.

Heather's question reminded me of how I learned about land paddling. I was on Grant's Trail here in St. Louis and saw this guy on a skateboard pushing himself with this stick. I was curious as to what he was doing, but not curious enough to ask. However, later at home I started to think how cool what he was doing looked and started searching on Google. Eventually, I discovered the Kahuna Creations Website: http://www.kahunacreations.com/
Sadly, I haven't seen him on the trail since.

And now when I went to post the link I discovered they have a new Adjustable Stick. Hmmm, now where is that Credit Card?

Here's a couple of links to videos.
First a good instructional video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XK-y44Gy1No&feature=related

Here's  one that shows why I think a helmet should always be worn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N10idJVe94E&feature=related

Finally, a nice video of a guy just out doing it. Plus, there is a scooter in it for some two wheel content.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFMV-SQFSM0&feature=related

And What Did Heather Think?

Wow, when it comes to blogging it seems I'm only 1-for-May. I'm not exactly sure why. I know it hasn't been because of a lack of experiences. It's true I've been busy, but I'm always busy. Also, I've had an annoying health issue going on, but it hasn't been of the sort to stop me from riding, inline skating some, hiking a lot, and even getting in the season's first land paddle. I do know part of my blogging fall-off has to do with Heather's work load lightening up and her being home more evenings and around on the weekends. It has been good to spend time with her.

Hiking at Castlewood.

Land Paddling on Schoolhouse Trail in Madison County, Illinois.

Just hanging out at Horseshoe Lake.

So, let's begin to catch-up May. But, to do that I've got to go back to the last day of April. Actually, I need go back even a little more in time than that.

Who could that be inside that fullface helmet?

Yep, in early April Heather bought a helmet. She did it in preparation for what we had planned for the last day of April. We went to Spyderfest in Cuba, Missouri. Over two hundred Can-Am Spyders descended on the Mural City during the last week in April. We drove down on Saturday to check it out, eat some barbeque, and . . .

This was before half of the Spyders made it out to Cowtown, the local Spyder dealer, for barbeque. There were bikes there from both coasts and Canada.

. . . to test ride a Spyder.

There were Spyders everywhere.

Sadly, we didn't get any pictures of us on the Spyder. Heather has never been on a motorcycle or an ATV or a trike. So, riding on the Spyder while I piloted it was a big first for her. Zach, the guy in charge of the demos, gave us a quick run down of the controls and how to put into reverse, gave us a few suggestions on where we might like to ride, and sent us on our way. We tested a RT with a semi-automatic transmission. It reminded me of my experience of driving a snowmobile. Of course, the way I ride a snowmobile has very little in common with the way my brother-in-law rides a snowmobile. You see, I have a slow hand and don't drift through the corners while approaching triple digits. That said, the Spyder easily took the curves at ten-plus mph above the posted speed. It did everything I asked of it. I liked the transmission, but I'm sure others would miss the clutch. Would I buy one? Well, definitely not a RT. Both Heather and me think it is butt-ugly. The RS on the other hand could be an interesting year around vehicle for me . . . if it didn't cost so much; and if it didn't get such horrible gas mileage; and if I was convinced I could afford to maintain it.

The guy wearing the helmet with the horns rides his Spyder year around in Minnesota. He tells me with an automobile snow tire on the back and sandbags to add weight over the rear wheel it can handle snow  up to four inches. If there is more snow than that you have to wait for the snowplow to go through first. By the way, when he's really ready to ride the highway he wears a fullface helmet.

A Cow-Am

The orange Spyder is a RS. The blue beast next to it is a RT Touring.  I didn't get any intentional pictures of any RT's. No surprise there.

I really liked this rig.

And, what did Heather think? I'm not exactly sure, but the next weekend we made a trip to Cyclegear and . .

She bought a jacket.

The Return Of The King

I've taken to calling him "The King". I've wrote about him before. I wrote about his going missing last Fall when the mornings turned colder. I Wonder After Him 

But, now it is Spring and the King has returned. 

Recently, the King made a rare afternoon appearance. I spotted him on my way home from work and saw it as an opportunity to meet the King.

His throne is  the top of the stairs  leading to a townhouse much like this one.

I was nervous. He is a imposing figure. There seems to be a permanent scowl on his face. And, although I have passed by him many times, and, even though I have begun to nod my head toward him every time I pass, still I have never seen the expression on his face change. It is always the same.

I made a U-turn and pulled up in front of his house. For a moment I wondered to myself, "What the hell are you doing," but I ignored that voice, chalking it up to excessive caution. My deep sense told me I was in no real danger. 

I parked the bike and dismounted. I took off my helmet before I began to walk toward him. As I approached he watched me. There was no change in his expression, but his eyes were alive with what seemed to me to be curiosity. Neither of us spoke until I got to the base of the stairs. 

I broke the silence. I explained how he might have noticed me nodding to him as I rode by him in the morning. He didn't speak. Next, I began my normal spiel about how commuting to work on my bike had made me  more aware of the people and places I pass everyday. I was somewhere in the middle of what was becoming for me a very uncomfortable monolog when finally the King spoke. "Is that your bike?" I said it was. Then he said, "I like your bike." I thanked him. Then he said, "You know there is a church down the street. They are really nice people. They have a store there and maybe you could find something nice for your bike there." And, even though his expression never changed there was excitement in his voice. 

Suddenly, insight dawned. I realized I was talking to child in a man's body. I changed how I was talking to him and from then on we had a very nice chat. I gave him my name and he gave me his. I learned he had lived in the neighborhood for only three years. Also, I learned when I see him in the morning he is waiting for his ride to pick him up and take him to one of the area hospitals. He didn't tell me if he went there to work or if he was a patient and I didn't ask. Our conversation didn't last long and his expression never changed. I came to wonder if he was even capable of smiling.

I didn't ask if I could take his picture. I'm confident he would have said, "Yes," but, it just didn't seem the right thing to do. Just like taking a picture of a similar building's entry way rather than his seemed to be a very right thing to do.

After my encounter with the King, the weather turned cold again. It was a few days before I rode by him seated on his throne. When I did, I didn't just nod my head but I waved to him. When he noticed me, he stood up and waved back. He waved to me in the way a child waves, not just with his arm but with his whole body. And, the expression on his face never changed, but mine did.

Pee Wee Revisited

The other day PeeWee was out in front of his house. When last I visited PeeWee he was getting ready to paint his bike . . . once again. So, when I saw him outside I thought I'd better stop and get a progress report.

One of the things I didn't mention in that post was: The first time I met PeeWee he was admiring my boots. He asked me where I had picked them up and I told him. When we said our goodbyes he said he was going to go out and get him some boots. I'd forgotten that until he did something during this visit that reminded me.

It seems the last time, I stopped by he noticed that I was wearing a motocross helmet with goggles rather than my full-face helmet. I've taken to doing this when it is warm enough and dry. I find this set up is cooler and lighter, yet it offers nearly the protection of a full-face helmet. This visit as I was parking the bike he told he was going to go into his house to get something to show me.

PeeWee seems to like skulls.

He brought out his new motocross helmet and goggles. I suggested he might want to think about taking off the visor. He hadn't thought about that.

Him bringing out the helmet reminded me about the boots. When I asked about them, he said, "Yeah, I got me some boots," and went back in the house to retrieve them.

My boots are Frank Thomas and I have mixed feelings about them. I hope he likes his Alpine Stars better.

PeeWee's boots and helmet

Then PeeWee told me that since he had a helmet like mine and boots, now he was thinking of buying a camera and going around meeting people and taking their pictures. I think he was teasing me don't you?

Of course, he also told me he was thinking of painting his other bike pink.

"Pink?" I said.

"Yeah., pink"

"Why pink?"

"Just cause it would  be something different. Kind of stir things up"

He went on to tell me that he had lots of ideas.  Like when he was buying his new helmet and goggles he saw a set of " Full Race Leathers". He wanted them bad, but they were too expensive. He thought it would be really cool to get a pocket bike and dress in full leathers. Actually, he thought it would be even cooler to get a few riders together with pocket rockets in full race leathers and start screaming toward the Arch like Shriners gone wild. Why? Like painting the bike pink, it would be different and outrageous and fun.

Tonight he was out putting the panels back on his now once again red bike. I stopped to get a progress picture.

The panels still need to cure. In a couple of weeks he'll wet sand it and smooth it out.

It is still a work in progress.

Stay tuned.

One Still Falling Down And Another Showing Progress And . . .

Awhile back I posted about a building that had been slowly falling down. I'd been watching its demise on my daily commute.

First it looked like this.

Then more of it fell on its own.

And, finally the unit was torn down, but what was left looked none too sturdy.

This Spring has brought some very strong winds and now I am watching the further demise of the remaining portion of the building.

Look familiar?

There is still a family living in the building next to this one. I'm curious what will happen next.

On a happier building note, there is a row of buildings that have been being rehabbed. When last I posted about them they looked like this:

The dumpster had disappeared but it came back

There have been workers on the site all winter, but all the work has been inside. Just in the last two weeks has the progress began to be show on the outside.

Windows . . .

And doors.

The workers are gone by the time I get out in the evening. On a morning when I am either off during the week or can arrange to go into work late, I'm hoping to stop by and see if I can get some information on what the plans are for these buildings. And, if I'm really lucky maybe I will find out some of the history of these buildings.

Now there is another building on my daily commute that is being worked on. I can't tell if it is still being used or not. I had noticed the building before mostly because it had no windows.

The signage said, "Cavalier Products" and you can see the detail of a cavalier above the doors. I hadn't even thought about the building having a false front until it started to come off.

Now, I could see the details of the building from once upon a time.

I wonder what is going to happen to this building next? Is it getting a new facelift or what?


There is so much going on in my little eight and a half mile commute, and that doesn't even include the traffic. Speaking of traffic, it has actually lightened up on some of my route. There has been a speed reduction on Arsenal Street next to Tower Grove Park.

Since the reduction has gone into effect there has been a reduction in traffic. I'd not expected the speed reduction to make much of a difference, but St. Louis' Finest are actually enforcing this change. When the speed limit was ten mph higher people were adding another ten. With all the three-way stops on this route, it was hurry up and wait. Now, traffic is flowing nicely at about 30mph, which seems a good speed for this section of street. And, with less traffic it has cut time off my commute. Plus the incidents of folks passing illegally on my right, apparently in a hurry to get to the next stop sign to wait their turn behind five or six cars, has dropped as well. Don't you just  love it when a plan comes together. 

That Was A Very Good Answer

They drove up just as I was beginning my walk up the ramp to the employee entrance of the Courthouse. They are both investigators for the Circuit Attorneys Office and I see them often. We speak in passing, but I can't say I remember ever actually interacting with them.

They came up the steps and I made it to the door just before them. I opened the door and motioned for them to go ahead. He acting the gentleman let her enter first. As she entered she said to me, "Why thank you, sir."

I said nothing, but as he passed me I tapped him on the shoulder and said, "I guess she thinks I was holding the door for her."

We all laughed. "Nope," she said, "I figured you were holding it for him. He's much nicer than I am."

I had to take off my helmet and have my messenger bag scanned, but still caught up to them at the elevators.

As the doors to one of the elevators opened she hurried to be first and then pretending to hold the door said, "Here let me return the favor and hold the doors for you." She bowed and added, "After you gentlemen."

As I entered the elevator I playfully pointed out to her that the doors had opened by themselves and that wasn't much of a payback. We were all laughing and she said, "Okay, if you're going to be that way, let me do something else for you." Then  she added, "I know, let me hold your helmet for you."

I looked at her and with a straight face said, "I'm not sure I can handle a woman holding my helmet this early in the morning."

She stopped laughing, looked at me, and shook her index finger at me. I'm thinking this is not good. Then she spoke, "That was a very good answer," and laughed. Then she added, "Now that we are all wide awake, I think it is time we start our work day ."

I Am Pleased.

Billie, my Symba, has a four-speed transmission with an automatic clutch. The shift lever looks like a heel-toe shifter, but when I first got Billie I couldn't make it work as such. I'd read on a Symba forum that it helped to move the shifter a couple of notches to raise the heel. I tried that, but it was of only minimal help. I ended up thinking it was basically a toe-toe shifter, or in my case a heel-heel shifter -- push down of the front pedal with the heel to shift down and push down with the heel on the back pedal to shift up. This worked but was unacceptable to me. So, still  being a Norte-woods redneck at heart, I got out the duct tape and other assorted things I could find and started cobbling up a way to raise the front pedal.

Amazing what one can do with duct tape and a couple, three door stops.

My plan was once I had found the correct height for the shifter to actually work as a heel-toe shifter, I would find someone who could cut the lever and re-weld it in the proper position.

When Mike first looked over my bike I noticed his eyes hovering over "my mess" on the front-end of the shift lever. I explained to him what had been my plan. He said, "When I get my welder moved in, I can do that." Well, he has had his welder moved in for quite awhile, but there always something else that was a bigger priority or we were crunched for time or something. Finally, this Saturday was the day.

Here's the debris we removed from the front-end of the shift lever.

Mike said it really wouldn't take him very long to do this and I was surprised at how quick it went. This was even with having to drill out and re-tap the bolt that holds the lever on.

And here is the final product. He really did nice work.

I rode with it for a while yesterday and for a longer ride today and it works great!

Another thing I've wanted to get taken care of was the lights in the rear paniers. When I got the paniers put on, the rear turn signals needed to be moved, but the technicians that were working at Maplewood Scooter Company at the time, said they couldn't do that. I thought the lights in the paniers could work as turn signals, but they assured me they wouldn't. I picked up some LED turn signals at Cyclegear and suggested they run wires from the old turn signals to these and mount them low on the real fender. They said they could do that. And, they charged me a pretty penny to do so. Sadly, at the time I thought I was getting a deal. Oh well.

Notice the little LED Turn signal next to the license plate. Before these were added only folks directly behind me could see my turn signal. Not a good thing. But, with these little guys installed folks could see me from other lanes. This was a good thing.

Not long after Mike came to Maplewood Scooter Company, he asked me why I hadn't hooked up the lights in the paniers. I told him about my previous conversations. He just shrugged his shoulders and said he could do it and that it wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. I told him I might just do that one day. Well, last Saturday was the day for that, too. Good thing, because since I last checked my turn signals one of the added lights no longer worked.

I'm really grateful that Mike is willing to let me watch him work so that I can know what he does and how he does it. I'm not a mechanical dummy, I just can't figure out how to begin anymore. That said, I'm still pretty good at knowing when someone is doing what needs doing. I can see the method in the way Mike works. It reminds me of watching my Grandpa Cole work on a project. I could see Mike checking and double checking everything. It was truly a beautiful thing to behold.

Originally the plan was to just hook up the panier lights as brake lights, but with the demise of my "high priced" turn signals we moved to plan "B". I think it turned out pretty well. Jeff the Sales Manager took this video with his iphone:

I am pleased.