Comments on: Vineyard Dave: Mild Mannered Velomobile Maniac

By: Vineyard Dave

Vineyard Dave — Sun, 15 May 2011 11:01:51 +0000

A little update on my Velomobile. A couple of shots from above were from the 2010 MS Ride. This year for the 2011 MS Ride, a slightly different and longer course, I rode 64 miles in just over 3 hours, 5 minutes, 56 seconds at an average speed of 20.65 mph and a maximum of 44 mph. The funny thing is that my time on last years 62 mile course was within seconds of this years but covering two more extra miles than last year with my average 19.9 mph.

Second update. I passed the 10,000 mile mark on my Velomobile yesterday in 76 weeks and one day.

Still running strong and smooth.

By: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:27:23 +0000

That was just timing, BluesCat. You didn’t throw the final straw.

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 19:12:59 +0000

Whoops! Okay, Ted.

Lest anybody misinterpret what I was sayin’ (and since it was right after MY last post that you posted your caution), let me set the record straight:

I am a BIG fan of …
Bicycles (all shapes and sizes)
Bicycling (all types: sport, touring, commuting, errand running, recreation riding, etc.)

I am an EXTRA SPECIAL BIG FAN of …
Recumbent Bikes (that includes Velomobiles)
Commute by Bike (the web site)
Commuting by Bike (the activity)

Put it all together and it means I’m a fan of Vineyard Dave, and everybody else who has commented here. Sorry if I didn’t make that clear at the start.

By: Ted Johnson

Ted Johnson — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:06:23 +0000

Civility Alert

I’ve been on forums where skittish moderators pull the plug before I’ve even noticed that things were testy.

I’ve been on forums where the discourse got really nasty and the moderators never did a thing.

This is a blog, not a forum. And so far I’ve approved every comment on this post. But I’ve become concerned that the tone of the discussion is tilting towards the icky.

The fact that we’ve integrated bikes into our lives is what this site is about. So let’s celebrate that, rather than descend any further into bike-type zealotry.

I see dickishness just over the horizon, and I don’t want to pedal in that direction.

By: BluesCat

BluesCat — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:27:18 +0000

Vineyard Dave - Oh, now I'm WELL aware of the advantages of a fully enclosed HPV! Make sure ya understand that when I say a Velomobile is "nothing more" than a recumbent trike with a pretty skin, it's like saying the Space Shuttle is "nothing more" than a glider! BOTH statements are perfectly accurate, and are a beginning step for describing those vehicles, and how they work, to the uninitiated. But those two descriptions OBVIOUSLY are not meant to be comprehensive descriptions of those vehicles. As far as showing up in June ... well, unfortunately, I gotta work for a living, Dave. But I'll make ya a deal; I'll buy a lottery ticket this Saturday. If I hit the jackpot I'll do two things: (1) I'll buy YOU a brand new Velomobiel Strada, and (2) I'll personally deliver it in June so we can race together! Deal? (Oh, chuckle, BTW, I'LL be showing up with a brand new Lightning F-40!)

By: Vineyard Dave

Vineyard Dave — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:39:36 +0000

Here are a couple of videos done with a funky hand held camera.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3u-ibWqBqY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-A5p3ADr7Y

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 07:15:55 +0000

Erm… ~13 minutes for a 5 mile course? Given that on a 12 mile TT leg during triathlons I’m running in the 27 range on my road bike (as a 15 year old Junior) We have a pro tri dork that is usually ~25 minutes and I’m sure the local Cat 1 is in the low 20′s. I seriously question the fitness of riders in his area. Nonwithstanding: he’s a really cool guy with a freaking fast & cool velomobile.

By: Daveat

Daveat — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 02:10:03 +0000

Not yet I have a few things that have prevented me, 1. Human services pay
2. A 9 year old with nod that likes sports, we mountain bike together
3 a 5 year old girl who knows much more then she let’s on and likes ponies
A beautiful wife who was wondering why I sold our fix it up boat last year when she told me we should sell it. Also rebuilding a 1940′s Kay archtop acoustic guitar, making theneck and turning into a flat top. also converting a old windsurfer into a sit down style bic or laser sail to use up in Clayton,Ny

I was hoping to get a recumbent and then build the fairings. I have lots of parts that I could use and build the bent, which would be a blast so I am undecided
D

By: Vineyard Dave

Vineyard Dave — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 01:33:37 +0000

There are two ways to approach a hill with a velomobile.
the first way is slowly and spin your way on up or hit it with everything you got. The second way is far more fun and will have you asking your self, what hill?

I tend to go up hills pretty quick with this machine. I have a very fast cadence.

Shelly Mossey is by far the faster guy on a recumbent that I have ever met. PERIOD.

Just ask Shelly about following me up Middle Rd last October.

Bluescat

Did you read the article above? This is far more than a trike with a pretty skin. It is most likely the most technologically advanced human powered vehicle may ever see.

You can go ahead and put a fairing on your Sun EZ Sport 2 wheel recumbent and you will still be a fast fading spec in my rear view mirror, up hill or down hill. I’ll even give you a head start.

Show up for our Velomobile and Recumbent gathering in June and show me what you (think you) got.

Daveat

Do you have a recumbent? We are having a little gathering here in June. It is a great place to ride.

See link below.

http://www.recumbentblog.com/2010/11/29/first-annual-marthas-vineyard-velomobile-gathering/

http://tinyurl.com/36tr4yd

By: Daveat

Daveat — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:56:30 +0000

that shark is awesome, and the vela is a recumbent trike but way more, then that. It is self contained as in more then adequately weather tight from under, put a hood on it and you have a wicked machine, in practicality and cool looks the only big sacrifice is turning radius.