im - 7/09/2007 10:29:00 AM

I knew I couldn't handle the Thirsty Sevens ride on Saturday, but I wanted to be at the start to have a few beers and get some exercise on the way to and from the event. So I put the sidehack on the non-motorized Big Dummy, pulled the left-side crank, and clamped a fabricated CroMo peg over the bottom bracket shell f0r my gimp leg to rest on. I rode 6 miles that day...not that impressive in the grand scheme of things, but enough to thoroughly kick my ass. The sidehack will go on the Stokemonkey'd Big Dummy as soon as I finish fabricating a foot peg for it. The left side crank and chainring have to stay on, because they're driven by the motor. So a different, more complicated solution will be put into place....hopefully soon. Some extra help, in the form of a new 13AH 36V NiMH battery, is on its way. The old battery is only giving me 8AH on its best days. I'll probably carry both batteries for extra ballast and a little more range, since the bum leg is simply hindering forward motion instead of it's usual role as a helper....well, except on downhills. The big hunk of meat does play a helpful role when gravity is in my favor. -----