Reverse Gear Blog

Six months without cycling is starting to feel like withdrawal from an addiction now. For many good reasons, we have been off the trikes since we returned to Toronto from what turned out to be our half-cross-Canada excursion.

When we seperated from the Blind Guy Biking (BGB) tour we decided to spend a few weeks with Judi’s family in Winnipeg. We helped her dad sell his home and have a long-time-coming garage sale. As a result of the tour, Judi got the travel bug and she decided that we should buy an RV. In fact, she thought that if we bought it in Winnipeg we could use it to get home. We were unsuccessful however in our first bid so we left instead in a Dodge Caravan borrowed from Judi’s sister to get us home. It was a great vehicle for us because the two trikes fit in the back nicely.

Once back in Toronto the gypsy blood did not stop flowing. We continued to look for the perfect RV to suit our needs. The most important one was the ability to carry the two tricycles in the `basement`underneath. At the beginning of August we found a used 38-foot diesel pusher and thus started the next Judi & Len adventure.

We would sell the downtown Toronto condo and take to the road full-time - with the two folding GT3 trikes safely tucked underneath along side the golf clubs and with the Greenspeed tandem trike (GTT) perched on the roof of the  Caravan, which we could now tow behind. The Caravan would also serve as storage for the REVERSE Gear sample inventory which we could take with us to show retailers and cyclists - wherever we ventured.

The first trip took us to Interbike 2009 in Las Vegas in September to promote our new 2010 product line, and meet retailers and recumbent manufacturers. We received an encouraging reception.

During the Vegas trip, we discovered that the RV required a few repairs (covered under warranty). However waiting for the parts to do the repairs delayed our departure from Canada until mid-November.

 It`s now mid-December and we have now arrived in Florida where we have started our tour of the local recumbent retailers - finally!    

Suddenly, the withdrawal symptoms are having their effect. We are both keen to get back on the trikes. And the warmer weather is urging us on. 

We will update the RG blog periodically to share:

• what we learn from this new nomadic lifestyle;
• where we are or have been cycling - just in case we can join you; and
• who we are talking to about REVERSE Gear along the way.

We will occasionally also post to Twitter to tell you where we are or plan to be.

If you have any tips on where we should cycle, please share them with us by email to judi at reversegearinc.com or give us a call at 910-599-3939 (our new USA cell). We hope to see you ‘on the road’.

It’s usually a novel that has a “surprise ending” but sometimes unpredictable events happen in real life too. The REVERSE Gear team is no longer cycling with the Blind Guy Biking Tour.

Day 30 - Monday, July 6, 2009
Len, Aaron and Richard set out on the TCH to reach Portage La Prairie MB on Monday morning. Anna, Don and I drove the trailer on to Winnipeg MB (my home town) where we went to visit my sister and sit by her pool on a beautiful sunny afternoon. The unexpected then happened - a difference of opinion between Richard and Len - one more time. But Len decided it was one time too many, and that his cross-country cycling and recumbent equipment expertise was no longer required by the Blind Guy Biking Tour. Winnipeg is a fortuitous stopping point for us. We are currently planning the return to Toronto and the remainder of our summer, while visiting with my family.

REVERSE Gear wishes the Blind Guy Biking Tour a successful conclusion as the rest of the BGB team moves on to Ontario. We are proud to have sponsored the trip half-way across the country and will continue to follow the tour via Internet at www.blindguybiking.com as they cycle towards St John’s NL.

Day 27 - Friday, July 3, 2009
The boys once again set out to tackle Canada’s TCH near Regina SK. I took advantage of the morning and went to see a Ted Godwin exhibit at the art gallery. So I only did 7 km while they did 69 km. I was on my way back to the hotel for lunch when the skies opened up so I curled up with a book in hotel lobby and waited for their return. Then half of the BGB tour went to visit Aaron’s relatives while the other half set up camp at Grenfell SK and barbecued a tender sirloin steak to go with baked potato and broccoli and enjoy a bottle of red wine called Il Bastardo (Len’s birthday present).

Day 28 - Saturday, July 4, 2009
The TCH beckoned and the boys responded. I decided a quiet ride up Hwy 47 was more in order. After lunch I set out with a target of 30 km each way and promised to be back at 6:30 pm. At approximately 25 km I got a huge surprise.  A road-sign showed a down-hill grade. As my trike went over the horizon, I had a sudden thrilling ride for almost 5 km to the bottom of the spectacular Qu’Appelle Valley. While the trike careened down the highway at 40-52 kph with me barely keeping control because of the wind gusts (ahh - the sign at the top of the hill was accurate), I did not consider what the full implication of the thrills were. Yes - the uphill to go home!!!  An energy bar, half a bottle of water and an hour later, I reached the summit and could see the prairies again. In fact, I swear it was so flat that I could see all the way back to Grenfell - 25 km away.  Doing a steady pace  (as my legs were warmed up by now), I reached the trailer park at 6:15 pm. After a dinner of steak, rice and salad, I convinced Anna and Len to drive there to see how wonderful this little secret valley looked. At dusk, it was almost eerie. It was worth  the effort and the bonus was an awesome prairie sunset.

Day 29 - Sunday, July 5, 2009
The BGB team continued on the TCH covering the distance from the Manitoba border to Brandon MB. When I arrived in Brandon and finished setting up the trailer with Don, I considered riding into town. Unfortunately I let a few rain drops discourage me and then spent the afternoon sending out press releases to Manitoba media instead. We had just finished our great meal of bbq farmer sausages, smashed potatoes, sauerkraut and Greek salad with a little red cask wine, when Paul, a cyclist we met on the road today, arrived at the campsite. The rest of the evening was spent enjoying the first Manitoba summer sunset, and sharing cycling stories.

Day 25 - Wednesday, July 1, 2009
A most interesting Canada Day for us. We drove in morning to just outside Regina Beach and cycled into town with a Special Olympics athlete named Lindsay and her coach Crystal. Once there we participated in the annual parade with the local community. We then drove to Regina SK and met the the Honourable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhard, Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, at his annual Canada Day garden party. After that we went to Wascana Park for another Progress Club event called the Plywood Cup. The day ended with a lovely barbecue hosted by Darlene & Glen of the local Progress Club. It was a full day of warm Regina hospitality at its best.

Day 26 - Thursday, July 2, 2009
Richard started the day with a CBC radio interview with Sheila Coles at 6 am while some of the team members continued to sleep. By 8:30 am we were awake and listened to his interview with CKRM host Roger Currie. At 10:30, CTV’s Jason Matity did another interview and a half hour later the Leader Post did a newspaper story. The lunch hour was spent on the Scarth Street mall where Richard and the team spoke to passer-bys and received many generous donations. The most notable donor was Jack Layton who posed for a picture on the trike, complete with helmet, and shared several stories about family members with disabilities. After lunch Richard attend a community Access interview with Janey Davies of Canadian Progress Club. Then the team made its way to Brewsters  for a fundraiser. A Special Olympics athlete and Board Member named Terry made a presentation to Richard and all of the team received “I love Regina” shirts from the Mayor (who apologetically had another engagement). Another fun and busy day for the team has ended with great generosity.

A special thanks to all of the Canadian Progress Club and Special Olympics folks who made these events happen and who provided such a warm welcome to the team. We shall leave saying “I love Regina”!!!

Day 23 - Monday, June 29, 2009
The boys did 181 km and Judi did 0. In the morning we dropped the cracked rim at the Bike Doctor for repair. In the evening, Len and I went to the Saskatoon Jazz Festival to see Brandi Disterheft at the Refinery. She and the entire band were fantastic. I’m so grateful for the chance to see Juno award-winning talent like this as I travel across Canada. No dinner - just sipping wine and soaking in music through our souls.

Day 24 - Tuesday, June 30, 2009 - Another Good Samaritan Day
Boys cycles part of the distance to Regina on TCH. But I took advantage of the chance to cycle the city. I started on a path along the river; stopped at Bessborough to soak in some more jazz while having a snack. Then I crossed the river on Victoria bridge and came to a quick stop with a  punctured tire. A young fellow working for city park (named Brad) went out of his way to find me a piece of rope to drag the trike and also gave me a lift up the hill to near Broadway and 11th. I was so grateful that I had been at Bike Doctor the day before and knew that I could carry/drag the trike the half dozen blocks. Dave was laughing as I hauled it into the store and he had another BGB problem to solve. After a quick tube change I was on my way to find the path along the river again. I was off to Mendel Gallery to see another outstanding Canadian landscape artist - Dorothy Knowles. While there I heard there was going to be a major storm so I rushed off to Ed’s to buy a set of bongos before it hit. I was fortunate I had the rope from my earlier incident so I could tie the bongos to my back rack and pedal for home. Once at the Ramada Hotel, I had to shower and change and look good so I could take Len for a birthday dinner at the Ivy Restaurant. He enjoyed his Jambalaya and I had a local steelhead trout, with a Monkey Bay wine. He shared his favourite dessert (creme brulee) with me over coffee. And we walked home as the storm had come and gone - leaving lightning and hail in its wake.

Riding on the prairies is quite different. While the mountains were challenging, especially the uphills - the legs got a bit of a break on the downhills and they at least gave you some thrills. On the flat open prairies, you must pedal continuously or the trike just stops dead. That means after several hours the legs get really tired. Then there are the head-winds and cross-winds. The boys weer lucky enough to have a strong tail-wind one day but since I had taken a different route it was a cross-wind for me.

Day 20 - Friday, June 26, 2009
Boys headed out on TCH to Lloydminster while we moved the trailer to a campground in Battleford SK and I then sent out another 50 media releases. Earlier than expected, they arrived at camp with a cracked rim which they then proceeded to replace on the trike. With the riding cut short for the day, we focused on dinner of smoked trout with mango salsa and primavera pasta.

Day 21 - Saturday, June 27, 2009
The boys headed back to the TCH to make up the kilometers. In the bitter cold and a cross-wind, I headed into North Battleford to explore.  After a start at the local Farmer’s Market, where I loaded up with healthy ‘protein’ bread, some lemon cake for tonight’s dinner and some local Saskatoon and Chokecherry jam, I headed north to find some quiet country roads. Lunch on the side of the road gave me the solitude I was seeking. After lunch I visited the Alan Sapp Gallery to discover one of Canada’s great talents and the Fred Light Museum to learn more about the local heritage. Dinner was a simple  chicken, potatoes and broccoli, followed by fresh lemon cake.

Day 22 - Sunday, June 28, 2009
Len and I cycled out of the Battlefords on the single trikes into a stiff head-wind and went 31 km in 2.5 hrs before the team picked us up. We then drove on to Langham SK to stay in the very neat and pretty Riverview Campground. Before dinner Len and I cycled another 22 km on the country back-roads and returned to Anna’s great hamburgers with baked potatoes, and red wine of course.

Day 15 - Sunday, June 21, 2009 (correction in counting days)
No riding - a rest day in Canmore AB. The boys went to the car show and Len and I did the Arts Walk for the annual arts festival. Also caught up on email and enjoyed the hot tub at the Canmore Chateau where we were staying.  At end of day, Richard, Anna, Don & Aaron went to visit Katie. Len and I stayed close to home and went for dinner at Sage Bistroin a log cabin. Had marvellous bison stroganoff and local trout.

Day 16 - Monday, June 22, 2009
Blind Guy did an interview with CTV at Cochrane. I cycled behind them (well behind them) for a distance of 18 km to Calgary AB. We all arrived on west side of Calgary at around noon. In afternoon, I cycled into NE Calgary, doing another 20 km. On the way into town, I rescued a stuffed RCMP beaver from the ditch and he now cycles with me. When I returned to campground, we had a dinner of bbq pork with Diddy’s mustard sauce, Potatoes Anna, and a green salad with asiago dressing accompanied by a wine that Denise & Grant brought from Naramata Bench La Frenz - 2005 Montage  - a blend of Pino Noir, Merlot and Cabernet - vinted by Jeff Martin (formerly Australian). This was same winery I visited on Day 5.

Day 17 - Tuesday, June 23, 2009
We drove to Edmonton AB. On the way, we stopped in Bentley AB to visit Grant and Lynne Patton, who run the Bentley Cycle & Trading Post. We also met Les and Carla who ride Catrikes. Dinner was left-overs as Blind Guy and team went into downtown Edmonton on a scouting mission to prepare for the TV interviews tomorrow.

Day 18 - Wednesday, June 24, 2009
The day started with the team in two separate places. Richard had two great TV interviews: one with Breakfast Television - CITY TV and one with CTV. While they were doing that, Len and I visited the Kinsmen Sports Centre where he had his swollen knee checked by Mary Young. She described his injury as “dodging a bullet” and cautioned him to RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and limit his cycling for a few days. Once that business was taken care of, we separated again. Anna and Aaron took the truck in to have windshield chip fixed. The rest of us headed for the west side of city to start cycling. The boys rode a total of 81 km and I rode the last 23 km in to Vegreville AB, home of the world’s largest Easter egg or Pysanka. On my way to the campground, I picked up a bottle of German white wine called DREAMS. Just what I needed to go with the bbq chicken, noodles, and salad. The day was topped by Anna’s treat of ice-cream and fruit salad.

Day 19 - Thursday, June 25, 2009 - Good Samaritan Day
I left at 8 am to cycle to Vermillion AB. The boys followed an hour later and caught up before lunch. They continued on all the way to Lloydminster which is a border town. So the Alberta portion of the tour is now completed. I managed to cycle 72km before Len came to rescue me from a major thunder-storm. We picked up some groceries on the way home. Because it was pouring, there was no bbq today. So Len prepared dinner of sauteed pork, mango quinoa, and stir-fry vegetables on the gas stove. Highlights of the day: Blind Guy (and the team) changed a tire for two young girls on the road; Judi was videoed by two NB fellows who shared their oranges and gave her the energy to keep going in the early afternoon.

Day 13 - Thursday, June 18, 2009
Boys decided to cycle the 140 km on the TCH to Calgary AB to get the kilometres covered early. It was raining all night but weather cleared once they were on the road. While they were out, I sent 50 media releases out by email. Then after lunch, I tried to cycle to town again. I was discouraged by the construction on the road at the exit   - so I rode around the park for 4.5 km in 31:41 min and took photos of mountains and groundhogs. Then I returned to email more media releases with a G&T and peanuts. When the boys returned they had cycled to Cochrane and done two interviews (good results from releases). Later Don, Len and I went to Banff Arts Centre to a Music for a Summer Evening, an outstanding performance primarily of percussion that included: Mudra, featuring Bob Becker (from Nexus); StraightJacket, a world premiere by Mark Appelbaum; Linea by Luciano Berio; and after intermission a wonderful performance of Music for Strings, Percussion and Celestaby Bela Bartok, conducted by Steven Schick. I alo bought two CDs asd memories of the trip: Don Thompson’s Banff Jazz All Stars and Dave Douglas’ Bow River Falls.

Day 14 - Friday, June 19, 2009
While everyone was packing up camp and driving to Canmore AB, I pedalled: 24.07 km in 1hr 14 min at an avg of 16.90 and a top speed of 46kmh. When I got to town I cycled another 3.6 km but it brought my avg speed down so it will not be recorded. In the afternoon there was a reception for Richard. In the evening we all went to the Grizzly Pawto imbibe in local brews and enjoy pub food, including a great pizza with chorizo. While there I discovered a book signing/launch around the corner for Never Bug a Bearby local author Carol Mactavish and illustrator Linden Wentzloff. I can hardly wait to share this great book with my grandchildren when I return.

Day 15 - Saturday, June 20, 2009
While everybody else explored Canmore, I rode solo to Kanaskis Country- a distance of 77.61 km in 5hr 38min at an avg of 13.70 and a top speed of 52km. I discovered that the highway to Kanaskis was all uphill and my legs were really tired so at 1 pm I headed for home. Highlight was the Dairy Queen ice-cream cone at end of a tiring cycle. Dinner was complements of Denise and Grant - bbq steaks, salad and great local red wine from Lake Breeze Meritage  (a very nice drop)!

Day 10 - Monday, June 15, 2009
The boys started to ride to Lake Louise but a major storm cut the ride short. So they drove to Lake Louise to check the roads. In the meantime, Anna and Aaron took the truck to Golden BC to get the “funny noise” checked and I enjoyed a day of R&R at the trailer. The truck is OK for now but may need some future work. We stayed in Golden BC for another night and enjoyed a meal of bbq pork, Italian salad and noodles.

Day 11 - Tuesday, June 16, 2009
We drove to Lake Louise AB. After visiting the Lake for the customary photos and lunch, we cycled the Bow Valley Parkway to Banff AB. Aaron and Richard left on the tandem. Len and I followed behind on the single trikes. Judi’s computer says she did: 60.75km in 3hr 45 min at an avg of 16.21kmh and a top speed of 55kmh (highest to date). I think this will go down as my “best ride of my life” - between scenery, speed and challenge. It was mostly rolling along the river and rail tracks but rolling always means some “up” as well as “down” to challenge the legs. For Len it could be the worst ride of the trip as his foot slipped on a Texas Gate as he pulled the trike across (we could not ride across because of short wheel-base) and bruised his leg from ankle to knee. I rewarded us both with the first ice-cream of the trip at COWS. By the time we arrived at Tunnel Mtn campground, Anna had a great stir-fry, rice and salad waiting.

Day 12 - Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Everyone slept late as we did not have to move the trailer today. First view of the day was mule deer outside the window. I finally resumed my weight-training regimen with Len, using those funny elastic bands. Best part was when the elastic snapped Len in the bottom. Then we worked on some BGB marketing materials until it stopped raining and we cycled into town. After a lunch of elk burger and elk lager at the Elk & Oarsmen, we did some shopping for “bear bells”.  I wanted to be well-protected in case they came after all the ‘power bars’ in her saddle bags. However the experts in Banff told us not to use them because the bears actually like them and are attracted by the noise. (Well maybe the grand-children will have fun with them.) Suddenly it was dinner time and the skies were black with ominous clouds so we cycled as fast as we could - 2.5km uphill - to Tunnel Mtn campsite to enjoy a beef burger and Greek Salad with Heineken beer. I only cycled 9.27 km in 51min at avg of 10.9kmh and a top speed of 41 kmh. I did not record my shopping time or speeds - but did have fun and bought some Jazz CDs from Banff Arts Centre, as well as a card that says: “The world is full of people who will go their whole lives and not actually live one day. She did not intend on being one of them. when faith in myself was so strong that I believed that I could move mountains.” I intend to frame it when I get home.

Lucinda tested REVERSE Gear in both Costa Rica and Martha’s Vineyard and has given it a “thumbs up” for cycling, kayaking and general sports. To see what she says about us,  go to:  http://www.guidedcycling.com/ and click on LINKS in the menu or read what she has to say here…

ReverseGear: Moisture wicking apparel that works with you, even in the jungles of Costa Rica! (Click this link for their website)
Designed as specialized cycling clothing for recumbent cyclists but also perfect for running and any other activities causing you to perspire such as running, kayaking, etc… Our company owner, Lucinda, personally tested a deep blush/black colored shorts [Corkwood] & top set [Sassafras Sleeveless]…not only on the Atlantic Ocean Island of Martha’s Vineyard but in the intense heat and rugged jungles of Costa Rica for several weeks.

Her comments about Reverse Gear products are as follows: For those that care about how they look (no matter how well the garment works) Reverse Gear has done a great job! I received so many compliments on my sports outfit (I wore while cycling, kayaking and even hiking in extreme heat) that I had been giving a test try (with a very open mind…as I own many brands of sports wear). And, it’s not just an attractive package with no substance! The quick drying material is very soft, comfortable and is geared toward keeping sweat from ruining your day. It keeps you dry, the material does not cause any irritation to my skin and does not seem to produce an odor while doing so as some other materials in sports wear do. With the top…I especially like the mesh-like panels that run down the sides which definitely helps to keep perspiration and excess build up of heat in the arm-pit area to a minimum. The placement of the zipper in the front is nice and flat and none of the seams cause any discomfort. Of course, the highlighted feature of the top for cyclists are the zippered pockets - so no more losing anything out of your pockets. The only thing that I would change would be the elastic at the bottom, which was not much of a bother but more my personal preference….and from what I understand they are redesigning without the elastic within the next year. As for the bottoms…it is a joy to find bottoms without the often added padding! They are also designed to make your rear end look as good as the material feels next to your skin! Many kudos to the folks at Reverse Gear for doing such a fantastic job with all the attention and design features they put into their apparel! I recommend you contact them today and place an order! Check out their website at: www.reversegearclothing.com