What was the point of me doing this again?

It looks like a few people still click to this thing now and then. I completely forgot that I ever got this ambitious. oops. Leaves me wondering if there's even any point to this or not. Oh well, I guess I'll treat it more like a journal at this point and if anyone reads it, good for them.

At this point, I've ridden 126 miles. Each ride is getting easier and longer, plus the average speed is going up too. Noticed I'm getting a little skinnier overall, and recently started getting comments from people recently that my walking is improved. As an odd aside, my toes don't look as curled and I think I'm getting movement back to them.

Rode 15.7 miles yesterday from Elmore towards Fremont. I got sunburnt and the term bite and suck (and pucker up) was coined as well. Can't really remember much else of it other than that. Oh, got new brake levers since I snapped the one.

Had Josh over for supper, that went well. He seems to be doing good, just a bit depressed from being in the grungy, glum, crazy folks place. Not sure at this point if he'll be in for 30 days or if they'll hold him for 60 because of paper work issues.

First real ride on streets today, parade doesn't count, with mirrors, very very helpful. Rather uneventful, just thought I'd make note of how nice the mirrors are.

Note to self: Try updating this more often, and sooner after a ride for a better story.

I HEART MY ROVER

I got my rover Wednesday, got a tiny ride last night on it, and a small ride today. .6 miles yesterday. 1.2 miles today. Only averaged 6.8 mph today, but that was plenty enough for me. I feel it in my legs, and still have a slight headache from the blood flow and endorphins.
Clipless pedals are recommended for all trike pilots, but a must for anyone with weakness in their legs. Because of my toes pointing outward, I had to have 1" axle extenders installed to not hit my heels on the crank arms. The shoes are meant to be able to walk around in them a little. However, they have very rigid soles, to transfer the most energy possible. This leads to me having no balance in them, so I put a chair in the garage and change shoes right in front of the trike, so I only have to take a few steps.
Now, onto the pics:

My ghetto-tastic bag for now. It's a hard shell case from my old PSP, but it holds my phone and wallet quite nicely. Unfortunately, I can't quite squeeze my keys in there too.

I opted for these shoes, they have a lot of breathability, but still have the laces to tighten down and feel secure. I thought about sandals, but I thought these might give more support.

I'm glad the cleats are very adjustable, I had to adjust them a few times...notice how much more angle the left shoe (last picture) has

 

Tree Trolls

Finally time I bring disc golf into this too.

I thought after a few years, that the tree trolls may have moved on to a different course, but no.

On my second throw I was about 10 feet from the tree line that is basically one row of pine trees, and about 60 feet from the 20 feet wide gap in the tree line that counts as the fairway. I was debating between just chucking one through the trees and having a wide open up shot, or trying to hit the gap with an anhyzer. After the wife's persuasion and me saying why not, I let it fly. with just a tad bit too much power. I watch the disc go past the gap and watched it fly about 5 feet away from the first tree on the other side of the gap, I thought it turned just on the other side of that tree.

I walk up there expecting it to be on the ground just past the tree where I saw it fly to. IT'S NOT THERE, NO! THAT'S MY LAST CHALLENGER! is all that's going through my head. My wife and I both cover the whole area about a 120 foot circle, looking around the trees that I thought it went into, way past those trees in case it hit and rolled, after wall it was anhyzering. Keep looking, cutting myself up in the brush for what felt like hours, when finally my wife points to it in the first tree past the gap, that I would have sworn it went around. I try shaking the tree to get the disc out, but no luck. By this time it's past official sunset and the park closes at dark, so I am forced to leave the disc.

I know that it's the tree trolls again. Although nobody has ever seen one, many have witnessed the havoc they cause on the disc golf course. One such example is watching a disc rip through the tree branches and not get stuck, but by the time you get to where you expect the disc to have landed, it's in the first tree a few feet from the tee pad. It is believed these creatures use plastic for shelter, since it is much more water resistant than pine needle thatch. Discs must also be a food source for them, as there have been many discs lost in the trees. Unless they have a much higher population than what everyone speculates, in which case I worn everyone to keep a very close eye on their throws and even use spotters.

I am going back tomorrow with some water bottles to try throwing up in the tree to knock it free, since I didn't want to risk another disc being snatched my one of those nasty trolls. I really hope it's still there and that they used this one for shelter and not food; as that is the last of my stash of ghost tournament stamped pro-d challengers.

Please, if you have tree trolls at a course near you, leave a comment on this and we can try taking care of this problem before they start getting so over populated they grab discs right out of the bag when we aren't looking.

Getting the trike, but have to wait again..

It just now occurred to me that I forgot to post anything about this.

I make the hour drive Friday up to the bike shop, ask about the TerraTrike Rover with a 20" wheel, since I don't see it on the floor. The sales person responds with "I'm sorry, but it sold just before you came in." At this point I am thoroughly confused. I tell him how I called and asked for them to hold it, and would make a down payment if needed. He looks it up in the computer, and there's the note, but no trike left to sell. GRRR!!!! However, they plan on picking up more this coming week, or next week at the latest.

They had the 26" wheel variation, but couldn't sell that to me if I wanted, since they needed one on the sale floor. I did get to test ride it, over a mile, and it was very comfortable and no pain or strain on any of the joints. This test also provided quite a bit of insight into what wouldn't work for me.

• The extra seat height was negligible, in fact the only way I could even tell was to look at it beside a customer's 20" that I had the chance to buy, more on that later.
• The lower clearance for the crank was very noticeable. If my feet were in about the same spot that clipless pedals would put them at, they came very close, and even scraped once at low speed. 
• Clipless pedals are definitely needed. HSP leaves me without enough strength in my ankles, so my I was saying a little prayer and hoping they stayed on the pedals. I even tried strapping them on with a bungee cord, but it still didn't help. They kept working their way toward the outside of the pedal or I was kicking the crank, either way a bad spot to be in.
• I was only able to get into 5th gear once. Even on the completely flat bike path, the 26" rear wheel just raises the gear range too high. I was spending most of the ride in 3rd or 4th.

After the test ride, I get back to the shop, and stand around for a while. I'm still sore from the standing, but they were very busy. While waiting for the same sales person, somebody brought in their approximately year old Rover for a tune up. I think no big deal and let her go ahead thinking that she would just schedule it and go. I was wrong. She started asking about more gear options and looked at the Ramblers, at which point the sales person mentioned that they do trade in and there was somebody who just happened to be looking for a Rover (hey, that's me!) after figuring out a fair price, I was worried about warranty.
While figuring out price and talking the option over with my wife, there's another customer, so the sales person gets side tracked and didn't call TerraTrike to ask about warranty. After finally getting him to use the phone and figuring out how it works. Warranties are non transferable, but they do offer a 3 year warranty for $150. That, plus the tune up, and the price of the used one, I was getting close to the price of a brand new trike, with better features. So I declined it. He proceeds to help her out with accessories, while I stand around some more. It's been about 2 hours to this point.
Finally, my turn, now that it's only an hour before closing time. I start going over options for clipless pedals and shoes and options I would like on the trike. I ask him if I can get anything extra, or discounted, since the trike was sold and I had been there so long. He said the most he could do was discount a couple of accessories. Most things in the store were marked up high enough, that even with the discount, in some cases it would have been 20-30% more than what I would pay online, with shipping included. He talked me into some pedals that were already clearanced, that I have since figured out were more expensive than what they are even at the expensive shop here in town. Moving on to shoes, the ones he had in store barely fit and weren't entirely comfortable, so he spent another half hour looking up if he could get any sandals from his distributor, but only found one that was ladies.
By this point it's been over 3 hours, from getting side tracked and helping other customers, so I just give him a down payment on the trike and pedals. Here's to hoping that there's a positive update by Friday.

P.S. I am not bad mouthing the shop (Elmore Cycle and Fitness) even though it took forever and their prices are high. Their staff is very courteous, and the previous times I've been in there everything was very efficient.

Dear Papa,

I love you, and love you even more when you have awesome coupons.

Disc List

So I have actually only made a handful of disc purchases, most came from tourney player packs.

Manufacturer	Model	Weight	Plastic	Color	Special	Mold	Bag	Type	Discraft	22
DGA	Riptide	173-174		White			Bag	Driver	Innova	10
Discraft	Avenger	174	Z	Purple	Guy Throwing		Bag	Driver	Gateway	2
Discraft	Crush	173	Z	Blue	Columbus		Bag	Driver	Lightning	1
Discraft	Flash	171	Z	Yellow/Purple	HukLab		Bag	Driver	Millenium	1
Discraft	Flick	173	Z	Green	Triquetra		Bag	Driver	Fly by night	1
Discraft	Predator	172	Z	Blue	Punisher		Bag	Driver
Discraft	Predator	170-172	X	Green/Purple			Bag	Driver	Driver	24
Discraft	Spectra	172	Z?	White	Tornado			Driver	Mid	10
Discraft	Surge	174	ESP	Orange	Skull		Bag	Driver	Putter	4
Discraft	Surge	174	Esp	White			Bag	Driver
Discraft	Surge	?	FLX	Red/Dyed	Hambrick			Driver
Discraft	Tracker	173-174	X	Blue			Bag	Driver
Discraft	X2	174	Elite Pro	Purple/Dyed				Driver
Discraft	Xpress	174	Z	Green			Bag	Driver
Discraft	XS	174	Z	Clear			Bag	Driver
Gateway	Spirit	173	Old	Green				Driver
Innova	Beast	172	Dx	Purple	Pour House	Old Mold		Driver
Innova	Beast	175	Dx	Red	Ice Bowl 07	Old Mold		Driver
Innova	Destroyer	170	Dx	Red	X-Out			Driver
Innova	Dragon	150		Yellow				Driver
Innova	Monarch	175	Champ	Red/Clear				Driver
Innova	Sidewinder	172	Star	White			Bag	Driver
Innova	Viking	175	Dx	Orange	Ice Bowl 05			Driver
Millenium	LS	161	?	White				Driver
Discraft	Buzzz	177	ESP	Orange	Mob Series			Mid
Discraft	Demon	174	Old	White	G5i		Bag	Mid
Discraft	Drone	173-174	Dx	Yellow				Mid
Discraft	Impact	172	ESP	Orange	Ace Race 07		Bag	Mid
Discraft	Meteor	173	ESP	Blue	Ace Race 06		Bag	Mid
Discraft	Nebula	174	ESP	Orange	Ace Race 08		Bag	Mid
Discraft	Stratus	173	D	Blue				Mid
Fly by night	Owl	?	?	Clear				Mid
Innova	Goblin	175	Dx	Pink	Commited			Mid
Innova	Shark	?	Champ	Yellow				Mid
Discraft	Challenger	173-174	X	White	removed			Putter
Gateway	Wizard	175	Old	Grey	DO NOT MOO			Putter
Innova	Aviar	150	Dx	Orange				Putter
Lightning	Rubber Putter	174	n/a	Blue/Marble				Putter

Learning how to throw (after 12 years)

I watched beto's pec drill a few more times, and read blake t's secret technique/hammer drill thread on dg review, trying to get a real feel for the hit. Putting these 2 together while playing tonight, it didn't seem to add any distance, but didn't take it away either. When everything was right, they flew smoother with much less effort, no soreness or fatigue. I was primarily throwing a Discraft Nebula (08 ace race disc) (it's bright orange, and the course isn't very maintained, plus it was getting darker) only the slightest high speed turn, then finishing pretty much straight.

I tried this again for 8 holes tonight, not comfortable with water so close to the one hole). Still using the Nebula, I was starting to get a more consistent release point, still right around 200' so I'm obviously not doing something right. It was about a 50/50 mix of when they were smooth and when I was strong arming. The strong arms always went farther, but figure that's just since I'm so new to this style.

I'm wanting to stick with a mid to point out form flaws, but thinking about using something different from the Nebula since they don't make it anymore. I have discraft: meteor, nebular, stratus, all esp and 174 fairly new, a z wasp 174 moderately warn and a esp buzz 177 brand new. Innova dx goblin 175 new, champ shark I think max weight, but can't read it anymore, and beat to hxll and back. I have a d challenger 174 kind of warn and a gateway wizard 175 beat almost as bad as the shark. I can never find a comfortable grip to drive putters though.

TerraTrike = Liars? - Not Any More...

I copied and pasted this from the TerraTrike forum, and BROL

Okay, that may be a bit harsh, but I'm pretty annoyed right now...

Their website says

Quote:

With a prescription from a Doctor, Medicare or your health insurance MAY cover the cost of the trike. We have done this many times in the past, and we’re happy to work with them.

I called and sent an email and had multiple people tell me the same thing, and even outlined the process for me. Go to the Dr., get a prescription, get a quote, send it to medicare. Well, I went to the Dr. and got the prescription, talked to someone about a quote.

While waiting on the quote, I call medicare, who tells me they won't cover anything exercise related, anything to be used outside of the home, or from anywhere that's not a medical supplier. I call TerraTrike again and let them know what I found out, but the response they gave me was basically [someone said they used medicare to get one]

Now, I'm even farther away from having the money to get a trike..my family Dr. won't see me for anything related to the condition that I have. So I had to go to the neurologist (not cheap) to get the prescription that is worthless.

Okay, so the website was changed, and I feel satisfied with that.

Still waiting...

   Damn you Tom Petty and your heart breakers of truth. I blame you for making the wait the hardest part.

   I was told to expect a call and email today from TerraTrike, but I completely understand having to wait for such a specialized request. Just wanted to update this.

   In other rants, DealExtreme is making my "do not order from" list. I had originally placed an order for 4 items that were all in stock on Jan. 30th. I got 2 of the items on the Feb. 15th, along with an email saying the other 2 items were shipped. The tracking number only tells me that it was accepted Feb. 20th and "Origin Post is Preparing Shipment" which according to the tracking it's been being prepared for 3 days.

Phase Two(point)One: The struggle continues

   Today was a confusing day to say the least:

   First, I call medicare, talk to someone who pretty much had no idea what I was talking about. When I tried explaining that I have a prescription for a recumbent trike, she asks why an adult would want a tricycle. Then when I said that the prescription is for an exact make and model, she told me to go through a medicare provider. Guess I thought that's what 1-800-MEDICARE would have been. Her other suggestion was to contact "where ever you're wanting to get the thing."

   I decided to just call the local dealer and see if they had any experience in using medicare as a source of payment. She said no, but took all my information and what I was after, and said she'd call back within the next few days after she talked to someone who might know.

   At this point, I decided to call TerraTrike and see what they had to say on the whole situation. I forget the guy's name, but was told they can't do anything with medicare, that I would have to call them myself. When I asked about if they could customize it like what the Dr. ordered, he said no, they don't do any custom work or adding options, that they only sell them stock.

   I call Utah Trikes, since they are the custom shop, and was told to call back later when someone would be back in the shop. Not a big deal, right? Wait until you read my next part about them...

   It's time to try medicare again, hoping to get someone different, that might be a bit more knowledgeable. When I told the lady what I'm wanting, she told me "Sorry, medicare doesn't cover exercise items, is there anything else?" I tell her that the website for the trike says that they do sometimes, and she tells me again "No, medicare doesn't, they lied" Then tells me to go through a medicare provider.

   At this point, I'm just getting more and more confused with every phone call, but want to figure out if I wasted money to get the prescription. So, I call TerraTrike again, this time I talk to someone different than the first time. I ask her about medicare paying for the trike, since I was just told they don't. She tells me in certain cases insurance does pay, but she hasn't dealt with medicare herself. She still explains the process to me of how it's supposed to go and says I'm on the right track. I ask her about getting the options I need of the broader gear range and larger rear tire. She says that shouldn't be an issue, but they may need to order some parts. Says she'll get a quote to me sometime on Friday, since they are closed tomorrow, and already closed today. WOW! That's good service, in my opinion, to still answer questions, and not be put out about being on the phone after closing time.

   It's still early enough yet, that I call Utah Trikes. I get someone different and ask if they know are familiar with using medicare as payment. He says he doesn't think they are set up for it, I hear him call for someone else and ask him about it. It's the same guy that picked up the phone and said he didn't know, but this time I hear him say "No, they deal with medicare, not us. We're a trike company, not medicare." I say thank you and hang up. Since I'm being polite, I wait until I know the call is disconnected, look at my phone and comment "You sir, are elected Dick of the Day."

Now, here I am ranting to all of you who take the time to read it, when all I really want to rant about is impatience on waiting for the new trike.

Thanks for reading.

What's wrong with his face?

I was told that pictures would be a good idea, so everyone could see me and put a face to the name. Since I don't have the trike, I can't take pictures of that. I am quite camera shy, so we'll go with these.

 

 Me considering the idea of pictures

 

Me realizing the idea of pictures

Actually, I was playing around with skype on my phone and just making faces to make the wife laugh, she then decided to save them.

Phase Two: Find Trike

   If you read the first post, good job. If not, you should still be able to follow along.

   I now need to find where I'm going to purchase the trike (with customization) from.
  
   I had initially thought about just going through Utah Trikes, but have since changed my mind. The main reason being that if something was to happen warranty related I would have to go through them, and shipping is expensive. I also saw they recently put on their site that they are recommending customers to go with the Rambler, over the Rover.

   I will be calling the local, 40 mi./1 hr. away, shop that I originally test rode the Rover 8 at and see if they can do the 26" rear wheel, 11-34 9 speed cassette, rear derailleur, triple chain ring, front derailleur mods, or if I have to try some place else. The next closest dealer is 150 mi./ 3 hr. away, so I really hope the closer one will do everything I need.

Phase One: Operation Script - Complete

   I have a degenerative neuromuscular condition known as Hereditary Spastic Paraparesis or HSP, read more here if you want. This, coupled with being 6'4" 290lbs means that I need something to get in shape, without being too strenuous. 

   After some searching, I found the TerraTrike Rover with it's tall seat height and 400lb weight limit, meant that getting on and off wouldn't be too challenging, plus it would be able to hold me, plus gear without being close to overloaded. I test rode one at a local dealer, which went well, but felt that a lower gear would be beneficial for any hills I might encounter. 

   While looking at what my options might be, I found the Utah Trikes Rover "X5" with a 26" rear wheel, this would raise the seat up another inch, woo-hoo, but also raise the lowest gear significantly. However, with putting on a triple chain ring crank, I can achieve a lower gear than the Rover 8 speed, but still have the seat raised that extra inch. I thought this would be perfect, but then I saw the price, and can't afford that on disability. 

   More web searching (I've got too much time on my hands) and I came across a thing on TerraTrike's web site, saying that medicare helps pay for trikes in some cases. So, I go to the neurologist today, and he seemed thrilled at the idea of something to get me exercise, that works with my condition. 

Phase One: Operation Script has been completed.