Every Day Adventurers

Outside Magazine names Big Dummy among it’s 51 most “…Overlooked mountain ranges, river beer, running album, gear of all time…big ideas, accidental winners, and awesome things about the world outside we’ve come to love over the past 33 years.”

http://outside.away.com/outside/culture/201003/editors-choice-24-20.html

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Rod Bryan, former 2006 independent candidate for Governor of Arkansas, shared with us his past efforts trying to shift our car-centric lifestyles using his Xtracycle, and his current work as Housing Coordinator for Our House, a non-profit shelter for homeless individuals and families in Little Rock.

In his run for Governor, Rod’s first proposed initiative was aimed at “[improving] quality of life for Arkansans by making it easier to travel in communities and across the state by bicycle.” His concrete goals included increasing daily use of bicycles by citizens & state employees; improving cycling infrastructure and increasing bicycle use and maintenance education. It’s refreshing and empowering to see someone close their music record shop, take work at a bakery, and devote their time, money and energy to help improve the livelihoods of their fellow citizens.

Now, as housing coordinator for Our House, Rod sees the effects of our car-culture on the individuals and families he serves. Living by example, Rod rides his Xtracycle to work and encourages people “to try and find employment within a biking radius from their homes.”

“Daily, shelter residents look at my bicycle with oohs and ahhs. I have a vision to introduce them to riding Xtracyles while they are staying at the shelter and encourage them to save money to buy their own upon leaving. I also envision residents learning bike mechanics as part of our job training and as a way to sustain their own transportation and independence.

If it weren’t for the money in my campaign, I don’t know if I ever would have gotten an Xtracycle. I know that many of the people in our shelter see bicycles other than second-hand or from Wal-Mart as extravagances. I truly believe that if we introduce our residents to Xtracycles and the many things that Xtracycle makes possible it will truly open them to another world. “

Rod is accepting donations through Our House to help individuals ease the cost burden of owning a cargo bicycle for use as their daily transportation tool. If you can offer financial support, or want to donate your FreeRadical after upgrading to a Radish or Big Dummy, you can contact Rod at rod{at}ourhouseshelter{dot}com.

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I’ve been wanting to find a great rear light for my PeaPodLT for months now. Unfortunately, nothing seems to clip well to the various openings on the back of the seat, so I’ve come to terms with the need to modify.

This post details the modification process, but I’ve only just put it on, so I can’t necessarily recommend this product for the long haul, yet. Will add to this post as I learn more about the light itself. My main concerns are, as with all LED lights, battery life, and then with this particular install, gradual rattling of hardware such that the light becomes loose or falls off.

The light is a German rear seatpost light made by Sigma.

First, you need to disassemble the light mount probably intended for the seat post and rescue the two plastic parts - one of which accepts the light, the other as a kind of wedge to orient the light more or less perpendicular to the ground (very nice on the sloped back of the PeaPod).


Using a 3/8″5/32″ bit, drill a hole through the PeaPod shell that emerges below the level of the seat pad on the other side (to cushion your little rider’s back from the minimal hardware we will use to attach the light to the seat.


After a good while of searching for a nut that would work on the existing screw that held the seatpost mount assembly together, I finally just switched to a slightly larger diameter screw and nut combo I had in my hardware bin. The nice thing about this, is that the screw bound a little to the plastic of the light mount and the seat, acting as a kind of built in loctite to prevent excessive rattling. Additionally, the nut I found was very flat, and the overall length of the hardware was such that there was no sharp screw end poking through the nut. Screw + nut were flush (well, pretty much) under the pad.


The light has a nice feature that it can be mounted horizontally, for that KnightRider effect, or vertically. This light has a few different patterns, some of which are intermittent enough that they won’t likely draw down the two AAA batteries too fast.


More to come!

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Many folks have inquired about the new bags pictured with 2010 Radish here.

Here’s an initial post to satisfy some of that curiosity, though it is by no means the definitive and final product information for these products. That is to say, there is more to come.

2010 Hoodie

For as long as I’ve been here at Xtracycle, I have longed to be able to offer a more reasonably priced Xtracycle package that does most of what the current FreeRadical + LongTail Kit offers. We sought a way to maintain super high quality and utility, but also how to make a big dent in the price (currently $489 for the kit most folks purchase). Hoodie came about as we considered ways to simplify/reduce cost on what are three separate items (SnapDeck, Right FreeLoader bag, Left FreeLoader bag). The name Hoodie, and the function of this simple system, evokes the integrated sweatshirt-hat-gloves that’s an ever so comfortable and simple way to stay warm.

Simultaneously, we were seeking a different aesthetic than the FreeLoader/SnapDeck combo - something more sleek, unified and integrated. Less of the straps-a-plenty look and feel, and more of the wheel fairing or engine cowling look. A true cover, hiding all the mechanical intricacies, and leaving only a pure form - function and fashion. Okay, so no one would say that a Hoodie sweatshirt is the essence of form meets function, but there is something casual yet cool about wearing a Hoodie out to brunch.

Hoodie Features:

• Hoodie has two bags that open out to accept objects large and small, soft and hard (max box size seems to be a case of 24 bottled beers).
• Hoodie has an integrated ABS frame sheet that acts as a deck for light passengering, and carrying items on top of the Xtracycle
• Hoodie is made of 600D polyester, and reflective webbing.
• Hoodie will work with V-Racks and P-Racks
• Hoodie has a U-lock pocket, which could also be used for keys, cell phone, tools, etc.
• Hoodie has a 6 point attachment system to secure it to Xtracycle
• Hoodie is not compatible with Big Dummy
• Hoodie has a small silkscreened Xtracycle logo at rear bottom, and 2 Xtracycle tags on either side.
• Hoodie is compatible with all FreeRadicals produced by Xtracycle
• Hoodie, though not yet tested, should be compatible with Terra Cycles Cargo Monster
• Initially, Hoodie will come in two colors - Charcoal and Redical
• Hoodie is not compatible with any Xtracycle decks or PeaPodLT.
• Hoodie Kit (1 Hoodie, 2 V-Racks) estimated retail price: $125
• Buying an Xtracycle FreeRadical and Hoodie Kit estimated retail price: $364

NOTE on Big Dummy compatibility: The Hoodie was not intentionally designed to be BigDummy non-compliant. The design of the BigDummy (with one large boom style seat stay coming down from the seat tube) is fundamentally different than that of a bike + FreeRad. To make the Hoodie work with BigDummy, we would have had to alter the design, losing our beloved LockPocket, the easy install, and full fairing coverage. Furthermore, we were focused on making the Hoodie an entry level solution. BigDummy customers we felt were already stepping out of ‘entry-level’ sphere, looking for something more, so we ultimately resolved that the Hoodie would not work with Surly’s product, by circumstance not by design. Much love to the BigDummy! We made some new FreeLoaders that you Big Dummy customers are going to love! Hope to post info on those tomorrow…

Hoodie Pictures:

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