Every Day Adventurers

One of our custom Big Dummy customers, Scott of Washington D.C., recently wrote to RootsRadicals about his experience riding his longtail in the icy, slick and packed down snow. Take it away, Scott!

So if you haven’t heard, we have been suffering through the Snowpocalypse. Washington DC has had something like 30 to 50 inches of snow during the past week. I haven’t had much of a chance to take the BD out (no snow tires), but have gotten out twice and can give everyone a testimonial of winter longtail riding.

I can say with confidence that the longer wheelbase of my Big Dummy really, really helped in the slippery stuff. I rode once with about three fresh inches on the street and again a couple of days later after the streets had been plowed under much worse road conditions. On the second trip, I carried a small load back from my local package store (two sixers and a half case of wine). The extra weight in the back really locked down the rear end despite the ice, snow and slush. I had next to no tire slippage as I carefully tread my way back home (with bottles cheerfully clinking along the way).

I’m looking forward to getting back on the streets after this round of snow finishes. I think we’ll end up with only eight inches this time.

Scott
Washington, DC

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Low budget days, er months, getting you down? Want to reuse something destined for the dump? Wrap your V-racks with a used road tube (30-35c) and receive a variety of benefits. Keep your buckles from sliding on the racks, prevent water from seeping into your uprights and look ninja.

Spotted outside Artcrank SF poster show.

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After living in temperate climes for the past five years, I’ve lost a little of my Nor’easter edge. But those RootsRadicals and Tweeters living in winter’y zones are chatting about riding tips regarding cold, wet, icy riding. Nice thing about a longtail, you’ve got a longer wheelbase = more stable.

Read the rest of this entry »

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An undeniable facet of owning an Xtracycle is it’s magnetism for questions. “What is that?”, “Did you make it?”, “Is it like a normal bike?” are just a smidgen of the queries you’ll get.

We asked our twittersphere to share with us their off-the-cuff responses to the perennial question, “What is that?” Here are their responses:

• “It’s an extention frame that mounts to a normal bike allowing you to haul most anything, cargo and/or people.” @illintechnology
• “it’s a cargobike, I do my shopping & stuff without a car. It’s really just my old bike but longer and able to carry 200lbs” @shanerh
• i tell them its my grocery-getter & get-around-town eco ride! i also tell them how awesome it is (& that our 2yr old loves it)! @schwartzsheldon
• “It’s an #Xtracycle! It’s my station wagon/kid hauler/grocery getter. Lots of fun to ride!” @jessikate
• “It’s a long bike called an Xtracycle FreeRadical. I use it for getting groceries and having fun. Cars Suck!” @xtracycleTony
• Actually, the most frequent question I get is: “Did you make that?” To which a yes or no answer isn’t easy. @gauch0
• “It’s a sport utility bike, kind of like a bicycle pick-up truck.” @jasondcrane
• “Xtracycle: A hitchless trailer puts me at the center of gravity, making the ride smoother, even with up to 200 pounds behind me.” @jamcycler
• if I have time I put the footsies on and show them what it is! @redfieldbikes

Thanks everyone for sharing their tactics for spreading the LongTail revolution. Please share any responses you might have in the comments below. My personal favorite response to, “I like your bike!” is, “My bike likes YOU!”

Have a great commute, ride, spontaneous adventure this week!

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We’d love to pin down the neurons that fire happiness in people when they see passengers being carried on an Xtracycle. Without fail, we manage to lift spirits around us when our friends, loved ones and strangers are straddled on, or surfing, our SnapDecks.

Last week, we asked our twitter buddies what tips they had for carrying passengers, here’s their do’s, don’t’s and heck’yeahs!

• Stand up, surf and feel the wind in your hair!
• MagicCarpet pad very worth it; made foot pegs with chopped straight handlebar, bar ends & brake cable holding ends in. see most recent 4 pics here
• Don’t ditch the granny gear! 100+ lbs. of person makes a mean hill.
• Left hand under the handlebars, right hand gripping the stoker bar attached under the seat. Always w all cargo removed first.
• Some folks are shy, but it’s really better if they snuggle up close to pilot. Less sway.
• Side-saddle an option 4 short folks/kids/skirt wearers and readers too!
• The drunker you are, the harder it is to do. Admin Note: We do not advocate drinking and riding. However, we do advocate riding and then drinking.
• When you’re carrying three little ones, put the smallest one in the middle, and the most experienced rider all the way in back
• Side saddle is my GF’s preferred orientation, skirt or pants.

Thanks to: @xtracycleTony, @coxn, @dandyerband, @loquaiciousD, @oninformation, @crunchysue, @sarahgilbert for sharing the wealth (of knowledge).

Please share your tips with your fellow longtailers by commenting below. Happy, and safe, riding!

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