Jessy Clonts, our neighbor in the Bay Area, test rode a Radish for 30-days this spring. This is a journal about her expectations, experiences and feedback. Enjoy!
Week 4 Recap
This week I experimented with comparing the Xtracycle experience with the rusted vintage Specialized experience. Having no cargo to haul for once, I hopped on my old bike and went for a ride around the neighborhood. Instantly, I felt a major difference. My handlebars didn’t seem as sturdy. My turns were noticeably more challenging. My shocks were nonexistent and bumps in the road popped out everywhere. My seat was not nearly as comfortable.
I want my Radish back! Even if I don’t have anything to carry, the ride is just so much more superior. And who needs twelve gears? I get by just fine with eight on the Radish. Chalk up another ten points for Team Xtracycle.
Jessy Clonts, our neighbor in the Bay Area, test rode a Radish for 30-days this spring. This is a journal about her expectations, experiences and feedback. Enjoy!
Day 21
With a friend in town, it was another perfect time to give someone a ride on the Snap Deck. Having flown out from the Midwest and not knowing what an Xtracycle is, much less ever seeing one, it was an excellent virgin introduction to the Radish. She swung onto the SnapDeck with apprehension, but was willing to give it a try for the five blocks to the barbecue.
It was a bumpy start; I was on the phone as we pulled out of our driveway, but hung up and focused on the road. All the while, my passenger screamed while doing this. Not knowing what to expect, she wriggled on the deck, trying to adjust her balance, and the Radish pedaled along beautifully. I silently thanked its perfect sturdiness as we pulled into the drive of the ‘cue in two whole pieces.
And it’s a good thing we took the Radish, because I ended up with quite a heavy box full of kitchen gear and DVDs to take home with me from the host’s house. My house guest elected to walk home, and I started to walk with her and a friend, but with the weight of the box on one side of the bike, it was a little challenging to keep the bike upright as I walked. She encouraged me to hop on and ride, and relieved, that’s exactly what I did. Another day ends with my gratitude for the Radish.
Jessy Clonts, our neighbor in the Bay Area, test rode a Radish for 30-days this spring. This is a journal about her expectations, experiences and feedback. Enjoy!
Day 17
I’m really getting the hang of riding with full FreeLoaders, and cherishing the ability to finally shop at Berkeley Bowl. Who has the patience to circle the parking lot for half an hour while looking for a spot to put the car? With the Radish I can park in front of the door and be out with a full load in that same amount of time. And that’s exactly what I did today, like a pro.
We recently asked our twitter friends:
What tips would you recommend for carrying groceries in your #xtracycle? Bags to use, packing styles, glass awareness, etc.
They don't make pack cats, so an Xtracycle will have to do
Get a glint of LongTail knowledge below:
For big trips here in rainy Portland I use a pair of B.O.B. Trailer bags, for smaller/dry trips I just use reusable canvas bags.
Don’t tighten the straps down all the way when chips and bread are involved!!!! :)
pack your own bags at store (dense). Mix glass with bulk bags on the bottom. mini soft sided cooler for hot days & ice cream… don’t forget straps for TP on snapdeck. Turn bags sideways to fit 4+, longways to fit 3-. don’t put 6 packs on top-can pop out
heavies: rear axle, forward & low; delicates & smooshables: wayback & up; breakables: dubbawrapped , tucked in & around; leave gaps for access 2 flaps oh, and kid on SnapDeck-up top :-)
If you bag your own groceries, don’t put all the canned goods in one bag! Give each bag a mix of heavy and light items.
Thanks to Nate, Dave, Shane, Large Fella on a Bike and Kathleen for their tweets.
Comment on this post to share your grocery packing tips!
Jessy Clonts, our neighbor in the Bay Area, test rode a Radish for 30-days this spring. This is a journal about her expectations, experiences and feedback. Enjoy!
Day 19
Today seemed like the perfect day to boulder with a couple of friends on a 30-foot hunk of rhyolite in the Berkeley Hills, also known as Indian Rock. I-Rock is about 2.5 miles uphill from where I live, and thus, “totally bikeable.” However the temperature on this day turned out to be 80 degrees by 11:00 a.m.
I’m going to admit something; please don’t judge. I staked out my proposed route in a car first. Then I decided not to bike it.
But here is my reasoning. Bouldering is a passion of mine, and it’s not often that I get to boulder outdoors with friends in the middle of a perfect day. In 80-degree weather, I couldn’t afford to be zapped of all my energy from biking before ever reaching the rock. It wouldn’t be safe for either activity.
And so, Indian Rock will have to wait for cooler weather before it gets to meet the Radish. It’s okay for the Radish to have high standards.
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