Component Killer vs Physics

And in this corner riding the Banana Bike we have Component Killer! Today he'll be taking on the undefeated Laws of Physics!! Let's get ready to TUMBLE!

So CK and I went to a ride with the meetup people I ride with. This was the Sycamore Pumpkin Festival ride. Its a 20 mile out and 20 mile back ride from St Charles to Sycamore on the Great Western Trail. If you like flat and straight this is the perfect trail. Its ok to close your eyes for a mile. As long as you don't twitch and turn you'll still be on the trail. Think Kansas.

On the way out we didn't leave any scorch marks on the trail or anything like that. It was a good social ride out there. We mostly rode with just the two of us, but ended up with 5 of us together by the end of the trail. After crossing the parade a couple times (it weaved up and down the streets), we grabbed some lunch. CK's trike was referred to as the Banana Bike by a kid along the parade route. Yes, CK rode in the parade waving at people!

The 20 miles back would prove to be a bit more treacherous. Not a mile out one of the riders ran into the back of CK's trike. I think she hit his tire? Doink...down she goes. Luckily no injuries there on the pavement.

On the way back, we dodged the streets and cut through a park. Not just any park. A park with a 100 degree turn to the right if you followed the pavement. Most people have cut that corner and killed the grass. Not a true roadie though. Respect the grass. Feel that pavement under your tires. And when you're a roadie riding a limestone trail (heavy on the sand, low on the rock), you're going to accellerate as much as possible on those rare occasions that pavement presents itself. And so CK arrived at this 100 degree junction and scorched the earth. With his tires pointing right and his momentum going straight ahead, a disagreement began between CK's desire to turn and Physics. And while an object at rest tends to stay at rest. An object in motion at high speeds with its wheels suddenly pointing sharply to the right will Tumble. And thus CK proved that cows aren't the only thing tippable in the farmland west of Chicago. The trike hopped and skipped over itself before the automatic emergency braking system engaged...otherwise known as CK's face meets the dirt. When the trike was purchased, they hadn't advertised that you could climb under it upside down when you just need a little rest and shelter. I'm pretty sure its not good for 4-season camping though.

No CK's were significantly injured in this demonstration of just how well the trike corners. I'm sure he has some bruises though where he used his forearm to bend the left handle out of alignment. Nothing that was a big deal to fix on the bike either...realign handle, chain off, and a fender adjustment or 2. The trike and rider made it back the last 20 miles from that point. I was right on his tail so I'll have to see if I can pull his speed out of the bike GPS.

And when CK starts twitching when he see dogs, I understand. Every dog was in love with him. "Hey! You're my height! Let's hang out!" I would ride by and they wouldn't look at me...their eyes were locked on CK.

The remainder of the ride back was uneventful...everyone managed to keep their rides moving along nice and straight on the path. I certainly wouldn't call the Great Western Trail exciting, but its a nice trail as far as minimal road crossings. Its also very flat, so its a good place to bring new riders. Although one person turned around 3.5 miles in because it was just too "intense."