Get Out and Ride-Indy Style

Yesterday  I spent the day with the folks at Indycog out at the Major Taylor Velodrome for the final race of the 2012 season for Ohio Valley Cyclocross.  I had volunteered to help out for an hour, and ended up staying all day.  When you have no social life such things happen.  It was my first cyclocross event and I had a blast (as a spectator-not a racer).  If you get a chance to watch cyclocross do so.  Even better, if you are so inclined, participate.  These races look like they are a blast--in a masochistic bike racing sort of way.

After I got back home one thought kept popping into my head.  Indianapolis has a LOT of opportunities to ride a bike.  Cycling in Indianapolis is not just about casual Saturday morning rides along one of the city's greenways, or commuting to and from work.  There are many opportunities for many kinds of riding. 

Indycog and other groups, including the Mayor's office, sponsor rides throughout the year such as the NITEride which allow cyclists to come together for fun group rides throughout the city.  Bike shops and clubs also hold group rides for training and camaraderie largely for road cyclists.  There are also numerous charity and fun rides sponsored by a host of organizations either in Indianapolis or within a sort drive (or ride) from the city.  One good place to find such rides is the Bike Rides in Indiana website which has listings of most every organized ride in Indiana and some from surrounding states.

If organized group rides aren't your thing there is also Bike Polo, Cyclocross, and BMX for the competitive at heart, or those who just want to play on their bike.  There are even mountain bike trails within the city at Town Run Park, Southwestway Park, and Ft. Harrison State Park.  There are also mountain bike trails in several State Parks within a hour or two of the city such as Brown County, and Versailles. 

I know I am starting to sound like some kind of tourism liaison, but when I first moved here, and for a few years after, I didn't realize just how much there was to do on a bicycle around here.  I am willing to bet that fro a lot of people who live around here this is the same case.  So, for any of you who live here or are just here temporarily due to school or work, I would suggest getting out and looking around.  Indianapolis has more opportunities to get out and ride than you might think.

Grocery Getter

In an earlier post I briefly mentioned having gotten Topeak's Trolley Tote for grocery runs.  Having used it a few times now I feel ready to give a basic review.

As you'll see, the Trolley Tote is essentially a milk crate with wheels and a handle.  It folds up when not in use, and locks down to the rack via Topeak's MTX trac system. 

To use the Tote for its intended purpose you must first unfold it which involves several steps:

You first loosen the clips on the handle end of the Tote,

then raise the sides up and unfold them. 

You seat a clip on the inside of both sides,


then put 'stiffners' which are stored inside the Tote over the side hinges and snap them in place.

Finally, you re-clip the clips on the outside and wah-lah--grocery tote. 

This can all be done while the Tote is clipped into the rack, and once you've done it a few times takes less time to do than it does to explain.  The handle telescopes out and locks in place to pull the Tote around with which is quite handy.  And the inline-skate wheels roll well.


Once opened and locked in place the Tote is quite sturdy and capable of performing its task..  I was worried that it would be a little flimsy, but it is quite solid--at least as solid as a real milk crate.

Overall the Trolley Tote works well for its intended purpose.  It wouldn't hold enough groceries for a typical family's weekly grocery run (though my Nomad would easily do so), but since I have a problem knowing what I want to eat more than a day or two in advance, I tend to go to the grocery daily or every other day, and the Tote holds a day or two's groceries for one person easily.  If your typical grocery haul is any larger I would recommend the Burley Travoy.  This option cost quite a bit more, but carries a lot more.  A friend of mine has one and she loves it (I am considering getting one for myself for errands and possibly overnighters--if I do I will of course give my opinions here)

When loaded with groceries you wouldn't want to make too many high speed maneuvers with the Tote in place because it does put the weight you are carrying up quite high and you can feel the difference, especially if you have something relatively heavy in the Tote; such as a gallon of milk, or a half-case of beverages.  But, if you keep at a casual speed the weight of the laden Tote isn't a big deal, so long as you keep it in mind when stopping and turning.

As for negatives--the handle doesn't lock when retracted, the whole thing is noisy, and a net should come with it.

1. The handle locks in place when extended, but not when retracted.  This isn't really an issue when the whole thing is folded because the handle faces the bike's seat, so you don't have to worry about it extending out behind you, but it does rattle around a bit while you are riding, which adds to the already annoying amount of noise this thing makes.  
2. Whether folded or unfolded the Tote makes quite a bit of racket.  This seems to be from the way it loosely sits in the trac system which allows the Tote to steadily clang up and down against the rack.  It seems to me that the Tote could be made to sit tighter in the trac and therefore make much less noise.  I've taken to using some soft Styrofoam between the Tote and rack to deaden the noise.  This fix is working quite well, but it always bothers me when I have to come up with some kind of  'user-designed after-market device' for something I pay for.
3. A cargo net is needed if you are carrying groceries across any less-than-perfect surface, which is 99% of the surface I travel on.  If you don't use a net your groceries will bounce around in the tote and could easily bounce out of it.  I already have a small bungee net that I use to fasten things to my rack, but it seems to me that something so integral to using the Trolley Tote should be included with it.  Topeak does sell a net separately, so this is probably an issue of economics, but come on guys.

So, overall I would say that I am satisfied with what started as an impulse buy (it was on sale, and I was buying a compatible rack), though I would caution others to be aware of the Tote's limitations, and take some time to consider how he/or she plans to use it, before laying down his/ or her's cash.

Cycling Friendly Indianapolis

In some of my posts I occasionally make remarks about or take jabs at the drivers here in Indianapolis in relation to cyclists, and while there are a lot of idiots on the road here, I don't mean to imply that this is the fault of the city itself.  So, I want to take a moment to talk about cycling in Indianapolis in relation to what the city does to promote or deter it.

In the seven years since I moved to the city I have noticed that bike lanes and paths have started to pop up all over the place, and Indianapolis has gotten easier to navigate by bicycle with every passing year.  According to the city government, Indianapolis has 70 miles of bike lanes and plans to create over 200 miles of such lanes over the next twelve years through its Connectivity Plan. In the past year the city government also passed an ordinance mandating the inclusion of things such as bike lanes and trails into any road construction projects.  And, Indianapolis has the 'three feet rule' for passing cyclists on the street (though most drivers don't know or follow such rules).

I recently found out that the Mayor's office even has a "Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator" who answers questions and concerns about cycling in the city, and who has assured me that there is an ongoing effort to coordinate with the BMV (bureau of motor vehicles) to educate drivers on the rules concerning cyclists.  The Mayors office also has a website dedicated to this subject of cycling in Indianapolis which is quite well designed and informative.

In partnership with Indycog a local cycling advocacy group, the city recently published a "bicycle friendliness map" called the Indy Ride Guide which shows all of the current bike lanes, paths, and trails within the city, and uses a color coding system for city streets to rank them  on a scale of 'bikeability."  I have used this guide quite a bit lately and have been extremely pleased with its usefulness.  So far, my only issue with the guide is that it doesn't cover the communities to the north of Indianapolis proper like Carmel, Fishers, and Geist which due to the attitude of many of the drivers in these areas are among the most dangerous places in this area to ride on the streets, or for that matter, drive.  However, I fully understand that these areas are somewhat out of the control of the city government, and the guide is for Indianapolis.  It would be nice if these other communities would partner with the city on this, or even take steps to produce a guide of their own.  But, I digress.

The Indy Ride Guide is free and distributed through bike shops, breweries, and some retailers throughout the city.  You can even get a waterproof version, but for that you have to pay.

All of the city buses have bike racks on them so a person can incorporate a bus into their bike-commute.  There are some free bike lockers spread though downtown, and quite a few standard bike racks.  And, there is a YMCA "bike hub" near the center of the city that has secure bicycle parking, as well as showers, and bicycle mechanics.  You have to pay a membership for the bike hub, but for frequent bike commuters this would be worth the money.  There is even a program to provide free cab-rides should there be an emergency for bike and/or bus commuters.

In all, Indianapolis is a relatively decent and safe place to explore and commute by bike.  Hopefully over time it will become safer with drivers becoming better educated and getting more exposure to more bikes being on the street.  For now, in my experience, the worst areas are the northern sections where there is a high percentage of expensive cars, and the southern edges where there is a high percentage of "redneckish pick-ups."  It seems to me that these two areas will become safer only through increased pressure from the police on their pocket books--something that the local Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator has assured me will happen.  For my part I have printed off some of the pamphlets and documents available from the city's cycling website to hand out to drivers who are obviously unaware of the rules and laws regarding their driving and my riding.  This probably doesn't help much because I can't give these drivers the same "incentives" that a police officer could, but I believe it couldn't hurt.

Indianapolis has a way to go before it could be considered truly the "bicycle friendly" city it claims to be, but at least it's heading in the right direction, which, considering a lot of people's opinions on the matter throughout the city, state, and country is an extraordinary step.

Voltaic Solar Charger-A Review

In any of my posts with a picture of my Pack Mule you may have noticed solar panels strapped across the mule's back.  This is a Voltaic Fuse 4 Watt Solar Charger, from Voltaic Systems, Inc.

I got this handy little system as a way to recharge my phone, GPS, MP3 player, GoPro, and batteries in situations where I don't have an outlet to use at the end of the day. Since getting it I have begun to buy only devices (such as bike lights) that I can charge using this little guy.

The Fuse is two solar panels and a battery attached to a carrying case that is designed to attach to any Molle style backpack which use a series of clips and straps to attach accessories, or (as in my case) use the included 3/4" straps and clips to strap it to most anything else.  I strap it across my pack mule for trips where I use the trailer, and I strap it to the bike's rear rack or to the rack bag when I commute.  It comes with a set of USB adapters that one uses to attach their device to the battery or panels to recharge.  If the adapter needed doesn't come standard, Voltaic sells adapters for damned near anything that you might need to charge, though the USB adapters that come with most thing these days will work without an adapter.

I love this thing, and have used it quite a bit, mostly to charge my phone and MP3 player, but I also have a USB battery charger for rechargeable batteries that I have used with it.  I even use it at home where there are plenty of USB ports and electrical outlets--I just like the idea of not using fossil-fuel power when I can.

The Fuse battery in its case

The fuse is quite an ingenious idea.  The case is large enough to carry small electronics (like phones, and GPS units) without being heavy or ungainly.  It zips open like a 'clamshell' and has a couple of small mesh pockets to hold adapters and devices.  You can keep the device being charged zipped securely inside while its charging or, by running the charging cord though a small opening on the back of the case, charge the device outside the case so you can see and hear it while it charges.

Keep in mind that this is a solar charger, so it won't speed charge things at the same rate as plugging the device in, but it will charge your devices fully overnight, or while riding or hiking (given enough sunlight) in places where plugging into the grid is not an option, and can give you some quick talk time when needed.

What I really love about the Fuse charger is its versatility.  The battery can be charged with the sun, it can be charged from an outlet (with an outlet adapter), and with a separate adapter that Voltaic sells (and I bought) it can be charged from the lighter/power outlet in your car.  You can use the solar panels at home, on the road, on the trail, and just about anywhere else the Sun shines.  And you can charge the battery and a device at the same time separately, or charge a device from the battery while charging the battery.  You could even charge two devices at the same time by plugging one to the battery and one separately, though anytime you do more than one thing at a time the charge is lower (and therefore slower) for each device since the available power is being shared.

Voltaic says the case is waterproof, and I have no reason to doubt this claim, but I have yet to test it by exposing the case to rain, so I can't vouch for it one way or the other.  The design of the case and zippers does inspire confidence that it could be used safely in the rain.

Voltaic offers one smaller and several larger charger systems if the Fuse is less than or more than you would need, but for my use this guy is perfect.  One note: if you plan on using such a system to charge larger devices such as a laptop, Voltaic recommends using a larger system since the power needs are greater.  The larger systems use a larger battery and more panels and can still be used for smaller devices like phones, GPS units, MP3 players, etc.  Voltaic has a set-up for charging just about anything, and even sell backpacks with the charger already attached.  They are well worth a look if you are in the market for a portable solar charging system.

Burley Nomad-Rolling Pack Mule

Now that I have pulled it around for a couple of hundred miles on the road, some bike paths, one gravel road (which google maps listed as paved), and even a short stretch of sidewalk, I feel ready to give a more detailed review of my Nomad.



My Nomad and Steed on the Road

Since I'm not really sure where to begin, I will review the Nomad on points I've seen addressed elsewhere: stability, rolling resistance, tongue weight, and wind resistance; as well as on a few other points that were important to me: capacity, visibility, footprint/tracking, and 'user friendliness.'

Stability- Simply put, this trailer has been very stable.  When I bought it I had no intention of using the Nomad off-road, and haven't. On the surfaces where I have used it-- prepared surfaces--no single or double-track trails, and one hard-packed gravel road, the trailer has been very stable. Potholes, bumps, shoulders, and transitions (small curbs, and sloped path to street transitions) have all played their part in the commutes and longer trips that I have used this trailer on and none have given me cause to think the trailer was going to flip or slide off the road pulling me with it. 

However, I am pulling the trailer with a road-style bike so I don't hit obstacles with as much abandon as I might with a mountain bike.  I am also used to where the trailer is in relation to my surroundings, and as such am careful with what the wheels might be hitting.  The trailer does bounce a little when it rolls over things at speed, so hitting something fast and hard with one wheel could theoretically flip the trailer, but based on my experiences so far, this would have to be one hell of a hit.  The worst thing I've hit so far was a flattened raccoon carcass that I couldn't dodge due to traffic and the poor critter did no harm aside from a little goop on the wheel and bottom of the cargo bed.

Rolling Resistance- This subject seems to come up a lot in single vs double wheel debates, and while I haven't pulled a BOB around for comparison, I can say that once I get the Nomad rolling I hardly know it's there.  The most weight I've pulled with it so far was around 45 lbs, and I couldn't really feel the trailer pulling on me once I get moving. On take off, up hill, and stopping I can feel the trailer, but it seems to me that this is a matter of gravity and the push/pull effect that any trailer causes, and the effects are countered with use different gearing and braking pressure than I use when riding without the trailer.

Tongue weight- According to the Burley site the Nomad transfers 10% of the weight in the trailer to the attachment point on the rear wheel of the bike thereby having a negligible effect on bike handling.  I have found their claim to be fairly accurate.  The one test I did came up with about 15% transfer, but it wasn't overly scientific.  I weighed a loaded trailer then put the end of the tongue on a scale set at the same height as it attaches to my bike and a 42lb trailer transferred just under 6 1/2 pounds to the scale.  In actual use these measurements would fluctuate due to how the trailer was loaded, and physics--when going down hill the trailer would transfer more weight to the wheel, and it would transfer less weight when going up.  Regardless of the actual transfer ratio, there is significantly less weight on the rear wheel and frame of the bike than there would be if all the gear were in panniers.

Wind Resistance- Now here's a point that I can definitely speak to.  On my first real trip with the Nomad I had some steady 20 mph head and cross winds, with gusts that were definitely stronger.  These winds played hell with me, in that I had to do a bit of walking because it was simply too dangerous to ride, but I never noticed any problems with the trailer being thrown around.  Due to the shape of the trailer I am sure it resisted the wind to a point, but even when the winds where bending the flag pole quite a bit to the side I never felt the trailer trying to pull me. 

Anti-Loss Device

One note on the flag:  I had read a review of the Nomad wherein the reviewer mentioned losing his flag to high winds, and since it just sits in a pocket instead of being mechanically attached I can see how this would happen (this setup would also allow easy theft of an unwatched flag).  With this story in mind I used an extra computer mounting band cinch-knotted around the flag-pole and wrapped around the cross-bar knob of the trailer (see picture) to help keep the flag where I put it.  Enough force could still rip the flag free, but it would need to be an extreme amount.

Capacity- So far, I have used my Nomad to carry groceries, used it to do some local Christmas shopping, and to haul the recycling, tools for work, and supplies/gear for short tours.  Not once have I wished I had more room for stuff. And, If I did for some strange reason want more room in (or rather, on) my trailer, I could always get the cargo rack attachment for it.  The only downside I can see of the Nomad's cargo capacity would be the potential for carrying more than I need to, but this is more of a self-discipline issue than a cargo-capacity issue.

Visibility- With the color, the reflective piping, reflectors, lights, and flag this guy is more visible than my bike and I are.  I have yet to feel that drivers have failed to see me whether it was dark or in the full light of day.  This was a concern of mine given the idiocy of a lot of Indianapolis drivers.  While the trailer's visibility hasn't diminished the idiocy it has certainly made me even more visible when I'm pulling it, and in some cases made people a little more careful around me--these are subjective observations, so may all be in my head, but I feel safer so they are a good thing.

Footprint/Tracking- This issue comes up a lot in reviews and questions about the Nomad.  When considering the Nomad, a lot of people (myself included) seem to feel that its two-wheel design and width would cause problems.  So far I haven't had issues with this. The trailer with wheels and quick-releases is  a hair over 26" wide.  It sits 2" off center with 12" going to the bike's right, and 14" to the left.  Since my handlebars (which are centered) with mirrors are 31" wide the trailer rides within my footprint and tracks right along with me--if my bike can go through a gap the trailer will too.  You do have to pay more attention to where you are in relation to curbs and such on your right, but I found this a quick learning process. I did have to learn to be a bit more careful on turns since the trailer adds to my overall length, but this hasn't been an issue since I got used to the extra length, and I would think this to be the case with any trailer.

For people without such a wide cockpit, if you figure around 18" for road bars and 29" for mountain bars the trailer will fit into the width of the mountain bars with 1" on the left and 2" on the right.  On the road bike the trailer will be 5" wider on the left and 3" on the right.  While you would have to learn to stay farther from curbs and other obstacles on your right, the width difference on your left is not such a big thing since a car passing within five inches of you would probably take you out with its mirror anyway.  And like I said, drivers seem to be a bit more careful around the trailer.

User-friendliness- This would seem to be a purely subjective subject, but some of my observations may fall into areas that match other people's questions.  First off it's easy to load.  With the detachable divider inside and the design of the cover this trailer is easy to organize and pack.  There are rings attached to the outside of the sides of the bed for using cord or bungees with overflow, and there are full length mesh pockets on the inside for small items.  I like the open trunk feel of the cargo bed as opposed to the duffel bag style BOB bag because it allows me to organize things.  Granted the Nomad is not waterproof due to its design, but I use stuff sacks anyway for organization so this isn't a problem (there are even drainage holes in the cargo bed for when water does get in).  While I haven't used the trailer in a full on deluge, I have pulled it in light rain and through puddles and have yet to get any water inside it.

The trailer attaches to the bike easily and securely whether it's loaded or not, this I really like.

The only user issue I could see with the Nomad is security of the contents when unattended.  When I use it for errands it doesn't have anything in it when it's unattended so this isn't an issue.  However, when I'm on the road and make a stop somewhere for food or a nature break there is the possibility of someone stealing something from inside the trailer.  This possibility applies to panniers, or other trailers as well, and with simple precautions like parking in visible areas and next to windows it is no different than just parking a bike anywhere.  As for securing the trailer itself I use an extra cable with my lock to secure the wheels to the trailer and my bike which is in-turn secured to something else.  This might not be adequate for long term security (such as overnight), but when I am using the trailer I am not in situations where I am away from the trailer and its contents with its being out in the open for long periods.  The longest periods I have left my rig or just the trailer unattended was during hikes and sight seeing rides while on tour, and I just locked it/them up next to the park office and the attendant gladly agreed to keep an eye on it/them.  In these cases there was more chance of my tent being stolen.

As for Burley's customer service I haven't had any dealings with them so I can't say anything about it one way or the other, but since I bought my trailer at REI which has excellent customer service I figure I will deal with them if the need arises.

So, overall, I would say I am very happy with my investment in the Nomad and am looking forward to discovering new uses for it and using it often for some time to come.