A little off topic ...

About 10% of you coming here use Internet Exploder Explorer ... and you shouldn't. Why not? It never has been all that secure, to be honest ... and now even Homeland Security is advising you not to use it!

"The U.S. Department of Homeland security is advising Americans not to use the Internet Explorer Web browser until a fix is found for a serious security flaw that came to light over the weekend.
The bug was announced on Saturday by FireEye Research Labs, an Internet security software company based in Milpitas, Calif.
"We are currently unaware of a practical solution to this problem," the Department of Homeland Security's United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team said in a post Monday morning.
It recommended that users and administrators "consider employing an alternative Web browser until an official update is available.""

Alternative browsers? Firefox or Chrome are good choices. Safari  is another possible choice.

Personally, I like Firefox - and, in fact, I use Aurora, which is the Alpha (pre-beta) test version of Firefox.

OMG! Part 2

An update on my MCM Team Achilles spot - not only are they giving me a spot in the Marine Corps Marathon ... they are covering the registration fees AND providing accommodations at the Team Hotel! All I have to do is pay my way there and back! Maybe I'm not a total Idiot ... I DID join Team Achilles, after all.

I know there are some hills on the MCM course, so I need to get serious on my training! 

That's a little better ...

I did my 2 mile training course again - and averaged 7.9 MPH and hit a top speed of 14 MPH. I still have a long way to go until I'm actually competitive, but it IS a new handcycle. A year from now I will be doing a lot better!

On a side note, the Shimano shifter is just NOT going to work where it's at. I'm going to move it over to the left hand crank and see if I can move it to a position where I can actually downshift the 9 speed cassette. with one hand. Right now, it is a little too far for my right thumb to reach and downshift ... and there is no room to move it closer or turn it where it will be reachable.

Other not so nice features:

1. The hub is 8/9 speed cassette only. I will have to buy a new hub if I want to use a 10 speed (or 11 speed) cassette. Getting the Dual Drive 3 would solve the hub issue ... and the SRAM shifters are MUCH more handcycle friendly.

2. The crankset isn't wide enough to clear my legs or abdomen, and it's only 170 mm. I'm wondering if the Force G "S" crankarms can be fitted to the Force 2. They add 6" in width and are 200mm for a little additional leverage. I have long arms, so the extra length wouldn't be an issue as long as I had the extra width for clearance. I predict a call to Top End in the near future.

Duh!

My leased handcycle was from New Hampshire. My new handcycle was built for use in Florida. Do you think it might be geared just a little differently? DUH!

Let's just say that inclines are MUCH more challenging! In spite of the gearing difference, A quick 2 mile training run went real well. 17 minutes with an average speed of 6.9 mph and a max of 13.5 on mostly flat road with a several small (33 foot climb) rolling hills. That would be close to a PR for a 5K distance ... in street clothes!

Looks like it's time to consider getting the SRAM Dual Drive hub. Specifically the DD3-30 with Disc Brakes.

 

That would give me an extra low range, a 1:1 direct drive and a high end boost for going down any hills I have to climb. It would also change out the 9 speed cassette for a 10 speed cassette giving me an even lower granny low.

Because of the on going move, it won't happen "soon", but it WILL happen.

OMG! YES!

I just received an e-mail from Achilles International ... they are adding me to their Marine Corps Marathon team!  That is such an honor!

My new handcycle; entry into the Marine Corp Marathon; I can only wonder what's next ... because "good things come in threes"!

Mine, ALL MINE!

I was fitted for MY handcycle; took it for a test ride; had it tweaked; and took it for another test run.

it's the blue one.

 

Sporting my Achilles International shirt!

Katie Blunk is fantastic! She's the VA Rep that is in charge of the Adaptive Sports Equipment program in Florida. It's because of her and her staff that I have my new ride!

I wasn't the only one happy today - there were two other Vets getting recumbent bicycles today, also!

I took it for a little spin after supper. Not in a hurry; not really dressed to race; just a short little test run - 1 mile in just under 10 minutes with a max speed of over 13 mph on level ground.  Once I have taken some training runs, this is going to be a jet!

WooHoo!

MY handcycle has been delivered to the Lake City VA Hospital! I have to be there early tomorrow morning to have it set up for me and take a few test rides to get it tweaked for optimum performance. There will be two others there getting their new rides, also, so this will be a good chance to get some pointers.

I will try to get some photos during the set up and test ride phase. Check back tomorrow evening.