With my flab on the increase, a lifestyle adjustment is in order . Much as I enjoy my new scooter http://alackofcleardirection.blogspot.mx/2015/09/new-ride-vento-hot-rod-classic.html, I get as much exercise out of it as I would playing video games. It's perfect for transporting my boogie board the 20 minute drive to La Bocana but a one hour bike ride would be much more satisfying.
The only way I could carry the boogie board on the bicycle was to tuck it under one arm and that just wasn't practical. I tried balancing it on the passenger spikes with a couple of bungees latched on the seat post. That worked for about 15 seconds.
Down in Puerto Escondido, I'd seen a few guys with surfboard racks on the side of their scooters. It seemed like a great idea. Of course, with a scooter, you don't need room to pedal. Hmm. I checked on the internet one night. Sure enough, people in the States have designed racks for bicycles too. The cost of postage is often more than double that of the product from to the States to Mexico so I headed to Surf Town, Puerto Escondido, our own international surfer mecca. Surely, if I could find one of these fantastic contraptions anywhere, that would be the place. I had pictures of what I wanted on my smart phone just to make myself understood. Nobody at the surf shops had ever heard of them and sent me way up the hill to a couple of bike shops where I was assured the only way I was going to get what I wanted was to pay some welders to make me one. Incidentally, I learned from one bike mechanic that Puerto is not a big bicycle town so there has never been a demand for such a thing before. The hill I climbed that day explained why.
Back home I hit the internet again and this time I hit the jackpot. A man has this great Youtube video demonstrating how to build your own. It's genius. There are a few other DIY rack vids as well but his is the most solid design. The others are a bit wiggly. If you read his full description, you'll find very practical detailed instructions that aren't necessarily apparent in the 3 minute video. Check it out.
Because of the shape of my frame, I couldn't follow his instructions without some modifications. His frame is a consistent one inch triangle. All of his PVC pieces are one inch, the perfect width for a rack and I doubt you would want it any thicker. My frame has all different widths from one inch to 1.6 so even if I went for a 1.6 thick frame, I'd still have problem getting pieces to fit together.
I considered buying myself a new bike but all of the bikes at our local store had the same style of frame as mine so I had to scheme a way to make this guy's invention work. Hence, my very first, probably last, instructional video. It doesn't show the whole process, just the adjustments I had to make for the original video. If your frame is like his, the first video is all you will ever need. If you have one like mine, my vid will show you everything else you need to know.
The first problem was solved at the hardware store where the man sold me a 1.5 Tee with a one inch sleeve. Everything else was one inch, just like on the video.
There were a few more snags ahead and I started to get discouraged again but I consoled myself that even if the whole enterprise was a complete messy failure, the actual investment in materials hadn't been that much to begin with.
At first I couldn't get the all important first Tee joint up high enough on the frame. It was obstructed by a little metal cable guide that I couldn't just brake off. I thought about it. How important could that piece be? Probably essential. Instead I took the easier route with my hacksaw and cut a tooth out of the PVC. Voila. We're looking good now.
The next problem was that the same Tee jint pinched off my front derailleur cable, limiting me to one front gear. That was something I could live with if I had to but I managed to carve a groove for the cable in the center of the joint and I was back in the game.
From there I was able to follow the instructions as given and everything worked out great.
I got more and more excited as each piece came together and realized it was really going to happen.
It was dark before I finished.
Almost finished here. I got to use my new-to-me power drill for the first time to make holes for the bungee cords. The foam insulation pipe covers on the top picture were added the next day for traction. Plus, I think they look cool.
Tomorrow morning will be my maiden voyage. I hope La Bocana isn't too rough and scary. It has different conditions throughout the year and I think we're due for wide sand and long stretches of shallow water. I'd hate to get out there and then have to chicken out but I won't go in if it looks too psycho.
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