now for something really stupid

[PonoBill]

Inspired by Tim (Strand Leper) I modified a mule to fit my F18. Dropped bicycle and trailer (in a little bag about the size of two books) off at Wailea Beach (Four Seasons) and drove back to the Kehei Pier for a light wind downwinder. Paddled hard the whole way, partly because I was trying to catch micro-swells, and partly for training for the upcoming MCKC races. Hit the beach semi-pooped and sweating, rigged the trailer and discovered the tires were flat.



Ah well, not that much weight on them, off I went. Wasn't bad, and I got air at the Kihei Bike shop about halfway through the ride.  A four foot bike and an 18 foot trailer is a bit tricky to maneuver, but I got the hang of it. I did expect the ride to be just a cruise, but it ain't, at least not with the trailer. It was a pretty tough climb at the beginning, somehow I thought it would be flatter.

I think the downwinder was about 8 miles since I went way outside, using the Chantelle/Jack Dyson line: go to the horizon and turn left. The bike ride was probably 10 miles since I had to circle back to get my camelback--left it at the bike store. Pretty glad to see the jeep at the end.

So, this thing is doable. As usual I tested it by jumping straight off the edge of the fjord--running though downtown Kihei in holiday high season traffic. Not bright, but I know it's good in worst case conditions. Gotta say, as simple as the Mule is, it's a brilliant design. It has that pared-down character that's so nice to use.

This is a great addition to the funmobile. Now if nobody can go do a downwinder I can just do it myself. I also made a bike rack out of bits from an old weight bench (I somehow wound up with two). I went to buy a hitch rack and discovered they ran close to $300. So I rolled out the MIG welder and whipped one up in about half an hour. It's not the prettiest thing I ever built, but it works fine.

[greatdane]

A truly self-contained down-winder Bill!  Cool.  There is a guy up here who pulls a double surf ski behind a tandem bike... it's got to be like 40 feet long.  Not sure how he makes the corners through town.

[LaPerouseBay]

Chapeau Bill, that's a great setup.

Good on you for a simple solution to the big problem with downwinders - the return leg. 

Jack mentioned today that he sometimes leaves a board at the top, drives his van to the bottom and rides his bike back to the top and does a run.  I'm not sure how he secures his board.

 

[tstansbury]

My plan for the summer gorge down winders is to drop off a bike and trailer at mosier then drive to hood river and paddle back.  Then ride the bike home half a mi and get my motorcycle to ride back and get the truck.  I guess if I had the energy I could ride the bike back but that looks like a lot of work.  of course I will also be looking for  a crew to make it easier.

[PonoBill]

Well just hook up with us. I'll be doing them about every day that the wind blows. And I've never called Rod Parmenter to see if he wanted to go that he didn't say "sure". Downwinder in the morning, windsurfing all afternoon, downwinder in the evening. Then face down at the Pourhouse, blowing bubbles in my soup.

I have a very tolerant wife.

I think I got Mark Ribicoff well and truly hooked on Downwinders too. He's here on Maui with his wife Heidi, I've taken him on two south side runs and he got the magic timing on the last one. Off he went, laughing like a lunatic. Tomorrow looks like it's gonna rock. We'll see how he does in the bigger stuff. Odds are he's gonna go nutz. This stuff is more addictive than crack.

[tstansbury]

for sure I will try to hook up with you guys this summer

[Strand Leper]

Bill,

You are a madman... a stud... and my new hero!  Ten miles on that bad boy... AFTER the downwinder! I am in awe.  Keep it up mi amigo.

Tim