Absolute genius! Here is what I wrote in 2014 regarding what I placed between the metal hose clamps and the pristine painted frame: "The cages are now held firmly in place by standard hose clamps, painted flat black, and tightened over rubber to keep the Catrike paint pristine. Even though they are common hose clamps, they do not appear to be any kind of industrial solution as one might initially believe. The job is very clean and more aero than with the Minoura mounts." I used a rubber type solution as you show here. I agree that electrician's tape would not be the best solution. The rubber stuff I bought came in small squares, so I had to cut it to shape, both in length and width. I still have some of it left over in my workbench drawer. Yes, a shout-out to Utah Trikes! I am very impressed with their efficient operation! I got my new trike in just over a week, as compared to months from Hostel Shoppe! steve
@@EZSteve Okay, thanks for this clarification. My apologies for misquoting your process. I thought I did read though where you did apply black electrical tape. This vinyl flooring base molding worked great.
The lateral sway of the rear wheel is not detectable by the rider. It can only be visually observed, as you allude, by another triker, or someone, following along behind, and seeing it occur.
It would be a interesting opportunity to see if the current Catrike 700 still has the this in 2024 with the upgraded rear heavy duty axle. I highly doubt that the rear wheel would break due to this minor swaying. I'm sure Catrike has vastly improved this issue from many years ago. The quick release axle of yester years would seem to avail such a problem. However as I have previously mentioned there is a difference now in the solid axle. Perhaps Utah Trikes mechanics could weigh in on this topic regarding rear wheel sway, from the Catrike 700 of years ago to its current 2024 edition. As well as having a mechanical input as regards to IF it is a real concern for failure or not. Airplanes have a somewhat similar experience as their wings can be seen fluctuating up and down while in flight. My dad was a private aircraft owner for most of my life, and I witnessed this situation many times while flying with him. Not to mention even recently while flying on commercial airlines on my trip to Australia. While during flight I could visually see the wings fluctuating and moving up and down. Which begs the similar question... The fluctuating wings of all aircraft as well as the swaying of the rear wheel on a Catrike 700 recumbent trike... Are both going to break or fall apart? The answer is a resounding No. Otherwise you'd have airlines wings coming apart all the time during repetitive flights. Nor has anyone ever had a rear wheel actually snap or break on a Catrike 700. As long as one doesn't over exceed the maximum weight limit for extended periods of time. The highly historical percentages reveal that this concern of rear wheel sway is well within the safe zone. Just as the same is true regarding aircraft wing fluctuating during flight. I even heard another passenger make the comment on one of the flights I was on regarding the wing fluctuating. To the novice regarding engineering this might be a tad concerning. However the odds of these observations regarding engineering oversight is entirely a subjective novice opinion. All of which, as myself being a steel fabricator and welder understand that it is absolutely not even a remote concern for structure failure. If it was, no one would continue to fly on aircraft or ride the Catrike 700. Fearing that a gross oversight would cause structural failure. Thus leaving said passengers and recumbent trike Catrike 700 riders either perishing or stranded out on the road. Neither has taken place. Therefore in conclusion, I myself have zero concern regarding the topic, and if a scenario would to happen. I would simply pick up the pieces and arrange transportation for myself and my Catrike 700 back home. Then receive a brand new exact same Catrike 700 Green Hornet for free under Catrike warranty and go about my life and travels. I personally choose NOT to live my life with fear of "WHAT IF's." If I did, I would never leave my house due to being paranoid about everything. I might as well wrap myself up in bubble wrap and only venture to the end of my property boundaries. I certainly wouldn't go on a vacation to Australia flying across the pacific ocean for 16 hours in a commercial airline. Only to go inside a great white shark cage for a whole day hoping to come face to face with those cute little guppies. 😀 To say..."My what big teethies you have." I also wouldn't plan on a long-term tour riding my Catrike 700 Green Hornet, with panniers loaded on it enjoying a carefree experience. Nope, not me! Life is too short to worry about such trivial things... 16 hours across the pacific ocean, cage diving with cute little guppies (great white sharks 🦈), or long-term touring on my favorite recumbent trike The Green Hornet 😀. The results are now in... 10 out of every 10 persons will die. Tomorrow is not promised. Enjoy life with absolutely no fear; unless of course one doesn't absolutely know without a shadow of a doubt where they will spend eternity. Which is the number one concern. That!, shouldn't ever be taken casually or lightly. The Green Hornet...ZOOM! 😀
@@The-GreenHornet Yes, I agree that wheel failure on the 700, old or new, is a complete non-issue (unless a rider is significantly exceeding the weight limit of the trike). Catrike engineers have always taken this into account of course, so yes, there is no worry. I have never heard of anyone breaking a rear wheel due to minimal sway. I know I never have worried about it on my 700 tours. The only issue I ever had was when I installed a five-spoke carbon fiber and fiberglass rear wheel, which was engineered for bicycles that do not place lateral forces on a wheel like trikes do. That wheel looked cool, but it made loud cracking sounds now and then in turns, and upon contacting the company in 2014, they told me that placing it on a recumbent trike is not wise. So, knowing that this was a problem, I returned to the stock spoked wheel, and all was fine once again. I sold the custom wheel to a road biker, who was very happy to get it.
Batman was corney. The Green Hornet was more for mature storylines. And Kato was way better than Robbin. I also think the Black Beauty was much better than the Bat mobile.
Looking forward to more videos of your cool Catrike 700 touring machine! These are great trikes, very fast, and extremely comfortable in that laid-back position. steve
I'm glad you liked it. You're the only one who has. It's just too hot to do any riding, unless I go out for a while at 4 am. Haha. I'm waiting on some items related to The Green Hornet to arrive. Talk to you later.
Great walk-around Race! Thanks. One suggestion is to use a tripod camera mount when showing each area you are describing, thus eliminating the jumping around and visual disorientation (easier for viewers to watch - I've done it both ways, and decided that a steady view beats a moving view). Your Catrike Expedition is in mint condition, along with all the accessories, so I would imagine you'll find a buyer who realizes the great value, and snatches it up! Buying from you is like buying new, for all intent and purposes! Thanks again for the talk! steve
Thanks Steve for the camera advice 👍. Thank you for the compliments on my Catrike 700, and the Expedition. Yes!, I took very good care of it, even when stealth camping I was extremely gentle with the Firefly, never abusing it in any way. Whoever is looking for a Catrike Expedition recumbent trike that has MANY UPGRADES and is in very good condition. Let me know if you are interested.
@@The-GreenHornet Oh, that's not fair ... you're tempting me with an awesome Catrike Expedition! I always love buying and selling bikes and trikes, and the thought of your mint Expedition is indeed intriguing (back in 2009 when I first decided to get a trike, the Catrike Expedition was my choice, but a local rider had his used ICE Q for sale, so I got that instead). Stop tempting me, because you know I have a weakness for new cycle rigs. Besides, you'd have to bring it to me, a long darn way for sure. steve
That is a very beautiful color on your 700 ! I have a white 700 so I must be a bald hornet. :-) I bought mine like new second hand for about half its original price. Like you I would prefer green. The dealer I bought my first trike from many years ago didn't tell me about leg suck. It happened at night, I hit an unexpected bump and my foot flew off the flat pedal. Although painful I was very lucky not even a bruise. I would encourage you to put a strap on your pedals.
Thank you for your comment. Have you ever tried Catalyst pedals? They are far beyond any other type of fat pedals. I am really into aesthetics, so I haven't decided on installing my Fatstraps yet.
@@The-GreenHornet I have very similar pedals to your large Catalyst brand and almost the same dimensions, on my Goldrush Recumbent bicycle .I like them real well especially since I don't have to wear bicycle shoes with cleats. However on my trikes I am firmly clipped into the pedals so that there's no chance of a bump in the night causing a disaster. I lived very close to Thunderbird Park and would be ready to go at the crack of dawn for an enjoyable hike to the top of one of the Peaks or a bike ride. One thing good about hot weather is that it's usually nice in the early morning hours for exercising.
You are becoming quite skilled with your video production! I loved the long ride-by, starting just after the first minute, and lasting about 40 seconds! You have the entire road to yourself. I like the way you spliced together the clips, very effective. Yes, next video expand on stealth camp, a topic that apparently a lot of trikers and bikers really love judging by the 1.2 thousand views in only 12 days! Congrats! HOBO
@@The-GreenHornetI've slept overnight on my trike more than once, when in a setting where pitching a tent would have gotten me in hot water with the law. Yes, they do make super comfortable sleep solutions, but if the temps are cold, it's mighty hard to remain warm! Once I slept on the trike at the north end of the Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco, at a large pullout, breezy and cold ... brrr. During the night I had two visitors: 1) a young couple making out in a car not far away - probably didn't even know I was there 2) a county sheriff, patrol car stopped for a moment nearby, but he went on without any contact - if I had been tented, he would have sent me packing steve
@@EZSteve I remember both of your overnight sleeping on your trike stories in your articles. Yes, I suppose in some circumstances sleeping on my Catrike could be beneficial. Especially now that I have The Green Hornet Catrike 700, with a 25° seat angle, compared to my Expedition recumbent trike which has a 37° seat angle. Just wrap my 0° goose down quilt around me and I'd be as snug as a bug... Get It!? Green Hornet or even a Firefly. Haha.
This is a GREAT video, showing how you transform from bright hi-viz colors to nearly total camo once you hit the dirt. You remind me of the fellow on RU-vid (forget his name now) who does stealth camping in locations that most of us would never consider, sometimes right in down town areas with bushes. You definitely have this process down to a science! Looks like you are using your camo trike tarp to cover your yellow bags, and now have a head slot cut out so that it fits over you while riding to hold it in place ... excellent setup! I really enjoy your riding videos, and once again, am envious of your wide open spaces with roads and seclusion in so many places. Up in the northwest here, seven ladies who mountain bike together had a cougar interrupt their recent ride, attacking one of the gals, holding her right cheek and mouth in the cougar's teeth. The other ladies took one of their mountain bikes and trapped the cougar, holding it down with all their bodyweights to render it harmless, while one gal called authorities. A wildlife officer responded (remote forested dirt road), and dispatched the cougar with his sidearm. The lady is now riding again, but her face is not the same anymore. I hope you stay safe out there in your wild areas! You must be using a remote mic now. I can hear your activity on the trike even though the camera is far away. Thanks for sharing this transformation, demonstrating how other trikers can accomplish this task once out of car traffic and off the pavement. steve
Thanks Steve, I am using a separate camouflage tarp which was from the same material as my trike camo tarp. I wouldn't cut a hole in my trike tarp. I know the guy that does stealth camping. He's from Canada and his name is Steve as well. Getting a little better at editing my video clips together, but still limited. You can always share any of my videos if you wish.
Sea to Summitt collapsible cookware is the absolute best for bicycle/recumbent trike touring. Packs down slim and lightweight. So much better than trying to pack regular pot/pan for cooking. Even those smaller camp cook sets take u too much space in panniers. The Sea to Summitt collapsible cookware is EXPENSIVE! though. You're paying for the efficiency and lightweight product. DO NOT put them over a open flame though 🔥. Just a small type cook stove burner. Like you see that I have here in the video. The open flame will creep up the sides and ruin the silicone and put black soot on the sides.
Getting the light on the bags would be a perfect situation for a headlamp! This is a great explanation of these three bags. The lateral trike sway when pedaling is even more pronounced on a Catrike 700, which I have ridden on two tours ... the weight must be kept at a minimum on the 700! Side pockets on the Lone Peak are good for things like cell phones, glasses, or maybe a couple of energy bars. When I have used my Arkel Tailrider for food, it is really stuffed, both outwards and upwards, but I prefer the rectangular design of the Lone Peak Rack Pack trunk. I think that Gary Hubbert (owner) may do custom sizing if requested (seems like I read that somewhere - could be wrong), but since you already have the trunk, probably not worth the effort, time, and cost. steve
Side zipper pockets...yes some reading glasses 👓 or a energy bar is about the only thing that could fit in them. Headlight light...Should have used it...next time for sure. Each video you learn and get better. 👍 The Lone Peak rectangular tote works better for food: a loaf of bread fits in it way better than the Arkel Trail Rider fast pack... being its streamline shape. As I mentioned, Arkel seemed to be more interested in streamline looks than actual function for items. I still like it, but not real functional for multiple things. Thank you for your compliments.
I used Velcro strips to attach my safety triangle to the rear of my trunk. I have also used silicone on other applications with bags, but prefer Velcro if it works with the situation. The Arkel Tailrider is that additional length that you mention, longer by about 3-4 inches over this Lone Peak trunk, but it has the streamlined shape that makes food storage difficult compared to this Rack Pack trunk. I don't know if you gave it any thought or not, but after having my new trunk a few days, I realized that there are no zipper handles like you traditionally see on zippers, including the Arkel Tailrider. This saves some minuscule weight, and I actually like it better than having the metal zipper handles ... less to mess with. I never bother pulling up the zipper lip that protects the zipper from rain - it just kind of comes up in the corners as I undo the zipper. I agree the length could be longer, more like the Tailrider. This trunk is short on my rack too. A little more volume is always a good thing! steve
Hello, I didn't catch your name. You responded to my question about weight one Steve's channel I am not for sure about the Arkiel tool bag, but I need one. Is this the type made for under seat on bicycles? I like your video. I figure 40 miles per day is about right. I already have the panniers and just ordered sleeping gear (while Christmas sales are on). I am looking at ents and cooking supplies. I am riding basically the same trike as Steve. Infact, I ordered it based upon his trike from the Hostel Shoppe. I have many tours I "want" to do, I guess the TA is the ultimate. Next year I plan on the Natchez Trace and Blue Ridge Parkway, I figure each will take 7-10 days and hope to do one in the late Spring and the other in the Fall. I live in East Tennessee, and roads here are not that forgiven for bicycles and trikes. I am retired and do solo ride. I would prefer to find another motivated rider that wants to take on these adventures but will likely end up solo. As far as my athletic shape...LOL I am average or less for a 62-year-old, but have had a history of back surgeries, so I guess I am great based upon where I started. I am following your channel. Thanks for your information and knowledge. Also, if you have a link to the Arkeil Bag you refered to and even the winged seat bags you mentoned it would be great. Thanks again Bill
Great information thanks for sharing 👍l do like those pedals pedals you made Kool! I'm an old roadie but didn't like clips on trike so l use heal straps made by Tara Trike keeps foot on pedals and where regular shoes, but yours are more pedal to the metal 🤣 l I like em💫
Great video, I agree fully with you about bying only quality gear. I forgot about the price of my gear very soon because I had no trouble on my travels and that brings you even more fun to triketravelling. I ride a Scorpion FS 20 with a Rohloff hub and camp in a Hilleberg Staika. All the best, Ron
Hi Ron, I notice you ride an HP Velotechnik Scorpion and camp in a Hilleberg tent, both the best choices for high quality equipment! I also ride a Scorpion (fs26 Enduro) and have a Hilleberg tent (Niak). I agree that the best gear makes adventures even better because stuff doesn't break or fail out there. Peace of mind is a nice thing to have! I had a Rohloff Speedhub on my former ICE Full Fat ... great rear shifting option for sure. When I sold that ICE trike, the hub went with it, boo hoo. steve
@@EZSteveHello Steve, well then you've got some great stuff too. The Niak is a lot lighter than the Staika (4kg) and good quality😊. I rode about 10k with my Rohloff and no problems so far and that's good because you can't fix it when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere. By the way Steve, I got your book (Free on three), thank you for the free PDF file👍😊. Wish you all the best.
Enjoy the reading Ron. I put that book back in paperback print also a few weeks ago, at a greatly reduced price for those preferring an actual book over the computer. I almost got a Black Label Hilleberg, but thought that it was a bit overkill for my camping needs these days, so I opted for the lighter weight Niak (simple and quick to set up, only two poles, which I like). steve
Great video. Would I be better served using a catrike 700 rather than catrike Expeditiion? Would the 700 be much faster? Regarding water, do you carry water filter devices so as to reduce some of water needed? I prefer to ride on asphalt cause it is easier...but do you worry about busy roads?
A Catrike 700 is designed more for speed. Trike Hobo Steve had a Catrike 700, he could probably give you a more detailed explanation. The two issues with a Catrike 700 is... 1. Bigger rear wheel, so your gearing will be higher than a Catrike Expedition. The Expedition has a 26 rear wheel. The 700 has a 29 inch rear wheel. Thus your gearing will be higher. Which is good for top speed, but not for climbing hills, especially fully loaded with gear, food and water. 2. Being the rear wheel is bigger, the spokes will be a bit longer which will be a bit weaker do to overall length. Not good for long-term touring carrying a fully loaded panniers food and water. Spokes can break under extreme weight loads. As far as Catrike goes, the Expedition is made and designed for touring. Note: The stock gearing isn't quite low enough for climbing hills fully loaded with gear. My front triple chain ring was: 53-39-30. I changed it to 50-36-24. I loose just a little top speed but not much. However makes my climbing ability so much better. I also added a 42t granny gear rear sprocket on my rear cog. I do have a water filter setup in case I need to get water from a unreliable source.
Before my first trike tour in 2009, when I thought I had to pull a trailer to be prepared for any eventuality, on my training rides I actually filled my trailer up with dumbbells from my gym!! Is that nuts or what? I wanted to experience the full weight of tons of gear. Man, that was hard. I'll never pull a trailer again, especially if it's full of dumbbells, haha. steve
Surviving a tornado funnel, getting sucked up with the trike, would be one hell of a great story to tell ... the ULTIMATE trike tour tale! Maybe I should become a tornado chaser on a trike, crazy, but hey, no one could beat that story!!!! steve
Ahh, one of the most famous lines in the Wizard of Oz, one of my all-time favorite movies, a real classic! Just you writing that brought the wicked witch's voice into my head.
@@EZSteve "I want those ruby red slippers." "How about a little fire🔥 scarecrow." "I'm melting, melting. Ohhhhh, what a world, what a world. destroy my beautiful wickedness."
The "going fast" mentality is an unfortunate artifact of racing biker riding, where going fast and riding huge mileages each day is a sign that a rider is really advanced, a sign of machismo, something to be coveted by new riders who want to be just like the pros in the Tour de France. A lot of hold-over mentalities exist in recumbent triking because of the legacy that top racing bikers have instilled in cyclists for decades. It's similar to the use of clipless pedals on recumbent trikes, just because racing bikers all use them. Recumbent trikes are a unique breed of cycles that needs its own specs, independent of two wheeled diamond frame vehicles ... for one thing, we are comfortable all day long, every day, with none of the typical and widespread aches and pains of bicyclists! Trikes rule! steve
Your discussion section about time, and daily mileage is outstanding advice! Take it easy ... take a trike! For sure, there is little point in just racking up big mileage, turning the tour into a "slog" as you say. All the fun just fades away, and the adventure becomes nothing more than suffering through the agony of constantly pushing. In years past, I have "been there, done that", and I can say that it definitely takes all the enjoyment out of the ride. This really happened to me on one journey through the Mojave Desert, on a day where it was upwards of 104 degrees Fahrenheit - man, was that ever hell on a trike! Recumbent trikers should indeed set low mileage standards for each day, and REALLY enjoy the ride! steve
I too spoke from experience. I too was pushing long miles through the Arizona desert trying to reach the next town before sunset. I should have pulled out into the desert and just setup a stealth camping spot. I made the town right at dusk and had to set up my tent right at dark. I had a light source but I was beat! There's just no point or fun in that. I learned from that experience... Never again!
Setting up camp at night is no fun. Especially if a rider is attempting to make it to the next town. There is no enjoyment in it, plus, finding a wild stealth camp is hard enough sometimes during the daylight hours, but doing it after dark is a real challenge, sometimes ending in a bad surprise come morning when the rider discovers he or she is on private property, or in a dangerous place. I tried once along the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains to reach a dedicated campground, but it was getting late (and darker by the minute), so I decided to get a motel in a town several miles north of the campground. It was a nice feeling to just plop down in a clean bed after a warm shower!
Heel cup platform pedals are HUGELY needed for recumbents! Could not use clip-in pedals here! They were simply horrible! Was wondering about the source/brand of those converted handrest raisers. Working on vertical body lift for getting on/off, and hitches to couple two Hase delta recumbents together. (Hase does sell hitches.) That flag is a great idea too!
Nice description of your full gear setup! Looks like you can travel and be prepared for everything. I ride a 2019 559 and a 2021 700 about 10,000 miles per year between the two. All over New England 8 months per year and in Florida all winter. I guess I am lucky as I always ride clipped in and have never had any hotfoot symptoms or any other foot discomfort and feel a lot more power riding clipped in.
You're a exception for sure, because most recumbent trike riders complain about Hot foot syndrome to various degrees. Also..my Cool Ease Platforms: C.E.P'S give me WAY MORE power in pedaling than any clipless pedals ever did. Why? Because I am using my whole entire foot to push; not just unsupported ankle ball of foot contact pedaling. Thanks for the comments and the Subscription. I am just starting out on this whole RU-vid video/channel thing. I just do it for personal enjoyment and perhaps encouraging other recumbent trike riders. I'm not really concerned with the channel growth. If it grows, great. If not, no big deal. Keep triking ❤️
Good luck with your new channel. Plenty of Trikers around the world will find you. Don’t get obsessed with putting out content. Have fun with it and make them Short and interesting! I’m a lucky guy…. No hotfoot!
Thank you for the video advice. I'm slowly getting better with it. However as you probably know, trying to please everyone is like climbing up a 12% hill. 😆. So..I just go with it and try new things. I'll be hopefully doing more videos now that the weather here is finally starting to cool down here in the Wild West.
That's a great idea moving your wrist rest supports up higher! I had the same issue with my trike, and was able to elevate my wrist rests high enough to more easily access the bar-end shift levers without moving my hand so far each time I wanted to shift. I like your solution too. I had the Catrike wrist rests on my 700 (when they first introduced them), and yes, they were lower than I wanted, and I always had to move my hand and arm up every time I shifted. I'm glad to see Catrike went to locking pin brakes ... on my 2014 700, they did not have these (more expensive for them I bet), and they just provided a couple of simple elastic bands that I had to place on the levers ... these locking pins are so much more convenient for the rider! That flag is pretty cool. Where did you get it? Is the attachment system part of what you bought, or did you rig up that little chain idea? I like the whole setup with the flag. Yeah, I had those foam grips on my Catrike, but just left them on the trike. My current grips are the of the same material as your upgraded SRAM grips. Your rear fender is a neat addition, much sturdier than the typical plastic fenders that vibrate on bumps. Yes, hotspots are something to take seriously! They can become permanent if someone uses clipless pedals for long rides over many years. I am lucky mine did not morph into a permanent state, but after one trip, it took over two weeks for my feet to feel normal again. Now that I ride large platform pedals, with my foot arch centered over the axle spindle, I never have hotspots, regardless of how long, hard, or far I pedal. This type of pedal is a definite MUST-HAVE for recumbent trike riders (learned from personal hard experience on the road). As you say, pedaling on a tricycle is NOT the same as pedaling on a bicycle! Clipless pedals are not cool, and should not be used for the "cool" factor just because that is what the bicycle racer world uses!!! Probably the closest commercially available pedal to what you made as your one-off pedals is the Utah Trikes pedal with heel cups and straps: www.utahtrikes.com/PROD-11620592.html Great review! By the way, I am REAL jealous every time I see your wide open spaces, where it is so easy to just be out there in the wilds completely alone! I'm glad you filmed this prior to Hilary inundating the southwest (Death Valley National Park is now closed, with heavy damage so far). steve
THAT WAS GREAT!!!!!! Laughed my head off the entire time, loved the theme from Jaws (still remember it after all these years). You have a comedic talent, very well executed in the dark, as if you are pedaling to save you sorry rear, haha. I was thinking that it was the heat monster or something after you, but loved the huge great white shark at the end. Fantastic! Thanks for putting yourself out there for all us crazy recumbent trikers to enjoy! I give it two thumbs up! steve
I thought you would like it! I used the red light because that's what Great White sharks 🦈 leave in their trail...blood. Kinda corny but I said...what the heck. Glad you laughed 😅!
@@The-GreenHornet Nothing wrong with corny. Nothing wrong with crazy either! Life is kind of boring the way most folks live it, so it's fun to get out there and push boundaries, to do what others don't do, to boldly lead the way in bizarre innovation! It was flat FUN to watch this, and I suspect others will enjoy it too. I bet you had fun making it, and realize that the silliness of it all is exactly what adds to the allure of it, what draws viewers in to experience something WAY out of the day to day ordinariness of life. Heck, as grown-ups, we still ride tricycles, so right there, we are crazy, not normal like everyone else, haha. Life is too short to be normal! Live a little! steve
Yeah... you're right. I sent you a email about my next silly possible video idea. It will be a lot more detailed and funnier. I would have to order a few props online though first.
I really like those wide open spaces, and the endless array of potential wild stealth camp spots! I probably would not try to pedal my trike through those sticker-laden bushes on each side, but there are so many places to chose from that shouldn't be an issue. I have learned over the years to not pitch my tent next to bushes, as unwanted things come out of them at night, like raccoons, snakes, or other things that go bump in the night. Raccoons make dens in the bushes, but then again, you may not have raccoons in your neck of the woods. At tent campgrounds, the animals have learned that people in tents usually mean food of some sort once the humans go to bed. I actually had a raccoon once unzip my Radical Design side seat pod and remove a Clif bar (didn't wreck the bag at all, using the zipper - incredibly dexterous animals with their fingers and hands, just like humans). steve
Don't have raccoons, but skunks and a possible badger. However I sprinkle cayenne pepper around my tent and stealth spot. It keeps those little sensitive noses at bay. I buy a container in the spice isle at the grocery store. This is if I am stealth camping in a possible critter area. There are other spices and fragrances that repel critters that you can leave around your camp. I wouldn't pedal through that area, but pick up the rear tire by my handle on my rear rack and steer the trike through that little brief area. There wasn't any stickers on the ground.
I love desert mornings!!! What I have found on my recumbent trike journeys is that I am ready to rest at the end of each day, so after pitching the camp and eating, I basically hit the sack. In the morning, I don't need an alarm clock because in a tent, it becomes clear pretty fast that it's getting light outside, not to mention that since I went to bed not long after the setting of the sun, I've had more than enough sleep by sunrise, or shortly prior. So I am well rested, ready to get up, and just going with the flow! Sometimes in the mornings in the desert, if there was dew, the creosote bushes smell great, and even more so if it rains. steve
