Nice time in Austin, with excellent riding on Hwy 130 as promised... About a dozen from the DFW area attended!!!  I'd guess about 45-50 overall in attendance... including Dave and I, Lynn, Larry, Eddie, Dianna, Patti and husband, Bob and Kathy, Frank B, Shelley, a couple of women from Garland, and I'm sure I've forgotten somebody else...   It was good to meet Bryan Ball, although he didn't get to do the long ride due to having to review a trike...
 
About 10 of us did the long ride, with everyone else opting for the shorter park trail ride.  The ride down 130 southbound was fast, with a 20mph tailwind...  A friendly highway patrol officer pulled off to talk to us, saying a lot of drivers were calling in about the "dangerous bicyclists on the highway" -- but he had no problem with it, because it was legal and we were obviously keeping to the (wide) shoulder...  it was a pretty funny conversation, actually.
 
The ride back UP was tough stuff, both into the wind and generally uphill.  Once we got to the exit, Dave and I decided to do bonus miles, just to have some tailwind at the end of the ride - so we went another 5 miles north, then flew back down.  Click on the picture for a video...
 

 
 
Lunch was in the center where the shop was, where Mike had rented out extra space.  Bryan gave a talk, then, Mike talked about maintenance stuff and some unusual retail items he sells.
 
Dave and I were staying at his son's house, and we decided to go have dinner with them instead of waiting till 7:30 with the rest of the recumbent gang -- and after that, we returned to Dallas, skipping Sunday's festivities.
 

 
 

 
RAT rider on the Morciglio...
 

 

 
My pics from the long ride and the shop are here:   http://photobucket.com/HOTRally2012PB

Quote from texpug on Mar 5^th, 2012, 2:06pm:

 
No worries, there were no issues with him whatsoever!!!  He was pretty amused that we would be out there, and agreed that it was perfectly legal...  It was a very friendly conversation.

Eddie Dragna shot a video that really showed the Scenic ride nan Captol ride GREAT! I loved watching it because I was not able to do the rides. WHAT FUN. And how cool is it seeing a Velomobile and tandem rolling right in there with everyone!!! THANKS EDDIE!!!!!

Quote from texpug on Mar 6^th, 2012, 5:47pm:

 
Where did Eddie post it, Jane??

Quote from shellbear on Mar 7^th, 2012, 9:32am:

 
Nice video, Eddie. That velomobile looked like it accelerated pretty fast from a stop. Did it have electric assist?

hello everyone I had a great time at the rally and enjoyed meeting some of you that I have heard of on this web site I don't log on a lot so I am behind Jay where were you???? Like Shelly said the motor is in his legs (the velomobile)  sorry about not posting the my video myself I didn't think the quality of it wasn't to good and wanted to let Steve get his out there  First. I didn't know I was going to take so much.  but I am glad you all like it. and Paul I like the video of you all going on the speed run I wanted to do it myself but I realize I can't ride that fast so I have to feel the experience through your video.  
Eddie (urbinrider)

Quote from shellbear on Mar 7^th, 2012, 12:39pm:

 
You exaggerate a little - my shoulders are only 23" across (the max width to fit in a Quest at my height by the way). I do weigh about 240lbs as well, so it may make the fit look worse than it really is. Although I just fit inside, the fit is extremely comfortable - I don't really want to get out once I stop.
 
The best way I've found to work on acceleration is to drag race cars from every stoplight. I can (just) beat most cars across a normal width intersection. The amazing thing is that in a velomobile that acceleration is also amazingly effective at higher speeds when looking to drop DF riders. The aerodynamics of the Quest lower the overall power demand so much that you end up having a larger reserve of power at a normal DF high speed.
 
Long uphills are an entirely different story, I just hang on the best I can until the top.