The Pedicab Plan

You know that saying: “It’s just like riding a bicycle!” Well, it does not apply to pedicabs. On Wednesday our good friend Ed Kostak brought me down to NYC to pick up our new pedicab; later that day I concluded I could neither steer nor pedal the thing. Besides that, everything worked fine.

Ed on the pedicab

I decided I better start off pedaling the cab a few days without Cindy. On Thursday I quickly discovered that it was much easier to pedal the 150 pound bike if I wasn’t carrying Cindy uphill in high gear. Yes, that’s right. I really have ridden a bicycle before and, in theory, know how the gear ratios work, but the first time I pedaled the damn thing, going uphill with Cindy no less, I was in high gear. I amaze myself with my stupidity sometimes.

Thursday was a much better day of pedaling, this time without Cindy and actually knowing how to use the 21 gears. That’s not to say it was easy. There is a steering issue with the cab wanting to tip the bicycle in the direction the road is slanting. I’m getting used to balancing that and I think situating Cindy on the left side of the cab will help (when pedaling on the right side of the road, the road tends to slant right). Also, pedaling in the rural town of Norfolk means I can spend most of the time just riding in the middle of the road. Fortunately, unlike with a typical bike, there is no balance problem with going slow; believe me, when going uphill I go slow.

If I were in my twenties I probably would have gone up the Tobey Pond road on the second day just to barrel down it. Of course, in my twenties I had just a bit more stamina and coordination. Just a bit. I admit that I still get a little thrill going downhill in a heavy pedicab, some kids never grow up.  There was a time when Cindy would have enjoyed an exhilarating downhill ride as well, but that time is not now.  Do not worry, I will go downhill slowly with Cindy in the pedicab. I still may be a kid, but at least a more responsible one.

Whenever I see a runner or walker I offer a ride as I go by or, just as likely, they speed by me. I am closer to collapse than they are but, fortunately, no one has taken me up on the offer yet. One walker did ask me, as she witnessed me huffing and puffing by, if I charged by the second.

Yet I am very excited about finally getting into really good shape via the pedicab. I’ll pedal without passengers for a few more days, then I’ll pedal with Cindy for a couple weeks. After that I’m hoping I’m in good enough shape to pedal two passengers around. In particular I would love to give anyone who has donated to this cause a ride, next to Cindy, as a token of our appreciation. That reminds me, you can consider the campaign officially ended, though future donations would be used to spend down debt. Over the course of the next week I’ll be thanking folks.

I also may used the pedicab as a source of income. There used to be horse carriage rides in town that left; there is a niche to fill there. In NYC pedicabs get $3 a minute. I’m thinking a donation of $30 for a half hour or more; $60 for an hour or more.  If anyone thinks I’ll be pedaling two passengers for much more than an hour anytime soon they’re dreaming! ….. though ….. maybe someday ……

Thank you everyone for your tremendous support!