Christmas season

First, I'd like to wish all who read this blog a very happy Holiday season, and the same for all of you who have remained loyal customers and friends throughout the years.
We will be open Christmas Eve until 3:00 or whenever we decide no one else is coming in, then we head to the Chaz river for 3 days of camping and kayaking, and will reopen on the 30th at 9:00 am. We will also be closed for New Years day. Have a safe joyous Holiday season.

Regis and Cindy

Trident Trikes

Coming in February we will be a dealer for Trident Trikes, who offers 2 folding, the Stowaway 1, and Stowaway 2, and a Tandem that can be converted to a single called aptly the Chameleon Convertitrike. All trikes come with 3 fenders, front and rear safety lights, mirror and flag.
We can get the tamdem now if needed but earliest date is Feb. for the Stowaways. The tandem retails for 5495.

Regis

wet heritage days

Floral City picked the wrong weekend to have it's Heritage Days celebration this year, but who can predict the weather. It's raining and hard and looks like it's not going to let up anytime soon. We have an open house of sorts ,with wine and cheese but so far only 2 people stopped in. Joy to the world we need the rain, but not this Friday night! Oh well that is the way it goes, so I won't get out of joint, my nose, replenish the aquifer, replenish the aquifer, re e plenish replenish the aquifer.
That's the story and I'm sticking to it!
Regis

reflections

On my way to work today I was thinking how lucky I was to be able to walk to work with my dog, and start the day off on the right and left feet instead of on my butt behind the wheel of a car like so many other commuters must do. Even though it's starting out a slow rainy day, life is good. We need the rain, and I get a chance to do some much needed book work. See I'm back sitting on my butt anyway. Maybe if it's not raining at quitting time I'll take a stride on the Street Strider. Don't forget the Thanksgiving ride tomorrow at 8:00 AM meeting here at the shop and doing a Gobbler loop with a side trip to the river, about 20 miles all together.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who take the time to read these blogs, and to all our customers and friends.

Black Friday

On the day following Thanksgiving other wise known as Black Friday
(don't know why it's called that) We will be having a 15% off accessories Sale.
Hope you can make it.

Don't forget the Moonlight ride on November 28th starting at 6:30. We will leave from the
shop and go to our favorite place the Pizza Cafe!

Then we hope you can make it to our open house on the evening of Dec. 4th
for our Heritage Days Open House. We will have some special treats for you.

Thanksgiving Day Ride

We will have a ride starting at 8am from the Shop on Turkey Day.
To honor this festive day we will be doing the Gobbler Loop!
Join us for this beautiful back roads ride.

The Street Strider is HERE!
streetstrider.com This is a machine for a serious workout.

CATRIKE SALE!!!
Don't miss out on the Big Catrike Sale.
Go To www.catrike.com and check it out.

Hallloween Moon light ride

Seems like many people haven't made the transition from me sending e mail every time there is a ride to looking on the web site calendar or blog in the "current events and used bikes" section, because there were only 15 people who made this month's moonlight ride to the Pizza Cafe'. The service was handled by Tina and she did a marvelous job taking care of our noisy bunch. Ann and Fred came as a couple of bone heads, see pics, but were the only ones to dress for Halloween. The moon was in perfect position for the ride back and everyone seemed to have a good time. I don't have the old computer with the eudora e mail, so no data base for moon light riders so pass the word to look at hamptonsedge.com, click on current events and used bikes, or check out the calendar.

Street Strider

Just talked to Garrett from Street Strider, the elliptical you can ride down the trail, and he has just received the first container, so I should have one to demo very soon. Go to streetstrider.com to check out what I'm referring to if I haven't already showed you on the computer. This is going to be a welcome addition to our inventory and a great new way to enjoy our beautiful trail and get a whole body workout without the pounding of running. Look for it soon.

Regis

"Life is Crap"

Got our first shipment of "Life is Crap" t-shirts and "Crap Caps"
Come in and Check them out.
Look on line at www.themountain.com

full moon ride

Finally supposed to cool down and just in time for a moonlight ride. The Cooter ride from Inverness is this Saturday so it won't be coinciding with our ride this year. The ride for Oct will be on Halloween night Saturday October 31, booooooo, boogiddy! Starting at the bike shop in Floral City at 7:00 PM and going to the pizza Cafe' in Hernando, helmets and lights or flashers required please. Parking behind veterinarian or the library.

Regis

Hey Kids!

Hey kids, you gotta see the new Catrike "DASH" made just for you. Hot florescent red paint, Kojak tires ,9 speeds, sharp cornering, racing stripped seat. Looks like it's going 30 mph. just sitting there. Stop in and check this little dude out.

Home At Last

HI HO HI HO It's off to work we go! The time went so fast.....
After a wonderful trip riding many trails and visiting many other great bicycle shops around the states its finally time for us to get back to work. We hope you'll come and see us.

Olathe KS.

Been here in Olathe KS. for about a week now visiting Cindy's family and friends and attended her best friends mother's funeral service. We're camped out in Cindy's brother's driveway and have been riding the trails around and through Olathe, Overland Park, and Lenexa. The trail system while not scenic is great that it puts you into contact with shopping, restaurants, and parks, and is in an ongoing process of future construction. Seems that this community realizes the importance of a traffic free or traffic friendly bicycle trail system. Many of the streets have bike lanes if not outright trails right beside them, going by neighbor hoods, schools, and shopping. Gotta be careful on trikes when entering round-a-bouts though, sometimes the cars aren't believing eyes and may forget to yield to you already being in the circle. Heck, most aren't used to round-a-bouts. Will be here for another week for a wedding, then Sunday the 27th we gotta hi ball it to Floral City to open by the 2nd of Oct.

Iowa

The worm has turned and we must be heading east. A few stops along the way to show the Sigma and ride a trail or two. Decided to pay a visit to Bill and Ruth, some winter friends of ours who summer in Iowa, where corn is king and soy beans are queen. Gotta say the trail system around Des Moines is really something to behold and we only did a small portion of it from Urbandale to Des Moines. There are trails going everywhere off the main spur making it easy to bike to grocery stores, and other needed retail establishments without dealing with a lot of cars, and this includes bars. Yes, bars, with beer and wine and booze and fun people. Bill and Ruth took us to the Des Moines Farmers Market and a HUGE market it was. I bought some frozen elk burgers and Bill suggested we stop off at Orlando's for a beer, no worries put the burgers in their freezer. We got there and there were bicycles all over the place even some trikes and a recumbent tandem, but no lycra clad riders, just a bunch of tattoed Harley lookin' dudes and gals. Figured the motorcycles were parked out front and the cyclist's were inside watching the Iowa, Iowa State game. Wrong supposition Regis, the guys and ladies outside were the cyclist's and there bikes were adorned with bags and coolers and cartoon characters, and I pods with speakers. These people are commonly referred to as "baggers" They ride their bikes where ever they go, carrying everything they need for the ride. Most have done RAGBRI several times. They were the nicest group of people I have met on this trip, calling their selves
Misfits from A Christmas Story, and the misfit toys. Bill and I ended up having 3 beers and some good conversation. Now in Kansas to visit Cindy's family. More on this later, gotta get dinner ready.

Hyalite Creek Trail hike

Woke up too late to do the full 14 miles to Hyalite Peak but did make Hyalite Lake around 11 miles round trip, and what a beautiful hike it was. Pictures don't do the scenery justice, at least with me as the photographer, but post a few I will. The perfectly U shaped glacier carved canyon trail provides views of 11 water falls, wild flower meadows, kragy cliffs, a glacial lake, and surrounding mountains. This hike is said to be the premier hike in the Bozeman area and even though I've only been on one other, this one would be hard to beat. One of the falls, Apex Falls has a long sinuous scarf-like cascade with a water slide look to it's lower section. If ever in Bozeman this is a must do hike. Even my 10 year old dog can do it, and right now he is crashed on the couch.

Kettwiesel rules

Today was a run around day, from the campground to town , to farmers market, to Salvation Army all in car traffic. I finally had gotten my mountain bike out because I thought it would be more city traffic friendly and used it for a few days. Today I rode the Kett and found it to be so much more a townie bike than an upright. I could do anything I would do on the mt. bike, but without the possibility of dumping it. Curb hopping, tight turns, drifting around sandy corners, quick acceleration, being one with traffic and being visible was all spot on, all with the ability to carry a large amount of cargo. I do so love this bike and wish there was someone in the US that would build a more affordable quality delta trike. Kudos to HASE.
Tonight we went to a place I saw on the map and checked out on the web called Norris Hot Springs. They had all on site grown veggies, local beef, bison and chicken, beer and wine, and live music. It was okay but I wouldn't drive 38 miles to do it again. They had the entertainer in a dome behind a plastic curtain which made it hard to hear him. The hot spring was 105 degrees but just like a big hot tub without the jets. Any way it was just marginal at best, not the way it looked on the web site, but on the drive back the cliffs on the river were great.

Nice day

Sometimes you just have to pinch your self to make sure you're not in a dream, and today was one of those days. Nothing spectacular happened just a nice day starting with a good whole grain bagel at breakfast that I bought at the local co op in town, and a bowl of cereal, then a great workout hiking up a mountain side and switchbacking down again. On the way back we drove into downtown Bozeman and hit some thrift stores where Cindy got some great bargains on 1/2 off day. Back at the Camper she relaxed and showered while I took a ride on my trike and just got a thrill riding down the road climbing then descending, mountains all around, nice views and ended up doing a loop stopping to help a student here at the collage with a broken spoke on his road bike and getting info on the good hikes. Back to camp, a shower, then a bike ride into town for pizza and some live music, and to top it all off a ride back to camp under the full moon. As the shirts say, "life is good".
Photo by Larry Varney

Heading East

Started heading East yesterday and stopped at the National Bison Range in Montana. For a $5. charge we took a 2 hour drive up the mountain and got to see a bear, buffalo, pronghorn antelope , mule deer, and elk, along with some pretty incredible scenery. The valley below used to be a glacial lake and when we saw the sign marking the high water mark of Lake Missoula I almost fell of the mountain. Amazing volume of water.
Now in Bozeman, Mt. and going to go on a hike or two, after fixing a tire on the Airstream that has developed a leak.

moose, finally

This morning George, Sue,Cindy and me got up at 5:00 am to drive to the Eneville trail head to begin riding west in search of moose on the Coeur d' Alenes trail. In total we did about 65 miles and saw 3 moose. George and Sue saw 2 nice bulls one with a deformed antler eating off some trees on the way out. That was about 9:00 am. Then on the way back Cindy spotted one lying down in the brush a cow with a mis-shappen face. (see pic). Wonder if all the mining in the area way back in the 18 and early 1900s when they dumped a lot of lead, cadmium, arsenic, and zinc into the environment had anything to do with the deformed features of these animals. We did see a major wet land reclamation going on beside the trail where they are removing toxic soil. All in all this trail will remain the best and most beautiful we have ever ridden.
Must start heading east now so as not to rush things, and ride a few more trails before heading to Kansas for Cindy's niece's wedding.

The trail to beat

Yesterday we completed the Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes with a 60.4 mile ride from our campground in Osburn to the Plummer trail head. George and Sue drove our van to the trail head and are riding back on their bikes as I type this. This is the trail to beat as far as I'm concerned, very smooth, well marked and scenery to die for if you like rivers, lakes, pine forests and small towns. Called the Silver valley, it is still a rich mining area with the town of Kellogg boasting the largest silver strike in the area, and also home of the longest ski gondola in the world. A stop at Josie's Coffee shop and Excelsior Cycle is a must in the historic downtown. The trail itself is 10 ft. wide and was getting a top coat of oil in sections to help it through winter. The town east of us which we've done several times is Wallace, with it's collection of turn-of-the-century buildings, and the entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a do not miss for sure. The actress Lana Turner lived in Wallace as a little girl. The eastern trail head is Mullen, named for Capt. John Mullen who in 1859 built the first road across the Bitterroot Mtns. and were the first non-Indians to explore the area. Another neat town is Harrison with a marina and swimming area, and bike shop. Still haven't seen an elk or moose but on the 3% grade climb to Plummer we did see a large shinny black bear cross the trail in front of us, but too fast to get a picture, so you'll just have to take our word for it. Well going to eat lunch and then maybe ride up the trail to meet George and Sue or into Wallace for a screw. To the hardware store, a screw for the camper. Get your minds out of the gutter.

Hiawatha

Now in Idaho and riding the Coeur d' Alenes and the Hiawatha. George and Sue Straley met us at the camp ground after we did the Route of the Hiawatha. We like to earn our down hills and boy did we ever, riding up 15 miles then down 15 miles. Most sane people take a shuttle up, and most sane people ride mt. bikes, but ohhhh no, not us. We rode our trikes which are far more comfortable than mtb's but we got jarred around a bit by the loose gravel. Letting air out of the tires helped quite a bit but we were glad when the ride was done after 30 miles of shaken not stirred. A HASE Lepus front and rear suspension would be the ideal trike for this kind of riding, maybe even a Trice T with little air in the front. The scenery was beautiful, the tunnels were cold, the weather devine and all and all a great trail not to be missed if you're out this way. The men who built this railroad were of strong stock and tough as nails and to dig the St. Paul Pass tunnel going only 20 feet per day in the cold wet conditions for 1.7 miles were far hardier than I've ever been.
Today we hike the Pulaski Trail in Wallace, Id. Tanus has been keeping up with computer duties for me.

One great trail after another

Been a while so lets catch up, ok. From Ohio we meandered to Mn. and decided to do the Root River Trail starting in a delightful little town, Lanesboro. No yellow Springs but darn close. Stayed in Sylvan Park cg a city park with showers since our shower is now housing bar stools. There is a restaurant called the Pedal pushers Cafe' which was good and served local foods when available. I've been eating a lot of buffalo burgers lately. The trail was the best trail either Cindy or me has ever ridden, especially the part to Harmony and back. The area is one of the few areas not affected by glacier formation, so there are big bluffs along the trail by the river. First day was to Rushford and back with a stop in Whalan for pie at The Aroma Pie Shop. They bake over 100 pies a day on the weekend. The trail has some gradual inclines and declines on this end. The next day to Harmony was a lot of climbing on the way out but not bad and 23 miles later we got to come down, 23 more. What a blast.
Then on to Deadwood SD. staying at another city park and doing the Deadwood thing, even gambled a bit. Was going to ride the George S. Mickelson but got rained out, so we drove to Crazy Horse, in Hill City. If you're into the old west the 1880 museum off I-90, and the Days of 76 museum in Deadwood are a must see.
Now sitting here in The Devils Tower Lodge after climbing a route called "Patent Pending" on Devils Tower, about 256 feet up and repelling down. Did this climb with Becca this morning, then Cindy and I hiked a trail through the pines and prairie. Thinking about a bike ride to the KOA down in the valley but the sun is high and it's up on gravel coming back but not that far.
Till the next wi fi, happy trails. In the pic I'm the little green spot on the left center way up there.

Heading West

Will be leaving Ohio, Westward bound for Deadwood, SD today so a few days on the road with nothing much to say. Rode around out west of Jackson center while our Airstream was being worked on yesterday. Can you say corn, soy beans, sure you can. All hybridized uniform fields of the stuff. Rode to Indian Lake, a scene you should make with your little ones, I digress, had lunch and rode back. Again nothing much to say so, see ya!

riding still

The heat has finally caught up to us and yesterday rode from Lebanon (local riders call it Mt. Lebanon) to Loveland, and a hilly ride it was. Lots of up and down on the way out with more up on the way back. The little Bicycle on a downward triangle signs were much more numerous on the way out and provided some fast, fun, curvy descents. Kind of funny that my high school I graduated from in PA. was Mt. Lebanon, anyway being a Pittsburgher hills are no big deal, in fact I like them up or down.
Larry Varney stopped by on Saturday and we all rode into Yellow Springs and back where I got to ride the Easy Racer SWB and found it to be a quick little bike and a good climber. Larry got a chance to ride the Sigma and you can read his mini review on bentrideronline.com.
Will have to tear ourselves away from Ohio and head west after a brief stop in Jackson Center and the Airstream factory to have a camper problem looked at.
To those following thank you for reading.
.

Still in Ohio, Bass Lake Campground just a short shaded ride to the Little Miami Trail and our favorite town Yellow Springs. Tonight going into town for the Friday night wine tasting and some live music. Rode 40 miles yesterday from Xenia Station to South Charleston going North through mostly farm land, corn and soy beans, and sunny. Today was south from Spring Valley to Morrow another 40 mile round trip but nice and shady. Had a good lunch at the Cobblestone Cafe' in Waynesville and ice cream at the Corwin Peddler. Tomorrow hoping to meet Larry Varney and do the Yellow Springs Art in the Park and farmers market. Don't know if anyone reads these things but I'll keep posting any way. Weather is still cool and nice but supposed to get warmer tomorrow and Sunday. Till another day, see ya!

Been awhile since we had wi fi but since then we've camped at Pymatunning State Park in pa. with my sister and some cousins, got rain one day but got to ride around the park and to the dam then into town for ice cream. Was nice spending time with family.
Made our way to Lisbon, Ohio to see Wayne and Cindy Wallace of Rails to Trails Bike Shop another Catrike dealer. Rode the Little Beaver Creek trail a nice shady paved 12 miles down hill both ways. Don't know how that is but it seemed easy both ways. They have an advertisement for their shop on the weather channel.
Now sitting in The Underdog Cafe' in Yellow Springs, Ohio and find we still love this town. 11 in the morning and a guy sits down at the piano and begins to play a song. A woman joins him on the second song and sings "Summertime". The town is vibrant with activity, a good thing to see since the last time we were here 2 years ago they were going to close the collage a main employer in the town. Will have to quiz the residents as to the outcome. I love this little hippie town, people riding bikes everywhere some loaded with CSA veggies, some with dogs in baskets.
Will be riding the Little Miami Scenic River Trail a lot since we will be here for a week, and hope to hook up with Larry Varney so he can give the Sigma a test review.

Been a few days since we could get online, but since last post we've ridden some sections of the Greenbriar River trail in WVa, and the Montour in Pa. On the Greenbriar we saw a bear come up from the river and cross the trail to vanish into the underbrush. Seeing lots of geese a few snakes, and many bright yellow gold finches along with cotton tails bounding off the trails. A ruffed grouse posed pretty for us before sauntering off into the brush. Picked thimble berries and black berries, and apples of the tree, which by the way taste better than the store bought ones although not as pretty.
Just a thought to ponder! There are signs on the interstate at construction sites saying "be prepared to stop". I think while driving you should always be prepared to stop don't you.
Now staying at Whispering Pines Campground in Washington Pa. to avoid Tanus getting kennel cough from my sisters dog. Weather is cool and overcast, haven't used the AC since leaving Fl. and have ridden our bikes 4 days in a row.

Rode the New River trail today from Fries pronounced Freeze to Cliffview and back on the new Cruz Bike Sigma. After letting some air out of the 100 lb. tires the ride got softer on the crushed rock and ballast and was very stable, and found out this is one recumbent that climbs very well. Went down a steep hill to a outfitter store and climbed right back up through the grass and stones. You can really pull back on the bars without wobbling. The Sigma's universal joint steering feels more like an upright than a recumbent. The only problem was pedal to tire interference in sharp turns, kind of like a short wheelbase, and this was only evident in low speed maneuvers which I might add this bike also does well. The Sigma is really designed for speed rather than roughing it and will try this out on some pavement and steep hills in Pa.
Tomorrow back on the Kettwiesel for the Greenbriar River trail in West by God Virginia.

Well sitting here in the 62 degree temps after riding a portion of the New River Trail in Va. Crushed stone but smooth, running along the river, mostly shady, and pretty level. We rode with Steve Dristas, my nephew who just bought a Cycle Genius Falcon from us and said he could ride like that all day. Tomorrow will do another section on the new Cruz Bike, Sigma and see how this innovative steering design works in the rough.
Meanwhile back on the Withlacoochee.....
What was that? Something fast. Oh its Don on the first Catrike 700 RED, catch him if you can.

I guess I can only post 1 pic per day, will not let me post the other 2.

Last day

Today is our last day of work in Fl. for a few months as we will be hitting the road to show the new CRUZ BIKE, Sigma universal joint steered recumbent. See picture or look on Cruz bike's site for full details. Production should start soon. Also see the Catrike 700 Red along with Mark's Goblin adorned 700 speed demon.
And, Have dog, will travel, yes that's the only time he goes 20 mph or more while chasing the Kett. See next pics for Sigma and Red.

The count down is on! Its almost time to go. The camper is ready.
We hope to have some folks join us tonight for the Ice Cream ride. We will be celebrating Regis's Birthday. It is an opportunity to view the new Catrike 700 Red. It's a beauty.

Can you believe it's July already! Time is winding down to the 19th when we'll be leaving to head out to Idaho. The shop will be open on the 4th and 5th for your holiday cycling needs or bike rentals. Seeing all the fireworks tents reminds us of when we sold fireworks as workampers a couple years ago. The mantra was " stack em' high watch em' fly". Have a safe and happy 4th.

Regis

Happy 4th

Happy Independence day to all.

Happy but wet customers

Here are Charlie & Colleen Weill on their Trice T's ready to get wet again on the Withlacoochee Trail.

Rain......

Rain, Rain go away so we can ride our bikes today.

The heat Index is only going to be 101 today so get out and ride!

Welcome to Hampton's Edge Trailside Bicycles blog where we will be keeping you updated with the latest news about our shop, specials, sales, new bike and accessories, and our travels this summer out west to ride more rail trails across the country.
This summer we will be closing on July 19th to start on our trip which will end up in Idaho, going first to Virginia to ride the New River Trail then maybe to W Virginia for the Greenbriar Trail, Pa. to see my sister and do the Montour, and Ohiopyle section of the Great Allegheny Passage. Then on to Ohio and our favorite, the Little Miami River Scenic Trail and Yellow Springs. In Idaho we hope to miss Sturgis and hit the trails of that state in peace and quiet. Then on back to Kansas for Cindy's niece's wedding. We plan to be back to Fl. and open the shop in time for the annual Withlacoochee Trail ride. Stay tuned for further developments. This blogging is new to us, and we would like to thank Bruce Bush behindthecrank.blogspot.com for introducing us to another way of communicating with our friends and customers.