An odd thing happened to me Thursday

[southernview -- Ray 25]

Just before a rain shower started this afternoon, I stopped by Meadow Trading Post to check the wi-fi location out at the rear entrance.  I actually parked my trike at the front bike rack and walked around the building to the back entrance.  I wanted to see if there was power plugs there so I could use my computer from that location.  I saw the plugs and immediately walked back around to the front to get my trike and be on my way.  As I knew I would only be a minute or so away from the trike, I had left my camera in its basket.

 

When I came around to the front, the rain had just started and was falling quite heavily when I reached my trike, so I jumped on it and quickly rode around to the back to get under the shed there.  After stopping under the shed, I sat down on the bench and that's when I noticed that my camera was gone.

 

My DW, who was already under the shed, went inside and inquired if anyone had turned a camera in and, believe it or not, a lady had turned it in.  She said she didn't want it to get wet, so she took it out of the basket and gave it to the CM inside.  I was only gone from the bike rack about one minute and how I missed seeing her get the camera was really odd.  I was relieved to find that no one had stolen it, but I can't help but wonder what I would have thought if I had saw her taking the camera from the basket. 

 

It also serves to remind me how fast someone can steal something since I know I wasn't away even for one minute.

[Travisma 1,317]

You were lucky it was a person doing a decent thing and not a thief.

People let down their guard once they drive underneath the welcome to Disney signs, they think that nothing bad will happen at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Criminals take vacations too !

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

You were blessed to have an honest person helping you instead of a thief.

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

Very nice of her.  She probably thought someone had parked their bike there (for a while).  I wish more people were considerate like that.  Sadly... I often get concerned that I'll get yelled at for helping.  For example, it use to be that if you saw someone's car lights on, you'd simply open the door and shut them off for them.  I'd be afraid to try that now, for fear of someone yelling at me.  I remember hearing someone explain (can't remember if it was here or at an RV dealership) that someone was actually yelled at because they helped a fellow camper out:  an RV owner had left their (electric) awning open and the wind had really picked up.  Well, their neighbor saw that the wind was going to damage the awning so he went over and (when he found the camper door unlocked) simply reached in and pushed the button to retract the awning.  When the RV owner got back to his site, and heard what the neighbor had done, rather than say "thank you so much", he yelled at the poor guy for touching his stuff   

 

So... all that to say, very nice of her. 

[Grumpy and Grandma 740]

You were lucky it was a person doing a decent thing and not a thief.

 

 

 

You were blessed to have an honest person helping you instead of a thief.

But this is what you hear with campers more than not. 

[Travisma 1,317]

But this is what you hear with campers more than not. 

 

True, the majority of seasoned, "real" campers are a great lot.

 

But over the last few years you've heard of more bikes being stolen, GC charges gone, clothes missing off of clothes lines, etc. and it's probably because of the lax admission policies to the Fort, it's size, it's close proximity to a major metropolitan area, and the weekend partiers.

 

I wonder how many high end strollers are stolen from the parks each day?

[twiceblessed....nacole 433]

True, the majority of seasoned, "real" campers are a great lot.

 

But over the last few years you've heard of more bikes being stolen, GC charges gone, clothes missing off of clothes lines, etc. and it's probably because of the lax admission policies to the Fort, it's size, it's close proximity to a major metropolitan area, and the weekend partiers.

 

I wonder how many high end strollers are stolen from the parks each day?

 

We use to have a very expensive stroller; it came with us on two trips to WDW.... we actually locked it up, every time we parked it.  A hassle yes, but I didn't want anyone walking off with my stroller!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

You got the title of this thread right.

 

You ride a trike?

 

Like my grandma used to ride around the mobile home park?

 

That is very odd indeed.

 

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

I'm not sure which is more odd - that someone at the Fort managed to get their hands on your camera so quickly, or that it actually wasn't a thief but someone looking out for your stuff.  In this day and age, the latter is just about unheard of, but glad it was in this case.

 

You were lucky it was a person doing a decent thing and not a thief.

People let down their guard once they drive underneath the welcome to Disney signs, they think that nothing bad will happen at the Most Magical Place on Earth.

Criminals take vacations too !

 

Yep.  And if not flat-out criminals, people just generally up to shenanigans. 

 

And not the good kind of shenanigans that involve late night cupcake deliveries... 

 

But this is what you hear with campers more than not. 

 

True, although I think the Fort has a lower "regular campers to people looking for a cheap Disney vacation" ration than your average campground, plus any ol' person can come wandering through.

 

You got the title of this thread right.

 

You ride a trike?

 

Like my grandma used to ride around the mobile home park?

 

That is very odd indeed.

 

TCD

 

LOL!

[Travisma 1,317]

You got the title of this thread right.

 

You ride a trike?

 

Like my grandma used to ride around the mobile home park?

 

That is very odd indeed.

 

TCD

When we first moved to FL, I was one of the maintenance men at an apartment complex.

 

We were probably the only complex that didn't have golf carts for us to get around in.

 

Yup, they gave us the granny trikes to haul our tools and supplies around in.

 

I went from 150 pounds down to 125, a 32 waist to 27/28 riding around in the FL heat!

 

Never felt better.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

When we first moved to FL, I was one of the maintenance men at an apartment complex.

 

We were probably the only complex that didn't have golf carts for us to get around in.

 

Yup, they gave us the granny trikes to haul our tools and supplies around in.

 

I went from 150 pounds down to 125, a 32 waist to 27/28 riding around in the FL heat!

 

Never felt better.

 

You might have felt good.

 

But everyone was laughing at you behind your back.

 

TCD

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

 

You ride a trike?

 

Like my grandma used to ride around the mobile home park?

 

That is very odd indeed.

 

 

Dad used to ride a trike while camping.  It had a big basket on the back.  He could use it to get groceries and/or purified water. Very handy, plus much safer!

[CJHokie 43]

But this is what you hear with campers more than not. 

We were camping this summer in Boone, NC, and I left my purse hanging on a chair outside all night!  It was still there, with everything inside in the morning.  I think most campers respect others' stuff, but I certainly wouldn't do that on purpose to test it out. 

[Travisma 1,317]

You might have felt good.

 

But everyone was laughing at you behind your back.

 

TCD

Probably, but it was easier than walking and carrying everything.

 

Plus it was pretty hairy getting up on 2 wheels going around a corner!

[southernview -- Ray 25]

You got the title of this thread right.

 

You ride a trike?

 

Like my grandma used to ride around the mobile home park?

 

That is very odd indeed.

 

TCD

 

 

I want to take this opportunity to give you a little history that might explain why I ride a "granny cycle".

About 14 years ago I sustained a very serious injury to my right leg.  This accident caused a tearing of the Tibia just below the knee joint and a partial separation of the Fibula at its attachment to the Tibia at the knee joint.

At the same time this caused serious damage to all of the ligaments within the knee, including the PCL which almost separated from the bone.  The ACL was damaged so severely that it required taking a piece of ligament from my left leg in order to use it for repair of the right one.  All other ligaments were also damaged including the MCL and LCL group.

The bone repair and some of the ligament repair was done in the initial operation that lasted over nine hours.  This included using some cadaver bone for grafting and placing a steel plate that extended over half the length of the leg and also included the placement of other screws within the knee structure.

Suffice to say, the fact that I can walk normally today is a credit to God and the skill of two UAB professors, one a bone specialist and the other a ligament specialist.  At the time this happened, UAB Hospital in Birmingham, was engaged in a trial for a new treatment for knee injuries.  At the heart of this treatment is the use of the Compass Knee Hinge in lieu of the, then, standard non-invasive, knee brace that was used in prior injury repair.  This hinged brace is attached to the upper leg and below the knee by studs that are screwed into the bone.  The brace allows hinged motion of the knee as opposed to prior technology that was fixed.  I had to sign a release to get this used as it was in the trial stage at the time and was not yet approved by the authorities.  As it turns out, this was a stroke of good fortune as the doctors told me that the standard treatment would not have allowed for nearly as complete healing as was accomplished by the new technology.  I was only the second person at UAB, where the trial was being carried out, to receive this brace that is now standard procedure nationwide for the type injury that I had.  I had to have three other operations and numerous arthroscopic procedures before the repairs were complete.  This required me to have to wear the Compass brace two more times which required me to have to take untold hours of therapy to rehabilitate the leg three different times.  This all took the better part of four years.

So, what has that got to do with a granny cycle?  During the first time, and the two other subsequent times that I had to rehabilitate my leg, the granny cycle became one of the most important items in my therapy.  It allowed me to use the leg to increase its motion and strengthen it like not much else could have.  It was recommended therapy and was paid for by the insurance company.  Unlike a two wheel bike, the granny cycle allowed me to use the leg without ever putting my entire weight on it which I could not do for months at a time.  It was, in a few words, a life saver for me.  I rode the trike all over FW after the first brace came off (six to eight weeks) and after the other two times that I had the brace on.  That, along with many hours of conventional therapy allowed my leg to return to 90% of its normal flex.  Anything less than, around 88% and you cannot walk without a limp.  In the end, my leg has ended up being as strong if not stronger than the non injured one.

As one grows older and begins to develop other signs of aging, that many of us know about, it is very important that we get as much exercise as possible.  My doctor warned me that keeping my leg exercised on a continuous basis would be paramount as it could begin to regress due to normal aging.  Keeping the flex at or below the 90% level is not an option, for me it is a necessity.  Fortunately, the granny cycle is perfect for this exercise because it is heavier than a two wheeler and is much easier to adjust so that it pushes my leg higher and keeps my flex in line with what is needed.  As a further benefit it can carry a picnic lunch or other items and has become the ride of my choice in many cases.  The first granny cycle is now retired.  It was a 24" job that was cheaper built than my present ones.  I put nearly 600 miles on it and then bought another 24" that has three speeds and is the one that I use at FW most of the time.  I also own an aluminum frame 26" that I use mostly at my PCB location.  I am also very capable of riding a two wheeler and I own an expensive aluminum frame model that is also three speed.  My DW, and I are avid cyclists and ride quite often.  Whether I use the two wheeler or the trike depends upon the type, and location where we intend to ride.  I have a rule of thumb that says that I ride at least 20 miles every day that I am at the Fort and I have been doing this for years.

I didn't mean to go on a rant, but this is just to say that it doesn't bother me how odd I look on a granny cycle, or if I am laughed at behind my back.  In fact, I may just have the last laugh considering how some of those people riding the golf carts at the Fort look.  I'm not talking about those that have good reason to be riding in a cart, but its my guess that those others can't walk two miles much less ride a bike for twenty, so let them laugh if they must.  When they are 76 years old, as I am, they might just be happy to walk around the house.  As for me, I would rather look odd.  And, by the way, when we were at the Fort a couple of weeks ago, I saw some young people riding, two of which were on trikes.

 

 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Wow, Ray.  Thanks for sharing that!

 

Good for you.

 

My crack about the granny trike was a poor attempt at humor.  Your story is a good reminder that we never know what another person's backstory is, and everyone has one.

 

So, ride on.

 

I won't laugh behind your back.

 

At least not about the granny trike.

 

TCD

[Travisma 1,317]

People ride trikes for a variety of reasons

 

Medical issues, comfort, need to haul items, fear of 2 wheelers, just to look to cool,  etc.

 

Ray have you ever seen one of these?

 

 

It's a Giant Revive

 

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/lifestyle/600/28460/

 

There were sold as "comfort " bikes

 

Fully  quickly adjustable, easy to get on and off, comfortable seat with back support.

 

There are 2 or 3 different models.  Some have wheel covers over the spokes, some have a luggage carrier with an attached bag.

 

First time we saw one was at the Fort.  A family of 3 had them.  I was talking to the dad about them and he said they were the best bikes they ever had.  I showed them to my wife and a couple of months later she had located one on Craigslist in great shape for a "decent" price and it was only about a 90 minute drive.

 

They have been discontinued for a while, so when you find one they usually demand a higher price.

 

They are heavy, but with the way they are designed you can really put some muscle power into them with little effort.

 

Might be a little easier to transport than a 3 wheeler.

[southernview -- Ray 25]

Wow, Ray.  Thanks for sharing that!

 

Good for you.

 

My crack about the granny trike was a poor attempt at humor.  Your story is a good reminder that we never know what another person's backstory is, and everyone has one.

 

So, ride on.

 

I won't laugh behind your back.

 

At least not about the granny trike.

 

TCD

 

 

I thought it was in good taste, I am definitely not thin skinned----if one is, they probably don't need to be on this board anyway.

 

Fact is, the DW and I both got a kick out of the name for the trike---it will now, and forever be known as the "granny cycle".

 

I just thought it might be interesting to know how I came about to ride one in the beginning. 

[southernview -- Ray 25]

People ride trikes for a variety of reasons

 

Medical issues, comfort, need to haul items, fear of 2 wheelers, just to look to cool,  etc.

 

Ray have you ever seen one of these?

 

 

It's a Giant Revive

 

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/lifestyle/600/28460/

 

There were sold as "comfort " bikes

 

Fully  quickly adjustable, easy to get on and off, comfortable seat with back support.

 

There are 2 or 3 different models.  Some have wheel covers over the spokes, some have a luggage carrier with an attached bag.

 

First time we saw one was at the Fort.  A family of 3 had them.  I was talking to the dad about them and he said they were the best bikes they ever had.  I showed them to my wife and a couple of months later she had located one on Craigslist in great shape for a "decent" price and it was only about a 90 minute drive.

 

They have been discontinued for a while, so when you find one they usually demand a higher price.

 

They are heavy, but with the way they are designed you can really put some muscle power into them with little effort.

 

Might be a little easier to transport than a 3 wheeler.

 

I have only saw one of those and it was parked at a house off of the Timpoochee Trail in Seagrove, Florida.  The DW and I, stopped to have a good look at it and stayed afraid that the owner would show up and think we were going to steal it.  There is a bike shop in Birmingham that sells that particular brand of bike, but I don't remember ever seeing one there.

 

As you say, it looks like it's out of production now, but one might be able to locate a used one.  I read some reviews about it and the only negative that I found was the fact that they are heavy.  The model pictured weighs 40 pounds, but that may, or may not be a drawback for me.  Think I'll check on it the next time I'm at my Alabama home.

[Beckers 1,136]

I wish I could find the picture but I was at CVS the one day and a lady came in on her trike, like riding it up and down the aisles doing her shopping.

[Beckers 1,136]

Found it.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

I wish I could find the picture but I was at CVS the one day and a lady came in on her trike, like riding it up and down the aisles doing her shopping.