Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Hollywood Racks...


Yeah, the bike rack saga continues.  Besides, I just like saying, "Hollywood Racks."  It would be a good name for a strip club... but, I digress.

It was a gray start to the day; not cold, but it looks like it should be.  I put on jeans in anticipation of having to crawl around on the driveway to assemble the rack.  Trying to avoid that, I brought a small rolling stool to sit on while I put it together.

Seems to me that it would be best to assemble the rack in the receiver hitch on the truck - a good way to go.  Reviews I read said it would take 30 to 60 minutes to assemble the rack.  I had it ready to test fit in less than 30 minutes...


I enlisted Joan's help to get the bikes on the rack.  Then realized that there are infinite adjustments with this rack - has to be in order for it to work with the wide variety of bikes.  So, make that 30 minutes to assemble, 15 minutes to remove the tire holders, then put them back on in a way that will best fit our bikes.  Another 15 minutes to fine tune the adjustments.  Then, tightening all the bits to try it with the bikes in place...


This rack was way more expensive than the first one we tried, and easy to see why: it is built to handle the weight and size of fat bikes.  It looks like it will do the job.

Before hauling the bikes anywhere, I thought it best to make a run with just the rack.  Besides, it was time for lunch... and I have been craving some chicken fried chicken.  Not to mention, the gray skies look like it could rain at any time.  We took the bikes off, put them away, and put the rack into its most compact position (extends about a foot behind the truck).  Off to lunch.

Blackbeard's on the island.  Joan had something healthy, I got my chicken fried chicken.  With gravy.  Mashed potatoes and green beans.  Yep, comfort food.

Coming back across the causeway, you can see how gray it is...



We each have projects to do this afternoon.  The rack rode behind the truck just fine... tomorrow, I'm hoping we'll get the chance to put the bikes up on the rack and give it a test run... and get in some riding.  The weather is supposed to gorgeous: dry and sunny, with temps below normal.


3 comments:

MarkJ said...

Hey Dave!
Shouldn't you guys be in Washington by now??? Am I not going to be seeing J pod??? Tell me it isn't so!!!!!!!

Captain Jim and the Blonde said...

Hi Mark. Not sure who Dave is. Yes, last year at this time, we were fighting nasty weather, trying to get to Friday Harbor. We are planning on going back, but for a shorter time. We will be there for the busiest part of the season.

They have been seeing lots of whales up there already, including numerous J-Pod sightings! You could buy a ticket and get on one of the boats and you WILL be seeing J-Pod! Say, are you telling me that you only read here for the free J-Pod views??? I don't know how Dave feels about this, but I feel (choke, sob)... you are using me to get to the whales??

;-)

MarkJ said...

Sorry about that Jim! I only ever post comments on two blogs and the other one is Dave. I'm blaming it on old age..... Will be 57 next month... Glad to hear you'll be back in the PNW following the pods as your photos are fantastic and enjoy following your travels. You'd better get outa the tropical tip before it gets too hot and the tornados start kicking up!!! Safe travels!