The Chainlink

Anyone have some ideas on how to haul a husband?

My husband, Rob, has fractured his ankle. Just in time for the summer riding season and fun things to do.  So, given the creativity and ingenuity of many of those on Chainlink, I am curious if anyone knows how I can fashion some kind of rig to basically take him along safely on some bike rides to the lake, park or some CL events during the 4-6 weeks he will be off his feet, without resorting to driving the car.  Maybe on a flatbed trailer of some sort, or fashion some kind of hitch to a wheelchair onto the back of the bike. I have seen people hauling furniture and stuff, so I am curious as to what ideas may be out there? He won't fit in the kiddie trailer, so that option is out.  Or, if anyone has anything I could borrow or rent (cheaply) for the time he is healing up, that would be great, too.   I thought of a pedicab, but that would get expensive when all I want to do is take him on picnics and stuff around the city. 

I know it may be a odd request, but I thought I'd give it a shot. :) 

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 25, 2012 at 8:33am

The Bikes at Work is rated at 300lbs trailer weight -not GVWR. 

I'm 200lbs and my bike is pushing 50 empty with the two 5lb U-locks and all the other accessories.  That only leaves 50 more pounds.  That's not how it works.

  

You are right that one has to include the rest of the rig to the GVWR, but that isn't what the 300lb figure represents.    Sure, if one is 250lbs just with the tow bike and adding 300lbs to the rear, that's going to be a lot of weight to pedal -and to stop with the bike's brakes.    It's also a lot of weight to put into the bike through the trailer hitch and into the rear triangle.    But it is something that the guys at Trailers at Work have designed into their trailer packages -but the towing bike (and rider) needs to be up to the task if one is going to pull 300lbs.

Michael A said:

you have to include yourself and your bike trailer weight, I am sure it adds up to well over the 300 lb mark

My Burly travoy loaded weighs about 70 lbs, I weigh just under 190 and my bike is under 20, that puts me very close to 300lbs without a second human

Permalink Reply by Julie Aberman (Hochstadter) on May 25, 2012 at 8:33am

I wonder if this would work. 

in it to win it said:

Can you rent a tandem and have him not pedal?  Or will too much Vicodin be involved?

 

 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 25, 2012 at 8:38am

Make sure any tandem that this is tried with allows for the cranks to freewheel with respect to each other.  Some driveline designs on tandems do not allow this and require both sets of cranks to move together. 

Perhaps some sort of raised foot rest over the pedals would keep the feet up and away from them as they turn below if the cranks are fixed together.   Sounds dangerous though.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 25, 2012 at 8:42am

How about this? Growing up we did it all the time. One leg on each side is more stable, but both legs on one side (the left) is easier to get on and off.

Permalink Reply by Duppie on May 25, 2012 at 8:45am

DaVinci makes tandems that allow for independent coasting. And, yes, they are out your price range...

Julie Hochstadter said:

I wonder if this would work. 

in it to win it said:

Can you rent a tandem and have him not pedal?  Or will too much Vicodin be involved?

 

 

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on May 25, 2012 at 9:08am

Wow, I am learning a lot about trailers and how to haul- this is great.  We do have a tandem but not one of the modern ones (we used it for our wedding- old Schwinn Twinn 5 speed) but the problem is that he could potentially bump/jar his foot straddling a bike, which is why I was looking for trailer options.

I doubt I could find a handcycle for him with a very tiny budget (and for 6 weeks of use, not really worth it). If I had a spare grand, this would have been perfect: http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/bik/3022829730.html

Well, I guess I am back to schlepping him around in the car until he heals up.  I may still try to get him out on via bike e and maybe I can figure something out. Thank you everyone for your input, ideas and suggestions (even the ridiculous ones). It's been a fun post :) 

Permalink Reply by Mark on May 25, 2012 at 9:16am

Bike and Roll Chicago has hand cycles for rent at the Millennium Park bike station if your husband wanted to give that a try.

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on May 25, 2012 at 9:24am

Thanks Mark! I had no idea you could rent a handcycle being that they are a bit out of the mainstream. That is really awesome, I'll check it out. Might not be an everyday thing, but to get him out of the house and doing something fun would be great. He's starting to show signs of cabin fever already.  $35 for 10:00am to 4:30 p.m. isn't going to break my budget. 

Permalink Reply by Far'arned Retrogrumpalunkus #63 on May 25, 2012 at 9:30am

On a side note -just because this combines tandems AND trailers and is oh, so cool:

Permalink Reply by h' Zerocats on May 25, 2012 at 12:32pm

I have to say I'm a little dissapointed nobody is thinking about that after it was pointed out, but glad you're on it. I'm skeptical re: Bike Chicago having anything resmbling the pictured hand cycle, but hopeful on your behalf. If they don't, feel free to get in touch with me -- ho(dot)ardbikes at gmail

Melanie K said:

Wow, I am learning a lot about trailers and how to haul- this is great.  We do have a tandem but not one of the modern ones (we used it for our wedding- old Schwinn Twinn 5 speed) but the problem is that he could potentially bump/jar his foot straddling a bike, which is why I was looking for trailer options.been a fun post :) 

Permalink Reply by April on May 25, 2012 at 12:54pm

Hubby could ride quite comfortably on top of that mattress :-P

James BlackHeron said:

On a side note -just because this combines tandems AND trailers and is oh, so cool:

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on May 25, 2012 at 1:31pm

Now all I need to do is find two strong guys to pedal the tandem that pulls the mattress and we'd be all set ;-p

April said:

Hubby could ride quite comfortably on top of that mattress :-P

James BlackHeron said:

On a side note -just because this combines tandems AND trailers and is oh, so cool:

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