Tranportation alternatives for hauling boards.

General Discussion
1

In a recent post about a trip around new zealand via bike, It was brought up about hauling gear/boards. I thought it would be a good idea for those more concerned with environmental impact to share ideas for alternatives.

With surfing, we all know about the pink elephant in the corner. We consider ourselves environmentally aware, but ride piles of toxic waste, wear petroleum when it gets cold, and blow through tons of energy (gas/jet fuel) just looking for waves.

Short of sliding driftwood in tropical waters on a windpowered boat, its not going to change anytime soon. But you can lessen your impact. Buy tougher products, demand they last longer. Walk the 5 minute walk to the store instead of driving the 1 minute drive. Take a bike to the surf.

I understand that not everyone lives a 15 minute bike ride from trestles like I do, or a 5 minute walk to the beach. Im very fortunate to live where I do. But by easing impact in other areas, maybe the car ride to SanO on the weekends wouldnt be so bad. It took me awhile to realize that I was just hurrying around to sit around more. So instead of screwing off on the computer for an extra 2 hours everyday, I ride my bike the 21 miles to work. I’ll never need a gym membership again, Ill tell you that much.

Im not trying to say “look at me, look at how much better I am than you”. Im just trying to show some things that have opened my eyes, and now I understand what is all possible without cars… maybe you can too.

So feel free to post links for information heavy websites with alternatives, and post projects that you have

Heres a few

http://www.frybrid.com/forum/ - everything you need to find out about running a diesel engine on recycled veggie oil

http://bikecart.pedalpeople.com/index.html - great resource to build your own bke trailer for grocery shopping, picking up board building supplies, etc…

http://www.phoresia.org/ - another great resource geared toward a more sustainable surf industry

Sorry, I cant get the link button to work today…

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2

That’s what it is all about. Conservation. What I find unbelivable is that we can run cars off of WATER, yet almost no one has one of these wonder machines. Why? BIG OIL companies, and all of that political jargen that is not suitable for sways but is impossible not to mention in an enviromental thread. If prop 87 passes, we may get the results we are looking for and hopfully build are nation and the world to a sustaniable future.

The sad fact of it all is that we are traped as long as W and any like minds are at work in the oil fields. not using my car or flying for me is simply not practle, but I’m still trying to fule the revolution in other ways.

IF YOU ARE A CONSERTIVE…CONSERVE!

Cheers

3

So here is option numero uno.

This is the Carver rack I use. I bought the rear rack mount version over the seat post model because is is suspossed to be able to carry 10’ boards. When you do, it shakes alot. But it carries them. It is alot more stable than most I have seen, and carries short boards vary well. I like the fact that I get a luggage rack on the back, and it hold everything I need for the day. You can just ziptie a milk crate back there, I had this laying around and I like being able to take it off.

I really like the fact that the carrying arms come off, so when Im running up to the bar or pizza port, I dont have all that crap hanging off as well.

This is the bike that takes care of about 75% of my surfing. It takes me to Salt Creek and south to the SanO trails. I dont get there as fast as I would like sometimes, but I still get there. Its great for summertime weekends when I just want to slide into SanO, but dont want to wait in line. Everyone usually looks pretty pissed as I pedal by (or maybe its envy, Im not sure), but I can be paddling out in 20 minutes from my house, and some days youll wait 2 hours.

But its my beater and I love it, it just doesnt stop very quick sometimes, so I use my foot alot. Ive got a book titled “zeen and the art of bike maintence”, but it reads like stereo instructions.

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4

How much do those racks run? It seems like it would get in the way and you proably would not want to be riding that on a windy day.

5

I talked some bros into getting some as well and got my local bike shop to cut us a deal. They ended up being 70/rack. The bad thing is the rack cost more than my bike.

It really depends on the board youre carying. I tend to get out when it blows out, so I ride in wind all the time and never have a problem. You might get pushed around a litle bit, but nothing to bad…

6

Hey, I think my moms old friend took that picture in your avatar, or he was the guy in the pic or something.

Funny.

7

So I found a web site awhile back that shows plans for bike trailers. The theory works well for anyhting you want to drag, but I used their plans and built one because, hey, I like hauling crap around on my bike and figure I could use one for awhile and then pass it on to someone who could use it if I couldnt.

Look here for plans, building tips, ideas etc…

http://bikecart.pedalpeople.com/index.html

So here is the one I built… “el pequito rojo diablo”

It pulls great. Ive got a board that goes in the bottom if I want to put crap in it, or give drunk friends rides home. (I got 5 kids in it one day, no worries)

Its what I hit the farmers markets in and refill my 4 - 5 gallon water jugs.

I usually pull the board out and drop a rubbermaid in to hold wetsuits, fins, spearfishing gear and the such.

THe hitches are the tricky bit. They do a pretty good job of laying it out, I just changed a few things and made it beefier. Its a pretty universal fit, just drilled for 3/8 axles and the rod loop is to keep it from spinning. If its just going on one bike, you could just fab a stop to keep it in place. But this one is good to go for anybike I want.

I used a universal joint my buddy found for me. It takes a 1/4 cotter pin/ ball dent pin/ bolt… what ever you want really, just to keep the trailer hitched…

All this construction is in pretty much everyones grasp. My very un tech fiancee helped me bend the pipe…

The entire build was CHEAP!!! I scavenged the 1/2 EMT from a demo here in town (but its only $2/ 10’ stick, but I was trying to make a point), found one wheel in a dumpster (gues which one) and a bike shop gave me the other one tha I straightened out.

…total build cost… about 13 bucks. I bought some flat bar, “please dont hit me” red paint and reflective tape. Universal joint was 2 bucks.

Slide by San clemente some time, I’ll take you for a trip around the block.

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8

Youve got some mad welding skills there.

How about a hallow sheet metal or alunimum surfboard?

9

the shiny red paint job must have fooled you into believing i have welding skills…

10

NO Pics, but I’m all about riding my beachcruiser, instead of driving. Never have to find parking. I noticed you have gears on your beach cruiser…is that cheating?? Sweet trailer. Havent rode my bike to work yet, still need to get those cushioned shorts so I dont ruin my day. My grocery getting is a pair of sneakers, a couple of blocks from a great store in OB.

11

I’ve had this one for over 5 years now, it is a little rusty but it still works just fine. In my town durning the summer they charge you $5.00 per day to park your car close to the beach. I happen to live on a street that does not get the free stickers so I just grab the bike and hitch up the trailer and I’m off.

12
Quote:

I noticed you have gears on your beach cruiser…is that cheating??

I got it off my neighbor for 40 bucks. Come ride my fixed gear before you refer to any kind of cycling as “cheating”. ;-p

13

Just ribbin ya… fixed gears? those one gear wonders?? Those are really big in Portland. Seen some guys fly by me uphill, in the rain. Where do you stand with bikes that have the 1 cylinder engines, is that cheating?? :slight_smile:

14

oh damn…I suppose this means I have to fix the cute little mig welding machine.But I have 'til Spring… and if I am lousy at welding, I’m really, really lousy at brazing. But I have the conduit bender already…

Did you use one of those drill press jigs ( like this one herer: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=42324 ) to fit the conduit pieces together or just lots of filing? Nice job.

doc…

15

Tight work on that trailer. I found that site a while ago also and have some ideas sketched for my own version to fit my needs (childrens car seat w/ roll bar and full suspension, plus room for groceries :D). It’s amazing what options open up when you have storage on your bike. Anything less than 5 miles and it’s almost quicker to take the bike with traffic/parking etc. Plus it’s fun and a good workout. Also, it’s really good for keeping those “secret spots” secret. No tell tell signs of cars parked at certain beach accesses.

Those Carver racks are among the best I’ve seen but they are pricey, at around $80 for the smaller version. I always ride my dumpster-dived beach cruiser to the beach and don’t have to worry about locking it cause it’s so ghetto no one will steal it. With those racks on it, it’d be gone in a heartbeat. I came up with my own version which is kind of a cross between that and Rod ND Tubes version made out of PVC:

I made it out of 1/2" PVC a couple weeks ago. I was trying to get away with the smallest diameter size, but it’s super flexy with that small of a diameter. I think I need to go up to at least 1" tubing or just make it out of EMT. The attach point to the seat is just a 1/2" T that I cut a slit in so it flexes a bit then slide it over the seatpost and used 2 pipe clamps to secure it. That part works well.

I’ve been trying to think of how I could make it out of bamboo. There are some wild patches nearby with 20’+ trees that I could use. Not sure if the glue joints would be strong enough though, and the seat attachment would be tricky.

Fun stuff though. Hopefully more people will chime in, I’ve seen some pretty inventive home made racks around locally. There’s got to be some other ideas floating around out there…

16

ACheateaux and other bicyclers,

I’ve been interested in taking a trailer with a surfboard on a long-distance tour. Has anyone here tried this? I’ve not used a bike trailer for towing boards before and so I don’t really know what sorts of problems they might present, especially on a long haul.

Thanks for any help.

C

17

I think a bamboo trailer is not hardcore enough you have to make the bike frame too. (LOL)Your ghetto shiek bike set up is more my style. I have seen a fiberglas-cardboard sandwich trailer also.

Sounds like a fun project.

Ian

18

many years ago, i started riding the bike to the beach with my board(early 60’s) and still do it—however, when i went to get the tux for the wedding, i discovered that my right arm was i.5 inches longer than my left—i wonder? humm—nah! still ride to the bch with my board–the bike is a beater from the trash—get a new one every year when the tourists leave town in the fall…taught both my son and step -son the trick of balancing on the bike with board—daughter never quite got it—she walks to beach with board or drives ;-(

19

Buy the pipe you need to make it again out of 1". Build the 1" pipe around the other one so there is a gap between them, fill the gap with expandable foam - We used to make plumbing for pubs like this and it is super rigid.

rif.

20

My latest “electric surf cycle”

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f303/obaceman/ebike/P1040885.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f303/obaceman/ebike/P1040886.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f303/obaceman/ebike/P1040884.jpg

acesurfboards.com