Cheers !!! Thankk You, 2013. Welcome 2014... How you doin'?

Double Dub checking in, folks

WOW! How was that? I hope 2013 was a good year for everyone and found you and your loved ones doing well. I'm thankful I had this time together with the Carving Community. It's been quite a ride, hasn't it?

In Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada, John Goolevitch is only 339.61 miles behind Wandrzej Trikke'r Rzeszow (as he's known in Facebook) of Poland. Dennis Ham has carved in 117 consecutive days and still counting! After open heart surgery a couple of years back, Rich Goff has carved over 1800 miles. There are many of us in this Endomondo Challenge, you're welcomed to take a look. Better yet, how about joining us for next year? There's a new "Challenge" for 2014 already set up! Sign up for the free version, get in the "Challenge", set your goals and share how you're doing!

The Team of Ron Peck and Edg Duveyoung have constructed a beast called the 16'er (and is available for ...) while others, well maybe just me, wait for the Bronkko. Kinda like the fabled T10 of old. Somehow, The T-10 was dreamed as "The Machine". Who knows what's next to come from Trikke Tech. We all wait and wonder. In my eyes and carve, why mess with a good thing?! Then again, change is good, right?

Our Community seems ever changing and always challenging. "If you wanted easy, you should've chose a bike!" I think that's how Santa Cruz Trikke Trainer, Douglass Weymouth used to say it? I don't know how many were there from the beginning but I believe it was Sue Joan who started the community in a Yahoo chatroom. Then came TrikkeTalk which became ... and then there was TrikkeWorld Magazine, which ended it's run during the year. From this, it seemed, we looked for different ways to connect.
In 2014, The Trikke Universe with Trikke Blogger, Writer, Carver, Creator (and "Double Dub Special" Winner) Elise Bennett will setting the table. What appears to me to be a one stop shop for all in the Community and our Passion for Trikke.
The site says there'll be a forum along with Blogs and articles. Product reviews and trends. And a Locator Map for Carvers, Trikkers, and Trainers seems to be still in the works. I'm excited to see this roll out! From what I here, Plans are for the Universe to stay ... and stay community based.

As for being Community based, The LSM will continue for as long as there are participants. This past season was pretty awesome, if I may say so. It was fun month after month Writing out all those ping pong balls.

 What's coming up for next year? I've had a couple of ideas thrown at me but no decisions have been made as of now. The future is wide open. For now, let us be thankful for what we have and those who we share it with. Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas to one and all in the Carving Community. May we all continue in our jouneys of sharing the passion we call Trikke! May we continue be healthy and strong enough to continue to step up. And May we one day cross trails and meet ... some day.

Carve the Day! Thug every Moment!
I'm Double Dub

Happy New Year!!!!!

 

What's Next?! ... The Movement continues ...

Double Dub checking in ...

As we close the books on another year of the LSM Movement, We can reflect back and see how the Spirit of the Last Saturday/Sunday of the Month Ride has grown. How the Passion for Trikke has spread. I welcome you and thank you for sharing this with us and with others.

Many have shared their solo rides but resolve to know that they are not alone, not on these weekends. During the LSM Weekends, Together we carve in spirit and passion. Encouragement, Joy, Accolades come with the sharing. We've heard stories of growing communities. Stories of Passion and learning to carve better, farther, and steeper. We, together, have made this happen. The LSM Movement would not be here without your belief and participation. On behalf of the Carving Community, We thank you for your efforts.

We have heard rumblings and await another growth for our community in the year to come. The Trikke Universe is poised to develop and further enhance our Community's growth. Many await two components, a new Trikke Forum and the Trikker/Carver Locator Map. The Trikke Universe is the brain child of Elise Bennett. Join me in wishing her well with this endeavor. It's quite a task she has put in front of herself. If you can assist in any way, I'm sure she'd love to hear from you. As for the Locator Map, It's info collection is being developed and as with much of what we do with and for the Carving Community, This too will require your participation to be successful. I hope they're up and running soon.

There are many stories to be shared from our second year. For me, personally, it was particularly challenging. My changes and challenges have occurred in my life since March. The undertaking of a nine month long Community Contest was in some ways my sanctuary. The kindness and caring of LSM Spirit rang true! And yet it was with the Community Contest that I had my biggest disappointment. I failed to share "The Moment" with everyone. Understand that the Nine months preceding were well done. Hard earned. and Time well spent with care, joy, and passion! But it was also a nine month build up to and for this " Moment " - the announcement of the Winners of the Contest.

The evening before was a great night of sharing for Trikke Andy and myself. We had a blast making the "Turbo Random Mixer". The Assembly of the "Double Dub Special Edition" was magical! I can't thank Trikke Andy (of SouthBayTrikke.com) enough for his tireless help, encouragement, and support through the last couple of years and especially during these past nine months. If folks are saying there wouldn't be an LSM Movement without "Double Dub". It's safe to say there wouldn't be a "Double Dub" without Trikke Andy. After my displeasure with the finish on the rims, I got a lung infection. Andy took what I had botched and made an awesome set of Obnoxious High Glow Yellow rims. Not to mention the rest of the assembly of the Trikke T12. I couldn't have done it without you, bro!

The Maiden voyage was an amazing moment. Well, pretty much the entire nine months were amazing. Which brings me back to my disappointment. It's always been about sharing. The meaning behind The LSM Movement is all about sharing. Now with one of the LSM's Proudest moments, I failed to share it. Oh, I know it's not my fault. Stuff happens! But the fact remains that this moment is gone. Not to be revisited or experienced again. I was unable to share the drawing of their ping pong ball with the winner and the Carving Community. Nine months of working towards these moments and I failed to capture it. My Bad!   

 

Congrats to our winners! Grand Prize Draw for the "Double Dub Special Edition" is Elise Bennett from East Texas.

The Second Prize winner is Isabella Kuykendall from Vegas Valley Trikke, accepting her Prize is Mom, Liliana Kuykendall

Our Third Prize winner is Clarissa Byrom from the Ark Carvers

I hope everyone had a great time with this as I did!

So what's next? You tell me! what would you like for the next season?
Carve the Day! Thug every Moment!

What a Ride! : The end of one season ...

Double Dub checking in



LSM Carving Locations of 2012
 

What Started on the Last Saturday/Sunday of Month in March, 2013 has come to a close. The LSM Community Photo Contest concluded on Saturday, December 7, 2013 at SouthBay Trikke. I can only sum this up as an awesome journey and I have the community to thank for this. Thank you!

For nine months, the Carving Community was engaged with a little fun! Sharing their ride and trails in photos for a chance at some cool carving prizes. The Prizes were generously provided by Trikke Tech, Trikke Academy, and my favorite Trikke Dealer, SouthBay Trikke!

The contest awards show was going to be shared, Just like our Passion for Trikke. However, watching what was recorded, I can say sorry we somehow lost the signal. After nine months and to miss recording this moment was kind of a bummer. I am happy that a few were able to join in the hangout and see the draw. All 'n all, I hope everyone enjoyed the contest. I think everything it went quite well. I hope you concur.

The first awarded prize was for the "Loaded" Trikke Hydration Pak. The First Ping Pong Ball up the chute belongs to Clarissa Byrom of the Ark Carvers. The Second prize to be awarded was the Scholarship to the Trikke Academy National Riding Skkool. This awesome prize was won by a little girl, Isabella Kuykendall, who carves with the Vegas Valley Trikkers. It will be accepted by her Mom, Lilian Kuykendall, who I hear really wants to learn how to carve better and attend a Trikke Academy Event! The third Ping Pong Ball to float up the chute was the Grand Prize Winner. The Ping Pong Ball belongs to a former TrikkeWorld Magazine Blogger and now, the creator, owner, designer of TrikkeUniverse.com, a new media site for the Trikke/Carving Community. Not to mention that she's a pretty amazing person. The "Double Dub Special Edition" Trikke T12 Roadster goes to Elise Bennett. Congratulations to Clarissa, Lilian, and Elise! I hope you enjoy your prizes for many years to come.

Congratulations to the Carving Community! The LSM's continue on! It's up to us to Rok the trails, just continue to share! They'll come. They'll find us! Step Up and Share the Passion we call Trikke!


Carve the Day! Thug every Moment!

What have you done lately?

There will always be questions and opinions of what can be done to help promote our beloved Trikke Carving Vehicles, our sport of carving, and the benefits we all feel, in one form or another,  when we ride. Most of this is directed towards the company's leadership. I'd like to look and examine this from a different point of view.

From what I know Trikke Tech isn't a large company. There doesn't seem to be a large amount of resources to draw from. I, like many others, were drawn to Trikke from the infomercial many years ago. Since then I can only imagine how much airtime costs have gone up. Many question the marketing plan or whether or not there even is one. I'll leave this for them to answer and care not to speculate. The question I do have is What can we do to help?

Many comparisons have been made from other sports or fitness equipment companies. Of how they market and how they support their communities. There were many events before I came along and a lot of history I know nothing about. Forgive me and correct me if I have this wrong. The cycling communities all have Clubs and Associations, why don't we? They have competitions, again, why don't we? These clubs and competitions are NOT company run events. They're from the Community! Not every sports or fitness equipment has a forum. But much of the Trikke Community history was lost with the closing of the Ridphoria Forum,(which was formerly Bloodsport which was Trikke Talk which somehow came from Yahoo Chat ... got it?). Then came TrikkeWorld Magazine, an on-line magazine for everything Trikke. It's three year run came to an end earlier this year. I know we can't go back in time but it seems, up to now, this history is gone.

So what of the Trikke Community? How do we communicate with others and find out what's going on? Times are moving along. Nowadays, it's Social Media. The main one that I'm familiar with is Facebook. TrikkeWorld Magazine's Sweet Spot Annex Group is alive and very active. Trikke Academy is another group page keeping us up to date and together. From there you'll be able to discover more, Trainer pages, Dealers, and riding groups. Other than Facebook, there's Google + and checkout Meetup.com for local groups. Also, do a search of the many Bloggers out there ~ (Trikker Chicks from Jeri Thompson, Lehigh Valley Trikke from Jamie Makin, The Carving Edge: the Blog of Trikke Tech, SouthBay Trikke is a Trikke Dealer who's very involved in the community. Trikke Andy, who leads the team has a lot of DIY and fun videos on You Tube. Please comment and let us know where to find your blogs on Carving and Trikke). I've heard whispers of another Media Site, Trikke Universe, which is the vision from Trikke-O-Babble, Elise Bennett. There's a team currently working to create a carver locator map.  We as a community continue to move on. There are many ways for people to connect with the community, if they wish.

Along with connecting with the community, like with other sports and activities. There are events, a gathering of like spirits enjoying a day filled with sharing and fun. I'm sure there are many out there that I know nothing about (but really wish to). I've seen groups with 400 + in membership. I know of many ride videos which have since been taken away along with the group itself. I know of this through stories being passed along. Events like that of Jimmy Evans' Cross-country Trikke ride. A feat completed three times, I believe. Mark C. in an attempt to carve as many different states as possible. I can't recall how many he did but this was inspiring! So much so, This was attempted this Summer by Jamie Makin. I wonder how many different states she was able to carve?

It's in this spirit, the Spirit of Community, that I engaged with SouthBay Trikke. What was a simple purchase of air tires for my T8 has blossomed into a passion. It has been through their work and efforts that I get to enjoy the Trikke community we have today. Our So Cal Carvers have been an awesome group to get to know. Their camaraderie is a treasure and a joy for anyone to come carve with. The Trikke Academy with Ann Pirone and Fred Welch are another team who have help shape our community. From Trikke Enthusiast turned Trikke Ambassadors, They developed a program, which I believe, has increase our exposure and passion. From this, We strengthened our community's bond and empowered more carvers to share. Their Passion for Carving and Trikke has offered more than the Academy Seminars, which teach proper carving techniques, simple maintenance and tech, and Trikke's History. Trikke Academy has also shared with some fun! Their fabled events include the National Riding Skkool, the Carving Clinikks Weekend, and for the past three years, The National Skki Inn.

Oh, don't get me wrong. There are many others, past and present. Far too many for me to name. It has been this group of carvers that have lead me to my current call of duty. I may be known for starting the LSM (Last Saturday/Sunday of the Month) Movement but I believe it belongs to the Community. Carvers from all over the World are stepping up and sharing. There is a Photo contest which is more of a give-away than contest that is sponsored by Trikke Tech, Trikke Academy, and My local Trikke Dealer, SouthBay Trikke being administered by me. I do what I can to help my local dealer. Not only because of our friendship but because I care and wish for them to do well. It also supports the growth and love of my sport, Carving. I was a founding member of So Cal Carvers. With our busy lives and schedules, the best we've done was develop a way to organize and support group rides, which we have many. It's still a developing factor and lots to learn.
I'm not here to claim any credit. I'm not sure if what I do matters to our sport/activity, except to say I really enjoy it!

I know there are others who are working with children, whether special needs or physical education programs. There was a charity started for autistic kids. I believe there was a program being looked into for alternative physical therapy. We heard stories of how the Carving Vehicles (CV's) has helped people stay active, rehab after injuries, and assist with them losing weight. What I've done pales compared to them.

You may be asking why am I presenting all of this? The question has been in my mind that with the economy that we're in, With the competition of other activities being available, What needs to be done to help? Yes, to help! You might see products in the cycling industry come and go. Their community is large enough to be sustained. There are multiple manufacturers and brands to keep the community going. We do not, plain and simple. We may have seen knock-off models but Trikke and Carving is unique. Gildo Beleski designed and developed something quite special. Unless the community grows and interest builds, it's safe to say that there won't be any competing companies. I believe the current line of CV's is top notch. Sure we may do things to personalize our vehicles but out of the box, It pretty darn awesome! I believe we should do what we can to share this with others, to help each other, to support each other.
As a community, What should we do? What can we do? Not to suggest to our beloved company, what they should do ... no. What can we do to help grow?  How can we support our local dealers, trainers, and local community ride organizers? There are many who wish to be a part of nothing. Left alone to enjoy their carve on their own. And that's fine. There may be others who just don't like a big group setting, I can understand that as well. How do we as a community help support you, the carver?

Put up or . . .

Note to self: never act when angry. Take a step back, relax, think, and when you think you're OK, step back and think again.

Something I need to remember in general and especially, when I'm talking Trikke. I was trained in the kitchen. A sense of urgency was bred into me. If there's an issue or problem, focus on the fix! We can point fingers later and make sure it don't happen again. Well, At the beginning of the month, I woke to find a thread complaining how Trikke Tech hadn't shared private information of it's customers. They had just discovered that there were two avid carvers living in the same city. Without going into the details, It's stupid to think any company would share private information, no matter how little or how much info you request. The Conversation got heated for me. Not only were they bad mouthing a company I love and appreciate without any base, My passion was called in question.

Here's the part where I should have stepped backed. I didn't. I went into fix it mode. Knowing that the complaint involved a project I had been working on with Ann Pirone, the "Go to Gal" of Trikke Academy, bothered me. I had put it on a back burner due to some personal issues and time. I didn't look for the Company to do this. I felt it would be better served if the effort included the community I desired to grow. Rather than wait for someone to provide what I thought was good for us, Why not go get it ourselves?! It was time for us as a community to put up or shut up!

There were efforts before and are now gone. I know a couple of individuals including myself, who took on the task and tried to connect carvers with other carvers. Efforts before this failed for different reasons, mainly because it was left in someone Else's hands. Eventually, those hands were removed or taken away. This is ours! The Community's! Though we are currently a team of four, We will look to others for help and step up! For now, we are working on a "Trikke Community Locator" Map. This map is to help serve the Carving Community. Whether it be to search for others in our areas, to join in on a group ride, for help in learning how to carve, or help buying and repairing our carving vehicles. This is a map of a passion of the Carve!

The ground work that the team has put in so far has been tireless. They each deserve our thanks. Ann Pirone has laid in the base for which we are developing. Bruce Weston aka "Trikke Key" of the Michigan Carvers has done all of the technical applications. Chad Guillory of MyTrikke.com is instrumental in getting us started. As for me, Double Dub of So Cal Carvers. Well, I consider this my baby. I just had to put my two cents in. Collectively, we have thought and re-thought what our goals and objectives are with this project. Trying to find the best ways for this to work for the Community. Our work to date is far from over.

There are a couple of key elements, in my opinion, that must take place for this to be successful. In a word it's Participation. We would like to think that the community will want be included and use the map we are about to create. It will contain carvers (trikkers), Certified Trikke Trainers, and Dealers. We will leave up to each individual what they choose to include in their profiles, their experience, Carving group affiliations, special skills (i.e. training, mechanic work/repairs, etc.). We look forward to the moment when we are ready to present this to everybody. I think the Map is going to be awesome!

There are, however, some precautions I would like to share. Safety is above all else a priority! Participation is voluntary. It is of your choosing and free will. So is the information you choose to share. If you do make connections, we strongly suggest that you take every precaution you deem necessary. We suggest meeting populated public meet spots. I would not meet at an empty trail you know about due to it's carvability for the first meeting, for example. Please be safe!
Please understand that we are doing this out of Passion. Our busy lives may not allow us the time to complete this as timely as we all would like. Thank you!
Carve On!!!  

Trouble "Stepping Up"

     Have you ever had trouble "Stepping Up"? You know Getting out and going for a ride? The process of loading the trikke, driving out to a trail or park. where to go, how far to carve. Has this ever happened to you? How did you fix it? Did you go? Did you put it off hoping to later or perhaps tomorrow? hmm,...
     Imagine how this must feel for someone trying to learn "how to" ? Right? That was what I was saying. Everybody goes through this no matter what their form of exercise may be. The decision to exercise, workout, get healthy, lose weight, or enjoy a ride is set off by the determination to see it through. So you're an experienced carver having an issue with stepping up. How do you use this to help a new carver step up?