German Baron, Karl Drais von Sauerbronn invented an improved two-wheeled version of the celerifere, called the laufmaschine, a German word for "running machine". The steerable laufmaschine, constructed with wood, featured no pedals; a rider pushed his/her feet against the ground to make the machine go forward. Drais exhibited his machine in Paris on April 6, 1818.

 

The Penny Farthing also known as the "High Wheeler" with one huge wheel and a smaller trailing behind, made its debut in 1871 by British engineer, James Starley. The Penny Farthing came after the development of the French "Velocipede", and other versions of early bikes. However, the Penny Farthing became the first really efficient bicycle.

“The bicycle is the most civilized conveyance known to man. Other forms of transport grow daily more nightmarish. Only the bicycle remains pure at heart.”  - Iris Murdoch

 

As with all inventions, the bicycle moved through a series of bumps and grinds until it became the finely tuned machine of the 21st century.  Today, I run Condor through three chain rings of 24 Granny, 38 and 50 on the front derailleur.  I run 7 speeds with a rear derailleur at 11 to 34 for the Granny. I use the 24 Granny front chain ring to a 34 rear free wheel for maximum spinning and power for mountain grade inclines.  I run on two 26 inch tandem Sun rims with pneumatic 1.75 Schwalbe Marathon Touring Plus tires, Phil Wood sealed bearing hubs and 40 spoke wheels to keep them true in foreign countries where I cannot afford to see my spokes blow out.  I ride with drop bars and Aero bars for comfort.

 

Condor’s shifters remain on the down tube where I also carry four water bottles on the down and seat tubes.  I carry an air pump right alongside the water bottles on the down tube.  I run a front rack with top shelf for my sleeping bag and rear Blackburn racks.  A rear kickstand keeps Condor balanced while I load him each morning if no fence or wall keeps him upright. I carry fenders on both wheels.  Also, I feature a blinking red back light and front “Led” light that blinks or throws a huge glow to let people know I am on the road. However, I rarely travel at night. I use the lights and blinkers during rainy times.   Additionally, I carry a compass with bell on the front handlebars. I have found the most comfortable seat in a Serfas Hybrid from www.REI.com   I love that seat that anatomically cradles my butt in comfort.   Forty years ago, I suffered numbness, pain and discomfort from the early saddles without a groove or any fit to my butt whatsoever. 

 

In 2013, Condor hit 23 years and 70,000 miles.  He still looks great because I polish him and keep him well oiled at all times.  Before my custom-made Condor by the Franklin Frame Company www.FranklinFrame.com , I ran one mountain bike into the ground and two other skinny touring bikes where the frames broke. Condor features a chom-moly steel frame.  He weighs about 28 pounds. You might call him the Hummer of bicycle frames.  Tough, strong, enduring!

I carry four panniers, one internal frame backpack and a daypack.

 

Also, a small handlebar bag carries my cameras, video, spoon, lip balm, sunscreen, Swiss Army Knife and reading glasses. Off my left handlebars, I sport a rear view mirror to keep an eye on everything coming up behind me.  When I see danger, I exit the road when two big trucks pass each other with me as the extra guy on the road.  I never argue with trucks or cars that out-speed and out-weigh me by many tons.

 

On the back of my bike, I feature a vertical 8 foot fiberglass three color flag system of orange, lime-green and white and 20 inch orange-white flags flapping out to the traffic side to make sure folks don’t skim me.  The flags catch everyone’s attention from 100 yards away whether they  text, yell at their kids or change channels on the radio. So far, so good.

 

Part 11 features meeting up with two of the funniest men I have ever met while they toured coast to coast across America.  You say the Irish can be funny?  Gerry and Dave turned out to be funnier than Robin Williams and George Carlin put together.  I woke up laughing in my sleep.

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