Well, eventually I am to get a bent, Mason...I really want to get back to riding and I can't ride a regular bike any distance anymore. I'll give you a holler when I'm ready to buy it, so I know I'm buying off of someone reputable.

They are the best bikes available as far as I'm concerned. Too bad more people don't ride them as the prices would come down. They're great but expensive.

You should find a bent dealer near you (I know, that's a challenge where you're located) so you can test ride different styles. They come in short wheel base (SWB), long wheel base (LWB), and compact long wheel base (CLWB), as well as trike models. You also have high bottom brackets and low bottom brackets. You also have the choice of standard type steering and under seat steering (USS). You really have to ride a few different ones to get a feel for what you're going to be most comfortable with. I prefer LWB bikes with standard steering myself.

I may make some stops while we're travelling to do some test rides. Unless there's a dealer in Amarillo, I'm pretty much SOL.

Definitely do if you can. There's a big difference in the ride on the various types.

If you wanna educate yourself a bit just google for recumbent bicycles. My dealer is Power On Cycling and he does have a site although it's currently under a remodel and thus incomplete.

A charcoal recommendation... get the natural chunk charcoal and treat yourself. It is a whole new grilling experience.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.

Glad you're home. I already know that though since I read your 'mom' article firsl!

Happy grilling!

Heh, sometimes the big dealers snitch out their own mules and sacrifice a big load to make it look like the drug war is a winnable thing you know. Anyway, if you can ever get some mesquite it's the best thing there is bar none for grilling. Come to think of it, Florida oughta have mesquite since it's certainly warm enough there. Is there any?

Thanks

Yeah drug dealers aren't know for their high ethical standards

I think it's too humid here for mesquite to grow. Funny you should mention it though, I just got back from the grocery and picked up a bag of mesquite chips for the grill. I'm going to put them in a pot of water to soak a while before firing up the grill.

On a side note, my favorite hiking stick is made of mesquite. A very light but strong wood, it's perfect for a hiking stick.

If you can find a straigh piece, lol. Back when I used to do a lot of wood turning on a Delta lathe I had I turned several mesquite gavels and gave one to all the judges here. Mesquite is a very beautiful wood and literally hard as nails so if you wanna cut it you have to do it while it's green.

Yeah it is quite hard which makes it a perfect hiking stick. I wondered how they found a 5 foot long straight piece of it to make the stick

And yeah, it's a very nice looking wood. My hiking stick is definitely one of a kind.

Mark is a smart business man as well.  With a little trust, he made a customer for life. I would say that was a great investment on his part!

Enjoy your time off.  I'll remember that charcoal suggestion as well.

Yeah he does have a booming business because of his friendly nature and treating everyone so well. He's a very easy going guy. He's a big fellow (rare in the bicycle business) and looks like a 60s hippy. Really knows his bents too.

I used charcoal and wet mesquite which creates a wonderful smoke even on a regular grill. They came out great.

I would never use a gas grill. Charcoal or wood are great, gas sucks.