RE: [Paddlewise] Fiberglass maintenance on canoe

One of my worst events was when in the summer of 1999 I was touring all
along the West Coast demoing a water bicycle called Wavebike.

I had it on top of a Ram Wagon. The hull was sitting over the roof rack
and the light aluminum frame with handlebars, brakes and everything was
standing straight and tall. It was an impressive device. I also had one
of my kayaks, needed to follow the bike user and help him back in case
of trouble.

Started from Queretaro, crossed the border in Laredo. On the second day
drove to Dallas, gave a demo, which implied unloading the stuff, showing
it, towing the rider back against heavy wind, (since he could not stay
upright and drifted) and loading the water bike and kayak back on the
car. Then I drove to Oklahoma and had dinner at the famous bar in
Guthrie where the great famous race took place, about a century or more
ago, for the conquest of the lands of that State, by the Cimarron River.

I was very excited for visiting such an historical place and so tired
from all the day's activity and driving. I started looking for a hotel
and all were full. It took me a couple of hours and some towns, and
suddenly there was one that said "Vacancy" and the same car I had seen
in other hotels rushing to get the place. So I entered quickly to get to
the lobby parking before the other guy and there was this low roof and I
smashed the bike frame against it. Nobody walked out and I saw that
there was little damage to the hotel so I drove out happy that nobody
claimed the harm done.

Far away, I looked at the bike and the frame was bent and broken. The
whole purpose of the trip was about to end. So, I finally found a hotel,
went to (try to) sleep and rested some. I felt the most miserable living
species in Earth.

It is hard to give up something after several months planning and work,
so, next morning I called my office and had my wife send, via DHL,
another frame straight to Andrie Hurley's place in Port Townsend. That
was where the demos along the Pacific Coast would start. When I arrived
there after three more beautiful sight seeing but uneventful driving
days, the frame had arrived, and I had no problem putting the thing back
together.

I remember that Matt Broze and Robert Livingston, among others, but
known by paddlewisers tried the Wavebike and my kayak. I also remember
that the demos occurred on Seattle on the fourth of July, and remember
many kayakers and boaters on the lake watching the fireworks.

Finally, the last funny comment was that in the Seattle hotel, I was
assigned the room for people with disabilities that was by the lobby. I
felt a little bit uncomfortable, but did not question the personnel
decision. So I could be seen entering and leaving my room from all the
sitting places around the lobby. The funny thing was that for two days
morning and evening I exited or entered in shorts, booties, and holding
in my hands paddle, and wet sprayskirt and PFD and you name it. I didn't
know if I should smile to the watching people, or walk like limbed, or
just look at the floor.

That was a trip to remember, and the comments here awoke the memories.

Best Regards,

Rafael
Mexico
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