Zizzo Liberte - folding bike

[A2022]

I purchased 6 ft of 1 inch diameter alum tube to make some small spacers for the Zizzo speedster elk horns. the tubing was picked up locally for $35. the four spare Zizzo wheels were less than $200, two rear and two front. these are cheap bikes. the reason I had my first and only flat tire in two years on the Zizzo Forte camping bike (any bike) when I visited Minnesota a couple weeks ago was because I was using the small tubes for those larger tires. Too much stretch, I corrected that with the proper size tubes.

[A2022]

quick post condition inspection check flight and a bike ride. a nice meal to celebrate the low-cost condition inspection completion. the only money I spent was for a can of $10 spray paint for the forward engine cylinder fins. I rode from the airport into the neighboring village and then over the next village and took a nap on a picnic table. I tested the newly secured bike elk horns and the 2nd set of clipless pedals. everything worked very well. saved some money buying cheaper fuel and covered a good portion of my meal. like I tell my wife, I am saving money by flying places.


Zapp & Roger - (She's got) More Bounce to the Ounce
https://youtu.be/r_IPV2zeDIc?si=GXG-xwLBI33kpBD_

[A2022]

good weather upcoming for heading north.... and that's where I'm going. I need 7 bags for the camping bike. multiple state parks and hotel.

those big weeklong high pressure spans are what you a looking for.

[A2022]

The gradual rise and fall of barometric pressure keeps the winds (km/h) fairly low, making it great for biking.

[A2022]

My bike ride-away tools are packed in a bag, which I then stash inside another bag under the seat. I also make sure to carry an extra tube and an air pump.

[A2022]

Trip from Cincy to Chippawa Valey WI (KEAU). The weather was forecast to be good, and it was. Low winds and cool nights in the low 50s F. I dropped into Chippawa Valley and headed to Hangar 54 restaurant for a steak, not bad for $27. I then jumped on the bike and rode into Eau Claire (French for Clearwater) to the Holiday Inn Express and noticed my front wheel bearing making noise (like a popcorn machine) and brake binding. The bearing was beyond my repair. It's never been the same since I drug it thru the sand down the Root River and on the raft. The next morning, I rode to a bicycle shop, and they matched the bearing cone as best they could and added some new ball bearings, 45 minutes. Short story, it survived the next 100 miles, but I needed to again release the front brake mechanism and only use the rear brake by the time the trip was over. I cruised up to Brunet Island State Park (pronounced "brew-nay") and had a lovely time. People were friendly and well behaved. A nice pizza in Cornell, where they make the crust using spent grain. My prediction is that spent grain pizza crust will take over the world. The next day was to Lake Wissota State Park, and it was very nice. "L" shaped campsites with hedges in-between made it feel exclusive. No restaurants close by so I had a ready meal, and it was good enough. Lake Wissota has some nice hiking and scenery although the Canadian wildfire smoke was thick. Upon departure from Chippawa Valley airport the visibility was 3 but clear at 11.5K. A very nice trip and everything was new to me so that makes it an adventure! After all that food, I am sure I added a couple pounds, time to go fall back to OMAD. Hey, a BMI of 22.2 leaves plenty of room in the cockpit for stick travel. Backrest set to mid-range and thick seatback cushions.

Bottom line, would I do this trip again. yes
Chippawa Valley airport, 3 nights tie down and 13 gallons fuel, $75. I think they like old guys on bikes.

Note: there is a high antenna south of the field. if you are in low visibility, get above it.

[A2022]

new camping bike front wheel, Zizzo Forte, and some ceramic bearings (Grade 5) for testing. I will attempt to design and print some bearing shields for this installation from TPU material.

Cincy skyline chili for my OMAD. eat whatever you want but only one meal a day and enjoy the benefits. bon apatite!

[A2022]

Springfield, Xenia, South Charleston... Gooogle maps shows 68 miles. I felt it was easy today. Had some fruit on the way out and a good OMAD at the end. Nice temperatures and low winds. It doesn't get much better than today.

In order to lose weight, exercise = 15% effective, calorie intake normalization = 85% effective. as they say, you cannot outrun your stomach. if you combine them both you will see some effect quickly.

[A2022]

wheel bearing shield... nice fit, better than expected. I will close the gap by .7mm.

[A2022]

Zizzo Forte front wheel bearing shield. Not too bad. Hopefully, this will help keep the dust and sand out of this simple bearing.

da movie.... https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipM ... 5nYqmUAr1-









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Zizzo Liberte', quick release axle

[A2022]

I tested my Liberte quick release axle wheel bearing seals today, and they worked perfectly. Millersburg, Ohio, always offers beautiful bike trails. I forgot my cycling shorts, but luckily I keep a spare pair in the plane, so no problem there. A quick bite for my OMAD, topped off with an apple dumpling sundae, was just what I needed. The newly refreshed runway was stunning and funded locally—great job, Millersburg! It doesn’t get much better than today: 44 miles of mostly speed runs with some hills to get the legs burning. When your legs are burning, you know you’ve gotten your money’s worth.

Nora En Pure - Pretoria (talanted!)
https://youtu.be/Rzt4aj2ydSg?si=__wqjqRVsYlwHis1

[A2022]

I really like these road bike clipless shoes, but if you have to hike-a-bike up a steep, rough road, the cleats will get destroyed and need replacing. Lesson learned.

[A2022]

Gradually improving up my bike-away toolset. Crankbrothers makes a great multitool. Use the bike-away toolset for general maintenance from time to time to understand how well it works.

[A2022]

Springfield, Yellow Springs, Xenia, John Bryan State Park Mountain Bike Races.... some of the racers could really move. the corn is 10 ft high, certified! soybeans, almost 3 ft. the house salad for $6.99 is a good deal.

flying was eventful today: squeezing between traffic, a glider 700 ft above, a cub with smoke in the cabin and engine thus shutdown gliding in... I got off the runway.

if I don't plan to tie down, I put in on the centerline. if I plan to tie down, I put the centerline under the copilot seat otherwise my pitot will interfere with the tie down rope.

[A2022]

Put-In-Bay, Ohio, concert venue... hot weather for a tent the first two nights, but the third night was okay. A big storm rolled thru the first night and it sounded like all hell was breaking loose when you are in a tent. I am sure the aircraft took a beating. A big concert was in progress on the island. VIP helicopters flew guests in and out. The women were going crazy. A Polish lady put her sunglasses by my breakfast food and kept touching my leg by accident when she learned I was a pilot (I was okay with that), but she wouldn't let me get a picture. I cruised over to Kelly's Island and saw the glacier grooves, which were displayed very well. Overall, it was a very nice trip, and I overloaded on my favorite Reuben sandwich and Guinness beer. I do not recommend blended Guinness. If you are having a Guinness beer, it should be pure. Period!

Hey, it's a lot of fun up that way. Many crazy women, so be careful.

my campsite cost = $16 per night

my weight was 160.2 lb when I left on this trip and I am afraid to check it tomorrow. a lot of printing orders came in while I was away, so, back to work so I can escape again next week, north again to somewhere special.

NEW RADICALS * You Get What You Give 1998 HQ
https://youtu.be/US2UDj_Gvo4?si=eLuHqDSU9oOrsj1T

[A2022]

I prefer Smith bike helmets because they fit me best, but in this hot weather, the Giro is unbeatable with its smaller size, superior ventilation, and lighter weight. I added some extra padding to make it fit perfectly. I’ve attached cat ears to the side straps, which I really like. I used to have a love/hate relationship with my helmet-mounted mirror, but a few rides ago, an older gentleman gave me a great tip about Pidzoom mirrors. The Pidzoom kit is fantastic, and after a quick test fit, I think the switch will be a great improvement.

Notice the plastic flex tabs designed for the adhesive to conform better. It's a clever mechanical design, and I noticed it right away and made a note of it.

BORNS - Electric Love (TWINSICK Remix)
https://youtu.be/Ktwm-Nm68-A?si=VsXP6pNVEmNyct6_

[A2022]

I have had a lot of very nice bike trips in the past, but this one was special. The crushed limestone trail from Reedsburg (C35) - Elroy - Sparta was nice and perhaps smoother overall than Ohio paved trails. The Elroy - Sparta trail is the oldest rail to trail bike path in the country and was commissioned in 1967. I passed thru many villages, tunnels and bridges and camped in public camping areas for FREE. A couple of them also had free showers. The total cost for lodging for three days on this trail = $0, so I spent my money on food so I can get fat again. I felt like I needed some more riding but all the state parks further north were booked but I remembered Ephraim (3D2) from last year said they had camping on the airport, so I flew there. Yep, camping was available. Overnight tie downs are $16 so I paid that and made an extra donation to the airport for the hospitality. They made me feel right at home and 3 locals stop by to ask if I needed anything. It doesn't get any better than that. Ephraim is neat and clean, they have free bikes to use, and everything works. Since the winds were gusting to 20, I spent the two days there mostly on the part wooded trails but did venture south to Egg Harbor and had some pie on the way. The flights there and back were mostly broken/overcast but smooth. I passed over Chicago on the way home to Cincy at 12.5K. I believe Wisconsin is the best biking state within 500 miles of Cincy and perhaps the best biking state in the USA. It doesn't get much better than this trip. I broke a mirror, replaced a mirror. Lost a pair of sunglasses, found a pair of sunglasses. It all evens out, just relax and don't rush for anything. Don't let a minor delay bother you. She wanted me to take a picture of her with her dog. Later, I was told a fallen tree across the trail wasn't there 10 minutes ago. The RV airplane makes trips like this possible. You can really reach out to places. Too many photos.

Perhaps the best beer I have ever had was at Hillsboro Brewing Co. X-Thiois
https://untappd.com/b/hillsboro-brewing ... ls/5252178

Music for the trails...you had to be there.
Icona Pop - I Love It (Feat. Charli XCX)
https://youtu.be/W50HtcPAeSs?si=rJTSrLf_II-hCQ9n




Bag Raiders - Shooting Stars (Official Video)
https://youtu.be/feA64wXhbjo?si=aMxRDsR4iMwDcPq1

Collective Soul - December
https://youtu.be/6exsatE-DUk?si=K-I38SnJ2aQBjD7t


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Reedsburg - Elroy - Sparta







































































































*********

Ephraim

[A2022]

Springfield, OH - Yellow Springs - Xenia...

A perfect day in Ohio with high pressure, a morning temperature of 10°C, and an afternoon high of 23°C with low winds. It's definitely a day to be outside. I remembered my clipless pedals but forgot the shoes, so I grabbed a backup set of flat pedals from the seatback storage tray. The Zizzo clip-in pedals fit perfectly with the MKS pedal adapters. A new 600W phone battery pack arrived—great for camping trips. It’s amazing they can sell and deliver these for $35. A fantastic day!

By the way, sump those tanks regularly. I usually sump before and after a fill. Don't give the crud a chance to get into the system.

A 2:45 flight plus a 0:23 flight used 20 gallons—not bad at all.

Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
https://youtu.be/eimgRedLkkU?si=zqfn4Fd54Zd7wpFy

Sex on Fire
https://youtu.be/EOjm4SEDMu8?si=EwbsMKLqQOABbjt2

[A2022]

A telescopic fishing pole is perfect for exploring Minnesota's lakes and streams. While biking through the woods, I often come across great spots to cast a line.

[A2022]

Trip writeup for Bemidji, MN...

Day 1 - I flew from Cincinnati to Bemidji, MN, a 700-nautical-mile trip, unloaded my bike, rode into town, and enjoyed some BBQ. Then, I explored the town, rode to Bemidji State Park, took a shower, and set up my tent. It's incredible how you can travel long distances to unfamiliar places and accomplish so much in one day. While eating BBQ, the weatherman mentioned this was the last day of the year the sun would see the 7s on the clock. On June 21, 2025, Bemidji experienced a widespread microburst with winds up to 120 mph, which downed many trees and caused significant damage to aircraft. It even pulled Cirrus planes from their Cirrus straps, moved them backward, and dropped them onto their propellers.

Day 2 - I rode from Bemidji State Park to Akeley City Campground along the Paul Bunyan Trail, passing through Walker for lunch. A fit, mature woman introduced herself and handed me some money, which was a surprising and uplifting gesture. I tried some fishing at Akeley but didn’t catch anything. At the campground, I met a woman who was an avid biker and bumped into her again the next day.

Day 3 - I rode from Akeley to Itasca State Park but missed the forest road by five miles and had to backtrack some hills. I took a photo of myself. Google Maps didn’t update quickly due to no cell signal. I didn’t see anyone on the forest road for eight miles, stopped to fish but didn’t catch anything. Since it was Sunday, the nearby restaurant was closed, so I went to the Itasca State Lodge restaurant, which turned out to be excellent. If I hadn’t made it, I had backup ready meals, so it wasn’t a problem.

Day 4 – I rode from Itasca State Park back to Bemidji State Park on two-lane roads. I followed the Mississippi River north for about five miles and crossed it six times that day. The drivers were polite and gave me plenty of space. No issues with drivers—seems like they appreciate people on bikes up there.

Day 5 – I rode from Bemidji State Park to the airport and flew home. It was a fantastic trip with no issues, and everything went smoothly. The only thing I’d change is to add a couple of extra days for fishing, where I could rent a small boat with an outboard motor.

Hats off to Bemidji and Minnesota for being such a great place to visit! The Paul Bunyan bike trail is now at the top of my list, and I’ll definitely return. I counted eight mosquitoes during the trip and managed to smack two—they were slow. Perfect conditions for biking. I took plenty of photos to remember the trip and give others a feel for the area.

Total campsite expense = $175 with the out-of-state surcharge and on-line reservation fees.
Three day fishing license = $36
No tie down fee at KBJI and fuel = $5.75

Some mixed music (computer generated) found on the trip:
Don't You Leave Me (Extended)
Husky - Topic
https://youtu.be/oEzBT3dEt7M?si=d9y5uKMh3tdJrIFE

Nora En Pure & Sons Of Maria - Uruguay (EDX's Dubai Skyline Radio Edit)
Sirup Music
https://youtu.be/mFBjfbfyn6o?si=Tq5xCGE19LWiik5n


Bemidji Day 1 photos...