No Michigan HPV Rally - or get-together

The article below mentions the possibility of an informal get-together for HPVers in August, in lieu of the cancelled Michigan HPV Rally.
Unfortunately, there are no signs the COVID-19 pandemic is "slowing down," plus I haven't detected much enthusiasm for my idea, so there WON'T be a get-together/gathering.
As of when I write this (July 6), the only HPV event still scheduled is Dennis Grelk's event in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, mentioned below.  (Update as of Aug. 4:  Dennis has now cancelled his event for this year.)
Another event that would have been of interest to HPVers, the Recumbent Cycle-Con trade show scheduled Oct. 9-11 in Dayton, Ohio, was recently rescheduled to Oct. 8-10, 2021.
May "normal" return in 2021 and may we all still be around then to enjoy our fun activities.

                                                                                        – Mike

By Mike Eliasohn

What would have been the 36^th annual Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally May 16-17 at the Waterford Hills sports car racing track in Clarkston has been canceled. It will not be rescheduled (until 2021), although there is the possibility of a “gathering” later (please keep reading).

According to an email from Garrie Hill, who coordinates insurance for the Human Powered Race America events, “Our carrier says that until a full ‘all clear“ is issued from each state government involved, no insurance binders will be issued.  As far as I can say, no insurance for liability means no race.”

Conceivably co-organizer Mike Mowett and I could have rescheduled the rally for later, likely in August, but there would still be the possibility of having to cancel that date.

Hopefully things will be back to semi-normal by August, but it’s hard to conceive there will be an “all clear” by then.

Please consider attending Dennis Grelk’s races at Hawkeye Downs Raceway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Sept. 19-20, which may be the only HPRA event this year. For most of us, it’s a long drive to Cedar Rapids, but keep in mind that Dennis and his family have been making the long drive from Iowa to our events for many years. For details, go to  https://midwesthpv.blogspot.com/

Also, in lieu of the Michigan HPV Rally, would people be interested in attending an informal gathering, an opportunity to view, test ride and talk recumbents and other interesting cycles.

What I (Mike E.) have in mind is meeting some place on a Saturday in August from say 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., possibly Aug. 8, since that’s the day prior to Owosso Bike Fest – if that event is held.

I’m thinking a large parking lot – on a college campus, at a factory, semi-abandoned shopping center or a big church – near I-94 somewhere between Ann Arbor and Detroit. Access to a restroom(s) will be a must.

No registration, no entry fees (though we might have to take up a collection to pay someone to clean the restrooms) and no racing, since we won’t have insurance. And, if, for instance, social distancing and/or wearing masks is still highly recommended, easy to cancel (that is, no advance preparation being required, hence no wasted effort).

I’m thinking we can invite freak bikers and other builders/riders of interesting cycles.

So if you think a gathering is a good idea, OR NOT, please email me at mikethebike2325@comcast.com or call 269-281-0797.  And, for us to meet, we need a place, so please send me your suggestions and be willing to make contacts.

Some HPV updates & new bikes (homemade)

By Mike Eliasohn

Nothing has changed yet since I posted, "Will there be a Michigan HPV Rally in 2020?," on March 22.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's current stay-at-home order expires April 13. It seems very likely it will be extended. Once she updates her order, Mike Mowett and I will decide on the fate of the rally, though the decision may be made for us.
Should her extended order end May 15, we have to decide do we want to meet the day after that.
If we do not or cannot conduct the rally May 16-17, there are some choices:  1) Cancellation, that is, no rally this year; 2) reschedule the rally, if there's an open date in July or August at Waterford Hills; 3) if not, conduct the rally elsewhere, for instance, could we rent a paved oval race track somewhere; or, 4) my admitted favorite, conduct an informal gathering   on a Saturday in August. The gathering could be at a large parking lot and/or on roads that have little traffic on Saturdays – for instance, at a college, factory or church.(Access to a restroom at the site would be necessary. No, "McDonald's is 2 miles down the road.")
The gathering would be free, unless the area is big enough to conduct a time trial, for which we might have to charge a small amount to pay for insurance. 
And if worse-comes-to-worse, it would be easy to cancel. (In other words, no track rental fee to get refunded, no advance registration, etc.)
So if you have a preference for one of the four alternatives, or other suggestions, PLEASE post something under "comments" or send an email to me at mikethebike2325@comcast.com. And if you know of an alternative site to Waterford Hills, presumably an oval race track or large parking lot, please let me know (especially if you have connections).

New vehicles: At the 2019 Michigan HPV Rally, Rob Lloyd of Whitmore Lake said the next recumbent he was going to build would be for his son, Cameron, who was then 12.
(See blog article dated Aug. 20, 2019)
Cameron's new ride is now done. Here it is:

Rob documented the entire build process on bentrideronline.com.  Go to "specialty discussions," then "homebuilders," then "Mid-racer --- for a shorter rider."

Meanwhile, Charles Brown is still building his newest wood recumbent at home in Southfield. (Now that he's a homeowner, hurry Charles and get it done before lawn mowing season starts.)

Here's two photos, which he sent me March 30.

And here's the latest project of Terry Gerweck of Monroe, pieced/welded together from three or so frames, and obviously not for racing. Wheelbase is about 46 inches. Next, Terry has to work out the seat.

Updates: As originally posted on March 27, "Unique Recumbent tricycle needs new home," Bruce Gordon said because of the odd-size front wheels, he suggested the new owner should build new front wheels using a more common size tire.  But after that, I (Mike E.) did some research.  J&B, a wholesale supplier to most bicycle shops, stocks the tires needed for the current front wheels, 24x1/520c, so the article has now been updated to report that.

So if you read the article and was interested in Bruce's trike, but was repelled by the thought and expense of building new wheels, that no longer is a deterrent.

And the article, "Wally's next adventure," originally posted Feb. 24, has now been updated to include some comments from Wally Kiehler after he got home, after his planned coast-to-coast ride was cut short because of the COVID-19 epidemic.

And lastly, hopefully a bit of humor during these grim times.  The idea was mine; the drawing is by Charles.

Introducing the Covid Distancer

Wherever you go, keep everyone 

at least 6 feet away