Caracycle – john paganetti

I’ve decided I’m going to name the 300 SD Dawn. It feels right. On that same note, I’m scrapping plans (ethereal as they were) for the Caracycle. I’ve seen similar projects, and it has become far too clear that such a trailer would either require too many bikers to make it fun, or would be utterly unusable on hills. Either way I think I’m going to stop pursuing it. I have plenty of work to do on Dawn anyway. I just ordered a centrifuge and pump today, which will be installed on the bus, so I can refine oil to the tolerance I need to for the grease car kit. I’ll be ordering that soon as well. I’m still hoping I can have this 100% by May. That seems realistic. Though I’m near as busy as I’ve ever been, projects are tapering off, and giving way to my mechanical endeavors. This should be fun.

So I’ve settled upon a new project. A sub 500 pound, easily built coach composed largely of bicycle parts that are cheap(ish) and widely available, to be pulled by four bicycle riders. I’d like the coaches to be able to daisy-chain, and form into a larger caravan, with the riders of each coach pulling collectively. I’m sure there’s a limit to size, where more riders and coaches lead to diminishing returns and increasing spectacle, but I don’t know it yet.

Important things that need to be pondered:

Whether or not a coachman is necessary. While the steering will be handled by the cyclists, I think the coach’s brakes would be best controlled by a coachman, but it is conceivable that the cyclists (or a single cyclist) could control the coach brakes.

How to make this project possible without welding. I would like this project to be something that anyone with a desire to attempt could build, regardless of skillset. I need to balance the trade between accessibility and sound structure.

And I’m sure there is much more that has yet to reveal itself.