This is a picture of Nick Hein's bike the Raincloud along with his initial ride report from Sunday January 18, 1998.
The Raincloud Maiden Voyage.
The bike was ready last Friday (with the cab faired but without the nose and tail sections faired) so I brought it in to work (by car) for a test ride at lunchtime. I was also scouting out a new section of bike trail which had been completed since my last commute trip in. Saturday morning I went out with my son to scout the hardware, plastics and surplus stores to finish the fairing. By some miracle Boeing Surplus had full sheets of coroplast, one of which was the color I needed. I bought all 4 sheets of bright colors (orange, red and yellow in 4 mm and white in 10 mm) at $1 per pound, $20 in all. Unfortunately I had just come from the plastics place where I paid $20 for one sheet. I was unable to find re-usable panel fasteners I was looking for so I had to do without those.
Sunday morning I was putting the last skin on the tailcone as I got ready for a 1 PM "Low Down and Laid Back" ride around the south end of Lake Washington with Bob Bryant and the rest of the locals. I finally got it buttoned up and took off on the 6 mi ride to the rendevouz point at 12:30. Operationally the bike was still a few parts short. I had only a rear brake and derailleur. The front brake is still on order and I didn't have time for the front derailleur. On the downhill stretch into Renton I realized why 2 brakes are a good idea as I thought of what might happen if the only brake failed. It held though and I got to the start in time.
There were about six people (Steve Nash, Tony Licuanan, Bob, Terry, Kent Peterson and one I don't know). I received a warm reception and everyone looked the bike over thoroughly. As we started off on the ride and it started to rain I was really glad I had the full fairing. The only water coming inside was dripping off the edges of the windshield (design change there). I stayed warm and dry inside. Since I didn't need a raincoat I wore breathable clothes and didn't get soaked with sweat. I got the wettest when we stopped at Tully's Coffee on Mercer Island because we were standing around looking at each other's bikes and trading testrides. We discussed the bike and a lot of other things over coffee and refreshments. The return trip was uneventful with the same steady rain. It stopped once we got back to the parking lot so I let everyone sit on the bike. Kent Peterson tried to ride it but couldn't get used to the center-stick steering right away. To my surprise nobody was interested in having a bike like mine. They thought it was too heavy, bulky or hard to get in and out of but most most gave encouraging remarks about one feature or another.
I left feeling a little confused. I had wanted something like this since I read about the first IHPSC in Scientific American when I was in high school. I had longed for a human powered vehicle that would serve as my car for all practical purposes and I knew most of the others in the group shared that interest. Why don't they jump at this bike then? Oh well, I only built it for me anyway. I left late with darkness falling and no headlight but managed to make it home safely. The only mishap was a low-speed fall when the chain went off into the spokes during a shift (hadn't had time to adjust the stops yet).
Overall the bike performed great for a maiden voyage. It was great sitting back and enjoying the view in the rain, instead of hunkering down cold and wet. Everything held together and I was able to keep up with everyone else, although I want to make it faster because I was wiped out by the time I got home. I plan a few modifications soon including headlights, turn signals and side mirrors (Kent showed me a great trick for making the turn signals blink). The front luggage area needs to be sealed because the front wheel is throwing dirt and water in. I'll seal the roof and add drip edges so I stay completely dry while riding. I've ordered Arai drum brakes for the front and rear that will need to be put on, and I still have to hook up the front derailleur. Otherwise it's been a great bike and an exciting experience to finally be riding something of my own design. I don't know when I'll be able to take it apart and paint it (it's only primed now) because I intend to ride it everywhere all the time.
I've been asked by David G. Wilson to write something up about the bike for the Velomobile conference in Germany. Now that I've ridden the bike a little I've started working on a paper.
May your mileage always vary upward. Nick Hein
The following is Nick's summary of the Raincloud.
The Raincloud is an enclosed streamlined bicycle with rear suspension designed for year-round commuting in the Seattle climate. The chassis is a long-wheelbase recumbent with center-lever steering controls. Mounting brackets are welded on the head and seat tube to provide mounting points. Bulkheads attached to these points support the fairing frame and skin that surround the rider compartment, keeping all dirt and water off the rider. Nose and tail section subframes mount to the ends of the cab frame to fair the wheels and provide front and rear storage areas that are also weather proof. This means that when I leave for work I just throw my backpack into the storage area and go. No zipping, tying or other fiddling around. Although the sides are wide open, rain stays out of the cab area when I'm moving so I can ride without raingear in most weather.
On Sunday I took the bike on its maiden voyage in light to pouring rain. I stayed warm and comfortable for the entire ride. The other riders in the group were soaking wet either from rain or from sweat inside their raingear.
The bike will be in a state of continuous improvement until I sell it to build another one. Right now I am putting on lights and drum brakes. The Raincloud provides all the transport capability I need at a weight of 70 lbs and is small enough to fit in the garage next to the car (which I don't expect to use much anymore). Wind resistance is lower than that of the unfaired bike and much less than an upright so my commutes are not only comfortable but faster.
Specs.
Features:
Coming soon: headlight, turn signal/marker lights, drum brakes, increased gear range, improved drive train.
Here is Nick Hein getting an upper body workout by hefting the Raincloud.
Here are a couple of shots of Nick Hein riding the Raincloud along Tiger Mountain Road. These shots were taken on Saturday January 24, 1998.
Nick has continued to evolve the Raincloud. He's now changed the center stick steering to a more conventional handlebar and tie-rod steering. He rode the bike on the February 22, 1998 Chilly Hilly on Bainbridge Island and he's been using it for commuting. Here is a note he sent me on February 25, 1998.
Kent,
I had such a great commute in this morning I just had to tell someone about it. I clocked one of my fastest times ever in spite of having a 75 in. top gear, darkness and pouring rain in city traffic. Total time was about 45 min. for a 12 mile ride (I'd guess about 18 mph avg, but I don't have a speedometer on yet). There's a net descent of 400 ft and 150 of climbing on the route. At the end of the ride the only places I was wet were my fingers (from putting my hand down at stops) and the top of my head (There's a leak in the roof and every time I stopped the water ran forward and dripped onto my head). Once I fix the roof leak and get better gloves that'll be taken care of. Cargo all stayed dry, Arai drums worked fantastically. It feels great to have a bike I can use like a car!
Last night I had my fastest ride home ever, in ideal conditions of good weather and daylight. I think part of it is due to the Boe-Lube I put on the chain at lunchtime. I had been using White Lightning before and that just didn't seem to hold up more than 60 miles and made alot of noise.
Other improvements remaining on my to-do list are rear-view mirrors, and a drivetrain rebuild. Yesterday I ordered a Suntour XC crank with a 63-tooth big ring. When I get that I'll also put on a new chain, front der. and wide-range freewheel. Then I'll find out what it can really do.
Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested.
Keep 'em rolling.
Nick