Elizabeth's TravelScoot

Chance Meeting

2012-01-11T17:14:00.003-06:00

Joe Shonk and I met up at Phoenix sky harbor airport by accident. Not a good picture but fun meeting another "Elizabeth" list person. They were returning from a cruise and I am Enroute to Japan.

Dean Hughson

Trip to the Canaries

2012-01-11T17:09:00.004-06:00

Just got back from the Canary Islands after spending two weeks there. This was the first time we have taken our Travelscoots with us. When we left for the Canaries, we checked our suitcases in the night before departure because of expected crowds the next morning. We put our extra batteries in the suit cases, one in each. The next morning we rode our scoots directly to the gate and the personnel there put them on the plane. When we got to our hotel in Grand Canary, we opened the suitcases and found a form letter from Helsinki Security in one that said our battery had been confiscated as it is against the rules to have a battery in the suitcase. The other battery wasn't touched. Both suitcases had built-in combination locks. The lock on the one was still intact so I don`t know how they got into it???? The batteries that were with the scooters, we took them in our carry on luggage.

The hotel is about 1 mile from the port (Puerto Mogan) and there are wide tiled walkways in between. The scoots came in very handy for the trips in between.

When we checked in at the airport coming home, we were told that we could not take the scoots to the gate ourselves and that we had to be escorted. Two men showed up with invalid symbols on their jackets. I told them we were not invalid and we could handle ourselves very well. They said it makes no difference just follow them. They took us thru the metal detector ahead of everyone else and put us on the plane first. They really treated us good. I couldn't believe it! After we were home a couple of days, we picked up our spare battery at the airport.

Elford in Helsinki, Finland

Deborah's Travel in Malaysia

2011-11-27T21:53:00.001-06:00

Deborah's Travel in Malaysia

My daughter and I traveled in Malaysia for two weeks this summer before my husband joined us for another four. She loves for me to bring the scoot along because it lets us go much further and longer than my legs will (I've damaged my Achilles tendons) and can even carry her if she gets tired. In exchange, she helps me carry it up and down stairs, curbs, etc. and onto buses, trains, skyways, etc. since MY is rarely made accessible. You should have seen the expression on cab drivers' faces when they went from thinking the scooter might mean a van taxi at a higher fare and instead I folded the scoot and handed it to the driver of an economy cab with one hand or my 8 y/o picked it up and gave it to them! Sometimes it saved us using cabs altogether since we could easily and quickly scoot a mile or so between sights.

Also, on this trip, I finally got bold and started taking it up and down escalator which turned out to be very easy as long as we didn't have luggage. Occasionally I had to get a man to help us move all our suitcases plus the scoot up flights of stairs.

Although I was always nervous, both Singapore Air or Air Asia allowed the LiIon battery (I contacted them in advance) though Singapore Air temporarily lost the scoot on the way there when it missed our connection and detached the battery and sent it down the baggage chute "naked" on the way back (it was OK)!

Anyway, we had a great time and the scoot let us go to places like big amusement parks that would have been impossible for me with my seat cane. People were curious about it. They assumed, I think, that we just used it for conveience and wanted to know how much it cost, as response I've never gotten in the US. I usually told them why I use it and they seemed surprised.

I guess everyone else just assumed it was another travel gadget!

Cheers,

Deborah

Battery Life

2011-10-25T22:18:00.002-05:00

Hardy Huber on battery life

Hardy Huber is the mastermind who invented the TravelScoot. Recently Elford in Helsinki, Finland sent me an email correspondence he had with Hardy about the lifetime of the lithium ion batteries. You can read more background on this on the post titled "Scooter gang of Vuosaari."

I have two of the regular size lithium ion batteries. The first was purchased 2 1/2 years ago. I'm just starting to see some decline in how long this battery holds a charge, but it's still very usable.

This is what Hardy had to say about battery life:

Every Battery starts deteriorating the moment it is made. In other words, capacity is very slowly decreasing. Eventually there will be a moment where distance is not satisfactory anymore. Rebuilding is not an option because the electronic inside has been improved several times, so all what may be usable is the housing.

To get an idea about the condition, I would chose a round course with a known distance and ride with two fully charged battery until one shut down. Since your wife recently got a new scooter you could compare old against new.

TravelScoot in Asia

2011-10-25T22:03:00.008-05:00

Welcome to Joanna from Singapore

Joanna is a new TravelScoot owner in Singapore who recently went on a scooter adventure to the Chinese and Japanese Gardens near her house. She's promised us pictures form the Singapore Botanical Garden. Hopefully I'll be posting them soon. Joanna forwarded questions she had about her scoot and the answers she received from Nat Cheang, who owns the Rugged Tree and is the Asian representative for TravelScoot distributorship and dealership.

These are Joanna's questions and Nat's answers. If you have comments that might help Joanna, please post them in the comments section.

Pls advise during riding with the scooter if unexpected rain fall - shall i cover the battery fast in order not to let it get wet or .......

Should you encounter light drizzle, it should not be a problem. But do make an attempt to get out of the rain.

Shall i use some cover for the battery so able to prevent it get wet when rain suddenly pour .......

I have customers who decide to get some cover for the battery and connection – I also advise them to have some holes for ventilation purposes.

May i know the degree of slope the scooter can able to take - saw a slope this morning but dare not climb with the scooter ....

There is no specific gradient that we advise against riding. It all depends on weight of rider and how it is ridden. Generally, the slopes that we have on Singapore roads and car park ramps are still manageable.

I think when travel with the scooter i should better carry the charger around with me so can charge the battery as and when .... may i charge the battery everyday after use or wait til the orange/red light is on ? It takes how long for the battery to charge when the light turn red ??

I would advise you to charge only when you see the orange light – this is to help you understand how much distance you can travel when the light is green. If you always charge the battery (even when it is green), you won’t be able to discover the battery’s performance.

Come to steps how to handle - shall i look for slope for travel always ?

If you do come to some areas where there are small number of steps and no ramps around, you will have to carry it up/down. Alternatively, do ask a passer-by for assistance. Compared to other mobility scooters, TravelScoot is very manageable to carry for short distances.

Do not have time to go through the user manual yet so ask questions through email will be faster i think. May be will post my question on the Blog - i am very sure those experience user will be delighted to answer my question too.

Yes, this is another avenue for you to get your answers and also to read other people’s experiences.

Taking a TravelScoot Test Ride

2011-10-25T21:38:00.002-05:00

Try before you buy

Hi Elizabeth -

I am still planning to have my seat re-padded as per your e-mail. However, I thought someone might like to hear about my experience in buying my TravelScoot. We live in Victoria, BC, and I had purchased 2 mobility scooters before buying my TravelScoot. Needless to say, I was leery about purchasing another one without trying one out.

I contacted The TravelScoot warehouse in Chehalis, Washington (900 NW Airport Rd, Chehalis, WA 98532) (www.travelscoot.com) and arranged to give one a trial run. We travelled to Chehalis, and they were extremely helpful. They answered all my questions, and let me drive a TravelScoot outside, as long as I wanted to. I was sold, and am really enjoying owning it. I would recommend anyone wanting to give a test drive before buying to go to Chehalis.

Cheers -

Lynn

Karin's TravelScoot Cane Modification

2011-10-25T21:10:00.004-05:00

My hubby owns a TravelScoot

Hi Elizabeth,

I've been a folllower of your blog for a while now since my hubby owns a TravelScoot.

He also had some trouble carying his cane with him because it doesn't fit in the front hole. After some experimenting we came up with a very easy solution...lol......just see the picture.

We just put the strap from the front to the back and when pulled tightly the cane stays put very well.

So, if someone uses the back part of the seat, this might just be a good idea!

Sincerely,

Karin

Mike taught his granddaughter to ride a bike

2011-10-25T17:17:00.000-05:00

Follow-up from Mike

I did buy a TravelScoot and found it to be very useful. My granddaughter wanted me to teach her ride a bike. I told her I wasn't able to. She was very disappointed and I think she thought I was just being lazy. I got the TravelScoot and that the first thing I did. I grabbed the back of her bike seat and off we went. Got her riding the bike right away. Will send picture soon. Thx again for all your help.

Frank's "Ferrari"

2011-10-23T23:16:00.001-05:00

Frank is a new TravelScoot owner. He's just returned home from an adventure and has comments and questions. If you can answer these questions, please post them in the comment section or send them to me at elizabeth@ifisher.com. Thanks!

From Frank in Melbourne, Australia

Well I am home again, after a most interesting trip to Los Angeles, San Francisco and a cruise down to Mexico etc. and through the Panama Canal to Miami, taking in the Everglades, then back to Oz again.

‘twas a really delightful 3 ½ weeks of brilliant sunshine and not too hot weather, although in some places it was very humid. But to wrap it all up, it was a lovely holiday I could, most certainly, have not done without my trusty Travelscoot, aka my “Ferrari” by various waiters and coach drivers. Especially the Yosemite Valley and Muir Woods were fantastic.

I now have my eyes set on further trips overseas. I am especially interested to know whether any of your Travelscooters have ever been on a cruise up the Rhine or similar Rivers in Germany. There are some trips from Amsterdam to Budapest, for example, which I would love to go on, but I am wondering whether the many beautiful old towns and villages where one pulls in are Travelscoot friendly, or whether they are too rough (cobblestones) for my scooter to handle. I have travelled along some of this route many years ago when I was fit and healthy but my dim memories recall them as being fairly tough on legs and possibly even worse on small wheels, but things may have changed in the past 50 or so years. Or have they?
Could you please find out if anyone has traversed this part of Europe?

I have another question. I notice that you, Rhonda and Elizabeth have treated yourself to a new padded seat. (For the Travelscoot, I mean). Not only do I think that this was a great idea, given that I had quite a “numb bum” after spending countless hours in Disneyland, Paramount Studios and the aforementioned sites in California, but I am wondering whether the new comfort (thickness) of the seat compromises my ability to pack the scooter in its canvas carry-bag, as I always travel with it “packed”. I prefer to be escorted through the tremendous air terminals by wheelchair.

As a point of interest, I had so many people stop me and ask me about the scooter in America (I referred them to Tony)—from Americans, Canadians, British and other parts of the world—
that I was most surprised that this product was not more widely advertised. In one instance a whole group of Japanese tourists crowded around me and through an interpreter was asked a lot about it and photographs were taken.

I was very deeply impressed by the care and attention given to the disabled in your country, and yet I found it interesting that your street corners had very narrow gradients to the roadway, so one had to be extremely careful when crossing, lest one may accidentally run into the back of another pedestrian when crossing.

Hoping for some helpful comments re the cruising in Europe and with kind regards from Oz,

Sincerely,

Frank

Mike's Butt Mobile

2011-10-23T22:54:00.002-05:00

Thank you for the work you do with your website

I wanted to send a note of thanks for the work you do withyour website. I found the TravelScoot website while surfing for mobilityscooters. I have looked at many different brands but was immediatelydrawn to the TravelScoot. My Mom used a mobility scooter due to a severednerve in her ankle from orthopedic surgery. She only able to take a fewsteps. Her scooter was heavy, cumbersome and she could not manage it byherself. I swore I would never go that route.

I suffer from several chronic health problems and had toretire on disability a year ago. I have traumatic arthritis in my leftknee and have been on a cane for several years. I also suffer fromdiabetes, a bad back and congestive heart failure. I have gradually hadto curtail my activites over the past few years. Last year my heartfailure worsened and I am only able to walk short distances without gettingshort of breath. I am no longer able to go to the grocery store, Walmartor any place that requires walking any distance. I was slowing becomingmore isolated and homebound. Then I found the TravelScoot website. As I said, I have spent lots of time on the internet looking at scooters. They all make lots of claims about ease of use but all require some type ofhoist to get them in/out of vehicles. TravelScoot also makes claims aboutease of use. The difference is the videos on the website showing how easyit really is to use. However, I am a big (not tall) man and was veryconcerned about the TravelScoot being able to handle my weight.

That is where the thanks comes in. I also found yourwebsite and have spent the past week scouring you site and reading lots of theposts. I was reluctant to buy a TravelScoot without actually seeingone. However, it became clear from your website that my concerns were notwarranted. The work you have put into the site and the large amount ofinformation provided has convinced me to buy the TravelScoot. I will becalling them tomorrow and placing my order. I have subscribed to yourblog and look forward to future posting from folks using their TravelScoots. I will let you know when I get it and how it goes. My grandaughterdecided I needed to name it like others on the website so we decided to call it"Mike's Butt Mobile". Thanks again for your efforts

Mike in Texas

Modifying to use a cane

2011-10-20T22:41:00.001-05:00

From Cynth:

I saw the cane post today and thought I would send you my customization. Mynew cane has a bigger tip and it did not fit in the scoots can cup. I had aplastic Easter egg in my drawer that the cane end fit into so I punched twoholes in the bottom of the biggest half of the egg and ran a wire through themthen wired the half an egg on top of the scoots cane holder. Works great. To hold my cane up by the handlebars I use a drawstring.

Lymphedema patients benefit from TravelScoot

2011-10-20T22:33:00.003-05:00

From Dean:

For many of us who suffer from lymphedema walking great distances is a problem when your legs are wrapped or in compression bandages. I tell people frequently that I couldn't do 180,000+ miles/year travel if it wasn't for my TravelScoot but even in my home city, Omaha, it allows me to be mobile. I was at a hospital yesterday receiving massage therapy on my legs and as I left on my scooter I saw an old man with a cane struggling through the hospital and I heard him say "That is what I need". I agree with him but many people are too proud to acknowledge their lack of ability to move around and suffer needlessly when they could be using mobility aids. I think the best thing we can do as happy users is to help spread the word and explain why people should use TravelScoots. I have heard people say cruel things like "It just makes you lazy". If they think that users would use them if there was an alternative, they are crazy. Stroke victims, people recovering from leg surgeries, are all good candidates also.

Adding Extra Padding to the TravelScoot Seat

2011-10-19T22:09:00.002-05:00

The TravelScoot seat, just as it is originally, is a comfortable seat. I've seen it described on the TravelScoot website as being as comfortable as a good dining table chair. I think that's a good analogy. However, if you spend all day getting on and off it, like at Disney World or for a day at the mall, you might wish there was more padding.

Bee and Denise recently shared pictures of their reupholstered TravelScoot seats, and that inspired me and Rhonda to find a place near Baton Rouge to have our seats done too. We can't let Bee and Denise have all the fun!

Our adventure began at the Harley Davidson store which led to a recommendation for this company:

Airline Glass and Upholstery, Inc.

724 North Airline Hwy.

Gonzales, Louisiana 70737

225-647-1040

Two weeks ago we took at trip out to Airline Glass and Upholstery with both our TravelScoot seats. We met with Stephen, whose expertise is recovering motorcycle seats. Both Rhonda and I were quite pleased with how much time he spent explaining our options, and how enthusiastic he was about recovering our seats. He showed us several options for foam and upholstery material. The material was available in an array of bright colors, and he could order just about anything we could imagine. He also said he could do intricate things like embroidering flames on the seat. In the end we went with something more basic, but it's nice to know the sky is the limit as far as creative possibilities go.

Stephen even agreed to take photos for this blog while he was working on the seats. I hope I can do the pictures justice when I explain our options.

Both Rhonda and I have the larger size seat. This is what Rhonda's seat looks like naked, before any new foam is added.

This is Rhonda's seat after adding 3 inches of foam padding. The blue on top is 1 inch memory foam, and costs about $30 a square foot. Stephen said this is the manufacturer's price, not his. The pink foam is a softer foam, and I believe it was between $4 and $6 a square foot.

This is my seat. The original foam on my seat is a different type that what is on Rhonda's. We bought them at different times, so they were probably from different shipments. The blue foam you see on my seat is NOT memory foam, it's just a less expensive foam that's fairly dense. I chose to put it on the bottom and have the softer foam on top. The pink foam is the same as the pink foam on Rhonda's seat.

This is what the finished seat looks like. We both chose the imitation ostrich black vinyl. I went there thinking I'd go with a bright color, but I use my scoot at work and I don't want anyone thinking it's just a toy or convenience. There was also the problem of any other color clashing with the fabric triangle pouch.

The total cost for my seat was $75 and the total cost for Rhonda's seat was $120. He had them finished in one week. The price difference between the seats is that one had memory foam and one did not. The larger seats require about 1 1/2 square foot of foam per layer.

We have each been using our seats for a week now, and we got together today to swap seats and see how they compared. We got Melissa in on it too, because she hadn't tried either seat yet. The general consensus is that Elizabeth's seat is a little softer and Rhonda's seat absorbs impacts a little better. Both seats absorb impacts better than the original seat, and we all judged both seats to be more comfortable that the original seat. We all also liked that the extra padding allowed us to sit up a bit higher.

In the end we each feel like we got the seat that was right for us. If our experiment had failed we would both have gone back to the original seat and been fine with it. It's a good seat too.

If you go to a local auto upholstery stock to see about having your seat redone, keep in mind that if they have to special order the fabric, you're going to pay more for the seat. The place we went carried a nice selection of fabrics, but if we'd wanted purple like Denise got (and don't think it didn't cross my mind!), we would have had to pay postage for the fabric shipment, and any extra cost involved in such a small fabric order. Getting a stock fabric certainly made it come out less expensive in the end.

Carrying a cane with your TravelScoot

2011-10-19T21:35:00.001-05:00

There is a cup near the footrests on the TravelScoot designed to hold a cane or crutches. In the picture above you can see how Rhonda has tricked out her scoot to hold the cane in place near the top of it. That's an elastic headband she's doubled over to make it work. It's decorated with an embroidered button from Karen's Creations.

Below is a close-up. (The dark spots you see on the silver part of the TravelScoot is not rust. It's the residue from a Velcro experiment gone bad. It's a sticky mess but can be removed.)

An Office Depot Adventure

2011-10-19T21:21:00.004-05:00

Today Rhonda, Melissa and I got together at Target to test out mine and Rhonda's newly reupholstered seats. (We'll get to that topic soon.) While we were there Rhonda showed us the new shopping cart she'd gotten. Melissa took it for a test spin and gave it good reviews. Rhonda also told us there was an even larger size available, and of course we had to leave Target and scoot to Office Depot (three parking lots away!) to check it out. I'm so glad we did because that gave us a chance to meet Michael, who not only showed us where the larger cart was located, but put one together for us so we could try it out.

This is Michael, an employee of the Office Depot on Millerville in Baton Rouge,

posing for us. He was thrilled to hear he was going to be featured in our blog post.
I love his "Office Depot goes Broadway" pose!

This is Rhonda, posing with both sizes of the cart. We both thought the large

one was too unwieldy, but it might work great for a taller person with longer

arms. The small cart is about $20 and holds 60 lbs. The large cart is about $40

and holds 80 lbs. You can see them on the Office Depot site here and here.

Shopping with a rolling cart

2011-10-19T21:08:00.001-05:00

This is Rhonda's new shopping cart. It came from Office Depot, and costs about $20. According to the manufacturer it can hold 60 lbs. You can see it on Office Depot's website here.

This is Melissa, shopping in Target with Rhonda's new cart. She said it worked well for her. Rhonda said to let you all know that it folds up and stores easily in her vehicle.

Peter's New Hat

2011-10-13T16:07:00.000-05:00

From Peter:

Here is a picture of my new cap. Which I had made up for me. In about 2 weeks time I will be taking my TraveScoot on a boat Cruise for 16 days on the Sun Princess to New Zealand.

Welcome to Jugana from Croatia

2011-10-11T23:02:00.000-05:00

Jugana is a brand new TravelScoot owner with a question.

I found very useful info about CrampBuster on your blog. As I am disabled and have weakness in my hands too it's very hard for me to pull the brake levers. It's not a problem when driving on even grounds as the drive is mostly defensive, but as my hometown is all in hills, it's very hard for me to go downhill as brakes should be applied for a longer time.

Maybe you or some of your friends could have a suggestion what to do. To your knowledge, is there something like CrampBuster for brakes too?

If you have a suggestion for Jugana, post it in the comments or email it to me, elizabeth@ifisher.com.

If you'd like to see Jugana's blog about travelling with a disability, visit http://handinhappy.blogspot.com/.

TravelScootin' Boston?

2011-10-11T22:11:00.005-05:00

This post is a request from Anne:

Any TravelScoot-ers in the Boston area?

Will be there and free during the day on Monday and Tuesday next week (October 17th and 18th). If the weather is good might want to scoot the Freedom Trail, would love company for that or just to say hi to fellow/sister TravelScoot-ers.

Please email me at sunflower dot coach at gmail dot com.

Denise's Purple Seat

2011-09-22T00:15:00.003-05:00

From Denise:

Hi Elizabeth, here are the pictures I promised. I chose not to have extra padding installed in mine. I had it recovered because the stapled banding was coming undone. The auto upholstery shop did a much better job in this area and it is tightly stitched and secured to the bottom frame.

Thanks for sharing these with us. I LOVE the color!

Scooter gang of Vuosaari

2011-09-22T00:11:00.001-05:00

From Elford in Helsinki, Finland:

Chris has a new Travelscoot now which we received from Munich. We have a lot of fun patrolling the neighborhood together. Occasionally we scoot down to the beach and have coffee at a small restaurant there. When we were going up hill, Chris would pass me up. I couldn`t figure why. I thought it was our weight difference. Then I decided to trade batteries without her knowing it. When we went for a ride next she complained that her scooter was a little slower than mine. I told her what I had done. My batteries are over two years old now and hers are brand new. Anyway, when we go out now we both use her new batteries or we both use the old batteries. Then we we go at the same speed.

Welcome Chris! It's good to see you and Elford enjoying your TravelScoots together. My two regular size lithium ion batteries are around the same age as yours and even at my much higher weight I'm still getting great service from them.

Plumping up the padding

2011-09-19T16:45:00.001-05:00

This came today from Bee, one of my favorite TravelScooters. She and her wonderful hubby Sarge have had their Scoots for several years.

Hi Elizabeth! Well I got our seats recovered today and they sit really good now, very comfortable. Not fancy, in fact they look almost the same but the leather is nice and the padding is much better. The cost was $35.oo each. Money well spent if you ask me! It was an auto upholstery shop. It took two hours, we left the seats only and did some errands where walking wasn't too bad and went back for them. They used the existing seat as it was and put additional foam on top and then recovered them. I just told them to make them comfortable and to use black. I'm really happy with them and of course we don't use the backs on our scooters so didn't do those.

An addition to our Rogues' Gallery

2011-09-18T23:38:00.003-05:00

Please welcome new TravelScooter Frank! He's sent me a few pictures for our "Rogues' Gallery." These are taken in Cetteviccia (Italy), Santorini (Greece) and the last two were taken in Mykonos.

Having a backup TravelScoot

2011-08-26T17:11:00.001-05:00

My TravelScoot is 2 1/2 years old and I use it almost every day -- for work, shopping, and everything in between. I even ride it into the gym four times a week to workout in the pool. With experience, I've become a more skilled user. I (almost always) am a good judge of what spaces I can get through and how I need to maneuver to get there, and in 2 1/2 years my husband (the "scooter wrangler") and I have dealt with routine maintenance issues and learned a great deal about how the TravelScoot works. Knowing how much my mobility is limited without my TravelScoot we'd been talking for several months about buying a second one to have as a backup. A broken weld a few weeks ago put my scoot temporarily out of commission. Melissa loaned me her scoot for several days and we took that opportunity to order a backup. We also boxed my original scoot and mailed it to Tony for repairs. It came back to me in tip-top shape and he'd even replaced my broken original bell. (I love that little red bell and it was my fault the original one bit the dust.) Now I have peace of mind that if I need it, I have a backup scooter ready to go immediately.

TravelScoot maintenance: Cleaning the fabric triangle

2011-08-02T18:09:00.000-05:00

The TravelScoot comes with a fabric caddy that attaches with Velcro between the main frame. A few weeks ago something I was carrying leaked and I ended up with a huge stain on mine. I really didn't know if I could get it out or not. It turned out to be super easy to make it look like new again. We detached the fabric triangle from the scoot and I put it in the kitchen sink. I used a scrubbing sponge and some Dawn dishwashing liquid and it took the stain out immediately. When I was finished rinsing it I dried it with a towel and it was soon dry enough to put back on the scoot.

A hard case for the TravelScoot

2011-07-23T22:01:00.001-05:00

Dona asked if there was a bag for the TravelScoot with wheels attached to it. She wants to use it so she can check her scoot with her luggage at the airport. Luckily Glen has already solved this problem for us. Glen says he uses an SKB-4814W Golf case, which costs about $150.

I searched Amazon and found the picture above. To see if for yourself, click here.

Checking Your TravelScoot at the Airport

2011-07-11T18:48:00.009-05:00

A question from Dona

I recently traveled with my scooter. I sent it with the luggage in the bag provided when it was delivered. I was wondering if there is a bag for it with wheels attached. It would be so much easier to take it if it had been a wheeled bag. Do you know of one of these?? Otherwise it was great to check it thru to my destination.

I sent Dona an email suggesting a golf bag with wheels. Does anyone have a suggestion or experience with this? If so, you can post it in the comments or email it to me, elizabeth@ifisher.com.

Daniel in London

2011-07-10T19:09:00.003-05:00

This is Daniel, from London. What a beautiful place for a TravelScoot adventure!

Rhonda's Tiger Adventure

2011-07-10T19:06:00.004-05:00

This is Rhonda, having a Tiger adventure at the Houston Aquarium

Questions from a New TravelScoot Owner

2011-06-30T22:20:00.002-05:00

Hi Elizabeth,

Well, I’ve had my Travelscoot for a couple of weeks…. It hasn’t changed my life yet… but I’m working on it! How long did it take you to get good at folding and unfolding? I’m still struggling but it’s slowly getting better. I haven’t wanted to go out in the heat and humidity but my first trip was an indoor shopping mall that I had not been to before. That was fun! I just zipped up and down the whole thing.

But I wasn’t shopping. I was just checking out the mall. How the heck do you go shopping with it? My next trip was to a crowded store with narrow aisles. Today was my third trip. The store wasn’t crowded but more narrow aisles. Both times I carried one of those small baskets in one hand but that’s tiring and it keeps getting gin the way. Any suggestions? I paged through the blog posts but didn’t see anything like that.

Thanks for any tips you may have. Will you be going to the convention this year? I plan on it. Should be a lot easier with the scooter. Last time I went, I hurt all weekend just from walking the halls.

JeanMarie

Hi JeanMarie,

Congratulations on getting your TravelScoot! I wish we lived in the same city so I could show you how I shop with mine. But first questions first... It took me a few weeks to be really good at folding and unfolding it. I did that with mine for about a year, and then I switched vehicles with my husband and now I just load my fully assembled into the back of our van. Since I use mine every day it makes it a lot easier.

I remember the first time I went to the mall by myself and I enjoyed zipping up and down the whole thing too. If there are people around I do slow down to their speed, but when no one is near I speed it up.

How the heck do I shop with it? It depends on what kind of store I'm in, but most often I use a tote bag that I hang on the handlebars. I highly recommend that you go to http://think-king.com/ and buy the mighty buggy hook and the cup holder. The cup holder works great for carrying a drink around, OR you can put glasses, camera, and anything else you can think of. I put the hook at the very top of the front steering column, right under the handlebars. I hook my car keys on it, or you can hook a shopping bag on it too. They also have a new product called a jumbo swirly hook. I haven't tried that one yet.

You can also put items in the fabric triangle. Sometimes I use a bicycle basket I attach to the front of my scoot, but that keeps me from being able to pull up to things as close as I'd like to.

Anyway, the tote bag I use is the size of the reusable bags you can get at Target or Walmart for around 99 cents. It works really well for me. I also manage to pull a cart around the grocery store if I need to do big grocery shopping. That's not as easy, but I often will leave the cart at the end of the aisle and just zip down the aisle to get what I need. When I get to the checkout I stand up to unload the buggy. This isn't shopping, but I also used to pull my mother around in her wheelchair at her nursing home. I'd get right up beside her and put my left hand on her right arm rest and off we'd go. It was a lot of fun.

To really make the TravelScoot work for me I had to take on a problem-solving attitude. Two years later and I can say that when I'm using my scoot it feels like an extension of my body. I can turn it tight, I can go anywhere with it that my hips fit. We've folded it up and put it under a chair in a bar (to get it out of the way), and I've had three fully assembled ones in the back of my van.

Enjoy your scooting!

Elizabeth

TravelScoot and Hope -- Jen's Adventures

2011-06-30T22:14:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth,

A beautiful Monday to you! I've already started my adventures! My best friend and I went to the mall, lunch and more malls- a perfect girls day out! There's no way I could have done it without my Travelscoot.

I was surprised that I could carry it down the stairs- it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I put the seat pieces and battery in a backpack and carried the frame in my hands. I didn't know that it locked shut- that was a huge blessing! I could hold it however I needed to in order to get down the three floors to the car.

The 'cub' battery lasted the entire day and never showed a low signal. It took about a minute to get set up and going. Not bad for a first time! I'm sure I'll get faster as I get used to it. I loved how I could back up and reposition myself without having a loud 'Beep Beep!' accompanying my movements. I'm big enough- I don't want to beep too!

I opened up the throttle to full just to test it out- my friend had to run to keep up with me. The Travelscoot really moves! We had a good laugh over how I'm going to be her trainer now- like in the Rocky movies. She can shut me up if she can catch me on my Scoot!

The only thing that didn't work for me was the seat. I had too much pressure but I also have bad posture and trunkal weakness from my illness so that's to be expected. Hubby is a mechanic so we're going to see if we can fit a special seat on Scoot for me so I don't develop a sore. I took a page from the blog and removed the seat back and that helped get my sitz bones more supported.

I got to shop (found a great formal dress for twelve dollars!), go out to eat and just enjoy being outside. I never thought I would be able to do those things again. The lines no longer mattered because I wasn't in pain. I wasn't afraid that I would fall in public and be embarrassed or even worse- be hurt! It was wonderful!

All that's left to do is to name my Travelscoot. We're using 'Scoots' right now- but that will change. I was thinking of naming her 'Giddy' because that's how she makes me feel. She also gives me my 'giddy-up'.

Thank you again so much for your blog- I never would have thought it was worth it till I read all these adventures!

-Jen

Linda's Blog

2011-06-05T19:36:00.000-05:00

Linda has written a great post on her blog about her new TravelScoot. If you missed her post in the comment section, click the link below to view her post.

http://www.sandsys.org/wordpress/2011/06/getting-healthy-mobility/

Linda's First Adventure

2011-06-02T12:51:00.000-05:00

Linda said:

So glad to have you back. You disappeared just as I found you.

I rode my scoot into a store for the first time yesterday. It was a Segway and motorbike shop and the owner was fascinated by the scoot. He's going to look into carrying it as a product. How's that for my first official outing on my scoot? :)

Congratulations on your first adventure! My first outing in a store was at a drugstore. It was so nice to be able to stop and look at everything I wanted to see, without looking for a place to sit and take a break. Keep us posted, and we'd love to see a photo of a future adventure. It doesn't matter if it's to the Grand Canyon or a zippy trip around your block. I get so many letters from folks who come here and are ecstatic to see all the fun things we're doing with our TravelScoots.

Back in the saddle again...

2011-06-01T14:04:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

A few weeks ago I had open-heart surgery to remove a tumor (left atrial myxoma) the size of a golf ball from my heart. The tumor was benign and my recovery is going very well. My first TravelScoot ride after surgery was the day I was released from the hospital when I rode my scoot instead of using a wheelchair to leave the hospital. My legs felt like lead, but I was able to lift them up onto the foot rests and steer myself out of there.

While I'm recovering, I'm moving pretty slowly, so it's also great to be able to get on my scoot and zip around to get to my medical appointments and do some shopping. Alan and I were at the hospital Monday morning and in between appointments we got some breakfast in the cafeteria. On the way to a table I passed a man who had a scooter with him, but he couldn't take his eyes off mine. We struck up a conversation and his most important question was if he could use it at the airport and take it on a plane. He was delighted to find out he could. (Read more about it here, http://mytravelscoot.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-and-easier-way-of-airline-travel.html ) I was happy I had some TravelScoot cards with me.

Several of you have sent me emails with questions and things to post. I'll get to them as quick as I can. If you have an adventure you'd like to share with everyone, send it to me via email, elizabeth@ifisher.com .

Speeding Up and Slowing Down

2011-04-10T00:04:00.000-05:00

So the other day I took a little ride around the parking lot at work to enjoy the sunshine and feel the wind in my hair. When I got back to my desk THIS sticky note was on my computer monitor. I was busted by my coworkers -- for speeding on a TravelScoot!

I still haven't paid the "fine" (or suffered any consequences) but I am slowing down my life for awhile to take care of a health issue. I'll be having surgery in a few weeks and will be recovering after that, so please be patient if my posts are few and far between during this time.

If you're new here and considering a TravelScoot, please take time to read through previous posts. So many have shared their experiences and adventures.

If you have something you'd like to share, please send it to me at elizabeth@ifisher.com. It might take me awhile to post it, but nothing puts a smile on my face like hearing from someone who is able to get out and do things that they couldn't do before they had their scoot.

Happy trails!

Dona in Florida

2011-03-21T13:48:00.000-05:00

Hi Elizabeth,

This is a picture of my scooter. My brother got it for me for Christmas. I love it. I live in Florida and do ride it a lot for shopping etc. I keep it in the trunk of my car. I live in a large condo complex that I can ride it around here too. I'm going to Seattle to a wedding for my grandson in July and I am going to take it with me.

Enjoy your emails.

Dona

Dona, welcome and thank you so much for sending in pictures! Before you fly to Seattle be sure you review Hardy Huber's airline travel instructions. --Elizabeth

Cynthia's Recommendation for a Nice TravelScoot Tool Pouch

2011-03-21T00:23:00.000-05:00

From Cynthia (an avid TravelScoot fan who does not work for WheelChairGear OR the company that makes these products):

For those of us who have older TravelScoots and need a place to carry the tools this little Day Cruiser Mini Pack does the job nicely!

You can get them from http://www.wheelchairgear.com/ . The Day Cruiser Mini Pack is $19.95 USD, and the No-Slip Grip-Clip is $9.95 USD.

Here are various pictures of it so you get an idea of how you might use one to carry your TS tools or emergency what not.

I also love the No-Slip Grip-Clips from WheelChairGear too. I am using one of them in all of the photos below to clip the Mini Pack too.

View of No-Slip Grip-Clip and Mini Pack ring

Vertical under seat hanging with No-Slip Grip-Clip

Horizontal under the seat with No-Slip Grip-Clip and the Mini Packs Velcro straps

Back side of the Mini Pack

Under the seat with seat attached

How Peter Added a Flag

2011-03-21T00:16:00.000-05:00

From Peter:

Here is a picture of my Scoot. I have fitted a flag as you can see. Also in the picture is a large luggage carrier folded up which I can use if I was to pack the scoot inside it's canvas bag.

With the flag I removed the little cap on the back of the back rest, and then I pushed some heavy foam down the tube, about 6 inches down then I pushed the flag pole down, and it stays there. The large black wheels are a part of a luggage carrier which is handy to have if you want to pack your Scoot in to it's canvas bag, then you can push or pull the Scoot onto trains ,busses, etc.

TravelScoots Meet at Sea

2011-03-20T00:21:00.000-05:00

Denise and Marlee, onboard the Grand Princess

Hi Elizabeth, I met Marlee through your great blog about a year ago and we discovered about a month ago that we were booked on the same Princess cruise. Here are a few pics of us and our scoots meeting up onboard the Grand Princess. Both Marlee and I were great "sales" representatives for Travelscoot and I handed out many of their business cards and gave more then a few demos. Being that it was a 14 day cruise lots of mature cruisers on board LOL.

Denise

TravelScooting in St. Kitts

2011-03-20T00:15:00.000-05:00

This photo is of Denise, and was taken recently in St. Kitts in the gardens at Caribelle Batik on Romney Manor on property that was once owned by Samuel Jefferson, the great great great grandfather of Thomas Jefferson.

The Krewe of Peggy, a Mardi Gras Adventure!

2011-03-10T22:34:00.000-06:00

This adventure began with a broken seat on 2/24/2011, the Thursday before the first big weekend of Carnival Parades in New Orleans, leading up to the big day, Mardi Gras. I called Tony with my crisis. I think it took him a few minutes to realize it was a crisis. He suggested seeing if I could get someone to fix it. My brother, Bobby, came to the rescue. He had a piece of pipe, a flange, and the equipment to make it work. He was able to cut the pipe, file it because it was a little big, tread it so he could put it into the flange and then bolt that to the aluminum plate under the seat.

Thank goodness. I use my scooter daily as a teacher of high school students with autism. We take them in community to learn how to make purchases and explore potential jobs. The scooter allows me to go everywhere.

Since Bobby got my temporary (now backup) seat to work, I was able to e-mail Tony, order a new seat and have it shipped. It would come in the Friday before the next big weekend of parades. This was important because I needed to be able to put the seat back on. With Bobby’s rig, the seat didn’t snap into place. I needed to be able to put a flag on the seat back so that people could see me better when I was riding in the street. New Orleans sidewalks are terrible, courtesy of all of the large live oak trees. In the street I might have to dodge pot holes but didn’t have all the breaks as in the side walk.

The weather was beautiful today and we didn’t need to bring the ice chest. You can see I was loaded down. We were a comical site with me in the lead, Anne following, and then Diane bringing up the rear. Anne is a resident of Poydras Home which is on the parade route. They have a BBQ for the residents and their families on Sunday. I brought my friend Sandy to push Anne’s chair, Diane and her mother Carole came along too. Anne knew all of these people and enjoyed sharing her “home” with us. We were just glad of the most precious commodity at parades, a BATHROOM! We also enjoyed spending time with Anne.

I hope you enjoy the pictures.

Peggy

Reinforced Yoke

2011-03-10T22:24:00.000-06:00

If you're not already a TravelScoot owner, just ignore this potentially confusing picture and move on to the next post. It's about Mardi Gras and wouldn't you rather be reading about TravelScooting to a parade than trying to figure out if that plant in the background is holding something up?

This is a the yoke of the TravelScoot. The silver part sticking up in the middle is where the seat attaches. The curved parts fit on either side of the battery. Dean sent this in, so we could see what the new reinforcements look like on the yoke. Thanks, Dean!

An Angel on Wheels

2011-03-10T22:09:00.000-06:00

Rhonda relayed this story to me earlier today, and I don't know if I can do it true justice (or convey her sense of enthusiasm!), but I'll bet that some of you out there have had similar experiences where you just happened to be in exactly the right place at the right time.

Last week Rhonda's mom was visiting, and Rhonda and her mom set out to do a whirlwind of shopping -- two big malls, several department stores, a few Walmarts, and I'm sure there was at least one visit to Target. In the parking lot at Burlington Coat Factory, a man came hurrying toward her, cane in hand, wanting to know more about her TravelScoot. After you've had a TravelScoot for awhile you get where you can tell who is serious, and who just wants one for fun. It was obvious this man had been searching for the perfect scooter and knew it when he saw it. It was pure chance that put them in this parking lot in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the same moment because this wasn't a store Rhonda went to often, and the man and his wife were from Mississippi and just happened to be in town that day.

Rhonda gave the man one of Tony's cards and answered his questions. She also gave him her phone number, just in case. The man has a medical issue that's progressively worsening, causing him to need help walking distances. He needed a scooter small enough to fit in the trunk of his sedan. It also needed to be lightweight enough for him and his wife to handle.

Over the weekend Rhonda heard from the man. He'd called Tony and ordered a TravelScoot, a lithium ion battery, and an SLA battery. He said he told Tony that he had met Rhonda, and called her "An Angel on Wheels."

I had a tear in my eye by the time Rhonda finished the story, because I know what it's like to be that man, searching for something you're not even sure exists and all the sudden it's right in front of you. That's how I felt late one night when I was searching the internet and happened upon the TravelScoot site.

Rhonda shared one of her favorite moments when she first rode her scoot, feeling the wind blowing her hair. He couldn't exactly identify with that (given his lack of hair), but said he was looking forward to feeling the wind on his face.

TravelScooting in Ireland

2011-03-10T21:05:00.000-06:00

Robyn has a question about using a TravelScoot in Ireland. She writes...

"Has anyone traveled to Ireland on a coach tour and taken their Travelscoot? I am not getting very friendly reception from the tour groups when I ask about using a Travelscoot. Have any readers used one traveling in Ireland?"

TravelScooting at 60

2011-03-03T14:01:00.000-06:00

Dean Hughson was recently honored for his upcoming 60th birthday by his company, Henningsen Foods in the Japanese traditional way. He was given a vest and hat which signify that he has been through 12 Zodiac cycles and has now gained wisdom. In Japan, all workers who reach the age of 60 have a ceremony where they break open a keg of sake (Japanese rice wine) and are honored for the day. Dean's company is part of Kewpie Corporation which is the largest mayonnaise and egg products company in Japan with annual sales of $5 billion US dollars and has over 5000 employees. Dean was born in Dr. Goldberg's office in downtown Braymer Missouri April 30, 1951.

Happy 60th Birthday, Dean!

An Adventure from Vicki in New Zealand

2011-03-01T22:51:00.000-06:00

Dear Elizabeth,

I love your blog and look forward to getting all the notifications of news.

I have just come back from a Mobility Scooter Rally organised by the Hastings, Napier and Flaxmere Age Concerns.

Our scooters were all taken this morning early to Napier,(the Art Deco city of the world) which is in Hawke’s Bay on the eastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Last year there were over twenty of us but there were not so many this year. All the scooters are the big four wheelers, so I lent mine to someone else and decided to take my Travelscoot. It behaved like an angel. Many people enquired about it. We travelled on the Rotary footpath with the sea and the wide sweep of the Bay on our left. The weather was perfect and when we got to the finish we had a sausage sizzle. (sort of a hot dog but the dog is much bigger and more tomato or brown sauce than a hot mustard; wrapped in a slice of bread not a roll)

You may notice I have a Peterborough basket on my scoot. It is very handy and I got all the idea and info from you !!!

One thing though, is there any advice on how to pack the Travelscoot into the bag ? I get in a terrible muddle.

I will get back to you if I have any more adventures.

All the best,

Vicki
Hawke’s Bay.
New Zealand

Jen's FIRST Adventure!

2011-03-01T22:37:00.000-06:00

From Jen

I've already started my adventures! My best friend and I went to the mall, lunch and more malls- a perfect girls day out! There's no way I could have done it without my Travelscoot.

I was surprised that I could carry it down the stairs- it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I put the seat pieces and battery in a backpack and carried the frame in my hands. I didn't know that it locked shut- that was a huge blessing! I could hold it however I needed to in order to get down the three floors to the car.

The 'cub' battery lasted the entire day and never showed a low signal. It took about a minute to get set up and going. Not bad for a first time! I'm sure I'll get faster as I get used to it. I loved how I could back up and reposition myself without having a loud 'Beep Beep!' accompanying my movements. I'm big enough- I don't want to beep too!

I opened up the throttle to full just to test it out- my friend had to run to keep up with me. The Travelscoot really moves! We had a good laugh over how I'm going to be her trainer now- like in the Rocky movies. She can shut me up if she can catch me on my Scoot!

The only thing that didn't work for me was the seat. I had too much pressure but I also have bad posture and trunkal weakness from my illness so that's to be expected. Hubby is a mechanic so we're going to see if we can fit a special seat on Scoot for me so I don't develop a sore. I took a page from the blog and removed the seat back and that helped get my sitz bones more supported.

I got to shop (found a great formal dress for twelve dollars!), go out to eat and just enjoy being outside. I never thought I would be able to do those things again. The lines no longer mattered because I wasn't in pain. I wasn't afraid that I would fall in public and be embarrassed or even worse- be hurt! It was wonderful!

All that's left to do is to name my Travelscoot. We're using 'Scoots' right now- but that will change. I was thinking of naming her 'Giddy' because that's how she makes me feel. She also gives me my 'giddy-up'.

Thank you again so much for your blog- I never would have thought it was worth it till I read all these adventures!

-Jen

From Peter in Australia

2011-03-01T22:29:00.000-06:00

Elizabeth, thank you for sending me your Blog. My name is Peter I am a 83 year old man and I live in Australia . I only bought my TravelScoot about one month ago and I love it.

Welcome, Peter, and thank you for the flowers. Happy scooting!

Cold Weather TravelScooting

2011-02-20T23:20:00.000-06:00

Dean sent this in on February 9th. I'm a little behind on blog posts! -- Elizabeth

I have been learning things about living in cold weather. Since I am on a project that keeps me in Omaha (and my wife is in Phoenix) this week it got down to minus 8 degrees F. I learned that lithium batteries have perhaps 1/2 of their power in that cold of weather. My scooter functions wells but the aluminum body 'creaks' as does my own body in the cold weather..ha ha....

Dean, on his experiment of living with a TravelScoot and traveling worldwide

Travelscoot and HOPE!

2011-02-20T23:12:00.000-06:00

I received the following email from a blog reader. I hope we hear about MANY future TravelScoot adventures from her.

Thank you so much for making your blog.

I've been getting sicker these last five years- can't really walk anywhere anymore. I used those scooters at walmart and target, but they were heavy, loud and always ran down. I thought- this is mobility? We also live on the third floor of an apartment building- so lugging a 500lb scooter upstairs to charge it wouldn't work. I felt so trapped and alone.

Then I found the travelscoot and then your blog. I see pictures of people having FUN! They're outside! They're not alone! I cried because now I know I can have that too- I can have a life again. I could go for a walk with my Hubby like we used to. I could even go on a cruise! Imagine- me who only leaves the house for two hours a week- a CRUISE!

I'm excited again- to live and get out there! I hope to send you lots of pictures of me outside - spending time with my loved ones again. I might even get to the grocery store on my own!

You've given me a great gift- thank you so very very much.

Sincerely,

Jen

Race for the Cure TravelScoot Adventure

2011-02-20T22:52:00.000-06:00

This is Dave, Rhonda and Mark, who completed the Race for the Cure in Baton Rouge on Saturday. Rhonda said no one even gave her a second thought.

Have you done a similar event on your TravelScoot? Send me a picture (if you have it) and details to elizabeth@ifisher.com and I'll post about it here.

TravelScooting in a Race for the Cure

2011-02-10T10:11:00.000-06:00

I received an email from a fellow TravelScooter who wants to participate with her son in a "Race for the Cure" event. She contacted the organizers and they told her that they will allow strollers and wheelchairs, but nothing with an electric motor, meaning she cannot use her TravelScoot.

Does anyone have advice or experience with this? I suggested she contact a national representative.

Follow up: This problem was resolved, and I'll show you the results in another post!

My wife is thinking of buying a TravelScoot

2011-01-19T16:09:00.000-06:00

David M asks:

Q. My wife is thinking of buying a TravelScoot. She tried one out which had a 150 watt Lithium-ion battery, which seemed underpowered except on flat ground. What motor & gearing options are available, and what would you recommend for a 70Kg person who wants to use it on undulating ground?

A. David, my best suggestion is to contact the experts at TravelScoot with your questions. Their website is at http://www.travelscoot.com/. If you're not in the United States there are links there to locations in the European Union, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.

The specifications for the TravelScoot in the U.S. are at http://travelscoot.com/specifications.htm. There you'll see that the lithium ion battery is 24V, 9.6Ah and the motor specification is 24V, 150 or 200 Watt DC with integrated controller.

70Kg is the equivalent of 154 lbs., and at that size your wife should be in great shape on any available configuration. The TravelScoot is at its best on flat surfaces, but it works well on many inclines too. For someone your wife's size she shouldn't have any problems at all on almost any incline. The tips that I suggest to help with performance on inclines are: 1) approach the incline head on; 2) Start the incline going as fast as you reasonably can; 3) Lean slightly forward on the incline and it will change your center of gravity, improving performance.

I hope if you haven't already that you'll take some time to read through my blog. You'll see people all shapes and sizes successfully navigating with their TravelScoots. My scoot has opened up the world to me. In the past 2 years in addition to using mine almost every day (including at work), I've been to Washington D.C., San Francisco, and Hawaii. I ride it to the door of the plane and they store it with the baby strollers and deliver it back to me when we land. I've folded it up and carried it in car trunks, loaded it fully assembled into my van, I've even stashed it under my seat at a bar for a surprise party. I didn't miss out on seeing the zoo with my great nieces and nephews, and I got to be there when my younger sister was recognized for donating a kidney to my older sister. I can shop the mall, do my own grocery shopping, run my own errands, and because it only weighs 35 lbs. (including the battery), I can lift it in and out of my van without assistance.

Has anyone seen my hinge bolt?

2011-01-19T14:35:00.000-06:00

From Elford

On my last ride on my Travelscoot, I lost my hinge bolt. I didn`t realize it until I tried to fold it up and put it into the trunk of the car. I sent an e-mail to Hardy and he sent me another one immediately. So from now on I wiil check the bolt for tightness so I won`t lose it again. Enjoy reading about your cruises with Travelscoot.

Elford lives in Helsinki and has had his TravelScoot for almost 2 years. He's sent in many wonderful posts and pictures of his adventures. If you'd like to read them, click the link below.

http://mytravelscoot.blogspot.com/search?q=elford

Changing the TravelScoot Belt

2010-12-27T18:20:00.000-06:00

Changing the TravelScoot Belt
	As part of preventive maintenance we decided to change the belt on my TravelScoot. Melissa came so she could help and learn more about how to perform maintenance on her own scoot. In this picture Alan is reading the belt change instructions. Click any picture to see a larger version


	This is the hex tool that came with the scoot.

	Alan and Melissa decided the wheel needed to be propped up, so they turned the seat upside down and propped it on the u-bar part of the yoke.

	Melissa is rolling the old belt off.

	Tada!

	Now they're working together (each with a hex tool) to get the wheel off.

	There was some cursing involved because they were having a hard time getting the wheel loose.




	Alan went and got the big guns -- his ratchet set.


	Success!
	Now Melissa is rolling the new belt on.
	Alan is putting the pin back that holds the wheel on.

	There's that ratchet again.



	All done!

TravelScoot in a Tokyo Taxi

2010-12-27T17:39:00.000-06:00

My TravelScoot fits in a Tokyo taxi. Yesterday it experienced an earthquake and no damage. On to Hong Kong.

Dean

Dean Rescued in Hong Kong by Nat of Rugged Tree

2010-12-27T17:30:00.000-06:00

Recommending Nat if you're in Asia

I'm not sure why Dean has so many belt problems. I've had my scoot for almost 2 years and have never had a belt break. --Elizabeth

I have learned a few things about TravelScoots having taken mine around the world numerous times this year and one of them is watch the inclines you try and take them up. In front of the Intercontinental Hotel in Hong Kong, the hill is a killer. Today I was at a store at Harbor Centre and I noticed the 'click' which signals your belt is slipping. That is the kiss of death for the TravelScoot because it means you are about to lose your belt. When I changed hotels to the other Intercontinental, the belt stretched and it was over. Luckily I had one more belt (2nd one I've changed in 7 days) but I was now without any backup belts. I went to http://www.travelscoot.com/ and learned that they have an agent in Singapore so emailed Nat at http://theruggedtree.com/ and told him of my plight. He doesn't take credit cards but we figured out we can do it via paypal (http://www.paypal.com/) so he went to the postoffice and express mailed it to me.

For those of us who depend on their TravelScoots being without it would be a disaster. It should arrive in 2 days and I'll feel relieved. Anyway, I would like to recommend Nat as a good person to know if you travel in Asia and especially Singapore. He is my 'angel' this week. I will continue running around Hong Kong secure in the knowledge that I have another belt if this one breaks.

Dean
http://www.eggman.cc/

Beautiful Views in Kauai

2010-12-16T15:35:00.000-06:00

Everywhere we went in Kauai there was another beautiful view. Some are natural beauty and others are manicured into perfection. In the last picture I couldn't resist capturing Melissa and Greg sharing a moment while we waiting for it to stop raining.

Rental van holds all our luggage and two fully assembled TravelScoots

2010-12-14T18:00:00.000-06:00

	The lobby at the Kauai Beach Resort. It was breezy, cool, and tropical.
	We rented a Chrysler Town and Country. All our luggage and two fully assembled TravelScoots fit in the back.
	It was about 25 miles from the Kauai Beach Resort to the Princeville Westin. This was one of the random pictures I took through the van window on the trip.
	We're home! (For a week at least.) This is the main building for the Princeville Westin. This picture was taken from the TravelScoot vantage point.

Morning at the Kauai Beach Resort

2010-12-13T18:15:00.000-06:00

	Sunrise at the Kauai Beach Resort.
	I call this one 'Breakfast with Birds'. If you look closely you'll see three birds in the picture. This was taken in the resort restaurant, which is also open to the outside, and visits from birds!

	I felt like a kid riding my scoot under this!

Kauai Beach Resort

2010-12-13T18:00:00.000-06:00

This is the Kauai Beach Resort where we stayed the first night. It was very close to the airport and since we got in so late and had traveled for so long, we really just wanted to get settled in for the night. The next morning, while Melissa and Alan went to get our rental car, I explored all the paths around the resort. I was also able to go out pretty close to the water. I just love hearing the sound of waves crashing to shore. I wish I could have frozen that moment in time -- it was bliss.

The Lihue Airport

2010-12-13T14:50:00.000-06:00

This was taken shortly after we landed at the Lihue airport in Kauai, Hawaii. From left to right it's me, Alan, Melissa, and Greg. Our TravelScoots came through the trip just fine. That pink and white bag on the front of mine has my new iPad in it. I'm very pleased with how useful it was on the trip. We were all able to check our email and research things to do on the island.

Keeping It Dry

2010-12-12T22:06:00.000-06:00

It rained frequently and usually without warning while we were in Hawaii, so when I'd get in the pool I'd put this ziplock bag over the throttle and other electronic parts of my scoot. I zipped it closed as much as I could and it worked really well. These were usually very light rains that lasted for a minute or two. Anything more and me and my scoot would have been headed for cover.

Audubon Zoo in New Orleans

2010-12-12T21:54:00.000-06:00

My Uncle Ken and my brother-in-law Jimmy, trying out the TravelScoots at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans. We were there for the Tulane Transplant Picnic, a celebration for organ donors and recipients. They said they had a blast riding through the zoo and that people were asking them where they got their scoots!

TravelScoot in a VW Beetle

2010-12-12T21:49:00.000-06:00

This is my TravelScoot in a 2004 VW Beetle.

Dean (in Arizona this holiday)

Thankful for TravelScoots

2010-12-12T21:35:00.000-06:00

(Sorry for the delay in posting. I'm working on getting caught up from my trip to Hawaii!)

Dean's Thanksgiving

I am flying back to Phoenix and will be gathering with my wife and children and sole grandchild, 14 month old Raya. To make it easier for my kids, who are staying at my ex-wife's house, I have taken a suite at a nice resort in Scottsdale and will be using my TravelScoot to run around the resort and go to the feast that the hotel puts on. I leave then on Saturday to fly to Japan and China again (5th time I think this year). I hope everyone haves a great Thanksgiving and remembers all we have to be thankful for, including the TravelScoots that free us.

Dean

Happy in Hawaii

2010-12-08T10:43:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! I haven't been posting because I've been in Hawaii celebrating my 50th birthday. This photo of me and Alan was taken on the island of Kauai. The views there were just incredible.

We flew American Airlines from Baton Rouge to Dallas, then to Los Angeles, and from there to Lihue. Our friends Melissa and Greg were with us. Melissa is a new TravelScoot owner but has borrowed one for previous trips. We quickly established a routine for the flights. Going through security in Baton Rouge and then in Lihue for the return trip were almost identical experiences. We rode our scoots through the security line then got off to walk through the scanner. They pulled the scoots through an adjacent gate, swabbed them and gave them back to us. Melissa had one regular lithium ion battery and I had two. If you are asked what kind of battery it is, my experience has been that what they want to know is that it's non-spillable.

At the gate we went to the agent to get gate check tags for our TravelScoots. These tags seem to be a little different at each airport. Sometimes we get a receipt and sometimes we don't. We were able to preboard on each flight. We rode our scoots to the door of the plane. As soon as I stopped Alan took off the lithium ion batteries and put them in his carry on to take on the plane. I took care of lowering the handlebars all the way down, then detaching the handles and covering them with the protective cover.

To see what the protective cover looks like in use and to read Hardy Huber's travel instructions, go to http://mytravelscoot.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-and-easier-way-of-airline-travel.html.

When we landed at the next airport we waited until last to get off the plane. This gives the crew a chance to bring our TravelScoots to the plane door. Alan and I were amazed to look out the plane window on one flight and see a man carrying BOTH TravelScoots like they were barbells while he climbed the stairs to bring them to the plane. That was an incredible missed photo opportunity.

Once we were off the plane we reversed the procedure we used getting on the plane. Alan reattached the batteries and I set up the handlebars.

Melissa was able to ride her scoot on each jetway (the hallway between the airport and the airplane) without much trouble. In two of the airports Greg got behind me and put his hand in the center of my back and pushed to help me get up the inclines. I really needed the extra assistance I got from Alan and Greg so I wouldn't want to have to travel alone with my scoot, but I know others do it all the time.

Melissa did just fine with one battery for the three airports. I used all of one battery and part of a second, but still had charge left over to tour the resort the first night. Alan brought both my chargers and made sure both batteries were fully charged each night.

In future posts I'll tell you more about the fun we had with our scoots, but first I wanted to go over the travel details. If you've never flown with your scoot my recommendation is to be sure you have plenty of time on any layovers to give them time to get your scoot, and for you to get it reassembled and rolling again. We've found that lowering the handlebars, detaching them, and covering them is the best way to keep the scoot from being damaged. Removing the batteries and taking them in our carry on ensures that no one takes the scoot joyriding and it also keeps the batteries from getting damaged. One one previous trip a battery that was left attached was returned to us dragging the ground. If you don't want to put the battery (or batteries) in your carry on, your other option is to follow Hardy Huber's travel instructions, at http://mytravelscoot.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-and-easier-way-of-airline-travel.html.

Battery Indicator Cover

2010-11-21T23:54:00.000-06:00

TravelScoot Battery Indicator Cover
	My battery indicator cover was looking a little tired too, so when I ordered the wheels I found out a replacement was available for this part too. This picture is my old one. Recently the plastic the covered the lights had fallen off so I rigged it with clear tape to keep any water out. That actually worked really well as a quick fix. Click any picture to see a larger version
	Alan is removing the three screws that hold the battery indicator cover on.

	These are the screws.
	On the left is the new cover.
	This is what it looks like with no cover.
	Now he's putting the screws back in.


	The whole process probably took about five minutes but between this, my new wheels and my new belt, I feel like I've had a major tune up!

New Wheels for My TravelScoot

2010-11-21T23:21:00.000-06:00

TravelScoot Wheels
	I've had my TravelScoot for 21 months and use it almost every day. Lately my front wheel has been looking a little slick, so I ordered a whole new set of wheels from Tony at TravelScoot. This first picture is the front wheel before Alan changed it. Click any picture to see a larger version
	Here are the new wheels in the shipping box.
	As you can see here, there's an extra piece attached to the left rear wheel. That's the part the belt sits on.
	The full set of tires also came with a new front fork. Melissa, my best friend and new TravelScoot owner, helped with the installation. (My job was to take pictures for you all to see!) More posts about this coming soon...

Hip Replacement Surgery and the TravelScoot

2010-11-21T22:54:00.000-06:00

Sheila from Massachusetts is having hip replacement surgery in December, and wants to know if anyone has tips on how to get on/off her TravelScoot after surgery. Her thought is to bring it into rehab and have them take a look and figure out how she can get on without dislocating her new hip. She's got a cruise planned for the end of January so she's really motivated to figure this all out.

If you have tips for Sheila please post them in the comments or email them to me, elizabeth@ifisher.com. Thanks!

Scooting for Dollars

2010-11-15T16:47:00.000-06:00

I've been on a decluttering mission and had collected a laundry basket full of items to return to Walmart, Target, and the craft store. I didn't have any receipts and I'd had some of the items for many months, but I wanted to try and return them. In less than 2 hours I visited Walmart, Target AND the craft store and went home $110 richer! Before my TravelScoot I would NEVER attempt three stores in one day, much less TWO hours.

This isn't scooter-related, but if any of you are interested in having less clutter in your life, check out http://www.unclutterer.com/. I've gotten great organizational tips there. I also found great information in Susan Pinsky's Organizing Solutions for People with ADD.

Have you recently been on a scooter adventure? We'd love to see pictures and hear about it! You can submit them to me by email, elizabeth@ifisher.com.

Rhonda's Lift Installation

2010-11-03T23:54:00.001-05:00

	The standard TravelScoot weighs 29 lbs without the battery. Rhonda needs help getting hers up and into her Honda CRV, so today she had a lift installed. (You know I had to be there because I wasn't missing an opportunity for a blog post!) Most of this post is being told in pictures. If you have a specific question, post a comment and Rhonda or I will answer it. Click any picture to see a larger version
	The man on the right is Kenny, who owns Kenny's Accessible Vans, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Their website is at http://www.kennysvans.com/. In these photos Kenny is demonstrating how to load and unload the TravelScoot using this Bruno lift.





















	I think Rhonda had been concentrating so hard on what Kenny was saying that she wasn't concerned with the camera. Here she is showing us all how excited she is to have this new capability.
	A piece was attached to the yoke of the TravelScoot. This is where the strap is attached that lifts the scoot.
	They inserted a cotter pin through the bottom of the yoke. Kenny said it wasn't absolutely necessary, but they did it just to insure the weight of the scoot is lifted evenly without this side of the yoke shifting.
	This is a closeup of the piece they added to the yoke.

	Here Rhonda is getting on her scoot to see if the piece they added is going to rub against her leg. It did not.
	Now Rhonda is working the lift.
	Rhonda's hand is on the scoot just to guide it. She wasn't doing any physical lifting.
	And here is the scoot, fully loaded and ready to go. It's a simple process to load and unload.

Frightening!

2010-10-31T19:55:00.000-05:00

Carrying Two Batteries on a Junior TravelScoot

2010-10-29T22:46:00.000-05:00

From Ramblin Granny Nancy

How I carry two 24 volts, 9.6 Ah LiO batteries on the Junior size Travelscoot.

First photo: On my Junior size Scoot, there are L shaped, aluminum, velcro covered "shelf" pieces, just behind the engaged battery. They help secure the engaged battery from the back but also provide the shelf for the extra battery.

Shown in this picture and the next one, is a 22 1/2 piece of velcro sold at Lowe's for holding holding water hoses. You can also make your own that size, or longer, out of velcro One Wrap also sold at Lowe's and other places in 8 foot lengths that you just cut to the size you want.

Second photo: Both the engaged and the extra battery shown in place and secured by two, 22 1/2 to 23 inches, of velcro as described above. I often just use one piece of velcro since the battery is quite stable, if I will not be encountering a lot of bumps.

I don't know for certain, but I think the L pieces could be turned around the other way so one larger LiO battery (18 Ah, 24 volt) could be used.

Get Out There

2010-10-29T09:30:00.000-05:00

Hi Elizabeth,

My Travelscoot, hubby and I are back from another GREAT cruise. This time we sailed on the Radiance of the Seas, 2 cruises back-to-back for a total of 9 days to Mexico. The Travelscoot once again was a God send getting me through the airports, around the ship and especially in the ports as the piers are too long for me to walk. I wanted to share a few pictures with you and your readers.

In the evenings hubby and I would take a "stroll" around the promenade, a joy that I had given up on when my mobility first started to deteriorate and before I had the Scoot. There was a beautiful full moon this evening.

In Cozumel we were able to load the Scoot in the back of a taxi mini-van without folding it up for the drive downtown so we could visit our favorite store, Los Cinco Soles. We shopped, had lunch and margaritas at Pancho's Backyard then shopped some more! Something I would not have been able to do without my Scoot. The sidewalks of Cozumel were "Scoot" friendly.

I am so grateful that the Travelscoot has given me the freedom to "Get Out There" as the Royal Caribbean slogan advises.

Denise

Accident in Paris or You Can't Jump Some Curbs

2010-10-29T09:26:00.000-05:00

From Dean, who is traveling in Paris:

Coming up the street Rue de Miro Misnel I could see that the repairs on the sidewalks were going to make it difficult to go up the street so I decided to take to the street and go around the construction. I thought that the curb was small but when I aimed the TravelScoot at it, I learned that there was a hole and I went straight into the concrete at 6 mph. The TravelScoot stopped abruptly and the rear of the scooter went 2 or 3 feet in the air but didn't throw me off. I got off of the TravelScoot and saw I had bent the front wheel sideways. My friend towed it back to the hotel and I was forced to walk three blocks. I got back and the night clerk reassured me that the janitor could fix it. They indeed got it to where I could still use it. i will have to order a new 'fork' for the front wheel but it goes to show how strong the TravelScoot is.

Bottom line: Be careful on what you try to jump.

Dean

Buying a TravelScoot in Australia

2010-10-20T22:41:00.000-05:00

This is an email I received from Chris. I've been corresponding with her about a TravelScoot for her husband, and she wrote this to let me know how things have worked out for them...

Elizabeth, I am so excited! Dianne Niblett, the Australian distributor for Travelscoot has come to Perth for the weekend, and she phoned me this afternoon and arranged to demonstrate the Travelscoot.

So we saw it this afternoon, and just had a little short ride, then I said to my husband that we had better go home and think about it (I was buying it for him for our golden wedding anniversary present) and he said there was no need to "just buy it". So a little taken aback I said OK and said to Dianne that I wanted to order one, at which he chipped in with "No, two of them! There is no point in me being more mobile than you!"

I immediately thought of you, and your advice that we should both get them. We are going to set them up both the same then it doesn't matter which one we hop on. We are getting the model with the Li-ion battery and the bigger seat, with rings to lift it, and I will get the modified footrest at a later date if I find I need them.

I walk better than Rob, but found it much harder to get on the scoot - since I got my replacement hips I have trouble lifting my feet high (sort of lost the spring I guess) so had to take the canvas caddy off and put one foot in, bring the second foot close up to the frame, then put the first foot out the far side. It was also easier when I used the swivel on the seat. I am sure once I have it home I will work out my own way to cope with it.

They are being dispatched next Monday, and hopefully we will have them by the end of the week, then there will be no holding us back!

Thank you so much for all your help, I have really appreciated it.

Rgds, Chris

If you'd like more information about TravelScoot in Australia, visit their website, at:

http://www.travelscoot.com.au/

Paris by TravelScoot

2010-10-20T15:27:00.000-05:00

Perchance my wife Yoly and I are in Paris this week. We used the G7 taxi service which has a ramp but you really don't need to as you can find vans with storage for your scooter in the back. We went from our hotel to our favorite Paris neighborhood Rue du Cler today, Yoly walking and me scooting. It is 2 or 3 miles and all went well. Yesterday I did overheat my motor going up the Champs Elyses towards the Arch de Triumphe but as instructed just waited a while and scooted it forward to reset it. Paris is a very good city for handicaps as buses, taxis and all street corners are friendly. You can't ride the Red Bus tourist thing with a normal scooter but can with TravelScoot.

I came with 2 batteries and consumed only 1 with my trip today. I am going to be at SIAL, the world's largest food show and my guess this will use my 2 batteries. We'll see. I love the lithium batteries and didn't have trouble at the airline with them.

Interestingly, I have seen only 1 scooter on the street and not a TravelScoot. It is sort of cold.

Dean Hughson
Paris 2010

Scooter Races in the Midwest

2010-10-19T22:28:00.000-05:00

From Carole:

We were having scooter races with my two young grand-nephews in the midwest. Great vacation, love my scooter!!! It's awesome for the airports.

TravelScooting in Las Vegas, England and Paris

2010-10-15T02:23:00.000-05:00

From Darlene:

I'm planning a trip to Vegas in Nov. and a trip to England and Paris next year-- does anyone have scoot experience in these places?

Please post a comment if you have advice or information for Darlene.

Shopping tips from the Bag Lady

2010-10-10T09:54:00.000-05:00

I use my TravelScoot for all my shopping. I carry three canvas shopping bags every week when I grocery shop along with my TrollyBasket . All three of the bags are hung off the front of my scoot. I have at least 30 pounds hanging from the front of my scoot at the end of my grocery run. I didn't want that much weight pushing down on the steering upright of the scoot, so I fixed up my cane with hooks in a way that works really well for me.

By using my cane attached to the scoot with a cat collar. I am able to hang all three tote bags from the cane by using
the Think-King Buggy Hooks and some No-Slip Grip-Clips. Using the latching hook in the back and the buggy hook in the front of the tip of my cane I can attach my largest tote (using my purse for this demonstration) and it helps hold the tote open, yet secure.

I then can hang a smaller tote off each side of the cane using one hook each.

I am impressed that the scoot can carry me, 3 full totes and pull a full TrollyBasket. I don't know what I would do without it.

As a bonus you can fold and unfold the scoot leaving the cane attached.

Junior TravelScoot Comments

2010-10-06T23:32:00.000-05:00

This is a close-up of Nancy on her Junior TravelScoot. Nancy is 5'2".

I bought the Junior TravelScoot and I love it. I am 5'2" and it fits me very well. The regular caused me to feel strained in my arms and legs because of the stretch. The only con is the battery sets differently so I can't see how to use two of them.

Delores

I am only 4' 11" (and shrinking LOL) and I had a hard time trying to decide should I get the Jr or the full sized. I did get the full sized and I fit on it just fine.

Denise

When I went on my cruise I got one of the regular rooms, but as Vroom is a junior size, she rolled right in without any problems.

Krystal

Nancy's Junior TravelScoot

2010-10-06T23:19:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth,

My TravelScoot is a junior. I am 5'2" and was about 165 when this picture was made in Key West, FL. Have a better picture at me at the "most southern point", but the scoot is not in the picture. At Kroger the other day, I talked to a lady from Durham, NC who met you at the convention [in San Francisco] and rode your TravelScoot. Forgot to ask her name. Anyhow, I think if one is flexible and under 5'2" the Junior would work. Had a very tall lady and a very tall man take a ride on my junior size while they were thinking about getting one. They used it fine, but I suggested for their height they should buy the Standard Size. I know the tall man did (and he is very pleased with it) but not certain the lady ever did. She was on by pass oxygen and put her oxygen concentrator in the basket as she rode around the parking lot. I am losing my flexibility but so far still scooting for work and shopping. When I loose all function in my legs, I'll have to give mine up. Will likely try to sell it on Craig's list when that happens.

Nancy
aka Ramblin Granny

Do you lubricate your pins?

2010-09-30T21:52:00.000-05:00

Question: Debbie wrote me asking me to ask you all if you lubricate the pins you have to press to fold or unfold your TravelScoot. She's worried that it might make them collect grime.

Please posts your pros and cons in the comment section. I've never lubricated mine but I don't often have to fold my scoot. Thanks!

TravelScooting two miles to the grocery store

2010-09-29T14:50:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth,

Today was the day that I decided that it was time to take my scooter shopping. Now I guess you are thinking that I've taken it shopping many times before and wondering what could possibly be different about today. Well today is the day that I rode my scooter to the supermarket. Our Winn Dixie is a couple of miles from my house, so I loaded up my cane and went for a ride. This may have been the most freeing experience I've had yet with my TravelScoot, and it won't be the last.

HUGS!

Rhonda

Folding the Scoot and the CrampBuster

2010-09-28T22:10:00.000-05:00

Hello Anne (and Elizabeth),

I’ve got arthritis in my hands, knees, ankles, and feet, so I can relate.

About the folding pins – they aren’t really cotter pins (I’ve included a picture so you can see just what they look like). I have short hands (6 inches from heel of palm to tip if finger) so you can see just how big the pins are in real life. As long as they are lubricated and there is no stress on the joint (sometimes you have to actually put up on the joint a wee touch), they push in fairly well – no small thing to have to grab and then try to fit back into matching holes like with real cotter pins.

As for the throttle, I’ve taken to using a crampbuster. I’ve included a picture of the one on Vroom-Vroom and the website. They make two different sizes; I like the long skinny one best as it give more room on the handle for grabbing.
http://www.crampbuster.com/

If you are having trouble getting a TravelScoot in person, you could also try renting one for a few days. This site sounds like a good one:
http://www.scootanywhere.com/

By the way, you may find that you don’t have to fold the TS at all. My friend was taking me back to the garage to pick up my Ravi and I couldn’t get the pin in to fold it – remember what I said about lubricating the pin? Anyway, he ended up just picking it up, turning it on its side and putting it in the trunk of his Honda Civic.

Krystal

Junior TravelScooters

2010-09-26T23:49:00.000-05:00

I am interested in having more information on this blog for people who are interested in the Junior size TravelScoot. If you have a Junior TravelScoot, I would love to know your height and have a picture of you on it. You could be a big help to someone else trying to make a decision.

The specifications for the Junior TravelScoot are at http://travelscoot.com/images/full-and-junior-sized-mobility-scooters-travelscoot-small.jpg.

Thanks!

Elizabeth Fisher
elizabeth@ifisher.com

Our Big Adventure!

2010-09-26T00:21:00.001-05:00

Our Big Adventure! Today was about friends and the fun side of owning a TravelScoot. Rhonda, Melissa and I set out to celebrate Rhonda's birthday and break in Melissa's new TravelScoot.
	Our day started out loading three fully assembled TravelScoots into the back of Melissa's 2006 Toyota Sienna minivan. In this picture my husband Alan is loading my scoot. I have my big lithium ion and a regular size lithium ion battery. Melissa has the SLA battery and Rhonda brought her regular lithium ion. Click any picture to see a larger version
	This picture is taken from the side door of the van.
	The seat behind the driver's seat folds forward and attaches to the driver seat. That gave us enough room for the third scoot.

	We drove to downtown Baton Rouge, parked, unloaded and before we'd gone very far, we found our first photo opportunity parked on the side of the street. This is what Rhonda wants her scoot to look like when it grows up!
	Melissa, with the wind blowing through her hair.
	I hope this picture gives you an idea of the incline Rhonda and Melissa are on. Rhonda is the lightest of the three of us, Melissa is in the middle, and I'm the heaviest. This incline shows how the TravelScoot will perform differently for different weight riders. Melissa and Rhonda are able to drive up this incline with no problem, and they did it multiple times. I can only go about halfway up and have to turn around.
	This was their first trip to the top.
	All the way to the top, and now they're coming back down.
	See the car turning in? We got some great smiles from him as he was getting out of his car. I'm not sure he knew what to think about us.
	This is Melissa's second time at the top of the hill, and she's getting braver, but NOT as brave as Rhonda.


	Rhonda's probably been to the top of this hill one too many times, because I swear I heard her say, "Here, hold my earrings!" before I snapped this shot.

	I love this picture because I took it from somewhere I've never been before, the walkway over River Road. It's a beautiful view on a beautiful day. On the left is the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum and the Planetarium. Click here to read about the day Alan and I visited the LASM. After this shot we ended up riding an elevator to get to another level. I wish I could have gotten a picture of the three of us in one small elevator. It would have been priceless!
	Here I am in front of the fountain that's in front of the Shaw Center. That's the Mississippi River Bridge in the background. This is the coolest fountain, and yes, we did get a little wet, and I've also spared you the dozens of pictures we took of the fountain at various heights.







	This was taken inside the Shaw Center.
	This wonderful view is from inside Tsunami's, a restaurant on the top floor of the Shaw Center. We are looking out at the Mississippi River.
	We parked two of our TravelScoots on one side of the table.
	The third TravelScoot is on the other side of the table.
	Today was the first time I've EVER eaten sushi. It surprised me to find it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. All this sushi is cooked. The pink stuff in the lower right hand of the picture is pickled ginger, used to cleanse your pallet. I tried a little, and won't be doing that again anytime soon. That was 12 hours ago and I haven't totally lost the taste of it yet.
	After lunch, we continued our tour of the Shaw Center by checking out the bathroom. I'm babysitting the scoots, and what better to do that take pictures while I wait?
	A very nice employee of the Shaw Center volunteered to take this picture.
	Yes, we're still experiencing the novelty of three TravelScoots at once. Maybe we can work out a synchronized scooting routine!
	After our downtown foray, we decided we needed to look at every single item in Hobby Lobby. As you can imagine, that took hours to do right! My sister Georgia walked in as we were leaving and took the next two wonderful pictures.
	This is our Mama duck and the baby ducks shot. When we trail along after one another we take turns being Mama duck and leading the way.
	After Hobby Lobby we checked out the Dollar Tree and Goodwill, then made our final stop of the day at Casa Maria for something icy and cold.

Can you help Anne in Cleveland, Ohio?

2010-09-25T19:13:00.000-05:00

Hi Elizabeth,

I've read your blog straight through--thanks for putting it up.

I'm looking to replace my aging conventional scooter and really intrigued by the TravelScoot's possibilities. I push my scooter hard and take it everywhere, but the idea of a scooter I could lift over a threshhold or up stairs is amazing.

I'm itching to just do it, but I really need to see one "in the flesh" before I buy, b/c with RA I have a lot of problems with my hands. I'm particularly worried about what the pins are like to fold and unfold it--sometimes, cotter pins can to be too stiff for me to budge. I'm also wondering whether the throttle will be difficult to work. (I'd love to hear if anyone else with hand problems uses a Travelscoot, and if they modified it).

So I was wondering if you could ask your readers if any of them live or will be within striking distance of Cleveland, OH and would let me come drool over their transportation (I'm up for a several hour drive; I really want to see this thing). Tony from Travelscoot is supposed to be asking around for me, too, but he said that a couple weeks ago and I haven't heard back from him, so I thought I'd look for other avenues, too.

Thank you,

Anne

If you can help Anne, please send me an email, elizabeth@ifisher.com, and I'll forward it to her. Thanks! Elizabeth

Our Newest TravelScooter

2010-09-25T19:06:00.000-05:00

I talked so much about Melissa's scoot being delivered; I thought you all might want to see a picture of it! This is how it fits in the back of a 2006 Toyota Sienna minivan. I'm going to be doing another post soon where you'll see THREE TravelScoots in the back of this van, and they're all fully assembled.

TravelScoot at the Pool

2010-09-25T19:01:00.000-05:00

One of the most important things I use my TravelScoot for is to get to the pool for my water aerobics class. Lately I've been dropping by the pool a couple of extra times a week, and there is a measurable difference in how I'm able to move around.

This is the pool at the Woman's Fitness Club in Baton Rouge. I love that it has two rails going into the pool. The whirlpool is the same. Anyone else out there using their scoot to get to the pool?

How the TravelScoot changed Mike and Kathy's lives

2010-09-23T22:10:00.000-05:00

From Denise:

Hi Elizabeth. I wanted to send you a note I received from one of my Cruise Board "Internet Friends" KathyC (with her permission) about how the TravelScoot has changed her and her husband's lives. She learned about the TS from me last year when I took mine on our cruise to Europe and knew it was just the thing for her husband Mike. He has a number of medical issues that make walking very difficult. They just took a vacation to Mackinac Island, Michigan:

Mike rode the travelscoot down a VERY steep incline when he boarded the ferry to the island & on the return trip the scooter got his 260 lbs back up that very steep incline with no problem. The scooter was parked at the back of the ferry. They covered it with tarp so as not to get wet when we took our seats for the 16 min trip. Mike got on the travelscoot & we strolled thru the streets until we reached the Grand Hotel. As we reached the steps to the hotel, Mike got off the travelscoot & I was about to pick it up & carry it up the steps (all 35 lbs of it) when 1 of the attendants came rushing down the steps to help me. He was shocked at how light it was & said wow, this is really a nice scooter & so easy to lift! We toured the hotel & paid for a VERY expensive lunch buffet but I knew Mike wanted to do it & it was a way of experiencing the Grand without paying about $600 a nite to stay there.

We did not take it with us on the tour train in Canada as the lady said it was questionable whether we would be able to use it on the trails to the 4 water falls; we stayed in the picnic area. She told us where to park our CRV so when the train pulled up, the handicap car was literally right next to our vehicle for boarding & the same on our return.

When Mike retired from the police depart 6yrs ago we were going to travel to all these places we had never been to. Before the cancer & everything else the past 3 yrs, we made it to Niagara Falls, Elvis' Graceland, & the Titanic Museum in Branson, Mo. along with a return trip to Epcot before our last cruise. If we can keep Mike just half way stable we may be able to get in more trips. Trips that would never be possible without the travelscoot.

Then a following post:

By the way, the steep incline on the ferry was perhaps 20 ft or so, not a great distance but VERY steep & it worked great. I did go to the 1 site you listed & read some of the reviews. I'm not sure what the negative reviewers want from a small scooter. We do not use it as a work horse, we do not expect it to go thru snow, grass, etc. In the winter we drive up to the door of the mall & I carry the scooter to the door & park the car while Mike gets situated. For us it is a light weight scooter that gets Mike from point A to point B and has given us our life back. Last Xmas we shopped for Xmas presents together for the 1st time in 3yrs. We can now do things together and for that I give the Travelscoot an A+. I also don't understand why people say they can't get help when they have problems; we have had NO problems but Mike did call with some questions & talked to the man & had all of his questions answered. If people want some kind of heavy duty work horse then they should purchase a big heavy scooter. So that is my testimonial about the TravelScoot & share our story as you wish.

Katy's first day at the office

2010-09-23T22:00:00.001-05:00

From Katy:

Yesterday was my first DAY in the office and all of my coworkers were very impressed! My former team leader asked if she go for a ride up the row (and of course I let her). I'm not having any trouble getting down the narrow pathways by the windows or in and out of the bathrooms; only 1 area so far has been inaccessible because of the placement of large filing cabinets near a post, but there's another way to get to that area. I'm still not quite successful in getting Poppy in and out of my vehicle without assistance, but the office services folks have said that I can call for help, and one of my coworkers offered to come out to my car to fetch her in the morning. I did succeed in getting her out for the first time on my own yesterday. No such luck at the end of the day when I was worn out. Fortunately for me, a young, strong man emerged from the building and offered assistance. I have been in contact with a local mobility specialist to see what sort of relatively inexpensive lift could be installed behind my seat, and found out today from him that the only one 'legal' that they can do with that configuration is $4,000!! Something to do with safety and crash testing. Well, that is NOT going to happen, as my car isn't even worth that much, so I'm back to engineering plan C (or D, or E, or whatever it will take). For $4000, I could hire a kid to ride shotgun. I wo/uld like to stress, though, that my housemate, a 96 year-oldsight-impaired gentleman, has lifted Poppy in and out with no trouble, so please don't anyone be put off by my challenge.

Fran's First Ride

2010-09-23T21:56:00.000-05:00

My first ride was much like yours - right here in the house and I was so excited at how easy it was to get around on. Then outside to the driveway where I was amazed at how fast it would go. Don't think I'll ever forget those moments. First experience in a store was at the local mall. Hadn't been there in over a year and I rode up and down the center of it twice and then ventured into the stores. You feel like you just want to shout out to everyone how much fun you're having. I can just imagine how excited Melissa is feeling.

Carole's First Ride

2010-09-23T21:54:00.001-05:00

My first ride was at when I took it down stairs. Again it was on carpet, so I was bummed, but then I put it in the car and went to the parks with Kathy and our 2 dogs. Eureka! The dogs ran next to me while we went all over the park. They were excited to get to run and I was so happy, you could see the smile on my face next to my ruddy pink cheeks for a mile away.

Air! Wind! Speed!

TravelScooting through India

2010-09-23T21:44:00.000-05:00

Readers, be sure to click on the picture and see it full size. It's amazing! -- Elizabeth

Hi Elizabeth!

I have been reading your blog for over a year. I found you through the Cruise Critic message boards. I got my own TravelScoot on Dec 4, 2009. It was a great feeling to have my freedom back after having mobility issues for almost two years.

I spent most of August in India. It was my first experience dealing with the Scoot and American Airlines. Other than a surly staff at the gate in Chicago, I was extremely impressed at how I was treated and how the Scoot was handled. In three out of four "legs" of the trip, my Scoot was checked at the gate and I rode it up to the plane or had to leave it at the beginning of the ramp and walked it. Then it would be waiting for me as soon as I left the plane. Chicago to Delhi - they made me break it down completely and tagged it to be checked luggage. Of course, once I got to Delhi, no one had a clue where the poor Scoot might be. It was finally found and all was well.

I traveled to India to have bilateral Total Knee Replacement surgery. I didn't use the Scoot much until I left the hospital. My niece and I took a day trip to see the Taj Mahal right before we came home. Even though I was walking with a walker and had quite a bit of physical therapy, there was NO WAY I could have done a tour or even made it close to the Taj Mahal without my TravelScoot. Security was not thrilled about letting me into the area on a scooter, but I refused to get up! They had a wheelchair nearby, but I explained to them that I had the Scoot so no one would have to push me around. I think I got more stares that day than I ever have. Thankfully, there were plenty of ramps, and I got some great pictures. I did not go inside to the mosque because of the 15 or so steps.

Leaving Delhi was interesting. Me and the TravelScoot went through security three times to get to my gate. I had to break down the Scoot each time so it could be sent through the xray machine, just like carry on luggage. Everyone was so surprised that the Scoot folded up so easily. My new knees came through with flying colors, enabling me to walk through the lines, but they also set off the metal detectors!

I will continue to use my TravelScoot in long distance trips, large box stores and maybe on cruises if the ship is really huge...

I have attached a picture of me and my TravelScoot and my niece Corrie at the Taj Mahal.

Kind Regards,

Linda R.

Melissa's TravelScoot has arrived!

2010-09-21T13:53:00.000-05:00

Melissa's TravelScoot was delivered to her office by UPS around noon today and before she opened the box she got me on the phone so I could enjoy it with her. She took the TravelScoot out of the box, popped the front wheel on, unfolded it, then put on the seat. She was delighted to see that the triangle pouch has been redesigned so that there's a place to put the tools and a spare belt. (I'm a little jealous.)

Next she located the battery, which shipped in the same box with the TravelScoot. She decided on the 20-lb. SLA battery, so she could leave it in her car without it being affected by the heat. If you're reading this and don't have your TravelScoot yet, when you plug the battery in do NOT push the connector together until it clicks. It just needs to make contact. You can test it by turning the TravelScoot on, and when you've got a green light, stop. If you push it until it clicks, you may have difficulty getting it unplugged.

Right now her battery is charging, and I don't imagine it's going to be long before she takes off on her first adventurous solo ride. If anyone would like to suggest a name for her scoot, I'm sure she'd like that.

Do you remember your first ride? Mine was just a few feet across the dining room floor. I was so tentative with the whole thing that I could hardly get the TravelScoot to move. I was convinced it wouldn't go on the floors in my house, so Alan carried it out to the street in front of our house and I tried it out there. The feeling of the wind in my hair was just incredible. I really felt like a kid on Christmas morning, riding that new bike for the first time.

My first experience in a store was at a Walgreens. Melissa was with me that night too. I was delighted with being able to stop and look at everything without hurting, but I was a little awkward with it at first. Now it's like an extension of my body. I can fit just about anywhere with it, and I can easily turn it on a dime.

What was your first ride like?

Another Installment in the Journey of Melissa's TravelScoot

2010-09-19T22:46:00.000-05:00

You all will be happy to know that Melissa's TravelScoot arrived in Dallas, TX over the weekend, and is due for delivery in Baton Rouge, LA on Tuesday.

She and Rhonda and I are going for a triple TravelScoot adventure next weekend, so if you don't read about us on the news, you'll at least see a post here about it. :-)

5'11" and TravelScoot

2010-09-19T22:37:00.000-05:00

Hi Elizabeth,

I'm 5'11" and 150#. I rented the TravelScoot earlier this month for a cruise in Europe. I had no problems with comfort for my long legs... my only problem was that, because of my disability, I stumbled a bit getting over the triangle/bars (felt like I was playing Chinese jump rope).

Bill from NJ

Tall TravelScooters

2010-09-19T00:09:00.000-05:00

Thanks to everyone who responded!

From Kathleen, in San Jose, CA

I got my TravelScoot at the beginning of the year after following your blog for quite a few months. I am 6'1" and at the time I was a pear shaped 400 lbs. When I first got the TravelScoot, getting my legs and feet over the bottom of the frame was my first challenge with it. I had a great deal of difficulty getting on it because my knees seemed to get stuck getting to the correct side of the front column. I felt quite cramped on it and had my mechanical engineer husband looking for ways to modify it. He had an idea about an extension so that the feet bars were lower to the ground, but we never got that far. I was very unhappy and intended to send it back.

In brief, I got very very ill and did nothing about sending it back. About 2 months later I had lost about 40 lbs from my illness, most of it in my belly. Once I had gained some strength back I couldn't wait to try my TravelScoot again. Victory!! I fit perfectly. I had no difficulty getting on or off. My knees were comfortably bent. For the last 2 months I have taken my TravelScoot everywhere. It has given me such joy and freedom.

So to answer the question about whether tall people can fit comfortably on the TravelScoot, I believe that they can. I think that losing the weight in my belly which gave me more space between me and the front column was key. I no longer feel cramped at all on the scoot. I think each tall person will need to take their body shape into consideration. I wish all you tall folks out there the same comfort that I have on my TravelScoot!

From Glen Glancy:

I am 6’2” and wish the seat was higher, but I am fine.

By raising the seat, the center of gravity would be higher, which would not be good.

From Marlee:

There is a lady who posts under the name Katisdale on the Cruise Critic disabled forum. She has posted the following:

The seat height is adjustable on the Travelscoot. I am 6 ft 2 inches tall and cannot easily rise from a low seat. There are some sort of ring things (I am not mechanical) that go on the seat post that allow the seat to be higher. I do well with the additional seat height.

I am female but 6 feet 2 inches tall and unfortunately outweigh your husband (225+). I have a standard scooter that I use around my neighborhood. I purchased a travelscoot expressly for travel. I am amazed how well it works for me. Although it is small it has power and only weighs 35 pounds TOTAL. It collapses into a duffel bag which my DH can handle easily although we have also purchased a hard sided golf bag carrier which it fits in and that has wheels so he says that is even easier

Since I am so tall I was very pleased that the seat has inserts that can be used to raise it which is much better for me as I have trouble standing.

I hope this helps. Katisdale is very active on the forum and I'm sure would respond if asked questions directly.