A new use for the crutch/cane holders

While shopping at Walmart I needed a roll of wrapping paper.  How cool that it fit right in the cane/crutch holder.  I flew drove around the whole store and to my car without it slipping out.  Whoo hoo!

Joyous TravelScooting Yule!

From Krystal and Vroom Vroom:

Thought I’d take a moment to wish you a glorious holiday season.

Oh, Vroom Vroom says happy holidays also and would like you to see her newest holiday accessory.

ScooterMama's First TravelScoot Report

From Anne:

I'm having a great time with my 'Scoot, limited somewhat by winter weather and in-house festivities (Thanksgiving then Chanukah, both with house-guests.) Everywhere I go, people want to know more (hence my request to Tony for more bizcards.)

I keep my TS in the trunk of my Camry, mostly assembled, just removing the seat and the front wheel. Every few days I bring in the battery to recharge. Even hubs is impressed at my ability to manage it "all by myself".

My first 'Scootin trip was on a pre-winter day, to Walmart. The wind on my face as I rode thru the parking lot into the store felt great! I bought mini-bungy-cords and a light that I've not (yet) been able to attach -- there's so little room on that handlebar! I've also added hooks and a drink cup from Think-King.

Wondering if it would be OK to move the left brake grip a little one way or the other, so there's room to attach the light? With the days so short now, I'd be happier having a light on the 'scoot.

I did a major grocery shopping using TS. I had the store manager set aside a regular grocery cart for me, in which I placed a sign, as in the pictures above. I gathered what I needed in several trips, using two store reusable shopping bags on my hooks, plus the red triangle, and unloading into the cart when full. It worked OK, although I did need help getting that cart to checkout -- I was not able to manage the store cart while 'Scooting.

I think for a smaller shopping trip, I'll use the store's electric cart, with its basket. Wegmans does a pretty good job of keeping them charged and working, at least at their flagship store where I shop. I'm still wondering if I should order a TS-brand basket or get another basket I can attach to the fromt of the TS.

Hubs and I were able to go present-shopping together for clothes for son and DIL. Hubs said he's never seen me move so fast, and was impressed by the smile on my face while shopping.

While son and DIL were in, we made a trip to Best Buy, so they got to see their ScooterMama in action. They thought it was the coolest thing, and son said, that thing is so right for you, I'm so glad you got it.

That's it for scootin' stories, for now. In a month and 1/2, we'll be trying an airplane trip and then a cruise with TS, for the 1st time. Hoping all goes smoothly, but a bit nervous, nevertheless. But I definitely know that cruise will so much more enjoyable, as I zip from end to end of that big ship and back, rather than being in constant pain and/or not going somewhere because it will hurt too much to get there.

How do you keep your TravelScoot from rolling?

From Denise:

I just traded my Camry hybrid in for a Highlander SUV. The hybrids trunk was so small and I really wanted a vehicle that I would keep my scoot set-up in.

Yesterday I was able to go out shopping all over town and lift my scoot in-and-out of the vehicle without breaking it down and setting it up once again, it was wonderful! What I need to know from other's who do the same is how do you secure your scoot from rolling around in back while driving. I have set the hand brakes so the back wheels don't roll but the front wheel still swings around. I am thinking to get two bricks and place on either side of the front wheels. Any better suggestions out there? I'd hate to have the scoot roll back and break out a window.

Trim Fix and Rain Showers

From Nancy:
For the trim fix, I did use a big staple gun (like they put carpet cushion down with) and most importantly used heavy duty 1/2 staples. I was careful to shoot the staples into the wood rather than the foam. I still need to relocate the phillips head screw at the end of the trim on the back of the the seat, since it is in the foam also and not holding like it should. I may need to get another screw and drill a pilot hole. However, the new staples are holding very well so far. The original staples on the trim were only 1/4 inch and looked more like regular paper type staples to me,so it was logical that they would pop out when one sat on the seat enough. Actually Tony suggest staples and glue, but I think the glue would have popped when one sat down on the seat just like the little staples did.

I think Hardy has left for Germany to start up Travelscoot-Europe, but he did email me that he commuted on his Travelscoot to his workshop in Florida and routinely got caught in rain storms on his return trip. As long as you dry everything off when you get home, all should be fine. However, given the lightning in the south, I certainly would not like to be on a travelscoot in a summer thundershower!!

Scooter-on-the-go Series

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Looking for a midnight snack...

Woof!

How a TravelScoot gets home when its had too much to drink

If I hurry, I can catch it!

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

Bump.  Bump bump bump ... bump ... bumpppp...

"Excuse me, have you seen my mom?"

SUPER CAT!

Update from Dianne

(My apologies to Dianne for taking so long to get this posted.  I'm getting caught up on posts now.  Dianne, hopefully you'll have another update to send us now!)

An update from Dianne:

Doug and I took my scoot to the Fred Meyer near our house and I rode it all over. It isn't as comfortable as my other equipment; but then, it's not as heavy either. I let Doug unload it; but after I rode it all around Freddys, I re-loaded it myself; it's still really hard to do that...up and into my Trailblazer. But, it really zipped around Freddys with no problems; except it used muscles I wasn't used to using. And, next time I need to wear better shoes as the foot pegs really wear out my neuropathy'd feet. I found I could put one foot on the middle bar and switch off; that way different muscles were used; especially, since sitting on that "bench" seat was hard on the butt too. I know complain, complain. In all, it will work fine for going to and from places; but riding it around all day at a venue may be a trial I'm not ready to experience.


Thanks for having the blog.  I'm enjoying other's postings.

Scooter-on-the-go Series

The Scoot has a long conversation with the Bug.

Submitted by Lynn Ellen

Answer to "Rules of the Road"

Rhonda called the Louisiana State Police today and spoke with Sgt. Jones. This is my understanding of what Rhonda told me he said.

A mobility scooter is treated the same as a wheelchair, which follows the same rules that pedestrians do. This means that if you're anywhere a pedestrian would be, like on the sidewalk or crossing the street, you follow the same rules pedestrians do.

However, if you are using your scoot to travel long distances like you might if you were riding a bicycle, you follow the rules for bicycles.

If you travel a longer distance but stay on the sidewalks the whole time you follow the rules for pedestrians.

Mobility scooters are treated the same as wheelchairs, and can go anywhere pedestrian traffic is allowed.

Thanks, Rhonda!


The rules and laws where you live may be different. 

Peggy, Stripe and a VERY Cool Basket!

From Peggy:

As you can see from the pictures, Stripe and I have been doing some outings. The one with the basket was a trip to Hobby Lobby in Hammond. When I shop with my friend Ann, it's guaranteed to be at least 1 hour. I could last about 20 minutes and would then go check out and wait in the car. I was zipping all over Hobby Lobby.

I don't normally use Stripe at WalMart because I'm pushing the basket. One afternoon I had to stop after school and was tired. I put my basket on Stripe, grabbed my striped bag, and hit the store. I figured, no basket I couldn't get that much. What a laugh. I enjoyed shopping the whole store. When I finished, the cashier had to help put the bags on the handles so I could put my hands on to keep the bags on. I didn't think to have someone take a picture with my phone.

Today, I had to drop off my car for an oil change and a to have a new tire put on. My friend, Carole, met me. She had called Ann at 8:00am and she said no way was she getting up. I needed a few things from WalMart; Carole and I were out of there in 15 minutes. Then we went to Big Lots to get a Christmas Tree and all the trimmings for one of my student's who could not afford one. I walked one these two trips because I hads a basket to lean on and I knew we would be fast. We passed near Ann's house and dragged her out of bed. After a quick McD's stop to deliver the tree and breakfast we hit WalMart. This time Stripe came out. We went all over the store. When we got in line, I thought to get the Santa hat. We had one person in front of us. Ann and Carole had things to check out. I told them, I was headed to get the hat on the other side of the store. Since it was so cold this morning, no one was there. I flew through the store Fred Flinstone style so I could stop fast if necessary. I got the hat and was back at the register before my friends were finished checking out.

As you can see we loaded all of our stuff on Stripe and then took pictures. What a hoot.

Then we went to get my car and Ann rode Stripes. Her comment, "We all need one of these things." I made sure we got it in the car quickly before she decided to keep him.

I can enjoy going places with slow shoppers again.

From Elizabeth:

I've already sent Peggy an email asking for details about that basket.  It looks wonderful!

TravelScoot Insurance Question

From Anne

Hubs asked me, what insurance do we have, to cover any damage to TS while travelling. Would it be covered under homeowners insurance? Trip insurance?


I'll be looking into this over the next couple of days, but wondering whether you and/or any of your readers have investigated this.

Daniel's TravelScoot Accident

From Daniel

As I was entering a building on my TravelScoot, a heavy door closed on my right foot; the foot had been resting on the scooter's foot rest.


I suffered Metatarsalphalangeal joint sprain -also known as Turf Toe. (see Wikipedia)


The foot took seven weeks to heal; there was much pain and swelling.


Placing the foot on the triangular frame, below the seat, instead of on the foot rest, may reduce exposure to collision, when going through unfamiliar doorways, and the like.

Rules of the Road

Nancy asked...


Is the travelscoot like a bike and therefore rules of the road apply, or is more like pedestrian when it comes to roads? I don't know nor do I know who would know.

Lynn Ellen replied...

The Scoot is in the same category as a wheelchair, so we are pedestrians first, I would think.

Elizabeth pondered...

Would someone be willing to research this and cite specific laws that apply to this situation? I too believe that the pedestrians laws would apply, but would like to post information we have verified, not just what we think should apply. Send it to me by email, elizabeth@ifisher.com, and I'll post it here. Thanks in advance to whoever takes this on!

Independence Day at the Mall

We've had a lot of wonderful posts about big, exciting adventures. My adventures might seem small by comparison, but they are HUGE for me. On Saturday I had an urgent need for something that could only be found at the mall. I didn't worry about where I had to park, and was inside within a few minutes. True, I had to dodge lots of baby strollers and wandering texters, but people who are walking have to do that too. Several stores and a few tight squeezes between crammed together clothing racks later, I was happily waiting in line with all the other weary shoppers. I even got to have an enlightening conversation with a little girl who looked up at me and said, "Why you riding your bike in the store?" She was just curious so we talked about it for a minute and then talked about the ballerina costume she was holding.

Later that day I needed to make a quick trip to Walmart to pick up some thread. Before the TravelScoot there was no such thing as a "quick trip" to Walmart. If I was lucky enough to find a store scooter available and charged (good luck with that around the holidays!), it would have taken quite a while for me to get in and get what I needed. The whole trip from getting in my car at the house to arriving back home took 30 minutes -- absolutely amazing.

So yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, and I know because I saw him at the mall! 

This qualifies as a Christmas miracle for me because without my scoot, I'd have never made it into the mall. 

Tammy in Costume

I saw this picture on Tammy's Facebook page and asked if I could post it.  I love it that she used her scoot for Halloween.  What a great costume!

Fran R's Mirror

From Fran R:

Hope the pictures tell the story. I chose a small mirror but obviously they come in larger sizes - just a matter of personal choice.

The first 2 pictures just show front and rear views - the last 2 show where the bungee type cord in the handlebars has been disconnected but you can still pull the grips out and fold them down. They could be secured better with a stretchy cord to the main steering stem if necessary.

Old Helsinki, by TravelScoot

From Elford

Went scooting downtown. The days are getting short now so there isn`t much daylight to work with. Helsinki is the same latitude as Anchorage Alaska.

1. On the Metro.

2. Waiting for the 35 degree elevator at Metro station

3. On Senate square in front of the dome church.

4 The low grey building in the distance is the oldest building in Helsinki.

5. By an old water pump.

6 Looking back toward Senate square.

Debbie's Odometer and Light

From Debbie:

You asked people to send you pictures of their scoot accessories. I put a light on mine so if if is dark when I come out of someplace, I can see and that people can see me easier. I had from the beginning wanted to put a speedometer/odometer on it but didn't know it could be calibrated to fit the small tires. However, Daniel (from London) emailed me a video of his. I took the scoot to a bike shop and had them install it because I didn't figure I would be able to get the calibration setting right. I am running out of room on my handlebar, I would like to replace the bell with a better one. I also have been considering trying to add a mirror. Happy scooting!!

Rhonda at the Mall

I just got a call from Rhonda to check my email. She's at the mall and telling me that she still has room on her scoot so she guesses she needs to keep shopping. I think I'm most jealous of the William Sonoma bag!

She's got those bags hooked to her scoot with a Mighty Buggy Hook.

Getting a work-out on the Scoot

 

From Lynn Ellen:

I decided to go home on the cheap this time, as the San Francisco airport is 25 miles from home and it was the middle of the day and everyone I could think of was either at work or out of town so there were no rides. I could have spent $37 for a shuttle to my home, but instead I spent $8.65 for a ride on our main rapid transit system: BART.

First, I had to take a BART-like train to the BART terminal at the airport. No seats on these things, but I pulled up to a pole and held on. I should say that I had on a large day pack on my back, my carry-on suitcase across the frame of the Scoot, making it a bit of a challenge to put my feet down and walk backwards, but it is doable, and I was towing my larger, check-on suitcase with my left hand. I had the seat backrest packed in the luggage so I could get on and off the Scoot like a motorcycle, leg over the seat.

The BART-like train was a short ride, and then we waited in line to buy BART tickets. I then got on the BART train, got off the Scoot and sat down on a seat designated for disabled people and positioned my Scoot and larger suitcase in front of me. But I had to transfer to another train, and I did this early in the game so that I could get a seat on the 2nd BART train, similarly situated. I choose to get off the Scoot when I can as I think it is safer. Even with the locking brakes, I am in the middle of aisle, I am sitting higher, and if there is a mishap on the train, the regular seat seems safer (and more comfortable to me).

I got off the BART at the stop closest to my best friend's house, where my dog was also stationed during my vacation. Let me say something about elevators, since I rode one down from the platform to the street level. Most of the time for short elevator rides, I drive in, stop, and when it is time to get out, I walk backwards til I am out. But I had the suitcase in tow, and going forwards isn't so bad, but it is hard to control the backwards angles here. I did get some help from people at various places, which made it far less frustrating, and indeed allowed me to move more smoothly than if I would have had to get off the Scoot and reposition the suitcase and Scoot in the correct direction. So it is challenging, but doable. The other thing was the gate where one inserts the BART card. The flippers that allow one through just don't stay open long enough, even though they have a wide, wheelchair accessible lane. The first time I didn't know this and the flippers crashed into my leg, causing me to yelp, and the station agent manually controlled the flippers. The second time, on the way out, I asked the agent to keep an eye on things. So there is one more thing to have to keep track of.

I was now about 1-1/4 miles away from my friend's home, so off I went, down the street, suitcase in tow. I got to smell wonderful food being cooked in some houses, and since the trip was slightly uphill, I also got to run out of battery at one point, so I had to get off and switch the wires, since I always mount both smaller lithium ion batteries to the Scoot, and then I got to have a few opportunities to sit and wait for the motor to cool off. but adding up the weight of two suitcases and a large backpack to somewhere in the neighborhood of 80+ pounds, and going gently uphill, that wasn't a bad performance for the motor, so I just sat there for about five minutes, checking my email or playing a game on my iPhone. tra la.

Now the title of this post is "getting a work-out." and this is what I think. Especially when the backrest is not installed, there is a constant effort to maintain balance while riding, and then the fun times of going over a driveway that is tipped downhill from the house to the street, necessitating a lean to the left or right depending. Leaning forward when going up a particularly steep curb cut or driveway, and always looking out for pot holes and puddles. By the time I got to my destination, I was beat, and I fell into a sweet nap with a dog on my lap (all 70 lbs. of her!). I wasn't sore the next day, but I do really think that all that getting on and off, leaning to and fro, and paying attention, does make for more than a passive sit in the sunlight. And by the way, holding on to the larger suitcase was not that challenging for the most part. I was worried my hand or my arm would get sore, but it didn't happen, gratefully.

I was really pleased with myself in the end, and I enjoyed saving the money and feeling independent.

Comments from Elizabeth:

Lynn Ellen, what I always enjoy about your adventures is how you embrace independence. That's one of the reasons I love my TravelScoot so much and you really GET it. My scoot allows me independence. Coworkers, friends, family, and even strangers offer me help with my scoot all the time, but I take great pleasure in being able to handle it alone. (Okay, okay, I DO love it on the weekends when Alan handles it for me, but I still know I can do it alone.) I can lift it alone, I can fold it up alone, I can go places with it by myself. What a fantastic feeling to be able to do that AND to be able to move fast while I'm doing it. I've been a very large person my whole life and I've never moved as fast as I can now. It's intoxicating.

I can move through an airport by myself. While I'm there I can scoot to the bathroom by myself. I can handle my luggage by myself. I grocery shop, go to the mall, visit people at the hospital, go to museums, ride around the parking lot at work, zip in and out of Walmart in just a few minutes (instead of hours -- IF I could get a store cart). I have an incredible feeling of freedom in my life because just about anywhere I want to go, I have a way to get there. If I wanted to work on my master's degree I could do it. If I wanted to go to a trade show exhibit, I could do it. I don't have to worry about getting a close parking place and most importantly, I don't have to be in pain.

I don't know if someone who hasn't spent a lot of time on a TravelScoot could understand the "workout" aspect of it, but there is definitely a physical aspect of riding my scoot. I don't use the back either, but I twist and turn a lot and move around to stay in balance, and I push with my legs a lot. I also lift my legs often to either put them on the foot rests or take them off. Rhonda and I often scoot together, and when people stop us to ask about our scoots, one of us invariably ends up saying, "it's NOT a recliner on wheels" or "this isn't a scooter where you just push a button and go, but if you want to get from point A to point B, and do it fast, this is a great scoot to do it on."

Thanks for the great writeup of your trip from the airport home. I look forward to hearing what you do next!

Mirror on Fran R's TravelScoot

If Fran is able to send in a picture, I'll post it when I get it. If you have a TravelScoot picture and/or post you'd like to share with us, please send it to me by email, at elizabeth@ifisher.com .

From Fran R:

I must be the only person on the planet who doesn't have a camera, but my grandson will be coming over on Friday and I'll have him take a picture. I didn't like the fact that I couldn't see cars coming up behind me - with the mirror I can make sure I get way over to the side of the street when that happens. I was fortunate to have 2 women in the bike shop who were willing to spend the time to find a solution that worked for me.


Not everyone may want to do this, but what she did was take the grip off the left handlebar - than disconnect the end piece that's connected to that bungee type cord which enables the handlebars to fold down. The mirror is the type that you insert into the side of the grip. This means that you can't fold down the handlebars in the normal manner. They will still fold down but would be held by the cords that run up the stem of the steering column. Hardy may disapprove of doing this - but I haven't had any occasion to fold down the handlebars so don't foresee this being a problem for me. And I imagine that you could always attach the grips more firmly to the stem with a stretchy cord to keep them more secure if you do fold them down. I kept the end piece from the grip so if necessary I could always put things back the way they were. I felt that the mirror was a necessity for me being on the street with 2 dogs alongside ---- and I will try to get you a picture on Friday or Saturday.

Krystal's Accessories

From Krystal:

Elizabeth, I thought you might get a kick out of some of my accessories. You can see my list holder (the clothes pin on the shower curtain ring), my dashboard clock (cheap Wal-Mart watch with the band cut down), bag holders (stroller hooks from Toys R Us), shades holder (black bottle holder from Mori), on board purse (flowered rock climbing chalk bag from REI), Telestik holder (cheap bottle holder from Wal-Mart – the Telestik is a telescoping magnet/sticky pad grabber). Finally, although you can’t see it too clearly, I figured a way to store my tools in the point of the V basket (Velcro of course).

Krystal's TravelScoot in her Ravi

As you can see, I don’t get much practice at folding, but I have learned that it’s best to strap Vroom Vroom down. Yep, I tend to take the corners rather fast in the Ravi also.

Note from Elizabeth: When Alan and I are driving in our van and he takes a corner fast or stops suddenly, I say "Hello Scoot" when she suddenly pokes her handlebars between the two middle seats.  Locking the brakes on the scoot before loading helps keep this from happening, but doesn't stop it entirely.

Vroom Vroom, 24 cans of Alpo, and a TrolleyBasket

I asked Krystal for a picture of Vroom Vroom loaded with 24 cans of Alpo, and here it is. It amazes me all the creative ways you guys use your TravelScoots. And speaking of creative, Krystal also bought a TrolleyBasket and added her own special bling to it. Here's what she had to say about it...

Got the Trolley (that’s the largest one) and really like it. Only thing is, I’m not really tall enough to use the long handle while riding without tipping it forward. That’s OK as I use the little handle just fine while riding. I use the long handle when taking the stuff into the trailer. The coolest thing, it fits on Nic’s dog ramp so I don’t have to lift it up the steps. And yes, I just had to bling it as it was just so plain.

Helpful links

Trolley Basket website:  http://www.trolleybasketusa.com/

Trolley Basket posts on this blog:  http://mytravelscoot.blogspot.com/search?q=trolleybasket

Mystery Part? (Question from Anne)

Q. In the front, near the crutch/cane cups, there's a metal bar with a piece of wood in it, taped together. What's that for?

A.  Anne, thanks for sending in a picture of the piece you're asking about. That mystery part is just a placeholder to protected the metal piece it's sitting in from damage during shipping. If you bought a basket, remove the piece and your basket edge will fit in that metal ridge.

Here's a link to the instrucctions that come with the basket:

http://ifisher.com/travelscoot/basketinstructions.htm

Anne's 'Scoot has arrived!

From Anne:

My TravelScoot is here! Unpacking and assembly were a cinch, all by myself, and the Li battery ("cub") only took about an hour to charge. I've been riding the TS around the house -- doesn't do too well on the bumpy new carpet in the living room, but fine on floors and flat carpet.

The dogs are a bit freaked out by it. I hope they get used to it enough for me to be able to take one of them at a time out for walk.

Hope to get my TS out to my car today (don't know if I can get it down the steps by myself), and then out to a mall or Walmart or some such place to test it further. Ironically, we had the first snow of the season today, but not much stuck. Should be no problem for my yet-to-be-named TS.