KKSD 09: The Sand Reckoner: 2009

Saturday started off bright and early at the shop. Last minute tweeks, tightenings, decorating and costuming took up the few hours the team had left...

The crew rolled The Reckoner out and started to pedal... and then it happened. Erik thankfully noted that one of the cassettes was slipping again. Better right near the shop than half way through the derby eh? There are definately some gremlins in our shop...

John rushed back and performed some extreme welding in the street. His lack of welding gloves was compensated by his shoulder pad. Safety third ...

NOTE: Do not buy crappy bikes from Walmart unless you like fixing them

Everything fixed! Ready to roll for real this time!

Ava ready to man the Dune Skipper's chaos cage

Hedy puts some final touches on The Dune Skippers sighting scope

The neighbors are already starting to flock around the vehicles. Time to set sail and make the journey to the Derby staging grounds!

But not before a team toast!

Bill and Dave staged at the Derby prepping the weather balloons for the mudpit finale! Apparently when you tell the local gas house you want 2 helium tanks, they deliver and charge you for 3... No worries that means we have to hand out more custom printed Sand Reckoner balloons.

The weather was supposed to rain all day, it was borderline drizzling when we go there. It just had to hold out for a few more hours. Rain or shine, The Crew must ride! Generator gassed up, playlist in order, tires inflated, wheels true, bubble machines fueled, crew fit and ready, all systems go!

12:30 Derby Time! We positioned ourselves last in the parade. Hedy and her crew of Kate, Dave, and Ava lead the Sand fleet

while Tom, John & Erik cover the rear.

Mackie 450 pointed at the ground + laptop + tech house + Honda suitcase genny = huge sound, spinning propellers & people dancing on the street

Keeping invaders at bay with the bubble pistols. Time to head to the park for the loop around.

Tom, John & Erik keep a watchful eye as the rest of the parade circles the park section of the race. The plywood ramp to get up to the park was too narrow for The Reckoner's massive wheel base.

"What do we do now?"

Onward!

The last leg of the race is through Trenton Ave, an old cobble stone street about a mile long. This is the true test of your sculpture. The death rattle is enough to break the mightiest of welds and collapse even the strongest of wheels. This would be the Dune Skippers second voyage down the gauntlet. Hedy steers her crew into the storm with nerves of steel and a look of concentration that would slice through brick.

The Sand Reckoner does not hesitate for a moment either, wherever The Skipper goes The Reckoner will follow!

The cobble stones were enough to trip the tilt sensor in our on board generator so it was dead silent besides metal rattling noises the entire ride. All the team could think about was if 'it' would hold.... whatever 'it' may be.

Made it through! Everything held!

There was a backup for the mud pit finale so the team discussed approach strategy. It was decided that The Dune Skipper would build up speed and take it head on while The Sand Reckoner would slowly crawl up and low gear it across with lift assist from the weather balloons.

The Dune Skipper blasted through with a roar from the crowd. The Reckoner made it maybe 2 feet then stopped dead in its tracks. John, Erik & Tom hopped down braving the mud and pulled her through to bring the Derby to a triumphant finish.

Post mudpit, the Sun is shining!

decompressing after that amazing ride

she did well

great job on the details!

Whats a derby without beer?

Amazing

where is Tom?

Erik, Kate, Ava, Tom, Hedy, John & Dave

Winners of the 'Best Art' Award

Kensington Kinetic Sculpture Derby

Trenton Ave Arts Festival 2009

Some other shots of the day:

Philadelphia Casino Protesters

The Zombish, won 'Peoples Choice' Award.
Amazing work

Our friends, The Flying Monkeys.

Winners of 'Best Costume' Award

What a great experience from start to end. It has been a pleasure working and getting to know everyone in the crew. It really is a testament to what can happen when you bring curious minds together united through a creative drive. Thank you to Erik, Hedy, Dave, Tom, Kate, John and everyone who popped their heads in the shop to help & support over the months.

Until next year!

(HD Video to be posted soon)

more media can be seen in the meantime @

http://www.philebrity.com/2009/05/18/slideshow-trenton-ave-arts-festkensington-kinetic-sculpture-derby-51609/

and

http://www.philebrity.com/2009/05/20/and-now-more-weird-things-people-made-with-old-bikes/

The Dune Skipper is about 99% there. Kate has been busy finishing up the chaos cage and crew guards. Erik made a new friend, Big Red, the shop creeper who fits perfectly under The Dune Skipper for work on the derailleurs & disc brakes. Hedy has been busy detailing the sculpture and John, Dave & Tom have been finishing tuning up The Reckoner.

Just a few more details and she is ready to take her scout car role in front of The Reckoner. We will be showcasing 2 different vehicles from the same fleet... one nimble scout & collection vehicle and one crawling machine of war... we cant wait.

Her wheels may be small in comparison but she has the top end speed

That's right, she is on blocks. Look at that steel ball detailing (insert ball joke here) and those plush reclined leather seats complete with cup holders. You cant get any more luxurious can you?

We left the front 'incense' holders from Octovishnu last year as is. His humble orange octo spirit lives on! Its interesting there are pieces of all 3 Kinetic Sculpture Derby entries on The Dune Skipper. The chain guides are from The Mothership, the original entry to the KKSD 2 years ago, that John was involved in. My my how the vehicles have evolved in just 2 years!