As many of you know I cannot walk far without pain. For the last several years I have used a Segway as a mobility aid. But, I fell off it and broke my face. And even though I got right back on and rode it again, I never lost my fear of riding it. So when my friend, Bruce, set me a link to this site, http://www.travelscoot.com/, I decided this might be the thing for me.
And it is.
It arrived while we were still in California and Dave unpacked and assembled it inside our house.
After testing it to be sure it would work for me, Dave folded it up and put it in the back of our car. And there is sat. Until now.
Now I am ready to use it. I need an easy way to get me to the pool to do my aqua aerobics now that the weather has warmed up and the rains have, more or less, ceased. And I need a way to go grocery shopping for my healthful foods. And I need a way to get to Weight Watchers meetings when I can’t park close.
So, today I tested my ability to get the TravelScoot out of the car and set up by myself.
Here is is in the car all folded up.
My readings about how to use this thing suggested lowering one end to the ground then the other so I did that.
Then I released the locks and opened the base.
Added the seat.
And the battery.
And away I go. Out of the driveway, down the road, and up to our house.
For those of you who are new here, yes we live full-time in that RV traveling around the country seeing what there is to see. Which is another reason I needed a TravelScoot.
But, we are parked here for the summer so my next trip is to the grocery store. So back into the car goes my scoot.
Unfolded this time to make getting ready to ride easier.
And yes, I picked it up and put it in there myself. It only weighs 34 pounds with the battery installed but I took the battery out first which made it even lighter.
Can you say Freedom?!!!
TTYL,
Linda
ps. Anyone in the market for a used Segway that includes a folding seat?
Maybe the THIRD time I’ve tried to leave a comment. It keeps telling me my characters are wrong.
You’ve been a busy girl and in addition to having a new blog you also have new wheels! Now there’s no stopping you if you can do all of that yourself.
You Go Girl!! Looks like fun, can I ride?? So happy to see you so mobile.
So did you change your blog format, or did wordpress inflict it upon you? Curious minds want to know!
Looks like this is the answer for you. Enjoy your new adventure of freedom!
Linda, my TravelScoot has been around the world 5 times in the last 12 months. They are amazing and take alot of ‘travel’ well. Be careful on grass/gravel as they are not built for that. However, I have had to use mine in snow at times and that works even…ha ha..they are forgiving. Mine fits into my wife’s VW New Beetle but I use it most times to get around in airports (Paris/London/Hong Kong/Brussells/Tokyo,etc.) You definitely want a lithium battery and learn to change a belt.
Glad you are using the technology there is to make your life better. Dean
Hi Linda, we are also full timers and have been living in our 63′ Southwind since 2002. I have gotten progressively more disabled and find climbing in and out of the coach extremely difficult. Are you also having trouble climbing the abnormally high entrance steps? If so, have you found a way to modify them? Kathy
I love my ‘Scoot and am glad you feel the same. I notice you have a SUV. I would not even fold it up. Just set in in the back and lift it in and out. I have a sedan and fold it into the trunk. I turn the unit so the front wheel is pointed out the back and the back wheels are still in the trunk. I unfold it and put the battery and seat on before lifting it out to the ground. I have upper body strength but cannot bend over easily. I can lift it to the ground without bending. I use my arms only. ENJOY!!
I understand pain very well; my spine is broken in 6 places and can never heal, my pelvis is held together with 3 plates, 8 screws and an artificial hip. Trust me, I understand pain. I am allergic to almost all pain medicines. However there is one called Neurontin or Gabapentin that works for me. It is non-narcotic and non addictive. It was developed for epileptic seizures, but it blocks pain; they are not sure how or why and I don’t care how or why as long as it works. One has to take it every 8 hours which is inconvenient and in my case the one side effect I have is decreased hearing. Accupuncture also worked great for me.
Good luck and please keep posting and be careful on the road.
Nice new ride! Enjoy.
That is so cool .
Looks like that TravelScoot is the way to go.
My ‘scoot changed my life! Actually it returned my life to me. Not enough to get me back to work yet, but at least I can get out the door – take the dog for a stroll, go to the park, do some errands on my own and not have to wait for my husband or someone else to come along to help me get out the door. I can plonk it in and out of the car on my own even with a back problem as severe as mine. It’s revolutionary – I don’t know why more people aren’t knocking down Tony’s door! Best of luck as you RV & ‘scoot across the country.
Some useful info I found that might be helpful for inexpensive alternative battery choices.
Two companies I found will do a custom made LiFePO4 battery that is compatible with the Travelscoot, for example: a 24V 15Ah will cost around
$350 or so. MUCH cheaper than Li-on.
Google the following for contact info:
Ping Batteries, Ping is very helpful.
Golden Oasis New Energy Group in the USA (Keling Technologies) ask for John.
Both are on ebay, or order direct.
P.S. the LiFePO4 battery weighs MUCH less than the very heavy SLA, easier to lift in and out.
I think they are also OK for airline travel, but check that.
Nice blog. I just found it today after reading your posts on the yahoo view forum.
It appears you moved up to a larger MH.
I am curious, if you were to sell the segway, what would the asking price be? I am in NY and own a view 24h. We’ve toyed with the idea of using smallish Honda scooters to get around the camping areas but I think a segway would be fun!
take care
-Don