Build a Better Mousetrap

     I met Mike Thielvoldt at the Carnegie Hill Climb, he is an inventor and entrepreneur.  His company, Jackrabbit Devices, makes a throttle control for hill climb bikes called The Trigger.

     Mike's device eliminates the twist grip and replaces it with a "trigger" operated by the index finger . Mike says the trigger lets the index finger work through a natural range of motion and keeps the rider from dropping the shoulder.

     His display is quite convincing.  He has a handlebar mounted like a chin up bar, he then invites people to do a pull up and work the throttle at the same time.  I have to admit that the Trigger works.

Mike seems like a nice guy, he is clearly proud of his invention and has an excitement about his product that's infectious.  Mike's web site is www.jackrabbitdevices.com.

Hill Climb

It's been a couple of years since I went to the hill climb at Carnegie SVRA (State Vehicular Recreation Area).  Carnegie is located off Hwy 580 west of Livermore, California.  I noticed that the bikes had changed some from the last time.  There were more water cooled sport bike engines stuffed into hill climb chassis.

You might think that a hill climb is about motorcycles and a hill, but you would be wrong.  It's about nice people, dogs, kids, cute girls and families, all having fun.