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Another addition to the Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines family is now available for download. A few weeks ago, we took The LongRanger Electric bike out to camp for more photos and give it a real run for several days. It performed well beyond our expectations. Barely used any battery juice at all, which was amazing considering Brad drove the bike for hours, even pulling someone on a scooter and me on the back of the seat while he sat on a pillow place precariously atop the battery cage. I don't recommend doing that for long haul rides, though.

It was funny watching riders on those store bought electric scooters and bikes barely make it up small hills, having to get off and push most of the way while we zipped on by effortlessly.

Plus, we didn't get any of those annoying looks that people on gas powered scooters and bikes get in a normally tranquil campground. There were a couple of gas powered scooters that were so annoying to campers that the park rangers asked them to park them permanently for the duration of their stay. We laughed among ourselves that no one had a problem with our LongRanger.

Even took it to a spot where some bikers were soaring off small jumps and hills. The BMX-ers were totally impressed with it. Before long, our campsite was popular, with visitors asking all about the LongRanger and where they could buy one.

Sorry, we don't sell the finished bikes, only the plans so you can make your own. So, there you have it. Another mission accomplished. Oh, and thanks to those of you who voted for the StreetFighter Cycle Car. Building will commence when the StreetFox Tadpole Trike is done! And, to those of you who might think you don't have time to build your own custom human powered vehicles, we do all of this stuff in our spare time. If we can do it, so can you! Cheers, friends.

Finally got some decent weather to shoot some video footage of the Gladiator Chopper Trike. Granted, we've been lucky to have an abundance of rain, compared to many parts of the world having drought conditions, raging forest fires and low water tables, so we're not complaining here!

Despite the unpredictable weather, we did get the Gladiator out for some footage before the high humidity set in last week. The Gladiator download is also available now.

Brad is now working on the StreetFox Tadpole Trike - yes, it's really coming along. I know, we said that in the spring, but he seriously has it all planned out, has all of the parts, just a few things to get done this week and he'll begin putting it together.

I believe he's planning on getting the LongRanger Electric Bike download done over the next week, too. Of course, in typical Atomic Zombie style, he'll be working in the sweltering heat since the temperature has risen to the 30s and 40s Celsius (80s to 90s Fahrenheit). I'm going to wait until the temperature cools off before beginning my welding lessons. It's more important to get the StreetFox Tadpole Trike done first.

I'll have the fall to tinker with some projects I've been wanting to work on. I have plenty of yard work to keep me busy for the rest of the summer any way. Nothing like picking fresh veggies from your garden! I guess that's it for now. Stay tuned for more updates.

Well, after nearly a month of sweat, blood and tears - literally - the baddest chopper of the Atomic Zombie Extreme Machines family is cruising the streets. This phat chopper even makes Harley riders stop and gaze in amazement. Brad went for a half-hour ride yesterday and eventually came back nearly an hour-and-a-half later.

"I can't ride half a block without someone waving me down, or running up to me to take a look," he said yesterday, amazed that so many people want to ask questions about the Gladiator.

I've ridden it, too, and it's amazingly comfortable, easy to handle, smooth. You forget there are two car wheels; it's that smooth.

The download will be available in a few weeks, but first, the StreetFox Tadpole Trike will be built. This will be my ride and will mark, the beginning of my welding lessons. I'll be starting out on the stick welder and maybe get a mig later on. I want to build some trailers and things for the yard. I'm really looking forward to learning something new. This will definitely test my tolerance for patience. Should be interesting.

As for the Gladiator chopper, it really has been a labor of love, and Brad has some scars to prove it. I'll spare you the gory pictures, though.

He got a nasty burn on his arm after touching a piece of freshly welded metal; poked himself in the eye with a wheel spoke; caught his shirt on fire; hammered on his finger and now the nail is black; and yesterday, gashed his head on the chain ring that was hanging up to dry after being painted. He bent down to pick something up off the floor, then "Crunch!" - one of the ring's teeth dug into his head, leaving a half-inch gash. I walked into the garage to ask him something, and he asked me to look at the wound.

"Yep, it's bleeding, dude. Might need a couple of stitches." I cleaned it up, applied direct pressure, added some antibiotic stuff and the bleeding stopped. Back out to the garage he went. He HAD to get the Gladiator on the road that day for it's first official test ride as the newest completed project. He HAD to ride to his buddy's house and show him. Now, that's dedication to the cause!

Add to the physical injuries - building the beast in a 90 degree garage! Definitely lots of sweat went into this build. The tears - well, not much - but Brad wasn't very happy with the paint job at first. It seems the manufacturer of the type of paint he normally uses added some sparkle-speckle crap to their brand and he wasn't thrilled about it at all, especially since it's not stated on the can. Let's just say that projectiles were launched in the air in frustration, but he's ok with the final result now thanks to some positive feedback yesterday. How frustrating, though, to put in so much work, only to be disappointed with the quality of paint, especially when it's made by a manufacturer whose products you've used for years. It all worked out in the end, and soon the download will be available so everyone can build their own Gladiator style chopper!

Cheers, friends.

Wow - it's been over a month since my last update. Seems like only last week I updated the blog. My bad! Sorry, folks. Been really busy with yard work and getting the vegetable garden and flower beds planted. I have spent the past week and a half weeding every garden again since they keep growing faster than the plants I want to grow. It has been incredibly hot and humid for most of June, which is great for the plants, but hard on the body, especially Brad, who's been sweltering in the garage recently.

We had a warm, dry spring at first, then it turned cold, some frost early in the month, then rainy and many storms. The lightning has been unbelievable, and yes, I have seen horizontal lightning bolts for the first time. It freaked me out. Yesterday was filled with torrential rain, intense lightning, wind and warnings of tornadoes. Apparently, one touched down west of here, but reports haven't been confirmed yet. We've had fried routers and hubs to replace and the usual annoyances thanks to power outages, some flooding (our house plumbing needs an overhaul), software glitches and so on. But, in true Atomic Zombie spirit, we're muddling through the crap and still enjoying the stuff we do.

Earlier this month, we got the green light to do another book for McGraw-Hill, "Bike, Scooter and Chopper Projects for the Evil Genius." Brad's started on projects already. It will be available in spring 2008. And, we're looking over edits of "51 Practical Jokes for the Evil Genius" due out in September 2007. MAKE magazine is planning to publish a how-to article on our Granny's Nightmare bike chopper in issue # 11 out in August 2007.

Brad's totally psyched about a new chopper - Gladiator - for the bike book. It should be completed in the next couple of weeks, then my Streetfox Tadpole Trike will be done, too. I hope to start welding soon to help out with the Tadpole and maybe design a small trailer to pull behind it since it will be my main ride. In between all of the building madness and new deadline, he's also making headway on the Arcturus Hybrid Camper Cycle, but that's an extensive project that will take at least another year to complete.

Other than spending lots of time outdoors and in the garage, not much else is new. Oh, I did see Willie Nelson and Family in concert here last week and that 74-year-old dude can sure throw an amazing party. I was so impressed with the opening acts - Shaye and 40 Points - but Willie was awesome. My dad and I had a great time. He's a big Willie fan.

Stay tuned to the Builder's Gallery. There will be new additions late next week. I'm a bit overwhelmed with paperwork these days, so it's taking a little longer to get the gallery updated. Cheers, friends.

Happy Canada Day - July 1 and Independence Day - July 4.

Freak Bike Militia - Golden Horseshoe Cruisers will be holding their second annual Hamilton Beach Cruise and Can-Am Challenge,  July 20 & 21, Oakville, Ontario. For more information, contact fbmghc@hotmail.com and check out the flyer http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f387/yyzmec/FBMGHHBC07FLYERa.jpg . Last year's event was a success, so join the fun and good times. Atomic Zombie is proud to sponsor this awesome event.