The Home of PAPA BALLOON!
The idea of this web site is to do several things. To allow Friends and Family to see parts of our lives on the quiet side street in Cedar Rapids, Iowa known as Vine Ave. To show the world who PAPA BALLOON is and to show my other hobbies such as bicycling and commuter cycling.
On this site you will find several places, some are personal interest and for information, others have to do with my part time professional business as a children's entertainer. So if you check, you will find different interesting places to look and may find some fun too.
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Check Out the new MAGIC
page! Have "Invisible INC!" Featuring "Papa Balloon!"at your next party! Over 30 years experience performing for area families and children! 100% FAMILY FUN! |
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click here for the best in family entertainment! Papa Balloon and Invisible Inc. page PPV repair notes Pedestrian and Bike friendly towns
for Family pages, click here. Family and friends only please. |
 This
is a sample photo of the XtraCycle
that was lifted from the XtraCycle
web page. I am very interested in cargo bicycles and a lifestyle
that includes bicycles more than cars. I have found that the
Xtracycle may well be
 one of the best
answers for giving the rider the ability to carry large, bulky and
awkward loads. In addition, you can carry a passenger of up to 200
lbs (assuming that your wheels will stand it.) This will give the
normal every day rider a great way of carrying those necessities that
they always want to carry or pick up. Groceries for
instance, or maybe some lumber from the lumberyard, or to carry your
Surfboard to the beach, maybe pick up your girlfriend from her job when
her car won't start!...things like that.My
interest is in practicality as well as in riding bikes. See, the
point that makes me think is this. 99% of bicycles out there are
TOYS. this disturbs me. Actually I should amend this
to say 99% of bicycles in the USA are considered "toys". In most
of the rest of the world, a bicycle is a TOOL! Even serious
cyclists here apparently see the bicycle as a toy rather than something
for actual use! |
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Since purchasing the Xtracycle I have often brought home the bacon
(literally!) from the local grocery store on my X. the load shown here
is typical and not in the least unusual. There are about 6 bags of
groceries and a 25 lb bag of charcoal for a cookout in there. I
find that the cargo bike concept is a VERY worthwhile idea. the
bike is still fun to ride but can be USEFUL as well. My bike has
become my "car". I can put nearly anything reasonable in the bags.
and with the Electric assist motor, I can easily get it up the hill and
home!