This is just going to have to be one of those rare moments, when I try to make myself sound like the world's most interesting man. Now that that is established, I will go on to say that I don't always write blogs about medical marijuana, but when I do, I do with a purpose.
In April, I went on a bit of a rant. Even as of the moment that I am writing this, marijuana is still not federally legal in America. But here's the thing that trips me up: medical marijuana vendors, like Pura Vida, are holistically-minded. What that means is that they're able to balance-out THC content with good food, because they know that some herb patients actually want to be proactive with their meds, as I am doing by writing this blog on a body high.
Funny enough, I am currently using one of Reseda Discount Caregivers' in-house and patented, 150mg-milligram edibles. For those of you who have been to Reseda, you no doubt know that their selection of weed brownies is vast anyway, and if you are a fan of super foods, then RDC does happen to be an outlet for the Pura Vida, organic edible brand. Both Pura Vida and RDC's carb treats are choice, but while the former tends to sell their 100mg-milligram edibles for $10 a piece, Reseda sells their in-house brand, at a prescription rate of 150mg-milligrams, for $8 per edible, which opens-up an opportunity: 300mg-milligrams of content for literally $16, and the taste is above and beyond Korova's selection.
My results break-down easily enough: on my cardio bike, I am able to peak at a rate of about 320-385 watts, at a running speed of about 133-34 RPM. Anyone who does cardio regularly knows that this is still a crazy amount of output, but for a guy like myself who likes to iso-test at a peak wattage of over 500, it becomes tedious.
Here's the difference: with Reseda Caregivers' oatmeal cookie and medicated protein bar, I was able to lift, as of yesterday afternoon, approximately 478-watts. This was at a running speed of around 134 RPM.
One factor: timing order. This is something that need be mentioned, because on the same afternoon that I put out 478 watts, I also had an output of 450 watts, my second best number for the day, but at a running speed of about 132 RPM. This is after eating a medicated oatmeal cookie from Reseda Caregivers, and I can say that I've been able to yield similar results from the Pura Vida snacks.
In short, Reseda Discount Caregivers and Pura Vida have some of the San Fernando Valley's best in organic, marijuana-medicated edibles. If you want something more decadent, then you can absolutely buy that from Reseda. Otherwise, be sure to check out Reseda Discount Caregivers and Pura Vida, if you're in Los Angeles, for all of your edible herb needs!
My recent findings on the Permobil C500 suggest that it's an overall, well-built frame. Truthfully, it's the performance that's my biggest complaint about the C500, and I say that carefully, because I just don't feel like Permobil of North America could have stretched their resources any further. That's just in the construction of the C500, but if there's one thing that Permobil's products have proven over the years, it's that they really do go the extra mile to build the most top-end power chair.
Not because the thing's super fast or anything, but let's face it: any vehicle that you drive is going to have to back up its performance with suspension, and it seems like that's why Permobil is the most capable of building a power chair like a car.
Yesterday afternoon, I tested my C500 at our Valley's beloved Balboa Park, in Lake Balboa, California. This is also an afternoon where I've pressure-tested the bike on our equally-famed Reseda Boulevard, and over several miles from the Orange Line station, at the corner of Oxnard, to CORE Centers on Superior.
Here's why it's lacking in performance: in every uphill test that I tried at Balboa, the 500 cruised at an average speed of 1.4-2.1 miles per hour. This is with the understanding, of course, that the decked-out Permobil, with its most base electric motor, is capable of lifting 5.1 miles per hour, and as the Beach Boys have sang, that was at the top-end floored!
Problematic no less, because with the "top-end floored," Permobil's C500, when off-road, stays inside of that 1.4-2.1 mile-per-hour bracket, and that's even regardless of how much of an incline the chair is facing.
Again, this is mostly under an off-road context, and even on hard-packed dirt, the C500 is capable of doing 5 miles per hour, which was my recorded top-end in my last road test.
Permobil fanatics should not fret, however. Because part # 1823394 and 1823395, which refer to the manufacturer's left-to-right motor upgrade, can easily make Permobil's C500 equal in performance to their flagship power chair, the "F5."
For me, I want to be working with Permobil and Sherman Oaks Medical Supply to get the power package for the 500. Because apart from having Westside Collision in Lancaster, California paint the "K-Code" decals on the thing, a higher-output motor seems to be necessary for getting out of others' way, and if there's any argument that can be made for why performance is a medical necessity, then that would clearly be it.
My little nephew, Gionni, often quotes Lightening McQueen: "Packa-Pow!!!" I've been using that a lot myself lately, and now I know why. The body lines are there, the electric running gear is intact. Really, with the right looks and performance tune, Permobil's C500 is set-and-ready for "Radiator Springs'" worse!
While identifying my own physical challenge, I also identified a cultural barrier: Disabled community members are motoring enthusiasts, just as much as any abled hot-rodder, but they have no actual outlet!
That's probably because we're not speaking-up. But the time for writing our genuine, heart-felt love letter to the power chair market is definitely ripe, and while that industry's equipment has simply skyrocketed over the last 35 years, there's still an empty chasm, where a performance department should exist.
I don't think anyone blames the power chair market; it's just that people and things are changing, and the active body of disabled motor heads has arrived, just in time for 2016, with a whole new parts-and-price list.
It's not a hard one, but do make sure to call Permobil directly, if you're looking to buy the factory performance upgrade on their independently-coiled, C500 power chair. And if technicalities are what they say, then this factory upgrade, parts # 1823394 (Right motor), and 1823395 (left motor) should bring Permobil's current, C500 unit to a top speed of around 6.5mph, with a sustainable battery range of 24-25 miles per charge.
As for myself, I am satisfied with the C500 platform, though I must admit that I am ready for any performance boost that I can get. The performance pack for the C500, as described above, may be nearly impossible to get through insurance, but as an insider, I'm willing to test it. Consequently, I am in the process of trying to get my insurance to sponsor the Permobil, motor upgrade, based on my inability to use public transportation.
In analogy, Permobil's controller/motor upgrade should be, to the C-frame, what the "turbo" option is to the Kia Optima. That's a bit optimistic, but let's try it on for fun and see anyway, shall we?!
