I was able to shave 1 pound off the weight of the seat back with a few more holes. The seat stays and seat back are now glued in place. I also dusted off my old Wilderness Energy hub motor. Yep! hybred velomobile for less than $100 bucks. Wow!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Ugh! Sewage in my Man Cave!!!!!!
My “Man Cave” was desecrated Monday night. While I was working on my low-racer seat back in the background I heard a gurgling noise and the sound of water trickling. It took me a few minutes to connect the sounds with there possibly being a problem, I was rather into what I was doing and not thinking about too much else. Then the smell hit me. Ugh! Sewage!
Years of being an Environmental Scientist and having worked in sewage treatment plants (for only a very short time) one’s nose knows that smell. The pit where the house trap is was over flowing, and thankfully into the nearby drywell drain – this is “my” basement. I stopped working on my ‘bent and called Roto Rooter.
Roto Rooter is great. Andre, the technician they sent, was very professional, knew exactly where the problem lay, and went right to work. $350.05 later the blockage (paper) was removed and this household artery is once again clean until the next time “arterial-real-grossness” happens again. Thanks Andre!
The ‘bent is coming along fine. After I glued the main beam of the frame I realized there was too much flexing in the back support beam and seat bottom beam (for lack of better terms). I solved the issue by using the seat back and bottom as integral components mounted directly to the beams to stiffen the frame. It work, I am happy. I also realized early one I would have to add stays to take stress of the rear beam and stiffen it up a bit too.
Hopefully by the weekend I will have the frame completely glued and I can start sanding – I am getting tired of pulling splinters out of my skin.
If I haven't said so already, I love Gorilla Glue. Except for the obvious fasteners for the head tube, the frame is held together on using Gorilla Glue. Thanks Gorilla Glue - you're the best!
Next step is the drive train. More to come on that.
Here are a bunch of pictures showing my progress. The hula hoops are going to be used as the longitudinal members of the fairing. If you know about geodesic airolite boat construction [www.gaboats.com], you will understand my approach to fairing construction.
All in all, from only scraps and a few store-bought nuts and bolts, and using only my hand tools, I am well on the way to building a sub-50 pound velomobile.
Years of being an Environmental Scientist and having worked in sewage treatment plants (for only a very short time) one’s nose knows that smell. The pit where the house trap is was over flowing, and thankfully into the nearby drywell drain – this is “my” basement. I stopped working on my ‘bent and called Roto Rooter.
Roto Rooter is great. Andre, the technician they sent, was very professional, knew exactly where the problem lay, and went right to work. $350.05 later the blockage (paper) was removed and this household artery is once again clean until the next time “arterial-real-grossness” happens again. Thanks Andre!
The ‘bent is coming along fine. After I glued the main beam of the frame I realized there was too much flexing in the back support beam and seat bottom beam (for lack of better terms). I solved the issue by using the seat back and bottom as integral components mounted directly to the beams to stiffen the frame. It work, I am happy. I also realized early one I would have to add stays to take stress of the rear beam and stiffen it up a bit too.
Hopefully by the weekend I will have the frame completely glued and I can start sanding – I am getting tired of pulling splinters out of my skin.
If I haven't said so already, I love Gorilla Glue. Except for the obvious fasteners for the head tube, the frame is held together on using Gorilla Glue. Thanks Gorilla Glue - you're the best!
Next step is the drive train. More to come on that.
Here are a bunch of pictures showing my progress. The hula hoops are going to be used as the longitudinal members of the fairing. If you know about geodesic airolite boat construction [www.gaboats.com], you will understand my approach to fairing construction.
All in all, from only scraps and a few store-bought nuts and bolts, and using only my hand tools, I am well on the way to building a sub-50 pound velomobile.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Project time! Spare-built low racer
I set of goal for myself to spend as little as possible and mainly use spare parts in my bike and "old project" arsenal to make a fared low-racer suitable to use as an errand bike. From my wooden boat building past I have 3/4 inch marine plywood, this will be the frame. The rear wheel is a 700c from an old station bike/beater I no longer use. The rear drop-outs are electric junction box covers that have been drilled and cut. The front wheel, head tube, bottom bracket and fork are from a kid's BMX, and the FWD drive train will be built from the station/beater bike parts. The frame is cut. I will be spending the next weeks assembling the frame.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Going Dutch!!!!!!
Managing life has gotten in the way of posting much in the blog recently. Rest assured, I am still riding when I can. The side-by-side tandem has had one seat swapped with a large wicker basket so I can bring the dogs along with me when I ride (three small dogs). The Schwinn Airdyne is getting some mileage, but the statinoary bike is not as fun as riding around the neighborhood and getting the opportunity for a change of scenery and saying hellow to people.
Wow! Comming Soon to our Store in Pelham - Worksman
goHeidi.com (the family business) will be selling the Worksman Dutchie through our retail location on 5th Avenue in Pelham, NY (next to the Pelham Art Center). You will not be able to miss the bike displayed in our window. While the photo depicts a red-colored frame, we will be stocking any color you want, only as long as it is black. O.K. black only in the store for now, however I will gladly special order any color or paint scheme you can come up with - the factory is in Queens, so it will be quick - all we need is a down payment.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
New Ride
I ordered a new Worksman today to replace the one stolen. Though, instead of ordering a new "News Boy", I ordered a "Team Dual Tandem".
Heidi and I have had a tandem for years, we just don't ride it any more. I will have to sell it to pay off this new trike, but that won't take too long.
I like the idea of the side-by-side tandem. On the Old Burley Duet (the old tandem), Heidi use to complain about starring at by butt for hours. We will be off to the New Jersey Shore for summer vacation, so the trike will get a work-out.
Our new one - Red, three speed, and puncture resistant tires. (I can't wait to zip-tie a big beach umbrella to it for shade and down-wind coasting).
More to come.........
Monday, September 22, 2008
Back in the saddle again......
My wife surprised me with a gift, a used Trek 7200 to use as my "station bike". For those of you who do not have a significant other, the following may seem a little bizzar, but to others it will appear totally normal - the gift cost me $80. It went something like this..... "I know you were looking and I found you this, surprise...... Oh, they need $80."
My new (old) bike was one that was left at the local bike shop for more than a year without the previous owner paying, or picking it up. So, if you bike shop says they will sell your bike after some many days, this one will. The $80.00 covered the cost of the work the shop had performed.
After taking the bike for a spin I found out why no one had picked it up from the shop. The bike had been wrecked and the front suspension fork was bent and the handle bar is a little bent. I replaced the bent fork with the one from my old Montique so now I have a Trek hybrid with a 700c rearwheel and a monster mudder 26 inch front wheel. I raised the stem an extra inch to compensate for the smaller front wheel/tire. There are also a good number of scratches on plastic parts to show the bike slide on the ground a little when it was wrecked.
I bought 7 feet of 3/8 inch chain from Home Depot. It took a while for the checkout people to understand the chain was $9.00, not $110.00 - they tried to charge me by the inch, not the foot as it was actually priced - I don't have good expereinces at Home Depot - this was a bad one. I also got a good stout lock.
Today, I rolled down the hill to the train station and locked my new (old) bike to the rack in between some other "beaters". Let us see how long this one lasts.
My new (old) bike was one that was left at the local bike shop for more than a year without the previous owner paying, or picking it up. So, if you bike shop says they will sell your bike after some many days, this one will. The $80.00 covered the cost of the work the shop had performed.
After taking the bike for a spin I found out why no one had picked it up from the shop. The bike had been wrecked and the front suspension fork was bent and the handle bar is a little bent. I replaced the bent fork with the one from my old Montique so now I have a Trek hybrid with a 700c rearwheel and a monster mudder 26 inch front wheel. I raised the stem an extra inch to compensate for the smaller front wheel/tire. There are also a good number of scratches on plastic parts to show the bike slide on the ground a little when it was wrecked.
I bought 7 feet of 3/8 inch chain from Home Depot. It took a while for the checkout people to understand the chain was $9.00, not $110.00 - they tried to charge me by the inch, not the foot as it was actually priced - I don't have good expereinces at Home Depot - this was a bad one. I also got a good stout lock.
Today, I rolled down the hill to the train station and locked my new (old) bike to the rack in between some other "beaters". Let us see how long this one lasts.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Its gone Jim!
The emptiness was overpowering. The great void left me by some fool who stripped my identity with a simple snip turned quickly to rage and images of my doing wrong to that fool filled my mind, but this is foolish of me to think I might actually bring that kind of harm to anyone.
Why me? But in an instant I knew my Worksman was gone and it is now in the hands of some fool who probably does not know the historic value of the machine, the last American built bicycle. And I hope that fool peddles quickly because I have notified the Police and with all the advertising hanging off it, it will be hard to miss this bike as it goes by, it even has my cell phone plastered all over it in big letters - just let the fool park my bike somewhere and have someone unkowingly pick up their phone and call me! Ugh..... what a day.
After all these months of parking my bicycle at the train station, my bike has become such a part of my daily routine that I don't know if/how I will be able to cope in the next few days. I guess I will just have to get up an extra 15 minutes earlier and walk to the station rather than gently guide down the hill on my trusty old steed.
I also hope Mr. Fool realizes that the new gear shift cable sitting on my workbench will no longer be a benefit for my bike, and Mr. Fool will soon see that he/she is stuck in second gear. I am glad I didn't get to that chore this weekend (replacing the cable). I also hope soon that Mr. Fool realizes I haven't put air in the tires in a few weeks and that the tires were a little mushy this morning. Also, when Mr. Fool encounters his first hill he will realize that the Worksman is a big heavy bike that is sometimes not too easy to get up a big hill.
Thankfully, I had easy access to the bicycles serial number, and I was able to print a picture of the bike and the advertising signage to give it all to the Police Officer who made out the report documenting the theft of my bike.
I hope it turns up safe.
Why me? But in an instant I knew my Worksman was gone and it is now in the hands of some fool who probably does not know the historic value of the machine, the last American built bicycle. And I hope that fool peddles quickly because I have notified the Police and with all the advertising hanging off it, it will be hard to miss this bike as it goes by, it even has my cell phone plastered all over it in big letters - just let the fool park my bike somewhere and have someone unkowingly pick up their phone and call me! Ugh..... what a day.
After all these months of parking my bicycle at the train station, my bike has become such a part of my daily routine that I don't know if/how I will be able to cope in the next few days. I guess I will just have to get up an extra 15 minutes earlier and walk to the station rather than gently guide down the hill on my trusty old steed.
I also hope Mr. Fool realizes that the new gear shift cable sitting on my workbench will no longer be a benefit for my bike, and Mr. Fool will soon see that he/she is stuck in second gear. I am glad I didn't get to that chore this weekend (replacing the cable). I also hope soon that Mr. Fool realizes I haven't put air in the tires in a few weeks and that the tires were a little mushy this morning. Also, when Mr. Fool encounters his first hill he will realize that the Worksman is a big heavy bike that is sometimes not too easy to get up a big hill.
Thankfully, I had easy access to the bicycles serial number, and I was able to print a picture of the bike and the advertising signage to give it all to the Police Officer who made out the report documenting the theft of my bike.
I hope it turns up safe.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Too long since last post.
I need more time in the day to do everything I want to do, plus do all those things that must get done.
I rode the Worksman through the summer of 2007 until I had a little mishap when my cable lock got caught in the rear sprocket and popped the sprocket off the rear hub. Well with fall and winter fast approaching I reverted to riding my ex-Tidal Force/Montaque folding mountain bike. Still 5-, and sometimes 6- days a week the bike enables me to get back and forth from the train station with occasional stopps for bread and milk on the way home.
Basically, I have gone 11 months with very little change to my routine. Except for the Worksman which needs a little attention, I have only performed basic maintenance on my bikes.
During these past months, by riding my bicycle the approximately 396 miles back and forth to the railroad station and taking mass transit to work, I have avoided buying almost 660 gallons of gasoline. From a carbon standpoint, I have avoided spewing 6.27 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere (based on 40 CFR 600.113-78). Not too bad.
The economics of my bike-train-bike commute are really good. My mass transit commute is $240 per month. Whereas the cost of driving, with just the cost of gasoline and tolls being $350 per month, is much much more - I haven't even included the cost of wear and tear at $0.80 per mile, or any of the social* costs at $0.33 per mile ( http://www.commutesolutions.org/calc.htm, and http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm66.htm#_Toc18284958) which would bring my drive to work up to $1,700 per month. WOW!!!!!!
The point here is, ride a bike, don't drive a car.
*The social cost does not include the cost of Foriegn Policy, or the war in Iraq.
I rode the Worksman through the summer of 2007 until I had a little mishap when my cable lock got caught in the rear sprocket and popped the sprocket off the rear hub. Well with fall and winter fast approaching I reverted to riding my ex-Tidal Force/Montaque folding mountain bike. Still 5-, and sometimes 6- days a week the bike enables me to get back and forth from the train station with occasional stopps for bread and milk on the way home.
Basically, I have gone 11 months with very little change to my routine. Except for the Worksman which needs a little attention, I have only performed basic maintenance on my bikes.
During these past months, by riding my bicycle the approximately 396 miles back and forth to the railroad station and taking mass transit to work, I have avoided buying almost 660 gallons of gasoline. From a carbon standpoint, I have avoided spewing 6.27 tons of CO2 into the atmosphere (based on 40 CFR 600.113-78). Not too bad.
The economics of my bike-train-bike commute are really good. My mass transit commute is $240 per month. Whereas the cost of driving, with just the cost of gasoline and tolls being $350 per month, is much much more - I haven't even included the cost of wear and tear at $0.80 per mile, or any of the social* costs at $0.33 per mile ( http://www.commutesolutions.org/calc.htm, and http://www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm66.htm#_Toc18284958) which would bring my drive to work up to $1,700 per month. WOW!!!!!!
The point here is, ride a bike, don't drive a car.
*The social cost does not include the cost of Foriegn Policy, or the war in Iraq.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
I got it!!!!!!!
I picked up my new Worksman Newsboy bicycle on Friday afternoon, May 11th. This is the first bike I have bought in 10 years that came completely assembled and ready to ride without needing as much as a little wrenching to tighten something up. Even the seat was properly adjusted at the factory. And yes, I picked the bike up at the factory from the person who actually took my initial order. [For safety I did add a bell, and LED head light and tail light - so a wrenched just a little bit.]
This is a big bike. With the baskets and fenders, the bike weighs forty+ pounds. At first I was a little skeptical that perhaps I made a mistake with such a heavy bike, but with the 3-speed transmission (rear hub) and the smaller (37 tooth) chainring the gearing is perfect for my riding needs. Around town I can cruise along at 10-12 MPH, I can easily hit 30 MPH going downhills, and the gearing is low enough that I can climb the hill leading to my house easier than I could on my mountain bike. And how can I climb better on a heavier bike? Because the Worksman's upright ergonomics are better than the crouched over mountain bike position, the Worksman is more comfortable and much easier to peddle up hill.
The workmanship on the Worksman bike is as industrial as the bike, and it is excellent. Despite all the chrome and the baskets, nothing rattles. I cruised around all weekend running errands and all I could hear was the tire rubber against the road (and at first I thought it sounded like an electric car - that spooked me).
Part of the plan for this bike was to use it as an advertising platform for my wife Heidi's toy business. The baskets on the bike provide almost 10 square feet of advertising space. So as the bike is parked at the train station all day waiting for me to come home from work, it is advertising Heidi's business. We used Buildasign.com and made up corroplast signs (corrugated plastic) which are zip-tied to the front a rear baskets. I have included here a copy of the sign attached to the bike.
Until next time.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The new bike arrives today!!!!!!
My new Worksman Industrial Bike arrives today. I got the call on Tuesday that it was ready to be picked up, so I drove to work today (only the 5th time in 11 months I have driven my car to work) and will pick up the bike in just a few short hours. Here's a picture of what the bike looks like. Mine will be yellow and it will have a 3-speed Sturmey Archer rear hub. I will also be adding a front caliper brake when I install my Wilderness Hub motor on the bike to make it an eBike.
So, I have dusted off the wheel and electric hubmotor from my old Cannondale mountain bike and I am looking forward to mounting the motor on the new bike. e-Bikes are just the sort of transportation solution I need in this soon-to-be $4.00+ per gallon of gasoline world. My lead-acid batteries from 2 years ago are shot. I am exploring my battery options. With the exception of the price (almost $800.00) LiFe phosphate (lithium iron phosphate) batteries look like a really good investment. From what I can tell they are half the weight of lead acid batteries, and they look like they will last almost 1 years (that's about $80.00 per year - much cheaper than getting new lead acid batteries every year!!!!!!). The LiFe phosphate batteries may make electric cars a soon reality.
More when the bike arrives.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Train converts!!!!
It has been 11 months since I started my bike-to-train commute and I think it has worked out really well. In the morning the bike ride to the train wakes me up, the train trip is very relaxing, and I arrive at work ready to concour the day. I usually sleep on the train trip home - I think is has to do something with the rhythmic hum of the train wheels on the track, and the bike ride home from the train station again wakes me up to finish up the end of the day.
During the past 11 months I have driven my minivan to work 5 times, either because I was picking something up or continuing my trip in another direction - not bad. I have had no delays caused by the trains. Actually, I have made some friends who share my commute, and we are a lively bunch on the train platform at 5:15 in the morning.
With gasoline price rocketing past $3.20 per gallon I have had two of my co-workers ask me about train commuting. One has already started taking the train and loves it, and the other will start in a week. I am hoping more people will start riding the train as gasoline prices increase further. Now that's two less cars on the road.
During the past 11 months I have driven my minivan to work 5 times, either because I was picking something up or continuing my trip in another direction - not bad. I have had no delays caused by the trains. Actually, I have made some friends who share my commute, and we are a lively bunch on the train platform at 5:15 in the morning.
With gasoline price rocketing past $3.20 per gallon I have had two of my co-workers ask me about train commuting. One has already started taking the train and loves it, and the other will start in a week. I am hoping more people will start riding the train as gasoline prices increase further. Now that's two less cars on the road.
Monday, April 23, 2007
One more eBike on the road.
The Estelle is on the road! One more eBike is cruising the streets of Westchester County. The bike was picked up about 2 weeks ago, last week there were flood causing rains which squashed (I should say squished) gettting it on the road. Because the tires and tubes were rotten it took until Sunday morning to get the new rubber set and going. Now its going.
My first riding impression. The Estelle is a pure power assist so you have to peddle to actuate the motor, whereas my Wilderness Experience setup can move the bike independant of peddling. The power assist is great, good torque, and descent top end speed - but speed isn't everything on this type of commuter bike, reliability is the most important thing here. To enhance the reliability I installed the "triple protection" Bontrager slicks - I have run on these tires for three years without any flats.
Now it is up to D. to start riding the bike instead of driving the car. One less car here we come. Good luck D., you have a great ride.
Update on my next eBike. The bike has been ordered, this week I order the new battery pack and charger. It will be about 4 more weeks before I am back on the eRoad again.
Until next time.......
My first riding impression. The Estelle is a pure power assist so you have to peddle to actuate the motor, whereas my Wilderness Experience setup can move the bike independant of peddling. The power assist is great, good torque, and descent top end speed - but speed isn't everything on this type of commuter bike, reliability is the most important thing here. To enhance the reliability I installed the "triple protection" Bontrager slicks - I have run on these tires for three years without any flats.
Now it is up to D. to start riding the bike instead of driving the car. One less car here we come. Good luck D., you have a great ride.
Update on my next eBike. The bike has been ordered, this week I order the new battery pack and charger. It will be about 4 more weeks before I am back on the eRoad again.
Until next time.......
Monday, April 16, 2007
New bike coming and add a convert to eBiking
I had a very interesting experience, and not one many people have when they are shopping for a new bicycle. Last week I went to the Worksman Bicycle factory in Queens, NY, because I had a few technical questions about their bikes. I was met by an Associate who directed me to a more knowledgeable person to help me with my questions. Well, blow me away, the more knowledgeable person I was introduced to was the President of Worksman Bicycle, the oldest continually operating bicycle manufacturer in the United States established in 1898. Try going to Cannondale, Trek, or Schwinn and having the president of any of those companies try and answer technical questions about their bikes - I don't think it will happen!
Worksman is a different type of bicycle manufacturer, they manufacture industrial bicycles and tricycles used to transport people and material in factories, and industrial and business complexes across the country. [see www.worksmancycles.com for more information] Worksman cycles are a terrific green solution when they replace Cushman style motorized work vehicles - more on this later.
I order myself a Worksman Cruiser, the bike arrives in three weeks. Better yet, I found Worksman was selling electric Estelle City Bikes, a German made eBike at a significant discount. Of course I will soon have all the components together to reassemble my eBike, but it was a really good deal. I mentioned this to friend who jumped on the opportunity and bought one of the eBikes. I helped assemble the bike only to find the tires had aged and need to be replaced, so it will be a few days before the Estelle City eBike hits the road. This is cool because it means one less car on the road, and I have converted another person to the simple pleasures of ebikes - we are one person closer to a better world.
I have to figure out how to post pictures in this Blog to help illustrate the things I write about. Perhaps that is a task suited for another day.
Worksman is a different type of bicycle manufacturer, they manufacture industrial bicycles and tricycles used to transport people and material in factories, and industrial and business complexes across the country. [see www.worksmancycles.com for more information] Worksman cycles are a terrific green solution when they replace Cushman style motorized work vehicles - more on this later.
I order myself a Worksman Cruiser, the bike arrives in three weeks. Better yet, I found Worksman was selling electric Estelle City Bikes, a German made eBike at a significant discount. Of course I will soon have all the components together to reassemble my eBike, but it was a really good deal. I mentioned this to friend who jumped on the opportunity and bought one of the eBikes. I helped assemble the bike only to find the tires had aged and need to be replaced, so it will be a few days before the Estelle City eBike hits the road. This is cool because it means one less car on the road, and I have converted another person to the simple pleasures of ebikes - we are one person closer to a better world.
I have to figure out how to post pictures in this Blog to help illustrate the things I write about. Perhaps that is a task suited for another day.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The plan, the action, and acting locally
The plan....... right now the plan is to order a yellow 3-speed Worksman utility bike with a full complement of baskets for posting advertising for the toy business. I will be ordering the bike with a smaller chain ring for easier uphill pedaling) and I will install my Wilderness Energy electric hub motor on the bike's front wheel for their added zip. I am still not decided on whether or not to use 7 amp hour batteries or 12 amp hour batteries, there is a significant weight difference between the two and if I don't really need the range this time around then the lighter battery pack would be much better. Regarding the range - at this time my radius of traveling by bicycle is about 3 miles, so it is likely I will not need much more than a 10 mile range. The first time around my travel radius (to work and back) was 9 miles, this is where the larger amp hour batteries are worth the added weight. For longer trips I have my 100 MPG Honda scooter.
The action..... right now I am about 6 weeks away from placing the order for the bike and batteries. Some other things have gotten in the way (like paying for a root canal, kid's summer camp, and new inventory for the toy store), so I need to wait a bit for the cash flow to catch back up to my expenses (or the other way around).
I have been asked to participate in a "green vehicle" symposium and a local college, and I really excited to be able to talk about my experience living with an electric vehicle - this will be cool. The symposium will be sometime in April.
The action..... right now I am about 6 weeks away from placing the order for the bike and batteries. Some other things have gotten in the way (like paying for a root canal, kid's summer camp, and new inventory for the toy store), so I need to wait a bit for the cash flow to catch back up to my expenses (or the other way around).
I have been asked to participate in a "green vehicle" symposium and a local college, and I really excited to be able to talk about my experience living with an electric vehicle - this will be cool. The symposium will be sometime in April.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
$25 Million?
Hello March!
For the past few days I have been having reoccurring thoughts about winning the Virgin Earth Challenge prize for demonstrating a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate.
Winning the prize is too simple, just prohibit cars and give everyone a bicycle. The design already exists!
I am actually disappointed in the contest because I feel the premise is to award non-sustainable designs for gadgets to scrub the atmosphere so mankind can still live our unsustainable lives and continue to pump pollutants into the atmosphere.
What is really needed is a paradigm shift from unsustainable growth to sustainable living, and the basic design of the bicycle is perfect to start the transformation required to make this shift. For example, if the bicycle, e-bike, or whatever variant were to immediately replace personal motor vehicles there would be an immediate reduction in negative impacts to the atmosphere. Gone would be the tons of carbon dioxide and other toxics gases we pump into the atmosphere for each mile of roadway driven. Also gone would be the energy requirements and resources needed to support the production and use of personal motor vehicles, and well as the associated gaseous toxins. Further eliminated would be the unsustainable energy policies, dependence on foreign resources, failed foreign policies, and the fallen and maimed youth fighting pointless wars protecting finite and likely trivial natural resources. The spiral of the effect each change makes compounds the benefit to the planet and helps move mankind toward sustainable living.
I could go on, but I am satisfied I made my point that the bicycle is the design for a better, safer, and healthier world. Now show me the money so I can go out and buy bicycles to give to people who share my visions.
For the past few days I have been having reoccurring thoughts about winning the Virgin Earth Challenge prize for demonstrating a commercially viable design which results in the removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases so as to contribute materially to the stability of Earth’s climate.
Winning the prize is too simple, just prohibit cars and give everyone a bicycle. The design already exists!
I am actually disappointed in the contest because I feel the premise is to award non-sustainable designs for gadgets to scrub the atmosphere so mankind can still live our unsustainable lives and continue to pump pollutants into the atmosphere.
What is really needed is a paradigm shift from unsustainable growth to sustainable living, and the basic design of the bicycle is perfect to start the transformation required to make this shift. For example, if the bicycle, e-bike, or whatever variant were to immediately replace personal motor vehicles there would be an immediate reduction in negative impacts to the atmosphere. Gone would be the tons of carbon dioxide and other toxics gases we pump into the atmosphere for each mile of roadway driven. Also gone would be the energy requirements and resources needed to support the production and use of personal motor vehicles, and well as the associated gaseous toxins. Further eliminated would be the unsustainable energy policies, dependence on foreign resources, failed foreign policies, and the fallen and maimed youth fighting pointless wars protecting finite and likely trivial natural resources. The spiral of the effect each change makes compounds the benefit to the planet and helps move mankind toward sustainable living.
I could go on, but I am satisfied I made my point that the bicycle is the design for a better, safer, and healthier world. Now show me the money so I can go out and buy bicycles to give to people who share my visions.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
I'm Back.........
It's almost March, I hope the last of the snow is now melting, and I am itching to buy a new bike on which I can reuse my hub motor.
Don't get me wrong, my current ride is great. Oh, here's an interesting story, my current ride is a Montague folding mountain bike that I bought on eBay from Wavecrestlabs. Actually, I bought the frame set only, the wheel set was from my old Cannondale which I originally had the hub motor setup on. A bunch of the Montague frames became available when Wavecrestlabs sold Tidalforce to Matra Sports. So it is kind of ironic that I went from riding an electric-conversion Cannondale to a de-electric Tidalforce. The old Tidalforce frame set came equipped with all necessary components (including the braze-ons for running the electric wires between the motor, batteries, and control - they are all still there but now empty), all that was missing were two wheels - I think I only paid $200.00! for the bike. Too bad the hub motor doesn't fit the front suspension fork, otherwise I would just mount the Wilderness Energy hub motor to the old Tidalforce frame - an odd partner of sorts.
Currently my old non-e Tidalforce serves as my station bike. I ride everyday, rain, sleet, snow, salt, heat, cold, or sun - no exception, the mile or so from my house to the train station where I chain it and catch the train into New York City to go to work. I also use the bike for short trips around town (milk runs, to the Post Office, etc.). The only problem I had was with the chain. The chain broke because it wasn't the proper size for the cogs on the Cannondale cassette - this has been fixed. I would not do this to any other bike, but once a week I spray down all the movable parts with WD40 to keep the workings well lubricated from the wintry nasty things that tend to gum up machinery. Usually I would use a good quality synthetic bicycle oil and grease. I will likely have to service all the bearings at some point during the spring.
Getting back to my itching, here is what I have been thinking about...... I will keep the non-e Tidalforce Montague for my wintry and rainy day commuting to the train station. I want to purchase the 2007 Schwinn cruiser that has the 7-speed Nexus rear hub and install the hub motor on the front fork. I need to mount baskets on the bike, so I want to mount large Wald wire baskets both front and rear - this will give me more cargo capacity than the trunk of my wife's VW Beetle convertible. The best part is, I think it will actually make money for me!
Here is where the revenue comes from - advertising! You see, I get to the train station at about 5:00 AM (really early - the first train of the day) so I get to park my bike right at the bottom of the stairs leading to the platform where everyone gets the train (this is first-come, first-served). Literally hundreds of people walk past my bike every day for the ride into New York City. The Wald baskets offer almost 10 square feet of conspicuous space where I can place advertisements for local businesses.
I have the location, hundreds of people pass the spot every business day, there will be a conspicuous cool-retro look, and it doesn't need to be expensive to be conspicuous, especially if local businesses can supply me with their artwork - then I just slip it into a mounting sleeve on the exterior of the baskets. On holidays and weekends, I can park the bicycle out front of the advertised establishment so there will be the advertisement-establishment association to more easily direct people to my sponsor. Spread out over 5 years, my cost is less than $0.75 per day (assuming 10 months of operation per year). So, even if I only charge $2.00 a day to have someones advertising on my bike, I will be able to buy a nice new bike every other year - not a bad way to stay in new wheels! Taking the concept further, I can sell franchises by offering a free bicycle to bike commuter if they park their bikes conspicuous public places (Anyone interested?).
Regarding the Schwinn Deluxe 7, I have ridden the bike. I feel it will make a great commuter/short trip bike. I like the ergonomics. I fit the bike really well. It has a very cool retro look, and the 7-speed Shimano Nexus hub has great gearing for around town. With a hub motor mounted, the bike makes a perfect urban/suburban cruiser, and with the baskets added the machine will move more groceries and stuff than any steroid pumped SUV.
Until next time.
Don't get me wrong, my current ride is great. Oh, here's an interesting story, my current ride is a Montague folding mountain bike that I bought on eBay from Wavecrestlabs. Actually, I bought the frame set only, the wheel set was from my old Cannondale which I originally had the hub motor setup on. A bunch of the Montague frames became available when Wavecrestlabs sold Tidalforce to Matra Sports. So it is kind of ironic that I went from riding an electric-conversion Cannondale to a de-electric Tidalforce. The old Tidalforce frame set came equipped with all necessary components (including the braze-ons for running the electric wires between the motor, batteries, and control - they are all still there but now empty), all that was missing were two wheels - I think I only paid $200.00! for the bike. Too bad the hub motor doesn't fit the front suspension fork, otherwise I would just mount the Wilderness Energy hub motor to the old Tidalforce frame - an odd partner of sorts.
Currently my old non-e Tidalforce serves as my station bike. I ride everyday, rain, sleet, snow, salt, heat, cold, or sun - no exception, the mile or so from my house to the train station where I chain it and catch the train into New York City to go to work. I also use the bike for short trips around town (milk runs, to the Post Office, etc.). The only problem I had was with the chain. The chain broke because it wasn't the proper size for the cogs on the Cannondale cassette - this has been fixed. I would not do this to any other bike, but once a week I spray down all the movable parts with WD40 to keep the workings well lubricated from the wintry nasty things that tend to gum up machinery. Usually I would use a good quality synthetic bicycle oil and grease. I will likely have to service all the bearings at some point during the spring.
Getting back to my itching, here is what I have been thinking about...... I will keep the non-e Tidalforce Montague for my wintry and rainy day commuting to the train station. I want to purchase the 2007 Schwinn cruiser that has the 7-speed Nexus rear hub and install the hub motor on the front fork. I need to mount baskets on the bike, so I want to mount large Wald wire baskets both front and rear - this will give me more cargo capacity than the trunk of my wife's VW Beetle convertible. The best part is, I think it will actually make money for me!
Here is where the revenue comes from - advertising! You see, I get to the train station at about 5:00 AM (really early - the first train of the day) so I get to park my bike right at the bottom of the stairs leading to the platform where everyone gets the train (this is first-come, first-served). Literally hundreds of people walk past my bike every day for the ride into New York City. The Wald baskets offer almost 10 square feet of conspicuous space where I can place advertisements for local businesses.
I have the location, hundreds of people pass the spot every business day, there will be a conspicuous cool-retro look, and it doesn't need to be expensive to be conspicuous, especially if local businesses can supply me with their artwork - then I just slip it into a mounting sleeve on the exterior of the baskets. On holidays and weekends, I can park the bicycle out front of the advertised establishment so there will be the advertisement-establishment association to more easily direct people to my sponsor. Spread out over 5 years, my cost is less than $0.75 per day (assuming 10 months of operation per year). So, even if I only charge $2.00 a day to have someones advertising on my bike, I will be able to buy a nice new bike every other year - not a bad way to stay in new wheels! Taking the concept further, I can sell franchises by offering a free bicycle to bike commuter if they park their bikes conspicuous public places (Anyone interested?).
Regarding the Schwinn Deluxe 7, I have ridden the bike. I feel it will make a great commuter/short trip bike. I like the ergonomics. I fit the bike really well. It has a very cool retro look, and the 7-speed Shimano Nexus hub has great gearing for around town. With a hub motor mounted, the bike makes a perfect urban/suburban cruiser, and with the baskets added the machine will move more groceries and stuff than any steroid pumped SUV.
Until next time.
Saturday, November 05, 2005
November 5, 2005 - End of e-blog for now.
Come one, come all.
Please visit my new bike blog found at http://dahon-speed8-commute.blogspot.com/
We will see you all soon
Thank you.
Please visit my new bike blog found at http://dahon-speed8-commute.blogspot.com/
We will see you all soon
Thank you.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
October 30th - no more ebike......(until it gets warmer)
I found during the last three weeks the temperature played a big role in available power from the battery, plus an aged battery pack doesn't go the distance in cooler (40's) weather. I also tested my charger last night, this is charger No. 2, well... it crapped out - 2 chargers in one spring/summer/fall season - this is not acceptable to me.
As you can see from my previous post, I am 55 pounds lighter now that I have removed the battery and motor, and the Canondale is once again a bicycle.
I was horrified this morning when I was at the bagel shop and realized I had only 5 minutes to get to work. I called the guy I was relieving and he had no problems with the delay (but it cost me a bagel he wanted). I couldn't figure out what happened, I was 1/2 hour off my normal pace and I didn't think the motor made that much difference. So I figure I was realy slow without the motor, it kind of made sense, but I still thought I had made really good time. Well, my wife calls me at work and explains to me how funny it was for her to find all the clocks in our bedroom 1/2 behind every other clock in the house. This finding says alot about this morning's ride, I actually did make good time without the motor.
Tonight on the ride home I was particular about timing myself. I hit the road at 5:40 and was home by 6:25. 45 minutes, 15 minutes longer than if I had a motor, but some of the time added was due to going slower because it was dark out.
Well, I am set to peddle tomorrow, Halloween.
Happy Halloween, and please be safe.
PS. I sold my pickup truck to a construction company! No more gas, no more insurance, no more associated car expense!
As you can see from my previous post, I am 55 pounds lighter now that I have removed the battery and motor, and the Canondale is once again a bicycle.
I was horrified this morning when I was at the bagel shop and realized I had only 5 minutes to get to work. I called the guy I was relieving and he had no problems with the delay (but it cost me a bagel he wanted). I couldn't figure out what happened, I was 1/2 hour off my normal pace and I didn't think the motor made that much difference. So I figure I was realy slow without the motor, it kind of made sense, but I still thought I had made really good time. Well, my wife calls me at work and explains to me how funny it was for her to find all the clocks in our bedroom 1/2 behind every other clock in the house. This finding says alot about this morning's ride, I actually did make good time without the motor.
Tonight on the ride home I was particular about timing myself. I hit the road at 5:40 and was home by 6:25. 45 minutes, 15 minutes longer than if I had a motor, but some of the time added was due to going slower because it was dark out.
Well, I am set to peddle tomorrow, Halloween.
Happy Halloween, and please be safe.
PS. I sold my pickup truck to a construction company! No more gas, no more insurance, no more associated car expense!
October 29th - My Birthday! (I lost 55 pounds today)
I had the misfortune of having to work on birthday. I also made the mistake of celebrating my birthday on the night of the eve, so getting up at 04:00 Hrs was not too pleasant. However, most unpleasant was finding my batteries just don't have the life left in them, especially on that big hill I go up to get home from work.
Getting to work was normal, dark. I am now riding with 4-red flashers on the back (3-on a homemade light bar, and 1-one the seat post), and I have a Cateye 300 plus 2-Trek white/green flashers in the front. I really need to spend some time figuring out how to upload photos, this setup is worthy of sharing. I have applied 3M reflective tape to my helmet and I am riding with a day-glo green DOT III approved reflective vest. I am sure I am a site to see, and that's the point - isn't it?
On the note of being seen. I have noticed a trend with the DF Wedgie crowd wearing dark tights, jerseys, and helmets. It may look stealth, if you can see it. My word to those wanting to "look cool", be bright! Bright colors that contrast the urban landscape (or country side) can save your life from those idiot drivers (I mean most drivers) who, at best, are concious of only what is in a 35 degree field of view in front of them. Be safe, not sorry.
Getting back to the batteries. I spent an hour last night removing the motor, control, throttle, and battery, and wrenching a little on my brakes. Well, I lost 50 pounds. When I was finished I got ready for work, set the clocks back an hour, and went to bed looking forward to a nice ride to work in the morning.
Getting to work was normal, dark. I am now riding with 4-red flashers on the back (3-on a homemade light bar, and 1-one the seat post), and I have a Cateye 300 plus 2-Trek white/green flashers in the front. I really need to spend some time figuring out how to upload photos, this setup is worthy of sharing. I have applied 3M reflective tape to my helmet and I am riding with a day-glo green DOT III approved reflective vest. I am sure I am a site to see, and that's the point - isn't it?
On the note of being seen. I have noticed a trend with the DF Wedgie crowd wearing dark tights, jerseys, and helmets. It may look stealth, if you can see it. My word to those wanting to "look cool", be bright! Bright colors that contrast the urban landscape (or country side) can save your life from those idiot drivers (I mean most drivers) who, at best, are concious of only what is in a 35 degree field of view in front of them. Be safe, not sorry.
Getting back to the batteries. I spent an hour last night removing the motor, control, throttle, and battery, and wrenching a little on my brakes. Well, I lost 50 pounds. When I was finished I got ready for work, set the clocks back an hour, and went to bed looking forward to a nice ride to work in the morning.
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