Like the illusion of Wall Street, with its vast and powerful investment banks, now shuttered, China too is an illusion perpetuated by the Globalists that gave us the 15,000 mile Caesar salad, poisoned cat food and lead based paint on babies' pacifiers. Like the illusion that money would come from thin air to always push housing prices higher, China has spent a generation pursuing its illusion. Pursuing an unattainable dream to be like the West, while 6000 years of its carefully shepherded top soil blows into the sea.
Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 890 Location: Alif Lam Mim
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:01 am Post subject: Re: THE Bicycle and 'Cycling Thread (merged)
I inspected my front wheel, which has seen at least half of the flats (probably more). I saw that the rim on the left side was pushed inwards a little bit. Maybe half a centimeter for a small portion of the bike. That would likely put a higher amount of pressure on that portion of the tube.
But I went to see if I could put another tube on it. Did so. Rode around for a couple miles yesterday and it was fine. Pumped up to the recommended pressure a few minutes ago. Went inside to get the rest of my gear for biking to work, came outside and as I was pushing down on the bike to put my bottle in the bottle cage, I heard a pop and a quick letting out of air. Sigh.
Gotta get a new wheel now. Luckily, a local store is having a summer clearance sale. Unfortunately, I'll have to walk there...
I'll look into getting it fixed by the store (don't need the person damaging the bike to fix it ) first, then buy if needed. _________________ Riches are not from abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject: Re: THE Bicycle and 'Cycling Thread (merged)
I just bought an electric bike (pedal assist) to allow me to do the 30 mile round trip to and from work. It has turned out very well so far. In the third week and cycled over 200 miles so far.
I'm 40+ >200 lbs (if not obvious from that let me say categorically I'm not very fit - not even close) and hadn't cycled for over 10 years. The electric bike allowed me to start immediately and without too much effort. It is still effort but not 30 miles worth of effort - probably more like 15 miles. I'm able to do it 3 times a week so far. Fully expect to get fit enough to do it 5 days very soon.
For those that can afford it (bike was >$1000) I'd recommend it. I am getting fit, making a small contribution to saving the environment/society, and saving dollars to boot. At current gas rates my bike will completely pay for itself in 10 months.
My daily commute went from 40 min to worst case over an hour by car to 55 minutes each way by bike. Quite amazing really when you think about it. This is through san jose at commute times when the traffic is generally horrible.
Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 890 Location: Alif Lam Mim
Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject: Re: THE Bicycle and 'Cycling Thread (merged)
Quote:
At current gas rates my bike will completely pay for itself in 10 months.
Congrats on the purchase. Expect that to actually be about 5-6 months, give or take. You're only thinking about gasoline and not about the break-down of the car. While you still may be paying for the car, it will still last much longer. Per mile, gasoline is only like half of the cost of a car, I think. Even if you've paid it off, every mile on a car has to be replaced (if you're young enough) through new car or car parts.
Quote:
My daily commute went from 40 min to worst case over an hour by car to 55 minutes each way by bike. Quite amazing really when you think about it. This is through san jose at commute times when the traffic is generally horrible.
Do you sit in traffic on your bike or do you squeeze by all of the other people stuck in their death traps? Could save you a few more minutes.
Yeah, it is amazing that biking really doesn't take much longer. For me, it's about 40 mins home for instance. But if I drove, then I'd have to take the shuttle and it would take me 45 minutes total! So I save 5 minutes. On the way there, it's 35 mins, plus 10 for a bus. If I drove, it'd be 25 minutes total, so 10 minute loss. 5 minute loss total. But once I'm on campus, then I easily save that 5 minutes during the day, traversing the pavement to class. Add in the extra shower a day and to save more than a buck a day for 5-10 minutes worth of time is a pretty good deal.
And I'm still not in great shape. I hope to be able to save time and money by the end of this year. Although, the weather changes could be interesting. Luckily, it doesn't snow or ice that much in NC. _________________ Riches are not from abundance of worldly goods, but from a contented mind.
Joined: Oct 13, 2004 Posts: 198 Location: Mahachai City
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: THE Bicycle and 'Cycling Thread (merged)
About 2 weeks ago I purchased my 1st bicycle in 12 years. The brand is Turbo Bicycle Purchased from Carrefore shopping centre in Rama 2 road.
This Bicycle is nothing fancy. I.e no gears or suspension systems. Just a steel frame and a single chain and pedal setup. Total Cost 2600 Thai Baht) or USD$85.
The one I own is similar to this but has a motorbike style stand.
The only extra I fitted to it was a very powerful 5 LED light that can be seen 200 meters away.
I ride it either 600 meters to the busway or 2.5km to the local railway station.
Where I can make use of this DMU train service and travel the 30 km into the city or head outward up to 50 km. The train is now free on most trips thanks to the govt.
When combined with other mass transport a bicycle can give you a similar range to that of a private car.
The only 2 issues i found with riding a bike are:
1. You have to worry about where you store it when not in use. If left out of sight of station staff or other guards some people may cut the chain and make off with it while your on the train.
2. You tend to get very hot while riding and feel even hotter when you stop riding. The average day temp is 35 C or 95 F. This can make you feel uncomfortable. Even worse when in formal dress.
Does anyone have any tips about keeping your bike safe? Or keeping cool and dry after riding?
Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2008 8:06 pm Post subject: Re: THE Bicycle and 'Cycling Thread (merged)
Getting hot while biking: It may help to sling a wet towel around your neck. You usually create some wind resistance while biking, and the water will evaporate and cool you down.
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 9:56 am Post subject: Re: THE Bicycle and 'Cycling Thread (merged)
The one thing I notice pshycologically about parking my bike is that placing it next to others makes it feel safer than if I chain it to a tree by itself somewhere. Putting it in a rack makes it feel like one of the crowd and less noticeable.
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) first, then buy if needed.
