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FIXIE FRIDAY: Unorganized Sundays 5

via Benjamin J Taylor

WA Police Blitz on Cyclists in Fremantle – Is this about the WA Police Playing with Cyclists’ Lives?

The Fremantle Herald is reporting that the Fremantle Police “will launch a blitz on errant cyclists in Fremantle in February following increasing complaints from pedestrians and motorists about broken road rules.” The Fremantle Herald goes on to quote Senior Traffic Cop (as they refer to him) Alan Box who I believe is a Senior Sergeant at the WA Police Fremantle Station as stating in respect to the WA Police blitz on cyclists that “cyclists have every right to on the road and drivers must respect that right. We will come down hard on any motorist who fails to respect cyclists’ road rights.”

Alston on Cyclists and Motorists

Alston on Cyclists and Motorists - West Australian, January 30, 2012

Well first and foremost I have no real issue with the blitz if there is a genuine valid reason for it but frankly I find it rather hypocritical of the WA Police when they fail to blitz motorists who are putting cyclists lives at risk. Ask yourself, how many cyclists killed motorists or pedestrians in the last 12 months in WA? You guessed it none. How many cyclists where killed in the last twelve months? Thirty five cyclists where killed in Australia according to the data published in November by BITRE. How many pedestrians? 190 pedestrians lost their lives in Australia in the 12 month period ending in November 2011 as per the BITRE data. How many motorists where killed? Sadly 876 drivers and passengers where killed Australia wide again as per the BITRE data.

Click through for more commentary and videos showing why I am challenging the integrity of Alan Box’s statement

PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable Owner Review

 

With the recent addition of dynamo power to my Surly Long Haul Trucker, a SON 28 dynamo I wished to make use of my bicycle powered electricity source to charge other electronic devices including my Garmin Edge 800 and Google Nexus S phone. Enter the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable. I installed the Super-i-Cable in December 2011 on my Surly Long Haul Trucker and got to put it to the test on a four day ride through the Darling Range in December. Limited testing at this stage but I think sufficient use to give some feedback on the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable.

PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable

PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable

I purchased PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable directly from the manufacturer when they had them on special for a delivered price of $153.00. The service from PedalPower+ was great; no issues at all with the delivery.

On my ride around the Darling Ranges I used the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable to do two things for me: power my Busch & Muller Lumotec IQ Cyo Sensor front light and my Busch & Muller Toplight Line Plus rear tail light and to charge my Garmin Edge 800. The lights where set to sensor mode and the Garmin Edge 800 was plugged in full time to the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable. This setup worked well with the Garmin Edge 800 maintaining charge over the full ride as long as the lights didn’t come on.  As soon as the lights came on, power to the Garmin was lost.  This seems at odds with both the PedalPower+ literature which suggests that the two should work together and others reports.

I have contacted PedalPower+ for advice on this issue and a second issue I am know having and that is the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable is not charging my Google Nexus S phone, a pretty standard smart phone from what I can find out.  Hopefully PedalPower+ will get back to me and I can update this blog posting with some positive news; in the meantime my assessment of the unit has gone down and I could no longer recommend it.

Please click through for the full review of the PedalPower+ Super-i-Cable

ITS FRIDAY: 2011 Rapha NW Gentlemen’s Race

via bejaminjtaylor

Meningitis Centre Pro Ride – Your Chance to Ride with a Pro Cyclist – February 11, 2012

Like the idea of having a ride with a professional cycling team? Well here is your chance. You can join the Genesys Pro Cycling Team on the Meningitis Centre Pro Ride being held in Perth on February 11, 2012.  On Friday 10 February and Saturday 11 February 2012, members of the Genesys Pro Cycling Team will be in town to participate in a Perth bike ride.  Eighty lucky Perth bike riders who sign up quickly for this Perth bike ride, Meningitis Centre Pro Ride, will get ride like a professional cyclist :) !

The Meningitis Centre Pro Ride

By going on this Perth bike ride, not only do you get the chance to ride with a professional cycling team, the Genesys Pro Cycling Team you get the chance to support the The Meningitis Centre with proceeds from the Meningitis Centre Pro Ride being donated to the Meningitis Centre.
Like to register for the ride? Like more information? Please click through