Archive for the 'Bicycling' category
Cycle Computer with a Rear-view Camera – How cool is that?
Aushiker | March 6, 2010 5:21 pm
SUV technology comes to bicycling, with the release of the Cerevellum, a bicycle computer or cyclometer as they refer to it, which has a built in video screen and rear view camera. It retails for US$349.00 which is probably a bit expensive at this stage of development but still it does show promise as to what can be done and is being done.
The computer records basic riding data (speed, ride time, distance etc) as well as basic video recording (flash memory), a tail light and of course rear view image.
The product website contains a video showing the computer in action.
Will these replace rear view mirrors? Will they distract the rider? If you have any thoughts on this computer or better still have used one, please let us know via the comment button.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Life on the Road in 2010 – Week 9
Aushiker | March 5, 2010 4:46 pmThe purpose of this series of posting is to summarise my week on the bike and exercising in general etc. My week runs from Thursday to Friday, so Week 9 for me in 2010 is from February 26, 2010 through to March 4, 2010.
|
Date |
Exercise |
Comments |
| Totals for the Week | Total Bike Kilometres:
254.02 km for the week; Weight: 99.2 kg; At last some movement; lost 1,000 grams. BikeJournal Rankings:
|
Okay week on the bike, kilometres down due to being back teaching on two campuses, which means I use a University vehicle instead of commuting on some days. Weekly average is 309.86km a week. Would like to get back up to 400 km a week by year end. On the weight front, I started the year in a less than healthy position at 103 kg and I ended the week at 99.2 kg, so no change which is really frustrating. My target for the month end is 98 kg, so missed out by 1.2 kg. On BikeJournal.com I dropped out of the 50th, so my revised goal is to get back there! In respect to the Australian Cycling Forums Club at BikeJournal.com my current goal is make the top 5. |
| Friday, February 26, 2010 | No km on the bike | As Saturday’s ride started in the hills I drove the bike over to Fremantle today, instead of riding. |
| Saturday, February 27, 2010 | 108.66 km on the bike | Audax weekend, riding God’s Bison in the hills. A hot and hilly ride into a strong easterly. All up, fun, well fun a week later  |
| Sunday, February 28, 2010 | No km on the bike | Spent the day trying to recover. |
| Monday, March 1, 2010 | 30 km on the bike | Churchlands to Joondalup commute on the Look 555. No evening commute due to work commitments. Commute shortened due to the need to get the car home from Fremantle. |
| Tuesday, March 2 | 44 km on the bike | Joondalup to Fremantle in the afternoon via the Coast on the Look 555. No commute in the morning due to work commitments. |
| Wednesday, March 3 | 44 km on the bike | Churchlands to Joondalup commute. Not my best shot at intervals. No evening commute due to work commitments. |
| Thursday, March 4 | 27 km on the bike
~ 3 km running/walking |
Joondalup to Churchlands commute on the Look 555. It was a very windy ride with headwinds gusting over 50 km/h so took to the Freeway PSP.
Started cross-training, commencing the Couch to 5k in Nine Weeks podcast program. Got my first taste of running today and boy don’t I know it! |
Popularity: 2% [?]
Look 555 “Froggie” 2010 #2 Service
Aushiker | February 26, 2010 3:06 pmFroggie, my Look 555 today received his second service for 2010 at 12,534 km, approximately 1,100 km since the last service. I try to do regular services at 500 km intervals (winter-spring) and 1,000 km services during the summer-autumn period. Anyway, this service consists of:
- Degreasing the chain using a Park’s Tool CM-5 Cyclone Chain Scrubber and Australian Export degreaser;
- Application of Rock and Roll Gold chain lube to the chain;
- Checking of chain wear with a Park Tools CC-3 Chain Wear indicator. All is looking good at this point;
- Removal of the jockey wheels, greasing of the bushes and reassembly. The BicycleTutor has a good video on doing this, showing how easy this simple service is;
- The rear shifter cable outer is showing signs of damage so looks like a replacement will be need soon;
- I went over the bike checking the bolts and screws – nothing loose which is nice to know;
- I finished off with a clean of the bike.
No other issues where noted. Tyre wear is okay and brake pad wear is okay.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Why do some hate Lycra?
Aushiker | 1:23 pmAn interesting letter written by Geoff Owen of Wembley was published in the Post, February 27, 2010 questioning the apparent hatred of “Lycra wearing” cyclists, or more correctly the use of the word “Lycra” to demean a group of people. I thought Mr Owen’s letter was constructive so I penned the following reply which I have sent into the The Post.
Dear Editor
I would like to comment in support of the views expressed by Geoff Owen, "Ah, the simple joys of wearing lycra" published in the Post, February 27, 2010.
I also wonder about the "hatred" that seems to be held against a fabric with the brand name of Lycra, a fabric by the way not generally used in cycling clothing (well none of my jerseys contain it) and my research suggests it is not used in cycling clothing at all; rather it is more common in underwear and female swimsuits. Maybe these letter writers are getting flustered by lovely ladies at the beach wearing Lycra (or spandex)?
Humour aside I think we forget that cyclists are legitimate users of the road, that they are people, mums and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters and they are out there commuting, riding for recreation, carrying out errands and so on, all in a healthily and environmentally friendly manner, whilst taking another car off the road and reducing the congestion and environmental impact for all users.
Sure some cyclists break the law and do stupid things, but gee whiz, has any of these Lycra "haters" not done the same? More so, have they not done the same whilst behind the wheel of a car or truck? Which is really worst? The cyclist doing something stupid or the motorist?
I ask those Lycra "haters" a simple question? How many cyclists killed or injured a pedestrian or motorist or vehicle passenger in 2009? How many motorists killed or seriously injured a pedestrian or a motorist or other vehicle occupant in 2009? What is the worst a cyclist can do you to you? Scratch your car’s paint? What is the worst you can do to them? Kill them; destroy their families, leave children without a mum or dad. Which is worse? Where should your anger and cries for change for the better be really directed?
You know the next set of traffic lights is likely to hold you up more than myself on my bicycle (oh my god, in my cycling clothes too) and if you are getting that frustrated, maybe you need to take up walking or cycling and chill out. All that pent up frustration can’t be good for you. I know that I now drive better since taking up cycling and I drive with a much more relaxed frame of mind … maybe you could try it?
So please lets get along and share the road together and respectfully. Can it be that hard?
Kindest regards
Popularity: 3% [?]
