Bak seat drivers
Have a look as the diagram of the fancy coupé on this page—then have another look. Despite the best efforts of Babelfish and Google, I can't really make sense of the article but Tom assures me it's about a bakfiets capable of carrying eight kids. One phrase I was able to pick out was "electrical auxiliary drives"—and who could blame them?
While we're on the subject, here's another site where I can't understand a damn word, but these bakfietsen are pretty bloody cool.
Weight and advantage
He's some interesting ponderings on bike weight: hzzhzkh:4 James C. Martin, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of exercise and sport science at the University of Utah provided some interesting calculations that make the cost of weight very clear. He posited a 5 kilometer, 7% grade. That's a good, stiff climb. The legendary Stelvio climb averages 7.5%. He further assumed a rider who can kick out 250 watts. A 160 pound rider will take 19 minutes and 21 seconds to get up the hill. Every 5 pounds added make the trip up the hill take 30 seconds longer. That means each added pound adds 6 seconds to the time it takes to get up this hill. That is only 6 seconds on a stiff, 20 minute climb. So, given our roughly 4-pound range from a full steel bike to a super-light carbon or aluminum bike, the time difference up this hill would be 24 seconds from best to worst.

James C. Martin, Ph.D., assistant professor in the department of exercise and sport science at the University of Utah provided some interesting calculations that make the cost of weight very clear.

He posited a 5 kilometer, 7% grade. That's a good, stiff climb. The legendary Stelvio climb averages 7.5%. He further assumed a rider who can kick out 250 watts. A 160 pound rider will take 19 minutes and 21 seconds to get up the hill. Every 5 pounds added make the trip up the hill take 30 seconds longer.

That means each added pound adds 6 seconds to the time it takes to get up this hill. That is only 6 seconds on a stiff, 20 minute climb.

So, given our roughly 4-pound range from a full steel bike to a super-light carbon or aluminum bike, the time difference up this hill would be 24 seconds from best to worst.

Hmm, should I be worried about the weight of the bike I ride on my almost completely flat route to work then?
IKEA: Your new LBS?
Apparently IKEA is [starting to sell bikes](http://www.bike-eu.com/news/2865/ikea-starts-selling-bikes.html "IKEA Starts Selling Bikes: Bike Europe") in the Netherlands—do they come [flat-packed](/2006/04/24/ikea-on-two-wheels/) with an allen key and a booklet of clever assembly diagrams? But seriously, I wonder if that's an interesting new development in bike retailing or will IKEA just be another big box outlet?
[Via: [cycleicious](http://www.cyclelicio.us/2008/05/ikea-bicycle.html)]
And in earlier news…
I missed this one when it did the rounds the first time: [Cyclists furious as council paint everything else luminous green](http://newsbiscuit.com/article/cyclists-furious-as-council-paint-everything-else-luminous-green "Cyclists furious as council paint everything else luminous green: NewsBiscuit").
Michael Duffy: WTF?
Getting peeved at cyclists [keeping all the peak traffic in the lane behind them down to a crawl](http://www.smh.com.au/news/michael-duffy/apocalypse-later-a-nuclear-world-the-solution-to-a-burningquestion/2008/05/23/1211183096252.html?page=fullpage "Apocalypse later: a nuclear world the solution to a burning question: Sydney Morning Herald") tells him something about the nuclear energy debate? I'm afraid the connection is lost on me. Come in logic, do you read me?
[via [pedaller](http://pedaller.blogspot.com/2008/05/duffys-down-on-bicycles-again.html "Duffy's Down on Bicycles Again: pedaller")]
Quote of the week
By way of a counterpoint to Mr Duffy, I suggest this extended quote at [Yellow Brick Road](http://cyclingybr.blogspot.com/2008/05/psychopathologies-of-driving.html ). A very apposite clip from The Chaser as well.
Free (as in beer)
Boroondara Council is offering a free community bike education course. Dates are Saturdays14, 21 and 28 June 2008 from 10am-2pm at the councill offices, 8 Inglesby Road, Camberwell.
Coverage: Learn how to choose the right type of bike, set up your bike properly, do safety checks, do minor adjustments and develop basic riding skills, learn how to clean and lube your bike, do basic bike maintenance, avoid hazards for cyclists, develop bike path trail etiquette and technique and cycle in company on a pleasant short ride off-road, learn how to repair punctures, brush up on road rules, deal with common traffic situations through techniques, make connections with cycling clubs and go on an on-road ride for coffee and cake. All this an no exam at the end.
Bookings: 9278 4542, while stocks last.
BikeBlog.au
[blogscrement](http://www.blogscrement.com/): NancyBoy is "an old cyclist talking shit".
[Chainring Transit Authority](http://www.chainringtransitauthority.com/cta_blog/)


Photo credit: I Am Not A Number! I Am A Free Woman! by Peter John Chen

Comments

hielke

I was thinking about the issue of weight and the numbers by the professor from Utah. I think it makes a difference where the extra weight is located. I have been told that weight that spins is much, much worse than motionless weight. So you want light rims, light crankset, light clipless pedals, etc. But your bidon holder doesn't need to be titanium. Also, I think if the weight is on the body instead of in the frame that would make a difference too. I wish I could believe the numbers because with my bikes from lugged steel I feel much slower than just 6 seconds a pound ;-)