How fast is fast?
We do prattle on about how the bicycle is the world's most energy efficient vehicle, but just how fast can a human go on a bicycle?
It depends on how you are measuring that speed. Are they rushing downhill added by the press of gravity? Are they riding an upright style bike in the position familiar to most of us, or are they reclined in the recumbent pose most suited to streamlined rocket profiled two wheeled vehicles? Are they drafting or slipstreaming along in the partial vacuum created by a non-human powered craft? So many ways to feel the need for speed on a bicycle, and to measure that rush.
[Thanks tom]
HPVs to Lang Lang
Speaking of fast, I got an email the other day from OzHPV saying that they're hoping to run some speed trials at Holden's Lang Lang Proving Ground next Easter:
OzHPV, the Australian wide association of human powered vehicle users, is planning to run a series of events at the Lang Lang Proving Grounds during Easter 2009 (April 10-13).
The Lang Lang proving grounds are located about an hour south east of Melbourne, on the way to Philip Island. The track is a 5km round banked asphalt circuit. You can ride a bike in what is essentially a continuous straight line. The aim of the events over Easter is to break 2 long standing Australian records, and possibly create a few more in the junior & master ranks. The records we are trying to break are the flying 200m record set by Steele Bishop of 84kmh, and the 1 hour record of Ben Goodall, set at 58.3km.
No sign of this yet on the OzHPV website or their blog but the event appears to be coordinated by the OzHPV treasurer Tim, so drop him an email treasurer@ozhpv.org.au if you're interested. You need to register your interest by 1 January.
Personally, I like the idea of turning that 5km circuit into the world's biggest velodrome.
Want!!
Speaking of HPVs, I've just been doing some serious drooling at the Greenspeed Glyde velomobile. Here's a glowing review. [via Recumbent Gallery]
Or maybe a Tri-Sled? That Avatar is dead sexy!
Ahem. "Dear Santa…"
(Ah, and I see that arcadiagt5 is likewise affected.)
Dealing with trashtalk
The League of American Cyclists has an interesting web page: Who's Trash Talking Bikes?:
Every now and then, someone takes a potshot at bicyclists and bicycling. Sometimes it's a politician; other times a shock jock. Whoever it is, and whatever their motivation, we don't like it! So we keep track of who says what, and give you the chance to talk back.
In Australia, Wheels of Justice does a pretty good job in the same space. Are there other similar 'chapter-and-verse' responses to trash-talkers in the media?
Bridge out
The East Malvern road/rail overpass is being replaced and won't be available for about four months:
This bridge is a critical element in the bike network and is a junction point for the Anniversary, Gardiners Creek, Scotchmans Creek, Waverley Rail Trail along with the nearby onroad bike lanes on Malvern and Belgrave Roads.
With thousands of bikes and pedestrians needing to use this bridge every day of the week this 4 month (approximate) disruption to the area will not only have a huge impact on commuting riders but also the large number recreation riders keen to get out on those new bikes Santa delivered
I don't regularly use that bridge these days but it's going to be very inconvenient for commuters who ride that way—far more disruptive than the Solway St Bridge fiasco.
Direct action
Are DIY bike lanes more effective than Critical Mass? Certainly they're less confrontational.
Indictment
And speaking of confrontation, the police officer who featured in a YouTube video assaulting a cyclist on Critical Mass in New York this year has been indicted by a Grand Jury over the incident but the specific charges have not yet been revealed.
Stocking-stuffer?
Don't ride with earbuds in—go for something like the i-Ride bike speakers. See a review in Oregon Cycling.
Tokyo parking (again)
I know I've mentioned this before but I reckon these underground bike storage facilities are brilliant. Checkout the video of the bloke leaving his bike—he just plonks it in, presses the button and walks off. I'd be watching my bike go—and standing there scowling suspiciously at the machine afterwards before I'd be prepared to leave.
Comments
I dunno, you mention HPVs and all the trike-ists come out of the woodwork!
I wasn't sneering or criticising the lack of info on the OzHPV website—I know there's been a problem getting someone to look after that site, and it's good to hear that it will be in Charlie's capable hands.
Surely the Lang Lang gathering would be the single biggest concentration in 2009 of the local market for Tri-Sled and Greenspeed. So maybe they might see their way clear to having some test drive vehicles available? No harm in arksing, I suppose…
And just to crank up arcadiagt5's jealousy, I'll note that if I'm feeling energetic I could even ride to Lang Lang (without an overnight stop, that is).
What you really need to do is get a test ride of the glyde and post a review...
:)
Only a little bit affected. Honest. :)
Thanks for the treehugger link - I was thinking of doing a panel on cycling records at the next SwanCon and this just did a lot of my research for me. :)
And I will note in passing (and mild jealousy) that you don't require a plane ticket to get a test ride...
(Yes, that's a hint)
There's no sign of the Lang Lang HPV event on the OzHPV website yet 'cause there's only just been a new web person elected, and that would be me. I've not got set up yet for sorting through what's been left by previous folks as my main dev pc is currently partly built and partly in transit, but I hope to get it all sorted out over the Xmas break when I've got a few days to have a go.
Anyway, yes, it's going to be a lot of fun, and yes, Tim's the organiser and yes, I would really really really like to be able to go round Lang Lang in a Glyde or an Avatar. But I think I'm going to have to settle for the home-built project a mate and I are brewing up!