It was recently suggested on Slashdot.org that the bicycle is the
ultimate geek transportation vehicle:
http://books.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/05/12/1718231 (read the
comments)
With that in mind, I would like to suggest that the Xtracycle is the
perfect bicycle HDK (Hardware Development Kit). Just think what this
guy could've done with an Xtracycle:
http://microship.com/bike/behemoth/index.html
And as a geek myself, I've been using the Xtracycle to develop my own
bicycle invention, the bicycle ChalkWriter:
http://a.parsons.edu/~jk/thesis/archives/video.html
This chalk-printing bicycle is part of a project called "Bikes Against
Bush." Here is the abstract:
> “Bikes Against Bush” transforms ordinary bicycles into
> Internet-enabled, tactical media
> ‘weapons’ for non-violent, creative resistance to the 2004 Republican
> National Convention in
> NYC. “Bikes Against Bush” uses wireless bicycles that incorporate a
> mechanical printing device
> consisting of a series of spray-chalk aerosol cans. This mechanical
> ChalkWriter can print text
> messages from web users to the street surfaces on which the bike
> cruises. Online users can
> send messages to the bicycle in real-time through the project website,
> bikesagainstbush.com,
> and the cyclist can decide when and where to print them. When the
> cyclist prints a message,
> bikesagainstbush.com automatically updates a live map marking the
> location of the message. A
> webcam on the bike also documents this with a snapshot at the moment
> of printing. The spraychalk
> text message remains on the street for 4 to 5 days till the chalk
> biodegrades. Thus, the goal
> of “Bikes Against Bush” is to serve as an inspirational and working
> model for alternative, creative
> political resistance.
Thank you, Xtracycle, for creating such a great product!
Enjoy!
--Josh
That made my morning, Joshua. I expect this will attract lots of
attention. When I read of the Wi-Fi bike a couple weeks back, my first
thought was "Xtracycle" - glad to see you're well aware. That Slashdot
thread (or maybe another - can't find it now) also mentioned Paul's
lights (http://tinyurl.com/37qng) as a bike geek lust item.
Xtracycle as HDK: I've always seen it as a car-culture-jammer hardware
platform. I'm especially interested in electric assist to make 'em even
more viable as car killers, and I'm not alone (warning: extreme geekery
ahead):
- http://crystalyte.com/72%20volt.htm (scroll down a bit.)
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/wizard/ (this by a fellow named
David Hammond - dabbotthammond@...)
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/joels.jpg (how long do you think
before the panels make it to the snapdeck? this by Joel:
JoelDDC@...)
My own fiddling in the area started with this:
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/scale.html . That was more a
proof-of-concept than a real solution. Deficiencies in the base bike
and power system made me want to start over, so I did:
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/xt/xtravois.html
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/IMG_0565.jpg (got hills?)
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/IMG_0576.jpg (son is
co-testpilot/ballast; i'm stay-at-home dad)
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/IMG_0582.JPG (san francisco +
'lectric xtracycle = amsterdam)
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/ptreyes/IMG_0593.jpg (dismounted the
motor when the 9lb battery gave out after flattening 44 miles of hills.
"car camping" without the car.)
- http://todd.cleverchimp.com/bike/cp/uefaum.jpg (father and son go
camping on the Ultralight Electric Family Adventure Utility Moped. Note
ortlieb motorcycle saddlebags. did you know you can use the snapdeck as
a changing table?)
Currently: completing more universal motor mount so it will fit regular
Xtracycles. A product? Maybe. Let me know offlist if you want to hear
about prototype testing/acquisition opportunities.
Xcycle people,
I keep getting these emails talking about the positive
stuff on the xtracycle so I thought I might send one
myself....
Having been doing some travelling and seeing them in
Hawaii and my home in Tahoe, I always get a kick out
of seeing xcycles in use; because I remember Ross
starting out at Stanford and riding one of the first
prototypes, wondering what is ever going to become of
it, but still knowing it was a great idea.
Myself I have found limited trail options for the X
here in Tahoe (dual suspension Xcycle in the works?),
but great for commuting and hauling loads and such,
which I'm guessing it was built for.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I'm enjoying all
the Xcycle emails and if anyone gets to Tahoe and
wants to either go for a ride or get some trail, or
road info, send an email....
Chris Carlson
akrandel@...
=====
BA Human Biology -Stanford University
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Friends. Fun. Try the all-new Yahoo! Messenger.
http://messenger.yahoo.com/
I wanted to tell you about Bikes Against Bush, an exciting project I am
producing for the upcoming Republican National Convention. Bikes
Against Bush is a one-of-a-kind, interactive protest/performance that
occurs simultaneously online and on the streets of NYC during the
upcoming Republican National Convention. Using a Wireless
Internet-enabled bicycle outfitted with a custom-designed printing
device, the Bikes Against Bush bicycle can print spray-chalk text
messages sent from web users directly onto the streets of Manhattan.
Please visit http://www.bikesagainstbush.com for more info and to watch
a video of the Bikes Against Bush bicycle in action.
During the convention, online users will be able to follow the
performance on the website as well as send a message to the bicycle in
real-time. So, even if you can't be in New York to oppose the GOP, you
can interject your anti-Bush sentiments directly onto the city streets
through Bikes Against Bush. Exact performance times will be announced
on the website in the coming weeks.
If you wish to support this exciting project, please consider
contributing a donation through the website at:
http://www.bikesagainstbush.com.
Thank you so much for all your efforts. With your help we can send a
message to America and send George Bush back to Crawford, TX, this
November.
Sincerely,
Joshua Kinberg
PS: Please feel free to forward this message on.
Hey Y'all'
I talked to Kipchoge recently about an idea I had. Many times here
in Austin Texas, I've sighted other Xtracycles, either in traffic or
locked up at the store, or out at the bars. I've always wanted to
let them know that I saw them out there, and I'm one of those freaks
too. So I had a bit of a punk rock idea, I like to see a sticker
made that you can tag another xtracycle with( a very small one) that
lets them know they've been sighted. Maybe it says "tag" or has your
personal xtracycle identity nickname on it, and where you're from,
I'm not sure. But I wanted to run it by a few of y'all to see if
there's any interest, I think it'd be awesome to look down one day
and see a sticker from another part of the country, or world, on my
deck, and to see that collection grow. Please let me know.
Dear Xtracycle people in the Bay Area:
This weekend I'm organizing a bike ride from San Francisco to Muir Beach to
take place during the Superbowl.
Please read on if you're interested:
It happens every year. You haven’t planned anything special for Superbowl
Sunday. You’re not a big football fan. Nevertheless, you do one of three
things.
1. You accept a last minute invitation to watch the game with friends, most
of whom have not seen another football game all year. These people remain
silent during the game as the remaining 10% cheer, riveted.
2. Stay at home. Feel lonely. Turn on the TV and watch the game with some
tortilla chips.
3. Stay at home. Feel lonely. Keep TV off. Get nothing done.
This year, join me in saying to hell with the peer pressure, the cheering
for advertisements, the lukewarm buffalo wings, the adoration of our culture
’s best paid athletes while we eat Fritos on the couch.
I’m organizing a rip-roaring mountain bike ride through the Marin Headlands
to Muir Beach on Superbowl Sunday. The roads and trails will be deserted,
and we’ll be passing through some beautiful vistas. If you don’t have a
mountain bike, don’t count yourself out just yet. Read on. There is an
on-road option for those who want to meet up at the destination: The Pelican
Pub in Muir Beach. The Pelican is a British-style pub, where we can take in
some refreshing beers, and they don’t have a TV.
Will it be hard and dangerous? Yes, it will be hard. The whole ride might
take over 5 hours. Parts of the return trip could take place in the dark. I
will bring some loaner sets of the Down Low Glow with me for people to
borrow. We will be climbing long hills on fire roads. It will be pretty
safe. The descents can be steep in spots, and I’ve seen people scuff up
their elbows before. But there are no cliffs to fall off, and everything is
walkable if you don’t feel sure of your skills. As mountain biking goes,
this ride is considered non-technical. You won’t have to pick through
boulders and logs.
On the return trip, we can either go back through the Marin Headlands or
climb up route 1 to Sausalito and take the ferry back to Pier 39.
And what if I don’t have a mountain bike? A lot of regular bikes can make
this route, though people with skinny city tires might have poor traction on
the steep parts. There is an on-road option that will meet up at the
Pelican. I’m planning to use my everyday city bike (an Xtracycle with street
tires). Getting off and walking is encouraged. If you want to come but you
don’t think your bike is up to it, let me know, I’ll see if you can borrow
one.
Time and Details:
Sunday, February 6, 2:30 PM. Meet at City Hall steps (Grove St.), San
Francisco, at 1 PM. Going to Pelican Pub, Muir Beach, Marin County. If you
have good headlights and safety lights, bring them.
Yours,
Paul Freedman a.k.a. Fossil Fool
www.fossilfool.com
-----Original Message-----
From: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 12:29 AM
To: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [rootsradicals] Digest Number 40
There is 1 message in this issue.
Topics in this digest:
1. Bikes Against Bush - an Internet-enabled protest
From: Joshua Kinberg <jkinberg@...>
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Message: 1
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 16:03:36 -0400
From: Joshua Kinberg <jkinberg@...>
Subject: Bikes Against Bush - an Internet-enabled protest
I wanted to tell you about Bikes Against Bush, an exciting project I am
producing for the upcoming Republican National Convention. Bikes
Against Bush is a one-of-a-kind, interactive protest/performance that
occurs simultaneously online and on the streets of NYC during the
upcoming Republican National Convention. Using a Wireless
Internet-enabled bicycle outfitted with a custom-designed printing
device, the Bikes Against Bush bicycle can print spray-chalk text
messages sent from web users directly onto the streets of Manhattan.
Please visit http://www.bikesagainstbush.com for more info and to watch
a video of the Bikes Against Bush bicycle in action.
During the convention, online users will be able to follow the
performance on the website as well as send a message to the bicycle in
real-time. So, even if you can't be in New York to oppose the GOP, you
can interject your anti-Bush sentiments directly onto the city streets
through Bikes Against Bush. Exact performance times will be announced
on the website in the coming weeks.
If you wish to support this exciting project, please consider
contributing a donation through the website at:
http://www.bikesagainstbush.com.
Thank you so much for all your efforts. With your help we can send a
message to America and send George Bush back to Crawford, TX, this
November.
Sincerely,
Joshua Kinberg
PS: Please feel free to forward this message on.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
To Post a message, send it to: xcreps@eGroups.com
To Unsubscribe, send a blank message to: xcreps-unsubscribe@eGroups.com
ride to believe.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello
There is a new 2 page newsletter on the web site, which you can
download here ~ http://www.re-cycle.org/home/news/newsletters
There are 2 versions, with and without photos, the one with is 544KB,
without is 32KB.
A short note to ask you to please vote for Re~Cycle to get more
money! MoneySavingExpert.com is a web site which provides free
money saving advice and gives money to charities, allocated according
to votes. Re~Cycle has been getting vital funds for some years, and
its voting time again.
Please click here ~
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/index.phtml#vote, then click on
Re~Cycle, then click vote. Ends on Tuesday 22st, so please do it
now. Thanks.
The web site has been redone, converted to a dynamic model, so that
Collection Hubs and African Partners can update it ~
http://www.re-cycle.org
Please print on the back of pre-used paper (works very well if you
leave it in a box for a while, settles under its own weight).
Sorry if you get this more than once, database still not sorted.
Many Thanks
Merlin
Founder and CEO
Re~Cycle ~ Bicycle Aid for Africa
Sent: Sat, 09 Jul 2005 04:11:44 +0000
Subject: Xtracycle Ride
You are invited!
To an Xtracycle Fun Ride.
On Saturday July 23rd at 6:30 PM (Arrive before as we leave at 6:30 PM sharp!)
At Aaron's Bicycle Repair 6521 California Avenue SW in West Seattle.
If you don't know what an Xtracycle is then go here: www.xtracycle.com
If you know anyone that rides one, please forward this email to them
or tell them.
We will be riding from the shop to Alki Beach, around Duwamish Head
and back (about 11 miles). We might stop by a restaurant depending on
the feeling of the group (location to be decided by the group).
Perhpas Elliot Bay Brewery, Luna Park Cafe or Pegasus Pizza? Or if the
mood strikes and since we will have cargo bikes we could have a
pic-nic/potlach on the beach. If anyone thinks that is a good i! dea,
let me know and if I get enough votes we will make it the official
plan.
This ride is not just for Xtracyclers, All bikers, cyclists, riders
and passengers are invited!
Please spread the word. How amazing would it be if we got 100 people?
This ride is all about the usefullness of the bicycle. Cargo hauling
is THE key feature of the Xtracycle and since it is still a bicycle it
is very fun to ride!
Sincerely,
Aaron Goss Owner & Master Mechanic
Aaron's Bicycle Repair
6521 California Avenue SW
Seattle, WA 98136
(206) 938-9795 Fax(206) 923-1597
RideYourBike.com
Earth 1st, People 2nd, Profit 3rd!
(Saving the Earth = Saving Humanity! A profit driven society
(capitalism) cannot survive indefinitely on the planet earth.
Continued 'economic growth' will only deplete our planet's finite
resources. We ! all must use fewer resources and energy and the
bicycle is one great w ay!)
--
Kipchoge Spencer
Xtracycle
29085 Highway 49
North San Juan CA 95960
530/292-1401
www.xtracycle.com
Hey everyone,
I've been getting lots of requests to join this mailing list lately.
The ironic thing about this very popular mailing list is that it never
has any messages!
I think we all joined because we share the idea that it would be cool
to connect with other like-wheeled cyclists, whether in our same town
or just on our same planet. And I'm sure we all have lots to talk about.
Let's talk! I'm not sure what makes sense to talk about here and what
makes sense to talk about in the xtracycle forums, but I'm sure it
will all sort itself out after the discussions get going.
I have a couple things to say and I'm sure you all have lots more.
- Anyone have trouble or luck getting the Xtracycle onto public
transportation lately? I've been hearing reports from Marin County
that many bus drivers refuse to take it, saying it's too long. A
supervisor said that CalTrans regulations prohibited bikes that long
on the front of busses. Seems like we should do some prodding around
here and help establish positive precedents in our own towns.
- I, my band, and Xtracycle are being featured on a new MTV show. It's
called The Reality Show, and it airs several times each week, with the
premier of each episode on Tuesdays. I'm dreaming that our part in the
show will help influence kids to think utilitarian bike riding is bomb.
- We're working on a new Xtracycle/Ginger Ninjas (that's my
band)/ross&kipchoge blog called "the pleasant revolution". Check it
and participate www.gingerninjas.com/wordpress
- Xtracycle just raised almost all of our prices. We want to give the
roots radicals the opportunity to buy anything you want at the old
prices until the end of this month (September 2005). Just call your
order in and identify yourself as roots 888/537-1401.
-we have some killer new stickers. stay tuned to the site in the
coming days and we'll have them up. if you do call with a roots order,
we'll throw in some new stickers of your choice.
ride in bliss!
-kipchoge
www.xtracycle.com
www.gingerninjas.com/wordpress
I do the bike and train combo, works very well. On one
train line I've used there's a system where the bike hangs up, and the
FreeRad fits, just. One guard would not let me on a return
train, although I told him the bike had come on the train here without
problems...
The FreeRad looks (and acts!) bigger than it is, need to show
people where the back wheel usually comes to, and that it is only a
little longer.
We don't have those racks on the front of busses over here.
For those of you not aware yet, Peak Oil is hitting about now.
Will be more bikes, is the good news :~)
Stay well
Cheers
Merlin
http://www.re-cycle.org ~ Bike Aid for Africa
OVERVIEW (from
http://www.odac-info.org/)
Oil is the world's premier source
of energy and is fundamental to almost every important function of
modern life. It fuels 95
percent of land, sea and air transport, so the efficient movement of
raw materials and goods, as well as personal mobility, is almost
entirely oil-dependent. Food production too relies heavily on
oil to run farm machinery and to make fertilisers, herbicides and
pesticides. Oil generates 40 percent of the world's commercial
energy, provides heating fuel, and drives industry and commerce.
No other existing energy source can match the versatility, convenience
and low cost of oil. Moreover, it supplies feedstock for many
thousands of manufactured products as diverse as plastics, medicines,
clothing and building materials.
Global demand for oil has
increased seven-fold over the past half-century due to rapid
population growth and industrial expansion. The world now consumes about 82 million
barrels of oil a day. (A barrel is the equivalent of
42 U.S. gallons or 159 litres.) Demand is generally
expected to continue growing at an average annual rate of one to two
percent. The International Energy Agency forecasts that
worldwide oil demand could exceed 100 million barrels a day by
2020. The greatest rise in demand is expected to come from
developing nations. Growing transportation needs
throughout the world would account for up to three-quarters of the
projected increase.
Oil industry leaders acknowledge
that new sources of oil are becoming increasingly difficult to
find and more costly to exploit. New oilfield discoveries have been declining
steadily for 40 years despite extensive exploration with the
most advanced technology, and most importantly, finding giant
new fields is becoming ever more rare. Recently, major oil
companies have had to cut their production growth targets. In
2002, the world used four times more oil than was found from new
sources. Since about 80 percent of the oil that will be
necessary to meet projected needs in 10 years time is not
currently in production, unprecedented levels of investment and
yet-to-be-achieved technological advances will be required to
balance supply with future demand.
The industry's ability to locate and
recover ever-smaller volumes of oil has improved significantly but the
physical limitations of the resource are
inescapable. Operating
experience from tens of thousands of oilfields shows that the rate of
production always rises to a peak and then begins to fall off when
about half the recoverable oil has been extracted. Since the
world's total endowment of oil is finite and non-renewable, in due
course, as new discoveries become insufficient to offset the natural
depletion of existing reserves, overall output will reach its maximum
limit and begin to decline.
The world has now
consumed almost half the total amount of conventional oil most experts
estimate will ever be available for recovery. Assessments of the world's ultimately
recoverable oil reserves vary but 65 published studies by oil
companies, geologists, government analysts and consultants over
the past 50 years have produced remarkably consistent estimates. The
overwhelming majority of these put the world's original endowment of
recoverable oil at no more than about 2,400 billion barrels; the
average estimate is 2,000 billion barrels. Cumulative
worldwide consumption had exceeded 900 billion barrels by the
end of 2003.
A growing number of experts now
foresee a permanent downturn in global oil production rates within a
matter of years. Although past
premature forecasts have led many to view warnings of impending oil
scarcity with a great deal of scepticism, no fewer than a dozen recent
independent analyses, using different assumptions and demand growth
projections, all show global production reaching its natural peak
within the coming decade. Even the most conservative of these,
based on what some consider an implausibly high estimate of the total
oil endowment, forecasts the peak by 2020.
As growing demand exceeds available
supplies, oil prices will rise substantially and the effects will be
felt throughout the global economy. Oil is the world's single largest traded commodity,
accounting for over half the total value of all commodity
transactions. Fears of oil supply disruptions alone can create
financial panic. The few episodes of dramatic oil price rises in
the past 30 years, due mainly to events in the Middle East, have shown
how vulnerable the world economy is to the impact of supply
restrictions. High oil prices fuel inflation, contribute to
economic recessions and create the greatest hardship for those least
able to bear the additional costs.
The world will become increasingly
dependent on oil from the Middle East as supplies from elsewhere
decline. Already over 50
oil-producing countries have passed their peak production, including
the United States, once the world's largest producer, which now relies
on imported oil for over 60 percent of its domestic needs. Most
other producing nations are expected to reach their peak within the
next few years. The only exceptions will be a handful of
oil-rich Persian Gulf states, which hold about two-thirds of the
world's proven reserves. Saudi Arabia alone controls 25 percent
of those reserves.
The productive capacity of Middle
East oilfields is uncertain and the risks of supply disruptions
are heightened by continuing political instability in the
region. Oil from the
Middle East currently accounts for almost a third of the world's
supply and that share will grow steadily in the years ahead.
While it is commonly assumed that some excess production
capacity is available to meet short-term increases in demand,
little is known about the longer-term potential for growth.
In any case, intensified worldwide competition will inevitably
accelerate the depletion of those reserves and the onset of
falling output. Moreover, securing reliable supplies from
the region comes at a substantial additional expense. Some
estimates put the military costs of protecting pipelines and
tanker routes, borne mainly by U.S. taxpayers, at around $15-20
a barrel.
The era of cheap, plentiful supplies of
oil is coming to an end, requiring fundamental restructuring of the
world's energy systems. Any
shift towards new, more costly alternatives is bound to be difficult
and time consuming. Growing recognition of the serious
environmental damage and climate-changing effects caused by burning
oil (and other fossil fuels) is beginning slowly to drive new,
long-term energy policies. The approaching peak and decline in
oil supplies adds urgency to the need for greater energy efficiency
measures and more rapid development of sustainable energy
alternatives.
See http://www.fcnp.com/521/peakoil.htm for recent effects
PEAK OIL RELATED
LINKS:
Good intro, inc video, and
links page
http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/content/peak_oil
Good introduction
http://www.wolfatthedoor.org.uk/
For daily updates and links
to mainstream media:
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/
Lessons from Russia
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/index.shtml#post
ASPO
The official site of the
Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas.
http://www.peakoil.net/
ENERGY BULLETIN
Clearing house for news
regarding the peak in global energy supply.
http://www.energybulletin.net/
POWERSWITCH
Dedicated to raising
awareness & discussion of the impending &
permanent
decline of cheap oil &
gas supply.
http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/
ODAC
Oil Depletion Analysis
Centre working to raise awareness and promote better
understanding of the world's
oil-depletion problem.
http://www.odac-info.org/
GLOBAL PUBLIC
MEDIA
Public service broadcasting
for a post carbon world.
http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/
POST CARBON
INSTITUTE
Learning to live in a low
energy world.
http://www.postcarbon.org/
PEAKOIL.COM
US site and forum to educate
and promote awareness of global hydrocarbon
depletion.
http://www.peakoil.com/
FEASTA
The Foundation for the
Economics of Sustainability
http://www.feasta.org/
VITAL TRIVIA
Chris Vernon's Peak Oil
Blog
http://www.vitaltrivia.co.uk/
CLIMATE CHANGE
ACTION
http://climatechangeaction.blogspot.com/
THE ENERGY
BLOG
http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/
THE OIL DRUM
http://www.theoildrum.com/
PEAK OIL PRIMERS: WHAT IS
PEAK OIL?
http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
http://www.answers.com/peak+oil
SOLUTIONS
http://www.earthship.org - ultra eco-house, provides its own
heat, water, electricity and some food!
Domestic Tradable Quotas - http://www.dtqs.org/ - something the
government would have laughed at 10 years ago, though are looking at
now...
Here in Cambridge, MA, I've taken the xc on one commuter rail, and it barely fit. The bike is just too heavy to lift onto the train and maneuver around. It was a real hassle, and I'm unlikely to try it again.
That's one reason I'm upgrading to the Stokemonkey, so I can avoid trains, even on longish trips. And thinking about getting a used folding bike, for when I simply can't ride the whole way there.
And check this out, may make the xtracycle obsolete:
On Sep 21, 2005, at 6:56 AM, Merlin Matthews ~ Re~Cycle wrote:
Hi
Merlin here, from the UK.
I do the bike and train combo, works very well. On one train line I've used there's a system where the bike hangs up, and the FreeRad fits, just. One guard would not let me on a return train, although I told him the bike had come on the train here without problems...
The FreeRad looks (and acts!) bigger than it is, need to show people where the back wheel usually comes to, and that it is only a little longer.
We don't have those racks on the front of busses over here.
For those of you not aware yet, Peak Oil is hitting about now.
Oil is the world's premier source of energy and is fundamental to almost every important function of modern life. It fuels 95 percent of land, sea and air transport, so the efficient movement of raw materials and goods, as well as personal mobility, is almost entirely oil-dependent. Food production too relies heavily on oil to run farm machinery and to make fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. Oil generates 40 percent of the world's commercial energy, provides heating fuel, and drives industry and commerce. No other existing energy source can match the versatility, convenience and low cost of oil. Moreover, it supplies feedstock for many thousands of manufactured products as diverse as plastics, medicines, clothing and building materials.
Global demand for oil has increased seven-fold over the past half-century due to rapid population growth and industrial expansion. The world now consumes about 82 million barrels of oil a day. (A barrel is the equivalent of 42 U.S. gallons or 159 litres.) Demand is generally expected to continue growing at an average annual rate of one to two percent. The International Energy Agency forecasts that worldwide oil demand could exceed 100 million barrels a day by 2020. The greatest rise in demand is expected to come from developing nations. Growing transportation needs throughout the world would account for up to three-quarters of the projected increase.
Oil industry leaders acknowledge that new sources of oil are becoming increasingly difficult to find and more costly to exploit. New oilfield discoveries have been declining steadily for 40 years despite extensive exploration with the most advanced technology, and most importantly, finding giant new fields is becoming ever more rare. Recently, major oil companies have had to cut their production growth targets. In 2002, the world used four times more oil than was found from new sources. Since about 80 percent of the oil that will be necessary to meet projected needs in 10 years time is not currently in production, unprecedented levels of investment and yet-to-be-achieved technological advances will be required to balance supply with future demand.
The industry's ability to locate and recover ever-smaller volumes of oil has improved significantly but the physical limitations of the resource are inescapable. Operating experience from tens of thousands of oilfields shows that the rate of production always rises to a peak and then begins to fall off when about half the recoverable oil has been extracted. Since the world's total endowment of oil is finite and non-renewable, in due course, as new discoveries become insufficient to offset the natural depletion of existing reserves, overall output will reach its maximum limit and begin to decline.
The world has now consumed almost half the total amount of conventional oil most experts estimate will ever be available for recovery. Assessments of the world's ultimately recoverable oil reserves vary but 65 published studies by oil companies, geologists, government analysts and consultants over the past 50 years have produced remarkably consistent estimates. The overwhelming majority of these put the world's original endowment of recoverable oil at no more than about 2,400 billion barrels; the average estimate is 2,000 billion barrels. Cumulative worldwide consumption had exceeded 900 billion barrels by the end of 2003.
A growing number of experts now foresee a permanent downturn in global oil production rates within a matter of years. Although past premature forecasts have led many to view warnings of impending oil scarcity with a great deal of scepticism, no fewer than a dozen recent independent analyses, using different assumptions and demand growth projections, all show global production reaching its natural peak within the coming decade. Even the most conservative of these, based on what some consider an implausibly high estimate of the total oil endowment, forecasts the peak by 2020.
As growing demand exceeds available supplies, oil prices will rise substantially and the effects will be felt throughout the global economy. Oil is the world's single largest traded commodity, accounting for over half the total value of all commodity transactions. Fears of oil supply disruptions alone can create financial panic. The few episodes of dramatic oil price rises in the past 30 years, due mainly to events in the Middle East, have shown how vulnerable the world economy is to the impact of supply restrictions. High oil prices fuel inflation, contribute to economic recessions and create the greatest hardship for those least able to bear the additional costs.
The world will become increasingly dependent on oil from the Middle East as supplies from elsewhere decline. Already over 50 oil-producing countries have passed their peak production, including the United States, once the world's largest producer, which now relies on imported oil for over 60 percent of its domestic needs. Most other producing nations are expected to reach their peak within the next few years. The only exceptions will be a handful of oil-rich Persian Gulf states, which hold about two-thirds of the world's proven reserves. Saudi Arabia alone controls 25 percent of those reserves.
The productive capacity of Middle East oilfields is uncertain and the risks of supply disruptions are heightened by continuing political instability in the region. Oil from the Middle East currently accounts for almost a third of the world's supply and that share will grow steadily in the years ahead. While it is commonly assumed that some excess production capacity is available to meet short-term increases in demand, little is known about the longer-term potential for growth. In any case, intensified worldwide competition will inevitably accelerate the depletion of those reserves and the onset of falling output. Moreover, securing reliable supplies from the region comes at a substantial additional expense. Some estimates put the military costs of protecting pipelines and tanker routes, borne mainly by U.S. taxpayers, at around $15-20 a barrel.
The era of cheap, plentiful supplies of oil is coming to an end, requiring fundamental restructuring of the world's energy systems. Any shift towards new, more costly alternatives is bound to be difficult and time consuming. Growing recognition of the serious environmental damage and climate-changing effects caused by burning oil (and other fossil fuels) is beginning slowly to drive new, long-term energy policies. The approaching peak and decline in oil supplies adds urgency to the need for greater energy efficiency measures and more rapid development of sustainable energy alternatives.
Please read Nine Shift: Work, Life and Education in the 21st Century by William A. Draves and Julie Coates. Chapter 9: "Trains Replace Cars: Shift Four." The prediction is that: "In just ten years, between 2010 and 2020, cars will go into decline, replaced as the predominant mode of transportation in the U.S. by light rail and trains." Draves and Coates analysis indicates that trains will replace cars in the U.S. within the next 15-years, not because of legitimate environmental concerns, or the price of oil or gasoline, or because of public policy. "Economics rules, and trains will replace cars because of a fundamental economic need to replace cars. Public policy will change, Congress will have a change in heart, but it will follow the economic need, not precede it." Please, check out www.lern.org or www.nineshift.org and order the book.
Jay Townley
The Gluskin Townley Group, LLC
From: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com [mailto:rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Merlin Matthews ~ Re~Cycle Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 5:56 AM To: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com Subject: [rootsradicals] Peak Oil + Public transport
Hi
Merlin here, from the UK.
I do the bike and train combo, works very well. On one train line I've used there's a system where the bike hangs up, and the FreeRad fits, just. One guard would not let me on a return train, although I told him the bike had come on the train here without problems...
The FreeRad looks (and acts!) bigger than it is, need to show people where the back wheel usually comes to, and that it is only a little longer.
We don't have those racks on the front of busses over here.
For those of you not aware yet, Peak Oil is hitting about now.
Will be more bikes, is the good news :~)
Stay well
Cheers
Merlin
http://www.re-cycle.org ~ Bike Aid for Africa
OVERVIEW (from http://www.odac-info.org/)
Oil is the world's premier source of energy and is fundamental to almost every important function of modern life. It fuels 95 percent of land, sea and air transport, so the efficient movement of raw materials and goods, as well as personal mobility, is almost entirely oil-dependent. Food production too relies heavily on oil to run farm machinery and to make fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides. Oil generates 40 percent of the world's commercial energy, provides heating fuel, and drives industry and commerce. No other existing energy source can match the versatility, convenience and low cost of oil. Moreover, it supplies feedstock for many thousands of manufactured products as diverse as plastics, medicines, clothing and building materials.
Global demand for oil has increased seven-fold over the past half-century due to rapid population growth and industrial expansion. The world now consumes about 82 million barrels of oil a day. (A barrel is the equivalent of 42 U.S. gallons or 159 litres.) Demand is generally expected to continue growing at an average annual rate of one to two percent. The International Energy Agency forecasts that worldwide oil demand could exceed 100 million barrels a day by 2020. The greatest rise in demand is expected to come from developing nations. Growing transportation needs throughout the world would account for up to three-quarters of the projected increase.
Oil industry leaders acknowledge that new sources of oil are becoming increasingly difficult to find and more costly to exploit. New oilfield discoveries have been declining steadily for 40 years despite extensive exploration with the most advanced technology, and most importantly, finding giant new fields is becoming ever more rare. Recently, major oil companies have had to cut their production growth targets. In 2002, the world used four times more oil than was found from new sources. Since about 80 percent of the oil that will be necessary to meet projected needs in 10 years time is not currently in production, unprecedented levels of investment and yet-to-be-achieved technological advances will be required to balance supply with future demand.
The industry's ability to locate and recover ever-smaller volumes of oil has improved significantly but the physical limitations of the resource are inescapable. Operating experience from tens of thousands of oilfields shows that the rate of production always rises to a peak and then begins to fall off when about half the recoverable oil has been extracted. Since the world's total endowment of oil is finite and non-renewable, in due course, as new discoveries become insufficient to offset the natural depletion of existing reserves, overall output will reach its maximum limit and begin to decline.
The world has now consumed almost half the total amount of conventional oil most experts estimate will ever be available for recovery. Assessments of the world's ultimately recoverable oil reserves vary but 65 published studies by oil companies, geologists, government analysts and consultants over the past 50 years have produced remarkably consistent estimates. The overwhelming majority of these put the world's original endowment of recoverable oil at no more than about 2,400 billion barrels; the average estimate is 2,000 billion barrels. Cumulative worldwide consumption had exceeded 900 billion barrels by the end of 2003.
A growing number of experts now foresee a permanent downturn in global oil production rates within a matter of years. Although past premature forecasts have led many to view warnings of impending oil scarcity with a great deal of scepticism, no fewer than a dozen recent independent analyses, using different assumptions and demand growth projections, all show global production reaching its natural peak within the coming decade. Even the most conservative of these, based on what some consider an implausibly high estimate of the total oil endowment, forecasts the peak by 2020.
As growing demand exceeds available supplies, oil prices will rise substantially and the effects will be felt throughout the global economy. Oil is the world's single largest traded commodity, accounting for over half the total value of all commodity transactions. Fears of oil supply disruptions alone can create financial panic. The few episodes of dramatic oil price rises in the past 30 years, due mainly to events in the Middle East, have shown how vulnerable the world economy is to the impact of supply restrictions. High oil prices fuel inflation, contribute to economic recessions and create the greatest hardship for those least able to bear the additional costs.
The world will become increasingly dependent on oil from the Middle East as supplies from elsewhere decline. Already over 50 oil-producing countries have passed their peak production, including the United States, once the world's largest producer, which now relies on imported oil for over 60 percent of its domestic needs. Most other producing nations are expected to reach their peak within the next few years. The only exceptions will be a handful of oil-rich Persian Gulf states, which hold about two-thirds of the world's proven reserves. Saudi Arabia alone controls 25 percent of those reserves.
The productive capacity of Middle East oilfields is uncertain and the risks of supply disruptions are heightened by continuing political instability in the region. Oil from the Middle East currently accounts for almost a third of the world's supply and that share will grow steadily in the years ahead. While it is commonly assumed that some excess production capacity is available to meet short-term increases in demand, little is known about the longer-term potential for growth. In any case, intensified worldwide competition will inevitably accelerate the depletion of those reserves and the onset of falling output. Moreover, securing reliable supplies from the region comes at a substantial additional expense. Some estimates put the military costs of protecting pipelines and tanker routes, borne mainly by U.S. taxpayers, at around $15-20 a barrel.
The era of cheap, plentiful supplies of oil is coming to an end, requiring fundamental restructuring of the world's energy systems. Any shift towards new, more costly alternatives is bound to be difficult and time consuming. Growing recognition of the serious environmental damage and climate-changing effects caused by burning oil (and other fossil fuels) is beginning slowly to drive new, long-term energy policies. The approaching peak and decline in oil supplies adds urgency to the need for greater energy efficiency measures and more rapid development of sustainable energy alternatives.
See http://www.fcnp.com/521/peakoil.htm for recent effects
PEAK OIL RELATED LINKS:
Good intro, inc video, and links page
http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/content/peak_oil
Good introduction http://www.wolfatthedoor.org.uk/
For daily updates and links to mainstream media:
http://www.fromthewilderness.com/
Lessons from Russia http://www.fromthewilderness.com/free/ww3/index.shtml#post
ASPO
The official site of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil & Gas.
http://www.peakoil.net/
ENERGY BULLETIN
Clearing house for news regarding the peak in global energy supply.
http://www.energybulletin.net/
POWERSWITCH
Dedicated to raising awareness & discussion of the impending & permanent
decline of cheap oil & gas supply.
http://www.powerswitch.org.uk/
ODAC
Oil Depletion Analysis Centre working to raise awareness and promote better
understanding of the world's oil-depletion problem.
http://www.odac-info.org/
GLOBAL PUBLIC MEDIA
Public service broadcasting for a post carbon world.
http://www.globalpublicmedia.com/
POST CARBON INSTITUTE
Learning to live in a low energy world.
http://www.postcarbon.org/
PEAKOIL.COM
US site and forum to educate and promote awareness of global hydrocarbon
depletion.
http://www.peakoil.com/
FEASTA
The Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability
http://www.feasta.org/
VITAL TRIVIA
Chris Vernon's Peak Oil Blog
http://www.vitaltrivia.co.uk/
CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION
http://climatechangeaction.blogspot.com/
THE ENERGY BLOG
http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/
THE OIL DRUM
http://www.theoildrum.com/
PEAK OIL PRIMERS: WHAT IS PEAK OIL?
http://www.energybulletin.net/primer.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil
http://www.answers.com/peak+oil
SOLUTIONS
http://www.earthship.org - ultra eco-house, provides its own heat, water, electricity and some food!
Domestic Tradable Quotas - http://www.dtqs.org/ - something the government would have laughed at 10 years ago, though are looking at now...
hey roots,
We just launched a beta version of our new site. A new feature gives
the site surfer the opportunity to contact a local Xtracycle
enthusiast for a test ride. That means you! But you're not
automatically signed up just by virtue of your rootness.
To participate, just go to the roots radicals group and enter yourself
and your contact info into the database:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rootsradicals/database?method=addRecord&tbl=2
I was just in New York and I got forwarded a call from HQ from a
potential customer in Jersey. He came to the city for a test ride, and
root dave Z met him at the door. Potential customer made plans to buy
a FreeRadical two days later. It makes such a difference when an
interested rider can connect with a breathing, excited user.
I also have a vision of this being a more general way for Xtracycle
riders to find/help eachother. Read about it in the blog:
http://www.kipchoge.com/wordpress/2006/01/11/new-biker-in-town/
Sign up now to be a root tester in your town!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rootsradicals/database?method=addRecord&tbl
Please write into this list with any thoughts you have on any of this
since we're just getting it off the ground.
Hope you all have a bountiful new year.
paz,
kipchoge
Well you can send anyone inquiring in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area
my way for demo rides. I have two Xtras and glad to share the
goodness with potential folks in my area.
I love what is going on with the new website, humanizing it putting your faces out there and having fun. Good improvement.
Just an idea ,aybe you folks can make some Xtracycle business cards
available for those of us out there and being asked about out long
wheels. Something simple and to the point that allows us to give
a passing motorist a card that they will go to Xtras website and look
around and maybe convert.
We just launched a beta version of our new site. A new feature gives
the site surfer the opportunity to contact a local Xtracycle
enthusiast for a test ride. That means you! But you're not
automatically signed up just by virtue of your rootness.
I was just in New York and I got forwarded a call from HQ from a
potential customer in Jersey. He came to the city for a test ride, and
root dave Z met him at the door. Potential customer made plans to buy
a FreeRadical two days later. It makes such a difference when an
interested rider can connect with a breathing, excited user.
Thanks for the encouraging words. We're diggin it too!
Many of you roots who purchased a while ago probably haven't seen the
"11 answers" cards that we now send out for the express purpose of you
having something to hand inquirers.
Anyone who needs some, please email laughter@... with your address and how many you want.
Well you can send anyone inquiring in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area
my way for demo rides. I have two Xtras and glad to share the
goodness with potential folks in my area.
I love what is going on with the new website, humanizing it putting your faces out there and having fun. Good improvement.
Just an idea ,aybe you folks can make some Xtracycle business cards
available for those of us out there and being asked about out long
wheels. Something simple and to the point that allows us to give
a passing motorist a card that they will go to Xtras website and look
around and maybe convert.
We just launched a beta version of our new site. A new feature gives
the site surfer the opportunity to contact a local Xtracycle
enthusiast for a test ride. That means you! But you're not
automatically signed up just by virtue of your rootness.
I was just in New York and I got forwarded a call from HQ from a
potential customer in Jersey. He came to the city for a test ride, and
root dave Z met him at the door. Potential customer made plans to buy
a FreeRadical two days later. It makes such a difference when an
interested rider can connect with a breathing, excited user.
Hi folks
Link says "Sorry. The table you requested does not exist in the Database"
Would be good to have country in there, not just USA states!
Cheers
Merlin
UK bike shipping charity, http://www.re-cycle.org
At 2:35 pm +0000 12/1/06, kipchogenotkip wrote:
>hey roots,
>
>We just launched a beta version of our new site. A new feature gives
>the site surfer the opportunity to contact a local Xtracycle
>enthusiast for a test ride. That means you! But you're not
>automatically signed up just by virtue of your rootness.
>
>
>To participate, just go to the roots radicals group and enter yourself
>and your contact info into the database:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rootsradicals/database?method=addRecord&tbl=2
>
>
>I was just in New York and I got forwarded a call from HQ from a
>potential customer in Jersey. He came to the city for a test ride, and
>root dave Z met him at the door. Potential customer made plans to buy
>a FreeRadical two days later. It makes such a difference when an
>interested rider can connect with a breathing, excited user.
>
>I also have a vision of this being a more general way for Xtracycle
>riders to find/help eachother. Read about it in the blog:
>http://www.kipchoge.com/wordpress/2006/01/11/new-biker-in-town/
>
>
>Sign up now to be a root tester in your town!
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rootsradicals/database?method=addRecord&tbl
>
>Please write into this list with any thoughts you have on any of this
>since we're just getting it off the ground.
>
>Hope you all have a bountiful new year.
>
>paz,
>kipchoge
>
>
>
>
>
>You're getting this message because you signed up to be an Xtracycle
>roots radical.
>
>To Post a message, send it to: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>ride to believe.
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
This is a great idea. I can offer rides to anyone in the Boston/Cambridge area, with one caveat: My Xtracycle is also a Stokemonkey, so it would be a double sales pitch.
Andrew
On Jan 12, 2006, at 2:40 AM, kipchogenotkip wrote:
hey roots,
We just launched a beta version of our new site. A new feature gives the site surfer the opportunity to contact a local Xtracycle enthusiast for a test ride. That means you! But you're not automatically signed up just by virtue of your rootness.
I was just in New York and I got forwarded a call from HQ from a potential customer in Jersey. He came to the city for a test ride, and root dave Z met him at the door. Potential customer made plans to buy a FreeRadical two days later. It makes such a difference when an interested rider can connect with a breathing, excited user.
Hey radicals,
Loved the bit in the grist, I'm seriously looking into trading in my
roadbike for one of these. Got a question however...I'm a person of
faith who wears dresses everyday. (Trust me - that can be quite
radical too) What can you do for a chain guard so that my calico
dresses don't get covered in grease?
Living simply,
Paula
... So, I put "Xtracycle" in as an interest on mine, and it doesn't
seem *anybody* else in Googleville has. Ah, well, maybe all those
blogs are elsewhere, but I wanted teh Search Engine Gurus to get at
least one xtracycle into their data stream!
I beg to differ, Susan. Take a look at this link. 205
results.
http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&q=Xtracycle&btnG=Search+Blogs
:)
vj
--- Susan <maps@...> wrote:
> ... So, I put "Xtracycle" in as an interest on mine,
> and it doesn't
> seem *anybody* else in Googleville has. Ah, well,
> maybe all those
> blogs are elsewhere, but I wanted teh Search Engine
> Gurus to get at
> least one xtracycle into their data stream!
Vicki Jean | Portland OR USA | vj_portland@...
altPortland: http://www.altportland.com/
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com
... but replies don't seem to be getting past the "message posted"
point. (It's been days.)
I'd approach it from trying to cover the chain, or perhaps trying
to cover the calico or get it out of reach. LEggings (there are some
"sport pants" at nosweatapparel.com for 8.80 that I like) underneath
and creative safety pins... or use those pins to put something over
the calico where it would collide with the chain.
... what nobody else seems to have done is put Xtracycle in their
"interest" part of teh profile. But I hadn't checked out blogsearch!
(wonder why "replies" won't go thru...)
I don't have mine on my bike yet... but I was riding back from the
Indoor Time Trials (I won!) and ready to pull in the driveway when...
just up ahead... that bike sure looks like a long one... I'm not 100%
sure 'cause it turned into a driveway (what a morph job :-)) before I
was close enough but the colors and sizes were right as it rolled
around the assorted corners to Vermont St.
... My free radical *should* be waiting for me at the bike shop - was
supposed to be done last Wednesday when I flew away to San Francisco.
(yea, my arms are tired...) Bike shop is closed Mondays in January,
though:-( :-( I can'at even see it through the window...
I saw a *lot* of really expensive cars in SF - felt like I was back
in Northern Virginia or something. Restaurants that don't give you
decimal places in their prices aren't my style anyway, even if it is
paid for in my per diem. Nice to be back in the MIDWEST ... my
Schwinn Racer has missed me...
So, I HAVE my bicycle with its new prosthesis, and an elegant
prosthesis it is.
Scot has lovingly installed it and its test drive was the bike shop
food run, so it already knows from bringing food to the masses!
That was Wednesday, this is Friday and it's RAINING. The cycling
lifestylist, though, does not resort to toxic emissions at the sight
of raindrops, especially when she is the Weather Goddess. As usual,
the rain kept itself at bay during my commute in, save a sprinkle or
two, but it simply had to storm while I was inside. Radar indicates
that it will be cooperative and abated by the time I leave.
In the meantime, I've retrieved it from the bike rack and brought
it into the computer lab. Which are the parts that I need to make
sure I find and dry off? I know what they're called 'cause I haven't
lost the moaners annual yet, but I don't know wehre they are.
My first trip home Wednesday, I was in the right hand left-turn
lane (there are two) exiting campus, with four cars in the left left
lane... and a car came up behind me at the light, stopped, and threw
himself into reverse, backed up and got into the other lane. Respect,
I'm tellin' ya!
I live near Seattle. I've never dried off any part of my bike except
the seat once or twice.
The free radical is steel and so it will rust where it's not painted.
This limits it to mostly just the insides of the open tubes where the
v-racks mount (vertically for the freeloaders and horizontally for the
wide loaders. I shoot a spritz of WD40 in those tubes when I think of
it (not often) or when the loaders get persnickety (less often) just
to protect them a bit.
Other than that, in my experience, the thing doesn't need any special
attention. (We won't talk about the snap deck finish...)
Enjoy your new toy!
jeffy
my blog: http://tomecat.com/madtimes/
pics of my bike: http://flickr.com/photos/jeffyoungstrom/sets/515126/
On 2/3/06, Susan <maps@...> wrote:
> So, I HAVE my bicycle with its new prosthesis, and an elegant
> prosthesis it is.
> Scot has lovingly installed it and its test drive was the bike shop
> food run, so it already knows from bringing food to the masses!
> That was Wednesday, this is Friday and it's RAINING. The cycling
> lifestylist, though, does not resort to toxic emissions at the sight
> of raindrops, especially when she is the Weather Goddess. As usual,
> the rain kept itself at bay during my commute in, save a sprinkle or
> two, but it simply had to storm while I was inside. Radar indicates
> that it will be cooperative and abated by the time I leave.
> In the meantime, I've retrieved it from the bike rack and brought
> it into the computer lab. Which are the parts that I need to make
> sure I find and dry off? I know what they're called 'cause I haven't
> lost the moaners annual yet, but I don't know wehre they are.
> My first trip home Wednesday, I was in the right hand left-turn
> lane (there are two) exiting campus, with four cars in the left left
> lane... and a car came up behind me at the light, stopped, and threw
> himself into reverse, backed up and got into the other lane. Respect,
> I'm tellin' ya!
>
>
>
>
>
> You're getting this message because you signed up to be an Xtracycle roots
> radical.
>
> To Post a message, send it to: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
>
>
> ride to believe.
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
>
> Visit your group "rootsradicals" on the web.
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> rootsradicals-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
> ________________________________
>
The guys at City Bikes (D.C.) who installed my FreeRadical said their decks had
gotten practically torn up and nearly ruined from wear and tear over the years,
and recommend I apply a finish to mine. I did so at home; my dad who helped me
do it said the coating we put on should allow it to withstand a flood. And
withstand floods it did, given all the rain I got in Connecticut this past fall.
I had bought the waterproof FreeLoaders, knowing I'd be exposed to a significant
amount of riding rain during the lifetime of my Xtracycle, so most of my rear
frame was protected. In six months of ownership, I haven't oiled my tubing yet,
and haven't discovered rust, but I appreciate Jeff's feedback.
- Ben
On Friday, February 03, 2006, at 04:38PM, Susan <maps@...> wrote:
> So, I HAVE my bicycle with its new prosthesis, and an elegant
>prosthesis it is.
> Scot has lovingly installed it and its test drive was the bike shop
>food run, so it already knows from bringing food to the masses!
> That was Wednesday, this is Friday and it's RAINING. The cycling
>lifestylist, though, does not resort to toxic emissions at the sight
>of raindrops, especially when she is the Weather Goddess. As usual,
>the rain kept itself at bay during my commute in, save a sprinkle or
>two, but it simply had to storm while I was inside. Radar indicates
>that it will be cooperative and abated by the time I leave.
> In the meantime, I've retrieved it from the bike rack and brought
>it into the computer lab. Which are the parts that I need to make
>sure I find and dry off? I know what they're called 'cause I haven't
>lost the moaners annual yet, but I don't know wehre they are.
> My first trip home Wednesday, I was in the right hand left-turn
>lane (there are two) exiting campus, with four cars in the left left
>lane... and a car came up behind me at the light, stopped, and threw
>himself into reverse, backed up and got into the other lane. Respect,
>I'm tellin' ya!
>
>
>
>
>
>You're getting this message because you signed up to be an Xtracycle roots
radical.
>
>To Post a message, send it to: rootsradicals@yahoogroups.com
>
>
>ride to believe.
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Hey Roots Radicals!
Ive been using my xtracycle for about two years here in Chicago.
The perfect winter bike! Ive recently added the "down low glow" light
system.
It turns alot of heads which is alot better than feeling invisible at night!
Lately, I've been using it for shopping and commuting. It works great!
But when I get some extra cash I want design a crazy sound system for
critical mass,entertaining the locals etc.
Ive been really oogling the stokemonkey lately. Man,I want one of those!
Does any body out there in Rootsradical land have any experience with them?
I attached a picture of me and my xtra,not sure if I did it right?!?
Im new to computers.
How do I send a pic to a group?
Anybody else have pictures of their machine?
-steve in chicago
signing out
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Being an Xtra retailer and regular rider I have spent lots of time experiencing the same scenarios as ya'll. My snap deck has weathered alot due to the sun here in Colorado (high rate of skin cancer too) and I have just let it continue to weather and it has just gained character. Xtra didn't coat the decks with harsh sealers because there isn't one out there that will do any good and still be eco-friendly. As far as your frame goes, an occasional spray of any water inhibiter works but something like JP Weigle's frame saver would be best because it actually leaves a coating to prevent rust where WD evaporates and doesn't leave anything behind. Rust isn't a problem for us here in Denver because it is so dry. My X lives in the back yard and gets snow on it sometimes but has no signs of rust and I've had it for 5 years now.
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