[WillStewart]

That’s why it’s important to add your own specific comments – it helps steer their thinking.

[WillStewart]

Being noticed after the fact is not much help, IMHO.

Now if it allowed one to sail over a car bearing down on them…

[WillStewart]

Are you finding anything within your requirements in the Falls Church area? There are two metro locations in Falls Church – West Falls Church and East Falls church. Lots of buses terminate at West Falls Church, very close where you can jump on the W&OD (which is what I do). Living close to the West Falls Church (WFC) Metro will make car free living that much easier due to both the Metro and the bus hub. Keep the folding bike meme in mind – pick one of your 11 bikes now for retirement…

[WillStewart]

Former President Bush in his 2006 State of the Union Address (and in subsequent communications) said “America is addicted to oil”.

The energy crisis outlined in the 2010 Joint Operating Environment report from the US Joint Forces Command states;

“By 2012, surplus oil production capacity could entirely disappear, and as early as 2015, the shortfall in output could reach nearly 10 million barrels per day,” says the report, which has a foreword by a senior commander, General James N Mattis.

It adds: “While it is difficult to predict precisely what economic, political, and strategic effects such a shortfall might produce, it surely would reduce the prospects for growth in both the developing and developed worlds. Such an economic slowdown would exacerbate other unresolved tensions, push fragile and failing states further down the path toward collapse, and perhaps have serious economic impact on both China and India.”

The Joint Operating Environment report paints a bleak picture of what can happen on occasions when there is serious economic upheaval. “One should not forget that the Great Depression spawned a number of totalitarian regimes that sought economic prosperity for their nations by ruthless conquest,” it points out.

[WillStewart]

[URL=” http://www.bikesatwork.com/”%5DBikes At Work [/URL]has a nice set of heavy duty general purpose bike trailers, here’s a picture of one carrying a 24′ ladder, though might run over $500;

[ATTACH=CONFIG]832[/ATTACH]

Wike has a trailer specifically for kayaks for only $179, which might be preferred if you don’t have other bike cargo needs.

http://www.wike.ca/kayak_bicycle_trailer.php

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16′ is still a bit long to be maneuvering on any winding trails (I’m not familiar with the CCT). Like learning how to drive a tractor-trailer, keeping a dynamic physical model of the current and projected positioning of the trailer in one’s mind is important when moving along trails and roads.

[WillStewart]

@americancyclo 16226 wrote:

Two candidates are Ailanthus Altissima and also Elderberry, both have ammonia-like scented flowers, or maybe Bradford Pear.

Nice to know! Still too early, though, for Elderberry to be blooming (I have approximately 12 plants that I harvest the berries from in my edible landscape).

[WillStewart]

Have you biked the C&O canal yet? There is a lot of history along the way, as well as contemporary sites, like the US Olympic white water team’s training site.

http://bikewashington.org/canal/

[WillStewart]

@chris_s 15988 wrote:

Have you tried asking the the police department directly for stepped up enforcement? I’ve had some decent luck with that in the past – maybe try shooting an email to police [at] arlingtonva.us? Worst case nothing happens right?

And attach a photo if you have a phone-cam

[WillStewart]

@CCrew 15981 wrote:

Would have given you credit as a better reader Will.

http://www.evalbum.com/1947 Chock full of specs.

Google will show you lots more. It’s a neat place.

Still doesn’t address my original question, but I’m willing to agree to disagree, because this could be an endless series of claim and counter claim. Life is too short…

[WillStewart]

@KLizotte 15903 wrote:

If you are travelling during rush hour you will not be able to bring the bike with you on metro therefore you will have to find someplace safe to lock up your bike. Metro only allows bikes during non-peak hours (check wmata’s site for more details).

Folding bikes with a canvass wrap are an exception to the rule.

http://www.wmata.com/getting_around/bike_ride/

Folded bicycles are allowed on Metrorail during all operational hours, but must remain folded and inside a carrying case or bag during weekday peak hours: 7-10 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.

[WillStewart]

@CCrew 15972 wrote:

I’m not going to try and hit a moving target.

I had said “don’t see the 30+mph ebikes you are talking about, even the ones over $2k. It would take a very expensive, massive battery, and a powerful motor to get anywhere near 30mph and even then that would be in burst mode, not sustained for any appreciable length of time. If you have any evidence to the contrary (besides “people are talking about this”), please provide it.”

You haven’t presented anything that met the above request, so no moving target involved.

[WillStewart]

@dasgeh 15966 wrote:

The motor is not powerful, as mentioned. I doubt it can get one of us going much faster than 15 MPH. But, it is hugely helpful starting from a stop, and going up hill.

I believe this is what 99% of the ebike riders on W&OD, Custis, etc will be using it for.

[WillStewart]

@Rocaka 15883 wrote:

Is there anything in the gear dept. that anyone considers “absolutely necessary” for a new commuter?

I would suggest;

– A helmet light with high, med, low, and strobe settings, at least 250 lumens. A helmet light allows you to look directly at drivers to increase their awareness of you, and a daytime strobe is very effective on the street. On the trail, one can look slightly down or the side to prevent too much light in the eyes of oncoming cyclists. I picked up a Nightrider Minewt 600 cordless, and it is working great. I use the light on steady when on trails or roads in the dark/dusk, and on strobe on the road in the daytime. I turn it off on trails in the daytime. Recharges via mini-USB. I also have an inexpensive 80 lumen fixed light that takes 4 AAA that I use as an always-on modest blinky.
– Strong tail light: There are several – I am using a Planet Bike Turbo Blinky and am happy with it (takes AA batteries that I recharge)
– High viz clothing: Bright yellow/orange/etc helps drivers notice you. I’ve seen too many people in traffic with dark or drab colors and having been hit once, I’m concerned for them.
– Reflective aids: Car lights will light up any reflective aids you have, whether on cloths, helmet, frame, wheels, commuter bag, etc. 3M sells good reflective tape that also comes in high viz daytime colors as well.
– Bell: to signal passing
– Fenders: to reduce puddle splash and road ‘dribble’.

[WillStewart]

@CCrew 15954 wrote:

http://hacknmod.com/hack/customized-electric-bike-with-50-mph-top-speed/

This is an unsubstantiated claim. Note that “The total pack gives 100.8V fully charged at 24Ah.” This is a massive, VERY expensive battery pack. A top of the line 36V 9Ah LiFePO4 battery runs $525 with a $95 battery charger (link). The battery in the link you provide would require roughly 9 of these batteries in a hacked-up array that would be dangerous to even charge, much less operate on a bicycle.

@CCrew 15954 wrote:

http://hacknmod.com/hack/diy-30-mph-electric-mountain-bike/

The picture of the ‘bike’ above doesn’t show functioning pedals, so it’s technically a motorcycle. None of the bikes you’ve noted have their claims substantiated, nor are they commercially available, so are limited to the rare tinkerer who has the necessary multiple skill sets to implement.

Show me a functioning commercial electric bike that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

[WillStewart]

@MCL1981 15940 wrote:

I think you’re making a very inaccurate assumption. I’m talking about the bikes with an electric hub motor and a battery on the back rack. They do not require pedaling and will go as fast as you pull the throttle. Usually 30+. I’m pretty sure most people are talking about this as well. There is nothing federalized about this

As an electro-mechanical engineer and bike commuter, I’ve looked into a conversion kit myself, and don’t see the 30+mph ebikes you are talking about, even the ones over $2k. It would take a very expensive, massive battery, and a powerful motor to get anywhere near 30mph and even then that would be in burst mode, not sustained for any appreciable length of time. If you have any evidence to the contrary (besides “people are talking about this”), please provide it. If you need more detailed information, then try the simulator at http://ebikes.ca/simulator/

[Author]

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