Idea of the Day - A Very Special Bicycle

Todays Idea of the Day is actually several ideas that you'll have to imagine as one since I don't have the photoshop/GIMP skills to dummy up an image. So use your imagination, if you would.


We'll start with this:



A bike from TidalForce. It's pretty dang tight. Those funky looking hubs are the motors and the thing has regenerative brakes. Very cool. Enough for an idea all by itself but today is value added day so I'm taking it farther.

The TidalForce bike is foldable, but not down to the point I want to get to. So we're going to steal the motors, brakes, etc. off of it and use them on this:




"Bike Friday folding bicycles, travel bicycles and folding bike accessories

Folding bike, travel bike, collapsible bike ... no matter what you name it, only one bicycle folds in seconds, packs into a standard airline suitcase and "Rides as good as your best bike". That's how former Bicycling executive editor Ed Pavelka of RoadBikeRider.com famously described the world's leading performance travel bicycle."


The TidalForce is foldable but not to the same extent as this one so we're going to combine them. Cool huh? A small, foldable electric assist bicycle.

But in the words of Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade, I'm just gettin started.


Let's swap out the chain and gears with one of these:



I understand that the chain setup is tried and true, but I like the shaft drive better for what I'm thinking about.

Now we'll head back over to TidalForce and grab:




A spare battery. I like their setup and with a little tweaking that rack could do quiet a bit of duty. I _love_ that you can easily unplug this battery if you know that you don't need the extra range/speed and save the weight.

I don't think we're quite done though. We need something to keep it in out of the weather and from getting banged up in its corner of the trunk. Luckily Bike Friday already has made something that is damn near perfect.




A basic suitcase with a twist.



It's also a trailer.

And here it is all packed away




We'll add a socket to the case to let the batteries charge while it's in it's cornor of the trunk. A little circuitry to the car itself to keep the charger from draining the car battery plus a couple of solar panels on the parcel shelf/dash to help with all of this

What do we end up with? A portable, electric assist bicycle that fits in to a fairly small area, requires little upkeep and gives low emmissions. It will run up to 40 miles (64 km) without pedaling with a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h). Its case provides a trailer if needed or just use some soft sided panniers for the days shopping and leave the case in the car or office. With a little clever design you could make a soft sided case that transformed into something to carry the load when you were riding that would let you fold it all up giving you yet more flexibility

And that is the idea for the day. Don't expect this kind of thought every day, I type too slow

:|

Nothing sucks more than the first time someone really hurts your feelings.

Such is life.

Idea of the Day

 
 
  

Idea of the Day

 
 
  

Station Wagon of the Day

  

Idea of the Day

  

Station Wagon of the Day

  

Station Wagon of the Day

  

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Station Wagon of the Day

  

Short takes - What I'm thinking about

If I ever get to the point where I actually get to be able to choose my own car instead of gettign a hand me down or the one that happens to be what we can get at the time I think I'd like a diesel. In a perfect world a small truck with a four passenger cab or station wagon that was able to tow smallish loads.

***

Contrary to the snow on the ground lawn season is close and I hate it. Not just the mowing but teh lawn itself. I'd rather it be food. It seems like such a waste to have this huge area devoted to grass. The backyard is more of a special case because of the dogs but I can't help but feel there is a better solution.

***

We need a bigger house. I'd really like it if we coould get one with enough land for a decent garden.

***

I have no idea how to work out a diet that lets the Mrs and I eat together. I do not thrive on the same things she does. I know already what I need to eat to lose weight and that particular diet is one that I don't know if she can currently handle or will ever be willing to do.

***

I need to read more.

***

As much as I love reading and learning about diet and nutrition I _hate_ meal planning. So of course lately it's what I need to do the most.

***

I still want to learn to draw.

***

I need a new guitar. I don't currently have one that is playable. The accoustics neck is bowed and the action is so high you could fly under it and the electric I don't even know what is wrong with.

***

I want a bicycle. I've been looking at electric assist bikes and they seem to be truly starting to fill the niche that mopeds once did. The two main problems being distance and cost. Distance is not ussualy a biggy but when I can find a moped for 1/4 the cost of the ones I like cost is a problem.

***

I wonder why more electric assist bikes don't have regenerative brakes.

***

A bike that could recharge on the 12v as well as house current would be an excellent tag along. One that would easily fold or otherwise fit in teh back of the car or truck would be even better. An electrick assist version of one of bike friday's bikes would be about perfect.

***

I need tgo borrow a bike and see if my balanace can even handle it these days before I go out and spend the bells on it.

***

I'm about done with one of my friends. I don't bother to make new ones anymore for excatly for some of the reasons that are going on now. I wish I could live in a cave and never have to work again. With cable, mail delivery, servants, internet access and take out.

***

My current retirement planning is gonna leave me screwed.

***

I'm taking some vaction days in the near future. I wish I had the bells to actually go do something but sitting at home wil be ok.

***

I need a blow job.

***

I like the puppy when he's asleep curled up next to me. When he's causing trouble, not so much. He is slowly getting better.

***

Food != happiness. I know this but can't seem to get it into practice.

***

I'm back on my meds like I should be so have of course gained weight.

***

Things I need to get away from: Fried, battered, creamy.

***

Chips and Coke are the enemy

***

I need to go get a prescrition on the way to work or the way home. I keep forgetting about it.

***

I always liked first kisses. No baggage.

***

I'm going to develop my script into a novel instead I think. I should have just as much luck with that and I don't have to depend on so many other people for it. No high hopes for publication but I could always do that myself if it ended up being any good.

***

I could not write a coherent page with a gun to my head and my balls in a vice. I need to work on that.

***

I haven't been doing well on my goal of writing something here daily but I have been doing better of at least putting something in here on a regular basis.

***

I forgot to write DirtyJ. I need to do that.

Station Wagon of the Day

  

Idea of the Day

  

  

Station Wagon of the Day

  

Arts and Crafts

I never took any art classes in school. I'd like to learn to draw and paint now. I know it's not too late but it's just one more thing to fragment my time

Station Wagon of the Day

Problems Problems

As is obvious, I've been sending more pictures to eb. Somehow I managed to break the software I was using to do it. So this post is pointless other than to hopefully reset something

Station Wagon of the Day

Station Wagon of the Day 

I forgot what I was going to say

I'd written an entry out yesterday but when I went to post it Blogger decided to crap out. Normally it at least saves deafts but it decided that was not a good thing to do that time.

Some day I'm going to lose an important, life changing thought beacuse of tnot writing it down fast enough.

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Site News

As should be obvious I've been doing some site updating. Streamlined things and got the templates loadinmg faster. Stats are working again for my 4 visitors

The Gadget Blog: Gadget News, Gadget Reviews, Gadget Tech Specs. » Actiontec Announces the VoSKY Call Center and VoSKY Exchange at CES 2006

The Gadget Blog: Gadget News, Gadget Reviews, Gadget Tech Specs. » Actiontec Announces the VoSKY Call Center and VoSKY Exchange at CES 2006

The future is now.

It’s pretty clear that to have the ability to use Skype to make calls from your cellphone would rock beyond words. A little while back, for a couple of minutes, it looked like this Netgear phone was it, but that was a false alarm: it only worked in hotspots. But now, a company called VoSKY seems to have created the Magical Golden Bridge, in the shape of the Call Center, a product that allows you to use Skype from any phone (pay phone, home phone, cell phone) to call anyone in the world for a fraction of the regular cost.

The way it works is very simple. The Call Center unit acts as an interface between the phone of your choice, and your Skype connected computer. First, plug one end of the unit to your landline and the other to your computer (which should be running Skype already). Then, when you’re out and want to call Grandma, simply call the line to which the unit is connected (that would be your home phone number, dodo). Like an answering machine, the Call Center will pick your call up and prompt you for your PIN number. Then simply dial the number you wish to call, and the device takes care of the rest.

There is a little caveat, in that you’re going to have to disable your current voice messaging service. But fear not, the Call Center will act as one as well. It comes bundled with software that will record voice messages directly to your computer, though that means your PC (yeah, no Mac) has to always stay on.

It’s sheer brilliance. If you don’t mind the little extra step of calling home first (and why should you if you get to call for cheap?), then this $70 device finally gives you the ability to unleash Skype’s full potential.

via OhGizmo

Toshiba's WiFi-screen Tablet PC laptop - Engadget

Toshiba's WiFi-screen Tablet PC laptop - Engadget: "Toshiba was showing off that concept laptop we saw earlier this year -- you know, the one with a detachable display that communicates with its body by way of WiFi. It's also DLNA compliant so you can cruise around while watching video or interacting with your machine (so long as you don't get out of signal range). We got to handle the actual display part of the unit, and we have to confess, we fell a bit in love."

This gets an ebGoodIdea

Fragmented

My life, both online and off, is fragmented.

My friends are scattered around the globe these days instead of the city.
I have to keep journals at five different places to keep up with everyone.
I have to be on five different IM networks to keep up with everyone.
They're scattered over different web sites.
I have too many interests and divide up my energy into slivers
I have too many interests and divide my time into slivers

***

I hate trying to make new friends but need to.
I hate old friends who don't make any effort unless they want something.

***

I was talking to someone yesterday and they suddenly asked me how I was doing. It was funny since she'd been going on forever about her problems, which she has been for the last several months, and I think she suddenly realised I was getting bored with it and wanted to make sure I'd keep on listening. I thought that even more since it took less than a minute to shift back to her.

***

I would give up 20 IQ points for a good dollop of drive.

ScoreHer.com Dating Advice for men: Chicktionary Archives

ScoreHer.com Dating Advice for men: Chicktionary Archives

A little thing that was posted at linkfilter that seemed to stand out to me due to some recent conversations.

Mrs Bot seems to think that I'm going to be having sex with a friend from work. It's not somethinng that's going to happen. I've been in a bit of a funk anyway and some ways that isn't helping.

I think the biggest reason it's not helping is that it's not true. My friend has her own life and we're really just friends at work. She got promoted and moved on and we talk less and less. I imagine that if it weren't for work we really wouldn't talk much at all.

So as much as Mrs Bot is convinced of this I'm getting double negative strokes from this. First from Mrs Bot fro needing to briung this up and being so concerned about something that not only isn't going to happen but has no opportunity to happen but also from me wonderi9ng now what's wrong with me that it's not happening. I'm screwed either way.

I think Mrs Bot highly overestimates the allure of pudgy, balding, cranky, broke middle aged men.

***

Work is sucking lately. I lost all of my help, my workload trippled and they moved my office. I like the new office fine but half my stuff is across twon still and I haven't had time to get anything caught up so I'm running a week behind on important things and almost a month behind on filing. My office looks like crap. I don't have the time to even get things set up so I'm working out of boxes for half the things I need. I'd just set aside half an hour a day to fix it but I am stuck in constant crisis mode. The only things I have time to take care of are critical items.

I'm trying not to stay late amymore though. I feel like it doesn't get me caught up and it's just cutting into my personal time which means far more to me than the money

test

test

Dear MPAA/RIAA/TV People

Please to be using technology to advance us please to be stop using old laws to stop technology.

Some ideas for you to use that would help you harass the power of the internet for...profit!

1) Start offering a listing of the songs from shows from the last week and offering...downloads! I heard the song, I know I wanted to hear it again; you are all missing out by not selling something that costs you almost nothing. It gives a legal way to get these tunes, promotes the bands and makes you money. I'm going to burn the cd myself so you aren't even out the cost of the media or the storefront etc, just some dude to watch the computers

2) Start offering downloads of the show. Same deal as above. You can charge a couple of bucks and by the end of the season; I have a set that you did not have to do anything for but offer up a download. It lets lesser shows stay around legally and you do not have to put out collections for things that did not do well in the ratings but we liked enough to record. I would pay a little bit for a better legal copy, which brings us to:

3) Learn how to tier your sets. You need to release three of them. One that's just the show (or cd), one that has some gives the groovy dvd extras and one that is the super deluxe version that gives extended versions, directors cuts, booklets etc. And this is the important part: RELEASE THEM ALL AT THE SAME TIME. You aren't stealing sales from yourself but when you delay the release of the set with the extras, you’re pissing off the very people you want to buy those sets.

4) Release movies in the theatre, on DVD and Pay Per View the same day. Or only delay the release of the DVD and Pay Per View a week after the theatrical release. Do you not know yet that the audiences for these are different? You are losing money by not doing this.

Make it so.


PS Hi Brenda

End of the Line - Foreign Policy Magazine

End of the Line

Where do ships go to die? Thirty years ago, Europe's shipyards took apart most of the world's supertankers. But rising costs eventually sent much of the ship-breaking industry to Bangladesh. In just two months, teams of workers will reduce a 240,000-ton tanker to scrap metal using crowbars, hammers, and their bare hands.

EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE - Outdoors Gear, Survival Equipment Review & Survival Information

EQUIPPED TO SURVIVE - Outdoors Gear, Survival Equipment Review & Survival Information: "Equipped To Survive® is the most comprehensive online resource for independent reviews of survival equipment and outdoors gear, as well as survival and Search and Rescue information. Equipped To Survive® will help you determine the best choices to prepare for anything from a hike in the park to a life threatening emergency or disaster. Please note that this is not a 'survivalist' site. "

One if my favorite survival sites because its focus is one survival in emergency situations, not TEOTWAWKI (Which I think about sometimes as well)

Buteyko: A to Z

Buteyko: A to Z: "Buteyko method opposes traditional medical approach which mechanically tries to eliminate symptoms of an illness using drugs. It does not touch the origin of illness. Doctor Buteyko claims that his method targets the origin of a disease - incorrect breathing pattern."

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

Heh

[beaglebot] I would also use my money to make and promote new words
[beaglebot] Like "athen"
[FuzzyDave] athen?
[beaglebot] As in "I'm going to Scotland 3 weeks athen." or
[beaglebot] "Long athen, when you're all grown up, ...".
[beaglebot] a future ago
[FuzzyDave] i like
[FuzzyDave] i would like more people to adopt FuzzySpeak. The world needs more fleeble, snakki and woodgie.
[beaglebot] ok course
[beaglebot] I'd also like a word that means "both yes and no"
[FuzzyDave] snaye
[beaglebot] interesting
[FuzzyDave] it's got the Y E S of yes, plus the nay of No.
[FuzzyDave] andn the Y E S wraps around the No part.
[FuzzyDave] while at the sametime is a part of the No part
[FuzzyDave] Snaye
[beaglebot] Snaye will be used shortly athen

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!

A Picture Share!