Sunday, July 28, 2013

Bike at Blackdown



At Blackdown  Cadet Base, at CFB Borden, there was a farewell parade sending off the cadets from their three week course. Our son was there studying the bagpipes. This army cadet leader pulled up during the ceremony on his mountain bike.




It is a diamondback full suspension. I asked if it was standard issue military, and he replied that no, it is just his own personal property. Better than walking though, which is what we had to do to get to our car.


I guess there are conflicting rules about headgear. Clearly, this guy alternates between a bike helmet and his regulation beret.

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Saturday, July 13, 2013

Peter's Flevobike, a folding recliner




Peter unfolds his reclining bicycle.


Then he explains the modifications he made, including a head rest and rear paniers. The contraption looks like it still needs unfolding, but no.




He demonstrated it next to a graveyard, to emphasize the risks he took in learning how to ride in this literally laid back way. 




 Peter got it on ebay and it took him a couple of weeks to figure out how to ride it. "It involves a whole new skill set," he explained. I tried it briefly, but did not get very far.



One of the skills you need to learn is to hold out your arms like a bird saying, "What, me worry?"


You can read about the history of this machine at: http://flevofan.ligfiets.net/?doc=ch1&lang=en

Thursday, July 11, 2013

My Kona Dr Good


This 2012 Kona hybrid features front disk brakes, rear drum brakes. This is my favorite feature; it allows me to stop on a dime with two fingers. I also like the 7 speed Shimano Alfine internal hub. Best all around bike I have ever had. The Velo Orange leather saddle has begun to squeak annoyingly, but I have a replacement on deck.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Bikes in the Ford Museum, Detroit Michigan

Several years ago my brother in exile escorted us through the Ford Museum. My interest in bikes was strong enough that I took these shots of the antiques on display there.



 Bicycles literally paved the way for the dominance of the automobile.


The Moulton with 20 inch (flat!) wheels makes it into a museum. I hear that it was at one point the fastest in the world.


Tandem plus!



A high wheeler with foot rests. Otherwise, you have to put your knees over the handlebars on a steep incline!




So much for my shots of bikes in the Ford.

Here is another picture, not by me, of another bike in that museum. It is, according to the caption, an 1889 Pope Columbia "safety" bicycle. These were, I believe, the first mass produced non-high wheelers in America. Note the slanting crossbar (or top tube, if you prefer) just like a modern (post 2000) bike.


By way of comparison, here is the 2013 version of my newish bike, the Kona Dr Good, also with up slanting top tube:


Mine is a 2012, which did not come with the nifty front carrier. I took this at Liberty! lbs in St. Catherines.

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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Peugot Folder


A 1970's vintage 2 speed, internal hub Peugot folding bicycle that I owned for a while, taken at Wellandport Conservation Area.