Slashdot Mirror

Correct observation, this product has already been discussed on bicycle forums and has been dismissed as not very useful. http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/917472-new-procuct-take-a-look?highlight=hammerhead

When out on a multiday ride in an unfamiliar area I want more than a blinking light. Frequently the GPS picks, plain stupid, route detours. A look at the map or the map screen shows these obvious errors quickly. Even when routing my way back home form an unfamiliar location at night I need more than the hammerhead provides. About the only use for the hammerhead is when riding a, tested and proven, preloaded track. A GPS enabled bicycle speedometer will do the same and more.

Because this thing still requires the smartphone to be present, just mount the smartphone and be done with it. At best it is an interesting gift for the cyclist who has everything. . . just don't let your feelings get hurt when that cyclist 're-gifts' it.

how about a regular bike? 10 miles per donut.

From what I see, a doughnut averages 300 calories and from what I see here you burn 30 calories per mile - so 10 miles per donut.

I was wondering when someone would trot out those fallacial Vehicular Cycling studies. They're about as unscientific as you can get, and get shredded fairly regularly Here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?100823-Sidewalk-bicycling

But if you really think that it's sound reasoning to just total up all "accident events" without any sort of severity grading and then say that pedestrian cycling is X-Hundred% More Dangerous than Vehicular Cycling go right ahead and obstruct the flow of traffic for real vehicles until you're turned into paste.

Also the argument that sidewalk riding is more dangerous because of people behaving in ways that would get them just as injured on the street? Yeah, you're going to have to find something a little more solid.

I'm serious about trying this.

Excellent!

- finding "off street" routes, trails, etc. I suspect there are trails around Bush Lake, I just don't know how to find them.

There are a huge number of bike-able trails in and around Hyland park reserve. During the commute hours, they can sometimes turn into a highway for bikes. You could probably run almost the whole length of the park on these paved trails. See the park map for details. As far as getting there from 169, I imagine you could figure out a low-traffic route through the residential neighborhood between 169 and Hyland park. Residential roads are great for bike commuting, primarily because they are low-traffic and low-speed.

- equipment? I have an older mountain bike, I know the tires are dry-rotted and need replaced, but the bike itself is in great shape.

That should do it. Changing the tires and tubes is probably a good idea, and double-check your brake pads. Check the chain, as well. If it's rusted, a replacement is cheap enough. Your local bike shop (I'm not sure what you have in over by you, I know there's both a Erik's and a Penn Cycle in Bloomington) can help you with the chain or any other parts you need replacing.

- safety gear? Helmet, obviously. What else?

It never hurts to be visible. If you're on the road before dawn (and it sounds like you are), blinky lights on the rear and front are essential, and you might also want a bit of a headlight on the front. A cheap reflective safety vest or similarly visible garmet would be a good idea as well. Also, you should take along everything you need to fix a flat tube. A small hand pump, a set of tire levers, and an extra tube or a instant patch kit will do. Again, the folks at your local bike shop can show you how to change a tube "in the field" if you're not sure how to do it yourself.

- rain gear?

If you cycle in your work clothes, or don't like getting wet, a basic rain coat should work. It's best to find something light and partially breathable. Panchos can be problematic as they are so loose-fitting they're likely to get stuck in your chain or something. Myself, I commute in cycling clothes, with my work clothes in a water-proof bag, so I don't really care about getting rained on. If it is raining, you should also have something over your eyes. Clear lensed glasses, perscription or not, will work here. Also, if you commute in work clothing, you might consider getting some fenders installed on your bike if you don't already have them. If you really don't like cycling in the rain, there's little shame in driving on rainy days. :-)

- other tips?

Have fun. Try out your proposed route on the weekend before you try commuting to work on it. If you're riding on a road, follow all rules of the road: stop at every stop sign, signal turns with your arms, always ride with (never against) traffic, etc. Check over your shoulder periodically. If you're going through a crosswalk, you should be walking your bike as you're now technically a pedestrian. If you're on the sidewalk or trail and are approaching a pedestrian from behind, announce your presence with a "on your left!" or somesuch a few seconds before you pass them. Check out this thread on bikeforums.net: Advice for New Commuters

Best of luck with your commute plans. If you've any other questions you can get my contact info from my modest web page.

Well, if here was a safe path to do so, because I'd be scared to ride it on the roads around here. And sidewalks are practically non-existent except near retail stores. This is part of the reason that many bicycle groups oppose bike paths. They promote the mindset that bikes can only be ridden in a small number of isolated places. I encourage you to look at the bikeforums commuting forum http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?s=0813bfed4e682a06c3f4e54881e64d86&f=20 if you are interested in advise on how to make bicycle commuting work for you. I am living in China and I can assure you that there are NO roads in America that demonstrate the level of continual disorganization that is seen here on a regular basis. Yet, it is still safe to ride a bike. Are there ever moments that give concern? of course there are". Is it necessary to pay attention? yes it is. However, it is safe to ride a bicycle on the streets. 15 miles is ridable if you choose to do it and does not take two hours (well, you might start out slow, but you will build up). I recommend looking into an electric assist bicycle to start, for a while. It will give you a moderate workout and take less than an hour. As a final comment, do not ride on the sidewalk unless instructed to do so by police or signage. Pedestrians do not mix well with people buzzing by at 15-20mph. It also limits your options in avoiding accidents as well as creating a number of unique hazards that do not exist on the road, where wheeled vehicles belong. In very short order you will be fitter and less stressed, leaving you better equipped to deal with, and spend time with, your children; there is a lot more to it than just tucking them in. When i got here, P.R. China, I started riding a bike and walking for my transportation needs. It took me a while to feel comfortable in the chaotic traffic; however, I have lost a lot of weight (I am now just on the line of the artificial distinction between overweight and obese) and feel better, even with all the fried food I eat here. Give it a try, you will, ultimately save money (assuming you invest in good stuff, the savings will take about a year to see) and be more fit.

I would like to see some definitive studies that show just how dangerous the use of cell phone are.

Okay, I'll start you off with the death of Jim Price. Jim, or "sydney" as we called him over on bikeforums.net was a real nugget. I think death is the ultimate form of having your liberty taken away.

Some places already *DO* ban the use of headphone for drivers (which is what I presume you meant by banning "iPods on car drivers [sic]").

Check this link out http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-1278 96.html or do your own Google search http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=headphone+law s+driving

Layne

We're not all cyclists, I know, but we're all geeks, we all use the roads, and of course nobody likes to see comrades die under any circumstances. I thought it would be appropriate to point out some cycling related tips to go along with the parent's "always wear a helmet" statement.

USE LIGHTS: Lights on your bike are to BE SEEN, even in daylight. Use them front and back, flashing. Many drivers subconsciously associate flashing lights with cars, and hence they will factor you into their driving logic, which in some cases means they'll notice you at all when they otherwise wouldn't have.

Back Roads: One thing about biking is that you can take back roads which are more direct but have slower speed limits, since you won't be hitting that 50mph expressway speed limit anyways. This puts you around far fewer cars which are also going slower, and often in neighborhoods where people are more aware things other than cars. I know two great sites to find bike routes: www.bikely.com and www.motionbased.com

Use Mirrors: There are a variety of mirrors, mostly cheap. You want a mirror which lets you see behind you without moving your head so that you don't swerve, even slightly, while glancing. One popular mirror which can be purchased off eBay for very ~$23 is the Italian Racing Mirror which mounts on end of the drop handlebars of a road bike.

Know the Rules of the Road: Other people in this thread have pointed out that it doesn't require a license to ride a bike in the street. All of us, even we cyclists, have been pissed off by somebody on a bike who was doing something stupid. The laws may be different in each state, but sensibility isn't. If you ride a bicycle, or drive a car, take even just a minute to skim over this link: CHP - Bicycle Riding. (I include drivers too because they probably don't know that "Bicycle riders and automobile drivers follow the same rules and have the same rights.")

Of course, this being the internet, there are plenty great resources to find information about cycling related stuff, including commuting, safety, etc.. bikeforums.net is a fantastic place to start.

I do ride my bike (bicycle) to work - and so does my husband, averaging 3-4 round-trips per week. I think most Americans don't realize all the benefits of riding to work:
* you save money on gas and wear on your car(s)
* you save time (and money) if you replace a gym membership
* it's good for you - both physically and mentally. I find that biking home from work gives me time to de-stress, which driving never did.

Obviously, this doesn't work so well if you live more than 15 miles away from your job... but there are still plenty of people doing it.

Murder implies deliberate. The above is pure rubbish.

Even drunk drivers speeding and killing people only get found guilty of man slaughter at the most.

Have a read of this case.

http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-1028 02.html

You know what? I'd bet that at least a couple of people posted /. stories about this right after it broke, and their stories got rejected by /. editors. Slashdot is beginning to suck.

Direct link to the topic

there's some interesting insight and speculation on the original bikeforums.net thread regarding this.

i don't know much about lock picking, but some posters there basically speculate that most circular locks are somewhat succeptable to this kind of picking and the krpytonite happened to be especially unlucky due to the diameter of the barrel and pressure needed to compress the springs of the teeth mechanisms inside.

the bic pen happened to hit the spot, being the proper diameter and the proper softness, collapsing where necessary, but strong enough to poke down, where necessary.

i'll say that after practicing for a little while, i can pop a krpytonite EV disc lock (top of the line) in about 5 seconds.

Take a look at the google ad on the forum thread

quicktime movie of the same.

here's the clickable link.

i'm posting AC because i modded your post informative and i just found out that posting something on the same thread will undo the points you gave