1. I am sorry if sometimes I change lanes without indicating properly. This is usually because:
a) unlike you, I can't brake and indicate at the same time, especially going downhill in wet conditions on my heavy bike.
b) I am avoiding the potholes that the council has kindly left in the road for us, and if I hit a pothole and fell in front of your vehicle we would all be worse off.
2. Yelling abuse (I think your precise words were "fucking idiot") out the window of a 3-ton petrol-driven death machine towards a woman on a reasonably fragile 20kg sustainable transport appliance tends to provoke the old cliche pick on someone your own size. But, then, yelling abuse from the window of a moving vehicle indicates an unwillingness to accept responsibility for the consequences of one's own negativity, so maybe that's the wider issue.
3. Maybe I should grow my hair long again. If you're more obviously female you get less abuse.
4. It really is a lose-lose situations for cyclists. Either we are a menace because we are in front of you and you can't overtake; or we try to avoid being in front of you, weaving through lanes of traffic, which also gets us declared a menace. Some of you are at least honest enough to admit that you don't think we have the right to share the public highway with you, but that opens another debate, about this culture's granting of a sense of entitlement to those on fossil fuel-driven transport.
5. I don't obey the road rules all the time. Neither do you. I try to avoid hurling abuse at you for your mistakes. May we forgive others as we forgive ourselves.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
What I do when I'm not cycling...
... I car-share. I pay a fee of $95 a year, and I can pick up a car for $15 an hour. This is ideal considering that I only ever need a car for (a) special-occasion excursions; (b) getting my musical gear to gigs. I absolutely love the Mitsubishi i-car which Cityhop provides. If they ever make an electric one of those (EDIT: oh wait, they have!), it would be the car I would love to drive (that or a new-model VW Beetle). And apparently I'm not the only cyclist in this position.
I really should keep posting here more often. The 705se is working very very well. I had a bit of a (non-cycling) accident recently, and I've used a combination of the bike and the Auckland train system to get efficiently from Grey Lynn to the Manukau SuperClinic. The only real downside I'm finding is that such a heavy bike, going at a decent speed, tends to stretch out the cables on the calliper brakes quite quickly. I do hear the most recent models have disc brakes, but I'm definitely not going to upgrade the bike again any time soon. And I have to remember to not go full-bore speed on rainy days.
I really should keep posting here more often. The 705se is working very very well. I had a bit of a (non-cycling) accident recently, and I've used a combination of the bike and the Auckland train system to get efficiently from Grey Lynn to the Manukau SuperClinic. The only real downside I'm finding is that such a heavy bike, going at a decent speed, tends to stretch out the cables on the calliper brakes quite quickly. I do hear the most recent models have disc brakes, but I'm definitely not going to upgrade the bike again any time soon. And I have to remember to not go full-bore speed on rainy days.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Increased range
Considering that the old bike had an estimated range of 20 kilometres all up, I am assuming that the new bike has a range of 30 kilometres all up. Google Maps informs me that my range on my bicycle alone now covers:
a) all of the current Auckland City;
b) western Auckland as far as the foothills of the Waitakere ranges;
c) the westernmost parts of Pakuranga;
d) in South Auckland, all of Mangere and Otahuhu.
Add to that bicycle capability to go on trains and ferries, and the range suddenly expands to the entire Auckland region. The ferry to Devonport puts the entire North Shore in my range (even to North Harbour Stadium!); the train to Panmure puts all of Botany/East Auckland in my range; the Southern line train means I can get to all of the southern suburbs (with the possible exception of Pukekohe during weekends); and the Western train means I can get all the way to Bethells Beach on the west coast. Now that's a good picnic idea for summer.
a) all of the current Auckland City;
b) western Auckland as far as the foothills of the Waitakere ranges;
c) the westernmost parts of Pakuranga;
d) in South Auckland, all of Mangere and Otahuhu.
Add to that bicycle capability to go on trains and ferries, and the range suddenly expands to the entire Auckland region. The ferry to Devonport puts the entire North Shore in my range (even to North Harbour Stadium!); the train to Panmure puts all of Botany/East Auckland in my range; the Southern line train means I can get to all of the southern suburbs (with the possible exception of Pukekohe during weekends); and the Western train means I can get all the way to Bethells Beach on the west coast. Now that's a good picnic idea for summer.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
UPGRADE
One year of e-biking in, and I've upgraded. Not entirely willingly. Long story short: old bike gets stolen. I buy new bike. Old bike gets recovered. Purchaser beats head on wall. But not to worry; the Silver Machine Mk 1 has found an excellent second-hand home somewhere in the winterless North, where a delightful artist lady will no doubt give her far less of a thrashing than I gave her. So in effect, I've gotten a great upgrade for... well, still far more than I'm happy to have spent, but certainly worth it in the long run, if the credit card company don't destroy me first.
(I didn't bother posting it, but here it is now: I had ongoing problems with the battery of the SM-1. As detailed in the last post: the wire from the ignition kept falling out. Eventually it was stuck back in with extra-strong solder and a piece of foam to keep it in place, and cross fingers it will live out its natural life for the new owner. In general, I'm told that Wisper e-bikes have ongoing hassles with loose wiring - and the occasional bolt not screwed in very tightly. Part of the issue with being exported as kitsets?)
So farewell, 2008 Wisper 705eco- the budget model of a very fine bike range. I have now moved up to Silver Machine Mk 2 - the 2009 Wisper 705se City. Key differences:
- 50% more battery power - 36V 8A. The old bike could get from Grey Lynn to Onehunga and back on a full battery charge - that's 21k over hilly terrain, for those of you who don't know Auckland. So that adds at least 10k extra range, in theory - which makes the range Grey Lynn to Otahuhu, or thereabouts. But I haven't really experimented... yet.
- classy lights - the front one powered by a dynamo, and which switches on automatically when it gets dark.
- options of different levels of power. SM-1 only had "100%" and "0%" settings (much like its owner, but never mind). So the throttle wasn't much use when you were already blamming away on pedal-assist. The new bike has "0", "40%" and "80%" settings - and the throttle will take you up to 100%. There's also the infamous green button ("offroad" mode) which would theoretically take off the legislatively mandated speed limit and enable a top speed of 30k - let's call that the "120%" mode. I say "theoretically" because I will certainly never use that on the roads because it would be totally illegal in New Zealand and I'd have to register SM-2 as a moped. *ahem*
So... hopefully I'll post a bit more once I've given SM-2 a bit of a spin and seen exactly what she's capable of. But the additional power will certainly be welcome on wet Auckland nights.
(I didn't bother posting it, but here it is now: I had ongoing problems with the battery of the SM-1. As detailed in the last post: the wire from the ignition kept falling out. Eventually it was stuck back in with extra-strong solder and a piece of foam to keep it in place, and cross fingers it will live out its natural life for the new owner. In general, I'm told that Wisper e-bikes have ongoing hassles with loose wiring - and the occasional bolt not screwed in very tightly. Part of the issue with being exported as kitsets?)
So farewell, 2008 Wisper 705eco- the budget model of a very fine bike range. I have now moved up to Silver Machine Mk 2 - the 2009 Wisper 705se City. Key differences:
- 50% more battery power - 36V 8A. The old bike could get from Grey Lynn to Onehunga and back on a full battery charge - that's 21k over hilly terrain, for those of you who don't know Auckland. So that adds at least 10k extra range, in theory - which makes the range Grey Lynn to Otahuhu, or thereabouts. But I haven't really experimented... yet.
- classy lights - the front one powered by a dynamo, and which switches on automatically when it gets dark.
- options of different levels of power. SM-1 only had "100%" and "0%" settings (much like its owner, but never mind). So the throttle wasn't much use when you were already blamming away on pedal-assist. The new bike has "0", "40%" and "80%" settings - and the throttle will take you up to 100%. There's also the infamous green button ("offroad" mode) which would theoretically take off the legislatively mandated speed limit and enable a top speed of 30k - let's call that the "120%" mode. I say "theoretically" because I will certainly never use that on the roads because it would be totally illegal in New Zealand and I'd have to register SM-2 as a moped. *ahem*
So... hopefully I'll post a bit more once I've given SM-2 a bit of a spin and seen exactly what she's capable of. But the additional power will certainly be welcome on wet Auckland nights.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
BATTERY: [is dead]
Further to the below... damn battery gave out altogether yesterday. Fuses totally intact, but... black out. No blinkenlights at all.
Thankfully, friendly Austrian serviceman set it right in a couple of hours flat. One of the wires had come loose from the ignition - a short circuit associated with it beginning to come loose was what probably blew the fuse last week.
But even being without my Silver Machine for a few hours was scary. And I think it's re-emphasised to me... how much I love my electric bicycle.
It gives me freedom, independence and mobility within a short urban range, which does me for 95% of the trips I need to take. (For the rest, I can get a lift with friends; or avail myself of the fine services of Cityhop.) It gives me a bit of exercise but not too much. I can get to work, visit friends, and do my grocery shopping - even take it into town for shopping and socialisation. It gets me all manner of curious and complimentary comments when stopped at lights. I can steer it through parks and down by-ways to avoid the traffic, or ride on the road like a respectable citizen. If I want to go long distances, taking it on the train is an option. If the electrics break down, I can pedal the damn thing home or to a service.
And, best of all - everyone will be driving these in 15 years time when the oil runs out. So there's the "smug" factor.
It's part of me now. We are a cyborg entity. If I was making the choice again, I might seriously consider getting a more expensive model with a bigger battery; or even an electric scooter, although you can't do your groceries on that, they're more of a problem when they break down, you need to get registration and buy more accessories, etc. But I love Rocinante and we'll stick together.
Thankfully, friendly Austrian serviceman set it right in a couple of hours flat. One of the wires had come loose from the ignition - a short circuit associated with it beginning to come loose was what probably blew the fuse last week.
But even being without my Silver Machine for a few hours was scary. And I think it's re-emphasised to me... how much I love my electric bicycle.
It gives me freedom, independence and mobility within a short urban range, which does me for 95% of the trips I need to take. (For the rest, I can get a lift with friends; or avail myself of the fine services of Cityhop.) It gives me a bit of exercise but not too much. I can get to work, visit friends, and do my grocery shopping - even take it into town for shopping and socialisation. It gets me all manner of curious and complimentary comments when stopped at lights. I can steer it through parks and down by-ways to avoid the traffic, or ride on the road like a respectable citizen. If I want to go long distances, taking it on the train is an option. If the electrics break down, I can pedal the damn thing home or to a service.
And, best of all - everyone will be driving these in 15 years time when the oil runs out. So there's the "smug" factor.
It's part of me now. We are a cyborg entity. If I was making the choice again, I might seriously consider getting a more expensive model with a bigger battery; or even an electric scooter, although you can't do your groceries on that, they're more of a problem when they break down, you need to get registration and buy more accessories, etc. But I love Rocinante and we'll stick together.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The terrible trouble with fuses
([] denotes "translated from blinking light speak")
LAST NIGHT
ME: (plugs battery into bike)
BATTERY: [all fired up raring to go!]
BIKE: [no battery. battery plz?]
ME: ??? (takes battery out, plugs it in again, fiddles with key, even unscrews bits of it)
BIKE: [oh, there's my battery! let's rock!]
(cycles halfway across town, when suddenly, on a busy road...)
BIKE: [where's my battery gone? MOTOR STOP NAO]
ME: ??? (takes battery out, plugs it in again, fiddles with key, etc)
BIKE: [no battery. battery plz?]
ME: GRRR!
(cycles rest of way, and back, on foot power alone. Gets home very hot and puffed.)
ME: (consults intarwebz)
INTARWEBZ: Perhaps your fuse has blown?
ME: (lightbulb comes on! takes out both battery fuses, one is clearly blown to fuck. Replaces blown one with spare one I have lying around.)
NEXT MORNING
ME: (plugs battery into bike)
BATTERY: [all fired up raring to go!]
BIKE: [no battery. battery plz?]
ME: ??? (checks replacement fuse... blown. Obviously not big enough.)
(cycles manually to hardware store)
ME: Y halo thar. I can has little glass fuse which can take 25A?
HARDWARE STORE: Sorry, only has big glass fuses of that power, and little glass fuses which can't take that power. Try electronics store.
(cycles manually to electronics store)
ME: Y halo thar. I can has little glass fuse which can take 25A?
ELECTRONICS STORE: Sorry, out of stock. Try auto parts store?
(cycles manually to autoparts store, now getting tired and pissed off)
ME: Y halo thar. I can has little glass fuse which can take 25A?
AUTOPARTS STORE: Sorry, only has big glass fuses. Try electronics store?
ME: GRRR!
(cycles to work manually, hot, tired, 95 minutes late. rings electrobike dealer)
ME: Y halo thar. Fuse has blown in battery. Cannot find replacement.
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh, go to autoparts store.
ME: Done that. Did not has.
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh? Go to electronics store.
ME: (annoyed) Done that. Did not has.
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh? Try speciality electronics store on other side of town...
ME: (weeps silent tears of despair)
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh, almost forgot. Has a spare battery for your bike! Come over get fuse out of that and I'll order some more from manufacturer.
(cycles to electrobike dealer)
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Y halo thar! This is fuse.
ME: Looks too little. Right fuse?
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Of course! Got it out of other battery.
ME: Right. Top fuse, or bottom fuse?
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: ... there are two?
ME: *facepalms*
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh, sorry, here is bottom fuse. You were right this one is much bigger.
ME: (plugs in fuse then plugs in battery)
BIKE: [oh, there's my battery! let's rock!]
(cycles back to work, under full power, without further incident)
THE END....?
LAST NIGHT
ME: (plugs battery into bike)
BATTERY: [all fired up raring to go!]
BIKE: [no battery. battery plz?]
ME: ??? (takes battery out, plugs it in again, fiddles with key, even unscrews bits of it)
BIKE: [oh, there's my battery! let's rock!]
(cycles halfway across town, when suddenly, on a busy road...)
BIKE: [where's my battery gone? MOTOR STOP NAO]
ME: ??? (takes battery out, plugs it in again, fiddles with key, etc)
BIKE: [no battery. battery plz?]
ME: GRRR!
(cycles rest of way, and back, on foot power alone. Gets home very hot and puffed.)
ME: (consults intarwebz)
INTARWEBZ: Perhaps your fuse has blown?
ME: (lightbulb comes on! takes out both battery fuses, one is clearly blown to fuck. Replaces blown one with spare one I have lying around.)
NEXT MORNING
ME: (plugs battery into bike)
BATTERY: [all fired up raring to go!]
BIKE: [no battery. battery plz?]
ME: ??? (checks replacement fuse... blown. Obviously not big enough.)
(cycles manually to hardware store)
ME: Y halo thar. I can has little glass fuse which can take 25A?
HARDWARE STORE: Sorry, only has big glass fuses of that power, and little glass fuses which can't take that power. Try electronics store.
(cycles manually to electronics store)
ME: Y halo thar. I can has little glass fuse which can take 25A?
ELECTRONICS STORE: Sorry, out of stock. Try auto parts store?
(cycles manually to autoparts store, now getting tired and pissed off)
ME: Y halo thar. I can has little glass fuse which can take 25A?
AUTOPARTS STORE: Sorry, only has big glass fuses. Try electronics store?
ME: GRRR!
(cycles to work manually, hot, tired, 95 minutes late. rings electrobike dealer)
ME: Y halo thar. Fuse has blown in battery. Cannot find replacement.
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh, go to autoparts store.
ME: Done that. Did not has.
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh? Go to electronics store.
ME: (annoyed) Done that. Did not has.
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh? Try speciality electronics store on other side of town...
ME: (weeps silent tears of despair)
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh, almost forgot. Has a spare battery for your bike! Come over get fuse out of that and I'll order some more from manufacturer.
(cycles to electrobike dealer)
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Y halo thar! This is fuse.
ME: Looks too little. Right fuse?
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Of course! Got it out of other battery.
ME: Right. Top fuse, or bottom fuse?
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: ... there are two?
ME: *facepalms*
ELECTROBIKE DEALER: Oh, sorry, here is bottom fuse. You were right this one is much bigger.
ME: (plugs in fuse then plugs in battery)
BIKE: [oh, there's my battery! let's rock!]
(cycles back to work, under full power, without further incident)
THE END....?
Saturday, July 17, 2010
So... how's it going?
The first thing to emphasise is that Auckland is freakin' cold in winter. A nice big thick coat buttoned up to the chin, plus a scarf, plus serious business gloves, is pretty essential to make cycling a realistic option around the frigid parts of the year.
Secondly, perhaps a bit of buyers' remorse. Perhaps I might have blown an extra $2000 and got an actual electric scooter? PLUSES: Double the speed and therefore double the effective range. MINUS: still exposure to the elements. Extra costs with getting leather jacket, helmet etc. Much more difficult to get fixed. You need to register it. You can't do your grocery shopping on it.
(Oh, I don't think I mentioned, I got a rear basket as well, so now I can carry up to about $100 of groceries home from the local Foodtown. There are benefits with a smaller, lighter, more manoeuvrable vehicle.)
Thirdly, it's really important to keep the servicing going on. Flat tires or brakes that don't quite break anything are not the kind of thing you want to be worried about on winter nights in Auckland.
Secondly, perhaps a bit of buyers' remorse. Perhaps I might have blown an extra $2000 and got an actual electric scooter? PLUSES: Double the speed and therefore double the effective range. MINUS: still exposure to the elements. Extra costs with getting leather jacket, helmet etc. Much more difficult to get fixed. You need to register it. You can't do your grocery shopping on it.
(Oh, I don't think I mentioned, I got a rear basket as well, so now I can carry up to about $100 of groceries home from the local Foodtown. There are benefits with a smaller, lighter, more manoeuvrable vehicle.)
Thirdly, it's really important to keep the servicing going on. Flat tires or brakes that don't quite break anything are not the kind of thing you want to be worried about on winter nights in Auckland.
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