A Prius-Inspired Bike…Just For Me I Thought.

The Prius Inspired Bike

When I was young, I loved to ride my bike.  At age twelve, our gang of about ten little boys embarked on a 50 mile round trip to a distant lake in Wales, without any preparation and without telling our parents.  Bad moves indeed!  The object was to rent boats and row on the lake.  Long story short, by the time we got there on our little three speeds, it was almost dark and the boats were all locked up for the night.  Eventually we got home at midnight.  As we cycled on to our street, we saw the flashing lights of the police cars, saw the whites of our parents’ eyes and shuddered from what we knew would happen.  It did!

Nowadays, in my dotage, I still love to ride my bike, also with friends or rellies and am open to all kinds of innovations around cycling.  Pauline, my good friend and Ben’s office manager, is always looking out for me.  She likes to take friendly jabs at me but really I know she cares for the Taff on the bike.  Today she sent me a scintillating, quite short, but interesting article, which seemed to be just up my street.  I’ll pause a moment and let you read it by clicking here.  ( If, when you have read the article, you close the window, you will return here to read more of my drivel.)

As I read about the bike, it seemed a brilliant solution to my biggest biking problem. No, it’s not falling off, which is my second major problem, but correct gear shifting.  Ben will attest to this as throughout our recent epic 250 Km ride, he would be after me insisting I change up, change down, keep the feet and pedals spinning etc.  This brain-through-the-helmet-controlled-gear-shifting would get me up any hill as smoothly as silk.  No gear crashing or stressed chains for me.  However, as I read on in the article, I saw obvious problems relating to me and my particular cycling case.

1.  The article assumes the rider of this bike has enough brain-power to operate the helmet and hence the gears.  There are those in our family and in our circle of friends, and who shall remain nameless, who would seriously doubt my ability in this regard.

2.  I have a rather elongated and longer than normal head. (I feel this is due to extra brain power but others feel it is from the prolonged tugging of the docs as they tried to deliver me.)  Whatever it was I’m sure my Mum took one look at me after birth and decided, “No more of those”

Now this longheadedness would lead to problems for me and the wearing of the electronic helmet.  It would cause an ill-fit and an ill-fitting helmet would lead to faulty gear-changes on the bike.  Electronic instructions from brain to bike would be garbled, distorted, resulting in all kinds of scenarios.  Imagine as I began a strenuous uphill climb my brain signalled “Shift down” to the helmet but the loose fitting helmet interpreted that as “Shut down”  All gearing would cease and I would be catapulted off the bike thus increasing problem two…falling off.  The helmet might receive “Start Down”, and the chain would race down the gears so fast I would be spinning my pedals so fast but not moving.  Get the idea? Finally, and worst of all the command might be received as “Sh#t down” and I might receive a shock such as no other.  A physical chain (no pun intended) reaction might occur and before I  knew it I would be covered in my own excrement!  Imagine the consequences for someone like Ben as he rode behind me all the way to Seattle!

So Pauline, as much as I love new technology, this bike and especially the helmet that goes with it would not do for me.  As I read to the end of the article I felt a little better as I learned this technology would probably not be for sale anyway.  No decision to make there… Phew! No, I will press on with my hybrid and enjoy the everyday pleasure of a normal ride, gear crashing changes, loose helmet and all.  ’Bye for now and God bless.

More on this topic if you want: http://prollyisnotprobably.com/2011/07/the_toyota_prius_projects_conc_10.php

The Epic Ride.

The Magnificent Seven:L-R:Josée, Jan, Fiona, Lindsay, Ben, Martin, Rob

Well folks, our little team of seven actual riders made it to the finish line in the epic Ride To Conquer Cancer which took place on Saturday and Sunday of the past weekend.  Two of our original team of nine were unable to ride.  However, they were with us in spirit as we made the trek.

We overnighted in Vancouver on Friday and joined about 2800+ others at the starting point in Surrey, a suburb of Vancouver.  Breakfast, in the form of a scrambled egg wrap (ugh!) was provided, opening ceremonies were completed  and the first riders left on time  at 07.00 in a steady downpour of rain.  We were soaked before we started!  By 08.00 we were all on the road, headed for the Peace Arch and the American border.  The border crossing took 45-60 minutes and we were well on our way into the home of the brave and the land of the free.

About 113Km ahead, we rode into Mt. Vernon, our overnight stop.  We stored our bikes, collected our bags from the trucks and found our tents.  Then, with dry clothes in hand, we hit the hot showers.  These were amazing, built into trailers which could be towed from place to place and re-established in new locations.  Dinner came next.  This was one of the down-sides of the trip. After the 117 Km ride, we waited, standing in line for about 90 minutes, to get our meal, which was not too great when it came. (However, the positives on this trip greatly outweighed the negatives.)  We hit the tents early, for we were very tired and also knew another early morning awaited us.  I slept not a wink.

Sunday morning was a repeat of the previous one.  It always amazes me that some early risers seem to forget that others might not want to be up before the birds.  You know, you’ve heard them in hotels, speaking at the tops of their voices as they leave their rooms, crashing their doors behind them.  Those same people were there at our camp-site, informing all of their intentions to visit the can or brush their teeth.  Who cares?

Once again, it rained quite steadily as we left camp.  Once again we were soaked within minutes.  The ride progressed along fairly level terrain, beautiful farmland, and very picturesque communities.  However, about 20Km from the end, we had to climb some quite severe hills.  Ben, God bless him, who had cycled behind me the whole of the trip, quietly encouraged me to keep going, as legs burned and lungs sucked air.  We made it through the ranges in good shape and feeling surprisingly good.  By this time, the other riders on our team had left Ben and me far behind, ( as we had agreed  before we left Comox) which made me appreciate my son’s encouragement all the more.

Finally, like Moses, we came down from the mountain to a lovely cycle path along  the Sammamish river bank.  For about 12Km we followed this gently winding, gorgeous route, sharing the trail with Sunday morning walkers and bikers going in the other direction.  They must have wondered what they were seeing as we all swept past them.  Finally, we crossed a narrow footpath over the river and went into the finishing area at  Marymoor Park in Redmond, just north of Seattle.  Crowds were cheering us on, pom-poms were waved and cow bells rung. I was determined that I would not cross the line before Ben , so I slowed briefly to allow him to come alongside and we crossed together.  There was no time to celebrate in any way, as we were grabbed and directed to take our bikes to the trucks so they could be loaded on and prepared for the trip home.  However, our faster riding team-mates were there to greet us with a cold beer, which barely touched the sides of my throat.  Within an hour, we had located our bags, showered (again in those wonderful movable showers), grabbed a bite to eat, and were loaded on our homeward bound bus.

As we arrived at the border crossing and Canada customs a farcical event occurred.  Our driver collected all our passports with our customs declarations inside each one. ( I got really uneasy at this, for I do not like giving up my passport to anyone other than a customs officer)  The documents were processed inside the office and our bus took off.  As we hummed along towards Vancouver, it soon became apparent that not everyone had received their passport from the pile, and that our driver had left before the customs officers had time to return all the passports to us.  The driver would not turn back.  He was not going to change his schedule.  The temperature rose in the bus, especially as we learned some people were flying to interior towns of the province out of Vancouver the next day.  Fortunately (for the driver), a customs vehicle overtook us and stopped us.  The officer delivered the remainder of the passports, a huge cheer went up, and we were on our way.

A ferry trip and a drive home followed our arrival back into Vancouver.  We got into Comox around 00.30 on Monday morning and I was in bed about 01.30 after a cup of tea  and a brief run down on the trip with Cynthia.  I slept ’til 11.45 this morning.

The overall experience had been a good one.  We met lots of very fine people.  One in particular stays in my mind.  He was a handicapped man who made the trip riding his specially equipped tri-cycle.  Some of the riders were cancer survivors, their bright yellow flags fluttering from their bikes as they rode the route with us.  We needed no further inspiration after seeing them.  Yes, there were some glitches in the organization, but when one thinks of the thousands of volunteers, police, cooks, etc. involved in making this event happen, the glitches pale by comparison.

The net result is that 2800+ riders participated and over $11 million was raised for cancer research.  This would not have been possible without all of you out there who supported our team, me, and others like us in this venture. Heartfelt thanks to all of you.

Goodbye and God bless, but check below too for pics and video.

To view a CTV video report of the ride click below.

CTV British Columbia – Maria Weisgarber on the Ride to Conquer Cancer – CTV News.

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June Update-Sweaty Palms!

Modeling Ride To Conquer Cance Cycling Gear For Uncle Ron

Tomorrow is June 01/2011.  There will be 17 days left until our epic ride from Vancouver to Seattle, so my palms are beginning to moisten and the mouth beginning to dry.  I must admit to becoming very excited at the prospect of doing this new thing in my life with about 3000 other riders.  Before I tell you more, let me bring you up-to-date with what’s happening with our team, Team Flip Flop Shops, and our individual and team fundraising efforts.

So far, seven of the nine members have managed to raise enough funds to qualify for the ride.  Three men and four women will be on the bikes heading south.  Sadly, two of the girls who began with us have not been able to raise the minimum level and will not be coming with us unless a minor fund-raising miracle occurs for them.  They are both resigned to not going but are happy to have done what they could to raise awareness and funds for the event and for cancer research.

At this point, our little team of nine  has raised $21, 428.  That takes us to 87% of our goal of $24, 500.  It will be interesting to see what happens to those totals between now and the first day of the ride, June 18th.

On Friday June 17th, five of us from Vancouver Island will travel over to the city to meet up with the other two, based in Vancouver. We’ll be able to drop off our bikes at a secure lock-up at Fraser Downs Racetrack in Surrey, the starting point of the ride.  We’ll check into our hotel and probably have a meal together on Friday night.  Bed will come early, for we will have to be at the racetrack around 06.00 on the 18th for breakfast and the opening ceremonies.  Shuttles will leave the hotel at 05.15, but we will take our vehicle with us to the track, as we can leave it there under security until we are bussed home from Seattle.

I believe the organisers plan to start the “pro” cyclists around 07.00 and get everyone else on the ride by around 08.00.  I’ve just received a map of the route to Seattle.  If you’d like to see it, click here If you’d like to see more about the ride, learn of the amazing organization which has gone into it, or simply see some of the top individual and team fundraisers, click here.  You’ll be amazed!

On the night of the 18th, we will be camping at Mt. Vernon in Washington State.  Ben and I are sharing a tent so Lord help us!  The ride ends at Renton, a northern suburb of Seattle.  From there we will be bussed back to the racecourse in Vancouver, while all the bikes return in semi-trailers.  We will be back in Comox Sunday night, probably aching and weary, but very satisfied.

Personally I have now covered over 800 Km in prep for the ride.  Four of us did an 85 Km ride last Saturday and we will more than likely get one more long ride in before the 17th., as well as shorter daily rides.  I’m feeling good, and am very happy that I am managing to stay ON the bike these days.  I’ve seen enough of the gravel and pavement of this area for a lifetime.

I will more than likely NOT write to you again before the ride, but will definitely fill you in on the gory details when we return, sometime after the 19th.  Then, Cynthia and I will be off on our first visit to Newfoundland on the 28th.  However, we are leaving the bikes at home!

On a completely different topic, our Vancouver Canucks play game one of their best of seven series against the Boston Bruins in their quest for the holy grail of ice hockey, the Stanley Cup.  For any Brits reading this, it equates to your team playing in the F.A. cup of soccer.  After playing eight exhibition games, 82 regular league games and three, best of seven series to date, the Canucks have the third chance to win Lord Stanley’s trophy in the past 40 years.

Go Canucks Go!

Goodbye for now and God bless.

From The Man In Ma’adi.

Scene From Cairo

Hello everyone. I’m sure that you are still keeping the occasional eye on the news from Egypt.  I’ve been watching with great interest to see how the events of the past days will unfold, particularly as our friend Neil is still in Cairo.  We had our trip to Egypt planned, the political marches escalated into violence and death.  We cancelled our trip. President Mubarak made promises but the Egyptian people don’t trust him.  Mubarak supporters appeared on the streets and violence erupted again.  Now things have quietened again, and we all wait for the next instalment in the lives of the Egyptian people.

I thought I’d provide you with some “on the ground” info on the situation with an email sent to us today by our friend Neil, who is at his school in Cairo.  See what he writes:

“So now back to here and today. I awoke about 4 to hear big diesel motors and signif. road noise and knew right away they were moving tanks in the neighbourhood. Sure enough, on my way to school as I popped out of Rd 256 at the mall, there was a biggie blocking the entry to the mall parking area and then another one down by the CIB cash machine area. Why they chose now to move here is hard to say – maybe the folks need the support in order to open the mall.

At school we had up to 40% in some classes and as low as 0% in others, with an overall % of probably 30+. I had 4 in 1st class, 7 in the 2nd and 5 in my 3rd. Naturally, most were Egyptian, but some came from as far as Heliopolis and Oct 6 and said that there was little traffic to deal with. Pretty well all of them were proud and energized by what’s happening, tho’ somewhat concerned about what’s next. Lots wanted to just sit and talk it over and over – some had seen and heard some pretty nasty things and were somewhat shaken up by it all. They’re pretty well all sad that Week Without Walls is cancelled (as is my going to Dubai with the tennis team in a week or so), but agreed/recognized that they were living in a powerful historical moment and needed to keep things in perspective. It was a lovely sunny day, well over 20 and kind of nice to see the gang around again. (Name of a billionaire Cairen whom we know and admire) was interviewed on Bloomberg TV and he is part of the significant “wise” persons being included in the dialogue process; it bodes well that he’s there (the inclusion of a powerful Coptic business man) - he’s the guy who’s able to negotiate with the N. Koreans to supply their cellphone service, so he’s well aware of how to work with dictatorial demagogues and, I would think especially in his native tongue.”

So you see that Neil, and some of the other teachers who stayed with him at the school are trying to do the best they can with what they have and the students left at the school.  I’m sure it is a very difficult time for students and staff alike, but knowing the Crouch man he will carry on and make something good happen for the kids in this situation.  Cynthia and I, along with many of his friends here in the valley, continue to pray for Neil’s well being and for that of the Egyptian people as a whole.

On a different note, I’d like to thank all of you out there who have contributed to my effort in the 2011 Ride To Conquer Cancer from Vancouver to Seattle which takes place in June.  For those of you who don’t know, our team (Team  Flip Flop Shops) and over 2000 other riders will cycle between the two cities over two days to raise funds for cancer research.  For those of you who would like to see my progress so far and/or donate through my personal page and find out more of the ride, click the “Donate Now” button below.  In a future post, I will be sending out, a training update and news of a fund raising event we have planned.  Please stay tuned, and once again thanks to those of you who have already helped me reach one-third of my goal.  Good night and God bless.

Related Articles

• Egyptian Police Clash With Protesters in South – Voice of America (news.google.com)