18milesperhour:

 

PUT…THE GUN…BACK…IN…THE PANNIER…

(disclaimer: Brian and I do not like guns. Got that? Good. That said…)

A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to spend a week working at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn. Lots of gems in there that, believe it or not, are pretty relevant to us cyclists. And some that are just thought-provoking.

Then there’s this – a combination of both.

I give you, the J. Stevens Arms and Tool Co. Bicycle Rifle. c1880.

A bicycle rifle?

A bicycle rifle!

This beauty (damn you, J. Stevens Arms and Tool Company for making such a fetish item that it makes me question my dislike of firearms) caught my eye for obvious reasons. My mind began to wander as to the context which brought about a bicycle rifle. If there are any cycling history scholars out there, enlighten us as to the specifics. We’d love to know.

But a layman’s history of American cycling accounts for a phenomenal explosion in the popularity of cycling during the 1800’s, with a heyday in the 1880’s and 1890’s. Bicycles were, for the first time, popular, affordable (although in 1880 it would cost approximately 6 months wages – seems every bike was like a Vanilla then) and brought flexibility for both work and pleasure. Bicycling was so widespread that in 1890 that cyclists formed the League of American Wheelmen who lobbied for better roads, literally paving the road for the automobile.

Add to that the fact that the wild west spirit was still alive and kicking in America. Guns were commonplace. Manufacturers needed a way to compete in an increasingly-crowded marketplace. It’s not hard to imagine some (handlebar mustachioed, top-hatted) young spark in R&D saying “We’ve done guns for horseback riding, why not guns for these new bi-cycle-thingies!”

Hell, I know I’d have proposed it. And Brian would’ve concepted an entire integrated ad campaign for them (ads for newspapers, telegraph, painted barns and town criers) and they would’ve sold by the millions.

But back to the present. We at 18milesperhour do not, in any way, condone cyclists – or anyone, for that matter - carrying guns. Because there are too many occasions when some driver nearly kills you out there on the road and it’s all too easy to imagine reaching back into the saddlebag and swinging this fella around and…

No. Must stop thinking about that.

- Brian Cassidy and the Sundance Rhys.

Bang!

 

I love the fact that I have the right to bear arms. It is something not to be taken lightly and it is a huge responsibility that some are not capable of taking on. Fact is our forefathers believed in that right to allow us to defend ourself from the misuse of the government against the citizens. They don’t teach that in government schools these days.
The bicycle gun dates back to a time when people still went and got their food somewhere besides a store. It’s a short barrel light frame to be easily transported on a bicycle. ;)
Bicycles were also used during many wars. Look up military bicycle.

Rest in Peace Chicken farmer. :(

hotvvheels:

Dead at 89, Carroll Shelby

ridesabike:

Ronald Reagan and Virginia Mayo ride a bike.

Here’s one for cantbuyathrill Some vintage Volvo tin spanking a Ferrari. And its a 67 Wagon

So My 11 year old daughter  asks me to read to her before bed tonight. She picked the material out of a book she has been perusing.

Something with kittens, fairies, Harry Potter?

Nope

How stuff works is the book tonight’s topic is “How a refrigerator works”. The cool part is she understands it and we also talked about air conditioning and heat pumps. Tomorrow I promised to show her the 12v mini fridge I built when she was a toddler so she can see it in action.

According to my last Visit to the doctor I have shrank to 6’ even. Its probably my messed up lower back that according to my doctor I’m not having a problem with. I need to stab him in the spine with a screw driver so he can understand how I feel some mornings when I wake up. HMO’s have their draw backs but the alternative plan available is MUCH worse.

I’m all legs. I can flat foot a 35” stand over. Then a 90mm 26deg stem flipped up (so like 70mm effective) to deal with my short fat torso. :D I ride them tall because the bars are naturally higher. Makes it easier on the back I don’t have a problem with.

I’m a bit of a over packer truth be told. I really need to be more weight conscience in my gear I did learn from My buddy that Hikes and talking to Glenn Nix that did the Keys to Anchorage ride. Thats why I bought the Half dome and new bag last year. Shed quite a lot off what I use camping out of my truck. I just didnt think I would be happy with the 1/4 dome size  if I was stuck in it waiting out the weather. I’m also a bit of a train wreck when I sleep and probably get up against the sides if the 1/4.

I always liked Jet powered Beer coolers myself. ;)

Speaking of Beer, I need to drop Scott a line this week. He’s suppose to be visiting his father in the next couple weeks. His Dad lives not all that far from me. Buy him a few rounds and hearing about his travels first hand might be fun way to spend an evening, if he has the time.

rhodeskc:

I did check out what Scott was carrying.  It reminded me of the article about a set of bike scales somewhere in the boonies, but there is actually a set of scales where they have people on bicycles rock up with their rigs while out touring, and they weigh them. It’s become somewhat of an attraction, and there are some supremely heavy rigs out there.  They had a large number of people pull in with rigs over 300 lbs.  The heaviest rig was over 400 lbs all up, that being curb weight.

In this instance, being a weight weenie isn’t such a bad idea to me.  The additional weight puts stress on the wheels, which increases the likelihood of rim eyelets cracking and spokes breaking on a disk brake bicycle. It also makes the brakes work harder on the descents, increasing the chance of disks warping.  It allows the flexibility to carry more food and water, or additional non bare-bones equipment.  Finally, should I use mine like you use yours, it’s likely that I’ll have to carry all the essentials, and my girlfriend would carry the… luxuries.

The alcohol soda can stove did come to mind. I’ve used the methylated spirits version of that. Your fridge idea is pretty damn cool - I’ve seen people use wine coolers in a similar way to make their beer go from warm to cold in 5 min or less. And dude… 63cm?! What are you, 6’4”? I ride a 55-56cm.

bikenut:

rhodeskc:

bikenut replied to your post: Weight estimate on the Surly Ogre

50 including the bike? Wow! A bud is an avid hiker and his pack with a Hennessy hammock is 40 something. Quick math of my gear and I’m at 20lb before I even get to food and kitchen stuff. list up your gear,…

Lets see if I can figure out how to get this to show correctly.
I did some checking on the weight of the gear I have collected. I have grossly over estimated its weight. I have the REI Half Dome so a bit heavier then the 1/4, foot print, sleeping Pad, bag I’m about 10.5lb. Nearly half what I thought.

Still collecting kitchen stuff. I’m into camp cooking so this is where I’m going to loose on the weight battle. When I camp out of my truck I’m generally fending off the friends that I camp with. They are eating beans and dogs, I’m eating steak, Exhaust manifold bake potato, Green beans or corn and a fresh salad. Toasted hoagies for lunch. Pancakes, Eggs and sausage for breakfast. I actually built a 12v air exchange Refrigerator that can hold 20f with 80f ambient temp at a 35% duty cycle pulling 5amps when running. Got a smoking deal on the 12v cooling unit mated to a decent cooler and 12 pancake fans for the evaporator and condenser.

  I’ll probably be picking up food to cook rather then buying a meal. I do have a JetBoil that I really like for the coffee press and how fast it can get water to a boil. I’ll probably stick with it and get the pot and fry pan.  I may make a alcohol soda can stove as a warmer. Its really light on its own, its the fuel where the weight comes in.

My T700 CDale with racks and typical gear is pushing 32lb on its own but some if it has to do with me being all legs and riding a 63cm.  REI Panniers front and rear, Probably continue to use my VO Campagne bag. I’m coming up with around 65lb for a long weekend trip. Better then I thought.

You Read what Scott has peddled half way around the world? He is hauling a laptop, camera and full timing of course. At one time I think he was over 110lb bike and gear. We are being weight weenies in comparison LOL

rhodeskc:

bikenut replied to your post: Weight estimate on the Surly Ogre

50 including the bike? Wow! A bud is an avid hiker and his pack with a Hennessy hammock is 40 something. Quick math of my gear and I’m at 20lb before I even get to food and kitchen stuff. list up your gear,…

Lets see if I can figure out how to get this to show correctly.
I did some checking on the weight of the gear I have collected. I have grossly over estimated its weight. I have the REI Half Dome so a bit heavier then the 1/4, foot print, sleeping Pad, bag I’m about 10.5lb. Nearly half what I thought.

Still collecting kitchen stuff. I’m into camp cooking so this is where I’m going to loose on the weight battle. When I camp out of my truck I’m generally fending off the friends that I camp with. They are eating beans and dogs, I’m eating steak, Exhaust manifold bake potato, Green beans or corn and a fresh salad. Toasted hoagies for lunch. Pancakes, Eggs and sausage for breakfast. I actually built a 12v air exchange Refrigerator that can hold 20f with 80f ambient temp at a 35% duty cycle pulling 5amps when running. Got a smoking deal on the 12v cooling unit mated to a decent cooler and 12 pancake fans for the evaporator and condenser.

  I’ll probably be picking up food to cook rather then buying a meal. I do have a JetBoil that I really like for the coffee press and how fast it can get water to a boil. I’ll probably stick with it and get the pot and fry pan.  I may make a alcohol soda can stove as a warmer. Its really light on its own, its the fuel where the weight comes in.

My T700 CDale with racks and typical gear is pushing 32lb on its own but some if it has to do with me being all legs and riding a 63cm.  REI Panniers front and rear, Probably continue to use my VO Campagne bag. I’m coming up with around 65lb for a long weekend trip. Better then I thought.

You Read what Scott has peddled half way around the world? He is hauling a laptop, camera and full timing of course. At one time I think he was over 110lb bike and gear. We are being weight weenies in comparison LOL

Laying out of work for the second day in a row to punish my boss for bringing this crap to work. I do a LOT of his job since we are lucky to get a 6.5 hour day out of him. Now he needs to cover his Job and mine. LOL

Vintage Weight Weenie file,

I had posted about this Grail find but I had not uploaded any pictures. This is a 1983 Fuji Opus III. Pretty well top of the line. Catalog listed it at 21lb but doesn’t list the size they weighed. The LBS scale says 21.4 for my 61cm model.

She needs some love. the Top tube has rust on the underside. Trying to find some paint that matches so that I can repaint the top tube but leave the rest and not loose the decals or the patina. Tires actually hold air! It rides wonderful!

Not racing and want to make it a rider. probably getting the 105SC STI stuff I have been sitting on. It was missing its original cranks so it already has 105 cranks and modern BB on it.