Sheldon Does Vegas

On Fri, 6 Oct 2006 11:04:22 -0700, [email hidden] (Tom Keats)

Quoted message said:

I'm a fan of purpose-designed/built bikes, myself.
Stuff like some of this:

http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/index.html

http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/bicycles/worbikes-or-bakfietsen.html

That particular style had been in continuous use in .nl untiol at least
the 60s for people like bakers etc on their daily runs to supply farms
with their daily bread and such, and in cities as well. Similar variants
with a motorcycle/moped rear end were also common later on.. I even know
of a couple survivors in various states of disrepair, both with and
without motors, where the big tray is an ice cream stall or herring stand.

Jasper

[email protected] said:

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:22:08 -0500, Pat Lamb <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Matt O'Toole said:

I'm surprised some of the outfitters who do rail-trail trips haven't
picked up on them. One of the main costs of these operations is
maintenance. Rail-trails are never steep but are often dusty or muddy.
So single speed or hub gear bikes are perfect.

I can't remember the exact grade off the top of my head, but isn't the
east end of the Virginia Creeper (Green Cove to Whitetop) 6%? Kinda
steep in my book!

Almost. 'close to 4%':

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=XMR010-019

I really don't know where they get that number.
http://www.crescentcitycyclists.org/vacreeper/vacreeper.html says up
to 6% (I believe it!).
http://home.comcast.net/~cmorhiker/VaCreeperBike.html claims a 7%
grade, and
http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/mr/recreation/hiking/va_creeper.shtml says
it's nearly 7%.

I can't remember the source, but IIRC one of the reasons N&W abandoned
the Abingdon Branch was that they could only pull something like six
fully loaded freight cars up the mountain. The curves and bridges
were built such that they couldn't get a larger engine up the track,
and the steep grade to Whitetop limited the load. Of course, I
remember longer trains from when I was a child, but most of the cars
were loaded going down; they mostly pulled empties up the mountain!

Pat

Email address works as is.

Matt O'Toole said:

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 09 Oct 2006 09:22:08 -0500, Pat Lamb <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I can't remember the exact grade off the top of my head, but isn't the
east end of the Virginia Creeper (Green Cove to Whitetop) 6%? Kinda
steep in my book!

Almost. 'close to 4%':

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=XMR010-019

Actually that seems about right. The Creeper definitely isn't as steep as
some road grades around here that I know are 6%. Also, most RR grades
don't exceed 3%, that extra 1% being a big deal but still possible.

The steep part is only about 3/4 of a mile, starting perhaps half a
mile below Whitetop station. I think the rest is 3% or below, as you
say. Remember, though, the Creeper was originally a logging railroad
-- they had lots steeper grades than, for instance, N&W, The
Virginian, or C&O coal lines.

Pat

Email address works as is.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Jasper Janssen said:

On Fri, 6 Oct 2006 11:04:22 -0700, [email hidden] (Tom Keats)

Quoted message said:

I'm a fan of purpose-designed/built bikes, myself.
Stuff like some of this:

http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/index.html

http://www.workcycles.com/workbike/bicycles/worbikes-or-bakfietsen.html

That particular style had been in continuous use in .nl untiol at least
the 60s for people like bakers etc on their daily runs to supply farms
with their daily bread and such, and in cities as well. Similar variants
with a motorcycle/moped rear end were also common later on.. I even know
of a couple survivors in various states of disrepair, both with and
without motors, where the big tray is an ice cream stall or herring stand.

Those specialized features such as trays, passenger compartments
and cargo bins are indeed interesting. But what I find
particularly compelling is how the various components -- fenders,
racks, chain guards etc are so integrated with the overall bicycle;
they complete it.

Sticking aftermarket fenders and racks on an originally bare-bones
bicycle is rather "Vertical Development", which I suppose is apropos.
But sometimes it's nice to get the full meal deal, where one gets
/components/ rather than a clutter of accessories. Maybe there's
room in the North American market for "turnkey" transportational bikes.
The Breezer Townies and suchlike are a good start.

cheers,
Tom

--
-- Nothing is safe from me.
Above address is just a spam midden.
I'm really at: tkeats [curlicue] vcn [point] bc [point] ca

Patrick Lamb said:

The steep part is only about 3/4 of a mile, starting perhaps half a mile
below Whitetop station. I think the rest is 3% or below, as you say.
Remember, though, the Creeper was originally a logging railroad -- they
had lots steeper grades than, for instance, N&W, The Virginian, or C&O
coal lines.

Exactly. It was pretty curvy for a RR too, which makes for a very nice
trail.

I recommend it, especially during the next month, for the fall color. If
you're within driving distance it's well worth a day trip. Our bike club
will probably have a trip scheduled soon.

For those unfamiliar with it, with a car shuttle you can ride the Creeper
downhill-only for something like 17 miles. With a car shuttle or a ride
from one of the outfitters, *anyone* can enjoy it. Most experienced
riders will pedal both ways, the climb being easy, the descent still fun.
The scenery is wonderful, especially this time of year.

http://www.vacreepertrail.com/

Matt O.

I like the idea of a Champiom Flyer saddle with hammered rivets!

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Group: rec.bicycles.misc Date: Thu, Oct 5, 2006, 7:02pm (EDT-3) From:
[email hidden]

Quoted message said:

Dear Sheldon,

Quoted message said:

The San Gabriels run right up next to
Los Angeles.

Quoted message said:

I dunno about how wet they are, though
massive mud slides following forest fires
and torrential rains make for entertaining
reading if you like John McPhee (See
"The Control of Nature" collection of his
New Yorker pieces).

I used to live in El Lay, just 10 miles from the mighty San-gee's. they
are only wet and muddy (and pouring douwn on homes) in the late
winter-early spring, after the fires of autumn have removed most of the
vegitation. the rest of the year they are hot, dry and rocky.

So Cal doesn't see much moisture between the months of May and October.
Or as I like to say, Southern California has only three seasons: Green,
Brown, and Burning.

- -
Compliments of:
"Your Friendly Neighborhood Wheelman"

If you want to E-mail me use:
ChrisZCorner "at" webtv "dot" net

My website:
http://geocities.com/czcorner