This website is 'the best'.
It contains many exciting items of interest to the cyclist.
Where else will you read about a 'self-made' bikelane that shines behind you (at night only, sadly) letting motorists know you are riding in a bikelane?
Or be able to read about the bamboo bike builder who is experimenting with growing 'bends' in the field, to make his bamboo bikes easier to build?
Have a look through its many items here:
http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/bicycles/index.html
Saturday, 31 January 2009
Saturday, 17 January 2009
Scare dogs and let motorists know you exist (when appropriate)
The Sunday 18 January BUG ride was another great event, and a 'just right' cool day for the climb up Mount Kynoch.
On a long downhill stretch, culminating in a road junction that required riders to stop, a pair of dogs decided to give a bunch of riders 'some curry'.
Bounding out of the unfenced property came a Border Collie, and a Mutt, both intent on mischief, and maybe a little biting.
Without our 'guard rider', who last time barked at approaching dogs, we thought we were done for.
Then.... a blast from nowhere, apparently 115 decibels of raw NOISE, saw both dogs turn tail and retreat to a safe distance, never to be seen again.
The source of this noise?
An air powered bike horn, known as a Samui Air Zound 3, mounted unobtrusively on a fellow riders bike.
Later in the ride, right or wrong, when some clown in the inevitable ute blew their car horn at the mere presence of bikes on a road, the airhorn was able to send a quick message.... %^&*// off with you.... and satisfaction at being able to reply was found by those riders close by.
This airhorn is a great safety item and all TBUG riders should consider getting one.
Not, we hasten to add, to blow like a car driver might, but as a genuine attention getter when threatened by a driver (or dog) that seems to be totally unaware of your presence on the road.
TBUG has no dealings with Dean Woods, but this is where the TBUG supporter bought his. Ask the local bike shops if they can get it in, and meet the price.
World's loudest bike horn!
• Very loud! 115dB at max volume
• Recharge with any bike pump or compressor
• No batteries or cartridges required
• Quick release clamp
• Volume control
• Yields over 30 blasts or 80 gentle honks per charge
• Super lightweight - under 100g
• No danger of overpresurization
• 5-100 psi (1-7 BAR) operating range
• Narrow profile - fits all bikes
• Air reservoir can be fitted in bottle cage or anywhere on frame
Colour: Grey body with Red fixing plastic mechanism
Where do you get one from?
Dean Woods online shop:
http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod1237.htm
Normally $60-$65 depending on the shop but at Dean Woods a reasonable $30.00, plus p+p.
While we support local bike shops, it’s up to them to ‘meet the market’ on these sort of prices.
On a long downhill stretch, culminating in a road junction that required riders to stop, a pair of dogs decided to give a bunch of riders 'some curry'.
Bounding out of the unfenced property came a Border Collie, and a Mutt, both intent on mischief, and maybe a little biting.
Without our 'guard rider', who last time barked at approaching dogs, we thought we were done for.
Then.... a blast from nowhere, apparently 115 decibels of raw NOISE, saw both dogs turn tail and retreat to a safe distance, never to be seen again.
The source of this noise?
An air powered bike horn, known as a Samui Air Zound 3, mounted unobtrusively on a fellow riders bike.
Later in the ride, right or wrong, when some clown in the inevitable ute blew their car horn at the mere presence of bikes on a road, the airhorn was able to send a quick message.... %^&*// off with you.... and satisfaction at being able to reply was found by those riders close by.
This airhorn is a great safety item and all TBUG riders should consider getting one.
Not, we hasten to add, to blow like a car driver might, but as a genuine attention getter when threatened by a driver (or dog) that seems to be totally unaware of your presence on the road.
TBUG has no dealings with Dean Woods, but this is where the TBUG supporter bought his. Ask the local bike shops if they can get it in, and meet the price.
World's loudest bike horn!
• Very loud! 115dB at max volume
• Recharge with any bike pump or compressor
• No batteries or cartridges required
• Quick release clamp
• Volume control
• Yields over 30 blasts or 80 gentle honks per charge
• Super lightweight - under 100g
• No danger of overpresurization
• 5-100 psi (1-7 BAR) operating range
• Narrow profile - fits all bikes
• Air reservoir can be fitted in bottle cage or anywhere on frame
Colour: Grey body with Red fixing plastic mechanism
Where do you get one from?
Dean Woods online shop:
http://www.deanwoods.com.au/store/prod1237.htm
Normally $60-$65 depending on the shop but at Dean Woods a reasonable $30.00, plus p+p.
While we support local bike shops, it’s up to them to ‘meet the market’ on these sort of prices.
Monday, 12 January 2009
So, this is how it's done
No, not to be found anywhere in the local area.
A sad case of 'not quite right'.
Tuesday, 6 January 2009
January Social Rides
Sunday 4 January saw 16 riders, some sporting new Christmas presents, attend the city route ride, including visitor Michael.
A good ride, with slightly gusty weather, but not too hot.
Peter ensured 'no rider was left behind' by directing bike flows at crucial turns- much appreciated.
One rider was heard to bark at some innocent dogs but other than that, a quiet ride to get back into the swing of a new year.
The next ride is on Sunday 18 January, 6.30 am Oxygen Cafe.
Hope to see you there
A good ride, with slightly gusty weather, but not too hot.
Peter ensured 'no rider was left behind' by directing bike flows at crucial turns- much appreciated.
One rider was heard to bark at some innocent dogs but other than that, a quiet ride to get back into the swing of a new year.
The next ride is on Sunday 18 January, 6.30 am Oxygen Cafe.
Hope to see you there
TBUG Draft Action Plan 2009
TBUG 2009 Draft Action Plan
“same Roads, same Rules, same Responsibilities”
TBUG believes that the Toowoomba Regional Council area cycling environment can be, and needs to be, made safer for those who already cycle, while providing further encouragement and incentive to ensure more people, across many age groups, take up cycling.
To this end TBUG fully endorses the Cycle Promotion Fund report “Getting Australia Moving”:
http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/content/view/333/150/
TBUG continues to support the creation of a TRC Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) as defined by the Queensland Department of Transport:
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/General_information/Cycling/Bike_user_guide/Bicycle_user_groups/
In order to improve cycling within the TRC area in 2009, TBUG believes the following actions need to be undertaken:
1. TRC establish a Bicycle Advisory Committee, in line with the unanimous support from the previous Toowoomba City Council for the TBUG proposal
2. TRC /Queensland Transport/Main Roads Department works to establish a full system of on-road cycle ways on the major roads in the city of Toowoomba and towns within the TRC area
2a) in particular, priority be given to an on-road cycle way from Hodgson Vale to Highfields
2b) implementation of the designated SEQ principal cycle network
3. Discussion commence on appropriate speed limits to assist with the creation of safer roads for all road users
4. TRC, major government agencies in the region and local employers/employer bodies start planning for community and workplace end-of-journey facilities
5. TRC, major government agencies and employers/employer bodies commit their support for the 2009 national Ride to Work Day on Wednesday 14th October: http://www.ride2work.com.au/30228
TBUG supporters are invited to send their comments to:
toowoombabug@gmail.com
(cut and paste the email into your browser)
“same Roads, same Rules, same Responsibilities”
TBUG believes that the Toowoomba Regional Council area cycling environment can be, and needs to be, made safer for those who already cycle, while providing further encouragement and incentive to ensure more people, across many age groups, take up cycling.
To this end TBUG fully endorses the Cycle Promotion Fund report “Getting Australia Moving”:
http://www.cyclingpromotion.com.au/content/view/333/150/
TBUG continues to support the creation of a TRC Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) as defined by the Queensland Department of Transport:
http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/Home/General_information/Cycling/Bike_user_guide/Bicycle_user_groups/
In order to improve cycling within the TRC area in 2009, TBUG believes the following actions need to be undertaken:
1. TRC establish a Bicycle Advisory Committee, in line with the unanimous support from the previous Toowoomba City Council for the TBUG proposal
2. TRC /Queensland Transport/Main Roads Department works to establish a full system of on-road cycle ways on the major roads in the city of Toowoomba and towns within the TRC area
2a) in particular, priority be given to an on-road cycle way from Hodgson Vale to Highfields
2b) implementation of the designated SEQ principal cycle network
3. Discussion commence on appropriate speed limits to assist with the creation of safer roads for all road users
4. TRC, major government agencies in the region and local employers/employer bodies start planning for community and workplace end-of-journey facilities
5. TRC, major government agencies and employers/employer bodies commit their support for the 2009 national Ride to Work Day on Wednesday 14th October: http://www.ride2work.com.au/30228
TBUG supporters are invited to send their comments to:
toowoombabug@gmail.com
(cut and paste the email into your browser)
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