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Bicycle Life And Philosophy

Tucked away in this obscure corner is the beginnings of a new leaf in Massbug bicycle culture.
This page should allow you to leave behind all that tough and hard nosed advocacy work and lift you to a new plane of the enjoyment of cycling.

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Velo City

6 March 2008

Sky tubes, as we don't get the snows like in Canarcadia these look good for crossing points of major highways, train lines, rivers...

More http://www.velo-city.ca/MainFrameset.html

Knit One Pearl One

25 February 2007

For those whose craft skills outshine the rest of us comes...

http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Love/

Sarah Maddock

17 December 2007

• "...Encouraged by her husband, who had begun cycling in England before migrating, Sarah Maddock began riding a bicycle in 1893, and after several months accompanied him on a 300-mile (483 km) ride from Sydney to Bega, averaging 60 miles (97 km) a day. Her trip was reported as the first long-distance ride by an Australian woman. Next year this achievement was eclipsed by a 574-mile (924 km) ride from Sydney to Melbourne, accomplished in nine days, their progress monitored by local bicycle clubs. Mrs Maddock rode a 30 lb (14 kg) Conqueror safety machine with dropped frame, gearbox and pneumatic tyres. The first woman to attempt such a feat, she was escorted into the city with her husband by members of the Melbourne Bicycle Club..."

More... http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100366b.htm
More... http://slv.vic.gov.au/programs/exhibitions/kmg/2007/victorians_on_vacation/audio_tour/audio_tour_09.html
More... http://www.hyperhistory.org/index.php?option=displaypage&Itemid=742&op=page

Kangaroo farts could fight global warming

December 06, 2007

AUSTRALIAN scientists are trying to give kangaroo-style stomachs to cattle and sheep in a bid to cut the emission of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming. Thanks to special bacteria in their stomachs, kangaroos' flatulence contains no methane and scientists want to transfer that bacteria to cattle and sheep who emit large quantities of the harmful gas.

While the usual image of greenhouse gas pollution is a billowing smokestack pushing out carbon dioxide, livestock passing wind contribute a surprisingly high percentage of total emissions in some countries.

Queensland Government senior research scientist Athol Klieve says 14 per cent of emissions from all sources in Australia are from enteric methane from cattle and sheep.

"If you look at another country such as New Zealand, which has got a much higher agricultural base, they're actually up around 50 per cent," he said.

Researchers say the bacteria also makes the digestive process much more efficient and could potentially save millions of dollars in feed costs for farmers.

"Not only would they not produce the methane, they would actually get something like 10 to 15 per cent more energy out of the feed they are eating," Dr Klieve said.

Farming view

Even farmers who laugh at the idea of environmentally friendly kangaroo farts say that it is nothing to joke about, particularly given the devastating drought Australia is suffering.

"In a tight year like a drought situation, 15 per cent (more energy) would be a considerable sum," said farmer Michael Mitton.

But it will take researchers at least three years to isolate the bacteria before they can even start to develop a way of transferring it to cattle and sheep.

Another group of scientists has suggested Australians farm fewer cattle and sheep and just eat more kangaroos.

The idea is controversial but about 20 per cent of health-conscious Australians are believed to eat the national symbol already.

Peter Ampt, from the University of New South Wales's Institute of Environmental Studies*, says the meat has health benefits.

"It's low in fat. It's got high protein levels. It's very clean," he said.

"It doesn't get drenched. It doesn't get vaccinated. It utilises food right across the landscape. It moves around to where the food is good. It's a good food."

Source:... http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22880187-5013016,00.html

*Future of Australia's Threatened Species (FATE) - http://www.fate.unsw.edu.au/

Do Australian Police carry Tazers? Here is a story from the Most affluent, powerful and polluting nation on earth - well almost - it lost that last distinction to the Chinese only recently...

greencycles

"I was accosted, assaulted with battery, and tased at Minneapolis St Paul international airport, simply for leaving the airport by bicycle. I had broken NO laws..."

More... http://lists.grist.org/t?r=2&c=941&l=20&ctl=9F50:ECE66C29D39A3BD9EDB9255F69A65776

'Enjoy yourself as you and the road make beautiful love together'.

16 March 2007

There may be a day while you are riding your bike. A motorist passes you, and calls out, "Get off the f%!@ ing road!" You may be puzzled. What do these words mean?

The key to understanding this motorist's cry is to realize that the road does not copulate with itself. Rather, it is you who is partnered with the road.

Have you not had a day, where you get out there on your bike, and there is the road before you, warm, inviting? It feels good, it smells good, it almost seems to taste good to be on it. Some days you start out eager, knowing what lies ahead.

Other days you start out a little reluctantly - surely you have better things to do - clean the house, mow the lawn - but here you are anyway, your bike and the road together, and after a little bit you know its going to be a good time.

There are days when you dominate the road. It does your bidding. You groove on your control. There are other days when the road is your master. You submit to its demands. You get a perverted pleasure from the pain of your burning legs, your oxygen-starved lungs screaming for air.

In any of these instances, though, you with your bike, and the road, are lovers.

The term, "get off" as we all know, is a slang term that means to "derive pleasure". Thus, the encouraging, if crude, words, "Get off the f%!@ing road" can be understood as "Enjoy yourself as you and the road make beautiful love together".

To take this a step further - in many mystical traditions, the physical act of love is understood as a metaphor for the spiritual union of human with the Divine. Can you ride as if you and the Road are One?

The mudra of the single upraised digit is a reminder of this oneness: unity in Christ Consciousness, being at one with the Tao, La illaha Il' Allah, Adonai Echad. Thus, when someone makes this gesture at you, you should understand that they are wishing you the experience of this ecstatic union.

The horn that is honked as the mudra is made is a meditation bell. Like a church bell, like the call of the muezzin's voice, it calls you into this sacred space of union, of you, your bike, and the road, as One.

Thus, when the motorist honks his horn, raises the single digit, and makes his sincere invocation, you have but one response: to smile, to wave, and return to the joy of riding your bike.

(reprinted WITHOUT permission from Bicycle Meditations. Borrowed from BNSW PushOn April 2007 where it was printed WITH permission. All credit to the author.)

More... http://www.pushon.com.au/news/news_Detail.asp?newsID=195
More... http://www.bicyclemeditations.org/Welcome.htm
More... Sustainability Works

TreeHugger-Style Roller Coaster in Japan: It's Pedal Powered

17 March 2007

"Here is the future of the green amusement park: The Skycycle at Washuzan Highland Park in Okayama, a pedal-powered roller coaster. They clearly have some dramatic topography to take advantage of here, and it looks truly frightening. Most North American amusement parks are on pretty flat terrain but they often build artificial mountains- Demand a green ride like this on the Magic Mountain..."

More... http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/03/treehuggerstyle.php

COPENHAGEN

• Copenhagen sets the benchmark - 30% of daily journies are taken by bike. This is a visual essay in Danish bike culture... (PLEASE COME BACK!!! WE STILL LOVE YOU DISP.DK)

CHINA

• But China is still the "Kingdom of Bicycles"...

here's one for the kiddies

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fScYaiYhDT4

and if that aint enough here's comes another one,

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48C_KHwt53c

and one last shot,

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeJAYb_phqA

Contributors:
-- PaulBoundy - 15 Mar 2007

Parents: Advocacy

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