Comments for Dodgeville http://valdodge.com Random wanderings and wonderings Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:45:48 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 Comment on CAA discovers bikes by Dan http://valdodge.com/2010/02/15/caa-discovers-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-11003 Dan Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:45:48 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1916#comment-11003 Ottawa had a similar trial program last summer. Unfortunately, it was poorly advertised and there were only fifty bikes in total spread out over four stations. Ottawa had a similar trial program last summer. Unfortunately, it was poorly advertised and there were only fifty bikes in total spread out over four stations.

]]> Comment on Dodgeville expands east by Torontopoika http://valdodge.com/2010/02/02/dodgeville-expands-east/comment-page-1/#comment-10828 Torontopoika Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:39:33 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1907#comment-10828 You'll never know if the cat would enjoy 110 km on a bike, unless you try. However, a trip around the block will probably provide the answer. That's a great pic. I am officially jealous, of both the property, and yer photography skills. Enjoy! You’ll never know if the cat would enjoy 110 km on a bike, unless you try. However, a trip around the block will probably provide the answer.

That’s a great pic. I am officially jealous, of both the property, and yer photography skills.

Enjoy!

]]> Comment on Custom bike trailer by Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-10588 Val Dodge Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:50:46 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-10588 I used 1/16" wall tubing; it's plenty strong enough. In my informal and basic testing, a 4-foot tube supported at the ends was able to support my weight (a lot more than 150 lb) in the middle. It flexed, but didn't buckle or permanently deform. I figure that the three short transverse tubes that carry the bed and the four lengthwise tubes that transfer the load to the wheels are more than strong enough to carry anything I'd realistically want to pull. It's also worth noting that the tongue assembly supplied with the Wike kit probably won't fit into 1" tubing with a 1/8" wall. I considered all kinds of materials for the bed, ranging from plywood to aluminum grill. I went with oak primarily because I had some extra lying around and really like the way it looks. My very first loaded ride with the trailer was in the rain and I had no problems with spray at all. The wheels are far enough back and out to the side that neither I nor the cargo is in the spray zone. If it was a problem, I'm sure it wouldn't be too hard to mount a couple of fenders from the side tubes. I used 1/16″ wall tubing; it’s plenty strong enough. In my informal and basic testing, a 4-foot tube supported at the ends was able to support my weight (a lot more than 150 lb) in the middle. It flexed, but didn’t buckle or permanently deform. I figure that the three short transverse tubes that carry the bed and the four lengthwise tubes that transfer the load to the wheels are more than strong enough to carry anything I’d realistically want to pull. It’s also worth noting that the tongue assembly supplied with the Wike kit probably won’t fit into 1″ tubing with a 1/8″ wall.

I considered all kinds of materials for the bed, ranging from plywood to aluminum grill. I went with oak primarily because I had some extra lying around and really like the way it looks.

My very first loaded ride with the trailer was in the rain and I had no problems with spray at all. The wheels are far enough back and out to the side that neither I nor the cargo is in the spray zone. If it was a problem, I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to mount a couple of fenders from the side tubes.

]]> Comment on Custom bike trailer by George P. http://valdodge.com/2009/07/04/custom-bike-trailer/comment-page-1/#comment-10582 George P. Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:01:13 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1260#comment-10582 Hi, Val: Thanks for all the helpful information you've provided on your Wike. I just received my DIY kit and am now planning my construction, but would like to ask you a few questions first: 1. What's the thickness of your aluminum square tubing? Wike told me that the 150 lb. capacity is what the axles/wheels can withstand, not about the framing. Still, I wonder whether 1/16" will do or whether I should get the stronger (and heavier) 1/8" tubing. I want the option to carry very heavy loads but I don't want the thing to weigh a ton. 2. Did you consider other materials/options for the trailer bed? My plan is to use a single piece of either aluminum tread brite or a suitable thick piece of all-weather plastic and mount it with the connectors turned "upside down" so that I have one large 2' x 4' flatbed with no gaps on the sides. Then I'm thinking of adding some more tubing and plastic connectors (such as those sold by Esto: http://www.estoconnectors.com/) onto the flatbed to create a fence to keep my cargo contained. (Again, I'm trying to keep overall weight in mind.) Speaking of Esto, their 1-inch "hexagon connector" (http://www.estoconnectors.com/index.php/connectors/detail/pn-532306/) could serve as a nice mount on the front of the trailer for a removable pull handle using another piece of aluminum tube bent at 135 degrees of about 30-36" (like a longer version of the trailer arm). 3. Have your ridden in the rain with your trailer? If so, has not having fenders on it posed a problem with excessive spray? Any other weather-related issues you've encountered? Hope you're still enjoying your Wike; I'm looking forward to getting mine completed and on the road. George P. Hi, Val:

Thanks for all the helpful information you’ve provided on your Wike. I just received my DIY kit and am now planning my construction, but would like to ask you a few questions first:

1. What’s the thickness of your aluminum square tubing? Wike told me that the 150 lb. capacity is what the axles/wheels can withstand, not about the framing. Still, I wonder whether 1/16″ will do or whether I should get the stronger (and heavier) 1/8″ tubing. I want the option to carry very heavy loads but I don’t want the thing to weigh a ton.

2. Did you consider other materials/options for the trailer bed? My plan is to use a single piece of either aluminum tread brite or a suitable thick piece of all-weather plastic and mount it with the connectors turned “upside down” so that I have one large 2′ x 4′ flatbed with no gaps on the sides. Then I’m thinking of adding some more tubing and plastic connectors (such as those sold by Esto: http://www.estoconnectors.com/) onto the flatbed to create a fence to keep my cargo contained. (Again, I’m trying to keep overall weight in mind.)

Speaking of Esto, their 1-inch “hexagon connector” (http://www.estoconnectors.com/index.php/connectors/detail/pn-532306/) could serve as a nice mount on the front of the trailer for a removable pull handle using another piece of aluminum tube bent at 135 degrees of about 30-36″ (like a longer version of the trailer arm).

3. Have your ridden in the rain with your trailer? If so, has not having fenders on it posed a problem with excessive spray? Any other weather-related issues you’ve encountered?

Hope you’re still enjoying your Wike; I’m looking forward to getting mine completed and on the road.

George P.

]]> Comment on A congestion charge in Toronto? by Bern Grush http://valdodge.com/2007/02/20/a-congestion-charge-in-toronto/comment-page-1/#comment-10417 Bern Grush Fri, 08 Jan 2010 13:59:55 +0000 http://blog.valdodge.com/2007/02/20/a-congestion-charge-in-toronto/#comment-10417 Well, you have done a good job of outlining a solution. Not long after you wrote this the Mayor was advised to toll the DVP and QEW (which has a host of problems). I wrote this (which is more similar to yours) to object to that proposal, but to support tolling. http://grushhour.blogspot.com/2008/02/objections-to-road-pricing-in-toronto.html Well, you have done a good job of outlining a solution. Not long after you wrote this the Mayor was advised to toll the DVP and QEW (which has a host of problems). I wrote this (which is more similar to yours) to object to that proposal, but to support tolling.
http://grushhour.blogspot.com/2008/02/objections-to-road-pricing-in-toronto.html

]]> Comment on Transporting Dodgeville by the numbers, 2009 by Ken Chase http://valdodge.com/2010/01/01/transporting-dodgeville-by-the-numbers-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-10364 Ken Chase Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:41:44 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1884#comment-10364 This is really awesome! Must have been hell to track, nearly as hellish as my business expenses and revenue tracking but possibly even more annoying! :) Only fanatical dedication to such a project would give reliable stats. Wonder if you found a trick or a device to do this. Now that 2010 is here, I could do the same out of curiosity... :) (tho i have 3 plane trips already planned this year - 2 weddings and a climbing trip...) I need to get an extrabike or a trailer or something. This is really awesome! Must have been hell to track, nearly as hellish as my business expenses and revenue tracking but possibly even more annoying! :) Only fanatical dedication to such a project would give reliable stats.

Wonder if you found a trick or a device to do this. Now that 2010 is here, I could do the same out of curiosity… :) (tho i have 3 plane trips already planned this year – 2 weddings and a climbing trip…)

I need to get an extrabike or a trailer or something.

]]> Comment on Transporting Dodgeville by the numbers, 2009 by Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2010/01/01/transporting-dodgeville-by-the-numbers-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-10346 Val Dodge Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:59:52 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1884#comment-10346 Although I doubt that we'll be riding there regularly by bike, at just 110 km via the most direct backroadsish route, it is easily within my cycling range (even pulling a trailer) and I anticipate making at least a couple of rides there or back this year. I'm more likely to take my trusty old <a href="http://valdodge.com/2009/04/21/things-you-can-move-with-your-bike-1/" rel="nofollow">BOB Yak</a> on a long ride like that; it's much more suited to long-distance hauling. The cottage is also just 25 km from the nearest regularly-serviced train station (and about the same from the two closest bus terminals), so non-car intermodal trips wouldn't be unreasonable. All that said, I'm sure that the car will be our primary transportation to and from the cottage. As for the sauna, research is underway but construction may not begin until next year. Although I doubt that we’ll be riding there regularly by bike, at just 110 km via the most direct backroadsish route, it is easily within my cycling range (even pulling a trailer) and I anticipate making at least a couple of rides there or back this year. I’m more likely to take my trusty old BOB Yak on a long ride like that; it’s much more suited to long-distance hauling. The cottage is also just 25 km from the nearest regularly-serviced train station (and about the same from the two closest bus terminals), so non-car intermodal trips wouldn’t be unreasonable. All that said, I’m sure that the car will be our primary transportation to and from the cottage.

As for the sauna, research is underway but construction may not begin until next year.

]]> Comment on Transporting Dodgeville by the numbers, 2009 by Torontopoika http://valdodge.com/2010/01/01/transporting-dodgeville-by-the-numbers-2009/comment-page-1/#comment-10334 Torontopoika Sun, 03 Jan 2010 00:29:33 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1884#comment-10334 Cottage? I take it you will only be travelling there and back by bike? That bike trailer should come in handy for trips to da back woods. Remember, build the sauna first, so you can sleep in it while you build the cottage. Cottage? I take it you will only be travelling there and back by bike? That bike trailer should come in handy for trips to da back woods.

Remember, build the sauna first, so you can sleep in it while you build the cottage.

]]> Comment on Who’s up for burbee? by Albert http://valdodge.com/2009/02/05/whos-up-for-burbee/comment-page-1/#comment-10218 Albert Fri, 25 Dec 2009 20:59:11 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=861#comment-10218 Well now, I also grew up in East York (north of Massey Creek) and we called it french. In fact I'd never heard of burbee until I was an adult. Well now, I also grew up in East York (north of Massey Creek) and we called it french. In fact I’d never heard of burbee until I was an adult.

]]> Comment on Where’s a cop when you need one? by Val Dodge http://valdodge.com/2009/12/13/wheres-a-cop-when-you-need-one/comment-page-1/#comment-10140 Val Dodge Fri, 18 Dec 2009 07:02:40 +0000 http://valdodge.com/?p=1853#comment-10140 Let's just say that my cussin' was cleaned up (and considerably shortened) for the PG audience that reads this blog. Drivers don't get the same courtesy. Let’s just say that my cussin’ was cleaned up (and considerably shortened) for the PG audience that reads this blog. Drivers don’t get the same courtesy.

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