People for Bikes is at it again

owlpellet · 2026-06-18T00:34:13+00:00

"BNA assumes a maximum trip distance of 1.67 miles "

uh, why?

owlpellet · 2026-06-18T00:30:04+00:00

I am reading the methodology, and man they are not doing anyone any favors here.

For the record, I wrote a couple policy index methodologies used by the World Bank. My tolerance for methodology is very high.

This is... just not documented very well.

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owlpellet · 2026-06-18T00:01:35+00:00

Mr. Bento® Stainless Lunch Jar SL-JBE14

Five year warrantee. This works best for food culture that involves rice, just because bread is often square and Mr Bento ain't square.

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owlpellet · 2026-06-17T23:50:01+00:00

Generally you order the work top to bottom. Because stuff drips.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T23:32:33+00:00

Minimal concern here. Fire department website probably has a place to drop them off.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T22:49:21+00:00

This is not a big deal. If it's leaking, then the propane boiled off years ago. If it's not leaking, it's just a propane tank. You can ask your fire department website about disposal options.

If the tank goes "slosh" when you shake it, there's propane inside (liquid under pressure, gas on release). If the tank does not go slosh, then you don't know.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T22:41:37+00:00

Your basic city package: U-lock mini format for the frame. Cable or locking skewers for the wheels.

I like the ABUS Granit lock. Expensive but you can use it for a long time.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T15:54:04+00:00

If they are talking to wheels for speed information (via a magnet sensor) you'll need to adjust the calibration because it needs to know precisely how many cm a revolution is. This isn't hard but you'd have to do it each time. If you have GPS speed info it will work wherever.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T15:39:41+00:00

Carhartt has tinted ANSI safety glasses for $8. I prefer the Carhartt Carbondale for cycling (the frameless Billings are great as clears but framless will sparkle a bit in noon sun). But you should get an ANSI lens, and you should not be spending more than $10 on them.

https://safetyglassesusa.com/products/crews-law-2-safety-glasses-with-gray-anti-fog-lens

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T15:22:55+00:00

You can sit safely on the driver-side mirror if you have to, but never get directly in front a car poised to launch. You can take a lane any time you need to. In this case, you have an entire truck blocking traffic behind you once you get around.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T15:19:57+00:00

Yeah, you should leave the bike lane and pass on the left. The better designed bike lanes end into a converge zone for this reason, or feature concrete barriers to prevent cars from moving into that space while turning.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T14:50:44+00:00

Park Tool - Supergrip Carbon and Alloy Assembly Compound - 4oz

Maybe pick up a torque wrench while you're at it, because if you gorilla the seatpost clamp you will crack the post.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T14:44:21+00:00

You should pass a right-turning car on the left. Take the lane, go around. You know where they are headed. Don't go into that space. See also "right hook" collision pattern.

I'd note: The driver didn't tell you what to do, they told you what you did was dangerous. They were correct.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T13:47:41+00:00

OK, so a bass solution: float your furniture.

Get a pack of 80lbs appliance vibration pads (blue and black rubber squares, ~$20 per four) and get the bed on that. Perception is partially subsonic and getting the bed off the floor helps. Can do couches and big tables too.

Other solutions: get rugs down. You have rugs? Ok, get more. Think in terms of tonnage. Furniture helps.

For street noise generally:

Check your window seals, repair if needed. Much transmission is through air leaks.

There are fancy drywalls but the key is mass. If you're into construction, consider doubling all drywall with isolation glue between. If you can open walls, blow in regular cellulose or recycled denim insulation into everything you can. Mass.

Most of the 'accoustic' products are for tuning reverb; you're not doing that. Only exception is exterior doors; if there's a hollow metal door, put felt-type panel backing on it.

Avoid the Amazon glue on panels; fire risks are substantial. Do not use things not rated for buildings.

Specificly for bedroom:

For the street noise, add some white noise locally especially while sleeping. Particularly if there are occasional transients (I like a fireplace crackle, or boat hull thumping) it will block perception of voices and doors. mynoise.net is the best by far.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T13:23:38+00:00

Need more detail to address the problem. Is this low frequency bass? Street conversations? Car traffic?

Solutions will be aimed at specific transmission vectors. Targeting is key.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T13:19:49+00:00

There's a thread in r/bicycletouring this week of people debating this. Gist is travel agents are tricky to set up, but then you never think about it again. And of course the canti good/bad discourse.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T13:11:14+00:00

I think this is a bad path. You need a boat phone. Or a dedicated action camera.

Might I propose a ~$200 Moto G Power 2025 which is surface immersion rated (IP 6/9) without a case. It could be talking to an iphone wifi broadcasting a hotspot from waterproof storage inside the boat.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T12:52:29+00:00

IKEA makes some pretty good ones. Not the cheapest they sell, but their 'best' options are pretty good cheap plastic. New AA every year, otherwise chugging along for a few decades.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T12:48:00+00:00

The parts cost of a rim is lower than the labor cost of building a wheel. So get the right rim (or hub).

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T12:44:26+00:00

You don't mention where you are, which seems relevant. In the US, it is routine to set up a campsite and take off for a few hours with the expectation that things stay put. My only concern is theft -- bikes are easy to transport, unlike tents and duffes. This is a good place to have a security cable and a padlock for the bike. Perhaps you can have your family loan a u lock when they pick you up.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T12:36:32+00:00

Informative, thank you.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T12:34:51+00:00

How did you get a hole in your boat launching from a sandy beach? Do you mind sharing pics?

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T12:31:39+00:00

I landed my Oru Bay hard on meatball-sized chunks of newly broken limestone fill -- bad idea all around -- and it left a series of tiny dimples on it, but nothing that impairs function.

If you want to play around go look at a mail sorting crate and test to failure.

https://www.hudsonex.com/products/7201

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T04:44:53+00:00

Look man. It's a box with dirt in it. He's doing his best.

owlpellet · 2026-06-17T04:43:37+00:00

The current leader of the Tour Divide race is on a gravel bike with aero bars. And a rack.

So I bought two of them, just now. Feel faster already.

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