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#831
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AG: pickup trucks
Once upon a time I happened to mention somewhere on Usenet that getting rid of one of our two internal-combustion vehicles would increase our carbon footprint, because we can do car things with the pickup truck, but we couldn't do truck things with the car. An anti-truck fanatic told me, with a perfectly-straight face and absolute sincerity, that adding a trailer to my car would render it capable of towing trailers. I drive the truck now and again, but I pulled a trailer a few blocks exactly once, and I'm never, ever going to tow a trailer on a public road again. Luckily, my spouse doesn't mind. I don't drive the truck very often. I fetched a sheet of plywood with it several years ago, once I fetched bottled water for a church event, and twice I drove it to Nappanee intending to ride to Bremen. Well, the second time I drove to Bremen intending to ride to Nappanee. Didn't make it either time. The first trip went very well at first -- I rode east on a deserted county road to a fabric shop, then returned to Nappanee. On the return leg I met an Amish man on a pedestrian accelerator, and we waved to one another. Nothing to do with whatever that virulent exchange about "waiving" was -- I think that that was some other newsgroup -- but simply "I observe that another human being is present." After putting my thread and bodkin into the truck and buying a bottle of tea, I headed west toward Bremen. After the first turn, I stopped to consult my map, and a scrap of paper fell out. I tried to pick it up without dismounting, lost my balance, and, being tangled in the bike, landed like a sack of wet cement. I got so banged up that after I'd made it as far as the bike shop (and consternated the children left to watch it; since my vehicle made no noise, they didn't notice that I was there until I was preparing to leave) I turned back and returned to Martin's. Whereupon I discovered that I was so sore that I couldn't lift the bike into the truck. A young man who was passing by noticed my difficulty and loaded it for me. I was, at least, capable of climbing into the truck bed to bungee the bike. In the above incident, the wet-leaves-under-dry-leaves incident, and the black-ice-on-the-sidewalk incident, I landed on my left hip. (After stepping on the ice, I re-wrote the scene in _Vorjack_ in which the title character conceals a crippling injury.) I don't think all those impacts did my current condition any good. The second trip was a year or so later; I'd hardly gotten onto US 30 before I realized that my rotator cuff hadn't recovered from driving to Frankfort and back a few months earlier. It quit hurting when I quit driving, but it had put me out of the mood to ride in cold damp, so instead of exploring, I rode in a straight line to a country store and the same straight line back. The store was not open on that day of the week, but I found some white cheddar at a store I passed on the way, and I bought lots of goodies at Rentown, which is where I had parked. I wish I could go back and get some more coarse-ground almond butter, but I'm still afraid to drive that far. For quite a while after that, my range in a car was a fraction of my range on a bike. I really should drive more often, for the exercise. We need to stock up on frozen foods, which should be motivation. Last time I drove to the grocery stores, I went out to 250 East on Wooster and came back to town on Thirty. Perhaps next time, I should go to 350 East. Umm . . . I've done that on the bike many times -- usually in the other direction -- but is the 350 E railroad crossing open to *cars*? I do remember one time that it wasn't, therefore not being blocked must be the normal state. -------------------------------- Tour d'Warsaw today: two farmer's markets, two groceries, the library, and the dollar store. I skipped the side-trip up Detroit and ate "rye" rolls and cream cheese in the parking lot of Owen's West. -- Joy Beeson joy beeson at comcast dot net http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/ --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com |
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#832
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AG: pickup trucks
On 09/15/2018 10:12 PM, Joy Beeson wrote:
Once upon a time I happened to mention somewhere on Usenet that getting rid of one of our two internal-combustion vehicles would increase our carbon footprint, because we can do car things with the pickup truck, but we couldn't do truck things with the car. An anti-truck fanatic told me, with a perfectly-straight face and absolute sincerity, that adding a trailer to my car would render it capable of towing trailers. Pickup trucks are amazingly useful vehicles. I've heard the same argument concerning needing only a trailer to match pickup truck capabilities but they will never match. You can indeed pull a ton or two in your little Prius via a trailer, just as you could in a pickup truck, but your suspension won't hold up like a truck's will and you won't be able to stop as well as a truck can. You'll also need some additional skills maneuving the trailer around that aren't quite similar to skill levels required for a truck. The two modes of transport aren't equivalent. Most people probably don't need a car either. They could get by with a motorcycle/scooter/bicycle and a good rain suit, renting a car only when needed. We all have gobs of stuff we don't really "need". I'd hate to get to the point where someone with a "superior" point of view gets to dictate what we really "need". SMH |
#833
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AG: pickup trucks
On 9/16/2018 7:53 AM, Stephen Harding wrote:
On 09/15/2018 10:12 PM, Joy Beeson wrote: Once upon a time I happened to mention somewhere on Usenet that getting rid of one of our two internal-combustion vehicles would increase our carbon footprint, because we can do car things with the pickup truck, but we couldn't do truck things with the car. An anti-truck fanatic told me, with a perfectly-straight face and absolute sincerity, that adding a trailer to my car would render it capable of towing trailers. Pickup trucks are amazingly useful vehicles. I've heard the same argument concerning needing only a trailer to match pickup truck capabilities but they will never match. You can indeed pull a ton or two in your little Prius via a trailer, just as you could in a pickup truck, but your suspension won't hold up like a truck's will and you won't be able to stop as well as a truck can.Â* You'll also need some additional skills maneuving the trailer around that aren't quite similar to skill levels required for a truck. I disagree about the car's suspension. If the trailer is properly designed and loaded, the car carries maybe 100 pounds hitch load. The suspension effect is about the same as one extra passenger. Almost all the trailer's load is borne by the trailer's suspension, not the car's. You're correct that the car+trailer won't stop quite as well. If that's a real worry, one can get a trailer with its own brakes. But I've driven tens of thousands of miles in small cars pulling brakeless trailers with no braking problems. Reasonable caution is all that's required. I agree that more skills are required, but that's almost entirely when backing up. It's easy to remember not to cut corners too sharply. The two modes of transport aren't equivalent. I agree. The car+trailer option is less expensive, gets better gas mileage, emits less pollution, doesn't produce big blind spots for other drivers, doesn't have headlights at a blinding height, etc. etc. -- - Frank Krygowski |
#834
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AG: pickup trucks
On 9/16/2018 12:09 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 9/16/2018 7:53 AM, Stephen Harding wrote: On 09/15/2018 10:12 PM, Joy Beeson wrote: Once upon a time I happened to mention somewhere on Usenet that getting rid of one of our two internal-combustion vehicles would increase our carbon footprint, because we can do car things with the pickup truck, but we couldn't do truck things with the car. An anti-truck fanatic told me, with a perfectly-straight face and absolute sincerity, that adding a trailer to my car would render it capable of towing trailers. Pickup trucks are amazingly useful vehicles. I've heard the same argument concerning needing only a trailer to match pickup truck capabilities but they will never match. You can indeed pull a ton or two in your little Prius via a trailer, just as you could in a pickup truck, but your suspension won't hold up like a truck's will and you won't be able to stop as well as a truck can. You'll also need some additional skills maneuving the trailer around that aren't quite similar to skill levels required for a truck. I disagree about the car's suspension. If the trailer is properly designed and loaded, the car carries maybe 100 pounds hitch load. The suspension effect is about the same as one extra passenger. Almost all the trailer's load is borne by the trailer's suspension, not the car's. You're correct that the car+trailer won't stop quite as well. If that's a real worry, one can get a trailer with its own brakes. But I've driven tens of thousands of miles in small cars pulling brakeless trailers with no braking problems. Reasonable caution is all that's required. I agree that more skills are required, but that's almost entirely when backing up. It's easy to remember not to cut corners too sharply. The two modes of transport aren't equivalent. I agree. The car+trailer option is less expensive, gets better gas mileage, emits less pollution, doesn't produce big blind spots for other drivers, doesn't have headlights at a blinding height, etc. etc. Trailer tongue weights typically fall in the 100-300 pound range, depending on trailer size and less trailer loading (assuming "proper" loading). The problem is this extra weight is at the tail end of the car. A load distributing hitch will help, but it does put strains on suspension elements. An additional person in the vehicle isn't quite the same since placement is between axles. Unibody cars don't have the ruggedness of a ladder frame like a pickup truck. But truck versus car/trailer options largely depends on just how much hauling one is going to do. Occasional hauls are probably better done with a trailer option but more frequent hauling better with a pickup. The trailer also becomes one more thing to stash in your parking area if your frequency of use is enough to justify ownership over rental. Get the best tool for the job and use frequency. For me, this has been single vehicle ownership of a pickup truck to handle the full range of my motor vehicle needs. SMH |
#835
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AG: pickup trucks
Sunday, 23 September, 2018: The car we acquired yesterday has a trunk that is easy to put my walker into, if the back seats are down. I'm not sure that I can put the walker into it on days when I *need* the walker. I haven't tried putting the bike into it yet. We --it took both of us, and it was a real struggle-- put the bike into the Versa when we went to turn it in and sign the papers for the Corolla. And I made it to both farmers' markets before closing time! I wonder whether I can get both the bike and the Wheelie Cool into the trunk for a trip to Rentown? This all started when squirrels gnawed through the gas line on the Taco again, and we had it hauled off on a flatbed. When Dave went the dealer to check on it, he ran into a salesman who had, on the previous day, received a new version of a Corolla Dave had been stalking. Which somehow reminded me Monday, 24 September 2018 At which point the computers struck six bells, and when I'm on gabapentin, bedtime is bedtime. The Taco is back on our parking pad. The salesman said that if we ever sell it, he personally wants it, squirrel-bait gas line and all. Dave sprinkled critter repellent on the parking areas, and plans to put mothballs into the engine compartment. I drove the Corolla home after we picked up the Taco, and stopped at Martin's and Aldi. Five and a half miles, much of it straight, and nary a peep from my rotator cuff or hip. I did need a short walk after riding in the passenger seat. I started this post to say that I've remembered another reason we can't do without the Taco: It's our only four-wheel-drive vehicle, and it has high clearance and wide tires. When snow is predicted, it's the Taco we park in the garage. It can always get out, and after Dave drives back and forth in the driveway for a while, the car can get out too. The bike would be even easier to get over the snowplow-ridge, but I no longer dare to ride on a street with spots of ice, and Dave can't ride at all. Perhaps this winter will refrain from doling out our ration of snow a little every day, and there will be some days I can ride instead of gazing soulfully at young boys dressed all in black as they ride past. -- Joy Beeson joy beeson at comcast dot net http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/ --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com |
#836
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AG: pickup trucks
On 9/24/2018 11:16 PM, Joy Beeson wrote:
Sunday, 23 September, 2018: The car we acquired yesterday has a trunk that is easy to put my walker into, if the back seats are down. I'm not sure that I can put the walker into it on days when I *need* the walker. A very good friend of ours always takes her bike when she shops for cars. Admittedly, she doesn't buy cars very often; but she won't buy anything unless she's proven she can put her bike into it. I think she's on her 3rd Ford Focus hatchback now. She has the loading process down to a science: Flatten the rear seatbacks; Spread the blanket in the hatch area and over the "bumper" to prevent scratches; Remove the front wheel; Bungee the handlebars to one side; Slide the bike in, rear wheel first, drivetrain up; Fold the blanket over part of the bike; Lay the front wheel atop the blanket. Then shut the hatch and drive away. -- - Frank Krygowski |
#837
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AG: pickup trucks
On Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 1:22:02 AM UTC-4, Frank Krygowski wrote:
On 9/24/2018 11:16 PM, Joy Beeson wrote: Sunday, 23 September, 2018: The car we acquired yesterday has a trunk that is easy to put my walker into, if the back seats are down. I'm not sure that I can put the walker into it on days when I *need* the walker. A very good friend of ours always takes her bike when she shops for cars. Admittedly, she doesn't buy cars very often; but she won't buy anything unless she's proven she can put her bike into it. I think she's on her 3rd Ford Focus hatchback now. She has the loading process down to a science: Flatten the rear seatbacks; Spread the blanket in the hatch area and over the "bumper" to prevent scratches; Remove the front wheel; Bungee the handlebars to one side; Slide the bike in, rear wheel first, drivetrain up; Fold the blanket over part of the bike; Lay the front wheel atop the blanket. Then shut the hatch and drive away. I use a similar approach with our Ford Escape: fold a seatback, remove the bike's front wheel, put the bike in so that the rear tire is wedged between the back of the front seat and the "B" pillar. Place front wheel in the foot well of the other rear passenger seat. -- Andrew Chaplin SIT MIHI GLADIUS SICUT SANCTO MARTINO |
#838
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AG: No post this week
No ideas harvested on today's ride. Lousy day for a ride, but I was eager to buy onions -- and desperate to buy a pair of sunglasses. The weather started looking a little better when I packed away my shades and put on a dollar-store pair that didn't bruise my ear, but I still came home the short way. The farmers' markets will still be on next Saturday, and the ten-day forecast says the weather will be dry. -- Joy Beeson joy beeson at comcast dot net http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/ --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com |
#839
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AG: Two farmers' markets and a craft show
At last! Today's ride gave me not one, but *two* ideas! I'll extravagantly use up both in one post. The main street in town is lined with parked cars, but between the Cerulean and the post office, there's a gap long enough to pull over to let traffic go by, without needing to stop or even slow down. When leaving town this morning, I had just passed the last parked car, and signaled before getting back into the parking lane. After making the lane change, I reflected that the guy behind me, if any, didn't need to know that I was about to swerve right -- but he *did* need to know that I wasn't going to swerve left without warning. I think I could get an entire column out of the idea that sometimes you signal just to let people know that you are in the habit of signaling. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Since the readership seems to be divided between those spry enough to mount in one smooth motion and those who put on chain guards and don't mind the tug-tug-tug of cuffs wearing out by brushing the chain guards, I doubt that the following will be of any use. I wore sweat pants for the first time today -- better than four pairs of ill-fitting tights! -- and remembered an old rule. "If you pin wings into the ankles of your pants, resist the temptation to use the right wing as a handle when lifting your foot over the top bar." Pulling on the wing will bend the pin, sometimes enough to make it pop open, and might tear the fabric. I doubt that the stout brass pins I used today would bend, but I refrained from pulling on the wing anyway. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Lovely day for a ride, but I cut it short in order to get back in time for lunch at The Heritage Room -- and the "music" was so loud that I had to leave before I'd gotten a single bite. But at home I had some excellent corn bread and three kinds of good cheese. I melted the chevre onto the swiss in the microwave. -- Joy Beeson joy beeson at comcast dot net http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/ --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com |
#840
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AG: First Aid
I haven't used Halt since moving to an area where people love their dogs, but gutting jalapeños last Friday put me in mind of it. If you should absent-mindedly push your Halt into your pocket by the button, don't forget that you carry water in a convenient squirt bottle. Always pull Halt down by the clip -- don't push. -- Joy Beeson joy beeson at comcast dot net http://wlweather.net/PAGEJOY/ --- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG. https://www.avg.com |
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