Michael S. (Boxhead)'s Comments

Hi Boxhead !! Nice mug shot....Welcome aboard.....I am new too... Ride safe

I reckon you're right: "2009 - the year of the bike". I've been thinking the same. This year is going to be amazing for bikes.

Welcome.
Fiona

Hi there Boxhead
Welcome to Sydney Cyclist! (Slightly belatedly I know)

Gasp - Steal my idea. Ha I'm not bothered really. Well for one thing the idea is kind of stolen from Where in the world is Carmen Sandiago. Good luck.

Re Power Assist: it's an expensive option but I made the choice because I use my bike for commuting (satisfies the cost-benefits test) and my knees feel the strain of the steeper hills. I am happy with the kit I bought from Epac Power. When I pedal a freewheel rachet means I am not turning the motor, and when the motor is energised it drives my pedals around (lots of useful images at www.epacpower.com.au). There is a similar kit available from www.elationbikes.com.au (as seen on ABC's New Inventors) but I chose Epac because I already had the same motor from a DIY project and they were willing to sell me just the bits I needed. Another similarity between these 2 companies is that they both do a version where you don't have to pedal (an extra clutch/freewheel, but it costs extra). The eLation is a deluxe model because it includes a chain tensioner. These kits drive thru the front gear ring so you benefit from extra torque thru all your gear ratios. This means I accelerate faster from traffic lights (with less low speed wobble) and can maintain a good cruise speed (the max revs, under load, of the motor means it is "limited" to 33kmh). If you want to go faster you have to pedal (and release the throttle lever). Another benefit: if you have to make a quick stop without having the chance to change down then the motor helps you get away again. Obviously it is good for hill starts, and the whine of the motor warns others of my approach. Brushed motors (ie. old style) seem to be more robust/reliable than brushless motors (as far as I can see from the internet). Note: if you have grip-shift gear change then you will need the thumb-lever type throttle, the twist throttle type takes up too much space and you would have to change your grip to use the brake. After 3 years of using a 10kg (!) 24v Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery I am about to switch to a newer, and lighter, LiFePO4 battery. I commute between Eastwood and North Sydney and a 10Ah battery is OK (I don't have the motor running all the time and full current is only drawn on the hills), ie. it doesn't go flat before I reach home (I recharge the battery overnight). Let me know if you have any other questions.

Yep.
How the devil do you start and worse still can you ever stop with out doing some bad barrow damage to yourself.

Thanks so much for the great link!
Feel free to add anything into the event that you would like, its not really my 'patch' and the more people who contribute the better!

Hope you can make it next week!

Hey Boxhead, it was a pleasure to meet you and your wife on Saturday. But what is it about you and non-flattering avatars? .....?

Hey, those are my photos of West Head on my blog, Boxhead.
I Rode to Akuna and Church point yesterday. Finished in St Ives 60km ride.
I will be doing West head again on Wednesday. Yes the old surface was bumpy like Akuna.

Hi Michael, I am booked in for the knee surgery on 18th September. I was counting down the days until last week I went back to the Breastscreen Clinic at RNS for a post-operative check up (I was supposed to have a benign tumour removed in March). Apparently the surgeon did not remove the lump properly in March so I have to have that operation re-done!! Shit! :-( So now I don't know whether I will have to delay the knee surgery. I see the breast surgeon on Thursday. I am just unsure as to how close together you can have two separate operations. Although the lump is benign, it is one of those that can turn malignant so there is a certain amount of urgency to get it removed - ahead of painful knees.

Unfortunately no, I need two total knee replacements. There is no cartilage left - I am down to bone on bone. The shitty thing is, once again, the medical profession had been fobbing me off over the years and a radiologist even mis-read an MRI scan 18 months ago, telling me I didn't need any surgery. I have been going around in constant pain since before then, thinking it must all be in my head or I wasn't doing enough exercise or this or that excuse. It wasn't until I saw a smart young, enthusiastic chiropractor about my back and I mentioned to him about my knees that someone finally said - you need to go and see an orthopaedic surgeon as soon as possible. After what has happened to me this year, I am really losing faith in medical practitioners, generally. You would think a specialist who specialise in breast surgery could remove the right lump! Or a radiologist or reads mri scans every day could tell the difference between fluid and cartilage! All these tests and treatments have costs me thousands of dollars and wasted about 2 years of my time. I am just hanging out for 2010 in the hope that I can get back to normal!

Le Spit Cyclery at Mosman. Speak to Rodney, he'll hook you up.

Self interest disclaimer: I work there on Mondays :-)

Hah, yep, everything I learnt about saddles was between here and Melbourne last month :-)

Job change is a very slow process for this little renegade but I'm doing what I can to smooth the transition, by upskilling on what I love, rather than what the world says I should be doing. See ya Monday!

Thanks for the web site feedback - it's one of those obvious things that I have overlooked. Hard to give feedback if there's no feedback link! I'll get onto it in my usual speedy fashion.

I'm the designated last rider on the Ride Blacktown route, so I'll probably see you. I might even put Quacka-duck and Stuffa-duck on the bike, as they haven't been on any outings for a little while. Together with the Orange 'Ride Crew' vest, you should be able to spot me too :)

Ummm...What I meant was that I'll be hanging around near the starting point (or on one of the marshaling points nearby) until everyone has gone (including yourselves!)......

Things got fairly busy just before the start...trying to organise two groups of volunteers. For a lot of them it was their first time (which was great to see).

Wow you did RTBiaD? Awesome effort! That's on my list of rides to conquer, but timing wasn't great this year. Thanks for the wishes, I'll let you know how I went upon my return :)

Nice to see you tonight!

And I love the clown bike!

The main purpose of SC must be to entertain, as much as to inform. I try to do my bit. But it was not my intention to take away any "glory" Kylie might get from her comment. To the contrary, I thought it might add to it. Anyway, I know Kylie has a good sense of humour and would not take it the wrong way. Glad you enjoy the banter.