Comments for rantlust http://www.rantlust.com Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:19:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on Force of Nature by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/papi/2010/03/02/force-of-nature/#comment-149864 Suman Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:07:42 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1076#comment-149864 Papi, thank you for sharing the link to Hanuman's blog entry; a brief yet deep account. Papi, thank you for sharing the link to Hanuman’s blog entry; a brief yet deep account.

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149441 Suman Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:38:24 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149441 Thanks, all! George, as you know, you won't have long to wait! :) The Nissan Leaf (all electric; ~100 mile range) will be great for local travel, while the Chevrolet Volt (electric/gas; ~40/300 mile range) will be equally green for local travel yet won't leave weekend travellers stranded. Both will allegedly be available later this year. Kimberly, what is it with FL bikes getting stolen?! Sorry to hear they even took your son's. Definitely look at electric bikes but check reviews before you buy. Stay away from lead-acid batteries if you can afford to; they add a lot of weight and don't last very long compared to the other types. Also, be sure to get good quality locks! :) Borat, given the trunk issues you described, I'm not sure if I should recommend a mouth-guard or a chastity belt! :) Thanks, all!
George, as you know, you won’t have long to wait! :) The Nissan Leaf (all electric; ~100 mile range) will be great for local travel, while the Chevrolet Volt (electric/gas; ~40/300 mile range) will be equally green for local travel yet won’t leave weekend travellers stranded. Both will allegedly be available later this year.
Kimberly, what is it with FL bikes getting stolen?! Sorry to hear they even took your son’s. Definitely look at electric bikes but check reviews before you buy. Stay away from lead-acid batteries if you can afford to; they add a lot of weight and don’t last very long compared to the other types. Also, be sure to get good quality locks! :)
Borat, given the trunk issues you described, I’m not sure if I should recommend a mouth-guard or a chastity belt! :)

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by Borat http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149241 Borat Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:10:08 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149241 <blockquote>the math really works out to eleven hundred and eighteen hundred miles per gallon comparative emissions per mile and cost per mile</blockquote> wa wa wee wah... is very nice. I like very much. Sometime I tell my wife natalia to pull me in weelbarrow but i not know how to calculate her emissions. She not very efficient, always huffing, and panting. Is not pleasant ride. also, like my friend AliG da Bomb say she have much junk in trunk. And trunk not lockable he he you see what i means.

the math really works out to eleven hundred and eighteen hundred miles per gallon comparative emissions per mile and cost per mile

wa wa wee wah… is very nice. I like very much. Sometime I tell my wife natalia to pull me in weelbarrow but i not know how to calculate her emissions. She not very efficient, always huffing, and panting. Is not pleasant ride. also, like my friend AliG da Bomb say she have much junk in trunk. And trunk not lockable he he you see what i means.

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by Kimberly http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149203 Kimberly Thu, 11 Feb 2010 18:20:22 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149203 Suman, thanks for the info! The bike I used to ride to grad school in Florida (with the same sweaty result you experienced) was stolen not long ago, along with J's little one, so we've been looking to get new bikes. I've been toying with the electric option so I could try commuting now that I no longer have to drop him off at school on the way. Particularly as there's an incredibly steep and sharp hill en route. I'll definitely look into this more now! :> Suman, thanks for the info! The bike I used to ride to grad school in Florida (with the same sweaty result you experienced) was stolen not long ago, along with J’s little one, so we’ve been looking to get new bikes. I’ve been toying with the electric option so I could try commuting now that I no longer have to drop him off at school on the way. Particularly as there’s an incredibly steep and sharp hill en route. I’ll definitely look into this more now! :>

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by George http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149190 George Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:56:33 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149190 Excellent article! Had read about the electric bike in the New York Times, but now I know someone who's really using one. Helping America to get off OPEC dependence is a goal we share. We're waiting for the electric cars to come on the market. All electric that is. And living in Arizona, we would like to be able to charge the batteries at home using solar power. Though possible now, we are waiting for the next generation of photovoltaic rooftop panels (or ground installed panels). When panels or some other modality offering greater efficiency is devised, I believe we'll see a revolutionary-like rush to buy. And it's happening in our lifetime! Excellent article!

Had read about the electric bike in the New York Times, but now I know someone who’s really using one.

Helping America to get off OPEC dependence is a goal we share. We’re waiting for the electric cars to come on the market. All electric that is.

And living in Arizona, we would like to be able to charge the batteries at home using solar power. Though possible now, we are waiting for the next generation of photovoltaic rooftop panels (or ground installed panels).

When panels or some other modality offering greater efficiency is devised, I believe we’ll see a revolutionary-like rush to buy.

And it’s happening in our lifetime!

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149186 Suman Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:20:14 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149186 Thanks Anup, though lately I've been getting the feeling that environmentalism is turning into a bit of a cult, and I'm not keen on switching exclusively to their Kool-Aid! :) I'm just trying to reduce my OPEC-dependence and have fun while doing so (it shouldn't be about austerity, e.g. I'm not about to sell my convertible or motorcycles, but will use them less when the bicycle's an option). Thanks Anup, though lately I’ve been getting the feeling that environmentalism is turning into a bit of a cult, and I’m not keen on switching exclusively to their Kool-Aid! :) I’m just trying to reduce my OPEC-dependence and have fun while doing so (it shouldn’t be about austerity, e.g. I’m not about to sell my convertible or motorcycles, but will use them less when the bicycle’s an option).

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by anupcs http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149174 anupcs Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:24:51 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149174 Suman, I have to hand it to you for your dedication to the environmental <em>cause</em> and I admire the fact that you actually walk the talk than a lot of <em>pseudo-</em>environmental nuts in my know. Kudos. Suman, I have to hand it to you for your dedication to the environmental cause and I admire the fact that you actually walk the talk than a lot of pseudo-environmental nuts in my know. Kudos.

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-149061 Suman Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:46:25 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-149061 Thanks, Papi; you're too kind. Not quite convinced, eh? At least the seed is planted... :) Since you're in a similar boat as I was regarding having an old unused bike, I should mention there were a few restoration tasks to make it roadworthy that were separate from the conversion (and much cheaper). Here's some info that might help you or others in the same situation: 1. I had to replace the worn-out original trigger shifters (they only allowed use of two of the bike's 21 speeds). I got a nice set of front and rear SRAM grip shifters complete with cables, handgrips, and instructions for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ONJ3DC/ref=oss_product" rel="nofollow">$17 on Amazon</a>. 2. I replaced the front & rear brake pads and cables (~$35 total from my local bike store - always a good business to support). Some optional items I splurged on: * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Park-Tool-BBB-2-Blue-Repair/dp/B001B6NAW2/ref=pd_sim_sg_5" rel="nofollow">Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair </a>- a great resource I got from another local bike store that came in very handy. * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C17HJ4/ref=oss_product" rel="nofollow">Inexpensive stand </a>- useful for minor repair/maintenance tasks such as lubing the chain (which I don't feel the need to do very often and hence didn't want to spend much money on). * <a href="http://www.pedalite.com/more_about_pedalites.aspx" rel="nofollow">Pedalites </a>- illuminated pedals (white lights in front, yellow to the sides, and red in back) that generate their own electricity via a tiny dynamo built into each spindle. * <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/793960" rel="nofollow">Bike Glow Safety Light </a>- basically a glowing string with flash modes for added visibility (you can see it in the photo above as the thin yellow line along the black frame tubes). * <a href="http://www.amazon.com/EverLite-EL8-Everlite-Charged-Headlamp/dp/B0014WN870" rel="nofollow">Headlamp with solar charging panel </a>(I bought mine from REI, but I don't see it on their site anymore) - strapped to my helmet to increase safety by being high-mounted (along with my conventional bicycle taillight clipped to the headlamp's strap at the rear). Clearly, as long as motorists see me I don't care if I look dorky on the bicycle ! :) <img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4365742943_0f35b5f28a.jpg" alt="helmet view front" /> Thanks, Papi; you’re too kind. Not quite convinced, eh? At least the seed is planted… :)
Since you’re in a similar boat as I was regarding having an old unused bike, I should mention there were a few restoration tasks to make it roadworthy that were separate from the conversion (and much cheaper). Here’s some info that might help you or others in the same situation:
1. I had to replace the worn-out original trigger shifters (they only allowed use of two of the bike’s 21 speeds). I got a nice set of front and rear SRAM grip shifters complete with cables, handgrips, and instructions for $17 on Amazon.
2. I replaced the front & rear brake pads and cables (~$35 total from my local bike store - always a good business to support).
Some optional items I splurged on:
* Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair - a great resource I got from another local bike store that came in very handy.
* Inexpensive stand - useful for minor repair/maintenance tasks such as lubing the chain (which I don’t feel the need to do very often and hence didn’t want to spend much money on).
* Pedalites - illuminated pedals (white lights in front, yellow to the sides, and red in back) that generate their own electricity via a tiny dynamo built into each spindle.
* Bike Glow Safety Light - basically a glowing string with flash modes for added visibility (you can see it in the photo above as the thin yellow line along the black frame tubes).
* Headlamp with solar charging panel (I bought mine from REI, but I don’t see it on their site anymore) - strapped to my helmet to increase safety by being high-mounted (along with my conventional bicycle taillight clipped to the headlamp’s strap at the rear). Clearly, as long as motorists see me I don’t care if I look dorky on the bicycle ! :)
helmet view front

]]> Comment on Last flight of the Skyhawk by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/papi/2007/02/13/last-flight-of-the-skyhawk/#comment-149056 Suman Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:11:54 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/papi/2007/02/13/last-flight-of-the-skyhawk/#comment-149056 I just re-read this and cracked up all over again: "...as she slowly drifted to a stop, like a hippopotamus wading through molasses." Classic! Having owned a few Detroit landyachts, I can totally picture it, and it's a very apt desciption. I just re-read this and cracked up all over again: “…as she slowly drifted to a stop, like a hippopotamus wading through molasses.” Classic! Having owned a few Detroit landyachts, I can totally picture it, and it’s a very apt desciption.

]]> Comment on Queen meets Eddy Grant in a green and healthy way by papi http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/02/01/queen-meets-eddy-grant-in-a-green-and-healthy-way/#comment-148998 papi Fri, 05 Feb 2010 01:34:28 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1075#comment-148998 Another superb writeup. There's something in this for everyone - the nerd, the conservationist, the workout freak... I'm almost (but not quite) inspired to fit out my moldering old bike. Good reading! Another superb writeup. There’s something in this for everyone - the nerd, the conservationist, the workout freak… I’m almost (but not quite) inspired to fit out my moldering old bike. Good reading!

]]> Comment on The bright river by anupcs http://www.rantlust.com/papi/2010/01/22/the-bright-river/#comment-148666 anupcs Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:31:14 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1072#comment-148666 We should have a "Like" button on Rantlust. As it slowly rises back from sleep, I will see what I can do in the coming weeks. We should have a “Like” button on Rantlust. As it slowly rises back from sleep, I will see what I can do in the coming weeks.

]]> Comment on The bright river by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/papi/2010/01/22/the-bright-river/#comment-148635 Suman Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:32:25 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1072#comment-148635 That was good; like a poetry reading on steroids. :) That was good; like a poetry reading on steroids. :)

]]> Comment on Pacific dispatches #1 by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/papi/2010/01/13/pacific-dispatches-1/#comment-148634 Suman Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:31:09 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1071#comment-148634 Congratulations on being published in the Business Standard! Good observations. I've been wondering too for a few years where the magic of the season went. Congratulations on being published in the Business Standard!

Good observations. I’ve been wondering too for a few years where the magic of the season went.

]]> Comment on December Desert Road Ride by Suman http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/01/07/december-desert-road-ride/#comment-148632 Suman Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:29:06 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1070#comment-148632 Thanks, everyone! Jock, thanks also for the writer compliment and your patience with the comments glitches earlier. Next time you're in the States, we'll have to see about arranging a similar ride. Tom, yeah, yeah; it wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last... Papi, I don't know if they intended to appeal to bikers, but the name definitely struck a chord. Thanks, everyone!

Jock, thanks also for the writer compliment and your patience with the comments glitches earlier. Next time you’re in the States, we’ll have to see about arranging a similar ride.

Tom, yeah, yeah; it wasn’t the first time and probably won’t be the last…

Papi, I don’t know if they intended to appeal to bikers, but the name definitely struck a chord.

]]> Comment on December Desert Road Ride by papi http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/01/07/december-desert-road-ride/#comment-148108 papi Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:15:28 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1070#comment-148108 Burnt Bun cafe? Intentional play on words for bikers? Thanks for the great write-up. It was like being there. Burnt Bun cafe? Intentional play on words for bikers?

Thanks for the great write-up. It was like being there.

]]> Comment on December Desert Road Ride by anupcs http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/01/07/december-desert-road-ride/#comment-148012 anupcs Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:45:15 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1070#comment-148012 Sounds like a fun ride. Sounds like a fun ride.

]]> Comment on December Desert Road Ride by tom http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/01/07/december-desert-road-ride/#comment-148006 tom Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:35:18 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1070#comment-148006 What is it with you and the lack of fuel monitoring? What is it with you and the lack of fuel monitoring?

]]> Comment on December Desert Road Ride by david youngson http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/01/07/december-desert-road-ride/#comment-148003 david youngson Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:06:47 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1070#comment-148003 Hi Suman. I am Derek's Dad. I would have really liked to have been on that trip. It looked like it was exciting and full of adventure. By the way,you could have been an excellent writer. May you have many more trips as enjoyable. All the best. Jock. Hi Suman.
I am Derek’s Dad.
I would have really liked to have been on that trip.
It looked like it was exciting and full of adventure.
By the way,you could have been an excellent writer.
May you have many more trips as enjoyable.

All the best.

Jock.

]]> Comment on December Desert Road Ride by Saadia http://www.rantlust.com/suman/2010/01/07/december-desert-road-ride/#comment-147964 Saadia Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:12:29 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/?p=1070#comment-147964 Wow! What a ride and such an excellent story! Wow! What a ride and such an excellent story!

]]> Comment on Scamster on Craigslist by Malia Novak http://www.rantlust.com/skat/2007/09/19/internet-fraud/#comment-147100 Malia Novak Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:45:53 +0000 http://www.rantlust.com/skat/2007/09/19/internet-fraud/#comment-147100 The same thing just hapened to me! The important lesson is to never wire money overseas to unknown accounts...duh...and that Remaxoverseasrentals doesn't exist!!!! The same thing just hapened to me! The important lesson is to never wire money overseas to unknown accounts…duh…and that Remaxoverseasrentals doesn’t exist!!!!

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