Comments on: Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/ Sun, 20 Jul 2008 02:46:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Showing a Different Way - Asymptotia http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-67808 Showing a Different Way - Asymptotia Wed, 01 Aug 2007 21:46:48 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-67808 [...] fetching (and expensive) travelling trunk for it by French chic luggage maker Pinel & Pinel4) was featured in a short piece on hip must-have items. Go figure. As proof, I’ll put apicture I took of it at the time to the right (no disrespect to Lisa, of course) and you can even read the article if you click on it for a closeup. (The German case I recently got for my Brompton is not as as chic as the French Pinel & Pinel design, but is still aesthetically pleasing to me, and I bet it’ll last longer.) [...] [...] fetching (and expensive) travelling trunk for it by French chic luggage maker Pinel & Pinel4) was featured in a short piece on hip must-have items. Go figure. As proof, I’ll put apicture I took of it at the time to the right (no disrespect to Lisa, of course) and you can even read the article if you click on it for a closeup. (The German case I recently got for my Brompton is not as as chic as the French Pinel & Pinel design, but is still aesthetically pleasing to me, and I bet it’ll last longer.) [...]

]]> By: a cornellian http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64402 a cornellian Tue, 17 Jul 2007 16:33:54 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64402 For some reason I doubt any progress will be made on this topic. It would take some amazingly clear evidence to get me to budge. I know two people who had helmets save their heads and one who is a paralyzed because she wasn't wearing a helmet. Even if there was some amazingly clear cut statistics, I think I would keep wearing a helmet because I have on occasion ridden with out one (ie the bike is at point A, the helmet is at point B and I need to get from A to B quickly) and find it rather terrifying. Particularly in Ithaca where I can out run cars on the down hills.... I don't buy torque argument, for one thing flesh doesn't exactly slide frictionlessly over pavement either.... I also don't buy that wearing a helmet makes riders more aggressive, but on the other hand riding with out one scares me so, maybe it does. If anything not wearing a helmet would slow me down, but I suspect that the fear is more due to leaving my comfort zone. Once I got used to not wearing a helmet I would be going just as fast again. I still think those folding bikes look rather, um, silly. (no offense meant) A more lighthearted topic to talk about is what is the connection between physics and bikes? There are an awful lot of physicists that bike to work (at least at Cornell). Is this a physics thing, or a at large semi-rural university thing? For some reason I doubt any progress will be made on this topic. It would take some amazingly clear evidence to get me to budge. I know two people who had helmets save their heads and one who is a paralyzed because she wasn’t wearing a helmet. Even if there was some amazingly clear cut statistics, I think I would keep wearing a helmet because I have on occasion ridden with out one (ie the bike is at point A, the helmet is at point B and I need to get from A to B quickly) and find it rather terrifying. Particularly in Ithaca where I can out run cars on the down hills….

I don’t buy torque argument, for one thing flesh doesn’t exactly slide frictionlessly over pavement either….

I also don’t buy that wearing a helmet makes riders more aggressive, but on the other hand riding with out one scares me so, maybe it does. If anything not wearing a helmet would slow me down, but I suspect that the fear is more due to leaving my comfort zone. Once I got used to not wearing a helmet I would be going just as fast again.

I still think those folding bikes look rather, um, silly. (no offense meant)

A more lighthearted topic to talk about is what is the connection between physics and bikes? There are an awful lot of physicists that bike to work (at least at Cornell). Is this a physics thing, or a at large semi-rural university thing?

]]> By: candace http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64373 candace Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:58:34 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64373 Sad: Grep for 'torque' here. Hardly conclusive, of course. http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7543/722-a/DC1?q=y Happy!: Pics of the brompton race abound on flickr! http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=smithfield%20brompton&w=all&m=tags Mostly by myself and the husband, admittedly, but there are some quality shots if you tag surf around. Sad: Grep for ‘torque’ here. Hardly conclusive, of course.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/332/7543/722-a/DC1?q=y

Happy!: Pics of the brompton race abound on flickr!
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=smithfield%20brompton&w=all&m=tags
Mostly by myself and the husband, admittedly, but there are some quality shots if you tag surf around.

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64351 Clifford Tue, 17 Jul 2007 13:02:17 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64351 Amara:- Thanks for reminding us about that thread, and your sad memories of the girl. -cvj Amara:- Thanks for reminding us about that thread, and your sad memories of the girl.

-cvj

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64350 Clifford Tue, 17 Jul 2007 12:59:55 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64350 <blockquote> "Because wearing a helmet may actually introduce risk in the way your neck is torqued during a collision and introduce rotational brain injuries." </blockquote> And there is evidence for this? <blockquote> "Bromptons were the majority folding bike represented, and I believe a Brompton won." </blockquote> Of course! ...And <em>where</em> are the pictures, young lady? Where?! :-D Sounds like fun! -cvj

“Because wearing a helmet may actually introduce risk in the way your neck is torqued during a collision and introduce rotational brain injuries.”

And there is evidence for this?

“Bromptons were the majority folding bike represented, and I believe a Brompton won.”

Of course!

…And where are the pictures, young lady? Where?! :-D

Sounds like fun!

-cvj

]]> By: candace http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64325 candace Tue, 17 Jul 2007 10:00:51 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64325 Because wearing a helmet may actually introduce risk in the way your neck is torqued during a collision and introduce rotational brain injuries. But... anyway. Hey, did I tell you about the folding bike race they had a few weeks ago during the Smithfield Nocturne? No?? The contestants put on their full office commuter gear (including some high heels) and did a flying race in the middle of the pouring rain. V. entertaining. Bromptons were the majority folding bike represented, and I believe a Brompton won. Because wearing a helmet may actually introduce risk in the way your neck is torqued during a collision and introduce rotational brain injuries.

But… anyway.

Hey, did I tell you about the folding bike race they had a few weeks ago during the Smithfield Nocturne? No?? The contestants put on their full office commuter gear (including some high heels) and did a flying race in the middle of the pouring rain. V. entertaining. Bromptons were the majority folding bike represented, and I believe a Brompton won.

]]> By: Amara http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64281 Amara Tue, 17 Jul 2007 06:04:30 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64281 And these <a href="http://asymptotia.com/2007/01/27/helmets/#comment-25836" rel="nofollow">comments</a> are relevant too.. And these comments are relevant too..

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64236 Clifford Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:42:01 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64236 It is certainly an interesting article. Thanks. My feeling, (given that nobody knows for sure and there's a bit of a stalemate), is simply <em>why risk it?</em> Bringing along a helmet is not as much bother as claimed. And I don't believe the claim that wearing a helmet makes you more likely to do crazy things. Despite that fact that I do my thinking with my head, I am at the same time very aware that there is more to me than my head, and I wouldn't want to risk any of those parts in traffic or wherever, just because I'm wearing something on my head. Cheers, -cvj It is certainly an interesting article. Thanks. My feeling, (given that nobody knows for sure and there’s a bit of a stalemate), is simply why risk it? Bringing along a helmet is not as much bother as claimed. And I don’t believe the claim that wearing a helmet makes you more likely to do crazy things. Despite that fact that I do my thinking with my head, I am at the same time very aware that there is more to me than my head, and I wouldn’t want to risk any of those parts in traffic or wherever, just because I’m wearing something on my head.

Cheers,

-cvj

]]> By: candace http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64235 candace Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:33:42 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64235 PS: I got a "new" bike today (vintage 80s racer), but still no Brompton. :( Some day! PS: I got a “new” bike today (vintage 80s racer), but still no Brompton. :( Some day!

]]> By: candace http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64234 candace Tue, 17 Jul 2007 01:27:44 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64234 Since I didn't feel the need to wax boring and start citing statistics in my previous helmet comment, and still don't, I'll just casually mention that the wikipedia page on helmets makes for an interesting starting point when reading about the issue, regardless of opinion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#The_helmet_debate Since I didn’t feel the need to wax boring and start citing statistics in my previous helmet comment, and still don’t, I’ll just casually mention that the wikipedia page on helmets makes for an interesting starting point when reading about the issue, regardless of opinion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_helmet#The_helmet_debate

]]> By: lt.milo http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64196 lt.milo Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:27:02 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64196 I love my Bike-Friday and I would be curious as to how yours compares! I love my Bike-Friday and I would be curious as to how yours compares!

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64122 Clifford Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:22:15 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64122 Hey Jude, This sounds good! I've not looked at the schedule to see what's playing, but I'll certainly be wandering down to the tent very soon to see what I can see. And hear. Also, it'll be excellent to say hi in person! (Send me an email to verify and coordinate.) -cvj Hey Jude,

This sounds good! I’ve not looked at the schedule to see what’s playing, but I’ll certainly be wandering down to the tent very soon to see what I can see. And hear.

Also, it’ll be excellent to say hi in person! (Send me an email to verify and coordinate.)

-cvj

]]> By: Jude http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64121 Jude Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:10:33 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64121 Hi Clifford. Nice to hear you're back in Aspen. Tomorrow is "Everything is free" day at the Aspen Music Festival. Unfortunately, it's also the Family Concert, which is my least favorite day to attend (although sometimes they have free food at the small tent before the concert). Myabe I'll go to the 3 p.m. concert. Anyway, let me know if you want to meet up with one of your frequent commenters. I usually go to the Music Festival on Tuesdays. Just a thought. Have fun in Aspen. Hi Clifford. Nice to hear you’re back in Aspen. Tomorrow is “Everything is free” day at the Aspen Music Festival. Unfortunately, it’s also the Family Concert, which is my least favorite day to attend (although sometimes they have free food at the small tent before the concert). Myabe I’ll go to the 3 p.m. concert. Anyway, let me know if you want to meet up with one of your frequent commenters. I usually go to the Music Festival on Tuesdays. Just a thought. Have fun in Aspen.

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64120 Clifford Mon, 16 Jul 2007 14:10:27 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64120 Hi a cornellian, I found the earlier helmet discussion we had in the <a href="http://asymptotia.com/2006/09/15/bikes-and-the-city/#comments" rel="nofollow">comment stream of the post Bikes in the City</a>. It's rather interesting to read all over again. There's an anecdote a bit like yours there too. -cvj Hi a cornellian,

I found the earlier helmet discussion we had in the comment stream of the post Bikes in the City. It’s rather interesting to read all over again. There’s an anecdote a bit like yours there too.

-cvj

]]> By: a cornellian http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64115 a cornellian Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:49:29 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64115 Chiming in on the helmet discussion again, this winter one of my buddies was coming down the hill Cornell is on top of and hit a patch of black ice. His front wheel went out from under him and he landed squarely on the top right corner of his head. The net result was bent glasses, a black eye, a cut from the glasses, minor scrapes to his hands and elbow, and a completely trashed helmet. Sans helmet it would have been a very different story. Chiming in on the helmet discussion again, this winter one of my buddies was coming down the hill Cornell is on top of and hit a patch of black ice. His front wheel went out from under him and he landed squarely on the top right corner of his head. The net result was bent glasses, a black eye, a cut from the glasses, minor scrapes to his hands and elbow, and a completely trashed helmet. Sans helmet it would have been a very different story.

]]> By: Clifford http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64057 Clifford Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:25:55 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64057 Hi Helge.... you've been hiding! I've not heard from you in a while. Actually, we've had helmet discussions here before. I totally agree with you about helmets.... others would not. I think that the case is rather clear, but once cannot force people. Cheers! -cvj Hi Helge…. you’ve been hiding! I’ve not heard from you in a while. Actually, we’ve had helmet discussions here before. I totally agree with you about helmets…. others would not. I think that the case is rather clear, but once cannot force people.

Cheers!

-cvj

]]> By: Helge http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64050 Helge Mon, 16 Jul 2007 07:46:51 +0000 http://asymptotia.com/2007/07/16/papas-got-a-brand-new-bag/#comment-64050 Hi CVJ :-) This is the first time, that I see that you own a helmet. I am always very disturbed by that fact that nearly everybody around here (Vienna) bikes without one of those. Maybe, it would be a good idea, if you had your helmet more often on the picture with the bike, so people learn that bike and helmet belong together. Best, Helge Hi CVJ :-)

This is the first time, that I see that you own a helmet. I am always very disturbed by that fact that nearly everybody around here (Vienna) bikes without one of those. Maybe, it would be a good idea, if you had your helmet more often on the picture with the bike, so people learn that bike and helmet belong together.

Best,
Helge

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