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CoffeeWaffle
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Thursday, 31 August 2006
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Tuesday, 29 August 2006
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Friday, 25 August 2006
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9:25:14 PM 
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Thursday, 24 August 2006
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I rode home in a cold head wind, and later rain, today. I didn't mind one bit. I must be loosing it. I had to stop and drop of some DVD's rentals off and happened to see Ted in the same carpark. Ted happens to own the only other Xtracycle, that I know of, in Nelson. So we had a little Xtracycle parade through town.
In other Xtracycle local news... there is now a third Xtracycle in town; being put together today, and hopefully on the road tomorrow. It belongs to my friend Devon. There's something infectious about these bikes. Photos of Devon's bike tomorrow.
7:51:05 PM
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I had to resort to three layers of polypropylene, goretex outer layer, two pairs of socks, two pair of golves and a wooly hat under my helmet, for the ride to work this morning. It's worth it for views like these. 
(Click for 1024x768 or 1280x1024 desktop wallpaper)
7:38:06 PM
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Sunday, 20 August 2006
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After close to 500km the Xtracycle is still performing well. I actually look forward to my daily commute now. Although I'm very happy with the Free Radical kit I do have one small criticisim. The finish on the snapdeck appears to be secondrate. The lovely wooden look of the snapdeck is reminiscent of an old surfing longboard and is for the eyes the highlight of the whole package. It is a shame then that for the price of a couple of coats of quality marine varnish the manufactures have opted for a thin, easily scratched coating that may as well not be there. Mine is starting to show signs of wear, and UV damage after only 2 weeks. It's a problem that is easy enough to recitfy and it is only cosmetic, but it's still a shame. I am over the moon about the rest of the product. Becuase of this I got to thinking about recoating my snapdeck. While I'm at it I thought, why not personalise it a bit. Here's a few of my first ideas created in photoshop.
These are the original graphics. Quite nice but not hard wearing at all.
My first thought was to just go plain wood. This bit of plywood is a bit plain but with the right grain (and stain) it could look very nice.
A variation of the original idea but with a green stripe to match my frame and a white heron.
A simpler variation.
I'm really liking this one. I could get a decal made from my photoshop drawing, then varnish over the top to protect it.
I'll post more ideas as I have them.
7:27:45 PM
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Wednesday, 16 August 2006
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Captive
(Stuck trying to turn right at the Hardy Street lights at 5pm on my bike)
I'm here, can't you see me?
Why won't you acknowledge my exsistence?
You've let the lane to the left of me go twice,
while I've been waiting here, waiting for you.
I'm in the right lane.
It's the correct lane to.
Is it because I don't have a shell?
I'm human, I'm here. Why can't you see me?
If a fellow human were to join me in this lane,
with their shell, and all its weight and presence.
maybe together... together we could get your attention.
Or maybe you would just see them, and I would be in their way.
I'm stuck here under your little red arrow,
with a new batch of shell carriers every 56 seconds,
none of them want to turn the way I do
me and my little bike can't get your attention.
If I waved my arms would you see me,
and release me from your traffic light trap?
Or do you only see those that travel in their shells.
You'll never change...
Screw your rules.
11:05:51 PM
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Saturday, 12 August 2006
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Friday, 11 August 2006
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I picked up a wee bargin on TradeMe today. Most of a good quality mountain bike (frame, forks, seat, derailiers, chain, cranks, pedals and headstem) for $100. I had been shopping for a better quality frame to use on my xtracycle because the one I have is pretty cheap and nasty. Ok for what it was designed for, but making it into an xtracycle and expecting it to carry heavy loads is probably pushing my luck. I ended up getting not only a better frame, but also better brakes, better seat stem, and better front shocks. The looks I got carrying a bike home, on my bike, were priceless.
7:46:56 PM
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Wednesday, 9 August 2006
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Tuesday, 8 August 2006
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(click for 1024x768 desktop wallpaper)
The Limo got its first decent test ride today on the 50km round trip to work and back. I'm still loving it. Can't pull wheelies but I don't care. I was never any good at wheelies anyway; at least now I have an excuse. ;-D
7:46:33 PM
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Sunday, 6 August 2006
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I hate man's arrogance in thinking he is somehow superior to the rest of the species on this planet. We love to list the things that seperate us from the 'animals'. Opposable thumbs, self awareness, etc, etc. Why do we think we have the right to destroy other creatures inhabiting this planet? In China over 2000 people a year die of rabies (which is entirely avoidable/treatable), out of about 1,306,313,812 of them. To curb this the government have ordered the massive slaughter of dogs. Like its their fault. What's wrong with vacination anyway? Sick. Sick. Sick.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060804/ap_on_re_as/china_dogs_killed Why can't we turn the same logic on ourselves? Cars kill about 1.2 million people (I couldn't find any statistics on other species) each year world wide.... I think you see where I'm going with that.
11:19:10 AM
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Saturday, 5 August 2006
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My first SUB (sport utility bike) is complete. And I did it myself. It took me a day to do what an experienced bike mechanic could have done in an hour, but I learnt a bit along the way. Like how to break and reconnect a chain; how to fit a brake or gear cable; and a couple of reasons not to buy a 'department store quality' bicycle. 
Looks pretty normal at first glance.
Its like adding the carrying capacity of a car boot to your bike.
The XtraCycle naked.
7:34:11 PM
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Friday, 4 August 2006
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I have my bike, upside-down in the middle of the room, where the coffee table usually is. I have a fistfull of spanners and alen keys...
...and I have a big oblong cardboard box with "XtraCycle - FreeRadical" in big black letters on the outside.
Photos tomorrow.
8:27:02 PM
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Tuesday, 1 August 2006
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I harvested half a wheel barrow full of worm castings from my worm farm on the weekend. I barely made a dent in the heap of excellent fertiliser my minions have produced for me. It will be very useful come spring. Meanwhile the bed of garlic I planted on Sunday (garlic should be planted mid-winter) should get a good boost from the vermicast I mixed into the already healthy looking soil.
I enjoyed reading this story today. It's all about how worms are not only helping out in the kitchen of a flash South African hotel by getting rid of the food scraps, but they are also helping keep the hotel grounds looking good by producing food for the plants. Ahhh, the circle of life....
9:50:41 PM
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© Copyright
2009
Murray Neill
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Last update:
17/02/2009; 9:53:15 p.m.
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