Bicyle gear, Pinion

Lots of developments in bicycle gearing the last couple of years.
The Pinion system has an almost lateral approach as they decided to put the gearing where the force is put unto the bicycle, the "pinion"
Their website.

I like there approach a lot and tests seem to show it works briliantly, with a belt drive this could be close to the ideal bicycle with current technology.

In their favour:
- excellent gear placement
- sequential shifting
- shiften both under power and while standing
- good weight distrubution
- sealed system.

Not so favourable:
- needs spcial frame
- expensive
- still a startup, so how will it be in a couple of years..

America's cup, what could be next

Congratulations Oracle team USA.

Congratulations Organizers for this super exiting new sailing format.
It feels like America's cup sailing has found its place in our time, for more than the sailing geek or tech geek.
Super entertainment with high tech.
For me much better than te boring F1 which has sold its soul to commerce.

What could be next?

Good/excellent:
- San Fransisco as venue.
- The youtube broadcasting.
- The overlays.
- The sailing course adapted to the speed potential of the AC72's

What can be improved upon:
- The Louis Vuitton cup racing, basically only Luna Rossa was a bit ready to race and the other teams were not ready yet.
- The defenders preparation always has been a problem in the America's cup as they can only race against their "own".
- The breaking off of the races due te increasing windspeed was a bit theoretical. Although the fatal accidents should of course be avoided

Next cup challenge:
- Next year!
- Same design rules (AC72) with some slight changes to increase overall speed.
- Allow rear foil control and ride-height control for upwind foiling and outright speed.

What absolutely not to do:
- Absolutely do not go for one-design races.
- Don't go back to keelboats, or monohulls.
- Go for light wind.

Surpine Exodus

The Suprine Machinery company is proud of their recumbent motorcyle, the Suprine Exodus.
The presentation is on their website.
On youtube they have a movie.
On Diseno-art : Suprine exodus
On cycle world : Suprine exodus


Interesting prototype, unclear is if they plan any streamlined bodywork.

RC Bird

Inakakoubou has built some very interesting radio controlled models of birds (as you by now know one of my areas'of interest)

He shows very openly his research on youtube pleas have a look.

His "condor" flying, look at the realistic motion youtube
His "research" in explained and the controls shown on youtube movie
 His Amazing Falcon youtube
His youtube channel.

The tail motion looks so natural that you almost have to look twice.

His Amazing Falcon

Below the controls explained, screenviews from his video's

Van Hulsteijn Bicycles

Interesting new bicycle builder van Hulsteijn form Arnhem, the Netherlands.
He has made a nice addition to the bicycledesign scala.

His website
Youtube build movie.

sun position - solar panels

Using the tools on SunEarthTools.com I have made a 3D model of the solar ray-cones for our House. We consider buying extra solar panels and I have always wanted to know exaclty what the relative position of the panels to the solar rays is.

The Red cone is june 21st
The Magenta disk is march/sept 21st
The Blue cone is dec 21st

It is clear that the orientation of the house (SW) and the trees, limit the efficiency. A Southern orientation is next to impossible on a steeply sloped roof, so we will have to live with it.

I have prepared a little movie of the 3D model it's on youtube

Killer Whales surfing

Amazing youtue film of 3 killer whales surfing the wake of a powerboat.
Surfing Killer Whales