RUMCars Forum

General Category => Unusual Microcar Discussion => Topic started by: Barry on May 03, 2012, 11:09:11 AM

Title: Pedal Power
Post by: Barry on May 03, 2012, 11:09:11 AM
http://www.gizmag.com/athos-extreme-quad-cycle/22152/pictures#3

Just needs an engine (petrol or electric?)
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: blob on May 03, 2012, 11:20:46 AM
Cool, could run a few pedestrians over with that!! ;D
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 11:23:20 AM
Hmm, it looks far too big and heavy, with too much rolling resistance from tyres, bearings, transmission etc. A trike with two front wheels is a much better bet for that sort of use, and many are available around the world now. I saw one going along Rotten Row in Hyde Park a few years ago, and having a full length seat back and low riding position gives maximum leg power. The trike I saw was overtaking all the cars effortlessly, and was doing about 35-40 mph on long but shallow uphill gradient (risking a speeding ticket too!)

This sort of thing is more to my taste:

http://www.kmxkarts.co.uk/

That Quad bike actually makes me think of Henry Ford's Quadricycle, his first car.

A few weeks ago in Lymington, Hants. I saw a tandem trike, with single front wheel (boo!)
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: blob on May 03, 2012, 11:28:20 AM
I agree Marcus, though the same problem remains, being squashed by a bus as you're far to low.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 11:40:45 AM
Yup, I only ride upright bikes in London, plus hi-vis tunic and trouser leg straps to give me some chance of being seen.

I have seen some recumbent bikes with a pennant or two up on top of glorified aerial affairs, but still feel nervous when I see them. Furthermore if/when you DO get hit (as I have been 3 times) you have some chance of jumping off, up and away.

I think these trikes and quads are more for off-road and sports, but I do have worries, because a lot of people (including me) like a nice walk along public footpaths without constantly having to dodge all the new vehicles being made which allow anti-social twits to drive, ride or cycle along FOOTpaths with so little regard for those that actually on foot. A while back we were walking in the lovely Oxleas Woods in South London (soon to become 2012 South london Anti-Aircraft Missile Battery no. 3). A fellow was riding a BMX trials bike in the woods even though there are plenty of signs that they are forbidden. We asked him to go away, because the noise and smoke was not nice, and we got a string of foul abuse and he charged at us.

I love the idea off off-road vehicles whatever the power source, but HATe the way so many owners seem to think that ownership brings the right to break laws and disturb and terrorise the public.

...And breathe...!
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Bob Purton on May 03, 2012, 01:51:48 PM
Sounds like you would like the Vincent run at Stevenage them Marcus, its a course around the purpose built cycle paths of Stevenage, only cycles of any wheel configuration and mopeds/ cyclemotors, nothing over 50cc is allowed, it stops off at the site of the old Vincent factory.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 02:03:37 PM
Sounds interesting!

Said Red Molly to James 'That's a fine motor bike,
A girl could feel special on any such like'.
Said James to Red Molly 'My hat's off to you,
It's A Vincent Black Lightning 1952'.

Richard Thompson, Vincent Black Lightning 1952, Rumour and Sigh album, brill!
He has one, jammy beggar! Rides it around L.A. where he now lives. Gorgeous machines, only equalled/bettered IMO by Brough Superiors.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Bob Purton on May 03, 2012, 02:23:41 PM
And I would wager he was puffing on a pipe and wearing a cravat whilst uttering said words. :D
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 03:01:41 PM
No, a villain, gets shot robbing a bank, dies, gives Red Molly the keys, then ghostly motorcyclists carry him off.
Guitar and vocals, that's all there is and all it needs, brilliant song, I saw him singing it live at Guilfest. Best song-writer/guitarist on the planet, IMO.

Great taste in motorcycles too!
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Barry on May 03, 2012, 03:09:55 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxKTzwaEa2o

Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 03:28:57 PM
Cheers Squire, that's the one, it gets better with every listen and every time he does it he makes changes.

When Squeak and I saw him there was a fantastic sunset which lasted an hour. we had both taken a few photos of it. He finished one song then stopped and said something like this "I don't know why you are all looking at me when there's the best sunset ever going on behind you and I have a great view of, turn around and enjoy it. Everyone did and he started VBS 1952, to a huge roar of cheers and applause from all. It was a truly magical moment and I still get tingles down my spine when I hear the song and think of Squeak and I listening to it and watching the sunset.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Bob Purton on May 03, 2012, 04:19:10 PM
Ohh Richard Thompson!  I havnt listened to him since he left Fairport Convention, JUDAS!!   Only joking!   Why do you keep refering to the International Martime Organisation? IMO?
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 04:34:31 PM
The International Maritime Organisation, In My Opinion, is a fine organisation!

After Fairport Convention it was him and his then wife Linda for years, but never really my cup of Twinings Lemon and Ginger Tea! His solo work since then has just got better and better, Rumour and Sigh is one of his "rockest" CDs, and my favourite. I have heard so many guitar solos in my life that I am bored of them, but RT and Jeff Beck always impress me.

Getting vaguely back to off-road pedal power, a while back I bought a Daewoo Shuttle folding bike, to fit in cars and to take on trains down to Squeak's. I aslo took it to Festivals to get around the site, and the Guilford one where we saw RT was its unveiling to the Fezheads, and I figured I could expect merciless mickey-taking. We unpacked the huge van, and Scary Fez, a HUGE fellow with the most cutting wit, was the first to see it and I was worried about his imminent salvo. WRONG, he just said "Wow that's a handy little bike, can I have a go?" I let him, but still expected extreme sarcasm, be off he went immediately across the fields to the beer tent, and wobbled back merry on it 4 hours later. No sarcastic remarks at all, he loved it, because it got him to the beer quicker!

So that's a Daewoo Shuttle Folding bike, the frame is solid, but the handles fold over on a universal joint, and the saddle is on a two piece telescopic up-tube which compacts down nicely, very handy little bike, bankrupt stock for £20 and another £40 to re-build the back wheel with a Sturmey Archer 3 speed hub gear box, and YES, I HAVE been off-road on it! Phew, fully back on topic!
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Barry on May 03, 2012, 04:58:31 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KN2qvtosmM

Back off topic............
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Big Al on May 03, 2012, 05:03:56 PM
Sounds like you would like the Vincent run at Stevenage them Marcus, its a course around the purpose built cycle paths of Stevenage, only cycles of any wheel configuration and mopeds/ cyclemotors, nothing over 50cc is allowed, it stops off at the site of the old Vincent factory.

'It takes a steven age to do this Vincent run'!
'I say, steady on. I'd suggest that is just HRD luck, old boy'.

I trust NSU Quicklys are allowed in seeing as Vincent sold them for a bit before NSU decided it would do so itself as Vincent made to much money out of it.

My favourite member of Fartpourla Convention was Ian Anderson. Oh sorry, when he is with them they named themselves after the inventor of the horse drawn seed drill from 311 years ago. Obvious choice really. Very accomplished musicians but not quite my thing always.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 05:05:34 PM
Oh YES!  ;D The solo on Fragile is good, but I have not heard this one for years, Yes Album, might have to get the CD, love his play out on Starship Trooper, and far as Bill Bruford he, with Simon Phillps, is probably my favourite drummer of all.

Off Topic perhaps, but it's your thread!
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 05:12:56 PM
Al you posted while I was posting...I think it was Ian MATTHEWS in FC, later Matthew's Southern Comfort, who had a hit with Woodstock. Ian Anderson took his stage from Jethro Tull, and a few years ago I helped build a replica of his Seed Drill for the BBC series What The Tudors and Stuarts Did For Us (I did a lot of work for that series). Our replica was actually filmed on JT's old farmland near M4 (or M40?) near Hungerford I think.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Big Al on May 03, 2012, 05:23:02 PM
Al you posted while I was posting...I think it was Ian MATTHEWS in FC, later Matthew's Southern Comfort, who had a hit with Woodstock. Ian Anderson took his stage from Jethro Tull, and a few years ago I helped build a replica of his Seed Drill for the BBC series What The Tudors and Stuarts Did For Us (I did a lot of work for that series). Our replica was actually filmed on JT's old farmland near M4 (or M40?) near Hungerford I think.

Prosperous Farm near Hungerford.

The Fairport thing with Anderson was based on Crepodrey as the Fairports are talented enough to deputise for Tull while Ian did one legged flute things up front. Like I say, great musicians as some Tull stuff is really rather complicated. I assume that some practice was had but it often seemed rather spontaneous not least as Anderson occasionally was the worst for wear so some hole filling was required.
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 05:52:26 PM
I saw JT at Hammersmith Odeon about 20 years ago with ex Fairport Dave (?) Pegg on bass. Great band, and as you say, great musicians playing complicated music so effortlessly that it does not sound complicated. I never did see Yes live, I think their best albums are The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge. Later stuff was less fresh, and when Alan White took over from Bruford as tub thumper they were past it, for me. By any standards White is a fantastic drummer, but much more rigid and solid, and I always like the way Bruford LIMITED his technical mastery to suit Yes, but still ran circles around some very complex music. "Rubber Wrists Bruford" !
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Bob Purton on May 03, 2012, 09:17:18 PM
Al you posted while I was posting...I think it was Ian MATTHEWS in FC, later Matthew's Southern Comfort, who had a hit with Woodstock. Ian Anderson took his stage from Jethro Tull, and a few years ago I helped build a replica of his Seed Drill for the BBC series What The Tudors and Stuarts Did For Us (I did a lot of work for that series). Our replica was actually filmed on JT's old farmland near M4 (or M40?) near Hungerford I think.
Didnt Ian Matthews also do a great version of Brown eyed girl?
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 09:20:16 PM
I only Van Morrison's one
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Bob Purton on May 03, 2012, 09:27:32 PM
You only WHAT? Van Morrison one??   I actually bought the Ian Mattews version on VINYAL, back on topic!! Oh no this one is pedal power, well I remember cycling to the record shop and buying it!
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: marcus on May 03, 2012, 09:32:39 PM
Know
Title: Re: Pedal Power
Post by: Big Al on May 04, 2012, 09:35:09 AM
I saw JT at Hammersmith Odeon about 20 years ago with ex Fairport Dave (?) Pegg on bass. Great band, and as you say, great musicians playing complicated music so effortlessly that it does not sound complicated. I never did see Yes live, I think their best albums are The Yes Album, Fragile and Close to the Edge. Later stuff was less fresh, and when Alan White took over from Bruford as tub thumper they were past it, for me. By any standards White is a fantastic drummer, but much more rigid and solid, and I always like the way Bruford LIMITED his technical mastery to suit Yes, but still ran circles around some very complex music. "Rubber Wrists Bruford" !

Still do not really get Yes. More Keith Emerson or Brian Eno if you have keyboards. Otherwise get back to rock as they get in the way other than as support but for Jon Lord style 'lead keyboard' V 'lead guitar' presentation in Deep Purple - who played Essex as a pub band.

Dylan Howe. My other favs are all dead I think, like Spinal Tap.