#birmingham electric bikes

[wizardsreviews]

Checking out the Benefits of Purchasing an E-Bike in Birmingham

Riding bikes has been a popular activity for several generations; however, with the arrival of electric bikes, the cycling experience has been reinvented. For citizens of Birmingham, purchasing an e-bike can bring lots of benefits. Let’s check out a few of them. 1. Eco-Friendly Transport Concerned about lowering your carbon footprint? E-bikes are an outstanding service! Unlike classic…

[lizseyi]

Advantages of Hot Desking & Flexible Workspaces - Let Ready

Working habits have changed hugely in the last three decades. The decline in British manufacturing and transition to office based work, from information technology to finance, and the service sector – factory floors have been replaced by huge office complexes in every city and town in the UK.

The daily grind of such practices has been encapsulated perfectly by UK sitcom ‘The Office’ where the politics of every day office life are challenging and sometimes entertaining.

As with every industry, technological advances bring change, and the most dramatic change to how we work, since the perfection of steam power, has been British scientist Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web in 1989.The web as it is now known, effectively gave rise to the internet. This changed everything, from how business and people communicate, to the creation of new industries and workplace practices, to sharing of information and data, it truly has had a profound effect on trade and business around the world.

One of the biggest advantages of the internet, is its enabling of businesses to allow staff to work from home. In many cases this can save expenses when it comes to office rentals near me, electricity and rates charges and reducing the level to which people need to be managed, workers are now often judged on their quality of output rather than how well they fit in in the office.

Many companies also offer flexible hours, to work more freely. This is ideal for people with childcare commitments and those who may be late risers or find it easier to concentrate at a certain time of day rather than set office hours. Whilst this is great for many, with that freedom can come a feeling of isolation and loneliness.

With this in mind, the increase in hot-desking and shared office space has spread rapidly from London to other cities across the UK such as Birmingham Leeds, Manchester and even large towns, the new way to work is to split the freedom of home working with the more inspirational co-working spaces such as Alpha Works in Birmingham.

This new breed of office space is an ideal way for tech companies, media, marketing, and finance businesses to spend a few days each week or even month, in a professional calm environment away from the distractions of the house.

The benefits of renting hot-desk office space are easy to champion. Workers can share ideas with different industries, or ask for help from their peers. There is no set time or routine to stick to, you can arrive late in the afternoon and work until the early hours with secure 24/7 access.

Alpha Works for example, has a gym, bike racks and showers all within a secure basement. There is free coffee and tea, regular community events and showcases. Quiet rooms, private office space either for long term or individual meetings. Free electricity and high speed wi-wi. Great views across the city which can be inspirational in itself. Friendly staff, and a real community atmosphere.

office space to rent and hot-desking can be log term or purchased in blocks, or days which can be used as and when you want. Just getting out the house for a few hours can sometimes be worth the small cost in renting office space in this way.

Want to know more?

Call us to chat about your requirements on 020 3019 5060.

[anygadgetrepair]

Cycling with Confidence: Electric Bike Repair Services in Birmingham by Any Gadget Repair

Birmingham, a city known for its industrial heritage and vibrant culture, has embraced the green revolution with open arms. Electric bikes have become a popular choice for commuters and leisure riders alike, offering an eco-friendly and efficient way to navigate the city's bustling streets. But like any piece of machinery, electric bikes can encounter issues over time. That's where Any Gadget Repair steps in to keep your electric bike running smoothly.

we'll take you on a journey through the world of electric bike repair in Birmingham, showcasing the expertise and services offered by Any Gadget Repair. Whether you're a daily commuter or a weekend warrior, knowing where to turn for reliable bike repairs is essential. Let's dive in!

The Rise of Electric Bikes in Birmingham:

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, have seen a surge in popularity in Birmingham and beyond. With their ability to effortlessly conquer hills and cover long distances, e-bikes have become a go-to choice for many city dwellers. However, as with any vehicle, regular maintenance and repair are necessary to ensure their longevity and performance.

Any Gadget Repair: Your Go-To Solution for Electric Bike Repairs:

Any Gadget Repair, located in the heart of Birmingham, has established itself as the premier destination for all your electric bike repair needs. With a team of experienced technicians and a commitment to customer satisfaction, they have earned a reputation for excellence in the field.

Comprehensive Repairs and Services:

Whether your e-bike needs a minor tune-up or a major overhaul, Any Gadget Repair has you covered. Their services include:

a. Battery diagnostics and replacement.

b. Motor maintenance and repair.

c. Brake adjustments and replacements.

e. Electronic system troubleshooting.

f. Frame inspections and repairs.

No matter the issue, their skilled technicians will assess your electric bike and provide you with a transparent and fair estimate before starting any repairs.

Convenient Location in Birmingham:

Convenience matters when it comes to bike repairs. Any Gadget Repair's central location in Birmingham ensures that you can drop off your e-bike without hassle. Their workshop is easily accessible, making it a convenient option for both residents and commuters passing through the city.

Quick Turnaround Times:

Any Gadget Repair understands that your e-bike is an essential part of your daily routine. That's why they prioritize efficiency and aim to get your bike back to you as quickly as possible without compromising on the quality of their work.

Affordable Pricing:

Affordability is a top concern for many electric bike owners. Any Gadget Repair offers competitive pricing on their repair services, ensuring that maintaining your e-bike won't break the bank. They believe in providing value for money and delivering results that exceed your expectations.

Exceptional Customer Service:

Customer satisfaction is at the core of Any Gadget Repair's business philosophy. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is always ready to answer your questions and address your concerns. They take the time to explain the repairs needed and provide recommendations for preventative maintenance, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the work being done.

Supporting Sustainable Transportation:

By choosing Any Gadget Repair for your electric bike repair needs, you're also supporting sustainable transportation in Birmingham. E-bikes are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional vehicles, reducing carbon emissions and congestion in the city. Keeping your e-bike in good working condition contributes to a greener, healthier Birmingham.

Conclusion:

In Birmingham, the electric bike trend is here to stay, and Any Gadget Repair is your trusted partner for keeping your e-bike in top shape. With their comprehensive repair services, convenient location, competitive pricing, and commitment to customer satisfaction, they are the go-to destination for electric bike repairs in the city.Don't let a minor issue slow you down or prevent you from enjoying the benefits of your electric bike. Contact Any Gadget Repair today and get ready to rev up your ride with confidence, knowing that your e-bike is in the hands of experts who care about your cycling experience. Ride on, Birmingham!

[afactaday]

#aFactADay2021

#274: Trek has released one of the first environmental reports on the production of a bicycle, and it contradicts the preconception that cycling is inherently green; it is about 100kg of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) to produce a basic mountain bike, and a further 65kg for an electric. in order to offset that, youd have to cycle 690km (430 miles) where you would have otherwise driven. however, in the long run its better to cycle because it takes 55 times that amount to produce a car and 100 times for an electric, or 130 times for an SUV.

tl;dr? cycle.

in some cafes in birmingham, theyve introduced a lettering system where foods are being rated by the impact on the environment their production caused. for example, a lettuce salad would be an A, a stew would be a C and a tuna baguette would be an E. the CO2e, water usage and energy is all taken into consideration. theres lots of psychology behind the system, like they dont want to subconsciously discourage people from eating things they want to, but make them make an informed decision. apparently its working lol

[wetsteve3]

The Velocette 500 Thruxton STORY BY GRAHAM CLAYTON// PHOTOS BY GRAHAM CLAYTON OCTOBER 1 2009

1967 Vintage Velocette 500 Thruxton Motorcycle The first time that I ever saw a Velocette Thruxton was at a road race at Harewood Acres, a long-since-gone converted airfield circuit near Delhi, Ontario. The Velo’s owner had parked it in the paddock and wandered off to watch the fairing bashing going on through Gunnery Corner. To me the 500 Velo was pure eye candy.

The Thruxton had the purposeful look of a true road burner, albeit with a decidedly dated looking engine. Sometime earlier I had read a road test on the model in Cycle World, so I knew what I was looking at and what the 500 cc bike was capable of. Little did I know at the time that the Thruxton model would be the most advanced, and also the final version of the high-cam Velocette OHV single.

The history of Velocettes is also the history of a family motorcycling business that would span three generations. The company’s founder, Johannes Gutgemann, was a German immigrant who settled in the Birmingham area in the West Midlands of England. Initially, Gutgemann went by the Anglicized name John Taylor, and by 1904 was building motorcycles in partnership with William Gue. Their bikes were sold as Veloce motorcycles. This early venture failed in 1905, but Taylor went on to form a new company of his own, Veloce Limited. Taylor had two sons, Percy and Eugene, who were both very capable engineers. In 1908, the two sons started their own firm, New Veloce Motors, which would build cars, as well as small displacement engines that would power motorcycles built by their father’s firm ,Veloce Limited, located in London.

In 1909, Veloce introduced a 276 cc 4-stroke single of non-conventional design that didn’t sell well. The firm responded by offering a new 499 cc model powered by a more standard design 4-stroke single with belt final drive. This model was a market success and sales began to grow.

In 1911, Veloce launched a small displacement machine that was designed for ladies. Powered by a 206 cc 2-stroke engine, this model was the first to carry the Velocette name. That year Gutgemann took out British citizenship and changed his name yet again, this time to John Goodman.

By 1916, New Veloce Motors had failed, but was absorbed into Veloce Limited as its in-house engine operation. Over the next decade, the Veloce Motor Company introduced a variety of new models using different engines designed by the two brothers. What became evident was that the brothers had quite different design interests. Percy was into high performance and racing models, while Eugene was focused on the design of more basic and utilitarian models meant for mass consumption. This dichotomy of design interests persisted for years at Velocette and taxed the resources of the small firm.

In 1925, Percy Goodman designed an OHC 348 cc sports prototype that was designated as a K model and badged as a Velocette. Three of the new K models were entered in the Isle of Man Junior (350 cc) TT road race, but didn’t do well. The following year a revised KSS model was entered in the Junior TT and it won. Thus began a period of racing works 350 cc OHC Velocette TT singles that would span twenty-five years. Velocettes would win the 350 cc Isle of Man Junior TT again in 1928 and 1929. As a result of those wins, Veloce began selling a new over-the-counter 350 cc racing model, the KTT, that would become hugely popular among privateer racers and would dominate 350 clubman racing for the next decade. The 350 KTTs would win the Isle of Man 350 Junior TT again in both 1938 and 1939.

When postwar road racing resumed in the Isle of Man in 1947, works 350 KTT riders won the 350 Junior TT for three years straight. Not only that, but when the FIM Grand Prix World Championship series resumed in 1949, Velocette won back-to-back 350 GP World Crowns with KTTs ridden by Freddie Frith in 1949 and Bob Foster in 1950. Freddie Frith was an incredible 40-years-of-age when he won his 350 cc World Championship, and promptly retired from racing. During the twenty-year period, 1930-1950, the Veloce Motor Company designed and built a variety of different motorcycles powered both by 2-stroke and 4-stroke motors. Mainstay models that sold well through the 1930s included the 248 cc MOV (1933), the 349 cc MAC (1934), and the 495 cc MSS (1935). Each of these models incorporated a high-cam, short pushrod layout that became standard on all of the road-going Velocette 4-stroke singles, including the later Thruxton.

Once the war was over, Velocette began reintroducing their road-going OHV single models.

Unlike some larger competing British firms, Veloce had produced few bikes for the war effort, and had to struggle to get back on their feet when peace resumed. Veloce was always a relatively small firm and never employed more than 400 workers. Their machines were much more hand-made than those built by their competition, a factor that contributed to their higher price tags. If Veloce had focused fully on moving ahead with updated road-going singles in the early postwar years they would likely have recovered their pre-war market strength, but this didn’t happen. They tried to do more than their modest resources could support and suffered for it.

Percy Goodman died in 1951 at which point the Velocette works race shop was closed.

By now brother Eugene had introduced a new model, the LE, for which he predicted large volume sales. The ungainly LE employed a pressed-steel frame and came fitted with running boards and leg shields. It was powered by a 149 cc water-cooled, side-valve, horizontally opposed flat twin with shaft drive. The engine had to be cranked to start and employed a hand gearshift. Not surprisingly the public didn’t go for it, though it did prove popular as a local police bike. Even so, sales were barely one fifth of Eugene’s expected volume. It should have been dropped, but wasn’t.

In 1956, responding to market demand for bigger and better bikes, Veloce introduced two new sports models, the 500 Venom and the 350 Viper. The Venom was capable of 90 mph (145 km/h) and could easily be upgraded for racing use. From 1960 onward both models were also offered as Clubman models with lowered bars, tuned engines and upgraded suspension for high-speed use. The Venom Clubman proved to be a popular model and performed very well in endurance racing.

In March of 1961, the factory took a team to France for an attempt on the 12-Hour and 24-Hour Speed Records for a 500 cc machine. The venue for the attempt was the banked Montlhery circuit outside of Paris. The company’s up-rated 500 Venom Clubman succeeded in setting a 12-Hour Record at 104 mph (167 kph) and a 24-Hour Record at 100.05 mph (161 kph). These results cemented the reputation of the Velocette Venom as a fast and durable machine. In 1964, the firm introduced a special version of the Venom Clubman with a new cylinder head, narrower valve angle, larger inlet valve, revised intake and a large Amal GP carb that in order to fit necessitated cutting a notch in both the gas tank and the oil tank. The new machine won the 500 class of that year’s gruelling Thruxton 500 mile endurance race giving rise to a new model introduced the following year.

This model was the Velocette Venom Thruxton introduced in 1965, a genuine ton-up café racer for the serious enthusiast. The Thruxton had a new cylinder head based on a squish-type design that had been developed by Lou Branch, Velocette’s U.S. importer. It incorporated a two-inch down draft intake, a larger intake valve, a high performance camshaft and a higher 9.2:1 compression piston. Fitted with a 1 3/8” Amal GP carburetor, the standard bike produced 40-41 bhp at 6,200 rpm, and was good for a top speed of 105-110 mph (169-177 km/h) in stock form.

The Thruxton came with clip-on handlebars, rear-set foot pegs, a humped leather racing type seat and a notched 4.5-gallon fuel tank. Other features of the model included separate stand-up speedo and tachometer, a sweptback header pipe and a traditional Velo fishtail muffler.

The frame employed was a standard Venom dual loop unit with a single front downtube, fitted with upgraded telescopic front forks and dual Girling shocks at the rear. As with other Velos, the angle of the rear shocks could be adjusted to accommodate varying passenger loads by making them more vertical for heavier two-up riding.

The bike ran on 19-inch alloy rims front and back, fitted with a 3.0” x 19 front tire and a 3.5” x 19 rear. Stopping power was provided by a 7.5” (190 mm) diameter double leading-shoe front drum brake with an air scoop and a 7.0” (178 mm) single leading shoe rear brake. The bike had a fairly hefty dry weight of 390 lbs. (177 kg) and a wheelbase of roughly 54 inches (1.37 m).

As with any high performance, large carb single of the day, starting required adherence to a set procedure if trouble was to be avoided. This typically involved tickling the carb (flooding the float chamber), easing the piston over compression with the use of the compression release, setting the throttle opening, and then giving a good non-stiff-leg downward kick on the kick starter. A well set-up bike would usually start with 1-3 kicks.

Being a non-counterbalanced single, vibration was a fact of life with the Velo, but back then most big bikes vibrated. At idle the front wheel would dance a bit, but once underway the vibration was not a problem, and would disappear above 4,500 rpm, which made the bike a comfortable high speed cruiser.

Fitted with standard gearing, the Thruxton would be pulling only 4,000 revs at 70 mph (113 km/h), and could cruise indefinitely in the 80-90 mph (130-145 km/h) range. More than a few British 650 twins of the day found staying with a 500 Thruxton hard going at speeds above 80 mph.

The one clear chink in the Thruxton’s armour was its ability to overrun its headlight in high-speed night riding. The Velocette electrical system was 6-volt which yielded a relatively yellow and weak light output.

The high speed and good handling capabilities of the Thruxton were proven repeatedly in race competition. A Velo Thruxton team won the 500 cc class of the 1965 500 Mile race, run that year at the Castle Combe circuit in Wiltshire, England. Then two years later, a pair of Velocette Thruxtons finished first and second in the 500 cc class of the inaugural Isle of Man Production TT race. Race winner Neil Kelly averaged 89.89 mph (144.7 km/h) for the distance with the fastest lap at over 91 mph (146.5 km/h), while second place finisher Keith Heckles had a race average speed of 89.15 mph (143.5 km/h).

A tweaked production racing Thruxton could produce a further 5 or 6 bhp over stock and, when fitted with a full fairing, could top 120 mph (193 km/h). Later model Thruxtons were fitted with a concentric type Amal carb, a higher compression piston, and from July 1968 onward had the traditional Velo flywheel magneto system replaced by a battery and coil ignition (still 6-volt) that was reportedly a lot easier to live with.

In early 1969, the British motorcycle weekly Motor Cycle ran a road test using a staff member’s up-dated Thruxton. Two of the things that really struck the testers about the 500 Velo was its tractability and its fuel efficiency, something that they hadn’t expected from a big single fitted with a GP carb.

The testers reported that the Velo had a non-lugging speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) in top gear, and could paddle along all day at 3,000 revs. Fuel economy testing revealed the following remarkable results of 96 mpg at 30 mph, 70 mpg at 50 mph, and 57 mpg at 70 mph. These were the type of fuel economy results than you would typically get with a good 250 cc machine in the late 1960s, not a built-for-speed 500.

Production of the Thruxton continued until late 1970 by which time Veloce was financially on its knees. Far too much money had been spent on the various LE variants which drained cash from the firm, plus other abortive designs. The last of these was an unsuccessful 250 cc 2-stroke, flat-twin scooter called the Viceroy. It was hoped that this model would enable the firm to cash in on the scooter craze.

In the final years of Veloce Limited, two of John Goodman’s grandsons were managers of the firm. After sixty-six years in the motorcycle business the family voluntarily closed the company in February of 1971.

By then the firm had reportedly produced some 1,108 Thruxtons, half of which were exported, with over two-thirds of those coming to North America. Most of the Thruxtons were fitted with a silver and blue pinstriped fuel tank, but from 1967 onward the model could also be specially ordered with a more traditional black with gold pinstripe Velocette tan

[johnbravoblog]

You could try the subways, but who knows how the train is running? Traffic’s always a mystery, and everyone knows Uber wait times aren’t true. You could almost walk it, if you rush—and jaywalk.

While you’re doing that, here’s what I’ll do: Answer a couple more emails, then hop on my scooter and zip up the street. Those 20 New York City blocks make up about a mile, and since the Boosted Rev I’ve been riding goes up to 24 miles an hour, I figure I can get there in less than 5 minutes—and still have time for a quick Starbucks stop. While you’re apologizing for your tardiness and explaining the latest subway silliness, I’ll be sipping a latte.

Scooters like the one I’ve been riding, or like the Bird and Lime models that litter city streets the world over, are the latest answer to what is commonly known as “the last-mile problem.” It is often discussed with shipping, but it also applies to how you get around.

You can take a train or bus to roughly the right place, but the last step of your journey—from the train to your house, or from the bus station to your office—is a mess. Even companies like Lyft and Uber, which made their money by getting you into a car, have acquired bike-share startups and rolled out tools to help you find a better last-mile alternative.

The kind of use cases we are seeing for this pod is that people can use it for enclosed campuses. This is still a concept model. But eventually, you will see it in shopping malls, you will see it in the airport. Basically, applying to Segway's vision, we want to simplify the moving of objects and people. It gives people a very comfortable experience riding around from A to B.

Here behind us, we're talking about a couple of different things, too. Tell us what's here.

 You are seeing a Ninebot e-scooter. We have five different models that are basically fully electric, and it has a smart air lock system where people don't need to use a key--it's keyless. When you sit on there, it's basically unlocked, ready for you to go. Depending on the ranges, it has five different models; the biggest one you can go up to 70, 80 miles range in total on one single charge. And you also have a very big compartment, and that is very suitable for city commuting.

This is more suitable for mid-term to long-term kind of range transportation. Essentially, it can seat two people, and it also has a moped, so you can ride it as a moped, a bicycle, and you also can ride it like a scooter we write a lot about smart cities and what's to come and what things will look like down the road for all of us as we move within our cities. Talk about how this fits into smart cities.

 At Segway, right now we are really focusing ourselves as the leader in short-distance transportation. But, for the future of smart cities, we are really seeing it can go with multiple different types of vehicles beyond just kick scooters. For example, the S-Pod is a good example of how we want to showcase how people can potentially, in the future, travel through this kind of pod. And the top speed for the Segway S-Pod is up to 24 miles per hour, and so it's pretty fast. And also for the fully electric eco-friendly e-scooters to fit different consumers' needs so they can travel in the city's environment; regardless of the size (small or big), they will be able to fit their needs other than kick scooters.

This year we are also launching two brand new kick scooters. One of them is the Segway it is the most compact and lightweight kick scooter that we have ever launched. The other one is a Segway Kick Scooter T60. It is a three-wheeled kick scooter that has a reverse trike chassis, a kind of a setup where you can just go on there, and it is ready to go. And it has, we called it a robo-scooter. 

With the sharing model, it has the features for the operators to use the cloud management systems to dispatch, and control the logistics of the overall dispatching for the operators.

We talk a lot about cloud on and ZDNet. So there's a lot of cloud involvement with what's to come, too, for Segway. Absolutely. I think we as a company really tried to work with our partners to fit their needs regardless of the business size, being small business owners or bigger business owners. We want to provide solutions that can really help the future of the smart cities to become greener, to become cleaner, and also become more time-efficient.

Published by:

Seo firm in Birmingham

[spainmozsombi]

Oh okay, Erasmus is actually cool!(10.21)

Last thursday was probably one of the most important days since I have been here. I had class at 1 pm, nothing extraordinary happened, it was actually pretty boring with some groupwork that we did not have enough time for...(I also should have had the magreb course in the evening but I skipped it).

In the evening there was a music session with the whatsapp group “erasmusicians”, we basically rented a rehearsal room for three hours and played some cool tunes (if somebody’s reading this who knows matus’ place it’s kinda the same, it’s just better and doesn’t smell like 40 years of smoking). It was interesting to experience how music can bring people together even if nobody plays the songs perfectly. On the other hand I really noticed the difference between this and how we used to play with my band, when everybody knows his part, when it’s all like a well oiled machine. Both are good in a different way. Ivan (local spanish guy who organizes these musical events) brought his electric guitar, an italian dude (David) brought his acoustic guitar, Celia (local spanish girl, also organizer) brought here electric piano, there was a drumkit, somebody had a bass guitar, and countless microphones. We played songs from Beatles, Nirvana, Gorillaz, Marilyn Manson, Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys and a bunch of more, the list goes on aand on. After this it was planned that we were gonna practice with Óscar separately (for the next Open Mic) but he had to cancel it so I went to get a beer with the rest of the group instead. We found a really cool tapas place that also had pool in the basement! We had a few drinks, played pool, I even played some Paramore songs with a spanish girl (a waiter was kind enough to turn down their music just so we could play). We had a good time and actually got kicked out at midnight cause the place was closing. I thought the night was gonna end here but no, we went to another place that’s basically a pool bar (if that’s even a thing)..We rented a table and played till about 2 am or so, it was proper fun! We played 2 vs 2, I was in a time with a british guy called Joe who’s from Birmingham, he’s a really nice guy! This italian dude talked me into helping to him with a course where he has to amplify instruments/somebody singing, so I will play him some songs (on his guitar) this thursday. I got home around 3 am...

On friday I was still so pumped cause of the previous night that I jumped right into learning some more spanish, started looking up how conjugation works, and thank God it doesn’t seem that ugly. In the evening I had the Magreb course. So, this course is twice a week (as all of them) on thursday there’s the lecture and on friday we should focus on the groupwork, the ted talk and essay that we gotta present in early november. For some reason we never really take the friday class very seriously, so we were mostly laughing about stupid sh1t. After that we went to get a beer and tapas, we (my groupmates, Adel, Óscar, Filip and his girl friend who came to visit him) went to a place called “Grifo y Tapas” (somebody recommanded this place to me, thanks for that!). Had some good times, laughs and whatnot. Filip had a really hard time learning my first name (I use Zsombor here, not many people knows about ‘Balint’ haha). After ordaring the first beer I noticed that Óscar and Adel are drinking something else, which looked much better than my beer (which I still don’t like, but fröccs is not a thing around here), Óscar gave me a sip and it was amazing, some syrup with wine. Or the other way. Wine with some syrup. Sweat! And the name of it is ‘Tinto de Verano’. It felt weird to be out for drinks two nights straight, but I think I’m starting to get the hang of this Erasmus vibe. 

//Intermezzo\\

I feel more and more that I have people to talk to, we are getting to know each other, I experienced a change in my attitude (from generally negative to generally positive). I had a traning back in May that was supposed to prepare me for the erasmus thing and there was a graph about how people’s mood go from “ohmygod im here, it’s so cool” to a huge drop when everything is bad and it goes back up again as one gets used to things and starts to enjoy the whole thing. Cause of previous experience abroad I was 110% sure that I was gonna experience the same thing. Well either I only had the first high point for only a few hours after landing or I didn’t have it at all, I just had a bad mood most of the time when I was alone, and now it feels like I rather see things much more positively.

On saturday I had to make a hard decision between going bouldering or going for a ride, eventually I got out for a ride, which turned out to be a great decision (on sunday the weather got much colder). Ride was good, I spent most of the time making short videos of me riding. This meant finding a good section, practicing it for a bit and then putting down my phone on a safe place and doing it again on camera. I didn’t ride that much but I really enjoyed looking for good angles and places to have the best shots (you can see the video on facebook, but I think whoever’s reading this blog you probably have already seen it). For lunch/dinner I improvised and fried some potato in a pan alongside with some broccoli and zucchini, shredded some cheese on the top...I know what you think..It felt way too healthy..But I ate it! (just finished the leftovers today).

On sunday in the morning I went bouldering again. On saturday I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt for riding, on sunday morning I had to put on actual pants, a hoodie and a jacket!...Bouldering was great, bought an pass for 8 sessions, felt much better than on wednesday, climed some new routes, did some exercises for core muscles, and, before I forget, I ran into Filip and his friend, so I had some company. I keep trying to make my sentences shorter but I just love these “barokkosmagyarkörmondatok”...In the evening there was another erasmusician session, but in a pub this time ( actually same place where we were on thursday), It was great, a killer guitar player named Jeremy from the US and a girl (I think also from the US) with a beautiful voice, who’s name I totally forgot, joined us. Oh yeah, and a british dude with a violin! He played the main riff of Sweet child O’ Mine, it was mindblowing...After playing together for an hour or so we split up into smaller groups, each with a different musical style. I ended up with Matteo and Elena from Italy and a german girl who’s name I also forgot..Oops. We were playing Oasis songs, it was so much fun! (Matteo likes to speed things up a bit so I really had to try to keep the tempo..) At the evening we played some pool again, with Joe, and David.

Today (monday) I had my economic course. The faculty of economics is up on Campus Cartuja, which is on the mountain, and I always walk up there. Even though the weather was also colder today (14-15 degrees?) but sunny, I still ended up sweaty buy the time I got up there...Course was about oligopolies and monopolies, not very interesting but the teacher still managed to make it a bit less boring! (Hats off!). We got lunch with Oliver after the class, at the canteen close to this faculty. See the pic (probably) above. We analyzed how inefficient the whole service is, they just use way too much manpower..In the afternoon I did some maintenance on the bike, managed to the evening I joined Oliver on his run. I wasn’t running, no need to worry, I still hate it, I was riding my bike. He’s prepping for a half marathon this weekend and a full marathon in early december...He’s a fanatic let me tell you that...

That’s all folks!

[trustfusion]

Red kite bicycles

#Red kite bicycles full#

#Red kite bicycles plus#

It aims provide lots of useful features to build a strong community for the primary benefit of cyclists and event organisers and secondly for the benefit of charities, sponsors, cycling advocacy groups and the cycling industry. Gran Fondo Guide has opted to provide a service that encourages cyclists to regulary use the website and any services it provides. The contents of the cookie are encrypted and secured. We create one cookie, which relates to your membership account. To register as a member you need to allow cookies within your browser. There will be a range of refreshments and a barbeque where friends and family can cheer the intrepid riders as they return.Ĭlose OUR PRIVACY POLICY & TERMS OF USE Cookie

#Red kite bicycles plus#

The 100 mile route visits many of the same points of interest as the 50 and 80 mile routes, plus the stunning grounds of Eythrope (the last of the Buckinghamshire Rothschild houses to remain in Rothschild hands).Īll routes start and finish at the Marlow Sports Club. Ideal for those looking to break the ‘century’ for the first time as well as those looking to enjoy a day out in the Chilterns. Perfect for first timers, two challenging but achievable climbs with enjoyable descents and plenty of beautiful rolling countryside.Īll the attractions of the 50 mile course with the added challenge of a loop of the rolling Oxfordshire Plain with its many picturesque villages. Riders cross the River Thames twice, passing the finish line of the internationally renowned Henley Royal Regatta, and again at the end of the ride as they return to Marlow across the iconic Grade I listed Marlow Bridge. All routes take you through quintessential old English villages and countryside (filming locations for Midsomer Murders, Vicar of Dibley, Lewis, Miss Marple, Jonathan Creek) and pass Cobstone Windmill featured in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Beautiful rolling countryside, home to the graceful Red Kite, provides challenging climbs rewarded with sweeping descents.įor 2018 we have routes across three distances, 50, 80 and 100 miles, each with well stocked feed stations and toilet facilities. The Electric Bike Shop offers no-obligation test rides on all models in stock 0% finance.The Red Kite Ride (RKR) sportive gives you a taster of the Chilterns, a top UK cycling destination. They have stores in Bristol, Brentwood, Solihull, Stroud & Sutton Coldfield, Uckfield, Wilmslow. Their experienced team members will help you choose the electric bike which is perfect for you. They offer sales, parts, safety equipment, accessories, and servicing. Their workshops are equipped with all the latest diagnostic systems. They offer a range of electric cycles to suit every need and provide impartial advice and support to countless riders each year. It stocks E-Bikes from Babboe, Haibike, Lapierre, Mondraker, Cube, GoCycle, Raleigh, Moustache, Scott, and Tern. The Electric Bike Shop is one of the premier bicycle shops in Solihull. Hybrids, Mountains, Roads, Kids, Ebikes, Tourings, Cyclocross, Time Trials, Sales, Accessories & Service Red Kite Cycles serve all of Solihull, Birmingham, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. They have loyal customers from further afield who will travel to take advantage of their products, services, and knowledge. They bring a unique combination of services and goods, with access to smaller specialist brands. They provide fast and efficient bike repairs on almost every make and model of bicycle. They supply the world's best cycling accessories and equipment.

#Red kite bicycles full#

They offer a full range of expert repair services by highly trained and experienced bicycle technicians. The shop has a team of dedicated cyclists ready to talk bicycles, kit, and riding. It is an independent local bike shop with over 20 years of trading history and centuries of riding experience. Red Kite Cycles is a local bike shop located in Solihull.

[birminghamalabama]

Want to make your Birmingham trip, a memorable one?

Among the top tourist destinations in the USA, you will find the name of Birmingham city at the top of the list. It is doubtlessly known for its industries and steel production, but at the same time, it is also a major attraction for its museums, parks, preserves, and sports centers. There are ample spots here where you can enjoy a number of activities and refresh your mind and body. These are some of the activities that you can hardly find at any other tourist destination.

• Go for an escape room: If you are in a group and love to solve some mysteries, this is the ideal place for you. Here in some train carriages, you need to get out before the time is over. You need to use your logic and solve some mysteries which offer a different sensation while here.

• Check Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum:  If you love motorsports and want to check some age-old machines, this is the right place. You can also have some pictures and rides at the museum. You can see several vintage cars and bikes here that can add to your knowledge and wish to see such models.

• Visit the Civil Rights Institute: If you are one of those who have value for democracy and civil rights, this museum will definitely be a good part of your trip. It has immense spots where you can enjoy your time and add to your knowledge about civil rights and how they emerge as well as fit in the present world of democratic values all around.

Though you can go to many other spots located here, these are some of the special spots. You need to get some time for these activities as they are for a restricted time. As the centers are located in the mid of the city, it is easy to reach there by foot or even by a vehicle. The novelty of activities will help you have some excellent memories of your visit to this city. Be prepared to have some pictures and enjoyment that you may not have got till date.

If you have any electrical requirement then contact Shepherd Electric Company at https://shepherd-electric.net/.

[lizseyi]

Advantages Of Hot Desking & Flexible Workspaces - Let Ready

Working habits have changed hugely in the last three decades. The decline in British manufacturing and transition to office based work, from information technology to finance, and the service sector – factory floors have been replaced by huge office complexes in every city and town in the UK.

The daily grind of such practices has been encapsulated perfectly by UK sitcom ‘The Office’ where the politics of every day office life are challenging and sometimes entertaining.

As with every industry, technological advances bring change, and the most dramatic change to how we work, since the perfection of steam power, has been British scientist Tim Berners-Lee’s invention of the World Wide Web in 1989.The web as it is now known, effectively gave rise to the internet. This changed everything, from how business and people communicate, to the creation of new industries and workplace practices, to sharing of information and data, it truly has had a profound effect on trade and business around the world.

One of the biggest advantages of the internet, is its enabling of businesses to allow staff to work from home. In many cases this can save expenses when it comes to office rental, electricity and rates charges and reducing the level to which people need to be managed offices, workers are now often judged on their quality of output rather than how well they fit in in the office.

Many companies also offer flexible hours, to work more freely. This is ideal for people with childcare commitments and those who may be late risers or find it easier to concentrate at a certain time of day rather than set office hours. Whilst this is great for many, with that freedom can come a feeling of isolation and loneliness.

With this in mind, the increase in hot-desking and shared office space has spread rapidly from London to other cities across the UK such as Birmingham Leeds, Manchester and even large towns, the new way to work is to split the freedom of home working with the more inspirational co-working spaces such as Alpha Works in Birmingham.

This new breed of office space is an ideal way for tech companies, media, marketing, and finance businesses to spend a few days each week or even month, in a professional calm environment away from the distractions of the house.

The benefits of renting hot-desk office space are easy to champion. Workers can share ideas with different industries, or ask for help from their peers. There is no set time or routine to stick to, you can arrive late in the afternoon and work until the early hours with secure 24/7 access.

Alpha Works for example, has a gym, bike racks and showers all within a secure basement. There is free coffee and tea, regular community events and showcases. Quiet rooms, private office space either for long term or individual meetings. Free electricity and high speed wi-wi. Great views across the city which can be inspirational in itself. Friendly staff, and a real community atmosphere.

office space to rent and hot-desking can be log term or purchased in blocks, or days which can be used as and when you want. Just getting out the house for a few hours can sometimes be worth the small cost in renting office space in this way.

Want to know more?

Call us to chat about your requirements on 020 3019 5060.

Contact us

[sbknews]

Broadcast expands globally for FIM World Supercross Championship

WSX to reach more than half a billion households worldwide in 2023. The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) has announced the expansion of its global broadcast partnerships for the 2023 season, which will see supercross racing aired to more than 180 countries and 500 million households worldwide. The WSX live, as-live, and replay schedule is significant across major partner networks, with WSX chief commercial officer, Mick McKeown, commenting, “We’re proud to continue to deliver on our promise to grow the sport of supercross by offering one of the most comprehensive networks of broadcast partners supercross has ever seen. In addition to the exclusive U.S. rights agreement previously announced with FS1 and FS2, WSX has secured major partners in Eurosport and DAZN as well as key broadcast partners in its host regions.  “Television rights have also been finalised in other regions with extensive supercross viewer engagement and participation, including Japan, Brazil, sub-Sahara Africa, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. “From the Americas to Europe and Asia, World Supercross will be widely accessible to fans, which is not only great for the sport but will grow the profiles of the riders and see them become household names outside America.” Warner Bros. Discovery will offer uninterrupted live and on-demand streaming coverage of every race from the WSX season across 50 markets in Europe* and in 20 languages via the Eurosport App and on discovery+ in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Ireland. (*excludes Germany.) Live television coverage of selected races will also be available on Eurosport 1 and Eurosport 2 in addition to the broadcast of a highlights programme following each round. DAZN will offer exclusive broadcast of the FIM World Supercross Championship in Japan and non-exclusive broadcast on the platform globally until December 2023*. (*Excludes Brazil, USA, Caribbean, Australia, Republic of Ireland and France.)

DAZN EVP global head of rights, Tom Burrows, added, “This announcement follows a number of exciting deals for DAZN, bringing even more exciting sports with passionate audiences to our platform.” The first round of the 2023 FIM World Supercross Championship kicks off in Birmingham on Saturday 1 July 2023. Tickets are on sale now. Visit the WSX website to find out more. About Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe represents WBD’s portfolio of sports brands, channels and platforms in Europe. It collectively reaches 130 million people every month, engaging fans and broad audiences in more than 200 markets and in over 20 languages across all platforms where consumers are spending time, free-to-air TV, pay-TV, streaming, online and social. Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe includes the much-loved consumer brands Eurosport, Global Cycling Network (GCN), Global Mountain Bike Network (GMBN) and Golf Digest, as well sports programming and content on discovery+ and Warner Bros. Discovery’s free-to-air TV networks. They connect audiences with the greatest sporting events in the world. This includes being the Home of the Olympics Games in Europe; tennis’ Grand Slams; cycling’s Grand Tours, more than 600 cycling broadcasts per year, the UCI Track Champions League, the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup from 2023 with ESO Sports; the PGA TOUR year-round; The Ocean Race from 2023; the Snooker World Tour; the best electric racing series with ABB FIA Formula E World Championship and FIA eTouring Car World Cup; the FIM Speedway GP, Speedway of Nations and Speedway World Cup; and every major winter sports World Championship and World Cup event. Warner Bros.  Discovery Sports Europe completes a full 360° offer with its events management and promotion division, Discovery Sports Events, which oversees 55 events across five continents each year.

About Dazn Group Dazn is a leading digital sports platform in Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Portugal, Japan, Canada, US and the UK. Its wide range of exclusive content includes top-flight football from the world’s most popular competitions – Bundesliga, English Premier League, J.League, LaLiga, Serie A, and the UEFA Champions League, in addition to the biggest sports from around the world – Formula 1, NFL, NBA, MotoGP and the UFC. Dazn is the NFL’s global partner and, from the 2023 season, will be the only place for fans around the world to watch every NFL match. Dazn is a global home for boxing and combat sports through its partnerships with Matchroom Boxing the Professional Fighters League, and a global home for Women’s Football with UEFA Women’s Champions League and Finetwork Liga F.  Dazn is adding more and more sport to its platform to create a destination for sports fans. Dazn is reimagining the way people enjoy sport. With a single, frictionless platform, sports fans can watch, bet, play, share, socialise, and buy tickets, NFTs and merchandise. Live and on-demand sports content, anywhere, in any language, on any device – only on Dazn. Dazn is a global, privately-owned company with employees in over 25 countries. For more information on Dazn, our products, people, and performance, visit www.Dazngroup.com. About WSX The FIM World Supercross Championship (WSX) is an international Championship led by SX Global in Australia. The World Supercross Championship was primarily based in the USA before the world governing body for motorcycle sport, Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), awarded S.X. Global the exclusive organisational and commercial rights to stage and promote the World Supercross Championship from 2022 onwards.  Last year, the WSX pilot season was launched at Principality Stadium in Cardiff to over 35,000 fans before it headed down under, where 50,000 fans witnessed the finale across two nights at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. The 2022 Championship saw Ken Roczen from Germany win the WSX class, and Shane McElrath from the USA win the SX2 class.  WSX offers the biggest prize money in World Supercross Championship history, with US$250,000 to be won at each round across the two racing classes – WSX (450cc) and SX2 (250cc). Under its independent team franchise model, the Championship also features unprecedented financial support for teams and riders. WSX provides an elevated experience for fans through unique race formats, broadcast innovations, and in-stadium entertainment suitable for people and families of all ages. 2023 World Supercross Championship Calendar British GP, Villa Park, Birmingham 1 July French GP, Groupama Stadium Lyon-Décines, 22 July Asian GP, Southeast Asia 30 September German GP, Merkur Spiel Arena, Dusseldorf 14 October Canadian GP, BC Place, Vancouver 28 October Australian GP, Marvel Stadium, Melbourne 24-25 November

Read the full article

[itsmyonline]

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[shlipayadavblog]

GoZero plans to invest $1 million for expanding presence to North-East

British premium electric bike maker GoZero, which has partnered with Kolkata-based Kirti Solar for product development and manufacturing, on Thursday said it plans to invest USD 1 million to expand its presence to India's northeast market.

GoZero, which has its R&D centre in Birmingham (UK), entered the Indian market in 2019 by setting up its location operations base in Kolkata with Kirti Solar.

Its current product range includes One, Mile and Skellig series of e-bicycles.

GoZero Mobility is looking to spread its wings to northeastern India with plans to invest USD 1 million and create over 100 jobs in the region in the next three years, the company said in a statement.

[architectnews]

Ten global projects that demonstrate the possibilities of low-energy architecture

Low-energy buildings can "make communities more resilient to climate shocks," says author Jared Green. Here he picks ten examples of low-energy buildings from his book Good Energy: Renewable Power and the Design of Everyday Life.

Following the recent IPCC climate report, there has been an increased focus on the impact of emissions from buildings, with the built environment thought to be responsible for around 40 per cent of global CO2 emissions.

The 35 projects featured in Green's book aim to demonstrate how low-energy buildings, which are more energy-efficient and have lower CO2 emissions than regular buildings, can be both well-designed and affordable.

"Low-energy buildings integrate photovoltaic panels, energy efficiency strategies, and all electrical systems, so they are critical to shifting us away from fossil fuels," Green told Dezeen.

Read:

UK industry group calls for new rules to force architects to calculate embodied carbon emissions

"These buildings are much healthier for people and the planet and also significantly reduce energy expenses over the long-term," he added.

"They can also enable a new relationship with energy grids, increasing the decentralization of energy systems, which can make communities more resilient to climate shocks – such as more extreme storms and hurricanes and more dangerous flooding, heatwaves and wildfires."

Read on for Green's pick of ten low-energy projects from his book:

Zero Carbon House, Birmingham, United Kingdom

"Architect John Christophers transformed his own home into one of the most sustainable houses in the United Kingdom. He grafted a contemporary addition, covered with photovoltaic panels and solar water heaters, onto the side of his original two-bedroom house built in the 1840s.

"The house is now energy-positive, creating more energy than it uses. It has seen a net reduction of 1,300 pounds (660 kilograms) of carbon dioxide annually, compared to the estimated CO2 emissions from the home before it was remodelled.

"Christophers lined the entire structure with a membrane that stops air and heat from escaping and incorporated rammed-earth floors pulled from the foundation of the home, mixed with red clay."

Belfield Townhomes, Philadelphia, US

"In the Logan neighbourhood of North Philadelphia, developer Onion Flats designed and built three 1,920-square foot (178-square metre) townhouses.

"This was the first public housing created in North Philadelphia in five decades and the first certified Passivhaus project built in Philadelphia. Each townhouse was built in just three months at a local factory using prefabricated components at a cost of $249,000.

"The passive townhouses include super-insulated walls, triple-pane windows and a heat-recovery pump that draws in fresh air, filters it and then efficiently heats or cools the interior. Each house has rooftop photovoltaic panels with a five-kilowatt capacity.

"If tenants stay within their set energy budgets, the townhouses consume zero energy. If they use more they will be drawing more energy from the grid than the photovoltaic panels."

Trent Basin, Nottingham, United Kingdom

"With rooftop photovoltaic panels, a 2.1-megawatt-hour Tesla battery, and sophisticated energy management software, the Trent Basin residential community has been able to generate and store its own energy, feeding directly into the UK power grid. The pitched roofs of the community take their form from the local red brick factory buildings of Nottingham.

"By connecting to the grid, the community energy system for over 100 homes is able to trade energy generated on-site, selling stored energy when demand is high and storing excess power from the grid when public demand is low.

"Since the energy systems went online in 2018, the community's photovoltaic panels have generated 310,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy and saved 110 tonnes of carbon emissions."

SMA x ECO Town Harumidai, Sakai City, Japan

"Daiwa House Industry Company, one of Japan's largest homebuilders, has shifted its focus to prefabricated communities that produce more energy than they use. Since 2017, this project, which includes 65 homes, has produced 427 megawatt hours of renewable energy, 15 per cent more than it used.

"This has reduced carbon emissions from electricity generation by an estimated 95 per cent.

"Homeowners use the company's proprietary home-energy management system, which automatically moves energy into storage for use at night and lets them track how much energy they generate and use.

"Each family's share in the energy-conservation effort is displayed in a ranking, with high-ranking families receiving points that can be used for the electric vehicle car-sharing service."

UC Davis West Village, Davis, US

"At 224 acres (90 hectares), this project is one of the largest planned sustainable communities in the US. The 663 nearly zero-energy mixed-use buildings are powered by rooftop photovoltaic panels and house 3,000 students, faculty and staff.

"The development also encourages low-carbon transportation. SWA Group, which led planning, design and implementation phases for the landscape architecture, built on the existing bicycle culture of the campus to create a bicycle-first transportation system.

"Bike parking was conveniently integrated into building courtyards and public areas, whereas vehicle parking was moved into centralized areas farther away to further incentivize biking and walking."

The Sustainable City, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

"This 114-acre low-carbon development created by Diamond Developers is home to 3,000 people from 64 countries. The developers took a holistic approach to sustainability, designing a community that can produce its own food, conserve and reuse water, and meet 87 per cent of its energy use through rooftop photovoltaics combined with energy-efficiency measures.

"Solar panels on both homes and common spaces generate 1.7 gigawatt hours of renewable energy annually. The entire development is estimated to offset some 8,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent each year."

SDE4 at the National University in Singapore, Singapore

"This building is inspired by the region's simple timber Malay houses, which are characterized by deep overhangs, raised platforms, and loose room divisions that enable continuous cross ventilation.

"A team including Serie Architects, Multiply Architects, and Surbana Jurong scaled up this vernacular approach to a 92,440-square foot (8,588-square metre) six-story building for Singapore's National University.

"SDE4 is Singapore's first zero-energy building. Covered in photovoltaic panels, the building has an energy-generating capacity of 500 megawatt hours and more than half the building is open to the environment and naturally ventilated.

"In classrooms that require cooling, a 'hybrid cooling system' augmented with ceiling fans reduces energy use by an estimated 36 to 56 per cent over a conventional building in Singapore."

School in Port, Port, Switzerland

"The jagged roof of this kindergarten and elementary school in Port, a small suburb of Biel, holds 1,110 photovoltaic panels that have the capacity to generate nearly 300 kilowatts of power at peak times. According to designer Skop architects, the school not only powers itself but also 50 surrounding homes.

"Wood is used as the primary construction material. 'Wood is used throughout both the facade and the interiors,' Skop partner Martin Zimmerli said.

'As a result, the school can be seen as a large carbon sink. All the timber comes from sustainable forestry.'"

Council House 2, Melbourne, Australia

"The 134,500-square foot (12,450-square metre) CH2, a government office building, was designed by architect Mick Pearce and Australian architecture firm DesignInc to function like an ecosystem, with 'many parts that work together to heat, cool, power, and water the building.'

"Compared to conventional Melbourne office buildings, CH2 has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 87 per cent and cut energy and water use by 60 per cent.

"The western facade of this highly responsive building is programmed to track the movement of the sun. In the winter, the recycled-wood shutters open to let in light; during peak afternoon sun in the winter, the shutters close."

Bullitt Center, Seattle, Washington, USA

"This energy-negative building was designed by Miller Hull Partnership with the ambitious goal of becoming the most sustainable commercial building in the world. The coplanar canopy roof hosts 575 photovoltaic panels that generate 230 megawatt hours of energy annually.

"The building's core structure was built to last 250 years, rather than the standard 40-50 years for contemporary commercial buildings. Given the amount of embodied carbon they contain, buildings that endure are the most sustainable.

"The Bullitt Center already stores 600 tons of carbon dioxide in its structural timber frame and uses just 25 per cent of the energy that a conventional building in Seattle would use."

The post Ten global projects that demonstrate the possibilities of low-energy architecture appeared first on Dezeen.

[stuarttwiss2018trailride]

Day 21. Thunder Bay, ON to Upsala, ON. 177 miles

A morning spent waiting for motorcycle maintenance gives me a chance to clear my head and clear the skies for a productive afternoon ride to the lovely Black Spruce Motel and some good company.

The morning is at first overcast and then thunder announces a downpour. I load my bike to the sympathetic words and looks of the other hotel guests.

Fred Davies shows me his own off road bike that so proudly proclaims his interests with its custom artwork. 'Do I know Jarvis?' he asks. Graham Jarvis is one of his heroes.

It's very wet on the way to Excalibur Motorcycle Works and I'm glad to arrive and get myself and the bike in the dry.

Jason gets the work started promptly and helps me choose tyres and parts.

The office manager stops to chat about family and her role.

Wayne the shared owner tells me he's been researching Muslim no-go areas in Birmingham after meeting an Englishman from there. I challenge this bit of nonsense and he talks about the unhealthy influence of Fox News and even CNN. He's worried about a spread of irrationality and cited 'flat earthers' as an indicator of this. He whispers,"We even have one working here!'

The bike is ready by 12.30 and after a readjusted chain to accommodate my weight and the luggage I'm off. The rain has stopped and the day gets progressively brighter to leave me with sun from 5.00pm.

The afternoon has a mixture of roads and trails. This time the trails predominate with some long gravel stretches and sandy roads to try my new tyres on. They are great and so much more confidence building than the Michelin enduros that I have been enduring.

I get halted by a road closure but walking across the unmanned construction area of a large culvert replacement I am confident that there is a way across the pontoon footbridge.

A pontoon is a floating surface and as my front wheel touchs it, it floats away from the bank and I'm now rather precariously perched on its edge. Off with the luggage, lay the bike on its side and haul the front tyre onto the deck. A little lift and I walk it over. No harm done and no real risk but I still feel a little hot, bothered and yes, foolish.

The last few miles of trail are a broad logging road. On it I run my main tank dry and top up from my spare. The larger spare I have bought is already paying off because as I arrive in Upsala the gas station is closed.

The logging road is busy with traffic; hunters, fishers and vacationers off into the woods. One is towing a trailer with an ATV aboard, nothing unusual there until I notice the gouge in the trail it is leaving. Looking back I see it is running one side with no tyre!

The motel at first sight looks dingy and uncared for but the welcome is pleasant. Looking more closely it's old, dating from the sixties, but very carefully catered for with lovely towels, clean sheets and comfortable beds.The shower is the best I have had in Canada. Torrents of water like Carolyn has been visiting today at Niagara.

The restaurant is closed but Samantha makes a good cup of tea and the sandwiches and muffins on sale are homemade, even the bread.

Samantha chats on as I eat. She tells me about her childhood friend in Liverpool, about her move out West and back home again, about her Mum and Jake, her stepdad and the business they have built, about Jake's near death experience only last week during a hip operation, about her aunt and their relationship as stand-in cook. She moves into the biography of Michel Thomas and her concerns about the growth of the far right in America. She asks my opinion about Donald Trump and we seem to agree.

All through my meal people stop from their journey down the Trans Canada Highway for cigarettes, the bathroom or food.

The last two visitors are 30 somethings with Polish heritage. One had lived in the UK and moved to Canada, the other, Kam, still lives in Manchester and rides an Africa Twin adventure bike.

For some reason we hit it off and spend the next two hours talking bikes and the future of electricity generation because Jacob is a power generation engineer. Kam is a fan of Lyndon Poskitt, as was Fred in the morning, and we talk TET and Jacob's tour through Europe on a friend supported shoestring trip.

We have to be moved on by Samantha, but what a great end to the day.

[perfectirishgifts]

High Price, Limited Performance Of European Electric Cars Might Boost China Minis

New Post has been published on https://perfectirishgifts.com/high-price-limited-performance-of-european-electric-cars-might-boost-china-minis/

High Price, Limited Performance Of European Electric Cars Might Boost China Minis

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV

The high price of so-called “affordable” electric vehicles in Europe and their often pitiful highway cruising performance might make some hard-up buyers grit their teeth, admit the unthinkable and opt for a mini battery-powered vehicle because the alternative is a scooter, a bike, or even worse, the tube or bus.

And the possibility of a cheap but limited little electric car might well lead to dancing in the streets in Europe’s poorest countries, which have so far been left out of the electric revolution.

The cheapest electric vehicles like the Renault Zoe, and upcoming offerings like the Fiat 500E and perhaps the expected Volkswagen ID.2, start at around €20,000 ($24,300 after tax). That’s about twice the price of an entry-level gasoline-powered car, which might not even be available by 2030. EU CO2 rules, and even outright bans, threaten cheap traditional cars. Small electric cars and SUVs like the Vauxhall/Opel Corsa and the MG ZS EV cost from around €30,000 ($36,500). These vehicles all come with impressive claims for range, which suddenly dissolve when the vehicle is asked to undertake a highway journey at normal cruising speeds.

The speed limit across Europe is mainly 130 km/h, about 80 mph, and this is the accepted legal cruising mode on many highways, except of course in Germany where there are still long sections with no speed limit. You will see every type of sedan and SUV, from the cheapest to most expensive cruising at around 80. But the impact on available mileage at these speeds on battery electric vehicles (BEV) is catastrophic. Often you will lose miles at twice the rate or more of the actual miles being travelled.

So these “affordable” cars aren’t the equivalent of regular gasoline or diesel powered cars. They are fantastic city cars, but very expensive considering their limited ability. Suddenly a small car like the Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV from China makes lots of sense. It can reach about 60 mph, probably downhill with a following wind, but quite adequate in town and country driving. Base models have a range of about 70 miles. You can make an average daily commute, said to be about 24 miles in Europe, do the shopping and take the children to school. If you’re not convinced yet, try this. The base price is $4,400. That number will be enough for many Europeans with average earnings to swallow their pride. And there won’t be much of that because the little Hong Guang Mini EV looks cute and believable.

Hong Guang Mini EV

That’s the price now in China and it’s likely to be a bit more expensive if it came to Europe, but will still probably be popular in eastern Europe.

Groupe PSA of France’s Citroen is about to launch its cheap and cute little Ami, electric city car, although this in its initial form is too slow (28 mph), has only 2 seats, a range of 43 miles, and costs €6,000 ($7,300).

The idea that small is the answer isn’t exciting some European analysts.

“We don’t see a switch by European carmakers into making these little electric cars happening,” said Viktor Irle, Stockholm, Sweden-based analyst with consultancy EV-volumes.

Irle said small cars like this won’t be profitable.

That’s probably true of traditional European manufacturers, but likely not Chinese ones.

“The Citroen Ami will not be a big seller. Europeans want a car – not two – that gives them flexibility. If you have a small car, unable to go on highways, the use is very limited. Big cities like Paris, Berlin and Rome could see some sales of these. Generally, car buyers move up in segments. So Ami is likely going to replace scooters and mopeds and motorcycles in our analysis,” Irle said.   

But this assumes that “affordable” electric cars can match gasoline or diesel cars on the highway, and that isn’t the case in my experience. It remains to be seen if the latest electric cars, like the Volkswagen ID.3, perform adequately at motorway cruising speeds.   

IHS Markit auto analyst Ian Fletcher doesn’t see a shift downmarket either.

“Volumes of traditional (city car) segment vehicles have been retreating anyway. (Manufacturers) have been pulling out or reducing their exposure to this category and we see this continuing. This is partly related to the difficulty making the financials stack up compared to something larger, and recently this has not been helped by meeting new regulations in the (EU) region, particularly those for (CO2) emissions. Customers are also less interested buying something of this size as well,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher said IHS Markit predicts city cars will make up just over 1% of the European market in 2025, and just under 2% by 2030.

Fletcher reckons price won’t be a factor because leasing plans make new cars more affordable. Sales growth will come from electrifying small and medium sized family cars.  

Citroen Ami is a quadricycle and can be driven without a license in France from the age of 14. … [] (Photo by Abdulmonam Eassa/Getty Images)

 “We see far greater BEV volume growth in (VW Polo and VW Golf equivalent) segments, which are the biggest by volume currently anyway. By 2025, B segment BEVs will be around 6.5% of the entire market and 9.5% by 2030, while C segment BEVs will be around 7% and 12.5%, respectively. Obviously, there is an argument with regards to the purchase cost, but I think fewer and fewer people are looking at that now. It is more about the affordability on a monthly basis through a leasing plan or similar,” Fletcher said.

But the Hong Guang Mini EV has a been a remarkable success so far in China, which of course won’t necessarily translate to Europe.

“This new battery electric vehicle has taken the (Chinese) market by storm, breaking all sales expectations since its launch,” said LMC Automotive analyst Alan Kang.

The Hong Guang Mini EV, is a two-door micro electric vehicle launched by a joint venture between General Motors GM  and SAIC.

“The diminutive model’s eye-catching design gives it a deceptively expensive look, something that has undoubtedly contributed to its surprisingly robust performance. In September, only its 4th month on the market, the Hong Guang Mini EV racked up sales in excess of 20,000, propelling it to the top of China’s electric vehicle market,” Kang said.

“A range choice of between (70 and 100 miles) is more than adequate for the needs of its target audience. And less powerful battery translates to a lower sticker price,” Kang said.

In a recent interview, David Bailey, Professor of Business Economics at the Birmingham Business School, said he believes a serious threat from China is likely in this segment and Europeans must gear up to meet it.

How Mini cars used to be. BMW Isetta. Photo: Sina Schuldt/dpa (Photo by Sina Schuldt/picture … [] alliance via Getty Images)

“European manufacturers certainly need to embrace this niche or face being wiped out in this segment by super low-cost Chinese brands when the latter can meet European crash safety standards,” Bailey said.

LMC Automotive’s Kang agrees.

“I am not sure whether Hong Guang Mini EV will go to the Europe market now, for I don’t know whether the model can meet the regulations and standards of Europe market. But I agree with you that such little mini EVs with cheap prices but good design might also be welcome in the European market, if they can meet the regulations and keep same low price at the same time. It would be just a commuting tool, that does everything you need to commute, shop and take the kids to school, as you said,” according to Kang.

Germans and relatively well-off western Europeans might be tempted to scoff at these limited little electric vehicles, but in the east they may well be seen as a godsend. According to a survey by the European Automobile Manufacturers association, known by its French acronym ACEA, in the world of electric car ownership there is a deep divide between the haves and have-nots. ACEA said in 2019, 3% of new cars sold across the EU were electrically-chargeable, but the comparison between rich and poor, east and west was stark. The poorest GDP per head country was Estonia at €21,160 ($25,652) had an electrically-chargeable car market share of 0.3%. The richest, Germany (€41,510-$50,332) had a 3.0% market share.

1.   Estonia – 0.3% (GDP of €21,160)

2.   Lithuania – 0.4% (GDP of €17,340)

3.   Slovakia – 0.4% (GDP of €17,270)

4.   Greece – 0.4% (GDP of €17,500)

5.   Poland – 0.5% (GDP of €13,780)

1.   Germany – 3.0% (GDP of €41,510)

2.   United Kingdom – 3.1% (GDP of €37,780)

3.   France – 2.8% (GDP of €35,960)

4.   Italy – 0.9% (GDP of €29,610)

5.   Spain – 1.4% ECVs (GDP of €26,440)

(Source-ACEA)

No doubt Chinese manufacturers have already figured this out and will be cranking up sales campaigns in Tallinn, Vilnius, Bratislava, Athens and Warsaw.

From Transportation in Perfectirishgifts