@graham_freeman@mastodon.social
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

graham_freeman

@graham_freeman@mastodon.social

Doting father of 3, including 🇨🇦🇺🇸 kiddos. Married amazingly.

Enthusiastic about solutions for climate and pandemic challenges.

Particularly enjoy posting about bike nerdery and solar power.

Professional: Information security and IT infrastructure in research computing.

My opinions are my own.

#searchable

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ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

Welcome to the May 24th BikeNite! Thanks for joining, and I hope we all enjoy chatting about cycle stuff! Feel free to answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.

We'll start out with our introduction (with help from @jfparis)

Q1. Where are you posting from today? Where we are, Spring semester is over or almost over for many students. How does this affect your riding?

#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@ascentale @jfparis #BikeNite

I'm posting from mountainous Felton, California, where I've just completed a successful test ride with a new-to-me bidirectional ebike throttle on my cargo ebike.

Twist right and it engages the motor to accelerate. Twist left and it engages regenerative braking. Pretty happy with it!

#ebikes
https://ebikes.ca/t-dyol-l-sh.html

graham_freeman, to ebikes
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

Dual-motor ebike report: Temperature of rotors + motor after 1 mile of steep descent.

Bike: R&M Packster 40 cargo e-bike
Total weight: 330 pounds (bike + passenger + rider + cargo)

Braking:
front wheel: 70% regenerative braking / 30% rotor braking
rear wheel: 100% rotor braking

Front rotor: 91F (warm but not too hot)
Motor: 95F (warm but not too hot)

Rear rotor: 211F(!) (don't touch!)

Conclusion: Regenerative braking saves a lot of wear and tear on rotor brakes.

#Ebikes #BikeTooter

image/jpeg
image/jpeg

graham_freeman, to cycling
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

I got regenerative braking working on the new motor! With regen active on a long downhill, controlling our downhill descent was very easy, and we reclaimed 150-370W/h along the way.

#BikeTooter #Ebikes #SantaCruz

image/png

graham_freeman, to drupal
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

I'm looking to contract with a consultant to make a Drupal 7 site as reliable and bug-free as possible for the next 6 months while another team (already in contract) builds its Wordpress replacement.

(Context: I'm the IT Manager at a research nonprofit)

Recommendations? Hoping for someone with integrity, who has suitable Drupal skills, who works well remotely, and who is OK with the fact that this is a relatively small bugfix/maintenance gig - we're not going to build anew on Drupal.

graham_freeman, to cycling
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

Making progress on the ebike awesomization project!

Added more handlebar space for the second ebike display and controller.

Before long I'll be back on my bike daily.

#BikeNite
#BikeTooter

graham_freeman, to SanFrancisco
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

Can you help count and identify these motorcycle riders?

Gang of at least 70 riders on non-street-legal motorcycles rode aggressively, illegally, and dangerously along the walk/bicycle route on JFK Drive (Eastbound) at Conservatory Drive West in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park at 4:19pm today, forcing many children and families out of the way as the gang threatened everyone with their deadly weapons.

Higher quality video available on request.

#GoldenGatePark #sanfrancisco #BikeTooter

video/mp4

graham_freeman, to cycling
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

Soon I'll be able to ride my bike daily again!

Last year, we moved from a bike & walk friendly area to an extremely steep hillside in the forest. Since then, I've only biked once or twice per month, since doing so requires loading up on a car first.

Now, inspired by @enobacon 's dual motor adventures and my health issues requiring immediate improvement in exercise habits, I'm adding a second front motor to my cargo ebike so I can power up this steep hill.

Stoked!

A red cargo ebike on a hilly bike path near a forest
A screenshot of a Grin Front All-Axle ebike motor kit

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

Edited: got my dual motor ebike Mastodon contacts mixed up. @enobacon is inspiring, too, but it was @kevinschaper who got me seriously considering dual motor.

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@enobacon @kevinschaper

Dunno how the Grin motor I ordered will vary from the EZ motor for regen. Haven't had as much time to research as I'd like. Looking forward to finding out!

My setup will be:
R&M Packster 40 cargo e-bike

existing Bosch 2018-era mid-drive motor, connected to rear wheel internally-geared hub with belt drive (75Nm torque - not quite enough on its own for my body on this hill)

additional Grin all-axle motor in front wheel, throttle only.

Sim screenshot approx my setup

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@enobacon @kevinschaper

Typically I'll have one of my kids in the front cargo box, which will help keep traction on the front wheel, but agreed that battery placement will also be an important factor. Hoping to put on the very front (outside cargo box), but falling back to where frame connects with handlebar stem.

Eagerly anticipating delivery today - can't wait to start installing this weekend.

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@kevinschaper @enobacon it's heavy!

nervous_jessica, to random
@nervous_jessica@mastodon.social avatar

Testing the ubiquiti nanostation loco 5ac to beam internet from the office to the house. Figured we test it out before drilling holes into building

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@nervous_jessica is that mounted on exterior of window? Looks like it's on interior. Many/most windows have UV shielding which will significantly impact wireless signal. Best to attach to exterior.

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@nervous_jessica Interesting that speeds were similar either way. Ubiquiti Nanostation web management interface will indicate signal quality with far greater granularity than the LEDs on the physical device. Relevant forum thread: https://community.ui.com/questions/the-most-efficient-signal-level-/c79d0ba7-95c7-473e-a5ce-921fad200bed

Distance unlikely the issue. & those trees don't seem like a problem either.

Oh, hmm. Specs suggest that Nanostation's wired ethernet is limited to 100Mbps. If true, that could partially explain it. See https://store.ui.com/us/en/products/nsm5

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@nervous_jessica Ah, yes, those specs show a gigabit wired ethernet interface. So, issue is almost certainly something related to wireless link.

Using 40MHz (or wider) channels? No point using narrower channels (e.g. 10MHz) than that, as you would if you were in a crowded city with congested spectrum.

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@nervous_jessica Yep, I suggest maximum supported. At least 40MHz. That gear probably supports 80MHz. Important to set same on both ends.

As you increase, you'll probably run into limitations imposed by window UV shielding.

nervous_jessica, to random
@nervous_jessica@mastodon.social avatar

I’m paying for Internet at my house and at my studio which are like less than 300 feet apart. What sort of wireless device should I be looking at to share Internet between the two buildings? A lot of things I’m seeing like the nanobeam are for larger distances.

graham_freeman, (edited )
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@nervous_jessica

It looks to me like the light blue+white building would disrupt any wireless link between the green house and the dark blue workshop.

Any wireless link (whether 2.4GHz, 5GHz, or another frequency) won't have a laser-like pinpoint signal. It's more of a wave, with peaks at the midpoint ("fresnel zone") and troughs at each end.

Foliage - especially wet leaves - and large metal objects will definitely impact the signal.

So, you need more clearance than you'd expect.

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@nervous_jessica Ahh, that map view helps a lot. The buildings won't be an issue.

Foliage might well be, especially when they have wet leaves.

If you have a foliage-free point-to-point link between the house and Outbuilding B, and then from there to the workshop, that's another option worth considering.

Delivery vehicles might interfere enough to impact voice call quality while present. Definitely if vehicle will be directly in the path, possibly if the vehicle will be in the fresnel zone.

graham_freeman, to climate
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

Earlier this week, I rode on the BART train (light rail in the San Francisco Bay Area) for the first time since 2019. I've avoided it throughout the pandemic so far because I don't want to get sick, but thanks to their air quality upgrades and my extremely effective PAPR, I decided to give it a try.

I'm glad I did!

Compared to driving:

  • much less stressful,
  • same total travel time,
  • lower climate impact,
  • much cheaper - saving me $35 for the day.

#CovidIsNotOver
#ClimateChange
#Transit

A modern BART light rail train car with green and blue seats, spaces for bicycles, and ample lighting from electric lights as well as windows.
A screenshot from a smartphone app indicating the PAPR has 81% battery life remaining, 100% filter life remaining, and has detected a good mask fit. This screenshot was taken after 3 hours (round trip) of BART travel time while wearing the PAPR the entire time.

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

@sam asked a question a while back that I know I'll enjoy seeing the answers to:

Q2. What's the heaviest, largest, or most ridiculous cargo you've ever carried on your bicycle? Bonus points for including a picture (with proper description in the alt text).

#CarryShitOlympics #BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

A2. The heaviest, largest, and most ridiculous cargo I've ever carried on my bicycle: A solid oak dresser in a wooden bike trailer, next to a personal safe. (Part of a cross-town move a few years back.)

There was a tough hill along the way, but generally it worked out well.

#CarryShitOlympics
#BikeNite

@ascentale @sam

graham_freeman, to random
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

My sons' music teacher contacted me to say that his return from his vacation was delayed by a Covid infection. He explained the timeline from first-symptom to first-negative-test, proactively affirmed that he'd be masking and running the air purifier I gave him, and gave the option to delay resumption of lessons.

I HELLA HEART THIS. Basic human decency. Common courtesy. Simple communication. It doesn't have to be difficult.

#CovidIsNotOver

pamelafox, to random
@pamelafox@fosstodon.org avatar

We realized we need to get a new car, as our 2001 car is on its last legs. I realize I've never actually bought a car, always just got hand-me-downs, so I don't know how to reason about such a large purchase. We're thinking PHEV (plugin hybrid), and we're a family that mostly takes very short trips. Any rec's?

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@pamelafox Please don’t buy another fossil fuel vehicle. There’s infinite downside, and very little upside.

Our family of five does very well with a Chevy Bolt. Bought it used with 3K miles for $20K. Gets about 250 miles on a charge, and costs us at most 80% of what it would cost to fuel a Prius. Since we primarily charge at home, it’s just never a thing we have to worry about. The car’s always ready to go in the morning.

cassey, to cycling
@cassey@urbanists.social avatar

Just learned Bikes at Work makes trailers that attach to bikes, one of which is big enough it could carry an Urban Arrow if say, ours broke down on a ride somewhere and we needed to haul it home. That would be a lot easier than needing to immediately go rent a truck...
Anyone have one? Or know of other options I should consider?
#BikeTooter #CargoBikes #UrbanArrow

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@cassey Yeah!

I had a Bikes At Work (BAW) 96AWD for a while. That was at the time their widest, double-wheel trailer. It was great - many things were hauled, including bikes, large air purifiers, furniture, groceries, grandparents, and camping gear.

After a while I upgraded to a Carla Cargo trailer. Much more expensive, but also much less DIY. The Carla includes its own excellent braking system - a big safety feature.

trailers like these seem like a great use-case for shared ownership.

A silver mountain bike on a silver Bikes At Work bike trailer, towed by yet another trailer which is in turn towed by a red cargo e-bike.
Two tandem analog bikes on a silver Bikes At Work trailer, towed by another bike trailer, towed by a red cargo e-bike.
A yellow Carla Cargo bike trailer hauling two bikes: a silver mountain bike, and a black mountain bike. The trailed is towed by a red cargo e-bike.

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@cassey

Photos of some more fun bike trailer experiences. Tons of fun!


A green rocking chair and red water barrel - both thrift store finds - hauled on a yellow Carla Cargo bike trailer, hauled by a red cargo e-bike on a rail+trail walk/bike path.
A plastic cargo bin and a roof cargo box with a solar panel mounted on the top, loaded on a silver Bikes At Work bike trailer, towed by an orange experimental e-trike.
A red cargo e-bike mounted on a yellow Carla Cargo bike trailer, towed by a blue tandem e-bike on a walk/bike rail+trail path.

graham_freeman, to Disneyland
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

We got back from #Disneyland a few days ago. Such a great trip! 🎉

No infections 👍 despite the constant chorus of coughing people around us, thanks to some basic precautions including good masks, Betadine & Enovid, good hygiene, and a toddler stroller PAPR.

#CovidIsNotOver

A Lucira NAAT test indicating negative for Covid, Flu-A, and Flu-B.
An extremely tall and well-lit christmas tree on Main Street in Disneyland at night.
A dad on the Teacups ride at Disneyland with a toddler. Both are well-masked, spinning and grinning.

Meyerweb, to random
@Meyerweb@mastodon.social avatar

Sliding in just under the wire, I have a look back at 2023, and in particular three big turning points — one professional, two personal. It’s pretty short, so I hope you‘ll give it a read. https://meyerweb.com/eric/thoughts/2023/12/31/2023-in-brief-review/

graham_freeman,
@graham_freeman@mastodon.social avatar

@Meyerweb Congratulations!

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