Just a thought, that a lowly bike will be mighty handy to get around with.
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Just a thought, that a lowly bike will be mighty handy to get around with.
Not sure, all the 1st hand accounts I've heard said it doesn't work well: no protection. But you may be able to avoid things that you couldn't otherwise.
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Very situation driven.
Can be handy for hanging gear off and using as a pushcart along with the personal transportation
I am an avid bicyclist, I've tried these things.
A bicycle set up with panniers is a great tool for moving stuff from one point to another...if you're walking. If you're riding it would be very easy for 2 people to ambush you, knock you off the bike, kick you unconscious and take your stuff. You're not going to be able to both control the bike and use your handgun for self defense, you must dismount to engage your attacker with a firearm or knife. You can forget about using a long arm from a bicycle, a horse would be easier.
Multi-speed bicycles are noisy, especially bikes with certain brands of hubs. Chains get squeaky if you don't keep them lubricated. Single-speed bicycles would be the best, simpler, quieter but you better be in shape if you've got hills to climb otherwise you're walking.
Nope. Not safe at all.
http://youtu.be/S2oymHHyV1M
Currently I'd have to walk home from work and it is 26 miles through the city. A bike would be fantastic and takes hours to days off the trek.
You could get on Craigslist and find a good, older bicycle inexpensively and keep it at the job.Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
You should be able to cover that distance in a bout four hours or so. [Coffee]Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
Here ya go gents - http://denver.craigslist.org/bid/4371576642.html
Get out and ride - singlespeed will put you in shape.
There is a book I read can't remember which post apoc book it was. Guy coming from the sandbox for a while he was using a bike.
I agree, both your hands are pretty much taken up by controlling your vehicle. Although it would make a few day walking trip into a one day trip.
I just bought one of these for each of the cars. For the 3- day/get home packs in the car, will make the range by foot a little bit longer.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Attachment 42091
What about a recumbent or a trike? I have seen real low slung recumbent style on three wheels, maybe the best option?
i met a guy who had a low recumbent trike with a trailer who rode from FC up to Devils Tower and back. Dude was kinda a wandering hippie, but his rig was pretty cool.
I think for most options... if you re carrying any type of cargo you are limited to paved trails/roads... easy to get ambushed.
If you don't go for any type of cargo, I think your off-road possibilities expand.
Could go for a quadricycle! Leaves your hand more or less free. Possibly for co-pilot.
I don't know if there is a place at work to keep a bikr. May have to consider that. I think that just because you can get ambushed, doesn't really remove the overall utility of a bicycle. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with anything that you do. The same people who can ambush me on a bike can do so while I sleep too. Sure harder to be followed if I have a bike and they don't though.
A bike will extend your range as well. Is also relatively quiet as well. I saw some folding bikes on a tv show (how its made)Quote:
Originally Posted by Irving
Get a tandem, the guy in front can operate the bicycle while the other guy does security and helps pedal.
Crap, even in air assault school I couldn't do 26 miles in 4 hours. Maybe 20 miles, but I was toast after. Though I'm now 12 years (and abut 25 pounds heavier) past when I was able to do that. Though if SHTF while I am at work I have about a 20 mile trip from Lakewood to Aurora.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray1970
While there are defensive issues, a bike beats the hell out of walking.
Part of my SHTF plan now accounts for ways of getting around that don't require fuel. First because I consider an EMP to be a very real possibility, and secondly even if that doesn't happen, post-SHTF, fuel will soon become a rare commodity.
To prep for this Mrs Omi and I are now walking more and more to get in shape well enough to be able to comfortably walk 5-10 miles. How many of you hurt if you have to walk more than a half mile? I know I did. But I'm up to about 4 miles now, likely to be to 10 by spring.
Come spring we're going to dust off and fix up the old mountain bikes and start riding. We'll start at a few miles then work out way up to 10-20 miles. Having a bike in good working order, and the ability to comfortably ride it for longer distances, should be part of everyone's SHTF plan.
Few other things: I'll be looking into folding bikes someday soon, something small enough I could keep it in the toolbox of my truck so if I'm every stuck in south Denver or something when the EMP comes I don't have to walk home. Secondly I'm going to get a mini-bike or dirt bike and keep it in a metal (think EMP-proof, Faraday cage) shed. An ATV would be better honestly but that's a lot of money for something I can't use every day yet. Once we have rural property that'll change, but for now this would give me another option for a post-SHTF world.
I think if the motorized item is simple enough it won't be affected by the emp. from what I read, or even just the ignition system needs to be isolated.Quote:
Originally Posted by Omicron
I think fitness is a #1 priority in preparedness. It has so many benefits like injury recovery/resistance, resistance to sickness, etc on top of being able to actually physically perform.
I ride a bicycle with a trailer for the kids(shihtzus), 25 miles in a couple of hours is pretty easy. The trailer weighs about 40 pounds loaded, but could easily carry 3 times that amount. It wouldn't be ideal for crossing potentially hostile terrain, but would work well in the event of a fuel shortage. People all over the world use bikes/trikes for primary transportation, even in rural areas.
I have been trying to get into shape this way. I ride it every day for about 4-8 minutes. You would think it would be easy, but it not. The finer you want the flour, the more difficult it is.
The picture is not me riding it, I have to keep my wife in shape too.
http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47a4...D720/ry%3D480/
Next thing I will be using it for is my Roller/Flaker for making oatmeal or beer if you are so inclined. I am also going to use it for the generator. So a bike is good for shtf.
You're such a Luddite.Quote:
Originally Posted by HBARleatherneck
Dirty hipsters, paging all dirty hipsters.Quote:
Originally Posted by roberth
well now i don't feel so bad. I actually keep a spare older mt bike at work. It's locked up outside and i just rotate it to a new bike rack every few months. It was that or donate it to Goodwill. Figure something is better than nothing. Depends on how fast SHTF a few hours could make some type of difference.
We have an indoor bike rack :-)Quote:
Originally Posted by muddywings
:)Quote:
Originally Posted by bogie
HBAR nice mill setup care sharing what brand or parts used to make it
It is made by GrainMaker. They are made in America by Americans. Pricey? yes, but a lifetime warranty and a super quality product. And the warranty is transferable. I recently sold our smaller mill. It was broken in transit to the new owner by USPS (who still hasnt paid the insurance claim yet). They said "send it back" The new owner sent it back and they just gave him a new one. We also have the roller/flaker also. Which is good for making oatmeal or beer and a multitude of other things.Quote:
Originally Posted by tactical_2012
http://www.grainmaker.com/
For someone who might only want one for SHTF, there are cheaper options. but not better. not even close.
Summer Biathalon.
SHTF in LoDo, I'm calling for a pedicab [ROFL3]
Oooof. And I thought the Country Living mill was on the expensive side.Quote:
Originally Posted by HBARleatherneck
one of my personal requirements for a mill was NO CAST PARTS. The country living mill had cast parts. I wanted to know that if it broke and if the company went out of business, I could easily weld a needed repair or have a machine shop make a new part.
They are expensive, but if you use it forever and it lasts that long, its not too bad. If you buy it, try it a couple times and pack it away, it would be very expensive.