tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52920853174353024332024-03-19T03:41:01.028-07:00The Lumos Solar Gear BlogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-82900525842923670832015-11-08T21:06:00.001-08:002015-11-09T23:30:12.508-08:00The perfect backpack for a Politician<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10155251_548783325236648_777576654397678503_n.jpg?oh=dd768c6d8955fca855cb0058341f2398&oe=56C2113D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10155251_548783325236648_777576654397678503_n.jpg?oh=dd768c6d8955fca855cb0058341f2398&oe=56C2113D" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Not long ago, we at Lumos, ran a contest to design the 'Perfect Backpack for Netas (politicians)'! We asked our followers to suggest a new feature that 'Netas' would love to have in their Backpack, and win a free unPlug Backpack! Here are some of the ideas that emerged.</span></div>
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'Kursi Backpack'- Ruchi Bhosle</span></h3>
A backpack with an attached chair so that the politician can sit and give a speech using the 'Sanskaari’ speaker. No longer will he have to fight for limited parliament seats. After all its all about " Kissa Kursi Ka"<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/10154173_549219875192993_5021659016691782899_n.jpg?oh=4b3d0eb554e1bb52c9e259be04d954ae&oe=56C2707B" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/10154173_549219875192993_5021659016691782899_n.jpg?oh=4b3d0eb554e1bb52c9e259be04d954ae&oe=56C2707B" /></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">The 'In-Parliament Entertainment' Backpack- Pranav Verma</span></b></div>
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If you must watch "restricted movies" in Parliament, watch it in style with the 'In-Parliament Entertainment Backpack'! Blue-Film, Blue Ray Playing Backpack'! A must-have for every Neta!!</div>
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<a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1897727_550115521770095_5769319373042037688_n.jpg?oh=f663bc8e8a6bbd6362c8ac7f428bb6f6&oe=56C74731" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1897727_550115521770095_5769319373042037688_n.jpg?oh=f663bc8e8a6bbd6362c8ac7f428bb6f6&oe=56C74731" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">'A Shoe-launcher backpack'- Karthik Mahadevan</span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 21.3333px;">It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a politician in possession of a parliamentary seat, must be in want of a shoe-launching backpack. And thus, we give you... the</span> Neta's backpack that shoots out Chappals at the opposing party!</div>
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<a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/988441_549175291864118_8426608608267641445_n.jpg?oh=7f23510a353c0d48b85de0aba4443c60&oe=56B8E457" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/988441_549175291864118_8426608608267641445_n.jpg?oh=7f23510a353c0d48b85de0aba4443c60&oe=56B8E457" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The 'Biryani-Bribe' backpack- Deepthi Karnad</span></h3>
A 'biryani packet + quart of rum' dispensing slot to bribe voters with!!<br />
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<a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10253965_549538221827825_379250249863432917_n.jpg?oh=b763b914e3b749b133d1a9019e969912&oe=56BF0F31" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10253965_549538221827825_379250249863432917_n.jpg?oh=b763b914e3b749b133d1a9019e969912&oe=56BF0F31" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The 'Jaante ho, mai kaun hoon' backpack- Neeta Kumar</span></span></h3>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Introducing the 'Jaante ho, mai kaun hoon?' backpack! Preventing politicians from getting slapped, since 2014! This bag is a highly recommended starter-kit for any politician intending to take a stand- whoops, sit-down- on current affairs.</span></div>
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com3Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-15510812761511976782015-11-05T23:03:00.000-08:002015-11-05T23:03:46.464-08:00No time for plug-points! -Auditya Venkatesh, one of the world's top hundred photographers, explores the Lumos Thrillseeker backpack.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.8667px;">No time for plug-points!</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/12038079_928318567205653_1313005406466771525_n.jpg?oh=1f48eff5caf06e72e4aa9bd7d7820b40&oe=56C5BB55" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/12038079_928318567205653_1313005406466771525_n.jpg?oh=1f48eff5caf06e72e4aa9bd7d7820b40&oe=56C5BB55" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Lumos Thrillseeker backpack has a 4000mAh battery which gets charged through its ultralight solar fabric surface.</td></tr>
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.8667px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.8667px;">"When I'm travelling, after a while I find myself looking for plug points, and a lot of the time that's a great hinderance. I was lookin</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.8667px;">g for alternate ways to get my devices charged so I can do more things on the go. After looking for a while I found the answer right here in Bangalore. This company called Lumos makes these great backpacks with solar fabric inbuilt! It worked so well! </span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11058501_926791247358385_9011729809823345520_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://scontent.fmaa1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t31.0-8/11058501_926791247358385_9011729809823345520_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #666666; display: inline; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17.8667px;">"This isn't a promotional message, so I'm not getting paid to do this! I genuinely love that you can harness the power of the sun to charge your phone and cameras, and reduce our consumption from plug points by that much! So shout out to them for doing this! This is meant to be a cyclist hydration pack but I use it mainly to take a lens or two and other essentials."</span><br />
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0Nebraska, USA41.4925374 -99.90181310000002735.406235900000006 -110.22896160000002 47.5788389 -89.574664600000034tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-4419616604821858472015-11-05T22:52:00.003-08:002015-11-05T22:52:46.782-08:00Seven Countries, Seven months, One man Chirag Singal, One Cycle and One bag- The Lumos Thrillseeker.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">On the last day of college, some people party, some people worry about the future, and some people just sleep. But one man decided to go on a nice bike ride. Except he forgot to stop! Seven countries and seven months later, Chirag had become a bike-tourer to inspire many across India. He cycled across Myanmar, Thailand, Lao, Cambodia, Vietnam, and didn't once reconsider the trip despite facing many difficulties. Of course, during the trip he learned how to really pack-well and make the best use of all the resources he had. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">In this video, you can check out how he ingeniously uses the Lumos Thrill Seeker and literally packs multiple days worth of luggage in a 12L hydration backpack! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Watch him talk about how he packed and used his Solar powered Hydration backpack on a multi-day tour.</span><br />
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-58493268093018402042015-11-05T04:25:00.003-08:002015-11-05T05:02:57.340-08:00This is how you know that Brevet season has begun!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvbKFJnnNbh5OGv0_ug-YYO5SxaagvqnpjxkCtQlSq3-n_zdqPLXw3AKMtI_-v_qsiiQaJotoAwj35fCOmbzIO7XzZRMgK26psYV55X3OaO_EcXoFCWS54LKVyvY9gPl4Quj_4R08kdg/s1600/Cyclists+be+like-06.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHvbKFJnnNbh5OGv0_ug-YYO5SxaagvqnpjxkCtQlSq3-n_zdqPLXw3AKMtI_-v_qsiiQaJotoAwj35fCOmbzIO7XzZRMgK26psYV55X3OaO_EcXoFCWS54LKVyvY9gPl4Quj_4R08kdg/s640/Cyclists+be+like-06.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-91832134690006840882015-11-05T04:21:00.005-08:002015-11-05T05:03:55.752-08:00How to spot a Cyclist in the boardroom...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-57870060030770250662015-11-05T04:21:00.002-08:002015-11-05T21:12:51.966-08:00The "Butt" of cyclist jokes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0Doopanahalli, Indiranagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.96813450656769 77.63626098632812512.964266006567691 77.631218486328123 12.972003006567689 77.641303486328127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-53623839180719579372015-11-05T04:20:00.000-08:002015-11-05T04:20:09.406-08:00Friday night clubbing and Cyclists be like.. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE4t234zP9Rixyn-qt6csiigQvgPbNUgtgEi-gDXnw6MQ7ly6biv8CexEftaySVXcFK_asH6rp1shzf0JLHvin9U_RId_9H9bJI6ln2j2CXbJuHRo0DBCs9GFGQIcVeRFIToOzzU-sfo/s1600/Cyclists+be+like-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCE4t234zP9Rixyn-qt6csiigQvgPbNUgtgEi-gDXnw6MQ7ly6biv8CexEftaySVXcFK_asH6rp1shzf0JLHvin9U_RId_9H9bJI6ln2j2CXbJuHRo0DBCs9GFGQIcVeRFIToOzzU-sfo/s640/Cyclists+be+like-04.png" width="626" /></a></div>
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-45480589816705076712015-11-05T02:31:00.002-08:002015-11-05T04:36:06.255-08:00Ten Wildly Successful Start-Ups You've Never Heard Of!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Start-ups are the new Black. You can barely drive down the street these days, without running-over an entrepreneur, and while some are out there, curing cancer, and relocating humans to Mars, others have gone off the beaten path altogether. We take a look at the biggest, baddest and bizzare-est start-ups of 2015!</div>
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Business-class flight travel moving you away from your roots? BedBugs.in helps you get back to your roots, by providing the bus travel experience from your childhood!<br />
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Are you losing your mind over losing your hair? Wiggy's peer-to-peer hair delivery service bridges gap between the haves and the have-nots of the tendril world. Comb over to Wiggy and take a strand against baldness!<br />
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Sell it like you stole it with the everyone's favourite e-commerce website! Inspired by the Dilbert book '<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif; line-height: 37.2px;">Build a Better Life by Stealing Office Supplies</span>' was founded by IIN Alumni.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Ain't nobody got time for your whining. Take your sniffles and sneezes to CommonSore's online forum, where you can commiserate with people who have the same illness as you.</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Instamomo shows you a heat-map of dimsum-dealers, pot-sticker peddlars, and momo-merchants in your neighbourhood for you to order from. Now you can have mo' momos than ever befo'.</span></div>
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Buy used (and abused) forwards and What'sApp jokes online at LOLx- a repository for undead puns. A pack of 12 can cost you as low as 5 Facebook unfriendings.</div>
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Tinder Toy packs all the surprise-factor of a blind-date into a tiny little package. Pack includes one adult toy- and a safe-word.<br />
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A cab service by Mallus, for Mallus. Currently available only in Dubai. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">It's never too late for love!</span><br />
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InstaTam makes your photos Tam-Bram family-friendly- in an instant!. Filters include: cleavage-blur, kissing-face censor, and instant namaam and ommam additions to any photo. Insta-Tam Premium auto-erases cigarettes, beer bottles and skanky friends from your photos.</div>
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.59456269999998312.4764182 76.949115699999979 13.4667792 78.240009699999987tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-11274537856731695452015-11-05T02:29:00.000-08:002015-11-05T02:29:43.142-08:00HOW *NOT* TO GET A PAIN IN THE BACK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-26133478355726798592015-11-05T02:27:00.000-08:002015-11-05T03:10:44.919-08:00You recognise a cyclist in a matrimonial site when...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-58766268386327772302015-11-05T02:22:00.002-08:002015-11-05T04:26:26.602-08:00Cyclists don't shop like regular people! Here's why...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21.4667px;">Cyclists don't shop like regular people! Here's why we think so.</span><br />
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-9223371472245853972015-09-16T04:10:00.001-07:002015-11-05T02:30:18.586-08:00TWO STRAP OR NOT TWO STRAP<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">We may never know for sure if aliens live among us or whether Big Foot exists. But thanks to in-depth research into the evolution of 'Cool' by the Slate writer Forrest Wickman, we now know when teens started wearing their backpacks with two straps instead of one.</span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">We share with you, Forrest Wickman's blog. </span></h3>
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When Did Two-Strapping Get Cooler Than One-Strapping?</h1>
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<figure class="image inline " style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; width: 590px;"><img alt="21 Jump Street" pagespeed_url_hash="3556630227" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_21JumpSt-alt.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="131030_COOL_21JumpSt-alt" /><div class="credit" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 3px 5px; text-align: right;">
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Toward the beginning of the 2012 comedy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0081L391C/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0081L391C&linkCode=as2&tag=slatmaga-20" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>21 Jump Street</em></a>, Officer Jenko (Channing Tatum), a onetime cool kid, gives his partner some advice as they prepare to infiltrate the ranks of the cool kids at Sagan High. “You gotta one-strap it,” Jenko chides Officer Schmidt (Jonah Hill). Schmidt, a onetime nerd, is two-strapping—wearing his backpack over both shoulders. That is not, warns Jenko, what cool kids do.</div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">This advice may sound obvious to all cool kids of a certain age, but when the officers make their debut at school, times have changed. Jenko’s attitude—“I don’t care about anything,” he announces—has gone out of style. The cool kids are into diversity, environmentalism, and, worst of all,</span><span style="line-height: 1.8;"> </span><em style="line-height: 1.8;">trying</em><span style="line-height: 1.8;">.</span><em style="line-height: 1.8;"> </em><span style="line-height: 1.8;">And symbolizing this generational sea change: “Everybody’s two-strapping it,” notes Schmidt.</span></div>
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When I first watched this scene, I thought: Funny bit, but is it <em>right</em>? I, like everyone cool (or trying to be cool) in my high school, one-strapped all the way. It was a foundational tenet of cool—you might argue about what kind of music was cool, or what clothes, or what hairstyles, but it was a given that one-strapping was the only way to wear a backpack. Is one-strapping really not cool anymore? And if so, how could something once so cool become so <em>not</em>? My search for the answer sent me on a quest in which I’d consult pediatric orthopedic surgeons, re-examine decades of pop culture, and track down the one consummately cool high-schooler from East Amherst, N.Y., who might have the answer.</div>
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The first step was obvious: determining if and when, exactly, this happened. Left without any serious research on the subject—even chiropractors and pediatric orthopedists who have studied the effect of backpacks couldn’t point to any data—I decided to collect some data myself.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #281b21; font-family: sl-Apres, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.8;">After speaking with 75 ex-students and students from all over the country, spanning 60 years of high-schoolers—from the class of 1965 to the class of 2026—the data (however unscientific my polling) were clear. Every ex-student from the class of 1994 and earlier, 12 students, had, to a man, one-strapped. “Everyone one-strapped. No exceptions,” reported a graduate of the class of 1991. “I one-strapped all through college,” reported one of his female classmates.</span><img alt="131030_COOL_piechart1" pagespeed_url_hash="4091308012" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_piechart1.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #281b21; font-family: sl-Apres, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="131030_COOL_piechart1" /></div>
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Starting with the class of 1995, however, the number of two-strappers began to very slowly increase. One ’95-er, who noticed one particularly cool male classmate of hers switching to two-strapping, followed his lead. (More on him later.) A member of the class of ’97 remembered doing the same. Nevertheless, most still one-strapped—it was “the only way,” reported two separate members of the class of ’96. (One member of the class of 2001 even recalled, “Actually, I'm pretty sure I had a backpack that only had one big diagonal strap ... What happened to those Forrest???”)<strong></strong></div>
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The real sea change from one strap to two seemed to occur in the mid-2000s. Before this time there was the occasional two-strapper, but starting with the class of 2005, two-strappers began to dominate, outnumbering their peers. “By high school, I’d say pretty much every guy did the two straps,” said one graduate of 2005 (who remembered that most women ditched backpacks altogether). “I don’t remember one-strapping ever being cool in actuality, it was always in theory,” mused another. “Like on TV if you were cool you had one strap, but in person it didn’t really make a difference.” (This was news to me and my classmates from Glastonbury High School’s Class of 2005, who largely remembered one-strapping being the only cool way.)<strong></strong></div>
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By the time the class of 2008 started shouldering their backpacks, the change was complete. Every backpack-wearing respondent from then on, from the class of 2008 through the class of 2027—20 former and current students—used both straps. More, they claimed that they <em>always</em> used two straps, and their classmates did, too. (The only exception was one current 5-year-old, who, according to his father, “occasionally one-straps.”)</div>
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For many, the idea of one-strapping was silly or uncool, or never even occurred to them. “I wore my backpack with both straps, as did most people,” wrote one 2010 graduate. “I don’t remember ever having a conversation about how to wear a backpack in high school; no one seemed to notice.” “I think one-strapping, even temporarily, is unnecessary and unhelpful,” wrote one 13-year-old. A former college classmate of mine even told me, “I now teach sixth grade and it’s all about the backpacks with the extra straps and clasps. All straps on, all clasps closed.”<strong></strong></div>
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<em>Extra </em>straps? Something had happened, starting around the mid-’90s, and finishing around the mid-’00s, that changed the way that kids wear their backpacks. But what could have caused such a radical shift in behavior? Intense data analysis, interviews, and archival research led me to three hypotheses.</div>
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<strong>1. The Cultural Hypothesis</strong></div>
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If one-strapping, and later two-strapping, were about being cool, then something in the nature of cool must have changed. I turned to the source that tells us what’s cool: pop culture.</div>
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It’s no surprise at all that movies and TV reflected the above trends almost exactly. Take a look at any ’80s teen movie—<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003PUQ5CO/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B003PUQ5CO&adid=1KMC2QHBFV4QMZA3J4XG&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Fast Times at Ridgemont High</em></a><em> </em>(1982), or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MNH0DO/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B006MNH0DO&adid=1YEJBFRWXP7922TR1Y7Z&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Heathers</em></a><em></em>(1988)—and you’ll find almost nothing but one-strappers. In <em>Fast Times</em>, for example, one-strapping isn’t about clique or comportment. It’s just what everyone does. Students of every type sport one bare shoulder, whether it be the ripped shoulder of surf-stoner Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) or the skinny one of dutiful Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold).<strong></strong></div>
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Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) and Brad Hamilton (Judge Reinhold) both one-strap.</div>
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In ’90s movies, the trend, at first, continues. When the title character returns to high school for the first time in years in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018OIJXM/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0018OIJXM&adid=04813P0A0XCYB7YVT4E1&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Billy Madison</em></a><em> </em>(1995), <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZjviMmXIY8" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">everyone is one-strapping</a>. In<a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JYIJAY/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001JYIJAY&adid=1JWSW70PVX1AEQW5B6FF&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Clueless</em></a><em> </em>(1995), Cher (Alicia Silverstone) laments the way that all the guys walk around her high school’s campus dressed like this:<strong></strong></div>
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<figure class="image inline " style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; width: 590px;"><img alt="Paramount Pictures" pagespeed_url_hash="2625925075" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_Clueless.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="Clueless" /><figcaption class="caption" style="background-color: #281b21; color: white; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px 18px;">In <em>Clueless</em>, just about everyone one-straps.</figcaption><div class="credit" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 3px 5px; text-align: right;">
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But then things start to shift. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005DN7W78/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B005DN7W78&adid=079J2G3T8ZYEXWDSTCWC&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Election</em></a> (1999), the way characters carry their book bags helps define their characters. The overachieving Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) wears her bag over both arms. Her opponent, the airheaded Paul Metzler (Chris Klein), covers only one of his athletic shoulders.<strong></strong></div>
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<figure class="image inline " style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; width: 590px;"><img alt="Election" pagespeed_url_hash="1312374522" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_Election.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="Election" /><figcaption class="caption" style="background-color: #281b21; color: white; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px 18px;">Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) two-straps, and Paul Metzler (Chris Klein) one-straps.</figcaption><div class="credit" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 3px 5px; text-align: right;">
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In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0063T7JGU/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0063T7JGU&adid=0CGH92J6ABQFRA221NN6&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>10 Things I Hate About You</em></a> (1999), similarly, it’s a mix. Most of the heroes—when they use backpacks—two-strap, and the one-strappers tend to be students like the conceited Joey Donner:</div>
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<figure class="image inline " style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; width: 590px;"><img alt="10 Things I Hate About You" pagespeed_url_hash="3830782845" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_10Things.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="10 Things I Hate About You" /><figcaption class="caption" style="background-color: #281b21; color: white; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px 18px;">Joey (Andrew Keegan) one-straps, while underdog Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) two-straps.</figcaption><div class="credit" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 3px 5px; text-align: right;">
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In other words, these movies reflect a trend away from depicting <em>everyone </em>one-strapping and toward using one-strapping as a broad way to signal “cool kid” or, in the case of characters like Donner, “douchebag.” From the mid-2000s on—from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000J2DAYM/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B000J2DAYM&adid=148CE0V7PGYWD07V9W7C&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Brick</em></a><em></em>(2005) to the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001Q3KQ6I/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B001Q3KQ6I&adid=1730H034C09FNWVKB4X3&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>High School Musical</em></a><em> </em>trilogy (2006–2008) to <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036TGSIK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B0036TGSIK&adid=0V5AKT95JBAFSEY4BM43&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Easy A</em></a><em> </em>(2010)—teen movies seem to have shown just about everyone two-strapping it. In <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009B0JSD0/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B009B0JSD0&adid=0GJRY26GQHMDEZE72WYN&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>The Amazing Spider-Man</em></a><em> </em>(2012), when Peter Parker protects his (two-strapping) classmates by battling the Lizard in the halls of his high school, he two-straps it the whole time.<strong></strong></div>
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<span style="line-height: 1.8;">These movies also point to broader changes in the culture that may have helped cause this. The first is the rise of skate culture. Like two-strapping, skate culture</span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1998/10/18/us/new-england-tries-to-adapt-to-sound-of-skateboards.html" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.8; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">exploded in the late ’90s and early ’00s</a><span style="line-height: 1.8;">. After Tony Hawk completed </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/packages/html/sports/year_in_sports/06.27.html" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.8; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the first 900</a><span style="line-height: 1.8;"> in 1999, and released the first </span><em style="line-height: 1.8;">Pro Skater </em><span style="line-height: 1.8;">video game later that year, the TV series </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BDH69O/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=slatmaga-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B000BDH69O&adid=0X4JTEF2BK3Z2BKE8RYT&" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.8; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><em>Jackass</em></a><em style="line-height: 1.8;"></em><span style="line-height: 1.8;">premiered in 2000. By 2001 there were </span><a href="http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=125685" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.8; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">more kids on skateboards than on baseball diamonds</a><span style="line-height: 1.8;">, according to one study. What does this have to do with two-strapping? Skate culture had its own style, too—by 2004, skating apparel was bringing in </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/12/fashion/sundaystyles/12skate.html?pagewanted=print" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.8; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">billions of dollars a year</a><span style="line-height: 1.8;">—and skaters two-strap, to keep their balance. Moreover, even when they’re off their boards, it’s customary to </span><a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=skateboarding+in+a+backpack&espv=210&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=REJxUoL-IfXKsQTz9IB4&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1437&bih=716#es_sm=91&espv=210&q=skateboarding+backpack&tbm=isch" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; line-height: 1.8; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">carry them across their backs while two-strapping</a><span style="line-height: 1.8;">. Here was a uniform of the rebel, the cool kid, that </span><em style="line-height: 1.8;">required</em><span style="line-height: 1.8;"> two-strapping.</span><div class="bc-video" id="brightcovesinglevideoexperience-3406" style="text-align: center;">
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<figure class="image inline " style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; width: 590px;"><img alt="The Amazing Spider-Man" pagespeed_url_hash="4250386738" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_Spiderman.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="Spider-Man" /><figcaption class="caption" style="background-color: #281b21; color: white; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px 18px;">Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) and Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) both two-strap.</figcaption><div class="credit" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 3px 5px; text-align: right;">
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There was another form of rebellion against the (one-strapping) mainstream in the music world. While it had been <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prG2xT9CWgQ" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">around for years</a>, “backpack rap”—underground rap, historically opposed to the mainstream—broke to the front of hip-hop culture <a href="http://www.xxlmag.com/news/bloggers/2006/06/the-return-of-backpacker-rap/" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">in the mid-2000s</a>. Above all, this was due to the widespread influence of Kanye West, the self-proclaimed “<a href="http://rapgenius.com/Kanye-west-breathe-in-breathe-out-lyrics#note-116348" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">first n---a with a Benz and a backpack</a>,” who (after two-strapping it<a href="http://concreteloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/khighschool.gif" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">since high school</a>) brought his “<a href="http://www.complex.com/style/2013/03/a-history-of-kanye-wests-obsession-with-fashion-in-kanye-west-gifs/2006-kan" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">backpack prep</a>” look to the forefront of the new hip-hop mainstream. He even wore backpacks onstage in many 2004–2006 performances—and he <a href="http://cdnl.complex.com/mp/620/400/80/0/bb/1/ffffff/ef6fc4e130a26aa5625ee081fb005c4f/images_/assets/CHANNEL_IMAGES/STYLE/2013/04/the-15-stages-of-kanye-wests-style/orcbm_20042_555867.jpg" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">always</a> <a href="http://www.billboard.com/photos/426775/kanye-wests-fashion-evolution?i=436154" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">did it</a> <a href="http://hypebeast.com/2008/7/kanye-wests-custom-louis-vuitton-backpack" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">while</a> <a href="http://nymag.com/thecut/2013/06/evolution-of-kanye-wests-splashy-style/slideshow/2013/06/20/style_evolution_kanyewest/19-kanye3-teddy-bears/" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">two-strapping</a>.</div>
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There’s one last trend that I would suggest helped make two-strapping OK, albeit another one not entirely unrelated to Kanye: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geek#Geek_chic" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">geek chic</a>. Starting around the mid-2000s, not long after the rise of backpack rap, celebrities like <a href="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_latjslfBZy1qzbalr.jpg" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">West</a> and <a href="http://www.eonline.com/shows/fashion_police/news/206468/fashion-police-gotta-have-it-geek-chic-glasses/" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Justin Timberlake</a> and <a href="http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7346656/the-rise-nba-nerd" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">NBA players</a> like <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/gallery/NBA-nerd-fashion-geek-chic-Kevin-Durant-Russell-Westbrook-LeBron-James-053112#photo-title=School%2527s+in+session&photo=31029258" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Kevin Durant</a> and <a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/246537/slide_246537_1422117_free.jpg?1346033393000" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Dwyane Wade</a> started to button up with thick-rimmed glasses and backpacks—always worn with both straps. Geek chic turned the world upside-down: What was once the ultimate in nerdiness was now the ultimate in cool.<strong></strong></div>
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<figure class="image inline " style="float: none; margin: 0px auto; width: 590px;"><img alt="Kevin Durant" pagespeed_url_hash="3375502088" src="http://www.slate.com/content/dam/slate/articles/arts/cool_story/2013/10/131030_COOL_KevinDurant.jpg.CROP.promovar-mediumlarge.jpg" src_tag_name="src" style="border: 0px; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" title="131030_COOL_KevinDurant" /><figcaption class="caption" style="background-color: #281b21; color: white; font-size: 14px; padding: 5px 18px;">Kevin Durant two-straps at a postgame press conference in April 2011.</figcaption><div class="credit" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1.1; margin-bottom: 1em; padding: 3px 5px; text-align: right;">
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<strong>2. The Medical Hypothesis</strong></div>
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From survey respondents who had switched midchildhood from one-strapping to two-strapping, I heard one memory again and again: complaints of adolescent back pain. According to one member of the class of 2004, “one-strapping was ‘in’ in middle school, but in high school we had to carry so many goddamn books around that two-strapping was necessary and ‘cool’ didn't matter anymore.” “Backpacks were just too heavy,” agreed a respondent from the class of 2005. For others, it wasn’t their choice: “Promising to two-strap it was the only way I could keep my mom from buying me a rolling backpack,” wrote a member of the class of 2008.</div>
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Could it have been concerns for back health that caused everyone to switch to two-strapping? I turned to the experts: pediatric orthopedic surgeons and chiropractors who have studied the subject.</div>
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The first thing that became clear is that pretty much everyone agrees that two-strapping is better for your back. “<a href="http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00043" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Always use both shoulder straps</a>,” counsels the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, “to keep the weight of the backpack better distributed across the child’s back.” The <a href="http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/Backpack_Safety.pdf" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">National Safety Council</a> and the<a href="http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=65" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">American Chiropractic Association</a> agree. And even though heavy backpacks <a href="http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00633" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">do not cause scoliosis or make any curvature worse</a>, the old myth that they do persists.</div>
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But could these warnings have caused such a massive change in behavior? The pediatric orthopedic surgeon I talked to was doubtful. “There have been public awareness campaigns about backpack weight and wearing them properly,” wrote Dr. Nirav Pandya of the University of California–San Francisco, “but that does not trickle down to the school level as kids are forced to simply lug such a huge amount of weight around.” He added that he didn’t think backpack injures have gone up or down: “Although there is no good data, I would say backpack injuries have remained constant.” How could this be? Because “students still have such a large amount of weight on their back,” he explained, it ends up being a “huge strain” “regardless of strap (one vs. two).” Similarly, neither Pandya nor any of the other experts I contacted could point me to any research on whether backpack weight has increased or remained constant, though both Pandya and chiropractor Scott Bautch, who consulted with the North Face on ergonomic backpack designs, pointed out that the trend toward e-learning should lighten backpacks.</div>
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Regardless of whether backpacks have gotten lighter or heavier, there’s another trend that we do know about: Since the late ’90s, many schools have been getting rid of lockers. According to a 2006 study from the <em>Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics</em>, the lack of lockers is <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16670549" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">one of the biggest factors contributing to book-bag-associated back pain</a>, since students without lockers often have to carry around more books. While some schools started getting rid of lockers <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/1989-12-06/local/me-146_1_franklin-middle-school" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">as early as 1989</a> (to combat noise and eliminate a place where students could hide guns or drugs), more <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1999/05/24/us/schools-look-hard-at-lockers-shirts-bags-and-manners.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">schools began looking into it after the 1999 mass shooting at Columbine High School</a>. In 2011 Peter Lippman, an architect serving on the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on Architecture for Education, said <a href="http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/education/story/2011-11-14/schools-lockers-safety/51205848/1" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">the trend was still growing</a>.</div>
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In other words, even if backpacks aren’t getting heavier, students with no lockers carry more books more miles per day; if you’re humping a day’s worth of textbooks from classroom to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_classroom" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">relocatable trailer</a> and back, you just might switch from one strap to two.<strong></strong></div>
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<strong>3. The Tom Ferguson Hypothesis</strong></div>
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To explain this final theory, I have to tell you a story. It’s not my story, but rather one told to me by my colleague <a href="http://www.slate.com/authors.jessica_winter.html" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">Jessica Winter</a>, a <strong><em>Slate </em></strong>senior editor.</div>
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Of my 75 respondents, she was the earliest to two-strap, dating her ambistrappage to the fall of 1991. According to Jessica, all through middle school, she had always one-strapped. All her peers did, too. Then, one day her freshman year, everything changed. She was walking down the hallway at her high school in East Amherst, N.Y., when she noticed one of her classmates, Tom Ferguson, coming her way. With a defiant look on his face, he was doing something that in an instant overturned Jessica’s understanding of cool and uncool, of fashion and style, of confidence and strength: He was two-strapping.</div>
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“You did not wear your backpack on two shoulders,” she explained to me, describing the then-current trend at Williamsville East High School. “It was not done.” But Tom Ferguson changed everything. He was the coolest guy in the school, she explained. “He knew about Smashing Pumpkins when <em>Gish</em> came out. He knew about Nirvana<em>before</em><em> Nevermind </em>came out. Basically Tom Ferguson would tell you about a band and then you would take your babysitting money and buy a tape by that band.” All that, and he was tall.</div>
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“I remember saying something to him to express my surprise and confusion,” she continued. “But he just sort of stared at me and shrugged.” Jessica Winter, no fool she, didn’t shrug. She slipped her arm through her dangling backpack strap and, from that day forth, wore both straps. Everybody else, too, soon followed suit. “It was now cool to wear your backpack on two shoulders. Because Tom Ferguson wore his backpack on two shoulders.”</div>
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How could one 14-year-old have such power? “He also had a singularly glassy affect,” Jessica recalled, “that somehow managed to be almost embarrassingly nerdy and intimidatingly cool at the same time. ...<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold;"> </a>I’m trying to think of an example of what I'm talking about. Early Rivers Cuomo comes closest—Cuomo in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHQqqM5sr7g" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">‘The Sweater Song’ video</a> is very Tom Ferguson.” In other words, Tom Ferguson was <em>geek chic</em>. But, of course, this was years before geek chic, years before Kanye and Dwyane, years before “The Sweater Song” even came out.</div>
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Tom Ferguson soon moved away, and he and Jessica are long out of touch. But if I was going to get to the bottom of this, I needed to talk to him. After a little searching on Facebook, Jessica was able to track down a Thomas Ferguson in Asheville, N.C., and she was pretty sure it was him. After my Facebook messages went unanswered—was Tom Ferguson too cool to check Facebook?—I began trying the phone numbers of every Tom Ferguson listed in the Asheville area. Most of the Thomas Fergusons and T. Fergusons who answered were very nice, but they were <em>not</em> the Tom Ferguson of Williamsville East High. But just as we were about to publish this article, I got a call.<br /><br />It was <em>the </em>Tom Ferguson. “I don’t remember it being a conscious decision,” he said, utterly unperturbed by the fact that I had been leaving frantic messages on his phone. “I remember trying to wear it over one shoulder, and at some point I decided I didn’t care anymore whether it was cool or not.” Did he skateboard? “Not usually while wearing my backpack,” he said. And no, he did not listen to underground hip-hop. “This is way more than I’ve ever thought about this topic,” he advised me. But still, when he carries his backpack on his way to Asheville’s T.C. Roberson High School, where he is now a teacher, he says, “I wear it over two shoulders.”<br /><br />Tom Ferguson hadn’t changed his habits because of back pain or because of what some movie told him to do. He did it because he was <em>truly</em> cool, because he didn’t care. If the self-sure will of one young man like Tom Ferguson could singlehandedly revolutionize cool for an entire school, could this spread to other schools as well? Could Tom Ferguson—or someone like him—be the two-strapping Patient Zero?</div>
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The most likely conclusion, of course, is that a combination of the factors in all three hypotheses led to dual-strap ascendance. There were surely some early Tom Fergusons, defiant in the hallways, and then others picking up on larger trends in pop culture, and then others who threw on the second strap just because their back hurt. If your back hurts, after all, it’s no longer effortless to one-strap. And if you’re no longer effortless, you’re no longer cool.</div>
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This also means, of course, that the fashion could shift back to one-strapping at any time. With a few more lockers, or a new generation of Tom Fergusons, or more Kindles to keep bags light, everything could soon change. As the “Cool Story” series has shown, <em>cool</em> is malleable and ever-changing. In the meantime, Kanye has already <a href="http://www.upscalehype.com/2011/11/kanye-west-in-givenchy-double-layer-hooded-sweathshirt-and-nike-air-yeezy-2-sneakers/" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">started</a> <a href="http://www.upscalehype.com/2012/10/kanye-west-travels-with-comme-des-garcons-homme-plus-nylon-backpack/" style="color: #660033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">one-strapping</a>.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><span style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: arial; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;">Lumos does not claim to have written the above blog article and is merely sharing the work of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Forrest Wickman of Slate.</span></i></span></div>
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<i style="color: #1d1d1d; font-family: arial; line-height: 22px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail contact@iwearlumos.com with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.</span></i></div>
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-70817372064024404132015-09-16T03:29:00.001-07:002015-11-05T02:30:18.579-08:00THE BIKE-BAG THEORY- How To Pick The Best Pack For Your Ride<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Whether you commute to work, or tear up the trails on the weekends, a backpack designed for your specific cycling needs can significantly improve your riding experience. A good cycling backpack usually sits on your lower back to lower your center of gravity.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cycling backpacks come in a variety of sizes and materials, and are usually purpose-built for a certain type of cycling. Choosing the best mix of features for your specific needs will keep you riding comfortably when you've got to carry a bit extra.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px;">There are commuter backpacks designed specifically for use on a bike</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">. These packs usually have a capacity between 10 and 25 liters, which gives you enough space for your laptop, jacket, a book and a lunch-bag. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">Commuter backpacks almost always have an attachment point for a safety light, and some also have a pocket or strap for attaching your helmet when you're not riding. Look for a bag w</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">ith </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px;">separate outside pockets to keep your heavy bike lock and tools away from your bag contents.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">A waterproof liner and a durable outer fabric are some of the most popular features for commuter backpacks and messenger bags for commuters who get stuck in inclement weather; a ruined laptop is worth the extra weight of a sealed bag.</span><span style="line-height: 21px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">The back panel of these backpacks is usually designed for comfort, and can feature a trampoline-style backing that allows good airflow across your back while riding, preventing excess perspiration. A strap across the waist keeps these bags stable on your back so you can balance properly.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMUpQ5JcW-uiGxFgFhXcYfQs5WiAA-1vEFs-_RjnwM6aVhdgWyFMSQl5pQk0xl4zgrwUL2nUcMpVLgWZswgktgyHqk-1PEFyACZyqyeQc1EMDU0_M_mQHr8NQsLRhi8sFhMX-5h66__c/s1600/TYPES+OF+BAGS-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMUpQ5JcW-uiGxFgFhXcYfQs5WiAA-1vEFs-_RjnwM6aVhdgWyFMSQl5pQk0xl4zgrwUL2nUcMpVLgWZswgktgyHqk-1PEFyACZyqyeQc1EMDU0_M_mQHr8NQsLRhi8sFhMX-5h66__c/s640/TYPES+OF+BAGS-01.png" width="640" /></a></h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bike messengers and students alike have long used a messenger backpack for cycling.</span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The one-strap construction allows the rider to swing the bag to their front when stopped so they can access the contents without having to dismount or take off the bag. Messenger backpacks are sometimes designed with huge capacities (upwards of 40 liters), and feature long straps on the top flap to secure unwieldy items like packages for delivery. For students and commuters, these bags can be useful if your ride sometimes involves extra-large loads.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpOSCNxw-vkxZXioPfhndZquKrNUQ6ygDW_TGROFNQvD9IoBZr4u7d5DKkqRFsab53ku7OMvntOaxlKKZgQaJLPK_Q7_yKDCxo3w0HvP4UyGhRGpDmUj5TIWrvmOmEDqOc7NaiOjscpk/s1600/TYPES+OF+BAGS-04.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpOSCNxw-vkxZXioPfhndZquKrNUQ6ygDW_TGROFNQvD9IoBZr4u7d5DKkqRFsab53ku7OMvntOaxlKKZgQaJLPK_Q7_yKDCxo3w0HvP4UyGhRGpDmUj5TIWrvmOmEDqOc7NaiOjscpk/s640/TYPES+OF+BAGS-04.png" width="640" /></a></h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">Backpacks designed for mountain biking and bike-packing are very technical and usually very lightweight.</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> These backpacks aren't usually waterproof to save weight, but they'll have a hydration reservoir and a tube for carrying a few liters of water on longer trips. Most feature outer pockets or cords for stashing extra items like a windbreaker on the outside of the pack, and they're designed to sit lower on your back so they don't encumber the balance of a rider who routinely goes off-road.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222;"> Hydration packs fill a niche for riders who need to carry a few hours worth of water with them.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDMp3mdYKJv-wOfqAPzXqTOejv-l4FLr7UICoKUacEbhPi14bepXKIQq6f-5zAMUyTnIUsgH0lSLwPC6k49MyHs_GKZQMay7xHXYUCpt-VDzze1HEMIAkACIpFBiutGcgJF4-pb1Paz4/s1600/TYPES+OF+BAGS-03.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDMp3mdYKJv-wOfqAPzXqTOejv-l4FLr7UICoKUacEbhPi14bepXKIQq6f-5zAMUyTnIUsgH0lSLwPC6k49MyHs_GKZQMay7xHXYUCpt-VDzze1HEMIAkACIpFBiutGcgJF4-pb1Paz4/s640/TYPES+OF+BAGS-03.png" width="640" /></a></h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Panniers, named after the word for “baskets” in French, can be located on the rear or front of your bicycle. Panniers are a great way to carry your gear safely and easily because they offer extra storage and take the weight off your back.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="line-height: 22px;">The most important considerations for commuting panniers include ease-of-use, organisation, and protection from those rainy days. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 22px;">Some commute panniers come with organisational pockets to keep all of your work knickknacks, while others have a more open pannier design for carrying bulky items.</span><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 22px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 22px;">Several panniers also incorporate protective sleeves to guard your laptop from the inevitable bumps. If you’re commuting to work, it is best to just use the right-side pannier to keep it away from the traffic side. </span></span></div>
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Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-13090529561884312282015-09-08T00:53:00.001-07:002015-09-09T01:13:31.766-07:00The Beginner's guide to buying the right bike - Guest Article by V Bharat Krishna<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At present, there’s more choice than ever before in bicycle shops. So you need to choose a bike that suits you the best. While planning to buy your first bike, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. For finding the perfect bike for you, it is necessary that you make it clear to the bike dealer whom you are planning to purchase the bike,on what you want with your bike and your purpose, so that it makes things easier.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj9JpwxPXhQqMj6fwvAuS97dArtnnJbxkx4QF-K8F3mpipnWh3VafSmVOhvxBdIvwa4l11HOqu2FgDXCc10CPZGg0LsUZzHDV7Vz7c_XJ9wIMX6kGqQEVas7a2MHAkFKNIApseH4YiD-S_FTEISizn-d6_8kUVPFCoxbjg10aETw9dJSiSI9GJixz1Uy12oODB5HCjtYLZphH5wcWqNXNa9cYrA4-ZbnURWbjKkLZzkC_QDCcHNxZyXn0nDhnYmPN-uV8m78RqWnpLsn8tZYJrwTQwizlMfLGfsaSypm8rt7ntQmuJayUt1lU37CxcUrUsf4hezUg84U2yY_gSGj06GZbSOF6Q4e_-DWowVRUcweHJvaQv9JPXap_J9yAxx=s0-d-e1-ft" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj9JpwxPXhQqMj6fwvAuS97dArtnnJbxkx4QF-K8F3mpipnWh3VafSmVOhvxBdIvwa4l11HOqu2FgDXCc10CPZGg0LsUZzHDV7Vz7c_XJ9wIMX6kGqQEVas7a2MHAkFKNIApseH4YiD-S_FTEISizn-d6_8kUVPFCoxbjg10aETw9dJSiSI9GJixz1Uy12oODB5HCjtYLZphH5wcWqNXNa9cYrA4-ZbnURWbjKkLZzkC_QDCcHNxZyXn0nDhnYmPN-uV8m78RqWnpLsn8tZYJrwTQwizlMfLGfsaSypm8rt7ntQmuJayUt1lU37CxcUrUsf4hezUg84U2yY_gSGj06GZbSOF6Q4e_-DWowVRUcweHJvaQv9JPXap_J9yAxx=s0-d-e1-ft" /></a></div>
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KNOW YOUR PURPOSE<br />
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First of all, you should be knowing about the different types of bikes available and their purposes. Different bikes are intended for different purposes and some are really specific. Some of the beginners take up cycling just to commute to their workplace and avoid the rush in public transport. Mainly commuter’s use hybrid bikes or touring bikes with drop handlebars with fenders and racks. But for those who are not comfortable with the drops, hybrids are a safer bet. They have 650c-700c wheels and are really fast rolling. <br />
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If you are an adventure seeker and want to take your bike out on the trails, then you should be looking at mountain bikes. It comes in various wheel sizes 26”, 27.5” and 29” generally. There are different types of mountain bikes which are specific to usage. But mainly with just front suspension, rear suspension or both. <br />
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If you are a person who want to pursue it as a sport and still be on road, you should be looking for a road bike. These are really light weight bikes made purely to be aerodynamic and be fast on the roads. They run on really thin tyres which reduce friction and the contact with the ground. The seating posture in a road bike is much different from other bikes, as they have drop handlebars and make you aerodynamic on the bike.<br />
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If you are planning to do a mix of commute and also want to carry your bike to different places you travel, you need to look out for a folding bike. These are much heavier than regular bikes and will be much slower in speed as they mostly run on smaller wheel sizes. But it’s really easy to carry and also park the bike as they require very little space. There are light weight folding bikes with suspension that come at a higher price than the typical folding bikes. <br />
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SET A BUDGET<br />
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If you are clear on what your purpose is, then you should be setting a budget for the bike that you are planning to purchase. Basic bikes start from around $200 and upwards. You get bikes even cheaper, but they can be of poor quality. It’s really important that you don’t buy a poor quality bike, as you would have a feeling of hatred towards riding if your bike’s not treating you well. Keep aside some money for some accessories that you need to purchase along with the bike.Costly bikes are durable, lightweight and come with good quality components. After setting your budget, you need to choose the right shop to purchase your bike. <br />
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SELECT A SHOP<br />
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Check out a few bike shops before you make a decision. Check for shops which provide good after sales service for your bike, as it will need maintenance and also purchase parts for replacement. A good bicycle dealer will give you the right suggestions. Also check out for discounts offered by the dealers.<br />
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GET THE RIGHT SIZED BIKE<br />
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Bikes come in different sizes, so a right sized bike is very important. Riding a bike which is not of your size can cause a lot of problems. It can cause injury to your muscles, pain on different body parts etc. So you need to find the right sized bike. A test ride would help you to decide if the bike is a right sized one for you.<br />
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GEARS REQUIRED<br />
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At present, there are different types of gear systems. More number of gears means that you get a wide range of gears to ride comfortably. This should be decided on the terrain that you plan to ride in. Mostly the gears use derailleur mechanisms and some use the hub enclosed gear system. Some people even ride without gears, like single speed bikes or fixed gear bikes.<br />
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SELECT A BIKE<br />
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Select a bike that suits your purpose and as well comes under your budget. Some are particular on specific brands, so try getting a good bike that is durable, versatile and having good quality components on it. If you want to take cycling as a sport, try getting some expert opinion before choosing a particular bike.<br />
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TEST RIDE<br />
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As different bikes come in different geometry and sizes. It will be really good, if you can test ride that bike you are planning to purchase, so that you can find that correct size of bike that can fit you and see if you are comfortable with the seating posture. <br />
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Many people go and buy a bike that is really appealing to them, but most of them forget its purpose.So, buy only what you can afford. Don’t blow off your pocket as its your first bike and its rarely your last bike. So enjoy riding your bike.<br />
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Ride Responsibly !<br />
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Is Your Brother A Cyclist? </h2>
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Here are ten things you can give him that he'd definitely appreciate more than a Rakhi, this Raksha-bandhan!</h3>
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# 10 Commuter Trouser Cuffs:</h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Keep your brother from looking like something the cat dragged in.'These commuter cuffs serve a dual purpose- they keep your trousers from snagging on the pedals, and keep the mud splatters off your presentation formals. The must-have for any cyclist in a metro.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypEzkiXkJfP6w8fhyuTOmAzEMOa4XBxz9zzT5Kq7owwcunjcnXbJXGhuyTVmJQIweCxgoW1cKJyn4ruxOyOUm5YC31EG72iLxY0tesPMdWQieAl8z46itni0FXpHjmPuGpefyFsMJkUo/s1600/commuter+cuff.jpg"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypEzkiXkJfP6w8fhyuTOmAzEMOa4XBxz9zzT5Kq7owwcunjcnXbJXGhuyTVmJQIweCxgoW1cKJyn4ruxOyOUm5YC31EG72iLxY0tesPMdWQieAl8z46itni0FXpHjmPuGpefyFsMJkUo/s640/commuter%252Bcuff.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="640" /></a><br />
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# 9 Blinky Lights:</h2>
It's 'Love me, love my bike'. A rakhi for his bike, this will keep him safe and visible on the mean streets. It doesn't matter if he already has one, or two, or ten- you can never have too many lights!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXil2PRLLj4MV7qLmK04GxUxuQnJ1bE5talGklEi56vrhauBgh5rRD-twIPo7gf4a3R6X8vfW1rSuvv6-k60igl-sVQwp0Hr9DYNKnQYRV93rpbuUXI7pmVTr0QTMfe-gw_8N9QJC1jrk/s1600/almost-all-lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXil2PRLLj4MV7qLmK04GxUxuQnJ1bE5talGklEi56vrhauBgh5rRD-twIPo7gf4a3R6X8vfW1rSuvv6-k60igl-sVQwp0Hr9DYNKnQYRV93rpbuUXI7pmVTr0QTMfe-gw_8N9QJC1jrk/s640/almost-all-lights.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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# 8 Boss-sanctioned cycling holiday:</h2>
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Can a brother get a break?! Well, yes he can. Call the Boss-man. Tell him your brother needs psychiatric care as he is depressed from spending too much time in a grey cubicle. You may sue the company for fostering a terrible work environment. Boss-man offers endless leave, in exchange for not filing lawsuit.</div>
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You collect said brother, and ride off into sunset. The End.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoVtqC7r3bluKlR5hYW-1zFCS2ke1TmWjgFT8uzDKtJClEWI8SXZnuwJvhyphenhyphenRgvRq_CSsHG_NCrb8P_iEF05bfs8byEMlxGwMZBzuP_aZivvoNhwB-5A1QXasi30ocgdboqPoY_RkMRmY/s1600/boss+approved+cycling+holiday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoVtqC7r3bluKlR5hYW-1zFCS2ke1TmWjgFT8uzDKtJClEWI8SXZnuwJvhyphenhyphenRgvRq_CSsHG_NCrb8P_iEF05bfs8byEMlxGwMZBzuP_aZivvoNhwB-5A1QXasi30ocgdboqPoY_RkMRmY/s400/boss+approved+cycling+holiday.jpg" width="400" /></a></h2>
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# 7 Turn signal indicating helmet:</h2>
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A turn-signal helmet for your cyclist sibling- making it that much easier you to follow him and see what nefarious activities he's up to. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LBKUCsUxTrtlCIhN80hD4sFxBRX5fSKufvFYm9Fzuwc_ddssx3gsTDoHh0EXtaySAbW97CmkTtX9lzuvTx8P3prgWVF4ZrxfFNxgELtmpdkFP3Qr7T262ezfslzFuJoac_eOJeTKu0w/s1600/White-helmet-turn-signal-630x419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LBKUCsUxTrtlCIhN80hD4sFxBRX5fSKufvFYm9Fzuwc_ddssx3gsTDoHh0EXtaySAbW97CmkTtX9lzuvTx8P3prgWVF4ZrxfFNxgELtmpdkFP3Qr7T262ezfslzFuJoac_eOJeTKu0w/s640/White-helmet-turn-signal-630x419.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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# 6 An Ass-Saver:</h2>
How many times did you cover for your brother, growing up? Here's yet another chance to save his sorry ass. These Ass Savers are a nifty way to save ones backside from being mud-splattered. Discreet and simple to attach, the ass-saver can be stored away when the brother is off the bike.</div>
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<a href="http://www.jebiga.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MUDGUARD_ASS_SAVERS_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.jebiga.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/MUDGUARD_ASS_SAVERS_001.jpg" height="417" width="640" /></a></div>
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# 5 This tool-kit thats also a swag bracelet:</h2>
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This will be infinitely more useful to your Brother than a Rakhi. Not only will he look like he belongs to a chain-gang (major street cred), but when he's stranded on the side of a hill, trying to fix a puncture- he'll be insanely grateful to the bracelet, and by extension, to you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganrXUoVtI9YoYTsN_7ba6pIo1N0HpB1Xs33Vpd6e0QhX6OrTYIqc4BcPKMf6B8tFxpk8JYN8ZDa-_moYq7Py3XFLIl4sMmcowr8v_EPkt3qvIgwuHL0YIh_oMeek7XZB2NGXAZVeOEk8/s1600/leatherman_tread_inline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEganrXUoVtI9YoYTsN_7ba6pIo1N0HpB1Xs33Vpd6e0QhX6OrTYIqc4BcPKMf6B8tFxpk8JYN8ZDa-_moYq7Py3XFLIl4sMmcowr8v_EPkt3qvIgwuHL0YIh_oMeek7XZB2NGXAZVeOEk8/s640/leatherman_tread_inline.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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# 4 A years supply of energy-bars:</h2>
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Do you notice how your brother's always harping on about nutrition while riding, but all his Facebook photos are of him bingeing on Biriyani and Burgers? Let's get him sorted with a years supply of energy-bars, so that he's not tempted to stray into caloriousness.</div>
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<a href="http://sportsandtravelonline.com/web/wp-content/uploads/Energy_bars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://sportsandtravelonline.com/web/wp-content/uploads/Energy_bars.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></h2>
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# 3 Lumos Solar Backpack:</h2>
More Power to your Bhaiya! He'll never run out of charge on his phone once he has a solar backpack. That means and you can tell him about every last detail... Every. Last. Detail... of your life over the phone, and he'll never be able to use that 'Low Battery' excuse again!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmE7_0X7oklgb1g7lExT66zrzu7CawdbiBzdxCGO2paN9y2ahS_6Q9kliAyybDDJ4MGQfgypjB-AHlKzT3WC7nYkQ9ONsmIf0HOjeLZmUcDySPxyYU6UQ9bPDJOgcZxBK2vQAFUj2PuY/s1600/sport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmE7_0X7oklgb1g7lExT66zrzu7CawdbiBzdxCGO2paN9y2ahS_6Q9kliAyybDDJ4MGQfgypjB-AHlKzT3WC7nYkQ9ONsmIf0HOjeLZmUcDySPxyYU6UQ9bPDJOgcZxBK2vQAFUj2PuY/s640/sport.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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# 2 Smart 'Rakhi':</h2>
A healthy brother is a happy brother! These fitness band track your heart-rate, steps taken, time spent sleeping- basically every aspect of his existence. More info about your brother than you ever wanted to know- but a gift that he'll love you for, nonetheless.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFVfVlU3a1duFKlh88gtSQQ4uyRsdUcyKdZJUqJ0E1He2xeAGdsp1X2pvXfxeZjkX2XoQnHPf56Gds9OWy8CEVHVvKysg8FhrsjXNrnns7R1nHjLcn6vMNjwHnTxAEV8nBQ53RC_CttA/s1600/smartbands.jpg"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFVfVlU3a1duFKlh88gtSQQ4uyRsdUcyKdZJUqJ0E1He2xeAGdsp1X2pvXfxeZjkX2XoQnHPf56Gds9OWy8CEVHVvKysg8FhrsjXNrnns7R1nHjLcn6vMNjwHnTxAEV8nBQ53RC_CttA/s640/smartbands.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image" width="640" /></a><br />
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# 1 Shining Armour:</h2>
He can't be your knight in shining armour, unless you, well.. gift him some shining armour! Buy him something he'll really want to drool over. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiSvJYycqJEpD7-A_ytGT_eI8AEZyDPJR4rWdH-N4mwC-JS9m6pHJeReRa4F9EUIJSyGRQU31hNOZppABC0SE_jwvEdrnOpUSBAuo6muUZhrRLQ7iU3k7TBAdN0YnDiltCedbbE6jq6k/s1600/shiny+armour.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEj9JpwxPXhQqMj6fwvAuS97dArtnnJbxkx4QF-K8F3mpipnWh3VafSmVOhvxBdIvwa4l11HOqu2FgDXCc10CPZGg0LsUZzHDV7Vz7c_XJ9wIMX6kGqQEVas7a2MHAkFKNIApseH4YiD-S_FTEISizn-d6_8kUVPFCoxbjg10aETw9dJSiSI9GJixz1Uy12oODB5HCjtYLZphH5wcWqNXNa9cYrA4-ZbnURWbjKkLZzkC_QDCcHNxZyXn0nDhnYmPN-uV8m78RqWnpLsn8tZYJrwTQwizlMfLGfsaSypm8rt7ntQmuJayUt1lU37CxcUrUsf4hezUg84U2yY_gSGj06GZbSOF6Q4e_-DWowVRUcweHJvaQv9JPXap_J9yAxx=s0-d-e1-ft" /></a><br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiSvJYycqJEpD7-A_ytGT_eI8AEZyDPJR4rWdH-N4mwC-JS9m6pHJeReRa4F9EUIJSyGRQU31hNOZppABC0SE_jwvEdrnOpUSBAuo6muUZhrRLQ7iU3k7TBAdN0YnDiltCedbbE6jq6k/s640/shiny%252Barmour.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image/*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiSvJYycqJEpD7-A_ytGT_eI8AEZyDPJR4rWdH-N4mwC-JS9m6pHJeReRa4F9EUIJSyGRQU31hNOZppABC0SE_jwvEdrnOpUSBAuo6muUZhrRLQ7iU3k7TBAdN0YnDiltCedbbE6jq6k/s640/shiny+armour.jpg" -->Lavina Mahbubanihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09106113911631625190noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-42911125498803788752015-08-19T06:04:00.001-07:002015-12-08T10:39:37.157-08:00For Hardware entrepreneurs - How to go from Idea to world-class Product<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last year at Lumos, I have gone through full hardware development
process and when I look back, I have learnt a lot about the product development. I
realized that I should share my experience with fellow hardware
entrepreneurs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, this is from my limited one year experience and few
other leanings might yet to happen. Consider this blog for only simple or medium complexity consumer products.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<h1>
Design Process</h1>
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" o:spid="_x0000_i1026" style="height: 122.25pt; visibility: visible; width: 437.25pt;" type="#_x0000_t75">
<v:imagedata cropbottom="-30622f" croptop="-30311f" o:title="" src="file:///C:\Users\yatin\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.png">
<o:lock aspectratio="f" v:ext="edit">
</o:lock></v:imagedata></v:shape><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, It is assumed that you
have the product idea and you have limited knowledge about product development.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My product development process is matching <a href="https://medium.com/bolt-blog/speed-can-kill-the-importance-of-process-for-hardware-cd74802b17f">this</a>
to a large extent. But, the article looks at it from business perspective while
I am putting it from engineering perspective. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfBZRCWt-D54wxzgal2SaXhrA0v-6JSDBd_65PZdBR-wWwi_NzwIQquS9djf0A0NafUvnZDTwhynK9atGNqrDfo65PURClV1HHTBtN6ddQHBBY1t4jfnAYBS1GKygxDwc7dwSUvXu0Bc/s1600/product_development_process.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfBZRCWt-D54wxzgal2SaXhrA0v-6JSDBd_65PZdBR-wWwi_NzwIQquS9djf0A0NafUvnZDTwhynK9atGNqrDfo65PURClV1HHTBtN6ddQHBBY1t4jfnAYBS1GKygxDwc7dwSUvXu0Bc/s640/product_development_process.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2>
Proof of Concept (POC) :</h2>
<h2>
<o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Proof of concept is a dirty prototype of the core functionality.
Don't try to accommodate extra features. Generally, proof of concept is making
the product using Arduino, raspberry-pi, General purpose PCB (GP), breadboard
etc. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Why should you do proof of concept before starting product
development?</b></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Help you establishing technical feasibility. Lot
of time, you assume that two kind of products are available and your idea is
just fusion of both. But, in reality, it might be not possible technically or
it might be significantly complex to implement. </span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Help you understand important technical
components very well. i.e, you might assume that you just need to use a camera
for your product but during the POC, you need to set 100 parameters for camera
function. You need to understand camera well before configuring these
parameters.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">You have something in hand to understand
customer needs. You can judge customer's interest from this. You can talk to a
customer about importance of a particular feature. Also, you get sense of what
other features are required to make it complete products etc.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">With your initial customer feedback and some
idea about complexity, you can start drafting the specifications.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">You can show the POC to a potential investor
(your uncle or an angle investor or your manager!!) and try to fetch some seed
money. Without POC, no one is going to fund your product design activity (ignore
if you have rich parents or you are rich parent !!).</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "symbol"; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">More than above all, you get confidence on
technical feasibility and market existence before you start spending huge
money.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
End outcome of the POC are many. Most important one for
product development point of view is specifications of the product. During POC
phase (or end of it), you would have interacted with at-least 100 potential
customers and know their requirement (Yes, 100 is a random number :P. The
number depends on type of market and customer segment). You should able to
create a list of customer needs and put them into these 3 buckets. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Must haves : Required by all potential customer
segments.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Optional : Required by some of the customer
segments</span></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Lateral</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The lateral needs (features based on it) are very important.
These are not asked by any customer but you think it would delight them. The
product needs to be well thought and lateral features usually create extremely
satisfied customers.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now after this, you can study competitor products or
solutions also to understand what customer needs they are addressing. Lot of
time the customers you meet forget to tell one of 'must haves'. Looking at
competitors might help here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After you draft the needs, start drafting the
specifications. Consider both customer needs and complexity involved in
implementation. Try to define the "To manufacturing" time (deadline
for product development or design closure) along with specification of
the product. A good approach is to launch first product with minimum required
features and keep adding features on next version of the product. This might help in staying ahead
of competition. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My master project guide<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/andre-pittet/0/553/994">, Dr. Andre Pittet</a>,
used to suggest to go for 'wish specification' first and then cut down the
features based on time availability and complexity of implementation.
Also, your customer development team should get feedback from the customer on
each feature. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your specifications needs to be complete. Everything from
operating temperature, humidity level to amount of mechanical load it can take
should be specified. Do specify target
cost also. <a href="http://blog.iwearlumos.com/2015/08/lumos-solar-charger-specifications.html">This</a> is Lumos charger specification for example. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
FAQ on POC <o:p></o:p></h3>
<b>My complete solution includes cloud connectivity, storage and visualization too. Should I get it up at POC level ?</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>No for most of products. If you get the data on serial terminal of the PC is good enough. ( Beware, I am biased here, I don't appreciate complexity of putting data from serial terminal to cloud, making it secure, giving nice visualization etc.)<br />
<br />
<b>How much time do I need to spend of POC ?</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>Typical time for simple or medium complexity product is 1-3 weeks. Most of this time goes into the component procurement. You might just spend 10 hours for it.<br />
But, if you are developing a device which measure blood pressure just by holding it in palm(complex technology) then it requires good effort. Specifically because it is not proven technology and requires testing on multiple kind of people.<br />
<br />
<b>Do I need to talk to customer before writing specification ? Apple never does any user survey and develops amazing product, why can't I ?</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>I won't go into whether Apple does the user survey or not here. They are product genius and know what user need very well and deliver beyond user's expectation. But, I would recommend doing customer development (which is little different from market survey, read the startup bible 'the lean startup' to understand what is it) before start putting heavy money and time. They main reason here is that in most cases the founders don't represent the customer segment or founders are the only customers who need the solution. Talk to few hundred potential customers before quitting your MNC job.<br />
<br />
<b>Instead of customers, can I talk to some retailer of similar products who will be selling my products to customers ? They know the customer segment and their requirement very well.</b><br />
<div>
<b><br /></b>Yes, do talk to them. But, never assume they know all customers requirement or represent customer segment. i.e. If you are developing home automation system, which you are going to launch with leading builder. You understood all the requirement from the builder but never talked to any home buyers (potential users). This will lead to low market acceptance because the end users are not going to be happy.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Design Phase : <o:p></o:p></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Design phase start with detailed specifications and end with
a product which you need to exactly replicate. It involves all design for
manufacturability, certification consideration. Typical timeline for this is 6
months to 3 year. Best way to quicken the development is to stop changing
specifications too often. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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For electronic product, there are mostly two design
activities, electronics design and mechanical design. You might have few more.
i.e. we have the fashion design activity too. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here, I am assuming that you have the block diagram of your
solution. I won't address much on how to find good solution for the problem you
are addressing. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Electronic Design Activity : <o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The process chart is
self-explanatory. The first 3 steps, part selection, schematics design
and PCB design go together so indicated in different color, same way the last
two. Very important consideration here
is that, you will have at-least two
revisions of above process. Some time you need 4 or more revisions because
small inaccuracies. Electronic design
needs focused mind !!</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmuepA9Lk6zshcwtm1aEnkRB24uM1eVdA-mpuk5EiRoIEbljF0PFldpaDRLHggk-k8tI3cK6ijI_47yiDV-Y0qbbWI60qO4lA9JDDhaDBx3mvcHU_Syb8Cp50ZoPh-WXUKB24knL9f5Y/s1600/design_phase.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmuepA9Lk6zshcwtm1aEnkRB24uM1eVdA-mpuk5EiRoIEbljF0PFldpaDRLHggk-k8tI3cK6ijI_47yiDV-Y0qbbWI60qO4lA9JDDhaDBx3mvcHU_Syb8Cp50ZoPh-WXUKB24knL9f5Y/s640/design_phase.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Important Parts selection</b></div>
</div>
<h4>
<o:p></o:p></h4>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
After specifications, you start with important and critical
parts selection. This involves your camera or any other sensor,
micro-controller, battery, power regulators, battery charge controller etc. This
is most critical part of design phase. I recommend to start putting these parts
into the schematics also. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
While doing the part selection, with keeping eye on the
functionality, Keep eye on following parameters also. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Cost</li>
<li>Error budgeting ( What would be worst case error in measurements)</li>
<li>Power calculation ( based on datasheet numbers )</li>
<li>Future upgrades(You can add complex software or add the 'wish features' later).</li>
<li>Selected part's market life ( the part you selected might get obsolete before you go to manufacturing)</li>
<li>Certifications ( I am going to address certification in a separate blog)</li>
<li>Design complexity</li>
</ul>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here are few tips for part selection<o:p></o:p><br />
<ul>
<li>Design support (reference design, application
notes, forums, software support) is important consideration for each part</li>
<li>Involve the component distributor like <a href="http://www.em.avnetasia.com/ContactUs/OfficeContacts.aspx">Avnet</a> or <a href="http://www.wtmec.com/WT/?lang=en">WT</a> from start of your design. They
will make sure you get all required support.</li>
<li>Get quote for 1000 numbers to estimate the BOM
cost</li>
<li>You will at-least get half of the digikey price
for 1000 quantity (from distributer like Avnet or from China)</li>
<li>If you are getting component like battery from
China, make sure you ask for the certificates (MSDS, UN 38.3 etc) upfront. May
be before placing the sample order.</li>
<li>Before selection microcontroller find out the
development tool cost i.e. TI has excellent BLE chip cc2540/CC2541 but TI's
pre-compiled libraries for BLE stack is available for IAR only. IAR license
cost few lakhs !!</li>
<li>Prefer ARM based micro-controllers. They make
your system scalable and they supports GNU tools.</li>
<li>If you have complex functionality, get the EVM
boards and test your functionality on the EVM board.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
Schematic Design <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
After you have selected critical part, schematic design includes
passive component selection, doing power calculations, cost optimization,
selecting ferrite beads and provide provision for future expansions. I am
putting some basic tips and learning.<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span>Follow reference schematics or EVM schematics to
extend possible. If you are not following any of IC manufacturer recommendation,
think it well and test it well.</li>
<li>Provide provision for EMI/EMC related components
like common mode inductors at all your power inputs.</li>
<li>Provide ESD protection at all the ports where
humans can touch. Don't overdesign. Cost increase significantly with your
specific requirement. i.e. think thrice before you use tantalum capacitor.
Check if it is really required.</li>
<li>If you are selecting passives and planning manufacturing in India. Make sure all you get from India. You will get all resistor and capacitors at Micro-components SP road (phone : 98451 57490). Micro-components get all components from 'Yageo' so quality is ok.</li>
<li>There is one digikey equivalent for India : <a href="file:///C:/Users/yatin/Google%20Drive/blog/comkey.in">comkey.in</a>. Check it out. Could get all connectors and inductors from here.</li>
<li>Wurth Electronik is one of the best supplier for magnetic components. They are not dam cheap but be sure about the quality. Advantage with Wurth is that they are the only big manufacturer without strict minimum order quantity restriction. Their India team is very energetic and supportive.</li>
<li>Capacitor cost 0.5 rupees per piece (for
quantity of 100-1000) unless you have special requirement i.e. 47uF in 0805
package</li>
<li>Resistor (1% or 5%) cost 0.2 rupees per piece
(for quantity of 100-1000) (specific low value or higher power rating cost
more)</li>
<li>Get the schematics reviewed by many people. </li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
PCB Design<o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Steps for PCB design are following. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Make or get footprint of basic components. If you make the footprint, get it verified with other team members. </li>
<li>Get mechanical layout from the industrial/mechanical designer. Which includes PCB size, position of all the connectors, LEDs, Switches etc. </li>
<li>Floorplan the components from the mechanical design and routing patterns. </li>
<li>Decide the stack-up of the PCB. This include how many layers of routing, copper thickness, PCB core material type and thickness.</li>
<li>Get all schematic net's maximum current and maximum voltage and out it up in an excel. This will define your routing trace thickness(current) and spacing (voltage) .</li>
<li>Route it</li>
<li>Get it verified from third person</li>
<li>Generate gerber and release to manufacturing</li>
</ol>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
It is
very difficult to give generalized tips on PCB design. Here are few tips.<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">If you can, go for only one sided component
mounting. It saves the assembly cost.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Check what minimum trace width your supplier can support</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Before you select the passive package size, check the cost factor</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Follow the IC manufacturer's layout guideline thoroughly </span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Try to get one not disturbed ground plane without any traces. You can merge analog and digital ground in this plane. Approach here is to minimize ground resistance so that digital current can't create ground noise. Not disturbed ground plan help on EMI, EMC also</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Decide PCB board manufacturer now itself to design up to his capability.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Make sure design has taken care of the manufacturing tolerances. Sometime the PCB cutout tolerances cause problem of the board fitment in an accurately designed enclosure.</span></li>
<li><span style="text-align: left;">Be sure of what kind of surface finish you want. Generally popular one are HASL, lead free HASL, ENIG, OSP and gold. </span><a href="http://www.epectec.com/articles/pcb-surface-finish-advantages-and-disadvantages.html" style="text-align: left;">Read</a><span style="text-align: left;"> about each of them and wisely choose one. Very few manufacturer support OSP in India. But, it is one of most cost effective and good quality solution for mass production. Make sure your PCB assembly manufacturer is ready for OSP.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Prototype Manufacturing:</b></div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></h3>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Manufacturer your designed board !! Generally we prototype
10 boards. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Good prototype manufacturer : PC process Penya, Bangalore or PCB power, Gandhinagar,
Gujarat<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Lead time : ~ 1 week <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
PCB assembly :<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We don't make stencil at this stage. But, if you have
complex PCB, you might have to do that. We do manual mounting and soldering.
for complex PCBs, you might have to go to EMS. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Generally, we follow board bring-up method for PCB assembly.
In board bring-up we mount components in stages and check the functionality in
stages. i.e. mount first the power
components, check if intended voltages
are present at the not mounted IC pins, followed by micro-controller and then
sensor. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Software development <o:p></o:p></h3>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yes, now your board is up. Start developing the software.
Lot of time you would like to start the software development on EVMs or
reference boards. No generalized tips here other than be careful while porting
software from one board to other board. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Testing <o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One of the most important part of design cycle is testing or
design verification(DV). If you are a consumer company, this becomes extra
important for you. You should make sure that your product works without any
bug. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There are many DV approaches. Take any approach but make
sure you have detailed testplan and all test are performed. Some physical test
like drop test, over temperature, short circuit at output also need to be included.
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<h4 style="text-align: justify;">
FAQ on Electronic Design <o:p></o:p></h4>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Why do you say that
there would be at-least two revisions of the PCBs ?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Because product development is complex and you don't have
good simulation tools. Many parts of design are going in parallel and mistakes
are likely to happen. If you have done similar product with same parts previously
then there is possibility that one revision is enough. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
One thumb rule is that when you can't explain what is
problem with your board to your business co-founder and he insist that not to
go for any revision now, then you are going for the last revision.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Why is board bring-up
method is preferred in prototype manufacturing ?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you get fully assembled board from your EMS and start
testing it, mostly you will see IC heating up or capacitor burning. If not, you
will have an issue which will make you nuts debugging. Irrespective of where
you do assembly, make sure your functionality is getting up one by one. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Mechanical Design Activity : <o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Mechanical design/ Industrial design is most important part
of your product. Users interact with it more than your underlying electronics.
It is very important aspect if you are making a consumer product. Also,
manufacturability is much more complex here that an electronic part manufacturing.
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If you don't have any one to design the mechanicals then
get a good industrial design firms.
Typically, an industrial design firm has an industrial designer who handle
studying user requirements and creativity and one mechanical engineer who
understand manufacturing processes and materials. Industrial designer,
mechanical designer and electronic designer should work in synergy. Here is simple process for mechanical design from
an electronic designer point of view.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Understanding User requirement </li>
<li>Create few early sketches </li>
<li>Understand engineering requirement for each sketches </li>
<li>Make early cad </li>
<li>Review early cad (by the CEO and entire team) </li>
<li>Go for final CAD with DFM consideration</li>
<li>Go for 3D printing and find all issues (PCB fitment etc)</li>
<li>Iterate to point 6 </li>
<li>Finalize the CAD </li>
<li>Create guidelines for mold manufacturing</li>
<li>Go for production</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Some last steps before design closure</h3>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Certifications : I will cover it in my next blog</li>
<li>Design for manufacturing check : get it checked with experienced design for manufacturability person. Ask feedback from your manufacturer.</li>
<li>Setting up quality process (what points voltage/current needs to be measured to make sure all components works)</li>
</ul>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
Manufacturing </h2>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is a vast topic and general tips won't make sense much.
Take all data mentioned here with some doubt. Match your product with our product
and see all tips given here make sense for you. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Mechanicals Manufacturing <o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This process is much complex than electronic manufacturing.
If you are going for injection molding, the major complexity is to do mold
manufacturing. Generally, molds are costly. Good manufacturer quote >4 lacs
for any size mold. Here are few things are learned. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>If your target quantity is <10000 unit. Don't do mold. One way is to avoid injection molding totally buy using metal enclosure or off the self enclosure.</li>
<li>There are some manufacturer who can give prototype exactly looking like injection molding prototype. <a href="http://www.3dpd.net/">3DPD</a> and <a href="http://www.cycloid.in/">cycloid</a> do that as per my knowledge. P.S: I have not tried this yet.</li>
<li>One other option is <a href="http://www.protolabs.com/">protolabs</a>, which supplies CNC machined components for low volumes.</li>
<li>I refer this mold manufacturer, Tamam components, contact them on <a href="mailto:tamam2010@rediffmail.com">tamam2010@rediffmail.com</a>. They are cost effective and reliable on lead times. Part quality is also ok. </li>
<li>Don't assume that once mold is done, you will get exact parts. There are variations like molding time, pressure and temperature. Make sure that you go to manufacturer place and do experiments to get best combination. If you can't do this then get help of some experienced person. This is very important step for quality assurance.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">
Electronics Manufacturing <o:p></o:p></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Electronics manufacturing is reliable if your EMS or PCB
assembler follow the standard quality practices. Wait for my blog where I
explain all layers of PCB and PCB manufacturing and assembly process. Here are
some simple tips.<br />
<ul>
<li>Don't forget to lock your code after
programming. Some-one can read and copy your product as it is.</li>
<li>Make sure you visit the PCB assembler's factory</li>
<li>First make one board and test is well before
going for mass. (To make sure that pick & place machine is programmed
correctly)</li>
<li>Quality test must happen at PCB assembly
manufacturer's place</li>
<li>Define maximum failure rate with your PCB
assembler before you place Purchase Order</li>
<li>Go for pilot production (100 numbers) before
going to mass ( > 1000)</li>
<li>Managing working capital for manufacturing is
not easy task</li>
<li>Make sure that final assembly process (putting
PCB into the box) happens accurately.</li>
<li>Don't go for 100% manual assembly process.
Manually soldering through holes are ok but SMD components assembly must happen
through reflow. There are does manual placements, which creates lots of failures.</li>
<li>PCB board typical lead time for mass production
is ~2-3 weeks</li>
<li>IC components lead times are in the range of 6-8
weeks</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024464762086586160noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-4831348282478881182015-08-15T03:30:00.000-07:002015-09-16T04:33:32.077-07:00Lumos Solar Charger Specifications<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Charger Specifications :<o:p></o:p></b><br />
<br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: bold;"> </span>5V-25V input voltage</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><10W power input <span style="background: white;">(debatable)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>>4000 mA-h battery capacity</li>
<li>MPTT for solar performance improvement</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>SOC (state of Charge) indication (Low energy consumption for SOC indication)</li>
<li>Short circuit protection at output</li>
<li>Over voltage protection at input</li>
<li>Protection from over-charge and over-discharge ( all battery protection)</li>
<li>Charge all major USB chargeable devices ( tables, phones, lights, GPS)</li>
<li><span style="background-color: white;">Contact discharging 8KV / Air discharging 12KV (debatable)</span></li>
<li>Low standby power consumption ( < 4 mW)</li>
<li>90% charging efficiency ( average over battery charging cycle)</li>
<li>85% discharging efficiency ( average over battery discharge cycle)</li>
<li>Operating ambient temperature (0-45 Celsius)</li>
<li>50Kg pressure limit</li>
<li>500 time rub resistance </li>
<li>Non-flammable</li>
<li>Connector mating cycles > 1000</li>
<li>Switch press cycles > 3000 and over force protection for the switch (if switch is present in the system)</li>
<li>3 year of life in normal use</li>
<li>No failure in case of drop from 3.5 feet height (optional)</li>
<li>Water protection for the ports (optional)</li>
<li><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span>Cost < $12 (for charger unit & cables) for quantity of 10,000 <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">(debatable)</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12024464762086586160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-60367534887144675632015-07-13T10:34:00.002-07:002015-07-13T10:34:25.553-07:00Importance of proper bike fit - Guest Article by Bharat Krishna v<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Bicycles come in various different sizes, geometry and components. Bike manufacturers use adjustable components so that a rider can be properly accustomed to a bike. With the help of trained bike fitters who know the adjustments that are needed to be made to the components so that a rider is comfortable with the bike.<br /><br />The benefits of bike fit can be best experienced by;<br /><ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Beginners</li>
<li>People who can’t get comfortable with their present bike setup.</li>
<li>Competitive cyclists.</li>
</ul>
Professional riders need a bike fit to maximise their efficiency. Experts are known to refine their riding positions. A professional bike fit should be considered as an investment that will be paid off as long as you ride your bike. As a recreational rider or beginner, you may have questions regarding what a professional bike fit can offer? Here are some of the benefits of professional bike fit.<br /><br /> • Improved performance:<br />Your bike is set so that you get maximum performance. When your body is set in a position that you get proper muscle engagement and proper muscle recruitment. It will allow the rider to use multiple muscle groups in most effective and efficient manner, produce better power that enhances your endurance capabilities and perform to your optimum level.<br /><br /> • Improved comfort:<br />A professional bike fit makes sure that your legs are in the proper position while you are riding and get maximum comfort. Your leg is set in a bio-mechanically neutral position which minimizes the load on your muscles and joints.<br /><br /> • Better selection of equipment:<br />Many people buy bicycles based on brand names. But there are chances that top brands produce products that doesn’t fit you well. This is the case of most beginner riders. This can result in the purchase of an expensive and very compromised bike which you will not like to ride on. Proper bike fitting can find you good components that suit your riding. This can save you a lot of money.<br /><br /> • Reduce fatigue:<br />Many riders experience numbness on their foot, hands, genitals etc. This is due to the lack of proper bike fit. A proper bike fit can reduce fatigue, numbness, injuries and helps you recover faster. In a bike fitting session, lot of adjustments are done. Both to the bike and also your riding posture. Some basic adjustments done while doing a basic bike fit are:<br /><br /> • Saddle level: <br />Depending on the rides you do and the physical problems you have whilst riding, the saddle level is adjusted accordingly.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.canyon.com/img/cache/a93b7536033d328432d6a4c63214e3a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://www.canyon.com/img/cache/a93b7536033d328432d6a4c63214e3a7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saddle needs to be at level to avoid knee pain or back pain. (Pic courtesy: https://www.canyon.com/en/service/supportcenter/article.html?supportcenter_articles_id=148 )</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
• Saddle height:<br />Improper saddle height can cause pain all over your body. It is really important that you have a proper saddle height whilst riding for efficient transfer of power to the pedals.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://schwinncruisers.com/catalogs/images/1977_schwinn_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://schwinncruisers.com/catalogs/images/1977_schwinn_7.jpg" height="210" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adjust Saddle height to ensure adequate stretch without allowing the Knees to lock</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
• Handlebar reach:<br />This adjustment is made to give you better breathing and power. If you want to be aerodynamic, you get down on the drop bar.<br /><br /> • Ride position:<br />Your ride position is corrected so that you get to ride different terrains more efficiently. Mainly your back should be straight, relaxed shoulders and a slightly bent elbow.<br /><br /> • Setting clip-less pedal cleats:<br />If you are using clip-less pedals, an improper setting will give you pain on your foot. A proper orientation of clip-less pedal cleats is necessary for an injury-free ride. <br /><br /> • Stem length:<br />The length of the stem that comes custom on your bike may not suit everyone, improper stem length can cause severe back pain. So the stem length is determined that suits your body posture.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/IMG_3881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://d4nuk0dd6nrma.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/IMG_3881.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Dr. Kristophe de Timze (M.I.T) comes up with easy thumb-rules for Bike fit (Photo courtesy: http://cyclingtips.com.au/2010/04/science-of-bike-fitting/ )</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Given above are some of the adjustments done while doing a bike fit. Every one needs a proper bike fit. Today, there are a lot of professional bike fitters. Fitting can be great and give a jumping off point to your riding. But make sure that you go to the right person to do the fit so that your money is well spent for the long run.<br /><br />Ride responsibly.</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-17074318763884272332015-07-01T01:57:00.004-07:002015-07-01T01:57:43.181-07:00Proper nutrition and hydration for long rides - guest article by Bharat Krishna V<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Nutrition and hydration plays a prominent role in a rider’s performance and recovery. Even really talented and hardworking professional rides find it difficult to reach the podium without following a proper diet and hydration. Maintaining optimum hydration while doing long rides is very important, but many riders do not know this fact. Proper nutrition and hydration helps you overcome muscle cramps, fatigue and injuries.<br />
<br />
It’s difficult to do this unless you practice. Hydration is one of the easiest things to do, but equally neglected. Here are a few tips that need to be practiced to stay properly hydrated and nourished.<br />
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcen1Lnzrn_PqVPZSGlH2qJfR4bMNqoSsjfoDygsmQz1c7A5i47Rge85a2VwzfIHhbrsMJWeU1gVaeh2PmFSd3UNmv92zPWV8Dd8BblE_99NdP9NRJ4egXsATcX5A9AnrCeRnJX-H2a9E/s1600/images-10.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcen1Lnzrn_PqVPZSGlH2qJfR4bMNqoSsjfoDygsmQz1c7A5i47Rge85a2VwzfIHhbrsMJWeU1gVaeh2PmFSd3UNmv92zPWV8Dd8BblE_99NdP9NRJ4egXsATcX5A9AnrCeRnJX-H2a9E/s320/images-10.jpeg" width="320" /></a>
<li>You should be frequently and consistently drinking while on the move. Mainly water, electrolyte or maybe diluted fruit juices. The worst thing about staying properly hydrated is that it causes a tendency to pee. It’s normal that cyclists have the urge to pee at least once every hour. </li>
<li>The amount of water a person loses from his body in an hour varies. But an average person has to drink about 600ml-800ml of water. Adjust your hydration according to your body needs.</li>
<li>Ensure you hydrate yourself before you eat that you won’t mistake thirst for hunger.</li>
<li>During long rides, its good to carry two bottles . One filled with water and other can be your favourite drink. If it does not contain electrolytes, you should be carrying some sodium tablets or ORS.</li>
</ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-NyG8tbErl3KUGPvYar53ErA-WRo3N7X1o5MV71PaPYLS-9oAczZ_sq3nyp3B1xaRbgIC8BKJq4l26Vuf6ggcFrmjog82VTJuNc81XGKJr9qZgf5kCq9FRCG0YecC8K_ITCu3kIgrKk/s1600/KatushaBottles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI-NyG8tbErl3KUGPvYar53ErA-WRo3N7X1o5MV71PaPYLS-9oAczZ_sq3nyp3B1xaRbgIC8BKJq4l26Vuf6ggcFrmjog82VTJuNc81XGKJr9qZgf5kCq9FRCG0YecC8K_ITCu3kIgrKk/s320/KatushaBottles.jpg" width="320" /></a>Calorie intake and hydration go hand in hand as each influences and facilitates the other. It’s important the you are properly nourished to attain optimum performance whilst riding. <br />
<br />
People respond differently to different types of food. Many professional cyclists consume energy bars and energy gels which help them maintain their calorie intake. But many do not prefer artificially prepared performance foods. Many people have problems in digesting energy bars and gels. <br />
<br />
It’s good to take along with you some bananas, chocolates, nuts etc which can satisfy the need for carbohydrates. Many people consider swapping from electrolyte to energy drinks that contain carbohydrates according to the intensity of the ride.Typically if you are planning to do 4 hour ride, its necessary that you take at least 3500 calories, 100g proteins, 80g fat and about 600g of carbohydrates. This consumption varies from person to person and the intensity of ride. Here are some of the foods that you may consider to eat.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPsGLYtxJNoa8HPyFO93Q77GqtTBkrEG3MOeSyveGofJUE3vZyOs7wcSmQyKL2xDsoqPRc_FDidZuD7OEC93RS5u6-p4qRElt11rdJQ452PUT5e89erhex0pXQVShDFDh0IYTXnGz21o/s1600/images-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPsGLYtxJNoa8HPyFO93Q77GqtTBkrEG3MOeSyveGofJUE3vZyOs7wcSmQyKL2xDsoqPRc_FDidZuD7OEC93RS5u6-p4qRElt11rdJQ452PUT5e89erhex0pXQVShDFDh0IYTXnGz21o/s320/images-11.jpeg" width="320" /></a>
<li>Porridge/Oatmeal for break fast. This is a low glycemic index food which is really good for cyclists as they are a firm source of proteins and give a slow and steady release of energy. You can make it more tastier and healthier by adding some fruits, raisins or nuts. </li>
<li>Coffee: A strong cup of coffee can provide caffeine that improves your endurance performance through altering muscle metabolism and increasing mental alertness. Its important that you try caffeine in training before a long ride/race to assess you own response to it.</li>
<li>Nuts and seeds: Nuts like almonds, walnuts and seeds like pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and fat and provide a lot of calories.</li>
<li>Rice: It contains the most essential carbohydrates and its high on glycemic index which means it gets glycogen right into the bloodstream. Eat before or straight after your ride as it’s good for recovery. </li>
<li>Vegetables: It contains the essential vitamins and minerals. It is a great source of carbohydrates and when compared to fruits, its low on sugar which makes it a great food for cyclists.</li>
</ul>
Apart from the above foods mentioned, there are many other foods that help cyclists maintain their nutrition levels. Riders have their own personal favourite foods. You should be taking the right food at the right time. As hydration and nutrition are important, recovery after a ride is also equally important as post ride exercise is essential to replace the muscle glycogen used, stimulate muscle protein synthesis and replace electrolytes. So it’s really important that you recover quickly after a ride providing your body with necessary nutrients and fluids. Remembering this thumb rule will help you in your rides “Eat before you are hungry, drink before you are thirsty”.<br />
<br />
Ride safe. Ride responsibly !</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-52741056445093158082015-06-10T00:14:00.002-07:002015-11-08T20:32:37.771-08:00What we packed for a Winter Trip Through the Himalayas - by Arushi Jain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">You think biking in the undulating terrain
of the Himalayas is a tedious task? Well, try adding to it the relentless chill
of the winters, a thick covering of snow and biking miles without a soul in
sight. Crazy? Impossible? Nah, not really. Rishab, Pankaj and Naveed just
completed this monumental task.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.untold.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MG_8228_REDUCED.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.untold.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MG_8228_REDUCED.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Rishab, Pankaj and Naveed on their Epic trip (Pic courtesy: http://www.untold.in/insearchofthestorm/)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To get you a glimpse of their perseverance
and planning, we asked them a series of questions. If you’re daring enough to
take such a trip, these tips might come in quite handy.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">What
kind of clothing is required for a trip to the Himalayas during winters? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">To keep yourself warm you need atleast four
layers of clothing – thermal, t-shirt, insulated jacket and waterproof pants.
Everything you wear needs to be waterproof as there would be snow all around.
Staying dry is extremely important. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Highly insulated boots along with gaiters
are a must. The boots should have a good grip on ice. Numb toes are a nightmare
on such a trip. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.untold.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/RESTING.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.untold.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/RESTING.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Insulated boots are a must (Pic courtesy: http://www.untold.in/insearchofthestorm/)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Face mask is also important to save your
face from the absolutely chilly air. Another thing you need to keep in mind is
to wear sunglasses to avoid snow-blindness, eye damage caused by snow
reflecting the UV light.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key:
Make sure you’re covered properly. No part of your body should be left exposed.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">How
much food did you carry with you? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">For
every trip, you need to carry emergency ration with you. You have to be
prepared for the worst scenario. We stopped at villages and other places to
refill our food supply. This required a lot of forethought, since during
winters most of the villages are desolated and very few villagers stay
back. Maggi and tea were available in a
lot of tea stalls. We also packed a lot of dried fruits. When you have nothing
else to rely on, dried fruits are your saviour. They are perfect for such a
trip as they are high in calorie, easy to carry and also keep you warm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: Plan ahead. Stop at
villages to refill. Carry dried fruits. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b>
<b><span lang="EN-US">How did you find shelter and
keep yourself warm at nights?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">One
of our main intention while taking this trip was to interact with the locals
and learn from them. We picked up a lot of indigenous ways of keeping ourselves
warm. Locals were very welcoming and opened their homes to us. In Kalpa, we
stayed at a villager’s house for two nights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">\What
we observed was that the locals kept a fire burning throughout the day to keep
the house warm. They only put it out at night. Their houses were made of mud
and had really thick walls to provide proper insulation. They also had a diet
which included a lot of butter and ghee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: Interact with locals.
Learn from them. They have a lot to teach. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">How would the dynamics of the
trip change if you took the same trip during Summers? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Season
has a big role to play in any trip. Even though the altitude remains the same
during summers, the external conditions vary significantly. In summers, the
villages are more populated. It becomes easier to keep yourself warm. You don’t
even need to pitch a tent as a number of local guest houses and summer camps
are there along the way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.untold.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LANDSCAPE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.untold.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LANDSCAPE.jpg" height="352" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Most villagers move to warmer areas during winters (Pic courtesy: http://www.untold.in/insearchofthestorm/)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
In
winters, the villages are desolated. Most of the villagers go to warmer areas
and very few villagers stay back. The ones who stay back have a very limited
supply of food and other essential commodities. The journey becomes a lot more
difficult and good planning becomes mandatory. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: External factors come
into play. Winters are more challenging. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">If you had to take only 5
things with you on such a trip, what would those things be? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US">Good Insulated Footwear</span></b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Footwear is a lot more
important than we think. Since you have to cycle a lot, you cannot risk taking
inappropriate footwear with you. Numbness in the toes can be very uncomfortable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US">Camera</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Every trip is special in its
own way and you want to capture everything you see and everything you do.
Explaining that experience is words is not possible. In fact, even the camera
cannot do justice to what you experience. However, the photographs and videos
do give you a glimpse of it and you can treasure it for life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span><span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US">Device Chargers<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Luckily, in Himachal the
connectivity is much better than places like Ladakh. It is important to have
your devices charged. You need backup of all the photographs and videos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US">Enough Food</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">It’s strange, but during such
trips you crave for your favourite food and you feel like going back home and
eating it. So, make sure you eat all your favourite things before the trip and
probably take some with you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US">Good Company</span></b><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">I feel that it’s all
meaningless if you don’t have anyone to share this experience with. You can’t
go ahead on your own. There were times when we didn’t see a single person for hours.
We also saw bear tracks along the way. Completing such a journey alone becomes
a near-impossible task. It gets lonely and having someone with you helps. You
watch out for each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: There is no
substitute to having a person to share the experience with. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">How did you manage to charge
all your electronic devices and gadgets?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">We
used to find government guest houses along the way. They are empty during
winters and allowed you to use their ports. However, electricity is not
available 24*7. So, you have to plan ahead and make sure you take back up of
all your pictures, video recordings and other files. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">Some
locals also allow us to charge our devices. Some of them had generators
installed in their homes. In such villages, electricity is available for only
1-2 hours a day. So, you need to know how much your device will charge in that
much time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: Sometimes, less is more.
<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">What advice would you give to
other cyclists who are daring enough to take such a challenging trip? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">We
were told that it is not possible in winters. We challenged ourselves and said
maybe nobody has tried it before. Maybe it’s doable. So, we planned it all out.
Prepared for it, mentally and physically. We realised that it is doable. It’s
absolutely doable. A lot of planning and precision is needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">The
key to such trips is having the right equipment. Faulty equipment will
definitely put you in trouble in one way or the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: Determination will take
you a long way. Right equipment will get you out of the worst situation. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Is there anything special you
want to share about this journey? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US">We’ve
cycled from Kanyakumari to Kashmir and we are no strangers to the Himalayas. During
this trip, we realised that the exact same place can offer you multiple
experiences. We’d visited the same places 6 months back, but this time when we
saw them, we couldn’t recognize them at all! The lush green apple orchids were
dry and covered in snow. The rivers we had seen were now in a semi-frozen state.
It was a completely fresh experience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US">Key: The same place can offer
you multiple experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></b></div>
To read more about this adventure, do check out <a href="http://www.untold.in/insearchofthestorm/">http://www.untold.in/insearchofthestorm/</a> . We promise, the photos will leave you breathless! </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-21559488107473368452015-06-09T10:32:00.000-07:002015-06-09T23:46:24.428-07:00What to carry while mountain biking? - Guest post by V. Bharat Krishna <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
It’s not what you want that matters but what you need. While packing for a mountain biking ride you need to have the right tools and parts so that you overcome any situation that may arise. If you are a beginner, you will have a tendency to pack all the tools and accessories you have but all that’s not necessary. Well, if you are planning for a whole day’s ride you need to carry the necessary food and drinks. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhnCtQyx0CYq4CeFjq4sHYmQKi_PhHzKpbVG5kjB29N_-pB8aoGfEmg7EqlMXbrfxpyl50HSbzO-kkZgRgtTD1lckbfwBvOLyBQe8qMFdezBi0ozZySXJ-Mtq6L_vbkefMd2VBamc26k/s1600/Portable+Air+pump.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhnCtQyx0CYq4CeFjq4sHYmQKi_PhHzKpbVG5kjB29N_-pB8aoGfEmg7EqlMXbrfxpyl50HSbzO-kkZgRgtTD1lckbfwBvOLyBQe8qMFdezBi0ozZySXJ-Mtq6L_vbkefMd2VBamc26k/s320/Portable+Air+pump.png" width="80" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portable Air Pump</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sandwich</li>
<li>Banana</li>
<li>Nuts (Almonds, Brazil nuts etc.)</li>
<li>Energy bars</li>
<li>Water or Electrolyte drink</li>
</ul>
Here are the list of things that you must carry while riding :<br />
<br />
1. Mini bike pump: You will need a good quality mini pump that can fit in both the presta and shrader valves. This can be an alternative for the expensive CO2 inflators and cartridges, which are much useful for racing.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhnCtQyx0CYq4CeFjq4sHYmQKi_PhHzKpbVG5kjB29N_-pB8aoGfEmg7EqlMXbrfxpyl50HSbzO-kkZgRgtTD1lckbfwBvOLyBQe8qMFdezBi0ozZySXJ-Mtq6L_vbkefMd2VBamc26k/s1600/Portable+Air+pump.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>
2. Multi tool: Most good quality multi tool kits offer a chain breaker apart from the Allen keys so as to enable the rider to overcome issues with your chain. Never leave without this!</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/01/pedros-icm1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/01/pedros-icm1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Pedro ICM - a multi-tool with a chain breaker</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
3. Spare tubes: One or two should do. This is helpful even if you are running tubeless tires.<br />
<br />
4. Tire levers: A three-piece or two-piece tire levers should do the job well. Tire levers are important to take the tube off the tire, in case of a flat.<br />
<br />
5. Spare brake pads: Most mountain bikers use disc brakes so its safe to carry a pair of pads as some pads wear out easily.<br />
<br />
6. First aid kit: How much ever experienced rider you are, you must carry this. You must include an antiseptic, Band-Aids, cotton, gauze wraps and maybe some pain killer tablets. It’s necessary that you need to know how to use the first-aid kit properly.<br />
<br />
7. Rear derailleur hanger: It is the small metal part that connects the rear derailleur to your frame. It varies in size and shape for different bikes of different brands. It is a part that has to hold a lot of stress while riding so the chances for it being broken is so high and its frequent among mountain bikers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY1ptvVHXQqHb-K7OaqgCB2ZqkjZ-unp9CvsjVXGMPqsA1zSkTl_IZafSthNurpoPT5ZkfxNL0vKViV7KY79qt_j53GrDLYotreTxQk13F1Bc2IiFuCcyhYUuyq19ws1EjWp06O5vlKU/s1600/Hanger_Derailleur_Removed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMY1ptvVHXQqHb-K7OaqgCB2ZqkjZ-unp9CvsjVXGMPqsA1zSkTl_IZafSthNurpoPT5ZkfxNL0vKViV7KY79qt_j53GrDLYotreTxQk13F1Bc2IiFuCcyhYUuyq19ws1EjWp06O5vlKU/s320/Hanger_Derailleur_Removed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rear Derailleur hanger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
8. Hydration bag: Carrying a hydration bag while mountain biking is advantageous compared to carrying water bottles. Hydration bags can hold more volume of water (2-3L) and also can be used throughout the ride. But if you are using water bottles, you need to refill it from time to time. Moreover you can use a hydration bag while riding which is not possible while using water bottles.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6ix8rpXCEJ-MHUhTpQhMKOyvI5nXzMGsikmc18b-YV9C3gG38Rq3kGbje89q4uvgpsC1gM0V_mwo9iJMozmF4rEv-tcjJ50yQBXw-1srv4mzJLA8tMJro0XAkzJwIw5xM1vsLr4CoUY/s1600/Vijay+Bharath+Thrill+Seeker+Kerala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6ix8rpXCEJ-MHUhTpQhMKOyvI5nXzMGsikmc18b-YV9C3gG38Rq3kGbje89q4uvgpsC1gM0V_mwo9iJMozmF4rEv-tcjJ50yQBXw-1srv4mzJLA8tMJro0XAkzJwIw5xM1vsLr4CoUY/s320/Vijay+Bharath+Thrill+Seeker+Kerala.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydration bags offer a cleaner and more efficient way of carrying water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
9. Mobile phones: This does not need elaboration, and can be a real lifesaver in case of emergencies. Keep people at your home informed. Its necessary that you have an Emergency contact-number that is displayed prominently or has been given to a fellow rider.<br />
<br />
10. Money: Carry sufficient amount of money. Carry enough money to reach home in case of injury or mechanical failure by another mode of transport.<br />
<br />
11. Torch/Headlight: If you are unable to reach home before dawn, this one take you home safely or help you in case of mechanical failure. <br />
<br />
Above are some of the must have things that you should have in your backpack when you’re out on a mountain bike ride. Beyond this riders have their own needs. For me, the lesser I carry the faster and better is my ride. Apart from this, you need to wear proper riding gear, most importantly your helmet and pads. <br />
<br />
Be safe on your bike. Ride responsibly! </div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-18527525025362934382015-06-04T03:03:00.000-07:002015-06-04T03:08:12.013-07:00Blogospheric Gems – Interesting Blogs about cycling, for cyclists! - By Arushi Jain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Have you ever
thought how cool a sieve (sifter) is? No, I am not crazy, just think about it.
It separates out the useful component from a mixture of different components.
So, let’s just say we’re a cyclist-specific sieve and have taken up the gigantic
responsibility of sifting out the best cycling blogs from the entire
blogosphere. Here’s a list of our top cycling blogs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Copenhagenize</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This is a very interesting blog which highlights how Copenhagen transformed itself into a bike-obsessed city. We all can learn a thing or two from this blog and hopefully bring a change in our city as well. Hey, a girl can dream!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://www.copenhagenize.com/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Fat Cyclist</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">This blog, started by Elden Nelson or “Fatty” captivates you with its heart-warming yet witty posts. His entries are about weight loss, cycling and occasional serious posts about his wife, Susan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">http://www.fatcyclist.com/</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">The Inner Ring</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">This is the most sought-after source
of cycling news, race coverage, cycling heroes etc. Of course, the extensive collection
of fantastic images brings everything to life.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">http://inrng.com/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">London
Cyclist</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">London Cyclist is probably the first
blog every cycling-enthusiast gorges through. The weekly reviews of latest
cycling clothing make sure that you bike in style. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="text-indent: -18pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Bike
Snob</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">With its massive following and
readership, Bike Snob is definitely on every cyclists must-read list. The Snob
is a total bully and has been tagged as a “bike culture denier”. He has a take
on everything, like EVERYTHING going on in the cycling world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.in/</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-87343351508485712232015-06-02T10:27:00.001-07:002015-06-02T22:44:19.023-07:00Our visit to Germany - heaven for mountain bikers! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, we recently attended a Cycling Expo in Berlin (Germany) and the cycling scene there blew our mind away! The mind-blowing began at the airport, where we saw people riding these cycles INSIDE the airport<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9Q1FwvorYrZ9kPL4x36iQUAtV9pIzUwqSm4uzkqNeXicTDfm3LUxZhQblIMawh2J9YWjlbNGMINBKlb3ragzYoUGR3dvlal-0wqlDTG9j8J6aowBaS8vfLJp0gUXIA41JuMXpV-dHZA/s1600/Cycles+at+Berlin+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi9Q1FwvorYrZ9kPL4x36iQUAtV9pIzUwqSm4uzkqNeXicTDfm3LUxZhQblIMawh2J9YWjlbNGMINBKlb3ragzYoUGR3dvlal-0wqlDTG9j8J6aowBaS8vfLJp0gUXIA41JuMXpV-dHZA/s400/Cycles+at+Berlin+Airport.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycles inside the Frankfurt Airport</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However the true awesomeness of Germany starts when you land and start seeing the city, in my case the city of Berlin. The roads are, of course, absolutely amazing. But 2 things stand out when you visit Germany from India - the sheer number of cycles and cyclists there boggles you.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdnK8Kg54NQoEzHW4wkpckI6EIROIkHNtGsCUCcURXQLS3B66rq3yHsMPPvDM-ebLpXLKzTYc5AhyphenhyphenDkTSvLSbMzb3dDMhmOe10iASshFC8Bfsc3LNB7tdB8_zDz3rOuWnlZUSvDZKKcg/s1600/You+see+more+cycles+than+motored+vehicles+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdnK8Kg54NQoEzHW4wkpckI6EIROIkHNtGsCUCcURXQLS3B66rq3yHsMPPvDM-ebLpXLKzTYc5AhyphenhyphenDkTSvLSbMzb3dDMhmOe10iASshFC8Bfsc3LNB7tdB8_zDz3rOuWnlZUSvDZKKcg/s400/You+see+more+cycles+than+motored+vehicles+Berlin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cycles outside a building downtown outnumber the motored vehicles</td></tr>
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In part, the number of cyclists in Berlin (or in Germany) can be explained largely to culture, to relatively smaller (and consequently crowded) downtown areas and the presence of cycling lanes. The cycling lanes makes cycling super-safe and at each signal, you have separate set of signal lights for cyclists, walkers and motorists. Though I couldn't take photographs, Germany even separate inter-city highways for cyclists! So, you could go touring from one city to another on a dedicated cycling highway.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQOC58N4sSsNE_NxtbyWOGpEWmCFYlxEewy2XWOMb_wCBlE1lP-3lUKOAJRBSoIYfkYakuRqshft4su-iuWZKxYth-XDqBV9Y7nnU2ZbJIAW5kGrk7jY3jw37Wz16NWAT1Ly-9lLPBc4/s1600/Cycling+Lane+in+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQOC58N4sSsNE_NxtbyWOGpEWmCFYlxEewy2XWOMb_wCBlE1lP-3lUKOAJRBSoIYfkYakuRqshft4su-iuWZKxYth-XDqBV9Y7nnU2ZbJIAW5kGrk7jY3jw37Wz16NWAT1Ly-9lLPBc4/s320/Cycling+Lane+in+Berlin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling Lanes are sometimes part of the road itself</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZFkHLVdfp8N_Og_w75PNlmazSOg0oN-Rbiv-OqUKm-U1ZdbTAI212QrtoVf4qoJFpPabscZ-5rwJHQom4Eym-ifN5H05JC4MF_axBbSQABRjJm67-QwPL8JCNL9mBzDfRlfvfdUDxc/s1600/Cycling+Lanes+in+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwkZFkHLVdfp8N_Og_w75PNlmazSOg0oN-Rbiv-OqUKm-U1ZdbTAI212QrtoVf4qoJFpPabscZ-5rwJHQom4Eym-ifN5H05JC4MF_axBbSQABRjJm67-QwPL8JCNL9mBzDfRlfvfdUDxc/s320/Cycling+Lanes+in+Berlin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most often, cycling lanes are part of the footpath </td></tr>
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The Cycling lanes are mostly elevated and a part of the footpath. However, the footpaths were usually quite wide and provided adequate space to those who chose to walk. That most of the population cycles was also evident from the fact that right from small shops to large malls had cycling stands available for people to part their bikes safely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOMtSKDLppCsdS819m4gXAJ9YCp7u8jDciTJ1kDdOesIm-4NvwOEEL07xzdoVEeXuDBrtUPSn8qnwgUG-b9RpTUUek_yj_wK_0MrRfgfmJ3Mor-OTm7aRp88L-Qajoz7LVjB9KFbQ_KQ/s1600/Cycle+Stand+outside+the+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOMtSKDLppCsdS819m4gXAJ9YCp7u8jDciTJ1kDdOesIm-4NvwOEEL07xzdoVEeXuDBrtUPSn8qnwgUG-b9RpTUUek_yj_wK_0MrRfgfmJ3Mor-OTm7aRp88L-Qajoz7LVjB9KFbQ_KQ/s400/Cycle+Stand+outside+the+door.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling Stand outside a small shop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQW2qCT4UAwwBbBAyx2nTZ7RVkLpU2c21qV73F7uflZUYQfLdXwtfRc2BbDxCi7sFEOx63buvVcbiWIDAhxRa7KLiozP14VwKcfwsN1qsxTUYaYgem85VNJgO4Vs4ZPyHtphzSKqsYQow/s1600/Cycling+Stands+outside+office+buildings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQW2qCT4UAwwBbBAyx2nTZ7RVkLpU2c21qV73F7uflZUYQfLdXwtfRc2BbDxCi7sFEOx63buvVcbiWIDAhxRa7KLiozP14VwKcfwsN1qsxTUYaYgem85VNJgO4Vs4ZPyHtphzSKqsYQow/s400/Cycling+Stands+outside+office+buildings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A populated cycle stand outside an office building - you can see more in the distance</td></tr>
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The above photo was taken in March, when winter was still continuing and it would snow (light snowfall) in the evenings! The temperature was in the single digits (of degrees Celsius) and rains and wind would further make it difficult to cycle. Imagine the number of cyclists in summer!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvLPTWBEDAiJJDNBn7ksWcU2tfQOl4EmIyHVHnjQhQ_Yvy9p6aJYOxmc-7skCYsjuo5LneHXPV0qVtqSZFaQoti64TsUdkRjjbyInqY6LkOM1wR9U9_cS6B8RLLFjBWgNI_4D1ypdz2o/s1600/Snowing+in+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsvLPTWBEDAiJJDNBn7ksWcU2tfQOl4EmIyHVHnjQhQ_Yvy9p6aJYOxmc-7skCYsjuo5LneHXPV0qVtqSZFaQoti64TsUdkRjjbyInqY6LkOM1wR9U9_cS6B8RLLFjBWgNI_4D1ypdz2o/s400/Snowing+in+Berlin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how the weather was - you can see the light snow! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One would think that, give the abundance of cycles, it must be quite safe to park your cycles outdoors. In fact, throughout my time in Berlin, I felt very safe at all times. However I noticed that all cycles are locked with very heavy locks and chains like this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ5GsceWS8fnRFqcvFUBJxFtfHGwG1WyIaWw-e6ZRL07PhyP1yS7k-KhupXDD00a4t9RqbXhcE1ClKSH_tTwpOciDGHyl0726S31DgYC5QR5yiKkpaBQ00F0Z1EZwIr29wZyB2FFkF5w/s1600/Cycles+are+locked+with+some+heavy+locks+in+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJ5GsceWS8fnRFqcvFUBJxFtfHGwG1WyIaWw-e6ZRL07PhyP1yS7k-KhupXDD00a4t9RqbXhcE1ClKSH_tTwpOciDGHyl0726S31DgYC5QR5yiKkpaBQ00F0Z1EZwIr29wZyB2FFkF5w/s400/Cycles+are+locked+with+some+heavy+locks+in+Berlin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycles tended to be locked to pillars or bike stands, with heavy locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Upon talking to locals, I realized that bike thefts are quite common (at least by local standards) and hence, people almost always made sure the bikes were locked to a pillar or a bike stand. The next day, we went to the Expo (the reason for our visit to Berlin) and there again, as expected, we saw a massive bike stand:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t9jbF5v18yeojEIy3d28ZUjYXgCxifpe62GeRUqAW0AMOL5d5MdzWnUQJ2ZC6qnZLDDjKtjQZtq_AJDwXj6HGFu8GhKCKFnevMWAJH244gEwjfKeF8E5uZmuykOuyZuSYv2E5oAYii0/s1600/Cycling+Stand+at+the+Expo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9t9jbF5v18yeojEIy3d28ZUjYXgCxifpe62GeRUqAW0AMOL5d5MdzWnUQJ2ZC6qnZLDDjKtjQZtq_AJDwXj6HGFu8GhKCKFnevMWAJH244gEwjfKeF8E5uZmuykOuyZuSYv2E5oAYii0/s400/Cycling+Stand+at+the+Expo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike Stand at the Expo </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Expo was something else all-together. First off, we see this ice-hockey ring, but with people on cycles playing inside! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO9iui0WpETscUIfDVfG4VtJWI8pfcQiDYCiElt3E9cmL-qBjosLYs7C95GcBtcJpq6GH3ISM3jrjVTzAuXIo3sUCcGMAtTczJJwJGlPRH51DVvOfYiJ1uFANt3IUokAEpQ14lHchv_Q/s1600/Cycle-based+Ice+hockey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDO9iui0WpETscUIfDVfG4VtJWI8pfcQiDYCiElt3E9cmL-qBjosLYs7C95GcBtcJpq6GH3ISM3jrjVTzAuXIo3sUCcGMAtTczJJwJGlPRH51DVvOfYiJ1uFANt3IUokAEpQ14lHchv_Q/s400/Cycle-based+Ice+hockey.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Hockey on cycles! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Even better was the indoor Mountain Biking arena! This wasn't uncommon in Germany and helped riders enjoy the thrills of mountain biking indoors during the harsh-winters.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuPW31K0U29vKd9c2HQmRHoq0Mz2At9EmPy7CrO27xtlLEkBxCfuTuuVUjl8fYfdQfaVc9LPHBqGXL1EVf1tUqtr7bz-T90hHgk02rlSqfANfmwc2A52hQVM99d_fwGx6yoqviVuMrRE/s1600/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuPW31K0U29vKd9c2HQmRHoq0Mz2At9EmPy7CrO27xtlLEkBxCfuTuuVUjl8fYfdQfaVc9LPHBqGXL1EVf1tUqtr7bz-T90hHgk02rlSqfANfmwc2A52hQVM99d_fwGx6yoqviVuMrRE/s400/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of the indoor MTB arena</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZcDjxk3Z1iuN3-lkfR2aG4T16bPkH8WY1m0H1ng1iXoiVi_4beG3cA07HDt9te826-YQ4qHZNjliUnVuE7EMiG9GInOAUWSl7Iu5t-O8Zgv3j8P6U6ZfHdMMqNg4Z3mZzsDh8ss8h_o/s1600/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnZcDjxk3Z1iuN3-lkfR2aG4T16bPkH8WY1m0H1ng1iXoiVi_4beG3cA07HDt9te826-YQ4qHZNjliUnVuE7EMiG9GInOAUWSl7Iu5t-O8Zgv3j8P6U6ZfHdMMqNg4Z3mZzsDh8ss8h_o/s400/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rider goes up the first climb on the indoor MTB Arena</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhdfjGVYfgm7GM7zIgY_xYkd7BTtJf-tOSR91kro1eOXpbeFStVJ_C6PNP3BpTofXOPZHLhux7qxr7zjcZLxYZL15pNHkamr_Or-EmYUfpqTIxd9XG7xPoBhTtb3nUVTHK3QasIrOuuU/s1600/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhdfjGVYfgm7GM7zIgY_xYkd7BTtJf-tOSR91kro1eOXpbeFStVJ_C6PNP3BpTofXOPZHLhux7qxr7zjcZLxYZL15pNHkamr_Or-EmYUfpqTIxd9XG7xPoBhTtb3nUVTHK3QasIrOuuU/s400/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of the Indoor MTB arena from the other end</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cool thing is that I saw a whole bunch of 6-10 year old kids on mountain bikes, fearlessly navigating their own Junior Arena!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8OOeqs8gaTLYas_nGmYWm4JaQ6fGMRKikz5QMplN0OjMNRBTOeCZ4H3ZK26VCIcuPTT1rdfmzQsnycez6KzhepmFc0Axo8jd3ctnCyNaltSwV5oYCkJ0fRqo-NH2HLnx4YLd3YfHqbc/s1600/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+for+juniors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8OOeqs8gaTLYas_nGmYWm4JaQ6fGMRKikz5QMplN0OjMNRBTOeCZ4H3ZK26VCIcuPTT1rdfmzQsnycez6KzhepmFc0Axo8jd3ctnCyNaltSwV5oYCkJ0fRqo-NH2HLnx4YLd3YfHqbc/s400/MTB+indoors+Arena+Berlina+for+juniors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Junior MTB arena!</td></tr>
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<div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PH9EvMrQkVlAXtcy8L53SGCFF0krqnh-8UVE7oEXyLLT451bJScKJf8ZP6TihUfMyEkXj6M0NBhVuE73DYlfokTNhyrzS1qsy98G3rqcy3y1c0wUxUU_wc5Ehc-_syoWksK1J3gW4IY/s1600/PureFix+Stall+at+the+Expo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PH9EvMrQkVlAXtcy8L53SGCFF0krqnh-8UVE7oEXyLLT451bJScKJf8ZP6TihUfMyEkXj6M0NBhVuE73DYlfokTNhyrzS1qsy98G3rqcy3y1c0wUxUU_wc5Ehc-_syoWksK1J3gW4IY/s400/PureFix+Stall+at+the+Expo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PureFix Stall at the Expo - one of the many Fixie brands on display there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Berlin has a tremendous Fixie scene - Fixies are quite common and appreciated there. So, it was nice to see the PureFix stall in the Expo as well. Of course, we had our own stall set-up in the accessories section!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2t9RjV2tl6y8CLpTPSKR5bOdM-E47rptmuzPe_3bZhOzySlMqGIEO4A_elpGvdYr5WPG4dYmOjR4Hrx77656ckh9Bq-gGktqnhGKaJ-KXB-EePMUnioqn9K-CwheyxIdv2kiUUD24vY/s1600/Lumos+Stall+at+the+Expo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2t9RjV2tl6y8CLpTPSKR5bOdM-E47rptmuzPe_3bZhOzySlMqGIEO4A_elpGvdYr5WPG4dYmOjR4Hrx77656ckh9Bq-gGktqnhGKaJ-KXB-EePMUnioqn9K-CwheyxIdv2kiUUD24vY/s400/Lumos+Stall+at+the+Expo.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lumos Stall at the Berlin Expo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the expo, I also saw my first Penny-Farthing. Penny-Farthings are the original cycles - in fact, until 1880, these are what 'Bicycles' were called! Apparently, the modern bicycle (with both wheels of same size) was introduced in 1890 as a specialty 'safety bicycle'. At the Expo, I met a man who had done an entire Bike tour on his Penny Farthing - even today they are sold for their novelty value. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNufWCe6eCSBba8FJE-f_nZPAWpkUSTwWZDcNtnKeUMgiGfHu3QQn2PsrhD9PXq9Vf79IF0yvgeWCz1NyMas3pijdaaGUiVzlacTO2cXjpNewpZG3RAjsRbsMcNlG87tbhXHiMIS9kl-I/s1600/People+have+done+tours+on+this+bike%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNufWCe6eCSBba8FJE-f_nZPAWpkUSTwWZDcNtnKeUMgiGfHu3QQn2PsrhD9PXq9Vf79IF0yvgeWCz1NyMas3pijdaaGUiVzlacTO2cXjpNewpZG3RAjsRbsMcNlG87tbhXHiMIS9kl-I/s400/People+have+done+tours+on+this+bike%2521.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me with a Penny Farthing</td></tr>
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Once the Expo was successfully concluded, we decided to take some time off, rent some bikes and roam the city of Berlin on our rental bikes. The problem is that you only get "City" bikes - really heavy Steel bikes with 3 gears for your ride. Though less fun to ride, it gave us an experience of riding in Berling. The predictability of bicycling riding and the safety is amazing. Coming from India, even after the signal turns green, we are used to looking at both sides before starting off on a junction. In Berlin, people just start off once the signal turns green.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYfZ-jhPiHPuNOE2XSBxMBqbHWE_7d2uvAvz7FVK3rW6SfuxgDPzjmj8UlBq2wED09fNlUNfzS9gtBPmU6nto3TCgiJ2AbD_hU56mqszrCwvDkUggQGj-B51b73m1vPoo4cnFuNsDElk/s1600/Sooraj+on+his+rental+in+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPYfZ-jhPiHPuNOE2XSBxMBqbHWE_7d2uvAvz7FVK3rW6SfuxgDPzjmj8UlBq2wED09fNlUNfzS9gtBPmU6nto3TCgiJ2AbD_hU56mqszrCwvDkUggQGj-B51b73m1vPoo4cnFuNsDElk/s400/Sooraj+on+his+rental+in+Berlin.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooraj, my teammate, on his rental through a Berlin park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcxJ46ld8OJYhyphenhyphenQyeh2H7euTGRd1g0p2c9IB8tmE1By-LnNAS-ns9FRsJ2j8YXAW7kUvi3D7QUtecB5Xij7RSW4Rqnj1y2aODPMjVcTYkg2FUXLsWnI6IfrjDO5hRsSgGRLL7U4MqpDk/s1600/My+Rental+in+the+Berlin+park+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGcxJ46ld8OJYhyphenhyphenQyeh2H7euTGRd1g0p2c9IB8tmE1By-LnNAS-ns9FRsJ2j8YXAW7kUvi3D7QUtecB5Xij7RSW4Rqnj1y2aODPMjVcTYkg2FUXLsWnI6IfrjDO5hRsSgGRLL7U4MqpDk/s400/My+Rental+in+the+Berlin+park+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rental bike in the Berlin park, with our Prototype Pannier bag</td></tr>
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While we rode through the Berlin, of course, we used the cycling tracks only. We did see a few folks cycling on the road, but those were the faster road-bikers. Also, coming from India, we find it odd to cycle without a helmet. However, in Berlin, we saw a good number of people cycling without helmets! To wear a helmet or not - this debate is seen to be jaded and avoided. The only conclusion we saw most Germans arrive at was - to each his own!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ksq3bPNuKsyhTtMwsg3AE9_yPHDvO7V2KlEiF6hXfcSYx9pYStx0BbiD1JJBkzOwmvxhZolhXnQNHc3wTAvVHLw6BddNuR0dBss2QBbGmF2a3RQvxVu3oZ3UxhcBufWdb3NiKk9tXjs/s1600/On+a+cycling+track+in+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ksq3bPNuKsyhTtMwsg3AE9_yPHDvO7V2KlEiF6hXfcSYx9pYStx0BbiD1JJBkzOwmvxhZolhXnQNHc3wTAvVHLw6BddNuR0dBss2QBbGmF2a3RQvxVu3oZ3UxhcBufWdb3NiKk9tXjs/s400/On+a+cycling+track+in+Berlin.jpg" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me - on a beautiful cycling track in the middle of Berlin!</td></tr>
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Berlin is a historic city - in downtown Berlin, you will find the most amazing historic buildings! The architecture will leave you amazed. Berlin is best explored on a bike though - the streets are narrow at times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgwDlo0fDCGgEqOOIOg600QNcLZ6FhVW1XQfF8raBumSx_DpXmV-1VTFO2cFzVAugk40gIr8pkonFaWV1eulUCfEC1mIPBURImUljuqBbgyhtwKEF7TypD1mqklzx2lrdIeUFN6s6z_Y/s1600/Exploring+Berlin+through+our+bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHgwDlo0fDCGgEqOOIOg600QNcLZ6FhVW1XQfF8raBumSx_DpXmV-1VTFO2cFzVAugk40gIr8pkonFaWV1eulUCfEC1mIPBURImUljuqBbgyhtwKEF7TypD1mqklzx2lrdIeUFN6s6z_Y/s400/Exploring+Berlin+through+our+bikes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sooraj in downtown Berlin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHmWqIIpLn-WL9KZZc6QokX17NLcYv59PuBhfUScPR9EgzobHnH23bgPoge9jlbUbWgRebQihyphenhyphenwXam8ypQRLSkwJvRfcY041ITiLTtzEA_YuZ65GtGoaNp86PeH2y67DDKkShEaf4iBI/s1600/More+beauty+in+central+Berlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHmWqIIpLn-WL9KZZc6QokX17NLcYv59PuBhfUScPR9EgzobHnH23bgPoge9jlbUbWgRebQihyphenhyphenwXam8ypQRLSkwJvRfcY041ITiLTtzEA_YuZ65GtGoaNp86PeH2y67DDKkShEaf4iBI/s400/More+beauty+in+central+Berlin.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Berling Awesomness</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbuL4XKE3wpCp7xIys8JRLI3aBGChOTe1MtT9LhbznkXj58j7VDgKDqxxTodk5hACrtDmlknGeDucSf4wdZGkqbpJoEgE-pZDnQShv-aJq6-JgaAfWbsKB3H-BWxqjDSOzdIFRYJq1kE/s1600/PANO_20150324_172715175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLbuL4XKE3wpCp7xIys8JRLI3aBGChOTe1MtT9LhbznkXj58j7VDgKDqxxTodk5hACrtDmlknGeDucSf4wdZGkqbpJoEgE-pZDnQShv-aJq6-JgaAfWbsKB3H-BWxqjDSOzdIFRYJq1kE/s640/PANO_20150324_172715175.jpg" width="338" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Panorama shot - Television Tower in Central Berlin</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvi3-JQb5jPqx1WM9RlyBJ8kpnwprM1_lR0kZsAJAypr-3U-1MTWiSpKUlXV7P0E5JzooQ7XSHgO2Uw43UwGjMmVuiMVrvPffVg_9YjILp3mVfDQyFbq3C5livjZsyPyFDOgH1lHQXzbY/s1600/Stopping+atop+a+railway+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvi3-JQb5jPqx1WM9RlyBJ8kpnwprM1_lR0kZsAJAypr-3U-1MTWiSpKUlXV7P0E5JzooQ7XSHgO2Uw43UwGjMmVuiMVrvPffVg_9YjILp3mVfDQyFbq3C5livjZsyPyFDOgH1lHQXzbY/s400/Stopping+atop+a+railway+bridge.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I stopped for some train-watching!</td></tr>
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During my stay, I also had the good fortune to visit the beautiful town of Wurzberg - a small and scenic town near Frankfurt. Though it was raining, it was nice to see people out cycling. You realize that in Germany, it rains so often that people just get used to it - they don't necessarily keep indoors during rains!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKOglxRnVK-mr36mMDQ7yBdWyG2eTI6hCdH6MG_DbBFO35Rn82AoEtGMCjrOs2xlmnNUFwuSOGSuFsgrQOuVcm6d9jKa5uKws1kLm1J55dDfpsgHAKB-VngAPvaog2swLua5hdSjqo48/s1600/Wurzberg+was+beautiful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKOglxRnVK-mr36mMDQ7yBdWyG2eTI6hCdH6MG_DbBFO35Rn82AoEtGMCjrOs2xlmnNUFwuSOGSuFsgrQOuVcm6d9jKa5uKws1kLm1J55dDfpsgHAKB-VngAPvaog2swLua5hdSjqo48/s400/Wurzberg+was+beautiful.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a sweet bike in Wurzberg</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACnEQlwokOJjljpXo9HRTPNq2aq4VtiPYXeWOufiTUdWZ4qDqHCzvJQW7vpACLgH0f_qG4z-3tfzi02_Rs9aXXZK6OUIKOZN765mDh7Cr54r_6bOjxbMV3MimTQlQRx1jNI-VLrPySm0/s1600/Central+Wurzberg+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjACnEQlwokOJjljpXo9HRTPNq2aq4VtiPYXeWOufiTUdWZ4qDqHCzvJQW7vpACLgH0f_qG4z-3tfzi02_Rs9aXXZK6OUIKOZN765mDh7Cr54r_6bOjxbMV3MimTQlQRx1jNI-VLrPySm0/s400/Central+Wurzberg+view.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Wurzberg</td></tr>
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For the final leg of the tour, we visited Frankfurt. In Berlin and in Frankfurt, getting bike rentals is super easy and affordable. The local railways runs a bike rental system which also is attached to an app. The app indicates the nearest available cycles, you select a cycle and the lock code (the cycles are locked by combination codes) is smsed to you. The rate was EU 1 per hour up to a maximum of EU 9 for 24 hours!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ur4tg0ZKzRS7vbXQxkrOce7GK9Xd73aPzGU-VBhssiyHi6YIU6Y1x7RZhRdouRFwZI7p2bI0WIfmrLQfire_YFVYNsRA7sEdzOXAOMLXlt26Oo9g8Gle5j9U00IPA7mdGaTvaFpod_s/s1600/Cycle+rental+Frankfurt+station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Ur4tg0ZKzRS7vbXQxkrOce7GK9Xd73aPzGU-VBhssiyHi6YIU6Y1x7RZhRdouRFwZI7p2bI0WIfmrLQfire_YFVYNsRA7sEdzOXAOMLXlt26Oo9g8Gle5j9U00IPA7mdGaTvaFpod_s/s400/Cycle+rental+Frankfurt+station.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike rentals outside Frankfurt Station</td></tr>
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I went out riding again in Frankfurt - it was a bright day. Though the locals were out running and cycling and enjoying the glorious weather, I still found it cold (it was 12 degrees Celsius).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x_kvcUVFXwMQp6hTMtfQSrwIXSf1IinFd3QEsVif6IU7Fa18XwIr9JUX35RT68JbEYJAuOHPuXJZiigfvcnwW6cqulbr1qsgISxlJrO6clVj-eX0V-PCbNpk3EsDuHllCBfqkl-kciA/s1600/On+a+rental+with+the+2+bags+in+Frankfurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9x_kvcUVFXwMQp6hTMtfQSrwIXSf1IinFd3QEsVif6IU7Fa18XwIr9JUX35RT68JbEYJAuOHPuXJZiigfvcnwW6cqulbr1qsgISxlJrO6clVj-eX0V-PCbNpk3EsDuHllCBfqkl-kciA/s400/On+a+rental+with+the+2+bags+in+Frankfurt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My rental in Frankfurt! </td></tr>
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I also found an absolutely gorgeous jogging-cum-cycling path that went along-side the river in Frankfurt. I sat on a bench along the river, and let my bags sun-bathe a bit - which meant that we tested their solar performance. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGmxJuZjZwY7s3Y2sXI67Rr0e6UC_tXQjvKtFYeeVPsDZXii0Dx1jaBp9doZHdy7ldRp0_DcNpeF_UrUB8j9IIQVbOtfH5AzhrN630OH2uTQk50qGgkXj_TnBgFuyAm-jyFFpw9_OD4Y/s1600/Bags+sunbathe+in+Frankfurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGmxJuZjZwY7s3Y2sXI67Rr0e6UC_tXQjvKtFYeeVPsDZXii0Dx1jaBp9doZHdy7ldRp0_DcNpeF_UrUB8j9IIQVbOtfH5AzhrN630OH2uTQk50qGgkXj_TnBgFuyAm-jyFFpw9_OD4Y/s400/Bags+sunbathe+in+Frankfurt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lumos Solar bags sun-bathing and charging up in Frankfurt!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D7dJ8azIheuY9N0aIk3KEXfLPseAT01FjNNBhtS75oz7OkUbrlVnZS-tAKb_tnuWmI5c7UU6qte2xGSNwyd5lR7JaV7h3uWrseY-ljF_-KApKLdk7LcmzN1Nin-hefQpGT9BKCK7ebw/s1600/Cycling+and+Jogging+track+by+the+river+Frankfurt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1D7dJ8azIheuY9N0aIk3KEXfLPseAT01FjNNBhtS75oz7OkUbrlVnZS-tAKb_tnuWmI5c7UU6qte2xGSNwyd5lR7JaV7h3uWrseY-ljF_-KApKLdk7LcmzN1Nin-hefQpGT9BKCK7ebw/s400/Cycling+and+Jogging+track+by+the+river+Frankfurt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling and jogging track along-side the river in Frankfurt</td></tr>
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Thus ended the trip of Germany for me. All that cycling made me crave some hot Indian food, and I was lucky to find a Saravana Bhavan in Frankfurt! I rushed to it and ordered me a nice Chola Bhatura, which was spicy and felt so amazing in the cold weather. It seemed like a great conclusion to my trip. Though I enjoyed my trip of Germany, I had started to miss my own bike (a Giant Hybrid) back home and was craving to go on a nice long ride on my bike! Luckily, I ended up in Bangalore (India) on a weekday, with enough time to prepare for a 100km ride on the Sunday to get me back to action! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImLdzcE1fUDhTwZCrMVq2bjxkch3INcgBIvCECpo8p1NITUP4x9Zxl5GU4qdZ3yaHPCNv2e1mpuOEDEf2vODbHyE6HRVSC1mLR_lldG9YclGIDWZzCpz9okJDhhJs1tZKRC9vNtkhgJY/s1600/Food+at+Saravana+Bhavan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImLdzcE1fUDhTwZCrMVq2bjxkch3INcgBIvCECpo8p1NITUP4x9Zxl5GU4qdZ3yaHPCNv2e1mpuOEDEf2vODbHyE6HRVSC1mLR_lldG9YclGIDWZzCpz9okJDhhJs1tZKRC9vNtkhgJY/s400/Food+at+Saravana+Bhavan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chola Bhatura at Saravana Bhavan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSCy2TbLwa15h9r0-XLywPoA0KoPS2P7uh2-i__SieVGO0FmJfpfXEzMOdMi5hW7gaoRaAFqRj8b_forQVMSaYxrOrUgmn-2piljbYYs_71Oc6AdzTKoXICqVpplRXPDHJ4LNyGNIO-A/s1600/Bar+at+Saravana+Bhavan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSCy2TbLwa15h9r0-XLywPoA0KoPS2P7uh2-i__SieVGO0FmJfpfXEzMOdMi5hW7gaoRaAFqRj8b_forQVMSaYxrOrUgmn-2piljbYYs_71Oc6AdzTKoXICqVpplRXPDHJ4LNyGNIO-A/s400/Bar+at+Saravana+Bhavan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Odd to see a bar at the Saravana Bhavan in Frankfurt!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-81130810623149865102015-05-25T05:10:00.001-07:002015-05-25T06:18:31.881-07:00Techno-Zing: Useful Gadgets for a Cyclist - Guest article by Arushi Jain<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Technology is an integral part of cycling these days . Let’s dive deeper and find out what it has in store for
you, a cyclist.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span class="Title1"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Garmin Edge
1000</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Tread without fear with this trust-worthy bike-specific GPS-tracker.
It is not just a conventional GPS tracker, it can measure your speed, time,
distance, altitude, climb, descent, calories burned and your heart rate! It can
also be paired with your smartphone. Not impressed yet? How do you feel about a
Virtual Partner mode to race a virtual partner? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/screenshots/garmin/edge1000/garmin_edge1000-page-virtual-partner_en.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.tramsoft.ch/gps/screenshots/garmin/edge1000/garmin_edge1000-page-virtual-partner_en.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Garmin's Virtual Partner (Image Source: <a href="http://www.tramsoft.ch/">http://www.tramsoft.ch/</a>) </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span class="Title1"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Hokey Spokes</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Yes, this gadget is as cool as it sounds. This makes a
boring safety light into a really trendy light image and text on your bicycle
wheels. I told you, it is quite cool. As soon as you start pedaling, the 16
built-in LEDs light up into images and form the “LED art”. Bring out the artist
in you!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hokeyspokes.com/Burda1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hokeyspokes.com/Burda1.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Making LED art with Hokey Spokes (Source: <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.hokeyspokes.com/what.htm">http://www.hokeyspokes.com/what.htm</a>) </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;">ICEdot Helmet Sensor</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Accidents happen all the time. Things
become a little more complicated for a cyclist because there’s a high
probability that if you get into an accident, you’ll get through by the skin of
your teeth or maybe end up losing a few. Your saviour in such a situation can
be the ICEdot Helmet Sensor. Its tiny yellow dot detects accidents and sends an
SMS to your emergency contacts. It is truly a life-saver! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://icedot.org/assets/products/crash-sensor/crashsensor01-34d65c73bde3d764e052e626bc73c9b8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://icedot.org/assets/products/crash-sensor/crashsensor01-34d65c73bde3d764e052e626bc73c9b8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The ICEdot Sensor alerts emergency contacts through SMS (Source: <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://icedot.org/">https://icedot.org</a>)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Wireless Bicycle
Turn Signal</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt 18pt; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There’s more
than one way of making yourself presence felt. This battery-powered turn signal
device is one of them. It is equipped with ultra-bright LEDs and emits a loud
beep whenever you make a turn. A must-use for a commuter to ensure you’re heard
and seen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://248vaj2ftb3s201l1epdd3f1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Wireless-Bicycle-Turn-Signal-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://248vaj2ftb3s201l1epdd3f1.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Wireless-Bicycle-Turn-Signal-.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Saddle Indicators (Source: <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://thegadgetflow.com/portfolio/wireless-bicycle-turn-signal-60/">http://thegadgetflow.com/portfolio/wireless-bicycle-turn-signal-60/</a>)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font: major-fareast;"><b>Helios
Bars</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: 18.0pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif;">Enjoy biking at night? Then this device is a solution to
all your worries. It has GPS tracking and front and rear-facing LEDs. It
doesn’t end here. The rear-facing lights change colour with your speed and also
work as turn signals or indicators. Awesome, eh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ridehelios.com/img/thumb5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.ridehelios.com/img/thumb5.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Helios Drop bars claims to give "brains" to your bike (Source: <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.ridehelios.com/products.php">http://www.ridehelios.com/products.php</a>) </span></div>
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<br />
What is the funkiest biking gadget you have come across? Do tell us! </div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01047302694732978885noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5292085317435302433.post-65120877756994698072015-05-18T04:16:00.000-07:002015-05-18T04:16:16.994-07:00Cycling in Netherlands - How Netherlands amazed us! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div>
We recently visited Netherlands for an extended duration - Given that we make Solar bags for cyclists, a visit to Netherlands was bound to happen! And what an eye-opening visit it was! To those who do not know, Netherlands is the Cycling capital of the world - they have more cycles than people! </div>
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We were fortunate to have a cycling ambassador in Netherlands - Maarten de Jonge, who hosted me and showed me around. The first leg of the visit was Amsterdam - roughly 43% of the population cycles regularly and that is one of the smallest percentages of cyclists in Netherlands! Look at this photo - this is a standard parking lot there with bikes outnumbering cars everywhere!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav-5pPMfjqEldNdCFJGnTZY9UYevsZECEa1qzVLPFsicgtGabiQTzgfQSmsYBqKE-MtqYTpd63ePssxWDWlzhXKe7UCgbxBkUcr3t7FBLTxagIoHTwKHdn4mGsiajf3Kr0GYFlx3DQCM/s1600/Parking+in+Amsterdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgav-5pPMfjqEldNdCFJGnTZY9UYevsZECEa1qzVLPFsicgtGabiQTzgfQSmsYBqKE-MtqYTpd63ePssxWDWlzhXKe7UCgbxBkUcr3t7FBLTxagIoHTwKHdn4mGsiajf3Kr0GYFlx3DQCM/s1600/Parking+in+Amsterdam.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Random Parking in Amsterdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There were many things which were quite different from cycling in a city like Bangalore. In Bangalore, most commuter cyclists own a fairly fancy bike for their commute - we have road bikes, MTBs and Hybrids. However, most commuters own a single bike in Bangalore. In Netherlands, it is quite common to have anywhere from 2 to 5 cycles per person with each cycle serving a different use. While in Bangalore cyclists dress up quite differently, in Netherlands people cycle in their regular clothes and almost no one wears Helmets! In fact, is is very rare to find anyone wearing a helmet or cycling shorts or any other gear. The only rule is that cyclists need to have a red light at the back (after dark) and a white light in the front - and blinking red lights are banned! </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CMF0aqj9nfa3SwhXIyXg4KiHzs-7xWfRj8MHHj8xYP84gnt8i_s1ETP3N1LmW0dtIkQWSkhrqGZwMACbNOBO804FHKUKRNXcK7dBIzga1LE5h2LLMdJJjoHigXF3OrXKdZj8HAD8kbA/s1600/Commuter+in+Amsterdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CMF0aqj9nfa3SwhXIyXg4KiHzs-7xWfRj8MHHj8xYP84gnt8i_s1ETP3N1LmW0dtIkQWSkhrqGZwMACbNOBO804FHKUKRNXcK7dBIzga1LE5h2LLMdJJjoHigXF3OrXKdZj8HAD8kbA/s1600/Commuter+in+Amsterdam.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Regular commuter in Amsterdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another common feature is that most commuters in Amsterdam have city bikes - which are like hybrids except that almost all have bike carriers and a front rack! Imagine riding with those in Bangalore. It is also quite common to see bikers keep permanent pannier bags on their bags and when they commute to work, they simple put their backpack into the pannier bag!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJFvs8BvQElStQk8UyYXm5c4BkHQgQ8FqB8OrD7J4SZbQuGZ57pvbMz1yDBmN7_DA4uTBvhO2U4361X2VNcnr26JaeOBH1UF4qXNMMcNoL_YoyQqAkYzzlGJB-Gp4FzrmdzQlFQOP8J4/s1600/Pannier+bags+on+bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnJFvs8BvQElStQk8UyYXm5c4BkHQgQ8FqB8OrD7J4SZbQuGZ57pvbMz1yDBmN7_DA4uTBvhO2U4361X2VNcnr26JaeOBH1UF4qXNMMcNoL_YoyQqAkYzzlGJB-Gp4FzrmdzQlFQOP8J4/s1600/Pannier+bags+on+bike.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Cost-effective pannier bags on cycles in Amsterdam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Of course, like you've heard, most of Netherlands has separate cycling lanes which makes cycling super-safe. If you are an India-based cyclist, you would assume that the cycle-lanes would make commute faster but you'd be wrong! To give you an idea about the sheer number of cyclists, Netherlands has several multi-level Bike parking spots!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MN5dOH8mWilt-l7qNTmhYQaft7x5Ihfp7ZKj_kUNbbSzGVLRCZSc6wR6t2Ag3-Qf4ydoWrHTthS60wCD98oRRtL4ibugwCZt_sNPziBkq8p-qHt2PPwEBE71vCbR91QzKhTSMznTa88/s1600/Multi-level+Bike+parking+in+Amsterdam+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_MN5dOH8mWilt-l7qNTmhYQaft7x5Ihfp7ZKj_kUNbbSzGVLRCZSc6wR6t2Ag3-Qf4ydoWrHTthS60wCD98oRRtL4ibugwCZt_sNPziBkq8p-qHt2PPwEBE71vCbR91QzKhTSMznTa88/s1600/Multi-level+Bike+parking+in+Amsterdam+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Multi-level Bike Parking in Netherlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, what kind of cycles do they use in Netherlands? Typically, city bikes are common. They are relatively affordable, durable and you can even get decent rentals.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVur9Eqi4SWE2RbDfThz-LVQNQ3z9S_X2gQsv6i4aBtpbvNzGcemf5BdXMQ3iXm0D01HoaVOEzjnI1_cZuLqylIt-aB31nWXNoEKWW6LrG2WGl8TB7LMDqs897aTKTuE2kt3ceZNfdALY/s1600/Bike+Rentals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVur9Eqi4SWE2RbDfThz-LVQNQ3z9S_X2gQsv6i4aBtpbvNzGcemf5BdXMQ3iXm0D01HoaVOEzjnI1_cZuLqylIt-aB31nWXNoEKWW6LrG2WGl8TB7LMDqs897aTKTuE2kt3ceZNfdALY/s1600/Bike+Rentals.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Bike Rentals in Netherlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then, people have touring bikes - which are like hybrids but sturdier and can carry a whole lot of weight. They come equipped with a bike carrier.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Goah3ihr3VukGo4CQOEBxxNcC8FpCkRlYp2OUkJF-STJSe_jP1oqjfRhmb6ux1C0S0_tzTFDIdi9KyVu4QYdXzBaPKZHPFoiOkAdJHzH6aip9x0pLPGzNUq0jZThOQ9jHpX2V5_hSMg/s1600/Pannier+Bags+in+Netherlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Goah3ihr3VukGo4CQOEBxxNcC8FpCkRlYp2OUkJF-STJSe_jP1oqjfRhmb6ux1C0S0_tzTFDIdi9KyVu4QYdXzBaPKZHPFoiOkAdJHzH6aip9x0pLPGzNUq0jZThOQ9jHpX2V5_hSMg/s1600/Pannier+Bags+in+Netherlands.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">2-Sided Pannier bag on a bike </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
MTBs are also quite common and are used specially for trail riding. Racing bikes (what we call Road bikes in India) are relatively less common, but only compared to the other kind of bikes. Hence, there are only about 1Million racing bikes in Netherlands! Of course, most people do bike racing as a hobby as well and are quite proud of their racing bikes! Did you know that Giant has a manufacturing plant in Netherlands?<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tH0ej2tG3WyV3YvxjX2JgmsApySqa3Qp1h74vZSirfNQeiCwEfrfKEaGeJSr4wU62ZceFxLIois9Y6uKOBw0MqS1MuRAfQEtWt-Jd_afsEerQsRZuMrtO3ILReMhpzPF3SGF_2OqkKM/s1600/Racing+Bike+in+Amsterdam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tH0ej2tG3WyV3YvxjX2JgmsApySqa3Qp1h74vZSirfNQeiCwEfrfKEaGeJSr4wU62ZceFxLIois9Y6uKOBw0MqS1MuRAfQEtWt-Jd_afsEerQsRZuMrtO3ILReMhpzPF3SGF_2OqkKM/s1600/Racing+Bike+in+Amsterdam.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A Giant Racing bike in Netherlands</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, where do you ride when you are not riding to work? In India, it is common for us to go to the movies or take a car to a hill-station with the family. But in Netherlands, it is common for people to simply pick up their bikes and go on a Bike holiday. Entire families go and visit Germany (which is only 150kms away from Amsterdam) on a bike. The good thing is there are no check-posts, no borders etc. You can simple walk from one country to another. It is also common for people to go to Spain during the colder days. Bikes aren't allowed on the highways but the basic roads are also quite awesome to bike on!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL_Kz6cmsawQ5IErSvH9Qd2pDWgU6TfpqOpaPuAH6SSuw5lUTFOYToiqM4hAIf3cEcruKVBl-qz-lmbMDrQ-0DhmBAnimWNbpzPWvGWZLQ4FI9q-NAEglvXHdPM9gE8EdrveOxgMzwpI/s1600/Non+highway+road+for+cycling+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlL_Kz6cmsawQ5IErSvH9Qd2pDWgU6TfpqOpaPuAH6SSuw5lUTFOYToiqM4hAIf3cEcruKVBl-qz-lmbMDrQ-0DhmBAnimWNbpzPWvGWZLQ4FI9q-NAEglvXHdPM9gE8EdrveOxgMzwpI/s1600/Non+highway+road+for+cycling+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">An awesome road to bike on!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT181ILoBZO-bQ5MbhSCfLGTE6PYtRynWh_Hg9RtwGfXKEbZt9JHuV0jAXfLGthIVSW5BkG2rXUaoasyanuWJGQDTyJjAe5Dwye_h6JkLg-Eyyu_kmWPuU2nxN5zl0Xg3Fghpm4ziZ7jU/s1600/Non+highway+road+for+cycling+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT181ILoBZO-bQ5MbhSCfLGTE6PYtRynWh_Hg9RtwGfXKEbZt9JHuV0jAXfLGthIVSW5BkG2rXUaoasyanuWJGQDTyJjAe5Dwye_h6JkLg-Eyyu_kmWPuU2nxN5zl0Xg3Fghpm4ziZ7jU/s1600/Non+highway+road+for+cycling+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Maarten (our cycling ambassador) riding on an inter-city road (not a highway)</td></tr>
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We also visited a cycle store in Netherlands and it was huge! You can literally take a cycle and ride it inside the store for a check.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnRanXMZirvyQBj2OxWXrrG7qm8Fw6dq2ykvTw60pqsWp_N_QbvKEtrcwg-IignXkzGqwHhrfvm2soUUVRb0UP9i4S-GvL4MWzY_8Ul27OiSyOaiyF0GMAXoWqTF1VHmHcbNzupyor7Y/s1600/vintage+bike+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnRanXMZirvyQBj2OxWXrrG7qm8Fw6dq2ykvTw60pqsWp_N_QbvKEtrcwg-IignXkzGqwHhrfvm2soUUVRb0UP9i4S-GvL4MWzY_8Ul27OiSyOaiyF0GMAXoWqTF1VHmHcbNzupyor7Y/s1600/vintage+bike+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Vintage bike in the store</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtA94E_tGSAlIDf-Vy0O5K6g6SRvS8ivGt_0PuxyqMMgs0_nOvTIcmiWWBzMwWpQyHTSgzYNGx8BioVaroHCdqZ5jT7-io3dN-8YPsZVkGBRRqF_N6DdgaVQ8UnJ-cQM4JxEEYPQjzPg/s1600/cycle+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtA94E_tGSAlIDf-Vy0O5K6g6SRvS8ivGt_0PuxyqMMgs0_nOvTIcmiWWBzMwWpQyHTSgzYNGx8BioVaroHCdqZ5jT7-io3dN-8YPsZVkGBRRqF_N6DdgaVQ8UnJ-cQM4JxEEYPQjzPg/s1600/cycle+display.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Bikes hung creatively inside the store to save space</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpM5Uj_pZB5A2s_gwEJ2RQgJcPDceNpB2TCnDL7IaHNbapCY1OTQ5cddgieHPng1Atk00PIwF6_FBq9-XNbt_7JD1-bwR_I8X5MBx1IYJ3rqFz1WdU9-xnZ9uq9gyWisacqnE5BrfQT4/s1600/mtb+display.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpM5Uj_pZB5A2s_gwEJ2RQgJcPDceNpB2TCnDL7IaHNbapCY1OTQ5cddgieHPng1Atk00PIwF6_FBq9-XNbt_7JD1-bwR_I8X5MBx1IYJ3rqFz1WdU9-xnZ9uq9gyWisacqnE5BrfQT4/s1600/mtb+display.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A cool MTB</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSYMUpdOYSDkqVG_UbdcZ4zRJLOcsHSOQPcZ2jrkNFsn1gLUJ7ZItXEFCbXJl-TgwEET7KvM9y5CSB7cCXTaGbrhueVQhrczM_qHonAEfzopLCtbm6a-yu0ig4gluxO7n-LIWwrFmCYw/s1600/Bike+Store.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigSYMUpdOYSDkqVG_UbdcZ4zRJLOcsHSOQPcZ2jrkNFsn1gLUJ7ZItXEFCbXJl-TgwEET7KvM9y5CSB7cCXTaGbrhueVQhrczM_qHonAEfzopLCtbm6a-yu0ig4gluxO7n-LIWwrFmCYw/s1600/Bike+Store.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">You could literally ride inside the large bike stores!</td></tr>
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And one last thing. So, what do people do when they are physically not enabled to cycle (due to health problems or old age)? One would think they would simply start using a car. But no, in Netherlands, they simply get aids to help them cycle! E-bikes, where you are provided electrical assistance on a bike are quite popular in Netherlands!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu1pF8SJlSffcImtdq9vo8L1QvGtG4M3_MPy5mxXZrxCV1FWgg0Oabgmm6BFBEcZxPk8OLINGNzG-NN41NFfBpKYmqUW2osGgPTG7agVlvSuZmaMgaac_ULyMnoqzrz3766zUdWkkEE8/s1600/battery+on+e-bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDu1pF8SJlSffcImtdq9vo8L1QvGtG4M3_MPy5mxXZrxCV1FWgg0Oabgmm6BFBEcZxPk8OLINGNzG-NN41NFfBpKYmqUW2osGgPTG7agVlvSuZmaMgaac_ULyMnoqzrz3766zUdWkkEE8/s1600/battery+on+e-bike.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">A 300mAh battery pack, which supports the E-bike</td></tr>
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