Bicycling/hypermiling: a good mix
 

I`ve been an avid bicyclist for longer than I`ve been an intentional hypermiler, so the energy conservation experience that I gain from pedalling has always helped me when it comes to energy conservation while driving. Recently I got a chuckle when I noticed that I`ve had hypermiling on the mind on long bike rides. It`s really the same thing, isn`t it?

While I`m no engineer, and not much for measuring and documentation (big thanks to your folks with that kind of patience, though), I think the effects of "irrational exhuberance" when pushing the pedals really make a big impresion that isn`t easy to forget- go too hard up a long grade or into a headwind, there`s no mistaking that you`re burning up a lot of fuel!

Lots more lessons: Start and stop half a dozen times in a short distance and you`ll feel it- acceleration is a bear. Since you have to pay to defy gravity, make dang sure you get your rebate on the other side. Sometimes lugging is good, sometimes you really need the RPM. Drafting can be awesome, but it can be dangerous too. Be careful when you do it and don`t get carried away. Tires and pressure are very important. Heavy sucks on the climbs, makes little difference when cruising. Sticky outy stuff hanging off sucks for crusing, matters little for acceleration and climbing.

I already had a good grip on all these points when I started watching gallons rather than carbs. When you read something, or even prove it to yourself with your own data and calculator, you learn a lot, but think the lessons you learn every day or every week by continuous sweating really make their marks in an unforgettable way. I hardily recommend pedlling as a training aid to any serious hypermiler :)

I had just been riding my bike half a mile to and from school, but rode home eight miles from the shop. I will tell you, pulse-and-glide does not work on a bike!

http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/wg...tml?sort=6&o=2

A fairing attached to the frame is a great help in getting the most miles/kcal.

I was thinking about that today. Can you share some examples of a fairing for a mountain bike? I have a Gary Fisher with a 21.5" frame.

It was the biggest they had...

Haha! Yeah, I think P&G only works for stuff with more weight and better airflow than bicycles. Maybe that`s why I haven`t ever gotten into it! Have never played with fairings either, but I know that a few people do put them on upright bikes (a lot of people put them on recumbents). Since there aren`t any commercial applications for uprights, you`ll have to do a lot of figuring out and adapting in order to mount one. Used fairings are usually available from Angletech. Not many for sale at the moment, but a few- scroll way down to the bottom:
Angle Tech Cycles - Cycle Different - Adaptive Cycling
And remember that it doesn`t necessarilly have to be transparent unless you cover up your view area, so Coroplast might be your ticket.

Grant`s picture isn`t showing up for me :(.
Maybe it`ll come up on my computer at work.

This just seems weird to me:http://www.angletechcycles.com/GreenYellow-600.jpg

Okay, many of those looked weird to me!

I did not see any upright fairings, though.

Zzipper.com has one for $225 and this guy made a tail out of coroplast! :)

Rear fairing on upright bicycle - YouTube

I think that I am okay riding half a mile each way to school.

HI guys.

I've been on pedals for years. Due to a whiplash injury years ago, I had to park typical uprights and seek alternatives. Recumbents looked enticing but were cost prohibiting, so I decided to craft my own - that was 20+ years ago. So far I have a couple of dozen builds under my belt. If anyone is interested, I'll be happy to post pics when I appease the 5 post limit. -kenny-

This guy only made a front fairing and it halved the drag of a mountain bike. His tail didn't do help much, maybe because there was too much air separation in between. It's a great read.

http://www.stevebruhn.com/vetter1984LL.htm
http://www.stevebruhn.com/images/collegeproject1.jpg

Sheepdog, that looks interesting, but I fear that my security software may be over zealous--I cannot load it!

I'm getting back into biking after a long hiatus. Certainly saves fuel. And I have also noticed an increased attention to drag factors, lubrication, gear selection, and tire inflation. Hahaha!

Sorry guys the picture doesn't come up for me either. I will try again. The pictures are on Photobucket and there is a thread on recumbents.com under Technical/Bike Building on upright fairings. It's an older thread. I cut and overlap to make a shape similar to the Vetter Windjammer from a 2' x 4' x 4mm Coroplast.
http://s1187.photobucket.com/user/wg...?sort=6&page=1

The URL address is working. A tail section needs to follow the back of a rider closely to be useful. It helps to be able to get the leg over the top bar too. :)

Good observations, bdesj.

Cycling for efficiency got me into trouble a couple of years ago: "rolled" a stop sign (with not another car in sight.. or so I thought). :)

Stealthy cop waved me over and asked, "you know you have to obey stops even on a bicycle?"

Really?!! I was shocked. He let me go with a warning.

Looking over those fairings makes me day dream! ;) But I can't afford daydreaming: the Civic needs repairs and I have a few aero projects developing for after the wheel hub ball joint work is done. Then there are the house projects and the job (oh yeah, the job).

But I have so far this tank replaced 37 driving miles with biking miles. And I love that.

:thumbup:

james

Rolling through stop signs is legal here in Idaho.... as long as it is safe to do so, and with no potential conflicts w/motorists.

I have heard of this mythical place you speak of.

There is an effort to change the law accordingly here in Arizona, but the bill keeps dying. They quote the Idaho law:You must stop for red lights.

Bicycle Stop Sign changes proposed @ Arizona Bike Law

True, however... after stopping at the traffic light, an Idaho cyclist can continue through the intersection (when safe to do so) while the light is still red.

I`m a little bit envious of the Idaho laws for cycling, but fortunately, I`ve had no problems riding the Idaho way even without the state`s blessing. I could be cited for an incomplete stop at a sign or for "running" a light that won`t change for me, but weighing up the chances of that happening and the likely penalty if I were ticketed, it`s way down from the top on my list of things to worry about. Quite honestly, I`m more concerned that I`ll arrive at work to find that the building department has once again stolen the heavy picnic table that I usually lock my bike to. That one really happens!

Perhaps, but if you happen to 'slide past' a stop sign when a grumpy LEO is nearby and witnesses the act, you could be visiting a Judge. The issue here is ignorant motorists complaining about it - the ol' childish rant of... "it just pisses me off when I see bikers repeatedly run stop signs,.. that WE get ticketed for". Most motorists haven't a clue it's legal here.

Added another 7 miles instead of driving today! Weather is fine! I always follow the kid rule, modified: look both ways, look for the police, go!

Good point- not pissing off the majority (which we have to live with and interact with until death do us part) is more important than avoiding a relatively minor fine.

Hopefully we`ll be careful enough and inconspicuous enough in our sinning ways to evade both issues :thumbup:

We are operating vehicles so the rules apply to us - even if it is more difficult to stop and regain speed again unless there is an electric motor involved.