Now THAT was an earthquake!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by Tom Bammann

Ten minutes ago, at 2:24am (on 19th October) I woke up to what I thought was massive thump from Morven either jumping out of bed and slamming her feet on the floorboards, or tripping over in the dark, or knocking over the drawers, and creating a big bounce in our floorboards. Either way it was a massive thump, and made the drawer and bed jump on our floorboards. I was half aware of a rumbling sound occuring for several seconds before and after. The thump had made me jump out of bed, I was freaked out because I knew very well that Morven was at work doing night duties.

Then I realised. It was an earthquake.

Did anyone else feel it?
It can probably be confirmed at the Primary Industries and Resources SA website, although currently it is not showing one from ten minutes ago.

Thorium

Posted on October 18, 2011 by Tom Bammann

A while ago I learned of research and old trials to produce power from thorium. I was quite surprised about the lack of global industry and global government support to develop the technology to a commercial scale. I’m still not convinced as to whether or not it will be cost effective, although I’m trying to find out by reading as much as I can about the subject.

I started an advocacy website for Thorium in Australia, called Thorium Australia. I have pretty much finished setting up the framework of the website, and built up a collection of articles for learning about the subject, and now I plan to do a series of posts about how it could have a role in Australia if we were to develop and/or implement it.

Road bike service

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Tom Bammann

I’ve recently got my mountain bike and road bikes both serviced by Bio-Mechanic Cycles and Repairs (BMCR). The mountain bike I knew had problems, although having got a professional assessment I’ve come to realise that it is indeed at the end of its useful life, such that it’s best to not service the suspension front or rear as the money would be better off put toward a new bike. It just depends whether I can get a new rear suspension swing-arm replaced for free, or if Merida will make me pay for it, because there is a crack forming at a weld which is becoming a little concerning. It actually began to crack within a year after getting it. The frame has a lifetime warranty although I’m not sure if the swing-arm is considered as part of the frame. I’m glad BMCR were able to point this out to me, otherwise I could have wasted hundreds of dollars flogging a dead horse.

As for the road bike, I actually thought it was doing okay, although I’ve been told:

We have: serviced the hubs; tensioned the spokes and straightened the wheels; greased the cables and casings; faced (machined square) the bottom bracket shell; cleaned, greased, and tightened the bottom bracket, cranks, and pedal threads; straightened the rear derailleur hanger; serviced the headset bearings; replaced the handlebar tape; and adjusted the gears and brakes.

A few of these things explain why I’ve been having problems fine tweaking the bike myself over the last 8 years! Looking forward to picking it up later today.

Epic MTB ride

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Tom Bammann

Today was my first ride back on the MTB in five weeks, due to mechanical problems and going on holidays. With all my long road rides, I feel that I have increased endurance although with decreased power. I was hoping to be able to keep up with my MTB buddies with all the training although it didn’t happen as usual, and it was mostly all on the short climbs where I lacked the power. Having said this, I got three PB’s from historical data, going up Pioneer Women’s Trail from Waterfall Gully Rd, down Blue Gums in Eagle Park, and also the Pioneer Women’s Track downhill! So, a mix of uphill and downhill improvement, despite not having touched my MTB for five weeks. I did disappoint myself by chickening out of a drop-off on the black diamond entrance into Eagle Park, although I was quite on edge to begin with, not being used to the feel of the MTB any more. I had a car park ride on Nick’s new 29er carbon hard tail, and on Tim’s 26 duallie. Both were incredibly nice, and I’m thinking of upgrading the MTB steed sooner rather than later, to the 29er carbon hard tail. Approx. $600 cheaper than a rear suspension equivalent, lighter, possibly more efficient, and not subject to the usual hard tail back aches from 26 inch wheels and alloy frames. Also easier to clean and maintain than a duallie. A tough call!

Dean came uncomfortably close to this brown snake. He stopped and then noticed it right next to him.

Brown snake in Eagle Park that came close to Dean