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Welcome to Velo Vision, the practical cycling magazine.Print edition: Subscribe and/or order sample copies, back issues, PDFs, T-shirts etc...here! Digital edition: details or subscribe! The current issue is Issue 34. The next issue is out in September 2009.
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Post-mailing round-upBamboo, Bromptons and buses, utility blogging, memories of past companions, cycling art in Texas, a pedal-powered festival, wheels of light and DIY plumbing.... Sue Archer writes: Bamboo bikes are a growth industry Several readers brought this BBC story to our attention. Zambian mechanics build frames up from bamboo and the frames are made up into bikes in the US. Designer Craig Calfree was already experimenting with bamboo as a frame material, taking advantage of its lightness and natural vibration damping qualities, with frames retailing at between two and three thousand dollars. The Bamboosero brand bikes will be rather more economical, with frames from $425. Apart from Zambia, there are workshops set up in Ghana, Mexico and Uganda, with more planned for the Philippines, Cambodia and El Salvador. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world, and native to many areas, so a material shortage is unlikley - as is panda damage - they only eat the soft leaves and shoots... It's Brompton World Championship time again! The 2009 Brompton World Championships will take place at Blenheim Palace this year on Sunday, 4th October. Full details of the event can be found here. As usual, there will be a strict non-sport dress code and as well as prizes for the race winners in male, female, junior and veteran categories there will a prize for the best dressed entrant. Last year's winner, Alistair Kay, described the event as "a fantastically eccentric British day out". The closing date for registration is 20th September. Go by bike, by bus Michael Cope writes to highlight a new service in the North East of England. Eight buses have been adapted to carry one bike each - the routes chosen for the trial run close to the C2C (Coast to Coast) cycle route. It's hoped the scheme will encourage people to try the trail, knowing they can get the bus if they get tired or the weather turns against them, or to ride further afield than normal. A blog for the practical cyclist The name is self explanatory: Utilitycycling.org aims to cover all things practical, as opposed to sport or recreation cycling, highlighting the day-to-day uses to which bikes can be put. Memories, Music and the Art of the Bicycle Jason Patient has sent us a trio of links. Firstly, Daniel Canfield remembers the bikes he has owned and loved. Secondly, coverage of the San Francisco Bicycle Music Festival, which took place on the 20th June. This mobile festival relies entirely on human power to transport the stage and equipment and to power the amplification. Finally, also in the US, this time in Plano, Texas, there's an exhibition of photographic and painted art with a cycling theme, running until 1st August. Literally revolutionary lighting Jonty Semper spotted the Monkeylectric lighting system, which uses multiple LEDs and clever electronics to produce clolourful patterns or even words and graphics on a spinning wheel. However, if you want to save some money, or fancy a challenge, Jason Patient came across this DIY project for a similar LED gadget. You'll apparently need to know about soldering, circuit boards and microcontrollers... Get fresh at the office... Finally, if you're still feeling in a DIY mood, why not try this DIY shower for cyclists who lack shower facilities at work. Alternatively, fall back on using baby wipes, or simply riding more gently and arriving in a state of cool readiness. Posted on 3 July 2009 Your comments ...
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