The outdoors – Page 20 – a sibilant intake of breath

Tires in the desert

Old airplanes aren’t the only things that get stored in large numbers out in the huge deserts of the southern United States. So too do millions of used automobile tires.

A company called Envirotech collected them for ten years and stored them in part of the Sonoran Desert National Monument. The idea was to recycle them into fuel. Unfortunately for the company, the state of Arizona decided to shut them down for multiple fire code violations. These include obstructed fire roads and an on-site fire-protection water system that didn’t meet minimum requirements. Unfortunately for everyone else, if ignited, the piles could “burn unhindered for over ten years” according to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

All told, about three billion used tires are stockpiled across the United States. All the more reason to hope that a microorganism eventually emerges that can metabolize vulcanized rubber.

Knives and Britain

I must admit, I find the ongoing debate about knives in the UK somewhat perplexing. The leader of the Conservative Party wants mandatory jail time for anyone caught carrying one. Editors at the BBC argue that the problem may be overblown. To me, it seems like what people are missing is the fundamental difference between knives and weapons. Obviously, a knife can be used as a weapon. So can a hammer, umbrella, or fork. While we rightly appreciate that it is illegitimate use of the latter that is problematic (and addressed through laws against assault, uttering threats, etc), it seems important to remember that use-as-a-weapon is aberrant, rather than to be expected.

At virtually all times, I have either one or two small folding knives on me: one on the SOG Crosscut on my keychain and a CRKT Kiss in my backpack. When I am travelling or going into the woods, I will often have a Swisstool X with me as well. Probably the most common uses of these are cutting food and paper, though each has been used in dozens of ways. Knives are ancient, highly versatile, and useful tools – one of the first technologies to differentiate the human species from less adaptive animals. Assuming that I am carrying either as a weapon strikes me as unfair, as well as a reversal of the presumption of innocence. The onus must be on the authorities to prove malicious intent, rather than upon the individual to prove their intentions benign.

On a side note, all of this is very different for guns, particularly handguns. The only plausible use for a handgun is as a weapon. One never goes on a picnic and regrets the lack of one. Restricting the ownership and carrying of guns is an entirely reasonable restriction, as a manifestation of their nature.

Green shifts and pine beetles

The July 5th issue of The Economist has two articles pertaining to Canada and climate change. There is one on the Dion carbon tax and another on the pine beetle infestation in our western forests. Both topics have come up here before, but remain pertinent and worthy of discussion.

The critical ongoing question in the first case is probably how effectively Dion will be able to build support for his plan. In the case of the pine beetles, it is probably the extent of the epidemic, as well as the volume of greenhouse gasses that will be emitted as a result. Despite considerable efforts to prevent it, the beetles have now become established in Alberta, having killed more than half the lodgepole pine in British Columbia. Natural Resources Canada estimates that the infestation so far will produce 990 megatonnes worth of emissions by 2020: equivalent to well over a year of total Canadian output. If they spread into the boreal forest, the ecological and climatic consequences could be massive.

Slick tires

While road bike style tires create less friction as they move across the pavement, it is worth remembering that they perform poorly in some situations. For instance, when a crowd has gathered atop a bike path in order to watch a Blues Festival show for free, prompting you to try riding beside the path instead. It is then that you might get a rude reminder that 110 psi + slick tires + any surface that is loose or slippery + tires not perpendicular to the ground = spectacular deviations from the normal arrangement of bike, rider, and pavement.

Miraculously, while my digicam managed to tear through my pocket as it abraded across the pavement, it seems to be only cosmetically damaged. The flow of daily photos should continue.

P.S. Incidentally, it seems my front wheel and/or front v-brake is bolloxed. As such, cycling shall be discontinued until repairs are complete.

[Update: 7 July 2008] The good people at G.M. Bertrand repaired my brake and tire for free, further deepening my conviction that they are the best bike shop in town. They also adjusted my shifters, gratis.

Two bicycles built for one

Emily got a gorgeous Montreal-made hybrid bike yesterday. It’s an Opus Urbano, and should prompt much exploration of the areas in and around Ottawa.

Fellow cyclists should consider attending the June Critical Mass ride, happening in cities throughout the world. The Ottawa version starts next Friday (the 25th) at 5:30pm in Confederation Park, near City Hall.

Seeking a messenger bag

Backpacks are too hot for Ottawa in summer, but I need something in which to carry around my third level gear (first level gear goes in trouser pockets, second level in rain jacket pockets). Bicycle panniers are no good for this task, both because they don’t have the right sort of pockets and because they are too awkward to carry when not cycling. As a result, I am thinking about getting a bike courier style messenger bag.

Features I want:

Very robust construction
Comfortable shoulder strap
High level of water resistance
Numerous internal pockets of useful sizes
Ideally, a padded pocket for laptops up to 15″ or so.

Does anybody have a bag or brand they especially like? The Timbuk2 Laptop Messenger is a possibility. I am also considering some of the offerings from PAC Designs. I am willing to pay a fair bit for something that really meets my needs and will last for many years.

WestFest 2008 II

Today’s festival occurred amidst alternating periods of harsh sun and explosive thunderstorm. Several times, the artists had to clear the stage due to the danger of bolts being drawn their way. The audience scattered and artists, staff, VIPs, and volunteers huddled in whichever tents were not collapsing. Thankfully, everything was clear and beautiful for Andrea‘s set.

Today made for a nice winding-down after yesterday’s powerhouse performances, and I got to meet a few interesting people too. If only the BluesFest volunteering system wasn’t so inflexible and demanding, I would definitely volunteer my services there as well.

Oil versus labour

Thought of the day:

One barrel of oil contains about 5.8 million British thermal units (BTUs) of energy (1700 kilowatt-hours). That is roughly equivalent to the energy output of an adult human working 12.5 years worth of 40 hour weeks.

At present, the world uses about 31 billion barrels of oil a year. That is equivalent to the global population (6.7 billion people) working for 58 years.

While the theoretical capacity of renewables is even higher, it is a fair bet that they will take a lot more effort to harness. There aren’t many places where solar panels will spurt out of holes you make in the ground.

Evening spring ride in Ottawa

I just completed my most aesthetically pleasing bike ride for a long time. Residents of Ottawa should consider doing the following:

Begin in the park near 111 Sussex, right around sunset.
Ideally, start on the far side of the series of two white metal bridges spanning the water near there.
About ten minutes after sunset, on a spring evening, begin following the route below.
Ride to 111 Sussex and follow the path that hugs the water beside it. The path in question follows the water’s edge in this picture.
Cross Sussex drive.
Ride along it, past DFAIT headquarters.
Continue past the Saudi embassy.
Follow the curve of the road past the Kuwaiti Embassy and the National Gallery.
Ride into Major’s Hill Park.
Ride to the terrace beside the Chateau Laurier. Follow it to the stairs parallel to the Rideau Canal locks.
Carry your bike up the stairs.
Walk across the bridge towards Parliament.
Carry your bike down the stairs to the path beside the Rideau Canal locks.
Follow the riverside path west as far as you care to go.

The whole route looks gorgeous in the fading evening light, when the sky still offers a bit of competition for the artificial lights.

May Critical Mass

Following Ottawa’s interminable winters, Critical Masses of decent sizes have resumed. While some thin-skinned individuals were scared away by a few low-lying clouds, it was ideal cycling weather: warm and overcast, with no danger of discomfort of any kind.

For the most part, this was a civilized ride. There were a lot of first-time participants, so it was unusually important for people who knew what’s what to direct the mass. There were a couple of insane things done by taxicabs. The mass was heading up along the eastern edge of the Rideau Canal, along a two-lane road. Unwilling to wait a few minutes, to taxicabs decided to gun it the wrong way up the road, beside the mass. The second cab came within a couple of metres of crashing spectacularly into oncoming traffic.

Anyhow, here are some videos from yesterday’s mass:

I look forward to the ride next month.