Bamboo Bikes for Africa?

Peter Cole said:

http://www.bamboobike.org/Home.html

"In this project, we will examine the feasibility of employing native
bamboo for the bicycle frames, instead of the expensive and technically
demanding carbon fiber material, or even the less expensive but also
technically demanding aluminum or chromium-molybdenum steel that is
commonly used to build bicycle frames."

Why does this remind me of the old SNL skit "Fondue Pots for Namibia"?

Actually, I think the Caffee initiative in a continent particularly
short of steelmaking plants is laudable. Compare this confession of
linguistic crimes from an official do-gooder who deliberately confuses
science and political correctness in her pursuit of her religious
fanataticism:

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO: "Up to now the polar bear
has been the poster child for CC. We must use every scientifically
sound and politically correct mechanism in the book to convince
leaders that humanity really is the most important species endangered
by CC."

WHO is the World Health Organization, a body that about once every
decade gets something right, which in the bureaucratic mess of the UN
is an exemplary record. CC is apparently Climate Chaos. Dr Margaret
Chan tells us she thinks it doesn't matter whether people believe her
as a scientist (if she is -- there is no evidence of it here) or
because she pushes the politically correct guilt button. That makes
her "science" as suspect as the mantras of a swami, and turns her
crusade into one of religion and faith rather than science. People
like Dr Chan are more dangerous to our welfare than Al Qaeda; they
waste vast swathes of money on stupidities like Kyoto, which by itself
consumes enough resources to bring basic health and fresh water and
primary education (the necessary compost for investment to grow in) to
the entire Third World. Al Queda kills a few thousand; Kyoto will fail
to save tens or hundreds of millions with those wasted resources.
Which is the genocide?

At least Mr Caffee shows a few people, who can show others, how to
make transport with available resources. Transport is mobility and a
way to earn money, and travel reduces tribal tensions in a continent
quite ruined by tribal wars. He starts small and leaves off the grand,
empty words which achieve nothing. He'll achieve more than Dr Chan. So
what else is new at the UN?

"You don't have to give a lot. Three Euro buys a poor African a
latte." -- trendy collecting at my front door.

Andre Jute
Bicyclist, skeptic and simonite

Andre Jute said:

Peter Cole said:

http://www.bamboobike.org/Home.html

Quoted message said:

"In this project, we will examine the feasibility of employing native
bamboo for the bicycle frames, instead of the expensive and technically
demanding carbon fiber material, or even the less expensive but also
technically demanding aluminum or chromium-molybdenum steel that is
commonly used to build bicycle frames."

Quoted message said:

Why does this remind me of the old SNL skit "Fondue Pots for Namibia"?

Actually, I think the Caffee initiative in a continent particularly
short of steelmaking plants is laudable. Compare this confession of
linguistic crimes from an official do-gooder who deliberately confuses
science and political correctness in her pursuit of her religious
fanataticism:

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General of WHO: "Up to now the polar bear
has been the poster child for CC.  We must use every scientifically
sound and politically correct mechanism in the book to convince
leaders that humanity really is the most important species endangered
by CC."

WHO is the World Health Organization, a body that  about once every
decade gets something right, which in the bureaucratic mess of the UN
is an exemplary record. CC is apparently Climate Chaos. Dr Margaret
Chan tells us she thinks it doesn't matter whether people believe her
as a scientist (if she is -- there is no evidence of it here) or
because she pushes the politically correct guilt button. That makes
her "science" as suspect as the mantras of a swami, and turns her
crusade into one of religion and faith rather than science. People
like Dr Chan are more dangerous to our welfare than Al Qaeda; they
waste vast swathes of money on stupidities like Kyoto, which by itself
consumes enough resources to bring basic health and fresh water and
primary education (the necessary compost for investment to grow in) to
the entire Third World. Al Queda kills a few thousand; Kyoto will fail
to save tens or hundreds of millions with those wasted resources.
Which is the genocide?

At least Mr Caffee shows a few people, who can show others, how to
make transport with available resources. Transport is mobility and a
way to earn money, and travel reduces tribal tensions in a continent
quite ruined by tribal wars. He starts small and leaves off the grand,
empty words which achieve nothing. He'll achieve more than Dr Chan. So
what else is new at the UN?

"You don't have to give a lot. Three Euro buys a poor African a
latte." -- trendy collecting at my front door.

Hmmm, Dr. Margaret Chan is credited with confronting "the first human
outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in 1997. She successfully defeated
the spate of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Hong Kong in
2003. She also launched new services to prevent disease and promote
better health."

http://www.who.int/dg/en/

Seems like she's achieved quite a bit.

However, I agree that Craig Calfee efforts are definitely laudable and
he should be commended!

(Note, there may be bias on my part as I'm an owner of a 1997 Calfee
tetra custom frame and LOVE IT!)

Peter Cole said:

http://www.bamboobike.org/Home.html

"In this project, we will examine the feasibility of employing native
bamboo for the bicycle frames, instead of the expensive and technically
demanding carbon fiber material, or even the less expensive but also
technically demanding aluminum or chromium-molybdenum steel that is
commonly used to build bicycle frames."

Why does this remind me of the old SNL skit "Fondue Pots for Namibia"?

Aluminum production is one of Ghana's biggest industries. I'm sure
they've got some people there who can figure out how to weld the stuff.

Quoted message said:

Peter Cole said:

http://www.bamboobike.org/Home.html
"In this project, we will examine the feasibility of employing native
bamboo for the bicycle frames, instead of the expensive and technically
demanding carbon fiber material, or even the less expensive but also
technically demanding aluminum or chromium-molybdenum steel that is
commonly used to build bicycle frames."
Why does this remind me of the old SNL skit "Fondue Pots for Namibia"?

Quoted message said:

Aluminum production is one of Ghana's biggest industries. I'm sure
they've got some people there who can figure out how to weld the stuff.

South Africa, even under ANC, is a reasonably efficient rapidly
developing economy and has both steel tube and bicycle factories
already, skilled labor and a vibrant investment market. There are other
barriers to 'African bicycles' than frame material.

p.s. I read a cute book from Nigeria on the local steelmaking technique
which began with an admonishment that no women should be allowed near
the kiln to spoil the steel with their feminine spirit.
--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

In article <[email hidden]>,

A Muzi said:

Quoted message said:

Peter Cole said:

http://www.bamboobike.org/Home.html
"In this project, we will examine the feasibility of employing native
bamboo for the bicycle frames, instead of the expensive and technically
demanding carbon fiber material, or even the less expensive but also
technically demanding aluminum or chromium-molybdenum steel that is
commonly used to build bicycle frames."
Why does this remind me of the old SNL skit "Fondue Pots for Namibia"?

Quoted message said:

Aluminum production is one of Ghana's biggest industries. I'm sure
they've got some people there who can figure out how to weld the stuff.

South Africa, even under ANC, is a reasonably efficient rapidly
developing economy and has both steel tube and bicycle factories
already, skilled labor and a vibrant investment market. There are other
barriers to 'African bicycles' than frame material.

p.s. I read a cute book from Nigeria on the local steelmaking technique
which began with an admonishment that no women should be allowed near
the kiln to spoil the steel with their feminine spirit.

I am in the habit of making up reasons for reports of
apparently unreasonable behavior. The problem with
having a woman around the kiln is that the men take
their mind off steel-making.

--
Michael Press

On Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:24:04 -0800, Michael Press <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I am in the habit of making up reasons for reports of
apparently unreasonable behavior. The problem with
having a woman around the kiln is that the men take
their mind off steel-making.

Except in the gay steel plants.

still just me said:

On Fri, 08 Feb 2008 18:24:04 -0800, Michael Press <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I am in the habit of making up reasons for reports of
apparently unreasonable behavior. The problem with
having a woman around the kiln is that the men take
their mind off steel-making.

Except in the gay steel plants.

There's one in Springfield.