10
Feb
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Miscellany. 1 Comment
Guest author: Joe Greenlee has worked in copywriting for various websites, and currently works for a local, independently owned video store here in Santa Rosa. He has a BA in English literature, and enjoys reading, bookbinding, running, politics and philosophy, and is currently working on his first novel. He hopes to one day own a real rocket pack.
As an avid bicyclist and someone who prides himself on getting around by bicycle quite a bit, it occurs to me that there are a number of tales regarding its beginnings that many are unaware of. When the U.S. first entered the manufacture and widespread use of bicycles in the 19th century, the Gilded Age was in high gear. That meant that although opportunities to advance ones position in life were available, the gap between rich and poor was fairly obvious. It also meant a lot of horse drawn carriages, ingrained racism, and a society hostile to blacks either making a name for themselves or advancing into white dominated fields. When the bicycle industry began, it was associated with white men with a passion for new technologies.
Enter Marshall Walter “Major” Taylor. Born the son of a black horse coachman for a white family, Marshall took his nickname from a military uniform he wore as a child, when he began his career. His beginnings came with a passion for public performance, doing stunts for crowds that gave him automatic (or rather gear-matic) attention for his acrobatic skill. And back then let’s just say bicycle safety was less of an issue for mainstream culture. Bicycles themselves were far less sturdy, often tall and awkwardly proportioned, and no one wore pads or helmets. From there Marshall worked his way into the world of cycling, but alas, he was always bound to a struggle uphill, and the easier downhill cruising was far and further between.
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8
Oct
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Races. No Comments
We are proud to present The Great Handcar Regatta 2009 race results!
Three cheers for the dedicated teams who battled valiantly against all odds and callouses to complete AND race their fabulous contraptions of kinetic madness!
Race Block 1 — 12:30 pm
|
| # Contraption (Team) |
Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
| 001 MOG (Childrens Museum Sonoma County) |
0:24.86 |
0:28.40 |
| 282 IronClad Surfer (Ironclad Surfers) |
DQ |
DQ |
| 403 Flying Quagmire (Walnut Ct Apprentices) |
1:40.31 |
0:34.19 |
| 564 Wonkatania (Uff Da-Loompas) |
1:52.97 |
0:55.27 |
| 775 Screaming Vortex (Escape Velocity) |
0:42.03 |
0:50.33 |
906 Rock*N*Roll Sunday School Fixed Gear
(Strong Men of SR) |
0:43.14 |
1:46.93 |
Race Block 2 — 1:30 pm
|
| # Contraption (Team) |
Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
| 447 Toad in the Stew (Brothers of Benedict) |
0:26.62 |
0:28.06 |
| 288 Cyclotron (South Pacific Coaster) |
0:21.03 |
0:23.17 |
| 109 Methodical Juggernaut (Infernal Manufacturing) |
0:40.65 |
0:47.22 |
| 810 Murray the Fish (David Farish, Krank-Boom-Clank) |
0:43.64 |
0:35.66 |
| 911 Two Penny (Todd Barricklow) |
1:30.24 |
1:57.0 |
| 012 Sheffields Fantastic Trolley (Chain Gang) |
0:37.10 |
0:25.36 |
Break Race
SHOWDOWN!
Whaaaan-dom Tantrum Pampermonium (Krank-Boom-Clank & Fou Fou Ha!) VS Random Tandem Pandemonium (Whiskeydrunk Cycles)
Thenagain Bomber (Whiskeydrunk Cycles) VS Randem Tandem Pandemonium (Whiskeydrunk Cycles as raced by arch-rivals Krank-Boom-Clank) |
Race Block 3 — 2:30 pm
|
| # Contraption (Team) |
Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
| 613 La Carreta Diabolica (Los Guapos Diablos) |
DQ |
0:29.21 |
| 414 Rail Skins (Nordic Track) |
DQ |
2:02.95 |
| 915 Hennepin Crawler (Krank-Boom-Clank) |
1:05.57 |
0:28.97 |
| 016 Thenagain Bomber (Whiskeydrunk Cycles) |
0:34.10 |
1:11.82 |
| 117 Rebel Rollers (Chop’s Teen Center) |
0:42.64 |
1:11.83 |
| 518 Bumping Contraption (Psychedelic Engineers) |
0:27.13 |
0:28.0 |
Race Block 4 — 4:30 pm
|
| # Contraption (Team) |
Heat 1 |
Heat 2 |
| The Westerner (Bret Gave – Trek Store Santa Rosa) |
0:27.83 |
DQ |
| 420 The Radmobile (SRJC) |
2:18.49 |
DQ |
| Velocipede (Rosie) |
0:57.72 |
DQ |
| 022 The Bamboozler (the Bamboozled) |
DQ |
DQ |
Final Zephyr Speed Race
MOG — Heat ONE: Won due to failure of other team to qualify
Cyclotron — Heat ONE: Did not finish, crash on the tracks |
31
Jul
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Engineering, Kindred Hackers. No Comments
Peruse a majority of the race teams entered for 2009 Great Handcar Regatta:
Regatta Railcar Racers
The fanciful mechanical concoctions to be witnessed this year will amaze, astound, and, with Lady Luck’s serendipitous caress, inspire too The People in attendance! Huzzah!
Engineers’ Arcade Gallery
The Engineers’ Arcade also has updated photographic depictions, featuring:
More race team documentation is sure to arrive subsequently.
30
Sep
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Races. No Comments
Race Award Results
- Zephyr — Unrivaled Speed:
“Joe’s Revenge” by My Friend Joe Team
- Isambard Kingdom Brunel — Most Grandiose Feat of Engineering:
Lumbering Contraption by Ratchet and Rumble
- Darling Award — Djuna’s favorite:
“S-Car-Go” by Members of Michael McGinness’ 3-D class at Santa Rosa Junior College
- The Krakatoa — Most Likely to Destruct Spectacularly:
“Welded Sykkelen” by Uff-Da’s
- Erasmus P. Kitty Honorary Award —
“Hennepin Crawler” by Krank-Boom-Clank
Race Time Trial Scores
- Heat ONE, 1:00 pm
“MOG” by Children’s Museum of North Bay — 36.19
“Lumbering Contraption” by Ratchet and Rumble — 47.10
Rock ‘n’ Roll Sunday School — 176.65
- Heat TWO, 2:00 pm
Ned Kahn Studios — 32.68
“Hennepin Crawler” by Krank Boom Clank — 52.65
“S-Car-Go” by SRJC — 130.96
- Heat THREE, 2:45 pm
“Steam Pedal” by Todd Barricklow — 23.46
“Random Tandem Pandemonium” by Whiskeydrunk Cycles — 29.06
“Joe’s Revenge” by My Friend Joe Team — 19.68
- Heat FOUR 3:30 pm
“Welded Sykkelen” by Uff Da’s — 54.7
“C-Biscuit” by SRJC — 33.9
“Dream Team” — Did not quite finish race
- Late Arrivals Bonus Heat FIVE, 4:15 pm
“Funky Rail Bike” — Disqualified for having a motor but time was 24.07
“Serpentis Family Oils and Elixers” — 117.94
25
Sep
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Engineering, Kindred Hackers. No Comments
This just in, ladies and gentlemen:
Two new race teams have entered The Handcar Regatta! Both hail from Michael McGinness’ 3D class at the Santa Rosa Junior College (Mr. McGinness, in point of fact, will be on-hand displaying his inconceivable Superplexus).
Word has it the two SRJS entries are titled:
“S-Car-Go” and “C-Biscuit”
Outstanding! What a race day yet to come for the people of our fair city!
15
Sep
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Races. 1 Comment
FIFTY YEARS EXPERIENCE IN MANUFACTURE!
And pronounced the best ocular protection for family use and Handcar Regatta Race Prizes, including the singularly coveted:
“Isambard Kingdom Brunel” Award in Greatest Feat of Engineering
And those who have not hitherto proved said goggles efficacy would do well to grant them a trial.
PRIZE GOGGLES by Neverwas Haul
are proven the most reliable remedy known to mankind for profuse projectiles, racking-halitosis, playa-eye, bendy-tooth, funk-sores and searing-rheumatism, including depression of style from Dandy-Tumors.
THE PROTECTIVE PANACEA
Thousands of testimonials worldwide relate extraordinary properties to result in gain of the Universal Reputation!
Sold to eyewear connoisseurs both Home and Abroad.
Advice Gratis, at the above address, daily, and by Electro-telegraphic Aetherweb-mail or by letter.
31
May
As proclaimed by Erasmus P. Kitty in Miscellany. No Comments
This just in from the Aetherwebs:
“Great Race of London Pennyfarthing / Hi-Wheel Cycle Race”
Albany, CA, July 20, 2008 (near Berkeley)
From another list, and of interest. Berkeley is just across the bay from San Francisco.
“TALLY-HO!”
Is it true?
Do mine eyes deceive me?
YES! IT IS TRUE!
This summer…Those masters of mayhem from “The Great Race of London”, Major Jonas Junquebucket and Captain Thaddeus “Tadger” Thicketristle, have reunited and shall risk life and limb once more in a brand new adventure!
The city of Albany (near Berkeley) will be holding a Pennyfarthing/HiWheel cycle race. Tadger and Jonas have been invited to join in the race and represent to good citizens of London!
If you happen to be in the area of Albany on July 20th…and if your Victorian clothing is just bursting out of your closet…please come and support us and make “big noise” in the name of Her Majesty, Queen Victoria – “God save The Queen!”
See you there…and wish us jolly good luck!
TALLY-HO!
WHEN
