FreeWheels

[bikefem]

Here's the update on the idea to test a bike-raft made of 1 mnt. bike and 4 car inner tubes.
I am checking a source on the pier for help so there's about a 1 week delay in the project.

I will supply the bike & innertubes but we need nautical help for dock access and loaned life vest.

I'll post here what I find out. :P

[bikefem]

I went to ask around at the Green Peace boat today (Sat.) about using their dock but therey say there is a rule about not launching stuff there. So I went to check the north end of the Chelsea Piers (north of 'Basket Ball City at 23rd St. & Hudson River). That spot has a 'public dock' for kyak launching. Its tiny. The bigger one nearby is private for some members-only kyak club.

But the public dock (floating a water level) looks perfect.

I may try a test next Sat. morning about 9 am unless there's a better plan afoot.

On 10th Ave nearby is a 24 hr. gas station with an air machine that takes quarters. It even has a mini-mart to get change for the machine (to fill the inner tubes).

Now the only thing needed is life jacket loan incase the police hassle me for some rule about that.

Hopefully we could do the float test before getting kicked out. Technically this should count as a boat -- but park police hate bikes.

[bikefem]

I'm looking at weather Sat. am.
The hardest thing so far seems to be finding discarded car tires. I thought there's be a garage or something on Canal St. -- but those places just do stereos. I may look around early Sat am on 110 St. NW of Central Park where there's a Flat Fix shop.

If its torrents of rain I'll cancel.

:shock:

[BikeFleet]

I was curious but couldn't make it that Saturday. Did you ever test it?

[bikefem]

I wound up not going down since it was the beginning of that days long storm.
I have a big problem locating cast off car inner tubes. I have a lot of patches but I can't find a place to scrounge for the tires.

Post here if anyone comes across any! Weather is still mild.

[bikefem]

it rained for like 6 days straight. When it rains a lot the water treatment plant on the Hudson dumps the sewage raw into the river.
A little rain is Ok but floating shit ain't my thing. :oops:

I'll post here when I try again.

[BikeFleet]

Have you tried Craigslist? You could post in the wanted section or the free stuff section, or maybe they have a car section (I guess they must, but I certainly never looked for it).

[bikefem]

I'll try those flat-fixed places and check the dumpster. I just haven't been by one lately. I always see them when I'm not looking for inner tubes.

[bikefem]

I feel this experiment needs to start again as soon as weather permits.
I may not be able to do it myself ... but someone at freewheels needs to try if I don't get it done this month. Finance problems, not bike problems.
So far the best place is the tiny somewhat hidden 'public' kyack launch at the north end of the Chelsea Piers. Steps north of Basketball City near 23rd street and the greenway on the Hudson River.
Alt. is the boat launch on the NJ side of the GW bridge.

The reason this is so important is this article.
http://www.climate.org/topics/weather/new_york_severe_storm_threat.shtml
It shows how New York City cannot be evacuated in the event of a hurricane.
Without supplies in any emergency its up to all of us to try for ourselves. The article points out the bridges would be closed in high wind conditions (and they may suffer structure damage in Cat2 and above storm). I always thought the bridges would be the last resort.

Also ... best route might be north end of Manhattan to the Bronx. A lot easier than crossing west to NJ.

[bikefem]

Computer models of hurricane surge for L.I.
http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/38hurricane/storm_surge_maps.html

[note- prior post: the article links contain detailed data]