I just finished evaluating of the PedalCell, a new rim dynamo that is designed to charge USB devices while you ride. I was impressed by how much charge it delivered. If you tour with USB-chargeable devices, this dynamo will keep them in electricity without requiring you to plug them into wall outlets.

Here is a quick summary: Every time I rode with the PedalCell, my iPhone ended up with more power at the end of the ride than when I started, no matter what apps I ran on it or how long I rode. My estimate is that it provided a 20% charge per hour of riding (at 10 MPH/16 KPH) to a new iPhone 12.

I written up my findings in a detailed review of the device for those who want more information, including photos and numbers.

I wrote an article about making rain shoe covers from a slit plastic water bottle and a nylon gaiter.

I have finished updating Armchair Bike Touring, a free on-line bike touring game that I first released about a year ago.

If you aren't familiar with it, the game runs in any browser and is an attempt to simulate bike touring (without all that annoying thigh pain!). A player takes 3 increasing difficult bike tours (100, 200, then 300 miles) earning points (and getting assessed penalties) along the way. The original version has different terrains that go through various scenery in all kinds of weather. You have to deal with flat tires and broken spokes and make sure you eat enough food to stay energized and stop before you are completely exhausted. The new version incorporates stealth camping and taking side trips to see local attractions. I've written an article describing the changes for any one interested in more detail.

It is my guess that these changes should allow for higher top scores. But, there are pitfalls, as well, so who knows. I'll just have to wait and see if anyone is able to post a new top score.

In addition to working on browsers, the game works unchanged on iPads and similar devices, as far as I can tell.

I'd be interested in any and all comments that anyone might have about the game.

i agree with the too much eating comments.  it may work mathematically, but its not reality- i'm no noob and have never eate as much as that program wanted me too.

Keep in mind that the game is tracking all the food eaten during a day, not just while riding a bike.

Did your comment take that into account?  Or, are you referring to how much food you eat while biking?

Ray

Might add an "extreme" version for ultra riders out there who can like to ride for 100+ miles per day!

I wanted to ease people into the bike touring "experience" and, at the same time, show them the limits that they needed to content with.  This is why the "short" mileage limits exist.

You could also make it more sophisticated by adding a "gear" section. More gear would equal more weight and therefore slower times and more required calories. On the other hand, too little gear might mean no camping (only hotels), or getting stuck at gas stations to warm up if it gets cold or rainy (slower time).

My original design involved people starting with no gear at all and then giving them a budget that included both gear and touring costs.  But, when I calculated the difference of carrying 10 pounds less, it was just a few calories per mile (8 when going steep uphill against a 10 MPH headwind).  So, to save myself a lot of work and to simplify the game for the user, I decided to simply assume that every bike tourist is carrying camping gear, even though I don't always do so myself.

But, the idea of letting a player choose a more "extreme" option is a good idea that I will file away for a future version of the game.

Also, I can eat more than 2000 calories in a sitting, but it'll slow me down if I try to ride--although it's a nice way to catch up somewhat on a daily deficit before sleeping.

Actually, the game only limits a player to 2000 calories at a sitting if they aren't "hungry."  This prevents people from eating a day's worth of cheap food at one sitting (think 6 bags of potato chips) and then riding all day.  The limit doens't apply If some one "bonks" (is forced to eat by the game) or at the end of the day.  That said, it is hard to eat more than 2000 in one sitting!

Lastly, I think that it's pretty normal to run a caloric deficit on a tour, since there's simply no way to absorb as many calories as can be burned on a long day! The game needs to encourage a little suffering!

While losing weight might happen to some on a bike tour, most people report little to none.  That has been my experience, as well.

I tried to show "suffering" by turning the progress bar to red at the end of the day.

Thanks for checking out the game.

Ray

I've created an on-line bike touring game that I call Armchair Biketouring.

My goal in creating the game was to give people an idea of what bike touring is like without all that annoying bicycling! If you are an experienced bike tourists (as most of the people on this site are), you may find that the game doesn't match your experience.

As such, I should let you know that, due to design choices, the game doesn't allow stealth camping. Also, food can be purchased from a grocery store but no allowance is made for cooking. So, a player can't buy bags of rice and beans for $6 and live on it for a week. But, since you aren't spending real money, it shouldn't hurt too much to "splurge" a bit!

I have included weather, terrain, scenery, calorie usage and consumption, bonking, places to sleep, flat tires, broken spokes, budgets, and road angels. I wrote an article about the game, if you'd like more information about it.

I'd be interested in any feedback on it.

To run the game, use the link in the first line or this direct link: www.biketouringtips.com/ArmchairBikeTouring.

Ray