Bicycle
Bicycle
Interactive article explaining the physics of a bicycle.
There is something delightful about riding a bicycle. Once mastered, the simple action of pedaling to move forward and turning the handlebars to steer makes bike riding an effortless activity.
This has been very helpful reminding me that I need to get my bicycle fixed. It's been almost a year since I wrecked it and broke my arm.
I wrecked my bike almost a decade ago. Not the first time, but the most violent wreck I've ever experienced.
Got thrown into traffic, broke some ribs, messed up my shoulder, and cracked my helmet almost in two.
After healing tried riding my bike again. Absolutely did not expect PTSD, but could not otherwise explain how wholly unconfident I felt while trying to ride a bike, even til this day.
I agree. On the flat you can ride for miles and hardly get tired.
Once you add hills to the equation though, that's where an e-bike restores the enjoyment for me after moving from the outback plains to the mountains.
@ShortHax commented under this video:
It’s easy to build a rocket. It’s not like it’s bicycle-science
62K likes today.
"Science unable to explain how a bike in motion stays upright"
/s But once watched a video with a similar title that demonstrated not a single effect (caster, gyroscopic, etc.) is solely responsible for bikes staying upright and you can design bikes without each effect and they still work in principle.
So just slightly less complicated than rockets.
That relaxed post-ride feeling is the best!
The physiological and mental effects of bicycles are a whole other blog post / thesis!
The guy makes good interactive articles in general, definitely do recommend browsing a bit
Yeah I agree. First one I read and still my favourite is the mechanical watch breakdown article. The explanations aren't too heavy and the demonstrations/interactions are so clean. Bartosz's site just has really nice design all over.
Very true, especially when you’re a kid.
I couldn’t articulate it when I first learned to ride without training wheels, but it was my first major taste of freedom. It also helped that I was soon one of the fastest in my neighborhood.
Heck, I'm over 30 and I still feel that sense of freedom when I bike. Keeps me riding!
@ernest in a land where you only ever go down hills maybe!
Hills are fun. Through nothing more than your own manual effort you’re able to swiftly scale mountains and are rewarded with stunning vistas (and a fun decent).
Good gearing takes care of most hills, and new electric bikes handle tougher hills than that, or get you where you're going without getting sweaty, but a regular bike will usually suffice.
@ampersandrew @ernest you speak as if you think I've never ridden a bike.
No gearing makes riding up hills "effortless" and sure if you're being pushed up by a motor that's fine, but that's not really a bike, it's a motorbike.
hmmm. Well, whatever distances or gradient you're used to traveling by foot, a bicycle is quite effortless in comparison.
@geoffervescent @ernest ah, so he said "effortless in comparison to..." I must have missed that. 🤷♂️
It was a joke folks, but an accurate one and people replying to pretend otherwise need to consider why they're doing that IMO.
Oh hey It's the clock guy! glad to see this