10-02-2022, 04:30 AM
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2022, 08:29 AM by Bob Culver.)
I think in the Baldwin St photo there is someone in the car. It is not fake; have seen other views. And can read the gradient.
For any that might be interested bike gearing is expressed in penny farthing diameter equivalent. Mine was 38 inches minimum, now 23 inch. As with cars the low gear seems absurd until the grade matches.
In my aged and generally ailing state I could not sustain even quite modest suburban hills but now can.
Single speed bikes are typically 65-70 but even racing penny farthings were limited to a challenging 56 inches or so, depending on rider appendage.
(The many older readers may be interestsd. Five years ago I became very unfit waiting for a hip replacement. The surgeon did not encourage walking partly because it wears old and new but also because it not very effective unless very brisk. Biking seems to work; I have not got more incapable over 5 years. incidentally living in the city all driving is now a total bore until far from home. But with miles of dedicated cycleways almost as much fun as the Seven was 55 plus years ago. Many old persons become poor drivers not so much due reduced faculties but much reduced practice. Biking retains alertness and awareness. I have given up trying to induce the speed detector signs to display SLOW DOWN. I concluded that flaking out at 50 kph may not improve the prospects of reviving the Seven, although could spare forum readers much tedium..)
A few years ago I chatted with a Vintage Austin Register local. He had visited Dunedin and been driven up Baldwin St in a tweaked chummy!
The 1930s Sevens do have a a low gearingt. My sightly tweaked RP would manage the steepest streets in Auckland and Wellington in 2nd. The Wellington road accessed a radio station and the techs were told not to take CA Bedfords as clutches had been damaged. The Auckland road is now down only. Myself and colleagues used to park in it. One recounted how trucks had spilt wet clay and when he touched his car door handle his car and all the others slid slowly downhill!
For any that might be interested bike gearing is expressed in penny farthing diameter equivalent. Mine was 38 inches minimum, now 23 inch. As with cars the low gear seems absurd until the grade matches.
In my aged and generally ailing state I could not sustain even quite modest suburban hills but now can.
Single speed bikes are typically 65-70 but even racing penny farthings were limited to a challenging 56 inches or so, depending on rider appendage.
(The many older readers may be interestsd. Five years ago I became very unfit waiting for a hip replacement. The surgeon did not encourage walking partly because it wears old and new but also because it not very effective unless very brisk. Biking seems to work; I have not got more incapable over 5 years. incidentally living in the city all driving is now a total bore until far from home. But with miles of dedicated cycleways almost as much fun as the Seven was 55 plus years ago. Many old persons become poor drivers not so much due reduced faculties but much reduced practice. Biking retains alertness and awareness. I have given up trying to induce the speed detector signs to display SLOW DOWN. I concluded that flaking out at 50 kph may not improve the prospects of reviving the Seven, although could spare forum readers much tedium..)
A few years ago I chatted with a Vintage Austin Register local. He had visited Dunedin and been driven up Baldwin St in a tweaked chummy!
The 1930s Sevens do have a a low gearingt. My sightly tweaked RP would manage the steepest streets in Auckland and Wellington in 2nd. The Wellington road accessed a radio station and the techs were told not to take CA Bedfords as clutches had been damaged. The Auckland road is now down only. Myself and colleagues used to park in it. One recounted how trucks had spilt wet clay and when he touched his car door handle his car and all the others slid slowly downhill!