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Letter Re: Flexibility and Adaptability
Hiya!
Just discovered your site. You have lots of useful information, but I have noticed
a few points that may have been overlooked, or that I haven't gotten to [in
the Archives] yet.
1. Off road or utility motorcycles: I feel safe to discuss this,being a former
off road racer! A 4 stroke bike is the way to go,it gets 4 to 5 times the gas
mileage. A big 2 stroke will smoke anything that can fit thru the woods but
sucks gas like a maniac. My [two stroke] race bike was lucky to get 5 mpg--a
500
cc
Husqvarna.
For
trail
use, ease of handling, and easy for a novice rider. Go to Pep Boys and get a
couple of the 100cc [four stroke] trail bikes .Cheap, easy to ride and learn,
and
great
gas mileage.
Get
a trailer, not just for the bikes, but for everything else. As a last resort
you can ditch
your
main ride, and ride the bikes.
2. Electric power: I also feel safe to discuss this topic,as my father owned
a Recreational Vehicle (RV) dealership! All of the RVs had a "three way" refrigerator,12
volt
DC,
propane, and 110 volt. They also owned a place in Mexico, way out of the town
proper, with
solar
power. Why not use those cheap little solar lights that you use along the sidewalk
for lighting?
3. All heck breaks loose, no time to run: I always' stock up on any sales at
the grocery store. Canned food,"10 for $2" or whatever, hot dogs on
the 4th of july, turkeys around Thanksgiving, whatever fits in my deep freeze.
Also,
I
always keep water bottles in the deep freeze, not only for the water, but should
the power fail, you have instant huge ice blocks to maintain it a bit longer.
Living
in Arizona, water is a more required item, than comfort. I have a small jacuzzi,
which can be used just to cool off when it hits 110 degrees here, as it does
often.
It
holds 400 gallons. I wouldn't use it for drinking or cooking, but it makes
the day a lot more comfy [since it can be used for bathing and toilet flushing]
4. Tools: As a machinist, I think I have two of every tool known to mankind!
Learn
to use them, properly. An improperly used tool won't last long.
A screwdriver is not a chisel, and a chisel is not a screwdriver. You may never
have a chance
to find another 9/16" wrench for a while, so buy quality tools, use them
right.
The same logic applies
with chainsaws, generators, and whatever. You may need to rely on them more than
you believe. As an off-road motorcycle racer, I have!
5. Think outside the box: A Marine Corp #1 rule: improvise! I
was in a [long distance off-road] race in Mexico, and got a front flat tire.
I
was pretty
much
out
of the
race,
right?
Wrong! I stuffed the front tire full of weeds grass, and twigs,
zip tied the
tire to
the rim, and rode slowly to the pit stop. I ended up placing second in the race.
The
moral
of the story? Nothing is impossible! You just haven't thought
of the solution yet!
Okay, I'm done ranting. Thanks for your site. It is very informative - Dean
