10kya.com - Online Shopping India Blog
-
Climb Safe: Dangers of Rope Worn Carabiners
By Kolin Powick Kolin Powick (KP) is a mechanical engineer hailing from Calgary, Canada. He has over 20 years of experience in the engineering field and served as Black Diamond’s Director of Quality for over 11 years. He is currently their Climbing Category Director.
There was an accident at the Red River Gorge where a climber fell going to the second bolt and the rope was cut completely through by the fixed draw's sharp-edged, rope-end biner at the first bolt.
If you recall the previous testing and commentary on this subject, I had stated that I'd only seen ropes getting "sheathed" by sharp-edged biners—usually mid-route—and subsequently learned of an accident in the Czech Republic (in a climbing gym) where the rope-grooved sharp biner (also at the first bolt) severed the rope completely, resulting in the climber hitting the ground. Luckily in both cases, the climbers were not badly injured.
Which biners get badly grooved and why? From my experience falling all over routes, all over the county, I've noticed three primary locations where fixed biners become badly grooved:
1) First Bolt
Belayers typically stand too far away from the wall. This results in a sharp angle in the rope from the belayer to the first biner and then up the route. When lowering a climber, the rope, often dirty and gritty, slowly wears a groove in the biner. Both incidents I've heard of where the rope was cut completely, it was the first bolt that was the culprit.
2) Crux Bolt
Many climbers being lowered off the same biner (falling at the crux onto the same bolt). This has the same effect as above. The sharp angle of the rope wrapping around the biner and the weight of the climber being lowered is what is allowing the rope to slowly cut through the biner.
3) Out of line bolts
Often if the bolt line isn't straight, an out-of-line biner can end up being grooved. Once again, this is caused by the rope and its angle running over the biner surface.
TESTING We have done some testing before, but decided to do one more super quick test in our drop tower just to see what it would take to cut a rope on a sharp-edged biner in a harsh, but realistic, loading scenario.
SETUP
Sharp-edged biner (actual biner used in test shown directly above) 80 kg mass brand new 10.2 mm rope One harsh, but realistic, drop Static belay
RESULTS
Rope cut on the FIRST drop (see image below) Max load reached - ~7 kN
DISCUSSION Once again, what does this mean? What does 7 kN actually mean at the piece of protection? What does it mean to you, the gear and the rope?
Well, 7 kN falls can and do happen in the field. These can occur:
usually when there is not much rope out (i.e., early on in the climb). With not enough rope out, there is little rope to help absorb the energy of the fall. and with a close-to-static belay (i.e., belayer hauls in rope and even leans back, trying to keep the climber from hitting the deck.). Loads are decreased with a dynamic belay, but increase with a static belay. The climber usually "feels" these sorts of falls. Your kidneys take a beating, your hips are sore, and your feet may even hurt from slamming into the wall. I've seen many a climber take a harsh fall low on the route—it's usually followed by a deep grunt and "lower me".
The reality is these sorts of harsh falls low on a route with a sharp biner in play and the rope running over its sharp edge at angle (belayer standing away from the wall) can, and obviously have, resulted in damaging and even cutting the rope.
BOTTOM LINE Now I don't want to get into some ethical debate on whether routes should be left with fixed draws or not. The bottom line is you can do a few things to reduce the impact on fixed gear:
stand close to the wall when belaying, especially when lowering use your own first draw on the first bolt of fixed routes use long slings to help reduce rope drag use steel biners on "high traffic" fixed draws And of course, it's in everyone's best interest to replace worn and tattered fixed gear.
Be careful out there KP
--
-
"Tifosi" Optics Sunglasses
About Tifosi...
Tifosi is the Italian word referring to a super-fan, an enthusiast, and that is exactly who we are and who we make our eyewear for. Our mission is to provide technically advanced eyewear to enthusiasts of all sports and outdoor activities. We design test and torture our product to enhance your sport whether you’re running a 5k, riding your first century or playing 18 holes on Sunday. Tifosi defines us; we are enthusiasts about our product, our sport, and our fun.
1 - GRILAMID TR-90 FRAME
TR-90 is an incredibly light durable nylon material that resists chemical & UV damage.
2 - ADJUSTABLE EAR PADS*
Fully adjustable ear pads allow a customized fit, increasing comfort & performance.
3 - ADJUSTABLE NOSE PADS*
Fully adjustable nose pads allow a close fit, limiting slippage and increasing comfort & performance.
4 - HYDROPHILIC RUBBER
Hydrophilic rubber ear & nose pads increase their grip the more you sweat to prevent slipping.
INCLUDES CASE & BAG
Each pair of Tifosi Optics sunglasses comes with a hardshell zippered case & microfiber cleaning bag.
LIFETIME WARRANTY**
All Tifosi Optics Sunglasses include a lifetime warranty against manufacturer’s defects.
-
'JAVA' & 'FORMAT' Bikes
About JAVA Bikes...
Chuang Xin Wei (Shenzhen) Bicycle, Ltd., as the exclusive agent of JAVA BIKES(ITALY) in China, was established in 2002; With more than 10 years experience, we are specializing in design, R&D, innovation, production and marketing promotion of kinds of bicycles.
Led by JAVA professional design and manufacturing expertise, we always produce fashionable and individualized bicycles with high quality, arranging Carbon Fibre Bicycle, MTB(Mountain Bicycle), Road Bicycle, Folding Bicycle, Children Bicycle, Touring Bicycle, Fixed Gear Bicycle and so on. Our specification is complete in variety, exporting to Europe,USA,Australia, Asia and South America, and also extending China market with 300 JAVA retailers and agents covering all areas of the country.
JAVA BIKES and Chuang Xin Wei are now among the most important promoters of growth, transformation and development in China bicycle industry. We would be more focus, excellent, execution and constant quality improvements and have quite confidence to build long-term and win-win cooperation relations with customers all over the world.
About FORMAT Bikes...
Format - the only Russian company, which is engaged in designing and manufacturing high-tech bike frames that can compete with recognized world leaders cycling industry.
Format - a brand with its own history. Since 2006, it is growing rapidly in Russia and Asia, gaining trust and recognition of both amateur and professional cycling. Modern design combined with functionality and high standards of quality, long-term experience in the field of veloinzheniringa combined with the latest developments in the planning and design of bicycle. Rational ideas and bold solutions - an integral part of company policy.
Format combined unique to our country specialists who are not only the engineers and designers of high-end, but also riders, people in love with cycling. They are convinced that "create a quality bike can really only one who is able to check its strength." A detailed analysis of the behavior of the bike under maximum load, the feeling of the rider while riding allow to constantly improve the design of the bike, and to develop the existing advantages.
Bicycles Format created in order to win. Winning is nice! Designers embody the functionality and usability in a variety of forms, ranging from filigree elegance to the brutal power!
-
Awesome Weekend Rides: Hot Summer Ride!
The day began with a shrill alarm at 0400 hrs on Sunday. The eyes, still filled with sleep like a cream filled donut, tried to come to terms with the fact that it was time to wake up now. But it’s the weekend, the mind tried to reason. ‘So What’, the heart fought back, ‘tis time for the RIDE’. And yet again the heart won!
The hard Indian summer months of April to June are the period when even the birds don’t venture in the mid-day sun. These are the months when the only thing one can think of is an air-conditioner or shade. So, definitely, a bunch of guys and girls must surely be crazy to go out and ride their bicycles in the heat for over 50 kms and then also live to tell the tale. Well, that is the essence in reality of being a cyclist! We don’t do it for ourselves, we don’t do it for the groups, we don’t do it for the weather, and we don’t do it for the fun. We ride because there is a Bike to ride, simply.
Last Sunday my local ride group planned, what was supposed to be the last long distance ride for the summer, covering the route from Vashi in Navi Mumbai via Belapur through a place called Chirner, Kharpada, Karnala, Panvel, JNPT Road and back to Vashi again. All in the entire route consisted of a thrilling 80 kms of pure cycling heaven going through villages and valleys, with a 2-3 good climbs and equally awesome drops. That’s of course better said in the winter or the monsoon, not the summer’s God D*** It! Still, the heart took over, it’s a long ride, lots of other riders, it reasoned. The legs now started canvassing, waiting to start pedaling. And then the entire body revolted and took over the mind and it was unanimously decided by all the body parts to join the ride. Well, what could I do!
On Sunday, for me the ride began at 0545 hrs from the majestic NMMC HQ at Belapur. Once other riders joined in from other parts of Navi Mumbai and Mumbai (yes, a couple from Andheri decided to drive down here and join the Ride, crazy .huh!) There were almost 15 riders who had willingly joined in to be baked alive. A selfie later by the Ride leader, we began rolling and took the Uran Road that passes via Ulwe towards JNPT Road. The road to JNPT is 50 flat and the rest 50% is a nice smooth climb which brings us to Gavhaan Phata. (Phata roughly is the Marathi equivalent of Chowk). This is the point of intersection of the URAN Road and the JNPT Road. From here on the group crossed under the JNPT Road towards a village called Chirner.
The Village of Chirner is really a non descript little village but is hot favorite among bikers due to the Ransai Dam that is located there. The Dam and the lake are set amidst beautiful hills and is a separate ride in itself. The group halted at Chirner for refilling water. Now since these are the summer months, any rides that exceed 20 km demand that at least 2 liters. of water be carried along with of course Electrolyte drinks such as Enerzal. And since I had done this circuit earlier, I had almost 3 liters of water, 2 in my Polar bottle and Camelbak and 1 in my trusted Quechua hydration backpack. The Polar bottle and Camelbak Podium are insulated bottles and ensure that water at least stays at room temperature, if not hot and is drinkable. And to ensure even colder water, I usually fill the bottles and freeze them overnight, so the ice only completely melts when I am halfway through the ride.
After refilling at Chirner, we moved towards the Kharpada Toll booth. The road to the Kharpada toll booth passes through a few small climbs and is among one of the most beautiful roads to ride or drive on given the amount of flora on either side of the road.
Soon the road started winding up, as expected and towards the final stretch of the climb Weekend Warriors and a few others were literally forced to alight and walk up with their bikes, something the Road bikers would have tackled with ease. Those who managed to huff and puff their way up the climb were then rewarded with a simply amazing drop of almost 2 kms but not before being shot with a Camera by the Ride leader who ensured that no one misses out on the pictures being too busy to ride. The drop after the hill was exhilarating and the MTB’s and Hybrids touched speeds of almost 45 km/h and I personally touched almost 52 km/h with the wind slamming my face and head which were of course duly protected by Orao Bike Sunglasses and my Btwin helmet.
On reaching the Kharpada toll booth, we all took a break as this the halfway point as well as the availability of food and refreshments. Kharpada toll booth is the junction which lies on the Mumbai Alibag route and is prone to heavy traffic on the weekends. The group rested there for a while, feasting on Vada Pav’s, banana’s and sugarcane juice all the while being subjected to the strange stares of the Villagers, who of course did not seem to mind a couple of lycra clad people riding on the bike in the summer heat. We had reached Kharpada at 0830 hrs and it was already 32 degrees.
We left Kharpada riding in a single line formation on the road shoulder since the road was full of HCVs and LCVs and ensured that every rider in the front kept within the shoulder. Till Kharpada we had enjoyed our ride, riding in groups of two’s and three’s but on the arterial roads and highways one can never to careless.
Our next destination was Karnala from where we would go towards Panvel. From Kharpada itself the we started a low gradual climb with tiny bits of flat stretches and decided to ride till the entrance of Karnala Bird Sanctuary take a breather there and then move ahead. The reason for the breather at the entrance is because the road till there is a gradual 3-4 km climb and then from there the final 1 km is a little more steeper requiring regular bikers to shift in the smaller chaining or the Granny Gear to tackle the climb.
A short breather at Karnala Bird Sanctuary and we were once again on our way towards Panvel. By now the temperature was already touching 34 degrees.
The drop after Karnala lasts for almost 4 kms and requiring very little pedaling. However, this is where cyclists forget that they are on the highway and have to be aware and careful of the oncoming vehicles and also those from the behind. That’s precisely the reason why it’s important to wear neon clothing and also have good rear blinker lights, like the Cat eye Nemo light that I use, to warn the drivers behind you.
The Route till Karnala is well covered with tree shade at almost 70% of the way and thus gives you some respite. Once you cross Karnala the road is split wide open with absolutely no tree cover and the sun breathing down on your back. From Karnala till Panvel we rode with the least possible conversation and I must have finished at least 1 and a1/2 bottle of water. The temperature now was a COOL 35 degree that actually felt like 40 degrees because of the humidity factor. There was absolutely no stopping on till Palaspe Phata at Panvel where we decided to stop at the famous Shree Datta Snacks for some refreshments. It took us an hour to reach Datta Snacks.
The break at Datta Snacks lasted for almost 20 minutes with the group opting for sugarcane juice yet again and me having 2 coconuts full of water. By this time ALL my water was hot (so much for the insulated bottles, but I think they are not meant to operate in the Indian heat) and I refilled two of my bottles with icy cold water, enough to last me the final 20 kms till my home in Kharghar.
We left Datta Snacks at 0945 hrs now not at all caring about the Sun God’s wrath and started riding on the JNPT Road towards Gavhaan Phata from where we would turn towards Belapur. The Ride on the JNPT Road is actually lovely with views of hills on both sides but right now all we could see the end of the road where we make the turn. The temperature was almost 36 degrees now and it actually felt like 45 degrees.
By the time we reached Gavhaan Phata, all riders were terribly exhausted, not from the ride but from the heat. We stopped near a Neera Stand and had a glass each and started on the final leg of the ride. The first 3 kms from Gavhaan Phata till Belapur NMMC HQ is a nice drop and it felt good not pedaling for once during the ride. Sadly this stretch too like the Karnala stretch is devoid of any vegetation and the only solace was the trickles of water I was shooting down the vents of my helmet on my forehead. But be warned though this can sometimes lead to sunstrokes and is not recommended unless the water dropped is very minimal just to keep the temperature down.
Finally, after the last climb and crossing one last bridge over the Panvel Creek the NMMC HQ building was in sight and this is where I splintered from the group and headed towards Kharghar while the remaining riders summoned all their strength and moved on toward Vashi and other respective locations. Near the Belapur Station I stopped one last time at my favorite Chaiwalla for some sweet tea and regain some strength till the final five kms till home.
I stepped inside my building gate at approximately 1045 hrs, five hrs after starting my ride and totally satisfied at having taken on the Sun God and coming out unscratched through the ordeal. With my final remaining strength I managed to guzzle one last glass of Enerzal and called it a day. In spite of the fact that we called it our last ride of the summer, I secretly knew there is no such thing as a Last Ride and yet again we planned for a ride to our dear old Datta Snacks the coming weekend. But that will be another ride report. Some Ride!
About the Author
Partha is in his mid-thirties, lives in Navi Mumbai and works in Banking & Finance, working five days a week. Other than cycling he also enjoys hiking, trekking, nature walks and active sports. And when he is not doing any of these you can find him hooked on to his Kindle or listening to Progressive trance or simply shooting random pics on his Lumia 730. A Greenpeace follower and a staunch Save-the-Earth activist, he loves connecting with people.
-
Contributors to Nepal Quake Relief with 10kya
Mr. Girish Nikam (Bottles & Cutlery )
Mr. Partha Sadhak (2 Tents)
Mr. Pravin Pednekar, Mumbai, ₹500/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Mr. Imrish Singh, Singapore, ₹40,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Ms. Savneet Kaur Pandher, Delhi, ₹10,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Ms. Anuja Sane, Mumbai, ₹25,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Mr. Suresh Kumar, Singapore, ₹50,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Ms. Shabani Khanna, Gurgaon, ₹25,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Mr. Vineesh Ghei, Mumbai, ₹15,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Ms. Anjali Garg, AbuDhabi, ₹25,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
Mr. Sharad Gupta, Mumbai, ₹50,000/- Worth of Nepal Relief Material
-
Scolarian Bikes
We want to revolutionise the cycling culture in India and share your dream of seeing more bicycles on and off the road. In our quest to provide the most beautiful bikes to you, we at Scolarian are continuously engaged in designing and building these amazing bikes.
Frame sizes:
50 cm - For Heights 5ft 1in - 5ft 6in
54 cm - For Heights 5ft 6in - 5ft 11in
Type: Fixed Gear and Single Speed. The Rear Hub is equipped with a Flip Flop Hub having a Fixed Gear Cog and a Freewheel.
What is a Fixed Gear Cycle or Fixie as it is popularly called? How is it different from any other cycle you have seen or driven?
A fixed gear cycle is basically the simplest form of a bicycle. On a fixie, the rear cog which is the small wheel with teeths on it (see image below) onto which the chain engages doesn't have the Pawl and Ratchet mechanism. In a normal cycle with a freewheel, this mechanism engages the gear when you pedal in the forward direction and makes the wheel free when you pedal in the reverse direction or do not pedal. With this system absent on a fixie, you can power the rear wheels by pedalling in both forward and reverse directions. But generally back pedalling (pedalling backwards) is done to brake the rear wheels which is why you don't see brakes or only a front brake. Essentially you are always in control of your bike and feel closer to the road. A fixed gear drivetrain is mechanically more effcient than the traditional freewheel ones and you reach higher speeds.
Wait! There is more, just because you bought a fixed gear cycle doesnt mean you have to give up on the freewheel. You bought a Scolarian Fixie which comes equipped with a Flip Flop Hub. It has a fixed gear cog on one side and a freewheel on the other. So, whenever you are tired or just want to enjoy the whiz down a hill, simply loosen the axle nuts, remove the wheel, flip it to engage the freewheel onto the chain and tighten the nuts. Yes, it is that simple and we provide you with all the tools required to do so and a saddle bag to carry them all around.
Well before you hop onto one of these, just to warn you once you try out a fixie, it is really hard to get off the bike and pass it on without craving to ride more. That strong is the joy that you feel riding a fixie.
Your Legs are Your Gears!!!
CAPTAIN 09
Aye! Presenting you the Captain 09!!! A new mutiny is going to start on the streets led by the Captain. He comes on a Black frame with shining Silver armour!
Colour: Matte Black with Polished Silver Wheels
HERMIT 05
Seek solitude from your world to explore the new dimension of joy with The Hermit. Donned in Copper it comes with Black requisites.
Colour: Glossy Copper with Matte Black Wheels
SONIC 21
Sonic is a blue hedgehog with ability to run at greater speed. Born with this Racing DNA, Sonic 21 comes with Alloy crank making it even lighter and faster. Grab all the eyeballs with the shiny anodised Gold finish.
Colour: Matte Blue with Anodised Gold finish Wheels
COP 100
In the darkness of the shadows, when you search for a beacon of light, find the Cop glowing in fluorescence! Presenting the Cop 100, dedicated to all the Night Watchers guarding and protecting our lives.
Colour: Neon Green with Matte Black Wheels
-
Big Trouble in Little Kingdom
For over 200 years they have protected us, fought for us and with us, guarded us, took us up the stairway to heaven – to the Sagarmatha or Everest, all this while tolerating us calling them names such as ‘Shaab Zee” and “Aay Nepali” and ‘Gurkha’ etc, etc, and have yet stood smiling because they loved us, they were fond of us and they wanted us to visit ‘Āphnō ghara’ , Their Home and enjoy their food, love, hospitality and warmth, which is really all they had to offer. (And, NO, they never did offer us drugs or booze or other sins! We took them there.) And as we speak today, our so called brother and sisters in Nepal are torn apart by the fury of Mother Nature disguised as an Earthquake that hit Nepal three days ago.
The Nepali folks are very strong. They have faced hell and high water, quite literally, by fighting for us and the British and the ‘almost-Godsend-like’ people, the Sherpas, who have helped us in climbing the Mount Everest and in saving countless lives in the face of daunting challenge – climbing the Everest, unflinchingly and without raising one eyebrow. I cannot remember one single occasion when a Nepali brother or sister has backed away, has not done his or her duty or has walked away from responsibility. I do not know of any Nepali who has ever expected money in return for a good deed. All they ever wanted was our love and respect. That’s just the way they are! And all this while they were thousands of miles away from their homes and left their family and friends behind.
Today it is our loyal and ever devoted Nepali brothers and sisters who have borne the brunt of a quake, by far the biggest one since the last century and they need us now. As the tragedy unfolded before our eyes on television during the weekend, I saw our neighbors in Nepal looking distraught, scared and helpless. I saw the fear in their eyes and that feeling that the next one could be bigger. I saw them being worried for their children going hungry without food or water. Under no circumstances can I even remotely feel what they are undergoing and pray that I never have to. As I scanned the news channels, all I could see was face after face of men women and children who were in a state of shock and of those whose lives were uprooted from the ground up.
The brave people of Nepal have always have had a love hate relationship with the Earth being the home to the largest mountain peak in the world and have always respected nature and protected the environment. They are the ones who have learned to love the land they are living off and yet nothing would have prepared them to face a difficult situation and a challenge posed to them by the earthquake. The people of Nepal are God fearing and they offer prayers to Lord Pashupatinath for their safekeeping and those of their sons and daughters who are away from Nepal. Maybe the earthquake might have shaken the very belief of the people as to ‘why me?’. But I am positive that even tough shaken, their faith will not vanish and the feeling that God will turn things back to normal soon will resurface and Nepal will rise again like a phoenix rising from the ashes.
When I started writing this piece, I thought about the help I could offer the people of Nepal. But the more I wrote and the more I thought, I realized that the people of Nepal want us to stand by them in this time just as they have stood by us during our times of need. My Nepali neighbors would want me to put my hand on his and her shoulder, like SRK did and tell them ‘Main Hoon Na’. That apart they need our medicines, our doctors, our food and anything that can help them return back to their lives. Of course, the scars left by the Quake and the devastation will leave its mark on the people of Nepal and it will take a very long time for the wheel to turn full circle. I do not know when that will happen or how it will happen, but it will happen definitely, such is the strong resolve of the Nepali people, as we have seen through the years.
On my part I will be doing whatever is possible to help my Nepali brothers and sisters in whatever small or big way I can. I haven’t thought how but no matter how big or small, in cash or kind, I am going to chip in to help them in time of need as they have through the years for us all. But before that I will go to my building security who is a Nepali and give him a hug to let him know that he is not a foreigner here but my brother and that I am there for him just as he is there for us. (His family’s safe as of now but without rations, water and medicines etc.) Just an assurance will ensure that he smiles a little, something he has not done ever since the story of the quake back home broke out.
And as I end, I can hear myself humming the tune from Avril Lavigne’s song- Keep holding on, which goes like this,
‘You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side, you know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go
You know I won't give in
No I won't give in!’
Dedicated to the Brave People of Nepal and in fond memory of those who lost their livesin the 2015 earthquake!
(The Author’s close relatives which included women and children were stranded in Kathmandu when the quake struck and only managed to return home after three painfully long days. The stress and trauma felt by the people there was recounted to the author by them first hand)
Partha Sadhak
Tuesday, 28th April 2015
Mumbai