This section contains miscellaneous ice rowing thoughts that I couldn’t figure what else to do with! I hope some are of interest ...
Easy to Use Comfortable Environmentally
Friendly Fun Fitness
Expensive? Traction Coasting Sprinting Maneuverability Propulsion
Efficiency
Easy to
Use …
“Instant Gratification” is likely … since special
skills or athletic abilities won’t be required.
Other than starting leg
extension first (so that the handle bar clears the knees — like rowing with
oars), there is no real learning curve associated with operating the
vehicle. Steering, shifting, and
braking will be intuitive for most people.
The effort expended, speeds attained, and risks taken are all up to the
user.
Would-be skiers and skaters with balance problems (or
leg injuries) may find this alternative just what the doctor ordered. Even physically challenged individuals could
enjoy this activity by operating the vehicle using only their arms.
With this option, aging
baby-boomers (that’s me) would find little excuse not to get out and have
some winter fun and exercise! J
Comfortable …
Contrary to the frequent
experience of ice boaters and snowmobilers (so they tell me), users should have
no problem staying warm on those cold winter days -- thanks to the
enclosure, windshield, and that wonderful rowing exercise.
Environmentally Friendly …
In the winter, countless
frozen lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and ponds can be found throughout the
world. Many are quite scenic and
under-utilized for recreation.
This wholesome activity
should find acceptance at such locations due to the absence of pollution,
property damage risks, and noise.
Fun …
Most importantly, any new
activity must be fun.
For many, driving fast
in the relative comfort of a cockpit will be enough (like a sports
car). Some will get their kicks by
driving faster, or even too fast! Most
will be exhilarated by being under their own power as derived from a satisfying
rowing stroke. Others will find the
peaceful solitude and stillness of an early morning workout hard to beat. Still others may enjoy the adventure and
back-to-nature experience of exploring the many miles of shoreline a large lake
offers on that rare perfect day … perhaps with a group and bringing a picnic
lunch.
Ice rowing centers or clubs
might even become popular ... complete with organized racing, trail maintenance
capabilities, and rental vehicles.
Dream on …. J
Fitness …
Exercising
is by far the most popular participation
“sport”.
In
the USA, over 70 million people exercise walk and more than 50 million use
exercise equipment. This trend is growing as
the population ages. All too often,
such fitness activities suffer in the winter.
Rowing with a sliding seat
(or sliding foot stretcher in this case) has long been recognized as one of the
best forms of full body exercise and aerobic conditioning.
Rowing on ice would be a fun new way of getting quality winter exercise. Serious fitness enthusiasts may view it as the most exciting exercise machine going!
Expensive?
My rough estimate
suggests that a product based on this concept could sell direct for about the
price of a recreational rowing shell or recumbent trike … in the $2,000 -
$3,000 range.
Note that the bicycle components
would likely be low end – chosen for robustness rather than lightweight. In low volume, the shell would probably be
fiberglass and the runners scaled down from iceboat designs.
Traction …
From a standing start, it
should easily be possible to spin the wheel in low gear. In higher gears, impressive acceleration
should be possible due to ..
·
the
power of the rowing stroke,
·
the
high wheel loading available (70-80% higher than bicycles), and
·
the
movable wheel assembly, which functions like a low-mass suspension system.
Although spiked tires can be
used, this concept opens the door for using much more efficient tires
designed to provide traction in one direction only — forward. For example, an ice-rowing tire might
include wide chisel-shaped (or sheet metal) studs.
As evidenced by motorcycles
racing on ice and hockey players, good traction on ice is indeed possible.
Coasting …
Ice runners create drag of
0.025-0.2% of the weight supported … as opposed to 0.4-1.2% for wheels on
smooth pavement. There will be little
frictional resistance between strokes.
When combined with a low
seating position, a streamlined enclosure, and a flat operating surface, it’s hard
to imagine another type of earth-bound vehicle that would glide as well!
Drag while Coasting has been calculated for two
hypothetical ice-rowing vehicles.
Vehicle “A” is viewed as a conservative design. “B” is refined about as much as I can
envision. Operating temperature for
both is assumed to be 20F. A typical
road bike (coasting in 80F weather) is included for comparison.
|
|
Bicycle |
Rowed “A” |
Rowed “B” |
|
5 MPH: |
1.3 Lbs |
0.5 Lbs |
0.3 Lbs |
|
10 MPH: |
1.9 Lbs |
0.8 Lbs |
0.5 Lbs |
|
20 MPH: |
4.1 Lbs |
1.9 Lbs |
1.1 Lbs |
|
40 MPH: |
13.0 Lbs |
6.3 Lbs |
3.6 Lbs |
Sprinting …
Rowing strokes are
particularly well suited for sprinting since all major muscle groups are
used together. When combined with a
vehicle that seems to coast forever, the temptation to sprint fast may
be very hard to avoid!
Based on calculations,
speeds of 40-50 MPH may be possible
… with an effort comparable to
sprinting on a bike at 27-35 MPH (certainly possible — but not by everyone).
Maneuverability …
With sharp runners and good ice conditions, go-kart like
control should be possible ... quick, precise turns with little risk of
spinouts or capsizing.
Handling characteristics
will be a function of design details related to runner design, weight distribution,
and steering mechanics.
The vehicle will be
difficult to flip due to the low center of gravity and built-in
understeer. Critical turns should be
made between strokes for maximum stability and lateral resistance.
Propulsion Efficiency …
Could it really become the
“Fastest Self Propelled Sport”? …
·
Losses
through the pulley system can be kept to about 7% by using a small diameter
line and large diameter pulleys with ball bearings.
·
Relative
to pedaling, pulley losses should be more than offset by applying the force to
a drum (fixed moment arm) rather than pedals. [A significant portion of the pedaling
effort goes into trying to lift the user rather than generating useful torque.]
·
This
rowing arrangement permits nearly balancing all forces applied by the
user ... thereby reducing losses due to
frame flex and movement in the seat.
·
The
gear shifting system will permit proper impedance matching and result in
relatively slow strokes. This,
coupled with the fixed seat and low stroke rate (long glides), will
reduce losses associated with the reciprocating motions.
·
On
the down side, speed will be more variable than when pedaling … increasing aerodynamic drag and requiring
additional work to accelerate during each stroke.
·
Studded
tires significantly increase rolling resistance. The impact could be minimized by using relatively wide cleats
(think miniature skates) rather than spikes.
Note that the wheel is “down” only about 30% of the time and would
generally not be a factor when steering.
·
Some
work will also be required to wind-up the shock cord during each
stroke. Based on the mock-up I built,
it will not be much. Cable
tension was about 4 Lbs at the end of a stroke ... and, of course, there was no
tension at the start.
·
And,
winter weather means lower temperatures and increased air density … therefore, more drag than for summer bike
riding.
The average thrust
from the propulsion system should be similar to pedaling a bike – given the
same effort by the user. Would it be
faster than ordinary bicycles? I think
so. Would it be faster than faired
bikes with similar aerodynamics?
Probably not!
Well, maybe rowing on ice
could become “The Fastest Practical Self Propelled Sport” … assuming
streamlined bikes have limited practicality.
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