Cycling in a Vacoped Boot

Cycling in a VacOped Boot - Intro

This relates to an Achilles Tendon Rupture.

Marooned. Stuck for 2 weeks without any form of transport. And then you are fitted with your VacOped Boot. Dimensions for VacoPed Boot. If it is your right foot then you will still not be able to legally drive. . .BUT. . . you can cycle.

On fitting you boot you might ask you Physiotherapist what you can and cannot do. But my physiotherapist told me "no one has had their achilles re-rupture whilst wearing a vacoped boot".

Green light! Although there are a few physical constraints / problems to overcome. . . .

Cycling in a VacOped Boot - Caution

Obviously I am fairly stupid to be doing this. So do not copy me.

If you have been in plaster for a few weeks, prior to being fitted with a boot, then your legs muscles have probably wasted, and cycling even a short distance can cause cramps and pains in the affected leg. Wait 3, 4 5 days before you try to cycle, so you muscles get used to walking around a bit first.

Cycling in a VacOped Boot - Pedals

Toe Clips and Clipless pedals are not going to be possible. As the boot is huge. But if you get hold of some wide pedals, then you will be able to cycle fairly well. I am not talking about competition level, but you can get about.

Even a Wide Pedal is Narrow Compared with The VacoPed Boot Sole

The 15 - 30 degree wedge sole that comes with the vacoped boot is a bit awkward to cycle in as it has a  channel running up the middle, but if you buy the rain cover, this bridges that gap and provides a little bit of support.

Buy some pedals that are wide, with spiky grippy bits on. These dig in to the sole of boot, and stop in slipping off. The boot will not fully fit on the pedal so it is important that the pedal is grippy.

When you migrate to you flat sole, I guess cycling will become even easier.

Cycling in a VacOped Boot - The Bike

All my bikes are sensible upright affairs but if you have a very sporty bike with low handle bars this may make things a bit uncomfy. The leg with the VacoPed boot on it will be longer than usual, and so it comes up closer to your chest than usual. It you have low handle bars will this cause problems. . . I don't know, but something to consider. 

If you live in a hilly area, you may wish to lower your gearing. I have found that a 32 tooth ring up front with a 34 tooth ring at the back will get me up most of hills around where I live even with a wasted right leg. Normal mountain bike gearing should be fine. 

Cycling in a VacOped Boot - Conclusion

It sucks sitting around waiting for your leg to fix, particularly if you enjoy the outdoors. I can't walk very far, but on my bike I can do a few miles and it keeps me sane. 

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Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Intro

If you have been using some kind of multi OS boot loader on you computer and then decide to go back to a single OS you could run in to problems with booting your computer.

If you are migrating from a Linux type boot loader then start at step 1. If you have only been using windows then skip to Step 2.

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Step 1

The first thing to check is that your your disk is "flagged" a a boot drive. The easiest way to do this is to boot a copy of puppy linux from a live CD, and run "gparted". Once you are at the puppy linux desktop choose:

Menu > System > GParted Partition Manager

1. Select the Drive with Windows (sda internal drive for example)
2. Click OKAY button.
3. Right Click on the Windows Partition
4. Select "Manage Flags"
5. Check the "Boot" check box.
6. "Close" the check box screen
7. Shutdown system

At this point remove the puppy linux live CD and try to reboot. This may work on its own. If not proceed to Step 2

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Step2

Next we need to fire up the recovery console, which is done by booting from your relavnet operating system CD / DVD.

For XP

1. Boot from CD
2. Choose to Repair Console. At command prompt. . .
3. Type "fixmbr" press enter, confirm prompts.
4. Type "fixboot" press enter.
5.  Type "exit"

For Windows 7, 8 and 10

1. Boot From CD
2. Run Start Up Repair

or . . .  .

1. Boot from CD
2. Run Reocvery from Command Prompt
3. Type "cd\" to change directory to hard drive. Enter
4. Type "bootrec"
5. Choose a switch such as /fixboot or /fixmbr e.g. bootrec /fixmbr
6. You can also "rebuidlbcd"

After try all of the aaove if you still can't boot properly . . .

Fixing Boot Problems - After GRUB, Linux or Partition - Step 3

A full repair i.e. copying over you windows install. 

For XP this is:

1. Boot from CD
2. Press Enter to "Setup XP"
3. Press "r" to repair.

This will look like you are doing a fresh install, but really you will be re-installing over the existing OS so much should be the same.

 Please post any comments below. .  .

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Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux

Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux (Debian) - Intro

Whilst I am in love with the idea of a free OS, and a bundle of apps to go with it, I do require an OS to function fully. I have found that if you have Canon printers, you can spend hours (8 or 9 hours) trying to get the printers configured, with no success.

This is no doubt the fault of Canon, but in short if you intend to use Linux with a Canon Network Printer you are in for a battle. Particularly if you are new to linux.

I have tried to get things to work using Lubuntu (Ubuntu light)  & Puppy Linux (Slacko). I found the OS's to be feature rich, and snappy (especially puppy), but I will be reverting to windows owing to lack of print ability.

Linux Versions Tried

• Puppy Linux - Slacko
• Lubuntu - Version 14

Printers

• LBP6300n
• LBP7100n

Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux (Debian) -What is Involved

I did not get my printer to work. Here is a list of the things I tried. In order to start the install process you will need the IP address of the printer, which is hopefully static. You can get this by logging in to your router and looking under attached devices or similar.

• Installing a large variety of "generic" print drivers included in the driver data base included within each OS.
• Downloading Drivers from HP and try both auto and manual install procedures.
• Adding in numerous services / packages at the console (similar to command prompt in windows).
• Copy and paste missing files in to root directory using root privileges at command prompt.

So in short you are looking at copy and paste of quite a bit of code, hours of web research, and likely no success.

Like I say most things I can do computer wise but I have fallen flat on this one.

Setting Up a Canon Network Printer on Linux - Process as Tested

So first download and extract (right click on downloaded driver file), and put the files in a new directory to keep things tidy. Then you can look for ppd files, which are buried 7 levels down in a single folder. Or search from within console (Ctrl+Alt+T).


Press "/" and enter to get the ">" sign up and then type or copy in:

locate *.ppd

You can then use this ppd, when prompted for in the printer install utility. After you have done this, in may case I was told I needed to find a missing file:

"Printer 'Canon-LBP6300-CAPT' requires the '/usr/lib/cups/filter/pstocapt3' program but it is not currently installed.  Please install it before using this printer."

So back in console. . .  .

locate pstocapt3

it will tell you where the file is and the copy it in too the director that the printer package tells you to

for example:

Idle - File "/usr/lib/cups/filter/pstocapt3" not available: No such file or directory.





You can not just paste a file in to the OS section, you will need "root" privalages, so you need to type.

sudo pcmanfm 





In order to open the file manager with root privileges to copy files over. In Ubuntu (rather than Lubuntu) I believe Nautilus is the file manager.

So then the problem persists and nothing prints still, and this was where I bowed out.

I hope you have better luck, or Canon make things easier somehow, I have heard that HP printers set up a lot easier.






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A List of Wide Bicycle & Bike Pedals

A List of Wide Bicycle & Bike Pedals  - Intro

Could not find a list like this anywhere else. Please post a link to another list in comments if you have come across one.

A List of Wide Bicycle & Bike Pedals  - The List

Pedal			Width (mm)
Shimano Saint MX80			96
Nukeproof Electron Evo			98
DMRV12			95
Race Face mega bucks			104
DMR Vault			115
DMR Brendog			115
Wellgo MG1			(100mm!)114
Wellgo Mg 2			112
Wellgo MG3			111

Also . . . .  .

VP Harrier                                          118 (Thanks to Matt Campbell)

A List of Wide Bicycle & Bike Pedals  - Conclusions

What ever you reasons you are looking at DMR Vaults or WVP Harriers. The widths of the above are measured in a deceiving way with the wellgo M1s (apparently similar widths to DMR Vaults) being on 100mmm widest platform size, as they include part of the axle in the measurement! SO check what the platform with is, if that is what you actually want. 

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VACOped Boot Dimensions

VACOped Boot Dimensions - Intro

It is hard to find dimensions for these boots on line. They are a cast alternative for the treatment of orthopedic injuries.

The VACOped Boot

VACOped Boot Dimensions - Table

Please scroll down as the table is a bit too wide. . . .

Boot Size	SMALL	MEDIUM	LARGE
Shoe Size US	M 5-8 | W 6.5-9.5	M 8-11 | W 9.5-13	M 11+ | W 13+
Length Positions (Min/Mid/Max)	9.3" / 9.7" / 10.1"	10.4" / 10.8" / 11.2"	11.3" / 11.7" / 12.2"
Foot Width	4.1" (104 mm)	4.7" (119 mm)	5.3" (134 mm)
Ankle Circumference	5.5-11"	8-16"	12-18"
Calf Circumference	9-15"	13.5-20"	15-23"

VACOped Boot Dimensions - Other

I hope you fin these useful for me I wanted to know the the widths, so i could find out whether I could cycle with this thing on my foot.

All the best. And happy recovery.


Environmental Permit Applications  

Tandems and Cargo Bikes on Car Bike Racks - UK

Tandems and Cargo Bikes on Car Bike Racks - UK

Can you put a long bicycle such as a tandem or cargo bike on the rear of the car in the UK?

Well apart from lots of sites telling your to get a light board, you will find scant information of wide loads that stick out of the side of the car / van etc.

Plenty of sources advise on lawful requirement of light boards.

But what about the width? Is this (below) OK?

This is just about OK although handle bars should be turned in line with wheels. 

Yes. Just.

Over 305mm projection on either side of the vehicle requires:

• Two clear working days notice to Police (C&U schedule 12, para 4)
• Marker boards front and rear (C&U Schedule 12, para 3)
• Additional lights required during hours of darkness or poor visibility.

The lateral projection (sideways sticky out-ness) is measured from the widest part of the vehicle proper and does not include the mirrors.

So the wider the car you have the wider the bike you can put on the back. The above rule change again once you reach an overall width of 2.9m.

Marker boards and an email to the police will be required if you want to go over this 305mm protrusion on either side. This is not such a big hassle.

References:

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120214192454/http://www.dft.gov.uk//pgr/roadsafety/drs/drivingforwork/largeorheavyloads/guidance/policeailloadwidthdiagram.pdf

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120214192454/http://www.dft.gov.uk//pgr/roadsafety/drs/drivingforwork/largeorheavyloads/guidance/policeailloadwidthdiagram.pdf

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2003/1998/contents/made


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