posted 22 May 2012 15:13 by Michael Thompson
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updated 22 May 2012 15:21
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...time to seal the deal!It's taken a while to get all the Lignum Vitae bushings made and set in SplinterBikeQuantum's monocoque and now the time has come to glue the two halves together and permanently encase the bottom bracket and pedal gears. I recycled some old Crown Green Bowling Bowls to create the Lignum Vitae Bushings for all the areas that turn in opposing directions.
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posted 8 Apr 2012 14:45 by Michael Thompson
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updated 8 Apr 2012 15:25
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...this bank holiday weekend!At last, winter is over and despite the current damp spell I'm busy
assembling the new and improved SplinterBike in preparation of our next
mission... The Hour Record for 100% Wooden Bicycles - this will require
No1 SplinterBike rider James Tully to pedal SplinterBikeThree for 60
minutes and the total distance travelled, without putting his feet down,
will be the new Hour Record for 100% wooden bicycles.
I'm starting from the ground up and as usual, the only materials I can use are: wood and glues, no bolts or screws!In addition, I have been asked by the Cultural Olympiad, which is part of the London 2012 Olympics, to produce a special model that has an adjustable seat and handlebar positions to give more people the chance to have a ride. SplinterBikeQuantum will be included in the Adain Avion event as part of the London 2012 Festival – a chance for everyone to celebrate London 2012 through design, dance, music, theatre, the visual arts, film and digital innovation. Get your name on SplinterBikeThree! |
posted 19 Mar 2012 13:41 by Michael Thompson
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updated 19 Mar 2012 17:38
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...unboxing the SplinterBike DVDSo, the DVD has been available for over a week now and people from all over this crazy planet of ours have been busy placing their orders and enjoying the film. We have had many wonderful texts, emails, tweets and facebook comments about our adventure, one of which I would like to share with you now...
"I laughed so much I had to change my shorts!" Eric Swenumson, California, USA
One of our BIGGEST fans (he's very tall, and goes by the name of Rogier) has even captured the moment that his copy arrived at his home in Belgium, by making an Unboxing Video! A huge thank you to everyone who has already ordered their copy; everyone else can order it via this link: SplinterBike DVDEncountering problems ordering your DVD? If so, please email: splinterbike@hotmail.co.uk |
posted 6 Feb 2012 02:38 by Michael Thompson
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updated 7 Feb 2012 04:57
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...SplinterBike TheMovie!
Saturday 4th February 2012: World Première of the SplinterBike film, which captures the surprising highs and inevitable lows of our long and often arduous journey. Produced & Directed by Tim Mills - TopBox Media. I must confess, I was slightly apprehensive about it all. I hadn't seen the documentary in advance and there is something quite unnerving about watching the last year of your life on a 30' wide screen along with 96 people for the very first time! Tim had assured me on several occasions that I had nothing to fear (but fear itself) and that everything was going to be portrayed as it should be. James however, had resigned himself to accept whatever was coming and
didn't hold back on the Shandys prior to us taking our seats in Screen
No2 of Cinema City. Now that's how a true Triathlete conducts himself! If you would like to order the DVD for your own personal delectation, then simply click here and send Tim a message. He will respond and put you on the list. Enjoy, we all did! |
posted 12 Jan 2012 11:23 by Michael Thompson
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updated 25 Jan 2012 12:32
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...out the red carpet!SplinterBike TheMovie
10.30am - Saturday February 4th Cinema City - Norwich - Tickets £2.50
Click below to register your attendance via facebook If you don't do facebook (like me) then email: SplinterBike@hotmail.co.uk Be quick, limited capacity!!!
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posted 19 Dec 2011 10:07 by Michael Thompson
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updated 19 Dec 2011 10:09
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...Fan Mail!This morning, the postman delivered the post as per usual. Little did I know that amongst the usual tittle tattle of broadband offers, double glazing bargains, charity appeals and the odd Crimbo card or two was a little piece of SplinterBike history... FAN MAIL!!!
Each year, our biggest fans, Bob and Sally Turner produce a Christmas CD for their friends and family. Last year they we're inspired by the work of Theo Jansen and his amazing Strandbeest project.
This year, is our year... Bob and Sally have designed their CD cover using the Splinterbike story to help bring a smile to all who recieve it. The CD is entitled "Another Reason to be Cheerful" and it includes 20 uplifting and thoughtfully selected tracks to inspire the listener.
Thanks for sending us a copy!!!
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posted 4 Dec 2011 09:50 by Michael Thompson
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updated 4 Dec 2011 09:51
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...SplinterBikeClubHere's
your chance to get in the SplinterBikeClub! An exclusive elite of
wooden bicycle enthusiasts, hacking away in their sheds and garages to
make the world a better and slightly funnier place.The money
raised will help us develop our ideas and stretch the possibilities of
100% wooden bicycles to breaking point. We also want to raise funds to
tour our ideas and concepts within schools and colleges.We are keen to get you involved with our bike project. Maybe you are
struggling to find the perfect gift for that special person this
Christmas? Why not give the gift that keeps on giving and buy them a piece of SplinterBike history!Not
only will you become a member of the SplinterBikeClub, you will also
receive this keyring which has been made from the same wood stock from
which the original SplinterBike was created. A blend of Ekki and Birch
come together to create the perfect fob for your shed or garage key.
Click this link and climb onboard today... ONLY £49 including shipping. (my shed key not included) |
posted 30 Oct 2011 11:41 by Michael Thompson
...and learn!I have just returned from my 1800 mile trip to Switzerland and back. I took SplinterBikeTwo to show the delegates at the conference for the SAH - Schweizerische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Holzforschung which is the Swiss association for wooden research.My new friend Iwan, the chap who booked me to give the SplinterBikeProject lecture, found out about us when he was asked to organise a dinner speaker. He simply typed into Google... Wood, energy and technology and up we popped and off we went! This video shows the last minute of my presentation, if you or your organisation would like me to speak at your event then please get in touch via the Contact Us page or click here.
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posted 9 Oct 2011 04:29 by Michael Thompson
...wooden rims!I stumbled across these fascinating videos about making old school wooden rims. Take a break, make a cup of tea and watch them. These 200 year old skills will inspire you for sure... |
posted 6 Sep 2011 13:15 by Michael Thompson
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updated 6 Sep 2011 13:58
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...Making!Well, the day finally came and the SplinterBike has been put on show at the V&A Power of Making exhibition... Last night myself and James attended the private view and enjoyed the never ending flow of Champagne. I reckon that there must have been at least 350 people in attendance which was an experience we won't forget in a hurry. The exhibition is running in London until early January 2012 and then it goes on a 12 month tour to destinations yet unknown. Power of Making, in the V&A’s
Porter Gallery, is a selection of more than 100 objects, ranging
from unusual high-heeled shoes to the handmade puppets from the 2009
film Fantastic Mr Fox.
Exhibition curator Daniel
Charny said: “This exhibition will celebrate the importance of
traditional and time-honoured ways of making but also highlight the
extraordinary innovation taking place around the world. We aim to show
how the act of making in its various forms, from human expression to
practical problem solving, unites us globally. We hope the exhibition
will inspire people and cause them to more thoughtfully consider the
role of making in their lives, in their society, in commerce and in
education.”
From car manufacturing to
producing prosthetic eyes, the free exhibition will also showcase the
process of making through documentary footage filmed at a range of
studios and factories.
Power of Making, which runs until 2 January 2012, is the second exhibition in the V&A/Crafts Council partnership. Here are a few snaps of the evening, James got a little carried away taking pictures of himself with some of the statues situated in the main foyer!
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