Our garage is too full…we need to find another storage option for 2 adult-size bikes and 2 kid bikes. I want to be able to securely lock up the bike, but also protect it from rusting in the rain. We own our own home and have a small backyard with some extra space. Any suggestions???

You should weigh your options with all the junk in the garage and determine what is more important to you, those boxes that have stuff you havent touched or looked at in over 4 years or the well being of your bikes from having made the right decision by making room for them in the garage rather than letting them rust out in the backyard so that the next time you need them they are all nice and rusted…..Not a hard one to figure. Besides that if the bikes you have will rust by being left outside then you might want to consider an upgrade since only low end bikes tend to have parts that can rust in the first place. Put them in the garage or spend more money anyway!
Anything you use to cover them outside to keep rain off will capture condensation underneath at night which will defeat the whole purpose of covering them in the first place and will lead to rust- dont believe me? Go right ahead and do it and I will know you did when you come back and ask if it is ok to use WD 40 to clean a rusty chain later on…..

I am in the process of creating and designing my own adaptive equipment but would like to know what is the need that is not being met. All suggestions welcome!

That’s a broad question, since people with disabilities are a diverse population. One of the things you might want to do is check out what’s out there–before you find yourself re-inventing the wheel! I’ve included some links below–the "RERCs" (Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers) are a network of about 2 dozen research centers around the nation that develop adaptive tehnologies–and their websites also provide general information ad links.

As to specifics, that’s harder to answer–partly because tin my experience, the problem usually isn’t that adaptichnology doesn’t exist for most purposes–its that it’s not available–or is either so overpriced that most people with disabilities can’t afford it or must try to get it through some agency or anoter (slow, frustrating–and at best problematic).

Personally, I’d like to see a "talking" (voice output) version of the depth guages scuba divers use (among other adaptive equipment for same)–for me and other visually impaired people. About half of us have some vidion–and can actually see better underwater in many cases (water hs a moderate magnifying effect)–but I’ve never seen any gear adapted for low-vision use.

aac-rerc.com
rerc.phhp.ufl.edu/links
also try this search: RERC assistive technology recreation

Go to www.aaper.com and look at the Material Safety Data Sheet for denatured alcohol.

What sort of question would I be asked so I can be slightly prepared when I go in?

Hope your interview went well.

Has anyone heard of the Quechua brand of outdoors/sporting gear? Do you know anything about the quality?

I’m mainly focusing on the clothing products.

Quechua is one of the better, new sports clothing lines.
Unfortunately, I don’t have much of the clothes but I do have a 2 second tent.
It’s soooo cool.

For school we have to go on a camping trips and stay in cabins. I hate the outdoors and don’t like bugs or other forest creatures. What should I bring? I was thinking bug spray or something.

Besides sitting inside an RV with satellite internet and air-con, let’s imagine you’re camping in a tent but want to avoid it all.

The first thing to avoid is the heat and the cold. You’ll have to wear lightweight comfortable clothing during the day that covers your entire body, topped with a sun hat and the darkest sunglasses you can find. Otherwise you’re risking sunburn, dirt and sweating.

For the mornings and evenings you’ll want a huge insulated jacket, long johns or thick fleece pants, mittens, and a wooly hat. Dress as if you’re going skiing because being cold is no fun.

To keep the bugs off, bug spray is a must. But that stuff is nasty and just the smell makes me ill so you’d want to wipe it off before bed.

For dirt, you’ll want to avoid it, so bring a chair, bring wipes for your hands and face, wear socks and tennis shoes, not sandals, and try not to sweat. Changes of clothes will do wonders, and always sleep in a different set of clothes than you wore around all day.

Inside the tent could be your home away from home if you have a huge inflatable mattress, sheets, pillows, and some kind of thick blankets or sleeping bag. You could escape into a book or your iPod or mini-DVD player. During the day the tent will be hot so be sure you park it in the shade or have your pops or bf rig a plastic tarp a couple feet above the tent which will keep the sun off and the temps down. No way you want to share a tent with someone unless they have the same attitude otherwise you’re inviting in dirt and bugs.

And if you’re in the tent you don’t need to worry about bugs or bug spray, dirt and wind will stay outside and looking through the window will be like watching the Discovery Channel in bed at home.

I am going to Iraq on an assignment and my company has authorized me $1500.00 to buy clothing, I have to provide receipts to get reimbursed. I am allowed to buy the following items. What is my best places for me to go to get the best in Virginia, DC area for my several one month trips to Iraq during the next one to two years, numbers after the items are maximum quantity allowed:
Gore-Tex Jacket – 1
Gore-Tex Hiking boats – 2
Cargo Pants – 7
Cargo Shirts – 7
Under garments with wicking ability – 10 (What is "wicking"?)
Hydration Kit – 1
Headlamp – 1
Study belt – 1
Oversized shirts to hide tools on the belt – 2
Tactical 3 day pack – 1

I want to buy good once and use them again and again.

Thank you for your suggestions.

I would go to a Sunny Surplus Store located in VA and Maryland. Bullet Prof Vest also should be on the list
Please be careful and my Prayers are with you
The phone numbers are listed and they are local calls from Washington, VA, Maryland
==================================

More stores are listed on the site listed in source

=====================================
CITY/STATE ADDRESS PHONE MAP
Annapolis MD 3 Old Solomons Island Rd. 410-841-6490

Alexandria VA 370 S. Pickett St. 703-461-0088

Bel Air MD 5 Bel Air South Pkwy 410-515-2044

Dundalk MD 1549 Merritt Boulevard 410-284-4020

Ellicott City MD 9291 Balto. National Pike 410-461-9122

Frederick MD 1003 W. Patrick Street 301-620-1070

Glen Burnie MD 7324 Ritchie Hwy. 410-761-3511

Laurel MD 13718 Washington Blvd. 301-604-5771

Manassas VA 11650 Sudley Manor Dr. 703-257-7069

In a book published in the 1930’s there is mention of a tool/object called a ‘Trapper’s Friend’. According to the author it was invented in Devonshire, and its functions included "among other things, axe, spade, sickle, and hammer combined". I would appreciate any more information on this device, and if possible a picture. I couldn’t think what category to put this in, so it’s in trivia.
Thanks.

The sire below shows a versatile tool known as a trapper’s friend. the site includes pictures. I am not sure that it is the tool you are looking for.
The second site has a combination hoe/shovel, but it is a more modern invention.
Maybe you can visit some of the pioneer museums or interview some of the " guests" at a nursing home.

Maybe you can make your own based on the description and sell it, making millions! Good luck with your search.

I like to go camping and hiking, but I usually just borrow old gear from my gear-obsessed friends. However, I think it is really about time I get my own sleeping bag. However, I really can’t justify spending 400-500 dollars on one from an outdoor store. I know for computer/tech stuff, there are a lot of fairly reliable, genuine, trustworthy websites that have amazing deals. Is there something like this for outdoor gear? Basically, is there any website that I can get a really good deal on a new, down, 20 degrees or lower sleeping bag?

If you have time and control over yourself. check out these sites
steepandcheap.com – camping gear (parent site is backcountry.com)
Geartrade.com (sellers range from people like you and me and backcountry.com). I would stay away from ebay for top name brand gear.

Steepandcheap has plenty of sleeping bags up over time, a lot of biganges bags. Almost everysite has a outlet, rei.com, backcountry.com, altrec, usoutdoors, sierra trading post. If you can wait to buy your gear, look off season, or new gear that is a year or two old. You can find new bags from 07 or 08 at a huge discount.

This is an inexpensive homemade water filter setup. Made from a coffee creamer container, a Brita Water Filter and a 2 inch rubber O-Ring. There are two ways to kill any virus or bacteria which might be in the water and that is to boil the water or to use chemicals. For this video I chose bleach, but there are other chemicals that are available in most outdoors style stores or military surplus stores. I forgot to add to the video that for water that is filled with larger debris and that is a little more cloudy to use a cloth inside the container to extend the life of the filter in use. Be sure to follow the instructions of the brita filter prior to use in the feild, if filter is not placed in a glass of water before using you will end up with water with charcoal dust floating in it. VERY VERY VERY IMPORTANT………..bleach is only partly efective in killing the viruses cryptosporidium and giardia if used alone. The best way to kill all of the little buggers in water is to boil it. The tabs that you can buy at most outdoor stores are also considered a top method. If used prior to filtering the bad taste can be removed. Before using a filter or chemical in your water PLEASE do research on all of it!!!! Find the best option for you then make your choice of how you wish to proceed. I am not responsible for someone getting sick. Do the research!

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