On a bike ride this evening, I noticed destruction and carnage where a Blacksburg landmark once stood. Where am I going to get my Makers Mark?
It's the state-run ABC store that once stood at the corner of Country Club Drive and South Main Street. I'm sure the demolition is all part of Kroger's planned 30000 square foot addition to their current store. But never fear, upon further investigation I found the new location, open just in time – SHOCKER – for football season!
It's in the same shopping center, and obviously the students have already found it. Your investigative reporter signing off …
By the way, have you noticed all the bikes on the roads these days? I think it's a great thing – I'm seeing dozens of people commuting, riding to and from class, or just getting some miles in. I think it's great, and I hope people will continue to ride despite what the current rate of gas might be. By the way, you might want to check out gasfreecommute.com – measures how many calories you're burning on each ride, as well as how many gallons of gas you've saved, and pounds of carbon gas you've prevented from being let off into the air.
And one more thing … if you're looking for a new bike, or need to get your new set of wheels tuned up, don't go anywhere without first talking to the folks at East Coasters. GREAT staff, awesome selection of bikes and accessories … you will not regret it.
Thanks Ryan for the explanation. I *briefly* looked at the Prius when I bought my car in 2006, it just didn’t seem like it was worth the difference in price.
Thanks Ryan for the explanation. I *briefly* looked at the Prius when I bought my car in 2006, it just didn’t seem like it was worth the difference in price.
First of all, let me throw in support for East Coasters. I’ve bought three bikes from them and take all my bikes there for service and they’re wonderful. It’s a little pricey (but fair), and you definitely get what you pay for.
Now, about the Prius, I’m not an expert, but here’s what I understand. First of all, you’re correct about not getting the *full* potential in our constant driving environment. The electric motors handle everything when the care is moving below 30 MPH (or stopped), in addition, they kick in on the highway for climbing hills and passing. This keeps the gasoline engine from having to do the extra work, and the electric motors can actually respond better to those situation. Thus, the gasoline engine is specifically engineered and tuned for a very specific operation which allows it to be way more efficient than a standard gasoline engine. It uses the Atkinson-cycle engine (as opposed to the standard four-cycle engine of most cars) which is considerably more efficient, but less powerful.
Furthermore, the shape of the Prius gives is much less drag from wind than most cars on the road today. Also, there is some seriously advanced computing going on under the hood to make sure the car is responding in the most efficient way possible at all times. The computer constantly adjusts the mix between the gasoline and electric motors.
The EPA says you get 45MPG in a constant driving environment, but that number goes up to nearly 50MPG in a city-driving conditions. This is with the EPAs newly revised testing procedures. Based on these numbers, the 2008 Prius is the most fuel efficient car on the road today.
First of all, let me throw in support for East Coasters. I’ve bought three bikes from them and take all my bikes there for service and they’re wonderful. It’s a little pricey (but fair), and you definitely get what you pay for.
Now, about the Prius, I’m not an expert, but here’s what I understand. First of all, you’re correct about not getting the *full* potential in our constant driving environment. The electric motors handle everything when the care is moving below 30 MPH (or stopped), in addition, they kick in on the highway for climbing hills and passing. This keeps the gasoline engine from having to do the extra work, and the electric motors can actually respond better to those situation. Thus, the gasoline engine is specifically engineered and tuned for a very specific operation which allows it to be way more efficient than a standard gasoline engine. It uses the Atkinson-cycle engine (as opposed to the standard four-cycle engine of most cars) which is considerably more efficient, but less powerful.
Furthermore, the shape of the Prius gives is much less drag from wind than most cars on the road today. Also, there is some seriously advanced computing going on under the hood to make sure the car is responding in the most efficient way possible at all times. The computer constantly adjusts the mix between the gasoline and electric motors.
The EPA says you get 45MPG in a constant driving environment, but that number goes up to nearly 50MPG in a city-driving conditions. This is with the EPAs newly revised testing procedures. Based on these numbers, the 2008 Prius is the most fuel efficient car on the road today.
Mike, I was just talking with someone a minute ago about this – they took the structure down in a matter of hours, couldn’t believe how quickly it came down. They’ll have a new building up by the end of the day today, as fast as they’re moving.
I’ve always thought that Prius’ were kind of a gimmicky thing, particularly in driving environments such as ours. My understanding is that the electric engine is good up to 25mph, and then gas kicks in and overrides it. In environments like ours, where traffic is always moving, the only benefit to the electric engine is the burning of fuel when the car starts, right? That’s how I understood it anyway.
Anyway, as you well know, European nations understood urban planning – or, at least practiced urban planning – better than we do here in the States, and have fostered walking and biking not only within small communities but also major metropolitan centers as well. It’s nice to see that trend gaining some momentum here in the States, I’d certainly like to see it continue. Maybe higher gas prices have had an unintended benefit in terms of people using pedal power more …
Mike, I was just talking with someone a minute ago about this – they took the structure down in a matter of hours, couldn’t believe how quickly it came down. They’ll have a new building up by the end of the day today, as fast as they’re moving.
I’ve always thought that Prius’ were kind of a gimmicky thing, particularly in driving environments such as ours. My understanding is that the electric engine is good up to 25mph, and then gas kicks in and overrides it. In environments like ours, where traffic is always moving, the only benefit to the electric engine is the burning of fuel when the car starts, right? That’s how I understood it anyway.
Anyway, as you well know, European nations understood urban planning – or, at least practiced urban planning – better than we do here in the States, and have fostered walking and biking not only within small communities but also major metropolitan centers as well. It’s nice to see that trend gaining some momentum here in the States, I’d certainly like to see it continue. Maybe higher gas prices have had an unintended benefit in terms of people using pedal power more …
I was just there and didn’t see all that. Thanks for posting the pics!
I also have noticed all the bikes, motorcycles, mopeds and other alternative forms of transportation. Before that though I use to see a lot of Prius here in Blacksburg. I’d always see at least one or two a day.
I’m so glad people here and across the country are finally getting smart. I guarantee we’ll start seeing articles in the coming years of the weight loss the high gas prices have caused. I’ve always said gas prices were too low (I know that’s not a popular thing to say), but now that they’re high, look how much better things are around here!
I was just there and didn’t see all that. Thanks for posting the pics!
I also have noticed all the bikes, motorcycles, mopeds and other alternative forms of transportation. Before that though I use to see a lot of Prius here in Blacksburg. I’d always see at least one or two a day.
I’m so glad people here and across the country are finally getting smart. I guarantee we’ll start seeing articles in the coming years of the weight loss the high gas prices have caused. I’ve always said gas prices were too low (I know that’s not a popular thing to say), but now that they’re high, look how much better things are around here!