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misc05 – about cabooses
Those of you who have been with me last year know of my bitter struggles to haul all my stuff through the desert. Well, I did come up with a solution eventually – it was called caboose.
Just like the universe, the caboose took six days to build:
Trolley Trouble, PMA, Herr K. and the Corridors, Manners or Bust, Buddhist Caves, Caboose
I tried to break the whole thing down into a couple of illustrations.
…
First of all, the advantages and disadvantages in hauling around a caboose:
It can be a bit of a pain to stay on the beaten paths at all times, but being able to haul massive amounts of drinks and snacks through the desert is pretty awesome.
Worth a try at least.
…
I figured it was important to be able to fit through standard doors, so I didn’t want the caboose to be any wider than 80cm in total:
This has proven to be a rather wise choice. The length of the handlebars is not that crucial.
Standard size bicycle tires are easy to replace, and a box that can be taken out of its compartment provides extra security:
Try to get the ends of the handlebars smoothly coated so they don’t hurt your hands even if you walk ten hours straight.
A complete white paintjob is important, otherwise the caboose will absorb too much heat in the sun. Also, you are going to need an open compartment where you can store stuff like drinks and cameras for easy access:
On a side note, I really didn’t regret taking a spare wheel along the way: Getting Ready To Leave, Sabotage, Desert Caboose 1.1 (new & improved).
Fixing tires in the desert is pure misery.
Soundtrack: Nirvana - “Where Did You Sleep Last Night (Unplugged)”
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September 28th, 2009 at 16:37
Some of the design ideas were perhaps Teacher Xie's, but it seems like you had a good idea of what was needed for your circumstances, yes? How long were you thinking about a 'caboose' before you actually started having it built?
September 28th, 2009 at 18:45
Hei, Chris
You had never mentioned how you handled your beloved 'cabooses' when you left China!
I am just curious, ha….
October 1st, 2009 at 09:59
Ha! I'm happy to see more of the caboose! :))
As for the "endless-supply" thing… I am not a girly-girl, but I still like shopping when I'm on the road. With a caboose i'd propably shop even more and drag all those souvenirs from place to place…. So I guess I'm better off keeping my little backpack.
Yeah, what happened to "her"?
Given away, sold or parked somewhere for future use?
October 1st, 2009 at 15:36
I love "Where did you sleep last night?"! One of my all time favorite songs! I just watched your video on youtube, it is very inspiring. Thanks again and keep it up! : ]
- Nick Truscello
Miami, FL, USA
October 1st, 2009 at 22:04
sorry, slightly off topice, but thought you might be interested in this.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/oct/01…
October 8th, 2009 at 17:38
@Chris
the caboose looks really amazing! it is sad that i found your blog only through your video and not when you were on the road :)
you carried the caboose every time with your hands? what about a holder/construct which you put on like a rucksack which carries the caboose so that your hands are free… you know? ^^
really great trip! hope i can to something like that soon :)
@wend
that is an really amazing video!
October 22nd, 2009 at 02:49
John: Hehe, you got that right, it's all due to my good Teacher Xie! I didn't have to do that much thinking on my part. Ran into the Teacher, then built the Caboose a few days later. :)
Steven: Hey Steven, the Caboose is doing fine, she is with Uncle Shen in Urumqi now. I miss her, and I miss Uncle Shen.
Petra: I definitely should have done more shopping as well! :)
Nick: Agree with you 100% on the song, dude!
wend: Beautiful montage, must have been hard work to finish it in one night.
Babel: I was actually thinking about something like that, but I couldn't come up with anything. The handlebars get move up and down easily once they are out of balance…
January 10th, 2010 at 19:23
[...] when I got the caboose, I felt relieved of all that stupid [...]
February 21st, 2011 at 13:25
[...] [...]