Mundane News

[Mad Doug Biker]

Right got to get ready for tonight's game.

Well, we won the Brownlie Shield, a competition between Dumbarton (us) and Cardross, started in 1954, so nothing major, but on a club level, it's quite nice.

 

[Reynard]

Well, we won the Brownlie Shield, a competition between Dumbarton (us) and Cardross, started in 1954, so nothing major, but on a local club level, it's quite nice.

There's nothing minor about a local derby!

Well done you xxx

 

[Reynard]

I have just christened the kettle.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

There's nothing minor about a local derby!

Well done you xxx

It's 🥌, so relatively minor in the great scheme of things really. But still nice! 😆

 

[Reynard]

It's 🥌, so relatively minor in the great scheme of things really. But still nice! 😆

I dunno... It's a good bit of skill - and off-the-cuff applications of Newton's Laws. That's hardly minor.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I dunno... It's a good bit of skill - and off-the-cuff applications of Newton's Laws. That's hardly minor.

I don't know what that is, I just play! 😆

Yes there is more to it than people realise. Unfortunately, people only see the brushes and mock 🙄😏😏

 

[Reynard]

I don't know what that is, I just play! 😆

Yes there is more to it than people realise. Unfortunately, people only see the brushes and mock 🙄😏😏

Mmmmm, well I'm an engineer by training, so I see it from a mathematical perspective. Instinct, imho, and intuitive application, is much more impressive. And even the brushes make sense, as by sweeping, you're warming the ice and creating a very thin layer of water on which the stones glide - which reduces the coefficient of friction and thus makes them travel further / faster / even alter the trajectory.

So yeah, there's far more to it than meets the eye.

 

[Reynard]

I should add, that it's a wonderful example of the practical application of theory. Far better than a dry textbook, I assure you.

In the same way that a mechanical watch is a good example of how energy is stored in springs, how that potential energy is converted to kinetic, and is regulated by the escapement. And it's a good way to show how step up and step down gearing works so that we can tell the time.

There are times when engineering really does bring a smile to my face

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Mmmmm, well I'm an engineer by training, so I see it from a mathematical perspective. Instinct, imho, and intuitive application, is much more impressive. And even the brushes make sense, as by sweeping, you're warming the ice and creating a very thin layer of water on which the stones glide - which reduces the coefficient of friction and thus makes them travel further / faster / even alter the trajectory.

So yeah, there's far more to it than meets the eye.

The ice can also change during a game due to atmospheric conditions, so the stones can act differently at the end of a game than to the beginning.

It isn't just 'bowls on ice', which is a lazy generalisation 'armchair experts' make.

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I should add, that it's a wonderful example of the practical application of theory. Far better than a dry textbook, I assure you.

In the same way that a mechanical watch is a good example of how energy is stored in springs, how that potential energy is converted to kinetic, and is regulated by the escapement. And it's a good way to show how step up and step down gearing works so that we can tell the time.

There are times when engineering really does bring a smile to my face

... Where do you live? Can we sign you up as a new member? 😆

 

[Reynard]

The ice can also change during a game due to atmospheric conditions, so the stones can act differently at the end of a game than to the beginning.

It isn't just 'bowls on ice', which is a lazy generalisation 'armchair experts' make.

I think it's probably got much more in common with snooker, where the pressure, temperature and humidity can affect the way the balls run on the cloth. That's why tournament snooker tables are generally heated these days, as it helps mitigate this. There's actually a story about Alex Higgins wanting a set of balls warmed up in a hot pie display cabinet as they weren't rolling to his satisfaction.

... Where do you live? Can we sign you up as a new member? 😆

It'd be a bit of a hike up from Ely in Cambridgeshire, I'm afraid.

 

[rockyroller]

So, which one?

Cherokee

 

[Reynard]

Right, time I was in bed.

Nunnight one and all xxx

 

[Andy in Germany]

Good morning. I've got half a days work today. I'm wondering if I can get another bike out within that time...

 

[biggs682]

I think I will go for a ride, wind propelled