@younata@hachyderm.io
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

younata

@younata@hachyderm.io

Tech witch. I'm building an electric airplane. I maintain the Quick, Nimble, and Swift Fakes testing libraries for Swift & Objective-C.

Avid bike rider. Bicycles are the best form of personal transport.

🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈. Married to the most wonderful woman in the world.

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younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Woo! Finally finished editing my video on my recumbent ebike build!

It'll go live tomorrow morning.

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@rachelbrindle

This is a long one at 20 minutes. For the "short" version, see the thread I posted about the build, starting at https://hachyderm.io/@younata/111826599913680583

younata, to swift
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

I tested the advice that marking classes in #swift as final improves build times. I generated 2 swift files that each have 1000 (trivial) classes: one with each marked as final, the other without. I built each file 10 times, recording the build time for that file.

Marking classes as final does improve build times. By about 7%. The difference is just outside 1 standard deviation, so I think it’s statistically significant. But I’m not a trained statistician.

I used Xcode 15.2/swift 5.9 for this.

younata, to random
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Hello Friends & soon-to-be Friends! New instance, new #introduction!

I’m a software engineer and electric airplane manufacturer. And I guess creator now that I’ve started publishing videos about my airplane build.

I post almost entirely about aviation, Apple technologies (swift and the like), and a little bit about ebikes and other topics.

I’m an instrument-rated private pilot, most of my hours so far have been in a Cessna 172

1/6

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

I’m building an electric Cozy (the "Coz-E"). The Cozy is a single-engine, propeller-driven canard airplane, derived from the Rutan VariEze and Long-EZ. See image, from the cover of the Cozy plans.

Canard means that it looks like a backwards airplane. The small wing (horizontal stabilizer) is up front. This allows for very efficient cruise flight with very favorable stall characteristics.

2/6

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

It's April 19th and welcome to BikeNite! Thanks for joining, and I hope we all enjoy chatting about cycle stuff! Feel free to answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.

We'll start out with our introduction:

Q1. Where are you posting from today? What's going on in your cycle-world?
#BikeNite #BikeNiteQ

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@ascentale A1. Oregon, USA. I’m still getting occasional hits of dopamine from how well my Ebike build video is doing (by far my best performing video. Which isn’t saying much, but I’m still proud of it). https://youtu.be/q4v96sHWJDM

I’m also finding myself in the market for a couple panniers for my “front” racks, so been doing research on those. Open to recs, and I also vaguely recall a BikeNite question on that from a while back.

younata, to Aviation
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

The ios photos widget has some photos from my first solo cross country, back in October 2019. Such good memories. Did it in a sportcruiser, which I still think is much more fun to fly than a Cessna. If I weren’t building, a sportcruiser would be very high on my list, or, rather something like it but much more performant.

Enjoy some photos from one of my favorite flights ever!

Flight was KSMO -> KSBA -> KVNY -> KSMO. Good times.

#avgeek #aviation

An aerial view of Oxnard, CA. In the far background, the Channel Islands are barely visible. On the bottom left, the forward end of the pilot-side wing is visible.
The glass avionics of this sportcuiser, indicating level flight at 5500 feet, speed 87 knots (100 mph/161 kph), and engine instruments all in the green. This aircraft is slow.
An aerial view of Sepulveda pass, on the way from Van Nuys, CA to Santa Monica, CA. Stone Canyon Reservoir is prominently visible near the center. On the bottom left, the pilot-side wing is visible. On the bottom-right, you can see reflection from the instrument panel on the canopy.

younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Achievement unlocked: first time biking in snow.

Also achievement unlocked: first walk of pride because it was too slippery.

@nicaless had an early in-person meeting, and she missed the bus. So I took her on our cargo bike, with her in the back (pictured after wiping off snow from return trip). Just before we leave, the rain turned to snow.

And there weren’t any issues until after I dropped her off, when I was about halfway home and the rear started sliding out during turns.

1/2

younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Just started a spreadsheet to keep track of energy usage over time for my 2 ebikes. There's only the most recent "trips" (which I reset every time I charge the battery) so far - so, one entry for each bike.

The human efficiency numbers are very close, which is so Interesting! Average speed for these bikes are pretty close (but not recorded), so that's telling me that I'm putting roughly in the same effort, but supplementing with the motor to hit my desired speed.

younata, to swift
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Announcing swift-fakes, the beginning of standardized test doubles for Swift!

Swift Fakes aims to provide standardized implementations of common test doubles, massively improving the readability and reliability of your tests. Currently, Swift Fakes provides the Spy class, for recording calls and returning stubbed responses. But I'm aiming to expand its offerings quickly.

Please check it out! https://github.com/Quick/swift-fakes

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

Last week, we talked about transporting take-out food home. What about transporting (potentially hot) liquids? @wesley asks:

Q7. What cup holders do people use for coffee and to go cups?

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@ascentale @wesley I have some of these vertical cup-holders from PDW that I really like. Works well so long as the beverage has a lid. The lid doesn't even have to be sealed, so long as the ride isn't bumpy enough. https://ridepdw.com/collections/bottle-cages/products/bar-ista?variant=24749120449

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

We got two separate questions about cycle trailers this week and I will try to combine questions from @Iragersh and @scottsthoughts into one:

Q2. What do you recommend for utility trailers? What's best for light-duty?
What's best for heavy-duty (>150lb, for carrying @scottsthoughts's bartending gear (coolers, ice, folding tables, etc)?
How do they attach to your cycle?

edit:
Also, some details that were missing due to character limits:

  • There are some compatibility issues with seatpost/hub/axle hitches and cycle types, such as e-bikes
  • The Bikes at Work trailers are nice but very expensive

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@ascentale @Iragersh @scottsthoughts A2. for cargo, I built what is effectively a clone of the BikesAtWork trailer. I’ve used it for 1 trip so far, picking up some 200 lbs of lumber.

If I didn’t already have most of the material, the trailer I built would’ve been significantly more expensive than just buying a BikesAtWork. It’s expensive, yes, but also an incredibly good value for what it is.

I also have a burley nomad, which is used for groceries. I like it for that.

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

Welcome to the April 26th BikeNite! Thanks for joining, and I hope we all enjoy chatting about cycle stuff! Feel free to answer whenever at your convenience. Anyone can join, now or later. Reply to what you like, and boost for visibility.

We'll start out with our introduction:

Q1. Where are you posting from today? Have you experienced or thought about any cycle-related milestones lately? Past, present, or future. Number of trips, distance, location, type of ride, etc?

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@ascentale A1. Oregon, USA. I just got back from the second lumber haul with my custom cargo bike trailer. I'd estimate this at around 200 lbs, maybe up to 220 (90-100 kg). That's getting close to the limit of what I'm comfortable with.

I also want to do some bike camping this summer, which I've never done before.

#BikeNite #CarryShitOlympics

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

@jfparis has a technical question, and I have a follow up:

Q5. I run a SRAM rival 22 (2x 1 with 11-32 at the back and 50-34 at the front). I want to get easier gearing without spending too much ££
What's the best option? A new crankset or a bigger cassette? (I would need a wolftooth roadlink or something)

(And in general, it seems that many older bikes have harder gearing. What are easy / low-cost ways to make the gearing easier on your cycle?)

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@moira Lol! 😂 That's perfectly valid to just... sell it and not deal with the problem anymore.

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

@pete asks about group rides with electric + non-electric cycles:

Q6. We have problems making group MTB rides work when eBikers join us for fastish-paced rides: essentially they’re too fast on the ups and too slow on the flats for group cohesion. Anyone have any tips for making mixed eeb/regular groups work?

]

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@enobacon @pete @meganL @AngelaAntunovic @ascentale my mental model has always been that mid drives just output more power through the chain than it’s rated for. The average human with no training can output a burst of ~500 watts, but will sustain much closer to 100-200 watts. A motor will sustain 750 watts or higher. That extra power dramatically shortens the useful life of most bicycle chains.

younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Today, I was riding on a multi use path, on a segment that is right next to (and level with) a road - this stretch is basically a really wide bike lane. Ahead of me, a city employee came up, pulled off the road and on to the path and parked. The only option to go around him involved riding on the road, in the opposite direction of traffic. Thankfully, no one was coming, so I did just that.

1/2

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

As I passed the worker, I mentioned “hey man, that’s not a parking spot”. And he shot back “hey man, did you see what’s on the side of the car?”, as if being a city employee gives him the right to park in a way that forces people to either take a massive detour or risk their lives to go around your vehicle? As if being a public worker means you aren’t held to a high standard?

I didn’t respond further or get a photo (I had places to be). What a frustrating interaction.

2/2

younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Day 28 of my recumbent ebike build: first test ride! Quick ride down the street and back. Still found a couple things to tune up.

There’s a clicking sound from the front wheel area when it’s moving under load. Didn’t show up running the motor on a stand. I wonder if the motor cable isn’t secured as well as it should be?

The pedal assist needs to be dialed in some. It wasn’t detecting much power from me.

Even so, it went great! Everything else in that 0.1 mile ride worked!

#BikeTooter #eBikes

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

"Oh no, not another excuse to buy tools!" said no one, ever.

younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Day 9: Static tests of the suspension with a rear-mounted battery: with me sitting in the seat, there’s about 0.5 inch (1.2 cm) of vertical travel available. This corresponds to about 30 lbs (133 N, or 13 kg-force) of force. That doesn’t feel like enough of a buffer.

So, instead, I’ll be mounting the battery on top of the rear rack. As a future upgrade, I’ll mount it under the frame, just in front of the rear wheel. (1/2)

#BikeTooter #eBikes

Ebike battery mounted on top of the rear rack. This is not the final configuration, just a sample.

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Day 10: I made the extension cables for the throttle and brake. These use standard JST-SM plus, yay open standards! Each cable is multiple wires all in heat shrink tubing for cable management reasons.

After, I installed these on the bike, along with the battery <-> motor controller. I slid them into some spiral wrap, which looks quite nice! 😊

#BikeTooter #eBikes

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Day 14 of my recumbent ebike build: prototype for the display housing finished printing. I removed the supports, and went about trying to assemble it. Immediately noticed that the display is too wide to fit! D’oh! I continued to test the part and make notes on it, including mounting it to the bike. Where it looks pretty great.

I’ll definitely be making another prototype part before I make the final part.

#BikeTooter #eBikes #3DPrinting

View from the seat of my ebike with the display mounted on the front.
The display housing, with notes written on it: Widen (interior of the housing) by 1-2 mm) Extend mount tabs by 10 mm More notes are upside down, and noted in the 4th image.
More notes written the display housing. There’s also a large rectangle drawn, with an X to indicate that it should be removed for an access panel. Enlarge front mounting holes by 0.5 mm. Enlargen (wire exit) oval. Investigate variable layer height.

younata, to cycling
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

My recumbent ebike build video is up! Describing the entire process of the build in detail. I'm very proud of it, and I hope you enjoy the build!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4v96sHWJDM

This is a 20 minute video. For the short/written version, see the build thread I posted. Starting at https://hachyderm.io/@younata/111826599913680583

#BikeTooter #recumbent #ebikes #liegerad

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

@xtaran wonders about campaigns designed to boost cycling:

Q4. Given campaigns like , (this is happening right now!) or : Which type of campaign motivates you most? Are you more looking for "as often as possible" (e.g. at least once per day, outbrave any weather) or more at the distance ("see how "much you cycle get within some period")? Maybe regular group rides similar to a ? Or something completely different?

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@ascentale @xtaran A4. My personal goal has been minimize the amount of driving I do. Which I do by trying to never drive in town. For any trip less than a few miles, and I try as much as I can to either not do the trip, bike, take public transit, etc.

I’ve driven 2, maybe 3 times this year, it’s been great.

younata, to random
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

At a farmer's market on Saturday, I impulse-bought some pepper plants. Now, I've been thinking about building a whole automated system for monitoring, watering, and overall taking care of them.

Trying to get myself to just start small, with a planter box on wheels. Specifically that I don't have to automate everything all at once. Maybe I'll start with some capacitive soil moisture sensors, and later add pumps and a water reservoir.

This should be fun.

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

Whee, I ordered a bunch of lumber to build planter boxes (and shelving so I can do vertical gardening!) from a local place today. I'll pick that up in a day or so using my bike trailer, for another entry into the Carry Shit Olympics.

jsq, to random
@jsq@mastodon.social avatar

I just saw an iOS job posting for a company in NYC where the salary range started at $47K/year.

How is this real.

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@jsq what the actual fuck.

ascentale, to random
@ascentale@sfba.social avatar

Next from @sam:

Q7. For recreational cycling what is your favorite road, gravel, and/or MTB cycling route? What is your favorite route that you can get to by bike and/or public transit only without driving a car (if different from your answer to the first part of this question)?

younata,
@younata@hachyderm.io avatar

@ascentale @sam A7. When I was in college in Tucson, AZ, they had The Loop, which was a very long trail that looped around Tucson. When I was there, it was still incomplete, just the section near me was good for about 30-40 mile (including to/from the trail) rides on paved mixed use paths. That’s my favorite trail to this day, because once I got on the loop, I didn’t have to worry about cars at all.

I’m also partial to the SF Bay Trail, which is trending in this same direction.

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