Fixing a flat: A pretty basic "try a bunch of things one at a time" myth. Stuffing the tire with straw was an interesting solution. The branch ski was an interesting idea but crudely executed; there's got to be a way to make it more practical. The Flintstones-style log wheel was obviously the most successful, but the least plausible as an "improvised" fix, because it only works if you're prepared in advance with the proper power tools and really long bolts. And as Jamie showed, it's not that hard to destroy if you put your mind to it. In fact, all these fixes required some access to tools and materiel beyond a basic tire-changing kit, like a penknife and a bale of hay, or the ropes for attaching a branch. It seems simpler just to drive on the flat.
The urban fixes were a bit odd in terms of the initial scenario -- why would calling a mechanic not be an option in the city? Is our hypothetical motorist involved in some criminal activity and needing to keep a low profile? Anyway, the main issue with both the bare rim and the manhole cover seemed to be lack of traction, so that got me wondering: what if they wrapped the rim in duct tape?
And oh, man, they really scratched up that poor runway.
Flaming reel: Okay, it was obvious the viral video was faked, since there was a cut before we saw the flame and since the camera operator went right to shooting the reel, indicating foreknowledge rather than being caught by surprise. A situation like that, if even possible, would surely be rare enough that one couldn't seriously expect it to happen in advance or arrange for it to happen while you were taping. So clearly there was some pyrotechnic trickery involved, at least in the creation of the video.
As for the broader myth, at first I wasn't clear on what part of the fishing reel was flammable, but that was answered when they mentioned the lubricant. Interesting that, even with a flammable lubricant, they couldn't get flame from friction heating alone.
That was a weird vehicle that they used at the end there. A motorcycle sidecar without a motorcycle? And designed so that there has to be a second person clinging precariously to the back as a counterbalance, just hanging on for dear life at nearly 200 MPH? That just doesn't seem like a good idea.
Both myths this week involved spending a lot of time at the Alameda runway. Maybe they should just move there.
The urban fixes were a bit odd in terms of the initial scenario -- why would calling a mechanic not be an option in the city? Is our hypothetical motorist involved in some criminal activity and needing to keep a low profile? Anyway, the main issue with both the bare rim and the manhole cover seemed to be lack of traction, so that got me wondering: what if they wrapped the rim in duct tape?
And oh, man, they really scratched up that poor runway.
Flaming reel: Okay, it was obvious the viral video was faked, since there was a cut before we saw the flame and since the camera operator went right to shooting the reel, indicating foreknowledge rather than being caught by surprise. A situation like that, if even possible, would surely be rare enough that one couldn't seriously expect it to happen in advance or arrange for it to happen while you were taping. So clearly there was some pyrotechnic trickery involved, at least in the creation of the video.
As for the broader myth, at first I wasn't clear on what part of the fishing reel was flammable, but that was answered when they mentioned the lubricant. Interesting that, even with a flammable lubricant, they couldn't get flame from friction heating alone.
That was a weird vehicle that they used at the end there. A motorcycle sidecar without a motorcycle? And designed so that there has to be a second person clinging precariously to the back as a counterbalance, just hanging on for dear life at nearly 200 MPH? That just doesn't seem like a good idea.
Both myths this week involved spending a lot of time at the Alameda runway. Maybe they should just move there.
