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I confess I was a little surprised (and a tad disappointed) that the Horse-Drawn Trabant (HDT) Development and Promotion Committee has so far shown no obvious sign of interest in the environmentally-advantageous alternative motive power unit revealed in an image which appeared on these pages yesterday.
Despite what some determined deniers still claim, climate change is now a global reality, and a power unit which can be fuelled by low-grade vegetation and an occasional input of stagnant water seems an ideal solution to a changing situation.
I can only assume that their apparent indifference is a case of "NIH", with the Committee frantically researching its own home-grown alternative, or an assumption that the licensing fees for the CDT (Camel-Driven Trabant) concept will be extortionate. In actual fact, for the benefit of human transportation everywhere, the CDT solution may be adopted and implemented ROYALTY FREE world-wide.
I am sure the Committee will be happy to know that. They will also be pleased to learn that the original power unit was not simply abandoned to its fate. Following a "strategic re-purposing" decision, a veterinarian-assisted vital functions discontinuation procedure was conducted discreetly and respectfully, following which a full-body mechanical meat recovery process yielded sufficient material for more than 1200 meat pies which were successfully marketed under our "FABULOSAS"™ (Fresh Alternative-Beef, Umami, Loads Of Sugar and Salt) brand name.
I do believe that a camel is a major advance with that Trabant rather than that poor old horse. With London’s new climate, there may be money to be made, importing camels.i believe that the Sahara desert got more rain than London so far this year.
Well, I'm glad some responses popped up while I was putting this reply together. I would have been kind of sorry if the biologically-powered Trabant concept, which was once such an eagerly discussed forum topic, would have to be discarded as being past its sell-by date. But these things do run their course.
Cycling? Agreed, Geno, it's a great way to go (once the legs have stopped grumbling and are willing to work for a living). On a purely personal note, since late Spring I have been building my cycling back up after a lay-off, and with the legs back in reasonable shape I am now averaging about 90 miles a week (3 rides of between 25 and 40 miles), which makes about 1100 miles since the end of April. And the London suburbs and surrounding areas are quite hilly in places, so some fairly "robust" riding is called for.
BTW I will be 84 in September, so am quite grateful to be still mobile (or even alive, for that matter).
@graeme-ogg WOW, that's great Graeme. I've been working my way there. After knee surgery I'm still trying to get my left to cooperate with my right. And it does do some grumbling, lol.😁
Well, I'm glad some responses popped up while I was putting this reply together. I would have been kind of sorry if the biologically-powered Trabant concept, which was once such an eagerly discussed forum topic, would have to be discarded as being past its sell-by date. But these things do run their course.
Cycling? Agreed, Geno, it's a great way to go (once the legs have stopped grumbling and are willing to work for a living). On a purely personal note, since late Spring I have been building my cycling back up after a lay-off, and with the legs back in reasonable shape I am now averaging about 90 miles a week (3 rides of between 25 and 40 miles), which makes about 1100 miles since the end of April. And the London suburbs and surrounding areas are quite hilly in places, so some fairly "robust" riding is called for.
BTW I will be 84 in September, so am quite grateful to be still mobile (or even alive, for that matter).
Biking 90 miles per week and being 83, soon to be 84, is worth a second mention. Indeed a third, twentieth and 200th mention. God Bless you Graeme! As one who intimately knows how hard it is to GET into shape from not and easy to go back, can testify, you are an inspiration to the indomitable spirit of man. Lead on!
