Three Letters Re: Survival Bikes

Hey James; I just want to comment regarding the article just posted about survival bikes.   It was a generally good article, but I have a few points of disagreement with the author.   The first point where I would disagree is in regard to the type of tubes he recommends.  His recommendation is bikes with Schrader valves as opposed to Presta.  I believe Presta valves to be far superior and more durable than the Schrader valve.  His reason for using the Schrader valve tube is that it is more universal.  While that is true, generally, most bicycle pumps have …


Economics and Investing:

H.L. suggested this at Zero Hedge: Charts Of The Day: Greek Unemployment Hits Escape Velocity Yishai sent: Oklahomans can Buy Gold and Silver Coins and Bars without Paying Sales Tax When The “PRICE” of Gold or Silver Means Nothing? [JWR Adds: FWIW, I can remember Howard J. Ruff foreseeing this situation. He described it in his Ruff House television show, back in the late 1970s.] Items from The Economatrix: Service Industries In US Unexpectedly Rose In November Worst Since WWII:  50% Unemployment:  Over Six Million Teens And Young Adults Are Out Of Work And Not In School Confiscation, Price Suppression …


Odds ‘n Sods:

Michael Z. Williamson (SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large) suggested an informative piece about EOD robots.    o o o Reader E.A.B. mentioned this tremendous online resource: The LSU Agriculture Center Library    o o o Should We Ice Injuries? (Thanks to Larry R. for the link.)    o o o Yishai sent: Agriculture Secretary: Rural America Is ‘Becoming Less and Less Relevant’


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? [It is] God that justifieth. Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more …


Notes from JWR:

A follow-up on the tragic accidental death of Chuck Lamb (the husband of Jenny of The Last Frontier blog.) A Special Memorial Fund has been set up by Wells Fargo bank, to benefit Jenny and her two young sons. The account number is 7348691358. It is in the name “Chuck Lamb Donation Account”. You can make a donation via any Wells Fargo Bank branch. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A …


Common Sense Cooking in a Grid Down World, by Linda in North Carolina

My husband tells it the best: the utility power was out for miles around after the transformers blew. Driving up to our home in a darkened neighborhood after a harrowing commute, our house shined with soft glow outside of solar lights along the driveway and in the windows, candle light flickered inside, food was cooking out back on what appeared to be a stack of blocks, music from a wind up radio played in the background and my wife handed me a steaming mug of hot chocolate as I walked in. No generator in use….no power….yet warmth and reassuring life …


Letter Re: Making Our Bug Out Bags Work: Shaving Weight

CPT Rawles, In reference to the article Making Our Bug Out Bags Work: Shaving Weight, I applaud the efforts of Joshua H. taking the opportunity to hike 22 miles in three days, however, without any other information, his resulting experience is not surprising.  As a fellow Army officer, you can attest that ruck marching is essentially a practiced art.  One builds up to those distances and weights.  Cutting weight is good, but only those items not deemed necessary.  Don’t cut weight because of a lack of practice carrying a weighted down backpack.  Practice carrying that weight, and build up the weight …


Four Letters Re: Coban Wrap a Must for Medical Kits

JWR, Thank you for all your efforts. I pray they are never needed but fear otherwise. We run a safety training and supply company specializing in custom first aid/survival kits for various customers. We agree that Coban is wonderful stuff. A hint for the budget minded preppers use a vet supply house or feed store and buy “vet wrap”– same stuff at lower price. – A.K.S. Jim: Coban is not a panacea for your wound dressing needs.  While it does offer self-adherence,  ease of use, durability, availability, selection of sizes and colors, etc.  There are a few flaws with this …


Economics and Investing:

Income tax will exceed 50% in California, Hawaii, and New York City R.B.S. sent: Why You Might Only Be Able to Get Part-Time Work in 2013 Kevin A. sent: Double Your Money Selling Old Pennies by the Pound 109-Million Private Sector Jobs Paying for 88-Million Government Jobs/Welfare Items from The Economatrix: The European Threat To The US Recovery The Fiscal Cliff Is A Mirage, But A Real Cliff Is Ahead Most Accurate Forecaster Sees Lethargic U.S. Expansion


Odds ‘n Sods:

Marilyn R. sent this: Fed-up Homeowner Catches Thief in the Act with Homemade Security System.    o o o I just heard that until December 31st, the complete set of the excellent Homesteading for Beginners DVDs is currently being offered for $30 off retail. FWIW, we use a couple of their large clothes drying racks here at the Rawles Ranch, and we love their videos.    o o o Chuck keeps flinging around more legislative Schumer: Charles Schumer Makes A Move In The Senate To Deny Veterans The Right To Own Firearms . (Thanks to Jon E. for the link.) …


Jim’s Quote of the Day:

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock [that] is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, [and] a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah. For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given [me] the heritage of those that fear thy name. Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: [and] his years as many generations. …


Notes from JWR:

Today we remember Pearl Harbor Day. The sacrifices made that day were great (2,402 lives), and the sacrifices that followed in America’s involvement in World War II, even greater. We are still indebted to that generation. — Today we present another entry for Round 44 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day …


Survival Bikes, by Banjo

Lots of people are getting out of their cars and onto bikes these days, because of the high cost of gasoline , parking hassles, and concerns about staying physically fit. When natural disasters or terrorist acts strike, people repeatedly find that a good bicycle is a fine thing to have. On a “bang for the buck” basis, the bicycle is one of the finest travel machines Mankind has devised. When the motor vehicle was still in its infancy, armies the world over were putting their troops on bicycles. The armies knew they could move a lot of soldiers, with gear, …



Letter Re: In-Extremis Travel; Red Light, Green Light, Yellow Light

JWR: Regarding the recent article by “Will Prep”: The otherwise well written article with lots of good information overlooked mentioning amateur (ham) radio as the very best mode of communications when he asks: “What will I do for Communications?” Any General or higher class ham with a few radios that he/she uses on a regular basis will have no problems with communications! “Will Prep” must have lots more spare cash than the average person to even mention satellite phones! Thanks again to JWR for this great site! Keep up the good work. – Ken M.