Great White Games/Pinnacle Entertainment Group

Wendigo1870 · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 11:45 am Post subject: Why not use bicycles?

For some time I'm wondering why there's never any mention of a bicycle in most settings at all, and HoE in particular.
I mean, in a world where gasoline is all but used up, and people fight for what little remains, why wouldn't they use bicycles as a standard transportation? Sure, you shouldn't really go on any major roads with road gangs wandering around, but you shouldn't do that on foot either. It sure beats walking in transportation speed though, and should be enough to outrun at least some critters. Most of all, compared to any motorized vehicle, they're easy to maintain, relatively silent, and you can even carry them if needed, getting them to places to hide them or to continue your journey after crossing obstacles you couldn't get your other vehicles by.
My (probably biased) idea is that it might be a blind spot in American culture- where compared to Europe with its congested cities and no real car culture, bicycles are more commonly in use (I guess).
Or am I missing some major flaw here?
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SilasWrathStrike · Novice Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 76

It's definitely something that goes unmentioned. I think it'd be a HUGE advantage for anyone to have bikes, as there's virtually no drawback for having one, not difficult to repair/hard to break, and of course no gas. And a good sturdy mountain bike can get you where you're going virtually anywhere. I remember one campaign where my character was taken a shine to by a Fate Eater who wanted her to complete a bike race. I looked EVERYWHERE for a bicycle but only finally found one just before the race needed to begin.

In short: they're extremely useful, and more Marshals should consider their likely prevalence by more people.

Fuzyfeet · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 12:55 pm Post subject:

Of-road biking is a pain in the rear. Of course you also can't really haul a lot. That said short trips on even ground for scouting trips and what not, it would be fine. I even had a player with a bike on a rack on the back of his SUV, but never used it.
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Wendigo1870 · Posted: Sat May 28, 2011 3:30 pm Post subject:

SilasWrathStrike · Novice Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 76

I wonder realistically how prevalent horses would be. You'd think 13 years after the apocalypse means 13 years of people trying to breed/sell them as much as possible, would lead to a decent population. Plus, food when you REALLY need it. And an extra warner of sneak-attacking.

VonDan · Legendary Joined: 08 Jul 2008 Posts: 3249

I once read a book about bicycles in war

Always used as silent scouting vehicles

Sometimes a platoon more would ride on bikes along the road for a rapid movement phase before a patrol deeper into enemy territory

Folding bikes were made to go along with parachutes

In WW1 I think there was a charge with machine gun mounted bikes

In Vietnam the VC would strap a Bamboo frame to a bike and load it with 600 pounds of gear and then it was pushed over the Ho Chi Min trail by peasant girls, one VC "guarding" 3 peasant "volunteers" each pushing a bike

http://www.google.com/search?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&biw=1024&bih=554&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=bicycles+in+war&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=

Doc Firefly · Posted: Sun May 29, 2011 2:40 pm Post subject:

I once did a bike messenger archtype for the "gimme Shelter" website that I liked.

I always considered bikes an important survival tool but they have one big disadvantage-if someone shoots at you THEY WILL HIT YOU. No bulkhead, door or glass to stop or slow the bullet.
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SilasWrathStrike · Novice Joined: 06 Apr 2011 Posts: 76

They could hit you. Then again, they could hit the shield your Junker made that can encircle the whole bike! Only $9.99!

Also, they still have to HIT you, and you'll be going at a fair clip. Plus, there's not much to the bike, so it's much less likely to be hit than, say, a car, where lots of things can be damaged to effectively put it out of commission.

ScooterinAB · Seasoned Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 480

I'm more concerned with all those Road Gangers making fun of you for riding a bike. Plus, think of the embarrassment when you have to salvage a pink frilly basket to haul your crap in. It's just not worth it,

Seriously though, you are talking really rough off roading. Remember that highways are smashed up (huge chucks of concrete and rebar everywhere), weather is really crazy (thus crazy erosion), and wear and tear on the bike. I see a bicycle as more of an in-town thing, or for use in one adventure. I seriously cannot see it lasting long. Plus, everyone and their dog would be obliged to steal it.
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Cable Hogue · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2011 9:27 am Post subject:

What game stats should a bicycle in HoE Classic have?

Should its Pace be determined in relation to the Pace of the character riding the bicycle? (A Pace 6 character will probably be slower than a Pace 10 or 12 character - even on a bicycle.)

ValhallaGH · Legendary Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 4467

Generic Bicycle: Pace + 8; can "run" and "pick up the pace"; Drivin': Bicycle for maneuvers; handling +2; durability 5 / 1. Off-road models have appropriate shocks.

The idea is that natural athletes can get a lot more speed out of the vehicle; and a speedy character on foot can keep up with a cripple on a bicycle. While anyone can use it, specialists will have a much easier time (and be able to do more impressive things). Since I just made those up, you can take them, leave the, or adjust to taste.
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ScooterinAB · Seasoned Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 480

I like it. It's a very simple solution that is easily fit into the rules.

I still think any Road Ganger would beat you up on principle though.
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28/12/09 Scooter just bought a Deadlands book... In a Japanese Gaming store... And the clerk knew what it was. Awesome.

King Snarf · Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:00 pm Post subject:

ShogaHin · Novice Joined: 01 Jun 2012 Posts: 10

Yes, definitely a big oversight IMHO. I once asked my Marshall about finding one of those 3 wheeled trykes for adults thats got the basket behind it. My marshall was like, your kidding.... I figured it would do really well around a local area for packing ones stuff, scrap to sell, things to fix...etc

Shoga