Author: paschmann

Publishing packages to NPM

paschmann

These are the notes/process I used when developing the Node Reach SDK package:

The “Standard” Release Process

Here is my understanding of the steps that are most commonly expected to be run when publishing a new version of an npm package.

  1. Safety Checks:
    1. git pull
    2. git status
    3. npm ci
    4. npm test
    Prepare the Release:
    1. npm run build
    Update the Changelog Update the Version Number:
    1. npm version
    2. Or by hand:
      1. Update version in package.json & package-lock.json
      2. git commit -am ‘2.0.0’
      3. git tag v2.0.0
      Publish to npm:
      1. npm publish
      Publish to Git:
      1. git push
      2. git push –tags
      Create a GitHub Release (optional)
      How to Publish an Updated Version of an npm Package

DIY – Patent Idea – Spring Water Bottle Cage

paschmann

Problem: In cycling (and other applications) water bottles are a variety of shapes and sizes. This often makes them difficult to get in or be contained in a traditional bicycle water cage. This attempts to resolve this by offering an “expanding” cage.

Fun but ultimately bad patent idea to create an expanding water bottle holder.

I made a couple models/3D prints to proof it out, but decided against it.

Updated Patent Outline – Vertical Spring-Loaded Cycling Water Bottle Holder

1. Title of the Invention

Spring-Loaded Retention Bottle Cage for Bicycles

2. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to cycling accessories, specifically to devices for securely retaining water bottles on bicycles. It aims to provide enhanced bottle stability via a vertically applied spring-loaded retention mechanism. read more

Carb and Sodium sources from popular products

paschmann

Here is a table of carb and sodium sources for various products available to purchase. This is helpful if you want to understand the carb source, electrolyte content and also the volume or weight for endurance events.

ProductTypeAmountServingCarbsSodiumCalciumPotassiumMagnesiumSugarFiberCaffeineMain Ingredients
Saltstick ChewsChewable Tablet1 Tablet1 Tablet1g50mg1mg3mg1g
Saltstick CapsualsCapsual1 Cap1 Cap215mg22mg63mg11mg
SIS Sodium GelGel1 Gel60ml22g300mg0.7g
SIS Regular GelGel1 Gel60ml22g10mg0.6g
Tailwind CaffinePowder1 Scoop27g25g310mg27mg90mg12mg25g35mgDextrose, Sucrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide, Caffine
Tailwind RegularPowder1 Scoop27g25g310mg27mg90mg12mg25gDextrose, Sucrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Magnesium Oxide
SIS Beta Fuel ChewBar1 Bar60g46g100mg41g2.2gGlucose (36%), Fructose (29%)
Precision Hydration PF1000Dissolvable Tablet1 Tablet6g3g500mg20mg130mg10mg2g
Nuun SportDissolvable Tablet1 Tablet4g300mg13mg150mg25mg1g
Gatorade Endurance PowderPowder1.5 Tbsp24g22g300mg140mg0mg13gSugar, Malto, frustose, citric acid, sodium citrate, etc.
Gatorade Endurance Bottle (24oz)Premixed Drink1 Bottle (24oz)24oz/720ml44g620mg280mg26gSugar, Malto, frustose, citric acid, sodium citrate, etc.
Gatorade NormalPowder1.66 Tbsp23g22g150mg50mg21gSugar, Dextrose, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate
LMNTPowder1 Pack6g< 1g1000mg200mg60mgSalt (Sodium Chloride), 
Maurten Gel 100Gel1 Gel25g25g85mg25gWater, Glucose, Fructose, Calcium Carbonate, Gluconic acid, Sodium Alginate.
Maurten Gel 100 CAFGel1 Gel25g25g22mg25g100mgWater, Glucose, Fructose, Calcium Carbonate, Gluconic acid, Sodium Alginate, Caffine
Energy product formatProsCons
Carb (“Isotonic”) drinks+ Useful for short-to-moderate duration activities (~45 mins-2 hrs)– Unlikely to meet your fluid and electrolyte needs over ~2 hrs (especially in the heat)
+ Require no chewing, little digestion– Reduces the flexibility of your fueling strategy
+ Replaces some of the fluids and sodium lost in your sweat, mitigating the risk of dehydration– Some people don’t like the sweet taste
Gels+ Easy to carry a large amount of carbs efficiently– Some athletes find they become sickly or unpleasant (“flavour or texture fatigue”) if over-consumed
+ Efficient when your hydration needs are proportionally lower than your energy needs– Many athletes just can’t “stomach” gels
– Not ideal when simply opening the packets is tricky because you don’t have full use of your hands (e.g. when kayaking)
Chews+ Can be more ‘satisfying’ than gels during longer races at lower intensities– Not ideal when you’re exercising at a high enough intensity to make chewing and swallowing an issue
+ A viable alternative for anyone who doesn’t get on well with gels– Not ideal when simply opening the packets is tricky because you don’t have full use of your hands (e.g. when kayaking)
+ Excellent energy-to-weight ratio
Bars+ They often contain protein, fat and fibre (unlike drinks, gels and chews), so are generally a lot more satisfying to eat– Better suited to ultra-distance events, where it’s possible to eat them because you’re moving at a slower pace
+ They take longer to digest and absorb, so their energy can be released more slowly, which may be an advantage at lower intensities– They tend to need to be washed down with fluid
+ Can double up as a good pre or post-workout snack