tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37616805362518105562024-03-19T05:58:55.959-07:00Fat tires, skinny skis and some random thoughts in between...Every once in a while I say something worth listening to... It's totally accidental and even rarer I write something about it...
In the meantime I comment on mountain biking and cross country skiing in Manitoba and beyond.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-16227763739402307872011-10-27T11:08:00.000-07:002011-10-27T11:08:50.412-07:00ConflictConflict has a place and a purpose but it is not always constructive. Conflict can be a stepping stone to the resolution of differing opinions but it isn't always so. Conflict is so very rarely a positive experience that it is not worth pursuing nor is it worth engaging in unless there is some way to be asbsolutely certain that compromise or an attitude of agreeing to disagree can be established.<br />
<br />
Few conflicts are worth the effort. When my son and I disagree about his behaviour, that is conflict but it is worth standing my ground because my ultimate goal is to teach him to modify his behaviour so that he lives a life of integrity. Standing up to a bully is also conflict that has value. Arguing over a parking stall has no value and no positive outcome and is a type of conflict that has no purpose.<br />
<br />
If you choose to attempt to engage me in conflict, I will likely just walk away from you. I will give you fair warning that I have no interest in conflict that has no worth, value or positive net outcome but if you persist in pushing our interaction into conflict I will simply leave you to your conflict and find something else to do.<br />
<br />
Pick your battles and if you decide to fight, then fight to win but make sure it's worth fighting for. I have no desire for conflict for no reason. Take that BS somewhere else; maybe there's a crazy person driving around somewhere that can trade road rage with you. Otherwise grow up and let's find ways to get along.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-37044856426883948552011-10-14T19:25:00.000-07:002011-10-14T19:25:38.663-07:00The Tour Dividein·san·i·ty/inˈsanitē/Noun: <br />
1.The state of being seriously mentally ill; madness.<br />
<br />
2.Extreme foolishness or irrationality. <br />
<br />
The Tour Divide is arguably the hardest cycling event in the world, certainly it is the most difficult mountain bike race and because of its remoteness and insistance on being self reliant, it has to be considered much more difficult than the other Tour (de France)...<br />
2700 miles of jeep track, gravel roads, singletrack, paved road and wherever else the course sends you from Banff AB to Antelope Wells, Mexico. Insane.<br />
But it can also be argued that my mental stability is fragile at best so this just might be the perfect place to either crawl back to the normal world (BORING!!!) or fully embrace to plunge to a life of perfect bliss. You see, ignorance is not bliss. Insanity is. Crazy people have the most fun.<br />
Where am I going with this, you wonder? Simple. I am stark, raving daft and have set my eyes on this race. Sometimes the best way to ensure you actually accomplish something is to make yourself accountable to other people. In that mindset I am stating that at this point I intend to begin training with the desire, hope, intent and fantasy of participating in the 2014 Tour Divide. <br />
Why? Because many aspects of this race are very suitable to the kinds of skills and the personality I have. Competitors state that the hardest part is the solitude. Anyone who knows anything about me is aware that I crave solitude and alone time. Another needed skill is random, bizaare problem solving. My mind knows no box and my solutions to problems are often extremely creative and far outside of what conventional knowledge dictates but nevertheless they are effective and productive. A flat tire 20 miles from help? I put duct tape on my rim and rolled on the inside of my tire. No damage. <br />
This doesn't mean I will actually be in the race. This means that I will do what I can to make sure I can be there and if everything works out training and time off from work wise then I will be there if at all possible. <br />
This blog will reflect my training, my thoughts, my sure to come doubts and what I consider to be hurdles overcome or successes along the way. One of my fears is that after it's over I will be so sick of riding that I'll never ride again. It is more mileage than I've done this season. It is an entire season's worth of riding in about 3 weeks. Having said that, it is 2 1/2 years away... many things can happen in the meantime.<br />
I have been devouring anything I can find on the Divide race... I've watched the documentary a dozen times, I bought a book a previous rider wrote about it, I buy any magazine that even hints of the race...It is the adventure of a lifetime, and besides; if you were certain you were to succeed, what would be the point of the adventure?Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-17229754617459472502011-01-16T22:27:00.000-08:002011-01-16T22:28:38.093-08:00Rebuilding forks<em><span style="font-size: large;">This is from a couple years ago but I still think it's funny...</span></em><br />
<br />
Itinerary of a Fork Rebuild<br />
<br />
<br />
Play around with pressures in upper and lower chambers.<br />
Play around with blow off valve pressure.<br />
Sit on bike, pretend to be riding.<br />
Put fan in front for effect<br />
Turn fan on for greater effect<br />
make vrooming noises and lean into wall to simulate turns.<br />
fall down<br />
<br />
Get off bike and play around with pressures some more<br />
Squat down to check brake caliper clearance<br />
Hear loud POP, <br />
<br />
immediately determine it wasnt from my knees or back.<br />
<br />
feel relief<br />
<br />
Look over bike, see that right front top wiper seal has dislodged and is leaking oil<br />
Panic; "EEEEK, NOW what will I do???!!!???"<br />
Immediately envision sending fork off for rebuild and not being able to ride for several weeks<br />
Consider the cost. <br />
Hold back tears.<br />
Consider local bike shop for rebuild.<br />
Envision no riding for several weeks<br />
consider cost<br />
Hold back tears again<br />
Make emergency call to friend who may have done this before. <br />
Realize that the only two mechanical devices that intimidate me to repair are my transmission and my fork.<br />
remember I'm planning to repair my tranny as soon as my parts come in, no longer feel intimidated by tranny repair.<br />
realize if I can repair my tranny, surely I can repair my fork<br />
Make lame joke about not calling me shirley<br />
Crack open a beer and google "fork rebuild"<br />
realize that some people have waaaay too much time on their hands after looking at webpages detailing table forks, potato forks and pitch forks<br />
Streamline google process: Google "Reba SL fork rebuild"<br />
Find successful forum page on MTBR.com<br />
finish beer and realize that I can and will do this.<br />
Open another beer and begin taking fork apart.<br />
take out basin to catch oil<br />
remove bottom air valve nut <br />
unscrew rebound control bolt<br />
tap fork on counter<br />
make mental note to complain to manager about crappy counter tops<br />
spill oil everywhere but inside the basin<br />
slip and slide and fall down making mental note to complain to manager about crappy floors<br />
lose beer "where the heck did I leave it?"<br />
open another beer. <br />
Wonder if Lance ever had to deal with stuff like this.<br />
Finish taking fork apart. Wow, way more complicated than I thought. Look at all these weird parts.<br />
Read service manual, lose interest. <br />
Find lost beer, drink both and surf the net.<br />
Go to bed, sleep.<br />
<br />
Wake up, clean fork parts. <br />
Too early for beer. <br />
Find beer from last week. ``What the heck is it doing in the micro wave?``<br />
Phone local bike shops for oil prices. <br />
Be sticker shocked. $30 a liter?????<br />
Get tip from weird sounding bike dude at shop "go to motor sports shop, same oil, lots cheaper"<br />
It's a holiday, no oil today. Take single speed for a ride.<br />
<br />
<br />
Come home from work, found oil for $11 a litre, feel smug cuz I beat the LBS price.<br />
Go to pharmacy for syringe.<br />
Flirt with cute pharmacist. Make mental note of her pretty eyes and laugh.<br />
Notice that in spite of being so charming, suprisingly I'm STILL SINGLE... be amazed.<br />
Hold door open for old people on way out of store.<br />
Make mental note of how happy they looked that someone was nice to them<br />
Make mental note to be nice to more old people. <br />
Make mental note to be nice to Dorning and Paul Seier... they qualify.<br />
<br />
Go home, crack beer and google "old people"<br />
be shocked at how many porn sites come up<br />
Google "beer"<br />
lose interest<br />
<br />
Google "ADD"<br />
<br />
wander off ``OOOH Shiny thing!!``<br />
<br />
Start putting shock back together: ``who needs instructions``<br />
take it all apart again; ``I need instructions``<br />
remember blind date later; make lame joke about preferring a woman who can see<br />
shower, get ready for date, go on date.<br />
Realize why I'm still single. Remember funny story about MDH quotes "the more women I meet the more I like my bike"<br />
wonder if there are ANY normal women out there anymore.<br />
Hope blind date doesnt stalk me...<br />
Go to gym after blind date; hope that cute girl I talked to last week is there again...<br />
<br />
Take shock to work to work on at firehall<br />
watch videos on SRAM site 100 times<br />
watch once more<br />
Attempt putting shock back together with oil and air and parts<br />
explain to captain what I'm doing<br />
add oil<br />
explain to driver what I'm doing<br />
add air<br />
explain to rookie why we still call him "new guy" and has to put up the flag every morning<br />
<br />
Take shock home and reinstall on bike<br />
Sit on bike and observe shock reaction <br />
pretend to be riding.<br />
Put fan in front for effect<br />
Turn fan on for greater effect<br />
make vrooming noises and lean into wall to simulate turns.<br />
fall down<br />
<br />
Pronounce shock fixed<br />
celebrate with a beer<br />
be smugly happy that I did it myself<br />
<br />
be amazed I'm still single<br />
have another beer<br />
go to bed and dream about Maah Daah HeyGordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-51600825143889290042011-01-05T11:39:00.000-08:002011-01-05T16:42:14.733-08:00Response to an athiest's claim about "truth"You state that truth shows there is no God.<br />
<br />
I say:<br />
<br />
There is no evidence that supports love. You cannot prove scientifically that you romantically love your wife, yet we steadfastly hold on to the archaic belief of love. It cannot be proven, support for it is basically anecdotal and is firmly based on feelings and the faith that what we believe we feel is what we have described as "love" when in fact it is more likely to be a chemical hormonal reaction and a co-dependancy relationship that develops as a result of said chemical/hormonal reaction. What tricks do you use to convince yourself that you actually love your wife? What hard scientific evidence can you produce to convince me: a love skeptic?<br />
<br />
<br />
Love is a fantasy that we convince ourselves of because we are afraid of the truth. We appeal to security, faith, fear of being alone, tradition, emotion and dogma yet logic and critical examination cleary shows us a convincely lack of evidence to prove this ridiculous notion of love. <br />
<br />
I choose not to be self delusional and not to accept unsubstantiated claims of "love". I refuse to hang on to beliefs because I am afraid of the reality that what we call love is merely a chemical reaction in my brain brought on by a natural instinct to reproduce and any relationship that ensues is merely a co-dependency based on mutual benefit alone and has absolutely nothing to do with love. Love is a myth, a fantasy, a delusion.<br />
<br />
I see no evidence that love exists. Any claim that our actions of benevolence are based in love are simply lies we tell ourselves to make ourselves feel good about that benevolence when it is simply for our own feelings of goodness about ourselves that produce said actions of benevolence. These actions are purely selfishly motivated for what we get out of it.<br />
<br />
I too choose to believe the truth, whatever it turns out to be and because of the lack of evidence for love I choose to abandon my belief in it.<br />
<br />
I do this because living my life searching for something that so clearly does not exist is a waste of energy and is about as useful as driving a car with my eyes shut and trying to pedal a bicycle at the same time.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Or I can have faith that it does exist because without faith then nothing outside of the physical world exists. Not love, not friendship, not sadness, not guilt, not redemption, not loneliness, not hatred or joy. Without faith I have no loyalty, no reason to help anyone at any time if I don't believe I will receive some compensation as a result of that aid. Without faith I have no reason to counsel my friends to try to save or even put any effort into their marraiges. In fact, I should be prosletyzing them to become divorced because clearly love does not exist and being independent is infinately more satisfying than co-dependence. Selfishness is infinately more productive than sacrificial.<br />
<br />
Does love exist? I believe it does. I don't need proof.<br />
<br />
Does God exist? I believe He does and that He is the author of all love. <br />
<br />
I hope love exists for me. I know God does. I have faith in both.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong><em>Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version, ©2010)</em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
<strong><em></em></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong><em>8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. </em></strong></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: red;"><strong>1 Corinthians 1:18-25</strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;"><strong>18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: </strong></span></em><br />
<em><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span></em><br />
<em><span style="color: red;"><strong>“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; </strong></span></em><em><span style="color: red;"><strong>the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”</strong></span></em><br />
<em> </em><em><span style="color: red;"><strong>20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. </strong></span></em><br />
<span style="color: red;"><strong></strong></span>Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-50084136429716342182010-12-18T09:05:00.000-08:002010-12-18T09:05:20.341-08:00Credit where credit is dueAs the year comes to a close we can't help but reflect back on the preceding 12 months and revisit the times or events that stand out either for positive or negative reasons. Aqousticblog is reminded of several items that bear mentioning for the simple reason of stellarism. Stellarness? Stellaristical fantasticness?<br />
Umm, we'll go with stellarasmic.<br />
Companies:<br />
<br />
VHold now called Contour: for going above and beyond in providing warranty replacements for several used helmet cams. I was looking for a repair and they were well aware that I had purchased the cams second hand but they sent me brand new replacements. Stellar!!<br />
<br />
Trek/Gary Fisher: Again, a second hand frame (although I was the first consumer to actually ride the bike) and when it broke (see facebook for pics) they stepped up and provided a most excellent replacement. A 2007 Gary Fisher Caliber 29er F/S aluminum became a 2011 Gary Fisher Superfly Elite 100 carbon fibre frame. Stellar!!<br />
<br />
Brandon bike race: Well organized, well marked, well prized and the guys realized they can't go to the well too often. Stellar for a great event, stellar for the guys who did all the work and good on ya for keeping your priorities in check and realizing that you gotta take a break now and then. Thanks for what you did. Stellar!!<br />
<br />
Olympia: Year after year these guys put on race after race. I thank them by supporting their business when I can. Tirelessly these guys sponser and organize the Wednesday night race series, the season opener in Grand Beach, the long distance race of several different names (usually with a beach in the title). Stellar!!<br />
<br />
Swan River: A fantastic race. These guys put on what I consider to be the funnest event in spite of never knowing if anyone will actually show up. Well marked, very clean course and a well run event. Undying optimism considering how far away they are. Stellar!!<br />
<br />
My friends and rivals: Without you I'd just be riding around in circles looking like a moron. With you, I'm riding around in circles looking like a moron. The difference is that you make it fun and we can share some laughs before during and after. Thanks for being there all season. Can't wait for next year. Stellar!!Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-4022247868776557572010-11-29T21:48:00.000-08:002010-11-29T21:48:32.084-08:00Merry ChristmasA local mother told me this morning that the school her child attends informed parents that they were to keep all mention of Christmas out of the holiday season. Now, I have never been accused of having a soft approach. I have the subtlety of a belt sander and the tact of a bulldozer but this annoyed the crap out of me. This admonishment was to keep the immigrant families from feeling offended.<br />
This offends me. I'll say it again; this deeply offends me.<br />
Canada; while no longer considered a "christian" country celebrates Christmas. Whether you do that because of your religious beliefs or because you want to celebrate the spirit of this season it is a western world tradition to celebrate the time of Christmas. Immigrant families are well aware of the customs and celebrations of Canada before they arrive and the fact that they might be offended by this is good enough reason for them not to have come here in the first place. I have no racial biases. I have no racism in me. I have friends who are black, native, Asian, white and everything in between. I have friends who's race I don't even know because I don't care because it simply does not matter. But if someone immigrates to this country they should understand and accept the fact that we celebrate a time of the year called Christmas. <br />
Christmas was originally a pagan holiday that was hijacked by the christian community to signify the generally accepted time of year that Christ was born. While I would be surprised if even 40% of the general population would identify Christmas as the celebrate birthday of Jesus Christ, we still, as a country, celebrate Christmas on December 25th. Got a problem with that? Well, suck it up my friend because that is what we do. We also celebrate Victoria Day. What? She's not your queen? You still get a day off for it. We celebrate Labour day and the August long weekend. Do you know why? You might not even care but you still take the day off probably with pay. <br />
As for me and my house we will say Merry Christmas and if you don't like it then stay HOME!!!!<br />
Merry Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-46564067686232130682010-11-26T18:52:00.001-08:002010-11-26T18:52:48.120-08:00I am a Winnipeger...I am a winnipeger.<br />
<br />
<br />
I will not tolerate mosquitoes but I will protest the spraying of chemicals.<br />
<br />
I will drive my car through snow banks and complain that snow clearing is too slow.<br />
<br />
I will support development and growth in our city as long as its not where I live.<br />
<br />
I will complain about the heat, the cold, the dryness and the humidity.<br />
<br />
I will hate cyclists and insist they get off the road but I will refuse to consider public money for a bike path.<br />
<br />
I will not let you into my lane and I will not make eye contact when you are trying to merge.<br />
<br />
I will insist on my rights at the expense of yours.<br />
<br />
I drive everywhere in spite of the price of gas.<br />
<br />
I scorn Saskatchewan even though they’re leaving us behind<br />
<br />
I won’t vote in the civic elections but I will complain about whoever won.<br />
<br />
I don’t know my city councillors name but he’s doing a horrible job.<br />
<br />
I don’t know my neighbours, I don’t know my co-workers and I will not let anyone intrude into my cliques.<br />
<br />
I love hating this city, I hate loving this city. <br />
<br />
It’s too cold, it’s too hot, it’s too humid, it’s too snowy but gosh darn it I will not move.<br />
<br />
I am a winnipeger. <br />
<br />
I suck.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-5377055170295346772010-11-12T10:46:00.001-08:002010-11-12T10:46:14.310-08:00check it out<object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><param name="flashvars"value="height=390&width=480&file=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/c41b05e8-ee85-11df-8a3c-003048d6740d_10.mp4&image=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/c41b05e8-ee85-11df-8a3c-003048d6740d_10.jpg&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7650893&searchbar=false&autostart=false"/><embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/jwplayer.swf" width="480" height="390" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" flashvars="height=390&width=480&file=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/c41b05e8-ee85-11df-8a3c-003048d6740d_10.mp4&image=http://newvideos.xtranormal.com/web_final_lo/c41b05e8-ee85-11df-8a3c-003048d6740d_10.jpg&link=http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/7650893&searchbar=false&autostart=false"></embed></object><object height="390" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/embedded-xnl-stats.swf"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.xtranormal.com/site_media/players/embedded-xnl-stats.swf" width="1" height="1" allowscriptaccess="always"></embed></object>Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-47600355952285290922010-10-26T09:03:00.000-07:002010-10-26T09:03:32.039-07:00More adventures of "talking to americans"It’s raining and because of good trail stewardship they actually close trails to prevent damage in wet conditions. It’s probably too progressive an idea to ever be considered for Winnipeg. <br />
<br />
Because riding is out for the day I’m over at Panera Bread having some coffee and breakfast.<br />
<br />
Clerk: Hi, can I help you?<br />
<br />
Me: I’d like the breakfast power sandwich, no cheese please and a coffee.<br />
<br />
Her: We actually stopped serving breakfast.<br />
<br />
Me: Altogether or just for today?<br />
<br />
Her: Just for today.<br />
<br />
Me: What time do you stop?<br />
<br />
Her: 10:30<br />
<br />
We both look at the time. It is 10:31<br />
<br />
Me: So that was like less than a minute ago.<br />
<br />
Her: Yes. <br />
<br />
Me: Umm, ok, are you sure?<br />
<br />
Her: It’s after 10:30.<br />
<br />
Me: Can I get the grilled ham?<br />
<br />
Her: Not at the moment, our grill is still hot from breakfast. It has to cool a bit first.<br />
<br />
Me: <br />
<br />
Me:<br />
<br />
Her:<br />
<br />
Me: So, you can’t make me a breakfast sandwich because it’s after 1030 and you can’t make me a lunch sandwich because your grill is still hot from breakfast.<br />
<br />
Her: Yes.<br />
<br />
Me: Am I the only one here who thinks this is funny?<br />
<br />
Her: Yes.<br />
<br />
Manager: We can make you the breakfast sandwich Sir.<br />
<br />
Me: Thank you, Now That’s good business.<br />
<br />
Manager: (looking extremely pleased with herself)<br />
<br />
Me: 2 power sandwiches no cheese please.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I grab my coffee, sit down and start typing this story. Here comes my sandwiches. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Both of them have cheese.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Sigh.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-71871905492020114392010-10-25T08:43:00.000-07:002010-10-25T08:43:39.312-07:00Often in my travels I come across interesting people. Some of them are memorable because of the way we’ve had to interact with each other and some of them are memorable because either they helped me in some unusual way or I helped them. Yesterday on my way down to Minneapolis I came across someone who will stand out in my memory because clearly she was out of her league just trying to function in an every day world…<br />
<br />
<br />
This is our conversation:<br />
<br />
I pulled into a gas station in Fergus Falls and found that every pump had a plastic bag on it except for the high octane stuff. <br />
<br />
Me: I see that you have plastic bags on most of the pumps, are you out of cheaper gas or are they broken?<br />
<br />
Her: We put plastic bags on them.<br />
<br />
Me: Yes, why?<br />
<br />
Her: because there’s plastic bags on them.<br />
<br />
Me: I can see that, are you out of gas?<br />
<br />
Her: No, but sometimes people borrow our gas can when they run out. It’s $10.<br />
<br />
Me: Ok, thank you<br />
<br />
Her: your welcome. (she looked quite pleased with herself but perplexed)<br />
<br />
I go outside and put in $15 of high octane gas thinking I’ll get more up the road. I go inside to pay.<br />
<br />
Me: Pump 2.<br />
<br />
Her: that’s $15, did you see the plastic bags on the pumps? They’re broken, don’t use those ones.<br />
<br />
Me: Gotcha, thanks. Is there a gas station up the road? I’m heading East.<br />
<br />
Her: Are you going to Detroit Lakes? (this is north of our location)<br />
<br />
Me: No, I’m heading towards Minneapolis<br />
<br />
Her: IS that towards Fargo? <br />
<br />
Me: no, it’s the other way<br />
<br />
Her: Oh, well if you’re going to Detroit lakes it’s that way…<br />
<br />
Me: No, I’m going to Minneapolis<br />
<br />
Her: Well is that on the interstate?<br />
<br />
Me: Yes, is there a town that I can get gas in within 50 miles?<br />
<br />
She pulls out a map and points to Detroit Lakes (remember, we’re in Fergus Falls) <br />
<br />
Her: Is that where we are?<br />
<br />
Me: No, we’re here in Fergus Falls. Don’t you live here?<br />
<br />
Her: I’ve lived here all my life.<br />
<br />
Me: Ever been out of town?<br />
<br />
Her: I go to Fargo sometimes<br />
<br />
Me: Well, if you went the other way, would there be a gas station?<br />
<br />
Her: This is a gas station<br />
<br />
Me: Oh. Thanks.<br />
<br />
I found it really hard not to laugh at this poor girl. I wonder if she ever figured it all out….<br />
<br />
Now it’s time to go riding.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-91167588679164808292010-08-10T19:33:00.000-07:002010-08-10T19:33:20.387-07:00Provinces without bicycle helmet laws 'atrocious', researcher saysWINNIPEG - Provincial governments should force anyone riding a bicycle to wear a helmet, says the co-author of a new report that found helmet use varies greatly across Canada.<br />
"I mean, it's atrocious that in 2010, every province does not have some sort of helmet legislation," said Ryan Zarychanski, an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Manitoba. "Clearly, helmet legislation works and clearly it reduces serious head injuries and facial lacerations."<br />
Zarychanski and three other researchers at the University of Manitoba and the University of Ottawa compared 2005 helmet use figures involving more than 4,600 respondents in three provinces with very different rules for cyclists.<br />
Helmets were worn by 73.2 per cent of respondents in Nova Scotia, where helmet use is mandatory for everyone. The rate was just 40.6 per cent in Ontario, where helmets are mandatory for young people only, and a mere 26.9 in Saskatchewan, where there is no bicycle helmet law.<br />
The study, published in the August edition of the Injury Prevention Journal, also found that children were less likely to wear helmets if adults did not have to.<br />
Fewer than half of underage respondents in Ontario said they used helmets, even though they were required by law. In Nova Scotia, the rate for children was 77.5 per cent.<br />
"We hypothesize that this is due to the absence of role-modelling from adults," Zarychanski said Tuesday.<br />
Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and Newfoundland have no helmets laws for cyclists. Ontario and Alberta require helmets for people under 18 years of age, while Nova Scotia, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island require everyone to don a helmet while on a bicycle.<br />
Manitoba's NDP government has long faced calls to make helmets mandatory. The third-party Liberals have tried and failed to pass a private member's bill to that effect.<br />
The province's medical association has also called for a helmet law.<br />
"There is plenty of evidence showing that helmet use goes up when such laws are introduced while head injury hospitalization drops by as much as 45 per cent," reads a post on Doctors Manitoba's health promotion web site.<br />
But the government has instead opted to keep helmet use optional, and has tried to encourage helmet use through promotional campaigns and by offering subsidized helmets that cost as little as $10.<br />
"We're not ruling out helmet legislation ... but we also are looking at and discussing with other provinces to see how their legislation moved forward, how they implemented it, and the pros and cons in each case," Manitoba Healthy Living Minister Jim Rondeau said.<br />
"Right now, we're still working with the carrot approach."<br />
Critics of helmet laws have argued that making helmets mandatory might discourage people from cycling. But the study found bicycle use remained constant in Alberta and Prince Edward Island after those provinces adopted helmet laws in 2002 and 2003 respectively.<br />
<br />
Source:By: Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press Winnipeg Free Press August 10, 2010Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-9566833923235052632010-08-09T17:10:00.000-07:002010-08-09T18:53:52.405-07:00Newsworthy excerptsBoth excerpts from the Roadbiker.com newsletter:<br />
<br />
<em>Work Out Just 20 Minutes for Amazing Results!</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>No, this isn't a plug for a miracle no-sweat fitness method. Instead, it's a prescription for more power and endurance on your bike, a taste of the kind of advice you'll find in the new eArticle by John Hughes we plugged above -- INTENSITY: How to Plan & Gauge the Most Beneficial Training Efforts.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>It's simple. On a normal ride, choose terrain that allows you to pedal hard and steady for 20 minutes. It might be a long, gradual climb or a flat road into the wind. </em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Be sure you're warmed up, then go for it. Your effort should be around 85-90% of your max heart rate. It should feel hard but not all-out.</em><br />
<em>On another ride at least 2 days later, do it again.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>These twice-weekly 20-minute efforts are like mini time trials. They increase the amount of power you can generate at or near your lactate threshold (the effort level where panting begins). </em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Few roadies ride this way because it's lots easier to just cruise along. And that's why they don't get closer to their potential.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>But if you discipline yourself to bite the bullet for a measly 20 minutes during a couple of rides each week, you'll feel real improvement after just 8-10 of these workouts.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Or double your money back!</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>---Exercise scientists have stumbled on an amazing discovery, reports the New York Times. Athletes can improve their performance in intense bouts of exercise, lasting an hour or so, if they merely rinse their mouths with a carbohydrate solution (sports drink). That's right, swish and spit. It appears that the brain can sense carbohydrate in the mouth and then respond, spurring on the athlete. Some of the research was done with cyclists. The advantage for relatively short and intense events, such as time trials up to 25 miles (40 km) is avoiding digestive problems from riding hard with food or drink in the stomach. For longer periods of exercise, though, a person is better off swallowing a carbohydrate drink than spitting it out. This way actual fuel is provided in the form of calories.</em><br />
<br />
I am just the messenger here...Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-20357769542580085242010-08-03T18:15:00.000-07:002010-08-03T18:15:29.661-07:00Where’s the Beach in Stead Race Report…It was long. It was hard. It was fun.<br />
<br />
I wondered if I was in shape for 100 kms of off road “racing”. I wondered if riding a rigid was a good idea. I wondered if my 22/32/44x15 gearing would be low enough. I wondered if I’d be able to beat or even keep pace with Paul. I wondered if my secret recipe for liquid nutrition would work. I wondered if my butt was ready for 4-5 hours on the bike. <br />
<br />
I’m not wondering anymore. <br />
<br />
I was in good enough shape to finish in 4:38 which is slightly faster than last year. <br />
A rigid wasn’t the best idea but my 31 lb full suspension was 10 lbs heavier.<br />
My gearing was almost perfect. Only a couple of times did I wish for a gear in between what I had.<br />
I did beat Paul but we swapped placements several times during the first half of the race before I finally lost him.<br />
My secret recipe worked great. And it wasn’t unpleasant to drink but NOTHING tastes as good as an ice cold beer after a race. NOTHING!!!<br />
My butt is my business. Nothing to share here.<br />
<br />
First Lap:<br />
<br />
Rolling group starts are just a kick. I love it. We should do more of these.<br />
The bear was cool. Was almost hoping to see him again.<br />
Riding with different people at different times is always neat. You get to chat with people you’re usually trying to pass or not get passed by. <br />
<br />
It seemed to take a really long time for the slower group to settle out and everyone to find their place. I felt pretty strong but my gearing dictated my pace. I loved the 44x15 on the gravel road sections. I found the 22x15 too small for the rock gardens but the 32x15 was too big. I hate that one hidden rock I hit EVERY SINGLE LAP!!!! Note to trail crew: please flag that rock for next year. It’s the one next to the bush that slapped my face each time, just a short way past the squiggly turn with the grass. Rode with Brad E for a while. Then suddenly he wasn’t there anymore. Kind of waited for him to catch up again until I turned a corner and couldn’t see him anymore. Didn’t see him again til the race was done. <br />
<br />
Lap 2:<br />
<br />
Still felt strong. Left the feed zone with Paul and we caught the wheel of another rider. We drafted him until he became exasperated with us and swerved to the side. Thanks for the pull whoever you were…<br />
<br />
Was riding with Paul and Marty H and some other guys I didn’t know. Got away from them on the gravel sections but got reeled in, in the rock gardens. By about the middle of the lap I was riding alone and spent the rest of the race riding alone. Good thing I had voices in my head to talk to.<br />
<br />
Lap 3:<br />
<br />
Ugh. Felt strong leaving the feed zone but as soon as I was onto the gravel my power faded fast. I wondered if I was going to bonk and I knew that this lap was going to be a challenge. I granny geared it until I had some momentum and decided to ride with whatever energy I could muster and worry about fatigue when it hit. This was the last lap and time to burn the matches I had left. <br />
<br />
I found that I couldn’t wait to see the next km marker (what a fantastic idea. They were inspirational during the tiredness) At one point I climbed off my bike to walk for a bit because I know from experience this helps to relieve my leg cramps. Felt like a goof walking with stiff legs because I couldn’t bend my knees but the trick worked and I was able to ride again. Got my second wind and turned the big gear for a while. <br />
<br />
Whoever held up the<em> “princess, you’re almost done sign”</em> made my day. Couldn’t help but laugh at that. <br />
<br />
Kept looking over my shoulder expecting Paul, Marty or the other guys to come around a corner but alas, no one came. Had to walk through a second section of sand and stood by my bike for about a minute just to rest. Would gladly have quit and gone for a nap at that point but pushed it through and hit the last gravel road section knowing there was only about a mile left. <br />
<br />
Things to do differently next year:<br />
<br />
Train for endurance racing. <br />
Find better things to eat than powerbars. Yuck.<br />
Tie a rope around Dave so he can pull me.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-22779940266574210742010-07-23T17:11:00.000-07:002010-07-23T17:11:47.532-07:00Dirty humourAnd now for some comedic relief...<br />
<br />
From the guy who brought you the "performance video" is <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: red;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Get Dirty</span> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2Dpe1LkNU">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2Dpe1LkNU</a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2Dpe1LkNU"></a>Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-89287835081595328632010-07-22T09:17:00.000-07:002010-07-22T09:17:19.153-07:00Doctor I smell burnt toastA practicing physician for more than 40 years and a radio talk show host for 25, Dr. Mirkin is a graduate of Harvard University and Baylor University College of Medicine. He is one of a very few doctors board-certified in four specialties: Sports Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Pediatrics and Pediatric Immunology.<br />
He is a frequent contributor to Roadcyclist.com a bi weekly newsletter provided free to anyone who subscribes. He and his wife ride over 100 miles a week and he's over 70 years old. His website and newsletter are full of training tips that have been gleaned from sports and medicine journals. As I take my blog in a new direction, I will be referring to his research and qouting from his newsletters frequently. <br />
In his latest newsletter he speaks about cold drinks during training. Something most of us never think about beyond preferring col cytomax to luke warm gross sports drinks.<br />
<br />
<em>Dear Dr. Mirkin: Does taking cold fluids improve exercise performance in hot weather?</em><br />
<br />
<em> Yes; drinking cold fluids lowers body temperature. More than 70 percent of the calories that you use to convert food to energy are lost as heat. So the more intensely you exercise, the more heat you produce. A rise in body temperature slows you down because the heart has to work harder to pump extra blood from your hot muscles to your skin to dissipate the heat. Seven studies show that cold beverages lower body temperature and improve performance by an average of 10 percent.</em><br />
<br />
He had a previous post about drinking colas and training which I also found interesting;<br />
<br />
<em>The limiting factor in endurance racing is the time that it takes to get enough oxygen into muscles to burn food for energy. Anything that reduces oxygen requirements allows you to race faster. Sugar stored in muscles, called glycogen, requires less oxygen than fat or protein. Anything that helps you keep sugar in muscles longer gives you greater endurance.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>A study from Georgia State University shows that drinks that contain both glucose and fructose burn more carbohydrates than those containing only glucose, and allow cyclists to ride much faster over 60 miles (International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, April 2010).</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Most soft drinks are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Both HFCS and conventional sugar (sucrose) contain a mixture of two sugars, glucose and fructose, in nearly the same concentrations: HFCS has 55 percent fructose/42 percent glucose, while sucrose is a 50/50 mixture. So the relative concentrations of glucose and fructose are not significant. However, the fructose in sucrose from cane or beet sugar is bound to glucose and must first be separated from it, so it is absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream. The manufacturing process for HFCS frees the fructose from glucose to makes it into a free, unbound form that is absorbed more rapidly into the bloodstream. This could cause a higher rise in blood sugar ((Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, March 18, 2010) and provide more sugar for muscles during exercise. We need to wait for more research to know if HFCS drinks improve endurance more those made with cane or beet sugar.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>Caffeine increases endurance (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, July 2010) by increasing absorption of sugar by muscles (Journal of Applied Physiology, June 2006). Those who took sugared drinks with caffeine were able to absorb and use 26 percent more of the ingested sugar than those who took the same drinks without caffeine.</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em><br />
</em><br />
<em>On long rides, we drink colas for their sugar and caffeine. However, you should take sugared drinks only when you exercise and for up to an hour after you finish. Contracting muscles remove sugar from the bloodstream rapidly without needing much insulin. Taking sugared drinks when you are not exercising causes higher rises in blood sugar that increase risk for diabetes and cell damage.</em> <br />
<em></em> <br />
On a recent training ride I experimented with using half a water bottle of coke mixed with my usual peformance drink. As far as performance, I had plenty of energy that day. I found that you really had to shake the bottle before riding to flatten the carbonation but as I mentioned; there was no noticable difference in my power output and possibly I had more than usual. It's hard to tell in one ride and so further experimentation is needed and will be carried out.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-68918668021174042352010-07-17T22:51:00.001-07:002010-07-17T22:51:16.219-07:00What it takes to raceWhat does it take to race?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Racing is the venue in which you test yourself against others who share your passion for going fast on a bike. In its simplest form it requires three things. You need to show up with a strong bike, a strong brain and a strong body.<br />
<br />
A strong bike is not a bike that weighs so much that it handles like a tank. It is a bike that is well maintained and that will last the duration of the event. Sometimes that means spending quite a bit of money to replace parts that might be just fine but allow for that shadow of doubt as to whether or not they’ll hold up when you stand up and put all your power into the pedals. Or when that rock comes out of nowhere and strains your suspension or tires to the limits of their performance window. It means that you have evaluated the course and chosen tires that will withstand the obstacle. You’re using a tire pressure that allows for the right combination of speed and traction. It means you might replace a perfectly good chain just for the peace of mind that it gives you knowing that it will withstand all the force you demand of it. It means checking bolts and torques. I’ve seen others and experienced myself losing races because of a mechanical breakdown; which includes flat tires. I lost a race I was sure to win because one of the bolts holding my derailleur pulleys worked loose and I lost chain tension. I would never have expected that to happen. I’ve seen races in which a considerable number of people have finished with flat tires. I’ve moved up placements because others have had “mechanicals” Without a working bike you cannot bike race. Losing a race because of a foreseeable or preventable mechanical issue is your own fault and stems from laziness and a lack of maintenance. There is no excuse for this. Losing a race because of an unforeseeable mechanical issue like breaking a brand new chain or crashing onto a rock and bending your derailleur hanger or breaking a seat post is just bad luck. Even so; you have to make sure your bike is ready to go the distance.<br />
<br />
A strong brain means you’ve ridden the course, hopefully more than once. Course knowledge is worth a couple of minutes a lap because it gives you the advantage of knowing where to push hard, where to rest and where you need to bleed of speed because of a tight corner or obstacle. It means you’re rested and alert. It means you’re quick thinking enough to find a new line on the fly. I know where the perfect line for me is in the Grand Beach rock gardens but during a race there might be someone occupying the space I want to ride through. I know where to go fast and where I have to go slow in Bur Oak but someone might be chasing me or I might be tailing someone who rides a different pace than I wish to. <br />
<br />
I also means knowing your opponents. It means knowing who will most likely blow up, who to chase, who you can follow and when to take off on a group. It means knowing how much you have left in the tank and knowing when to drain that tank. It means knowing how hard to go off the front, when to conserve and when to put it all on the line and push yourself to your absolute maximum. A strong brain means you can watch others and gauge their fatigue by how they ride. Mistakes they make and being ready to capitalize on those mistakes.<br />
<br />
A strong body seems self evident but it ties into having a strong brain. It’s exactly knowing when to “burn your matches” and when to conserve. It’s impersonal self evaluation. Judging your strengths and weaknesses and turning those weaknesses into strengths. It requires stepping away from your pride and ego and judging what you can do well and what you cannot do well. One of the earliest things I discovered about myself and bike racing is that I am not a strong climber. I do very poorly on steep climbs but I’ve also realized that I have considerable physical strength in my legs over short bursts. I made myself into a shallow climb specialist. Short, non steep climbs allow me to turn big gears and use my strength to close or open gaps. Steep climbs will always elude me but the more I climb the stronger I get at it. I feel strong on straight sections where I can turn up the speed but tight, twisty and technical sections also challenged my limited abilities but I practiced sections of trails that were hard for me in races and over the years I improved. I’m not nearly where my friends are in these regards but I’m not nearly as poor at them as I was. Confidence comes from practice and confidence wins races.<br />
<br />
Most important of all though is that racing requires respect. Respect and celebration of your fellow athletes. No person ever brought accolades to themselves by sitting in the stands or standing on the sidelines. Racing is a celebration of physical endeavour. Without your foes you have no race. You need them as much as they need you. It is an honour to line up at the starting line and test yourself against them and against yourself. We must respect and honour our antagonists; for without them we have nothing.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-58008494978585985772010-07-13T09:18:00.000-07:002010-07-13T09:18:50.553-07:00Big mouth, small impact on racing. One racer's impressions of the season.For a guy with such a big mouth, I’ve had surprisingly little to say over the summer. Since February actually. Now it’s time to unload what I’ve been storing up through the MCA XC race season with some observations, opinions and general blathering about racing.<br />
<br />
<br />
Grand Beach; <br />
<br />
Great race, well marked as always but I seem to recall that the prizing took an exceptionally long time. Probably the best post race food of all the races. And Olympia is always extremely generous with their prizing. Olympia is one of the, in my opinion, best race organizers in MB.<br />
<br />
Brandon:<br />
<br />
Once again the BBC presented us with a course that can best be described as flowy with surprises. They have some fantastic real estate to work with out there and it’s definitely worth the drive. Also well marked but the flow is interrupted by abrupt turns. The thing is though; this abruptness is there for everyone and knowing this, it is up to the racer to be prepared. Cash prizing was a nice change from shwag and this gem of a race course is rapidly rising up my list of fave’s.<br />
<br />
Falcon:<br />
<br />
Ok, I know that it’s a rocky course. I also know that the skies were relentless in their determination to make sure things were going to be damp for this race but what I simply cannot understand is why races are started late. Granted, the kids were out there for longer than expected but after 3 weeks of rain, it seems to me that it would have occurred to someone that maybe the race was going to be slower than normal and maybe new start times should have been posted, announced or generally made known. Racers prepare for noon starts. When the race start is constantly being pushed back, or no one seems to really know when it will start, well, it messes with our mojo. All things considered, this race started late and got later and later. It beat us up with rocks and mud and some organizational glitches. Hopefully the people in charge will learn from this year and last year and have a more authoritative approach to setting and keeping a revised start time.<br />
<br />
Bring a Friend Birch:<br />
<br />
My mom taught me that if I have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all. With respect to my mom, I have nothing to say here.<br />
<br />
But, because my mom doesn’t read my blog, I have a problem with this race. Yes, I do know that lightning means “no start”. Yes I do know birch is climbing. What I see as a problem is, is that there seems to be an attitude of “we have to make them suffer” approach by the organizers. A race should challenge a racer on all aspects of mtn biking but I really don’t think it’s necessary to climb incessantly just because we’re at Birch. I also think that it is completely unnecessary to make us race on fresh cut trails when there are plenty of flowy trails that connect reasonable climbs and descents. Granted, I will admit that I was still beat up from the Falcon race and a bad crash there but I still don’t think it’s necessary to have to climb as much as we did. 3 reasonable but challenging climbs spread throughout a race course is enough. Off camber fresh cut trail is unnecessary. Being told that the “friends” would start after the XC race and then suddenly rushing my friend to the start line because everything changed is unprofessional. Again, this is MY opinion but there was NOTHING about this race that would attract newcomers to the sport. If all races were run like this and were this hard, I simply wouldn’t race.<br />
<br />
Swan River:<br />
<br />
The only bad thing about this race is that the course is so far away. I would love to ride here more. Simply put, the Swan River crew deserve more than a simple thanks for their work. They deserve a standing ovation. No one works harder for less racers than these guys. One of the best things about Swan River is that we know exactly what we’re in for. A fast descent with a hairpin turn into a climb to separate the field heading into what is probably the sweetest single track of any race course in MB and then some tight turns and climbs to remind you of the quad bursting climb back up to the start line. In conjunction with Olympia, Swan River was also very generous with the prizing. This is how races should be run.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-22642706401471367842010-02-11T14:12:00.001-08:002010-02-11T14:19:07.901-08:00No title<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/miPpVAMT9C0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/miPpVAMT9C0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-697866280308005782010-02-02T08:33:00.000-08:002010-02-02T08:33:32.184-08:00Winter cycling and driver's attitudesSeveral times each winter, some irate driver writes a letter to the editor of the Winnipeg Free Press complaining about people riding their bikes in winter. The letter writer usually goes on to say that it should be illegal. If you read the news online there is opportunity to leave comments and the ensuing debate is invariably polarized between the staunch drivers and the diehard cyclists. Almost always the suggestion is put forth that cyclists should be licensed, taxed and be required to carry liability insurance.<br />
<br />
<br />
Let's examine these three suggestions:<br />
<br />
Licensing<br />
<br />
My first thought is "no way" but if the licensing required some kind of test that displayed a working knowledge of the rules of the road and competencies on the bike then perhaps it isn't such a bad idea. The problem, we all know, is not the 90% of cyclists who are able to manoeuvre through traffic while minimizing their effect on it, the problem is the 10% of idiots who run stop signs as if the sign isn't even there, ride all over the road, ride 2 or 3 across the road and generally ride in a manner that angers motorists and creates the angst reflected in the original letter writers complaints. I'm not for a moment suggesting that we need to ride in a timid and scaredy cat manner; I've always firmly believed that you have to ride with confidence and a little bit of attitude. I will never compromise my safety on a bike for the convenience of a driver...but if a cyclist had to prove they had competency and knowledge it would take away any defence if their actions caused an accident. The downside is that licensing a cyclist would be impossible to enforce and in that impossibility the idea loses its credibility<br />
<br />
Taxing cyclists<br />
<br />
This would be political suicide for any politician. We are taxed enough. Too much. And what would this tax pay for? Road maintenance? A cyclist creates no wear on a road whatsoever. Most cyclists are also motorists and we pay our road taxes when we buy gas. I would vehemently oppose any kind of a cyclist tax.<br />
<br />
Liability Insurance<br />
<br />
This might help a small handful of motorists who are lucky enough that a cyclist who caused an accident might stop and offer his insurance information. This cyclist lives in a magical world where it's always a downhill, tail wind riding environment with bikes that weight 10 lbs and we never get thirsty. We all win every race and Lance Armstrong is our friend. <br />
<br />
The cyclist who's actions cause accidents are generally of the ilk that would not stop to offer assistance or information. This is the most ridiculous of all the suggestions.<br />
<br />
I'm probably preaching to the choir here, most hard core cyclists try to have as little impact on traffic as they can while achieving their goals of riding or commuting but if or more likely when we get into a conversation with hard core drivers, having intellectual answers to their complaints will allow for a dialogue that will inform and educate drivers and perhaps soften their hatred of us. If you hear of any intellectual responses let me know because my standard response is usually;<br />
<br />
"I'll give up my bike for the winter if you give up your car for the summer"Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-75338196637679145092010-01-26T06:37:00.000-08:002010-01-26T06:37:55.406-08:00What is it about bikes?I've been thinking about this lately and I wonder what it is about bikes that compels us to try to finish building up a bike that we know we won't be riding for at least a month? <br />
I've been working on the conversion of the Nitro niner into a single speed and ordered a Shimano Alfine chain tensioner that will allow me to create a 2x1. I want to run a 44t and a 32 t chain ring with a 15t cog. Conventional tensioners don't have enough range to account for the 12t difference and even though I have no intentions of riding the bike until at least march, I wanted it finished a week ago...<br />
Just like I've been putting air into the front tire of my Gary Fisher even though I have no intentions of riding it until at least April...<br />
So, any thoughts as to why we work so hard on bikes we have on intentions of using?Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-77044706741254296462009-12-17T06:53:00.000-08:002009-12-17T06:55:18.769-08:00Another way of looking at things...Drive Me Crazy<br />
<br />
<br />
Non-cyclists are forever saying that bike riders should be held to the same standards as motorists. Agreed, but turnabout is fair play. Motorists should have to abide by the same behavior expected of cyclists. For instance:<br />
<br />
---When drivers arrive at a stop sign or red light, they must open the door and put one foot on the ground to prove they have made a full stop.<br />
<br />
---Cyclists who momentarily leave the bike lane to avoid an obstacle always suffer the wrath of motorists. Similarly, cars should not be permitted to change lanes in order to avoid mattresses, ladders, pedestrians and the like. <br />
<br />
---Group rides get hassled. So should large groups of motor vehicles. Find yourself driving in a long line of cars on the highway? You're disrupting traffic for everyone behind. The cops should be able to pull you over and even confiscate your vehicle. (Might be hard to get your car in the back seat of the cruiser, but that's a detail to be worked out later.)<br />
<br />
---Who always gets blamed in a car-bike crash? You got it. Similarly, if a larger vehicle like a dump truck collides with a car, it must be the car's fault. Because they're operating a smaller class of vehicle, car drivers de facto don't know what they're doing and must be punished. <br />
<br />
---Cyclists are constantly being told they don't belong on the road because they don't "pay taxes" by buying gas, paying tolls, etc., even though many riders also drive -- just not at this moment. Likewise, motorists shouldn't have access to public services like police protection on the road unless they are actually paying their taxes while driving. <br />
<br />
Copied with implied permission from the RoadBikeRider.com newsletter of Thursday December 10, 2009Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-1928044274014672302009-11-21T15:53:00.000-08:002009-11-21T15:53:16.749-08:00Aaaahhhh, how nice it could be...Sitting in a coffee shop in the Minneapolis area... Attended the Outdoor Adventure Expo this weekend and scored a couple of fantastic deals on bike lites and classic skis.<br />
Brought my "new" bike down with me and put it through the paces on a local trail that I really like, it's a nice flowy trail with short climbs and swoopy corners that for the most part you can take as fast as you can ride the straights...think bird's hill burr oak trail meets whittier park...<br />
The stunning part of this is that this trail was built AT THE REQUEST OF THE CITY!!!! Inver Grove Heights approached MORC (the minnesota 'equivallent' of the MCA but way way better) to build a trail in a little used park. While it is open to hikers and trail runners, it was built with mountain bikers in mind and there's non of this "bikes yeild to pedestrians" crap. Wow, a bike trail for bikes!!!! <br />
So it made me think; (and this is where this post becomes more rant/vent than observation) that Winnipeg could be like this, with an active and vibrant trail building/maintaining community that CLOSES trails when they're wet to preserve them, builds new trails and improves existing ones. Their local committee (MORC) seems to be more action than talk which would be a very very welcome change from the way things are in Winnipeg. <br />
Sigh, sadly, nothing will change in spite of any efforts to spur new trail building/maintenance and only the most dedicated will do anything to attempt to make our local trails any better. <br />
I cannot vent about lazy trail riders without pointing the finger at myself somewhat; I do not do much trail maintenance. I will however, get off my bike and move branches and trees off a trail when I they are small enough for one person to move but I have never carried any kind of a saw to tackle some of the bigger downed trees. BOO ME!!!<br />
Having said all that, I do strongly wish that some group would adopt some of the local trails and at least once or twice a season "spruce it up" to make riding more enjoyable and flowier for all of us.<br />
Vent completed, rant terminated.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-15365349960047180722009-11-14T20:35:00.000-08:002009-11-14T20:35:41.680-08:00So I was able to secure a steal of a deal on a full suspension Gary Fisher frame in the 29er persuasion. I couldnt pass it up and the idea was to change the geared parts over from the Norco to the GF full squish. (sorry for the technical terms; full squish = full suspension. The norco was a hardtail {front suspension only})<br />
Halfway through I ran into a roadblock as the seat post tube was thicker on the GF than the Norco so on top of purchasing new shifter cables, fork spacers and a derailleur hanger I will now need to acquire a new front derailleur. Not a huge issue but that means I won't be able to ride the bike tomorrow as planned. No worries, a trip to the local bike shop SHOULD solve this problem. I say should because at this time of year, parts availability is not the greatest, and understandably so.<br />
So anyway, pics should be up soon, as I documented the change of parts. I also consumed a bottle of wine as I proceeded with this project and I noticed that productivity is inversly proportional to the volume of wine consumed. Which is demonstrated by this post seeing as I am not done building up the GF full squish and yet, amazingly; I am writing in my blog. <br />
I know, I know, it blows my mind too!!!<br />
So anyway, as mentioned, I documented the changeover and I'll make a short but funny video about it to be posted on FACEBOOK. <br />
I'll post the link here as well.<br />
Ok, back to the bikes.Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-19070570014439020602009-11-09T08:28:00.000-08:002009-11-09T10:19:59.001-08:00MDH x 1 dayThe Maah Daah Hey trail is 96 miles of single track through the North Dakota badlands. It runs from the South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park at Medora, ND to the North Unit which is close to Watford City, ND. <br />
This trail was 30 years in the making since it was first discussed. Finished now, it winds its way through a wild landscape dominated by layered clay cliffs scoured by wind, rain and the Little Missouri River.<br />
While attempting it in one day is nothing new, many riders have done this, I've never ridden this far before on a trail. I've done longer road rides but a road ride is considerably easier than a mountain bike trail, especially when approximately 12000 feet of climbing is involved.<br />
Arriving in Dickinson, the group of 4 riders and 4 support crew members finalized the support stops, where the riders could receive food, water and tweak any problems with their bikes and decided to start at 5 am from Medora and ride north.<br />
<br />
5 AM Saturday:<br />
<br />
It was crisp but not overly cold. I kept the heat low in the RAV to minimize sweating on the drive to the starting point. We mounted our lights and set up the batteries, made final preperations to our hydration packs and bid farewell to our sensibilities. It was very dark and climbing hills on an unfamiliar trail in the dark is fairly difficult because you don't know if you're climbing 100 feet or 500. Plus my bike wouldn't shift into "granny gear" (the smallest chain ring on the front- FWI for non-riders) so I had to unclip my foot and push the chain over with my heal while trying to spin with one leg. Eventually I was able to fix this problem and I don't think it was a determining factor in my end result.<br />
We watched the sun come up and felt the wind begin to rise. Each competing with each other to see who would be stronger, the wind seemed to be the victor...it never got warm enough that we could ignore the breeze but it was unseasonably warm for the first week of November which was a blessing. After the first support stop we were able to remove our lights and ride in daylight. Wardrobe adjustments were necessary as well because it became warm enough to shed a layer or two. <br />
Most of the ride was just what I expected it to be. Because my fellow riders are shorter and at least 30-50 lbs lighter than I am; I was off the back just as I always am. It was neat to see them working their way across a long valley but sometimes frustrating because whenever I saw them above me (especially in the dark) I knew I had a lot more climbing to do.<br />
I had to bail on the ride at about the 140 km mark (it was about 168 total) after 11 hours 42 minutes of riding time because my knee was causing me considerable pain. I had partially dislocated it during a race in summer but it was never bad enough to require a doctor visit. It began to hurt occasionally around 80 kms but would stop hurting for long periods of time. Eventually, as these things happen, it began to hurt more and longer and at about 100 kms I was in pain non-stop and the waves of the worst of it were beginning to affect my ride. I abandoned my effort in the end because the zenith of pain was now causing me nausea. In the end; I chose long term mobility and knee health over short term pride. I also knew that my slow progress would impede the others as they had to wait for me at the support stops now so quitting was also semi sacrificial to ensure their completion.<br />
<br />
I intend to attempt this again but I will do a few things differently. I would climb more hills leading up to the ride, the trail I chose to train on does not have long enough sustained climbs to prepare ones legs for this. I would also choose more "real" food over performance food. I was pretty sick of clif bars and powerbars and when one of the support crew members had coffee ready at the stop where I bailed on the ride, he became my instant hero, even if only for the moment. Riding in the cool weather like this suggests to me that a soup of some kind at a support stop would have been most welcomed. I found myself craving real food while on the bike and the bagels with honey I had were great for the carbohydrates they provided but they became "glommy" in my mouth and in hindsight, I would have chosen something else.<br />
<br />
Before the ride I had emailed my friends and family to suggest that they consider a donation to a charity of their choice in accordance to how many kms I rode and that spurred me to ride farther than I would have if some had not decided to accept my challenge. In the end I might have quit sooner but all in all I'm slightly disappointed in my failure to complete this trail but I wonder if I might have been more disappointed in myself had I finished it and caused real damage to my knee because I simply should have known better.<br />
<br />
I brought my camera equipment along and had several people assist in filming. Now begins the process of reviewing what was captured and what is usable. I intend to make a short film about this adventure but being a procrastinator and of limited creative abilities; I expect it will take several months.<br />
<br />
If I knew how to post pics along side the words, I would but I haven't quite figured that out yet...<br />
<br />
And before I forget, MANY MANY THANKS TO THE SUPPORT CREW:<br />
Mitchell R<br />
Mark Z<br />
Kellye P<br />
Susan D<br />
<br />
and the other riders<br />
Tom Q<br />
Gregg P<br />
Craig D<br />
<br />
Ride on...Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3761680536251810556.post-50820588953555498462009-11-02T17:46:00.001-08:002009-11-02T17:46:12.887-08:00<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUHbEMIXn7F6Pa5-9fxpJW_wZ3ocK2f-5Byg2SDX1k8bKXfBdeGXX6vVWtyhsVI9oI4ExmM_fSeDXCj_TvarOUy-dXaKQkYgCh8ivU7GIXUdFDXxp9KacA395my6R7VlyzphO-dIIlO_h/s1600-h/mdh+various+(104).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUHbEMIXn7F6Pa5-9fxpJW_wZ3ocK2f-5Byg2SDX1k8bKXfBdeGXX6vVWtyhsVI9oI4ExmM_fSeDXCj_TvarOUy-dXaKQkYgCh8ivU7GIXUdFDXxp9KacA395my6R7VlyzphO-dIIlO_h/s320/mdh+various+(104).jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Gordohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06483479794568561853noreply@blogger.com0