I will learn to just say nothing at all.
But then I fall back to music...
This one i find works to re-adjust the attitude!
ONE DAY WHO KNOWS
SOME DAY
SOME DAY I SUPPOSE
(embedding disabled so click and listen/watch)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
confounded
Why? I desperately want to have my heart set on a new bike. You know. That dream machine. I would say the first one that comes to mind is a speedvagen. True Vanilla or not, it still draws me in more than most. But the reality of setting that bike as the next bike is just depressing. There is no way a frame in that price range will be ridden by GeWilli unless someone hands him the bike as sponsorship. and yes i would be mad props pimping what ever someone gave me, assuming it would fit and well that it was given to me. So where does that leave me? I dunno. Longing for bikes that I can never hope to own?
The latest and greatest bikes hold little sex appeal. The Ridley's are pretty cool but the sizing is sooooo messed up that the bikes might work great for average size riders but freaks like me, it just doesn't work. Period. What else? I keep coming back to steel for cross. Just seems so perfect. But, the reality is that steel isn't cheap, and to get one that really fits me I do have to go custom it seems. Kona and C-dale have rides that probably fit me okay. But I am at the point of being unable to lust after something like that any more. Ryan or Barry's bikes, that is different. I'd love to get one of their frames from last year or the year before.
The NAHBS has fueled the burning lust for killer hand crafted beauty. But the entry fee into that market, while really not that steep, puts it out of my reach. And sadly makes everything else seem pretty lame. Somewhat depressing. On the other hand it makes me appreciate my own ride greatly. Appreciate how fortunate I am to have the bikes I do have. My commuter isn't perfect. I can't put real fenders on it, the drop outs slip like crazy, i question the safety and age of the front fork. The fit from my road, commuter, cross bike is drastically different and it really shouldn't be. A true purpose build commuter is something that would be amazing. a disc brake cross style monster. Or something.
Heck a not so small part of me is saying "I could be doing that, I could be doing that really well." But we've got enough small builders around, more and more people are getting into it, and that's great.
My weakness is in feeling a pang of jealousy and sad envy when friends get new rides. I should be, and generally am, really excited for them, genuinely and only happy that they are getting something cool. But I am only human and being far from perfect in every aspect I do suffer envy. I try not to think about it too much. I can look back with great satisfaction and say, my bike made it through the year and never let me down. Sure, I broke a chain, I physically cracked. I crashed a few times. But a new bike wouldn't have prevented them (well the first one probably) or made my season of racing any more fun.
Heck, maybe it would have been less fun. Pressure to perform on a new fancy machine. Lots of talented real racers have made a go at it with less. I should be and honestly am satisfied. But that damn bike show. I realize after starting to write this that BSNYC has pretty much written something that, while not quite, sort of echos along these lines. I've scoured over every image in Cyclingnews from the show, and I marvel at the work, the craftsmanship, and just think how amazing it would be to be able to ride something so remarkable one day.
Man - i kinda feel like a cloud has settled over me. Maybe it is the 3rd day in a row off the bike. Maybe it is this stomach bug. Maybe it is the tediousness of collecting GBs of data on a system to see if I can make it not work after it was "fixed" and having it work flawlessly. If only breathing hard didn't make me feel like I was going to puke I might consider going for a run or getting on the trainer.
ah well... I guess I can take the bad days with the good, ride the swells and just be thankful the troughs are as shallow as they are.
heddwch
G
The latest and greatest bikes hold little sex appeal. The Ridley's are pretty cool but the sizing is sooooo messed up that the bikes might work great for average size riders but freaks like me, it just doesn't work. Period. What else? I keep coming back to steel for cross. Just seems so perfect. But, the reality is that steel isn't cheap, and to get one that really fits me I do have to go custom it seems. Kona and C-dale have rides that probably fit me okay. But I am at the point of being unable to lust after something like that any more. Ryan or Barry's bikes, that is different. I'd love to get one of their frames from last year or the year before.
The NAHBS has fueled the burning lust for killer hand crafted beauty. But the entry fee into that market, while really not that steep, puts it out of my reach. And sadly makes everything else seem pretty lame. Somewhat depressing. On the other hand it makes me appreciate my own ride greatly. Appreciate how fortunate I am to have the bikes I do have. My commuter isn't perfect. I can't put real fenders on it, the drop outs slip like crazy, i question the safety and age of the front fork. The fit from my road, commuter, cross bike is drastically different and it really shouldn't be. A true purpose build commuter is something that would be amazing. a disc brake cross style monster. Or something.
Heck a not so small part of me is saying "I could be doing that, I could be doing that really well." But we've got enough small builders around, more and more people are getting into it, and that's great.
My weakness is in feeling a pang of jealousy and sad envy when friends get new rides. I should be, and generally am, really excited for them, genuinely and only happy that they are getting something cool. But I am only human and being far from perfect in every aspect I do suffer envy. I try not to think about it too much. I can look back with great satisfaction and say, my bike made it through the year and never let me down. Sure, I broke a chain, I physically cracked. I crashed a few times. But a new bike wouldn't have prevented them (well the first one probably) or made my season of racing any more fun.
Heck, maybe it would have been less fun. Pressure to perform on a new fancy machine. Lots of talented real racers have made a go at it with less. I should be and honestly am satisfied. But that damn bike show. I realize after starting to write this that BSNYC has pretty much written something that, while not quite, sort of echos along these lines. I've scoured over every image in Cyclingnews from the show, and I marvel at the work, the craftsmanship, and just think how amazing it would be to be able to ride something so remarkable one day.
Man - i kinda feel like a cloud has settled over me. Maybe it is the 3rd day in a row off the bike. Maybe it is this stomach bug. Maybe it is the tediousness of collecting GBs of data on a system to see if I can make it not work after it was "fixed" and having it work flawlessly. If only breathing hard didn't make me feel like I was going to puke I might consider going for a run or getting on the trainer.
ah well... I guess I can take the bad days with the good, ride the swells and just be thankful the troughs are as shallow as they are.
heddwch
G
Good timing
This bitter cold and wicked strong wind coupled with me fighting the gastrointestinal bug that is going around. Riding and fighting off this nasty critter probably wouldn't be a good combo. That and I still can't quite get both girls and their stuff in the single trailer. Not to mention, it was pretty cold this morning.
I'm wondering if there is anyone reading this in New Belgium that might want to go ride around on the Knobbies Sunday sometime (morning perhaps to avoid conflict with the 500). Weather looks to be breaking... might be fun... definitely MTB not cross.
Gotta start riding and getting ready for Burlingame and the rest of the MTB stuff.
And 24hr of Great Glen Registration is open already? NO WAY. gotta get the team going on that. I think we might actually put a gang together and see what we can do...
Other awesome news. We are sticking the Market at Cutler Mills Logo on the team kit! A great sponsor. Looking forward to working with them and the rest of out sponsors for this coming year. One of them, the title sponsor, Refunds Now, does a great job of tax prep. If ya need someone to sort through a mountain of complicated docs or to just do it for ya, consider supporting a firm that supports bike racing in New England.
Speaking of sponsorship, it sounds like JP has a ride for next year but nothing is public yet. I can't wait to hear who he's gonna be riding for. Here's to hoping he can improve a little on last year's racing with a more supportive environment.
How many days till Cross season starts?
heddwch
G
I'm wondering if there is anyone reading this in New Belgium that might want to go ride around on the Knobbies Sunday sometime (morning perhaps to avoid conflict with the 500). Weather looks to be breaking... might be fun... definitely MTB not cross.
Gotta start riding and getting ready for Burlingame and the rest of the MTB stuff.
And 24hr of Great Glen Registration is open already? NO WAY. gotta get the team going on that. I think we might actually put a gang together and see what we can do...
Other awesome news. We are sticking the Market at Cutler Mills Logo on the team kit! A great sponsor. Looking forward to working with them and the rest of out sponsors for this coming year. One of them, the title sponsor, Refunds Now, does a great job of tax prep. If ya need someone to sort through a mountain of complicated docs or to just do it for ya, consider supporting a firm that supports bike racing in New England.
Speaking of sponsorship, it sounds like JP has a ride for next year but nothing is public yet. I can't wait to hear who he's gonna be riding for. Here's to hoping he can improve a little on last year's racing with a more supportive environment.
How many days till Cross season starts?
heddwch
G
Monday, February 11, 2008
to end the day
It is only the great men who are truly obscene. If they had not dared to be obscene, they could never have dared to be great.
- Havelock Ellis
Watched the Bud Shootout Saturday night. Good stuff. Yeah. something about it I like. Seems there are at least few other folks around who pay attention to "stock" car racing. It certainly is more exciting when, like solobreak said, you care who wins. Caring who wins makes any competition exciting. Chess to Golf. And yeah I like Dale E. Jr... and M Waltrip... although, most of the guys who i like have retired... and these new kids just don't make me like em or hate em like the folks who've been racing for at least 10 years or so...
More TV even, yeah - i was feeling under the weather - the kids were destroying the house and i collapsed on the couch and watched some Red Wings... they ALMOST had it but not quite... Good game even though i would have much rather seen them win. I miss watching hockey more than once in a blue moon when NBC decides to show a game. But that's okay. Once in a while it is good to watch, bad to be tied down every time they are playing on the TV.
No football, so just left with sporadic Hockey and the start of Nascar.
And, like New England Cross, Nascar starts the season off with the biggest race of the year. How is that the same as cross around here? Gloucester is much the same. Biggest race of the year almost first of the season (well yeah, looks like big big races preceeding it this year but still...)
anyway
heddwch
g
Does watching this give anyone else Chills?
Thanks for Posting it Jim
He's got some good stuff on my hero fellow giant Magnus in the same entry with the Roubaix vid...
Speaking of vids.
Pat Nerr Posted a Vid in this entry that was hosted on U Toob. Kinda funny. Why post a vid publicly and then not allow it to be embedded?
Weird. Really freaking goofy. I wonder how Marzocco feels about a hundred of those new fancy machines that 5Bux is going to have to figure out what to do with when those shops close...
I mean they make steam and water and that stuff seem like an art form. HAH. Just simple physics. Make steam at a certain temp and pressure. Have coffee in right grind/density... poof... perfect eSSpresso. Yeah yeah way to complicated to allow a barrista to have input in making it... it must be fully automated.
Ya know because the starbucks coffee bean is so perfectly roasted (NOT). When I have a real coffee, now and then, the difference between 5bux and say Coffee Depot, or somewhere else is incredibly remarkable. Sure so i under sugar (but still add a tiny bit to sweeten the milk a touch) and there by taste it. I find it hysterical watching someone order a vanilla hazelnut mocha only to mix in another 2-4 packs of sugar in their Venti. Do they know how much sugar is in that? Do they think the flavors are just flavors and not flavored sucre sirope? But then i guess drinking 16 oz of coffee still doesn't get you the same 10 teaspoons of sugar that drinking a soda like Pepsi or Coke will.
Not that sugar is bad for you, but... soda is HFCS. That stuff IS bad for you. And it might make a good recovery drink following an intense glycogen depleting work out it ain't a good idea to consume lots of. But then...
well hell where did i start this with?
Oh yeah. Paris-Roubaix.
Battenkill is coming up in a couple months...
I can't wait.
heddwch
G
Media
Ah, TV. What else. Sometimes i do watch a bit of tv. I try to catch a bit of news now and then. Friday night on NBC's national broadcast they had the alternative fuel thing going. I felt a bit vindicated when they had the alternative fuel voice get in front of the camera clearly showing his exacerbation and frustration with the article and the media press it was getting.
Pretty sad.
There are plenty of crops that can be grown in marginal areas. Take a stretch of desert for example. Set up some sealed tanks, fill em with algae and man. With the solar exposure you can produce so much biomass it isn't even funny. Squeeze the oil out for biodiesel and take the cellulosic biomass remains and bacterially ferment it into ethanol, or feed it into a biomass type incinerator. Or ship it out as fertilizer. It would take very little water, and efficiently convert solar energy into extremely stable chemical energy and boom. Solution.
Heck set up aquaculture 'nets' or pods in areas with high nitrogen run off. Grow the algae to clear the fertilizer run off and in the process you solve two environmental issues. Over fertilization of crops like Corn and wheat (soybeans don't get nitrogen fertilization FYI) pollution of water ways is cleared up and fuel is created using solar power.
*sigh*
how to make the population understand? maybe the clif bar 2 mile challenge is a good place to start.
Cycling side, i actually got out and did a nice 55-60 miles of junk riding. 10-12 miles to get to the start of the RI Smack Down ride. It starts from De Pasquale Square (off Attwells) and right now it is a 10am start. Heads west for the rolling "hills" of the state. A couple painted rock sprints. All pure junk miles. No purpose, no training goal. Just a chance to get out and ride.
The ride down to the car on Friday had me thinking "this seat post seems REALLY low" so i checked it against the cross bike. WTF. 2.5 centimeters low. OKAY. Well. Tightening it up the binder bolt snapped. If you've owned one of these waterford paramounts, you know the weak point is the bolt. Those campy ones are slick as snot but they break long before it gets tight enough (unless you can some how find a 27.3 seat post).
I can't recall if i got my new stainless tool steel binder bolts from Richard Schwinn at Waterford or if I got them from the guys at Davidson when they repainted the frame back in '95. So at any rate i've had that one binder bolt in there for a long time. LONG time. Lots of seat adjustments, post changes (ya know - one broke recently). And friday night before the ride saturday it broke.
Damn. Well my filing cabinet brain was telling me "I am pretty sure I have one more just like this somewhere." First place in my craftsmen tool chest (big rolly wheel thing full of junk) I looked. There it was. Brilliant. Popped it in. Set the seat post at the right height. Tightened it down. No slippage. Brilliant.
BUT. It meant my legs were pedaling in a dynamic that was unfamiliar. I guess the post has been slipping slowly for a while. All the cross style remounts have been slowly pushing it down. And so, it felt a bit strained as i motored at redline all the way to the start of the ride (Zone 4-5 from the gun). But no pain developed post ride, and it felt okay. It was also great to have the P-mount on the ride for a few other reasons. #1 it is pretty darn heavy. Sure MN's Surly cross check with the massive 35c tires was slightly heavier, but not by much. And. With the wearing out of the 50t and only some 40t rings in the craftsmen, Big Ring GeWilli was forced to ride in a 1x8 setup. 40-12 as the low gear. Good stuff. I got that damn thing spinning pretty well a few times. Not having anything much bigger on there now should help to increase my average cadence on group rides.
I haven't gone on a run in ages. I told myself i wanted to try and do it at least once a week. Our Dog would like it if i stuck with that too. But, well it just hasn't happened much. Gonna try this week though. Gotta try. Wait. What did yoda say?
Try not. Do…or do not.
There is no try.
So, we'll see what happens. Life gets in the way of the best plans. I will see if I do or do not get out for a run.
The ride felt good. Plenty strong. Just need some speed. Which is a strange/odd but not unusual i suppose. Often you see cyclists who really aren't strong on the bike but are really fast. And then there is me, the giant. Strong like clydesdale (which i think i might actually be again despite my thinking i was still 195). somehow i have to transition into a Morgan Horse. Strong and Fast. I've got a few things i think i can work on to find some speed before Battenkill. I don't want to get dropped in the same place.
Anyway, we can get back to being entertained as G-Ride has made it back from the exploitation masters (disney co). Don't get me started on that place. Please. I'm sure jerry has probably started trying to make up for lost time on the forum. Too bad all those folks don't move over to PureCX. I like dedicated forums more than the general mosh pit ones. But then mosh pits draw more people and more people means the 'marketing' folks can put more annoying adds up that I will block with adblocker and noscript and any other tool FireFox will let me use. I hate adds on web content. HATE HATE HATE HATE. Hate it. And no, even though i have considered putting them up here, I won't.
I just can't do that. And, to this point, I can't really talk about the politics. Or, I should say I won't. Not that I have not been paying attention (I have a little bit), I just don't want to get mired down in stuff so divisive it turns friends needlessly on friends. Not that GeWilli every steered clear of a good argument, no, I just don't want to get into that now.
I'll stick to fighting the iDrone wearers. Stupid people wearing a really cool device when riding on the road. Sorry but it is about the most idiotic thing you can do. Justify it all you want to yourself. It is flat out stupid. Heck solo pointed out that the running folks are wising up as well. Good for them. Maybe someone will actually move from the middle of the path when I yell at the top of my lungs "ON YOUR LEFT" but probably not. People feel safe on bike paths. They think they own the place.
Damn Pathletes...
It still isn't above 20°F today even with the bright sun. And the 10°F start coupled with the 25+ mph wind, saw me carpooling today. Might hybrid tomorrow and then get back into full distance mid-week. That critical low temp for the trailer's occupants is the deciding factor. The normal lows, or I should say the average lows are above the cut off temp, so it is just when it gets unseasonable around here. That and ten degrees with a 25 mph head/cross wind, is REALLY kinda sucky. Not impossible, easily manageable (if not towing trailer), very rewarding, but, bottom line it is cold.
So stay warm, keep an eye on positive mile markers along the way. And all that.
Heddwch
G
Pretty sad.
There are plenty of crops that can be grown in marginal areas. Take a stretch of desert for example. Set up some sealed tanks, fill em with algae and man. With the solar exposure you can produce so much biomass it isn't even funny. Squeeze the oil out for biodiesel and take the cellulosic biomass remains and bacterially ferment it into ethanol, or feed it into a biomass type incinerator. Or ship it out as fertilizer. It would take very little water, and efficiently convert solar energy into extremely stable chemical energy and boom. Solution.
Heck set up aquaculture 'nets' or pods in areas with high nitrogen run off. Grow the algae to clear the fertilizer run off and in the process you solve two environmental issues. Over fertilization of crops like Corn and wheat (soybeans don't get nitrogen fertilization FYI) pollution of water ways is cleared up and fuel is created using solar power.
*sigh*
how to make the population understand? maybe the clif bar 2 mile challenge is a good place to start.
Cycling side, i actually got out and did a nice 55-60 miles of junk riding. 10-12 miles to get to the start of the RI Smack Down ride. It starts from De Pasquale Square (off Attwells) and right now it is a 10am start. Heads west for the rolling "hills" of the state. A couple painted rock sprints. All pure junk miles. No purpose, no training goal. Just a chance to get out and ride.
The ride down to the car on Friday had me thinking "this seat post seems REALLY low" so i checked it against the cross bike. WTF. 2.5 centimeters low. OKAY. Well. Tightening it up the binder bolt snapped. If you've owned one of these waterford paramounts, you know the weak point is the bolt. Those campy ones are slick as snot but they break long before it gets tight enough (unless you can some how find a 27.3 seat post).
I can't recall if i got my new stainless tool steel binder bolts from Richard Schwinn at Waterford or if I got them from the guys at Davidson when they repainted the frame back in '95. So at any rate i've had that one binder bolt in there for a long time. LONG time. Lots of seat adjustments, post changes (ya know - one broke recently). And friday night before the ride saturday it broke.
Damn. Well my filing cabinet brain was telling me "I am pretty sure I have one more just like this somewhere." First place in my craftsmen tool chest (big rolly wheel thing full of junk) I looked. There it was. Brilliant. Popped it in. Set the seat post at the right height. Tightened it down. No slippage. Brilliant.
BUT. It meant my legs were pedaling in a dynamic that was unfamiliar. I guess the post has been slipping slowly for a while. All the cross style remounts have been slowly pushing it down. And so, it felt a bit strained as i motored at redline all the way to the start of the ride (Zone 4-5 from the gun). But no pain developed post ride, and it felt okay. It was also great to have the P-mount on the ride for a few other reasons. #1 it is pretty darn heavy. Sure MN's Surly cross check with the massive 35c tires was slightly heavier, but not by much. And. With the wearing out of the 50t and only some 40t rings in the craftsmen, Big Ring GeWilli was forced to ride in a 1x8 setup. 40-12 as the low gear. Good stuff. I got that damn thing spinning pretty well a few times. Not having anything much bigger on there now should help to increase my average cadence on group rides.
I haven't gone on a run in ages. I told myself i wanted to try and do it at least once a week. Our Dog would like it if i stuck with that too. But, well it just hasn't happened much. Gonna try this week though. Gotta try. Wait. What did yoda say?
Try not. Do…or do not.
There is no try.
So, we'll see what happens. Life gets in the way of the best plans. I will see if I do or do not get out for a run.
The ride felt good. Plenty strong. Just need some speed. Which is a strange/odd but not unusual i suppose. Often you see cyclists who really aren't strong on the bike but are really fast. And then there is me, the giant. Strong like clydesdale (which i think i might actually be again despite my thinking i was still 195). somehow i have to transition into a Morgan Horse. Strong and Fast. I've got a few things i think i can work on to find some speed before Battenkill. I don't want to get dropped in the same place.
Anyway, we can get back to being entertained as G-Ride has made it back from the exploitation masters (disney co). Don't get me started on that place. Please. I'm sure jerry has probably started trying to make up for lost time on the forum. Too bad all those folks don't move over to PureCX. I like dedicated forums more than the general mosh pit ones. But then mosh pits draw more people and more people means the 'marketing' folks can put more annoying adds up that I will block with adblocker and noscript and any other tool FireFox will let me use. I hate adds on web content. HATE HATE HATE HATE. Hate it. And no, even though i have considered putting them up here, I won't.
I just can't do that. And, to this point, I can't really talk about the politics. Or, I should say I won't. Not that I have not been paying attention (I have a little bit), I just don't want to get mired down in stuff so divisive it turns friends needlessly on friends. Not that GeWilli every steered clear of a good argument, no, I just don't want to get into that now.
I'll stick to fighting the iDrone wearers. Stupid people wearing a really cool device when riding on the road. Sorry but it is about the most idiotic thing you can do. Justify it all you want to yourself. It is flat out stupid. Heck solo pointed out that the running folks are wising up as well. Good for them. Maybe someone will actually move from the middle of the path when I yell at the top of my lungs "ON YOUR LEFT" but probably not. People feel safe on bike paths. They think they own the place.
Damn Pathletes...
It still isn't above 20°F today even with the bright sun. And the 10°F start coupled with the 25+ mph wind, saw me carpooling today. Might hybrid tomorrow and then get back into full distance mid-week. That critical low temp for the trailer's occupants is the deciding factor. The normal lows, or I should say the average lows are above the cut off temp, so it is just when it gets unseasonable around here. That and ten degrees with a 25 mph head/cross wind, is REALLY kinda sucky. Not impossible, easily manageable (if not towing trailer), very rewarding, but, bottom line it is cold.
So stay warm, keep an eye on positive mile markers along the way. And all that.
Heddwch
G
Friday, February 08, 2008
Ahh to be in Portland now
It might even be enough to get over my Seattle/Tacoma based anti-portland feelings from my youth.
The NAHBS is going on and I want to be there.
Those lucky bastards out there... So much bike porn...
sigh...
The NAHBS is going on and I want to be there.
Those lucky bastards out there... So much bike porn...
sigh...
Finally some
Solid reporting. I guess it takes a "real" news source like the Boston Globe to write an article that is fitting of the man.
Thanks Ross Kerber.
Last night I had a moment of reflection. Driven by a comment a friend made yesterday in response to a dinky question. I wandered over mentally to think about Saint Sheldon. What strikes you about the pages? Sure it is old code, but it is effective and functional. Aside from the umbrella of Harris Cyclery, there aren't really any adds.
Why so curious? A few folks (including the Rat) have been suggesting I stick some google addsense up to take advantage of the visitor flow and generate some cash. But I think, "what would sheldon do?"
And I contemplate what my wife's Uncle said once regarding some Football team owner who was being reported as a really great nice guy: "who did he exploit to earn his billions of dollars."
Sheldon wasn't an exploiter. He allowed his knowledge to be exploited. He willing shared information that helped thousands of others earn money (bike mechanics mostly), yet charged nothing. He offered advice unconditionally. He allowed people to exploit his knowledge.
Yogurt Boy. Ask his dedicated wife, "Is Matt allowing himself to be exploited for the good of others?" I would wager the response would be a smiling yes.
Not to pick on Yogurt boy, lets look at Results Boy. Or many many others.
At what point does charging for a service/product become exploitation?
Carnegie, Rockefeller, Ford, Dupont, Nobel. Family legacies of fortunes amassed from exploiting others. Certainly the directed charity work of those can be balanced against it, but, ponder for a moment: What if they took all the profits at that moment and gave it back to the folks who's labor, sweat, lives made the wealth? That's what Sheldon seems to have done with his life. Yes, he worked for a living. Most of us know how much even the most experience shop rat gets. But with his vast knowledge he could have sheltered it away and made it exclusive. Writing manuals, charging for lessons, writing books, who knows what. But he didn't.
And that is a very noble model to follow.
Allowing yourself to be exploited for the good of others, in a conscious way, not out of need or someone else's greed/deceit is the definition of selflessness. There isn't really a difference between the two except in connotation. There are hosts of negative sides of exploitation, but when it becomes active on your part, they way Sheldon and others operate, that is active selflessness/exploitation.
Sure, idealistic musings.
And yes, it does really come down in a sappy manner to what Randy Travis's song says. It's what you leave behind when you go.
But maybe it should be tweaked slightly:
It is what you leave behind as you go.
Don't wait for the end, for your will to determine where everything goes. Do it as you go.
Selflessness. A trait more people should cultivate.
Heddwch
G
Thanks Ross Kerber.
Last night I had a moment of reflection. Driven by a comment a friend made yesterday in response to a dinky question. I wandered over mentally to think about Saint Sheldon. What strikes you about the pages? Sure it is old code, but it is effective and functional. Aside from the umbrella of Harris Cyclery, there aren't really any adds.
Why so curious? A few folks (including the Rat) have been suggesting I stick some google addsense up to take advantage of the visitor flow and generate some cash. But I think, "what would sheldon do?"
And I contemplate what my wife's Uncle said once regarding some Football team owner who was being reported as a really great nice guy: "who did he exploit to earn his billions of dollars."
Sheldon wasn't an exploiter. He allowed his knowledge to be exploited. He willing shared information that helped thousands of others earn money (bike mechanics mostly), yet charged nothing. He offered advice unconditionally. He allowed people to exploit his knowledge.
Yogurt Boy. Ask his dedicated wife, "Is Matt allowing himself to be exploited for the good of others?" I would wager the response would be a smiling yes.
Not to pick on Yogurt boy, lets look at Results Boy. Or many many others.
At what point does charging for a service/product become exploitation?
Carnegie, Rockefeller, Ford, Dupont, Nobel. Family legacies of fortunes amassed from exploiting others. Certainly the directed charity work of those can be balanced against it, but, ponder for a moment: What if they took all the profits at that moment and gave it back to the folks who's labor, sweat, lives made the wealth? That's what Sheldon seems to have done with his life. Yes, he worked for a living. Most of us know how much even the most experience shop rat gets. But with his vast knowledge he could have sheltered it away and made it exclusive. Writing manuals, charging for lessons, writing books, who knows what. But he didn't.
And that is a very noble model to follow.
Allowing yourself to be exploited for the good of others, in a conscious way, not out of need or someone else's greed/deceit is the definition of selflessness. There isn't really a difference between the two except in connotation. There are hosts of negative sides of exploitation, but when it becomes active on your part, they way Sheldon and others operate, that is active selflessness/exploitation.
Sure, idealistic musings.
And yes, it does really come down in a sappy manner to what Randy Travis's song says. It's what you leave behind when you go.
But maybe it should be tweaked slightly:
It is what you leave behind as you go.
Don't wait for the end, for your will to determine where everything goes. Do it as you go.
Selflessness. A trait more people should cultivate.
Heddwch
G
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Didn't make it down
In case anyone was wondering. I'm gonna have to get Scott's route down there one of these days...
but
I came across this song and had to jot some thoughts that came from it.
That sums up Sheldon Brown. He left us with as much if not more than anyone has left cycling.
Yeah. It is a line from Randy Travis's Three Wooden Crosses song.
I like the occasional country music song. It ain't all DJ Tiesto, The Pogues, and Gordon Bok with Rush, Black Sabbath and Wagner tossed in liberally.
As you go through life. Keep that in mind.
It really comes down to what you leave behind when you go. What have you done. What have you done to make a difference? Ask yourself, what have you left behind if you were to go tomorrow. Is it enough. Is it ever enough. At what point can you say what you are doing benefits others more than you?
Yogurt boy is a good example. Cronoman too. These are folks who could be doing things very differently, to very different ends. But they both have and continue to make amazing and very different sacrifices. By any measure they both have already done more than most could dream of doing for others.
I'm going to quote a far more eloquent man than I to express what I am trying to say. People like Yogurt Boy (aka feltslave aka cxracer aka Matt Simpson) and Cronoman (aka Nicest guy in the peloton aka USMC veteran Eric Maro) are the folks this friend is talking about:
Well said Bruce. Thanks!
I will close much the same way I have once before:
Now pass me a virtual bottle of the Water of Life. Time to toast a few rounds to those who've fallen, those who've inspired us, those who gave us our country!
Sláinte
and
Heddwch
G
but
I came across this song and had to jot some thoughts that came from it.
It's not what you take when you leave this world behind you...
It's what you leave behind you when you go.
That sums up Sheldon Brown. He left us with as much if not more than anyone has left cycling.
Yeah. It is a line from Randy Travis's Three Wooden Crosses song.
I like the occasional country music song. It ain't all DJ Tiesto, The Pogues, and Gordon Bok with Rush, Black Sabbath and Wagner tossed in liberally.
As you go through life. Keep that in mind.
It really comes down to what you leave behind when you go. What have you done. What have you done to make a difference? Ask yourself, what have you left behind if you were to go tomorrow. Is it enough. Is it ever enough. At what point can you say what you are doing benefits others more than you?
Yogurt boy is a good example. Cronoman too. These are folks who could be doing things very differently, to very different ends. But they both have and continue to make amazing and very different sacrifices. By any measure they both have already done more than most could dream of doing for others.
I'm going to quote a far more eloquent man than I to express what I am trying to say. People like Yogurt Boy (aka feltslave aka cxracer aka Matt Simpson) and Cronoman (aka Nicest guy in the peloton aka USMC veteran Eric Maro) are the folks this friend is talking about:
Special people surround us all. They don’t need to be entertainment, or internet celebrities to be stars. Enjoy their company. Don’t be shy. Thank them for making your life better, more fun, or interesting.
Well said Bruce. Thanks!
I will close much the same way I have once before:
Now pass me a virtual bottle of the Water of Life. Time to toast a few rounds to those who've fallen, those who've inspired us, those who gave us our country!
Sláinte
and
Heddwch
G
simple
Yes, Velonews and Cyclingnews and most the rest of the outlets popped the info up. But, it almost seemed like Thompson got more press at his passing than Brown did.
But it is behind and we can move on and keep the spirit of Sheldon alive.
I got thinking the other day as the umpteenth prius went past me billowing exhaust (it was cold, eh?!)... If i had one of those sumbitch uglyass cars, with the price of gas, and the type of driving we do on a daily basis (or more specifically my wife) I would convert the damn thing over to run as an electric car. I've heard mention of a handful of people doing that with those cars. Add some extra batteries (or a lot of them) and a plug. Let it charge overnight, drive around fuel free. Yes battery cost probably wouldn't offset fuel for a long time. But the biodiesel burning Golf gets about the same economy without any regenerative braking so why change.
Anyway. Legs were pretty cooked this morning. The Hub didn't have the niterider cable. Hybrid commute day. Maybe a long lunch ride down to the Team's Shop Sponsor to see if they've got something (and just to stop in). Sure it might be an extra 20 miles of junk riding :)
Ah junk miles. Base miles. What is the difference. Riding around in Zone 1 never made anyone faster. Sure being able to sit on your ass for 3-4 hours at a time makes the 2 hour interval workout seem "short" but, that's a mental thing. Nothing more. But hey, if you think it makes you faster. But then hey, maybe ya wanna train like you are going to do a grand tour. I don't.
Yall be good.
Heddwch
G
But it is behind and we can move on and keep the spirit of Sheldon alive.
I got thinking the other day as the umpteenth prius went past me billowing exhaust (it was cold, eh?!)... If i had one of those sumbitch uglyass cars, with the price of gas, and the type of driving we do on a daily basis (or more specifically my wife) I would convert the damn thing over to run as an electric car. I've heard mention of a handful of people doing that with those cars. Add some extra batteries (or a lot of them) and a plug. Let it charge overnight, drive around fuel free. Yes battery cost probably wouldn't offset fuel for a long time. But the biodiesel burning Golf gets about the same economy without any regenerative braking so why change.
Anyway. Legs were pretty cooked this morning. The Hub didn't have the niterider cable. Hybrid commute day. Maybe a long lunch ride down to the Team's Shop Sponsor to see if they've got something (and just to stop in). Sure it might be an extra 20 miles of junk riding :)
Ah junk miles. Base miles. What is the difference. Riding around in Zone 1 never made anyone faster. Sure being able to sit on your ass for 3-4 hours at a time makes the 2 hour interval workout seem "short" but, that's a mental thing. Nothing more. But hey, if you think it makes you faster. But then hey, maybe ya wanna train like you are going to do a grand tour. I don't.
Yall be good.
Heddwch
G
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Wet wet wet wet
More rain and fog this morning. But we managed to avoid heavy stuff. Just a wee drizzle. Wet. Cool (42°F) and a bit dirty. Got to day care and, the little one had just gotten sick. Poor thing. Well it was raining. We were at daycare, so we went in. Cleaned up and were told "sorry, if something wasn't going around we might believe it was an isolated incident but you can't leave her here." Borrowed a jacket, hopped back in the dirty trailer (most of the stuff brushed off and cleaned up as best as possible in the rain. And headed in for a day with daddy at work. Or at least until we get board or everything dries.
My clothes: Dry.
Trailer: Cleaned.
Her Jacket: Mostly cleaned and drying.
Problem with the trailer. It has nice padded straps. But no way to remove the straps without removing the whole suspended seat. You can't remove the suspended seat without undoing 6-8 straps and removing a bar held in with a couple 6mm allen heads. Not a trivial removal. But then the straps can't accidentally come undone. Anyway, a liberal dose of windex and papertowels got it pretty well cleaned up. The inside is drying out now.
Last night was wet. Not too bad. But. Thankfully I had a little Frog Light. A white one. Because, well. Pulling away from daycare in the fog i went to turn on my headlamp. Nice old 6v 15W spot Niterider. Nuttin. I KNOW it was charged completely. So that's not it. Hmmm. Wiggle the cable thinking loose connection, it comes free in my hand. WTF. Damnit. The white lead busted off way inside the original cable that was but-connected to the new battery. Crap. No light. It was late. Frog will have to do. Not much fun. But there was enough light. It was cool and wet and I was motoring. And I know from playing with a powertap that when it is wet, and cold, I can easily sustain an extra 40 watts. And I did. Until we hit the tunnel of trees in the busted up construction section of the path. Made it through. And upon dissection of the lamp, the while cord sheathing is cracked and corroded all the way up to the plug. Bummer. So at least with the little one here I know it will be a short day and we'll head home in daylight. It doesn't solve the problem of a 13 year old Niterider cable though.
But man the ride in, power and fun. Just freaking motored, avoided the shells and well. It was a good ride. Till we got there. And even then, the extra weight headed up the rest of the way up the hill was a nice added bonus.
The extra weight. The trailer basically gets a bit heavier. As my passenger grows. Sure it might have only been 10 pounds in the last year, or only 5. But as those who are conscious of power to weight, it isn't insignificant. Switching to the trailer that weighed an extra 20 pounds over the one we were on last year also has changed things around. More work. More work.
But.
Cross isn't about steady heavy loaded legs. It is about bursts. Carry your speed, hit the corner just right. Blast out of it. Accelerate, slow, turn, acclerate repeat. 40-60 minutes of sprints, that is if the course isn't a big grass crit. But with that in mind one of the best bits of advice regarding cross came out of Zank's web log:
Spelling mistakes are entirely Zank's. Not mine.
But this is a good reason why that mountain biker colin can be competitive in the Killer Bs. He's got mad cornering skills.
So anyway. We're going to have a little lunch here in the office.
But to end I must acknowledge the lack of mention of my favorite FAVORITE pastry treat.
Packzi
I have made mention a few times of this wonderous treat.
No polish bakeries around here it seems. Unlike Michigan, no significant Polish population. Portuguese, yes. Polish, no.
And I had actually contemplated requesting a FedEx package of Packzi from Michigan from some old comrades back there, I can't believe i forgot to mention it till now. Ash Wednesday.
So rub up some ash on your forehead made from your palm from palm sunday last year and be prepared to not eat meat on Fridays. Or not.
Heddwch.
G
My clothes: Dry.
Trailer: Cleaned.
Her Jacket: Mostly cleaned and drying.
Problem with the trailer. It has nice padded straps. But no way to remove the straps without removing the whole suspended seat. You can't remove the suspended seat without undoing 6-8 straps and removing a bar held in with a couple 6mm allen heads. Not a trivial removal. But then the straps can't accidentally come undone. Anyway, a liberal dose of windex and papertowels got it pretty well cleaned up. The inside is drying out now.
Last night was wet. Not too bad. But. Thankfully I had a little Frog Light. A white one. Because, well. Pulling away from daycare in the fog i went to turn on my headlamp. Nice old 6v 15W spot Niterider. Nuttin. I KNOW it was charged completely. So that's not it. Hmmm. Wiggle the cable thinking loose connection, it comes free in my hand. WTF. Damnit. The white lead busted off way inside the original cable that was but-connected to the new battery. Crap. No light. It was late. Frog will have to do. Not much fun. But there was enough light. It was cool and wet and I was motoring. And I know from playing with a powertap that when it is wet, and cold, I can easily sustain an extra 40 watts. And I did. Until we hit the tunnel of trees in the busted up construction section of the path. Made it through. And upon dissection of the lamp, the while cord sheathing is cracked and corroded all the way up to the plug. Bummer. So at least with the little one here I know it will be a short day and we'll head home in daylight. It doesn't solve the problem of a 13 year old Niterider cable though.
But man the ride in, power and fun. Just freaking motored, avoided the shells and well. It was a good ride. Till we got there. And even then, the extra weight headed up the rest of the way up the hill was a nice added bonus.
The extra weight. The trailer basically gets a bit heavier. As my passenger grows. Sure it might have only been 10 pounds in the last year, or only 5. But as those who are conscious of power to weight, it isn't insignificant. Switching to the trailer that weighed an extra 20 pounds over the one we were on last year also has changed things around. More work. More work.
But.
Cross isn't about steady heavy loaded legs. It is about bursts. Carry your speed, hit the corner just right. Blast out of it. Accelerate, slow, turn, acclerate repeat. 40-60 minutes of sprints, that is if the course isn't a big grass crit. But with that in mind one of the best bits of advice regarding cross came out of Zank's web log:
One of our cheering-mates was Tom De Kort. He races for the AVB-USSPA Cycling Team, which is the feader team for Fidea. Super nice guy. He was happy to offer some advice, and I think taking it from him was a no-brainer.
"I focus 110% on my handling techniques. That is my strong point. If I can make 1 second up in 5 corners per lap of a 10 lap race, that's 50 seconds."
Talking with him further brought out that if you are faster in the corners, you must lead through them. It will either a) force your opponent to burn energy to close the gap or b) force your opponent to make a mistake. The feeling I got from him was not to rest by following into the corners because your opponent can then dictate a comfortable pace for himself. Your advantage has effetively been neutralized.
Spelling mistakes are entirely Zank's. Not mine.
But this is a good reason why that mountain biker colin can be competitive in the Killer Bs. He's got mad cornering skills.
So anyway. We're going to have a little lunch here in the office.
But to end I must acknowledge the lack of mention of my favorite FAVORITE pastry treat.
Packzi
I have made mention a few times of this wonderous treat.
No polish bakeries around here it seems. Unlike Michigan, no significant Polish population. Portuguese, yes. Polish, no.
And I had actually contemplated requesting a FedEx package of Packzi from Michigan from some old comrades back there, I can't believe i forgot to mention it till now. Ash Wednesday.
So rub up some ash on your forehead made from your palm from palm sunday last year and be prepared to not eat meat on Fridays. Or not.
Heddwch.
G
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Musings on the Kingsbridge Tire Saver
Is it not oddly coincidental that my retrogrouchness was posting about some old bike product that only Loose Screws stocks? Mentioning the fruitless search over at Sheldon's?
Well Saturday following one of the birthday parties i stopped in at The Hub. Jack was there and he was busy chatting, i poked around abit didn't see them and asked. Jack said "hold on i know exactly what you are talking about" came back with a pair of them.
A real genuine used pair of Kingsbridge Tire savers. Used. But functional.
At home with all the positive energy that scoring a rare part brings I poped the P-mount up in the stand. Washed it (yes, riding in today in the rain meant the cleanliness was for naught) and set about to see if i can make em work.
Damn it. Stupid racing bikes. No way in hell will I be able to make the damn things work easily on this bike. Crap. Of course if i had asked Sheldon he probably could have told me.
The lack of mention on the two biggest "Cycling News" sources is troubling, disturbing and what not. BSNYC and BKW and a few others rightfully compared Saint Sheldon with other great names in the sport. What if another great of the sport died? Pick a name most racers have heard of. I'd wager both Cyclingspews (no longer aussie after the sell out) and Velosnooze would have a front page spread, photo and all. But no. They didn't. I never would have caught Zinn's 'tribute' if not for Scotty's comment. I find it especially unbelievable that a publication with both Zinn and O'Grady on staff that Saint Sheldon's passing wasn't front page lead article on line immediately.
Yes Saint Sheldon's presence was mostly here with the common man. The mortals of our sport. The underpinnings. Not out there being a selfish dickhead like some doped up winner. But in that. Being one of the elements of the foundation of the sport, the lifestyle, he was bigger than any tour winner.
Fortunately he left us a legacy. He WILL live on forever in our memory and on electronic record. Every person he helped carries a bit of Sheldon Brown with us.
Many people have eulogized him extensively. Many may continue to do so. I might. So if you are tired of hearing about Saint Sheldon, well, time to take an internet vacation. If you've never heard of him, well, like Saint Sheldon was, i will refrain and be nice. He was wacky, sarcastic and funny, but he was not mean.
So my tire savers sit. On the craftsmen. And my bike sits with yet another gash in the tread. And Saint Sheldon lives only in our memories.
Before Sheldon though there was the Sutherland Manual. Before the internet. There was a book. THE book. I have one. Maybe almost the last REAL edition before the internet reduced its value and made it obsolete. I liked, in a way, the exclusivity of that book. It gave me an advantage against the early trolls and advice givers on rec.bikes back in the early early 90s. Before the likes of joshj were born. Sheldon took the critical elements of that book and made it accessible.
Not to de-mystify the man but, almost all the 3-speed hub information was in those books. The Red and the Green plastic 3 ring binders. With charts to determine spoke length.
I wonder. Who are the cyclists out there who have never heard of this great eccentric man? Do they span the range from racer to recreationalist? Are they just the ones without a big cycling web presence? I wonder.
I will miss Saint Sheldon most on April 1st. The tradition of spoofing the direction of the "industry" has been brilliant. Maybe he would have come up with an 'active' spoke derivative. I don't know. I guess unless he has already documented it, we won't know.
Ride with the purpose of having fun in the name of Saint Sheldon.
heddwch
G
Well Saturday following one of the birthday parties i stopped in at The Hub. Jack was there and he was busy chatting, i poked around abit didn't see them and asked. Jack said "hold on i know exactly what you are talking about" came back with a pair of them.
A real genuine used pair of Kingsbridge Tire savers. Used. But functional.
At home with all the positive energy that scoring a rare part brings I poped the P-mount up in the stand. Washed it (yes, riding in today in the rain meant the cleanliness was for naught) and set about to see if i can make em work.
Damn it. Stupid racing bikes. No way in hell will I be able to make the damn things work easily on this bike. Crap. Of course if i had asked Sheldon he probably could have told me.
The lack of mention on the two biggest "Cycling News" sources is troubling, disturbing and what not. BSNYC and BKW and a few others rightfully compared Saint Sheldon with other great names in the sport. What if another great of the sport died? Pick a name most racers have heard of. I'd wager both Cyclingspews (no longer aussie after the sell out) and Velosnooze would have a front page spread, photo and all. But no. They didn't. I never would have caught Zinn's 'tribute' if not for Scotty's comment. I find it especially unbelievable that a publication with both Zinn and O'Grady on staff that Saint Sheldon's passing wasn't front page lead article on line immediately.
Yes Saint Sheldon's presence was mostly here with the common man. The mortals of our sport. The underpinnings. Not out there being a selfish dickhead like some doped up winner. But in that. Being one of the elements of the foundation of the sport, the lifestyle, he was bigger than any tour winner.
Fortunately he left us a legacy. He WILL live on forever in our memory and on electronic record. Every person he helped carries a bit of Sheldon Brown with us.
Many people have eulogized him extensively. Many may continue to do so. I might. So if you are tired of hearing about Saint Sheldon, well, time to take an internet vacation. If you've never heard of him, well, like Saint Sheldon was, i will refrain and be nice. He was wacky, sarcastic and funny, but he was not mean.
So my tire savers sit. On the craftsmen. And my bike sits with yet another gash in the tread. And Saint Sheldon lives only in our memories.
Before Sheldon though there was the Sutherland Manual. Before the internet. There was a book. THE book. I have one. Maybe almost the last REAL edition before the internet reduced its value and made it obsolete. I liked, in a way, the exclusivity of that book. It gave me an advantage against the early trolls and advice givers on rec.bikes back in the early early 90s. Before the likes of joshj were born. Sheldon took the critical elements of that book and made it accessible.
Not to de-mystify the man but, almost all the 3-speed hub information was in those books. The Red and the Green plastic 3 ring binders. With charts to determine spoke length.
I wonder. Who are the cyclists out there who have never heard of this great eccentric man? Do they span the range from racer to recreationalist? Are they just the ones without a big cycling web presence? I wonder.
I will miss Saint Sheldon most on April 1st. The tradition of spoofing the direction of the "industry" has been brilliant. Maybe he would have come up with an 'active' spoke derivative. I don't know. I guess unless he has already documented it, we won't know.
Ride with the purpose of having fun in the name of Saint Sheldon.
heddwch
G
Fuzuking Flying RATS
Almost to the end of the deMil zone and - i'm feeling good, having been successful at dodging most of the crunchies then CRACK Zzzzzzzzz... ONE rotation. Not even enough time to bust it off... First hit buried itself right through and opened a sizable 5mm long gash dead center on the tire. DAMNIT.
At least it wasn't dark. It wasn't raining (wet enough for a good belgian tan on my bare shins), and i had my very last spare virgin tube. Time to break out the glue on the patch kit and make a batch of tubes that will hold air tonight.
Sheldon's passing has not been mentioned on Velonews or cyclingnews. Those cold heartless bastards. Esp considering Zinn went so far as to link over to Sheldon's fancy torque wrench.
The flat even after the bike path is mostly open. No work, and passable. Nice but that pleasure was muted by my struggle with the damn tire. Time for new rubber (the center tread is pretty damn thin, more or less worn out). What would sheldon put on? (rhetorical question)
Heddwch
G
At least it wasn't dark. It wasn't raining (wet enough for a good belgian tan on my bare shins), and i had my very last spare virgin tube. Time to break out the glue on the patch kit and make a batch of tubes that will hold air tonight.
Sheldon's passing has not been mentioned on Velonews or cyclingnews. Those cold heartless bastards. Esp considering Zinn went so far as to link over to Sheldon's fancy torque wrench.
The flat even after the bike path is mostly open. No work, and passable. Nice but that pleasure was muted by my struggle with the damn tire. Time for new rubber (the center tread is pretty damn thin, more or less worn out). What would sheldon put on? (rhetorical question)
Heddwch
G
Monday, February 04, 2008
Sheldon Brown, 1944-2008
Bikeportland is the first place I caught wind of it. Sadly only seconds before I was browsing Velosnooze and cyclingspews. Neither of which uttered a mention of this.
Harris Cyclery's web page has this:
It is indeed with a heavy heart that stop and take a moment to reflect.
And suddenly the bad choice of passing up an invitation to a ride a few years ago will haunt me. I had a chance to go on a B.O.B. (bridgestone owners bunch) ride that Sheldon showed up for. I don't recall if I knew he was going to be there clearly but I think all I knew was that it was a Ferrous Bike celebratory mellow jaunt. And Sheldon Brown was there. And they had a few Pints at Aiden's in Bristol.
And now that haunts me even more. I wish I had the vision at the time to know I needed to go on that ride. Just so I could sit in awe at the feet of a true Master in the cycling world.
Everyone knows what an amazing contribution Sheldon made for the whole cycling community.
So I hastily ramped up the open in tabs scanning. The gang out there is spreading and reflecting. The news is running rampant. The Wiki has been updated. Gwadzilla, Brooke, Big Jonny, Citzen Rider, KT... I am sure there will be others as the day rolls on. Maybe some bike racers or kids might not have heard of him. He certainly wasn't hard core cyclocross, but there probably won't be a more knowledgeable person about making stuff work than Sheldon.
What to say.
Sheldon we will miss you.
Heddwch
GeWilli
Harris Cyclery's web page has this:
Sheldon Brown: 1944 - 2008
Dear Harris Cyclery friends and customers,
It is with heavy hearts that we convey to you the news that Sheldon Brown has passed away. Our thoughts go out to his family at this time. The cycling community has lost one of it's most passionate members.
It is indeed with a heavy heart that stop and take a moment to reflect.
And suddenly the bad choice of passing up an invitation to a ride a few years ago will haunt me. I had a chance to go on a B.O.B. (bridgestone owners bunch) ride that Sheldon showed up for. I don't recall if I knew he was going to be there clearly but I think all I knew was that it was a Ferrous Bike celebratory mellow jaunt. And Sheldon Brown was there. And they had a few Pints at Aiden's in Bristol.
And now that haunts me even more. I wish I had the vision at the time to know I needed to go on that ride. Just so I could sit in awe at the feet of a true Master in the cycling world.
Everyone knows what an amazing contribution Sheldon made for the whole cycling community.
So I hastily ramped up the open in tabs scanning. The gang out there is spreading and reflecting. The news is running rampant. The Wiki has been updated. Gwadzilla, Brooke, Big Jonny, Citzen Rider, KT... I am sure there will be others as the day rolls on. Maybe some bike racers or kids might not have heard of him. He certainly wasn't hard core cyclocross, but there probably won't be a more knowledgeable person about making stuff work than Sheldon.
What to say.
Sheldon we will miss you.
Heddwch
GeWilli
Yet another Lap
Maybe this is my first mission, collect a handful of crappy low rez 15 fps video, and interlace it with the seasons...
Hmm
Raw footage to follow - sans sound...
One Lap No Snow from gewilli on Vimeo.
Care to join me next time for a real handful of laps? See if you have what it takes to tame the sand, the bumpy grass, the leaf strewn corners, dog walkers, sewer pipes and wood chips.
Hmm
Raw footage to follow - sans sound...
One Lap No Snow from gewilli on Vimeo.
Care to join me next time for a real handful of laps? See if you have what it takes to tame the sand, the bumpy grass, the leaf strewn corners, dog walkers, sewer pipes and wood chips.
Join Me...
In Prayer:
God of ‘cross I call you, my bike
is ready to go.
I seek a ride of glory, and free
of EPO.
I’ll attack the runs with fury, and on
my pedals I’ll wail.
Lord make me ride a recumbent, If I should
ever fail.
I am honored to be rewarded for my devotion and to be selected among the great testimonies offered up at The Church Of The Big Ring. I have not felt so at peace in a long time. But first let me take a moment to offer the praise and thanks to Brother Big Jonny, scarred scrotum and all, for his work spreading the good word of the Big Ring.
Hail Eddy at the head of the race, the tifosi is with thee;
blessed art thou among the peleton, and blessed is the fruit of thy faithful domestiques,
Holy Eddy Father of Axel, pray for us sinners at our hour on the rivet.
Amen
Before we depart and return to our lives let us all recite The Riders Prayer together:
Our Father which rides in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy mountains come,
Thy will be rode, in The Big Ring as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily mileage,
And forgive us our drafting, as we forgive those who draft against us.
And lead us not into a field sprint,
but deliver a solo win.
For primes, the flowers and jerseys are yours,
For ever and ever.
Amen
-Brother GeWilli
God of ‘cross I call you, my bike
is ready to go.
I seek a ride of glory, and free
of EPO.
I’ll attack the runs with fury, and on
my pedals I’ll wail.
Lord make me ride a recumbent, If I should
ever fail.
I am honored to be rewarded for my devotion and to be selected among the great testimonies offered up at The Church Of The Big Ring. I have not felt so at peace in a long time. But first let me take a moment to offer the praise and thanks to Brother Big Jonny, scarred scrotum and all, for his work spreading the good word of the Big Ring.
Hail Eddy at the head of the race, the tifosi is with thee;
blessed art thou among the peleton, and blessed is the fruit of thy faithful domestiques,
Holy Eddy Father of Axel, pray for us sinners at our hour on the rivet.
Amen
Before we depart and return to our lives let us all recite The Riders Prayer together:
Our Father which rides in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy mountains come,
Thy will be rode, in The Big Ring as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily mileage,
And forgive us our drafting, as we forgive those who draft against us.
And lead us not into a field sprint,
but deliver a solo win.
For primes, the flowers and jerseys are yours,
For ever and ever.
Amen
-Brother GeWilli
Moment of Humor
Thanks Brother Big Jonny!
You know you want to rock this shit:
1. Bush: End of an Error
2. That’s OK, I Wasn’t Using My Civil Liberties Anyway
3. Let’s Fix Democracy in this Country First
4. If You Want a Nation Ruled By Religion, Move to Iran
5. Bush. Like a Rock. Only Dumber.
6. If You Can Read This, You’re Not Our President
7. Of Course It Hurts: You’re Getting Screwed by an Elephant!
8. Hey, Bush Supporters: Embarrassed Yet?
9. George Bush: Creating the Terrorists Our Kids Will Have to Fight
10. Impeachment: It’s Not Just for Blow Jobs Anymore
11. America : One Nation, Under Surveillance
12. They Call Him “W” So He Can Spell It
13. Whose God Do You Kill For?
14. Jail to the Chief
15. No, Seriously, Why Did We Invade Iraq ?
16. Bush: God’s Way of Proving Intelligent Design is Full Of Crap
17. Bad President! No Banana.
18. We Need a President Who’s Fluent In At Least One Language
19. We’re Making Enemies Faster Than We Can Kill Them
20. Is It Vietnam Yet?
21. Bush Doesn’t Care About White People, Either
22. Where Are We Going? And Why Are We In This Handbasket?
23. You Elected Him. You Deserve Him.
24. When Bush Took Office, Gas Was $1.46
25. Pray For Impeachment
26. The Republican Party: Our Bridge to the 11th Century
27. What Part of “Bush Lied” Don’t You Understand?
28. One Nation Under Clod
29. 2004: Embarrassed. 2005: Horrified. 2006: Terrified
30. Bush Never Exhaled
31. At Least Nixon Resigned
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