Sunday, January 30, 2011

Post pre-ride rally

Four riders showed up to the first (pre) Bootleg Cross Rally on Saturday evening.

Fires in the snow are one of the highlights of winter:
After the Bootleg Cross Rally

It wasn't my bike:
Post Bootleg Cross Rally

Stay tuned to news about the Bootleg Cross Rally coming up after the Stupor Bowl thing dies down.

Remember, February is outside party month.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Unrest in Egypt as tanks roll through the burning streets of Cairo:

Meanwhile, take a look at the top shared news story on my google news page:
We don't need no education...

From Steel

Seal Walling at work on a Soulcraft:

FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft from michael evans on Vimeo.

Friday, January 21, 2011

smack down

MPLSchick up on her stomping grounds, with a firm grip on her gin & tonic.

Melissa kicking snow at me

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Schmidt update

Remember back when I discussed my liking for the Schmidt dyno-hub and the accompanying E-6 halogen headlight? Good. Well, I recently picked up an improvement to this setup from Jim at Hiawatha Cyclery, the Edelux LED headlight, also from Schmidt:
Schmidt Edelux

The major differences to the new light from the old include a smaller package, differently shaped light beam, lower power requirement, near infinite life, and addition of a standlight feature. The standlight is useful, as it keeps the light on during the first two minutes or so after stopping, but is also an annoyance, as it stays on after switching the light off while riding and therefore eliminating any stealth anti-detection ability.

The E6 halogen-equipped light, mounted down on the fork blade:
Black & Blue

The Edelux light comes from a single LED and is noticeably brighter and whiter, even at walking speed. The main light beam is shorter and wider than the E6, which was a bit too so, in my opinion. More and better detailed comparison here, though it's in some foreign and non-Amerikan tongue.

New Edelux, with additional side facing light beams, riding across Lake Calhoun:
Night on Frozen Calhoun

Older E6, always with its yellow-ish light:
The Ride Home

Not having to replace the bulb is going to become a quickly forgotten nuisance. The E6 uses a halogen light bulb, which is said to last roughly 100-hours before needing replacement. I would replace my E6 bulb at least once a year due to the light becoming dimmer and yellow-er over time, always surprised at how much brighter it was after replacement. However, because the LED is a standard board mount, it'll be that much easier for me to replace it with something twice as bright in the future.

Of course the downside to this light is the price. Mine was gently used, but even so, my wallet was in a seldom mood when I walked into Hiawatha that day. For roughly the same brightness, there exists another light, the Lumotec IQ, that comes in at about half the price of an Edelux; you should get that one, but it's surely not as sexy. Just don't get that damn Shimano light; you could hold up a match and get better lighting than that piece of crap.

I highly recommend a dyno lighting setup. For today's money, you can get the latest Shimano hub and Lumotec light and easily come out ahead of the game for a headlight that provides more than adequate lighting for navigation and visibility; combine this with a dyno taillight and you're set for year-round battery-free riding. Skills not included:
Bunny Hop 1/3

Monday, January 17, 2011

been scanning recently developed film

Over exposed winter night in Minneapolis. late December 2010.

34th-lyndale

Was going for the headlight streamline capture, didn't quite make it.

Cocktail Blocked (dot com)

I saw this while walking around Chicago a few nights ago; yes, that's a cocktail shaker in the cage. I really like it.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

bathing suit clad hockey players - 1925

There's only two months of ice skating season per year in MPLS, so get on it!

Photo dated 1925, supposedly in MPLS - I'm sure the photo shoot didn't last too long before coats and gloves were back on.

Saturday, January 8, 2011

get 'em while they're hot

First up, the Almonzo 100 registration is now open through the end of the month; get your postcard in and hit the gravel. Kit not required, though who doesn't need another jersey? I think I'm leaning towards the 100, by the way.


Next, the Evil jersey is available, but you'd better act quick as the last day to order is the 15th. Yes, there is a "fuck off" and "hail satan" printed on the jersey, so plan your wearing schedule accordingly.
Thirdly, who doesn't get excited when they see a late '70s Trans-Am? I sure as hell do and I can't pass up this opportunity to own a wool edition of the Bandit jacket. Expensive as it is, I shouldn't have ordered one, but this is one of those things I'd regret 10-years from now, much like that 50mm f1.4 I didn't get when in Tokyo back in 1996.
Fourthly, Hurl has all his in-stock tires at 50% off for the entire month of January. I hit him up for some fresh MTB tires earlier today and I recommend you do the same sooner than later.

Finally, school-bus-sandwich races are a go!