Saturday and I'm Sick at Home

Feeling a bit under the weather - even called in sick to work yesterday. Managed to do a bit of riding last night, but am paying for it a bit today. I was going to do a long ride today to better prepare for the Almonzo 100 coming up, but ended up staying sickly around the house, with a lone visit to the dog park with the Butler.

My thoughts today were with the riders on the Ragnarök 105. The weather really couldn't be worse, although more freezing rain would have done it.

Fleck recently had one of his worst riding days of his life. His story brought up the memory of my first time riding the MN Ironman bike ride, a 100 mile jaunt through Minnesota's farm country. The Ironman now starts down in Lakeville, but my first time riding it was back when it started in Buffalo, MN. This is when I was in high school, mind you. So I head out there by myself, have no luck running into the 2-3 other people I know that are going to ride that day, I head out solo in my cycling shorts and jersey - an hour or so into the ride it starts to lightly rain - that light rain starts coming down a bit harder - rain turns to sleet - sleet turns to you guessed it, snow. I'm in shorts and a riding jersey, mind you - no jacket, no pants, no nothing. I pull into a rest stop at about mile 65 - I'm told, not asked, to get onto the sag van, which I have no problem complying. It's my first experience with hypothermia - I finally get back to the start/finish, get the f into my car where there are dry clothes and get home an hour later where I take a long hot shower. It took me a day or two to recover from that - I was just cold all over for a while. That experience was probably my worst time on a bike, and it was within the first few years after riding and I kept with it - that says something.

My friend Scott is back in the news, this time covering no fewer than 5 pages of Rivendell Reader #40. Also a 6th page written by his wife, Amy, with her take on the issue. Also also a 7th page by Bob Brown, the maker of Scott's frame. You have to subscribe to get the Reader, but it sounds like that might not be true starting with issue #41 - hey, it's the first issue in more than a year from this 'quarterly' publication, there can be no surprises.

Milestones. Today I'm 6-squared. Not too many squared years ahead for me - enjoy it and make the most of it.

Schmidt Nabendynamo with E6

If I were forced to pick a favorite component or accessory for my bicycle, it would easily be my Schmidt dynamo hub with its accompanying headlight. (a bit of a review following the pics)

Drive-side view of my Schmidt dynohub:


I happen to have the Schmidt made E6 headlight, which uses a halogen bulb, as shown attached to my Nitto front rack on Cross-Check frame:


Here's the light pattern on the E6 light - tall and narrow and more than adequately lighting up the pitch-dark trail before me. This is a light to see with, not just be seen.


Here I am going head-to-head with the light rail line - damn did I blind the driver that night:


And finally here is my dynamo hub and light equipped cross-check before the Kölner Dom in Köln, Germany (the E6 is handlebar mounted in this photo) - this photo doesn't show the hub or light very well, it's more of a bragging rights thing:


The one downside to the E6 is the fact that the halogen bulb only lasts for about 100 hours of use - which is actually a lot more than it sounds, I turn mine off during daylight hours. Keep a spare bulb with you and you're fine - they're about 4-bucks each. Replace the bulb when you notice the light output a bit fainter than you remember it - it also gets a bit yellower with time, that's also a good indication. The E6 also does not have an internal capacitor, which means when you stop, the light goes out. I don't see this as an issue, as when I'm stopped it's usually because I'm hiding from the man, but there are other lights that have a capacitor driven LED backup light helping to make you visible to others, notably at traffic stops.

People often remark to me - "man, that thing must really slow you down with all the drag it creates." Yeah, but have you seen my legs? My quadriceps femoris are quite truly enormous. For the rest of you less physically endowed individuals (and I look down upon and mock you when given the opportunity,) the drag has been compared to either a 1- or 5-foot vertical climb for every mile travelled, when the light is switched off or on, respectively.

Here's an efficiency test from (Vintage) Bicycle Quarterly for those of you who care - I happened to study my options for about a year before plunging in - this VBQ comparison pretty much summarizes up most of the other articles I read during that time.

There are other dynamo lighting options available, notably the Inoled +10 and +20, which use an LED vs. a halogen bulb in the E6 - the difference between the Inoled +10 and +20 being a 1 or 2 Watt bulb, respectively, and of course the associated price difference. I can't speak from a great amount of personal use from the Inoled - but a few people I know, including my brother, have the +20 model. I've ridden next to my brother - him with his +20 and me with my E6. The +20 has a wider and shorter light output pattern, while my E6 generates a taller and narrower light patch (see above photo.) Also, the +20 hits peak brightness at walking speed, while I have to reach about 10mph (16kph) to gain peak brightness with the E6.

If I had to do it again, I would likely get the Inoled +20 - but wait...

There's a new light coming out! Introducing the Edelux, made by Schmidt in Germany. This Edelux puts out more than 3x the light intensity, based on Schmidt's own data, as compared to the E6 model, which up to now offers the highest illuminance from a Schmidt light source.

Where to you get a Schmidt hub or light, you ask? Well, if you're in the Minneapolis and surrounding areas, you should go straight to Hiawatha Cyclery without passing go - that's where I got mine more than 2 years ago. You could also go to Peter White, but he probably already has enough business as it is.

Please remember, the US dollar is currently about worthless as compared to the Euro, so this lighting system is in no way an inexpensive accessory - something about the US taxpayers currently spending $5,000USD each second in iRaq. Me? I'll wait before buying a second Schmidt, which is one component my steamroller feels naked without.

edit-here's one more photo showing how far out the light can be adjusted. The ambient lighting is relatively bright on the trail here, not to mention the reflected light from the snow, so the patch of light doesn't look too impressive in this photo.

UPDATE - I went and got the Edelux, read about it here.

Butler Running

Did I mention I have a dog? Butler is a border-collie mix. People always ask me what the mix is - I don't know, that's the way he came from the dog rescue 2.5 years ago. Perhaps shephard? I don't really know.

So Butler and I go to the dog park quite a bit. The video here is Butler running and captured in motion by my condensation-covered lens. Butler loves running through the woods. He's pretty smart, and I recently taught him how to track deer based on their prints in the snow. He also likes to chase squirrels and chipmunks through the woods - hasn't caught one yet, but it sure gets him worked up when he sees them.

missing teeth and a ship of fools

I mean seriously, what's up with that missing tooth, B-Rose?


In other news, did I ever mention I was in the Navy? Good times, wouldn't want to do it again, and if it was now, I'd be in Canada or a friendly European country awaiting for a presidential pardon to be handed down again. Did I mention I'd have my bike with me? Yeah, totally.

Here we are pulling out of Pearl Harbor - I was in the back making the screw go roundy.


And Scott, no worries, I was just giving you crap - take it easy for once... I mean damn!

Saturday night post entry

Did anyone else go to the Artcrank opening party? I showed up a bit past 9pm after a few cervezas and margaritas, took the walk around to the front to go to the head of the beer line, got said beer, before pushing myself through a ridiculous ocean of people to get the heck back out to the dock. And while I'm not a weatherologist, I'm guessing it was somewhere around 97F in the studio with all the bodies in such close proximity - maybe not that hot, but it certainly reminded me of my days working in the engine room, so I followed my instincts and got back outside and none too soon. 10pm was quickly approaching, and while there were originally 5 kegs, they were to be soon rendered useless, based on a bit of extrapolation from the first 3 empties and two time points. A posse was quickly formed to retrieve beer from Sam's across the street. It's a good crowd when most people show up with beverages in their totebags, allowing for fresh drinks past 2am - these are my kind of people.

Highlights of the night include the photobooth and giving rides on Nate's candy-apple-red Big Dummy - I had two riders on the final trip before Nate decided to take back the key and locked her up. It was a good call on his part, there was talk about perhaps adding one more - just kidding, we took good care of it - thanks Nate. Oh, and I love riding through downtown after bar close - seriously, it keeps you on your toes as you pedal through police barricades and around freshly tasered bar patrons.

No photos taken by me - anyone else?

ms-300 ride and artcrank update

So many of you know I'm doing the MS-150 ride in June. OK then, I'm upping the ante here to get a few more of you wafflers a bit of encouragement to pledge my ass. The ride is 75 miles each day on Saturday and Sunday - that's 150 miles. On Friday I'm reverse riding the 150 miles to Duluth from the National Sports Center - yep, you get 300 miles out of me - that's something like twice what the other riders are doing. Come on, how could you not help me out on this? Seriously.

And if anyone wants to join the company team I'm on, you get a free jersey, free beer and catered food on Saturday night, access to a masseuse on Sat night, and a bunch of other stuff. The money all goes to MS, so it really doesn't matter to me what team you're on, it's all good.

In other news, if you see me at the Artcrank opening party and ask nicely for a sticker, you'll get one - while supplies last, of course. Yes, you must be present to win. Offer void where prohibited (that's you Utah, Kansas, and Nebraska.)

P.S. - a lot of riders out there today. Fair-weathered riders, sure, but riders nonetheless.

Get Cranked Up on Art

Saturday night - whatcha doin'? I'll be at the Artcrank opening party at o.o.o.b.s. starting at 7pm. (that acronym was for you, Scott.)

Amy C. won't be represented - yeah, I know, WTF? She does have prints she made especially for the show - just ask her and she'll get you hooked up - she'll be there wearing bells (actually I made up the "wearing bells" part.) I've got her print #12/50 on hold for me, so no go takin' it.

Last year's party was a good time - Tommy Boy showed up before falling down:


Heck, there was even a visit from the Easter Bunny, fresh from a party where he was snubbed by Al Franken. Dress up in a costume all day and show up stinky to Artcrank and you won't be snubbed by anyone, or by some at least.

Edward Joseph Gorecki

A ghost bike was installed yesterday for Edward Joseph Gorecki, 51, who was hit and killed by a car last December.

The bicycle is at the intersection of Quincy and Broadway - go check it out and pay your respects.

The Dentist took some photos of the slow ride in Ed's honor.

Fuji Locked to a Pole

I took this series of photographs a while back after seeing a nice looking Fuji bike locked to a pole alongside a Minneapolis bike trail. It's worth a revisit, I reckon...

This guy got away with the front wheel just as I was coming up on the locked blue bicycle.

sometimes I get excited when I ride my bike

have a nice weekend. play safe. and if you see my friend Scott, don't be a rubbernecker, he's just trying to live his life.

Details on Tonight's Silent Auction

Regarding tonight's silent auction, for the purpose of raising money to build a memorial for Rachel Dow.

CHIANG MAI THAI
Thursday, March 27^th, 2008

6:30pm-8:30pm

This Sting-Ray could be yours:


One of a kind, handmade jewelry

cycling apparel, beer, etc...
lots of wine, 0.75, 1.5, and 3.0L bottles - some as sets of 6 or 12.
Original artwork, even one from Amy C.
Grab bags - 20 bucks each. What's inside? Wine, plus other goodies.
Awesome t-shirts and other clothing...
a nice sampling of gift certificates from venues across the Twin Cities.

Ghost Bike Minneapolis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

03/25/2008

GHOST BIKE MINNEAPOLIS TO INSTALL MEMORIAL FOR ED GORECKI

Ghost Bike Minneapolis will host a short memorial ride on March 30th, 2008 in remembrance of Ed Gorecki, a cyclist killed by a hit-and-run driver on December 11th, 2007. A white bicycle will be placed in Northeast Minneapolis at the intersection of Quincy and Broadway as a memorial and a reminder to ride and drive safely.

The Ghost Bike Project is a nationwide effort to increase awareness of the dangers bicyclists face, and to encourage cyclists and drivers to share the road. More information can be found at http://www.ghostbikempls.org/.

The memorial ride will begin at 1:30 on March 30th, at the east end of the Stone Arch Bridge (MAP). Attendees are encouraged to arrive 30 minutes early. There will be a short ride to the intersection of Quincy and Broadway, followed by the installation of a ghost bike and a moment of silence. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

CONTACT
Chris Farmer-Lies
(952) 484-5487
ghostbikempls@gmail.com
http://ghostbikempls.org/

==========

thanks to Sveden for this important news.

Silent Auction for Rachel Dow

Mark your calendars.... ANNOUNCING UPCOMING EVENTS AT

CHIANG MAI THAI

Please Join us for a

Silent Auction

to Benefit the Memorial Fund for

Rachel Dow

Thursday, March 27^th, 2008

6:30pm-8:30pm

Located in Chiang Mai Thai’s Event Room

We recently lost our close friend and long time co-worker, Rachel Dow. A memorial fund has been set up in her name, and we plan to use all proceeds to place and dedicate a bench on the West River Parkway overlooking the Mississippi River. Any additional funds will benefit a local at-risk youth program.

This silent auction is a public event. We will have items of all kinds and cost up for bid, including:

*Spectacular selection of all varietals of wine

(from 750ml to double magnums)

*Burton Snowboard BMC-68

*Complete Birdhouse skateboard from professional skater Steve Nesser

*Swobo and Navara biking clothing

*Various pieces of artwork, framed paintings, photography

*Eclectic handmade jewelry

*Kate Spade sunglasses and $200 Gift Certificate to Look and See EyeCare

*Autographed Willie Nelson LP

*2 large MAC make-up/product packages

*Packages to various local gyms

(including Core Power Yoga, MN Kali Group, Los Campeones)

*Private Tennis Lesson at RSFTC Tennis Center

*Tree Trimming/Consulting service

*Lawn/Landscaping service

*Contracting/Handyman service

*Shiatsu Massage

*Hair cut and color service

*Season tickets to Jungle Theatre

*Bicycle Tune-up at One-On-One and The Alt bike shops

*Gift Certificate to Neiman Marcus

*Restaurant Gift Certificates to 2021, Restaurant Alma, Stella’s Fish Café, Lone Tree, Uptown Pizza Luce, Café Barbette, Pi, Spoon River

*$20 ‘Mystery Bags’ - Each bag filled with wine, various products, and a chance to win big gift certificates.

*Much more!

We also invite you to enter our 50/50 Raffle. $10/ticket. We will name the winner the night of the auction. 50% of the money collected will go to the name on the ticket, the other 50% will go directly toward the Rachel Dow Memorial Fund.

Please join us for this very special event! DJ and dancing to follow from 10pm to Midnight. We hope to see you there.

Map to Chiang Mai Thai

Payment via cash and checks only. Must be present at close of auction to claim your item. If you are interested in donating an item, please call 612-827-1606 and ask to speak with a manager. Thank you!

short shorts and a t-shirt

Remember what it's like to bike without hats, gloves, extra socks, etc? I was riding around late last night actually thinking to myself that I wouldn't mind it if just stayed in the mid-30's (F) all the time. The nice thing about the cooler temperatures is I don't have to worry about a constantly sweaty back from my backpack, I'm not in constant need of hydration like when it's warmer out, I can ride across lakes instead of around them, and the mid-30's is the perfect temperature where I don't have to wear many clothes while cycling. Well, there's also the added feature of fewer recumbents, but let's leave that for someone else's blog.

Don't get me wrong, I welcome the warmer weather, it's just that I'll be missing these riding conditions as soon as they've past behind us.

Easter?

That's why all the grocery stores are closed today?! I'm hungry and have no food in my fridge nor coffee in the cupboard. Even the gas station down the street is closed - I can't even settle for a crappy donut and crappier coffee? Come on, doesn't Jesus get hungry? At least I was smart enough to hit the liquor store yesterday - so I've got that going for me, which is nice. Don't worry, I found a heathen-owned coffee shop - nobody tell the Pope or President.

In other news - you might want to keep a close eye on your wives and daughters.

Also, I like the look of these Filson hiking knickers - somebody should send me a pair, I'm somewhere in the 30-32" waist category, depending on make - At least tell me a good place to get some.

Stay tuned - I've got a few products I've been using and would like to review for you.