Want! The instructions to build this beast are online. I think it would be awesome downhill.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
T-shirt idea
I know this isn't biking related and a bit off topic, but I think this would be a good t-shirt idea. I'm into programming a little bit and thought this would be neat. It is a bit nerdy though. The slash indicates end.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Cyclocross tires
I am amazed at Cyclocross. I have a hard enough time on dirt with my wide handlebars on my mountain bike and staying upright. I'm not sure how those guys and gals do it with drop handlebars, must just have lots of straight-a-ways. I got this email from Specialized because I am on their mailing list and it had some tires shown for Cyclocross. And it makes me want to bite the bullet and try this different type of cycling.
Thankfully, I think I'm still a ways out from doing something this nutty.
Cheers,
Thankfully, I think I'm still a ways out from doing something this nutty.
Cheers,
This would be awesome to use barhopping
I can see college frat boys romping this thing over curbs and attempting to lock it up outside their favorite watering hole.
HERE WE COME!!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
GO TIGERS!!!
When I go to the rodeo I root for the bulls. When I go to the circus I root for the lions. In this instance, GO TIGERS!!!
Outside Qdoba
The picture is not what I'd hoped it could have been. But it does show people get out on their bikes in OKC. Amazing? I think so. Next time I'll go in for a closer pic.
Cheers and happy burritos,
Winter Project Planning
I am rolling around the idea, no pun intended, of painting my bike frame this winter. I'm not graphically inclined. So be easy on me. But I took a bike frame photo and traced it and built a template.
After cleaning it up a bit I got something I thought I could work with.
I used Gimp and played with layers. After having some fun I think my designs got to start looking really 80's ish.
I gotta put away the peace pipe and look at other people's bikes and see what pieces and colors I like. My road bike is black and so is half my gear. I need something else that stands out nicely.
Suggestions are welcome!
Cheers,
After cleaning it up a bit I got something I thought I could work with.
I used Gimp and played with layers. After having some fun I think my designs got to start looking really 80's ish.
I gotta put away the peace pipe and look at other people's bikes and see what pieces and colors I like. My road bike is black and so is half my gear. I need something else that stands out nicely.
Suggestions are welcome!
Cheers,
200 posts later....
In celebration of 200 posts! Thanks Google for letting me rant and rave!
Actually I'm quite short of 200. I've got 200 in my queue, lots of which I never posted and are just drafts. So, just sit and think about all the stuff I've filtered out. You're so lucky.
Actually I'm quite short of 200. I've got 200 in my queue, lots of which I never posted and are just drafts. So, just sit and think about all the stuff I've filtered out. You're so lucky.
Should have thought about the acronym ....
You have to think about your association's acronym before you go 100% with the name. That is why my software company is Computer Asset Sales Housing.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WT*?
I first saw this picture on Epic FTW. But then found the story here. Two artists in Santa Rosa, California built a huge obelisk out of bikes. It is funny that a car company, Nissan, is the one helping fund this particular project.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
I've thought about that too...
What do you do between bike rides when you need stress relief?
I've actually thought about smoking just to get the break. That's funny someone put it into a comic. But instead I print out articles and walk outside and take 5 minutes to read them.
I've actually thought about smoking just to get the break. That's funny someone put it into a comic. But instead I print out articles and walk outside and take 5 minutes to read them.
Jon Billman
This guy has done it. I can talk, but I haven't done near the pedaling this guy has done. In July's edition of Oklahoma Living, you know that free magazine that comes in your mail that no one reads, Jon has an article of his trek across the state of Oklahoma on his single speed. He takes 6 days to cover 651 miles from New Mexico, across the panhandle and meet the Arkansas border. Damn. The route he chose mainly was through the Northern part of the state. Which makes sense because he also went through the panhandle of Oklahoma. When I was dreaming of my own route across the state I dreamed up this route which took me across the middle of the state. It was straight and I could stop off at home at the half way point. Billman wandered all over and plans on doing a loop through the Southern part next year. Nuts. I love it!
In August's subscription he has another article about a tour through the Ouachita Mountains. I'm having some extreme biking jealousy.
In August's subscription he has another article about a tour through the Ouachita Mountains. I'm having some extreme biking jealousy.
Road of Shedded Pain
Between MacArthur and Lake Hefner there is a small little road that barely any motorists have used. I'm almost certain more cyclists have used it two fold. The street name is Canal Rd. The canal is what feeds Lake Hefner. There is no natural run-off rain water for the Lake, so it has to be force fed. This is fitting for this stretch of road. All cyclists have some part of a route that they don't like. I don't care how happy go lucky a person you are. One part of your ride is a bugger. I always thought it would have been Independence and NW Expressway, but I'm used to it and good at handling traffic. No, my beast is Canal Rd.
What is it about this SHORT, LITTLE road that just drains me? Every time I get there the wind is blowing against me. The pavement is rough and seems to slow me down. It is BORING. It is a transition zone. I takes me between the lake and my gym. When I leave the gym to get back to the office I'm on this road shortly. The gym crushing my soul and my muscles, I'm in weak form and this road laughs at me. There is never ANY ONE else on that road. Maybe 4 other people (cars and cyclists) in the three years I've been keeping track have been on the road at the same time as me.
Maybe because I'm leaving people behind? You know how there is this whole perception that you are only trying to race against yourself? That is a whole bit of hog-wash. You always want to catch and pass the person in front of you. You never want any one to pass you. So why is this road hard for me? Maybe because I am catching my breathe after chasing down people way faster than me.
There is a sick satisfaction a person can get by passing someone that looks faster than them. If you pass a pack of guys wearing lycra and matching logos in their early thirties you feel good about yourself. But God forbid you let them pass you back. You have to keep pounding away on those pedals until your exit so you look fast and you motivate those guys to get better so that they can keep up with you. So Canal Rd is my exit in which I catch my breathe, drop my head in relief and my MPH drops at least 5 units.
I also use Grand Blvd as an impressive exit. :)
I think this is why I dress in a mixture of road bike and mountain bike clothes. In the instance I do get passed the person is a bit confused. They see someone on a road bike, but someone that is not 100% road bike committed. I'm not the guy that looks like I should be fast. I'm the guy that is road biking because Bluff Creek is too muddy. DAMN MY EGO!!!!
So here's to you Canal Rd. You bastard, I shall cross you many times in the future, but one day I will have the last laugh.
Big Ole Map - updated
Since my tour of the capital, err Grand tour, I can now update my big ole map a bit. I've covered some new ground in the south east that was previously a blank spot. And technically this was my first time to ride East of I-35 from my office. So this is totally worth a post. I'm not just post happy right now.
You can tell a progression if you look at this map over a bicyclists history and experience. When I was just getting into road biking I would go in neighborhoods and find the straightest path through neighborhoods to cover some ground. I remember a lot of my early maps had 20+ turns that I had to list on the map or I would get lost easily. I remember back when I got lost in Nichols Hills or when I try and do the neighborhood park run and go by three parks.
After doing all of those neighborhood dashes I wantd to get more miles. So you can see in the oustskirts where the paths are straight and follow main roads. This is easily seen whenever I go out East. There are long straight lines going along Hefner, Britton, Wilshire, 63rd St and Kelley. I needed speed over distance if I was going to go those routes. No tottling along and checking out scenery. Well, I do check out the scenery, I just don't have to watch out for the next turn.
I've pedaled by six different golf courses. I've made it downtown. I've dubbed the "Road of Shedded Pain". Wait, I haven't written that article, yet. I've got hills that I hate and anticipate. It has been a lot of fun. Now I just need to cross the "T" on 63rd St from Villa to Wiley Post.
Cheers,
You can tell a progression if you look at this map over a bicyclists history and experience. When I was just getting into road biking I would go in neighborhoods and find the straightest path through neighborhoods to cover some ground. I remember a lot of my early maps had 20+ turns that I had to list on the map or I would get lost easily. I remember back when I got lost in Nichols Hills or when I try and do the neighborhood park run and go by three parks.
After doing all of those neighborhood dashes I wantd to get more miles. So you can see in the oustskirts where the paths are straight and follow main roads. This is easily seen whenever I go out East. There are long straight lines going along Hefner, Britton, Wilshire, 63rd St and Kelley. I needed speed over distance if I was going to go those routes. No tottling along and checking out scenery. Well, I do check out the scenery, I just don't have to watch out for the next turn.
I've pedaled by six different golf courses. I've made it downtown. I've dubbed the "Road of Shedded Pain". Wait, I haven't written that article, yet. I've got hills that I hate and anticipate. It has been a lot of fun. Now I just need to cross the "T" on 63rd St from Villa to Wiley Post.
Cheers,
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Katy Trail
When I was on my travels on the "Grand" Tour of the Capital I went along a bike trail and had no idea which one it was. It was the Katy Trail.
MS Mother Road - Route 66 ride coming soon
If anyone wants to make a donation before I head out at the end of September, the link is here. :)
Cyclocross Bunny-hop
Taken from Ride 29er
I am totally jealous. I can barely hop a rain grate out on NW Expressway service road.
I am totally jealous. I can barely hop a rain grate out on NW Expressway service road.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Route #027 - "Grand" tour de Capital
Route #027
Miles: 19.88
Its been a while since I've made a new route. I'm due. Totally due. I forgot what it was like to go on new roads. I'm so used to making the trek to the lake that I don't notice the signs or realize that I'm automatically dodging potholes.
This route took me along Grand Boulevard. Hence the wonderful pun in the name of the route. Grand me through Nichols Hills; with its ever changing quality roads and constant grounds keeper trucks coming and going. It took me along the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club which surprisingly smelled like fresh grass and cigar smoke. I thought the smell was very fitting. I passed Chesapeake once I was on 63rd st. I am always really impressed by those buildings.
One bit of bad news the bridge was "out" on Grand when I went south of 63rd St. *So I had to find a detour.* Actually the bridge wasn't out, they were just doing construction nearby and want to keep everyone away. So I stayed away.
There is actually a bike path on Grand around 58th st! But you can tell from the picture I wasn't using it.
I passed by the zoo and was very thankful for the path along the road at this rather quick part of Grand. It must be really sad at the zoo right now. School has started so I bet it has slowed way down. The concessions stands are all closed. No one was pedaling a swan boat in the lake.
More bike paths over by the OKC Railway Museum. This one follows the railroad quite a bit south. If I had known about it I would like to follow it for fun. But my path took me a different route.
And across the street lay where my son would like to spend all day going in and out of trains.
Coming up to the capital building. I am way out East at this point.
And finally, my crown jewel. I MADE IT!!!
Although I wouldn't suggest pedaling on 23rd St around the capital. I was scared to death when I went under Lincoln. It was dark and I doubt drivers could have seen me very well. My reflective shoes and Road ID were probably not enough.
Overall a good trip. This was not something I would like to do everyday though. The stoplights on 30th st had me come to a complete stop before giving me the green light. DANG YOU!!!! And there are lots of other stops along the way. And not to mention, I've been spoiled by doing nothing but going around the lake. So I am not used to real roads any more.
Cheers,
Miles: 19.88
Its been a while since I've made a new route. I'm due. Totally due. I forgot what it was like to go on new roads. I'm so used to making the trek to the lake that I don't notice the signs or realize that I'm automatically dodging potholes.
This route took me along Grand Boulevard. Hence the wonderful pun in the name of the route. Grand me through Nichols Hills; with its ever changing quality roads and constant grounds keeper trucks coming and going. It took me along the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club which surprisingly smelled like fresh grass and cigar smoke. I thought the smell was very fitting. I passed Chesapeake once I was on 63rd st. I am always really impressed by those buildings.
One bit of bad news the bridge was "out" on Grand when I went south of 63rd St. *So I had to find a detour.* Actually the bridge wasn't out, they were just doing construction nearby and want to keep everyone away. So I stayed away.
There is actually a bike path on Grand around 58th st! But you can tell from the picture I wasn't using it.
I passed by the zoo and was very thankful for the path along the road at this rather quick part of Grand. It must be really sad at the zoo right now. School has started so I bet it has slowed way down. The concessions stands are all closed. No one was pedaling a swan boat in the lake.
More bike paths over by the OKC Railway Museum. This one follows the railroad quite a bit south. If I had known about it I would like to follow it for fun. But my path took me a different route.
And across the street lay where my son would like to spend all day going in and out of trains.
Coming up to the capital building. I am way out East at this point.
And finally, my crown jewel. I MADE IT!!!
Although I wouldn't suggest pedaling on 23rd St around the capital. I was scared to death when I went under Lincoln. It was dark and I doubt drivers could have seen me very well. My reflective shoes and Road ID were probably not enough.
Overall a good trip. This was not something I would like to do everyday though. The stoplights on 30th st had me come to a complete stop before giving me the green light. DANG YOU!!!! And there are lots of other stops along the way. And not to mention, I've been spoiled by doing nothing but going around the lake. So I am not used to real roads any more.
Cheers,
Miles to Date ... really boring post about numbers and why I hate them
Well, let's get some numbers. Lots of people will have higher numbers. But these are the real numbers of what I've done on just my lunch break this year so far. So, be kind.
August was a good month. I did some form of exercise 92% of the days that I could have gone. When I couldn't go it was legitimate; CEO in town, Work Lunch Meeting, or signing my daughter up for school. The one day that I could have gone but didn't was when I forgot my lock for the gym and just didn't want to tote my gym bag around with me while I sweated to the oldies at various machines. I road biked 106 miles in August on my lunch break. The average trip was 17.6 miles.
For the year I'm only up to 484.21 miles.
There have been lots of months where I'll just run a ton. A couple months I actually ran more miles than I biked. Other times I'll just get addicted to going to the gym. A lot of times I will drive to the gym which I think is a horrible thing. I can get to the gym biking just as quickly as I can driving. It is only 6 miles on the bike one way. It takes me 15-20 minutes to drive or 20 minutes to bike. Not to mention, when I bike I don't have to change clothes and I won't shower. So the trip is about the same.
I'd like to demolish that YTD number next year. I'd like to go March - June and have at least 100 miles per month if not closer to 150. If I could get over a 1,000 miles in one year on my lunch break I think that would be a good accomplishment.
Why haven't my numbers been higher this year? I've been trying to get some strength above my waistline. Also, I've joined a soccer team so I've been doing a bit of lifts focused on my lower half that will improve my sprint speed. Sure, I can bike 18 MPH average for an hour straight but I've lost a few steps on my sprint since I was 16 years old.
An out of whack statistic I'm going to toss out there is my running YTD total; 163.2 miles. This is a bit off because some of these miles were ran at night. If I didn't get a workout at lunch I'll run at night after the kids are in bed. I'd like to have that number way higher too, but my most productive running number are at night. And my wife doesn't like me running every night. So that will be a hard number to increase next year. What I would have to do is the following:
Oh and I remembered to do some Yoga this month; a measly four times. But it was usually before I ran so I think that is helping me physically a lot. I'm not nearly as sore and I'm more limber and less prone to injury when running.
Cheers,
August was a good month. I did some form of exercise 92% of the days that I could have gone. When I couldn't go it was legitimate; CEO in town, Work Lunch Meeting, or signing my daughter up for school. The one day that I could have gone but didn't was when I forgot my lock for the gym and just didn't want to tote my gym bag around with me while I sweated to the oldies at various machines. I road biked 106 miles in August on my lunch break. The average trip was 17.6 miles.
For the year I'm only up to 484.21 miles.
There have been lots of months where I'll just run a ton. A couple months I actually ran more miles than I biked. Other times I'll just get addicted to going to the gym. A lot of times I will drive to the gym which I think is a horrible thing. I can get to the gym biking just as quickly as I can driving. It is only 6 miles on the bike one way. It takes me 15-20 minutes to drive or 20 minutes to bike. Not to mention, when I bike I don't have to change clothes and I won't shower. So the trip is about the same.
I'd like to demolish that YTD number next year. I'd like to go March - June and have at least 100 miles per month if not closer to 150. If I could get over a 1,000 miles in one year on my lunch break I think that would be a good accomplishment.
Why haven't my numbers been higher this year? I've been trying to get some strength above my waistline. Also, I've joined a soccer team so I've been doing a bit of lifts focused on my lower half that will improve my sprint speed. Sure, I can bike 18 MPH average for an hour straight but I've lost a few steps on my sprint since I was 16 years old.
An out of whack statistic I'm going to toss out there is my running YTD total; 163.2 miles. This is a bit off because some of these miles were ran at night. If I didn't get a workout at lunch I'll run at night after the kids are in bed. I'd like to have that number way higher too, but my most productive running number are at night. And my wife doesn't like me running every night. So that will be a hard number to increase next year. What I would have to do is the following:
- Bike to gym every time I work out
- Alternate schedule more; Monday: bike (gym), Tuesday: run, Wednesday: bike (gym), etc.
Oh and I remembered to do some Yoga this month; a measly four times. But it was usually before I ran so I think that is helping me physically a lot. I'm not nearly as sore and I'm more limber and less prone to injury when running.
Cheers,
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Weather and Pondering Commuting
Looking south on the 50th Street bridge above Lake Hefner Parkway you can see a little disturbance in the view. What looks like a bad photoshop is rain coming down in the west but nadda in the east. So it makes me wonder, would I be prepared if I were commuting in the rain? First let's look at my check list of gear I'm hauling and what needs to be done.
Clothes
Well, even if I commute I'd probably change and do the lycra thing. So, clothes are no issue because they are used to getting soaked in a salt based wetness any ways.
Bike
Nothing here to do. Just dry it off when I reach the destination.
Gear
And I'm talking about all the junk I haul in my miscellaneous bags (frame bag, backpack, etc). The two things I'm really worried about are a laptop and my other electronics (phone, car key remote). So I need to dig up some waterproof bags.
Banjo Brothers has a cool commuter backpack that looks like it could do the job.
An office buddy suggested Timbuk2 which has a whole sling of laptop bags. I got to make a custom bag on their website. It was an awesome site. My custom $100 bag is shown above. You can mix and match colors of panel and logo to whatever you want. See below for a rather odd one I made up... I need to stop listen to so much reggae.
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