The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the first student, "You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do."
The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!" The teacher commended the second student, "Your eyes are open, and you see the world."
The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."
The fourth student replied, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings." The teacher was pleased, and said to the fourth student, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."
The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle." The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said, "I am your student!"
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I have plans for the weekend, so today's 26 mile ride with Stuart Larry David, Scott and Fred is probably my last of '07. Here are the year-end stats:
Sports Optical in Boulder, CO is known in the cycling world for offering unique custom lenses to fit frames that formerly took non-Rx lenses, or required prescription lens adapters. I first read about them here and was intrigued enough to investigate further. I've been wearing Rudy Project Rydons with the Rx adapter, and while they're better than most of the alternatives, they're far from perfect. My main gripes are that they fog too easily, and sit too close to my eyes.
After talking to Sports Optical I ordered a set of replacement lenses for the Rydons. I wanted something that filtered some light, improved contrast, and cut glare. Their recommendation was a light brown, polarized lens. I gave them my Rx numbers and waited for the lenses to arrive.
A couple weeks later I had them in hand. I was reasonably impressed with the quality; the lenses fit the Rydon frames perfectly, and the only negative is that the edges are a bit roughly finished compared to the Rudy Project stock lenses. Last Saturday I finally had the chance to wear them on a ride. The verdict? Comfort is much greater than the standard lens/Rx adapter combo, due to the Sports Optical lenses' lighter weight and extra space between lens and eye. And despite the fairly extreme curvature of the lenses, the optics are excellent. It takes a bit of hunting with the eye to find the focus point when trying to see things clearly at a distance, but I rarely noticed this. The lens color seems right, filtering enough light and reducing glare so eye strain isn't an issue.
That's one ride, though. I'm looking forward to the chance to wear them a few days in a row to see how they feel.
Technorati Tags: sports optical, rudy project rydon, rx lenses
Yes, we desperately need rain. But I'm itching to ride this weekend and if we get lucky we'll leave from Shannon Hills at noon. Is it too much to ask for a two hour window of sunshine and dry roads?
Maybe. In any event here's some music for passing the time not cycling.
Technorati Tags: cycling, weather, music, pandora
That Cyfac of Stuart's Larry David's has just become obsolete:
“It is very applicable that our first bicycle will be going to a sportsman succeeding at the highest level. The data the bicycle can generate will help such athletes to truly understand and enhance their training. Our order book is now open and orders will be treated on a strictly first come, first served basis.”No word on whether the Factor 001 improves on the outdated paradigm of spinning the pedals in order to move forward.
During the GVC's recent holiday party we asked for donations for Toys for Tots. Tonight I delivered a carload (or two grocery cart loads) of donated toys. Local cyclists are a generous lot.
Technorati Tags: toys for tots, cycling, greensboro velo club
And I thought the whole idea had disappeared. Guess not. Those lovable goofs at Aqu Sports are continuing on, like totally undeterred, in their quest to stage a Big Time bike race in the US. Something along the lines of the whole damn Pro Tour wrapped up in one convenient race. So you know it's gotta work.
Cyclingnews is back on the story, and to help you read between the lines I offer this handy translation of Tour Director Frank Arokiasamy's promoterspeak:
What he said: "Things are moving along really fast," he said. "I say that with reservations,
because some [things] are slower."
This meant: Things are really, really, really super-great, except for all the things (and there are a boatload of them) that aren't. And there are more of those than I can ever imagine, and believe me, I haven't gotten around to imagining them yet.
What he said (about finding sponsors): "It will probably be a little later than I expected."
What he meant: Does prospective sponsors' collective laughter mean no, or maybe?
What he said: "People are coming out of the woodwork
asking if they can help. We have around 200 volunteers around the country
so far, and I'm driving up to Augusta, Georgia, soon to meet with three
people."
What he meant: Those three reside at the same secure facility for the criminally disturbed, so we're working through some issues coordinating their visiting hours.
What he said: "We wrote to thirty-five top level teams
all over the world and we got ten replies in the first day."
What he meant: I'm still reviewing those ten restraining orders and will reserve further comment.
Previous. More. More yet. And even more.
Technorati Tags: tour of america, cycling
When the temps hit 70 in December, even in relatively warm North Carolina, you take advantage. That meant Saturday I got a chance to cement my hard-earned reputation for twisting the truth a bit about rides. I advertised a ride of ~40 miles at ~16 mph; instead, we went 51 at 19+. The ride was an out and back on 150, east of town. The last few miles feature the only real climbs, a series of rollers along Doggett Rd. that induced a bit of pain.
Today's ride wasn't much more laid back. We started at the Farmers Market then looped up north, through Summerfield and back. Our large group split along Pleasant Ridge Rd., and by the time we made the turn onto 150 our front group was whittled down to about 15 riders. The long climb up Bunch Rd. knocked out a few more. It was windy, so I just kept following wheels until we hit the home stretch on Sandy Ridge Rd.; then, a quick run at 26 mph to bridge to the front group, and I was home with the first pack. Hoorah.
Saturday's ride put me over 4,000 for the year. I was only aiming for 3,500, so the extra is a nice bonus.
And now I'm shifting attention to next year. A Florida training camp with John and Stuart Larry David is on the horizon, and I'm booked for the Burnsville Metric. A few other things are shaping up, too.
The warm weather is supposed to hang around through much of the week. The Tuesday night ride might not even require arm warmers.
Technorati Tags: cycling, florida, burnsville metric
Offered without comment. Nope, none at all. Not a word....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/10/31/lance-armstrong-and-ashle_n_70525.html
http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=14660915
Technorati Tags: armstrong, boonen
The lack of wind made last night's ride tolerable. Cold, yes. But tolerable.
Six of us showed for the 6:30 start at Grandover. After standing around shivering for a bit, we headed out for the usual route (down G'over Pkwy, College Rd, through GTCC and back). After a couple of laps (about 19 miles) we called it a night, and headed for the fireplace. A bunch of tourists were clogging up our usual seats, but fortunately fireplace #2 was roaring and the chairs around it empty.
Only two incidents got in the way of a good time:
