What took me 4 months the first time around, took me only 2 days this time. It's weird how over time ideas sink in and get tossed around in one's head, slowly distilling to their base concept.
Two days, not very many hours, and a much more functional, and quicker loading multi-media player. Since the 4th of July is coming up, I thought a little tribute to the 4th of 2004 was in order. Long live the road trip!
Friday, June 29, 2007
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Drumroll please...
And the winner for Biggest Douchebag of the Year goes to: the random jogger that, for reasons still unknown, shoved me while doing a track stand at a stoplight.
It's now been a solid 12 hours since noted incident took place, and I still can't seem to figure out what exactly happened. Let's recount...
I was nearing the end of the ride along Summit. I pulled up to the intersection at Lexington and patiently waited for the light to cycle. I could see the opposing traffic light turn yellow, then red, and started to put some pressure into the pedals to push forward as my light turned green. Sometime in this moment I felt a solid "thwack" across the back of my rib cage. I thought at first another biker had run into me, because I was squarely in the bike lane. I fell forward a little and popped out of my pedals. I looked up and saw the culprit — a jogger. A jogger? I've had assorted objects thrown at me from cars, I've had cars run me off the road, I once had a car open a door and try and slam on the brakes to cause me to ride into it, and I've almost been doored the "traditional way" a few times too, but I've never actually been hit by a pedestrian. Thus was the story of Second 1.
Second 2 is a little bit of a blur. I watched the jogger run off. I debated if I should chase him down the sidewalk, or continue down the bike lane. Every violent act I could think of ran through my head in this second. "Could I sprint at him down the sidewalk and tackle him, but not get hurt?". Stupid options, and lots of them. Adrenaline does weird things.
Seconds 3 - 7 found me opting for the bike lane. I was still angry though. I rolled up along him and let him know how I felt. I also asked why he just ran into me, without any acknowledgement that he had just done that. He invited me to fight on the sidewalk. Continuing from Second 2 many more violent acts ran through my head. "Do I have anything hard I could throw at this guy?!?". Thankfully I didn't. I thanked him, but declined his offer to fight on the sidewalk, offering up instead instructions on a few things he could do to himself.
Second 8 passed and I rolled away. I "waved goodbye" and continued on my ride. It's in these later moments that the adrenaline really starts to flow. All I could think about was that there must be something I could do. It wasn't like he did anything that bad, but he had been a pretty big a-hole. Many more stupid options ran through my head. The reality slowly sank in that there isn't, wasn't, and won't be anything that I could do. Assembling a posse, as inticing an option, would still accomplish nothing.
Seconds 9 - 300 crept by as I rounded out the ride. I took the "switchbacks of St. Paul" down to the bottom of the Ramsey Hill. I ended up going up Grand, and realized when I hit the top that I hadn't felt any real pain the entire climb. Slowly the adrenaline would subside, but it hadn't yet.
Thankfully it has now, but I still find myself wondering: "what exactly happened?". I checked out google maps to see if I could see the intersection. Maybe I had rolled out in front of him? I looked as closely as I could, and all it seemed to show was that this guy must have intentionally come out into the bike lane. I hadn't cut him off that I can see, and no matter what happened, a simple wave after the fact would have let me know he didn't mean anything by it. I don't understand why there's this weird aggression towards cyclists. Every time it happens I swear I'm going to get something that will somehow deter people from pulling stunts like this, but in the end, there's nothing really one can do. Cars will always be bigger and faster than a bike, and there's not a whole lot you can do to avoid weirdo pedestrians.
What do you think? What are the options?
It's now been a solid 12 hours since noted incident took place, and I still can't seem to figure out what exactly happened. Let's recount...
I was nearing the end of the ride along Summit. I pulled up to the intersection at Lexington and patiently waited for the light to cycle. I could see the opposing traffic light turn yellow, then red, and started to put some pressure into the pedals to push forward as my light turned green. Sometime in this moment I felt a solid "thwack" across the back of my rib cage. I thought at first another biker had run into me, because I was squarely in the bike lane. I fell forward a little and popped out of my pedals. I looked up and saw the culprit — a jogger. A jogger? I've had assorted objects thrown at me from cars, I've had cars run me off the road, I once had a car open a door and try and slam on the brakes to cause me to ride into it, and I've almost been doored the "traditional way" a few times too, but I've never actually been hit by a pedestrian. Thus was the story of Second 1.
Second 2 is a little bit of a blur. I watched the jogger run off. I debated if I should chase him down the sidewalk, or continue down the bike lane. Every violent act I could think of ran through my head in this second. "Could I sprint at him down the sidewalk and tackle him, but not get hurt?". Stupid options, and lots of them. Adrenaline does weird things.
Seconds 3 - 7 found me opting for the bike lane. I was still angry though. I rolled up along him and let him know how I felt. I also asked why he just ran into me, without any acknowledgement that he had just done that. He invited me to fight on the sidewalk. Continuing from Second 2 many more violent acts ran through my head. "Do I have anything hard I could throw at this guy?!?". Thankfully I didn't. I thanked him, but declined his offer to fight on the sidewalk, offering up instead instructions on a few things he could do to himself.
Second 8 passed and I rolled away. I "waved goodbye" and continued on my ride. It's in these later moments that the adrenaline really starts to flow. All I could think about was that there must be something I could do. It wasn't like he did anything that bad, but he had been a pretty big a-hole. Many more stupid options ran through my head. The reality slowly sank in that there isn't, wasn't, and won't be anything that I could do. Assembling a posse, as inticing an option, would still accomplish nothing.
Seconds 9 - 300 crept by as I rounded out the ride. I took the "switchbacks of St. Paul" down to the bottom of the Ramsey Hill. I ended up going up Grand, and realized when I hit the top that I hadn't felt any real pain the entire climb. Slowly the adrenaline would subside, but it hadn't yet.
Thankfully it has now, but I still find myself wondering: "what exactly happened?". I checked out google maps to see if I could see the intersection. Maybe I had rolled out in front of him? I looked as closely as I could, and all it seemed to show was that this guy must have intentionally come out into the bike lane. I hadn't cut him off that I can see, and no matter what happened, a simple wave after the fact would have let me know he didn't mean anything by it. I don't understand why there's this weird aggression towards cyclists. Every time it happens I swear I'm going to get something that will somehow deter people from pulling stunts like this, but in the end, there's nothing really one can do. Cars will always be bigger and faster than a bike, and there's not a whole lot you can do to avoid weirdo pedestrians.
What do you think? What are the options?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Super super cool
Sweet motion/interaction design.
Even better is the fact that my favorite part, the little pencils that are drawing all sorts of swirling lines, were designed (I believe, or at least animated/coded/something?) by my old coworker Greg. Nice work man.
Ehhhh, back to work. It's all miserably hot up in this beeeotch.
Even better is the fact that my favorite part, the little pencils that are drawing all sorts of swirling lines, were designed (I believe, or at least animated/coded/something?) by my old coworker Greg. Nice work man.
Ehhhh, back to work. It's all miserably hot up in this beeeotch.
It's Hot Out!
You need a pool!!! Or at least some air conditioning.
The hot weather has been okay for riding, except I've discovered that my stomach starts to cramp when I'm out for too long. Maybe it's too much water all at once. I'm not sure really.
The only exciting thing to happen on any rides in the last week was that I almost hit a pedestrian walking across the street. Half way across she noticed me and began running. I checked back to make sure I wouldn't turn into a passing car, found there were no cars behind me, and then started to drift out into the lane. I looked up and the woman had stopped running, and was standing 5 feet directly in front of me. I cut back into the bike lane and disaster was averted. Moments like this make me glad that I started biking off-road first. I don't know how true it is, but it seems like riding singletrack for a few years builds in those auto-tree-aversion responses that you don't have otherwise.
Other news? I updated my other site with some photos and (crappy) audio from our weekend up north.
That's all for now, more to come soon enough...
The hot weather has been okay for riding, except I've discovered that my stomach starts to cramp when I'm out for too long. Maybe it's too much water all at once. I'm not sure really.
The only exciting thing to happen on any rides in the last week was that I almost hit a pedestrian walking across the street. Half way across she noticed me and began running. I checked back to make sure I wouldn't turn into a passing car, found there were no cars behind me, and then started to drift out into the lane. I looked up and the woman had stopped running, and was standing 5 feet directly in front of me. I cut back into the bike lane and disaster was averted. Moments like this make me glad that I started biking off-road first. I don't know how true it is, but it seems like riding singletrack for a few years builds in those auto-tree-aversion responses that you don't have otherwise.
Other news? I updated my other site with some photos and (crappy) audio from our weekend up north.
That's all for now, more to come soon enough...
Friday, June 22, 2007
Doppelganger
Nothing
This post is about nothing, but my page visits have steadily declined since I last posted, so hopefully this will garner better numbers. Are you dissapointed? Don't be, here's a totally crazy picture for you to enjoy.
Cool.
Cool.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Nature Valley Grand Prix
Everyone should go out and watch the Crit in downtown St. Paul tomorrow night.
I thought I saw a Team Liquigas (best team name ever) rider cruising down summit this morning on my way to work, but upon further inspection they aren't riding in the NVGP, so maybe it was just someone in a full Liquigas kit? Either way, he was out riding, and I was on my way to work, so whether pro or not, I'm a little jealous.
It's way too nice to be inside on a computer. Blah.
I thought I saw a Team Liquigas (best team name ever) rider cruising down summit this morning on my way to work, but upon further inspection they aren't riding in the NVGP, so maybe it was just someone in a full Liquigas kit? Either way, he was out riding, and I was on my way to work, so whether pro or not, I'm a little jealous.
It's way too nice to be inside on a computer. Blah.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Missing the weeekend
It's only Monday, but I'm already really wishing the weekend was here, or rather, the weekend had yet to end. It was a fun one, if not busy. Hung out with the old college crew (some photos in the previous posts), sent out all our wedding invitations, and had two family dinners. It was fun.
Sunday was the best, even while fighting off a nagging hang-over. Kerry, her mom and I went on a nice ride around St. Paul. We somehow managed to dodge the 30 mph winds, and found some shade along the river bottoms. It was nice to take in the scenery, and enjoy the views of the river. As we cruised back into St. Paul along the "bike promenade", aka Summit Ave, I realized that it was completely quiet. There was almost literally no one outside. It was a little eery, but felt nice with the warm wind. It reminded me of being in a small town, late in the summer on one of the bike trips I did as a teenager. I guess those are the days that we all frame in our memory to get us through the winter. Even if it's hot, it's worth enjoying while it lasts.
Sunday was the best, even while fighting off a nagging hang-over. Kerry, her mom and I went on a nice ride around St. Paul. We somehow managed to dodge the 30 mph winds, and found some shade along the river bottoms. It was nice to take in the scenery, and enjoy the views of the river. As we cruised back into St. Paul along the "bike promenade", aka Summit Ave, I realized that it was completely quiet. There was almost literally no one outside. It was a little eery, but felt nice with the warm wind. It reminded me of being in a small town, late in the summer on one of the bike trips I did as a teenager. I guess those are the days that we all frame in our memory to get us through the winter. Even if it's hot, it's worth enjoying while it lasts.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Friday, June 15, 2007
One Hour
In the course of the last hour I:
1. Drove to Minneapolis
2. Picked up wedding invites
3. Picked up stamps
4. Returned to Edina
5. Was informed that extranet post/login info was not working
6. Repacked files
7. Shipped off files
8. Answered some questions about our intranet
9. Sat down
10. Wrote this.
I can't wait until things chill out, and there isn't the constant feeling of panic that something might be going unattended. The heat in particular makes me feel this way. It's such perfect weather to step back and take it slow. Someday soon I want to build up a nice cruiser so I can make use of all the free time that will miraculously befall me. There's something elegant in the simplicity of a 3 or 7 speed bike, built up on a steel frame. Put on some nice mustache bars, a Brooks saddle and endless hours of enjoying the scenery would await. Someday soon—as with everything, the craziness can't last forever.
1. Drove to Minneapolis
2. Picked up wedding invites
3. Picked up stamps
4. Returned to Edina
5. Was informed that extranet post/login info was not working
6. Repacked files
7. Shipped off files
8. Answered some questions about our intranet
9. Sat down
10. Wrote this.
I can't wait until things chill out, and there isn't the constant feeling of panic that something might be going unattended. The heat in particular makes me feel this way. It's such perfect weather to step back and take it slow. Someday soon I want to build up a nice cruiser so I can make use of all the free time that will miraculously befall me. There's something elegant in the simplicity of a 3 or 7 speed bike, built up on a steel frame. Put on some nice mustache bars, a Brooks saddle and endless hours of enjoying the scenery would await. Someday soon—as with everything, the craziness can't last forever.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Pacing, continued
I was thinking about the pace of life, how we're usually rushed, obsessed with mutli-tasking, and never able to really stop and take in what's going on around us. Rather than try to get better at doing all the things that fill our schedule, why don't we simply remove activities?
Camping is a great example of this. There are only so many things to do when you're in the woods (assuming you don't have to hunt for food and shelter is already available). All the time not spent cooking or traveling to new camp sites is spent enjoying the company of others, and the local environment.
If we were to remove half of the tasks that inevitably fill our days, I wonder how much more relaxed we'd all be. As I was once reminded, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid).
Camping is a great example of this. There are only so many things to do when you're in the woods (assuming you don't have to hunt for food and shelter is already available). All the time not spent cooking or traveling to new camp sites is spent enjoying the company of others, and the local environment.
If we were to remove half of the tasks that inevitably fill our days, I wonder how much more relaxed we'd all be. As I was once reminded, K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid).
Food, Pacing
It seems like it should be obvious that good food is generally also good fuel, but I forget this often. I made a quick lunch this morning. Kerry had bought some grape tomatoes and I threw a handful into a bag and ran out of the apartment, believing that each second shaved off my routine would somehow save me the agony of sitting in traffic. Turns out there was no traffic, and the time spent putting together a fresh lunch was worth it. Fresh produce is great, and you can't help but feel a little better afterwards. No greasy feeling after you eat it. Europeans, especially in the mediteranean regions know what's up. Every day in Italy we were able to have great meals with just a few Euro spent at one of a handful of local delis. It's too bad we feel the need to go fast all the time and eat on the run — ironically giving up most forms of exercise, even simple ones like walking, and then feel compelled to go on weird, unhealthy diets.
It seems it's all about balance, which we as a country appear to be unable to attain. This reminds me of a thought I had yesterday. It's strange that we find doping in cycling, or any other sport, to be a surprise. In all aspects of our society we're being pushed to perform more effectively more of the time. Doping is the obvious continuation of these social trends into sport. Not that it's right, fair or good for anyone, but it seems to be more a symptom of our society at large than a isolated issue in cycling.
Thoughts?
It seems it's all about balance, which we as a country appear to be unable to attain. This reminds me of a thought I had yesterday. It's strange that we find doping in cycling, or any other sport, to be a surprise. In all aspects of our society we're being pushed to perform more effectively more of the time. Doping is the obvious continuation of these social trends into sport. Not that it's right, fair or good for anyone, but it seems to be more a symptom of our society at large than a isolated issue in cycling.
Thoughts?
On 35W
Biggest chainring ever. Coincidentally Kerry and I saw this guy on Nicollet mall on Saturday afternoon. The cranks don't have a direct drive with the chainring, it's more of a walking motion, and the cranks release tension halfway through their stroke. Or something. I'm not totally sure, I just know that this guy was essentially standing on the bike. Cool stuff.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
U.S. Arming Sunnis in Iraq
Didn't the U.S. give arms to the Taliban, or what became the Taliban, to drive the Soviets out of Afgahnistan? Didn't this come to bite us in the a$$ decades later. It's nice to know that we're clearly not laying the groundwork for a well armed civil war.
“They say, ‘We hate you because you are occupiers’ ” he said, “ ‘but we hate Al Qaeda worse, and we hate the Persians even more.’ ” Sunni militants refer to Iraq’s Shiites as Persians, a reference to the strong links between Iraqi Shiites and the Shiites who predominate in Iran.
Didn't the U.S. give arms to the Taliban, or what became the Taliban, to drive the Soviets out of Afgahnistan? Didn't this come to bite us in the a$$ decades later. It's nice to know that we're clearly not laying the groundwork for a well armed civil war.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Holy Hot Heat!
I'll keep this short since it's getting reasonably late, and our office closet is miserably hot.
Went for the second ride in two days today. Normally this isn't noteworthy but it's been a busy last week and I hadn't been out as much as I wanted. Saturday morning's ride sucked, but I hoped I had flushed out all the crap in my legs. They felt stiff and slow on Saturday. Turns out my morning ride didn't do a damn thing, because today's ride hurt like hell. Not even the good kind of searing pain that comes from a hard ride, just crappy, "I just want to whine like a little b*#(@" kind of pain. Nothing felt right. I was either miserably hot in the sun, or getting weird chills as I headed through 19 miles of a solid headwind. Lame.
In the end it was 39.39 miles, at an embarressingly slow pace. Some highlights though:
• An old man on a Lark, sitting on the side of the road told me not to go too fast. Thank you good citizen, not a problem there!
• I watched as a lone Cheerio rolled across the street in front of me. I have no idea where it came from.
• Heading out of Rosemount into Inver Grove Heights is really gorgeous, and feels like you're nowhere near the city.
• I finally achieved a respectable "biker tan".
Thus concluded my Sunday ride. The end.
Went for the second ride in two days today. Normally this isn't noteworthy but it's been a busy last week and I hadn't been out as much as I wanted. Saturday morning's ride sucked, but I hoped I had flushed out all the crap in my legs. They felt stiff and slow on Saturday. Turns out my morning ride didn't do a damn thing, because today's ride hurt like hell. Not even the good kind of searing pain that comes from a hard ride, just crappy, "I just want to whine like a little b*#(@" kind of pain. Nothing felt right. I was either miserably hot in the sun, or getting weird chills as I headed through 19 miles of a solid headwind. Lame.
In the end it was 39.39 miles, at an embarressingly slow pace. Some highlights though:
• An old man on a Lark, sitting on the side of the road told me not to go too fast. Thank you good citizen, not a problem there!
• I watched as a lone Cheerio rolled across the street in front of me. I have no idea where it came from.
• Heading out of Rosemount into Inver Grove Heights is really gorgeous, and feels like you're nowhere near the city.
• I finally achieved a respectable "biker tan".
Thus concluded my Sunday ride. The end.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Notes
Just walked outside, and it's gorgeous out. I know Minneapolis is scheduled to be destroyed by a series of horrendous tornados this afternoon, but at least for the moment, who cares? I'll be standing in the glass atrium of our building when that fateful moment arrives so I can see the full power of afore-mentioned tornadoes as they rip apart the office complex and strip mall.
Also of note today, holy hot crackers, Wendy's in Edina has the most perfectly salted french fries ever today! Get 'em while they last!
Gordon out.
Also of note today, holy hot crackers, Wendy's in Edina has the most perfectly salted french fries ever today! Get 'em while they last!
Gordon out.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Perfect weather = suck
It must be the dirty south all up in me, but when it gets really nice and comfortable out I can't ride for sh*t. Not sure what the deal is, but I consistently get all phlemy and hacky when I'm out on what should be a perfect day to ride. Bring on the dog days bitches!
I also just took Smither's Quiz and discovered that I'm not a bike doosh. Phew. My weakest point seems to be my combo Giro helmet and Oakleys. I think my 12 year old jersey and hairy ass legs should count against that though.
On the end of my ride, while I was sucking wind, I discovered that although I occasionally feel fast, I am not. I was passed by the biggest dude I've seen yet this year. Even a solid half mile pushing 30 didn't fend him off for long. He looked like a doosh though, so I don't even care. At all. Whatever.
I also just took Smither's Quiz and discovered that I'm not a bike doosh. Phew. My weakest point seems to be my combo Giro helmet and Oakleys. I think my 12 year old jersey and hairy ass legs should count against that though.
On the end of my ride, while I was sucking wind, I discovered that although I occasionally feel fast, I am not. I was passed by the biggest dude I've seen yet this year. Even a solid half mile pushing 30 didn't fend him off for long. He looked like a doosh though, so I don't even care. At all. Whatever.
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