tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15293884833818921252024-02-21T11:43:56.270-05:00sagittandyBike-commuting, randonneuring, and other nonsense in and around North Carolina...saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.comBlogger232125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-86069418245580174172015-09-12T22:36:00.000-04:002015-09-14T17:36:28.680-04:00Burning Man 2015<br />
<i>This is my long and rambling trip report for Burning Man 2015. </i><br />
<br />
<i>This assumes the reader knows some burner lingo...</i><br />
<br />
<i>Click on photos to enlarge. But beware, I took photos only of unique scenes you'll not find elsewhere on Facebook or Flickr.</i><br />
<br />
<b>History</b><br />
<br />
I swore off Burning Man after 2007 and 2008. I attended a few east-coast regional events after that, but eventually swore off those too.<br />
<br />
To make it stick, I gave away all my gear (tent, rebars, tarps, water jugs, etc, etc) and got serious in another hobby (road bicycling). <br />
<br />
Then last year, I was graciously invited to attend Burning Man 2015 and camp with the BMIR radio station team. It was an offer I could not refuse.<br />
<br />
I started buying new gear all over again...<br />
<br />
<b>Travel Overview</b><br />
<br />
I drove myself out and back solo. Packed my Honda Fit with a tent, bicycle, six boxes of gear, three of clothes, lawn chairs, accessories, etc. No trailer.<br />
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5532 miles (8900 km) round trip. 150 gallons (568 l) gasoline. 37 miles per gallon overall in a fully loaded Honda Fit. Three days driving each way (home-Fernley) plus a few hours to the desert.<br />
<br />
Three days each way is a long drive and crossing some states can get tedious.
But going solo means I can stop when I want, eat what I want, sleep
where I want. Or just keep going.<br />
<br />
Oh by the way, the worst, most urgent drivers are on I-80 in and around Salt Lake City, UT. Second prize goes to my own homeplace I-40 in Durham NC.<br />
<br />
<b>Best things done pre-playa</b><br />
<br />
I covered the carpets and upholstery in my car with clear plastic 'carpet saver'. It's like giant sticky saran wrap. It definitely reduced the amount of dust which permanently infested my car. Must remember next year.<br />
<br />
I bought a small Springbar Scout 2+ tent (6 x 10 ft) (1.8 x 3 m). Springbars are known for their wind resistance. And the Scout 2+ model has no windows, just one door, which I hoped would keep out most of the dust. In any other environment, this closed design would be useless because of condensation, but in the extreme low-humidity desert it worked great!<br />
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I tried something new which I learned about on <a href="https://eplaya.burningman.com/viewtopic.php?f=277&t=68556" target="_blank"><b>eplaya</b></a>. I secured my tent to the ground using lag screws instead of rebars. I brought a dozen long lag screws (3/8" x 14") (9 mm x 35 cm) and a cheap impact drill (120v). It worked great. Much faster installation, much more secure, and much faster removal. But this worked only because I had access to generator power. Next year, I'll test a battery-powered impact drill.<br />
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I just happened to pack along several pair of long pants/trousers and warm coats/hoodies. Temperatures on the playa were on the cool side this year. Highs in the 70s/80s F (21 - 28 C), and lows in the 40s (4+ C). It was good to have warm clothes for chilly nights and early morning excursions.<br />
<br />
I prepared a single-speed mountain bike (no shifters, no derailleurs) with moderately wide cruiser tires. Painted it purple. Added a basket (bought at deep discount from a bike shop in New Jersey which still had damaged merchandise from Hurricane Sandy). Dry/wax lube on the chain (White Lightning Easy Lube), reapplied once mid-week. It worked great.<br />
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I wore a few pairs of inexpensive leather work gloves whenever outside, day or night, all week (from Harbor Freight Tools). They were great for doing spontaneous real work, and I think they also reduced sissy irritation on my hands from the playa dust.<br />
<br />
I also brought my first pee bottle, to use in my tent. Success! Except I must bring a bigger bottle next year. :-)<br />
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Other lessons learned from previous years still worked well: Swallowable toothpaste. Non-medicated infant nasal spray for rinsing out the dusty crust (not for inhaling). Non-medicated eye drops (to wash out the dust). Lots of crunchy salty snacks, nuts, and chocolate pudding (normally taboo). Insulated cooler bag with a shoulder strap holding 2 one-liter bottles for cold drinks and ice, perfect for touring. Wore leather work boots all week, with frequently changed white tube socks.<br />
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<b>Things *not* done pre-playa</b><br />
<br />
In my previous burns, I always carried a handheld GPS. Whenever a white-out dust storm hit, I could follow the GPS back to my camp (where I had earlier stored the location as a waypoint). Unfortunately, my GPS stolen when the house was robbed earlier in the year, and I had not replaced it. Mistake! I got lost in a storm this year not 200 yards (200 m) from the radio station. It was an adventure finding my way back!<br />
<br />
I also forgot to bring a box of soft lubricated tissues. Mistake. Blowing nose hourly with cheap abrasive tissues became really irritating after a while.<br />
<br />
Finally, I forgot to clean all my car's interior plastic surfaces with Armor All before departing from home. It makes the playa dust stick less. Drat, I forgot. Next year!<br />
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<b>BMIR Setup</b><br />
<br />
I was invited to arrive at the event a few
days early in order to help set up the BMIR radio station. It was a ton of
work. But I was amazed at how the group steadily waded through the
chaos. Everyone worked as a team. There were no slackers; everyone was great. No drama.
Very neat. (Photo thanks to Todd R)<br />
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The folks in charge of BMIR were also great. They knew what results they wanted, they directed us well, no waffling. They also actually listened to new ideas, then made immediate decisions. It was enjoyable.<br />
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<b>BMIR Volunteering</b><br />
<br />
After the event officially opened, I volunteered for several activities at Camp BMIR. I wish I had taken a few photos of these...<br />
<br />
Love Team<br />
<br />
Every day at mid-day, a team of 3-4 people would clean up moop around the camp. A little came from our own campmates, but most blew in from elsewhere during dust storms. Then we would check all our recycling and garbage containers, then go get fresh ice and water for the camp.<br />
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PSA (Public Service Announcement) Recordings<br />
<br />
BMIR has a makeshift recording studio where people come to advertise their camp's events or attractions. A team of 2-3 BMIR people spent every afternoon helping these folks design their announcements, then record and edit them until they liked it. The workload was intense on Monday with a line out the door continuously, and blessedly tapered off throughout the week. (Cindiana enters the PSA studio in this photo)<br />
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Bouncer<br />
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I got the unexpected opportunity to serve as a bouncer with three other folks at the BMIR bar on Thursday evening. The Billion Bunny March met here, and BMIR was serving 'bunny punch' to the revelers in our lounge. We had to card everyone, young and old, to avoid serving minors (and conform to Nevada laws).<br />
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The fun part was seeing so many drivers licenses. People came from states and provinces all around the US and Canada, and from all around world. Mini census!<br />
<br />
But a 'growth opportunity' for me was physically blocking folks who had no ID. Despite visitors being obviously old, the rules said no ID, no entry. Most people without ID accepted the rules and I was apologetic. But a significant number argued and tried to push their way in.<br />
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Most, if not all, crashers failed. It was like playing high school football. It's been a few (ahem) decades. Fun!<br />
<br />
One large, athletic looking old guy was particularly annoying. He had no ID. I refused entry. He kept coming back 4-5 times, each time trying a new schtick, sometimes mad, sometimes cajoling. I was getting pissed. Then the weirdest thing happened. He stopped, paused, looked me square in the eyes, gently rested one hand on my shoulder, and softly said: "Good job. You do this really well. Thank you", turned, and walked away. WTF??? Was he an undercover cop testing me??? Who knows. Irregardless, I'm glad Camp BMIR won that interaction.<br />
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<b>Encounters & Vignettes</b><br />
<br />
One morning exploring the city, I heard the sound of a steam calliope art car in the distance. I followed its sound until I came upon the calliope parked right in front of a yoga class. The calliope was blasting out lively circus music into the crowd of stoic yogis doing their morning thing. I couldn't tell if it was intentional event, or if the calliope had stopped just to harass the yogis. So fun.<br />
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One afternoon, an RV motor home caught on fire in front of the BMIR studios. It was a real disaster for the owners, and definitely not performance art. But what surprised me was my own reaction. As I walked toward BMIR, it was no big deal; I kept walking approaching, even climbed up onto our rooftop deck to get a better view. Had I been at home and noticed a flaming RV, I would have freaked and sprung into action. So weird.<br />
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Intersections in the city can be challenging to navigate with dozens of bicyclists going in dozens of directions. One morning, a young woman held her arm out in a perfectly formed turn signal as she crossed in front of me. I do it all the time biking at home, but this was the first I'd seen on playa. I shouted out "Yay, hand signals". She squealed, fist pumped, and kept yelling "Yay!" into the distance.<br />
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A spooky woo woo story, in two parts:<br />
<ul>
<li>The first few days at camp, I kept seeing glimpses of a woman who looked absolutely identical to a coworker back home. It was incredible. The same appearance, gestures, swagger, even sunglasses. Was she real or imagined? I knew I was dehydrated, but was I fantasizing too?</li>
<li>After a few days, I got an opportunity to speak with her. Turns out she was a real person, and she was not my coworker. But when we shared our names, *she* became the one to pause and look at me spooky, because her husband's name was also Andy...</li>
</ul>
<b>Social observations</b><br />
<br />
Everyone at Camp BMIR had skills. Some were geeks, some mechanics, some metalworkers, all creative and artistic with their crafts. It was amazing. Most were guys, and there was a fun male vibe. The ladies were also great, and they fit perfectly into the bantering too.<br />
<br />
I think I almost met more people from the east coast this year than I did
west coasters. There's a big contingent at BMIR who live in NYC, DC, and Richmond. One of my campmates took me to a party at Big Puffy
Yellow, where I met folks from North Carolina who I've chatted with for years
by email, but never met in person. So neat.<br />
<br />
<b>Flirting</b><br />
<br />
I experienced a lot more flirting going on all week at Camp BMIR than I experienced staying at other camps at Burning Man. I haven't morphed into a rich guy or Fabio, so maybe it's the allure of the radio station?<br />
<br />
One evening, I was casually chatting with a young woman visitor. After we finished, I asked her to remind me of her name. She told me. Then stared up at me and purred 'And you can ask my name as often as you like'. I melted. Best flirt ever.<br />
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Another day, two lovely ladies sat for a spell in the blowdryer chairs at our mini art display. They looked adorable, so I walked out to offer to take a photo of them. We spoke briefly. One lady was chatty, the other reflective. When a mini storm kicked up, I invited them to climb above the dust on our rooftop balcony. After a few minutes there, I said bye and turned to leave. The quiet lady grabbed me, and hugged me for more than a minute. Motionless. In hindsight, I wish I had stayed and offered to continue as long as she needed, rather than breaking away for some silly thing I was doing next. Lesson learned.<br />
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Also... Dare I admit I received the best surprise goodbye kiss ever? I'm not Fabio!<br />
<br />
<b>Sunrises</b><br />
<br />
Early most mornings, I biked all the way out to the trash fence in deep playa to watch the sunrise. Some were dusty, some gorgeous, and one was spectacular. All were cold. A few of the mornings had temperatures mild enough for a proper sun salute, but most days I huddled under a hoodie, fur coat, and blanket, and resumed biking as soon as possible simply to get warm.<br />
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<b>Stupid bicycle tricks</b><br />
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The last time I visited Burning Man in 2008, I zen-biked along the perimeter trash fence with my eyes closed and eventually crashed into a fence post. The crash launched me over my bike handlebars, and drew 'some blood'.<br />
<br />
This year, I did one better.<br />
<br />
I came upon a camp which had built a bicycle see-saw and offered it for public use. I stood by and watched a dozen bicyclists gracefully traverse it. They effortlessly bicycled halfway up the ramp, the ramp slowly flipped over to the other side, and they effortlessly bicycled down the other side of the ramp.<br />
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I decided I could do it too...<br />
<br />
So I effortlessly bicycled halfway up the ramp. But the ramp didn't move. Instead of my gracefully putting my feet down, my bike instantly fell sideways off the ramp, and body-slammed me into the ground. Ouch.<br />
<br />
I didn't just fall off my bike to the ground. I fell off from 30 inches (.75 m) up to the ground. I was all tangled up in the bike. Arrgh.<br />
<br />
As might be expected, I got beat up. Road rash, bruised ribs, scrapes, puncture wounds. Six contact points to be exact.<br />
<br />
Luckily, no bones seemed broken. After a few minutes, the blood flows slowed to drips, I could stand, straighten the handlebar stem and saddle on the bike, untwist the basket, and ride myself to the nearest medical tent, where I got a friendly teasing from the young physician who was more accustomed to treating drunks for this type of stupidity. He even snarkily asked me to wait at least a day before trying it again. Ha!<br />
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<b>Inflection</b><br />
<br />
My absolute favorite art piece to climb was called Inflection. (I'm still looking for photos.) I only saw it at night. It reminded me of a morph of an Escher drawing, spiral staircases, and a pirate ship. It had a prescribed path of stairs made of various sized timbers, suspended by ropes. The stairs changed width, length, depth, and angle as you climbed. And the ropes came and went too. At the highest point halfway in, the timbers had twisted completely vertical so you were walking on the tiny ends. Ropes only on one side. Teetery! I was climbing amongst a bunch of macho solo guys (whose friends chose to stay on the ground.) At the highest point, I broke the ice and offered the guy behind me a hand. He paused and stared at me for a few seconds, then grabbed my hand and jumped. From that point forward, it was all teamwork. Maybe that was the whole point??<br />
<br />
<b>Other adventures</b><br />
<br />
I missed seeing a giant trebuchet launch flaming pianos across the playa. Luckily, there is youtube...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14zsAqA8FXU">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14zsAqA8FXU</a> </div>
<br />
I wanted to ride this inverted swing, but missed my chance. I got up to 3rd position in line, then the guys closed it for darkness. I never made it back. Oh well<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeqcaswLy3HW3WtmqI8GaNfoOY39M6AtQaWjjFvjILM9fjn8wICNbMgaBlbKgy6VaRzk1CQF3x0nKiM0w7RyNaGfnV1guT8QvnHm83lFhKHvrAm421ynAtUce0q-CXtw-M4yqhg30rk0/s1600/bm2015.inverted.swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeqcaswLy3HW3WtmqI8GaNfoOY39M6AtQaWjjFvjILM9fjn8wICNbMgaBlbKgy6VaRzk1CQF3x0nKiM0w7RyNaGfnV1guT8QvnHm83lFhKHvrAm421ynAtUce0q-CXtw-M4yqhg30rk0/s200/bm2015.inverted.swing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<b>Routine activities</b><br />
<br />
This was all mixed in with the usual day-and-night explorations of camps throughout the city, biking in the infield from one art piece to another, dancing spontaneously whenever the spirit moved, etc. Yes, this is all considered routine.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjFKvtUccFAhKNVq08yxYaNetRKJzFWf8ySAk7uOi5nm0xQhwzs84K3y-bUrKFW4NiqnIyimqR3c5FX9s5yeT_13Qxra3le-Ux1QTqwg6qySweV-11qEXhwGYpfSvuAd0J2Qo6ER8hAY/s1600/bm2015.distant.man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjFKvtUccFAhKNVq08yxYaNetRKJzFWf8ySAk7uOi5nm0xQhwzs84K3y-bUrKFW4NiqnIyimqR3c5FX9s5yeT_13Qxra3le-Ux1QTqwg6qySweV-11qEXhwGYpfSvuAd0J2Qo6ER8hAY/s200/bm2015.distant.man.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Next year</b><br />
<br />
This child-size princess trailer stopped in front of BMIR for the art tour. It was adorable. Next year, I want to make an adult-sized copy. I think I should be able to find an adult princess to ride. :- )<b></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyGhiyl40MSYNGTK6WG4PZM5HLjJeZl5jneEK57NR4nLOV4wFDtC8oaZA7_25jn_lm7OJNhkqNiu57UySXFvc25qJec9NtUfi7qN8mPDD0HjmaiAL1mPeOGFTl3SbyBupynIbs9R2nGc/s1600/bm2015.princess.chariot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVyGhiyl40MSYNGTK6WG4PZM5HLjJeZl5jneEK57NR4nLOV4wFDtC8oaZA7_25jn_lm7OJNhkqNiu57UySXFvc25qJec9NtUfi7qN8mPDD0HjmaiAL1mPeOGFTl3SbyBupynIbs9R2nGc/s200/bm2015.princess.chariot.jpg" width="200" /></a></b></div>
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<br />
<b>Post-playa humor</b><br />
<br />
After I got home and took my third shower, I got mad that I couldn't wash all the grey playa dust from my hair. Oh wait, crap, it's not dust, it's my hair...<br />
<br />
<b>Unloading</b><br />
<br />
I honestly can't believe I hauled all this crap cross country and back. And that it all fit reasonably in my Honda Fit...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYWYsJjAA3fHZm_ajln5zfZcQZU2XyZCqc4NkChz6ate-19d0QGI-qW5s8ja4GvmsWl2X_UCTmm_PiMP8h4AjI7CRCKe7s1zYQASZxpEIrwEgebVHVIELMeXgghFww782iPL9y6BSDQ4/s1600/unloaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYWYsJjAA3fHZm_ajln5zfZcQZU2XyZCqc4NkChz6ate-19d0QGI-qW5s8ja4GvmsWl2X_UCTmm_PiMP8h4AjI7CRCKe7s1zYQASZxpEIrwEgebVHVIELMeXgghFww782iPL9y6BSDQ4/s200/unloaded.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Tent cleaning</b><br />
<br />
We finally had a clear dry day when I could wash and dry my tent. I was actually amazed how well air and water (leaf blower and garden hose) cleaned this canvas tent.<br />
<br />
For a quick smile, two short videos:<br />
<ul>
<li>Several small clouds of playa dust: <a href="https://youtu.be/fOaEJJmotxY">https://youtu.be/fOaEJJmotxY</a></li>
<li>Playa dust washing down my driveway: <a href="https://youtu.be/T4k1g7i2xss">https://youtu.be/T4k1g7i2xss</a></li>
</ul>
Next year: Must remember to clean out the inside of the tent *before* cleaning the outside.<br />
<br />
<b>Until next time</b><br />
<br />
I've been home about five days now, and I'm almost finished cleaning everything up: laundry, car, bike, supplies, tools, lag bolts, lights, etc. <br />
<br />
I'm getting bored with typing a few paragraphs every time I think of something, so with that, it's time to finally remove the bling from my wrists, and get back to the default world. At least until someone else posts some more photos. :- )<br />
<br />
'Til next year...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho9nIkjQ60Xi8IUnaYBs3A1K9G_rMMqvSqjmrekDhZG7s8gKyermUKX0TA4NfsXH11YuewGL-PIhJAjWxcIVSzUKu8BC77C0sBLNMWvN_Kql7tbql6QNvhNMIpz6sPAUtnh9LZjyDisU/s1600/bm2015.bling.1066x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiho9nIkjQ60Xi8IUnaYBs3A1K9G_rMMqvSqjmrekDhZG7s8gKyermUKX0TA4NfsXH11YuewGL-PIhJAjWxcIVSzUKu8BC77C0sBLNMWvN_Kql7tbql6QNvhNMIpz6sPAUtnh9LZjyDisU/s200/bm2015.bling.1066x600.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-82646495666002299942014-05-13T22:00:00.000-04:002014-05-13T22:03:57.844-04:00Strava Heat Map<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-U_fxR7bysuX1u5xsz3CLsxBrJT_wqem6Z5HXlUUsVcHBNxlomWJTqpME1Ddvk20lbk2lg_lspkgq2HEDUKxJ5UAoEFVqrJeLS2p4yqYfCJsZFOIa4-Cd8fUuIUOYJVSLBHlEIAHt6g/s1600/strava.stedman.marathon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs-U_fxR7bysuX1u5xsz3CLsxBrJT_wqem6Z5HXlUUsVcHBNxlomWJTqpME1Ddvk20lbk2lg_lspkgq2HEDUKxJ5UAoEFVqrJeLS2p4yqYfCJsZFOIa4-Cd8fUuIUOYJVSLBHlEIAHt6g/s200/strava.stedman.marathon.jpg" /></a></div>
I just spent an hour inhaling the new online map from Strava. It plots aggregated route data from their users, showing the most popular bike routes in brighter colors.<br />
<br />
It's amazingly accurate. I know because I spotted a discontinuity just north of Stedman, NC. I quickly recognized it as the long driveway into a Marathon convenience store, very popular with RUSA riders and local roadies. I've ridden this exact little detour countless times.<br />
<br />
Here's a live map centered on the Stedman Marathon: <a href="http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#15/-78.69499/35.05709/blue/bike">http://labs.strava.com/heatmap/#15/-78.69499/35.05709/blue/bike</a> Click the Google Street View icon to see from a rider's perspective. Then zoom way back to find your own locations.<br />
<br />
Enjoy this amazing resource for route planning.<br />
<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-1243816723947782922014-03-10T22:37:00.001-04:002014-04-11T10:04:03.183-04:00Stand-up desks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsyAdrdopudh9ulF2cyTqusuOvxCAiG9IRUmOtBaZOsCNTQ0mfjEt8kqLMNXUUUcqW4JzL_oO9bMmWmxrd51v3EgLbg82UvVaGyfNwFWw7VAc4V1Nwd3z2UeOe8dXHjPAj2YsLRU0LnU/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsyAdrdopudh9ulF2cyTqusuOvxCAiG9IRUmOtBaZOsCNTQ0mfjEt8kqLMNXUUUcqW4JzL_oO9bMmWmxrd51v3EgLbg82UvVaGyfNwFWw7VAc4V1Nwd3z2UeOe8dXHjPAj2YsLRU0LnU/s1600/IMG_0992.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
I have used a stand-up desk at my office job for more than 20 years. Compared to sitting, I feel more energetic, have better posture, and my back hurts less. And I give much better speeches during conference calls when I am standing.<br />
<br />
My advice to newbies:<br />
<br />
<b>Start gradually.</b> Let your body adjust.<br />
<br />
<b>Height matters.</b> Try different keyboard and screen heights to suit your wrists and neck. Try all your different-height footwear.<br />
<br />
<b>Furniture doesn't matter.</b> Start with boxes, shelves, whatever. Confirm you like it, then buy or build furniture.<br />
<br />
<b>Move.</b> You can get tense and cramped while standing just as easily as sitting. Try these:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Shift your weight, move your legs, raise your head to people-watch. </li>
<li>Intentionally store some stuff you need *behind* you, to force movement. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<b>Don't just stand.</b></div>
<ul>
<li>Raise one foot on a footstool or a box. Alternate feet. </li>
<li>Kneel one leg on a bar stool. Swivel your leg mindlessly. Alternate legs. (Don't sit on it, kneel!)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Be reasonable. </b> Stand only as long as it feels good. Alternate sitting.<br />
<br />
<b>Be smart. </b> Always invite your boss to sit when she visits.<br />
<br />
And most importantly:<br />
<br />
<b>Try it.</b><br />
<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-45060889226599709362014-03-02T22:24:00.001-05:002014-03-10T22:41:31.862-04:00Rando complete<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcIAM1Kfq3WQCEvw2k7bQt7RYoAsOIkcS3-zH1_b5We7fRD3W9bTFNsU49ONaDcGK7YlanMZ1_FWrmSEidXj7kXIcrFTLZsJ6wBg0qPwhfNa11uM2jMp7cVjm5rmVSKUwXiIoG8r1lDs/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcIAM1Kfq3WQCEvw2k7bQt7RYoAsOIkcS3-zH1_b5We7fRD3W9bTFNsU49ONaDcGK7YlanMZ1_FWrmSEidXj7kXIcrFTLZsJ6wBg0qPwhfNa11uM2jMp7cVjm5rmVSKUwXiIoG8r1lDs/s1600/IMG_1428.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvrVj9GTgLppXXGDWW7RLPTiYX3NqaUeznHHDLR_Dm7T-zAZNjwIewVKYGiXRVebnLikZKPRazlCoCpZ73JGkNSeUviRTek4gvMekpMu2HeSctiKfpoTRciWh7opyYoPCC5E8oklfkzo/s1600/CAM00622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvrVj9GTgLppXXGDWW7RLPTiYX3NqaUeznHHDLR_Dm7T-zAZNjwIewVKYGiXRVebnLikZKPRazlCoCpZ73JGkNSeUviRTek4gvMekpMu2HeSctiKfpoTRciWh7opyYoPCC5E8oklfkzo/s1600/CAM00622.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>Jayjay and I finished our R-60 continuous streak today. That means we rode at least one 200km (124 miles) bike ride every consecutive month, for the past five years.<br />
<br />
- I never thought we would ride one 200K.<br />
<br />
- Then I thought we would never complete our first R-12.<br />
<br />
- And now we finished R-60. It's sticker time! <br />
<br />
Many thanks to Dean and all the route owners for preparing cards, processing our results, and making this all possible over five years. And thanks to my wife for the balloons and schwag today.<br />
<br />
Enjoy photos of some interesting scenes today, as well as boring checkpoint photos: <b><a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjTHXnGX" target="_blank">Photos </a></b><br />
<br />
But enough is enough. It's been fun, and I am satisfied. I never bought a good bike because I didn't think my interest would last long enough. I don't train. I haven't done any bike-commuting or riding for fun in many months. And I am posting this here to help ensure I stop the streak. Watch this space...<br />
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<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-50301766629278625632014-02-04T21:08:00.000-05:002014-02-04T21:19:11.102-05:00Perfect Planning <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROOQc_qVYKaSDpGiY9-M79XubI_1zT_8M5bm6Wh73ih8q7xCT4KLV5hAYWfCouQRwBQy_02edgibjf0jyEnx2N6o7ue26wprFHEOhm601f3ZFuvHvdqzkRo5t5vF2p6d_9WloCETFkGc/s1600/permcard.1066x800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhROOQc_qVYKaSDpGiY9-M79XubI_1zT_8M5bm6Wh73ih8q7xCT4KLV5hAYWfCouQRwBQy_02edgibjf0jyEnx2N6o7ue26wprFHEOhm601f3ZFuvHvdqzkRo5t5vF2p6d_9WloCETFkGc/s200/permcard.1066x800.jpg" /></a></div>
Imagine riding a RUSA 200K on a Sunday early in February. Imagine unseasonably mild beautiful weather. Imagine all the dogs are friendly and all the motorists polite. Imagine chatting with your partner as you cruise slowly through the great outdoors from one checkpoint to another without a care in the world, never once checking your perm cards or arrival times during the first 86 miles.<br />
<br />
And then imagine arriving at the next checkpoint, and wondering why the luncheon grille is closed early. Imagine finally looking at your perm card and receipts and realizing you arrived only <b>one minute</b> before checkpoint closing time. And then looking back and seeing you arrived at the previous checkpoint only <b>seven minutes</b> before closing.<br />
<br />
At first you might think this is bad, but no...<br />
<br />
This is perfect planning, I say. Absolutely perfect planning!!!saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-14055801743732871572014-01-12T21:50:00.000-05:002014-01-12T21:50:47.162-05:00Trees and limbs, power trucks, and mud<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7MJteGWflAGIrwx8qdjPhCMbTqmUm-ilW7ndUOYZrzvW9hcaD5tcjDowx5KrlrP-UGmyZJAmQprKrIxJrNFJQUIVcMsUO5pBPjaBwxu5J1ZGka32QpdQV_8aghe70p5-Kd-b10BK1cA/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7MJteGWflAGIrwx8qdjPhCMbTqmUm-ilW7ndUOYZrzvW9hcaD5tcjDowx5KrlrP-UGmyZJAmQprKrIxJrNFJQUIVcMsUO5pBPjaBwxu5J1ZGka32QpdQV_8aghe70p5-Kd-b10BK1cA/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
Bad storms with high winds blew through the area yesterday. You may have seen a newsclip of a building under construction near Raleigh getting blown down by the wind: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t9MpNTSbYg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t9MpNTSbYg</a><br />
<br />
I rode the <b><a href="http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=952">RUSA Carthage Coffee Run 200k </a></b> permanent in central North Carolina today. Between the towns of New Hill and Sanford (about 20 miles), the storm had wreaked havoc with trees and power lines. The shoulders and sides of roads were all littered with tree trunks, limbs, boughs, pine cones, and other detritus. Car lanes were mostly clear, but there was a well-defined line along the side where cars had pushed the branches and limbs off to the side, to the space where I usually ride. Nuisance.<br />
<br />
An army of electric power company trucks were everywhere. In the pre-dawn darkness, their yellow blinkies and klieg lights looked like alien space ships. One truck paced me from behind, apparently looking for an address. It eventually pulled into a church parking lot. Being Sunday morning, I'm sure the power company got a call.<br />
<br />
When I got to the perm checkpoint in the area, it was closed. The outdoor signs were dark, gas pumps were dark, only a few lights were on inside, and there was no sign of life.<br />
<br />
On my return trip, I passed perhaps 30 trucks lined up in an empty parking lot, probably staged for their next assignments. I'm sure the scene was repeated throughout the county.<br />
<br />
Despite an abundance of dog chases, and some sloppy mud on the American Tobacco Trail on my return trip (in the gravel section in Wake County), the ride was great.<br />
<br />
Click on the thumbnail to see my feet as I laid down on my back at the turnaround checkpoint in Carthage. Then enjoy the usual boring checkpoint photos here: <a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjQyxtFh">http://flic.kr/s/aHsjQyxtFh</a><br />
<br />
Many thanks to route owner Branson for letting me ride on short notice.saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-60498436185103420912013-12-08T21:06:00.000-05:002013-12-08T21:06:03.765-05:00Morse Code<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVItk5zZ_YsAdyB6PAeLAc0rKRY9Y0HrMhpbCrKK7rz3_IalTlYdnlYoQVg0Opn1vMGtkCy8q_uwQjT7kS0YkgcsHNCIDGc4C4pAm28OmjteBQxKILG2dbg-fntLK-CtwLdU79Yp3KqaQ/s1600/m6-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVItk5zZ_YsAdyB6PAeLAc0rKRY9Y0HrMhpbCrKK7rz3_IalTlYdnlYoQVg0Opn1vMGtkCy8q_uwQjT7kS0YkgcsHNCIDGc4C4pAm28OmjteBQxKILG2dbg-fntLK-CtwLdU79Yp3KqaQ/s1600/m6-logo.gif" /></a></div>
I heard a great radio advertisement for Motel 6 this week. It ended with the announcer spelling out a snarky three-letter-acronym in Morse Code. Yes, the punch line was in Morse Code!!!<br />
<br />
My alarm clock radio had just awakened me. I was not really listening. It took me a few seconds to recognize it was Morse Code, then decode the letters, and insert the letters back into the context of the message, but then I was laughing out loud in bed.<br />
<br />
Juxtaposing a modern snarky acronym in an antique encoding technique was brilliant.<br />
<br />
So listen up, you old ham radio operators, military wonks, and anthropologists. Pay attention. You'll love it.<br />
<br />
<br />
PS (obligatory bike content): I guess Morse Code is like bicycling. You may get rusty, but you never totally forget.<br />
<div>
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saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-75306203253867719422013-12-01T20:54:00.001-05:002013-12-08T20:27:31.119-05:00RUSA Carthage Coffee Run 200K<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztInvfGJfWLQDYogHCLMdzswA9U2TWymoABAQISNIQs5eVjt94epngM7i4uLvxzuVI1t3G4bVFiORsR-RZd7gJqR7iTX5wrCmp6UmHEeFFaJrNkNOflMtKW3sVxO3TBrZ0_iYkkVzROw/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztInvfGJfWLQDYogHCLMdzswA9U2TWymoABAQISNIQs5eVjt94epngM7i4uLvxzuVI1t3G4bVFiORsR-RZd7gJqR7iTX5wrCmp6UmHEeFFaJrNkNOflMtKW3sVxO3TBrZ0_iYkkVzROw/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Today's solo ride:<br />
- No wind<br />
- No dogs<br />
- No rain<br />
- No dogs<br />
- No mechanicals<br />
- No dogs<br />
- Light traffic<br />
- No dogs<br />
- Friendly cyclists<br />
- No dogs<br />
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<br /></div>
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I think I was dreaming.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
- No photos. </div>
<div>
Well, just a few checkpoint photos for the archives.</div>
<div>
And one glorious violet metal roof. Want!</div>
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<a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjNng4Kc">http://flic.kr/s/aHsjNng4Kc</a></div>
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<br /></div>
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saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-22074744706463680482013-11-03T15:00:00.000-05:002013-11-03T15:00:39.507-05:00Why bike???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzbPjMAJNVSCyMoBkScIx_LkJ6eol-TVxSAaQIhuC8mqs00wpqlpjBIRH8V5lpo9ym7VNR6DVnP-OaPYB1ulb3RvF95WQQFOuoRhZrGsXei2NBFVD0Cp7n5uVqTAlzy1FaICe4g7TYgA/s1600/free.gas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzbPjMAJNVSCyMoBkScIx_LkJ6eol-TVxSAaQIhuC8mqs00wpqlpjBIRH8V5lpo9ym7VNR6DVnP-OaPYB1ulb3RvF95WQQFOuoRhZrGsXei2NBFVD0Cp7n5uVqTAlzy1FaICe4g7TYgA/s200/free.gas.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
With gasoline prices like these, why should I bike?<br />
<br />
Of course, I discovered this *after* bicycling 200K yesterday...saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-67511433377823255692013-10-15T21:12:00.000-04:002013-10-15T21:13:42.453-04:00Stupid Car Tricks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawlepT79pQ1fsU892UYeLnhdmxIbB6tm00JjcVqJLsxGr-kUKDF5vmUwDmIERzYz-2oICNoae2tms96EuK-9VKLE9lOGSKkxB4-51o4027pu8Yp7mvzYKSbcef8sZLyJdD1taap-beXg/s1600/sct.righthook2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawlepT79pQ1fsU892UYeLnhdmxIbB6tm00JjcVqJLsxGr-kUKDF5vmUwDmIERzYz-2oICNoae2tms96EuK-9VKLE9lOGSKkxB4-51o4027pu8Yp7mvzYKSbcef8sZLyJdD1taap-beXg/s200/sct.righthook2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I've learned two variations on the 'right hook' recently.<br />
<br />
In the photo at left, behold the <b>'Two Lane Right Hook'.</b><br />
<br />
Today I approached an intersection in a bike lane. In my mirror, I saw a car approaching in the adjacent lane with right turn signal flashing. I got ready for a typical right hook. Instead, the car first revved and accelerated abruptly into the next lane. Then it executed the right hook across two lanes. At full speed. Fastest I've ever seen. In the dark. Amazing. (I'm sure it surprised the car driver tailgating him too.)<br />
<br />
In the photo at right, behold the <b>'Right Hook U-Turn'.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvdf7YcS3pMSdtpX43AvPmvN3B7JyyYZ5rsGNbVijTnEVRahFLpMmtTA-ZPNwAaFewWycwzk7BgbtFR9Cn-ImBGQL-F1XaEctpEpQQnaDZuMlCe79grNU9nfQMNrI1cOJiQPrtz20Vpw/s1600/sct.righthook.uturn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvdf7YcS3pMSdtpX43AvPmvN3B7JyyYZ5rsGNbVijTnEVRahFLpMmtTA-ZPNwAaFewWycwzk7BgbtFR9Cn-ImBGQL-F1XaEctpEpQQnaDZuMlCe79grNU9nfQMNrI1cOJiQPrtz20Vpw/s200/sct.righthook.uturn.jpg" width="200" /></a>Earlier this summer, I approached an intersection on a quiet two-lane country road in a heavily wooded area. I saw a car coming with turn signal going, and he right-hooked me without incident. However, as soon as he turned, he spotted a 'road closed' barricade on the side street. Without slowing, the driver made a u-turn and proceeded back out onto the main road. Directly toward me. He absolutely did not see me. His eyes went wide with surprise as I screamed 'stop stop' 3-4 times directly into his face through the open window as I hunkered down and turned tight left alongside him to avoid the t-bone. When he finally stopped, his face was emotionless. Drugs? Or just clueless?<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-28546243678106816732013-10-05T21:29:00.001-04:002013-10-07T12:52:49.237-04:00Spooky Dry Fog<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGxE3_1Npn2CyhbJym0AhyphenhyphenGZrab2TJ9Oj5Eia9Ka_wagEFPJkYosSEN1ZPyY2NnbAcSbNu4tB4hcWIzNzuVLB7IkmW3I-0OsnsOVhHGyDBaGvfYN6eskVAr3z8NvLEuX_hIX4-hBvZOw/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGxE3_1Npn2CyhbJym0AhyphenhyphenGZrab2TJ9Oj5Eia9Ka_wagEFPJkYosSEN1ZPyY2NnbAcSbNu4tB4hcWIzNzuVLB7IkmW3I-0OsnsOVhHGyDBaGvfYN6eskVAr3z8NvLEuX_hIX4-hBvZOw/s200/IMG_0718.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOkTajfdGl7QrF5MTw54h-x1dmwIhbcMyqKUxNTtEfRNze8FPSSSm2Giha92kfhHqw6SyHZIiljUcPFKASH81mubwDs5sG91rV5WIUiUVoR82zHWeV7NOKVDdx0B1hbLboJlNC_nQs7U/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicOkTajfdGl7QrF5MTw54h-x1dmwIhbcMyqKUxNTtEfRNze8FPSSSm2Giha92kfhHqw6SyHZIiljUcPFKASH81mubwDs5sG91rV5WIUiUVoR82zHWeV7NOKVDdx0B1hbLboJlNC_nQs7U/s200/IMG_0729.JPG" width="200" /></a>Four randos rode the RUSA Tar Heel 200K today: Jayjay, Mike O, Biker Bob, and me. Gorgeous weather, totally unseasonal for October. Pleasant traffic. Only <strike>one</strike> two pesky flats.<br />
<br />
Click the photo at left to see the lifting spooky dry fog which had lasted three hours this morning. Very Halloween. Photo at right is Mike, Jayjay, and Bob.<br />
<br />
Great day on the bikes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-2419646320377074552013-09-22T20:30:00.000-04:002013-09-22T20:30:12.220-04:00High Bridge Trail State Park, Farmville VA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LKbLIK_kpqPwNpr7Wzpf_3gaTGYxP8BAPhn9HSUwjkKlNXvAdqrJB_oeeeWqYkCc3MCfUTAAtXq9XpR7p86lEbCaClDyBoqAKEW4U9c9HdSw2hfI6l6InFdtege7ymDCOJIrryz7VQE/s1600/IMG_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LKbLIK_kpqPwNpr7Wzpf_3gaTGYxP8BAPhn9HSUwjkKlNXvAdqrJB_oeeeWqYkCc3MCfUTAAtXq9XpR7p86lEbCaClDyBoqAKEW4U9c9HdSw2hfI6l6InFdtege7ymDCOJIrryz7VQE/s200/IMG_0655.JPG" width="200" /></a>I invited my non-cyclist wife to explore a new rail-trail which opened last year up in Virginia. We would cycle 5 miles from the town of Farmville to the namesake bridge, then back.<br />
<br />
Imagine my surprise when she accepted my offer. Imagine even more suprise when she insisted on cycling to the eastern end-of-trail for a total of 30 miles round-trip...<br />
<br />
Highly recommended.<br />
<br />
Trail website: <b><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hig.shtml">http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hig.shtml</a></b><br />
<br />
Tourist photos: <b><a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjJzDbNP">http://flic.kr/s/aHsjJzDbNP</a></b>saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-28751253332221587022013-09-15T22:18:00.001-04:002013-09-21T20:57:44.730-04:00Channeling Vincent Price<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN60Rvt5NDrYjZudAl19ijNN1JXvyQptPQRMRP0P71ZnOY2ctVzLSgPOD4sRyNk4Ybt_ZRBljdeQ_tcfrBq_12zR8AZU8OgGDBNe6ccdnUUggbpZe9V9Ky2bZIgFiGQQ6EgnIdrFWiYc/s1600/IMG_0514.blog.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioN60Rvt5NDrYjZudAl19ijNN1JXvyQptPQRMRP0P71ZnOY2ctVzLSgPOD4sRyNk4Ybt_ZRBljdeQ_tcfrBq_12zR8AZU8OgGDBNe6ccdnUUggbpZe9V9Ky2bZIgFiGQQ6EgnIdrFWiYc/s200/IMG_0514.blog.JPG" width="200" /></a>A guy named Michael Jackson is running for mayor in the town of Erwin, NC. Jayjay and I spotted dozens of campaign signs in the early morning as we rode the RUSA Tar Heel 200K. My mind immediately thought of the famous singer of the same name. Unfortunately, I also thought of his zombie song "Thriller", and the dulcet tones of Vincent Price's narration. It started playing in an endless loop in my mind and kept playing all day. Arrgh.<br />
<br />
Beautiful weather, light winds, light traffic, no mechanicals, and the grill at the Marathon checkpoint in Stedman was open for both visits. A great day on the bikes.<br />
<br />
Here are a few photos, including bridge construction over the Cape Fear River near Tar Heel, NC. <b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/RUSATarHeel200KSeptember152013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">Photos</a></b><br />
Or view at the same photos on Flickr: <b><a href="http://flic.kr/s/aHsjJwgXvY">Photos</a></b><br />
<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-85285589380305744482013-08-03T22:13:00.002-04:002013-08-06T07:02:52.601-04:00The sound of lightning<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhhO-KFlLhbO2xAE4Go0qNpKt3y40JwGBpBU1k-OHI-nnZBX9JBicI6AF-X1lBbUK-wnYlseZIbVMhEc5D6gSjxeBDt2uAZH0-v0yqWv39_Z0rGouURJCACpxYKe2P-Jgr-qF-AcWiCo/s1600/IMG_0153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhhO-KFlLhbO2xAE4Go0qNpKt3y40JwGBpBU1k-OHI-nnZBX9JBicI6AF-X1lBbUK-wnYlseZIbVMhEc5D6gSjxeBDt2uAZH0-v0yqWv39_Z0rGouURJCACpxYKe2P-Jgr-qF-AcWiCo/s200/IMG_0153.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Lightning sounds like electric arc welding. It's a steady coarse buzzing sound. It's exactly like you remember from old Frankenstein movies. And if you're close, it's really loud.<br />
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Jayjay and I heard it 'REALLY LOUD' today while riding the <a href="http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=589">RUSA Tar Heel 200K</a> in eastern North Carolina. We had just ridden into a squall, the lightning was getting closer, and we were totally soaked. Oh, and we were the tallest things around as we rode through barren farm fields on both sides. I was getting a bit concerned.<br />
<br />
Then it happened. Cloud-to-cloud lightning from <u>far</u> to our left, passed directly over our heads, to some destination <u>far</u> to our right. "Dzdzdzdzdzdzddz". I got a little more concerned.<br />
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Luckily, we were a short distance from the <a href="http://www.averasboro.com/">Averasboro Battlefield Museum</a>. Our bikes took flight on their own, the fastest they did all day, and got us to the museum pronto. We sheltered there for 15 minutes as the storm passed.<br />
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The rest of the day, however, both before and after this event, was gorgeous. Continuous overcast. Intermittent warm rains. Wonderful tailwind on the return.<br />
<br />
And we passed Rando Ian near the turnaround point at Tar Heel, NC. (Click the thumbnail photo to enlarge.)<br />
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A great day on the bikes.<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-42963022268244792022013-07-14T22:07:00.001-04:002013-07-14T22:30:39.870-04:00Weather Wonderland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsh-kFaU9c_Scm1Wk8w3MGvMfd7X7xp2kbY4rzK8XVd4m5aBdFeyxzEGkLTHUnyfknkAUBwOzJlzMkU_TDM8ZCxgP_K7QsxprjWkLZS5EQSATSRs6HjMuk5Z-5E6GdUniXGDzAyz_W8E/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhsh-kFaU9c_Scm1Wk8w3MGvMfd7X7xp2kbY4rzK8XVd4m5aBdFeyxzEGkLTHUnyfknkAUBwOzJlzMkU_TDM8ZCxgP_K7QsxprjWkLZS5EQSATSRs6HjMuk5Z-5E6GdUniXGDzAyz_W8E/s200/IMG_0059.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I rode the <b><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/Weather%20Wonderland%20%20I%20rode%20the%20RUSA%20Belmar-Princeton-Belmar%20200K%20http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=1182%20solo%20on%20Saturday.%20%20Thick%20soupy%20fog,%20%20four%20torrential%20rains,%20beastly%20hot%20sunshine,%20and%20delightfully%20cool%20cloudy%20winds.%20%20All%20in%20one%20day.%20%20It%20was%20great.%20%20As%20I%20rode%20the%20four%20miles%20along%20the%20ocean%20to%20the%206am%20start.%20%20Dozens%20of%20police,%20vendors,%20and%20organizers%20were%20setting%20up%20for%20the%20day's%20Belmar%205K%20foot%20race.%20%20Luckily,%20I%20was%20able%20to%20bike%20through%20the%20cordoned-off%20road,%20rather%20than%20have%20to%20detour%20even%20before%20the%20start%20of%20my%20ride.%20%20I%20rode%20the%20first%20three%20hours%20without%20eyewear%20since%20it%20was%20so%20foggy.%20%20Fog%20instantly%20condensed%20on%20the%20lenses.%20%20I%20missed%20my%20rear-view%20mirror.%20%20The%20housing%20market%20is%20booming%20back.%20%20I%20saw%20several%20new%20housing%20developments%20since%20I%20rode%20last%20summer.%20%20Roadside%20poison%20ivy%20is%20booming%20too,%20vines%20hanging%20from%20trees%20over%20the%20road,%20and%20lush%20ground%20growth%20encroaching%20along%20the%20fog%20line.%20%20Be%20careful.%20%20As%20I%20rode%20through%20Fort%20Dix%20and%20McGuire%20Air%20Force%20base,%20I%20heard%20lots%20of%20booms,%20but%20encountered%20no%20black%20helicopters%20this%20year.%20%20A%20few%20miles%20later,%20a%20huge%20lumbering%20four-engine%20propeller%20plane%20passed%20directly%20overhead%20to%20a%20landing.%20%20Neat.%20%20A%20first:%20As%20I%20passed%20one%20of%20many%20horse%20farms,%20I%20saw%20two%20harness-racing%20rigs%20racing%20around%20a%20track.%20%20It%20looked%20like%20two%20large%20men%20in%20little%20%20recumbent%20chariots%20getting%20mud%20kicked%20up%20in%20their%20faces%20from%20the%20hooves.%20%20I%20laughed.%20%20Firemen%20were%20collecting%20donations%20at%20the%20main%20intersection%20in%20Hightstown.%20%20I%20got%20stopped%20at%20the%20light%20next%20to%20a%20friendly%20fireman.%20%20He%20chatted%20me%20up,%20and%20asked%20my%20route.%20%20He%20immediately%20interrupted%20me,%20incredulous,%20as%20I%20started%20listing%20towns.%20%20%22Wait,%20Belmar%20at%20the%20shore???%22%20%20Excited%20conversation%20followed.%20%20Yay%20rando.%20%20One%20of%20the%20checkpoints%20is%20at%20a%20pizza%20restaurant%20in%20Cranbury.%20%20I%20couldn't%20resist.%20%20I%20sat%20for%20a%20slice.%20%20Delicious.%20%20As%20a%20kid,%20I%20loved%20biking%20in%20the%20rain.%20%20I%20especially%20loved%20riding%20through%20lakes%20that%20formed%20in%20a%20nearby%20park%20(where%20the%20only%20hazard%20was%20bumping%20into%20a%20submerged%20picnic%20table,%20but%20that's%20another%20story).%20%20Saturday's%20rain%20was%20a%20throwback.%20%20Each%20time%20I%20rode%20through%20a%20storm,%20I%20got%20totally%20soaked,%20raised%20rooster%20tails%20through%20many%20shallow%20puddles,%20and%20the%20rain%20temperature%20was%20comfortable%20and%20not%20freezing.%20%20Yay.%20%20I%20did%20zen%20cycling%20most%20of%20the%20day.%20%20I%20had%20memorized%20the%20route%20and%20its%20recent%20updates,%20never%20looked%20at%20cue%20sheet%20or%20GPS.%20%20And%20no%20odometer.%20%20I%20'woke%20up'%20several%20times%20wondering%20where%20I%20was,%20and%20always%20recognized%20my%20location%20shortly.%20%20Fun!%20%20This%20is%20a%20great%20route.%20%20Many%20thanks%20to%20Rando%20Paul%20for%20creating%20and%20maintaining%20it.%20%20boring%20checkpoint%20photos%20https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/RUSABelmarPrincetonBelmar200KJuly132013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">RUSA Belmar-Princeton-Belmar 200K</a></b> solo on Saturday in central New Jersey. Thick soupy fog, four torrential rains, beastly hot sunshine, and delightfully cool cloudy winds. All in one day. It was great.<br />
<br />
I rode the four miles along the ocean to the 6am start. Dozens of police, vendors, and organizers were setting up for the day's Belmar 5K foot race. Luckily, I was able to bike through the cordoned-off road, rather than have to detour even before the start of my ride.<br />
<br />
I rode the first three hours without eyewear since it was so foggy. Fog instantly condensed on the lenses. I missed my rear-view mirror.<br />
<br />
The housing market is booming back. I saw several new housing developments since I rode last summer.<br />
<br />
Roadside poison ivy is booming too, vines hanging from trees over the road, and lush ground growth encroaching along the fog line. Be careful.<br />
<br />
As I rode through Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force base, I heard lots of booms, but encountered no black helicopters this year. A few miles later, a huge lumbering four-engine propeller plane passed directly overhead to a landing. Neat.<br />
<br />
A first: As I passed one of many horse farms, I saw two harness-racing rigs racing around a track. It looked like two large men in little recumbent chariots getting mud kicked up in their faces from the hooves. I laughed.<br />
<br />
Firemen were collecting donations at the main intersection in Hightstown. I got stopped at the traffic light next to a friendly fireman. He chatted me up, and asked my route. He immediately interrupted me, incredulous, as I started listing towns. "Wait, Belmar at the shore???" Excited conversation followed. Yay rando.<br />
<br />
One of the checkpoints is at a pizza restaurant in Cranbury. I couldn't resist. I sat for a slice. Delicious.<br />
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As a kid, I loved biking in the rain. I especially loved riding through lakes that formed in a nearby park (where the only hazard was bumping into a submerged picnic table, but that's another story). Saturday's rain was a throwback. Each time I rode through a storm, I got totally soaked, raised rooster tails through shallow puddles, and the rain temperature was comfortable and not freezing. Yay.<br />
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I did zen cycling most of the day. I had memorized the route and its recent updates, never looked at cue sheet or GPS. And no odometer. I 'woke up' several times wondering where I was, and always recognized my location shortly. Fun!<br />
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This is a great route. Many thanks to Rando Paul for creating and maintaining it.<br />
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Click here to see a few <b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/RUSABelmarPrincetonBelmar200KJuly132013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">boring checkpoint photos</a></b><br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-78261103495885536882013-06-23T16:37:00.000-04:002013-06-23T16:37:21.098-04:00My bike climbed Mt Mitchill<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphyphenhyphenidmqYDq2Gp294jJMjzlIRXxKmnkqoye8TwqTHZD9Vf_yMNlWhY87g0Jj0ZCAzIGn_brhLLtkKmtKjlV1Q-7G2W8XyAPzDciD5LP6TyNtBFVAt2iYYe2aMSzUqW4UQkHc78TocRlN4/s1600/IMG_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphyphenhyphenidmqYDq2Gp294jJMjzlIRXxKmnkqoye8TwqTHZD9Vf_yMNlWhY87g0Jj0ZCAzIGn_brhLLtkKmtKjlV1Q-7G2W8XyAPzDciD5LP6TyNtBFVAt2iYYe2aMSzUqW4UQkHc78TocRlN4/s200/IMG_9903.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphyphenhyphenidmqYDq2Gp294jJMjzlIRXxKmnkqoye8TwqTHZD9Vf_yMNlWhY87g0Jj0ZCAzIGn_brhLLtkKmtKjlV1Q-7G2W8XyAPzDciD5LP6TyNtBFVAt2iYYe2aMSzUqW4UQkHc78TocRlN4/s1600/IMG_9903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Hopefully no one will notice the unique spelling and fine print...<br />
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(For my non-cyclist friends, this pokes fun at a famous hill climb in North Carolina with similar name: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Mitchell">Mt Mitchell</a>)saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-39547942930820122312013-06-03T18:16:00.000-04:002013-06-04T07:13:24.748-04:00200K meets 600K redux<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CtX-tO9qZF6iuuhqsWyVFgyT2soh1JkRxc-X-sW3MbbjT3xiJFSkIFfcOQwUMo8c8kGVMWiafkQoDY2WhnGsFVX6wxTWI_I1YBWr88vsE7y3iFBzermfkqa4b5eRQ_rMehdcJwD7h1w/s1600/IMG_9659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CtX-tO9qZF6iuuhqsWyVFgyT2soh1JkRxc-X-sW3MbbjT3xiJFSkIFfcOQwUMo8c8kGVMWiafkQoDY2WhnGsFVX6wxTWI_I1YBWr88vsE7y3iFBzermfkqa4b5eRQ_rMehdcJwD7h1w/s200/IMG_9659.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Three years ago, Jayjay and I rode the <a href="http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=589"><b>RUSA Tar Heel 200K</b></a> in North Carolina and crossed paths with riders doing a 600K. Here is the original <a href="http://sagittandy.blogspot.com/2010/05/200k-meets-600k.html"><b>blog post.</b></a><br />
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History repeated itself yesterday...<br />
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First, we passed a lone cyclist at the post office in Wade, NC. He seemed like a rando: front bag, conspicuous clothing, cheery confidence. He said 'good morning' before we could greet him. We didn't think about the 600K until a few minutes later when we remembered some recent newsgroup chatter. Could he have been on the return route of the 600K?<br />
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Shortly thereafter, our hunch was confirmed. We passed and recognized rando Rick with another rider. They stopped to chat. Then we passed rando Byron who recognized me. Then a group of six randos: Geof, John, Mike, Keith, Tom, and Jacob.<br />
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Finally, on our return stop at the checkpoint in Erwin NC, the cashier said "Oh I just signed one of these cards ten minutes ago".<br />
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They were everywhere. Wish I had brought my cow bell! <br />
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Great day on the bike. <b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/200KMeets600KRedux?authuser=0&feat=directlink">Photos</a></b><br />
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Update: Thanks to Rick and Martin filling in the missing names. The first mystery rider was Rando Gar. Congrats to all.<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-89879992325030291092013-05-27T13:25:00.001-04:002013-05-27T13:25:40.421-04:00Bike Kayak Trailer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_rSivv3RttHXAigAeepfIBkWEGrZVUUcqpEmC0_96bewPWmzQniM111q7BTBT9cvU_AG8_aoj_YC5kO0sFK5gYszDJxIlbwpMrqRynzCKp5JEBxs5hdzmpHMDMOOGcH8gMXZYo4zNKs/s1600/dana.kayaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ_rSivv3RttHXAigAeepfIBkWEGrZVUUcqpEmC0_96bewPWmzQniM111q7BTBT9cvU_AG8_aoj_YC5kO0sFK5gYszDJxIlbwpMrqRynzCKp5JEBxs5hdzmpHMDMOOGcH8gMXZYo4zNKs/s200/dana.kayaks.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I designed and built this trailer for a friend. <div>
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I spent a good bit of time thinking about the hitch. My favorite part is using a short piece of automotive heater hose to wrap around the bike seat post. It flexes a little, absorbs small shocks, and attaches and removes quickly with no tools. I like it.</div>
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The trailer has a wooden frame with low-speed low-pressure wheels, slightly smaller than wheelbarrow wheels. They roll nicely and absorb minor shocks.</div>
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It's all connected by a long piece of black iron pipe, bent to the contours of the rear bike wheel and the bow of the kayak. And the pipe swivels in the frame so everything moves.</div>
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Here's the instructable: <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Kayak-Trailer/"><b>http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Kayak-Trailer/</b></a></div>
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and the 16-second video: <b><a href="http://youtu.be/GovHLDrF2eU">http://youtu.be/GovHLDrF2eU</a></b></div>
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With a little paint, and some red blinkies for those full-moon cruises, it'll be all set. I just hope she doesn't try to back it down the boat ramp...</div>
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saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-53881086806066881972013-05-10T21:39:00.000-04:002013-05-10T21:39:49.301-04:00RUSA Rando Roulette 200K - Abbreviated<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRcjJ-Ik1gC0vP7MtVPhguqJDIRFCGHh63A1l7t6LrL1Vcoo11X2eRi37USr1czJ0Q30Yz2pnWNh521VwZK23Rq_PWO9gLEx2VBIc5c0Te5fq2pv6pHXQ1vACBSDcKHnFdatxQcFvOMs/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRcjJ-Ik1gC0vP7MtVPhguqJDIRFCGHh63A1l7t6LrL1Vcoo11X2eRi37USr1czJ0Q30Yz2pnWNh521VwZK23Rq_PWO9gLEx2VBIc5c0Te5fq2pv6pHXQ1vACBSDcKHnFdatxQcFvOMs/s200/IMG_9440.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I was in Las Vegas Nevada on business last week. After my conference was over, I stayed for the weekend, rented a bike, and rode the first 80 miles/128 km of the <b><a href="http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=1071">RUSA Rando Roulette 200K</a></b> last Saturday. <br />
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The route is a loop around Las Vegas. I started in the town of Henderson to the south, rode east and then north along Lake Mead, then west through the city of North Las Vegas. Scenery along the lake was desolate and gorgeous. Riding through the city in traffic was fun. The route continued through the Red Rock Canyon to the west, but I didn't make it.<br />
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Determination vs Temptation: I didn't finish the official ride. It got hot mid-day (around 95F/35C), and I was not acclimated. I totally melted in the sunshine. Now the route just happened to pass by the Bonneville Bus Station in North Las Vegas, and I just happened to know there was an express bus back to my hotel in Henderson, with bike racks and air conditioning, every 30 minutes, for only $2. Two dollars! All this immediately flashed through my mind in an instant as soon as I saw the bus station. I knocked that devil off my shoulder and shouted 'keep pedaling!' <br />
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But after biking 5 miles further and finally realizing I really could not make the next checkpoint in time, I decided to end my ride. (Oh, and shivers, cramps, and a few 'bad decisions' in traffic from dehydration helped confirm my decision too). Back to the bus station!<br />
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A fun memory: As I waited at the bus station in my rando reflectivewear, a bicycle policeman on patrol shouted out and complimented me as the 'most visible cyclist' he has ever seen. Yesss!<br />
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Many thanks to Utah Rando Richard for designing the route and sending me a card. And many thanks to NC Rando Rick for recommending the route and recommending the Fiesta Henderson Hotel. I would love to try again some day with better preparation and/or during a cooler time of year.<br />
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Enjoy my unusually large set of photos from the ride with lots of little vignettes: <b><a href="http://goo.gl/ieOOZ">http://goo.gl/ieOOZ</a></b><br />
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And enjoy my tourist photos from Las Vegas with particularly snarky captions: <b><a href="http://goo.gl/AWMcV">http://goo.gl/AWMcV</a></b><br />
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Another great day on the bike...<br />
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saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-86216994595170241502013-04-21T16:47:00.000-04:002013-04-21T16:47:01.439-04:00Snaps of the commute<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlxEKWHCxBhLN9uDoUwJQocHg5Umpjf0S8Ix_IhtB5NMaDnGTq4-8EgQn3vi8lZcasiPQcRHqb6Wpq88lA3q26hQvUfYYUWOwfKMo1toZqEjP65vQIo4WSlqbkAX2xd-ADJywdiZ3TbE/s1600/IMG_9151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlxEKWHCxBhLN9uDoUwJQocHg5Umpjf0S8Ix_IhtB5NMaDnGTq4-8EgQn3vi8lZcasiPQcRHqb6Wpq88lA3q26hQvUfYYUWOwfKMo1toZqEjP65vQIo4WSlqbkAX2xd-ADJywdiZ3TbE/s200/IMG_9151.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
I was in no hurry to get to work this morning, so I stopped several times...<br />
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I took photos of crumbling pavement for the city maintenance website.<br />
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I took photos of trees encroaching into a roadway.<br />
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I carried brush and branches out of a bike lane.<br />
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And I practiced flicking my ID badge at the corporate security checkpoint and squeezing past the gate in one smooth motion, just to postpone going into the office.<br />
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Meh.<br />
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<b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/SnapsOfTheCommuteApril212013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">Photos</a> </b><br />
<b><br /></b>saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-62703619998070476652013-04-09T21:49:00.000-04:002013-04-11T21:47:46.385-04:00RUSA Lake Gaston 210K<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoVZFM8ajqFnXuRZ1id3-yn_auPfRUj-5SOan4HGI9WtphXH7TytLeYOXu8_7x8IuctPMcIVaHmctINoUhfP74PugFHyn24uqY8_LD38QHCpnquDtIJx4lFvuKzkFqoFb_lS3iUmpk6E/s1600/IMG_9065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoVZFM8ajqFnXuRZ1id3-yn_auPfRUj-5SOan4HGI9WtphXH7TytLeYOXu8_7x8IuctPMcIVaHmctINoUhfP74PugFHyn24uqY8_LD38QHCpnquDtIJx4lFvuKzkFqoFb_lS3iUmpk6E/s200/IMG_9065.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
Jayjay and I rode the <a href="http://www.rusa.org/cgi-bin/permview_GF.pl?permid=1242"><b>RUSA Lake Gaston 210K</b></a> for the first time on Sunday. We started in Wilson NC, rode north, crossed Lake Gaston, barely crossed the state line to reach Gasburg VA, then back.<br />
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<b>The bad: </b> I was sick with a cough & cold. I felt bonked before starting. Then I began chest-hacking and eyes swelling midday probably from the impending pollen bloom. Oh and there were some hills. And an afternoon windfest.<br />
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<b>The good: </b> Excellent route. Few turns. Minimal checkpoints. Minimal traffic, since it's definitely not boating season yet. Friendly dogs. Lots of idyllic trees. And our first RUSA ride credit in VA. [update 4/11] Oh, and I almost forgot: Two separate motorcyclists gave us the <a href="http://sagittandy.blogspot.com/2010/11/motorcyclist-wave.html">secret cyclist wave</a>. Yes, two. So cool!<br />
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<b>Photos: </b>Click here to see the <b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/RUSALakeGaston210KApril72013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">obligatory photos</a></b><br />
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<b>Geek whining: </b> In my never-ending quest to appear tres chic, I uploaded photos to Facebook from my wifi-only phone at the start and finish on Sunday. Unfortunately, Facebook didn't publish them until I signed-in again from my phone on Tuesday night. And it published them three minutes apart. So unhelpful. Rando Skiff even thought we were starting a night ride. I must work on it...<br />
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Thanks to Rando Tim for preparing cards and processing our results. A great day on the bikes.<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-54011435753286405062013-03-27T23:03:00.000-04:002013-03-27T23:03:43.898-04:00"An R-12 here, an R-12 there...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB4Io90_WUEcypukZEhO8NSEit52ItHikGVaOwZFBpE2eGN5zTfpzL50nOKFLhn7Pd8CDdi6SCmYw-n_25ITholfma6txXblOKEyFE-zQZF0qbw2Dj3WR12ZscqvRAcVQ-t5_OkQBbMA/s1600/IMG_8977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDB4Io90_WUEcypukZEhO8NSEit52ItHikGVaOwZFBpE2eGN5zTfpzL50nOKFLhn7Pd8CDdi6SCmYw-n_25ITholfma6txXblOKEyFE-zQZF0qbw2Dj3WR12ZscqvRAcVQ-t5_OkQBbMA/s200/IMG_8977.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
...and pretty soon we're talking real bling."<br />
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This curmudgeon says: The <a href="http://www.rusa.org/award_r12.html"><b>RUSA R-12 program</b></a> is really <b>not</b> about cycling, not about fitness, and not about 'the bike'. <br />
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It is a challenge of logistics and scheduling.<br />
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If you have the right family and job situation, a moderate climate, and reasonable routes nearby, you can do it. <br />
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April is the best month to start. You'll get eight months done in fine weather, and having eight months 'on the record' will motivate you through the winter.<br />
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So just compare yourself to photos of me and laugh heartily. Then start planning. April is just around the corner.<br />
<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-86942897088850236082013-03-16T10:20:00.000-04:002013-03-16T10:20:15.983-04:00Fearless Leader Alan's 70th birthday 70 mile populaire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTwKx2IW5ybxR-PHI1SnpEzrPbOi8gkDM82XtbEWPzJ89EZhpRZlovigOj0U1SR2LEx2tBgr2iIE6yjLAIvOBLhKACpDzU3SfuLOTzcb2ZCziWpYaipEIDoEzgJwjTPcNmuBICCFJMSA/s1600/IMG_8873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRTwKx2IW5ybxR-PHI1SnpEzrPbOi8gkDM82XtbEWPzJ89EZhpRZlovigOj0U1SR2LEx2tBgr2iIE6yjLAIvOBLhKACpDzU3SfuLOTzcb2ZCziWpYaipEIDoEzgJwjTPcNmuBICCFJMSA/s200/IMG_8873.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
A fine group of NC randos turned out for Fearless Leader Alan's 70th birthday populaire this morning. Happy Birthday, Alan.<br />
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Also, congrats to Dean on his R-72 continuous streak, and congrats to Jerry on his R-84 continuous streak.<br />
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Photos at the start: <b><a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/FearlessLeaderAlanS70thBirthday70MilePopulaire?authuser=0&feat=directlink">Photos</a></b><br />
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saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-43557079205051863512013-03-14T19:20:00.000-04:002013-03-14T19:20:31.586-04:00Isn't it ironic?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JkH_LpKZHNarK7SQpfdDNhz7hvD05uKd6uMtjW_uKbwfCo7rFv8KY-dfZ8wLgHUdVjBKNGKinnKCQk9akfPLkQD3qb3i_8vF8DRuLwqtwp11UWsvjkOx5zhmcLSITdAID2fhyphenhyphenJJbBo4/s1600/IMG_8869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JkH_LpKZHNarK7SQpfdDNhz7hvD05uKd6uMtjW_uKbwfCo7rFv8KY-dfZ8wLgHUdVjBKNGKinnKCQk9akfPLkQD3qb3i_8vF8DRuLwqtwp11UWsvjkOx5zhmcLSITdAID2fhyphenhyphenJJbBo4/s200/IMG_8869.JPG" width="200" /></a>That we advertise our cycling activities...<br />
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...on the backs of our cars.saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1529388483381892125.post-63483335986695341202013-03-10T21:55:00.000-04:002013-03-10T21:55:09.732-04:00Thanks to the volunteers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CnNvjH8-fUD3RmdKkPyZQ0Nkh98iznayyt8trFEGcsZ7tMMMvKcfk_vRTNdiRfrdDRVNax4Thhoc4HSjj3mmrISCH8-txY1sKe2W8Q6HVuyfKtao8dmwdOEXiIbxxI3IfuW6XfxSY9c/s1600/perm.owner.belt.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3CnNvjH8-fUD3RmdKkPyZQ0Nkh98iznayyt8trFEGcsZ7tMMMvKcfk_vRTNdiRfrdDRVNax4Thhoc4HSjj3mmrISCH8-txY1sKe2W8Q6HVuyfKtao8dmwdOEXiIbxxI3IfuW6XfxSY9c/s200/perm.owner.belt.png" width="200" /></a></div>
Rando Skiff recently wrote a <a href="http://irregularveloadventures.blogspot.com/2013/02/nc-perms-what-have-people-been-riding-7.html">series of articles</a> analyzing the rides of North Carolina randonneurs. We enjoy talking about our epic rides in the wet, windy, cold, nights, uphill both ways, etc.<br />
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But we don't do it alone. For every ride in Skiff's analysis, there is a RUSA volunteer who scouted the route, created maps and cue sheet, submitted it for approval, then prepared cards before each ride, and processed the results afterward. Most also exchange a few emails with every rider, and send words of encouragement and then congratulations. And there are more volunteers behind the scenes at RUSA HQ.<br />
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So as I look back on Jayjay and my RUSA rides over the past four years, I'd like to say thanks again to the RBAs, perm owners, and admins who made it possible for us to sport 'R-48 Continuous Streak' bumper stickers (see photos).<br />
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Today's photos from of the <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/sagittandy/RUSATarHeel200KMarch102013?authuser=0&feat=directlink">RUSA Tar Heel 200K</a><br />
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<br />saghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12464803573474998355noreply@blogger.com1