Check out my inspiration at http://www.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2010/05/is-floyd-landis-telling-the-truth-about-lance-armstrong/1?csp=outbrain
Oh Lance, how could you disappoint me? Lance Armstrong may be considered one of the finest riders today, yet shall we dismiss recent allegations that raise questions of his seven consecutive Tour de France wins? It’s like finding out Santa Clause doesn’t circumnavigate the globe, delivering presents and eating cookies. Floyd Landis rightfully admitted to doping, in the controversial 2006 Tour, but narced out America’s hero, Lance Armstrong.
Frankly, it doesn’t bother me if Lance juices. I’d like to believe the Tour de France functions as twenty one days of clean cycling, but let’s face it, that’s impossible if you want to compete today. It’s like asking Keith Richards to play concerts sober. The pelotons travel faster than ever, both because of improved bicycle technologies and steroids.
Performance enhancing drugs damage the integrity of the sport, but should Lance admit to his follies? If he confessed, I wouldn’t even bother placing an asterisk next to his 1999-2005 wins. It may improve drug testing on the tour or raise awareness for our demands on athletes. I question our love affair with Lance, and wonder if we (the American public) pushed him to cheat.
Floyd Landis deserves credit for his actions. If more athletes were honest, the sport may be seen in a respectable light. Lance Armstrong may never openly address his involvement with doping, but won’t someone think of the children. Lance, you’re an icon. If you want to be genuine I urge you to produce a better response to Floyd’s accusations. “It’s his word against mine,” (Lance) only portrays you as a bigger phony.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
6 $ per G
See my inspiration at http://www.dailycamera.com/ci_15105499?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com
As the mess continues to grow in the Gulf, gas prices pose a threat to those held hostage by their cars. What ever will we do if gas prices reach four, five, or even six dollars per gallon? Although British Petroleum and Exxon Mobile harbor notions of alternative energies, these companies may never drift away from oil unless their profits begin to decline. Florida will be a tar pit by the time these greasy characters get their acts together; in the meantime I champion the idea of a boycott.
I perceive the car as a filthy, antiquated mode of transportation. How do we continue to rationalize driving a car when we can pedal for free? Furthermore, we complain about our obese nation, yet drift down the highway at 75 mph while eating a Big Mac. Certain cities and towns remain difficult to navigate via bicycle, yet these excuses can’t be supported in Boulder. If you commit to the bicycle you’ll never look back, except to check out that cute bike that passed you.
Placing myself on a high saddle, I refuse to drive; not because I can’t afford gasoline, but because I won’t consume that nonsense. My bicycle carries me across town faster than any car, and without traffic or stress. I can load groceries in a trailer or backpack, and dismiss anyone who site situations that warrant a car. If every able body were to abandon their cars and adopt the bicycle just imagine the possibilities. Boulder already locates itself as a progressive town; but if we all got on the same page we could radiate a Copenhagen aesthetic.
As the mess continues to grow in the Gulf, gas prices pose a threat to those held hostage by their cars. What ever will we do if gas prices reach four, five, or even six dollars per gallon? Although British Petroleum and Exxon Mobile harbor notions of alternative energies, these companies may never drift away from oil unless their profits begin to decline. Florida will be a tar pit by the time these greasy characters get their acts together; in the meantime I champion the idea of a boycott.
I perceive the car as a filthy, antiquated mode of transportation. How do we continue to rationalize driving a car when we can pedal for free? Furthermore, we complain about our obese nation, yet drift down the highway at 75 mph while eating a Big Mac. Certain cities and towns remain difficult to navigate via bicycle, yet these excuses can’t be supported in Boulder. If you commit to the bicycle you’ll never look back, except to check out that cute bike that passed you.
Placing myself on a high saddle, I refuse to drive; not because I can’t afford gasoline, but because I won’t consume that nonsense. My bicycle carries me across town faster than any car, and without traffic or stress. I can load groceries in a trailer or backpack, and dismiss anyone who site situations that warrant a car. If every able body were to abandon their cars and adopt the bicycle just imagine the possibilities. Boulder already locates itself as a progressive town; but if we all got on the same page we could radiate a Copenhagen aesthetic.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
One's Trash is Another's...Trash?
So fixies. What's the deal? I remember last year, the fixie was something to be proud of...something you rescued out of a dumpster and then fixed up, slapped a fixed cog on the back and rode around like a new child. Maybe not too pretty, but the point was that you built it yourself.
Recently I began stumbling across sites online like http://www.republicbike.com, where you can log on and "build your own fixie", meaning choose the colors and have it shipped fully assembled to your doorstep. Is this okay?
In fact, this is the very same website used by Urban Outfitters to allow riders to build-a-fixie for about $300. This is a pretty good deal, and the bikes are actually pretty awesome. But there's just something about the concept...
Is it as snazzy to just pick out the colors and components as to dumpster your frame and pull a little fix-me-up? So conflicted...
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Colorado… Come for the Winter, Stay for the Summer
The Road… How many have talked, written, photographed, or plain lived on the road? I’m entranced by what happens when we’re out on the road; especially when traveling without the confines of an agenda. I’m composing these thoughts after three exceptional days of solo bike riding, and wish to share all the in betweens that made my trip an adventure.
I regard no exception for my actions, bike tours remain a normal pastime this side of the Mississippi, and contrary to popular belief the roads belong to us bikers too. I hitched my wagon to my mountain bike and let the wind carry me north; weaving seventy miles along the Front Range I arrived in Fort Collins Saturday night. The ride didn’t feed my spirit, except for the goat on a snowmobile and the cracked seat collar, everything felt fairly normal. My camping plans dissolved after two CSU students kindly offered me a place to stay. I woke up early, bought a few tubes at Lee’s Cycles, and checked a flag.
The winds calmly blew westerly, suggesting I visit the mountains. I mapped out a course and climbed 60 miles through Roosevelt National Forest, arriving in Estes Park around five o’clock. The ride proved challenging, although the canyon, the forests, and the winding road kept me focused. I jabbered with a few locals as I ascended the canyon, one even offered me a place to stay at the local fire station, but I convinced myself camping in the mountains was more suiting. I dabbled around the park until overhearing the evening forecast for snow!
Again, my intentions drifted from actuality and I found myself creating a shelter off Hell’s Canyon Road; luckily the property owners let me be. Using my bike, the trailer, and a funky tree, I constructed a wind/water proof shelter (Les Stroud would have approved.) I drifted to sleep as the sun’s final rays hit the horizon. I awoke several hours later to high winds and snowfall. My shelter weathered the storm and preserved a cozy den until sunrise.
The morning brought an enchanted forest of ponderosa pines and nearby elk. I packed my things, briefly explored the woods, and saddled up for my return to Boulder. The canyon, still frozen, opened up a marvelous downhill experience. There is no better way to end 130 miles of sustained pedaling than with a 35 mile stretch of downhill. One night in the mountains was truly worth a month in the town, and to do it all on my own accord makes it matter. I encourage everyone to take a bike adventure, get lost, and allow the wind to direct your path. The roads a magical place, if you pay attention you may glean some wisdom.
I regard no exception for my actions, bike tours remain a normal pastime this side of the Mississippi, and contrary to popular belief the roads belong to us bikers too. I hitched my wagon to my mountain bike and let the wind carry me north; weaving seventy miles along the Front Range I arrived in Fort Collins Saturday night. The ride didn’t feed my spirit, except for the goat on a snowmobile and the cracked seat collar, everything felt fairly normal. My camping plans dissolved after two CSU students kindly offered me a place to stay. I woke up early, bought a few tubes at Lee’s Cycles, and checked a flag.
The winds calmly blew westerly, suggesting I visit the mountains. I mapped out a course and climbed 60 miles through Roosevelt National Forest, arriving in Estes Park around five o’clock. The ride proved challenging, although the canyon, the forests, and the winding road kept me focused. I jabbered with a few locals as I ascended the canyon, one even offered me a place to stay at the local fire station, but I convinced myself camping in the mountains was more suiting. I dabbled around the park until overhearing the evening forecast for snow!
Again, my intentions drifted from actuality and I found myself creating a shelter off Hell’s Canyon Road; luckily the property owners let me be. Using my bike, the trailer, and a funky tree, I constructed a wind/water proof shelter (Les Stroud would have approved.) I drifted to sleep as the sun’s final rays hit the horizon. I awoke several hours later to high winds and snowfall. My shelter weathered the storm and preserved a cozy den until sunrise.
The morning brought an enchanted forest of ponderosa pines and nearby elk. I packed my things, briefly explored the woods, and saddled up for my return to Boulder. The canyon, still frozen, opened up a marvelous downhill experience. There is no better way to end 130 miles of sustained pedaling than with a 35 mile stretch of downhill. One night in the mountains was truly worth a month in the town, and to do it all on my own accord makes it matter. I encourage everyone to take a bike adventure, get lost, and allow the wind to direct your path. The roads a magical place, if you pay attention you may glean some wisdom.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Time to De-Winterize!
Well, it's that time of year again. We're almost past the last big snow (1 foot next Monday, but who really knows if that'll happen), so it's time to tune.
First of all, your chain is probably bordering on radioactively rusty.
Not only is this disgusting, but it's also slowing you down. So take a chain-cleaning tool or even a stiff-bristled old toothbrush and pretty much any kind of all-purpose cleaner and scrub off that rust. Chances are that your derailleurs and chain-rings and such also need a little TLC, so give those a once-over too. Next, take a little bit of chain lube (I personally like to use Triflow, available for about $3 at McGuckins) and grease up that chain. That should take care of the dry post-cleaned chain.
Next is your cables and housing. Replace them.
Housing-which is the tubing that protects your shifting and break cables- should be replaced around two or three times a year. This is because rust and grime actually build up inside the housing which causes the cables and the inside of the housing to rust. It is not uncommon to have brake or shifting cables snap inside the housing because of friction caused by the grime buildup. Also, replacing your cables every once in a while will give you a smoother shifting experience because the tiny cables that make up the interior of the housing get dry after a while. So when you replace the cables and housing, drizzle a little bit of lube inside and it'll give your housing a little bit longer life.
Replacing the cables and housing and cleaning and lubing your chain is the surest way to get rid of some of the most weathering effects of winter. So wait until the last snow, and take care of business.
First of all, your chain is probably bordering on radioactively rusty.
Not only is this disgusting, but it's also slowing you down. So take a chain-cleaning tool or even a stiff-bristled old toothbrush and pretty much any kind of all-purpose cleaner and scrub off that rust. Chances are that your derailleurs and chain-rings and such also need a little TLC, so give those a once-over too. Next, take a little bit of chain lube (I personally like to use Triflow, available for about $3 at McGuckins) and grease up that chain. That should take care of the dry post-cleaned chain.
Next is your cables and housing. Replace them.
Housing-which is the tubing that protects your shifting and break cables- should be replaced around two or three times a year. This is because rust and grime actually build up inside the housing which causes the cables and the inside of the housing to rust. It is not uncommon to have brake or shifting cables snap inside the housing because of friction caused by the grime buildup. Also, replacing your cables every once in a while will give you a smoother shifting experience because the tiny cables that make up the interior of the housing get dry after a while. So when you replace the cables and housing, drizzle a little bit of lube inside and it'll give your housing a little bit longer life.
Replacing the cables and housing and cleaning and lubing your chain is the surest way to get rid of some of the most weathering effects of winter. So wait until the last snow, and take care of business.
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