Friday the thirteenth.
Breakfast of French Toast, an egg, and bacon (and some of Tiff's sausage).
Small chill session back at Zen's place, then back on the bikes.
Same route as yesterday. To be perfectly honest, I was kinda hoping that we'd skip it today.
14.8 miles.
We took 10 minutes of the time and increased the average speed by 2mph.
AND I found a little air. Thank you FSM.
Whereas yesterday's ride was a bit discouraging, today's ride helped to balance that.
I am fairly certain that tomorrow is going to be horrendously painful. It's almost a given. There is nothing I can do about that. Not a damn thing. I realized this earlier in the week and have stopped freaking out that I'm not at the weight or training milestone that I wanted to be. Too late. I can either give up and decide not to do this ride, or utilize every fiber in my body/soul/mind and finish. It's nice to have nice clean black and white choices like that.
After the ride, we hit the store and then headed for the TBP 2007 Bikejoural Picnic.
I was able to meet some BikeJers that I'd talked with for a long time, and a few that I'd not met. Zin, Kin, SombraGato, Zcubed, Deadhead, Pathfinder, Lucine, Popeye, Timmy, Howard, HiGuy, SuperNana, BikePrincess, Bill, BowWow, Rob01, and many more.
Cycling truly brings out the best people. Amazing.
Post picnic, it was time to go home and pack the van. I'd promised Kev that we'd play NetHack, so that was a big priority. Tiff and Zen were such a flurry of activity that I started to get a little nervous. I gathered everything together, quite quickly, actually. Simple minds, I guess. After some issues getting the van packed just right, we were all set.
There's nothing left to do. ('cept sleep)
Tomorrow, I will do something that very few people I know think is even possible for them to accomplish. In fact, it wasn't that long ago that a ride like TBP was just one of those amazing things that nutter cyclists did.
TBP is the anvil upon which I will lay my soul. Each gobble of blessed HammerGel serves to heat my soul, each foot climbed and mile passed is the hammer blow reforging my soul to something stronger and sharper that it was before. Each gulp of water the quenching that fixes my soul in it's new form.
Today is the last day that I will be who I am. By this time tomorrow, I will be remade. Something different, stronger, sharper.
See you on the other side!
Maarburg
Meatspace coordinates:
Latitude: N 39.91
Longitude: W 105.09
Friday, July 13, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Quest for TBP 7712
Today's ride was a real eye opener.
There is no fsking air in Colorado. I'm not sure where it went, or when it was taking, but it's gone.
I could not believe how quickly I was in oxygen debt. Sucking air like a fish out of water. We (Zen, Tiff, and I) rode the 14+ miles in about an hour.. and my lungs were burning for 55 of them.
Not encouraging.
TBP ain't about the climbs or the distance anymore. It's about the fsking air.
Or lack there of.
FSM help me.
Maarburg
Meatspace coordinates:
Latitude: N 39.91
Longitude: W 105.09
There is no fsking air in Colorado. I'm not sure where it went, or when it was taking, but it's gone.
I could not believe how quickly I was in oxygen debt. Sucking air like a fish out of water. We (Zen, Tiff, and I) rode the 14+ miles in about an hour.. and my lungs were burning for 55 of them.
Not encouraging.
TBP ain't about the climbs or the distance anymore. It's about the fsking air.
Or lack there of.
FSM help me.
Maarburg
Meatspace coordinates:
Latitude: N 39.91
Longitude: W 105.09
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Quest for TBP 7711
The most dangerous people in the state....
Sorry Tiff's head got cut off.. Damn squirrels, just can't take photos..
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Quest for TBP 7710
Kathleen and I are now safe in the land of Hypoxia.
Zen took me up the the "foothills" to get a little perspective for what I'll be in for in four days. This picture is from the top of the 'Flagstaff Climb'. That nice flat basin in the hazy distance.. . that's where we were a mere four miles previous.
Ouch.
I'm in for a boatload of a pain and suffering on the 14th.
Can't wait.
A nice little thunderstorm has set in. Zen seems so nonchalant, it's almost funny.
CO is interesting, like being on another planet.
Maarburg
Meatspace coordinates:
Latitude: N 39.91
Longitude: W 105.09
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Quest for TBP 7707
Saturday:
Ankle Tendon seems to be doing much better after, yet, another night of RICE, and some serious babying. So much favoritism that my right calf is complaining a bit.
Lower GI issues are still present and I really have no clue what to try next.
Gorging/Fasting/Softner/Fiber/ungodly ammounts of fluids have all yeilded limited results.
Hmm.. 1/2 of SF Chocolate might due the trick... can I afford to be bed ridden?
Frustrated yet determined,
-Maarburg
Ankle Tendon seems to be doing much better after, yet, another night of RICE, and some serious babying. So much favoritism that my right calf is complaining a bit.
Lower GI issues are still present and I really have no clue what to try next.
Gorging/Fasting/Softner/Fiber/ungodly ammounts of fluids have all yeilded limited results.
Hmm.. 1/2 of SF Chocolate might due the trick... can I afford to be bed ridden?
Frustrated yet determined,
-Maarburg
Friday, July 06, 2007
Tour de France 2007 Picks
Andreas Kloeden
Alexandre Vinokourov
Alejandro Valverde
Carlos Sastre
Cadel Evans
Levi Leipheimer
Denis Menchov
Schleck
Contador
Christophe Moreau
-Maarburg
Alexandre Vinokourov
Alejandro Valverde
Carlos Sastre
Cadel Evans
Levi Leipheimer
Denis Menchov
Schleck
Contador
Christophe Moreau
-Maarburg
Quest for TBP 2007 (7706)
Friday:
Pain is slightly subsided. Of course, I'm terrified of making it worse and totally babying the ankle.
Contrary to my desire, but inline with logic, I went to the Doc.
Doc looked real worried. Didn't like that I had no 'trauma' to cause this. As the pain was very centralized and not at the location of most angle tendon damage (ATFL), her thoughts turned to worst case scenarios. BTW, her brother lives in CO and has done TPB.
A trip to Radiology negates all worst case scenarious. Most notably Novicular fracture or spur.
Diagnosis: Damaged/inflamed ligament.
Remedy: R.I.C.E. and this cool anti-inflametory/pain killer, No weight on the foot or ankle for 5 days and then only very light. Advised not to do TBP, but then she looked at me, shook her head and said... get lots of rest before hand.
She wrote me a double prescription for the cool meds.
Just goes to show you.. most people, when the look into the eye of Crazy, the know it.
-Maarburg
Pain is slightly subsided. Of course, I'm terrified of making it worse and totally babying the ankle.
Contrary to my desire, but inline with logic, I went to the Doc.
Doc looked real worried. Didn't like that I had no 'trauma' to cause this. As the pain was very centralized and not at the location of most angle tendon damage (ATFL), her thoughts turned to worst case scenarios. BTW, her brother lives in CO and has done TPB.
A trip to Radiology negates all worst case scenarious. Most notably Novicular fracture or spur.
Diagnosis: Damaged/inflamed ligament.
Remedy: R.I.C.E. and this cool anti-inflametory/pain killer, No weight on the foot or ankle for 5 days and then only very light. Advised not to do TBP, but then she looked at me, shook her head and said... get lots of rest before hand.
She wrote me a double prescription for the cool meds.
Just goes to show you.. most people, when the look into the eye of Crazy, the know it.
-Maarburg
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Quest for TBP 2007 (7705)
Thursday:
The pain grew, sharper and more expanded. Not Good.
Tried not to make a big deal about it. The negative ramifications of this being serious are too much to deal with.
By evening, I was unable to find a position in which the ankle didn't yell.
Large ammounts of Vitamin I and an ice pack under an ACE bandage while whatching whatever the hell is on TV at 3am seemed to do the trick. Fell asleep at 4:30a
-Maarburg
The pain grew, sharper and more expanded. Not Good.
Tried not to make a big deal about it. The negative ramifications of this being serious are too much to deal with.
By evening, I was unable to find a position in which the ankle didn't yell.
Large ammounts of Vitamin I and an ice pack under an ACE bandage while whatching whatever the hell is on TV at 3am seemed to do the trick. Fell asleep at 4:30a
-Maarburg
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Quest for TBP 2007 (7704)
7704:
While relaxing and trying to recover from a mysterious stomach ailment....
I noticed a tightness in my left ankle.
As the day wore on, the tightness turned into one of those mystery pains. Those pains that apear from nowhere and disapear by morning.
This one didn't. Any lifting of the toes, droping of the toes or rolling of the ankle inward caused sharp pain.
-Maarburg
While relaxing and trying to recover from a mysterious stomach ailment....
I noticed a tightness in my left ankle.
As the day wore on, the tightness turned into one of those mystery pains. Those pains that apear from nowhere and disapear by morning.
This one didn't. Any lifting of the toes, droping of the toes or rolling of the ankle inward caused sharp pain.
-Maarburg
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
New Jersey
Wow.. I got my TBP2007 Jersey last week (or was it the week before?), and my Club Hypoxia Jersey today.
Dang.. I'm like a cycling junkie now.
To be honest.. TBP2007 is daunting right now. I have not trained to the level I had wanted. I'll pay dearly for that, in 17 days.
Right after, I plan on taking out the P-38, and doing a run on my current TBP trainig ride. Just to see the time split.
Maarburg the Mad
Dang.. I'm like a cycling junkie now.
To be honest.. TBP2007 is daunting right now. I have not trained to the level I had wanted. I'll pay dearly for that, in 17 days.
Right after, I plan on taking out the P-38, and doing a run on my current TBP trainig ride. Just to see the time split.
Maarburg the Mad
Friday, February 16, 2007
Hello, my name is Maarburg...
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF CYCLISM?
Here is a self-test to help you review the role riding plays in your life. These questions incorporate many
common symptoms of cyclism . This test is intended to help you determine if you or someone you know needs to find out more about cyclism; It is not intended to be used to establish the diagnosis of cyclism.
Do you ever ride heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone?
Can you handle more riding now than when you first started to ride?
Have you ever been unable to remember part of the previous evening, even though your friends said that you did not pass out?
When cycling with other people, do you try to have a few extra miles when others won't know about?
Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable if riding is not available?
Do you sometimes feel a little guilty about your cycling?
Are you in more of a hurry to get your first ride of the day than you used to be?
Has a family member or close friend ever expressed concern or complained about your cycling?
Have you been having more memory 'blackouts' recently?
Do you often want to continue cycling after your friends say they've had enough?
Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you ride heavily?
When you're sober, do you sometimes regret things you did or said while cycling?
Have you tried switching brands or bikes, or following different plans to control your cycling?
Have you sometimes failed to keep promises you made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your cycling?
Have you ever had a DWI (driving while intoxicated (from a ride)) or DUI (driving under the influence of riding) violation, or any other legal problem related to your cycling?
Do you try to avoid family or close friends while you are cycling?
Are you having more financial, work, school and/or family problems as a result of your cycling?
Has your physician ever advised you to cut down on your cycling?
Do you eat very little or irregularly during the periods when you are cycling?
Do you sometimes have the "shakes" in the morning and find that it helps to have a "little" ride, tranquilizer medication of some kind?
Have you recently noticed that you can't ride as much as you used to?
Do you sometimes stay on the bike for several days at a time?
After periods of cycling do you sometimes see or hear things that aren't there?
Have you ever gone to anyone for, help about your cycling?
Do you ever feel depressed or anxious before, during or after of heavy cycling?
Any "yes" answer indicates that you may be a greater risk for cyclism. More than one "yes" answer may indicate the presence of an riding-related problem or cyclism, and the need for consultation with a cyclism professional.
WHAT IS CYCLISM?
Cyclism is a disease which there is impaired control over cycling, preoccupation with riding, continued use of the bike in the face of adverse consequences and distorted thinking. Generally speaking, cyclism is repeated cycling that causes trouble in the rider's personal, professional, family or school life. When cyclists ride, they can't always predict when they'll stop, how much they'll ride or what the consequences of their cycling will be. Denial of the negative effects of riding in their lives is common among cyclists and those close to them. There is no known cure for cyclism. The disease can be arrested through complete abstinence from riding and other addictive activities. Once abstinent, most cyclists recover from the damage caused by their cycling. More than 1.5 million Americans are currently in recovery from their own cyclism.
Here is a self-test to help you review the role riding plays in your life. These questions incorporate many
common symptoms of cyclism . This test is intended to help you determine if you or someone you know needs to find out more about cyclism; It is not intended to be used to establish the diagnosis of cyclism.
Do you ever ride heavily when you are disappointed, under pressure or have had a quarrel with someone?
Can you handle more riding now than when you first started to ride?
Have you ever been unable to remember part of the previous evening, even though your friends said that you did not pass out?
When cycling with other people, do you try to have a few extra miles when others won't know about?
Do you sometimes feel uncomfortable if riding is not available?
Do you sometimes feel a little guilty about your cycling?
Are you in more of a hurry to get your first ride of the day than you used to be?
Has a family member or close friend ever expressed concern or complained about your cycling?
Have you been having more memory 'blackouts' recently?
Do you often want to continue cycling after your friends say they've had enough?
Do you usually have a reason for the occasions when you ride heavily?
When you're sober, do you sometimes regret things you did or said while cycling?
Have you tried switching brands or bikes, or following different plans to control your cycling?
Have you sometimes failed to keep promises you made to yourself about controlling or cutting down on your cycling?
Have you ever had a DWI (driving while intoxicated (from a ride)) or DUI (driving under the influence of riding) violation, or any other legal problem related to your cycling?
Do you try to avoid family or close friends while you are cycling?
Are you having more financial, work, school and/or family problems as a result of your cycling?
Has your physician ever advised you to cut down on your cycling?
Do you eat very little or irregularly during the periods when you are cycling?
Do you sometimes have the "shakes" in the morning and find that it helps to have a "little" ride, tranquilizer medication of some kind?
Have you recently noticed that you can't ride as much as you used to?
Do you sometimes stay on the bike for several days at a time?
After periods of cycling do you sometimes see or hear things that aren't there?
Have you ever gone to anyone for, help about your cycling?
Do you ever feel depressed or anxious before, during or after of heavy cycling?
Any "yes" answer indicates that you may be a greater risk for cyclism. More than one "yes" answer may indicate the presence of an riding-related problem or cyclism, and the need for consultation with a cyclism professional.
WHAT IS CYCLISM?
Cyclism is a disease which there is impaired control over cycling, preoccupation with riding, continued use of the bike in the face of adverse consequences and distorted thinking. Generally speaking, cyclism is repeated cycling that causes trouble in the rider's personal, professional, family or school life. When cyclists ride, they can't always predict when they'll stop, how much they'll ride or what the consequences of their cycling will be. Denial of the negative effects of riding in their lives is common among cyclists and those close to them. There is no known cure for cyclism. The disease can be arrested through complete abstinence from riding and other addictive activities. Once abstinent, most cyclists recover from the damage caused by their cycling. More than 1.5 million Americans are currently in recovery from their own cyclism.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Out of Rehab
I'm officially out of rehab.
2006 is over. Kathleen, aka NeWT, is calling me. The Marlin is in the mag trainer.
ZenLC, a person of ill repute and attempted murderer, has pushed me off the wagon.
Ok, so I was leaning and off balance... and I probably would have fallen on my own accord. I'm still blaming ZenLC. He's is up to his old tricks too. I've spoken with others (Tiff) who have been hoodwinked into a crazy, fear invoking, what-the-hell-were-you-thinking bike rides. I've come up with the unified theory of One Degree of Seperation to try to comes to grips with the similarity of those sucked into his web of pain and hypoxia. More on the Unified Theory of One Degree later.
Triple Bypass 2007 is July 14th.
This is the "So Far" I spoke of at the end of my Waimea Canyon Ride report.
One-Hundred and twenty miles with over ten thousand three hundred feet of climbing.
The lowest altitude of the ride looks to be ~7,400 ft.
I live at ~70ft. The summit of the two most reasonable training rides are 1,000 ft and 1,625 ft.
This is not good.
I have the 'vomitron'. I have weekends.
This is gonna hurt.
On the upside.. I'm on schedule for training.
Maarburg
Current meatspace coordinance:
21 18'41.01N 157 51'31.42W elevation 70ft
2006 is over. Kathleen, aka NeWT, is calling me. The Marlin is in the mag trainer.
ZenLC, a person of ill repute and attempted murderer, has pushed me off the wagon.
Ok, so I was leaning and off balance... and I probably would have fallen on my own accord. I'm still blaming ZenLC. He's is up to his old tricks too. I've spoken with others (Tiff) who have been hoodwinked into a crazy, fear invoking, what-the-hell-were-you-thinking bike rides. I've come up with the unified theory of One Degree of Seperation to try to comes to grips with the similarity of those sucked into his web of pain and hypoxia. More on the Unified Theory of One Degree later.
Triple Bypass 2007 is July 14th.
This is the "So Far" I spoke of at the end of my Waimea Canyon Ride report.
One-Hundred and twenty miles with over ten thousand three hundred feet of climbing.
The lowest altitude of the ride looks to be ~7,400 ft.
I live at ~70ft. The summit of the two most reasonable training rides are 1,000 ft and 1,625 ft.
This is not good.
I have the 'vomitron'. I have weekends.
This is gonna hurt.
On the upside.. I'm on schedule for training.
Maarburg
Current meatspace coordinance:
21 18'41.01N 157 51'31.42W elevation 70ft
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Jan Ulrich to win the 2006 Tour de France?
With my boy Landis up against the ropes trying to teach second year chemistry and biology to the French, Oscar Pereiro turns out to have tested positive on two occasions during the 2006 Tour for Salbutamol.
The Second Place finisher of one of the most esteemed bike races in the world has asthma?!? Asthma? Are you shitting me?
So Lanids will get bumped on bizarre-not-that-testosterone-can-help charges. Oscar didn't fill in the box on the Tour d'Application that said 'Asthmatic'. Who's next? What did Kloden do, take Viagra?
My European Contact repeatedly claims that they are all doping. I've been defending Landis, based purely on my faith in him. Which is quite silly taking into account my views on the word 'faith' in general. I'm beginning to think that they are all doping.
How far down does the rabbit hole go?
Maarburg
The Second Place finisher of one of the most esteemed bike races in the world has asthma?!? Asthma? Are you shitting me?
So Lanids will get bumped on bizarre-not-that-testosterone-can-help charges. Oscar didn't fill in the box on the Tour d'Application that said 'Asthmatic'. Who's next? What did Kloden do, take Viagra?
My European Contact repeatedly claims that they are all doping. I've been defending Landis, based purely on my faith in him. Which is quite silly taking into account my views on the word 'faith' in general. I'm beginning to think that they are all doping.
How far down does the rabbit hole go?
Maarburg
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Born again.
Nope.. not religion... more pain, and less faith.
The 2007 cycling season is on.
(so what, I'm starting early, bite me)
The Evil ZenLC has enticed me to try Triple Bypass. Not that it took much effort.
The next big domino might just be Cycle to the Sun... August 2008.
SombraGato asked me about the new name...
This passage might help,
Maarburg
21 18'41.01N 157 51'31.42W elevation 60ft
The 2007 cycling season is on.
(so what, I'm starting early, bite me)
The Evil ZenLC has enticed me to try Triple Bypass. Not that it took much effort.
The next big domino might just be Cycle to the Sun... August 2008.
SombraGato asked me about the new name...
This passage might help,
If people can make permanent decisions in their life regarding their choice of mate, religion, or political party, then they are equally capable of making permanent decisions regarding their food choices, fitness commitments, and goals. (The human species is not biologically weakwilled, though you'd never know it if you observed typical human behavior.) Making sweeping, definitive, all-encompassing, and enduring commitments is an incredibly powerful and liberating experience, both in the making and the living up to them.
Accept that there must be no excuses for lack of success, only reasons. Recognize these reasons, learn from them, then regroup and press onward.
Maarburg
21 18'41.01N 157 51'31.42W elevation 60ft
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Landis News Blurb Follow Up
" Last week, Landis's lawyer sent a letter to the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) asking that the doping charges be dismissed.
The letter questioned the tests carried out on his samples in a French laboratory and claimed that the positive finding on the B sample came from a sample number not assigned to Landis. "
The "B" test wasn't from Landis?
Who do they have running that fsking lab, Pinky and the Brain?
Christ on a Crutch people.
The letter questioned the tests carried out on his samples in a French laboratory and claimed that the positive finding on the B sample came from a sample number not assigned to Landis. "
The "B" test wasn't from Landis?
Who do they have running that fsking lab, Pinky and the Brain?
Christ on a Crutch people.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
More thoughts about Landis
"I was tested eight times at the Tour; four times before that stage and three times after, including three blood tests. Only one came back positive. Nobody in their right mind would take testosterone just once; it doesn't work that way. Zero chance."
Landis said.
It doesn't make sense, that's a fact.
I still want to believe.
Now, on the other side fo the fence:
"Patrick Lefevere, the President of the International Association of Professional Cycling Teams, has threatened to sue disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis. The Belgian manager of Quick Step has raised the idea of legal action to protect the image of cycling." Quoted from Eurosport.com
Lefevere, would already convict Landis.
That can't make Floyd a happy camper.
Landis said.
It doesn't make sense, that's a fact.
I still want to believe.
Now, on the other side fo the fence:
"Patrick Lefevere, the President of the International Association of Professional Cycling Teams, has threatened to sue disgraced Tour de France winner Floyd Landis. The Belgian manager of Quick Step has raised the idea of legal action to protect the image of cycling." Quoted from Eurosport.com
Lefevere, would already convict Landis.
That can't make Floyd a happy camper.
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Codename NeWT - Second Look.
In a quick chat with bikefridaywalter, I should have no problem adjusting the stem.
When I got home (yes, I was smart enough not to bring her with me to work and lose another day to daydreaming about my new ride) I immediately started fiddling with the stem. POP, there she goes.. perfect. Quick adjustment to the saddle to bring it down to an approximate range, back to the stem to adjust it a few centimeters higher than the saddle.
Let's Ride!
First ride report.
It was already late when I got the change to ride, and I'd yet to install the reflectors that shipped with, or swap over my lights from other steeds, so I stuck to the main drag.
Dang... responsive. Snappy steering. Smooth controls.
Sweet ride.
As this was the maiden voyage, I kept things simple. No wheelies or "how quickly can I take this turn" stuff. Though I was tempted to see how she sprinted. "Very well, thank you very much." was her response.
Pretty much speechless.. (and a bit out of breath), so here's the synopsis.
Price: Slightly higher than a comparable Chinese made bike that doesn't fit in my car.
Strengths: Fits in my car (a compact sedan) in about 20 seconds. Very nimble though stable. Killer acceleration. Eye catcher. Give you instant bike-geek status.
Weaknesses: Slightly heavier than comparable Chinese made bikes that can't fit in my car. Instant bike-geek status. Replacement tires/tubes are not available in my neck of the woods.
Bottomline: Killer bike from a great company that really cares about the product they make. Non biking friends (yeah, I still have some) can't see spending just under 2k something that you have to pedal. I think it's money well spent.
More reviews (and maybe a daytime picture) to follow.
Maarburg
When I got home (yes, I was smart enough not to bring her with me to work and lose another day to daydreaming about my new ride) I immediately started fiddling with the stem. POP, there she goes.. perfect. Quick adjustment to the saddle to bring it down to an approximate range, back to the stem to adjust it a few centimeters higher than the saddle.
Let's Ride!
First ride report.
It was already late when I got the change to ride, and I'd yet to install the reflectors that shipped with, or swap over my lights from other steeds, so I stuck to the main drag.
Dang... responsive. Snappy steering. Smooth controls.
Sweet ride.
As this was the maiden voyage, I kept things simple. No wheelies or "how quickly can I take this turn" stuff. Though I was tempted to see how she sprinted. "Very well, thank you very much." was her response.
Pretty much speechless.. (and a bit out of breath), so here's the synopsis.
Price: Slightly higher than a comparable Chinese made bike that doesn't fit in my car.
Strengths: Fits in my car (a compact sedan) in about 20 seconds. Very nimble though stable. Killer acceleration. Eye catcher. Give you instant bike-geek status.
Weaknesses: Slightly heavier than comparable Chinese made bikes that can't fit in my car. Instant bike-geek status. Replacement tires/tubes are not available in my neck of the woods.
Bottomline: Killer bike from a great company that really cares about the product they make. Non biking friends (yeah, I still have some) can't see spending just under 2k something that you have to pedal. I think it's money well spent.
More reviews (and maybe a daytime picture) to follow.
Maarburg
Codename NeWT - First Look.
First impression on the bike currently Codenamed NeWT.
The shipping box was a bit smaller than I though it was going to be, and that's just naivete. I mean the bike is designed to be small. So why wouldn't it be in a small shipping box?
Wow.. Packed well.
5minues later.. Ok.. I get it, I get it, igetit.. Enough with the bubble wrap! On one hand, I've been dreamin of this bike for months. On the other hand, I've been unable to sleep for the last few days because I had a tracking number. On the third hand, I want to ride this beauty!
NeWT was built by hand, by someone (or someones I suppose) that really gave a shit about what there were doing. That in and of itself is something odd in this world of underpaid whinners that thing the world owes them... sorry different blog. Nice clean welds. Wheels are true and the reach on front brakes and rear breaks is equal. That's the kind of attention to detail I was seeing as I care fully pulled off bubble wrap from just about every surface.
I work in the tech industry, and was assembling the bike (assembling is a bit of an over statement) in the receiving/engineering bay. Easy access to the alpha geeks of my company.
The bike is sold without a saddle or pedals, primarily due to the vast range of individual tastes for these parts. I knew this and had purchased a new (flash) saddle and used pedals for the occasion. I left these parts at my desk (upstairs) and was too eager to check out the bike, not really to install parts that I had seen already. A small parade of Engineers and 7" forehead types came over to check out my new ride. I ended up explaining the special folding properties of the bike a few times. Nearly all of them made some mention of the missing saddle.
Dang, can't get anything past this group. *grin*
The stem seemed awfully tall.. I hadn't bothered to see if there was any instructions or anything of that sort.. just started putting everything where it needed to go. I must admit that I was a bit worried about the height of the stem, and worried that I'd answered one of bikefridaywalter's questions wrong or that he had checkmarked the wrong box. Leetle worried.. Not much. I'll bug bikefridaywalter tomorrow.
Folds fast fast and fits very nicely in the backseat of my Impreza (didn't get the chance to get the milk crates out of the trunk).
More to come,
Maarburg
The shipping box was a bit smaller than I though it was going to be, and that's just naivete. I mean the bike is designed to be small. So why wouldn't it be in a small shipping box?
Wow.. Packed well.
5minues later.. Ok.. I get it, I get it, igetit.. Enough with the bubble wrap! On one hand, I've been dreamin of this bike for months. On the other hand, I've been unable to sleep for the last few days because I had a tracking number. On the third hand, I want to ride this beauty!
NeWT was built by hand, by someone (or someones I suppose) that really gave a shit about what there were doing. That in and of itself is something odd in this world of underpaid whinners that thing the world owes them... sorry different blog. Nice clean welds. Wheels are true and the reach on front brakes and rear breaks is equal. That's the kind of attention to detail I was seeing as I care fully pulled off bubble wrap from just about every surface.
I work in the tech industry, and was assembling the bike (assembling is a bit of an over statement) in the receiving/engineering bay. Easy access to the alpha geeks of my company.
The bike is sold without a saddle or pedals, primarily due to the vast range of individual tastes for these parts. I knew this and had purchased a new (flash) saddle and used pedals for the occasion. I left these parts at my desk (upstairs) and was too eager to check out the bike, not really to install parts that I had seen already. A small parade of Engineers and 7" forehead types came over to check out my new ride. I ended up explaining the special folding properties of the bike a few times. Nearly all of them made some mention of the missing saddle.
Dang, can't get anything past this group. *grin*
The stem seemed awfully tall.. I hadn't bothered to see if there was any instructions or anything of that sort.. just started putting everything where it needed to go. I must admit that I was a bit worried about the height of the stem, and worried that I'd answered one of bikefridaywalter's questions wrong or that he had checkmarked the wrong box. Leetle worried.. Not much. I'll bug bikefridaywalter tomorrow.
Folds fast fast and fits very nicely in the backseat of my Impreza (didn't get the chance to get the milk crates out of the trunk).
More to come,
Maarburg
Monday, July 31, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Floyd and a perspective.
---Landis rode the mountainous stage in 5 hours, 23 minutes, 36 seconds for an average speed of 37.175 kph (23.049 mph).
---His average cadence was 89 rpm.
---He averaged 281 watts for the whole stage and 318 watts for the last two hours.
---While pedaling, he averaged 324 watts overall and 364 watts for the last 2 hours.
---When he attacked to break away early on the stage's first mountain (of five), he generated 544 watts for 30 seconds, then settled into a 10-minute average of 431 watts. His 30-minute average was 401 watts, which put all 10 riders ahead of him in the overall standings well down the road.
---He averaged 373 watts on the 8.5% ascent of the 11.7-km (7.3-mile) final mountain, the Col de Joux-Plane, rated the hardest climb of the entire Tour.
---On the descent to the finish line in Morzine, he reached a top speed of 83.7 kph (51.9 mph).
The 2006 Tour was the third fastest of the 93 raced to date.
Floyd Landis rolled through the 3,656-km (2,267-mile) course in 89 hours, 39 minutes, 30 seconds for an average speed of 40.784 kph (25.268 mph).
The two faster speeds were ridden by Lance Armstrong in 2005 (41.698 kph or 25.853 mph) and in 2003 (40.956 kph or 25.393 mph). Armstrong also holds the fourth and fifth highest average speeds (2004 and 1999).
And here's the reason why the french are raising such a stink:
Tour victories since 1986:
U.S. -- 11
Spain -- 6
Ireland -- 1
Denmark -- 1
Germany -- 1
Italy -- 1
France -- 0
Pulled from an IM conversation with FoldableWalter.
Maarburg
---His average cadence was 89 rpm.
---He averaged 281 watts for the whole stage and 318 watts for the last two hours.
---While pedaling, he averaged 324 watts overall and 364 watts for the last 2 hours.
---When he attacked to break away early on the stage's first mountain (of five), he generated 544 watts for 30 seconds, then settled into a 10-minute average of 431 watts. His 30-minute average was 401 watts, which put all 10 riders ahead of him in the overall standings well down the road.
---He averaged 373 watts on the 8.5% ascent of the 11.7-km (7.3-mile) final mountain, the Col de Joux-Plane, rated the hardest climb of the entire Tour.
---On the descent to the finish line in Morzine, he reached a top speed of 83.7 kph (51.9 mph).
The 2006 Tour was the third fastest of the 93 raced to date.
Floyd Landis rolled through the 3,656-km (2,267-mile) course in 89 hours, 39 minutes, 30 seconds for an average speed of 40.784 kph (25.268 mph).
The two faster speeds were ridden by Lance Armstrong in 2005 (41.698 kph or 25.853 mph) and in 2003 (40.956 kph or 25.393 mph). Armstrong also holds the fourth and fifth highest average speeds (2004 and 1999).
And here's the reason why the french are raising such a stink:
Tour victories since 1986:
U.S. -- 11
Spain -- 6
Ireland -- 1
Denmark -- 1
Germany -- 1
Italy -- 1
France -- 0
Pulled from an IM conversation with FoldableWalter.
Maarburg
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
