Tuesday, May 23, 2006

You know, it ain't easy training for a 100 mile ride!




You guys think this is easy? This past weekend I went on a 35 mile "training" bike ride...that was only 1/3 the distance I'm supposed to do June 3rd; it took me almost THREE HOURS riding like crazy! I took my new bike that I bought around a month ago and have decided that for this long ride, I'm going to take my 10-speed pictured below:
If you want to know what my new bike looks like here is the link (with the correct color too!)

While the Passage 4.0 from Raleigh has front end and seat suspension, because of the way you sit you are upright with the wind in your chest making it hard to ride! The old "bone-shaker" 10-speed can go faster with less effort, thus I should finish sooner ...right?

Here's the breakdown on where the advantages are:

- Comfort - Raleigh (Passage 4.0): ...good for short rides, especially as this body ages.
- Speed - Volkcycle (Mark V) 10-speed racer: I ran both along the same course!
- Braking - Raleigh: It has new well-tuned brakes, top-notch!
- Wind resistance: "Bone-Shaker" has much less wind resistance easier to ride!
- Rolling resistance: "Bone-Shaker" wins again, thinner tires mean less work!
- Handling: Raleigh handles overall much better, but the 10-speed is more nimble on the road!
- Tire Safety: Raleigh has kevlar lined tires that resist puncture and flats, 10-speed? ...Naw!
- Gear ratio: Raleigh has 24 gears to my 10-speed which has well...you know...ten!
- Durability: I think because it's new the Raleigh has the edge here.

I did add an aero bar to the 10-speed so as to give my hands a rest, so that helps a bit. My hand stend to get numb during long rides on both bikes, in fact after the 35-miler my hands were still numb the next morning! I have a gel seat cover on my 10-speed and that certainly helps too! the Raleigh has a built-in gel seat that is wider too.

What are your thoughts? Which should I ride in the long race?

BTW: Many thanks to all who have sent in contribution towards donations for this Tour de Cure!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Okay, Who knows when THIS PHOTO was taken?

Monday, May 08, 2006

Somehow I feel like this today...


...Well, this image will have to do then!
Did you ever fell like things were just falling apart and things were just out-of-control. Well, I sort of feel like this today! ...what else can I say? I'm sure the feeling will pass.

Thursday, May 04, 2006

Terry Ferguson (from EZBoard)


I hope everyone can read this!!

I guess I'm an old Fart!

"I'll git you fer this "
You're Not Old Unless You Can Remember...

1) Being sent to the drugstore to test vacuum tubes for the TV.

2) When Kool-Aid was the only drink for kids, other than milk and sodas.

3) When there were two types of sneakers for girls and boys (Keds & PF Flyers), and the only time you wore them at school, was for "gym."

4) When it took five minutes for the TV to warm up.

5) When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there.

6) When nobody owned a purebred dog.

7) When a quarter was a decent allowance, and another quarter a huge bonus.

8) When you'd reach into a muddy gutter for a penny.

9)When girls neither dated nor kissed until late high school, if then.

10) When your mom wore nylons that came in two pieces.

11) When all of your male teachers wore neckties and female teachers had their hair done, everyday.

12) When you got your windshield cleaned, oil checked, and gas pumped, without asking,..... for free, every time and you didn't pay for air. And you got trading stamps to boot!

13) When laundry detergent had free glasses, dishes or towels hidden inside the box.

14)When any parent could discipline any kid, or feed him, or use him to carry groceries, and nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

15) When it was considered a great privilege to be taken out to dinner at a real restaurant with your parents.

16) When they threatened to keep kids back a grade if they failed...and did!

17) When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited a misbehaving student at home.