Research Trailer Park Bicycle, Bike, Randonneur, Randonneuring Brevets

Tweed, It's the New Lycra

2009-11-11T08:48:00.005-05:00

Yes, it all comes round, doesn't it? Yo Adrian sent the link to this tweedy site. I guess it's old bike week at the Park. Personally, I prefer this Tweedy.

Music to Pose in Front of the Eiffel Tower to...

2009-11-10T20:30:00.007-05:00

She's Bad - Nathaniel Mayer

There's six degrees of separation to cycling, but it would take a while to explain...

1950s London Cycling Videos

2009-11-10T06:42:00.009-05:00

These videos are making the rounds on the randon lists and they're worth sharing. I have a special interest in this because lately I've been riding a 1950s frame, and it's a pleasure to see how riders set up them up back in the day. Looks like you can never go wrong hanging a Carradice bag on one. I think I spotted local rider Gilbert in a couple of the shots....

The idea of mixing bikes and train transportation is a good one. Several of us took Amtrak home after an overnight ride to Richmond in 2008. Here's the write-up.

Cars v. Cycles: a Cost Comparison

2009-11-09T08:32:00.004-05:00

According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC), of Chapel Hill, NC, the cost of operating a bicycle for a year is approximately $120, compared to $7,800 for operating a car over the same time period. -- from Raleigh's long-term comprehensive Bike Plan.

Edit: Note that I've just added a link to the full bike plan. I'm glad to have discussion about this issue, and those interested will find lots to ponder in the plan about the future of bicycle transportation and recreation in Raleigh.

Edit 2: Here is source for the above statement, and in context:

Economic Benefits

Bicycling is an affordable form of transportation. Car ownership is expensive, and consumes a major portion of many Americans' income. When safe facilities are provided for bicyclists, people can ride more and spend less on transportation, meaning they have more money to save or spend on other things.

Money facts

* The cost of operating a sedan for one year is approximately $7,800 (AAA, Your Driving Costs).

* According to 2004 data from AAA estimates and US Census surveys, ownership of one motor vehicle accounts for more than 18 percent of a typical household's income.

* The cost of operating a bicycle for a year is only $120 (League of American Bicyclists).

Hmmm....Maybe the League of American Bicyclists has a closet full of swag and freebies that helps them keep their annual cost down.

From Frost to Frivolity: Tar Heel 200, Nov 7, 2009

2009-11-08T12:03:00.022-05:00

I’ll skip the story part of the ride, since there are so many divergent and contested views of the events that transpired. I’ve decided instead to provide the only true evidence of the alleged incidents. After all, photoshopped pictures don’t lie.

Ron likes a glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut with his morning coffee. Problem is, judging by the above picture, it appears that he literally drove his car through the drive through window on the way to the start.

When Ron and I pulled into a couple of parking spaces near Burger King, Sridhar was already at the scene. In all, a group of six of us rolled out of Benson at 7 AM into a cool, slight headwind toward Dunn with the promise of a 30-degree temperature increase and an afternoon tailwind to bring us home.

Someone said that I had promised an afternoon tailwind. Mike O dissented, asserting that I had “guaranteed” one. And so we set to parsing the meanings of “predicted,” “promised,” and “guaranteed.”

Who was this cast of characters? Characters, indeed. There was Alan, Maria, Mike O, Ron, Sridhar, and me.

The main character, Mike O, was off the front most of the day. I've learned a lot about riding from this former New York City bicycle courier. He and Byron have the best eyes in the business for spotting wildlife.

Here's Maria, completing her second 200km in as many months. What a fast learner. If she keeps up this pace, soon I'll be learning from her! Off topic, if you have a physics question, bring it to her.

Sridhar cruising somewhere between Stedman and Cedar Creek. The reason he’s smiling? He’s elated to hear that we’re not turning down Turnbull, or some such, road. It's always a pleasure to ride with Sridhar. Last year, I think we did 1000km together on RUSA/ACP events. While Sridhar and I have talked hours on Russian culture, I learned just yesterday during the ride that he knows German! Zut alors! (Pardon my French).

Then there’s this lowdown guy, Ron. Is he going uphill? I thought this route was flat! You can't go wrong riding his Permanent in historic Tidewater Virginia, which I've ridden twice.

Our “Fearless Leader” Alan with Maria.

Finally, Alan has to put up with me extolling the benefits of aqua purely and shamlessly for the camera.

Now back to the ride, itself.

Riders outside the Erwin control.

A kindred spirit on a townie checks us out. He’s probably thinking we have cool bicycles but funny clothes.

There were signs of a thaw by the time we reach Stedman. Doing Clark Kent-Superman phone booth impersonations, riders wriggled out of top layers emerging as Super Heroes.

If you ever need a Super Hero who can “Ride, Eat, and Sleep,” you’re in luck. Just call Alan, an “NC Randonneurs” Super Hero. Alan already commuted 160 miles to work this week. Hmm . . . with this ride today, that's 285 miles in one week! If you want to go to Paris in two years, ride along with Alan. You'll learn a lot, and I'm sure he'll love the company (Just don't make me commute with you to work, Alan!).

A peek at North Carolina agriculture: is this where shredded wheat comes from?

Hey (or is it hay?), I think this dude was working in the loft of the barn, although I couldn't be sure. We were too far away to see into the loft window.

Also of agricultural interest, we notice that they’ve begun to harvest the cotton on some of the fields near Averasboro.

There was quite a bit of activity at the Jambaas Ranch today: a canine contest. The term “Dog Show” just doesn’t seem to fit the persona of these pooches.

Pit bulls! Every (hundred) one of ‘em!

Nice doggie (I hope the leash and that fence hold!).

Alan and Ron see P-B-P on the horizon in 2011. Both riders reported significant milestones today. Ron logged his 6,000th mile of the year, while Alan surpassed 4,000 miles largely since May. I also believe that Mike O has a string of five consecutive months of rides for his R-12 as does Alan. [note: See comments below. Mike O actually has eight consecutive months of riding a 200km or longer RUSA/ACB brevet.]

On the topic of equipment, the brightness of Ron’s new LED battery powered headlight drew several oohs and aahs.

Riding my Permanent for the first time, Ron provided a fresh pair of eyes, noting that a road sign had been turned ninety degrees. I'm making a note on the cue sheet and contacting the NCDOT. Thanks, Ron. Such advice will benefit out-of-staters who do not know the route.

How cool is it cruising downtown Benson at dusk?

After tethering our bicycles, we regroup across the street at Subways for some camaraderie, banter, food, drink, and tales. The best part of the ride?

Members of the group motivated by the R-12 Award and the upcoming 2010 brevet season announced that they are looking forward to riding a Permanent in December.

V for Velo

2009-11-05T22:56:00.011-05:00

It's Nov. 5, Guy Hawks Day, and that means it's also the fourth annual showing of V for Vendetta at Raleigh's Colony Theater. The guys from 1304 Bikes have been doing an evening ride to the Colony for special weekday showings like this, and the good folks at the Colony let em in for free to encourage cycling. Cycling and cinema: a winning combination.

Tonight the peloton was just me and Moshe, leaving from the big church on the corner at Five Points. We were both riding fixed gear, but Moshe is braver / younger / smarter / more handsome / more baldless (pick any combination) than I and rolls without brakes. He's an incredibly swift and agile rider, and he is astride a bike that he acquired from a mutual friend who used to work at buddy Ed's shop, CycleLogic, a good place to hang out for equal shares of advice and adjustments.

On last week's 1304 ride, Rob and I wove through the neighborhoods to reach our destination. Moshe prefers the straight arrow approach. I guess that makes him a fleche rider. And so we stuck to the big roads, cannonballing straight up Six Forks, a major Raleigh artery. Along the way we figured out a couple folks we know in common -- he recently rode to Yanceyville with Byron and he met Branson on the Tobacco Trail in Durham. He says he's going to join us soon on a brevet.

Here's Moshe with a refreshing beverage before the movie start. As for V, I had the urge to stand up and yell "bonfire!" but I resisted and finished my popcorn.

These 1304 rides to the movies make for an entertaining evening of cycling. Destination rides are my favorite kind and the price is right. You can stay up to speed on their events by signing up on Facebook.

A special thanks to the Colony for supporting area cycling. By the way, they're showing Pee Wee's Big Adventure on Nov. 18 -- and they're giving away a donated 1304 bike. That's a ride you won't want to miss. Dibs on the poster.

Good ride advice?

2009-11-05T10:45:00.001-05:00

Quote of the Day from Google - Robert H. Schuller - "Tough times never last, but tough people do."

Lake Loop / Nov. 1 Rain Edition

2009-11-02T07:54:00.004-05:00

Oh, my. Sunday was a wet day for a bike ride. But there's no bagging it when Branson sends this note: "Wind's howling- it's raining- the temperature's dropping- I'M IN!!!"

We left at 8:15 on the Lake Loop in a soaking rain. Here's an enthusiastic-looking Byron at the start.

The rain and headwind continued for 70 miles. What to wear in the rain? I couldn't find my O2 rain jacket so I wore a Joneswares wool t-shirt, a Wabi Woolens jersey, my RUSA wind vest, long fingered gloves, a Joneswares wool skull cap and wool socks, and Pearl Izumi tights. I was never dry but only cold once, when we stopped for a half-hour lunch. We had drying roads and a tailwind for 60 miles, and that considerably sweetened the ride memory. We are in the middle of fall here and the roads were littered with leaves and pine needles.

Branson and I rode fixed and were off the front, but were not too far ahead of Geof, Byron and Brian, riding his very first 200K. Talk about getting a good taste of randonneuring. I headed back up the route in the dark to check on them. Fantastic running lights front and aft.

We had some incredibly positive car-bike interactions, including one driver who rolled up next to me during daylight hours to say how visible my rear blinking light made me.

On a weekend when all the club rides got canceled, I'm giving our crew the nod for getting out there and knocking out the century/200k of the month on Day 1.

Phun Physiology: Mental Fatigue Impairs Cycling Performance

2009-11-01T10:03:00.005-05:00

Ever been engaged in some mentally demanding activity and couldn’t wait to take your bike out for a spin? Well it may not be so easy to leave your work at work. In fact, your mentally demanding job could affect your bicycle commute home, according to an article published this year in the Journal of Applied Physiology.

The purpose of the study in the researchers’ own words . . .

Although the impact of mental fatigue on cognitive and skilled performance is well known, its effect on physical performance has not been thoroughly investigated.

Of note, the researchers suggest that mentally fatigued cyclists experience greater “perceived effort” during exercise and quit sooner.

The accompanying study press release provides a summary of the study.

When participants performed a mentally fatiguing task prior to a difficult exercise test, they reached exhaustion more quickly than when they did the same exercise when mentally rested . . .

What was the nature of the mentally fatiguing exercise?

The mental fatigue sessions began with a challenging 90-minute mental task that required close attention, memory, quick reaction and an ability to inhibit a response. After undergoing this session, participants reported being tired and lacking energy. The control session consisted of watching neutral documentaries for 90 minutes and was not mentally fatiguing.

What was the nature of the physical exercise?

After each of the 90-minute sessions – mentally fatiguing or non-fatiguing – the participants did an intense bout of exercise on a stationary bicycle. They rode until exhaustion, defined as the point when they could not maintain a cadence of at least 60 revolutions per minute for more than five seconds.

Importantly, the researchers claim that the limiting factors on performance were mental rather than relating to other physiological systems. They write:

Our study provides experimental evidence that mental fatigue limits exercise tolerance in humans through higher perception of effort rather than cardiorespiratory and musculoenergetic mechanisms.

Does this mean that cyclists should give up their after-work commute? Definitely not, according to the researchers, who assert that

. . . the study suggests that people doing high intensity training, such as competitive athletes, should do their training while mentally rested. However, people who exercise after work should continue doing so, even if mentally fatigued. Most people work out at a moderate intensity, which still gives plenty of physiological and psychological benefit, including relief from stress and improved mental performance.

In fact, a workout after a mentally demanding day at the office may be exactly what we need!

(Photo courtesy of sagittandy)

Grandpa Patents a Bike?

2009-10-26T14:51:00.014-04:00

A rider on the DC-Rand list who works at the National Archives shared this image of a velocipede patented on this day in 1869. Looks like they hadn't quite figured out the chain thing yet. Click on the image for a larger view. Notice the last name. No relation that I'm aware of.

The posting drew this response from another DC-Rand rider: "Back to the Future!"

2009 3 Brothers Lake Loop

2009-10-26T07:45:00.002-04:00

The English folks will like this -- three steel British bikes on Saturday's 3 Brothers Lake Loop: a Roberts that Brother Rob had built for him when he lived in England; a Bob Jackson from the mid 70s ridden by Brother Tim; and my 1970 coffee Raleigh International, set up as a fixed gear.

This is the fifth year we've gathered in Clarksville for our annual bike ride, usually timed to coincide with Boydton Day, although this year they tricked us and moved it to Halloween. We brothers don't see each other that often, and the ride is a fine way to catch up and test each other's legs.

We had heavy showers in the morning, but by the time we reached the dam at mile 50, the skies had lifted. We lunched at Rose's in Boydton, where we had sandwiches and fries and a brief argument about politics. Normally we do a century, but we cut out the loop to Chase City and pulled into Clarksville with 75 miles. That turned out to be a good call. The skies opened up as we watched the lake from the balcony of the motel room.

Dinner at the Lamplighter with the bass fisherman, the goodbyes, then down the road to Raleigh.

Phun Physiology: Regular Exercise May Prevent Weight Regain after Long-Term Weight Loss

2009-10-24T13:58:00.004-04:00

With the demanding portion of the cycling season pretty much in the rear-view mirror, we now head into the offseason. I seem to grow in girth just relishing the thought of the upcoming holidays! Some cyclists, myself included, intended to and ultimately succeeded in shedding a few pounds during the cycling season. But don’t we ultimately share the same fate as dieters who successfully lose weight only to regain it again?

We know that for many individuals weight-loss diets sooner or later fail. In fact, not only do most dieters regain all of the weight they lose while dieting but are dismayed at how quickly they regain the weight. The “yo-yo” phenomenon in fact has a physiological basis.

Dieting triggers numerous physiological changes aimed at efficient weight regain as if the body seeks to reestablish its pre-diet “steady state.” Weight loss causes a decrease in hormone levels of leptin and insulin. The brain perceives an energy store deficit and signals us to eat. Ironically, weight loss actually triggers the production of additional fat cells, which facilitate rapid weight regain, should we overeat just once. And when we overeat, we feel less like exercising, which is the very antidote for preventing weight regain.

But it may be possible to turn the body’s physiology in the opposite direction so that we can benefit long term from a successful weight loss program, according to experts. This is the claim made by a team of researchers in an article published just this summer in the American Journal of Physiology entitled, “Regular exercise attenuates the metabolic drive to regain weight after long-term weight loss.” This topic might be of interest to cyclists heading into the off-season.

But haven’t we known for some time that most successful weight maintenance programs include exercise? True, but now it seems that the science (i.e., underlying physiological mechanisms) may be getting closer to this observation, giving us a reason and also the motivation to stay on track.

Of note, the researchers contend:

The novel observations from this study are that regular, aerobic, treadmill exercise in male rats countered several metabolic adaptations to weight loss that are known to facilitate weight regain and the eventual relapse to obesity.

One physiological change brought about by regular exercise after a period of successful weight loss is the body’s utilization of fat as an initial energy source rather than carbohydrate.

There is more good news. So far as it might apply to humans, the regular exercise required to keep weight regain in check is not only of low intensity but low duration calculated at four percent of daily energy expenditure, or thirty minutes of fast walking, for example.

What does this mean for cyclists? Think about the added benefit of base training this winter, consisting of long slow distances (the cyclist’s LSD). One benefit is weight maintenance. As an increased, albeit negative, incentive, recall that weight gain automatically lowers VO2max, since the calculation of the latter includes dividing by one’s body weight.

Consequently, to retain many of the physiological gains posted during the year, some cyclists may want to consider at least regular doses of low-intensity exercise with the approaching holiday season. See you out there!

A Bike Video Worth Watching

2009-10-22T08:27:00.001-04:00

Riding buddy Cap'n Ende sent along this inspiring video. Want better bike facilities in your community? Here's how it happens.

Boulder Bike Story from Bikes Belong on Vimeo.

Phil Creel's LEL Post

2009-10-20T20:33:00.003-04:00

Phil Creel, our good friend from South Carolina, has done a fine write-up of his recent LEL adventure. Definitely worth a read. It's here.

Cowboy Mike Rides Again

2009-10-19T06:10:00.001-04:00

When the horse throws ya, you're supposed to get right back on. Well, I've been bucking that rule for three years now.

My fixed gear threw my butt to the asphalt in 2006. Completely my fault. I stepped out of a pedal on a short but steep hill. Went right over the handlebars. Broke a finger and a rib and developed a big fat hematoma on my right knee.

I found myself blaming the bike, not the messenger. My fixie found itself parked in a dark corner of my basement, under the stairs. For three years.

But enough is enough. This weekend, I installed a better set of pedals, climbed back on and rode Black Creek 200K permanent with 12 other riders.

I'm happy to report a fine time was had by all. It was a joyous reunion of bike and rider. The day started with cool temps, the low 40s, and warmed to the high 50s by the afternoon under a mostly cloudy sky, but with sunshine and a slight headwind on the return trip. Our baker's dozen hung together for most of the day, but stretched out a bit as we neared the barn.

Once again, we timed this permanent, a fundraiser for the Friends of the Mountain to Sea Trail, to coincide with Black Creek's Fall Festival. Cowboy Bob and Aflac the duck, two highlights from last year, were no-shows. A newcomer to this year's festival was Brewer's organic sausage booth. We set upon this like flies on a rib roast. The sausages were served up on a hot dog bun, topped with chili, mustard, onions and green peppers. Yes, that's a dicey gastronomical adventure at the halfway mark of any bike ride, and it apparently knocked a couple miles an hour off Byron's pace.

Special thanks to Tom B from South Carolina for making the trip up to ride with us, to Branson for the chocolate "pain" and to Jerry for the coffee, for the long pulls from Joel, to the company of relative newcomer John O, to Fearless Leader Al, who is chasing an R-12. Also congratulations to NC's newest RAAM-qualified riders, Lynn and JoAnn, who were both with us on Saturday.

A donation of $200 has been made to Friends of Mountain to Sea Trail in the name of NCBC/NC Randonneurs.

Variety Six-Pack: Tar Heel 200 Permanent, October 4, 2009

2009-10-08T13:13:00.020-04:00

The variety six-pack? There they are—Tarheel riders this past Sunday at the turn-around contrôle in Tar Heel, NC—(from left to right) John, Andy, Dean, Gary, Janis, and Maria.

Why the grin on my face? The photographer was an absolute hoot. The impromptu team photo was snapped by a lady who was apparently taken by our brightly clad group hanging out in Tar Heel. Spotting the camera in my hand, she volunteered to take our group picture. She “barked” feigned orders for us to hurry and get lined up so that she could be on her way and attend to the rest of her pressing obligations. Later, “Miss Congeniality” bade us farewell and wished for us a safe journey.

Mid-week last week, the only thing I knew for certain was that I was going to ride my Permanent come Sunday. The only question was whether anyone else would be able to come out and play. A couple of regular riding buddies had other commitments. Although riding Permanents, like fly fishing, ranks high on my list of enjoyable solo activities, if given a choice, unlike fly fishing, I’d rather ride with others.

Sometimes organizing a ride can be as spontaneous as falling into a game of pick-up basketball. The main ingredient of course is someone itching to play. The weather was also a co-conspirator Sunday and, for some, the hunt for the R-12 Award. Additionally, by signing up for a 2010 RUSA membership in October, two new riders were benefitting from a free RUSA membership for the remaining three months of 2009.

In response to my mid-week call to ride, I became more excited with each inquiry. In truth, I was expecting perhaps one other rider besides myself.

Well before the 7 AM start, one could find five vehicles in close proximity all parked on E Church St behind Burger King and in front of Subway’s in Benson. Riders introduced themselves as most had never ridden together. Then we were off. One rider has provided a great account of the ride located here with a wonderful storyline. My account, which follows, is more of a picture scrapbook.

Morning sunrise as we head toward Dunn. Soon we will be waking. The only creatures awake at this time of the morning are crowing roosters and barking dogs.

Gary, Janis, and Maria on a cotton morning.

Gary, Janis, Maria, Andy, and John near Godwin, NC.

Anatomy of a randonneur. Work gloves and work shoes, Andy gets the blue-collar, lunch-pail award. Talk about looking at old problems in new ways, I’m stealing his idea of attaching a small saddlebag up front, and writing an article about it. Don’t tell him!

Andy again, this time at the Stedman contrôle. Since joining RUSA earlier this year, Andy’s ridden a Permanent every month. I finally got to ride with him. What a sense of humor! Looking forward to many more rides with him and reading his ride accounts.

Super Randonneur Gary is certainly a friend of local cycling and cyclists as an officer of the North Carolina Bicycle Club (NCBC). Which reminds me: the NCBC is hosting its Fall Rally and Picnic Lunch this coming Sunday. I’ve enjoyed Gary’s company on several rides and conversations on a variety of subjects. His mild-manner demeanor belies an intense determination. I’m still mad at him though for beating me in our “sprint” to the Cumberland County line sign on the way back from Tar Heel. I guess my end of the conversation just before the incident just wasn’t engaging enough.

One intrepid lady, can you believe Janis used to commute while in Charlotte? With her plaid skirt, she’s set a new standard for randonneuring wardrobe. Since joining RUSA, Janis has a string of seven consecutive months of riding Permanents!

One of RUSA’s newest members, here’s John. Although he just received his RUSA number, John rode Alan’s 200km Anniversary brevet in August. I’m indebted to him for alerting me to a slight wobble in my rear Gatorskin tire that I thought I might have corrected by remounting it 180 degrees. Look for John on more brevets. Chasing each other, he and Gary were the first to reach the penultimate contrôle.

Maria won the coolest jersey award with her Old Kentucky Home Tour jersey. The Tar Heel 200 Permanent marked her longest one-day ride. Congratulations, Maria! I enjoyed our conversation on science education and the mention of Cincinnati chili. I’m sure she has an informed opinion or two about Xavier, Cincinnati, and Kentucky basketball. By the way, a lot of thought went into the urban background configuration for this shot in order to bring out the green, silver, and skyness of the jersey.

Break time under a Spanish-moss covered tree near Tar Heel, NC.

John impressing us with his tube changing talent at the penultimate control in Erwin. When John applied the CO2 cartridge, we noticed a coat of ice forming on the valve stem. The obvious question is: Why? When our inquiring minds turned to Maria the physics teacher for an answer, without batting an eye, she responded that it was an application of the ideal gas law: pV = nRT. Any more questions, people?

I’m thinking that if there were enough interest (meaning Alan served enough home brew) we could have a bicycle-related science seminar at one of our monthly NCBC meetings. Byron could bring some water snakes, I could bring some woolly worms, and Maria could take bicycle physics questions from the audience like why a moving bicycle doesn’t tip over. Heck, even this guy might show up at the seminar.

Haven’t I seen him somewhere before? On a RUSA or NCBC ride?

Cotton crop on Old Fair Ground Rd after clearing Dunn.

Cotton sunset.

I had a fun time and was glad that I got to meet and ride with each of the riders. Ya’ll made my day!

Speaking of fun times, looking forward, you’ll not want to miss Mike D’s Showdown in Black Creek Permanent on October 17th, which coincides once again with the annual Festival in Black Creek, NC. Bug him for ride details. Here is Mike’s hilarious account of last year’s ride.

Let’s ride, soon!

Sunday Vintage Ride Part 2

2009-10-04T13:38:00.002-04:00

A perfect North Carolina day for cycling -- low humidity, light traffic, mild temperature no wind. Me, Byron, Geof and Brian struck out from Geof's at 8:27 sharp. When I say vintage, I'm talking threads. Check out the wool on Byron and Geof.

I took the McLean for its longest ride yet -- 55 miles through rolling hills down by the nuke-u-ler plant. I've debated changing things around, but after today I'm not sure I'll change a thing, although the derailleurs still need a bit of adjusting. It's a terrific ride just as it is, and the pizza-pan size large ring, with 54 teeth, is a conversation starter. It may come in handy when I attempt a land speed record in the salt flats.

These Sunday vintage rides have real potential. Geof pushes the pace from time to time, but there's plenty of socializing too on quiet rural roads. Ya'll pull out the bikes with the Sun Tour bar ends and join us.

2009-10-03T03:50:00.004-04:00

Still in India but I figured I post a few of the many bike/trike pictures I have taken. We'll be back in the states next weekend.

Not sure of the cargo but in sheer volume he is quite the moving company.

When I got a new couch it came on a truck. Here you can get a dresser delivered on a bike....

On the next 1200 I expect you to carry all your water for the entire ride.

A note from my buddy Lance...

2009-10-02T12:55:00.003-04:00

Forward to a Friend | Donate | LIVESTRONG.ORG

I had a pre-existing condition

Dear Michael,

Lance was denied insurance when he needed it most. Sign the petition and tell Congress that no one else should be.

Today is LIVESTRONG Day. Thirteen years ago today, my doctor told me I had advanced testicular cancer. What most people don’t know is that at the time, I didn’t have health insurance. In the following weeks, I received letter after letter from the insurance company refusing to pay for my treatment. I was fighting for my life—but also for the coverage that I desperately needed.

The legislation currently being debated in Congress is not just words on a page—for many cancer survivors, it’s a matter of life and death. Now, as this debate enters crunch time, I need your help to ensure that what happened to me doesn't happen to any other American:

http://www.livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare

No matter what side of the healthcare debate you're on, I believe we can all agree on two things:

No American should be denied health insurance coverage because of pre-existing conditions.

No American should lose their insurance due to changes in health or employment.

Will you sign the LIVESTRONG Action petition to make sure any legislation includes these two critically important reforms? We’ll deliver these to Capitol Hill this month as the debate reaches its climax and make sure our voices are heard in the debate:

http://www.livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare

When I received my diagnosis, I was between cycling contracts. My new insurer used the diagnosis as a reason to deny coverage after the new contract was signed. Fortunately, one of my sponsors intervened. At their insistence, I was added to their insurance company and was able to continue my life-saving treatment. If my sponsor, a powerful company, had not gone to bat for me, I may not have made it.

I was lucky. We can't rely on luck to ensure coverage and treatment for the millions of Americans affected by cancer. Some cannot get coverage because they've already been diagnosed. Others get calls from their insurance companies saying they have been dropped. It happens all the time—and it's unacceptable.

Every year on LIVESTRONG Day, we come together to take action for a world without cancer. In the U.S., a critical step is to make sure cancer survivors can get and keep their health insurance.

It has been 13 years since my diagnosis, but in some ways, not much has changed. No person should have to worry about health insurance while battling cancer. That so many do is an outrage, and we must speak out.

Please sign the petition and forward it along to your friends and family:

http://www.livestrongaction.org/campaigns/healthcare

LIVESTRONG,

Lance and the LIVESTRONG Action Team

P.S. Don’t forget today is LIVESTRONG Day. There are more than 1,100 events taking place to raise awareness about cancer all over the world. View our interactive map to see events in your area:

http://www.livestrongaction.org/map

NC Rider at Endless Mountains

2009-09-30T10:01:00.008-04:00

Endless Mountains, the new kid on the U.S. 1200K schedule, is officially under way as of 4 a.m. this morning. Tar Heel rider Jerry Phelps is among the randonneurs who have lined up for this challenging event.

He called this morning to say he and a group of riders are now at Mile 82, at the Blairstown, NJ control. Skies are overcast, temps are cool, but no rain so far and all are doing great, Jerry reports. He says the route has already had a few good hills. The area sure looks lumpy in the terrain map below.

View Larger Map

Bonne route to Jerry and the rest of the Endless Mountains crew.

Sept 30, 9 p.m. update: Jerry called last night from Carbondale at around 9. He'd ridden about 170 miles and said "it's cold here, and it's been tough." He had another 34 miles to go to the overnight control, which he apparently reached at 23:03, according to this photo caption.

The Endless Mountains organizers are doing a good job with updates. You can see them here.

Update: Noon October 1. Jerry called to say he has packed it in. He said he had a rough night and did not have 200 miles in his legs for today. Jerry, we're sorry to hear that. You'll get it next time. The good news is that the organizers have one more volunteer on the route.

Roadside Attractions

2009-09-28T09:45:00.001-04:00

Tar Heels in Texas

2009-09-27T10:32:00.007-04:00

Congratulations are in order for two Carolina randonneur women who competed in the 500-mile event at Texas Time Trials this week.

Longtime NC randonneur Caroline posted this note on her Facebook page: "Finished and showered. Ahhhh . . . 500 miles in 38 hours. We even took a couple breaks together for breakfast, etc. Great event, and great to be done."

Caroline took part in the event as part of Team Zooma.

Lynn, who began riding with the NC Randonneurs this year, placed first among the women participants, with a time of 42:07 over the 500-mile course. She is now RAAM qualified. In an e-mail, she said, "Well, I can cross the Texas event off the list as done and never to do again. Brutal brutal brutal." Lynn, we predict in a week you'll be ready for a repeat performance!

Congratulations to both, and thanks to Dallas RBA Dan Driscoll for hosting the event.

Bike Biology: Wooly Worm, Wooly Bear, Woolly Bully

2009-09-24T21:45:00.016-04:00

What cyclist hasn’t crossed paths with the charming wooly worm on a nice autumn day: those fuzzy little black and orange critters bent on crossing the road just ahead of your front tire?

Recently, I was taken aback as I spotted one attired not in the usual Halloween woolens, but as a blonde! I wasn’t sure whether I’d spotted a mutant or whether it meant we were in for a warm winter!

In spite of getting all worked up over my sighting of a blonde wooly worm, it turns out that I hadn’t discovered a new variety, after all. Either that or “my” Blondie had somehow managed to travel long distances on little legs, given the fact that I was able to locate another blonde wooly worm on line.

Here is her picture. Ain’t she beautiful?

Everyone’s heard of wooly worms, also spelled “woolly.” In some locales they’re called wooly bears. According to legend, wooly worms portend the severity of the approaching winter. Supposedly the wider the orange middle band, the less severe the winter. Some take it further. The wooly worm caterpillar is comprised of thirteen segments, and each black segment is taken to represent a week of winter weather, in this case, up to thirteen weeks of winter weather if the entire worm is black! Brrrrrr!

Here is a short video describing coloration and weather.

Wooly worm sightings this time of year raise several questions. What is a wooly worm? Where are they going? Why the hurry? And the question everyone is asking: Is wooly worm coat coloration a reliable forecaster of winter weather? I’ll attempt to answer these questions best I can, having access to unrivaled resources at Research Trailer Park (RTP).

Research Trailer Park, courtesty of sagittandy.

While I was pouring over thick monographs at RTP on the subject of wooly worm biology, it occurred to me while I was daydreaming that the typography of the word “wooly” along with its variant, “woolly,” resemble caterpillars. That’s it! The wooly worm is a caterpillar! And everyone as smart as a fifth grader knows that caterpillars metamorphose into either moths or butterflies depending upon whether these winged wonders work the night shift or whether they work days, respectively.

As an aside, if you would like to have your very own pet wooly worm and personally witness this spectacular metamorphosis, here are directions for its care. But first you will need a wooly worm.

Although there are literally hundreds of simple and effortless ways to catch a wooly worm, I prefer a bicycle equipped with panniers and a small plastic container in which I normally carry electrolyte capsules. First, I dump the electrolyte capsules from the container. Second, I exchange my wide 700 x 28 touring tires for narrower 700 x 23 racing tires so as not to needlessly endanger my future captive during the chase. Third, I mount full, double panniers—front or back, it doesn’t really matter—so as to have ample space for my electrolyte capsule cum woollybear container. Lastly, I practice dismounting, attaching cleat covers, and sprinting at least ten meters on pavement.

All is not lost if you don’t have a bicycle and the aforementioned accoutrements and still want to join the fun. You can simply enlist a neighborhood kid to join you with your science project. He or she will locate and catch a wooly worm in the back yard for you before you’ve even had time to don your cycling helmet.

If your wooly worm science project is successful, you’ll be rewarded for your effort with something like this:

. . . a beautiful tiger moth!

Bug people known as entomologists assert that our wooly worm goes by the scientific name: Pyrrharctia isabella thanks to a naturalist named Smith back in the year 1797.

Most species of caterpillars turn into moths or butterflies prior to winter. The wooly worm is unlike other caterpillars, since it will overwinter as a caterpillar. The “hairs” covering its body are called setae. They are a form of insulation. Additionally, the wooly worm’s tissues are protected from freezing by a cryoprotectant similar to but not necessarily ethylene glycol, otherwise known as antifreeze. The reason we witness wooly worms in a hurry may be due to the fact that they must locate a suitable place to hunker down for winter.

Here is a cool video entitled Wooly Worm Winter with bluegrass music.

The wooly worm hairs are not stingers, nor do they secrete noxious chemicals, one reason these fine fuzzy friends make such good pets. When disturbed, the wooly worm turns into a ball, playing “dead,” like this:

Finally, regarding the reliability of wooly worm forecasting: the number of black segments may be an indication of the age of the wooly worm rather than a reliable means of predicting weather. As the worm ages the middle orange segment encroaches upon the black ends. If one were to collect a number of wooly worms this time of year, one would find a variety of color patterns.

But that hasn’t stopped the numerous wooly worm festivals that occur usually in October with a central theme of winter prognostication. Move over Punxsutawney Phil. In fact, there’s one in Banner Elk, NC, each year. The following video provides a somewhat “comprehensive” account of last year’s event and related wooly bear miscellany. At about 2:33, you’ll see the Lees-McRae College cycling team that sponsored a winning entry in the wooly worm race. According to these adherents, the coloration of the race winner is the veritable predictor of winter weather.

Now you know what wooly worms are, why they haven’t yet taken flight, why they’re in such a hurry, where they’re going, and something about weather prediction, which is bound to start an argument!

Let’s hear it for the wooly worm! Wooly Bully!

All things cycling

2009-09-21T09:05:00.015-04:00

When you look for cycling references, you can spot em everywhere...

Like on a 300K. Here's the starting line-up. Special thanks to Tony and Ed and Jerry, and the crew that carried me home -- Branson and Joel and Tom and Kevin, and to Albert for hanging the red light.

Sunday I met Matt and few others for a ride uptown to SparkCon...

Uptown to the art show, with complimentary bicycle valet parking and lots of street art...

And some video art, with biking images....

An old friend, of Holy Smoke fame, who just bought a bike for his law school commute...he wins the weekend's cool t-shirt award.

The boys on fixies watching the skaters...

Finally, some recorded art, in the mailbox, from Chip...Mylow is out. Highly recommended.

2009 Gold Rush Jersey

2009-09-17T20:27:00.002-04:00

I've been eagerly waiting for the jersey from this years Gold Rush Randonee. It was the first week of July but the Davis Bike Club waits to order the GRR jerseys when the have the total number of finishers. Aron, who I rode almost the entire ride with, sent me an email (w/o a pic) that his arrived. Mail was much better then usual today, no bills and the jersey.

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