Go Clipless

AWOL

Yes...I went AWOL there for a couple of weeks. Things just totally got away from me as I just have not had the time to do the blog justice. I've got a ton of things to say, but I tend not to write about something if I can't spend the time to do it right. (This post and many others excepted).

So what's been going on since the last time I wrote?...if you care?!

Birthday - Left the magic 18-34 marketing demographic having turned 35.

Taxes - TurboTax made it easy, but it took me a week to get my wife's small business books in order. Next year I'm hiring an accountant.

Business trip - Traveled to San Diego for five days. Saw Scott Adams, of Dilbert fame, speak. I too made a presentation. Kicked ass...if I do say so myself...packed the room too...250 people.

Soccer practice - Both Jack and Claire started their soccer seasons. Two nights a week and Saturdays are now dedicated to practice and games.

Test road a bunch of road bikes - Dr. P wanted a road bike so I went with him to test ride at various LBSs. Perhaps he'll write about his selection. I've got a few thoughts about the process I may share as well.

J-Vicious is buying a new mountain bike - His Vicious Cycle got bent in a car accident. He finally got the insurance claim and is considering new bikes. It looks like he is going to buy a full-suspension frame and build it up with the parts from his Vicious and a singlespeed 29er.

Became a full-time bike commuter - I started commuting this winter, but more often than not caught a ride from one of my colleagues that lives nearby. Now that the weather is nice I've made the switch to biking full-time (of course there will be exceptions). Some things worth sharing here...stay tuned.

Phew...feels good to break the ice again. Look for some new stuff soon. Thanks for sticking with me.

FUH2 and some anti-SUV fun

If you've been keeping up with the cycling blogosphere then I'm sure you have seen the Chevy Tahoe "make your own commercial contest." Many people are having lots of fun subverting the contest with anti-SUV messages. Some are dead serious about their messages, while others are just looking to have some fun.

The Chevy Tahoe doesn't actually bother me too much. Sure it's too big and downright ugly, but GM is actually trying to become more responsible with this new design. It runs on Ethanol and gets fairly decent gas mileage compared to others in its class.

It's Hummers that piss me off. Every-time I see one in the parking lot of Best Buy sticking it's ass way out into the roadway I get that "you make me sick" feeling in my stomach.

Orioles, funnel cakes, and a stupid bike joke

Jack Attack and I are here in Baltimore at the Orioles game. We're really Yankees fans so I don't really have to pay attention...hence, I'm moblogging.

I've already spent about 40 dollars on a cheeseburger, cheesesteak, hot dog, fries, and 2 beers. Now Jack wants a funnel cake...I think we'll split one. I just can' resist. I'll ride it off this weekend...yeah...that's it.

They just put the joke of the day up on the jumbotron...here it is...don't shoot the messenger:

Why did the bicycle fall over?

It was two tired.

Mercedes Benz Bikes?

I nearly spit out my morning Diet Coke (I need caffeine, but I don't drink coffee) while reading my daily dose of Blue Collar Mountain Biking today...

Oh no...not again!? Another car company getting into the bike biz. Yes folks, after the rousing success of the Cadillac bike, Mercedes Benz is getting into the act.

Don't you just love these auto manufacturers? Everything is proprietary. First, the radio, GPS system, DVD players...next, the roof racks...and now, even the bikes.

Ok, I understand the purported advantages of proprietary systems when they are integrated into the whole (like a radio), but, while the bike may be carried on the car it will hopefully be detached more than it will be integrated. So what is the advantage of having a proprietary bike to go along with the proprietary car?

My guess...it's really more about the showroom. Adding the "hip factor" to the presentation of the car. Over the last few years Mercedes has really gone the way of Cadillac in it's buyer demographic and in it's design (coincidence anyone?).

So to all of the auto manufacturing readers of this blog...here's a hint...leave the bikes up to the bike manufacturers. Partner instead! Volkswagen did this with Trek. Now I know, VW has had its struggles of late, but they were the hippest thing going when they started working with Trek in the late 90's. It seemed like every young-new economy-urban-sport-hipster drove a Jetta with a pair of Trek's on the roof tooling around town. (Did you ever notice how clean their bikes were?)

Now I don't begrudge the sale of a bike simultaneously with a car. In fact, I'd love to be able to roll the purchase of a new bike right into my car loan. This is a great way to lessen the perceived financial impact to the spouse. But, let me choose the bike. Or at least develop a limited edition of a major bike manufacturer's line.

Did you read the whole press release? My favorite line:

For those who don’t mind getting a little dirty, Mercedes Accessories offers the mountain bike.

Don't mind??? It's not that we don't mind getting dirty...we LOVE to get dirty! Come on now...at least talk to some cyclists before putting out this marketing drivel. Then again Mercedes knows its customer best. Right?

2007 Shimano XTR - some thoughts on the new group

Now that Shimano has finally posted the details of the new 2007 XTR group and I've had a chance to digest some of the analysis, I thought I would post up a few thoughts (for what they're worth).

But before I do, go and read the following overviews as this will not be a comprehensive factual review of the group:

• VeloNews - Tech Report: Shimano for 2007
• CyclingNews - 2007 XTR: Shimano reveals official details (via The Biking Hub)
  

Ok...thanks for coming back...on to the thoughts:

And it's even a bicycle pump...

Too many overhyped products on the market these days. Check out this mobile phone that can double as a bicycle pump...a razor...an iron...a butt scratcher...

Daylight Savings Time, De/Vision, and Gwadzilla's comeback

DST: A working mountain bikers best friend.

Now it just got easier to get a ride in after work. No lights. No restrictions from trails that don't allow night riding. And no excuses.

You can learn all about the origins of Daylight Saving Time here (that's right...technically there should be no "s" at the end of "saving,"...guess you leave it off for savings...ok...really bad, I know).

Next year DST starts three weeks sooner and ends one week later. About time.

Picked up a new CD from Tower Records...What a rip that place is...no wonder why it's in bankruptcy. I still like it though, as shitty as it is. The place has so much potential, but it just does so many of the wrong things...maybe I'll rant on them another time.

Anyway, I went to the listening station in the industrial/goth section and decided to see what's doin' in that scene these days. Back in high school and college I would listen to industrial music sometimes...more on the electronic side then on the metal side...groups like Front 242, Nitzer Ebb, and Consolidated (one of my faves).

Of the six CDs on the listening sat ion, I of course try the one with the most risque cover first (I've had good luck with these lately). To my surprise I started grooving right away. The album is Subkutan by De/Vision from the synth pop industrial variety and sounds a bit like Depeche Mode. I learned later that the band has been around for 17 years so I'll be surfing through their discography for some time. How did I miss them?

Gwadzilla's making a comeback! It didn't take him long. I wondered how he would come back from his April Fool's day stunt. I thought he'd make us wait at least a week or something...maybe just a little anticlimactic. It was a good one though, if only because we care and there was a little bit of "what if...?"

If Gwadzilla were ever truly separated from the blog he'd shrivel up like Gollum.