Go Clipless

9rules

Go Clipless is joining the 9rules Network. Yup...That's right. GC was one of 111 sites selected from the 700 applications 9rules received in it's latest submission round. It's quite an honor.

So what is the 9rules Network? According to 9rules:

We highlight the very best web content in the world, and package it in a nice bow for you to unwrap.

That's a pretty bold statement. I like bold statements, so I'll go with it. Especially because it now behooves me to do so.

Actually there are some really great independent blogs in the 9rules community. If you have interest in business or technology you may already be reading some 9rules blogs like Guy Kawasaki's or Kathy Sierra's - Creating Passionate Users. Despite being business, technology, and design heavy, the network boasts several other communities that it wishes to grow.

Presumably GC was selected for the sports category (they don't seem to have a category for perverted innuendo), of which there are only three sites. A quick glance at the incoming 111 shows that a few more sports related blogs are joining the network. I'll be the lone cycling blog, however, so I'll try my best to represent.

It'll be interesting to see how being a part of the network affects this site. I don't plan on doing anything differently. At least not that I anticipate. I suppose there will be more readers coming to the site having discovered it through 9rules. I look at it this way - most of you that read this site and other sites in the bicycle blogosphere are already obsessed with biking. There are tons more people that have an interest in cycling but haven't yet found the passion. Maybe some of those people are surfing the other blogs in the 9rules network and stumble upon something they find interesting here. Maybe they will become a regular reader and maybe they too will become passionate. And, maybe that's a stretch, but hey, we shall see.

Either way...like I said...nothing changes. I do this for fun...I do this to learn. Besides, a big part of the reason for this blog's selection into the network is due to you. No that's not a corny/sappy way of saying thank you to the "little people" like they do in the academy awards. One of the criteria that was emphasized during the selection process was the level of engagement by the readers. Not just the quantity of comments, but the quality of the discussion. I thank you for the comments you provide, even if you give me back the same innuendo I sometimes dole out to you...it's all good. It's all fun.

Ok...I'll stop droning on. I'll let you know how things go and maybe some of you can join me in the next 9rules submission round. Then we'll take the community by storm.

Lance Armstrong Mountain Biking in commercial for Nike

Ok...now that I have fully delved into the world of YouTube (someone get me out...I don't have time for this), I found this old Lance Armstrong Nike commercial. At first I thought it was a new one since I never saw it before, but clearly it is not as he is wearing the old U.S. Postal jersey. Anyway, for those of you out there that missed it like me...here's Lance mountain biking.

Nike's Lance Armstrong commercial entitled "Magnet" is still the number one searched for article on Go Clipless.

YouTube Bike Videos and a Palm TdF Toy

I noticed several blogs report on Carlton Reid's (of BikeBiz) new YouTube group for bike videos so I decided to sign up. Of course I'm familiar with YouTube, but only as a consumer of videos and not a provider. So I went digging through the GC archives and found two mildly amusing videos I shot of mountain bikers falling into the creek. Long time readers may remember, but for those of you that are new around these parts you can find the stories and videos here and here.

Anyway, I checked around...there are few other bike groups out there in YouTube land, but Carlton's is as good as any so join up and submit some content.

I also upgraded my mobile phone to a Palm Treo 650. Yes I know the Treo 700P just came out, but when it comes to phones I prefer to be a close follower and not an early adopter. The price is just too high. Anyway, I was out there on TreoCentral and found this handy little app. to track the Tour de France. There's speculation it will be upgraded for 2006 so I'll keep an eye out for the new version for those that are interested.

The application is simply a map of all of the stages, some statistics on the stage, the teams, and riders. I'd like to see the software upgraded for mobile use to download the latest race statistics in real or near real-time. Does anyone know of any other Palm or Mobile applications to track the Tour?

Pedicab crazy

Traditional pedicabs via TheWashCycle
Euro-mod pedicabs via Chainsaw Panda
Pedicabs in reverse (kind of) via Gwadzilla

Discuss all things pedicabs in the Rickshaw forum.

International pedicab association

Next all we need is a pedicab alleycat race a la the Amazing Race.

The power of the Incredibell

I got tired of shouting "on your left" to all the dog walkers, runners, etc. along my commuting route, so I picked up an Incredibell. Now I've got the power. People stand up and take notice. It's a bit like having a siren. Move over you Ipod-wearing, no paying attention, slow-ass dog-walkin...ok...you've got every right to be on the path too.

The Incredibell is great because I don't actually have to engage with the other path users. I just flick that bell and they seem to straighten up...move over...and are ready for the Gman to pass. When I would yell "on your left" they would get spooked all Jamie Lee Curtis Halloween style and actually move left...right in my way. They would always seem annoyed too. Now I give them a quick "TING" (I think that's how it sounds) and a "thanks" as I pass. Everyone seems happier.

Another advantage is that I can be proactive with the bell. On blind corners I can ting that little thing in anticipation of walkers just around the bend. Shouting to oneself when no one is around just feels stupid.

I went for a mountain bike ride last night and missed the Incredibell. It might serve a different purpose for the trail. I could ting that thing to warn those behind that something is coming like another rider, an unusual obstacle, or horse shit (the worst of all possible obstacles.) There was no doubt that other riders on the trail knew I was coming. The spring on my suspension was squeaking like Hugh Hefner's bed on a Saturday night (is he still alive?). I've got to get better with the wrench.

Yesterday we were supposed to go to the Snow Patrol concert, but the singer got laryngitis and had to postpone. I think I'm going to upgrade my rating on the new album to four stars. While there are no real break out hits as with the preceding album, the whole album is very listenable and has character...just give it a chance.