Amgen Tour Of California Stage4

Stage 4 started out tough and continued to get rougher. Rain Falling, Cross winds, and some great climbs with exciting descents. Worthy of the experience, we shall see who the winners will be, as the battle continues and more riders drop out whether it be because of the flu or just the weather who knows. It is a great race nonetheless.

Updates At End of Day.
Additional updates can be found by clicking here.

Amgen - Tour Of California Stage 3

As I observed stage three of the Amgen Tour Of California using the Adobe Tour Tracker. Things seem to have been going well and the race was exciting besides the cutouts and other errors. I figured before the day was out I would be able to watch it all the way through on tour tracker. Apparently I was mistaken, because from 1300 till even now ... there has been a series of failures, whether it be the chat not functioning and then trying to reset to get the picture back only to be told the server is overloaded and unavailable. As I think back on it, I should of just gone and went and saw it myself. That is going to have to be the plan next year. As far as it goes tour tracker was good until the higher traffic levels took there toll over lunch. I was able to see most of it and the highlights, were available by going to the amgentourofcalifornia site and smaller video with other highlights was apparent. Sorry to say that most of the problems seemed to come up as they were climbing the second class 1 hill to sierra road and the descent after, last I had a chance to see Levi Leppenheimer was in the lead and from the looks of it he was the winner though there is still about 20 miles to the end of the race in San Jose. Perhaps by the evening the final results will be available.

Sheldon Brown RIP

---

And so I have heard only this day that a man who has done so much died of a heart attack at 63. Sheldon Brown, had offered his knowledge and his experience, to many the new cyclist, he will reside in the location whereby men such as Ken Kifer have long resided. It is a sad story how Ken Kifer was lost to a drunk driver. Also sad that Sheldon Brown passed this day. His articles and information have been a great inspiration to the masses of cyclist in this world today. I can only hope that someone will keep it alive as Riin Gill had done for Ken Kifer seemingly so long ago. When you really think of it great information will span generations. To a point like many the great writer who has passed, his stories legendary and remembered long after the physical body leaves this world.

How do you remember Sheldon Brown? Leave a comment.

I can only say that as Ken Kifer will be missed so shall Sheldon Brown, let us hope the year gets better as time passes.

Thanks for reading.

---

A cycle blender hah

Thats pretty slick for sure, but I wonder how safe is that? And could you take it on a singletrack? Let me know what you think, leave a comment, prove there is life out there huh. :)

Cycle In the Rain

To cruise the boulevards as the rain pours from the sky, to venture that journey for the sake of the ride, to do is not wait. So I ride, whether rain is falling or the sun is shining. I made a choice long ago to cycle, for whatever I needed. I will admit I have had some interesting experiences, as diverse as you can imagine. At one point in time I rode from Salinas, to Hollister via bike for a job in a storage facility and rode back that same day.

A time previous, I had a job interview, and figured I would cycle there, no problem right? Well it would not of been had it not rained previously and the downhill as exciting as it was full of puddles. So I cruised along highway 68 up and over Laureles Grade and by the time I arrived at the winery, I was all different colors. As far as that went I did not get the job but what a great way to arrive don't you think? :) Well still I ride, hopefully wiser then previously, and prepared if I need to go to an interview to have an extra set of clothes just for the ride. The wonders of panniers huh.

Well that is the story for today hope you enjoyed it.

A bike Centered Society

A great video on information about a truly bike centered community. It is an exciting prospect for sure. And it can only get better from here.

---

---

If only we had the same views stateside what a difference it would make. Not only on the obesity but on the overall community by community.

So take the first step join a group or a possible advocacy group and take the steps now, not later.

On Helmets and The Yes or No Debate

So the story keeps getting interesting. As far as it goes, I will wear a helmet if I am up singletracking it on the retired Fort Ord Public Lands, where the worst experience thus far was when my brother lost it over a series of jumps on a downhill and ended up with a bit of road rash though otherwise ok. He was wearing a helmet at the time, and when he saw the doctor and took a good look at his helmet it was cracked on the left side, so certainly that serves as an example of certainly why they are beneficial. The story goes though he is also a bike commuter attending a local community college which is about a thirty minute ride from home. He has not worn a helmet since we last rode Fort Ord, though the plan is to ride again in the coming season. And it is likely, at that point the helmet will either be purchased or an undamaged one will be dusted off to ride again. Otherwise the helmet I have will remain waiting for the day when it is necessary to bring out again. In commuting, I just cruise without the helmet, certainly safe cycling is an integral part of a safe commute all in all I must admit the fact that I agree with what Ken Kifer has said, may he rest in peace. I will continue to ride as I always have but being careful is the key.

Ride On...Safely. And welcome 2008.