Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday follies

By the numbers - up at 6:50AM for the 9:50 flight to OAK upon which we arrived a bit after Noon. Got van ride to Hot_L in Emeryville, checked in & put Clown Bike together in 15 minutes. Took an additional 15 minutes to get my act together (kit on, load jersey pockets, visit loo, put kit back on, etc) and down the elevator (an oxymoron?).

A protest of sorts with 50 or so folks was going on across the street on the site of an old local Indian artifacts location. Not sure what their updated issue was since they were all gone (understandably so) when I returned.

Out on the road up through Bezerkley and immediately found a fricking 15-20% grade that seemed to go on forever until it finally topped out on the ridge road. Shortly thereafter the darkest clouds clouds that I've seen in quite some time out on a ride move in from the north & proceeded to dump a torrent of rain/hail mixture until I was soaked and freezing. Shivering became an additional challenge to confront on the way back to the hotel.

Took another 15 to thaw in the shower, change into running gear & out the door. Warmed up into a nice pace for a 45-minute jaunt - 2nd run in 2 days, trying to get the kick the metabolism up. Gotta get my post-tofurkey weight (161) down by race season. Pound-a-month club ought to be fine.

BTW - for those of you who think that life on the road is all glitz & glamor, my layover in Emeryville is representative of most - Car rental agency in lobby - Ohm. Businesses in the immediate area - Pier One/Half, Men's WearHut, BND Theaters, Bill's Napa, Snooze Train, 4 Bucks (w/apologies to Seinfeld), A pea - no pod, Saw's Candies, Victoria's Tattle Tale, CeCe, Pottery Shack, Banana Anarchy, Chasm, Aged Navy, Burger Prince, and The Heffalump Bar.

Dinner from TJ's.

NPR

Why is it that their volume is always so low? I know I'm getting older, but every time I tune in an NPR station I have to turn up the sound because they talk in such a muted tone - SPEAK UP!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

the fiasco of insurance

Definition: transfer & management of some risk that you hope you never need much of but desire the most complete coverage possible.

Whether it's Accidental death and dismemberment, Dental, Disability, Burial, Total permanent disability, Income protection, Long term care, Vision, Permanent life, Term life, Universal life, Variable universal life, Whole life, Bond, Errors and omissions, Fidelity, Professional indemnity, Professional liability, Protection and indemnity, Pie, Contents, Earthquake, Flood, Home, Landlords, Renters, Mortgage, Property, Casualty, Crime, Crop, Group, Liability, Marine, No-fault, Pet, Phone, Reinsurance, Terrorism, Vehicle, Wage, Weather, or Workers' compensation. This is by no means a comprehensive list - given enough of a premium you can insure just about anything, even rocket launches & taste buds on best pie eater in the NW.

Whether all or a portion is paid by you, your employer, or some other party (government); the bet is this -you'll never get back what you put into it. With a family of 5 (with three kids 4 & under) and all the premiums we pay in part or in full for health (medical, dental & vision), car(s), house(s), and an umbrella liability policy for good measure, plus the deductible on each (individual & family); we're out a ton of money each year verses what we get back (even with my wife's knee & foot surgeries).

Why don't deductibles roll over from year-to-year anyway? If I get injured on a JAN 2nd training ride I have to start my yearly deductible all over again...why can't it be a rolling 12-month period?

And it's not life insurance - it's death insurance (or end of life insurance)! You pay them in a bet that you're eventually going to lose - unless its term, then they'll win almost every time.

Issuing insurance is a booming business, and all those tall stylish monoliths worldwide are bought by ever increasing premiums while they process fewer claims.

So while I view insurance as a necessary evil for catastrophic situations beyond our means, I am less than assured by the dubious practices they employ to ensure their success.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Functional Fashion?

I'm not sure who/why/or where the trend of wearing your favorite player's sport jersey started; but I was reminded last night of why I dislike it.

As I was eating my grilled veggie burrito at Baja Fresh yesterday in walked Mr. Welker wearing his NE Patriots jersey. I could tell it was Mr. Welker because it said so on the back. He was being fawned over by another guy who jokingly was referring to his catching a career high 15 passes as he single-handedly tore up the defense against the Jets. Despite this production, I very much doubt that this overly stout man in his XXL toga-like shirt was indeed a real football hero, perhaps it was his brother Eas.

Folks of all ages around the nation (and presumable the world) are adorned in these things, of almost every imaginable sport, in almost every possible setting (to job interviews or at work, out to dinner, traveling, etc.), anything except actually using it while playing the sport for which it was intended - and for what reason?

Forget about the youngsters for a moment who have the right to dream and look up to their local or international sports hero's. Also look beyond the crass commercialization in progress and capitalizing on a marketing scheme - what does this apparel idolization on adult men & women say about the people wearing this stuff? If there wasn't a market, there wouldn't be people capitalising on it.

Fortunately my favorite sport (except for perhaps the brief tenure of Toyota-United?) is largely exempt from this trend. Though the '08 & '09 jersey's of Gin Optics did list teamies on the pockets, you would be hard pressed to find anybody but a Gin O racer wearing one.
True aficionado's of cycling do like to accumulate unique or obscure team jersey's to show off on club or training rides - perhaps because of a favorite racer, or the country they're riding through, or they just like the garish clash of colors on lycra (or retro wool).

But I doubt you'll see anybody actually wearing one into Baja Fresh unless it's for a mid or post-ride carbo topping & their mode of transportation is outside leaning up against the storefront glass or adjacent tree.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

HOV appropriate?

Can an empty Sound Transit with "out-of-service" on its message board, or a school bus without passengers, legally utlize the HOV lanes OR were these drivers just going on muscle memory to piss off the rest of us?

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Kit Orders

Why is it every year we go through some version of the same thing? Many orders of jersey's & bib shorts but then have a tough time meeting minimums on just about everything else? Then those who have ordered some of the items that don't meet the minimums put pressure on those that haven't. Then folks get pissed - either at not getting item(s) that they really wanted (needed?) or those that had to buy (pay) more than they wanted (could afford).

And this in-fighting is from those on the same team - and I'm certain this happens on every team - and the season is months away (of which many teams will be late in placing orders so that many will be riding in last season's kit through Spring anyway).

Nice!

Dreaded Snot Rocket

To the jerk(s) in the paceline or on the trail hacking a cough or blowing their runny nose with abandon without a clue who's around you - stop it! Nobody wants your lingering germs.

Monday, November 16, 2009

New speak

Since my college days ended many years ago (I've long lost my schooling in German & Spanish), I've yearned to learn a new language.

Blabber, Mumbling, and Whining spoken by my 3 kiddo's tops the list languages I've yet to master.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Glenwood RR

Rumor has it that PruDog has taken the reigns as RD for the '10 Glenwood RR (CR?).

Not confirmed are that portions of the course be off-road or will contain cobbles (a la Ronde Ohop). Word is that a properly baked pie will get you a reduced entry.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

KSM histeria

Just as terrorism has given 9/11 a bad name; now with the upcoming trial of one of the chief architects of that fateful day, KSM is having a severe financial negative on otherwise unrelated entities.

The band, guitar maker, designer, school, airport, electronics manufacturer, & engineering firm are all suffering and need your support.

Don't let the terrorists bring Porsche and the rest of these good folks down.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Retirement

I just rebalanced my large-cap top-heavy 401k to further diversify my portfolio which hopefully spreads my risk (and perhaps rewards) amongst several sectors.

The trouble with 401K's (verses a traditional defined benefit plan) is that it empowers individual investors who have little time, training, or in depth knowledge in making sound and/or strategic financial decisions.

So take away or reduce the old pensions of days gone by and give me the power to lose my $$ in funds that don't perform as advertised; that does not make me comfortable at all.

Of course the way our profession is going, by the time I want to retire - the FAA's Age 65 rule will be replaced by a new "fly-'till-you-die" rule.

Where's my mattress?

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Muddy fun

On the mountain bike for the first time in awhile actually off-road, though not really near any mountain or even in sight of a mountain. Not sure if it was the new tires, or air pressure (35psi), or the perfect conditions, or my bike handling skills (or lack thereof) - but I only fell once (and even that was fun).

Lots of trees, who lost slippery leaves & exposed their roots, and the perfect combination of twisties with puddles & mud. Had no clue which end was where, but found my way back to the car before a search party was formed. Maybe next time I'll take a map.

It's also comforting to know that the folks who manage this area have a plan.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit...

As I am used to seeing a full windsock at airports for anything greater than 15mph, I posted this question to the WA DOT:
I was just wondering what triggers the severe wind message that warns drivers about conditions on the Tacoma Narrows Bridges? And what level of wind defines severe? Is it a different warning if it's only a steady wind verses one that includes gusts? Is it an automatic sensor or subjective observation? Is the warning aimed particularly toward truckers & other tall vehicles or everyone? It seems to me that I see the warning frequently enough when the wind isn't strong enough to warrant a severe warning, and I wonder if drivers then get too complacent about them.

WA DOT responded:
We currently have cameras that look at both Tacoma Narrows bridges. These are monitored at our Traffic Management Center (TMC). At both ends of the older bridge there is a wind sock. When the wind sock is straight out the wind is about 35 to 40 mph. When the operator at the TMC notices the wind socks are straight out they turn on the high wind warning signs. We turn on the signs to warn drivers with unsecured loads,trucks traveling empty, or pulling manufactured homes to take precautions. Our directions to our TMC operators is when in doubt turn the warning signs on.

So it would seem as if their windsock fully inflates at 35-40 mph they must be of a larger size and/or of heavier weight material; though they look very much the same to me.

They also have an anemometer on the top of one of the bridge towers, but that wind could read very differently than the deck below. They are looking at installing another somewhere near the deck level.

My suggestion would be to then have a couple of signs before the last exit at either end of the bridge displaying the actual wind speed so a particular vehicle operator knew exactly what they were dealing with rather than a subjective observation (or non-observation as the case may be).

Friday, November 6, 2009

Drug testing revisited

With the admission earlier the week of a top local WA racer of doping (or masking the fact that he doped) at track Nationals is one reason that I made the request last year to have the WSBA fund a grant for testing at the State RR we hosted this lastseason (or any of the WA State Championship events). Not that I knew of any specific athlete(s), but I have my suspicions' (though I admit Kenny wasn't one of them, which makes this all the more important).
Now if you believe this is isolated to just one athlete in a moment of weakness, then we don't need drug testing here in the NW. But I would think that this should be revisited by the WSBA Board.

To my friends, clients, competitors and USA Cycling officials,
My name is Kenny Williams and I've been racing my bike for 20 years. In June 2009 I broke and had surgery on my left collarbone. In my haste to return to the top of my game I purchased DHEA at the local Drug Store, without consulting anyone. 6 weeks later at Masters Track Nationals in Colorado Springs I was tested positive for this illegal drug. I do not deny the results of the test.
I am ashamed that I’ve done something that hurts the sport of cycling and the community of people who have become the most important part of my life. I’m facing the very real possibility that I can try for the rest of my life to regain the confidence of the cycling community and my friends, but this cloud will be with me for the rest of my life. I am not asking for forgiveness, because I am admitting to my mistake and own all the horrible feelings that come with my bad decision. I am hoping for compassion and understanding. Compassion that I never intended to hurt anyone and understanding that if I could have one re-do in my life that this would be it. As I have done throughout my whole athletic life I will fight to re-gain my reputation as a fair man, tough competitor and drug-free cyclist. You can trust me when I say that I will never take a short-cut like this ever again.
Bike racing is one of the most important things in my life, second to my wife, whom I owe the biggest apology to for being so irresponsible. I am sorry Annette. I also feel horrible about the results I took away from the other athletes that I raced against. I am very sorry to have disappointed all of them. To my sponsors and my clients, I am sorry. To all in the cycling community and my friends, I am sorry.
Sincerely, Kenny Williams
Tuesday, November 3

Monday, November 2, 2009

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Transfers

Interesting to note that some local WA boys are making changes in their quest to gain or remain employed in the professional ranks.

Jonny Sundt - out at Kelly Benefits Strategies, in at Kenda Pro,
Morgan Schmitt - out at Bissell, in at OUCH,
Russell Stevenson - out at Kenda, in at ??,
Adrian Hegyvary - in at OUCH,

On the big guns front, I got to wonder what Columbia/HTC did to piss these guys off; or is the $$ that much better elsewhere?
George Hincapie (BMC)
Michael Barry (Sky)
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky)
Greg Henderson (Sky)
Kim Kirchen (Katusha)
Thomas Lövkvist (Sky)

And Radio Shack is stacked with talent - here's my prediction for the '10 TdF team most are former Astana, (with McCartney being the odd man to fill in for an injured teamie),
Lance Armstrong
Levi Leipheimer
Chris Horner
Janez Brajkovic
Andreas Kloden
Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank)
Yaroslav Popovich
José Luis Rubiera
Gert Steegmans (Katusha)
Tomas Vaitkus

And where will the rainbow jersey find a home?

11/1 update: answer to above question.