Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
$99/night giveaway
La Niña is forecast to hit the NW hard this Winter - MAUI! >> YOU!! >>> NOW!!!
December & January special rates in effect for 1 BD/2 BA Wailea Condo.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunny but not Hotlanta
Explore ATL out to Stone MTN.
It just takes one out of the thousands who are ignorant to the rules of the road. As in most states bikes belong on the road as a vehicle. Try to tell that to Jane who not only tried to left hook me, but then felt that the best way to get my attention when she was behind me was to lay on her horn. Then having the gall to yell, "get on the sidewalk" as she finally passed by in a huff.
It just takes one out of the thousands who are ignorant to the rules of the road. As in most states bikes belong on the road as a vehicle. Try to tell that to Jane who not only tried to left hook me, but then felt that the best way to get my attention when she was behind me was to lay on her horn. Then having the gall to yell, "get on the sidewalk" as she finally passed by in a huff.
Friday, November 26, 2010
ATL revisted
Definitely not Hotlanta this time of year, but rather Coolanta tonight. Returning to the hub airport of my past life seems like I never left - even though it's been 21 years. Staying just north of the airport and went out for a nice exploratory run. I haven't been running as much this Fall as I had hoped, but still nice to know I can get out & pound out a few at a decent tempo for a change of fitness pace. Next time my feet will appreciate my not forgetting socks.
Tomorrow, with nice mild weather forecast - I'm having trouble finding a Saturday "ride" nearby - so I'll keep you informed as to what I come up with.
Tomorrow, with nice mild weather forecast - I'm having trouble finding a Saturday "ride" nearby - so I'll keep you informed as to what I come up with.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Confession of a EPO cheat
Sanctioned Masters Racer confesses on Facebook (after being caught by the USADA):
I wanted to post this to all my cycling friends and colleagues. I have been sanctioned for two years by the cycling federation for buying and using erythropoietin in August 2006. I had always wondered what it would feel like to cycle on it and exactly how much it could increase a person's performance, so I bought some online in early August of that year and took a dose each week for a month.
My hematacrit before I took it was 42.3 and when I had it tested the lst week in September it had gone up to 49.2, and by mid-October it had dropped back to 44.5 I had trained with a powertap that year and my maxmimum wattage output had been 332 watts for 32 minutes at the Willow Time Trial. I did a 25 minute time trial test the 2nd week in September and my wattage was 361 watts. It was almost a 9% increase on end of season fatigued legs.
When you consider that the difference between lst and last place in the Tour is only 3%, it's easy to understand why epo can skew the whole playing field and why it can't be in the sport. It made it easy to understand how whole pro careers can be made by riding 10-20 percent over their natural abilities. I did not race on it during this time, but it was still the absolute wrong choice to make.
I think we all know deep down when we are doing something we should'nt be doing, and I should have listened to myself better. It was very easy and tempting to just send an email and order it, and I lacked the self-discipline then to not do it even though I knew deep down it was'nt right. I shared the numbers so hopefully anyone curious can refer to these and NOT try it!!!!
I've told my son about this experience and I hope he can take away from it that there will be many times in your life that temptation to make the wrong choice will arise, and that you have to be able to have the self-discipline and moral fiber to make the right one. I hope that can be a positive aspect of this.I am a good father, husband, and honest businessman, and every time I've ever knowingly gone against my morals, I've paid the price. I stole a .98 cent car air freshener in 10th grade and got caught, I knowingly drove my car way over the legal limit when I was 23 and got caught, and this time with the epo. I can say for sure that I will always listen to my moral compass from this point on!!!
You can't selectively apply your morals, they have to be the end all/ be all that keeps you on the right path. I hope everyone understands that although I've haven't raced much in the last 3 years, I feel terrible about bringing any negative aspect to the sport.
I feel proud starting the West Branch race, and I want to make sure I give something positive back to the sport and not cast it in a bad light. I love to simply ride my bike with my friends and will always do that. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Take Care
Neal
Not that the EPO really helped his personal results, maybe he was using it for embrocation.
Maybe USADA will get to a point where they don't have to exhaust all their investigative resources and should offer up an amnesty program whereby all the cheats (Pro & amature alike) would be encouraged to self-disclose in exchange for information on the whereabouts of their obtaining the illicit drugs in an effort to eradicate them from the market (black or otherwise) with the result being that no formal racing sanction would be levied other than the pressure they'd feel from their racing peers (which would vary on the extremes with little middle ground).
I wanted to post this to all my cycling friends and colleagues. I have been sanctioned for two years by the cycling federation for buying and using erythropoietin in August 2006. I had always wondered what it would feel like to cycle on it and exactly how much it could increase a person's performance, so I bought some online in early August of that year and took a dose each week for a month.
My hematacrit before I took it was 42.3 and when I had it tested the lst week in September it had gone up to 49.2, and by mid-October it had dropped back to 44.5 I had trained with a powertap that year and my maxmimum wattage output had been 332 watts for 32 minutes at the Willow Time Trial. I did a 25 minute time trial test the 2nd week in September and my wattage was 361 watts. It was almost a 9% increase on end of season fatigued legs.
When you consider that the difference between lst and last place in the Tour is only 3%, it's easy to understand why epo can skew the whole playing field and why it can't be in the sport. It made it easy to understand how whole pro careers can be made by riding 10-20 percent over their natural abilities. I did not race on it during this time, but it was still the absolute wrong choice to make.
I think we all know deep down when we are doing something we should'nt be doing, and I should have listened to myself better. It was very easy and tempting to just send an email and order it, and I lacked the self-discipline then to not do it even though I knew deep down it was'nt right. I shared the numbers so hopefully anyone curious can refer to these and NOT try it!!!!
I've told my son about this experience and I hope he can take away from it that there will be many times in your life that temptation to make the wrong choice will arise, and that you have to be able to have the self-discipline and moral fiber to make the right one. I hope that can be a positive aspect of this.I am a good father, husband, and honest businessman, and every time I've ever knowingly gone against my morals, I've paid the price. I stole a .98 cent car air freshener in 10th grade and got caught, I knowingly drove my car way over the legal limit when I was 23 and got caught, and this time with the epo. I can say for sure that I will always listen to my moral compass from this point on!!!
You can't selectively apply your morals, they have to be the end all/ be all that keeps you on the right path. I hope everyone understands that although I've haven't raced much in the last 3 years, I feel terrible about bringing any negative aspect to the sport.
I feel proud starting the West Branch race, and I want to make sure I give something positive back to the sport and not cast it in a bad light. I love to simply ride my bike with my friends and will always do that. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know.
Take Care
Neal
Not that the EPO really helped his personal results, maybe he was using it for embrocation.
Maybe USADA will get to a point where they don't have to exhaust all their investigative resources and should offer up an amnesty program whereby all the cheats (Pro & amature alike) would be encouraged to self-disclose in exchange for information on the whereabouts of their obtaining the illicit drugs in an effort to eradicate them from the market (black or otherwise) with the result being that no formal racing sanction would be levied other than the pressure they'd feel from their racing peers (which would vary on the extremes with little middle ground).
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
TSA = ...
...at first it was Thousands Standing Around; I think now most would agree that it has morphed to Temporary Sexual Arousal.
Monday, November 22, 2010
How insensitive of me
I'm am not a tech guy, or rather a very low-tech guy - but when news broke recently about somebody finding a jawbone on the beach in Aruba, and authorities were going to test it to see if it belonged to the missing teen - I thought they were referring to this. But I guess that it wasn't even on the market until a year after the teen disappeared; my bad.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Worst person...
in the world!
OK, that may be a stretch, but definitely the worst person in CT! Here's a summary of his recent lost appeal which provides much detail of the case.
Current CT law requires helmets for kids 15 & under, which was updated in '08 from 12 & under.
Never mind the continued emotional distress he's causing the victim's family (a person with his history of reckless behaviour has no empathy), but how does this idiot have any case? Especially when the law states, "Failure to wear protective headgear as required by this subsection shall not be considered to be contributory negligence on the part of the parent or the child nor shall such failure be admissible in any civil action."
Man up dickhead & don't drop the soap.
OK, that may be a stretch, but definitely the worst person in CT! Here's a summary of his recent lost appeal which provides much detail of the case.
Current CT law requires helmets for kids 15 & under, which was updated in '08 from 12 & under.
Never mind the continued emotional distress he's causing the victim's family (a person with his history of reckless behaviour has no empathy), but how does this idiot have any case? Especially when the law states, "Failure to wear protective headgear as required by this subsection shall not be considered to be contributory negligence on the part of the parent or the child nor shall such failure be admissible in any civil action."
Man up dickhead & don't drop the soap.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Technology increases security?
With all the flak the TSA's been getting about it's increased secondary screening pat down procedures & full image body scans - it's no wonder folks are mad as hell.
There are differing approaches for dealing with the same problem - old school vs new school. And before you all get on the bandwagon for the El Al method - think again about the cost & time involved.
Yes, the TSA can be credited with stopping threats at checkpoints; week at a glance:
NOV 08 - NOV 14
6 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints,
11 firearms found at checkpoints,
6 passengers were arrested after investigations of suspicious behavior or fraudulent travel documents;
And while they pat themselves on the back & tell you how well they're doing (the numbers above do indicate a certain level of danger) how many of the above didn't they detect? How many artfully concealed prohibited items, how many firearms, how many travelers w/fraudulent documents did they let through and traveled without incident? Impossible to tell.
They also don't do themselves any good with knuckleheads of their own not behaving. Lest you think this is limited to Newark, look at DTW, LAX, MIA, PHL, etc.
So I've got to wonder if through the Patriot Act, a grandiose new government agency, increased focus on shared intelligence, more beat feet, & the ever increasing wonder toys that get deployed at our airports; is the intelligence & security community being reactive to the threat as they perceive it OR are they thinking proactively to end whatever vulnerabilities still exist OR is it a lot of fluff designed to look impressive but not accomplish much?
I've got my suspicions, what say you?
There are differing approaches for dealing with the same problem - old school vs new school. And before you all get on the bandwagon for the El Al method - think again about the cost & time involved.
Yes, the TSA can be credited with stopping threats at checkpoints; week at a glance:
NOV 08 - NOV 14
6 artfully concealed prohibited items found at checkpoints,
11 firearms found at checkpoints,
6 passengers were arrested after investigations of suspicious behavior or fraudulent travel documents;
And while they pat themselves on the back & tell you how well they're doing (the numbers above do indicate a certain level of danger) how many of the above didn't they detect? How many artfully concealed prohibited items, how many firearms, how many travelers w/fraudulent documents did they let through and traveled without incident? Impossible to tell.
They also don't do themselves any good with knuckleheads of their own not behaving. Lest you think this is limited to Newark, look at DTW, LAX, MIA, PHL, etc.
So I've got to wonder if through the Patriot Act, a grandiose new government agency, increased focus on shared intelligence, more beat feet, & the ever increasing wonder toys that get deployed at our airports; is the intelligence & security community being reactive to the threat as they perceive it OR are they thinking proactively to end whatever vulnerabilities still exist OR is it a lot of fluff designed to look impressive but not accomplish much?
I've got my suspicions, what say you?
Monday, November 15, 2010
No 2fer today
Usually when I snap my overused seatpost binder bolt, I have a replacement; not today. I missed out on some great riding weather in PSP this morning; the Idyllwild loop will just have to wait for another day. So I got out for a decent run instead.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
UCI is aiming for YOU!
And this soon-to-be (Spring or Fall) Classic may very likely be the race that sets you up for earning the coveted Rainbow Jersey.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Work, smurk!
Haven't been aviating since OCT 22nd - because I -
had vacation through the rest of that month,
had the eldest BD parties, 1st w/kids then w/family,
entertained 34 kids + their parents for Trunk er Treat preceding Halloween,
did the neighborhood Halloweenie thing with the trio,
studied for & completed recurrent training (only 8 to go, but who's counting?),
got 2 physicals - one from my GP and the other from my aviation examiner,
finally paid a visit to the guy who has this license plate; giddy up!
Whew! Back to work Sunday for some rest & relaxation.
Next up is the dentist (next week) & some special security training (the week after).
had vacation through the rest of that month,
had the eldest BD parties, 1st w/kids then w/family,
entertained 34 kids + their parents for Trunk er Treat preceding Halloween,
did the neighborhood Halloweenie thing with the trio,
studied for & completed recurrent training (only 8 to go, but who's counting?),
got 2 physicals - one from my GP and the other from my aviation examiner,
finally paid a visit to the guy who has this license plate; giddy up!
Whew! Back to work Sunday for some rest & relaxation.
Next up is the dentist (next week) & some special security training (the week after).
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Power to weight ratio
If your in need for a chick magnet that'll set you in the books for an absolute LSR, check out this little tricycle.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
New Poll
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| MSNBC Suspends Keith Olbermann | ||||
| ||||
Keith Olbermann - for or against?
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Conflict of interest
How is it that Mr 60% was in the process of signing the guy who was racing against his (then) current top guy (who just lost the yellow jersey), and he's offering advice to the yet to be signed guy (who just gained the yellow jersey in controversy) to apologize to his (then) current guy? He's playing both sides and can't lose.But then there is the possibility that Riis didn't really want his guy to get the top spot since he had already privately told Bjarne that he wasn't racing for him next year. Did this in any way create a possibility that he sabotaged the race (strategy, team tactics, equipment setup, etc.) of his (then) current top guy in favor for the soon to be signed guy?
So now one top guy is gone, the other embroiled in a doping charge - but at least Bjarne has a book to sell.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
40%
That's the overall US estimate, based on 2006 data, of how many of us will vote today - WA State had a turnout of 47%; but why?I mean why vote at all - what do the other 60% know that I don't?
Do they not vote because they:
are disgusted, flabbergasted, or appalled with the process?
are the ultimate undecided?
feel apathetic that their 1 measly vote won't matter?
let their spouse vote for them?
are too busy to participate?
are not registered?
can't find their polling place?
misplaced their absentee ballot?
lost their voter registration card?
intimidated by so-called "election observers"?
are supremely confident that all their candidates & issues will win?
Did you vote in my poll yet on which was the best rally?
Monday, November 1, 2010
New Poll posted - who's rally was best?
Restoring Honor or Restoring Sanity?
Previous results; for the Donkeys 75% - not voting 25%. How's that going to pan out tomorrow?
Previous results; for the Donkeys 75% - not voting 25%. How's that going to pan out tomorrow?
Midterm Election simplified
Do you vote for the party or the person? Most would say person but when it comes down to it they really mean party. Like it or not - party ideology trumps individualism, especially on big ticket items.
The party of No! wants to reverse everything. The Tea (er Me) Party has evolved from its demand to reduce "big" government to ever increasing extremists views. They both blame the Democrats for running up the tab. But Supply-side & voodoo economics actually raised our debt to our present unimaginable level; which you can thank Reagan & the Bush's for that. Economics was never my strong point; but cutting taxes while increasing spending (mainly for defense buildup & wars) indicates to me a very bassackwards approach.
The Stimulus & Bailouts were, IMHO, a necessary evil. Yes, it raised our deficit spending to even greater levels, but it has help turn around the economy. The DOW is up, the GDP is up, 2010 YTD profits are up. Corporate America is stabilizing and growing. Yes unemployment & underemployment are still way too high, the lag confounding everyone as the economy improves; but job growth will slowly return. Deregulation is not the answer, neither is unfettered corporate greed - both flourish in Republican administrations.
So the question for tomorrow is - do you believe that change is possible & still desirable AND are willing to hold the line for what you voted for in 2008 OR do you go running to the naysayers & fear mongers and bring everything to a standstill?
The party of No! wants to reverse everything. The Tea (er Me) Party has evolved from its demand to reduce "big" government to ever increasing extremists views. They both blame the Democrats for running up the tab. But Supply-side & voodoo economics actually raised our debt to our present unimaginable level; which you can thank Reagan & the Bush's for that. Economics was never my strong point; but cutting taxes while increasing spending (mainly for defense buildup & wars) indicates to me a very bassackwards approach.
The Stimulus & Bailouts were, IMHO, a necessary evil. Yes, it raised our deficit spending to even greater levels, but it has help turn around the economy. The DOW is up, the GDP is up, 2010 YTD profits are up. Corporate America is stabilizing and growing. Yes unemployment & underemployment are still way too high, the lag confounding everyone as the economy improves; but job growth will slowly return. Deregulation is not the answer, neither is unfettered corporate greed - both flourish in Republican administrations.
So the question for tomorrow is - do you believe that change is possible & still desirable AND are willing to hold the line for what you voted for in 2008 OR do you go running to the naysayers & fear mongers and bring everything to a standstill?
Undecided? All you need to remember is that D is for drive, R is for reverse (and T is for all talk).
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