WORS Sheboygan MTB Race Pix
I have the large batch of Sport class pictures from the mountain bike race in Sheboygan on October 12th, 2009 posted at Flickr.
I’ll have another batch of Comp/Elite pix soon.
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Short Track Motorcycle Racing Photos
There is a nice gallery of photos I took at the August 15th Aztalan Motorcycle Club Short Track Races. Check ‘em out!
The short track racing at Aztalan is a blast to watch too. Take a look at the club’s website to see when the next race is.
Going to Decorah for Some Bike Riding
John and I are heading out in the AM for a trip to the Elroy-Sparta trail, Decorah, IA and a stop to see Tom Teesdale to discuss some of the prototypes and production bike models we have been working on for the past several months. The Schlick Smitty is ready for production with a few tweaks from riding the first three prototypes and I hope we can pick up the Schlick Superfast prototypes on Monday. That would be sweet!
The Schlick Smitty is a versatile bike design! I have had mine set up several different ways and found that the Nexus 8-speed Coaster brake version is, so far, my favorite. Here it is with some Schwalbe Big Apple tires on it. Super for around town!
For the Iowa trip and the longer miles plus gravel I swapped out the Schwalbe Big Apples for some Kenda tires and slapped on some clipless pedals along with a switch from a 42-tooth chainring to a 38-tooth version. The bike was over geared before and, with those long hills around Decorah, I figured I could use a lower gear. We will see tomorrow!
Love Joe Cocker?
Love Joe Cocker? Check out his ’69 Woodstock performance with “Closed Captioning” - http://www.elwp.com/Joe%20Cocker.html
I can’t believe that I’ve never seen this before! It clears up some lyrics I wasn’t sure about.
Carrying Your iPhone on Your Bike
I know, why would you want to? Well, bear with me for a minute and I’ll tell you. For me, it is all about the GPS enabled app RunKeeper that records the routes I’ve ridden and gives me feedback on the ride and my performance. (Totally off hand but have you seen the video “Performance, it’s the name of the game!” on YouTube. Hilarious!) Anyway, I needed a convenient way to carry the phone that would optimize the reception for the GPS and provide easy access if I needed the phone. For what it is worth, I don’t feel the need to actually look at the iPhone while I am riding or for that matter make or receive calls, but I like to pause the app when I am stopping for a while so the time spent riding is a bit more accurate. An Auto-Stop feature on RunKeeper would be great!
So, I did a much more extensive review on Carrying the iPhone on your Bike over at the Schlick Cycles website but in a nutshell here are the methods I tried:
Pocket – Poor reception, perspiration issues and potential for dropping the phone led me to a 0/5 rating.
Rear Trunk Bag – Good reception but not convenient plus I might forget it in the bag and have it get ripped off led me to a 2.5/5 rating.
Customized Water Bottle – Good reception, not too convenient, don’t accidently fill w/water and damage potential kept this idea to a 3/5 rating.
Runner’s Armband around the arm – Not a runner and don;t want to look like one, Good reception. Fine if it is your cup of tea. For me 3/5.
Runner’s Armband attached to the bike – Better on bikes like the Schlick Shark or a recumbent where you don’t have to worry about cables or hitting you knee on the thing. Good reception. 3.5/5
iBikePack – Could have been a 4.5/5 but, for me there were knee clearance issues and the strapping system allowed the bad to twist on the bike frame. Worked better on the Shark. For me 4/5
Banjo Brothers Top Tube Bag – Wha Laa! This is for me. Nice and tidy, good reception secure straps, easy access = the whole enchilada! Top rating 5/5!
The Phone Holder on the Banjo Bros Commuter Backpack - Another big thumbs up for this one. The iPhone fits fine but I’d like to see a bit longer strap for this particular phone. Over all though the reception, accessibility and security are all top-notch. I don;t use the backpack on every ride but when I do this is the way to go. Another topper 5/5.
It Simply Boggles the Mind
Check out my friend Dave’s Blog at http://www.davelunz.com for a ridiculously extensive, and storied, chronicle of Dave’s working career. It simply boggles the mind!
Updating the Schlick Cycles Website
I did some major content updates and worked on the theme for Schlick Cycles today. Got a lot more work to do to reflect the new offerings but the Smitty is there and so is a Designer’s Message that reflects our vision a lot more than the previous version. More to come. Meanwhile here is the newest Smitty!
One Hundred Push ups
Since I started cycling again I’ve begun to feel a bit more fit in the legs and the lungs but a trip to the John Muir trail in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest in SE Wisconsin reminded me that the upper body needs work too! So, I am starting the One Hundred Push ups Challenge to help with part of that need.
Back when I was a kid I think I could do push ups all day long if I needed to. Not anymore! I did the initial test and was able to eek out 16. I guess for being 46 and not really actively exercising for about 10 years it could be worse so it is on to week one starting tomorrow.
I’ll keep you posted!
dNaNo Tests on RealTracks Race Track
I added 3 articles to minispeedway.com about modifications I made to the RealTracks RC race track I have to increase traction.
1. RealTracks Traction Tests With Kyosho dNaNo
2. RealTrack Race Surface Modification For More Traction
3. RealTracks Traction Idea – Post Modification
If you are into Kyosho dNaNos, check it out!
Wilberg Community Planning Web Site
I am super stoked at how well the web site I recently finished for Wilberg Community Planning turned out. Jan had a few previous sites but had always struggled to get updates done. The new site was done with WordPress and allows Jan to make timely updates as often as she needs.
An added bonus to working on this site was working with Tyra from Tessera Design on the template design. Tyra did the design in Photoshop and we had Sramek Design do the conversion to the WordPress template. Very smooth operation and the results are great!
On Being Busy
Being busy is a good thing, to a point! It is good to have some paying gigs but the time away from some pet projects has left me feeling a bit bummed. A couple of these projects are almost ready to start bearing some fruit though so I soldier on!
