fixedgear

Bad solder joint on Bosch dishwasher brain board

2012-01-26T09:35:00.002-05:00

Bad solder joint on Bosch dishwasher brain board, a photo by fixedgear on Flickr.

And here is the circuit board in question. Good thing this shit didn't burn my house down.

Bosch Dishwasher Also Junk, Save Your Money

2012-01-25T12:42:00.001-05:00

Lucky for me I know how to solder, and was able to save myself a $250 repair bill when my six year old $1,000 dishwasher suddenly died. Its poor design resulted in a solder joint on the PC controller board coming unsoldered, rendering it useless. Save your money, buy two LGs or whatever for what this junk cost.

Edit: Forgot to mention that a very similar Bosch model was recalled due to fires in the controller board. This problem is pretty well documented on the Internet, but Bosch has decided to ignore it. In the case of the fires, they decided that a recall - which presumably involved repair and replacement of the defective boards and a home visit by repair personnel - was preferable to a class-action lawsuit. In my case they just decided to ignore me, though I did eventually get some satisfaction with the Bosch stove. Bosch's goodwill gesture on the stove still did not make us whole.

Update to Subaru story

2011-08-31T17:30:00.002-04:00

Mark Glanzmann is a savvy businessman and a gentleman. Situation resolved, mostly satisfied.

Please don't give me a job - I'm the customer!

2010-07-21T18:29:00.001-04:00

My car was hit on the military installation where I work. It gets complicated, because the Navy is our landlord and my employer is a tenant. I was so pissed off when I discovered the damage that I just left work. When I got home, I called security. They answered after about ten rings. The emergency number, 3333. The guy said 'happens all the time. Oh, and since you left you'll have to call the Philly Police and take your car to the 2nd District.' Really? Fuck that. I emailed the General. To his credit he wrote wrote right back, but was confused and didn't know 'how he could help.'

Long story short, he cc:ed a bunch of people. The director of force protection called me. She said 'yeah, should have called the non-emergency number. 4141.' Ooops, my fault. All she cares about is closing the loop with her boss, and not getting in trouble. Me? I get a job.

My mom needs an appointment with her eye specialist. She had to cancel the last appointment, scheduled for 7/9 because she was in the hospital. The referral is still good, BTW. It's good for 90 days. Today I call to try to reschedule and I get 'we can see she's a patient, but we can't get into the other system to see the referral. Have the doctor re-send.' Again, Keystone Eye Associates you suck and I am looking at you. You want to be paid? You want my business? You get the referral. I have a job, you do your job.

Audi A4 Woes, or avoid this company

2010-06-10T16:56:00.001-04:00

Ceil's 2003 Audi A4 was running like crap. Missing, stumbling, no power. We took it to our local garage, where they recommended replacing all the ignition coils. Old style ignition systems used one coil, shared among all cylinders. This car uses four, one for each cylinder. More to go wrong! About $500 later, she's back in business. Except not. A month later, same problem. She goes back, they are understanding and replace at their expense. It runs fine for a while, then happens again. They refuse to touch the car, can't blame them.

We take it to the local 'foreign' car expert. He diagnoses a bad valve cover gasket which is leaking oil onto the coils. he replaces all the coils and fixes the leak. Car is now fine. we then get a letter from Audi indicating that the car is the subject of a recall, and that they are replacing coils at their expense. Too late for us? No, just submit your invoices and we'll pay.

Yeah, we'll pay pennies on the dollar. So fuck Audi. They say 'we can't control what an independent garage charges, we can only pay as if you brought the car in to a dealer.' Except the car was not drivable. Letting it sit in the driveway was not an option. So we're out hundreds of dollars.

Avoid this company. They don't stand behind their products, and this car is a dog. I Tweeted my disappointment, and they wrote back to say 'please fill out this web form.' We'll see what happens, right now I'm not too optimistic.

Edit: they gave us an extra hundred as a 'goodwill' gesture. better than nothing, did not make us whole.

Joby Gorillabike

2010-03-15T13:05:00.001-04:00

Joby Gorillabike
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

Ode to a New Delhi median

2010-03-04T07:24:00.000-05:00

Ode to a New Delhi median: "Dave sez, 'I'm an American who writes about life in New Delhi. I recently posted an essay about the story of a humble concrete median near my house -- and how the insignificant pressures of daily use, multiplied by the millions of people who used it, reduced it to rubble. It's a synecdochic symbol for the larger infrastructure challenges faced by countries like India, where they can't get ahead because they're constantly struggling to maintain what they already have. '

Don't blame the bicyclists. They don't mean to. But it's been a long day at work and an even longer ride home, and these old bikes are heavy; they're trying their best to lift their bikes up and over the median, but every so often they catch one of their metal pedals or drag the teeth of their gears. Which nicks the cement.

It's nothing! A grain of sand! The median is still good as new!

Except the path has been tramped down, so this is where people think to cross. So one bicyclist is followed by another. Nicks coagulate into notches. Notches coalesce into ruts. Ruts amalgamate into grooves wide enough to roll bicycle wheels through. And while the grooves are made wider and deeper, the material being ejected from them is collecting into a little pile of rubble. That gets bigger. And as the groove is graduating into a fissure, so too is the pile moving towards becoming a ramp. Just the kind of ramp that a motorcyclist can utilize.

death of a median, part I: an ode to Aurobindo Marg

Via Boing Boing. Or you could just accommodate the bicyclists and build a ramp to start with.

"

Lower Merion School District spys on students with laptop webcams

2010-02-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

School used student issued laptops to spy. Why isn't the Philly and national media all over this one?

Why we still use IE6 where I work, despite our constant talk about security

2010-01-25T20:08:00.000-05:00

Here is what they told me at work when I asked about IE6:

"Internet Explorer (IE) has remained at version 6 while a conflict with the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program was being worked. Because of this conflict, the (IT dept) did not deploy a newer version of IE. The CRM program was recently upgraded, and IT is testing to make sure that any such conflicts have been removed.Once we confirm this, IT will move forward with a site deployment of anewer version of IE. All users will be alerted when this deployment is scheduled."

Because some shit software that we bought and never fully implemented was not compatible with modern browsers? It's awesome.

EDIT: Bosch Appliances suck - save your money

2010-01-22T15:56:00.001-05:00

Do yourself a favor and don't buy a Bosch appliance. Bosch range, gas cooktop over electric oven, model HDS255U, $1,899.00 purchased 5/1/05. The worst piece of shit ever. Purchased from Gerhard's in Glenside, it was supposed to be one of those small appliance dealers that takes care of their customers. Their service was pretty bad. We started with them, about a year and a half after purchase. No help, out of warranty. We replaced the hinges at our expense. That made it a little better, but didn't really fix the problem. Another year or so went by. Ceil is still upset. I called the Bosch 800 number, and they issued a Repair Authorization. They sent a local company that they use - Baker's Appliances, in Huntington Valley. They replaced the hinges at Bosch's expense, and gypsied the switch that controls the convection fan and the light. Even after two sets of hinges, the door still gaped open, and the solution was to install a switch with a longer plunger. Bullshit.

Now it's Christmas 2009, Ceil is baking cookies and crying because the oven sucks. I Tweet Bosch Appliances, they say they will take care of it. Their generous offer is to sell us parts at 50% off. Screw that. The stove is a piece of shit, a lemon. They insist that the box is not warped, but all I know is that the door is open and tons of heat is escaping. Buy a GE Profile or something.

See, that bead detail is supposed to line up. Otherwise why the fuck would they put it on there? It misses by a fucking mile. You suck, Bosch.

EDIT: Happy ending! Email says "Dear fixedgear, as a goodwill gesture we will fix this appliance at our expense." To avoid any further misunderstandings, I responded and told them that the appliance tech told me that it would take a new door skin to make it right. They said "whatever it takes" and so it was done. Moral of the story: don't give up the ship.

Share The Damn Road - Cycling Jerseys that Make a Statement

2010-01-12T18:42:00.003-05:00

Share The Damn Road | Cycling Jerseys that Make a Statement | Road Cycling Jerseys

I'm killing them with kindness lately, but this might work for you. I'm thinking that 'Don't Honk At Me' would encourage absolutely everyone to honk.

SURPLACE Fantastic Fixed Gear Calculator

2010-01-06T22:37:00.002-05:00

SURPLACE Fantastic Fixed Gear Calculator

Flyers fans working in tandem to reach Fenway

2009-12-29T20:26:00.001-05:00

Flyers fans working in tandem to reach Fenway.. Two Flyers fans, neither of whom are cyclists, ride from Philly to Boston. Day one, Philly to Staten Island, 80 miles.

Athens, Ga. couple marks 70th anniversary

2009-12-26T07:57:00.001-05:00

Athens, Ga. couple marks 70th anniversary Big deal, right? Check the bike part, though.

Christmas follies

2009-12-23T08:29:00.000-05:00

Just got back from the supermarket, where I was doing some last-minute shopping for tomorrow's seven or more fishes dinner. We're pretty much all set, I was just buying some a few odds and ends and some sparkling water for the non-drinkers. Obligatory bike content: most of our guests are our bike riding friends. I was also buying a gift certificate for my mom. It's OK, I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog.

They have gift certificates in $5, $10, $25, and $50 denominations. They also have an unpriced one, where you can load any amount. I asked for $46.87 just for laughs. No, I didn't, but here's what really happened. I asked for it to be loaded with $100. They told me that if I was paying by credit card it had a maximum of $75. What? I said, OK, I'll use a debit card. No problem, they said. Then I thought for a second. Can I buy two $50 cards and pay with a credit card? Sure, they said. I'm baffled now. Another cashier piped in, no, a manager can approve my $100 purchase. So all's well that ends well, but I have to say I love policies like that, ones that make absolutely no sense.

Young Girl Donates 72 Bikes to Needy Children for Christmas

2009-12-20T08:00:00.001-05:00

Young Girl Donates 72 Bikes to Needy Children for Christmas

She's my hero, great story.

Do It Yourself: Building Your Own Bamboo Bike : NPR

2009-12-20T07:57:00.000-05:00

Do It Yourself: Building Your Own Bamboo Bike : NPR

A great story from National Public Radio on a group of bamboo bike builders, who are from Brooklyn, naturally.

Messenger Poet

2009-12-18T13:41:00.000-05:00

Messenger Poet, original poems by Kurt Boone. Illustrations by Greg Ugalde, I like the one shown above very much. Available from Amazon in the new year, or contact Kurt at Kurt Boone Books A good read, highly recommended.

Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture

2009-12-05T10:52:00.004-05:00

Laurence King Publishing was kind enough to provide me with a review copy of Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture by Andrew Edwards and Max Leonard.

Two thumbs up for this great book. You can't tell the story without pictures, and this book features 378 illustrations. A primer on track racing and the history and development of fixed gear bicycles opens the book. The second third describes how track bikes crossed over, from racers to messengers to cycling enthusiasts and then went mainstream. The final third goes beyond bicycles, as the fixie invades fashion, photography, and the art worlds.

I love the layout and design of this book, mixing B&W and color illustrations with blocks of text. Outstanding job. Christmas is coming, it would make a great gift.

Tall Bikes and iPhone apps?

2009-12-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

You're invited to ride an installation from freak bike culture. Experience Doyle's three part bike exhibition featuring the Hell-a-Copter, the Regurgitator and Tall Bike Jousting at Art Basel Miami Beach, December 3 - 6, 2009.
Squishy Universe Gallery
150 NW 24th Street
Miami, FL 33127

Check bikeclubgames.com for all details on daily LIVE web streaming events from Art Basel Miami and get all the information about
TALL BIKE JOUST iPhone app available 01.01.10.

Ryan Doyle on Art Basel and the new Tall Bike Joust iPhone app: Check out the interview by Bike Blog NYC!

Pedro's Vice Whip, Makino Professional Super Tool

2009-11-25T14:39:00.005-05:00

I see by the referrers that folks are landing here after searching for 'removing track cogs.' If you use 3/32" cogs and money is no object, this Pedro's Vice Whip would have to be the bees knees. It's designed to take the place of a chain whip for cassette removal, but it would seem to the the ultimate tool for removing a stubborn cog.

If you are really bucks up, the $150 Makino Professional Super Tool (at top) would make you a man among men. Works with 1/8" cogs.

Christmas is coming, ask Santa?

21 Bikes

2009-11-25T07:52:00.003-05:00

21 Bikes is a place where you can submit a photo of you and your bicycle, share it with your friends, and vote on the best bicycle portraits from around the world. It's a website all about YOU and YOUR BIKE. I'm a little scared to send them a picture of any of my bikes, since I'm sensitive and people might make fun of me. But there is a recumbent and a tadpole trike on the landing page, so maybe not? In any case you should check it out.

Fixed, the book

2009-11-25T07:47:00.003-05:00

A review copy is on its way to me, by fixed gear messenger. I'll tell you all about it soon.

Philadelphia Marathon

2009-11-23T11:41:00.004-05:00

Overall general impression favorable, overall grade is B- The race was pretty well done, but the city needs a professional race management company if the goal is to compete with races like New York, Los Angeles or Chicago. One interesting note was the crowd control fencing came from a Canadian company. I plan to write to the city about this. This offends me greatly as a taxpayer, as there are firms in the region that can and do provide similar services. The city talks about regionalism; they should put their money where their mouth is. There also was no TV coverage, and Universal Sports shows races like New York, LA and Chicago, which serve to showcase their cities. A big miss there, folks.

My jobs to drive a SAG wagon. This requires a little explanation and digression. There is no clear consensus on the term SAG. It’s not a portmanteau, and I need to research what the term is for word that starts out as an acronym and then becomes a word, if such a thing exists. Sort of reverse of the usual acronym process.

Some insist that it is an acronym and stands for Support And Gear. Some think it means what it sounds like, as in a chair with sagging springs. Tired, worn out. In any case it’s a term borrowed from the bicycle world. If you are on a century ride it’s possible that you can end up 50 miles from home with a broken bike. You’d need a way to get back.

When I ran marathons in the early nineties, uphill both ways, barefoot, in the snow, there was no such thing as a SAG wagon. It was expected that you had trained enough to successfully complete the distance. If you could not, there was no provision to get you back to the starting line. Since I ran in Atlantic City, I guess I could have hopped a Jitney, taken a cab, bus or rolling chair, but since I had no money on me I’m not sure how that would have worked out. If you weren’t an ambulance case you were on your own.

Fast forward fifteen years, and another couple of digressions. I wish I could have had half the technology available now way back then when I was a runner. I ran with a cassette Walkman. You can see one in the Museum of Technology. Later I used a Discman, which was actually much worse. For a while I had an FM radio headset, which was a totally goofy looking thing with an antenna sticking up. My watch was a Timex Ironman that pretty much told time, and had a stopwatch function. No MP3 player, no Garmin GPS wristwatch, no heart rate monitor, no Nike + iTunes, no waist belt with tiny bottles of GU.

Four hours was then widely considered the cut-off between real runners and plodders, and for some it still is. The idea of a six or seven hour marathon still seems very strange to me. The New York Times has an interesting article on this very subject that says it much better than I could.

In the interest of being all-inclusive, many marathons now invite walkers. Lots of folks like the idea of ‘running’ a marathon, and so they sign up. There may be a line of thinking that goes something like ‘take care of me, I paid big bucks to enter and race here.’ I think the AC Marathon in 1991 cost me $25, I got a long sleeved T-shirt. I’m guessing Philly costs $100 or so. There might be some sense of entitlement.

Back to SAG. I got recruited by a friend who I work bike events with. It’s a diplomatic job, since no one wants to abandon. I put aside my usual crankiness and put on my cheerful hat. We met up at the Wal-Mart on Delaware Ave (err, Columbus Blvd) at six a.m. to get our vans. A couple cases of bottled water, one case of Gatorade, two cases of GU, a box of Mylar space blankets, a radio, and a Cambro container full of hot vegetable broth. No cups, though, I had to score them later from a water stop. No sweatshirt, same deal.

I’m given a map and some confusing instructions. “You basically make it up as you go along” is what my friend tells me. No problem, that’s usually the way it is at bike rides and races, too. Once things start happening the plan goes out the window anyway. Judging from the semi-frantic radio traffic from six o’clock on it’s a little hectic at the start line. Some magnetic signs adorn the minivan, lending me official status, though a cop later gave me a raft of shit despite the signs.

I drive to 34^th and Chestnut and get staged at the mile 7 water stop. I get some cups and a couple of sweatshirts from the volunteers at the water stop. Shirts are like currency, and I later gifted a cop who seemed really pleased to get it. My shirt is a yellow hoodie that says ‘volunteer’ and I never let on that I’m a paid staffer. Why would I? Gumby is among the volunteers handing out water and Gatorade at the rest stop. Me, I’m a pro. A hired gun.

I get a radio call. My first customer was James, the wheelchair athlete. The only wheelchair athlete in the race, and I’m not sure how that is even possible. He’s a mile 8, on the side of the road at 34^th and Lancaster. I pull out of a driveway into a steady stream of runners, and creep along at like six mph in the left lane, flashers on. I see James, but he’s on the right side of the road and I’m on the left. I recruit a couple of cops and a volunteer, and we safely get James across the street. It’s the like parting of the Red Sea. One cop says ‘can we wait for a break in traffic?’ Seriously? I can’t stay all day, so no, we can’t wait. There is no break.

We get him in the van along with his chair, and I start to head back to 22^nd and The Parkway. South St. bridge? Doesn’t exist. Walnut St.? Wrong way. Market St? It’s not possible to get there. Same with Spring Garden St. I make my way to University Ave and get on the Schuylkill Expressway. Go up a few exits, get off, and get him pretty close. A friendly cop parts the pedestrian spectator traffic and helps me get to him to his support vehicle, but driver and friend Gene is nowhere to be found.

I find a soundboard and ask the guy working where the PA announcer is. He points me to Mike Nutter and a PA guy standing in the street. I ignore the feeble protests of the security guard, open the fence and let myself in. I tell my story to another sound guy who says ‘we can’t really interrupt them for every lost dog’ or something equally stupid.

I see Melanie Johnson (race director?? Sp??) and plead my case to her. She sees reason, they make the announcement and we find Gene. We gather James’ stuff, and I take off.

I head back to my post, and I see that I’m pretty much at the back of the race. My friend calls me and says he’s on the way to my location, he’s sort of sweeping the course. When he gets to the water stop he tells me to start driving the course. I go out, and see cars heading towards me since I’m going the wrong way on a one-way street and now the roads are open.

I head over a block to a northbound street and all is well. When I get to the Zoo, I’m back on the course going the right way. A cheerful cop asks me for a shirt and I hook him up. The Streets Department crew asks me where the rest stop at mile 9 is, as we’re looking at the sign but the tables, volunteers and trash have all disappeared. I go uphill and around the corner when I hear people frantically calling me. There is no safe way to turn around where I am, so I find a spot, flip around and go back. I pick up 76 year old Edith from Connecticut, who is walking the half marathon. She’s dismayed at having to stop but says the hills are killing her. A friendly cop helps me to get her in the van. I get on to MLK drive, and we pick up a volunteer who flags us down. She needs a lift back to the start/finish line. I get Edith to the Prevention Magazine tent and bid farewell.

I get my friend on the radio. He says ‘drive up and down Kelly drive, most folks are there by now.’ Every cop stops me, despite the signs on the van. Once I’m on the drive it’s no problem, just a nice sunny day. I spy some of the other SAG vans who are kind of laying low. A woman flags me down. I forgot her name, she was from Raleigh, NC. I usually interview everyone who gets in the van. She tells me she’s an experienced runner, and I can see that from the enormous Garmin thing on her wrist, her iPod, and waist belt of tiny GU bottles. Her feet are sort of like claws, painful cramps pulling her toes in. I offer to rub her feet but she declines. My instructions were to take people to the Medical Tent, but she’s a wreck so I drive her to the Crown Plaza at 18^th and Market. Good karma for me.

Back to Kelly Drive. I get a radio call, can I pick up three people at St. Joe’s Boathouse and transport one to a waiting ambulance at Kelly Drive and Girard Ave? They have apparently been waiting for an hour. The paramedics sort of think this young Asian-American woman is malingering and are pretty much refusing to leave their post and take her to the hospital. She’s insisting she has a fractured foot and wants to go to the ER. So they worked out a plan. When I get to Kelly and Girard I’ll drop this woman off and pick up a young lady named Melissa who has been waiting in the back of the ambulance and take her to the medical tent. Melissa has also been waiting for a ride and the ambulance won’t take her as she’s apparently not ill enough, just bonked.

I drive the young Asian-American woman and her two friends to the waiting ambulance. One friend is another woman who was pacing her, and the other friend is a guy in street clothes. The two of them are asking me if they can ride in the ambulance with her which I kind of doubt but I don’t say too much, as she seems pretty distraught. She gets on a stretcher, and the friends are refused a ride, naturally.

Tearful Melissa gets in the van with me, along with the two friends of the hospital bound Asian-American woman. We head off towards the medical tent. Along the way two young guys flag us down and ask for a ride. One guy looks like he could keep running all day His buddy, however, is wrecked. Full house. We all squeeze in, and ride the two miles or so to 22^nd and Pennsylvania.

I attempt to go precisely one block in the wrong direction on a closed 22^nd Street. An irate schmuck cop starts giving me hell, “Did you think you were just gonna drive around me?” “No officer, I am a SAG driver as you can see by my vehicle and I have two people who can’t walk and who need to go to the medical tent right there! I was stopping to tell you what I planned to do” “Drive down the sidewalk!” Seriously? That is a total law enforcement fail right there. He would prefer that I drive down the sidewalk and incur the wrath of dozens of pedestrians rather than go one hundred yards down a closed street. It’s insane. I called him an asshole under my breath and drove down the sidewalk. He yelled after me to turn my four-way flashers on, as if that would make all of the difference. Thanks, asshole.

Everyone piles out. A semi-frantic woman buttonholes me and tells me her daughter is missing. Que? The paramedics say she hasn’t been transported to the hospital, which turns out to be wrong. They mean that they, the Philadelphia FD, didn’t take her. They’ve been tracking people by bib number. She must have gone by private ambulance and that is where the system broke down.

Shortly after a few phone calls and radio transmissions two nurses come out of the medical tent. “Are you looking for Rowena? She’s been taken to Jefferson ER.” The mother is simultaneously relieved and terrified. They explain that she was disoriented and dizzy, and was given a saline IV and taken there as a precaution. The husband shows up. They ask if I can take them back to the Zoo, where their car is parked. I tell them I’d rather take them to the ER. I make the second exception of the day and take them to 10^th and Sansom. They are deeply religious farmers from Lancaster County – not Amish, not Mennonite – but really devout just the same. I manage to keep my Tourette’s-like swearing and blaspheming under control during the traffic choked ride to the hospital. They are God-Blessing me up and down and thanking me like it’s going out of style.

Back to Kelly Drive. Now it’s one o’clock or so, I’m starving, haven’t eaten. Up and down Kelly Drive, looking for stragglers. No one wants to get in the van. One says something like ‘I wouldn’t get in there for a million dollars.’ One woman gives me some shit as I explain that services are ending at 2. “They told me 7 hours, I didn’t start until 7:30, I’m here until 2:30.” Fine, but I’m going home. I just drove away. A couple of people take some water or Gatorade. Another SAG driver picks up a guy who looks about 70. I tell a few people who are approaching Boathouse Row that the streets are about to open up and they might want to use the sidewalk.

We take the vans back to Wal-Mart in a loose caravan and the day is over. Many karma points for me, but when I’m a race consultant things will be a little different.

Green Guru Gear Contest

2009-11-21T10:38:00.002-05:00

Send a picture of your nasty, smelly, worn-out messenger bag to Green Guru Gear and maybe win a new one? Mine is in pretty good shape so I don't think I qualify.

Some big Giro in DC News

2009-11-17T14:17:00.002-05:00

November 17, 2009 For Immediate Release (Washington, DC)

The working group exploring a possible US start to the 2012 Giro d’Italia released some intriguing details today.

There are two US stages being considered. The prologue will be set in tourist-centric Washington. Among other internationally familiar landmarks, the proposed course will feature the Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington monuments, the picturesque tidal basin of cherry blossom fame, the National Mall bordered by the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, Hirshhorn, National Gallery, the National Archives, the US Capitol, the Presidential Inauguration route (Pennsylvania Avenue), Freedom Plaza, the White House Ellipse, the WWII memorial, and the Reflecting Pool.

Two of the key players in the US Stage working group—Mark Sommers, the Race Director of DC’s Capital Criterium, and g4 Productions, an events promotion company—disclosed that the prologue was designed so that every moment a rider is on the course, at least one of Washington's many iconic landmarks appears in the background.

"The course promises to be one of the most spectacular prologues ever used in a grand tour," said Sommers. "It seems very appropriate that the prologue for the first US start of a European grand tour be held in the heart of the Nation's Capital."

Stage one will stay in Washington DC for a circuit race. That stage will likely see a long, wide-open sprint finish down Pennsylvania Avenue (America's Main Street) and offer spectacular views of the US Capitol in the background.

The circuit race will expand the prologue’s footprint and feature many additional familiar Washington landmarks and places. As part of the circuit, a climb might be included through certain renown Washington neighborhoods, where spectators would be able to watch the race and visit the many restaurants, stores, and places of interest, and possibly top out near the National Cathedral. The circuit route would likely include Luigi Moretti’s Watergate Complex, Congress and the National Library (which feature Constantino Brumidi’s frescoes), and the Italian Embassy in a fitting tribute to the event’s Italian heritage and Italy’s influence on DC.

“It would be an honor to have a such a prestigious US city selected as the first non-European host of a Grand Tour stage,” said USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson. “The consideration is a testament to the growth of American cycling and the progress of the U.S. in becoming a true destination for the top level of cycling.”

Added American professional cyclist Christian Vande Velde, winner of the 2008 Giro team prologue stage, “that’s just plain cool. Opening a European grand tour in the Nation’s Capital and racing past all the monuments, memorials, and buildings that you see on television every day would be something of Olympic proportions.”

"We are excited about the opportunity to help bring the first stages of the 2012 Giro d'Italia to our nation's capital. In reviewing other major international cycling events, we recognize that the potential economic impact of bringing the Giro d'Italia to Washington, D.C. is tremendous," commented Gregory A. O'Dell, president and chief executive officer of the Washington Convention and Sports Authority. "Hosting this race would not only provide the District with a tremendous economic boost, but further legitimize its status as an international destination for world-class sporting events, conventions, and tourism."

Unlike some other major international sports events that require host cities to dedicate considerable financial resources to build new or modify existing venues, sport complexes, or other major infrastructure such as the Olympics, the proposed prologue and circuit race courses to be used by the Giro would run on the District's existing roads and streets, avoiding the need to create a specific venue.

If you would like more information please contact:
Robin Morton, g4 Productions rmorton@g4events.com or 908 832 6909

________________________________________________________________________________________________

This is huge. Not just for Robin, Alice and Kristen, who are talented and hard working and deserve an opportunity to bring the start of a grand tour to the US, but for cycling and Washington, DC. Not to mention that when it happens I'll be there working away and reporting here.

London Cyclist Blog

2009-11-12T15:54:00.002-05:00

If you find yourself on the other side of the pond, or not, you might want to check out the London Cyclist Blog. London has a congestion tax that has discouraged single occupant driving into the city center. I think Philadelphia needs a congestion tax, that might help.

Bike Hearse

2009-11-10T12:07:00.001-05:00

Bike Hearse
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

When I die
Won't you bury me
In the parking lot
Of the A&P...

Port High Tide Fresh Hop

2009-11-06T16:11:00.002-05:00

Port High Tide Fresh Hop
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

I am an unsophisticated hop head. The rap against us is that we can't appreciate those subtle beers where the coriander seeds tiptoe through the brew kettle on stilts. No, we like our beer to be made with freshly picked unbelievably perishable hops trucked from grower to brewer. This trucking takes place in the blue bruise dawn, accompanied by big steaming china cups of diner coffee. Unless you are Sierra Nevada and grow hops on your 'estate.' Then you can use a Bobcat or something.

I've always talked about homebrewing. Maybe I'll do it. And grow hops, too. That looks pretty easy and trellis-y. I can sit out under the hops vines and smoke a cigar.

Port Brewing makes some fine beer. I hear San Diego even has a beer week, though I'm sure it can't hold a candle to Philly Beer Week.

Next up is that Sierra Nevada.

Me on the Beer Runner

2009-11-06T07:47:00.002-05:00

I was featured in Draft Magazine's Beer Runner. Thanks to Tim Cigelske for the interview! Check out Tim's other project, Teecycle.org for vintage pre-loved T-shirts.

Bikejuju.com Photo Contest

2009-11-06T07:38:00.004-05:00

Bikejuju is running a photo contest that will "lift your spirits and spark your creativity as you pedal through the damp and dark."

iPhone

2009-11-03T18:57:00.001-05:00

iPhone
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

It's funny 'cause it's true.

The Contest

2009-11-03T15:59:00.001-05:00

I like Twitter. Some folks don’t get it. Some hate it despite never having used it, y’know, the usual range of reactions. I read about things I’m interested in. Bikes, beer, local and national news, etc.

Many businesses are using it for marketing, and to search and follow what people are saying about them. Adam Savage, of Mythbusters, has a lot of Twitter followers. When he had a problem with his iPhone and AT&T – two popular Twitter topics – he tweeted about it and got plenty of attention from AT&T.

I just had a strange experience. I entered and won a contest from a large retailer in NYC. Let me back up a step. Twitter users can ‘follow” someone. I can ‘follow’ Lance Armstrong and read his tweets. He doesn’t have to ‘follow’ me back. If he does ‘follow’ me back I can send him what is called a ‘direct message’ which is essentially a 140 character email message.

Contests are big. My favorite local concert venue ran a contest and I won two tickets to a show. But contests can get weird. When I won the concert tickets, they wanted a ‘direct message’ which wasn’t possible, since they didn’t follow me back. I didn’t expect them to follow me back, since they are tweeting about new shows, etc., and I’m tweeting what I had for lunch.

In the case of the concert venue, they agreed to accept an email entry. I pointed this out to the large retailer, and they agreed to accept an email. So far, so good. The person running the contest has a Twitter handle like ‘productexpert.’ When my prizes arrived, I tweeted ‘thanks @productexpert and thanks to @NYCretailer’ with those @ replies being a way to highlight those twitter users. I got a semi-frantic DM (private message) from @productexpert saying ‘glad you got the swag but please don’t mention my employer!’

Then a few minutes later I see @productexpert tweet “have to go for a walk, crisis averted, men are so stupid.’

Me. I’m the stupid man. Let’s review: You ran a contest giving away your employer’s merchandise without their knowledge. Yeah, I assumed, and I do know what happens when I assume. But that doesn’t make me stupid. It makes you stupid. Don’t give away your employer’s merchandise without their knowledge. That would be stupid.

Project le Tour

2009-11-02T09:01:00.002-05:00

Project le Tour is Brent Humphrey's amazing photographs from the Tour de France. Great pictures, annoying Flash interface. Why do so many photography sites have clunky interfaces? That's weird.

Link love

2009-10-30T08:39:00.002-04:00

fixedgearness.com is helping you find your “Ness” in the fixed gear world! FixedGearness.com features daily news and info on everything fixed gear and track bike related, like complete bikes, events, components, and much more.

lockedcog.com is dedicated to fixed gear bikes and the fixed gear community around the world, and provide some cool products why we are at it.

Check them out.

Quick review

2009-10-28T20:22:00.002-04:00

Big thumbs up to Scoats and Patrick who are investing in their physical plant. It looks great. The sign is amazing, and the facade is awesome. Big windows, lots of light, really nice. I stopped in for a few beers today.

Bear Republic Racer 5 IPA on cask: Tiny bubbles, in the beer. Hops, grapefruit, citrus, pine, soft carbonation, and a head that does not quit. A+
Rogue Double Dead Guy: I liked this better in a bottle. Good, but head disappeared right away leaving a sort of syrupy hoppy ale behind. B
Victory Fresh Hop Ale: Wow, grassy, green-y, bitter, really great hop flavor but also no head and thin-ish. B

Great service as usual, we'll be back!

Why I’m taking my dental business elsewhere

2009-10-27T16:07:00.002-04:00

Another rant. Bike content: My two front teeth are caps, the result of a bike accident when I was 12. Over the bars of my yellow Sting-Ray.

Let’s start off by acknowledging that no one likes the dentist. All we can hope for is to try to keep our teeth healthy, and get there once or twice per year for a checkup. Several years of neglect left me with a broken tooth, which was painful. I went out of necessity and if you will pardon the pun, I bit the bullet and got all of my problems corrected. It was expensive, but I thought it was worth it.

I’m pretty happy with the dentist, though I have a few problems that I’ll explain. Some are related to her, and some are related to the state of our health care system.

Dental work is not like getting new gutters for your house. You can’t really get more than one estimate. Second opinion? Am I really able to go across the street and tell dentist B that dentist A is recommending a certain procedure, and see if they agree? No. I can’t really shop your price, either.

I offended a dentist by comparing him to a car mechanic, when he insisted on being paid in advance. I asked him if the BMW mechanic told him ‘that’ll be $575’ and held out his hand before he started turning wrenches. He got huffy, but noted on my chart ‘this patient may pay after services are rendered.’ It’s a bad way to start. Right off the bat I’m a deadbeat? “But I’m a health care provider!” It doesn’t matter. You are a service provider, it’s a business.

I relied on the advice of my current dentist, to my financial detriment. She said ‘this is kind of a deep filling, but we’ll try.’ She drilled; she filled, two weeks later the tooth broke. Now it needed a root canal and crown. The insurance company balked at paying. They made a reasonable assumption that they might be being scammed or possible being billed in error, since this tooth was worked on just two weeks earlier. A more conservative dentist might have gone right to the root canal, eliminating a step. Eventually, we worked it out, with much gnashing of teeth. Pardon the pun.

The hygienist is fine, pretty thorough. Again, though, often I feel like I’m being pressured or oversold. Hand scaling and root planning, $275 per quadrant, not covered by insurance. What can I do? Bye-bye $1,100.

The front desk appointment making and billing staff have turned over about five times in the three years I’ve been going there. That is the biggest problem, and a red flag that I should have paid attention to. I’ve been told that my employer provided PPO insurance and supplemental insurance ‘stink’ or ‘are not very good.’ Today while discussing a possible crown, I was informed that I had no insurance for that procedure.

Wrong. The office manager was holding a piece of paper in her hand with a giant AETNA logo, my name and a policy number on it. She said ‘it’s not in the system.’ This makes me nervous, maybe I’ve been mischarged all along.

I’m not really sure what to do. Find a dentist? Ask what supplemental insurance they accept? Then switch to that plan? I’m not married to Aetna, Met Life or Delta would be fine. Do dentist have published price plans? Web sites?

So I’m out. These are my records, my expensive X-rays. I’m going to find another dentist. I’ll get a recommendation from a friend, a co-worker or a relative. Then I’ll address the insurance issue. I think I may have been going about it backwards.

Pete's Proofreading Services

2009-10-23T13:02:00.002-04:00

I've been reading cigar blogs and cigar reviews lately. These are not written by professional authors, journalists or English majors. This makes me want to give them some leeway, but not a complete free pass. This is still important, particularly if you own a store, since this reflects on your business.

All of the reviews have a Mad-Libs (if you are not familiar, use a large search engine) character. Insert the words chocolate, espresso, spice, cinnamon, leather, repeat as necessary. But that is minor compared to the consistent and infuriating misspelling of the simple word 'palate.' If you can't remember, write it on a Post-It note and stick it to your monitor.

Quick review:

Pallet: 48" x 48", made of wood, useful for shipping.

Palette: Cardboard or Masonite, useful for oil painting.

Palate: This is the one you want folks, describes the parts of the mouth that are useful in tasting cigars.

This has been a public service announcement.

Octobrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

2009-10-15T13:32:00.003-04:00

Yes, this weekend looks pretty grim. Maybe I'll hit the trainer in the ol' basement. I need some beer for tonight's Phillies game, but I'm too wimpy to go out in 40 degree rain.

Here are a few links that were sent to me by readers:

Green Guru Gear has some great looking products made from recycled inner tubes. I have many.

The wallet looks very cool, I'd love to have one.

Jazz vocalist Alexis Cole is donating the proceeds from her Christmas album The Greatest Gift to World Bicycle Relief. WBR is a great organization that helps to provide bikes to underdeveloped countries. An old 3 speed might not mean much to a rich guy like me, but it could be a life-changing tool for someone.

More on that Bianchi

2009-09-26T15:32:00.002-04:00

Bikereviews.com has more about the bike, including a closeup picture of the fork crown. Looks nice.

2010 Bianchi Pista Classica

2009-09-18T20:09:00.001-04:00

2010 Bianchi Pista Classica
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

It's lovely.

First post for September

2009-09-02T08:48:00.002-04:00

Telework today. I think I'll drop my car off for state inspection and oil change. Cars are expensive. Registration was $36. Inspection and oil change will be over a hundred. Wiper blades were $50 - my car takes three. Bikes are much, much cheaper. Weather is spectacular in the Mid-Atlantic states, that is for sure.

Blank of the day

2009-08-28T16:40:00.003-04:00

Cigar of the day was Rocky Patel Vintage 1992 Perfecto. This small - four inch!- beauty is rolled perfectly, with a flawless wrapper and delicious filler. Light the little nipple end, wait a few minutes and you are rewarded with a rich, full-bodied smoke. This is a perfect lunch-time smoke, lasting a half-hour or less.

Appearance: Great vein-free wrapper. Construction: Solidly filled, no soft spots. Draw: Excellent, despite the firm consistency. Burn: No touch-ups required, ashed twice, nice mascara, white-ish ash. Taste: Lovely, mouth filling smoke, creamy, not over-powering, consistent through length.

Beer of the day was Victory Hop Wallop which is great. I guess it would be a DIPA if it were anything. It has successfully made the transition from seasonal to year-round. It's 8.5% alcohol, probably 250 calories, loaded with hoppy goodness and highly recommended.

Comments

2009-08-13T14:54:00.002-04:00

Leave me some comments. I'm still thinking about posting, just having trouble with motivation. I see about a hundred folks per day visit here, click links, and maybe enjoy it? Let me know.

Enjoying le Tour

2009-07-17T13:34:00.002-04:00

Nothing earth-shattering, just enjoying a great tour. I can wait until the Alps. It still has been exciting, and anything can still happen. I'm sure Leipheimer thought 'ho-hum, crash in last 3K, sucks but I'm all good' until he could not sleep because of the pain. It's great to see breakaways survive, great to see Frenchies win stages in their own tour, great to see talented young guys lighting it up.

We have nothing to compare here in the states. Sure, the World Series is pretty old, but it doesn't move around. The Tour ties France together. City, suburb and rural. Bourgeoisie and working class. It goes back to simpler village life and agrarian roots. In a way it's like the Philly race passing through Manayunk - they don't care so much about the race per se but love and appreciate the spectacle. There still is nothing to compare with seeing families in campers at the the top of cols where they've been parked for many hours waiting for the riders to come by. They say that the Giro is like opera. It has heroes and villains, comedy and tragedy, fall and redemption. The Tour has that and more. It's business, art, commerce, sport, national pride, showmanship, PT Barnum and a Grateful Dead tour all rolled into one.

4th of July Dogfish Head tasting

2009-07-09T15:59:00.002-04:00

I just want to record this for posterity, so I don't forget.

60 Minute IPA
90 Minute IPA
120 Minute IPA
Immort Ale
Palo Santo
World Wide Stout
Zwaandale
Chateau Jihau
Black and Blue

Plus others, like 3 Philosophers, Hopslam, etc.

Yet another fuckup

2009-06-03T20:28:00.003-04:00

Proof that things are not going so swell for me is this. Seems like very few people can get things right. I had glasses made. I am positive I picked out black frames. Ceil remembers me saying, when offered a pair of brown frames, "I had tortoise shell frames, so thanks but I'll pass." These apparently come in both brown and black, because despite what I ordered I got brown.

Let's refer to the receipt. Oh, no model number or color noted, merely 'frame.' Fuck me. In addition to the wrong fucking frame color, here are two tiny Sharpie dots left on the motherfucking lenses from where they were ground, a center line or something. Fuck, another fucking hassle. Fucking bullshit.

Update on expensive beer

2009-05-14T09:21:00.003-04:00

It was pretty hectic while I was at Stoudt's. The tour was getting ready to start, and the bartender was busier than a one-armed paperhanger. It turns out that he applied my stuff to an open tab. When he realized what had happened, he voided the sale. That explains why it never hit my credit card statement. The real number was $30.50. Two sixes at $12 each and two drafts. The woman who helped me was very nice and told me they would process a charge for the correct amount. I guess if I had not called they wouldn't have charged me at all and just chalked it up to experience? I'm a little baffled. 20-20 hindsight says next time I will say 'what the fuck?' instead of waiting. All's well that ends well.

Mini beer review: The Smooth Hoperator is great, the DIPA not so much so. It's OK, but I prefer DFH 90 minute IPA or Weyerbacher Double Simcoe.

Gran Fondo Colnago Philadelphia?

2009-05-13T05:30:00.003-04:00

“Gran fondo means ‘big ride’ in Italian”, said company co-founder Matteo Gerevini. These rides are popular in Europe, often taking place on the same route used in a stage race like the Giro. According to BRIN, one is coming to Philly.

Expensive Beer?

2009-05-11T19:58:00.003-04:00

Stopped at Stoudt's Brewery on my way home from Penn State on Saturday. I had a Double IPA and a Scrawny Dog Stout on cask. I bought two six packs to go, one DIPA and one Smooth Hoperator. Total bill? $56. I did not get an itemized bill. Does that seem high to you? Yes, it seems high to me. I wrote to ask them what is up, hope to hear back soon.

Bike to Work Week

2009-05-11T19:57:00.002-04:00

Rode the Quickbeam to work today. Riding back and forth to work was the highlight of my day.

Red vs Green

2009-05-04T18:55:00.001-04:00

Red vs Green
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

Oh yes.

This is cool!

2009-05-01T08:29:00.001-04:00

East End Brewing Company in PGH has am event that looks like fun. On May 15th they will deliver a keg by bike, something they have been doing for a few years. Check out the PEDAL PALE ALE : KEG RIDE 2009! Look like a good time.

Big post

2009-04-30T18:37:00.003-04:00

Me so lazy!

We left for Avalon on Sunday, 4/26. Jerry Jerrymander rode his Fuji track over and we loaded the car and took off around 11am. We went the auld skul way, over the Tac-Pal and then Rt 73 to the AC Expressway. Jerry said 'we used to go this way to Black Horse Pike or White Horse Pike in like 1961.' Heh. My Uncle Bill had the 1963-ish Pontiac Catalina and we used to cruise the same way but maybe in 1967 or 1968 or so. All systems were go.

A young Asian guy in a silver Toyota Prius got behind us at the light for Marlton Parkway, right around the corner from Max and Joanne's house. He followed down down Rt 73 (the dumb way) to the AC Expressway. Every move I made he made. If I passed a car and got back in the right lane, so did he. If I went 92 mph on the ACXPWY so did he. If I went left lane center lane right lane center lane left lane so did he. So I told Ceil and Jerry and they said "Hunh?" So I pulled onto the shoulder, and so did he. He slowed down so much, braking so hard, that the guy behind him almost smashed into him. He stopped 150 yards down the highway, on the shoulder. Ceil called the police. They were like "?" The guy sat there for about ten minutes and then drove off. We proceeded down to the GSP and on to Avalon. Not cooler by a mile, hot as in 85 degrees.

We drank a quick Hoeegarden and then rode a huge 15 miles. Me, Max and Jerry down to Townsend's Inlet and back. I was on Joanne's old bike. We got back to the house and drank Local 1, Local 2, and four other 750ml bottles. Lovely. Ceil made an awesome pot luck dinner.

Monday was me and Ceil on the tandem, Joanne, and Jerry. The best day ever, hot, but not crazy, no bugs. We went through Stone Harbor, over causeway, through Anglesea, North Wildwood, and Wildwood before turning around and heading back. Twenty huge miles! We ate lunch at WaWa. Dinner was Ceil's b-day, down to Mad batter in Cape May. Decent beers, crappy server. Max: "Which Flying Fish seasonal is that? I know it says seasonal, ask your server, but I'm just wondering which Flying Fish it is?" Server: "Yeah, there are so many. Did you want it?"

Suck. So instead of stick around for dessert we headed back to the crib for a nightcap.

Tuesday, big day. I'm the general, the Nazi this day. Hey, ho, let's go. We eat breakfast and drink 2 pots of coffee that I make. At 9:45 we go south on the GSP to the ferry. Jerry says "I had no idea this was this crazy huge ferry!" We sail at 11am, a beautiful day on the water. 80 minutes to Lewes, on the nicest day ever. We drove off, and headed to lunch.

We got to the DFH Brewpub at 1:00, and grabbed a table. Burgers for me, Max and Joanne, tuna sandwich for Jerry, crabcake sandwich for Ceil. Palo Santo for four, Midas for Ceil. Heaven.

Another round for all but Ceil, then off to Milton.

At 3:00 we toured the brewery. Huge.

Useless ride stats for 4/25

2009-04-25T13:19:00.002-04:00

Once around the NE Loop on my Litespeed. It went from 'can't wait for it to get warm enough to ride in short-sleeve jersey and shorts' to 'gotta get out early before it gets too hot' overnight. So I went out early. Beautiful day, a little hectic with yard sales and soccer games everywhere.

24.5 miles
14.44 mph avg speed
29 mph max speed
1:40 ride time

Now it's relaxing and getting ready for a little vacation.

Earth Bread and Brewery

2009-04-25T06:57:00.003-04:00

Friday night is pizza night by tradition. We didn't feel like making pizza, so we called up a friend who lives around the corner from EB&B. We're a little slow on checking out new places and we've been meaning to try it for a while. It was crowded, Friday night at seven o'clock, but we got a table upstairs right away. The place was full of families with kids, couples on dates, and oddball tables like ours.

Chef and I split a salad, field greens with craisins, candied walnuts and goat cheese. Laurence had tomato bisque, and we shared edamame. Laurence and I each had a Monkey Brain Tonic, a Belgian-style table beer which was delicious despite its insanely low 2.8% abv. Chef had a Philadelphia Brewing Company Fleur De Lehigh, a fantastic ginger spiced beer. This was terrific, and we both thought some mussels steamed in it with a glass on the side would be perfect. It would also pair nicely with something spicy like shrimp curry, where the ginger would balance out the coconut milk fat and the bubbles would break up the oils from the hot peppers.

The flatbreads were great. We had a sausage and a sun-dried tomato pesto with artichoke, both perfect. I ordered a Barley Wine, which needed about a year of age for the hops to recede a little. It was pretty tasty, and went well with the seed flatbread. No dessert. Four bells.

Me and the GMAT

2009-04-24T15:43:00.002-04:00

Dear woman from Pearson Professional Center:

(They have no web site so I linked to the first Google result I got, which tells a little bit about their business).

Please go fuck yourself. I did not want to make chitchat with you. I paid $250 for the privilege of taking the GMAT. Perhaps I was a little nervous, since my getting accepted to grad school depends on the result of this test. I did not want to make small talk with you. I think I deserved your undivided attention. Your were busy dealing with the cable guy. I wasn't 'being short with' you. We're not buddies, I'm not really looking for new friends. A quick review: Me = customer, you = service provider. Shut the fuck up and provide service.

Maybe I'll call my Congressman, Arlen 'Magic Bullet' Spector and ask him about monopolies. There is no other test to get into any accredited grad school that I know of, so that leaves the GMAT. Pearson contracts with the company that owns GMAT to administer the test. So where does that leave you? You process my paperwork, and get me into the testing room. You are not the principal, and I am no longer in elementary school. If I enter your place of business and your policies preclude the wearing of hats, you say the following. "I'm sorry, sir, but we require you to remove your hat.' You do not say 'Take your hat off!' as if I am a recalcitrant child.

To recap: You suck.

Sincerely,

Pete

I'm starting a new meme

2009-04-22T17:51:00.002-04:00

It's hard work starting a meme. George Carlin on starting a path: "It's hard work, you have to hold the grass down by yourself."

Inspired by this list of 31 things every man should own I give you Pete's take on the 31.

Cast iron skillet: You must be joking. Ours has been brazed.
Passport? Of course.
Multipurpose tool? Sure, engraved gift from G4. Thanks, ladies.
Waiter's corkscrew? Used frequently. I should sharpen the knife.
Ax? Yes, it's small, but still...
WD-40? Not a lubricant, but yes.
Cordless drill? Indispensable. I also own a hammer drill.
Weekend shoulder bag? I'll pretend a Timbuk2 messenger bag is this.
Giant wool blanket in car trunk? My car doesn't have a trunk. On the 'must buy' list.
Chain saw? No, but my neighbor does and only I can fix the chain when it derails.
Work gloves. Seriously?
Carpenter's level. Hand me down from my dad, and yes, I miss him.
Boots for the shop. Yes.
Boots for everywhere else. No.
Jack. Yes.
Claw hammer. My dad's, again, much sentimental value and still pounds nails.
Lantern. No.
Chef's knife. Eight inch, seven inch, boning knife, paring knife, mandolin, slicer...
Flying disc. Yes.
Road Atlas. Trucker's version. Gazetteer for PA, NJ.
Air pump. Are you kidding? And a compressor.
Jumper cables. Yep.
Charcoal grill. And cowboy charcoal. And a chimney. C'mon, I bbq turkeys.
Card holder. I can't locate it right now, but maybe.
Pocket knife. I'm not Max, but yes.
Grease. Phil Wood grease, which sort of started this whole mess.
Lucky charm. Of course.
$1K in cash hidden in house. Perhaps.
LED flashlight. Custom.
Money clip. Not my style, so no. I can sign my name with dignity.
Joy of Cooking. Are you kidding me?

Getting psyched up

2009-04-22T11:32:00.001-04:00

We're getting psyched up for a great weekeknd. Next week I'm taking a little time off and we're headed to the shore to celebrate Chef's birthday. A trip to Dogfish Head brewery is planned. Should be great.

Useless ride stats for 4/18

2009-04-18T14:00:00.002-04:00

Once around the NE Loop on my Litespeed. Opening day for me - first ride in shorts and short sleeved jersey. Supremely nice weather.

24.5 miles
29 mph max speed
14.4 mph avg speed
1:42 ride time

Weight at around 171 lbs, so down about eight pounds.

The I rode another six and a half miles or so on my Quickbeam, to Cosi for lunch, drugstore for shaving cream, library for a CD. Now I'm gonna sit outside and read, drink a beer, and smoke a cigar.

Useless ride stats for 4/16

2009-04-16T13:57:00.000-04:00

Once around the NE Loop on my Litespeed. Nothing too unusual to report, weather warming up nicely. Felt pretty good.

24.5 miles
29 mph max speed
14.4 mph avg speed
1:42 ride time

Then off to a showing of Beer Wars. Nice.

Still procrastinating

2009-04-14T18:40:00.001-04:00

This time it's my eye exam, which is about six months overdue. Can't see, it does suck getting old. Need new prescription and new glasses ASAP.

To-Do List

2009-04-12T08:48:00.002-04:00

It's very satisfying crossing things off one's to-do list. I'm a bit of a procrastinator, so I waited until yesterday to do my mother-in-law's tax return. Success. Then chef and I went to Ikea to spend a gift certificate that we've had for a year or more. We finally got a new chair for our office, one that doesn't cause circulation problems and blood clots in the legs. Now we're getting ready for company.

Useless ride stats for 4/9

2009-04-09T16:06:00.004-04:00

Dropped the roller frames for project phillysprints off at the powder coater. Then I went for a nice 25 mile tour of NE Philly on m Litespeed. Beautiful day.

24.64 miles
29.5 mph max speed
14.4 mph avg speed
1:42 ride time

Now I need to run an errand in New Jersey. I'll pick up some delicious beer on my way back. Oh the joy!

Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan

2009-04-07T16:19:00.002-04:00

Download a .pdf of the plan here.

Atend a meeting.

South Philadelphia--Thursday, April 16th 6:30-8:30 PM--Fels Community Center Auditorium 2407 S. Broad St.
Center City--Tuesday, April 21st 6:30-8:30 PM--Municipal Services Building Rooms X, Y, and Z, 16th floor1401 JFK Boulevard
(North and Northwest meetings will be held in May)

Local 44

2009-04-05T21:31:00.003-04:00

May I just say wow, great bar. Local 44, that is. The beer was crazy good, the food was terrific. Cuban sandwich? Wowser. I've been a sous chef for 13+ years. I learned a lot from a talented person. She wasn't able to be there, but I know she would have been blown away. Attention to detail! Crunchy mustard, good roll, great ham and pork..what's not to like? If I could have a Partagas Series D and some rum I would have been in Cuban heaven. Two thumbs up, and they hosted Andy Dyson and NBW so it's all good.

Useless ride stats for Palm Sunday

2009-04-05T11:33:00.002-04:00

The Blue Ox Bistro is running a Palm Sunday special, Palm Belgian brew for $3.00. Clever. I got out on my Quickbeam, once around the NE Loop. Windy but really nice, bright blue skies and all the trees in bloom. Now I'm gonna relax a little, then head downtown later for the tour of Flanders viewing party.

24.89 miles
1:48 ride time
13.8 mph avg
26.7 mph max speed

I felt pretty good, weight hovering around 174.

Frames completed

2009-04-04T20:47:00.004-04:00

Ralph built two frames in less than half the time it took to build the first one, so lots of learning curve stuff there. Light, strong, rigid, nice.

I was a little skeptical about the peace sign bracing on the riser in the front. Dave was riding it without the braces installed and it was flexing a little, so that convinced me. It stiffened up the front quite a bit, at little cost or weight. Out of the saddle sprints are no problem.

Phillysprints

2009-04-04T07:58:00.003-04:00

Phillysprints.com is live and I'll use that for announcements. I'm thinking about different visual displays. The one shown below is the 'progress bar' like when you are loading software. There are a few others, like an oval track and a clock. The clock is an homage to the old mechanical systems.

That is a projector and screen. I just found out that there is a wireless bridge that will transmit from laptop to TV screen. It plugs into a USB port on computer and sends whatever is on the screen to a receiver that connects to a flat screen TV. Could be great for a bar.

One done!

2009-04-03T21:20:00.005-04:00

It came out great, much better than I imagined. Could not have done it without Ralph's help.

Low to the ground. It's easy to get on and off. We chose not to drill through the side rails. It makes installing the rollers a physical impossibility, since unlike the Kreitlers or Minouras, the side rails can't be completely removed. You could substitute threaded rod for the axle, but don't bother. Do what we did.

We didn't need to raise the frame above the ground. No levellers. We made mounting tabs and located the rollers, mounted the riser and mounting plate. A Profile fork mount bolts to threads cut into the plate. Two braces add much stability to the fork mount. Burly but light and compact. I have some rubber kitchen/workshop mats, 24" rubber squares, that might be great under the rollers. Powder coated green and red.

Opensprints

2009-04-02T22:03:00.024-04:00

Opensprints is a system of open source hardware, software and instructions for building and running GoldSprints, a style of racing stationary bikes. Oh yes. I had a blast doing it at The Insitute about a month ago. Thanks to Jorge for letting every one know about it. He sent me a link to the web site. Luke and Evan are great guys.

After I read all of the documentation I thought "I can do this." I had a set of Krietler rollers. For a two bike setup I'd need two fork stands and another set of rollers. The more I looked around the Wiki the less I liked the idea of hauling around two 4x8 sheets of plywood or the tops of two banquet tables like the guys who put on the Institute event had.

The system being used by the Calgary (Ontario, CA) Bicycle Messengers Association pictured above was the Cadillac system. Scroll down for some great pictures on this page. I have a friend who can weld, and he agreed to help me build something like this.

We went to the steel yard today for supplies. They cut it to length for us using a large saw. Tomorrow we'll weld it up and install the rollers, what we call the 'riser' and the flat plate that the fork mount will bolt to. We like the idea of having 'outriggers' so it's wider that it needs to be, lending stability. Fazzio's sells every conceivable kind of hardware, except for the levellers we were looking for.

Cognition Caps

2009-04-02T05:35:00.004-04:00

I've blogged about Walz Cycling Caps before, and I'm still pleased with their fit, fabric, construction and durability. Here is a two-person company from Madison, WI, called Cognition Caps.

My friend Jackie recommended Sheila Moon but it looks like their store might not be working. Check your LBS. Don't forget local Philly folks R.E.Load Baggage and their great looking designs.

Useless ride stats for 3/31

2009-03-31T17:50:00.003-04:00

Great day for a ride. After taking my mom to Nazareth Hospital for some tests - and a first hand view of our broken health care system - I got out for a quick ride. Five times around the Cheltenham Loop. Felt pretty good, and it was nice to be able to ride in shorts. Current weight about 172. Bike was my Litespeed.

15.28 miles
33.2 mph max speed
14.5 mph avg speed
1:03 ride time

Now will run a few errands and get psyched up for work tomorrow.

New web site in development

2009-03-31T13:22:00.001-04:00

I'm working on http://www.hogrelay.com/ for next year's Hammer of Glory relay. Stay tuned for updates, links to photos, etc. If you are a beer lover and pro bono web dude/dudette, email me!

Queen - Bicycle Race video - NSFW

2009-03-30T21:43:00.001-04:00

Bike events

2009-03-30T07:21:00.003-04:00

We had a great time at Red Bowl yesterday. My raffle ticket was a winner, I scored the Campy wheel bags. I think the wheels got lost, though. I was gifted two t-shirts, a basic black Specialized and a nice Cannondale commuter bike design. Saw lots of friends, Jill & Paul, Lew Meyer, Simon Firth, Ed Mc, Doug Grainge, Linda McGrane, Dave Finger, Jeff and friend Kim, Jamie, Jorge, Perry, and Jerry. Met some new folks, where we have connections on several levels, like bike, beer, bar.

We went to Standard Tap afterward, where we drank some cask ale for me and imperial stout for Jerry and waited out the hailstorm.

Don't forget the Tour of Flanders Viewing Party at Local 44 on Sunday, April 5th, 5 - 7 pm. It's a fund raiser for Neighborhood Bike Works where they do great stuff.

Tommy Emmanuel 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'

2009-03-28T16:42:00.001-04:00

I'm on a roll with the videos lately, the mark of a truly lazy blogger.

This is totally worth five minutes of your time

2009-03-28T08:32:00.002-04:00

I want to know about the tandem-towing-trailers race where the trailer riders hop off and pick something up at a table and then hop back on. This was inspired by me posting a picture of the sewing machine bike to Flickr. One of my Flickr contacts posted a link to the video. Look at around 4:30 for that. Enjoy.

The HOG part 3 - the first handoff

2009-03-27T18:17:00.000-04:00

The HOG part 2

2009-03-27T18:16:00.001-04:00

TheHOG part 1

2009-03-27T18:15:00.001-04:00

Useless ride stats for 3/27

2009-03-27T15:34:00.005-04:00

Once around the NE Loop on my Litespeed. Felt pretty good, nice to ride in warm weather. Only saw a handful of cyclists, but many, many motorcyclists. Don't know if that means that motorcycle riders will blow off work to ride, or maybe they are all part of Harley's increasingly graying demographic. Retired, in other words. Now I'm having a recovery drink, sitting outside and surfing the web a little. New router has great range and strong signal throughout the house and yard. I won tickets to a concert at the Keswick tonight. Tomorrow it's a whisk(e)y tasting at my friend's house, Sunday is Red Bowl. Busy, busy, busy. Current weight about 174, making some progress.

24.55 miles
1:42 ride time
29.5 mph max sped
14.3 mph avg speed - man, am I slow

My cube

2009-03-23T18:22:00.003-04:00

My cube
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

This is where I spend Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday is telework day and Friday I'm off. It's not the Grey Lodge, it's the grey box.

Back to work tommorow

2009-03-22T21:02:00.001-04:00

Oh yes.

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Another nice day for a ride, useless ride stats for 3/22

2009-03-22T17:50:00.002-04:00

Worked on project Goldrpints roller racing gear this morning. Once it warmed up, I went out for a ride on my Litespeed. Still fat and out of shape, spun along easily in the small chainring. Lots of folks were out on Tookany Creek Parkway, running, walking, riding bikes and enjoying the weather. Then I washed my car and did a little laundry. Now relaxing with a can of Guinness pub draft, that widget really works. Nice creamy head, poured a perfect pint. Tonight's dinner is a holdover from my St. Patty's Day birthday, corned beef and cabbage. Life is grand.

Nice day for a ride, or useless ride stats for 3/21

2009-03-21T16:53:00.004-04:00

Five times around the Cheltenham Loop on my Quickbeam, fifteen whole miles. New Phil Wood/Sun CR-18 wheel set was great, though I am fat and out of shape. I am using an Iphone app called 'Lose It' which tracks calories in and exercise out, and measures your progress. Current weight 174, goal 150. Project roller racing is underway. I built the first roller sensor board today. Soldering tiny parts to a tiny printed circuit board reminds me that I need an eye exam and new glasses ASAP. Tomorrow promises to be even nicer. I think I'll take my Litespeed out and go around the NE Loop. Right now I'm enjoying a Victory Hop Devil and making chicken tacos for dinner.

15 miles
Avg speed 14
Time 1:05
Max spped 30 mph

Friday!

2009-03-20T06:58:00.004-04:00

Shopping and errands today. I have to stop by Bilenky bikes to pick up a set of wheels they built for me. My Quickbeam has fenders and track dropouts. This makes changing a rear wheel flat a pain in the ass. I rigged it up with some wingnuts, so the strut could be easily removed. This helps some. Simon Firth noticed the problem when I rode over there to negotiate the loan of the cargo bike for the HOG rally. He said 'you need a set of Phil Wood hubs, they bolt on. Take the bolts out and the wheel will drop straight down.' Bingo. My set of 32 hole Phil hubs had been in my parts bin for a year or so, and this was the motivation I needed. I'll put the Phil wheel set on the Quickbeam, and the mis-matched Suntour front/Surly rear set can go on a new beater fixed gear bike.

Project rollers is almost ready to go. I have all the parts, tools and accessories. Ready to start soldering and testing.

I love this idea

2009-03-19T16:22:00.002-04:00

From Suzanne Woods' Beer Lass blog: Beer swapping at the Brewer's Outlet. Plus it's not that far from fixedgear central. Stop by Earth, Bread, Brewery, hit the Brewer's Outlet, it could be the Germantown Ave. stumble.

Test birthday post

2009-03-17T07:30:00.001-04:00

Is it on?

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Router died, off line

2009-03-14T12:24:00.004-04:00

Our four-year-old-ish Linksys wirless router died Thursday afternoon. We replaced it with a new Netgear router. I call it 'the monolith.' So far so good, we're back in buniness.

Friday the Firkinteenth at the Grey Lodge flat out rocked. We took some pictures with the HOG as soon as we walked in the door at nine. Lots of folks posed with it, looking delighted. Steve had a Yeti and I had a 471 IPA while we waited. Jerry, Jerrold and Matt showed up shortly after.

We sampled Dock Street Hop Garden, really nice. Next was Sierra Nevada Stout. I always drink IPAs on cask for some reason, but this stout was exceptional. Nice small bubbles, rich roasty toasty flavors. Voodoo Wynonas Big Brown ale was big and brown, we later met Matt the brewer briefly. Then Arcadia Sky High Rye, a nice rye IPA. Different, very drinkable. We relaxed out side after lunch with a pint of Nodding Head grog. Drak Horse Crooked Tree IPA was great, as was the Weyerbacher Echo.

We then took a nice cigar break, a Bolivar Robusto for me and a Partagas Series D for Steve. Chef joined us at the Blue Ox, where we had Wild Devil and Troegs Nugget Nectar. What a day!

Sam C From Dogfish Head on Fox29

2009-03-12T09:33:00.000-04:00

Philly Deer Week

2009-03-12T09:06:00.000-04:00

New Belgium Brewing Urban Assualt Ride

2009-03-11T12:09:00.000-04:00

Wild Devil

2009-03-11T11:18:00.002-04:00

wild devil
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

Looking forward to tasting this tonight at Fork. It's Hop Devil brewed with Brett, a 'wild' yeast strain that gives sour ales their tart flavor.

Scoats

2009-03-10T22:02:00.002-04:00

Scoats
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

Feel the spray. Enjoy rubbing elbows. Belly up to the bar. Good luck getting beer. Me = tip like rock star preceding two weeks = success!

Sly Fox Chase

2009-03-10T21:13:00.004-04:00

Sly Fox Chase
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

Suzanne Woods from Beer Lass should do a Sly Fox Chase promotion.

My lead-out man!

2009-03-10T20:43:00.002-04:00

My lead-out man!
Originally uploaded by fixedgear

Friday the frickin' Firkinteenth! Be there or be square. Don't get between me and my cask ale. Please come, I buy.

Back from Upstate PA Breweries

2009-03-08T20:24:00.004-04:00

Listening to Clash, Rudie Can't Fail.

Sing, ~~michael,~~ Lew, sing-

On the route of the 19 66 bus

Hear them sayin'

How you be so rude and a reckless?

Don' you be so crude and feckless

You been drinking brew for breakfast

Rudie can't fail

So yeah, another PBW event. Thanks to Scoats and Lew, the One Guy Atomic Punk IPA was off the chain, sorry if that makes me an unsophisticated hophead.

USA Today wites a paragraph on PBW

2009-03-08T16:35:00.000-04:00

USA Today likes it.

fixedgear

Bad solder joint on Bosch dishwasher brain board

Bosch Dishwasher Also Junk, Save Your Money

Update to Subaru story

Please don't give me a job - I'm the customer!

Audi A4 Woes, or avoid this company

Joby Gorillabike

Ode to a New Delhi median

Lower Merion School District spys on students with laptop webcams

Why we still use IE6 where I work, despite our constant talk about security

EDIT: Bosch Appliances suck - save your money

Share The Damn Road - Cycling Jerseys that Make a Statement

SURPLACE Fantastic Fixed Gear Calculator

Flyers fans working in tandem to reach Fenway

Athens, Ga. couple marks 70th anniversary

Christmas follies

Young Girl Donates 72 Bikes to Needy Children for Christmas

Do It Yourself: Building Your Own Bamboo Bike : NPR

Messenger Poet

Fixed: Global Fixed-Gear Bike Culture

Tall Bikes and iPhone apps?

Pedro's Vice Whip, Makino Professional Super Tool

21 Bikes

Fixed, the book

Philadelphia Marathon

Green Guru Gear Contest

Some big Giro in DC News

London Cyclist Blog

Bike Hearse

Port High Tide Fresh Hop

Me on the Beer Runner

Bikejuju.com Photo Contest

iPhone

The Contest

Project le Tour

More link love

Link love

Quick review

Why I’m taking my dental business elsewhere

Pete's Proofreading Services

Octobrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

More on that Bianchi

2010 Bianchi Pista Classica

First post for September

Blank of the day

Comments

Enjoying le Tour

4th of July Dogfish Head tasting

Yet another fuckup

Update on expensive beer

Gran Fondo Colnago Philadelphia?

Expensive Beer?

Bike to Work Week

Red vs Green

This is cool!

Big post

Useless ride stats for 4/25

Earth Bread and Brewery

Me and the GMAT

I'm starting a new meme

Getting psyched up

Useless ride stats for 4/18

Useless ride stats for 4/16

Still procrastinating

To-Do List

Useless ride stats for 4/9

Philadelphia Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan

Local 44

Useless ride stats for Palm Sunday

Frames completed

Phillysprints

One done!

Opensprints

Cognition Caps

Useless ride stats for 3/31

New web site in development

Queen - Bicycle Race video - NSFW

Bike events

Tommy Emmanuel 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow'

This is totally worth five minutes of your time