Props to the Cutters for another well-deserved victory. This one didn't come easy though as the odds were definitely stacked against them throughout the race. Despite two penalties (one of which was highly questionable) and a wreck, the guys still brought it home for the dubya. Everyone on the team put forth great efforts, but Clayton and Young, in particular, were on point. Both riders closed deficits throughout the race that at times were as much as half a lap. At no point, however, did anyone on the team appear to lose their cool...which is quite remarkable given the circumstances. As for the final "sprint", I'll let this video do the talking. Eric Young is something else...
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
The 'itis
After hearing about Brotha Knapp's health woes, complaining about a case of bronchitis hardly seems justifiable. Know what? I'm going to do it anyway.
Man, being sick sucks. During undergrad, I rarely got sick. When I did get sick, it would just be a mild cold that ran its course in a few days. Thinking back to the good ol' days, I can attribute my stellar immune system to the following: (1) healthy diet, (2) plenty of sleep, (3) regular exercise, and (4) zero stress. Now that I'm in grad school, I still maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise (albeit less volume and frequency), and in terms of sleep, I would say that I fall just shy of optimal levels. Thus, my powers of deduction tell me that stress must be the culprit. Before grad school, I experienced the occasional bout of anxiety before a race but nothing that I would consider stress, per se. Nowadays I'm confronted with real-world expenses such as bills, student loans, car payments, ...and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, actually having to study takes up a good chunk of time which means that I often have to worry whether or not I'll get a project or paper done in time. It's been a long time since cycling took a backseat to anything in my life, and this year it has fallen into the "if I have time to" category. Honestly, in comparison to people with families and a house, my worries and time constraints appear insignificant. But in comparison to what I had grown accustomed to, stress seems like an unwanted intruder. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's all relative. Basically, stress seems to be the force that pushes an otherwise healthy immune system over the edge.
With that said, I'm waiting anxiously for my semester to draw to a close. For the past few months, I've been chomping at the bit to jump full-swing into the racing season, but my classwork and thesis keeps taking priority. Just a few more weeks...
All things considered, my fitness isn't too bad right now. This case of the 'itis has definitely been a small roadblock, but the extra rest now will probably payoff big time when August rolls around. Plus, I seem to be developing a case of old-man-strength in which I achieve higher levels of fitness with less volume...I guess I'm beginning to feel the benefits of all those long college rides.
Man, being sick sucks. During undergrad, I rarely got sick. When I did get sick, it would just be a mild cold that ran its course in a few days. Thinking back to the good ol' days, I can attribute my stellar immune system to the following: (1) healthy diet, (2) plenty of sleep, (3) regular exercise, and (4) zero stress. Now that I'm in grad school, I still maintain a healthy diet and regular exercise (albeit less volume and frequency), and in terms of sleep, I would say that I fall just shy of optimal levels. Thus, my powers of deduction tell me that stress must be the culprit. Before grad school, I experienced the occasional bout of anxiety before a race but nothing that I would consider stress, per se. Nowadays I'm confronted with real-world expenses such as bills, student loans, car payments, ...and the list goes on and on. Furthermore, actually having to study takes up a good chunk of time which means that I often have to worry whether or not I'll get a project or paper done in time. It's been a long time since cycling took a backseat to anything in my life, and this year it has fallen into the "if I have time to" category. Honestly, in comparison to people with families and a house, my worries and time constraints appear insignificant. But in comparison to what I had grown accustomed to, stress seems like an unwanted intruder. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's all relative. Basically, stress seems to be the force that pushes an otherwise healthy immune system over the edge.
With that said, I'm waiting anxiously for my semester to draw to a close. For the past few months, I've been chomping at the bit to jump full-swing into the racing season, but my classwork and thesis keeps taking priority. Just a few more weeks...
All things considered, my fitness isn't too bad right now. This case of the 'itis has definitely been a small roadblock, but the extra rest now will probably payoff big time when August rolls around. Plus, I seem to be developing a case of old-man-strength in which I achieve higher levels of fitness with less volume...I guess I'm beginning to feel the benefits of all those long college rides.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
the future is now
A new partnership between GM and Segway just unveiled a two-wheel vehicle concept. As far as green technology goes, it's a step in the right direction. Plus, in a high-traffic urban setting, the compact size makes a ton of sense.
However, from a design perspective it looks like a rickshaw sans a a guy named Rick Wagoner (former CEO of GM) to pull it. Was this intentional on the part of the design team? Was it a way to pay tribute to their fallen leader? A Rick-less rickshaw? What a powerful metaphor...a horseless carriage.
Now, I know that some engineering team placed their faith in the laws of physics to keep this two-wheelin' car upright, but what happens in a collision with a full-sized SUV? What do you have to say about that, Physics? Can centripetal force stabilize the vehicle when two tons of steel strike at 30mph?!? Huh, what was that? I didn't think so...
However, from a design perspective it looks like a rickshaw sans a a guy named Rick Wagoner (former CEO of GM) to pull it. Was this intentional on the part of the design team? Was it a way to pay tribute to their fallen leader? A Rick-less rickshaw? What a powerful metaphor...a horseless carriage.
Now, I know that some engineering team placed their faith in the laws of physics to keep this two-wheelin' car upright, but what happens in a collision with a full-sized SUV? What do you have to say about that, Physics? Can centripetal force stabilize the vehicle when two tons of steel strike at 30mph?!? Huh, what was that? I didn't think so...
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
T-shirts with words on them...so hot right now
In recent years, I've noticed an increasing number of t-shirts with large words and phrases printed across the front. These "fashion" T's typically have a solid base color with contrasting words scrolled across the fabric. Sometimes the designer even throws in a symbol or two for good measure. Most of the phrases are relatively benign in nature, but every once in a while I see a shirt that makes me ask: "WTF, mate?" Now, I'm as guilty as anyone when it comes to this style of t-shirt...well, let me rephrase that---I have purchased one such t-shirt, so I am NOT as guilty as some people.
While studying in Spain a few years back, I walked into a shop called Pull and Bear and one garment, in particular, captured my attention. It made me chuckle because I could not derive meaning from the dyadic word combo. "GYM TONIC". Hmmmm, what could that possibly mean? Does it mean that if I were to wear that shirt I'll never have to workout again? Or does it mean that the t-shirt cures a disease known as GYM? Neither option seemed plausible or reasonable, so I knew it would be a welcome addition to my wardrobe. WTF.
After careful thought and consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the trend must have begun in non-English speaking countries. Back in 2006, not only did I see "GYM TONIC" but I also saw a wide array of English language T's smattered across the Iberian Peninsula. Given that I never saw such a fashion statement prior to heading overseas, I'm going to go out on a limb and make the assumption that the printed T's phenomenon originated somewhere in Europe during the mid-2000s. What's more, I'm pretty sure most Europeans were unable to translate the expressions appearing on their own clothing (see #2 on my list). In fact, the grammar, syntax, and word choice seem to imply that the original designers themselves did not have a firm grasp on the English language either. Or maybe designers just wanted to play a trick on consumers. Either way, it was some kind of success.
For whatever reason, the trend has since migrated over State-side. There's only one problem, the United States is comprised predominantly of anglophones. If we can understand the expressions, where's the fun in that? Personally, if I'm going to have a brash statement on the front of my clothing, I'd rather walk around without the slightest insight with regard to meaning. With that said, I would wear an English phrased t-shirt if it were to make absolutely no sense (e.g., GYM TONIC). As long as a printed t-shirt engenders responses of "WTF", it's fine by me.
Here's a list the most memorable t-shirt phrases that I've seen out and about. I'm not saying that I like or endorse any of them, it's just that they've stuck in my memory.
1) If you're hot then I'm single. (IUPUI campus, Indianapolis)---saw that one today.
2) I am going to scalp you. (Sevilla, Spain)---my personal favorite.
3) Beautiful sex you. (Sevilla, Spain)---nope, that's not a typo.
4) inspi(RED). (USA)--GAP charity campaign.
While studying in Spain a few years back, I walked into a shop called Pull and Bear and one garment, in particular, captured my attention. It made me chuckle because I could not derive meaning from the dyadic word combo. "GYM TONIC". Hmmmm, what could that possibly mean? Does it mean that if I were to wear that shirt I'll never have to workout again? Or does it mean that the t-shirt cures a disease known as GYM? Neither option seemed plausible or reasonable, so I knew it would be a welcome addition to my wardrobe. WTF.
After careful thought and consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the trend must have begun in non-English speaking countries. Back in 2006, not only did I see "GYM TONIC" but I also saw a wide array of English language T's smattered across the Iberian Peninsula. Given that I never saw such a fashion statement prior to heading overseas, I'm going to go out on a limb and make the assumption that the printed T's phenomenon originated somewhere in Europe during the mid-2000s. What's more, I'm pretty sure most Europeans were unable to translate the expressions appearing on their own clothing (see #2 on my list). In fact, the grammar, syntax, and word choice seem to imply that the original designers themselves did not have a firm grasp on the English language either. Or maybe designers just wanted to play a trick on consumers. Either way, it was some kind of success.
For whatever reason, the trend has since migrated over State-side. There's only one problem, the United States is comprised predominantly of anglophones. If we can understand the expressions, where's the fun in that? Personally, if I'm going to have a brash statement on the front of my clothing, I'd rather walk around without the slightest insight with regard to meaning. With that said, I would wear an English phrased t-shirt if it were to make absolutely no sense (e.g., GYM TONIC). As long as a printed t-shirt engenders responses of "WTF", it's fine by me.
Here's a list the most memorable t-shirt phrases that I've seen out and about. I'm not saying that I like or endorse any of them, it's just that they've stuck in my memory.
1) If you're hot then I'm single. (IUPUI campus, Indianapolis)---saw that one today.
2) I am going to scalp you. (Sevilla, Spain)---my personal favorite.
3) Beautiful sex you. (Sevilla, Spain)---nope, that's not a typo.
4) inspi(RED). (USA)--GAP charity campaign.
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