I normally keep the cycling talk to race reports and social-commentary only, but at the risk of inviting hate and trolls, I'm crossing the streams this week.
"On your left! On your right!" As Jeff says, this translates to, "Cat 5 Coming Through!"
If you're already there and I'm getting too close, that's one thing, but a hand on my ass is a far better signal. But if you're just trying to move up and shouting it as though you are trying to get to the toilet at midnight during Summerfest after Ted Nugent has just performed and your body is definitely rejecting those cheese-fries?? PLEASE SHUT UP. Also, be more creative, for God's sake. It's a race, and if you can't fit, don't get mad 'cause I'm not moving over for you. I've got one concern and that's the wheel(s) in FRONT of me, not behind.
Which leads me to guys who yell and scream constantly to "look behind you!" Yes, if you're about to jump and start a new line, give a look back and make sure you aren't going to crash the 13 people drafting behind you. But, ultimately you are responsible for the wheel in front of you, so have an out if you are in the middle and wheels are overlapped. Safety is important, yes, especially right of the yellow line, but speaking strictly pack-safety? It's a race, and people are in base-mode. Priority 1 is to accomplish your goal, whatever that it is. It's a risk to even start and they make you sign that waiver for a reason.
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Drivers who do the "annoyed lane-change" or the "annoyed acceleration." Especially around cyclists, delivery trucks, and the like. Vehicles that don't go very fast yet have just as much a right to the road as these people do. A revving engine in a 3,000lb death-machine is such a great outlet for the personal expression of your weak-minded willingness to risk the lives around you to reach the redlight 15 seconds earlier.
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My cat's ass.
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Being Jack Tripper (hang in there...just 'til Sunday).
Hump Day
Have a nice trip. Thanks, Al-BERT...(jeez am I dumb...I had Abbie's picture up here all day...meanwhile, I'm thinking, he doesn't LOOK 102...and you all are thinking, doesn't he realize the difference between Abbie and Albert?)
Interesting fact: Hofman's first intentional LSD trip was experienced on his bicycle.
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As I mentioned, April was National Poetry Month...so here is a new one for the last day since I missed most of it:
As I give you at sunset that to bear,
The shim’ring gold of your bewilderment
Is shades untold beyond your gods compare,
I will have taken as mine no discontent.
While ages ago we ran in fields to play
Then screamed when bells rang, killing those of us
Who fled or clapped on chains, throughout the day
While crying, dreaming, longing of green grass?
And you foretold of misery unbound,
You prophesized that I would never be.
My prayers were heard, and earthquakes shook the ground
And split the grey and graveled walls which held me.
Well, here I am. I’ve come for you at last
To stand in golden rain and say it’s passed.
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Some info on the current U.S. Poet Laureate, Charles Simic...
...and his interview on National Public Radio last year...
...as well as the feature on All Things Considered that alerted me to the fact that I had been asleep during this entire National Poetry Month...
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And probably my favorite poet and book of all time:
4x4 Mercedes
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| Photo from Dark Roasted Blend World's Strangest Vehicles |
The only reason this Wacky 4x4 Mercedes car is on here is because It's so darn funny, and because its my blog and I have always thought it would be crazy to do that to a Mercedes. So here it is.
I had no idea
April was National Poetry Month? Damn. I will have something pretty good for the last day of National Poetry Month tomorrow - Hump Day.
In other news, I am all moved in. There is the usual domestic friction...due in no small part to two facts: I am a cyclist and musician (I have a lot of stuff) and her other roommate is still living here until Sunday morning. Basically her living room disappeared over the course of an afternoon on Saturday. 4 bicycles really do clash with the furniture.
This is a pretty good representation of my life this week.
In other news, I am all moved in. There is the usual domestic friction...due in no small part to two facts: I am a cyclist and musician (I have a lot of stuff) and her other roommate is still living here until Sunday morning. Basically her living room disappeared over the course of an afternoon on Saturday. 4 bicycles really do clash with the furniture.
This is a pretty good representation of my life this week.
High Gas Prices; Does It Matter?
High Gas Prices are an immediate discussion when someone comes to the car lot. The first thing most say is "I bet you are making GREAT Deals on SUV's." Or, "I bet you can't give those Yukon's away." My response is always the same, "They are actually our best seller right now!" It is the truth, but I love to see the expression on peoples faces when I say this. When the fact is, they are also looking at the large SUV and hoping I would say we could not give them away.
That was VERY strange! As I am typing this article, I hear the news say GM is laying 3500 workers off due to low sells of Large Trucks and SUV's! I work at a GM lot and SUV's are selling better than ever at my dealership. Gas prices at this time in my area are around $3.45 for regular unleaded, but this seems to be an afterthought for customers. Most feel if they are going to pay these types of gas prices, they are going to ride in comfort. So much for my thought that this was the case across the country after hearing of the GM Layoffs.
Now that I told you what my customers are buying, let me tell you what I think of the high gas prices. I think it is a bunch of BS!!! Is there anything we can do to lower our fuel costs? There actually are a few things you can do to save BIG.
3 QUICK TIPS TO GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE FROM YOUR CAR, TRUCK, OR SUV!
1) I recently changed my air filter and I have seen at least a 10% improvement in gas mileage. I am going to change the fuel filter as well and I know this will also help. A fuel injection service would also be a good idea to improve fuel mileage. So tip #1 is to have your car, truck, or SUV serviced. This includes checking your tires and alignment to make sure your vehicle is steering and traveling with as little friction as possible.
2) Set your cruise on a lower speed than normal. I know this is hard for many, but if you usually go 75 on the highway, set your cruise on 70. You will see a HUGE difference in fuel economy. If you have a MPG instrument economy, check it out and you will see. This is the gauge that tells what fuel mileage you are getting at any given time and goes up and down. It stays higher when you set the cruise on a lower speed because the engine is running at a more steady pace.
3) This is a tip than can be argued, but I have checked it and it works. Keep your car clean and put a good coat of wax. This reduces friction from the air traveling over your vehicle and will improve fuel economy. Don't question me, check it for yourself. It may not be but 1 mpg better, but it will be better. Also, keep your window rolled up or your truck bed closed.
That was VERY strange! As I am typing this article, I hear the news say GM is laying 3500 workers off due to low sells of Large Trucks and SUV's! I work at a GM lot and SUV's are selling better than ever at my dealership. Gas prices at this time in my area are around $3.45 for regular unleaded, but this seems to be an afterthought for customers. Most feel if they are going to pay these types of gas prices, they are going to ride in comfort. So much for my thought that this was the case across the country after hearing of the GM Layoffs.
Now that I told you what my customers are buying, let me tell you what I think of the high gas prices. I think it is a bunch of BS!!! Is there anything we can do to lower our fuel costs? There actually are a few things you can do to save BIG.
3 QUICK TIPS TO GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE FROM YOUR CAR, TRUCK, OR SUV!
1) I recently changed my air filter and I have seen at least a 10% improvement in gas mileage. I am going to change the fuel filter as well and I know this will also help. A fuel injection service would also be a good idea to improve fuel mileage. So tip #1 is to have your car, truck, or SUV serviced. This includes checking your tires and alignment to make sure your vehicle is steering and traveling with as little friction as possible.
2) Set your cruise on a lower speed than normal. I know this is hard for many, but if you usually go 75 on the highway, set your cruise on 70. You will see a HUGE difference in fuel economy. If you have a MPG instrument economy, check it out and you will see. This is the gauge that tells what fuel mileage you are getting at any given time and goes up and down. It stays higher when you set the cruise on a lower speed because the engine is running at a more steady pace.
3) This is a tip than can be argued, but I have checked it and it works. Keep your car clean and put a good coat of wax. This reduces friction from the air traveling over your vehicle and will improve fuel economy. Don't question me, check it for yourself. It may not be but 1 mpg better, but it will be better. Also, keep your window rolled up or your truck bed closed.
I Tried and Died
(My first Sonnet!)
At dawn the red cart called me to the door,
And red was in my eyes and through my heart.
The wind and clouds blew quick, yet promised more,
As did my legs and mind to do their part.
For then my fear had been replaced by fire,
To drive and hear their moaning lamentations.
Ne'er high'r flames I saw through my desire,
Then I gave it all to rid my demons.
We waited for, and watched their soldiers die,
And in a flash from out the woods we sprang,
And dipped our swords in water and the sky...
Where is beauty in all our songs not sang?
Pity them, for they can't know, life in June
Is dying on a springtime afternoon.
At dawn the red cart called me to the door,
And red was in my eyes and through my heart.
The wind and clouds blew quick, yet promised more,
As did my legs and mind to do their part.
For then my fear had been replaced by fire,
To drive and hear their moaning lamentations.
Ne'er high'r flames I saw through my desire,
Then I gave it all to rid my demons.
We waited for, and watched their soldiers die,
And in a flash from out the woods we sprang,
And dipped our swords in water and the sky...
Where is beauty in all our songs not sang?
Pity them, for they can't know, life in June
Is dying on a springtime afternoon.
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