Still at 180 pounds, I've plateaued. But according to the test I'm at 5.8 % fat. Crazy. I've never been single digits before, let alone this level. I don't need to lose any more weight. Otherwise, I'll start metabolizing muscle and lose power as a consequence.
I had a pretty stellar indoor time trial at Vision Quest with the team last week - dropping an average wattage I don't think I would've hit all last season in freakin' February. I gotta keep a level head through this - to just keep eating healthy, making sound training decisions, and most importantly, keeping everything balanced, beyond the cycling.
And getting lots of sleep. That too.
I want to make it though camp - 21 days! - and come out strong and finally start getting results. Now that I'm on the team's elite development squad, I have an obligation to make Cat 2 in 3 years. This winter has been much more structured and the results are real and quantifiable. The TT last week is solid evidence of that. Also, I feel my bike handling skills are improving vastly, as my time and comfort on the rollers increases. Up to no handed and standing now (not at the same time) and I'm able to tolerate mentally and physically being on them for more than just an hour at a time. Having a high quality saddle that fits is key.
Before I head to bed, I've posted two new articles on the Chicago Cycling section at examiner.com. Please go and read - I've earner over a $1 so far! At this rate, I should have enough for a 12-pack after the Midweek Gem. So do your part - and you'll get a High Life or two in return. You'll have earned it.
This is incentives for 2009 Pontiac, Buick, GMC for the month of February 2009 including some 0% interest incentives. These rates and rebates are good thru March 3, 2009. If you have found a 2008 model, let me know because I am assuming most 2008 models are long gone.
Buick Enclave $750 customer cash, $1500 Bonus Cash or 0% for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months. Buick Lacrosse $1000 Cust. Cash, $1000 Bonus Cash, or 0% for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months. Buick Lucerne $1000 Cust. Cash. Pontiac G3 (COMING SOON TO DEALERSHIPS) $1000 bonus cash or 0% for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months. Pontiac G5 $1500 Cust. Cash $1000 bonus Cash or 0% for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months. Pontiac G6 has up to $2750 rebate or 0% interest on select models or 1.9% on 72 months. Pontiac G8 $1500 Cust Cash, $1500 Bonus Cash, or 0% for 60 months or 1.9% up to 72 months. Pontiac Solstice $500 Customer Cash. Pontiac Torrent $1000 Cust. Cash, $1000 Bonus Cash, or 0% for 60 months or 1.9 up to 72 months. Pontiac Vibe $500 Customer Cash. GMC Acadia $750 Cust. Cash $1500 Bonus Cash, or 0% for 60 months or 1.9% up to 72 months. GMC Canyon up to $1000 Customer Cash depending on model. GMC Envoy $3000 Customer Cash. GMC Sierra Extended Cab up to $4000 rebate or 0% interest on 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months. GMC Sierra Regular Cab $1500 rebate. GMC Sierra Crew Cab $2500 rebate. All Regular GMC Yukons $3000 rebate or 0.0% interest for 60 months or 1.9% for 72 months. GMC Yukon XL has $1000 rebate.
Everyone always asks whether to take the 0% interest rate or the rebate? The best suggestion to give customers is to consider how you have payed for your previous vehicles. If you are the type to pay them off early or pay extra, always take the rebate. If you pay for your vehicle over the length of the loan, take the 0% or low interest rate. You also have to look at the amount of the rebate and the amount you are financing. If you are financing a lower amount, it may be more benificial to take the rebate whereas if it is a larger purchase, 0% may be better. You also have to look at other factors as well. Are you trading a car you have negative equity? You can possibly finance your negative equity at 0% into your new loan. If you need some help, feel free to email me--my email is at the top of the page and I will get back to you as soon as I can. Please give me some details, like the type of car, trade, price, other factors that may influence the purchase. Make sure to Get A Quote. Quick.so you know you are paying the best possible price.
A bunch of photos I shot during the recent toyfair in Nurnberg of the Slot It Chaparral 2E. Notice the big fat tires on the rear of this car. Slot It will have another winner on their hands I think with this car.
Here is a great video that just came out about Art Cars on Ice 2009 in Minnesota that ends this weekend. For a native Californian this is totally nuts, riding your art car on a frozen lake just seems dangerous, but what do I know. These guys took traditional ice fishing houses and turned them into themed works of art for pretty much an entire month.
DS is coming out with a revolutionary controller. It's based on the new MRRC controller and is quite a surprising thing that DS has done. The features are listed in the photo but something that struck me was that it's probably the next step in this hobby being a solid sport. You can adjust the sensitivity, braking, everything that you've come to expect in a high end controller for serious competition. But most importantly...telemetry, it keeps a record of all the settings on the controller and the braking and throttle position for each lap. So if you're someone that either needs a starting point to know where to start to set up your controller (the system and software provided with the controller give you that info) or whether you're fine tuning your lap times and need to see exactly where you might be able to pick up a bit of time on the track. Is this information needed for slot racing? Strictly speaking, no. But, if you're serious about racing, this controller can give you that extra bit of information that could make a difference. It's a progression, an evolution.
The controller is connected to a laptop via a wifi connection that connects to both a PC and MAC (thank goodness for a MAC too!) via a USB antenna. The controller will connect to the USB antenna and the antenna will support many controllers so a club (or individual) will only have to buy 1 antenna to support use of up to 20 (I'm pretty sure that's the number) controllers. The DS Testing Bench does just about everything that you could want it to do to help you set up a car for racing. Magnetic downforce, rpm testing, a bench for setting up your car. A prototype was on display at the toyfair in Nurnberg and hopefully soon we'll see this unique bench for sale.
A bunch of photos I shot during the recent toyfair in Nurnberg of the Slot It Chaparral 2E. Notice the big fat tires on the rear of this car. Slot It will have another winner on their hands I think with this car.
DS is coming out with a revolutionary controller. It's based on the new MRRC controller and is quite a surprising thing that DS has done. The features are listed in the photo but something that struck me was that it's probably the next step in this hobby being a solid sport. You can adjust the sensitivity, braking, everything that you've come to expect in a high end controller for serious competition. But most importantly...telemetry, it keeps a record of all the settings on the controller and the braking and throttle position for each lap. So if you're someone that either needs a starting point to know where to start to set up your controller (the system and software provided with the controller give you that info) or whether you're fine tuning your lap times and need to see exactly where you might be able to pick up a bit of time on the track. Is this information needed for slot racing? Strictly speaking, no. But, if you're serious about racing, this controller can give you that extra bit of information that could make a difference. It's a progression, an evolution.
The DS Testing Bench does just about everything that you could want it to do to help you set up a car for racing. Magnetic downforce, rpm testing, a bench for setting up your car. A prototype was on display at the toyfair in Nurnberg and hopefully soon we'll see this unique bench for sale.