Saturday, October 31, 2009

Halloween Cyclocross


I went to the Halloween CX today and I've got to say... I liked what I saw! The event had a different feel about it. Compared to the "same old song and dance routine" the local series has become semi-mired-down in, I found a freshness and enthusiasm that seems lacking lately. Also, a number of people asked me, if I knew anything about the schedule for the "Other Series". Good heavens, who's drivin' the fargin' bus here!?

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Spreading The Word!


I am on a mission to Mars and I will not take NO as an answer! Rode last night with The GENIUS, SanFranCup and had a blast! Rode up Carter Creek off Harlan Drive into the wild outback of the city limits! I have pieced an old Trek 820 Antelope together so now I have a spare Mt. Bike for Webfoot Rides. Please contact me if you need a ride!
P.S. Sunday's ride will be lead by The Genius!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

False brinelling


False brinelling is damage caused by fretting, with or without corrosion, that causes imprints that look similar to brinelling, but are caused by a different mechanism.
The basic cause of false brinelling is that lubricant is pushed out of a loaded region. Without lubricant, wear is increased. It is possible for the resulting wear debris to oxidize and form an abrasive compound which further accelerates wear.
In normal operation, a rolling-element bearing has the rollers and races separated by a thin layer of lubricant such as grease or oil. Although these lubricants normally appear liquid (not solids), under high pressure they act as solids and keep the bearing and race from touching.
If the lubricant is removed, the bearings and races can touch directly. While bearings and races appear smooth to the eye, they are microscopically rough. Thus, high points of each surface can touch, but "valleys" do not. The bearing load is thus spread over much less area increasing the contact stress, causing pieces of each surface to break off or to become pressure-welded then break off when the bearing rolls on.
The broken-off pieces are also called wear debris. Wear debris is bad because it is relatively large compared to the surrounding surface finish and thus creates more regions of high contact stress. Worse, the steel in ordinary bearings can oxidize (rust), producing a more abrasive compound which accelerates wear.
In normal operation, bearings remain lubricated. However, if a bearing is stationary but subject to a very small oscillating or vibrating load, lubricant may be pushed out of the loaded area. Since the bearing is rolling only small distances (less than roller spacing), there is no action or movement that replaces the displaced lubricant.
With the lubricant gone, the damage described above creates wear debris; and since there is a small motion in the bearing, the damage is ongoing, creating more and more wear debris; and the wear debris acts as an abrasive to further damage the bearing surfaces. Typically the races are most damaged by this action and the appearance is similar to that of brinelling (overload) damage. Thus, the damage is often described as false brinelling.
The discovery of false brinelling is unclear but one story describes how, in the 1930s, new automobiles were loaded on to trains for delivery; when they were unloaded, some would show severe wheel bearing damage. On further inspection, it turned out that many wheel bearings were slightly damaged. The damage was eventually traced to rocking of the autos and the regular impact every time a railroad car wheel passed a track joint. These conditions led to false brinelling.
Although the auto-delivery problem has been solved, there are many modern examples. For example, generators or pumps may fail or need service, so it is common to have a nearby spare unit which is left off most of the time but brought in to service when needed. Surprisingly, however, vibration from the operating unit can cause bearing failure in the unit which is switched off. When that unit is turned on, the bearings may be noisy due to damage, and may fail completely within a few days or weeks even though the unit and its bearings are otherwise new. Common solutions include: keeping the spare unit at a distance from the one which is on and vibrating; manually rotating shafts of the spare units on a regular (for example, weekly) basis; or regularly switching between the units so that both are in regular (for example, weekly) operation.
Until recently, bicycle headsets tended to suffer from false brinelling in the "straight ahead" steering position, due to small movements caused by flexing of the fork. Good modern headsets incorporate a plain bearing to accommodate this flexing, leaving the ball race to provide pure rotational movement.
Brinell damage is characterized by permanent material deformation (without loss of material) and occurs during one load event, whereas false brinelling is characterized by material wear or removal and occurs over an extended time from vibration and light loads.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Best Swap Meet, Ever!


Wow! That was incredible! We want to thank everyone for showing up and sharing your day us. I am just delighted with how the day played out in general but later in the night, when Mark Twain showed up and shared brandys and cigars with us well, I just want to say thank you all! Halloween CX Saturday, Webfoot Riders Sunday, it's the most wonderful of the year!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

2001 A Space Oddyssey


I am presently finishing off 2001 a space Odyssey, the book. I rented the movie last month and loved it so much that I decided to read the book. The old adage, "The book is always better than the movie" does not necessarily always apply. The movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick, is an undeniable masterpiece. The book by Arthur C. Clarke, is a great read, but might not have been the huge success it was (because of the movie)? Please accept this, a rare book review, as an unofficial suggestion only and in no way an authoritatively, well conceived critique.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Bumper Crop O' Herb


Well it took a fair amount of persuading but at the advice of a trusted friend, I grew a crop this year. The harvest was abundant and I am proud to say particularly lively! Please ask for you free, 1/8 Oz. while at the Bike Swap! Eleuthero, commonly called Siberian ginseng, was discovered in the 1950s by Russian physician, Isreal Brekman, while he was searching for plants to improve human performance. He hit the jackpot with Eleuthero. Brekman distributed the herb to thousands of workers and found that it helps the body adapt to stress, enhances mental acuity and physical endurance, and also improves the way muscles use oxygen. Brekman wrote that Eleuthero "possesses a remarkably wide range of therapeutic activities protecting the body against stress, radiation, and various chemical toxins … increasing general resistance."

Monday, October 19, 2009

Going Global!


Please check out the grand opening of my website, Seely's Cyclery. It is still under construction but with the help of iPages web design, we're getting there! Stop by for a free autographed picture of Tyler Hamilton and a fine how-do-you-do!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Webfoot Opener


The season opener for the Webfoot Riders was a complete success. We would like to thank Nurse Dixie Normous for coming out and riding with us. I thought that with a perfect, off-road weather day on tap, the large group of riders might need a little medical attention and sure enough, pert near every rider sought some assistance.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Passing The Torch


It is with a certain amount of sadness that I announce my retirement from the great sport of Cyclo-cross. While it is true that I feel completely content with my results out there in the trenches and that I've done what I set out to do, I know I'll miss the excitement of racing. However I will be passing the torch on to my distant cousin and nephew-twice-removed, Little Jim. I believe that he is cut from the same championship cloth as many of the great Clydesdale athletes I have met. All of us here at the Webbed-Foot Riders Club are pinning our hopes on his success this coming season. Go Git 'Em Little Jim!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Some Kind 'O Wise-Guy


Who in the... We are looking for a man named D--- who may have left this collection of glassware here at the last swap-meet. Dude, it's Captain Lookout's Wrecking Crew not, Reeking Crew!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Web Footed Riders Ready?


We will be flocking to Carpet Mart this coming Sunday, Oct.18, 2009 9a.m. for our season opener, ride/laugh-fest. Please feel free to call Noel or I for a detailed list of food items we will need to create our movable feast!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Thank You Gino!


Cyclofiend.com: CX Bicycle Photos:

The Sogn is an interesting beast, the most of which (to me at least) is that it can run both 700c wheels with cyclocross tires, or 650b wheels with monstrous knibblies. Rolling diameter-wise, 700x35 is the same as 650bx58.

This one is from the first Sogn breeding, and I've raced it in northern California and Oregon with both wheel/tire setups. I've found that depending on the course, the tire versatility is fantastic. Though, I don't know if USA Cycling would approve... I've been using it as a drop bar mountain bike when not racing it; the 650b monster-cross setup has been great for any terrain I can throw it at, except maybe big hit stuff.

Nerdy details
¥ M/L Rawland Sogn canti frame
¥ Selle San Something saddle (during race season)
¥ XT hubs, Synergy rims, DT spokes
¥ Sugino XD600 triple crankset
¥ Crank Bros Candy SL pedals
¥ Shimano UN54 113mm bottom bracket
¥ Tektro long pull levers
¥ Pacenti Neo-Moto tires (650b x 58mm)
¥ Paul MotoBMX brakes (these allow the different wheel sizes)
¥ Salsa stem, seatpost and handlebar
¥ Ritchey headset and rear dropouts
¥ SRAM PG980 cassette
¥ XT chain
¥ Paul cross levers
¥ lots of mud, scratches and scrapes

More photos and info here: http://flickr.com/photos/gzahnd/sets/72157607364174687/

ÁGracias!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Roll That Beautiful Dog Footage!



Here is another flippin' sweet Bike Swap flyer. As an Art Major, I hope you will ALLOW ME TO CRITIQUE THIS PIECE AND EXPLAIN WHY IT HAS SO CAPTURED MY HEART.
The texture of the wienies in the real scene can be overwhelming to photograph. You've managed to simplify this and yet it still tells us they are wienies.
There is a nice feeling of depth.
The perspective is true.
The blue and red clothing on the figure helps the main subject stand out.
The colored buildings at the center invite us to row in and follow the boat.
The water has a nice feeling to it because the ripples make the water look like it's moving. At least that's the way I seen it!

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Best Flyer Contest


Well I have been out distributing the flyers for the Bike Swap but I must admit, they are completely utilitarian. So I am inviting you, the cast of Captain Lookout's Wrecking Crew, to make your own and hand 'em out. Here is my favorite so far!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

It's A Good Feeling!


As the word gets out about the used bike shop in the back of Carpet Mart, more and more men like Tommy here, are back on the road. "What with Big bike Weekend comin' up, at least I'll be ridin' some kind a bike... 'till I git my license back!" He said. And don't forget that we are also your source for Halloween Bikes as well!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Riders Ready


I am getting a lot of inquiries about The Webbed Foot Riders, like when we will be riding as a group again. Well, I was actually talking to the Big Quack just the other day and I heard that for now, with the dry conditions and all, Web-Feet are just hangin' out in small groups in the Whiskeytown area, riding and catching some late season swims. But I would like to mention a possible outlaw, Flat-Track race in the works, to be held on an undisclosed, dirt, quarter-mile track somewhere locally. Stay tuned!

Monday, October 5, 2009

Bike Swap Is Coming...


So is Halloween for that matter. Be sure to circle Oct. 25Th on your calendar for the "Biggest Little Bike Swap In The..." I am searching the world over for the finest vegan kielbasas and the plumpest organic beans to serve the trusting public and by Jove... I think I've found them! Here is an example of the kind of bike my friend Slavko Limonczenko from Ukraine will be bringink!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Great Day In The Morning!


Vintage Post Card from the 1964 World's Fair, New York.
The back reads:
"The Coca-cola Tower, rising from the court of this pavilion, features the world's largest and finest electronic carillon. The pavilion also features a unique, free "Global Holiday'" the U.S.O. Lounge and the American Radio Relay League."

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Today It Is Windy


There is a dream place where secret missile launching pads, (that double as human passenger transporters to the Skylab) built in 1963, deep in the bowels of the old Shasta County Library, seemingly exist.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Dust in the Wind


Took a windy, powder-dry ride up Rattlesnake to the top of the world last night. As you can imagine the view was fantastic thanks to the vacuuming out by the tornadic wind event the other day. I stood atop that tiny tower and surveyed my little world thinking back twenty years, to the hour, that Eve said it was time to go have a baby. Happy birthday Allie, 20 years old today.