Some Folks Calls It A Vapour Trail...

I call it a contrail. As a wing generates lift, it causes a vortex to form at each wingtip, and sometimes also at the tip of each wing flap. These wingtip vortices persist in the atmosphere long after the aircraft has passed. The reduction in pressure and temperature across each vortex can cause water to condense and make the cores of the wingtip vortices visible. This effect is more common on humid days. Wingtip vortices can sometimes be seen behind the wing flaps of airliners during takeoff and landing, and during landing of the Space shuttle. Any persisting rumors of contrails forming behind a certain, local, 6 foot 5 inch, single-speed rider on downhill sections, is merely conjecture.

Hot Stuff!

Pert near took my head clean off last night with a little home-made cold remedy my buddy made. Comprised of cayenne, ginger, hot water and honey, this little concoction will cure what ails ya!

Seems To Me It's Chemistry

Signal transmitted
Message received
Reaction making impact
Invisibly

Elemental telepathy
Exchange of energy
Reaction making contact
Mysteriously

Eye to I
Reaction burning hotter
Two to one
Reflection on the water
H to O
No flow without the other
Oh but how
Do they make contact
With one another?

Electricity? Biology?
Seems to me it's Chemistry

Emotion transmitted
Emotion received
Music in the abstract
Positively

Elemental empathy
A change of synergy
Music making contact
Naturally

One, two, three
Add without subtraction
Sound on sound
Multiplied reaction
H to O
No flow without the other
Oh, but how
Do we make contact
With one another?

Off the album, Signals by Rush.

Webfoot Finale

Wow, I was not expecting a turn out like that! Even with the time change, we ended up with our biggest and best ride yet! I want to thank all who attended our season closer and remind you to stay tuned for next years "Rolling Party" schedule. Until then keep the rubber side down and the muddy-side up!

Burning Dan and Tea Fairy

Firedrums is coming up soon and by golly, this year promises to be bigger and better than ever. I am planning on riding my unicycle over Hwy 36, juggling all the way. My friend Zuma called last night and said he has built a tree house that rivals the Swiss Family Robinson's and I am to be comp'd my entry fees! Oh. oh, oh, it's magic!

Say Good Bye To Your Only Friend...

at least for awhile that is. You see we are all in for a rude awakening come next Monday morning when we begin our days, in total darkness. Stupid Daylight Saving Time kicks in early Sunday morning. Since we are planning a final Webfoot ride this Sunday (Thanks Brooke) I am planing on a 10 a.m. departure time. That way it will feel like 9 a.m. Unfortunately, the real world won't be so accommodating. Sunday Mar. 14th, 10 a.m. Daylight Saving Time. Webfoot. Be there!

WOMBATS

I have included a link to my ol' pal Jacquie Phelan's blog for yall check out. Jacquie was introduced to me back in the 80's, by a guy who was on Gary Fisher's original Mt. Bike Team, Peter Lewendal. Jacquie founded an organization (after her years as women's world champion) called WOMBATS. Women Of Mt. Biking And Tea Society. Occasionally they allow a token man to join. I really don't think I could keep up with them. But it would be fun to try!

Nice Touch!

You know, I'm still blown away by the way old Jack W. was able to ride his way up through the pack during the "B" race on Sunday. But when those girls came out after the race and pushed his bike back to the truck... Good show old Chap!

Turtle Bay Sneak Peek

Spy cameras have captured images of a certain Red Bluff man's secret weapon for the upcoming Turtle Bay race in 2 weeks. Rumors persist that he is filling the bike's frame tubes and tires with helium. And there may be more in his innocent looking banana bread than just bananas. Race officials are considering a 20 lb additional weight requirement for this madman in the form of a large bag of dog food strapped to his back. Crikey, he'd still hand it to us!

Amelia Earhart FOUND!

A rumor which claimed that Earhart had made propaganda radio broadcasts as one of the many women compelled to serve as Tokyo Rose was investigated closely by Jim Blevins. According to several biographies of Earhart, Blev investigated this rumor personally but after listening to many recordings of numerous Tokyo Roses he did not recognize her voice among them. Well after 50 years of being moth-balled, David Seely has evidence of the contrary! As you can see by the clock on the wall, this photo was taken late in the evening (for old farts!) and Amelia was allegedly well into her cups.

Big Money

Big money goes around the world
Big money underground
Big money got a mighty voice
Big money make no sound
Big money pull a million strings
Big money hold the prize
Big money weave a mighty web
Big money draw the flies

Sometimes pushing people around
Sometimes pulling out the rug
Sometimes pushing all the buttons
Sometimes pulling out the plug
It's the power and the glory
It's a war in paradise
It's a Cinderella story
On a tumble of the dice

Big money goes around the world
Big money take a cruise
Big money leave a mighty wake
Big money leave a bruise
Big money make a million dreams
Big money spin big deals
Big money make a mighty head
Big money spin big wheels

Sometimes building ivory towers
Sometimes knocking castles down
Sometimes building you a stairway
Lock you underground
It's that old time religion
It's the kingdom they would rule
It's the fool on television
Getting paid to play the fool

Big money goes around the world
Big money give and take
Big money done a power of good
Big money make mistakes
Big money got a heavy hand
Big money take control
Big money got a mean streak
Big money got no soul... Rush from their album Power Windows

Roll The Bones

Peart (1991): "The song Roll the Bones is full of any number of little decisions that I had to make about what I thought, and how best to express them and how to introduce the idea that yes we do have free will and yes we do have choices, and yes our choices do affect the way our fates turn out. But at the same time, there are always these wild cards that are going to come along, sometimes tragically, sometimes triumphantly. The motto comes down to 'Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst'."

Geek Culture And The Joy Of Tech

Here's a fun little link to explore. Not a lot about bicycles but still cool. geekculture.com And speaking of JEOPARDY, I saw a clue the other night that was kind o' disturbing. "Known as, H.F.C.S. in the food industry, the average American consumes 40 pounds of it a year." What is High Fructose Corn Syrup! Yuk!

Occam's Razor

Occam's razor (or Ockham's razor), entia non sunt multiplicanda praeter necessitatem, is the principle that "entities must not be multiplied beyond necessity" and the conclusion thereof, that the simplest explanation or strategy tends to be the best one. The principle is attributed to 14th-century English logician, theologian and Franciscan friar, William of Ockham. I've been hearing a fair amount of buzz regarding a return to the olden days of shaving. It is with this principal in mind that I offer my opinion regarding the matter. Have a nice shave!

Meanwhile, Back On Earth

According to my solstice monolith, everything is right on track for yet another spring here on planet Earth. The first kittens of the new year are emerging like blind kielbasas, paddling alongside their litter mates in makeshift cardboard nests, searching for the eternal milk-teat- goddess. Milk that miracle. What an ingenious way of nourishing one's young. Yet the birds have managed to pull it off without a drop of the stuff. Go configure!

Corporatization of Higher Ed-U-Ma-Cashun

Just about everyone with a stake in the long-term success of U.S. higher education worries about the growing influence of free-market business practices on the operation of colleges and universities. Most faculty, in particular, see the increasing reliance on corporate models as destructive the mission of higher education. Surprisingly, however, faculty members have not yet acted together through professional associations such as the AAUP to take an informed and persuasive position condemning the influence of corporatization on higher education. Nor have they suggested a reasonable approach to resist and reduce its spread. Resistance is futile! We are Borg!

Hammer Time

Well Folks, by my estimation, we should be hearing any day now of the comet that is heading toward us on a collision course for the year 2012. Regrets? I've had a few but
then again, too few to mention. It's been a full life and I have been extremely fortunate to have such wonderful friends and family. Now, the best we can hope for is that we are somewhere near ground zero when she comes on in. That would be quick!

One Lump or Two?

I was sitting at home watching a show about a nano-diamond discovery that indicates that North America was hit by a swarm of comets some 13,000 years ago. That corresponds to the beginning of the Younger Dryas period, a 1,300-year-long cold spell, during which North American mammoths, saber-toothed cats, camels and giant sloths became extinct. The Clovis culture of American Indians also appears to have fallen apart during this time. Suddenly, a small rap upon my door rang out and behold! My special tea connection arrived! I cannot tell ya'll the absolute miracle of flavors this man has brought to my life!

Happy Belated Pancake Day!

Pancake Day
Main article: Shrove Tuesday

In Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Australia, pancakes are traditionally eaten on Shrove Tuesday, which is also known as "Pancake Day" and, particularly in Ireland, as "Pancake Tuesday". (Shrove Tuesday is better known in the United States, France and other countries as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday). Historically, pancakes were made on Shrove Tuesday so that the last of the fatty and rich foods could be used up before Lent.

Perfect Day!

Prime Mover

P => Power

E => Energy

W => Work

f => Force

t => torque

d => distance of translational motion

q => angle of rotational motion (in radians)

v => velocity of translational motion

w => angular speed (in radians per second)

d => change

Pd => Pitch diameter

n => number of teeth on a gear

nrev => number of revolutions

How to make The Breakfast of CHAMPIONS!

Ingredients

* 2 slices whole grain bread
* 3 eggs
* 1 Tbls. water
* 1/2 a tomato
* 1/2 an onion
* 2 pieces of soysage sliced
* 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese
* 1/2 an avocado
* 1 teaspoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon mixed herbs
* salt and pepper

Manly Men, Working To Build A Better Tomorrow!

Now this is more like it! As the result of my last blog entries, blurring of concise borders, I have decided to devote the entire month of March to a Men-At-Work theme. I certainly hope everyone will sleep a little easier knowing that the Polyphosphate Filter will once again be a safe place for you and your kids to hang out at. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Come Ride With Us!

I got this rather unusual invitation from an old buddy whom I haven't seen since 1979. Apparently he has made several lifestyle changes through the years, not the least of which is playing rugby instead of American football. You see, he was our high school quarter back and he lead us to a division championship in 1974. Also apparently, the naked chaps on the bicycle, are participating in the one of the numerous initiation rituals they require to play for "Their Team." Fortunately, I have a full plate this weekend and won't be joining them, this season!

Miyata "Nine Twelve" Shake-Down Ride

Close but no cigar! My quest for an old steel framed road bike that will roll along as well as my Modern, "Soul-less" machine, is still unrealized. In the mean while, I've got another, decent road bike for sale. See me for details.

CycloCross Returns To Shasta Lake!

Although I am now happily resting on my CX laurels, I do want everyone to know about the Races at the Boom Town BMX track, this coming Sunday Feb. 21th. There will be a small, Giro-Insignifica ride, from Carpet Mart to the races Sunday. We shall leave here at 9 a.m. and ride mainly road up there, with a return over Flannigan to the Upper-Ditch to Hornbeck back. Retired CX-Bike friendly!

Little Chain-Ring Virgin

Well it took a bit o' coaxing but, I finally convinced a die-hard roadie (out on his new mt. bike) to use the little ring! Then I realized that I will never be able to keep up with him on long, technical climbs again. It all took place yesterday morning out on a Web-Foot ride. We had a blast! Don't forget to phone ahead for your Tyler Hamilton autographed postcard and riders manifesto! See you in the real world!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Saint Valentine (in Latin, Valentinus) is the name of several martyred saints of ancient Rome. The name "Valentine", derived from valens (worthy), was popular in Late Antiquity. Of the Saint Valentine whose feast is on February 14, nothing is known except his name and that he was buried at the Via Flaminia north of Rome on February 14. It is even uncertain whether the feast of that day celebrates only one saint or more saints of the same name. For this reason this liturgical commemoration was not kept in the Catholic calendar of saints for universal liturgical veneration as revised in 1969. But "Martyr Valentinus the Presbyter and those with him at Rome" remains in the list of saints proposed for veneration by all Catholics.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Saint Valentine the Presbyter is celebrated on July 6, and Hieromartyr Saint Valentine (Bishop of Interamna, Terni in Italy) is celebrated on July 30. Notwithstanding that, conventionally, members of the Greek Orthodox Church named Valentinos (male) or Valentina (female) celebrate their name on February 14, according to the Typikon of the Great Church of Christ (Τυπικὸν τῆς Μεγάλης τοῦ Χριστοῦ ᾽Εκκλησίας) Saint Valentine is not venerated not on July 6, nor on July 30. In fact, there exists no Saint Valentine in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Welcome to Cycling Camp 1963

I took this picture, when I was a wee lad, of me pals at cyclo-camp in the Yorkshire Dales of England. Such happy memories! We were huge fans of Brian Robinson in those days. There's young Thomas giving us his best impression of him!

My New Favorite

I am having fun piecing an old miyata bicycle together and learning about the Miyata Bicycle Company. Here's a little beauty I would love to load up with all my gear and pedal off into the sunset on! Cheers! Check out this cool Miyata Catalogs link.

Never Cry Werewolf

I am doing a bit o' research into Werewolf/Wolfman legends in anticipation of this Friday's release of the movie, The Wolfman. As a romantic mini-get-away, the little woman and I are planning on seeing it in the theater on Valentine's day. I am astonished by the volume of info there is on this particular subject. Not to mention the cinematic contributions.

Thoughts While Rididng

I was five minutes into the twelve minute climb when suddenly this happy little thought came to mind!

Back in and out, of the saddle again!

Delay your Superbowl-coldie-crackin' until you've had a bit o' CycloCross, this coming Sunday at the Anderson Park venue. Races start 'round 10 a.m. Contact Seely's Cyclery for more info!

Happy Zen Basho Day!

Matsuo Bashō (松尾 芭蕉?, 1644 – November 28, 1694) was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan. During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no renga form; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as a master of brief and clear haiku. His poetry is internationally renowned, and within Japan many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites.

Happy St. Thomas Aquinas Day!

Nature of God

Aquinas believed that the existence of God is neither obvious nor unprovable. In the Summa Theologica, he considered in great detail five reasons for the existence of God. These are widely known as the quinque viae, or the "Five Ways."

Concerning the nature of God, Aquinas felt the best approach, commonly called the via negativa, is to consider what God is not. This led him to propose five statements about the divine qualities:

1. God is simple, without composition of parts, such as body and soul, or matter and form.[60]
2. God is perfect, lacking nothing. That is, God is distinguished from other beings on account of God's complete actuality.[61]
3. God is infinite. That is, God is not finite in the ways that created beings are physically, intellectually, and emotionally limited. This infinity is to be distinguished from infinity of size and infinity of number.[62]
4. God is immutable, incapable of change on the levels of God's essence and character.[63]
5. God is one, without diversification within God's self. The unity of God is such that God's essence is the same as God's existence. In Aquinas's words, "in itself the proposition 'God exists' is necessarily true, for in it subject and predicate are the same."[64]

In this approach, he is following, among others, the Jewish philosopher Maimonides.[65]

Following St. Augustine of Hippo, Aquinas defines sin as "a word, deed, or desire, contrary to the eternal law."[66] In other words, anything that disobeys God's will is said to be a sin, and is synonymous with "evil" (privation of good, or privatio boni[67]).

I am Confused!

Sometimes I wonder what in the world we would need to do, to come together as a community of Shasta County Bicycle Enthusiasts. The opportunities I have seen squandered by petty disagreements and conflict of interest through the years, the resulting loss of promising annual events, hard to fathom. Cycling has a strange element of recreation and no-frills transportation that sometimes blurs the line between sport and support. The result of which can be confusing and fringy at times.

Stay Thirsty My Friends

Wow! What a day out at Swasey Rec. Area! Here I am (yes, my whiskers are indeed flourishing!) out at the Cyclo-Cross yesterday. I was racing in the XX-Class when suddenly, a small fox ran directly across my front wheel. It took me only a split second to realize that there was not only a race in progress, but a fox hunt as well. Thinking quickly, I leaped from my bike, grabbed the frightened animal, and carried him away from danger. I forfeited all hope of winning my race, but I am feeling remarkably refreshed. Stay thirsty my friends!

Web-Footicus Epico

Tomorrow some of our flock will be gathering, as usual at Carpet Mart, to ride out and even race, the first of a series of "RIDE ON" cyclo-cross contests. We leave (by bicycle) at 9a.m. for the event at Swasey Recreation Area. A-class race starts at 10 a.m. Come on out and share the mud, guts and glory!

Who Knew?

I spent the entire morning preparing a complicated soup called Mulligatawny and then I found this on-line. I'll bet ya no one would of noticed the difference!

Tyler Who?

We will never know, what might have been. Tyler Hamilton had it all! Show your support by wearing one of these badges to your next bicycle event. Tyler Hamilton is senior energy reporter and columnist for the Toronto Star, Canada's largest daily newspaper. In addition to his Clean Break blog, Tyler writes a weekly column of the same name that discusses trends, happenings and innovators in the cleantech market. His blog is a personal project started in April 2005. It is not an official blog of newspapers. Tyler can be reached at tyler@cleanbreak.ca

For The Discerning Client

I see the word "Discerning" attached to retail shops of every kind of product known to man and I am convinced that it actually means, OVER-PRICED! I am not a man who "Demands" the finest, I am a man who finds value in size, weight, and quantity. I am looking for the retailer with a sign out front that says, "A Shop for the Indiscriminate!"

Run For The Hills

A sturdy, but small group of riders, did show up for the Giro-Dimentour/Ride to St. Alfonso's Pancake Breakfast. My god, those boys put away some grub, if only in their minds.

Dear SanFranCup

So those guys hammered off like some kind o' freight trian to HELL! I found Rob and Little Jim out by the Ribbon Bridge but Noel was gone. Since the route was to take the group out Hornbeck to the ditch trails to Shasta Dam, across the dam and then back down the Rail Trail back to the river trail, we crossed at the Ribbon and rode out, up and over to the Keswick Boat Ramp. It was there that we waited for almost an hour and then finally bailed, waiting for the group to arrive. I didn't get home until 1 p.m. after bonking badly, do to lack of food. I usually don't eat a "breakfast" when we ride early, just snack on a Clif bar after an hour of riding. I am used to getting home by eleven-ish and then eating something substantial. Web-Foot will be short and wet. Love.

Have An Epic Giro Epico!

Historically, the Italians have built some of the best steel frames. For example, Bianchi's (now actually in France) are fantastic steel frames. The expertise has now spread throughout that world, and there are lots of small companies who still know how to make a steel frame and make it well. By sticking with steel rather than going to the more expensive Titanium frames, you pay extra money, you are paying for the craftsmanship, not the material. It is the craftsmanship that gives the bike its responsiveness and structural stability. They are also be able to make them lighter. The a fore statement makes almost no sense, what-so-ever but don't worry, neither does the world of (mention this secret passage and win a free box o' tea!) fast food in this world. Can I get fries with that!?

Trouble With Tribbles

You see my son, it is all about Subject Matter. The old man calmly relighted his calabash pipe and sent billowing clouds of aromatic smoke skywards. We have lived through the grooviest of times and I can honestly say that, given the chance again, I would change nothing! Even the night I had to go to the special award ceremony so twisted on a designer cocktail, they had to wheel me in in a bomb-proof box. I have loved and been loved!

Epic Web-Foot Ride

We had an epic ride yesterday despite running afoul of an Irishman, out near Old Shasta. One of our riders was nearly forced to beat up the old man with his own shillelagh. Stupid old man! Get that dog on a leash! Three hour training rides are exactly what we're gonna need though, if we hope to do well at the upcoming, Epiuricurious-Magnamus-Cyclismo, next week. 80 miles of easily poached, classic cycling! Don't forget your forged documentation!

Greetings from The Year 2010!

Welcome to the Zen Noodle Bar! A place where the menu includes recipes for building universes. For you see, in the modified words of Dr. Carl Sagan, "If you truly wish to make noodles from scratch, you must first invent the universe." It's elementary my dear Watson!

January Coffee Contest

Be the first to not only name, but also climb and send me a photo of you on top of this Northern California landmark, drinking a cup o' Joe, and I will award you a very special trophy! P.S. If you think it's Mt. Diablo... keep climbing!

Robert Conrad Bohannon

A special "Tip o' The Hat" to our Web-foot Photographer, Mr. Bohannon. Thanks! Have you considered a Web-Foot Calendar perhaps?

Birds of a Feather

A beautiful day for a Web-Foot Ride. 30+ miles through glen, dale and brooke? Some of the best traction I have ever experienced! We bombed the Upper Ditch Trail coming back from The Flannigan Overpass. Brother Tim got to the top of a climb and told me that his rear tire was rubbing on the chain-stay. I asked if it was rubbing all the time or just when he peddled hard. Only while peddling he said. I told him that that is to be expected when KING KONG puts a thousand watts of energy into a cheap, Taiwanese bike frame!

Commodity fetishism

In Marxist theory, commodity fetishism is a state of social relations, said to arise in capitalist market based societies, in which social relationships are transformed into apparently objective relationships between commodities or money. The term is introduced in the opening chapter of Karl Marx's main work of political economy, Capital, of 1867.

As it relates to commodities specifically, commodity fetishism is the belief that value inheres in commodities instead of being added to them through labor. This is the root of Marx's critique relating to conditions surrounding fetishism—that capitalists "fetishize" commodities, believing that they contain value, and the effects of labor are misunderstood.

Marx's use of the term fetish can be interpreted as an ironic comment on the "rational", "scientific" mindset of industrial capitalist societies. In Marx's day, the word was primarily used in the study of primitive religions; Marx's "fetishism of commodities" might be seen as proposing that just such primitive belief systems exist at the heart of modern society. In most subsequent Marxist thought, commodity fetishism is defined as an illusion arising from the central role that private property plays in capitalism's social processes. It is a central component of the dominant ideology in capitalist societies.

Cyclocross Shasta County Style!