Study: America Is Officially the Fattest Developed Country in the World
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Dieting

Study: America Is Officially the Fattest Developed Country in the World

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2010/09/23/study-america-is-officially-the-fattest-developed-country-in-the-world/?xid=yahoo-feat#ixzz10ZS2NZwN

 

Back in the Saddle Again
Mood:  happy
Now Playing: Back in the Saddle Again
Topic: Cycling

Let's see . . . rode 20 miles solo in 1:10 (including two stops to answer my cell phone).  Not too bad for an old gray-haired fart riding a 1980s Ciocc like moi!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIPS4LyveJs&feature=related

 

For the Love of Cycling
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Cycling
There comes a point in a cyclist's life when you don't feel like you have to prove anything to anyone but yourself.  You've already won (or at least placed) in a race, ridden a double-metric century or two and/or done something else that somehow makes you feel "accomplished".  That's when you get away from all the competitive male bovine excrement and ride for the shear love (and/or need) of cycling.  You realize that your dreamed-of position on a pro team evaporated 25-plus years ago, but in retrospect you're glad you DIDN'T make a career of your first love.  Too much other non-cycling related good stuff has happened in your life (e.g., marriage, career, family, etc.) so that you're actually glad you didn't end up like whats-his-name who got caught doping.  When you get where I am at age 55, cycling is very important but certainly not all about who you are.  When you get to where I'm at, you don't have to have the latest carbon fiber whatever currently being used by the pros - you're just happy to still be able to ride your twenty-something year-old vintage steel-framed whatever and enjoy riding a bicycle purely for the love of the sport.  But when you occasionally do happen to beat the dude riding the state-of-the-art carbon fiber whatever who is easily 20-something years your junior in the sprint back to the parking lot, you're glad that you didn't heed everyone's advice and "act your age".

R.I.P. Gary
Mood:  sad

In the mid-1970s, when I was still learning about the craft of cycling, Gary befriended me.  Gary was the consummate cyclo-tourist who rode a blue Peugeot and dreamed of cross-country tours.  He was a laid-back, warm and friendly guy who enjoyed good strong coffee, imported beers and listening to wonderfully strange and eclectic things on public radio.  He helped me organize the Washington County Wheelmen and was a regular on our club rides.  The last time I saw Gary face-to-face was on the May 1988 Eureka Spring Fling overnight bicycle tour.  I can’t believe it has been so long . . .

I learned last Friday that Gary passed away after a three-year bout with cancer.  I never even knew he had it.

Now I feel like crap.  I’ve done a lousy job of keeping up with Gary and some of my other friends over the years.  Now that he’s gone, I wish I’d done a much better job. 

Rx for Saddle Numbness?
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Cycling

After much agonizing/research, I ordered a new Forte Classic saddle from Performance Bike Shop for my Ciocc today.  I've been struggling with chronic numbness in a certain portion of my anatomy that is unique to males every since I started riding again last year.  Come to think of it - I had the same problem "back in the day" even with my broken-in Brooks Pro all-leather saddle.  Despite numerous attempts to fine-tune saddle adjustment, I still go numb "down there" after about 10 to 15 minutes in the saddle.  I've never had any problems with pain, but rather the (extreme) lack thereof.  The Forte Classic I ordered reportedly is made for Performance by Selle Italia, the same company that made my 1980s pro-favorite Super Turbo saddle.  The difference?  The Forte Classic has an "ergonomic shell design" with a strategically placed cut-out that is supposed to relieve pressure on my you-know-what.  I'll be sure to let you know if it does.

Footnote: I tried the Forte for about a week and discovered that it unfortunately did not improve my ride comfort and if anything made it slightly worse.  I switched back to my old tried-and-true Selle Italia Super Turbo saddle and a new pair of cycling shorts from Bike Nashbar with thicker padding in the crotch.  The new shorts have been a definite improvement.

I SURVIVED THE HOLIDAYS!
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Dieting
Not too bad.  I only gained two pounds over the (co-opted from the Pagans) "Christ-mess" holiday.  I avoided sweets (except for my gourmet-cook brother-in-law's AWESOME homemade pecan pie with vanilla ice cream) and otherwise tried to watch what I ate.  I weighed 175 pounds this morning - not overweight, but I'd like to eventually lose another nine pounds or so.  Cycling should take care of that - I plan to resume training (wind trainer) tomorrow after work.  FYI - I turned 55 on December 26 and my goal is to ride another century this year.

Another bike fit fad challenged (Updated)
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: Cycling

Interesting read regarding frame size at Rivendell Bicycle Works website:

In General - people ride bikes that are too small. If you go into a bike shop or ask the local fast riders about frame sizing, you'll likely hear comments such as, "Smaller bikes are lighter, stiffer, more maneuverable, and more efficient."

To that we say this: Small has to be lighter, but we're talking ounces, and let's not talk about ounces until your belly is so ripped that you're regularly mistaken for one of those guys in the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Lots more at this link: http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/choosing_a_frame_size

 My thought on the topic?  "Can you comfortably ride it?"

UPDATE: Yes, I know Rivendell builds touring bikes, but there's still considerable wisdom in their writings.  It doesn't matter if you're a competitive cyclist or a club rider, you still have to finish.  Why be miserable on your compact carbon fiber wonder when a centimeter or so and an extra pound or two of cromoly steel eases your pain and suffering?  The pros rode larger frames in the 70s and 80s because they knew better.

Are you going to ride your bike or weight it?  Food for thought . . .

Avoiding the Curse of the Holidays
Mood:  a-ok
Topic: Dieting

Why I Don't Like SUVs.
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: Cycling

The reason I don't like SUVs isn't the stereotypical "they're unsafe, gas-guzzling environment-destroyers" answer flaunted by some tree-huggers.  There are plenty of ol' smokin' clunkers still on the road that waste more fuel and belch out more noxious pollutants than a modern, fuel-efficient SUV.  Besides, as an environmental geologist I've often used SUVs to carry my equipment around during field work.

The reason I don't like SUVs - as a cyclist - has everything to do with the wind-blast created when they blow by you less than two-feet from your left brake lever.  A big slab-sided SUV can literally blow a cyclist off the road when it  passes.  Factor in the popularity of big SUVs here in Louisiana and the often narrow, shoulderless parish roads that we cyclists frequent and you have a recipe for trouble.  Louisiana recently passed a law that requires motorists to give cyclists three feet of clearence when they pass, but reports of aggressive drivers "buzzing" cyclists persist.  Seems most of the reports I've read about involve full-size pick-ups and big SUVs. 

So yeah, I don't like SUVs even though I realize the vast majority of SUV drivers probably aren't hostile toward cyclists.  Problem is that SUVs are kind of like snakes - I really don't want to let one get close enough to me to find out if its poisonous or not.

Progress Report
Topic: Cycling

The bad news: It does not look like I'll be riding a century this year after all.  I've made a lot of progress - I dropped over 30 pounds and got some of my old muscle tone back, but I still have a ways to go before I tackle 100 miles again. 

The good news: I've got my Cateye cyclocomputer working and mounted on my Ciocc so I can ride her on my wind-trainer in the evenings after work. It is amazing what 30 minutes on the bike can accomplish!  My Cateye has a cadence sensor and a rear wheel sensor, so I'll be able to track my speed and distance ridden - I couldn't do that on the trainer with my front-wheel sensored Bell computer.  I plan to increase the length/intensity of my training and get really fit (as opposed to flabby) over the holidays.  My goal is to be ready for the road again next Spring!