Wednesday, August 30
Rain!
It's finally raining after pretty much none all summer. It's been really dry and has rained very little all summer long, but now it's rained the past two days. Bit of a downpour the other night and woke up to rain this morning. It's about time. At least we haven't had forest fires though...
Saturday, August 26
Chaco's, Boo!
Teva's... Yay!
So for a long time, I was a fan of the Teva Alp sandals (originally just Alp's). They were the ones with 14 anchor points, and three ways to adjust them, using no velcro. I got my first pair in 1996 or so, the last time we lived in Mississippi. They were blue. Wore those out and got a black pair that I had for several years until I wore out the soles on them. Experimented briefly with glueing pieces of trials bike tires to the bottom, but ran out of tire after one sole was done. Finally gave up and retired those. At some point in there, Teva quit making them or the factory burned down or something, and you couldn't get them anymore. I'd been hearing all sorts of good things about Chaco's, so I wound up getting a pair. This was the later years of working at the kayak shop in Maine. They were a bit too small, rather heavy (especially for sandals), and very hard to get on when they were wet. They were secure enough, but overall I didn't like them very much. However, they had the benefit of being resolable. About 3 years after first getting the Chaco's, the treads finally wore out. Sent them back and had a new sole put on for $45 or so (about half the price of new sandals). The new tread seemed to be wearing out much faster. Took them to San Salvador this summer, and wore them every day, all the time, including caving. After a month of walking in saltwater and sand, they wore all sorts of raw spots on my feet. I had to tape my big toe every day, where the rubbing was worst. I imagine this would have happened with any sandals, wearing them so much in those conditions. Shortly after I got back, the sole wore right through. It had only been 6 months at most since getting the new ones. Rather than send them back again, I decided to look for something better. At first, I thought I'd found a place that stocked the old Teva Alps I loved so much. Placed an order with them, and got an email back saying the ordered was 'canceled'. No other explanation. Seemed kinda shady. So I kept looking and found a sandal that was supposed to be the successor to the Alps, called the "Guide Pro". They looked sorta like the Alps, but had some weird unconfortable looking stuff securing the heel. But what the hell, they were pretty cheap and close enough to the old Alps. Well, I've had them for a couple weeks and I'm loving them. They're fantastic compared to the Chacos. They fit, my heel doesn't hang over the back, the straps don't rub me funny or rip out my toe hair, they're easy to adjust, they feel about half the weight, they're softer under my feet, and the traction is much better. My feet are happier than they've been in a while. Here's what they look like:
A Tale of Two Sandals...
I might even like them better than the originals... we'll see.
So for a long time, I was a fan of the Teva Alp sandals (originally just Alp's). They were the ones with 14 anchor points, and three ways to adjust them, using no velcro. I got my first pair in 1996 or so, the last time we lived in Mississippi. They were blue. Wore those out and got a black pair that I had for several years until I wore out the soles on them. Experimented briefly with glueing pieces of trials bike tires to the bottom, but ran out of tire after one sole was done. Finally gave up and retired those. At some point in there, Teva quit making them or the factory burned down or something, and you couldn't get them anymore. I'd been hearing all sorts of good things about Chaco's, so I wound up getting a pair. This was the later years of working at the kayak shop in Maine. They were a bit too small, rather heavy (especially for sandals), and very hard to get on when they were wet. They were secure enough, but overall I didn't like them very much. However, they had the benefit of being resolable. About 3 years after first getting the Chaco's, the treads finally wore out. Sent them back and had a new sole put on for $45 or so (about half the price of new sandals). The new tread seemed to be wearing out much faster. Took them to San Salvador this summer, and wore them every day, all the time, including caving. After a month of walking in saltwater and sand, they wore all sorts of raw spots on my feet. I had to tape my big toe every day, where the rubbing was worst. I imagine this would have happened with any sandals, wearing them so much in those conditions. Shortly after I got back, the sole wore right through. It had only been 6 months at most since getting the new ones. Rather than send them back again, I decided to look for something better. At first, I thought I'd found a place that stocked the old Teva Alps I loved so much. Placed an order with them, and got an email back saying the ordered was 'canceled'. No other explanation. Seemed kinda shady. So I kept looking and found a sandal that was supposed to be the successor to the Alps, called the "Guide Pro". They looked sorta like the Alps, but had some weird unconfortable looking stuff securing the heel. But what the hell, they were pretty cheap and close enough to the old Alps. Well, I've had them for a couple weeks and I'm loving them. They're fantastic compared to the Chacos. They fit, my heel doesn't hang over the back, the straps don't rub me funny or rip out my toe hair, they're easy to adjust, they feel about half the weight, they're softer under my feet, and the traction is much better. My feet are happier than they've been in a while. Here's what they look like:
A Tale of Two Sandals...
I might even like them better than the originals... we'll see.
Monday, August 21
dumbass...
My rear wheel has been dying, so I got a decent wheelset cheap from the shop. I've had the rear on for a while, but just put the front on on Friday afternoon, after work. Fast forward to Sunday, I'm out at southfarm again, planning on doing another 5 or more lap ride out there. On the third time around, way out at the end, I hammer up a climb out of the saddle. Next thing I know, my front tire is going flat. I rode it flat (in the grass) for a half mile or so so I could get into the shade and fix it. I take off the tire, look for thorns, etc. Nothing. Pull out the tube, and as I'm doing so, glance over at the wheel. Woops! In my hurry to put on the new wheel, I forgot to put a rimstrip in it. What a dummy. So, I managed to make a rimstrip out of the tube I blew, and get everything going again. Rode home because I didn't know how well it'd hold. So far so good. I can't believe I did that...
Guess the extra weight on the front from me climbing out of the saddle was enough to do it. Probably would have happened a lot sooner, but the front rim is offset, so the spoke holes are off to the side a bit. Oh well.
Guess the extra weight on the front from me climbing out of the saddle was enough to do it. Probably would have happened a lot sooner, but the front rim is offset, so the spoke holes are off to the side a bit. Oh well.
Friday, August 18
Monday, August 14
Old man Ned.
Just browsing race results at cyclingnews.com and came across the results for the Snowmass, CO NORBA National... The usual people on top, but some noteworthy people as well. Adam Craig, Maine native and former Team Grimace member in 5th, Alan Obye, also former Team Grimace and buddy of Ford's for a time in 11th, and down in 16th, the one and only Ned Overend. He's gotta be pushing 50 now, and he's still kicking ass. That guy is just amazing. He's been racing for close to 20 years now I bet...
Pro men 1
Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/Vw 1.54.582
Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 0.423
Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis 2.444
Todd Wells (USA) Gt Bikes 3.165
Adam Craig (USA) Giant 5.116
Ross Schnell (USA) Trek/Vw 6.157
Sam Jurekovic (USA) U23 National Team 7.408
Kashi Leuchs (NZl) Cannondale/Vredestein 7.549
Eric Jones (USA) Raleigh Facotry 8.0310
Jay Henry (USA) 3D/Hillenbrand Racing 8.2811
Alan Obye (USA) Sram 8.2912
Jeff Hall (USA) Salsa Cycles 8.4513
Ricky Federau (Can) Teamrace.Com 9.5514
Brent Miller (Aus) Santa Cruz/Fox Shox 10.2815
Nick Martin (USA) Trek/Vw 11.0216
Ned Overend (USA) Specialized 11.29
Pro men 1
Jeremiah Bishop (USA) Trek/Vw 1.54.582
Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski (USA) Subaru-Gary Fisher 0.423
Geoff Kabush (Can) Team Maxxis 2.444
Todd Wells (USA) Gt Bikes 3.165
Adam Craig (USA) Giant 5.116
Ross Schnell (USA) Trek/Vw 6.157
Sam Jurekovic (USA) U23 National Team 7.408
Kashi Leuchs (NZl) Cannondale/Vredestein 7.549
Eric Jones (USA) Raleigh Facotry 8.0310
Jay Henry (USA) 3D/Hillenbrand Racing 8.2811
Alan Obye (USA) Sram 8.2912
Jeff Hall (USA) Salsa Cycles 8.4513
Ricky Federau (Can) Teamrace.Com 9.5514
Brent Miller (Aus) Santa Cruz/Fox Shox 10.2815
Nick Martin (USA) Trek/Vw 11.0216
Ned Overend (USA) Specialized 11.29
Sunday, August 13
5 laps of Southfarm....
Decided I'd go riding by myself this morning instead of road riding with the group from the shop. Went with them last week and had a good time, but I'm just not very comfortable on that bike... makes my shoulders hurt and still haven't found a saddle that agrees with me for it.
So, I went to Southfarm with the goal of riding 5 laps. The most I ever remember riding out there at one time was 3, so it seemed like a decent goal. It was a great day for it too, not windy, and not too warm, until the end. Had some bad luck and made some stupid mistakes at the end of the first lap though. My rear tire started going flat on the climb up "Jackass Mountain" so I sprinted to the top to fix it. I didn't really have any idea what could have done it, since it's just gravel roads and all. Sat down to patch it. I noticed my tire is wearing a bit thin, and has some slices in the tread in a few spots, so I figured that's what caused it. I booted the tire, found what I thought was the hole, patched that, and pumped 'er back up with a my stupid mini-pump. Man those take forever. Got it back up to 55psi or so (just guessing on that), and I hear a little hiss. Crap, guess it wasn't that after all. There was a little thorn through the tire. No idea where that came from. Took it apart, patched the tube again and remounted the tire. Pumped it about halfway with the pump, then got out the CO2, because I was lazy. Ah... instantly up to about 70psi. Turn the wheel around to make sure the tire seated ok, and shit. Somehow a rock got wedged between the rim and the bead of the tire. So I had to take it apart a 3rd time. Finally got things back together, and rode the remaining 4 laps without any problems at all, besides having to let some air out of that tire. I was feeling strong and even considering doing 6 laps, but on the last time around, it got much hotter, and I started fading. Did the 5 though, which was the goal. Somewhere around 35 miles. So yay.
I'm trying to work on my endurance since that has always been my weakness. The new bike continues to be nice. I'll get some pictures of it as soon as my darn camera comes back.
So, I went to Southfarm with the goal of riding 5 laps. The most I ever remember riding out there at one time was 3, so it seemed like a decent goal. It was a great day for it too, not windy, and not too warm, until the end. Had some bad luck and made some stupid mistakes at the end of the first lap though. My rear tire started going flat on the climb up "Jackass Mountain" so I sprinted to the top to fix it. I didn't really have any idea what could have done it, since it's just gravel roads and all. Sat down to patch it. I noticed my tire is wearing a bit thin, and has some slices in the tread in a few spots, so I figured that's what caused it. I booted the tire, found what I thought was the hole, patched that, and pumped 'er back up with a my stupid mini-pump. Man those take forever. Got it back up to 55psi or so (just guessing on that), and I hear a little hiss. Crap, guess it wasn't that after all. There was a little thorn through the tire. No idea where that came from. Took it apart, patched the tube again and remounted the tire. Pumped it about halfway with the pump, then got out the CO2, because I was lazy. Ah... instantly up to about 70psi. Turn the wheel around to make sure the tire seated ok, and shit. Somehow a rock got wedged between the rim and the bead of the tire. So I had to take it apart a 3rd time. Finally got things back together, and rode the remaining 4 laps without any problems at all, besides having to let some air out of that tire. I was feeling strong and even considering doing 6 laps, but on the last time around, it got much hotter, and I started fading. Did the 5 though, which was the goal. Somewhere around 35 miles. So yay.
I'm trying to work on my endurance since that has always been my weakness. The new bike continues to be nice. I'll get some pictures of it as soon as my darn camera comes back.
Friday, August 11
Kristen's REU Thing.
Kristen finished her REU (research experience for undergraduates) last week. She made a nice poster and came up with a nice presentation for it. Here's a picture the Mylroie's took of her with her poster. You might be able to read the text if you blow up the picture... 
Tuesday, August 1
More Sea Caves...
Neat one on Cut Cay. The purple stuff is algae covering the rocks.
Typical conditions at "The Gulf" (Athena and Tony)
Tight, slimy, wet little cave... (Athena and I)
The first sea cave we surveyed, on Rice Bay. Also the tallest.
Hmm... guess the tide's too high to survey this one. Grotto Beach.
Having a good time on Cut Cay.
Looking out of a big one at "the gulf".
Mylroie relaxing in "the cauldron", a perfectly hemispherical pothole at Grotto Beach. Really cool spot.
I like Grotto Beach.
Looking out from one on Cut Cay.
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