13 in ’14 (Freewheel Burning)

“Look before you leap- has never been the way to keep, our road that’s Free”

 

Ride with GPS Segment Leaderboard for 2014

Man+Machine (The Antagonist)

Top Descent Segments – 2014

Schooleys Sweeping Swoop  – 1.2	Avg Spd. 39.1	Ranked #1 with 4 efforts
Descenso Caliente Combs  – 0.5	Avg Spd. 25.9	Ranked #1 with 3 efforts
Spencer Sweepers  – 0.5	Avg Spd. 26.9	Ranked #1 with 2 efforts
The Pond Hill Esses  – 0.3	Avg Spd. 29.7	Ranked #1 with 8 efforts
Blacksmith Descent  – 1.3	Avg Spd. 29.3	Ranked #1 with 2 efforts
Wertman Plunge  – 1.0	Avg Spd. 22.1	Ranked #1 with 2 efforts
Union Mills – 0.4	Avg Spd. 32.1	Ranked #1 with 20 efforts
King George Drop  – 0.6	Avg Spd. 39	Ranked #1 with 11 efforts
Willow Bridge Bends  – 0.5	Avg Spd. 28.6	Ranked #1 with 28 efforts
Hunter-Killer (Blood in the Water) – 0.7	Avg Spd. 32	Ranked #1 with 8 efforts
Alstede-Gristmill 1K – 0.6	Avg Spd. 35.2	Ranked #1 with 4 efforts
Mill Rd Mambo  – 0.6	Avg Spd. 29.5	Ranked #1 with 4 efforts
Somerville Downs  – 0.7	Avg Spd. 36.4	Ranked #1 with 16 efforts

A Climber too slow, a Sprinter no not so-

But give me a descent- where the road twists and bends
Man, I’ll slice every curve in sight and go head long into any dare…

 

There was a point earlier in the year, somewhere in the June-July period where (for which I have no real tangible explanation) I started to lose my nerve on quick descents. That edge, my one strength, ‘my thing’ as it were on the road was slipping away…I was being cautious, too hesitant.

I had started to have doubts and allowed my fears to dictate my decisions. So, rather than just give in I forced myself to plunge into fast, technical descents, I would watch clips of Grand Tour Descents, the TT and the Ulster GP on YouTube, which provided inspriation and gradually my confidence returned.

Like Chopper say’s sometimes you just gotta…“Harden the Fuck up“ 😉

 

In my view, we are living in an age with anti-liberty statists who consider “danger” and “risk” to be a pejorative. To that I say aye, fook ’em all. We are still relatively free men and women (but who knows for how long). How dare anyone else decide what is safe and what is not for the rest of us- if it’s a clear cut choice.

After all choice is, the crux of Freedom. And Risk, like Fear is no more or no less than that of our own perceptions. Some may have more aversion to risk than others, which is fine. But I would tell those who are trying to ‘save me from myself’ don’t dare decide the amount of risk that is deemed ‘acceptable’ for me, based on your own fears, your own limitations.

Taking risks is a part of life, mostly because we can, well, at least for the moment.
It is Passion, it is drive and the challenge that light the spark.

The quest for speed and excitement becomes a marked determination for some, those moments to test skill and suppress the always present mind-killer, fear. The elements of risk and danger versus the desire to push our own abilities, our own Mortal limitations….

To me, there is nothing like pressing the boundaries of risk and fear, to make one feel alive. Passion, Ferocity, Risk and Fear are part of the essence of ones spark…the spark that is the very essence of life

Addio 2014…addio

 

The End Game In US Data Tampering

As a former property valuation analyst, I frequently encountered manipulated and fabricated data by certain corporations and the government. Another post that speaks to me.

Real Science

A lack of transparency is a huge political advantage

The animation below flashes between raw (measured) US thermometer data, and the final version which is reported to the public. The thermometers show no warming over the past 95 years – all of the reported warming is Mann-made by government employees tampering with data.

A big part of this data tampering is implemented by making up monthly temperatures at stations where USHCN says they have no thermometer data. The amount of fabricated data is increasing exponentially, and at current rates of fabrication 100% of the data will be fake by the year 2035 – i.e. there will be no actual thermometer data used after that date. NCDC says that their software which does this, is working “as expected.”

The next graph shows the total adjustments NCDC are making to the US temperature record. They knock about one degree off of older temperatures, and add…

View original post 78 more words

Ride Photos 2014

Presented without commentary…a small sampling of my ride photos from 2014

 

 

 

If The Facts Don’t Fit The Theory, Change The Facts

I typically don’t post or reblog too many non-cycling topics, but I found this very interesting.

Real Science

Einstein joked :

If the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.

He was mocking fake scientists who tamper with data, like the ones in the US government which create fake temperature graphs.

The White House is engaged in a big push to create an imaginary “climate legacy” for the narcissistic in chief. Actual temperatures provide no support for the agenda, so NCDC simply makes up fake data. They show US temperatures for October as 4th warmest since 1895

Their own thermometer data shows nothing of the sort. October temperatures in the US haven’t warmed since 1895, and this past October was unremarkable.  The animation below alternates between NCDC measured and reported temperatures. Note how they bumped October 2014 up a full degree.

Do they actually believe that all of their observers were reading temperatures a degree too low in October 2014? That isn’t even remotely credible. Te next graph…

View original post 23 more words

Tested & Ridden | Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slicks

( In total, I put over 3300 miles on this set of Vittoria Zaffiro’s before changing to a new set)

Earlier this year in June, when I first reviewed the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slick 700×25 clinchers, I did so after putting only about 342 miles on the set. Since then my initial impressions have changed a bit. To date I have what I consider is an unbelievable 2,503 miles on the set of Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slicks. Even after 2500 miles, these tires are performing very well. Not a cut or a tear to be found and I have had not one flat (so far!)

As I had remarked back in June, the durability was a bit of  an unknown factor at the time and although I did read some reviews which stated they were a long lasting tyre, one never knows until one actually puts the miles on. Well, I can now state without any bias, that the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slicks are one of the most durable road bike tire brands I have ever ridden and they are also some of the best all around tires I have ever ridden on.

Set up and peel off into a fast corner, the Zaffiro’s provide stable grip all the way through to the edge of the tyre. Transitioning from right-to-left and left-to-right in quick esses, they never miss a beat. Compared to my previous set of Ultrasports and Maxxis, the Vittoria’s don’t exhibit that sometimes ‘vague’ feeling, especially in the front tyre as some other brands tend to do at higher speeds. Shoulder to edge grip is high and consistent, providing a secure feeling when carving through the corners.

For 60 TPI tire, the Vittoria’s have a high-level of side and edge grip and provide very predictable feedback, as well as having lasting durability. And to be sure, I have put these tyres to the test in many high speed sweeping and technical corners, in which I have claimed a half dozen top segment spots. In both dry and wet conditions they have simply performed exceptional while remaining markedly consistent.

Compared to some of the previous brands I have ridden on; Hutchinson, Maxxis, Kenda and Continental, the Vittoria’s stand well above the rest (though the Conti Ultrasports are nearly as good imo). The Zaffiro Pro Slicks mounted on my R-002 Supersport machine have been through all types of terrain and all types of road conditions and have performed exceptional in all instances during the 2014 riding season. This includes many varying types of surfaces from gravel and dirt to rough and smooth pavement as well as a wide range of cool to hot summer temperatures.

Though billed as a ‘training’ tyre, with a ‘tread’ I would absolutely recommend the Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Slicks for anyone wanting an all-around tire for touring, club riding- both casual and aggressive and training races as well. Typically, I run about 100-102 psi in the rear and 95-96 psi in front. Bottom line is that I have a lot of praise for these tires which upon initially purchasing them, is something I did not think I necessarily would have said.

Given what I had purchased the Zaffiro Pro Slick set for, $31.00 on sale and additional $6.00 for s/h and considering the performance-to-price ratio (or Benefit-to-Cost ratio) the Zaffiro Pro Slicks earn 4 and half stars in my book.

Size: 700c x 25mm
Bead: Kevlar-Folding
Weight: 250g
TPI: 60

(as with all reviews, the opinions expressed are dependent on a variety of factors derived directly from my experiences)

Being Anti-fragile

2ndrate cyclist has it spot on! Stop your crying, rub some dirt on it and get on with it Sally boys…