The book is called, “The United States of Delirium” and that, as I understand it, is apt description of the race, at least from a riders perspective. I read an article on Jure Robic who’s won several times and it seems he gets seriously nuts when he does this.

I’m looking forward to reading the book!

Today I got a notice from O’Reilly,the publisher, about a five week class on using Google Apps that will be held online (oddly enough, during my lunchtime here in Hawaii). It seemed a like a good opportunity to learn a bit more…at least I can keep my brain active.

Course: Google Apps.
Instructors: Michael Milton
Length: 5-Weeks
Class Dates: Tuesdays, August 31 – September 28, 2010

I’ve got a two of his books in the Head First series and participated in an online seminar he gave on data analysis which was really quite good so I signed up for this class as well. The worst that can happen is I’ll do something else at lunch.

Aloha!

Brian Schatz, candidate for Lieutenant Governor, was at my workplace today. I asked about “Complete Streets.”

He was bright, articulate, and actually quite interesting.

Aloha

Here’s the wheelset I’m thinking about, not particularly high end, but hey, it should be better than what I’ve got currently. Sigh.

Aloha!

First let me say this isn’t the fault of the fellow who sold me the bike. It’s a used bike, sold as such, with no guarantees. In addition it would be possible to do exactly the same thing with a new wheel if it weren’t of good quality.

What happened?

Well I started off down the road and decided to take a little detour on the old Honoli’i road. I’ve some family that lives down that way so I’m familiar with the road and thought it would be a nice, short, detour.

Unfortunately for me the road I needed to go on starts with a steep incline which brought me out of my seat. I must have twisted the bars a little too much and taco’d my front wheel. Sigh. I think it would have been fine with the hand-built wheels on my Quickbeam but these old guys were about shot as it was.

With a taco’d wheel I had to head home, luckily only about a half mile, but uphill.

Today, before I came home to Honolulu I stopped by All Kine Bicycles in Hilo where I got this lovely beast and BIll gave me a brand new used wheel from the dungeon. It’s actually in much better shape and will probably last until I can get a new set of wheels on there. Thanks Bill.

I discovered a few things about my bike…

The front forks are 96mm apart, the rear measurement is 120mm. I’m thinking of getting a 126mm wheel so I can go up to a 6 or 7 speed freewheel. Harris Cyclery has a set for about $125, $150 with shipping. I’m not sure it’s worth getting Rich from Riv to build me a set of wheels at this point. It’s supposed to be bike for the Big Island I don’t have to worry about too much…it’s turning into something else I suppose.

Aloha!