Art

Tex, I am just curious, and this is in no way a flame. 1. Do you believe anything said in the video posted by Bobdea? 2. Do you believe Sarah Palin is really the best VP pick? I honestly am curious on your thoughts. Thanks,Art

True, that. As was said, "look at his bloodline, look at his name" "Hes an Arab!". Funny how that segment of the population, is actually afraid of a living wage for most, an educated population, and while they say they believe in keeping what you earn, they want everything for free. Higher divorce rates in Red states, less government regulation {great!}(unless what you are doing is against what they believe) then its anti-american.

I really didnt mean anything about his sexuality, more about another plant in the crowd to try to make things go their way. I dont think it worked as planned.

Smells like he was planted to me.......Friend of Jeff Gannon?

This is why all of these things are happening. I cant believe all of you smarties could not figure it out. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26977281/?GT1=43001

Sorry, Chris Page. He's pretty handy on the Tele boards himself. Ill see if I can shoot you a number.

See if you can get ahold of C.P. and see what his wife Stacey is riding. I understand she rips up Baldy pretty good and might have some insight. If you need contact info, let me know. (O.T. the pic has already generated lots of comments in our house!)

Can you see Russia from your house?

Al di you use thw wine for chum? Now go out and find Bigfoot!

I think you will find the time between your truck and bicycle negligible. As far as weather, some decent bike clothes make it bearable and the change can be a refreshing challenge. Right now if I drive the (gasp) four miles to work it takes about 12 to 15 minutes. On the bike it takes 20. I understand the pit stink but a little planning and a decent messenger bag and you will be fresh a daisy. There are plenty of commuter articles out there. And remember what they say about Mopeds and scooters.....

Here you go fellas! http://www.king5.com/video/index.html?nvid=262718

Here's another... your car has 3 rear view mirrors. What is the proper use and alignment of each? Answer: I dont care about the passenger mirror, too hard to look at myself in it. The center rearview should be at an angle that is easiest for me to see if I have food in my teeth or a stray and whistling nose hair, but my wife adjusts it to put on her mascera. The drivers outside mirror is almost as useless as the passenger side, but in the sun, the light is better for the previously mentioned food check. So there.

what are the proper uses of each lane of a 4 lane highway? Answer:Use them all at the same time! 2 or more cars come to a 4-way stop, which car has right of way? Answer:The fastest on the gas! (or the first person to jerk forward three times....this is easy!) 2 cars are waiting at a red light, opposite each other. one car has its left directional on. the other has its right directional on. the light turns green for both, who has right of way? Answer:They are both going straight so who cares? how many seconds gap is generally considered the minimum "safe" distance from the car in front of you? Answer: .5 cause I have ABS (TECHNOLOGY rocks!!!!) you are in the left lane of the highway and the car behind you flashes its high beams, what should you do? Answer:slam on the brakes and flip them off! you are waiting to make a left turn. when should you turn your steering wheel to the left? Answer:As late as possible in the turn to scare your wife and the oncomming driver. you parallel park on a hill, your car pointing uphill. what should you do before leaving the car? Answer:Take your last sip of coffee (Irish Coffee), check your breath, hang up your phone, and make sure you look good for the Judge! Jack that was too easy.

For me, I think the SS forces better balance, meaning when out of the saddle I have to keep momentum and rpms to keep the rear tire from losing traction, making me a more efficient rider. thats just me tho.

Also, I find the Aluminium hard tail plenty soft.

I started with a Redline MC 29er rigid (it was cheap) but it rode great. Sold it and now I ride a Kona Kula SS with 33/19 gears. It is a great XC ride with a Reba up front. I also have a Jamis Dakar expert FS with 26" wheels and I find the 29er handles better. With 2.3 tires (WTB Exi-wolf) it is still pretty smooth. With the SS if find I ride more efficiently and Pick better lines. In my race group I am just as competitive with the geared bikes but of course, long paved roads are a spin fest. I was riding my old Bontrager SS but the 26" wheels dont compare in the rock gardens around here. I dont do jumps or drops so that is moot for me. Also I have read all of the differing opinions on SS, geared, 29/26/96 and find for me I am happy with my set up, so not looking to get into it about any of that. If I was racing with long climbs, of course a geard bike is optimal, but I am plannig on a 22 rear for one of the local sufferfests this summer to test my legs. I usually ride rolling singletrack and if the circuit is right, I just pump the bike for speed...KC enjoy it, you can always upgrade the brakes. Also, I would recommend a rear cog with a wider flange at the cassette like a Surly or American Classic so the splines dont get chewed up. Proper tension and maintenance will go far too. As mentioned, MTBR has lots of info and reviews for you Al. You probably need a 20 to 22 inch frame for your height.

We have a local shop that is a co-op and offers tools and stands for a small fee if you join as well as classes. Check you local area to see if they have any thing like that.

I do too. Sounds like the OP is looking for off the shelf. I used to work on cars and still have the rollaway box as well as building a set of bike tools. Amazing how popular one can be in the parking lot before a race! My boys love to get into the expensive tools and I am constantly finding my good stuff with their crappy yard tools, I chalk it up to Karma and what I did to my dads tools.

Thanks Kent. Motorpace....hell yeah....... The second Cross Crusade video is close to home. Those guys are nuts with great attendance and tons of fun. They put our Seattle scene to shame but I will say we are growing steadily with a consistent 250 (for all cats) riders a race for the series. There is a friendly competition between the cities but I have to say the Portland folks do a supreme job.. Did you make it out here for the Nats last year? the weather was perfect for cross, and luckily I could use work as an excuse not to suffer the weekend. Im already jonzin for the races to start, we have our kickoff on labor day and run to December. Nice rides you have there, I wish I had a little spare cash for some upgrades. I second the 105 and recommend good wheels too. I would have to say the Redline comes off the shelf with some pretty sweet stuff for the money. Go LBS, unless you know exactly what you want and are willing to do all of you own tweaking to the bike.

Both of mine were born in a hospital, the first with a midwife with doctors at the ready, the second with an OBGYN. the first ended up with an infection the first day we got home, spent the weekend in the hospital, no biggy, it happens. Of the two births I have been involved with in the field, lets just say it aint rocket scientists having kids at home. You would think that when the contractions start they would head to the hospital. Oh no, lets wait till o dark thirty and call 911 so we can stress out the dumb firemen. The kid pops out in about 30 seconds. lets just say the family had too many problems to go into, and procreating was not a healthy life choice for them. The other one was already delivered before we arrived, still attached, The mother did not want to have anything to do with the kid. No complications, but still nasty business none the less. The fact that someone wants to purposely have that mess in their home (sorry folks its gross) is nuts. If I never deliver another kid in the field I will consider my career a success. Only 17 years to go.

Most pro racers wont use them just due to weight. For us duffers, I might use the same bike for commuting (I happen to have 2 CX bikes) as racing and I happen to like disc brakes so why not? I have heard safety as an issue, but why are Cross racers so much more fragile than Cross Country racers with Disc brakes in a mass start event? Several years of tradition un-impeded by progress and technology. FWIW, I have 2 CX bikes, Kona Jake the Snake with a Wound up Front fork, a mix of beat up Durace, LX and Paul brakes, Kore Wheels (again cheap) and it is my "A" bike. My other dual duty is a Soul Cycles Monk (pit bike) with BB7 road discs and it is currently my road bike as well. I like to be able to ride to some local dirt and not have to worry about hurting the bike. Most high level riders ore on Tubulars so they can run lower pressures for traction. Personally, Im lazy and dont like the hassle or feel of the tubulars so the tires I like are the Hutchinson Pro Series or Michelin muds. Be careful because tire widths can vary from maker to maker. Also, the Jamis is a nice ride for the money.

The UCI has its head up its butt. Our local series allows discs, and I raced a UCI race with them but since im not in it for points it didnt matter and they let me race any way, if they could justify it it might make sense.......

See my signature......

Had two people killed in one week within a few miles of each other, both on cell phones, both walking on/across train trax.

Sun Valley, random hobby photog, thought carving looked cool, emailed them to me. Cool guy