30 years

Posted on June 6, 2011 by the sloth

In 1981 Micro-Soft introduced MS-DOS, their Disk Operating System or some such. With it a computer user could boot a PC or clone with an 8086 or 8088 microprocessor. Three of the (probably) most used commands that any kid who had ever sat down at one knew were DIR, CD and RENAME. DIR returned a list of files and directories residing in the current directory. CD stood for “change directory” and did exactly what its name implied. RENAME renames files. Pretty simple.

A GPX file is a file that contains XML-like markup. It’s plain old text, but formatted in a way that your GPS device or mapping software understands. For example, a file that contains directions from here to there might be named heretothere.gpx.

A few days ago I ran a script that turned a Google Maps route into some GPX markup, which I then copied and pasted into Notepad. Finally, I saved it. The little save dialog had automagically assigned a “.txt” extension in the file name box. Since I wanted a GPX file, and not TXT, I simply backspaced over it and gave it the name heretothere.gpx.

A quick transfer over USB to the GPS device quickly proved that my GPX file wasn’t really a GPX file. A cursory glance at the properties window for the file showed that Windows still saw it as a TXT file. Clicking the Advanced tab showed the file’s real name – heretothere.gpx.txt. WTF? Unsurprisingly, Windows 7 provides no means to alter this within the properties window. XP allowed this, but I could see no way to do it with 7.

I am still 100% convinced that I’ve missed something obvious, but I’m simply unwilling to go looking for it. I’m a user these days. I used to like to tinker with this stuff, but not anymore. After 16 plus years of using some sort of GUI, I’d like to think I’m capable of doing simple tasks with my computer without having to relearn how every time MS decides to pretend it’s releasing something new.

From the Start menu, I selected a command prompt. CD to the appropriate directory. DIR shows me heretothere.gpx.txt. RENAME heretothere.gpx.txt heretothere.gpx. DIR confirms the rename command was successful. Exit. Transfered the file to the GPS device again. I went about my merry way from here to there.

Welcome to 2011.  When a 30 year old command line is the way to get shit done.

Posted in Computers, GPS, Microsoft BOB | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Membership dues

Posted on March 18, 2011 by the sloth

It seems there’s a new bike club in town.  It’s the Tarik Saleh Bike Club!  A few of us out here in the mid-Atlantic are already members.  The rules are easy peasy.

  1. Ride bikes.
  2. Try not to be an ass.

You should join, too.  I hope this guy sees this photo and realizes how much cooler I am than he.

I think I just violated rule #2.

Posted in Bicycle, Bloggity, Cycling Blogs, Oddities | 2 Comments

How far?

Posted on March 7, 2011 by the sloth

Yesterday, Christie and one of the troop’s co-leaders asked me if I’d go camping with the Girl Scouts this Spring.  There’s a wall tent with cots for the Dads to share, so I wouldn’t need to bring a tent.  ”Cool,” I said.  ”Maybe I’ll ride the bike.”
“Um, it’s out in the sticks,” says they.
“I know,” says me.  ”That’s the point.  New roads, new scenery, it’ll be a fun ride.  How far is it?”
“It’s really far.”
“How far?”
“And there are at least two mountains you’d have to climb.”
“How far is it?”
Christie continues to protest.  ”It takes over an hour to get there.”
“How.  Many.  Miles?”
“I don’t know.”  She looks at me like I’m retarded.  I can’t blame her.  She’s bailed me out before when I got too big for my chain ring.  The last thing she’ll want to do is rescue the wheezing fat guy and his bike from some Jeep trail when she’s trying to get her troop of Brownies to camp.  This conversation is rapidly approaching over.
“Would you please send me the address?”

It’s 30 miles away.  About 2000 feet of climbing.  I can do this.  But that’s not the point.  The point is I tried to get directions from my lovely wife that would apply to riding a bike.  She doesn’t really ride a bike much, and I shouldn’t expect her to automatically say something like, “It’s 30.3 miles if you take the fire road through the State Forest, but that adds another 500 feet.  If you go around the mountain it’s an extra 5 miles, but there’s no climbing and the Mom and Pop store on back road #7472273 pulls a really mean vanilla Coke.”

It’s all about perspective, I suppose.  Ken Kifer wrote about this.  A motorist doesn’t notice the little roads that turn off the main artery because he doesn’t care.  The big, fast highway is the best way to get the big, fast SUV from point A to B.  If  there’s anything in between that doesn’t sell gasoline, it’s quite possibly irrelevant.

On the other hand, the big, fast highway isn’t very suitable for cycling.  Or, at the very least, it’s not very comfortable for cycling.  Back roads with little traffic, little “gas stations” that haven’t sold gas in a decade, and lots of scenery are just what we need.  For those of us who live in town, these places are often more than a few miles away.  Which leads me to my point.

“Any distance is biking distance.” –Kent Peterson

The people around me sure have had some good reasons to doubt my ambitions.  Maybe if I live those 5 words I’ll give them a reason not to.

Posted in Bicycle, Fat ass, Wife | 5 Comments

The MB-2, reborn

Posted on March 6, 2011 by the sloth

I’m channeling Grant Petersen and Charlie Cunningham at the same time.  On the same bike.

Not long ago I found a 1987 Bridgestone MB-2, 58cm (just my size!).  It was in a pile of other cast-off bicycle frames, undoubtedly put there because its previous owner didn’t want to deal with the roller-cam brake under the chain stays.  The original front cantilever and rear roller-cam (sans cam) were both intact, and the fork was held in place with a zip tie from the crown to the down tube, and all the other parts missing-in-action.  Gray and black and calling my name.  I had forgotten Christie’s rule about bringing home more bikes.

Once home I went to work assessing what she needed and what I had.  The stock specifications were compared to pictures of Jacquie Phelan riding Otto and the gaps were filled with parts I thought I could sneak in under the radar.

The handlebars were described in a previous blog entry.  They’re now appointed with old Dia-compe levers, Suntour bar end shifters and blue tape.

The wheels were cast-off cheapies, probably the same age as the frame.  They’re shod with new Kenda knobbies and a 14-28 freewheel.  Alpha-5000 derailers guide the chain.

The Suntour XC Expert cranks came from a fellow iBOB and the MKS Sylvan Track pedals from a dumpster bike.

I gave up on the roller-cam brake and installed a U-brake from Tektro.  It works surprisingly well, providing not only plenty of modulation, but also the ability to lock up the rear wheel.

Top it off with a WTB saddle.

She and I went for an inaugural ride yesterday through mud, water, ice and slush.

I think I’ll keep her.

Posted in Bicycle, GP, Wrenching | 7 Comments

Megan’s Adventures in Radio Land. Episode One. The Snake.

Posted on February 1, 2011 by the sloth

The Megan’s science curriculum is currently all about sound, and the very first lesson is learning about identifying sounds.  One of the examples they use is old time radio sound effects.  We made our own 10 second radio show.  Enjoy.

Rattlesnake <-this is the stupid WMA file.

Rattlesnake <- this is the gooder MP3 file.

Posted in Megan | 1 Comment

Groupo

Posted on February 1, 2011 by the sloth

For those of you unfamiliar with bike culture, quite a few bicyclists like to talk shop.  A lot.  This becomes obvious as one trolls lurks in various forums and mail lists.  There’s the iBOB list, the loaded touring list, the icebike list, there’s a Google group for Long Haul Trucker and Cross Check owners, at least one group for people who own (or wish they owned) a Rivendell, rando lists by region, various forums and bulletin boards, Yahoo! groups for fans of bicycle makes that don’t exist any more and were niche when they did exist, and the lists go on and on and on.  If you can think of using a particular bicycle for a particular purpose, even if it’s not that bike’s original purpose (Schwinn Varsities in downhill racing!), there’s someone, somewhere talking about it.  And they are most definitely talking parts.

When you get a bunch of parts to hang on your Schwinn Varsity downhill racer, they are collectively called a group.  I’ve heard the folks from the Department of Redundancy Department use “group set”.  Why a group?  Italians, that’s why.  In Italian it’s “gruppo”.

Some people, mostly roadies and poseurs and elitist assholes jerks continue to say “gruppo”.  (Christie says I’m not allowed to say “asshole” on the blog, either.)  But they often don’t spell it “gruppo”.  Instead, they write “groupo” or “grouppo”.  Why might they do this?  That’s a hard question to answer.  The best way to really understand it is to go into your local bicycle shop and ask everyone there to pronounce “derailleur”.  Then, assuming you didn’t already know how to pronounce it, decide which one of them is correct.  You’ll soon learn why I write and say “derailer” and “group”.  And, AASHTA.

Just in case you’re unsure, I’ll put “group” in a group, listed in order from most acceptable to an English-speaking cyclist, to most acceptable to a douche bag poseur.

  1. Group
  2. Gruppo (This can take the #1 spot if you are referring directly to Italian parts.  However, if you are speaking English to an Italian, it falls to #3.)
  3. Groupo or Grouppo (You have just come out of the closet.  The closet where all the rest of the illiterati hide.  Please disconnect your Internet service.)

Of course, this is all tongue-in-cheek and I should really go ride my bike and not worry about how I inadvertently called it a groupo once, even though I knew better…

Posted in Bicycle | 2 Comments

New Year’s Resolutions – 2011

Posted on January 6, 2011 by the sloth

It’s about time for me to discuss all the crap I’m going to half-ass and then quit over the next 12 months.  Let’s start with the easy stuff.

My first resolution is the same as everyone else’s.  Be 20 years old and have six-pack abs.  Well.  Lose weight and get more exercise.  That’s fairly broad, so I’ll narrow it down a bit.  His Boniusness laid out a pretty good plan.  Every week I should lose a pound and cycle at least 35 miles.  This is manageable and practical.  I’m too embarrassed to tell you what I weigh right now but I’ve already lost my first pound by eating mostly fat and leaves.  However, 5 days into 2011 and I haven’t thrown a leg over a bike.  Looks like I need to go for a ride or 4.

Complete the GOTCHA Mega-multi Challenge.  This one’s in the bag, folks.  The Engineer and I are more than half-way there.

Go bike camping more.  I went once each year in 2008 and 2009.  Last year was better – at least thrice.  2011 should host at least 6 S24O events.

Add at least 6 passes to my Pass Hunting score.

Meet some other bike bloggers in person.  This could happen.  Train ride to Bahst’n, anyone?

I’d like to learn how to do something new.  Not a hobby, but a skill.  This should be something I’ve never done before, but not something that takes all my time and energy.  I don’t have clue what this might be, but when I figure it out you’ll be the second to know.

Ride a century.  Now we’re getting ambitious.  Let’s start by defining “century” – ride at least 100 miles within a 24 hour period.  I have no desire to ride an organized century, so you’ll have to take my word for it.

Go on an epic ride.  Cyclists like to use the word “epic” a lot.  To me an “epic” ride should be worthy of the written word.  While we can plan a gazillion miles over rough terrain, it’s not epic unless there are unplanned events along the way.  In other words, an epic adventure can’t be scripted.  We can play only a small part and then some other shit just happens.  We’ll see if it’s the kind of shit that makes an epic.

Peace, love and go ride a bike.  Happy 2011 everybody!

Posted in Bicycle, Fat ass, Geocaching, S24O | 6 Comments

Tried and liked – 2010

Posted on January 3, 2011 by the sloth

Per the annual iBOB tradition, it’s the Tried-and-Liked list for 2010.

  1. Geocaching – The engineer got me into this.  It’s all his fault.  Then he went and gave me a premium membership.  And the wife gave me a snazzy new GPS device for Christmas with a handlebar mount.  It’s like they don’t want me to stay home.
  2. Low trail geometry – I’ve had front loads on bikes before.  I’ve had relatively heavy front loads on bikes.  Case of beer, etc.  I’ve wrestled poor handling bikes home from the liquor store.  Then I put a VO Porteur rack on a Nishiki International.  72 degree head angle and 63mm fork offset.  This translates to about 40mm of geometric trail, or whatever it’s called.  Heavy loads no longer require wrestling.
  3. Park TS-8 – This replaced a borrowed Performance truing stand.  The TS-8 only does one side of the wheel at a time, but it’s accurate and build quality is top notch.
  4. Bicycle Quarterly and “The Golden Age of Handbuilt Bicycles”.  Jan Heine has outdone himself.  Bravo!
  5. Tree Fort Bikes.  They have, more or less, replaced Jenbar as my go-to online bike parts supplier.
  6. Motorcycling.  After a 5 year absence, I’m back, baby!  Hide your teenage daughters.
  7. Toplight Line Plus dynamo taillight.  This is, by far, the best taillight I’ve ever used.  Seriously, if you don’t have a dynamo lighting system, get one.  Batteries are for suckers.
  8. Schwalbe Delta Cruisers.  I haven’t really put too many miles on these yet, but who doesn’t like creme tires?

Not a bad year.  Nothing spectacular, but not bad.

Posted in Bicycle, Delta Cruiser, Dynamo, Geocaching, Low trail, Motorbike, Wrenching | 5 Comments

Dirt Drop Dead Pricey

Posted on December 22, 2010 by the sloth

I drive finish nails with a sledge hammer.  How so?  I’ll explain.

Not too terribly long ago I stumbled across a 58cm Bridgestone MB-2 from way back in 1987.  1987 was when the Internet consisted mainly of real content, unlike this blog.  Ahem.  Anyway, I’ll detail the build-up of my MB-2 in a future post.  To keep the 60 cycle hum to a minimum, let’s just say Charlie Cunningham has been a bit of an influence.  From the time I laid eyes on that bike I knew it was getting dirt drop handlebars.

For the unwashed masses, dirt drops are slightly modified drop bars where the hooks are flared out at the bottom, and the rear most part of the drop is flared out away from the frame.  This creates a wide grip area which, in turn, provides for some nice leverage amongst the baby heads.  (Not my term.  Don’t shoot the messenger.  I don’t want to ride my bike over your baby’s head.)  Here’s a picture, blatantly stolen (it really has a Creative Commons license), showing two different dirt drops.  The black one is an On-One Midge (still available) and the silver one is a 3ttt WB1 (no clue where you might get one of these).

ON-ONE Midge vs. 3ttt WB1

So I did my research and decided that I really, really, really needed a silver bar with a 25.4mm clamp area, mostly because I have plenty of stems with a 25.4mm clamp and I hate black components.  No sweat.  The following bars met my needs and are currently available, at least somewhere.

  • Origin-8 Gary (also available in black and with a 31.8mm clamp area)
  • On-One Midge (I’d have to order the silver one from old blighty)
  • That’s about it, unless I want to take one for the team on eBay and get some NOS Nitto bars.

The Gary bar got the final nod, because nearly every online retailer in North America stocks it for about $25.  The Midge isn’t significantly more expensive, but the silvery kind would have to be shipped across the pond.  I held off ordering my Gary bar, thinking that since I needed to go to the LBS, I’d see if they had one in stock.  This was entirely wishful thinking.  If I was lucky they’d have a Bell Lap, black, 31.8.

While I waited for Jim to set my crown race I wandered over to the handlebars and nearly passed out.  There, in all it’s non-silvery glory was an Origin-8 Gary.  In black.  For only a couple bucks more than the bargainbikepartsdotcom price.  I could have walked away.  I could have ordered exactly what I wanted.  But I like my LBS.  The Pedal Pusher is, by a long shot, the best bike shop in the Harrisburg area and one of the best I’ve ever been to.  Anywhere.  So I pulled them off the wall, in all their ugly black non-silveryness, and settled up at the register.  $30.

Halfway home, at a red light, I lifted the bar from the passenger seat and noticed the 31.8 stamped on the cardboard packaging.  The very same packaging that had obscured the clamp area of the bar in the shop.  The very same packaging that I failed to read.  Damn you, Origin-8! And your honest product descriptions!  Gah.  The evil LBS was just around the corner, so I made a quick detour and bought a short, steep stem to fit the new bar.  I had a threaded to threadless adapter at home on the road bike.  I could just get a new stem for that one later.   Another $30.

I like my bars higher than most folks.  I wanted these at least at saddle height.  My threaded-to-threadless thingy was too short.  VO sells a longer one.  $16 plus shipping.

If there’s a moral to the story, other than “I’m an idiot”, I have no idea what it might be, but I spent $80 to accomplish what I could have with $25 had I just ordered what I wanted in the first place.  Finish nails with a sledge hammer.

Posted in Bicycle, Bike hacks, handlebars, LBS | 6 Comments

Soma’s Lauterwasser

Posted on December 21, 2010 by the sloth

Soma announced their new Lauterwasser handlebar today.  It is apparently the revival of a handlebar popular quite a long time ago, like those on this Silver Record illustrated in Raleigh’s 1939 catalog.  A very nice Lauterwasser equipped Humber Sports can be seen frequently over at 3 Speed Touring in Japan.  In all, it’s very cool that Soma has made the initial investment in getting these bars back on the market after a very long absence.  Let’s hope they catch on.

Or not.

I’ll grant that Soma’s taking a bit of a risk and needs to recoup their initial investment.  There’s design work, contracts, lawyers (there are always lawyers), machine setup fees, probably a minimum order, shipping, marketing and so on.  The aluminium bars are currently priced at $74, whilst the steel will set you back a more modest $50.  Somebody’s smokin’ crack.

But, but, but Sloth, you said it yourself.  They had to shell out lotsa mon-ay just to get them made.

I did.  And I meant it.  But (there’s always a but) so does everyone else.  Take Velo-Orange for instance.  They just introduced their own brand of Maes and Rando drops.  I’ll assume that they had to shell out a bunch of the same expenses to have them made to their own specifications.  VO, however, didn’t use the stratospherical price gun when they applied the price tags.  Their bars are around $5 less, LESS, than the competition’s bars.

The fine folks at Wald crank out American made handlebars every damn day, which I can purchase for about $15.  They don’t have one-time setup fees and design expenses.  Those were consumed long, long ago.  But still, $15 for American steel.  But they don’t have a Lauterwasser.

So where does that leave us?  Premium pricing.

Soma is, ATMO, engaging in a premium pricing scheme because they’re the only game in town.  If these catch on, wait a year.  Then buy the Origin-8 copy for $20.

That’s my opinion, anyway.  Meh.

Posted in Bicycle, handlebars | 4 Comments