The Spinner Report....Finally!

The Spinner Report, as promised!

Between the flu and getting my arse kicked in class on a running start for Fall Semester, I finally was able to get the report together! I'm trying a new format here, so here goes!

Aug 2006	08/05/06	08/12/06	08/19/06	08/26/06	09/02/06	Grand Total
TheMrs	19	25	28	15		87
Tom Stormcrowe	24	60	38	15		137
Tayfur		0	30			30
Big Mike	49.4	0	67.2	15.7		132.3
Juvenile Tim	55	6	26	20		107
DanonBike	57.6	71.3	74.8	33.5		237.2
Arctic Jill	66.2	76.1	56.2	134.9		333.4
Gorilla		0	0			0
Uncle Dan!	30	113	140	90		373
Psycho	5	30	7			42
Yelme		30	0			30
JP Smee	74.43	59.75	0			134.18
Texas Mike	167	74	97	114		452
ShawnK	60.11	27.63	24.49	27.24		139.47
GRP TOT.	607.74	572.78	588.69	465.34	0	2234.55

And our walkers

Walk/Aug/2006	08/05/06	08/12/06	08/19/06	08/26/06	Total/Indiv.	Group Total
Mrs Stormcrowe	12	15	8	27	62
Cee	8	9	17	8	42
ShawnK	0	0	0		0
Juvenile Tim D		6	0	0	6	110

Flu

Tom has the flu. That's why the Spinner Charts haven't gone up.

Mrs Stormcrowe

I'm On my Backup Computer!

This old antique has a Linux Distro for the OS. It's kind of cool, because with the Linux, this old PII, 450 MHZ is running like it's twice as fast as far as load time! Here's a screenshot of my Linux desktop. It's clean, isn't it? Not all crowded like a Windows desktop environment! The GUI is the Gnome Desktop, by the way. This is an older Distro coded "Hoary Hedgehog". Ubuntu uses these odd names, but it works! I still have some config issues and I'm working through them. I did find one thing out, MSN Live Spaces is NOT linux friendly, imagine that! Never heard if such a thing! If you are interested in Linux, this posts headline is a link to Ubuntuor just click here

Riding Safely

Riding Safely

In light of the events this week in Covington, Indiana, I thought I would revisit riding safely. Sometimes, circumstances catch you with nowhere to go, like in the case of the 2 police officers killed on their ride. They had no possible escape route available, other than just being somewhere else at the time. This is NOT to say they shouldn't have been riding where they were. They were perfectly legal in their actions and had taken every possible precaution. As I said, sometimes you get caught with nowhere to go. My prayers for their family.

To maximize your safety,you should make yourself as visible as possible:

• Bright, loud colors, flashing lights, anything you can do to attract the eye of the motorist you are sharing the road with.

• Be predictable, don't do unexpected things, like suddenly darting out into the traffic lane. If you lose an argument with a motor vehicle, at the best, it's going to hurt.....a lot!

• Ride in a legal manner, obey the traffic laws. Don't be running the lights or stop signs.

• I realize it's not mandatory, but wear a helmet! The road is a lot harder than your head. You aren't 10 feet tall and bulletproof wearing that helmet, but it significantly reduces you risk of catastrophic brain injury.

• Operate on the presumption that the other guy can't see you! Prepare for that fact and plan escape routes accordingly, always have a plan. Reducing the action/ decision chain speeds up your reaction to an emergency, and decreases your risk.

• Ride with the traffic, not against it. You are traffic yourself, so ride accordingly. Riding against traffic also reduces the time for reaction on both sides of the equation.

• Don't ride the sidewalk, motorists are not prepared for a cyclist to pop out into the crosswalk at speed. They aren't looking for you there. If you must use a crosswalk due to traffic conditions, or a light sensor that won't recognize a bike, then walk the bike.....with the walk signal. Don't bounce back and forth between pedestrian space and vehicle space in an unpredictable manner.

• Avoid the “door zone” A motorist suddenly opening the door right in front of you can ruin your day! Try as best you can to avoid coming within three feet of a parked car and observe, if possible, if the vehicle is occupied. Be alert at all times!

I would also advise you to become familiar with your state laws regarding cycling. Knowing these laws can help you immeasurably as far as judging the risk of a route, legal or physical. Know your rights AND responsibilities to operate your bike. Cycling is great for health and fitness, but it's all a waste if you argue with that car and leave a corpse that used to be in pretty good shape!

Experts to Reexamine Site of Fatal Crash

From the Terra Haute Tribune Star:

By Karin Grunden
The Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE— Crash-scene investigators are scheduled to return today to the site of a chain-reaction accident near Perrysville, where two police officers participating in a charity cycling trip were killed Tuesday.
Indiana State Police reconstructionists planned to re-examine the crash scene as well as travel to an Illinois salvage yard to look over two trucks involved in the accident.
Police say Gary Adams, 49, of Owensboro, Ky., was driving a freight truck southbound on Indiana 63 when his vehicle struck the back of a small support truck for the Indiana Concerns of Police Survivors cyclists.
The support truck then crashed into the cyclists.
Two of the riders, State Police Lt. Gary Dudley, 51, of Brownsburg; and Gary Martin, 63, of Crown Point, a retired chief of police for Lake County, were killed.
A third cyclist, retired Indianapolis police Officer Spencer Moore, 61, was taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana, Ill. He had “road rash” over most of his body and was expected to be released Wednesday, police said.
Dudley, whose death was considered to be in the line of duty, founded the charity bike ride in 2004 to raise money for survivors of police killed while on the job. Tuesday’s group of 10 cyclists had been scheduled to end the seventh day of the ride in Terre Haute.
On Wednesday, State Police Sgt. Joe Watts said the rest of the cycling trip had been canceled and that a ceremony would be conducted later in Indianapolis, where the ride was scheduled to conclude Monday.
Meanwhile, police continued to interview witnesses, including about 20 people who phoned in information about what they saw before the accident occurred.
“We’re trying to glean any information prior to the crash,” such as the lane positions of the cyclists, and any erratic movements by any of the vehicles, said Watts, spokesman for the State Police post in Terre Haute.
The accident happened about two to three miles south of the Interstate 74/U.S. 63 interchange when the cyclists resumed their ride after a lunch break, Watts said. The interchange is 45 miles north of Terre Haute’s Maple Avenue.
Adams and Rocky Bumpas, 64, of Mooresville, the driver of the Enterprise truck that was following the cyclists, were taken to St. Vincent Hospital in Williamsport, where they were treated and released.
Preliminarily, police found no mechanical problems with either vehicle, nor any log book or equipment violations for Adams’ truck, Watts said.
The investigation, which is awaiting toxicology reports, will center on Adams’ actions before the crash, the State Police spokesman said.
“The focus is going to be on why he didn’t maintain control of his vehicle, why he didn’t make an evasive maneuver, why he didn’t brake,” Watts said, explaining that there were no fresh skid marks on the pavement.
A female who answered a phone number listed for Adams said Wednesday “he’s not interested in talking.”
Police are not disclosing what Adams said after the crash, saying only that everyone is cooperating with investigators. Watts said State Police policy prohibits him from releasing such details until the investigation is complete.
Watts said that information about Adams’ statement would be contained in a final report, expected to be completed within three to four weeks. The report will be forwarded to the Vermillion County Prosecutor’s Office for determination on whether any charges should be filed.
In the meantime, two reconstructionists — including one who specializes in commercial vehicles — will try to determine what speed the vehicles were traveling and exactly what led to the crash, Watts said.
As police continued their probe, the remains of Dudley and Martin were escorted Wednesday from Terre Haute Regional Hospital to their hometowns.
A processional of police motorcyclists, squad cars and a hearse carrying Martin’s body drove northbound Wednesday afternoon on Third Street in Terre Haute, bound for a Crown Point funeral home. A similar procession earlier in the day accompanied Dudley’s remains to a Brownsburg funeral home.
Sara Schoffstall of Terre Haute, who had been scheduled to have dinner Tuesday evening with the cyclists, was stunned by the news.
Schoffstall, 28, sought moral support through Indiana Concerns of Police Survivors after her husband, Aaron Schoffstall, was killed in the line of duty in November 2000. The jail officer was assisting at an accident on the icy U.S. 63 river bridge when he fell to his death, Vigo County Sheriff’s Department officials have said.
Sara Schoffstall had been awaiting a call Tuesday from Dudley about dinner plans, and was supposed to discuss details about riding the last mile or two of the charity ride with the officers on Monday.
Now, she hopes to be able to help the families of the victims somehow.
“I don’t understand why things like this happen to good people,” she said.
Karin Grunden can be reached at (812) 231-4257 or karin.grunden@tribstar.com.
Memorial services set
Lt. Gary E. Dudley
Visitation for Lt. Gary Dudley is from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Connection Pointe Christian Church at 1800 N. Green St., Brownsburg. Services are 11 a.m. Tuesday in the church. A graveside service will be conducted in Crown Hill Cemetery at Indianapolis.
Gary Martin, retired Lake County chief of police
Visitation for Lake County Chief of Police (retired) Gary Martin is from 2 to 8 p.m. CDT Sunday in Burns Funeral Home at 10101 Broadway St., Crown Point. Services are 10 a.m. CDT Monday in Our Lady of Consolation at 8303 Taft St., Merrillville.

Copyright © 1999-2006 cnhi, inc.

Photos

This undated photo provided by the Indiana State Police shows Lt. Gary Dudley. Associated Press

This undated photo provided by the Indiana State Police shows Gary Martin who retired in April 2006 as chief of the Lake County Sheriff's Department Associated Press

Slain Cyclists: Update

Steve Jefferson/Eyewitness News

Brownsburg - The two officers killed on a charity bike ride Tuesday leave behind families and also friends who loved and respected them and will miss them.

"He may be gone but he's not forgotten," said Indiana State Police Sergeant Bill Myers. He wants people to always remember his fallen colleague, Lieutenant Gary Dudley.

Dudley and retired Chief Gary Martin died during ISP's annual bike ride across Indiana - a fundraiser to help survivors of dead police officers.

"Gary was always out helping somebody. He died helping people," said Sgt. Myers.

Dudley trained hundreds of state police candidates at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Its military-style discipline and training is one of the toughest in the country. Sgt. Myers told Eyewitness News that Lt. Dudley first came to the Academy in 1993 and had been involved in 16 different academies. Sgt. Myers held back tears as he requested prayers for Dudley's family.

Perhaps the coworker who knew Dudley was his best friend, Sergeant Dave Bursten. Dudley served as Bursten's best man and gave him last-minute wedding advice.

"I think he told me something along the lines of don't lock your knees or you will pass out and fall over," Bursten said.

Like most troopers, Bursten's badge is covered with a black ribbon, and his cruiser antenna bears a black flag. "This is like losing a brother," he said.

Lt. Dudley's name will be added to the Indiana State Police Memorial. It's an eternal flame that burns night and day to remember those who served. The State Memorial lists the officer's name, their appointed date and date of death.

Now a man who died fulfilling his two passions - bike-riding and helping police survivors - will get a hero's send-off from family, friends and fellow officers. (End WTHR text)

Investigation Progress
Tom Stormcrowe/ The Amazing Shrinking Man Blogsite

The ongoing investigation has revealed that the driver, with Towne Air Freight, was properly licensed, and the truck was in good mechanical condition. Towne Air Freight and the driver are cooperating in the investigation with Indiana State Police.

At the scene, there were no skid marks or sign of evasion attempt and the cyclists were completely caught by surprise when their escort van was struck and spun into them. No charges have been filed yet against the driver.

Police officers killed in bicycle ride - Cycle-Licious

Police officers killed in bicycle ride - Cycle-Licious

Indiana Cyclists Slain in Motor Vehicle Accident

2 dead, 3 injured during charity bike ride

By KEN KUSMER
Associated Press Writer

COVINGTON, Ind. (AP) ? A vehicle hit by a truck slammed into charity bicyclists Tuesday, killing a state trooper and a sheriff?s deputy and injuring three other riders, police said.
Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Watts said several police agencies were participating in the ride. The group was traveling south on Indiana 63 about two miles from Interstate 74 in Vermillion County near the Indiana-Illinois state line.
Riders were raising money for survivors of police officers killed while on duty.
Karen Shelton, director of operations for the Indiana Troopers Association, said a state trooper and a Lake County Sheriff?s deputy were both killed during the accident. Their names were not immediately released.
The troopers organization hosted the riders during part of their trip last week.
?They were all very upbeat when they were here Friday night,? she said. ?They do this on their own time which I think is admirable.?
About 30 bicyclists planned to ride portions of 1,100 miles over 13 days, while eight were planning to trek the entire route. The ride began Aug. 16 and was to end Aug. 28 in Indianapolis at Crown Hill Cemetery?s ?Heroes of Public Safety.?
The group was planning to ride 98 miles from Kentland in Newton County south to Terre Haute on Tuesday, according to their schedule.
Money raised supports Indiana Concerns of Police Survivors, which provides support for families of officers killed in the line of duty and helps send them to Washington, D.C., for annual memorial services.
Newslinks:
http://www.officer.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=32236
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060822/NEWS01/60822030/1006
http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_234142415.html
http://www.cyclelicio.us/

A prayer would be appropriate for the families of the fallen officers.

Spinner Saturday, Delayed due to Technical Issues

The Spinner Report....Delayed, due to ISP issues!

Sorry about the delay in getting the report out, but my internet got knocked out yesterday by someone running over a junction box and taking down the entire neighborhoods internet and cable! Without further ado, here is the report! The order is, as usual, descending in miles.

Rider: Miles

• Uncle Dan: 140
• Texas Mike: 97
• Dan on Bike: 74.8
• Big Mike: 67.2
• Arctic Jill: 67.2
• Tom Stormcrowe: 38
• Tayfur: 30
• Mrs Stormcrowe: 28
• Juvenile Tim: 26
• ShawnK: 24.49

Our Walkers

• Walkers: Miles
• Cee: 17
• Mrs Stormcrowe: 8

Well, there it is, and keep it up all! You have nothing to lose but your body fat!

Quick Note, the internet is back up, but I haven't had time to generate the chart images. They'll be up after classes today!

Spinner Saturday for Aug 19, 2006

Today, I recieved an email from a lady named Debbie. Yes, I did get your email! Thank you for the very kind words, and as far as those words go, well, that's part of the reason I do this. The other reason is to keep my motivation going as well. Obesity is an insidious disease that sneaks up on you for a variety of reasons, from behavioral to physiological. Dieting isn't really an answer on the long term though, at least not on it's own! Physical activity is a great help in combination with a change to healthier eating habits. If you diet, you are punishing yourself! It's all in the perception on your choices! I had bariatric surgery, because I was in a situation where if I had'nt gone the route I did, I would have probably been dead.

Diet vs Healthier Life Choices

As I mentioned above, when you diet, you are punishing yourself. Choosing to eat in a healthy and sane manner though, is most decidedly not. You are rewarding yourself with a longer and healthier life. Add in the activity of your choice, be it riding a bicycle, swimming, walking or running, well you have the recipe for fun as well as improving your life. One point, if you are diabetic, or severely obese, or on heart medication, you should definately have your doctor in the loop. The main reason for this is as your activity goes up and your weight goes down, there will likely be adjustments made in your medications, possibly even eventually eliminating these meds. How would that feel? Ask yourself that. Another question to ask yourself is "Would I like to be able to walk through the park with my children and not wheeze and gasp?" Insert you particular physical activity in place of walking, by the way.

I have a number of tools on my sidebar for calculating your caloric burn, by the way. One from the West Virginia Dietetic Assoc, and one from Kreuzotter. Use them in good health!

Spinner Saturday

I had another light week this week, at 38 miles. School prep is eating my time! I start on Monday for fall semester. Mrs Stormcrowe tallies in this week with 28 miles for herself. Time to get the miles in folks! The graphs go up on Monday evening! Until then, get off the couch and start living again!

The Jared Foundation

Jared Fogle,( yes, that Jared, from the subway ads) has started a foundation to address childhood obesity. This falls right in with my mission for fighting obesity, so I thought I would give them a little exposure. The Jared Foundation is located at the URL: http://www.jaredfoundation.org/.










Photo from jaredfoundation.org

Mrs Stormcrowe Has Lost Weight!

Well, Mrs Stormcrowe asked me to help her with weight and diet and at her doctor appointment yesterday got some great news! 1. She has lost 15 pounds 2. Her diabetes is under excellent control! Her HbA1C (Glucolated hemoglobin test) was 5.2%, vs 8.9% a year ago and 7.9% six months ago. Normal nondiabetic range is 4%-6%! 3. Her Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels have reduced enough that the doctor, who had been planning on starting her on statin drugs this week if no change, had reduced enough that he changed his mind. 4. Her pulmonary function has had signifigant improvement post surgery, increasing to 3200cc from 1700 cc and I expect more yet! Blood O2 saturation at rest is now 98% and during exertion it only drops to 93% under normal exertion, and 87% under heavy exertion. 5. Her base flexibility of the back has improved, even with the arthritis in her back. If you get and stay active, this helps arthritis in conjunction with Glucosamine Sulfate, which causes bone ends to secrete lubricants and stimulates cartilage regeneration. Supplementation I started her on: 1. Multivitamin (Chewable for better assimilation) 2. Folic Acid-400 mcg daily 3. B1-100md daily 4. B6-100mg daily 5. B12 (Liquid, sublingual) 100mg-weekly 6. Calcium 500mg +Vitamins K & D daily 7. Glucosamine Sulfate Complex 500 mg-day Needless to say, she got a big pat on the back by her doctor, he's quite pleased with her progress! I am as well! Great job, Babe!

The Spinner Report for Aug 14, 2006

The Spinner Data

Here are the results of this weeks Spinner Saturday. Overall mileage for the group is 572.78 miles. I'm posting the results in descending order of miles. Rider Miles

• Uncle Dan 113
• Arctic Jill 76.1
• Texas Mike 74
• Dan on Bike 71
• Tom Stormcrowe 60
• JP Smee 59.75
• Psycho 30
• Yelme 30
• Mrs Stormcrowe 25
• Juvenile Tim 6

And Our WalkersWalkerMiles

• Mrs Stormcrowe 15
• Cee 9
• Juvenile Tim D 6

Big Mike, unfortunately, turned in the big goose egg as far as miles go, but given the fact that he is now wearing a third hat as a Physics Math Tutor as well as his other job, and a full time college (Mike wants to be a teacher), as well as being an excellent Dad, sometimes riding just has to take a back seat!

Lance in the “Lap Led by Lance”

While we were waiting for the staging for the lap to finish up,I was talking to several of the riders around me. One thing that one of the riders kept saying was how “arrogant” Lance is. I didn't see him as arrogant, he was quite gracious to the cyclists around him. Yes, he is a competitive rider and there is a certain measure of arrogance inherent, just like that in a fighter pilot! Lance didn't display this side at all at the event, and was quite supportive and encouraging of the riders around him. I suspect that a lot of the perception of his “arrogance” stems from the fact that he lives in the public eye and has demands on him all the time. It's hard to live there, because people tend to either idolize you or demonize you if you dare to disappoint them and actually act like a human being does. Think about this side of his life the next time some of you go to call him an arrogant jerk. Good on ya, Lance, for starting up the Livestrong Foundation and doing the job you are doing for the fight against Cancer.

Spinner Saturday for August 12, 2006

Saturday Evening Post Race2Replace

I was at Race2Replace today. I didn't do as well as I hoped, but not as badly as I feared either! This was my first experience in a road race environment, Race2Replace was called a Time Trial, but it was organized more like a Crit. It was mass start, in age groups with an hour to complete 25 miles....10 laps around the Brickyard. I completed the 10 laps, but was over the hour, at 62min:47.5secs. This was my first time riding in a “pack” or a paceline and I really enjoyed the experience. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, by the way, makes a great Velodrome! The track surface is grooved, along the direction of travel and smooth as a 20 year Scotch! Tire grip is incredible and the turns are nicely banked. You feel like you are riding on rails riding at speed, and fly through the turns!

Lap Led by Lance

The lap led by Lance section of the event expanded into two laps, with Lance giving quite a few riders the “High 5” at the end of the two laps. I really enjoyed this part, but found it interesting being on the track with 800 other riders! Talk about a pack! It felt like a really slow Cat5 race with a whole lot of riders! I tried to move up in the pack and got ahead of most of the riders until I got up with the “Hard Core” roadies jostling to get caught up to Lance. There were a couple of hundred of these guys and gals riding in a huge bunch. I did see him up ahead, but couldn't get any closer until the very end when I got my High 5 from him after he turned around and rode back along some of the riders. When I got home this afternoon, I did get to see myself on the news, by the way, riding through the camera field during the news spot about The Lap with Lance. I was the guy in the Yellow jersey.....I know, big help! There were probably 600 yellow jersey's in the bunch!

My Miles for the week

My miles for the week are:

• 35 today, 25 in the race, 5 riding the Lap with Lance that turned into 2 laps
• 25 with Mrs Stormcrowe through the week

This brings my weekly miles to 60. Time for your miles all, and I'll have the Graphs and Tables up Monday as usual! Until then, have a great one, I am bushed!

Just a Quick Post......

I'll be at Race2Replace all day tomorrow, so I'll get Spinner Saturday up in the evening for my official Saturday post. Hmmmm, that'll make it a Saturday Evening Post....better have high journalistic standards, eh? (Pun intended!) See everybody tomorrow evening!

Crazy bike chase

Here's a treat! I found this through Fritz, ovr aty Cycle-licious. The Link to Cycle-licious is over on my sidebar, by the way. Drop by and read.....great cycling blog!

Race2Replace

'Race to Replace,' Cycling Legend Armstrong Coming To IMS Saturday

Wednesday, August 9, 2006
By Paul Kelly
indycar.com

Cyclists from across the country will test their mettle on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as they compete in a 10-lap, 25-mile race against the clock in Discovery Channel’s “Race to Replace” on Saturday, Aug. 12.

The fastest rider of the day will be crowned Race to Replace Champion and race as an honorary member of the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team (DCPCT) for one day in the U.S. Pro Championships on Sept. 1-3 in Greenville, S.C.

Fans and cycling enthusiasts can ride a lap around the famous 2.5-mile oval led by seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong.

Following the lap, guests will enjoy a free concert by the hit rock band Collective Soul. The public lap is open to everyone age 13 and older. Children age 13-18 must have their parent or guardian sign a waiver allowing them to participate.

Admission is free, and donations to the Lance Armstrong Foundation will be accepted. All proceeds from the race, including entry fees from cyclists and donations from fans, will be donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, an organization founded by cancer survivor Armstrong to inspire and empower the 1.3 million Americans who are diagnosed with cancer each year, and the Indiana University Cancer Center.

The “Race to Replace” will mark the second appearance of the year by Armstrong at IMS, as he drove the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Pace Car at the 90th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 28.

“We’re very excited about the ‘Race to Replace’ coming to IMS,” said Joie Chitwood, IMS president and chief operating officer. “We’re happy to welcome the legendary Lance Armstrong and many cyclists, their families, friends and fans for a historic day at the track that will be memorable and fun for everyone, especially the winner. But this is also about sending a sizable check to the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the IU Cancer Center.”

Armstrong won his seventh and final Tour de France title in July 2005 as the team leader of the Discovery Channel team, retiring as a pro rider after the race.

The “Race to Replace” schedule Saturday at IMS:

6 a.m. Public gate opens, enter via Gate 2 off 16th Street; parking in Turn 1 infield

7 a.m. “Race to Replace” begins

1 p.m. Autograph session in Pagoda Plaza with Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team riders Fumy Beppu, Roger Hammond and Jurgen Van Den Broeck

2 p.m. Lap Led by Lance (must be age 13 or older and wear a helmet)

3 p.m. Awards ceremony with Lance Armstrong and winners, Pagoda Plaza

3:30 p.m. Collective Soul concert, Pagoda Plaza

For more information, visit www.race2replace.com.

Texas Mike Race Results

The following is a direct quote from Texas Mike referencing his Houston Race Sunday:
Ok, here's the skinny: It was muggy, buggy and hot when we got to Houston. The race was in Bear Creek Park, and the course was great. Flat as can be, .8 mile long, not too technical. So what happened? We started with about 32 riders, and the pace wasn't super fast, but there were attacks constantly, with two teams beating each other up. Finally an attack went and stuck, and I tried to bridge across the gap since no one else seemed interested. Well, that didn't work. I got to within a few seconds and let it go, I just couldn't hold a 30mph effort any longer. The rest of the race I recovered, worked my way to the front several times, and tried to aid a chase, but the peloton was just too disorganized. I had a few fun moments, like when I kept freaking everyone out around me going through the hairpin and hitting my pedal on the ground. Heehee! Or when a guy wasn't letting me into the rotation and we kind of burshed up against each other, and I pushed him off me with my right arm against his at 30mph. Mercifully the end came, and with two laps to go I was spent, and with half a lap to go I didn't even fight for positon and finished second to last in the pack. I think maybe four or five dropped out. We averaged over 25mph for the entire race, so it wasn't as fast as I'm used to, but the heat, humidity, and lack of sleep due to events the night before stacked against me. Plus the easy ride that morphed into a long and hot one Saturday afternoon when it was 102 might have had something to do with it, too. I'm not making excuses, I just didn't have it. Plain and simple. I need more miles, more races, and more rest. Hopefully I'll do better this Saturday in Columbus, TX at another crit. We all have off days, and this is my first one of the season, so I shouldn't be bothered. Just feel like it was a missed opportunity.

This illustrates a couple of good points:

• Tapering is good just before a race
• Getting a good rest just before a race with a good nights sleep is critical to peak performance.

Mike's post race story says a lot about his sportsmanship and outlook on racing....all to the good, by the way! He sets a great example of what an athlete should be. Mike, Kick some tail in Columbus and I'm looking forward to hearing about the race afterward! Mikes blog is here. The attached photo is Texas Mike, by the way.

Violent NYPD arrests at NYC Critical Mass bikeride

OUCH! This would suck!

Spinner Report and Bizzarre Bonus Video!

August 7, 2006 Spinner Saturday
Here it is, the Spinner Report. We've got some riders that haven't turned in their miles and I was waiting as long as I could to get them, sorry guys! Without further ado, here are the miles for this week!

Texas Mike
167
JPSmee
74.43
Arctic Jill
66.2
ShawnK
60.11
Dan on Bike
57.6
Juvenile Tim
55
Big Mike
49.4
Uncle Dan
30
Tom Stormcrowe
24
Mrs Stormcrowe
19
Psycho
5
Walkers
Walkers
Miles
Mrs Stormcrowe
12
Cee
8


That's the Spinner Report for this Monday. Good Job, all, I know we've all had a busy week, with Jill and Shawn both moving, Psycho taking the skin off his right ankle riding mountain bike and school getting going or getting ready to go for me, Mrs Stormcrowe and Big Mike! Texas Mike did a race yesterday in Houston, by the way and as soon as I get the post race info from him, I'll be featuring an article on his race.


Have a great one all and keep spinning!

Free Spreadsheet Template for your use

I've set up a training tool for you to use.I have 2 files, for 2006 and 2007, at savefile. What it is is a Mileage and Average Speed Diary. All you have to do is enter the appropriate numbers in the appropriate cells and there ya go!

The Format is Excel, as a template file. I have 3 sample mileages and times in it so you can see what it does. Clear those miles out of the cells. It's set up for 2006. I'll be bringing out the 2007 file in January. There is no spyware or virus' in it, but feel free to scan the file for your own security. There aren't any little Easter Eggs in it either, it's just a simple, clean and easy to use program template. It'll open with MS Excel or Open Office, either one and also under Neooffice/J 1.2.2 with OS-X. It will shortly be tested on Oo2.X under KANOTIX 64 w/a 2.6.13 kernel.

The template is copyrighted under creative commons by me and I hereby authorize license for free to any user. The program can be modified to your taste and is based on Open Source Code. The only stipulation I have is that the program cannot be sold. You can give away as many copies as you want though! Use it in good health and enjoy!

Spinner Saturday for August 5, 2006

Well, today was the first Spinner Saturday for the month of August. My miles for the week are way down, I rode 24 miles. Part of the reason for this is I am tapering for next weekends event, Race2Replace. Another reason is that Mrs Stormcrowe has officially resumed cycling and isn't at the stage where she can ride very far yet, with about a 5 mile limit. I ain't complainin' either! It ought to be remembered, just over a month ago, the Mrs was in hospital with lung problems, so I am extremely proud of the progress she's made! Mrs Stormcrowe has 19 miles in this week, so if you feel like it, chime in and encourage her, she's in that stage right now where she's a bit frustrated and thinking she's slowing me up, and doesn't realize that to me, it's the ride, not how fast I get there! Don't get me wrong, riding fast and hard is one of my chief joys, but riding with my wife participating is more important to me than any speed run, and when we are able to find her something a bit more roadworthy than the Trike she's currently riding, then her pace and speed will pick up, I am sure. Right now, she's doing these miles on an old three speed adult trike that weighs in at around 50 pounds, give or take a tad, so kudos to her, the rolling resistance alone requires at least twice the power to go half the speed! Well, that's it folks! Send me your miles and walking/running miles everybody. Have a great one and stay active, every minute you're off the couch and on the bike is two minutes longer you'll live! *The attached photos are the NW Greenbelt Trail in WestLafayette along with a terrain profile of the path.

Spinner Saturday Preview

Spinner Saturday

As you read this, Mrs Stormcrowe and I will be out riding. We're going to hit one of Indiana's fine paved trails, either the Monon Greenway in Carmel, Indiana, or perhaps the Cardinal Greenway over in Muncie. Perhaps just one of the trails here in town. I'll let you know later, after the ride! I know I'm posting the Spinner Saturday initial post on Friday night, but hey, I gotta have time to ride, right?

Here are the websites for the possible trails:
http://www.indianatrails.org/Cardinal_Greenway_Muncie.htm
http://www.indianatrails.org/Monon_Carmel.htm
http://www.indianatrails.org/WL_trails.htm
http://www.indygreenways.org/whiteriver/wr_images/wr_map.pdf

Let's read your votes as to which one interests you the most. We'll do a ride report of the one that gets the most votes this month.

In the meantime, this is just a teaser for my Saturday post. I'll be doing my regular Saturday post in the evening. Until then, keep spinning!

You know it's hot In Indiana When....

The birds have to use potholders to pull worms out of the ground.

The trees are whistling for the dogs.

The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

Hot water now comes out of both taps.

You can make sun tea instantly.

You learn that a seat belt buckle makes a pretty good branding iron.

The temperature drops below 95, and you feel a little chilly.

You discover that it only takes 2 fingers to steer your car.

You discover that you can get sunburned through your car window.

You actually burn your hand opening the car door.

You break into a sweat the instant you step outside at 7:30 a.m.

Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"

You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

The potatoes cook underground, so all you have to do is pull one out and add butter, salt and pepper.

Farmers are feeding their chickens crushed ice to keep them from laying boiled eggs.

The cows are giving evaporated milk.


Ahhhh, what a place to call home! Back home again, in Indiana!

2006 Miles to Date

Dan on Bike did a posting of his 2006 miles to date, and I got curious as to just how many miles I have on the bike this year. I pulled the data out of the Spinner Database and was pleasantly surprised to find that I have 1854.9 miles in the saddle this year, or if you use metric, that's 2984.53 km. This is the equivalent of riding my bike from here in Lafayette to Ontario, Oregon. Another way to look at it might be from Darwin, Australia to Adelaide: That distance is 1879 miles or 3024 km. That would put me about 24 miles out of Darwin if I had left Adelaide. Granted, it's been done over a 7 month period, but this tells me that I could do these tours!