tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401526081459994062024-03-05T18:51:39.917+02:00Budget CyclistVillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-11867926451657825402012-11-17T23:49:00.000+02:002012-11-17T23:49:43.780+02:00Learning curve pt VI: pilgrimageBecoming a Serious Mountain Biker is a lot of work. Lately I've been busy earning my stripes, you know, riding up and down slippery rocks, experimenting with tyre pressures, thinking about purchasing different bicycle parts, purchasing some of them, and, of course, washing my bike a lot because the early winter in southern Finland is just so damned muddy. Then, there was the obligatory pilgrimage to the origins of mountain biking: Marin County, California, USA. The place where a bunch of guys invented mountain biking in the 70's, and where Gary Fisher invented commercialization of mountain biking shortly after. <br />
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So, after watching some 5 movies (they were all very good) on a tiny screen in an aeroplane, there I was, in San Francisco, where the disciples, or possibly, descendants, of Gary Fisher display their mad skills by doing long wheelies in front of Alcatraz: <br />
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And, first of all, I gotta tell you, Finland is a developing country when it comes to bicycling as a form of traffic. In San Francisco they have it much better. For instance, SF drivers, in general, don't try to kill bicyclists in traffic. They don't act like jerks. They stop in intersections and let bicyclists go first, if they have the right of way. In SF, the bicyclists ride on bike lanes or among the traffic, and they are mostly treated with respect. It's not scary riding a bike there. <br />
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Anyway, after renting a bike (from <a href="http://www.blazingsaddles.com/san-francisco.aspx" target="_blank">Blazing Saddles</a>), I headed for Marin County. I was kind of aware that to get there, you have to cross the Golden Gate bridge: <br />
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After crossing the bridge, I was faced with the fact that I really should've taught myself to use the Garmin 705 bike computer I had borrowed from a friend for the journey earlier. But based on what I'd like to call an internal compass, and some might call blind luck, I did find a trailhead: <br />
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The bike: Marin Mount Vision 5.8. Not a bad bike. The one I had had a couple of flaws: a freehub that tended to stick and make a noise on descents, and a seat post that kept sliding down. And just like the guy told me at the rental shop, the bottle will get very dirty in the holder. <br />
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The terrain was mostly fire road, i.e. technically easy, dry, sandy road. The hard part was all the climbing - I'm not really used to having to climb for tens of minutes at a time on granny gears to get on a hilltop. In southern Finland, the hills are really minuscule compared to these real ones. <br />
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There was some singletrack as well, but it was technically easy as well. Where's all the mud, roots, rocks and trees? Is this really mountain biking? <br />
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In the distance there's Mount Tamalpais, on top of whiche the shrine of Gary Fisher resides in, if I'm not mistaken. But that's for the next day. <br />
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There seems to be some not too bad apartments on the hillsides as well. I guess one could live here for a while, if absolutely obliged to to do so. <br />
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This is what the typical climb looks like. And it goes on and on. And, for an albino such as yours truly, there was more than enough sun as well. BTW, notice the writing in the sky. There was an air show over SF. Can't tell what it spells though. <br />
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After some 6 hours of bicycling, there's Golden Gate again. And there are some significant hills in the city as well. Ok, I admit it: I had to push the bike on some of the steepest hills on my way to the hotel. <br />
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There's nothing like pizza after a day of mountain biking. Ok, there is. It's beer. But one wouldn't suffice without without the other. So, I think we all can agree that the perfect combination of sustenance and refreshment post-bicycling is pizza and beer. <br />
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The hotel didn't have a special safe bicycling holding space so I just kept the bike in the bathroom. Did I mention yet that I was going to ride for two days? <br />
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Although perhaps sadly lacking in mud, the Bay Area makes up for it in dust: <br />
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Those aren't leggings, I tells ya. Some of it might be tan line, though. <br />
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So, the next day, to conquer Mount Tamalpais, and to find the holy shrine of Gary Fisher they keep telling me about. In reality, it wasn't really this misty. I must have breathed in the camera lense or something. <br />
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Now, between these two pictures there's an inpicturable period of pain that includes finding the trailhead in a nice-looking suburban neighbourhood, and then climbing up hillsides for some 70 minutes straight. I'll always be looking back to that pain with yearning. <br />
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On the mountain top, I finally found what I honestly believe was the shrine of Gary Fisher: <br />
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And let me tell you, a can of cold Coca-Cola has never tasted better than when purchased from the Coke machine beside the shrine of Gary Fisher on top of Mount Tamalpais. God bless America! <br />
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PS.<br />
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In the SFO airport there was a cool display of the history of mountain biking. The coolest museum exhibition I've ever seen (and I've seen at least two). Here are the original mountain bikers: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C9DeBu2UJaT441nKWeZN5hspSntW0hUJLumy-NJlj7hwc1ujysvT10YhO-osdatLie8zq8VN_mfkvWaxPVDP2Qc1hvFsVj4UKhH0YiCFRmXzNakxpkNbdv5s5XJkBgZpdtKw6NSfiqW8/s1600/SF+381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-C9DeBu2UJaT441nKWeZN5hspSntW0hUJLumy-NJlj7hwc1ujysvT10YhO-osdatLie8zq8VN_mfkvWaxPVDP2Qc1hvFsVj4UKhH0YiCFRmXzNakxpkNbdv5s5XJkBgZpdtKw6NSfiqW8/s400/SF+381.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the original mountain bikes: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbOA7agsdAvtDAxXsgj2sjsne4dca8wAV2FFLowSxil0tK56LMq_-nOJ8ZfEkSW3vTDYpXqIgE_eFL24ODMeHjLWqqzUJmqJecELAk-S7c5RZcsEJMutZJSBTqc-C7Fxk6aUOXt1qhU9N/s1600/SF+382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNbOA7agsdAvtDAxXsgj2sjsne4dca8wAV2FFLowSxil0tK56LMq_-nOJ8ZfEkSW3vTDYpXqIgE_eFL24ODMeHjLWqqzUJmqJecELAk-S7c5RZcsEJMutZJSBTqc-C7Fxk6aUOXt1qhU9N/s400/SF+382.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-65822647617624840962012-08-10T22:56:00.000+03:002012-08-10T22:56:11.026+03:00Learning curve pt V: the esteemed initiation rite of bending your rear derailleur hangerYes, road bicycling is an elite sport, but mountain biking is, perhaps, even more so. That's because each part of the mountain bike is a consumable. If you ride a mountain bike, you tend to churn through expensive precision-machined, high-tech, space-age material components like... uh... need a clever analogy here... can't think of anything that isn't a cliché... like... like... Chuck Norris goes through the digits of <a href="http://www.chucknorrisfacts.com/search/node/infinity" target="_blank">infinity</a>. I don't know. <br />
<br />
For instance, this summer I've already replaced<br />
<ul>
<li>four brake pads</li>
<li>two brake pistons</li>
<li>one brake hose assembly</li>
<li>two brake discs</li>
<li>one inner tube </li>
<li>two tyres </li>
<li>one brake lever retaining washer</li>
<li>one brake lever lock ring. </li>
</ul>
<br />
Fortunately, I haven't needed to replace any carbon fibré parts yet. I did order a replacement handlebar for the presumably old carbon/alu handlebar, but I ordered a relatively cheap aluminium one. Just in case. There seems to be nothing wrong with the old handlebar, so far, but Zinn And The Art Of Mountain Bike Maintenance tells me that you should replace the stem and the handlebar every couple of years. The stem I decided to replace because the old one is oddly long. Also I'm hoping that a shorter stem will drastically improve my capability to do manuals, which currently is nearly non-existent.<br />
<br />
Anyway, this morning, as I rode to work, I felt like a winner after finally having the courage to ride a "tricky" part, consisting of a root, bridge over a ditch, and a large fallen tree trunk, all in the distance of some three meters. Shortly after, I turned down a path, heard a noise from the rear wheel, stopped and found out that my rear derailleur was all bent: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kVlutld1YpQ5ICsoxFbikvICcbibW6YTWZvbF72DAuBqISSxEkkwyHYyLkLr56sIPWcOLpWFCOw2YBXhS6ORnr3JmqKKrtH5QlNQYhQJ15vN6PwYW05DvactpzRUHE2l8ELEb9JX8Nnk/s1600/10082012112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kVlutld1YpQ5ICsoxFbikvICcbibW6YTWZvbF72DAuBqISSxEkkwyHYyLkLr56sIPWcOLpWFCOw2YBXhS6ORnr3JmqKKrtH5QlNQYhQJ15vN6PwYW05DvactpzRUHE2l8ELEb9JX8Nnk/s400/10082012112.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Apparently, a smallish twig got caught in there somewhere and managed to bend the hanger. Shows how sturdy the space age materials are. Anyway, you've got to have at least one bent rear derailleur hanger war story in order to qualify as a real mountain biker, and now I do. OTB, hydration pack, bent hanger... that's 3 out of 30, I guess. Still got a lot of stripes to earn. <br />
<br />
Luckily my proficiency in the art of googling for bicycle components during worktime makes up for my inexperience in mountain biking, so I quickly found out that there is a shop in Helsinki that has derailleur hangers for old Scott MTB's in stock. I went there on my lunch break, because obviously, mountain bike maintenance is more important than either working or nutrition. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aD6bUXsLx5JMfFd-9A9tDBw-6fvERE9ID7_bq-p0F39FpRahWAg0L_CfbQriPztlG06IyvtRqwpprOTmWKlyqll7obcRUSA0UUWsuOp6Ct4zugtwA0hZrOy2Q3J_T-o4HrO9Y4tS5TZT/s1600/10082012115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_aD6bUXsLx5JMfFd-9A9tDBw-6fvERE9ID7_bq-p0F39FpRahWAg0L_CfbQriPztlG06IyvtRqwpprOTmWKlyqll7obcRUSA0UUWsuOp6Ct4zugtwA0hZrOy2Q3J_T-o4HrO9Y4tS5TZT/s400/10082012115.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, it turns out that the rear derailleur hanger is just another consumable when it comes to mountain biking. And not too cheap one either (some 20 units of currency, even in the online stores). There isn't a part on the mountain bike that isn't a consumable. The frame is a consumable. If you have a 10 year old frame, people are surprised that it still is rideable. I'm a consumable. You're a consumable. If I correctly understand modern science, everything is transient, except possibly memes. Although I'd like to see how "Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?", for example, manifests itself when all matter has vanished from the universe. <br />
<br />
Although the part seemed relatively expensive, and dammit, I should have gotten a spare one to keep in by backpack, I was pleasantly surprised that the rear derailleur hanger is the other part of the mountain bike that is idiot-proof to replace (the other one being the <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.fi/2012/02/know-your-drivetrain-pt-ii.html" target="_blank">cassette</a>). I took this picture only to get to point out that I do own a Pedro's Chain Keeper now: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYKOfjYvIhHefYpHQQStKRtP2_B_5YTs-7jVCHKP6BqPYp8aVvGpaYECPcnxiFNTz37Bsr4g7Vb7x8IyxsWRgNkgojhhgncU7lv2IXbgmYtcZUQrez6wcpWHAHnyHx8qnnaZagPrA28_Z/s1600/10082012117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCYKOfjYvIhHefYpHQQStKRtP2_B_5YTs-7jVCHKP6BqPYp8aVvGpaYECPcnxiFNTz37Bsr4g7Vb7x8IyxsWRgNkgojhhgncU7lv2IXbgmYtcZUQrez6wcpWHAHnyHx8qnnaZagPrA28_Z/s400/10082012117.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Hey, that's one point. Now it's 4 out of 30. <br />
<br />Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-57082531039514150512012-04-27T22:59:00.001+03:002012-04-27T22:59:47.237+03:00The Story of Charles Smith-PolvinenOne of the most notorious evil geniuses in recent Finnish criminal history was Charles "El Diablo" Smith-Polvinen. His reign of terror ended as late as the early 1970's, when he mysteriously vanished. <br />
<br />
Although he was only ever convicted in a court of law for lesser crimes, his unofficial, rumoured list of crimes is long and fearsome, including robbery, human trafficking, illegal arms trade, cannibalism, arson, forgery, extortion on a grand scale and evil urban design. It has also been rumoured that he was involved in piracy in the Caribbean in the late 18th century before settling down in Finland. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrBx9Iq97h9MdQLyDaaUysbSS3O9vNER2BgIHJoxNfdO6JScd1fQ2ZlfWd-jbVJWMsi_Jvdx8w30BT-CREFxwb9fHXjRzb604QRoV3Bpz9mxqzOfgJrsutSfyO-ecbz_w9XKGGoDveMxd/s1600/JV_Snellman_mod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrBx9Iq97h9MdQLyDaaUysbSS3O9vNER2BgIHJoxNfdO6JScd1fQ2ZlfWd-jbVJWMsi_Jvdx8w30BT-CREFxwb9fHXjRzb604QRoV3Bpz9mxqzOfgJrsutSfyO-ecbz_w9XKGGoDveMxd/s400/JV_Snellman_mod.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charles Smith-Polvinen, 1940</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not much is known about the early life of Charles Smith-Polvinen. Recorded interviews of convicted criminals of the time suggest that a powerful criminal mastermind, sometimes referred to as "El Diablo", sometimes "The Captain", quickly established a strong foothold in the underworld of Helsinki in the 1930's, and dominated it for decades. <br />
<br />
After ruling the criminal underworld of Helsinki for decades, Smith-Polvinen's infinite ambition, as it seems, turned his interest towards the urban planning scene of the area in the 1960's. He and his minions infiltrated various offices and political operators, such as the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Coalition_Party" target="_blank">National Coalition Party</a> and the city council. The purpose of this operation remains unconfirmed even to this day, but some researchers suggest that Smith-Polvinen's evil master plan aimed to no less than world domination, beginning from Helsinki.<br />
<br />
By the late 1960's, Smith-Polvinen's league had gained enough power to launch the first part of the intended takeover. In 1968, by utilizing the various positions of power in his command, and executing several diabolical manoeuvres, Smith-Polvinen published his evil scheme to change the landscape of Helsinki forever. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G5gb0topKqIHZWvkQPItWtsPvW8BHDju487SGndKZE16AhbZ5igKHPNPT83NQJqk5aIkQkpKud7HK6cuX4sLeZHq4UWRDBMrKhbUsFQ8rWAfmA69YS509y3nNv3Pgr4CCUEJJfRNT5ol/s1600/SM0102_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G5gb0topKqIHZWvkQPItWtsPvW8BHDju487SGndKZE16AhbZ5igKHPNPT83NQJqk5aIkQkpKud7HK6cuX4sLeZHq4UWRDBMrKhbUsFQ8rWAfmA69YS509y3nNv3Pgr4CCUEJJfRNT5ol/s400/SM0102_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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His master plan is most widely known for the many motorways built over the very centre of Helsinki, which would have destroyed several esteemed residential areas in the heart of the city, but there was more to come. The lesser known second part of the Smith-Polvinen's traffic plan reveals that next, he would have terrorized the people even more diabolically (hence the nickname "El Diablo"). <a href="https://www.google.fi/#hl=fi&sclient=psy-ab&q=Historical+documents&oq=Historical+documents&aq=f&aqi=g1&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=hp.3..0.6439.8311.1.8898.2.2.0.0.0.0.137.251.0j2.2.0.t24UO3kZMfA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=9b797d600811dca3&biw=1440&bih=742" target="_blank">Historical documents</a> reveal that he intended to <br />
<ul>
<li>ban bicycling altogether </li>
<li>ban walking for more than two blocks</li>
<li>destroy public transport by means of taxation</li>
<li>cut down all trees in the metropolitan area</li>
<li>ban all sports except ice hockey</li>
<li>ban all political parties except the National Coalition Party</li>
<li>piss down, while laughing diabolically, from the lectern of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Finland" target="_blank">Parliament of Finland</a>. </li>
</ul>
<br />
It remains unclear why Smith-Polvinen's plan failed, even though it was strongly advocated by the right-wing politicians of the time. <a href="https://www.google.fi/#hl=fi&sclient=psy-ab&q=Some+historians&oq=Some+historians&aq=f&aqi=g-L4&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=hp.3..0i19l4.55261.55261.2.55497.1.1.0.0.0.0.125.125.0j1.1.0._FQrrgwTbh8&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=9b797d600811dca3&biw=1440&bih=742" target="_blank">Some historians</a> say that it was because it was slightly too outright diabolical, even for the right-wingers. An unnamed historian was quoted saying "What? I don't know. What the hell are you talking about?". The most likely reason established so far was that <a href="http://www.yrjohakanen.fi/" target="_blank">Yrjö Hakanen</a>, member of the city council from 1870 to present, kept objecting to the plan and demanding further investigation until the everyone else got totally fed up. <br />
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After Smith-Polvinen's diabolical master plan failed to materialize, Smith-Polvinen vanished from public view. At the time it the official explanation was that he retired, while the tabloids claimed that an informant, called Axel Galen-Galen-Galen-Cuckoo-Meow-Munch, had said that Smith-Polvinen was Nosferatu himself, and was merely buried for a century or so, to return in a better time. Then again, some <a href="https://www.google.fi/#hl=fi&sclient=psy-ab&q=not-entirely-respectable+sources&oq=not-entirely-respectable+sources&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=hp.3...38376.38376.3.38679.1.1.0.0.0.0.151.151.0j1.1.0.Ic3UtEbqAvg&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=9b797d600811dca3&biw=1440&bih=742" target="_blank">not-entirely-respectable sources</a> have hinted that Smith-Polvinen simply shaved off his sideburns, changed his name to <a href="http://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiedosto:Harry_Bogomoloff.jpg" target="_blank">Harry Bogomoloff</a> and continued to pursue his evil dream.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.google.fi/#hl=fi&sclient=psy-ab&q=Certain+researchers&oq=Certain+researchers&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=hp.3...23956.27095.4.27532.32.7.0.0.0.3.813.1808.0j1j1j5-1j1.6.0.KOE9Rw5w_6M&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=9b797d600811dca3&biw=1440&bih=742" target="_blank">Certain researchers</a>, often denounced as mere conspiracy theorists, say that the evil legacy of Charles Smith-Polvinen lives on even today. The ideals of Smith-Polvinen are said to be pursued by occultists, urban planners, IT architects, bankers, politicians belonging to the National Coalition Party and other practitioners of evil professions. <a href="https://www.google.fi/#hl=fi&sclient=psy-ab&q=There+are&oq=There+are&aq=f&aqi=g4&aql=&gs_nf=1&gs_l=hp.3..0l4.96830.96830.6.97081.1.1.0.0.0.0.158.158.0j1.1.0.uoVg5SRLzhA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&fp=9b797d600811dca3&biw=1440&bih=742" target="_blank">There are</a> theories that suggest that Smith-Polvinen is undead and will awaken from his sleep to become the ruler of the National Coalition Party when it's popularity exceeds 25% in a parliamentary election. Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-27159422067567117952012-03-13T12:33:00.001+02:002012-03-13T12:33:50.921+02:00RideabilityYou know what's wrong with the law? I don't mean any specific law, but the law in general. Yes, just like any specification, it's never precise enough (even though it's written in legalese), but I wasn't thinking about that. What I was thinking about is that there's not enough pictures. Like, for example, I hear that they've got a law that says you can't ride your bike on the road, if there's a cycle path adjacent to it. (You <a href="http://www.finlex.fi/fi/" target="_blank">look it up</a>, I can't be bothered.) And furthermore, they tell me (on the forums) that you're only allowed to ride on the road with a cycle path adjacent to it if the cycle path in question is <i>not rideable</i>. The law doesn't say exactly what "not rideable" means though.<br />
<br />
They could make the legislation clearer (not to mention more interesting) if they put some pictures and examples in it. Luckily, there's the internet, so bicycling authorities <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(disclaimer: actual authority not verified)</span> such as myself can easily publish some examples for the public, and courts, to judge things by <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(disclaimer: actual applicability in a court of law not verified)</span>. <br />
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We'll start with an easy one: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eDw5h1GVEOv4rhBCXSmtm5aPvx4g0p_0H04mIsTbpZ6qrQTtqTrEea9kdsMth7vimZhn3KRkW-OLkNKTljfXsZMUSUtUJxeLAxbEA5YaPXw3b9EHxl4C419AL-WcGbowLL_A471Ljvt0/s1600/29022012012.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eDw5h1GVEOv4rhBCXSmtm5aPvx4g0p_0H04mIsTbpZ6qrQTtqTrEea9kdsMth7vimZhn3KRkW-OLkNKTljfXsZMUSUtUJxeLAxbEA5YaPXw3b9EHxl4C419AL-WcGbowLL_A471Ljvt0/s400/29022012012.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verdict: rideable. <br />
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What about this one, is this rideable or not rideable? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFncBgNS3ZHVSoK7yTlRpBzytjqyYzB0xFECXC9HQ_ZfHv7mYgUpcMraaDbgatDiz8z22fcZ5b7Xps0hJV5VVXfLhdRh60vBVidEUmC0F63JTyXIQ7hFqV0ZUHDbVnL8yoJuMojmBElt9/s1600/29022012007.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFncBgNS3ZHVSoK7yTlRpBzytjqyYzB0xFECXC9HQ_ZfHv7mYgUpcMraaDbgatDiz8z22fcZ5b7Xps0hJV5VVXfLhdRh60vBVidEUmC0F63JTyXIQ7hFqV0ZUHDbVnL8yoJuMojmBElt9/s400/29022012007.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verdict: not rideable. However, that was a trick question: there's not a cycle path underneath the snow there, it's just a sidewalk. <br />
<br />
How about this one? Yes, there's a cycle path in there somewhere. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsOdDKkq4IcJYeu4JS8aGejwDAHiIHG5q37fnpGnfkw3k3uLR6mLpeLWnp1tFykXukl48XOyKxbydPoupAbMToYR233tIKrEtyLKKpV-IaqNTwAR1Q2F00XrFXqEQcKWXcsbsx55_L0Sv/s1600/29022012013.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtsOdDKkq4IcJYeu4JS8aGejwDAHiIHG5q37fnpGnfkw3k3uLR6mLpeLWnp1tFykXukl48XOyKxbydPoupAbMToYR233tIKrEtyLKKpV-IaqNTwAR1Q2F00XrFXqEQcKWXcsbsx55_L0Sv/s400/29022012013.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verdict: rideable, you wuss. <br />
<br />
Ok. What about the next one? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WqBaULPLm-_xC-vsKwXsS4_VBrCr5v8wBIgvi6zn56PfEp3IisodBo6BD6b8h7TrF8T2f0FC4xq6ddHSwWhJwIlTxz2ocB4lU5QSbVvetaQ1k1wFzWomtk9RhABgsKR3Vs4kbP5R7TpD/s1600/01032012014.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WqBaULPLm-_xC-vsKwXsS4_VBrCr5v8wBIgvi6zn56PfEp3IisodBo6BD6b8h7TrF8T2f0FC4xq6ddHSwWhJwIlTxz2ocB4lU5QSbVvetaQ1k1wFzWomtk9RhABgsKR3Vs4kbP5R7TpD/s400/01032012014.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This one is pretty typical in wintery Helsinki: the cycle path is in a hideous condition, and the road adjacent to it has been licked clean. It might be possible to ride this, if you have enormous thighs, and an enduro bike. It would seem pretty stupid to try it on a city bike, such as the one pictured, though. <br />
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And yes, 10 metres up the road it seems evident that the cycle path is totally gone: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpjEKkUNcDsfP1SVPvPew1jJ2KoLqViy44O6gvPFhMhJlwmCwvYRywgn471ylrWI2RkK59zbpc9nO0K_2uGb22EsZz92NzuicokZFNphbv2eRUxatm_OYLLnTM2XbBmgzeQtdmSOrDzpy/s1600/01032012016.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpjEKkUNcDsfP1SVPvPew1jJ2KoLqViy44O6gvPFhMhJlwmCwvYRywgn471ylrWI2RkK59zbpc9nO0K_2uGb22EsZz92NzuicokZFNphbv2eRUxatm_OYLLnTM2XbBmgzeQtdmSOrDzpy/s400/01032012016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Verdict: Not rideable. Please proceed to ride on the road. <br />
<br />
When confronted by conditions such as these, year in year out, one begins to form the idea that the rideability of a cycle path is relative: it depends on your choice of bicycle, state of mind and general obedience to the letter of the law.<br />
<br />
Take a look at the same site a couple of weeks later, for instance: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzD9QaojTFSTXuiH36Eoq3jhRN4vbglHDHHmF6cSMRAYnoB0-rwuAMQW9z0JVqW7xx_K9WwRKMmjAGdUn34_BKCo8op0LSOHnXhnOzJLXIKeoMMdQtI-RVOE-1dEmOpz9l1ebVfmNN4xy/s1600/08032012021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPzD9QaojTFSTXuiH36Eoq3jhRN4vbglHDHHmF6cSMRAYnoB0-rwuAMQW9z0JVqW7xx_K9WwRKMmjAGdUn34_BKCo8op0LSOHnXhnOzJLXIKeoMMdQtI-RVOE-1dEmOpz9l1ebVfmNN4xy/s400/08032012021.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
They've taken the huge bank of snow away, so yes, basically, it is possible to advance on a bicycle on this cycle path. However, they've left a 10 cm cake of bumpy, uneven ice and snow on the cycle path, while the adjacent road remains licked clean. Riding on the road, it's possible to keep up a decent average speed comfortably. Riding on the ice, some parts of the bicycle and your teeth begin to fall off from all the rattling and bouncing. It's slow, uncomfortable and hazardous. The level of maintenance for this cycle path doesn't even begin to address the requirements for fluent bicycling. They've just, narrowly, fulfilled the minimum obligation. The road adjacent remains free of snow. There's very few cars going there. There's only a 40 kph speed limit. Verdict: the cycle path is not rideable for a sane person. <br />
<br />
More ambiguity: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqakyzHktI0amRj3Bk62Bx_uwkzXiSxrOflTMjYfD5G7jGTuZT50cvGYn9iD-BA7SDrfkRmJP0OgER273CWVRG7_VKo_TVLeQNh07x2pEMgm67s8CgjwzAZL-4vey8EfbnPt_kfktGB0s/s1600/08032012022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqakyzHktI0amRj3Bk62Bx_uwkzXiSxrOflTMjYfD5G7jGTuZT50cvGYn9iD-BA7SDrfkRmJP0OgER273CWVRG7_VKo_TVLeQNh07x2pEMgm67s8CgjwzAZL-4vey8EfbnPt_kfktGB0s/s400/08032012022.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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There's not a question of moving to an adjacent road here, because there isn't one. I'm just complaining. If it is below zero, this cycle path is horribly slippery, bumpy and uneven. If it is above zero, this cycle path is horribly slippery, soft and treacherous. Both ways, the weather is fine for bicycling. It's the level of maintenance that sucks. It would be possible to maintain this cycle path so it would be good for bicycling. They just don't do it, for whatever reason.<br />
<br />
Here's an example of a cycle path left care of Mother Nature since the latest blizzard (a couple of weeks ago) with the temperature a couple of degrees above zero: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6QzthxzhdLBR-nDQeaUxKAhAZb-FiEC1Kurt-Yc21LAOYVrf8DzaQ-jQROE8bK8Rc5krVDpOvsDqeKfogD6qhT9VfllUoWKzQ51pdLekvn9X7z2SLijEze6k-50_0zDWGwXsTpuBzWT3/s1600/11032012038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6QzthxzhdLBR-nDQeaUxKAhAZb-FiEC1Kurt-Yc21LAOYVrf8DzaQ-jQROE8bK8Rc5krVDpOvsDqeKfogD6qhT9VfllUoWKzQ51pdLekvn9X7z2SLijEze6k-50_0zDWGwXsTpuBzWT3/s400/11032012038.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verdict: rideable (but horrible, profane cursing while riding <em>is</em> allowed). Optimistically thinking, riding a bike in conditions like these improves one's balance a lot. </div>
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Then again, there's not only snow, but other kinds of obstacles as well, that can render a cycle path not rideable. Like, for instance, the vehicles of Rakennus Tapsa and his four colleagues, parked directly on the public cycle path, while Tapsa and co. are embiggening the <a href="http://www.hartwall-areena.com/en/" target="_blank">Hartwall Areena</a>: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNAi2JYv8Luhnx-ntHn9JjbvwnlhxQk1JdjIe6wzDbpihyorJ8-gwGnut70J-7mqY-_yUNaVQ7Vf3RooZOgwxqvxA4PIsFRXyaQvid6egJqRgML9LwLZUACtJK-ij6i1xSDvdL4aH2jyQ/s1600/13032012041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNAi2JYv8Luhnx-ntHn9JjbvwnlhxQk1JdjIe6wzDbpihyorJ8-gwGnut70J-7mqY-_yUNaVQ7Vf3RooZOgwxqvxA4PIsFRXyaQvid6egJqRgML9LwLZUACtJK-ij6i1xSDvdL4aH2jyQ/s400/13032012041.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verdict: not rideable. I believe that even Danny McAskill himself can't bunny hop on top of this van from the ground. Possibly, if that bank of snow is hard enough, it could be used as a ramp for hopping on the windscreen, and then to the roof, but it does seem awfully difficult, even for Danny. But what do I know about trials. </div>
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But if Danny McAskill, Chris Akrigg or some other skilled trials rider were advancing the cycle path from the other direction, they could rather easily bunny hop on top of the first sedan, and then keep on hopping from the roof of one car to another, provided that the gaps between cars aren't too wide. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXH6K5Mvzk4J_v3fgE8ZzAZIh3G9SyW_v2wfRtRze1BgoMdsc1tJu9MxVIAkP8v-Zm5N29ZbB6eoCfxWPVipxTofS1D05WqQg0l2hTM4rKrQPQs_ejWyyRkpVleQp4ShlSImm2r0vBFDv/s1600/13032012042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXH6K5Mvzk4J_v3fgE8ZzAZIh3G9SyW_v2wfRtRze1BgoMdsc1tJu9MxVIAkP8v-Zm5N29ZbB6eoCfxWPVipxTofS1D05WqQg0l2hTM4rKrQPQs_ejWyyRkpVleQp4ShlSImm2r0vBFDv/s400/13032012042.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Verdict: rideable (for Danny McAskill or equivalent), not rideable for regular people. <br />
<br />
BTW, when confronted with obstacles of the automobile-y kind parked on the cycle path, I believe that the correct way to get rid of them is to call the parking surveillance hotline (in Helsinki, 09 - 310 39000) and leave a request for parking surveillance, not to destroy the obstacles yourself. </div>Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-85546910793084655382012-02-11T21:33:00.002+02:002012-02-11T21:33:47.201+02:00Know Your Drivetrain pt. IIWhat does a family man do when the family goes away for a week?<br />
<br />
a) Works loads of overtime<br />
b) Drinks loads of beer<br />
c) Listens to loads of heavy metal very loud on the stereo<br />
d) Eats nothing but loads of hamburgers, while standing over the sink (in order to avoid having to wash the dishes)<br />
e) Goes to loads of sauna (every night)<br />
f) Sets up a bicycle repair shop in the living room<br />
g) All of the above.<br />
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Of course, the correct answer is g). A week home alone can truly be a bicycling nerd paradise.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYZb-fXzlYdhg_HUoGA1ylfKUAOqLd8JCbv6iHSPdUsy4YeawOaRc7VBdfUJ7m_HYfKEgHpZGilpj5Sh7l_LDxtMYL_qGOn81UffwOHyHDlxQGhbTf0dC-dxDkImz6R0QNuEqZQ2Kgg1O/s1600/IMG_5525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYZb-fXzlYdhg_HUoGA1ylfKUAOqLd8JCbv6iHSPdUsy4YeawOaRc7VBdfUJ7m_HYfKEgHpZGilpj5Sh7l_LDxtMYL_qGOn81UffwOHyHDlxQGhbTf0dC-dxDkImz6R0QNuEqZQ2Kgg1O/s400/IMG_5525.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Of course, when you set up a repair shop in the living room, you've got to be careful with the appliance of solvents and grease, as well as with cleaning parts with compressed air. Better do that outside, even though it's cold there.<br />
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So, the drivetrain of my MTB requires some attention. I lately got a new chain, as the old one was too short and worn, but should have changed the cassette and chainrings at the same time. A couple of weeks ago, when the snow situation was the worst it's been this winter, I suffered from a bad case of chain suck when using the middle chainring. Can't figure out exactly why though, the chainring seems ok to me, but maybe it's just too worn.<br />
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<br />
First, the specs:<br />
<ul>
<li>the gruppo is Shimano XT, except for the front derailleur, which is XTR</li>
<li>the toothing of the cassette is 11-32 (9 speed)</li>
<li>the chainrings are 22-32-44</li>
<li>the length of the cranks is 175 mm</li>
<li>the bottom bracket/crankset system is Shimano Hollowtech II. </li>
</ul>
Here's the crankset and the new parts: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQn3gD-ppED5wZ6QE1t4ld1AK4K0-RhW1M5WsQjmA46DgdJOZe2y0DHbIZFrRV0GKDVFLDzrIOsXdicB8hkzv1mS68ZUTP0H1iRlQOKbI30PmOlXjmjJf5f3D9-7_Wk0wyPMM4chAhtGy/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQn3gD-ppED5wZ6QE1t4ld1AK4K0-RhW1M5WsQjmA46DgdJOZe2y0DHbIZFrRV0GKDVFLDzrIOsXdicB8hkzv1mS68ZUTP0H1iRlQOKbI30PmOlXjmjJf5f3D9-7_Wk0wyPMM4chAhtGy/s400/044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Yes, no new big chainring. It would have cost as much as the cassette, and I'm cheap, and I figured that the old one will work ok for some time. After all, who <i>really</i> uses the big chainring on a MTB? <br />
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Here's the old cassette. It might not seem worn, but yes, it's worn. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzh-Ok66ek51rq1L5iWSIOupmb6vKleSnhV6Te71GpAqCuskx7csPH0fIyIWaDhhWbTF9iCBO3IKmLuaxnIkMSBxAGy85i_3BQOmZ86yK-wgaj9cikXCbdyyFyhJMkMnP_tol4uOyFOlg/s1600/046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNzh-Ok66ek51rq1L5iWSIOupmb6vKleSnhV6Te71GpAqCuskx7csPH0fIyIWaDhhWbTF9iCBO3IKmLuaxnIkMSBxAGy85i_3BQOmZ86yK-wgaj9cikXCbdyyFyhJMkMnP_tol4uOyFOlg/s400/046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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BTW, the new wheels <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/12/freehub-pt-ii.html" target="_blank">I speculated of purchasing</a> some time ago I indeed did purchase, and they're fine: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oDQdYThnjTADhEEvwvusG7MepetsMnFg1BPCplwvwekrwAXpb4BagjS3bV4qxkr_tZuLnll4a8_TynlEWJC6JQZDlve-7DjLy5CyHppfePThSVWBsW3J4EcUg-KvQoAVCgU0HhjEx2AS/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oDQdYThnjTADhEEvwvusG7MepetsMnFg1BPCplwvwekrwAXpb4BagjS3bV4qxkr_tZuLnll4a8_TynlEWJC6JQZDlve-7DjLy5CyHppfePThSVWBsW3J4EcUg-KvQoAVCgU0HhjEx2AS/s400/047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Wow. Admire the thing the front derailleur is attached to - it's crabon fribé: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEA1S1zJ1BQeKsnCGq8cPfi_4Vx-rmBdv5PDeVbxDLlPGcZgGNZ2oee7-qf4E2Trbhh10gdKyw4KJKd1yuMG613lFcuzCBZxkKglSQN7WaOYmFjD68peg4qCV8dlbG4HE9u3XKBcYGR-i/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgEA1S1zJ1BQeKsnCGq8cPfi_4Vx-rmBdv5PDeVbxDLlPGcZgGNZ2oee7-qf4E2Trbhh10gdKyw4KJKd1yuMG613lFcuzCBZxkKglSQN7WaOYmFjD68peg4qCV8dlbG4HE9u3XKBcYGR-i/s400/048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Or at least it looks like it with the fishy kind of patterns. There's some damage from a skipped chain. Hope it doesn't fail completely. It might be difficult to get a spare one. <br />
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BTW, I see that my repair stand has been designed by a person who knows what bicycle repair is all about: there's a beer holder in the tray! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfF_aI6oIO9ecRrY8mQ7HcPkCYFREtYts__7CBM0KpNFZY_V6EfFfHXht7pBQk7P7IKYR-NzLawvenpocZc-hfeLOyQ2_qA6WBGZXKQtqIdQNbDoYEozT66RyA9qDDDLlg93atdKz2b2V/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfF_aI6oIO9ecRrY8mQ7HcPkCYFREtYts__7CBM0KpNFZY_V6EfFfHXht7pBQk7P7IKYR-NzLawvenpocZc-hfeLOyQ2_qA6WBGZXKQtqIdQNbDoYEozT66RyA9qDDDLlg93atdKz2b2V/s400/049.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now, to dismantle the crankset. Some months ago, I solved an annoying clicking issue in the drivetrain by tightening the bolts of the chainrings as tight as I could (that is white-hot-shit tight, scientifically speaking). But opening them is a mother*ucker, if you don't own a special three-pronged tool for holding the counterparts in place - they just spin through. I finally managed to open them with the aid of a vise and a steel square. (I just looked it up - the special tool is called <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=14305" target="_blank">a nut wrench</a>. Gotta order one of those.) <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt2GPACYNVoAbCerKmryh8MgODqEX8rhbgYqUS7AUbuS8Mt5KHu4GVVX2XczKqOMgZEp4ZbiGzbW-E_78G6dlhQiHWtoC99faJsfWWPbZYGLIhLcOk7_l4VzSAmy5S1a1cSTYim8boDrs/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt2GPACYNVoAbCerKmryh8MgODqEX8rhbgYqUS7AUbuS8Mt5KHu4GVVX2XczKqOMgZEp4ZbiGzbW-E_78G6dlhQiHWtoC99faJsfWWPbZYGLIhLcOk7_l4VzSAmy5S1a1cSTYim8boDrs/s400/052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the crankset with the new rings: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI68pqjPGhHYFu2Xo8fnCcmH_WBxTzIIsdRgBoAJf4QXfnOBRs5HOCs2M-_4d_xNajVokjqmVbPeOfChGcBD1wCmAVLuDxByhVgoJx2jqUiZzbRdLTnfOJoHWpVO-B2NBFejL3LctMkwn/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMI68pqjPGhHYFu2Xo8fnCcmH_WBxTzIIsdRgBoAJf4QXfnOBRs5HOCs2M-_4d_xNajVokjqmVbPeOfChGcBD1wCmAVLuDxByhVgoJx2jqUiZzbRdLTnfOJoHWpVO-B2NBFejL3LctMkwn/s400/053.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the new cassette. Installing a cassette has always gone without problems for me, and I've installed at least two. Actually, that's amazing. They've managed to design one part of the bicycle that's ham-fisted-idiot-proof. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAksjmvYd0RouOam-02rXPcwTr5t0TDx3HHrrwOxEYocWG3qSfEfEQYVmsN9ESmyxG07-MRI4L7HQ52p4rkCWrlSTas-mViwNitVnWUX8pJ8MqxJeg03V7912OU3t7TZyAllfvG226otIK/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAksjmvYd0RouOam-02rXPcwTr5t0TDx3HHrrwOxEYocWG3qSfEfEQYVmsN9ESmyxG07-MRI4L7HQ52p4rkCWrlSTas-mViwNitVnWUX8pJ8MqxJeg03V7912OU3t7TZyAllfvG226otIK/s400/055.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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<br />Ok. I managed to replace the cassette and the chainrings, and for once I'm not in an insane hurry to wrap the thing up and go to sleep. In fact, I think I'll leave the bicycle in the living room and overhaul the jockey wheels tomorrow. If I were a bachelor, I'd always have at least one bicycle disassembled in the living room. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XPFJu8oiABKIdNEupC9pUmLFZ6ruvSaPNCyq6TIUlYML6V0DBR9VRcBD96iveQWXEqwffb04f14-U0hxqzrHTsr3F9Vwj9Fku5jYP4C2jmJH6wCEV_LgM9xvs1e6hccXeizQ9zLUFVkL/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XPFJu8oiABKIdNEupC9pUmLFZ6ruvSaPNCyq6TIUlYML6V0DBR9VRcBD96iveQWXEqwffb04f14-U0hxqzrHTsr3F9Vwj9Fku5jYP4C2jmJH6wCEV_LgM9xvs1e6hccXeizQ9zLUFVkL/s400/051.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
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Ah. Sweet, peaceful solitude. Just blissful, calm silence, except for the heavy metal blasting at deafening volume. And, of course, myself belching at deafening volume every now and then. I think I'll go to the sauna now.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-30365120647944110342012-02-10T20:59:00.002+02:002012-02-10T20:59:48.677+02:00Ode to MerinoFor years I used to dream of better sports garments. Ones made out of a better material than the synthetic fibres they usually are made out of. Ones that wouldn't smell like a rotten carcass even though you wash them after each use. Ones that would be warm, comfortable and durable. I used to dream of these, assuming that the sports garment technology is not yet advanced enough to create such materials.<br />
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Well, I've learned that in fact, there is such a space-age, hi-tech material. But it wasn't invented by the scientists of NASA. It was invented by these guys:<br />
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merino" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaudnjlTqx8oeGkRTUDHCPUT6GNsAiUoffQknCWSKvAD4hGcmdxRVW29zwbbZ8QXLYZ5ccdWitYRwtfZh_EOvMQLfiAMZ5h_mJBYmmObsqjroFTkQDaWxn8wfBwpv7Gzz-DdP-u0T1ErCn/s320/Merino_sheep.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is also fabricated by the same guys and it's called Merino wool. I now have several garments made out of Merino wool, and I love them all. In fact I think that in the future I may wear nothing but Merino. Take this base layer shirt for example:<br />
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<a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=26756" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBA-q6Wml6nklth_m2JrDvNMxOX8p58lfl1FLR5QtnmF9tb92xusGweC3hGP2d-I2Yax0LdL_BpHKH15HcxuOgA_AA3EoCmRYgn3s0G2ZQCZwxWulF60mnAjuhTSUK7waFvsY8DTbotzK8/s320/baabaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My strategy for bicycling in the winter used to be something like this:<br />
<ul>
<li>get loads of cheap base layer shirts made out of synthetic fibre</li>
<li>wear one shirt for one day of commuting</li>
<li>store used shirts in a sealed container (because of the smell)</li>
<li>wash the five used shirts each Friday</li>
<li>throw away the horrible, stretched out of shape, carcass-like-smelling shirts come springtime. </li>
</ul>
I purchased cheap shirts because I thought, well, that there's no point in getting more expensive ones, as they will smell like carcass anyway after some months of usage, and have to be thrown away.<br />
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But then I heard of this wonder material called Merino. I purchased a Merino wool base layer shirt for some 50 €, although that is a bit expensive to the Budget Cyclist's standards, figuring that if it's really good, maybe I can get another one. But the shirt's been so good that it hasn't been necessary to get another one. It is warm, it dries really fast, it stays in shape, and most wondrous of all, it doesn't smell. I repeat. It. Doesn't. Smell.<br />
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I'm amazed because of this fact. Now, I may occasionally be kind of a smelly guy. I like chili, curry, garlic, beer, wine, and my personal hygiene may tend to be lacking in certain... ahem, I digress. What I was saying, this shirt doesn't get smelly even though I wear it while commuting for several days straight without washing it. It gets those white salt stains from the sweat, but it doesn't smell. I'm not sure if I can make this clear enough: it doesn't smell. Because I have a rather inferior sense of smell, and my wife has a very good one (a bad combination), I even had her verify the quality of the shirt once. She smelled the shirt, that had been used by me for a couple of days, and didn't find it to have any unpleasant qualities. Now that is something. <br />
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I also have an idea that bicycling and Merino wool go together in a certain very pleasing manner. Even though man has created various highly complex technical inventions to transport stuff, or move fast, such as cars, aeroplanes, and rockets, the bicycle remains the best invention for certain purposes. The bicycle is simple, fast, effective, natural, environmentally friendly, good for you and brilliant.<br />
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In a similar way, man has strived for improvement in the field of clothing by creating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synthetic_fiber" target="_blank">synthetic fibres</a> out of petrochemicals. However, it is complex, difficult and perhaps wasteful, ecologically speaking. Still, the best material for clothing may still be one created by animals, naturally, effectively and in an environmentally sustainable manner.<br />
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In a certain way, that I can't really explain to detail, I find similar aesthetically pleasing qualities in bicycling and Merino wool. Damn, I'm a hippie! <br />Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-29824191518219352052011-12-10T21:35:00.001+02:002011-12-10T23:18:04.796+02:00Freehub pt. IIIt's that time of the year again, when the temperature goes below zero, and bicyclists like me, who've neglected to maintain their freehub regularly, end up looking silly and/or dead. That's because when a dirty freehub freezes, the pedals spin freely both backward and forward, thus making the bicycle not move forward while pedaling. If it happens in the middle of a busy intersection, with a truck speeding towards you, you might end up looking silly, pedaling furiously without moving, and dead. If it happens in a more safe environment, you just end up looking silly. Yeah, it happened to me <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/02/freehub.html" target="_blank">last year</a>. I mean the looking silly bit, not dying, obviously. <br />
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So, after attempting to commute to work one frosty morning with a not too well maintained MTB, and ending up looking silly, it became necessary to dismantle this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5l80nGmQRYzPgTK-lWE6IuZwY46LIyZAbBq5r0FBDBy54Raqu-DxnpG2ewU1ZTCG_eiHynAsIdbGX60eOPeld_i-qO34OgQUh-kQ3wr0GuidMEJ6BviBoml5HNYlXyxQxHdz-bFMbtXN/s1600/freehub+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5l80nGmQRYzPgTK-lWE6IuZwY46LIyZAbBq5r0FBDBy54Raqu-DxnpG2ewU1ZTCG_eiHynAsIdbGX60eOPeld_i-qO34OgQUh-kQ3wr0GuidMEJ6BviBoml5HNYlXyxQxHdz-bFMbtXN/s400/freehub+057.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Also, I wanted to do it because it is fun.<br />
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As you can see, the freehub is kind of dirty and rusty, which is no wonder with all the mud, water and crap it has to endure.<br />
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Some of the lock nuts on the axle were so tight I didn't manage to unfasten them with my not-so-professional collection of tools: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmvbjNdohrdg1LoGxXk0J9xFJcY7ipJx6T8qjP17SSwMPeaHf4IohWM7TasVWuywTU33b579OFTF-NpiPqlIoCEq0257MPCBvsB-dandWQ7VvHjFZAHeUuuRjy_OYMHLWeqVuR7b_96uJ/s1600/freehub+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmvbjNdohrdg1LoGxXk0J9xFJcY7ipJx6T8qjP17SSwMPeaHf4IohWM7TasVWuywTU33b579OFTF-NpiPqlIoCEq0257MPCBvsB-dandWQ7VvHjFZAHeUuuRjy_OYMHLWeqVuR7b_96uJ/s400/freehub+059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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In fact, I even had to resort to DIY tool modification, as I didn't own a 17 mm flat wrench that was required. Luckily, these flat wrenches are soft so it is easy to file a 16 mm one into a 17 mm one: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CD9fnytl6tiTZaUcbVsgfdQLF2-n2Or29NQ038TlYDjNg5zMt6J0wyNGZzc7cNGy4u-u9srY1AkzXt6GS9sCLAMJ0FgJXcfGKVa0DMBptJctFcBSP-5n6cfZODjvpp2_bNIWuqz5ZmJ7/s1600/freehub+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CD9fnytl6tiTZaUcbVsgfdQLF2-n2Or29NQ038TlYDjNg5zMt6J0wyNGZzc7cNGy4u-u9srY1AkzXt6GS9sCLAMJ0FgJXcfGKVa0DMBptJctFcBSP-5n6cfZODjvpp2_bNIWuqz5ZmJ7/s400/freehub+058.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It didn't matter that I couldn't unfasten the lock nut on the brake disk side though, because the ones on the drive side came off. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZebIzBjFqIbHuoYQgEO8lqi4gIRkT2XfBTMMdTWgLsntTuysUZ2zO2SfS3Lz7QJpthyphenhyphenbTvkUEn04tlhOELKOTKfonMIsD9XhI5TVS5DrAdveDNQj88pA9eYij4lpSZWURSRLQJQR6i4yW/s1600/freehub+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZebIzBjFqIbHuoYQgEO8lqi4gIRkT2XfBTMMdTWgLsntTuysUZ2zO2SfS3Lz7QJpthyphenhyphenbTvkUEn04tlhOELKOTKfonMIsD9XhI5TVS5DrAdveDNQj88pA9eYij4lpSZWURSRLQJQR6i4yW/s400/freehub+060.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's the dirty freehub body and axle: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgiCD7HNcTIeKAJzicoicxAVmmfirSy710Jyu4hZO_qjAPk7-g69Q2KkFCM9zUonWAU8VYnjrkghegOKZk49y6t3mvFI-b6cZBARwezpAwioNR6v6JEDaM5h8hhZLd-83y4cjJfBYWBlG/s1600/freehub+062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgiCD7HNcTIeKAJzicoicxAVmmfirSy710Jyu4hZO_qjAPk7-g69Q2KkFCM9zUonWAU8VYnjrkghegOKZk49y6t3mvFI-b6cZBARwezpAwioNR6v6JEDaM5h8hhZLd-83y4cjJfBYWBlG/s400/freehub+062.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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And the freehub body after some washing with solvent and drying with compressed air: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBChiQvFKnz3lb1e7hzGw5vSKo74XSa9RyADMWz0fiJqCRSsgtXMqWLVxYcAdyO_mMILwkAQCaOwTEWlgucbvRUUuF-WrhX9fvgLmK58Tye-STOYCy4nlKf3EOeKFkFHmgYlMrCzELPRJs/s1600/freehub+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBChiQvFKnz3lb1e7hzGw5vSKo74XSa9RyADMWz0fiJqCRSsgtXMqWLVxYcAdyO_mMILwkAQCaOwTEWlgucbvRUUuF-WrhX9fvgLmK58Tye-STOYCy4nlKf3EOeKFkFHmgYlMrCzELPRJs/s400/freehub+065.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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The freehub is clearly finished though. It hardly even rotates when turned with fingers and needs to be replaced. Also, the surface on one of the bearing cones has suffered badly, and has to be replaced as well: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwF2QxUOw30uZk9G1fUfn_Uu0nj1JavN-FDrk5B4KlWLOwuFqZxQ2btto7FW1d8EwV1wCqObwj7fEWO7NYXSnb9yZxmiB-Rhj1bfIU3poa4K699OHnmBqKF8AbymdRIO7CmgS13wuG1n6/s1600/freehub+068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwF2QxUOw30uZk9G1fUfn_Uu0nj1JavN-FDrk5B4KlWLOwuFqZxQ2btto7FW1d8EwV1wCqObwj7fEWO7NYXSnb9yZxmiB-Rhj1bfIU3poa4K699OHnmBqKF8AbymdRIO7CmgS13wuG1n6/s400/freehub+068.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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But then again, although not visible in the picture, the surface of the bearing cup of the rear hub has been damaged as well: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CSPo54ib-KB9EWZLXSb_klqqpeVtcHWBeMOgDqIJUOpmNI9PwiMNyBZ8I6pHaLtah6iUIZEqWgDgmtTt2Vv6nANT9ctYtd71nDRc9HdG8AszOvOcH1ma9Lb-O9sW-4z4tjqdB8tgxAD8/s1600/freehub+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CSPo54ib-KB9EWZLXSb_klqqpeVtcHWBeMOgDqIJUOpmNI9PwiMNyBZ8I6pHaLtah6iUIZEqWgDgmtTt2Vv6nANT9ctYtd71nDRc9HdG8AszOvOcH1ma9Lb-O9sW-4z4tjqdB8tgxAD8/s400/freehub+064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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It is not possible to replace just the cup, therefore the entire rear hub should be replaced. Possibly, I could just put it all together and ride on until spring, but that wouldn't seem a satisfactory solution for a <s>prefectionist</s> <s>perfectonoist</s> not too shabby a guy anyway like me. <br />
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Let's see. The rear hub model is Shimano FH-M756: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsjkwI8sGkubRhrQeirakg_9-z2QEitzgg9sxZ-iIvZRWxR62s2StIHZ2eKf3llosMR22sQ1Nsw3PE_uV2yhunbXVW8Bd21a0ZsbW1cz4SI1dM_l21l01WnAqYDfhZ_-TLy7_eh0xS2ji/s1600/freehub+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsjkwI8sGkubRhrQeirakg_9-z2QEitzgg9sxZ-iIvZRWxR62s2StIHZ2eKf3llosMR22sQ1Nsw3PE_uV2yhunbXVW8Bd21a0ZsbW1cz4SI1dM_l21l01WnAqYDfhZ_-TLy7_eh0xS2ji/s320/freehub+074.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3987" target="_blank">new rear hub</a> costs some 50€ at CRC. BTW, a <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=1161" target="_blank">freehub body</a> for 9 speed costs more than 30€, so it would seem more reasonable to get the rear hub even though I needed only the freehub body. <br />
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But if I purchase a new rear hub, then who will build the wheel for me? No way I can do that myself. You know, I do intend to learn wheelbuilding, but I'd rather do that when I have more time, patience, space and a wheel truing stand. Like when I'm retired. In a garage. With a wheel truing stand. <br />
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Besides, a <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=12629" target="_blank">set of spokes</a> costs money too. And if I intend to replace the rear hub and the spokes, should I replace the rim as well while I'm at it, as a <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=71060" target="_blank">new one</a> only seems to cost some 30€? The old one seems okay, but with all the trouble and cost, there seems to be no point in saving 30€. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsB7nc9U78Ns7pEITKbLhMYE65OBQG8NatotXFe1KySs_rPiGwZDhPPD4nr0Ic47Zeghb3i9dB5l4QIelVSUaisnIa8BLBRhM3W3Db8qD7zYuJ2KnXAOv7CLuYtEnD-2gwA8NFjBNOZdP/s1600/freehub+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsB7nc9U78Ns7pEITKbLhMYE65OBQG8NatotXFe1KySs_rPiGwZDhPPD4nr0Ic47Zeghb3i9dB5l4QIelVSUaisnIa8BLBRhM3W3Db8qD7zYuJ2KnXAOv7CLuYtEnD-2gwA8NFjBNOZdP/s400/freehub+073.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So, let's see... rear hub 50€, rim 30€, spokes 20€. If I'm not mistaken, that adds up to... carry the one... 100€. As I don't intimately know any wheelbuilders, the labour would cost some 50€. Perhaps I better look into new <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1055&SortBy=Price" target="_blank">factory wheels</a>. Damn, this thing is just spreading... soon I'll have myself convinced that there's no point in repairing this one and I must get a new bike altogether. "<a href="http://www.snpp.com/episodes/2F12.html" target="_blank">My house is dirty; buy me a clean one!</a>". <br />
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But hey, wait a minute... what's this section, <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=752" target="_blank">MTB Custom Wheels</a>? Wow, this looks good. You get to choose a rear hub, rims, spokes, nipples and rim tape. The price seems reasonable too. For some 100€ I could get a similar, brand new rear wheel that I have now. Oh, and must check the bearings on the front wheel as well before ordering.<br />
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Besides, what's 100€ for maintenance of the vehicle I mostly use to transport my physical being to and from work? Nothing! What would I get with 100€ if I drove? 60 litres of gasoline. What would I get if I used public transport? Two months. Phew. I'm beginning to feel it's my holy duty to order new custom wheels, both rear and front, as soon as possible, if only to ensure the uninterrupted supply of sustenance for the family. With possibly just some small <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=75699" target="_blank">things</a> on the side...<br />
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If only my wife read this blog. Then I wouldn't have to justify all the online purchases, verbally, yet again.<br />
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</div>Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-40865727749475663182011-11-10T19:38:00.000+02:002011-11-10T19:38:43.297+02:00DIY Guide: How To Replace Sports Instrument Band for Ham-fisted PeopleGood evening. Here's another episode of those popular Budget Cyclist's DIY Guides. Today I'll show you how to replace a broken band of your Garmin Forerunner 405 sports instrument.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOfBfIOg8M_MFc04Fm02AHY2h0Ws3HiNtG_KWPIMp6_on7pIMX7dQ9Jl1D1HeNLyB1cjPvDNtaNunjqpkMHZVKVkhdnDH_i-jbYvZ9BbQ86w5C74pxk_CR2gMXWDwJwFfEAMULuGVmn53/s1600/IMG_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivOfBfIOg8M_MFc04Fm02AHY2h0Ws3HiNtG_KWPIMp6_on7pIMX7dQ9Jl1D1HeNLyB1cjPvDNtaNunjqpkMHZVKVkhdnDH_i-jbYvZ9BbQ86w5C74pxk_CR2gMXWDwJwFfEAMULuGVmn53/s320/IMG_4262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above, the sports instrument with the broken band and a replacement band. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPJfC1bJTG4O7pE1F6LcGL536HR-T9Vem9QjaHUKiSNA2yA6pwrwaYiRh6wDeL8pEGzixa1zBQVfJu2mNd97SjIxSVNFOUa-IX0V0jIUWWZ_tazOPXPHxaXuHSRpjWSZt_YgIuDQO5MMo/s1600/IMG_4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPJfC1bJTG4O7pE1F6LcGL536HR-T9Vem9QjaHUKiSNA2yA6pwrwaYiRh6wDeL8pEGzixa1zBQVfJu2mNd97SjIxSVNFOUa-IX0V0jIUWWZ_tazOPXPHxaXuHSRpjWSZt_YgIuDQO5MMo/s320/IMG_4263.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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1) Inspect the tool used for the assembly. This comes with the replacement band. Resembles a tiny fork somewhat, doesn't it? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZBDtYQZO0wc_Fy2Bai_5oCzoBcxVYcyCVYm1ionEhnck-TWGITUCGZStItX2hLn08SofKRFicxa_9OSv1zG2_BTsk5byvppPxAtMaLv0JXSkz3ivVkY2ZSXgF_6juWqZsy7-GyCEY8fR/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZBDtYQZO0wc_Fy2Bai_5oCzoBcxVYcyCVYm1ionEhnck-TWGITUCGZStItX2hLn08SofKRFicxa_9OSv1zG2_BTsk5byvppPxAtMaLv0JXSkz3ivVkY2ZSXgF_6juWqZsy7-GyCEY8fR/s320/IMG_4264.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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2) Inspect the sports instrument. Better lock the touch bezel, so you don't mess up the settings while replacing the band. </div>
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3) On the back of the instrument, there are small holes. Fumble around in the hole with the tool for awhile, and the band should come off. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC3fXE1NSytwRXwsdeaZWfIydb3U4xzCY7O4NiPy_xlaRVji8E3dDzJ1qXfCVnsXNKWCpvKOLXTc45DmyMuD33WNEu5HYD7E7yYGe5QJ4hnzGZCl0P-xfMU4Z6kh1_O32GCSLJs8vt724/s1600/IMG_4266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWC3fXE1NSytwRXwsdeaZWfIydb3U4xzCY7O4NiPy_xlaRVji8E3dDzJ1qXfCVnsXNKWCpvKOLXTc45DmyMuD33WNEu5HYD7E7yYGe5QJ4hnzGZCl0P-xfMU4Z6kh1_O32GCSLJs8vt724/s320/IMG_4266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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4) Voilá! This is a piece of cake. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEl364yXGI1DBRxa_Q1jT7v3_NnuRnRAUJ9QpWVhN01uSdXNy5fSCIUgqrQbf59fR-4XizZjYy75_s2iHnJ8HALjiK4W8uqpDYkFBpEnVcsTm9-mLbTmXDP-mhRN_2xPZuZ6LidRVi6VN/s1600/IMG_4267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEl364yXGI1DBRxa_Q1jT7v3_NnuRnRAUJ9QpWVhN01uSdXNy5fSCIUgqrQbf59fR-4XizZjYy75_s2iHnJ8HALjiK4W8uqpDYkFBpEnVcsTm9-mLbTmXDP-mhRN_2xPZuZ6LidRVi6VN/s320/IMG_4267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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5) The band is attached with two tiny thingamajiggies with springs inside. Those clocksmiths are geniouses. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNegjhWSB5GpEYnccTnsErouFaOuDLPgp6bGlBacHo5AspDSCceFTNrs9ecBApn1_mtjlLI6_bFKiXrb8KCn-bq5yzQt60vDoIevD1p65C1_izLRaOWH-HMndYDYD1q-xJwMNsZfrBDcPe/s1600/IMG_4268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNegjhWSB5GpEYnccTnsErouFaOuDLPgp6bGlBacHo5AspDSCceFTNrs9ecBApn1_mtjlLI6_bFKiXrb8KCn-bq5yzQt60vDoIevD1p65C1_izLRaOWH-HMndYDYD1q-xJwMNsZfrBDcPe/s320/IMG_4268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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6) Inspect the now-bandless sports instrument and the new, unbroken band. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSgHoe0dgKSw3HNAVfjKQkq4YzspXr-FWZBsdXfXYQtW_PYTbIALRYqQKjAnucP87ZWlROMlntQV5tahWdGeX7Y9nigZxdkzDtCsOkwtEyGyuN0LRcKd-oALm7NEbgQS09BBklEHFjE5V/s1600/IMG_4269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgSgHoe0dgKSw3HNAVfjKQkq4YzspXr-FWZBsdXfXYQtW_PYTbIALRYqQKjAnucP87ZWlROMlntQV5tahWdGeX7Y9nigZxdkzDtCsOkwtEyGyuN0LRcKd-oALm7NEbgQS09BBklEHFjE5V/s320/IMG_4269.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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7) See the tiny hole there, in the band? Thats where the tiny, springy thingamajiggie goes. Or, should I say, springamajiggie. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JHtnS5z1hEd0EFhq1LMIlUYFPtd2PtliG6S4CMQY7N35TgNV9zotZc6x3KqpJxyZtw-MXVwFKLBcyAdhwGfwuwmN5j5CO3Tr6Q9TeXmHg-9Vq7jWv1veXjQ6FjxGhSeXQDHU8rltY900/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JHtnS5z1hEd0EFhq1LMIlUYFPtd2PtliG6S4CMQY7N35TgNV9zotZc6x3KqpJxyZtw-MXVwFKLBcyAdhwGfwuwmN5j5CO3Tr6Q9TeXmHg-9Vq7jWv1veXjQ6FjxGhSeXQDHU8rltY900/s320/IMG_4270.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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8) Er... the springamajiggie goes there. Now, simply put the band on, then fumble around with the tool provided, and... this is harder than I thought. Wait a minute. Damn! It almost went there. Try again. Careful... careful... don't break anything... now, if I'll just... almost there... heck! How the hell is this supposed to be possible? I should have three hands to do this. It's just impossible to... see, it's f**kin hard to hold this round bloody thing and then the band and simultaneously... DAMN! SHIT! FUCK! Why didn't they attach instructions of any kind to this? There must be some kind of a clever way how this CRAP! This is just fuckin' impossible.</div>
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(Continue trying for 20 minutes or so...)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6RSAwPEohblXJtcPNHJMPCVCFhyphenhyphenKiLQO7U1ITAyTTdrWmMhWybsRihK4mlPaBAkexegaw5_mbwcKfFeJaddWlgTH-aaifLKrl-n2-64vqx_twbx-5XYxoqbgaTouysJeV2IG8yRA2fPh/s1600/IMG_4272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6RSAwPEohblXJtcPNHJMPCVCFhyphenhyphenKiLQO7U1ITAyTTdrWmMhWybsRihK4mlPaBAkexegaw5_mbwcKfFeJaddWlgTH-aaifLKrl-n2-64vqx_twbx-5XYxoqbgaTouysJeV2IG8yRA2fPh/s320/IMG_4272.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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9) Give up. You're a man, with big, manly hands anyway, and this kind of tinkering stuff is for girls and sissies. Shake fist at the bloody instrument. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-xQX4dhKtfNVxdjZVSvQTQOdIeCZnbl_gIo7NWB_w3VsYC2PY9N0LptS2IBpn2EBq_bFsch7OKrJjvOs024YxqKNUH30WdIdPXDSHV307FaXDvNsXP1LZdN_otuS2pOq98LzD9C6YHcU/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-xQX4dhKtfNVxdjZVSvQTQOdIeCZnbl_gIo7NWB_w3VsYC2PY9N0LptS2IBpn2EBq_bFsch7OKrJjvOs024YxqKNUH30WdIdPXDSHV307FaXDvNsXP1LZdN_otuS2pOq98LzD9C6YHcU/s320/IMG_4274.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div>
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10) Put the parts back into the plastic bag. The next day, take it to a clocksmith's to have the band attached by a professional. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuTXsXAURUoC7c6295PDdNSvIqVbCuPGIQmqBup0-gFkBeW0TPkHO7aw3gc4eRxUQeYvV228KGmex1rzXVj66PVWZLIGGPP9Tb0z6OAEFykIGw4zy1P3T-WARmbb13i5FuxEsPU3bjaJw/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuTXsXAURUoC7c6295PDdNSvIqVbCuPGIQmqBup0-gFkBeW0TPkHO7aw3gc4eRxUQeYvV228KGmex1rzXVj66PVWZLIGGPP9Tb0z6OAEFykIGw4zy1P3T-WARmbb13i5FuxEsPU3bjaJw/s320/IMG_4275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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11) Have a beer to calm your nerves. Oh, have two. <br />
<br />Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-78204573191982496882011-11-06T20:11:00.000+02:002011-11-06T20:11:13.567+02:00Learning curve pt. IV: first off-road group ride, first OTB<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTBvKcxwep3Jy6kgTYGRDF4R0U2pX0xhi9OoQexmEyK4yJgxVszzFDw12LLTnM_BytH3krgoVmPAXEW5_uRE4NJQ_ntcOJQWx4q8rNR0WeWmUiygKIRILF-sxbVYvA-BkV2dGSojiTwf9/s1600/maasturi+073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmTBvKcxwep3Jy6kgTYGRDF4R0U2pX0xhi9OoQexmEyK4yJgxVszzFDw12LLTnM_BytH3krgoVmPAXEW5_uRE4NJQ_ntcOJQWx4q8rNR0WeWmUiygKIRILF-sxbVYvA-BkV2dGSojiTwf9/s400/maasturi+073.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotty relaxing after the mud bath and a good wash.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today I finally lost my OTB virginity. I managed to go along on a ride with a couple of big boys (i.e. mountain biking connoisseurs) in Nuuksio, Espoo (excellent trails!). On the first kilometer, I succeeded in submerging my front wheel completely in a deep mud hole, and went over the bars. The bike was left standing leaning against a tree, rear wheel in the air, in quite a stylish way, while I was lying face down in the mud. I wish there'd been someone filming.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Come to think of it, I think I've gone OTB before. When I was about 8, we dug a hole in the ground, about 1m deep. I thought that it would be cool to ride a bike in it. Of course, I landed on my chest, and it hurt like hell. Well, thankfully I did that at 8, it would have been miserable to lose one's virginity at near 40.) </span><br />
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It was pretty clear that I was a complete newbie in the group. The other guys had to wait for me at each crossing of trails. I'd had no idea that the mountain bikers who know what they're doing go that fast. I'd even had no idea that it is possible to ride that fast on trails full of rocks, roots and mud. I've got a lot of practicing to do. <br />
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Being a (former) roadie, naturally I have no muscles whatsoever in my upper body. Instead I've got huge thighs. Well, not exactly. Actually, my physique is more of the Andy Schleck-esque variety, than of the track cyclist, monster-thigh kind. But anyway, now that I've taken up mountain biking, I've noticed, for the first time in my life, that some muscles in the upper torso are required as well.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdjVcAJdOy7GavFbGZLKYQQZMRHDawi7ECvzfJnsah1HNQYWavhyphenhyphenwc1YLLHu2AgcxoS0MJwj8-bU108nydvfFu3G2w_Af9xJgs5bSMEagBpaS6LsA-FNFLwwtD3ni1oSFqrkyeYJ82rXU/s1600/schleck_crash-480x360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdjVcAJdOy7GavFbGZLKYQQZMRHDawi7ECvzfJnsah1HNQYWavhyphenhyphenwc1YLLHu2AgcxoS0MJwj8-bU108nydvfFu3G2w_Af9xJgs5bSMEagBpaS6LsA-FNFLwwtD3ni1oSFqrkyeYJ82rXU/s400/schleck_crash-480x360.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andy's physique</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At the moment I'm unable to open any bottles with screw tops because my hands and arms have taken a serious beating. Luckily, beer comes in cans that I'm still able to open, so I'll drink those instead. I and Andy know that beer is an excellent recovery drink (see the picture). <br />
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Some other things I learned today:<br />
<ul>
<li>100 mm of travel in the front suspension is nothing these days. You've got to have 150 mm. Well, I'm glad to hear that, because that at least partially explains my slowness today when compared to the other guys. Now, it seems, I've got to slowly start warming up the wife for the inevitable oncoming upgrade of my mountain biking equipment (a new bike). The steering angle in my old Scott is different from the bikes of today, I hear, so putting on a fork with 150 mm of travel is not an option. </li>
<li>You've got to have a CamelBak. Mountain bikers don't drink out of bidons. You get left behind at stops, fumbling to get the bidon out of the holder and back in it. Besides, bidons get very muddy on the bike frame, and mud tastes no good. Well, most sports drinks that I've tried taste no good as well, so I guess that's not so bad. </li>
<li>Remember to let some air out of the tyres before going on a ride on trails. I usually fill up the tyres to about 2 bars when I commute on the mountain bike, because that makes me faster. On the trails that is too much pressure. </li>
<li>A Garmin Forerunner sports watch gets a GPS signal just fine in the back pocket of a bicycling jacket. The band of my Garmin broke a few days ago, so I tried duct taping it to my arm. The tape didn't hold, so in the middle of the ride, I put the device in my back pocket. To my surprise, it continued to record just as well there. </li>
<li>A carbon seat post doesn't impress mountain bikers anymore. You've got to have an <a href="http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/rockshox-reverb-seatpost-first-look-26171/" target="_blank">adjustable-height seat post</a> these days. Unfortunately, said seat posts cost some 300 €, and I'm the Budget Cyclist, and therefore can't afford one. At the moment. Perhaps, in the future, if I manage warm up the wife real good... or sell one of my livers. Or sumt'n. </li>
</ul>
Roadies: I have to inform you that, we, the mountain biking dudes, know something you don't. That something is a wonderful thing. I'm sorry I can't tell what it is though. It's not that I don't want to, but it's just not physically possible. In order to find it out, you've got to get off-road. Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-73471966518277427992011-10-05T22:17:00.002+03:002011-10-05T22:17:23.002+03:00Learning curve pt. III: dirty is my sunscreenToday, we have something special instead of the same old same old. For a change, I'd like to interview my bicycling buddies.<br />
<br />
First, let's talk to the rear tyre of my mountain bike, Mr. Nobby Nic:<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Budget Cyclist: How's it
going, Mr. Nic? </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Nobby Nic: Well, this
Sunday, I'm feeling great, 'cause man, I'm finally getting some action! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">BC: Yes, you seem to enjoy
mud?</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">NN: Yeah, baby! Bathing in
mud is the natural thing for me to do. This is what I was built for. If only
I'd get to do this more often... but I'm afraid that you, Sir, are a
wuss. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">BC: A wuss? I just rode
over some roots, and a while ago, over a whole fallen tree trunk. Also, some
puddles.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">NN: Oh, come on, wussy boy,
the roots were small ones, you're riding very slowly, and it's not even wet. And
yeah, you managed to finally get over the tree trunk, after hesitating and
contemplating about it for some five minutes. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">BC: Well... I'm just
getting the hang of it... </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">NN: And what's up with
clipping your left foot out of the clipless pedal every time you see a
"tricky" obstacle? Come on man, just ride! You'll never get the hang
of it if you just chicken out all the time! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">BC: Now, shut up, tyre, or
I'll... uh... I'll ride you over some really sharp rocks!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">NN: Yes, please, do that. I'm
made out of Triple Nano Compound, so sharp rocks just scratch my itch real
good. Besides, it's no use threatening me, you need me more than I need you,
chicken boy. *Imitates a chicken*</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">BC: Well... touché. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">Oh boy, that tyre's got a bad
attitude. Let's talk to someone else then. Hi, there, my socks, are you
enjoying it here in the woods?</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGPjxgHpPEQzU34_2K9aJ57y7ksJfRD1ygTOARXash8CPh1vpA5zo1-Of3HaytdSBqO0LNOQIcfvBk6IpP58yAa7kdspbGEvoYFDDtRKuHnIfVR7L7xAZWX5OjlD1lw-dI7XIA4YxQqw2/s1600/02102011219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGPjxgHpPEQzU34_2K9aJ57y7ksJfRD1ygTOARXash8CPh1vpA5zo1-Of3HaytdSBqO0LNOQIcfvBk6IpP58yAa7kdspbGEvoYFDDtRKuHnIfVR7L7xAZWX5OjlD1lw-dI7XIA4YxQqw2/s400/02102011219.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Lefty von Rohner (the left sock): Dear heavens, no! This is barbaric. Please, get us out of here!</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Righty von Rohner (the right sock): Listen, my friend. We belong on the road. We're accustomed to milder climates, such as the ones in Central Europe. We're uncomfortable on the roads of Finland, let alone these frightening, dirty trails. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">BC: What? I think you look cool, in a Michael Jackson kind of way, and you're not even that muddy, yet. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">LvR: Oh, please, this is hideous. I know we're just going to get splattered in mud soon. We've only been spared so far because you're riding as slowly as a paralyzed snail granny ascending the Mont Ventoux.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">RvR: Yes, Sir, you should forget about this mountain biking nonsense, you're really doing better on the road. And why not move to a civilized country, such as our beloved country of origin, Switzerland! </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">BC: Yeesh. My clothes are beginning to rebel against me. This is ridiculous. Ok, I admit it, the other mountain bikers do dress a bit differently, but I like the roadie look, and it's not that unsuitable for the trails...</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">RvR: Oh yes it is, believe us. Just ask your leg warmers, they're trying to escape too. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Corretto Campagnolo (the right leg warmer): Si, signor, we agree with the socks. Please, let us go. We hate mud, and also all the sharp, pointy tree branches.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Sinistra Campagnolo (the left leg warmer): Si, we admit it, we tried to escape, because we are desperate. It was futile though, because below, there was mud, and above, there's some kind of a scary, hairy crevasse, that does not seem penetrable...</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">BC: Oh, fuck you, wusses. I shouldn't have asked you anything, you're such complainers. Look, it's just mud, and you'll get to go to the washing machine when I'm finished... </span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">NN: Not me! I wouldn't touch a washing machine with a ten foot pole, except if it was turned over and you were trying to ride over it...</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"> BC: Shut up. This interview is over. Let's go.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB">NN: ... although I doubt you'd have any chance of succeeding, the way you're riding, unless it was a really tiny washing machine...</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"></span>Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-56256582103052880002011-09-30T22:40:00.000+03:002011-09-30T22:41:00.104+03:00Non-non-trivial newsCommuting via the same old route each day can get a bit dull. Therefore even a tiniest change in the environment provides excitement. (Or at least filler material for this blog. You know, the internet is not complete yet, it needs more detailed information.)<br />
<br />
Consider this spectacular event for example: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5hlGSRCZPsa4gGSkkL6eh2cQ7X_Xa9XzVlzWS5fsF4NfUPISNLqPUpYQBSrx-MV0NPeU8911ewFZaCmt8lJNKRk5nokaYrH_pTu6BSPh4Tte1DdelDe6heVnJCr5rNUBTTpFRXvjLluH/s1600/14092011201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5hlGSRCZPsa4gGSkkL6eh2cQ7X_Xa9XzVlzWS5fsF4NfUPISNLqPUpYQBSrx-MV0NPeU8911ewFZaCmt8lJNKRk5nokaYrH_pTu6BSPh4Tte1DdelDe6heVnJCr5rNUBTTpFRXvjLluH/s320/14092011201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
One day, when it was windy, there was a fallen tree on my route.I got to carry my bike over the obstacle cyclo-cross-style, then brag about it in the workplace coffee table.<br />
<br />
Then again, not long after that, in almost exactly the same <a href="http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=60.225823,24.93933&spn=0.003325,0.008551">location</a>, a <a href="http://www.hel.fi/wps/portal/Rakennusvirasto_en/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/HKR/en/Etusivu">P"N"WD</a> Special Urgent Hazard Prevention Enforcement Task Force Squad Crew (or a P"N"WD SUHPETFSC for short) had prevented a potential hazard by urgently painting these markings on the road:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_MC4Xcpnnb_zWnzm9w4ELPa_fQjDG4YoKNTYvCKqa_BT0JI2_dKiENuvRjDS2HGx3ZrZMzV9RA0bCTuj68q6X6IRiDiEMg2dwsCWEkAlKrFZ6PP62GjfHYYsS2AuInzOfcr1JPRTtX0-/s1600/28092011202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn_MC4Xcpnnb_zWnzm9w4ELPa_fQjDG4YoKNTYvCKqa_BT0JI2_dKiENuvRjDS2HGx3ZrZMzV9RA0bCTuj68q6X6IRiDiEMg2dwsCWEkAlKrFZ6PP62GjfHYYsS2AuInzOfcr1JPRTtX0-/s320/28092011202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Apparently, bicyclists confused by the sudden metamorphosis of the bicycle path into a road without an accompanying bicycle path, and therefore riding on the sidewalk, have been a huge problem here. Or, alternatively, pedestrians walking too confidently from the sidewalk to the bicycle path were the problem. Anyway, the problem has been now solved.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu24QCJwZaJYlBOAdYsmj3qP6nxl-341TWWJeTkgDg7lzIMFdPHxEBgMHUK0rCxpTDIRrlbdbYUj0RVi1CHFsN6RplvrQGurLs7nv7lkKI4A_1Qah3mWtnigpYuaaxbNiXiWN9Pzb0dDqG/s1600/28092011204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu24QCJwZaJYlBOAdYsmj3qP6nxl-341TWWJeTkgDg7lzIMFdPHxEBgMHUK0rCxpTDIRrlbdbYUj0RVi1CHFsN6RplvrQGurLs7nv7lkKI4A_1Qah3mWtnigpYuaaxbNiXiWN9Pzb0dDqG/s320/28092011204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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By the way, you've got to appreciate the liberal application of paint here. Or did somebody just spill a bucket here? Or even worse, did a crew member think that the white stuff may have intoxicating qualities, consumed some, and then barfed all over the location? Perhaps we'll never know, but at least this marking will endure for a long time.<br />
<br />
I'm not so sure of this stretch of pavement some metres further though: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAkhtERblKE_RjEYZacijQkGSXL6A2sQqRbZmjn980e3riiBjV4GOsgopBQe0ZDJUuD_oc5vGBgoLIGorrKUgUyL2SlQj9AqXPob14S9DMZ_5-21dbI4r-S6qqD61Nfm0kqMT8csC2MTb/s1600/28092011205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAkhtERblKE_RjEYZacijQkGSXL6A2sQqRbZmjn980e3riiBjV4GOsgopBQe0ZDJUuD_oc5vGBgoLIGorrKUgUyL2SlQj9AqXPob14S9DMZ_5-21dbI4r-S6qqD61Nfm0kqMT8csC2MTb/s320/28092011205.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The asphalt seems to be rapidly turning into cobblestones here. I kind of wish that the SUHPETFSC has this thing on their TODO list as well, as they seem pretty efficient at preventing hazardous situations by improving the infrastructure. <br />
<br />
What else? Oh yeah, I nearly flattened a squirrel today. A live one. I was going down a steep downhill in the central park at a considerable speed, when a squirrel, initially calmly squirreling away on the side of the path, decided to cross it a split-second before I was about to pass him. He made it. A couple of weeks ago I did flatten a <i><a href="http://www.rapha.cc/bidon-09">bidon</a></i> in the Tour de Helsinki 2011 in a rather similar situation, though. I guess this proves that squirrels are faster than bidons. <br />
<br />Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0Helsinki, Finland60.1698125 24.938240159.9170605 24.306526100000003 60.4225645 25.5699541tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-46217576239477085692011-08-07T15:54:00.003+03:002011-08-07T16:12:19.424+03:00Hipster championshipYesterday, while riding around aimlessly, I incidentally got to witness the 2011 Finnish Hardcourt Hipsterity Championship Tournament:<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XkvM5lsCGJA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />The hipsters were apparently playing some kind of a game with clubs and a ball on their bicycles in order to determine who's the hipsterest. I have no idea who won. Perhaps the guy with a helmet cam, because I think he scored. Or then the guy with a huge, white fake beard, because he looked the awesomest. <br /><br />To be honest, the game actually looked pretty fun. I don't think I'll ever engage in it though, because, while I like sports, I really suck at hipsterness, so I have no possibility of succeeding in it.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-47619819108717638512011-08-04T16:47:00.013+03:002011-08-04T19:45:42.539+03:00Rollerskatin' all over the worldHi, readers. I'm glad to announce that most of you (about 3/4) are rather intelligent, as verified by <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/internet/8674678/Internet-Explorer-users-have-below-average-IQ.html">this piece of news</a> coupled with the statistics of this blog (page views per browser, that is, for the Finnish-language-impaired):<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IFRU8Kr0ZHwRfO-9aB28qhsFE3_AhTL_uNDnjjPLbzoWKPW-pKlqTauylKw_vI4JzjAtkF2HseJO6YAIg6LN9KZ7VQZairCYUbTuPv9Wjkdkq-D1NjsNFi1_IMgMRGkPyNTmGlQTHKiC/s1600/Sieppaa.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IFRU8Kr0ZHwRfO-9aB28qhsFE3_AhTL_uNDnjjPLbzoWKPW-pKlqTauylKw_vI4JzjAtkF2HseJO6YAIg6LN9KZ7VQZairCYUbTuPv9Wjkdkq-D1NjsNFi1_IMgMRGkPyNTmGlQTHKiC/s400/Sieppaa.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636998742800873842" border="0" /></a><br />And the 22% of you, please keep reading my blog even though you've just been tactlessly insulted. My children need wine. <span style="font-size:78%;">(Oh, <a href="http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/study-of-internet-explorer-users-iq-was-likely-a-hoax/">it wasn't for real</a>? Never mind what I just wrote.)</span><br /><br />And then, towards on-topic.<br /><br />"They" say that road racers are extremely good at reading road surfaces at high speeds. But there is one group of people even more concerned about the quality of the road surface: we, the rollerskaters. Bicycling on bad asphalt is uncomfortable and annoying, sometimes even dangerous, but a rollerskater is constantly at hazard because of cracks in the pavement, loose sand and rocks, curbs etc.<br /><br />Bicyclists have complained for aeons (I know I have) about urban infrastructures not being designed for easy and safe bicycling. Sure, they aren't, but rollerskating is an even more neglected form of transportation. Yet, it is one of the most fun ways of commuting. Probably, the number of rollerskaters is very small, if compared e.g. to the number of bicyclists, and the city doesn't have resources, and these things take time, and everything is so difficult, yadda yadda. But "they" could do sumt'n to improve things, for sanity's sake. Couldn't they?<br /><br />Like, for example, not put these huge stone walls in the way of pedestrians in every freakin' intersection:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAt5WnyMBmzAFp2VgXVorO3jOpReFvWxhlO5eSnLuvIsMg-oRr2C41pwIc2fdGkF7vB611rivaS1krpmLmz8ht9YFQwfvepzTvqGb3_ewvkqMRb2n1f8Cz880h3-Yt4W0fZn5jomQ0cKh/s1600/04082011183.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAt5WnyMBmzAFp2VgXVorO3jOpReFvWxhlO5eSnLuvIsMg-oRr2C41pwIc2fdGkF7vB611rivaS1krpmLmz8ht9YFQwfvepzTvqGb3_ewvkqMRb2n1f8Cz880h3-Yt4W0fZn5jomQ0cKh/s400/04082011183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637004751642618898" border="0" /></a><br />Rollerskaters are considered pedestrians by the law, as far as I know, and therefore must go over these obstacles in every intersection. On bicycle paths there are (at least in theory) smooth ramps in intersections. But wait a minute. What is the purpose of putting these stones here anyway? They hinder rollerskaters, people pushing prams, grannies pulling their funny little bags with wheels attached, people in wheelchairs and kids who are allowed to ride bikes on sidewalks. And most people are so freakin' lazy that they walk on the bicycle paths in intersections anyway, in order to avoid lifting their feet 5 cm to get over the curb. Why can't they make smooth ramps for bicyclists and pedestrians alike?<br /><br />Another thing:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdGyfYPqr7ibxzeeA3jOjLAhVCxKoCSR-nm1APypEnbTwWQfegKbD2ynaE3Kyi9oWt4ETjM0qEc5NMJOu8LezA7xFIiiLYxd9F0_ixw-YJ3fHcH_pR2soNoBpB_Wrv5cPg8Wu8b2nQiXS/s1600/04082011179.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWdGyfYPqr7ibxzeeA3jOjLAhVCxKoCSR-nm1APypEnbTwWQfegKbD2ynaE3Kyi9oWt4ETjM0qEc5NMJOu8LezA7xFIiiLYxd9F0_ixw-YJ3fHcH_pR2soNoBpB_Wrv5cPg8Wu8b2nQiXS/s400/04082011179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637006919041729570" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Why is it that on routes for pedestrians and bicyclists, there always are seams across the path every 1,5 m? They seem to be able to make seamless roads for cars. Why can't they use similar road building technology on bicycle paths and sidewalks?<br /><br />The path meant for pedestrians is often too narrow for rollerskating:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ghijpWv3OTl8fxZdn9iYjjsPhLbXbYkHdDGrdEVgTSTUeilbN4SKNPc_SbSeJG_mPw90VmOXIHj5T4ph89YvEF5_qPG5QV4AcLay8Z8nmWVpEyngDHBOhbIaM11A1pLyAKX_JxzCYQYf/s1600/04082011176.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ghijpWv3OTl8fxZdn9iYjjsPhLbXbYkHdDGrdEVgTSTUeilbN4SKNPc_SbSeJG_mPw90VmOXIHj5T4ph89YvEF5_qPG5QV4AcLay8Z8nmWVpEyngDHBOhbIaM11A1pLyAKX_JxzCYQYf/s400/04082011176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637014603888870690" border="0" /></a><br />1 m of sidewalk width is not sufficient. It could be sufficient for miniature rollerskaters, such as kids, but probably not. A rollerskater needs more width than a bicyclist, because a rollerskater sways from side to side. If there's loose sand on the asphalt, as there often is, it is nearly impossible to go uphill in places like this. You practically have to walk on the skates. The stretch pictured here with less than 1 m of width and shrubbery all over the place is definitely not wide enough for a full grown man for walking, even without a kid on the side. I'm a man. Please give me wide enough sidewalks.<br /><br />This (presumably a gateway to another, dark, scary dimension), I'm sure, they put in a middle of an intersection just to annoy rollerskaters:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv1_SU50sPvE-VnPBi95bvFCeON_1QLZz2rWpMRNaj8x1rz7HLqVgbOIoSKKEFFUgWwUVDPGPiahKLZJcDzGKuMvbKW0YhyzhMcf21i7WX_eKBGrrv8Q4W_TWcU8Wk_ULYTE74uDfd02B/s1600/04082011175.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHv1_SU50sPvE-VnPBi95bvFCeON_1QLZz2rWpMRNaj8x1rz7HLqVgbOIoSKKEFFUgWwUVDPGPiahKLZJcDzGKuMvbKW0YhyzhMcf21i7WX_eKBGrrv8Q4W_TWcU8Wk_ULYTE74uDfd02B/s400/04082011175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637017298678011058" border="0" /></a><br />Then there's bad visibility around corners:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHukkbci0YyBiNGbFxC6wHbDDoShspxA3IZFKZV8KjK3PfZp5SbmsPqnjVksqnZLfN9lJDKLeDdpYbkrGjx87OgaOblDveqUwkpc8bPnpvdAQ0EkWYlodTgY-RUuABrxI-7FZyRD0ZNFGU/s1600/04082011177.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHukkbci0YyBiNGbFxC6wHbDDoShspxA3IZFKZV8KjK3PfZp5SbmsPqnjVksqnZLfN9lJDKLeDdpYbkrGjx87OgaOblDveqUwkpc8bPnpvdAQ0EkWYlodTgY-RUuABrxI-7FZyRD0ZNFGU/s400/04082011177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637018077880502034" border="0" /></a><br />Crossing this intersection on rollerskates requires multiple actions, all executed at once:<br /><ul><li>braking hard, because there's a hill and zero visibility around the corner</li><li>craning one's neck in order to see around the corner<br /></li><li>observing crossing vehicles<br /></li><li>observing passing and oncoming bicyclists and pedestrians</li><li>looking out for loose sand and rocks on the asphalt</li><li>jumping over the stones on the curbs</li><li>accelerating again on the path that is really not wide enough. </li></ul>And then there are anomalies:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcxCiiSEEhsdl7w0ksaNXjarS11mcFK_GA-m1QxEFdqaDVVMl-hK4SPqRAcSnYZlWNkpiFgurXZDwYAYO4agdyU-SynvWsvBYpsG68ECLWNdsZbl9o45rmzuHwBWC6DctU4IoltGfKDHe/s1600/04082011181.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcxCiiSEEhsdl7w0ksaNXjarS11mcFK_GA-m1QxEFdqaDVVMl-hK4SPqRAcSnYZlWNkpiFgurXZDwYAYO4agdyU-SynvWsvBYpsG68ECLWNdsZbl9o45rmzuHwBWC6DctU4IoltGfKDHe/s400/04082011181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637022970377613314" border="0" /></a><br />What the hell is that? Was there a boa constrictor lying across the road when the asphalt crew came, and they couldn't be bothered to move it, and just paved over the poor thing? And why hasn't this obstacle been smoothed out since? It's been there for years and years.<br /><br />* * *<br /><br />Wow. I sure have a lot of first world problems to complain about. But forgive me, complaining about stuff is my only joy in life. Well, apart from all the sex, drugs, rock'n roll, sudoku, sports and balanced family life, of course.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-18349153075082603112011-07-21T21:35:00.003+03:002011-07-21T21:51:51.826+03:00Roof rack accidentWitnessed a guy with two bikes on the roof rack driving into an underground garage today, getting the bikes tangled in the ceiling structures, and probably destroying the bikes in the process. Hopefully they weren't expensive ones. Naturally, the first thing I thought was "I gotta get a picture of this". The camera of my mobile phone was in video mode though, so I got a 2 second video instead: <br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dDiBEimFjgc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="425"></iframe><br /><br />I feel no <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schadenfreude">schadenfreude</a> whatsoever, nor do I find anything comical about this, I'm sincerely sorry for the poor guy, because man, I can relate. I also drive with a bike on the roof rack sometimes, and I have a (verifiably no longer unwarranted) fear of doing exactly what this guy did: forgetting the bike and driving into a garage. That's why I keep silently repeating to myself "bike on roof, bike on roof..." whenever the bike is on the roof.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-12151105116408016862011-07-15T21:33:00.011+03:002011-07-16T00:00:10.937+03:00Learning curve pt. deuxThis is what it looks like when the learning curve for a beginner mountain biker turns sharply upwards:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNERtb0HOjbZLPuCUs3SFE-qoaIt0M6d3pYaItHVyH3Y3d-fJqC2TdkcAY6LZpnqZBnF5WywiGdXkiC4uOY-YZ5FjxAkgWFlixmbOXOxWEJvYtvojuJfK1Bqho_SMPFahQGMjwlUMYthi/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNERtb0HOjbZLPuCUs3SFE-qoaIt0M6d3pYaItHVyH3Y3d-fJqC2TdkcAY6LZpnqZBnF5WywiGdXkiC4uOY-YZ5FjxAkgWFlixmbOXOxWEJvYtvojuJfK1Bqho_SMPFahQGMjwlUMYthi/s400/027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629649460640390578" border="0" /></a><br />Yeah, it looks pretty lame in the photograph. In reality it is much scarier. This is the infamous Col du Paloheinä, one of the most fabled and fearsome climbs in Helsinki. The climb on the eastern side, as pictured here, is the steepest, and it stretches on and on, agonisingly, for at least 160 metres. Well. The climb is not so long, but it is really steep. According to my calculations, which may be wrong, because my sports instrument is not so accurate, and my math skills are very rusty (I even had to re-study <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_theorem">the Pythagorean theorem</a> for this), the average grade is exactly 37,7 %. Wow. It is so steep it is barely possible to ride it, sitting down, without doing an inadvertent wheelie and flipping over backwards. I tend to find it a bit scary. The exercise is great, but I'm slightly frightened about the flipping over backwards bit. Also, I've found out, that if you go up a really steep rise using a too big gear, you may reach a point where it becomes physically impossible to rotate the cranks anymore, and when that happens, you've got to be able to put your foot down really quick, to avoid falling over and/or backwards, and therefore you've got to be able to free your foot from the clipless pedals very fast.<br /><br />I also find bicycling down very steep hills scary. Consider this one, another side of the Col du Paloheinä, for example:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQQfuMghcoJZg2mjJBYMc35fS7vnJdIry_y9V82eZJmuqNwcl1vltnFRFDDv_EFF7H_OoChzJOeiFSdcEZqxSJXPdXsTdrV0vTx12_GlfRb2kqaW5UN5du63LZ4dFG9LkZaEY52JZClu3/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQQfuMghcoJZg2mjJBYMc35fS7vnJdIry_y9V82eZJmuqNwcl1vltnFRFDDv_EFF7H_OoChzJOeiFSdcEZqxSJXPdXsTdrV0vTx12_GlfRb2kqaW5UN5du63LZ4dFG9LkZaEY52JZClu3/s400/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629656434189982850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Riding down hills is all fast and easy, whoopee, but what if you aren't able to become to a complete halt in the middle, because of the speed and the steepness, and the loss of traction because of the slipperiness of the surface, should the need arise? Going over the bars is always an option, but I'm a virgin in that, <span style="font-style: italic;">per se</span> esteemed, area of bicycling, and afraid to become experienced. I might be a bit of a control freak, and it seems unlikely that I will ever become a successful downhill racer. Damn, I should have started practicing earlier, when I was still reckless. Was I ever reckless? I forget.<br /><br />From the top of the Col du Paloheinä, it is possible to see the other towering giant of Helsinki, the Col du Malminkartano:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vqax_XRgdJrd7_hStQc-10YwUG0IE01lKcd9C07mq-h59UkJu2CmOWMosXXN8yU4_wWUK_gr-2eeveQMrlmaYNblQJjjyMVx8Wg9tBxpStHG0c1DB5IuAiPUd6-YRB9TVIGiKLu3-cK9/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Vqax_XRgdJrd7_hStQc-10YwUG0IE01lKcd9C07mq-h59UkJu2CmOWMosXXN8yU4_wWUK_gr-2eeveQMrlmaYNblQJjjyMVx8Wg9tBxpStHG0c1DB5IuAiPUd6-YRB9TVIGiKLu3-cK9/s400/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629659850882791042" border="0" /></a><br />Um, if it's not possible, it's the slight hiccup on the skyline exactly in the center of the picture. It's not really, really far away either, it's some 4 km, as the crow flies. Which leads me to my next subject. Why can't they erect proper signs on bicycling routes, so it would be possible to go 4 km from A to B, within one city, on a bicycle, without consulting a map or a navigator? I can see the place I want to go to from the hilltop. It's somewhat directly westward, some 4 km from where I am located. Both A and B are places frequently visited by bicyclists. Why can't they mark the route from A to B clearly?<br /><br />Here's what my route from A to B looked like, as taken from my sports instrument, on the 2nd time I went there, i.e. when I thought I already knew which way to go:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFntQ2vLK2qvxW2NJPHYmuWU33Be__Whgxmiwq1fZkfVy4H__e6wJDaq3z1njJFmOFqnGbC370f8U8faqfyA-MC7Bi0nObt7fe6Mx1GzZORmz2YwA5qCVXCDMicMzpQIRZrTrr6OVwgJQp/s1600/paloheina_malminkartano.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFntQ2vLK2qvxW2NJPHYmuWU33Be__Whgxmiwq1fZkfVy4H__e6wJDaq3z1njJFmOFqnGbC370f8U8faqfyA-MC7Bi0nObt7fe6Mx1GzZORmz2YwA5qCVXCDMicMzpQIRZrTrr6OVwgJQp/s400/paloheina_malminkartano.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629664392817273682" border="0" /></a><br />Voiceover for the markings:<br />A. And off we go! I'll just use my excellent memory, intuition and sense of direction to navigate to Col du Malminkartano without using any kinds of maps whatsoever.<br />1. Uhh... an intersection, no signs... that one seems to be in the general direction.<br />2. Excellent! A sign clearly stating "Malminkartano"!<br />3. Crap. Cycling route disappears. There's a large road, some residential streets. No signs. I know one street is a dead end from the last time I was here. I'll try another one.<br />4. Woohoo! Bicycling is fun. I wonder who wins today's etape. Cavendish or some other one? Wait, should I have gone some other way in the last intersection?<br />5. WTF? I don't know where the hell I am. Must I use the navigator on the phone again?<br />6. Another large road? I don't think I should cross that many.<br />7. Ok. If we had real mountains, they would be visible from nearby areas. This is ridiculous. I give up. I'll use the navigator, although onlookers will think I'm texting while bicycling, if I hold the phone in my hand. Yuck.<br />8. Yeesh. What kind of people live in neighbourhoods that look as boring as these? They must get drunk a lot to withstand the boredom.<br />9. Hey, that street looks somewhat familiar. Must be close.<br />B. Finally! It does look kind of big. I wonder what real mountains look like. I don't know what the hell those stripes are for though:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeVNwL2ydrfXBmDkRO872bMGtgPjYlOq4On3zQm2HxNM0jVT8zWWb2fMqPPs_O-K4DmPNAaV2l4oi4jJxGYfnCYMNm3EISRFt82rifd8n9WGIm_dXhqUuAk4SsCIGKVU_dCZDXBKE06IZ/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeVNwL2ydrfXBmDkRO872bMGtgPjYlOq4On3zQm2HxNM0jVT8zWWb2fMqPPs_O-K4DmPNAaV2l4oi4jJxGYfnCYMNm3EISRFt82rifd8n9WGIm_dXhqUuAk4SsCIGKVU_dCZDXBKE06IZ/s400/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629669415273292258" border="0" /></a><br />Perhaps I haven't assimilated the innermost essence of mountain biking yet, because the thing I enjoy the most in it is climbing up steep hills while wondering what it would be like to climb the mountains in the Tour de France. I've finally found a use for the granny ring, and the granniest ring in the rear cassette as well, and I'm not so sure I could manage the mountains without a triple chainring. Even though I have the "compact" chainrings in my road bike.<br /><br />For instance, I gather that real mountain bikers build, and ride off of, contraptions such as these in order to make their mountain biking more exciting:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3TbvFksLGl2k1UoIsaD3JUJjRzUTvX8aduYnsi8-kX41JeWszCoBK8yEoW8VtRduzfokZi3dvASYZMHdnE8dLw0ElV8znKTEq4AawHN3hQQfQUvNyCG3SEqIeLMfHuabNnk_5732Tr0M/s1600/023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3TbvFksLGl2k1UoIsaD3JUJjRzUTvX8aduYnsi8-kX41JeWszCoBK8yEoW8VtRduzfokZi3dvASYZMHdnE8dLw0ElV8znKTEq4AawHN3hQQfQUvNyCG3SEqIeLMfHuabNnk_5732Tr0M/s400/023.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629672280768820226" border="0" /></a><br />I, for one, found it exciting enought to ride down the hill very slowly, going around the ramps, albeit part of the excitement resulted from the fact that my rear brake began to squeal in a very loud, metally fashion on the top, and therefore I descended using mostly just the front brake.<br /><br />It might be a good idea to get to know scary descents by riding them down very slowly on the first time, or even walking. That way you don't die so often by hitting hidden jumps (believe or not, there are several in this picture):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQaqDrOTt0tDF0gG_toO-XUtGws7xD1HNCjQpaUVQAaqsJipwZofR5ADooGCwhsEy6fL4NT8ifiKFSfyIqlKq2q6OVvUV4YmpjjT_ToRRIHPXCAzHlcG-LEZYsmNptuENvS6iizVw-ZUg/s1600/025.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQaqDrOTt0tDF0gG_toO-XUtGws7xD1HNCjQpaUVQAaqsJipwZofR5ADooGCwhsEy6fL4NT8ifiKFSfyIqlKq2q6OVvUV4YmpjjT_ToRRIHPXCAzHlcG-LEZYsmNptuENvS6iizVw-ZUg/s400/025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629677572684773922" border="0" /></a><br />Or fall over in shrubs of burdock:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HLwerOaq-h0iRTKHCWBtEsUxKi5MFBNjtHcBo38_PA3WWxDnxC9XGjcp7yLtiH7fhYlmSkFT8x38WszQyi9j8jgF9YVPkNT4-ke9FwSCLT0rapXnNehHad9gwglV3ABexfztjmjhOL1k/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HLwerOaq-h0iRTKHCWBtEsUxKi5MFBNjtHcBo38_PA3WWxDnxC9XGjcp7yLtiH7fhYlmSkFT8x38WszQyi9j8jgF9YVPkNT4-ke9FwSCLT0rapXnNehHad9gwglV3ABexfztjmjhOL1k/s400/026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629679651510272258" border="0" /></a><br />Although being covered in burdock isn't so bad. In fact, I believe, that it grants one a certain kind of a mountain credibility.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-58829295412233524992011-07-07T22:35:00.007+03:002011-07-07T23:52:23.059+03:00Learning curve pt. IHaving all of a solid 6 weeks of experience being <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/05/u-s-u-s.html">a mountain bicyclist</a>, I'm proud to announce that I've already learned several things:<ul><li>riding up hills is HARD (because hills in the woods tend to be steeper than hills on the road)</li><li>riding down hills is harder (and scarier) than it looks like in several Youtube <a href="http://youtu.be/0zLuqKNKOqs">mountain biking</a> <a href="http://youtu.be/v3nkzjACUG4">videos</a><br /></li><li>watching a lot of Danny McAskill videos doesn't grant one excellent "<a href="http://youtu.be/MODmK7karGA">bunny hop</a>" capabilities (some practice is required also)</li><li>most of the trails near my neighbourhood belong in the "technical" category (as opposed to the "fast" category), I believe<br /></li><li>it is possible to crush a crabon fribé seatpost by tightening the clamp too hard. </li></ul>Another thing I've learned is that mountain bicyclists have magical, foldable tyres:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKwLSJptSsUoOm7Rhh-UU4mpUPOD8yBVXugL4ttZwYW10YJLXN33LC5mHTHJia_0Qs_Is81wL4IYUbnVs3ixlEseGJzrh3mKc5_oC2kic-FwPRmjew5gt7xeKzfjcTMqWu7-9qKQPDJm6/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCKwLSJptSsUoOm7Rhh-UU4mpUPOD8yBVXugL4ttZwYW10YJLXN33LC5mHTHJia_0Qs_Is81wL4IYUbnVs3ixlEseGJzrh3mKc5_oC2kic-FwPRmjew5gt7xeKzfjcTMqWu7-9qKQPDJm6/s400/004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626704913391128034" border="0" /></a><br />No, that's not what a bear coughed up after eating a snake, that is, unfolded, indeed a tyre for a mountain bike:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtB_TVVvJHSTj1BbhtzjNrIEZ4ftj-FQ5GbWRrdEgAjp4n_I60zx5WieoTDTY5zfKVHHwdKR8Sr5PXMdYrfthlLXSpR0QDl0zx2Y2RRfXKvr_bkMj95LpbRu4hhomDkV3O-xGi5ENp-R2/s1600/005.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtB_TVVvJHSTj1BbhtzjNrIEZ4ftj-FQ5GbWRrdEgAjp4n_I60zx5WieoTDTY5zfKVHHwdKR8Sr5PXMdYrfthlLXSpR0QDl0zx2Y2RRfXKvr_bkMj95LpbRu4hhomDkV3O-xGi5ENp-R2/s400/005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626705335168471010" border="0" /></a><br />Even though I'm a complete novice when it comes to mountain biking, I figured that it is a good time to replace the tyre when the knobs begin to fall off:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa38LLwFkhrZ8Y19Vd7sOpvifC7IQg73yT-juBgbpeVKJnNgn03kFXyQtbAWJMqQ5B3wL8Ksdg7h_NuZnTRFvXEx4nsKOP3vOet-0oeDbmvW9JlZqY9rhk0L_ZdRXoKKnWw_LiQF3hE_e/s1600/007.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYa38LLwFkhrZ8Y19Vd7sOpvifC7IQg73yT-juBgbpeVKJnNgn03kFXyQtbAWJMqQ5B3wL8Ksdg7h_NuZnTRFvXEx4nsKOP3vOet-0oeDbmvW9JlZqY9rhk0L_ZdRXoKKnWw_LiQF3hE_e/s400/007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626705761938721426" border="0" /></a><br />Before:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhJTCELdrIn889bVRnW-01IL4t91ueRj_-Br0_4GUrayBwlecCptDhRISu4r6fo5872As9e9xZtu0Q6_qX1CkXguoLxKfRgyh2rq3PaGmyNYLk-5TaLcz0whVvJfxA0Gk6C0OkEte3DtN/s1600/008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRhJTCELdrIn889bVRnW-01IL4t91ueRj_-Br0_4GUrayBwlecCptDhRISu4r6fo5872As9e9xZtu0Q6_qX1CkXguoLxKfRgyh2rq3PaGmyNYLk-5TaLcz0whVvJfxA0Gk6C0OkEte3DtN/s400/008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626707359192430402" border="0" /></a><br />And after:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4fZiPPmhBSgcVeXcvy1Pw956J8pbtEqjXOPOvScOR8UvcCc3n3DJbIPEMrWCaUyF9-18OmWauiErRSrBexmStga6fVRzudDMyH_X425fdgqLaN2Shc4Ja-2GphLOJHS5kWXBqPku2Z48/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4fZiPPmhBSgcVeXcvy1Pw956J8pbtEqjXOPOvScOR8UvcCc3n3DJbIPEMrWCaUyF9-18OmWauiErRSrBexmStga6fVRzudDMyH_X425fdgqLaN2Shc4Ja-2GphLOJHS5kWXBqPku2Z48/s400/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626707833848057986" border="0" /></a><br />I went for the knobbiest tyre my local bike shop had mostly because I like the intimidating sound the knobs make on pavement. Besides, I don't need good rolling qualities on the pavement because I'm way too fast for safety in the city as it is. Also, I need the traction for learning curve pt. II. To be continued...Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-41064009721905372722011-06-18T22:25:00.006+03:002011-06-18T23:48:08.590+03:00Evolution of the bicycle commuterI present you a handy guide for recognizing the different stages in the evolution of the bicycle commuter. The stereotypes in this blog post are referred to as "he" for simplicity's sake, although they might as well by female. Well, most of them could. Some of them are definitely male.<br /><div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The pre-beginner</span><br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">pre-beginner</span> is totally out of touch with bicycling. The last time they rode a bike was in their teens, years or decades ago, and ever since they've been commuting by public transport or by driving. But in exceptional circumstances, once or twice in a few years maybe, they may be forced to commute by bicycle. For instance, the bus drivers may be on strike, their car broke down, or perhaps they've been viciously egged to participate in the workplace fitness campaign by coworkers.<br /><br />Pre-beginners are generally clueless when it comes to bicycling. They don't know the routes, they are unfamiliar with the traffic regulations concerning bicyclists, their control of the bicycle is poor, and they may be unaccustomed to physical exercise of any kind. When stopping at traffic lights, some of them tend to jump off a moving bike instead of using the brakes to stop completely. They find bicycling hard.<br /><br />However, sometimes it's possible (I hope) that the bicycling experience doesn't put off the pre-beginner completely. If they get some kind of a positive spark out of it, they may continue to commute by bicycle even when not forced by circumstances, and slowly advance up the <s>ladder</s> tree of evolution of the bicycle commuter.<br /><br /><u>Attitude towards bicycle technology</u><br /><br />The pre-beginner uses whatever bicycle they've had stored in the shed for decades, or possibly borrow one from their kids or neighbours. Their awareness of the finer nuances of bicycle technology is vague at best ("- What size bicycle do you have? - Adult!"). If they're lucky, they know someone who knows the tiniest bit about bicycle maintenance -- like the fact that the chain needs to be lubed every now and then.<br /><br /><u>Dress code</u><br /><br />Pre-beginners are totally unprepared for bicycling, so they'll wear what they always wear, like jeans, for example. Or, if it's possible, they might borrow sweatpants from their kids or neighbours. They may wear kids' size rollerblading helmets on top of their heads, if they're particularly security-oriented.<br /><span style="display: block;" id="formatbar_Buttons"><span class=" down" style="display: block;" id="formatbar_CreateLink" title="Linkki" onmouseover="ButtonHoverOn(this);" onmouseout="ButtonHoverOff(this);" onmouseup="" onmousedown="CheckFormatting(event);FormatbarButton('richeditorframe', this, 8);ButtonMouseDown(this);"><img src="img/blank.gif" alt="Linkki" class="gl_link" border="0" /></span></span><br /><u>Behaviour in traffic</u><br /><br />Pre-beginners act shaky in traffic. They aren't aware that there's a difference between sidewalks (meant for pedestrians only) and routes meant for bicycles and pedestrians. They definitely don't want to ride on the road, where cars go. They see cars as a kind of an unstoppable force of nature, moving on along pre-destined routes, immediately running down any bicyclists that cross their paths (not totally unlike in the movie <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091499/">Maximum Overdrive</a>), so they tend to yield their rights whenever possible. (In fact, most cars these days have drivers inside, who operate the cars using the steering wheel, accelerator and brakes. So, actually, it is possible for the driver to make the car avoid collisions with bicyclists, by steering and/or slowing down the car so it is directed <span style="font-style: italic;">away</span> from the bicycle (although empiric evidence often might suggest otherwise). Some might even argue that it is the drivers' responsibility, rather than a choice, to do just that.)<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The occasional commuter</span><br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">occasional commuter</span> has caught a dose of motivation for bicycling. Somehow, they've ended up doing it every now and then, and the experience hasn't been totally repulsive. The occasional commuter hovers on the verge of <span style="font-style: italic;">getting it</span> about bicycling.<br /><br /><u>Attitude towards bicycle technology</u><br /><br />The occasional commuter is just about to realise that the bicycle is a diverse thing, that there are several types of bicycles, meant for various kinds of usage. However, they would like to have it all-in-one. Therefore they tend to go for a hybrid (might as well be named "compromise") or a cyclo-cross bike (= non-optimal for the road <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> the off-road). Anyway, the experience of having a bad bicycle for whichever usage you are trying to use it for is an essential one. If you don't know what "bad" is, how can you strive towards "good"? They will need this information when, uh, evoluting.<br /><br /><u>Dress code</u><br /><br />Any kind of sports clothes. Some even wear unpadded bicycling shorts (yuck).<br /><br /><u>Behaviour in traffic</u><br /><br />The occasional commuters tend to stick to the bicycle paths. Might even use the road, occasionally, if feeling exceptionally fierce.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >The biltema pro</span><br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">biltema pro</span> has commuted by bicycle enough to realize that the commuting experience can be enhanced by equipping the bike, and also the bicyclist, with accessories. He doesn't understand why anybody would invest in the real expensive stuff real bicycle shops sell though. Therefore he does his bicycle-related shopping in bargain retailer stores, such as <a href="http://www.biltema.fi/">Biltema</a> and <a href="http://www.motonet.fi">Motonet</a>. His gear consists of various rear view mirrors, lamps, racks, panniers, bells and whistles. He thinks that more is more.<br /><br /><u>Attitude towards bicycle technology</u><br /><br />The bike of choice for the biltema pro is an inexpensive, heavy hybrid. Those smaller gears do come in handy, because as a result of customization the bike has become several kilograms heavier than it was out of the box. A plusher saddle, puncture protected tires and all those racks add up surprisingly much weight. The biltema pro thinks aero bars are a great invention, but he tends to install them so that his position on the bike is as upright and comfortable as possible, so they don't really add any "aero". And what do those bulky panniers contain? Does he really carry a laptop, several books and binders and three outfits to and from work each day?<br /><br /><u>Dress code</u><br /><br />The biltema pro favours shell suits, sneakers, fanny packs and fluorescent vests. If it's raining, he'll don a rainproof cloak that makes him look like a tent on two wheels.<br /><br /><u>Behaviour in traffic</u><br /><br />The biltema pro grinds on, slowly, like a very lightweight train, and obeys traffic regulations.<br /><br /></div> <div> </div> <div> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The pragmatic commuter</span></span><br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">pragmatic commuter</span> is a seasoned pro of the commuting world. He's been doing it for a certain period of time now, he's worked out most of the kinks, he knows what to do. Commuting by bike is his second nature. He usually participates in the cycling scene somehow, like following competitive cycling, participating in it, or at least, reading the forums.<br /><br /><u>Attitude towards bicycle technology</u><br /><br />The pragmatic commuter has worked out the suitable bike for him. It may be a hybrid, a cyclo-crosser, a mountain bike, a fixie or a carbon fiber racer. It may even be an everyman bike. Probably there's more than one bike, and the pragmatic commuter decides which one to ride based on the season/weather/mood.<br /><br /><u>Dress code</u><br /><br />The pragmatic commuter has put some thought in what to wear. Often, it's skin tight lycra, because that's what serious cyclists wear. Or, it may be girls' jeans, if they're a fixie aficionado. Anyway, it's a conscious decision.<br /><br /><u>Behaviour in traffic</u><br /><br />The pragmatic commuter is fast. He knows (most of) the traffic rules, but has his own opinions on whether or not to obey them. He's not afraid to ride on the road.<br /><br /><div> </div> <div> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The pragmatic commuter</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> with satori</span></span><br /><br />The <span style="font-style: italic;">pragmatic commuter with satori</span> is just like the pragmatic commuter in every other aspect, but the satorified one doesn't need to prove anything to anyone else. They don't need to take unnecessary risks. They wont participate in the commuter category time trial competition. They won't compete with you (the bastards). Sadly, I'm not there yet.<br /><br /><div> </div> <div> </div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The pitchy stump</span></span><br /><br />If a bicycle commuter keeps on commuting long enough, they may mature to become a <span style="font-style: italic;">pitchy stump</span>. A pitchy stump is totally resilient to weather, trends, advancements in technology and contradicting opinions of fellow humans. A pitchy stump keeps on doing his thing, year in year out, decade in decade out, for centuries.<br /><br /><u>Attitude towards bicycle technology</u><br /><br />Pitchy stumps ride the bikes they've ridden for the last 40 years. Back then, bikes were built to last. Besides, they know that no significant improvements have been made in the design of the bicycle in the last century. Therefore upgrading to a new bike wouldn't benefit anything. Pitchy stumps do their own maintenance themselves, in their own garages.<br /><br /><u>Dress code</u><br /><br />Pitchy stumps wear the sports gear they've worn for the last 40 years. Back then, sports gear was sewn to last. Besides, they know that no significant improvements have been made in the design of sports gear in the last century. Therefore upgrading to a new set of sports gear wouldn't benefit anything. Wives of pitchy stumps stitch up any damaged sports clothes with their own sewing machines.<br /><br /><u>Behaviour in traffic</u><br /><br />The pitchy stump moves relatively slowly, but may be unpredictable in traffic. Because they're very resilient to change, they may not follow traffic regulations that are up to date, but instead follow the rules that they've learned in the century before this one. And if the choice of a route of a pitchy stump looks odd to you, bear in mind that they've bicycled along that path already when all of what you see was just a cornfield.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-33100980820417400412011-05-28T21:57:00.004+03:002011-05-28T23:14:54.753+03:00U S A! U S A!Although I already know everything, I still seem to learn new stuff as I get older. When you get older you slowly begin to realise that you might not be one of the few immortal humans after all. Because, at 36, in 2011, I might only have some 61 years of youth left, I've come to the conclusion that life is too short to be wasted not trying out new stuff.<br /><br />I used to think that I'm definitely a roadie. But then again, there was a certain period when I used to perceive myself as a goth. Then there are the bohemian years, the punk period, and the (fortunately) short period of trying to mimic an average student, to mention only a few. Anyway, after seeing lots of pictures of mountain bikes and even some videos of people riding them, I've gotten really curious to find out what it feels like to actually ride one. This is where my new friend, Scott, from USA comes in: <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVUhJji_Cj_cQGBN1kf1F5nJ2Q6orHFKMNqhKhiWcBqniPDLWK8hvb6-R5k8i6-HlrVQNndr874sY9QkSA54pAjLhVx4oKe2asSsaKVNw23cOg9sY3UvTy1DfmqvPQQ_flOEsnV6cw6DH/s1600/019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlVUhJji_Cj_cQGBN1kf1F5nJ2Q6orHFKMNqhKhiWcBqniPDLWK8hvb6-R5k8i6-HlrVQNndr874sY9QkSA54pAjLhVx4oKe2asSsaKVNw23cOg9sY3UvTy1DfmqvPQQ_flOEsnV6cw6DH/s400/019.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611843475042114722" border="0" /></a><br />I think his last name is Strike, although it might also be Limited, or even G-Zero. I'm not so up to date with these American and/or rap names. They're all cool names though. Definitely cooler than mine (it is Teboil B. Ryynikäinen from Suomussalmi, just a typical Finnish name, in case you insist).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7AiMb_CVKks-qCa6Q3tQmxx8SZ4CgQzut_JBlX0cwTtcwEG-FvX_Muqutkgg810u5KYj0okrYKNBY0efreDz522CW_CxP8i0bL32lAritJ8gEphLzazvajB6FepbeP_ttfaoa9ba5cNh/s1600/020.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7AiMb_CVKks-qCa6Q3tQmxx8SZ4CgQzut_JBlX0cwTtcwEG-FvX_Muqutkgg810u5KYj0okrYKNBY0efreDz522CW_CxP8i0bL32lAritJ8gEphLzazvajB6FepbeP_ttfaoa9ba5cNh/s400/020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611843579840654754" border="0" /></a><br />This is a classic bicycle full of the latest HMF crabon fibré full suspension hi-tech Scandium USA Scott competitive technology from 2001 and did I mention the Scandium rear fork already. If only I'd know what Scandium is, or weren't too lazy to google it out.<br /><br />Anyhow, it definitely is exciting to find new aspects in bicycling. The bottom bracket is higher from the ground than I've gotten used to, the angles are different, the tyres are wide enough to fit any self-respecting tractor and make a funny noise on the pavement. There's the comfort of suspension!<br /><br />After having gotten used on the road bike to the strict discipline of pedaling as efficiently as possible down (and up) long stretches of even road, it seems wildly exhilarating to ride this bike. Suddenly, the average speed doesn't seem to be a major objective any more. The knobby tyres and suspension seem to say "Get off the road!", "Play around!", "Please, jump off something!". <br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkkhlIl4syctVIZlgxmAW1ft-Rk5Sgm895lhad42fKLocDQEtRjGnDFMhGqUBhLyAY_e9IbKqUkqkV2r_5yplnkIIC3FNT9DL4amxMVcGzsnE2wXoS4nlkman_1fBmo0TeHXS4G6inyCh/s1600/017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLkkhlIl4syctVIZlgxmAW1ft-Rk5Sgm895lhad42fKLocDQEtRjGnDFMhGqUBhLyAY_e9IbKqUkqkV2r_5yplnkIIC3FNT9DL4amxMVcGzsnE2wXoS4nlkman_1fBmo0TeHXS4G6inyCh/s400/017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611843363481932050" border="0" /></a><br />I think there's a sharp learning curve ahead, and it sounds like fun!Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-83722480576892048382011-05-13T21:32:00.009+03:002011-05-13T22:56:32.582+03:00Yet another post about nothing significantIt's been nearly a month since <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/04/deliveries.html">the latest episode</a> in the wildly successful series of blog reports about some excavations on a cycle path nearby, and I'm happy to announce that once again, something has happened. Also, I'll announce that you people are nuts. Don't you have anything better to read about? I guess not, because here's undeniable proof that up to 4½ people obsessively follow this blog:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hyYycztqOphoJ-IjE_NWmqyyyjQQYg58l1VNyrKTtKAVrgzkt_5HDyOmEIRyun2sea6V1nhfg6okqULD4OsDT29c0am1WLLnEuEZacJ4dIFQLpeVYe9mounCLjPkSVedYqn9nfLvYW_o/s1600/stats.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 135px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hyYycztqOphoJ-IjE_NWmqyyyjQQYg58l1VNyrKTtKAVrgzkt_5HDyOmEIRyun2sea6V1nhfg6okqULD4OsDT29c0am1WLLnEuEZacJ4dIFQLpeVYe9mounCLjPkSVedYqn9nfLvYW_o/s400/stats.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606272545174508786" border="0" /></a><br />Please, stop doing so.<br /><br />Anyway, for a couple of days now, the site has looked like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALtkqrjTTLay57394XImaDeaQ-ov_fFi7TekAf4PCXVdSWzJHnXHPTtCmd-QI_R_bVXH4pVMSSDsiVGyYyxz3KlNaLobYNbDTFAaMcYM1QO9sGpuKlHSZKa_7hmO-c2jAm979GEwWlCk3/s1600/12052011135.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALtkqrjTTLay57394XImaDeaQ-ov_fFi7TekAf4PCXVdSWzJHnXHPTtCmd-QI_R_bVXH4pVMSSDsiVGyYyxz3KlNaLobYNbDTFAaMcYM1QO9sGpuKlHSZKa_7hmO-c2jAm979GEwWlCk3/s400/12052011135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606273169468952578" border="0" /></a><br />They dug out the gravel they filled the holes with a month ago, and added some traffic cones. Clearly, something's about to happen in the near future. I better sharpen my fingertips, oil up the trusty old laptop, crack open a few beers and get ready to blog about this in a month or two again... but hey, what's this?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2Kl-b4BxPOsT8X3_fmmEcMVPpw2lAXulcNyx1EhSPT80kLcEwBw0YkRYveHZZ8SJCbnE_FI3aQ195ChskJIk7KqkTGA_al3oJdnCo04_vp9hUGxCZol3kIKmdso4qSz1SZen7Phenxzc/s1600/13052011140.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2Kl-b4BxPOsT8X3_fmmEcMVPpw2lAXulcNyx1EhSPT80kLcEwBw0YkRYveHZZ8SJCbnE_FI3aQ195ChskJIk7KqkTGA_al3oJdnCo04_vp9hUGxCZol3kIKmdso4qSz1SZen7Phenxzc/s400/13052011140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5606276778986495058" border="0" /></a><br />The next day, this happened! What is this I don't even...<br /><br />The P"N"WD has filled up the holes with some kind of an unknown, disgusting black mass, that doesn't even match the colour of the old paving, and which probably will be slippery when it rains. They haven't even cleaned up the sand properly, and, uh... the traffic cones are gone, which surely is dangerous in the dark.<br /><br />Ok, I've got to admit it, they've finally fixed up the cycle path. It took some eight months, and dozens of complaints by email, but they finally did it. And I'm not happy about it. I've gotten addicted to complaining, and what the hell am I going to write about in the blog now?<br /><br />But seriously. When they dig up the road, they fix it up when they're done. When they dig up the cycle path, they leave it like that for months. I don't know why exactly. I'll assume this happens because<br /><ul><li>they can do so without sanctions</li><li>traffic consisting of bicyclists and pedestrians is considered much less important than traffic consisting of car drivers, in fact it's not considered as traffic at all<br /></li><li>the bicyclists and pedestrians don't complain about these things enough.<br /></li></ul>Especially I'm fed up with the fact that if they dig up the cycle path in autumn, they know that they don't have to patch it up until next summer, because cycle paths aren't maintained properly in wintertime and it doesn't matter what's underneath the mass of ice and snow. If the cycle paths were maintained so that they would be good for bicycling, then it would matter.<br /><br />Ok, it's summer, there's beer, there's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDQdfwE8_iM&feature=related">music by Weezer</a>, got to cheer up now and stop complaining. Plenty of time to do that, come winter, which, I believe is some 3 weeks from now.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-44947408634196265642011-04-29T23:34:00.000+03:002011-04-29T23:34:20.918+03:00Know Your DrivetrainA couple of weeks ago, the worst part of winter, spring, arrived. I passionately love bicycling in summer. I think that bicycling in winter is ok. I think that bicycling in autumn and spring often tends to be crappy. Unfortunately, summer here in Finland only lasts for some three weeks, and the rest of the year it is either winter, spring or autumn, but mostly winter. Probably I should also mention that in Finland, a year goes on and on for some 200 weeks, unlike in the civilized countries.<br /><br />The last winter was so bad that the drivetrain of my trusty commuter got totally fed up with the sucky conditions, and the chain started jumping really bad on the cogs. The jumping got so bad that I had severe trouble going up hills, because when I put any power to the pedals the chain immediately jumped. I tell you, it's hard going up hills on will power alone.<br /><br />Due to the jumping of the chain, and the resulting slipping of feet on the pedals, the pride of the whole extended family, my precious family jewels, were severely endangered. If it wasn't for the sloping of the frame of my bicycle, I'd already be singing in the same register as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geddy_Lee">Geddy Le</a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geddy_Lee">e</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_%28band%29">Rush</a>. While it's a scientific fact that falling on the top tube instantaneously transposes the vocal range of a male a couple of octaves, I suspect that it doesn't have a similar turbo boost effect on one's musicality, composition skills or the ability to perform in front of an audience. Therefore I'm happy to announce that I only fell on the top tube a couple of times this winter, my vocal range is still considered normal and I'm not intending to turn into a professional progressive metal singer in the near future.<br /><br />Anyhow, like any IT professional would, I considered Getting Something Done about the Drivetrain as a Service (GSDatDaaS, as they say in the bicycling IT nerd world), but then I got to my senses and set out to DIM (Do It Myself). Once again, I spent countless hours (that the employer would consider theirs) doing online investigation of the inner workings of bicycle components and comparing prices.<br /><br />As you would expect, or possibly not, renewing your drivetrain is not as simple as one would expect. What the hell did I just write there? Does this make sense to you? Erm, anyway, there's a lot of things you need to know:<br /><ul><li>how many chainrings do you have?</li><li>how many rear cassette cogs do you have?</li><li>what brand are they? </li><li>what kind of a chain goes together with them? </li><li>how many teeth do your chainrings and cogs have?<br /></li><li>what kind of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bottom_bracket#Interface_types">crank/bottom bracket interface</a> do you have?</li><li>what is the <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_bo-z.html#bcd">BCD</a> of your chainrings? </li><li>what is the length of your cranks?<br /></li><li>what is the <a href="http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_ch.html#chainline">chainline</a> of your bicycle? </li><li>etc.</li></ul>So, <span style="font-weight: bold;">the first step</span> was to read about these things. I came to the conclusion that you've got to replace a worn chain and cassette at the same time, and as the chainrings seemed worn too (except the granny ring), it's better to replace them as well.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The second step</span> was to inspect my bicycle in order to find out what kind of a setup I had (underneath all the grimy black stuff). My commuter is a 2008 Kona Dew Plus, and these are the parts that it had installed:<ul><li>FSA Dyna Drive CK-300A 175 mm cranks with square taper interface<br /></li><li>FSA 28-38-48 tooth chainrings with 104/64 mm BCD</li><li>Shimano 11-34 tooth 8 speed cassette</li><li>KMC Z narrow chain.<br /></li></ul><span style="font-weight: bold;">The third step</span> was to try and find a somewhat similar set of components from an online store. It proved somewhat difficult. For instance, there are a lot of chainrings sold separately, but it's not clear for an aged newbie like me whether or not they fit together with the setup that you have. Also it seems to be cheaper to purchase a whole crankset instead of three separate chainrings. Shimano has all kinds of fancy letter combinations like IG, HG, SG-X and whatnot when it comes to chains and toothings, and they haven't exactly made the whole intercompatibility issue totally clear in their documents. I'm an engineer and I need a detailed specification before I can proceed with the implementation.<br /><br />After a lot of browsing of internet retailers' web sites, I finally got fed up and ordered a crankset, cassette and a chain that seemed not totally unlike my old components. I failed to notice a nearly unnoticeable text (font size 'fly dropping') saying that the cassette I wanted wasn't in stock though, and I had to replace the cassette with another one. Luckily, there were no other 8 speed cassettes with 11-34 toothing available, and I ended up thinking about the question that has been plaguing mankind for decades: what gear ratios should I have?<br /><br />I, for one, currently have too many gear ratios. I have a triple chainring, but I never use the smallest chainring. I use the middle one in the winter and I use the big one in the summer. Living in a flat city in a flat country, I don't need more than two chainrings. On the rear cassette, I've never used the 34. Budget cyclist's 34 was as clean as a whistle. I've never used the 11 either. According to Sheldon Brown's Online Gear Calculator, spinning at the moderate cadence of 80 RPM I'd be doing some 46.8 KPH on the 48-11 combination. I hardly ever need to do that on the commuter bike. I guess that on an average commute I use two or three different gears. Ok, in the winter I might use four.<br /><br />So, what's the point in having 8 speeds in your rear cassette? Or 9, 10 or 11, when you think about it? I suppose that the different ratios are useful only if they're at the range that you need. And I don't need a "MegaRange" 34 tooth cog for anything. I might need more ratios for commuting if they'd be closer to each other. So, I ended up ordering a "road" cassette with 13-26 toothing instead of the one the good people at Kona had originally provided for my needs.<br /><br />After some minor mixups, awkward speaking of English on the phone (I suck at that) and waiting for some 3-14 business days, the components finally arrived, and I got to <span style="font-weight: bold;">the fourth step</span>: actually installing the parts.<br /><br />Here are the cranksets, new and old:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxfh8js5Rcj20jgrfObx_xcX51CzZKiFLpHtiqMgI1ti7oqBT3N4kd9FYmkITOZu-5UeKhTsb3QAgcV9_kk15dF2vBpeoTwynbDtLds-OKFYrMGR9c1sY_o7UFatCsz5Dc0VObOszIPiq/s1600/112.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxfh8js5Rcj20jgrfObx_xcX51CzZKiFLpHtiqMgI1ti7oqBT3N4kd9FYmkITOZu-5UeKhTsb3QAgcV9_kk15dF2vBpeoTwynbDtLds-OKFYrMGR9c1sY_o7UFatCsz5Dc0VObOszIPiq/s400/112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601095820726484866" border="0" /></a><br />Look kind of similar, don't they? Yes, I managed to find a crankset with the same toothing and BCD's, but I neglected to read about the chainline. It turned out that the new crankset had a different chainline than the old one, and I wasn't sure how it work together with the front derailleur (or <a href="http://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_da-o.html#derailer">derailer</a>, if you prefer the vulgar spelling).<br /><br />But then, because I'm a genius, I realised that I can switch the chainrings from the new crankset to the old one. Damn, I'm good. *cough* *retch* I'm choking in my own smugness here. *cough*<br /><br />Here are the cranks (interesting, isn't it):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdip_UX8aMvybPRI2eVcd_qOjwf4B-4mZJEF6WjbsPy_AphmpBK7-knJF7NrQo1BoLDG67GgK3mY2dEJ0sx9OVXKo5ggWV-ZWsC-B7k54DIphgOydbNiuScMGfRPNs5LvsZ-Z876p1f5OR/s1600/114.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdip_UX8aMvybPRI2eVcd_qOjwf4B-4mZJEF6WjbsPy_AphmpBK7-knJF7NrQo1BoLDG67GgK3mY2dEJ0sx9OVXKo5ggWV-ZWsC-B7k54DIphgOydbNiuScMGfRPNs5LvsZ-Z876p1f5OR/s400/114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601097356670033762" border="0" /></a><br />Actually, I don't know if the new cranks would have a better chainline than the old one. I gather it's kind of difficult to actually measure the chainline. But I'll have to check it out, when I have the time. Also I could get rid of the granny ring altogether while I'm at it.<br /><br />Here are the cassettes, new and old:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyESszUjouW6ilCd2kOJk19HuXy7GcaZ7eC7ugmwGjP3d4hLzUFlwGCd1FTypjKg20jB3V9TqAZgcSUtPRCESd6LsDRliMyC6EtcAPzi0p0gsvy0cqWJhLnN0ni0ZJSRgTQuOJy8AB0r6/s1600/117.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyESszUjouW6ilCd2kOJk19HuXy7GcaZ7eC7ugmwGjP3d4hLzUFlwGCd1FTypjKg20jB3V9TqAZgcSUtPRCESd6LsDRliMyC6EtcAPzi0p0gsvy0cqWJhLnN0ni0ZJSRgTQuOJy8AB0r6/s400/117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601098420942030322" border="0" /></a><br />The 34 does look ridiculously large. It might make sense to grannies though. I, however, tend to fall over if my speed goes below 15 KPH. Also, if you have a magnifying glass, check out the worn teeth on the 4th cog.<br /><br />BTW, this is what my working area looks like:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sKFtb6tBhBFDAtWDzQ9k3bs0KTqtdU6csXVOxAVG5h16_w6xsnyoOTn0QPRT1bWVRM0GwGs9LMvY7GilfMuywJpJNKeDJWBVv0Jv44qzYTS4QovvbI5tD-m9SS5g6i97wny7vLx7ZLFh/s1600/118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0sKFtb6tBhBFDAtWDzQ9k3bs0KTqtdU6csXVOxAVG5h16_w6xsnyoOTn0QPRT1bWVRM0GwGs9LMvY7GilfMuywJpJNKeDJWBVv0Jv44qzYTS4QovvbI5tD-m9SS5g6i97wny7vLx7ZLFh/s400/118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601099641200965442" border="0" /></a><br />I couldn't fit any more of the area into the picture, because my back was against the wall as it is. Well, at least I can reach all the tools without moving my feet. It would be nice if the bike fitted in as well, though.<br /><br />And finally, what can I say, except "up yours"!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV47qBv_kn39WaNddYoWSdQoaX72ZbSNIM294Qg1khGi_omTnh-l-BLz-ttv_a2ck2cBAnRzTs-UgaK5-IDD3YmpkScfxQUUa5xr1ZrwPs7XRDqJv2Cll6wQddM60FQC3Q4AqVSyourXxs/s1600/120.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV47qBv_kn39WaNddYoWSdQoaX72ZbSNIM294Qg1khGi_omTnh-l-BLz-ttv_a2ck2cBAnRzTs-UgaK5-IDD3YmpkScfxQUUa5xr1ZrwPs7XRDqJv2Cll6wQddM60FQC3Q4AqVSyourXxs/s400/120.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601100582095967346" border="0" /></a>Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-63844195704752165332011-04-14T21:45:00.012+03:002011-04-14T22:24:05.960+03:00DeliveriesIn case you're wondering what's up with the cycle path I complained <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-horrible-spring.html">recently</a>, exciting things have happened. Shortly after I directed my complaints directly to the P"N"WD, via a feedback form on their web page (as they don't seem to be reading my blog, for some reason), they did, to my surprise, deliver. In a way.<br /><br />Namely, somebody filled up the Grand Canyon with fresh gravel. Unfortunately, a couple of days later, a street sweeper cleaned the path, and while doing that also swept most of the fresh gravel out of the excavation. So the path doesn't look much better at the moment:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mz6IPhGpF-I3AdQcZ864hxI_UuMftZyFiDi5rRLRyiVGQZ2IowhgUade8tltPIdP4jutlOj_3csG_loP2Q_cpQ5KC93cYO1S9vR-ZQYlMszWueuUDmWUDr7jsW_Vam6do8brFLhzoRN_/s1600/066.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mz6IPhGpF-I3AdQcZ864hxI_UuMftZyFiDi5rRLRyiVGQZ2IowhgUade8tltPIdP4jutlOj_3csG_loP2Q_cpQ5KC93cYO1S9vR-ZQYlMszWueuUDmWUDr7jsW_Vam6do8brFLhzoRN_/s400/066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595512475894101394" border="0" /></a><br />Gotta love those craters & oil spills. Makes it look a bit like a war zone. Which is good. We need some street cred here. The neighbourhood is way too bourgeois as it is.<br /><br />In other news, a mysterious delivery arrived on our dinner table today:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJuq8JRewpQTkoPW14P7MIiWjJh92bPcGY7F6r60nUbQ2fBSCQwF0ylo5lz3fKfUHCpCmeZ_naGWg3YEdWlxoA0GMMM3EslS2VpOC9bsCg5HEKr5RwEWUhx2ubeygiLct1qp1n38zJq0H/s1600/books+001.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJuq8JRewpQTkoPW14P7MIiWjJh92bPcGY7F6r60nUbQ2fBSCQwF0ylo5lz3fKfUHCpCmeZ_naGWg3YEdWlxoA0GMMM3EslS2VpOC9bsCg5HEKr5RwEWUhx2ubeygiLct1qp1n38zJq0H/s400/books+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595516424953230146" border="0" /></a><br />Who is it for?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kiCbfyQsrXhnRdsFe5vm_bDDSztDFwQmo9XWvHi6cJbUyJo7xP4FA85owOPjHMMcfJ4qH0IP5-rT99UEKITasI4mdy9U0NSv5FLJFiM1_XP2I7WSZS6Qi-JFWBnVjYniBy9DK99hqLNo/s1600/etiketti.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8kiCbfyQsrXhnRdsFe5vm_bDDSztDFwQmo9XWvHi6cJbUyJo7xP4FA85owOPjHMMcfJ4qH0IP5-rT99UEKITasI4mdy9U0NSv5FLJFiM1_XP2I7WSZS6Qi-JFWBnVjYniBy9DK99hqLNo/s400/etiketti.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595516808614314402" border="0" /></a><br />Hey, that's me! And damn, I just accidentally published my true identity. Oh, what the hey. BTW, did you know that Rembrandt is one of the most common first names in Finland?<br /><br />Let's see what's inside the parcel:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNvoo16BSik5KNFNtUUYG4QwieuTZVzNklYblHpqAQb25gjg5KK99mVQEeUePMEt4QjSYXgb4rwBfH8ryuqUgNDh-XXIK6E4618ak_B3R3RO_ihYKXw3Y6aX17LMv2kHDCkkW4cFaPIcT/s1600/books+004.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnNvoo16BSik5KNFNtUUYG4QwieuTZVzNklYblHpqAQb25gjg5KK99mVQEeUePMEt4QjSYXgb4rwBfH8ryuqUgNDh-XXIK6E4618ak_B3R3RO_ihYKXw3Y6aX17LMv2kHDCkkW4cFaPIcT/s400/books+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595517589129287218" border="0" /></a><br />Oh, cool! It's some kind of a air-filled portable travel cushion. I've always wanted one of these. But wait, there's more! A book:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3njkc9vTVTHEyRT6euYR2oTxIV-hhVhl_DSLZ2Qn6jCb_XTx3yxrAXKzVAgVCJZdbQJLRmph2GZeotvtYhX_IGrVsE83tjeFKeFTr0IdrqktDBTe9RtqQiES7L8rYouH-KYAcM9CMCgu/s1600/books+005.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo3njkc9vTVTHEyRT6euYR2oTxIV-hhVhl_DSLZ2Qn6jCb_XTx3yxrAXKzVAgVCJZdbQJLRmph2GZeotvtYhX_IGrVsE83tjeFKeFTr0IdrqktDBTe9RtqQiES7L8rYouH-KYAcM9CMCgu/s400/books+005.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595518105227222962" border="0" /></a><br />And another one:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvlJzQl2LVdMN2I8u-R7TEzJVsDYxl3jYgEuvo5Xp8SRj_er7xos3HXuyoPAiEC7_uvzs5l8SgwuMQ4WEEc2auG5vRaHBxrV8ouO5iiwZU8_8Hokeh8RVIqCEjGJw6cd2VKAX6ha0zvdO/s1600/books+006.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvlJzQl2LVdMN2I8u-R7TEzJVsDYxl3jYgEuvo5Xp8SRj_er7xos3HXuyoPAiEC7_uvzs5l8SgwuMQ4WEEc2auG5vRaHBxrV8ouO5iiwZU8_8Hokeh8RVIqCEjGJw6cd2VKAX6ha0zvdO/s400/books+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595518343336363314" border="0" /></a><br />And <span style="font-style: italic;">another</span> one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_skeZf5gepHacWXOLtZkYebaqhEOKBXD2ET3muKCdRq-RBnO6V7GJdlgB2TfiKA6MCwa0Hx2hyw0LDgNw3OH5NQ2mMmPRebMjbExuoepgh2VoVK1fT30ThXL07X7xVSMB68AUeYE8rmRL/s1600/books+007.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_skeZf5gepHacWXOLtZkYebaqhEOKBXD2ET3muKCdRq-RBnO6V7GJdlgB2TfiKA6MCwa0Hx2hyw0LDgNw3OH5NQ2mMmPRebMjbExuoepgh2VoVK1fT30ThXL07X7xVSMB68AUeYE8rmRL/s400/books+007.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595518560193135074" border="0" /></a><br />And yet another one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmwokVX8gxl1DZDlNBp-OatcZx3bTjv6yvvG2KjrrEYO-XUrWH2ZfgGgb_hgFqqc6p24UEWvSudFfGV3COwwk6kNw5vhGwvWW6_I3HCs8cpQNu58R3TJ2QF9fxGBtlQNT3EgunnRZcPPv/s1600/books+008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijmwokVX8gxl1DZDlNBp-OatcZx3bTjv6yvvG2KjrrEYO-XUrWH2ZfgGgb_hgFqqc6p24UEWvSudFfGV3COwwk6kNw5vhGwvWW6_I3HCs8cpQNu58R3TJ2QF9fxGBtlQNT3EgunnRZcPPv/s400/books+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595518838232690466" border="0" /></a><br />Wow, the last one was big. Thanks, Santa! These should provide adequate evening entertainment for at least a week. I'm in bicycling nerd paradise.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-64258065608301974062011-04-07T09:20:00.008+03:002011-04-07T09:56:58.796+03:00Experience the pavéWhen I recently mentioned that <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/02/winter-complaints-pt-iv.html">Paris-Roubaix is a race for wussies</a>, at least when compared to the bicycling conditions in Helsinki, I thought I was (kind of) joking. As it turns out, I wasn't. It seems that the city of Helsinki is trying to advocate commuting by bicycle by making the bicycling infrastructure more interesting and challenging (as opposed to more accessible) and to promote various forms of bicycle sports in the city. Yesterday <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/04/spring-horrible-spring.html">I wrote about</a> an environment that is clearly meant for BMX and/or Freeride enthusiasts. This morning I found out that, apparently, the city has launched a new campaign to promote bicycling classics-style, on cobbled sectors. (If they haven't got a catchy title for the campaign yet, my suggestion is "Experience the pavé!")<br /><br> Just check out this cycle path in my neighbourhood in Northern Helsinki:<br><br> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592724521928640946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKYOZ4Fsycr5BwJZH_N6jnbhdTfEOlHQuMAowkLVSK-hA_hsOhrpl7ddEyZgp1TYHPDIBdz_1bS4efmM8fpwPQZ9P3RB0DCsNpuci-hOZPpa6R3p5WJe0Jw1Q9ToGfIYSKc096ESd0JFM/s400/pave.jpg" border="0" /> <br /><p>There's always been a cobbled sector on the side of the path, which I always thought was there just to make the path prettier. The rest of the path is paved with asphalt, although it is hard to see that from the picture because the asphalt is currently covered by some 2 cm of gravel, sprinkled there in the winter. But yesterday the P"N"WD had licked the cobbled sector clean from the gravel, while leaving the rest of the path untouched. </p><br /><p>To me, this is a clear indicator that they want us to try bicycling on the <em>pavé</em>. I can find no other reason for this action. The road has been free from gravel all winter, so this can't have happened as a byproduct of cleaning the road. They cleaned up the cobblestones intentionally. </p><br /><p>Hey, I'm all for it. I'm ready to experience the Hell of the Northern Helsinki. I'll gladly shake on the cobbles like the slow, puny Fabian Cancellara wannabe that I am. I'm just not so sure if the occasional bicyclists get the drift.</p>Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-48901169846806599412011-04-06T21:24:00.000+03:002011-04-06T21:58:51.606+03:00Spring! Horrible spring!Spring is just around the corner, and these are problematic times for the commuter. You see, the <a href="http://www.hel.fi/wps/portal/Rakennusvirasto_en/?WCM_GLOBAL_CONTEXT=/HKR/en/Etusivu">P"N"WD</a> (Public "Not" Works Department) outsourced the maintenance of the bicycling infrastructure to Mother Nature several weeks ago. Yes, ultimately, Mother Nature <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span> deliver, but she won't adhere to any schedule dictated by the infamous middle management über director V. Alatyppö of the P"N"WD. Also, in the long term, she will <span style="font-style: italic;">literally</span> clean up the bike paths, i.e. eradicate any signs of them whatsoever, by using her favourite utility: entropy.<br /><br />Although, it is possible that the P"N"WD is trying to accomplish the same end result as well. At least it seems so when you witness the wreckage on the bike paths uncovering from beneath the snow. Take this stretch for example:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vVgwoxaoum_aK8mtiPjGM3yML9Vwf55n3H1Em7lOQCnvx44pR2YxgFp4UhpWPfu7jqfcPthfXFLAvRV1pzz3KaFSsbtmsoyjx5qZPoGqdNGMUK2Z_zIfdOxyJa7Edv4_VtbIH9MHjw94/s1600/05042011124.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vVgwoxaoum_aK8mtiPjGM3yML9Vwf55n3H1Em7lOQCnvx44pR2YxgFp4UhpWPfu7jqfcPthfXFLAvRV1pzz3KaFSsbtmsoyjx5qZPoGqdNGMUK2Z_zIfdOxyJa7Edv4_VtbIH9MHjw94/s400/05042011124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592167327962557266" border="0" /></a><br />What is that? Is it a moat? Or an abandoned WWII trench, filled with oily water and trash? Or perhaps a passageway for the multitudes of fish in the neighbourhood to use for safe crossing of this bike path?<br /><br />Or this one:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGUBnJT_WqJg_ApT95tdpppk4VmlPuRqjYJrJizqz5qrZs67mS5KaDp9YEmHTPJyyGkb9PSxkDc0kJn2Dyb4xBsFDaDArzgRnzbxPnBiN-8BmGESrUyTgTdGPeBEV_JVTZAcN6XE6y8R6/s1600/05042011126.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGUBnJT_WqJg_ApT95tdpppk4VmlPuRqjYJrJizqz5qrZs67mS5KaDp9YEmHTPJyyGkb9PSxkDc0kJn2Dyb4xBsFDaDArzgRnzbxPnBiN-8BmGESrUyTgTdGPeBEV_JVTZAcN6XE6y8R6/s400/05042011126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5592167425173064818" border="0" /></a><br />Is it a moonscape? A potato field? A recreational area for mountain biking?<br /><br />No, these are examples of routes meant for pedestrians and bicyclists. The pictures are not taken in forgotten rural areas of Albania or the darkest, steamiest jungles of the Transilvanian mountains either. This is what the public infrastructure for pedestrian usage and bicycling looks like in a rich, Western European city, the capital of <a href="http://www.newsweek.com/feature/2010/the-world-s-best-countries.html">the best country in the world</a>: Helsinki, Finland.<br /><br />Doesn't matter though. Finns famously are a happy, positive, educated, optimistic and healthy people, so these petty annoyances can't dispirit us. Each of us also is as skilled a bicyclist as <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cj6ho1-G6tw">Danny McAskill</a>, so we can easily jump over these obstacles with our expensive mountain bikes at full speed. And real roadies ride on the road (which is fine) anyway. The pram-pushing housewives really need the challenge and the exercise, and the handicapped people in their wheelchairs can... uh... drive... or take the bus instead... or something. That's it, I've used up all my optimism. I'm depressed. Gotta go get drunk now.Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-58346675339100547872011-04-01T21:36:00.006+03:002011-04-01T23:17:17.436+03:00Product reviewBicycling bloggers often seem to do reviews of stuff they receive as <s>bribes</s> presents from vendors of bicycling-related products. I'd like to do that also. Mostly because then I'd get to keep the stuff. But since my blog is regularly read by only 4 people (hi Jim, Bob, Jimbob and Sauron), I don't seem to be considered worthy by the bribers. Well, I'd like to review something anyway. I'll just go ahead and review my old Halti bicycling jacket that I've worn for two years now. Yes, it goes together with the pants that I wrote about in <a href="http://budgetcyclist.blogspot.com/2011/03/exploding-apparel-and-reasons-thereof.html">the post before this one</a>.<br /><br />Well, the brand is Halti, I forget the exact model, which doesn't seem to be written down anywhere in the garment itself. If it ever was, it's been worn out by dozens of machine-washes. The colour is black...ish. There's a picture of a leaf on the back. There's not too much insulation. In fact there's none. Which is good. If there were, I'd have been boiled already. I tend to get hot very easily. If I get cold, I can always add layers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63J7TJvRumB7bcrCb_pfa1B-Gvw21-fSh_oiKbOJkRCSSyzWPuGYphdHPvfsjl8eVkOASBUI1Vn_O_u-gW3UsY7CclexQSjYOi17EIz0cYxKX9OGLduxN-Nm7hW92dC6__Yyhsf2hCpdv/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63J7TJvRumB7bcrCb_pfa1B-Gvw21-fSh_oiKbOJkRCSSyzWPuGYphdHPvfsjl8eVkOASBUI1Vn_O_u-gW3UsY7CclexQSjYOi17EIz0cYxKX9OGLduxN-Nm7hW92dC6__Yyhsf2hCpdv/s400/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590701342035503874" border="0" /></a><br />The jacket looks more vigorous with me in it, trust me.<br /><br />Good things about the jacket:<br /><ul><li>It blocks wind rather well</li><li>It doesn't get immediately soaked in a light rain</li><li>It is light</li><li>It is not too hot</li><li>It hasn't gotten any holes in it in two years</li><li>The zipper still functions after two years</li><li>It wasn't too expensive</li><li>It doesn't flap around too much (since I got the size S)</li><li>There's a pocket for the mobile phone (that I've never used, since I only discovered it just now, while inspecting the jacket for this blog post)</li><li>There are some reflectors.<br /></li></ul>Not so good things about the jacket:<br /><ul><li>Close to the zipper, there's loose cloth that tends to get stuck between the zipper. I hate getting imprisoned by the jacket whenever I'm hot, sweaty and exhausted.<br /></li><li>The pockets are hard to open with gloves on. They could have attached bigger thingamajiggies to the zippers to make the operable even with gloves on. Come to think of it, I could have done that myself. D'oh!</li><li>If you manage to open the pockets with gloves on, and pull out the keys/a banana/what have you in there, the lining comes out as well. They could have attached the lining so it wouldn't come out.<br /></li></ul>Further on with the review. The bouquet is musty, voluptuous, vinegarish. Perhaps slightly... fruity. Rich. Spicy. In-your-face. Expressive. Somewhat nauseating. It tells a story about a solitary battle against the elements, the majority and conformance.<br /><br />The taste is somewhat disappointing. While the bouquet promised wildly exciting adventures, the taste is somewhat flat, dryish. Even after countless hours of simmering in various fluids, the texture is still rather sinewy and nearly inedible. Perhaps it would be possible to cut this jacket into pieces and then deep-fry the pieces into delicious crisps, but as a stew it simply doesn't work. In the end I only managed to swallow one sleeve, and that required 4 bottles of wine to go with that. Not cuisine I'd recommend to anybody but my dearest mortal enemies. <br /><br />Overall, the jacket did pretty well, though. I'll give it a solid **** (stars, not a dirty word).Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2640152608145999406.post-59521894816407389642011-03-15T21:30:00.000+02:002011-03-15T21:37:25.476+02:00Exploding apparel and the reasons thereofIn the winter, cycling tends to get reduced to tedious commuting between A and B, with equipment and clothing deteriorating in the cruel conditions. Therefore, I say, it's time to stop, sniff the flowers hastily and then rush off to do some online shopping for some new gear. And, after FedEx has delivered the goods to your door, it is time to stop and smell the newness. I love the smell of new stuff. I also love the smell of expensive stuff. Unfortunately, my cycling budget is still limited. Yes, in the recent years I've gone from 'shoestring' to 'upper lower middle class', but that still leaves me seriously under-equipped and -clothed in the road cycling world.<br /><br />For instance, I've been looking to get some new cycling sunglasses, because the old, brandless ones from Biltema (or equivalent) are getting rather ragged around the edges: <kuva><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQrdPyPMvE5rBJYxzJRq8NyfNJn3UhEGL60tKyXoiFBDD_QvIHN0w11wrigUr_1PrcMhmzBGNHwaKdbqcVfuIDrMCwcNv39PMCZsHO_VDw0aICUrzHDmY2ADBXB2CfuQjNN0jCkyNKrC3/s1600/009.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQrdPyPMvE5rBJYxzJRq8NyfNJn3UhEGL60tKyXoiFBDD_QvIHN0w11wrigUr_1PrcMhmzBGNHwaKdbqcVfuIDrMCwcNv39PMCZsHO_VDw0aICUrzHDmY2ADBXB2CfuQjNN0jCkyNKrC3/s400/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584245107734847042" border="0" /></a><br />Naturally, my inner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_%28bicycling%29">Fred</a> requires me to get Oakleys. <a href="http://www.google.fi/images?hl=fi&rlz=&q=oakley+jawbone&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&sa=X&ei=2j1_Tau2BcaBOvOChLsI&ved=0CFwQsAQ&biw=1240&bih=698">The Jawbone</a> looks very cool and incredibly Fred-tastic, but, man, at 300 € (or whatever they cost), it just doesn't seem sensible. 300 € is, mildly put, a <span>shitload</span> of money for a friggin' pair of sunglasses, that inevitably will get sat upon, or be torn apart by the kids, anyway. So, therefore I ordered a pair of <a href="http://www.endura.co.uk/Product.aspx?dept_id=138&prod_id=227">Endura Stingray</a> glasses from <a href="http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/">CRC</a> for a reasonable 39.70 €. I do find it somewhat dubious to purchase sunglasses in an online store, without trying them on first, but what are you gonna do. I suspect that there isn't a local store that has all the hundreds brands and models the online stores ha</kuva><kuva>ve in stock, and even if there is, I'm just too friggin' lazy to go there.<br /><br />The same goes for cycling apparel. If the local stores don't bother to invest in decent web pages that contain an exact listing of all the pieces of clothing they have in stock, in real time, I'm not going to bother myself by going to the store to find out. Even though in principle, it would be nice to try, say, shorts on before buying. Instead, I'll just spend a considerable portion of the working day surfing the sites of online retailers, comparing brands, ranges, prices, sizing charts, colours and mat</kuva><kuva>erials. Then, I'll type in some numbers found on a piece of plastic found in my wallet, press 'Order' and not too long after, the courier rings my doorbell and hands me the merchandise.<br /><br />This is exactly what I did last week, when I noticed that the seat of my commuting pants (Halti) had exploded. I suspect that this is due to chafing by the saddle, but I'm not ruling out an acute bout of flatulence of epic proportions:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV09bsoTSOOn2bnosMce9TnzxhodIbyFAMTkocYO20CIimO1rKItLbvWWMSTivghSsEX7VuDltjHAykjLGoIFMwI0mchGaZb6q2MxSpVPnSq47K5_mWE_QFervTjmLYfU4DOzz6HiXq7X/s1600/010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYV09bsoTSOOn2bnosMce9TnzxhodIbyFAMTkocYO20CIimO1rKItLbvWWMSTivghSsEX7VuDltjHAykjLGoIFMwI0mchGaZb6q2MxSpVPnSq47K5_mWE_QFervTjmLYfU4DOzz6HiXq7X/s400/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584245499339877026" border="0" /></a><br />I've only used the pants for two winters now, so I'm not very pleased with the durability of the fabric. On the other hand, it's a blessing that things fall apart every now and then. If they didn't, there would not be (nearly as good) excuses to buy new stuff. That would be a miserable situation for the bicycling gear fetishist.<br /><br />So, I decided to upgrade my ranking on the Fred scale from 'wears flappy winter commuting pants' to 'wears winter roubaix bib tights', which is, I believe, several notches up. I ordered Nalini Base Birmania 1 Winterlycra 3Layer mantoTEX Mititech UV Protected DuPont Teflon bib tights from <a href="http://www.bobshop.de/en">Bobshop.de</a> and did I mention the Teflon already. I believe the Teflon coating is there to repel ridicule by ignorant onlookers, who might not be on to the fact th</kuva><kuva>at it is actually <span style="font-style: italic;">more</span> manly to wear tights instead of pants of the flappy kind while bicycling. Anyway, the courier handed me the merchandise only three days after I pressed 'Order' on the web page, which I found impressive. The smell of newness emanating from the '25 Nalini' chamois is intoxicating. Well, the smell emanating from my old pants is intoxicating as well, but in a far less pleasant manner.<br /><br />There's a slight drawback in having better gear though. Now the other "cat 6" commuter racers can tell from afar that I am, or at least attempt to be, fast. When I rode in flappy, smelly, ragged, rustling pants I was a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeper_%28car%29">sleeper</a>. Now, the element of surprise is somewhat diminished.<br /><br />In other news, here's a picture of a delicious meal I just ate:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtZvvdgIegmD_fBHYwqo9c1ejc_vdbEW6MlO33XtzYsuYzR6552hLDbJ5T__MNb_sMA72ucB7anBOOVRc-MsUiMrFhYvJemQ4khBQbfDoXoWLIIeWfPP8d4nPlRT_gP5bRyBf_ROinOKF/s1600/012.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtZvvdgIegmD_fBHYwqo9c1ejc_vdbEW6MlO33XtzYsuYzR6552hLDbJ5T__MNb_sMA72ucB7anBOOVRc-MsUiMrFhYvJemQ4khBQbfDoXoWLIIeWfPP8d4nPlRT_gP5bRyBf_ROinOKF/s400/012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584255056632184114" border="0" /></a><br />I just snapped it, on an impulse, while taking the other photographic evidence for this blog post, but perhaps it isn't totally unrelated to the subject matter at hand. There might be a rational explanation for the violent flatulence evident in the picture.<br /></kuva>Villehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02748984022687521294noreply@blogger.com0