Obama's weekly address and call to arms

I took the time to watch his 5 minute address here. Very powerful and I recommend you watch it. A summary from the Whitehouse.gov site is below:

In the Weekly Address this morning, President Obama explains how the budget he sent to Congress will fulfill the promises he made as a candidate. On fiscal responsibility, a fair tax code, a clean energy economy, real health care reform, and education, this budget sets out a new vision for our country.

But having put his priorities on paper and having stood behind them, the President recognizes that there are those who will fight against change every step of the way.

"I realize that passing this budget won’t be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry won’t like the idea that they’ll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that’s how we’ll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders won’t like the idea that we’re ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that’s how we’ll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won’t like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that’s how we’ll help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries. I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they’re gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:

"So am I."

(note this is autoplaying, I can't stop it so I am leaving it on autoplay, let me know if it is annoying and I will remove it and replace with a link.)
Update: I added the link and removed the embed. It was causing too many problems.

Ricky Jay Doing Card Tricks

Wow, this is amazing.
(h/t driftglass and Crooks and Liars)

Awareness test

Check this out. Quite amusing.

Snow!

I woke up this morning to snow!?! I had thought we were done with this. It is about 1-2 inches and the world is white again. How odd. Well, I suppose I won't be riding today, my 23mm tires don't love the snow at all. I took out the laptop and am planning on working from home.

Possible Training Route

Training Loop - Kirkland

Share your bike routes @ Bikely.com

For training I was told to find a nice 4-7 mile loop that I can gauge myself on and repeat for larger numbers. So I went looking for something that might serve in my area. This is a possible route, I will try to give it a try on Sunday. Saturday I have a ride planned with a friend (the writer of On a clear Day blog) so I won't be able to get to this before then. I am looking to improve my speed and a 5 mile loop should be good for that.

Raptobike update

Kirkland Bike Shop

Kirkland Bike Shop contacted me today and has most of the build ready for my frame to arrive. They are having trouble with the 13 tooth sprocket for the Rohloff. I wasn't able to find a quick source on the Internet but will continue to look. The frame kit hasn't shipped yet as Raptobike is waiting on the carbon seat. Additionally Kirkland Bike Shop also told me the quote was high and they forgot to give me the bulk discount. Good news all around, delays on only two items (13t sprocket, and seat) isn't so bad. I believe the wheel can be built up around the hub and the sprocket added when it arrives, so it won't cause too much stress. The frame kit does need to ship though, but I have a bit of time before my 40th birthday on April 3rd.

ref: Raptobike Plans

Flickr

One of my favorite pictures of Kristin

I spent almost all yesterday evening playing around with my photo collection and flickr. I noticed a few things.

1. I have a lot of pictures I haven't organized.
2. Somewhere around 2006/2007 I really got out of shape.
3. I really like Flickr.
4. Pictures that you upload to photo-management sites survive much longer.
5. I should get all my slides from the Australia trip converted to digital.
6. Looking at old photos really illustrates how much my life has changed over the years.

Chilly Hilly Route map

View Larger Map
This is one of the reasons I love my GPS. I pulled this route from my GPS after I rode the Chilly Hilly yesterday. I can convert this to a course in my gps or give someone a turn by turn route sheet all from this data. I think I will use this go on training rides over this route later in the season.

Reasons why Corporate America needs to change

AMERICAblog has this story on the McDonald employee who got shot while breaking up a fight in the store. Thought he was called a hero by the Judge during the criminal trial of the shooter, McDonald's denied his claim for worker's compensation and won't pay his medical bills.

This really pisses me off and I am sure it will generate outrage in many viewers. It is an excellent example of the way insurance companies will do anything to deny coverage. It also is a great illustration of what needs to change. I am still stunned that anyone at McDonald's thinks this is a good idea.

Chilly Hilly Slideshow - flickr and Ride Report

I want to see how the Flickr version of the Chilly Hilly slideshow looks. I am considering a switch over.

The ride was great, Cascade Bicycle Club knows how to organize a ride. It was well supported and there was a lot of people providing snacks, food, cider and encouragement. Riding over on the ferry was a treat. Seeing all the bikes in the ferry really makes you wonder what it would be like if every day people rode their to work. The forecast was horrible, wet and cold, instead we got a light sprinkle for the 8am starting riders and mid-40s weather all day. The sun was out and it was beautiful.

I was on the first ferry out and weeble-wobbled out with the mass of cyclists in the start. My initial speed was 5mph out of the ferry and it didn't get much better until 4 miles in. It was just too crowded. Everyone was cheerful though and a lot of the riders were experienced with group rides so there was a lot of calls of "Car up, Car Back, and on your left". The first 10 miles are a joy, the hills are small and it lures you in. Later on the hills started getting steep, I have heard various stories about how steep they were. Supposedly the hills are only 8% grade, but my garmin edge doesn't agree with them. Three of the hills were longing and about 11-12%, some of the middle third were short and steep. The crowd pushed me along and I averaged a decent clip. I did see a trike at the beginning but the rider was faster than I and I only caught a glimpse of him once in the 33 miles around.

I did stop at the famous cider stop at the 18 mile mark, but I didn't get any cider, I was too concerned with pushing onward. Overly concerned it turns out, I neglected my nutrition and hydration. Nearing the end of the ride I had my left calf cramp up, I couldn't move my leg and crashed down. I was able to get my right leg out and catch myself so it was a controlled crash. Lucky for me someone stopped right away and massaged my leg and helped me stretch it out. I drank a bit of my propel (water) and finished the ride. At the end my calf stiffened up again but it was at least walkable. Everyone on this ride was great. I talked to a Giro rider (another recumbent) and kept pace with him for a bit, until he and his wife left me in the dust. I believe I saw five recumbents on the ride; A Giro 26, a Terratrike Tour, a yellow Haz (sic), a tandem Rans Screamer, and a tandem with a recumbent captain and upright stoker.

Great fun.