Product Review: CatEye MC100 Micro Wireless Cyclomputer

I guess like 84 days ( 200 miles ago) I ordered a cateye computer from my favorite store. I had it shipped to the only address I've consistantly had in a while, my parents, which ment I didn't get to put it on for a week or so after it arrived.

Out of the box i could not believe how small it was. Micro is right. I at first thought "oh shit am I going to be able to see this thing while riding?" but yes its perfect. actual the numbers are big. I'm just and idiot. Instalation was easy, even for and idiot.

Since then I have been in love. Its really good/ two wheel sizes means I can put it on Sara's bike with out reprograming it. No problems with the batteries. Very cool looking. Distance has been on point (except when I forgot to reprogram the settings for my new wheel). All in all I would buy another one in a heart beat. And I will never buy one with wires. Wireless is the best. Only thing would be an upgrade to the model that has cadence as well. I think I would like to know that too. But yea if you don't have one and like cycling... or just buying gadgets.. you need this!

Setup?

While driving through lovely Tampa Bay, and noticing all the lovely big honking suv's, Sara asked me if I thought it was weird that big vehicles like the hummer and the 8 door pickup trucks got really popular just before the age of ridiculous gas prices. Almost as if the manufacturers saw it coming and threw down the advertising to convince us to buy their big ass vehicles before it was too late. Not following me? Basically, the market for big cars is dieing and will be gone soon as gas prices continue to rise. This leaves dealers and manufactures with a ton of cars that get 2 3/4 miles to the gallon that no one in their right mine would buy. A lot of money goes down the shitter this way. So basically what Sara was asking was, Is it possible for the manufactures to sway the market enough and far enough in advance, to talk consumers into thinking gas hawgs are cool?

I'd say yes. If movies like Fahrenheit 911 could look up all this dirt on the pre-war stuff and document all the signs that the US government should have seen coming and how lots of it was a big setup and all, then I ask you, Why couldn't a car manufacturer with buddies that just so happen to drill for oil, and a billion dollars to invest in market researchers that study political events to predict the ups and downs of the economy, look up this same stuff, perhaps notice the things that ol' Mike said were blaringly obvious. Not to mention that why pay dudes to reseearch and predict this stuff when you can "donate" some funds in the way of the government to get an inside look at whats going on. That way when its about to get thick, your buddy the senator calls you up with a tip.

I don't know seems crazy, but the girl is smart. She might have something.

Thursday Night Ride

Thursdays are my day for long rides. I have time in the evenings for a good 30 miles before it gets dark. Sara is at work late on thursdays so I don't have to feel guilty about leaving her. big plus there. I had been wanting to ride up to Hillsburough River State Park off of 301 so picked yesterday to be as good as any other. I was a wonder ride. I enjoy the less urban side of riding and 301 has a good mix of wide bike lane and wilderness. Starting at Sargent Park, there is a nice little bike trail that lasts a good 5 miles. I runs parrallel to 301 so its more or less just a rest from dodging cars.

So after that I kept on plugging till I got to HRSP. The ranger there was just taking down the flag when I arrived so I said hello and goodbye in one sentence and looped around to head home. I was tempted to stop off at Dead River Preserve for a bit but it was getting pretty dark and I hate to ride at night. I don't own lights for my bike so it could be very dangerous. Got home a little quicker than I had arrived and that was pleasant. I averaged 16.3mph so I guess thats pretty good. Considering there are a few places where I needed to go slow do to sketchy drivers. These longer rides really put my ass through the spin cycle. and on top of that my palms/wrists were giving me trouble too. I often wonder if my bike is a bit small for me. Investing in a new seat and some lights seems top priority for me. But I also would like new bars which means a new lever and grip tape. Everything gets so pricey at this point that I get discouraged. One day. At least for now I am thankful that I can enjoy the fruits of my new lime green wheels. That make the ride that much better.

E8

a dude by the name Garrett Lisi recently posted a very wild paper on "An Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything" based on the structure of the 248-dimensional exceptional Lie algebra E8 (a geometric figure being used to describe a very complex system of math and its relationship to other very complex systems of equations).

Its a pretty wild theory and it comes from a guy that has a Ph.D in physics. He prides himself in being cool and being a snowboarding/surfing gipsy type but manages to throw down some serious physics. Lots of other scientists think he is a fruitloop but there are plenty that think his unique idea makes some serious sense.

I don't know much more, or even have a totally credible source to link to because so much shit talking is happening around the dude and his paper. if you are a dork and like physics (cough like me cough), google it.

Garrett Lisi - "An Exceptionally Simple Theory of Everything"

From 10 to 1 with reverse.

After a million years of waiting ( ok 3 weeks) my new wheels just showed up in the mail. I was so excited I almost embarrassed myself, not that its hard in the first place. Tearing open the package to find my lovely lime green dP18's not to mention a new chain, cog, tires, and 3 new toobs. Gorgeous! Slap those puppies on and I am set!

I can not describe to the wonderful feelings I have for new wheels. They are by far one of the more expensive things any cyclist could buy, I once spent $350 on the back wheel of my 20" and it didn't even come with the driver!, but past aside these were a good deal and the ride is oh so smooth! I did manage to pop a toob putting the back tire on. They were hard to get just right because of the lack of steel bead, but no tears, I ordered three!

60 miles and week later, I am loving life! I have been "wasting" a bit of money on this roadie recently, new saddle bag, co2 pump, extra toob, new water bottle, I really am throwing down the cash. Its all worth it though. I feel so much faster and did I mention I love bikes? This is my first fixed gear, hence the title 10 gears to 1 gear + reverse, so I've already started to pay my dues. Ditched twice, almost flattened twice, rocked around a corner only to blast a garbage can (glad it was empty) and fly through a couple front yards. Still yet to skid. I wonder if 52/19 is too stiff or lite of gearing. Bmx was so much easier. I new all the parts and all the ratios and specs and geometries and just what I wanted. I feel like a complete idiot now with having to consult forums and ask bike shop jerks for advice. Its a very humbling feeling to branch out of one sector of cycling to the next. Especially since in bmx there are fewer companies and the culture is much tighter so picking up on everything seems easier. That and ten years of experience helps. Maybe its that I just didn't notice the awkward years of learning sense I was so young and awkward as it is. Anyway this is a post about the bikes not the riders ramblings. So here are my bikes, in living colour. I threw in this last one of my Take because I love that bike so much.