20 Years After the Challenger Disaster

Holy crap! How is it even possible that this was 20 years ago? Geez… I’m getting old.

The Die is Cast: Wheels are in Motion

So, I took a trip over to I-Pro today, to see if Roger had been able to locate any Dura-Ace high flange hubs for me. Turns out he had called a couple of suppliers with no luck, then gotten side-tracked and it had slipped his mind. Anyway… he called Euro-Asia and, eureka! They still have them in stock!

So it’s a done deal now, the hubs will be here by this time next week and then he can build the wheels. I hope I can contain my excitement until then!

In case you missed it, here’s the original post, complete with parts list for the wheels.

The Internet is Like a Box of Chocolates (and some of those chocolates are full of nuts)

So, I was perusing cafepress.com, like I do sometimes. Imagine my surprize when the search term mandolin returned this.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with people?

Thankfully, it also turned up this, so all was not lost.

Movies: They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To

So, I stumbled across this site which lists ‘great’ movies by year. I poked around a bit and found my way to 1967, a year which gave us these classics (amoung others):

• Bonnie and Clyde
• Cool Hand Luke
• The Dirty Dozen
• The Graduate
• Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
• In Cold Blood
• In the Heat of the Night
• The Jungle Book
• Two for the Road

That’s 10 (count ‘em, ten!) amazing pieces of cinema in one year. Compare this to the dreck that Hollywood is churning out now. I’d wager we haven’t had 10 movies of this quality in the last five years, and certainly not in any single recent year.

What if…

…Queen Latifah became a dental hygienist and changed her name to Clean Matifah?

New Bike Bug

So, the new bike bug has been biting and I became enamored of the Jamis Sputnik. Fixed gear, Reynolds 631 steel, Easton Carbon fork and 16.5 pounds!

But, I think I’ve decided to just invest in some really nice handbuilt wheels for the Bianchi, instead.

So, here’s what I’m thinking:

• The gorgeous (and criminally; discontinued) Shimano Dura-Ace 7600 High-flange hubs, 28 hole
• or, if I can’t find the DA’s without shelling out an arm a leg, Suzue Promax High-flange hubs
• DT Swiss Revolution spokes, laced 2 cross (with black nipples)
• Velocity Aerohead rims, silver

This will be cheaper than buying the Jamis and will keep me from having to take my business someplace other than I-Pro. Plus, in addition to essentially doubling the value of the Pista, the new wheels will, of course, be right at home on the new fixed-gear when (not if) it arrives (that Jamis would be well under 16 pounds with these wheels!)

And in Related News…

BB King Plans One More World Tour. If he comes anywhere near your town, don’t miss the chance to see him (or see him again). As BB himself says in the article;

“I think the clock is ticking, yes,” King said. “In fact, I know it is. Frank Sinatra sang about the September of (his) years. I think I’m in the November of my years.”

Performers of his stature come only once per generation (if that often).

RIP Wilson Pickett

Another one of the great ones has left us to join the band of angels. “Wicked” Wilson Pickett died yesterday. He was only 64 years old.

Cool Ads for Nike Watch with Bike Messenger

I recently rediscovered these awesome TV spots for Nike from a few(?) years ago, featuring Ramon “Mone” Rodriguez as a bike messenger who loves his Nike - Lance 3 watch.

I have no interest in the watch and couldn’t tell you the last time I wore a pair of Nikes, but the ads are classic!

What is the Price For Taking a Human Life?

Here is the aforementioned rant, read or skim the previous post for an idea of what I’m all worked up about.

Apparently here in Xenia, Ohio (the self-proclaimed “Bicycle Capital of the Midwest”) it’s $17,175.91 and 60 days in jail, if the victim happens to be a cyclist and the weapon an automobile.

Each time I hear about one of these (all too common) tragedies my sense of outrage and disgust rises exponentially. Have we, as a people become so blinded by our love affair with the automobile?

Automobile “accidents” are the leading cause of death among our 16-20 year olds; not guns, drugs, AIDS, or cigarettes… cars. If people were being killed and maimed at a similar rate by any other means (about 42,000 Americans killed per year), the public outcry would be overwhelming; but hey, we love our cars, we gotta drive, we’ve got places to go, we’re busy people!

Now, I’m not some radical proposing we do away with cars altogether, but what I am suggesting is that we hold ourselves to a higher standard. I’m sick of people acting with wanton disregard for anything other than getting to their destination as quickly as possible, killing someone then shrugging their shoulders and saying, “It was just an accident.”

If drivers faced serious punishment and extended jail time for killing or maiming someone through negligence, carelessness, or downright aggressiveness; I don’t think they would be so cavalier about buzzing by at 70MPH six inches from my handlebars. And maybe, just maybe, the streets would be safer for all of us.

Senate Bill 158 (Ohio Right of Way Bill)

To keep myself from going off on a wild, frothing at the mouth rant, I’ll just pass this message along (for now). Expect the rant to be forthcoming.

Below is a copy of a message from Dayton Cycling Club president, Chuck Smith.

DCC Friends,
I attach below a report on an appeals court upholding the inadequate punishment for the motorist responsible for the death of cyclist Bob Bachtel. As you remember, Bachtel was killed during the 2004 Calvin’s Challenge in Cedarville, OH.

We in the OBF have passed the article along to the Ohio Right-Of-Way Working Group of which we are a member. This group produced Senate Bill 158 which has been introduced into the Ohio Senate. The bill would make sorely-needed increases in the penalties for right-of-way violations that result in serious injury or death. We are submitting the article for possible use in testimony before the Ohio Senate Transportation Committee.

For more information on the working group and SB 158, go to our OBF web site at:
http://www.ohiobike.org/rightofway.html.

- Chuck Smith
_______________________________________________

APPEALS COURT UPHOLDS SENTENCE OF DRIVER CONVICTED OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE IN 2004 VEHICLE/BICYCLIST ACCIDENT

The Second District Court of Appeals recently issued a decision on the appeal filed by Bradley Johnson, the driver of the pickup truck who struck and killed Akron cyclist Bob Bachtel on May 1, 2004. Johnson was convicted of vehicular homicide and appealed his sentence which consisted of (1) 180 days in jail (with 120 days suspended), (2) $1,000 fine, to reimburse the Highway Patrol for its investigation costs, (3) $16,175.91 in restitution, (4) 5-year license suspension without occupational driving privileges, (5) mental health counseling, and (6) an unspecified term of community service. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s sentencing with respect to the jail time, restitution, license suspension, and counseling. However, the court did remand the case for reconsideration on the issues of the fine and community service. The court of appeals found that it was error for Judge Goldie to characterize the fine as reimbursement to a law enforcement agency.
In addition, the court found that Judge Goldie was required to set a specific term of community service. Accordingly, Johnson will be re-sentenced on these two issues; however, the remainder of the sentence will stand.

Bachtel was killed while participating in the Calvin’s Challenge, an ultra-marathon race near Xenia, Ohio. Johnson crossed a double yellow line to pass a group of cyclists who were signaling for a left turn, and struck Bachtel as he was completing his turn. The Highway Patrol also determined that Johnson was traveling in excess of the speed limit at the time of the crash.

Scott Stapp

So, apparently, Scott Stapp (fomerly of Creed) is engaged. His fiancée, Jaclyn Nesheiwat, was Miss New York USA 2004 and is currently the director of public affairs for the Scott Stapp Foundation, which promotes healthy parent/Scott Stapp child relationships.

My suggestions for gifts for the happy couple? Mirrors; portraits of Scott Stapp; anything engraved Mr. and Mrs. Scott Stapp.

The upcoming nuptials aren’t mentioned on the “news” page of Scott Stapp’s website, however, the words “Scott Stapp” do appear 11 times! That’s roughly one “Scott Stapp” per 21 other words! It’s Stapp-tastic!