Friday, October 30, 2009

This Just In: I Must Away (and Friday Fun Quiz)!

Tomorrow is Halloween, which means Portlanders are quivering in anticipation over the opportunity to ride their bikes while wearing costumes (even though that's what they do every weekend). I too will be "palping" a whimsical outfit, having engaged a noted costumier to dress me as a burrito. So "epic" is this burrito costume that I've already begun the lengthy process of donning it. While I'm currently able to type thanks to a pair of temporary arm holes, once those are sealed off all traces of humanity will be invisible and the illusion will be complete. Then, once I finish trick-or-treating (I will be towed around the neighborhood in a specially-constructed bike trailer by my helper monkey, Vito), the lengthy and daunting extrication process will begin. My costumier anticipates it will take at least four days to get me out of the burrito costume, after which he recommends a period of bed rest. As such, I will be forced to undertake a period of non-blogging, and will return on Monday, November 9th with regular updates.

In the meantime, I'm pleased to present you with a quiz, which given my burrito costume-induced absence you will have over a week to complete. As always, study the item, think, and click on your answer. If you're right you'll know it, and if you're wrong you'll see "Hellbent: Bike Couriers of Vancouver."

Thank you very much for your readership, comments, and emails. I will miss these things as I lay sealed in my burrito costume like a guacamole-covered pupa, and I look forward to emerging on November 9th. Until then, ride safe, and if you see any giant burritos be sure give them some candy.

--BSNYC/RTMS

1) How much for this "Semi-Industrial Burrito Making Machine" on Craigslist?




thanks to the nypd officer who - 30 (East Village)
Date: 2009-10-26, 10:45AM EDT

helped me avoid getting jumped for my bike on astor place sunday afternoon.

"_________________________________" was the last thing i could hear the officer saying to my would-be assailant.

thanks!


2) What did the police officer say to the would-be assailant?






3) Mike Giant has just "dropped" a dramatic new video of himself:





4) Clothing company Castelli recently unveiled a program called:







5) Safety first! What is a "safety meeting?"






6) Safety first! This van has just:






"With BeVideo: Hipster, you'll learn all the basics of the hipster lifestyle, from how to make your own skinny jeans, to how to cruise around on your hipster 1-speed, to how to perfect your hipster attitude."

7) "BeVideo: Hipster" is:





8) Which boutique hotel now has "guest fixies" in collabo colorways?




***Special Double-Decker-Knuckle-Tattoo-Mix-Up-Themed Bonus Question***

When unscrambled, this set of double-decker knuckle tattoos says "Bringing Sexy Back."


253 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   201 – 253 of 253
Asterisk said...

BGW,

Back to LA and cancer, the auction price of the bikes, etc., I think what I was trying to get at is that bike mfrs are stuck in a spiral of meaningless innovation (Innovators' Dilemma) while LA is bigger than the bike industry all together. It should be about the joy of the sport, not the companies and one guy.

And I have ridden in a cancer fund raiser. It started out in good intention, in memory of an ovarian cancer victim in my family. Yet, afterwards, I felt that it was a way to justify a ride that I should have just done on my own. I felt like I should have done the fund raising on its own and kept the cycling separate.

*

Stupid Name said...

Meaningless Inovation?

There is innovation, and then there are product changes. The problem is that the average consumer can not tell the diference.

11 gears just because is useless.
Cancer-thons when 99% goes to overhead is just as useless.
The question is: when does it become criminal.

The great unwashed that comment on this blog, usually have it right, and muse and abuse those which have beafier bottom brackets, and vertical torsional strength, and "its all about the top tube".

Lance may be a great promoter, but there is little doubt that what does go to Livestrong is used well.

I was in Ottumwa Iowa public library, and one of the most checked out books is the Livestrong cancer binder/book.
(Big Cancer Cluster There)

It really does help people, but please tell me he isnt a republican.

Stupid Name said...

Have they said yet who paid 150,000 for the butterfly bike?

Anonymous said...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/contador-among-euro-stars-for-curacao/94509

i thought you should know.

Anonymous said...

has anybody here read 'Lord of the Flies'? Is it really like this?

CHIN KOLA

Anonymous said...

The fat kid eats everybody.

Dont you guys read.

Anonymous said...

http://www.livestrong.org/site/c.khLXK1PxHmF/b.2662367/k.5D4A/Financial_Information.htm

80%

Anonymous said...

The fat kid gets eaten, dont you guys watch movies?

bikesgonewild said...

...asterisk & stupid name...

...i imagine we'd all agree that the activity & sport of cycling is wholesome (w/ exceptions)in that it involves exercise, fresh air, health, focus & fun...

...& while the industry is full of good folks who reflect those attributes, i see the industry (to generalize) being as guilty as the auto manufacturers when it comes to constantly looking for a new hook & a new sales angle...

...i'll always agree that armstrong's high profile as a cancer patient/ tour de france winner is good for raising awareness of both the disease & the sport...& while there may be aspects of the man i'm not in accord w/, i'm definitely a fan...

...i think i can empathize w/ your thoughts & feelings about that fund raising ride...some folks find comfort w/in the group...for others it's more individually personal...

mikeweb said...

So, the Lemond chat thing last night was a blast. MC-ed by Dan Schmalz of Toto/ nyvelocity.com.

I'd say about 3/4 of the time spent was focused on Greg's time as a racer, getting into racing, the early days, Hinault, "le Professeur", all the intrigue, the new technologies at the time, life in the pro peloton, etc.

The rest of the time was spent talking about the sport, it's problems, which include a lot of questions about the UCI, ASO and their relationships with the teams and owners etc. You can tell that he suspects or even knows more than he's letting on, but doesn't like to dwell on it too much.

One thing seems clear is that he knows the kind of pressure that pro racers are under and doesn't demonize them, but he knows that there's more than enough blame to go around to team managers, owners and the UCI. Greg's own legal issues with Trek and Lance were only briefly alluded to, which I think was a relief to all who were there.

Greg as a person is great: down to earth, gracious, personable and definitely not the bitter and loony ex-pro that he's made out to be. Basically, he's a retired pro who loves the sport, hates seeing it dragged through the mud over and over again with constant controversy and wants to stay involved to make it better. He admits freely that he's not the kind of person who's going to clam up when he sees corruption of any kind and makes no apologies for that.

I'm pretty sure nyvelocity.com will have a transcript or webcast of it up fairly soon and definitely some photos.

Stupid Name. said...

bikes gone wild.

The word is planned absolescence.
Those concepts are what caused the rise and fall of the automobile industry, and in some cases alienate the biking community.
It may sell bikes. but it does not make friends with the 5% of the bikers that commute or put on serious miles.

Charity rides are a party on wheels. Some people like to ride, some people like to party.
You would be hard pressed to compare solo riders with charity riders.

The problem is when charity rides, give little or no money to charity.
Its like the party, where somebody takes a dump on the coats, and you find out when you are ready to leave.

That doesnt make the party a bummer, it just makes going home colder.

Anonymous said...

Now for something completely different--and French! http://iamtheworstblogger.blogspot.com/2009/11/bird-drops-baguette-into-hadron.html

I love this Canadian blogger, I think I'm one of her 4 followers, but she always has hilarious stuff.

Anonymous said...

re: Lemond

The Lemond-Hinault and Lemond comeback TdF videos are really worth watching. When you consider what Lemond had to put up with in establishing the American presence in the peloton and the podium it's pretty remarkable and heroic. He does not get his due largely because (1 he's alive and it's hard to mythologize a living ex-athlete; and (2 he's a scold.

Velocodger said...

Has anybody seen the bikes in Grenoble for the track races? http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=7674
Check out Gregory Bauge's sprint bike. Wouldn't that bike be ridiculed if the owner were a hipster? Just sayin'- some elements of fixie hipster style are rooted in REAL sport just like our roadie styles...

Klaus Mohn said...

First!

hillbilly said...

velo - I know what you're saying, but the difference is those elements are serving a purpose, being used in the way they were designed to be advantageous, unlike, say, a disc wheel for commuting.

Bluenoser said...

The tide is awfully high. Someone could drown if the captain doesn't get back soon.

-B

CommieCanuck said...

...if you wanna play bottom line, then please, "show me the money" that you've raised for a similar cause & i'll not only shut up but i'll be the first to offer you a formal apology...

I'm speaking from the perspective other end of this problem, the researchers. People donate to disease research with the expectation that the donation goes to research, not supporting the lifestyles of fundraisers, while the crumbs fall on a lab bench occasionally.

I sit on the board of directors of two charities that support research and advocacy for a rare genetic disease, one in Canada, one in the US, they have overheads of 10% and 8% respectively, and no one is flying in private jets.

Give money to cancer research. Make sure you know how much is actually going to research, and not a douchebag tax.

bikesgonewild said...

...commie canuck...

..then i applaud your efforts for being a contributor in this life...

CommieCanuck said...

This just in...

For $1500, the Hi-Tense wheels are not particularly light, at 1550 grams per pair. They’re not ultra-light, snappy climbing wheels, and they are not ultra-fast, aerodynamic wheels for ripping the flats. They’re good, all-around wheels. In my experience, they’re solid, durable, stiff, and reliable — but I’ve ridden wheels fitting that description that cost half as much.

Bicycle journalist snaps under pressure of bullshit and starts printing the truth.

Anonymous said...

Well done you!

Salty Seattle said...

YAWN--**gigantic, catlike stretch**

Is Snobbie back yet? I'm just waking up after that FELT guy.

Anonymous said...

Mikeweb, I'm a Schmalz fangirl. His training log is genius.

Toto made me spit coffee this morning!

wishiwasmerckx said...

CC, is bieng Canadian considered a rare genetic disorder?

Visegripmikey said...

watchout merckx, while yanks pack heat, us canucks carry knives - and chainsaws...

leroy said...

Hey, it's Friday and I didn't get a single wrong answer on the quiz!

CC --

Yes, the American Institute of Philanthropy claims that in 2005the LAF operating budget was 45% of what it raised, exceeding a recommended maximum of 35%. They don't use GAAP in their analyses.

Charity Navigator gives LAF an overall 3 out of 4 star rating, with a 2 out of 4 star rating for efficiency.

And yet, somehow I can't help but recall what Disraeli said about statistics.

Therefore, for my two cents, it's enough that Elden Nelson says the LAF was a great help in his family's recent struggle.

LAF does good, even if reasonable minds can differ as to how well LAF does it.

leroy said...

D'oh! Friday ended over an hour ago. I'm just slow at everything.

Anonymous said...

Hi - This is really a question rather than a comment, but I couldn't find an email address to send my question to. My boyfriend is really into bikes, and works at a pretty cool bike shop. He has a green and yellow Kona Sutra and has been saying that he wants to get a jersey to match, especially for when he goes across the country biking post-college. I (trying to be a cool girlfriend), am trying to get him one for Christmas. Where can I find a nice, relatively inexpensive, really cool jersey to get him? Any help (from anyone) would be amazing. Thanks!!

ken e. said...

"anyone?"

"Bueller?"


SWAP MEET

Asterisk said...

For the one looking to buy an inexpensive green and yellow jersey, I am sure a 2006 Phonak kit would not be expensive, but if was worn by Floyd Landis, your boyfriend may not want to be seen in it.

*

Klaus Mohn said...

FRIS BULR

Asterisk said...

Jersey Girl,

One additional thought. If you are still interested, perhaps one of our colleagues, Landis in 06, can get you a deal.

Best ask again on Monday, as he may be taking off until then, while masking his testerone levels.

*

ant1 said...

*, you've been exposed:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ullrich-had-fuentes-telephone-numbers-magazine-claims

Stupid Name said...

Sunday morning, and nothing to do but bitch

http://limitedhype.com/2009/10/inside-trek-bicycles/

I think the difference between design, and engineering can be defined by one of the last pictures.

How about a little engineering, and little less "design".

Then I might buy an 8000 dollar Madone.
Only after I crap it up.

Then maybe not.

Visegripmikey said...

Riding across the country? Just get a good jersey - that's as breathable as possible (just hold it up to the light to compare them) - the ones with something printed on are not as cool...but then again, I've never been a fan of racing jersey unless you're a racer. Some people love 'em - you'd better ask your boyfriend what he thinks of team jerseys before going out and buying one (they are not cheap).

Asterisk said...

Ant1,

No comment. I have to speak first with Bad Lawyer.

*

Anonymous said...

Ant1--

Asterisk is not answering any questions re: Ullrich, Fuentes, et al. on advice of counsel. Furthermore his silence should not be construed as an admission of anything including the existence of persons named Ullrich, Fuentes, or for that matter Asterisk.

Kent Johnson said...

it's already Monday the 9th in Australia...

wishiwasmerckx said...

I guess it is a little too early to start hitting the refresh button, eh?

mikeweb said...

frilly,

I've known schmalz for a long time, since his pre-racing days. He's caused me to spit gallons of coffee and other brewed refreshments over the years.

mikeweb said...

So, who're the favorites for podium spots today?

My money's on *. His current legal issues will not be a problem. Though ant1 might've paid Dr. Ferrari a little visit last week...

Asterisk said...

Mikeweb,

On advice of counsel, I can make no comment. Bad Lawyer told me to just keeping doing my job and we will fight any suspension.

*

Asterisk said...

Snob published early today.

*

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all the advice. I checked out the Phonak kit and was nonplussed by the giant ear on the front. I did some browsing on the web (sadly, not too many bike shops where I live), and found this:http://www.veloclothes.com/prod1.aspx?Mode=34&Brand=All%20Brands&SID=1&Product_ID=2152&Category_ID=36. Its a green an yellow Canari jersey for $55 (if you aren't looking at the photo). Also, this: http://www.veloclothes.com/prod1.aspx?Mode=34&Brand=All%20Brands&SID=1&Product_ID=2156&Category_ID=36 for $70 (another Canari bike jersey with an Irish logo, but I don't know if its totally dorky). If I can ask once more for your help - are either of these a good deal? And is the Irish one totally lame? Thank you all for the advice!!
-Jersey girl.

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Visegripmikey said...

-jersey girl, I'm not one who likes large graphic clip art on my jersey, esp not clovers, and crowns, well, I'm a snobbish graphic designer, and crowns were in 15 months ago.

Then again, maybe your bf loves graphic tees...anyway, my choice, if you pushed me, would be something like this: http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627679&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302692363&bmUID=1257948114000

but then again, I'm Canadian and if I had to choose green, let it be that dark mossy green in deep forests...

Visegripmikey said...

Jersey girl, I was also thinking - look at the secondary colour of his bike - so rather than green, matching the other colour can in fact bring out the bike more.

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