The Tour

It's time for me to gloat a little, so here goes:

On Sunday I took part in the Edmonton Bike and touring club's Tour de l'Alberta. A Cycling event in two versions, and I took part in the shorter 100Km ride, not the more pressing 160Km.

Early in the morning the riders started to gather in St. Albert. Never having been to one before, I didn't know what to expect so I got there early. It was a sea of carbon fiber, titanium, and lycra. I was starting to feel a little intimidated but I saw no reason to back out at this point. Besides, "it's not a race." By 8:30am it was already pushing 20C and gave no sign that it was going to stop. The trumpet sounded, they fired the starting pistol, and we were off.

Most of my time this year has been riding by myself. I have had no way to gauge how I've been doing. This took me for a surprise. The pace line out of St. Albert was amazing. Sitting in a group of riders, feeling like we were on a casual Sunday ride, I looked down at my speedometer to find we were cruising at 36 kmh, and had been for some time. The casual ride just turned into a freight train. For those who haven't rode in a while, it's hard to explain, you'll just have to trust me, that that's fast when you are wheel to wheel in a big group of people. I suddenly have a heap more respect for the guys who ride in the Tour d' France who ride faster, longer and closer for days on end. It's as much mental as it is physical.

The day kept on like this. And except for a long stretch I did between Legal and Mornville by myself, because I decided not to stick around for a long lunch break, I was in groups the whole way in. A nice change, to ride with other people.

Going into the ride, I was hoping for about 4 to 4 1/2 hours on the bike, and add 1/2 total for the planned breaks, to give a total of 4 1/2 to 5 hours. I knew on the last 20Km I was making good time, but I hadn't paid that close of attention to know just how good. So when I came around the corner to see the timer just pass 4 hours, I wasn't sure what to think. When I finally got off the bike, I didn't know if I should laugh, cry, or puke. (It was an even split, but for a few seconds puke looked like it was taking a lead, only to beaten out by laugh at the last second.)

The numbers from my timer are 102Km in 3:41:30. I don't have my official time just yet, but I'm sure it's about 4:03.

My legs still hurt, and I'm still thirsty, but it was worth it. And next year, I'll try the 160Km.

Nothing else to say.....

Thanks to Treehugger.com for showing me this one.


http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/no_comment_dept.php#perma

Someone I haven't mentioned

Even though, this won't be news to most of you, I feel that I need to say something. Several weeks ago my extended family grew by one, with my sisters first baby. His name is Emmett. He's healthy, my sister is healthy, and even if they weren't, I probably wouldn't hear about it.

Emmett was born a few weeks ago. I've been contemplating mentioning him here, but I haven't been sure what to say. I've been distant with my sister for the last few months/years, and dragging things around here isn't going to help. My sister and her husband have made a number of choices that I don't believe have been the best for them, or of some of the people around them. If it weren't for the kindness of friends and family (myself not included) they would likely be upon some very hard times.

We have not spent a lot of time together in the last number of years, and in the last few months, spoken even less than normal. The last real conversation we did have, one on one, did not end well. I know a number of people have mentioned that I should say something to her. I have chosen not to. And after seeing her and Emmett this past weekend for the first time, I will continue with that choice. I do believe(/hope) that she has started to realize the situation she has her self in, and that a new priority has been set. Anything I have to say wouldn't be news, and would only make things even worse.

I hope for the best for them. Emmett, and every other child, deserves it.

As for the Uncle Al thing? It's not new. While I may not be blood, am I any less of an uncle to Pete, Morgan, Ryan, Ashley and Britney? At least with them, their parents can always caution them, "Uncle Al may be a little crazy, but not to worry, he isn't really related." Poor Emmett, he has no excuse.

Topics of debate

It's not a secret that I have an interest in Biodiesel. The fuel is a good idea from many standpoints, not the least of witch, I can make it at home. The debate over Ethanol Vs Biodiesel is starting to become louder. A great deal if the information I've seen has always leaned to Ethanol. However, now I've found this little bit, and I wanted to share it:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/07/ethanol_vs_biod_1.php#perma

I'm not against Ethanol as a fuel source. I think the Harper government pushing the idea of all gasoline in Canada to have at least 10% ethanol is a good thing. It's just that I've had less luck with it. When ever I fill any of my cars with Mohawk or Husky, stations that claim to be adding ethanol for some time, I instantly notice the drop in fuel economy. So that begs the question, if I burn more of a better fuel, is that better? If the math works out that it's better for me to burn 12L of ethanol blended fuel, over 10L of regular, then I'm all for it.

Again, another reason to promote Biodiesel. Little or no change in fuel economy vs the same engine on regular Dino-diesel.

(It's at this point, I begin to babble on, you may wish skip ahead abit.)

One of my other interest is in things that fly. Airplanes, Helicopters, and a number of variations on those themes. On the down side, they tend to burn a great amount of fuel. I belong to a group called the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). A group out of the States, of well meaning folk, promoting aviation as a hobby for the average guy. Many of the aircraft that they deal with use engines designed for small airplanes, but use automotive fuels. Here's the problem, they were designed for very specific fuels, without Ethanol. If an engine is not designed from the start to take Ethanol, more than 10% can be a bad thing. So the EAA has started a campaign in the US, in states that are pushing for mandatory ethanol use, to stop it.

At this point, I've been sitting on the fence. I like flying things, but I also like fresh air. So the EAA has been forging along trying to insure that it's members will be able to get the fuel they need to stay flying. That's fine. Until I read in one of there papers that they had the balls to say that "Ethanol additives add to pollution". They also mention increased fuel prices.

I'm still supporting the use of bio-fuels, however I've got a bone to pick with the EAA. I understand why they have taken the position they have, but at least keep your arguments real.

(Okay, I'm done now)

For along time I had a picture of a solar powered airplane on my desktop of my computer. It was a design based on a glider, with an electric motor. I loved the idea. Range had more to do with sunset, than anything else.

I'm holding out for a model with floats, so I can take it to Beaton.