natbikes.com

One really good omen about the trip down here which I forgot to mention, is that on my South West flight, I sat near to the cutest girl on the flight, but then was distracted talking to a 60 year old lady flying down to gamble.  Both things surprisingly typical.  When I remember the attractive young lady, I triple take looking over before I realize that it’s Kateri a good friend of mine from high school who I’d lost track of for some 11 years.

More Vegas notes.. because it’s so dry here my lemons I bought 7 days ago are already half dried up just from sitting on the counter - water sucked straight out.

There are giant sunshades over children’s playgrounds.

Also even though it’s still in the 90’s (at least) every day, most of the outdoor pools have closed because it’s ‘winter’.

I have cleaned up my sponsor / supporter page from it’s previous hodge-podge.  I’m not getting paid by anyone, which gives me the flexibility to align myself with companies which
a) I believe in their vision and
b) I really believe in their product.

Ironman has been a dream of mine for over 20 years.  This year to date has cost me $9,000.  As I am spending my life savings on a race, if I thought something would make me faster, I would have it by now.

Most importantly… training.  Well when you’re doing training like this there are some hard days, and some times when you doubt yourself.  Then today I nailed my run.  I was able to keep my pace easily, and visualize all the right things (winning).

Interbike, well I think it was my most successful Interbike visit ever, though nothing has been signed just yet, I think that there are some really promising deals coming down the tube.  I’ll keep you updated as things are finalized.

Otherwise the housing crunch is apparent here like other places across the US.  Here the road has fire hydrants, etc, and the neighborhood below has many a foreclosed house.

Gear stuff:

HED wheels has some cool stuff.  New Disc wheels with powertap.  Everything is now their wider 23mm rim width.

**total bike dork stuff**

Well I could have spent 8h there, and still needed to meet and talk to more people.  But I managed to get face time with 60% of who I was hoping to.  Of course Cervelo’s P4 made it’s debut, they have wind tunnel data showing that that proves as a frame with NO components, NO wheels and NO rider it’s faster than the other ones (except that it didn’t show the trek, specialized, or…).  In the Specialized booth they have wind tunnel data showing how MY ride is actually faster when it’s built up as a ride able bike (you know with wheels and handlebars).  Which is better data, because I do most of my riding with the brakes hooked up.  Plus my bike looks hot.  Oh the Cervelo’s BB may be stiffer, but it’s rear triangle flexier. Luckily I’m just going to head off on Dream Crusher and ride.  KISS principle.

Oh one more thing, a wind tunnel guy I was talking to said that dimples on wheels make ZERO difference.  Just really expensive cosmetic flash.  boo.

To follow up on my Rants from a few days earlier…

For cycling.. there is hope.  Aside from myself and people I have lived with Svein Tuft is one of the very few I would go to the mattresses in his support as a clean racer.  Rumors are that Danny Pate is clean as well.  Those guys are the hope, especially Svein, really great guy.  So despite my regular griping, there is some hope for cycling.  (ps the french labs are volunteering to let Lance clear his name… authorize the pee samples for testing.  In 1999 there was no EPO test, now there is, if he wants to clear his name it’s that easy.)

Who would bail you out if you stopped paying your bills?  This year the US government will go an extra trillion dollars in debt (if the 700B bailout goes through).  Who will bail America out?  In 2007 25.52% of that was foreign owned.

Nat

ps odd that this instillation’s intro had nothing to do with the blog entry eh?  Keeping you on your toes mother.