Which US Senator Shaves His Legs?

Nope. Read the title again and note the pronoun.

Stumped?

Answer here.

Beer

Which country drinks the most beer on a per capita basis? The top 20 are here in an annoying slideshow format. The US is number 13. Not that it's a competition or anything.

Trails

Another harbinger of 5 AM cross riding in the woods. Oct 7. GTE ride. Just two more weeks.

Can't wait.

Wear a Helmet

Yet another reason why you should always wear a helmet when you ride.

Because you never know...

Justice for TCW

"One hundred thirty dollars and supervision."

One for the good guys...

Patricia Barber

I just got back from Ravinia. It was their Celebration of Summer, an all day event that was free admission (they encouraged you to donate a food item upon entry). We went because we learned from her web site that Patricia Barber was going to perform at the Martin Theatre. Somehow Ravinia didn't have her on their program, but she was on their web site when I checked earlier today. I had been wanting to see her at the Green Mill for the past two years, since seeing her at the Macy's music festival (or whatever it was called) two summers ago. The Green Mill shows start at 9 and, with the drive, it just seems that the show would go past my bedtime. This was close to home and an early show so I wasn't going to miss it.

We arrived at 5:00 with a picnic dinner for a 7:00 show. By 6:30, I thought there would be a line of people waiting to get in, but I noted that the park was largely empty and no one was at the door. This was rather strange, but we went in at 6:45 and got to sit in the 3rd row. By the time the show started, I think the theater was only a third full. Patricia Barber walked on stage on time, sat down at the piano, kicked off her shoes and socks and thanked us for attending (even "those who came in by accident"). The small turnout made the evening an intimate affair for those of us who attended and she handled it with grace and humor.

I don't have the musical vocabulary to describe the show with any justice. She performed some songs from her new album, The Cole Porter Mix including You're the Top (with some improvised lyrics) , a wonderful, sultry, jazzy rendition of Blackbird (Lennon/McCartney), and some numbers that I didn't recognize. It was a fantastic performance by a very talented group of musicians. They were listed on the sign as playing from 7:00-7:45, but the show actually ended at 8:25.

So yeah, I'm gonna have to see her at the Green Mill. I'll take a nap before the show if I have to.

Oh, and a quick note to Patricia Barber: You left your shoes by the piano.

Partial Justice

Remember this?



Well, the charges against the cyclist were dismissed in court Friday.

Chicago Cyclocross Cup Clinic

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 13. More info here.

I Got Nuthin'

Nothing to say and no time to say it. Maybe someone else has something to say...

"Ride lots"
--Eddy Merckx

(from The Quotable Cyclist)

Glencoe Grand Prix - Results

The results are posted for the 2008 Glencoe Grand Prix.

So far, this is the most popular photo I took at the Glencoe Grand Prix.

Justice

TCW tells the story of how he got into it with a clueless (and reckless) driver and got the Glenview police to issue a ticket for a 3-feet violation.

Way to stand up for your rights.

Olympic Feel Good Stories

First, there's this:
Hurdler Overcomes Many Hurdles To Win Hurdle Race

And there's more good news:
U.S. Charioteer Breaks 2,500-Year-Old Chariot-Race Record Set By Perseus

No Olympics would be complete without a crime story:
Green-Clad Olympic Archer Steals Gold Medals From Rich, Gives Them To Poor

Have a nice weekend.

Dope of the Day

Penny Weaver.

The News Editor of the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier, writes:

So, I saw this guy on Wednesday riding his bicycle while talking on his cell phone.

And so it begins...

He was headed south in a lane of traffic on 16th Street at Charleston Avenue in Mattoon. He stopped to wait for the light to change, yakking on the cell phone, switching it to the other ear after a few seconds, and yakking some more.

Wait. A cyclist was stopped, waiting for the light to change? I thought cyclists never stop for lights or stop signs. Take that, motorists-who-think-cyclists-never-stop-for-traffic-control-devices.

Maybe I'm just jealous because I'm not that coordinated. I don't think I could ride a bike with one hand on the handlebars and the other holding a phone to my ear. I surely couldn't do it while trying to watch for traffic.

Then you probably shouldn't. Nor should you speak for those of us who are coordinated enough to ride one-handed...or even no-handed.

What I really wondered when I saw Bicycle/Phone Guy, though, was who would be to blame when he gets hit by a car.

Aha. Now I see where you're going with this. You are looking for yet another excuse to blame cyclists for your poor driving skills. What if you were talking on your phone in your car and you veered off into his lane (let's assume a bicycle lane) and hit him while he was talking on his phone. It would be his fault, right?

I mean, multitasking is one thing, but surely this carries it too far.

Why?

I know people talk on their cell phones while driving a car--yeah, me too, I confess--but I also know some drivers who shouldn't chew gum and drive at the same time, let alone yak or text.

This doesn't explain how talking on a cell phone while riding a bike is too much multitasking. This only tells me that you talk on your cell phone when you drive, you think you are better at this than some drivers you know and that despite knowing that this inhibits your ability to look out for other cars (and bicycles, and pedestrians, by the way) while you drive, you continue to do so regardless of the danger you pose to others.

It' not Average Car Driver who should be blamed when Bicycle/Phone Guy veers into traffic and gets hit by a car. It's Mr. Multitasker on a bike who should take the responsibility for being a doofus.

I'm not sure what your point is, but you wrote that you saw a guy on a bike talking on his cell phone while stopped for a traffic light and then proceeding (while still on his cell phone) when the light turns green. From this you extrapolate him veering into traffic and causing a collision. Sorry, that doesn't follow. Remember, he would be taking his life in his hands if his skills are that bad. The only threat to you is a few scratches on your car, and the pain of some paperwork.

So even when I see Bicycle/Phone Guy and I mock him and I shake my head at his stupidity, I still hope he gets where he's going safely.

I hope you also give him the required three feet of room when you pass him and you put down your phone, coffee, make up, iPod and cigarette (see, I can make idiotic assumptions, too) so you can make sure your car doesn't veer into the bike rider. Who's to blame and/or responsible then?

Music on Hold

What cell phone service answers my calls with:
"Please enjoy the music while your party is reached."

Then I hear the dulcet tones of John Denver singing "Rocky Mountain High-igh" until they either answer or I get voice mail. Not so bad the first time I heard it, but every single time? Can't they get a playlist?

Aaaargh!

Road Rage

Go read this post about another driver intentionally causing an accident in a group ride. If you were there and have any information about the truck that caused it, call the sheriff’s office at (847) 377-4000.

Where's the guy with the helmet camera when you need him?

You Have Too Much Money If...

...you buy this $1,000 icon for your iPhone.

Exercise Is Good For Your Brain

Something to read today:

"Athletes and people who exercise not only have better bods — they have better brains too, a host of studies have now firmly established...Exercisers learn faster, remember more, think clearer and bounce back more easily from brain injuries such as a stroke. They are also less prone to depression and age-related cognitive decline."

We're also better looking, but you just knew that intuitively, didn't you?

Observation

Is it a cycling fashion faux pas (if there is such a thing) to wear a Campagnolo cap when your bike is equipped with a Shimano gruppo? Of course, one never sees the reverse. And, as someone older and wiser than I once pointed out, no one ever tattoos Shimano on their leg.

Design Changes

I made some changes on the blog design. Just playing around...

Bicycle Film Festival

If you thought the only films worth seeing were Breaking Away and American Flyers, then you might want to check out the Bicycle Film Festival as it makes it's way to Chicago August 6-10. Road to Roubaix on Friday looks interesting.