Perplexed Orange Independent Biker

My hard drive crashed this week, while I was in Atlanta, one thousand miles away from my Time Machine backup. The Apple Store Genius Bar gave me a fresh OS X install. From there I downloaded 1Password and synced it to the database on my iPhone. Using 1Password and email, I was able to recreate my work environment of Terminal, TextMate, Transmit and VMWare Fusion + Linux without my backup. When I got home I restored the rest of my files from Time Machine.

Yes, I know that backing up to the cloud would solve all of this problem. But that’s still a bit expensive, and what I did worked fine. I also found a trick to make it a little better.

I now have a Recovery directory that contains the following soft links

• 1Password.agilekeychain
• LogicBlox.tmbundle
• LogicBloxOpenVPN.config.conf
• Settings.textexpander
• dot_bash_profile
• dot_hgrc

One command can copy the link contents to the SD Memory card I carry on most trips.

cp -RL . /Volumes/DAN_512/

Now I don’t have to suffer without my syntax highlighting and shortcuts.

Another email from this group, this time with a position statement that sounds pretty reasonable.

A rail corridor must include, but not be limited to the following:

* 75 feet of right of way on each side of the tracks and no more than one grade level crossing per mile.
* Study and approval of ground contamination problems by the EPA.
* Crossing arms that cannot be avoided by drivers.
* Welded rail.
* Bells, not whistles, at intersections.
* Berms along the MN&S to reduce sound pollution.
* Landscaping to discourage people (especially students) from crossing the tracks.
* Sound walls on the BNSF east of the MN&S spur to reduce sound pollution.
* Removal of the switching wye in the Elmwood neighborhood
* A pedestrian bridge crossing the BNSF tracks to connect the either the Birchwood or Lake Forest neighborhood to the “West End” commercial area.

I bought my own trio of Camelbak Podium 24oz bottles for my Almanzo 100 kit. They’re perfect. They don’t leak and I like the “jet valve” for drinking.

The best bottles are the ones you get for free or find on the trail full of cold beer. But if you have to buy some bottles, pay a bit extra and get these, I think.

Notes from my first century:

* about 9 hrs 15 min, averaged 12.5 mph when the bike was moving
* 39 x 19 gearing was perfect
* why is the best track through the gravel always on the left?
* first mistake: using an untested mix in water bottles
* second mistake: riding the first 20 miles too hard
* at mile 25 I was overheated, dehydrated, and imagining a DNF
* guzzled my one bottle of straight water in the next 10 miles and felt much better
* drank 3 x 24 oz bottles of plain water over 20 miles from Preston to Forestville
* climbs out of Forestville were long walks for me
* 183rd Ave, northbound, into the wind will give me nightmares for months to come
* on Nature Road I started to have fun and enjoy the scenery
* thanks to Mark for the training rides and waiting
* thanks to Craig for pics and Surly at the finish
* thanks to Chris for a super event

I love these headphones. Bought them 5 months ago in August ‘09 at REI. I think they are a great value for good sound and the all-important iPhone button that lets you answer calls, pause, and fast-forward. I could do without the volume control.

I just replaced them using the REI 100% satisfaction guarantee, because the original pair developed a short-circuit near the jack, in the button circuit. When carrying the phone in a loose jacket pocket, the pause and fast-forward functions were out of control.

I hope this new pair lasts better, because I really like them. I might even buy a short extension cable, just so I can limit the short-circuit to that easily replaceable jack.

http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/asym-black-red-micd.html

Handsome Devil

Originally uploaded by dansteeves68.

Took my new Handsome Devil out for a shakedown cruise this morning in the fresh snow and aging ice fields of Minneapolis. Visited Hurl at CRC & Jesse at Handsome to show off.

Initial ride impression: This bike is smooth. Like my old Falcon. I like it. My track bike was so twitchy, which I realize now was not ideal.

The build was easy as follows:

* Handsome Devil frame and fork via CRC
* According to Jesse, I am the first customer to own the Handsome branded seat collar :-D
* Origin 8 headset installed at CRC
* Shimano UN-53 bottom bracket from old bike (110mm spindle length)
* Shimano 105 square taper cranks from eBay
* Time ATAC Alium (newer style) pedals from old bike
* Surly fixed-fixed hubset, originally 120mm spaced out to 130 (chain line looks good on inside ring)
* Nitto Moustache Bar w/ cheap stem from old bike
* Brooks B-17 w/ cheap post from old bike
* Fenders from my parts bin
* Assorted stainless fasteners from my local hardware store. I’m especially pleased with the 5mm long set screws used to plug the shifter boss and fork rack threads.

The build was difficult in two ways:

* The drive side dropout was too tight for the hub axle. It looked slightly squished which may have happened in transit or in my garage. I spaced it out a bit using gentle pressure on a pry bar.
* The bottom bracket threads were very clean, but I needed a 5 x 0.8 tap to clean out the threads on all the bosses.

Testing

Delta and Northwest Airline admits their online checkin doesn’t work on a Mac. Pathetic.

> From: Delta.OnlineSupport@delta.com
> Subject: Re: Web_Feedback – Current and Future…
> Date: 8 March, 2009 12:31:07 AM CST
> …
>
> Dear Mr. Steeves,
>
> Thank you for contacting us concerning your difficulty with our online
check-in option. At this time, the problem with printing your boarding
card appears to be directly related to the Mac platform.
>
> Currently, delta.com is designed and constructed to be best viewed by a
Windows-based, PC platform using Internet Explorer 6.0 (and higher), as
well as Netscape 7.2 (and higher) browsers. This was established based
on the dominant type of users throughout the industry. We regret that we
cannot guarantee service on every computer platform. However, we will
regularly review the Mac population of users and respond accordingly.
>
> We recommend that you take advantage of our airport kiosk location to
avoid the ticket counter lines.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jessica Tribbey
> Online Customer Support Desk
> http://www.delta.com