That'll go over like a Led Zeppelin - new team song ?

I'm here for all the unsolicited advice you could want on how to finish solidly in the middle of the pack.

I'd be fine with that kind of finish. I mean, I'm guessing that not too many casuals are attracted to the event, are they?

Huh.

First thought is that scene in the Simpsons movie where the Government puts out a propaganda commercial about why Springfield never existed and uses Tom Hanks as the spokesman because "The U.S. Government has lost its credibility so it's borrowing some of mine."

Second thought is that, much like the ride formerly known as DK, I support the name and logo change. But also like the ride formerly known as the DK, what they came up with is bland and corporate and uninspired.

Maybe.

But you got to think all the uncertainty (even this year) about if this event would even happen interfered with training.

And what if more athletes have to withdrawal?

Well for the 200 mile event I'd say about 10% are riding to compete and everyone else is riding to complete. But whether you bike 200 miles at 10 mph or 20 mph, it still takes a lot of work and training and preparation to be able to finish.

I've had 5 finishes ranging from just over 13 hours to just under 18 hours. The one year I was fast everything fell into place -- training, nutrition, hydration, and weather. I'd say that a lot of people focus solely on the training and neglect logistics and it ends up hurting them. I think beyond training the three biggest things to figure out is (1) nutrition/hydration strategy (and seriously look into hyponatremia and how to avoid it; I've had more than one friend end up hospitalized because of it); (2) logistics for both the support crew and all the crap you think you'll need to carry on your bike; and (3) heat training. Four out of the five years I've done it it's been brutally hot and the folks from Texas and California always seem to be doing better. A couple years I rode on the trainer with a space heater going to acclimatize and it made a huge difference.

Like I said I'm full of unsolicited advice.

Since I got the new bike I looked at the "sold listings" on ebay to see what my old bike might sell for. I know bike prices are a little ridiculous right now but it's a 13-year-old frame that I got used and I've put maybe 12,000 miles of punishing gravel on it; and have replaced literally every component on it over the years.

So I'm not expecting to get a whole lot out of it. I know I should take the sold listings with a grain of salt, but after seeing what similar bikes have gone for...

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...40619f896d.gif

I dream of a direct drive smart trainer, but between the expense, the weight, and the size of the thing when it's time to put it away, I can't justify it. So I'll stick with the Kickr Snap. What I'm currently figuring out is how to get/build the cheapest computer that will run Zwift in all its glory. Turns out, you don't need a fancy $3000 gaming PC. Just a modest PC with a big-ass graphics card, but enough power and fans to run the game and not fry itself.

FYI the Saturn has DOUBLED in value in the past year. I should have purchased a whole fleet and cashed in!!

Same. I am going to stick with the SNAP for the time being, I only use it December-March anyway so can't really justify a direct drive trainer.

The Paradox of the Bike Of Theseus.

I thought I broke it a couple weeks back. I had just climbed the Epic KOM and the Radio Tower and I was zooming down the back side, to see if I could hit 100km/h without accidentally telling Zwift I was a Fat Hobbit, when suddenly there was a roaring buzz!

Turns out one of the chevrons on the flywheel was coming off. I stuck it back down, but the next ride it came completely off. I didn't replace it, since AFAICT it's merely decorative.

The Japanese alphabet is wrong.

I’d rather ride a scorching 40…

Funny story, I was doing the Radio Tower climb this past winter and was pushing so hard, when suddenly I thought I broke the trainer when everything collapsed, but it was really me pulling my rear wheel out from the horizontal dropout. I have zero desire to do that stupid climb again. Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent.

I spent a long time fiddling with the Battaglin's shifting, which would be great one day and then seem to go completely crappy in the course of a single ride. I even spent the money to buy that Park hanger alignment tool. But I'm now pretty certain it's just the wheel being pulled out of alignment in the dropouts. Next time it starts shifting badly, I'm just gonna look at the spacing between the tire and the chainstay on each side.

My son has been collecting Star Wars Lego sets since he was a kid. He's now selling them off (with the exception of his limited edition sets), and getting 3 and 4 times what they originally cost. Unopened and in the box goes for even more. I've been shaking my head wondering why we just didn't buy them up when he was getting them and store them in the attic. Who would've known.

Don't be tempted to sell yours, even after it appreciates to six figures.

Confession: I now own two Kickr Powers.

And, my wheels arrived today including a second set of wheel bags.

Gulls “down the shore” are asses. If you’re not vigilant they will dive bomb you from behind and snatch food out of your hand while on the boardwalk. It can be traumatic for children. I’ve seen more than one freak out after losing a hotdog.

At least one shore town has hired an owl handler the last couple of years. He walks around the boardwalk with an owl on his arm. Apparently works well.

Meh. I don't think there's an asterisk unless we see winning times that wouldn't put people on the podium for the last twenty years, and I don't see that happening at all.

Oh, I know. Plenty of gulls in Coney Island and even on the shores of Superior. I just wouldn't want to... be sling-shotted :foo: ...in to one.

I'm going to time my tubeless installation. Since they are Campy wheels, no taping is required. I'm guessing 8-10 minutes per wheel with most of that being stretching the tire on.

First off, I have to refinish working on a Red eTap derailleur from one of my trikes. It needs new jockey wheels and a new rear plate.

I’m sitting in a park during lunch. A bird just crapped on my leg from the treetop above me.