metric centuries are un-american
#127
Descends Like Avalanche
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere between Funkytown and Margaritaville, PA
Posts: 5,769
Bikes: Lynskey R240, Sportive, and a Helix Sport disc model in the works; Eddy Merckx MX Leader; Specialized Rock Hopper Comp (1988!)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If the US switches to the metric system, will six packs become ten packs?
__________________
The rider in my avatar is David Etxebarria, not me.
#128
Type 1 Racer
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Davis, CA
Posts: 2,579
Bikes: A dozen or so.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#130
Custom User Title
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Winnipeg, Canada
Posts: 1,913
Bikes: 2006 Marin Stelvio, 1990s Steve Bauer, Marin Palisades Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I think I'll ride a metric tomorrow morning in honor of this thread.
#131
Stand and Deliver
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Tampa Bay
Posts: 3,340
Bikes: Cannondale R1000, Giant TCR Advanced, Giant TCR Advanced SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
A Guide To The Metric System
1 million microphones = 1 megaphone
2000 mockingbirds = two kilomockingbirds
10 cards = 1 decacards
1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche
453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake
1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin
10 rations = 1 decoration
100 rations = 1 C-ration
10 millipedes = 1 centipede
3 1/3 tridents = 1 decadent
2 monograms = 1 diagram
8 nickels = 2 paradigms
2 wharves = 1 paradox
1 million microphones = 1 megaphone
2000 mockingbirds = two kilomockingbirds
10 cards = 1 decacards
1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche
453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake
1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin
10 rations = 1 decoration
100 rations = 1 C-ration
10 millipedes = 1 centipede
3 1/3 tridents = 1 decadent
2 monograms = 1 diagram
8 nickels = 2 paradigms
2 wharves = 1 paradox
#132
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 419
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been riding for many years and only heard the term "Metric Century" with in the last year or so, I'm going with the point of view that the riders that feel such a sense of accomplishment because they can use the word "Century" and not have to work for it.
60 miles is 60 miles and not anywhere near 100.
60 miles is 60 miles and not anywhere near 100.
#133
Retro-Direct Fan
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 159
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Nor are minutes of latitude used anymore - geography is done in decimal degrees. (or in projected coordinate systems, in meters).
#134
Le Crocodile
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Santa Barbara Calif.
Posts: 1,873
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 369 Post(s)
Liked 787 Times
in
311 Posts
Just asked another employee that came in for the evening shift if he knew what a "Century" was.
"100 mile bikeride, or it could be a Metric Century"
I was flabbergasted!
"I even got the patch to prove that I rode a Metric Century" (the shop is just dying, because I am going bonkers here laughing)
Whaaaaaat...........I gotta get the details.
"I knew I couldn't ride 100 miles, so I rode the Metric!"
This is too funny.
"100 mile bikeride, or it could be a Metric Century"
I was flabbergasted!
"I even got the patch to prove that I rode a Metric Century" (the shop is just dying, because I am going bonkers here laughing)
Whaaaaaat...........I gotta get the details.
"I knew I couldn't ride 100 miles, so I rode the Metric!"
This is too funny.
#135
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: ATL
Posts: 583
Bikes: 2000 Trek 5200, 2007 Bianchi Pista
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Reading this thread made me feel just a little dumber. I feel like each side is adhering the beauty of this image.
#137
Mr. Dopolina
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
We use an out and back course. We ride together for 30 minutes and then the faster group heads off (usually we use a selector like a climb). Both groups ride for a set time and then turn around.
This way stronger riders go farther and gather up the rest on their way back. we finish up the last 30 min together again.
It is a good way for a group of riders with mixed abilities to train/ride together.
Last edited by Bob Dopolina; 06-30-09 at 05:47 PM.
#139
Bromptoneer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
very much so..... my family's been in this country since the 1600's yet I have absolutely no connection to a giant plot of land just because I happened to be born here.
Screw the weirdo archaic English system, we need to move on! METRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You think a metric century is weak?
Do a double, 200km...
400km...
600km...
If I can, I hope to soon!!! <3
Screw the weirdo archaic English system, we need to move on! METRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You think a metric century is weak?
Do a double, 200km...
400km...
600km...
If I can, I hope to soon!!! <3
#141
shaken, not stirred.
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: The Shaky Isles.
Posts: 5,249
Bikes: I've lost count.
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1412 Post(s)
Liked 969 Times
in
389 Posts
A Guide To The Metric System
1 million microphones = 1 megaphone
2000 mockingbirds = two kilomockingbirds
10 cards = 1 decacards
1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche
453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake
1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin
10 rations = 1 decoration
100 rations = 1 C-ration
10 millipedes = 1 centipede
3 1/3 tridents = 1 decadent
2 monograms = 1 diagram
8 nickels = 2 paradigms
2 wharves = 1 paradox
1 million microphones = 1 megaphone
2000 mockingbirds = two kilomockingbirds
10 cards = 1 decacards
1 millionth of a fish = 1 microfiche
453.6 graham crackers = 1 pound cake
1 trillion pins = 1 terrapin
10 rations = 1 decoration
100 rations = 1 C-ration
10 millipedes = 1 centipede
3 1/3 tridents = 1 decadent
2 monograms = 1 diagram
8 nickels = 2 paradigms
2 wharves = 1 paradox
Mine is. The only reason I know imperial measures is that I learnt to drive in old English cars with speedos in miles per hour.
__________________
Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"
vBulletin: snafu
#143
Senior Member
1/5400 the distance from the pole to the equator is better and less arbitrary how? Minutes of latitude don't mean anything besides that. I guess if you divide by 90, give that a name, then divide by 60, that's less arbitrary? And better than using bloody powers of 10 how?
Nor are minutes of latitude used anymore - geography is done in decimal degrees. (or in projected coordinate systems, in meters).
Nor are minutes of latitude used anymore - geography is done in decimal degrees. (or in projected coordinate systems, in meters).
If the weather is crummy and Joe Ego is scooting along at 300 knots, he doesn't have to do one more conversion when recalculating time/fuel/distance formulae and equating them to the sectional chart. Or WAC, if he's wired that way.
The knot is the unit of choice for aviation, so your German pilot landing his Airbus in Moscow or Tokyo is calling his speed to approach in kts.
Terminal Area Forecast from Gothenburg, Sweden, knote the knots. I believe the altitudes are in feet as well.
ESGG 302330Z 0100/0124 14006KT CAVOK PROB30 0100/0106 1200 BR BKN003 PROB30 0103/0118 4000 TSRA BKN025CB BECMG 0109/0111 30010KT=
That said, it's not a century if you finish less than 100 nautical miles, great circle distance, from where you started. Let's put some teeth on this thing or leave it for dead.
#145
Bromptoneer
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 2,942
Bikes: Brompton S2L
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#146
Descends Like Avalanche
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere between Funkytown and Margaritaville, PA
Posts: 5,769
Bikes: Lynskey R240, Sportive, and a Helix Sport disc model in the works; Eddy Merckx MX Leader; Specialized Rock Hopper Comp (1988!)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It's true that metric centuries are un-American. Most Americans* couldn't ride 62 miles.
*And for the political correctness police, I'm referring to citizens of the USA.
*And for the political correctness police, I'm referring to citizens of the USA.
__________________
The rider in my avatar is David Etxebarria, not me.
#147
NYC
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1169 Post(s)
Liked 107 Times
in
62 Posts
Those who would choose to miscontsrue that which is obvious deserve their moral indignation, and may they all die miserably with the ulcers and vitriol they worked for a lifetime to obtain.
#148
Mr. Dopolina
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 10,217
Bikes: KUUPAS, Simpson VR
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 117 Times
in
41 Posts
Anywhere in the world 'American' means from the US of A. There's no confusion.
Traveling and living abroad (for a huge portion of my adult life) when I tell people I'm Canadian they don't get confused or start semantic arguments about Continents vs Nations.
Stop embarrassing the rest of us.
#149
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I do. Rowan does. Don't you?
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#150
Infamous Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 24,360
Bikes: Surly Big Dummy, Fuji World, 80ish Bianchi
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
__________________
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey