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metric centuries are un-american

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Old 06-30-09, 01:38 PM
  #126  
save10
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Originally Posted by Tsuru
I wish we were on the metric system. I love it when I go to Toronto....
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Old 06-30-09, 01:40 PM
  #127  
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If the US switches to the metric system, will six packs become ten packs?
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Old 06-30-09, 01:43 PM
  #128  
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Originally Posted by HigherGround
If the US switches to the metric system, will six packs become ten packs?

And 40's will become 1.18's....
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Old 06-30-09, 01:58 PM
  #129  
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how many out there have their cyclo-computers set to kilometers?

that's what I thought.
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Old 06-30-09, 01:58 PM
  #130  
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I think I'll ride a metric tomorrow morning in honor of this thread.
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Old 06-30-09, 02:43 PM
  #131  
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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
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Old 06-30-09, 03:21 PM
  #132  
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Originally Posted by merckx_rider
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.
CENTURY= 100. That can be 100 of anything. I do a century every time I take 3 steps. Centuries are easy.
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Old 06-30-09, 03:33 PM
  #133  
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Originally Posted by Mooo
That said, the nautical mile rules. One nautical mile is essentially one minute of latitude. That's a much better and somewhat less arbitrary unit than "1/10000 the distance from the pole to the equator on a line drawn through Paris."
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).
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Old 06-30-09, 03:59 PM
  #134  
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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.
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Old 06-30-09, 05:02 PM
  #135  
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Reading this thread made me feel just a little dumber. I feel like each side is adhering the beauty of this image.

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Old 06-30-09, 05:17 PM
  #136  
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Originally Posted by HigherGround
If the US switches to the metric system, will six packs become ten packs?
Yes, but the cans will be much smaller.
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Old 06-30-09, 05:42 PM
  #137  
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Originally Posted by umd
That would be interesting to see an organized ride done by time and effort. Ok here is the route: ride that way for an hour really hard and then turn around and come back.
We do this all the time.

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.
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Old 06-30-09, 05:43 PM
  #138  
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Originally Posted by Bob Barker
Just last page you, too were saying a century is 100 mi, not that metric 100 km thing
I did and it still is.

That's not what the face palm was about...
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Old 06-30-09, 06:01 PM
  #139  
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Originally Posted by save10
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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
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Old 06-30-09, 06:08 PM
  #140  
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Originally Posted by Tsuru
Screw the weirdo archaic English system, we need to move on! METRIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So you personally are willing and able to write the check to retool America?
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Old 06-30-09, 06:11 PM
  #141  
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Originally Posted by FLvector
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

Originally Posted by bt
how many out there have their cyclo-computers set to kilometers?

that's what I thought.
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.
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Old 06-30-09, 06:14 PM
  #142  
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www.ilovemetric.com
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Old 06-30-09, 06:16 PM
  #143  
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Originally Posted by TwoShort
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).
When the world is a sphere rather than segmented ribbons of concrete, asphalt, or dirt, degrees are useful and minutes are better than zero point 0h-whatsit.
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=
June 30th, 2330 GMT (UTC/Zulu), blah blah, winds 140 deg at 6 kts, blah blah becoming 300 degrees@ 10 kts. Looks like Thor's gonna play mumblety-peg too: "TSRA"


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.
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Old 06-30-09, 06:29 PM
  #144  
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Old 06-30-09, 06:51 PM
  #145  
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Originally Posted by nycphotography
So you personally are willing and able to write the check to retool America?
Hey! It'll help restart the economy! All those scales and rulers ain't gonna replace themselves!!!! All those signs!
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Old 06-30-09, 06:58 PM
  #146  
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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.
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Old 06-30-09, 07:09 PM
  #147  
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Originally Posted by HigherGround
*And for the political correctness police, I'm referring to citizens of the USA.
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.
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Old 06-30-09, 07:17 PM
  #148  
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Originally Posted by nycphotography
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.
+1.

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.
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Old 06-30-09, 07:31 PM
  #149  
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Originally Posted by bt
how many out there have their cyclo-computers set to kilometers?

that's what I thought.
I do. Rowan does. Don't you?
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Old 06-30-09, 07:35 PM
  #150  
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Originally Posted by Machka
I do. Rowan does. Don't you?
I do, when I want to feel fast AND pretty.
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