Dreaming of Hercules

Just finished reading “High-tech cycling, 2^nd Edition” edited by Edmund Burke today (save for two chapters specifically on Mountain bikes). Despite the wealth of scientific information pertaining to cycling covered in the eleven chapters, I did not gain much in terms of practical knowledge. As the author(s) of the individual chapters are research scientists, it is not surprising that the information is provided without much of a personal touch – no attempt is made at being humorous, pragmatic, or reader-friendly. Current research findings are presented with minimal make-up, and the task is left to the reader to make the most out of them. I frequently find myself distracted by all the technical jargon and (somewhat excessive) unenlightening formulas, and resulted in a loss of interest (skipping pages). Not a common practice for a gluttonous reader like I.

With that said, one should not expect to find a list of top ten things that would double your cycling performance. The book is serious, and it demands and deserves respect. It makes no pretense at offering tricks and miracle cures. It lives up to its scientific undertones by providing scientific results that confirm opposite hypothesis. It helps the reader to digest the scientific advice (though easing up on the use of technical jargon and acronyms would, in my opinion, make the reading much more pleasant) but is never dogmatic on its views. So, in summary, the book lives up to what it promises: an unbiased view at the modern advancements in all aspects of cycling technology, from the bicycle equipments to the physiological demands on the rider.

In a month’s time, much of what I’ve read from this book would have long dissipated from my memory. The sheer amount and density of the material covered by the book make it quite difficult to digest and internalize. I do suspect the following points will remain in my neuro-network for a long time:

• The main retarding force in cycling (at decent speed) comes from air drag, so good aerodynamic equipment and body position is vital to efficient cycling.
• Use aerobars, and keep your shoulder tugged in.
• A good wheel combination for low air drag is a three-spoke carbon front wheel and a disk wheel in the rear, preferably lens rather than flat.
• Although pedaling at a high-cadence is not economical or efficient according to most research finding, it has its advantages. These include a decrease in muscle stress and an increase in circulatory system.
• Although tempting, I don’t really need a Colorado Altitude Training Hatch to simulate a hypobaric hypoxia (high altitude, low air concentration) living environment.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

I watched “13 Conversations about One Thing” last night. Through a series of overlapping stories, it offered a candid if somewhat bleak view at the typical modern life. For a fairly life-trotted adult like I, the stories were neither shocking nor depressing. Instead, they left me with a certain sense of numbness. It must be that I have grown ambivalent to such simple the tragedies of life.

The movie does not pretend to be deep or warm and fuzzy. It stings your nerves like a cold shower that shatters your sweetest dreams. It wakes you up from your honeymoon with life, and shows you that she could be rather repulsive at times.

On a more positive note, the movie can act as vaccine for those who are not yet prepared for the inevitable disillusions in life.

Beyond these subliminal effects on one’s attitudes toward life, the movie also delivers a clear and strong message that happiness, in all its abstractness, is not something one can actively work for. It is usual a matter of circumstance beyond one’s control. Of course, one has some control over his own psyche, which is enough of a buffer to fend off those rare moments of utter depression. But in the large scheme of things, it is simply unrealistic to hope to sustain happiness by doing this or that.

This, of course, is no reason for complaining or feeling depressed. Instead, only through experiencing the miseries of life do we learn to value the happy times. Instead of growing jaded or disheartened, one should learn to rise above the miseries of life and realize that if she survives these trials, then her capacity for happiness will be tenfold. So do not despair when life does not come your way, for like happy times, sad times also have to end sooner or later.

In contrast to the overall bleak tone of the movie, we see a simple gesture of human kindness near the end of the movie. Indeed, if the only payoff for all the hardship of life is a smile on a stranger’s face, it is enough.

Sunday, July 06, 2008

Do you own a Topeak Mountain Morph Schrader/Presta frame pump? Have you ever wondered why the package reads “Schrader/Presta valves” when there is no trace of a converter or any similar mechanism to fit on a Presta valve? Well, I sure did when I first received the pump. Hopefully those of you who find yourselves frustrated will find this obscure article useful.

Exactly as shown on the back of the package (although the color code there is wrong and very misleading), the Presta head is hidden inside the pump head. Here are the steps you can follow to convert your pump to fit Presta valves.

1. Unscrew the cap on the pump head.

   

Figure 1

1. Pull out (using nails or the clip on the cap of a pen, for example) the soft plastic tube. You will find one end of the tube has a larger opening than the other end.

Figure 2

1. Take out the hard plastic converter inside.

   

Figure 3

1. Now simply put the pieces back in the same order but with direction reversed (so the larger side of the innermost hard plastic unit is outward, and the smaller side of the soft tube is outward). Screw back in the cap, and your Mountain Morph is now a Presta pump!

Figure 4

To reduce outside distraction, I used a pair of Peltor Optime 105 earmuffs (or hearing protectors). They help to block out the low intensity noises like traffic on the road and murmurings, but it seems not as effective in dealing with high frequency noises such as the shutting of a door.

Another annoyance is the reduced amount of air circulation through my ear channel. Or it could be the lack of white noise. Either way, it has a sleep inducing effect when I put them on. It takes a while before I can get used to wear them.

In any event, I spent the day in my office today. With no classes in the room next to me, I was (or at least felt) rather productive. Another highlight of the day is that I rode the Earhart to Joy to Pontiac Trail biking route. Unfortunately, I mistakenly turned at Plymouth and went home going only half the distance and the time planned. Better luck next time.

Monday, April 28, 2008