Refinement: Trimming the Trim

For many years, I used to go into Mahattan every day. Now, though, I visit the city infrequently enough that I notice the changes that have taken place since my previous visit. This makes me feel like a befuddled rube. For example, what happened to all the pushcarts on Orchard Street? Where are the checkered cabs? And who was the genius who got rid of all the fully-enclosed phone booths? Like, where's Superman supposed to change his clothes? How are the homeless supposed to relieve themselves in private? I suppose when Clark Kent needs to fight crime he's supposed to go to a Starbucks bathroom and wait on a huge line for 20 minutes while a homeless person washes his undercarriage in the sink.

Nevertheless, I enjoy feeling like a befuddled rube in my own backyard, and to underscore this effect I sometimes like to take my Big Dummy into town:

(I don't know why this photo has a bluish tint and I can't be bothered to find out. I didn't get into the bike blogging racket to "work.")

When I visit Manhattan on the Big Dummy I'm the "bike culture" equivalent of a dorky suburban father driving the family station wagon in from the 'burbs, and the bike's considerable heft, greenish hue, and ample load-carrying capacity all conspire to make me feel like Clark W. Griswold in a way that warms my cockles:

In fact, I'm often tempted to scrawl the words "Honky Lips" on it to complete the illusion:

Though arguably having a great big cable lock through the rails of your Brooks saddle is tantamount to the words "Honky Lips."

But the Griswold Effect is most pronounced on the Manhattan Bridge, where the Cat 6 racers drop me like Christie Brinkley speeding away from the Wagon Queen Family Truckster in her Ferrari:

However, this last time, it was different. On the way into town, there was a considerable headwind on the bridge, and thanks to the parachute effect of my XtraCycle PeaPod child seat it was enough to bring me to a virtual standstill. However, on the return trip to Brooklyn it had the opposite effect and acted as a sail, and I climbed the span as effortlessly as as Fabian Cancellara on a bike equipped with a Gruber Assist. Carried over the bridge on the wings of smugness, I was, for a flew fleeting moments, the fastest and dorkiest Cat 6 racer in all of New York City.

One day, I will modify the PeaPod by installing hinges, springs, and a ripcord. In "stealth mode," the seat back will lie flush against the Big Dummy's cargo deck. Then, when I'm climbing the span of the Manhattan Bridge with a tailwind and am locked in mortal combat with some beshanted fixie doofus, I will give him "the look," pull the cord, and the seat back will suddenly spring into the vertical "sail mode" position, catching the wind and carrying me to victory.

Speaking of gaining a competitive advantage from your equipment, it sounds like the 2013 SRAM Red component group (or "groupeau" if you want to get all Euro about it) is going to be the Reddest, SRAMmiest, groupiest road bicycle cycling racing group the world has ever seen:

Just get a load of some of these features:

First and foremost is a new DoubleTap lever body shape, which will supposedly sprout a more pronounced knob up front to provide a more secure handhold...

This sounds like it was lifted straight from an article about Herman Cain. "I absolutely reject these claims of sexual harassment," said the GOP hopeful. "She simply looked a bit unsteady as she bent over the Xerox machine, and so as I approached her I sprouted a more pronounced knob up front to provide her with a more secure handhold."

But that's not all, and SRAM are also completely revolutionizing the front deraler derailleaur thing that moves the chain:

Based on this description and what we expect to be marked improvements in the accompanying chainrings, we anticipate far faster front shifts – a known weakness with the current Red group – along with quieter operation and possibly the complete elimination of trim.

In other words, for 2013, "trim" is "out," and big knobs are "in."

Of course, it's going to cost you a lot of money to get your hands on those knobs, but if you're patient maybe this trim-free technology will "trickle down" to your level:

Hopefully, SRAM's outstanding track record of trickling down technologies to lower price points will continue, too, but Zellmann was noncommittal on the topic so buyers may have to wait a year to see if that happens.

Actually, I have it on good authority that all of this technology will only trickle up. Given the success of "halo bikes," manufacturers are increasingly learning to focus on the 1% instead of the 99%. That's why the 2014 model year will see an even more expensive version of SRAM Red branded as "SRAM Fred." While completely identical to Red, it will be wildly more expensive--and don't worry, it will be completely trim-free, though it will certainly cause your fellow Freds to sprout pronounced knobs in their Assos when you roll up to the café with it.

Lastly, speaking of riders who abstain from trim, yesterday I mentioned how the Pope once got a gold Colnago, and one reader shared the following story:

Anonymous said...

Hey, I remember when John-Paul II came to Hull in Quebec in 1984, the local frame builders Cycle Bertrand gave him a bike too.

And of course it was gold plated!

I remember, I was so envious of the pope. Lucky bastard.

NOVEMBER 30, 2011 5:51 PM

As well as this picture:

"Throw it on the pile with the others," the Pope appears to be saying as he digs inside his hear for holy relics. Perhaps one day all these bikes will be liberated, at which point they will surely appear on eBay, and the new must-have hipster accessory will be a gilded "vintage" road ride with spurious papal pedigree. After that, it's only a matter of time before they start prattling on incessantly about their rides on an Internet forum called "Papal Bull." And then we'll start seeing the articles:

"It's a communion thing, you feel totally tithed to the bike."

I already miss the days when having a Pope bike meant something...

WORLD AIDS DAY MARKS 30 YEARS

WORLD AIDS DAY: 30 YEARS
SINCE BRITAIN'S FIRST DIAGNOSIS

www.telegraph.co.uk - On June 5th 1981, a medical journal in the States documented a mysterious illness that had killed five men in Los Angeles. It was the first reference to what would later be known as Aids and by December of that year - exactly 30 years ago this month - the first case of Aids was diagnosed in the UK. Today marks not only that anniversary, but also World Aids Day which, since 1988 has been observed around the world to commemorate those who have died from the disease and also to raise awareness of the issue and to raise funds for continued research into a possible cure and treatment. Over 86,500 people in the UK are currently living with HIV, part of a world-wide epidemic of which the World Health Authority (WHO) estimates more than 30 million adults and close to 3 million children are sufferers. In the last 30 years, Aids has claimed many lives in the UK and in 2011 86,500 are HIV positive, four times as many as in 1993.


Despite this, AIDS diagnoses have halved in the same time period thanks to advances in treatment as doctors have been able to combat the HIV virus with a growing armory of anti-retroviral medication. While 30 years ago an HIV/Aids diagnoses was seen as a death sentence, today HIV/AIDS is now considered a chronic condition rather than a fatal disease. This week the government announced it has launched a consultation about changing the current restrictions on doctors and dentists with HIV working in the NHS. A working group has recommended that those with HIV should be allowed to undertake “exposure prone procedures” provided they are taking antiretroviral drugs and are being monitored. There have been no reported transmissions in Britain, despite more than 25 cases in the last 12 years where a patient has been exposed to an HIV-infected doctor, dentist or other health worker. More than 10,000 patients have been tested.

Thursday, December 1st marks the 23rd anniversary of World AIDS Day, commemorating the 25 million people around the world who have died from the disease since the first reported cases in 1981.  There have been significant treatment advances since then and the number of people with HIV who get AIDS has decreased over time because of advances in medical care and ART. Still, more than 16,000 people with AIDS die each year. AIDS, caused by our erroneous living - especially irresponsible sex - oblige us to get conscious and change for better.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?

Every religious system every religious path that is actually authorized teaches how to clean your heart, how to purify your mind, how to see your true eternal self in the mirror of your consciousness. First thing is we have to stop throwing dirt in our mind by our activities. We should live according to ethical, moral principles. We should live in a spirit of service to others rather than exploitation of others. Within our society we follow four very very essential principles, no intoxications because intoxications destroy one’s physical and mental health and put huge amount of contamination to obscure our spiritual nature. We are already intoxicated by so many misconceptions. We want to wake up to our true self. We are responsible as human beings. No illicit sex. Today so many anxieties, so many diseases, so many frustrations are born of just unrestricted passion and lust. AIDS, Hepatitis, so many of these incurable diseases that are killing tens and millions are born of intoxication and illicit sex. Some warning is there. We are supposed to try to control our mind and senses.

Śrīla Radhanath Swami Mahārāja :

“Conquering The Greatest Enemy”

http://www.radhanathmaharaj.net/content/conquering-greatest-enemy-radhanath-swami

http://www.radhanath-swami.net/  -  http://radhanathswami.info/

Where There's Smoke There's ???

Most people say, "Where there's smoke, there's fire." I say, "Where there's smoke around a conservative, there are journalists furiously rubbing two sticks together."

This is Ann Coulter's assessment of the hatchet job performed on Herman Cain by the lamestream media in her article:

Once You Go Conservative Black, You Better Watch Your Back

This is a well written synopsis of the politics of personal destruction launched against my friend, Herman Cain. I am afraid the left may have succeeded in destroying this man as they hand us candidates like Romney or Gingrich. Indeed they fear Cain greatly. Imagine that, a well educated, highly successful black man who did not accept his place in society as a "victim" and never reached for a gubment handout. Of course they fear him.

Please go read Ann's article.

Hanging with Herman

Herman Cain is hanging in there, in spite of the lies and distortions that have been launched against him from the left and the establishment Republicans. I don't know if he'll last, but I sure won't vote for Romney or Gingrich and these are the ones the media talking heads are trying to convince us are in the game.

Even sweet Wifey is wavering. She told me the "woman" in her was saying Herman might be a dirty rat. Well, that's understandable when you hear it day after day. But you have to understand WHERE all this stuff is coming from. I am hanging with Herman until he is elected, defeated, or says he's done.

Newt Gingrich - Wrong for America

I am not a Ron Paul supporter, but his campaign came up with this on Newt Gingrich. It is very telling. It bothers me greatly that many are running around saying Newt is the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney, especially when we have some REAL conservative candidates out there. Herman Cain, Michele Bachmann, Rick Perry, or Rick Santorum are all infinitely better choices than Newt. Kick back and watch the video:

Glitters & Bows

These pictures were taken last weekend when it was very hard to take some good outfit pictures as it was quite a stormy day and my dress and properly styled hair were flying everywhere! So you can say it was a bit of a challenge.. Right now, I am still not feeling like my old self again, stupid flu! I am really tired of feeling sick and sitting at home all day.. But I am feeling a little bit

Tatoo Artists that have made their position on top 10 in USA

There are many tatto experts in various states of USA. They are doing good in their respective jobs and driving hundreds of customers by their works. Among these top tattoo artists working today here are the top 10 and have a look to their craftsmanship. They are Aaron Cain, Paul Booth, Nick Baxter, Ryan Dearringer, Carson Hill, Mike DeVries, Mike DeVries, Jesse Nesse, Bob Tyrrel, Brandon Bond and Guy Aitchison.

1. Aaron Cain:

Tattooing since 1991, Aaron Cain has developed the biomechanical tattoo style like few others.  Taking inspiration from the top tattooist and artist in his field Aaron Cain has risen to the top of the custom tattoo spectrum.  Cain’s tattoos can be distinguished by thick lines and hard edges amid the cluster that is biomechanical. Not only is he on the top of the tattooing field Cain produces a full line of custom tattoo equipment.

2. Paul Booth:

The name Paul Booth immediately brings images of death and mayhem to mind.  An established tattooist and artist Booth is well known in the tattoo industry for his almost lifelike portraits of everything evil. After devoting nearly twenty years of his life to the art of tattoo, where his is revered for his efforts to elevate the medium into the realm of fine art, Paul Booth has become a household name. His unparalleled dedication to the evolution of his craft has garnered him numerous awards around the globe, top tier magazine features (among them, many cover stories), public and television appearances including CNN, MSNBC, DISCOVERY, A&E, TLC, MTV and more.

3. Nick Baxter:

Nick Baxter is well known for his gorgeous large scale color tattoos.  “Tattoos are an exciting and especially rewarding medium to work in, as the personal interaction and displaying of the work is a large part of it. However, there are some visual limitations to working on skin, but a lot of the challenge and fun for me is to figure out effective ways around these, to try to push the genre to new heights and possibilities.” Baxter Says.

4. Ryan Dearringer:

Ryan Dearringer is an award winning, custom tattoo artist at Sacred Ink, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is among a new breed of tattoo artists, who attempt to blend art, in all its wonders and splendors, into the world of tattoo. He pulls inspiration for his tattoo work from all styles and influences of art, and attempts to push the boundaries of tattoo to new levels. Whether it be Portraits, Old School tattoos, New School tattoos, Graffiti style, or Fine art tattoos, Ryan has a way of making it work in an innovative manner. He believes that the core of what makes a tattoo artist great, is that they are an artist first, and a tattoo artist second. He approaches each and every tattoo design he creates in a similar manner.

 5. Carson Hill:

At just under 30 years old Carson Hill is a biomechanical master.  “My goal as an artist of any kind is to improve. To further understand dimensional reality, light and shadow and how it plays with all things, the complexity of simplicity, the depth of infinity, and so on, and interpret it into my work. To further define my subtle message through each artwork I bring into manifestation.” Hill says.

6. Mike DeVries:

A rather young addition to the ever competitive tattoo market, Mike DeVries has stood his ground as one of the top color tattooist in the country.  DeVries continues to create ultra realistic color tattoos that look as though they will jump off the skin at any minute.  Hoping to expand his abilities, to achieve the utmost realistic pieces on skin. “Portraits, animals and pin-ups are my favorite things to do; anything that is real.” Mike says.

7. Jesse Nesse:

Specializing in cover up tattoos as well as world renowned custom color tattoos, Jessee Nesse has risen to not only the top tattooist in Nebraska, but to the rank of top tattooist in his field.  Nuclear Ink Custom Tattoo first opened in the summer of 1999 located in South Omaha.  In 2000, it moved to it’s current location just north of 72nd and Dodge Street in Midtown.  The shop was started out as a shop exclusively for custom tattoos.

8. Bob Tyrrell:

Bob Tyrrell started tattooing at the tender age of 34, already a student of art, Tyrrell has risen to the top of the tattooing field with his insanely realistic black and grey portraits.  If you are in the market for a wickedly realistic tattoo then you should look no further then Bob Tyrrell.  The finished works of this tattooist look like they are ready to jump off the skin and join in conversation.

9. Brandon Bond:

Brandon Bond is one of the most successful, published, and award winning tattoo artists in the world. He is the owner of the thriving All or Nothing Tattoo empire in Atlanta, Georgia. He also owns a publishing company called Stranglehold which sells movies, books, clothing, artwork, and other tattoo related products. After 15 years of compulsive workaholism, Brandon still tattoos constantly, staying booked about a year in advance. Last year Brandon opened a second studio Anti Art Elite. Located northwest of Atlanta, GA.

10. Guy Aitchison:

Guy Aitchison is at the top of the biomechanical tattoo field.  He has produced some of the best large color biomech tattoos I’ve ever seen.  Torn between painting and tattooing he has created numerous works featured in top art and tattoo magizines. Guy believes tattooing is a very critical type of commercial art, where success or failure of any given project has very deep implications for the client. This forces an extra degree of dedication and flexibility on the part of the artist, and the clients’ participation helps maintain a flow of fresh ideas and images into the artist’s bag of tricks.