Friday, October 12, 2007

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Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Fwd: Local Boy gets quoted in Big city Paper

Forwarded Conversation
Subject: Local Boy gets quoted in Big city Paper
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From: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007 at 9:57 AM

It was windy so dont diss my time!!!!!

--
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.

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From: drianne.tolliver@gatewaycdi.com <drianne.tolliver@gatewaycdi.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007 at 10:01 AM

Look my very own celebrity!!!
Drianne Tolliver
Special Order
Customer Service Representative

GatewayCDI
909 North 20th Street
Saint Louis, MO 63106
314-535-1888 ext.323
drianne.tolliver@gatewaycdi.com
http://www.gatewaycdi.com/
BUILD YOUR BRAND
[Quoted text hidden]

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From: Kalsa, Craig <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>
To: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007 at 10:23 AM

You mean the wind was at your back? J

Congratulations! A sub-3/hr 40 miles is good without wind! Was it flat? I rode yesterday just over 40 mi (easy hills) in 2:12, in miserable conditions; lots of rain, strong winds and powerful gusts (the side gusts were dangerous). The headwind coming back was so bad I rode the last 20 mi for 15 minutes longer than the first 20. So you see; you're doing great. And a rising journalism star, as well. Riding with a group yet?

My intention for yesterday's ride was easy work, high cadence; an easy tempo ride. I ended with an 86 av. cadence, fast for me. By the way, the reason I chose an easy tempo ride is because I rode 91 mi in 5:01 Saturday, with 3 stops. I was tired; I slept a total of about 12 hrs yesterday.

Love,

Dad


From: Dan Parker [mailto: hungbrain@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 10:58 AM
To: Kalsa, Craig; EILEEN CALLAGHAN; mailto:drianne.tolliver@gatewaycdi.com; dougtihen@gmail.com; jnicole214@aol.com
Subject: Local Boy gets quoted in Big city Paper

It was windy so dont diss my time!!!!!

--
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.


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From: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
To: "Kalsa, Craig" <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007 at 10:49 AM

Dad,
All rides in Central Illinois are flat...I did my first century(Metric) the next day came in just over 4 hours, extremely windy, similar situation the last 20 miles took 90 minutes. I know what you mean about side gusts, I'm glad I had 2 full bottles on the frame as opposed to the old hydro-pack. I am wiped today and oddly my neck is killing me. Not sure if its from keeping my head down for 22 miles or the from the one time I looked up and the wind caught my visor and snapped my head back. I guess there is no tricks for the wind, just get stronger. There were some hills on this ride and I found my self catching up to people on them, carbon rules!!!, but I don't seem to transition well at the summit, any advice there?
I feel comfortable enough with my pace now that I will start riding with the bike shop on Saturdays. I'm curious what your typical breakfast is on the morning of a long ride? I always eat good the night before, but I think I could benefit from a bigger breakfast.
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From: Kalsa, Craig <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>
To: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007 at 11:28 AM

Son,

Saving enough for the summit is the basic trick. Stay in the saddle and gear way down for a high cadence. If you're in a hurry and aren't worried about all of the rest of the hills for the day, then for the last minute of the climb, kick the gears up and stand and attack but gear it so your cadence does not drop under 70 or 80 and your heart does not go anaerobic. As your condition improves, try moving the time out to 2 or 3 minutes. Then go for 20. Anyway, that's what I do sometimes, use whatever works.

I have only a banana and a cup of tea with soy milk if I'm riding within an hour of waking, which is usually the case (it's also usually early too, before I normally get an appetite e.g., I left at 06:30 both weekend days). The ride then determines how much and what I put in my pockets and bottles. But I don't necessarily recommend what I do; I recommend eating something easy on the stomach and to prepare, has the right carbs/protein, and is low-residue (doesn't create a lot of shit). Oatmeal with walnuts and whatever else you might like is high pro and complex carb and a hassle to prepare. Highly recommended is a lean med-rare steak; it is quite tasty, a great way to kick off a hard day, with the added benefit of low-residue.

Eat on or off the bike, or both, but eat right for you. (No, I don't have a low-residue list.)


From: Dan Parker [mailto: hungbrain@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 11:50 AM
To: Kalsa, Craig
Subject: Re: Local Boy gets quoted in Big city Paper

[Quoted text hidden]

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From: jnicole214@aol.com <jnicole214@aol.com>
Date: Mon, Jun 4, 2007 at 1:08 PM


Impressive! You made the paper.

When are we all getting lunch again?

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Parker <mailto:hungbrain@gmail.com>
To: Kalsa, Craig <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>; EILEEN CALLAGHAN
<mailto:eileencallaghan@sbcglobal.net>; drianne.tolliver@gatewaycdi.com
<mailto:drianne.tolliver@gatewaycdi.com>; dougtihen@gmail.com
<mailto:dougtihen@gmail.com>; jnicole214@aol.com <mailto:jnicole214@aol.com>
Sent: Mon, 4 Jun 2007 9:57 am
Subject: Local Boy gets quoted in Big city Paper






http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/illinoisnews/story/D307AC931A713F78862572EF000F3736?OpenDocument


It was windy so dont diss my time!!!!!

--
Of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.





________________________________________________________________________
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free
from AOL at AOL.com.
=0

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From: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 6:54 AM

I think a happy hour is better, I don't see myself getting down that way for lunch soon, even meeting half way is a long drive. But set something up and I will be there. Best to leave the happy hour plans to me seeing as how you can't handle your liqour and all. : - )
-dp
Ps
Would you be interested in doing some training rides in the area? Or riding on our team this year?

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--
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From: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 7:00 AM

HA! hardly, I'm just a humble pedal pumper that likes to raise awareness to alternate forms of transportation.
-dp

[Quoted text hidden]

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From: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
To: "Kalsa, Craig" <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 7:01 AM

mmmm Steak, thats what they have in 'A Sunday in Hell'.
[Quoted text hidden]

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From: Kalsa, Craig <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>
To: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 7:37 AM

That's right! Breakfast of champions…


From: Dan Parker [mailto: hungbrain@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 2007 8:02 AM

[Quoted text hidden]

[Quoted text hidden]

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From: Kalsa, Craig <craig.kalsa@bankofamerica.com>
To: Dan Parker <hungbrain@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 5, 2007 at 8:34 PM

Hey – maybe we should post these exchanges to your blog?


From: Dan Parker [mailto: hungbrain@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 11:50 AM
To: Kalsa, Craig
Subject: Re: Local Boy gets quoted in Big city Paper

[Quoted text hidden]

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Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Ultegra components

I'm not sure if I mentioned in a previous post but my Trek that was suppose to have full Ultegra components came from the factory with a 105 front derailleur. Well the bike shop called yesterday and they are making good by replacing it with the original. I have to say I am very pleased with them for making this effort, they should be able to get the cadence sensor working as well now.

I have not rode this week at all and probably won't until the weekend.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Weekend Rides

Saturday

I got a late start today because as I was getting my gear ready I was startled by a large crash in my backyard. Upon investigating I found that a very large limb had fallen and landed landed on the neighbors fence, knocking a section down. This of course attracted the crowd of old men that such an event will do. After a lot of 'You oughta's' and a few 'Yeps' we got the mess cleaned up. It was starting to get close to noon and I was anxious to go on my ride before the trail got busy with walkers and other slow moving traffic.

I arrived at the parking lot, quickly got my bike out, checked the tires, and threw on my jersey, and I was off. Started getting data from the computer right away. I was able to get up to 22mph with ease and held that speed for most of the ride. There are some parts where the trail goes condition 2 and this affected the overall average speed of the ride which was in the end 15.4mph over a 24 mile ride. The trip timer read 1:23 and I have not noticed yet if it stops tracking time if I stop for an extended break, you know long traffic lights. New shoes feel great, and I hit a good rhythm pedaling. There were times that it even felt like the 'shuffle' so many pros talk about. Unfortunately I do not have cadence data as the rear sensor is still not working.

Sunday

Today was the kick off event for the MS150. I had some issues that I will post from an e-mail to a friend recalling the days events.

"Well you should have come to the ride you can have been there when I locked my keys, wallet, cell phone and most importantly my helmet! in the car. They wouldn't let me ride without it so I had to wait around for a locksmith. I started the ride almost a full hour after the main group. So it was a sprint for me just to get to the half way/turn around point 17.5 miles away. My team captain said "I was drinking last night so you should catch me" BULLSHIT! Even though I was pumping at 20mph the whole way...OK when I turned into the wind I slowed to 15-17mph but even that is moving for me...I didn't catch them until the last stretch just before the finish line. Nice catering and cold beer for the riders made up for it. "








Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Rain Rain Go Away

Pretty steady down pour today. Forecast is for more of the same until Sunday. It did clear up in the early evening just long enough to test the shops recent adjustments to the computer and the pedal float. I clipped into the right pedal first and what last time had been a very stiff setup was now a nice degree of float. Clipping into the left pedal was harder than last time, but the setup was the same as the right. Feeling good with the work I headed into the rain & wind. I didn't get far before I started to get data from the front sensor. The timer started, as did the odometer. The main display constantly shows speed and this information was also coming through, this then populated the average speed data. When I scrolled to the cadence it was showing 0 as before. This didn't change as I got up to speed. Dejected by this and the weather and promptly turned around and head back to the car.

Note: I didn't fall, and the power I was able to generate while riding into the rain and the wind was nice

This weekend is MS150 Spring kick off ride.

Monday, April 30, 2007

pffft! Bike Computers

  • Ok I got the bike back from the shop today. They installed a wireless computer and some hand-me-down clipless pedals I also picked up a pair of Nike road shoes. Got to the trail and played around in the parking lot clipping in and out. Thanks to Matt at The Cyclery for the advice. I felt like I got the hang of it so I headed north on the MCT Schoolhouse trail. Its only about 500 feet to the first intersection. The traffic light gods were not with me and I forced to come to a stop, busy time right about 5:30. I of course fell. For some reason I got it in my head I needed to stop and un-clip all in some grand single movement. No big deal, I feel stupid enough in the clothes. After crossing I started messing with the computer. I brought up the cadence first as it's what I'm most interested in...68...I stepped it out...74...80...83....444...2359...holy shit this bikes fast. The cadence then dropped back to normal, but kept jumping to crazy numbers. I scrolled to some of the other features, mph 0, time of ride 0, ride distance 0. Great I was getting no data from the front sensor and there was something wrong with the back one. It was a hot one today so I grabbed a water bottle and took a drink, as I was putting the bottle back I was paying more attention to the computer screen and my pedaling stoke, and drobbed the bottle. So I checked over my shoulder slowed down and did a U turn. Slowing to the spot of error I forgot about being clipped in and fell. These falls aren't bad as you are at the point of stopping and doing 0.001 mph, thats a guess since my new device isn't working. Now after returning to a more vertical riding position I was getting no data from either sensor. Maybe trying to learn how to ride with shoes and play with a new toy was to much. So no ride information this round either. No wait here is the raw data: It was hot, I fell a lot. But I was able to generate tons more power and think I should be able to immediately add 10+ miles to every ride.

Sunday, April 29, 2007

Setup mobile blogging today. Posting pictures from rides should be easier, but poor quality. Went on another short ride yesterday 25-30 miles. My right knee hurts a bit but other than the ride went fine. The Bike shop called and let me know the computer I ordered is in so I will head over there and have it installed along with the set of SPD pedals and possibly pick up a new pair of shoes, or may just stick with the Sidi's I have.

Having the computer will let me start to upload ride data, that paired with some mms messages taken during rides should make for some nice posts.