the racing union re-asserts it's position in the vanguard of the revolution in cycling.

while some are content to simply complain, we offer a series of proposals to help bring cycling into line with the values of it's participants.  we have no doubt the special interests (the predatory, capitalist cabal of promoters and the unanswering bureaucracy of our local association) will fight these proposals tooth and nail.  we seek nothing less than a revolution in cycling, an inversion of the existing power pyramid and a return of authority to cyclists.  we ask for the support of all of you towards these proposals, which we will advance at the annual meeting this fall.  help us bring a new day to cycling in the mid-atlantic.

proposal #1: independent verification and auditing of all mabra race results

there has been considerable concern regarding the timeliness and/or accuracy of race results. literally thousands of promoter/official hours are sunk into resolving whether racer x or racer y is really the appropriate recipient of 39th place.  given the absolutely critical importance of proper results data, the current levels of safeguards in place can hardly be deemed adequate.  we offer a three pronged solution to the current procedures in place

• retention of a subcontractor as a finish results auditor.
• creation of a mabra board member position: race results ombudsman
• creation of a paid mabra position: media archivist

finish results auditor: we propose that mabra contract with one of the big five accounting firms.  this firm would function as an external auditor to existing usac officials and their actions.  they would be formally tasked with validating the procedures and results used to generate unofficial and official race results.  they would function independently and would not answer to the mabra board, but rather to the racer ombudsman (described below).  the firm would also be tasked with providing quarterly reports of it's monitoring activities, and any resultant findings, to the racing community at large.

race results ombudsman: we propose that mabra create a full time, salaried board position to interface between officials, promoters and racers.  the disposition of this official would be to represent racers and advocate on their behalf.  the ombudsman would also be tasked with several additional functions.  the writing of a bi-weekly summary of activity would help racers to better understand how the race scoring process works, and what is being done to ensure that results are timely, accurate and fair.  full accounting of any arbitration activities would be described.  a monthly summary would also be prepared in advance for each mabra bod meeting so that this issue can receive the attention is deserves.

media archivist: since all race finishes are currently captured on video, and in light of the staggering volume of race paperwork that mabra and the uscf see fit to employ, it defies reason that the video tape from each race is not captured, stored, labelled and made available on the mabra web site.  this proposal seeks to create a full time, salaried archivist who will compile and catalog digital video of each race finish and produce and maintain a section of the mabra web site dedicated to the display of raw race finish footage.  this added layer of transparency should work in tandem with the previously mentioned measures to add confidence to the race reports that are currently generated. 

we find it important at this point to denote that this is not an attempt to denegrate the performance of mabra officials or the current mabra board of directors.  rather, these added measures and safeguards should serve to free up these harried volunteers to actually perform their existing tasks.  the newly created positions will bring an entire tier of dedicated staff to solving these crucial problems. 

the costs for this proposal will undoubtedly be tremendous.  but speaking rhetorically, is there any price that can be put on a true rendering of the achievement of each racer?  is there any price that can be affixed to verifying that the outcome of a given event is rendered with fidelity?  we believe the answer is no and humbly submit that this is not only a just but necessary change in mabra structure. 

proposal #2: mandatory drug testing at all mabra sanctioned events

there have been multiple claims over the last several years that certain riders are using performance enhancing products.  this is a damning charge.  the most unfortunate aspect of this type of charge is that it is impossible to negate.  there is no system in place to test for the presence of banned compounds at the local or regional levels of cycling.  while we firmly believe that drug use is not a problem at the local level, we can never be certain.  this uncertainty is what leads, in many cases, to speculation and, regrettably, character defamation.

given that there are clear rules regarding what cannot be taken (ref: www.usada.org) but virtually no enforcement, we propose that mabra adopt a demonstration program of testing.  the testing will follow current usada procedures and use approved facilities, as opposed to introducing new protocols or standards.  this is proposed as an increase in monitoring as opposed to a change in procedure.

after considerable discussion, we have two alternative proposals regarding whom the testing should be carried out on.  the first simply states that the top three in each field will provide samples according to current usada guidelines.  the samples would be collected by a uscf official who was on the race crew specifically to collect, inventory and manage these samples.  transfer of the samples would be accomplished by the official under the oversight of the chief referee and in coordination with the labaratory which would be processing the samples.  an alternative proposal, which would admittedly be substantially cheaper, would be to only test those racers in category 5 and juniors events.  the rationale for this is that an active intervention with beginning cyclists will yield the most benefits in the long run, and deterrence and behaviour modification with experienced cyclists is not as likely to offer the same return on investment.  our preference would be a more thorough testing regimen that covered all fields, but we acknowledge that the substantial costs that mabra will inevitably bear in conducting this important and necessary monitoring will cause people to look for ways to make the process easier. 

we believe that supporting this initiative will help to instill confidence that races are being conducted on an even playing field.

proposal #3: promoters must offer child care both before and during master's events

many cyclists are unable to participate in events because of family committments.  the inability to find a babysitter, a last minute cancellation, a relative who suddenly takes sick; any one of these could be the cause of a race day no-show.  we propose that promoters must retain the services of licensed, bonded babysitters who can look after children while racers are registering, warming up, racing and cooling down. 

this proposal has two clear benefits.  first, cyclists can race without worry about arrangements for care of their young ones.  they need not worry about whether their plans will be shifting at the last minute.  secondly, this will clearly help to make events more family friendly.  some children dread the inevitable death march to and from the race.  in place of current situation which ranges from abandonment to forced child labor in feed zones, we will see constructive games and educational diversions.  for younger kids, multimedia programs concerning alternative transportation can be made available.  for older kids, learning how to score a race or replace a bottom bracket might offer a step up in moving on the next level of becoming a helpful uscf official or mechanic. 

we ask for your support in this proposal which we see as a win-win situation for kids and parents.

proposal #4: creation of a casual dress code for all cyclists while at at mabra events

mabra has, over the last several years, sought sponsorship for both races and ranking systems such as the bar.  in seeking this sponsorship, mabra has sought to assure potential sponsors that the racing demographic overlaps with their intended customer base.  the racing union strongly disavows the contention that sponsorship is beneficial to amateur sports.  our manifesto lays out a very clear case for this.  however, we support the goal of improving races and racing throughout the mid-atlantic.  to that end, and given that mabra is insistent on pursuing sponsorship, we feel that mabra can, and should, do considerably more to help ensure that  the race day environment is appealing to potential sponsors. 

in looking for actions which can be taken, one need not re-invent the wheel.  other sports have confronted these issues and have come up with well thought out solutions which we can implement immediately.  the best example of this is the recent decision by the national basketball association to institute a casual dress policy for all athletes who are at an event, in any capacity, but not explicitly suited to take the court.  the dress code itself is described here and examples of it's newsworthiness are found here and here.

many cyclists attend events in a number of capacities.  they may be in the feed zone, waiting to help their teammates with nutrition or hydration.  they may be spectators, who were shut out of electronic registration but want to see their peers lock horns on the gridiron.  or they may be racing three races that day and find themselves killing the 4 hours between the end of their last event and the start of their next event. 

in all of these cases, having the cyclists adopt a business casual dress code would ensure a professional looking atmosphere for the event.  the popular image of cyclists as goatee-sporting, mountain dew swilling, pierced and tattoo having gen x-ers is not bringing in one red cent.  only by showing that mabra is truly committed to presenting cycling as a mature, urbane, socially representative sport, can we possibly move ahead in acquiring the millions of sponsorship dollars needed to advance the sport locally.

there is a precedent for this proposal.  uscf officials are adamant and vocal in mandating that any and all cyclists at a race who are on a bike must have a helmet.  this is regardless of whether they are currently racing, racing at another time, or not racing at all during the day but merely spectating.  our proposal is entirely in keeping with the spirit of this rule; it's only the item(s) or garment(s) in question that are being regulated. 

summary: the racing union seeks your support in adopting these proposals, and some subsequent proposals we will roll out shortly.  we will, to a limited extent, consider feedback, potential modifications or amendments.  however, we feel the proposals are very well reasoned and articulated.  those cyclists considering major modifications should submit alternative proposals as per the guidelines provided by the mabra secretariat in advance of the meeting. 

racing union communication: fd5437-hf6-86jfut

date of issue: 05/01/2005, day 132 of the revolution

begin communicaiton

the supreme council for the revolution in cycling and social order issues the red star for sacrifice towards the cause to comrades line and rottier.  this is issued for their racing persistence in the face of injury.  these citizens are demonstrating the principles of the union through their actions, and serve as worthy role models for all young pioneers who aspire to race.  they are heroes of the union.

end communication

sometimes it seems as if you woke up in a foreign land.  everyone is speaking a different language, you don't recognize the streets or buildings.  the culture is alien, and your racing union issued rubles, which weren't much use before, are now totally useless as they do not seem to buy anything.  that's sort of where i am at.  have you seen this shit? 

it seems like the national gestalt is that things are going to hell so you just do whatever you please.  and this actually maps onto the behaviour and views of cyclists as exhibited during most group rides, commutes, training session, et. al. that I come into contact with.  stop sign?  so what.  sprinting over the yellow line into oncoming traffic?  de rigeur!  riding ten abreast on small country roads with 20-30 cars lined up behind you honking?  you betcha!

this is not a trend you can buck.  rather, this is a wave, a veritable tsunami of lawlessness, that I would recommend that all good citizens ride with vigor.  it may be a race to the bottom, but it will be fun, and good intentions won't get you far as things deteriorate.  I recommend that people act, forthwith, to assert their independence from authority.  if this is the way the jackals want it, i say we give it to them. 

please consider this blog post to function effectively as my signing statement.  i hereby assert that the various state, local and federal entities have conspired to control transportation systems and that this control is inherently outside the scope of their legal authority.  i assert that i retain the sole authority to determine limits on my cycling.  the current system of traffic control which includes but is not limited to lane markings, stop signs, traffic lights, curbs, speed limits fundamentally infringes on my rights as a citizen.  my interpretation of my rights of citizenship include the decision making authority regarding when, where and how i ride my bicycle.  though i acknowledge that the laws have been passed by various local, state and federal legislatures, i do not accept their authority over me in this matter.  i hold that i am the only source of limits regarding how and where i ride my bicycle.

i futher assert that the sanctioning body for cycling in the us has exceeded their authority to dictate details of how one may particiapte in activities.  no sleeveless jerseys??!!  how can it be the case that they can tell you whether your arms are covered with a spandex/poly blend.  next they'll be instituting a raglan cut with their usac logo prominently placed, and which derailleur to ride or tire to use.  while acknowledging that these rules are in the rulebook, i follow the president's noble lead in clarifying the jurisdiction i allow over my actions.  in accepting my usac license, i offer a statement that i do not agree with the usac interpretation that they may set rules regarding helmets, field limits, clothing, penalties, event scoring, event permits, prizes, payouts, start of a race, or rider conduct.  i believe that these rules are an infringement on my rights as a rider and racer and I emphatically reject them. 

as a general summary, i assert sole authority to make rules regarding how and when my actions can be controlled.  it seems to work for the current administration, so i'm hopeful it will work for me as well.

- - - posted by scott

on wednesday night, i had a very enjoyable ride at hains point with comrades josh and alec.  the weather was really nice and we just sort of rolled around, chatting and telling jokes.  we ran into squadra coppi president, brother kosta, who worked with us on the quicksilver winter solstice series.  we talked about revolution, and getting the word out to the people. 

thursday night, i made the herndon ride by the skin of my teeth.  I managed to fill two bottles and roll into the parking lot just as the riders were heading out.  the first hour of the ride was, unfortunately, defined for me by my inability to part with some excess fluids which I had built up.  I tried to jump up ahead but the pack was moving fairly quickly.  it ended up becoming a crisis.  i stopped with some other riders and ended up having to chase.  I am formally referring one of our brethren to the supreme council for adjudicating cycling actions on the charge of "leaving a brother behind while he has stopped to pee and making him chase".  the council rarely smiles upon such actions.

however, the unifying feature of both rides was the talk of social change amongst the riders.  it seems clear the message of the revolution is gaining traction.  one cynic quipped that we are proselytizing into lactic acid-addled minds in an attempt to sneak our message by.  this is patently false and we reject this claim in the strongest possible terms.  the message of the racing union stands on its own merits, and though it does not find fertile ground in all minds, will eventually be recognized by all as prevailing wisdom.  if sending someone across to the break so they can remind those riders about the message of the union is considered wrong, we don't want to be right.

today we start moving into phase 2 of our communications operation.  below is a wallet sized manifesto. 

it's would be ideal for a small desktop frame, to show your co-workers that your loyalty to the party is not in doubt.  it can be laminated and slipped into a jersey pocket.  you can share it with people at rest-stops or on the trail.  you can give it to children or fellow cyclists when you stop to help them fix a flat tire.

bring the word of the racing union to the people. 

- - - posted by scott

i have previously described the differences between those communities that are receptive to alternative transportation and those that are not.  for those with a short memory, prior posts can be found here and with considerably more detail here.  the latter post had voluminous links to alternative transportation coordinators, planning maps, bicycle asset maps, etc.  the former post has a very simple graphic which i feel perfectly captures the gestalt of this issue:

there was also a small shout-out to a local group that is doing a tremendous job at advocacy: fairfax advocates for better bicycling or FABB.  their staff has been working very hard to bring about change, and it appears that they are having some success.  peep this:

Dear Racing Union:

Thank you for your email  letting the me know of your support for funding bicycle items as part of the County's budget. I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the Board's actions regarding these funding items (collectively known as Fairfax County's "Comprehensive Bicycle Initiative" or CBI) in the County's FY07 Budget.

Following my initial request in December 2005, staff from the County's Department of Transportation provided cost estimates for these various elements of the CBI in time for them to be considered during this year's budget cycle.

On February 27, 2006, when County Executive Anthony Griffin presented his proposed FY2007 Budget to the Board of Supervisors, I moved that funding for the CBI become the first Consideration Item put before the Board as it deliberated the County's budget for the upcoming year.

I am pleased that, when the Board marked-up the County Executive's Proposed FY07 Budget on April 24, funding was included for a Bicycle Coordinator position along with $375,000 allocated to provide an inventory of County bicycle facilities and to develop a Fairfax County Bicycle Facilities Map. I have also met with staff from the County's Department of Transportation and have asked that funding for bicycle projects be included in the Transportation Bond scheduled to go before voters in November 2007. The bicycle projects selected for the bond will be identified as part of the inventory of facilities that the Board is funding in the FY07 Budget.

I am committed to the viability of bicycling as a means of transportation in Fairfax County and appreciate your giving me the opportunity to share with you the Board's actions on this subject.

Sincerely-

Gerry Connolly, Chairman

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors

 

- - - begin communication

several inquiries on the status of an earlier posting, and the individual responsible, have been logged.  the secret ministry of openness and education in the furtherance of just causes is in the process of  "interviewing" a racing union representative and is slowly helping him to understand the virtues of message discipline.  to call this person a dissident would be to engage in wild hyperbole. 

unfortunately, there have been various media reports indicating there was a detention; characterizing the results as censorship, or worse yet, hinting at abusive interrogation.  the ministry disavows this, in the strongest possible terms, as vicious propoganda and lies most likely initiated by bourgeois cycling clubs with far less committment to changes in cycling and the social order.  the writer in question is being "hosted" in the basement of the ministry's complex and is making tremendous strides in harmonizing his expression with that of the cycling vanguard. 

an exceedingly brief appearance before a "magistrate" earlier this afternoon offered an opportunity for this photo, clearly showing the robust condition of the person in question.  this image has been digitally modified to protect his identity.

the ministry further seeks to warn those who would pursue this story that truth and openness is a principal goal and it can only be served by vigilantly policing the public and private statements of all cyclists. 

- - - end of communciation

WHEREAS earlier today it was discovered by the Ministry of Truth and the Secret Ministry of Openness and Education in the Furtherance of Just Causes that a comrade in good standing of the Union and of the proletariat at large contributed in good faith to the ongoing efforts to spread the word of our cause in a way that has been deemed upon extensive review at the highest levels of the revolution to reach the outer edges of efficacy and honorable discharge of his service; and

WHEREAS the material in question has now been removed to the archives of the Secret Ministry of Openness and Education in the Furtherance of Just Causes; and

WHEREAS the comrade has responded with contemplative and earnest attribution of responsibility and a great love of the Union;

BE IT HERE KNOWN that penance for such offense has been meted out in the form of three weeks of twice weekly LT workouts to consist of 2 x 20 minutes with 5 minute recovery, after completion of which the comrade in question will be reinstated as a beloved brother, with all the rights, privileges and honors thereunto appertaining.

[Image Removed by the Secret Ministry of Openness and Education in the Furtherance of Just Causes]

планирование гонки(расы) велосипеда продолжается. наши силы огромны, но наши препятствия являются очень большими. обязательство всеми обязано вызывать победу, достойную нашей великолепной причины

это - день для очень больших усилий. многие пострадают. будет боль. но также будет слава. причина требует жертву от всех.

величие - там для тех, кто рисковал бы кое-чем. не будьте пассивны. стремьтесь к огромным подвигам. мечта о великолепных победах. участвуйте в гонках храбрая гонка(раса).

- - - posted by scott

in response to the request by the supreme council for propagation of message and truth (solicting suggestions for a patriotic anthem celebrating the revolution in cycling), an anonymous sympathizer submitted this stirring song: 

Youth of Racing Union (to the tune of "Men of Harlech")

Racing Union, still undaunted,
Banners to the sky are flaunted.
Daring hearts and hands are wanted,
Onward! Seek the light.

Racing Union, never yielding,
Swords of truth and courage wielding.
Name of honor ever shielding,
Battle for the right.

Tear the false asunder,
<stomp, stomp>
Trample error under,
<stomp, stomp>

Let valor fly in all the sky,
And virtue speak in thunder...

Racing Union, squad of glory,
Make her name live on in story.
Let the echoes ring back bravely:
Racing Union, fight!

the supreme council for propagation of message and truth was very moved by this ode, inspired by the very principles of the racing union which we all hold dear in our hearts.  the supreme council also liked the part where they got to stomp their feet and thought that this might also appeal to today's youth, the fruit of the union.  indeed, the racing union does rock.

- - - posted by josh

i have a really nice frame.  unfortunately, this past winter, I had a bottom bracket cup fail.  in failing, it just went ahead and toasted the threading in the frame at the same time.  tres bon.  you've all heard the joke about the $599 power amplifier that fries itself to save a $1.39 fuse?  same deal.  the frame is a very nice quattro assi.  and other than the fact that I cannot ride it because i cannot put a crank into it, i'm really happy with the frame.  so what to do?  i frankly regarded the issue as hopeless but was unwilling to part with the frame.  others were notably more optimistic.  principally, i offer a compliment to dr. tim barry who was gracious enough to point me to reviews, possible vendors and offer a small amount of email banter about the likelihood of this working.  i still was not entirely convinced.  i sought out the best mechanical advice i could find. 

deep within the bowels of the racing union commend bunker, well below the plaza de la revolucion, and far outside of any sort of deep-bunker-busting-tactical-weaponery range, i put the revolution's finest minds, the brain trust and science team, to work.  we drydocked the frame and a thorough evaluation was conducted using the most advanced methods. 

in order to fix this, we elected to use a yst bb993 68 x 113 threadless. 

we picked it up fairly cheap from bike tools etc.  it's a full 100 grams heavier than an ultegra octalink bottom bracket, so those of you who are allergic to excess grams will get the hives.  but honestly, at this point where my frame hangs inert on the wall, weight is hardly the issue is it?

in this picture, the bottom bracket is actually reversed.  the threading should go on the left side, but it gives you the gestalt.  the basic approach here is that if you have toasted the threads in the bottom bracket shell on the frame, this will still work. the cups have no external threads so they just slide right in.  for those of you who are curious, you do not need to mill out the threads to get the cups to go in.  they do not need to be pushed or clamped or pressed.  the bottom bracket will be held in place by the tension you produce by screwing the two halves together.

installation is a snap.  the two pieces just slide in.  i elected to use a little bit of the green phil wood grease on the internal threads

you can use a standard shimano bb tool to install it. 

two technical notes.  one thing to note is that if you really plan to tension this thing, you might need two bottom bracket tools.  remember that usually, one side of the bottom bracket seats itself into the frame so you only need to tension one side.  with this product, that's not the case.  the cups can spin in the frame under sufficient torque durign installation.  it does nto appear that this would happen during normal operaiton as the spindle spis free int he housing which is in the frame. 

an altogether more subtle issue is one of installation torque.  you work on bikes for a while and you sort of develop a feel for how much torque something requires.  aluminum on aluminum, steel on aluminum, steel on steel, etc.  this one is tricky.  you don't get quite the same feedback you expect.  knowing you want the bottom bracket to be rock solid, a natural inclination is to really torque this thing down, but you're unsure how strong the threads are.

and this leads us to the ineviable mcgyver moment.  the bottom bracket is not designed the way others are.  i have been trying to figure out how to describe this, and i can't think of a really clear way so i'll just go with what i've got.  the borttom bracket has two pieces: the right side shell and spindle with attached cup and the left side cup which threads onto the shell.  here's the catch.  it's not the case that the right side (shell and spindle) is firmly attached to the cup.  they are attached, and they won't come apart, but if you hold the cup, you can actually move the spindle and shell laterally and foreward and backward.  the only way to remove the play in the spindle/shell is to properly tension the cups.

you may ask why this is an issue and why i'm going on and on about it.  after installing the bottom bracket (effortless and easy by the way) i realized that at the maximum level of torque that i was willing to put into the bottom bracket, it did not take the lateral or fore/aft play out of the spindle and shell.  i checked the installation again and everything looked good.  i needed the shells to be bit closer to take the play out of the spindle.  and so here's the rub.  generally, you get a bottom bracket based on the spindle width, but in this particular case, it appears that the product shoudl be ordered based on the dimenensions of the bottom bracket shell of the frame.

i tried the inevitable mcgyver.  i used a dremel to ever so slightly reduce the outer diameter of a 1" spacer for a headset to try to make a spacer to take up the slack (i.e. help fill the space so that the spindle and bb body shell would be isolated and positioned).  this was more of an attempt to see if i could get the thing working than to come up with a long term solution. 

as an aside to people who are inclined to these types of operations, you'll find that dremels and light aluminum spacers are a bad idea.  the things heat up like mad when you are grinding them down and i suspect the material is becoming exceedingly brittle as a result of "heat treatment".  i had two of them crack.  ironicaly, this was helpful.  i ground down the ends, twisted them and used them like a locking washer up inside the cups of the bottom bracket.

it's entirely possible that the bb shell size is a bit too large for my frame and obtaining a smaller size (109.5 or even less) would work.  i have sort of looked into this option.  you can probably tell from my description that this device only works if you can get it tightened just the right amount.  it looks as if one threading revolution is good for about 1 - 1.5mm.  in my frame, I could turn the left side (tensioning) cup 3.5 revolutions.  when i put the thing together ouside the bike, it takes 4.5 - 4.75 revolutions before the thing is tight.  hnce the spacer idea.  another option is to ream the frame and try to reduce the frame bb shell width or bore out part of the frame to allow the wedge shaped cups to enter the frame slightly farther.

I'll continue today with a search for a washer that is the correct size.  my son and I are headed to home depot for chicken wire to use as a base in fabricating a paper mache nascar body shell for one of his (almost) life size cars.  we'll look for a suitable washer and report back later. 

- - - posted by scott

there's been some news and some odds and ends.  seemed like an appropriate time to write some of them up.  this past weekend was a cause for celebration as two of the unions's most stalwart members saw their children (nils and ryleigh) start riding without training wheels.  congratulations to them.  the fruit of the union is truly taking it to the streets.  please drive appropriately now that you know.  my own son, regrettably, has decided to keep his training wheels on.  regrettable because it's not that he needs them, but that he perceives them as some sort of weapon with which to ram other cyclists.  principally me.  maybe hockey would be a better outlet for him.  in addition, alec rottier was spreading the message on the rock creek ride.  his stylish che t-shirt put the lycra clad to shame.  i only wish i had remembered to bring the little laminated manifestos to hand out.

the weekend news was not all good however.  aric line notified us late friday night that he would miss the saturday rock creek ride.  he had some abdominal discomfort and was going to get it checked out.  saturday afternoon, he was being prepped for surgery to remove his appendix.  for those unfamiliar, here's a schematic:

and just to give you extra value for your blog dollar, here's a dramatic re-enactment of what it must have looked like while the doctors were fishing around inside him to get that thing out.  pretty icky, but then that's why they get paid the big dollars.

the bad news receded quickly.  aric came through fine and actually appeared to be healing at a phenomenal rate.  brother alec completed his first full day of comuting on tuesday and notified us that aric was back on the bike and commuting in to work.  i was dumbfounded and needed to re-read the message several times, but there was no mistake.  but wait, it gets better.  aric emails me thursday morning and tells me he will be at the herndon ride.  amazing.  the guy was out cold being operated on the previous saturday and by thursday, he is hammering off the front of the thursday ride.  that was no mean feat and I have the power meter data to back that claim up.  it was hilarious.  I ended up watching as he soloed away with doctor craig.  i was too amazed to talk any smack, but i guess that just gives me a chance to save it up for next time.

now my real suspicion is that they didn't just pull out his appendix.  my guess is that aric opted for the removal of a number of other extraneous organs (heck, who needs two of those things??!!) and a bunch of connective tissue.  we've all been on aric about his weight.  i secretly suspect that there may have been some pre-op payoff to help yield a better power to weight ratio.  we'll put a crack team on that and report back soon.

a number of us will be at columbia this weekend.  regrettably, the new uniforms have not yet arrived.  we will probably debut them at poolesville and bunny hop.  if anyone else has news to share, post it in the comments.

- - posted by scott

Usted mejor lo mira. bastante pronto, la revolución girará la rueda social

all card-carrying members of the revolution in cycling rush to embrace the three primary virtutes: people, power and pedals.  however, there is a fourth virtue which is more subtle than other three.  pravda.  our ministry for the propogation of message works tirelessly to help bring the glorious word of the revolution to the people.  by continuously repeating the message that all citizens must participate in this voluntary endeavor, we move forward in our work to reshape local cycling activities and social structure and governance.  these comunciations, whose consumption is compulsory, make clear to all citizens how wonderful the mandatory choice of the union is.

when it comes to bringing the word to the people, the union takes second chair to no entity.  period.  however, recently, a dangerous shot was flung across the prow of the s.s. racing union.  at the annual easter egg roll, a number of children were suited up and sang several verses of a new patriotic ditty:

“Our country’s stood beside us
People have sent us aid.
Katrina could not stop us, our hopes will never fade.
Congress, Bush and FEMA
People across our land
Together have come to rebuild us and we join them hand-in-hand!”

while not choosing to contest the facts that are asserted in this jingle, at this time, the union takes this gratuitous use of children singing smarmy propoganda as a direct challenge to its clear superiority in pravda and pravda-related activities.  (technical note: the supreme council for propogation of message and truth doesn't so much object to the gratuitous use of children singing smarmy propoganda as to the fact that we didn't come up with the idea first) 

an immediate gathering of the supreme council for propogation of message and truth was called at the racing union command bunker to map strategies for countering this potent new mind control weapon communication tool.  various options were considered.  plans are currently being put in place to better understand this new offensive and how it can be countered and it's power can be brought to bear for our the purposes of enhancing the revolution in cycling.

unbeknownst to us, at the same time, a parallel front was emerging.  it began with various public officials and private citizens making misleading characterizations of our manifold and benevelont educational materials.  regrettably, this soon evolved into a full frontal attack on our very ideology. 

this will not stand.  the union accepts this challenge, this direct confrontation.  the supreme council for propogation of message and truth hereby solicits suggestions for a patriotic anthem celebrating the revolution in cycling.  all contributions are encouraged and those cyclist/citizens whose contributions are incorporated into the final product will receive an extra ration of cytomax by order of the supreme council.  video will be produced of young children, dressed in uniforms, celebrating the message of the union and singing the anthem.  the union wishes to complete this endeavor by may day so that children can participate in the patriotic activities celebrating our glorious cause.  all responsible citizens must comply with this voluntary edict soliciting suggestions.  the future of the union may be at stake.  the revolution calls all it's children to their very best efforts.

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