http://www.idkfa.com/v3 idkfa: syndicated http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=6901 It's alright. I figure if I'm gone too long, they'll realize that my stuff works too well, and is too well documented and tested for those that come after us, and that I'm not needed any more. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:59:16 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=6901 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=6900 That's a not great way of doing leave time. We have everyone submit leave time at the same time for the upcoming year. And then decisions are made based off a number of factors, including seniority. However we make sure the same person doesn't have all the "good" days off (around holidays, spring break, etc) every year or even twice in a year. We have two support staff, the most senior person doesn't get the week around Thanksgiving and around Christmas off every year, we make her alternate. Otherwise it really sucks and you can have someone whose been there a decade but is still the low man in seniority and has never had Christmas off. So boo bad management practice. But yay for an epic bike trip! lizinthelibrary@idkfa.com (lizinthelibrary) The Sporting Life Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:40:00 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=6900 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=6898 At work we have this vacation book that gets passed around. It is passed around in order of seniority. Being that I'm one of few employees that haven't been here for at least fifteen years, I'm pretty much the last in line for deciding any vacations for the upcoming year. Just in case I needed to be reminded of my place. Youngin'. Pawing through the year, red marks on everything already, I noticed that for my section there were no dates taken around the celebration or observation of Harry Potter's birthday. Plus, as sort of a nice thank-you for our tireless services, we get an extra day off during the week of our birthday. So I signed up for that week. So I have a week off. During which I have no plans. Which is exciting. For that week I usually stay in town for the Potter parades, but for this auspicious year I was thinking of doing something else with my time off. Folks were talking about epic camping and/or fishing trips. I was reminded of this race. Or rather, reminded that I wanted at some point to do a lengthy bike trip. Well, to try, at least. There's the whole getting in shape thing. And I'm not even sure I have the right gear. Or the right bike. Or really where I would want to go. But there have been enough summer days peeking over my cubicle walls to the sun shining weakly through tinted windows to make me want to try. Thought I'd put that out there. I understand that generally, nobody has that kind of time. Or interest. Or energy. And even if they do, it's just a big production. Anyhow. That's my plan. Now to figure out how to implement it. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Mon, 19 Jan 2015 16:02:55 -0900 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=6898 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3432 yep, JD described it pretty well. One person on their bike riding and the other riders (and a driver, or the driver could be a rider i suppose) in the support vehicle, with the other bikes on a bike rack on the vehicle. When not on a bike you're in the support vehicle eating and drinking water and hanging out with the rest of the team. norwaygirl@idkfa.com (norwaygirl) The Sporting Life Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:23:09 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3432 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3431 There is a bunch of rules so that no rider can have any physical contact with the support or pilot car while on the road, and the car has to be behind the rider so that the rider can't try to draft off the car. Travis I suppose would be the ultimate source on this, but I think the support vehicle can stage riders every 5 miles. When the rider comes up to the pass-off the new rider gets up to speed, tagging the new rider is not necessary only an overlap of the front/rear tire for a second to count. The old rider then hops in the support vehicle which moves into the next position for either restocking the rider with food/water or next rider drop-off. Support vehicle and pilot vehicle can be the same on the 200, but on the 400 there has to be two, since the pilot car always has to follow the rider, but that's only for the hours of 12-5am after which point it can do double duty again. Though I would guess on these longer relay races you would want two cars most of the time anyway just to keep an eye on the rider and also get the next riders ready. I was thinking about doing the 200 mile as a solo event, I mean still ride with people but not do it as a relay. The 400 would be pretty rowdy though it'd take me a solid 30 hours to complete, if I could complete it at all. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:02:01 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3431 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3430 I'm confused, would they hang on to the pilot car or something when they weren't up? kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:59:19 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3430 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3429 Oops I was wrong, they did the 4x200, not the 4x400. In previous years they did longer distances at each time, but it still wasn't anything excessive like 50 or 100 miles at once. The 5-mile tactic was so they could keep fresh legs on the course all the time because they were trying to win the race. norwaygirl@idkfa.com (norwaygirl) The Sporting Life Thu, 11 Aug 2011 15:57:30 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3429 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3427 The rules are pretty interesting on the 400, for team or solo. You can't leave valdez without a pace/support vehicle, and between 12 and 5 am your pace vehicle must drive behind the rider and keep them within the beam of the headlights at all time. If riders pass one another their pace vehicles have to make the pass as well, which seems kind of awkward. I don't know how the switching of riders would work, I personally would want to do a lot more than 5 miles at a time, but that tactic probably works pretty good if you're doing the time trial race. I'd probably just ride to be out there riding. Otherwise maybe every 25 miles or so would be a nice switch, that's about 1 to 1.5 hours of riding depending on terrain. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:38:18 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3427 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3426 That seems like a crazy amount of switching! So they have a car accompany the bike the entire time then... interesting. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Thu, 11 Aug 2011 03:30:11 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3426 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3425 Travis has done the Fireweed a few times on a 4-man 400 team and loved it. The last time he rode it they were switching riders every 5 miles, so it wasn't super difficult for them and so they could keep fresh legs on the course. With a relay team you can switch as often/infrequently as you want. norwaygirl@idkfa.com (norwaygirl) The Sporting Life Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:58:02 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3425 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3424 Dude, this would be pretty awesome. Of course, I would suggest doing teams or the lower mileage options, but it would be cool! Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Wed, 10 Aug 2011 20:26:01 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3424 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3423 My coworker Laura has done this in the past. You bike more than her, Josh. You could do it! She took her time - definitely didn't race alongside the dudes with the aerodynamic helmets, but she had a blast. Green Man@idkfa.com (Green Man) The Sporting Life Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:49:12 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3423 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3422 The exercise bike probably isn't a bad way to spend a lot of hours in the saddle, its not the same but still its usually just the sitting on my ass for lots of hours that kills me and not the exertion. You could always see if you can put your actual bike seat on your exercise bike just to keep the sittin parts in shape. Back in middle school and parts of high school I used to ride from my folk's place along the old seward, up rabbit creek road, over on hillside, then back down huffman to get home. It was just over 11 miles with some good hill climbs in it. Anyway, you can make loops and all kinds of variations of commutes without too much trouble there. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:33:17 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3422 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3421 Huh. That would be interesting. And hellacious for somebody that only rides ~12 miles a day, or has only ridden more than 3 hours once or twice. There's also that unless I get into winter biking, I'll only have my exercise bike and Star Trek to keep me in shape during the winter months. I'd have to devise some other way to stave off atrophy. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:49:20 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3421 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3420 So now that you got that sweet ride you'll join me on this next summer? I want to do the 400 but I think I need to start small and do the 200 first. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:24:51 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3420 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3371 You will probably be much happier with a new, tried and true than the old dome. But freee is free, I'll take a look next time I'm there for you anyway. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:49:16 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3371 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3370 That might be an interesting project. Now you got me thinking about building a mountain bike.... that would be pretty awesome. As for the tent, I ponied up $150 for the UL backpacking tent that is what I believe to be the same tent Libby and I have used in the past. Tried and true. Although I kind of wish I had read this post before I bought the tent, as I would certainly not be opposed to free over $150, given my current situation. I guess I could always just return it, if it's not a big hassle to dig this old dome of yours. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:45:51 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3370 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3369 Why you gotta be a bitch like that. Can't you just save up and buy both? A good backpacking tent is nothing, go get the REI halfdome 2 that shit is cheap. Cruise craigslist or ebay for a decent mountain frame and work your way to the top piece by peice, boom done you have both. But seriously the trails around hilltop are pretty awesome and there are a ton of trails all through bicentennial/far north park that kick ass. You would do fine with a decent hard tail, maybe a 29er if you wanted. But most stuff up there isn't so crazy you need a super high end bike right off from the start. And the REI halfdome is an awesome tent, very light and spacious, very inexpensive plus you get REI's return policy. You could even use that thing all year if you keep out of high wind and heavy snowfall. If you want something a lot more sturdy and rowdy enough for winter snows and the like I really love my REI arete 3 ASL. It's damn near the lightest double wall 4 season you can buy, but will cost you a fair bit more. Though I think I may even have an pretty nice old lightweight dome tent you could have for free, if I make up up for Big H's wedding I'll try to dig it out for you if you want it. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:44:46 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3369 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3365 Haha, I was looking more at getting a backpacking tent from the REI outlet sale. But maybe I'll spend 5 to 10 times more and get a mountain bike instead. Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:11:23 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3365 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3362 Do it. Now. Immediately. I expect you to have a bike when I get home... akarmybrat@idkfa.com (akarmybrat) The Sporting Life Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:25:06 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3362 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3360 I was contemplating getting into mountain biking this year, but I think I will consider it much more seriously next summer. Maybe that will make me feel young again ;) Scrotor@idkfa.com (Scrotor) The Sporting Life Thu, 04 Aug 2011 18:53:26 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3360 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3359 Riding around on a road bike after being on a mountain bike is a pretty neat feeling. So much less drag, way better pedaling efficiency, more gears, more places to put your hands. But if you ride on a lot of crappy pavement you'll immediately notice that mtn bikes are way more comfortable and cushy, and to some degree just more comfortable all of the time. And the brakes just seem like they're in a much more convenient place as well, I hate the brake lever placement on road bikes. No matter, if you ride any kind of long distances road bikes are the way way to go. So much faster. MrFood@idkfa.com (MrFood) The Sporting Life Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:26:58 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3359 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3352 Riding around last night, I was feeling like I was getting more winded riding my road bike than I would have riding the same distance on my mountain bike. I guess it makes a little sense: slightly different muscle groups being worked with the different handlebars and different, er, stride? Stroke? Yeah. Or perhaps given a new maximum speed I'm expending more energy maintaining that higher power output. That, or maybe it's just that I can now hear my breathing, whereas before it was drowned out by the angry buzzing of my mountain bike tread. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Tue, 02 Aug 2011 12:56:43 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3352 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3351 I got my first ever road bike earlier this summer, too, and had a lot of the same issues/discomforts. Now I like it more than my mountain bike! I still enjoy going biking on the trails and such, but it is SO nice to be able to go so fast without much effort. I ended up getting used to most of the things you listed above, but the only one that still bugs me a bit is not having the numbers on the gear changers. The other day I rode my mountain bike around and actually felt awkward and uncomfortable on it compared to my road bike. norwaygirl@idkfa.com (norwaygirl) The Sporting Life Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:06:40 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3351 http://www.idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3350 So I got a new (used) bike, a Jamis Aurora Elite Touring Bike, circa 2008: Somewhat bizarrely, until yesterday I had never really ridden a "road bike," or really any configuration of bike aside from a mountain bike. Taking one of my usual loops around my area, what usually took me 45 minutes took me about 35 instead. Which is to say that I was going scary-fast with what seemed like minimal effort, and hadn't even reached the end of my gears yet. A thing that struck me as strange was the grip on the handlebars. Gripping vertically seems strange for me, and even a little tiring, given that I've been placing my weight on my wrists, and now my weight is on my thumbs. Additionally, the brakes seem in a weird place, and maybe even a little out of reach for what I'm used to, but it might just be that I haven't found the right place to settle. Also, while I was thinking the gear changers would be familiar, not having the little indicator numbers on the gear changers is weird. For some reason, this is something my brain wants quantified. I'm going to have to get used to switching without looking down to see which gear I'm in. kaiden@idkfa.com (kaiden) The Sporting Life Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:25:59 -0800 http://idkfa.com/v3/v_thread.php?thread_id=3350&msg_id=3350