Cold Day Cycling

broderic on March 14, 2009

I have never gone cycling in anything less than 60 degrees except today. My weather widget is telling me that its 44 degrees fahrenheit out there, and I rode in that. At least there was no wind, but there was no sun either.

I was sitting eating breakfast with my mom when I got a text. During the text conversation, a cycle ride was brought up, “No bike ride today?” I texted back my excuses, but it’s really humbling. I want to ride, but always find excuses. Not today.

What does it take to ride in this weather? I don’t know so I gear up. My campy tights are warm. Unlike my knickers these go all the way down, and unlike my knickers these fit really well. I wear my compression t-shirt underneath which I wish was windproof, then a long sleeve winter jersey along with arm warmers. Finally a jacket. Also a warm skull cap and booties over my shoes. Am I warm? Somewhat, but its enough to keep the chill away. It’s actually perfect.

So the ride was good. I took a route that I hadn’t before. Up Lakeside into New Town. It’s a hill and to get back onto Deer Park there’s a short steep hill. It’s tough but I did it.

Here’s the damage: 14.15 miles, 59 minutes, averaging 14.5 MPH with a max of 38 MPH down Pleasant. Nice.

Link of the Day [3.14.09]

broderic on March 14, 2009

One month ago, it was Valentine’s Day. In Japan, it’s the girls who give chocolates to the guys. So, for payback, there’s today, White Day, when the guy gives candy to the girls who gave them chocolates. Oh, how interesting the Japanese are. Now, it would be nice to receive chocolates from a girl. You wouldn’t have to worry about if a girl likes you. She’ll just give you chocolate as a way to show her interest. At least, that’s what happens in manga. Then you’re in like slim.

http://www.candy.or.jp/whiteday/index.html

Quote of the Day [3.13.09]

broderic on March 13, 2009

Under my thumb
The girl who once had me down
Under my thumb
The girl who once pushed me aroundIts down to me
The difference in the clothes she wears
Down to me, the change has come,
Shes under my thumbAint it the truth babe? The Rolling Stones, "Under My Thumb"

Link of the Day [3.13.09]

broderic on March 13, 2009

The ACM gave out its Turing award to a pioneer in computer programming, Barbara Liskov. This stands out for me because I am deeply indebted to her eponymous Liskov Substitution Principle. In plain English, if you have an object which inherits attributes from another object, then that derived object can and should stand in place of any other types of objects of the parent object. Hunh? It’s the basis for Object-Oriented Programming and it governs the software development today. It makes programming slightly easier and it makes for cool extensions of the software.

http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2009/03/acm-gives-turing-award-to-oop-distributed-computing-pioneer.ars

Quote of the Day [3.12.09]

broderic on March 12, 2009

Now hold on to me pretty baby
If you want to fly
I’m gonna melt the fever sugar
Rolling back your eyes

Shiny Toy Guns, “Le Disko”