Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The NASA Million Dollar Pen Story is a Myth or Another Example of Everything You Know is Wrong

I've had the story of the $1,000,000 NASA pen bouncing around in my head for many years. Now, I find out it is not true. I'm disappointed and realize my knowledge is built on other myths.

http://kottke.org/13/10/the-myth-of-nasas-expensive-space-pens

This article is based on a story in Scientific American and Snopes has also debunked the NASA pen story.

Wednesday, August 07, 2013

My Knards are Mounted!

Mounting my new Knards was not easy! One of them was a little loose and I had to seat it twice.

I used my crappy air compressor (garage sale for $25). Airing up fat-bike tires three or four times would have killed me if I had to do it with my skinny little floor pump.

I aired them up to a little less than 30 psi (the max printed on the sidewall) and I rode them around the neighborhood. They felt fast, but new equipment almost always feels that way. I stood up and sprinted -- well I consider it a sprint.

I'm really looking forward to riding them off road, especially Elm Creek. I need a do-over on that trail.


Monday, August 05, 2013

Pugsley Looses a Tire

I've been riding the Pugsley as my main off-road bike lately.
Since riding it in the snow, I have looked forward to riding it on familiar dirt trails this summer.

In the meantime, I picked up a single-speed 29er and have also been riding it. This third (fourth) off-road bike gives me the flexibility to outfit my family with bikes. J rides the Fisher 29er. C rides the Pugsley, and I ride the single speed.

The Fisher started making terrible noises so I put it aside and jumped on the Pugsley for the Saturday ride with friends. It went so well, I stayed with it. The first ride wasn't great -- I felt slower than the other guys and the Pugs handled like a pig.

I increased the tire pressure, installed a longer stem, and lowered the stem by switching spacers. The Pugs now handles great. I'm so pleased that when riding it, I imagine ignoring the other off-road bikes in my garage.

Last Sunday, I went to Elm Creek trail to ride. I got in a few miles of fun before I heard a scraping sound in the rear. I figured it was a stick, but it my tire had popped off the rim. I couldn't get the bead to seat again -- it was as if the wire bead was damaged. I walked out to the parking lot and drove home.

Coincidentally, I had ordered a pair of Surly Knards the Friday before. I expect on Tuesday. I'll install them and give it a try.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Display Windows 7 Computer Properties: Windows key + Pause/Break key

To display the Windows 7 Computer Properties, press the Windows key + Pause/Break key.

This provides a reason for those keys on top of the keyboard to exist.

This post provides a reason for this blog to exist.