[973] Car List

I have not done a car post in a while, so I'll do a list of five of my dream cars yet again. Here we go.

1. Classic Volkswagen Beetle or Super Beetle. If it's a Beetle then ideally 1960s, if it's a Super Beetle then I'd want the first version without the curved windshield. Of course it has to be retromodded to be safer and more efficient in current times.
2. Honda Jazz. My dream variant is still the gen 2/GE 1.5L Jazz with automatic transmission. The first gen was a bit too small and the newer ones are just too big. I still see some used GE Jazz for sale but I honestly don't know if it's worth getting a car that old. Parts and reliability are my biggest concern.
3. Fiat Panda. I was lucky enough to see some when my folks took me to Europe way back when. I like that this is a small yet practical car and it does have an AWD variant. I'm a big fan of the third generation Panda.
4. Ford GT40, specifically the Mk I. I first got introduced to this car in Gran Turismo 2 and I've been a fan ever since. I just love the way it looks.
5. BMW E30 Touring. Again heavily retromodded, if it's possible to have an E30 M3 in Touring garb then even better.

And that's how you make a filler post.

Out.

[972] Memories

This will be a bit of a softie blog post so be warned.

I was with some relatives yesterday as we had a small reunion because one of my first cousins is moving to England to follow his fiancée, who is working there already. As always before the "end" of the get together we all gathered around a certain spot in my uncle's house and had a few group photos.

The problem for me was 1) one of my other first cousins had left way earlier because she had to go to a meeting, and 2) we spent the whole afternoon hanging out and enjoying each other's company but we took so little photographs.

We live in a digital age where taking photos is so easy and storing them even easier. I just wish I could be a bit more active taking random, even candid, shots of people during get togethers. Even better, I should probably try taking some videos as well.

I want to have memories of people, and while photos are great I think videos would be even better. Why? Because you can hear people speak. You can leave these memories behind for future generations to see. How did this guy sound like? What was her laugh like? All these memories while I may remember them and cherish them in my mind, there is no way to share them to other people.

Specially now that it is getting easier and easier to store and share these memories.

ps I guess I'm liking helvetica as the default font of this blog because trebuchet sure doesn't look like it to me.

Out.

[971] Bike Upgrade Blog

Here we go again with yet another bike upgrade blog. This time it's going to be relatively serious. There are two major components that I am prioritizing for upgrades.

Wheels. Someone pointed out that my tires are cracked, and indeed they are. They aren't even two years old. I also figured out that the reason why I was getting dry sealant in some of the ridges of the tire is probably because it seeped out from somewhere.

With this in mind I realize I should probably get a new set of tires, maybe from a physical bike shop instead of the online bike shop I got my tires from. Before I go any further this isn't an indictment of the bike shop I got my tires from. I think they're a good store, it's just that it's probably better to just go to a physical store so I can see all possible options and ask about the tires.

I've also decided to get narrower tires, ranging from 32mm to 35mm instead of my current 38mm. Why? Fenders/mudguards primarily. I've also read that narrower tires has less rolling resistance meaning it will be easier to move the bike. Plus this would give slightly better clearance on my bike frame and fork.

Aside from the tires I think it would also be a good idea to upgrade the rims itself. I did say the wheels are one of my priority, so rims and hubs are also part of that. Tubeless ready rims paired with hubs that have TA and QR adapters would be great. This also gives me a chance to get lighter overall wheels. The rims I have right now are just QR.

I'm not targeting any specific brands at the moment for the tires, rims, and hubs. I've been looking around but if I were to pick a high priority among them it would be the tires first.

Brakes. I have no idea why my rear brakes feel so weak. One theory I have is because my hybrid calipers have long throws and I use drop bars. The Avid BB7 has a post mount caliper that is specifically built for road bike brake levers. I really want to try this on my bike and see if it really improves braking.

So why did I choose to prioritize both? Safety. You need great wheels to grip the road and even greater brakes to stop yourself. I could have the lightest seat post, most bad-ass flared drop bar, and most amazing mechanical (because I'm really not a big believer in wireless) groupset but if the tires have poor grip and the brakes can't stop you then it's pointless.

Out.

[970] Fitness Update - Major Milestone

Let it be written here that today was the first time I was able to jog my roughly 1.08km route the whole way. Two laps.

According to my Adidas Running app I averaged 8:58 min/km with an average speed of 6.7 kmh and a max speed of 7.7 kmh. I also burned 239 calories. The total time was 19:01 with a distance of 2.12 km.

The Tozo Fit app says I burned 277 cal, had an average heart rate of 137 bpm and a max heart rate of 161 bpm. I spend less than a minute in the warm up zone, around 2 minutes in the fat burning zone, roughly 6 minutes in the aerobic endurance zone, roughly 10 minutes in the anaerobic endurance zone, and less than a minute at the limit. I have no idea if those zones are the same as zones 1 to 5.

My goal was to maintain my heart rate at the fat burning zone but I guess the farther I jog fatigue sets in and I have to push myself more hence spending more time above fat burning.

So my plan moving forward is to keep jogging but move my zone 2 training to my bike on the trainer. I can maintain my heart rate better there by either increasing or decreasing my cadence.

Great way to start the week.

Out.

[969] Cyclocross

After I got interesting in cycling again thanks to the anime Yowamushi Pedal, I initially gravitated to gravel bikes. It was something new, it was something that was basically an "all-around" bicycle because the bike had the components to ride on both tarmac and, well, gravel.

Then as I consumed more and more youtube videos I also started getting interested in the World Tours. I remember my dad used to watch the Tour de France when I was a young person. Of course without a television all my World Tour info came from youtube and online cycling news sites.

Then I discovered cyclocross and became interested in it. Here are some reasons why.

1. Availability. UCI live streams their cyclocross events on youtube and even if I wasn't able to watch most of them live, I did have the opportunity to watch them on demand in UCI's youtube channel.
2. Duration. Basically a cyclocross race takes around an hour, give or take a few minutes. This is because they take the average time it takes to complete a lap for one or two laps and then they set how many laps are needed in the race to last around one hour for men's elite and fifty minutes for women's elite. This means I don't need that much time to watch a race, I even listen to the race while I work and just switch to youtube when things get heated.
3. Skill level. Cyclocross racers have an amazing level of bike handling skill. Ever since I got interested in cyclocross I've wanted to learn how to do bunny hops as well as the cyclocross mounting and dismounting of their bikes. Too bad there's no off road terrain I can practice here because I sure as heck don't want to practice on road surfaces just in case I fall.
4. Pacing. I guess just like how I prefer the NBA over football/soccer because scores are fast paced, I also like cyclocross since there's almost never a dull moment because of how the course is designed.
5. Also cyclocross bikes have been compared to gravel bikes and there are similarities to both, basically that the bikes can go on tarmac and off-road. Plus the bikes use drop bars.

And those are the reasons why I got interested in cyclocross.

Out.

[968] Bike Gear

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, and because I need to have filler blog posts to force myself to keep writing, I am blogging yet again about bike gear I would love to have, February 2023 edition. These are the things I will take with me when I ride my bike. So here we go.

1. Lezyne V Pro-13 multi-tool. You'll need a handy multi-tool just in case something happens while riding the bike. The V Pro-13 has an assortment of hex wrenches, a Philips head screwdriver, and a torx head or two. Plus it also has a valve core tool and a quick link holder. Almost everything I would need for emergencies.
2. Silca Impero Ultimate Frame Pump. Find the right size and place it under my bike's top tube. There's something old school about having a frame pump. I'll probably have to buy one or two velcro straps to make sure it doesn't fall off, in case the pump doesn't come with straps. Based off of the images though it appears to have a strap so you can strap it to your bike's top tube or seat tube.
3. Velo Orange 700c 38mm Smooth Fenders (Noir color). I've realized that running 38mms tires on my bike is pretty much "useless" since I haven't gone on gravel and more importantly I haven't done any long rides. I've decided next time I switch tires it will be within the range of 32mm to 35mm. Meaning cyclocross tires or thinner gravel tires. These fenders will add weight yes but will also add to the retro look of my bike.
4. Topeak Uni Super Tourist DX rear bike rack with pannier mounts. In the event I actually do go bikepacking or on long rides having a rear rack to mount bags will be of great help. Even better with this rack is that I can mount rear lights on it.
5. Road Runner California Burrito handlebar bag. I'll need something to place the multi-tool and other emergency stuff in, and this would be a nice bag. I already have a handlebar bag but since I'm just daydreaming I might as well replace it with a better looking one.

So before you wonder why I'm getting a handlebar bag and just putting a multi-tool in it, I'll also put other things there. Most likely a space inner tube, patch kits, a wallet, and other stuff I may need for a long ride. Even a power bank to recharge my phone.

First things first I need to start braving public roads.

Out.