This American Bicycle Race

This post is all about "classic American bicycle racing".  Ladies and gentlemen, My World From a Bicycle presents for your viewing pleasure, "the criterium".

This type of bicycle racing is by far the most common form of licensed/sanctioned road bicycle racing here in the States.  It's the easiest venue for race promoters to produce/organize.  Criteriums are born from the necessity of having to operate many different categories of races (juniors (under 18), women, men, ranked categories (professional thru level 5 amateur), and masters (typically 30, 40, 50, year + ), and obtaining permits for race operation and street closure, combined with safety concerns of securing the course from cars entering, and placing crowd barriers and covering fixed objects (such as fire hydrants and electric poles) with straw bails etc.  All racers are licensed and insured through the governing body, USA Cycling.  The rules of the sport can be read here.

I would like to point out that the below series of videos were actually made possible from a sum mountain of technology.  Beginning with digital technology of computers, internet, YouTube, Blogger, HD Hero cameras, SRM wireless watt meters, several computer software programs, carbon fiber, etc.    And get this........ it's free to view, pause, rewind, jump around and skip, share with others (please do), comment on, or........... *gasp* ignore.

It's my thinking that this race is particularly worth viewing (in part or whole) because of several reasons including:  1. The forward and aft camera perspective gives a more complete view and understanding of the race activity.  2. The embedded speed, wattage, and cadence data.  This information really shows how much a criterium is a "gas-on/gas-off" style of racing.  (for the non-informed, this is fast and hard racing), 3. The level of competition is very high.  In fact, unusually so.  This particular race is typically a regional amateur/professional level race, but on this day it was very much a national level race.  In fact, this race had at least 4 current National Champions including David Henderson, Jonathan Jacobs, Eric Young and Daniel Holloway (current USA Professional Criterium Champion - he's wearing the yellow leaders jersey), and other former National Champions and at least one former World Champion (Steve Tilford).  4.  This race is viewable in it's entirety, and to my knowledge, this is the first and only place that this has ever been done (in this viewer friendly format)

This race took place on Saturday Sept 4th, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri and was the 2nd race of a 4 day race series.

click here to link to the race site

Race results can be found here. 

I would like to point out that I have a music player device that you may activate at your liking (located on the right column, 2nd item from the top).  The embedded video's audio can be muted or the volume can be controlled with the tool bar settings under the video.  Additionally the video can be "full sized" by clicking on the expanding arrows on the toolbar and the video quality level can be controlled as well..

This is a lot of video time (the entire race is about 90 minutes) and I know most people won't have time to view the entire series, so I plan on writing  a summation of the key points under each clip with a time point, so that viewers can skip to or choose which section might interest them.


The above video (first of 12 part series) opens with all of the racers at the line and the announcer calling up the top race leaders of the omnium series to the line, including 4th place Chad Cagle from team Park Place Dealerships, 3rd place Brad Huff from team Jelly Belly (professional cyclist), 2nd place Rob Bush from team Kenda Pro Cycling Team, and onmium race leader Daniel Holloway from Bissell Pro Cycling.

1:10 officials race instruction, 2:20 message from City Alderman Donna Barringer and introductions to Jimmy Mcevoy @ 4:10 who sings the National Anthem (well done btw).  The race starts at the 6:00 minute mark. 


(above video 2nd of 12 part series) I quickly advance around the pack @1:12 and bridge up to 3 riders @1:43.  Daniel Holloway (in yellow leader's jersey)  can be briefly seen returning to the field @2:25 (? possibly returning to the field after taking a flyer for a prime?)

I briefly take the race lead @2:41.  Jonathan Jacobs pulls by me (too fast in fact) @3:30 and the peloton recaptures me @4:09.

This clip above (3rd part of 12 part series) opens with me advancing to the front of the chasing peloton (there are 6 riders off the front and out of camera view.  This is noteworthy because the previous video footage doesn't show that riders have gone off the front of the field because of me riding in heavy cycling traffic.  I am aware of a break-away because I can not see the lead pace motorcycle).  I make a full pass @0:52.  Daniel Holloway blows past me @ 1:01 (note how fast he blows past me.  I'm at full throttle).  I claw my way back onto his wheel @ 1:40 and I slide off his wheel to draft off the 3 riders who were drafting off of me (James Stemper #111 Kenda Pro Cycling, Jonathan Jacobs #61 Nuvo Cultural Trail, and Eric Young #131 Nuvo Cultural Trail.

I am completely red-lined (suffering hard) and I try to recover by skipping a few pulls.  My next pull is @3:16.  My chase group of four catch the lead break-away of 6 riders @ 4:09  Colton Barrett #120 Texas Roadhouse, Nicolas Coil #22 Tradewind Energy, James Stemper #111 Kenda Pro Cycling, Alex Wiesler #119 ISCorp Cycling Team, Robert White #106 Kenda Pro Cycling, and Josh Ginningham #122 of ISCorp Cycling Team. 

From 7:40 to 8:00 is a good view of the newly formed winning break-away group.  Note that we are riding single file and absolutely flying.  This is the most ideal way for a group of this size to motor. 
The effects of aerodynamics is HUGE in road racing, time trials, criteriums, and even sprinting.  Drafting can reduce oxygen costs by 25 to 40 percent.  Here's a great illustration of the effects of aerodynamics and drafting:  a world class track team time trial riders can produce the following average wattages in a pace-line.  First rider will produce around 607 watts, 2nd rider 430 watts, 3rd rider 389 watts, and 4th rider 389 watts.  Notice that there is a decreasing advantage drafting in 3rd position over 2nd, but no further advantage after 3rd position. (See my post on aerodynamics for more information on the subject.)

The most interesting occurrence in the above clip (number 4 of 12) is @1:47, when James Stemper (#111) of Kenda Professional Cycling, sees me falling back, out of the rotation so that I can skip my turn pulling (I'm suffering pretty badly at this point from earlier efforts and I'm trying to recover a bit.  I'm not certain that I am going to be able to hang.)

Mr. Stemper informs me that if I try to just sit on and not take my turn pulling, he is going to ride me off the back.

Perhaps because he knows that I'm filming this (I don't know), he is extremely polite about  how he tells me this and I acknowledge him accordingly, and we do a sort of low "five hand" in a sporting gesture of acknowledgment. Based on his smile, I think he finds the whole thing amusing.

Note:  The most ideal method for dealing with a rider who refuses to take a turn pulling is for everyone in the break to take turns drifting off the paceline with the "wheel sucker" on their wheel and then sprinting hard, back onto the group.  If everyone does this repetitively, this will eventually cause the "wheel sucker" to fatigue and not be able to claw their way back onto the group.

I don't believe there is yet an official name for this procedure, so for the sake of discussion, hence forward, let's all agree to call this activity of getting rid of a wheel sucker, Operation Drizzopple! 

So if you hear someone say, commence operation drizzopple on rider so-and-so, you will know exactly what to do.   


In the above video (number 5 of 12) I skip a couple pulls, still trying to recover and begin pulling again (too hard from the looks of it).

Meanwhile @2:26 Holloway is trying to commence operation drizzopple on the Kenda rider James Stemper.  In my reviews I was surprised to see how many times these guys were bumping heads.  Also I now see the irony of Stemper warning me not to wheel suck. 

@ 1:20 Texas Roadhouse rider, Colton Barrett gives a friendly hello wave. 

Above video (number 6 of 12) is fairly routine.  Most notable items are at 3:10 when Holloway jumps hard around Nicolas Coil who allowed a gap in front of him in the rotation (probably due to fatigue).  Also the rider James Stemper is not only just sitting on, but also screwing up the paceline when riders are trying to get on the back of the train after taking a pull.  This is evident at the end of this clip and running into the next below. 

There is some cool moto/cameraman action @ 6:26 (above video, number 7 of 12).

Some riders get gaped off @ minute 7:32 by one rider slipping off the pace and causing a gap.  Two of which are Nicolas Coil and Colton Barrett; they don't make it back onto the lead group.

James Stemper of Kenda Pro Cycling starts pulling. 

Everybody is pulling hard.  Very hard, and fast. 

(Above video is number 9 of 12).  @6:16 I sprint for and win a prime.  I didn't plan on going for it, but I was in the lead position coming out of the final corner because of the natural order of the rotation.  I went as hard as I could go and won the prime prize. I thought it was either $100 or $200, but it turned out to be a free night in a studio suite at The Residence Inn, Marriot, in St. Louis (I haven't used it and most likely never will).

Even though I was dying from the prime effort, I kept my speed up so that they wouldn't surge past me and drop me.

Incidentally, Josh Ginningham (#122) of ISCorp Cycling Team was dropped from the surge during the prime.

(Above video is number 10 of 12).  I skip a couple rotations in this clip because I am way over threshold and I was feeling like I was about to die.

The rotation is quite smooth otherwise and of the group there are two teams with team-mates, Kenda Pro Cycling and Nuvo Cultural Trial.  They almost always stay together in the rotation order, which is advisable.  If an attack or opportunity to attack occurs, they can work together. 




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Above is the last video of this series; also the last 5 minutes and 51 seconds of the race for me.  By the completion of this race we've covered 70 kilometers or 43.496 miles in 1 hour and 25 minutes and 35 seconds, averaging 46.884 kph or 29.1 mph.  I averaged 317.5 watts.  With out a doubt my personal best effort in my entire bike racing experience.  I;m super glad that I was able to record this race as I have.

@ minute 2:15 of this video with 1.75 laps to go Jonathan Jacob takes a monster pull with me on his wheel and the rest of the remaining members of the break-away in tow. The riders include myself, followed by Daniel Holloway (Bissell Pro Cycling), Eric Young (Nuvo Cultural Trial), James Stemper (Kenda Pro Cycling), Alex Wieseler (ISCorp Cycling Team), and Robert White (Kenda Pro Cycling)

@ 2:46 I pull out of J.J's draft because of his monster pull.  I didn't want to have to immediately "pull through" with the finish being so soon (especially after his surge).  I wanted to get back in the draft.  As a result, this created a gap that nobody closed and J.J. was gone for the win.

Keep in mind that J.J. had a team-mate, Eric Young, in the break and he's an outstanding sprinter.  Eric certainly wouldn't pursue his own team-mate  I wouldn't pursue for the previous reasons mentioned and additionally J.J. is personal friend.  Other than me winning, I would choose him to win every time (and Brad Huff...... he's super cool).  Daniel Holloway certainly didn't want to give chase and pull Eric and the others with him, only to be beaten in the final sprint.  He probably thought as I, that J.J. wouldn't hold us off for the finish (which of course he did). 

@ 3:25 Holloway makes his bid in response to the Kenda Pro Cycling rider James Stemper's attack (just before the 1st turn).  We quickly make the catch and I produce a classic textbook counter attack @ 4:18 by launching a full effort through the inside of the 2nd corner of the course.

I cross the finish line @ 5:31 with riders quickly closing my gap, but not in time for the finish line. 


To learn more about the camera that I use to film from my bicycle click here.

To learn more about the bike telemetry that I use click here.

SRM Power Meter with accessories

Above are all of the parts that I am selling with my SRM device.  This device fits on any bike with a BB30 bottom bracket.  All of the devices data signaling and receiving devices are wireless.  I forgot to add the spoke sensor magnet (no biggie, I'll send that with the device when I mail it to the new owner).   The red items are the threaded bolts that attack the crank arms to the spindle (the spindle is not included, but I have two that I can sell if requested.  They are available on ebay or your local bike shop).  The top right black item is the cadence magnet.  It is required for the SRM to turn on when pedaling.  It's super easy to install.  It goes under the cable guides located under the bottom bracket..  The other black item just below the cadence magnet is the handlebar mount for the SRM control.   It is notable that I am including a Cyclops heartrate strap instead of the Suunto heartrate strap.  This is because the The Cyclops device works much better.  Because it's a "wireless ANT + sport" device it is easily synced with the powercontrol device. 

Above is my receipt for the standard annual battery replacement and calibration (or every 700 hours of use).  I didn't expect it to cost so much, but I also didn't expect them to install new firmware, so that's a bonus. 

Keep in mind that this is professional and even scientific grade equipment.  It's pretty advanced and accurate stuff.  It's the best you can buy....... well you can buy a new one for a little over 3 grand (SRM sells their device for 3 grand without the chain rings and crank arms...... I'm selling mine with them).

 The above image is the SRM  control charger and the USB cable that connects the SRM control (display device and recording unit) to your computer for downloading data.  I am selling this with my SRM.  I meant to include it in my top photo, but forgot.  This is an important item.  Small, but important.  I won't forget to ship it. 

Also pictured is a magnet sensor.  It is designed to fit on bladed spokes. (yes, it comes with the SRM).

Pictured above is the spindle that fits inside  any bike frame with a BB30 bottom bracket.  This spindle is 30mm diameter (all BB30 openings are 42mm).  I am planning on selling this item separately, but you will need it if you don't already have one (with two .5mm spacers).  On the left is a wave washer.  It must be slightly compressed once the cranks are bolted on.    The silver ring (bearing shield) has a slight grove and it slides onto the spindle so that the grove fits neatly with the flange of the spindle. This is so that the spindle has a stop and will not drive/tap through upon insertion into the bearings (not pictured) which are already pressed into the BB30 shell.  The spindle is tapped with a rubber mallet, through the already pressed in bearings from the non-drive side.  Then the red bearing shield goes on followed by the wave washer (brass colored), followed by 2-3 plastic spacers, followed by the crank, followed by the crank bolts (pictured in the SRM photo.  they are red)  Note that these bolts have very thin metal washers (these are important for proper tightening and removing).  The bolts are tightened with a torque wrench to exactly 25 foot pounds.  Tada!  Done.  See my video below.  It's actually easy, once you've been shown how and have done it once.  



Hi this is David Henderson from My World From A Bicycle.  In this following video I'm swapping out my SRM crank between my Cannondale Slice Time Trial Bicycle and my Cannondale Supersix Road Bicycle.

 First let me tell you a little about this SRM device that I have just mentioned.  It's an amazing technological device that records true power output in the form of wattage which is calculated from multiple strain gauges built into the crank.  These gauge strips deflect when force is applied to the pedals.  The material deflection registers the force thus created (also known as torque) as well as cadence (also known as angular velocity).  These parameters are converted into a digital electrical signal which is wirelessly sent out to the SRM control device that's mounted onto the handlebars.  The control device can also record heart rate data, speed, temperature, time and altitude data every single second.  This data is easily downloaded to a computer for analysis.

For the techie's out there this SRM crank weighs 721 grams with crank, chain rings and bottom bracket.  The bottom bracket is a BB30 SI-Hollogram and weighs 128 grams.  My complete race ready Supersix bike weighed in at 15.4 pounds on my bathroom scale and my Slice bicycle weighed in at 17.6 pounds.

Wattage or energy output data is extremely valuable for a serious cyclist.  It provides a true measurement for how hard a cyclist is working.  This data can be used to determine power thresholds for racing and training.  Additionally it can help determine if an athlete is improving over time or not.

Old school training data included speed and heart rate measurements.   Unfortunately the measurements don't tell the full story of training.  Speed is highly subjective to wind resistance and road grade or pitch, etcetera.  Heart rate, on the other hand, is subject to conditions such as temperature, hydration levels, conditioning, diet, etcetera.

 The SRM device combines all of these data fields previously mentioned for a more complete picture of performance. 

The only draw back of the SRM watt meter is the cost.  The one that I am switching between bicycles costs $3,000, which is why I only own one and transfer between bicycles.

 Now let me tell you a little about the bicycles in this video.  Both are top of the line professional level race bicycles.  The first is a Cannondale Slice Time Trial Bicycle with a Zipp Sub-9 Rear Disc wheel, and a Zipp 1080 front wheel.  Both wheels have dimpled surfaces to increase aerodynamics, and both wheels are very expensive.  The sub-9 retails for about $2,000, and the 1080 for about $1,400.  I run Zipp 404 tubulars which retails for about $2,000 on my Supersix Road Bicycle, which has a Dur-Ace groupo and an upgraded Specialized Barmac Wedge carbon stem/handlebar combination.  Both bicycles with SRM devices and race wheels retail for about $20,000 combined.  Basically, damn expensive.

Oh, I almost forgot.  The tires which are about $100 apiece are extra.

 In conclusion, high end race bikes are stocked full of engineering and technology.  As a result they are lighter, more aerodynamic, stiffer, handle better, and are just plain fun to ride.

To learn about the best video camera in the world for videoing cycling (which is the cameras that I use for my videos) click here.
 

How to produce a video from Adobe Premiere Elements 8 from a HD Hero camera

Hello viewers/readers.  You may be thinking, what is this non-bicycle related subject?  I see your point, but this post is very germane to the contents of this video based cycling blog.  I feel that it could be of great value to some. 

I experienced a frustrating learning curve trying to learn the idiosyncrasies of the Adobe Elements Premiere Elements 8 and I thought it would be very valuable to share with others what I have learned.

One of the biggest things that I learned was which settings were most ideal, both on the the set-up and the output side of video editing for YouTube uploading and general archiving purposes.    I covered this fairly well in the video, but I didn't have time to discuss some of the aspects of high definition videos and this software.

One of these big aspects is that Adobe Premiere Elements 8 does not upload true high definition videos directly from the Share portion of their software.  DO NOT UPLOAD TO YOU TUBE DIRECTLY FROM APE8 (Adobe Premiere Elements 8) IF YOU WANT HIGH DEFINITION.  Instead just follow my guidance on my video.  Save the file to your computer as a MPEG2 1920 x 1080i 30 (even if you use different camera settings).  This is preferable even if the APE8 worked correctly because now you have the video in a format ready for archiving.  Additionally, YouTube does not have an upload manager (this fact may have changed), so if an error occurs you have to start the upload again.   It will save you tons of time to upload from a saved file because otherwise the software has to add additional unnecessary rendering times (which produces poor You Tube videos anyway).

Another huge issue that I had was producing a high definition video on a DVD.  Let me save you a ton of time figuring this out.  YOU CAN NOT PRODUCE A HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO ON A DVD DIRECTLY FROM APE8.  In fact, you can not produce HD videos on DVDs from most software.  Their default video size is more like 640 x 480, and not 1920 x 1080.

One software that will produce HD videos on DVD is Roxio 2010, and can only be viewed on blue-ray players.  The advantage of DVDs over Blue-ray Discs is simply cost and sharing (most people don't own blue-ray players yet).  The big disadvantage is that it takes more time to produce and especially the size limit of the disc itself.  A DVD will only hold about 16 minutes of high definition video compared to about 100-200 minutes on a 25 or 50 GB Blue-ray Disc.

The above image is from the Roxio 2010 software that allows encoding AVCHD files to DVD for high definition quality.

I should point out that APE8 will produce Blue-ray disc directly from the software and the image quality is stunning.  I still prefer to save the file first and then burn the file to a Blue-ray disc later.

Another helpful tip for new users is to use re-writable DVDs/Blue-ray discs to practice your first burns so that you don't unnecessarily waste discs.  This simple idea took me a while to figure out.

I hope this is helpful.  I do not claim to be an expert.  I may have some errors and appreciate correction as appropriate.  I do think that on the whole, this information is very helpful to new users of the HD Hero camera and Adobe Premiere Elements 8 software.

Regards,
David Henderson

Update (10Nov2010):  I am still learning how to use some of the features of APE8.  I finally paid the "Upgrade" fees to see some of the tutorials for the software that I use (there are some free tutorials and others require a fee to view).  I was basically shocked to learn that I have a substantial music library with my software.  Not only is it substantial, but I can use it without fear of copyright infringement and as a freaky bonus the software will customize the length of the music down to the second that I enter.  This means that the music is composed exactly to the length of my chosen clip, complete with intro, body and ending to the musical clip.

I am adding a video to this post below.  The purpose of the clip is to show some of the capabilities of the APE8 software that I use and a few cases I am testing or learning some of the effects.  My personal favorites are animating objects such as text, still images and even video.  I am also excited to know that I can zoom/crop on clips.  Another new discovery for me is that I can sharpen the image with the software as well.  Oh yeah, the green screen effect is pretty cool as well.

If anyone who uses APE8 would like to know how to use a specific effect, just comment below and I will answer.  I might even produce a short tutorial video if time allows.

Update (14Nov2010):  I just published a post that details how to use "SmartSound" software that comes with APE8 (and many other video editing software).   "SmartSound" is a big deal for individuals who are serious about editing video.  It customizes the length of musical compositions precisely, complete with intro, body and ending.  Additionally the music is royalty free and their internet music library is huge (APE8 comes with 26 tracks with several variations for each piece).    I also added a clip and some information about producing 3D movies.  It can be found by clicking here.


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Missouri State Road Race

[Special Note:  I have a "Music Player" gadget, 4th down to the right. You may run audio from it or the video as you see fit by pausing the music player or muting the embedded video. Enjoy!]

Hello and here's my condensed analysis of the Missouri State Road Race that was held in Ste. Genevieve on May 23, 2010.  The course was 87 miles on a rolling course with a couple of good climbs.   Pretty good temperature around 90 degrees, but a large sudden jump from weeks of 50-60 degrees and rainy.  The field size was relatively small maybe 35 or so riders, and predominately 3 large teams consisting of Dogfish (largest numbers, and with defending champion), Tradewind (very powerful team), and Mesa. 

Several break-a-ways were attempted early.  I found (as usual) that whenever I would jump into a break that was allowed to roll away, suddenly this break was pursued quite heavily.  This occurred repetitively and without exception.  

My main goal was to try to win the State Championship, and not the overall race (I considered it nearly impossible to win against the out-of-state team Tradewind).  By my estimation I mainly needed to mark Austin Allison (defending state champion) and his teammate Justin Maciekowicz.

As it turned out, Justin did a long solo suicide (nobody bridged up) attempt and was indeed brought back.  Allison escaped into the final break-a-way, which had other riders that I knew where not in contention for the State Championship.   The break had the major teams in it and because of team tactics, I could not reasonably  pursue.  This did not worry me too much for at least 2 reasons.  1., Allison was the defending champion, a young rider and by my estimation a good Missouri Champion, and 2., I thought he might crack in the heat.  He is a very fair skinned person. 

Guess what...... he did totally crack (sorry Austin)!

So as my chase group road past Allison, who was barely limping along, I then knew that I was racing for the title again.  My group had only four riders including Jim Vandeven (he told me he was not from Missouri) Matias Mendigochea (he told me he was not from Missouri) and that left Oreste (Rusty) Pesselato (who told me that HE WAS FROM MISSOURI).

So as we approached the finish, we left the country roads and started making unknown turns into the town finish.  We didn't know the roads and the corner marshals were critical for us in making the correct turns.

Unfortunately as we approached the final  intersection/corner marshal, we saw the corner marshal STANDING IN THE ROAD (initially) and then as we continued our rapid approach she moved out of the road and pointed LEFT to the street that she was supposed to be securing for us from vehicles!!!!

It turns out that the reason that she was pointing left was to point at a spot in the road that she thought was dangerous.  UGGH!

The rest is in the video.  Rusty had a mis-shift and I was stuck in my small chainring on the final sprint.  No biggie.

Question:  who was the first Missourian to cross the line?

Answer:  See below.

 

To learn about the best video camera in the world for videoing cycling (which is the cameras that I use for my videos) click here. 

O'Fallon Gold Cup Criterium

This was a pretty fun race:  I had never done it before and a bunch of new riders entered this race so it really helped even out the Dogfish domination.

Especially note worthy was the presence of the team "Tradewind Energy" which is a VERY strong team with some outstanding National caliber riders including: Brian Jensen (former pro and a good one), Steve Tilford (former pro and regional cycling legend), Nick Coil, Bill Stolte, and (I'll have to look up this other dude's name.... sorry). 

We were also blessed with the presence of Missouri's beloved professional Jelly Belly rider, Brad Huff.
Brad is a very cool dude, extremely likable and funny to boot. If you click his name, you may get the idea.  (I was trying to find his pro-blog page and found this instead).

I do have one funny Brad Huff story that I'm more than happy to tell.  Last year, the Joe Martin Memorial Stage Race (NRC PRO RACE) was my first TRUE Professional/cat 1 race and I was very happy and excited about the whole thing.  I most certainly knew who Brad Huff was and to my surprise he knew who I was and actually chatted with me at the first stage (we're both Missourians, but hadn't raced each other yet)   So, I'm all wide-eyed watching all these pros while hanging out at the back of the peloton cruising around 28 mph and I notice that Brad Huff is holding hands with Mike Creed of Rock Racing.  All I could do was laugh.  The weird thing is that they held hands for SEVERAL minutes, and pretty much only for their own self amusement and the chief official car that was immediately following.  

I should also mention Dan Schmatz.  (Brad mentions him in the video).  Dan is also a former professional bike racer, but now races for fun.  He's truly known as a sprinter and he's a good one.  Unfortunately he is also known for a mishap that occurred in the first Tour of Missouri (UCI PRO RACE) that knocked him out of it. 

So we are about to start the O'Fallon Gold Cup Criterium and some dude/spectator from the periphery yells to Dan, "No armadillos here!"

I literally almost cringe.  What a thing to say.  Dan crashed out of the Tour of Missouri after hitting a dead armadillo laying in the road.  The fan, says sorry and Dan says, "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Anyway, Dan ends up pinching me in the sprint.  I do mean pinch.  I initially felt that he had moved over on me during the sprint and I initially felt  wronged.  You can check the video, as I did later, and see that it's not too serious.  Plus it's important to note that we were sprinting for the 8, 9, and 10.  We had missed the final break. 

My biggest error in this race was that I allowed myself to float to the back of the pack after being reeled in after being in small break-a-way groups.  Live and learn.  Hopefully I will discipline myself to not do that again.  Unfortunately it's always easier said than done.

Well, that's it for this segment of ........... as the wheel turns.  Have fun riding your bikes everyone!

-Henderson

To learn about the best video camera in the world for videoing cycling (which is the cameras that I use for my videos) click here. 

University of Missouri Campus Split Screen

[Special Update:  I added background music.  Ludwig Van Beethoven's Symphony #7 in A major, OP 92 II. Allegretto, artist: Philharmonic Cassanova.  Additionally I added a music player gadget to this blog.  It's the 4th gadget down on the right.    The embedded video's audio can be muted to allow only the music player to be heard if so desired.]

Right off, think of your favorite song......... Got it?  Good, because that's the song that I was going to insert into this video, but copyright laws prevent me from doing so.  But......... we can still accomplish my goal.  Simply play your favorite song (on headphones, or i tunes on your computer, or whatever) and mute my natural video audio and badda-bing, badda-bang, now we've got something.

Actually,  I think that this video content is some of the coolest stuff I have ever seen.  I mean think about it.  This video format is the only possible method to allow me (or my viewers) the opportunity to tour an environment and see both what's happening in front and rear perspectives SIMULTANEOUSLY!

At anyrate, I love the University of Missouri-Columbia campus.  Many of the buildings are built with stone and over the last decade or so well over a 100 million dollars have been spent on new additional buildings.  I find it incredible and impressive, both at the same time.   

And this camera!  It is absolutely crazy cool!  The GoPro® HD Helmet HERO™ Camera weighs less than 5 ounces, shoots 1920 x 1080 high definition video (and 4 other video settings) as well as  5 megapixel stills, and a series of different time lapse photos, and can even film underwater.  Did you catch that last part...... underwater..... underwater!

For greater detail about this wonderful camera, just click on this link.  

Look at how stable the image is.  That is one thing that flips me out, because the roads and sidewalks are typically very bumpy, yet my images are typically smooth. True it's not smooth over cobblestones, but seriously have you ever ridden over cobblestones?   Your eyeballs rattle.

At any rate, I'm a super super big fan of the GoPro® HD Helmet HERO™ Camera and I strongly encourage everyone to buy one.  Specifically from the links on this site.  It  doesn't change your purchase price, but I do get a credit for said purchase.

Also let me say this: If you do purchase one of these awesome cameras (off my links or otherwise) and you need some technical advice give me a ring or email and I'll tell you any and everything I know about this camera and the software that I use for productions etc.

This camera has unlimited applications: biking , car racing, attaching it to your cat's tiny helmet, surfing, sky diving, on and on.  So what are you waiting for?  Buy it already!

To learn about the best video camera in the world for videoing cycling (which is the cameras that I use for my videos) click here.