Comite Classic

Almost Done.......

From Buoy

Well this week I completed a big step in the road for my Engineering Degree and that was done by completing my Senior Design Project which has lasted two semesters.  My teams design was for a data collection buoy that would transmit data collected in the Gulf of Mexico to a satellite that our University has deployed.  I was in charge of the communications and mechanical aspects of the design.

From Buoy

We presented our design in front of all the faculty and a few industry folks while answering questions and defending our design.  I felt out of the two other projects that were from our design group we had the best presentation and answered all questions cleanly.  This felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our shoulders but was short lived as we had a test to study for the next day and finals to worry about.

CAPE Buoy

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: satellite communications)

Capitol Cyclery

Today I headed out to Lake Kincaid with a couple guys (James and Peter) from Capitol Cyclery  as Peter had gotten his new bike in so he was itching to ride.  He had to be back at 1 though as he was working at the shop.  I rode the Rig while James was on his 69'er and since the ride was going to be a quick one I would bolt ahead of the guys to snap photos.  

From South East Mountain Biking

It has been cold this week (~40-50 degrees F) so I decided to try out an Under Armour undershirt to wear under the jersey to cut the wind some.  After two rides with it it has done a good job preventing me from getting frozen while no causing me to overheat any.  I never thought I would wear any of the Under Armour stuff but I have read how much these compression shirts help out with the heat and the cold for cycling that I thought it wouldn't hurt to try.  James has been wearing one of the winter blend shirts but he says that it causes him to overheat to quickly so I purchased one of the summer blend shirts.

From South East Mountain Biking

24 Hours of Clear Springs

This was really my first 24 solo as the one I had done previously (The Mangler) had been cut short by a bear attack so I was pumped to see how far I could push myself.  The previous week via email a lot of predictions / smack talk had been made by me to beat out my 2 other riding buddies (Mo-fo and Fa-real) with the winner receiving a 6-pack of there choice.  I had been riding strong the last few weeks and felt good with my fitness level coming into the race.

From 24 HOCS (2008)

I originally planned on driving out to Clear Springs the Friday before the race but decided against it so as to get a good night sleep in my bed and leave at 7:00 am Saturday morning.  I arrived at Clear Springs at 10:00 with plenty of time to setup my pit area and get dressed.  Unlike most 24 hour races there is no Le Mans start (running start) at Clear Springs as the director lets the team riders go first then us soloist's next. 

From 24 HOCS (2008)

I started off pretty fast, faster then I should of finishing my first lap right at an hour for the 10 mile course.  I was feeling good and didn't pit but for 2 seconds to swap out water bottles and take off on my second lap.  I was using the same plan that I had used in The Mangler by just doing a lap with a bottle of Cytomax and my tools in my seat pack.  On the third lap I snapped my chain allowing Mo-Fo to take the lead.  While fixing the chain I was passed by another rider Charley Rome who I knew was going to eventually pass me as he's a much stronger and experienced rider then I, and at this point while kneeling by my bike I felt the onset of some cramping happening.  As I finished my 4th lap Iwent to switch out water bottles and grab some endurolytes  when Fa-real came into the pits also, so we decided to start riding together.  We rode for 3 laps together with 1.5 of them being in the dark.  After my 6th lap my stomach starting giving me big problems and I felt like I was going to puke any second, eventually doing so behind my truck.  I decided to lay down at that point after sitting around the fire for an hour.  I woke back up still feeling nauseous but decided to head out and do 2 more laps before calling it quits.  I ended up with 8 laps or 80 miles.  It was disappointing but I was glad to see both my friends podium with 1st, 3rd and 4th.  Hopefully I will be back next year to redeem myself.

Gary Fisher Rig.

I took the plunge on another bike, to add to my growing stable of bikes.  I really wanted to go the singlespeed route as I was hoping to gain some more strength for some of my longer races and also wanted to try out a 29'er.  Since the shop I work at is a Trek/Gary Fisher dealer I could get a good deal on a 2008 Gary Fisher Rig.  I also just received another scholarship from school that gave me the money to purchase it.

From South East Mountain Biking

I have changed a few things from the original parts, as it came with a 70mm stem which when combined with the bars made for cramped ride.  I swapped out the stem for a 100mm but its still a little cramped as the sweep on the bars is fairly significant.  I also put a WTB  Rocket V seat on it and some new grips.

From South East Mountain Biking

After a couple of good rides (37 mile and a 26 mile) I have to say singlespeeding is much different and my upper body was feeling the effects at the end of the ride.  The 29'er is fantastic it just rolls over stuff and does a great job in the sand at Kincaid.  I was a little worried about going back to a hardtail but the 29'er seems to give you a little suspension.

Movies in the Park

This weekend Sarah and I rode the bikes downtown to Parc International to catch a movie.  Its only about a 2 mile ride to downtown Lafayette from our place so I packed some sushi and lemon orzo for dinner that we picked up earlier in the day at Fresh Market.  It was my first time using my osprey talon and it easily packed up a down blanket, bike lock, dinner for the two of us and sweaters.  It should workout for my thru-ride of the ouachita trail.

From Me & The Old Lady

From Me & The Old Lady

We had our dinner on one of the benches over looking the stage where they had the inflatable screen.  Luckily we had brought the down blanket because it got quite chilly while watching Beetlejuice and the bench got less and less comfortable as the night wore on.  It was still a great time for only $2 per person and asked ourselves why we never ride our bikes downtown when we go out for our rides. 

Gustav's Damage

Due to Gustav our roof developed quite a nice new water feature inside our apartment.  The only problem with this is we needed the pots used to collect the water for cooking.  Luckily there was another empty apartment in our complex just in a separate building.  So the last few weeks with the help of the bob trailer has gone to moving.

We also purchased Sarah a new bike that was paid for with a little off the clock work at the shop.  We took it around campus last night for a ride.

From Me & The Old Lady

From Me & The Old Lady

Petra Davis - Bear Attack

I was in a 24 hour race in Alaska that was stopped due to an grizzly bear attack on one of the racers.  This is an interview just done with her about the attack.  Im glad to see she is going to keep riding.

Gustav

From Gustav

From Gustav

Well it hasn't been much of a labor day weekend for me as Hurricane Gustav has put a damper on everything.  I was tempted to head on up to Arkansas for some riding  but with Sarah not having a job and just spending 3 days in my truck a week ago I just felt like staying put.  Sarah wanted to evacuate as it was originally predicted to be a category 5 hurricane and I wanted to go because of the thought of being without power for a few days would be unbearable.  We waited it out though and only had brief flickers in power and lost our cable/internet for half a day.

From Gustav

I did however get a road ride in Saturday with the race team for a fast ride.  Its good to be riding in a group again I missed the speed of those rides and had a little trouble keeping up when they ramped up the speed to 28 mph.  The Sunday ride was not happening due to the hurricane so today I decided to get on the trainer and do a Spinerval DVD.  The iso squats were killing me at the end and I had problems finishing the last set.  Now I just have to get back into school mode and start doing my homework.

Hurricane Gustav