August 2008 Archives

Awesome! Simply put this new plugin called Ubiquity for Firefox browser has the possibility of being incredible. It's still in beta now and was just released to the public but it's obvious that it could drastically change the way we work with and interact with web based applications and email.
It works similar to a keyboard (hot key) application launcher like Launchy or Quiksilver only it's for commands in the Firefox Web Browser. For instance you want to search Wikipedia for "sack of crap aka Kanye West". You hit your key combination (Ctrl+Enter by default) and start typing Wiki..... and it goes to work. Another option is to highlight text on a page you are browsing and then hit the key combo. There are commands for searching Amazon, Yahoo, Flickr, Youtube, and many other places.
Another function of the Ubiquity is to simplify the insertion of web items in to an email. Things like a Google Map or clipping from a webpage can be inserted much easier than by other means.
Enough from me, check out this video on some of the features:


Ubiquity for Firefox from Aza Raskin on Vimeo.

I came across this site today: Chainlove.com. It's the Woot or Steep and Cheap of the cycling world. One new piece of gear at a "crazy" price every day.

The Fort Lee Criterium that is coming up on September 14th is going to be a blast! It's in the older section of Fort Lee, the scenery is nice, rest rooms are close, and there will be plenty of places to just sit back and watch the action. The course itself is a long rectangle covering about five blocks. The start will be on one of two long straight sections and will have a small climb. From there the racers will go in to a 90° turn, a short straight away, then a sweeping fast turn that leads in to another long straight away. This one will be down hill and should be fast. Go 5 blocks make a right turn, another short section, another right turn, and it's back up a slight incline to the finish line. The layout will be a nice change from the ovals that a lot of racers have become accustomed to in "VACA land" and the long straights should make for some awesome sprints! If you haven't registered make sure you do by going here.

Sorry for the lack of posts for so long. I spent last week on an awesome vacation with my family. Now I am back to work playing catch up. Fun, Fun, Fun!
Hopefully this weekend I will get some pictures from our vacation processed and online.

I came across this picture on a blog called Damn Cool Pics.


There are more pictures from the Hamsterlympics here.

Wick, aka Wicknasty, has started up his own blog. Check it out: BigWickNasty

There is this "little" race series that goes on up in Richmond called Go Fast Turn Left. This weekend will be the third installment of the series. It is one of the few events on the VACA calender that you can race both your road bike and track bike on the same day! This event it has been sponsored and promoted a small crew consisting of Braden from Carytown Bicycle Company and few volunteers.
Earlier this week Braden released an email. It stated that due to low pre-registration the event may have to be cancelled. He could not afford to lose money on the event due to a poor turn out. Several people like Kazane Racing and Altius Sports Medecine stepped up to the plate and helped out with sponsorships. With the additional help Braden decided to keep the event on the calendar, but now it's up to the racers to step up and pre-register! If I weren't going to be on vacation five hours away from Richmond I would be there racing!

This really is a fun day! Help support Braden and his efforts and go race!

Picasa Web Albums - Gilbert Craven - Chesapeake Crit

He even caught the picture of me to the left with my "game face" on. Ok, so maybe it wasn't a game face it was more me worrying about keeping my wheels on the ground!

What a great day for a race!  Saturday wasn’t too hot, there was only a mild breeze, and the humidity wasn’t bad.  I was excited about this race.  I got out to the Chesapeake Municipal Center with plenty of time to spare, registered, then started to pedal around to warm up.  I was feeling really good.  I had taken a week off the bike because of everything going on with work, the heat, and getting ready for vacation.  So I was doubtful as to how I would feel out there. 

The race started and in typical Cat 5 fashion there were people all over the place.  I moved up in to the top 5 and attempted to hang there for most of the race.  Richie from, my team, Fat Frogs did his normal thing and rode up on the front setting the pace.  He did this for the lion’s share of the first half.  I made the mistake once again of sitting up towards the front too long once again and dropped back in to the peleton for a few laps.  I stayed there until the last half of the race when I moved my way back up towards the front.  It was a pretty fast race as far as a 5 race goes and the course was a lot of fun.  A little “S” in the back of the course a few 90’s and a nice long straight section on the back. 

With about three to go someone came across from the left clipped my rear wheel then proceeded to go sliding across the pavement.  Having someone come across my wheel like that was a first for me.  It was quite the ahhhh “interesting” experience.  I was a little shook up after than and dropped back a bit.  In the final lap I managed to work up my confidence and get back in to the race.  We hammered it in the back turns spreading the peleton out and went in to the final turn doing almost 30.  Thank god it was a good solid group that was in the turn when we went through it at that speed!  We sprinted for the line for a clean finish.  I placed 8th.  The Frogs had some great placing for this race.  Richie took 2nd, Matt Keane 7th, myself 8th, Bud 10th, and I think there possibly two or three other Frogs in the top 15.

There were a lot of photographers on hand to catch all the action!  They got a lot of awesome photographs! 

Here’s some links to the pictures I have found so far:

Martin's Picasa Album for the Chesapeake Criterium (Martin took the picture that is part of this post)

Pablo's Gallery

Harold (Solo Fed)'s Pictures