Cycling Update

I have been able to continue commuting back and forth to work. The weather has been warming and the humidity rising. That has made for more punishing conditions (i.e., sweating bullets). I have been riding my cyclocross bike (disc brakes, heavy duty rims and wheels) while I have been shedding the courvade weight. Fortunately for Kat, she lost the majority to her pregnancy weight within three months. I, on the other hand, have a lot of work ahead of me. Since last year, I am about seven minutes slower, each way to work, compared to last year. Last year my communting times ranged from 35 - 42 minutes to cover the 12.5 mile commute. Now I am averaging about 42 - 50 minutes. I am on a slower bike, but not THAT much slower. I have only been concentrating on the basics. If I really push, I can spike my heart rate to about 215 beats per minute. Because that is pretty dumb, I have been trying to maintain a ceiling heart rate of about 170 bpm (average 140) while holding a cadence of 90 rpm. I have not been focusing on speed because right now, my heart rate recovery time and pedaling efficiency are key. Over the past four weeks, I have covered the following distances:

Week 1: 100 miles
Week 2: 100 miles
Week 3: 87.5 miles (left directly from work to drive to MN over Memorial Day Weekend)
Week 4: 100 miles (this week)

I recently picked up a CompuTrainer (CT) on eBay for indoor riding. I have used it only once, but it was the most intense and exciting way to ride a bike indoors. The CompuTrainer is ultimately a video game for cycling. Imagine seeing someone riding a bike indoors jumping out the saddle to really hammer on the pedals, jammining through the range of gears in the front and rear, and exerting themselves in a pure physical challenge.

On the CT you ride a course that you can build, download from the CT website, or record with a GPS and then upload. The system is calibrated to rider weight, preset wind conditions, drafting off of other riders, and a whole lot of other really neat stuff. The CT is where I will be able to add training over the weekends and in the winter. It is one of the coolest gadgets around!

My Perspective on those that Deny Global Warming

The earth is the center of the universe. (hubris)
The earth is flat. (lack of knowledge)
Humans can not cause global warming. (lack of information/lack of knowledge/hubris)

These are the rules to live by when, despite evidence to the contrary, the antiquated views rule.

If someone were being treated for a serious illness, and spoke to several specialists, and that person received a resounding echo of the treatment necessary, it would be obvious to follow that advice. Even though that person may deny the sickness and fear the consequences, the treatment is still necessary.

When contemplating the solution to global warming, perhaps a similar approach should be excersiced. Resoundingly, the experts agree: manmade emissions of CO2 are resulting in global warming, the solution is to reduce the rate of emission. There will be consequences, an uncomfortable period of transition, and recovery. In the end everyone will be better off.

$3.59/gallon!!!

Chicago has highest gas prices in U.S.
The Associated Press
Published May 21, 2007, 5:50 AM CDT

Chicago now has the highest gasoline prices in the nation, according to a nationwide survey released Sunday.The average price of self-serve regular gasoline hit a record high of $3.18, rising more than 11 cents over the past two weeks, according to the survey. But Chicago came out tops at $3.59 a gallon.The latest national average figure topped the record of $3.07 set two weeks ago, which had been the highest price since the average cost of a gallon of gas hit $3.03 on Aug. 11, 2006, according to the Lundberg Survey of 7,000 gas stations across the country.The latest price also beat the previous inflation-adjusted record of $3.15 per gallon in March 1981.In the latest survey, a gallon of mid-grade gasoline averaged $3.29, and premium cost $3.40.The lowest average price for regular fuel was $2.87 in Charleston, S.C.In California, regular grade gasoline dropped 2 cents to $3.41.

National Bike to Work Week...Part II

I think that National Bike to Work Week is similar to Earth Day. A symbolic acknowledgement of what people "should" do. Putting a date on a calendar and declaring it significant does not really change peoples behavior.

Because I drive a hybrid, I did not realize too much savings over the week. Given the hybrid usually get 36-37mpg, that is equivalent to:
[100 miles per week / (36.5 miles/gallon)] x $3.49/gallon = $9.56 per week .

Compare the hybrid to my 1991 Chev 1/2 ton pickup, that is equivalent to:
[100 miles per week / (16 miles/gallon)] x $3.49/gallon = $21.81 per week .

Extrapolate that to an average month:
(52 weeks / 12 months) x Dollars Saved = Total Monthly Savings
Camry Hybrid = (52 weeks / 12 months) x $9.56 per week = $41.36 Saved / month
Silverado P/U = (52 weeks / 12 months) x $21.81 per week = $94.52 Saved / month

I often wonder why, in the face of high gas prices, people do not change their habits. This can be done simply by riding a bike (isn't there an obesity problem in this country?), buying a hybrid or more fuel efficient car, and/or taking public transportation. Granted, public transporation numbers are up as are hybrid sales, and I applaud those that are doing their part. The part that disappoints me is when people complain, yet do nothing. Specifically, complaining that oil company execs are making too much money. Do your part to make sure that the bike shop owners and hybrid car manufacturing execs "make too much money". In short, do not complain of the cost of fuel if you are unwilling to reduce your personal consumption of fuel. Maybe I am oversimplifying the issue...

As an additional fuel saving measure, I just mounted a Yakima SkyBox to the roof of my car to get the storage benefit of a minivan/crossover without paying the mileage penalty. Now I will be able to use my pickup less and less. Anyone can add a rooftop carrier to a fuel efficient car to obtain additional storage vs. buying a large vehicle.

National Bike to Work Week

This week was National Bike to Work Week and yesterday was National Bike to Work Day. I have gotten back into the mode of commuting to work. Right now, I am focusing on trying to reestablish a base level of fitness. I pedaled 100 miles last week after I ride home today this afternoon, I will have accomplished the same this week.

With the gasoline price extremes we are seeing currently, and the National Biking initiative, I was surprised to see at most two other cyclists in the 25 miles a day I ride. I should note that there is one rider that I see everyday included in my count of two.

As is common among cyclists, a rider will typically pass vehicles that are stopped at lights or stop signs along the space between the vehicle and curb. Yesterday, on National Bike to Work Day, a driver veered very close to the curb, cutting off the route to pass. While he was stopped I passed around the other side of his vehicle to avoid a right hook. I assumed that this driver was going to make an imminent right hand turn and was close to the curb for that reason. When I made the pass, his extended middle finger suggested that he closed that gap to prevent me from passing him.

Perhaps, when I am given the opportunity again, I will use the extended finger to grab onto, to help me stop my bike and have a conversation regarding driver/cycling safety. I do not want to be negative in pointing out this event. But, as my wife mentioned, you can carry your bike over your shoulder, and you can't do that with a car. When a car and bike collide, there is a clear loser - the cyclist.

Is Ethanol Cost Effective?

From Clean Air Choice, this link presents a comparison cost of E85 to Unleaded.

Consider the following:
1)Ethanol contains approximately 76% of the energy as gasoline (see below)
2)Ethanol's Return on Energy is approximately 1.24:1. That means that the BTU expended yields approximately 24% more BTU.

ETHANOL BY THE NUMBERS
Energy for Ethanol (100%) EEtOH = 75,700.00 BTU/Gallon
Energy for Gasoline (100%) EGAS = 115,000.00 BTU/Gallon

Energy in E85 (Ethanol Content Ranges from 70% to 85%)
EE85 = [(0.85 * EEtOH + 0.15 * EGAS) +(0.70 * EEtOH + 0.30 * EGAS)] / 2
EE85 = 84,542.50 BTU/Gallon

Energy in Blended Gasoline
EPUMPGAS = 0.10 * EEtOH + 0.90 * EGAS
EPUMPGAS = 111,070.00 BTU/Gallon

Comparison of Blended Gasoline to E85
Efficiency of E85 = EE85 / EPUMPGAS
Efficiency of E85 = 76%

This evaluation reflects the energy that is available for the automobile to consume. For E85 to break even with gasoline is must cost at least 24% less for the economics to be attractive. The following factors in that the Return on Energy for EtOH is

Equivalent Cost of Fuel based on Energy
Gasoline $2.85
E85 $2.17

FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION

1 gallons of E85 = 84,542.50 BTU
Fossil Fuel Energy Expended = 68,179.44 BTU
1 gallon Gasoline = 111,070.00 BTU

Based on equivalent energy: 1.31 Gallons E85 = 1 Gallon Gasoline

1.31 (Gallon E85/Gallon Gasoline Equiv E85) * 68,179.44 BTU Fossil Fuels
= 89,572.58 BTU Fossil Fuels / Gallon of Gasoline Equivalent E85

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Hank the Tank!

I have created a new blog for Henry. His pictures can be seen here.

Henry's imminent arrival

Katherine's water broke this morning at 1:50am. She had her first contraction at 2:23am. I will post again after Henry makes his debut.

One down, one to go!

One month ago I discovered that I passed my P.E. exam and do not have to worry about that exam ever again. Now I am preparing for my P.G. exam. The P.G. exam is on March 2, 2007 which is three days before Henry's due date. I hope that my head is in the right place considering I will likely be distracted because Katherine could go into labor at any minute while I am taking the exam, or a Henry will be at home and I am sure that I'll be thinking about him.

Nursery (Part II)

It has been a long (and hectic) time since my last post. Since the prior post, we have brought the nursery to a more final point.

(Two)Weekend Nursery Project.

Over the past few weekends, we have been trying to get the nursery setup for Henry's pending arrival. We decided to paint a two-tone room with a wavy separation and stars stenciled near the celing. This turned into a much more ambitious project than we thought. In the end, I think it turned out well. We stripped and painted the dresser shown in the pictures as well. Here it is:

Cycling is NOT the most drugged-up sport!

I took the following statistics from a Chicago Tribune article titled:
The real doping crisis: billiards

Apparently baseball players use drugs at about the same rate as cyclists...

Billiards: - 9.96% - 28 positives out of 281 tests
Golf: - 5.21% - 20/384
Bandy: - 3.94% - 8/203
Cycling: - 3.78% - 482/12,751
Baseball: - 3.69% - - 390/10,580
Motorcycle Racing: 3.23% - 12/372
Underwater sports: 3.22% - 12/373
Boxing: - 3.14% - 83/2433
Triathlon: - 3.14% - - 74/2,170
Archery: - 2.94% - 25/850
Ice Hockey: - 2.87% - 79/2,751
Rugby: - 2.46% - 113/4,601
Orienteering: - 2.09% - 10/479
Volleyball: - 2.06% - 54/2161
Weightlifting: - 2.50% - 146/5842
Athletics: - 1.67% - 342/20,464
Football (Soccer): 1.46% - 343/23,478
55.2% of all Adverse Analytical Findings were Anabolic agents
(43.4%) or stimulants.
60.7% of AAF for Anabolic agents the identified substance was
Testosterone.

Thanksgiving Hybrid Drive

Over Thanksgiving, I drove the Camry Hybrid to MN from Chicago and back. It was a really confortable drive and we averaged about 37.5 mpg. Compared to our Oldsmobile Aurora, this represents an advantage of 12.5 mpg. Our typical driving accounts for approximately 1,000 miles over a MN weekend saving a total of 13.3 gallons of gasoline. At $2.25/gallon, we saved $30 on this one trip. That certainly doesn't make a huge dent in the $400+ payement for the car, but it represents about a 7% advantage vs. driving a similarly priced vehicle for the same money. For instance, a similarly equipped Chrysler Sebring sedan costs about $1,000 less than the Camry.

Extrapolating an estimated $30/month savings if the vechicle were driven 1,000 miles/month at $2.25/gallon at optimum efficiency. So, that means that one can easily justify a $1,500 hybrid "premium" based on a monthly vehicle budget that includes fuel and vehicle payment. Tack on the Hybrid tax credit ($2,600 when I purchased), and it is a no-brainer. This also assumes a balance of city and highway driving.

The other element to consider is that I drove a Chevy Cobalt for several days after our Aurora was destroyed and I averaged 19.5 mpg in that small car because of the amount of city driving that I do regularly. I am now routinely averaging 37.5 mpg regardless of highway or city driving.

The factors that are often overlooked when considering a hybrid is that the hybrid "premium" is financed over several years so you need to capture your monthly outlay, not how many gallons of gas equate to the assumed "premium". Toyota leads the industry in resale, and due to the overwhelming demand for hybrids, their depreciation is lowest in the automotive industry. There is actually less wear and tear on the breaks and engine, resulting in a lower overall cost of maintenance....fewer air filters, brake jobs, fuel filters, etc. The added maintenance component is the electrical hybrid systems, which has proven reliable over the past 6 years in the Prius, and the only battery problems that have occured is from people that have modified their systems, and the manual systems employed by Honda.

Anywho, I like Hybrids!

Racism

While my wife and I were walking the dog this morning, a neighbor dog, Jo-Jo really wanted to play with my dog Cosmo. Jo-Jo was busy taking care of his morning business, and we walked by. Jo-Jo about a minute later came tearing down the alley to visit Cosmo, but we had turned a corner and Jo-Jo lost sight of Cosmo. Jo-Jo proceeded to visit a woman at the end of the alley who happened to be African-american. This woman gave me a look of death and began to scold me about my loose dog. A moment later Jo-Jo's mom, who happens to be African-american, came running after Jo-Jo. The woman that Jo-Jo ran after stopped her rant said "Oh, that's your dog (directed to Jo-Jo's mom), not your dog (directed to me)" and then proceded calmly to work. Strange that me and my wife would get a more hostile reaction than Jo-Jo's mom...Could it be racism?

RNCC Bag O' Tricks

I found this after hearing from a coworker who lives in Illinois 6th Congressional district that she was recieving a barrage of phone calls from the Democratic candidate Tammy Duckworth. Apparently, the NRCC has, in several states, paid for automated calls to people that identify that they are calling with information about a democratic candidate, then go into a "smear" of that candidate, followed by the identification of the NRCC. These calls are intended to be annoying and occur at deliberate incovenient times for the recipient. In the case of my coworker, she is a registered Democrat, and is recieving annoying calls from someone she is going to vote for anyway. Seems crazy, huh? I am not a campaigner, but I would certainly not focus on bringing out the vote of someone registered with the party, I would focus on those that could be convinced to vote for the candidate I was supporting.

Whe she has recieved the calls, she has answered the call, discovered it is political in the introduction, and has hung up believing the call is from the Duckworth campaign. She was taken aback when I pointed this issue out to her.

Perhaps the US needs to adopt Canada's approach to limit any campaigning in the 72hrs preceding the election. Then, perhaps these underhanded schemes would give people breathing room before the vote to focus on the issues versus the emotion.

Commentary on Energy and Environment

What I expect/hope to see if the mid-term elections result in a re-balance of power (i.e., more dems elected) with respect to energy and environment:

We will begin to pursue real initiatives for alternative energy. Hopefully Prop 87 will pass in California, resulting in additional cost for Crude Oil. This proposition, if passed, will be a catalyst for other states to do the same. The tax on crude ranges from 1.5% to 6% based on the cost of crude. The lower tax range is during times of low crude price and the higher range for high crude cost. This tax pool is to fund alternative energies. From a broader economic perspective, the US has thrived on innovation and highly educated, highly compensated jobs. A fundamental problem with "exporting" low-skill jobs overseas is not that we are exporting jobs. The problem lies in the fact that we are not replacing those low-skilled jobs with things that we do best, innovation and education.

Imagine that we fund high technology ventures and education. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to let others do what they do best (low skill, for a low wage) while we focus on what we do best, (high skill for a high wage). The clearly evident avenues for this to occur is with respect to environmental resources such and water, agriculture, and energy. These are critical because of the ever expanding global population that will inevitably put significant stress on these resources. (An academic exercise from college place the global carrying capacity of the earth at 9 billion people, a number I expect to see in my lifetime). Water purification technology and infrastructure, more efficient and sustainable energy use, and more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices present opportunities for the US to be a world leader.

Like I have stated before: Being green should no longer have a "tree-hugger" connotation. Being green is becoming the backbone of financial decisions.

The rate of adoption to "being green" should be encouraged from a broader governmental push with incentives and regulation. With that said, I believe the US should mandate ISO 14000 on imported goods. This would address two problems: the export of manufactuing (because the environmental conditions to do business would be similar to a US corporation), and serve to limit pollution globally. The US is the biggest world consumer of goods, why then do we import manufactured goods that are subject to less stringent environmental regulation than if they were manufactured domestically, while we decry domestic polluters? Is this NIMBYism or lack or care for the environment?

Disowning the Vikings, and adopting the Bears

I have been a lifelong fan of the Vikings. Now, after living in the Chicago area for four years, I think this will be the year that I root for the Bears. Why now? Well, when a team is winning it makes it easier to get to know the players and want to wish them well. I have been able to watch more Vikings games this year than any other of my 4 years in Chicago. I have always wanted to watch every Vikings games and have only seen a few, while the Bears are on every week. I feel as though I am Cubs fan when I sit watching the Vikes (they lose by self destruction -make stupid plays, and get penalized left and right). In years past, my favorite teams have been the Vikings and anyone playing the Packers. This year, I will be torn when I watch the Bears play the Vikes. Right now, I think I am going to root for the Bears this year and years to come.

Sorry it has had to come to this Vikes...

P.S. For baseball I still love the Twins and have never wanted to become a Cubs or Sox fan, and I think that the departure of the North Stars ruined me as a pro hockey fan.

P.G. Exam

Now that I have completed my P.E. Exam, I will be moving on to the Professional Geologist examination. I will have three months to prepare for that exam which will be held on March 2, 2007. I really hope that I pass my P.E. Exam so that I do not have to concern myself with taking the P.G. and retaking the P.E. at the same time in the spring...with a new baby.

The P.G. Exam will likely be more difficult than the P.E. Exam because Illinois proctors the Fundmentals of Geology at the same time as the Principals of Geology. For Engineering, one takes the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (8hr Exam) in college and then the P.E. (another 8hr exam) after completing the work experience requirements.

Since I will be taking the F.G. component approximately 5 years outside of my academic Geology education, I have a lot of material to refresh on (Petrology, Minerology, Paleontology, Geomorphology, and other stuff that is rarely used in environmental geology). In most states, testing for the P.G. is a new requirement and the majority of P.G.s are licensed in Illinois by "grandfathering". The problem with this scenario is that it will take a generation of P.G.s licensed by examination for the credential to have merit. Even P.G.s consider the licensure weak because of new standards for examination. P.G.s also do not have a strong governmental lobby like Engineers. This has allowed most of the signatory requirements for documents to fall under the purview of P.E.s, while it is often as or more appropriate for a P.G. to sign a document.

PE Exam

I have been preparing for and will sit for my Professional Engineering examination tomorrow. Passing this test (fingers crossed) will be a significant milestone for me in my career. It can lead to a significant bump in salary...if all works out well. And, it will allow me to sign-off on engineering drawings/opinions/workplans and other stuff. It becomes valuable for any employer because I take personal liability in stamping documents. I have hear others say that as soon as you stamp your first document, you will be in a courtroom in the next two-years. Let's hope that when my time comes for the courtroom, it will be to poke holes in others work and not the reverse.

Wish me luck!

UPDATE:
The exam consisted of two, four hour sections that are open book. The first section was more computational and a "hide and seek" type of exam; that is, I would read the problem and search through reference books to find an answer. I went to the exam with a minimalist approach, only bringing about 6 references. Some people were bringing in multiple milk-crates full of books. (...In my opinion, a reference is only good if you are somewhat familiar with that reference. How could anyone be familiar with 20 difference texts?...) The second section was more along the lines of work realted problems and was the type of information that you could not look up in books and you had to answer based on practical work experience. I walked away from the exam feeling confident, and that may be a problem. I say that because when I was in college and left an exam with confidence, I would get dope-slapped with a "C" or something much worse than I thought I would get. I will find out in January if my confidence is appropriate or an indication that I need to take the exam again.

Latest Ultrasound (ITS A BOY)

My wife and I just got back from out visit at the doctor's office. The first view of the baby revealed the obvious...It's A Boy!

See...just look at where the arrow is pointing.

Top Picture: Feet
Top Center: Face and Elbows
Bottom Center: Face/Abdomen (Profile)
Bottom: ITS A BOY!