Fiber Friday

No, most of us do not have enough fiber in our diets, but thats a topic for Tuesdays.  Today's fiber is a set of videos giving us a look at how carbon fiber boats, bikes and an F1 car's monocoque chassis are made.

Stainless Steel Black Carbon Fiber Band Ring (Google Affiliate Ad)

Once upon a time, I was a Mechanical Engineering major.  I love all the technical aspects of my sports, but turns out I'm terrible at advance math and couldn't pass calc II.  As my GPA moved closer to zero, I became a business student.  But my love for the technical stuff hasn't waned.

Carbon is really a super fiber.  Light, stiff and very resistant to fatigue.  Its why we use it in so many applications where weight is an issue.

For next week I'm working on some thoughts about Lance Armstrong's interview.  So far, I've been impressed with Big O's line of questions and after tonight's final segment I'll be sure to have something to say.

In the meantime, enjoy video Friday!

TGIF

Today's video is just photos really, but I loved it, so I'm posting it.

The bowman on any performance sailboat has one of the most important and difficult jobs on the boat.  The bowman (or woman) must be strong, light, agile, smart and be able to think quickly.  When the bowman is in action, their is little time to think things through, it must come naturally.  I've worked the bow before and while there's a ton of action, its easy to mess things up big time.

There's another below with some explanation from dudes who do this stuff pro.

Here's to the weekend!

TGIF!

Its been one heckuva week in pro cycling.  The amount of news coming out about Lance Armstrong, Olympics, Tour of Utah and the upcoming Tour de France is incredible. It will take me the weekend to process some of it and make some comments.

In the meantime, there's some amazing non-cycling happening this weekend.  24 Hrs of Le Mans takes place and the Volvo Ocean Race is wrapping up.  Today's video shows what happens when your storming along the north Atlantic at umpteen knots in a bad ass Volvo Open 70 sailboat.  Enjoy!

101 Posts on the wall...

Today's blog post is post number 101.  I started the blog in 2010 as a training diary for LOTOJA.  I've expanded a bit and hope you've enjoyed what you've seen and read.  I've been putting up training tips, fun videos, updates from sports I love and reviewed a few products.  I've also had to memorialize a few good people.  I like writing and I like sharing, so I'll keep posting.  Its therapeutic for me.

In search of cool content however, I'm becoming a Youtube addict!  When I was growing up, seeing coverage of sailing and cycling was non-existent.  Modern media has given us tremendous access to some great footage.  I found the following on the Volvo Ocean Race's Youtube channel.  It highlights the weekend's troubles and challenges for the fleet in the infamous Southern Ocean as they head from New Zealand to Brazil.  Rounding Cape Horn is on every sailor's bucket list and I can say its on mine as well.  This is when sailors and boats are pushed to their limits.  Huge winds, icebergs and fire hose conditions on the bow.  This 3 minute clip will get your heart racing.!