Letter of the month

Gotta love the Fat Cyclist (link can be found on the frequent reads sidebar)and his winning letter for the ticket to Team RadioShack's (cycling pro-team) training camp.

Dear Mr. Bruyneel,
Please find attached my resume and press clip portfolio. I think they’ll go a long way toward showing you that I am an experienced and capable professional with both focus and drive.
I’d like to take a moment of your time to briefly summarize why I am applying for the position of Professional Cyclist at Team Radio Shack.
First of all, I am a team player. In my current job — Product Manager at an IT research and analysis firm — I have been in the position of both managing and participating in large teams, initiating large initiatives and driving them to completion. I feel this would be a valuable skill in a professional cyclist. While I cannot guarantee that I would be first across the finish line in every race, I can promise you that I would be able to work with other team members to ensure that they knew their own responsibilities as well as my own status at any given point in time.
Next, I have excellent communication skills. I am highly proficient at every Microsoft Office product, with particular emphasis in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and have given literally hundreds of presentations in the course of my career. If, at some point during a training ride or race, you or anyone else came up with an idea that needed to be presented before the team, I am your guy.
I am a fast learner. While it is true that at this point I have never won a professional-level bicycle race (to be candid, I have never won a sport-class local race, either), I learn quickly by observing others in the workplace. I have no doubt that after watching how other professional cyclists win races, I would be able to emulate their behavior and win races as well.
I take my job seriously. As I begin to accumulate “palmares” (you’ll note that I am already beginning to learn terms specific to the cycling world!), I would always acknowledge those who made it possible, including you. Further, I would never showboat across the finish line, throwing my hands in the air as if the victory belonged to me alone. Frankly I find that behavior unnecessarily self-focused and not conducive to a productive environment in the workplace.
I am willing to travel, within reason. I completely understand that this job requires some travel, and you have my assurance that this will not be a problem for me, as long as I am able to keep my “away” days to a maximum of three days per month, with the understanding that I need to be home with my kids on the weekends.
I am experienced. I have noticed that — with one notable exception — most of your riders are in their late twenties and early thirties. I believe that I can help fill the “experience gap” you have almost certainly observed in your team. As a 43-year-old man, I have twenty years in the professional world and can act as a mentoring figure to other team members who are still just getting started with their careers.
I have contacts in the industry. I don’t want to brag, but I have exchanged email with people at a number of bike-related companies, including Gary Fisher, Ibis, and Masi. I also have an in with the guys at Pro Bar, and might be able to help you get a discount. In these uncertain economic times, I think this could really help. And I am personally acquainted with a couple of really excellent jersey designers; I think I could get them to bump you up in their design queue.
I interview well, and have a sizable vocabulary, plus I am an excellent speller. I don’t want to seem boastful, but I was an alternate for my junior high school in the annual county spelling bee thirty years ago.
I am an Eagle Scout. I think that speaks for itself.
I’m a big fan of Radio Shack. I am a bit of an electronics DIY guy, and a few years ago, one of my sons and I actually built a robot from scratch, following instructions in a book and using parts primarily found at Radio Shack. How many of your (other) team members can say that?
Finally — and I think this is an important point — I really enjoy riding bikes. I think that will really shine through when cameras inevitable hone in on me.
I look forward to hearing back from you and to joining your team. Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards,
The Fat Cyclist

Last Lecture

The first Xmas gift for 09 was a book given by one of my very special friend from Lah lah land. The book's "The last lecture" by Randy Pausch. A very simple yet inspiring read extracting Randy's very last lecture delivered in Carnegie Mellon University.

What is so unique about this gift other than it being brought back from Tibet is it's content regarding "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams". What is my childhood dream? Do I even have childhood dream? Have I done anything working towards my childhood dream?

In contrary, the giver has been everything I thought I was but never was.

www.thelastlecture.com

09 Mods

This Xmas is starting to be a pricy one, had my very first major upgrade for my 8 yr old. It was expensive but worth it. A new term was learnt, ride quality. Had no idea how smooth the bike can be with a few minor changes. Anyway here's the few new items.
- profile design seat (can really feel myself being pushed forward) yet to know if the seat is suitable for longer rides.
- shimano 550 wheels
- sora break calipers
- new 8 speed casette
- new chain

Here's look of the bike after all those upgrades, nothing really noticeable other than the really cool looking wheels.

New Sora calipers......... now I am reminded of what are sensitive breaks.

Shimano 550 wheelset and new 8 speed casette..... woohoo.... feels like riding a brand new bike.

The label speaks for itself.

The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody

Not one of my favourite songs, but the muppets certainly brings a smile to a warm groggy morning. Actually quite suprised the muppets show is still running after all this years.

Old skool

Late humid thoughts

Rainy days & cool nights, that pretty much summarises the past week. It’s always “refreshing” coming home. Lah Lah Land is always in a state of change, there is always something new or a fresh fad going on. One can understand that the island state too cannot afford to rest on its laurels (one of the best airports, busiest ports, efficient public transport, and largest casinos/resort), there is a need for innovation, improvement, change to stay ahead of the game. The ancient game of numbers.

Looking back at the past few days, been really dissapointed by the weather (it's the monsoon period, should've known better) and my lazy self. Really should have spent more time exploring the new places, really feeling more and more like a tourist every time I get back. On a positive note, this was one of the healthiest trip back, already went for 4 runs and swims over the past 2 weeks.

Wanted to post some photos as a memory of what I’ve visited and seen but realised the images taken by pros on google image look much better.

A night view of sluice gates along the Marina Barrage. Witnessed the amazing engineering feat separating fresh and salt water at the confluence of Lah lah river. The speed and efficiency of approval and delivery of such huge public projects put drive though Maccas to shame.

The every changing night lights of lah lah, comng soon, 3 hugh incense poles blocking the previous CBDlights on the left known as Marina Sands IR will be open for biz next year. This will be the new night line for us but for how long?

Robertson Quay, only knew this place existed as the parking lot for Mohd Sultan patrons years ago. Now it's a multi million real estate location filled with eating places and drinking holes.

Last but not least, Orchard ION. Where the basement in the only affordable shopping for common lah lahreans.

Dec Monsoons

13 days gone in a flash, 3 more left to savour the sights, sounds, smells and taste of the island which is presently engulfed by the SE monsoon. It's really been a hoilday, with tropical thunderstorms pounding the island state relentlessly over the past week, theres not much to do then to stay home then "rest". At least the nights are cool and comfortable, but the nights too have been filled with gluttony, lust, envy, greed then sloth during the day. 5 out of 7 isin't too bad. :)

Despite all those vices that clouds us, there is light in love and hope. Love from family, friends and partners which has already been eaily violated by lust, envy..... Hope, has it already been masked by greed, wrath, sloth....
Will this light keep shinning? Are the clouds so heavy and dense that we have forgotten what lies beyond those clouds? At dark times like this, only one young man stands in their way. But this young man filled with wrath from spilled blood, will he be up for the task? Yes he can!!! If there's anyone it must be sage mode Naruto.

The entry seems more like an opening for a new epic movie? Another rainy day on the "sunny " island state.

One down one to go

One more working day before I leave for my holidays back "Home". Somehow, adrenaline is rushing in and feeling pretty excited. It's been a year since I last took a long break from work. I wonder how much has it changed this time round? Although theres somehow less to look forward to this time, I am still positive it'll be a good break.

Going to the GONG

Cound't ask for a better day for the Syd to Gong ride. It's the longest ride we've attempted so far, by no means was it the toughest, highly reccomend it to all who loves the outdoors and discover the less travelled part of the osuth coast by bike. The scenery alkong the ride was just breadth taking, going through national parks, hill tops, valleys, beaches. Not to mention the numerous steep descents as well, which fr3aking buckled by rear wheels again!! And caused a misharp to a member of Team Silver Tortise. Anyways thanks to all for your donations and well wishes over the past months.

Althoug this ride has considerably less incidents compared to our last outing, the severity was much more fatal. Compared to the wear and tear of my break calipers and buckled wheel, the damage to the human body especially to the basic body strcuture was unfortunate. Considering how bad and slow I am as a descender, this incident will only add to my nightmares for bike descents. Yes, new bike calipers and pads are definitely on my immediate shopping list.


Anyways here's the start of the ride, 10,000 of us pedal pushers. Considering that there was also a 230km ride in Canberra and the 1/2 ironman on the turn out was pretty spectecular. There were soo many bikers it took us almost 30min from the queue to the start line.

A view from the top of the national park, with Team Cell.


A pic of the national park on the run/ride.

Check out the climbs.... then descents.

Even Borat want a piece of the ride.

Will I do it again, yes. Got to make sure my break system is in good nick.

Bloomings

Last month of spring, love those flowers bloomings. Thankfully I've not got hay fever.

I'm dreaming of a hilly Xmas

Summer holiday plans 2009
Image curteosy of, http://www.chockstonephotos.com/

Super Duper Clean

Whoever thought of this must be a genius..... now we can all sing to this song in the KTV!!



Stumbled onto this as well......

Breakdown numbers

Depending on the the culture or demographic of the time, the legal institution of marriage and its rules and ramifications have changed over time. Colour, sex, race, religion, cultures which were barriers before are now of little concern, what changes will come about as we approach an age where the world is getting much smaller and Maccas getting "healthier"? I guess the bureaucrats, conservatives, religious leaders and public will decide... over time.

Been recently increasingly surrounded by friends who are both at different ends of their marriage. What really drove this entry was my interest in the stats especially in the 2 countries I call home.

The islanders from the sunny country-state-island named after the sighting of a lion generally gets hitched at the age of 29 for dudes and 27 for chics. By the time a break up was in place, guys will be 40 and chics 36. Which may imply that the duration of marriage was between 11 years average. General divorce rate is at an average of 7.6%. Interestingly, the stats are pretty constant over the past 3-5 years.

In comparison, the stats for the folks down under have increasing over the past 9 years. The median divorce rate has been increasing from 37-44 for blokes and 34-41 for sheilas. Duration of marriage vary from 10-12 years.

References:
http://www.singstat.gov.sg/stats/
http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/

After looking into the stats, even though both countries share different cultures, and have a very different demographic breakdown, the stats for divorce rates are strangely similar. Does that imply durations of marriage is a constant number irregardless of people, place but varying with time? Is this what they used to call the 7 year itch? Does that imply the world is getting smaller?

The Northern Rd - Ride No. 2

Missed out on photos for the last ride but not this time. Got some photos of the ride. The ride is appox 50km west of the city. It's pretty much as west as Sydney gets without leaving Sydney. It's what we call where the birds do not lay eggs. Anyway it's a pretty scenic ride and undulating, there's quite alot of tri bike grinding along this route.
Here's a view along the ride, no apartments, no buildings, not much civilization except the cars zooming beside you at 90km/hr. We're luckier today, not much head or cross wind unlike last week, which was quite a bit of a ride. Clear blue skies, green pasture, wide road shoulder, what more can a 2 wheeler want?

Here's a view of the road, it's a north south route, connecting Penrith to Camden. Will attempt to do the full ride soon.

Check out those brand new 3/4 skins bibs, courtesy of TLY. Does it work? I hope it does, but definitely legs still feels fresh after the ride.

Here's the professor, churning away in his huge gears!! Check out those calves.
Here's my ride, 01 Avanti sprint, almost stock model with Sora components. Only changes were the seat and tyres which was stuffed after the spring ride. To be honest, the ride isn't bad, does its job, a silent worker, other than needing the usual tune up. There's not much problem. I guess it's the 7 years itch which is driving me to look for a new "partner" in crime.

Here's the other 2 rides, Cell (local brand, alot like Giordano, nothing fancy but affordable and does the job) with Sora components and Giant Defy Tiagra equipped

State of change

I guess the life lesson learnt over the project in RH is that life is always in constant state of change. Just as nature is always in a state of change. We are all changing everyday physically & mentally, growing old; the things we see, hear and feel affect us all. The more one experience, listens, sees or feels, the more one may change. Or do they?

You think you know it all, own it all, you claim stuff to belong to you. But I guess it’s only transient. Changes are always around us, you change, and I change.

Just like the project site office which was the hive of activities, once the hype is over, everything is taken away and what is left is dust and dirt once again. Over time weeds will over run the dirt and nature claims it back once again.

A bustling office one day,

dirt and dust the next.

23 days & counting

23 days to go before my holidays!! Woohoo!! just need to finish off these stuff before I leave,
- Gong ride, as seens explicitly on the page
- train for gong ride,
- finish up work in office (it never ennds)
- settle on where to go during the "holiday".

Had a chat with a old friend from uni, a interesting quote from him which is pretty true. "Better do stuff now when you've got the drive. Once you get too complacent its difficult to push on later in life or when kids come around." Really stuck me, am I too complacent atm? In life and in work?

Ride for a Cause

Hope the legs can make it but its my butt I'm more worried about.

EMC2 Etape R2.4

Had a look at the EtapeR2.4 and almost fell in love with it just looking at it. Oversized tubes, compact frame, 105 group set. The only problem holding me back is my wallet, there are cheaper 105 bikes out there.