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I can't see an existing thread where either of the following fits, so I'll start a grab bag for cycling-related items of interest that don't necessarily elicit lots of discussion, a kind of cycling random thoughts thread...
The first is a video of Danny MacAskill (there's a brief ad at the start, but stick with it). I've seen other videos of him, I don't think I'd seen this before and his stunts are spectacular. And when matched up with the Scottish countryside, the effect is breathtaking. I will encourage Mrs. PAC to try some of these on our next ride.
The second item was a story told by a friend from high school at a party last night. He's one of the chief scientists at a major biotech company, but loves to cycle in his spare time. Unfortunately, that means he's riding either very early or very late in the day. His wife, an RN, really hectors him about being safe and telling him not to ride. But last winter, he went out on an early morning ride in the hills around Berkeley and Moraga. Descending on Pinehurst Road, he hit a patch of black ice, fell, and skidded over 100 yards and was badly banged up.
Rather than call his wife or the paramedics for help, he rode home, including the final mile-long climb up near Strawberry Canyon that features a 12% grade. He felt horrible, but didn't dare tell his wife and he went off to work as if everything were all right. But by the afternoon, he couldn't walk. He was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with, among other things, a pelvis that was fractured on both sides. I can't imagine getting up, much less riding my bike for miles and up a very steep climb, under those conditions. And yet as a husband who wants to avoid spousal wrath, I understand.
The first is a video of Danny MacAskill (there's a brief ad at the start, but stick with it). I've seen other videos of him, I don't think I'd seen this before and his stunts are spectacular. And when matched up with the Scottish countryside, the effect is breathtaking. I will encourage Mrs. PAC to try some of these on our next ride.
The second item was a story told by a friend from high school at a party last night. He's one of the chief scientists at a major biotech company, but loves to cycle in his spare time. Unfortunately, that means he's riding either very early or very late in the day. His wife, an RN, really hectors him about being safe and telling him not to ride. But last winter, he went out on an early morning ride in the hills around Berkeley and Moraga. Descending on Pinehurst Road, he hit a patch of black ice, fell, and skidded over 100 yards and was badly banged up.
Rather than call his wife or the paramedics for help, he rode home, including the final mile-long climb up near Strawberry Canyon that features a 12% grade. He felt horrible, but didn't dare tell his wife and he went off to work as if everything were all right. But by the afternoon, he couldn't walk. He was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed with, among other things, a pelvis that was fractured on both sides. I can't imagine getting up, much less riding my bike for miles and up a very steep climb, under those conditions. And yet as a husband who wants to avoid spousal wrath, I understand.
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