Reshared post from Essence Mack:

Awesome.

Original Post from Essence Mack:

Captain America:Kicks ass ever since WWII

Iron Man:Playboy,hero,and total badass

The Hulk:well I guess all I can say is HULK SMASH!

December 22, 2013

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Reshared post from Gravity MTB:

Wow. I think I found my next fat bike.

Original Post from Gravity MTB:

Proper winter riding anyone?

ICE recumbent trike - cycle to the South Pole

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First ride of the New Year at SMBA trails back on Jan. 4th, 2011.

First ride of the New Year at SMBA trails back on Jan. 4th, 2011.

20110105_MTB_SMBA

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SMBA Trail rides and events over the years.

SMBA Trail rides and events over the years.

SMBA Trails, Saratoga Springs, NY

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SMBA Trail ride - all the new stuff. 11/16/2013

SMBA Trail ride - all the new stuff. 11/16/2013

2013/11/16

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Reshared post from Kris Vosper:

Brilliant ideas! This is what excites me about engineering and design. Really or of the box stuff.

Original Post from Kris Vosper:

Ok, being as I work for a company that is involved in the brake part industry, and am also a fan of cars and car technology, I can't help but find this video fascinating.



Hankook Tire: The Future of Tyre Design

Hankook Tire: The Future of Tyre Design

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Reshared post from sara schroedl:

Haha...love you hunny!

Original Post from sara schroedl:

IMG_9986.JPG

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Reshared post from The Mountain Bike Life:

Original Post from The Mountain Bike Life:

What's in the Bag?

What we carry in our bags says a lot about us as riders, are you a minimalistic racer, a carry everything boy scout or a throw a few things into your bag you think you may need type of person? I thought it may be interesting to show our readers what the TMT...

What we carry in our bags says a lot about us as riders, are you a minimalistic racer, a carry everything boy scout or a throw a few things into your bag you think you may need type of person? I thought it may be interesting ...

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Reshared post from Tony Boyle:

Have trouble getting into attack position? This should help.

Original Post from Tony Boyle:

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#marvel t-shirt Monday! Thanks to +ThinkGeek for the #x-men polo and classic #wolverine socks.

#marvel t-shirt Monday! Thanks to +ThinkGeek for the #x-men polo and classic #wolverine socks.

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Reshared post from James Auty:

Haha...everytime.

Original Post from James Auty:

Bike humour. :)

IMG_925224077723177.jpeg

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Reshared post from MTB DOWNHILL:

Easily my favorite video on the internet right now.

Original Post from MTB DOWNHILL:

Nice helmet cam video!

She Does It Right

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Reshared post from John Ruiz:

Some pics from a local pump track build.

Original Post from John Ruiz:

Here's some pictures from the Skyhigh pump track in Averill Park. This is a private track for Skyhigh Adventures LLC but the owner John Slyer said that whoever helped would be allowed to use it. John and his family are super nice and everyone I met there that day was friendly and stoked to be there building the track. I am glad I went. it was a great opportunity to learn about building pump tracks and to meet some great people.

SKYHIGH Pump Track Build 2013

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Reshared post from Idietitian:

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Reshared post from Bicycle Interests:

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What’s Your Take on Aluminum vs. Carbon?

One of my friends asked me this the other day. It's hard to say since I haven't had much time on Carbon bikes. The Carbon bikes I did ride I never noticed anything about the frame that set it apart. I guess I really didn't even think about it...which might speak volumes. Usually if something is working well, you don't usually notice it. I wasn't concentrating on the frames at all and was more concerned with bike fit, cockpit feel, and pedaling and suspension characteristics. I guess if I had more time to ride them maybe I would have noticed something different. I think the fact that I don’t even think about it means I love it. One less thing to think about, getting me closer to that feeling of just me and the trail. Isn't that the end goal? Improving the rider experience? Probably not but it should be. That’s why I also ride a singlespeed; simple, light, and quiet. Really lets you focus on the trail.

My Soul Cycles Hooligan. I've since upgraded the rigid fork with a suspension fork and the Aluminum riser bar with a Carbon flat bar...so far I am loving the Carbon flat bar...wider is better.

I did get a chance to ride a full Carbon Rocky Mountain Altitude at NEMBAfest this year. My first impressions were good and I really liked it although spending an hour or so on a bike just doesn't give you a very good feel for how it performs. I think if I could afford it I would totally get a Carbon bike as long as it has a threaded Aluminum BB, which the Altitude does not have. I've heard horror stories about press fit BB’s into carbon frames coming loose on some bikes and frankly it just doesn't sound like a good idea. Integrated cable routing is also a good idea on Carbon frames, which the Altitude did have. The last thing you want is cable rub ruining you $5000 bike.

Rocky Mountain Altitude. I rode this bike at NEMBAfest this year, only difference was it had the Raceface bits which I prefer. I really liked it although the cockpit was a bit cramped for me.

So what are you're thoughts? Do you have a Carbon bike? How about an Aluminum one? Or are you in the Steel is real camp of thought? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.

Local Rides: Luther Forest / NYSERDA STEP Trails

Was up at 6:30am with the dog because his bladder is the size of a bottle cap and he had to go. I had every intention of going mountain biking this weekend so I figured if I am already awake I probably should get out and ride before the day gets any older. Also, it wasn't going to get any cooler. I decided on going up to Malta because it drains well and Central Park is still wet from all the rain, Colonie and Lock 7 are probably in the same condition, I don't know the trails as well as I would like at Thatcher and same goes for Schodack. I was parked at the trail head and riding by 7:45am, awesome. I know the trails in Malta pretty well and also rode a couple of new ones...well new to me anyway. Definitely a good choice, even with all the rain the trails are in great shape. The surface was fairly tacky which was good for traction although there are several areas that are really sandy which made some of the hard corners precarious. I took the big bike today, seems I haven't trail ridden it in months and it showed. I am just so used to riding the SS that I had to take some time to acclimate. I was flying over logs and bombing down hills in no time. As much work as it is getting uphill, it definitely rewards on jumps and when the trail points down. I rode for about two hours and now I feel great! Wish I always had time to get up early and ride. Glad my wife was okay with staying with the kids too. Guess it's always give and take when you have a family.

 

Problem Solving: Why I love what I do.

104 Bronson: Design, Engineering & Product Development from santa cruz bikes on Vimeo. I am always fascinated by how companies, not just bike manufacturers, but companies that make all sorts of consumer products go through their design process. I guess its because I am a designer and work through similar processes. My job is just like Nick Anderson's...except I don't design bikes I design fuel cells. I even use the same design software he does. To be honest I do more than just the engineering part but that is my primary responsibility. I love how they look at problems encountered during the design process. Like me, they tend to look at things from a different perspective than someone not involved in product design. If someone where to ask me what my job is in just a few words, I would say "I solve problems, that's what I do." I love solving problems. I love being challenged, whether the problem is related to cost, some physical aspect like specific size or weight, or even performance driven. A problem isn't a problem...it's an opportunity for improvement. I love my job even though it might not be designing bikes it's still pretty cool.

Hiking in Kennedy Park, Lenox, MA

Kennedy Park Belvedere Lookout

 I spent the day in Lenox yesterday. I drove in with Tasha since we were going to her office party that night and didn't want to bring two cars. I worked remotely from her office for most of the day. In the afternoon I met Jamie's husband Kevin for a hike in Kennedy Park which is right behind the Ultrawellness Center. We hiked for about 1:45 in the rain mostly. Still had a good time and good conversation. Kevin brought their new dog Ryder, he was awesome. Would love to get back there soon while there is still snow on the ground.

Another Plug Power GenCore Fuel Cell Sighting

3D Model Rendering

GenCore was the first real fuel cell product I worked on at Plug Power Inc. and even though this part of our business was phased out several years ago, I still see these systems pop up on the internet or even installed at a building. Not sure what a fuel cell is? Here is quick explanation...

"GenCore® fuel cell systems are high-performance solutions for the critical backup power needs of wireless and wireline providers. Our on-site energy system is based on the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device, similar to a battery in that it provides continuous DC power, which converts the chemical energy from a fuel directly into electricity and heat. When operated directly on hydrogen, the fuel cell produces this energy with clean water as the only by-product. Unlike a battery, which is limited to the stored energy within, a fuel cell is capable of generating power as long as fuel is supplied. Although hydrogen is the primary fuel source for fuel cells, the process of fuel reforming allows for the extraction of hydrogen from more widely available fuels such as natural gas and propane or any other hydrogen containing fuel."

I pulled that from a design contest submittion...that we won...on two separate occasions. Because I spent such a large part of my time at Plug working on this product (about 6 years), it brings me some satisfaction to see these systems out there in the world.

I live in Delmar, NY and both my girls go to a dance studio close by. I usually drive into the parking lot, park and walk the girls in. This time I had to park in a different spot than usual and when walking back to the car I saw the unmistakable Hydrogen storage enclosure. I was like, it can't be...can it? But low and behold it was, right in my own back yard. Apparently we must have sold a system to the New York State Department of Public Service. Unreal. Even though this product never really took off, I have a lot of fond memories working on this product but more so with the people I worked with. Some were douchebags, but most I considered friends and I consider myself lucky to have worked with them. So to all my GenCore Engineering Alumni...Gooooooooooooooooooo GENCORE! It's not a complete disaster.