Go ride a bicycle

Speed Test: Western Digital WD5000BEVT vs Seagate ST9500420AS

2009-05-23T17:11:00.004-04:00

xBench disc speed comparison on my unibody 15" MacBook Pro before and after replacing the 5400RPM WD5000BEVT with a 7200RPM ST9500420AS. Pretty impressive, though the speed increase closely correlates to the current price difference on Newegg. Weirdly, the new drive seems quieter. I can't comment yet on heat or battery life effects.

P.S. Changing the drive on these machines is like taking a bath in warm kefir - so easy.

Barren River Lake

2008-07-29T16:00:00.001-04:00

I'm just testing Shozu's Blogger upload capability.

Interesting, Good

2008-07-18T00:09:00.003-04:00

I just noticed that with the iPhone 3G (and the 2.0 firmware, in general, I guess?), the iPod application doesn't time out and become unresponsive to the headset clicker. It always annoyed me before, when I paused it with the headset button, if I waited too long, I wouldn't be able to restart the music with another click. I could hear a brief static, as the iPod app went to bed. Now, even after that static - about 15 minutes, maybe - a single click of the headset button brings it back.

1st gen->2nd gen, 2.5G->3G, 8GB->16GB, Skyhook->GPS, Recessed->Flush, $20->$35, Black->Black

2008-07-17T16:00:00.005-04:00

I had to keep bugging the local Apple store, but finally it paid off. Oh, if you're relying on Apple's iPhone availability checker, you should know that all it tells you is whether there were phones left over from the previous night. At this point, they never have phones left over, but they get shipments during the day, so you're better off just calling throughout the day and being ready to get there quickly if they have some.

I thought I wanted white, but they only had black. It turns out that was actually what I wanted. The thing that photos don't really convey is that, when you handle the white iPhone, you see from certain angles that it looks weird. The black front and white back clash. The white does look really nice though, as long as you don't look at it from certain angles.

Anyway, here's a speed test:

This is in Louisville, full 3G bars, as you can see. And here's a GPS test:

X marks my actual location, inside the house. It took about 10 seconds to get a GPS fix. When I was walking around outside with it, it seemed to be much more accurate.

I'll post more about it later, with comparisons to my 1st gen iPhone.

iPhoto Problems '08: Preferences Gone Wild

2008-07-13T13:04:00.002-04:00

In case you've started having freezing/crashing problems with iPhoto lately, I might be able to save you some time. For me, iPhoto just started freezing up a few seconds after I opened it, only to be resolved with a force-quit.

After a bit of digging, I tracked the problem down to the sharing settings in iPhoto's preferences. If the application is crashing too fast for you to even get into this setting, you'll have to delete iPhoto's preference file, found here: username/Library/Preferences. Look for the file called com.apple.iPhoto.plist and delete it. Now, you should be able to open iPhoto without freezes, but it will probably look a little different. That's okay, you can set its appearance back to how you like it once you've fixed the problem.

From what I've discerned, the problem stems from having "Look for shared photos" AND "Share my photos" simultaneously selected. By default, "Look for shared photos" is selected. If you want share your photos, you have to FIRST deselect "Look for shared photos". It's dumb, but it seems like, for the time being, you can't have it both ways. I suspect that the last MobileMe update is the culprit, so, hopefully, it will be resolved soon.

Once the crashing seems to be fixed, you can go back and set the rest of your iPhoto preferences the way you like. It wouldn't hurt, though, to make a copy of your com.apple.iPhoto.plist and save it to your desktop, just in case some other preference change breaks iPhoto again - then you can restore it to its last working state by copying your good preference file back into your preferences folder (quit iPhoto first), overwriting the wack file.

AIM

2008-07-11T02:14:00.003-04:00

I like the AOL instant messenger app, but it's not notifying me of new messages unless I have it open. In the keynote, Jobs said they were giving developers a workaround notification system for exactly this kind of scenario. The application even has a preference setting for whether or not it quits when you close it. I don't really know how the notifications are pushed, but maybe the server that's supposed to do that is being overloaded right now, like MobileMe.

Update: I guess I overlooked this before, but according to arstechnica, the push notification support isn't scheduled to be released to developers until September.

iPhone 2.0 Geotagging

2008-07-10T22:23:00.004-04:00

I installed the 2.0 software on my 1.0 iPhone today, and have been gradually working through the differences as well as the third party apps. As advertised, the camera now seems to offer to geotag your photos as you take them - it asks you when you open the camera app whether you want to allow it to access location data. Sure, why not.

So I took a test picture and uploaded it to Flickr, via email, to see how it works.

Well, it didn't. Just like before, emailing a photo strips essential EXIF data, including coordinates. I then tried transferring it to my computer to see if the geotag would be preserved that way.

It worked! Which means... I'm in China. Huh. The weird thing is that the Google Map application locates me very accurately.
I did notice something very positive. Compare this picture I took last night:

to the one above. The one taken with the 2.0 firmware looks much better, right? And they were both taken in approximately the same lighting conditions.

Louisville is for loafers

2007-08-16T20:49:00.001-04:00

Louisville is for loafers, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Nothing but a bunch of relaxation going on around here since we've been back. Still doesn't really feel normal to be home, nor does it feel like the bike trip actually even happened - more just weird, stationary and HOT. Jesus it's hot. So, how about another numbered list?

1) I will shortly be creating another blog for everyday, non-bicycle content. I'll update here with a link, when it's ready.
2) I haven't posted those pictures from the real camera that I promised yet, because... I don't have a computer! That's right, I sold my MacBook right before we headed out for Vancouver. I just ordered this, but the damned thing isn't scheduled to ship for at least a week. The wait is definitely going to kill me.
3) When I got my bike back from airport baggage, I noticed the box was open. Whatever they did to it, the headset is now dented and lacking a bunch of bearings. Of course, I have to replace it, but, in the meantime, it handles like a squirrel on oxycontin, which is cool.
4)That sensation that I seem suddenly, somehow, more credible isn't your imagination - I'm now, like all serious web personalities, a Twitter. Look over to your left. That's where you'll see my last last five updates.

Fly me to the blue moon.

2007-08-07T06:51:00.001-04:00

Fly me to the blue moon., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

1) In five hours, we've just travelled a little more than in the last five weeks of bicycling.
2) Delta has little TVs for each seat - it's rad. I watched Conan, Survivor Man, Trapped Miners and Boxing.
3) Currently in Cincinnati, waiting for a very short connection to Louisville.

Cori's computer

2007-08-06T12:55:00.001-04:00

Cori's computer, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I think it will pull through. It was looking bleak for a moment there.

Mexico:

2007-08-05T20:24:00.001-04:00

Mexico:, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Easy to get in, hard to get out.

Bye, Tijuana

2007-08-05T20:22:00.001-04:00

Bye, Tijuana, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

This ia how Katie looks when she's turning down an old man with a violin.

2007-08-05T18:59:00.001-04:00

This ia how Katie looks when she's turning down an old man with a violin., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Done.

2007-08-05T18:21:00.001-04:00

Done., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Pre-Mexico Sandwich

2007-08-05T16:03:00.001-04:00

Pre-Mexico Sandwich, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We're leaving soon, really.

Unfinished

2007-08-05T11:19:00.001-04:00

Unfinished, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

It cerainly feels like we're done, but there are 15 undeniable miles sittng here between us and Mexico. We're leaving our bags here, at my aunt and uncle's house and riding into Tijuana in a bit here.

The lovely town of National City

2007-08-04T17:41:00.001-04:00

The lovely town of National City, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Familiar

2007-08-04T17:21:00.001-04:00

Familiar, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Redundancy from here on out - we are now retracing the first part of our cross-country trip a year and a half ago - backwards!

Racial

2007-08-04T15:39:00.001-04:00

Racial, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I'm not sure if I'm in this race or not, but I KNOW that I am losing.

Psychopath

2007-08-04T09:00:00.000-04:00

Psychopath, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

So you're probably thinking, "sure a crazy, naked man kept you up untill 2am by hassling a homeless woman and her son, picking a fight with a blind man, and then being chased and beaten by a mob of angry, random strangers... But how is this supposed to entertain ME, without so much as a blurry photograph of this pariah to soothe my voyeur needs?"

Well, I've stepped over the lines of taste and ethics to deliver, for you, my good friend. This is a photograph of a photograph of an actual photograph of the man himself.

He was last seen running in an eastwardly direction, so, if you live east of California, watch for a man in white shorts, running - he is dangerous.

San Elijo

2007-08-03T22:54:00.001-04:00

San Elijo, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Our last campground.

Tan Lines 101:

2007-08-03T22:20:00.001-04:00

Tan Lines 101:, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

This course will survey the origins, perpetuation and influence of tan lines on modern society politically and aesthetically. Prerequisite: Advanced Unibrow Theory

"M.R.E. M.I.A.! A.W.O.L.? P.O.W.??" or "My Vanilla Shake Jihad" or "Marines: The Few, The Proud, And The One Who Lost His Military Issued Dessert Drink"

2007-08-03T15:27:00.001-04:00

"M.R.E. M.I.A.! A.W.O.L.? P.O.W.??" or "My Vanilla Shake Jihad" or "Marines: The Few, The Proud, And The One Who Lost His Military Issued Dessert Drink", originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Fount me a milkshake, riding through Camp Pendleton military base.

LOL@ARCHITECTURAL BOOBS!

2007-08-03T13:20:00.001-04:00

LOL@ARCHITECTURAL BOOBS!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Aren't these the basis of sight gag in at least one movie?

A little of the old IN-N-OUT

2007-08-03T00:23:00.001-04:00

A little of the old IN-N-OUT, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Well, in case you were worried, we made it out of Los Angeles. After hours and hours and hours and hours of bus riding, we made it to our campground, San Clemente State Beach, as the sun set.

Somewhere along the way, we ate at IN-N-OUT Burger, which I've always been curious about. Neither of us eat burgers though, so we got fries. They were great.

Airplane Attraction

2007-08-02T18:04:00.001-04:00

Airplane Attraction, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Being this close to all these flights, I am very tempted to board one to SDF.

A LAX Journey

2007-08-02T17:34:00.001-04:00

A LAX Journey, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Trying to make our way to Los Angeles International Airport to catch a bus to Long Beach.

Transit Riders

2007-08-02T14:06:00.001-04:00

Transit Riders, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Here we are, on the bus again, skipping through part of LA, down to Venice Beach, where we will then skip some more. We have to get well south of LA in order to camp tonight.

Night Light

2007-08-02T00:31:00.001-04:00

Night Light, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Serious late-night stove discussion with fellow biker, Michael, at Leo Carrillo State Beach.

1.4 miles to go

2007-08-01T21:26:00.001-04:00

1.4 miles to go, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

ugh.

Fake bird is not fooling me

2007-08-01T20:43:00.003-04:00

Fake bird is not fooling me, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Hey marsh, you are a marsh.

2007-08-01T20:43:00.001-04:00

Hey marsh, you are a marsh., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Leaving ut of Oxnard, after taking the bus back from Brenda's. Today will be easy and short, which is good - we are lazy.

We made it.

2007-08-01T00:18:00.001-04:00

We made it., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Eating with Brenda and John AS WE SPEAK!

Back on highway 101

2007-07-31T20:01:00.001-04:00

Back on highway 101, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

And entering Ventura county

Coasting through Santa Barbara (239.3G2)

2007-07-31T16:00:00.000-04:00

Grainy cellphone video of spectacular flower-lined bike path in Santa Barbara.

WorldWideWeb

2007-07-31T13:44:00.001-04:00

WorldWideWeb, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We might be staying at aunt Brenda's tonight, but first I've gotta find the right bus. Hopefully this wide web thing can help.

Hi, this my blog.

2007-07-31T00:11:00.001-04:00

Hi, this my blog., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Right now I'm hanging out in the bathroom. It's the only place with an electrical outlet and I have to charge this thirsty phone. I'll be in here a while, I reckon.

I was silly to doubt you

2007-07-30T22:58:00.001-04:00

I was silly to doubt you, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Refugio, you are a star among state parks.

Tanfastic!

2007-07-30T20:33:00.001-04:00

Tanfastic!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Lonely at the top

2007-07-30T19:50:00.001-04:00

Lonely at the top, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I'm at the summit of a 13.5 mile climb, waiting for KT. Just 15 or so miles to go. The troublesome part is we weren't able to get ahold of Refugio park, so we don't really know whether we have a place to stay.

Half-time break

2007-07-30T16:42:00.001-04:00

Half-time break, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Leave me bee

2007-07-30T15:49:00.001-04:00

Leave me bee, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Please, I've been stung enough on this trip.

70

2007-07-30T14:31:00.001-04:00

70, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We need about 70 miles today in order to get out of this Hike&Bike Foreclosure Corridor and into the safety of $3 sleep spaces. Do you think we have It in us?

Apple fritter disguise

2007-07-30T13:35:00.001-04:00

Apple fritter disguise, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I am what I eat, therefore I am.

This looks like the place

2007-07-29T22:02:00.001-04:00

This looks like the place, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We just have to wait for the sun to set then slip under this bridge.

Where the hell are we gonna stay?

2007-07-29T21:48:00.001-04:00

Where the hell are we gonna stay?, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Speaking of blind

2007-07-29T20:10:00.001-04:00

Speaking of blind, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Fount me a eye patch.

At 2 Dog Internet Cafe

2007-07-29T20:03:00.001-04:00

At 2 Dog Internet Cafe, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We found out the campsite we were going to stay at is closed. So now we're flying blind, hoping to find some nice ditch for the night.

Cayucos

2007-07-29T15:52:00.001-04:00

Cayucos, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Means cloud city?

At last

2007-07-29T15:37:00.001-04:00

At last, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

It is 1414.4 miles from Vancouver to Harmony.

I'm not religious

2007-07-29T15:25:00.001-04:00

I'm not religious, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

But, last night, I prayed that our next-door campers would be blotted from the Earth.

Depressing

2007-07-28T21:25:00.001-04:00

Depressing, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I used to love chocolate milk so much, but now, no matter the brand, it just tastes rotten. I just keep drinking it and keep drinking it and keep drinking it, thinking that the joy will return, but no dice - it tastes horrible.

Fount me some glasses

2007-07-28T20:23:00.001-04:00

Fount me some glasses, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Speaking of flat

2007-07-28T19:58:00.001-04:00

Speaking of flat, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

fLatZ4lyfE!!!

Flat out

2007-07-28T19:31:00.001-04:00

Flat out, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We are leaving the hills behind.

The high cost of small cheeses

2007-07-28T19:27:00.001-04:00

The high cost of small cheeses, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

The crazy prices of groceries in this part are getting me down. I saw a 10oz can of mixed nuts for $9.50 yesterday! I've quit eating, out of protest, but they're pretending to not notice.

Neverending Hill

2007-07-28T19:25:00.001-04:00

Neverending Hill, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Though iron makes up my will, I grow weary of you still.

Ooh coastline, you so fine!

2007-07-28T19:23:00.001-04:00

Ooh coastline, you so fine!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Word.

2007-07-27T18:27:00.001-04:00

Word., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We thought about doing 128 miles today, but the 1 seemed like a hassle. So we're just gonna do 28.

Big Big Sur, part 2

2007-07-26T23:18:00.001-04:00

Big Big Sur, part 2, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We're camping here. They've got ice cream, of course, like all places of astounding beauty do.

Big Big Sur

2007-07-26T21:30:00.001-04:00

Big Big Sur, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Uh, I think we're climbing this.

In Russia, yogurt eats you!

2007-07-26T16:14:00.001-04:00

In Russia, yogurt eats you!, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

How is our original Russian doing anyway? Is he reading this, or is he too busy with his fancy new B-A-B-Y?

You and Me

2007-07-26T03:43:00.001-04:00

You and Me, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

These are the kinds of delights you find when you go shopping at "Grocery Outlet", in "Marina CA." You are then "stoked" that the total price is "only" $6.33. Now you want to "die" because you've eaten enough "Fancy Truffles" to choke a pig - A.K.A. you, A.K.A. me.

Spartans, tonight we dine indoors

2007-07-25T21:56:00.001-04:00

Spartans, tonight we dine indoors, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I was't too keen on shelling out for a motel, but Katie made an offer I couldn't refuse.

Choke on this

2007-07-25T20:44:00.001-04:00

Choke on this, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Did I mention this is the artichoke capital of the universe? Did I mention that artichokes are genetic hybrids of a tortoise and a hand grenade? Did I mention that James Dean was killed by one of these mutants?! I hope you're angry. I sure am.

Now Growing

2007-07-25T20:09:00.001-04:00

Now Growing, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Iceberg lettuce - the James Dean of crop vegetables?

Vodka break in Moss Landing

2007-07-25T19:35:00.001-04:00

Vodka break in Moss Landing, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Bicycles need fuel too.

Cloud Factory

2007-07-25T18:45:00.001-04:00

Cloud Factory, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Here's the people that gather the little red machines that I was eating earlier that make the smell I was smelling earlier. Sometimes I confuse my bike for those machines and think that by pedalling harder I can make more smell. It seems to wrork anyway.

2007-07-25T17:45:00.001-04:00

Here's the people that gather the little red machines that I was eating earlier that make the smell I was smelling earlier. Sometimes I confuse my bike for those machines and think that by pedalling harder I can make more smell. It seems to wrork anyway., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Re-redundancy

2007-07-25T17:25:00.001-04:00

Re-redundancy, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Now that we are both blogging, I feel a little awkward posting something when I know Katie is too.

I don't usually follow signs that point uphill...

2007-07-25T17:02:00.001-04:00

I don't usually follow signs that point uphill..., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

But the smell coming from this place this place is amazing. Remember the way the Strawberry Shortcake doll smelled? Like that.

Happiness Is A Warm Plug

2007-07-25T15:11:00.001-04:00

Happiness Is A Warm Plug, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Coffee Shop, the mobile office of choice for today's touring cyclist.

Ramenites

2007-07-25T14:58:00.001-04:00

Ramenites, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Stupidly, in our search for meatless ramen noodles, we've been ignoring the distinction between the Top and Maruchan brands. If you don't like meat juice, Top is the one you want - especially the chile flavor. It is to die for.

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Blah, Blah, Blah

2007-07-24T17:17:00.001-04:00

Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Blah, Blah, Blah, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

What's so great about it anyway? I saw it like 4 years ago, but you don't see me going around bragging.

Beer Fund

2007-07-23T23:25:00.001-04:00

Beer Fund, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

In case there are any rich folks reading this, I've put a donation button over there on the left. After Hypothetical Rich Person clicks it, it takes them to a PayPal form with a $1.19 (the average cost of a can of Steel Reserve) donation prefilled - though I think that amount can be adjusted for comfort.

So, if you know any rich ones, send 'em over.

Peril

2007-07-23T19:59:00.001-04:00

Peril, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Disappearing shoulder - check

Thick fog - check

Falling rocks - check

Steep climb - check

Leaving San Francisco

2007-07-23T15:59:00.001-04:00

Leaving San Francisco, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Leisure is nice, but we are a different sort of human. We are possessed. We must go South.

That's Katie there, stealing sand.

In Descent

2007-07-23T13:10:00.001-04:00

A little before reaching 43mph, I put the camera away so I could hang on with both hands. The thing is, I could probably film a pretty gnarly death for myself, but how would I then upload it?

fun with ceiling

2007-07-23T12:01:00.001-04:00

No Breakdancing On Cliff Walls

2007-07-23T04:19:00.001-04:00

No Breakdancing On Cliff Walls, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Because I have momentary access to a real computer (thanks David), I wanted to post some pictures from my real camera, but after looking through them, there are too many I really like. So I'll just save them for a big flickr set after this is over.

It's Potter Time

2007-07-22T22:48:00.001-04:00

It's Potter Time, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Please, Harry, don't hurt 'em. (In 3D!!!)

Update: It's Junk.

SF AfterDinner Peeps

2007-07-22T01:51:00.001-04:00

SF AfterDinner Peeps, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

David, John, Linda, KT, Sylvia

Hail Satan

2007-07-21T21:23:00.001-04:00

Hail Satan, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

My Good&Plenty tribute to our dark lord.

The weight is up.

2007-07-21T19:52:00.001-04:00

The weight is up., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Whoa! I have gained 9lbs since I started this trip. So, these mysterious nine are hiding in my:

A) heavy heart

B) muscley ass

C) snack belly

D) dirty beard

Tune in tonight for the vivisection that will answer all questions.

I have everything.

2007-07-21T19:10:00.001-04:00

I have everything., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I have San Francisco. I have pasta. I have family. I have day off. I have phone.

P.S. Did you miss me?

I still don't have my phone

2007-07-02T13:55:00.001-04:00

I still don't have my phone, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

It's in Vancouver, and we've hadly had any cell coverage to call them and work something out, vis a vis delivering an item internationally to a moving target. With some luck though, I'll be back online, literally, in just a few days. See you then.

Chicago: I just realized

2007-06-25T06:40:00.001-04:00

Chicago: I just realized, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

that it's insane that we have over 2 more days of this.

En router

2007-06-25T02:21:00.001-04:00

En router, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

This is the Indianapolis bus station. It's pretty great. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Boxer in spirit

2007-06-23T23:18:00.000-04:00

First: Look how gross my handlebars were, under the tape.

I replaced this with conservative black cork. I am 30 now and figure I should start acting it. So, black handlebar tape.

Second: New brake pads.

Unfortunately, I got them at WalMart. Fortunately, they were only four dollars a pair and they feel great!

Third: I broke down and bought a really nice, expensive pump at Bicycle Sport. I've been longing for a decent pump all my life and I think I've finally found it.

Fourth: Bicycle Sport also gave us awesome bike boxes! At this moment I am 95% packed!

Sixth: I have not slept in ~40 hours. Good night.

Transcoder at heart

2007-06-23T12:41:00.001-04:00

Transcoder at heart, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I've spent a lot of time and energy over the last few days making a bunch of movies iPod compatible for our trip. I've got 26 done, with just a few more to go. The process is pretty straight forward, just tedious. It goes like this (on a Mac): Rip the DVD with MacTheRipper--> convert it to MPEG-4 (or h.264, if you've got the time)--> import it into iTunes. The tricky part is when you're converting foreign films, you can really easily copy the wrong audio track or forget to embed subtitles. I like directors commentary and all, but they kind of interfere with a first viewing.

So, with about 30 movies, 206.4 hours of audio books and 40GB of music, we should be well entertained on our, um, adventure.

DIY Bicycle Handlebar iPod Mount

2007-06-23T10:44:00.001-04:00

iPod from the side, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Early, early this morning I made this thing out of junk, well, kind of junk. I'll have to watch it closely for a while to make sure it's sturdy. Otherwise, my data could end up all over the road. Click through to see a semi-explanation of how I made it.

Weighing has begun...

2007-06-22T18:39:00.001-04:00

Weighing has begun..., originally uploaded by itchytooth.

Locked Out

2007-06-22T18:06:00.001-04:00

Locked Out, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

We just locked ourselves out, with all our gear. We were going to weigh everything and got a little too excited.

Camera phone test

2007-06-20T15:52:00.001-04:00

Camera phone test, originally uploaded by itchytooth.

I ended up getting a Motorola Q, like Katie has. This is a test post from it, via Flickr's automated email blog feature. As you can see, the camera quality is pretty bad, but it will work, it was cheap and it was available - unike the Mogul, which was on backorder and, of course, the Jesus Phone.

P.S. The thing in the picture is a light-weight alcohol stove I made out of aluminum cans. It works!

Dear iPhone,

2007-04-19T15:41:00.000-04:00

Dear iPhone,

Please launch early. Thanks.

Your friend,
Zach

It's looking less and less likely that I'll be posting from an iPhone on our upcoming trip, despite some original rumors that had gotten my hopes up. Apple seems to be spreading itself thin these days.

Now to find a phone that is good for moblogging from a bicycle. My current one, a Samsung A920, won't cut it, because it lacks a real email client. It needs to be small, light, easy to type on, have a good camera, functional email client, good battery life and work on Sprint (I realize the iPhone won't work on Sprint, but I think it may be the only phone wonderful enough to make me drop my highly desirable Sero plan for it).

I will certainly be talking more about this issue as the time draws near.

Itinerary

2007-04-17T21:37:00.000-04:00

Around June 20th, Katie and I will fly to Seattle, where we will maybe meet a couple of friends who might ride with us for the first two weeks.

After a few days of last minute preperation, we will catch a bus to Vancouver and start riding South along the peninsula route described in this this book. That book was the only kind of guidance I had on my other West Coast tour and it worked great. Bicycling the West Coast is pretty straight forward - you could do it without any maps or books - but it helps to know, in advance, where services like campgrounds, grocery stores, libraries, and bicycle shops are. Especially in the less populated stretches.

We may be detouring into Portland, where my cousin lives, especially if the uncertain friends are with us - they will be flying out from there.

We will also be making stops in San Francisco, L.A. and San Diego, to visit friends and relatives. If you're going to be cycling though the big cities, it's a mighty good thing to have friends there. Trying to find somewhere to camp anywhere near L.A. is nearly impossible.

All together, the bicycling part of the trip should take about five weeks, including a couple days off. 1,800 miles over 32 days means about 56 miles per day, which is about what we averaged on our last trip.

the beach (cont.)

2005-12-06T19:31:00.000-05:00

It was an erie, nice place to ride, because there were hardly any people or cars.

the beach

2005-12-06T19:23:00.000-05:00

It was exciting getting to the beach.

mess 1

2005-12-06T19:17:00.000-05:00

The police made us get off I-10 today, so we headed south, toward the gulf. Within a few miles of the coast, the hurricane damage started getting really bad.

to a bed of snakes

2005-12-06T11:22:00.000-05:00