Carbon Fibre. No Cheese. No Lycra.

Specialized S-Works Roubaix SL is reviewed over here. Gonna get a shot with all three one day...

Cycling News

Yep. Just time for some more cycling news. Erm. Remember to keep hydrated this summer.

Chiho Aoshima

Artist Chiho Aoshima creates her artworks digitally, using Illustrator software. I was lucky enough to see City Glow, Mountain Whisper at Gloucester Road Underground station which was jaw droppingly beautiful as is A Contented Skull above. Possibly one of the greatest things I've ever seen. In the world. Ever.

Dead Batteries

What the hell? Dead Batteries do AA batteries with such amazing art you're going to have to leave the battery cover off.

Google SketchUp

Just looking at the Google Sketchup homepage makes you want to get creating. Draw your home in 3D and place your model in Google Earth using real-world coordinates. Yes. Google will take over the world...

Net income climbed to $1bn (£499m) in the first three months of 2007, up from $592m on a year earlier.

Okay. Google has already taken over the world.

Hattrick Logo

Came across this work of art in my Hattrick travels.

Silverlink Trains

Silverlink Train Managers - why not let two full trains arrive into Euston 5 minutes before my train departs each morning. This way I'll have no chance of getting me and my bike through the barriers and to my train without assaulting people to get out of the way. Charge £2816 for a seaon ticket to take the piss even more. Oh, hang on a minute...

Flying is Magic

So how do planes fly? I don't know. It could be a packet of air is seperated at the leading edge of the wing. It then goes over/under the wing and the packet meets up again at the trailing edge of the wing. Due to the curve of the upper surface of the wing, the air must move faster to meet up again at the trailiing edge and (Bernoulli principle) this means lower pressure which causes lift. This is wrong. Possibly.

Another explaination is that the wing just directs air downwards causing lift. The lower surface trailing edge just forces air down. Air on the upper surface follows the curve of the surface (Coanda effect).

Neither seem to explain how a plane can fly upside down. How do planes fly? I thought this would have been science 101 stuff.

Zero Friends

This is a Wild Country Zero Friend. You use it by pulling on the trigger so the cams at the end rotate, then inserting it into a crack or pocket in the rock you're climbing. Releasing the trigger allows the cams to expand and that's it. It's now stuck in the rock till you release it and you can attach your rope to it (using quickdraws to avoid it walking into the crack).

Anyway, point is, these are works of art. The amazing Zero 1 - with a range of 5.5 - 7.8mm - is the smallest and lightest cam in the world. A total mechanical marvel, never mind the fact it might save your life by letting you hang from it (possibly). If you don't climb, just buy one anyway instead of that MoMA Store tat you were thinking of buying.

DIY Courier Bags

Over at eeio blog, there are some instructions on making courier bags. Using some vinyl found in a printers bin, this design has turned out to be total genius.

Best Bug Photo. Ever.

I don't want to rip stuff spotted on BoingBoing but I think this is a special occasion. Uploaded by Lawraa onto Flickr.

Special Theory of Relativity in Crap ASCII Art

Warning - I might be remembering this wrong. And Albert Einstein may have been wrong. I don’t know.

If you’re in a spaceship you can’t tell if you’re moving smoothly or standing still without looking outside. It’s the principle of relativity. Easy.

What would happen if you flew at the speed of light and looked in a mirror? Is light leaving your face faster than the speed of light to get to the mirror? But nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. Maybe when you hit the speed of light, your reflection disappears from the mirror? Well, you could tell from inside your spaceship that you were travelling at the speed of light just by looking in a mirror which breaks the principle of relativity.

Imagine we have a box containing a light bulb which gives out regular pulses of light which go to a mirror, get reflected and bounce back to a counter which goes click-click. The path of the light from light bulb, to mirror, to counter is kind of like throwing a ping pong ball up in the air from your left hand, and catching it in your right hand. Except the path is straight.

You take this box on a train. Stop thinking about ping pong balls. It's light. When the train’s moving, it works exactly like it did before you took it on the train (otherwise if it changed you could use this to tell you were moving without looking outside which breaks the principle of relativity). When you are on the moving train next to the box, you see the path the light takes as:

/\
/_\

Someone on the embankment watching the train go past sees the path the light takes as:

/\
/_____\

The light beam leaves to bulb, and by the time it reaches the mirror, the train had moved forward a bit. For the observer sat on the embankment, the distance the light has travelled is longer, but the speed of light is constant so the only thing that can have happened is time has changed. When you are on the moving train, time has slowed down. Yep. Moving clocks run slower than stationary clocks.

How about this… a light bulb is placed in the middle of a train carriage. When light from the bulb hits either the front or back door it opens. To someone travelling on the train, when the light is turned on, the front and back doors open at the same time.

An observer on the embankment watching the train pass sees the back door open before the front door as the back door moves forward to meet the light pulse. Two events happening in two different locations that occur simultaneously to one observer, may occur at different times to another observer.

KitKat White from Japan

Here’s a KitKat White from Japan. It comes in a box which is so amazing I’m not going to open it. Until I get the muchies and it’s the only thing left in the house. It's from a series of KitKats made with milk from different regions - this one is Nasu-Highland Milk. Previously they've done a Hokkaido one. Anyway, check out Cybercandy for sweets from around the world. You can order online or buy from their shops in Covent Garden or Brighton.

Cycling News

More girls in lycra cycling news - here's Mette Andreasen Fischer reminding us that second place is no bad thing in womens cycling.

Sheep Talk

If you're on the lookout for some new desktop wallpaper.

NORAD Tapes

Blast Doors at NORAD

Back in August 2006, Vanity Fair published an excellent article deconstructing the NORAD tapes. Their website interspersed the chilling transcripts with playable audio. Check here. Looks like their play buttons aren't showing for some reason, but highlight the text and you'll see where to press after each transcript.

08:37:52
BOSTON CENTER: Hi. Boston Center T.M.U. [Traffic Management Unit], we have a problem here. We have a hijacked aircraft headed towards New York, and we need you guys to, we need someone to scramble some F-16s or something up there, help us out.
POWELL: Is this real-world or exercise?
BOSTON CENTER: No, this is not an exercise, not a test.

Viz Prints

Available from Viz.

Book Review: It's Good

Commuting by train? You have some decisions to make... a PSP with Tekken: Dark Resurrection or read a book for your 45 minute commute (in the UK it's the longest average commute in Europe)? For those with a partner already you can do what you want. You've probably let yourself go a little anyway.

If you're still single, you should start reading books on the train... To Kill A Mocking Bird... I've read that. I love that book. Wow, you've really been taking care of yourself...

Or just read the free paper.

Cow Smoothie

Yes. That cow is crying.

The first part of the name comes from Latin bos meaning "ox" or "cow". The -vril comes from a 1870 novel, The Coming Race, in which a subterranean humanoid race have mental control over, and devastating powers from, an energy fluid named "Vril."

... but you already knew that.

Bamboo Bike

Not only does this guy at BME make his own carbon fibre, he's cobbled together his own bamboo/carbon bike which is a work of art. Okay, no lycra in this shot so not the full set, but still lovely. I think I have to show the full carbon bike too as it's so nice...

Mmm. Carbon Fibre.

Monaco

This is Monaco. 10 Megapixel Canon EOS? Tripod? Nope, me after a few beers with the compact. Anyway, I can recommend going there for the Grand Prix but stay in Nice just down the road. Only go for a practice session which is A) cheap and B) only an hour long which is plenty. And get a giraffe of beer somewhere - a tower of beer at your table. Why the hell don't all pubs do them?

Robot Plane Might Just Kill All Humans

Here's the Boeing X-45. God, that was a hot day. Anyway this pilotless plane did some scary stuff a couple of years ago.

Two X-45A unmanned aircraft flew a simulated combat mission during their 50th flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

The two X-45As began the test by departing from Edwards and climbing to altitudes of 24,500 and 25,500 ft respectively. Separated by approximately 25 miles and operating at Mach .65 (225 knots), the jets began their combat air patrol (CAP) mission to provide airborne alert over the exercise area. Tasked with suppression of enemy air defenses, the two vehicles were given two simulated pop-up ground threats to eliminate.

Once alerted to the first threat, the X-45As autonomously determined which vehicle held the optimum position, weapons and fuel load to properly attack the target. After making that decision, one of the X-45As changed course and the pilot-operator allowed it to attack the simulated ground-based radar. Following a successful strike, another simulated threat emerged and was subsequently destroyed by the second X-45A. The two X-45As completed their mission and safely returned to Edwards.

Amazing. Did I say how hot that day was?

Riding Fixed-Gear

Want to be made more aware of your mortality? Riding fixed gear is your shortcut to appreciating life again if you've gotten a little lazy and taken it for granted a wee bit.

Fixed gear means that there is no freewheeling - fixed gear bicycles cannot coast. If the rear wheel is moving, the pedals are moving. The first thing you do when you try fixed, is get one foot in the straps/clips, push off with your weight on the one pedal as normal and get thrown off as the pedals start to rotate up.

Once you do get going and get your arse on the seat, you realise that getting your other foot in the straps/clips is going to be pretty tricky as it's now a moving target. Within 10 seconds you will have your first proper 'moment' where you forget you're on a fixed gear bike. Maybe you'll look over your shoulder 'cos you've got to pull out around a parked car. Whatever, you'll forget for a split second and rest a leg on a pedal, leg locked straight like it's a normal bike. A few milliseconds later the pedal will kick you up and give you your first near-death experience on a fixed gear. I'm serious here - it is completely insane. From here on in, you'll spend 90% of your brain's processing power keeping a mantra-like reminder that this is a fixed gear bike. This will keep the near-death experiences to around once every hour.

So why do it? Because bike messengers ride them. There are some other reasons. If you do stay alive long enough to get used to it, you can achieve a kind a cycling nirvana, becoming one with your bike. You can slow the bike to a stop using your legs not a brake. You can track stand at lights better (the bike is stationary, balanced upright with your feet on the pedals).

The popularity of fixed gear bikes has increased recently and they have attained a kind of cult status. Check out the fixedgeargallery for an endless supply of beautiful creations, like the one above.

London Bike Commuting

Well, not much happens here really. This is a little sample of me commuting by bike in central London between Kings Cross and Euston. I couldn't just do nothing with the video - to get it I had to mount the camera on the helmet making me look like a nob.

Moral Rating: Extremely Offensive

Check out the film reviews at ChristianAnswers.net. Here they are on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone...

Negative - I’m sorry but this film is completely anti-christian. Not only does it not have anything at all to do with God but it promotes such acts as divination, necromancy, incantations and other occultic practices, and such behaviour like lying, cheating, stealing and other bad behaviours that kids will imitate as HP is a hero amongst their generation. HP seemed to have a hypnotic feel to it as if it was drawing you into something more than just a movie. If I offend anyone with my next statement then tough, but it’s the truth… the Word tells us that in the last days many will be led astray, even the elect (Christians), and even goes on to tell us that Satan comes as an angel of light. HP is such an angel, showing courage, friendship and the battle of 'good vs evil' but, in the end, it’s all worldly. Where has discernment gone in the body of Christ? Where have morals gone also? Bottom line: This film is [not of God]…
My Ratings: [Extremely Offensive / 1]
—Pastor C St. John, age 30

Cheese News

Don't pretend you're young, free, living in Shoreditch and don't care about cheese and chutney. Just had some nettle cheese from Borough Market made by the Northumberland Cheese Company. I can recommend it, and you can order on their website and have it delivered. Remember, "Age is NOT important unless you are a cheese" as their aprons say (which you can buy too).

Lycra

Girls in lycra Cycling news - track cycling is likely to become GB's most successful Olympic sport in Beijing, although it seems the International Olympic Committee has removed two disciplines from the Beijing track schedule because of the introduction of two BMX events. This means fewer gold medals for the likes of Victoria Pendleton above.

Span Of Sunset X Disney Cheshire Cats

Lewis Caroll's character from Alice in Wonderland in 3D form by Span Of Sunset. Very Limited.

Paper Aeroplane

Here's the world's largest paper aeroplane...

Paper Airplane Facts:

Year built: 1999
Material: fiberglass over steel and wood frame
Length: 26 feet
Weight: more than one ton

So not really made out of paper then. Anyway, the main point here is that making a good paper aeroplane is an essential life-skill. Check out these instructions for making the best paper aeroplane.

Perpetual Motion

If my crappy wireless connection worked for more than 30 minutes at a time, I'd tell you more about this amazing 'plane. As it is, I can tell you that SoLong flew for 48 hours. Apparently, with a little more dev' work, it seems that this kind of plane could fly for months at a time. Probably. Oh, and this was a couple a years ago.

Sea Glider

Seagliders move through the water with really low energy requirements using changes in buoyancy for thrust. Yep, all it does it suck a little balloon in and it's volume is now less than it was. It is now more dense than water and it sinks. As it sinks it doesn't just go straight down - it glides along at an angle. When it reaches a certain depth it pumps the balloon out and the volume is now greater than it was. It's now less dense than water and it floats up - at an angle. Still with me? Repeat, and it can move across an ocean, charting it's GPS position, ocean currents, temperatures etc. as it goes.

The balloon isn't even a crap bubble sticking out the back like you're thinking. It's contained within the body (but with holes to let the water in). Probably.

Bollocks, why didn't I think of that first?

Big Fecking Helicopter

Are you aware of this big helicopter? It is seriously fecking big. By the looks of things, it's even got the three seats up front like the Fiat Multipla.

The Man is a Midget... Midget... Midget...

More genius You Tube comments...

why look behind the fridge? like anyone could fit behind there

GameLife

God bless the 1% of You Tube video comments which are good...

Ahh, it's another installment of The Special Olympics of game reviews! GameLife video work is atrocious. The pan in the beginning- yeah, just don't do them. Turn on some lights. Even the audio levels. Your entire Dead Rising review is out of focus! Melissa, don't voice-over your stand-ups, drive back out there and do it again if the audio is bad. Also- try getting the names right on your games. Valkyrie Project?

It's Good, But I Know It's Wrong

AC/DC Thunderstruck with the Apache helicopter amongst others is pretty damn cheesy... something is definitely saying not cool, but it's so good.

@$#% you!!!!!!

Have you been touched by his noodly appendage? Greg hasn't...

Seriously think about this logically. How can a flying spaghetti “whatever” live or make something? If we are made in Gods image, I’m not spaghetti am I? you have probably ruined millions of people’s lives. Y is there pirates in ur religion? I am trying 2 act like u don’t have mental disabilities, but it’s very hard. This is blasphemy and u will probably burn in hell for the next eternity for ruining the lives of millions of people. I don’t know ne1 who “believes” in ur load of #$^@!like the words of others GET SOME HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-greg

What's this all about? Click here.

Gelaskins

GelaSkins are removable vinyl skins for protecting and customizing your iPod amongst other things. They have some amazing images from fine art to comtemporary urban. Damn good and damn expensive.

Giro Atmos Lone Star 7 Paris

Carbon fibre is like cheese - there's not much that can't be improved by adding a bit. This little work of art is a limited edition Giro Atmos Lone Star 7 Paris cycling helmet. Lance Armstong wore this design as he crossed the finish line to claim his 7th Tour de France victory. Now he's back bumping uglies with Sheryl Crow. Possibly.

X Scream

Las Vegas may be a complete cultural wasteland with a sleazy atmosphere unlike any other place, however the simplest ideas are often the best. Take a break from the porn, prostitution, drinking, porn, gambling... porn, to check out the X Scream ride at the top of the Stratosphere Tower. It's the tallest observation tower in the United States and the ride moves all of about 10 feet to drop you over the edge. Genius.