Don has added a special message on this Veterans Day to his series of post from last Sunday.

Special Announcement (091111) – The End is Near!

He gives information on his arrival back in San Francisco [expected Saturday or Sunday ~11/14 or 11/15] some 8 1/2 months after he "started this crazy trip."

If you are in or near San Francisco, please welcome him back. CHEERS to Don!

 My blog articles on Don Saito

re⋅spon⋅si⋅bil⋅i⋅ty [this definition comes from Dictionary.com]

rɪˌspɒnsəˈbɪlɪti/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ri-spon-suh-bil-i-tee]

–noun, plural -ties.

1. the state or fact of being responsible.

2. an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours!

3. a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority.

4. a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents.

5. reliability or dependability, esp. in meeting debts or payments.

—Idiom

6. on one’s own responsibility, on one’s own initiative or authority: He changed the order on his own responsibility.

---

Origin:
1780–90; respons(ible) + -ibility

Synonyms:
1. answerability, accountability.

Responsibility is a very important word to me. I take this blog, what I say, what I do as an awesome responsibility. I recognize that some may develop an interest in a cycle I own, or comment on, or some product or accessory that I use. I do not use my blog as a bully-pulpit. I know that I am accountable for the content of this publication. Having lived 24 years as an U.S. Army Officer, I know and understand the implications of my words and my deeds.

I enjoy cycling, having begun at 5 years of age. I especially enjoy writing about and photographing, where I can, various aspects of the cycling experience. With that enthusiasm comes some who may be influenced by me. That is okay. I trust that at the end of the day, my words, my interest and enthusiasm have been well placed and I have not misguided anyone. I am deeply appreciative of my readers. I honor and respect you. I trust this blog is of value to the cycling community.

You may ask why these words? Well, two things—an exchange of words on a forum and a note today from an individual who has purchased a Catrike 700, influenced by me. I’ve gotten the same recently from individuals who purchased a RANS Stratus XP, and not long ago from a French rider who purchased a Velokraft VK2. I have also received comments on my RANS Citi Crank Forward. I just want to ensure you understand I accept responsibility and accountability for my words and understand the influence this blog can have. Folk this is my profession for now. I am a professional.

Okay, on to other blogging matters of interest…

THANKS!

Jim

Likely one of these. Got my e-mail with tracking number this evening.

Related posts

Today, I received my Catlike Helmet from La Bicicllette in Vancouver, Canada via the good graces of  Terry Stankunas [BROL Member tytrike]. Terry and I worked the Giraldo Tour and have both commented on other BROL Threads. We are also Facebook friends. Terry made easier the purchase of a helmet that is in high demand. Thanks many times to Terry for doing a friend a favor. If I am fortunate, I will ride with Mr. Stankunas one day.

The Catlike Helmet in made in Spain. I have the Whisper Plus version. You may have seen riders wearing it in the Tour de France.  I certainly noticed it when Mark Egland on Big Cat, HPV wore his to ride with Mr. Giraldo. With Mark’s good wishes, I perused getting one, but in black—what else?

So, where is the black hat to go with my Catrike 700. Here it is…

A blooming model sure would have made this task easier. Anyway, you have some idea how the helmet looks on yours truly. Photo from my iPhone. It’s about the Catlike Whisper Plus Helmet anyway. Thanks Terry!!!

Yesterday, I linked to Don’s post from Day243 . Today, I see he has added 8 articles and is now in Artaca, California. The 3 days there has given him some upload time. He is getting ever closer to home—San Francisco. Day Two Hundred Fifty-one, 091106 – Arcata, CA Day Two Hundred Fifty, 091105 – Arcata, CA Day Two Hundred Forty-nine, 091104 – Arcata, CA Day Two Hundred Forty-eight, 091103 – Orick, CA Day Two Hundred Forty-seven, 091102 – Brookings, OR Day Two Hundred Forty-six, 091101 – Port Orford, OR Day Two Hundred Forty-five, 091031 – Coos Bay, OR Day Two Hundred Forty-four, 091030 – Florence, OR

My blog articles on Don Saito

Congratulation to John Schlitter, ultra cyclist, RAAM Racer, and rider extraordinaire. This is extracted from the ‘Bentrider Online Home Page.

Bacchetta’s own John Schlitter was the top points finisher in the UMCA’s Ultracup standings, finishing ahead of all other bicycle types and age groups, and a very tough international group of UMCA and RAAM racers.   John’s 197 point total was 7 points ahead of the next European upright bicycle racer, and 30 points ahead of the next American upright competitor.

53 year old John has been on a roll over the last six race seasons, starting with his Race Across Florida all bike record in 2004, and current RAAM recumbent records in 4 man (2005)  2 man (2007) and solo (2008), among many other records and victories listed here…

Here are the 2009 year end Ultra cup standings…

I watched and cheered John in his 2008 Solo Race Across America. John, we are all proud of you! Again, CONGRATS!

The daily statistical curve remains relatively flat, although declining. Our average daily pageviews remain at 270 [given the highs and the lows]. This trend favors the 100K Milestone Contestants who predicted the milestone would be reached later, rather than sooner. OTOH, I expect an uptick soon. Weekends are generally down anyway. Some hot Silk stuff [or coverage of a cycling event] will perk that curve up. I have neither at the moment. Thanks to all who come over. –jim

CONGATULATIONS to Big Cat HPV [Paulo & Crew] for selection as Manufacturer of the Year for under 125 Employees by the Manufacturers Association of Florida.  Following is announcement from the Catrike Front Page.  Congratulation are also posted on the ‘Bentrider Online [BROL] Home Page.

On 11/05/09 Big Cat HPV, LLC manufacturer of Catrike, has been awarded, Manufacturer of the Year for under 125 Employees by the Manufacturers Association of Florida. Paulo Camasmie, company founder and Catrike designer, was there to receive the award and said, “this was a lengthy and strict process, and the competition was very high, so it is a great honor for us to receive this award. Only in this country a person without knowing anyone, but with a dream, the will and a fair amount of competence, can start a business, and 9 years later receive this incredible award. Thanks to the MAF and their judges.”

I am proud to own one of their products, my Catrike 700 [CT7225, a.k.a. Silk].

Don gives us a blog report today [I inserted the map]. Thanks and the best…

 

Day Two Hundred Forty-three, 091029 – Newport, OR

Day Two Hundred Forty-three, Date Thursday, October 29, 2009
Time in Saddle: 7:55
Distance for the Day: 72.49 miles From Tillamook To Newport, OR
Accumulated Trip Distance: 11,991 miles
Altitudes: Starting/Ending 60’/58’, Highest: 780’ Accumulated: 3750’
Speeds: Avg: 9.1 mph, Max: 33.6 mph
Weather: 43° textured overcast in the AM turning to light rain for most of the day, and becoming steady rain the last 1/3rd of the day, until evening, when it diminished and stopped
Expenditures: $22

My blog articles on Don Saito

The outline above list the three systems and components that I have defined for my Blogcast WebCam, now known as SCEPTER [Single-purpose, Cycling Experiences, Pan & Tilt, Event Recorder].  I’m working with Eric of ABC Wings Graphics for appropriate markings.

Don has been busy uploading articles as he continues his BIG loop back to San Francisco, California. Now in Tillamook, Oregon [the red A on the map to the left], you see the distance Don has to travel to get home. Links to his stories follow: They are great reads, with lots of pictures: Day Two Hundred Forty-two, 091028 – Tillamook, OR Day Two Hundred Forty-one, 091027 – Astoria, OR Day Two Hundred Forty, 091026 – So. Bend, WA Day Two Hundred Thirty-nine, 091025 – Hoquiam, WA Day Two Hundred Thirty-eight, 091024 – Queets, WA Day Two Hundred Thirty-seven, 091023 – Beaver, WA Day Two Hundred Thirty-six, 091022 – Cape Flattery… Day Two Hundred Thirty-five, 091021 – Port Angeles… Day Two Hundred Thirty-four, 091020 – Sequim, WA   Day Two Hundred Thirty-three, 091019 – Sequim, WA Day Two Hundred Thirty-two, 091018 – Sequim, WA Day Two Hundred Thirty-one, 091017 – Blyn, WA Quickie Update – 091027

Continuing to wish Don the best as he trikes along [and alone--except for the many readers who are following his epic journey]. Thanks Don!

My blog articles on Don Saito

This is a video that you’ll want to watch. If you have [or may get an iPhone], you may want an OWLE. I did…

 

View Full Album

View the initial spreadsheet and all updates.

Here is what I have so far:

• CEBRW [Cycling Experiences… Blog Robotic WebCam]
• SCEPTER Transport Platform [SCEPTER stands for Single-purpose, Cycling Experiences, Pan & Tilt, Event Recorder]

Have a name of your own to suggest, then please a make a comment here. If I have several entries, I setup a poll to determine the favorite name. It is good to have an acronyms that can be pronounced and that’s not a derogatory term. I feel my activity is as much yours as mine personally. I blog, I share. Thanks! –jim

I‘ m sure some of you know what that means. For Maria Parkers 06:30 a.m. start, I arrived on site about 4:45 a.m. Of course, it was dark and remained so until about 7:00 a.m. I had a flash light, but could have used more, particularly to type. Lesson learned, when you setup & break down in darkness, have adequate lighting.

As I conceived my WebCam, I included be seen lighting and well foot-path lighting and lights to aid in setting up the unit. BTW, Drew has given the "unit"  [which I called a buggy] a name. He calls it SCEPTER Transport Platform. SCEPTER stands for Single-purpose, Cycling Experiences, Pan & Tilt, Event Recorder. I had pinned CEBRW for Cycling Experiences… Blog Robotic WebCam. Anyway, back to lighting.

Key to my ability to work in the dark is the light you see on the tripod. It is a BarFlex Magnetic Pivoting Light by Stanley [strange—I cannot locate it at Stanley].  It has 6 hours of runtime and works well for the purpose for which I bought it. There will be more on lighting as I describe the systems and components. This will be over the next several weeks.

We see the [what's its name] is ready, even when site arrival/departure is in the dark.

See larger images in my flickr photostream or WebCam Set.

The last few days [since my photo shoot] I have added and refined equipment for my robotic WebCam. So, here are several more pictures. I’ll soon publish an outline listing the systems, and their components and begin to detail each, Remember, the concept is to allow me to cover cycling events in a more exciting fashion. –jim

See larger images in my flickr photostream or WebCam Set

One of our viewers asked for a display of real-time factors. I wish there were a way within in the blog to give you real-time data. Here is a key part of my Statistical Prediction Spreadsheet.

The complete spreadsheet can be downloaded from Box.net ~ links on my Notes Page and below:

• Excel 2007 StatCalc Workbook
• Excel 97-2003 StatCalc Workbook

I will update the spreadsheet at Box.net on Sunday, 11/8.