RogueMechanic

Thoughts about Race Across the Sky Movie

As probably all of you know, the premier showing on the big screen of Race Across the Sky happened last Thursday in many theaters nationwide.  Up front, I have to admit that I was fairly pumped to see it, especially after watching the trailer more than once.

This years LT100 race was different for me than the other five that I had attended over the years.  This is because it was the first time being there for the event and not racing.  My reason for being there was to prep some bikes the day before and to crew the day of the race.  I have to admit, that it was pretty cool seeing it from a different perspective and worlds easier.

Now, after seeing it and letting it sink in for a few days I'd like to share with you my perspective.  First, let me say that I can't really complain about ANY movie on the big screen having to do with the LT100.  How cool is that! I bet Ken and Merilee are thrilled to have this amount of exposure for the event that they put a ton of effort into.  I am very happy for them.  But..... I would be lying if I said that I wasn't more than a little disappointed when the screen when black after Ken pulled the trigger on the scattergun, and here's why.

I think that the producers might have missed focus about what this race is all about for the vast majority of those who go out to tackle this event.  We all know that Lance, Wiens, and Brown can ride fast and kick butt on any given day.  Why focus the vast majority on them?  They ride for a living.  The rest of us who suffer like dogs do not.  I'm not blind to the fact that having Lance in the movie will definitely sell tickets and put butts in the seats, and that can't be ignored.  So, here are a few things that I think were missed (or ended up on the editing floor) that I believe might have played a significant role it the other "ninety percenters":

• Signing in at the starting line, and the nervousness of the start mid-pack and back...
• The bare-knuckled narrow rocky descent back down from the columbine checkpoint when you have riders pushing their bikes on your left...
• The first aid tent at the finish...
• Merilee draping the finishers medals on the riders after they cross the finish line.
• The awards ceremony with the handing out of the buckles and the sweatshirts with your name and finishing time...
• Something about the rider(s) who can see the finish line when they hear the BOOM.
• The Last Ass Over the Pass award (Last rider to finish under the 12 hour mark)...

To wrap this up, all in all, it was good, but I thought that maybe having the Last Ass over the Pass winner and the person who was the first to miss out on the coveted La Plata Grande with Lance, Dave, Travis, et al during the discussion after the movie would have been the icing...

Campagnolo Ultra-Torque Solution - Pt. 1 Review

Way back in September of 2008, I published my initial post about what I thought was a problem with the Ultra-Torque design. Now going on a year later, I am even more confident with my initial theory. But now I have a solid solution to the problem that some who have a Campagnolo Ultra-Torque crankset/bottom bracket may have experienced. 

First, I want to make a couple points...

1. I will not deny that for the most part, Ultra-Torque is a good design.  Where it fails is in its capability to allow for shell width variances.  This may seem like a a minor flaw, but it has major consequences.  
2. For the life of me, in this day and age, and with all of the current technology, why can't frame manufactures make their 68mm bottom bracket shells 68mm and their 70mm shells 70mm?!?! If this was the case, there wouldn't be a need for the wavy washer in the Ultra-Torque design.
3. The wavy washer is a legit component in certain applications in many industries. But in this instance, it's a band-aid.
4. If it's OK to have axial or lateral movement to the non-drive side, why is the Ultra-Torque design the ONLY design out there that has this movement?  If any of the other systems exhibit this movement, it means that either the bearings are shot, or you didn't install the proper bottom bracket and/or spacers.

Based of the volume of emails and comments I have been receiving about this "non-issue", I believe that it's fairly common.  Over the last few months, I have applied my "fix" to several bikes.  All with success.  The end result has been a very smooth, very stiff, axial-movement free Ultra-Torque system.  Just now I believe Campagnolo wanted to be. Next up, step by step details.  Thanks for checking in.  -John