Amazon MP3 Store

Those of you that got my email about this know that I'm pretty excited about the new Amazon MP3 Store.



Finally there is a good, reputable digital music store that offers DRM-free music. But not only is it DRM-free, but it is also in a higher bitrate (quality) AND uses the widespread mp3 format. This means that it can be played on ANY digital music player. All of the things that I just mentioned have been the exact things that have kept me away from iTunes (and other mainstream stores too of course). And it's cheaper to boot! Only $0.89/song. I'm sure the others will catch on fast though, they're just one step behind. (and even Amazon has a ways to go still IMO)

My dad as a puppy

First off, let me preface this by saying that I love my dad and look up to him always. But, there are times that he just can't stay awake when we're talking to him. Here's what he would look like in a puppy costume... (and in reality, this could be any ONE of the Duncan men).

Car-free day

Bottom line, Gina wanted to ride to work today, so we rode together. What a great wife! Click here for the full story.

Tour of the Wasatch Front

Tyler and I have been wanting to ride from SLC to the alpine loop through Heber and then back to SLC for a few weeks now (one big 115 mile loop). After looking into it a bit, we decided to start out a tad bit easier and start from Midway instead of from SLC, thus cutting out the ride up Emigration Canyon to Parley's Canyon and up over the hill to Heber. It took off about 35 miles and a good bit of climbing. We figured that the resulting 74 mile ride with 5000 feet of climbing that we would end up with would be good enough.

And now for some pics:

And one more of the Alpine Loop Scenery:

That crazy track bike disease...

No matter if you're a cyclist or not, if you look around Salt Lake City lately you will see many more bikes than you used to. They are becoming a very popular mode of transportation as residents discover the well defined bike lanes and bicycle-friendly roads of Salt Lake City, not to mention the added benefit of losing a few extra pounds. (and I'm not talking about making your bike lighter...) It is likely that a good number of the bicycles that you see are fixed gear bikes, commonly called track bikes. People choose these types of bikes for a number of reasons: less maintenance, no dérailleurs to break or go out of tune (and thus no griding gears), extra leg strength from riding only one gear... the list goes on. Most importantly, they're a lot of fun to ride and people have compared it to almost "walking" on your bike because when you pedal forward, you go forward. Pedal backward, and you go backward. Pedal slow, you go slow. Pedal fast... you get the idea.


Ahhh, the Raleigh One-Way, mmmmm (Cyclesmith sells it, need I say more?!)

Now, if you're looking for more fun on your commute than you normally have eating that "footlong" and coffee from Maverick in your car while stuck in traffic (probably on Foothill Drive), then commuting on a fixed gear bicycle is for you. Believe it or not, you'll actually have fun getting from point A to point B! (not to worry all you "geared-bicycle commuters," there will be a post in the near future for you too)

As mentioned on Cyclesmith's website, Salsa's new line-up also includes a hot new pre-built fixie that would make a great commuter bicycle somewhat "on-the-cheap." If you're truly looking for a fixie to commute with, pay special attention to the rear drop-out area to look for eyelets that will allow you to mount fenders. (see photo at left, eyelets are the little round loops on top) Because having a nice "pin-stripe" up the back on a rainy day may be considered cool while you're actually ON the bike, when you're off the bike it doesn't do so much for attracting the opposite ... well, let's just say that it's a pretty good wife repellant. So get those fenders on for a rainy (or snowy) day and ride worry free.