All Day I Dream About Design: Industrial Design: Bikes

My love affair with bicycles officially started about two years ago. Many of my friends are into cycling, and I owned several bikes in the past. But then the romance got hot and heavy, and I could no longer deny the attraction.

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What You Can Learn About Marketing While Camping

So while camping this weekend with my mother, partner and friends I learned a great deal about people, marketing and social connectivity. You would think that being "unplugged" is the curse of all curses for people like us, and that how could you possibly get anything tangible from twenty people sitting around a fire, falling into tents and comparing RV leveling tricks. But you can – in spades.

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Quick Hit From Vegas

Here's a few things that I learned from my recent trip to Vegas.

• Holy crap has everything gone downhill!
• The 'City Center' (and their casinos) are now the prime Jewel of the strip just edging out the Wynn & The Encore
• The casinos plan heavily for Chinese new year
• There are so many Cirque du Soleil shows they're no longer special
• There are two kinds of drinkers, those who cannot find a scantly clad waitress to serve them something for free and those with a plastic "yard" in the shape of a titty sucking down grain alcohol
• The closer you walk to Las Vegas BLVD. the closer you come to depravity and emotional doom
• Finest line from a pan-handler selling bottled water "the water is free ladies, it's just a one dollar handling fee"
• A new coat of paint does not equal a renovation
• All cab drivers should be put on suicide watch
• People don't know how to have fun anymore
• "Porn Slappers" (these are the people that slap escort service flyers at you on the strip as you walk by) do not clean up bygone marketing materials
• Smokers you are a dying breed even in Vegas
• You can get away with shooting cell phone pictures in the casino, but the same cannot be said for USING a cell phone while playing in a casino
• Less social media advocacy than I would have imagined from casinos
• Although more location-based services (LBS) offers than I would have thought
• There still are black-tie events that are not weddings
• There's nothing funnier than drunk women fighting their CFMP's trying to fall into an elevator
• Asian card dealers will take all your money
• Betting 'with the craps table' is still the best way to enjoy the game
• Penny slots are treated like the plague; while $1 slots are now treated as the default rate
• Vegas is still not family friendly
• There are far more coffee shops in casinos now
• People really do get up at 7AM to workout in the fitness center
• Don't even look at the mini-bar unless your Indiana Jones and you have a bag of sand
• The Excalibur, New York New York, The Flamingo, Circus Circus (anything Bally's) and the Stratosphere all need summoned back to Satan
• All the servers hate you
• Tip the cleaning staff and you'll win more mini shampoos than a slot machine on a progressive payout
• Don't quote "The Hangover" if you don't want pee in your drink
• Aria Hotel & Casino and Wynn's "Encore" are top-notch
• No, you'll never be able to afford that necklace
• Two words: "hand sanitizer"

Cycling: A Growing Love Affair

If you would have said that I'd enjoy cycling a couple of months ago I'd inform you that 'meth kills' and seek help at your local rehab center.

That being said my legacy with the bicycles is a trail of Vikings tears but I don't know why.

• My first bike was a Schwinn Sting-Ray "Orange Krate" Bicycle with orange metallic fleck banana seat. I cannot tell you what I would give for this bike today.
• Then I had a Raleigh Rampar that I drove into the grave
• I dabbled with using my Mother's (then antique 1971 Raleigh Grand Prix 10-speed).
• Then in 1991 a Cannondale M400 Mountain Bike.
• Then in 1999 a Cannondale M800 Mountain Bike.
• Then a cruiser to change things up, I got an Electra Ghostrider.
• ...And now a 2010 Cannondale Quick 4 with carbon fiber stays.

I've tried NOT to be a Cannondale fan but I just find on the days I go to buy a bike that I end up liking the Cannondale as much if not more than anything I test. I know they're supposedly overrated and not worth the sticker on the frame but whatever. Like I said I don't tell you what to ride.

The difference this time is that I'm road riding. And I can see a much more expensive bike in my future I'm afraid, as this sport has really bit me in the ass for some reason. Just like most humans, I'm not much of a fan of working out in the gym. I hate the muscle heads and that stink, and the guy that has -14 body fat talking to the triathlete chick that's been running like a cheetah on the treadmill since I got there and still is after I leave. Biking offers a lot of benefits, especially for me as I've had an ACL replaced and I have bad knees to begin with.

• Different terrain challenges

• Low-impact workout with extreme aerobic benefits

• Exploring new and varying geographical landscape opportunities (this is also why I like golf)

So far my primary struggles with increasing my distances has been saddle (bike seat) pain. Let's face it I have a boney ass and the San Marco bike seat that came with the Cannondale was clearly constructed to retrieve enemy data from GITMO detainees. They should give riders of this brand a necklace with "The Patron Saint Of The Battered Taint" inscribed on it. That being said, I'm researching other options and finding that this hobby is incredibly fun and interesting as well.

Some other interesting facts I've learned in the past few months:

• You can get by by simply adjusting your seat to reduce the numbing in your hands from long-term riding (no more than 2 to 3º nose upward).
• That "drafting" is for pussies.
• Good gloves can save your hands from numbness.
• Be sure to eat some protein prior to a long ride to ensure you don't "bonk."
• That people with bikes they perceive as more expensive than yours (or at this point any bike that has drop handlebars) will not smile or nod at you when passing. Therefore I classify them as "douchcopters."
• The cold weather totally sucks to ride in; breezy and gusty cold weather is the doorway to Hell.
• You must drink an adequate amount of fluids while riding.
• Hardcore Italian bicycle guys are cooler than I would have thought.
• Make sure your "sit bones" are properly measured and you have the correct, style, height and installation of your seat.
• Do your best to establish proper riding form, leg position and back angle throughout your ride.
• Wear a helmet; or don't if you're an aforementioned douchcopter.

If you're shopping for a bike in Orlando, Florida here's a my short list of vendors:

Orange Cycle of College Park: World-class shop with awesome selection of bikes and accessories, friendly staff. Go see my boy Andrew Spears for the best bike buying experience of your life. He's the tall, skinny kid that with a giant beard and looks like Grizzly Adams joined the NBA. Far and away my favorite shop for all level or riders, and bike styles – even recumbents!

David's World Cycles of College Park: If you're a pretentious cyclist that only cares about a 100mile ride even if the world was under attack by naked porn starlets looking to mate, then David's is for you. Located just down the street from Orange Cycle, the angry staff will be sure to take the time to laugh at you under their breath if your not willing to pay more than $1,000 for a bike.

Advanced Cycles of Orlando: If you're looking to race and want the very best bicycles and advice then go here. This place is filled with Italian cats that know their weight in grams and can back it up on the road. They're not only knowledgeable but extremely nice not matter what level of rider you are. It's a smaller shop but worth the drive if you're into racing. If you're looking for the best (and most expensive) racing bikes then look no further.

Lastly, please hit up --> http://bit.ly/TourdeCureFL <-- the "Tour de Cure" to help me raise a couple of bucks for the American Diabetes Association and thanks a million. Ride with us on March 6, 2011!