Gravel, Ground

As previously pointed out, the first annual (I hope) Camp Shelby Gravel Grind was today. I did the 50 mile option, and I must say that it was about all that I could handle, maybe a tad more.  Several miles of gravel were loose like roller bearings, the climbs were killer steep, and the friend I was riding with had three flats before calling it a day and flagging the sag wagon.  Wouldn't have it any other way!  Well, except for the three flats/sag wagon part.  Will be back next year.  I rolled in well after the cut-off time to cheers and a hot bowl of chili.  A good end to a hard day on the CX bike.

Here are a couple of pictures:

Tanks.  I wonder which is heavier?

Meanwhile, down at the starting line...

Movie Review: Spectre

This movie is pretty good, but not as good as it aspires to be.  Taking turns at giving brutal action and the surreal setting, it is a feast for the eyes and the gut.  I only wish it gave more thought to the brain.

Starting with the requisite slam-bang opener action, Bond is on the trail of a shadowy group that he can only guess about.  A posthumous message from the previous M gives him the clue he needs to begin unraveling the mystery.  Ultimately he does trace the group to its core and do what needs to be done – that always happens in a Bond movie, otherwise there would be no sequels.  In that sense the story is predictable.  What gives it its strength is the style with which Bond does his detective work.  It doesn't always make sense, but it is fun to watch.

The cast is impeccable, with Christopher Waltz's part as the head villain especially standing out.  He always plays the intelligent, purely evil – evil to the point of seeming charmingly innocent – character so well, and he is perfect here.  Also he has an amazing Evil Mastermind Desert Lair.   Just as the Bond Girl has an amazing Alpine Glass and Steel Clinic.  Both were stunning, but.... well, sort of high-profile.

Back to the story... Once again, MI6 is under threat and only an off-grid James Bond can bring it back from certain extinction.  Wait, didn't that just happen in the last Bond move?  Can't pull out that plot element too often, maybe every fifth film or so.  Too soon here.  Also, the plot elements don't always evolve naturally into the next scene.  The move ended up feeling like a series of set pieces that made sense in and of themselves, but were not tightly coupled enough to be a satisfying story.

But that's OK because it was still a lot of big glossy action-packed fun to watch.  It is not what it could have been had the story line been better, but it was good enough to advance the series.  Three out of Four Stars.

The Global Web of Caffine

Wake up!  Here's the story over at NPR.

Just a Nice Picture from Space

Remember when pictures like this were just paintings by guys like Bonestell?  Well, this is 2016.

From NASA's APOD site.  permalink

Yes, those are Russian spacecraft in the foreground hanging off the International Space Station.  It's OK, the Cold War's been over for 25 years.  While world peace(tm) has not exactly been reached and maintained, at least we're getting along well enough to do things like the ISS.

Imagine someone seeing this picture and reading this post 35 years ago.

The (online) Museum of HP Calculators

You either get it or you don't.  Go ahead and ENTER

If you don't get it, here's a two page tutorial on RPN.  Look, learning to use RPN (a) dead easy, and (b) akin to moving up to a well-built unix system after a serving hard time using MS-DOS on 5 1/2" floppies.  You don't even need to buy an expensive HP calculator anymore, there are emulator apps for smart phones available.  No, really, it is that good, and now it's even that inexpensive.

More Music

Following up on last weekend's I Fought the Law post, here are two protopunk classics:

The Phantom: Love Me  (1958)             Johnny Guitar Watson: Space Guitar (1954)

Gravel Grind Update

This just in from the event organizers.  Even though you may not get a tee shirt, it's still not too late to get with this thing.  Now, the only remaining question... to camp or not?  Weather's going to be good, but probably not.  With only an hour and a half drive up, the time that would be spent breaking camp in the morning makes it about a wash, and I know which is easier.

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Good day gravel grinders! I wanted to email everyone with a little bit more information about the event. 

--As mentioned in the flyers and on the registration site, you will need a photo id, vehicle registration, and proof of insurance to get on base, and no weapons are allowed on base. Please remember this, Camp Shelby is an active military base and has rules about being allowed on base. You will enter through the SOUTH GATE off highway 49 and there are signs to get to the museum. Directions can be found at http://www.armedforcesmuseum.us/Directions.pdf

--Hotels are available in Hattiesburg, some along the intersection of highway 49 and interstate 59, and others around the intersection of highway 98 and interstate 59. As far is which is closer, they are both about the same. Staying along highway 49 you can just head sound on 49 to the gate, staying along highway 98 you will want to go south on interstate 59 to the highway 98 east exit 59, then exit onto highway 49 south toward the MS gulf coast. 

--Camping, cottages and cabins are available at Paul B. Johnson state park which is very close to the Camp Shelby gates. Fees and rules are available at http://www.mdwfp.com/media/235680/40_miss_admin_code_part_6_compilation_v2_final.pdf and information on booking is at http://mississippistateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/paul-b-johnson/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=MS&parkId=156846  

--Registration/check in will start at 8:30am, day of registration is allowed, so if you know anyone who decides last minute to come ride, please bring them! The ride will start at 10:00am with the 50 mile riders in front and 25 behind. The 25 mile is a lolipop loop with an aid station that will be passed twice. The 50 mile is a loop with 2 aid stations along the way. Aid stations will have water, fruit and gels. There will be a course sweeper so if you have trouble someone will be coming along to help. 

--After the ride stick around for chili, chips and soft drinks. 

--Most important of all... have fun! This is a relaxing ride on some fantastic gravel roads.

Thank you all for registering and we will see you on Sunday!