Well, the fight card was pretty amazing and was really worth the wait. The promoters matched up some of America’s best with some of Thailand’s great kick boxers. Specifically, Kevin Ross was going to seek redemption against Sakkedao Petchpayathai, while Joe Schilling was going to elevate American Muay Thai by knocking out Kaoklai Kaennorsing….that was the plan.

Before stuff got underway, there was a lot of ceremonial stuff. There was the singing of national anthems (by actual people), introductions of representatives from all of the sponsors, and a word from a pretty important guy in Thailand.

The first match up of the night featured one of my favorite fighters, Rungravee Sasisprapa, battling against a zebra haired Andres Martinez of Spain.  But before that, we were treated to a short song and dance; they were kind of fun.

Rungravee, “Thailand’s Terminator.” No matter how many times he got hit, he was so calm and always moved forward. He’s a beast.

The ring girl… she was cool.

Ultimately, all of Rungravee’s knees took a toll on his opponent and got him the win by TKO.

I really liked how all of the Thai fighters were accompanied by this troupe of traditional dancers. Charming, really.

The co-main event of the night featured America’s Kevin “Soul Assassin” Ross against Sakkedao Petchpayathai. Not only was there a championship belt on the line, but this fight was also supposed to redeem Ross from his last loss against Saenchai (who lost against Sakkaedao). From beginning to end, it was an exciting match.

Kevin Ross’ performance, in my opinion, was much better in this fight. Unfortunately though, a deep cut to his head prompted the ref to stop the fight. Sakkaedao was proclaimed the winner by TKO and also the interim WBC Muay Thai world super lightweight champion.

the next co-main event was really, why I and pretty much everyone else came….Joe “Stitch Em Up” Schilling vs Kaoklai “Giant Killer” Kaennorsing… Joe wore all 3 belts at the same time; looked kind of funny.

Like he said he would in interviews, Joe came out aggressive from the start, quickly knocking down Kaoklai two times. He intended to knock him out in the first round.

at one time, Kaoklai was able to get Joe off balance, raising some hope in his camp….

…but it wasn’t good enough. Joe came back and knocked Kaoklai down a 3rd time, and the ref called the fight in the first round. For his efforts, Joe also claimed the interim WBC Muay Thai world light heavyweight belt.

It was an action-packed match up, and blessed the cameraman and youtube, you can see the entire match!

Cheers!

Link: M1 Grand Muay Thai

Link: IFS

Twelve seconds into the first round (picture above), Kickboxer landed a clean high left kick to his opponent’s head, sending him down to the canvas for the count. After almost 10 seconds, the bearded guy foolishly got up to continue the match.

Kickboxer continued to smack this guy around with a combination of jabs and kicks, and when tangled in the ropes, high knees. The fight went for 3 rounds. Though it got close, there was no TKO. My friend still won by unanimous decision, 30-27, 30-27, 29-27. It was a great match.

Entering the ring ….

Performing Wai Khru Ram Muay, pre-fight dance to pay respect to Thai culture.

Lethal high kicks proved to be indispensable in this match up.

Looks ruthless, but eriously, one of the nicest guys I know.

Afterwards, celebrated in Thai town.

Anyways, during this time, to clip in to the pedals at the gym, I attached to the soles, a pair of Shimano SPD SH-51 cleats that I received for free from purchasing my previous biking shoes. Though the SH-51s (lateral release), in my opinion, are inferior to the SH-56s (multi-directional release), I didn’t think it would affect my spinning experience, or really matter. They were made by the same company, as well as looked pretty much the same. And, these shoes were going to primarily perform indoors.

For the most part, my experience with the Shimano SH-51s were okay. They allowed me to clip in to the bike pedals and kept me secure. However, the daily clipping and lateral-unclipping of the shoes took a toll on the reinforcement plates, and eventually, stripped out a thread….

I prolonged the need to replace the reinforcement plates by switching holes (in both shoes for consistency) to thread the cleats in. But recently, the last set of holes gave way, and now, here I am, sharing my experience in replacing the Sidi Reinforcement Plates…. which was not all that fun, considering that access is granted only through the inner sole.

To get started… I removed the blue outer-inner liner (green arrow below) to expose the inner-inner sole (mustard yellow arrow). You’ll notice that there are two screws embedded at the heel – there’s no need to remove them (Trust me, I did myself and that did nothing but waste time).

Next step was to unbuckle the straps. This exposed the inner sole better and allowed for better access to the reinforcement plate.

Flipping the shoe over, all I did was take a screwdriver and jammed that thing through the inner sole….

.. anticipating the need to eventually replace this plate, Sidi pre-cut the inner sole. I used my screwdriver to help widen the flap opening to pop out the broken reinforcement plate…

did a quick switcheroo…

…After replacing the inner-inner sole flap and the outer-inner sole, the shoe was almost ready to rock-n-roll.

For good measure, I got rid of the SH-51s, and replaced them with the SH-56s, so hopefully, I will not have to ever replace the reinforcement plates again.

Cheers!

You can pick up replacement reinforcement plates from pretty much any bicycling shop.

I picked mine up from Huck n Roll via Amazon.

Looking back at old blog posts, I realize that it’s been a year and half since I’ve been back!

We were in the neighborhood for the Clippers game (vs. the Houston Rockets) at Staples Center, and needed to grab a bite to eat.. or rather, I was craving their signature Barbacoa drink >=)

Anyways, the mezcal-based drink included chipotle, bell pepper, ginger, and beef jerky! Sounds weird, but I guarantee that it is one of the most refreshing drinks ever…pardon the crap iphone pic…

as for food, we started with the piquillos rellenos…stuffed spanish peppers, chorizo, golden raisins, and gruyere. delicioso

remembering how tasty the yucatecan puerco pibil sous vide was, I suggested she order it…

wanting to try something new but also kind of wanting pork…  i chose the costa rican puerco from the samba menu… similar to PR girl’s dish, my hunk of kurobuta pork tenderloin was braised in coffee, and it was served in a sugar cane sauce….yummmmmm..

We skipped dessert to make our way to the game………..

Bonus:

Blake Griffin shooting a free throw!

Link: Rivera

You can’t see it from this angle, but the sole is made of carbon, and is entirely replaceable. In fact, the SRS in the name stands for Sole Replacement System. However, more than the sole, the company makes spare parts for pretty much everything on the shoe.

In addition, as you might notice, this shoe features different kinds of straps all over it. There’s the special high security velcro near the toe, a Techno 2 buckle that kind of look like my contacts case, a pretty big caliper buckle system at the top of the tongue, and some kind of heal security system…. all of which are patented.

Want to know the real reason I got these? …. it’s because they looked cool =)

Link: Sidi

- Rapha Winter Jersey, $230. Can also wear it as a light jacket.
- The Quants by Scott Patterson, $17.82 at Amazon.
- Framed Print of Untitled (Red and Black), 1955 by Mark Rothko, $200 at MoMA.
- Sidi Dragon 2 SRS Carbon Mountain Bike Shoes in Red, $372.50 at Chainreactioncycles. Retails for $465.
- Paddle Shifting Steering Wheel for my car, $2,095 at Suncoast. Retails for $2615.
- Decoded by Jay-Z, $18.88 at Amazon.
- Vision Racer VR3 Racing Simulator, $1295. The best way to play Gran Turismo.
- Rapha 3/4 Bib shorts, $225. I’m a sucker for that white stripe.

Cheers!

There were 11 fights total, 2 of which were professional fights, where head gear and shin guards were absent, and elbow throws were present. Good times.

Of the two girl fights, the one with Marie “the Angry Korean” Kim (in pink) was the most entertaining. It was trouble for Cindy “Chun Li” Codero whenever they were separated; she got beat with a bunch of side kick/jab combinations. 

this was another amateur fight where Victor Acosta knocked out Oscar Sanchez to win the MTAA National Belt. Sanchez’s chin was way too exposed, and it cost him. 

out cold.

my favorite fight of the night was the Pro Fight between Joe Schilling (black shorts) and Chaz Mulkey (red shorts). Both very scary looking guys. They were fighting at 165 lbs.

 performing ram muay (ceremonial dance).

ripped and tatted up.

really wanted it to go all 5 rounds.

unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be.

done in the 3rd. Mulkey got knocked down too many times. The ref called it. Still, it was a good fight.

Fun Times.

The 612 Scaglietti seats 4, you know, in case I accidently have kids. This would be my daily driver. With HGTS Package. In black, the color of my heart (how emo, lol). Opt out of ubiquitous Scudderia Shields (the yellow Ferrari emblem on the sides) and yellow center rim caps. Clean as can be.

The 599 GTO is a life size Hot Wheels toy. This will be for the weekend. Pick Historical Racing Livery because most people will not; they’ll pick red. Insides will be covered in Alcantara. I have no illusions that this particular model is a practical car, or even obtainable. Most likely, I will have to settle for the regular non-GTO version and in that case, would get it in black, like the Scaglietti.

Link: Ferrari

Long story short of why, what, how - a couple of rides ago, while out on the trail, my chain kept on disengaging from the chain ring and locking up my pedals. Upon close inspection, I found that my middle chain ring teeth were all bent and worn. I’m sure it was due to all of the times I crashed and ate sh##. Anyhow, I chose to replace and upgrade my crankset with a non-black colored, heavy-duty, yet fairly-priced crankset from a well-respected name in the industry. And taking advantage of a 50% off after Thanksgiving sale from one of my favorite online retailers, I found the Race Face Atlas to fit all of my criteria. Awesomeness.

Anyways, being my first time performing this kind of operation, it took me all afternoon, a few instructional internet clips, and a couple of round trips to the local bicycle shop to complete. Nevertheless, I managed to do it and gained additional knowledge that I’ll employ the next time I need to upgrade. =)

For those interested, here are the tools that I used..

For removing the old, crappy crank set:

• 8mm Hex
• 10mm Hex
• Park Tool Crank Puller for Square Taper Cranks (model CCP-2)
• Spin Doctor Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool w/ a socket wrench I found in the garage

For installing the new, shiny crank set:

• 8mm Hex 
• 10mm Hex
• Park Tool Bottom Bracket Tool (model BBT-9)
• Park Tool Polylube 1000 (waterproof grease)

This particular Youtube clip introduced me to the Crank Arm puller and prompted my first visit to the bicycle shop.

This video had me going to the bicycle shop a second time to pick up a cartridge bottom bracket tool. LOL. =P

Fortunately, the hard part in this exercise was removing the old stuff. The instructions for the new crankset were pretty straightforward. However, it did introduce me to a couple of new words that created moments of pause:

• Bottom Bracket (BB) Shell Width. Mine was 68mm.
• Nominal Chainline, which is basically the distance from the middle of the seat tube to the middle chainring. I guestimated mine to be 48mm. In other words, I didn’t use any of the spacers that came in the box. Oh well.

And that’s that! Now, hopefully, I’ll get another ride in before the year ends. Cheers!

Link:
Race Face

Designed by Ryan Carroll, Michael Lin & Mark Sanders

The clean and striking IF Mode is aimed at commuters of the mobile generation who, until now, may have not considered cycling or folding bikes to be an option. IF Mode avoids oily chains, complex tubes with hidden dirt traps, and the clutter of traditional bike features. Meant for city commuters rather than bicycle warriors, it looks at home folded up on a subway or in an office, like other well designed accessories in your life. It also performs on the street like any lightweight, well-balanced full size bike.
Bike Weight: 32 lbs (14.7 kg)

Frame: Pacific AL7005 IF Monocoque with Single Swing Arm
Tire: Kenda Kwick Roller Sport 26 x 1.5 inches
Rim: Alloy 6061-T6 26 x 1.5 inches; 12H 3 Spider Plates
Hub: KT Sealed Bearings for Single Arm Frame
Chainwheel: Speed Drive 22T with CG
Chain: KMC HG53
Freewheel: 12T Sprocket
Derailer: Speed Drive Dual Speed System
Shifter: Heel Push Bottom on BB Axle
Saddle: Velo VL-2064 Brown
Pedal: Foldable
Stem: CNC Integrated to Front Fork
Brake: Mechanical Disc Brake with 6 inch rotors
Brake Lever: Mechanical Disc Brake Lever

Folded Dimensions: 40 inches (h) x 10.5 inches (w) x 26 inches (l)

The frame looks amazing, and it’s made of carbon fiber. One day, it will be mine!

Link: Ibis Cycles

Link: DiNotte Special Package.

JC going down this really sandy decline.

The next decline was insane. From the top, near the cylindrical thingamagig, it already looked pretty hairy. One thing I did not anticipate was the drop being split into two sections, with the latter part being much more steep. Whhheeeeee! I took the whole thing down with no brakes and ended up quite a ways up the following hill (where i took the below photo). For scale, peep that little guy in the upper right. The trek up from the other side was particularly brutal, but we were sufficiently rewarded with this nugget of adrenaline.

Getting dark and hungry, we called it a day.

I’d definitely come back to explore the other areas of the park. Cheers!

Link:
Peters Canyon Regional Park Trail

Here is a picture of CQ emerging from the forest and catching a little bit of air. This was about 1/2 way through our ride.

Until next time. Cheers!

From here, we either make our way to Sullivan Canyon, or just go back the way we came.

On this day, the weather was awesome. The air was cool and fresh. I felt like I could ride forever.

Cheers!

Copy + Paste from the Manufacturer’s website:

A free ride glove, where ventilation, touch and feel are the key criteria. The knuckle shields are divided in two parts and the joint protection is made of soft but durable rubber. The inside is made of grippy Pittards® and digital leather and has just the right feel to it.

Link: POC

Half way up the mountain, PH surveying the landscape.

This day, I actually had to leave the group early to be on time for dinner reservations. When zooming down the mountain, I was quite amazed at the distance we covered. It took a good 15 to 20 minutes going down with minimal application of brakes. Very, very fun.

I later saw video of the guys taking an alternate, much scarier route down. Pretty ballsy if you ask me, especially since most wear minimal body armor.

I’d like to come back again! Cheers!

Link: La Tuna Canyon Loop

it was a baby rattler.

i also spotted a coyote near the top of the mountain. i guess all i need to see now to make my mountain biking experience complete is a bear and a mountain lion – i’d rather not.

Here is a pic of CQ (he’s the most badass out of all of us) giving a warning to us newbies of the cliff at the turn in Rock-it.

Leaving the Nike Missile Base to head back to the car..

At our left, we were above the clouds.

At our right, a picturesque sunset.

anyways, we did two loops and called it a day.

the beginning was an uphill fireroad with a reasonable incline. we went around the water tower at the top, and made our way through a white fence, where we put on our armor to tackle the second half of the loop… which was pretttty fun. The first part, with tight turns and a pretty uneven path, was the more challenging to maneuver. There was an additional, short incline before we got to the speedy wide fire road that took us back to the beginning.

The first time around, other than losing a water bottle along the way, there were no major mishaps. We were pumped to do it again.

The second time around, however, we weren’t so lucky. On the first downhill, I took a tight turn too fast, fishtailed and had my front tire caught in a deep groove, flipping me over the handlebars. Luckily, I had my stormtrooper armor on and only got a minor bruise on my right hip, where there was no padding. PH, I think, got caught in a similar spot and without pads, wasn’t as lucky. He got scraped up good enough to draw some blood, but overall continued to do well.

PH showing off battle wounds.

Until next time.

we didnt follow the correct route. got whipped by random shrubs on the single track. still really fun.

cooling off in the shade. we underestimated the heat.

I will definitely need to come back on a cooler day.

Tip: The gates to the parking lot close at 5pm

For the most part, it was pretty fun. The ride down was good. It was not very steep and the path was also peppered with rocks (and piles of horse shit) to remind us that we were on a mountain. Other than one of the guys breaking his rear hydraulic brakes, there were no major mishaps. We did get wet a few times going through the streams – thank gawd I carry an extra pair of socks. 

Afterwards, we went for a light dinner at Urth in Downtown Los Angeles Arts District. I ordered my usual, sandwich caprese and a small green tea latte, complete with a Hello Kitty-wannabe foam.

Can’t wait until next week to ride some more. Cheers!

Links:
Brown Mountain – Ken Burton Trail
Urth Caffe

..in action. it pumps tires really fast. i especially like how the gauge is near the top.

Copy + Paste of the specs:

Link: Topeak

Check out that “Fun to Drive” score. I totally agree.

Here are excerpts from the article (Go to the link at the bottom of this post to read the entire article.)

1ST PLACE: 2009 PORSCHE CAYMAN S PDK

In technical editor Kim Reynolds’ first-drive story of the Porsche Cayman S PDK (March 2009), which marked Motor Trend’s initial experience with Stuttgart’s mid-engine seven-speed-dual-clutch sports car, he made a very bold declaration. “It’s now, in my humble opinion, very simply the best sports car in the world.” Since most of you don’t know Kim, allow us to inform you that he is quite possibly the most humble man on the planet. So when the humblest editor states a humble, albeit audacious opinion, his fellow MT staffers perk up and heed the call. Still, the best sports car in the world? Rightfully so, Reynolds had his skeptics.

Well, after flogging the Cayman S around track and twisties, we have only one thing to say to Sir Kim:You were absolutely right.

“No other car here — not one — delivers the Porsche’s Braillelike road-reading,” says St. Antoine. “You can feel every tire doing its work.” Markus wholeheartedly agrees: “Probably more than any other car here, including the R8, this one feels like an extension of your neural synapses.” And Pobst? Why, the first three words to come from his mouth were, “Racecar. Racecar. Wow.” Translation? “The thing about the Cayman is-gosh, I hope they don’t hate me for saying this — I think it’s just about better than any 911. The Cayman is one of the best-handling cars I’ve ever driven.”

As with any great driver’s car, the Cayman’s supremacy comes in myriad forms, not just a single attribute. First and foremost, the Porsche possesses uncanny poise, thanks in large part to the amidships placement of its symphonic 3.4-liter 320-horse flat-six. “The balance is exceptional,” notes St. Antoine. “Turn-in is sharp, yet the rear end stays planted unless you really kick it in a quick turn. It’s difficult to drive the Cayman S badly.” Much of what makes the Porsche so easy to push is its surgical steering. “Most natural and organic steering here,” claims Markus. “The slower ratio ensures that none of the subtle messages coming through the wheel are lost in the rush to steer from here to there.”

 

Of course, what helps establish this Cayman as the ultimate Cayman are the three letters representing Porsche Doppelkupplung. Says Pobst: “I left the PDK in plain-old Drive and let the computer do the work on the shifting, and it always had the right gear for me. It’s a fantastic transmission-incredibly smooth, quick shifts.” So fantastic was the PDK that it managed to turn naysayers into proponents. “I found the new PDK transmission off-putting at first, almost entirely because the pushbutton wheel shifters are just plain dumb,” states St. Antoine. “But after I put it into ‘Sport +’ and hit Laguna for a few laps, I’m not so sure the PDK needs paddles or pushbuttons at all. The transmission is simply brilliant on its own.”

To finish in front of such stalwarts as the R8 and Miata, the Cayman used a little emotion and a lot of speed. “An emotional favorite that backs up the warm fuzzy feelings (which Miata also creates) with serious cred, like 1.0g grip,” says Markus. “Not as light as the MX-5, but more focused on speed and cornering,” notes Loh. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it was one of my quickest lap times, because of the confidence I had with corner entry,” says Pobst. “It is a car that can be driven very hard, very near the limit, off stability control, and still stay completely under control.” In other words, the Best Driver’s Car. (And, yes, Kim, the best sports car in the world.)

RANDY SAYS: “Man, hard to pick. The Audi felt more valuable, it felt more expensive. The sounds coming out of it were finer, more refined. The Cayman was a little bit more of a race car, in comparison. It made great noises and a lot of noise, but good noise, like a screaming-six-cylinder-exhaust noise.”

Our pick for Best Driver’s Car doesn’t jump out at you from the Vehicle Dynamics Scorecard, though hints of its specialness can be found in its best Laguna lap. A car with the sixth-best top speed, yet third-quickest lap time has more than simply good grip going for it. Confidence counts too (check out our subjective ratings graphic). And closely inspect the Laguna lap trace: The Cayman has an extraordinary ability to stretch its lateral g well around many of the corners. One notable idiosyncrasy, though, is its unusually heavy steering effort.

FINAL ANALYSIS
In the end, you’ve got to get a feel for it

What’s most striking about the Porsche Cayman S Vehicle Dynamics Score is that it doesn’t appear to be remarkable at all. It took turning off our elaborate test equipment and simply wrapping our hands on its steering wheel to finally get the picture. After driving all 10 of our contenders on an impromptu road course, we scored them in six, driver’s-car-illuminating categories. And when the results were compiled, our affection for the Cayman S became starkly apparent.

While the Audi R8 and MX-5 Miata — cars at virtually either end of the group’s performance spectrum — impressed us too, subjectively, the Porsche scored even better. It’s as though the Cayman S simultaneously distills most of the R8′s intense performance and mid-engine balance, with the Mazda’s sprightly, and endlessly likable personality. And that’s a potent recipe for our Best Driver’s Car.

PORSCHE CAYMAN S
DRIVELINE: Mid engine/3.4L flat-6/320 hp/273 lb-ft/7-sp twin-cl auto/RWD
SUSPENSION, F;R: Struts, coils, adj shocks, anti-roll bar; multilink, coils, adj shocks, anti-roll bar
BRAKE DISCS/CALIPERS, F;R: 12.5-in vented, drilled/4-piston; 11.8-in vented, drilled/4-piston, ABS
CURB WEIGHT (DIST F/R): 3176 lb (45/55%)
TIRES, F;R: 235/35R19 87Y; 265/35R19 94Y Michelin Pilot Sport

Link: 2009 Motor Trend Best Driver’s Car (18 pages).

Sometimes it’s the journey, sometimes it’s the destination—and sometimes, it’s both. National Geographic Traveler has scoured the globe for the world’s most beautiful, interesting, and off-beat road trips.

It’s worth a look.

Two of the featured drives – Pacific Coast Highway and Santa Barbara Loop – take place right here in California.

Here is a Copy + Paste:

Pacific Coast Highway.

An exhilarating driving experience, this twisting, cliff-hugging, 123-mile (198-kilometer) route along the central California coast takes about five hours to complete at a leisurely pace. Designated an All-American Road—among the nation’s most scenic—the drive encompasses both the Big Sur Coast Highway and the San Luis Obispo North Coast Byway.

Overview
The route starts in historic Monterey, visits the art colony of Carmel, and threads through Big Sur, where mountains plunge into the Pacific. Farther south, the landscape mellows to oak-studded hills as the road passes Hearst Castle on its way to Morro Bay. In places, the road has narrow shoulders and sharp drop-offs, so stay alert. This route can be tricky for RVs or other oversize vehicles.

Start in Monterey
Join California Route 1 in Monterey (Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau. +1 831 649 1770. www.montereyinfo.org.). The town served as California’s capital under Spanish, Mexican, and American flags, and by the early 1900s boasted an important sardine industry. Surviving sites include the Royal Presidio Chapel, Monterey State Historic Park, Custom House, Casa Soberanes, Larkin House, and other adobe buildings, as well as touristy Fisherman’s Wharf and Cannery Row, home of the celebrated Monterey Bay Aquarium (www.montereybayaquarium.org).

Carmel-by-the-Sea
After enjoying Monterey, drive 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) south on Highway 1 to Carmel-by-the-Sea (Visitors Center: San Carlos St.; tel. +1 831 624 2522 or +1 800 550 4333; www.carmelcalifornia.org), an upscale village of quaint colorful cottages, restaurants, inns, shops, and art galleries fronted by a broad beach fringed with Monterey pines. Among the highlights are Mission San Carlos Borroméo del Río Carmelo, second of the California missions, founded by Padre Junípero Serra in 1770; Tor House, the 1919 home of poet Robinson Jeffers; and mile-long Carmel River State Beach (831-649-2836), with its pelicans and kingfishers.

Point Lobos State Reserve
From Carmel drive 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometers) south to Point Lobos State Reserve (tel. +1 831 624 4909; www.pointlobos.org; $10 fee for car), a 550-acre (220-hectare) park encompassing coves, headlands, meadows, tide pools, and the nation’s first undersea ecological reserve, covering an additional 750 acres (300 hectares), with kelp forests 70 feet (20 meters) high. Trails lead past Monterey cypresses, which grow naturally only here and in Pebble Beach. The park’s 250 species of birds and mammals include black-tailed deer, gray foxes, sea otters, and sea lions. Migrating gray whales pass by from December through April.

Big Sur
After driving through Carmel Highlands, where impressive houses perch on granite cliffs above the sea, you reach the start of Big Sur, which extends 90 miles (145 kilometers) south to San Simeon. On this fabled coastline, redwood groves reach skyward, the Santa Lucia Range plunges into the sea, and waves are beaten to froth on ragged rocks. It’s a place of elemental power that can make human affairs seem inconsequential.

Garrapata State Park
Route 1, opened in 1937, climbs higher than 1,000 feet (300 meters) above the sea. One of the few easy-to-reach beaches is at Garrapata State Park (tel. +1 831 667 2315; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=579), about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) south of Carmel Highlands. From Soberanes Point watch for sea otters, which are protected under California state law.

Old Coast Road
En route to Bixby Bridge, six miles (ten kilometers) farther, you can choose to leave Calif. 1 and drive the 11-mile (18-kilometer) Old Coast Road, which climbs through remote forests and canyons and offers silent ocean views before ending at Andrew Molera State Park (tel. +1 831 667 2315, www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=582). The unpaved road is tortuous and impassable when it rains.

Bixby Bridge
Much photographed Bixby Bridge is a single-span concrete arch more than 260 feet (80 meters) high and 700 feet (200 meters) long. Park at turnouts near either end to gawk or take pictures. Ahead, the highway passes Hurricane Point, a place of big winds and big views, and then descends to the mouth of the Little Sur River. Looking inland, you’ll see 3,709-foot-high (1,131-meter-high) Pico Blanco, distinguishable by its lime deposits. Toward the sea, sand dunes soon appear, rolling toward the 1889 Point Sur Lighthouse (tel. +1 831 625 4419; tours Saturdays and Sundays, call for additional days April through October; $8; http://www.pointsur.org), a state historic park. In a few miles you reach Andrew Molera State Park (tel. +1 831 667 2315; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=582; fee), whose broad beach, oak and redwood forests, and stretch of the Big Sur River are accessible only by foot.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park
Pass through the settlement of Big Sur, which offers food and lodging, and head for Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (tel. +1 831 667 2315; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=570; fee), where the Big Sur River runs through 964 acres (390 hectares) of redwoods, sycamores, and ferns. Then go 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometers) south and turn right on the 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) road down Sycamore Canyon Road to the white sands of Pfeiffer Beach, where the surf roars through arched rocks.

Nepenthe
Less than 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) farther on the highway you come to Nepenthe (tel. +1 831 667 2345; www.nepenthebigsur.com), an indoor-outdoor restaurant perched 800 feet (245 meters) above the sea and famous for its views. About half a mile (0.8 kilometers) south, on the left, look for the Henry Miller Memorial Library (tel. +1 831 667 2574; www.henrymiller.org; closed Tuesdays), perched among towering redwoods. It displays books and memorabilia of the novelist who spent 18 years in Big Sur. Also stop 8 miles (12.8 kilometers) farther at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (tel. +1 831 667 2315; www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=578 Fee), whose terrain ranges from 3,000-foot-high (914-meter-high) ridges to an underwater preserve. Do walk the short trail along the seaside bluff to see McWay Falls pour 100 feet (30 meters) into a picturesque cove.

Lucia, Plaskett, Gorda, and Ragged Point
Ahead of you lies the southern stretch of Big Sur. The road clings to a precipitous coastline, and the only settlements in the next 40 miles (64 kilometers) are Lucia, Plaskett, Gorda, and Ragged Point. From here onward are hills and pastureland. You’ll spy the Piedras Blancas Light Station on a point supposedly named in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo for its white rocks (stained with bird droppings).

San Simeon
After a spell away from the Pacific, the road reaches the town of San Simeon, a staging area for the five-mile (eight-kilometer) bus ride to Hearst Castle (tel. +1 805 927 2020 or 800 444 4445; www.hearstcastle.org; tours only, call for reservations; fee), begun in 1919 by newspaperman William Randolph Hearst. Perched in the Santa Lucia Range, the 127-acre (51-hectare) estate features the 115-room main house and guesthouses, which mix classical and Mediterranean Revival styles, using European architectural elements, antiques, and artwork collected by Hearst.

Cambria
Continue six miles (ten kilometers) to Cambria (Chamber of Commerce: tel. +1 805 927 3624; www.cambriachamber.org), nestled against hills where Monterey pines thrive in porous soil of decomposed sandstone. On the ocean side of the highway, at Moonstone Beach, look for moonstones and California jade. Drive on four miles (six kilometers) to the colony of Harmony, where you might glimpse artists at work. Ahead on Estero Bay, the small town of Cayucos dates from the coastal schooner era of the 1860s; the pier has good fishing for perch and sometimes rockfish, plus views of pelicans and cormorants.

End in Morro Bay
The end of your route is Morro Bay (Chamber of Commerce: tel. +1 805 772 4467; www.morrobay.org), easily identified by its landmark Morro Rock. A turban-shaped, extinct volcanic cone about 23 million years old, it is 576 feet (176 meters) high and sits on the bay. Peregrine falcons live here. To learn about local wildlife, visit the Morro Bay State Park Museum of Natural History (tel. +1 805 772 2694; www.morrobaymuseum.org; $2). Around Morro Bay you’ll see great blue herons and, from October to March, monarch butterflies in eucalyptus trees.

Road Kit
Enjoy this drive any time of year, but beware of winter mudslides; see www.wunderground.com/US/CA/Big_Sur.html for local weather conditions; for current road conditions, see www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo. For more information on the Pacific Coast Highway, visit www.byways.org/explore/byways/2301 and www.byways.org/explore/byways/2475. The itinerary below describes a north-to-south route; if you drive from south to north, you’ll have a few extra feet of roadway between your car and the hair-raising drop-offs to the Pacific Ocean.

Santa Barbara Loop.

This sunny, 166-mile romp is centered in Santa Barbara, a coastal resort where bougainvillea flowers climb white walls and an old California mission drowses in the sun. Among the city’s ravishing charms are a Mediterranean climate, gardens, broad beaches, a pretty yacht harbor, and mountains tinged with Impressionist pinks and blues.

Overview
The drive makes two loops. First it jogs westward from Santa Barbara, visiting the flower fields of sleepy Lompoc and the wine and horse country of the newly glamorous Santa Ynez Valley. Then, circling back to Santa Barbara, it takes off eastward, to the mission city of Ventura and the orange groves of the Ojai Valley.

Start in Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara was settled by the Spanish in the late 1700s and lived graciously during California’s later rancho period. In the late 19th century, it became a health resort for wealthy Easterners after a guidebook writer touted it as a “Mecca for the moribund.” When a 1925 earthquake leveled the haphazardly built downtown, civic leaders rebuilt in the Spanish colonial style that now unifies the city.

Queen of the Missions
On a slope overlooking town stands the venerable Mission Santa Barbara (2201 Laguna St.; +1 805 682 4713; http://santabarbaramission.org). At the old mission, founded in 1786, it’s easy to picture gray-robed padres saying Mass for the Indians.

Franciscan friars still reside at this Queen of the Missions, and Sunday services continue in the colorfully painted church. The sandstone Roman facade and adobe walls demonstrate how missionaries integrated European architecture with the rude but handsome materials—mud, stone, and timber—available on the California frontier.

Museums, Gardens, Theaters, Historic Sites, and More
From here, head up Mission Canyon. Kids love the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (2559 Puesta del Sol Rd.; +1 805 682 4711), with its 72-foot blue whale skeleton, animal dioramas, insects, “lizard lounge,” and planetarium. The tree-shaded grounds by Mission Creek make a lovely picnic spot. At the nearby Santa Barbara Botanic Garden (1212 Mission Canyon Rd. +1 805 682 4726; www.sbbg.org), five and a half miles of paths wind among a thousand species of California native plants, from paper-dry poppies to fog-loving redwood trees. A dam across the creek was built by padres and Chumash Indians in 1806.

Downtown, take in a movie or concert at the Arlington Theatre (1317 State St.; +1 805 963 4408; www.thearlingtontheatre.com) just to see the interior, designed to evoke the plaza of a Spanish village. At the nearby Santa Barbara Museum of Art (1130 State St.; +1 805 963 4364; www.sbmuseart.org), look for Monet’s 1884 painting of the Italian Riviera in sunny pastels; it could have been painted yesterday in Santa Barbara. This impressive regional museum also has works by Matisse and Chagall, Picasso and Dalí, plus classical antiquities and Asian art.

Wander a few blocks to the Santa Barbara County Courthouse (1100 Anacapa St.; +1 805 962 6464; www.santabarbaracourthouse.org), which looks like a fantasy out of El Cid. Built in 1929, it has thick white walls and red-tile roofs, set off by sunken gardens. Inside are hand-painted ceilings, wrought-iron chandeliers, hallways sheathed in Tunisian tiles, and marvelous historical murals. For a 360-degree view of the city, ride the elevator up the clock tower.

Nearby, El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park (123 E. Canon Perdido St.; +1 805 965 0093; www.sbthp.org/presidio.htm) preserves a bit of Spain’s original military outpost, including the city’s oldest remaining building (1788), which once provided housing for married soldiers and their families. Reconstruction of the fort includes an adobe chapel, a two-story lookout tower, and soldiers’ and commander’s quarters.

The Santa Barbara Historical Society Museum (136 E. De la Guerra St.; +1 805 966 1601; www.santabarbaramuseum.com), a short stroll away, displays iron treasure chests from Spanish explorers, silver saddles from the rancho period, and a golden altar from old Chinatown. Material from Santa Barbara’s Flying A Studio, which pioneered moviemaking around 1913 and became the then-largest studio in the world, includes an early Bell-and-Howell motion picture camera.

A charming holdover from earlier days is the nearby 1920s shopping arcade called El Paseo (State and De la Guerra Sts.), which calls to mind a street in Spain. Passages wind among shops built around the adobe 1828 Casa de la Guerra (closed to the public), the home of the Spanish military commander and the center of Santa Barbara’s surprisingly refined society of the 1820s.

Now turn toward the city’s waterfront, where Stearns Wharf (foot of State St.) ranks as the oldest wharf operating on the West Coast (1872). Like any self-respecting pier, it has a bait shop and a gypsy palm reader; also, restaurants and shops. The Ty Warner Sea Center (211 Stearns Wharf; +1 805 962 2526; www.sbnature.org/seacenter) displays a model whale and tanks of live marine animals, giving you a glimpse (and sometimes a feel) of what’s underwater in the Santa Barbara Channel.

Santa Barbara Harbor is both a yacht basin and home to a commercial fishing fleet. Inhale the waterfront smells of boiling crabs, diesel fuel, and salt spray; walk to the end of the breakwater for a memorable view of the ocean, mountains, and town. Whale-watching trips (Sea Landing; +1 805 963 3564; www.sealanding.net) seek blue whales and humpbacks June through September, and gray whales December through May.

Just east of the wharf you’ll find East Beach—the most popular of Santa Barbara’s five miles of beaches. Here, volleyball players dive for impossible shots, in-line skaters zip along the bike path, and teens hang out at the snack bar.

Link: National Geographic Traveler: Drives of a Lifetime

i got a new helmet and goggles…..

Since it seems like we are going on more and more dangerous trails, I thought it was a good a time as any to get a proper helmet to protect my face and teeth. Being thoughtful in gear selection, I chose POC. Hailing from Sweden, they partner up with experts in Biometrics to make siiiiick, siiiick gear. I also appreciate not having any gauche graphics on it. It’s understated and CLEAN! 

I got the Cortex Flow helmet and the Iris Flow goggles for my XC adventures.

Here is a Copy+Paste from the company’s website on the helmet:

When entering the bike scene, we have made use of the experiences learned from our short but successful history in making revolutionizing ski helmets. The concepts that we have developed for ski helmets has been taken further and optimized to reach up to and beyond the demands of today’s bike users in the Downhill mountain bike, Dirt, Freeride and BMX disciplines. The aim has been to provide better head protection than ever before. The concepts that we have developed for ski helmets has been taken further and optimized to reach up to and beyond the demands of today’s bike users in the Downhill Mountain Bike, Dirt, Free ride and BMX disciplines.

The safety requirements for ski and bike helmets are similar but bike helmets call for some additional require- ments when it comes to ventilation and comfort. A bike helmet should have full ventilation to let fresh air flow into the helmet as well as letting excess heat and moisture out. The challenge with ventilation is that open vents in the helmet leaves the user unprotected from sharp objects that may penetrate the vents. This is a serious risk, especially for Downhill riders since they are likely to be exposed to branches, sharp rocks and other hazardous objects in a crash.

To overcome the challenge of providing penetration resistance, excellent ventilation and impact protection properties, we developed our patented concept with double overlapping shells (VDSAP).

POC´s double shell helmets

Traditionally, there have been two different types of bike helmets on the market. First, there is the traditional hard shell helmet with a thick outer shell, covering a shock absorbing liner of EPS. The hard shell helmet provides good protection against penetration and makes a durable construction. But, the nature of the stiff outer shell also has drawbacks. On impact, the hard shell causes an abrupt stop of the head. This increases the risk of brain injuries.

The hard shell may also bounce on the ground and thereby increase the risk of whiplash injuries.

The second type of traditional bike helmet is the “in-mold” type. These helmets have a thin shell of Poly- carbonate molded together with an EPS liner. The impact energy is very well absorbed with this construction as the thin shell allows the helmet to deconstruct on impact, creating lower energy levels for the brain to deal with and minimal bounce. The disadvantages are poor resistance to penetration and a less durable construction.

Our effort to combine the strengths of these two major concepts in ski helmets led to our patent pending “Aramid ballistic penetration barrier”: APB. By adding a layer of penetration-resistant aramid between the shell and the liner, the shell thickness could be reduced, leading to weight reduction and better energy absorption.

Transferring the APB concept into a fully ventilated system for bike users led to our revolutionary, patented Ventilated-Double-Shell-Anti-Penetration: VDSAP.

VDSAP has two ventilated shells, placed offset, for maximum penetration resistance and channels in between the shells to ventilate heat, moisture, or water. The inner shell is an extremely thin layer of polycarbonate while the outer shell is made of Carbon fiber or injected plastic depending on model. The properties are amazing and these helmets represent a unique thinking in helmet design.  

Their stuff is built to protect and fits great. In addition to head gear, I also rock their Bone VPD Leg guards and Bone arm guards. Expensive as hell, but still much cheaper than a trip to the emergency room.

Cheers!

Link: POC

However, understanding that the saddle is one of the most important, if not the most important contact for a cyclist, I could not simply pick the first colorful thing that caught my eye. If it looked good but caused numbness down there or gave me a sore ass, I knew I would make excuses to not cycle.

Researching, I found the offerings from Fizik - or fi’zi:k, as its spelled on the company’s website – to be highly regarded for its comfort by both the mountain biking and road-going set. The Aliante model was called out numerous times; many cyclists noted how they were able to ride for extended periods of time with it.

At first, I was discouraged since most retailers only carried it in white or black, which defeated the whole purpose of me replacing my saddle. I comtemplated the offerings from Selle San Marco and Selle Italia, because you know the Italians know color! I almost pulled the trigger on one of those until I read too many negative reviews for my taste.

Then, as if by fate, I came across this orangina beauty. =)

You will notice that it says “test,” and that is because these are normally provided to bike shops for customers to sample, and are not supposed to be for sale. I guess I was fortunate to find a roundabout way of picking up a new one. >=)

It is from the Gamma line and has K:IUM rails, which is made up of a proprietary alloy that supposedly provides strength while simultaneously reducing weight – 8% less than solid titanium - (i.e. having cake….). It also has the ICS (Integrated Clip System) feature, which allows for attachment of other fizik stuff (saddle bag, tail lights, etc.) which I will probably also get in the future.

I am not certain of the weight but it is definitely not the lightest. Still, mission accomplished.

Cheers!

Link:
Fi’zi:k

Near the entrance, it was pretty serene.

At times, I felt like I was in the movie, Predator.

taking a break, JC watering the tree.

Eventually, the trail got a bit technical. I like.

Requisite bike picture.

the descent down back to our cars was a lot of fun….

however, i did eat it pretty hard on the rocky single track. i don’t recall exactly what happened. i could’ve lost balance, might have hit a bad rock, i don’t know. i just know that all of a sudden, i flipped over the handle bars, got thrown off the bike, and instinctively covered my face with my right arm – there were some pretty sharp rocks. fortunately, my backpack took the brunt of the impact.

i was surprised that i got up with very little pain; even now, i only feel a slight discomfort when i press the bruise on my right inner thigh. for a brief second, i was kind of amused to see my bike upside down on the side of the track.  i did check out my bike and found all to be okay, no broken parts. this incident definitely made me appreciate my helmet and want to upgrade my safety equipment as soon as possible. 

i’m sure i have and am thankful for having a guardian angel watching out for me. at the speed i was going, i know i could have broken bones, or worse.

here is PH sporting some of his own battle wounds. 

It was fun. We’ll be back again. Cheers!

Link: Westridge-Sullivan Canyon

The damages came to light when I got to the bottom of the mountain. What is kind of funny is that I parked my car at the top of the mountain. The ride down was a glorious and speedy 20-minutes. The walk back up (in hard-soled bicycle shoes, no less) was a pretty grueling hour and half.

Anyways, it was a good opportunity to upgrade another bike component. Still getting used to my bike (I know, not yet a month-old and I broke it =T), I opted to just go one level up, from X.7 to X.9. Other than the finish, the only real difference seems to be weight. The X.9s are 30 grams lighter.

Here is the actual damage. BENT parallelogram. This, technically, could be straightened, but the time/effort involved would’ve cost more than simply replacing/upgrading it.

Action shot: already attached to the derailleur hanger, used my multi-tool (Topeak Alien II) to screw the unit to the frame.

Stock photo of the part. Pretty, aint it?

Copy + Paste from SRAM’s website:

Rear Derailleur

• Stylish and Strong! A forged 6061 aluminum B-Knuckle improves stiffness while the X.9 styling exudes our commitment to quality. X.9 is now available in three cage sizes.
• World Cup Proven Composite Cage
• Outside Facing Limit Screws – Intuitive Adjustment
• Sealed Bearing Upper Pulley
• Di.R.T: Direct Route Technology™
• 1:1 Actuation Ratio™ Superior Shift Quality
• Weight: Short 212g / Medium 227g / Long 230g

As I mentioned before, in addition to my old rear derailleur, my bicycle chain was rendered useless. Instead of getting another generic 9-speed chain from KMC, I upgraded to SRAM PC-991 chains. Not only do these have convenient Powerlink (those gold things) connectors to make installation realtively pain-free, they were also on sale at the local bike shop =).

PC-991

• Compatibility: 9-speed
• Push Pin Power: 200 kgf, Chrome Hardened Pins
• Technology: PowerChain II™, PowerLink™ Gold
• Weight: 300g / 114 Links

Given this was my first time replacing a chain and a rear derailleur, it took me a good hour or two.. or three.. to read the instructions and watch YouTube demonstrations to get the job done. Before you say anything, I know I could’ve spent the time doing something more productive and pay an expert to do the repairs, but I think that takes away from the hobby. Besides, I like fixing things. In any case, I’m sure I will be much quicker next time around. =]

Bonus:

Last week, watched the sunset at Chilao.

Link:
SRAM

At the entrance, there are signs warning people of the wild life.

At the top, just past the entrance, looking down.

There is a main, wide path for bicyclists, hikers, as well as horses (i did encounter some serious mounds of shit)….

… and a variety of trails (for all skill levels) that branch off of it… like this one, Eagle’s Nest Trail. On a whim, I decided to take it.

At the end of this uphill trail, there were a bunch of pine trees, and a stone bench to take in the fresh air. This little area is named the Harman Overlook, named after donors to the region.

The view from the Harman Overlook.

Looking back to where I came from, I could appreciate the long journey I would take going back up.

The Eagle’s Nest Trail was the only trail I took off of the main path. I did continue quite a ways down the mountain (so much fun!) and met some friendly people… before backtracking uphill to the car (quite the workout!). 

Overall, this place is very nice and I will have to explore more trails next time. But before I do, I’ll have to get a refresher on how to treat snake bites.

Until next time…

Link:
Del Cerro Park Trail Reviews

… it was a nice way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

.. one day, i’ll be able to tackle something crazy like this…

we will definitely be coming back here again…

not only is the site awesome, so is the drive to and fro… many, many blind turns.

.. and picturesque views…

BONUS:

How many newbies does it take to change a flat tire? This was kind of funny. Neither of us had all of the info/know-how to change a tire, but by putting our minds together, we were able to remove the rear wheel, make use of the tire levers, take out the tube, find the hole, patch it up, and then put the whole thing back together again… 

.. in its natural habitat.

Until next time…. Cheers!

Links:
Angeles National Forest

This particular model is the GC2-L (Large).

Here is a Copy+Paste from Ergon’s website:

…the GC2 offers optimal pressure distribution and an integrated forged aluminum bar end. Both the support platform and bar end can be individually positioned by loosening the bar end which also acts as the clamp.

Stock photo:

Researching and reading other people’s reviews, it turns out that despite their heft and weight, many professional bicycle riders also love the grips coming out of Ergon. Awesome.

Link: Ergon

Today,  I added a black water bottle holder made by Cannondale (model GT40). It’s made out of 6061 aluminum like the bike frame and is also quite curvaceous. It weighs 40 grams, which doesn’t really mean much to me. In any case, I like it.

At the same time, I also picked up a Camelbak water bottle that holds 21 fluid ounces. Some of its cool features include that it is BPA-free (so water will not taste like the bottle) and it has an insulating jacket to keep the drink cool longer.

… that’s it for now.. see ya.

Links:
Cannondale
Camelbak

.. in order to fit in my car, i had to remove both tires and seat
….thank gawd for quick-release.

… and so it begins…. upgrading bike components…

not yet 1 day in my possession, i performed the first modification… to the pedals.

though my bike (2009 Cannondale F5) came with decent alloy platform pedals in matte black by Wellgo (model LU-C25) that matched the color of the frame, i knew i would not be content with them…primarily because they were standard, platform pedals with no clipless option.

To remedy, I picked up Shimano’s PD-M324 pedals that not only have the clipless option, but also supports a regular platform pedal for those times I want to wear regular shoes.

Tools required: 5/8″ wrench + long ass metal tube for leverage.

The pedals came with a pair of compatible SM-SH56 (multi-release) cleats that allow the shoe to disengage the pedal by rolling or twisting the foot in any direction which is all good. One of my fears is falling over while still clipped in and stuck to the bike (ouch!).

 Anyways, here is a stock photo of Shimano PD-M324:

Copy+Paste of the Specs from Shimano:

That’s it for now….Cheers!

Links:
Shimano
Wellgo

These past few days, I’ve been spending many, many hours researching bicycles… learning about the different types, brands, component parts, accessories, etc… and I’m at a point where I trust that I know enough to be confident in owning the F5 model.

Specs:

Looking at the manufacturer’s specs, there seems to be decent components in this package. I am planning to do some upgrades as I become more familiar with how the bike rides and also as things start to wear down. Evenutally, I hope to have a creation that distinguishes this Cannondale F5 as my own. =)

This whole cycling thing is part of my attempt to incorporate more sporty and outdoorsy activities into my lifestyle. On weekends and future camping trips, I plan to ride trails and conquer mountains with friends. 

Cheers!

Links:
Cannondale F5 (2009 Model)
REI

With Leo Carillo camping coming up, I decided to go on a reconnaissance mission to check out the site. I did google pictures of the campground and the beach area, which yielded some people’s family, vacation photos. They were nice to look at. Still, I did not have a good enough feel of what to expect, hence this mission.

Sure, I could have simply drove along the coast (on Pacific Coast Highway) to Leo Carillo, but figured, since I will most likely do that the day of, I’d do something different….

Here is a google maps picture showing part of the route I took… down Mulholland Highway (part of Mulholland Drive) =)

… this is why…. OMG..  all of the twisties were soooooo much fun…

..and at times….. freakin scary!

…. almost there!

..oOOoOoooooooo…

…….aAaAaaAaaaaaaaaaah… damn that’s a rocky beach…

… Cheers!

Link: Mullholland Highway

Right now, you can download the amazingly shot documentary, Truth in 24. The film follows the legendary Audi team (and their diesel-powered R10) as they prepare for and take part in one of the most famous races in the world, 24 hours of Le Mans. It is narrated by Jason “The Transporter” Statham, and has won many accolades around the world.

Peep the 60-second trailer of the documentary to get the testosterone flowing………. *RooOoAAAAR*:

Truth in 24 – 60 Second Trailer – These bloopers are hilarious

Click the picture below to be directed to Apple itunes:

Previously shown only at film festivals until last Friday when they aired this on ESPN. I was bummed because I missed it, and now it’s available for free?!!!

Cheers!!!!!!!!!!

Links:
Truth in 24 website
Movie Review
Back Story

Anyhow, once in a while, I like to hit up the local Toys R Us to see what kind of cool cars are available. Most often, I am just looking, amused at the manufacturer’s 1/64 scale rendering of real life automobiles. Usually, nothing really wows me, so I just smile to myself and head on my way. 

Today, however, I came across something you do not see everyday, something special…

Just below eye-level, chilling amongst a dark blue Aston Martin V8 Vantage, a Ford GTO, and some make-believe car, was a Ferrari 250 GTO!!! WOW!!! Not only was it a mini-version of one of the most awesomest cars in the world, it was also black. It was an all-the-stars-are-aligned moment.

As a die hard Ferrari fan, I had to have it. I’m not one to leave it in the packaging and stare. I need to touch it and roll it around on my desk! =)

With only 36 of the 296hp V12-powered Ferrari GTOs in the world, and the last one exchanging hands in 2008 for $28.5 million, the 250 GTO is among the most covetable of the prancing horses.

Designed by Sergio Scaglieti, the 250 GTO has the classic racing lines that modern cars still use as a benchmark.

Back in the 1960s, the 250 GTO dominated over everyone at the World Sports Car championship.

This car is so amazing that every five years, French champagne maker Moët & Chandon sponsor a get-together for current 250 GTO members. The last one took place in 2007 at Infineon Raceway, here in California!

Above photo by: Moët & Chandon / Stephane Foulon

Famous current owners of this legendary car include designer Ralph Lauren and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.

According to the Hot Wheels wiki, there is also a red version.

Links:
Ferrari
Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels Wiki
Infineon Raceway
Moët & Chandon
Toys R Us

Video of Walter Rohrl unleashing the beast within.

Link:
From the inner sanctum – The new 911 GT3, Porsche