BBC:

Nepal lifts ban on Everest summit. Let the dramas begin.

Times Online.UK:

Summer hiking in the Alps. “At some point in the past 40 years, something happened to the Alps. They became unfashionable in summer. While you can’t move for folk on the slopes in winter, most of us wouldn’t be seen dead on an Alp once the temperature rises above zero.”

YouTube:

Riding rollers with one leg, no hands. Mad roller skills.  Roller practice has done more for my riding ... both road and MTB.  It enforces an economy and efficiency of motion, which reduces drag and extends capabilities.

No, I can’t do this.  Not yet, anyway.

NY Times Fashion & Style:

Changing Speeds to Go the Distance. You may hate ‘em, but intervals (what we used to call ’fartlek‘ in the olden days) work.  The ice bath is new to me, however. 

NY Times, Other Sports:

Look! In the Sky. It’s a Rocket Racer. Que ”Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines.” I’d rather fly at a speed where I can keep an eye on what pops out of haystacks ... (grin) ...

I always believed

Kreitler rollers were the ultimate.  I own a set, with “Killer” headwind fan.  Apparently there’s a new kid on the block, with some innovative modifications.  At a price.

NY Times Fitness & Nutrition:

Heart rate, observed in a vacuum, actually tells little about fitness. Try breathing through your nose (if it is clear).  Nose-breathing has been demonstrated to regulate heartbeat and improve O2 uptake.  On a treadmill, I perform better [getting a better workout] staying within my nose-breathing limit.  Intervals, you’ll have to mouth-breath, but on recovery, try to get back to nose breathing as soon as possible.

[The best exercise tips I ever learned were those shared from boxers and boxing trainers - the above was one of those tips.  I used to work out at a gym in Knoxville where the late Big John Tate and his sparring partners worked out, over on Merchants Drive. He and his partners were friendly as all get-out, willing to share their training knowledge with everyone and anyone. I had a stomach cramp while running, and they advised “Go get a banana from the snack bar.’ Ten minutes later, I was running cramp-free.  Something about the potassium in bananas solved my problem.  Boxers were also emphasizing ‘core training’ long before overindulgence in the fad began thickening the waists of America.  Never had an interest in boxing, but I came to respect their years of training knowledge]

SF New Mexican:

Throwing poi in Hawaii and Santa Fe.

Guardian.UK:

Pavarotti mimed at final performance. All things considered, I would really rather have remained in blissful ignorance. It was an incredible moment, lip-synched or not.

SF New Mexican:

A wild ride: Healthy snowpack makes for raging rapids, happy rafters. We may not have the scenery of the Grand Canyon, but if you like whitewater, make your plans now to come and experience an incredible snowmelt.

NY Times Fashion & Style:

60-Plus, Ripped, and Natural Competitors. Good that they’re staying fit at that age, but overuse is hanging about, waiting to take a toll.  Personally, I prefer useful musculature and aerobic capacity for the sports I engage in.  Carry too much chest mass, for instance, your running becomes labored.  Hence, I’m beginning to consider adding Crossfit to my regimen.  Carefully.

NY Times Fitness & Nutrition:

Yes, Running Can Make You High. Try it at our altitude here in northern NM ... 7,000 feet and higher.

SF New Mexican:

Taos Ski Valley has changed philosophies, and now welcomes snowboarders. We’ll have to wait and see if injuries increase.  In the meantime, not everyone’s thrilled: “What’s the difference between a vacuum cleaner and a snowboard? [snip] It’s just different attachments for the dirtbag.”

SF New Mexican:

Commentary: If speed limits keep careless drivers safe, can I opt out? Bragging about one’s stupidity shouldn’t bring accolades.  Having a performance car doesn’t mean you’re automatically a performance driver.

I was driving up the mountain this same day, and was passed by a Pontiac Vibe travelling at high speeds.  I thought the driver either drunk or high.  Must have been the same guy ... he was snapping pictures of his car at the few cleared turnouts.  To be clear, I used to race a bit when I was in college, so semi-pro performance techniques are quite familiar to me.  Given the conditions, I was driving within the limits, on new tires, dropping below the limits on blind curves.  I’m using to encountering ‘performance’ drivers who can’t keep their lane, along with occasional bicyclists who can’t (because of road conditions) keep to the right hand side of the road.  Mostly, however, one must drive defensively on the ski basin road all year round *because* of aggressive drivers.

I’ll give you the driving conditions and let you judge. The ski basin road is 14 miles long, mostly uphill, with tight curves.  It is a two-lane road with double yellow line for most of the distance.  The curves are so tight that you have no sightline to observe oncoming cars ... not even enough siteline to judge the existence of bicycles in your own lane with enough reaction time to dodge at legal speeds.  Tight.  Heavy snows have filled in most turnouts and shoulders, so there are few opportunities at this time of year to perform a safe pull-off.  On this same day, we passed an Hummer H3 stuck along one pulloff section near Big Tesuque, being pulled out by a Jeep Cherokee in the middle of the road.  Long stretches, even some curves, have no guardrails and slivers of shoulder with steep dropoffs.  The weather was just above freezing. Snow was falling ... light at the lower elevations, heavier at the upper elevations ... covering the road and making it slick.  Especially for anyone with worn tires.  The tight curves and lack of direct sunlight this time of year allows snow to settle on the roadway in unpredictable manner and build up icy spots.  It was between 3 and 6 in the afternoon.  Parents were driving SUVs up the mountain to pick their kids up from the ski basin, and everyone else who partook of skiing that day began in increasing numbers to come down the mountain. 

So, this individual is a paragon of responsible performance driving?  I’m sorry, I don’t agree.  This article makes it sound as if ‘performance driving’ is harmless to others.  Imagine what happens when he slides out and crosses into oncoming traffic. Say, into an SUV full of apres-ski mothers and kids. 

I hope this individual does attend a professional driving school.  They’ll teach him what he obviously doesn’t know ... pushing a car to limits on an unpredictably icy, tightly curved, well-travelled public roadway is risking the lives of others.  I’d recommend, given his poor turn performances, to try the Jackie Stewart technique ... tape a large salad bowl on the hood of the car, put a tennis ball in it.  Try to keep the ball in the bowl.  That’ll keep him entertained at lower speeds for a good long time ... and he’ll become a better driver than he is now.

Golf.com:

Golfer apologizes for shot that killed protected hawk. I could forgive a young teenager, perhaps ... but a grown adult?  What an idiot.

“Faster than any other human-powered watercraft” …

The Aqua Skipper. Check out the vids. Obviously, work on those quads before purchase.

NY Times Sports:

New Claim of Taping Emerges Against Patriots. I never post about major league sports, but this stinks to high heaven.  “Belichick has said that he misinterpreted the league’s bylaws, telling Goodell that he thought it was permissible to use electronic equipment as long as the information was not used in the same game. That explanation has been greeted with disbelief by some peers and league officials.” Reminds me of the last twenty-some years in politics. 

YouTube:

With time, patience and perseverance, nothing is impossible.  Stacey Westfall, bridleless bareback reining.

SF New Mexican:

“Richardson watches Super Bowl with former President Clinton but makes no campaign endorsement announcement.”

NY Times Escapes:

Winter. Cross-Country Racing. And Not a Ski on the Course. If you have knee issues, start slowly with snowshoes.  Because the shoes pick up a certain amount of snow, along with their own weight, there’s a reverse-pull on your knee that tendons and muscles need to adjust to.  I went out too hard too early once, and really messed up my problematic right knee.  With babying during the build-up, you can be fine. 

Lifesaver for cyclists:

Check it out. Click “detail” to view the jersey.  Brilliant.

Cracked:

11 personalities guaranteed to ruin your Super Bowl party. I freely admit, I’m of the #1 (top) variety.  Terry Bradshaw, sportscaster? Where’s the time gone?  C’mon, dude, fall back into the shotgun, give us one more.

SF New Mexican:

Taos Ski Valley is planning some big changes. But I’ll bet, Andre and Andrea, that they’ll still be playing that horrible canned Bavarian music ...

TdF comes to New Mexico …

The Astana Cycling Team will be training in the Albuquerque area. Don’t know if I’d have the guts to ride around in those colors.  Then again, maybe it’s camouflage; other body parts will be that color, too, given the temps.  Don’t run ‘em over!

SF New Mexican:

The great pile of horse poop will be plowed under. I’d say it’s aged enough to be useful.