Audio as a hobby

Bufus, did you happen to hear the results from the latest Pride event in Japan August 28th? It had a mixture of Pride and K1 kickboxing rules, some brutal knockouts. The pay-per-view for this event is scheduled to premier this weekend Sept. 1st, I'll be in Cabo so I'll have to Tivo it. Also, did you see the recent broadcast of the Vitor Belfort vs. Chuck Liddell fight at UFC 37.5? Awesome fight.

Nrchy, I'd be interested to hear how your TKD studio assimilated some of the Tao of Jeet Kune Do into it's practice. The gym I studied at was the IMB Academy in Torrance, CA. which is also very close to many of the Gracie and Machado BJJ schools. Richard Bustillo the head of IMB was an original Bruce Lee student at his Los Angeles Chinatown school in the '60's. Although I got to a level where I was able to train with the senior students [just barely] I rarely had the chance to practice Jun Fan [Bruce Lee's given name], which are the techniques based on his early teachings. We did a lot of Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu and Kali. Training there it was difficult to remember what NOT being injured felt like.

OK Viggen, you've gotta tell the forum members the story about your knee injury, and especially the fix.

I have been lucky enough to race on several teams that have been sponsored by various bike companies. Case in point, I am now on my 12th frame. I started on steel when I was a junior (loved my Eddy Merck) and continued to ride steel on and off until about 6 years ago. First off, steel is heavy. Sure Columbus Nimo is light stuff if you are sub 150 lbs., but due to the lack of structural integrity and expense, it is no longer available. I have always appreciated the fine craft of hand-built brazed steel frames, but ride some of the new compact aluminum or carbon bikes available and I guarentee that you will find it hard to switch back to steel. Over the last 4 years I have ridden various Cannondales and Trek OCLV frames. The last bike I rode was one of the last Schwinn Fastbacks made in the USA and it was amazing....light and stiff + great ride (17lbs buit w/ Dura Ace). Recently, I have had the opportunity to ride a Giant compact TCR aluminum team frame (just like pro cycling team Once does in Europe) The Giant has the ride qualities of carbon w/ the stiffness of aluminum. The overall road feel is very light, smooth and quick. The bike tracks extremelly well for its agressive design although to some, it may not seem as solid of a ride as steel. Personally, I think this has to due with the fact that steel is heavier. The stock Dura Ace bike weighs 16 lbs and is very stiff due to the compact rear triangle. Rode 4.5 hours yesterday and was far from being beat up. Steel may be the real thing to some, but show up to any regional race in the US or check out what the pro peloton is riding in Europe and I doubt you will see many steel frames at all. It took some time for me to finally admit it, but I would rather ride a top of the line mass produced Giant than a steel made DeRosa. But keep in mind for $4,000 (frame/fork only) you can ride a DeRosa King, which BTW is a carbon fibre compact design. Cycling is a lot like audio....has all the ingredients for the old analog vs. digital debate.

I am no expert in martial arts, but I think Bruce developed Jeet Kun Do by combining the close hand to hand combat techniques of Chinese martial arts with the powerful kicks of Korean Tai Kwan Do.

Regarding my knee... it's a mystery... but the truth is out there... actually I think he is in Cupertino now.

I like bird hunting and training bird dogs. I also play the violin.

Okay...more bike talk

My bikes -- there are currently 7:

Road bike -- hand built Peter Mooney circa 1993 -- steel is real

Touring bike -- last of the handbuilt Treks, circa 1986 -- a dozen countries, countless miles, no original parts left except frame

Mountain bike -- Kona titanium frame, up to date parts as of about 1999 -- ti is great for a frame you don't want to break -- I broke my previous lugged aluminum frame

Tandem -- last of the tig-welded Santana Sovereigns -- again, steel

Folding bike -- Comotion Espresso with an S&S coupler -- fixed up as an interesting cross-bike -- had a custom builder put braze ons for cantilevers, Scott AT3 bars, friction barends, and the first generation Marzocchi 700c shock -- used it a bunch when I travelled for work, now it's 3000 miles away in my Mom's garage for the times I visit her

fixed gear -- piece of junk $100 Univega road bike with a lock wheel

beater bike -- funky painted old Rockhopper -- this is the bike that sees the most use now

I have a one year old, and I just bought a tot-trailer. Hopefully this purchase will signal the rekindling of my life on the bike.

7 bikes, 6 are steel. I guess you can see where my sentiments are.

On other fronts -- I play a lot of racquet sports -- badminton is the latest. I swim. I hike a bit. I like to sweat.

Audio passive? Do any of you dance? Not like ballroom, but more like Tom Cruise in Risky Business? I can't sit still for about half of what I play.

Oh yeah...I DJ too. Is this active or passive?