Figueroa during lunch hour. 

7th and Fig. at lunch time. 

Andy and I went road riding on our bikes today. I must say that the Motobecane Nemesis is superfast. I used to bike everywhere on my mountain bike. Now, I feel that they're way too slow on the road. The difference is unbelievable. There were a lot of people biking out here today. We didn't get passed by anyone on the way to our destination. In fact, Andy and I passed a lot of roadies, especially on the way back. Even on the uphills like climbing Santa Fe Dam, I sprinted uphill. Even though I could keep up with roadies on my mountain bike, I could never go that fast before. The difference is like night and day. Of course, I still love my MTB for bombing down mountain trails. Going down fast on a road bike provides unique thrills of its own. One time on the way back, I was slowing down for Andy to catch up to me. When I looked behind, it was another roadie. He passed me. Then, I said to myself, "No way, Jose." I put the bike in high gear and blasted past him without even looking back. I was going about 28 mph on flats while sprinting. I kept going at a fast pace, maintaining an average cruising speed of 24 mph on flats for a couple miles. Then, I slowed down and waited for Andy to catch up. The roadie I passed was a middle aged Hispanic guy who seemed to be pissed off. He kept saying "Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!" as he passed me by later on. Today's bike experience was a huge rush for me because of the acceleration and speed I felt and also because I passed a bunch of roadies. I feel totally motivated to enter a bike race now.

However, a shocking turn of events happened to me towards the end of my ride. I looked at my arms and they were covered with bumps and hives! I was shocked and scared. What's happening to me?? Well, I think I'm allergic to the sun. Yes, it's true. Whenever I go out in the sun, I start getting hives on my arms. They cover my inner elbow and arms. This is the first time this has happened to me. But, I've been getting it all day. Now, I can't go out in the sun, especially when it's hot outside. I first noticed that my whole upper body started getting really itchy when it was really hot last month. It's been continuing ever since. Now, I'm getting hives. I think it's called Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE). Now, I can't even go biking. My favorite form of exercise. This is devastating since I just started really experiencing the joys of my new ride. Will I have to give up my dreams of competing in a triathlon? Why is this happening to me? My body is falling apart these days. I've got numerous other problems besides this new health problem I just got today. This is not a good sign. 

We biked from Whittier Narrows Recreation Center in South El Monte to the end of the bike paths in Azusa. 

Andy Nagai posing next to my bike at Legg Lake in Whittier Narrows Recreation Center. 

Looking outside my office window. 

777 Building 

The 777 Building. Corner of 8th + Fig. in Downtown L.A. 

Revolving Door Etiquette

One of my co-workers (a female) and I were about to walk out of the building as we were leaving work today. There was a revolving door, and I motioned her to go first. She asked me to go first. And then, I insisted, "Ladies first." After she went first, she informed me about the etiquette when it comes to revolving doors. Apparently men are to go first since the traditional thinking is that men are physically stronger so they should have an easier time spinning the door. If I was in New York, I would have known about this instead of making this faux pas. Being in L.A., I just didn't come across revolving doors that much. I went home and checked online and she was right.

I've always thought that women go first, but this happens to be one of the rare exceptions to that rule. I always open doors for ladies. In fact, I've always waited and held doors open for the fairer sex and guys too. Sometimes, other people I'm with have to wait for me since I get stuck holding the door when a bunch of people keep walking through the door.

One time in law school, I was trying to open doors for a female classmate of mine as we entered the law school library. If you have been to the University of San Diego School of Law library, you would know exactly what I mean when guys have it rough trying to be chivalrous. When you open the main door to the library building and hold it open for a lady, you then have to rush past her to open another set of doors inside the building that leads to the main entrance to the library itself. There is another set of doors about 15-20 feet away from the second set of doors. So, you have to open and hold a third set of doors before she finally enters the library. It's hard trying to be chivalrous and look cool when you're constantly opening and holding doors and then running to open more doors so that she won't have to open them. You've got to do it without looking like a geeky fool. I remember that one girl laughed because I was trying so hard to open all the doors for her. She should have walked slower.

We celebrated my mom's birthday this past Saturday, August 12. It was a nice small family gathering. It looked like my mom was pretty happy that day. 

Christine and Sae Woon barbecuing gal-bi (Korean ribs) for my mom's birthday. Sae Woon is the BBQ King. 

Celebrating my mom's birthday. 

My mom making a wish. 

My mom blowing out the candles. 

More pictures of my bike. If anyone wants to bike with me, let me know.  

Resting in the shade. I feel a lot faster on the road on my triathlon bike than on my mountain bike. Since it's very light, efficient, and aerodynamic, I feel like I'm cutting through the wind. With every stroke of the pedal, I can feel it transfering it into a burst of power. I estimate that I'm getting a boost of 5-6 mph over my mountain bike on flat roads. On downhills, it's much faster. On uphills, I feel very quick and nimble. Even on flats, I can maintain a higher cruising speed for much longer. My only complaints so far is that it's hard on my back when I'm riding hunched over in aero tuck position. I also feel muscles burning in my legs, perhaps because I'm riding in a different position. Triathlon bikes are different from road bikes because their geometry is designed to be more aerodynamic and also less draining on muscles used for running. They will help save your legs for the final running portion of the triathlon.  

At the airport. 

Posing next to the airport. 

Here's a picture of me trying to pose next to my new bike, the 06' Motobecane Nemesis. I haven't ridden it much yet. Ever since I got it, I haven't had much of an opportunity to ride it. . .Must maintain discipline and train hard if I ever want to enter a triathlon. . . 

'06 Motobecane Nemesis Triathlon Bike

Here are the specs for my new bike. Everything is pretty much top of the line.

I'm hoping on entering a triathlon sometime. I don't have any hopes of winning the triathlon, but I just want to do it for my own personal sense of accomplishment.

Frame-- Motobecane Z-Matrix6 Aero A-6 Quaternary phase Aluminum alloy, custom butted and Aero shaped, Integrated Head Tube, Double water bottle mounts shaped seat stays Motobecane forged dropout with replaceable derailleur hanger

Fork--- MOTOBECANE FC-770 Bonded Aero Carbon w/ 1 1/8" ALUMINUM steerer

Crankset--- TruVativ Rouleur GXP w/ Integrated Spindle, 7075 CNC 39/53T Chainring

Bottom Bracket- TruVativ GXP exterior bearing system

Pedals--- Forte

Front Derailleur---Shimano ULTEGRA 6600, Braze-on

Rear Derailleur---Shimano ULTEGRA 6600

Shifters--- Shimano DuraAce, SL-BS78 20-speed

Cassette/Freewheel--- Shimano ULTEGRA, 10-speed, 12-23T

Chain--- Shimano Ultegra 6600, 10-Speed

Front Hub--- Formula Xero XR-1 Sealed Cartridge Bearing

Rear Hub--- Formula Xero XR-1 Sealed Cartridge Bearing

Spokes--- Stainless steel, 14g

Rims--- Formula Xero XR-1 Aero Deep Section, Black w/ CNC sidewalls

Tires--- Continental ULTRASport, 700x23c with Ultralite presta tubes

Brake Set--- Tektro RX40 w/Cartridge Pads

Brake Levers--- Tektro 4.0 Reverse for Aero Bars

Headset--- VP Integrated Road Sealed Cartridge Bearing Threadless 1 1/8" with hollow 25mm spacer

Handlebar--- RITCHEY PRO Cow Bar with RITCHEY PRO Clip-on Aero bars

Stem--- Ritchey PRO Aluminum

Tape/Grip--- Motobecane custom cork wrap

Saddle--- Motobecane Velo UltraLite Racing with Cro-Mo rails

Seat Post--- Ritchey PRO Aluminum, 27.2

Seat Clamp--- Motobecane Ultralite alloy, 31.8mm