MetaFilter posts tagged with ride

100 miles in 24 hours - can your horse do that?

po — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 23:14:29 -0800

The Western States Trail Ride, more commonly known as the Tevis Cup, is an equestrian competition held annually in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It begins near Squaw Valley, and ends in Auburn - a distance of 100 miles, to be covered in under 24 hours. With 17,040 feet (5,194m) of climb and 21,970 feet (6,696m) of descent, taking place in the worst heat of late summer, it's not so much a race against the other riders as it is a challenge of simply enduring. The trail passes through old Gold Rush towns and over some spectacular terrain, including the famous Cougar Rock (youtube, see 3:52, 5:02, 6:33, 6:56, and 8:41 for the heart-stopping bits, if you're not inclined to watch 10 minutes of mostly smooth passes). Around 50% of the 250 entries complete the ride, the rest either pulling out voluntarily or being taken out for unsoundness or signs of fatigue at one of the vet checks along the way. All finishers within 24 hours whose horses are judged "fit to continue" by the veterinarians at the end of the race are awarded a silver belt buckle. In addition, the first-place finisher is awarded the Tevis Cup, and the Haggin Cup is given for the horse considered in the best condition of the first ten across the line. And the record time? 10 hours, 46 minutes (equal to 9.29 mph or 14.95 km/h) in 1981 - Boyd Zontelli on Rushcreek Hans.

Bike Hacks

brain_drain — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:32:42 -0800

Bike Hacks! Bored with your generic two-wheeler? Check out this collection of funky bicycle modifications. My favorite is the grocery cart.

Leave them all behind

psmealey — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 07:41:58 -0800

Shoegazer 101 Shoegazing (also known as shoegaze or shoegazer; practitioners referred to as shoegazers) is a genre of alternative rock that emerged from the United Kingdom in the late 1980s. It lasted until the mid 1990s, peaking circa 1990 to 1991. The British music press (notably NME and Melody Maker) called this genre "shoegazing" because the musicians in these bands often maintained a motionless performing style, standing on stage and staring at the floor while playing their instruments; hence, the idea that they were gazing at their shoes. The shoegazing sound featured extensive use of guitar effects, and indistinguishable vocal melodies that blended into the creative noise of the guitars. Some notable bands are Ri de, Lush, Swervedriver, Slowdive, Curve, and American bands Lilys and the Swirlies. Some notable songs: Jesus and Mary Chain - North London Poly Riot Curve - Chinese Burn Curve - Horror Head Curve - Crystal My Bloody Valentine - Soon My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow My Bloody Valentine - Cigarette in Your Bed Ride - Vapor Trail Ride - Leave Them All Behind Ride - Twisterella Swervedriver - Wrong Treats Swervedriver - Duel Swervedriver - Rave Down Slowdive - Allison Slowdive - Shine Slowdive - Catch the Breeze the Swirlies - Bell Blonde Redhead - My Impure Hair Lush - Superblast Lush - Nothing Natural How did they make such beautiful noise? Here's a look at some of the guitar/effects rigs of some of the genre's foremost progenitors: Andy Bell Adam Franklin Jimmy Hartridge Belinda Butcher Kevin Shields Christian Savill Neil Halstead Rachel Goswell And, of course, no discussion of Shoegaze would be complete without a mention of its George Martin, Alan Moulder.

Take a ride on the magic bus.

potch — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 00:27:22 -0800

Ghost Ride It! I just couldn't deny you the raw, visceral pleasure of watching this. Rather Previously

Robocoaster

sjvilla79 — Wed, 27 Jul 2005 05:26:14 -0800

Meet the Robocoaster - The Robocoaster is a variation on the robot arms which are used in factories to build cars. By adding seats, designers have turned a functional machine into the fastest, most unpredictable ride you'll ever take. It can be self programmed to travel in millions of movement combinations. No ride will ever be the same. Video (Flash) 1, 2 and 3. Via Beyond Tomorrow.