This week: F1, Space Shuttles, Cross and more (Updated)

This week is filled with activity here's a rundown.

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Tuesday: Voted...its important to engage in the democratic process even if as a liberal in the State of Nebraska my vote doesn't really get me anywhere...its the principle of the matter.  Still our political process is exciting to watch and we are all lucky for being able to take part in.  Even though I'm not happy with the outcome the majority does rule even if its only a small percentage of our population that votes.

That said, through the act of voting I feel I am entitled to the right to complain about anything I don't like going on in our government with impunity. And FWIW I managed to avoid the impulse to get all forms of social media on Wednesday morning and launch a tirade about the GOP's initial comments I saw on the news.

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Sometime this week: or maybe next week...the space shuttle Discovery will launch. STS-133 is the final launch of Discovery...EVER. There is only 1 more flight after this one people. Watch it! If you haven't seen a launch in person...STS-134 will be the last shuttle launch of the entire program..go..watch it live. It's an experience you'll never forget.  I saw one as a kid and it has stuck with me forever.  Watch a rocket that generates over 3 million pounds of thrust at takeoff...you will quickly know what i'm talking about...the ground shakes over 50 miles away at liftoff..the sonic boom is heard for over 200 miles. Night launches will light up the sky.

The ending of the shuttle program closes a significant era in the history of our exploration of space..an era in between the Apollo missions to the moon and our establishment of a near permanent research lab in space. It was meant to be a cheaper/safer/reusable alternative following the Apollo missions. Fact is it wasn't much cheaper and as we have been reminded on a couple occasions (Challenger and Columbia), the astronauts take big risks on every flight.

So bottom line watch it...As of right now, Thursday aint happening due to rain, Friday is risk of wind. My guess right now if not techy problems, Friday or Saturday launch.

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Saturday and Sunday: Formula 1. Two races left in the season. My boy Fernando Alonso has rallied the Ferrari Team to a late season lead in the Drivers Championship. Brazil is always a good course to watch, its fast and somewhat technical with good elevation change. If it rains, once again all bets are off. The Redbull Team continues to have reliability issues and their drivers continue to make small mistakes which are costing them consistent finishes. But there are only 14 points between Alonso and Webber (1st and 2nd overall) and 4 drivers eligible to win with 2 races left. So here we go...its going to be exiciting.

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Wednesday and Saturday: Cross Practice and Racing. Last night went to CX practice. Mark made some course mods and they seemed to work. Its a tough course and with the winds that made it more interesting on the off-camber bits at the top of the hill by the Derby Track. Mike and I spun easy in anticipation for this weekend.  Also this was the last one for me. Time change means I can't leave work any earlier to do this.

Saturday, Mike and I are headed to Joules Cross in Lawrence, KS. Should be fun.

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Which leads me to Sunday. Anyone want to do a road ride? later morning early afternoon should work. I'll only have maybe 2-3 hours. Not too hard a pace since racing on Sunday and then rolling to Fort Collins next week for the USGP with Mike Miles.

Updates:
Shuttle launch delayed due to a hydrogen fuel leak on the umbilical fueling line. So Earliest launch time is now Monday next week...still stay tuned on it.

Rides looks like I'll be crashing the ride Mark mentioned on his blogpost. Looks like Bryan, Jonathan Neve and Mark are in so far.


Cheers,
J