An Update from Ian and a Video

Posted on March 14, 2011 by Ernest

March 14, 2011

Dear Friends and Family,

I have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of thoughts and prayers from so many of you.

In Tokyo, we have some minor inconveniences such as interrupted train service and frequent aftershocks, but it nothing like what the people in the north of the country are experiencing.

I simply couldn’t stay inside today and just watch the news coverage, so I took my brother-in-law’s advice:  I took my camera outside to see what was happening in my neighbourhood.  The result is a ten-minute video about “panic buying” that you can see by pushing the link above or by going here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-Lx3ErjKWk

Also, I have included below the update that I sent out yesterday, but that some of you may not have received.

Please keep all of the people affected by the tsunami as well as for the integrity of the nuclear reactors in your prayers.

Ian

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A Letter from Ian in Tokyo

Posted on March 13, 2011 by Ernest

 As many of you know my brother in law lives in Tokyo, working for an events company and producing documentary films.  Amanda has spoken to him a few times and he sent us this e-mail to share about his earthquake experience

March 13, 2010

 Dear Friends and Family,

 It has been two days since the earthquake hit Japan.  In some ways everything has changed; while in others, for those of us in Tokyo at least, seemingly nothing has. 

On Friday, when the earthquake hit, I was at my friend Masumi’s boutique where I help out one day a week.  I was talking on my cell phone at the front of the store near the plate glass window, while Masumi, in her 70’s, was standing near-by.  Unlike in some other earthquakes where there can be a sudden jolt and loud bang at first, this one rumbled slowly.  It felt like a tide coming in and became stronger.  At first, I had I thought it would be like one of the countless earthquakes I have experienced before.

“Ian, this is it.  Hang up the phone and take care.”  Tada said. 

“You, too”.  I looked at Masumi who was frozen and couldn’t move.  The shaking became more violent and I looked outside at the swaying telephone poles.  We had two choices:  go back further into the shop and take cover or try to run outside to the parking lot across the street before the glass potentially started to shower down around us. 

The concrete building, more than 40 years old, was shaking so violently that I wasn’t sure it would stay standing.  I grabbed Masumi and half-carried her outside.  Other people had already started gathering in the parking lot.  Masumi, petrified as the ground moved us as if we were in a boat on choppy water, had tucked herself under my arm and had her face buried in my chest.  I looked up to see what could fall on us. 

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It really frustrates me….

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Ernest

It really frustrates me when I see our customers get burned by not having all the right information.

Sometimes pricing can tell you a lot about the item. When the price is substantially lower then what others are selling an item for, there might be a reason for it. Price is an important decision in the purchase but when making that decision you want to make sure that you are really comparing apples to apples and that everything is the same.

Sadly these days many products are being sold through a channel that the sellers may not be authorized to sell through, even though they are an “authorized retailer” or maybe they aren’t. Unbeknownst to the consumer they may be purchasing a product that is not covered under the manufactures warranty. The sad part of the story is when many consumers learn this it is too late, they need the warranty and they won’t be covered by it. Their only hope is that the seller they bought it from steps up and does the right thing, covering it at their expense. This assumes that they are still around and willing to honor it. It may take a lot of the consumers time and energy getting it all sorted out. More often than not these situations have a less then desirable outcome for the consumer. You work hard for your money and it hurts when you have to pay for something that would have been covered under warranty had the product you bought come with one.

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Continental Home Trainer Tire

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Ernest

As I mentioned in my previous post I have been doing a lot more riding on my indoor trainer. After I had been riding on a regular basis I decided to switch out to a Continental Home Trainer Tire. This tire is made specifically for riding on a trainer and can not be ridden outside. Riding a standard tire on your trainer will greatly decrease the life of the tire and flatten it out, making it less then desirable for your outdoor riding.

I’ve never used a trainer specific tire in the past. I’ve always just used older tires or a cheap tire I didn’t care about. Boy was I missing out. The trainer tire is much smoother and offers a very consistent feel on the trainer. You don’t get the slipping sensation or loss of contact feeling I’ve experienced in the past with a standard tire.

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Winter Training

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Ernest

I used to think that I didn’t like my indoor trainer. Now I am becoming addicted to it. Many years ago I used mine on a regular basis and had the best spring season ever. In recent years I had been using it sporadically. Last year I started riding a little bit more when I was taking our Cycling Strength Classes.

Then in mid December I started riding it in an effort to get some miles in. Boy have I been having fun with it. At first I was just mainly doing zone 2 rides with some one legged drills. Now as the time has progressed I am doing more and more intervals and have been following some workout DVD’s as my riding time has progressed so have the work outs.

I have come to look forward to riding the trainer and work hard to make sure I can fit it into my schedule. It’s exciting because I have created a new habit for myself which is good for me.

I’ve seen a difference over the last month for sure. I am seeing lower heart rates with increased power on the power tap. So the effort is paying off. The trainer time seems to fly by even faster now and I am making my longer ride days longer and longer.

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