Stage 18; (08/09/2008) The Magic of 8…

Hello; (Ni Hao)

It is no coincidence that the Chinese selected 08-08-2008 for the opening of the 29th Modern Olympiad. The number 8 is very significant to Chinese culture.

• There are 8 immortals in Chinese mythology.

• 8 is considered a lucky number in Chinese culture because 8 sounds like the word “prosper” or “wealth”.

• The 8 principles of Yong in Chinese calligraphy.

Another reason why the number 8 could be considered lucky is because it is a perfect symmetrical shape. You can cut the number 8 in half vertically or horizontally, and both halves mirror themselves perfectly. Perfect symmetry lends itself to perfect balance. In Chinese Astrology, perfect balance is considered the ideal.

Here’s a schedule of the Cycling events for the Beijing Olympics…

Road races Start time
Saturday, August 9 - Venue: Road race course -
Men’s road race - 245.19 KM 23:00 EDT August 8th
Sunday, August 10 - Venue: Road race course -
Women’s road race - 126.34 KM 02:00 EDT
Wednesday, August 13 - Venue: Time trial course -
Women’s Individual Time Trial - 23.5 KM 23:30 EDT (August 12)
Men’s Individual Time Trial - 47 KM 01:30 EDT

Track
Day 1 - Friday, August 15 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30 - 19:00 local
Men’s Team Sprint Qualifying
Men’s Individual Pursuit Qualifying
Women’s Individual Pursuit Qualifying Round
Men’s Team Sprint Final
Day 2 - Saturday, August 16 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30-19:35 local
Men’s Individual Pursuit First Round
Men’s Kerin First Round
Women’s Individual Pursuit Qualifying Round
Men’s Kerin Repechage
Men’s Points Race Final
Men’s Kerin Second Round
Men’s 4000m Individual Pursuit Final
Men’s Keirin Final
Day 3 - Sunday, August 17 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 10:00-11:45 local
Men’s Team Pursuit Qualifying Round
Women’s Sprint Qualifying Round (200m)
Men’s Sprint Qualifying Round (200m)
Men’s Sprint 1/16 Final
Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit Final 16:30-18:45 local
Women’s Sprint 1/8 Final
Men’s Sprint 1/8 Final
Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit First Round
Day 4 - Monday, August 18 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30-19:00 local
Women’s Points Race Final
Women’s Sprint Quarterfinals
Men’s Sprint Quarterfinals
Men’s 4000m Team Pursuit Final
Day 5 - Tuesday, August 19 - Venue: Laoshan Velodrome 16:30-19:50 local
Women’s Sprint Semifinal
Men’s Sprint Semifinal
Men’s Madison Final
Women’s Sprint Finals
Men’s Sprint Finals

BMX
Wednesday, August 20 - Venue: Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
Men’s and Women’s BMX Qualifying 09:00 local
Thursday, August 21 - Venue: Laoshan Bicycle Moto Cross (BMX) Venue
Men’s BMX Semi-Finals and Finals 09:00 local
Women’s BMX Semi-Finals and Finals 09:00 local

Mountain biking
Friday, August 22 - Venue: Laoshan Mountain Bike Course
Women’s Cross Country MTB 03:00 EDT

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“Bike wheels spinning on the pawn shop wall,” Iron & Wine-The Shepard’s Dog 2007

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SMR Stage 18: Dark Regions Ride…

(Due to last week’s rainout-washout, we’ll try this again)…
This week we’re going to do a flat ride with a couple of twists We’re going the increasingly popular area between Coxton, Newton, and Ransom to ride through a beautiful, densely wooded road with about 1 ¼ miles of unpaved surface, and then return on some familiar ground.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/pa/wilkes-barre/465938173800