LUNA-TICS TEAM ROOM: Year-round "Looney" fun.

[Kona2]

Whoop, whoop and way to get a some biking and a lot of rowing to add up! Congratulations, danwho, on achieving another MILLION meter erging season! We wish you many, MANY more!!

Thanks. And I'm pretty happy with adding the BikeErg in the mix - getting to keep some overuse injuries at bay while still getting the team closer to the moon. It does feel a little dishonest counting the BikeErg meters at 100% on the team page, probably should be 50%, the same as in the challenges. I would be at 902,732.5 counting that way. On the other hand, at 100%, bigger palindromes are within easier reach. Today was 18181 = 9091 Rower + 9090 BikeErg. And I really like 18181, since it is not only a palindrome but looks the same if you flip it, or if you rotate it 180°. Nutty, or easily entertained?

As I'm sure you've noticed, the bike erg meters get sorted out all by themselves in your personal meter piggy bank. Rowing millions are unaffected by the presence of bike meters, and vice versa. Lifetime totals now get put into a collective so that all the meters are counted, but you don't benefit from that collective in any one category...so if I want my 20 million, I'm going to have to either bike for a really long time or get back on the rowing machine for more hours. I bet Concept2 wrestles with this one for hours.

As for the 18181...that's like a trifecta of goodies. It's a palindrome, it's a prime number and it's an ambiagram. Whoa.

[Kona2]

Recreational mathematics! It took me a bit to remember/find the name of ambiagram. Quite a few of our teammates who like to erg a palindrome actually do come up with ambiagram palindromes. Only the numbers 0,1,6,8 and 9 can be ambiagrams...and only 0,1, and 8 can be palindromes that are ambiagrams. I think. And then there's the whole prime number thing that makes for palindromic primes. Numbers like 10,001, 12121 (our Welkian palindrome), 11,311 and 11,111 are all palindromic primes.

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights..Celebrations:


Distance remaining to lunar landing: 57,310,907 m

2.7 MM Ron
1.25 MM Ian
1.05 MM Greg F
850 K Doug (CO)
750 K Patrick S
450 K Gary
250 K Jessica
200 K Gman


Thanks, everyone, for erging with us....row, ski or bike!

Rich G 2,198 m
Steve W m
Debbie 3,576 m
Keith 3,821 m
David T 4,000 m
Dana 4,306 m
Rebecca 5,000 m
Michael C 5,001 m
Gman 5,017 m
Dan O' 5,020 m
Kevin Mc 5,030 m
Rick 6,046 m
Gary 10,000 m
Jessica 10,000 m
Virginia 10,000 m
Doug (CO) 10,562 m
Howard 11,018 m
david w 12,000 m
Patrick S 12,122 m
Ian 14,557 m
Baz 15,000 m
Ron 16,861 m ...a palindrome!
danwho 18,181 m ...a palindromic prime!
Greg F 27,908 m
Ed m ...he moons us with a palindrome!
Ken 42,500 m ...a fine update!

[Kona2]

100th Anniversary of Armistice Day....and chances are very high (no matter what country you call home) that you had relatives who fought in this war. And it's also the 100th anniversary of the worst pandemic in history - sometimes called the Spanish influenza epidemic. For my family, those two events are quite intertwined. In the six hours between the signing of the Armistice and I guess what we would call the actual cease fire or enforcement, I believe about 3000 more people died. My grandfather was scheduled to be sent to the Western Front on that day, but was in a military hospital in France with influenza. I guess sometimes catching the flu increases your chances of survival.

As always on this day, and in many countries, we thank our veterans for their service....and hope active duty personnel stay safe.

Speaking of staying safe, those California wildfires are blowing closer to Chris and AJ. Lots of poor air quality and an orange glow in the skies. Be careful, Minnie!

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

Distance remaining to lunar landing: 57,083,232 m

4.7 MM Ed
650 K Baz
300 K David W
250 K Virginia

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Kevin 4,523 m
Michael C 4,999 m
Chuck E 5,000 m
Dan O' 5,007 m
Keith J 5,838 m
David W 6,273 m
Todd 7,624 m
David T 8,000 m
Louis 8,008 m ...an ambiagram palindrome!
Jessica 10,000 m
Virginia 10,000 m
Steve W 12,500 m
Baz 15,000 m
Ron 15,151 m ...a palindrome!
Minnie 18,423 m
Gary 21,097 m ... he moons us!
Greg 28,037 m
Ed 42,195 m ....a full marathon!

[BAZzy]

100th Anniversary of Armistice Day....and chances are very high (no matter what country you call home) that you had relatives who fought in this war. And it's also the 100th anniversary of the worst pandemic in history - sometimes called the Spanish influenza epidemic. For my family, those two events are quite intertwined. In the six hours between the signing of the Armistice and I guess what we would call the actual cease fire or enforcement, I believe about 3000 more people died. My grandfather was scheduled to be sent to the Western Front on that day, but was in a military hospital in France with influenza. I guess sometimes catching the flu increases your chances of survival.

As always on this day, and in many countries, we thank our veterans for their service....and hope active duty personnel stay safe.

Janet and I did a favourite walk of ours, the Sphinx Track, not too far from our home yesterday to commemorate the 100th Anniversary and too remember our fallen heroes.

Many may not know at the time of the First World War Australia had a population of less than 5 million people, and over 400,000 men enlisted, in round numbers 10% of our population.

Sadly, 62,000 never made it home to our island continent.

Many suffered horrendous injuries, both physical and mental, many recovered to go on and lead (almost) normal lives, many were not able to do so...

We walk the Sphinx Track regularly, a 10 kilometre circuit in the bush, up and down gullies alongside Cowan Creek, but what makes it special for us is the Sphinx Memorial at the start of the walk. It is a miniature sandstone carving of the Sphinx in Egypt, carved by a veteran of the great war whilst he was convalescing at the nearby Lady Davidson Infirmary after the war.

Whilst we were not around in those days I have read accounts of how many of the men used to line up along Bobbin Head Road to take in the sunshine, propelling themselves along in their wheelchairs, some using hand pedals attached to a chain on the wheel.

They gave so much so people like us could live in a relatively safe environment.

So to all the fallen, wherever in the world they came from...

"Lest We Forget"...

https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/th ... x-memorial

Cheers Baz

[Kona2]

The Sphinx Track looks like it would be a good hike, Baz! Thanks for sharing the link.

Counting down to the start....

Great to see Tombeur posting some meters today! And Janice also!

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

Distance remaining to lunar landing: 56,861,784 m

2.3 MM Minnie
600 K Tim
300 K Jeff B

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!


David T 1,500 m
David W 2,000 m
Tombeur 3,535 m ...a double double!
Janice 4,193 m
Chuck E 5,000 m
Emma 5,000 m
Melissa 5,000 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Rebecca 5,000 m
Tim M 5,020 m
Gman 6,035 m
Bernie 8,115 m
Jeff B 10,000 m
Jessica 10,000 m
Michael C 10,000 m
Ed 10,001 m ...a one aught palindrome! An ambiagram!
Louis 10,101 m ...headed down the ambiagram palindrome track!
Howard 11,271 m
david w 12,525 m
Dan O' 12,690 m
Ian 12,811 m
Baz 15,000 m
Todd 15,000 m
Ron 18,181 m ...another ambiagram palindrome!
Minnie 18,470 m...fires ablazin' = crummy air! Get yer gas mask out! You're queen of the boat!

[just27]

Ron 18,181 m ...another ambiagram palindrome!
Minnie 18,470 m...fires ablazin' = crummy air! Get yer gas mask out! You're queen of the boat!

Yay, I love queen of the boat days! Especially when it was a mere couple of hundred meters ahead of Ron's palindrome!

[Kona2]

I am so saving that Queen Minnie boat pic...

[Kona2]

Hooboy! Going from 61 F to 19 F was a bit of a system shocker....I have returned to Colorado.

It's going to be epic....!

What a tough decision it will be for Holiday Challenge charity choice this year, too! Kafue River Rowing, Protect Our Winters, World Bicycle Relief or Little Bellas are the organizations we have to choose from - water, climate change, bicycles, mentoring....decisions, decisions! Choose the one that speaks to you, but make sure that you choose one! Otherwise, your meters won't be earning anything...and you won't earn the coveted 200K pin. Naturally, we ALL want to earn the pin. It makes NO difference whether or not you put that pin on a bag, a board, or in the drawer - you know you want it, because it's TRADITION...just like earning your is a tradition with the Lunies.

Things are lookin' up! Lots of Lunies were at the erg yesterday! Keep it going today!


MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:


Distance remaining to lunar landing: 56,491,383 m


4.75 MM Ed
1.1 MM Greg F
400 K William H

Cornel 2,000 m
James S 2,000 m
Steve W m...a twosie of a palindrome!
Jason 3,203 m
Tombeur 3,615 m
Chuck E 5,000 m
Melissa 5,000 m
Patrick Hsr 5,000 m
Rebecca 5,000 m
Robert H 5,000 m
Matt 5,025 m
m ...a starry high fivin' palindrome from our favorite sheep...
Tom M 5,623 m
Carol 5,720 m
Keith J 5,757 m ..a double double!
Rick 6,080 m
Jeff D 6,223 m
Stuart 8,103 m
Jeff M 8,108 m
Dennis 10,000 m
Michael C 10,000 m
William H 10,000 m
Ed 10,001 m ...an ambiagram of palindrome proportions!
Jeff B 10,078 m
Howard 11,186 m
Keith F 11,452 m
david w 12,000 m
Patrick S 12,015 m
David T 12,500 m
Ron 14,141 m ...a Colorado style palindrome...filled with 14ers!
David G 14,727 m
Minnie 19,889 m
Virginia 20,000 m
Gary 21,097 m ... he moons us...again!
Ian 21,097 m ...he moons us, too!
Greg F 55,985 m ...wowzer...that's a lotta bike meters!

[Kona2]

It's beginning to look a lot like ...

Mix in a few snow flurries, and you'll be right into it for the Holiday Challenge!!

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:


Distance remaining to lunar landing: 56,310,483 m

2.35 MM Minnie
1.35 MM Louis
1.25 MM Ken G
700 K Baz
50 K Emma

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

William H 2,000 m
Steve W m .... counting up the meters!
Cornel 2,560 m
Rebecca 3,000 m
Chuck E 5,000 m
Emma 5,000 m
Rebecca 5,000 m
Dan O' 5,013 m
GMan 5,016 m
m ...a high five palindrome!
Kevin Mc 5,690 m
Rick 6,176 m
Jeff D 6,332 m
Dennis 10,000 m
Howard 11,024 m
Louis 18,564 m
Minnie 19,624 m
Ken 25,000 m
Baz 40,000 m

[Kona2]

Get yer winter gear out! Wahoo moments lurk...


Getting closer to equilibrium ....where our year to date team meters equal our distance remaining to virtual landing...

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:

Distance remaining to lunar landing: 55,999,924 m

1.3 MM Ian
1.15 MM Greg F
850 K Todd
700 K Howard
650 K Dennis
500 K Gary...a cool half million!

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

David W 1,500 m
Jason 1,959 m
Steve W 2...4...6...8 m ...
Lee 4,120 m
Tom M 4,473 m
Louis 4,806 m
Gines 5,286 m
Kevin Mc 5,892 m
Rick 6,209 m
Jeff D 6,391 m
John D 6,640 m
Chuck E 7,000 m
Gary 7,006 m
Norma m ...a lucky 7 palindrome!
FRiC 8,002 m
Bernie 8,093 m
Keith F 8,862 m
Andre 10,000 m
Dennis 10,000 m
Virginia 10,000 m
Howard 11,178 m
Dan O' 11,852 m
Patrick S 12,020 m
Kellee 15,000 m
Ian 16,880 m
Todd 17,505 m
danwho 18,181 m ...a palindrome of ambiagramic proportions!
Baz 20,000 m
Greg F 28,126 m
Ed m ...a starry palindrome..and a moon!

[Kona2]

Buckle up, Lunies!

Yep. This time next week we'll be in Day 2 of 33 (how nice to have a couple extra days in a Holiday Challenge!). So, Buckle Up...and get your honey do list done now....

On the flip side, all those hours on the erg will provide you much time to plan ahead, and make the most of your off-the-erg time.


MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:


Distance remaining to lunar landing: 55,687,827 m

2.75 MM Ron
1.45 MM Steve W
900 K Norma
900 K Danno
750 K Baz
550 K Keith F
300 K Virginia
200 K Kellee
150 K Michael C
150 K Chuck E

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!

Tony m ...a singular palindrome that we'd like to see more often!
Mathineer 2,016 m
Jason 3,867 m
Kevin Mc 4,518 m
Chuck E 5,000 m
Emma 5,000 m
Rebecca 5,000 m
David T 5,500 m
Jamie 5,662 m
Jean M 5,691 m
K2 7,511 m
Norma m ...a lucky 7 palindrome!
Doug G (CO) 9,345 m
Todd 10,000 m
Ed 10,001 m ...a palindrome - ambiagram!
Louis 10,101 m ...a one aught one palindrome! Ambiagram, too.
Steve W 12,216 m
Keith F 13,012 m
Jeff B 13,053 m
John D 13,310 m
Dennis 13,431 m ...the palindrome that gives you an extra 10K every fourth day...
Kellee 15,000 m
Michael C 15,000 m
Virginia 20,000 m
Ron 28,282 m ...a biggie palindrome!
Baz 30,000 m ... he moons us!
Danno 40,693 m.. he moons us, too!

[dtangerini]

21,000,000 meters today.

[Kona2]

21,000,000 meters today.

Whoop, whoop and wondered why you stopped at 999,500 m for THIS season...and now we know! Congratulations, David T, on achieving 21 million lifetime meters. You're a little more than half an orbit, and we wish you many, MANY more meters (and at least a full orbit).

[Kona2]

and now

We're still close to equilibrium with our total team meters earned being only a few thousand beyond our total distance remaining to virtual lunar landing...but we are now officially headed into "it's all gravitational pull from here." The moon's tractor beam isn't what the earth's is, though, so we'll still have some good work to do to get the good ship Luna-Tic settled safely on the lunar surface.

Another episode...bunny trails of the mind

The trigger phrase was "tractor beam" and before I knew it....down the bunny trail. Tractor beam is still defined as a hypothetical energy beam that can be used to move objects such as SPACESHIPS or hold them stationary. We've all heard of tractor beams in movies like Star Wars or Star Trek. Tractor beam was used in the very first science fiction book that Fantasy Press released in 1947...a novel by sci-fi classic author E.E. Doc Smith called Spacehounds of IPC. I kid you not. A human computer (would be called an astrogator in some of my favorite sci-fi novels), and what was to be a routine passenger flight to Mars. Doc Smith was a food engineer - we'd call him a chemical engineer these days. He's best known for two series of books: Lensman and the Skylark Series....and some call him the father of the space opera genre (and therein lies the tie to David Drake, a favorite sci fi author). Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes space warfare, melodramatic adventure, interplanetary battles, chivalric romance, and risk-taking according to Wiki. PS - Spacehounds of IPC is available free on Kindle.

But I digress...which is the whole point of a bunny trail. So many inventions and leaps forward start in the minds of the science fiction writer, and then become reality. Tractor beams might be currently hypothetical, but as often as they are used in fiction...well, they might be closer to reality than we know https://www.cnet.com/news/real-star-trek-tractor-beam-nyu-nasa-david-grier/

MILESTONES...Bragging Rights...Celebrations:


Distance remaining to lunar landing: 55,417,436 m

4.8 MM Ed
1.3 MM Ken
1.05 MM danwho
750 K Dan O'

Thanks, everyone, for erging with us!


Debbie 1,267 m
Jason 2,342 m
Trevor 3,000 m
Andre 3,450 m
Melissa 3,951 m
Tom 4,470 m
Rebecca 5,000 m
FRiC 5,003 m
Dan O' 5,013 m
Jean M 5,246 m
Patrick S 6,006 m ..a palindrome!
Rick 6,205 m
William H 7,164 m
Todd 7,500 m
David T 9,000 m
Danno 10,000 m
Dennis 10,000 m
Jessica 10,000 m
Howard 11,040 m
Ian 15,000 m
Ron 17,771 m ...a palindrome with lucky 7s tucked inside!
danwho 18,181 m ...an ambiagram palindrome!
Greg F 27,949 m
Ed m ...a threeish palindrome!
Ken 42,500 m ...good update!

[dtangerini]

Thanks Kona2, still need a little push for this year's million!