Also, some footage of the peloton and race caravan coming through downtown Santa Rosa before heading out to the coast (coming back from Windsor) on YouTube.

Photos can be found here.

Check out the video clip montage below (1080p):

And check out some photos here.

Patrick Dempsey and Levi Leipheimer at the 2011 Levi's Gran Fondo Bicycle Ride.

You can check the album out here.

Here’s a sample taken with my new Canon 7D and 70-200mm f/2.8L USM:

First up was Banh Mi from Nom Nom Truck.  Then we went in search of Wise Brothers but they had sold out of everything.  Next was the Big-Ass Sandwiches truck.  Fries in a sandwich, never heard of it!  Last was Cremé Brulee Cart but he was also sold out of almost everything except Café Mocha, boo.  Oh well, next year, I guess we’ll have to get here much earlier.

It was very crowded, but the food wasn’t that expensive.

Of course you can see some photos here.

A sample photo:

The manager that arrived was named Mark.  Elizabeth explained the situation.  I asked him if this was true.  He said “you don’t know it’s not.”  I told him to produce a written policy that substantiate his statements.  Then I told him I don’t carry ID at all times, VISA does not require supplemental identification to process a transaction, and that he was violating their merchant policy.  He said that he was “trying to protect” my money.  I was trying to give them my money.  I told him that he could check the signature on the pinpad device against the one on the back of my card if was so worried about my money.

After the manager tossed my card down on the counter, he was reluctant let my card be run, but he warned that next time, I better have identification.  He asked me how I arrived to the store and stated, “You better not be driving.”  I told him that I lived close by and I walked.  He then stated that I must carry a drivers license around at “all times” even while walking.  I told him, according to California law, that his statement was untrue, but you must identify yourself to a police officer if asked.  He then said, this direct quote, “Man, you are being really difficult today, I hope you feel better when you’re back on your meds.”  He insulted me, the customer.

I am 100% positive that I was in the right as I have read the Consumerist and have lodged complaints against merchants before with Visa.  I was not trite with my tone and kept my composure during the entire ordeal.  I then requested the corporate phone number which the cashier gave me.

I have contacted OSH through their online store feedback form, informed VISA of the merchant who was not following their merchant agreement, and will call their corporate number first thing on Monday.

I want to let readers know, that regardless of the situation, a merchant cannot ask for supplemental identification to process a credit card transaction and then continue to insult a paying customer.

You can try and buy one from Amazon with the links below and a couple photos after the jump!

16GB: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101-A1 16GB
32GB: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101-B1 32GB
Keyboard Dock: ASUS Eee Pad Transformer TF101 Keyboard/Docking Station
ASUS Sleeve Case: ASUS Sleeve Case for ASUS Eee Pad TF101 Transformer (TF101 Sleeve)

Today we’re launching a new version of Google Goggles that’s faster and smarter than ever before. The new Goggles 1.3 client for Android can scan barcodes almost instantly. All versions of Goggles can now recognize print ads in popular magazines and newspapers. Finally, Goggles has also learned a fun new trick for Sudoku fans.

Barcodes

When shopping offline, it’s helpful to be able to learn more about a product by scanning its barcode. With the new Android version of Google Goggles, scanning barcodes is much faster. Open Goggles and hover over the barcode or QR code. Within a second the phone gently vibrates and presents results, without requiring a button press. Simply tap on the result to read product reviews, check in-store availability and compare prices.

Print ads in magazines and newspapers

We’re excited to take another step in our vision of connecting offline media to online media. The next time you’re flipping through the pages of your favorite magazine, try taking a picture of an ad with Goggles. Goggles will recognize print ad and return web search results about the product or brand. This new feature of Goggles is enabled for print ads appearing in major U.S. magazines and newspapers from August 2010 onwards.

Sudoku

Our favorite weekend distraction is a quiet 15 minutes spent solving a Sudoku puzzle. But even that can be an frustrating experience if (like us) you make a mistake and are unable to solve the puzzle. Now, Goggles on Android and iPhone can recognize puzzles and provide answers to help make you faster than a Sudoku champ. So if you ever get stuck, take a clear picture of the entire puzzle with Goggles and we’ll tell you the correct solution. Check out this video to see how it works.

Over in their marketing department, though, they fail to note that the iPhone is only available on the AT&T network.  I find it comical that AT&T bashes its own network using an iPhone to demonstrate a competitor’s slow network in the Taco Party commercial.

The Taco Party commercial is viewable here.