210: This Weekend Past

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Riding
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A woman at Heart Roasters the other morning told Joe that of all the cycling clothing in that room (and there was more than a bit) the one with the coffee on it was the best. Which is always nice to hear. Because Coffee is the best. If you are looking to get some of your own, it looks as though the only ones left are the long sleeve jerseys and the leg warmers...


Word on the street is that we are in for another two weeks of rain. This past week/weekend was pretty awesome for riding and ride we did. I think that this is the most amount of riding that I have ever done in the month of March. We rode a couple times with Cindy, not only is she one of the cyclists featured in the new Rapha Women's Line, but she's also a pretty badass rider. And I say "badass rider" because she also rides motorcycles (with photographers on the back, and through Europe) and possibly a Rally Car or two.

Then there was J. Curtes (check out his photos from the Snowboarding world) out and about with his Speedvagen. Have not seen it since the gentleman's race and yes, I think that maybe I did miss the Gold Foil Decals on his hoops. There was some comment on whether or not these 68's were road appropriate. Maybe because they were so loud that everyone got jealous and started looking for a way to get them out of there. Carbon clinchers. Just saying.

Dan Sharp and I both almost fell off our bikes trying to get the closest look possible of the EDGE decals. They look really smart with the whole setup of the Vagen. And when jealousy calls she calls loud and hard. Damn Sirens. It is the time of year for new gear. There will be no denying that. When the sun peaks out just a little bit then the new booties (guilty) socks, kneewarmers appear as if it was christmas morning. How much of a social boner would it be to not be rocking new gear each spring? Sheesh.


Ever notice that there is a certain gait that cyclists adapt off the bike? The appearance is one of a sort of ambulation that one might associate with a cowboy or at the very least a motorcycle tourist. Someone who has been seated most of their life. It looks almost painful but at the same time instantly conveys (to those of us in the know, wink and a nod) that this individual spends more time pedaling a bicycle than actually walking.

I might have stolen that last paragraph out of Bill Strickland's book on big L's comeback. His descriptions of cyclists are so spot on in that they make you look at other riders, at yourself, to attempt to decipher this code that is cycling. Pretty soon I will be ambling along the side streets of Portland attempting to look more 'cowboy.'

Which I would guess in this town might help me to fit in?

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Sneak Attack with Ira Ryan.
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After Black Hammer (more later)
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There was other sorts of riding that happened this weekend as well. Jam packed was this one. The second one you can easily reproduce in the comfort of your home or backyard. It is really easy to do. Or at least the version that I came away with.

Steps:

1. Wrap a dark colored bandanna around your eyes insuring that you cannot see for shit.

2. Run/Ride as fast as you can towards the nearest undergrowth or brush. You will fall.

3. This is where you would think "repeat" would be in order. But it is not. When you crash, which you inevitably will do. Just keep down real low to the ground. And while you are down there, bang your head on the ground a few times, and then just for kicks get your friends to run over you with their bikes. It will be great I promise.

In all honesty. The After Black Hammer went off without a hitch once again. And when the x-rays come back and we hear that nothing has been broken, then we will know the truth. But until then I will leave you with a motorcycle from the shop of James Crowe. Who Shreds. More on that later.

209: A Few Things on Friday.

Fat Marc, you are amazing. I like it when people have good things to say in the comments section. Other than that, not really too much of an idea as to what goes on in the minds of readers. If you are out there.

But yes, there was some pretty sweet times happening in the MAC races. 2008 USGP in Trenton New Jersey was pretty awesome. I had about 10 more psi that was necessary for the slipperiest muddiest course known to man. And instead of doing the proper thing that I knew I needed to do, which was pull over and let air out of my tire. I just kept plodding along trying to make up for it on the long straight stretches. And you were right (it was Pete Rubi) but he did say, matter of factly, "guys, this is not working." At least we had the wherewithall to laugh about it. A lot.

Ok, what else? Couple of sweet little nuggets of truth out there for you.

A Few Things...

1) Where can I get a custom toothbrush made? I wish I was joking, but I am not. I liked the Retrotech one very much. But I saw this one yesterday, and I am really liking it. Plus the flyer promoting it is even more awesome. Draplin Design Company is based here in Portland, OR. And they do some pretty cool stuff, take a look (nay, get lost) in the site. Also, do all of the worlds greatest Cobra Dogs branding and design. Get a shirt.



2) Speedvagen/Rapha/Hemi
There has been a new partnership abreast. That between Rapha, Speedvagen and Hemi. It looks a little something like the below photo. Basically it means going really fast and looking really sweet when you are doing it. I cannot, will not take credit for this one either. This one was brought to you today by Mr. Joe Staples. And if you are wondering who that character might be? Well, someone emailed me today and asked where they could learn more about applying Embrocation. Look no futher my friend.

In all seriousness though you should take a moment to peruse through the newly formed Speedbloggen. Sacha and company are churning out the hits at the moment and most specifically there has been a lot of buzz and speculation surrounding the Rapha/Speedvagen Cyclocross Team. Sacha addresses some of that here, but so far all we have is some really sweet looking kits and bikes. And trust me when I say that if I knew more, you would be the first to know...


3) Good Habits Clean Living - the second printing of the Major Taylor pamphlet by Chris Piasick is pretty damn sick looking. I kind of dig these two blues together. Maybe it is because I have so man fond memories of racing against a dominating cycling team with the same colors, but maybe it is just becuase I love these colors together. I also like that he is using Repeat Press to make stuf for him. I was fortunat enough to get in and see that place. Very cool and some very old letterpress machinery that is a little mindblowing.


4) Vans Supercorsa Italia Edition.
Well, I guess I need to get some new Vans. I mean, I wear them all the time anyway. They help me do sweet tricks on my longboard. Not really, but I do think that they are pretty awesome and Spring is almost here. I found this through Trackosaurus, again. Cause he's dope. Also digging the fact that they attempt to pay tribute to the jerseys of the Giro. White - Youngest, Green - KOM, Pink - Leader, Cyan - Sprints, and Black - for the last place finisher. All signs point them being availible in July (two months after the Giro.)


Ok, that is all.

164: USGP — Day 2 (in pictures)

Start

Bacon

With Fries


Speed

Jones

Ira

Paul


Spectacles


Yak


Rock


& Roll


Work


Tree


Tonk


Red


TJ


Odd


Finish

132: While You Were Out.

There is too much to go through, so I thought I would start you off with comedy and then ease into the serious bits. Let me tell you, that Cat Massage Video is funny. Champer Dampers. "Good for you. Use both hands to Double the Pleasure and Double the Fun."

Moving on.


Benji Wagner and I worked on this piece for Readymade a couple months ago. After working on the Breaking Away (he shot and edited the video and some rad photos) action that we did down at Mellow Johnny's in Austin we decided to keep the good times rolling. I interviewed three builders of handmade bicycles. Ira Ryan (Ira Ryan Cycles), Jordan Hufnagel (Hufnagel Cycles, Aaron Hayes (Courage Bicycle), and Matt and Nate (Signal Cycles). Aren't they handsome sitting in that Ivy?


Our talks ranged from tools of the trade to actual building techniques. I think that they got most everything correct as well. The funniest side story to come out of it was that J. Hufnagel mentioned to me later that the fact checker from Readymade called to find out if he really uses the word "stoked." And to let him know that she had now incorporated it into her everyday life. So, it seems that these builders are making changes in the world in whatever they do.

These guys can't go anywhere without them turning into big stars. Check out the new Signal Cross bikes on their Flickr. So fucking hot. (Oh, hello again Benji) I'm glad that Matt and Nate are continuing to push the boundaries when it comes to paint. Their cross bike from the NAHBS show two years ago was my favorite Cross bike of the show.



Check out Nate's N.A.H.B.S. shirt in the above photo. Good times. Also, for actual good photos of it go to the Trackosaurus Flickr page.

New Speedvagen Kits.

Was honored and excited to work with Sacha White of Vanilla Bicycles on the race kits for his team. They are a little more Speedvagen than Vanilla, but its all there. I think the kits came out nicely. What do you think?

Shannon seems to like them. See how he smiles. Then, he mounts his bicycle (which is coated in Teflon-no joke) and starts tearing peoples legs off. Left, right, forward, back, it doesn't matter. He told me yesterday that he actually used to race with the Trek VW/Bike Gallery race team. Nice.


Seriously, the bike is coated in Teflon. Word on the street is that this was Tony Kic's idea. He had another good idea too, it is called Blind Date and happens on Wednesday nights. In the dark. Its all very "misty" (a term from Burlington, VT that mixes cool and mystique). I think that is actually what Steve Fran is saying in the background. "Hey Shannon, those kits are a great Misty Blue."

Seriously, Teflon. What would that do in the mud?

What is a word that rhymes with News? Booze, thats a good one. Clues is another one that I really like. Schmooze is also a good one. Snooze is my absolute favorite though, thank you for that.

Velonews put out their Cyclocross Guide to Cyclocross things in their most recent issue. The issue itself had a few great moments that I was thinking we should go over together. Lets get the big one out of the way. I did this ad for Ridley USA. Top notch guys over there and I am excited to work with them on a couple upcoming projects.


I was excited to see it in there. I also noticed these info-graphics. They reminded me of a t-shirt that my friend Drew once made for BensCycles. "How to Measure a Stem." I like the one that measures Stiffness. I guess that would make sense right? That as the crank goes up it gets, well, stiffer. Lucky for us they followed it up with one about length, as I was not sure what I was looking at. Stiffer? Yes.

Pete Smith, Mr. Mad Alchemy Himself made it in though, and that makes me happy. I have been using the Russian Tea version lately. The wind has been whipping and the temperatures dropping, so, time to liven up the Embro.

120: What's New(s).

BQ's write up on the Competitive Cyclist Blog was the best thing that I read today. What's New is one of these things that I follow on my "Google Reader." Although it isn't one of these write ups that lets you read everything through the reader, it makes you click out to get the whole story. Genius. I mean, that's the only way to get people to your website right? Let them see that there is something new lingering out there, hang it like a carrot, and then make them work for it.

Well, I work for it. It is one of the writings each week that I, in fact, savor reading. I open it up in my browser and then let it hang out and marinate there for the rest of the day. Maybe I'll dip in at lunch time, click through a few links and see what musings permeate through the day.


Today was exceptional. It starts off with an amazing quote from Jeremy Powers (who is now slated to make a guest appearance at a certain party next week) on how to pick up women in Belgium. I'm paraphrasing but he states that a Quickstep rider told him he has his soigneur place a photo of himself with his number on the back in his mussette and then throws it out to a pretty girl in the crowd. Amazing.

I'm just imagining one of these burly, smoking Belgian mafiosos getting ahold of that card and then having a perma-boner for Pozzato for the rest of his life. Afraid, yet excited at the same time that he has the man's number. Never using it. But smiling every time he watches Pippo come in second at Roubaix (which he will again next year) because he knows Pippo is doing it just for him. Maybe I should finally throw out that card of Johan Vansummerin that I wrestled out of his girlfriends angry hands?


RGR (Rapha Gentleman's Race)
Gentleman's race was awesome. Can we do this every weekend? Actually we can't, because my legs would quite literally fall off of my body. This is the best time of riding that I've had in a long time. I think that Slate Olson has got it right when he comes up with the right mixture of distance, terrain and commeraderie. It just makes everyone happy. (Plus, I got him on camera saying that he just puts them on so that he doesn't have to actually race them.)

Sheild your eyes when you look at this link. They're bright and white. But the full results of the race are somewhere in there too. The gloves are awesome by the way.

Why don't we have a Cyclocross version of this? I know that in the U.K. they have the Three Peaks Race. Why do we not have one here in Portland?


My team? Also amazing. But more on that later. Dave Roth, the man behind the curtain for H.U.P. United was kind enough to let me utilize his GoPro cameras. So, that is exactly what I did. Went Pro. All one hundred and thirty eight miles of the race. Save it though, build it up because it will be good. Promise. Here is a little taste though.



Don't worry, you do not have to look at me for too long. The only thing that I couldn't figure out was which clamp I needed to tighten to get the camera to stop slipping. It wasn't good. I would be riding along, trying not to die and realize that the camera was pointing down. Some good (foot)age came from it though. (How boring would I be if I didn't crack myself up.)

Pretty sure that this guy got some good footage too. If you are new to this Blog (do new people find it?) he has been the driving force behind some great video stuff. Some of his new videos just went up on the Rapha Continental site last week actually. Check out the Wednesday Matinee. There is something like six new videos up there. All of them great. Rumor has it that he is going to be in the area for a little while. Should be good fun.


Also, one last note for the night. Whomever it was that commented last week on my overuse of the " ' " apostrophe. Thanks for that. I really do overuse it. However, one little comment like that and now I am (I'm) rechecking everything that I type to a point of obsession. Thank you I think it is a good thing.

Up next. Best fashion blog around (or only one I've looked at) from a 13 year old girl. No Joke.