193: More Riding and Rouleur #16.

Did some more riding on Sunday which was fun. Just so that you know, when Joe says "easy" what that translates to is "probably not as easy as you might think." The light was crazy as well, maybe something to do with the moisture? Although, I profess, I am not much of a meteorologist. Or maybe, and this is probably closer to the truth. Maybe Saint Valentine was watching over us. Yeah, probably not that one either, since they are not even sure he is a Saint.

Big ups to Adrian and Steven who were 2nd and 3rd respectively this weekend. Oh and KV who was something like 12th in the Men's Pro field at the Cherry Pie Classic. Amazing. AO pulled off the second even though there were, and I quote him here: "A lot of antsy dudes trying to get away early." Way to hold on and then stick em at the end.

Also did some important reading this weekend that I really thought you should know about.

Rouleur #16

I think that the newest issue of Rouleur might be my favorite so far. Sure, I might be biased because I wrote a piece for the issue on last years Tour of California (which started on Valentines day none the less.) But that aside, everything about the issue is amazing. And I have not even finished reading the issue. Which means I will try not to gush, but if you get a chance to pick this one up do so (if for no other reason than they have been selling out - and one on ebay for $122.00).

In all seriousness. The Lichtenstein tribute that Richard Mitchelson does to the cover is the best break from the ordinary that R could have done. They handed it over to an artist. Rouleur has never done wrong by us with their wraparound covers and as soon as I saw this one I knew that Zed would be featured and my bossom grew with excitement. Can they do that?


The article that I read the other night was about the Shimano corporation. Part One anyway. Photos by Taz Darling are amazing to say the least. Which they normally are when you are dealing with Taz... Now, where normally we would see the broad expanse of what might be Flanders or a Queen Stage of the Tour de France is now replaced with the electric wires and steel girders. A golden mystical Tarrentino box opening to highlight their Shimano signage.

And the (almost) about face that Guy Andrews does in his introduction to Shimano is worth it alone. To think that someone could go from dyed in the wool Campag fan to — not only considering, but visiting and paying hommage to the legandary parts manufacturer is great. And at the same time instills a great confidence in me that at some point we really are all going to get along.

From there we move into Team Z (Zed) and I have yet to read this piece but it looks amazing especially the small touch of the "Z" everywhere. I have one of the Team Z bikes, was the first bike I really did a few races on. Stored away, ready for me to fall into that old school Dura Ace group. Also, it has an Italian BB which is odd.


The aforementioned Mitchelson illustrations. He does a great job with details. Notice the Sunglasses and the pony. And I'm not talking about a regular Pony here, I'm talking a Millar pony. Something that, as well with his Oakley choices has unfortunately gone the way of the Buffalo. Sorry guys.



Also, in one of the largest photo segments I have ever seen in Rouleur — Dan Sharp pays tribute to the Tour of California. I wrote the piece associated with it, but I do not know that anyone could pay tribute to a race as well as his photographs do. I was just a fly on the wall and Dan's photos represent much more than that perspective. Plus he got a cool shot of Tim Johnson climbing and Mancebo's winning day in the rain. The whole section looks good and is also sepperated from the other articles by its paper stock, which, I'm not going to lie gives me a 'paper stock boner' in the sense that I would just love to have these options. Just the option to use different paper stocks would be AMAZING....

(ps, I'm thinking that it might be Guy's secret little jab at American Cyclists that he always puts that ad - below - with the guy having plastic bags over his feet - next to us Americans. But we don't all wear plastic bags on our feet Guy. FYI.)


And the final installment is about another topic that I have no shame in loving - food. Pretty much one of the reasons that I like to ride my bike. Because I really, really like to eat. Willy Balmat is a Chef to the stars you might say. He is currently the Team Chef for Cervelo Test Team (hi guys) but has also done a stint with Mr. Armstrong and maybe a few other teams as well.

I am ashamed to say that I did not finish the article entirely before falling asleep with the book on my chest (how cute is that) but I will peruse and report back. And speaking of sleep.

186: TJ Does it Right-er.

Tim Johnson's Twitpic.
Looks like it was a new bike Tuesday.
I love those days. So hot with the National Champ Colors.

Go Tim!
Channel Cru Jones.

His Twitter so that you can tell him good luck at Worlds: twitter.com/johnswah or just follow his exploits from the sidelines.

There is still some CX racing left to do.

180: The Year in Review: Sports and Leisure

SPORT AND LEISURE

I know, I know, we have moved on into the new year, but I am determined to finish what I started here.

Went for another run last night. It is kind of strange actually. I found myself looking for things to shove in my pockets. You forget just how light you can travel when on foot. A goo packet, maybe a spare tube, at the very least an allen wrench? None of these things are necessary to head out for a run. My question though is this: Do running shoes all look space-age these days? My adidas "jogging" look the part with in terms of their 70's throw back, but my body is going to kill me in about one more run in them. The soles are completely worn down...

Right. So, lets combine Sport and Leisure.

That is what this bicycle stuff is anyway? I mean, I'm looking around right now and I don't see any professional cyclists. Try as I might to improve I'm going to stay CAT34EVS (you can have that for your vanity plate). A lesson that I was taught be an elder statesmen of the CAT6 variety. He turned CAT2 the next summer. But, alas we are here to talk about the cycling lifestyle or, as Pete Rubijono, a teammate that I have had some great fortune to call friend, calls "The Athletic Community."

The interesting thing that he could do with this little phrase is to keep everyone on the same level. If someone came over to complain that Cary was blasting "What is Love?" - yes, the one by Haddaway, too loud out of the back of his car Pete would stop them with a quick gesture and say.. "Whoa, whoa whoa, take it easy we're all part of the Athletic Community here." And somehow that was enough... or the song switched to the Motorhead Covers Metallica (thereby making it good) CD and their complaints were drowned out anyway.

So, with that lets see what we have here.

I guess that would make it the best of Amateur Night no? And I will leave the Embro team out of it. Which I kind of didn't by just mentioning them.

BEST ELBOWING OUT OF ANOTHER BELGIAN-THEMED TEAM
Ritte Van Vlaanderen

photo by Jay Yoshizumi

They win in both the Sporting sense, and the Leisure.

I have to say, maybe the time has come for a new light blue and Belgian squad? Or at least "You've met your match?" Or maybe "There can be only one?" Any way you slice it these guys are ace. Their graphic design is spot on as well as their "colourways." And just the simple fact that they got together to shoot the above photo already puts them a cut about the rest. I will expect to see more of these guys. Read this interview by Stevil: The Day the Earth Stood Still.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Mission Cycling: These guys just look like they're having a lot of fun. Coffee. Food. And they won bonus points in my book for contributing something to ever-growing The Ride Journal. I picked up a copy off their website a couple weeks ago, but it looks as though they might be sold out. Anyway they have a great piece in there. Plus, bonus points for having someone that I went to high-school with on their team. - Z - lets talk some shit, there isn't anyone else from Wisco reading this (besides you Jedd,) right?

Wooly Mammoth: When in Austin I got to meet a couple of these cats. Great guys and never without a beer in there hands. Which warms my heart. Great looking kits as well. "Romancer." So good. But, you know, that being said...

CRAAAZIEST KITS
Geekhouse Racing Team

photo (Geekhouse Flickr)

And then there is the matter of...

PRO-CYCLIST OF THE YEAR
You Choose.

You could argue a number of ways for a great many cyclists. Contador this, Armstrong that World Champion Australian this, and amazing Sprinter that. I mean who doesn't like to think about break-away Heinrich Hausler stomping away on the pedals? Or Boom when he took those sprint points at the Vuelta? But really, what about the working man? Also, although Cross is just past it seems like I am already thinking about the Road more and more these days.

Photo (Cycling Weekly)

Jeremy Hunt: Cervelo Test Team

There is a pretty great Profile of Jeremy Hunt in the newest Rouleur Magazine. No joke. I am not the biggest fan of Michael Barry usually, but he nails it on this one. Maybe it was because he was trying his hardest to compare himself to Hunt that he did such a great job? Maybe it is just because Hunt is a hands down baddass? Two time Brit National Champ - yeah, no big deal, now you nead to lead Sastre to be protected up through the hills - sure, why not? And let little Heinrich have some fun too, before you smash his frosted tips. Besides from the sounds of it he was "bored waiting for the sprint" anyway.

Image (RideStrong)

Julian Dean: Garmin-Slipstream

Sure, maybe some early season bumps and bruises left him out of most of the competition but this guy might also be one of those resident badass' (maybe becuase he and Hunt were on CA together?) This was Thor's leadout train and I'm guessing now preforms the same operative for Tyler Ferrar (or should be?). Also, just the simple fact that he was le grimpeur's "grimpeur of the year" makes him a-ok in my book. Read that post for a better year in review than I could ever hope for - chapeau.

Tim Johnson - Cannondale/CXWorld - United Healthcare

The photo above is from this past year at the Tour of California. Now, we know that that Tim Johnson is a pretty great Cyclocross Racer as he is our Current US National Champion. And we know that he is a pretty awesome road racer too as he has raced for the likes of more than one good team. Well, we also know that he is a great guy and has a good sense of humor (he wants to remake Rad) and these things will win out with me every time. Especially the Rad.

For real. I could go on and on with this one. All day.

PRO CYCLOCROSS RACER (Euro-M)
Zdenek Stybar

PRO CYCLOCROSS RACER (Euro-F)
Marrianne Vos

THING TO LOOK FORWARD FOR SPRING
Climbing

Now all I need are some Pajamas or Softpants, as I have heard them called, and my Leisure duties would be closer to complete. Ok, maybe throw in some slippers, and did I mention I am thinking of taking up Pipe Smoking? That would be Leisurely right? Molly Cameron and I discussed this past weekend and she thinks it might help my cycling.

---------------------------------------------
Editors Note

Remember in the History post when we took a look at what Stephanie from Belgium had to offer? No relation to Mario de by the way. In any case, a nice viewer happened to chime in on that post to offer some live footage insight into the often times brilliant Stephanie Clerckx. What I am trying to say here is that there is video to go along with this. Yes, I linked it twice. This could be big news in the cycling world. A live girl in a cycling kit. But I have been wrong before (about girls in BE.)

165: Tim's Bike and Preview of things to come.

This weekend is the big dance, and as I prep to head out into the frozen winterland that is Bend (can we please do this in Hawaii or Arizona in two?) I thought I would give you a little look at Tim Johnson's dance partner. When we went for our ride last Friday while my friends distracted him with donuts and conversation Jeff Curtes (check that out) and I snuck off to snap some photos of his Cannondale CAAD9.

Jeff shot the photos that appeared here on the Rapha Blog.


Jeff and I both remarked out loud that we thought it was interesting that Cannondale has not supplied Mr. Johnson (my 5th grade band teacher) with a Carbon Frame. Not that it really matters at this point. With the full Red group, XTR pedals, and ZIPP race wheels (not pictured) the bike is light as can be. Some nice personal touches with the custom T Johnson frame decal and the "Team Issue" ZIPP clincher wheelset.


These Ellie Mae Duro tires looked to be the best choice for the day though. Mostly road riding to get to Forest Park and then a little bit of off-road dirt and gravel. Never seen these before but they looked nice with their directional tread and tough looking sidewall. The funny thing about them, if you dig through the Duro Website is that they do make a ton of tires. Even ones for Golf Cars. Do they not call them Golf Carts in Georgia? I do like the Green TRP's though.


Lets wrap it up with a few sponsor shots. Stu Thorne, the creator and owner of Cyclocrossworld.com is the man behind the man in this case. He puts together all of Johnson's bikes and makes sure that the tyres are well glued and aquasealed up, ready for action. With a well documented and storied history in not only the New England scene, but Cross in general the two seem perfect for each other. Or is it because their both from the North Shore? Control Tech provides the steering support and Cannondale, the bikes.


What would you call this bike? It is not decked out as some superfly race machine. Although it is undeniably a race machine. We do not see the overly Gucci components and the totally decked out rig that a. you would expect, or b. we have come to associate with being a Professional cyclist. Possibly, that lends itself more to Johnson's Working Class Hero persona than some of the other bicycles that are on the Pro Circuit.

Either way, this weekend will be the showdown of all showdowns, right?

Will Powers be able to ride support for Johnson? Even if it comes down to having to settle? That would be the right way to go right? Will Cyclocrossworld be able to hold on to the rising star for next year? Will Chris Jones be able to sneak away on the frozen Tundra? As we have seen he does really well when the conditions make for a fast race.



Molly Cameron has also been known to slip and slide through rough conditions and although she did not have the best races out here at the USGP her form has been continually rising throughout the season. Besides, look at how she slipped and slid in this video where she bested some of the worlds premiere Cross racers.

Could be a game for anyone at this point. Yikes.

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