216: I Heart RBX

Last Years Paris-Roubaix

I walked down the street today. My legs felt like someone hit them with a baseball bat. Not a really smashing blow or anything like that, just one good solid whack to each quad. Maybe with the added bonus of a punch to the middle of the calf - for good measure. However frightful this might sound though, it is not.

It happens mostly when you start out walking. Each and every curb that you step up, or down, feels like one of those awkward super high, or super low curbs. The ones that you feel like you should sort of jump off of, but feel ridiculous doing. Except that they are not those curbs. They are just regular curbs. Maybe it has something to do with the motion of riding? As soon as you swing your leg off the bike that fluid motion that has been a part of your body for the past few hours now becomes a series of broken and jerky movements.

The one thing that it does well is that it slows you down. Or in this case it slows me down. Yeah, yeah, stop and smell the flowers or something to that effect. However I always see or hear something that I never expect. For example, on the way down the street today: I heard the window slide open before I heard the women speak, before I saw her leaning out the window. She was very large and very black, but the words that came out of her mouth left me chuckling to myself for another two blocks. "Romeo! Rooo - Meee - Ohhhh! God damn it, where is shit is that boy when I need him." Eat it Shakespeare.

King Kong.

We rode the King Kong RBX this weekend. That is to say the Paris-Roubaix version of the King Kong Classic. This ride could, or might have been appropriated from its original intent. I would like to think not, but the possibility always exists. Hopefully we can keep it up as a sort of monthly ride (I really just like it as an excuse to try and design another funny flier). Although the very nature of the ride makes it worth getting together.

See the photo below? Does that not look like Roubaix? Ok, so maybe it does not, but the ditch looks a little like it... see the comparison? Well, Chris Milliman sent over some photos for me again. Love that guy. I have seen him in action a few times (Rapha, Ibex, Serrotta, Various and Sundry Cycling Events) but this one, where all he did was shoot photos of handsome looking Italian men. Well, that was pretty awesome to see...

Ditch - King Kong Classic 2010 Edition

Ditch - Paris-Roubaix, 2009 Edition

About to be Ditched - Paris-Roubaix, 2010 Edition

Photo by Chris Milliman

I rode this morning before I got to see the actual coverage from the race. Apparently the Verzus does not want you to watch their coverage either. Wow, never is it more apparent that they are not cyclists, or care about cycling, than when they cut to ads in the middle of THE decisive move of the day (week? year?), and then come back to the race after it has already happened. Yeah, I get it (you told me on twitter) you did cover the move. But eff that, I want to see what happened right up until the moment that the move was made.

No big deal, we can find it on the internet. Besides, the race happened hours ago, so don't you guys think that you could go back and make sure that we get to see the important moves? I just do not like to see people worry about these things. I want all the angles covered, so to speak.

Worry Not Weaver, You Do Indeed have the best Kit - King Kong Classic, 2010 Edition

Don't worry Dusty Chimp, you'll get it next year- Paris-Roubaix, 2009 Edition

You Just Finished and that is Fucking Amazing - Paris-Roubaix, 2010 Edition
(but the cobbles look to have jostled the Bell logo on your helmet)

Photo by Chris Milliman

The one thing that I was bummed to have missed (its Tax time what would you have me do?) is to have played Cyclocosm's game Paris-Roubino. Both BKW and B.Strickland sent over quotes for me to put together into a document. Maybe I will get to that in the next day or so (Better late than never??) but there were some really great ones on Cyclocosm as well. Wonder who won? Probably not Hincapie.

I am purposefully glossing over a few things that happened around the world this past weekend and I'm hoping for more answers as we move into the next few days. One of my favorite cyclists and member of the Embrocation Road Race team Colin Holmes Murphy went down hard at the Battenkill (a few broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung? fucking OW!)...think good thoughts think good thoughts...we are here for you my man.

213: Clash of the Titans

Photo by Chris Milliman

There really is not much to say when, seated I might add, Mr. Cancellara straight up CANCELS all the odds that Tom B. is going to win at today's Ronde van Vlaanderen. I keep hearing "Seated Till April, Seated Till April" while watching that move over and over. Even though it was not so much of a move as it was as that Cancellara was seeing different lines than Boonen.

If this is any indication of that, well, Cancel is going to crush a few more hopes this spring.

That familiarly disheartening sheepish look that some of the cyclists took on as they dismounted their bicycles (Devolder's was particularly heartbreaking) left me in amazement over what happens lest you miss that winning break. This will be an all to familiar sight to those riders next weekend at Battenkill that do not make it over the top of that dirt climb in the front. I am in no way bragging and was thankful to make it there last year after missing it on the previous two attempts. Godspeed to the throngs that will partake.

Looking back through this time last year brings up more than a few memories of the bleak landscape (not Battenkill, Belgium). The bars, all smelling the same with cigarettes, spilled beer, and possibly the scent of windburned skin, if there is such a thing.

Belgium — Part Two: Entry One
April 3, 2009

In any case I missed that God forsaken land so much I thought I should go back. D. Sharp and I just bought our tickets to check out the Fléche Wallone, and LBL. Sure, sure we are going to miss next weekends Monument Roubaix, but this way it ensures that we get to see two new ones in quick succession.

This will be the one (similar to last year) in which we explore the country that has produced some of the best cyclists ever to have lived. You could go straight to the top of that list (Merckx) or just jump around however you like (the immortalized Vandenbroucke, or the DeVlamaenek's, as well their contemporaries Boonen, Devolder). I was reminded of this train stop when reading Bill's new book. He takes a page (just one, and he does it so well) to describe the effect of Merckx on the cycling world this is near the end of the page by the way, after the description linking the Grand Tours to the Super Bowl and World Series.

"In his peak years he was victorious in one-third of all the races he entered, an unheard-of and still unmatched ration in a sport in which four of five wins a year make a rider one of the best there is. It's no stretch to argue that this cyclist ruled his sport in a way Michael Jordan and Roger Federer combined don't equal. For all of this, Eddy Merckx had a subway stop named after him." (Pg 14 — Tour de Lance )

All just background for the conversation on Lance though. You know, the one that you had today with your buddies while you were punching each other in the arm and rooting for Cancellara and Tornado Tom at the same time. Shouting out "no! Yessss!" and not really caring because either of those two winning makes you happy. Although, it helps with the 'putting him into context' part, if you will.

I guess it works because no one can mention anything about Professional Cycling these days without muttering Lance Armstrong under their breath. The tough thing is not knowing. Not knowing why you are muttering his name, not knowing why you hate him, or love him, only knowing that apparently both of these emotions can exist at the same time. Hence, the mutter.

Photo by Chris Milliman

Well, Milliman also captured one of Lance today. And whatever you do, Lance, to maintain that hawkish look of determination, well, you just keep on doing that one as long as you can. Only, at some point you are going to have to lose the bib-extensions, because they just look ridiculous and out of place in contrast to the graceful-yet-forceful pushiness of the Belgian landscape. You might be able to get away with that in the Tour, but not here.

Although at the same time it is comforting to be reminded that he gets covered in the same shit and grime that the rest of them do. Or, rather, that he is getting covered in that shit this year, for a change. What tactic is this Mr. Armstrong? What secrets do you hold in store for us as the year progresses (see, there I go talking about him again.)

"We pass Menchov, who's been dropped. Bruyneel looks out at him and says, "Menchov." A pause. "That's Menchov there." There's Both awe and regret in his voice, as if we're driving by a dying lion our safari party shot. Saxo goes to the front and jumps the pace, and the gap to the break comes down to about 3 minutes. Up ahead , the break is splintering under its own attacks." (Pg — 251 Tour de Lance)

Not really sure what the above quote has to do with the events that unfolded today although reading it out loud to Kyle and Molly seemed like the right thing to do this evening. And when you say something out loud it sounded a little more right than when I just typed the words. Menchov was not there but the the dying lion surely was. No matter who you decide to give that moniker to. This thought, that not only was the dying lion part of the mis-en-scene but was also somehow caused by the whole heaving throng that was cannot be escaped.

It is going to be a good year, or at the very least, interesting.

183: A Few Things

Just going to jump right into this one.

1) Chris Milliman's photos are showing at Bloc 11 Cafe in Sommerville. Go see this, if you are into that sort of thing. Here are a few shots from the show, but it looks to be a doozy. In a good way. I incorrectly guessed some of the style of photographs and was quickly and justly corrected by Mr. Milliman himself.

"No, dude, those are original 4x5 Polaroids, shot with a Speedgraphic press camera and Pola back. One of a kind originals! One-of-one. There's even a selection of 5 CX 4x5 Polaroids I shot in belgium, they're in the back hall...they're f-in dope."


I guess that is more than you can hope for in an artists statment. Intrigue, exclusivity, and even a bit of technology. Head over to check out his photos as they will be up for the remainder of January and the whole month of February. Maybe get a coffee while you are there. If you really want to plan in advance you can follow them on Twitter where they put up their lunch specials daily.

Only, before you go, be aware that I believe (since I haven't actually seen the show yet) that these photos are a selection of Chris' travel photography. While there may be an odd cycling photo or two, the focus of the show is really more about travel.

2) Mo Bruno-Roy Ultimate Super Raffle Extravaganza (January 13 — March 01)


Mo is going to the World Championships. She and Matt are headed over there right now. Here is the only shot that I got of her racing when she was at the USGP here in Portland. Now, the thing is, Matt and Mo (which together make up MM Racing) have to foot the bill for this trip themselves. I know, great deal huh? "You made the Worlds Team, now here's you're bill." To make up some of said bill they have put together a sweet little raffle that includes a custom Seven Cycles frame. Not too shabby. Check it out here in BikeReg.

While you are at it though, do not feel too bad for all that money that USA Cycling could have put towards their worlds selections, because it was instead diverted to their CX Juniors program...hmm. Rad Racing anyone?

3)

4) Washingmachinepost in general.

brian just did a nice little interview with Dan Sharp over on the site. But while you are there you might do well to check out a few of the other things that he has going on. Things like..oh, I don't know A FREAKING CIELO bicycle turned up at his door for him to check out. Not a big deal, just another day at the office. But, speaking of Cielo I was so lucky as to get inside and take a sneak peak at these good looking bikes the other day. Check that out here.

5) The Rapha Continental Rides: Blue Mound

photo: Daniel Wakefield Pasley

The rides that we did this summer are going up in full now. We posted just a little snip earlier this summer (or we tried to) and now the full ride is going up. There is a little write up each week as well as a photo story to accompany. The photos have been pretty damn spectacular, as we didn't get to see them as they happened.

The first photo in the series there kind of cracks me up because it looks like Piers is actually half choking on something. But the truth of the matter is that he is probably doing a pretty good job of cracking everyone else at the table up. Those brits and their sense of humor.

Ok, that is all for now. Now go find something else cool on the internet. Or, help a teen you know unlock the Secrets of The Teen Ninja Mystery.

091: So, You're a Photographer Now?

I got to spend some time with Chris Milliman (check out his new website) this past weekend. He was in town to do some shooting for a new brand of bicycles and asked me to help out. So I got to be a male model for the morning. Yikes. But, enough about that. Check out Milliman's CBS t-shirt (which also looks to be a new website).

It is a good time to watch a guy like Milliman go to work. One can tell that he's always playing with the whole mise-en-scene of each situation. How the light, rider, bike, scenario affect each individual shot. We spent a good amount of time in Forest Park looking for the right angles. I have to say, if there was somewhere to shoot a bicycle, this park is it. The mossy overgrowth made the perfect backdrop for this orange beauty.


Chris also carries a pretty amazing arsenal of cool cameras with him that would, and should make anyone jealous. My favorite is the Clack. Which incidentally also means "cycling cap" in Flemish. But I think it is spelled "klack" there. Photographers are a strange breed I have to say, and some day I hope to be one. Sigh. One can dream though? Can't one?

Moving on.
The whole shoot was film. None of this fancy digi stuff that everyone is touting these days. I didn't get to see all of the Beloved bicycles, but the two that I saw looked great. You know what else looked great....


While we were out shooting we ran into Hott Sam as well. You may recall that both Hott Sam and Chris Milliman have been featured in the same blog post before. Trust me when I say that it was controversial in a way I've never seen. Probably because Sam is so Hott? And Controversial.
I would say that he sparks conversation he's so hot. But that isn't true. He sparks straight up fires in the hearts of all that see him. Now that's controversial (for those of you who don't know, this is a little writing technique I like to call hyperbole).

Although I have to give credit where credit is due. Sam was part of what we like to call "The Original Three." Sacha White and Tony Kick made up the other two thirds and were the founders of a group of cyclists that have come to call themselves the Gentle Lovers. See, I'm starting to get the local folklore down...

That's his Gang Sign For Hott.

Sam and I talked a lot about his Male Modeling Lifestyle. It is pretty extensive. And pretty. And I say "lifestyle" because that is what it is. You'll know when he is ready to turn it into a career. Because it will drop like an atomic bomb. Until then he's probably just going to keep turning his life into art and art into his life. That and drinking good beer.

It was good to see you Sam. And I'm glad that everyone wore red.

046: The Periphery.

Every time I publish a new volume of Embrocation Cycling Journal I learn something new. For example, this time around I had someone proofread the whole thing. Twice. In fact, I then took what The Gus had proofread, and I read through it again.

Yet, I still forgot something.
Something very, very important.

If any of you know and are familiar with the photography of Chris Milliman you will know that he is at the core PRO. Professional in a way that makes everyone else just kind of look silly in comparison. I mean, his list of clients could be boasted as probably one of the best in the industry. Everything from (and I'm probably going to get some of these wrong here, I'm just going by memory) Giro, fi'zi:k, Specialized, Velonews, Serotta, Cannondale, shit, the list goes on and on (I can keep going if you want...Ibex, Crank Brothers, Liquigas, should I stop?)...

Check out the sheen of embrocation on Hott Sam's Legs. Hot indeed.

Anyway, I first got to work with Mr. Milliman (as he should from now on be called) with the Rapha Continental project. Our first ride shooting together was actually the first one I participated in, a ride labeled "Occidental."

From there on out the rest was history...
Or something to that effect.

In Embrocation Volume2 Chris had a spread of his photos from the 2008 Tour of California. They are pretty amazing portraits that were taken during the Prologue. My favorite shot is one of Boonen that he took from the bridge that went over the course. It show's Boonen descending into the Darkness. As I'm sure most of these riders have to do to ride as fast and hard as they can all the time.

However I think some of my favorite Milliman photos appear on under the D2R2 Rapha ride. Chris does a great job capturing cycling photography. Any given weekend of the cross season you can find him on a cross course from anywhere in New England to the mud covered fields of Portand and don't rule out Belgium either. So we know he know's how to shoot riders...


But what he does in the D2R2 photo shoot is amazing and not related to the sports shooting that we're used to seeing. In the barn sides and wide open fields he plumbs the depths of what cycling photography can and should mean. The periphery. How it all the pieces fit together to tell a story. How the sides of barns and fields of wheat all play characters in the greater story that is being told.

Which is why, when I was putting together a piece on Seven Cycles I turned to Chris Milliman for the photography. This time asking him to capture the minutiae of what goes on behind the scenes at Seven. Here are a couple of photos that didn't make it into the final piece. Which just goes to show...what's in the final piece?

So, these two photos...the one of the derailleur's at the beginning and this one are just a taste of what's involved in Embrocation Volume Three. Yet, that's not the point of this post. I said at the start that I forgot something important.

And this is where I openly apologize to Mr. Milliman. I forgot to credit you for the cover shot. Sure, there's a list of contributors and your name appears there. But this is what holds the whole volume together. Pun intended.

This has been my favorite photo of the 08-09 Cyclocross season and I forgot to say where it came from. What a jerk. Sorry Chris.

When Chris sent me this photo. The week after he took it at Gloucester I emailed him back a minute later. "This is the cover for Volume3. Can I use it. Please." Or something to that effect.

I had maybe one page of the volume completed at this point, but I knew that I wanted to use this photo for the cover...and it stuck there ever since.

I hope you'll forgive me.