Friday, April 24, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Doing like Romans
When you go to another city, you've got to do some things their way. This is one thing you might want to do in New York: take any Spinergy wheels you find, and put them on a mountain bike that's being ridden on the sidewalk. It's gotta be safer than actually riding them.
On the topic of bike safety in New York, Lyle and I took the day off to convert our track bikes to tarck bikes. I wanted to be able to ride in my Sal 23s, and that ain't happenin' with spd pedals nor toe clips. Rather than risk the Jeff Curry in New York, I've put on a brake to complement the Jim C pedals from Lyle's Megatron. We're also changing gears to give the Vallie cog threads a few more cycles.
Doing as Romans, however, is not what we're doing in the following photo. You see, despite what impression the fluted columns overlooking the Hudson River at Inspiration Point may give you, we are drinking novelty-sized PBRs in a public place. That's just not something you do in New York.
Rhiannon, now resident in New York for over eight months, shows us how to do as Romans in Times Square. You see, the overwhelming majority of people there are tourists.
And while you might think that this scene is a result of our friends in Oregon, it is in fact in Rome. Imagine that.
On the topic of bike safety in New York, Lyle and I took the day off to convert our track bikes to tarck bikes. I wanted to be able to ride in my Sal 23s, and that ain't happenin' with spd pedals nor toe clips. Rather than risk the Jeff Curry in New York, I've put on a brake to complement the Jim C pedals from Lyle's Megatron. We're also changing gears to give the Vallie cog threads a few more cycles.
Doing as Romans, however, is not what we're doing in the following photo. You see, despite what impression the fluted columns overlooking the Hudson River at Inspiration Point may give you, we are drinking novelty-sized PBRs in a public place. That's just not something you do in New York.
Rhiannon, now resident in New York for over eight months, shows us how to do as Romans in Times Square. You see, the overwhelming majority of people there are tourists.
And while you might think that this scene is a result of our friends in Oregon, it is in fact in Rome. Imagine that.
I hate you Danny MacAskill
Dammit. Why do you have to remind me that I cannot ride a bike?
In other news, Morgan and I have layed down 250km in NYC in the past 3 days. (Including a metric tallbike century). That's got to count for something, right?
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
The Revival
Duncan just forwarded me this trailer for some upcoming CanCon!!! LOOKS SICK!
THE REVIVAL from morehartfilms on Vimeo.
THE REVIVAL from morehartfilms on Vimeo.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Best Day Ever
Here's a great video I got to see at Bike Shorts last night. Its from that hilariously bad ass team of bike polo ne'er-do-wells, Los Marcos. From what I understand, their 'Best Day Ever' Doesn't actually involve playing any bike polo.
Los Marcos' Best Day Ever from Ken Stanek on Vimeo.
Right now I think MY best day ever would involve my new tallbike. A bunch of traffic. Probably some Sparks (we hardly knew ye). ..and it would be sunny and warm.
None of this crazy winter storm crap. Its so odd and unpredictable. I saw a guy selling shaved ice today!
..on Saturday (the day of Randall's island Tracklocross) it was near freezing and rainy with gale force winds. That actually made for a pretty fun race. Surprisingly 42 people entered. I managed 8th or 9th. I'm not sure. It doesn't matter though. I had a blast. My bike performed quite well with maximum diameter tires jammed into the frame. All the extra water helped to clear my fork and stay bridges from clogging up with muck. My rims and fork came out unscathed, and even my drive train has forgiven me after a good hosing down..
Interesting tangent: After finishing hosing down my bike with hot water on the roof of an art space in Queens, I handed the hose off to a fellow I didn't know. He had a carbon Ridley cx bike, with knobbies. Since that was illegal in the race, I quickly deduced who it was.. "Oh were you filming?".. "Yeah Hi, I'm Lucas". Thats right kids. I finally got to meet Lucas Brunelle!
Heres a gallery of Tracklocross shots courtesy of Gabe and Kierie.
I may leave my Spicer in off road mode for a while longer. I took it to the Bronx today for some urban warfare, and it held up well. 40psi CX tires eating up 2" pavement seams. The only issue came about with a 45lb backpack, and riser bars. That puts more pressure on the saddle than I am used to.
I could use some shaved ice.
Los Marcos' Best Day Ever from Ken Stanek on Vimeo.
Right now I think MY best day ever would involve my new tallbike. A bunch of traffic. Probably some Sparks (we hardly knew ye). ..and it would be sunny and warm.
None of this crazy winter storm crap. Its so odd and unpredictable. I saw a guy selling shaved ice today!
..on Saturday (the day of Randall's island Tracklocross) it was near freezing and rainy with gale force winds. That actually made for a pretty fun race. Surprisingly 42 people entered. I managed 8th or 9th. I'm not sure. It doesn't matter though. I had a blast. My bike performed quite well with maximum diameter tires jammed into the frame. All the extra water helped to clear my fork and stay bridges from clogging up with muck. My rims and fork came out unscathed, and even my drive train has forgiven me after a good hosing down..
Interesting tangent: After finishing hosing down my bike with hot water on the roof of an art space in Queens, I handed the hose off to a fellow I didn't know. He had a carbon Ridley cx bike, with knobbies. Since that was illegal in the race, I quickly deduced who it was.. "Oh were you filming?".. "Yeah Hi, I'm Lucas". Thats right kids. I finally got to meet Lucas Brunelle!
Heres a gallery of Tracklocross shots courtesy of Gabe and Kierie.
I may leave my Spicer in off road mode for a while longer. I took it to the Bronx today for some urban warfare, and it held up well. 40psi CX tires eating up 2" pavement seams. The only issue came about with a 45lb backpack, and riser bars. That puts more pressure on the saddle than I am used to.
I could use some shaved ice.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Joust done right
Dennis over on Sweet School Bus posted this vid from Richmond VA's Cycle Slaughterama. Normally I'm pretty 'meh' on tall jousting, but this is awesome:
Do what now?
CX tires are pretty much the raddest thing ever.
I got my bike all set up last night for this weekend's TRACKLOCROSS race.
Ritchey Speedmax 32mm rear tire, Schwalbe CX Comp 35mm front tire (the same model that I filled with screws for ice racing), 40/17 gearings, risers with Ourys. I decided to go with the Oury grips, because the ends are sealed, so if I dropped the bike in the mud, the grip wouldn't start spinning. I think this was a good idea.
This morning I made my way over the pedestrian bridge to Randalls/Wards Island to survey the conditions and ride off road. I pretty much did a perimeter ride, trying to figure out what nasty spots were going to be used in the race.
There's a lot of construction going on, and some of the earth is so soft you sink right in. CAT tracks look solid, but aren't. I only went over the bars once, and that was trying to cross a rut sideways.
Needless to say I'm completely stoked for the race.
TRACKLOCROSS DOT BLOGSPOT FOR THE INFO
I should also mention that Sunday eve this weekend is BIKE SHORTS in NYC:
Completely unrelated: This reminded me of the best of the MC3 rides:
Parabellum - The best video clips are here
I got my bike all set up last night for this weekend's TRACKLOCROSS race.
Ritchey Speedmax 32mm rear tire, Schwalbe CX Comp 35mm front tire (the same model that I filled with screws for ice racing), 40/17 gearings, risers with Ourys. I decided to go with the Oury grips, because the ends are sealed, so if I dropped the bike in the mud, the grip wouldn't start spinning. I think this was a good idea.
This morning I made my way over the pedestrian bridge to Randalls/Wards Island to survey the conditions and ride off road. I pretty much did a perimeter ride, trying to figure out what nasty spots were going to be used in the race.
There's a lot of construction going on, and some of the earth is so soft you sink right in. CAT tracks look solid, but aren't. I only went over the bars once, and that was trying to cross a rut sideways.
Needless to say I'm completely stoked for the race.
TRACKLOCROSS DOT BLOGSPOT FOR THE INFO
I should also mention that Sunday eve this weekend is BIKE SHORTS in NYC:
Completely unrelated: This reminded me of the best of the MC3 rides:
Parabellum - The best video clips are here
Monday, April 06, 2009
Tee Vee Time
GET FASTER:
NYC's Dylan wants to win Monster Track, and will do anything to make it to the Podium:
GET NAKED:
An interview with Sam Whittingham post NAHBS on his Cherry Bomb MTB:
Get BANKED:
An interview with Bionic Track Prez. Reporter doesn't leave the Cote D'Azure:
NYC's Dylan wants to win Monster Track, and will do anything to make it to the Podium:
GET NAKED:
An interview with Sam Whittingham post NAHBS on his Cherry Bomb MTB:
Get BANKED:
An interview with Bionic Track Prez. Reporter doesn't leave the Cote D'Azure:
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
BIG Bike Session...real big.
this is amazing. who says tall bikes are just for looking stupid while at critical mass?!
Shea's BIG Bike Session from Haro Bikes on Vimeo.
Shea's BIG Bike Session from Haro Bikes on Vimeo.
Down I go..
Gregory Bauge and Kevin Sireau at the World Track Championships.
Rad photoset of the action on Velonews
Rad photoset of the action on Velonews
Wednesday, April 01, 2009
A brief moment in history: Valentino Zippicelli
Valentino Zippicelli in 1929 on his 110mm deep balsa wood rims. he won the 1929 TDF on them, but all of his victories were removed from history by the UCI, to "keep the sport pure", for his use of aerodynamic products. He shattered the old hour record with a 52 minute time, and even stopped midway for a glass of wine! Incredible!
(thanks Cooper)
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