Thursday, February 24, 2011

2011 Iceman Cometh Challenge Registration



Registration LINK:

Here we go....
I recently received my annual email from promoter Steve "Iceman" Brown announcing registration details for the Iceman Cometh spectacle held Traverse City, Michigan in November. Each year, as the race evolves this email is usually followed by a maelstrom of debate regarding the event. This year the two major changes are the price increase to $75.00 and the event is now USA Cycling sanctioned. Big deal. Simply stated, it's a 2 hour race in the middle of a 2 day party. I dig it and I'm willing to support it. Blah, blah, blah...

Discussion thread:

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Cyclists versus cars continued...



Rage Against Your Machine
What is it about cyclists that can turn sane, law-abiding drivers into shrieking maniacs? The author ponders the eternal conflict with help from bike supercommuter Joe Simonetti, who each week survives the hostile, traffic-clogged rat race between the New York exurbs and Midtown Manhattan.
By Tom Vanderbilt

Full article HERE:

Monday, February 21, 2011

One hella sprinter, one hella splinter



From cyclingnews.com:


February 19, Day 2: Men: Keirin, omnium - Women: Sprint, scratch race, omnium
Meares and Hoy lay down markers in Manchester

By: Richard Moore
Published: February 19, 11:12,
Updated: February 20, 09:27

Hoy's win in the men's keirin was spectacular both for the manner of his victory, with the 34-year-old quadruple Olympic gold medallist sitting back and then launching a surge that destroyed his five opponents, and for the chaos that ensued behind.

As Hoy blasted up the home straight, Aziz Awang, the diminutive Malaysian, tried to squeeze through a tiny gap on the final bend, in the process colliding with and bringing down two riders.

In true domino fashion these three riders brought down the remaining two, meaning that Hoy was the only man left on his bike, even if he only realised that as he surveyed the wreckage on his victory lap.

As Hoy celebrated, the stricken riders sprinted in ungainly style for the line, pushing their bikes, to claim the minor placings. Jason Niblett (Jayco-AIS) was first to do so, with Awang somehow managing to remount and ride across the line to claim third, and confirm his overall World Cup win, before being carried out of the arena on a stretcher. The replays showed an enormous splinter entering his calf and coming out the other end.

"I was completely unaware of the crash," said Hoy. "It was only on my victory lap, when I was showboating, and the officials were shouting at me to stay up the track, that I could see the bodies. The noise of the crowd meant that I didn't hear it, but it was a nasty one."


Full story HERE:

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

The Cobra blows it again!



Gawd. Make it stop.

Story from the Huffington Post

ROME — Italian prosecutors and the Italian Olympic Committee are investigating reports cyclist Riccardo Ricco was hospitalized after an alleged self-inflicted blood transfusion.

The Gazzetto dello Sport reported Wednesday that doctors at Pavullo Hospital in Modena quoted Ricco as saying he administered a transfusion on himself using blood stored in the refrigerator for 25 days.

The paper said he was admitted to the hospital on Sunday in a state of shock. Ricco was expected to be released on Wednesday.

The paper reported prosecutors have opened an investigation.

Ricco signed with Vacansoleil this season after a 20-month ban for doping at the 2008 Tour de France. His team withdrew him from the five-day Tour of the Mediterranean that started Wednesday.

Where The Trail Ends...

Freeriders in the Gobi Dessert. Pucker up! Great video teaser.

Freeride Entertainment


Monday, February 7, 2011

Lucas Brunelle videos


I guess you can call this rider an early helmet cam pioneer.

I stumbled upon his site and found some very interesting videos. A few years back I commuted daily via ferry & bicycle through Seattle traffic and I am mildly familiar with the navigational nuances associated with the urban bike messenger. Dizzamm! The alleycat and sprint races featured in these videos makes my time spent riding in the city look extremely tame! I will spare you the obligatory sermon about helmet use, cycling stewardship, advocacy or even the part about obeying basic traffic laws. That would be akin to extolling the virtues of a solid stock portfolio to a wound up tweaker. It just doesn't apply here. Regardless, it's a pretty wild ride from the fixie cockpit. Give it a view.

Lucas Brunelle site:



The YouTube comments clearly point out that it's a two way street. Like or Dislike.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

TAYA colored chains. Really?





Taya Chain has been making chains for 40 years. WHODATHUNK? Yes, they even offer colored chains which are featured in the video above. I am aware that colored chains have been around for while but I have never put much stock into their importance. For me, it's always been either Shimano, KMC or SRAM when it comes to chains so I have little insight as to the actual quality of this product. Personally, I can do without the candy colored chains although the TI Gold Deca chain looks pretty sweet!

Obey The Rules



These rules are spot on! If you have any questions please refer to rule number 5.
The Rules - Velominati - Keepers of the Cog

Presenting: Obey The Rules (Welly White Boy Edit) by GangstaPhant featuring BrettOK and Newz.
Obey The Rules

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Oh, Girl, No You Di’int!

Bikerumor Pic Of The Day: Oh, Girl, No You Di’int!

Thank you Bikerumor.com!

Welcome to THUNDER SNOW!



Well, I hope everyone out there survived the "snow event" of 2011. Today the sun is shining and it's -3 degrees outside. The recent snow now has that CRUNCHY/SQUEAKY quality to it.



I just placed my order for a Niner EMD frame which gives me added incentive to work these long hours when I should be outside chillin'.