Sunday, February 27, 2011
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.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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
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'.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
Sweet Sassy Molassy! Say good-bye to January!
Booyah!
The month of January 2011 has come and gone. Thankfully. By comparison, December was über tame with mild temperatures and very little snow. Like a light switch turned on from January 1-31 it has been full-on winter (as it should be here in Michigan) and I am happy to report that February will suck equally, if not more. I rode more this month than ever before, primarily on the singlespeed plying the snow/ice/dirt roads North of town. It is my attempt to shun the trainer and so far it's been working. Bring on February!
2011 ride data:
11 rides
325.82 miles
14.57 avg.
2010 ride data:
6 rides
210.35 miles
15.89 avg. (CX miles)
Happy trails...
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Manchester, Michigan dirt road ride
I went out to Manchester, MI. today to check out the route for the Ragin' Raisin Dirt Classic race taking place here in April. Since I was not familiar with the area I decided to drive the route first to check it out and avoid having to pull out the map during the ride. Smart move. The area was very rural with crunchy, snow/ice covered roads. I parked at the High school and rode the 20 mile loop in the pleasant 20 degree sunshine. It is always enjoyable to ride somewhere different and today's adventure was no exception. There were some nice rolling hills with a few sharp climbs and very little vehicle traffic. I will definitely come back to reverse the loop and double it up.
ROUTE:
Click the small elevation at the bottom of the key for a elevation profile.
Sprawling Oak adorned with tennis shoes:
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Ragin' Raisin Dirt Classic - April 16, 2011
TA DA!
Another dirt road race right here in Michigan! This event will create a third choice of dirt road races in addition to the Barry Roubaix and the Grampian Challenge. This race takes place on the dirt roads around Manchester, MI. The course description sounds interesting:
THE CLASSIC. 36.63 miles. Includes two laps of a 15.5-mile loop with nearly 4000 total feet of climbing. Two trips down (or should we say “up) the infamous Bemis Corridor with the devilishly steep “Three Sisters”. Two grinds up the insidious Maple Grade. And just two miles of pavement in the entire course. The rest? Hard-packed gravel - except where it isn’t so hard-packed. Tough enough if the weather cooperates – but who knows what we’ll get in mid-April. Sun, rain, snow, slush – take your pick. Oh, and did we mention the wind?
I was a bit confused when I first saw the title of this event and realized it is taken from the River Raisin which flows through the area. Unfortunately, there is no connection to dried grapes.
I also discovered the Ragin' Raisins are a wrestling team out of Pennsylvania.
Whodathunk?
Enough about raisins.
Although I could not find any results from last year it looks like this will be the second running of the event. With established road and mountain bike events in the area this could be the beginning of a new trend to round out the racing calendar. I hope so. DO IT!
Complete information can be found at Wild Side Events.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Red Bull Mini Drome
From Bikerumor:
York Hall in the East End of London was home to England’s first race on the world’s smallest velodrome. Perhaps motivated by Portland Design Works newest office installation, the Red Bull Mini Drome was a contest of not necessarily fitness, but more so the skill and the ability to stay on the track, especially after fatigue set in (you’re going to want to watch the whole video to catch all the carnage).
Cyclists from almost all walks of life entered the competition, but it was won by none other, than Mongoose trials rider Chris Akrigg.
superprestige Zonhoven 7 feb 2010
superprestige Zonhoven 7 feb 2010 from jef cleemput on Vimeo.
I think "Zonhoven" means "Burying your clavicle into the sand like a lawn jart" ~ Jeffro
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Grampian Challenge 10-1-11
Yes, October is a long way off but there is a new gravel road race on the horizon that promises to become a staple of the Michigan race scene.
Here is a description of the event from the promoters website:
The Grampian Challenge will be a culmination off all the things you like about racing your bike in beautiful scenery of Michigan in the Fall. The "Grampian" is a 40 or 20 mile ramble over dirt roads, two tracks, single track, and rail trail. The intent is the ultimate fall bike race combining varied riding surfaces, technical challenges, scenic roads, and some decent southeast Michigan hills.
With so many incredible dirt back roads throughout the state it is no wonder these gravel events are gaining such popularity. They are anything but tame and sandwiched between road, XC and CX events they offer another alternative to keeping things fresh. Do it!
Grampian Challenge Website:
2011 Grampian Challenge from brian hudson on Vimeo.
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