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Saturday, December 31, 2011

SART on the Last Day of 2011

Mike and I decided on a ride down SART to Balboa Island.  It was a good ride sunny in Anahiem Hills, cold and wet in Balboa Island. 

At Balboa Island we had a cup of coffee and shared a cinnamon roll.

On the way home we came up to this dog sled team/group. I am not sure what to call them but the dogs were barking in excited anticipation of the impending ride.


This was the last ride of 2011. It was a good ride, accomplished on my Fixed Gear and with a great ride partner.  I look forward to next year with its epic rides, old and new faces and so much more.  Good-bye 2011, Hello 2012.
Detroit is the 12th most dangerous metro area for pedestrians in the country.  In April 2010, Detroit received a federally funded grant from the MI Dept of Community Health to support "Complete Street" policies. The initiative dictates that pedestrians and cyclists must be able to safely move along and across complete streets.

Read the Full Article at Huffington Post ...

"It seems like a simple idea: Roadways should be safe for all users, whether they drive, ride public transit, bike or walk. But Detroit is the 12th-most dangerous metro area for pedestrians in the country, and the region has a long way to go.

The Detroit Complete Streets Coalition was born, bringing together an all-star team comprising many advocacy groups, including the Michigan Trails & Greenways Alliance, Department of Public Works, City Planning Commission, Detroit Department of Transportation, Detroit Police Department, Detroit Food & Fitness Collaborative, Wayne State University, City Connect Detroit, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, Transit Riders United and plenty of committed community members. "

Detroit Bicycle Company

Not only Cars come out of Detroit.  Detroit Bicycle Company is producing some nice bikes. Check them out!


Friday, December 30, 2011

How To Cook an Egg with an Indoor Trainer

Meals on wheels, well sort of.  I came across this from BikeHack.com. I can think of many ways to prepare eggs, but with a bike trainer is definitely not one of them.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Support Your LBS!

From Bicycle Retailer and Industry News ...

"Specialized president Mike Sinyard is warning the company’s retailers to beware of Amazon.com’s incursions into the bike market.

Sinyard sent a letter to dealers Tuesday evening to bring their attention to Amazon’s Price Check app, a smart-phone application that allows consumers to scan a bar code from a product in a store and then order it immediately from Amazon. It raises the specter of customers trying on shoes in a bike shop and then buying them, presumably for a lower price, from Amazon."


San Gabriel River Trail to Santa Fe Dam

Yesterday, Mark, Kevin and I rode to Santa Fe Dam.  It was a great ride, sunny and clear. I haven't seen Mark in about 4 - 5 years.  When I heard he was in town, I had to go riding with him.  Timing was perfect, I was off Wednesday so we were able to go for a "chill" ride in the morning.


I'm sporting my New Incycle Kit I won from a small calendar contest.  I almost look legit!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Bicycle Wars: Cycling advocates seek control of Santa Cruz County Sierra Club

Wow, there's a battle in Santa Cruz between the Sierra Club and Cycling Advocates. Looks like there needs to be some alignment and focus between Bicycle Advocacy and the Sierra Club in Santa Cruz.

Read the full article at Indy Bay ...
SC Environment News
Sunday Dec 18th, 2011 2:43 PM

"On December 8th, the California Coastal Commission voted 10-1 to approve the controversial $5 million Arana Gulch Master Plan. The vote was expected to resolve a fifteen year long battle between cycling advocacy groups and environmental groups that oppose the plan. But in a move that has some long time Sierra Club members crying foul, cycling advocacy groups are running a slate of three candidates for the board of the Santa Cruz County Group of the Sierra Club in the December election. This would be the second cyclist-sponsored candidate slate in two years, and is expected to decide control of the Santa Cruz Group Executive Committee."

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Bottom Line: Bike-friendly LB attracts cycling-culture entrepreneurs

From Press - Telegraph Long Beach, Read Entire Article Here ...

In an effort to become "the most bike-friendly city in the nation" within 10 years, Long Beach officials in the past few years have put more than $20 million of state and federal grants into hundreds of miles of bike lanes and bike paths, not to mention dozens of bike boxes, racks and corrals. Funds also have been spent on bicycle education and public safety campaigns. 



Monday, December 26, 2011

Hipsters in crisis

From The DePaulia, Full Article Here...

"To be a hipster is a cruel irony," says Justin Ghofrani, 21, a Columbia College student, amateur indie music producer and self-proclaimed expert on hipsters. "The only way to knock a true hipster's ego is to call him a hipster."

And here is a nice Hipster Fail.



Sunday, December 25, 2011

The Christmas Card

Its been a great year, and while searching the net, I came across this cute video. Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

John Tomac

Classic! in the early nineties Tomac ruled cross country and downhill racing!


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Revolution

Do you remember your first time on a bike?


Revolution from Zachary Newton on Vimeo.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Monday, December 19, 2011

Drew Bezanson

This one is simply amazing.  Again an amazing display of control, power, finesse, grace, skill ...


Drew Bezanson from Justen Soule on Vimeo.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

CXLA-Santa Cross (TraClo Cross!)

After my ride I headed to LA for CXLA - Santa Cross.   I watched the First Ever TraClo Cross Fixed Gear Race Ever!  It was epic filled with some GREAT and some NOT SO great cycling skills.  These guys were a motley crew and the crowd... And the crowd was bent on helping to make this race memorable.














The Same but Different - GMR to the Maintenance Shed

I've been stuck riding my rollers the majority of the week (and last week and the week before).  I ride my Fixed Gear Surly Steamroller on it and have gotten rather comfortable while on it.  My roller sessions are a mix of long tempo rides or short but intense intervals.  This week in particular I've added some INSANITY works outs in the mix too.  Mornings I do Insanity and at night I ride the rollers.  Needless to say, I'm tired and sore.

So this Saturday I had it in my mind to do an easy short ride.  Just enough riding to feel good.  A relaxed ride. I wasn't sure where I was going to go, but i had it in my mind I would stop off somewhere for coffee as well.  

Because I've been riding the Steamroller on the roller so much, I've developed a fondness for it and a longing to take it on some real paved roads.  The Steamroller deserves some asphalt, rather than cold aluminum rollers!

So I headed out with the Steamroller, and by either fate, or divine direction or something else, I found myself at the base Glendora Mountain Road.  I guess the Steamroller wants a challenge.  

46 x 15 fixed and heading up, I set a goal of the first saddle.  The first saddle would be just enough.  Just enough to keep my legs fresh for the downhill.  You see riding fixed gear you literally ride every inch, every mile, the pedals never stop turning.  Bombing down GMR you can easily reach speeds of 30 plus miles.  According to Sheldon Brown's Gear Calculator, at 120 rpm, I would be doing 28 mph.  So at an uncomfortable 140 rpm or more, I'd be hitting +30 mph.  That's an insane spin!

I made it to the first saddle and thought, "shoot, I made it this far, might as well ride to the maintenance shed."  So I pressed on and slowly made my way to the maintenance shed. Once I made my way to the shed, I felt like I accomplished something special.  I was happy.  


On the way up, the thought of bombing down GMR played over and over in my mind.  Going up was the "Easy" part.  But how...how would I fair on the downhill.  How would I negotiate the turns, the speed and the spin?  Luckily, I did have a front brake setup, but would a front brake alone be enough?  Different thoughts and scenarios ran though my mind.  Would I have to call someone to pick me up?  If I made it down on one piece, would I have enough energy to get home?

It was cold at the shed so I didn't stick around too long.  I wanted to keep my legs warm.  How horrible would it be to cramp on the ride down!  Well here I go. I headed down, trying to keep my legs loose.  One thing I learned from my FG friends online is when bombing downhill and you feel out of control to pedal faster!  Don't resist, go with the bike.  Amazingly this helps.  Heading down GMR you pick up speed quickly, so I let the bike go and when I felt like I was going too fast, I applied my front brake just enough to bring me back.  Back to the edge if crazy!

I made it down!  I was jazzed! I made it down safely, WOOHOO!  Boy am I tired.  Ugh, now for the trek home.  It was a slow ride home, I was tired yet very pleased.  

I think I will definitely try it again, maybe a few times and then set a goal for Mt Baldy (Although I am not sure about the ride down Mt Baldy on a Fixed Gear).

Carving the Mountains

While riding up GMR I always see Street Luge and Longboarders bombing down hill.  It looks like fun! 

These girls are pretty good on there longboards.


Carving the Mountains from Juan Rayos on Vimeo.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Campy's Electronic Shifting

Shimano did it and as expected Campagnolo would follow suit.  What about Sram? Sram at the moment doesn't seem interested.

To me shifting is not a problem, its not a particularly hard function and I am not 100% with the idea of electronic shifting yet. 

The beautiful thing about a bike is its relative simplicity.  Its basic form and function.  The connection with the bike, your push on the pedals powering it forward, your sweep of the fingers to change gears.  Adding electronic shifting seems so unnatural.

From Bicycle Retailer and Industry News ... "LINGUAGLOSSA, Italy—When Valentino Campagnolo was ready to press forward on commercializing his company’s electronic drivetrain, he knew the culture inside Campagnolo’s Vicenza, Italy, headquarters would also have to shift.

“It’s mandatory to have an electronics culture,” Campagnolo said in an interview during an early November press launch of its new Electronic Power Shift drivetrain.

“It’s not the biggest part of the job—that would be developing the product itself—but it’s been one of the toughest. You need to build specific technical competency in R&D, specific technical competency in the testing department, specific technical competency in the manufacturing shop.”

Read More ....

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Are Bicyclists a Faddist Minority?

Read More Here ...

"In March, New Yorker columnist John Cassidy blogged about the city’s new bike lanes. He was annoyed that they made it harder for him to drive his Jaguar around Manhattan, and bemoaned the city’s bicyclists as a privileged, insular aristocracy, a “faddist minority intent on foisting its bipedalist views on a disinterested or actively reluctant populace.”

OtterBox Celebrates Cycling Culture With Bike to Work Station

"FORT COLLINS, CO, Dec 08, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- OtterBox, maker of premier protective solutions for mobile technology, will welcome a flurry of frigid cyclists at its new headquarters building in downtown Fort Collins, Colo. The locally owned company will host a breakfast station for the 2011 Winter Bike to Work Day on Dec. 14."

""Being a member of the downtown business community, biking has really become a part of the OtterBox culture," said OtterBox Founder and CEO Curt Richardson. "We try to encourage our employees to bike to work whenever possible and are happy to support Bike to Work Day through this station.""

Read More ...

Monday, December 12, 2011

Dirty Dozen Race @ Canton Ave

Fargo Street is still longer ...

Canton Ave in Pittsburg is the steepest hill in the USA with its 37% Grade. 

Made in America?

With so much made oversees is it possible to make a bike entirely from US Manufacturers?  The answer would be a resounding NO.  There are great US customer builders that can make the frame and guys like Paul Components and White Industries for a few components but when its comes to derailers and shifters good luck! 

Click the link below for an interesting video on building a home using only 5% materials from US manufacturers.  According to the video by using only 5% you can create 220,000 jobs in America



So with that said, help me get as close to an ALL AMERICAN MADE bike.  Spec me out a bike using only US Manufacturers. I am interested in seeing what you come up with. Email me at Bicyclefriends@gmail.com

Thanks!

Saturday, December 10, 2011

COLD! Glendora Mountain Road to Mt Baldy Village

It was cold when I left the house at 7:11 am today. It was cold riding up GMR.  I made it to Mt Baldy and then back home in descent time but I don't really remember much details of the actual ride.  The only thing on my mind was keep moving, its cold, and even colder in the shade.

It was a weird, quiet, lonely ride,  I think my brain was partially frozen and not functioning right.  Now, I am home, it is warm.

Bicycle Friends, Christmas is Just Around the Corner!

If you are at a loss what to get your Bike Nut for Christmas these high-tech items are sure to please.

CLick Here for Full Article from LATIMES.com ...

"The "retro-grouch" — that hard-core traditionalist cyclist who was riding before it was cool and grew to hate the carbon fiber frames, heart rate monitors and other technological advances that swept the bike world in the last two decades — is a dying breed. The final high-tech nail in his coffin may be the items in this column. How good is this stuff? It makes pedaling a bike so irresistibly better, easier and faster that it might make no sense to be retro — or grouchy — anymore."


Shimano Electronic Shifters - At least you can look like a Pro.

Specialized Element Wire Tap Gloves - Access your iPhone with your gloves on.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Mongoose Dynametric

Those who know me, know I am an absolute Bike Nut. I love all bikes, okay, most bikes.  Well, two weeks ago, I get a text from an old high school friend, Mike Thompson. 

The text went something like, "Do you want the Mongoose." "Sure, how much."  "Free, Gratis, Nothing." "Okay."

I pick up the bike and it was in descent condition but needing some general TLC.  The first thing I did was strip off all the components so I could clean up the frame and components.  The old cantilever brakes and 7 speed shifters were trashed.  After a thorough cleaning, I reinstalled the components.  I went to Incycle, and bought new cables, brake levers and V-Brakes. I installed and adjusted everything. 

The  Mongoose Dynametric rides nice.  I had an old set of Shimano Deore LX thumb shifters.  I installed them and am amazed by how well the 7 speed setup shifts, so smooth and surprisingly quick!  I was instantly brought back to the early 1990s.  I think I could get by on an old 7 speed Deore setup. 

So now I have one more bike in my collection.  The frame is about 49cm.  Does anyone need a bike? I will let it go for what I have into it with regards to new cables, brakes, brake levers and my shifters. 







Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Sometimes Cycling Can Be Dangerous

So I wonder who's great idea this was?  And I thought bombing down Mystic or Web Canyon was dangerous.


Monday, December 5, 2011

Gears in Motion: Exploring Philadelphia's Bicycle Culture

Warning for the first 10 seconds there is no sound.

Gears in Motion explores the bicycle culture in Philadelphia, from the transition to cycling as a healthy recreational tool, to a viable form a transportation among working professionals. Out of the 10 largest cities in the country Phillips has the largest percentage of bicycle commuters.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

OTM - Joy Machines

Ohio City natives Alex Nosse and Renato Pereira-Castillo had the passion for doing something different. Together they opened Joy Machines a full-service community-oriented startup bike shop.


OTM - Joy Machines from Go Media on Vimeo.

Friday, December 2, 2011

DOMINIC GILL SHOWREEL

"A snapshot of Dominic's adventures, the people and places he has been lucky enough to visit, and the way in which his tandem bicycle helps cultural immersion reach a new level."


DOMINIC GILL SHOWREEL from dominic Gill on Vimeo.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cyclocross DFL

Dan McNally talks about cyclocross. Cyclocross is a great off-season sport for roadies and mountainbikers.  Dan talks about setting your own pace, holding it together and backing off at key moments.  


Cyclocross / DFL from nigel walker on Vimeo.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Bicycle Portraits

 "Stan Engelbrecht & Nic Grobler are publishing the best 165 portraits and stories of the over 500 portraits of cyclists they’ve photographed during their 2 year journey around South Africa. Divided over 3 books, each will contain a different 55 stories, and also two essays each by local South African and major international cycling figures. The books are designed by Gabrielle Guy (gabrielleguy.com) and they have also collaborated with celebrated South African artist Gabrielle Raaff (gabrielleraaff.com) to create an individual hand-painted watercolor map, based on Google Maps, to indicate the location of each of the portraits. Read More ..."


Bicycle Portraits - A Photographic Book - Kickstarter Part III from Bicycle Portraits on Vimeo.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Monday, November 28, 2011

Turkey Tri at Bonelli Park

This Sunday I decided to head out to Bonelli Park to see this years Turkey Tri.  It was a beautiful day for a triathlon and Chris McCormack 2 time Ironman World Champion was going to be at this years Turkey Tri.  I didn't think I was going to be able to see him, but I was luck and snapped a few pictures before he set off to race.


Chris McCormack was the the man to beat (Although, I don't think anyone did overall, but he wasn't the first out of the water).  For those of you who don't know who Chris McCormack is follow this link ...


The water was a warm 59 degrees, about 6 degrees warmer than last year. The distance of the swim was 1/2 mile.


Out of the water and into transition. 


Okay, I said the water was a "warm" 59 degrees.  That's still cold and this gal did it in her two piece.  


The transition from swim to ride was interesting and made for some close calls while mounting the bike.  Close calls being, potential crashes as the cold waters seemed to tighten muscles and throw off racers, equilibrium.  The bike portion was two laps around Bonelli or 14 miles.


This had to be the youngest Triathlete I saw all day.  Simply Amazing!






And now time for the run, total run distance was 4.5 miles.



Completed!  Racers were cheered on at all parts of the race, but the best part was crossing the finish line.  Racers were met by family and friends and even given a medal showing they completed this years Turkey Tri.


Sunday, November 27, 2011

To Potato with Bicycle Friends


On Saturday, Antonio, Imeh and his father, Matt and so many more decided to ride to Potato.  I started from my house and rode up Burbank, then down Marshal Canyon to meet the rest of the group at Oak Mesa Elementary School. 

We ended up getting to a late start at about 8 am.  Matt, Imeh's father and brother headed up Marshal Canyon before the rest of us.  They wanted to get a head start as catching them would be inevitable, or so we thought.  The rest of us headed up about 5 to 10 minutes later.

With bigger groups there is always a greater variance in skill sets.  The first part of Marshal Canyon was marked with frequent stops to re-group.  Finally, Antonio, Imeh and I decided to ride our own pace and catch up to his father, brother and Matt.  

We found Matt on the side of the trail.  He busted his dropout on a rock and was "jimmying" his derailer and chain to get it to at least be in rideable condition. I thought for sure Matt would opt to turn around, effectively finishing his ride.  Instead Matt decided to head up to Potato as a single speeder!  Great job!



We finally "caught" Imeh's father at Yellow Gate.  Imeh's brother decided to end his ride early and dropped down Cobal Canyon.  

Together we all made our way up to Potato.  At this point my energy was starting to wane and the last 3/4th till the top was the hardest.