John P is Killing it on Glendora Mountain Road

Last Saturday I rode up GMR with John P.  It was my first time up there on the fixie in a few months.  John P has been posting some killer times on Strava so I was a little nervous for this ride.

First, John's been doing this ride consistently with a 45 x 15 (or 14) ratio and in the 10's (mph).  Second, it was my first time up on a fixed gear bike in a while and I have been struggling to post an average speed of above 10 mph.

I arrived at SM/GMR & Sierra Madre at 5:45 am.  The plan was to cast off right at 6 am and I was a bit early. I could sleep.  I was too eager for this ride.  When John got there we quickly geared up and headed up the mountain.  I hung on John's rear wheel until the first saddle. He sped off. 

At the shack I new my time was going to be good.  I felt strong.  John uploaded his Strava data and BAM! He clocked 10.9 mph from the gate to shack!  Great job!

ENVE Company, U.S. MADE BY CHOICE

From Brian S. 

ENVE Company, U.S. MADE BY CHOICE from ENVE Composites on Vimeo.

Photographer Preposterously in the Way of Bike Race Gets Full Photoshop Battles Treatment

From Stan L.

Photographer Preposterously in the Way of Bike Race Gets Full Photoshop Battles Treatment
www.fstoppers.com
Austin Rogers
2014-05-12
Link: http://fstoppers.com/photographer-preposterously-in-the-way-of-bike-race-gets-full-photoshop-battles-treatment

In other this-is-why-I-love-the-internet news, at a cycling race last month, a photographer was seen laying in the way of the racers (check out their expressions). Naturally, the incredibly imaginative fine folks at Reddit photoshop battles were kind enough to make several beautiful creations featuring our out-of-place ‘tog.
In a later interview the photographer said that he was never in the way of the passing cyclists, but judging by their faces he was definitely a little too close for comfort. Fortunately nobody was injured, this could have easily gone terribly wrong!"

Click to continue reading ...

Team Sky, Giro Team Time Trial

The First Flying Bicycle

Sent in from Ed C.

This is the world’s first bicycle that doubles as a flying ultralight para-trike aircraft. When the para-wing is deployed from an integrated backpack to provide lift, a powerful two-stroke gasoline engine powers the craft’s three-bladed carbon fiber propeller for an airspeed of 25 mph. Designed to cruise at low altitudes (below 4,000') with a range of approximately 75 miles from a full tank, it can operate from any suitable area of open space.

Click to continue reading ...

Statue of Girl on a Bike

2015 Tarmac Rider-First Engineered™

Rider First Engineering... shouldn't every bike manufacturer be doing this in the first place.  Stupid marketing.  This just makes the case to buy from a smaller custom builder.

Hulk versus Spiderman

Federal judge limits use of Adventure Pass in Southern California forests

Federal judge limits use of Adventure Pass in Southern California forests
San Gabreiel Valley Tribune
Steve Scauzillo
2014-05-07
Link: http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-news/20140507/federal-judge-limits-use-of-adventure-pass-in-southern-california-forests

"A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Forest Service can no longer charge fees to visitors who hike, walk and bike in the undeveloped regions of the Cleveland, Los Padres, Angeles and San Bernardino national forests.

U.S. District Court Judge Terry Hatter Jr. ruled in favor of four hikers who were tired of paying fees to hike in these popular Southern California forests, often called the backyard of Los Angeles."

Click to continue reading...

This is the last big U.S. bike maker

Click to read article and watch video.

Huge bomb found as Giro d'Italia party hits town

Huge bomb found as Giro d'Italia party hits town
www.independent.it
By: Paul Willian
2014-05-12
Link: http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/huge-bomb-found-as-giro-ditalia-party-hits-town-30265425.html

ANTI-terrorist detectives seized a massive car bomb in Dublin which was primed and ready to be detonated.

The car containing the milk churn bomb was discovered by gardai in the car park of the Finnstown Country House hotel in Lucan, Co Dublin.

Sources revealed that it contained 50lb of explosives made from fertiliser, and was armed and ready for use with a timer attached.

While the intended target remained unclear, the bomb was seized just hours before the culmination of the high profile Giro d'Italia.

Click to continue reading....

The Rules

The Rules
www.velominati.com
By The Keepers
2009-06-01
Link: http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/

This is a great read regaring the rules of cycling. 

We are the Keepers of the Cog. In so being, we also maintain the sacred text wherein lie the simple truths of cycling etiquette known as The Rules. It is in our trust to maintain and endorse this list.

The Rules lie at the beginning of The Path to La Vie Velominatus, not at the end; learning to balance them against one another and to welcome them all into your life as a Velominatus is a never-ending struggle waged between form and function as we continue along The Path towards transcension.

Click to continue reading...

The History of Mountain Biking Promo

Star Wars Handlebars

Rollers Versus Trainers - Revisted

I have rollers but am thinking about getting a trainer (AGAIN).  I need to step up my game.  Either I'm slowing down in my "Golden Years" or the guys I ride with are just getting faster and faster. 

I am not sure if a trainer will benefit me any more than my rollers.  I spoke with a guy at Incycle and he said stick to the rollers and download some training videos from www.TheSufferfest.com.  I think I'll give this a try before giving up on the rollers.



*** I really enjoy the rollers and they have helped a lot.  The guy at Incycle told me to save my money because, in his opinion, rollers are the way to go.  My biggest concern is how to simulate climbing exercise on them.

Couple Builds Own Tiny House on Wheels

I want one.  Give me a plot of land and one of these tiny homes and I am good.

Where's Northy?

Where's Northy? from WellPlastic Films on Vimeo.
Nottingham-based Richard North, AKA Northy, has set himself a massive challenge: to cycle around the world. He aims to cover 30,000 miles in two years.

www.wheresnorthy.com

Filmed on Sony FS700 in Nottinghamshire
by www.itswellplastic.com

Crazy Legs - Vanderkitten

Pomona (Diamond Bar/Rancho Cucamonga/Claremont) to GMR to Mt Baldy

Yeah, that's right.  Gary from Rancho, Richard from Claremont, Michael from Diamond Bar and me representing Pomona all converged upon Glendora Mountain Road to My Baldy. 

It was a great ride.  Gary's training for his Ironman in June.  Richard and Michael kicked butt up GMR to the shack.  I was sure Richard was going to smoke Mike up but not so much.  Mike is still KOM. 

I am slowly fighting my way to a PR on SM/GMR to the Maintenance Shed.

Good times with great friends.

EAST BELFAST - PINK LYCRA GIRO D'ITALIA 2014

With the Giro coming, East Belfast came out with this parody of a very famous Queen song.

Chris Anker Sorensen - Cut to the bone

Chris Anker Sorensen cuts his fingers to the bone on St 17 of the 2012 Tour trying to remove newspaper from his spokes.  After the stage he was rushed to the hospital and it was determined there was no major damage except for the deep cuts.  Sorensen went on to finish the Tour in 14th place, fucking BEAST!

Link: http://houseofdynamite.tumblr.com/post/48107407525/chris-anker-sorensen-cuts-his-fingers-to-the-bone

Sci-Fi Space Ships

Link: http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/but-not-simpler/2013/10/08/what-the-nerdiest-chart-of-sci-fi-ships-says-about-our-dreams-of-space/#.U2Fr2q1dWDo

Wolfpack Hustle Shortline Crit

How to Change a flat tire with Evelyn Stevens

Personally Greg Lemond's video was the best.  Nice try Evelyn.

In 1890s Chicago, bicycles were all the rage

Brian S posted this a few days ago on FB. 

In 1890s Chicago, bicycles were all the rage
Chicago Tribune
Robert Loerzel
2014-05-03
Link: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-05-03/news/ct-bicycle-craze-flashback-0427-20140503_1_bicycles-bikes-cyclists

"Chicago's fastest, rudest bicyclists were called "scorchers." They hunched over their handlebars as they raced in the streets.

They were "selfish, reckless, impudent transgressors of the law and trespassers upon the rights of others," the Tribune harrumphed. The newspaper described scorchers as cyclists "who delight to whirl around corners without warning and sweep down upon the unwary on a crossing, with a laugh at the alarm they cause and only a very slight fear of the police."

Click to continue reading...

How To Be A Gentleman Cyclist

Beer Mile World Record: 4:57 by James Nielsen

Man Runs Sub-5 Beer Mile
www.Outsideonline.com
Martin Fritz Huber
Link: http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from-the-field/Man-Breaks-the-Five-Minute-Beer-Mile-Barrier.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebookpost

"We are one week away from the 60-year anniversary of Roger Bannister running the first sub-four-minute mile. What he accomplished on that blustery day in 1954 on Oxford University's track is perhaps still the most significant moment in athletics: a testament to humankind's eternal striving to break barriers once thought impenetrable.

Now humanity can celebrate another such milestone: The sub-five-minute beer mile has been achieved."

Click to continue reading...

As The Crow Flies

As The Crow Flies from howies on Vimeo.
Ade from howies and Dom from Wold met up in mid-Wales for a ride to the coast by howies HQ.

They rode two hand built howies x Wold cyclocross bikes over the mountain terrain, boggy tracks and winding roads and rocky paths in as straight a line as possible.

53 miles,
2 hand built bikes,
Mountains to sea,
As the crow flies.

www.howies.co.uk

Filmed & Edited by Ricky Adam
Music: Up Through The Night by Juno

Crazy Legs

Dropkick Murphys - Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced

Sent to me from Jason W.  We were talking about guilty pleasure songs.  While I chose Justin Bieber, "Baby, Baby" and Jessica Black's, "Friday", Jason W chose ... well here you go.

I don't really think it counts but its still a good song.

Santa Monica Bicycle Expo May 3 - 4

Need something to do this weekend? Visit the Santa Monica Bicycle Expo May 3 - 4.

Link: http://www.bicycle-expo.com/

The Forever Lock

Sent in from Peter R.

Extreme Unicycling

Sent in from Richard M

Falcon in a tree, no really!

Sent in from Carl B.

Fix the Iceland

Fix the Iceland from krystof melka on Vimeo.
"First attempt to cross the Iceland on fixed gear bikes"


Expedition members | Kryštof Hlůže, Kryštof Melka, Jakub Voverka
Cinematography and Editing | Kryštof Melka
Editing and Drift camera operator | Kryštof Hlůže
Expedition production | Kateřina Pisáčková, Natálie Krausová
Music | Jonáš Rosůlek - Needles
Sound | Martin Tauber, André Alin - Needles
Graphic Design | Petra Roubalová - DIP
Translation | Max Dvořák, Ráchel Smékalová

fixtheiceland.com
hyena.si

Prague 2014

Argonaut Deep South Odyssey

Argonaut Deep South Odyssey from Argonaut Cycles on Vimeo.
Introducing our new Gravel Racer, in it's natural habitat. We built this bike specifically to go fast on gravel roads and the Rouge Roubaix was the perfect proving ground for the bike.
Learn more about Space Bikes and custom carbon fiber at http://www.argonautcycles.com.

Marianne Vos on a bike

Girl on a bike

The Treadmill Bike

Sent in from Richard but orginally seen on www.glendoramtnroad.com 

Specialized S-Works Tarmac

Yummy Goodness

Greg Lemond - How to Fix a Flat

How to Fix a Flat from 9W magazine on Vimeo.
An instructional video on how to fix a flat tire featuring 3-time Tour de France Champion Greg LeMond.

74 Year versus 40 Year old Triathlete - Interesting Read!!!

At 74-years old...these are your legs on triathlon & these are your legs without triathlon

A new study called, "Chronic Exercise Preserves Lean Muscle Mass in Masters Athletes," which you can read HERE graphically illustrates what happens to your muscles (with and without) the type of regular and beneficial exercise that the sport of triathlon provides.

The image below is a cross section of a 40-year-old triathlete's legs and the associated muscle. But the two images below it are the really interesting and telling ones.

40-year-old Triathlete

74-year-old Sedentary Man

74-year-old Triathlete

As you can tell, the 74-year-old masters triathlete's legs are not unlike that of the 40-year-old triathlete's legs. The study's authors go on to write:

"It is commonly believed that with aging comes an inevitable decline from vitality to frailty. This includes feeling weak and often the loss of independence. These declines may have more to do with lifestyle choices, including sedentary living and poor nutrition, than the absolute potential of musculoskeletal aging.

In this study, we sought to eliminate the confounding variables of sedentary living and muscle disuse, and answer the question of what really happens to our muscles as we age if we are chronically active. This study and those discussed here show that we are capable of preserving both muscle mass and strength with lifelong physical activity."

They conclude by writing:

"The loss of lean muscle mass and the resulting subjective and objective weakness experienced with sedentary aging imposes significant but modifiable personal, societal, and economic burdens. As sports medicine clinicians, we must encourage people to become or remain active at all ages. This study, and those reviewed here, document the possibility to maintain muscle mass and strength across the ages via simple lifestyle changes."

Girls on a bike, Crazy Legs

Girl on a bike, Crazy Legs

Dog Guards Bike

Better than any bike chain. Sent in from Richard.

Bicycle Self-Defense

BMX Girl

Catching up with John P.

No really, that guy has really stepped up his game.  He is one of few people who ride fixie up GMR. 

Calories

Something I look forward to AFTER the ride.  Pizza, carbs, junk food!

Hunting For Monsters - Trailer

From: http://theradavist.com/2014/04/hunting-monsters-full-length/


Hunting For Monsters - Trailer from Bjørn on Vimeo.

Victoria Pendleton

Keirin

Girl on a bike

Yummy Goodness

And even after our Easter feast!

Eddy Merckx

Canyon adding Weight

Off-Topic

The Easter Babe

Lance Armstrong Fix a Flat

In case you missed it ...

How to Make a Sick Mountain Bike Edit

How to Make a Sick Mountain Bike Edit from nsmb.com on Vimeo.
You might know how to make a mountain bike film but do you know how to make a sick edit?
www.nsmb.com
--
Created by Matt Dennison
www.mattdennison.tv

Monday Night Psycho List "Crazy Legs" Ride

How to Score Speed in L.A. on a Mountain Bike

How to Score Speed in L.A. on a Mountain Bike
www.RedBull.com
By Scott Hart
2014-04-02
Link: http://www.redbull.com/us/en/bike/stories/1331643330327/curtis-keene-speed-los-angeles-video

"A pro mountain biker seeks epic singletrack in the dense urban jungle near downtown Los Angeles.

Accessible by over 9.8 million people on a daily basis, the Santa Monica mountain range extends through the heart of Los Angeles County -- twisting through the stars' backyards in the Hollywood Hills to the edge of the Pacific Ocean.

Can prime mountain bike terrain really exist amongst the concrete, gridlock traffic and congestion?

Watch the video above (Follow Link) to follow Curtis Keene down one of the fastest trails in all of Southern California."

Click to continue reading ...

Road Bike Party 2 - Martyn Ashton

Sent in from Wayne L.