Excursion in Ostrava II

Excursion in Ostrava II. from Metan trials. on Vimeo.

Fixed Jam 2012 - Thailand

Fixed Gear Free Style straight out of Thailand.


Fixed Jam 2012 from Coolman on Vimeo.

1963's PSA on Bike Safety

Interesting video kinda spooky, kinda Twilight Zone, or Planet of the Apes, or ...

"The Greatest bicycle instructional video ever.. made in 1963, plot- 10 kids, mostly monkeys, go to a picnic 9 blocks away, and break every rule in the book getting there. What not to do."



And just for fun, Put the Lime in the Coconut!

The Holstee Manifesto

Live Your Dream and Share Your Passion

LES NINJAS DU JAPON

""Les Ninjas du Japon" (73 minutes) is about a team of Japanese cyclists in Africa, in much the same way that the Tour de France is about sightseeing in the Alps and Pyrenees while tooling around on a bike. From the film's opening shot, writer/director/cinematographer Giommi is far more interested in what happens in the foreground and behind the action at the Tour du Faso as opposed to the race itself. With inspired assistance from cinematographer Bruno Pappalettera and editor Fabio Capalbo, Giommi explores cultural disparities and meeting points when a semipro cycling team from Asia enters the 20th edition of Africa's largest bicycle stage race. Through a series of arresting miniaturist images, Giommi uncovers layers of meaning, political and human, in a sporting event that, though modest, draws competitors from around the world to one of the world's poorest and unstable nations."

"LES NINJAS DU JAPON" trailer 2007 from Giovanni Giommi on Vimeo.

Contador Receives His Weight in Honey

Read the entire article here ...

"PENALVER, Spain - Champion cyclist Alberto Contador has been awarded the peculiar honour of receiving his weight in honey, a delicacy of the Spanish town of Penalver.

Contador, along with his bike, were weighed on a scale set up in the town square on Saturday. The total was multiplied by six for the Spanish rider's major stage wins (three at the Tour de France, two at the Giro d'Italia, and one at the Spanish Vuelta) for a total of 130 kilograms of honey.

Spain football coach Vicente Del Bosque received the honour last year that is given to promote the local product.

Contador is awaiting the verdict of the Court of Arbitration for Sport on his alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs in the 2010 Tour."

Zooey Deschanel on a Bike

Zooey Deschanel on a bike.  This is the second pic I found of her with bike.

Pomona to Azusa to East Fork to GMR to Baldy then Home!

Today I had a great ride.  It was cold when Michael and I left my house before 7 am and it pretty much stayed that way until we finished our ride. This would be my first successful ride up the Hwy 39 to Mt Baldy.  The first try ended short when both my legs decided to cramp. 

I was a little nervous about this ride since my last attempt ended in failure, but Mike was intent on doing it so I had to give it another try.  We left the house before 7 am and there wasn't a cloud in the sky but it was very cold. 

Prior to the ride, I couldn't make up my mind whether or not to wear my leg warmers. I had a long sleeve base layer top, a long sleeve jersey, full finger gloves and a wool head warmer.  Its tricky leaving in cold weather because I don't like to bring too much and have to shove "STUFF" into my jersey pockets as the temperature rises.  On the flip side, if the temperature never goes up, I'm basically miserable for the length of the ride.  So I guess I am saying IT'S COMPLICATED!

With that said, Mike shows up in tights, long sleeve jersey and full finger gloves.  I asked him about his concerns about being too hot but he was sure it would be considerably colder up the mountain.  I decided to put on leg warmers and needless to say, Mike was right.  It was down right freezing in some areas!

It was an easy ride down Foothill to Azusa Ave.  On Foothill there was a group of 10 riders, heading to what seemed like Pasadena.  Hwy 39 to Camp Williams went by quickly. Then there was East Fork to GMR.  This was the first real climbing to do.  If I was going to break, it would be at East Fork to GMR.  I was nervous, I kept my head down the whole way.  I refused to look at the mile markers or the road ahead.  My eyes fixated on the white lines at the side of the road to keep me from drifting too far off . My mind focused solely on making circles or spinning, not mashing gears.  It worked, we made it to the top and I felt pretty darn good!

At the top of East Fork/GMR we rested for a few minutes then started to Mt Baldy.  This is where Mike dropped me, but I steadily made my way to the village, counting down the mile markers.  I was glad to see Mile Marker 8.29.  8.29 marks the last of hard climbing and the descent toward Cow Saddle Canyon (Is it Cow Saddle or Cow Cattle?).

Success, The Village!  There was no celebrating at the Village.  We quickly made our way down Mt Baldy Rd. to Claremont and then back home.  It was a great ride and I am very glad I am not too tired or sore.  My goal is to ride the Mt Baldy version of L'Etape Du California this year.

Vegemite - Gross!

I was shopping at Cost Plus World Market when I can across Vegemite.  It instantly reminded me of the Men at Work song, "Land Down Under," and new I needed to try a Vegemite Sandwich.

Well YouTube.com said toast bread, add some butter and a healthy swipe of Vegemite.  I did just that and YUCK!  Vegemite was one of the nastiest things I've ever eaten. 

I asked a friend about its uses and I guess its good to add to a hot pot of soup.  Adding the Unami, or 5th taste.  I haven't 10% given up on Vegemite just yet.

JAKARTARCK -BFF2011 Edition

I get a few viewers from Jakarta, which surprised me in the beginning but as you can see from this video they are just as crazy about bikes as we are.

"This is the reason I love the "Fixed Gear Scene". The obsessive mental masturbation about bits od anodised metal from Japan/Italy/USA and the desire to be adred by your peers for riding a clownbike," Mr Smith at LFGSS.

JAKARTARCK-BFF2011 Edition from Sinema Sepeda on Vimeo.

Gusztav Csal

Cool Cartoon.

JAKARTARCK - Teaser

"Our 4th teaser for "JAKARTARCK", a semi-documentary film about the story behind the early scene of fixed gear community and culture in Jakarta, Indonesia. So we got bored and decided that a very simple animation would do for our last teaser"


JAKARTARCK-Teaser04-Jakartoon from Sinema Sepeda on Vimeo.

Dromarti Storica

I've been riding Steamroller a lot lately, both on the rollers and on the road.  On the rollers, I ride with cages and on the road, I ride clipless.  This poses a problem as I am constantly swapping out pedals on the Steamroller.  Swapping out pedals aren't ridiculously difficult but an inconvenience no doubt.

I was looking for good bicycle shoes so I could continue with cages only but everything I find don't seem to "work" for me.  The Fixie Hipster types use skate shoes but for me they are too flexible.

After searching I found these, Dromarti Storica.  Wow, what a great looking cycling shoe.

I Found A Bike Today

In love with bicycles, a relationship with bicycles?  This is a funny video of a man in a relationship with his bike(s). 

UniGeezer Rides the Nimbus Oregon

UniGeezer rides the Nimbus Oregon from UniCycle.com.  This promo is pretty cool, and I got to hand it to UniGeezer, he's got some great skills.

I really need to try out a Unicycle.

"Go on a Bike Ride With You, I'd Rather Cry in a BMW!"

I found this bit of news regarding China and its changing cultural landscape very interesting.  Ma Nuo, if you're crying in a BMW, its probably not a good thing,  Riding a bike is fun!  In all seriousness, this article just shows the western influence on China and all the great capitalistic goodness the we have to offer.  Ha!

Read the Entire Article Here ... 

"The show, “If You Are the One,” broke ratings records in the first half of 2010. More than 50 million people tuned in. The sauciest contestants became sensations — one aspiring actress famously rejected a man offering a bicycle ride by saying, “I’d rather cry in a BMW.” The show attracted huge interest from Chinese overseas; some students on American campuses even filmed their own versions. It increased the nation’s cultural influence, which China’s leaders crave."

Day Two of 2012

On the second day of the New Year the Family decided on bike ride to Larken Park in Claremont.  It was a beautiful day, 80 degrees, warm, with few clouds.  Its hard to believe its winter but then again we live in Southern California.

Lots of leaves.  Adam and Francesca enjoyed riding over the falling leaves.  The crackles and crunching, it was so much fun riding through the pile of leaves.

 

Cervelo For SALE

I found this bit of news on Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Very interesting as I am quite fond of Cervelos.  In fact, I own one and am looking at the T1 and R5.  I have to wonder if their recent "Buy Two Cervelos" and save $2000 is a way to quickly sell off existing inventory and trump up cash flow.

Read the full article here ...

"Dutch conglomerate Pon, which recently bought Derby Cycle, has agreed to 'a financing arrangement' with Cervélo and has retained an exclusive option to purchase the Canadian company.

Cervélo announced the agreement late Friday on its website:

Cervélo has entered into a financing arrangement with PON Holdings BV. In addition, Cervélo and PON have signed a Letter of Intent that enables both parties to agree on a sale of Cervélo in exclusivity."

Well it looks like Cervelo is selling to Pon.

From Cervelo.com ...

"Updated information: Thanks to everybody who commented on our message that we're contemplating a sale of the company. To answer some of your questions, here is a bit of background. Cervélo has experienced exceptional growth and success since we started 16 years ago. A potential sale of the company allows us to continue to grow Cervélo without changing any of the things that make it special."

I hope Cervelo will continue to be on the cutting edge of technology.  In a few short years, they really have become a household name and many racers, triathlons and weekend warriors have embraced their bicycles. 

The Beast

Dane Searls

Dane Searls is sick, these jumps are out of this world.  50ft, 60ft such skills.