It's getting close to the time when news of '07 product is going to be coming out, ( as I posted recently) and Trek is the first to rock the boat and rock it in a big way!
Rumblings of a tubeless system for 29" tires has been heard from the bowels of the Trek Empire for a couple of years now with promises that they would finally come out with it.....someday. Well, that someday is closer now that Trek has announced the existence of the product in an official press release on cyclingnews.com. Here is the "meat" of the news excerpted from that link:
"Naturally, Bontrager will offer several new tubeless-ready 29er tires to mount on the new hoops, including its extant Jones ACX and Jones XR tread patterns as well as a new Dry X. When combined with Bontrager's Super Juice sealant, the new wheel and tire combo is said to drop a whopping 315g from last year's Race Lite 29 wheelset and standard tubed tires."
The news also tells of a new rim that is tubeless compatible to go along with the system. If the system works as advertised, this will be a huge advancement in the 29"er format and should bring performance levels up a few notches. There will be alot of people watching this developement very closely!
Finally, in a bit of an ironic twist, Trek engineers working with Answer Manitou suspension people have developed a new suspension fork offset for 26 inch wheeled bikes! Ahhhh! Say it ain't so, Gary! We needed that on our 29"ers way worse than you needed that on your Genesis 2 geometry for your 26 inch wheeled rigs. 43mm. of offset in a suspension fork would be pure gold in a 29 inch format. I can only hope that there is some secret 29"er fork in developement from Manitou waiting in the wings to really take advantage of this new crown offset. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is such a fork coming. It just makes way too much sense for there not to be such a fork.
Good news! Now we'll have to wait to be able to actually get our mits on the stuff. Any bets out there? Fall '06? Next year? Ya gotta be careful when it comes to Trek. Usually later than sooner with them!
Friday, July 07, 2006
Tubeless Tires a Reality For 29"ers?
It's getting close to the time when news of '07 product is going to be coming out, ( as I posted recently) and Trek is the first to rock the boat and rock it in a big way!
Rumblings of a tubeless system for 29" tires has been heard from the bowels of the Trek Empire for a couple of years now with promises that they would finally come out with it.....someday. Well, that someday is closer now that Trek has announced the existence of the product in an official press release on cyclingnews.com. Here is the "meat" of the news excerpted from that link:
"Naturally, Bontrager will offer several new tubeless-ready 29er tires to mount on the new hoops, including its extant Jones ACX and Jones XR tread patterns as well as a new Dry X. When combined with Bontrager's Super Juice sealant, the new wheel and tire combo is said to drop a whopping 315g from last year's Race Lite 29 wheelset and standard tubed tires."
The news also tells of a new rim that is tubeless compatible to go along with the system. If the system works as advertised, this will be a huge advancement in the 29"er format and should bring performance levels up a few notches. There will be alot of people watching this developement very closely!
Finally, in a bit of an ironic twist, Trek engineers working with Answer Manitou suspension people have developed a new suspension fork offset for 26 inch wheeled bikes! Ahhhh! Say it ain't so, Gary! We needed that on our 29"ers way worse than you needed that on your Genesis 2 geometry for your 26 inch wheeled rigs. 43mm. of offset in a suspension fork would be pure gold in a 29 inch format. I can only hope that there is some secret 29"er fork in developement from Manitou waiting in the wings to really take advantage of this new crown offset. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is such a fork coming. It just makes way too much sense for there not to be such a fork.
Good news! Now we'll have to wait to be able to actually get our mits on the stuff. Any bets out there? Fall '06? Next year? Ya gotta be careful when it comes to Trek. Usually later than sooner with them!
Rumblings of a tubeless system for 29" tires has been heard from the bowels of the Trek Empire for a couple of years now with promises that they would finally come out with it.....someday. Well, that someday is closer now that Trek has announced the existence of the product in an official press release on cyclingnews.com. Here is the "meat" of the news excerpted from that link:
"Naturally, Bontrager will offer several new tubeless-ready 29er tires to mount on the new hoops, including its extant Jones ACX and Jones XR tread patterns as well as a new Dry X. When combined with Bontrager's Super Juice sealant, the new wheel and tire combo is said to drop a whopping 315g from last year's Race Lite 29 wheelset and standard tubed tires."
The news also tells of a new rim that is tubeless compatible to go along with the system. If the system works as advertised, this will be a huge advancement in the 29"er format and should bring performance levels up a few notches. There will be alot of people watching this developement very closely!
Finally, in a bit of an ironic twist, Trek engineers working with Answer Manitou suspension people have developed a new suspension fork offset for 26 inch wheeled bikes! Ahhhh! Say it ain't so, Gary! We needed that on our 29"ers way worse than you needed that on your Genesis 2 geometry for your 26 inch wheeled rigs. 43mm. of offset in a suspension fork would be pure gold in a 29 inch format. I can only hope that there is some secret 29"er fork in developement from Manitou waiting in the wings to really take advantage of this new crown offset. In fact, I'm willing to bet that there is such a fork coming. It just makes way too much sense for there not to be such a fork.
Good news! Now we'll have to wait to be able to actually get our mits on the stuff. Any bets out there? Fall '06? Next year? Ya gotta be careful when it comes to Trek. Usually later than sooner with them!
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Thursday News and Views
I am hearing that Norco, ( a Canadian based bicycle manufacturer) may be coming out with a 29"er based on the Nitro hardtail. Purely a rumor at this point, but not surprising to hear as alot of second tier manufacturers are coming aboard the 29"er mothership lately. At least the mountain bikers north of the border will have a home grown choice in big wheels.
Van Dessel Cycles is going to introduce new, upgraded 29"er models to their line up at Pedro Fest later this month. The framesets will be all new and based upon the old Buzz Bomb frames. The new names are Ramble Tamble, for the ss/ Rohloff/ gearie compatible frame- Jersey Devil, for the geared only hardtail with carbon fiber seat stays and- Jersey Devil FS, for the 4" travel, geared only full suspension model. The frames will all have upgraded, lightweight tube sets to appeal more to the racing/ weight weenie crowds.
Panaracer is about to come forth with it's first samples of the 29 inch version of the all new Rampage tire. The 26 inch version is currently in the hands of some feild testers. The tire has a voluminous casing with widely spaced and ramped tread blocks that extend down the sides of the casing somewhat. The knobs are big and squarish in shape, with some grouped together. The tread looks agressive, grippy, and the casing looks wide and cushy. These are supposed to be 2.35 inches wide in the 29"er format. If they are, they will become the instant All Mountain tire of choice for 29"er riders world wide. Look out Exi Wolf! The Rampage models are due out next month.
Although July has just started, I'd be surprised if news of new products for the 29"er market doesn't start leaking out at higher and higher rates as we approach September and Interbike time. Things like more tire choices, 29"er specific rims, and suspension forks are just a few of the rumblings that I have heard about. Time will tell, but the time to be ready for Interbike introductions is right about now. That's why I think we'll be seeing more and more news very soon!
Great Divide Race Update: As of yesterday, there are now only two official contenders for the Great Divide Race. Matthew Lee is still on course in southern Colorado/ northern New Mexico somewhere after leaving Salida, Colorado yesterday with his fork fixed and the roads cleared of debris from land slides. John Nobile dropped out at Steam Boat Springs suffering from a cold that was not getting better. Somewhere out there and last heard from in Montana is Kenny Maldonando, who as yet has not officially pulled out of the event.
I was being cajoled by Mr. 24 to take part in the 12 hour race this weekend at Blue Mound in Wisconsin. I had to resist the temptation though, as I must finish pre riding the G.T.D.R.I. route on Saturday if I am to be able to confirm the route and give some mileages. My last opportunity to ride the course is two weeks before the event on August 5/6th, because on the 22nd of July I am already committed to the Lincoln Boys 162. ( That ride doesn't really have an "official" name, so I came up with that one!) With my calendar already so full, I had to turn Mr. 24 down! Rats! It soundes like a fun event!
Van Dessel Cycles is going to introduce new, upgraded 29"er models to their line up at Pedro Fest later this month. The framesets will be all new and based upon the old Buzz Bomb frames. The new names are Ramble Tamble, for the ss/ Rohloff/ gearie compatible frame- Jersey Devil, for the geared only hardtail with carbon fiber seat stays and- Jersey Devil FS, for the 4" travel, geared only full suspension model. The frames will all have upgraded, lightweight tube sets to appeal more to the racing/ weight weenie crowds.
Panaracer is about to come forth with it's first samples of the 29 inch version of the all new Rampage tire. The 26 inch version is currently in the hands of some feild testers. The tire has a voluminous casing with widely spaced and ramped tread blocks that extend down the sides of the casing somewhat. The knobs are big and squarish in shape, with some grouped together. The tread looks agressive, grippy, and the casing looks wide and cushy. These are supposed to be 2.35 inches wide in the 29"er format. If they are, they will become the instant All Mountain tire of choice for 29"er riders world wide. Look out Exi Wolf! The Rampage models are due out next month.
Although July has just started, I'd be surprised if news of new products for the 29"er market doesn't start leaking out at higher and higher rates as we approach September and Interbike time. Things like more tire choices, 29"er specific rims, and suspension forks are just a few of the rumblings that I have heard about. Time will tell, but the time to be ready for Interbike introductions is right about now. That's why I think we'll be seeing more and more news very soon!
Great Divide Race Update: As of yesterday, there are now only two official contenders for the Great Divide Race. Matthew Lee is still on course in southern Colorado/ northern New Mexico somewhere after leaving Salida, Colorado yesterday with his fork fixed and the roads cleared of debris from land slides. John Nobile dropped out at Steam Boat Springs suffering from a cold that was not getting better. Somewhere out there and last heard from in Montana is Kenny Maldonando, who as yet has not officially pulled out of the event.
I was being cajoled by Mr. 24 to take part in the 12 hour race this weekend at Blue Mound in Wisconsin. I had to resist the temptation though, as I must finish pre riding the G.T.D.R.I. route on Saturday if I am to be able to confirm the route and give some mileages. My last opportunity to ride the course is two weeks before the event on August 5/6th, because on the 22nd of July I am already committed to the Lincoln Boys 162. ( That ride doesn't really have an "official" name, so I came up with that one!) With my calendar already so full, I had to turn Mr. 24 down! Rats! It soundes like a fun event!
Thursday News and Views
I am hearing that Norco, ( a Canadian based bicycle manufacturer) may be coming out with a 29"er based on the Nitro hardtail. Purely a rumor at this point, but not surprising to hear as alot of second tier manufacturers are coming aboard the 29"er mothership lately. At least the mountain bikers north of the border will have a home grown choice in big wheels.
Van Dessel Cycles is going to introduce new, upgraded 29"er models to their line up at Pedro Fest later this month. The framesets will be all new and based upon the old Buzz Bomb frames. The new names are Ramble Tamble, for the ss/ Rohloff/ gearie compatible frame- Jersey Devil, for the geared only hardtail with carbon fiber seat stays and- Jersey Devil FS, for the 4" travel, geared only full suspension model. The frames will all have upgraded, lightweight tube sets to appeal more to the racing/ weight weenie crowds.
Panaracer is about to come forth with it's first samples of the 29 inch version of the all new Rampage tire. The 26 inch version is currently in the hands of some feild testers. The tire has a voluminous casing with widely spaced and ramped tread blocks that extend down the sides of the casing somewhat. The knobs are big and squarish in shape, with some grouped together. The tread looks agressive, grippy, and the casing looks wide and cushy. These are supposed to be 2.35 inches wide in the 29"er format. If they are, they will become the instant All Mountain tire of choice for 29"er riders world wide. Look out Exi Wolf! The Rampage models are due out next month.
Although July has just started, I'd be surprised if news of new products for the 29"er market doesn't start leaking out at higher and higher rates as we approach September and Interbike time. Things like more tire choices, 29"er specific rims, and suspension forks are just a few of the rumblings that I have heard about. Time will tell, but the time to be ready for Interbike introductions is right about now. That's why I think we'll be seeing more and more news very soon!
Great Divide Race Update: As of yesterday, there are now only two official contenders for the Great Divide Race. Matthew Lee is still on course in southern Colorado/ northern New Mexico somewhere after leaving Salida, Colorado yesterday with his fork fixed and the roads cleared of debris from land slides. John Nobile dropped out at Steam Boat Springs suffering from a cold that was not getting better. Somewhere out there and last heard from in Montana is Kenny Maldonando, who as yet has not officially pulled out of the event.
I was being cajoled by Mr. 24 to take part in the 12 hour race this weekend at Blue Mound in Wisconsin. I had to resist the temptation though, as I must finish pre riding the G.T.D.R.I. route on Saturday if I am to be able to confirm the route and give some mileages. My last opportunity to ride the course is two weeks before the event on August 5/6th, because on the 22nd of July I am already committed to the Lincoln Boys 162. ( That ride doesn't really have an "official" name, so I came up with that one!) With my calendar already so full, I had to turn Mr. 24 down! Rats! It soundes like a fun event!
Van Dessel Cycles is going to introduce new, upgraded 29"er models to their line up at Pedro Fest later this month. The framesets will be all new and based upon the old Buzz Bomb frames. The new names are Ramble Tamble, for the ss/ Rohloff/ gearie compatible frame- Jersey Devil, for the geared only hardtail with carbon fiber seat stays and- Jersey Devil FS, for the 4" travel, geared only full suspension model. The frames will all have upgraded, lightweight tube sets to appeal more to the racing/ weight weenie crowds.
Panaracer is about to come forth with it's first samples of the 29 inch version of the all new Rampage tire. The 26 inch version is currently in the hands of some feild testers. The tire has a voluminous casing with widely spaced and ramped tread blocks that extend down the sides of the casing somewhat. The knobs are big and squarish in shape, with some grouped together. The tread looks agressive, grippy, and the casing looks wide and cushy. These are supposed to be 2.35 inches wide in the 29"er format. If they are, they will become the instant All Mountain tire of choice for 29"er riders world wide. Look out Exi Wolf! The Rampage models are due out next month.
Although July has just started, I'd be surprised if news of new products for the 29"er market doesn't start leaking out at higher and higher rates as we approach September and Interbike time. Things like more tire choices, 29"er specific rims, and suspension forks are just a few of the rumblings that I have heard about. Time will tell, but the time to be ready for Interbike introductions is right about now. That's why I think we'll be seeing more and more news very soon!
Great Divide Race Update: As of yesterday, there are now only two official contenders for the Great Divide Race. Matthew Lee is still on course in southern Colorado/ northern New Mexico somewhere after leaving Salida, Colorado yesterday with his fork fixed and the roads cleared of debris from land slides. John Nobile dropped out at Steam Boat Springs suffering from a cold that was not getting better. Somewhere out there and last heard from in Montana is Kenny Maldonando, who as yet has not officially pulled out of the event.
I was being cajoled by Mr. 24 to take part in the 12 hour race this weekend at Blue Mound in Wisconsin. I had to resist the temptation though, as I must finish pre riding the G.T.D.R.I. route on Saturday if I am to be able to confirm the route and give some mileages. My last opportunity to ride the course is two weeks before the event on August 5/6th, because on the 22nd of July I am already committed to the Lincoln Boys 162. ( That ride doesn't really have an "official" name, so I came up with that one!) With my calendar already so full, I had to turn Mr. 24 down! Rats! It soundes like a fun event!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Cycling is........
Okay..........I admit it! I am a Tour deFrance geek! I got sucked in again, despite the pre-race doping massacre of all the top rated riders. I am sitting in front of the digital idiot box devouring all the live updates and gear stories that I can find. Same Tour- different year! So, is any of the remaining top riders going to finish? The fantasy Tour players must be in total disarray now! Valverde, Rodriquez, Dekker, and probably O'Grady go down just in yesterdays stage. Bloody pics of Hushovd and Dekker in the past few days have made me shudder.
Cycling is beautiful.
Cycling is brutal!
The Great Divide Race, down to three riders, (talk about brutal!) has Matthew Lee leaving Salida, Colorado today to continue onwards towards the final stages of the event. His fork malfunctioned again, but it has been serviced and made functional again by the guys a Absolute Bikes, who regularly service GDR competitors bikes every year.
Cycling is epic!
I went on a Fourth of July ride yesterday to celebrate the freedom we have in this country which allows me to do things like ride my bike. I put in 40 miles, out to the Scout Camp and back. Twenty of which were into a headwind. Lots of rollers and some steep hills. I wasn't feeling all that great in the morning and I didn't feel any better when I got back. The wind and hills stressed my lower back some, so I'm a bit sore and stiff today. It was a beautiful ride, though. The tiger lillies are in full force right now and lined many of the ditches with their brilliant orange colors. Purple clovers and wild roses rounded out the wild flower sightings yesterday. They all helped take my mind off the pain.
Cycling is tough.
Cycling is free!
I hope you all get to enjoy all these attributes of cycling and more soon!
Cycling is beautiful.
Cycling is brutal!
The Great Divide Race, down to three riders, (talk about brutal!) has Matthew Lee leaving Salida, Colorado today to continue onwards towards the final stages of the event. His fork malfunctioned again, but it has been serviced and made functional again by the guys a Absolute Bikes, who regularly service GDR competitors bikes every year.
Cycling is epic!
I went on a Fourth of July ride yesterday to celebrate the freedom we have in this country which allows me to do things like ride my bike. I put in 40 miles, out to the Scout Camp and back. Twenty of which were into a headwind. Lots of rollers and some steep hills. I wasn't feeling all that great in the morning and I didn't feel any better when I got back. The wind and hills stressed my lower back some, so I'm a bit sore and stiff today. It was a beautiful ride, though. The tiger lillies are in full force right now and lined many of the ditches with their brilliant orange colors. Purple clovers and wild roses rounded out the wild flower sightings yesterday. They all helped take my mind off the pain.
Cycling is tough.
Cycling is free!
I hope you all get to enjoy all these attributes of cycling and more soon!
Cycling is........
Okay..........I admit it! I am a Tour deFrance geek! I got sucked in again, despite the pre-race doping massacre of all the top rated riders. I am sitting in front of the digital idiot box devouring all the live updates and gear stories that I can find. Same Tour- different year! So, is any of the remaining top riders going to finish? The fantasy Tour players must be in total disarray now! Valverde, Rodriquez, Dekker, and probably O'Grady go down just in yesterdays stage. Bloody pics of Hushovd and Dekker in the past few days have made me shudder.
Cycling is beautiful.
Cycling is brutal!
The Great Divide Race, down to three riders, (talk about brutal!) has Matthew Lee leaving Salida, Colorado today to continue onwards towards the final stages of the event. His fork malfunctioned again, but it has been serviced and made functional again by the guys a Absolute Bikes, who regularly service GDR competitors bikes every year.
Cycling is epic!
I went on a Fourth of July ride yesterday to celebrate the freedom we have in this country which allows me to do things like ride my bike. I put in 40 miles, out to the Scout Camp and back. Twenty of which were into a headwind. Lots of rollers and some steep hills. I wasn't feeling all that great in the morning and I didn't feel any better when I got back. The wind and hills stressed my lower back some, so I'm a bit sore and stiff today. It was a beautiful ride, though. The tiger lillies are in full force right now and lined many of the ditches with their brilliant orange colors. Purple clovers and wild roses rounded out the wild flower sightings yesterday. They all helped take my mind off the pain.
Cycling is tough.
Cycling is free!
I hope you all get to enjoy all these attributes of cycling and more soon!
Cycling is beautiful.
Cycling is brutal!
The Great Divide Race, down to three riders, (talk about brutal!) has Matthew Lee leaving Salida, Colorado today to continue onwards towards the final stages of the event. His fork malfunctioned again, but it has been serviced and made functional again by the guys a Absolute Bikes, who regularly service GDR competitors bikes every year.
Cycling is epic!
I went on a Fourth of July ride yesterday to celebrate the freedom we have in this country which allows me to do things like ride my bike. I put in 40 miles, out to the Scout Camp and back. Twenty of which were into a headwind. Lots of rollers and some steep hills. I wasn't feeling all that great in the morning and I didn't feel any better when I got back. The wind and hills stressed my lower back some, so I'm a bit sore and stiff today. It was a beautiful ride, though. The tiger lillies are in full force right now and lined many of the ditches with their brilliant orange colors. Purple clovers and wild roses rounded out the wild flower sightings yesterday. They all helped take my mind off the pain.
Cycling is tough.
Cycling is free!
I hope you all get to enjoy all these attributes of cycling and more soon!
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
You Guys Are Weird!: Part II
In yesterdays post I posed the question, "What is it that makes us cyclists so different?" Today, I want to look at this a bit more closely. As I also mentioned yesterday, there are specific reasons that cyclists are so different; as many reasons as there are cyclists, probably. I want to look at it in a bit broader terms today.
Some things cyclists do can be chalked up to just being competitive. You know, striving to be the best at whatever discipline you choose. Working to beat even your self. That's not necessarily a cycling thing, but is certainly a part of all of us.
What I'm thinking of is the things that don't seem to make any sense on the face of things. Take single speeding for instance. Or endurance racing, or self supported, ultra endurance events, and other such "crazy" pursuits. Even things like helping out a fellow cyclist that you don't even know, when his rig gets pipped with all it's gear. Or how about all of these things wrapped up into one: him to do the same thing you are. Single speeding on an ultra endurance course , self supported, to help out a cyclist in need and encourage him to enter next years GDR.
The common thread I see here is the willingness to overcome hardship, whether it be self imposed, ( fixed gear, single speed, self supported racing) or imposed upon us from without, ( terrain, weather, mechanicals, physical issues, social misfits, etc...) There is a certain quality that some of us cyclists seem to have that sets us aside from the rest. We seem to gravitate towards this challenge of overcoming hardships and relate to the others that choose this same path. It's not really competition, because that can entail so much that is ugly about human nature. It's more about a personal, inner satisfaction that can only come from getting to the other side. The other side of the course, the mountain, the pain, or whatever the journey might entail.
It's certainly something that makes us all weird to the rest of our families, friends, and aquaintences. They just do not get it. They ask us "Why?", and we just shrug our shoulders and give them the blank stare, because we know they just won't get it. I can't even put my finger on it.
I guess you just have to be there! (shrugging shoulders and staring blankly)
Some things cyclists do can be chalked up to just being competitive. You know, striving to be the best at whatever discipline you choose. Working to beat even your self. That's not necessarily a cycling thing, but is certainly a part of all of us.
What I'm thinking of is the things that don't seem to make any sense on the face of things. Take single speeding for instance. Or endurance racing, or self supported, ultra endurance events, and other such "crazy" pursuits. Even things like helping out a fellow cyclist that you don't even know, when his rig gets pipped with all it's gear. Or how about all of these things wrapped up into one: him to do the same thing you are. Single speeding on an ultra endurance course , self supported, to help out a cyclist in need and encourage him to enter next years GDR.
The common thread I see here is the willingness to overcome hardship, whether it be self imposed, ( fixed gear, single speed, self supported racing) or imposed upon us from without, ( terrain, weather, mechanicals, physical issues, social misfits, etc...) There is a certain quality that some of us cyclists seem to have that sets us aside from the rest. We seem to gravitate towards this challenge of overcoming hardships and relate to the others that choose this same path. It's not really competition, because that can entail so much that is ugly about human nature. It's more about a personal, inner satisfaction that can only come from getting to the other side. The other side of the course, the mountain, the pain, or whatever the journey might entail.
It's certainly something that makes us all weird to the rest of our families, friends, and aquaintences. They just do not get it. They ask us "Why?", and we just shrug our shoulders and give them the blank stare, because we know they just won't get it. I can't even put my finger on it.
I guess you just have to be there! (shrugging shoulders and staring blankly)
You Guys Are Weird!: Part II
In yesterdays post I posed the question, "What is it that makes us cyclists so different?" Today, I want to look at this a bit more closely. As I also mentioned yesterday, there are specific reasons that cyclists are so different; as many reasons as there are cyclists, probably. I want to look at it in a bit broader terms today.
Some things cyclists do can be chalked up to just being competitive. You know, striving to be the best at whatever discipline you choose. Working to beat even your self. That's not necessarily a cycling thing, but is certainly a part of all of us.
What I'm thinking of is the things that don't seem to make any sense on the face of things. Take single speeding for instance. Or endurance racing, or self supported, ultra endurance events, and other such "crazy" pursuits. Even things like helping out a fellow cyclist that you don't even know, when his rig gets pipped with all it's gear. Or how about all of these things wrapped up into one: him to do the same thing you are. Single speeding on an ultra endurance course , self supported, to help out a cyclist in need and encourage him to enter next years GDR.
The common thread I see here is the willingness to overcome hardship, whether it be self imposed, ( fixed gear, single speed, self supported racing) or imposed upon us from without, ( terrain, weather, mechanicals, physical issues, social misfits, etc...) There is a certain quality that some of us cyclists seem to have that sets us aside from the rest. We seem to gravitate towards this challenge of overcoming hardships and relate to the others that choose this same path. It's not really competition, because that can entail so much that is ugly about human nature. It's more about a personal, inner satisfaction that can only come from getting to the other side. The other side of the course, the mountain, the pain, or whatever the journey might entail.
It's certainly something that makes us all weird to the rest of our families, friends, and aquaintences. They just do not get it. They ask us "Why?", and we just shrug our shoulders and give them the blank stare, because we know they just won't get it. I can't even put my finger on it.
I guess you just have to be there! (shrugging shoulders and staring blankly)
Some things cyclists do can be chalked up to just being competitive. You know, striving to be the best at whatever discipline you choose. Working to beat even your self. That's not necessarily a cycling thing, but is certainly a part of all of us.
What I'm thinking of is the things that don't seem to make any sense on the face of things. Take single speeding for instance. Or endurance racing, or self supported, ultra endurance events, and other such "crazy" pursuits. Even things like helping out a fellow cyclist that you don't even know, when his rig gets pipped with all it's gear. Or how about all of these things wrapped up into one: him to do the same thing you are. Single speeding on an ultra endurance course , self supported, to help out a cyclist in need and encourage him to enter next years GDR.
The common thread I see here is the willingness to overcome hardship, whether it be self imposed, ( fixed gear, single speed, self supported racing) or imposed upon us from without, ( terrain, weather, mechanicals, physical issues, social misfits, etc...) There is a certain quality that some of us cyclists seem to have that sets us aside from the rest. We seem to gravitate towards this challenge of overcoming hardships and relate to the others that choose this same path. It's not really competition, because that can entail so much that is ugly about human nature. It's more about a personal, inner satisfaction that can only come from getting to the other side. The other side of the course, the mountain, the pain, or whatever the journey might entail.
It's certainly something that makes us all weird to the rest of our families, friends, and aquaintences. They just do not get it. They ask us "Why?", and we just shrug our shoulders and give them the blank stare, because we know they just won't get it. I can't even put my finger on it.
I guess you just have to be there! (shrugging shoulders and staring blankly)
Monday, July 03, 2006
You Guys Are Weird!
I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July holiday here in the States. It's kind of strange when the 4th falls in the middle of the week because some of us get just that day off, some part of the week off, and the lucky few get the whole week off! Of course, you can just take it off work, and use up vacation time, so that happens alot too.
Okay, so have you been keeping up on the GDR? It seems as though we are whittled down to three riders. Matthew Lee, who is ahead by a long ways up on John Noble, and Kenny Maldonado. Rudi Nadler, who attempted to ride the route on a fixed gear, pulled out yesterday in Wyoming. John Montgomery also pulled the plug yesterday with severe knee problems and dietary issues. It's a tough thing to ride this route at such a high pace, with the altitude, solitude, lack of "normal" foods and what not. Then to multiply the challenge with single speed, fixed gear, or dietary stipulations, well that's even harder yet.
What is it about cyclists that makes us want to be so different? Maybe that term, "different" isn't even the correct term, but it's a jumping off point. I find this desire to be set apart from the masses of people and even other "normal cyclists" most often expressed in the ultra endurance cyclist. It's an interesting phenomena. This is an idea that has me intrigued and it really caught my attention when I read something a friend e-mailed to me the other day. He was referencing the recent Tour doping scandal, but it applies to a greater theater here, I think.
"Apparently our perceptions can be skewed by cheaters and thieves. We, as a cycling community, seems to always rise above it. Bootleg events like TI, Dopers Suck, Single Speed, 29ers, anything to distance ourselves."
Is what we are doing; being different, a way to separate ourselves from the masses of "crap culture", "normal", mainstream cycling, and even our own everyday lives? I think the answers are as varied as there are people. I think that there are; however, some broader answers that might just make sense to alot of us, and that's what I want to explore in the next post.
(Thanks to "Wuzbeen" for the quote and his frequent comments to this blog)
Okay, so have you been keeping up on the GDR? It seems as though we are whittled down to three riders. Matthew Lee, who is ahead by a long ways up on John Noble, and Kenny Maldonado. Rudi Nadler, who attempted to ride the route on a fixed gear, pulled out yesterday in Wyoming. John Montgomery also pulled the plug yesterday with severe knee problems and dietary issues. It's a tough thing to ride this route at such a high pace, with the altitude, solitude, lack of "normal" foods and what not. Then to multiply the challenge with single speed, fixed gear, or dietary stipulations, well that's even harder yet.
What is it about cyclists that makes us want to be so different? Maybe that term, "different" isn't even the correct term, but it's a jumping off point. I find this desire to be set apart from the masses of people and even other "normal cyclists" most often expressed in the ultra endurance cyclist. It's an interesting phenomena. This is an idea that has me intrigued and it really caught my attention when I read something a friend e-mailed to me the other day. He was referencing the recent Tour doping scandal, but it applies to a greater theater here, I think.
"Apparently our perceptions can be skewed by cheaters and thieves. We, as a cycling community, seems to always rise above it. Bootleg events like TI, Dopers Suck, Single Speed, 29ers, anything to distance ourselves."
Is what we are doing; being different, a way to separate ourselves from the masses of "crap culture", "normal", mainstream cycling, and even our own everyday lives? I think the answers are as varied as there are people. I think that there are; however, some broader answers that might just make sense to alot of us, and that's what I want to explore in the next post.
(Thanks to "Wuzbeen" for the quote and his frequent comments to this blog)
You Guys Are Weird!
I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July holiday here in the States. It's kind of strange when the 4th falls in the middle of the week because some of us get just that day off, some part of the week off, and the lucky few get the whole week off! Of course, you can just take it off work, and use up vacation time, so that happens alot too.
Okay, so have you been keeping up on the GDR? It seems as though we are whittled down to three riders. Matthew Lee, who is ahead by a long ways up on John Noble, and Kenny Maldonado. Rudi Nadler, who attempted to ride the route on a fixed gear, pulled out yesterday in Wyoming. John Montgomery also pulled the plug yesterday with severe knee problems and dietary issues. It's a tough thing to ride this route at such a high pace, with the altitude, solitude, lack of "normal" foods and what not. Then to multiply the challenge with single speed, fixed gear, or dietary stipulations, well that's even harder yet.
What is it about cyclists that makes us want to be so different? Maybe that term, "different" isn't even the correct term, but it's a jumping off point. I find this desire to be set apart from the masses of people and even other "normal cyclists" most often expressed in the ultra endurance cyclist. It's an interesting phenomena. This is an idea that has me intrigued and it really caught my attention when I read something a friend e-mailed to me the other day. He was referencing the recent Tour doping scandal, but it applies to a greater theater here, I think.
"Apparently our perceptions can be skewed by cheaters and thieves. We, as a cycling community, seems to always rise above it. Bootleg events like TI, Dopers Suck, Single Speed, 29ers, anything to distance ourselves."
Is what we are doing; being different, a way to separate ourselves from the masses of "crap culture", "normal", mainstream cycling, and even our own everyday lives? I think the answers are as varied as there are people. I think that there are; however, some broader answers that might just make sense to alot of us, and that's what I want to explore in the next post.
(Thanks to "Wuzbeen" for the quote and his frequent comments to this blog)
Okay, so have you been keeping up on the GDR? It seems as though we are whittled down to three riders. Matthew Lee, who is ahead by a long ways up on John Noble, and Kenny Maldonado. Rudi Nadler, who attempted to ride the route on a fixed gear, pulled out yesterday in Wyoming. John Montgomery also pulled the plug yesterday with severe knee problems and dietary issues. It's a tough thing to ride this route at such a high pace, with the altitude, solitude, lack of "normal" foods and what not. Then to multiply the challenge with single speed, fixed gear, or dietary stipulations, well that's even harder yet.
What is it about cyclists that makes us want to be so different? Maybe that term, "different" isn't even the correct term, but it's a jumping off point. I find this desire to be set apart from the masses of people and even other "normal cyclists" most often expressed in the ultra endurance cyclist. It's an interesting phenomena. This is an idea that has me intrigued and it really caught my attention when I read something a friend e-mailed to me the other day. He was referencing the recent Tour doping scandal, but it applies to a greater theater here, I think.
"Apparently our perceptions can be skewed by cheaters and thieves. We, as a cycling community, seems to always rise above it. Bootleg events like TI, Dopers Suck, Single Speed, 29ers, anything to distance ourselves."
Is what we are doing; being different, a way to separate ourselves from the masses of "crap culture", "normal", mainstream cycling, and even our own everyday lives? I think the answers are as varied as there are people. I think that there are; however, some broader answers that might just make sense to alot of us, and that's what I want to explore in the next post.
(Thanks to "Wuzbeen" for the quote and his frequent comments to this blog)
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Sunday Morning Edition
I got an e-mail the other day from a friend that has me thinking. You know what hapens when I start thinking? Trouble- that's what! Ha ha! No, maybe not this time, but I have an idea for a couple of posts that should be interesting based upon the e-mail I got. No time to develope it here today, but look for an outline of what I have in mind in tomorrows post.....or heck! I just might start the whole thing tomorrow! We'll see......
Rob Pennell of Badger Cycles has been getting some great exposure over on the mtbr.com 29"er forum lately and I predict that his business will soon start to take off. These bikes of his are stunningly beautiful, creative, and priced right. That's a good recipe for a builder to get swamped with orders! I only mention this as a half a service to you, my loyal readers and to myself, to get offa my duff and order one of these things! Arrgh! I must quit looking at them..........too tempting!
The 29"er march to the mainstraem continues! Now I hear that Jamis is going to be introducing a 29"er at this falls Interbike trade show. Possibly two, a geared and a single speed bike. Hmmm......it looks as though almost all of the "second tier" companies are coming out with 29"ers. Some of the major companies are still waiting it out, though. Companies like Giant, (who surely are already manufacturing 29"ers for the smaller companies, I would think) Specialized, ( who are rumored to be coming out with a 29"er in '08, but as yet, it is unconfirmed) and Trek, who can arguably be said to already have 29"ers since Fisher is owned by them. It won't be long, though and all of these companies will be on board. I think this years Interbike is going to be a high water mark for 29"ers, not just in bike intros, but in 29"er specific parts intros! Tires, forks, and wheels in particular. We'll wait and see.
That's it today! Get out and ride!
Rob Pennell of Badger Cycles has been getting some great exposure over on the mtbr.com 29"er forum lately and I predict that his business will soon start to take off. These bikes of his are stunningly beautiful, creative, and priced right. That's a good recipe for a builder to get swamped with orders! I only mention this as a half a service to you, my loyal readers and to myself, to get offa my duff and order one of these things! Arrgh! I must quit looking at them..........too tempting!
The 29"er march to the mainstraem continues! Now I hear that Jamis is going to be introducing a 29"er at this falls Interbike trade show. Possibly two, a geared and a single speed bike. Hmmm......it looks as though almost all of the "second tier" companies are coming out with 29"ers. Some of the major companies are still waiting it out, though. Companies like Giant, (who surely are already manufacturing 29"ers for the smaller companies, I would think) Specialized, ( who are rumored to be coming out with a 29"er in '08, but as yet, it is unconfirmed) and Trek, who can arguably be said to already have 29"ers since Fisher is owned by them. It won't be long, though and all of these companies will be on board. I think this years Interbike is going to be a high water mark for 29"ers, not just in bike intros, but in 29"er specific parts intros! Tires, forks, and wheels in particular. We'll wait and see.
That's it today! Get out and ride!
Sunday Morning Edition
I got an e-mail the other day from a friend that has me thinking. You know what hapens when I start thinking? Trouble- that's what! Ha ha! No, maybe not this time, but I have an idea for a couple of posts that should be interesting based upon the e-mail I got. No time to develope it here today, but look for an outline of what I have in mind in tomorrows post.....or heck! I just might start the whole thing tomorrow! We'll see......
Rob Pennell of Badger Cycles has been getting some great exposure over on the mtbr.com 29"er forum lately and I predict that his business will soon start to take off. These bikes of his are stunningly beautiful, creative, and priced right. That's a good recipe for a builder to get swamped with orders! I only mention this as a half a service to you, my loyal readers and to myself, to get offa my duff and order one of these things! Arrgh! I must quit looking at them..........too tempting!
The 29"er march to the mainstraem continues! Now I hear that Jamis is going to be introducing a 29"er at this falls Interbike trade show. Possibly two, a geared and a single speed bike. Hmmm......it looks as though almost all of the "second tier" companies are coming out with 29"ers. Some of the major companies are still waiting it out, though. Companies like Giant, (who surely are already manufacturing 29"ers for the smaller companies, I would think) Specialized, ( who are rumored to be coming out with a 29"er in '08, but as yet, it is unconfirmed) and Trek, who can arguably be said to already have 29"ers since Fisher is owned by them. It won't be long, though and all of these companies will be on board. I think this years Interbike is going to be a high water mark for 29"ers, not just in bike intros, but in 29"er specific parts intros! Tires, forks, and wheels in particular. We'll wait and see.
That's it today! Get out and ride!
Rob Pennell of Badger Cycles has been getting some great exposure over on the mtbr.com 29"er forum lately and I predict that his business will soon start to take off. These bikes of his are stunningly beautiful, creative, and priced right. That's a good recipe for a builder to get swamped with orders! I only mention this as a half a service to you, my loyal readers and to myself, to get offa my duff and order one of these things! Arrgh! I must quit looking at them..........too tempting!
The 29"er march to the mainstraem continues! Now I hear that Jamis is going to be introducing a 29"er at this falls Interbike trade show. Possibly two, a geared and a single speed bike. Hmmm......it looks as though almost all of the "second tier" companies are coming out with 29"ers. Some of the major companies are still waiting it out, though. Companies like Giant, (who surely are already manufacturing 29"ers for the smaller companies, I would think) Specialized, ( who are rumored to be coming out with a 29"er in '08, but as yet, it is unconfirmed) and Trek, who can arguably be said to already have 29"ers since Fisher is owned by them. It won't be long, though and all of these companies will be on board. I think this years Interbike is going to be a high water mark for 29"ers, not just in bike intros, but in 29"er specific parts intros! Tires, forks, and wheels in particular. We'll wait and see.
That's it today! Get out and ride!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Post Trauma Syndrome
Well, they are off in France and hopefully the race will go off without any further off course drama. I have a two sided view of the happenings of the last day or so.
1. After the initial shock and the total change in perspective on the field of riders remaining, I have to say that this Tour now is even more unpredictable than ever. The racing should prove to be spectacular, with no one really knowing whom to mark on any given stage concerning the overall classification. I like that part. Having this action taken by the Teams and Tour officials sends a serious message about doping and even suspected doping, going as far as having relationships with suspected dopers! This message should be quite clear now, and quite frankly, should scare the chamois off the Tour riders. Which leads me to the flip side of my view on this..........
2. The actions and motivations of the past few days, while seemingly "pure" in terms of wiping out doping in the Pro peleton, are very alarming to me. What if someone doesn't like you as a racer? Link that person to a "known" doping doctor, team, or teamate and poof! You are gone! It's kind of like what the French Press corps have been trying to do for years to Lance and are still doing to teams like CSC. (New Doping Charges For CSC?) It's like the old saying about absolute power that you've probably heard before. The authorities, promoters, and governing bodies want to have this absolute power to eliminate doping, and I'm afraid that they are very close to demonstrating that they have it indeed. Let's hope that they restrain themselves from ruining a riders career(s) with impure motives.
That said, I'm glad to see that the prologue went off and the race is on. Let's hope Floyd can get to the start line on time tomorrow!
1. After the initial shock and the total change in perspective on the field of riders remaining, I have to say that this Tour now is even more unpredictable than ever. The racing should prove to be spectacular, with no one really knowing whom to mark on any given stage concerning the overall classification. I like that part. Having this action taken by the Teams and Tour officials sends a serious message about doping and even suspected doping, going as far as having relationships with suspected dopers! This message should be quite clear now, and quite frankly, should scare the chamois off the Tour riders. Which leads me to the flip side of my view on this..........
2. The actions and motivations of the past few days, while seemingly "pure" in terms of wiping out doping in the Pro peleton, are very alarming to me. What if someone doesn't like you as a racer? Link that person to a "known" doping doctor, team, or teamate and poof! You are gone! It's kind of like what the French Press corps have been trying to do for years to Lance and are still doing to teams like CSC. (New Doping Charges For CSC?) It's like the old saying about absolute power that you've probably heard before. The authorities, promoters, and governing bodies want to have this absolute power to eliminate doping, and I'm afraid that they are very close to demonstrating that they have it indeed. Let's hope that they restrain themselves from ruining a riders career(s) with impure motives.
That said, I'm glad to see that the prologue went off and the race is on. Let's hope Floyd can get to the start line on time tomorrow!
Post Trauma Syndrome
Well, they are off in France and hopefully the race will go off without any further off course drama. I have a two sided view of the happenings of the last day or so.
1. After the initial shock and the total change in perspective on the field of riders remaining, I have to say that this Tour now is even more unpredictable than ever. The racing should prove to be spectacular, with no one really knowing whom to mark on any given stage concerning the overall classification. I like that part. Having this action taken by the Teams and Tour officials sends a serious message about doping and even suspected doping, going as far as having relationships with suspected dopers! This message should be quite clear now, and quite frankly, should scare the chamois off the Tour riders. Which leads me to the flip side of my view on this..........
2. The actions and motivations of the past few days, while seemingly "pure" in terms of wiping out doping in the Pro peleton, are very alarming to me. What if someone doesn't like you as a racer? Link that person to a "known" doping doctor, team, or teamate and poof! You are gone! It's kind of like what the French Press corps have been trying to do for years to Lance and are still doing to teams like CSC. (New Doping Charges For CSC?) It's like the old saying about absolute power that you've probably heard before. The authorities, promoters, and governing bodies want to have this absolute power to eliminate doping, and I'm afraid that they are very close to demonstrating that they have it indeed. Let's hope that they restrain themselves from ruining a riders career(s) with impure motives.
That said, I'm glad to see that the prologue went off and the race is on. Let's hope Floyd can get to the start line on time tomorrow!
1. After the initial shock and the total change in perspective on the field of riders remaining, I have to say that this Tour now is even more unpredictable than ever. The racing should prove to be spectacular, with no one really knowing whom to mark on any given stage concerning the overall classification. I like that part. Having this action taken by the Teams and Tour officials sends a serious message about doping and even suspected doping, going as far as having relationships with suspected dopers! This message should be quite clear now, and quite frankly, should scare the chamois off the Tour riders. Which leads me to the flip side of my view on this..........
2. The actions and motivations of the past few days, while seemingly "pure" in terms of wiping out doping in the Pro peleton, are very alarming to me. What if someone doesn't like you as a racer? Link that person to a "known" doping doctor, team, or teamate and poof! You are gone! It's kind of like what the French Press corps have been trying to do for years to Lance and are still doing to teams like CSC. (New Doping Charges For CSC?) It's like the old saying about absolute power that you've probably heard before. The authorities, promoters, and governing bodies want to have this absolute power to eliminate doping, and I'm afraid that they are very close to demonstrating that they have it indeed. Let's hope that they restrain themselves from ruining a riders career(s) with impure motives.
That said, I'm glad to see that the prologue went off and the race is on. Let's hope Floyd can get to the start line on time tomorrow!
Friday, June 30, 2006
Here We Go Again.......
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/jun06/jun30news3
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
Here We Go Again.......
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2006/jun06/jun30news3
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
ahhh crap!
I'm stunned................
I don't have words for this.
Going for a ride...........Have a great weekend and keep pedaling. Just keep pedaling. The joy of cycling shouldn't be predicated upon a few who do the sport injustice.
But I am really bummed right now...........
Late!
Thursday, June 29, 2006
What's That Noise I Hear?: Part II
Backround: Lance Armstrong, winner of seven Tours deFrance, has made it public that he would like to come to RAGBRAI to help further the agenda he has concerning cancer research and fund raising for his foundation. What it is: RAGBRAI, (acronym for "Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa" ) is a week long trek across the state on paved roads. Originally started as a challenge between two Des Moines Register writers, the ride has morphed into the largest week long, organized recreational rides in the U.S.A. It features a daily route covering approximately 70 miles on average, and is catered to by food and beverage vendors at various points all along the route. Once the "Ultimate Party Ride", RAGBRAI has become far more tame in the last ten years, but still carries the reputation of wild, out of control parties, featuring drunkeness, nudity and other forms of debauchery. It's route can still be filled with hundreds of drunken bicycle riders way after the sun goes down, even though the "official" closing of the route is at six in the evening everyday. To be fair, there are a large number of decent, clean riders on RAGBRAI, but they are certainly overshadowed in the overall veiw of the ride by the "party riders" in the minds of the public.
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
What's That Noise I Hear?: Part II
Backround: Lance Armstrong, winner of seven Tours deFrance, has made it public that he would like to come to RAGBRAI to help further the agenda he has concerning cancer research and fund raising for his foundation. What it is: RAGBRAI, (acronym for "Registers Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa" ) is a week long trek across the state on paved roads. Originally started as a challenge between two Des Moines Register writers, the ride has morphed into the largest week long, organized recreational rides in the U.S.A. It features a daily route covering approximately 70 miles on average, and is catered to by food and beverage vendors at various points all along the route. Once the "Ultimate Party Ride", RAGBRAI has become far more tame in the last ten years, but still carries the reputation of wild, out of control parties, featuring drunkeness, nudity and other forms of debauchery. It's route can still be filled with hundreds of drunken bicycle riders way after the sun goes down, even though the "official" closing of the route is at six in the evening everyday. To be fair, there are a large number of decent, clean riders on RAGBRAI, but they are certainly overshadowed in the overall veiw of the ride by the "party riders" in the minds of the public.
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
Guitar Ted Rant Mode engaged!: I have been reading with interest about the giddy reactions and unreal expectations the Iowa public has about the news that Lance is going to "ride on RAGBRAI" I hate to be the shiny, pointed object that bursts the bubble, but Lance isn't going to "ride" RAGBRAI like "you" think he is going to "ride" RAGBRAI.
Riding RAGBRAI like most folks do includes using a bike as a means to transport yourself from one vendor stand or bar to another to over indulge yourself on home made pie and cold beer. (if you can call any mainstream American adult beverage "beer"...hrrumpf!) Not that there is any thing inherently wrong with that pursuit, it's just not really about "riding bikes" anymore. It's, well..............it's RAGBRAI! You know! It's something uniquely different that just happens to use bikes as a tool to reach some other objective. That "objective" being a variable depending upon the time of your departure every morning of the ride. (RAGBRAI'ers know what that means...it's code for something!)
Anyway, Lance isn't going to be doing any of that! Oh no! If he shows up at all, ( it's not guaranteed that he will) he will be doing highly structured, pre-planned, "spontaneous" looking public appearances. Some while riding a bike, (for a short period of time at an unannounced point on the route) or some while posing with various cancer patients, survivors, and other political people, pundits, and luminaries. He won't be sleeping in a tent, or an R.V. He'll be coming in and out of Des Moines, where the route of this years RAGBRAI scrapes the northern suburbs of that city. He won't be partying, drinking beer at a local bar, or hob nobbing with any RAGBRAI "teams". In fact, most RAGBRAI riders won't even see him, and have a better chance of doing so on the local six o'clock news reports.
Not that there is anything wrong with what Lance is doing, (there isn't, really) it's just that he won't be doing it with you, RAGBRAI rider. He'll be using the publicity generated by the rides reputation to further his agenda. You on the other hand, will be going about your merry way as a RAGBRAI rider, none the wiser.
And don't even think for a minute that this legitimizes RAGBRAI as a "real" cycling event! We're not even going to go there!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wednesday News And Bits
Just got sight of the update to the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational site that Mr. 24 did for me. It's the route map for the ride which is clickable and zoomable, and well.......it's all interactive like that! Looks like it should be right at 150 miles. Hmm.....we'll see! It'll be tough and I've yet to determine whether or not to start it earlier in the morning, which would mean having a light on board. I guess there are worse things!
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Wednesday News And Bits
Just got sight of the update to the Guitar Ted Death Ride Invitational site that Mr. 24 did for me. It's the route map for the ride which is clickable and zoomable, and well.......it's all interactive like that! Looks like it should be right at 150 miles. Hmm.....we'll see! It'll be tough and I've yet to determine whether or not to start it earlier in the morning, which would mean having a light on board. I guess there are worse things!
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
Speaking of looong gravel rides, check this offering out. I'm not the only crazy gravel grinding looney out there! This looks good. I even have that weekend off. Hmmm............. Maybe, just maybe!
Raleigh XXIX Update: The good folks from Raleigh Bicycles have told me that the XXIX is expected to be delivered to their two new U.S. warehouses by sometime next month. Look for bikes ordered back in May/ early June to be delivered first. Raleigh says that the response to this bike has been excellent and that because of it's popularity the supply will be limited. A cool note on this frame: The company that produces this frame has two people welding all of these XXIX's and one of those two folks is the owner of the company! How cool is that? Kind of gives the Raleigh 29"er that small builder, cool, soul vibe, don'tcha' think?
And futhermore.... The XXIX will be joined by an as yet un-named geared version sometime yet this fall. The bike is going to feature the same steel frame construction with braze ons for cable guides, a hangered drop out insert, and a 80mm suspension fork. The price point that is currently being talked about is $1200.00. Look for any further details here or for the official introduction of this new model at Interbike this fall.
GDR Update: Last I saw, Matthew Lee was still in the lead with his locked out Lefty and looking to get a repair for it somwhere in Idaho..............Dave Nice, whose bike got stolen while he was napping roadside in Montana, is safely on his way home to Denver, Colorado. His close friends have sent him bus fare, and also set up a Paypal account to raise funds to get him back onboard a bike ASAP( contact: scott@salvagetti.com )............Kevin Montgomery, whose knee looked bad, but rode through that semmingly, has now got a shifter issue that might be a problem. He is currently in second on the route...............The Fixie Brothers are still perpetrating their shenanigans somewhere in the wilderness of Montana or Idaho..............several other racers still on route in Montana as of yeterday. Check for more info as it becomes available.
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