Some men...you just can't reach...

It was nice of the "the one who shall not be named" to ride in his normal manner last night. I REALLY enjoyed when he was second wheel, and instead of pulling through at 40kmh, he just stopped pedaling. Yeah thanks for that one. And thanks for running through the queue of cars at the train crossing. Made us all look GOOD.
Can't pull through. Only follows wheels. Chops wheels. Somehow finds legs to sprint at the end, and sprint through the neighborhood to get to the parking lot first.

Yeah...this guy...^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I must admit though, it was quite fun to let him go off the front and dangle those two times. Each of his solo 'efforts' were short lived. It's harder to be off the front than it looks on TV, ain't it? We giggled a little.
Other than that, it was a pretty fun ride on a borderline perfect evening for cycling. 70 degrees. No humidity. No breeze. Chamber of Commerce stuff.

The Giro is coming....

And speaking of, how about a Giro tribute Baum. I'll need a 56.5 top tube please...

So where was THIS Suburban when I was looking for a truck?

And further proof that if you own a power meter, you should just sell it. Eric Marcotte (US Crit AND RR champ) makes crazy power...for a long time....
At the end of the TWO HOUR crit, he came out of the last corner, and averaged 1014w for 10sec. His average power? 358w...for TWO HOURS!!!
Did I mention he also holds down a full-time job as a Chiropractor?

Jered Gruber is telling stories again. This time, it's Liege. Just brilliant stuff...

And speaking of cycling photography, this looks like an interesting project...


That'll do it for today kiddies. I need to go to Whole Foods....

That'll do...

Rainy Saturday? Nah...
A glance at the radar showed that the rain would stop, so I kitted up, and headed out in the remnants of the showers that passed through. By the time 12th St. was reached, the rain had stopped.
Out to the PowerStation we go...
To say the dirt/mud was heavy would be an understatement. Think riding through chunky peanut butter that's a couple of inches thick. 30-35 kmh is the normal pace on dry days. Saturday? 25kmh...and I WORKED for that pace.
And the bridge at the washout? GONE. Washed downstream. I THINK I could see it about 50m back into the woods, but then again, it could have been Bigfoot.
No matter. It was a good two hours on another Viking day.

Sunday? Polar opposite. Big sun, warm temps...a little breezy.
Out into LexCo, through the farms, South of Swansea, and home. 101km all told. We had a good group, and many smiles and laughs. You know...what a quality bike ride should be.

And we showed TVH one of the best roads out in the sticks. If I had the time, I'd ride it every day.
Once back to Service Course, much food and fluid was consumed. I rested, and sat on the front porch swing with my mom for a bit.
Around 3:30, Junior Management loaded up, and we went for another ride.

 All the way out to the end of The PowerStation, around all of the paved trails, then down to the end of Old State. On the way back to the dirt and trails, #2 was following #1, but felt that #1 wasn't quite taking a hard enough pull, so he swung out and punched it. #1 hung on for a moment...maybe 100m, but then the elastic snapped...

Serious boy is serious when laying down the hurt on his brother!! #1 said he let #2 go, but I was there. Yo homie...you got DROPPED! And I can tell you, #2 was putting down watts. He stayed between 27-30kmh for the entire way. On a knobby-tired 24" wheel bike!!
I was impressed.
We looped the trails one more time, and headed home. Another 1:15 in the bag. Another 22.5km. They rode farther than a lot of people yesterday. And it rained on us. Did they want to stop, and go home? Nope! We kept riding...
I ended the day with 123km. Sleep came easy last night.
And thank Dog I have a chiro appointment today. I am crookED.

Last 10km of LBL-


We were out riding when it ended, so I missed the hand-wringing, and righteous indignation that came with Valverde's win. Just as well...I like the guy. I like the way he rides. If you don't, it's a YOU issue.

And Cav won Stage 1 of the Tour of Turkey...


He should have been relegated, as he turned left like Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the sprint.

This would probably be fun to squirt around town on...

Ok...it's 10am...I guess I should get my day started...
Don't hate...

(Insert title here)

 The new Lotto Noah SL. Yes, please...

 It's seems Froome was using Fleche Wallonne to get ready for the Tour. I guess he used it as an opportunity to perfect hitting the ground.

Who do I need to kill, and when do they need killin'?

Speaking of Fleche Wallone...



I know a solid 2/3 of people are whinging like spurned college girls at sorority rush, but I like Valverde. He was the strongest, and won.

Here's the deal...

I'm gonna say this once, and own it.
If you come to the ride, and act like an asshole, thus endangering the lives of others, you'll be asked not to come back...EVER. IDGAF.
If you swing out to try to attack the group, and ride into the other lane, almost getting run over by a passing car in the process, it's a YOU issue.
Yes, this stupidity actually happened last night.
For the second Tuesday in a row, the very same dumbass swung out to go around the group, and was almost run down from behind by a passing car. Only this time, the car was full of Lexington County rednecks.
Words were exchanged, and the initial dumbass behavior begat further dumbass behavior, and endangered the entire group.
There are times, and places, to engage in lively debate with drivers, especially if the driver is in the wrong. In this case, the rider in question was 100% the cause of the issue.
Not good. It makes ALL cyclists look bad to drivers. It also makes the cyclist in question look like a complete jackass to other cyclists.
In this case, two wrongs definitely didn't make a right. It simply made for a whole bunch of danger.

A few things :
A) Pulling out to come around the group (crossing the double yellow I might add) is fucking stupid. It's a Tuesday night ride (not Fleche Wallonne), and let's be honest, the person we're talking about here isn't going to ride away from anyone.
B) Take your fucking earbuds out.
Look I get it. I too ride with earbuds, but rarely have them in my EAR (not BOTH ears) in the group. And even if I do, the music is so low that it's barely audible, and I can still hear cars, and the voices of riders around me.
C) After the stupidity that split our little group, the aforementioned dumbass "attacked" again. Bad form, Stupid. Funny that once the pressure went on, he couldn't pull through. Yet when we got to the P.O. sprint he found his legs. Sorry jackass, not happening. You lose...
And attacking through the neighborhood to get to the parking lot first doesn't make you fast, nor a hero. It makes you a wanker. There's no podium waiting for anyone.
D) I know this person probably got home last night, and whinged to his wife about how we're all dicks. Here's how this works :
If one or two people think you're in the wrong, it might be their problem.

If the VAST majority of the group thinks you're in the wrong, YOU'RE IN THE WRONG!!!

And I know that some might be sitting there reading this, asking, "Well, who the hell are you to make these statements...you don't run the ride!"
Here's the thing...
The ride leaves it's current location because of ME. I went to the mat for the ride, and the people who participate, so we could use the parking lot behind SC Farm Bureau Insurance. Ergo, I have a dog in this fight.
Don't like it? That's a YOU problem. Want to discuss it? I'm easy to find.
And yes, words were spoken to the person in question last night, and warnings were given. Fortunately, someone more level-headed than I did the talking to. This was the first, and only, warning that will be given.

And don't get me wrong here. Our not-so-little group is very open. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come out. But let's be clear, we are all a bit protective of one another. Years of riding together does that. If one does something to endanger the group, well...that's just not good...
Get ME hurt because of YOUR stupidity, and there will be trouble.

END RANT.

Other than that... LOL! The ride part of the ride was pretty good. The little group that got away (idiot notwithstanding) was good. We all worked, and rode a steady, hard pace. Nice to have that tailwind home too!

The week is halfway over, and its beautiful  outside. Have your lunch outside in the sun today.

Fleche Wallonne is on...I gotta go...

Of course...

So, the weather was largely garbage all weekend. Oh well...
Belgian The F Up!

After soccer Saturday, I threw a leg over the CX bike, and headed out. Never got wet, but the humidity was somewhere in the "Southeast Asia" range. Didn't feel too bad when rolling, but when I stopped for a "break naturel", it became oppressive. Might as well have rained. Couldn't have been much wetter...

It's very green out in the country these days.
Once out of The PowerStation, I rolled through the river trail. The river was definitely on it's way up, and after the rain yesterday, it's expected to be at/over flood stage this week.
I was almost at the end when I started bouncing...DAMMIT!

One of those 2.5mm pieces of wire got me. Thanks to the SC rednecks who drive their cars until the tires are bald, and blow out.
Quick change, and I was headed to Service Course.
Sunday started with rain, some Premier League, and Amstel Gold. The radar said the rain was going to stop, so the kit went on, and the CX bike got pulled out again.
The rain stopped...for a minute. Once I got out, it fired back up. Of course.
Meh...big deal. 70 degrees and rain? Just about perfect. The PowerStation was WET. The fender on the back did little.
Not a day for Columbus riders. Only Vikings.

A tick over 2 hours flew by. Twas a good ride...
And, OF COURSE, it's Monday, and the sun is out...

Speaking of Amstel Gold...

Full Race (in Russian?)


Last 10km (in English)


Tro Bro Leon was yesterday as well...
Can't find a replay...yet...
Here's some onboard footage from Jeremy Roy though...


Looks like fun. My kind of thing...

Guess I'll head down to Service Course and throw the "mountains" cassette on the Ridley. And pull #2's new bike up to the house so he can have it when he gets home from school.

That's my day. Rough, I know...

Motivation

It comes and goes. It's a funny thing.
I'm motivated to ride right now, but not in 55 degrees and rain. So last night, Service Course stayed locked.
I've ridden in enough cold rain in the last couple of years. Just wasn't feeling it last night.
And honestly, all I need is to get popped by some nozzle of his/her way home from work. Low visibility, rain, and slick roads = me not being terribly excited about riding.
Hell, I got right-hooked TWICE on Tuesday evening, and the GD sun was out! AND I was in the bike lane.

Early U10 Futbol tomorrow, then I'll do a few hours on the CX bike. MAYBE I'll go out Sunday in the rain that's been forecast.

GP Denain was Wednesday. Bouhanni seems to have found a turn of speed...



Two races this weekend...
Amstel Gold and Roubaix's bastard little brother, the Tro Bro Leon.



Jered and Ashley will be there again, taking spectacular images... Tro Bro Leon 2014 

Vittoria tubs....


Granted, it ain't FMB...

The fridge at Ridley HQ...on cobbles...

Wonder how pissed The Boss will be if I do this on the hardwoods...?

Merci Roubaix...

...indeed...

And with that, The Duke just told me "You no smell good...". Guess it's time to get the day started...

Enjoy some music...made by MUSICIANS...



If you like this, check out Snarky Puppy on the YouTubes. The Metropole Orkest and Family Dinner sessions are particularly great.

Have a productive weekend, no matter what you choose to undertake...

Some stuff...

Cosmo...



Yes, I loathe Strava, but they're hosting Jered Gruber's look back at Roubaix, and it's fairly brilliant.

Roubaix by Jered and Ashley

Can't embed any of the photos. Just click the link ^^^^^^ and look at the work.

Always wanted a Fiat 500. The Abarth versions are cool, and sound really good. How about a 500 with a Ferrari motor stuffed in the back?

Sure...why not? Gotta die of something...

This is where you lost me...

...and a reason one shouldn't read Bicycling Magazine. Buy proper valve extenders people. You know, the integrated/replaceable ones.
Don't use the screw on extenders. And PLEASE don't slap a foot of teflon tape on the valve. Seriously! Bonobo chimps know that it looks like meat.

And can someone tell Mike that the new Boras are available? 35mm and 50mm clincher versions.
If you're gonna be a bear...

That was solid...

Every so often, a weekend lines up.
Saturday :
U10 futbol. They won 5-1. #2 scored. Both played well.
CX ride. 2 hours. BIG tailwind out 12th. The Powerstation was heavy from all the rain, but didn't preclude doing a couple of loops.
Asshole neighbors were loud @ 3:30am again, so after my ride, I fired up the pressure washer. Think big motorcycle single cylinder with a 3100psi pump attached. You wake me up...I make your hangover hurt worse.
Went to the shop and got some Velox.
Spent the rest of the Chamber of Commerce afternoon outside. Even fell asleep in the sun.

As you can clearly see, it was fairly terrible outside on Saturday!

Sunday :
Woke up (always a plus!), and watched the first part of Roubaix.
Met The Heathens for a nice 115km roll thru Lower Richland. Crosswind out. Cross/Tailwind home.
We came to an agreement yesterday that if you didn't ride on such a nice day, you should sell all of your shit on Ebay. 70degrees. Light breezes. Green countryside.
Got home, ate, played some futbol with Junior Management, had a NERF gun battle, went to Whole Foods.
Solid weekend...

Speaking of Roubaix....
(Arenberg starts at about 38 minutes...)


Carrefore de l'arbre (where the winning move happened)


Peto tosses his bike...


Gotta say, I can't blame him in this instance. Dude had a BAD day.
He had to stop mid-race for a poop. Chased back on, only to suffer a malfunctioning front shifter/mech. The bike change cost him the chance to dice for the podium. THEN Tinkov blames him, and Julich, for his performance.

And it's always cool to see the wacky stuff the mechanics do to the bikes for Roubaix.
I really like the handlebar tape on Sieberg's pedal to minimize the cleat skating around...

Simple...yet effective...

And Degenkolb deserved the W. He was easily the strongest.

And speaking of pedals, I got some Look Keo Carbon Blades. I like them a lot. Wider platform. More secure feeling. HELLA light. I'll do a full review in the coming days. I will say this though, use the old school, dual density Keo cleats. The Keo "grip" cleats don't play well with the carbon Blade pedals.
It's a difference in cleat thickness. Yes, I checked...
I'll explain more when I post the review...

Enjoy your Monday!

Two Days...

"When you went down in the cage, five hundred metres, you never knew for sure whether you would be coming up again. Not something to dwell on. Like the Arenberg. Best not even to let the fear in"

-Jean Stablinski

Don't know Jean Stablinski?  You should...


Fun ride last night. Small turnout. No matter. We had a good roll.
No motivation = no effort being put forth.
No one really had any interest in killing it last night. Well, except "he who should not be named". We all wanted to ride steady, and together.
He decided this was his opportunity to "attack" and "sprint". Pretty funny actually...not in a "HA-HA" way.
He'd go...we'd watch.
Slow(er) ride, he's towards the front.
Quick(er) ride, hides in the back, trying to survive.

U10 Futbol tomorrow morning, then a CX ride on the dirt. It's the little things I look forward to...

Time suck

That's all today's post is going to be. Things to effectively ruin any productivity you may, or may not, have on a Thursday morning.

Didn't ride Tuesday, as I don't ride on the days I get cracked and stretched. So nothing to report there. Crushing...I know...

Roubaix is Sunday. It's sunny in the North of France right now. I'm disappointed too.

It was nice last year too. I think we're about due for a wet race.



And 1994...

Probably still the best race of the "modern" era...

Scheldeprijs was yesterday. Kristoff is killing it. And again, can someone explain to me how Etixx-Quickstep lost this race...?


Scary crash too...

From the "Answer to a question no one asked" File :

A 36er? Really? Because, you know, toe overlap won't be an issue....
Maybe penny farthings will make a comeback...

Ducati custom 250 Scrambler? Shut up and take my money! Mr. Fuller knows his stuff. He's working on a KTM Duke right now. Hmmmm...

And just a reminder...

On the serious tip, thanks to Outspokin' for hooking me up on a Trek MT200 for #2 Junior Management.

His birthday is coming, and being the little brother, he's always gotten the hand-me-down bike. Well, not this time. He's gonna be stoked.
And if you need a proper fit, call them and get Brian to set you up. I watched the process the other day. To say it's thorough would be something of an understatement.

Ok...back to work...

Nutty Fruitcakes

What the hell was going on at Flanders yesterday...?

Wiggins had a hissy fit (actually pretty normal)


Just put that $12k bike anywhere....

Shimano Neutral cars smash cars and riders




(Hey, Shimano...I'm a pretty good mechanic, and a damn good driver...you know...just in case you're looking to fill some empty positions...)

Looks like Sky's Pinarello bouncy bikes worked out about as well as Museeuw's 1994 full sus rig.
Bikes don't win races kids. Hard men win the Spring classics...

Full race coverage


Kristoff's bike? A full aero rig...

The women covered the cobbles and climbs yesterday as well...
Elisa Longo-Borghini won in a solo effort.



And Patrick Lefevere was up to his old tricks after the race. Terpstra finishes second, and Pat spit the dummy, and shit all over the effort...
He said it was "...the best possible result without a dedicated team leader..."
Basically, he gave Niki a pat on the head and said, "You did good son, but Boonen would have done better..."
Here's a novel idea...GIVE TERPSTRA SOME GD SUPPORT!!!
What a joke...

Me? Yeah...I rode.
Saturday arrived with clouds and rain. CX bike got the call. I went out, looped around Eastman, and came back on The Powerstation.
Note to LexCo...
STOP GRADING THE OPEN END OF THE DIRT ROAD EVERY TWO WEEKS!!
Nothing tests handling skill like bombing off the pavement, straight into 3-4" deep, freshly graded Lexington County dirt/sand. Forward momentum gets arrested quickly.
Other than that, the 2 hours passed quickly, and were pretty good.

Sunday, a few Heathens met for a pleasant ride out thru LexCo.

Fairly terrible yesterday...
Oh, and the pollen count was somewhere in the "Going to Kill You" range...

An easy 110km fell under wheels. It was breezy, but the sun was out, and the temps were just about perfect.
You have your Church...I have mine...

The rest of the day was spent napping, and overhauling the BB on the Ridley. No more clicky-click...
It was rough.

2005 called

So Pinarello debuted it's "new" Classics bike today. A soft-tail. Journos, and the #fauxperts are all atwitter.
Too bad that several other companies have produced soft-tail, and suspended designs WAY prior to Pinarello's "discovery".
Klein, Ibis, and Cannondale to name a few...
And let's ask Museeuw how his fill suspension Bianchi worked out for him in 1994, when he was chasing Tchmil. The #fauxperts wouldn't know anything about that though...

 Coming soon, to a Fondo near you...
Honestly, I'm shocked there's no disc brake version...yet...
It's only $5750. I'll take two.

And here's a Klein Reve from 2005...

And here's the Bianchi monstrosity from '94...

Edit : Moots YBB

Ekimov's Trek from 05

See people, it's nothing new. Nothing to see here...move along...

Actual fun rides this week. Finally feel like things are getting back to normal after The Devil's Cleanse.
The pollen though...holy shit. the scale goes to 12. The level has been hovering somewhere around 137.
Felt really good Tuesday, and actually rode well, including one nearly 15 minute pull on 302 that no one seemed to want to take over.
Tonight, meh...
Tired and mentally fried. Taking three children to the zoo for three hours, DURING Spring Break, will, in fact, deaden one's legs, and brain.

Flanders is this weekend....
Is it bad that I'm hoping for rain and wind in Belgium?