Two Wheel Blogs

My version of sprinting with Campy shifters is an invigorating trip. Make no mistake, I am an average sprinter at best when compared to your typical cat 5 field...and I know it. Sometimes it is fun to fantasize and live like a kid (you know you roll into sight of a sprint sign and imagine for a moment that you are Mario, or Robbie)

Like I said, I am not a hardcore sprinter, but I can hold my own against other hacks like myself. A typical ride for me involves a fair amount of trash talk and ego fluffing, so it should come as no surprise that challenging another rider to a sprint is common place on a ride.

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The name says it all.

For whatever reason, I have been doing a bunch of slow rides lately. Not really *that* slow, but they are a bit slower and longer than typical for me.

I have been taking more time to enjoy what riding a fine bicycle has to offer...and it is a great thing.

Instead of slamming through the gears and hammering only to hear the sounds of wind in my ears, blood pumping, and tires grinding against pavement, I am taking more time to appreciate the sound of a perfectly tuned drive train, the sounds of the nature that lies slightly beyond the roads edge, and the voices of good friends. These are the things that give me passion towards cycling right now.

The Dauphiné Libéré is a pretty famous race that passes near me in the North French Alps.

I had the good fortune to watch three mountain stages live.

It's truly exciting watching a big event up a mountain. Loads of people cycle up the hills. People camped or picnicking on the hill cheer everyone. A publicity caravan comes by and throws out souvenirs (if anyone is a Credit Agricole Fan I will mail them a hat - I have an extra).

I first got into cycling in the Alps after watching a Tour de France stage near home. And this year's tremendously exciting Dauphiné just added to my love of the sport.

I fully understand how lucky I am to live where I do. And I have been taking full advantage of that good fortune.

Just a few photos:

So after the guests comment yesterday about cow jumping, I had to post this. No cow, but close. Well not really, but only in the good ol Midwest will you see these fellows cruising the roads. Before you make fun of my super weak hop skillz, understand that today was my first on flat pedals. I'm still getting used to bunny hopping, it's a whole lot different when your not clipped in. Enjoy Jumping Turtle...

And it's not all the hot... This is a very weak attempt at making a sweet urban biking video, but hey, it's our first try. It was also done on a small Sony camera with a video function. I learned alot tonight about video editing and how not to shoot video. I promise the next one will be twice as exciting... Enjoy!

Yesterday I was watching this video of the Stage 16 mountain top timetrial at the Giro d'Italia when the phone rang. The caller was from a bike shop from whom I'd placed an order for some tires.

See, I've been running whatever skins I've had laying around on my TT bike this year. I found an old Michelin Pro Race for the front. On the back it has been a red striped Michelin Ironman in what looks like a 25mm on that Hed disk. I decided it was time to invest in something known to be lower in both profile and rolling resistance.

The tires I'd chosen were Michelin Pro Race 3, or Pro 3 Race. Whichever. I found out that even though they're advertised in a 20mm, Michelin hasn't yet begun making them. The search for new tires thus continues.