Go Clipless

Autumn Arrived

autumn arrived
Originally uploaded by basheem.

Here's a really great photo that caught my eye.

A color photo with the contrast and qualities of a black and white.

Biking at a leisurely pace yet faster then the endless line of cars.

An endless ride.

Alta Bikes

Check out these ads from Alta Bikes...clearly going for the wacky-irony factor a la IMBA.

Alta is a Norwegian company that currently produces only one bike they call the Alta Bike, a single speed city racer. The company is interesting because it is a partnership between furniture designers, product designers, graphic designers, and an ad agency.

The Alta Bike is currently only available in Apple Green (a new color to be announced soon) and retails for 665 euros or about 800 U.S. dollars.

Images originally uploaded by feaverish.

Cycling in the mainstream

Ever notice that when you are thinking about buying a new car it seems like every other car you pass is the same as the one you might buy? I get that same feeling about cycling in the mainstream media. It seems like there are more examples of cycling used to sell products then ever before. Of course it could be that I'm just noticing it more.

Anyway, I was researching CRM systems (not related to my mountain biking habit) and came across this screen-shot of Microsoft's new CRM. The fictional example they use is Bike Universe.

Just for fun, I've added a new category to capture the moments when I see cycling things in the mainstream media or used to market non-cycling related things.

MFM, WTF, WHY, HNT

I thought this blog was in need of a good meme. I mean, why not? There are a couple of fun ones out there, but I'm just not sure I could sustain some of them with original or humorous content. I first noticed Spexial Edukashun's Middle Finger Monday (a personal favorite), through Monkeytron's blog. Then Monkeytron must've decided to be more original so he started WTF? Friday (let's see what he'll have for us tomorrow!). Stumbled on The Foxybrown Show's Why Wednesday, but it's a little too open ended for me.

So I decided to shake it up a bit with Half-Nekkid Thursday (HNT). Except we'll do it MTB-style!

I'll stick to x-country riding...thank you very much!

Would you jump a 40' by 70' gap like this one in Lethbridge, Alberta?

Matt from Canada would...and he did...and he nearly nailed it...no...he walked away with only minor injuries and bruises...and yes, he will try it again! (More from the PinkBike forums.)

Ever since I saw Unchained, I have found a new respect for freeriding and extreme mountain biking. I think it's because it makes me feel so far behind in my skills that it pushes me just a little bit harder when I am on a cross-country trail. Maybe take a larger drop then I normally do or do ever larger log hops. Basically, when I consider bailing on a stunt I have seen others do before me, I draw on these outrageous experiences to tell myself that it can't be that hard. After all, if guys like Matt can do a 40' drop, surely I can roll over a three and a half foot log set without killing myself.

Found via a thread in the MORE forums.

Beer Cycling Jerseys

Fixedgear's got a great list going of beer brewers with cycling jerseys.  Here's another list of beer jersey's from the BikeForums archives.

London Pride's gone beyond the generic jersey (read - road jersey) and created one thats more forgiving for mountain bikers.

I thought that local brewer Old Dominion had a jersey, but I guess I was mistaken.

Top 100 Bike Retailers

International Cycle Works, a cycling industry research firm, has released a list of the Top 100 Bike Retailers for 2005. The list was compiled from the results of a survey of sales representatives from six of the leading bike manufacturers and six leading accessory makers. The criteria used to rank the stores included market share, community outreach, and store appearance.

Here in the Washington, D.C. area, three four five retailers made the list:

• City Bikes, Washington, D.C.
• Hudson Trail Outfitters, Gaithersburg, MD
• Spokes, Etc., Vienna, VA
• Revolution Cycles, Clarendon, VA
• Bike Doctor, Waldorf, MD

No surprise with City Bikes. If you are a mountain biker involved with MORE then you know City Bikes is very active in the mtb community. They have a competitive local race team and regularly sponsor advocacy programs. The Chevy Chase, MD store is always hopping on the weekends.

Spokes, Etc. is more of a road and casual riders shop from my point of view. They do have an excellent show room (in terms of presentation) and a great location along the W&OD trail. I have not been to their new Ashburn, VA location yet, but I hear it is more MTB focused.

Haven't been to Hudson Trail Outfitters in MD. I have been to several HTO's before, but they have all been more hiking and general outdoors oriented so I am a little surprised about this one.

Update #1

I am also surprised that Revolution Cycles (locations in Arlington and Georgetown) didn't make it since they are clearly one of the largest retailers in the area.

One of the largest bike retailers in the area, Revolution Cycles was a natural for the Top 100 list (so obvious, I missed it when I first reviewed the list). Revolution carries everything from the entry-level to the highest of high-end Lance Armstrong replica bikes. Their flagship store in the Clarendon section of Arlington is more than 11,000 square feet and well-stocked. Their second store in Georgetown is in a prime location and they have opened two new shops in Rockville, MD and Stafford, VA.

Update #2

While I have never been to the Bike Doctor in Waldorf, I am familiar with the chain. I have always been impressed with the number and quality of bike brands they carry. The Waldorf, MD Bike Doctor is one of six individually owned stores in the Bike Doctor franchise.

Who else should have made the list?

I found this via Cyclelicious. Check them out to stay on top of the latest news in cycling.

Training in the off-season

Has anyone seen Ashwinearl's series of posts about off-season training for mountain bikers? If you are racing or just want to stay fit over the winter then you have to check them out. Mad props to the head coach of Team Married With Children, Full Time Job, No Genetic Talent!

1. Part One
2. Part Two
3. Part Three
4. Interval training

Unacceptable

It's totally unacceptable that...

1) I've ridden only once in the last three weeks.

2) I gained 7 pounds during this time.

3) It's been more than a week since my last post.

4) I took several lengthy recovery breaks during my last ride at Fountainhead..

5) I have yet to find the right family, ride, work life balance.

6) Cycling is not more integrated into my life (I'm starting to repeat myself).

7) My bike is still not rigged for night riding.

8) J-Vic and I have yet to post our Interbike surprise.

I expect to rectify most of these issues shortly.

This post brought to you from the soccer field side-lines. Go Jack!

Smacked with reality

Sorry for the slow posts...since coming back from Interbike I have had been smacked in the face with a hefty dose of reality. You know...work (my real work), family, household obligations, the usual. Anyway, I had a few minutes to check out some blogs this afternoon. Dennisbike had a post pointing to some cool urban cycling videos and photography from phattire.net.

I like the photography a lot especially the bike porn drivetrain photos and snapshots. The videos are cool too...a little like a moving version of Martino's Bike Lane Diary. The April Fools video adds a little twist.

Thanks Dennisbike!