Cheeseflavor's Cycling Blog

Where Are the Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities in the World?

2007-11-10T21:32:18Z

By Marty Jerome, November 09, 2007 | 3:43:59 PM

We all know Amsterdam leads the list--since bicycles
account for 40 percent of all traffic in that city. Virgin has put together a list of the top 11 friendliest cities for bikes in the world, based on criteria advanced by the League of American Bicyclists. And what would those criteria be?

Why, they're enshrined in the Five Es:

Engineering (bike parking, designated lanes, etc.)

Encouragement (events and campaigns)

Evaluation and Planning (ongoing political bodies that make changes to existing laws and plan for the future)

Education (bike maps and awareness campaigns)

Enforcement (making motorists heel)

And the 11 most bike friendly cities?

Amsterdam

Portland, Oregon

Copenhagen

Boulder, Colorado

Davis, California

Sandnes, Norway

Tronheim, Norway

San Francisco, California

Berlin

Barcelona

Basel, Switzerland

Source: Where Are the Most Bicycle-Friendly Cities in the World? | Autopia from Wired.com

Technorati tags: biker friendly, bikenaked, communities, bicycle awareness

Man who had sex with bike in court

2007-11-01T05:24:45Z

Hi Folks!

Every once in a while, I'll find some strange cycling related story. Well, I thought this was a rather odd one. I like my bike alright. I mean I love my bike, but you just have to draw the line somewhere :)

Take care,

Steve

----------------------------------------------------------

By Richard Alleyne

Last Updated: 2:07am GMT 31/10/2007

A man has been placed on the sex offenders’ register after being caught trying to have sex with a bicycle.

Robert Stewart was discovered in his room by two cleaners at the Aberley House Hostel in Ayr, south west Scotland, in October last year.

On Wednesday Mr Stewart admitted to sexual breach of the peace in Ayr Sheriff Court, where depute fiscal Gail Davidson described how he had been found by the hostel workers.

She said: "They knocked on the door several times and there was no reply."They used a master key to unlock the door and they then observed the accused wearing only a white T-shirt, naked from the waist down.

"The accused was holding the bike and moving his hips back and forth as if to simulate sex."

Both witnesses, who were extremely shocked, notified the hotel manager, who in turn alerted the police.

Mr Stewart was placed on the sex offenders’ register but his sentence was deferred until next month.

Continue at source

Technorati tags: cheeseflavor, bikenaked.net, humor, strange news, bike sex

Bruyneel to lead Astana

2007-10-13T11:43:30Z

By BikeRader & AFP

Can Bruyneel continue his streak with Contador at Astana? (DOMINIQUE FAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

Discovery Channel team manager Johan Bruyneel will take over at the Astana team in 2008, the Kazakh Cycling Federation (KFC) announced on Friday.

The Belgian, whose Discovery Channel team will wind up at the end of this season after failing to find a sponsor, will replace Swiss Marc Biver.

The Astana team quit the Tour de France this summer when Kazakh star
Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping.

The new Astana team will strictly apply the anti-doping measures of the
International Cycling Federation, the team statement said.

Bruyneel led the US Postal team which later became Discovery Channel, to
victory in eight of the last nine Tour de France races - seven consecutive
from 1999-2005 with Lance Armstrong - and this year with Spaniard Alberto
Contador.

Contador is also reportedly joining the Astana team. Fellow Tour podium dweller and Discovery Channel team mate Levi Leipheimer is also reported to be joining Contador and Bruyneel at Astana in 2008.

Source:

Technorati tags: bikenaked, Team News, Team Discovery, Astana

Its' Been a While, My Friends!

2007-10-03T03:06:47Z

It's been a long time since I posted, and I am ashamed to say I have neglected the site terribly. It's not that I've lost interest - far from it. Life has a nasty way of, well, getting in the way of the things that we enjoy. Sometimes it's those very things that we enjoy that have a sneaky way of taking all of our time.

This summer has been a busy one. It's also been a sad one and also sometimes a cause for celebration. I've been blessed and I've been cursed. Life's funny that way, but it does indeed go on, and we make the best of it. Someday, maybe I'll elaborate on what all has gone on in my life, but for now, I've got a bunch of catching up to do!

So let's make this the official return post.

Take care,

Steve

Technorati tags: cheeseflavor, bikenaked.net, it's been a while

Basso admits involvement in Puerto scandal

2007-05-07T17:10:00Z

Ivan Basso today confessed to the anti-doping prosecutor of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) that he was involved in the Operación Puerto blood doping scandal. CONI said the 2006 Giro winner came to them of his own accord and offered to cooperate with their investigation and clarify his part in the scandal.

The 29-year-old Basso now faces a ban from cycling of up to two years and an additional two-year exclusion from riding on ProTour teams. If his doping is connected to his 2006 Giro win, authorities could also strip him of that title. "He wasn't feeling good and he wasn't calm, and he wanted to lift a weight off his conscience," said Basso's lawyer Massimo Martelli. "During the interrogation he was shaking, but then he regained his composure to show great character."

Ivano Fanini, owner of Italian cycling team Amore and Vita, was happy to see Basso come clean. "I knew it would finish this way and it could be a great chance for things to change," he said. "Basso has shown his intelligence and understands that this is the right road to take. "He mustn't only think about saving himself, and I hope that what he has done proves to be important."

For those keeping score at home, 2006 was not a good year for cycling. To recap:

American Floyd Landis becomes the first Tour winner to fail a drug test after testing positive for the male sex hormone testosterone during the race. Landis, who continues to deny using performance-enhancing drugs, is due to appear before the U.S. Anti-Doping agency on May 14.

Germany's 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich, Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso are among nine competitors forced to withdraw on the eve of the 2006 Tour de France prologue after being implicated in a Spanish doping investigation, Operation Puerto. Ullrich is subsequently sacked by his T-Mobile team and retires from competition in February.

DNA tests confirm that some of the bags of blood seized in Operation Puerto belongs to Ullrich, the Bonn state prosecutor's office says in April.

Having dropped their investigation into Basso last October, the Italian Olympic Committee reopen it and he appears before a doping hearing on May 2. Today, Basso admits his involvement in the scandal.

I can only hope that this year's Tour not be conducted under a cloud of suspicion like last year's race. Maybe we can actually have a winner of the 2006 TdF declared by then.

Source: Basso admits involvement in Puerto scandal

Technorati tags: rants and ravings, cycling, bikenaked.net, basso, operation puerto, doping

Cyclists going nowhere on 15ft path | Metro.co.uk

2007-04-21T18:38:00Z

Humerous little article spotted on metro.uk.com:

Cyclists going nowhere on 15ft path Thursday, April 19, 2007 Cycle lanes are supposed to help protect cyclists and give them a safe haven in a busy, snarled traffic network.

But cyclists in Oval Road, Camden, have been baffled by an apparently pointless lane, just 15 ft long. It offers just a few seconds of safety, before, with another pedal-push, riders are once again on the same road as cars.

The lane is said to have been painted by accident. However that happens, it looks like it takes some skill to create the little laid-down bicycle, complete with handlebars, seat and pedals by Camden Council.

Cyclist David Jones, from Archway, said: "It's the sort of stupid thing the council would do. It's just crazy. What a waste of money. It's a useless little strip in the road."

The council, which had no knowledge of the pointless path, didn't even know it was there, until it was shown the pictures. A council spokeswoman said: "This marking was put down in error after the road was resurfaced many years ago and, while it has caused no problems, we will now get it removed as soon as we can."

She added she was not sure how much the work would cost.

15ft Cycle path What's the point?

Source: Cyclists going nowhere on 15ft path | Metro.co.uk

Technorati tags: metro.uk.com, humor, cycling

Paris-Roubaix: PEZ Rides The Cobbles - Ouch!

2007-04-15T07:11:00Z

Roubaix: PEZ Rides The Cobbles - Ouch!
Thursday, April 12, 2007 7:22:27 PM PT
by Richard Pestes

It was a day of historic – and epic – proportions. We’d journeyed far, across continents, oceans, and the toughest roads in Europe, to arrive at the route for Sunday’s Hell of the North – Paris-Roubaix. Me and my butt found out first hand what it’s like to ride the “pavé”.

Historic sections of pave are marked by these posts, and protected as national monuments. The Arenberg Forest, for example, is only open to vehicular traffic one day of the year.

I rode the cobbles in 2004 as a guest with Velo Classic Tours , and although the soreness of my muscles has faded, the memory of riding the harshest roads of our sport has not. As I updated this story, I found myself hoping to get back soon to enjoy the ‘punishment’ again.

The pave sectors have changed slightly since 2004, but this year’s collection of pain has all the classic stones, plus some – 52.7km of pave in 30 sections. The list below counts down the final 20 sections from the decisive ‘Trench of Arenberg’.

18 Tranchée (ou Trouée) d’Arenberg
17 Wallers à Hélesmes
16 Hornaing à Wandignies - Hamage
15 Warlaing à Brillon
14 Tilloy à Sars-et-Rosières
13 Beuvry-la-Forêt à Orchies
12 Orchies
11 Auchy-lez-Orchies à Bersée
10 Mons-en-Pévèle
9 Mérignies à Pont-à-Marcq
8 Pont-Thibaut à Ennevelin
7 Templeuve - L’Epinette
7 Templeuve - Moulin-de-Vertain
6 Cysoing à Bourghelles
6 Bourghelles à Wannehain
5 Camphin-en-Pévèle
4 Carrefour de l’Arbre
3 Gruson
2 Hem
1 Roubaix

Friday was Day 9 of the Belgian Pez Spring Classics adventure, and after some of the nastiest, coldest, wettest weather I’ve seen, the day dawned bright and sunny. We were off to ride the second part of the Roubaix course, and were accustomed to heavy drenching rain during some part of any given ride – all I can say is thank God it did not rain today – as I now have even less interest in experiencing the pave in wet conditions…

We had transferred about 1 hour south from Ghent, where Velo Classic Tours had set us up in yet another beautiful town – Tournai – for the next 3 nights. The Hotel d’Alcantara is themed after the great artists – Gauguin, Renoir, et al – and located just off the town square.

Looking back to the entry to Sector 17. There are 22 sectors of pave, numbered in descending order to the finish, covering about 50km.

PAVÉ: Sector 17
As we drove to our ride start point, low cloud rolled in, adding an eerie feeling to our anticipation of what lay ahead. The temp was again cold - around 44F degrees (6C), but it was dry! After a short warm up on smooth paved roads, we turned hard right in the town of Haspres, dodged under a small rail bridge, and met Sector 17 – 1700 m cut through a field, slight climb to the mid-point, and then straight cross the potato fields that cover the countryside.

Everything is worse than you think when riding the cobbles of Roubaix. Not even a week in Flanders could prepare us for this…

We’d already ridden several kms of cobbles in the past week on the Flanders and Ghent-Wevelgem routes, but it was clear the cobbles of Roubaix are the worst by far. The stones are older, the paving less uniform, the edges sharper. The cobbled sections are just tiny and ancient farm paths that cut across fields, beside people’s houses, and in one case what appeared to be down an alley.

It’s clear which sectors are the oldest by the humped ridge that runs along the center of the track. In some cases the slope is so steep that the one false move and you lose your track across the top and just plummet to the gutter. Usually every line around you looks better than the one you’re on, until you change lines and realize it’s actually worse.

PAVÉ: How Do They Ride This Stuff?

There’s no easing into the pave, no dipping your toe to test the water… forgettaboutit. And the slower you go the worse it is. You must attack the cobbles!!! Ride the biggest gear possible, and use your speed to carry you across the tops of the stones – the pain is worse when you roll into the cracks and grooves between each stone and take the full jolt of unyielding French stone smacking its way through your bike.

Which raises another problem… holding on. It’s 2 hands or nothing. You gotta hold on for dear life, because your once softly padded gel-tape is immediately transformed into what feels like sharply knobbled lead pipe that someone keeps smashing against your hands. Sure it’s like a jackhammer, but it’s worse… way worse. It took me about 1500 meters to wish I was riding dual suspension. And there is no escaping the harsh pounding you take. A rigid bike is a rigid bike – and your poor ass is what absorbs all the shock.

The best position I found was to hold the bar tops in the center, push my self back, and let the bike go where it wants. Keep pedaling and it will track straight, but hesitate and you’re in for it…

Welcome To the Trench

Into the fabled Arenberg Forest: dead straight, 2400 meters long, gradual dip to the middle. It’s dark in here. The cobbles are different from other sectors – they’re sharper and further apart. But what really makes it interesting is the wet – I almost went down a few times as I plodded and picked my way slowly through from one side to the other. More than a little luck is needed to get through here…

The Saeco boys emerge from Arenberg. We bumped into Salvatore Commesso and co, astride a variety of shiny Cannondales featuring headshocks, cross set-ups, v- and cantilever brakes. Then we joined ‘em for a few kms and a couple sections of cobbles.

We stayed politely at the back of their group, rolling along a warm-up pace. We laughed knowing they could drop us at will, and thrilled that they hadn’t… yet.

Then we hit the 1 km long Sector 14 at Wallers. It wasn’t like they so much turned up the pace, as simply held the pace we were riding on the road. Problem for us punters though, was having to notch-up our own game to hold that pace on the pave. Of course we fell back, but caught back on before Sector 13 – an endless, punishing and demoralizing 3700 meters. I decided to give it a go and shoved my Dura-Ace 10 speed into the 53… I hoped for the best. Our little group of chasers dropped off one by one, accepting that survival here is a noble accomplishment. I finally hit my own wall, and watched as the Red Train rolled away across the French field.

So here I am, heart rate in the stratos, arms, hand, legs and feet aching from the bashing, my world closes in and becomes a focus of 6 ft ahead – looking for that line that is just a tiny bit smoother… Bashing on I go. Then … up ahead I see one, then another red suit riding alone. Hmmm… this can only mean one thing… they’re suffering too! One of the Saeco boys turns around and rides back past me… his face showing complete disgust. He’s not a happy camper and I wonder how long before he packs it on Sunday.

I feel a tiny piece of satisfaction as I roll on smooth roads again to Sector 12.

This far I’ve covered only 5 sectors of cobbles, for about 11km, and I am feeling it. The legs aren’t recovering like they should, it takes longer to shake the feeling back into my arms and hands… I sense a turning point for Pez.

The JOY OF LUNCH

After struggling on alone through Sectors 12 & 11, I came upon the much-welcomed lunch stop. There was Lisa from Velo Classic, smiling beside a picnic feast set up and waiting. Belgian breads and pastries, cheeses, sausages, prosciutto, yoghurt, fruit, chocolate… absolutely the right thing to do!

We’d already covered about 65km, and some of the group wisely decided to enjoy the rest of the day from the warmth of the van. But not me…

My legs were pretty much done, and after the next sector of cobbles, I realized the rest of me was also shot. I was now fully in “epic” mode, and riding to get to the end, which came about 40km and 5 more sectors of cobbles later. I was still about 20km shy of the Roubaix Velodrome, but was thoroughly satisfied with the ride.

I feel like I have an actual understanding of what this race is about, and what kind of riders do well here. To me, this race seems harder than Flanders, because the cobbles seem more frequent, get worse, and stay worse.

Paris-Roubaix is a race built for only the toughest of the tough. Having ridden these roads, I at least know what they feel like rolling and smashing under my own wheels. This is riding in the birthplace of our sport, and something you should all do – trust me – it will be well worth the pain.

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=4837

Technorati tags: Paris-Roubaix, Cycling, Spring Classics, Racing, Bikenaked.net

It's ALIVE! New '07 Roubaix

2007-02-10T04:22:21Z

I am very happy to report that I now have a road bike again. Yes, my new Roubaix is now home, and we had our first trainer ride together tonight. But before I start to blather about everything I like about the bike, I want to take a few lines and tell everyone know just how good the service at Erik's Bikeshop and Specialized is.

If you've read my last few posts here, you know the story about my cracked frame, and that the crack was at the front of the seat tube. Some manufacturers and bike shops might have claimed that this was caused by a user over-tightening the seat post clamp. I was indeed worried that this would be the case and I would end up shelling out big money for a replacement from Specialized. Specialized, as some of you may know, has a replacement program whereby they'll replace a frame no longer under warranty for 75% of retail. This would have meant I would have had to pay around $1200 (at least that's what the tech I spoke to at Specialized told me when I called) to get a Roubaix back on the road.

Boy, am I glad I purchased the bike from Erik's originally. After talking to Specialized, I packed the bike up and headed off to Erik's to plead my case.

Once there, Eric, the mechanic (not Erik the owner) takes a look at it and proclaims it not salvageable. After examining it and the seatpost, Eric called Specialized. They decide that it wasn't caused by over-tightening the seatpost (I've always been VERY careful) and say that they're going to replace it with a 2007 Roubaix frame.

Phew!

Erik's has been a great place to do business with. I cannot say enough about how good they have been to Linda and I. We've purchased a total of 8 bikes from them since we've started riding. They have been rock solid for us. Way beyond just selling us bikes and taking our money. The employees have been great to us. Sales people Bob, Matt, Dan. Charlie and mechanics Eric and Andy, Sales Manager Dave O., (forgive me if I left anybody out) - you guys have been great.

I'm convinced that our progress in this great activity would not have been as smooth, or as rapid, had we made our purchases from a store that was less helpful. Who you purchase a bike from really does make a difference, and I can whole-heartedly, and without reservation recommend these folks!

Ok, now for some pics :)

Here's a side shot of it. You can sort of see the new seatpost here. It's an S-Works carbon. The old one was the standard Specialized composite seatpost with zertz that came on the bike. It was comfortable, but heavier than this one, and also had the two-bolt adjustment that was always a pain for quick adjustments.

Here's a shot of the cockpit. FSA K-Wing handlebars and Ritchey WCS stem. No handlebar tape yet.

The stem cap is aimed at me and is a reminder every time I get on the bike. I don't like pain, but it seems I 'm always suffering.

Just snapping some pics. I like the new colors of the Roubaix and the new weave on the carbon.

Here's a shot of the one of the seatstays complete with zertz. I like the new weave on the '07 carbon. Also, the frame is a half pound lighter than the '05.

Anyway, that's the new one.

Later!

Steve (aka Cheeseflavor)

Technorati tags: cycling, bikenaked.net, cheeseflavor, 2007 Roubaix, Erik's Bikeshop, Specialized

Update on my dead Roubaix

2007-02-04T18:45:00Z

Specialized has decided to warranty the damage on the frame, it's been ordered and should be in Erik's warehouse as of now. The replacement is an '07 Roubaix Comp (exact same frame) and should be ready to go by next week some time.

The color isn't what I would have hoped - Specialized replaced the black/carbon color (like mine) with more graphics, and the new one will be this one here:

Not bad, but I really liked the black carbon look. I think it was cleaner and faster looking.

Here's the old frame (sniff):

On the positive side, Erik's and Specialized are warranting the damage and I'm very happy about that. The new frame should still be sharp with the Zipps on it, and maybe with the different graphics, it will give me the opportunity to play around with different color saddles and bartape :)

One other thing, the Bianchi doesn't quite fit the trainer. So, unable to even ride that, I'm suffering cycling withdrawal bigtime.

Later!

Steve

Technorati tags: bikenaked.net, cheeseflavor, cycling, Rants and ramblings, Roubaix, Specialized

R.I.P. Roubaix

2007-01-27T05:02:00Z

After 2 full seasons, a bunch of trainer miles and about 12,000 miles, I just found out today that my '05 Roubaix has breathed its last.

The day started off good enough. I had scheduled a vacation day today to perform a couple of upgrades and some maintenance to the bike. The plan was new shift and brake cables, a new seatpost, new handlebars and stem, and a cleaning down to the frame.

The first thing I did was remove the seatpost. Loosened the collar, and out it slid - just like a seatpost should. I removed the collar to clean out the grit that had likely accumulated over course of the 2 seasons I'd enjoyed the bike. Under the collar, something didn't look right. There was a bulge - sort of a ridge - underneath it. On closer inspection, it was a crack. The crack was about 3/4" long vertically, and made an abrupt 90 degree angle and continued for about another 3/4".

I just sort of stared at it in disbelief. What the heck was this? A crack in my carbon frame? How could this be? How long had it been like that? Now what??

The first thing I did was call Specialized tech support. Of course, they said "don't ride it". Bring it immediately to your local LBS for an inspection and determination of warranty coverage. So, I dial Erik's Bike Shop where we bought the bike. They said to bring it in and they'll have a look at it.

Once at Erik's, one of the long-time mechanics, Erick (not Erik the owner) takes a look at it and proclaims it not salvageable. The hell you say, says I, I need that bike. It's what I train on in the winter as well. I can't train on a single-speed Bianchi on a trainer. Can't I just hang on to it until a determination is made whether it's under warranty or not? Nope, says Erick. He wouldn't like to see anyone on that frame again. It's just not safe.

So, we start the warranty paperwork.

At this point, I'm not sure what's going to happen. The LBS after inspecting it has determined that it wasn't abuse (it's never been crashed, it wasn't a result of anything I did), and they'll file it as a warranty claim. At this point, the only thing I know for sure is that my old frame will never see the road again for me or anyone else. Kind of sad really.

If Specialized accepts the claim, I'll get a free replacement, and a nice upgrade. The replacements, so I'm told, are all '07 Roubaix Pros. If they determine that it's not under warranty, Specialized has a "replacement" policy whereby they'll sell you the frame for 25% off, and it will cost me about $1200. Naturally, I'm hoping for the warranty.

In any event, the bike, or at least the frame, is history. I'll end up with amounts to a brand new bike (the components have about a season on them). And most importantly, I find it now rather than after a catastrophic failure on a ride.

More after I find out what's going to happen.

Steve (aka Cheeseflavor)

Technorati tags: bikenaked.net, cycling, rants and ramblings, cheeseflavor

Misplaced Priorities - Stupid Cycling Law

2007-01-25T17:46:00Z

Crime, poverty, education. Should be a priority for most states, right? Well, apparently not in New Jersey. Seems that cyclists talking on cellphones is is enough to send at least one lawmaker scurrying to enact a new law banning said activity.

According to this article on WCBS's website, last Thursday, Jan. 19th, 2007, "A legislative committee has approved a bill that would make it illegal for people to use a hand-held telephone while riding a bicycle on a public road. Hands-free devices would be allowed and lawbreakers would face fines ranging from $100 to $250. Assemblyman Jon Bramnick, a bill sponsor, said the measure is meant to protect bicyclists and the people they may strike when riding and yakking at the same time".

He goes on to say "That is, in our judgment, a danger to pedestrians as well as to the bicyclists themselves, due to the fact that now they have one hand on the handlebars, they're talking to someone and they're on a public highway".

Furthermore, Bramnick admitted he has no data on injuries caused by distracted riders. He called the cell phone biking bill "a common sense proposal'' based on observations he and others have made ``in the more densely populated communities.''

This bill, one of almost 7,000 bills introduced by New Jersey lawmakers this year, was approved for consideration by the final Assembly for passing into law.

However, after news of the silly law started making the rounds (including mention on The Drudge Report), an embarrassed Jon Bramnick decided to pull the bill once the ridicule started to roll in. Seems even his wife thought it was a dumb idea. According the Bramnick, "When I called my wife the day I introduced the bill she said, "Are you kidding?".

So, I have to ask, how many of you have actually tried talking on a cellphone while hammering?

Take care,

Steve

Technorati Tags: bikenaked.net - rants and ramblings - cycling - cheeseflavor

You might notice something different about Bikenaked.net

2007-01-15T18:03:00Z

As you can probably tell, I've been a bit busy re-theming the site. It is a totally different look from the original. It's a hobby for me, and as I was getting a bit tired of the old look, I thought I'd go for something a bit more "dramatic" than the basic white and blue of the old site.

A few things still need to be cleaned up, and I'm addressing them as quickly as possible and as I notice them :)

I hope you like the new look, and if you see anything that doesn't work, or if you'd just like to comment (please do!), feel free!

Take care,

Steve (aka Cheeseflavor)

Technorati tags: cheeseflavor, bikenaked.net, rants and ramblings, community server

Building the Stable - Bianchi San Jose Singlespeed

2006-12-15T12:17:00Z

After a lot of thinking about it and talking about it for the last few months, Linda and I finally decided to purchase a pair of second bikes. The purpose wasn't to replace our Specializeds, but supplement them with something that was low maintenance. A bike that we wouldn't feel bad getting dirty, wet and sloppy. A bike that didn't cost an arm and a leg, and above all, something we could have some fun with while maintaining some level of fitness.

We looked at entry level road bikes and even thought about tri-cross bikes. The problem is that to get anything with even a decent drive train, we were looking at at least a grand apiece.We also wanted the ability to take the occasional crushed gravel or dirt/grass trail, so that pretty much ruled out pure road bikes.

Then, while reading this month's Cycling Magazine, I see mention of the single speed Bianchi San Jose. I also start reading as much as I can about it here and elsewhere on the web, and really saw pretty much good reviews. Everyone said it was a good, low maintenance, fun bike.

So, we start calling around to find one, and nobody in town has them. The first place we went to, didn't have them at all, and after Linda and I start calling around, we find out they're being sold as fast as they're coming in, and that it would be weeks before they would get the next shipment from Bianchi.

Then Linda hit on a couple in the size we wanted, and in the color we wanted. So, we took the afternoon and headed off to the store! After taking them out for a test spin, we bought them on the spot along with a couple sets of new pedals, packed them into car, and headed for home.

We got home early enough to have enough light for a 45 minute ride down a local crushed gravel trail. What a load of fun! We didn't have our cyclometers installed yet, so I have no idea what speeds we were hitting, but I'm guessing 17-18mph will be a breeze on these bikes with the single speed. The ride is excellent. Smooth, and not the least bit harsh even on the crushed gravel. What is really noticeable is how quiet they are without the derailleurs and pulleys making noise. They are really quiet.

The bike is a relatively lightweight steel frame, single speed, 42/17 gearing with a freewheel, cross bike. Some of the components are:

700x32mm (semi-knobby) tires
Cane Creek brakes
Sugino crankset
Shimano freewheel
KMC chain
Alex wheelset and
Aheadset headset
The price? An amazing (I think anyway) $503 each!

Here's a few shots of mine:

Here's Linda's:

Take care,

Steve

Technorati tags: bikenaked.net, cheeseflavor, bianchi san jose, cycling, singlespeed

Silly Cycling Tech

2006-12-01T19:46:00Z

Are you ready for this? You say you want some funk in your trunk? Pearl Izumi is coming out with cycling bibs complete with a built in MP3 player, thigh-mounted control strip, and 512mb storage for your MP3s. For those of you that can't live without such things and for a mere $500, you can get yourself a pair of Pearl Izumi Vertex MP3 bibs.

Oh, they also have Bluetooth capability for those of you that cannot risk missing that ever-important call when on the bike. The speaker and mic is located in a shoulder strap.

Here you go:

You think mothers in minivans yakking on cellphones with little Jimmy screaming from the backseat are a threat to your health? Can you just imagine yourself hammering along the flats at 23+ mph in tight formation with a group of friends, and one of them starts fumbling around with his thigh? How about climbing up your favorite hill and your significant other calls and your shoulder rings? "Yes dear", "I'll be right home, dear".

Talk about distractions. I think I'll just take in the sights and sounds that are all around me.

Steve

Technorati tags: bikenaked.net, cheeseflavor, cycling, technology, rants and ravings

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-24T00:41:00Z

Just wanted to wish all of our friends a Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you all had as good a day as Linda and I did.

May you all have many things to be happy for now and in the future.

Take care,

Steve & Linda