The Right Equipment

I recall someone really famous and fond of Michelob Ultra once saying: "It's Not About the Bike."  I think it was this lady:

So I do my best not to be obsessed over equipment, particularly since I have no idea what I'm talking about anyway.  But this last week has reminded me that sometimes equipment is quite important.  Take for example this guy:

Fred Malm

On this particular day Malm forgot his bib shorts, but decided to tough it out for an hour anyway.  Not having equipment can harm your equipment.

On the other end of the spectrum I was recently hooked up with a sweet deal on these bad boys:

They also appear to be equipment of the important type, though I don't think they'll make me as tough as Malm.  This continues my long tradition of upgrading and stating, "Now I have no excuses."  That is, of course, not true because I can come up with all kinds of excuses.  And will chronicle those for you in the upcoming road season.

Speaking of chronicles, I was alerted to an article in the SF Chronicle by my buddy Dan and here's an excerpt:


But should hipsters start wearing monocles? This has been a hot-topic of debate with scientists at UC Berkeley. A monocle has everything a hipster craves. It complements a twirly mustache. Perfect! Using facial muscles to hold a monocle in place causes one to sneer. Excellent! A monocle create the impression that the person knows everything there is to know. Fantastic! Wearing a monocle is extremely ironic and makes you look like Rich Uncle Pennybags. Amazing! A surprised expression will cause a monocle to drop for emphasis. Fabulous!


Clearly this is the equipment I need in order to be excusesless, and it has the added bonus of not being about the bike.  Though the article is about hipsters I noticed the key upgrade potential of monocles for racers: The Race Face.  Note in the following images how the monocle would enhance and encourage race face to the detriment of your opponents.

Monocle would enhance cobble handling

Dual monocles

Many amateur racers aren't serious enough about their hobby

As long as it doesn't mess with your depth perception, I see no down side.

I think I'll get into the game early with carbon and bamboo models.

Sac CX - Lodi

This past Saturday I finally made it out to one of the Sac CX series races.  It was a beautiful blustery day, kinda like this:

Thankfully, I didn't have to ride in the wind, but these guys did!

The course was at Langetwins Winery, and of course they had some wine tasting going on.  I was a little confused since the fans sat in a nice spot sipping wine, rather than standing in a muddy beer garden hurling heckles and beer cans.  Chris decided to bring a case of Pabst, which normally wouldn't stand out at a CX race, but did so here.  Sadly, I missed Mark's finish, but did get a nice shot of the podium.

Seemingly Innocuous Creatures

The American River Bike Trail, a true gift to cyclists.

It's 33 miles of majestic and winding trail from Sacramento to Folsom, totally natured and without traffic, and there-in lies it's deviousness.  Sure, I've been clipped by angry/distracted drivers, dealt with glass on roadways, dodged giant potholes, but "The Trail" has a way of lulling you into a false sense of security.  You think it's safe but here are just a few of the obstacles to contend with:

Certainly none of these obstacles would consider me an obstacle, especially not the cat, since it is incapable of considering others.

Then there are the squirrels:

I suppose I shouldn't fear them, since last Fall I ran over three in one week without incident (unless you consider the squirrels' perspective).  Still, they have a way of darting, and/or staring you down as you rapidly approach them.  Just look at how stone-faced that guy is.  Don't invite him to poker night.

But the most dangerous and fearful creatures on the Bike Trail are the "Trail Bunnies" as some have deemed them.  Said Bunnies are a distraction even if they're not actually on or near the trail.  They "draw the eye" away from your route and some have even been known to "snap their neck" attempting to catch sight of them.  But how could you not stare at this:

Anywho, Malm and I were on the trail last week, and the sunshine and warm weather seemed to draw out a large number of Trail Bunnies.  On our way out I shared how in my college days I enjoyed teasing my buddy Vince who literally snapped his own neck to look at all version of Bunnies: Trail, Cafeteria, Bookstore, Mailroom, Corolla, you get the idea.

When the eye wanders, it's quite literally a dangerous thing on the bike trail.  But this time our eyes didn't need to be the problem.  As we finished one of our intervals (by which I mean a section where we drink from our water bottles in a really "pro" way), who should dart across the trail like a steely eyed squirrel, but one previously noticed Bunny.  She was on the wrong side running with her back to us, Bose noise canceling headphones implanted in ears, and zagged straight across, looking over her shoulder after arriving on the other side.  It was a good thing I did look at her or she would have easily snapped my neck.  I think we all know what the moral of this story is...

Now you may be thinking, "Wait a second, you have a nice trail to ride on and avoid traffic, you interval like a pro, and it was sunny and warm?  What are you complaining about?  Allow me to answer your question with a question:

RodeoCross, CrossFredding & Hall O' Fame

From the title it should be apparent that I've been busy.  What a lame way to start a post.  It reminds me of college when people would gather around and complain to each other over who was the most tired and over-worked.  Luckily, there was no peeing involved, but you'd think we were working in a coal mine the way we talked.  Anywho, I don't mention the busyness braggadociously.  It's been fun, I just haven't been able to post each item separately.  Firstly allow me to regale you with additional video of rodeocross from week 2:

Next you'll see some truly amateur video of Malm practicing technique in the local park.  I think I was trying for the Bourne Identity cinematography, but it just looks shaky and slow:

Finally, I was fortunate to attend the 2011 Bicycle Hall of Fame Induction as volunteer wait staff.  The following video best illustrates my ability to appreciate the significance of this:

It was a lot of fun and I received a free meal, a couple pints of Sudwerks, and a snazzy cycling cap, but I had no idea who anybody was.  To-MAS was our friendly catering director.  Our task was simply to carry plates out, bring empties back in.  We were encouraged to hold our line, and as is typical, we had "masters" volunteers who kept telling me to learn how to handle my plate.  Here's a panorama view of the night's proceedings:

Note the cycling themed auction item Mick Jagger picture

RodeoCross

It was a perfect afternoon so I decided to ride out to Folsom and bum a ride home from Chris after the races.  I can't speak for the racing but the heckling at rodeocross was phenomenal!  Last year we had to work our way up to a good crowd, but this year people were chomping at the bit to harass racers.  I've uploaded a short video of the highlights here.

Have you saved a turtle today?

Actually I'm pretty sure I saved a cyclist by moving this sweet little obstacle.  Considering a good chunk of riders on the bike trail have headphones and are staring at their bike computers I'm surprised this photo wasn't of a pile of Freds.  In either case I felt quite good and smug in my efforts to pick him up and move him probably to the side of the path he started on.

Hi Marc!!  I have created this blog to talk about my extensive cycling exploits, give the latest on home brew production (bolig brygge for you Danes), and generally riff on what I want to talk about.