Sunday Video Post

It has started snowing again here in Buckhannon, West Virginia and I hate it. I was hoping for that relative term we call warmth. Even Paris-Roubaix’s weather seems more favorable than four inches of snow on the ground right now; I ache for a nice road ride.

1985 Marc Madiot

1986 Sean Kelly

1987 Eric Vanderaerden

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Saturday Post: Bikes of the Future

Thirty years ago, 1980, bicycles were the same design that they were since safety bicycles were developed. I really doubt people were thinking of time trial bikes or some of the modern aerodynamic innovations brought to bikes these days; shimano di2 was not even thought about either.

The first time I used indexed or even non down tube based shifters was pretty mind blowing for me. SRAM Rival is a dream. I still don’t really grasp the technical standpoint  and need for anything more. Not sure what the future has for us, but Its kind of fascinating and almost scary to think.

Will we really have spoke less wheels or things like that in the future; are we ready for things like this? Are they economically viable?

Do we really want proprietary electronics already installed into a bike? speedtraps and what not are dandy, but I mean pre-installed flashlights or electric motors. These kinds of things are not hot with me?

What about you? What do you think bikes of the future will lean toward?

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West Virginia Bike Polo: Part 1

I have been getting a lot of hits to my site with people looking for WV Bike Polo, or West Virginia Bike Polo. I feel a storm is brewing and is going to hit this state soon. the internet is pretty broad, yet is vapid on taking the terms West Virginia and Bike Polo in any kind of mixture and combining them.

I’ve done some research and this is what I came up with:

Bike Polo

• Bike Polo Rules
• Just a few places to buy bike polo equipment: http://bicyclepolo.org/bpequip.html
• Make your own mallet:
  • http://www.flickr.com/photos/tink20seven/sets/72157594573372516/
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvXMtEI0KBw
  • http://www.hardcourtbikepolo.com/?page_id=6
  • http://londonbikepolo.wordpress.com/how-to-make-a-polo-mallet/
• About Bike Polo (wikipedia)
  • About Bike Polo by Bikesnobnyc

West Virginia

• Bike Polo clubs in WV
  • Gil Willis
    Elk River Touring Center
    U.S. Rte. 219
    Slatyfork WV 26291
    Tel:(304)572-3771
  • http://www.athensbicycle.com/2009_stories/April/09Apr_20.html

I have a letter out to Gil Willis, Athens Bikes, and the creator of the youtube videos attempting to get a grasp of the bike polo scene in WV.

iplayoutside.com and wvmba also speak about bike polo events, but no real info about them except they state games are planned at large cycling race event days.

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What is up with Cycling Clothes?

Original Post

This post isn’t a newbie asking why lycra and chamois pads are important. This is more along the lines of the social/cultural aspects of cycling clothes.I am not a disbeliever in cycling kits. Not including my two sets of shoes, I have about $500+ in clothes. The garments are typically expensive, and sadly they do get exponentially better when you reach that $50 for a pair of shorts level. I also do not ride exclusively in cycling clothes. I am not afraid of pedaling along in jeans and t-shirt around town or to go to the store. After maybe three or four months of trying to use some of my already owned performance clothing used for running or other sports, I found out some of these pieces just didn’t cut it. Gym shorts will not suit you for a thirty mile ride or more if you don’t want saddle sores or crotch rub.  With that said, you can clearly take me out of Grant Peterson’s side of the Venn diagram.     

I have many issues with the clothing in this statement for cycling use. I wouldn’t have a problem with wearing such clothing (if it didn’t look like it was two or three sizes too large on the person) as long as we aren’t talking more than ten miles. Call it a luxury, call it habit, or even call it weakness, but I see no sense in wearing clothes that will get and stay dirty or eventually be uncomfortable on a ride.

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What Makes A Bike Ride Good?

A bike ride by any other name would smell as sweet… or would it?

What makes a bike ride so desirable in May, or on that first warm Saturday of the season? What is it about them that makes you want to go on them?

What makes you choose your route in the first place?

Is your route decided by distance?

Thirty miles isn’t always thirty miles though. Thirty miles of mountains is way different than thirty miles of flats. Sometimes you want the mountains, but sometimes you want to do that two mile straightaway to test your speed. Taking your time on a ride can really stretch out a few miles to take hours. Of course you could also skinsuit and aero helmet the highway to have an average of 25mph. These are all small things you contemplate when pumping up your tires and stashing the co2 and tire irons in your rear pockets.

Terrain has a big role in what makes a bike ride what it is. You can’t ride your twelve pound Scott Addict on babyhead gravel meant for a full suspension (well, you can but…) You also tend to take your lightest steeds when there is a ton of climbing unless you are a pain addict. But when you start thinking about terrain in terms of pavè versus off-road, this brings up another topic…

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