Make some popcorn, dim the lights, and get comfortable

Because this is the longest wheelie I've seen...



But then I saw this...

Proof of Dutch superiority!

Amsterdam: The Bicycling Capital of Europe

I wish we could live more like this in our city centers. The Dutch have cycling figured out.

Summertime riding and wrenching and ranting.

I've recently come back from a vacation to North Carolina, where Keri and I escaped the hottest week of the summer down in the swamp. We got to ride the sweet singletracks of Tsali and Pisgah with beautiful nights camped in the forest. Blair was a gracious host and shuttled us to the finest downhills in the Davidson River area--thanks! Keri decided she's ready for gears and a full-face helmet, but she slayed the trails compared to our first trip up almost a year ago.
Bike polo season is in full swing. We're looking to recruit new players, so if you're interested check out the SwampBikePolo Blog. It's kind of like hockey with bikes instead of skates, but on grass with a modified soccer ball. The crashes are hilarious, so you can come just to watch.
I'm apprenticing with Lex of Villin Cycle Works. Any day now, I'll decide I can't file or sand my bike to a finer degree of perfection, and start riding it. I've learned to braze, which is a different type of joinery method than I did in framebuilding school. Villin also uses True Temper steel tubing which doesn't require quite the same treatment as titanium tubing. It's exciting to be learning so much, and I thank Lex for the opportunity.
Back-to-School time for the University of Florida students has kept everyone running for the last couple weeks. At the bike shop, this means we're building a bunch of low-end mountain bikes and putting el-cheapo lightsets on while some kid's anxious parents try to haggle down the price forty bucks, then make us show them EXACTLY how to use the lock before shoving it in the back of the Tahoe. Half the time the kid is texting on his phone, trying to get out of our store as quickly as possible, knowing the bike is going to rot behind the 4-bedroom condo the folks just bought so he'd have a quiet place to study while at college. Once in a while we sell a bike to someone with a good chance of actually becoming a cyclist who bought the bike with money they actually earned. These people ask the right questions, listen to the answers, take our advice like we're professionals, and not assume we're slimeball salesmenandwomen. Enjoy your bikes. Go Gators.

Cyclist attacked by police at airport.

Greencycles link...
This absurdity seems to permeate cop culture. I can't understand why people harbor hatred for bikes and cyclists. Good luck with your case, Stephen.

Nice Light!

I love bikes!

Here's some interesting reading about cycle usage, and Car Head.

Bike Mechanic Slyme

I think this is awesome. Japanese boy band imp3rsonating bike mechanics.

...and mindblowing fixed gear video...

...from skidville...

...and more...


More videos:
wheelies...

Japanese style

Fixie Parodie

Sorry for the delay in updates...here's the scoop.

I'll catch up the regular readers quickly here, so hang on...

Since my last post, I've been to SBCU(Specialized Bicycle Components University) in Morgan Hill and the North American Handmade Bicycle show (N.A.H.B.S.) in San Jose, California, wrenched for a Carmichael Training Camp (CTS) in Brevard, North Carolina, then back to work like crazy for the end of the semester in Gainesville. One-third or better of the city's population is about to vacate their apartments and drive themselves to summer internships or Mom&Dad's house to work on suntans and sandwiches. The weather is beautiful, so while they're skipping class and heading to the Swamp to mentally prepare for a big summer transition, I've been getting bike rides in during daylight. The shop has a calm about it which is usual for post-spring-break fever. I'm beginning to think of some summer plans myself--maybe some canoe-camping, or a bike trip to the springs, or epic western touring. What are you doing this summer?

Some picks on Flickr.
P.S.
Bike stuff Blowout---this month Gunnar Ruffian single-speed!

North American Handmade Bicycle Show

We've been checking out N.A.H.B.S. this weekend in San Jose. Click the photo below to see all my photos from the show.

Retrotec with Bruce Gordon Light.

Bikemanjim Gettin Busy.

I've been spending some extra hours working on special projects. I built a wheel for Chain Superteam member, J-dog. His Merlin is now ready to race at the 12 Hours of Razorback.

This is the coolest looking wheelset I can imagine. XTR965 shiny hubs laced to Mavic 217 Gunmetal rims with double butted DT spokes and pimp-ola XTR970 rotors. Thirty-six holes and brass nipples--this set is built to last!

Retrogrouch no more! I've got a twenty-speed race machine. Using a flat-bar "road" R770 shifter, Ultegra 10-speed chain, and Miche 12-27 10-speed cassette, I've got a 2X10 drivetrain to test at Razorback. This prototype drivetrain, in addition to hydraulic XT/XTR disc brakes, dual-control shifting, and Fox suspension represents a big departure in my choices of equipment from my years as a hardcore singlespeed, rigid bike toughguy. We'll see if it's fast. It's under 25lbs for anyone keeping track, with the only carbon fiber part a 10mm headset spacer.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Epic Riding Season a Success!

I survived the 50-mile ride, and Keri provided support at rest stops 2 & 3 during the Tour de Felasco. Check out the rest of her photos here:

Last weekend I earned another t-shirt the hard way, riding the Ididaride, held in White Springs, Florida. I'll be watching for the official event photos on their site.

...and this is what we do for recovery---Bike Polo!

Bicycle Repair Man

It's my job.

Build you something?

Going Old-School.

I built up a retro-ride to remember what things were like in 1995. This sweet steel ride is made from Columbus Thron tubing, and built up to a 23 lb. singlespeed, ready for anything. It's real long and low compared to my 29er's, but feels faster on the trails. If you think this is for you, I can build one up for you, modestly for $550, extravagantly for more.

Portland has it going on...

Check out all these sites for the bikeness of Stumptown.

Bike Move
Smart biking from Cleverchimp.
Zoobombing
BikePortland.org