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

downhill mountain bike freeride

This is awesome redneck action!

How is your bike made?

Check out this cool video from a bike factory. It's worth the watch. I particularly liked seeing the wheelbuilding machine. --Thanks Dekold!

Gainesville Cycling Festival.

I'm still recovering from several days with the Bean and friends. I attempted the Gainesville Cycling Club's Horse Farm Hundred, which turned into the Horse Farm 55 and a nice country drive with all my worn-out pals. The best photos are here. I was pleased to have no neck, back, wrist, or saddle discomfort, but I'd found the limit of my mettle when given the opportunity to get out of the sun and to the beer-tasting earlier. Post-ride drinks were had for free at Market Street Pub, where the Brewer's Guild was naming the Rail Trail Pale Ale from a handful of worthy competitors. Thanks to those who made the event happen!






Only one Catrike at the ride!

Trail Report, Southern Appalachia:

I took vacation last week and visited several trails between here and North Carolina. First was a visit to Atlanta, where we stayed with an old college teammate. A-rod's pad was filled with a well-refined collection of bikes, and a custom-built classic tandem. He's crafty with the Dremel, as seen by the hand crafted dropout adapters. After staying overnight, we got directions to the Yellow River mountain bike trails and headed towards Stone Mountain, after, of course, a hearty breakfast at the Flying Biscuit! The facilities at the trailhead here were outstanding, and the trails varied, but were suitable for singlespeeders.

We packed up after that ride and drove to some real mountains, and made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center for dinner. After hearing bagpipes on the river and finishing our onion rings, we set up at the Tsali campground and huddled in the tent for what turned out to be the coldest night yet this year. After finding my tent was only mostly waterproof, and we were underprepared for the cold, we welcomed the mid-morning sun, and took to the trail. This is a familiar trail to me, and one I think every mountain biker should visit if they come to western North Carolina.



Our next stop took us to Asheville, where we stayed at the Sweet Biscuit Inn, a bed and breakfast at a hilltop location in an old neighborhood. I recommend this place to anyone wanting to stay near downtown Asheville. The rooms are comfortable, the food is plentiful, the decor tasteful, and the hosts fun and personable.



For riding near Asheville, Bent Creek experimental forest is the popular destination. This was my second visit here, and the trails were far more awesome than I remember. I like the mostly groomed, but still a little gnarly style to these trails. You can't be a singlespeeder and be a sissy and expect to not push on these trails. I pushed, but did the Lower Sidehill trail twice because it was so fun coming down.



Our last ride was at a new destination for me, the Dupont State forest. I've heard this called the "Moab of the East", and while I've just driven through Moab, and only ridden one afternoon's worth of trails here, I suspect it is an exaggeration. There were some rock slabs and trails across the balds, but less the roller-coaster feel of Moab's slickrock. I'll go back though and do more exploring, because the waterfall views were awesome, and the sheer number of trails impressive. It was good to see some friends in Brevard, and if you visit, check out the Duckpond Pottery's studio outside town.

Bicycle shaped objects...

If you're a bike newbie and wonder what you're missing, and why I've devoted so much of my life since High School to working in a bike shop, read this explanation on the differnece between cheap bikes and bike shop bikes. This is basically my day every day: Trying to tell people they will have a much better experience with a well-selected, quality bike, than a BSO from the department store. My Grandpa still doesn't understand, and tells me about the features of the $99 bike he saw at Wal-Mart. I tell him that those things shouldn't be ridden off the sidewalk, or bad things happen. Here's more on the bikebuying experience from Dirt Rag, a popular bike magazine for regular folks.