Monday, March 19, 2012
Willow's book
Ms. Koerber-Rockwell has a book that's just come out too, btw- if you found yesterday's story inspiring.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Willow and Letting Go
Love this article about Willow Koerber Rockwell. There's no doubt she sounds spacey and flighty, but she's also well aware of what everyone thinks of her and doesn't care. There's a lot to think about in this article. I encourage you to read it.
I can't say I know Willow on any level, but I'm sure I met her quite a few times when Kathy and I were attending the NORBA races at Mt. Snow and she was riding for Polo Sport/ RLX. I only met Myles, her husband, once, but I did walk down the dowhill course in Big Bear/Snow Summit in CA once with some people, only to learn at the bottom of the mountain that I'd been talking to Myles' mom the whole time!
So that's my connection... tenuous though it may be.
I can't say I know Willow on any level, but I'm sure I met her quite a few times when Kathy and I were attending the NORBA races at Mt. Snow and she was riding for Polo Sport/ RLX. I only met Myles, her husband, once, but I did walk down the dowhill course in Big Bear/Snow Summit in CA once with some people, only to learn at the bottom of the mountain that I'd been talking to Myles' mom the whole time!
So that's my connection... tenuous though it may be.
Red Bull plus some results
If you don't know it
and
If you are interested in racing at the highest level
then
You should look up RedBull's TV coverage online. I'd give you the link, but it's so easy to find on Google I won't even bother.
This weekend was South Africa's World Cup. Christian Downhiller Aaron Gwin came in 2nd while Greg Minaar won. Tracey Hannah (Mick Hannah's sister, btw) won the women's downhill. (What IS it with these brother/sister dh teams?-- cf. the Athertons).
On the XC side, Emily Batty of Canada came in 2nd- a major, life-changing result for her. Maja W. (a long, long name that's not on the tip of my tongue) from Poland won for the women, while Nino Schurter from Switzerland won for the men. Bit of a bad day for the No. American men. I believe the highest ranked was... um... let's see...Canada's Geoff Kabush in 37th. Now, if you know about racing, that's actually not as bad as it sounds, but Kabush has won a world cup before, so you know he's not too psyched on this one. Top USA rider? Sam Schultz in 42nd.
So, that's the latest there. At least memorize these names if you're going to watch MTB in London 2012!
and
If you are interested in racing at the highest level
then
You should look up RedBull's TV coverage online. I'd give you the link, but it's so easy to find on Google I won't even bother.
This weekend was South Africa's World Cup. Christian Downhiller Aaron Gwin came in 2nd while Greg Minaar won. Tracey Hannah (Mick Hannah's sister, btw) won the women's downhill. (What IS it with these brother/sister dh teams?-- cf. the Athertons).
On the XC side, Emily Batty of Canada came in 2nd- a major, life-changing result for her. Maja W. (a long, long name that's not on the tip of my tongue) from Poland won for the women, while Nino Schurter from Switzerland won for the men. Bit of a bad day for the No. American men. I believe the highest ranked was... um... let's see...Canada's Geoff Kabush in 37th. Now, if you know about racing, that's actually not as bad as it sounds, but Kabush has won a world cup before, so you know he's not too psyched on this one. Top USA rider? Sam Schultz in 42nd.
So, that's the latest there. At least memorize these names if you're going to watch MTB in London 2012!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Guilt & Groceries
After a long mountain bike ride the other day that was frankly a little too rocky and a little too long, I was laying down resting when the idea was put forth that my wife could get some things done she wanted to do, and I could take our daughter grocery shopping. Sounded fine to me. Until I heard those fatal words:
'We can take our bike!'. You see, as the photo shows, we've recently acquired a Trail-a-bike, and Lucy really loves it. So, since I've been brainwashing (I'm kidding, I think) my child into Velocentric thinking ever since she was born, I was well aware that there was no way I could say no to this request. Backpacks were found, Mom made a list, and off we went.
Thankfully, the big hill was on the way TO the store. Unfortunately so was a major avenue. Not a big problem, I simply told her to hold on tight and since the crosswalk light took forever, had plenty of time to tell her why. We got to the store, did our shopping (passing on the heavier items like multiple bottles of Pepsi) and headed home.
It had gotten dark, but this was not a major impediment either. There were wide sidewalks the whole way home. And it was this ride that really drove home why we did this in the first place.
We heard Spring Peeper frogs for the first time on the ride home. Had they been out before? I don't know, but we didn't hear them in the car. But we did on the bike. It took me until we were almost home to realize that this was the first day of 2012 that I'd had shorts on. And it was the day after we'd 'sprung ahead' on the clock.
We were happy to see Mom when we got home (how long did she stand and wait?). And my guess is, with the darkness, she was happy to see us as well.
What did I teach my daughter? I'm not sure- but I will say that while we were locking the bike up, she said 'Cars will kill the earth- look at ALL THESE CARS!'. I'm not sure she got that from me, and I'm not sure where she got it from, exactly. But I don't disagree with her.
Thankfully, the big hill was on the way TO the store. Unfortunately so was a major avenue. Not a big problem, I simply told her to hold on tight and since the crosswalk light took forever, had plenty of time to tell her why. We got to the store, did our shopping (passing on the heavier items like multiple bottles of Pepsi) and headed home.
It had gotten dark, but this was not a major impediment either. There were wide sidewalks the whole way home. And it was this ride that really drove home why we did this in the first place.
We heard Spring Peeper frogs for the first time on the ride home. Had they been out before? I don't know, but we didn't hear them in the car. But we did on the bike. It took me until we were almost home to realize that this was the first day of 2012 that I'd had shorts on. And it was the day after we'd 'sprung ahead' on the clock.
We were happy to see Mom when we got home (how long did she stand and wait?). And my guess is, with the darkness, she was happy to see us as well.
What did I teach my daughter? I'm not sure- but I will say that while we were locking the bike up, she said 'Cars will kill the earth- look at ALL THESE CARS!'. I'm not sure she got that from me, and I'm not sure where she got it from, exactly. But I don't disagree with her.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
NAHBS & an offer
first, the offer- anyone want to trade a worn-but-solid Selle Italia Flite Ti saddle for the same, but in black?
Now, on to the reason for today's post: The North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
It was this weekend, in Sacramento, CA- and if you'd like so many photos of the bikes shown there that your head will spin, by all means head on over to bikeradar for over 400 photos.
But having looked at them all, I was personally happiest looking at:
Also, I checked out Momentum Magazine today while at B&N. Really impressed with it. Def. check it out if you see it at the newsstand.
Now, on to the reason for today's post: The North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
It was this weekend, in Sacramento, CA- and if you'd like so many photos of the bikes shown there that your head will spin, by all means head on over to bikeradar for over 400 photos.
But having looked at them all, I was personally happiest looking at:
- Jeremy Shlachter's Gallus old-school mountain bike. 650b wheels. Ritchey-looking biplane fork crown. Just sweet.
- Rob English's baby blue 29er was pretty cool.
- And always: Tom Ritchey, Pereira, and Retrotec.
Also, I checked out Momentum Magazine today while at B&N. Really impressed with it. Def. check it out if you see it at the newsstand.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Brooksby Farm Ride
 |
| I <3 Silhouettes. |
 |
| The moon framed by branches |
 |
| Moonrise over orchard. |
 |
| See? |
 |
| My treasured Rapha hat I won in a photo contest. First time I had the gall to wear it in the woods! |
 |
| "Guy in the woods" |
 |
| "What do you think it is?" "Well, how should I know?" |
 |
| "Hmmm.... Old style QR hubs. Generic brand, too." |
 |
| Serious off-road machinery |
 |
| The stone table? |
 |
| What are you supposed to do in a self-portrait? |
Monday, December 12, 2011
Fixed Perceptions
So I got everything running right, and went out after dark (after
mid-afternoon, then) to give fixed riding a try. I've tried one road
bike at a shop years ago, but this was MY bike, that I'm used to, that
fits me as perfectly as I can make it.
THOSE.
I tried it on the level first, just to see if everything was tight enough. Yep. I tentatively took on a hill. Not a big deal. It really feels like the way I already ride, to a large extent. Especially climbing hills.
CRANKS.
But two things gave me pause (paws?)- turning, and things like hopping up onto curbs/dropping off of curbs. I would say that these two things apply pretty directly to riding in the woods. And while I primarily bought this fixed cog thinking of the Danvers Rail Trail, and other flat non-technical areas, it does pop into my mind.
JUST.
So how do you lean into a turn when the cranks don't stop moving? Just time it? Just make sure to keep the bike upright while you round the turn? That will be something to work on. And while it's easy to hit curbs like a freight train or steamroller, the weight transfer I'm used to will certainly be tricky. Copy that for dropping off of something (and by that, I don't mean 10 foot drops, I mean more like 1')
KEEP.
Still, there IS something amazing about controlling the bike's speed and never touching the brakes. This was only my second ride (counting yesterday's mini-ride) on the bike with this set-up, and it's undeniable there's something neat going on.
COMING.
On the other hand, though- I like my coasting moments. I don't think I'm quite ready to give those up. Not completely. But this is just one after-dark ride. And the Christmas lights were pretty, too- by the way. I was pursuing a moment there, y'know- fixed gear- late december, and Xmas lights, dark early....
AROUND
THOSE.
I tried it on the level first, just to see if everything was tight enough. Yep. I tentatively took on a hill. Not a big deal. It really feels like the way I already ride, to a large extent. Especially climbing hills.
CRANKS.
But two things gave me pause (paws?)- turning, and things like hopping up onto curbs/dropping off of curbs. I would say that these two things apply pretty directly to riding in the woods. And while I primarily bought this fixed cog thinking of the Danvers Rail Trail, and other flat non-technical areas, it does pop into my mind.
JUST.
So how do you lean into a turn when the cranks don't stop moving? Just time it? Just make sure to keep the bike upright while you round the turn? That will be something to work on. And while it's easy to hit curbs like a freight train or steamroller, the weight transfer I'm used to will certainly be tricky. Copy that for dropping off of something (and by that, I don't mean 10 foot drops, I mean more like 1')
KEEP.
Still, there IS something amazing about controlling the bike's speed and never touching the brakes. This was only my second ride (counting yesterday's mini-ride) on the bike with this set-up, and it's undeniable there's something neat going on.
COMING.
On the other hand, though- I like my coasting moments. I don't think I'm quite ready to give those up. Not completely. But this is just one after-dark ride. And the Christmas lights were pretty, too- by the way. I was pursuing a moment there, y'know- fixed gear- late december, and Xmas lights, dark early....
AROUND
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