NY Post Editorial on Cyclists in NYC

Titled "DANGEROUS BIKE RIDERS RUN WILD WITH IMPUNITY IN NYC" and written by Kyle Smith, the NY Post have published another 5th grade level, whiny and allusion-filled rant about something that irks them. I'm not familiar with Mr.Smith's writing, nor do I make a point of regularly reading the Post (if you are unfamiliar, it is a NYC establishment, a surprising right-leaning tabloid that takes great pride in its punning headlines and always a fun read) but when they attack something I'm passionate about, its hard not to pay a little attention.

According to Mr.Smith, cyclists exist in three categories:
- Messengers of Mayhem
- Szechuan Psychos
- Lance-a-Louts

Yup, that's pretty much all you need to know. Mr.Smith has divided us along sartorial and racial lines. Class.

There is a ton more that could be editorialized here, but really, it would be like fighting a Flaming Dr.Pepper shot with a forest fire.

NY Post piece

A Most Amazing Salsa Fargo

Most amazing! Every aspect of this bike was thought out in such thorough manner.

Custom ELVS wheels. I remember making these rims. I'd never seen the Blunt before, but was impressed.

Off


On


Post paint and with S+S couplers! Zow!


Final build.

Flickr

The 1999 Giro - a short Pantani retrospective from Cyclingnews.com

A quick and touching read on the beginning of Pantani's professional downward spiral.

Pantani had decisively won the last two mountain stages, defeating his closest competitor, Simoni, by over a minute each time. UCI tests showed a suspiciously high hemocrit level (in excess of 50%) and was indicative of EPO usage. Ugh. Pantani was ejected and his whole team followed suit. A horrible moment for everyone, from the fans to the Pros to the UCI...



The 1999 Giro - a Pantani retrospective
CyclingNews' original 1999 report

Look Bike Contraption

Bonkers! I don't think this was a production model (at least I hope not!) judging from all the craziness going on. In fact, I think the only normal parts are the brake levers and the front caliper! Everything else looks like it was inspired by heavy doses of psychedelic drugs... Ah, the price we sometimes pay for progress.

pulled from here

Ross and Keith

This photo kills me. Ross looks like a Ramones roadie and Keith looks like an 80's baseball player.

If you don't know who either of these fellows are and consider yourself passionate about bikes, you owe it to yourself to do a quick bit of research. Ross founded Salsa (one of my all time favorite brands) back in the day and Keith Bontrager founded Bontrager (more info).

Pulled from the HKFixed blog

B43 Laced to a Chub hub

Niiice.

More images from 'Where the Wild Things Are'

God damn, I'm super excited for this...





More pix

Charlie Cunningham and Cunningham Bikes

This is hard. I'm trying to write something on Charlie Cunningham, his current company (Cunningham Bikes,) his involvement with the Cycling industry, Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) and it is proving really tough to summarize.



CC is probably one of the foremost innovators and free-thinkers in cycling from the last 30+ years.

His innovations, detailed on his site, are numerous.
- Use of over-sized Alu tubes
- Short wheelbases and far-steeper geometry for MTBs
- Development of roller-cam brakes (again for MTB)
- Aluminum Cam quick-releases.
- 135mm rear spacing for MTBs
- Hubs with cartridge bears for MTBs
- Developed the 'Grease-Guard', for ease of hub servicing

Interview from Rivendell with CC

www.cunninghambikes.com/

Total royalty.

Bike Jumble in The Brooklyn Paper

Reminder, the Bike Jumble is on May 31st in Park Slope. The organizer, Harry S. and the Jumble have a nice write up in the The Brooklyn Paper.

www.nybikejumble.com

See you guys there!


Harry Schwartzman

My Killer New Saddle

Last weekend was the Trexlertown spring swapmeet. I didn't attend, I almost never attend anything actually... But my good friend, co-worker and generally fast guy, Mattio made the trek. He kept an eye out for parts on my behalf and look what he came back with.


Oh shit yes. I'm not going to ride it or even mount it. Its minty.

Mattio's blog on bike racing.

Artistic Cycling Pic

Snagged from Simon's blog, Hipster Nascar. I await the rest of the set!

Photos from ESPIs via Hardcourt Bike Polo

Doug took this series at the ESPIs in Boston. Great idea. It really shows how the scene has grown throughout North America and regional how identities have flourished. Each shirt is either from a club/city or a tournie. Fantastic!

Hardcourt Bike Polo

I POLO NY

More infos as infos are found!

Bike Fetish Day Tomorrow in Williamsburg!

THIS SATURDAY - MAY 9TH - NOON TO 6PM, HAVEMEYER BTWN HOPE AND GRAND!!!

AFTER PARTY 7-10PM, AT THE CITY RELIQUARY!!!

Zach from Trackstar in Maxim?

From here

Its funny cuz it ain't that ironic. I'm suspicious of the spandex and distinct lack of his signature black cut-off shorts. Zack sells out? Hmmmm, at least he didn't cut his beard...

Zack is a worker at Trackstar. Find him there!

More 'Where the Wild Things Are' snippets

I'm so stoked for this movie. Its looks goddamn amazing.

Things I'd like to be able to do...

Found here originally.

Riding up and over cars (parked or otherwise) is pretty high on the list of things I'd like to be able to do.

Brooklyn Bike Jumble and Swapmeet: May 31, 2009 at JJ Byrne Park in Brooklyn

Harry Schwartzman is putting on the first Brooklyn Bike Jumble a bike-specific swap meet at JJ Byrne Park in Park Slope on the 31st of May.

There is still table space available for vendors, so please contact Harry ASAP.

More here

New Squarebuilt Fork

Lance @ Squarebuilt has been up to some serious good. This fork looks killer!

Notes from Joey Krillz on the fork:
- Stainless.
- Sleeved design
- 395mm axle to crown
- 38mm rake

"Thanks man, Lance saw a spot in the market for a really really burly fork. I'm not sure how it was bent, the upper is a stainless u-bend with a steel fork blade sleeved into it. the drops were cut with some type of laser and are really really beefy. i think my man is gonna foam the insides of the fork as well. i should add that while mine is a 1" fork, the others wont be, and the steerer tube doesn't protrude through the bottom half of the 'crown'."

Don't know anything about price or availability yet, but I guarantee you this fork is going to be a highly sought after!

Bike Cult Super Quiz

A Bicycle Quiz for Bike Month NYC 2009

Bike Cult Super Quiz begins Friday May 1, and finishes Sunday May 31.
Every morning of Bike Month NYC 2009, Bike Cult author Dave Perry of Bike Works NYC, will post a fresh set of brain-boggling bicycle-bound questions. Each topic is designed to increase bike and cycling awareness.

As a player you have a whole day to submit your answers, guesses or comments.
Super Quiz answers are posted each morning with a new set of questions.
Super Quiz is free to play. Awards will be prized for astute answers each day and also for best overalls.

Knowledge is Power! Stump da Chump? Here’s wishing the best…

(If you've never heard of Dave Perry or his shop Bike Works, be sure to check out his book Bike Cult. Its a treat and put together by a true bike enthusiast.)

3rd Ward Block Party this afternoon

For when the clouds part:


3rd Ward’s Green Bikes Birthday Block Party, May 3, 2 to 8 p, FREE admission

Good things come in threes. So on our 3rd Anniversary in Brooklyn, we announce Green Bikes! Starting in May, when you sign up for a 3rd Ward membership you get a free bike!

To celebrate we're throwing a massive block party right outside our door. We’ve taken over Stagg Street for a day filled with:

* bike competitions
* films & performances
* music videos from Moviehouse
* a photobooth
* badminton
* drinks
* BBQ
* live screen-printing
* free workshops


Live Music from The Wild Yaks, Pterodactyl, Afuche, Lam, DJ Drew Heffron and DJ Clay Franklin.

Compete in a drag race, bring a t-shirt for live screen-printing, take a workshop or just come for the fun!

This is an Official NYC Bike Month event and includes partnering organizations: Make Music New York, Moviehouse, Transportation Alternatives, NY Bike Share, Empire, Goldsprints and more.

Bike Month Yo

Full calender is up! Its a nice one that lets you sort by theme, location and date. Pretty handy!
Calender here