Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Handlebar Basket





You've most likely already seen these basket/bar combos posted on other bike blogs in the past day or so. I look forward to the next iteration of the combo where the entire unit isn't supported by the front clamp of the stem. Support struts yo.

Certainly a clever idea and something that we're all guaranteed to see proliferate the next NAHBs.

from here.

Copenhagen is possibly the cutest place in the world



Free helmet and a hug? I want to believe that this is standard operation procedure in Copenhagen.

Seen here.

ESPI 2009 Boston



East Side Polo Invite 4
Bike Polo Tournament
May 2nd - 3rd, 2009
Boston, Massachusetts

Only top 16 teams will play on Sunday!

Boston Bike Polo

A quick update before the roll

The weekend was a beautifully warm one. We saw temperatures in the mid-80's Sat and Sun. Lovely right? Played polo for the second time in 8-9 months (shoulder is really sore now) and easily put down a gallon of water in the heat.

The downside for me though is I got hella-wicked sick! Got a preventive tetanus shot on Monday and am still sickish from it on Wednesday. WTF science! Nothing worse then knowing its a lovely warm day and having the chills.

Oh well. Time passes, wounds heal and chick dig scars.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Kissena Opening Weekend is This Weekend!

Caught sleeping on this one too. Geez. Working on new shirts and fighting with Adobe Illustrator has really taken its toll on me.

The schedule is here

Pre-reg is here. PLEASE NOTE!! – Due to newly enforced New York City Department of Parks & Recreation regulations, they cannot accept any race day registrations. This event is PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY!!!


Group ride!

A pic of the Velocity B43



From HKFixed

Vintage Cycling Shoes Pix

Vintage cycling shoes from all over these internet.

Shoes for clips:


Two different versions of the same shoe. Black is better.


Not the slickest Sidis, I am intrigued by the reinforcement on the top of the foot.



For clipless pedals:



Awesome


More awesome? Quite so!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Bike Month in NYC is May? I totally knew that...

BIKE MONTH NYC 2009 YO!

MAY!

Further details from Transportation Alternatives here. And if you are a NYC local and don't have a membership to this wonderful organization, go here and join!

Fun things like:
Bicycle Fetish Day on May 9th
5th Annual Bicycle Fetish Day
Saturday, May 9, 2008 12:00noon – 6:00 PM
Location:
Havemeyer St at Grand St. In Williamsburg, BK

Commuter Race on May 21th.
The 8th annual NYC Commuter Race is between a car, mass transit and a bike. Its a bit boring cuz the bike always wins, (maybe they'll mix it up and put the rider on a BMX or a Penny-Farthing.)

Bike Month Events Coming Up



In conjunction with the closing of the QI4 biennial, the Queens Museum of Art is hosting a kickoff party for NYC Bike Month on April 26. The rally will include riding lessons, helmet giveaways, live music, free barbecue, and stunt-riding demos by pro BMXers using a 100-foot ramp installation called Fast Forward (free; noon to 6 p.m.; Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing; 718-592-9700).
Pilfered from NyMag

I've never been out to the QMA and really need to make it for this. One of my friends (to whom I'm clearly not the best friend) was part of the organizing body for the QI4 Biennial. I'm going to make it, I swear.

Monday, April 20, 2009

SNAP Delivery in the NY Daily News



Shoestring approach has some messengers pedaling to success

They weave nimbly through traffic, don’t use even a drop of gasoline and can promise speedy delivery, so it’s no wonder bike messengers are in high demand.

Once relegated to rushing documents around the canyons of Wall Street, street pedalers now get paid for deliveries as diverse as cases of wine and DVDs. And since the business essentials are mainly a reliable bicycle, a waterproof bag and a strong dose of fearlessness, many messengers are breaking free from the fleet and working for themselves.

“The only one that makes money is the independent,” said Hugo Giron, co-owner and founder of Snap Delivery of Brooklyn.

rest of the article...

If you are interested in contacting SNAP, look here.

Theo Bos and a dubious crash

Skip to about 3:30 and watch.



I clearly wasn't there (the race was in Turkey) and only have this video, but it looks awfully bad. Bos grabbed the jersey of a fellow rider and caused a pretty brutal smash up. Poor form at the very least and shitty riding at the best.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Cadence Cycling President Stepping Down

"NEW YORK, NY (BRAIN)—Cadence Cycling & Multisport Centers co-founder and president Matt Heitmann will be stepping down in order to pursue a new position heading up an effort to build a world-class, 250-meter indoor velodrome and community events center in Manhattan."

Read more here

I'm really interested to see where Heitmann and this project is in two years. Stupid financial climate better not screw this one up!

Old School Cinelli Shoes






Pretty killer.

Seen here: http://fixedgearbikes.blogspot.com/2009/04/cinelli-cycling-shoes.html

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

ELVS Rims yo


ELVS Rims from Matt Ruiter on Vimeo.

"A video made by our on staff producer/director Garrett Black, starring our very own street-dawg JBolt. These rims are now available with machined sidewalls for use with rim brakes!"

From here: http://velocityusa.blogspot.com/

Ha! This made my day.

Bike Polo Enthusiast , Gus Legit

Saw Gus at the Polo Court this weekend and he mentioned that he was in town for his video at Bike Shorts.



Find more here: Legit Bike Polo

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Tracklocross in Pictures

Some photos from Tracklocross:

From Dom.


Dave, the eventual winner setting up. Note that he is riding a Pista Concept with an aftermarket fork and knobbies. Crazy!


A pretty robust setup.


No brakes and CX tires. Looks like a good time.


En route to checkpoint 3.


Aftermath

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Women's Clothing Questionnaire

My friend Adrienne is working on developing a line of classy clothing for active/athletic Women (presumably akin to Outlier). I don't think that she has a name for her nascent company yet and is focusing mostly on market research at this point.

I think she is right to pursue her idea! At least 85% of athletic clothing marketed towards women looks as if it was designed for/by the Soccer Mom Association of America (SMAA). Boring and borderline insulting, you would think that women are only interested in butterflies and colors like baby blue and pink.


"Hey Ladies,

I'm sure you have all noticed that there are many cycling inspired lines out there that cater to the boys. If a line does offer women's options, they are usually limited, designed by dudes or take a back seat to the men's options. I want to put an end to this madness and i want your help!

I'm working on developing a fashion driven women's cycling line designed by women that puts the ladies first. This project is for business school. But, if I do well on the project, I can potentially win money. If I win money, I can make the line happen. If y'all could help me out, it would be greatly appreciated. I want dudes' feedback too .... so everyone should take a look at my survey and fill it out?!

Thanks,

adri"

Questionnaire

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Bike Polo on CSI:NY Last Night? Wut?

Ken said that Bike Polo was on CSI:NY last night? Wha? One of the 'Suspects' is a polo player in NYC and the CSI team goes down to the court to harangue him. It wasn't filmed at the Pit in NYC (which is good/bad) and I'd love to know what city they're in...

You can literally see the actors go "Wut that?" every time they say 'Bike Polo'.

Start @ 11:10.

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/csi_ny/video/video.php?cid=446409462&pid=EKSh75_5F44zFkLas5shMsNDidhJb_zI&category=episodes&play=true

Atlanta Midsummer Invitational Polo Tourny

"Atlanta Midsummer Invitational June 19-21 The Atlanta Midsummer Invitational will be an awesome weekend of bike polo and bike racing. We've got a party scheduled for Friday night, with a live DJ spinning, Tricks, Skids, Tall Bike Jousting, Beer, and more. Bike polo registration starts Saturday morning at 10, with the round robing tourney starting at 11. The Alleycat Starts at 5, and there will be an after party somewhere else. Based on Saturdays results We'll start a Double Elimination Tournament Sunday at 11. The big cookout will start at noon while people watch the tourney, and the awards will be given out around 3, or whenever the tourney ends."



More infos here: http://www.myspace.com/atlmspi

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Pista Malmo

The Swedish Pista Malmoe crew and are throwing a race slated for April 25th. Needless to say, I won't be there, but anyone in Scandinavia ought to go check it out.

The Poster:


The Blog: http://www.pistamalmoe.org/

The Video:

Un Giro De Spoco Sud - Trailerissmo from PistaMalmoe on Vimeo.

So Ugly it Rules Sweater



Perfect for my friend Hana or perhaps the purveyor of ultimate sweater ugliness, Mike Ley.

From here: http://www.rotterdamfixedgear.com/site/?p=3111

edit: The Ebay Auction is here: EBAY

Fixed Fight 3 in St.Petersburg



From here: http://www.horroh.com/Alleycat.html

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Velocity's Chukker Rim

"So we heard you guys were looking for something a little stronger, little beefier, little wider. How about a Velocity Deep V on steroids? We've had this extrusion in the lineup before; you might remember it as the Deep V ATB? We will be bringing it back, for the trickster crowd, as well as for the bike polo crowd, and anyone else looking for a bit wider alterative to the tried and true Velocity Deep V.



We would like your input on what drillings we should bring it in for the 26" and 700c sizes. We will probably just be doing our Ano. colors, and NON machined sidewalls to keep the cost down. You shouldn't have any problems running a brake on the Non MSW Ano. We will have some new ano. colors to choose from such as, Olive Mist Green, Midnight blue, dark Bronze, to go along with our silver, bright silver, gold, and ti. grey."
http://velocityusa.blogspot.com/

I think this is a great idea on Velocity's part. The MTB Deep V's extruding equipment is pre-existing, so why not take the rim and re-contextualise it as the market's first Bike Polo rim? I do think that machined side-walls are going to be an important feature to include in the future as most people (regardless of drive-train) seem to running rim brakes.

I'm told (by Bikepolo.ca) that NYC local, Doug D, will be testing a set soon. Looking forward to seeing the wheels hit the court!

Sunset


Sunset on the Hannover velodrome.
From here: Fixed Gear Blog

Oh, this weekend is going to be niiice

Was away in Connecticut for a few days, am back now!

Event Reminders!

If you are in NYC: TRACKLOCROSS!



Some pics from last year here.

If you are in RVA (and female)

Friday, April 3, 2009

Cannondale Disappoints Me

Dorel, the owners of Cannondale, are shutting down the long running USA manufacturing facility in Bedford, PA and moving production overseas.

Cannondale was always the quirky, unique one of the 'big three' (Trek/Specialized/Cannondale). Despite all the weird little missteps in the company's history (Moto company? Ugliest triple crown DH fork ever? The CF Raven MTB? The Lefty?) they were amazingly innovative (the Lefty, the HeadShok, pushing Alu as material, BB30, domestic production from day one, etc...)

It really bums me out to see this shift and the worst part is, I don't know why they didn't do it sooner...

More here: Cannondale's U.S. Manufacturing Ending
Bike Radar's coverage here.

grump grump grump

Co-ed Spring Fling Bike Polo Tourny in DC, April 18-19



The FIRST Polo Tournament that requires each team to consist of men and women

When: April 18th - 19th
Where: Washington D.C. Rush Rink
Located at the intersection of 13th St. & D St. in SouthEast, the Mary O’Neill Rush Memorial Rink at Watkins Elementary School

Early Registration: Friday night at Asylum Bar and Lounge 8pm - till
Located at 2471 18th Street, NW Washington D.C.

$10 per person, $30 per team

More info: Here

Shea's BIG Bike Session


Shea's BIG Bike Session from Haro Bikes on Vimeo.

I was following Prolly's blog and somehow ended up on TheComeUp and watching this video. Too funny.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Stickers are back

Got the "If you steal, I will beat you" stickers back in. As before, send an SASE to me and I'll put a few in the mail to you. If you're an International (yes, that includes Canada), I'm going to set up a PayPal button for $4.00 to cover shipping.

Stickers measure 1.3/8 x 4.1/4 and are small enough for steel tubes.

Mail to:
Laek House
Stickers Yo
807 Willoughby Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11206





Paypal button:





Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Lance Armstrong's Collar Bone


Lance's "fixed" collar bone. Looks like a comb for a robot.


From here: http://velorunner.blogspot.com/

Pics from the Sireau/Bauge crash

The videos of the spectacular Bauge/Sireau sprint have been fluttering around the cycling blogs for the last few days. I just came across some shots taken by Cycling Weekly from Sireau's perspective.

Unfortunately it doesn't show how the crash started, but basically, Sireau's bars hooked Bauge's left leg and lifted Sireau's front end off of the ground. When his front wheel landed, it was a strange angle and caused the tubular to roll (I've had similar crashes in Polo because of hooking bars on a big guy's legs).


At this point contact has already made and Sireau's front tire/tubular is sliding off the front wheel.


Falling onto Bauge's rear wheel. Ouch.


Sad Clown face. I think he's realized whats happened and that the race is over.


Fuuuuck.


Merde.