In the presence of greatness

Yesterday I had a very bad day.

I vowed to myself, and to Aaron, that today would be a better day.

I didn't sleep especially well; someone took it upon himself to bang on something in the cafe parking lot behind our house for what seemed like an hour. I was convinced that someone was breaking into our basement to steal the bikes. So, naturally, I couldn't sleep even after the ruckus ended. Good thing #1: Someone was NOT breaking into my basement to steal my bikes.

I then had the luxury of letting Aaron open the shop while I slept a little longer. Around 9:45AM, I woke up, played a little guitar, and then went out for a ride on my Element. Good things #2-5.

While on my ride, I learned a few things: 1. I really like my tire setup. 2. I need to run under 25psi in the rear, else I bounce on technical climbs. 3. Aaron is a fork setup God. Whatever voodoo he prescribes to, I want to learn. 4. Mandrola's dog might be a little faster on the climbs, but I'll destroy him on a descent.

After my ride, I wanted to ensure that I was putting everything in focus. I really am surrounded by greatness. See for yourself:





Though, I've got to admit, none of these photos were the first place I went for inspiration. In truth, when I woke up this morning, all I had to do was look next to me to make my heart pitter patter. Many of you have been waiting to see these bad boys for weeks:

If you're not sure what you're looking at, those are my pride and joy that I tuck in next to my bed each and every evening. Yes, I'm serious. Read Aaron's comment on Molly Cameron's blog. Those beautifully glazed confections are limited edition A. Dugast tyres made specifically for the 2003 World Championships in Monopoli. These are the infamous, mythical "unflattable" tyres coated in pink lingerie latex that Bart Wellens rode across the finish line to take the WC title. If you're still not sure what makes these tyres so special, check this out:

CS: Why don’t top-brands like Michelin and Vittoria manufacture these kinds of tires?

Because the development costs way too much money in view of the amount of tires you sell. There were only 30 tires like the ones in Monopoli for example, while the development process cost some 1250€.

You read that right. 30. I own two.

Furthermore, those tyres are perfectly nestled on highly sought 15mm Campagnolo Barcelona 92 rims, not the 12mm. They are boxy, deep, and beautiful. But wait, there's more. In the center, those are 9spd Record hubs. Yes, 9spd. The Record of Record hubs, as Aaron likes to say. There is an injection port in the center of the hub that allows them to be regreased without removing anything but the cap. Insane. I put the rear in the truing stand and spun it, sat down to grade a stack of CCA's, and my head finished spinning before the wheel.

So, basically, I don't know how I could ever have even let myself have a bad day. I live my life in the company of greatness.

P.S. If you had any doubts, the tyres indeed came from none other than:
I doubt I could've gotten them on my own. I couldn't even manage to buy a car from a car lot.

Grab your caps and wool jerseys… It’s gonna be a party!

Tonight.  MTB Depot & ‘Cross Supply.  7:00PM.  Small batch brews and vino to rep our favorite riders.  Official Louisville premier of Road to Roubaix by Masterlink Films.  Free and family friendly. Get pumped for the greatest cycling race in history (atmo).  It’s only one week away.

See you there.

Music to your speakers

Thought we'd try out a fun, new project. Currently set up to autoplay; we can turn this off.
Tracks 1-5: mcc
Tracks 6-7: bacon
Tracks 8-12: hawkeye

Enjoy.

I am now the proud owner of…

Last Wednesday, I went to a car lot in town to buy a Saab 9-5 Wagon.  Those of you who know me know how I feel about Saabs.  Those of you who ride are familiar with the pitter-pattering that a nice wagon inspires in the hearts of cyclists.  I had been looking at this particular wagon for a few months; I knew what it was worth and how much I was willing to fork over in order to bring it home.  So, I stopped at the bank on the way home from school to withdraw money orders for the amount I wanted to offer.  Everyone knows cash speaks to car dealers – especially at the end of the month.  What no one knows is that printers don’t speak, they shout.

Long story short – I test drove the car, made my offer, handed over my money orders, filled out necessary paperwork, and then waited for a receipt.  And waited.  And waited.  After spending a total of three hours at the car lot, the manager/owner/resident jerk decided that the failure of the printer to spit out the receipt was an indication that he should not sell this wagon to me.  “Actually, I am going to have to pass on your offer.  I think the printer is trying to tell me something.  Sorry.  Have a good night,” were his next words.  Seriously?  I grabbed my money orders right out of his hand and marched out.  So, needless to say, I am NOT the proud new owner of a Saab 9-5 Wagon.  Whatever.  We just got a new printer at the Depot; maybe we should start letting it make our business decisions, too.

Aaron and I then went out of town for the weekend, which warrants a few posts of its own, and when we got back yesterday afternoon, this is what I found:

Yeah.  Molly Cameron sends me mail. – Okay, sent me mail, but that’s not to say there won’t be more in the future.

If you’ll notice, the label is handwritten.  No need for pesky printers to get in the way here. 

What’s inside, you ask?  Ooooh… a specimen far rarer and more beautiful than any Saab Wagon. 

September can’t come soon enough.

With Spring Brings Green

Springtime yields changes and developments in many aspects of nature and life. The budding trees finally starting to show their blossoms, and the flowers poking their heads out of the earth again can just make you smile. Green is the traditional colour of spring, with nearly all plant life turning their own shade of the hue. It may be a coincidence, but spring brings green to cycling as well. With spring conditions in Northern Europe being known for the possibility of rain and mud, but also for hot temperatures with dry and dusty conditions. The cobbled classics which remain my favourite races of the season will take in these epic conditions, and many riders will do so on a special set of tyres. Those tyres are very well known amongst the PRO ranks, and have been used for nearly 30 years. Francesco Moser won on them at Paris-Roubaix in 1978 to begin his death-grip on the race for three consecutive years. With the list of Roubaix winners on these tyres, you begin to wonder if they have something up their sleeves. Moser, Duclos-Lasalle, Tchmil, Museeuww, Big Maggy, and Stuey O'Grady make up a small list of those who embrace the Green.



The Pave's are legendary in ride and grip. They have a deep file tread, supple ride, and fabulous grip in dirt and gravel. They are one of my favourite tyres and I would kill for tan sidewalls again, but for now the trademark green will have to do. I treasure the time of year when they get to come out again. They stay inside and away from the light from summer until spring finally pokes it's head around the corner. Yesterday was their first showing of the season. I threw them on Kermit, my trusty Gunnar Crosshairs, that I love dearly. We embarked on my cobbled, and mud-covered loop that I enjoy in the spring. It showcases the tyres abilities to soak up the cobbles, grip on the dirt, and keep you upright in the mud. I dream of riding real cobbled roads, and suffering in Northern Europe on the same roads and conditions that PRO's subject themselves to each and every year. Many cyclists dream of billard table smooth roads, but I seek out the dirt, the gravel, the cobbled, the neglected roads that make every meter a challenge.

I invite everyone to find a set of the Pave's, mount them for the spring, and revel in the extraordinary grip and the ability to ride every rough road they skip with their skinny tyres, and to throw themselves down that cobbled alley that they have always eyed but never attempted.

So spring brings Green, embrace it.