Velograph

Lies the factory that makes amazing tubes.

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It’s like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, except with steel.

We’re two weeks away from the Roubaix and our plans are coming together. Not the solid kind – hotel, transportation. But the actual comprehension that we’re going to be in France, in Roubaix, witnessing our favorite race with our own eyes. We’re saving all of our actual prep for when we arrive in Rome. From there we’ll book our flights to Paris, and then we’ll hop the train to Roubaix from there.

More to come…

So the last time I attempted the Ronde I missed some of the markings, partially due to fatigue, partially due to them being faded in some areas. I missed Brynwood, and College, which are the gnarliest climbs of the whole route.

This time was different. Stocked with enough water and a better understanding of the route, I set out to complete the whole thing. And boy did I.

I wasn’t able to make it to the mountains to ride dirt, but I found quite enough hills to climb right here in Portland. Thanks Ronde.

Mongoose Fixed Gear

We thought the bars-as-wide-as-grips phenomenon was bad. We thought the Aerospokes we bad. Even the 650c up front seemed like the end.

When Walmart starts selling fixed gears for $150 I think it’s finally over. Even though I no longer ride a fixed gear, it’s impossible to throw a stone in this town and not hit one locked up to a rack. I wonder if my prediction that old steel Italian road frames with period correct Campy will become the next fad. God I hope not.

from Steephill.tv

Leaving for Rome in 8 days. Thoughts of Italian pastries, coffee, ruins, scooters, and a possible tour of the Cinelli factory are keeping me up at night. It’s not very often I travel across an ocean, let alone for three weeks. This is one of those opportunities that comes along every once in a long while. And I’d be stupid to say no.

Especially when flights from Rome to Paris are cheap. Trains from Paris to Roubaix are also cheap and we’re going to find a nice spot amongst the cobbles in hopes of catching the last couple of kilometers. Somewhere close to the velodrome so we know who won, after which we’ll wander the streets taking in the small town overrun by cycling glory.

We bought a new camera recently and I’m hoping to get some photos of blood, sweat, and tears.

Cheech, I think you may be forgiven for that stint on Nash Bridges now. Seriously, what were you thinking?

While I’m not always keen on bike advocacy, I do often join in when the cause is on the right track.

Getting more federal money for transportation alternatives sounds like a good idea to me.

So sign up already and be counted.

Also, the site is really well built, and although it’s got a web 2.0 feel, it’s easy to use. And I like it when things are easy.

Exactly one month from now we’ll be in Rome. This has nothing to do with Italian Spiderman, except that I love it.