11 year old kills it on a big boy bike!

Stole this video clip from PinkBike.

Massive props to this kid! He's legit and hopefully will continue to shred. But someone get him a small wheel bike. No not because I think mountain bikes suck for jumping. But because I think you need the right tool for the job, and the 26 inch wheels have got to be a bit hard to flick around. Imagine the height he could get on a bike with smaller wheels! That would allow him more airtime to really pull off some moves.

Okay! Still, on 26 inch wheels he's pulling off stunts I wouldn't dare.

Old news, Cancellara wins 2010 Roubaix

Again Cancellara attacks Boonen! Boonen seemed to hesitate to long to counter. I attempted to DVR the race from Versus, but couldn't wait to see what the interwebs had to say (and show) about the race. Now I'm wondering if it's even worth it to watch?

I couldn't advocate shooting...

But, if it keeps me alive...

Join Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - sign the petition

Maybe you've heard about Jamie Oliver? He helped get REAL food into school lunches (they call them dinners) in the UK. He's also helped young adults that are at risk or in need of a break in life, by offering a job apprenticeship and mentoring them in a culinary career.

Now he's in the USA with a show on ABC attempting to educate people on making better choices when it comes to our food, as well as trying to get better (REAL) food into our school lunch program.

I agree with Jamie, that we need a food revolution in our country. As well as increasing our own activity levels so that we can lead the lives we are meant to live. If you agree follow the link to the site and sign the petition.

Charge Bikes Freezer - Cyclocross

Cyclocross - Charge Bikes from Charge Bikes on Vimeo.

I like the bike and the footage. Wish I could get me hands on one. It looks like the ticket.

Don't forget to pick your team for Roubaix (Velofight)

Create your roster for this weekends Paris-Roubaix. Do you think Boonen will take it? Or will Cancellara repeat last weekends show of power? Could this finally be the year Hincapie get's it? (Prolly not, but I think he'll be up near the podium)

Whatever you think, head over to VeloFight and join the FAKAWOT! group and make your pics. Do it now!

Oh, and just so you know, for last weeks Tour of Flanders, I placed 50 out of 70, with 50 points (lower is better). I did pick Cancellara, Boonen and Gilbert. But my next two highest placed riders were placed 20th (Berghardt) and 24th (Chavanel). I was really hoping Devolder would have placed higher. But that's how it goes sometimes.

Christian Hosoi - i am second

Christian Hosoi was one of my childhood heros. Even tho I knew his decks were mostly hype (and secretly I still wanted one), I always looked up to him as a skater.

He made some big time mistakes in life, tho you can argue he never received the guidance he needed from his father, but you can make that call your self. There's a documentary about that life to present called Rising Son: The Legend of Skateboarder Christian Hosoi. Purchase it from Amazon, check it out on Netflix or borrow it from the library. It's pretty good.

While in prison, Christian turned his life over to God and since being released, has become a skate-evangilist, spreading the word of God to people. It's really amazing. This video is from the website - i am second.com whose aim is to encourage people to put themselves second, behind God and others. Many of the stories on the site are amazing.

Cancellara attacks Boonen

Here's the video of the Tour of Flanders winner doing the big drop on Boonen. And here's the thing, Boonen was moving along, riding strong. I mean really strong. Just not as strong as Fabian Cancellara. Holy cow, Cancellara dropped Boonen as if he was riding away from a stop,and Boonen didn't realize the light changed.

I hope to be this kind of avid cyclist

Found this story from Cyclelicious. A really cool letter about a cyclist. A true cyclist. I hope I can be such.

I very much enjoyed your article about Lesley George, the avid cyclist who rides her bike to work nearly every day. Ms. George reminds me of my mother, Carol Hupp, pictured at right, who is also an avid cyclist.

As a child, Carol longed for a bicycle. She pored over the Montgomery Ward and Sears Christmas catalogs when they arrived, admiring the shiny bicycles shown in them. But bicycles cost $25, an unaffordable luxury to a family on a limited income.

Carol earned her first bicycle when she was 13, selling 10 two-year subscriptions to "The Saturday Evening Post," "Ladies Home Journal," and "Country Gentleman."

When she earned her teaching degree, she took that bicycle to Tucson and rode it to school. She brought the bike to Denver and rode it to Steck Elementary School — at a time when teachers did not ride bicycles. As she chained up her bike one morning, an awed first-grader asked, "Are you a teacher?"

"Yes," Carol replied.

"You don't look like a teacher," said the student. "Teachers don't ride bikes!"

Carol soon had an entourage as she rode to school. Students waited in front of their houses until Carol came along and then joined the line of children all pedaling behind Carol, following her to school.

Carol rode her bike to the hospital for a hernia operation — and she was not happy when the doctors refused to let her ride home. When she had breast cancer, she rode her bicycle to the radiation treatments.

She still rides her bike — a 21-speed touring bike — to run errands, go to doctor appointments, and just for pleasure.

Last Friday, I took her to lunch at the Buckhorn Exchange to celebrate her birthday. She rode her bike, of course — 13 miles round trip. It was her 87th birthday.

Original source - Denver Post.

Cancellara's bike exchange

All I can say is wow. That was a brilliant bike exchange for a road race. Really amazing. So smooth, and virtually no time loss. That's why the pros are pros, winning Flanders. And I'm not, and eating potato chips.

Velofight!

So through a friend on Facebook, I was introduced to Velofight. A fantasy cycling game. It's free to join and play.

Prior to each race, you choose 3 stars and 6 watercarriers for your team. After the race is done, you are scored. In this game the scores are like golf, in that you want a lower score. You get 1 point for a rider in 1st place, 2 points for 2nd, 3 for 3rd, etc.

Another interesting aspect to the game is groups. You can create and/or join a group with your friends, to be able to go head to head against your training buddies for bragging rights.

If you're looking for an interesting way to enjoy following the professional cycling schedule, join Velofight, and if you do and want to join a group, I joined a group named FAKAWOT! It's a public group, and anyone is free to join in.

Today begins #30daysofbiking

Yesterday was a group ride, and I had plans for a pretty full family day today, so I wasn't really planning to ride today, unless I got up early enough to do an easy recovery ride. That didn't happen. But what did happen was mio bellissimo moglie sent me out before breakfast for some dish soap, and I took my bike. Now other then riding to work, I haven't run errands on my bike since maybe last year. And I'm Mr. Bike Commuter! Hah!

Anyway, remember to take part and tweet about your #30daysofbiking, everyday! And visit the 30daysofbiking site too.

And finally, follow my tweets here http://twitter.com/gsoroos.

April Fools Day...

Just a warning that on April Fool's Day my natural distrust of others will be ratcheted up to a level bordering on psychosis.

Kicked doubts ass

So tonights group ride was a good one. Didn't get dropped, and even contested the Salem Corners town-sign sprint. Put in about 35 miles averaging almost 20mph. Though I can say this for sure, Joe Mama is super strong right now. Doing roadie group rides on a 29'er mountain bike and full knobby tires. Taking sprints and climbs like no ones business. Be on the look out for some great results from him soon.

First group ride of 2010...

I'm getting ready to head out on a group ride. I'm hoping that I don't get dropped. I'm really nervous about it. Gotta try to keep doubt away. I mean it's still early spring in Minnesota so everyone's hurtin'. Gotta just keep my mind closed to doubt.

Le cycliste

I have no idea what they're saying in the song, but the video is great! Found this thru La Gazzetta Della Bici. A blog with a ton of 'PRO' tips and cool ideas. Check it out when you can.

Anchors Aweigh

"Anchors Aweigh" By the Bouncing Souls

Mixed

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Get the book here.

It is a valid form of transportation

Image from HACKEDirl.com

It's not alternative, it's not fringe. It is an equal and valid for of transportation.

I can't remember what the stats are, but most people spend most of their travel miles going someplace 2 miles or less. A distance that generally can be covered easily by bicycle, without much effort.

Why would anyone do this?

I just read an article on Gravel Grinder News asking a question of why these types of races are becoming (explosively) more popular in the last year and this year in particular. There could be a number of reasons, and he mentions a couple of answers he's received.

I think one thing not mentioned is that if you're looking for a personal challenge, you don't need to buy a USA Cycling licence to compete on a personal level. I mean weather your challenge is to be in it to win it, or just to finish 100+ miles on a bicycle, USA Cycling is not needed to compete. 

Lemme just say this, this is nothing new. Sanctioning bodies provide a service to their members. But they also become a limiting factor to new, or outside the norm, events. Gravel grinding is the latest (for cycling), but there is a history of this happening.

I recently watched the movie, Running on the Sun, which documents the Badwater 135 ultra-marathon race. This is a running race, covering 135 miles, from 280 feet below sea level over some mountain passes, finishing at 8300 feet high. Temps during the race are typically over 105 degrees, with almost no humidity. For some reason this race reminded me of the gravel grinder trend. People looking for a challenge above and beyond the 'normal' marathon race.

And I think this is the biggest reason why people are doing these races, it's a challenge above and beyond the 'normal' century ride or sanctioned race.

Only time will tell if gravel grinder events will continue to be around for 25 or more year like Badwater. I sincerely hope at least a couple are. What do you think?

Weekend is here!

Stripping off the tie, praying mio bellissimo moglie feels better. And hoping the weather holds for some long rides.

SLAYER!!!!!

Actually, I don't even really like Slayer. But I do feel this way about bikes. Really, you see another cyclist and you just know...

#30daysofbiking

Here's a cool idea. 30 Days of Biking. Especially if you are on Twitter. But even if you're not, you can at least take part. Just ride everyday for 30 days in April. Simple as pie.

However, if you are on Twitter, you should tweet each day about your ride, no matter how short or far and add #30daysofbiking to your tweet.

It'll be interesting to see other peoples tweets as they take part in the project. I'm sure we'll see a ton of pictures about peoples rides.

My only reservation is weather, riding, even to work, in the rain sucks. I admit, I'm a fair weather rider. And rain could put me off. Especially on days I'm not scheduled for a training ride.

One last thing, you can follow my tweets with this link.

Funny...

Never happens to me.

The jerkstore called...

Some images from rides this weekend.

It was really nice to get out on the road this weekend.

Duct tape keeps keeps your booties around years after they should be retired.

Dome house near Pine Island, off the Douglas trail.

Saturday was a 'base miles' day. Mainly endurance zone2 for almost 50 miles. It started pretty chilly, but was nice. Mainly nice to just get out. The sun was shining and even the wind or the dogs couldn't make it a bad ride.

Kenda Kwik 700x30c tires fit just fine on the orange fixed.

Plenty of room for gravel rides and some cyclocross.

Sunday I went for an easy spin to keep the legs loose, and just wanted to test the new tires on gravel. They worked great, tho the road was super hard packed with hardly any loose gravel, so I could've just as easily ridden 23c road tires. But it was another beautiful day.

Swag

Received in the mail a small package from Charge Bikes.

Charge branded Sugino Messenger chainring.

Man, that ring is beefy. I doubt I would ever bend or wear that thing out. I received that and a cool pair of TLD ace gloves.

Thanks Charge! You guys rock harder than a majikist! Even if you aren't sending me a Freezer ti cyclocross rig to race on.

Cost to race

I'm sure I've covered this before, but I just read another article (this time on BikeRumor.com) about the entry fees and future of 24 hour racing (or all racing for that matter).

Bicycling is an expensive sport. Equipment itself is a major expense. Bikes are not cheep. Then you can easily spend $300-500 or more a year just on things that wear out and/or replacement clothing. And that's being conservative in the estimate.

While I like being competitive, at this point I couldn't see spending the kind of money that they want to charge at a Granny-Gear production event. Now granted, as they state in the article, you get a lot of amenities included. Fancy timing systems, P.A. systems, stages for awards, beer gardens, etc. Porta-pottys and food vendors are great for family and support crews.

But even with all of that, over $100 bucks for entry to race is really steep. I couldn't see spending that kind of money. At least at this point in my life.

The article talks a bit about grassroots race promoters that charge less then $100 for a solo racer, and a little more for a team. These seem a bit more reasonable.

But the article fails to mention that there are a growing number of no-entry fee grassroots races being put on. Races like Ragnarok and Almanzo. Right now they seem to revolve around gravel road race events. And those are great. But they are not the do all-end all, and I think we will see a decline in numbers after a peak is reached. When that is, I'm not sure, but that's getting off the point. I think it's great that they are being put on, but more importantly. They are evolving somewhat and I think people putting them on will start to expand to pavement and even trail racing.

Now, not all events can and will be free. But I really don't think you need to pay an arm and a leg to be able to race your bike. And truthfully, you can turn any ride into a virtual race. In fact many group ride are just that, and excuse for racer types to play, train, and do a race, without actually racing.

And really... isn't that even more fun. Show up to a group ride with a bunch of licenced racers who are training to cat up this year. Hanging with, or even beating them on climbs and sprints. Maybe I'm odd. But I enjoy that a bit.