Sorta retro Schwinn TV ad

Schwinn...

Hm, I have nothing against Schwinn, other then that if you think you're buying a Schwinn from the same company that your parents got your old Apple Crate from, you are mistaken. But that's really no big deal. Lots of companies have come and gone, switched owners, filed bankruptcy and all the like. At least they still make bikes.

So below is an ad that supposedly is running on TV. The great thing about it is that they are doing it right. Yeah it's Schwinn branded and gives a retro vibe so we recall our childhood. But also it's selling us on the feelings of riding a bike. Spin those pedals and ring that bell. Who can not smile and feel good doing this?



Good job Schwinn. Originally found on Urban Velo.

Getting soft

Well hopefully not really. But missing a bunch of days training leading up to a race 3 weeks away is not really ideal.

The weekend was a cold, wet, rainy one, that also had some other commitments. So no ride then.

Then I missed the group ride today. It was my own fault. I reacted to a situation that didn't need to be and possibly missed a day to really build speed work and race intensity.

If I focus, and God willing, I can still make the best of this week. Anything I do after Sunday is to maintain fittness or taper to race day. So maybe I can pull off going on the Wednesday group ride to make up for today. But that still means a bit more hump bustin' this week. I'll try to get in a couple hour tomorrow with a couple intervals mixed in. May have to do the same on Thursday, active recovery on Friday, and an early morning long ride Saturday and Sunday. That should bring me into a week or so of maintenence, and then a mini taper to race day.

That's sorta the plan anyway. Remember, gotta go with the flow. Loosey-goosey!

Open letter from Vino

just to update, looks like Vino's not feelin' the love.

While reading the press comments regarding my last victory in Liege-Bastogne-Liege I was deeply saddened. I don’t understand this persecution against me.

I can’t do anything against the doubts hanging over me since the 2007 case, but I reject all the accusations brought against me today, without any evidence. Since my return in August, I have always been honest with the press, I responded to all requests for interviews, I have hidden nothing.

Ironically, my victory in Liège seems to revive old jealousies for which I am not responsible. The media comments contrast with the hundreds of congratulatory messages from fans that I keep getting on my website and my Facebook page. I don’t understand this discrepancy.

As if I had to be forbidden of success on my bike to leave everyone with a clear conscience. In which sport are we allowed to be at the start of a competition without the right to win?

I love cycling, it gave me everything and I want to give it good things in return. I paid two years on suspension for the dark years of my career. If I repeated that I didn’t want to talk about it, it’s only for the sake of my sport. I don’t think cycling needs to reconsider all these dirty stories to move forward. This is my personal vision of this problem, everybody is not obliged to share it. Obviously my attitude that I consider the most correct and most respectful way possible is one more time misinterpreted. I'm sorry.

Again, I have nothing to hide. Since my come back I have been the subject of more than 30 doping tests, all negatives, including 21 in the context of the Adams. This allows me to validate my biological passport and therefore to run. In Tenerife, where I had my recent training before the Tour of Trentino that arose the indignation of some journalists, I was subject to two unannounced blood and urine tests in two weeks. I can’t do more than what the sport regulations ask me, to prove my honesty.

Today, I only wish to be respected as I respect everyone, my colleagues in the peloton as the journalists. I don’t want to be the only and too easy target for all the ills of cycling. Alexandre Vinokourov

This was taken from Velonation. Make what you want of it. I still don't know what to think.

Doping, win for Vino, suspensions and guilt

Photo from CyclingNews.com

I was pretty suprised that Alexandre Vinokourov (riding for Astana) won Sunday's Liège - Bastogne - Liège. The last of the spring classics on the calendar. I knew he was racing, and I knew he was on form from his win at Giro del Trentino. But I just didn't think he could have pulled off a win against such a strong field.

Regardless, he won. And it seems that it is causing some distress with fans of bike racing around the world.

Count from one to ten. That's how long it would take Gunnar Soroos to outsprint you... Fourty seven times.

Vino, served a 2 year suspension from pro racing for failing a doping control test following a win in the first time trial in the 2007 Tour de France, suggesting that he received blood transfusions for performance gain.

Now, he never admitted wrong doing, but he also didn't seem to fight the claims. He served his suspension.

He is considered a doper. And I don't doubt that he cheated. So when people see his win on Sunday, they see a cheat winning. But here's the thing, is he still a cheat because he cheated in the past? I'm not saying to not question his cleanliness, but I am wondering if we should be so focused and upset because a rider who served a suspension won.

It seems almost every week there is news of another rider testing postive for some sort of cheating. I don't think that that is going away soon. And just like fines for unsportsmanlike behavior, once the punishment is paid, shuldn't the rider be able to continue to race if he chooses to? (Considering he can get on a team)

If the punishment isn't strong enough, then maybe the rules need to be changed to reflect that, but untill they are, he's not breaking any rule by racing.

On the other hand, I want to know the riders that are winning, are real champions. I don't want to think a rider may be on the podium because he has chemicals in, or is using someone elses blood.

Of course it comes down to the fact that, if a rider wins by artificial means, it not only takes away from his win, it takes away from my own (rather small) accomplishments. Doesn't it? Cycling isn't that hard, just take some EPO. Training and commitment isn't important. Just purchase a victory.

Really I don't know where this little rant is going, or what point I'm making, but it's a tough nut to crack when you think about it. Should I be happy that a doper won? Should I not care? Should I be happy that a rider served his suspension and is now clean, as he claims? What other riders are cheats?

I really don't know. I do know that I want the sport to be clean, and that I want the winners of every race to win honestly.

Because of this I support Bike Pure, and Dopers Suck. I know for myself, at my level, I am racing as ethically as possible. Does that make sense? What about you? Are you racing clean?

It is better to give than to receive. This is especially true of an attack from Gunnar Soroos.

Don't we all like watching the train wrecks? Tool - Vicarious

I know I can be just as guilty. "10,000 Days" Album by Tool

Very cool video about the lost art of hand painting ads on the sides of buildings

I'm at awe of the brotherhood and mentorship these guys have for each other.

Major the Movie (Marshall Major Taylor)

This is another story found from Cyclecious.

Looks like some Hollywood types are going forward with producing a major motion picture (no pun intended) on the life of Marshall 'Major' Taylor.

The movie will be based on the book by Andrew Ritchie, "Major Taylor: The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World." I haven't read the book (yet) so I have no idea of how good it is. I have however, read the Major Taylor autobiography "The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World" which I was able to find at the library. That was a very good read, I'm a slow reader and ended up finishing it up over a weekend.

Major Taylor was a World Champion cyclist who needed to overcome intense racial discrimination in order to compete. In fact he was banned from racing in Indiana (same state that Breaking Away was based in) when he began winning races.

Major enjoyed more freedoms overseas taking part in races all over the world. He named his daughter Sydney, after the city in Australia in which he particularly enjoyed.

The tag line for the movie "The greatest hero America ever forgot..." is fitting. If you take a look at todays american sports hero's, Armstrong, Woods, Jordan and the like, everyone knows who they are. Their images and likeness are recognizable by almost everyone in the country. And yet a majority of Americans have never heard of Major Taylor.

Below is the YouTube preview:


And here's some links to the movie and other resources to learn about Marshall 'Major' Taylor.

• http://www.majorthemovie.com/
• http://www.majortaylorassociation.org/
• http://www.majortaylor.com/

For sure I'll have to see this movie when it is released.

Could you please hold onto your butts!

Smoking is bad, I think we all know this. But if you choose to smoke, please hold onto your butts.

Velofight: Liège-Bastogne-Liège

Liège-Bastogne-Liège marks the end of the euro-pro spring classics season. I made my picks in VeloFight for Sundays race. I'm hoping that it was a much more educated pick then I did for Amstel Gold where I placed 65 out of 68 users.

gsoroos Amstel Gold

Team manager: gsoroos
65th place with 117 points (7 + 13 + 14 + 18 + 65 = 117)
Stars
Oscar FREIRE GOMEZ - Rabobank (14th)
Cadel EVANS - BMC Racing Team (13th)
Water carriers
Andy SCHLECK - Team Saxo Bank (18th)
Steven COZZA - Garmin-Transitions
Frank SCHLECK - Team Saxo Bank (7th)
Danny PATE - Garmin-Transitions
Jens VOIGT - Team Saxo Bank
Sandy CASAR - FranÇaise Des Jeux (65th)
Martijn MAASKANT - Garmin-Transitions

So here's my picks for Liège-Bastogne-Liège:

G's L-B-L

Team manager: gsoroos

Stars
Alberto CONTADOR VELASCO - Astana
Philippe GILBERT - Omega Pharma-Lotto
Christopher HORNER - Team RadioShack
Alejandro VALVERDE BELMONTE - Caisse D'Epargne
Water carriers
Stijn DEVOLDER - Quick Step
Frank SCHLECK - Team Saxo Bank
Andy SCHLECK - Team Saxo Bank
Andreas KLÖDEN - Team RadioShack
Oscar PEREIRO SIO - Astana
Bradley WIGGINS - Team Sky

Valverde is a backup and I still may switch him out for Gilbert. I think Devolder is really gonna put his mark on the race since he hasn't had very good races so far. Klodi proved at La Flèche Wallonne, that he's still a threat. That was a great attack at the base of the Mur de Huy.

Go to VeloFight and make your picks, and don't forget to join the group 'FAKAWOT!' to play against my friends and I.

Performance...

This video has made the rounds already. I had it posted on my last (now dead) blog. So here it is again. Enjoy.

The Drums - Let's go surfing

Just a fun song to keep us going on this Thursday. "Let's Go Surfing" By The Drums

Hey Charly, it's Thursday...

Now get back to work. Hah-hah. Nah, just for kiddings.

Looks like spring really is here. Days are stretching out longer, and the sun is raising a bit earlier. Can't wait till I don't have to lug the headlight around for morning or evening rides.

I also can't wait to not have to wear tights or warmers. In fact I think I'm gonna have to invest in a new pair of bib tights before next winter. I seem to have worn a hole in the sitbone of mine. Oh well.

So Charly is heading to Trans-Iowa. I've prolly said it before, but I'll say it again. One of these years I'll give it a shot. But I think I def need a more dirt worthy machine. Anyway, I hope all your dreams and wishes for Trans-Iowa come true Charly. Have a good ride.

Hope everyone is enjoying their spring.Go outside and ride your bike.

Patrick Male

This video is another one I've stolen from Cyclelicious.



This guy is smooth and flows slicker then snot. Seriously, that is meant in a good way. I wish I could flow off jumps like that. Excellent story about him too.

It's Monday

Maybe what I should do is just not plan to ride on Monday mornings. Yesterday I installed a new chain on the roadie bike (SRAM PC971), as well as patched the flat and spare tube so that I would be ready to go up an at 'em this morning. (Although I still haven't replaced the fork yet, better get that done soon. That would be bad if it broke while riding.)

I even thought to have some variety of potential rides to do, depending on what I felt like in the morning. Hill-repeats for about an hour, sprint intervals for about an hour, or a 30 mile endurance ride with some sprint and/or muscle tension intervals thrown in.

So bike was prepped, clothes set out so I'm not diggin' in the dark to find stuff. The weather was checked and looked to be perfect at low/mid 40's and virtually no wind to wake up to. Didn't stay up too late past bedtime... But yet when the alarm went off in the morning, my brain said snooze button.

After the second snooze button press, I reset the alarm to just wake me up at a "normal time" to get ready for work.

Of course then I feel the guilties for not getting out to ride. I had a brief conversation with mio bellissimo moglie about why I do that to myself.

Ok Gunnar, keep it in check, you ride and race your bike for fun. Maybe you can ride later today, maybe not. Whatever it is, it's not that big a deal. A day or two is not gonna affect the training plan.

Current training load, click for biggy.

Toms Shoes

Have you heard of Toms Shoes? It's a company that helps give people in need, shoes. What Toms is provide a pair of shoes for every pair of shoes sold. One for one. Toms has some nice shoes that are comfortable. It's a great company with a great mission. 

So I am so totally stoked to say that I think I'm going to be racing for Toms Shoes powered by KindHuman Sports!

I'm riding with a purpose and mission. I mean I'll be riding my bike to spread the word about Toms Shoes. How awesome is that! Hopefully I'll be getting a jersey to wear very soon. I am so looking forward to riding for Toms!

National High-5 Day = Awesome

Check out the promo video, yo!

Fairtrade and Starbucks

You still have time to get a free cup of coffee with your reusable cup at Starbucks. Be sure to request the Cafe Estima blend.

How to get free coffee

I generally don't support Starbucks. I prefer Caribou or local run cafe shops. But Starbucks is doing work to at least not be on my $#!t list. They are offering more Fairtrade options like the cafe Estima blend, and actions like this to reduce the amount of disposable cups being thrown away everyday.

I was able to go with a couple coworkers this morning and get my travel cup filled with cafe Estima for free! Good deal to me.

How the race was won > 2010 Paris-Roubaix

How Roubaix was won. An excellent explaination/recap of sundays race. Stolen from Cyclocosm (which kinda sounds naughty, but isn't).

Specialized promo video of Cancellara's 2010 Paris-Roubaix victory

Pretty good production, but not enough race footage.

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?