Chasing Legends Trailer - World Premiere May 15th

Hopefully the movie lives up to the hype. I'm looking forward to it.

Blood Sweat + Gears

Just finished watching this movie following Garmin getting into the Tour de France. It's a really good flick to add to your netflix.

Wish I was home

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

enjoying a day at the beach with my fam and friends. Even better was when I packed the car with the cooler and stuff, headed out on the bike, and met mio bellissimo moglie and i miei bambini at the beach. Those were great.

Anyway, great new Jack Johnson video.

Velofight: Giro d'Italia now open

Hey now! Get your picks together for the Giro. Who's gonna get the maglia rosa? What teams gonna win the team competition. Hope you do well. My picks for most of the spring classics didn't do that great. Maybe I'll do better at grand tours. Maybe.

96% of cyclists fear the rear

96% of cyclists fear the rear
Originally uploaded by richardmasoner

while only 30% of accidents are from the rear. And yet even I will ride with a rear flasher and not a headlight during some dawn rides.

Monday came and went. I feel better.

There is a video embedded in this post that you may not be able to view. Click through to the blog to watch it.

Hot Chip rocks! Love their tracks, and this video is great.

Weekends are for rockin!

Get ready Friday! Cause I'm gonna melt your face off!

Busy as a bee!

Work - work - work. And it gets in the way of riding and blogging. Errr...

On the other hand, I am so thankful that I am able to work and have a great job.

Talk to ya later!

No Phone Zone

I've been a bit harsh of Oprah in the past. But I think she's really trying to use her voice to create better change in our society.

Today I took the pledge to not text while driving. I think you should too. Let's all pay attention to driving when driving.

Chasing Legends

The Tour de France. The biggest and most exciting sporting event in the world. It's really amazing watching/reading about the athletes and what they go thru to finish, much less win the 23 day stage race.

I've kept up with the Tour every year for about 20+ years. Now, I'm not fanatical, I don't know the winners of each one, who attacked when, or what non-racing drama happened in any particular race. But I enjoy each race for what it is.

I try not to let the doping scandals get me down too much. It's happened, it's going to happen, but it really hasn't taken away the amount of effort, drive, commitment and perseverance that I love about the race.

Gripped Films is currently working on a movie following team Columbia (currently the winningest team in pro cycling), set to release in May in time for the Tour of California and Almanzo100. Check out the latest trailer below.

Bike Pure promo video

I'm not really into the wristband thing, but they also have bottles, headset spacers and socks to help spread their message. Vist the Bike Pure store here.

Cyclocosm How the race was won -L.B.L.

Original here. Very good points on the race. And the cycling press.

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?