I don't normally say this, but WTF?!?!?!

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/02/news/it%E2%80%99s-official-spanish-fed-clears-contador_159920

http://bikepure.org/2011/02/contador-cleared/

I mean, is this serious? This just doesn't seem right. Just completely overturn the ruling? I understand he's a national hero and all. He may end up being the greatest cyclist since fancy pants, but if it looks like he's cheating, it needs to be looked at seriously. I mean really seriously. This just seems like the Spanish fed is ignoring any facts in the case.

We have a weiner

So five of you entered to win the gloves. I ran a random sequence generator, to choose a winner. I decided the sequence would be better, just in case, the I can't contact the winner for a mailing addy, and have to give it to 2nd or 3rd place.

So the random sequence generator says comment number 2 is the winner. Tomás please email you're mailing addy to anello.grande[-at-] gmail.com and I'll mail them out to you. However, if I don't hear from you by next Friday, I'll award the gloves to the next comment the random sequence says (#3).

Now that that's over, I can watch Metallica play Damage Case with Lemmy on VH1.

Giving these gloves away

So I mentioned I wanted to do a giveaway. Well here we go. I'm giving away a pair of Troy Lee Designs Ace gloves. All you have to do is leave a comment saying why you want them, and I'll pick one at random on Friday, February 11.

These are brand new black gloves in the package. They are pretty light, full finger gloves, great for mountain biking, or gravel rides. I've seen online prices for these at $24. One last thing, I need a way to contact you if you win to get a mailing addy. So make sure you leave an email or some form of contact info.

Troy Lee Designs / Ace Gloves.

Do you like free stuff?

I like free stuff. Maybe you do too. Sometimes I get free stuff, but end up not using it. So why should I keep it? Maybe I'll pay it forward. So I think I'll post a giveaway post on Monday. What am I giving away? I'm not telling yet. Maybe I can give you a hint.

Race Across the Sky (2010)

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

Dang, I keep saying that one of these years I'm gonna do Leadville, and one of these years I'm going to. Just not sure when. But watching the trailer puts me in the mood to get on the bike and ride.

Win this bike

Gunnar's Orbea

Maybe not this exact one, as this is built up be me. Build your own and maybe you can win it. Just follow this link: http://myorbea.cyclingnews.com/.

Well maybe don't, then there's more of a chance for me to win mine, right? Someone's gotta win it.

Cover art from Issue V of The Ride Journal

The Ride - Issue V

Sweet cover illustration. They have the 1st 2 issues available as a free download to check out. Looks very pretty. Nice photography and great illustrations. The latest issue can be purchased off the site. TheRideJournal.com

Illustrations by "The Master" Bob Haro

Bob Haro has had a pretty big influence in my life. One of the things that attracted me to devour BMXAction more than BMX Plus! was the illustrations by Haro who was on staff at BMXA.

Today's the last day to register for the Almanzo or Royal

http://almanzo100.blogspot.com/

This race is, for sure, worth the cost of a postcard and postage. Though at this point you may wish to either next day or hand deliver your card to be sure to get in.

At this point there's well over 550 riders committed and all said and done, could top 600. It's amazing to me how many riders are interested in coming to our corner of the world to ride a gravel road race.

On a side note, here's a link to a friends post on what the Almanzo means to him and some thoughts on "free" racing. http://rideonpurpose.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-almanzo-means-to-me.html It's a very good post, and well worth the read. And maybe give you a little to think about.

Finally, tomorrow (2/1/2011) begins registration for the Almanzo Market. http://almanzomarket.weebly.com/ If you are in, or know of people in the bike industry, this may be a great way to connect with riders who want to compete, but are put off by the prices of regular racing.

Who is more legitimate, the guy who rides a bike as an activity? Or the guy who has really no other choice then to use a bike for transportation?

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

The above video accompanies a great article about the divide between the low income people who can benefit the most from bicycle transportation, and the bike shops, information and amenities that can help them.

Just food for thought.

Death Ride by Johnathan Bergeron (aka Johnny Crap)

color version

pencil

Johnny Crap likes to draw skulls. This illustration has a bike in it. Skulls + bike = aWesome!

via JohnnyCrap.com

Team TOMS Shoes Cycling

Friends of Team TOMS / KIND jersey

Team Toms is a small team with big dreams. The goal is to really spread the word about TOMS shoes and what they do. (For every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. One for One.)

If you're interested in supporting the team, you can do so by buying a jersey or kit as a friend of Team TOMS. The jerseys are by Primal, and they are taking pre-orders right now to ship in May.

Follow this link to see the items and place an order. http://www.primalwear.com/c-267-friends-of-team-toms.aspx

Cardinal by Adam Turman

via Adam Turman

Wow, a really beautiful snow bike print. $35 by clicking here -http://www.adamturman.com/display_details.php?page=12&image=406

Twin Cites Biking by Sean Tubridy

via Tubes

Very nice promotional poster for cycling in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Giclee on archival velvet fine art paper with letterpress type. Signed in an edition of 300. Only $25. Buy your here http://www.supermarkethq.com/product/twin-cites-biking

BMX Street Video

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

It's amazing to me how much the line between Street BMX and Urban Trials is blurring. It's also amazing how many riders are running brakeless. I mean, I have no idea how you would do a nose pick, without a front brake.

Training season

During these long winter months, I've been riding indoors  more. In fact just 3 weeks into this month, I've doubled the time I spent riding over all of January last year. Of course that still isn't very many hours in the saddle. I plan to continue with riding the rollers and occasionally the mag trainer thru February. Tho I'm hoping that by the middle of next month, I will start transitioning to some extra hours outdoors.

In the meantime, I'm beginning to run a bit more. Again, this is indoors, and when temps move up a little more I'll be going outside. But this is just to prepare for the Warrior Dash, which is way out in July. But since I haven't run in years and years, I figure I should start now.

I'm also gonna get in a little bit of strength training. I stopped around Thanksgiving time because my back kept going out. (I know-I know, I need to work on my core more.) It's been fine lately, but I've been trigger shy about going back. I realize that I need to start light (not that I was ever pushing huge weights or anything) and really make a focus on core muscles.

I've only swam a couple times outside of taking lessons but I feel confidant enough to do laps when the mood arises. Just gotta work on timing my breathing and slowing down so I don't feel like I'm drowning. 

Anyway, all this is leading up to (hopefully) more racing this year than last. Seriously. I know it's all still up in the open as far as frequency and type of racing (gravel, road, mountain, CX), but I'd like to up my game a bit more for 2011.

Illustration by Yann-G

via http://www.yann-g.com/y03.html

via http://www.yann-g.com/y24.html

via http://www.yann-g.com/y04.html

Love the loose sketchy style of Yann-G. Awesome work. Check out his blog here: http://www.yann-g.com/blog/.

LOVE/VELO by Arie Dyanto

via woof

LOVE/VELO is an Art Exhibition by Arie Dyanto at SIGIarts Gallery.

From Steel - A short film on the hand building of a Soulcraft bicycle frame

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

Wow, really well done. Both the video and the frame. I've always like Soulcraft bikes. In fact they even gave some swag for a couple alleycat races I put on a couple years ago. Great guys.

Are you in?

There's still time to get a postcard in if you are interested in riding (or racing) this years Almanzo 100 or Royal 162.

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

I, myself, along with a bit more then 300 others, am already on the roster for the event. Get in while you can, registration ends the end of the month.

Besides the Royal 162 (162 mile route) option, this year brings the addition of the Almanzo Market, where local artisans can share (sell) their wares, as well as bicycle industry folks. It'll give those who travel into town with the riders, but are stuck waiting around for them to finish, something to look at and possibly purchase. If you want to sell some of your things, or are in the bike industry and want to set something up, follow this link: http://almanzomarket.weebly.com/

Bike Art - Car Free by Tatsuro Kiuchi

via 20x200

Wouldn't it be awesome to have the roads all to bikes, and force cars to drive in the gutters? At least you can purchase the print by visiting this link http://www.20x200.com/art/2010/11/car-free.html

The history of Oakley

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

As expensive as they are, I still think that Oakley glasses are among the best sports glasses made. I wish I could come across some Oakley-3, B-1B or O-wing grips. Those were some of my favorite grips when I was riding BMX. Anyway this is an awesome video showing and telling some of the history of Oakley.

First in a series? TT Monster by Sheperd Myers

via: shepherdillustrations.com

I've been finding more and more "bicycle art" that was making it's way into my "inspiration blog" that I figure would fit here. So I think I'll start the series with an image I stumbled across not to long ago by Sheperd Myers.

How to

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Wise words. Have a great Martin Luther King day.