These Guys...

I need a new team and these guys look about right. Total dirt bags with a little Belgian thrown in for good measure. Prefect!

Speeking of EuroTrash Perfection.

This is hot fire. I love the old shape tenspeed levers, why on earth did they ever change them? The new ones are ghastly. Sigh.

Eruo Trash Perfection

Here is the personification of EuroTrashyness during the summer; Pozzato working on his early season tan at a stage race in Argentina. Rolled up sleeves are a must, weirdly sleevless jerseys are not allowed. I was racing my local crit series on summer and decided to cut off my sleeves and roll down there thinking that my tanned EuroTrashyness would intimidate the pale Microsofters that populate the Seattle racing scene to no end. But I was told that sleeveless jerseys were not allowed. I quote "sleeves are the only thing that seperate us from those Tri dorks" logic I could not argue with.

Embrocation & Espresso

Early morning, out training before work. Hopefully my Paramount rebuild with be done tonight!

Get up early train, work at a bike shop all day, work on my bikes at night. Wow I am starting? to sound nuts?

Is the Universe Collapsing?

This is stolen from the Svelte Cycles blog. The new personal bike of none other than Richard Sachs, a Gaulzetti Cicli ! I've been lusting after one of these ever since I laid eyes on em. But $2500 for a aluminum frame is a little steep since that's what a highend custom steel frame costs. Aluminum is just as hard to work with so it isn't any cheaper than steel, makes all those made in America Cannondales seem like a great deal now! Pretty cool though apparently Sachs is going to give his master input, improving the breed. There is word of a carbon and Ti version coming soom built by Crumpton and Lynskey, respectively. I still think it's kind of funny since Sachs refuses to build his own frames with carbon forks?

Ps. The Sachs ATMO build kit is bumming me out, Cole wheels, Sram, Oval. Yuck!

Flat Out Like a Lizard Drinking Mate

Wow, here is a pic of the hardist man in cycling Robbie Mcewen's bike for 2010. This thing looks mean, anything with the new Regal and Bora's is about as good as it gets.

Half day

We got a half day off at the shop and boy was it magical, It feels like spring in Seattle and I took advantage of it. One sign that you may have a problem, more cycling shoes that real shoes. I was asked this very question by a nice woman recently and I replied, "yes and they're all Italian". Here is a pic of two of my fav's, you know it's a good day when you get to wear two different pairs of cycling shoes

Official Rules of the Euro Cyclist

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=info&gid=2258201150

I can't believe I just found out about this, thankfully I already practice these rules religously. I really like the bit about stem length being at a min 120mm and gearing being no less than 53x42. These are things I have been preaching for years to all that would listen. It's for you own good. Black cycling shoes, what am I a farmer? I am also a firm beleiver in not using a frame pump or saddle bag. Nothing looks worse than a gross, dirty saddle bag swinging like two dirty balls and a frame pump precariously attached with old bits of string.

Oh, the part about triathletes is genius.

Money Shot.

It's all in the details.

No time to post, off to train before work!

I love the smell of embrocation and espresso in the morning.

Richard Sachs x Speedvagen ?

I have been in love with Richard Sachs for along time, I love those bikes and his super oppionated views which he has no problem in expressing, he even came up with an acronim to punctuate his rantings; ATMO, according to my opinion. I have latley been postulating that a steel race bike is the wave of the future and Speedvagens seem be the personification of that. So when this bike graced the screen of my computer I really didn't know what to think. A Sachs painted by Vanilla in the Speedvagen colorway......Something looks off I can't really put my finger on it but I don't like it.

The compact crank is not helping.

Oh Gosh.

Cipo is back in the news as the bike sponsor of the Italian Pro-continental squad ISD. Look at those bikes, wow. I used to have a sort of obsession with all things Cipo, that sort of brashness takes me back to when I was winning Cat 4/5 races. Those were the days, now I am on a more esoteric euro trash elitist phase. The world needs Cipo now more than ever, smoking cigs, racing with a walkman, punching people, throwing his bike at his own team bus. Being awsome.

Merckx Monday.

Merckx climbed like a god, which was a feat for a man of his size. An Italian pro gave him some advice when he was starting out on how to get lean. "Eat less, less than you are comfortable with". Words I am trying to leave by these days. Or maybe it's just that I am too poor.

Cinelli Laser Strada

Lately I have been obsessing about Cinelli Laser's but not the track bike or the pursuit bike which everyone seems to hold an understandable fascination with, I on the other hand pine for the stada version, the roadbike version. I usually find C-record to garish and heavy on a round tubed steel bike but on a Laser it is really perfecto! A bike God would ride, a deus ex machina!


I would like a red one please.

I WANT THIS.

Over the last week I have realized that I tend to confuse what I need and what I want. I have sworn off carbon bikes but I would do about anything for a Time. These are still made in France not Asia, not a lot of Italian brands can even say that anymore. Colnago and Pinarello I'm looking in your direction.

I NEED THIS

After one more rainy training ride I came to the realization I may have to nut up and get a proper rain jacket. I need this Rapha rain jacket. Okay? Doesn't everyone?

Wintage Wednesday.

Yes Merckx sponsored and pro team funded by a Japanese company that made tv's and hi-fi's and yes their kits are supposed to look like denim lederhosen.


God the 80's were great. Also the guy in the pic went nuts and has manorexia as per all former pro cyclists.

Gitane is Back!

Did it ever leave? You may ask.

Well the winningest marque in pro cycling history is back with the Saur-Sojasun pro squad.
Looks good, No?

More Sercu Love.

Merckx and Sercu killin' it.

Merckx Monday

Merckx hanging out with Patrick Sercu, one of the greatest track racers of all time, whom Merckx partnered with in many Six-days. Also a fair roadracer, in this chase sporting the green jersey at the Tour de France.

One of the best kits ever.

Team Z! Or to you American dogs, Zed. SO French and SO fresh.

Oh Gross!

Thank you Footon-Servetto Fuji this is the worst kit I have ever seen. That bike is almost as bad. What is going on in pro cycling?

I love Deltas?

I have been really into my deltas lately for some reason, maybe because I've been looking at them and not riding them? People really only love them because they have never ridden them. I love them until the next time they try to kill me by Not stopping at all, Or by locking up the wheels for no reason.

The 80's were great.

5 years ago and it still looks good.

I loved this bike so much five years ago, I wanted to take it behind the middle school and get it pregnant.

Geoff Mcfetridge x AX lightness X Fairwheelbikes

This bike was an Interbike show bike that has gotten almost no love. It was built by Fairwheel bike your source for all the Crazy German light weight shit, in collaboration with AX lightness, Rue sports and graphics by Geoff Mcfetridge. Amazing. I've appreciated Geoff Mcfetridge's work for a while so it's good to see him collaborate on an bike project. Oh and this thing weighs like 10 lbs.

Wintage Catalog Wednesday

Yes, I would like one please.

Cofidis Switching to Shimano.

Bummer, I always liked their bikes super Euro, Wilier with Campy and then Look. You can give me that heap of old bikes.

The guys look pretty bummed about it.

This makes me sad.

According to Bicycle Retailer, the US Imported nearly 12 million Chinese bikes in 2009.
Only 586 Italian made bikes were imported. Buy ITALIAN. You will literally be 1 in a Million.

This figure is from Pista Palace, these guys are great. They are even crazier than me and RICH! Perfecto!



Here is a fine example of their work.

Bike Porn

I have always wanted a Pina, maybe I'll make that happen.

I love that color.
Pic from www.speedbicycles.ch

I thought my apartment was small.

Thank god I don't live in Tokyo, I have enough trouble storing bikes as it is.

Cyclocross is the new Fixedgear

Cyclocross used to be fun until everyone who is scared to either wear spandex or race on the road or track started doing it. Here is a perfect interview explaining it better than I can from the guy who did that hilarious "Two hipsters discussing cyclocross" cartoon.
http://cyclinginquisition.blogspot.com/2009/12/hes-guy-who-made-hipstercyclocross.html

Cyclocross was only cool in the 70's.

Merckx Monday

Keeping it trackie, one of my favorite Merckx photos.

Is It Summer Yet?

I said I was taking a year off from the track but I've been jonesing lately. I love the Friday night ritual, packing my stuff up, driving out, sitting in the grass, racing, puking and dieing, getting a burrito and a beer and passing out.


Oh and this Colnago is SO perfect it's gross. Like when you see a chick who is so hot it bums you out.

It's Raining and It's Monday.

I know how you feel Bernard.

More Speedvagen Porn

Dreaming about new bikes for the summer, I have serious bike A.D.D.

Happy New Year!

Resolve to ride your bike.