Monday Musette - Farrar, Hampsten, and Mueslix

1. Congratulations to Tyler Farrar for breaking through with a big win in yesterday's Vattenfall Cyclassics. It's a result we've been expecting from Farrar, and it followed a solid effort from his Garmin team. With Tom Danielson on form as well, it could be an interesting fall for the boys in blue and orange argyle. And remember folks, I know it seems like Farrar's been around for years (well, he has), but the guy's still only 25. Big things beckon for the young American! I see a contract with a Belgian team in his future.

2. Lately there's been a lot of praise for the website Cycling Quotient, most recently in a recent Boulder Report post. A treasure trove of information for data-lovers, I can't believe I haven't stumbled upon it sooner. CQ's Head 2 Head feature is one of its most interesting, allowing you to select two riders and (duh) compare their head-to-head results. The site's also a terrific source for the most up-to-date transfer rumors and news. They're not all accurate--they're rumors after all--but it's a great way to get yourself caught-up on what's been floating around.

3. Not sure if you've ever taken a trip over to Hampsten Cycles, but if you haven't, you should. Andy and his brother Steve make some of the nicest looking and most thoughtfully designed bikes I've ever seen. A lot of the work is done in-house and some is outsourced to such frame building luminaries such as Moots and IF.

I have my eye on two of them. First, there's the Classic, which they describe as their "tribute to 1970’s racing icons such as Eddy Merckx and Roger De Vlaeminck, bushy sideburns included". Classic geometry, room for wider tires, and a tasteful simplicity evoke the era and region that the bike's inspiration.

The second and perhaps most tempting to me is the Strada Bianca, named for the white dirt roads of Tuscany, home to L'Eroica. The Strada Bianca is Hampsten's "60's era" road bike, one built for even wider tires than it's Classic brother. The bike pictured is shod with Rivendell's 33.3mm Jack Brown's. Beautiful indeed.

4. And speaking of Rivendell, have you ever spent some time at their site? For some, I'm sure Rivendell's a household name, but if it isn't, take a few moments to get aquainted with who they are and what they do. As autumn approaches and your thoughts turn to falling leaves and rougher roads, Rivendell could be a great source for your wide-tire needs. I've already ordered a set of the aformentioned Jack Brown's; look for a review in the future.

5. Last but not least, Here Come the Belgians has a nice post on mueslix. I remember the mueslix our Swiss soigneur used to make at Mercury. When done right, it's a wonderful slurry of oats, fruit, and yogurt--perfect for a long day in the saddle (or team car).

That's it for today. What's on your mind?

Share your comments below.

It's coming...

Here's the spoke card James made for next week's Centre Ramble. Will the Rapha Continental enjoy what we have in store? Will my legs come along for the ride?

Turkey for Me, Turkey for You...

I’m still reeling from the video of yesterday’s final stage of the Tour of Turkey. What a way to bring the sport to new audiences! I hope ESPN includes it in this week's “Plays of the Week”. Maybe they can create a montage combining this footage with pictures of Tyler Hamilton winning Gold in Athens and Michael Ball firing riders to cut costs. (Don’t you hate it when a pet needs more care than you thought it did? "But Mommy, he looked soooo cute in the window.")

And we complain when our sport isn’t taken seriously.

While we’re at it, let’s take a minute to honor another example of field sprint shenanigans, this time courtesy of Sir Tom Steels. (And note the highlight at the end announcing Abdu's positive test. A nice touch!)



But back to Turkey, Theo Bos (the Rabobank rider) says it wasn’t deliberate. I can’t see how we are to believe him. There’s a difference between a tap on the thigh to let a rider know you’re there and grabbing a jersey and pulling it across your front wheel. Daryl Impey (Barloworld) fractured a vertabra and lost a tooth in the fall; but hey, Robbie McEwan’s willing to vouch for Bos, so maybe I should reconsider my stance. (Yes, that’s sarcasm.)

Speaking of dopes, read “The Dope Show” at The Service Course. Ryan continues to astound me with his wit and writing style. This post is a classic to be read and shared by all.

Do you know the Boulder resident of which he speaks? I think I do.

More things to consider:

1. Rule #1 when picking race winners: always go with your first instinct. It's lip service now, but when looking over the Start List prior to Amstel, Ivanov's named jumped out at me. Alas, I talked myself out of including him. Next time, when my gut tells me something, I'll listen. (Unless it might result in me breaking someone's back and teeth.)

2. If you haven't been paying attention, Jeremy over at the Embrocation blog was in Belgium and France for the cobbled classics. He's been posting terrific photos and videos from his travels. Click here for a brief but exciting video from the caravan at Roubaix. (Brings back memories for me. Remind me to tell you the story sometime of the Italian DS who threatened to run me off the road during a stage in Malaysia in 2001.)

3. Jeremy also took part in Rouleur's latest version of The Crazy Bet. The goal: to ride the entire courses of Flanders, Ghent, and Roubaix the day before each classic. They failed on Day 1, but the stories are still worth a look. My favorite is here, and details their experiences over the last 90km or so of Roubaix with Katusha.

4. Battenkill was this past weekend. I'll give something--once we have Pavé logos on something--to the first person to provide us with a Pavé-exclusive 1st-person account and photos. Here's an example.

5. And if you're in the Mid-Atlantic, be sure to head over to Ridelugged and check out the Spring Opener. It's certain to be a great day!

Enjoy your week!

Recon

Reconnaissance, rehearsal, research. We know these terms well no matter our age, our experience, or our vocation. To ensure success, we know we must prepare not only physically, but mentally for our biggest events. For some, this might mean checking the air pressure in their tires before the Sunday group ride. For others, it might mean pre-riding a course and changing to a cassette with a more appropriate gear ratio.

Yesterday and today, the riders and teams of Paris-Roubaix have been sampling the cobbles they’ll be facing on Sunday. It’s a day for testing legs and equipment, choosing the best lines over the stones, and noting unexpected surprises. It’s a day for leg warmers, long sleeve jerseys, hats, and maybe a Mars bar. It’s also perhaps the only day of the year when the TV moto follows you on a training ride.


On Monday, Ridelugged’s James and I went up to State College for my second recon of the roads we’re using for our Rapha Continental ride later this year. James included a terrific narrative detailing his experiences that day. He included some of my photos. Please read more here.

PA Ramble: A Taste of Things to Come...

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of taking a drive up to State College to test-drive the course of the legendary PA Ramble. The Ramble’s a ride created by Ridelugged’s James and his buddies from grad school at PSU. The goal was simple: create an epic ride including as many dirt roads and climbs as possible. The results speak for themselves via the photos I’ve included here. In fact, I couldn’t even finish the ride—the final third was completely snowbound.

If we aren’t lucky enough to be selected for Rapha’s Continental Calling project, James and I are hoping to run the Ramble sometime later this summer (to give the surfaces a chance to settle down). In April we’re hoping to head-up for some extended reconnaissance. You’re welcome to join us.