Quotable Link: Cherokee Riders...

"...the best mental therapy and stress reduction in the world is a bike and a hill to climb."

I noticed a link to this group on Zeke's blog today, and considering my longtime cultural and cycling interests, it was a given that I would check it out. The group of riders is composed of members of the Cherokee (the blog itself is written by the Eastern Band of Cherokee, though the group is composed of Oklahoma Cherokee as well), and recounts their daily travels as they ride along the route of the Trail of Tears, the forced removal and march of tribal members from their lands in the east, to Oklahoma in the 1800s. It's interesting from a number of perspectives.

Spare Time Design: A Bike Transit Station...

Just for the heck of it, I will have some free time and doodle up a little concept drawing of something or other. A few years ago (I'm guessing it was that long ago) I did a little bike transit station, envisioning it situated at a corner of an intersection. Regardless of the design, would it not be cool to see such a thing at various corners in urban areas, much like you see gas stations today. Kind of a blast to the past, thirty years ago anyway, this would be a full-service station, with a manned kiosk/shop able to make repairs, or perform maintenance, while you walk over to your nearby office. Your bike would be ready at the end of the work day, for the ride home. Saw something similar in Long Beach once, though not at a corner location, but same general idea.

Quotable Link: sNOw Riding at Tahoe Meadows...

"Riding out of Tahoe Meadows won’t be possible until AFTER the longest day of the year!   That’s right, we’ll already be on the decline back to winter before enjoying that trail."

Quote, and more, at Bike Carson.

Where have all the Basso's Gone...

At some point last year I posted up a lament about the absence of Basso dealers in the US. A year on now, and nothing seems to have changed. I sure dig the current year models though. I know they are being raced on in Europe and Asia. Did something happen to sour them on doing business here in the States?

Astra

Fast Cross

I do appreciate how the company has stayed true to the Italian image, mystique, and has put Campagnolo components on these show pieces. Either of these would look hot, hot, hot, parked next to the old yellow Basso.

Ottavio Bottecchia...

Saw this at el despertar dels herois del fang. The kind of photo you can make up your own story about. Joking around? Cooling off? Something in the eye? Seriously though, it is from a book, so I wonder if there is any historical reference revealing the story behind the image.

The Rose Bowl, the Buds Ride, and Woeful Recovery...

When I was in my early 30's I was able to do multiple days of hard effort without any noticeable decline in energy or ability to recover. Take, for instance a typical week - Saturday would be a group training ride, Bicycle Doctor or Montrose - Sunday, race - Monday, long ride(70 miles min.) at a relaxed pace (I had a Sunday/Monday weekend back then) - Tuesday, Rose Bowl Ride - Wednesday, hill work - Thursday, Rose Bowl Ride - Friday, my one concession to taking it easy, generally an easy ride to work. There was rarely any problem being ready for action, giving all I had, day after day, week after week, following this pattern for a full season. 


Now fifteen, or so, years on and I feel a noticeable energy drain after just two hard days of riding. This week I did the Rose Bowl on Tuesday, and followed up with Buds yesterday evening. When crunch time came on the second lap through Bonelli, my legs had nothing left to give and I could only watch alone, as the group rode away up the hill. Yes, some people fell away before I did, but that is some small consolation. Granted eight years away from competition have not done me any favors, but I am much improved from where I was even one year ago, and continue to see improvement bit by bit. But, I am growing weary of these small steps on the comeback trail, and want to see some bigger leaps. I am also a firm believer in the saying, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger, and will continue to push for big efforts on multiple consecutive days; sooner or later the strategy will pay dividends. 


Maybe what it really comes down to is adjusting my perspective; instead of thinking I can win against these younger guys, I need to focus on getting the most out of training, and realizing that I don't race against twenty or thirty year old legs anymore; it is only the guys with the forty year old legs I need to concern myself with.

From the archives: City of Commerce Criterium podium II...

Another podium shot from the 1990 City of Commerce Criterium. Names and category unknown. I told you my records from back then were sketchy. Numerous local races would get winners of local beauty pageants to serve as podium girls to present the awards, the Commerce race was one of those. The race could get a fairly healthy crowd of spectators. Since it was run around a community park in a residential neighborhood, rather than along some backroads in a weekend-abandoned business park, curious locals would come by to watch, or set up lawn chairs in their front yards. As you notice by this photo, and the previous (two months ago, I think) the awards ceremony was front and center, giving the victors their due, not pushed off to the side while another race was taking place. Attention to details, both great and small, make the difference between a more memorable experience, and just another weekend crit.

Memorial Day weekend Ride...

along the San Gabriel River Trail

This approaching weekend, area cyclists will take to the Los Angeles River Trail

Today is the last day to register online (click image at right for info)