WHEELS O’FIRE CYCLE TOUR | April 2

“Ride the Trail of Tour de Georgia . . .
Follow the path of Tour de Georgia’s world-class cyclists and ride the Wheels O’Fire Century Cycle Tour! Set in the rolling foothills of West Georgia’s Harris County, home of internationally renowned CALLAWAY GARDENS, the Wheels O’Fire Century Cycle Tour stands second to none for challenge and all-around appeal.”

More info here: harriscountychamber.org/CycleTour

The Final Fight! Fixed Fight 5 | April 23

Fixed Fight 5 presented by Cinelli will be the last race in the series that started back in 2007. So many things have happened since that first race. I’ve decided that “THE race to attend” each year in Florida has run its course. Attendance has risen each year, sponsors continue to grow, positive feedback never ends… wait, why am I ending it again?”

A big crew from Atlanta went down for the first Fixed Fight back in the day. Who’s gonna go mash it at the last one?

More info at: horroh.com/Alleycat.html

PAINT THE TRACK on April 2nd!

This workday we will be endeavoring to paint the entire track surface in one day!

We’ll have the assistance of the GA Tech MOVE crew again, so we should be able to cover a lot of ground(literally and figuratively).

Attending both of these work days will get you on the list of folks who are eligible for discount on their One Passes and Wednesday night racing entry fees.

What else needs to be done? http://www.dicklanevelodrome.com/topic/2011/02/workday-tasks-3-5-11.html

To get stoked on how much fun and how awesome this will be.

Check out these photos of Alpenrose getting a facelift!

Time:
04/02/2011 – 9:00am – 3:00pm

Text From here: fastermustache.org/node/7255

FM:Race 2011 Road Ride

Text from here: fastermustache.org/race/route/2011

Every week on Thursday, FM:Race meets up for a road ride, leaving The Gear Revival on Marietta Street at 6:45pm. Some things to know:

FIRST RIDE: March 17th, 2011. – this is the route we’ll start with! It may change as we decide that this one particular hill is too much or as roads get washed away by floods.

  • 29 miles
  • 3100ft of climbing including 10 “K.O.M. quality” climbs
  • Less than 2 hours start to finish, including regrouping once towards the middle.
  • Average pace is UNKNOWN, but not slow.
  • Loop is ridden clockwise
  • It’s not no drop, but we don’t ride too hard on the flats and tend to go easy after the tops of hills. The emphasis is on the terribleness of the climbs. That said, some fast people will always be off the front and they may or may not know the route.
  • There is only one regroup: The Exxon on Paces Ferry at i-75 which is almost exactly half-way in. Theres a spigot for filling up water bottles there.

Click through to View Larger Map for a cue sheet.


View Larger Map

Google Earth

2010’s Ride | 2009’s Ride.

6th Annual Georgia Rides to the Capitol – 3/22

ABOUT THE 2011 EVENT

Georgia Bikes! is aggressively pursuing a “Three Foot Minimum Passing” law again this legislative session. The bill has been introduced this year as HB 180. Cyclists and other supporters: stay tuned for details on this year’s version and contact your legislators to support this bill. 16 states already have safe passing legislation; let’s get Georgia signed up as number 17! For more safe passing information, click here.

In addition a Better Bicycling Bill, HB 101 has been introduced that cleans up a number of outdated bicycle issues. For details on both bills, to help and to follow the latest updates on their progress, visit Georgia Bikes!

The 2011 Georgia Rides to the Capitol event will clearly demonstrate the widespread support in our state for better bicycling laws!”

MORE INFO HERE:  georgiaridestothecapitol.org

8th Annual Brownwood Bike Rally! | May 14th

More Info here: eastatlantakids.org/2011-brownwood-bike-rally-run

The East Atlanta Kids Club’s 8th– annual Brownwood Bike Rally & Run returns on Saturday May 14 to beautiful Brownwood Park in East Atlanta, where kids and adults will participate in street bike and Cyclocross-track races, a 5K Run/Walk, and other cycling- and fitness-related activities. The event also includes a bike rodeo, a space jump, kids’ crafts, food booths and other fun activities to entertain the whole family. All proceeds benefit the East Atlanta Kids Club, an after-school mentoring and enrichment program for promising youth.

When: Saturday, May 14, 2010, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Where: Brownwood Park, 602 Brownwood Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30316 (and surrounding streets in East Atlanta)

Time: The 5K Run/Walk begins at 8:00 am; bike races and cycling events begin at 9:30am and end at 2:00 pm. Click here for the full schedule of events.

Cost: Event admission is free for all. Races are free for children, $10-$25 for adults.

Parking and Vendor Delivery Instructions

Racing Info: Kids ages 5 to 15 and Adults (16 & up)can enjoy the 5K Run/Walk and closed course street bike racing along East Atlanta streets. There are adult bike races for all skill levels, including an adult street bike “Fun Race” for all comers, and Cyclocross-Track Criterium races for beginner and more experienced cyclists, on a closed course that covers both East Atlanta streets and Brownwood Park’s dirt paths. Kids can also participate in a Bike Rodeo that tests bike agility skills and safe cycling knowledge. Prizes and awards will be given in all categories.

This event remains free for all youth participants each year with the help of more than 150 volunteers, the support of several local cycling and fitness clubs, and generous sponsors.

GET INVOLVED!

Register to race at www.active.com where you’ll find more information on the 5K Run/Walk and the bike races, including race routes. Limited on-site registration is available; please register online to ensure your race slot.
NOTE:
Parent/Guardian consent is required for youth 17 and under to participate in bike races. Please download and complete the youth registration form and don’t forget to include a parent/guardian signature. Return the completed form to Brownwood Recreation Center, Tues-Thurs, 11am-6pm, or bring it the day of the event.

Become a volunteer by completing and submitting the volunteer sign-up form . You can also contact Makeisha Robey at mrobey@eastatlantakids.org

See highlights from the 2010 bike rally here!

Read a lively account of the adult cyclocross race by a Litespeed BMW team member here

Make a donation at www.clickandact.com!

Become a sponsor by clicking here to view our sponsorship information. There’s a sponsorship level for everyone who’d like to help!

For general information about the event or East Atlanta Kids Club, call 404-627-8050.

Eight Days Later: The Eight Best Things About NAHBS 2011

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Leading up the this year’s NAHBS I asked John if I could borrow a bike.

Without blinking he said sure, ride my KHS. “By the way, would you like to contribute to the blog?”

Of course I did. But the days in Austin proved to be shorter than expected and I ran out of time.

Now eight days later and the photo above still depicts the scenario rather well.

I was focused on daddy duty with my son Otto, pictured above, and though I compiled some great shots,

any effort I could offer would have been a mere drop in the Prolly bucket of exhaustive NAHBS coverage.

Below is local Texas builder and former Keirin racer, Koh Annoura‘s track bike on motorized rollers.

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What I can do is say that this NAHBS, my third, was the best yet.

and here’s the eight reasons why:

Eight – the bashguards

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Geekhouse above and Gallus below built some bikes ready for extraordinary abuse.

Geekhouse had a great booth too and Jeremy of Gallus once won an alleycat to win a taxidermed calf.

WTF?

Their custom bashguards were awesome.

Gallus

Seven ~ the details

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The level of detail really does get better each year.

In fact, feel free to comment linking to your favorite detail from this year.

Signal Cycles above stepped it up with intricate features and ever more in depth craftsmanship.

The stem and bar combo below from Vendetta Cycles was the pinstriped capstone to a stellar build.

so nice.

Six ~ the Rapha Premiere & Gentleman’s Ride

Cole, human bike stand

Rapha has become a staple at NAHBS.

Their support of  US framebuilders is something I applaud them for.

Both the early AM exploration of west Austin’s hills with the Gentleman’s Ride

and the premiere of their Continental film made this year’s event even better.

Above is Continental rider Cole acting as his own bike stand and a still from the film below.

The Rapha Continental Premiere

Five ~ the food

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The food in Austin is great.

I had the chance to try out some cool spots: Juan in a Million, Torchy’s and Frank’s.

Frank’s was so damn good.  I went on the suggestion of a local messenger and am so glad I did.

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Four ~ the bike valet

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I sequestered myself in the bike valet aisles for nearly 30 minutes slowly sauntering around

leaning in and finding gems like the Somec above and Bishop below.

Every year some of the most customized bikes can be found both in here and locked up outside.

Again, 2011 took the cake for eye candy on the showroom floor and the valet corridors.

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Three ~ the booths

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Sure last year had some EPIC booths.  I’m looking at you Bilenky & Vanilla.

But this year was about minimalism.

Clever ways of conveying the emotion beyond the frames is a challenge.

Black Cat Bicycles and Vertigo Cycles both had some neat booths.

Aaron of 611 salvaged nearly all of his.

Vertigo Mosaic

Two ~ the people

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NAHBS is great to meet and greet not only legendary framebuilders

but also friends you haven’t seen in ages or ever before.

Above is Simon of Hipster Nascar.  We only met in person for the first time this year

and sadly he took a brutal spill on his bike that same night.  Get better man!

And below is Jordan Hufnagel of Hufnagel Cycles.

I race a frame he built on the track here in Atlanta and am always stoked to see him.

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One ~ the Hortons

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Above, Bob from Bilenky studies Bishop‘s counterpart to their contribution to the pair of Horton bikes.

These bikes were insane and the idea was totally unique.

I have heard of builders teaming up and collaborating in one shop or the other but this was one of a kind.

Ultimately this concept, the bikes, their detailed implementation and final results took the cake for me!

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Well there you have it, my take on the eight best things about this year’s NAHBS.

For more photos check out my flickr and feel free to comment with other best of’s from this year.

Finally ‘Wrapping Up’ My Costello Build, Brooks Leather Bar Wrap

Brooks leather bar wrap.

I have been riding my current commuter set up since January when first I did some riding down in Florida.

The missing piece of the build has been literally right beneath my nose these past few months.

Chris at Loose Nuts had initially wrapped some ever classic Newbaum’s cotton bar tape.

The distinction between Brooks leather wrap and cotton is longevity.

Where many may argue on the aesthetic and style each approach contributes to a build,

the leather simply lasts longer.  Not only that, like all Brooks products, it actually gets better with age.

My Costello

The first step was to pop the cork out of the bars, then flip up the hoods and get in the zone.

Well used Newbaums

Rather than peel of the well used newbaums I opted to double up. Though this potentially could harbor water,

it will make for a bit more cushion and a larger grip. The adhesive gripped well and I slowly began.

Take it slow...

When you see Brooks wrapped bars in the wild, always take a peek and see if it is started and ended well.

This may be the last time the bars will ever be wrapped and its all in the details!

Stoked to line it up top and bottom!

When I was done Chris and Howard took a look. Both know how long it took the get this rig rolling.

Chris doesn't know whether smirk or barf

I am super pleased to finally wrap it up with Brooks leather bar wrap and still sit on my 6 year old Swift!

Brooks products as recently highlighted, are some of the longest lasting velo investments you can make.

Check out my flickr for more photos of awesome builds featuring the latest Brooks offerings at NAHBS.

New Wrap Day...

Drop in or drop out!