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Rapha Festive 500 2011 | Day 2 | 62.6 Miles

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Got another 3hrs, 63miles in & made a new Largo riding buddy. #festive500 #day2

After I put my son Otto down for an afternoon nap, I kitted out and rolled out for maybe a 2 hour spin.

I knew I’d head north.  No route nor distance in mind and hoped, as it was xmas, that traffic’d be slim.

@sfattoclothing sock & favorite shoe combo. (too hot for shoe covers)

I learned yesterday that it’d get hot.  I suppose weather sites coulda told me too.

No shoecovers, knee/arm warmers nor vests require ’round here. It’d been ages since i rode bare shoes!

#festive500 you might be in Florida if...

Well, after sneakily scoping out some indigenous inhabitants,  I ran into  lone cyclist.

He was spinning a pretty good pace northbound, right as I considered a U-turn to head home.

Francaise Des Jeux Cycling, in Florida? I followed him of course.  No drafting until an introduction.

Mildly toasted from yesterday, my serendipitous opportunity to hang on John's wheel was a welcome relief. #festive500

John was a super cool dude.

He showed me some quiet roads and pretty much towed me back down to Largo.

He has raced for 35 years, formerly built frames, lived by Mt. Ventoux for 2yrs and is fast.

His Wilier was killer.  Gotta get a better photo at the 7:30 Ride’n’Roll group ride tomorrow AM.

Thanks for letting me sit on your wheel all afternoon John! Hasta mañana! #festive500

Thanks once again for letting me sit on your wheel and the friendly and briskly paced ride John!

My second day the Rapha Festive 500 brings the tally to nearly 161 miles.

310 miles (500k) is the goal! Though, I am considering the funny finale of 666km too…

Yesterday’s write up: Rapha Festive 500 2011 | Day 1 | 98.3 Miles

Gonna do parts of this with a group tomorrow. It's gonna be faster. At least I know where the sprints are now. #festive500

Rapha Festive 500 2011 | Day 1 | 98.3 Miles

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I'm logging some #rapha500 miles early tomorrow. Gimme a shout of you wanna meet up!

Like most of my longer rides over the past year, i need to roll out early.

I posted looking for local riding buddies but too little too late. I expected a solo spin around St. Pete.

Easy step towards punctual departure. #rapha500

I prepared all of my supplies for the next day.  Maybe 50-60 miles planned.

Ran into St. Pete's Sat morning 8:30 ride. Fast stuff! #rapha500

I slowly decided to change my plans as the pace picked up.  I ran into a few fellow cyclists.

They were heading towards St. Pete’s Sat. AM group ride at 8:30.

Apparently they had some steam to blow off and were already ape’n it.

One woman recognized me from 2009’s FM24.

Elizabeth Morse Hill had the fastest women’s lap that year.

Took a short break. Might crack a century.

This photo caught the CAT6 comments on instagram that it deserved.

As soon as that bridge dropped… Sprint!

More shots from my #rapha500 efforts this AM

I rolled with various pelotons downtown, down to Ft. Desoto and back north before I headed home.

Sure, recumbents are funny. Until you get dropped by one. #rapha500

Not before this guy road me off his wheel.

Sweet bike sightings. #rapha500

I snapped a few photos of some of the ride that caught my eye.  The Moots is a always a looker.

Plus I’m a sucker for integrated stem and bars!

My only 'hill' #rapha500

My only hill.  The Bellaire Causeway back to Largo.

Route

The route & stats.

Strava // Rapha500 // 12-24

Follow me on Strava!

My ride ended with a short jaunt with my nephew adding 2.4 miles and an outdoor shower!

Not bad for a first day.  I am still on the fence about tomorrow and its 2am now…

Keep up with all the competitors here and Rapha’s highlights here.

Just took a shower. OUTSIDE! #rapha500

Loose Nuts Cycles Kits by Starlight Apparel Ending this Week!

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Don’t miss out on pre-order pricing for the Loose Nuts Cycles kit by Starlight Apparel!

Check out the proofs below.  Get these in time for the last few cross races, logging some winter miles and looking sharp when spring comes around!

Contact Chris[at]loosenutscycles.com to make your deposit or simply swing by the shop.

The fit kits are being mailed back soon!

Off the blog, across the pond…

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If anyone noticed, I’ve neglected the site. Spending 2 months in Germany for work / school with my family precluded spending much time penning posts in the typical narrative style i prefer. Perhaps to somehow compensate for failing to document my experiences in a journal, I’ve taken maybe more photos than i typically do. (And I take alot)

The holy trinity

I got an Iph0ne four right before I left and have used it more than my point and shoot Pentax w90 and DSLR K7 combined! I also finally succumbed to instagram. There is no turning back now. Of course my flickr is updated regularly as well.

Philipp

Like I said, I have been working a ton and that has means that riding time has been less too. Lucky for me, hopping on the tandem is something my family really enjoys. And Phillip, of European Touches, and I have also managed to tackle some EPIC endeavors, like the Schauinsland König. Check out one of my favorite summer photos of him above.

Loaded up and rolling. Next stop Grenoble

That said perhaps one of my most EPIC trips of my life started today. Tomorrow Phillipp, our friend Karl and I are riding up Alp D’Huez Alpe d’Huez, Col du Sarenne and Col du Galibier. Also on our three day agenda are Col d’Agnel, Col d’Izoard, Mount Ventoux and more. We’ll see how I feel Wednesday night! Needless to say, I’ll have some brilliant blog material coming up as well attending Eurobike this month… I’ll be kickstarting this thing back into motion.

Common themes. Tunnels, Mission Workshop & Shimano groups

2010 57cm Felt TK1 For Sale!

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2010 57cm Felt TK1 purchased new 6 weeks ago is being sold by a good friend of mine.

It is in perfect condition except for the spots where the bayonet fork touches the head tube has little knicks.

  • The seat mast has been cut but not very short. The measurement from the BB to the seat rail clamp is 75cm (his inseam is 32″).
  • Also included will be the leftover piece of the seat mast and some shims of it that are a few mm thick so you can fine tune the height from that point.
  • If your legs are longer, you can just buy a new mast from Felt for not very much.
  • All of the stems (4×26.0, 4×31.8, Ergostem type extra angle thing) and extra knuckles will be included.
  • It has the updated UCI 3:1 seatpost.

The frame is like new.

Only used for 3 training sessions and one night of racing over the course of 5 weeks.

The price is $3,500 shipped and insured in the continental US.

Shipping international is doable too at an additional cost.

MSRP for a new one is $4,500 plus tax and/or shipping. Word is though, that if you can find one, shops are being very reluctant to offer any price breaks.

Its located in the Washington, DC metro area. But the owner travels to Trexlertown about every week or two for training if you’d like to buy it in person.

Payment can be remitted via paypal or cash. Email jon[at]twotoneatl.com for more info.

Rapha Rides the Blackforest Video

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Rapha just uploaded a short video featuring the recent Black Forest Ride in Freiburg for which European Touches author Philipp, seen below repping MASH, developed the route.

I’ll be spending 2 months in Freiburg this summer and though I knew the riding will be amazing, this feature certainly offers a wonderful preview of the beauty that awaits and it’s obvious this ride managed to highlight some of the very best riding that the Black Forrest has to offer.

Great job Philipp!

We’ll be logging miles on our Kazanes on these roads and more. I’m so stoked!

Check out the scenery and coverage of the ride below and read Kieran of Rapha’s write up here.

Zipp Need for Speed Sprints Recap

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Alex's Affinity Kissena

Last night was the Dick Lane Velodrome Zipp Need For Speed Sprints

Pictured Above, Alex Farioletti’s Affinity Kissena all the way from Hellyer in San Jose!

Check out his tumblr!  Great racing video, training insight and taste in music.

Andy's Parlee

Above is Andy Lakatosh‘s totally killer Parlee.  oooohhhhwheeee!  Is this thing sweet.  Damn!

Pure Energy Team Bike

Below, Alexander Gil’s BT Stealth.

Always admired Australia’s Bike Technologies as some of the best looking aero carbon track frames.

Alexander's BT

Speaking of great looking aero carbon track frames, Roger Hernandez’s Serenity is shown below.

Serenity is a relativity new player in the elite track frame market putting out a great product.

As a generous supporter of our track and exhibitor at the Keirin, I got a chance to get a closer look.

More photos and highlights on these bikes being posted soon.

Roger's Serenity

On that note, there was not one but two Chameleon Marvels on the track Friday night.

Below belongs to Brian “Bubba T” Tester’s hi-vis steed sporting sponsor stickers from Loose Nuts Cycles.

Brian's Serenity

This was my first Festival competing with Faster Mustache.  A group of cyclists i have known for years.

We’re all not getting any slower and have a solid team lined up for the 2011 season.

Warming up below is Jason Atwood who road to the track with race wheels mounted behind the saddle.

More photos of that custom carrying system soon.  So practical and easy to ensure your tubulars are happy.

Jason warming up

The ‘Muscles from Miami” Alexander Gil showing off some trackie skills on his road bike between races.

Alexander Gil

The 200m TT qualifiers for the Need for Speed Sprints.

12.78 may have been my best time yet.  11.3 was just shy of his own record for Andy.

200m TT Qualifiers

A five lap repêchage earned Valentin, below left, back into the tournament to face off against Andy.

This wasn’t in the bag for the T-Town native as Dick Lane local Valentin had a few tricks up his sleeve.

Valentin and Andy

In a close sprint Valentin narrowly missed the win and Andy began his domination of the weekend.

Held it until the line!

Junior rider Brody Hartley below established his ability to spin and win early on.

Expect big things from this guy.  Blasting off the front and securing solo victories comes natural for him.

Off the front and held it!

Jon Fraley below is poised strategically in a match sprint against Andy Lakatosh.

Jon, poised to attack

And as the sun went down the track really lit up with the sprint tournament coming to epic final rounds.

The DLV

Matt Baranoski ready to strike on Alexander Gil.   In a blisteringly fast match, Matt won but fought for it.

Matt creepin on Alexander

You can see he was feeling the burn as Alexander did not give up without a fierce fight.

Feelin the burn

Next up was Jonny Serious and Alexander.  Jon narrowly missed the mark against the Miami native.

Alexander keepin an eye out

The final brought some Olympic level fireworks to East Point. 

Elite Keirin Champ Matt Baranoski on left below faced off against his teammate Andy Lakatosh.

Matt ready to attack Andy

I couldn’t imagine a faster, closer race!

These guys know each very well and would be hard pressed to surprise  each other.

With 1st place up for grabs, Matt scooped up the Sprint podium at the line in a neck and neck battle.

I’ll be posting photos and a recap from yesterday’s Keirin soon.

More Sprint photos here and the night’s results are here.

Great Racing guys!  Thank you Jeff, Pete & Co. for organizing this 2011 ATRA season highlight!

Such a close race!!!

WayPoint Systems presents ‘The Keirin’ at Dick Lane Velodrome

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The Keirin at Dick Lane Velodrome is the first of three Pro Race Series events in 2011.

As last year’s write up illustrates: this will be a major blast for the competitors and especially the crowd.

If you’re not familiar with Keirin racing, it is perhaps the single most intense track event.

That is next to the Madison’s featured in the Working Man’s Madison and Pro Race Event.

Check out the Chaz using his head below last year.

Chaz 'using his head'

You don’t wanna miss this!

Racing starts at 3pm, Main Event kicks off from 6pm | $5 Spectator Entry | $10 for Families

Here’s the Startlist!

More spectator information can be found here.

Looks like kiddie Keirin rider Otto is ready to throw down the gauntlet!

Ready to Ape

And TOMORROW, Friday May 13th, 7pm:

The ZIPP Need for Speed Sprints!

This event is FREE for spectators

Big thanks to this event’s sponsors:

Win a Custom Pereira Cycles Bike and Trip to OR!

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In Tony’s Words:

My very close friend Jeff Bates has a terrible case of skin cancer. Some friends and I put together a drawing for a custom Pereira SS 29er. The bike is complete with top-shelf components donated by our friends at Chris King, Enve, Shimano, Continental and SRAM. Winner also gets round trip airfare to Portland (from anywhere in the conti US) to meet with me for design consult, two dinners at great local restaurants (including Screen Door) and hotel accommodations.  Money raised will go to Jeff and his family to help take care of medical costs and reduce stress so that he can heal. More info here:

jeffbatesmf.org

I’ve attached a flier that you can post anywhere you see fit.

I met Jeff working at Wild Rose bike shop in Salt Lake City. We have been riding buddies for years–he absolutely rips on a mountain bike. Jeff helped me get my business started, riding and racing the 2nd (and 23rd and 83rd) bikes that I built, encouraging me to pursue my passion and live my dream. He also introduced me to the woman who is now my wife. Jeff is the best kind of people you would ever want to know and deserves our help. Please do whatever you can to spread the word.

Thanks,

Tony