In Theory...

In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.
In practice there is.

"I thought of that while riding my bike."
--Albert Einstein, on the Theory of Relativity

Amgen Tour of California

Well, the ATOC ended this Sunday in Pasadena, which is close enough to SD that me and my riding partner had to make the trek, even if it meant braving the rain, we got a great spot on the last stretch before the finish (we were right behind the camera guy on the left of this photo, as Hincapie blew up the final sprint). Wow it felt like he exploded to catch the leader and hit the accelerator to the finish, pretty amazing considering how much rain these guys got this year.

My son loved the cow bells and clappers, he was a trooper for the 5 hours we spent in the rain to watch the last 6 laps around the Rose Bowl.

Ollie's Big Bike Ride

By Ollie Published Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008 San Diego Reader:
"There’s no outfit so fantastically ridiculous as the too-tight, brazenly colored, and obnoxiously patterned ensemble for riding a long distance on a bicycle. It’s too much. Ostensibly the outfits are colored and patterned wildly to present a bold contrast to the dreary roadside so motorists can see you, but I think outfits are designed to keep bicyclists from reproducing. Really, there’s no reason it has to be this tight, this bright, and reflectorized." MORE

This is a great read, the best and worst of San Diego cycling, pretty much followed my 60 miler path on Saturday. La Mesa to Del Mar and back. It was a very nice San Diego February Day, 70+ degrees out, sunny, calm ocean, and a sea of spandex on the road, you gotta love it.

Slipstream wants to start a clean trend

Cycling team trying to play it straight, with a reformed doper leading the pack:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/11/18/SPFTTC4BN.DTL&feed=rss.sports

This very refreshing to see. I'm going to root for Slipstream this year.

Airborne on Neuvation Wheels

So I finally got out on the new Neuvation R28-SL3 wheel set. And Wow, its like I'm riding on rails. These wheels had a noticeable impact on the Airborne's weight and responsiveness (a 300 gram savings from my old Shimano WH-R535s). I'm not usually a gram counter, but the difference was noticeable. I felt faster on the flats, sprints and hills. I'm sure that the single speed riding helped this impression, but nonetheless these wheels rock. My old 535s always "twanged" and creaked when I jumped up and sprinted hard up hill, these wheels are silent and powerful. You would be stupid to pay twice as much and not get as much as the Neuvation wheel set provides. We'll see after I put a few hundred more miles on them, but my initial impression is very favorable. Thanks John from Neuvation!

My Single Speed 1x1

My current focus has been to train on my weakness, hill climbing, as a larger rider 6'4" 210 lbs, hills are definitely harder when compared to the small guys. After the last year of consistent hill climbing I have become much better. In 2008 I'm planning on continuing this by riding a lot of hills on a single speed bike. I recently got a Schwinn Madison single speed, for the money its a very nice bike, you can pick one up for under $400. See the links below for some more information:

http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/framebuilders/schwinn/madison/

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2007/reviews/schwinn_madison07

http://velospace.org/node/1035

Let the drool fest begin...

http://www.pezcyclingnews.com/?pg=fullstory&id=5370&status=True

Cyclists are the biggest sandbaggers

By ELVISGOAT from <http://podiumcafe.com>
> podiumcafe.com
>
> Cyclists are the biggest sandbaggers and secret
> trainers around. They'll say
> anything to soften you up for the kill. Don't let
> this happen to you. Study
> this handy rider's phrasebook to find out what they
> really mean when they
> say:
>
> "I'm out of shape"
> Translation:
> I ride 400 miles a week and haven't missed a day
> since the Ford
> administration.
> I replace my 11-tooth cog more often than you wash
> your shorts.
> My body fat percentage is lower than your mortgage
> rate.
>
> "I'm not into competition. I'm just riding to stay
> in shape" ---
> Translation:
> I will attack until you collapse in the gutter,
> babbling and whimpering.
> I will win the line sprint if I have to force you
> into oncoming traffic.
> I will crest this hill first if I have to grab your
> seat post, and spray
> energy drink in your eyes.
>
> "I'm on my beater bike"
> Translation:
> I had this baby custom-made in Tuscany using
> titanium blessed by the Pope.
> I took it to a wind tunnel and it disappeared.
> It weighs less than a fart and costs more than
> divorce.
>
> "It's not that hilly"
> Translation:
> This climb lasts longer than a presidential
> campaign.
> Be careful on the steep sections or you'll fall over
> -- backward.
> You have a 39x23 low gear? Here's the name of my
> knee surgeon.
>
> "You're doing great, honey"
> Translation:
> Yo, lard ass, I'd like to get home before midnight.
> This is what you get for spending the winter
> decorating and eating
> chocolate.
> I shoulda married that cute Cat 1 racer when I had
> the chance.
>
> "This is a no-drop ride"
> Translation:
> I'll need an article of your clothing for the
> search-and-rescue dogs.
>
> "It's not that far"
> Translation:
> Bring your passport

Neuvation Cycling, Great Wheels

here is the link to the new wheels I picked-up, in case you ever need them or what-ever:

http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheel/r28sl3/r28sl3.html

And a link to some reviews:
http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wheels/wheelsets/neuvation-cycling/PRD_345776_2490crx.aspx
http://www.testrider.com/fly.aspx?layout=player&video=9

They also make some pretty nice looking saddles with a money back guaranty; I plan to try them some time soon.

Wish San Diego were this good

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/us/05bike.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=us&adxnnlx=1194368468-QRpaQGjat7kJysWvIZ+ykA

I need to begin working on developing this at San Diego to make the cycling issue better in San Diego. Too bad San Diego can’t be more progressive when it comes to this kind of thing. To think Portland can be so bike friendly when they have crappy weather and San Diego is nearly the opposite.