Right now I am feeling a little geeke...

Right now I am feeling rather geeked up about the news of the Vino Fondo on May 1st.  130 miles out in the hilly wine country between Augusta and Hermann.  That will be an ass-kicker of a route and a worthy route for a Gran Fondo, but I like the idea of the challenge. 

 

If I end up doing Rouge-Roubaix in March this could be an epic Spring.

I can't let the year end without

I cannot let the year end without commenting on what was the "Ideal Gift" for Christmas.  And, if Rapha says it is ideal, they mean that it is ideal for putting an unreasonable dent your credit card bill.  This year's ideal gift, according to their completely unbiased website, was the Essentials Case. 

 

It really is amazing how a single letter can change the meaning of a word.  Take the "S" in Essentials, as an example.  This zippered bad may carry essentials for riding.  An inner tube, levers, CO2, etc.  However, I can't help but think Rapha would like you to remove the "S" and think the bag itself is essential.

 

Personally, I have never had a problem with using a jersey pocket to carry my essentials.  It seems to me, that is why we have pockets on jerseys.  They are not there for their good looks.  But, hey, that's just me.  I have even less problems using a jersey pocket or bike bag when I see that Rapha is charging it's typically outrageous price of $55 for a 4"x6" zippered bag.  Why $55?  Well, it has a zipper on two, yes TWO, sides.  I know that is impressive but it also has the words Bon Courage written on the bag.  That seals the deal for me.  I'm ordering five of them.

 

When I first saw the Essentials Bag, the first thing that came to mind was toe clippers.  That may seem strange but my dear, departed mother made a leather bag for holding nail clippers about 25 years ago.  Oddly enough, her bag was also 4"x6".  And, as a bonus, her bag had a zipper was on THREE sides.  Heck, with some nice photography and some flowery, self-important verbage, she probably could have sold this bag for $65.

I can't let the year end without

I cannot let the year end without commenting on what was the "Ideal Gift" for Christmas.  And, if Rapha says it is ideal, they mean that it is ideal for putting an unreasonable dent your credit card bill.  This year's ideal gift, according to their completely unbiased website, was the Essentials Case. 

 

It really is amazing how a single letter can change the meaning of a word.  Take the "S" in Essentials, as an example.  This zippered bad may carry essentials for riding.  An inner tube, levers, CO2, etc.  However, I can't help but think Rapha would like you to remove the "S" and think the bag itself is essential.

 

Personally, I have never had a problem with using a jersey pocket to carry my essentials.  It seems to me, that is why we have pockets on jerseys.  They are not there for their good looks.  But, hey, that's just me.  I have even less problems using a jersey pocket or bike bag when I see that Rapha is charging it's typically outrageous price of $55 for a 4"x6" zippered bag.  Why $55?  Well, it has a zipper on two, yes TWO, sides.  I know that is impressive but it also has the words Bon Courage written on the bag.  That seals the deal for me.  I'm ordering five of them.

 

When I first saw the Essentials Bag, the first thing that came to mind was toe clippers.  That may seem strange but my dear, departed mother made a leather bag for holding nail clippers about 25 years ago.  Oddly enough, her bag was also 4"x6".  And, as a bonus, her bag had a zipper was on THREE sides.  Heck, with some nice photography and some flowery, self-important verbage, she probably could have sold this bag for $65.

Brad Wiggins long-rumored and often d...

Brad(ley) Wiggins long-rumored and often denied signing with Team Sky finally happened this week.  His departure is rather low-class in my view.  For months he has been denying any move to Sky and then he would turn around say something in the press that would clear(ley) indicate his desire to switch teams.  That would then lead to more denials, etc, etc, etc.

 

Now, a little more than a month before the 2010 season starts, he leaves the team with whom he has signed a contract.  Transfers and buyouts are nothing new in cycling but it has always seemed to happen earlier than December.  Particular(ley) someone who is thought to be a team leader.

 

Out of curiosity, I looked for info on Roberto Heras' switch from Kelme to US Postal in 2000.  Heras' transfer was similar.  He was a team leader still under contract with Kelme for another year.  Heras official(ley) signed with Postal on November 5th.   But, he revealed on Sept 19 that he had a verbal agreement with US Postal.

 

Even more regrettable than Brad(ley)'s late signing are the photos taken at the Team Sky press conference.  Sorry, but neck scarves and velvet jackets do not belong in cycling.  I think Brad(ley) had a few extra pints at the pub to cause him to dress so bad(ley)

Next year's team kits are beginning t...

 

Next year's team kits are beginning to roll out.  Time to find out what teamS will look sartorially resplendant and what teams will look like an aerodynamic Bozo the clowns.

First came news of Cervelo TestTeam's updated kit.  The picture they released shows them returning to the mostly black design they began the year with in 2009. 

"We're really happy with the new design of the kit," said Gerard Vroomen, co-founder of Cervélo. "The Cervélo TestTeam riders are back in black, making it easy to pick them out of the bunch. While Castelli has gone more futuristic in its fabrics, the look is updated with the classic bar across the chest, harking back to the bike industry teams of yesteryear. Finally, the signature 'é' logo on the back really stands out."

Sounds exciting doesn't it?  It's amazing what a red horizontal stripe across the chest can do for a fashion conscious cyclist.

As an example, look at the "pitiful" 2009 jerseys.

But, the addition of the red stripe on the jersey (and some fake clouds in the background) instantly transforms Thor Hushovd and Claudia Hausler into dapper dandies. 

Meanwhile, Le Shaque du Radio unveiled a prototype jersey design.  In an email that I, as a very important person in the cycling industry, received from Le Shaque du Radio Monday evening the jersey is described this way...

"It was our goal this year to create something visually distinctive and a look that was symbolic of what we feel Team RadioShack is all about: cutting edge technology, speed, strength, determination and a global message to LIVESTRONG. The experts at Nike and our partners at RadioShack helped to create this fast form-fitting design using various textures and patterns symbolizing the themes of new technology, global connectivity and community. We think it looks pretty damn cool."

Holy crap, I think I just peed my pants with excitement.  The marketing guy really earned his keep with that description.

 

Don't get me wrong, I think it works fine as a race kit.  It is simple, clean and fairly distinctive.  I'm a little surprised the Radio Shack logo is not a little bigger but all is fine in my book.

But really, when did a block of red and a block of gray come to symbolize cutting edge technology, speed, strength and determination?

And what are these various textures and patterns that symbolize the themes of new technology, global connectivity and community?  Those must be the polka dots.

Maybe polka dots do symbolize new technology.  This mouse is all the evidence I need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next year's team kits are beginning to roll out.  Time to find out what teamS will look sartorially resplendant and what teams will look like an aerodynamic Bozo the clowns.

First came news of Cervelo TestTeam's updated kit.  The picture they released shows them returning to the mostly black design they began the year with in 2009. 

"We're really happy with the new design of the kit," said Gerard Vroomen, co-founder of Cervélo. "The Cervélo TestTeam riders are back in black, making it easy to pick them out of the bunch. While Castelli has gone more futuristic in its fabrics, the look is updated with the classic bar across the chest, harking back to the bike industry teams of yesteryear. Finally, the signature 'é' logo on the back really stands out."

Sounds exciting doesn't it?  It's amazing what a red horizontal stripe across the chest can do for a fashion conscious cyclist.

As an example, look at the "pitiful" 2009 jerseys.

But, the addition of the red stripe on the jersey (and some fake clouds in the background) instantly transforms Thor Hushovd and Claudia Hausler into dapper dandies. 

 

Meanwhile, Le Shaque du Radio unveiled a prototype jersey design.  In an email that I, as a very important person in the cycling industry, received from Le Shaque du Radio Monday evening the jersey is described this way...

It was our goal this year to create something visually distinctive and a look that was symbolic of what we feel Team RadioShack is all about: cutting edge technology, speed, strength, determination and a global message to LIVESTRONG. The experts at Nike and our partners at RadioShack helped to create this fast form-fitting design using various textures and patterns symbolizing the themes of new technology, global connectivity and community. We think it looks pretty damn cool.

Holy crap, I think I just peed my pants.  The marketing guy really earned his keep with that description.

Don't get me wrong, I think it works fine a race kit.  It is simple, clean and fairly distinctive.  I'm a little surprised the Radio Shack logo is not a little bigger but all is fine in my book.

But really, when did a block of red and a block of gray come to symbolize cutting edge technology, speed, strength and determination?

And what are these various textures and patterns that symbolize the themes of new technology, global connectivity and community?  Those must be the polka dots.

Have you been wondering what the future of fashion in our globally connected and tecnologically advanced 21st century will be?

http://fashaddix.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/michael-kors-black-polka-dot-dress.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Velonews.com is one of my regular mor...

 

Velonews.com is one of my regular morning reads.  Actually, it is more of a scan of the front page to see if they have any news that cyclingnews does not.  Rarely, does that happen because it is just not very good for timely reporting of news.  They do occasionally have a feature article thats interesting or some technical questions answered that can be useful.

One item on their website that I rarely pay any attention to is the "Rider Profile" section.  One thing I find odd is that it is not uncommon for the profiled rider to be somebody that I have never, ever heard of in my life.  I'm not Mr Know-it-all about pro cyclists but I do follow the sport pretty closely and think I know a large number of riders.  Regardless, the "Rider Profile" typically basic rider info like nationality, team, height, weight, what type of rider they are and palmares for a rider.

Sunday night I was up late waiting for some processes at work to complete so I had time to kill.  I scrolled down the Velonews page and glanced at the Rider Profile and saw they had chosen to profile Didier Henriette Henriette.

Who?  Didier Henriette Henriette?

What an interesting name.  Folks with double names strike me funny for some reason.  The first person I knew about with that type of naming was former UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.  A classic name in my book.  More recently in the news was Afghani presidential candidate Abdullah Abdullah.  Unfortunately, he lost a controversial election so the world was left searching for a new double-namer.  Naturally, the news of a cyclist named Didier Henriette Henriette got me a little excited.

Much to my chagrin Velonews just has bad webmasters.  This became evident when today's featured rider was Jake Rytlewski Rytlewski.  But, I digress.

When I saw the name Didier Henriette Henriette I had to click on his name to find out more about this soon-to-be favorite cyclist of mine.  Below is what I found, thanks to Velonews.

 

Call me crazy but, if Velonews is going to profile someone, should they not have just a tiny bit more information than his nationality and date of birth.  Is that really a rider profile?  Do they not even know what team pays Monsieur Henriette Henriette's salary?

Why even bother.