Sometimes I Don't Get This Bike Riding Thing

Great ride this morning, I think I've found the perfect 35 mile loop around Falmouth (except for Currier Road, that road sucks). 1 hour 50 minutes, 18.2 mph average, legs felt great the entire ride. It was one of those mornings that I felt like I could keep going all day.

But here is what I don't get. I almost didn't even ride this morning. Yesterday was not a good food day, I drank four IPA's last night, and went to bed late. Maybe the daily bike commute is actually paying off, who knows.

Back on the Road

I almost went mountain biking today, but decided to ride the road bike instead. I rode to Woods Hole and back, 27 miles, leisurely 17 mph pace. It took about half the ride to feel comfortable again on the skinny tires. Lots of cars on the roads, not used to them buzzing by me after riding alone in the woods all winter. My legs felt good though, I guess the bike commute and riding the mountain bikes paid off. Bumped into Ken on my way home and rode the last four miles with him, enjoyed talking about rides to come, fitness (or lack of), and life in general. Today's ride reminded me why I love riding on the road so much. Looking forward to the season ahead.

Early April Fool's Prank

Today at work, someone filled the bottom of my pannier with rocks. I didn't notice them until I got home. All I know is they were not there this morning. Good one.

I still managed to average almost 17 mph on the way home, but that may have had something to do with the tailwind.

From Steel: The Making of a Soulcraft

FROM STEEL: The Making of a Soulcraft from michael evans on Vimeo.

So Long Juice, Hello Sawyer

I recently traded my Soma Fabrications Juice for one of Trek's new retro-inspired Sawyers. A bit of a downgrade in components I know, but the Juice never felt quite right to me. I wasn't digging the short top tube, and it was more bike than I needed for my intended purposes (camping bike/winter commuter/bar bike/kid chaser). The Sawyer is one cool bike, fun as hell to ride, and I like the fact you can run it as a single speed, or even with a belt drive (could be the perfect commuter?), thanks to the trick sliding rear dropouts. I swapped out the 2.25" tires for some small block 1.9" tires, and will probably upgrade the shifters and brakes at some point. Thinking about a small front rack, maybe.

Listening to: Lou Reed- "Out of the Underground"

Soma Juice

Just finished building up a new 18" rigid Juice 29er. Salsa fork, Chris King headset, SRAM drivetrain, & Bontrager RXL wheels. Can't wait to get it out into the woods.

Soughegan River Fall Century

Ed, Ray, and I rode the Soughegan River century last Sunday. This is put on by the Charles River Wheelmen, and is one of my favorite rides of the year. 106 miles through rural Massachusetts and New Hampshire, lots of climbing, great views, and not one stoplight the entire way. The morning started out cold, in the low 40's, but by lunch it was in the 70's, perfect riding weather. This will probably be my last long ride of the year, I'll miss the long hours in the saddle, but am looking forward to doing some mountain biking and getting out on the cross bike in the coming months.

Listening to: Sun Kil Moon- "Tiny Cities"

Thought for Today

"When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking." --Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Hello Big Dummy

I finally got a chance to take a spin on a Surly Big Dummy, and though it was only for five minutes I can tell you that this is one fun bike to ride, sort of like riding a longboard. Super solid, you can barely tell you are pedaling a cargo bike, I really didn't notice the longer wheelbase or extra weight. My six-year old daughter loved riding on the deck, and it felt so much safer than the trailer we used to have. I could see myself using the Big Dummy also for commuting, hauling all the shit I usually save for the days I drive. And no more excuses about having to drive because I have to pick up something from the store on the way home, this thing has tons of room. Sounds like I am talking myself into buying one, eh? People who own an Xtracycle say "they will change your life", and I can see what they mean now. Could be a fun winter project...

I know I've posted the following video before, but I have to think that anyone who owns or rides an Xtracycle must have this song playing in their head all the time. Pure bliss.

Orange Single Speed For Sale

I recently completed restoring a vintage lugged steel road bike into a single speed. It was a fun project, but this one has to be sold. I am riding as part of Team Luca in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge this coming August, and am selling this to help in my fundraising commitment (every rider agrees to raise $4200!). The PMC raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.


I stripped the frame down, and had it sandblasted and powder coated metallic orange by Long Beach Custom Fabrications in Plymouth, MA. New parts include a SOMA moustache bar, white bar tape, brake cables, Jagwire housings, chain, and a Shimano 17t rear freewheel.


If anyone knows anyone in the Boston area looking for a well-built single speed, feel free to send them my info.

I've Seen The Future:: Shimano's Dura-Ace Electronic Di2 Groupset

I stopped by the local bike shop this afternoon, to replace a lost spoke wrench of all things, and I find the shop's mechanics drooling over a Fuji outfitted with Shimano’s new Dura-Ace Di2 electronically-controlled shifting system. I've read about this groupset in all the bike magazines, and though I consider myself somewhat of a Luddite when it comes to new bike technology, I was still excited to see how it worked in person. New bike shit is still cool. The sales rep offered to let me take it for a spin so I jumped at the chance. I'm not going to offer a full on review, I was only on the bike for 2-3 minutes, but the first thing I noticed is how quiet the whole system was. The shifting really is seamless, no chain rub, over-shifts, or other typical derailleur issues that you would expect with a mechanical system. The front derailleur is only slightly larger than a traditional one, and the rear looks the same. The shift levers are mere switches, hidden behind the brake levers, and shifting is as easy as clicking the button. The feeling is like clicking a mouse on your laptop, it's that easy. The lithium-ion battery mounts on the frame below the water bottle cages, and I was told it is rated at 600 to 700 charges, and should hold a charge for up to 1500 miles. Now, like I said earlier, I've been accused of being a retro-grouch when it comes to bikes. Both of my road bikes are steel, and I've ridden a fully rigid mountain bike up until last Fall. I don't see myself switching over to electronic shifting anytime soon, especially once the rep told me the groupset would be selling for $4500! Come on now, if I have that much cash to blow on a bike (which I don't!), I'm getting a new Ti Moots with Campy Super Record. It was still very cool to test out something so new, and it will be interesting to see the trickle-down technology over the next few years.

Listening to: Led Zeppelin- "BBC Sessions"

CCY Junior Cycling

I recently read somewhere that junior development makes up something like 3% of the membership in USA Cycling. That is sad to me, we need more younger riders to keep the sport going. I grew up in Eastern Washington and started racing mountain bikes back in the mid-1980's when I was still in middle school. I won the first race I entered because I was the only one in my age category. My parents drove me to the races, and I remember borrowing a helmet from one of my teachers because it was required to race and I didn't own one myself. I would have given anything to have a local junior development team to steer me in the right direction, but nothing like that existed in my hometown. Last year I stumbled across RJ's blog, An Adventure Called Bicycling, and have been checking in almost every day to see what kind of shenanagins she is up to. Besides spreading the Xtracycle love, RJ also coaches the CCY Junior Cycling Team in Walla Walla, Washington, which is less than 60 minutes from where I grew up. Walla Walla is a beautiful little town, tons of great wineries, and plenty of riding to be had. Check out this video of the CCY team, makes me miss the Palouse hills, and the look on the rider's faces says it all. Good stuff.

New Commuting Record, and Mountain Bike Envy

I almost didn't ride to work today, was running late, and it was a bit chilly, but boy am I glad I did. From the moment I left the driveway I had that feeling, you know the one, when you just know it is going to be a good ride. Everything seemed perfect, the sun was low over the ocean, not much traffic on the roads yet, and I knew in the first mile that I had the wind in my favor (this never happens), so I decided to try and break my commuting record of 25 minutes (set last Fall). I usually don't push it in the morning, but I just put my head down and hammered it the entire 6.5 miles. When I reached the doors of work I hit the mode button on my computer and it read 22:06 minutes! Now I have to break the 20 minute mark, but I can't imagine that happening anytime soon. Oh the little things in life.

In other news, I have been trying to get out on the mountain bike whenever I can. Last Fall I borrowed a used Devinci Moonracer from the owner of my LBS, and he seems in no hurry to get it back, but I know eventually he will ask for it back. I could probably buy it from him for short money, and the full suspension is pretty sweet, but I think I really want a hardtail. I've been checking craigslist for a lightly used Stumpjumper or something similar, but I know if I brought home another bike right now I'd be sleeping outside for a long time coming. I had a titanium mountain bike back in the early '90s and loved it, but sadly it was a tad small, I replaced it with a '94 Stumpjumper (which I just sold last September). I'd love to have another Ti bike someday. While cruising around the net tonight I came across Carver Bikes. Have you seen these bikes? The owner, Dave, lives in China with his wife, and builds Ti frames starting at, get this, $1,000! Please don't tell him that he could easily sell his frames for much more, at least not until I get my hands on one of his 29'er frames. That isn't happening anytime soon, but it sure is fun to think about it.

Listening to: NPR- All Songs Considered Podcast

Independent Crown Jewel Finds A New Home

Not the best picture, the sun was in the wrong spot, but you get the idea. Click on it for a close up.

The sun was out this afternoon, so I was finally able to take out my new road bike (well, new to me) for it's maiden voyage. I've been lusting over Independent Fabrication's bikes since I got back into road riding three years ago, but I knew I would never be able to afford a 2 grand custom frame (worth every penny in my opinion, by the way). And if I did, I sure wouldn't want to be riding it to work. I ended up building up a SOMA Smoothie ES last winter, and it has been my do everything (commute to work, training rides, riding the PMC, errands around town, and the occasional race) bike. The Smoothie is a great bike, but it's relaxed geometry had me longing for something a little lighter and faster. Plus after riding it to work all week, it just wasn't as much fun to ride long distances on my commuter. My new IF Crown Jewel is a mix of old and new parts. The frame was made for my local bike shop 4 years ago, but it only has about 1100 miles on it, most of it's life has been spent hanging on the shop's wall. It's built up with a lightly used Campagnolo Record 10 speed groupo with similar mileage as the frame, I can't get over how smooth it shifts. We added a new Reynolds fork, bars, stem, Chris King head set, and Fulcrum 3 wheels. A big thanks to George at Corner Cycle, I think I owe you some home brew for everything. I like to call this my "Captain America" bike, the paint scheme would not have been my first choice, I probably would have gone with something a little more subdued, like a burnt orange, but the price was right and it was my size. After a quick 25 mile ride today, the only thing I might want to do is swap out the stem for something a little shorter, I felt a tad bit stretched out. Maybe a 120 cm, instead of the 130. I will do a more comprehensive review after I get a couple of hundred miles under my belt, but I can tell it is going to be so much fun to ride, it climbs like a sherpa, and loves to go fast. My average speed increased by almost 2 mph on today's ride, and that was with a Belgian headwind both ways. The SOMA will still be my go to bike Monday through Friday, but the Crown Jewel will see plenty of road miles this spring and summer, we've got plans to ride some classic routes out in the western part of the state, which means plenty of long mountain climbs.

I love Chris King head sets, and they are made in Portland!

Listening to: Fleet Foxes- "Fleet Foxes"

Team Luca Rides the Pan-Mass Challenge (or, Help Me Raise $4,200 to Fight Cancer)

This coming August 1st and 2nd, I will once again join the other 19 members of Team Luca in riding in the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, a 200 mile, two-day bicycle ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown. The PMC, which celebrates it’s 30th anniversary this year, raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Team Luca was formed three ago by Jeff De Lisi in honor of his son, Luca, who died at the age of three after a courageous fight against Medulloblastoma, a pediatric brain tumor. We ride to honor Luca, and in hopes that other kids don’t have to go through what he did.

Because of the generous donations from individuals, Team Luca raised over $90,000 in 2008! All money raised by Team Luca will be used toward research for pediatric brain tumors at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The PMC raises more money for charity than any other single event in the country. For 2009, every rider must commit to raise a minimum of $4200. This year’s goal for the PMC is to raise $36 million to help fund much needed research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

There is no question that we live in uncertain economic times, and I struggled with whether I could actually call on my family, friends, and local businesses once again to help me raise such a large sum of money. In fact, I almost did not register to ride this year, but I knew it was something that had to be done. In the end, I decided that, for me, nothing is worse than complacency, and that given our country’s current financial situation, the need is even greater this year. Hospitals such as Dana-Farber are surely feeling the stress of budget cuts and loss of valuable donor money. Cancer does not care that we may be in a recession. Our temporary burden pales in comparison to the anguish cancer inflicts on so many lives. I have known a few people who have had cancer, and it isn't an easy road, but it is a battle we can win. This became very clear to me while riding the PMC last August. As we passed through town after town, many families and people stood alongside the road, holding signs thanking us for riding and raising money. Nobody said congratulations when we passed, instead we heard "thank you" over and over, and they meant it. One sign that stuck with me for many miles was held by a young boy, standing alone, and it simply read, "I turned 12 this year because of the PMC". It doesn't get any more real than that. Luca never got to celebrate his fourth birthday.

How can you help?
There are three easy ways to donate money to the PMC and support me in my fundraising goal:
1. Visit the Luca’s Light website, to learn more about Luca De Lisi and Team Luca. While visiting the site I encourage you to watch the video, “Why We Ride”, which introduces Luca, the riders of Team Luca, and explains why we ride in his honor. From the site you can make a donation by clicking on my name in the right hand column.
2. Go to the Pan Mass Challenge website. Click the eGift link at the top left hand corner of the site to get started. You can find my profile and make a donation by entering my eGift ID (JH0303), or my first and last name. The average eGift donation takes less than five minutes of your time.
3. For those of you whom wish to donate, but do not want to donate online, you can mail a personal check directly to me. Checks may be made payable to Pan-Mass Challenge, The Jimmy Fund, or DFCI.

Unlike generic Jimmy Fund donations, 100% of contributions to Team Luca benefit the innovative pediatric brain tumor research conducted by Dr. Mark Kieran's Pediatric Medical Oncology team at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Regardless of how you give, I encourage you to visit Luca’s Light website, and watch the video and read the message from Jeff. It is a powerful piece that will undoubtedly touch your heart. Despite these difficult times, I know I made the right decision to register with the PMC. We all have causes that are close to our hearts. This one is mine. Whether you can donate $200 or $20, please know every penny you contribute will be used to help beat this awful disease, while at the same time honoring the spirit of little Luca De Lisi.

Thank you for your support!

Rapha Rides The Tour of California

Great video of some West Coast Rapha riders pre-riding portions of the Tour of California routes. What I love about Rapha isn't their $200 jerseys (though I dig those too, just can't afford them), but the epic rides they highlight, the sweet bikes, and the smiles on their rider's faces. That's what cycling is all about for me. Long miles, seeing some new sites, and comrades to share in the suffering with. Looking forward to the warmer weather and getting back into riding more. We have plans to do the New England classic Fitchburg ride later this spring, plus others. Come join us.


Rapha Rides The Tour of California from RAPHA on Vimeo.

Tour of California

The Amgen Tour of California starts today. Closest thing we have to a grand tour here in the U.S. All eyes will be on Lance and Team Astana. While searching for videos of Lance I stumbled across this gem from a few years back:

It's Your Ride

Cool little video from the folks at Hutchinson Tires. The snow has finally melted for the most part here in New England, and I am hoping to ride to work tomorrow. Spring won't come soon enough this year.

It's Your Ride from Cinecycle on Vimeo.

Fall Century

Completed the Charles River Wheelmen Soughegan River Century on the 21st. It was a very scenic route, rural back roads, mountain views, and not one stoplight for 100+ miles. To say this ride was a "little hilly" is the understatement of the year. It was pretty much uphill the first 50 miles, the second 50 had less climbing, though it still had 3 or 4 long sections, and my knees were paying the price by then. My goal was to finish in under 6 hours, and we rolled across the finish line in 6 hours 20 minutes. Averaged 17 mph/hr., not too bad considering I wasn't expecting all the hills, and I hadn't trained much since the Pan Mass Challenge back in August. Commuting to work 12 miles a day just doesn't prepare one's legs and lungs for 100 miles of climbing. Hopefully I can sneak in a few more long rides before winter closes in. Fall is a great time for riding here.

Listening to: TV On The Radio- Return to Cookie Mountain

PMC 2008 Recap

We ride bicycles for many reasons; we commute to work and school, we ride to the beach, we ride for exercise, we run errands, go to the bank, get a haircut, and stop by the farmer's market. But for two days earlier this month nearly 5,500 people rode their bikes 200 miles to help raise money to fight cancer. The Pan-Mass Challenge, now in it's 28th year, will raise in upwards of $34 million this year, which will go to aid research and treatment at Boston's Dana Farber Cancer Institute. Many people beat cancer, little Luca De Lisi did not, and if you ask me, that just sucks. If you don't know about Luca, click here. I chose to join Team Luca because I wanted to honor Luca, and help out in my own small way. I am so very lucky, I have a great family, and a simple, fulfilling life. I am able to ride my bike to work most days, and I get my summers off to play with my kids. Life is good for me. Life isn't so easy for someone fighting cancer. I have known a few people who have had cancer, and it isn't an easy road. This became very clear to me while riding the PMC. First off, I have to say that the ride is the icing on the cake. I felt lucky, and at times guilty, to ride with such a great group of people. The ride itself was amazing, though it almost became secondary to the inspiring stories from the people we met along the way. As we passed through town after town, many families and people stood alongside the road, holding signs thanking us for riding and raising money. Nobody said congratulations when we passed, instead we heard "thank you" over and over, and they meant it. One sign that stuck with me for many miles was held by a young kid, standing alone, and it simply read, "I turned 12 this year because of the PMC". It doesn't get any more real than that.

As far as the ride itself, we rode 111 miles on Sunday, and 85 miles on Sunday. It wasn't a race, but any time you get that many people together, all on bikes, it becomes a race. I love passing $6,000 plastic bikes on my steel SOMA. I am not that competitive, but I found myself pushing myself to ride fast and keep a good pace. Day one provided the most varied terrain, the first 50 miles consisted mostly of long climbs, before dropping down the last 60 miles into Bourne. Day two, though the mileage was less, was probably more challenging. The last 2o miles, from Wellfleet to Provincetown, were a constant uphill, with a steady headwind, so it was necessary to draft off other riders, and to let others draft you. At this point I had dropped back from the two guys I had been riding with for most of the day, and I hooked up with four other cyclists who were also looking forward to the finish line. We spent close to an hour taking turns drafting along the final stretch of Route 6, each of us taking turns upfront. Once we got close to P-town, I reconnected with some other teammates, and we waited for the rest of the team to catch up, so that we could cross the finish line as a team. We crossed the finish line around noon, then quickly split up, meeting family that had gathered to greet us. The day ended with the team reconvening at Race Point Beach for some food and much needed rest.

With a couple of weeks to reflect on the ride, I can say that it was inspiring in so many ways. It's no secret that I love bikes in a big way. The long training rides I did this spring have turned me on to long-distance riding and possibly some touring in the future. I am riding a century next month with the Charles River Wheelmen, and am considering entering a cross race this fall. But more importantly, the ride made me look at my own life in a new light. I am pretty damn lucky, and I need to remember that. Later this month, the PMC will present Dana-Farber with a check for $34 million, I am proud that Team Luca raised close to $75,000. We rode to honor a little boy that I never met, yet I feel he was with us the entire ride. Luca would have loved bikes, that I am sure.

Listening to: The National- Boxer