News and links 9-16-08

• Considering that the wet weather is supposed to continue throughout the week in Chicago, it's likely that you guys encounter some MUD at Jackson Park. Some advice from Beverly Bike/Vee Pak:

  Using your front brake in the corners becomes a very bad idea, subtle weight shifts and trusting that your tires will work takes a lot of practice, but the time saved in each corner can be the difference between sprinting out of every corner or simply carrying your speed through it. If you do have to brake when entering a corner, make sure you do so before getting there. Almost any amount of front wheel braking in a wet corner will cause the wheel to wash out. Instead, brake before you get to the corner, lean the bike, weight the outside pedal, then accelerate out of the corner. Following this technique will almost surely keep you upright and in the race.

• A bike-sicle. Notice the orange rear wheel.
  

• Today's Matteson practice crits have been cancelled. There won't be any more practice crits after this week either. A big thanks to the South Wheelmen club for holding this series of training races again this year.
  
• Hypnotize yourself to the top of the podium with this CD, which is endorsed by Leipheimer. No kidding. (Via Bike Rumor.) It's supposed to be the only cycling-specific psychology tool in the market.
• Barcelona will host TWO stages of the Tour de France 2009. The city will be the endpoint of a stage starting in Perpignan Girona, and the beginning of the following stage, which will head towards the Pyrenees. Hmmmm... the pro peloton hanging out in Barcelona, for two days, in July. And I haven't been home for soooo long. Time to book my tickets?
  
• I'm not into downhill MTB at all, but I have to admit that this looks pretty sick:
  

• Do you wanna smell like a Japanese bike messenger lady? Here's the thing for you... (Via cyclelicious.)

(With no racing in sight, I know that I need to fill the "News and links" post with useless stuff, but that last one crossed the line...)