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Friday, October 30, 2009

Awesomeness took the shape of a hat

I just received my custom winter cap. Now I need a hipster fixie to match. The cap was made to order by Caroline (aka Little Package).

Full specs

Crown: Woven wool recycled from a pair of knickers.

Lining: Delicate, soft silk, recycled from a weightless Indian dress printed in checks and lovely orange paisley flowers.

Earflap: Black merino wool.

Brim: 5cm deep fiber-filled brim which is crushable, washable, and shapeable.

Sweatband: 3/4" black cotton twill tape

It's not cold enough in Chicago yet, so for the time being I'm wearing this beauty with the earflap folded in.



Sunday, October 18, 2009

Disconnected notes from Carpentersville CX (and photos)


A LOT of photos. Many of them of Team TATI guys, but many others of other teams. (Thanks to El, Mr. K's daughter, for her contribution.)

-This was my first Masters 30+ race, and the first time I've ridden a 'cross bike for 45 minutes, and the first time I've doubled up (the second race was the 4b). Needless to say, I am exhausted.

-The "pump" section didn't make any difference. It didn't benefit riders with mad skills, or good runners. It just broke your pace. Nonetheless, thanks a lot to the race organizers for going to such lengths to introduce a new obstacle in a CCC race.

-The Masters 30+ field was larger than ever (52 starters in a race that usually fields 20 to 30 riders). I got lapped, and I got passed by quite a few Masters 50+, who started their race two or three minutes behind me.

-I taught myself a new technique for getting rid of my opponents. It's called: Lead them into a big tree. I was doing the 4b race and I could feel somebody's breadth down my neck. I was able to hold him off for a while, but I was sure he would pass me during one of the zig-zag sections. So coming out of a corner, I took the turn way too wide, deliberately. If you did that, you were headed straight for a frontal crash into a huge tree. I corrected my line in the very last instant, avoiding the tree by an inch. The next thing I hear is a "No!!! Shit!" from my follower, who had unknowingly followed my wheel through the corner, plus screeching brakes. No more breadth down my neck--at least for a few minutes. Yessssss. I feel so evil.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Roberto is back!

The dude with the flowery helmet in the picture is no other than Roberto Heras, three-time Vuelta a España winner and found guilty of doping in 2005. The picture corresponds to the 2008 Brompton World Championships, where he placed 2nd. This year he took top honors, winning a Brompton S6L steed.

The BWC is a race held on a 13-km course around picturesque Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire. Participants are required to wear a jacket, tie, and shorts, and ride a Brompton folding bike.

Unlike Lance, who returned to pro racing to promote the fight against cancer, Heras' only motivation seems to be to wear ridiculous outfits and ride even more ridiculous bicycles, in a high-profile setting.

I'm not sure whether Roberto will get a rainbow jersey for his efforts, but I'm glad to see him back at the top. Go, killer, go!