OriginalFake x Lance Armstrong x Oakley

Image from here.

Talk about a beast collabo. A little history, OriginalFake was founded by graffiti artist KAWS. KAWS worked with Trek on The Bikes of Stages bike for Lance Armstrong. Lastly, Armstrong uses Oakley Jawbones. So this collabo isn't just for show. All the parties involved have worked with one another in some form. Sucks that this will only be released in Japan.

2010 Giro d'Italia - Basso Wins!

Who wouldn't want to finish in a Roman Arena.

Congrats to Basso and Team Liquigas-Doimo!

Next grand tour is the Tour de France.

More images here.

Basso in Pink!

Image from here.

On stage 19 of the Giro Ivan Basso and team mate Vincenzo Nibali attacked on the Mortirolo, with 40km left and another climb left. The pair knocked out Evans and Sastre out of podium positions. As soon as the peloton hit the climbs the other riders couldn't hang.

After today's stage, Basso has 55 seconds over Arroyo for the 1st overall in the GC. With 2 stages left, it's still anyones game. Stage 20 will feature 3 climbs and will favor Basso and Sastre. The final stage (21) will be an ITT. Look for Basso to gain minutes in stage 20 to defend his standing in the ITT.

Giro d'Italia - Stage 16

The mountain top finish for stage 16.

All about the mountain finish. If I were to specialize in a rider type it would definitely be a climber. You have the most to gain as a climber, because everyone goes 1 speed up the mountain and it's slow. Look at Ivan Basso. Dude was 11th in the GC standings after stage 14. After stage 15 he was 3rd with 3:33 behind the leader. After stage 16 he was 2nd in the GC standing with 2:47 behind David Arroyo, the GC leader. You definitely make your moves in the climbs and defend on the flatter stages.

In any race or tour the climbing will separate the men from the babies. Look at Bradley Wiggins from Team Sky. After stage 14 he was 7th in the GC standings with 6:32 behind the leader. After stage 15 he dropped to 23rd with 28:14 behind. After stage 16 he dropped to 24th with 30:49 behind. He may be a strong all around rider, but climbing is not his forte.

Climbing is definitely not for babies. Ask Vino.

The rest of the standings after stage 16.

More images from here.

MASH SF x Cinelli Histogram Frameset

Image from here.

To commemorate their new kits, MASH took it to the next level and released a limited edition matching frameset. Talk about BEAST! Beautiful colorway. Check and buy the kits here. Check the MASHSF blog for more details. Only 3 made so get ready to rumble!

Domestique

The Boss Back!, originally uploaded by Orange Twizzle Bikes.

Caught this shirt on my flickr stream from Orange 20. Dope shirt and name. Giving props to the domestiques, the workhorse of any cycling team. Check Orange 20's flickr for more shirts or just visit Domestique's website.

Domestique is a small mainly cycling related clothing company in Sydney, Australia.

2010 Amgen Tour of California - Rogers Wins!

Image from here.

Congrats to Michael Rogers. Next step, Tour de France. "This is a different race than the Tour de France," said Rogers. "It's been a tough race this year and my ultimate goal is to run top five in the Tour this year and I think I made a big step and a positive step."

Words from here.

Amgen Tour of California - Stage 7

AToC 2010 21, originally uploaded by RFEEZY.

I had the opportunity to catch the individual time trial this afternoon in down town Los Angeles. It was nice seeing some of the most recognizable faces in pro cycling. From Fabi, Levi to Georgie all the heavy weights not at the Giro showing face at the AToC. Saw riders start in the start house by Staples Center and finish at LA Live. Thousands of fans littered the entire course which went passed some iconic LA buildings.

Having stage 7 in downtown LA definitely exposed pro cycling to a lot of people who would never have watched a race. To live and ride in LA!

To Live and Ride in L.A.

To Live & Ride In L.A. [Teaser B] from TRAFIK on Vimeo.

I've blogged about this back in April. Trafik released a new trailer for the upcoming documentary. They should just stop releasing trailers and drop the damn film already.

Armstrong Speaks About Landis

One word. Credibility. Landis haz none.

Cervelo x Chrome Hearts

Chrome Hearts collaborates with Cervelo to doll up the P4, a TT/tri bike. I lol'd when I saw this. This just doesn't do anything for me, even as a show bike. Lance Stage's bikes has everything on this. Namely, the Sherpard Fairey Madone.

Saddle sore for days.

Images via Highsnobiety.

Landis Admits to Doping

Image from here. Read article and watch video here.

LOLHEMAD. He lost his tour title, substantial amounts of money, and his marriage. Of course he's going to name drop to bring others down. Read the article, and you'll be surprised on who Landis mentions. I won't spoil it. It's absurd. DOPESTRONG FORVER!

2010 Tour of California Live Coverage

Don't sleep. Catch live coverage of the Tour of California here. You got text play by play on the left, profile on the bottom, and peloton standings on the right. This is way better than watching it on tv. You don't get any of the useless segments, just straight up cycling.

Giving Back

Scrapertown from California is a place. on Vimeo.
via Tracko.

So much bike antiporn in that video. But, I can't knock the hustle. Keeping the kids off the streets and focused on other things instead of selling drugs, stealing cars, and just getting into trouble.

If you don't know.

"In order to become a member of the Original Scraper Bike Team, you must: Be a resident of Oakland, CA. Be at least 7y/o or older. Retain A 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA), Create your own Scraper Bike…(It Has To Be Amazing, Or Else You Can’t Ride.) A single-file line when riding. After 10 rides The Scraper Bike King and his Captains will decide if your bike is up to standards and if you can follow simple guidelines. After your evaluation we will consider you a member and honor you with an Original Scraper Bike Team Shirt. Only worn when Mobbin’ Stay posted to our website for all upcoming Scraper Bike Rides..." -- The Scraper Bike King

Now you know.

That's right you have to maintain a 3.0 GPA to stay in the crew. It's all about giving back to your community especially in the innercity and underserved communities. What Scraper King is doing on the grassroots level, Rahsaan Bahati is taking it to the next level with corporate sponsors with his Bahati Foundation.

Bahati Foundation mission statement.

"Our Mission:

The Bahati Foundation supports youth in inner-city and underserved communities.
Our Cycling Outreach programs are designed to inspire and empower youth through the sport of cycling.
Our GIVEBACK programs are coordinated with Bahati Foundation Corporate Partners to supply health and fitness gear, educational supplies and musical instruments for youth."

Donate and support where you can here.

Stage 3 and Day 1

Stage 3 of AMGEN Tour of California

Day 1 of Aids/LifeCycle 9. Image from here.

Looks like Team Hype is going to ride part of stage 3 of the Tour of California. We won't be hitting any of the heavy climbs, but it should be scenic along PCH. With less than 3 weeks left, ALC9 is shaping up to be one hellueva ride experience.

Bike Anti Porn

Image from LAFixed.

I'm going to try and keep posts like these up on a regular, because they're hilarious. I saw this Cinelli MASH on LAFixed Bike AntiPorn thread and couldn't help but laugh. I'm sure the guy did it for the lols. Anyway enjoy the hilarity.

Rapha Condor Sharp Ride Tour of Japan

Image from here.

Rapha Condor Sharp made their team debut at the 14th Tour of Japan. The tour runs from May 16th - 23rd. After 2 stages, Darren Lapthorne from Rapha Condor Sharp is currently 3rd on the general classification. Hoping that podium position lasts, it would be a great win to debut the team.

See more great photos on the Rapha flickr. Stay up to date at Cyclingnews.

Canyon Aero Road Bike in 2011

Canyon creates one of the stiffest carbon road frames on the market. On the pro tour they're sponsoring Omega Phrma Lotto. Trying to expand their road selection, Canyon is creating an aero frame. Some aero road frames on the market are the Cervelo S3 and Felt AR1. Characteristics of aero frames are thin seat stays, oversized aero downtube, tapered head tube, and aero forks.

There will be a couple of things that will separate Canyon from the other companies. Other than the research and design of the frame, it will be the details.

Capless topcap from a German company.

This is what really caught my attention. The rear seat binder. I don't know how this makes the frame more aero, but it definitely adds to the bike bling. With this design you can probably can use lighter bolts with less threads saving a few grams.

Overall, I'm feeling the stealthiness and design of the complete. Hopefully they'll offer the nude carbon. I don't know how much faster this bike will make you. Regardless of the amount of new tech on the bike it's still 10% bike and 90% rider.

Photos and more words here.

MASH Exhibition in LA

PREVIEW: MASH Tour of California 2009 from MASH TRANSIT PRODUCTIONS on Vimeo.

via Hypebeast

The MASH exhibit will take place on Monday May 22nd from 6PM to 10PM at Project Space. Preceding the opening reception there will be a fixed gear only race from Echo Park and ending at Project Space. Should be a dope event, beware of the hipsters though.

On a side note, keep an eye out on Team Hype's ALC9 video coming soon after ALC. 545mi fixed. That's wsup.

Project Space
603 North La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
3239388818

Cipo Still That Dude

Image from here.

When you have nicknames like Lion King, Mooie Mario (Pretty Mario), and Super Mario can you really ever disappear? Above is Cipo at this year's Giro. A little tame from his cycling days. Cipo was known for his extravagant racing kits. Often sporting a custom skin suit.

Image from here.

Image from here.

The nod to Tron was by far my favorite of the custom kits.

Tracko Denim Workmen's Caps

Image from here.

Tracko made some denim cycling workmen caps. Above is the Italian, a blue-grey denim cap ideal for summer.

Image from here.

The red cap is a little bit on the larger end dude to the denim being thicker. Overall, dope caps.

Buy here.

New Bike Day - Remi

Well not really. Picked up my fixie from REI after having the drive train looked at. When I crashed I was getting a clicking sound when I would spin the crank arms. Was worried I wrecked the bottom bracket (BB) or worse tweaked the crank arms. Mechanics at REI just reinstalled the the drive train and the sound was gone. They also put me up on some game. You should locktite the drive side of the BB. When I first installed it, I just greased up both ends. Good thing I'm not a mechanic.

I bought a new front tire also. I had to get the new Continental Gator Hardshell. The only difference I read, from the original model, was there's an additional hardshell casing in the sidewalls improving puncture resistance.

Overall, impressed with the bike service at REI. They took the time to explain to me everything they did and why. It was kind of like local bike shop service and attitude with cheap commercial business prices.

Giro d'Italia - Stage 4

The team time trial (TTT). I'll let the photos do the talking. Great shots from Cyclingtips. More images, more words, and more Yolanthe here.

Team Radioshack Confirms Team for AMGEN Tour of California

Team Radioshack is aiming for Levi Leipheimer to win the race this year. It would make it his 4th time winning his home race. Radioshack is surrounding Levi with Lance Armstrong, and Chris Horne just to name a few. The other 'big' teams aren't sleeping on this race either. "HTC Columbia brings Mark Cavendish; Saxo Bank Cancellara, Schleck and Voigt; while Rabobank – having a lot of offices on the West Coast - comes with a strong roster too. BMC is stronger than they've ever been before with George Hincapie. This will certainly be the most competitive field since the race started in 2006."

On not entering the Giro this year, Radioshack chose to enter the Tour of California due to its primarily American sponsor, Radioshack.

I'm hoping to catch stage 7, the individual time trial, which is in downtown Los Angeles. It's nice seeing some pro cycling teams mix it up with the regional and domestic teams. Last year I remember seeing Bissel and Jelly Belly riding along Astana and HTC in Pasadena. Dope sight to see. Should be a great race with all the heavyweights entering the ring.

Words and image from here.

Giro d'Italia - Stage 3

Giro FAIL! Anyone who's followed pro cycling in recent years knows this dude fails. He was the sole reason Team Astana was excluded from the 2008 Tour de France, and the bad blood in Team T-Mobile in 2005.

I'm glad Evans lost the maglia rosa. There's so much pressure while wearing it. While wearing it, you're marked and everyone in the peloton will be gunning for you. It also puts a lot of pressure on the team also to try and defend you. With only 43 seconds behind, Team BMC will get Evans to the podium.

Giro WIN!

Images from here.

Beyond the Peloton - Paris-Roubaix 2010

via Tracko.

Beyond the Peloton is a documentary by Cervelo to chronicle the development of the Cervelo Test Team's first season in the pro cycling world. This is the second episode of the series. Brought a lot of insight on how the riders and team prepare for a race. Highlight of the video for me was Theo Bos playing the domestique role. You have a record breaking, multi gold medal winning velodrome rider brining refreshments to the other riders in the peloton. I lol'd. Bos probably went road because of Chris Hoy, but't thats a whole other post. Burn and burn.

The Face of the 2010 Giro

Image from here.

Yolanthe Cabau. 2010 Giro. Every single stage she'll be there. Giro > Tour for this sole reason.

Image from here.

MAN DOWN!

Yesterday I was out for my usual PV radio tower ride on my fixie. All was well until the end of the ride. On my way back to Ave C in Redondo Beach, I hit this traffic circle. I see no cars so I try and take a shortcut going clockwise instead of counter. Mistake. As soon as make the turn I hear a pop and shhhhhhhhhh sound from my front tire. I lose traction and my bike slips up underneath me. I go down. HARD. I get up make sure nothings broken, and no bleeding. Got a few scrapes and some road rash. Inspect my bike and I dented the rear seat stay. FML.

The culprit.

The damage.

Team Sky - 'PROtotype'

During the prologue of the Giro Team SKY was seen using bare HED rims rebranded with PRO logos and relaced to Dura-Ave hubs instead of the normal HED Sonic models. Team SKY went through all this trouble because they're sponsored by Shimano (PRO is a Shimano company). I remember when HED3 rims were all the craze, and stupid hipsters were cracking them like no other. I wonder why? OH WAIT, maybe because they're made of carbon fiber and not meant for tricking. How about you actually ride your bike?

Shimano's deepest section rim is 50 mm, while HED's deepest is 90 mm. What difference will 40 mm make? A lot in time trials. The more aero the less drag yada yada yada.

Images from here.

New Bike Day - Magnus

Stuntin hard. Team Hype's Magnus just built up a new steed. Nicely built and just enough time to break her in for ALC9. Cinelli x MASHSF 637.

Giro d'Italia - Stage 4

Stage 4 of the Giro will happen on May 12th and the stage I'm most looking forward too. Why? Because it's the Team Time Trial (TTT). Basically, 1 team member pulls and everyone else drafts off of him and rotate. There's teamwork and strategy in the other stages, but nothing like the TTT. It requires the entire team to be in sync. One false move can cost the team, and team leader, valuable seconds and those seconds can decide the winner of the tour. Another reason to watch are for the beast TT frames.

Stage Details

Distance: 32.5km

Vertical Climb: 250m

Highest Point: 537m

Terrain: Stead Climbing

Category: Team Time Trial

Images from here.

Giro d'Italia Favorites

Image from here.

With the Giro d'Italia only days away and Team Radioshack and Alberto Contador opting out of the race, I'm wondering who will be the favorite. Wearing the #1 will be Cadel Evans from Team BMC. He hasn't raced the Giro since 2002 but his consistency with the other Grand Tours makes him the favorite.

Image from here.

Cadel may be the favorite but don't count out Carlos Sastre, team leader of Cervelo Test Team, just yet. Remember in 2008 when Sastre won both the Tour de France's overall and mountain classification. Then in the 2009 Tour de France his win in 2008 was overshadowed by the feud between Lance Armstrong and Contador. Everyone overlooked that Sastre was wearing #1. Believe me, he's out to prove himself. Again.

Even though there won't be an Armstron versus Contador battle at the Giro, it should be a great race to watch. We just have to wait till the Tour de France to bring out the popcorn. Other notable riders to look out for are Alexandre Vinokourov from Astana, and Bradley Wiggins from Team Sky.

Moots for Rapha

Keeping with the theme of custom hand built bicycles, Moots is making frames for the Rapha Continental team. Moots specializes in hand built titanium frames. Based in Steamboat Springs, CO they have been building bicycles for past 30 years. They must be doing something right, because for the 2010 season Rapha Continental riders will have added Moots to their arsenal of rigs.

Rapha also sat down with Jon Cariveau, a 13 year veteran of the Moots family, for a little interview. Read it all here.

Enjoy more bike porn here.

Not to knock the larger bicycle companies, but obtaining a frame from Moots, or Vanilla, or Calfee, etc... just isn't the same. I have a Fuji SL1 which is also the Scott CR1. Same Taiwanese frame just branded differently. You loose a lot of character when you buy from a larger company but it's also less expensive and you don't have to wait for it to be built (Vanilla Workshop average wait is 5 years). There are so many pros and cons but when it comes down to it, a custom hand built is always the best bet. You get a beautifully hand built frame and the satisfaction supporting such a small group of people. Unless you want a generic frame made from the same carbon tubing everyone is using from Taiwan. Then you do you.

Believe me, when the time and finances are right I'll be riding a custom hand built frame breaking your neck as I pass you up on that climb.