by Velospeak | Feb 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
This coming weekend marks the second edition of the Malibu Gran Fondo sponsored by Assos and Serious Cycling. It is a two day event consisting of a mass start ride on Saturday that takes in some of the best climbs in the Malibu hills. Sundays ride is a 20k time trial along the Pacific Coast Highway. Both days will have accompanying events for the families of the participants, all sure to be up to the high standards of Assos. I am signed up for the weekend, but as luck would have it, I will probably have to work both days. That being said, I will try and and participate in at least some of the events over the weekend. And, for those interested, I believe there is still availability to join the ride. Head on over to Serious Cycling to learn more. Signing up for the ride might be your only opportunity to come away with an Assos jersey with a palm tree printed on it.
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by Velospeak | Feb 12, 2015 | Uncategorized
Rolling Cowboys Bicycle Shop is hosting an evening with Boo Bicycles tonight between 7pm and 9pm. A Facebook event page has the details, and several models from Boo will be on hand to check out in person. I highly recommend coming by, especially if you haven’t been to Rolling Cowboys. This is a unique shop worth seeing.
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by Velospeak | Feb 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
Pictured above is the new Ritte Cycles Ace, the top of the range road bicycle from the well respected Los Angeles company. The Ace is a completely new design, and is a true monocoque frame, built “as one main structure”. The advantages of this type of construction are two-fold, one being a stiff frame, the second being a strong bicycle. I have not ridden this bike, but the photo alone is quite tantalizing. Head over to Bike Rumor for a detailed review from someone who has spent time with the Ace.
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by Velospeak | Feb 2, 2015 | Uncategorized
This Friday February 6th, Shelter Half, a Los Angeles institution, re-opens for a month long run on 3rd Street. Looking forward to seeing the wares from the diverse group of companies they showcase. From Calfee Design to Swrve to Poler, this is sure to be the one stop shop for all outdoor adventure needs.
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by Velospeak | Jan 28, 2015 | Uncategorized
The tiniest details make all the difference, and water bottles are no exception. I have fallen head over heels for the latest bottles from House Industries. These will absolutely up the wow factor when used on your favorite bike. Check out the other offerings at House, ranging from cycling goods to housewares, and of course, their core business of fonts.
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by Velospeak | Jan 27, 2015 | Uncategorized
In the never ending quest to save a few grams on the ultimate bicycle build, sometimes reliability and strength are lost in favor of shaving weight. Parts created to fill this niche typically impose weight limits making it all but impossible for average folks to ride bikes equipped with these rarefied bits. So, when a part comes along that is both extremely lightweight, incredibly strong, and with no weight limit, it is cause for celebration. DT Swiss has done just that with their RWS Ti Road skewers. These are not traditional skewers, as they eliminate the cam system in favor of a simple screw-on type of lever. All that is needed is to turn the lever until the wheel is securely in place. Once tightened down, it is possible to pull the lever out and rotate it to the position you desire. In other words, despite tightening down like a screw, you are free to art direct the lever’s final position on the bike. It is simple, clever and incredibly strong. Best of all, the weight is on a par with the lightest skewers on the market; the skewers weigh in at a paltry 45 grams. It seems strange to obsess about such small bits on the bike, but every little detail counts. Just wait for an upcoming post on titanium bolts. I’m diving further into the insanity.
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by Velospeak | Jan 21, 2015 | Uncategorized
This past Sunday I rode 5o plus miles on the fire roads of Topanga State Park. En route, I was swallowed whole by Velo Club La Grange. This happens to me more often then I care to mention as we always seem to be on the same roads on Sunday mornings. Once I’m caught by the pack, I try to stay on the wheel of one of the riders for a few minutes just to feel what it’s like to ride in a group. The advantages are clear. When riding with others, you are pushed to ride outside your comfort zone which in turn can make you a stronger rider. I appreciate this, and marvel at their weekly commitment. Unfortunately, as I always get spit out the back of the peloton after some time, I also am witness to the behavior of the pack, and I have to say it ain’t pretty. On this very Sunday, I observed several riders bombing through lights on Mulholland, risking their own lives, and scaring the daylights out of the motorists. I may lean heavily to the side of being overly polite to motorists, but I see no gains in the stupid behavior I witnessed. First and foremost, the Nichols ride that Velo Club La Grange hosts each Sunday is not a race. No prize money or bicycle art trophy to be had. This is a group ride, and trying to follow basic rules of the road should not be all that difficult. The specific incident I saw involved three riders barreling through a light at the corner of Mulholland and Stone Canyon. A motorist had already started to make a left onto Mulholland when three riders blew past the light, forcing the driver to slam on her brakes – obviously dangerous to the cyclists, and harrowing for the driver. These are exactly the kinds of incidents we need to avoid. Unfortunately, when riding in a large group, I think a pack mentality can take over, and the cyclists tend to think they own the road. The three cyclists in question may ride responsibly when on their own, but in a group, the rules are sometimes thrown out the window. As a complete contrast, I ran into another cyclist on dirt Mulholland with whom I struck up a conversation. He was riding an odd bike with a coaster brake, and of course this piqued my curiosity. I asked him questions and within minutes I discovered he was riding a race called the Coaster Brake Challenge. Despite being in the midst of a race, he was courteous and respectful of the hikers and cyclists he encountered, a sharp contrast to the La Grange cyclists. I asked the cyclist how many were involved in the race, and he responded that he believed 20 riders had signed up – a smaller group than La Grange to be sure. I, of course, am making huge generalizations, but I think I’ll stick to solo rides or small group rides. They seem friendlier somehow. The view on my Sunday solo ride, as seen above, was spectacular. And, when I see a red light in the future, I’ll be sure to stop. I may not like it, but at least it gives me a small respite.
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by Velospeak | Jan 16, 2015 | Uncategorized
I am a huge fan of Light and Motion, so I’m happy to spread the word about their latest project. This is a newly launched Kickstarter campaign to fund the Sidekick, a GoPro companion light. The GoPro cameras are known for their excellent video quality in daylight conditions, but they suffer in low light conditions. Enter the Sidekick, a companion light that provides a 600 lumen beam of light, perfect as a fill light to enhance any video project in low light conditions. Light and Motion are more than halfway to their funding goal of $50,000 with 28 days to go. Follow this link to the Kickstarter, and by all means, check out the Light and Motion website for some of the best available lights for cycling, hiking and diving.
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by Velospeak | Jan 9, 2015 | Uncategorized
I am obsessed. I could scour the web all day for adventure mobiles such as the one you see above. But, one advantage to the Winnebago Travato over the myriad vehicles I find is its price. It’s not cheap at $85,000, but that is a far cry from the hundreds of thousands folks spend on an RV or a Sportsmobile. The Travato is built for the adventurer, with the amenities you need to haul your gear wherever the winds take you. I love the bike rack and canoe carrier, and I also love the standard features such as the awning, LED interior lights, and the GPS system. Winnebago is the company VW tapped for the ubiquitous European Camper, and that design stands out as one of the better camper layouts. I think the Travato will keep to those high standards, and I look forward to seeing one in person. Maybe in 10 years, a used Travato will come down into my price range, and you’ll see me tooling around the country with family and bikes in tow.
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by Velospeak | Jan 9, 2015 | Uncategorized
I am supremely excited to announce the arrival of a new retail location for Mission Workshop here in Los Angeles. They are the makers of fine bags and clothing for the bicycle, as well as for your lifestyle. The shop opened today to serve the Los Angeles public, with a future opening event in the works. For now, head on down to see some extremely well crafted bags and clothing. The address is 3118 Sunset Boulevard in Silverlake.
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