Aether Apparel has released the Fall/Winter 2013 collection. There are many new items to admire, including the Pinnacle Jacket seen above. As always, I am excited to check these out in person, and I am quite sure they will be up to the usual high standards of all Aether clothing. Here’s to fall arriving, even in sunny Los Angeles.
I left Interbike on Friday after two full days covering the show floor. I look forward to attending each year, and this year’s edition did not disappoint. There were many new products and bicycles to discover, and I found there wasn’t enough time to really see it all. That being said, I made a valiant effort, and during the course of the show met many interesting people who have dedicated their lives to cycling. I think that is what I appreciate in this industry; the majority of people involved are there for the love of cycling, which sets it apart from most businesses, where the driving force is cash. People don’t get into the cycling industry if they aspire to be the next Warren Buffett. Instead, they are there because they love cycling in all its different forms. Interbike is an industry showcase where orders are placed, but it still feels more like a celebration of cycling, from my perspective. The show has ended, but I am already looking forward to next year’s Interbike.
Today I am heading to Las Vegas for Interbike. A long, hot and dusty drive through the desert awaits me. I may not have time to get many posts up during the show, but please scroll to the bottom of this page and check out the newly installed Velospeak Instagram link. I plan on posting as many photos as my iPhone will allow. Here’s to cycling in Vegas!
Fairwheel Bikes is posting teaser shots on Facebook of what they plan to bring to Interbike next week. I am definitely stopping by their booth to see these in person.
Ben Farver and Billy Sinkford at Shelter Half answering questions during the forum on Argonaut Cycles. Last night was the first opportunity I had to see the bike in person. It is quite beautiful, with amazing detail work. The dropouts alone are absolutely stunning. Ben has devised a way to completely tune the bike to your desired specs. Different layup in the carbon is the key to this, allowing a fully customizable ride quality. This is something new in custom carbon bicycles, setting Argonaut apart from other custom carbon bike builders. I have not ridden one as of yet, but it is certainly at the top of my list of dream bikes to test.
The Rapha Bordeaux-Paris Challenge is being held in conjunction with an online auction to benefit Ambitious About Autism. This is a cause Rapha CEO, Simon Mottram is passionate about, and one worth supporting. The auction has many incredible items such as David Millar’s Cervelo S3 from 2011. My personal favorite is the chance to ride with Simon Mottram and Greg Lemond in New York City’s Central Park. What an amazing opportunity to ride with two of the most interesting personalities in cycling. The auction ends Tuesday, September 17th.
I’ve been using the Assos summerGloves_s7 exclusively for about 6 months. In that time, I’ve come to love the simplicity of the design, the well placed pads that dampen vibration, and the mesh topside for its breathability. They are simple and work flawlessly, which should come as no surprise given Assos’s track record. The gloves are a product refined to the point of perfection. The surprise, for me, is the longevity of the gloves. As I said, they have been worn on every ride I’ve gone on since March, and they still look new, almost as fresh as the day I first put them on. I find this incredible, as gloves probably take more abuse than almost any other item of clothing used on the bike. In the past, I’ve gone through gloves as if they were disposable. This is not the case with the Assos summerGloves_s7. They have held up perfectly, and couldn’t be more comfortable or functional. Not much more needs to be said except that for the next pair of gloves you need, you should consider the Assos summerGloves_s7.
Electrolyte is a German company offering four electric bike models. The Sraßenfeger pictured above is particularly interesting, and has a front wheel drive system. The battery is concealed in the Lefty front fork, and the range is 100 kilometers on a single charge with a governed top speed of 25 kph. I like the simplicity of the design, and the fact that the bicycle doesn’t scream electric bike. To the casual observer, this could be a regular bicycle. The website is in German only at this point, but an English version is coming soon.
I took this picture over the weekend on one of my climbs to the Observatory. There is something about the light in this shot that appeals to me. September in Los Angeles is always a magical time, especially when the monsoonal moisture comes in from Mexico. It’s been hot and muggy, but the skies have been clear and beautiful, affording never-ending views of the city. The Observatory offers one of the best perches to take it all in.
Interbike, the cycling trade show here in the US, begins two weeks from today. In a change from the past, the venue is now the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. Cross Vegas will also take place two weeks from today, signaling the official start of cross season. September is shaping up to be an exciting time for cyclists.
