Stage 8
Today’s Stage 8 of the Tour de France. A couple of shots of the hundred or so I took. A great day for watching a bicycle race.
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The Stelvio
Not a leisurely ride.
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Cycles on Route to the Graveyard
These bicycles were left on the streets of Florence, and were being picked up to go to the bicycle graveyard. I’m sure this is common in most cities, but this is the first time I’ve seen it happen. It makes me think of the stories behind the cycles.
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Aether Apparel Military Jacket
One advantage to having a blog is the opportunity to try many different things you might not otherwise have access to. As readers of Velospeak may have surmised, backpacks and jackets are a top fascination here, and the chance to try another from Aether Apparel is an early Christmas present of the best kind. I’ve been living with the Aether Apparel Military Jacket for approximately two months now, which is longer than I would normally wait to write about a product for the blog. The reason behind this was the chance to travel with the jacket, giving it a go in many different situations. It’s travelled to New York, Chicago, and now to Europe. It’s withstood all sorts of weather, from cold to mild to warm, and I have found it is a perfect jacket for all these conditions. It is really comfortable, made from EtaProof, a densely woven cotton that is completely waterproof and thermally insulating. The material wears like a comfortable cotton making for a great jacket to wear over a t-shirt on a cool evening. For colder weather, a simple extra layer underneath, and you are good to go. The Desert Grey color is perfect for year round wear, but there is also a Jet Black version for those so inclined. The design is simple, with two large hand warmer pockets, and two cargo pockets at the chest. The waist and cuffs are adjustable, and the elbows are articulated for ease of movement. The story behind the fabric is printed on a label inside the jacket, with a more detailed account on the Aether Apparel blog. The Aether Apparel Military Jacket is a great all around coat, worthy of being first pick for any and all adventures you find yourself on.
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Cycling, Cubo-Futurism and the Fourth Dimension
I find it quite cool being in Venice, a city not well suited for cycling of any sort, and yet there is still cycling related material to be found. The exhibit, Cycling, Cubo-Futurism and the Fourth Dimension, at the Guggenheim, is small but really fun. Paintings, bicycles, and a stationary cycle set up with a virtual reality screen. The paintings were amazing, as were the five bicycles. One is an early Bianchi with a hinged frame, making for an early travel bike. Also on display is Fabian Cancellara’s Trek from the 2012 Tour of Flanders as well as a wood model of Leonardo Da Vinci’s bicycle. There is also a sculpture about time by Swiss artist Paul Wiedmer that utilizes used rims and other bicycle parts. A small but sweet show.
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Stelvio Pass
Tomorrow the Stelvio Pass. If only there was the time to ride it.
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AMP Research
It’s official, the vacation has started. We are now in Switzerland, and I thought I’d take out the old mountain bike for a photo op. This is probably the first high end bike I purchased, and back in its day, AMP Research was top notch. It came with a travel case that checked as regular luggage, which is why it traveled to Switzerland many many years ago. At it’s best, it weighed in at about 21 pounds, making for a very light full suspension ride. I loved riding this bike until I purchased an Ellsworth Truth. Now the Amp Research shows its age with a rear end that is not particularly stable. Still, it was a great bike back in the day, and I suspect it will see a few rides here in Suisse.
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Simone Rosenberg
Simone Rosenberg’s Swiss Mountain Refuge series was brought to my attention today, and since it is the eve of my trip there, I thought I’d post one of these beautiful photographs with a link to the website. Maybe no direct cycling content, but just imagine mountain biking from this location. Really beautiful.
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Ninja Rider
I’m liking the Ninja Rider from Blik.
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Designed to Win
Designed to Win is an exhibition opening at the Design Museum in London on July 26th. This is an exhibit exploring the role of design in the sporting world. Photographs, models, and film clips will be showcased alongside interactive displays. The Design Museum presents consistently interesting shows, so I would put this on the “to do” list if in London this summer. The show closes November 18th.
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