Albert Einstein on a Bike

Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving. ~Albert Einstein

Alex Marco “The Bike”

Groovy Baby!

Audrey Hepburn on a Bike

Arnold on a Bike

Don't be a sissy-man.

Quicksilver Bike Dancing

Quicksilver

Turnbull Canyon (Backwards) with Team Velocity

Since I miscalculated my Cyclo Cross race dates, I opted for a last minute Team V ride. Not wanting to go too hard, I rode with the "Rec" group through Turnbull Canyon. It was a lot of fun, and towards the end we did a few sprints.

Thoughts on My Bike, A Film by Andrea Dorfman

...But there is something we can do too. We can go outside. And experience the world not from a car, but from a bike ride. Lets dust off our bikes and put our wheels to the ground. Lets take to the streets. Lets make our hearts pound...

What a great animation.

There's A Flower in My Pedal, A Film by Andrea Dorfman

Riding Marshal Canyon with Michael Thompson

What a great ride.

Wednesday I rec'd a Happy Thanksgiving Text from an old high school friend, Michael Thompson. I rode with him once before, at least 9 months ago, so I sent him a reply, "Wanna squeeze in a quick Turkey Day Ride?"

He agreed and today we met up at Oak Mesa for a nice loop around Marshal Canyon (MC). I left my house at 7 am. It was cold, and many homes had frosted lawns and rooftops.

When I arrived at Oak Mesa, Mike was already there and soon after we were heading up lower MC. It was a nice easy ride and I was amazed by the many riders out this morning.

Jure Robic 1965 to 2010

Jure Robic, 5 time winner of Race Across America.

Vamos a la Playa!

Seven fixed gear riders leave Stuttgart on July 23, 2010 and arrive on Barcelona on August 6, 2010.

Vamos a la Playa Teaser from Hector Ferreño on Vimeo.

SSCXWC 2010

Couldn't We Ride - The Great Muppet Caper

SoCalCross, Long Beach Cyclocross Festival

I was looking forward to entering this race but last minute opted for a Beach Ride.

SocalCross - Long Beach Cyclocross 2010 from Eric Cruz on Vimeo.

Affinity Cycle x Kenzo Minami

Oh the ideas I get from this video. Great music/edit, I love it. Bike, art, style, music, culture ...

AFFINITY CYCLES x KENZO MINAMI = DIGITIZER from Cinecycle on Vimeo.

We Are The Destroyers Mark Cavendish

Mark Cavendish, the fasted man alive!

Race Report: Southridge 19th Annual Challenge

I woke up to the sound of pouring rain but I was determined to race today. In fact, the only thing that was going to stop me from racing was a cancellation by the promoters. I loaded up my bike and headed to Fontana. The drive there was bad. It was wet, wet, wet and visibility was close to zero. In Ontario, on the 10 Fwy, there was an SUV off to the side. It had hydroplaned and hit the railing.

Once I past the 15 FWY the rain slowed to a light drizzle. In Sounthridge riders were gearing up and getting ready for today's race. There weren't many racers today, I guess the cold wet conditions scared people off.

At the staging area I saw a few familiar faces from last race. My class consists of about 10 racers. About 5 of them were completing the Triple Crown Series and points leaders. There was a competition for 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

We started off at 9:30 am sharp. By this time the drizzle turned into a legitimate rain. The first 100 yards was a long straight away, then a quick 180 degree turn that bottle necked. Two riders in front of me went down and force me to dismount. There was a steady climb and fire road quickly turned into single track.

The Southridge XC course was pretty technical. The climb up the single track consist of windy 180 degree turns, steep climbs of dirt and rock. Balance and a steady cadence was crucial. Rain, wet slippery rocks, 180 degree turns, and tight single track made for a great race.

Heading downhill was tricky too. Here were some steep drops, deep ruts and large rocks throughout the single track sections. I was riding my fully rigid bike, which made for an interesting race. The course also consist of some sections of 2ft wide bridges. Keep your bearing straight and ride as close to the middle as possible and you'll be fine.

I have to admit, I wasn't used to riding this technical of a course and had to dismounting on some of the steeper climbs. For me the descents were fine, tricky at certain areas, but over all manageable. On the way down, a rider rode straight off the cliff. He appeared to be fine, probably hurting now. I yelled down to him asking if he was okay. He nodded as he made his way back up.


Race day, I opened up the garage door and it was raining pretty hard. Oh well.


Not too many racers showed up today. I guess the rain scared them off.


Downhill bikes.







It rained throughout the race, from a light drizzle to full on showers.




Hey, there's another Trek 930 Single Track!

Awesome Senegalese bike tricks!

Perseverance

Don't Stop, climb that last hill, push to hard to the next mile ...

PERSEVERANCE from NAYP on Vimeo.

Cranksgiving X

Where 1932 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90026
When: 11-20-2020 @ 2:00 am

After Party at Echo Country Outpost 7 pm to 12 am

Zero Traction Cyclocross

Cold and Muddy.

Vans and Yo Gabba Gabba, "Send Me an Angel"

Vans x Yo Gabba Gabba! Foofa from Off The Wall on Vimeo.

Commuter Clothing Project: Surface Liquidstretch Trousers

Surface Clothing Liquidstretch Trousers

Double woven
4-way stretch
Sweat wicking inner
Tuff outer faced
Quick drying, shower proof Liquistretch material
Tailored pedal friendly slim fit
Hook and pop-snap waist closure
Belt loops
Vented pockets, bar-tacked stress points
Zipped back pockets

These pants seem well thought out. I like the durability of the double woven stitching and zipped back pockets (You won't arrive to work with ripped pants and a lost wallet). I also like the fact the belt loops are nice and big.

Get out and Ride, "Ride Track"

I love the upbeat song. One of these days I will ride on a velodrome.

Ride: Track from British Cycling on Vimeo.

Whittier Relay Race

Day November 20, 2010
Registration: 10 am
Race Start Time: 11 am
Cost $10 Team Buy In

Where: Central Park, 6532 Friends Ave., Whittier, CA

4 Man relay team, 1 must be fixed!!!

Commuter Clothing Project: Outlier 4Season OG Pant

So a fellow BicycleFriend is considering commuting to work. His commute is about 3 miles one way. There is no reason for him to even consider driving. Shoot, his car doesn't have time to even warm up.

He's commuted a few times and did the ride in full cycling gear. You know, the spandex shorts, jersey and shoes only to be ridiculed by co-workers (I fully understand).

What he needs is cycling specific work/commuter friendly gear.

Introducing Outlier's 4 Season OG Pants.

"The classic Outlier slack. Crisply professional looking in the office but you can rock them like Dickies with sneakers or boots. They stretch, breathe incredibly well and are abrasion resistant for comfort in motion. "Self cleaning", water and grease resistant to handle the elements. Tailored in New York City for style and quality using Swiss fabric"

Steel Wheel Green Tour

A traveling band by way of bicycles, Blue Grass and Gears.

Steel Wheel Duo Spokesongs Tour from Joel Landis on Vimeo.

Cyber Cycle Poster

I'm always looking at bicycle inspired art. This one, "Cycle Cycle" reminds me of Don Quixote. Don Quixote is charging forward upon his steel steed.

Artist: Emek; Circa 1983


Don Quixote Painting by Ciprian Frunza

FREITAG F48 Hazzard Backpack

Riding a bike can be so fun. Look at all the things I can do...

Duluth Trading Driving Mocs

Not so sure but appreciate the quality.

Vuelo Velo. Cool video, shot with a Canon 5D camera

Its amazing what digital cameras can do these days.

Vuelo Velo from Vuelo Velo on Vimeo.

Sperry Topsider Loafers

I'm really digging the blue.

American Science & Surplus

Link

American Science & Surplus. Need WIIIDE Duct Tape, you can order it here!

Coconut Water

So I've been having problems with leg cramps. My legs always seem to cramp up during a nice hard ride and this bugs the SH!T out of me. Take for instance at last weeks Fat Tire Classic. I was feeling really good, strong and then the ole leg cramps showed up and I had to pull over as many racers past me by.

Things I need to do. Stretch, Properly warm up, and drink fluids, maybe something with electrolytes! After some research I came upon Coconut Water.

Here are some facts (Yeah, its from the Internet So It MUST Be True!!!):
Its more nutritious than whole milk
Its Low Calorie
It contains lauric acid, which is present in breast milk
Its is a universal donor. Its identical to human blood plasma
It contains more potassium than sports/energy drinks (Very Important)

So I bought some ... It has a distinctive smell and taste. Its mild and refreshing. I recommend drinking it very cold.

On Saturday, I road to the beach. I drank some coconut water prior to and no cramping. I'm not saying it worked but I will investigate this more and report later ...

Naked Juice Coconut Water

iMinUSD

RIDE from iMiNUSD on Vimeo.

Griffith Park Cyclocross

So Cal Cross Nov 6-7,2010, brought out a few big names like, Tyan Trebon, Chris Horner, Adam Craig, and Sid Taberlay.

GRIFFITH CROSS 2010 Day 2 from mark colton on Vimeo.

Beach Ride!

Today Mike, Memo, Kevin and I rode to the beach! It was a great ride, no clouds, blue skies and ended at Chronic Tacos in Newport.

Total trip, 60 miles. We must do it again!

Arrow Moccasin Company

Flobots, "Handlebars"

Beach Ride to Newport this Saturday

I will be riding to Newport Beach this Saturday 11/13/2010. The plan is to meet at the Starbucks in Diamond Bar at 6:30 am. I will see you there. The ride is about 50 miles or more.

Link of meeting location:

Starbucks

2837 Diamond Bar Blvd.

Diamond Bar, CA 91765-341

View Larger Map

--

Jason T. Castillo
Visit me at www.bicyclefriends.com

***When riding, always come prepared. PREPARED means having tools, pump, spare tube or patches, enough food and water. Never leave the house unprepared.

Claire Rides a Bike

Claire Rides a Bike from Front Ave. on Vimeo.

Mt Sac Fat Tire Classic 2010 Results

I finished 12th out of 27. I'll just have to try harder next time.

Full Results listed here.

Southridge 19th Annual Challenge

Paid my fees and ready to race! Okay, smaller water bottles, drink enough fluids, stretch and etc???

Southridge Challenge Nov 20-21, 2010

Online Registration is here ...

Around the World on My Bicycle

My claim to fame is I rode a bicycle around the world. 26,000 miles 50 countries and 6 continents.

ThermaJock, another layer of protection

Just what I need for the winter season. Introducing the ThermaJock, Cold Weather Protection For Men. Okay as cyclists we have all been subject to the heat and cold. For me cold days seem harder than the former.

Full finger gloves, check. Arm and leg warmers, check. Skull cap, check. Junk warmer, CHECK! The ThermaJock made with, "advanced Polartec Thermal Pro material," is sure to keep the boys nice and toasty on even the coldest days.

Visit, www.ThermaJock.com and get yours today. A word of caution though, it says the shipping weight is a half a pound. I'm not sure if I want a half pound cinched on and hanging off my junk! To be honest it's not the Yoda Head that gets cold, he usually tucks himself in, its the "boys" that get chilly. How about a nice knit sweater for them?



Well then, if you are still interested and you don't mind the half pound then there's the instructions. Good luck.

Seabase vs Stelvio

The mans got skills

SEABASE vs STELVIO from YUHZIMI Ltd. on Vimeo.

New World Order - Dust and Bones

This ones dedicated to Carl Boley.

Sebago Docksides

Good comfortable shoes are nice. Good comfortable shoes that look nice are priceless! I'm in the market for some mocs and I came upon these. The Sebago Docksides in navy blue. Awesome! I can picture myself walking around in these after a good long ride. With or without sock, with jeans or even in sweats.

Sebago Mens Shoes

MT SAC Fat Tire Classic

Today, I raced in the Mt. San Antonio College, Fat Tire Classic, Beginner Class 27 - 34. With today begin the first day of "Standard Time" I was a little of kilter and kept waiting for the day to progress. Race time was at 11:30 am, but being still on Daylight Saving, I was thrown off. I kept looking at my watch, and thinking its only XXXX am!

Finally things started to wind up and before long I was picking up my race packet and ready to ride. I got to the race before the family, so I spent much of the time walking around, peeing, thinking, and wondering about what to expect.

This is my first race since I was 16 and I just can''t get over how I am now in the 27 to 34 year age bracket (And on the tail end too). I guess life happens. I remember when I was 16 thinking about the old guys and 34 seemed like a life time away. Fast forward, its 2010 and here I am.

The race started with a mass start. Ages 16 to 34. I wasn't sure what to expect, so I lingered in the back of the starting line. I was afraid to get bumped to pushed around during the mass start. 3, 2, 1, GO, GO GO! Once we started rolling everything seemed to gel. Within the first mile I was in the front. The pace was good and at about mile 2, I lost my first water bottle. Then at mile three my last water bottle decided to ditch the race. So there I was, water bottle-less and many miles to go! To say I was worried was an understatement.

I tried to put my waterless water bottle fiasco away and focus on the task at hand. At the top of the last climb of the first loop, I saw a spectator and asked if he had a water bottle. He did and it had about 10% of water left. I thanked him and will definably pay it forward.

Lap two I was in a really good position, top 5. With two more miles to go my legs started to cramp really bad. I had to stop. Man they hurt so bad. I considered quitting. Many racers past me by and Romeo, a fellow MTB'er and racer, asked if I was okay. I said major cramping. At this point what little water I had was gone. He was nice enough to give me this spare water bottle. I stretched some and took in some fluids. Then I got back on the bike and finished the race.

After Race Notes to Self: Before race, drink some type of supplement drink. Have smaller water bottles or a Camel Back when racing. Stretch more before, during and after race. Riding on grass feels weird and is not very smooth.

My family made it out to the race. My cheering fans.


Romeo! It was nice seeing a fellow rider today. You did great and thanks for the bottle.