Bicycle Portraits

 "Stan Engelbrecht & Nic Grobler are publishing the best 165 portraits and stories of the over 500 portraits of cyclists they’ve photographed during their 2 year journey around South Africa. Divided over 3 books, each will contain a different 55 stories, and also two essays each by local South African and major international cycling figures. The books are designed by Gabrielle Guy (gabrielleguy.com) and they have also collaborated with celebrated South African artist Gabrielle Raaff (gabrielleraaff.com) to create an individual hand-painted watercolor map, based on Google Maps, to indicate the location of each of the portraits. Read More ..."


Bicycle Portraits - A Photographic Book - Kickstarter Part III from Bicycle Portraits on Vimeo.

2011 SSCross World Champs Women's Start

Shark Attacks! Looks like Rachel made it to SSCX! Yesterdays video was a


2011 SSCross World Champs Women's Start from Stephen Federico on Vimeo.

Turkey Tri at Bonelli Park

This Sunday I decided to head out to Bonelli Park to see this years Turkey Tri.  It was a beautiful day for a triathlon and Chris McCormack 2 time Ironman World Champion was going to be at this years Turkey Tri.  I didn't think I was going to be able to see him, but I was luck and snapped a few pictures before he set off to race.

Chris McCormack was the the man to beat (Although, I don't think anyone did overall, but he wasn't the first out of the water).  For those of you who don't know who Chris McCormack is follow this link ...

The water was a warm 59 degrees, about 6 degrees warmer than last year. The distance of the swim was 1/2 mile.

Out of the water and into transition. 

Okay, I said the water was a "warm" 59 degrees.  That's still cold and this gal did it in her two piece.  

The transition from swim to ride was interesting and made for some close calls while mounting the bike.  Close calls being, potential crashes as the cold waters seemed to tighten muscles and throw off racers, equilibrium.  The bike portion was two laps around Bonelli or 14 miles.

This had to be the youngest Triathlete I saw all day.  Simply Amazing!

And now time for the run, total run distance was 4.5 miles.

Completed!  Racers were cheered on at all parts of the race, but the best part was crossing the finish line.  Racers were met by family and friends and even given a medal showing they completed this years Turkey Tri.

To Potato with Bicycle Friends

On Saturday, Antonio, Imeh and his father, Matt and so many more decided to ride to Potato.  I started from my house and rode up Burbank, then down Marshal Canyon to meet the rest of the group at Oak Mesa Elementary School. 

We ended up getting to a late start at about 8 am.  Matt, Imeh's father and brother headed up Marshal Canyon before the rest of us.  They wanted to get a head start as catching them would be inevitable, or so we thought.  The rest of us headed up about 5 to 10 minutes later.

With bigger groups there is always a greater variance in skill sets.  The first part of Marshal Canyon was marked with frequent stops to re-group.  Finally, Antonio, Imeh and I decided to ride our own pace and catch up to his father, brother and Matt.  

We found Matt on the side of the trail.  He busted his dropout on a rock and was "jimmying" his derailer and chain to get it to at least be in rideable condition. I thought for sure Matt would opt to turn around, effectively finishing his ride.  Instead Matt decided to head up to Potato as a single speeder!  Great job!

We finally "caught" Imeh's father at Yellow Gate.  Imeh's brother decided to end his ride early and dropped down Cobal Canyon.  

Together we all made our way up to Potato.  At this point my energy was starting to wane and the last 3/4th till the top was the hardest.  

Rachel's Return

Neat video of Rachel Lloyd's return to racing.  After three years into retirement, Rachel's ready for SFSSCXWC which happened last weekend.  I expect more video feeds on SF SSCXWC to start popping up. 


Rachel's Return from Sam Lueck on Vimeo.

Home Depot Center USA VS Canada Black Out!

Tuesday night Michael and I headed to the Home Depot Center for some serious track racing.  I have to say, I was pretty excited as this would be my first experience at the Velodrome.

When we arrived at the Home Depot Center, and finally found parking, I noticed it was unusually dark as we made our way into the complex.  We entered the velodrome and noticed the lights were dim, but hey we were late and maybe the opening ceremony was going on! Not the case, the power went out and the emergency lights were running.

We hung out for about 10 to 15 minutes.  I snapped a few photos and was at awe by the steep banks of the velodrome. The LA Velodrome is 250 meter with a maximum inclination is 45 degrees.

The racers too seemed much larger than the typical road racers I am accustom to seeing.  They were tall with ginormous torsos, legs, arms and, well, everything else. These are the gladiators slash warrior class of the cycling world.

BLACKOUT!  I was either admiring the racers or snapping pictures or something else, I don't remember, when all the lights went out!  The velodrome was pitch black. Instantly there was a murmur of voices and the darkness was speckled with the light from cell phones and flashlights. Mike and I sat in the darkness for about 10 minutes before they were able to get the emergency lights on again.

Once the lights came on, I realized I was hungry. Mike and I were heading to the cafeteria when someone got on the PA system and announced they were having trouble keeping the lights on.  The announcer said they would try to get the lights on in the next 20 minutes but if they can't the races would be canceled.   To keep us spectators happy, they also said head to the cafeteria, and get a FREE Drink and Burger!  Mike and I were 3/4ths of the way there when they announced the FREE Drink and Burger part!  We looked at each other and then to the mass of spectators making they way in our direction.  Haha, talk about great timing we ended up first in line for the free food!

While we ate there was an exhibition track stand contest and after a few racers sprinted around the velodrome.  Two racers played cat and mouse, sprinting up and down the track.  They traded off positions and worked on their passing and blocking.  I was amazed how fast they moved around the track.

In the end, the races were canceled but despite this, it was an adventure.  I enjoyed what little I saw, and am definitely coming back in January.

DEEP STRICTLY BICYCLES TOKYO / G-SHOCK REAL TOUGHNESS PRACTICE

This is a warm up session for the G-Shock Real Toughness event.

"12 riders had a mere 15 minutes to practice on the floor ready for tomorrows contest, from what you can see here is going to go off!"


-DEEP STRICTLY BICYCLES TOKYO / G-SHOCK REAL TOUGHNESS PRACTICE- from STYLE43 on Vimeo.

Massif

Massif from Sports Garage on Vimeo.

Who is Jeremy Durrin

Jeremy Durrin Cyclocross from Twenty Pound Skull on Vimeo.

Little 500

"Indiana University's Little 500 is America's largest and longest-running collegiate bike race"


Ready The Track from Ryan Dorgan on Vimeo.

From PinkBike.com, 27 minutes of Downhill

Epic Downhill

Southridge 20th Annual Challenge (Over 100 Photos)

I took over 100 Photos. I tried to get everyone, and if I missed you, it means you were going too fast.  I love it when racers give me a little love with a "Hang Loose" hand gesture or a big smile for the camera.  At the next race, if you see me, give me a little love! 

View All Race Photos - Click Here!

Stop motion Fixie

This video is a stop motion build of a fixed gear bicycle. 


Stop motion Fixie from Ilya Landa on Vimeo.

How the Dutch got their Cycle Paths

Fascinating video on how the Dutch got their cycle paths.  The video discusses how certain events throughout history helped shape public policy from an auto-centric society to bicycle-cetric one. 

Queen, "Bicycle Race" (Original Video)

In 1978, Queen released Bicycle Race on their Jazz Album.  Inspired by the Tour De France, Freddy Mercury later wrote, "Bicycle Race," a true classic and easily recognized song.

I found this bit of information from Wikipedia, "The video for the song became scandalously famous for featuring 65 naked women, all professional models, racing at Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium. The group rented the stadium and several dozen bikes for one day for filming the scene; however, when the renting company became aware of the way their bikes were used, they requested the group to purchase all the bicycle seats.The original video uses special effects to hide the nudity."

Mamas Gun Version of "Bicycle Race" by Queen

"I want to ride my Bicycle, I want to ride my Bike ..."

This is Mamas Gun's version of Bicycle Race and I have to say its pretty good.

Bicycle Race was first released in 1978 on Queen'z Jazz album.  Freddy Mercury got the inspiration to write it while watching a stage at the Tour De France. 


Mamas Gun - Bicycle Race from AP on Vimeo.

Over 300 Pictures from Velocity Cross at Prado Regional

You can get all 300 photos here ...  

VELOCITY CROSS @ PRADO REGIONAL PARK

Claremont Cyclist - Thanks For Sharing!

If you raced Prado this weekend head over to the Claremont Cyclist, Michael took lots of photos.

Since I spend most of my time behind the camera, I get very little pictures of myself.  Thank you Michael for capturing me in race mode!

Velocity Cross at Prado Regional Park in Chino

Another weekend of racing.  This time it was Velocity Cross at Prado Regional Park in Chino.

Prado Regional Park is located just off Euclid Avenue from the 71 Fwy.  I've past by Prado a number of times but never stopped by the park.  Prado is a beautiful park where you can hike, fish, picnic and among other things race cyclocross!

On race day, I arrived early. This time, I was going to actually pre-ride the course.  I registered, put on my race jersey, shoes, etc and headed to the course.  It was a relatively flat grassy course for the most part.  There were a set of barriers, and stairs.  Saturdays rain left parts of the course "fairly" muddy but nothing like last weeks MT Sac Fat Tire race.

I took close to 300 photos, you can find them all but clicking this link ... Velocity Cross at Prado Regional Park.

Right after the stairs, #467 hopped on his bike and "CRACK" Broken Seatpost!

Recumbent Mountain Biking at Albion Hills 2011

Wacky Recumbent Mountain Biking. 


Recumbent Mountain Biking at Albion Hills 2011 from Richard Ehrlich on Vimeo.

Bike Love

Ah to be in love ...


bike ♥ from Rick Darge on Vimeo.

Nathan Williams - This is United

Pushing impossible out a little further each day.


Nathan Williams - This is United from Jean Paul on Vimeo.

Chad Treanor's, "Pedal People"

How would you answer the following questions:

Who are you?

What is the most fun thing about bicycling?

What would you change about cycling?

How has cycling impacted/changed your life?

What do you see for the future of cycling?

Chad Treanor's, "Pedal People," interviews five cyclists, a Professional Bike Mechanic, an Industry Sales Person, a Hard Core Polo Player, a Bicycle Blogger and a Custom Bike Builder and asks them a few questions. 

They all share a common interest, cycling. Yet through their responses to the questions above, give different perspectives on cycling, what it means to them, how it impacted their lives and where cycling is headed as we move into the future.

Science and Technology - Wireless Brakes

When I got back into cycling, and was ready to buy a new bike, I was amazed at the technological advances in the bike industry.  Disc brakes, full suspension, carbon everything, trail bikes, all mountain, 29er's, electronic shifting and 11 speeds the list goes on.

And now Scientist are working on wireless brakes.  What's next?

"Computer scientists at Germany’s Saarland University have worked long and hard to rid your bike of that pesky one foot of brake cable which used to curve, short and graceful, down to the front wheel. Instead of a simple system of super-reliable levers and cables, the Saarland team uses a wireless transmitter to brake the bike.

The wireless brake consists of a transmitting hand grip and a motorized disk-brake caliper. Squeeze the grip and the brakes are actuated according to a radio signal. Squeeze harder and you brake harder — as long as your batteries are charged. Just watch out for pranksters with RF transmitters who trigger your brakes from afar" ... READ More Click Here