This week’s Readers’ Rides comes from Theo and his custom finished Cannondale CAADX ‘cross bike. Read on below for Theo’s words and photos…
#cross-bike
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Radar
All-City Renames Two ‘Cross Staples: Nature Cross Geared and Singlespeed
In an effort to make their lineup feel more inclusive, All-City has made the move to rename their “Nature Boy” racing frames to “Nature Cross”. These two models will replace the Macho King A.C.E. and Nature Boy bikes. Both of these “new” models feature All-City’s proprietary air-hardened, custom-extruded A.C.E. steel tubing that we developed specifically for riding and racing.
With new paint designs, these stylish machines are rolling on one of the lightest steel production frames in the world and can be used for more than just racing laps. The Nature Cross Singlespeed comes in a blue fade, while the Nature Cross Geared comes in a red, white, and blue splatter fade.
Radar
Sarah Sturm Journal
One of our favorite personalities in the cycling industry has a space on one of our favorite brand’s blogs! Sarah Sturm has a great little read up about the pandemic and what riding means to her. Be sure to check this one out and if you missed it, our Highway 50 Nevada MTB trip features some excellent shots of Sarah ripping that Nevada dust as well!
“We have in front of us a chunk of time. We have a global pause. There are no races, there are no events, there are no parties or gatherings or high fives. We have busy minds and bored bodies and there isn’t an exact day that we can mark on our planners when “this will all be over”. Nope. The only thing that is certain is uncertainty. And we’re getting sick of seeing that phrase plastered all over the media. Yes, we know, things are uncertain right now and saying it over and over doesn’t seem to help.”
Continue reading this piece at Tenspeed Hero!
Radar
Wahoo Disciplines Episode 1: Cross is Boss
Can you beat the excitement of a muddy and fast ‘cross race? In this episode of Wahoo Disciplines, we follow Tom Pidcock and the Trinity Racing Team at the British National Cyclocross Championships. This will be a three-episode series with a final long-form film at the end…
Reportage
Flowers for Rita: The Positive Power of Persistence
Dearest Readers,
If you’ve followed the reporting for the last three years on this Cyclocross Pilgrimage to the Motherland, you will have read plenty of tales of struggling, suffering, and the general beat downs of European race life. I’m not here to make excuses or polish turds. I’m here to tell it to you like it is. To keep it real. Thus I’ve written more than 30 articles bringing you along for my weekly whoopings in all their self-deprecating glory because that’s the truth. That’s the reality. That’s the story.
And now, dearest readers, I finally have a happy tale to tell. Though it feels an odd one to write, and I cringe at potentially walking the fine line of self-aggrandizing douche. But I try to consider the context. This is the first time in over 30 deadlines that I’ve managed a meaningful achievement. This too is just part of the ride. The reality. The story. And it’s the kind I might not get to write again for another three years, or for that matter, ever again…
Radar
All-City Announces the Super Professional City Bike
The newest bike from All-City is dubbed the Super Professional. It’s a flat bar, zippy bike, inspired by All-City’s ‘cross bikes but updated for urban laps. This new platform features the Master Dropout, their first-ever combination geared or single-speed sliding dropout system, the Super Professional can be converted from single-speed to geared at the turn of a few bolts. It’s available as a geared ($1599) or singlespeed ($1299) option and even a frameset ($850). Other details include a fancy fork crown, internal dropper routing, and loud paint options. The Super Professional comes geared or singlespeed. Check out detailed photos below and more information at All-City!
Reportage
Rhys’ Pioneer Valley Cowgirl Spaceship ‘Cross Bike
As it goes in the pleasant winter months in Los Angeles, we get a lot of cycling tourists, rolling through town like a tumblin’ tumbleweed. Last week, my friends Brad and Rhys were in town, soaking up the sun and riding all the dirt roads LA county has to offer. Rhys was riding on this Pioneer Valley ‘cross bike and I had to document this noble steed.
Radar
A CX Nats Video
Here’s a fun recap video from USA Cycling’s Cyclocross National Championships at Fort Steilacoom Park…
Reportage
Start Where You Are: Fundraising Through Fun Racing with Leave It On The Road
My friend Rebecca Gates once told me, “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” She quickly admitted that this piece of wisdom came from tennis legend Arthur Ashe. Since then it has been at the top of my mind. There is power in this expression “Start where you are” eliminates steps to action. “Use what you have” wrests back agency– doing this engages oneself in action while giving oneself to taking action, or “do what you can.”
Action, especially towards a greater good, is the most salient way to combat the various tentacles of existential dread, whether they are cancer, capitalism, or climate change. No matter where we turn, dread appears. Unavoidable but not unconquerable, we succumb only through inaction. Taking the first step towards action can be difficult, especially in our culture, which seems to perpetually discovering new heights of apathy. The world and our culture can feel like an incredibly heavyweight.
Radar
GCN Looks at Sammi Runnels’ UCI Squid ‘Cross Bike
Fans of Squid Bikes‘ Sammi Runnels will rejoice at the latest GCN video showcasing her professional ‘cross bike. This is one of the most unique bikes in the pro circuit, since it’s US-made and features a Spray.bike paint job. Like what you see? Follow Sammi on Instagram!
Reportage
SSCXWC 2019 St. George: Ain’t No Party Like a SSCXWC Party Because a SSCXWC Party Don’t Stop
November 23rd, 2019 brought the absurd to Santa Clara, Utah with the Single Speed Cyclocross World Championships. Less about racing, and more about chaos on a bicycle, the SSCXWC travels to a different destination every year to showcase a variety of terrain and whatever shenanigans the host city decides to throw at racers.
Radar
The 2020 Nukeproof Digger is More Dialed Than Ever!
When mountain bike brands design cyclocross or gravel bikes, you never know what you’re going to get. Some brands make controversial models, others play it safe, and while it’s not an easy task to expand into new markets, we are lucky to have such diversity within the gravel bike offerings. Nukeproof’s Digger gained a lot of attention last year and for 2020, they updated the spec on it. Now kitted with Shimano GRX, these 700c or 650b bikes look better than ever. Head to Nukeproof to see the full break-down and below for more specs and photos.
Radar
SSCXWC in Utah Video!
ENVE has pulled together quite the SSCXWCUT recap video!
“Oh, the Single Speeder. Heroic, Athletic, Stout, Bibilous, and Brave. Each year SSCXWC brings together the greatest well-rounded riders in the world to test their mettle through Feats of Strength and the most demanding cyclocross courses known to man. The red rock deserts of Southern Utah played host to this mythical event for 2019, introducing St. George to a cyclist it has only ever heard of in storybook legends.”
Hats off, team!
Radar
Speedvagen’s Design Richard Pool Discusses the New Team Single Speed ‘Cross
Richard Pool, the designer behind the newly-announced Speedvagen RMSSCX Workshop Team Edition Build, gives us a bit of background on this beautiful race machine!
Reportage
Golden Saddle Rides: Kyle’s Flat Bar Nature Boy A.C.E. SSCX
The Nature Boy first launched in 2010 as a singlespeed ‘cross machine. Its popularity grew quickly due to it being All-City’s first off-road bike. This was pre-Macho King, pre-Spacehorse, and way before the Electric Queen. Back then, in 2010, All-City was primarily in the game of making urban bikes.
This year marked a big change for the Nature Boy, launching the A.C.E. model with a few updates.
Radar
Bombtrack at the NRW Cross-Cup
Bombtrack takes us on the trip to the NRW Cross-Cup.
Radar
Light & Motion Profiles Dustin Klein
Light & Motion spends the day with artist and Cadence-founder Dustin Klein as he goes about his day-to-day routine.
Reportage
Nicest Parts In Town: Paul Component Engineering’s 30th Birthday Bash
Dearly beloved, we are gathered here to celebrate something special, the 30th anniversary of Paul Component Engineering. Paul is a close friend, and when asked to come down for the weekend, tickets were booked quickly and preparations began in good faith.