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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.
Here’s a fun recap video from USA Cycling’s Cyclocross National Championships at Fort Steilacoom Park…
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
Bombtrack takes us on the trip to the NRW Cross-Cup.
Light & Motion spends the day with artist and Cadence-founder Dustin Klein as he goes about his day-to-day routine.
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.
Trials rider Chris Akrigg begs the questions, is it Gravel? Is it Cyclocross, or Gravelcross?
This just in from the Mountain Bikers of Santa Cruz:
“Big things are happening with Surf City CX this year. With MBOSC coming on to manage the race, the 2019 event is shaping up to be one nobody will soon forget. The race will be held at a brand new venue right here on the Westside of Santa Cruz at Antonelli Pond! The best part about this venue is that it’s easy access from anywhere in Santa Cruz, so we expect this to be a great community event. With a FREE Kids Race, Costume Race, food trucks, live music, and a beer garden, there is a lot of fun to be had for the whole family. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclocross pro or racing for the first time, this will be a race to remember. Claim your spot to race at this brand new venue and register NOW!”
Surf City Cyclocross Race
Sunday, October 27
Antonelli Pond, Westside of Santa Cruz
Our friends down in Fairfield, Australia at Bastion Cycles pulled together a real treat for us. This “Fall Forest” themed Crossroad frame has been hand-painted to resemble an autumn forest, filled with leaves, flashing colors across the carbon and titanium frame. Read on for all the details and photos below.
There’s no denying the popularity of the All-City Macho King and Nature Boy. These two bikes have been staples in the brand’s catalog since their conception and it’s been a while since we’ve seen any substantial updates on these two models. Well, today All-City announced just that.
The new models now utilize their A.C.E. – air-hardened, custom-designed, extruded steel tubing – and Columbus ‘cross forks. The Nature Boy has a new dropout design too. The chain tension is now adjusted with an eccentric bb, versus a horizontal track end.
Both models come with new splatter paint jobs, with the Nature Boy’s mimicking the All-City Fulton Racing colors. Both bikes are due to hit dealers in October, just in time for ‘cross season. Holler at your shop and see what stock they’ll be receiving. MSRP for the Nature Boy complete is $1,999 and frameset $1,299. The Macho King MSRP complete is $2,399 and $1,299 for a frameset.
Three years ago, at the start of the 2016 ‘cross season, Santa Cruz and MASH SF teamed up to create what is, in my opinion, the most recognizable Stigmata frameset of all time. There have been other team builds, other rad bikes, but this is the one everyone remembers. And yet, there were only 12 of these frames available to the public and less than 20 including the team frames!
The Bay Area in Northern California is well known to be the reservoir for good times and burly riders. Back in June, the Oakland Tracklocross National Championship took place – where racers would battle out for the first Tracklocross World Championship Title. Racers and spectators came from all over California, as well as participants from Chicago and Florida. The atmosphere took shape once everyone converged at the bottom of a hill. Everyone had to ride up a mile or so to commence the hike a bike. Poison oak surrounded the area, deep rutted and broken up dirt roads gave participants a sneak peek in what the course would entail.
