The Radavist

I’ve really enjoyed these past few #SVENNESS videos from CX Hairs, especially this one from the first UCI World Cup of the season. That descent looks like so much fun!

I’d say this is pretty uncanny, down the bike. Ben Foster is playing Lance Armstrong in the new biopic feature-length film. Personally, I’m pretty into what I’ve seen so far! See more info here.

Yep, this one’s long but if you’re into ‘cross, you should check this out for sure. Nice one CX Hairs!

Holeshot!

I had no idea this was a three-part series. If you wanted more after the first two videos, here’s your chance and it’s under 10 minutes this time!

Check out this series that Muc-Off did with Rapha Condor Sharp JLT during the Tour of Britain. It’s a bit long of a watch, but worth it. Besides, I know you’re not actually working on a Friday afternoon…

This looks like something I’d actually be into seeing. Lance’s case is one of controversy, deceit and most importantly, the tainting of our Nation’s cycling legacy. The Armstrong Lie follows Lance as he trains for his eighth Tour de France victory. Follow this documentary on Facebook.

Technically, they did cross at the of last season with the Worlds being in Kentucky. For this year, however, Manual for Speed will be covering the 2013 season in its entirety and you can head over to see their introductory first post, featuring the muddy, snowy shitshow that was the UCI Worlds.

See more at Manual for Speed.

Best of luck to everyone racing this weekend!

This man (no, not Smokey) races a segway in the latest recon from Manual for Speed’s coverage of the US Pro Challenge. Who wins? You’ll have to head to Manual for Speed to find out!

While we’re on the subject, since writing this draft, MFS has posted up Stage 04. Those guys are fast!

What the fuck is going on here?! This is pro cycling coverage? Sign me up! Oh, yeah, you already knew Manual for Speed is covering the US Pro Challenge.

Check out Manual for Speed’s coverage from the USPC Stage 02 here!

This is why I love Manual for Speed!

“At 10:01 a.m. inline behind us at the Snowmass Village Starbucks we met the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Podium Girls: Candice Wurster and Courtney James.1 Courtney from Los Angeles, California drank an Iced Doppio With Half-&-Half and Candice from Fort Collins, Colorado drank an Iced Venti Unsweetened Passion Tea.

“We’re having a blast! We work with an agency called Umbrella Girls USA and we were selected by Medalist. We’ve done NASCAR, Moto GP, NHRA, Motocross and a lot of cycling events. We feel like we’ve made it now because this Medalist and USA PRO CHALLENGE event is the biggest event we’ve done so far. We haven’t done any weird jobs but we’ve met some weird people. Do we know about Peter Sagan? Yes! And yes we saw that picture and we know what he did. We would not let it happen to us though, we’d be like, “No way!” [At this point MFS interjects: “But he’s really fast, and he is a sprinter!” And then we all start laughing and pretending to dodge unsolicited Ass Grabs.]”

“We don’t think he’s ever going to do it again though.”

See more at Manual for Speed!

Nelson Vails has been receiving a good amount of media coverage over the past few months and now, this Indigogo Campaign has launched to fund a documentary about the track racer. Here’s the trailer for Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story.

“Nelson Vails’ story is a triumph over almost insurmountable odds. Nelson was the youngest of 10 children growing up in the Harlem projects and worked as a New York City bicycle messenger to support his family. Nicknamed “The Cheetah” because he was the fastest cat in the jungle, Nelson rode furiously while working, trained in Central Park after work and raced locally on weekends.

He was thrust on to the world stage, represented the USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won the silver medal in the individual 1000-meter Match Sprints, behind countryman Mark Gorski. Becoming a pioneer for the African-American cycling community, this documentary explores the beginnings of his life in Harlem and his impact on the future generation of cyclists worldwide.

It follows the triumph of Nelson’s achievements with the sobering reality of what becomes of athletes after retirement. We see Nelson’s resurgence today as an advocate for recreational cycling and as a role model for the African-American community, culminating in a reunion with teammate and opponent Mark Gorski, as they revisit the site of their historical race.

In the end, Nelson’s story is simply about a kid whose love for the bicycle led him to transcend racial and economic barriers to becoming a legacy.”

See more here.

Photos by Emily Maye

One of my favorite photographers, Emily Maye just uploaded a select from shots from the 2013 Tour. I really think these are some of her best yet from the world of professional cycling. Check out more here!

Photos by Emiliano Granado

Manual for Speed continues their documentation of American cycling with a race report from the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic, through awesome photos and some words by Ben Chaddock. See the full report and more of Emi’s great photos at Manual for Speed.

“We’re gonna go race bikes for 120 miles and we’re gonna go up a wall and people are gonna yell. It’ll be good. There’s no point waxing poetics about it.”

Manual for Speed takes a look at Dan Chabanov’s first Philly Pro Race in a very informal piece, written by, you guessed it: Dan himself. I love MFS’ unique approach to cycling journalism, if for only pulling quotes like this:

“That’s kind of a stupidly large statement, but it’s true, and here I am. And I don’t care that it’s not the same promoter, and its a different Philly race and its a different course—that doesn’t fucking matter. It’s a pro bike race, it’s going up the Manayunk wall, it’s fucking Philly. For all intents and purposes, if it walks like Philly, if it smells like Philly, if it goes up the Wall, it’s Philly.”

Check out more Phillyness from the mouth of Dan at Manual for Speed.

Cycling truly is, not just another sport.

10 years ago, Dave Watson attempted to hit a road gap over the Tour de France but ate it after landing. This year, Romain Marandet nailed it. Perfectly timed over Froome, the winner of the 100th Tour.

… and this video of Jensie makes me want to catch up. No spoilers in the comments please!

Year after year, a graphic designer named Jerome Daksiewicz sells amazing Tour de France infographics and this year’s poster commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Tour. Check out more information at NOMO Shop.