More anthropological studies in cycling videos! Great shots in the new Deux North video.
#rides
tag
Radar
Keeping Cross Bikes Weird
After finally slowing down, and slipping into my routine back home, I got bombarded with out of town company. Austin’s a city that fairs well with guests. Typically, all I have to do is take my friends to my local spots and they have a blast.
Unlike previous trips, I rode around without a camera, but as the saying goes: the best camera is the one you have on you. Here are two iPhone photos from this past week that embodies how I like to ride my cross bike in Austin.
Radar
I Just Got Home and I Already Miss It
Photo by Andy White
… Literally. Just walked in the door after 24+ hours of traveling and all I can think is how for the first time all year, I finally felt like this last trip to Australia was truly a vacation. I rode four times total, aside from pedaling around town each day, ate without guilt, drank without worry, my camera barely left my bag, I shot maybe half a roll of 35mm film and we didn’t do one of those big big rides. Oh and I ate a lot of meat pies.
It’s weird how a place across the globe can feel like home, and in a lot of ways, can make travel there somewhat lazy. The weather was shit 95% of the days, cold, windy, rainy. We had two sunny days, luckily, both of which were spent on good rides. I just felt, kind of like doing nothing. This year’s been really tough and before you chastise me with some “boo hoo, I have to travel all the time and ride my bike” remark, trust me, it gets exhausting!
Luckily, I’ve got some good friends down in Melbourne and I was perfectly content keeping Dan and Malachi company all day. Maybe it’s the jetlag talking but this trip down under was a sobering one and yet, I kinda wanna go back once it warms up…
Radar
Brenton Salo: Foggy Rides Full Glasses
Photos by Brenton Salo
Looking at these two photos really make me miss the seasons and the Pacific Northwest, especially Portland. It was around this time last year that I rode in Mt. Hood National Forest with Ben from Argonaut cycles. Those are some of my favorite photos from last year and here, Brenton nails the same mood. Nice shots man!
Radar
Yonder Journal: Brovet 02
Bonking. Everybody bonks bro. We’ve all been there and if you haven’t, then you’re not challenging yourself. Not that I’m proud of myself, or particularly happy to have dealt with the year or so of heckling from co-riders on this Brovet, but hey, that’s life.
After almost a year to date, Yonder Journal just posted the Guide to Brovet 02 and it’s a great read. Not to mention the great photos! Also, if you’ve ever wanted to read someone really dig into my failed efforts, don’t miss it.
See the full Guide for Brovet 02 at Yonder Journal and have a laugh.
P.S. I look hella fat in these photos!
Reportage
Smith’s Gully Trail Session
Since the first time riding in the ‘wood here in Australia, I’ve always wanted to shred some MTBs. Problem is, it’s usually a pain in the ass digging up a bike, or there’s just not enough time to spend fucking around on the tracks and trails.
This go ’round, I’ve been taking it easy, so when a Sunday afternoon opened up, we were able to find the time for plenty of fucking around. But what about a bike? Luckily for me, Andy set me up with Tim at My Mountain, a shop in Melbourne specializing in bicycles designed for dirt riding: i.e. a MTB shop.
So, I had a bike (which I’ll be doing a bit of a write-up on at a later date), I had a guide (or three) and plenty of time. Andy knew of some mates who loved to ride Smith’s Gully, a “local’s only” trail system. He wouldn’t tell me where it was, or let me use my Garmin, he just tossed me into his van and about 30 minutes later, I was in a parking lot putting on my kit and nursing a hangover from getting “trollied” the night before.
The four of us all gave each other’s bikes the once over (only to know what to look for in case one of us crashed into the bush) and took off for the trails. Now, let me apologize in advanced, these photos didn’t quite fit into the product reviews I’m in the process of writing, they’re merely left-overs that were too rad to just pitch. Especially this one of Barnie getting rad…
See a few more in the Gallery!
Radar
FYXO: The Ride of the Year
Photos by Andy White
Look, I don’t deal well with foul weather. Not anymore, anyway. The years of living in NYC have dwindled away as far as my body is concerned. Now, I’ve adapted to desert life in Texas. So when spring rains come, the trees are blooming and it’s grey outside, I succumb to all kinds of allergies and moody blues.
Maybe that’s why when Andy from FYXO mentioned doing 160k today in the rainy, muddy hills of Kinglake, I opted out for a shorter, more manageable ride. Or maybe, as destiny would have it, I’d be content with 100k. For whatever reason, my “man cold” was a perfect excuse to opt out of one of Fyxo’s fabled tough rides.
We began heading out to the familiar hillside, before approaching what I’m calling “cuntbuster”, or in the native tongue “Pine Ridge Road”. The first hundred meters or so was totally rideable, but we scaled 300 meters in elevation in just under 3k (1,200′ in 1.2 miles). Basically, we hiked up the 30+ degree, rutted, nasty “road”.
At the top, we quickly descended into a glorious stretch of gravel aptly named Watson’s Rd, got lost and then saw a very rare site…
From there, the ride became an animal rescue mission. Head over to FYXO for the full scoop on how we saved a rare Wedgetail Eagle and check out numbers and such on my Strava.
Radar
Deux North: Hunt 3 Trailer
It’s been over a year since Deux North took us on a journey. Here’s their latest:
“Deux North, a cycling brand started by brothers James and Dylan Nord, is out to tell a different kind of story. Using primarily short documentary films these stories aren’t just about racing or riding your bike; they are about the passion behind the obsession, the freedom felt while riding, and the things we learn about ourselves and others in the saddle. It’s the kind of story you have to go out and create, or in their words, hunt.
This is the trailer for Hunt 3, a third in a series of ten trips around the world that involve beautiful roads, fast bikes, surprising people, and a natural setting that’s quite different from the brand’s home in New York City. This particular trip took a group of 5 riders, or hunters, to upstate New York. Setting up camp outside of the small town of Boonville, they split time documenting the local lumberjack competition and hundreds of miles of gorgeous riding.”
I gotta say, I’m pretty stoked on seeing more from Boonville!
Radar
I’m Down Under and the New FYXO is Up!
Photos by Andy White
I landed in ‘Straya and am not as jetlagged as I thought I’d be. While I figure out why the toilet bowl isn’t flushing correctly (what gives?) and what the hell a “long black” is, you should check out the newest from Fyxo!
Andy from Fyxo has been working with my good friend and site developer Jon on his latest and greatest web presence: FYXO.co… The new site already looks great and what better way to spend your boss’ billable hours than dicking around on the internet.
Visit the new FYXO and check out FYXO’s Mt Wilson Ride!
Radar
Speedvagen Family Racing California Vacation
Man. I wish I could be in Cali for this event. The Speedvagen Family will be in SF and LA. There’s so much going on that it’s best if you just head to the Speedbloggen to see the details!
Radar
Norge Roadtrip Dalsnibba Descent
Warning: mute this player and turn on your own music.
Doesn’t this look fun?
Reportage
#LASucksForCycling
LA has a bad rep for cycling. Just the other day I got in a debate with someone at a bar because they literally said “LA sucks for cycling”. I laughed, thinking they were referring to the hashtag (right?), only to find a solid 10 minute debate followed. Basically, any city is what you make of it. It’s your attitude and approach that changes your outlook.
I went through so much film during my last stay in Los Angeles and that’s probably because we rode every single day. Some of the rides I had done before, but having Andy along brought a new perspective. We rode mostly cross bikes and even the “road rides” had a fair amount of dirt thrown in.
Here’s a collection of a few rides, in a playful Photoset. See more in the Gallery!
Tools of the trade:
Yashica T4 / Fuji Pro400H
Radar
Recent Roll: Ride Til Death
Hopefully, “til death” is a ways away for you but here’s a friendly reminder to get out this weekend and ride!
Reportage
Topanga Trail Ripping
For some self-deprecating reason, we decided to go ride mountain bikes in Topanga, the day after we climbed Mt. Gleason. Nothing like getting out of bed at the crack of dawn the morning after a 100 mile, 10,000′ ride. Was it worth it? Hell yes.
Topanga Creek Bicycles supplied Andy and me with rentals and Sean from Team Dream Bicycling Team was our guide. On the agenda for the day: Backbone, J-Drop, Sullivan, Snake Stick, Squirrel Cage and other trails, but first, we’d start the day climbing all of Cheney into the trail system.
Basically, we had a cold start and climbed around 1,200′ in two miles. It sucked and the climbing didn’t stop there, because to go down, first you must go up. We totaled our day with 30 miles and 4,500′. The only thing that kept me from cracking at the end of the ride was the delicious banana bread the guys at Topanga Creek Bicycles had cooked up!
See more in the Gallery!
Tools of the trade:
Yashica T4
Neopan 400
Reportage
Locals Only Ride in Los Angeles
Locals Only isn’t about exclusivity when used in this context, because truth be told, each time I’ve been on this ride, there are usually more out of towners than locals. It’s more of a way that Kyle and Ty like to throw visitors into the proverbial fire. The first time I did this ride, it was at night, in the rain, during goat head season and with no lights. It sucked. This time, it was rad. I won’t post the route (locals only, breh), but we did about 25 miles and 3,000′.
Check out more in the Gallery!
Radar
L’Eroica: Da Milano al Chianti
Man, I seriously envy that @FYXO is at L’eroica again this year!
Radar
The 2013 PiNP Calendar: October
This is the tenth layout of the 2013 PiNP Calendar, entitled “Sunset on Mt Lowe”. The camera, lens used and location are noted on the bottom left of the document.
What better way to end the day in Los Angeles than an HC climb up a frontage road to watch the sun set over the mountains? Mt. Lowe is no joke, especially on a cross bike, as we all found out. While we missed the sunset at the top of Mt. Wilson, we were able to soak in its last remaining rays as our legs burned…
Right Click and Save Link As – 2013 PiNP Calendar: October
Reportage
Mt Gleason is Tough!
Like many cyclists who have spent time in the Angeles Forest, I know that the roads and ranges can be very unforgiving, especially during the hottest time of the year. Over the years, I’ve been up a number of the area’s HC climbs and every time, I’m reminded of the massive undertaking a 100 mile ride is in these parts.
Mt. Gleason is no exception. In fact, I’d argue it’s harder than Cloud Burst and Baldy. The difficulty lies in the shear steepness of the climbs and the full exposure from the sun. If you’re going to go, go early! Had it not been for the two fire stations and the spigots, we all would have cracked…
Our ride began heading out with the sunrise, en route to Big T. From there, we spiked off up this little prick of a peak known as Mt. Gleason. Come mile 50, we’d already hit over 8,000′ in elevation. We climbed for 30 miles straight, got to the top and then had to climb out of Clear Creek. If you’re familiar with that area, you know what kind of an undertaking that is.
Totals for the day were 100 miles and 10,000′. Nice and even. If you feel so inclined, here’s our route.
One of the main reasons for taking on this ride is the exceptional views over the fire-torn mountain tops. It’s truly breathtaking. See more in the Gallery!
Tools of the trade:
Yashica T4
Fuji Pro400H
