Night Training for the Double Loop

While some of the Heroes climb the Blue Mound others do what they have to.

NY Times

Vélib is in trouble.

Joe Hero Near the Blue Mounds Wisconsin

Saul to Mt. Ventoux

Jonathan and I camped in the Green Zone and climbed up to the Red Zone

A Look, A Sad Piece of Corn, and A Five Point Buck

A few friends on my first solo loop.

Black and White Ride

Last Sunday, I hitched a ride with my girlfriend on her way back to California. This is where she dropped me off; 60 miles from home on highway 95.

Down in this beautiful valley is a ranch and it is for sale. Tenspeed Ranch? Hero Ranch?

Sugar beets are more prevalent than potatoes in this part of Idaho. I rode by quite a few forlorn, watermelon-sized, sugar beets that had fallen off the beet truck.

This poor screech owl was hit by a beet while it grazed on the side of the road. Or it was hit by a car as it attempted to catch a small mammal.

Be Afraid

A Reason to Bike

A Reason to Bike from Brighter Planet on Vimeo.

gavia 88 recounted

This is required reading for all heroes given the potential weather this double loop:

http://www.hampsten.com/Bikes/ClassicRoad/5June.pdf

and checkout the pics from the rouleur article:

http://www.rouleur.cc/gavia-88

november prarie roubaix vs gavia 88

Early Crash III

Early Crash II

Early Crash I

New Colors for BMC Pro Machine

Tenspeed Hero Jeans

Just finished our first pair of Hero Jeans. Thanks to Todd Hero for modeling them!

Rapha Tenspeed Hero Jerseys

Jen Hero's Prairie Roubaix Poster on a Jersey!

Wish we had these for the Double Loop!

I think the red look sharp as well.

Vintage Prairie Path

This picture is just too good. I lifted it from the Prairie Path Website. It shows three riders near Glen Ellen. I've been talking to all the heroes and all I hear is Trainer, Early Morning Rides, Embrocation, New Bibs, New Tires etc. The race is less than two weeks and I think everyone is super-motivated. Godspeed in your training.

Summer Jersey

Jonathan Hero and I thought this was the nicest kit in France in 2009

Heroes at the Tour: Mt. Ventoux

THC was looking for us on the Mt. Ventoux. Next time look for us at sharp end of the race.

Ben Hero Makes His Move

Ride Report: Yes it was Epic. Yes it was raining. Yes please click on the picture and look at the Mud on our bikes. No we did not get an espresso from Sammy's because we got there before the shop opened. Yes we started that early and finally Yes we were disappointed not to see Sammy.

Today I thought I was going to get my first three-man solo win. Podiums I have but never a victory when there are at least three riders. In Hero land that is the minimum to feel good about yourself.

Ben Hero attacked on the straight-away leading to the three hills along the golf course. 60 yards and Matt Hero and I figured we could nail him back on the third hill. We got closer at 30 yards but not close enough. One corner and a false flat was all it took to take the lead back up to 100 yards. Pure power through a traffic light and it was all over.

When we pulled in second and third, Ben Hero was relaxing and talking to John Hero in the driveway. "Oh hey guys, you were a lot closer than I thought..." The humble Hero, nice.

Loop Notes: Matt Hero gaining strength. Toe warmers would be nice. Long sleeve base layer is needed. Race ready rain jacket, does it exist? Fingers can warm up on a long ride. Right now I cannot imagine doing the double loop. It is going to be painful if it was like today.

Saturday, October 24, 7:30am start, 42 and raining

New Wheels Part One

Campagnolo Chorus rear hub purchased from Boise Bike Project, an organization that I am a proud, spoke card carrying member of, thanks to THC and Janice HC who paid my dues as a birthday present. Now I need hoops (I believe that is the cool term for rims) spokes and one more hub.

Double Loop

More Information to Come

Words Cannot Describe the New 585

Double Loop

Double Loop Update:

Our spring's Prairie Roubaix champion and king of the mountain have both agreed to return for the November edition.

Half Acre members welcome and encouraged.

More details to follow.

More from the BMX track

THC took this sweet picture with his sweet ep1 of me going off this sweet jump.

There Will be Blood

After riding the Loop twice this weekend in sub 50 degree weather I fell asleep at 8:30 pm. My legs ache, My knee is a little sore and I think I need to take a few days to heal. In watching the Heroes prepare for Nov. 8, I started to think this Autumn Double Loop is going to hurt alot of guys, myself included. The second loop is going to take heart and something more sinister that is often found deep in the human soul that I cannot find the term for. After 6 to 7 hours on the bike, after 60 miles of crushed limestone, the only gifts a hero will find is a green light during an attack.

On the BMX Track

THC getting some air on my town bike.

Keeping my beard out of my spokes.

Hero Down

Don't Call it a Comeback

Night Heroes

Last night Ben Hero and I got a late start and headed on the Loop at 3:30. On the Fox River the darkness was already upon us.

By the time we left Sammy's Bikes the path was dark

A bat near Warrenville Road came to look at Ben's KG 381

I followed Ben Hero's wheel into the darkness, into the darkness.

Injury

Don't worry. I'll be back on the bike Wednesday.

Manuel Alvarez Bravo

Prairie Roubaix Tech

BMC Pro Machine

Selle San Marco Regal with Thomson Seatpost

Deda Campione

Ambrosio Nemesis with 25mm Continental Competitions