Thursday, December 31, 2009
Christian Vande Velde Autograph No. 2
At the TDF we waited hours and hours for the race to arrive. From the first tour vehicle, to the publicity caravan and then finally the riders, the wait is punctuated with an eye towards the sky. The tour helicopter signals things are right around the corner. Indeed it is the moment when you start to get genuinely excited to find out what is going on. Though there are satellite TVs amongst the crowds rumor is rife on the Tour. Indeed, for 24hrs we thought George Hincapie had the yellow Jersey, and we even saw homemade signs stating such.On Tuesday Christian Vande Velde addressed controversy of whether Garmin or even Astana chased down George Hincapie, preventing him from taking the yellow jersey. He even chuckled/grimaced and acknowledged that the question is becoming some what ubiquitous at these events. For the record, Christian said Garmin was just following orders to get to the front and that the orders did not convey any urgency against George. When Matt White (DS for Garmin) told the team to get to the front he did, no questions. In the end he said George Hincapie is a close friend and even stood at his wedding. Down the road off the bike he said that friendship is what will be on his mind, not the 09 Tour.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Christian Vande Velde Autograph No. 1
Last night at the Garmin store Tour de France rider and Chicago local, Christian Vande Velde, signed one our photographs that we took while watching the race on Mt. Ventoux. One of the more interesting answers that Christian gave during his Q & A was that has the Tour goes on it gets harder to get a good night sleep. He stated that sometimes you would be lucky to get 6 or 7 hours of sleep due to a crash or just the physical pain and exhaustion their body has endured. Just rolling over on a sore body is enough to wake you up.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Riders of the Year
When I first rode with Todd Hero I thought he looked pretty strong, but looks can be deceiving. I can only speak for myself but I was never put under pressure. Come to think of it I do not recall him taking a pull either. And I believe it was after his first loop that Todd sat in the car cramping up for the drive back into the city and a source tells me that Todd actually shed a tear or two.
At the most recent Double Loop (AKA Prairie Roubaix), Todd Hero was suffering from a cold and appeared weak. You’ll recall from a couple of sentences ago about looks and how they can deceive. They did it again. Todd was stronger than he looked. Indeed, he proved to be so strong that some other strong riders from the vaunted Half-Acre cycling team invited him to join. Congratulations Todd!
Isaiah Hero is co-rider of the year. I believe I only rode with Isaiah on the occasion of the Double Loop, so much of my knowledge is anecdotal or made up. Isaiah is a celebrated marathoner and only started riding last year. Poor sap rides a Redline cross bike. I think it is made of some archaic material such as iron or steel. But he rides that bike faster than some of us ride light-weight carbon fiber European bikes. He’s been known to ride close - close enough to bump bars, but is that his fault or due to a lack of skill on the other rider’s part? Am I mistaken or did I hear that Isaiah pipped his mate Zach on the line to win the spring double loop? A move worthy of Bernard Hinault, and there is nothing wrong with that. As the Badger would say, “He has a head, two arms, two legs, just as I.” Cheers Isaiah!
Selle San Marco Rolls
This saddle is up on the auction block as well. I adjusted too well to the regal and everytime I rode the rolls I wished I was on the regal. The gold trim as represented in black and white is a nice touch. When I think of a bike saddle this is what I think of. It was the saddle of choice for a generation and the great Andrea Tafi won Roubaix and Flanders sitting on one.
Monday, December 28, 2009
A Visit with Christian Vande Velde
View of Q & A without Christian Vande Velde$20 in beer at Publican, $7 Cab Ride to the Magnificent Mile, Showing up to Christian Vande Velde's autograph signing at Garmin a day early, Priceless.
Thomson Seatpost
This might be the best deal on the market. I picked it up for $89 new. Near 150 grams. I just listed all of my carbon seatposts on ebay. American made from a solid block of aluminum. A 3T Carbon LTD seatpost cost about $180 near the same weight.Thomson Copy:
Over double the fatigue life of any other production models we tested. The tube and head of the Thomson seatpost are integral-machined from one single piece of high strength 7000 series aluminum. The head is not pressed or bonded in. This allows for superior strength and minimum weight, allowing higher strength at low weights.
I noticed on the gallery portion of LH Thomson site this photograph, no doubt illustrating the strength of said seatpost. Though visually blunt it gives me alot of confidence in the product.
Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello to Eddy Merckx
When Jonathan and I reentered cycling about seven years ago it was due to a breakup that was caused by location not interest. I went to Chicago and he went to Boston. In Graduate school we made art and though we rode whatever was around in our respective cities it was folly to be obsessed with Mtn Bikes in Chicago/Boston and we did not even venture a wish for some old Merckx frame or a Serotta built 7/11 bike due to the fact that we were always broke.
So now seven years later I have decided that if I buy one more bike related thing I needed to get rid of all the excess bike related things I have acquired. The decision is financial and practical. I have no room in my conscience, my wallet or in my studio for any additions without sacrifice. So I am saying goodbye in general to alot of things (not all cycling) so I can breathe a little. So I am saying hello to a new frame in a few days but goodbye to a whole lot more. I am glad I took this picture, especially the one on top. I can remember how beautiful a pantographed Eddy Merckx 3ttt stem was and is. Thing was too long anyway.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
2009 Tenspeedies: Best Track Stand and Most Likely to Not Attack the Weak
Patrick Hero has a few qualities that could have won him several awards. He will ride in the wind for hours, he never attacks the weaker riders after a long day and his hair is so perfect it might be fake. I found this photo of him doing a track stand on our movie day and I thought he it was a good impression of him from the slipstream view. The boy never moves. Only his legs. Of course Patrick also wins the award for his multiloquent manner of all things Post-Structuralist, Look Bicycles, and his favorite breakfast sandwhich at Wishbone.
2009 Tenspeedies: Most Combative
When it comes to attacking and chasing, the man with the Look KG 381 can do it all. Of course to be a great chaser means at some point you have to be good at getting dropped but then such is the price we pay for our Tenspeedies. Ben Hero is the one guy who will chase til he gets off the bike. When I lose my motivation in the achtevolger group is when Ben gains his.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
conversations
Jen : What?
Luke Hero : Hincapie jeans.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Curt Schilling or Lance Armstrong with 50 extra Pounds
Does anyone else think Lance Armstrong looks like Curt Schilling with maybe 50 extra pounds.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Blood Sweat and Gears-Team Slipstream
We need to Netflix this film. I am not sure if I want to buy a film that's title plays with puns so carelessly or with the sophistication of a small town hair salon. Blood Sweat and Gears: Racing Clean to the Tour de France is tough to swallow. Though Drugs have plagued Professional Cycling and Sports in general I cannot imagine the fight against them will make for great drama. "Hey man nice podium, congrats on doing it clean!" does not sound very Epic. And then one could guess that DJ D. Millar will bust a rhyme every 20...like he did in cycling news a few dayz ago.Hired Gun for Cofidis, by David DJ Millar.
"I was a kid, ...just a teenager for most of my career. very lucky...turned pro at 19 and was already very successful at a very early age. Pimped... I totally dictated what I did when I wanted, I had no boundaries...didn't care about anything - no money, no results, bump bump bump..."
"Teams are much more responsible now - at least ours is. I don't know about other teams. I take a great deal of pride making sure the young guys aren't like I was when I was younger. I was just left - I was like a hired gun for Cofidis at a young age Yo. Gun...Hired Gun for Cofidis...
"I made a decision when I was banned; I decided if I was going to come back I had a responsibility to tell people about what happened to me, the mistakes I made, the regrets I made, the regrets, the regrets... I had," "If I was going to come back from the dark side, I was always going to have that baggage dragging behind me, behind me. been proud of what I've achieved and what I represent."
Sounded like a script to a rap song even without my additions...hmmm
Real quotes and article right here.
Film Review to come.
training time II
Trainer Time
Astronaut Charles Conrad Jr., Skylab 2 commander, during an exercise session on the bicycle ergometer in the crew quarters of the Skylab Orbital Workshop (OWS) in the Skylab 2 space station cluster in Earth orbit, 1973.Propositions for 2010: Losing is the New Winning
The Goubert article and a recent plea for Giant's quarterback Eli Manning got me thinking..... is losing the new winning? I'd like to open this up for discussion.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Look 486
If the Heroes ever get a vintage Look ride together. I am riding this masterpiece from 2005.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
Beach Heroes and Winter Training
Todd Hero
Michelle Hero
Mom HeroNote to J. Hash...
Ben Hero and Luke Hero think you should consider this as your next bike. You will be totally PRO and understated in Prospect Park.
Magpie
Although the Yellow-billed Magpie is common and conspicuous in the open oak woodlands of California, it is found nowhere else in the world.
And do you know what can also be found in California? Me. It looks like a beautiful day to ride.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Domina Zach Hero
I like to think of Zach as the Mad Max of the Heroes with his custom-home-made decals (that seem to be missing a few letters) on his custom made bike. Like myself he is not afraid to do a little gruppo mixing. Tonight I met up with ZH at Curtis Hero's new pad. After some holiday cheer I found out that Zach Hero owns this Domina Vacanze Jersey. I am not surprised as he is a resourceful bloke who could feast off the castaways of a post-apocalyptic peloton and Survive for 100,000k.At the time I said to him that all the Hero's should get full DV jersey and bib sets and scare the fine folks of Wheaton next summer but after looking at the expression on the mannequin I have realized I was wrong. We need to get the socks and arm warmers as well.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Local Hero Makes Whitney Biennial
Next time you see Curtis Mann aka Curtis Hero say congrats. He got selected to the 2010 Whitney Biennial!
