Heroes at Barry Roubaix

35 Miles 80% Dirt

Things I Heard Zach Say at the Panini Party

"And then you come upon the three foot ladder coming out of the ground, It's scary! girls cry."

"Oh Man I will take you there."

"I will sell it to you for what I paid for it"

"It's a good place to make-out"

"Its romantic with the tomb rising up, you can take girls there, watch out for the broken glass"

Hatchbacks and Roof Racks

The utility of a hatchback and station wagons is only matched by that of pickup trucks or a Mercedes Benz Unimog (with machineguns, natch). Many of the Ten Speed HEROES are fans of hatchbacks and wagons: Luke drives some Bavarian Thunder; Isaiah, a stallion bred in the shadows of Mt. Fuji; Zach a turbocharged Swedish rocket.



These machines excel at ferrying HEROES to the far reaches of this planet in search of deserted roads and steep climbs. Room for all on supple heated leather seats, a roof rack with room for brazed steel and handlaid carbon.

Marvel, if you will.

PODIUM PICKS: Roubaix and Flanders

Now is the time for the Annual Tenspeed Hero Podium Pick contest. Send in your top three for Flanders in Roubaix on this page. Winner wins a bottle of La Chouffe and a Leadout from Todd Hero!

Today in Belgium-Ghent-Wevelgem

Today in Belgium

Tenspeed Hero Wins!

It began last Tuesday evening when Todd Hero got his first taste of criterium racing, in a mixed field of Category 4's and 5's. There to usher him along in the pack were Spring Double Loop winner Isaiah Jay and myself, a handsome group. Tuesday's race started fast and found itself full of scripted "attacks" from other teams that out numbered our Half Acre contingency. Having spent many hundreds of miles in the saddle, side-by-side, compatriot Isaiah Hero and I were sure to stick together, jumping at the peddles to immediately neutralize each and every attempt to split the field. The attempts came lap after lap. And lap after lap, Todd Hero held on to roulette wheel of crit racing, much to our excitement and approval. It was in the closing laps that together, the three of us made our jointed efforts to gain positions at the front in preparation for the sprint finish. "C'mon Patrick!" And there we were, in good position, in the final lap of a fairly speedy race. As the pace heated up and the scrum tossed us about, Isaiah and I found ourselves pinched against the inside curb of the back stretch behind a pair not ready to put it down just yet. Its then that I looked right to gage what potential we had of moving right for the final high speed sweeper. There he was, in his first crit, the Hero's very own God of Thunder speeding away from the field on his shiny white pony attacking. The move was bold, brash, and quite wonderful but as any racer must learn: to throw blood in the water is to incite the frenzy and you just might get swallowed up. We finished all three, as together as any team might in such a feverish ending with most respectable positions in the field, just shy of the top ten.

By Wednesday we had acknowledged our great teamwork, but consulted to better prepare each other for another sprint finish amongst an unsplintered group. We worked very well together in a fast race, often two to three abreast always near the front or even off the front. Isaiah payed great respect on Half Acre's behalf by pulling the field for a lap. We raced respectfully and efficiently and I felt really good going into the last lap. With Isaiah at my wing I launched a fanciful flyer to better stretch out the front, putting Isaiah in great position for his strong eighth place finish.

The riders in Friday night's race were not at their best, half-wheeling and swerving throughout. Todd and I had decided to focus on efficiency for the race and quickly realized that safety would become priority. Few in the small field other than Tati were interested in doing any work at the front of what was mostly a terribly slow race. Just a couple of laps in, sitting in, Todd and I had the same notion of moving up and off the front. Todd wanted to, I wanted to but I suggested we stick with the plan at least until later in the race. Its hard to argue, considering the race's outcome what plan may have been best. As a result of our decision we found ourselves a few laps later rolling down the straight, still just sitting in when just two wheels ahead of mine, a crash. Fortunately, I'd been monitoring very closely the dreadful bike handling skills of those in front of me and had saw it coming. I barely avoided it. They went down right beside me as I swerved hard left. Others got caught up in the mess from behind and braking, I could see the wheel that had been just off mine cartwheeling in slow motion. It was Todd. I caught up the field looking back in concern. Todd jumped up, wrenched his displaced bars "BMX style" shouting out his need to catch the field. Fortunately the USA Cycling official told him to relax and suggested he take his one lap provided for him by the rules. At our return on the following lap he was there at the ready, jumping back on and swinging right up beside me. He said he was okay and that his bars were now, "a little more aero." Good. We ventured on through the last laps, bringing along Half Acre's Adrian who showed his stuff by the end. Exiting turn one on the final lap, Adrian made a move from the back, to the front and beyond. He pushed a big gear and stretched out the group in such a way that put me in third wheel, pushing hard with Todd tucked in behind. "C'mon Patrick!" I could tell he was ready. Todd's always ready but he had it. This was it—exactly what we'd been planning on all week. I pushed and pushed and way before the last corner, the high speed sweeper Todd jumped up from the saddle and really put it down, Hero style.

Todd Hero won his first USA Cycling Race, the last race of the week's five night Gaper's Block/Half Acre Cycling criterium series. A sprint finish, Todd Hero played his cards well, managing to put in one the most powerful finishes of the week as Half Acre's Stanley Sterlinksy shouted at the line, "A Hero wins!" Some say that summer races are won in the winter (training). Todd Hero has proven that so too races can be won in the fall and spring. Last fall's Double Loop winner, Daddy Cool went headstrong into his first week of USA Cycling sanctioned racing knowing he had the full support and confidence of Tenspeed Hero's esteemed Commonwealth. We all had heard from Todd throughout the week, "I'm gonna win."

Todd, on behalf of Hero Nation, congratulations.

A motion to vote on Todd's new requisite hairstyle:

Brochard

Boonen

Haussler

Keisse

Jon Hero

you guys...

something happened tonight. sister is scared.

Two Looks

Here I am lifting two Look 585s, one belonging to Todd HERO, the other Patrick HERO. It's not much of a workout to lift two 15 lb bicycles up in the air, but when you're as ripped as I am, nothing's too hard to lift.

Photo by Amy Dykema. From here.

Gapers Block Crits

©Amy Dykema

2009

Autumn 2009

Bikes of the Half-Acre Crits

Mia

Todd and Patrick

Mia, Sean, Isaiah, Patrick and Todd

Tonight Ben Hero and I drove down to watch the Half-Acre Cycling Team test their winter training in a series of crits at 95th street and the Lakefront. It was cold but not too cold. There was large field of women and men Cat 4 and 5 racers looking friendly and happy to be out of their winter apartments. Let the racing and beer drinking begin!

The night also heralded the first number pinning on Todd Hero who was racing his first crit. As longtime Tenspeed Hero readers know, Todd Hero won the Autumn Double Loop. In the post race BBQ you would have thought that Johan Bruyneel and Patrick Lefevre were there to sign a
young Tom Boonen. Such is the price for glory. Pictured above is Patrick Hero helping the young Cat5 with cautiously placed pins in cold weather.

We also ran into Sean Half Acre who joined us for a Whisky & Track Stand & the Road to Roubaix Party during the winter. I am thinking with that beard he needs to join the Heroes out on the path. I also think we need to have another party soon.

As the women's race started I saw this beautiful green Eddy Merckx. Like a Facebook stalker I paparazzied my way to the start line and took a few pictures. Classy alloy campagnolo parts with DT Swiss-Campy Hubbed wheels. I also noticed the Pirate socks.

Little did I know at the time that the owner of the green Merckx is Mia formerly a Half Acre rider that now rides with Triple X or XXX. Besides liking Eddy Merckx bikes and wearing similar eye glasses as yours truly she is also part of a Non-Profit bike shop on Division Street called Ciclo Urbana. We have heard good things about her and the shop. I think this spring I am going to have to drop by the shop and donate a Shimano 105 rear brake thats been rolling around in my tool box to support the cause.

RACE NOTES: Mia got fifth barely missing the podium and was in the front the entire race. The half-acre boys got their TV time in with Isaiah and Patrick holding a strong position. Daddy Cool Todd Hero got in the top 15 and news from the riders said he did his best to stretch the elastic on the last lap. Congratulations

Look 585 and Time Edge RS Translink

Several months ago Todd Hero christened his new bike with a solo Loop. It was a Hero-Worthy move. Patrick and I did not go solo but it was great to be out there with our new rides. We talked about espresso at Sammy's, the condition of the trails, upcoming races, podium picks for Roubaix and Flanders, breakaways, Conti tires, chains, basically all the important stuff.

Sammy's New and Old Ride

We visited Sammy's Bikes today on our first Loop of 2010. The Garage Door was open and Sammy graciously let us take out his New Colnago EPS for a Tenspeed Hero Review.

As you can see: Campagnolo Super Record 11 with Bora Ultra Two's.

We especially loved the painted seatpost with that trademark Sammy carbon saddle

A close-up of the seat stays with the Bora Wheels and Super Record Brakes.

For the Record, Sammy still has the yellow Audi. He had a little bumper to bumper incident recently and if you look real close you can just barely make out the minor indentation. After hanging out in the sun for a few minutes we were on our way back to Villa Park and then to the City. Before we left I asked Sammy if we could take him out to dinner in Chicago sometime. He said he would love to see the boys. So keep your calendars open because we are going to have a Sammy Dinner sometime this spring so we can hear some stories of his life running a great bike shop and stories of being Racer in Europe.

First Loop of 2010

Patrick and I did the first Loop of the season. I tested my legs and he tested his 585.

New Kicks and Old Shoe Laces

Isaiah Hero and I went out to watch Patrick test ride his new Look 585. He picked up this beauty on Ebay last week and then built it up with his existing Ultegra from his Look 555. Lets just say he is fast. I mean real fast. Tomorrow we are going to test it on the Prairie Path and grab an espresso with Sammy. Should be a great day.

The First Weekend in April

Todd Hero has marked his calendar for a Blue Mounds Ride the weekend before Hillsboro Roubaix. If we rode the Blue Mounds on Saturday, April 3rd, then we could follow it up on Sunday, April 4th with a Loop after we watch the Tour of Flanders in John Beeman's basement. If you are interested send us a note.

The Mounds and the Foxriverberg are calling.
110+ miles of dirt and climbing

Podium Picks Early Warning

Tenspeed Hero Podium Picks Contest for Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix are around the corner (1st Sunday and 2nd Sunday in April). Ghent-Wevelgem is next Sunday so look for all the favorites to show themselves. Pick the top three in each race. Prize to be determined

Joy Division

Milan San Remo

Just in case you wanted to be like Oscar Freire after he won Milan San Remo today. This is how you should carry your pump on training rides.

Color Temperature With Stephen Hero and Then Lunch

Yellow

Cyan

Green

Neutral

Theme song number 2

10SH Get Snowjobbed

Some Ten Speed Heroes went this week to the hippie town of Asheville, North Carolina for a training camp/liver abuse session in the mountains. The climbing was spectacular, the descents thrilling, and the Yuengling and Genesee flowed like water coursing from a swollen creek in the spring.

Kevin Hero was king of the descents. No man could match his daring and speed when the road tilted down. Zach Hero was a man for the climb, his rhythm on the ascent only matched by such luminary cyclists as Coppi and Pantani.

As can be seen above, snow stopped the party on its way to the pinnacle of Mt. Mitchell. More photos of the Heroes in action can be seen here.

Time Edge RS-Translink

Time Edge RS-Translink with Mixed Campagnolo 11-speed Gruppo.

what? part 2.

This was going to be simply a post about how Luke and I went running this morning, but then something strange happened. This, coupled with the previous post about Luke's recent cycling habits, I believe may be cause for concern.

After Luke and I ran a mile, he went home while I continued on. Imagine my surprise when I returned to find this.

Yes, that is the worlds creepiest mustache. What is going on here? Is it the running? Is it the new Time? Perhaps a product of the recumbent riding, beer drinking crew he's been hanging with as of late? Heroes Help!

what?

The Story of This Eddy Merckx

I bought this Team SC about 5 years ago off a guy in Ireland for $350. I rode it for 2-3 years and then sold the Frame and some odd parts to Ben Hero for $350. Ben kept it on his mantle over his fireplace for about a year and half, mostly as ode to Eddy for winter trainer motivation. It also kept him company when on the rare occasion he came home from the Rainbo Room sans Girl,

"Hey Ben! Hey Eddy. Just You and Me Tonight?.....................Just You and Me Bike Frame..... Just You and Me."

Anyway, Ben sold the frame to Ken Fandell (Soon To Be Hero) and I sold some more odd parts to make a pretty cool first road bike. Ken is making some of the Heroes run a 5k this spring as we have pretty much peer pressured him to ride with us. It is a worthy trade off.

Note: Those Campy Hyperons are just for the photo. We had to go budget to make this work for Ken. He will be sprinting on some very servicable Askiums. Go Ken Go!

Low Altitude Training

Recently I went to Death Valley for some Low Altitude Training at 282 feet below sea level. At this elevation the only remedy for a workout is Beer as in Bud. Notice all the salt near my feet. Epic.

Todd & Patrick hero