Education.

Patina; A change in appearance produced by long-standing behavior, practice, or use.

I like the sound of that.

Using possessions without fear of them aging, sounds like the best way to get value for money in my book.

Winning solo.

One day Classics are so much better than stage races, rider's tend to put everything on the line because there isn't a tomorrow.

Latest website to blow my mind. www.manualforspeed.com

Another imaginary bike;
2009 Look 586 Proteam frame and forks.
Decked out in Shimano Ultegra Di2 or Campagnolo Super Record 11.
Either way with gold Hope hubs with black H Plus Son SL42 rims and silver Phil Wood spokes.
3T bars, stem and post topped with a black SLR.

This one is definitely never going to see the light of day, seeing as even though the frame is reduced at one of our suppliers it still costs more trade than my cross bike did at full retail.

Finally found a tiny but amazingly fun stretch of singletrack right next to where I live. Blasted through it a few times on the may home tonight and it put a massive smile on my face.

Ignorance is Bliss

What's better;
Being the person who has everything dialled. Smooothed with all aspects of life, a problem solver who sorts out the little annoyances life throws up.
Or
Being the person who knows life is full of problems and it's how you deal with them that counts. Knowing you can't always win but making the best of every situation.
Answers on a postcard.

ssshhhhh.

I kind of want to be a bit more 'under the radar' about this years cyclocross season. As August approaches I have planned to bias my riding a bit more towards the 'cross bike so my skills are sharp, I'm keeping the one bike idea but using tubs for the first time off-road. Probably one set of Dry and then glue a set of Mud's as the weather turns. I got a bit ahead of myself last year and hopefully I can learn from my mistakes, ride most of the race's in the Yorkshire series and have fun too.
Here are a selection of videos for inspiration.

Well shot and from the U.S;

Saturday Morning, USGP from jamie kripke on Vimeo.

Euro-cool;

Cyclo-cross Worldcup Aigle 2010 from radsportphoto.net on Vimeo.

A weird one but with loads of 'behind the scenes' footage before the race starts;

Cyclocross World Cup Kalmthout Women, featuring Katie Compton from Kiwivelo on Vimeo.

Lastly,

Still don't have a moments peace.

Strung out.

Big ring ride this morning.
Scrambled eggs and Yorkshire Tea as recovery.
House-keeping and TdF this afternoon.

More to come soon.

Oh no

Pillars of French Cycling from MovePress, LLC on Vimeo.

Now I want a Time.

The Pillars of French Cycling: Chapter II from MovePress, LLC on Vimeo.

But now I want a Look.

Trying not to clip a pedal.

RHC MILANO from Pietro Malegori on Vimeo.

*

Imaginary Bike of the Day;

Custom steel* frame - double oversize Reynolds 853 tubing, crit racing angles with a forward sloping toptube of half an inch. Colour TBC.
Straight carbon forks, Campagnolo Record groupset (10 speed definitely not 11), mainly for the old style levers set high on the bars. 52-42 chainrings with a 11-21 cassette. Dura Ace 7800 cranks, Chris King BB and headset. Alloy bars, stem and seatpost from PRO. Speedplay pedals.
Custom wheels - Hope hubs, silver Phil Wood spokes to carbon rims at least 80mm deep and probably tubs, which would have to be Vittoria.
Finishing touches - double white bar tape and white Concor saddle.
*Could also substitute Ti for frame instead of steel.

A pointless exercise but we can dream.

This shop looks funny to work at;

21st Avenue Bicycles - Shop Tour Trailer from James Wilson on Vimeo.

Dancing.

Back in the real world.

It's a continual battle against 'Too Much Information'. The internet provides an endless amount of information and sometimes it feels like I'm swimming against a tide rubbish, whilst trying not be a part of it. For my part, I am too curious occasionally and get lost in different tumblr/blogs when I find new or interesting people. Although overwhelmingly I return to the need to talk to real people instead of web-based living, I believe someone can not be your friend if you have never met them, no matter what Facebook would have you believe.

Pretty Euro.

Lists...

I wish...

-I could talk to people who aren't here anymore. One person in particular would be able to set me straight.
-I didn't care so much about stupid little things.
-Other people didn't effect me so much.


I need...

-To live in the present. My present, not the future or anyone else's.
-To hurt to get stronger.
-To be able to forget.
-To remember who I am and be proud.


I want...

-To be a hermit amongst my own little group of friends.
-To wear a shirt and tie more.
-To be in Italy.

Get away.

Need to know more about this.

Everyone want to feel like they belong.

A moments peace.

Finally getting to ease off for a short while. Forget about work, about being a cyclist, and a host of other stuff and just be ourselves with no pressure for a few days.

Stuck.

Like shit to a blanket.
Tubular gluing was a success. I've been surprised at the reaction towards the process, a little bit of effort goes a long way sometimes.



With a domestic race scene like this, it make's English racing seem more in the darkages than ever.



Also creative use of the pavement and any available half decent road surface.

All in a day's work.

Finished tub gluing and spoked a new set of road wheels.

Clubfolk.

Had a good long day on the bike today. Felt good to not have decide the route for a change, although the climb of Acklam Mast has never been high on my list it was great to do a long and varied climb.



Also, checked a few things off my to do list;
* Two wheel drift on a sandy downhill corner.
* A blast down 'freewheel' hill, made it past the sign but not to the junction.
* Big ring mashing.
* Drinking warm, flat coke out of second water bottle.
* Hang out with an old boy who bought his first racing bike 60 years ago.

Plus relearnt that not everyone in a cycling club is an idiot and not everyone who's not in a club is the best thing since sliced bread.