bikes, scoots, MS, friends, food and seattle...

This is so awesome!!

If only...

More NAHBS 2008: Lance Bought it!

Link: NAKED :: NAHBS 2008.

This was one of the coolest bikes at the bicycle show.  It won 3 prizes, including Best in Show.  I think I mentioned that Amy saw Robin williams, and that Lance did make an appearance...  Apparently, he also did some shopping! 

I did take some closeups of this bike, but they didn't turn out at all, due to the super-bright spotlight.  The wood grips and rims were pretty drool-worthy.  It's rideable too! though, I wouldn't take it just anywhere.  I hope Lance takes it off the wall every once in a while to go to Peet's for a nice cup of coffee and a pastry, or around the block with his kids.

updated: Off to Portland for some SERIOUS Bike Love

Link: NAHBS 2008 - Home.

Amy and I are headed to Portland, OR this afternoon to attend the North American Handmade Bicycle Show.  The Mecca of Shows for true bicycle/art afficionados, the builders featured here showcase their art in booths, seminars and as in Richard Sachs' case, film (Imperfection is Perfection - A Film About Richard Sachs and his Bicycles). It is also an opportunity for the builders and other people who support this niche industry to interact face to face. 

For us, witnessing and rubbing elbows with legendary builders such as Richard Sachs, Seattle's Bill Davidson, as well as younger legends Independent Fabrication (formerly Fat Chance) and Sacha White.  Look for mobile updates and a mass of images in the next few days.  I can't wait!

UPDATE: Ohhh the show was lovely.  Bumped into Seattle local, Steve Hampsten (Andy's brother), chatted with Matty B. at IF about a steel fork and Amy caught a glimpse of bike nut, Robin Williams!  I guess Lance popped in as well, but didn't see his entourage at all. I was primarily interested in admiring all of the steel beauties on display.  Favorite booths: Vanilla, Richard Sachs, ANT, Rapha and Chris King.

Here's my photoset on flickr.

Here's a list of other sites with a multitude of NAHBS 2008 Photos: Cycling News, Alex Whetmore's Gallery, flickr search.

Enjoy! 

more on Floyd

Link: Landis outlines his defense.

As you know, i'm an avid cyclist and I enjoy following the pros in European racing.  This year's Tour de France saw Floyd Landis win the Tour in a dramatic come-from-behind fashion.  A few days after, it was made known that Floyd tested positive for doping.  I was devastated and disappointed. 

Now, in his own defense, Floyd has presented an outline on why he (and other people who believe in the Scientific Method), feels he was accused wrongly.  Normally, I'd approach this w/ some skepticism (given all the doping problems in sports, not just cycling).  After reviewing the slide show, I believe Floyd.  Gross errors in scientific method, process, and handling have tarnished the Tour, and Floyd. 

I don't know if he did it or not.  But, if what he and his team is saying is TRUE?  good grief...what a mess.

my Bridgestone collection...

I'm obsessed.  I happened upon a listing for a small Bridgestone MB-3. A perfect addition to my quiver... and a nice sibling for my XO-1.  Of course I have plans now for sprucing it up!!

It has all the usual goodies I like in a bicycle:

• Steel, lugged frame
• original parts
• came from a good home
• size is a 42cm, it will be close size-wise, but I'll take it!
• if there is a 38cm MB-1 through MB-3 out there, anywhere...contact me.  There is a beautiful example of one here.
• I hope to take it out on fireroads, mellow singletrack, etc. 

Someday, I'll also have a place that's actually big enough to store my bikes.  but for now, they'll have to be separated as they are now, between my condo, storage, and my cubicle here at work.

say it isn't so...

Phonak confirms Landis positive

I give up.  I'm not going to follow the pros anymore.  I'm just going to ride my bike.  And I'll find some new heros, my friends:  Jeanette, who's riding RAGBRAI right now; like Jen, who rides and lifts weird objects in her backyard for fitness; Fredd, who has dived headlong into bike-geekdom; Lisa and Lillian, who are riding RAMROD as I type this; Steven; who is cheering Lisa and riding reverse RAMROD as I type this;  and the slew of heros back east and elsewhere, who rode along side of me through many AIDSRides/Tour de Friends.  These are the ones we need to support, and cheer on. 

Our urine samples will have nothing but trace amounts of pancakes, donuts, gatorade, peanut butter bagels, and gu.

<sigh>