Sponsorship Follies

I was looking forward to what would spur a follow up to “What if Cyclists were like NASCAR Drivers and Triathletes?” post. Instead, I was left shaking my head as I heard another perfect example of what NOT to do when you’re a sponsored athlete. Bike races and cycling teams are dependent on sponsorships. These teams are ambassadors for their …

Sh*t Cyclists Say Video is Satire at its Finest

Not since Velominati’s “The Rules” have I been so entertained by cycling satire. Cyclists and Roadies are a peculiar bunch. We have our own language, rules, rituals, and personalities. If you haven’t already met them, let me introduce you in the video “Sh*t Cyclists Say” — watch it below. Every phrase, statement, and action is unfortunately spot on. It’s a …

Carbon Fiber Bicycle Repair Grows in North Carolina

NORTH CAROLINA BICYCLE COMPANY GROWS IN CARBON FIBER REPAIR SERVICES Jacksonville, North Carolina – Jack Kane, owner of Jack Kane Custom Racing Bicycles, is now offering his carbon fiber bicycle repair services to the public. His business has been strictly referral-based from bike shops, bicycle importers, race teams, and bicycle manufacturers themselves. However, the bicycle market is demanding carbon fiber …

Will Strava Lead to More Riders Burning Out?

We see it all the time. We experience it ourselves during the worst possible spans. We know it can destroy entire seasons. We know it can affect our mental state. We call it “burn out”. Its hidden accomplice, overtraining / overextending bring dreaded symptoms. Unfortunately, most of the time, we cultivate it upon ourselves. Always hammering the group ride. Undertaking …

Are You Competitive or Business Oriented?

It’s time for a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type of post. Or, if you’re more romantic… We’re all holding dandelions whispering “she loves me, she loves me not” as we pluck. As I began writing this post, I didn’t know how to accurately discuss it. If you’re uber competitive and have a strong disdain for short cuts, are you …

Kill Them with Kindness : A Challenge to All Cyclists

The state of cycling when it comes forging a harmonious bond between motorists and cyclists is certainly a volatile subject. No one wants to blink in this dance. I wrote about my last encounter with a motorist in my “Why is There so Much Hate Towards Me, a Cyclist?” and recently had another incident. This time it’s about dogs chasing …

Avoid the Standard Bike Specs Pitfalls:The Perfect Bike by You

Are you in the market for a new bike? Do you want to get the most bike for your dollar? While there are numerous ways to accomplish this, here is one way to fine-tune, modernize, and save money in the long run on your next bike purchase: I was reading this article on Slowtwitch.com and it raises a great point …

What if Cyclists were like NASCAR Drivers or Triathletes?

There are a few types of people: “those that know”, “those that know what they don’t know”, and “those that don’t know what they don’t know”. I honestly feel like the last one applies to cycling teams and sponsorships. We have these athletes scratching their heads about why sponsors are leaving, wait, sprinting away. Are the athletes themselves to blame? …

Part III: Racing, Famous People, and a Sandwich

The conclusive post of the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship three-part series is upon us. It aims to stimulate your senses, mentally, visually, and if you’re hungry, physically. 4:00 am came way too soon on Saturday. At least this morning we did not have to take a ferry ride. We stayed only eight minutes away from the race site. …

Race Report: 2011 ESI Augusta 70.3 Ironman

A lot can happen in a year. In 2010, I embarked upon tackling my first half Ironman / 70.3 event. The christening event was the ESI Augusta Georgia 70.3 Half-Ironman on the last Sunday in September. I’ll be the first to tell you, I track loads of training data, but I never really analyze it. (It’s a little thing called …