1213

Cross!

2010-08-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

So I've registered for my first CX race of the season. I'm racing the C race on Saturday and B race on Sunday at Charm City. My philosophy is that on Saturday the course will be fresh and everyone will be nervous so I have my best chance of doing well. Then on Sunday everyone will be feeling good and I will get my ass kicked, thus erasing any ego I can build up on Saturday while getting a serious workout. It should be a fun race overall. I did surprisingly well last year considering how much Jameson I drank the day before, how hungover I was and how much I threw up in the car on the way to Baltimore. Who knows how well I will do this year...

I'm also doing a super lame crit race in Bowie in a week and a half. I'm half terrified and half excited for it. I have no idea what to expect but it gives me something to focus on and it will be one road race under my belt. If I like it I will definitely do more road races next year.

Oh, and if I can get off my butt and go to College Park this weekend I will probably buy a Jake the Snake. The Jamis has had it with cross so I'm happy about upgrading this year.

That's it for now. I'm excited about the upcoming season. Who knows, maybe someone on 1213 will podium this year.

...soon.

2010-07-28T14:33:00.000-07:00

Cyclocross is coming. I am out of shape. i dont even have a cyclocross bike. evil steve is gonna have disc brakes this year?

mandatory reading

2010-07-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

Rules To Live By

-mz

NORTH CAROLINA WINTER CUP!

2009-12-16T13:08:00.000-08:00

2010 WINTER CUP
Race 1 - Saturday, January 9, 2010 - Salisbury, NC
Race 2 - Sunday, January 10, 2010 - Mooresville, NC
Race 3 - Sunday, January 17, 2010 - Fayetteville, NC (C4 Racing)
Race 4 - Saturday, January 23, 2010 - Raleigh, NC
Race 5 - Sunday, January 24, 2010 - Greensboro, NC (GVC)
more info here (eventually).

get ready for more of this...

get in touch with danny or chris if you are interested in joining in the carpool down to some of these.

Also Bike Reg has West Virginia's Backyard Road Racing Series posted and open already.
4/3 morgantown wv
5/15 farm county
6/5 tucker county
8/21 appalachia visited

Yep, thats THE tucker country road race. voted one of the toughest road races in the country. get yourself some legs or buy a compact crankset.

can I wear tight pants?

2009-11-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

Not a race report, not in fact, anything constructive. But damn its funny.

-mz

ps.......can anyone who is better at this figure out how to make it fit?

tacchinicals

2009-11-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

I know it is really really silly, but for some reason it makes me feel really good to see me and mouse's names here, despite them being for 20th place in the 3/4 and 4 fields respectively.

1213 was out in actual full force at Tacchino. ES/EF had his best race ever and was totally killing it, staying upright, and looking good. Despite mechanicals for both EC and DK they were always moving forwards (when their bikes were working that is). I felt really great and with the exception of some not so stellar barrier work and following a teammate's wheel into the tape, I thought I rode a pretty flawless race.

By the end of the regular season, I will have ended up doing twice as many races as I did last year, which is kind of crazy. Urban CX, HoCo Double CX, Superior CX, Taneytown, and Reston are all that's left with a possible VA Beach CX race or maybe even Nationals. Six or seven races left, not bad. Oh yeah, there is also that whole winter series too...and of course, the Superbowl of Singlespeed.

I love cross, I love rolling up to a race with a full car, full trunk and roof rack, and cheering on my friends. A tiny bit of me is looking ahead to the cold winter months of long, slow riding, but even that serves as a precursor to the next fall (the season and the act)

Gotta love the new digi-camo C3 skinsuits, but it wouldn't touch mossy oak break up. Although I think my team next year may go for a Flex Your Head themed skinsuit.

DCCX

2009-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

Fun race this weekend at DCCX. Got to sleep in, rolled 10 blocks over to the race. I started the C race and was doing pretty well for a minute or so. But then I went down a bumpy hill and shifted at the bottom. All of the sudden I couldn't pedal so I figured I threw my chain (a common occurrence in my cyclocross life). When I looked down I didn't have a chain and my derailleur was hanging by the cable. So I took DNF but was able to get a bike (thanks Larry) and race the B race. The B was a bit more competitive then usual so I had to push myself harder. Rode harder then I have all season and finished 59th out of around 90 riders. After the race I cashed in my beer ticket and my french fry ticket and proceeded to hang hard. Overall great course, great race, great company, great pictures (thanks Erika), great weather...can't wait til next year!

EC and CC at Winchester

2009-10-22T07:56:00.001-07:00

We went up to the Winchester Apple Cross race this past Sunday. It was windy, cold and muddy. Great course. We both raced the B race. CC finished 7th, EC finished 12th.

Thats all I got today. DCCX this weekend.

- ec

'cause I'm sick of watching from the sidelines...

2009-10-14T19:35:00.000-07:00

Any thoughts before I put money down on this little lady?

Specs are here.

when your shop has no business, you blog

2009-10-12T13:05:00.000-07:00

The Hyattesville race was one of the best courses I've raced this year, especially given the lack of terrain changes they had to deal with. Super fast big ring course, technical sections you just barely had to tap a break to get through, somewhat rideable sand (not for me on a lap...thanks Evil Steve), and some nice off camber stuff. The only thing lacking was a brutal uphill which surely would have split things up, but groups stayed together pretty well.

First weekend of good racing, not feeling like total shit during the race. 9th in Richmond, "Dont want to talk about it" placing at Hyattesville although I felt great and thought I rode pretty flawlessly and strong aside from crashing in the sand, although getting crashed out ended that streak.

One of the best things about this cross season is seeing Evil Fred tear it up, Mouse take two steps for every one the other guys do, and knowing Danny will be racing at DCCX (it's on a blog, it's happening). MZ needs to get a bike or just do it up on a road bike with big tires and no clearance (we won't have any mud anytime soon!).

Racing in Winchester this week, no one is signed up for the 1/2/3 race. Does this mean I am guaranteed to make money?
-CC

Hyattsville

2009-10-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Fun race this weekend. Loved the course, super fast. Got off to my best start of the season, was in the top 15 or 20 at the beginning of the race. Then I squandered that great start when I threw my chain in the first third of the first lap. Watching half the field pass me from the sidelines was pretty demoralizing. I made up some spots and rode the last lap pretty hard. Got close to catching a pretty big group but just couldn't do it before the finish line...should have gone harder earlier. Finished 25 of 66(6) in the end. Another satisfying week. Other highlights: beer garden, heckling Chris by the sand pit and making him crash, hanging with my mom. Great way to spend a Sunday. Big ups to Scratch and Mouse and the rest of Route 1/Arrow for putting on a great race. Already looking forward to next year.

-Evil Fred

New cycling radio show on Radio CPR 97.5 fm

2009-10-07T20:11:00.001-07:00

This Wheel's on Fire
Radio CPR - 97.5 FM, Washington DC
7-9 PM, 2nd and 4th Sundays
Hosted by Dj Bottom Bracket
thiswheelsonfireradio.wordpress.com
thiswheelsonfireradio@gmail.com

Bicycle news and views with a classic country/bluegrass/no depression
soundtrack.

Special guest 10/11 - Ben West, WABA Bike Ambassador.
Music this week will be classic country of the 60s and 70s.

- ec

EC Kelly Acres update

2009-10-07T18:45:00.000-07:00

So, EC and SS went up early for the C race. CC and DK came out and CC raced the B race.

I had a rough race - dropped a chain at the start and crashed out twice on the first 1/2 lap, but fought my way through the field and ended up 14th (I think) out of 80/90 or so. Not sure where SS ended up - top 25 maybe?

CC's rear gorilla got caught up in his wheel sticks and he had to borrow a bike in the B race. Fought hard and finished, but I had to leave early to get to a wedding in Germanntown so I didnt find out where he placed.

The course was sick and the flyover was amazing. Definitely coming back next year and hopefully crashing less.

- ec

well?

2009-10-07T07:48:00.001-07:00

No updates from this weekends races? Surely somebody raced at least 1 of the 2? Also, why am I not listed on the sidebar?

-MZ

Waffles, Beer, Pain...Cyclocross

2009-09-29T17:21:00.000-07:00

Perhaps the ultimate definition on 1213 Racing? Chris riding hard while I eat waffles and drink beer from the sidelines. I approve.

Ed Sanders CX

2009-09-28T20:07:00.000-07:00

I had a blast this weekend at Ed Sanders. After lots of rain the course was super muddy and pretty tough. I'd never done a muddy course before so it was a learning experience. Raced the first lap pretty hard then dropped back for the next couple laps. On the last lap I felt my legs still had something in them so I started making some moves and gained a few spots. I lost a sprint finish to place 40th out of 90 starters. Top 50%, I'm satisfied. Last weekend I finished bottom 50, so any improvement is good. I still have some things I need to work on but I'm feeling pretty good about this cross thing. EC finished 21st in the C race. Congrats, maybe some race this year I'll give you a run for your money. CC did alright in the B race with a tough field on a rough course. Cheering on CC while eating waffles and drinking free beer was the highlight of my weekend....except for when I wrecked in the mud, that was pretty cool too. Getting pumped for Kelly Acres next weekend, maybe I can get off my ass this week and do some skills training...

Ed Sanders at Lilypons - 9/27/09

2009-09-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

Race update to come, but EC and SS were in the Cat 4/C race; CC was in the Cat 3-4/B race.

Rain all saturday afternoon and evening created course conditions described in three words: muddy, muddy and muddy.

Also, beer and belgian waffles.

- ec

cross season is upon us

2009-09-21T20:33:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting for this time of year since January, and here it is, cyclocross season. 1213 had a busy weekend hitting Nittany and Charm City. I have a write up about my races here, but long story short I always crash in the last lap, I rolled two inches of my tubular yesterday, finished 39th/75 on Saturday and 40th/125 on Sunday in the 2/3/4 race and am totally in love with the season.

Mouse and Evil Steve hit the C race and it was great to be there to heckle them and everyone else. EC looked furious riding, especially taking the barrier that was about half his size, and Evil Steve's biggest battle was against any food that his stomach that did not want to keep down thanks to a staff meeting at a bar the day prior.

Ed Sanders on Saturday, and then only another week or two before DK can join us.

i really hope I am not testing the threads of that skinsuit.

Also if you haven't signed up for the raffle at Ed Sanders, do it now. You have like a 1/300 chance of winning a $2000 bike.

mango.

2009-09-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

chris after embrocating for todays ride, "i smell like a yankee candle."

Check out a new radio show...

2009-09-07T21:43:00.000-07:00

http://thiswheelsonfireradio.wordpress.com/

This Wheels on Fire - Bicycle news/views/events and classic country-bluegrass-no depression-americana
Radio CPR-97.5 FM in NW Washington DC (Listening area - Adams Morgan, Columbia Heights, Mt Pleasant, Petworth etc)
9-11 PM
2nd and 4th Sundays, every month

- ec

2009-09-01T10:21:00.000-07:00

Attend these Jams 1213!

EBAY CX Wheels

2009-09-01T07:42:00.000-07:00

someone bid on these guys... "buy it now" or "make an offer" options, maybe you could snag them for 400?

WHEELZ

don't let the tight pants fool you

2009-08-31T02:52:00.001-07:00

i'm all heart motherfucker.

let's do this.
-cc

R1V Cx Race

2009-08-26T11:26:00.000-07:00

R1V Cyclocross race Registration is up! another race you can ride to new for this season, sponsored by my team Route 1 Velo/Arrow Bicycles.

BIKEREG PAGE

VA CX schedule up....

2009-08-24T20:52:00.000-07:00

Tough choices coming upon what races/series to prioritize.

I'm thinking of doing Chimborazo, Urban CX, Haymarket and maybe one other.

- ec

http://www.vacycling.org/2009/cyclo2009.html

VACX 1

Sat. Oct. 10th

Chimborazo Cross, Altius Cycling

Richmond VA

Bike

Reg

Matt Marchal

mmarchal@altiusfsm.com

VACX 2

Sun. Oct. 11th

Bryan Park Cross, Altius Cycling

Richmond VA

Bike

Reg

Matt Marchal

mmarchal@altiusfsm.com

VACX 3

Sun. Oct. 18th

Lone Star Park , All About Bikes Racing

Suffolk, VA

Bike

Reg

Albe Rodenas

alberodenas@yahoo.com

VACX 4

Sat. Nov. 7th

Tech Cross # 1

Blacksburg, VA

Pre

Reg

Tim Ciarkowski taciarko@vt.edu

VACX 5

Sun. Nov. 8th

Tech Cross # 2,

Blacksburg, VA

Pre

Reg

Tim Ciarkowski taciarko@vt.edu

VACX

Sun. Nov. 15th

Urban Cross at IX, Blue Wheel’s

Charlottesville VA

Bike

Reg

Roger Friend

roger@bluewheel.com

VACX

Sun. Nov. 22nd

Bennetts Creek Park, VA Beach Wheelman

Suffolk VA

Bike

Reg

Joshua Goyet

vbwheelmen@cox.net

VACX 8

Sat. Nov.

28th

Haymarket Cross, Haymarket Bicycles

Haymarket, VA

Bike

Reg

Jared Nieters

jarednieters@hotmail.com

VACX 9

Sun. Nov. 29th

Tirpower Cross, VA Cross Championships Virginia Beach, VA

Bike

Reg

Mike Hosang

xcmeh@cox.net

VACX

Sat. Dec. 5th

VACX Finale, Darden Towe Park, Charlottesville VA

Bike

Reg

Richard Pence

rap1905@yahoo.com

Charm City Cross

2009-08-15T01:45:00.000-07:00

I'm all registered and ready to roll. Saw that CC is also registered with his more legit team; I'm sure his heart will race for 1213. EC should be registered soon. DK is unfortunately on the side lines, but will be rooting for the team. BN recently acquired the tools but won't use them in Baltimore. Evil Fred, on the other hand, is going to start training this weekend. Sept 20 here I come!

-EF

its about time...

2009-08-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

Ne'er mind. Shit. Looks like I'm back to riding my track bike.

-mz

RX

2009-08-05T08:16:00.000-07:00

We love you Danny...even if you are broken.

-MZ

Don' Do This

2009-08-01T18:58:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32q1oJtNDrQ

- ec

Bring It!

2009-07-30T18:21:00.000-07:00

I'm ready for the season. I've been on the road bike every weekend for the past few weeks building up a little strength. In less then a month I'll be going on a small tour putting on some good base miles. Mix in a little technique training and I'll be good to go.

Word on the street is that City Bikes is starting their own cyclocross team. If all 1213 Racing does this season is humiliate City Bikes at every race then I will be very happy. Pwnage?

-E Fred

Almost time for Mud and Moustaches

2009-07-19T08:16:00.001-07:00

CYCLOCROSS IS SOON!!!

thanks to EC for posting... Looks like everyones getting their shit together, Evil Fred seems stoked for racing, and MZ might just end up racing her track bike...

BUT For those of us, and ALL out there who havent raced any cross before here is what you need to do.

First you should buy a USA cycling license HERE. Register for an account online and apply for a license, its a bit pricy but worthwhile.

THEN! get an account with BIKE REG (and a PAYPAL account will help too) bike reg is where the majority of races you will do get posted for registration. pretty sure bike reg is free to register, but this is where you pay for races and t shirts blah blah and using paypal makes it faster and easier....

Keep up on bike reg as races with category caps WILL fill up, sign up asap... and waitlisting if possible is a good alternative and most of the time you end up getting to race if you show up.

DANNY'S CYCLOCROSS RACES TO HIT!

-Urban Cross in Charlottesville VA... by far my favorite course, utilizing very little space incredibly well around a bombed out factory in a industrial/commercial complex, lots of tight turns, short fast climbs and descents and close quarters elbow rubbing racing.

-Richmond festival of cross... Richmond rules almost as much as charlottesville. Chimbarozoo park is defined by a long cobblestone descent into an off camber, then a grueling back section back to climb the cobblestones, turn left (hop the curb if you can) and climb up the grass bank of the hill, into a stair climb spitting you out onto a flat road sprint finish... bryan park (like the crit race) is a big ring race, really fast.

-Dardentowne Park Charlottesville... this race feels like a mountain bike race at times, after barriers right at the start, the course climbs then drops into singletrack then into the woods along a river, then a crucial off camber turn, eventually a big downhill into another woods section with a sketchy bridgecrossing... until you find yourself in a paceline out of the backsection like a road race with a monster hill infront of you and if for whatever reason you find yourself able to ride not run it... chalk it up as an attack cause youll be passing people..

TODAY! i leave for nova scotia for some bike touring... will return with no money and itching to shave my legs (havent raced road in 2 weeks) and start training for cross.

2009 Cross Schedules

2009-07-18T11:52:00.000-07:00

DK or I will post a fuller schedule, but here are the links to the basic schedules. We race in three separate series': MAC, MABRA, and VA CX.

There are two races to highlight on the calendar: DC CX and R1V Cross. We can ride to both of these races and they are very much on our home turf. DC CX is 10/25 at the Soldiers Home and R1V Cross is 10/11 out in Hyattsville/Bladensburg area.

MAC - Mid-Atlatic Cross:

http://www.midatlanticcross.info/news/2009archive/2009MACscheduleannounce.html

10 race series spread out from NY to VA. The closest races for us in DC are Charm City Cross in Bmore on 9/20 and the Cross Classic in Reston, VA on 12/6. The Fair Hill and Delaware weekend will be great, but may clash with MABRA or VA Cx races.

MABRA - Mid-Atlantic Bicycle Racing Association:

http://mabra.org/

This series is a bit more focused around MD and DC, with two races in VA. They have a basic race sched up, with 9 races including the championships in December. Urban Cross, DK's favorite, is race #6 and on 11/15.

VA CX - Virginia Cycling Association:

http://www.vacycling.org/cyclocross.html

Nothing posted yet, but they tend to announce later in the year anyway. Usually a 7 or 8 race series. There is a race out in Winchester during the Apple Festival on 10/18, but unclear if it is a VA Cx race or not.

There are other series that are worth considering. The USGP of cyclocross is a 4 weekend event in 4 different locations, coming as close to DC as Mercer, NJ (central near Trenton) and Louisville, KY. But they conflict with local races and are a decent distance away.

Thats it for now. More later.

- EC

Cross Clinic

2009-07-17T18:50:00.001-07:00

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3432/3720605389_711fcb6d3e_b.jpg

http://www.cxhairs.com/2009/07/14/got-skillz/

Check it out. 1213 racing should represent.

- ec

"we're back...."

2009-07-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

With a nod to Youth of Today, my left leg and the rest of my 32 year old body (hence the "we" in "we're back) are ready to go. Clearance from my doc yesterday and starting work again tomorrow in the AM.

Training for cross season to start soon.

- ec

I'm back...

2009-07-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

...and completely out of shape. I've been riding my track bike around and therefore haven't put in any real miles in awhile. Send me suggestions for good rides will ya? I need to get my legs back.

-MZ

cross bike for this season....

2009-07-01T16:30:00.001-07:00

2008 Fuji Cross Pro

It wasnt exactly what I was looking for, but it actually fit me, is less than a year old, barely ridden, never raced, and was more than half off the MSRP. Almost a third of what I was going to pay for the Salsa, even with my discount at my friends shop.

I'll switch out the wheels, probably a new fork, and make necessary fit adjustments. Ready to race come August.

- ec

Reston Crit Report (crash content)

2009-06-28T08:43:00.000-07:00

check it.

A brief soccer interlude

2009-06-24T20:06:00.000-07:00

USA 2 - Spain 0

Wow, that's an upset. I'm not exactly the most patriotic guy, but this was a pretty amazing win for the US men's national team.

- ec

safe riding cc + healing up

2009-06-23T09:38:00.000-07:00

55 days on the road. damn thats long. good luck to cc and the rest of the crew. go easy on the post-ride cocktails.

Plantaris is healing up. Trying to not take too many ibuprofens, but they do help. Temporary relief in the form of bs menthol/camphor rubs, but they are just topical. Helps at night before I go to bed and when I wake up.

Pretty bored and going a bit stir crazy. Cant wait to get back on the bike and playing soccer. Who knows how long it will take, I just hope its sooner rather than later.

Alright, thats it for now. Rock on.

- ec

beast coast to best coast

2009-06-22T22:49:00.001-07:00

straightedgevacation.blogspot.com

See you suckers at the line in September. Mail me embrocation.

1213 Group Ride Tomorrow

2009-06-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

1213 Group ride tomorrow at 10am starting from 1213 Delafield... Plan for lots of climbing and extremely fast descents followed by disorientating technical sections...

Click here to link to the Ride's one sheet...

-dk

Introducing the plantaris....

2009-06-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantaris_muscle

Got to figure out what to do with all this energy.

- ec

Out of commission

2009-06-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

Tore up my plantaris tendon.

Off the bike for two weeks. No soccer, no running. Basically, I can walk and sit and go to physical therapy.

Booo.

- ec

cause elliot's got away

2009-06-17T19:15:00.000-07:00

Cheap Cross Bike

Says its a 56... looks smaller... Joey? Brad? Evil Steve's Pit Bike?

-DK

another day at home

2009-06-17T11:10:00.001-07:00

Calf is all knotted up. Still. Waiting for a call from my orthopedic guy.

Grrrr.

- ec

at home on a tuesday afternoon

2009-06-16T09:05:00.001-07:00

Second day off the bike this week, which means I cant work, which means I dont make money. This is a problem.

See, I played my regular soccer game Sunday but only 8 people showed up for the game at 2:15. 8 v 11 means that I ran a lot and strained my left calf. One of our guys hurt his already f'ed up left shoulder and had to stop. Our league only allows you to field a team with 8 or more people. We only played about 70 minutes.

My old team needed some reinforcements (so I thought) at a 5 pm game at the soccerplex. Nicer fields plus a chance to see some guys I hadnt seen in a while plus maybe I could help for 10/15 minutes giving the other guys a break. Well, only 11 showed, so it was a full 90 minutes for me with a bad left calf.

Sunday night was brutal and I took monday off. Tuesday morning felt better, and I can ride. But walking and all the mounting and dismounting as a messenger felt awful on the calf. So, after morning pouch work, it was back home. Where I am now. Just me and William Rocket, our house cat.

I like days off but days off where I cant walk around or ride are pretty useless. Time for bills and job searching.

- ec

east coast, fuck you

2009-06-14T16:46:00.000-07:00

1213 up and down the east coast this weekend. Danny took 8th in the Murad Cat 5 winning a pair of socks. I took 12th at the North Carolina State Championship Road Race down south, the exact same result I had in that race last year.

While I was down here I got to pick up the third issue of Embrocation Magazine, full of poetic license gone mad about cycling and amazing pictures, as well as a cx fork install by the previously mentioned Dave Wilcox. This journal is nothing short of classy and I recommend everyone to pick it up.

I leave for my cross country trip in about 9 days. can't wait.

Do yourself a favor - non-cross related....

2009-06-11T19:32:00.000-07:00

...and check out the almighty Ink and Dagger.

Seriously.

- ec

2009-06-06T20:11:00.001-07:00

sketch. 1213 did not get crashed out today.
-dk

fuji cross?

2009-06-05T15:58:00.000-07:00

Above - Dave Wilcox from Boston, former Cap Hill Bikes wrench and all around kick ass person at DCCX last year. He rides a sweet Vanilla custom cross bike. I'm cheering in the background.

Anyone know anything about Fuji Cross bikes?

I am going to look at one tomorrow off craigslist. Its affordable - $500. But its old and worn. 105/ultegra mix with not so great wheels.

Think I would replace the fork and wheels and go from there.

I think its this bike:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2004&Brand=Fuji&Model=Cross&Type=bike

This was the last year they made just one cross bike - by 06 they started doing the comp and pro, but this is just the Fuji Cross.

So, I could buy this and my special lady friends mom's Ti Litespeed and then save up for a nicer cross bike for 2010...

- ec

TONIGHT: The Official 1213 Racing Dance Training Session

2009-06-02T18:54:00.000-07:00

At the Wonderland Ballroom. Be there or be officially unprepared for this dance cycling season.

2009-06-01T19:21:00.000-07:00

>

1213 racing in action...preparing for the new season.

DASH ES

bacardi

2009-06-01T15:39:00.000-07:00

MABRA cyclocross needs to watch out. On Friday I learned I'll be able to log over 3,800 base miles when I ride from New York to Los Angeles on a fully supported tour. The best part of it is that not only will I not be paying a single cent, I will be getting PAID to do it. I hope to be unstoppable come late September, or at least have tan line that just will not quit.

Now I just have to figure out what bike to ride. The heavy, trust Bianchi I've had? My Cannondale SystemSix? My cross bike? DK just needs to find me a cheap good steel frame, or maybe a litespeed.

-cc

left turns only

2009-06-01T10:34:00.000-07:00

My first love is track racing. I love the track. Alot. You get to go really fast. You get to ride on a steep embankment. You get to have a cool track bike. And you get to turn left....alot. I went out to the Alpenrose track to play around and to attend the Velocity Tour. I also got a chance to catch up with some friends I hadn't seen in awhile.

Portland's track is at a dairy of all places, called Alpenrose. The corners are a whopping 43 degrees, which means you have to be going at least 12 mph or you will just slide off. Despite the 90-ish degrees and the heat emanating off the track, I still had a blast.

Tandem track? No thanks.

2009-05-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

This is what you call ridin the front wheel off...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngv7Iu3y1o0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2F

- ec

thanks for the input + more on short people

2009-05-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

Pretty sure I am going with the Con Crosso. Just need to figure out if I am going with the complete or just frame/fork and building it up.

Anywho - musical interlude -

Went for a short road ride in the park till about 8:30. Only got about 2 hours in but it was fast and I got to ride all the hills I want to get.

How did our 1213 comrades do today in PA and VA or wherever folks were racing? Updated needed.

Looks like Menchov in pink in Rome tomorrow.

- ec

short people race cross too

2009-05-29T18:51:00.000-07:00

When I bought my first 'real' bike, I went to this tiny little shop that was a little lost compared to the other, more well known Portland shops. I went on the recommendation of an aquaintance. They did my first tune up, put SPD's on when I get a little more serious about my riding and answered innumerable newbie questions. It was also through them that I got my first taste of cyclocross. Their business was built upon a Portland passion, racing through the dirt. As a total newbie, the idea of racing my ass off for 45 minutes in muck sounded pretty intimidating. It was, therefore, very exciting to return to Portland five years later, with alot more experience under my belt, and see that the shop had moved to a new, better location. Its one of the best spaces that I've ever seen a bike shop in actually. We're talking skylights. I also had the chance to ask them their opinion of the lines that offer small cross frames (and knew that I could count on a candid answer). Cyclepath, Portland's premier cross shop:

Okay, lots of pictures but the unanimous decision amongst the staff was that the Salsa Chile Con Crosso is the bike to get for the 5'5" and under (waaaay under) crowd. The bike comes in a large range of frame sizes. The 44 apparently fits more more like a 47 and the 47 fits more like a 50. Its only available in red (although older models come in a really gorgeous green and a green/teal) but I think it would look really hot built up with Chris King mango components. Quite frankly, it seems like they couldn't recommend it more highly. I'm sold.

Help Needed

2009-05-27T17:18:00.000-07:00

So, as its not obvious from the photos below, I a am short. 5'4 or so to be exact.(this lolcat to the left is not me, just so its clear, thought i echo its sentiment)

Finding a cross bike that fits me is not so easy. But I've saved some $ and really want to buy a new complete cross bike for the fall.

Salsa and Redline both make small cross bikes. I can get a Salsa with Rival, Askiums and some nice parts for more than the Redline Conquest Pro (Rival, less nice parts) but less than the Team (Ultegra, perhaps equivalent parts).

What to do? Any advice?

Thanks

- ec

Another great thing about cross...

2009-05-26T21:02:00.001-07:00

The sweet, sweet sound of a cowbell...

- ec

costume change

2009-05-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

CC is clearly repping the wrong team at the crit. 1213 jerseys coming soon.....?

-mz

1223 racing meets 1213 racing, plus my first blog post ever (on any blog)

2009-05-25T19:52:00.000-07:00

the great thing about cross racing is that it requires very little patience. you warm up for a few minutes, go to the line and take off. not a lot of bs or posturing. just ride. have fun. probably crash or get really dirty or both.

i thought about this as i watched cc race at the rfk crit. i dont think i have the patience (or legs at this point) to race road. we'll see. maybe next season. cross season comes first.

btw, speaking of road racing, if you didnt see sastre's power move in the Giro this morning, roll on over to universal sports and watch. its great cause he's older than me and is about my size (5'4).

oh, and that's me on the right. cross my heart race in cp,md. feb 09. I didnt need the full tights. flatted last lap and pretty much shouldered the heavy Soma the rest of the way.

too many veg dogs and veg burgers at the cookout,
- ec aka the cheat

cash rules everything around me

2009-05-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

today is memorial day which means almost everyone is off from work, except me. this also means the bike shop is super busy and i've been answering the most mundane questions.

dash bn did not come in so i could install his cassette on his campy wheel though. it was sad.

and it started raining and i'm totally bored at the bike shop. $$$$.

-cc

Going Overseas

2009-05-24T17:03:00.000-07:00

JUST ANNOUNCED: 1213 racer DASH BN will be spending the upcoming 2010 cyclocross season back once again in Germany and is proud to represent our squad overseas. Pics from Dash's season last year.

-dk

Sick...

2009-05-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Who still needs a bike for upcoming CX season?
Ksyriums yo...

-dk

(EDIT: This CL post was taken down hence making this 1213 post no longer funny. But basically it was a red trek 720 multitrack hybrid frame with centerpull brakes through the fork and bridge fender mounts leaving bare v-brake studs, that hardly reached the mavic ksyriums (which ones i do not know as picture quality was quite poor). if i remember, there was a dirt drop stem and drops... and no chain, aaand listed as "road bike"... i wish you'd seen it. no justice is given here... just an explanation as i probobly wouldnt seriously post a "who still needs... " and for whatever reason all our blog posts recently dissapeared and if i removed this entire posting we would be lookin almost as naked as chris.-DK)

its a good day to ride...

2009-05-24T13:21:00.000-07:00

1213.

-dk