If I spike you, you'll know you've been spoken to.

1953 Giro d'Italia




Il Campionissimo. Look at that shi_. Look at that form, those angles. Look at the road surface! Check the tires width. Riding for real. He is using that bike. Using it as a platform, climbing all over it to keep that forward movement.

We can talk about that kind of riding all day. But it cannot be taught and learned except that we go to that kind of place, get uncomfortable, lose fluids, hurt and persevere.



Seen here with his mentor, the blind "magician of the muscles" Biaggo Cavanna. You know that guy stripped to his smudged and torn undershirt to do the work. Drank whiskey and dropped ash all over the World's Greatest. That's the kind of massage that really allows for recovery. If I had pictures to prove it, I'd post them right here.



Style for miles. Style for the miles.




Folks want to talk about the rivalry between these 2 great men. There is a "divide" between them. Who gave what bottle to whom, and what did it mean?

People talk. Let them talk. Coppi. Bartali.


This is the photo.

What is happening there? I personally know the answer. What do you think?

rain. and rumors of rain.

Guess I got my wish.



It'll be good for the cross on Sunday...

Junior Barnes....oh, Junior Barnes....

Revenge.

I turned some pedals in anger today in the 42x18. Flipped the wheel last week after a flat, from fixed to free-yet the ratio remains the same. Just getting a feel for things, you know. I knew in my mind that the gear is crazy to even think of taking on the long course for the upcoming 10th Annual County Line Jamboree Long Route (among other things?), but now I know in my heart and legs.

As I said before, 39x27 hurt. I've gotta get a different setup. I've gotta get a gear so round... and so perfect... it's got a little name inscribed on it...

In other news, I swapped the unsatisfactory Midge bars for the dreamy Nitto Noodle 48(!)cm bars. Aaaaaaaaaaah, what a relief. Fit's so good, I had to holler for help.

You are keeping close track of my setup/likes/dislikes for future reference, aren't you?

Flyer Chump!!

Wondering about the 2009 County Line Jamboree?


All right.

flyness be the reason that my shi_ cracks

whether in Dada jeans or crepe silk slacks..perhaps a dirrrrrrty apron.

Today was Bike Repair Day here at the House of Dick.



First up was finalizing L's Crosscheck handlebar swap. Yes, the Moustache is back. Classic Bianchi Celeste tape. "There are several contradictory myths concerning the origin of this colour - it is the colour of the Milan sky, it was the colour of the eyes of the former Queen of Italy, for whom Edoardo Bianchi once made a bicycle, it was the serendipitous mixture of surplus military paint."- wikipedia. Whichever, it is a great "colour" with a rich history.

Here's hoping the ride goes well for her ash. Friend C____ (birfday gal) was speculating that her teammates might push the pace and frustrate L by dropping her to the tune of a couple hours. WTF?!? I said (and do say still) "it's a Birthday Ride- not a race. Those 'teammates' are lame if that's how they behave. You have your own Good Time, and if you feel like stopping for a snack and some wine, go right the hell ahead. It's a Celebration." You'll notice I added the light, though, in case...



All fired up, it was N's townie next. The school bike gets some love:

Lowered generator light mount for better basket access, better lighting, and less chance of middle school random vandalism.






That's right, bicthes. True dirtbags don't need no fancy Gino/Paul's mount (which is admittedly very nice). Nor the Velo Orange mount (which I do covet). And, plus, this reeks of class and sophistication. Possibly just of cheap wine.

I swapped some parts around on some other bikes, and splashed a bunch of TriFlow over everthing. Feels good to have working bikes working good.

"listen to this"

waving both hands wildly, like a...a...a big big monkey man-



Dwight Yoakum y Flaco Jiminez (especial por Gunnar)





Blow your mind with Flaco y Freddy Fender y Willie Nelson. Tejano como nos gustamos!






Flaco y Ry Cooder.





Jimmy Bryant and Speedy West backing Tennessee Ernie Ford


and, in spite of Dave Wakeling's mascara in this one...


The (English) Beat with "I Confess"...which I must confess was a large part of my high school experience.

Shop Ride

Joselyn's Bicycles (the best damn shop on the peninsula!) closed up with the "Gone Riding" sign...




























So. That is how some sections of Fort Ord look. That is how some guys ride their bikes.

It has been unseasonably warm and dry. I hope Sr. Hamachi is wrong, but he may be right...this dry warmth spells D-R-O-U-G-H-T. I guess I hope it gets cold and rains soon. And for about a month? Ugh.

oh, hey look, some folks don't wear helmets and then ask if I've taken my "cool bike" off any sweet jumps...