honore

On one stage during the 1920 Tour de'France Honore Barthelemy crashed hard into another rider.  He got up and kept riding.  After getting back on his bike he realized that he had lost sight in an eye. He crossed the finish eight place overall after losing an eye, breaking his shoulder, and dislocating his wrist.

Bill Brasky be damned.

flats

After 7 patches this tube finally completely self destructed.  I really thought it had a good chance of making a new personal best.  Yet somehow this tire hasn't gone soft at all. 

 Miracles ya'll!

Dead Man's Dash

Dead Man's Dash is EC's first shot at a winter nighttime alleycat.  This is more than likely going to become a totally off the wall dance party and party-a-thon so I strongly invite everyone to show up.  More info Here   Tell all of your friends!
In case you have been living under a rock forever flyer reference from here

gangsta

Man Man "Piranhas Club" from Lex Halaby on Vimeo.

Not big on the song, or the album, but the video can't be beat.  While I'm vimeoing the Sunday team edit for Erik Elstran is out.  Crazy talented stuff.


Welcome to the Team / Erik Elstran from Sunday Bikes on Vimeo.

And finally footage from this years Worlds Slowest Bike Race World Championships-Dramatic Cyclocross Division-A class


New Year's Resolutions - CX Bike Race from Kyle Bainter on Vimeo.

Slow down your catching up

tips

 January is here and that means that it is going to get colder and colder for the next few months.  At least that's the way it's supposed to work, but we'll see.  Their are a lot of fun things about commuting all winter through the cold.  Well "a lot" may be an exaggeration, but their are definitely some perks.  But if you are freezing your ass of it can just be a whole new world of pain and cold and frustration.  So here are a few basic things you can do to keep warm.  1. Tape up those vents. Helmet vents are meant to keep your head nice and cool, that is the opposite of what you want.  My winter helmet is pretty haggard already so adding a little duck tape to the front vent o keep the wind at bay just adds to it's charm.  I'm sure some people will say this is all for naught, but I am super strong proponent of doing this, it sure as shooting cant hurt.

 While we're on the topic of headgear this is my other absolute winter essential. I would argue that cycling caps make even more sense in the winter than in the summer. My Walz Wool cap keeps my ears and neck warm, keeps the sun out of my eyes, and keeps that wind off your forehead and face as well which is a god send.  And we are ordering a bunch of EC Velo Wool WInter caps just like this from Walz, they are hella nice, and that is coming from someone who doesn't just throw around his "hella"s. Trust me.

Last but not least is get yourself liner gloves.  These deals cost a few bucks for a few pairs and layering gloves works wonders for keeping your mitts warm.  This mornings zero degree commute was done with just a couple pairs of these and the mittens below.   

 So yeah, pretty basic stuff.  Keep out of the wind and wear layers in the winter.  Not rocket science, but the little things go a long way to keeping you toasty and riding all winter.

2012

I'm going to just forgo all the sentimentality and stop say 2011 was a good year. We put on half a dozen races, rode a bunch, and had a bunch of fun.  Lets make 2012 even better. More people biking, more mile, more beers, more fun. Less whining, less wishing, just a whole lot more doing. 

 Happy New Year ya'll.  Lets show it who's the boss.

ecxhc

A big part of the reason I decided to come to Eau Claire to finish up my degree is that I spent a lot of time as a teenager coming here to go go to shows. Since I was 15 I was bumming rides to come check out shows here, and now that I'm older I'm still really proud of the music scene here.  Anyway the kind and talented folks in Purge the Woods recently put out a new album and it is available for a donation now.  If you are into metal or punk or crust or grind or impressing your friends it's worth listening too and putting on your cyber-pod for cyber-workouts and stuff.   

Check it out

And while I'm pimping Eau Claire punk bands...

Don't forget that CAH Records super headquarters is right here as well. Rock and roll my friends.