You've got to feel it- its electric!

Last year, Shimano came out with their revolutionary DI2 electronic shifting componentry. Despite initial skepticism in the industry, the new system met rave reviews across the board. Not to be outdone, Campagnolo has finally come out with their version of an electronic shifting system. Based on their 11 speed campy record group, the new system is still in the development stages, but will be raced by some campy- equipped teams this coming spring. Check out a sneak peak at some pics at Velonews.

Interesting Photo Journal

Once you get into cycling, the sport more or less consumes your life and house (ask my non-cyclist roommate!). I always find it interesting how bikes become part of one's home, and almost serve as art. The Blue and Red is a photo journal of one such cyclist living and racing in southern California. The guy does a great job of recording every aspect of a cyclists life. Here are a few

The Real Cycle Life

Bike storage is one of the age-old problems of a car-free lifestyle. Whether in tiny urban appartments, or in fairly spacious homes, its tough to find a good way to store bikes that make them easily accessible, but not a blight. I recently came across this entry from Design Sponge with some creative ways bikes are stored in different environments. I personally was able to pull some inspiration from some of the photos and thought it might be of some interest; enjoy!

Off season itch

Even though I havent been putting the training volume in that I would like, Im starting to feel the itch to race. The recent rain in AZ has made me want a cross bike with renewed vigor as well, though the practicality of a cross bike in the desert is questionable at best. Regardless, these pictures from Embrocation get the blood flowing and heart pumpin a lil faster!

Bike Lust

lately I find myself thinking bout getting a new frame for my main ride. The components have all been upgraded, and although the frame is more than sufficient for what Im doing, I've been lusting over some Titanium whips lately on various blogs and forums. Although I've been focusing on Lynksey, this Indy Fab peaked my interest in the worst way!

SRAM!

You pretty much have to have been living under a rock for the past several years to have missed the ascension of Sram's to the top level of competition in the road market. Over the past year, I have had the privilege of running into some of the guys at Sram at some industry events, even riding with a few of the marketing and product development guys this past summer. I recently found a cool website/blog run by Sram that chronicles all the successes of teams and riders sponsored by Sram. check it out @ http://www.theroaddiaries.com/?page_id=16

2011 Tour de France Route Announced!

I will literally stab you with my front tire

That got your attention didn't it! This is a video Ripped from Prolly of a team Ritte rider discussing his use of Prolong energy supplements. I never realized that Fes from That 70's Show was a professional cyclist. Good for a quick laugh before a long day! Keep an eye out for these guys in the 2011 race season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV-jj7-a5Dg

Vive Le Tour

With the recurring talk of steroid use in cycling, its easy to get discouraged about the future of cycling. Its times like these you have to look back at the memories and traditions of the tour that make it such an incredible event. Every year, millions of people play "wheres waldo" with the devil, a guy who has made appearances all over France during the tour for as long as I've been following the race. Keep your heads high cycling fans, and Vive Le Tour!

Cyclocross!

Now that fall is upon most of the Northern Hemisphere (we in Phoenix don't get much of a respit till October), the cyclocross season is upon us. It seems like this year, the cyclocross following has hit fever pitch, with most major companies carrying at least one frame devoted to 'cross. Here in Arizona, the first cyclocross race starts this weekend. To kick things off, here is one of my favorite photos of the sport, ripped from a Mens' Health article this past spring.

Vintage wool jerseys seem to be the holy grail of cycling apparel. If you're skeptical of this, try to find a jersey made of merino wool for less than a buck and a half. Now I don't personally partake in any bike polo, but I think this jersey is a great example of cycling apparel that looks decent on the street too

Inner Tri-Geek Unleashed

With the Ironman World championship race in Kona a week or so ago and the road cycling season over for the most part, I figured I would unleash my inner tri-geek before the cycling community turns to full bore cyclocross. This is the 2011 Scott Plasma. Although technically a time trial bike, some triathletes have been using the older models to really take some off their run splits. Stay tuned for some pictures before the triathlon season comes to a brief hiatus in the southwest desert.

Bicycle Art

This may seem counter-intuitive after spending a few minutes on this blog, but I really don't like bicycle art. I've seen a few too many bike reflector chandeliers in my day to have any taste for such work. There is, however, one genre of bicycle art that I absolutely love; vintage bicycle posters. These works of art somehow capture the tradition and eloquence of cycling; these creations highlight the beauty of our sport, leaving the true suffering to be discovered out on some steep mountain road. I could go on and on, but instead let me leave you with one of my favorite pieces by Georges Massias (just a coincidence there is a naked lady hanging on to that bicycle!).

le Velodrome

With the urban fixed gear craze at fever pitch, its nice to see some good pictures of true track bikes in the element: tearing it up on the velodrome. This is a photo from The Big Picture, taken at the Commonwealth games in New Dehli

Milano Red Hook Criterium

This past weekend played host to the Milano Red Hook Criterium; a race modelled after NYC's own Red Hook Criterium in Brooklyn. A technical crit course on brakeless track bikes sounds scary enough, but make it at night and you've got quite an event! Pictures have been popping up all over the web in the last day or so. check out more on Prolly.

Tour De California Route Announced!

The official route for the Amgen Tour of California, the United States' largest and most well known professional bicycle race has been released to the public. With a growing number of American racers in the professional ranks and a number of changes in the pro peloton, it should make for an exciting event!

Hot Bikes

I am not, generally speaking, impressed by specialized road bikes; they tend to be a dime a dozen, and I just cant seem to hop on the bandwagon. That said, every now and then I come across a tarmac that really strikes a chord with me. This Specialized Tarmac strikes the perfect balance of color coordination, and is built with an incredible build kit comprised of some of the nicest components. Originally posted on Weight Weenies.

Latest From Rapha

One of my favorite websites is the Rapha page. In addition to their full line of mens' and womens' apparel, Rapha has chronicled rides across the United States through their "Rapha Continental" project. They often include short films of these trips filled with breathtaking scenery, and fantastic footage of cyclists in their element. Here is the latest.