All posts by Logician

News

One of the Most Bizarre Crashes in Cycling Just Happened

There was a serious and very bizarre crash in Stage 4 of China’s Colorful Yunnan Gryffindor International Cycling Race. 17 riders were hospitalized.

What’s really bizarre is that it was a head-on collision between two groups of sprinters.

The leading group of sprinters seem to have accidentally been led off course and took a slight detour on a side road around the finish line and then doubled back and sprinted for the finish from the opposite direction, just as the second group sprinted from the other (correct) direction.

Head-On Collision in Final Sprint at China’s Yunnan Cycling Race

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Bicycle Maintenance Repair Videos

From Novice to Pro, Bicycle Upgrade, Maintenance and Repair Instruction You Can Trust

Whether you want to learn more about your bike, feel confident on the road, save money, or you're considering becoming a pro bike mechanic, this bicycle repair course has got you covered.

Taught by pro bike mechanics and packed with insider shortcuts and tips, it covers everything from minor repairs to the heavy stuff... and makes it easy to follow along, step-by-step, so you're never confused or wondering what to do next.

If you want to have an entire video encyclopedia of bicycle repairs at your fingertips, that covers you in every situation, then this package is worth a close look.

"Much easier to follow than a book, comprehensive, and loaded with insider tips and shortcuts... these DVDs belong on every cyclist's bookshelf." -Velo Logic

Learn more about the DIY Bike Repair Course

News

This is What Rush Hour Looks Like in the Netherlands

I’ve cycled in Holland, and it wasn’t was very similar to this. For a cycling novice at the time, used to riding on the other side of the road, it was quite intimidating. I got yelled at a few times and there was lots of bell ringing and shouts of “Pass Op!”

Bicycle Rush Hour in Utrecht Netherlands

“This is an ordinary Wednesday morning in April 2010 at around 8.30 am. Original time was 8 minutes that were compressed into 2 minutes, so everything is 4 times faster than in reality. The sound is original.

This is one of the busiest junctions in Utrecht a city with a population of 300,000. No less than 22,000 bicycles and 2,500 buses pass here every day. And yet Google Street View missed it. Because private motorized traffic is restricted here.”

Video courtesy of Bicycle Dutch, and more info on cycling in the Netherlands

Opinion

Terrorism, Cycling, Afghan Women’s Cycling Team

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” –Tony Robbins

That applies to our cycling, our careers… and our foreign policy.

Pro Cycling is Vulnerable

It is a fact. As Michael Rogers points out at the story below, road cycling is extremely vulnerable to terrorist attacks. The events are high profile, packed with spectators, and very easy to gain access to. This has been a concern of mine for a long time. In my opinion there’s very little you can do to thwart an attack.

Nor do I think that such preventive measures are the best response, and nor should they be the business of race officials.

The proper and lasting solution is a principled foreign policy, based not on guilt and submission to foreign powers and entities, but on American self-preservation and the defense of our individual rights.

There is an excellent book that reveals our current irrational policy (under Republicans and Democrats), and prescribes the strategy we need to adopt to win the war against Islamic totalitarianism. There, I said it… Islamic terrorism.

Michael Rogers fears cycling’s accessibility could leave it open to terrorist attack

And it’s not just a theoretical threat, because a massacre on a high profile cycling event was already planned (and luckily averted), in Belgium earlier this year:

Boston-Style Plot to Bomb Bike Race

Afghan Women’s Cycling Team

On a positive note, a story I covered earlier this year gets major attention from National Geographic. These women are heroes, intellectually independent and enormously courageous. It’s good to see them getting recognition and exposure.

If you think the road rage is bad around where you live, you should read about the imbeciles these women have to put up with. But still they ride.

Afghan Women’s Cycling Team In National Geographic’s Adventurers Of 2016

 

Cycling Tips

Tweak This To Gain 30 Watts… maybe more

Think much about your tires? You really should, because your choice of tire can make a huge difference in the amount of power you have available for speed. After overcoming air resistance, your biggest foe is rolling resistance, and depending on the tire you ride, that can vary by as much as 59 watts!

Yep, nearly 60 watts more can be squandered through a poor tire choice.

Velo News went to the top lab in the world for testing rolling resistance, the labs of Wheel Energy Oy, and tested 34 popular tires to see how they perform at 25 mph under load.

The results are interesting. The difference between the best performing tire (Specialized S-Works Turbo Road Tubeless) and the worst (Schwalbe Durano) is 28 watts. But wait, there’s more! Since you have two tires, that’s only half the story, so double that… you have nearly 60 watts more power required to maintain 25 mph.

Before I switched to tubulars, I used to love Vittoria’s Corsa EVO CX open tubular, they felt fast and handled well, but they were expensive and I had bad luck with them and split a tire too often so went back to Michelin Pros. Big mistake, they’re way down the list at #27. Over the course of an hour long race where speeds are around 30 mph, that must have cost me quite a bit in watts. Compared to the top tire it’s a 30 watts penalty. At race speeds a lot more.

Of course it’s not all about rolling resistance. On my TT bike I did make an effort to choose low rolling resistance tires. On my road bike I would look for handling and durability, and switch to my Easton Carbon wheels sporting tubulars for racing. But rolling resistance is still a huge factor in racing or riding at your limits. If you’re in a break and rotating how’s an extra boost of 20, 30, maybe 40 watts going to feel? Pretty damn good. And could well mean the difference between staying in or dropping out.

BTW, I learned the hard way, Rule #1 of Racing: Never, ever, EVER… get dropped from the f&%#ing break!

The article is fairly technical, but worth a read if you want to appreciate the what goes into a good tire. the bottom line?

“If you want reliability and good rolling resistance, wide tubeless tires with sealant are the way to go. If punctures are not an issue, and you want pure speed and grip without having to worry too much about tire pressure, go with an open tubular with a great tread compound.”

What Makes Tires Fast?

Get Even Faster….

And if you want to save not just 30 watts, but get faster and save $83 dollars, then check this out. I have a CompuTrainer and I love it, but if I was starting over, I’d save a bundle and get this, and then join Zwift which provides a much better ride experience than CompuTrainer, and at a 1/3 of the price.

News

Vittorio Brumotti Crazy Freestyle in Livigno

Some crazy bike handling skills on display from trails rider Vittorio Brumotti.

Brumotti recently had surgery on his right eye, after he was involved in a punch up while out riding with some friends.

From his latest video, his eye sight seems to be back to normal.

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Cycling Tips

Revealed: Team Wiggins Nutrition Secrets for Cyclists

If you want to perform at your best, and get the most from your training, then listen up….

Team Wiggins nutritionist David Dunne, spills the beans on how to fuel your body for max recovery and performance, and suggests some great meals and recipes.

The message is that the type of training determines the fuel. Rule #1 for instance, recommends not loading up on carbs for a long, steady ride where you are targeting physical adaption not performance; instead go with a high protein meal that supports muscle regrowth.

Worth a read… and may stop you chugging down sugar-loaded energy bars in favor of some real food.

Revealed: Team Wiggins Nutrition Secrets

Cycling Tips

How to Winter Proof Your Bike

Spending a little time and money on keep your bike well maintained can save a ton of time and money down the road. Here’s some simple things you can do to minimize wear and keep your bike in tip top shape. Global Cycling Network has the scoop…

You might also like…

Bicycle Maintenance Repair Videos

From Novice to Pro, Bicycle Upgrade, Maintenance and Repair Instruction You Can Trust

Whether you want to learn more about your bike, feel confident on the road, save money, or you're considering becoming a pro bike mechanic, this bicycle repair course has got you covered.

Taught by pro bike mechanics and packed with insider shortcuts and tips, it covers everything from minor repairs to the heavy stuff... and makes it easy to follow along, step-by-step, so you're never confused or wondering what to do next.

If you want to have an entire video encyclopedia of bicycle repairs at your fingertips, that covers you in every situation, then this package is worth a close look.

"Much easier to follow than a book, comprehensive, and loaded with insider tips and shortcuts... these DVDs belong on every cyclist's bookshelf." -Velo Logic

Learn more about the DIY Bike Repair Course

News

Cycling’s Forgotten Sport

It started in the 19th century, featured as an exhibition sport in the 1908 Olympics, it blossomed in England in the 1930s and gained traction in the United States in the 1980s and 90s.

It’s cycle polo. And it hasn’t changed much. Playing requires superb bike handling skills in tight spaces, excellent coordination, and the ability to weather frequent crashes.

Video: Cycle Polo Today:

Cycle Polo’s Origins

Cycle Polo has been around almost as long as the bicycle. I have read a couple of accounts, one a romantic story of how stablehands in colonial India were forbidden from riding the horses so they took to bicycles to play the “sport of princes.” Wikipedia has a different account:

“The game was invented in County Wicklow, Ireland, in 1891 by retired champion cyclist Richard J. Mecredy, editor of The Irish Cyclist magazine. In October of that year the first cycle polo match was played at the Scalp (County Wicklow) between Rathclaren Rovers and the Ohne Hast Cycling Club. Towards the end of the 19th century the game reached Great Britain, France, and the United States where the American Star Bicycle was a popular mount. The first international match was played between Ireland and England in 1901. Cycle polo was a demonstration sport at the 1908 London Olympics with Ireland winning the gold, beating Germany.”

Source: Wikipedia

Here’s some photos of cycle polo through the ages, Bicycle Polo Recycled – collection of images from Prince Phillip playing in the 1960s to modern day London games on hard courts.

News

The Vicious Cycle: A Taste of the Track

“You know, bicycling isn’t just a matter of balance,” I said. “it’s a matter of faith. You can keep upright only by moving forward. You have to have your eyes on the goal, not the ground. I’m going to call that the Bicyclist’s Philosophy of Life.” ― Susan Vreeland, Clara and Mr. Tiffany

A bit of eye candy to get your week rolling…

The Vicious Cycle

Here’s a beautiful bike from my old homeland of South Africa. You can own a limited edition piece of history for a surprisingly affordable price.

The Vicious Cycle is built on a 1980s track frame from the World Track Championships. It’s made of Reynolds 653 and Columbus steel, stripped down repainted and coppered, and built from scratch with components from Brooks, Cinelli, Campagnolo and 3T. The tri-spoke carbon wheels were custom made for the Vicious Cycle. You can get it as a fixed rear hub or coaster brake.

The Vicious Cycle

If you want one you’d better act fast, there’s only 10 available, you’ll need to hand over $4,800 to secure one of these. Learn more and order your Christmas present here.

New Cycling Gear

Superman for the Masses: The Bird of Prey Bicycle

Is this the fastest bike you’ll ever ride?

Bird of Prey Bicycles think so, and bill it as much. Bird of Prey offer custom, superman-style bicycles for the masses. Now you too can be like Boardman.

The Bird of Prey is the brainchild of architect John Aldridge but it languished in anonymity until bike builder Russ Denny built a prototype in 2010, and thus began the journey from vision to reality.

The bike was launched in September 2015, and Bird of Prey are now taking orders.

The Bird of Prey Bicycle sports a 60 tooth rear sprocket driving a 36-11 up front.

Key Benefits of the Bike

Bird of Prey say this bike is:

  • the fastest bicycle for racing & triathlons (if it’s legal! -Editor)
  • Aerodynamic
  • Have a low center of gravity
  • Great for cross-training
  • You’ll never go over the handlebars
  • End your lower back pain or discomfort
  • Custom fit for exactly for you

The bike frame is aluminum, no word on the weight. It sports a 60 tooth big ring and a 36-11 cassette. Bird of Prey say the 60T is easy to turn and the position does not inhibit high cadence spinning up hills.

The Bird of Prey: Gets You Low and Aero

Questions About the Bike

I have not ridden the bike but from looking at the radical position I wonder if the “easing of back pain” might be replaced with stomach or hip discomfort.

There may also be additional stress on your neck as your torso is now more horizontal than on a traditional bike. At the very least I think the bike would take some adapting to.

What would be really interesting is to do some testing for aerodynamics, speed, climbing, etc. Bird of Prey claim that you can apply more torque in this position so the 60T ring is easy to turn. Well that’s really interesting, how about some numbers?

Learn more about the Bird of Prey Bicycle