HumanPoweredTransport

Gone Fishing

It's summer, so let's think about cyclocross. Particularly the hardest 'cross race in the world and racing in the land of the rising son.



Don't sit down. One man, seventy seven million paintings. Decker and Craig destroyed the field at Chainbreaker, on monocogs. See kids, there is interesting pro cycling to watch, it's just not sanctioned. Repair tips from Park Tool. Brits against Crit Mass. Brits against privacy. Brits who Charge. Dennis, lady killer. If you're planning a trip to Africa, read this. Jeff G. was in NYC for the BFF. Handy. Onward.

Go See Ayamye* At The NYC Bicycle Film Festival

It you're in NYC, our 40 minute documentary plays Sunday at 3:30. It's at the Anthology Film Archives 32 2nd. Ave., 10003. Get a day pass, 'cause there's lots of great films and a killer after-party. Not to mention great films tonight and tomorrow. Viva!

"Nobody Owns Me"

Why we love LeMond (not that we don't think he's got an agenda). A snippet of the former link: "I mean, I think they didn't want me coming here today. I don't know why. If you didn't do anything wrong, what would you object for me to be here." Hey Will, how did you not notice that Greg's not one to back down? Have fun playing hide the soap - intimidation is a punishable crime. In related debacles, Tinkoff is making noise about releasing Tugboat. Or maybe just not asking his phantom twin to come back. Whatever, go ride (just not in Griffith Park).

Morons On The Park

All due respect to the men and women who valiantly battled the blaze in Griffith Park two weeks ago. Wednesday we received the news that the park would be closed indefinitely to all but motorized traffic, with little additional information. Many have e-mailed and/or called the appropriate offices to complain or voice concern about the closure. Among reasons given; fallen rocks. In rainy season, there is rock-fall daily, on the very roads we ride; no one closes them then. Erosion of the now barren dirt trail areas is certainly a concern. Bikes were already not allowed on these paths for a number of reasons, namely horseback riders but including erosion. That said, most of the cycling in the park goes down on the paved lower shared-use roads and the mostly closed access roads up the mountain. Many of the closed access roads are also heavily used by dog walkers, hikers and runners. Currently the only access within the park is to business facilities via motorized transportation. There is a major development plan in the works for the park, in place since before the fire, which has been fought continuously by various neighborhood groups. The plan includes residential housing, restaurants, paid-use park facilities and other invasive urban attributes - all monetized. A reported fifty million dollar re-seeding and re-foresting budget has been granted following the fire, despite independent studies showing that managed natural re-growth would work as well if not better. This is the largest city-bound park in the country. Thousands of people use it daily, they come from the surrounding neighborhoods and the city itself. To use the fire as reason to deny access to all but paid users smacks of a convenient ruse to take over the park for financial gain. There is a dangerous climate of fear that fuels our public willingness to allow our civic rights to be revoked and corrupted in the name of safety. So we do not mean to diminish the very real environmental and safety concerns of an area recently damaged by fire. However, there are plenty of areas in the park undamaged by the blaze that we should be able to use. Finally something to do for the thirty-or-so park rangers who previously huddled in their fort, SUV's idling outside prepared to go write tickets for dogs off leash. They now police the various access points to roads and trails, ready to dole out the thousand dollar fine and six month visit to the big house. We have ridden in Griffith Park for a decade; many of the regulars we pass throughout the week have been pedaling these roads for two or three times that long. There is a certain nod, a quick flick of the hand from the hoods to say hello as routes bisect. These men and women, along with the horse-folk, dog walkers and runners surely deserve a better solution while the park is rehabilitated.
In other cyclocentric news: #1 reason to love your helmet, especially if it's a Giro. Safety is sexy. Bike lanes are not. There are people who ride fixed gears harder than you. Impeaching Roberto. Canucks on Floyd. 'Roid Nation. In some cities, they try to make things work for cyclists. Give your bike a ride. Ned's a legend. Onward.

A Blast From Both Barrels

Greggie boy. Wow; so tell me what he'd have to gain by this? And what is this Will Geoghegan lunkhead doing acting out his Soprano's fantasies during trial? Bye bye Floyd. Who's next? All eyes turn to Texas...

No Park Access All Summer???

Our park burned. Now they won't give it back. Last Sunday, cops blocking entrances to Griffith Park had said the roads would re-open Monday. Today they say the park is closed to all cyclists and hikers - motor traffic only- for the summer. Calls to Tom LaBonge's office result in run-around before getting the response of closed indefinitely with asides to for your safety and concern of ground erosion. The erosion on the dirt trails is somewhat understandable, but only motor traffic on the paved roads already closed to vehicles? That's absurd. People rely on those closed roads for dog walking, hiking, jogging and cycling. Sure they will still allow film crews to tromp around up there - they pay for the access. Of course, there's more than one way in and up but the fine is 1000$ and 6 months in the slam. If you live in LA, e-mail councilmen LaBonge and Garcetti now and let them know we want our park back. This is our park; we use it safely every day. We will ride. Viva!

Things That Make You Go…

Hmmm. Fresh water running out. Free wheelchairs get a ride. Jon Boyer on the future of African cycling. More electric bike options. Everything you need to know about Charlie Cunningham. Basso’s used blood-bags, on e-Bay. Funny business about the world’s most popular clogs. Knight Rider remixed. That guy we posted about slugging a cyclist in Toronto for obeying the law? He’s a cop. Kevin Kelly reveals the worlds loudest bike bell. Build a monster in NYC. Floyd bribed? Unibet shafted again. Griffith Park will be re-built; you’d think these folks might want to update their site at this time. Onward.

Fire On The Mountain

At around 1700h fire had just reached the back of the ridge above Los Feliz and Riverside.

And then around 1830h it seemed fairly contained by air support.

But at around 2200, all hell had broken loose.

Sad.

Local

Basically, that's the back fireroad and trails that we ride and hike almost every day. Fucked. Also f'd - this jackhole in Toronto, filmed slugging a cyclist. And on the theme of slugs and being f'd - here's what the riot brigades shoot you with nowadays. Vive la France - these kids would've rioted no mater who won the election. How much slander can one man dish out? Good night New Standard; long live your archive. Snaps from the trails as soon as they re-open; let's hope this thing gets put down tonight. Onward.

Best Basso Post Yet

Vontz, nailing it.

Viva.