That 1x1 Kinfolk cx we ranted over last week? Apparently it's really meant as an urban bike; less stoked on build, still stoked on frameset. Is this the next big thing? Giant bicycle company strikes back at giant car company. MoJo says GOP don't like bikes. Ecyclista took a nice ride in Donegal. Polo bikes are getting nuts. Keeping polo real, Brad Q. and friends. It's always worth stopping by The Hand Up to see that someone's keeping 'cross real. Go ride for the lost souls.
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Wet Ops: Riding In B.C.
Field operations find HPT in the friendly confines of Vancouver, Cannuckville BC. Affording convenient commuting & proximity to unlimited trails in the woods, a little rain is part of the program here. No bad weather, just bad equipment. On the bike: sealed cables, sealed bearings, wet condition brake pads, mudflaps, lights.
A wardrobe of diversity: winter riding boots, wind proof undershirts, waterproof socks, water-resistant jeans or pants for the commute, winter team kit for the weekend warrioring, various weight jackets, gloves and hats.
10 miles to work, then back at night five days straight. Then two days of 3 hour+ rides in the woods, 20-30 mile wanders-75% dirt. rinse, repeat. We're here for three more months.
The forest canopy keeps rain mostly out and presents a flat deceptive light along the track. Slick yellow leaves hide smooth round rocks the size of an assortment of playground balls. A big ring cadence, maintained in concert with the undulating twisting terrain and deft shifting across the rear cassette, urges the wheels forward. Legs churning, the upper body subtly changing position with as much tranquility as possible. Eyes scanning 270 for the line, for roots, for water. As a kid, puddles were targets. Now they're speed traps, greedy pools of opportunity for wet and cold to sneak into boots or gloves and cut the ride short. Low gear, high pitch climbs stab with sudden brevity. At slower speed the rocks conspire with dodgy cadence to steel traction and momentum. Breathing and balance; patience wrestles with blood pressure and heart rate in the battle to remain upright and out of the trees.
Switching off to a new trail appearing stage left, a series of s-turns presents tree-line challenges based heavily in depth perception x mph. Hurtling along, the telephoto flat-light view of the trail ahead snaking just shy of almost straight through three mature trees triggers a rapid assessment of weight distribution, pedal position, cadence and use of brakes. Determining just how much you need to move your head through the path of three off-set trees that you are slaloming toward at breakneck speed without upsetting the precious balancing act being performed by the rest of your body is a oddly pleasing problem to be confronting, with due regularity, on a Saturday afternoon. That you are aboard a bike designed not really to fully stop but to feign around or over obstacles using a clever mix of body english, brake feathering and maintaining velocity only adds to the complexity of the fun.
That all of this is happening on a brisk 12(c) degree day under broken gray sky in a beautiful forest just 20 minutes away from the city caps the moment. Being further North has it's advantages. Go ride.
To Consider:
Will Anonomous will be successful in their fight with Los Zetas?
Can 18$ beer be analogous to the recession?
Does #occupy stand a chance against the Koch's?
Wants & Wonders
Kinfolk one-speed cyclocross? Peep the brake hanger! Yes please!
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