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2011-12-21T09:16:00.001-06:00

Grayceon

2011-12-14T09:20:00.005-06:00

All We Destroy by GRAYCEON

2011-12-12T10:14:00.002-06:00

2011-12-10T18:11:00.001-06:00

Dog Shredder

2011-12-08T08:47:00.000-06:00

<a href="http://dogshredder.bandcamp.com/album/boss-rhino-ep">Boss Rhino EP by Dog Shredder</a>

2011-12-02T09:18:00.000-06:00

2011-12-02T08:49:00.003-06:00

Dirty Dozen Race 2011-Canton Ave from Matt Dayak on Vimeo.

If the post below is a what not to do, then this is an example of what you as a bike racer should be aspiring to. Steevo going third wheel up Canton on his way to winning his 8th Dirty Dozen. Ridiculous on so many levels.

2011-11-30T10:38:00.001-06:00

I told myself I would be positive when I started HM back up, but here is something that is becoming all to common in the current flash mob that is cyclocross. All these flashy edits, tricks, and kits and then a horrendous dismount/remount. The murdering of the very foundation of cross like you see at clinics given before the beginners race bad. Don't do this. Forget the fashion, for the most part forget the fancy bike stuff even, learn the basics, and then relearn them, and then make a sweet "web edit" of you gapping the field as you nail a perfect remount effortlessly.

2011-11-22T10:14:00.000-06:00

Inaugural Bob Moore Subaru of Edmond Ride from DNA Racing Team on Vimeo.

A nice video from the Oklahoma based DNA racing team. It says a lot about the team that they waited as a group for everyone after the gravel section.

Also those Velocite's are awesome bikes. One of the guys brought them to the US via DNA Distributing.

2011-11-22T08:40:00.003-06:00

More original Hopesfall lineup, this time the reunion show. Amazing that they were like 17 when they wrote these songs. At 60mins it's a good length for tempo sessions.

Also amazing how good Doug's vocals are running through a clean mic?

2011-11-19T13:08:00.001-06:00

Want an easy way to make indoor trainer workouts a bit more tolerable? You know those Sufferfest videos? Same concept, but totally free. You've got all the speeds, HR's and wattage info on the screen so just match it. Go here hit "Play All" and get you're simulated race on.

2011-11-18T20:16:00.002-06:00

The Howling Wind

2011-11-15T10:32:00.001-06:00

<a href="http://profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-cryosphere">Into The Cryosphere by Profound Lore Records</a>

2011-11-10T12:06:00.001-06:00

There's been a lot of chatter lately about the lack of skills present in the modern cycling community, which has been recently compounded by the death of a participant on a Rapha gentlemen's ride. I'm not going to expound any further on that incident as it will be thoroughly dissected elsewhere.

Continuing on the discussion of corners, apexes, etc. here is the worst case scenario, the Decreasing Radius turn by itself is a handful if you add in a descent it is way too easy to end up on that red line. I was reminded of this just a couple of weeks ago as I slid across the pavement. I knew I was going to fast for the situation and I knew there was no reason for this other than my ego, but I did it and paid the price for not just taking a step back and checking myself. Lesson learned loud and clear.

ps. you would have to be some kind of maniac to attempt the blue line, go for green.

Akimbo

2011-11-10T09:43:00.002-06:00

<a href="http://releases.seventhrule.com/album/city-of-the-stars">City Of The Stars by Akimbo</a>

2011-11-08T09:08:00.001-06:00

Speaking of beastly frames, this FTW/Spooky creation is insane. It has since been painted as well:

2011-11-08T08:54:00.001-06:00

This thing is beastly. It was later painted and turned in to a show bike for Ritte, it's called Moth Attack or something. Sometimes I really wish there was a Velodrome in Austin, track racing is gnarly.

2011-11-08T08:47:00.000-06:00

I guess this isn't super rare footage of Frank, but I've never seen it before. Pretty funny. I was thinking the other day who of the PROtour riders, who also race cyclo-cross has had the most success?

2011-11-05T21:47:00.003-05:00

"Don't know what late apex means=no skinsuit." Mickey via @spookybikes twitter while bonding with local CAT3 CX racers.

This mysterious late apex is nothing more than a fancy name for being straight and on the gas as much as possible while negotiating a corner which is in fact not straight and not exactly fond of you going fast around it. But guess what? You can go faster in a straight line than turning, which is the reason the late apex turn exists. This also allows you to build speed and sneak attack from behind. Like a bicycle racing ninja. That's the secret every PRO/CAT1 has been desperately guarding to keep you in the 3/4's.

Here's another animated example:

2011-11-04T10:36:00.000-05:00

Gone to a good home. This bike was super fun to cruise around on.

2011-11-04T10:23:00.000-05:00

This bike haunts me. There is nothing finer than properly worn in XTR components.

2011-11-02T10:46:00.000-05:00

Blackwave?

2011-11-02T10:39:00.002-05:00

<a href="http://kulturakureniya.bandcamp.com/album/ep">Рвота (EP) by культура курения</a>

2011-11-02T10:37:00.001-05:00

Renshaw at last years Bay Crits, by far my favorite race series of the season. Series kicks off again January 1, 2012.

Samiam

2011-10-31T09:01:00.001-05:00

<a href="http://samiam666.bandcamp.com/album/trips">Trips by samiam</a>

2011-10-28T09:26:00.001-05:00

Another one for the interval trainer sessions. Josh Kerr is pure mental, dude does miller flips and layback grinds on waves... how is that even possible?

2011-10-26T12:44:00.001-05:00

Came across this on the CycleOps site. Crazy how early the Heiden's had this training stuff dialed.

2011-10-26T10:25:00.000-05:00

Perko knows what's up. If you're job is to go to the mat with Sir Hoy you better be pushing big numbers.

2011-10-23T14:44:00.000-05:00

Stybar killing it as usual.

2011-10-21T21:42:00.000-05:00

Driveway Race Series from Rob MCKinnie on Vimeo.

A feelgood video from the last race of the season out at the Driveway. Don't let Avett Brothers, tilt mode trickery, or Lawson's goofy celebration at the end fool you though, this race was an absolute torture-fest with an average speed right at 29mph. Not fun on end of season legs. Next year I'm going to split the season, take most of the summer off from racing out there and try to finish up strong during the fall.

2011-10-19T14:00:00.000-05:00

Two crashes, in almost the same exact spot at the Driveway coming back up from the loop. Same thing goes for the other side when coming down, but on the outside section. Yes it's the 4/5's, but I've seen it happen in the others races as well. Actually should say I've heard it, thankfully I haven't had someone go down in front of me... yet. For some reason it always sounds like a tree cracking and falling to me.

Granted racing is over as of tomorrow, but something to keep in mind for next season.

2011-10-19T10:17:00.001-05:00

End of the race season party at Austinbikes Friday 6-9. Sure to be a bro-down of epic proportions.

2011-10-15T20:51:00.000-05:00

DARK SIDE OF THE LENS from Astray Films on Vimeo.

Pretty much the most awesome video ever. I just ran across this again, so I'm throwing it up here to not lose it again.

2011-10-14T14:06:00.002-05:00

Marcel Kittel's winning sprint speed from earlier this year. Converts to be a little over 48mph. Holy Crap.

2011-10-14T13:35:00.001-05:00

Oh how I admire alloy speed machines. This one is exceptional.

2011-10-14T13:11:00.000-05:00

First 6 week of Strength building is done. Now to focus on power and speed. Here's one for the upcoming trainer sessions, at just under an hour it's perfect.

Crusades

2011-10-13T15:32:00.002-05:00

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://itsaliverecords.bandcamp.com/album/the-sun-is-down-and-the-night-is-riding-in"&amp;amp;gt;The Sun Is Down And The Night Is Riding In by Crusades&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

2011-10-13T12:19:00.003-05:00

Every fall I find myself thinking of Colorado and how much snow Vail has on the mountain for the early season, as I spent most of the mid to late nineties running a snowmaking crew there. By far one of the hardest, coldest, wettest jobs in the world, but so much fun. If you're young now's the time, pick a resort and go sign up as a snowmaker. Pay is good, you get a season pass, a snowmobile, and they're always hiring because no one wants to do it except complete psychos which makes the job that much better.

2011-10-12T13:43:00.004-05:00

Back in the early 90's Chris Moeller of S&M bikes made a 24" frame called the Widowmaker for Twisted Sister's Dee Snider (who's pic is above getting radical on a Hutch just a bit earlier than the early 90's). Poor Boy was doing some art for S&M at the time so we got dibs on a couple frames, I had #3 and I believe Steev and Chris had 1 and 2. Story was that Dee's son raced and he decided to bang around as well.

I'm on the lookout for a bmx mini for the grom to race this spring and thinking I may go ahead and race 24" class for a hoot. Which got me thinking about this bike... for the life of me I cannot remember what I did with it. Looks like S&M is putting out a cruiser version of the Dirt Bike so maybe I'll grab one of those.

2011-10-12T08:58:00.002-05:00

Iron Chic (Full Set) from hate5six on Vimeo.

Iron Chic brings tears to my eyes every time. I always think of friends I've lost and just wish I could get them back for one night like this, just so they could see that everything turns out okay in the end.

2011-10-11T13:16:00.003-05:00

Looks like Bryan Fawley's Crazy Water CX race lived up to it's name. Notice he's the only one besides the mountain biker to try and ride that section.

2011-10-11T11:48:00.002-05:00

2011 North American Cycle Courier Champion Mason O'neal. Those Cycle Progession dudes just keep getting faster as they get older. I may have to look in to a transfer for 2012..

Safe to say that as a cycling community ATX is way stoked on this. And as a bonus first prize is a custom Alchemy built right here as well.

2011-10-11T10:37:00.003-05:00

Moved my old dual cassette stereo out to the garage for workout sessions, and then broke out my old boxes of cassettes. Wow, I totally miss mixtapes.

These are not mine btw, just an image I came across. There are a couple in there I would like to get my hands on though...

Good Winter

2011-10-09T23:32:00.004-05:00

After one of the hottest and driest summers on record, this is what Austin felt like when the rain finally came this weekend. I think of this when greeting everyone at the first cross race every year as well.

Also Justin Vernon's inspiration for the name Bon Iver.

2011-10-08T08:30:00.001-05:00

When I was listening to the band from the last post, I was on facebook and headed over to Wooly Mammoth's page where this video of Jotul had been posted. I combined the two, and it ended up like Peanut Butter and Jelly.

Turn the sound down on this:

Jøtul's Quinetucket Traditions from Jamie Murrett on Vimeo.

and listen to this while viewing:
&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://buriedinhell.bandcamp.com/album/a-tempest-of-reticence"&amp;amp;gt;A Tempest Of Reticence by Chronaexus&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Chronaexus

2011-10-07T15:02:00.001-05:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://buriedinhell.bandcamp.com/album/a-tempest-of-reticence"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A Tempest Of Reticence by Chronaexus&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

2011-10-07T14:51:00.002-05:00

Earlier I posted a long piece on a crash I had today trying to figure out what happened. I've deleted it now, as it made me feel like a whiny baby.

I told myself when I started HM back up I would not ramble on, as I think that the more a person writes about bike racing, the slower at bike racing that person probably is.

Expect one word posts from here on out.

2011-10-06T13:06:00.001-05:00

Yes Chapin still rules. Granted that might be a second place podium spot, but the Coors tall boy is much like a time bonus putting him clearly in front of AJM. It is a banquet beer after all.

Found at the Rock Lobster team blog.. which is awesome by the way.

2011-10-05T22:35:00.001-05:00

Steevo ruined Wenger for me forever. Last night after I found out I locked my keys in the car 10min before the A race, I bailed and resigned to post up by the barriers in spectator mode to wait for the locksmith. Dave was there as well and the while we chatted I kept thinking of this.

Prison of Mirrors

2011-10-04T15:05:00.003-05:00

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://prisonofmirrors.bandcamp.com/album/prison-of-mirrors"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Prison Of Mirrors by Prison Of Mirrors&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

2011-10-04T13:25:00.001-05:00

Fawley is a beast. A straight up bike handler and good example of the racers coming out of Texas. Guys that can jump in and pin it whether it be a crit, mtb XC, or CX race.

Found on CyclingNews from Dave McElwaine of TrailWatch.net.

2011-09-29T11:45:00.002-05:00

Such a rad photo, pretty much captures everything good about the blue collar punch-up spirit of American crit racing.

Clint from Embro as captured by DRoth, more awesomeness at dmroth dot com

2011-09-28T15:54:00.002-05:00

Supplement to the post below... Ambient Black Metal is always the preferred motivation for early morning sessions.

2011-09-28T10:30:00.005-05:00

Off-season has officially started with the first 6 week block devoted to strength conditioning. There will be no kettle bells, swiss balls, rubber bands, or other gimmicks used. I'll be following Mark Rippetoe's infamous "Starting Strength" program which consists of proper Olympic lifts with the focus on technique with gains being dependent on the former. It is a highly effective program as long as your head or ego do not get in the way. Start light, or with no weight at all, gradually adding weight always focusing on technique versus poundage. If the weight is too heavy causing you to deviate proper form, move down and build back up.

Program Basics
The Starting Strength is as follows:

Workout A
3x5 Squat
3x5 Bench Press
1x5 Deadlift

Workout B
3x5 Squat
3x5 Standing military press
3x5 Power cleans

You train on 3 nonconsecutive days per week.

Week 1 might look like:
Monday - Workout A
Wednesday - Workout B
Friday - Workout A

Week 2:
Monday - Workout B
Wednesday - Workout A
Friday - Workout B

NO, YOU CANNOT TRAIN 2 CONSECUTIVE DAYS.

2011-09-27T21:19:00.002-05:00

We are all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when find someone who's weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness...

-Dr. Suess