RIDING IS BELIEVING...

A few days ago I was looking back through the few entries I've posted here and to my surprise I really haven't done too much in the way cycling. Everyone has one thing (at a minimum) they're obsessed with. For some it's fashion. For some it's golf. For some it's the Twilight book series. For some it's a celebrity. For some it's a song. For some it's a destination. For some it's a food. For me, it's CYCLING. Based strictly on personal experience, it seems a lot of people don't quite understand my obsession. To me it's more than something I learned to do when I was a kid. It's more than something I'll never forget how to do and will always be able to pick back up, God willing. It's more than spending lots of money to look goofy while exercising. I've never been able to articulate cycling in a way that seems fulfilling or complete to me. I stumbled across a website while looking at new bikes a few months ago and it chronicles the first season of the Cervelo Test Team, a Swiss based pro cycling team. This is probably the best representation of what cycling is to me, and if nothing else these videos look at cycling for more of an artistic perspective than anywhere else that I've seen. Great images.Visually stimulating.Emotional. Fun.

If this doesn't help then maybe the best thing would be to go pick up a road bike and see for yourself, because RIDING IS BELIEVING.

Do yourself a favor and take a look.These videos are best viewed in HD so they take a little longer to load.
I apologize. I'll update this post as more videos surface.













more to follow....

Ya Done Best Have Your Witz Aboutcha

An old co-worker and friend of mine, Erica,
sent me a link today...I'm totally diggin' it.

Discovery is the recording project of Rostam
Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend) and Wes
Miles (Ra Ra Riot). Guest vocals from Ezra
Koening (Vampire Weekend). Below are a few
songs off their debut album simply named "LP."
The record hits in the US on July 7th.
Check it out!

TDF Drama....as if you cared.

Courtesy of Bicycling.com...

Amid sponsorship turmoil and just days before the Tour de France, Alberto Contador had a deal to leave Astana and race against Lance.

by Joe Lindsey

With the news last week that its Kazakh sponsors had finally made good on their financial obligations after months of non-payment, it seemed like the Astana team could face its biggest goal of the season, the Tour de France, without distraction. But the team that takes the start in Monaco could be a badly fractured squad, riven with trust issues and power struggles that, under the pressure of the Tour, could explode.

Happier days? Lance and Contador at Astana's pre-season camp in Teberife.

A source within the team told Bicycling that when Astana looked like it would default on its obligations, a new structure had been set up to supercede it. Two different sources close to the team confirmed, also anonymously, that the team name was going to be Livestrong-Nike. Seven-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong raced last Sunday’s Nevada City Classic on an all-black Trek Madone wearing Livestrong kit; his teammates, Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner, rode in Astana team clothing.

“About three weeks ago, we learned that there could be a new sponsor, and that it was Livestrong-Nike,” said one of the outside sources, while the other said that they first heard the possibility of the new team structure about two days before the team switched to its “faded” Astana logo outfits at the Giro d’Italia.

The source within the team said that 2007 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador assured manager Johan Bruyneel of his desire to stay with Livestrong-Nike, but was at the same time also quietly talking with Garmin-Slipstream about switching teams should Astana default on his contract. Garmin manager Jonathan Vaughters could not immediately be reached for comment. Sources have also confirmed that Contador was in discussions with Caisse d’Epargne.

Significantly, the Astana team source said, Garmin was said to be not only signing Contador, but also his Astana teammates Benjamin Noval, Sergio Paulinho, and bringing aboard Contador’s preferred mechanic and soigneur from Astana. Herbalife, which sells weight loss and nutritional supplements via multi-level marketing, was said to be willing to contribute $2 million as a co-sponsor to sign the riders and staff for the remainder of 2009.

That deal was initially set to be announced last Saturday (and, according to the team source, Felt bikes were already on the way to Contador), and the Livestrong-Nike deal, said two of Bicycling’s sources, was also alive until just before the weekend.

But unexpectedly, Astana’s Kazakh sponsors derailed all those plans. In conjunction with the federal government and, according to some reports, an unnamed American corporation with business interests in the region, Astana managed on Thursday to make good on the $6 million bank guarantee that the UCI required.

What this makes clear is that the team’s uncertain sponsorship was not its biggest potential problem. Astana is far from a cohesive unit. Although the strongest team in the race on paper, with Armstrong, Contador, Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden all confirmed to start, their internal divisions could fracture the team and cost them the Tour de France.

Paulinho and Noval are among seven riders who are competing for three remaining spots on the team’s Tour squad. If Paulinho and Noval make the Tour roster, it could mean that the team could develop an even sharper split in allegiances, with riders such as Leipheimer and Chris Horner backing Armstrong, and others backing Contador. If Bruyneel leaves Paulinho and Noval off the Tour team (for that reason or others), then it could mean Contador would be isolated, vying for a second Tour win against his own team.

There has also been discussion of Contador forming alternate alliances, with Caisse d’Epargne leader Alejandro Valverde saying he would help Contador where possible – provided Valverde, who is banned from racing in Italy, even starts. The race’s 16th stage crosses briefly into Italy.

It also seems clear that Contador will switch teams when his contract is up after 2009. And Astana’s problems are far from past as well. The UCI announced in a brief statement today that its License Commission was provisionally suspending its procedure to withdraw Astana’s ProTour license. But the UCI said that the suspension was for an “unspecified length of time” and could be reactivated if necessary. In May, Armstrong mentioned he wanted to launch his own team in 2010.

With just 12 days to go before the start in Monaco, the only thing that seems clear at this point is that, for all its strength, Astana’s biggest opponent at the Tour may be Astana. Whether Armstrong, Contador or some other challenger will emerge victorious, only the race will tell.

And then....

My "work spouse" sent me this....

al;asdkuhgvpaosd

It's not worth the long story. Just watch this all the way through....then image your boss was the person to send this to you. What does that mean?

Courtesy of Brandon

Worth a chuckle....and if you can't laugh at this, GO AWAY!

Bicyclist Harassment Ordinance Passed

Don't mess with Texas, or in this case Missouri.
More states should follow suit.
Bicyclist Harassment Ordinance Passed

Let me know what you think

So I've been thinking about starting a "Song of the Day" for my blog. I seem to struggle for content sometimes, but I can't imagine I'll ever draw a blank when it comes to music . I can't guarantee I will post one everyday, but I'll do my best.

Everyone knows the first video played on MTV was "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles. Don't worry, I wouldn't intentionally subject anyone to that song. The first song that I remember seeing/hearing on MTV (besides "Zombie" by The Cranberries) was when I was 13. I think at that point my parents were still against me watching MTV due to our good friends "Bevis and Butthead", but I was a real rebel and watched anyway.

Here it is. Maybe it will bring back good memories for you, as it does for me.



let me know what you think of the song.......

Google Wave: The future of internet communication?

I hope so.

This is a little long, but it's worth skimming through if you don't have the time.

Mrunal's first ride.....

Yesterday some of my buddies and I went out for what was Mrunal's first ride on what was once my first road bike. Below is the conversation I had with Clint on Gchat this morning about his eventful night....Proof that Mrunal always ruins things.

Clint: you there?

me: ya man, u?

Clint: yup,operating under the radar

A- did you bring your running stuff?

me: i did not

i was running late today..and will have to stay to make that time up probably

i will the next time for sho

whats the next question?

Clint: just a story

hold on one second

me: k

Clint: so, last night at 1:30, mrunal wakes me up because someone had broken into my car trying to steal our bikes

they had gotten mrunal's out and were struggling with mine, when the cops showed up

they took off running and didn't actually steal anything

me: are you serious dude?

that is crazy

did u guys call the cops?

or how did that all go down?

were the guys caught?

Clint: mrunal woke up to my car alarm going off...and the idiots had gotten his bike out, but were struggling with my bike (size) because they were, for some reason, trying to pull it out the backseat passenger door, and never raised the back hatch, so mru called the cops, and they showed up and they guys took off----they left behind some of their stuff....so once the officers learn the value of the bikes, they upgraded the possible charge to attempted grand larceny, and called in a dog team and a helo to search for these guys...and found one hiding behind a house in our neighborhood, and as of 4AM hadn't found the other one

totally insane
me: see this is what happens when mrunal gets involved

Arlington: The Rap

WHAT!

Happy Birthday/Hump Day...

To my good friend, DI. He's older than dirt today. Happy birthday man!

In other news, Storm knocks over tree at White House. If you really need to read the article feel free to click the link, but the title says exactly the same thing in less words. Thanks breitbart.com for absolutely nothing (pathetic). Instead, save yourself from the Wednesday-brain-drain and use the energy to drink a 23oz (that's fluid ounces) domestic draft at Don Pablo's for $3 with friends. You're probably thinking "that is a great deal for bad beer". Yes, yes it is. What's even better is - - that's the all-day-every-day price.

This Bud's for EU, Danny. I dare you to drink $15 worth of Don Pablo's finest on you birthday (taxes not included).

Please drink responsibly - and avoid the North Lawn of the White House in t-storms.

Cheers.