Random good links and Biketoberfest pictures…

I’ve been collecting links that I’ve been meaning to comment on or just post them because I find them interesting. Some of them are a little dated, but they are still timeless. So, here’s a post about posts that I like.

Bring Back Engraved Polished C-Record
I like this concept. I want high-end, but I don’t want to spend the dollars for high-end carbon components. I also ride simple steel frames and want to maintain the classic look of aluminum cranks, brake levers, derailleurs… With companies such as Colnago and DeRosa continuing to produce lugged steel frames for riders who want the look of the classic lugged frame. Check out the link. The author did a great job of creating the look of a neo-retro component group.

I enjoyed the interview with Steve Hampsten of Hampsten Cycles on Patrick Brady’s Red Kite Prayer website. What I particularly liked is Steve’s like of bigger tired road bikes. Reminds me of the piece on Andy Hampsten’s bike on bikeradar.com and the Supersize Me post I made last year. Read the Steve Hampsten interview Part I and Part II.

While I still follow racing, it doesn’t much interest me much these days. The races seem very formulaic with the outcomes all but determined well before the racers line up. This is most evidently seen in the longer stage races where racers (and their directors) plot and plan to position their racer for the ultimate win. It’s not who wins the battle, it’s who wins the war (and does best in the time trial). The Tour of California is Levi Leipheimer’s. The Tour de France is Alberto Contador’s. The warriors are directed by back stage generals via radios so that tactics are reduced to following orders dictated by the generals.

Recently the UCI has voted to ban race radios. Personally, I like the concept. And even more interesting, Michael Barry, racer with Team Columbia-HTC, came out and voiced his support of the ban. Interesting because his boss appears to be in favor of using radios to control his racers. Read Michael Barry’s VeloNews diary posts here and here. They’re good reads.

And in the I-sure-hope-the-paycheck-is-worth-it category, America’s favorite (only known?) road racer, Lance Armstrong inked a deal with Michelob Ultra to be their new spokesman and ambassador. Now, I’m sure the deal included more zeroes than I’ll make in my lifetime, but imagine this for a moment. You are in a bar or restaurant and you want to order a local brew. But no, you can’t because you are Michelob Ultra’s spokesman and ambassador so you have to order a Michelob Ultra. Ick. I’m sure Michelob Ultra is a fine beer. Notice I didn’t write “fine tating beer.” There will be no more public ales, porters, IPAs for Mr. Armstrong. The dollar is a mighty opponent that has felled many a good man.

Bikerader.com recently posted stories about the local Dino Ride and last weekend’s Biketoberfest. Read my buddy Gary B’s stories here and here. And here are some pictures I took during Biketoberfest. I had a booth there with my road bike and monster cross bike. I also shared space with Mark Slate’s OS Brand bikes and exhibited Bruce Gordon’s new BLT frame.

A couple of Black Mountain Cycles frames and the OS Blackbuck.

From Biketoberfest 09

From Biketoberfest 09

Mark from Rivendell and some Rivendell bikes.

From Biketoberfest 09

Brent Steelman was there with this sweet fixed gear bike that is owned by a customer of mine who puts in a lot of miles on this beauty.

From Biketoberfest 09

Sean from Soulcraft and Brent Steelman.

From Biketoberfest 09

A nice old Chris Chance road bike was making its way through the festival.

From Biketoberfest 09

This guy was tooling around on his red Potts mountain bike.

From Biketoberfest 09

A Fairfax local and his wife on their Pedersen’s

From Biketoberfest 09

This guy was walking his Cunningham through the grounds.

From Biketoberfest 09

A neat old Mountain Goat.

From Biketoberfest 09

Two more Cunninghams that were produced roughly together in the last batch of frames Charlie made.

From Biketoberfest 09

From Biketoberfest 09

(What’s playing: KWMR and Roadhouse Twang)