Luxury Bike Camping

Seems as though the S24O bug has been going around Austin as of late. In case any of you guys or gals want to add a little luxury to your overnights you could always build something like this:

Not sure I’d head into the hills with that thing though…

Heavy Metal Fitness Ride. Lucky XIII.

In honor of the thirteenth running of the Monday Night Heavy Metal Fitness Ride, I share this video.

Feeling fast like Coppi? Good. You’re cordially invited to the Monday Night Heavy Metal Fitness Ride and Free Beer Quaff Version 13.0.

And since I’ve been left to my own devices…  Yes, we’ll be riding the hills again this week.

Here’s the lowdown.

The Heavy Metal Fitness Ride departs the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge, Monday’s at 7:30 pm. Sharp. Expect a reasonably fast pace, covering 23.3 miles on an urban route in the dark. If the weather’s warm, we’ll hit Barton Springs again but I doubt we’ll be doing that much more. Afterwards, it’s to the Jackalope to enjoy free beer, heavy metal madness, half-priced pizza and happy hour ($2.00 wells) all damn night.

Ride what brung ya. Road, mountain, bmx, cruzer, fixie, whatever. Metal Fitness is an equal opportunity ride and not limited to roadies.

Last time I heard, you’re mother won’t be attending, so you’ll need to bring water, lights, tube changing necessities, a lock, a swim suit if your swimming, your id and TIP MONEY if you’re drinking. You might even check the route map. I wear a helmet as the ride is fast and in the dark. Remember. Head injuries slow rides. And you don’t want to slow down a Heavy Metal Fitness ride. Now do you.

Texas Custom Bicycle Show. In OCTOBER…

Hey look, the Texas Custom Bicycle Show is coming to Austin… in October. (That better?)

They’re also looking for volunteers to help set up, tear down, and get the word out. Check  their blog to find out the details.

Here’s the schedule and exhibitor list.

Show hours:

Friday, October 23, 9 am – 5 pm, Livestrong Village / Austin Convention Center

Saturday, October 24, 9 am – 1 pm, Livestrong Village / Austin Convention Center

Sunday, October 25, 8:30 am – 5 pm, Livestrong Challenge Finish Line / Dripping Springs, Tx

Exhibitor Links:

• Alchemy
• Bilenky Cycle Works
• Crumpton Cycles
• Daltex Handmade Bicycles
• Dominion Bicycle Company
• Gallus Cycles
• Kirklee
• Massengill Cycles
• Southwest Frameworks
• True Fabrication
• Violet Crown Cycles
• Willits Brand Bicycles

Correction!!

Ok. I doubt if any of ya’ll are quite as dumb as I, however, just in case, the Texas Custom Bicycle Show is October 23rd thru 25th.

I’m not sure how many times they have to put that on their blog before I realize it’s not in September, but obviously quite a darn few. Thanks to the Dan and Chris who took the time to correct me rather than just roll their eyes and move on.

Comment 1:  “Yo! The show is in October…next month.”

Comment 2:  “Looks like it’s next month. I’m excited, too, but…”

Alrighty then…

How embarrassing.

It’s Alive!

The 1983 Specialized Expedition

Well, here it is. The Specialized Expedition touring bike I lusted after at age seventeen. Designed by the legendary frame builder Tim Neenan, currently of Lighthouse Cycles and designer of the Stumpjumper, it was built by Miyata and is considered, by some, to be a sibling to the much coveted Miyata 1000.  I picked up this 68cm beauty as a frame only (except for Mafac cantis and Specialized headset) and had it built up with a mixture of parts I had on hand, a Suntour Cyclone drivetrain, Huret shifters and some VO odd and ends. Not to ignore it’s potential, I plan to eventually trick it out with touring bits and hit the road. Nice bonus features include a chain hanger, chrome chainstay protector and internal wiring. The tubing is Specialized “Special Series Touring”. Whether that’s Specialized’s code for Ishiwata 022, as some claim, remains a mystery to me. (Enter post to view all the pics.)

Cycling Quotes of Yore.

On Racing

“I will get there first, or they will find my body on the road.”

James Moore. Uttered before winning the first bicycle race, Paris-Rouen in 1869.

“Men invented war so they could be among themselves. In peacetime, they have bike racing.”

Gabrielle Rolin.

“The bicycle riders drank much wine, and were burned and browned by the sun. They did not take the race seriously except among themselves.”

Ernest Hemingway, “The Sun Also Rises”

“An athlete must have ability to reach the top, but many who have ability and who do not live clean lives never have and never will be champions for obvious reasons.”

Major Taylor

Uhhhh…. I know. Art Day!

A massive head cold has had me down and out the last couple of days. Yes, I know. One excuse after another.

Sooo…. today is bicycle art day here at HMwSB.

Enjoy.

Umberto Boccioni - Dynamism of a Cyclist. 1913.

Natalya Goncharova - The Cyclist. 1913.

Enrico Prampolini - Dynamism of a Cyclist. 1921.

We Need a Train Like This

How about the Hill Country Flyer out to Bertram with our bicycles loaded on a car. Drop us off and we’ll take care of the rest.

Hmmm. Actually, maybe we really should do this. Anyone know anyone at the Hill Country Flyer office?

No Posts til…. Austin!

Not much blogging lately and even less cycling. I’ve been in New England the last week with much on my mind other than cycling.

I did come across Pedal People, a bicycle based business in Northampton, Massachusetts that I thought was cool.

From their FAQ’s

“Pedal People Cooperative Inc. is a human-powered delivery and hauling service for items under 300 pounds in Northampton, Massachusetts, USA. It was started in December 2002 by Ruthy Woodring and Alex Jarrett. We are now an incorporated cooperative business with twelve active workers as of December 2008.

Besides recycling & trash and groceries, we’ve hauled bicycles, couches, washers/dryers, futons, tables, computers, cats, friends, laundry, a king-size bed, lumber, windows, memorial stones, refrigerators, solar panels, a 100 square foot greenhouse, trees stumps and trunks, sand, leaves, and compost.“

I saw these cats several times slowly pulling their loads around town. Nice weather this time of the year but I can’t imaging pulling those loads in the Massachusetts’s winter. Brrrr!

Along with recycling and trash hauling, Pedal People also perform composting, grocery delivery and yard care services; teach bicycle safety, repair and maintenance classes and operate a food collective.

Check out their website.