I caught this movie over on Bianchista. I love all things England and I'm not just kissing hiney. After watching the pink hoopla of the Giro it's nice to watch a small homey feeling race. So if you have an extra 8 minutes this weekend, take a peeky.
With the unexpected, unfortunate passing of Wouter Weylandt, Team Leopard-Trek has set up a fund for his family. And over on Stomach Full of Anger I found this shirt that honors Wouter and donates all proceeds to his charity, I ordered mine, get yours.
Absolutely shocking. Thought and prayers go out to Wouter's family, friends, and teammates. I read on Velonews that his girlfriend is expecting their first child in September, truly heartbreaking.
As for the television coverage I can't explain the feeling I got watching the live footage. What was the camera man thinking, what was the editing room thinking? In a moment like that when you come upon that scenario, use some common sense. It made me sick to my stomach all morning, not too mention worrying about who it was and if their family was watching. I pray they weren't watching.
Yes, there is another race that takes place in May, and for those who fear the color pink and masochistic mountain stages this one might be more your flavor. It also takes place in my native land, the Republic of California. One stage is actually 1/2 an hour away so I'm debating- linger and stalk riders in the staging area or actually put in some effort and climb part of the stage. Unfortunately it's not a sprinters stage. It's the much talked about Mt. Baldy mountain stage. A real mountain top finish, not like last year's Big Bear finish where it pussed out in the end. I actually went to that one but all I saw was a blur of neon green (Peter Sagan) whiz by and helicopters hovering above. No the Baldy stage is pretty promising, besides, there's family history on that mountain. My great grandma was the principal and teacher at the little school in the village and my great aunt's family used to own the trout farm. I have a couple weeks to decide, stay tuned.
I'm pretty damn lucky to live were I live, that's all I have to say. Beautiful coastlines, mountains, um desert? (I can take that one or leave it) and quiet country roads if you look hard enough. Next time you hear me complain about California, give me a slap. Not too hard, and not in the face, that's how I makes my livin's.
I haven't posted lately because the Rapha Continental put out their Tour of California movies. Love 'em. They covered four stages of the tour and shared their adventures with us by way of photos, video, and words. It's really worth a peek. Upon reading I'm happy to find out that I'm not the only one in the world who stops and picks up random objects while out riding about. Cole Maness (the mustachioed man) picks flowers, collects feathers, and who knows what else while riding. I bet he's never found a perfect avocado, yeah he probably has.
World famous CAT 3 rider, HENRY HANK VALENZUELA III has a saying- SUFFER IN SILENCE. I believe these are pretty good words to live by, and sometimes I should heed them myself, but all in all, I'm a pretty tough bitch. I don't like to hear others complain and don't get me started on moaners and grunters. I made him a tee and it started out as a one of a kind but now it's about to go international and quite possibly another color. We'll see what comes of it. Keep an eye out for it at my shop on Etsy.com. or just click on my shop button to the right. Should be up by the weekend.
MY MITTS GOT TOO HOT
I mentioned before I was going to get a set of pink brake hoods in honor of the Giro. Well, I found a pair of pink Hüdz 1/2 off, which made them a little easier to buy. Not the best color combos but it's only for a month. Taking off the original Campy ones were a pain. Now I need white bar tape because Becky says:
-"LESS RAPHA, MORE GIRO!"
On my ride today I felt like a cave woman, I was a gatherer, look at the goodies I found. Everyone knows fruit can't be considered stolen if its just one or two.
It's May, time for the Giro. I'm celebrating by putting on pink brake hoods, but they're only staying on there for the month. I don't want to be one of THOSE women. Besides, I don't think they're going to look to hot, photos to come.
Another big thing for the month of May is the opening of the Rapha Cycle Club in San Fransisco. There has never been a better excuse to head North than to visit my wallet's mortal enemy- Rapha. Love them.
Speaking of the Giro and Italy, I just discovered Capo's new Spring/Summer line up. And looky what I found- a celeste colored kit. I need a new swimsuit but this kit takes precedence over that for sure.
I'd like to introduce everyone to FREEBIRD VELO's new mascot!
BECKY!
She will be floating around from time to time to add some feisty-ness to the blog. I hope you've all seen American Flyers. If not, I don't know what to tell you. Are you riding a beach cruiser? I identify a little bit with Becky, she's kind of an airhead, she's frisky, and she likes Fig Newtons.
So welcome to Freebird Becky, hope you brought your rock, we might need it sometime.
I'm an American. Am I happy about it? Yes. Do I sometimes daydream about being born into a Tuscan family, raising olives and taking my truffle sniffing dog named Fausto out into the woods, hunting tasty fungus? Yes I do. I have an unhealthy at times, passion for all things Italian. Whether it be cycling related, food, travel(at some point), and their wonderful use of the coffee bean. I hope by some karmic coincidence, if I submerse myself in all things Italian I will come back as an Italian, hopefully still female with a bigger rack, and thick, shiny, lustrous hair, oh, and still have my passion for cycling. I understand the rack might interfere with my aerodynamics but I'm willing to take a chance.
Before I turned into an Italo-phile (is that right?) and I started looking for my first road bike, I checked out our LBS, Cyclery USA. I've been going there since my first bike. For my first road bike I test rode a Trek 1.5, I think, it was white with neon green. I never put a leg over a road bike in my life until that day. It was like that bike was made for me. It felt surprisingly good, even after being on cushy mountain bikes. I have to owe it to Trek or my body geometry, I don't know which, but they do make a well made, handsome bike. You see, Treks are handsome. Bianchi's on the other hand are georgeous. After watching this video it reminded me of the first time I test rode that atomic pea green Trek. I also like hearing Fabian talk about his first time on the cobbles, makes me appreciate him even more.
I will say Trek-Leopard is taking a lot of crap for their kits but I like 'em. The blue/green band kind of looks like celeste.
