As Long as You Get There

Cyclists are a special breed. We ride long distances on what a large percentage of people consider a toy, we wear lycra (electively), ride through weather most wouldn't dare venture into, and have a strange ability to suffer with style. But more importantly, we have a large support group. Whether it be friends, family, teammates, or strangers, no matter what there's always someone to give us a hand.

I'm proud to be a part of this eclectic family. My new tee celebrates the camaraderie of cycling. Two riders pushing on, and like we all know, some days the legs just aren't there. It's that little push from our partner that gets us there. You can find this and other fine velo-centric offerings at the FreeBird Velo shop on Etsy.

RBC Sunset Loop

My my, how fast weather can change, which is rare to say in Southern California. The women's Sunset Loop stage was sunny and mild. 3 hours later and the western sky looks like a scene from Something Wicked This Way Comes. You remember that movie right? They showed it on rainy days in elementary school, I used to hate it, gave me the heebies. Anyways, dark skies were coming and it was not looking too promising for the men. Needless to say the mens field got obliterated after the rain started. Much respect to the guys still making it downtown to the finish line. As always, a big thank you to all the teams making it to Redland's and racing your hearts out. It's amazing to have such talented riders race in our little old city. Congratulations to Megan Gaurnier and Phil Gaimon for holding their leads throughout the entire race.

RBC Crit Time!

You know, I ended up venturing out Friday morning to the Beaumont stage, but the photos ended up being a bust. Apparently I can't shoot focused pictures while my head is trying to escape my body, all the while my body wanted to get back in bed, colds suck. Enter sad semi colon eyes and parenthesis mouth. I did find some new roads while in Beaumont, really good ones too, twisty country roads. So I'm back on the street today, in the legal way, for the Redlands Classic Downtown Criterium. Is the word criterium even used or is crit the true term? I don't know, but here are some photos from this afternoon, have at it:

This woulda been so good focused, so look at it in an artsy-fartsy way.

2012 Redlands Bicycle Classy Classic

Time Trial day. I usually get pretty bored watching time trials on TV, tuning in when the last 5 riders que up. But when it's live and it's all uphill I like it. So here it is, todays time trial, sorry but I missed the women this morning, they finished up before I got down there. Small field compared to the 200 men.

Oh yeah, congratulations to Phil Gaimon and Megan Guarnier.

So here ya go:

Redlands Classic Weekend Sneak Peeky

I've mentioned before on Twitter and I'll say it here: next weekend is my favorite weekend of the year. The Redlands Bicycle Classic is coming to town and that means for a week I get to ride around my local roads along with riders who are thousands of times better than me. But I don't care, I enjoy seeing the shiny bikes, team cars, new kits, and random professionals. I try to keep my enthusiasm to a minimum in front of Hubby because he doesn't understand my sickness and I believe he's embarrassed of my growing nerd love of all things bike.

Your dear author suffering in second place. Due to random illness's and

general malaise I'm passing on the public race and

doing the R.U.F.F. ride, in support of our local dog park.

Keep an eye out on this here blog, Twitter (@freebirdvelo), and my new up and running Tumblr page. I'll start on Thursday with the prologue and continue through the weekend, so look for pictures and whatnot's. Haven't figured it all out yet, I usually just roll with it.

Here's some of my shots from last years race so enjoy!

Bike Shop of the Week

Bike shop of the week goes to Laguna Beach's very own Laguna Cyclery.

I've been going here for a few years and the ambiance of the shop is what makes it so appealing. Set in what appears to be an old house is actually a treasure trove of bicycle goodness. Rafters full of hanging road and MTB frames, plus a few vintage bikes Everything is close and comfy on the floor but it's not phobia inducing. They carry Assos, Wilier Triestina, Bianchi, Ibis Mtn bikes, and lotsa other quality merchandise.

Laguna has some pretty respectable trails so Mtn bike gear is equally represented among the road. Just take a look at their site above. I came this close to buying a pair of Assos bibs there last year. They were even going to give me a deal, and I didn't do it. I'm regretting that decision now. When in doubt fork it out, cause it sucks being cheap.

So if you're ever in Southern California and want a nice diversion from the sun and sillycone head on down.

Laguna Cyclery

240 Thalia St.

Laguna Beach, CA

92651

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ch CA 92651240 Thalia Beach CA 92651

What the Road had in Store for Me

Well, I did it. I've been planning to ride up to Oak Glen to see some friggin goats for about a year, and I finally did it. I don't know the goats personally but they just happened to be at a good turn around point. And honestly I wondered why I hadn't done it sooner. It was mainly 8-10% for 3 miles (maybe?) so that's why I probably put it off. Apprehension, my evil nemesis and his evil henchman-Procrastination have stopped me from tackling this little climb. Yes, the last mile or so I had to stop about 5 times because the breathing, she was a problem. But now that I know I can crack the bottom half of the climb I'm aiming for the big petting zoo about a mile or so up the road. Setting my sights on the llamas and deer. After I visited the goats I got to drop into a super cruisy section that I've only driven but have envisioned riding it many times. I have to say it felt goood. It would of been even better if my fingers weren't frozen nubbins. So that was Sundays adventure, I say adventure a lot but this one actually was. I think we need rides like this to keep us coming back. Facing unknowns keep our rides fresh.

This was in front of a park.

A new way to keep the pervies out of the bathrooms?

Don't need to worry about that.

The goats that made me climb.

I call this one Bertha.

Cause it looked like she was

about to give birth'a.

Part of that cruisy woo-hoo! inducing section.