Bike Lanes and the 2010 Philadelphia Bike Expo
This seemed to get held up in the queue for the last few months, but here is a piece by JC resident and Grove Street Velo member Ken!
Our bike riding neighbors to the west in Newark are getting a “protected bike lane.” Hope that means Jersey City is next — right Mayor Healy? The word is Jersey Avenue might soon have a bike lane, but the primary goals should be Newark Avenue and Montgomery Street, the two main arteries to downtown Jersey City.
Another nearby city, Philadelphia, hosted a two day Bike Expo during Halloween weekend. Screened during a seminar on Sunday was One Got Fat:
This anti-cycling expression masked as a bicycle safety film has been shown to students in schools in America for decades. My girlfriend saw it in middle school as recently as the late 80’s. Halloween weekend prepared us for fright, but the monkey masks in the film are truly horrific, as is the narrator’s voice. I can’t see how any child would choose to go near a bike immediately after watching this smear campaign. Within 9 blocks to the park, every bike rider was toast, that’s a great message to send our youth. The literal translation for this video would be, “if you ride bikes, you’re a dumb monkey.” The only kid that was spared was the one who chose to walk to the park.
It was screened at the Expo during a seminar by Baltimore’s Sam Fitzsimmons whom I had the pleasure to meet. Read more about Sam at urban velo here.
The point of Sam’s seminar: clearly someone didn’t want kids to ride bikes. Only the crappiest, heaviest, most impractical bikes were being marketed to kids at that time. They were marginalized from viable efficient transportation to toys that collect dust in the garage after the first flat. Someone decided all the practical aspects of cycling were best kept secret.
Sam brought in a couple of examples of such ornamental clunkers, this is what the youth of America typically got for Christmas during those days.
We also took a photo of this guy who, in the spirit of Halloween, showed up at the Bike Snob NYC seminar dressed as Cru Jones from the 1986 bike film Rad.
The lumber yard chase scene at 3:20 is a classic, by the way.
The bike snob was not snobby at all and actually seems like a cool guy. He gave out free stuff to people in a hilarious game of impromptu Bike Snob Trivia. The Snob said, “My stock and trade as a blogger is stupid, goofy cragistlist posts… This is how I make a living… I’ve never written a fake craigslist ad. That would be like doping.”
New York’s bike painting artist Taliah Lempart, as well as Bike Cult author Dave Perry were also spotted in attendance. Check out bikecult.com for more on their work.
Check out the lug work on this custom Waterford on display at the Philly Bike Expo:
These machines were spotted over by Bilenky’s table:
Speaking of the gracious host, here is Mr. Bilenky’s cyclocross bike courtesy of fixedgeargallery.com, they’ve got a slew of photos from the Expo. Thanks to Bilenky for putting the Philly Expo together.
www.bikealbany.com
If your looking for some interesting cycling material/pictures check out www.bikealbany.com. Andrew has the website set up really well and is always good about posting events an race reports!
Globe simplifies for 2011
The Globe division of Specialized bicycles focuses on practical-use city bikes. Chain guards, full fenders, storage capacity, these common features are ideal for travels around town.
The clean lines are back, but there are now just four Globe models to choose from, including the newest Globe, the Daily.
The daily is an upright-geometry 700C wheel city-friendly commuter bike. The daily 1 is the single geared version with front basket for cargo. The daily 2 gets you a rear derailleur and the extra gears that come in handy when there are hills, plus a rear rack for storage. The daily 3 upgrades to the Shimano Nexus internal 7-speed hub. These hubs are smooth and require very little maintenance; they are quickly becoming legendary.
Gone is the European City-style coaster brake that used to be featured on the live 1. The live 2 features hand-activated rim brakes, and a Shimano Nexus 8-speed hub that shifts via the twist-shift mechanism. What remains from the live models is a wild ride experience. This bike has an integrated front rack that is color matched to the frame and fork. The front rack supports up to 55 pounds of weight. Take your ball with you to the bowling alley. Maybe no better a bike could be found in case an emergency beer run is needed.
The roll is the only model in the Globe line that is made from steel. Steel is a good idea for the aggressive angles used on the roll, which are close to that of track geometry. They’ve padded up the saddle on the roll from last year, which had resembled the famous concor shape. This year, the roll’s stock saddle is reminiscent of another classic: the regal. Integrated flat bars/stem one piece are included as your stock cockpit. These bikes will ship with front and rear brakes installed, though some may choose to take them off for fixed gear applications. Hand brakes are probably less stressful to both your head and to your knees.
The haul is your bike if you need to bring 100 pounds of gear with you along for the ride. Great choice for camping near some bike trails, just load up the tent, sleeping bags, and go–with or without the use of a car.
alittle more from loon mountain
Here is a snapshot of Matt from Spookys Supertouch. A serious race bicycle.
New Hampshire race weekend
I got through the trials of my first travel weekend this season! Saturday I took part in the Cat 3 mens race at Loon Mountain. The course was very hilly, Ive been told 1400ft of climbing in 45minutes of racing. I had an awful start, and ended up 26th of 38 heading into the first run up. I worked my way forward for the remaining 45min and ended up 15th on the day.
Sunday I raced the my first Pro123 cyclocross race. I was pretty pleased with how I finished, despite being lapped by the leaders. The course was fast, and dusty. The corners were smooth and easy to carry speed through. This course reminded me of how fun ‘cross can be. I learned a lot about pushing the tires to the limit in sand, loose dirt and grass at Sucker Brook ‘Cross.
This was a great weekend, looking forward to Gloucester this weekend.
A weekend in racing
This weekend I am headed to New Hampshire for a double race day weekend. Two days of racing at two different venues. Saturday I will start with the Nor’easter outdoor festival cyclocross race. This race looks promising as it it smack in the middle of an outdoor festival featuring music, rockclimbing, and trail running. Sunday I will be headed to Sucker Brook Cyclocross.
Chris, Colin and Alex will all be finishing out their road seasons at Bostons 20k crit.
Goodluck to everybody racing and look for updates from both venues this weekend.
Catamount UCI weekend
This weekend is Catamount UCI, expect to see Chris, Alex and Colin from Grove Street Velo cruising in the B field on Saturday!
Photo 9.15.2010
Feel good racing in new clothes.
photo cred to Andrew Franciosa of www.bikealbany.com
These Races
These are the races we are planning to go to so far. The rest of the season is still undecided.
September 12th / Kirkland CX / Clinton, NY
September 18th / Green Mountain Cyclocross Day One / Williston, VT
September 19th / Green Mountain Cyclocross Day Two / Williston, VT
October 2nd / Great Brewers Gran Prix of Cyclocross Day One / Gloucester, MA
October 3rd / Great Brewers Gran Prix of Cyclocross Day Two / Gloucester, MA
October 9th / Providence Cyclocross Festival Day One / Providence, RI
October 10th / Providence Cyclocross Festival Day Two / Providence, RI
November 13th / Plymouth Cyclocross Festival Day One / Plymouth, MA
November 14th / Plymouth Cyclocross Festival Day Two / Plymouth, MA
Nj has switchbacks
They may be little, but New Jersey does have switchbacks.
I have been riding this climb since I started cycling and it has become a personal favorite.
To find this hill head out to Mt. Harmony Road 202 south of Bernardsville!
Grove Street Bicycles free flat fix class!
Flat tires have you down? Come to the free flat fix class every Saturday morning. The class starts at 9am and all students receive 10% off on related tools. Budget about an hour of your time to this detailed instruction!
Bottles!
Summer is winding down and the fall cycling season is quickly approaching. If you are at all like me I’m sure your bottles are getting alittle funky. Stop by Grove Street Bicycles and purchase some of our bottles for $4.99 and we will throw you a sticker or two, just ask!
Happy Riding!
Freedom Tour (Sunday July 25th)
Here are a couple of pictures from the Freedom Tour this past weekend. Thank you to @LISAHEIMERLE for taking photos for us. See more of her photography at http://lheimerlephotography.tumblr.com/
as always, follow @grovestreetvelo on twitter for news and info about the club
Chain-L
Chain-L is now a sponsor of the Grove Street Velo team!
Chain-L is a high mileage formula that lasts around 1000 miles in between applications.
We appreciate Chain-L’s dedication to racing and our new cyclocross racing program!
Thursday ride is on for this upcoming thursday at 9am (7/15)
The Thursday morning ride is a no drop ride that takes into account the abilities of all riders who join. Stop by and enjoy riding with other members of the Hudson cycling community.
Thursday Morning Ride
Join us Thursday mornings at 9am for a group ride that will last about 1hr 30min – 2hrs. We will do a short lap around Liberty State Park and then make out way to River Road. For up to date information check out our twitter page @grovestreetvelo or view our twitter posts in the right hand column of this page!
David
More Clothing…
Clothing is going quick at the shop. Please note that there have been a few changes (lower) in pricing for some of the clothing.
Champion System Short Sleeve Jersey $68, Champion System Bib-Short $80 Champion System Socks and Cap each $12
Enjoy! Check out out twitter account @grovestreetvelo
David
Grove Street Velo Clothing Is In!
It is that time of the year for us! We are excited to announce that our first clothing order ever has arrived and is ready to be purchased! 
Prices are…
Jersey: $68
Shorts: $80
Caps are also available for $12
Put yourself in some new clothing for the season!
More pictures will be available once I return from Albany
David
Sponsorship 2010
Grove Street Velo is looking to start its first cyclocross season with a bang. We are going to be supporting a roster of young ambitious riders who will need the help of sponsors to make this season a success.
To become a sponsor of this growing program email dave@grovestreebicycles.com for more information.
