The Tour of California.. a long fun week

With the weather overcast to start the day last Sunday we all know it was going to be a rip roarin affair. Looking at the riders enjoying a warm up it was great to see the powerhouses of Cycling on the roads of Palo Alto! I found a great spot just over a Kilometer away from the finish and let me say it was the BEST place to be that day. Sitting on the curb ever so vigilant of riders running the gutters I saw some of the best hottest riding of the year.

The most challenging this was shooting the photos and avoiding the crowd in the process While this was how the road looked in warm ups it was packed by the time Levi came Ripping up the road! Gaging his speed from that of the others who had roared in before him we all knew he would not carry the day. We had all pulled though for him to carry the tour!

The days winner just happens to be the World Champion in this part of Cycling, his speed and power as he screamed by was impressive. To feel the wind created by a single rider tappin' out the power and carrying the speed. I can only say words do it no justice. For those who are able I recommend you take the time off next year. Make the effort and go watch the guys ride! See just what it is like to witness the beauty of the sport!

The rain of this last part of the week has passed, yesterday was so brutal riders could not handle the cold wet conditions! I know from commuting in these conditions that proper rain gear, while cumbersome, inconvenient and bulky will carry you through the day! You will sweat, you will be a little uncomfortable, BUT you will make it back and forth and not worry about how wet it is and if you are cold! I have found that with Winter weight knickers, a good rain pant, and rain jacket, you can make it a nice time riding. I did get out in the rain yesterday to work some miles in and the rain made me feel good! Maybe it is from watching the pros, maybe, it's the thrill of the ride.

SO let's get out and enjoy the weekend, it's time to RIDE folks!!!!

Tour of California Sacramento Tornado warning

WOW What a finish for one Tom Boonen! TO see the final sprint from right there at the finish line was a very special day! What can ya say about Mario Cipollini at 40+ finishing third in the sprint!
With the rain falling in Sactown the big boys came out to play and make it look effortless. The thrill of the race sent shivers up and down my spine, or was that just the Specialized Angel? She was absolutely FLAMIN SMOKIN HOT!!!!!!!

With all the horse shit that the ASO is causing with the races they own by persecuting this years Unibet in Astana it makes fans I am sure riders and managers sick. I had the chance now for three days to get on the team mangers I ran into about just how sick and twisted and mentally ill the ASO management are for this crap. When you look at the fact that "Team High Road" was not going to get in if I am Mr Stapleton I think twice about letting this happen this year. Yes that was me that point to my Astana hat and looked you dead in the eye! I had to say I did hear several people calling out for the Tour of California to become a three week Grand Tour. Well there is that 3 week window open in July, and California has the best wines and champagne in the world!

There have been four days of racing now after today's finish and it is a damn shame the Tyler had to drop out today. I met the kid last night and he is just an awesome humble gentleman!
The people of Cycling deserve better. The Riders Managers sponsors and FANS deserve better. Right now the Tour of France is a third rate washed up political joke and anyone who takes that race seriously any more is surely missing the boat. I guess that kind of beats that but really please go to LetLeviRide.com and raise your voice to be heard.

Back to the cycling yesterday the most amazing thing is the pure speed and drive these guys have. seeing them come down through the road at 30 to 40 miles an hour makes me wonder just how they manage to have that much left after that kind of ride. Knowing how i feel after a 100 miles in the saddle i would bet that these guys are so use to it that to them it is like getting a Latte at a coffee bar. The thrill of the day today after meeting Tyler Hamilton, Mario Cipollini was meeting Vaughters, Millar and Farrar last night! Lt me tell you Cyclist are far more humble and friendly than any baseball, football, or basketball player you will EVER meet! I will have some pictures of the races in the next few days, but right now... I am exhausted! the Tour is far from over. Follow it, write the owners of it the UCI and the teams get this thing to be 3 weeks in July... it would be well worth it! RIDE!!!!!!

The Tour of California.. here once again!!!!

While this will be a short blog it will today it will be a lot longer in the coming days. We have spent the last two days following the Tour, taking photos, talking to Riders and Managers. Yes the TOUR is HERE TODAY!!!

The best places to view in the area are Davis and Downtown. Remember to cheer these guys on especially ASTANA who are getting Unibeted this year by the people who Own the Tour de France. A lot more on this in the next few days.

SO its it OFF to the races. Look for another quick fire sprint, like yesterday in Santa Rosa! The Tornado got dropped and Bettini is looking great, and never rule out The Lion King Cippolini!

Hope to see everyone out there and make Sacramento the calling card for the Tour this year again!!!

Commuting in the rain

I always say I love to ride in the rain. In fact, the more wind and rain at times is better. It allows you to get use to adversity and learn to over come it. I have to say the past week had been a bit of a challenge. Between the rain and wind and the poor road surfaces it makes me happy to hit the relative safety and quality pavement on the bike trails. I have seen more bad drivers doing stupid stuff than should be allowed. So how do you deal with these people?

I have to say I have found several ways to deal with the unskilled driver of a car. The best way is no doubt is a hand held air horn like the ones you can buy in the stores. I find this can be attached to most back packs, messenger bags, or packs. The advantage is people move away from loud noises. This makes them move away from you when they are too close. Not a bad little way to avoid getting run over, getting upset with a driver, or having them retaliate for you flipping them off.

The one thing that always make me smile is the look people give you in the rain, like you are some sort of alien from another world. I commute everyday on the bike and I had the most fun this week during the rain. Yes I have to say I enjoyed the odd looks and the fact that they gave me more room in the rain. So keep your gear ready, enjoy the rain and remember, Slow down to turn as tires slide out when wet. Have fun

USADA a criminal organisation?

Here they go again. Those geniuses at the USADA are proving once again they just do not care about being honest and actually doing the right thing. NOPE they want to try and ruin people whom disagree with them and make their lives hell. After reading the report that an unnamed cyclist is suing them for violating testing rules by testing a B sample after the A sample came up negative. it makes this observer wonder just what kind of organised criminals are running that place.

I had read how they went and had a very clandestine meeting without the Arbiter that was chosen by Floyd Landis when he was fighting them and it made me wonder then what was going on. Now, I see this in the news and wonder if maybe the method to try and stop cheaters is in fact cheating its self? How can anyone of reasonable intelligence not question their motives and their methods with these two cases. How can anyone not see a pattern very much like that of an organised crime group. Maybe we need to begin a RICO law suit against these people. Maybe we need to look at the reason most North American professional leagues wont use WADA or the USADA to try to handle their illegal performance enhancing drug testing and the like.

I have to question why cyclists don't just get out on a high profile race and then halfway through all find a nice cafe and stop for an espresso, or the like together. Why not just park the bikes, all sit down and order and relax for a while. Seriously, with Italy investigating riders who don't even hold licenses in their country, the Iban Mayo witch hunt from the UCI that violated their own rules on dope testing, why not just say enough is enough we are tired of being horse whipped for no reason. The time is now for the riders, who are what make cycling in the first place, to stand up for themselves and say we have taken enough abuse! I suspect that the riders are afraid of the back lash, or they are just too afraid to stand up and say we are tired of vague rule enforcement and being tried in the media before there is ever a case.

I have watch and love the sport since I can remember. I remember watching a kid name Greg LeMond win the The Tour of France. Now I look at it all and wonder just why do these guys want to suffer off the bike as well as on? No, the time is now to end this folly of presumed guilt. Even with out the professional cycling I know many people would be out riding for the pure joy and fun of it! SO think about this, how many of the drug testers are on drugs? How many of the people at USADA, WADA, UCI etc are using performance enhancing drugs? Maybe they are needed for their time in the bedroom, but they are still using them. The riders need to stop the madness and start acting like professionals and get some basic human rights back! Ride ON!!!!!

Why SABA needs to go away

I am amazed at groups who call themselves advocates for cycling, however they never seem to advance anything that will actually do that. They never step to the plate and champion and idea that will make the area better for cyclists and those who want to have an easy time getting around town without a car.They would rather promote ideas like regulating people's fire places and the like. Now when anyone comes up with an idea that is purposeful and measurably able to promote bicycling and safer streets for cyclists they run and say " no no we want to be given bike lanes and only bike lanes." till they kill of they competing idea. I suspect that this maybe a result of their lack of understanding the how and whys of these other methods, or just how they work to promote better cycling. Let's look at a few ideas.

I have seen in Europe how many cities actually change the configuration of streets, provide separate lanes with special markers and guides, and even place cyclist ahead of motor vehicles at intersections. This makes sense for many reasons. This is what should be looked at here in this area, but alas the fine people at SABA want to try and force people to accept bikes in the same vain as cars. Then they figure let's just go worry about peoples fire places and try to say it benefits cycling. I call BULLSHIT!!!!!! Look clean air will come from making bicycle commuting as attractive and viable as possible. Given the choice of driving and paying a premium for parking or suffering with the "mass" transit system here in this town, people will suffer and drive. The way to get people out of their cars is make is a lot more attractive to commute via bicycle. I don't expect everyone to jump on the band wagon, however IF you make it a safe and convent way to get downtown people will try it. The more they do this the more they will like it.

I have ridden a bicycle since I can remember. I used it to get from my dorm room in college to home, work and town for goodies. I used it for just the plain fun of going out riding around! I love being on a bike. Somehow along the way the car culture took hold of me. the far flung need to drive for work over powered my very life. I gain weight got out of shape and well was the typical fat lazy slob that people today have become. I had an reawakening one day of the desire to explore and ride! I think it was the fact people on highway 50 in this town have the brain power of a two year old. They must be some of the worse drivers I have ever seen. Thus the bike called. Safe and reliable and NO TRAFFIC! I have lost weight and I am a happier person. I laugh every May when they have the great bike month. They have all these events, then no one follows through! I know why this is. They find it difficult to have fun and enjoy their commute. They have to rely on bike lanes next to traffic that drive at unreasonable speeds. They never see a cop pull over speeders or those who buzz the bike lanes. I would be willing to bet that IF you took a few of the approaches they have in Europe you would find a lot more converts to cycling as a means of getting to work! I truly believe that if in addition more employers provided the needed facilities to promote this kind of commuting their would be a lot more people doing this.

As Sad as it is people who do nothing but pay lip service to their alleged state goals, such as promoting safe and better bicycling, however never live up to that billing are such a sorry lot. I feel sad for their lack of true vision and better judgment! Maybe someday IF SABA ever got out and actually tried to make improvements and actually push for the needed changes and enforcement of traffic laws, instead of worrying about people's chimneys and worshiping the holy bike lane, maybe then we would develop a cycling culture that this town is capable of! Maybe just maybe we would see cleaner air as less cars would be driven every day! Maybe they will see the error of their ways, however, I for one doubt it. No the time has come SABA MUST GO!!!!!

The only way to stop doping in Cycling

There is a group that sells products with the tag line, "Dopers Suck" and I whole heartily agree. People who use chemicals to cheat should never be allowed to do so and act as if they are just that damn good. Let's look at a few proven dopers. Tyler Hamilton; served a suspension and now is under a cloud of suspicion that during the time he was caught he was doping. (DOH) Robert Heras; also caught cheating with EPO as I recall. Now complaining no one wants to sign him.

But let's look at the other side of the coin. Possibly wrongfully accused and/or convicted riders who may have been victims of lab errors. I know of the best case. That would be Floyd Landis. This man was able to prove, not surmise, prove that the lab had made major mistakes. The springy headed lap dog arbiters even agreed, then said he was guilty anyway. Tough luck there Floyd, you are totally correct, however we can never be wrong, you lose. This sounds like there might be a flaw some place here. The lab is not taken to task in anyway and an athlete is fired. Now think about this in a different perspective. Let say you my reader are brought up on murder charges. These are based totally on an error at a lab. The judge says yes they made a huge error. You are correct, but you will be doing life anyway. This is basically what happens to a wrongfully accused athlete when the lab screws up. The confidence of the system is gone. Now lets look at our dear friends in the UCI. They have a rider who is found to have an inconclusive test. This may mean the material of the test, in this case most likely urine, will not yield a result positive or negative. There just might be some tampering or a flawed sample that is not usable. Hey lets have the lab that did it before just confirm their erroneous result. This is what happened with Spanish rider Mayo and his sample. No we need to have some clarity and confidence in these tests. We need to have riders knowing that the tests and labs are fool proof. I think I have the solution!

The first step in any method of ridding cycling of performance enhancing drugs is to have everyone in the loop tested. I mean from Dick Pound at Wada down to the guy who washes the bikes after the race. This is the only fair way to make sure we have a "clean" sport. This would include lab techs as well. Every drug the riders are band from using the entire drug testing world would be band from using without a note. Some things we would have no Therapeutic Use Exemptions for, like say for E.D meds. (I know this would really be bad for people like Mr. Pound but seriously walk the walk you talk!). The labs would have to have a zero (0) error policy and protocols would have to be uniform; procedures identical and measurable. I suspect that this would serve a dual purpose, the test would be accurate and the lab reliable. Just imagine a drugged lab tech somehow messes up your sample and you wont get that new job. Would suck huh?

I truly hate seeing athletes cheat. Look at Barry, Mark and Sammy their records mean nothing and they are the laughing stock of their sport. Personally I would love to see them wiped from history as the cheaters they are. I would hope the scandal of drugging in baseball will clean that sport up. Maybe people will want to see it again. Me I am just going to go out and ride my bike. Enjoy the time, fresh air, and nice people I meet. Knowing that they aren't doped up to try and do something they couldn't other wise do. Performance enhancing drugs need to be illegal, ALL of them! Think about it, you might just change your opinions on a lot of dopers out there!

So as the Cycling season begins, remember. Dopers Suck and aren't really able to do what they do. Point them out and clean them out! Let's start at the top and clean up all of sport! Then we can all relax and enjoy what should be a healthy under taking. Not a trip to the undertaker! RIDE IT!!!

Sacramento Potential for Cycling greatness

Well it is that time of the year again. The riders who are only out to try and impress others will soon flood the cycling lanes. Then with the Tour of California and the Tour of American coming to town the political types with spout off their loud useless mouths about how much cycling means to them and how they are big advocates of healthy lifestyles and how cycling promotes that... YEP let's see about all that shall we.

Last year the powers that waste money, cause more global warming with their incessant yapping only so they see themselves on the T.V . had the chance to do some actually good for cyclists who commute, and who use the roads to train. The simple revision to motor vehicle code. With a statutory standard of three feet of clearance to protect cyclists. This bill was shot down by several groups the represent the worse types of drivers out their. Yes why actually enforce something so simplistic and reasonable that it would allow more people to ride safely on their bikes. I suspect it has to do with certain types of drivers who are too old to realistically be driving, and those who use their large trucks as compensation for their lack of a male sexual organ, or the lack of one that works with out drugs. I must say there are those in these groups who are not as described above, but they seem to have to deal with those who are. I have had many very smart drivers of large tractor trailers move over and give room. They realize they can suck a bike under their wheels with the trucks air flow alone. Then there are those car drivers who also move over to make sure they pass safely. This is called being a reasonable person. What would a person of reasonable intelligence do to make sure they do not cause a wreck. Now I must say there are cyclist out there who think they should be able to ride directly in the line of traffic. This may work for a big city with low speed but seriously we are not talking about that here.

The most amusing thing about politics is how much they speak and say nothing. I mean seriously two year olds make more sense then the elected. I often wonder just what would happen IF Legislators where required to live Downtown and commute by say bicycle to work. As a cost cutting measure to reduce the cost of renting all those SUVs and the like. Maybe say unless you pay for it yourself you have to commute by bike or Mass transit. The problem is that once elected these people feel like they should be treated like royalty. I do tend to agree and the French Revolution comes to mind, but then I realize that these people are just not that educated. If politicians had to hold real jobs I suspect we would have a spike in unemployment. Now I know there are exceptions here. I do know that most of these people live to be elected so they wont have to work for a living.

I will be amused to see the governor happily running his yap about cycling, however I have a couple of questions Mr. Kindergarten Cop.
Where is YOUR bicycle. When did you ride last?
I know bad play on the Governator's movie career, but seriously this guy COULD make a difference and actually promote cycling and the health benefits. It would dovetail nicely with his alleged desire to cut green house gases, and improve the air quality. SO why wont this guy stand up and actually look at ways to promote this type of commuting in the Crapital of this State. Simple it would require him to walk the talk and not just talk the walk.

So when will we see SOMEONE ask one of these people serious questions about cycling's benefits and why they wont support it as a perfect solution to commuting problems, and global warming. My friends that would be because to do so would require the reporter to actually think for themselves and not just try to look good on T.V. here to be able to land the network gig and get out of this smarmy little town.

Well back out to ride and enjoy the weather and trails. Before the posers get to heavy and the air too fouled by political bull crap. Ride on!!!!!

Are some cyclist just too dumb to be alive?

This has to be the most infuriating thing for other cyclist and motorist there is. You are say driving you car either in day time or night and coming the wrong way at you is simple Fred riding a bike. Now simple Fred is merrily going along like they are totally safe happy and doing something correctly. Unfortunately here in California wrong way cycling has become more popular, not to mention it is illegal. Which brings me to a very good point. I see a lot of Mexicans doing this and they give you the stupid look when you let them know they are on the wrong side of the street.

The sad part is this gets worse as the evening approaches. Cyclists are treated as motorists here in this State, which means you are required by vehicle code to have a front and rear light. With that simple point of law these say people at night violate two sections of vehicle code at the same time. The good part is for a motorist IF one of these simple Fred wrong way cyclists hit you they are 100 percent at fault. The bad part is trying to explain that to law enforcement, the insurance company, and most likely a jury. So how does this effect cyclist you ask.

For those of us who ride this is a two pronged sword, first we have to avoid simple Fred, second we have to deal with motorists who have no clue which cyclist is riding the wrong way. I have had the pleasure of having a simple Fred cause a wreck for me then ride off like they had no care in the world. I was able to find simple Fred a few days later put my bike sideways in front of him and let him know in no uncertain terms he caused my crash and was violating the vehicle code. The best part was there was a local Law enforcement type there who offered to ticket this person! FINALLY SOMEONE WHO GOT IT! That was the last time I have seen simple Fred, poor simple Fred was run over by a car while riding against traffic. Guess his stupidity is now out of the gene pool, and a motorist has a nightmare to live with.

Night riding can always be a challenge. They passed a "new law" to make cyclists here in California use lights, this was and is already a vehicle code requirement. The only problem is that that law and the requirement to ride with traffic are never enforced until a car enforces it and kills the cyclist. I think it is time cyclist as a whole begin to police themselves and take the time to try and educate simple Fred and his sister simple Freda. Cycling is a wonderful thing. If you ever had the joy of riding as a child remember how much fun all kinds of weather were. They are better now as an adult, it brings out the kid in you. So get out ride and enjoy the world. See the quiet wonder of a light rain, or evening sky. Bring the lights for the night so you can see the path and people can see you. and always ride WITH traffic, it is the safest place to ride!

Who won for most unlivable City in the Sacramento area?

Well Yes the final results are in. The last Blog had some divisions that had not been decided yet,however,we have those races now complete! I would like to thank all those who had ideas on who should be where, and those who put themselves in this race. I couldn't have done it with out your utter lack of common sense! So just to recap the winners will be invited to a free Happy Meal dinner of a cheeseburger at their local McDonald's, and they get to keep their toy! What a bargain for them!

The Winner of being the best loser for most inconsiderate drivers goes to........

Folsom Ready Mix!!!!! I know how hard you have worked fellas. those long times of looking for ways to try to harass and create dangerous conditions for those cyclists you pass! YOU WIN!!!!!! Erectile Dysfunction Meds all around!!!! You have truly earned it and we sure hope this makes up for you lack of being a man!

For the category of biggest waste of money!

The Folsom South Canal Crossing!!! Yes 8 months later and still it is not FINISHED! Not only that however we tested this crossing with two yes two wheelchairs. The can't get past each other. I am sure this is going to be a ADA complaint and it is going to be a major expense to correct it AFTER it is "finished" More money pissed away!! Great job!

And now for our BIG WIENER!!! The local city in the Sacramento area that is the Worst place for cycling. The City that has done more to harm those who cycle. The most unlivable location for those who do anything but drive!!!!!!
OUR WINNER FOR 2008 IS!!!!!!!!!!

RANCHO CORDOVA!!!!!! Yes with their lack of proper traffic lights, Their inability to install a safe crossing for cyclist in a timely manner. The fact that when they are told about the issue they shrug their shoulders and look stupid.. Their whole lack of response to anything cycling concern related gives them the nod! I know harsh as it is, they wont be getting to keep their toy! In fact, we might just have to give the happy meal to a homeless person as they are more worthy!

So that kicks off our year! I look forward to seeing improvements in communities that already are smart enough to realize the value of cycling commuters. I look forward to the weather, the rides and the epic stories. I look forward to seeing YOU on the trail!!! Ride hard folks, Enjoy LIFE!!!!

The Biggest abusers of Cycling in Sactown

Yes it is that time of the year! The time we look at the biggest losers in regards to protect cycling in the area. Just who is it that is the dumbest and most incompetent people affecting the Sacramento Area Cyclists? Who is it that need to have their ass kicked and be given a clue on how to make things better and safer for cyclists! WHO ARE.... THE SHAMEFUL in the area!!!

For the Category of Worse excuse for useless legislation... There is only one new law here that is even worth looking at. The "new " law that requires bikes to use lights at night... WAIT that ALREADY was in the VEHICLE CODE!!!! Yes kudos to those who wasted time money and effort to pass this piece of shit that is just a restatement of CVC! PLEASE! You want to make use safer cyclist? Pass a Law requiring motorists to pass no less than 3 feet away from a bike!

For the Category of Most disrespectful and dangerous drivers the nominees are!

1. The County of Sacramento Sanitation trucks. Yes with their constant buzzing unsafe passing and I have heard of no less than 3 hit and run offenses You people are the FIRST nominee!!!

2 Folsom Ready Mix... Maybe you need to ready the motor vehicle codes, maybe you need to stop making up for you lack of masculinity, buzzing cyclists and running them off the road just makes you little men with little threats... Either way I might pay for your supply of ED meds to make you guys feel more manly.

3 This was a hard choice however Teichert Construction you get the call here. Maybe if you teach you drivers to be less aggressive you wont be on the list next year hum....

Under the category of Biggest waste of money...

1. The Folsom South Canal Crossing ate Sunrise Ave this project is more like a DIY project then a city works project. a whole 6 months later STILL not done and now more unsafe than before. I want thatk all the riders who put this to my attention you all have a valid point!

2 This one is a tough one, however due the fact it is not complete and was sprung on riders with no input or warning the County of Sacramento and their attempt to make the American River Bike trail better at the never used boat ramp at the Fair Oaks Bridge gets the call. You not only have not provided anyone any type of details, you put a new cycling event at risk. Way to go jackass!

3 This one was a lot easier. The Sacramento State Crew and their golf Cart driving slap nuts. Yes you get this because you close off the state park and then allow people to drive a GOLF CART on the CYCLING path! PLEASE people how dumb are you? TO put innocent people at risk and act like it is ok. I see a lawsuit happening here when you have the wreck with a bike!


The Catagory of most USELESS Cycling organization...

This is easy. The WINNER of the title MOST USELESS IS!!! SABA!!!! Sacramento Area Bike Advocates? What have you done to actually help make cycling better.. not on damn thing!!!!!! Yes you went and tried to get State workers showers, but how does that help cycling? Yes you got all behind wood burning in fireplaces??? WHOA.. THAT made cyclists safer.. YEAH!!! Try living up to you name guys and next year it will be back to the normal bike clubs that are of little value. Try actually fighting for better cycling for a change humm...

Now we are at the big category the one EVERYONE wants to know The WORSE community for CYCLING!!!!
OUR NOMINEES ARE!!!!!

1 The City of Citrus Heights... This city has no real cycling support. Other than the already existing bike lanes they have not done anything to help or hinder cycling. WAKE UP GUYS YOU MIGHT WIN THIS!!!

2 The City of Elk Grove... Again another city that does not help cyclist. They created their own bus fleet and STILL not bike racks WHY??? No Bike lanes or master planned bike routes hummmmm.....

3 The City of Rancho Cordova. This city has a big problem. First they take out a very safe crossing (see above) and then it isn't done even after 6 months. They never fix traffic lights to last long enough for cyclists and they wont make lights pick up a cyclist. WOW I almost forgot I see posts all the time of how they just had a road rebuilt then wont enforce CalTrans Section 1000...

So there we have it Folks! The most unfriendly cyclist related organizations in the area! Yes I am passionate about the bike and really love o rode. I would love to see more people out riding and finding that commuting even a few days a week will help them and allow them to feel that much better. There are so many opportunities to get out and RIDE even if it is only on weekends at first. The best thing you all can do is try right! With the right equipment and route planning it can be a fun rewarding way to get places. You might find you like it so much you might just save money by not driving as many trips around!

I have been out riding even in the rain this week and let me say the roads are not too bad. I do see some debris but it looks good overall. The nice weather is back for those of you fair weather riders! so come on out and ride. Look at cities like Portland, They have a large amount of commuter cyclists. It is a great way to enjoy the day!

I will have final result over the weekend! I will be notifying winners and inviting them to a McDonald's for their Winning Happy Meal dinner!!!! I'll even let them keep the toy!!!!!

The big Storm, Extreme Foul Weather, Extreme Gears!

The weather outside can influence a lot of people not to ride, BUT for those of use who crave ever chance to ride it can be a challenge that we just want to take. Seriously, there are always risks every time you climb into the saddle of a bike. Limiting those risks makes it safe.

With the 30 mph plus winds and highway speed gusts it was a wonder that anyone would EVEN consider being on a bike yesterday. I was out on mine! Now I know this is where you call bullshit! I have to say I looked at the morning winds and said no way am I going to get on that machine this morning. I did ride home in a few nice heavy down pours but with out the headache of that wind. Rain and wind make life hell on a bike, almost treacherously so. The key to any type of riding is to know your limits, the limits of the bike and simply have the proper equipment! Let's look at what we mean further.

Rain makes you wet (duh) cold ( duh again) and it isn't fun, or is it? I love to rid in rain I find that I am able to enjoy a peaceful ride with no other cycle traffic normally. Keeping yourself as dry as possible is the big key. The worse place to have cold and wet are your hands and feet. I have found the either winter shoes or true wet weather booties are best for the feet. I am riding in Sugi booties currently and even in the heavy rain yesterday my feet were DRY when I got home. That is something I had been fighting the last few years. I tried several other booties and almost gave up until I was recommended these. They have my testing to prove these babies are going to keep you dry (depending on how long you are in the rain) and your feet warm. The next question is hands. I hate having cold hands. It can make me want to not ride. It makes me miserable. I know I am not alone on this and Winter can make it a challenge on what to do to keep warm. I have a mere 15 mile commute one way. That can make you really hate life as your fingers go cold and numb. I have found a pair of gloves from Capo Forma that was wind proof and cold proof down to around the upper 30's. They handled the rain until yesterday and then got soaked. Even with them wash water wet I was warm. The storm was a warm Pacific storm and temps were in the upper 40's to low 50's. I check my thermometer at home and it was 46 when I got there. Hands wet, but WARM! I can live with that. I have been wanting to try a pair of Craft gloves, maybe later in the year.

I know that people think cyclists who commute even in foul weather are nuts. I think people who drive a car to work on a gloriously sunny warm day are nuts. What makes it worth it is the RIDE! The feeling of freedom and enjoyment. Getting out and getting the body moving to make you feel good! I did have my support truck drop me at work yesterday with my bike as I knew I wasn't wanting to risk riding in. I would have no issue with wind getting home! The question is how to keep YOU and your change of clothes and what not DRY in pouring rain! I can address this two ways. The first is the cheap way, the second is the better more enjoyable way but will cost money! I'll break this in two for you and let me start with the most important part. How to keep your stuff DRY!

Rain will find ANY little leak and exploit it. That is the nature of water. I have been looking forward to rain to test my new Messenger Pack from Chrome bags. THIS PRODUCT WORKS! Plain and simple it kept everything dry. My cell phone, Creative Labs mp3 player, clothes, wallet and one of my books were all nice and DRY! The rain was a hard rain for the most part of the ride. One of those gutter clearing down pours you get that lasted a good 5 miles of riding at high tempo. I was getting rooster tail off front and rear wheels from it. The Chrome Pack worked like a dream. It sits so perfectly on my back and it kept my stuff dry! I highly recommend these bags over any other out there! Cost can run you almost 200 bucks on the pack, however their store in S.F is open weekends and you can get a few nice deals there. It is worth every penny! They recommend getting one size bigger than you think you will need. I am glad I did!

How to keep YOU dry. The cheap way involves plastic bags and such. Don't waste you effort and time folks it sucks and makes you hate life! I recommend a good rain slicker. The one I have been using is from REI, and it has limited venting to let heat out. Your sweat will linger a bit. You will be warm and basically dry. I am looking at a couple of other jackets and will let you kow what they come out like. Your legs are going to face water from the sky and road. You need to wear rain pants. I have tried a few, currently on a two year old pair of pants that kept me semi dry, sweat built up and make me damp, but not soaked with rain. Try to get these two as cheap as possible and realize that once water hits high tech fabrics it blocks their ability to transfer evaporation out of them. I am still looking for the perfect set up even after all these years. Good pants and jacket are still better then baggies and trash bags. Trust me on that.

This weekend I will be looking over more data and I will be posting the finalist tomorrow for the categories! Input is always welcome on comments, just remember to be polite. It looks like a great year of cycling ahead for the area with TWO tours coming to town! So the excuse of weather really isn't an option much now right?! Now get out and RIDE!!!! I was lucky enough to do that and get home as the rain started... I love the rain!

Welcoming the New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! Awww a fresh new year in our new location to write about all things cycling in Sacramento!!!

The weather has been delightfully boring that will change later this week as the rain comes back with a lot of wind. I have had several people ask me just what do you do about the weather. I must say it brings up several rather interesting points of conversation. How do you keep cloths dry commuting. What do you do about getting wet riding. How do you make sure you are seen on the roads. I have several answers that will help and have helped me over the years.

Let's look at the most important thing. Riding and being seen. I firmly believe that if you are proactive and make sure you have lights that can and will be seen you go a long way to keeping safe. Yes there are those truck drivers who like to make up for their ED and lack of manly confidence by buzzing a cyclist however I will tell you that getting even by getting their plate number or who the company is and hopefully an ID number then reporting it is far more rewarding. I tend to use my night riding lights on a flash mode during day time in cloudy rainy weather so cars will see me approaching. I sport no less than two sometimes 4 red lights on the back end of the bike. Accidents will happen which is why you have to be prepared. Have emergency info in a safe dry place just in case.
Keeping dry. Forget it! You will get wet to some kind of degree. The best rain gear will still get you damp from either rain or your own sweat. It will happen. You need to realize that for the most part you will be needing a shower after your shower of riding in the rain. You will have road grime and dirt that sticks to the bike you and your water bottles. There is only semi dry after riding in the rain. Hopefully your employer provides a shower and place to change if not, don't ride to work in the rain.

Dry clothes is easy really. Trash bags or another type of dry bag, or a weather proof messenger bag or pack. This one piece of equipment is worth it's weight in gold if you use it right and purchase it to allow for weather. I have tried regular backpacks with plastic bags and the like, and I have a messenger pack now. I hope the pack works as advertised. I will let you know and if it does I will name the manufacturer.

The time is coming for the annual winners of the worst of Sacramento for Cycling. I will toss out a few nominees tomorrow night. I will be listing the finalists this weekend and we will have our annual worst of list next Wednesday! Look for it!!
Have of safe ride and look for me. I will be the one in the dark shades:)