Watch out for Cyclists!!!

I got this from my dear Kristin

Spiraling vortex of death

In my previous post I made reference to a certain "liquidation" we will never mention again.Upon closer inspection of said liquidation I noticed this fine product:

Initially nothing is wrong with this fine(ish) pair of performance shorts. However, Look closely at the chamois region...see is...the SPIRALING VORTEX! Performance bike proclaims that these shorts feature:

• Durable 7.6oz. nylon/Lycra fabric wicks away sweat while offering the supportive compression of an 8-panel design
• Anatomical “Y” antibacterial chamois conforms to your body’s shape for non-chafing performance
• Flatlock seams add comfort
• Drawstring waist provides a customized fit
• Covered elastic leg openings keep this short in place
• UPF 50+ application blocks 98% of UV rays
• Short inseam design for a feminine fit

While any one of these features is fairly hilarious in their own right it is the "Y Chamois" I am troubled by. Judging by the appearance of said vortex I submit that Performance may have missed their mark, only slightly...but at least its better than this:
Yep, you see those boxers beneath those cycling shorts...classy. of course it could always be like this too:

Or, because Google image search is a fantastic and sometimes troubling thing this fine fellow:

Shorts liquidation...tehe

I think some of you out there in the world will definately know who i am thinking of here

"Shorts Liquidation"


Get is...shorts liquidation...hehehe...

26-inch what?!?!?!

NO!!! Not 26inch RIIIIIM$, 26-inch rims. Like on a bicycle, a little bicycle.

After blowing a freehub body on the BOSS (Big Orange Single Speed) racing in Bedford on Saturday I have decided to dust off the little wheeled steed for a week of fun in Farmvegas. For those of you who knew me before my conversion I used to race this:

Fully tricked out Trek STP 400. Coming it at just over 19.3 lbs this bike is still a dreambike for me. Smooth as any bike I care to ever have and faster than pretty much anything I have ridden with the little wheels. The STP has hung in my garage collecting dust (upon mud) pretty much since the Niner was finished and it saw no race time last year. My conclusion is that 26 wheels are in fact faster than 29inch wheels for racing. There I said it. I posted a 2-minute faster time on my usual course than I think I ever have while riding the Trek this afternoon. This faster time was also a likely result of my Trek having suspension and the BOSS being rigid. That said, I have many observations to make:

1) 26 inch wheels definitely accelerate faster than most 29wheels
2) 26inch wheels take less input to steer
3) 26inch wheels feel finicky in some situations
4) obstacles become much more difficult and less forgiving with small wheels
5) little wheels don't hold near as much speed as the big wheels
6) small bumps are absorbed better with large wheels.
7) suspension is good if you want to go fast
8) big wheels instill confidence. This is important on many levels.
9) I have forgotten how to use gears properly...

My conclusion is that I will stick with the big wheels because I want to have fun. If I wanted to race and win all of the time I would go with 26-inch wheels. For me the constant acceleration of 29inch wheels makes them less enjoyable than the smooth acceleration and deceleration of the big wheels. Over and Out