So back here in September of good ‘ol 2010, I’ve latched onto a movement a couple of lads from Minnesota have created. 30 Days of Biking is a dead simple way to get people on their bikes. It can be a century, a commute to work, a trip to the store, or a spin in your parking lot, just so long as you get on your bike and Tweet about it. If you want to see what everyone else is doing for their 30 days, search the term #30DaysofBiking and join in the conversation. For those digitally documenting their rides, I’ve created a Flickr group to upload your images to.

Are  you participating in the #30DaysofBiking? Let me  hear it!

That was the process for my last bike, the Gunnar. I originally was going to build it as the ultimate 700c commuter. Then I remembered that I originally originally purchased the frame for straight road use. Having always wanted  a classic steel road racing machine that decided it’s final outcome.

“I’ve added a new-found love for cargo bikes and velo-utilitarianism to my already well-rounded bike lust.”

I’ve been staring at some absolutely gorgeous, full-on cargo bikes from Metrofiets and Joe Bike. But living in an apartment and the $3K+ price tags pretty much kill those dreams. So the next option naturally was an XtraCycle. I have a not-used-in-a-long-time GT Zaskar that was my first choice for the extension operation. Unfortunately, my leaving the job and the price of the equipment made that a decision for the near future. Plus, there’s a small (very small) chance that I might ride off-road again… But wait, I have a recently retired Bridgestone MB-4 that might do the trick! It’ll need some help, but with a nice rack system, some fenders, and a new rigid fork with tabs, this things will be a grocery gettin’ machine! As this project comes together I’ll make sure to post some updates. I’ll be adding images to Flickr, and notifying through Twitter if you need to indulge in some Boredom!

Guess I have to get some bags and panniers as well though…

Velo-Utilitarian Parts List

Minoura Gamoh Front Rack (my favorite part!)

Portland Design Works Payload Rear Rack

SKS Commuter Fenders 26″

Bontrager Satellite Trekking Bars

Wald #867 Cruiser Bar

Friday bore witness to the final act of a ridiculous 5 year saga—Pinkey at Revolution built my Gunnar Roadie. Why is this ridiculous you ask? It’s ridiculous because I bought the frame 5 years ago. It’s also ridiculous because it’s built with parts that’ve seen their 8th birthday. Finally, this entire build is ridiculous because I only needed to buy a chain and some new tires. Everything else I had “in stock”, so to say.

Here’s rundown of components:

• Bontrager carbon cranks
• Bontrager xXx Light fork
• Deda Black Stick post
• Fizik Arionne saddle
• 3t Less stem
• Deda 215 bar
• Bontrager Aero wheelset
• Time RXS Titan pedals
• Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailleur (from Giant)
• Shimano 105 front derailleur
• Shimano 105 Black shifters
• Shimano 105 brakes

Not a bad bunch of parts. Especially since they were sitting in storage.

Note: This post was originally written 10/31/09. I’ve been busy.

Cross-country flight with a 16 month-old? I love this plan! I’m excited to be a part of it! LET’S DO IT!!

In September we flew out to Portland for some friends wedding. I was dreading the flight, and for part of the DCA-PHX my fears were realized. We were *that* family with the uncontrollable crying baby. It also turns out that I’m *that* father that stares right back at you with eyes saying, “Watch your back in the parking lot.” For the most part people were pretty understanding and in some cases helpful. So that was a nice change from the normal human interactions I experience. Okay, flight over.

Portland straight tripped me the **** out! It literally was every lifestyle I’ve ever been, everywhere, at all times. From punks, to skaters, artists, deadheads, outdoors gear hippies, and most of all cyclists, they were all there, co-mingling in their perpetual states of über-hipness. I’m pretty sure that we’d move out there if it wasn’t for family on the East Coast.

It was the bike culture that touched me the most. Cycling was everywhere. From the moment we entered the outskirts of Portland you saw it everywhere. Fixies locked to signs, people carting their groceries on cruisers, commuters keeping up with cars, and bike shops nearly on every corner set the tone for our stay. Once in the city proper, witnessing the bike lanes with designated bicycle stopping areas ahead of vehicles nearly brought a tear to my eye. I was already aware that Portland was bicycle friendly, but I wasn’t aware of the extent that it was ingrained into its culture.

You may be passing me, but I still look good!

The riding is going well, but I’m still horribly out of shape. And for some reason I’ve recently acquired a Toblerone addiction. I totally didn’t see that one coming. At least it’s a Euro-style addiction, so I can write it off as roadie-hipster. Speaking of roadie hipster, my dormant inner-sartorialist is finally emerging. But I’m saving that goodness for another post.

Back with the Revolution!

The real reason for the break in posts is I gots me a new job! I’m back in the inner-circle. I began working as an Assistant Buyer & Marketing Manager for Revolution Cycles here in DC/VA/MD. I originally worked for them starting back in 2000 until late 2004. We were just one location back in 2000, and by the time I left we had opened 3 more. Just a few weeks ago we announced plans for our 5th location, a bike share, rental, and commuter shop in Crystal City, VA.

My position is basically a combination of everything I love right now: bikes, bike parts, accessories, web + graphic design, and social marketing. I couldn’t ask for anything more. It’s an incredible opportunity. We’ve got big plans in the works and I’ll release some tidbits from time to time when I can. Of course, you’ll be much more up to date if you follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr. Just saying.

Whatevs, hippy.

I started out writing some touchy-feely, hippy schmaltz that really just complicated a dead-simple point – pay attention to your surroundings; the earth looks real good. I love where I ride. The DC/Metro area is beautiful. Sure, your local route may have mountains, or wide open country where there aren’t cars for hours but I think it’s important for people to truly appreciate what they have, regardless of where they are.

Ride freely on your lightest days

I bring a camera with me everywhere. The moment I don’t, inevitably I see something worth flogging myself for not having it with me. If you don’t want to have a camera with you on every ride just bring it on your recovery days. My portable camera has gotten a little heavier than it used to be so I only take it with me on my light rides. Obviously the reason why light/recovery days are good is that your already going slow, so stopping and starting isn’t going to be a huge deal. When I’m hammering it’s mentally impossible for me to compose a shot immediately after stopping. If something truly snapworthy pops up on a normal ride that’s the luck of the draw. Either that or I use the camera on the phone.

Graham baby, make sure to get my sponsors

If take your recovery ride so seriously that you can’t break your cadence or fluctuate your HRM average, then this post isn’t for you, yet you probably have Graham Watson following you in the support car chronicling your every move. Just tell Graham to take a shot of the pretty trees.

Anyway, just pay attention to your surroundings for a least one ride out of your training week. You’ll love what you see. Maybe. Hell, I don’t care. Do you you want.

Interestingly enough, my original Blogger site is still running. All those posts are from 2006 and show a good bit of my riding from that time. I was posting my Polar HR monitor results for all to see. I have (my own opinion) a horrible VO2 rating so I’d never be able to race. But it’s nice to see that I was able to put in some good efforts later in the season. Well, at least until I started working for Apple. That killed it all. It was the hours, not the job. Don’t worry, it’s a great place to work. Just talk to someone else about it. Once I get another USB IrDA device, I’ll be able to upload the rides again, but probably not those I’m doing now. They’re a little sad. Really.

So what does the CBD hold in store for the future? I got no clue. I don’t have enough time to monetize it like I once wanted. I’m not persistent enough to pursue my old contacts to get some insider info/products to test and write about. So I’ll probably just rant on things that annoy me from time to time. That seems to be what I’m about on teh netz these days. I’ll sprinkle some positivity on a posts at random. Don’t expect that crap to often though.

Less facetiously, I will definitely opinionate/review items I see or use. Since I’m a former insider (shop manager) peering in from the outside I want search out the alternatives to the gucci bling items without sacrificing quality. The upward price swing in cycling componentry and products began earlier this decade as the dollar began to fall to the euro. Combine that with today’s terrible economy and you really have to search for the right products if your a poor gear-head.

Let’s just throw this out there right now: I’m in the worst shape of my life. Period. Let’s also say that I’m coming back from a crippling injury. What was it you ask? Broken bones, concussion, or the worst case of road rash in the history of rashes? None of the above. I’m recovering from an injury to my free time.

A combination of school and work killed my desire to battle sloth. I couldn’t even ride to work since there wasn’t any safe place to park it – regardless of the lock. That was the end of 2006, and that trend continued into 2007. There were a few instances where I might have gotten out for a few rides, but nothing like before. Jump to March of 2008 and my daughter was born! Best day of my life that also was the harbinger of doom to my fitness. I rode TWICE the entire year, for a total of 2 hours. Needless to say all this inactivity has brought upon a period of atrophy never before witness by man. All my muscle has been replaced by sweet, succulent fat. I’m bordering on being veal if I wasn’t so old and gamy.

Today I’ve finally found the will to start treating my body to excruciation by producing ammonium and lactic acid by the bucketfuls. Funny enough, this coincides with my decision to quit the job I had before and pursue the life of a freelance web and graphic designer. I no longer want to come home and lock myself in my office to shoot herds of German soldiers Call of Duty style.

So who cares? I have no idea. I just feel obligated to share my thoughts on this beautiful sport from a rider’s perspective, a fan’s view, and a former insider’s insight. This is the THIRD freaking time I’ve raised this site from the ashes. Not sure why it won’t die. Oh, that’s right – my ego! Welcome back to the peloton Cycleboredom.