May 2012
19 posts
4 tags
Karma
Last November I flatted less than 10 miles into my first Iceman Cometh. I had an inflator, Co2s, and a tube, but no pump as a back up (dumb!). As bad luck would have it, the Co2s failed and I found myself walking along the course as racer after racer passed me. I was not happy.
Then a racer slowed down, as he passed asked me if I needed anything. I said “a pump would be great!” He...
Fat?
Other than supermodels, does anyone worry obsess about their weight more than competitive cyclists? Ben believes that “numbers never lie…unfortunately. It’s a daily kick in the pants.”
Editors note: I remember 175 lbs. I would drink a bottle of Perpetuem that baked in the sun for two weeks if I thought it could get me to 175 lbs. again…. or 185… or…...
Cranked
Syllamo’s revenge on my crank arm.
obsession
You know all you think about is riding when you have a four day old son in the house, are putting together a new stroller, and think to yourself, “I wonder if this comes in a thru-axle version.?”
beer: sierra nevada hoptimum
I got an email from a friend last month about Sierra Nevada’s Hoptimum and have been on the lookout for it ever since. I am a HUGE fan of double+ I.P.A.s (DFH 90 Min, Bell’s Hop Slam, Victory Hop Wallop, etc., etc.,). So the introduction of the limited edition Hoptimum Double I.P.A. and its 10.4% A.B.V. was welcomed with an open liver for sure. I mean is there anything better at...
Memorial Day
Along with a bunch of racing this Memorial Day weekend, there will also be some enjoyable foods munched and beer drank as we kickoff Summer 2012. I must admit I started early last night with some IPA and brats on the grill. I mean what’s more American than bratwurst on the grill and I.P.A.?
Happy Memorial Day, and for you folks not in the U.S… Happy… ah.. um… weekend?...
Wind
Before I moved to Michigan, wind was something that I dealt with at times, but not nearly as often as I do now. Western PA was known more for it’s grey days and rain. Here, it’s not whether the wind is blowing, it’s how hard the wind is blowing.
The thing is.. you can’t see it. I mean, you can see stuff blowing and what not, but you can’t see the wind alone. Well,...
4 tags
Race: 2012 Arcadian Grit & Gravel
Race: 2012 Arcadian Grit & Gravel Format: Gravel, XC Length: 26ish Miles Date: May 19, 2012 Location: Arcadia, Michigan Web: endomanpromotions.com Results: raceservices.com
Copious amounts of wheel sucking sand (seen above), gravel roads, nice steady climbs, pavement and amazing singletrack helped make up the 26ish miles of the Arcadian grit and gravel.
Men’s Pro/Elite
1. Jorden...
3 tags
Gravel: Never Seen
I’ve spent my fair share of time riding mountain forest roads and gravel farm roads and I’ve seen a lot of panties (for some reason) laying along the road. And from time to time I’ve seen people walking along those roads. BUT, I have NEVER had the good fortune to see any woman like this or any panties with the woman still in them whilst riding any of those roads. Oh well, a...
3 tags
Welsh Ride Thing T shirt
Stuart of Bear Bones Bikepacking’s Welsh Ride Thing asked XXC to be part of the WRT with a little prize shwag. In turn the XXC logo got on their T-shirt. I love the “No one can hear you scream” bit. Glad to be part of this cool event in some way.
2 tags
Beer: Founders Curmudgeon Old Ale
One thing that goes without saying, is that around XXC HQ nothing caps off a good day of work and riding like a fine beer. Lucky for me just down the block from XXC HQ is a small restaurant & pub called the Brass Cafe that always has at least a few fine beers on tap. Last week I was lucky enough to be able to get some Founders Old Curmudgeon Old Ale on tap while I hung out with some...
Photo: Well Ventilated
Well Ventillated Race: UCI World Cup #4, 5.20.12, La Bresse, France Photo: MTB.cz
xxc.cult:ure
Sometimes a topic is too vague to be on xxcmag.com or in the pages of XXC Magazine but too good to deposit in the wasteland of a social media timeline. Thus the birth of XXC Magazine’s Tumblr blog- xxc.cult:ure.
This blog will focus more on the cult, um… CULTURE of cycling and will include XC, XXC, Cross & even a little bit of Road. It will also include some general time wasting...
