by editors on April 22, 2019
Rapha, is inviting you to join them at Rapha LA on April 27, 2019 at 4pm for the launch of the limited edition Nelson Vails collection (inspired by his first team – Toga Tempo Thunder Bolt), with a special twist.
Nelson Vails himself will join us to share stories of a memorable career, from New York City bike messenger to Olympian. Nicknamed The Cheetah, the Harlem raised rider was the first African-American cyclist to win an Olympic medal, and was inducted into the US Bicycle Hall of Fame in 2009.
We recommend hanging out with Nelly on any cycling occasion, but this limited edition kit launch looks like an even better reason. Rapha will have drinks, food and the full collection on display for purchase. To RSVP, please click the link.
[Link: Rapha LA]
by editors on April 17, 2019
We’re not ones to make a big deal when someone is “homeless.” Some people enjoy the freedom of living on the road, and let’s face it, not everyone is cut out for the day-to-day doldrums of 21st century corporate life, but when we read in the Seattle Times that 80s/90s cycling phenom Rebecca Twigg, 56, is “homeless” it gave us a shake.
Rebecca Twigg has now been without a home for almost five years in Seattle, living first with friends and family, then in her car, then in homeless shelters and then, for a night, under garbage bags on the street downtown. She hasn’t had a bike for years, and no one recognizes her anymore, she says.
We don’t know Rebecca, and people fight many different kinds of demons, but we spoke to one of her former Olympic teammates this morning and that teammate suggested something that we’re sure has been mentioned many times since this story hit: the cycling family needs to get Rebecca back on a bike, and back with a solid crew to roll with. And if speaking to a Seattle Times reporter is Rebecca getting the word out about homelessness and how big a problem it is in 2019, then we got the message.
[Link: Seattle Times]
by editors on April 11, 2019
The news from Sea Otter 2019 has been storming in for hours, but here’s something we’ve been waiting for. Tasco today announced the release of their new Recon Ultralite gloves. Here’s what they’re saying about it.
Welcome to your new favorite Ultra minimalist performance love with all the features you need for your day in the saddle. When you want to wear a glove, yet fell like you aren’t — the Recon Ultralite glove is what you’ll reach for. These gloves are engineered to be the lightest glove on the market today without sacrificing the quality and fit that you have come to expect from Tasco.
The Recons feature durable nylon top of hand, conductive threads on index finger and thumb for working your phone without shedding your gloves, silicone grip on palm and fingers, a microfiber thumb patch, a seamless single layer “Tacti-cool” palm, and fitted “o-prene” cuff enclosure. All this for $38 a pair. Sounds just like our next pair of gloves. For all the official details on the Recon, please click the link.
[Link: TASCO]
by editors on March 27, 2019
Everyone needs a bike to roll around on when they’re not on a group ride, racing off road, or training for the Olympics, and The Shadow Conspiracy and LA streetwear kings The Hundreds have created just the right 26 inch BMX bike for doing that.
The one-of-a-kind bike comes with an old-school drop nose seat adorned by a sublimated custom graphic and retro-inspired pad set. This bike isn’t just a looker, built with the guts and glory of The Shadow Conspiracy proprietary custom parts, including their signature Shadow Chain.
The bike, along withmatching jersey, tees, pullover, and hat, to go along with it, will be released tomorrow, March 28, 2019. If you want to check it out, roll by The Hundreds on Fairfax in Los Angeles at 5:30 PM for an “LA Mash” to Lock & Key on Vermont. For all the details, follow the jump.
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by editors on March 26, 2019
In a keynote address yesterday (March 25, 2019), Apple’s Tim Cook mentioned that the newly launched News+ app is like having an “entire newsstand on your iPhone” and for cyclists he’s not exactly wrong. The new subscription app which charges users $9.99 a month for unlimited magazine viewing from at least 300 different magazine titles does include four cycling magazines in the mix: Bicycling, Bike, Canadian Cycling, Cycling Plus, and Mountain Biking UK.
While maybe not our first choices in cycling magazines currently, when coupled with other titles that we might be interested in reading like The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, The Week, et al. this new subscription model might not be all that bad of a deal, assuming of course, that spending $120 a year for magazines that must be read on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple computer is something you’re into. For more info on Apple News+ please click the link.
[Link: News+]
by editors on March 15, 2019
Rapha is proud to announce a range of all-new all dark jerseys that will help you fade into the background of any road, race, or photo.
Inspired by a Milanese espresso machine maker that supported one of the sport’s greatest teams, the Chevron Jersey is an ode to a bygone era of classic kit design. Available now, get yours in time to watch Milan San Remo next weekend.
Yes, they may be inspired by a coffee machine and inanely dull, but they still feature the two things all fans of the brand appreciate — the Rapha logo, and a high price tag. Side note: these kits go perfectly with facial hair, an S-works and the new SRAM’s Red eTap AXS group set (see below). For all the details, please click the link.
[Link: Rapha]
by editors on March 12, 2019
As the tradeshow business quickly contracts it’s been interesting to watch Emerald Expositions, one of the largest tradeshow operators in the world consolidating their business. Last year after buying the SIA Snow Show from Snow Industries of America, they slid the Snow Show into Outdoor Retailer, then they cancelled Interbike, and now, they’ve decided that including the bicycle industry in the OR Show is a great idea almost as if they’re bummed they didn’t think of before.
“We’re excited to bring outdoor and bike together at Outdoor Retailer as we launch the winter season,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer vice president and show director. “It’s a natural fit for bike to be part of Outdoor Retailer. Our data indicates that we already see over 3,000 buyers attending our shows who purchase for bike, so incorporating the category makes the show even more valuable. Additionally, retailers, dealers, and buyers will have an opportunity to discover new brands and products, expand store offerings, and make new connections to support their businesses.”
Will be interesting to see how Emerald will spin adding their other shows like Surf Expo and/or the Swim Collection, into OR eventually to make only one show for their whole sports category. Sad times for trade shows. For the official spin from Emerald, please follow the jump.
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by editors on March 12, 2019
As is rather obvious by our hodge-podge of odd updates and seemingly random posts somewhat relating to cycling, we can’t figure out exactly what cyclists look for when it comes to online content, mostly because we don’t know what we, ourselves, want. We’re not down with the precious, condescending, fetishizations of Rapha podcast missives, nor do we much appreciate the other end of the spectrum at Bicycling Magazine. We’ll occasionally check out RKP for their road racing poetry, and sometimes read reviews on BikeRadar because they come up in our product searches.
Lately, we’ve been noticing the CyclingTips website coming up in our mix more and more and feel relatively positive about it. Can’t really say the same for PinkBike (it’s a blur of MTBing content that we’ve never been able to figure out), however, reading news that BikeExchange has offloaded CyclingTips to PinkBike makes us question a few things. Firstly, what is BikeExchange? Secondly, is consolidation in cycling media good? And finally, will this be good for us as mildly interested cycling media consumers? Obviously, PinkBike founder Radek Burkat believes it’s all good.
“We are excited to commit the talents and resources we have at Pinkbike and Trailforks to allow the CyclingTips team to grow and be the leader in road cycling,” said Burkat.
CyclingTips founder Wade Wallace is also happy about it, saying:
“We are thrilled that CyclingTips has come together with the Pinkbike family. We are confident that this partnership will result in a better product for our readers, members and industry partners.”
Guess we’ll have to wait and see. The entire staff of CyclingTips will reportedly stay with the brand. Thanks for allowing us to think out loud this morning. It likely won’t happen again for a while as we’re sure we’ll be too busy creating highly curated, stylized content for some other failing web property.
[Link: Bicycle Retailer]
by editors on March 1, 2019
Oakley may have underestimated 100% in the early going, but now they’re coming back hard on their SoCal eyewear competitor. Let’s take it back aways. Oakley had the Eyeshade, but they kind of dropped the ball moving instead toward the Jawbreaker® Cavendish. Then 100% launches the Sagan Speedcraft. 100% dropped the Glendale which was a bit of an Eyeshade bite, and now Oakley is biting the Glendale bite right back with the Oakley Sutro, you know for “urban cycling” whatever that is. For reference, below is the 100% Glendale. Bite, bite, bite.
by editors on February 19, 2019
Want to stay warm pre-race or post-ride? Then Portland, Oregon based Rumpl has just the Original Puffy blanket for you, with a little National Park flavor thrown in.
A series of six Original Puffy blankets inspired by America’s magnificent national parks. The Collection gives back as a member of 1% for the Planet. Rumpl is proud to support the work of the National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner to the National Park Service. Colors and designs inspired by the individual terrains and landmarks of each park. Arches, Joshua Tree, and Yosemite available now. Rocky Mountain, Grand Canyon & Great Smoky Mountains coming soon.
These light, packable blankets offer the perfect balance of warmth, performance (and they’re light weight). The National Park blankets cost $129 and are available on the Rumpl website or wherever Rumpl is sold. For all the details, please click the link.
[Link: Rumpl]
