Bern Brentwood

The tag it came with says it's a "Macon" but I'm pretty sure it's not.
Anyhow, I love this helmet and don't see much difference between the two.

Things I Like - Comfortable Handlebars

Handlebars are a contentious issue for me because I have never had a comfortable set.  I am not even certain how to find the right ones.

My daughter's SWOBO bars were intended for my PAKE but they never made it.
She loves them, so that ship has sailed.

This Town Needs an Improved Method of Communitcation

I don't know how to re-post from another BLOG but the link I am referring to is here.

Apparently the Bike SNOB was in town.  In fact, it turns out that I have missed him by about 4 hours.

Bicycle Observations in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Just back from a week of vacation on the beach.
As usual I was sensitive to bicycle culture.
I must say, it was difficult to come by.

Here's one thing I did find at "Wonderworks."

At their outside Catina you are welcome to blend your own drink by bicycle.

Shadows

The shadows seem to be getting longer, earlier.  It can only mean one thing.

"There's a shadow just behind me, shrouding every step I take."

I Love Bicycles

Lacing yet another wheel.
I've done 5 in one year. 
Maybe I'm getting good at this.

I wonder if I could make a little side $ doing this?

One day someone will say "Hey Dude, I've got a Chris King headset and a St. James wheel set."

Shweet.

So that's where that went...

I recently changed to a new commuting backpack so I needed to transfer everything over from the old.
After I finished with the standard and necessary items here's what was left.

A bandana
A disc-golf towel
20 cents
A blank/unburned CD
A letter that was never sent
2 bungee cords
An empty glasses case
A bicycle lock key
A receipt for a magazine
Instructions for a Sony HandyCam


What I really need in a pack is...
An extra couple of dollars
A bus ticket
My pump (sometimes)
A spare tube (sometimes)
A tire repair kit
Camera
Occasionally a rain coat
The remainder of space is for work items, iPad, and the day's clothing.

What are the things you need on your commute?

"Glory Days" will pass you by...

In April I did the 60km Paris-Ancaster Race.  It was the first of its kind for me, sort of a gravel-grind, and I loved it!
Just the other day I thought I'd do a search on it to see if anyone had anything posted because sometimes it just takes a long time to get things on the web.
Then I found a picture of me!
This is so great - I never get the chance for a shot like this because I'm always the one with a camera in my hand.  So, I'm pumped for this action shot!

It's early in the race because I did an endo at about 10km and destroyed my front brake, plus I am waaayyy too clean to be far in.
I know that look though. As early on as this may be...I was already exhausted!

Enjoy the Beauty

Instead of feeling the need to catch up to the next cyclist all the time, I decided that perhaps I was missing something.

I went slower and took things in, without regret.

I should do this more often and get over my competitive nature.

Down by Lake Ontario.  I can't often come this way but today it worked out.

I cropped out the bird crap on the railing.  Makes a nicer picture, don't you think?

Ride for Refuge 2012

This will be my third Ride for Refuge and I am going to do their maximum mileage this year - 100km.  I know it's not necessarily a lot by many peoples standards but this is about my limit since I don't yet do club rides or even bother to get out nearly as much as I should, aside from commuting.

The thing about this Ride is the camaraderie.  My wife and daughter will join me in both cycling and raising funds for this cause.  They will do a 25km route but just the same, it's so wonderful to have them out with me.

When I read about people cycle-camping and spending the week on some of the trails that are around New York, New England or Pennsylvania I am so envious.  I guess the Ride is my little taste of a family cycling adventure.

Their logo means "Love, Sweat & Gears.
(also, my daughter says I don't smile enough on my BLOG shots!)

I've only done a couple of charity rides but I like them.  I have heard that some folks are critical of them, but I don't understand exactly why. 

"Reveal the Path"

The new film from the producers of Ride the Divide is being screened in Hamilton.

September 26th at the Mountain Theatre on Concession.

It's a double-bill that opens with Ride the Divide at 6:30, followed by the new flik.

It will benefit a couple of causes, including my friend, JD's, efforts to finish the Tour in 2013.

I can get you tickets now.  We're hoping for a minimum of 100 people at this.  Spread the word!

Sometimes its not just about the bike...but usually it is.

My daughter and I ran in a 5km race last weekend.
It was sponsored by Domestique - a coffee bar that caters to cyclists and cycling (they were packed in there and going nuts when Ryder won the GIRO in the Spring).

This fellow was really nice, handing out good coffee and brought along a slick looking Linus to boot.

Linus' have such clean lines.

The Cafe is neat - it has cycling on the TV all the time (you don't see that everywhere), one of Steve Bauer's yellow jersey's from the tour, as well, Bauer and other pro's (past and present) often drop in.

I'll do a post on them sometime.