Pedalr

Loosening The Belt

It is once again turkey time. That magical time of year when families put down their iPad’s and actually look each other in the face during dinner. I am a huge fan of Thanksgiving, and not just because of the delicious snacks. As a father and husband I can say that our country as a whole spends far too little time with our respective families. I am looking forward to skinning potatoes and running around the yard. I also look forward to my release date.

While Thanksgiving is an important holiday to celebrate, there is another national holiday looming like a cloud over many of our heads. You still have time to prepare properly for this one. I know that I will be in attendance with my union suit on.

Over the holiday we are gonna be working on the forthcoming pedalr store. This is something the whole pedalr team is pretty damn excited about. We have lined up partnerships with a lot of sweet brands and can’t wait to launch the newness that will flood the internet like a tsunami of awesome.

My brain and body have mostly recovered from the cross racing this last weekend and I am pulling my head out of the clouds and getting back down to business. If I owe you correspondence, expect it over the holiday. If I don’t owe you correspondence, you may hear from me regardless.

As black Friday is almost upon us make sure you swing by and shop. We have the same great deals and beautiful bike’s/gear that we always have. Keep your belly full, your hand down your pants and your rear in the recliner.

-Billy Souphorse

One Gear And A Dream

As I am sure you all know this weekend was the SSCXWC. I spent the weekend in San Francisco to bear witness to the spectacle. There were parties (which I did not attend) and there was “racing” as well. I am a bit sore and tired as I am sure many who competed are, so I am going to let this video and some poorly taken photographs speak for themselves.

Awesome footage from the race can be found here. This little helicopter is awesome. I cannot seem to get it to embed, but enjoy the madness from overhead. It felt a lot different on the ground for sure.

Poorly taken photographs:

That’s all I got today. I need to recover and was some of the shame off. Get out there and get muddy. We will have a post headed your way filled with all kinds of goodies the day before eat to much turkey and take a nap day.
-Billy Souphorse

Race Preparations

I tried so hard to fall asleep last night. Everything was going according to plan. I was wearing my favorite Thomas The Train PJ’s, 20 deep breaths and my eyes were starting to feel heavy and my brain even more sluggish than usual. I was almost in dreamland when my eyes popped open and my brain and heart did a little flip. I realized that I had yet to begin my race preparations for the SSCXWC this weekend.
What size cog should I run?
Tire Pressure?
Screw that, what tires should I run?

So many questions and so little time. Then a calm wave came over me, I put a dollar bill in the hole in my tire and fell asleep on my garage floor. I realized that I don’t care nor am I capable of winning the race. I just want to have fun in the mud with my friends. See you at the race, if you don’t see you first? Exactly.

A few items from the site of note. Simply Spoken is our featured pedalr for today’s post. I myself only wear jewelry on parts of my body that need not be discussed here (mostly toe rings and ankle bracelets). But I do like to see people make pretty things from bike parts.

Simply Spoken has been at it for a while and has several bracelets that are quite stylish on the site. All the bracelets are made from bicycle spokes. Check them out here along with tons more accessories on the site here. I am off to take another nap before continuing my “race prep”.
-Billy Souphorse

Beautiful Bikes And Okay Looking People

I spent the last 5 days in San Francisco preparing for the SF Bicycle Expo. I had been charged with orchestrating the custom frame builders section of the event. This was a lot of emails late in the year to folks who for the most part have a waitlist already, and need not travel down to a consumer trade show. That being said, thre were several folks and even more bikes at the Cow Palace for the big bike party. I also took the oppurtunity to use the event as an excuse to clean out my closet which had become overgrown with another years worth of random cycling items.

The swap was a sucess, many of the items I was looking to part ways with were sold and I did not come back home with very many new ones. Good deal. I was also blessed with the presence of one Stevil Kinevil who shared a table with me. Words were spoken, drinks were drank and good times were had.

I saw some pretty out of this world things, most of which were showcased in the fashion show. I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

And of course a few beautiful bikes:

As well as people jumping high in the air:

As for pedalr related news, I have been hard at work on the forthcoming pedalr store. We are going to be featuring specific items from the marketplace as well as items from brands that we love. It’s gonna be a monthly best in brand of urban cycling through the pedalr lens. There will be awesome product, good stories and laughs for everyone. A mailer will be coming as soon as I have the time to write one out detailing the particulars.

A little pedalr spotlight is in order for Groucho Sports. They just listed a ton of both casual and performance apparel on pedalr. A few photos below are but a spattering of what they have to offer and I highly suggest you swoop on the goodness they have brought to the table.

With that I have to get about the business of doing the business. Stay mid-pack.

-Billy Souphorse

A Quickie

Getting my ducks in a row to head out to San Francisco. The bags are mostly packed and I was about to head out when there was a knock at the door. I was not expecting company so naturally I assumed it was a religious zealot trying to convert me to scientology. I hid under the bed for a half and hour before peering out on the porch to see if the coast was clear. If indeed it was a door to door salesman of religion, he left me quite a gift.

Stevil really outdid himself.

As I stated on Monday, today’s post will be brief so I am going to get right down to some of the new goodness on the site.

The first item of new goodness is actually used goodness.

Stevil sold a All Hail The Black Market skin suit to a gentleman in Austin, and now that gentleman in Texas has put it up for sale. If you are a larger gentleman this may be the outfit for you.

If the single speed fixed gear bikes are what you like to put between your legs, this frame is a great deal.

There are many other items I would like to share with you, but you will have to go look for yourself. I think someone is at the door, so I am headed back under the bed.

-Billy Souphorse

Let’s Get Artisan

We are all back here, which means those remaining in our ranks made it through the weekend unscathed. I count myself among the survivors. Despite my best intentions of crashing into a tree at this weekends mud and snow festival I emerged without injury and without air in my rear tire. That is a boring story, but while running through the mud I did realize that I have lost my competitive edge.
(Insert your own non competitive mental image here)
I still find riding a bike highly enjoyable, and I can under the right circumstances enjoy the racing of bicycles, but I no longer have the fury or the desire to give the extra effort to do well. Mid to back of the pack is fine with this guy, I just want to look good doing it. I accomplished this by wearing the expensive styling from the Rapha Cyclocross Collection. A detailed review and some photos will come probably after the SSCXWC where I and my fancy pants will be in attendance. Upon initial reaction, the stuff is pretty warm and seems to work as stated.

Later this week I will be leaving the comforts of my mountain hideaway for another round of travel. I will be headed down to the SF Bike Expo which will be taking place at the cow palace this weekend. I have been doing a little work for the expo and spearheaded a bit of celebration for the custom frame builders.

There will be a separate section of the expo where anyone can come by and talk to a real live artisan craftsman. I have asked several builders to attend and at least 27% of them have said yes. The current line up includes Ira Ryan’s Oregon Manifest Bike:

The custom stylings of Ritte Racing and Moth Attack:

Rob from Tsunehiro Bicycles is sending a bike, Caletti Cycles will be in the house and that is only a smattering of the builders who will be in attendance. The builders expo is also but a small portion of the expo itself. I am told there will be explosions and dirt jumps as well as people doing BMX Tricks on fixed gear bicycles. If you live in or around the bay it is not to be missed.

I know  that at least one or two folks who are on pedalr will be in attendance, I urge you to track me down in the builders section and say hello. If for some reason I am not right in the frame builders concourse you can ask anyone at the Ritte/Moth Attack educational booth to get a hold of me. Seeing as how some of us will be in the same place at the same time, we might as well say hi and talk about bikes. If you challenge me to a game of bicycle polo I will of course politely decline.

Wednesday’s post will be brief and Friday’s will not exist at all. Posts will resume in earnest next Wednesday as I return from my trip. I may try and get something up in-between but I promise nothing. I will be posting interesting tidbits from the event on our bookface page and the Twitter. Keeping the expectations low means just showing up is enough.

-Billy Souphorse

Fall Back, Don’t Fall Down

I am told by the internet that this weekend is daylight savings time. The internet tells me everything of importance that I need to know. It tells me when I m hungry, when it is time to pee, and when it is time to ride the bikes. The riding tofthe bikes is going to need to happen today and this weekend for sure. I will be engaging in my first “race” of the season. I have every confidence that I will do exceptionally poorly and enjoy myself emensly. The forcast is for 25 degree weather with precipitation. Perfect time to try out the fancy Rapha winter cross gear that was sent to me a couple weeks ago.

In pedalr news we have some interesting things to discuss. Helping folks get started is one of the things pedalr excels at. Numerous small bike businesses have been started here on the site. By numerous, I mean at least two that I know of. Pedalr is a great platform to start, or grow a business. We give you all the tools you need to sell your wares without the pain and financial burden of running your own website.

I was talking yesterday on the Twitter with a fellow from Pallas Athena Bicycles. We will call him “Dan”. We are calling him Dan because at no point during our talks or on his website does he mention his first name. The air is full of mystery and what smells like wet wool socks. Someone should get to the bottom of both of these mysteries. Where was I? Oh yes… “Dan” is selling some cool shirts to raise money for himself. That’s right, you heard it here first. You can help someone help themselves grow their business and live the life they have always wanted to live. the life I speak of is that of an artisan frame builder. The shirts can be found here, and “Dan” can be found here, unless he is out riding a 29er.

Also new on the site are these shirts, which I must say are pretty freaking awesome. Express yourself through the miracle of art and the bicycle drivetrain.

And I will end today’s post with a plug for our good friends at Citizen Chain Bicycles. They have been with us for a long time and are constantly adding sweet inventory to their pedalr store. These Centurion Frames are pretty much the business as far as I am concerned. Get em while the getting is good, they are going for a screaming deal.

I am sure that I will do a good deal of screaming myself this weekend on the race course. I may also do a little bit of falling down in the mud. Don’t hurt yourself this weekend, I will try and do the same.

-Billy Souphorse

Mind Stretching With Words

This marks the second week in a row that I have been home. I have to say that I am loving every minute of it. I have finally dialed my weekly routine back in and feel a bit centered and a little less like I am scrambling all day. This is important, life should not feel rushed. Nowadays everyone is plugged in all the time, there is no longer such a thing as really being off the grid and spending a day by yourself. I have managed to accomplish this nearly unimaginable task for 3 straight days. My only companion has been a 3 year old boy in the afternoons. He is also my son. The emails and phone calls can wait, the Facebook page does not really need to be updated and I don’t care what my “friends” across the country had for breakfast. Unless it was awesome, then please do tell.

Sorry for the little rant there, just needed to get that out of my system. Another thing I needed to get out of my system, or rather off my chest is the fact that the rumors are true. Pedalr is going to launch our very own online store after national eat a turkey and take a nap with your hand down your pants day. We are going to offer our favorite items from the marketplace, as well as custom pedalr gear and cool things from brands that we like. Inventory will rotate every couple of weeks, insuring we have the newest, best, awesomest stuff in the urban/commuter cycling world. Get ready.

I am not going to give to much away, but it’s gonna be mind-blowing. The kind of store that will haunt you in your dreams, and every waking hour of the day. If you are interested in getting on board and think what you are making or selling is up to par, get in touch here. I will be sending out a email blast to our pedals and mailing list in the coming weeks with a few more details. Exciting stuff.

That’s all I got for today. A lot of words about some exciting things. I am gonna go unplug and enjoy life for a bit, I suggest you go do the same.

Get Spooky

It’s Halloween. Wether you like it or not people are gonna do what they are gonna do. I will do nothing and hide inside my house. People up near my mountain hideaway tend to get a little Nor-Cal crazy around any holiday. Lot’s of gunfire and fast moving pickup trucks. Add beer and costumes and that is a recipe for locking down the house and hugging myself.

Today we are gonna get right into it, just a few of the new gems on the site. The name of the game is vintage or NOS which apparently stands for New Old Stock. I thought it stood for something else entirely, but that is another story.

First up we have this Campy Zonda wheel. It is only the front, so you either need to be a master of the nose wheelie or already have a rear when you care for enough to keep. Pretty pimp though.

Second are these vintage (ish) toe straps and pedals. A pretty classy combo for a classy ride. Make the dream a reality, or not.

More bike related items sure to fill your heart with joy can be found on the site. Swing by and have a look around, good people are adding good things every day.

I believe many of my friends spent the weekend together at the Homie Fall Fest. I was unable to attend. With so much travel for work I need to pick my battles, and I let this one slide. I am sure the stories and pictures will make me wish I had hopped on a airbus and headed down. Keep it creepy, or spooky. Whatever you do don’t come to my house, the lights will be off and I may be under the bed.
-Billy Souphorse

It Test Rides The Fancy Bikes

Today’s post will deviate from the normal format. I am going to do a little non pedalr related product review. This is something I do rarely, and only when I feel it is warranted. This post was also intended to go up on Wednesday, but due to a little sickness I had to postpone. Now, with that disclaimer out of the way, let’s move on to the good stuff.

Tuesday I was given the opportunity to test ride the Volagi Liscio. From what I am told, it is the first production carbon fiber road bike with disk brakes. I generally stay away from all things carbon fiber because I don’t trust them. A little about me, I weight 200 pounds and am 6’1. I have a tendency to break things. I also don’t treat bikes, or anything for that matter gently. I am not known for my graceful nature and steel has treated me just fine over the years. I am generally a bit old school, getting aero and shaving weight are not things that even cross my mind. Things that cross my mind are delicious snacks and mid race beers.

What intrigued me (and why I feel it is appropriate for the readers of this blog) was the disk brakes. Disk brakes have started showing their face on many production cross bikes in the last year, it was only natural for the roadies to get in on the action. I first heard about the Volagi line over at Bike Rumor a while back. While at Interbike I took the time to have a peek at their booth. I was impressed with what I saw, but the proof is always in the pudding. I only eat pudding after I ride and it was not till Tuesday that I got a chance to try one out.

I will leave the technical nature of the bike for far more qualified folks to discuss and break down, I am gonna focus on the ride. The disk breaks worked flawlessly. I spent the first few minutes on the bike speeding up and then slamming on the brakes. Stopped on a dime every time and there was no shudder in the fork.  It looks like they nailed disk brakes on a road bike, I bet we will start to see some of the bigger names in the industry using them in the coming year. I normally wait a few years before picking up the latest and the greatest, as I feel it takes time to perfect things. The first go round has always seemed flawed with bicycle technology. I wanted to think that about the Liscio, but the bike continued to win me over as I put miles on it. It simply worked.

Volagi bills this as the perfect bike for the endurance athlete. I rarely even consider myself an athlete, but if I had to lump myself into an athletic category it would be that of an endurance cyclist. I have and will continue to ride centuries and double centuries. There is something magical about spending a whole day in the saddle. The “longbow” rear triangle sits the rider farther back than most performance bikes. I felt almost like I was sitting on a chopper, not a fancy carbon road bike. I could have easily spent 8 hours riding around in the hills near my house, but I have a feeling the folks from Volagi would have been a bit bummed if I was gone for more than a few hours.

Even though the frame is designed to be a bit more relaxed, when I pushed down on the pedals the bike continued to move forward. I found myself consistently running a gear or two higher than I normally do on the climbs, and several gears higher on the flats. I am no scientist, but I believe this has something to do with stiffness and power transfer. I put about 30 miles in on the bike, and I came back feeling like I had only taken it for a spin around the block.

I tested the Liscio with a Sram Rival build. It tipped the scales at 18 pounds. The Ultegra and Dura Ace builds come in significantly lighter. I am not a weight wienie, if I want to shave a pound I simply carry one less tall can with me on the ride or skip my second breakfast. The disk brakes add a little bit of weight, but the trade off is worth it in my opinion. Time after time the bike’s stopping power amazed me. I had to come to stops for a very dead log in the road and what I am going to allow myself to believe was a very asleep deer. Both times the brakes worked like a charm.

My test ride had 25cm tires on it. It could have easily cleared 28cm tires, and I am told there are a few 32cm tires that will clear, although it is tight. With 28′s on I could see rocking out a gravel century or even some light cross on the frame. With the disk brakes giving you confidence in stopping power, taking this bike off road would just feel natural.

So those are the pro’s, here are the con’s:

- I had to test a 57′cm frame. I normally ride a 60′cm. The bike was a bit small for me.

- Out of the saddle sprinting I did feel quite a bit of flex in the frame. The bike didn’t like having a 200 pound dude thrashing on it at full tilt. Of note, the bike is designed for a long ride, not a group sprint, so a bit of flex was to be expected.

- Climbing seated I did feel a little sluggish. I am going to attribute that to how out of shape I am, and the pizza I ate before the ride and not to the bike at all.

Conclusions:

If I were in the market for a new bike, the Luscio would be high on the list. I am not allowed to own fancy things because I break them, but damn it was fun to take it for a ride. This bike is meant for the weekend rider and the distance athlete. It is not a crit bike. If a whole day of adventuring in all weather conditions is your thing, this just might be the bike for you. I wanted to hate it out of the gate, but every step of the way I found myself enjoying the ride even more. The folks at Volagi are lucky that I brought it back.

I want to thank Zach from Volagi, and Cyclopedia for hosting the demo. Not very often do companies come and hang out near my mountain hideout. When the do, I will always show up to check out the goodness they bring with them. This is especially true when I get to take a high end carbon bike out on my favorite loop.

I hope everyone enjoy’s the fall weather this weekend and gets out to ride or race. Go play outside and get dirty. Speaking of which, it is time for me to hit the trails.

-Billy Souphorse