I’m a more obsessed than usual today with cycling. I’ll explain why in a moment. First, an observation or three from the cycling realm.
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Being honest about your shortcomings is an admirable trait in anyone, let alone a pro athlete. Humility among our elite athletes is a rare commodity. Sure, an air of confidence is good, but too often athletes become taken more with PR than performance, and if lucrative endorsements are about anything, they’re about style rather than substance. Which is why Lance Armstrong’s observation following his disappointing finish in Saturday’s Tour de Suisse prologue was especially refreshing. The 4.7-mile time trial was run on wet streets, and Armstrong didn’t pull any punches in admitting that riding fast on wet roads is a weakness.
“I’m just not very good when it’s wet anymore,” Armstrong said in an interview before Stage 1. “Back in the day I was decent at that, but I’ve lost it. I just immediately pucker up … ”
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Jeff in Portland recommends this cycling-related audio clip from the June 12 Prairie Home Companion. It’s about how catsup plays a crucial role in resolving one couple’s disagreement about whether to take a cycling vacation from Seattle to Spokane. Natural mellowing agents? It’s enough to make you swear off catsup forever. (You’ll need to scroll in 54 minutes and 47 seconds on the audio player to get to the relevant bit.)
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North Carolina cyclists aren’t alone in thinking that their local municipality is agin ‘em when it comes to ensuring safe passage — or passage, period. Earlier this year, the town of Black Hawk in the otherwise cycling mecca of Colorado banned bikes on a number of streets in the one-time mining town that now makes its living off gambling. The issue came to a head last week when cyclists began getting ticketed ($68 per) for riding city streets. Black Hawk’s city manager told TheDenverChannel.com that the ban was necessary because, “If you go down Main Street there is not much room for a bicyclist, a bus or a car, a truck.” Sounds like bad urban planning more than anything. A Facebook page has been created — “Bicyclists and Tourist (sic) Boycott Blackhawk Colorado” — for folks interested in expressing their outrage.
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So, why am I more cycling obsessed that usual? Because I just bought my first new bike in 10 years, a cyclocross bike that I’m hoping will meet both my around-town/commuting needs and my desire to ride on the open road (using a second wheelset with road tires).
I’d write more but the heat index is expected to hit 105 this afternoon and I’d like to take my maiden voyage without frying. More later.
How does a cyclocross bike differ from a road bike? Is it a fixed speed bike?
The main differences, as far as I can tell, are that the bottom bracket on a cross bike is slightly higher (to clear obstacles), the tires are slightly wider with semi-knobby tires and the brakes allow for more mud clearance around the tire. There’s a slight difference in the frames as well, to make them easier to carry (a feature I don’t plan to take advantage of). Because the two are so similar it’s become increasingly common for people to have a separate wheelset with road tires, for a quick switch out. One thing I didn’t notice until I started checking out where the computer and GPS would go: The handlebars are narrower on a cross bike.
The main differences, as far as I can tell, are that the bottom bracket on a cross bike is slightly higher (to clear obstacles), the tires are slightly wider with semi-knobby tires and the brakes allow for more mud clearance around the tire. There’s a slight difference in the frames as well, to make them easier to carry (a feature I don’t plan to take advantage of). Because the two are so similar it’s become increasingly common for people to have a separate wheelset with road tires, for a quick switch out. One thing I didn’t notice until I started checking out where the computer and GPS would go: The handlebars are narrower on a cross bike.
+1