Fixpert

I have spent a lot of time on the bike. I mean a lot of time. So, I know from experience that you don’t want to select the wrong bike shorts for your long rides. I’ve tried a lot of different biking shorts, and these DeSoto Tri Shorts are the best shorts I’ve ever found. They’re triathlon shorts, so they’re designed for swimming, biking, and running (I’ve only worn them for cycling). Because of their intended usage, the pad is much more thin and flexible than the average cycling short, which makes them a lot more comfortable. The shorts themselves are very thin and malleable and are perfect for summer riding. And, unlike most cycling shorts, you have more color options. That’s actually more important than you may think — if you know you’ll be out in the sun on a hot day, you don’t want to cook in black shorts. These DeSotos got me through 1900 miles of riding in 3 weeks, and they’ve got my full endorsement.

I became aware of the Lehigh Valley Velodrome in , Trexlertown Pennsylvania when I was a bike messenger. Twice a year (back then it was once a year), they put on a giant bike swap meet inside their velodrome. Bike shops will come and empty out their inventory from the previous year at bargain basement prices. Pro riders will come to Trexlertown to unload all the free swag they get from their sponsors. This event is a staple for any starving messenger that needs some waterproof gear, a new bottom bracket, or some other crucial piece of equipment that would otherwise be completely out of their budget.

The Lehigh Valley Velodrome also offers a free youth racing program coached by olympic champions. And it looks like now the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation has a similar program in their newly renovated Kissena Velodrome in Queens. I have to admit, reading this excerpt brought a joyful tear to my eye:

Cycling in New York City
Bicycle racing has a long tradition in New York City. In fact, Madison Square Garden was built first for track cycling, and it is still remembered in the name of the “ Madison,” an Olympic event. The Kissena Velodrome was built for the 1964 U.S. Olympic trials.

Holy cow, this is the coolest!

Check out this video, dated 1899, of a guy riding a track bike doing backwards circles and other tricks!

I love this, this is so good — the “bike messenger hook.” Instructions on how to run an intersection like any good bike messenger would.

It’s a fact that bike messengers are more aware of everything going on in the busy city streets than anyone else (if they’re not, they don’t last long). They see the hand truck pushing out from between parked cars. They see the lady drop her shopping bag. They see the pigeon crouch down as though it were preparing for flight. And as a messenger, you often capitalize on knowing that other people can’t see you. For example, if you’re trying to blast through the wall of pedestrians in a crowded crosswalk, you shoot behind the person that obviously has no awareness of you. You avoid skirting in front of or behind the person that has spotted you, because they will inevitably hop from side to side trying to guess what your next move will be.

So, the bike messenger hook is also taking advantage of knowing that the driver won’t react and slam on their brakes. Pure genius, and I just love the fact that they’ve made an aerial diagram.

Phew! Busy, but exciting times! This weekend, I am helping some friends put together a massive charity bike ride through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It’s called the Blue Ridge Extreme. It’s a one day event, 100 miles, with some of the most grueling climbs in the area. For anyone that has done road riding in this area, you may have heard of Reed’s Gap. Legend says it’s the climb that cracked Greg LeMond in the Tour DuPont, with grades as steep as 18%. Our riders will be hitting the base of that climb after they’ve put 80 miles of riding and another significant climb behind them.

A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to our local chapter of Hospice. We had a great turnout last year — the first year of the event — I think somewhere around 160 riders. And the brutal nature of the course caused quite a buzz in the cycling community, so we’re expecting even stronger numbers this year, possibly doubling last year’s turnout. If you’re in the area, come ride, spectate, or help haul coolers of Gatorade. Good luck to all the riders, have a safe and fun event!