los angeles to inland empire

Emi Brown: Los Angeles to Inland Empire from Matt Lingo on Vimeo.

I'm always into documentations of a 'bike ride' and this film of a sixty-mile jaunt is a nice example. The essence of cycling; getting from A to B. And just enjoying the ride. Check out Emi's blog too...

il centenario

Il Centenario - Una Storia from j. dunn on Vimeo.

Picked this up from Embrocation and now trying to get my hands on a copy. Amazing photos by Dan Sharp in a beautiful package, produced with an independent spirit that mainstream publications always lack and can never replicate. Just so nice. Watch and enjoy. And then try and get hold of a copy too.

winner?

From almost the moment it began, I decided to pay little attention to the 'Wiggins to Sky' developing plotline. Not that I wasn't interested in where he would end up, it's just that protracted signings in any sport that are played out in the press usually leave a bad taste in the mouth; truth buried deep below the headlines, the speculation, the lies. Viewing from afar and through the most twisted of lenses, we have little with which to develop an informed opinion with. Now it's done and dusted, I'm still not sure what to make of it all. I've always liked Bradley Wiggins  but I can't help feeling cold over the whole Sky Team and their seemingly win at all costs mentality. The underdog will never lose his appeal. The cash rich are always viewed less favorably. These pillars of sporting law will remain. But so to the harsh reality that a pile of cold, hard cash often leaves the underdog with little choice but to chase his tail. The Yankees win. Man Utd win. So I'm guessing that Sky will too, in some shape or form. But winning in road racing doesn't have a singular definition and it depends on what Sky demand? Stage wins? A Classic or two? A Grand Tour title? If it's the latter, and Wiggins is their chosen one then they may well come up short. I think a lot of riders like Michael Barry, Serge Pauwels and Boasson Hagen but I'm not convinced that they are enough to vault Wiggins above Contador, A Schleck and Armstrong. For better analysis than I can provide, you should read this piece by Whit Yost, who expertly breaks down the battle that is Garmin Vs Sky. 

franco bitossi

bike ride two

However sometimes cruising isn't the order of the day. Another Rapha Continental ride again beautifully documenting that some journeys require a little more effort; elicit a lot more pain. So here's to pushing yourself and suffering too.

bike ride

Going for a bike ride will always remain one of life's simple pleasures. Every journey is different. No matter how long or how short the ride, it will always be a fresh experience. To me, this collection of photographs captures the essence of the bike ride perfectly. New sights. Old haunts. Not training. Just riding. Here's to cruising and smelling the roses along the way.

preparing for another day in the mountains