2010 Leadville 100- SS winner on a SOK.

Last weekend, one of my bike shop bros got married. Best wishes Jason!

Anyway, at our table was another ex-shop friend, Blake, who I found out nailed 17th place at this year's Leadville 100 in the Single Speed class. The first place single speed category victory went to Alfred Thresher; riding a rigid Bianchi SOK. Searching the interweb, I found the YouTube vid below containing a clip of the 1st place racer... Good work Blake, you're still a diesel!

Bianchi 'Model 1912'

This has to be one of the best entries covering Bianchi's old military folding bikes from the 1912 era.

click-- Bianchi 'Model 1912'.

He lost his bike...

Please take some time to read this powerful entry about a lost Bianchi.

Deep stuff--> click!

2011 Bianchi Zurigo shake down write up.

Bart at South Park Cycles has a few Zurigos at the shop. He's put some laps on this new 2011 model and here's his take on the bike.


Now tried and tested is the Bianchi Zurigo Cyclocross bike. For $1599 you get an aluminum frame, carbon fork and Sram Apex shifter and drivetrain kit. First impression was the bike handled great. The bike held a great line whether on off camber downhill or climb. I spent about and hour and a half on this stead and this was my first real ride on Sram drop bar components. I had no issues adapting to the shifting and the Apex shifted flawlessly. The other nice touches to the bike are the additional bar brake levers and the ability to add racks to either the rear or fork of the bike. This is not just a great reasonably priced cross bike but also a versatile commuter or touring bike as well. These also have been added to the rental fleet.

Thanks Bart!

Black is back.

One of our regular patrons at the company pub is the 2011 Pista. With two color options in 2011, white paint with a red panel graphic (like the Vigorelli) or gloss black with a creme panel, this classic steel bike keeps getting better with age.

The steel Pista is sporting a new crank from FSA. Inspection of the crank from 10 feet away, it looks like a Campy throw back to the Nuovo Record days. The gold chain ring bolts are definite hints from this era. And utilizing a square tapered bottom bracket spindle. The square taper bb axle opens up possibilities for upgrades down the road.

The Alex Solo track wheel set is stout spec for the Pista. This bike will see more urban use than Velodrome so having a strong, reliable wheel set is important. The last thing you need is to return to your LBS after buying your new fixed gear because the bike company spec'd a cheap wheel set just so they can sell a cheaper priced bike.

Even still, it's a great starter bike for those aspiring to spend some time at their local Velodrome.

Eat around your plate William!

I shook my head this week at the fact of some things, items, etc, fall through the cracks of my In-Bin. (old reference to the In and Out bin on the corner of some office worker's desk. Inbox is too tech for this example.) Namely, the pile of business cards I've been shuffling through since my return from the 2010 Interbike show. Yeah, I had that big of a pile of cards!

Like eating around my plate at dinnertime as instructed by mom when I was little, I got to the bottom of the mound of mashed potatoes, only find a business card from the guys at TRAFIK Pictures. Tim and Ace came by the booth at Interbike 2009. Ace had his Pista Concept with him and if you scroll down on the page I linked above, you'll see his black ride.

When Tim and Rick stopped by Interbike last month, I was like, Hey! How was your movie you did last year? (having no concept of time) Tim informed me that they just finished it up. Whoa, time slipped by me. But in the same sense, you can't rush a good production. Check the trailer below for their new joint, 'To Live and Ride in LA'.

To Live & Ride In L.A. OFFICIAL TRAILER from TRAFIK on Vimeo.

I'm impressed they got some airtime in a helicopter for this production!

The teaser looks good guys and I'm sure there's a Pista Concept among the masses in the video.

Bianchi goes pink!

In case you didn't know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Also, the love of health, wellness and a 125 year old bike company can bring people together who are half a country away.

Last Friday was Day 1 of the 2010 Young Survival Coalition/Tour de Pink p/b Hershey's Bliss. I've been involved with the YSCs Tour de Pink since 2006. I've known ladies in my life who have been affected by breast cancer; so it was a natural progression for me to become involved with this charity ride.

200 people gathered in Hershey, Pa and rode 220 miles, raised $850k for the YSC and became a lot more aware of the importance for women to have regular check-ups on their bodies. Among the 200 people riding was the Oklahoma based Team PG-13 graphics lead by Eldon Harding. I joined this team for the event as Eldon and I have become really close over the past 4 years. A love for the Tour de Pink and Bianchi has keep Eldon and me connected...and a little help from the world of Facebook too.

Eldon and I met on the 2006 Tour de Pink. The cyclists eat dinner with strangers the first night and are eating with friends by the end of the four day excursion. Eldon was sitting at my table and we got to talking about different bikes we've owned. I was wearing my Bianchi jacket and working at a Bianchi dealer at the time. Eldon saw my jacket and starting talking about his 2007 Cross Concept cyclo cross bike and how much he loves it. More talking and more Tour de Pinks, Eldon and I continued the Bianchi conversation to the point where the shop he works at picked up the brand and started supplying their road team with 1885 frames.


Above is Eldon's 2009 1885, SRAM Force equipped bike at the start of the 2010 Tour de Pink. Eldon owns a graphics company and is very handy with vinyl decals as you can see.



Hershey Foods donated $300k to the YSC.



It was a chilly day so I wore the Gran Fondo vest without question.



(l-r)Warren, Trent and Eldon.



The skies were looking gloomy. The rain did hold off for the day as we rode 90 miles towards King of Prussia, PA.



My ear and Eldon's rear.




Trent discovered that Vittoria Evo Corsa CX tires do not make for a good training tire/charity ride rubber.



Smiles and miles as the flat repair continued on the shoulder of the road.




(l-r) Warren, Eldon and me at rest stop number 2/lunch stop. Fuel provided by Subway Subs.

During the 90 miles I ate 3 gel packs, 3 Clif Bars, 6 bottles, 6 inch Subway Sub(veggie), bag of chips(craving salt!), bottle of apple juice.

90 miles/16mph avg @ 5K elevation.


Valley Forge National Park was part of the ending route on Day 1. I shot this while riding, camera over the shoulder, bam! Tons of history here.



The ride ended in King of Prussia, PA. I love this mural which was made by some of the TdP's kiddos.


In the lobby was a 16 year old Bianchi Eros. Still in stock build form with a Campy Eros groupo. The owner was very excited to tell me about the love for her bike. (She told me her speech before I told her I worked for Bianchi.) An honest testimony and an honest love affair.

I would like to give a big thanks to all who donated to this ride on my behalf, the riders of the 2010 TdP, Hershey Foods, and the YSC.