Road Rash Cycling: Cycling news, rides, reviews, routes for folsom, sacramento, and northern california

Hopefully by now everyone has recovered from a successful St. Patty’s day weekend.  This year my weekend included a trip down to check out the 2012 Land Park Criterium where Curt was racing in BP colors.

I’ve only been to this course a few times, but it always seems to be a popular race.  The venue is easy to admire as it’s noticeably both more technical and scenic than the likes your standard business park race course. Uniquely, the LP crit inserts character into the race as it wraps the manicured greens and lush fairways of the Land Park Golf Course, established in 1924.  Tall, mature trees frame the course. Historic homes and mansions line the outside. More importantly for racers, the course offers a wide well-paved path that incorporates both high speeds and technical turns to help make the selection. Continue reading →

Well the weekend has come to a close and I hope that everyone got to enjoy the amazing weather. As for me, a bit of cycling culture rolled through town and I couldn’t help but check it out. On saturday afternoon, I packed up the fam, met up with up with Schoppmans, and hit up the North American Handmade Bike Show in downtown Sacramento.

A rare treat to have the event hosted in our hometown, it was a great opportunity to check out the latest in handmade bike trends and see who was pushing the limits of creativity. This year there was an even greater appeal as it was a chance to take my son to his first bike show. How cool, right!?

The Bikes

Well, I’m very pleased to say that my first trip to the NAHBS did not disappoint. It was a special glimpse into the carefree and crafty world of cycling…a side that I probably don’t frequent enough. Fully expecting some timeless steel frames, expert metalwork, and vibrant color, I was blown away to see the extent at which the participants expanded on these ideas. Steel was just a fraction of the floor. Instead, we were bombarded by a bevy of unorthodox materials and finishes as we swept down the aisles. Contoured wood frames, Bamboo architecture complete with internal cabling, tricked out tandems, and outrageous mountain monsters were scattered throughout the show.

Noteworthy

Putting the intricacies of these bikes into words is just a bit out of my realm so I’m happy to let you cruise the gallery below to full understand what was on display.  However, I do think it is necessary to make note of a few gems and trends as you browse the slideshow.

1. Bran and I agreed that the monster mountain bike to the right wins best of show. I mean, can you imagine stomping down a hill on that bad boy?  Unbelievable.  There are a few more shots of it below and on one you’ll notice that rather than sporting a water bottle cage, it has a holster for a flask…probably not a bad thing to have a little medicine for when you wreck with this tank.
2. Apparently there is a full on trend of rolling with a flask on your bike.  Originally I thought it was a fluke reserved for the aforementioned tank, but I caught at least three other shots in three separate booths.  Apparently it is the new hotness?  Sounds fun!
3. I had thought I was pretty impressed with bamboo bikes…that is until I met the guy from the “Boo” booth. Dude was practically sporting wood …terrible bamboo joke but seriously, look at that grin! pure excitement over his own product.  pretty cool.
4. Great Scott! The Delorean actually rolled in the auto to the show.  pretty nuts but I hope their bikes perform better than the original.

In anticipation of this year’s Tour of California, I was cruising through my archives and found some photos that never made it up on the site. Here’s the set from the Auburn start last year.

As much as I’ll miss it this year, we’ve been so blessed to have the tour embark straight through our back yard for the last few years.  During that time we’ve had amazing access to the sports elite riders and personalities.  This set features some up close shots with Andy Schleck, Jens Voight, and the amazing Bob Roll.

See the Gallery After the Break

Continue reading →

Seemed like near perfect racing weather at the BP early bird criterium and we got a chance to watch curt give the elite-4′s some hell. Fun morning. Here are a few shots of the race….

Continue reading →