Greg's cap looks familiar. Available 2016!
We made it to the new year! Bicycles have not been outlawed so things are looking up. Yet, the state of Cycling could always be much better and here are a few hopes.
Women’s Cycling- If anyone is racing on passion alone it’s women cyclists. God knows they are not doing it for the money as they don’t get any. Professional cyclists need to unite to get more of a share and women need to be there for the wrangling. The Women’s Cycling Association (WCA) is a great beginning. In Europe, another association, Strongher, is here to raise women’s cycling profile. I don’t know enough about women’s racing but I do know they are racing their asses off. They get little press, little money, little respect but anyone who watched the Women’s Worlds in Richmond knows how hardcore the racing is.
Men’s Cycling- The men are making good salaries, the prize money is impressive but the basic professional structure is teetering over a giant pot hole. Teams need more financial stability which will promote longevity and more sponsors. Can’t Gianni Bugno use his abundant Italian charm and good looks to fix all this, FFS? Frankly I’ll never have an informed opinion about this so I just hope someone gets it together. I’m calling for a strike damn it! See, I just said I no informed opinion.
Professional men’s cycling, like most professional sports where money is the driving force, is always going to be imperfect. And by imperfect I mean cheating by degrees will always be there and professional riders have always been negotiating the results while rolling down the road. There is no reason to think any of this will ever change so take your professional cycling with a small glass of skepticism.
UCI’s Technical Changes- It is likely the UCI will lower the weight limit for racing bikes in 2016. There maybe a trickle down effect for us civilians but I hope I can just lose some weight on me in 2016. It would be cheaper.
The disc brake experiments this year will be interesting. A soaking wet Amstel Gold or Roubaix would be a good litmus test. We all know soaking wet carbon rim brakes suck something awful; it’s the only time I fantasize about the discs. And speaking of soaking wet Roubaix, is that not on everyone’s list this year? This has to happen. And a snowy L-B-L while we are praying for miracles. Baby Jesus, make it so.
Velominati Goals- In 2016 I think we all hope for the time and health to train so as to crush our enemies and to hear the lamentation of the women (second part is optional). Getting older is no excuse when Rule #5 is on our crest, so Vive La Vie Velominatus, people. And yes, maybe finalize the V-crest this year too.
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View Comments
@wilburrox
I'm with you. It's a technological advance. People always say the same thing about new technology. I'm waiting a couple of years, then will build a new bike with wireless shifting and disc brakes. Of the current crop of disc brake road bikes, I like the Focus Izalco Max disc. Still looks like a "real" bike. Would love this as an AG2R team bike. And I'm not in the camp that believes disc brakes ruin the aesthetic of the bike.
@David Booth Beers
Yes, one wouldn't want to make a habit of it but we do want to take the cycling cap back from the exclusive hipster ownership. So I say get out there and horrify the public by riding sans helmet. I hope you have noticed how close the new V-cap resembles Greg's cap.
Also in that photo is Kelly, boring down on Greg as they descend the Poggio. Guess who went on to win?
@wilburrox
Thanks for that link. I just came back from a ride with a long descent with lots of corners and this rings true. Being completely off the brakes in the corner is the key as the bike corners so much better without brakes. It's a skill I'm always working on as I have to force myself to release that front brake and let the bike carve through. This will take a lifetime of learning.
Here is another VVish. I just saw Ryder Hesjedal out in new Trek kit today. I was actually waiting for him to come blowing by as wife and I climbed aforementioned climb (and descent). My wish is Fabs gets in da pink jersey for some quality Giro time and Ryder wins it all again, just to shut up the doubters. Ba-boooom.
@chuckp
I'm liking Focus bikes too. They just look better than the other frames. They still retain the basic double diamond steel frame geometry, it's a good look. Maybe they should send us both one, so we could find out!
2016 starts here with the TDU.
"V" flag will be up on Willunga Hill displayed proudly.
Then, it's onward and upward from there hopefully.
Only major purchase is a new helmet, either a Giro Synthe or Lazer Z1 to replace the now ageing Bell Sweep.
Funny how after owning just about every guise of frame material and braking system I always go back to high end steel and caliper brakes . Have we really gotten any further ahead with what there is to offer now or are most just sheep following the herd never to have considered or ridden a great steel frame with rim brakes on god forbid alloy rim,s.
What's LeMan doing with his right hand in that pic?
@RobSandy
He's telling the moto to get the fuck out of the way.
@Oli
Makes sense. How badass.