Vegan. Track. Racing. Hipster.

Bike Rumor

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:53:00 -0700

Well the folks over at Bike Rumor are really good at it (go figure). They seem to have uncovered some images that may call into question my good name, and the family friendly atmosphere that Velo Cult has worked hard to encourage.

Well, at least we have more fun than any other bike shop, swing by when you’re in town, and we’ll prove it.

hbstache: Makes me think of @THEBOULDERSC...

Sat, 06 Apr 2013 01:34:38 -0700

hbstache:

Makes me think of @THEBOULDERSC #yourdoingitwrong

Rule.

hbstache: You wanted us to do socks? WE HAVE DONE SOCKS! 2...

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:34:45 -0800

hbstache:

You wanted us to do socks? WE HAVE DONE SOCKS! 2 versions. Get em at hbstache.com shipping in time for the holidays! #cycling #bicycle #cyclingsocks #mustache #handlebarmustache #moustachesocks #mustachesocks

I must have these.

riding bikes, again!

Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:06:57 -0800

I went for a ride today with Jacob. It was pRITTEy awesome (too much?). For being the first time back on the bike in more than 2 months, I felt really good. I’m really looking forward to the next season of bike racing, as it is FAST approaching. I have some lofty goals, and will probably be heading to Trinidad in March, and Europe later in the summer, after Elite Track Nationals (not sure which half I’m going to race, but we’ll see how things go)

It also seems as though I’ve got a little power left, which is nice to know. It will be fun to track these numbers as they get back to normal!

Hyperbole Systems Inc.

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:24:11 -0800

Over the last year or so I’ve been working really hard to make this company a reality.

Well, it finally is, so check it out.

Help with Thor

Sat, 03 Nov 2012 00:12:00 -0700

You may have heard, Megan and I came across a bully puppy in the parking lot outside our house that was looking for a home. The other interested party was planning on fighting the little guy, so he came home with us, naturally.

Here’s the issue; he has Parvovirus. This, as some of you may know, is a pretty grim prognosis, but we did catch it within hours of him showing symptoms, so that is positive. The only problem, is all of his treatment is going to be costly. Normally, we would just grin and bear this, but with my recent accident, more than a month of not working, and nearly $300,000.00 in hospital bills, we just can’t handle it. If you’ve got a couple of dollars to throw at him, that would be cool, please, just click through to the PayPal link below.

From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you.

Humility

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:53:00 -0700

For those of you that know me, humble is probably not the first word you would use in a character description. Honestly, it’s probably quite the opposite. I’m pretty ok with that, for the most part, as it has helped me get to where I am, both as an athlete, and a person. If I didn’t think that I could be the best, why would I bother working so hard at it?

This has all been thrown in sharp relief by the people around me after the accident that left me in the hospital for 2 weeks last month. Without all of you, I would accomplish very little. It’s not my talent, drive, or hard work that has made this possible; it’s all of you.

I would like to thank everyone for doing what I can’t, and helping me through this.

Well, I never thought I’d get implants, but I suppose...

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 13:02:00 -0700

Well, I never thought I’d get implants, but I suppose these things happen.

On September 15th I had a fairly bad crash at the Encino Velodrome while competing in the Far West Championships, which was called due to weather and fires in the hills surrounding the velodrome immediately after my accident, and rescheduled, indecently.

I was riding a flying 200m time trial, and my front tire blew out as I crossed the 200m line, at roughly 75kph (this is from the computer on my bike, and am really stoked with this performance, seriously). I had enough time to look down, and realize what had happened and then think to myself, ‘oh fuck, this is going to hurt so bad’.

I was ‘fortunate’ enough to stay conscious during the entire event, and as I lay in a heap on the apron, be angry enough to rip my helmet off (if you think helmets don’t work, or that you don’t need one you are an idiot) and throw it at the folks running to assist me.

I sustained some pretty serious injuries, breaking my scapula into 6 pieces, my clavicle, ribs 1 & 2, and puncturing my left lung, which led to a pneumothorax (air in the chest cavity that your lung is supposed to occupy). After 3 surgical procedures;

1. Chest tube inserted to allow the air to exit the chest cavity, and my lung to re-inflate and fill the area

2. 2 plates installed on my scapula, resulting in the amazing scar on my back, through the tattoo

3. 1 plate installed on my clavicle, now allowing me into the very popular ‘track cyclists with collar bone plate’ club.

As is the case with most crashes in which the athlete sustains serious injuries, my bike and wheels are fine, only a small dent on the top tube, which we think came from my right leg, and some scratches on the bars.

All of this required a 2 week stay in hospitals, from Fountain Valley, where I was admitted to have the initial clavicle surgery, and my chest tube was installed, to UCI (yeah, it’s ok to laugh, though this one stands for University of California, Irvine, not the other thing) Medical, where the two orthopedic procedures were performed. For someone that is more active than average, being stuck in a hospital bed for 2 weeks, doped up on pain meds is close to cruel and unusual torture. Close.

The recovery process for these surgeries, particularly the scapular implants, is very lengthy, as the plates are thin, and the screws holding them in place are (relatively speaking) very small. Because of this, even small amounts of movement could damage, or loosen the plates, which means, I’ve been home for a couple of weeks, and have spent that time dealing with the pain (believe it or not, having your body torn open does linger a bit) and sitting on the couch watching movies. Hopefully, if my second follow up appointment goes well, in 2 weeks, I will be allowed to ride a stationary bike, and begin to gain some of my sanity back.

As an unfortunate result of this crash, I missed US Elite Track National Championships at the recently re-christened Velo Sports Center, in Los Angeles. I would like to congratulate everyone that competed, and thank all of the volunteers, officials, timekeepers, and security personnel that made the event possible. I will also be unable to race this winter’s UCI World Cup series, as planned, with the BGN Sports Management team. However, I am planning on heading to Trinidad to race the International Grass Track Competition, as well as the crits associated, this coming March, if my recovery goes according to plan. We will see how fast I am for this summer’s UCI World Cup Series (yeah, they’re changing the timing of World Cups this year, so we get 2 chances to go race the big, bad euros!)….

I would really like to thank everyone that has been positive, helpful, and especially those that have brought me food and spent time with me throughout this ordeal. You are all very important to me, and I’m certain I wouldn’t be able to make it through without you.

I will (attempt) to keep this more up to date, and keep a progress log of my recovery, rehab, and return to the bike.

Oh, this was sent to me by the hospital, pretty rad, right?

Absenteeism.

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 09:55:00 -0700

so, a lot has happened in the last 4 months, and I’ve been relatively (completely) absent from this media. however, here is a brief run down of what’s been going on.

I went to Europe to work for the Canadian Paracycling team for their road world cup project. I flew into Brussels, Belgium where I picked up a sweet 9 passenger Mercedes van. I immediately drove it to Piacenza, Italy where I met the team, and we stayed for about 10 days, during which the team raced the Piacenza Paracycling UCI event. The drive was amazing, although attempting to navigate 1000 km without a map or GPS was difficult at times…..

From There, we drove to Rome, Italy, where we stayed for just 4 days, enough time to get in the first of 3 Paracycling World Cup races. It was awesome, but a little too short.

After Rome, the driving continued, to Antibes, France, Sailles de Bearnes, France, then Segovia, Spain, for the second World Cup event. The race used a castle (yup, a castle) as the start/finish and staging area for all the teams, this was pretty cool.

We did stay at the most metal hotel ever. This is in the lobby.

After this event, we drove (!) to London for the Paralympic pre-event at the legendary Brands Hatch race circuit. The course was super fun, each team was based in one of the garages (pronounced properly British, if you please) where you had a great view of a lot of the course, and plenty of shelter from typical English weather.

All in all, the 6 weeks, and 7000 km of driving (seriously, if I never drive again, I won’t be super bummed out about it) I returned home, and realized that not riding my bike or lifting weights for 6 weeks made me fat, light (I lost 18 lbs!!!), slow, and pretty weak.

But, that’s ok; there’s still a bunch of time until USAC Elite National Track Championships, and I am terribly motivated to get fit again, and start moving my bike, which I did a little of up at the Alpenrose AVC this past weekend.

Also, upon my return, I found waiting for me all of the equipment I need to begin repair and production of custom, full composite bikes for Ritte Van Vlaanderen. This is pretty awesome, and we are all very much looking forward to the amazingness that will come from these simple tools. The first custom bike is probably going to be around at Interbike, but repairs are happening now. If you’ve got a bike that is a little less intact than you’d like, and would like to ride it again, let me know, I’ll take a look and make sure it’s a reasonable repair and, if it is, get it back to you quick as I can!

Now, it’s time for me to go for a quick road ride, got to get fit so I can keep looking good for everyone that has helped me out on this amazing journey.

Party!

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 17:48:03 -0700

Everybody loves to party, you should come do it with us this friday! Orange 20, Moth Attack Cycles, and the beautiful men and women of Ritte Racing!

sweet interview

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:00:08 -0800

Awesome interview Peter from @readyforplanb just finished up with me.

Thanks for reading, and check out the rest of his site, it’s very interesting and informative!

2011 year in review, briefly.

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:03:00 -0800

This year started off with me sporting a brand new custom kit from the awesome folks over at Primal, designed by the Director Sportif Spencer Cannon at Ritte Racing. This is, without a doubt, the best looking CA state championship kit I’ve ever seen, so rad! I know what you’re thinking, Primal? What, no Pink Floyd or Grateful Dead bears? Yup, they’ve changed the direction of the brand, and have some really great, high end cycling clothing.

Moth Attack Cycles also paired up with Ritte Racing to put together the stiffest, and sexiest track bike I’ve ever had the opportunity to ride. It is, without question, the jam. It was left unpainted to make it look that much tougher for my trip down to Trinidad for the Southern games.

Down in Trinidad I was fortunate enough to race with another American track phenom, Daniel Harm, and former Olympian and World Record holder, Erin ‘Erv’ Hartwell (pictured above with me watching Dan win the 10km scratch race) looked after us and helped out with some race strategy. We killed it, and I had a really awesome time. The people in Trini are amazing, their hospitality and enthusiasm about cycling was mind-blowing! I really hope I get to head back in 2012.

After the trip down south, there was some road racing, and a lot of training with Jamie Staff and the rest of the US National Developmental squad. We worked really hard, and all got super fast, so fast that we then dominated the West Coast summer track racing circuit fondly known as Summer Camp. The Far West Championships at Encino Velodrome, Testarosa Velodrome Challenge at Hellyer Velodrome, Alpenrose Velodrome Challenge, and the FSA Grand Prix at Marymoore produced track records galore, tons of fun, and amazing track racing. For good measure, I also went out to Minneapolis for the Fixed Gear Classic, where Franco Marvouli touched my butt, check it out, I’ve got proof!

Amid all the awesomeness, Ritte partnered with Levi’s to produce some really cool custom Commuter Series jeans and Jackets. These pants and jackets not only look fabulous, they’re cut in such a way that allows, even encourages perhaps, riding a bicycle while wearing them. The jacket has sleeves cut a bit longer over the back of your wrist, a little more material covering the lower back, and 3 cycling jersey pockets across the back. The jeans have a u-lock holder, stash pocket, reflective bits on the ankles to keep you seen, and both pieces feature an anti-microbial and water repellent treatments. Fit, form, and function.

After summer camp, and some more intense training, we headed out to Colorado

Springs, for the US Grand Prix of Sprint, at the AMAZINGLY FAST 7-11 velodrome. This was my first attempt at world cup level racing, so I was a little intimidated, but still raced well and had fun, so it all worked out. While Megan (of Moth Attack) and I were out there, we were put up by another amazing custom frame builder, Eric Baar of Ground Up Designs. Eric is a great guy, has an amazing cat, a pump track, and a dirt velodrome. A little much, but take it in, he’s real. I also had the awesome opportunity to ride the Boulder Velodrome, and set the standing lap record. Thanks Colorado, I’ll be back, promise.

Back in LA, it’s time for the final training push before track nationals, and Interbike. Now, for those who know about Interbike, awesome, for those that don’t, you better aks somebody. I would recommend Google. This year, Ritte brought some of their locally handbuilt custom bikes, from Moth Attack and Russ Deny, highlight their booth, as well as the amazing carbon bikes made in our factory in Eastern Europe. My track bike made the trek, complete with a new paint job, it stole the show. Seriously, I think it was the most photographed (and touched, much to my chagrin) bike there. Prolly did a sweet write up on it, as did a bunch of other folks, mentioned in an earlier post. While there I also got to hang out with the awesome VEGAN folks that run Handlebar Mustache. Super rad stuff, too much standing, a lot of hanging out, not enough time to spend with friends that I don’t see enough.

Back in LA again, and the crew arrives for nationals. We usually have 3-7 people stay with us during this week, which is pretty exciting, since we only have 1 bathroom in the house, but it works out. Zak Attack and I had an eating contest, because what else would two elite vegan bike racers do right before their national championships? It’s nicely chronicled here. The next week was full of hard work, and awesome racing. I ended up medalling in the team sprint with Daniel Walker and Sam Milroy, and finishing in the top 10 in keirin and kilo. This was, without a doubt, the fastest nationals in a few years, and I performed better, raced smarter, and had WAAAAAAY more fun than I ever have before. This was totally an amazing finish to a year filled with hard work, great people, loads of improvement, and a lot of fun.

In closing, I’d like to give a heart felt thank you to all of the people that have made this year possible. Moth Attack Cycles, Ritte Racing, City Grounds, Hold Fast, Rotor, 3T, Vittoria, Jamie Staff, everyone that put me up at their house when I was in town, and my amazing girlfriend Megan Dean. I am truly lucky to have such an amazing support structure in this endeavor.

2011 summary post!

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:18:35 -0800

isn’t ready yet.

new year....

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:06:16 -0800

It’s 2012, and as I’ve said, it’s all about that PMA. Rough day in the gym, my shoulder injury from 2 years ago acted up, at a most inopportune time. I fell on my (substantial) butt with about 185 lbs on my shoulders. As a result, my back and neck are feeling less than fantastic. I think with some ice, and a little bit of rest I’ll be back in the saddle again (Oh Yeah!).

To everyone that trains, rides hard, or pushes themselves past where the rest of the population feels comfortable; if it was easy, everyone would do it. Don’t stop, slow down, or doubt yourself, you are what makes it happen.

I’d also like to thank everyone that takes the time to give a little of them self to help an athlete train to reach their potential. Whether it’s a bike shop giving a local junior a tube, or the US Olympic Committee providing funding for a Paralympic athlete to travel to their respective world championship. Without people like you, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

also…

ahtbm: A good day to play the lottery.

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 11:47:03 -0800

ahtbm:

A good day to play the lottery.

Podium Legs

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 10:26:27 -0800

my friend Mike came up from Orange County to hang out before racing cross this weekend in Griffith Park, and had his Podium Legs, so I obviously had to try them.

Having used a couple of similar products (NormaTec and Recovery Pump), these totally cut the mustard. These very durable and stylish orange boots are legit, and the control pump isn’t super loud, so you can have a conversation while you sit there and be PRO. There is no longer a need to pay through the nose to get the same recovery elite level athletes have come to expect, and you don’t have to get rubbed down by this guy either!

quite literally, the cutest thing ever. argue, i dare you.

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:37:51 -0800

quite literally, the cutest thing ever.

argue, i dare you.

so, the line about USAC….pretty rad.

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:51:07 -0800

so, the line about USAC….pretty rad.

RUN DANGER, RUN!

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:22:40 -0800

yup.

Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:23:06 -0800

so, I went to Redline Cycles, and picked up a 2001 Buell X1. stoked.