I guess I’m obsessed now about finding the right cyclocross for training. I keep on the lookout for all kinds of bikes, familiar and new and while waiting for some maintenance on my bike this week, I sat in the store reading a magazine and came across this line of bike. I had never heard of them, but the picture impressed me so much I had to of course share it. If you’d like to check out the stats or view any of their other styles, check out the site, Redline Bicycles. You know, there are so many choices out there that I feel confident I will find a dope ride!!

On another note, I had a friend this week try to ride back to his house at night drunk. He fell. I still can’t get a straight story out of him, but he says that he remembers swiping mirrors of parked cars then falling. No matter what the story, he has a huge road rash on his right shoulder, swollen and scraped elbow, also right side, and of course his right wrist, which he says e couldn’t move. HE couldn’t move his elbow at all. When came morning, he had a big red mark on his forehead, which he swears that would have been worse had he not been wearing a helmet. Now how many stories to I have to ell in order to get riders all to see that these things happen? You don’t even have to be hit by an actual car to fall and hit your head and get hurt. And in fact, he has to go get a new helmet because he says it’s cracked on the inside.

And riding drunk? Just don’t do it. I learned my lesson last summer about trying to ride dunk. It took a deep tissue bruise on my right side, just above the pelvis (thank Jesus it wasn’t the pelvis), and a twelve hour stint in the ER to teach me. There is just no excuse for riding drunk now. Most bikes have quick release tires which you can pull off and fit into a cab–especially if you are like me and go NOWHERE without your baby–or at the very least, chain it good to scaffolding (my favorite) and come back in the morning to get it. Trust me, it’s worth it to get your ride hungover in one piece than risk riding at night and getting banged up…or worse, dead.

You know, I miss the old segment of The Daily Show at the nd in which Craig Kilbourne would say< "...and here's your moment of zen..."

...and here's your moment of zen...

Not that I am biased or anything:

This is the bike that I am looking to get next, as I see my poor Jake slowly getting older. Geez, he’s only two years old, but the wear and tear or riding every day can take a toll on even the best made bikes. I’d really like to get the Felt cyclocross I posted here, but this one is more withing my reach, as the pro shop that is near me has one and is looking to sell. And I am looking to buy. ou can check out the specs and other Specialized bikes and gear here. Pretty cool site. Pretty cool gear.

However, living in the big city, I had to meditate as to what I’d do with two very nice cross bikes. I have come up with this solution: Jake is for commuting, the new bike would be for training. I couldn’t possibly mess up the paint job on a new bike like I have on Jake lacing a giant metal chain through it all the time. I’d have to ride the new one just out somewhere where I can pedal for a few hours, then turn around and get back home, without having to do any kind of stopping in a densely populate area.

And speaking of training, I think I mentioned before that I was thinking of hiring a coach, but that dream is coming closer to fruition. There is a shop in the city called Jack Rabbit that has set up a training program for people who would like to train and have the help they need. Upon first glance at this site, it doesn’t look like they have the programs for cycling, but I can almost guarantee that if they do not have a program set up, they can certainly point one in the right direction to a great trainer. I am going down that road within the next two or three weeks….

I am ready to hit the next level.