Heck Yeah!

[Photo of Kelly Mac's front wheel by Kelly Mac] The HECK DU NORD" has come and gone, and if you like the thought of riding 104 miles of mostly gravel roads in the Duluth area, then I suggest you make plans for next year. A big thanks to Jeremy Kershaw & his crüe for an excellent event.

A few weeks back I flew to PDX to take part in the Rapha Gentlemens' Race. This was 6-person team event, featuring 23 teams racing from the coastal burgh of Otis, OR, all the way back to the Rontom Bar 138 miles away in Portland. Team CRC, (shown here in front of the Git-R-Dun Racing truck, which was discovered near a yard sale right outside of BEAVER, OR, -we "got lei'd in Beaver.") was once again victorious in the K.O.F. category (Kings Of Fun). No other team that we know of stopped at a winery in the beautiful wine-region town of Carlton.

This weekend, why don't you get on up to the Ghandi Dancer Family Bicycle Ride For Peace, Sunday, 4 October. Utilizing the Gandy Dancer Trail & surrounding roads, there will be 10, 28, 45, or 100 mile options. Do it.

We're Having Much More Fun...

Ladies & Gents,
Howdo. Just back from the Rapha Gentlemen's Race (RGR) this past weekend in Oregon. 138 miles, riding from Otis on the coast, to Portland. Photos soon. Meanwhile, there is so much crap going on this month it's hard to wrap the head around. Here are a few upcoming events for you to check out if you're in Mpls:

The 8th Annual All British Cycling Event welcomes all nutters of the realm this weekend, with the ever popular Gravity Race & Pastry Joust, and other festivities, centered in and around Barley John's Brewpub. Remember: this is a lycra-free event...

BABES IN BIKELAND returns for another Alleycat for the Ladies. Afterparty at the usual afterparty spot....


Stalwart Almanzo 100 race promoter Chris Skogen offers his take on a gentlemenly Gentlemen's Ride, this Saturday, 19 September. Wish I could be there, but alas, I cannot.

The "racing" season is still in full swing, and we wish the best of luck to all riders in this weekend's 666th running of the bulls in Chequamegon.

Sunday, 20 September is another go-round of the Minneapolis Bike Tour. Check out that sweet Adam Turman artwork!

The HECK OF THE NORTH on 26 September, will be my last long distance race/ride of the year. This one will be a bit more remote than Ragnarok/Almanzo, and I'm looking forward to it.

Pictured here is the tshirt art for the returning New Belgium-sponsored URBAN ASSAULT RIDE returns to Mpls on Sunday, 27 September. Get thee to the start line and defeat defending champions Wheels + Zitox.

Get Crunk. Poster sez it all, and that\'s all I know, Homie. Soon, it will be Halloween...

And Now A Word From HANDSOME CYCLES Ben

Braaaap!
>
>

> On tweeting/blogging/screaming from the rooftops that we are having
> our 2010 product launch at OOOBS this saturday.
>

Just In Case You Don't Know...

On 6 September I'll be thrashin' and bashin' in Spearfish Canyon. If you are not, and you're in Minneapplepuss, then you should go to the following, dammit:

And don't forget that Anitra is one of the major forces behind this years GNOMEFEST (6)

New Bikes + Used Bikes

Charge Bikes, out of the U.K. are bringing to market some stylish, fast, functional urban hot-rods. This is the Plug Freestyler. Only one in stock right now, (53.5cm). Stock with flip/flop rear hub, includes fixed cog and freewheel. $SOLD

Sugino Messenger crank + chainring. Nice details.

Voodoo Wanga. This bike is an amazing handling single speed, but since the frame has the proper braze-ons, will accept a geared drivetrain with no problem. This bike is a steal of a deal at $SOLD

Note the disc-ready, sliding dropouts. Single or geared, you decide.

Ooga-Booga! Ooga-Booga!

18.5" Wheeler 5500 mountain bike. Tange steel frame (lugged!) with a nice Suntour kit. $275

Includes the venerable Suntour XC-Expert thumbshifters.

7 and 8-speed compatible. Note the sweet Dia-Compe SS-4 brake levers, as well.

17.5" Nishiki Century single speed conversion. New 27" Continental Ultra-Sport tires, make this a solid urban commuter. $75. Better hurry...

The Hits Keep Coming!

So much action still to be had this summer. Read on, dear, readers:

Croozer Ride, over the bridges and under the bridges. No word whether or not there'll be an appearance by Beau Bridges...

And in more important nooze, the NEW CRC SHOE is going to be a reality, thanks to Brian Osborne and Duffs. Samples shown below:

Minnecycle Minnesota Framebuilder Show

This porteur bag from Capricorn was my favorite thing at the show.

Mark liked it, too...

Action Jackson

Pay attention: This Thursday is your last chance to breathe hard and reminisce with all the O.G. (original geezer) S.S.'ers at Buck Hill. Most importantly, it's MC Timmy B's send-off, as he's moving to British Columbia. [no mention if he'll be working for the 'green' party...]

This weekend, don't forget to get thee to Minnecycle a showcase of local framebuilding wizards, hosted by PEACOCK GROOVE

And for those of you ready to race on the dirt, don't forget the Border Battle, 16 August, in River Falls, Wi.

Keepin' It "Real?"

Go, Starbucks, go!

MINNECYCLE Minnesota Framebuilder Show

Here we go, yo! Next weekend is your opportunity to check out the boss handiwork of some of the finest bicycle framebuilders around, and they just happen to be from in and around the Twin Towns. So get on down to the Vine Arts Center next Friday-Sunday. Vine Arts is located here:
View Larger Map

Haulin' Ass

Haulin' pastries from Isles Bun & Coffee in the morning...(Axiom rear rack re-purposed for the front of my Handsome Devil.)

Haulin' bikes to the shoppe with ye olde Big Dummy...

Haul shit around in your nü CRC Canvas Musette, from those fine lads over at Banjo Bros.Now available at said shoppe, for $12 usd. Get 'em while they're hotte...

This week's BIKE ACTION!

Hope everyone survived the BFF weekend intact. There's lots of Bike Action going on this week, too:

Thursday, 16-July: Bike Night at the MIA: TOUR DE FORCE. Don't forget the Pre-ride free beer from Surly @ One On One...

Friday, 17-July: Join us for a casual evening of right reverend readings with Evan P. Schneider, publisher of the Boneshaker Bicycling Almanac, right here @ CRC Coffee Bar/Cykel Garage, starting at 6pm. Then pedal over to the Turf Club in St. Paul for the righteous rock ramblings of Slim Cessna's Auto Club.This is how we do it in the country....

Saturday, 18-July: New Belgium Presents the Tour de Fat at Parade Stadium. Bike Parade starts at 10:00 am, hijinx, hoot'n & hollerin' from 11-4.

More Hötte Shit

These bad-ass, limited edition hats have been flying off the wall. Thanks to Holly @ GROVECRAFT RECYCLED STYLE for the awesome work, (complete w/custom CRC screen.) The hats are made from summer-weight Pendleton wool scraps, and are most boss. In store sales only, unless you ask nicely/beg/bribe/cajole. Sizes are limited. $30.

Last Chance For Bromance...

Hey Foxes, if you wanted in on the Nü CRC Team jersey, here's your last chance. We have the following in stock:

S: 2
M: SOLD OUT!
L: SOLD OUT!
XL: SOLD OUT!

Cost is $70, and what the hell, we'll throw in FREE SHIPPING, or you can pay in store and walk away the sharpest dressed player in the pelican. As always, it's advisable to email us for availability. As stated, stock is low, and once these are gone, they're gone. Don't delay, ACT TODAY!

THANK YOU!

Hurl with 120 bottles of Stella Artois

Hurl with 120 bottles of Stella Artois
Originally uploaded by ibikempls

Thanks for the lead-out back from MGM, Mark. Those Burley trailers handle better when loaded, anyway....Big thanks to the Rapha knuckleheads for stopping by during their Continental Tour, for a "day off" ride. We barged out 60+ miles on this route." The bier in the photo is for the post-ride refuel at the Cykel Garage. Didn't quite take it all down, so stay tuned for more CRC Cykel Garage hi-jinx, as the notorious Diamond Simon Shamrock is slated to arrive on Saturday....


*Update*
#1 Much, but not all of the Stella has been consumed, for as we all know, Tuesday is the new Friday. But never fear, the crack staff at One On One Bicycle Studio has agreed to supply all the libations necessary to make all of your road riding dreams come true....even though B-Rad, B-Power, and B-urns all knew about the Rapha ride but chose not to show up. And ol' 5-Series? I haven't seen him on a road bike since the '93 Norwest Cup....

#2 Gramo broke his leg Friday night while riding home from the local tavern. Pedal strike. Get well soon, O.G.

Pig's Eye Punisher

Here is a picture of the "winner" of Brauer Power's PIG'S EYE PUNISHER Ride, from Sunday, 17 May, 2009...

After this happened, I woke Sunday morning looking for a little recovery ride. What I received instead, (big shock) was a relentless hill-climb extravaganza, organized by the Brauer Power Hardman Corporation, whose leader can be seen below:



After some brief preliminaries at the Muddy Pig Tavern (read: hydration), we rolled out 7 strong for a roughly 50-mile "tour" of some of St. Paul's hilliest burghs and bluffs. I attempted an "acceleration" on the day's first climb, up to Mounds Park, and was immediately relegated to the pain cave. Brauer Senior and his henchman, Gene O. (no, not that Gene O....) were waiting for us. After that, a truly remarkable day awaited us, as we valiantly fought for second place all day behind Trevor.


The halfway point was marked by a stop at Jersey's Bar in Inver Grove Heights. Pitchers, nachos, (w)awful fries, and cheese curds were consumed for the second push. Some of these hells, I mean hills, I have ridden before. Most, I have not. But I hope to again. Thanks BP one and two, and Gene for making this happen.