Best Riding of the Year

Hey everyone!

I spent the early part of the week losing a battle with a cold, but now I'm back on my two-wheeled horse and getting some miles in. It's a good thing too, because it would be a shame to miss the best riding of the year. I mean just look at the trees!

These were taken on the alpine loop last Saturday as a couple of the boys from BYU and I managed the 4,000ft climb to the top. The gorgeous temperature and the prospect of a new vista at every switchback made the grade a worthwhile challenge.

This week we took a slightly less steep route up Hobble Creek Canyon, and I would have to say the views may have been even more stunning:

Now may be the best riding of the year. The air is cool but not cold, and the views are amazing. Please please please just go and ride! Better yet. Come ride with us--we meet at Jdawgs every Saturday morning at 9:30am. Check up on the BYU Cycling Team's Facebook page for updates.

The Ride Journal

For all you fine bike culture connoisseurs out there, The Ride Journal is like what Huck Finn would have been if Mark Twain had grown up riding a bicycle instead of a river boat. The articles are all extremely well-written, interesting, and appeal to all types of two wheelers, not to mention the fact that it has some incredible photography, illustration, and design to accompany the stories.
What is The Ride Journal all about? This is straight from their about page:

Born, as all good things are, out of a conversation over Mexican food and Pacifico beers, The Ride is an all encompassing read. We know that most people who share our obsession with bikes don’t want to be pigeon-holed as roadies, freeriders, track racers, BMXers, XC riders or even commuters. They are just riders. So we wanted to create something for them, and also for us. Something that crosses both cycling and international borders.

I have to admit that the big reason I like The Ride is because I find their approach akin to the purpose of BYU Bikes--just because one guy swears by having gears and another disdains them, it doesn't mean that the two have nothing to share. Whether you're a roadie or a fixie, or if you just traipse around on your Walmart Mongoose, we all still ride. The ride is the common denominator of all bicycle lovers.

You can download the first two issues of The Ride Journal from their site for free. It's been so popular, however, that securing one of their hard copies or other merch might prove more difficult. You can also check out some of their articles online here. Have a good ride/read!

Mahogany Masterpieces

I just stumbled on this post by coolhunting again. I cannot even describe how beautiful I find these works of art.

They were made by a ninth-generation Japanese shipwright named Sueshiro Sano.

Pure magic.

These bikes aren't just beautiful to look at, however. Sano has personally ridden and raced many of his works of art. While not as a light as composites or alloys, the bike weighs in at an impressive 24 lbs. with a full build. Check out Sano's website here, and his bike page here.

Rain or Shine

Today's weather might be enough to dissuade most riders from hitting the road, but as long as you dress properly and tread a little more gingerly than normal you can still have a great ride. I headed out for Squaw Peak during a lull in the rain around 4pm. With only a light drizzle falling I little wet from spray off of the road, and the climb up the mountain was plenty to keep me warm. Being careful to avoid riding on any painted road lines (when the road is wet the paint can be extremely slippery) and take it easy in the corners it was quite an enjoyable trip. The fall colors looked incredible in the rain:

When I turned around the last switchback near the top I had the satisfaction of literally riding my bike into the clouds:

The usual view of Provo was completely obscured by the heavy rain clouds:

There was something so satisfying about getting a great ride in despite the rain and the cold. For all of you who are willing to brave the wet, consider the following tips:

• Like I mentioned earlier, the striping on the roads can be extremely slippery. Avoid riding on them like the plague, especially the big fat turn arrows at intersections. If you try to stop on one of those guys you're very likely to lose control.
• Always break early and smoothly when the roads are wet. Your break calipers won't pinch the rims as well and you will need extra distance to stop. Look ahead and think ahead.
• When you get done with your ride make sure to wipe your bike down completely and oil the drivetrain well. This will reduce the chance of rusting and increase the longevity of your drivetrain. Try to get as much grime off as possible. Sand or grit in your cassette and chain will increase wear.

So with that in mind don't be afraid to use your bike in the rain. The fall colors aren't going to be around much longer, so enjoy them while you can!

Designer Bike Hangers

These designer bike storage options might serve as an interesting solution for your crammed BYU-approved apartment.

Thanks to Flavorwire for all the good info. Check out who makes them and where to buy them on Flavorwire's page.

If these don't suit your style (or your budget) Home Depot usually carries a bike hanger that only costs $6. But if you go to the one in Provo and they don't have any more, it's probably because I cleaned them out last month. My bad.

Come Ride With Us!

For those of you BYU bike enthusiasts who love to wake up early, cover yourself in spandex and ride 20 plus miles I have great news for you! A group of riders (myself included) meets at JDawgs every Saturday morning at 8am to hit the road for a group ride. Some go fast and some go slow, so don't worry about what kind of shape you're in. Just come and you'll get to meet some other riders and have a good time. Have suggestions for where we should ride? Leave a comment. Also, check out the BYU Cycling Team Facebook Page for more updates.