I finally got a chance to process what was, quite possibly, one of the hardest days I’ve had on the bike.  (Yes, even harder than Madera Canyon) Full report and a  few photos from Ivar Vong are up over in The Cycling Diaries on iWend. Hold on to your drama hats! * * Share/Bookmark

A few weeks ago I wrote about David Rowe’s new eBook, “The Ride of Your Life: Aligning Heart and Mind for Success in Long-Distance Cycling”: Rowe doesn’t just theorize about the beauty or mystique of long-distance riding, he makes it accessible by breaking it down and laying it out. It takes a dreamlike goal like PBP [...]

It's my fault. That's what I think as I go down: "Goddamit, that was my fault." Then I think: "I gave myself that exit line into the gutter - why didn't I use it?" It's amazing the number of thoughts that can you can have while you're hitting the ground.

So, for your lovey-dovey, Hallmark-hijacked, Saturday love fest of 2009, you can either laugh or cry: Check out my mom's V-Day column about a beloved couple battling the monster of dementia or, if you're not feeling quite that intense, take in a little ditty about the way my old man taught me to love the bike. Either way, kiss the one you love - or your best friend - or your dog - or your bike... and smile to yourself.

Even in this crazy cycling world of constant upgrades and never-ending eye-candy, Rapha seemed completely out of my league. Besides, what was the point? They don't even make women's gear. Then I got my hands on a pair of Rapha Cross 3/4 length bibs. I put them on and stood in front of the mirror and did not feel faster. Nor did I look faster. I was extremely skeptical.

Photographic evidence of Portland Velo's arm-wrestling domination at the end of training camp in Tucson Arizona. Take that, Cycling House staff, PV owns you! Popping veins, bulging eye-balls, and wimpy cyclist biceps abound.