The Backroads of Life: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Each mention of bike polo seems to be a new round of a national championship or the victory of a team in an overseas competition. The popularity of the sport seems to increase every year and now bike builders are responding by building polo-specific frames. London’s 14 Bike Co. have contributed what must be one of the most functional and attractive frames available to the serious polo player.

The glitter-flecked, two-tone paint scheme adds a retro flavor to the frame, version three of the ‘super premium elite sicko model’, according to the 14 Bike Co. blog, and once you get past the paint, there’s a plethora of features to sate the eye. The frame has been reinforced over the left rear dropout, improving rigidity, while the curved seat tube allows the rider to sit further back over the wheel, essential for the quick maneuvers required in polo. A forward-facing brake keeps the caliper protected from wayward mallets (although a center-pull cantilever may reduce the amount of cable that’s left exposed). Paragon sliding dropouts provide rapid and steadfast adjustability to the chain, and S&S couplers enable the bike to be transported by plane and fit inside luggage size regulations. Very handy for the traveling poloist.

From CycleEXIF

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Kickstarter

Join two brothers on their redemptive quest to stop strange magical creatures and to return the world back to its round self again...Check it out at: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/732424551/the-baffelgagging-blundernagging-brothers

Saturday, July 23, 2011

I popped more than a wheelie...

Aussie Evans Wins The 2011 Tour de France

Cadel Evans is poised to win his first Tour de France title after wresting the fabled yellow jersey from the shoulders of Andy Schleck on today's penultimate stage in Grenoble.

Evans (BMC Racing) assumed the race leader's maillot jaune with a supreme display on today's 42.5-kilometre time-trial.

And the 34-year-old, Tour de France runner-up in 2007 and 2008, will likely become the first Australian winner of cycling's most prestigious race after turning a 57-second deficit to Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) into a one minute 34 second advantage in the foot hills of the Alps.

Evans entered today in third place overall, almost a minute behind Andy Schleck and four seconds adrift of Frank Schleck, but his superior ability against the clock told.

Evans finished in 55 minutes 40 seconds, 2mins 31secs quicker than Andy Schleck, who now must settle for second place for a third successive year.

Barring a freak accident or illness, tomorrow's 95km 21st and final stage from Creteil to the Champs-Elysees in Paris will see Evans crowned Tour champion.