Transcript of Paul Kimmage interviewing Floyd Landis

Head on over to NYVelocity to read a full transcript of this revealing interview.
http://nyvelocity.com/content/interviews/2011/landiskimmage


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The 9 Ball Diaries

Not having had a tv for some time now I find it pretty hard to sit down in front of my mac and keep still and concentrate on a movie, luckily 'The 9 Ball Diaries' is only 50 minutes long and I just watched it.



It's a great movie. I have never ridden cross and understand that means I am not cool, especially living in Chicago where it is the new thing. Tim Johnson is a name I know, along with Trebon, Kabush and Paige, now I know that Trebon is 6'5" and when he stands on the third place step he still looks like he won and that Tim Johnson is determined and hard as *7$@ and one hell of a bike handler. The movie really sold me on cross, I have only ever really seen a few highlights videos from races before. But for a short film it is filled with racing action, Tim's thoughts, adrenaline, mud, snow, wind and the grace of watching these riders glide into and around tight corners before powering out of them.

Watch it.

Oh and it led me to finding this:


Visit cyclingdirt.org for more Videos

which in turn led to this - "Das Pro und The Rookie"

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Cycle Smithy

I have popped in here once or twice and recently remembered to be carrying postcards so was able to introduce myself and leave the cards with them. Would love to sing their praises or say more about the store but we didn't really chat, well the person I spoke to didn't seem too keen.

But look at the lovely machines hanging in their windows.

Cycle Smithy - no website so here is their Google location.

and if you ride over this is the street then you know you are close to the shop...


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'Italian Phrases' - new piece finished.

'Italian Phrases'
Ink and Chinagraph on paper - 2011 - 25" x 19"

It was fun to work with inks again on such a large scale. Also made a change to basically work on a standard portrait, though I love the obvious nod to cycling. There are about 3 layers of line drawing using a chinagraph and then a layer of ink wash on top of each of those. Had to fight hard to not start drawing with ink too, wasn't sure how dark to go, how many layers to build in. I hope i have stopped at the right moment. Really though I could have stopped earlier or I could just keep drawing, the image would evolve who knows how it would resolve, do they ever?

I have to admit I love the detail shots I took of it. Maybe it could be sold piece by piece?

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Helmet Head

Sometimes if you really don't like your race bike it can be hidden under paint and decals. Something tells me it would be so easy with these helmets.
The above photo by James Broadway on Cyclingtips.

Euskaltel formerly one of the first teams to introduce the beautiful but love it/hate it Catlike Whisper are now continuing to innovate by wearing Orbea helmets for the next two seasons.
Orbea has introduced it's first helmets ever and is launching in 2011 with 4 models:
the Odin (worn by Euskaltel), Thor, Rune and Ari.

Odin


Thor
Rune


Head over to the Orbea site to learn about their helmet TC Technology.


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National Art Museum of Sport online catalogue

NAMOS has put together this pretty sweet virtual catalogue for the 'best of 2010' show and I am very pleased to have had my painting selected to be shown in it amongst some other great art - take a look...

http://www.namos.iupui.edu/documents/Exhibit2011FinalEdit.swf


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Jersey Debate

Everyone does it this time of year so here is my little best and worst of the new looks.
God, we cyclists are a vain bunch eh! Worth noting that the best and worst can be judged by many criteria, for me it's not so much about how great they look as pieces of design but also within the context of being seen in the peloton - unless your kit is just plain ugly.

The Best

The Worst

Other: Not something we are going to see in the big races, not even on the road, but I stumbled upon the kit for the two riders in the Rapha Focus CX team - It's bloody fantastic and even better in the black sleeved version.

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Paint it Black

For a moment, during the team 2011 launches, there seemed to be a whole lot of black jerseys about to cast a storm cloud into the peloton. Actually collecting images to illustrate this point it looks like it may really be only 3 teams that we will see regularly, but that is around 27 riders per race. I am surprised that the UCI doesn't have some kind of control over team colours, in order to make things easier for officials, riders and spectators to identify teams whilst riding. Let's face it they seem to want to control everything else.

Sky brought black back

Garmin Cervelo imitated it a bit too closely


Leopard Trek are just trying 'too hard'.



Mutton dressed as lamb


UUmmm? Scottish...
Andre Noe is 42 and still racing at the top level - way to go.
Not sure if this is their racing kit though.

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'The Rider' - a sequel!?

A month or so ago I commented on Cyclingtips that I had read about a sequel to 'The Rider' by Tim Krabbe. Lots of net searches and eventually an email from Mr Krabbe convinced me that I had been hallucinating. I just saw the answer to this riddle sitting on our bookshelves.
I jumped on the web and searched for Ralph Hurne.
Amazon politely informed me that 25 years after British cyclist Terry Davenport appeared as the protagonist in 'The Yellow Jersey' he is back in 'They'll Never Catch You Now'.

About the book

A novel about all the things that really matter in life—set against the backdrop of the Tour de France and the world of professional bicycle racing, when veteran bicycle racer Terry Davenport carries out his plan for his last appearance in the Tour…

Admittedly 'The Yellow Jersey' has been sitting on my 'to read' shelf in 3 different apartments, something about the title and the cover just keep putting me off - now is the time to dive on in. Hopefully I'll be able to share more about the sequel soon too.

Speaking of cycling lit though I just finished both of Joe Parkin's books, 'Dog in a Hat' and 'Come and Gone'. Very quick reads, great balance of racing description and the day to day business of being a full time racer, interesting comparison between European and American racing which I can honestly say I have experienced myself, ie fistfights whilst racing in a bunch around Prospect Park in Brooklyn, crazy.

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Out with the old.

My lovely pair of Sidi Genus lasted about 10 years. To be honest I think there is plenty of life left in the shoes, it's the velcro that has died, it has become fuzz and cant stay closed anymore.
Shame really, I would have loved to have worn through the uppers.
Being a bit of an eco freak but unable to repair the straps meant I faced a tough decision.



This pair of Diadora Teamracer at only $29 arrived in the mail a couple of days ago.
I haven't quite worked up the courage to go through the whole cleat fitting process yet so they are still untested. They look and feel nice though. The clip strap across the top of the foot can be removed and repositioned to your desired fit which is neat, but considering there is some plastic involved I recommend not messing with it too much for fear of weakening it.

My previous experiences of Diadora are the soccer boots that were too expensive for my meager soccer skills, of the rugby boots that I deserved and more recently, as can be seen in the styling of these shoes, motorbike clothing.

Really though, I am tired of the throwaway manufacturing and consumer culture, I just want these to last ten years.

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Cyclists arent the only guilty ones....

Singapore's mens water polo team at the Asian Games.

A statement from the country’s Information Ministry declared: ‘Unfortunately the team did not seek our advice on the use of the crescent moon and stars when they designed their swim trunks.

The team has apologised for the placement of the flag and confirmed the trunks would not be used again after the Games.

Episode 1: Bicycle Design

This is the first episode of The Product Design Show, a you tube channel for those interested in industrial design. Pretty much a basic overview, or even an add for a certain piece of design software, worth 4 minutes of your web time though.

WIP

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Sketchbook

Last summer I filled a sketchbook whilst travelling to the Uk for a month. I figured it might be neat to make a movie of myself flicking through it pages to give an idea of what I do sketch. You'll see a range of subjects but mainly figures and portraits of my wife and daughter and anyone sitting within sight and not giving me too much attention.

They are not all great, but that's the point, it's like practicing an instrument (which I am really not very good at - my poor ukulele) or riding a bike, you just keep doing it, your muscles and brain build connections, you improve.

So here it is:

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New Laws in Illinois to protect cyclists.

I saw a link from Turin Bicycle on Facebook that leads to the news that Active Transportation have played a leading role in new road safety laws in Illinois.

Here is the text from one: Bicycle Safety Law (Public Act 96-1007) creates a new crime for motorists who drive to close to, toward or near bicyclists.

1		AN ACT concerning transportation.
2		Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3		represented in the General Assembly:
4		Section 5. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing
5		Section 11-703 as follows:
6		(625 ILCS 5/11-703) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 11-703)
7		Sec. 11-703. Overtaking a vehicle on the left. The
8		following rules govern the overtaking and passing of vehicles
9		proceeding in the same direction, subject to those limitations,
10		exceptions, and special rules otherwise stated in this Chapter:
11		(a) The driver of a vehicle overtaking another vehicle
12		proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left
13		thereof at a safe distance and shall not again drive to the
14		right side of the roadway until safely clear of the
15		overtaken vehicle. In no event shall such movement be made
16		by driving off the pavement or the main traveled portion of
17		the roadway.
18		(b) Except when overtaking and passing on the right is
19		permitted, the driver of an overtaken vehicle shall give
20		way to the right in favor of the overtaking vehicle on
21		audible signal and shall not increase the speed of his
22		vehicle until completely passed by the overtaking vehicle.
23		(c) The driver of a 2 wheeled vehicle may not, in

SB2951 Enrolled - 2 - LRB096 16889 AJT 32201 b
1		passing upon the left of any vehicle proceeding in the same
2		direction, pass upon the right of any vehicle proceeding in
3		the same direction unless there is an unobstructed lane of
4		traffic available to permit such passing maneuver safely.
5		(d) The operator of a motor vehicle overtaking a
6		bicycle or individual proceeding in the same direction on a
7		highway shall leave a safe distance, but not less than 3
8		feet, when passing the bicycle or individual and shall
9		maintain that distance until safely past the overtaken
10		bicycle or individual.
11		(e) A person driving a motor vehicle shall not, in a
12		reckless manner, drive the motor vehicle unnecessarily
13		close to, toward, or near a bicyclist, pedestrian, or a
14		person riding a horse or driving an animal drawn vehicle.
15		(f) Every person convicted of paragraph (e) of this
16		Section shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor if the
17		violation does not result in great bodily harm or permanent
18		disability or disfigurement to another. If the violation
19		results in great bodily harm or permanent disability or
20		disfigurement to another, the person shall be guilty of a
21		Class 3 felony.
22

Ofcourse I will eat my styrofoam filled helmet the day I see a driver either:
a) prosecuted for such a crime or
b) a driver who will even know that this is a crime.

Can you believe it wasn't a crime to drive toward a cyclist - doesn't toward me 'at'?

Oh and even though I like the humour and actually design of the '3 feet jerseys' I really don't think we should be antagonising anyone.

Link to Transportation Alliance's Facebook story here.


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Ebay: Mark Rothko by James Breslin

This is an epic book which I finished over Christmas.
Well worth the time to read if you are interested in the man, the myth or those huge dark canvases filled with 'violence'.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mark-Rothko-James-E-B-Breslin-1998-Paperback-/140496728833?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item20b641f301

I looked around online and can find secondhand copies on Amazon starting at $45 dollars and then they go all the way up into triple figures!! So try your luck at grabbing it at a great price.


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Standing out from the crowd.

A bit of a misleading title.

This is the time of year when we all get to call out or list the best and worst of the new kit designs. I have been grabbing images as they are coming out ready for such a post.

Thought I would jump the gun a little as I saw these today on Cyclingnews, taken from the Jayco Classic.

I do like the new Garmin Cervelo kit, I also like the old Sky kit, though the all black jersey with white band (Rapha) thing is getting old quickly.




Notice how the back of the Garmin jersey is white as is the entire rear of the Sky kit.
There could be a little confusion in the heat of battle.

I think the Garmin (or is it Cervelo) kit is a little too close to the Sky design. Still there is time for Garmin to introduce their newer kit if this is just temporary and for Sky to launch their 2011 kit which for all I know is Sky blue and covered in clouds.


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