Believe it or not, the cycling world has plenty of machismo. Yes, even people wearing spandex bow out their chests from time to time. My calves are way too skinny for me to attempt this. One of the odd byproducts … Read More
BikeLife: Typical Ride
Man, I stink. The wind is blowing thirty knots and I can still smell myself. This isn’t good. Am I supposed to wash this jersey more than once a month? Please advise. I found a new morning loop. Slightly longer … Read More
BikeLife: Colorado Climb
One of the great things about living in New Mexico is that it is a quick strike to get to other parts of the West. Colorado is two hours away, and this past weekend the wifey poo poo and I … Read More
Bike Life: A New Category, A New Goal
Whoever invented the Porta-Potty is a genius, and I want to discuss this further but first I need to make an announcement. I have a new category here at Shifter. BIKELIFE. This is LONG overdue but I have a sinking … Read More
Adventure: New Mexico Ride Report
Finally here for an extended period of time which allows me to start rounding into shape, cycling shape to be precise. Now, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. When I say “rounding into shape,” I’m not talking about anything remotely … Read More
Adventure: Santa Fe Cycling Rank
There is room for improvement. People for Bikes, a sizeable, organized and truly established organization here in the United States, has a ranking of best biking cities in the country. No surprise, Boulder Colorado, the home of People for Bikes, … Read More
Adventure: Scouting Gravel
Oh man. Now I’ve done it. Now I know why I kept my Tacoma. Give me some idle time and I will find a way to torture myself. Seventy-five miles of mixed bag. Gravel, dirt, mud, tarmac with some spectacular … Read More
Adventure: First Official New Mexico Ride
Sure, I’ve been here for years, but this was the first ride as a full-time New Mexican. Still working on my paperwork, ID’s, plates, etc. but I’ll get there. It was cold, colder than I thought it would be at … Read More
Adventure: The One Bike Theory
I love bicycles. Yes, the bike has become a political pawn, like many things here in America, and it truly pains me that this is the case because the bicycle is one of the most innocent yet impactful inventions of … Read More
Adventure: The Slow Climb Out
Chronic illness is no joke. So you could look at today’s little journey in one of two ways. I’ve still got a long way to go. Or, I’m doing okay. Roughly two months ago I did a double ride over … Read More
Adventure: Primitive Delivery
The bicycle has become a symbol of something far more interesting than a basic mode of transportation. Not that the basic transportation aspect should be overlooked or marginalized, but what I’ve found is the bicycle has become a lightning rod … Read More
Adventure: California Training (for Texas)
Ya, so there’s this thing. In the middle of nowhere. A race. Point A to Point B. Or something like that. I’m gonna go. I need to train. It’s on foot, so no bike. The cardio is no problem. The … Read More
Adventure: Buffet of Good
Just to give you a little window into my mind. How about four things that might seem unrelated. Me no think so. Go see “Free Solo,” a film that documents climber Alex Honnold. Technically, I’m a climber too, but there … Read More
Adventure: California Training
So the Bianchi is broken. Not entirely but enough to make things difficult. So yesterday I take out the Salsa, complete with 2.2 Racing Ralphs and slime tubes. Ten miles into the ride I realize I have no extra tube, … Read More
Adventure: Near and Fargo Time
Okay, so there’s this bike race. Yep. It’s just a race. That’s all. What’s the big deal? Well, it’s in Kansas. So there’s a drive to get there. And it’s 200 miles in one day. So there’s that. And it’s … Read More
Adventure: New Mexico Training
Up the hill once again. This time with friends. I hadn’t touched my bike in three weeks, which was reason for me to be curious as to how I’d ride. When I ride frequently I can feel myself finding better … Read More
Adventure: New Mexico Training (Phase 2)
I’ve been here for less than a week, but I’m okay with the altitude, so it was time to stretch things out a bit. I started on Monday with a totally open half day. Drove to Aspen Vista and just … Read More
Adventure: California Training
I had a good weekend, a fun weekend. But I’m tired. I’m not twenty. In eight months I’ll be fifty. But right before the hike you see below, I stopped to talk to a guy who had an Outside Van … Read More