The Radavist

I hope you’re enjoying your holidays. We’ll be back in full swing tomorrow with some year in review posts. Santa Merckx hopes you didn’t buy any upgrades for Christmas, so go ride up grades! Original photo via Old Campy.

Photo by Credit Scott McIntyre for the NY Times

“Conquering River, Jungle and the World’s Toughest Bike Race, La Ruta de Los Conquistadores, a three-day race across Costa Rica, pits participants against steep climbs, muddy
trails and waterways that may or may not contain crocodiles.”

Check out this story and more great photos at the NY Times.

Photos by Mike Martin

Mike from Mash has a way of documenting an event that is truly unique. His commentary is insightful and his photos really place you there. This is particularly true in the latest photo gallery at Mash SF of the SSCXWC in Portland last weekend. If you couldn’t make it, be sure to check out the best photos I’ve seen from the event over at the Mash Blog.

Do I really need to say anything here? Thanks for this Merckx Mondays inspiration, Shifter Bikes!

Scott rolled into town, on the tail-end of his Pacific Coast tour, just in time for Merckx Mondays!

A reader sent in this Merckx Mondays photo, straight from the Colnago Twitter account with the caption: “44 years ago Eddy Merckx beat the Hour record. Ernesto Colnago was at his side!” Look at that New Bike Day face on Merckx! You can read all about this bike from Merckx Mondays number 40 where we look in depth at this very Hour Record bike.

Built in the spirit of the Rossin Futura supplied to the USSR in 1988 by Rossin, this Stanridge Speed low pro track bike was recently completed for the private collection of a client from Texas. It was built with modified lugs, Columbus Gilco, custom shaped Columbus SL and Aromatic stays. The NOS Kevlar Poct track wheels with Ti hubs were manufactured in the USSR and provided just the right amount of wow factor for the completed build.

The completed project couldn’t have happened without the help of Psy from Petrichor Frames and Amy Danger, who supplied parts for these photos. While low pro bikes have since dwindled in UCI track events, their stance and history are something that can be appreciated by all cyclists. Thanks to Adam from Stanridge Speed for sending these photos over.

Photos by Jordan Haggard

Post-race or ride photo booths are the best, especially after an afternoon of Sierra madness. Check out all of these great portraits at Grinduro’s Facebook!

Photos by Brian Vernor

“On a recent trip to Yorkshire, I visited the A & T club on practice night. I hadn’t seen speedway racing in-person and I was curious about it. This night there were just a handful of local club members practicing, and I wasn’t able to see the races the following weekend.”

Continue reading and see more of these great photos at Vernor Film. Oh and check out a video at Youtube!

Photo by Graham Watson

Cycling accessory company Brancale recently interviewed Phil Anderson on his racing career. Having raced on numerous Merckx teams, Phil’s life as a racer is filled with interesting anecdotes, ranging from extreme lows like losing the World Cup in 1985 due to illness, to highs like returning in 1986 to win the Paris-Tours. Head over to Brancale to check it out.

Carla Fuentes‘ illustrations of Merckx make for a perfect Merckx Mondays post! See more at Little is Drawing.

The weekend is here and hopefully these Swift Campout photos from their disposable cameras will stoke your flames!

Photos by Sean Talkington

Sean from Team Dream Team’s Full 36 sets are always worth a gander. This time it’s four rolls from the TdF, and it’s not your usual viewpoint. See the Full 130 at Sean’s Flickr!

Here’s a rad bit of cycling history. Back in 1976, Eddy won the Antwerp 6 Days with his good friend Patrick Sercu. Here’s the duo racing the madison. Later, they would win the National Team Championship together. Photo via Walter Vermeulen’s Flickr.

Photo by Andy White

My Merckxshake brings all the KOMs to the climb! Check out more of this delicious MXL Motorola at FYXO!

Photo by Dave Hunt/EPA

Here’s another angle of Laurine van Riessen from the Netherlands showing how to avoid a crash during the second heat of the keirin at the Olympics in Rio. Via the Guardian.

You don’t have buy a ticket to Bolivia or Peru to enjoy a few days of bikepacking. Recently, Yonder Journal found themselves in New England for a quick stint in Connecticut and some extensive touring in Vermont, all guided by none other than UltraRomance. Dubbed the Mad Wikkid Bike Toouah, this trip took our heroes through country roads in the green mountain state.

Part one of who knows how many days is now up at Yonder Journal.

Bicycle Crumbs recently collaborated with Franco Bicycles on a custom painted, custom spec’d version of their Grimes all-road bike. Crumbs’ signature style is all over this build: a subtle dazzle pattern takes its color inspiration from a natural turquoise stone, which sits in contrast to orange and red concentric circles meant to mimic a desert sunset.

Check out a few more details below, and see the rest at Franco Bicycles!