The Radavist

Photo by Emily Maye

After making my last post, Emily Sent me her photos for Rapha, which are up on the Rapha Facebook. Head on over and check them out!

With all this talk about “adventure” bikes, or “gravel grinders”, all I want to do it move back to old school rigs. Away from talks of hydraulic discs or 1×10 drivetrains and onto cantis, with MTB drivetrains. While it’s easy to overlook brands like Soulcraft in the modern age, they have been killing it for over 10 years with bikes like the Dirtbomb.

Don’t think cantis are a feasible option? Ride more. Learn to control your bike. Focus less on the details of what the industry sells you and more on the experience. This bike will rip apart your trails and potentially win MTB races.

I’m not sure what spawned this post, because honestly, the Dirtbomb has been around for a while. Actually, that’s a lie, I do know what spawned this, but more on that later…

Photos by Heather McGrath

I can’t see a pattern like that and not be reminded about Mark Rogowski Gator skate decks! Stephen’s Geekhouse Mudville Cross is so wicked. See more of this beast at the Geekhouse blog.

Hollis Duncan‘s work has been featured on the site before and I really enjoy his photos. Here’s the latest from the photographer, a video from the Spanish ‘cross championships:

“A few weeks ago, I went on self-assignment to Spain’s ‘cross championships in Segorbe (Valencia) and the first person I stopped to ask directions on the street happened to be Belgian. I carried little more than a camera and some beer money; paid peanuts for an individual room in an NH hotel with a bed no wider than my brake pads.

One thing that makes the Spanish championships unique is that there is a race-within-the-race between the 17 autonomous communities that comprise Spain. While you see a lot of team jerseys the majority wear kits from their home region: Basque Country, Galicia, Madrid, Catalunya, Valencia, etc. It was nice to see kids racing their ass off for regional bragging rights. Of course the Spanish have an inferiority complex re: Belgium, but the Basques are doing their darnedest to close the gap. Their support would be indistinguishable from Belgium’s if they showed up in equal numbers, and one advantage Spain enjoys over Belgium is Iberian ham.

Cariño, ¿has puesto mis Lightweights en la furgoneta .. y el jamón?”

Check out some photos at Hollis’ Flickr too!

Photo by Kyle Kelley

… sure do look just as good laying down as they do standing up. I can’t wait to ride with these two again!

I don’t get too geeked out by pro cycling but man, I love watching this man ride his bike.

Usually when a reader forwards me a bike, I have no idea what to expect but this time, I was immediately in awe. This A-Train Cycles monster cross has flowy singletrack written all over it. With those TRP hydro disc brakes I love so much and a big, fat tire for the contact patch, I betcha it rips! Not to mention that seat tube cluster and paint.

See more at A-Train Cycles.

If doesn’t matter how fast you are, if you have zero bike control in the dirt, you won’t enjoy yourself. This weekend, there’s a ‘cross clinic with the man that is considered the ‘original rebel’ and godfather of ‘cross in the US, Laurence Malone. (See more about him HERE.) It looks like a rad time.

Check out Crankys Bikes for more info!

Miss cross season yet? This video was shot at the 2014 Villarocca cross race in Italy. The full movie will be screened at the 2014 Cross Crusade International Film Festival in Portland this year.

To commemorate a forthcoming collaboration with Ritchey, Dustin Klein from Cadence took the time to personalize his new Swiss Cross frameset. I love seeing projects like this unfold, especially with companies like Cadence and Ritchey, both of which make exceptional products.

Personally, I think the Cadence x Ritchey stems look great and I can’t wait to see what else they’re cooking up!

Until then, check out the process and completed bike photos below!

Dan’s been one of my favorite people to watch from afar as he takes on his dreams. One of which was to race for Richard Sachs. He recently acquired his race bike from this year as his new ride and I can’t be more stoked for him. Head over to Bonedeth to find out the back-story.

Photos by Eric Baumann

For a frame builder, being able to create something unique for one of your friends has got to be one of the best experiences of the job. Ben wanted a cross-ready, dirt road eating machine with provisions for a rear rack. Highlights include the seat tube cluster, custom stem and a battleship grey paint job. Royal H really killed it on this one! See more at the Royal H Flickr.

Yes, it’s good. Why wouldn’t it be good. In fact, the coverage from CX Nats over at Manual for Speed is great. I love the interview with Walton and Evan.

What are you waiting for? Check it out at Manual for Speed.

Japan!

This has got to be one of the sickest Hunter cross bikes I’ve seen. Big, fat, tapered head tube, elegantly-sleeved seat tube cluster, slender seat stays, deep chain stays and that incredible paint. I even kinda like the disc brakes on this one!

Head over to Blue Lug’s Flickr to see more. Seriously, I’m so into this!

Another weekend, another CX Hairs presentation:

“For episode 2.15, SVENNESS makes a stop at the Belgian National Cyclocross Championships, which took place at the Gaverbeek Hippodrome in Waregem, West Flanders, Belgium. The race takes place on a flat track with several flyovers and drainage ditches. It is a bit muddy and there is one long stretch of sand that plays an important role in this race.

We focus on the sand, the planks, the attrition of an already small field and the solidification of a legend. For the Belgian elite race, only racers who have full-time contracts are allowed to compete. That means the field is only 14 deep. The elites without contracts race a minute after the full-time pros start their race.”

Photos by Meg McMahon

I’ve been looking all over for nice, bright, sharp photos from CX Nats and Meg’s have been the best so far. Head over to her Flickr for a nice selection.

Yikes! The Richard Sachs ‘cross team had but one bike that remained unridden throughout the season. A back up if you will. Now, that bike is up for sale, via Velocipede Salon. I doubt it’ll be cheap but I’d kill for a House Industries Richard Sachs bike!

Head to Velocipede for details.

Edit: turns out, this one sold already…