The thursday night ride was way too much fun as usual. We had a good crew or fifteen or so (remember this is a fixed ride in Huntsville not San Fran or PDX...), all great guys tonight. As the ride goes on, it's interesting to see who becomes the regulars each season. This year definitely has some drag-happy riders who are a little less trick oriented than past years but quick as shit. Tonight's ride was a little slower than the past few weeks but still a good pace. I have to say we have some good people coming out this year and i couldn't be happier.
As usual, we ended up at Voodoo where, despite honest intentions to play a couple games of darts and leave, things have a way of growing a mind of their own and very few dropped off through the night until we were specifically called out to leave the bar. I guess that counts for something. Actually, it probably doesn't. I have to give props to Davis for getting up on stage and playing three or four songs while only butchering one or two and to tommy who seemed way to eager to go back up holmes afterwards. Gigantor was raging all over the bar because he always has to go down on the R.C. handshake but that's just the hand you were dealt in life son. It'll be okay.
More great news tonight; I met the new brewer in town who was told about the alleycat in June and wants to sponsor the race plus we keep recruiting more and more new people to ride so life is good.
For those of you who haven't been following the Tour of the Gila, what's wrong with you? Anyhow, a close look at the numbers goes on to show how much ass Huntsville is kicking, not just in the south but nationally. Thus far, local elite pro Mike Olheiser is 21st, just ahead of upcoming pro Lance Armsomething. Equally impressive is Huntsvillian Miroslav Novak who is fifth in the Mens 40+ category. If you want to keep up with the tour, check out their site at Tour of the Gila.
19 3:49:46. 0:01:28 Landis Floyd OUCH-Bahati Foundation Pro CO 20272 20 3:49:59. 0:01:41 Shelden Taylor U25 Holowesko Partners Cycling Boulder CO 211114 21 3:49:59. 0:01:41 Olheiser Michael Moontoast Racing huntsville AL 133375 22 3:50:04. 0:01:46 Armstrong Lance Team Mellow Johnny's
1 3:24:43. 0:00:00 583 Zoldak Frank Vic's Espresso & Peerless Tires Boulder CO 260369 2 3:26:24. 0:01:41 514 Choi Brian Vitamin Water/Folsom Bike Folsom CA 125834 3 3:26:24. 0:01:41 556 Pugh Mike Echelon Gran Fondo/ZteaM Davis CA 4 3:26:24. 0:01:41 577 wehn kenny colavita racing new mexico colorado CO 253798 5 3:27:32. 0:02:49 553 Novak Miroslav Alabama Masters Cycling Huntsville AL 122097
After the fun and success of the Hot Mess alleycat last year, we have recovered and regrouped to present an event that promises to be even bigger and better; The Huntsville Lucky Cat. This years event has more sponsors, more prizes, and even more fun. Last year was a teams race and was winner takes all. This worked out fine but i have to say the Birmingham guys, had they known their way around a little better, probably would have taken it all. When designing the race, we worked hard to level the playing field this year and have gone on to have an overall winner, then broke it down further to mens categories, womens categories, and quickest out-of-towner categories. Having a lot more sponsors and hands gives us the opportunity to hook it the fu*k up. Last year had several challenges at the various stops and this year will try and top it.
Our aim this year is to remind Huntsville how much fun you can have on a bike and let's face it, this city needs a good kick in the ass in that department. Let's revitalize the cycling scene and support those who support us. The proceeds from this years race will go directly to the hard-working non-profit group Life Cycles Bicycle Co-op which has been up and running strong since 2003.
Please support and thank all of our great sponsors. The folks over at Art & Soul Tattoo are very talented and have roots in the North Alabama cycling scene. What kind of after party could we have without the local brewery that was so integral in Free The Hops, the always cold and tasty Olde Towne Brewery; Local events deserve local beer! Transplanted from Minneapolis, but now based in Huntsville, the family owned Scallywags Coffee has generously contributed to the race and has a really great product and history. Take time to check out their website while sipping on their latest blend. Back again from last year is Bicycle Etc. which has been the start of the tuesday/thursday night ride for a few years now and has a killer selection of track bike parts and accessories. We are very fortunate to have Mellow Mushroom on board with us this year. You may not be aware of this but MM actually sponsors several cycling races throughout the year and we're really excited to have them support our little unconventional event. One of, if not the best reads out there is Urban Velo who graciously contributed to this years race. These guys write about the stuff we like to hear about, use the stuff we want to use and back the little guys like us. Tell them we sent you. Awww, last and certainly not least by any means, we are extremely pleased to be supported by Chrome Messenger Bags which goes to show that they understand exactly who their customers are. We are not LA, SF, PDX, or NY, but we have cyclists that are every-bit-as-fanatical and need products that work; Chrome makes products that survive and they support the community that supports them.
thanks for everyone who rode tonight. we had a respectable 18 or 19 people ride which is not bad for Huntsville on a random thursday. At least 16 made it to the end. Sorry to the guys who got dropped; its hard to keep up with so many different riders.
Here is the official list put together by Bicycling magazine. "Bicycling only considered cities with populations of 100,000 or more, and the magazine strove for geographical diversity to avoid having a list dominated by California’s many bike-oriented cities" I see Chatanooga ranks fairly well but i dont see a single Alabama city, don't see Nashville, Atlanta, Memphis, or any other nearby southern cities for that matter. Aw, we suck again.
1. Minneapolis 2. Portland, OR 3. Boulder, CO 4. Seattle 5. Eugene, OR 6. San Francisco 7. Madison, WI 8. New York City 9. Tucson, AZ 10. Chicago 11. Austin, TX 12. Denver, CO 13. Washington, DC 14. Ann Arbor, MI 15. Phoenix/Tempe, AZ 16. Gainesville, FL 17. Albuquerque, NM 18. Colorado Springs, CO 19. Salem, OR 20. Scottsdale, AZ 21. Louisville, KY 22. Chattanooga, TN 23. Long Beach, CA 24. Cary, NC 25. Milwaukee 26. Boston 27. Philadelphia 28. Pittsburgh 29. Charleston, SC 30. Arlington, VA 31. Sioux Falls, SD 32. Boise, ID 33. Kansas City, MO 34. Columbus, OH 35. Tulsa, OK 36. Grand Rapids, MI 37. Billings, MT 38. St. Louis 39. Cleveland 40. Greensboro, NC 41. Lexington-Fayette, KY 42. Omaha, NE 43. Salt Lake City 44. Miami 45. Indianapolis 46. Fargo, ND 47. Anchorage, AK 48. Baltimore 49. Little Rock, AR 50. Rochester, NY
and Huntsville was ranked dead last*
*not really but it feels that way (on a random note, you'd be surprised how many people i meet each week here in Huntsville who don't know how to spell bicycle)
The Bicycle Film Festival is coming back to Memphis this year and you have plenty of time to get your act together and make the trip. A few of us went last year and had a some of the best times in recent memory. For those not familiar with the festival, really? Kidding. I think they put it best;
"The Bicycle Film Festival celebrates the bicycle. We are into all styles of bikes and biking. If you can name it - Tall Bike Jousting, Track Bikes, BMX, Alleycats, Critical Mass, Bike Polo, Cycling to Recumbents - we've probably either ridden or screened it. What better way to celebrate these lifestyles than through art, film, music and performance? We bring together all aspects of bicycling to advocate its ability to transport us in many ways."
The dates for Memphis this year are May 21st - 23rd, so over a month away.
sooooo, not sure who did the original poster but thanx. ride is going to be flat this week and fun. prolly do hills next thursday to work out some kinks in HHMII. if anyone has a bike Brandon can use, let us know, his was borrowed. Bring lights of some kind and some beer/burrito $$. I think we will have a few surprise riders this time (if they show up) so should be a good time.
Brandon's Alien got snatched last night so keep an eye out for it. You are looking for a light blue Alien frame and fork with Miche Cranks, Thompson post, Deda quill stem, Gold Nitto riser bars and Velocity wheels (veep in the rear/aerohead up front). The bike is brakeless so I have to imagine useless to the thief and probably up for sale. If you see it, call the cops and get a hold of us please.
This is a horrible pic but kinda gives you an idea what it looks like. The bright gold risers and distinctive Long Shen dropouts stand out. Bike is not drilled.
Bicycles may not be as common place in the work force as they once were but things are slowly changing. While I'm not aware of any messenger service currently in Alabama, that hasn't always been the case. Here is a young bicycle messenger from Birmingham, Alabama (october 1914) Photo by Lewis Wickes Hine
Is having a race this weekend. Go out and support the local guys this Saturday (road race) and Sunday (campus crit). I lost the link for more information but hopefully one of them will chime in with a comment leading to better details. Good luck guys!
...another good ride down with a few of us hitting up, youre not going to believe this, Voodoo afterwards. Good seeing some peeps we havent seen much over the winter and thanks to Dave for not playing angry lesbian music like last winter's Tuesday nights. Next week may be hilly so don't punk out on us.
I've been kinda slacking on posts and this is no exception. Here are some horrible phone shots from last night's ride. we keep picking up more and more riders and it has been really fun so far so come join us next thursday.
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