Big Move Coming

Well, as most of you know we are moving down to Cochrane, Alberta, so I have been busy and I have neglected the blog. Add in my retirement from the army and trying to catch up on some wheelbuilds now that I have more stock, I have not kept up here on Blogger.

Lately, I just finished a restoration type project. An old friend, Rob, had found himself an 1980s vintage Zullo road bike equipped with a Zeus 2000 groupset including tubular wheels with pristine Zeus hubs. Tubulars were not much help to Rob, so he asked if I could build Zeus hubs onto a set of clincher rims. Once we found the right rims, Ambrosio Evolutions, and disassembled the old wheels (the freewheel was small problem as it did not want to come off easily), I was off and running. Using Sapim Race double butted spokes and brass nipples, I laced the wheels in a crow's foot pattern. This pattern was popular in the 50s and 60s, and with Rob's 36 hole Zeus hubs, they came out pretty sharp looking. In all Rob has ended up with a great recreational bike to spin around on and we were able to maintain the unique and Euro aesthetics of the bike. Here is a picture of the finished wheels:

And here are a few close up shots:



Repairing Kids' Bikes

Well today I did a good thing, and recommended that a bike not be repaired.

A previous customer of mine asked for me to fix their son's bike after it had been recovered - it had been stolen. Doing a house-call on this one, I arrived to see a department store 20 inch mountain bike, which had been savagely beaten into a pulp. She asked if it was worth fixing and that she was willing to pay up to $75 to get it fixed. I told her to save her money and keep an eye out on the Buy & Sell or garage sales for a $50 BMX. Her son would like that a lot better. This brings me to the point of my blog today...

This bike was for her 6 year old son. I do not blame my customer, but I shudder at what department stores label "children's bikes" these days. These bikes are manufactured and assembled (for the most part - I know one department store that contracts work to a certain bike mechanic...) cheaply and with out any real thought. Kids should not be trying to learn to ride a 40lbs bicycle. Get them on a nice single speed BMX with a coaster brake or nice hand brakes. They weighs less than a Ford F-150, are better for balance, and are fun to ride in to your teens! I see too many kids these days suffering on top of multi-gear full suspension monsters that handle like boat anchors. You don't need to spend much. In fact, you can find used a BMX for any where from "get it our of my garage" to about $100. And there is always the outside chance that bike may be an old classic race or jump bike too. And if your kid needs a brand new bit of awesomeness, race BMX bikes can still be purchased for $1200 at almost any bike shop in the country. Save the multi-geared mountain bike for when they are teenagers and want a mountain bike.

So let's get kids bikes that they will like to ride and not a boat anchor.

Plus, you can do wicked jumps on them!

Busy for Spring Classics

Well, no big news other than I am getting busy with the warm weather we have been having - building wheels, supplying parts, and scheduling repairs. Also, we are getting ready to enjoy the Spring Classics!

Milano-San Remo goes this weekend! Let's just say that both Cav and Spartacus are in my pools. I have a few support riders to gain more points, but I added Peter Sagen too - he may be good for a breakaway group sprint.

As always, I have at least one Canadian on my list - Svein Tuft for M-SR.

Oh, and we are getting out for some training rides too!

Enjoy some red wine this weekend!

Riding with the USMC Wounder Warrior Regiment

At the beginning of 2012, I received an invitation to join the Canadian Forces Soldier On Team for the USMC Trials. So in February, I went down to Camp Pendleton, California to train and race with members of the USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment, USMC veterans, and other ally teams from the UK, Australia, France, the Netherlands, Columbia, and Germany. For the Marines, on the line was an invitation to the USMC Warrior Games Team. For us allies, we had an opportunity to make the Marines earn their selection and to show what we were also capable of as wounded warriors.

Our hosts were outstanding both on and off the "field of battle." I was honoured to meet with many great men and women from all the countries and would return to the USMC Trials in 2013 in a heart beat! My team mates did an outstanding job considering we were a last minute collection - taking home 2 silver and 4 bronze medals in track and in the pool.

I was more than ready for a good race and while it was still winter back in Canada, I was in pretty good form. Despite a few tactical error that kept me from getting in the top 5 (my goal for the race), I managed to finish in 16th place...still in the fight - the Regiment's moto.

More Camp Pendleton Video

Another video from Camp Pendleton.

US Marine Corps Trials - Camp Pendleton

Here is some video of the cycling competition during the USMC Trials. See if you can find me! (Hint: 32 seconds in...)



New Road Wheelset!

$599 plus shipping! These are a great set of Ambrosio F20 rims laced with Sapim Laser spokes to C4 hubs. Ambrosio rims are made in Italy and made for the toughest roads. C4 hubs are made in the USA and are some of the smoothest and lightest hubs on the market. I hand stress while I build, so these wheels with last a long time before ever needing adjustments. Email me at rbs.bikes at gmail.com or visit my website at richterbicycles.ca

Thanks

Wheelsets

Here is a few of the wheelsets we have been working on over the holidays. First, a few pictures of a C4 FH78 laced to an Ambrosio F20 Tubular rim. This wheel weigh about 620g, perfect for roadie weight weenies!

And here is a mountain bike wheelset made with Velocity rims and hubs

Sorry for the absence...

I have not been keeping up with the blog, but I have been busy working on new product for the business. Of note, we have started to bring in C-4 road and mountain hubs for custom wheel builds, Alchemy hubs, Kinlin road rims and we have a nice amount of Ambrosio rims on order. The Ambrosio rims will be laced to Campy compatible Miche hubs using Sapim Race double butted spokes, making for a great all day training or racing wheelset. These wheelsets will weigh around 1750g and will retail for around $399. A great deal for your Italian road bike!

Cheers

Mens' Kit Photos

Here are some photos of the new gear. Martin also has a long sleeve shirt that we can get pictures, the argyle is on the cuff of that shirt too.

TdF: Stage One

Passage du Gois, crashes, and an uphill sprint finish.


The first stage of the tour was not the traditional prologue time trial, but a road stage from Passage du Gois to Mont des Alouettes. 191km, and this is my report....


A few nervous crashes today, with Movistar and Lotto getting the worst of it. Not a tour ender, but this could have hurt Philippe Gilbert's chances at some stage victories, including the opener. With an uphill finish, the stage favoured guys like Thor, PhilGil, Tommy Voeckler, and guys who like to give a flyer once in a while like Count Vino and even Alberto Contador!


A three-man break took off right off the Gois, and spent the day in front until caught at the 20km mark, at which point PhilGil's Pharma-Lotto team really took control of the race with some help from Tom Voeckler's Europcar. Of course the overall contenders had team protection near the front as well.


By the time the peloton hit 11-10km out, a mess of teams were on the front with confusion and a torrid pace animating the race. When at 9km, an Astana rider hit a fan on the side of hte road, taking down at least 40-50 riders and stopping half the peloton, including AC. Left in the pack included some big names - Voeckelr, Cancellara, PhilGil, Evans, Thor, JJ Rojas, and Retirement Shack's Chis Horner. A second pile-up a bit further back really left the race to the tough guys who survived and stayed up front. In the last few kilometres, PhilGil had controlled the front when an attack from Katusha, then from Spartacus Cancellara was matched by the Belgian champ. Philippe Gilbert hammered ahead of Cancellara for the win with Cadel Evans taking advantage of the chaos to come in second.


Stage One & Overall:


1. Philippe Gilbert
2. Cadel Evans
3. Thor Hushovd
4. JJ Rojas
5. JVDB
6. Geraint Thomas
7. Andreas Kloden
8. Rein Taaramae
9. Chis Horner
10. Tony Martin


The notables:


12. F Schleck
14. Thomas Voeckler
15. Damiano Cunego!!
16. David Millar
17. Count Vino
18. Cancellara
19. Nick Roche
23. Tom Boonen
32. Sam Sanchez
35. AC
39. Andy Schleck
45. Levi Leipheimer
53. Ivan Basso
63. Brad Wiggins
69. Tom Danielson
71. Ryder Hesjedal


Crazy, crazy first stage, but PhilGil the odds on favourite for hte day was able to control himself through the chaos and win the stage! Tomorrow, the Team Time Trial!

New National Champions!

As most countries held national championships the weekend, and now there will be a whole bunch of new, and some returning riders representing their country. Cyclingnews link below:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/2011-national-championships-index-page

The run down:

Swiss - Spartacus (Leopard Tank)
USA - Matt Busche (Retirement Shack), over George Hincapie
Spain - JJ Rojas (MoviStar), over AC
Italia - Visconti (Farnese)
Britain - Bradley Wiggens (Sky), dragged over the line by a bunch of teammates...
France - Chavanel (Quick Step)
Australia - Bobridge (Garmin-Cervelo)
Belgium - Philly Gilbert (Loto), this guy is killing people this year!
Germany - Wagner (Leopard), but then the Brits, Canadians, and Americans intervened on the behest of France, and then Germany lost...oh wait.

And Canada - Svein Tuft of SpiderTech doubles up as TT and Road champ this year. Clara Hughes wins the womens TT and Fortin wins the womens road race. For Hushes, this is the first championships since 2003 (that is like 8 years for those that aren't counting). For Team SpiderTech, somebody from the team was going to win something, or Steve Bauer would have made the team do hill repeats and sprint intervals until they were invited to the Tour de France....

Canadians in Philly

Inside of the final kilometre, the hopes of Canadian Pro Continental squad Team Spidertech powered by C10 were dashed as Kevin Lacombe, Martin Gilbert and Pat McCarty all went down rounding Logan Circle, adding to the chaos in the finale.

The above quote from Cycling News says it all. For the full story, here is the link:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/27th-td-bank-international-cycling-championship-1-hc/results

Sounds like our guys were at looking to hit the podium and hit the tarmak instead.

Richter Bicycles Cycling Kit

OK everybody,

Richter Bicycles is getting ready to order our initial cycling kit order. While prices are to be confirmed, we are not planning on outrageous pricing! To get an idea on pricing, most shops charge between $60-100 for a new jersey, and $70-200 for a new pair of bib shorts. We plan on being between $100-125 for a combination deal of jersey and bib shorts/shorts (TBC). Here are the proofs for the kit:

Sizing will be based on a "Racer Cut" which mean that if you are not comfortable with tight fitting cycling gear, than order once size up. For example, I usually wear a large cycling shirt (due to my massive musculature of course!) and wear a medium short or bib short. The same will be with women's sizing. For the women, I will be ordering shorts, and for the men, bib shorts. Exceptions can be made if you are a guy and prefer shorts, or a woman and prefer bib shorts. To pre-order, contact us at rbs.bikes@gmail.com and use the subject "Pre-Order RBS Cycling Kit."

Please comment.

Cheers,
Dan

Bikeology Festival & Bike Month

I have been away from the blog for a few weeks, so here I am....

The Battle River Cycling Club is now officially a month old now. The membership is slowly growing and we are looking to develop in to the recreational and family oriented club that would be of interest in the local community. There are a few intrepid members that are also going to dabble into races, but mostly for fun. Speaking of bicycle culture, June is Bike Month in Alberta, and to celebrate Edmonton has the Bikeology Festival. If in Edmonton during any of the events, I recommend checking them out.

http://www.bikeology.ca/

In honour of Bike Month, the local base gym is also putting on a contest for cycling into work. Any locals in Wainwright who work on base can check out the info at the gym.

In honour of Bike Month, I think I will plan something for the BRCC - more on that soon bike fans.

On a different train of thought, with the US Federal investigation in to the old US Postal Team and doping is on-going, allegations against Lance Armstrong from Floyd Landis, Tyler Hamilton, and the media, I will be blogging a series of posts that will be some what serious and maybe even dip into the personal over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for those, but I will probably blog other news and opinions as the next few months of bike racing and riding rolls along.

Marco Pinotti is a Righteous Dude

For those not in the know, Marco Pinotti is a rarity. An old-school Italian road bike racer, who calls 'em like he see 'em. Marco has race with and against the best over the last ten plus years, and he is vocal of his disgust of doping! In the interview on this link, you get the feeling that he is close to exploding when speaking about the way the system lets dopers skirt or avoid testing or REAL sanctions. Enjoy, I did.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/marco-pinotti-exclusive-interview-with-italian-cyclings-voice-of-reason

Battle River Cycling Club!

Hey everybody, the new club now exists and is official. The Alberta Bicycling Association now has us in the registration system.

The BRCC offers the following benefits:

• No age limit, membership ages from 0 to 100!
• Grassroots development of the sport and activity of bicycling in Eastern Alberta
• Participation in all Club Rides, Races, and Events (Helmets mandatory)
• Skills training for road, track, mountain bike, and eventually BMX!
• Winter Group Training
• Volunteer opportunities, including developing potential charity events
• Athlete support & access to club equipment
• Ability to purchase quality club clothing at great prices
• Access to Sanctioned Races & Events, Commissaire and Coaching courses, and affiliation with the Alberta Bicycling Association (ABA) & Canadian Cycling Association (CCA)
• ABA Liability and Accident Insurance during all sanctioned and scheduled BRCC, ABA, & CCA events
• “Club Members Only” 20% discount at Richter Bicycle Services (repairs, maintenance, and coaching)

BRCC Core Values & Program Goals:

• Promote family oriented bicycling activities
• Inclusive of all and any bicyclists – no bike snobbery in this club!
• Grassroots development of the sport and activity of bicycling in Eastern Alberta
• Develop children’s and junior programs
• Support athletes of all ages
• Winter Training including on and off bike training
• Spring Camp in 2012
• Promote commuting and its environmental & health friendly benefits

BRCC Ride Schedule:

• Mondays – An early morning training ride, times get earlier with the rising sun!
• Tuesdays – Every second Tuesday is the BRCC’s “Toonie Tuesday” race series to teach and develop racing skills in a friendly atmosphere
• Thursdays – Ladies night group ride, Daddies & Kids ride
• Saturdays – Group Ride (broken into fast and slow or short and long groups)
• Sundays – Group rides as per Saturdays
• Monthly – Random events that appeal to the club membership, suggestions are welcome

How to Become a Member:

• Fill out and return the BRCC Membership application & waiver with membership fee ($40 for 12 and under, $50 for 13-17, and $60 for 18 and over)
• Go online to the ABA website and following the membership instructions, join the ABA through Zone4 online membership registration – pick your club affiliation as the “Battle River Cycling Club.” Register as an ABA General Member for $40, or obtain a race license for $75 to $135. You can register more than one individual at a time through the ABA website/Zone4. The BRCC President needs to sign all ABA memberships to indicate that ABA insurance will be paid through the club.
• Enjoy riding and socializing with the club, purchase BRCC gear, and volunteer to build cycling in Eastern Alberta!

Thanks for reading and if you are in the Wainwright area, please consider joining!

Liege - Bastogne - Liege

OK sports fans, La Doyenne of the Classics, the last but not the least runs on Easter Sunday.

News here  http://www.cyclingnews.com/liege-bastogne-liege

Live internet coverage here  http://www.cyclingfans.com/

While our man Ryder Hesjedal was sick with stomach problems last weekend during the Amstel Gold race (he even ducked into a house on the side of the road for relief...he has bounced back and finished in the top 15 at Fleche Wallonne. He is looking at some heavy hitters as competition, Philippe Gilbert, on a rip of late and wanting the L-B-L win, Alexander Vinokourov - defending champ, and a pack of other possible contenders.

So if you are up waaaayyyearly on Sunday, tune into cyclingfans.com for live coverage links.

And eat and drink something Belgian, Hoegartten and waffles!

Canada's Team Spidertech Podiums

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/routley-delivers-spidertechs-first-podium-in-europe

Our national champ, Will Routley, scores Spidertech's first European podium with a second at Tro Bro Leon. Team Spidertech, for all of my readers, is a Professional Continental team, which competes world-wide against other pro-conti teams as well as Pro-Tour teams. Spidertech goes into the Tour of Turkey next, but the next big goal is going to be the Tour of California in May.

http://cyclesportmanagement.com/

oh, and Team Spidertech is managed by cycling God, Steve Bauer.

Amstel Gold!

Philippe Gilbert repeats and wins Amstel Gold.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/04/news/philippe-gilbert-repeats-at-amstel-gold-race_169132

One of my favourite riders on the Pro Tour, Philippe Gilbert has in the past also been very outspoken about clean riding. He routinely denounces the dopers, and proves that a pro can ride clean.

One our big guy Ryder, he ended up in 141th place (last year he was second to Gilbert), citing stomach problems.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hesjedal-slowed-by-stomach-problems-at-amstel-gold-race

Let's hope Ryder can bounce back and  do some damage at the Tour of Califorina next month.