After three years and thousands of miles of rural routes where the local mini-mart serves as rest-stop and restaurant, the Rapha Continental store was open briefly this past weekend at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show. With bikes stacked and resting against the front of the store, the weekend store popped up amidst some of the more beautiful hand-made bikes in the world. Staffed by the likes of Jeremy Dunn (Embrocation Cycling Journal) and Tony Pereira (of Pereira Cycles), the CS-H designed store was visited by friends like Ira Ryan, Brian Vernor, Chris Milliman and many more.

While shoplifting seemed to be curtailed to a Coke or a Snickers here or there, I’m sure the urge to ‘nick was tempting so people could save and splurge on some bigger ticket items like this blue beauty from Signal Cycles.

Dave Christenson has been with Rapha filming riding for the past year, first on the Rapha Tour of California journey of six Continental riders taking on the professional tour stages- stage for stage, for nine brutally long days. He’s been a part of the family ever since, driving the country nearly twice last year to capture the beautiful footage and stories of riding in the US. Last Novemeber, Dave and Cole Maness joined Shea Paarton of Apolis Activism to help put the finishing touches on the Rapha/Apolis Activism collaboration sweater, the Transit Elite. Hand made with the consideration that Apolis is known for, the sweater is made by a women’s cooperative in Nepal.

http://www.rapha.cc/transit-elite-sweater-1/

Is a great champion.

Joop Zijlaard is a 29-time Dutch derny champ. One might not naturally put this man and bike racing together in the same sentence, but if you’re the rider behind Joop, consider yourself blessed.

The best part for me was creating a race for a group of people who spend most nearly all of their time thinking and working on bikes for other people. A custom race for custom builders.

The second best part was the gourmet spread at Chris King’s barn.

He went to Princeton and over-achieved. Then he went to Stanford and over-achieved. Then he did the San Francisco start-up thing and was brilliant, but like many, that didn’t fully pay out. So, he went to film school at NYU and made a movie that led the CineVegas film festival this past summer. He’s not as fast on the bike as he once was, but he’s brilliant. The film hits theaters next spring with Steve Buscemi, Sarah Silverman and Pete Dinklage. See Hue’s movie trailer here:

http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/saintjohnoflasvegas/

I have to admit something. I lived in Portland for probably seven years before I really started drinking coffee. Before that, I was in the land of Peet’s, and still to me a Coke or worse-yet, a Mountain Dew was the caffeinated drink of choice, not a coffee. Horrible, I know. How could I have made it so long without realizing the finer qualities of a well-made Americano? I can’t believe Portland didn’t banish me to Beaverton or Hillsboro really now that I think about it.

The funny thing is I didn’t even realize what I was missing by not drinking coffee. The quick lift of a cold Coke mid-way through a long ride when you stop at the store is perhaps one of life’s great things. But, it’s the togetherness of a pre or post-ride coffee that in the last year or so I can now fully appreciate. A quick espresso for that morning kick or a double afterward usually mixed with a hint of anxiousness because I’m sure my wife and son aren’t just hanging out enjoying a coffee and a chat with friends while looking smart in cycling attire. Still, it’s part of the ritual. A routine. It’s just one more thing that cycling makes better.

My friend Ellen Hall at Cat-Eye sent this along to obviously distract me from making big business decisions today. Thought I’d do the same for you. Nice little mention of a great cycling apparel company from London at the end.

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/5512831

Apparently there is a common truth worthy of animation.

I spend about as much time dressing to ride as I do riding. In fact, I’m sure that someone probably has created a table showing the relationship of ride time (less) dress time (over) comfort (equals) perceived value of said training ride.

I never was terribly strong at math. But, I was strong at make believe. So for now, I’m going to make believe that I’m riding in a short sleeve jersey along with these guys in the latest film from our friend Dave Christenson.