I miss the track...

I love these photos of the track at the Zurich 6 Day. Check out more of Kay's photos here.

BMX in Caracas.

Yesterday, as I was walking home in Caracas, I stumbled upon a bunch of people building a big mini-ramp, right in the middle of Plaza de la Castellana. Turns out there was to be a big skate/bmx demo that night. I went back as it was kicking off, and it was great. Local hero Daniel Dhers was there, tearing up the ramp, and there was some good flatland stuff going down too. The flatland tricks made me miss having my track bike around. I know, I know, BMX tricks and fixed-gear tricks are not the same, and I know some BMXers inexplicably hate the fixed-gear scene, but whatever, it's all cool to me...

Flatland.

Skills.

But can he do a one-handed foot-through leg-over skid on a track bike?

Daniel Dhers being introduced to the crowd.

Dhers waiting for it to start.

Dhers about to decapitate that rollerblader... Sorry, Sean.

WTF?

Also, there was some brilliant live hip hop from a Caracas crew called Los Cuatro Poderes (Four Powers), and some breakdancing. I have absolutely no idea what the event was for, but it was pretty deadly. Also, my little camera took some nice pics, and I didn't get robbed on the way home. Bonus.

Sad news.

I just heard that a cyclist was killed in Chicago on Sunday morning. I didn't know the guy, and I don't have all the details, so I'll just say that I'm sorry for his family's loss. Please be careful out there people.

New stuff from Rapha.

Rapha have some new jerseys coming out for Spring. I want the Belgium. Get on it, Team Fashion.


Thanks to Minx for the heads-up.

Sabbatical.

I'm off to the beach for a few days (don't hate) so here's a picture of some nice saddles to keep you occupied. Ha!

Hills and Burgers: My Life in Caracas

Alright, alright, settle down! So I’m sorry I haven’t updated in a while, but moving to Caracas wasn’t exactly easy or free of problems, you know! But, everything is going really well now. The apartment is lovely, the city is exciting, the food is amazing, and there are hills here. Hills! The last hill I rode was the wheelchair ramp up to the Shedd Aquarium entrance. Pathetic, but that’s what counts as a hill in Chicago. Caracas is a bit different.


First things first: I had a crash. I went out for a cycle with Amy last Sunday and got sideswiped by a longboarder who carved right in front of me. I hit the curb and went over the bars. I was grand, but I got road rash on my shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and foot. I hit my head too, but of course I was wearing my helmet so I was okay. No photos, I’m afraid, but I do have a photo of what I put on the road rash when I got home: duoderm. It’s some kind of “second skin” that keeps a wound clean and moist and helps it heal really quickly. It worked great; I recommend it for anyone with road or track rash. Also, it’s made out of fruit pectin, so essentially you’re using a Fruit Roll-Up as a bandage.


Anyway, the hills here are a blast. We live on the northside of the city (g’wan de northside, wha’?!), and it only takes a couple of blocks going north before you’re going up some fairly steep inclines.

The Cote Mil, which is a big road that runs east-west on the very northen edge of the city, 1000 meters above sea level, closes down on Sunday morning for a ciclovia. The ride up there is tough, but then you get to experience a beautiful ride along the edge of the city, half way up the Avila, looking down over Caracas. We had a great ride up there this morning, and saw a lot of roadies and mountain bikers along the way. I still haven’t really figured out a good weekday ride, because the traffic is mad hectic around here during the week, but I need to get cycling everyday, because the food here is too, too good…


I'm going to be as big as a house if I keep eating these street burgers!