Herne Hill in Winter

Watching the video Aaron posted yesterday, of Victoria Pendleton chase some trials rider around Herne Hill velodrome, reminded me that I'd never posted the photos of the track I took over the winter, so here they are. Herne Hill velodrome is old, in fact it's one of the oldest tracks still in existence, having been built in 1896. There's a ton of history at this place (check out Tracko's post from a while back about Tom Simpson racing here) and it was used in the Olympics in 1947. It's still being used regularly for racing today.

The entrance laneway, complete with cycling wall-art.

A reminder of the history of the place. Some of the seating, in fairness, looks like it's been around since 1896.

The more modern seating near the start line. The infield (where Crystal Palace used to play, football trivia fans) was being used for cyclocross this winter.

Turns 3 and 4. I don't think that picnic table is usually there...

Okay, it's not as visually impressive as the velodrome I visited in Caracas, but it's still a great place, and you can see world class riders competing there, especially during the famous Good Friday meet. If you live in London and you haven't raced yet, check out their Open Season races on the first Saturday of every month during the season.


Details on Herne Hill velodrome here.

Wait, what?

Seen over at fixed gear blog.

Victoria for Gatorade

Behind the scenes:



Nothing to add here, great find Kyle!

Fireflies

Love this photo. Seen over at Milano Fixed.

Bent Basket

Check out this basket/rack design from industrial designer Faris Elmasu.



It's really an interesting design. And while I'm sure it's just a touch less functional and more expensive (no price indicated on the website) than a Wald basket, it sure does look good and it's great seeing people putting in the effort with this sort of thing.

Read more about it here.
Seen first over at Doubleohtwo.

Paul Smith for Rapha

Rapha just released a new line of Paul Smith designed luxury luggage and accessories (Did you know he was into cycling?).





It's a sharp looking collection as you'd expect. Although I will admit, I bought a Paul Smith wallet from the Triumph series he did a few seasons back and was thoroughly disappointed in the quality. Maybe I'm just unusually hard on wallets or it was just a fluke?


See more here.

Cinelli to re-issue Laser track frameset!

I just saw over at Bike Rumor that Cinelli will be reissuing the classic Laser track frameset soon in a limited production run of about 300 or so.

‘Today thanks to the rebirth of steel and people like yourselves, a dream is about to be realised: the Cinelli Laser will return. Not just as a museum display, but as a track machine; rigid and lively, more so even than its predecessor 20 years ago. All the original protagonists are ready and motivated; Andrea Pesenti who built 300 throughout the 1980’s, myself Antonio Colombo who thought them up, Paolo Erzegovesi who engineered them, and Emilvano Montorio who pulled out the tubes. New in the band will be Alessandra Cusatelli, my partner, and Cinelli design co-ordinator of the last 10 years. As always, it will only be available in limited editions. The kids are alright!”

Pretty crazy! I can't wait to see more details. I wonder if the insane geometry will be updated any? Regardless, hopefully the Cinelli team will be reissuing the the official uniforms to match as well...



More info over at Bike Rumor

Thanks to Cale for the heads-up!

Major Taylor

Because we're both funemployed, Andrew and I decided to make a mid-week trip to visit Major Taylor's grave in Mt. Glenwood Memory Gardens in south suburban Chicago the other week. It was a beautiful day, and the cemetery was actually really nice, you know, for a cemetery. As we walked in the gate, one of the groundskeepers asked us if we were there "for the bicycle racer?" I suppose it was obvious to him that two skinny white guys visiting a historically black cemetery are probably there to visit Major Taylor. He pointed us in the right direction, and we eventually found it, in a nice shady little corner. Major Taylor is surrounded by judges, lawyers and WWII veterans, and his marker is by far the most impressive. It was good to see that his accomplishments are remembered appropriately. Read more about this pioneering African-American world champion track racer here, and the historic Mt. Glenwood cemetery here.

Tour de France Illustration

I love this! Tour de France illustration by ILoveDust for Bicycling Magazine. I wonder if they have it as a poster? More details here.

Thanks to fellow Irish-person Maria for the heads-up via chifg.

Okay, last one, I swear...

Outlier ultra-light summer pants. Check 'em out here.

More Clothes??

What is this, a fashion blog? Ride Above shirt from Ashcan, based in South Australia. Nice work Dougie, thanks for the email.

Thom Browne Show at Velodromo Vigorelli

Pretty cool. Thom Browne's recent spring 2011 show for Moncler Gamme Bleu was cycling themed and happened at the Velodromo Vigorelli in Milan. Lots of shorts, windbreakers, and cycling gear with a twist. I know Sean would have loved this...

Seen over at Selectism. Full slideshow at GQ.
Photo by Andrew Thomas.

Now with bonus video!! Thanks, Chris!

Baphomet

While we're talking about shirts, thanks to Ryan of Go Means Go for the Baphomet shirt!

I (heart) Cols

The Tour is coming! Available from Urban Hunter.

Bespoke at MAD

At this point, we've all seen tidbits from Bespoke: The Handbuilt exhibit that opened earlier this month at the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC. Well,Wallpaper* Magazine just did a great piece on it with some excellent coverage.



Check out more photos along with a short video here. THe exhibit runs all summer, so be sure to see it in person if you're in NYC.

What the...???

Crazy! Seen over at Bike Radar.

Everyone Else is in NY

Bicycle Film Festival 10th Anniversary edition!

Protect Ya Neck!

Check out Boonen riding straight over Cavendish's neck during the Tour de Suisse. Damn!

Photo from Steephill. Thanks to Zach for the heads-up via chifg.

This Is Where I'm From

Charge Bikes video featuring Juliet Elliott in Dublin, Ireland. Some lovely shots of the city centre, Windmill Lane (where I had a piece up back in the day), St. Stephen's Green, Moore Street, Temple Bar, the Phoenix Park, and the oul' Dublin and Wicklah Mountains. I miss home. Two comments, however: one, going as fast as possible so you sail over steps reminds me of when I was a kid and thought that that was how you ollied, and two, there's no way she tasted that Guinness at the end.

Seen over at Zlog.

Rapha Women's Line

Rapha have finally released their line of women's cycling clothing. It's a small line for now, but I'm sure they've lots of stuff in the works. Details here.

Transfusion doping: You're doing it wrong.

Is this for real? Check out this new Merckx ad featuring a blood covered Tom Boonen:

One can only assume all of that blood is from a transfusion done in the back of the Quick-Step van that went awry...

Seen over at Velorunner.

Catlike Helmets to be distributed in the US

Finally! I know Catlike helmets tend to be pretty polarizing, you either love them or hate them. I'm firmly in the former camp. I have a Catlike and absolutely love it. It's hands down the best fitting helmet I've ever owned. Up until now, they've been very difficult and expensive to source but hopefully that will change now. Starting in July, Serotta Sport will be distributing Catlike here in the US. It's about time!




Me-ow!

Read more about it at Bicycle Retailer

Alter V2

Looks like Cinelli is reissuing the Alter stem? Crazy!


Can't wait to see what stem covers start popping up this go around!

Great find Kyle!

Team Pegasus Bike Porn

Pegasus teammate and graphic designer extraordinaire Katy Steudel made some custom wheel decals for the new track season. They look great, Katy! If you're interested in having your own custom decals made, get in touch with her via her blog.

Chrome and Krooked Skateboards

Chrome have gotten together with Krooked Skateboards and produced a line of bags featuring art by living legend The Gonz. Remember when Gonz cleared the Gap? No? Pff, kids these days. Anyway, the bags should be available in selected bike and skate shops in July.

Coast No Coast

Cool vid. Check out the details here.

Originally seen on Tracko!

Cranksgiving in June

Cranksgiving in June alleycat - June 26th - Ypsilanti, MI - Details here.

A little last minute b-day shout out from Tracko

To Simon from Kyle

Christoph Ohanian Illustrations

Thanks for the heads up Christoph- those are great!

Soldier Field Crits

Well, this is a pleasant surprise. The Chicago Soldier Field Crits are back on this summer. No one was sure if they were going to run them again, so it's great news to hear that they are. Details here.

Bike Frame Fence

Our friend j.dot of Dispatch101 sent us this after seeing it on Apartment Therapy. I think it looks okay, but I'm generally not a fan of using bike parts to make furniture and stuff. You know, like, oh great, a chair made out of old cassettes, it looks really comfortable, thanks. Plus, just in case the 5 bikes hanging off the wall didn't clue you in that I like cycling, here's a coffee table made out of chainwheels. Get it? Because I like bikes.

I know I'm late, but...

While I was away at my brother's wedding (best Barry Lyndon themed wedding ever!) Ivan Basso won the Giro. His attack on the Zoncolan where he distanced Evans was class. The Tour is going to be AMAZING this year!

Major Taylor Trailsweep

Wellington Alleycat

Also on Friday, June 4th, there's an alleycat happening in Wellington, New Zealand. I really wanted to visit NZ when I lived in Fiji, but never got around to it. If you're there, hit up the race.

Emerald Sprints

Roller racing extravaganza in Seattle tomorrow, June 4th. Details here.