I took my road bike into the shop this week to get a new chain. They looked my current chain over and then informed me that this particular type of chain is in high demand due to a global shortage. It likely wouldn’t be in stock until October.
Takeaway: Whether or not you like your current bike setup, be good to it, especially your chain. It may be what you’re stuck with until Halloween. Perhaps we can go trick-or-chaining together.
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Lumber remains at a premium these days, but there’s no denying the practicality and versatility of wood. Seeing a bike made from plywood, however, remains more than a little unusual. Although this bike’s frame isn’t intended for mass production – wood doesn’t hold up against the steel, aluminum, and carbon we’ve come to know and love – it does have a pleasing aesthetic appeal.
This bike also opened my eyes to alternative frame materials such as sustainably grown bamboo. Continue to feast your eyes at the Instagram page of the European Bike Project, which is dedicated to showcasing bike frames and components made 100% in Europe.
Crank It
Don't Be So Velodromatic
Photo credit: Simon Connellan
The 2020 Olympic Games get underway today with what feels like a false start. Empty stadiums. Socially distanced athletes. A Covid-induced state of emergency in Tokyo.
And yet.
What the Olympics represent to me – human physical achievement in its purest form – remains incredibly inspiring. With an extra year of anticipation and training under the athletes’ belts, we may see even more remarkable feats.
If you like to see the world’s top cyclists going for gold, the Olympics has plenty of options to choose from. Mountain, road, BMX, and – what always gets my pompoms shakin’ – track. At the velodrome, speeds creep north of 50 mph, with just inches separating riders. When teams are all synced up, lighting up the floorboards with everything they have, it’s a mesmerizing sight to behold.
The variety keeps things interesting. And a little confusing. Some races are about having the best time, others the most points. Some sprints start out bizarrely slow, and for elimination races, the goal is simply not to be last. To keep all these different race types straight, I’ve found a couple of helpful resources: for readers, for watchers.
Coffee Stop
A Cookie Is Just a Cookie, But...
Photo credit: Vicky Wasik
Growing up, our go-to packaged dessert was the fig Newton. I think, for my parents, it met the criteria of being passably sweet while also sneaking in a very modest serving of fruit to their young children. Night after night, if my sister and I had eaten our veggies at dinner, our good behavior was rewarded with a couple of Newtons.
Around the time I entered my teenage years, I got burnt out on Newtons (though I still enjoy their uppity British-accented slogan). Fruit and cake wasn’t cutting it for me anymore, so I “upgraded” to cookies Milanos, Oreos, and Chips Ahoy, among others. For the next two decades or so, I don't think I touched a Newton.
Fast forward to about 30 miles into last weekend’s Belgian Waffle Ride. I pulled over to refuel at an aid station, and as other riders gulped down pickle juice and strips of bacon, I found myself reaching for that familiar yellow package with a pair of Newtons within.
Perhaps my ravenous hunger skewed my perception, but I’m telling you, those were the best Newtons I’ve ever had. Maybe the recipe had improved? I found that the sweet-but-not-cloying flavor and grab-and-gobble convenience of the Newton was just what my body wanted at that moment to energize my remaining miles.
Nostalgia aside, I enjoyed them enough to try my hand at making them at home. Haven't gotten around to it yet, but I will soon.
Jaunt Back
A Waffle Worth the Wait
Photo credit: Justin Prugh
You know your ride is off to a good start when you glance down at your cycling computer and see that your average speed is 9 mph faster than usual.
Last Sunday’s Belgian Waffle Ride in San Diego – postponed over a year due to Covid – began exactly as it did in 2019, with nearly every rider mashing the pedals and jockeying for the best position to enter the first of several gravel sections.
My goals for the ride were 1) to keep the rubber side down and 2) to finish the race ahead of my 2019 time. For my sophomore showing, I had many advantages, most notably a more capable bike and the wisdom of experience. I knew more or less what to expect and when to expect it, insight that helped me push hard pretty much throughout the ride.
As I approached the final climb up Double Peak, I felt like I might PR it. And I would have, but just before reaching the tippy-top, a kind lady working at the aid station asked me if I’d like a Coca-Cola and some Red Vines. To which I replied, “Just a little”. Who was I to decline a delicious offer like that?
My wife and friends met me at the finish line. An odorous mixture of sweat, sunscreen, dirt, and grime covered my body, making their hugs all the more meaningful. I felt equal parts exhausted and elated – in the end, I had shaved about half an hour from my previous time.
Flipping through photos and coverage of the event now, my mind wanders to whether or not I'll return for BWR 2022. It's too soon to tell. I accomplished my goal, and that's a feeling I'd like to savor a while longer.
Cool Down
Ta-ta for Now, Tour de France
Photo credit: Adhika Soreng
It’s already been a week since the 2021 Tour de France concluded. Much of the celebratory champagne doused Tadej Pogacar, who locked in his second overall win in Paris. He also had three stage wins, and got both the polka dot and white jerseys. Not bad for a Zoomer. How did Pogacar dominate so completely? Here’s the play-by-play.
Before we officially retire the 2021 Tour to the annals of history, here are a few final recaps for those who can never get enough of cycling's biggest event:
The Prugh crew arrives to my home today from Colorado and Switzerland. I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time.
My intention is to stick with the same newsletter schedule for the coming weeks, but we’ll have to see how things shake out. If I have to choose between a day of hanging out poolside with loved ones or – let’s be honest – pretty much anything else, I’m going with the former. Thanks in advance for your flexibility and understanding.
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Group Ride is a newsletter for the social cyclist. I curate content from bike manufacturers, shops and media sources to bring you information and inspiration to ride more confidently and comfortably.
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