Category Archives: cyclocross

Tim Johnson is the Man

This interview with Tim Johnson from Manual for Speed is great, he talks about how he got into riding bikes, and the difference between riding for a job, and riding because you love to ride. Tim is from a couple towns over from where I’m from in Massachusetts, and I ride a lot of the same roads/trails as him. This summer I tried my best to run into him on those roads, but was never lucky enough. Would loved to share some pulls with him on the quiet roads of the North Shore!

http://www.manualforspeed.com/cyclocross/tim-johnson-an-introduction/

roller racing in syracuse 2/4/15

The Wednesday evening of February 4th at Eastwood Brewing Company is the first go at a new level of bicycle silliness for the bicycling scene in Syracuse!

 

ECS_EBC_FLYER_OFFICIAL

^ ^ right click, save, print this junk out / post it up at your spots ^ ^

I first ever experienced roller sprints like these at SSCXWC in Philly.. They are super fun.

Word to the wise: Don’t try and coast… (haha!) My limited sphere of bicycle influence has very little fixed gear bicycle presence.. I don’t know if bicycle aficionados in the area, especially the average road racer, will be more aware of their surroundings than I… But if you go sprint hard on a fixie and start to think about coasting… It is a very very bad idea.

Information provided on their FB Event page (as of 1/9/15):

Wednesday, February 4 at 6:00pm – 10:00pm
Eastwood Brewing Company
108 Walter Dr, Syracuse, New York 13206

Welcome to Vagabond Cycling’s, Emerald City Roller Sprints – Syracuse’s first ever roller-racing event! This is the ultimate bike party and February just got a whole lot more fun in Syracuse.

No, you don’t have to ride – although you may feel left out – and no, you don’t have to drink – but YES you will have fun cheering on your friends and heckling your foes, and YES you can help us support a local organization dedicated to getting kids off the streets and on bikes.

Categories:
Men/Women (fork-mounted riders)
Feature Event: Men/Women roller riders (limited to 10 total)
Best dress-up / costume (please make sure your costumes won’t get caught in the rear wheel)

Cost: $15 to ride. No cover for spectators. Proceeds go to support a local youth bike organization.

Event Format:
Qualification rides followed by single-elimination format

Questions you may have:

Q: So what are roller sprints anyways?
A: Two participants duel it out on a pair of custom equipped bike-rollers, connected to a digital timing system, over a distance of 500 meters. The first person to complete the distance win. And between rides you can can go drink a beer and hang out and have fun – it’s that cool!

Anyone can join in on the friendly competition. The important thing is that when the crowd counts down “three, two, one” and yells “GO!” whoever’s on those bikes better be darn ready to sprint as hard as they can approximately 20 seconds! Emerald City Roller Sprints are meant to be fun and not serious training or racing.

Q: Do I need to know how to ride rollers?
A: NO. ABSOLUTELY NOT. Our bikes are connected to the rollers via a fork-mounted system, thus making it possible for anyone to ride.

Q: What do I wear to ride
A: Wear whatever you want

They also posted a little video of the typical scenario of Roller Races to getchya up to speed…

Back in December there was a similar event launched by Bike Loft East which I am bummed that I missed. I haven’t heard how it went but they too posted fun videos to give folks the idea of what it’s all about like this one from Velo Cult…

2014 CNY Cyclocross Series

CNY Cup - 2014 Central New York Cyclocross Series

 

It’s here!

With all the great ‘cross races that we’ve been having such fun at in our little part of the world.. the mystical powers of the woods have carried the undeniable voices of whimsical pain and  joyous celebration all they way to ears and souls of our humble race organizers.. where they have joined forces to unite the region in challenge.. unleashing a lively competition to crown the kings and queens of the ‘Cross in the Center Land.

This challenge will spread over the hill tops, through the valleys and over the undulations in between.. across dewy off camber grasses, shimmering in reflection, as those chosen blades within the tape look downward to their roots as if telling them to ready and stay strong as they await the shredding tires of excitement.. over rock and root whose spirits lick their lips in anticipation of the opportunity to steal the air from those same tires should their racer underestimate their might.. through the valleys and across the surface of smooth frigid waters of shallow streams.. the challenge will be the force that keeps these racers honest.. their blood, adrenaline and dopamine rushing, keeping the fires raging in the quads, hearts and core of their being.. well into the crisp air of the seasons turn.. bringing warmth and good natured push, push, push.. allez allez allez.. hoppe hoppe hoppe.. swooping, sliding, grinding, hammering..  hungry for every turn, every obstacle.. the spirit of challenge making us stronger every day  – – Central New York Cyclocross Points Series… the CNY Cup!

To quote the internets:

Here ya go kids!

October 2014 – Syracuse, NY, Cycling race promoters announce partnership for new CNY cyclocross points race series.

The Central NY Cyclocross scene is proud to announce the Inaugural CNY Cycloross Cup Points Series.

The 2014 Cup series will includes five races located in and around the Central NY Region. The races include CX Out Child Abuse, Syracuse GP, ‘Power Cross, Syracross and Cider Cross. Points will be awarded based on the overall finish placement of participants with the winners crowned as King or Queen of the series in their respective events categories.

Categories for 2014 will include:
• Open Men
• Open Women
• Cat 4/5 Men
• Cat 4 Women
• Masters 35+
• Master 55+
• Single Speed Men
• Single Speed Women

2014 Participating races:

10/5/14 – CX out child Abuse: Bryan Blake –https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cross-Out-Child-Abuse/602731749843571

10/25/14 – Syracuse Grand Prix: Mike Lyon –
https://www.bikereg.com/syracuse-gp–power-cross-both-days

10/26/14 – ‘Power Cross: Noel Bonk –https://www.facebook.com/powercyclocross

11/1/14 – Syracross IV: Sara Morris – http://www.mellovelobicycles.com/syracross/

11/9/14 – Cider Cross: Kenny Hammond –
http://www.CiderCross.com/

Series Rules > https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0Bz-6StSaQWayaGtOYlVvWGwxUms&usp=sharing

Contact Info:
Cup Promoter – Bryan Blake tourdeloop@gmail.com

– (source: facebook / Bryan Blake, copied October 14th, 2014)

update:

Some times when you light a match next the gasoline things really get going.

The CNY Cup Cyclocross Points Series would like to welcome Turkey Cross at the Victor Apple Farm to be held on November 23rd to the list of races for 2014

– (source: facebook / Bryan Blake, copied October 14th, 2014)

THE COBRA

Cobra Frames from Raúl Alexander Marrero on Vimeo.

“Short documentary about Joe Roggenbuck, a bike frame builder based in Syracuse, New York, where he builds THE COBRA, his brand of custom, made-to-measure, steel bike frames.

Written, Directed and Edited by Raul Alexander Marrero and Luke Casino” (source: http://vimeo.com/108090987)

more: 
http://cobraframes.tumblr.com/
http://instagram.com/cobraframes
https://www.facebook.com/cobraframes