True Cyclists Must Follow...

If you're not watching, or up to speed, can you call yourself a cyclist? No matter how you slice it, The TDF is the biggest, most historic and beautiful sporting event there is, and must be honored. Sans doping, investigation and all that shit, the majesty of this event still reigns. A sport for hardmen, an event that creates heroes. Get on board and enjoy the ride.

Below is a link to a good source for coverage if you don't have access to the Versus shitshow with Tweedledee and Tweedledumb next to an embarrassed Bob Roll and all the stinking commercials. Thank god for Phil & Paul:

http://www.steephill.tv

A Steel Wüleur's Death Ride

Sorry, no photos, just a story. (Lack of iPhone privileges)

Participating in the "Death Ride", has always been one one of those things I think I should do, but never made the whole-hearted effort to commit, register and plan a year in advance to "actually" do. However, at an impromptu gathering for former colleague, Matt Potter's bday at The Spokesman several weeks ago, per some casual dialogue about it, an invitation was extended - shit, I guess I'm riding the Death Ride. Wade guaranteed a slot in true "shoot-from-the-hip" fashion.

The week+ leading up to the event, my workload was heavy. I did not even get my head around it until 3:30 on the Thursday I left for The Sierras. Packed quick, got all my ducks in a row and headed out. Stayed at mom's in Murphy's Thursday night and headed towards Markleeville on Friday. Drove up Hwy. 4, over Ebbet's Pass - which gave good beta on road conditions - kinda beat up after heavy winter. Was still a fair amount of snow up high, but less then I expected. Always a beautiful drive.

Going into this, I was less concerned about the ride, figured some consistent big days in The Coastal Range and riding background would get me through, but more on logistics, and where I would spend the night prior. This was all new to me, and figured it would kinda of a shitshow with 3,000+ other participants converging on little Markleeville.

Got to registration, went through the protocol with my 2nd hand entry and all was clean. Upon walking out, I inquired to a young volunteer about some beta on camping, and what happened next was unforeseeable. He said "you can stay at our house if you want." What, you're kidding, right? "No, we let a group of people stay with us every year. Make yourself at home, here's the address."

Met up with Spokesman crew at registration and got there itinerary. Headed to this address, and sure enough, I was taken in by the Jackson household: John, Kim, Mason and Cole. These were the most generous and authentically nice people I have ever met. They take in a somewhat normal crew and straglers every year. $40 bucks gets you all meals, a bathroom and shower to use and heaps of downhome hospitality. Though a little awkward, I felt blessed to have fallen on such good luck. Made everything much smoother. I can't tell you how much I was moved by these people. If the world was full of folks such as this, it would be a better place.

The Ride:

So, I quickly learned if you leave after 5:ooam, you are starting later than most. Some start before 4:00am for christ's sake! But, the targeted time was 5:30 - hoping to connect with Spokesman crew, and you have to have lights if starting in the dark. Was having no part of that. Got out at approx. 5:40am - daybreak. And the ride was on. For those not familiar with The Death Ride, the official start is at Turtle Rock - a couple mile outside of Markleeville. The route meanders out of Markleevile, and starts up 1st pass, Monitor Pass, over the top, down the backside, then back over. The rout then heads to Ebbett's Pass (the gem of the ride), up and over into Hermit Valley and back over. Then back through Markleevile, out to Carson Pass, then back to Turtle Rock/Markleevile. Approx. 129 miles and 15,000+ of stiff climbing - Alpine style. They don't cal it the "Tour of the California Alps" for nothing. I jumped in in town, avoiding chilly descent down from Turtle Rock.

It was a trip to see thousands of riders out here, totally surreal. All shapes, sizes. abilities, etc. became evident right away. How are some of these folks going to do this? This is an event that showcases all the colors of cycling: good, bad, overdressed, bad fit, bad form, good nature, over-equipped, under-equipped, and on. But, everyone out there should be applauded - it's a big day on the bike.

So I settled into my own tempo and pace. I had no aspirations, just enjoy it and take in all in. Though, one is always driven by some sort of vanity. I soon realized, I am stronger than most out here. Gave some internal satisfaction that all the miles in the saddle have put me in a certain place with my cycling, and that gave me motivation.

Actually, per veteran beta, I had not planned on doing the whole thing. The word was, doing Carson Pass meant dealing with the road open to cars, wind, possible weather, and fatigue. I had ridden Monitor and Ebbett's smoothly, having passed 100's of riders and only being passed once. Felt pretty pleased by this, especially pushing the bigger gears - have only ever purposed a standard double, and 39-12 got me through. Came back into Markleeville and was ready to call it a day. But, a little bird told me. "you gotta do the whole thing the 1st time out." So yeah, I continued on. Mind you, the addition of Carson Pass is 1/3 of the ride. All I can say is I'm glad I decided to do the whole thing, though I was cursing Carson, a very long slog out of Woodford's to the pass. 16ish miles at 4-10mph at this point. The scenery made up for the suffering - The Hope Valley was completely alive. One pedal stroke at a time. I thought the pass would never come. But, it did with a cold ice cream waiting.

At he end of the day, this was was deeply satisfying and solidified what matters in life. Challenge yourself, exercise your passions and appreciate the generosity of good-natured people. The support and volunteers were amazing. This event is the biggest day of the year for this area and locals show it.

Thanks Death Ride for a better day than most. This Steel Wüleur is grateful. And yes, sick descents! 50+ mph bliss! Not for the nervous with 100's ascending simultaneously!

And, just to cap things off, pedalled around Lake Tahoe today - another classic. Mix it up!

- Apple

Mike Moore Stag Ride

Santa Cruz to Petaluma 135 miles.

This was one of the best days I have ever had on a bike! Super Dave Reid organized the route and Brandon and Michele Bredo graciously hosted the Stag weekend at their amazing working ranch / farm in Petalulma. Once we made the final ascent to the Bredo Ranchet, it was like going back in time one hundred years with all the organic farming and ranch activity.

Caletti built Steel Wül Team Issue #1

The Gren took possession of his Caletti built SW Team Frame. This was a collaborative venture between Steel Wül partners Caletti, ImageTribe, & the Gren. All I have to say is I want one! John builds these steads with the utmost precision. When Chris was explaining what he was looking for on the initial visit to the Caletti factory, John did a lot of listening and you got the impression that not a single word slipped by unnoticed.

Steel Wül Trivia circa 95'

Question:
Who are these two knuckleheads and who were they racing for?

Answer:
Marty Jemison & Chad Gerlach racing for Montgomery Bell

Sean posted the correct answer.

Both of these guys had world class speed. Marty clawed his way into a 9 man break at Roubaix late in the race.

Le √elo

If I did not know any better, these roads look like Russian Ridge Open Space in San Mateo County? Someone needs to tell Robin Moore to ditch the Shimano and rock some Record for authenticity. Fun video!

click to play video

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Steel Wül Trivia

Question: What was the original title of the academy award winning movie 'Breaking Away'

Answer: 'The Eagle from Nap Town'

AC called in the correct answer. We watched this so many times in the 80's, we felt like it was filmed for us. My most memorable day on a bike happened to be in Bloomington, Indiana at the National Road Race. The course was held at Brown County Park (scenes from the film) and the Feds found a very steep col for us. Me and David Bly launched a suicide break early on and the field experienced some serious attrition in the August heat. We could hear the chase group on the final lap changing gears at the bottom of the 'wall' and they simply ran out of road. California brought home a couple of medals that day. I experienced my first drug test that afternoon and Heath Sandal was next to me answering questions with the feds. I was shocked at how many vitamins and supplements he had to disclose. My paperwork indicated an occasional vitamin c and Gatorade.

click to play movie trailer
Breaking Away

Steel Wül Trivia

Question:
Bridgestone Cycles made an aluminum bike in the early 90's called the RADAC. What does RADAC stand for?

Answer: Research And Development Adhesive Cement

Kev McGill emailed the only answer which happened to be correct. I remember picking up his sub-20lb 55cm RADAC over 20 years ago and thinking is was insanely light compared to my columbus chromor Bottechia. Tom Sullivan & George (Bohemian Bike Shop) told us what it stood for and I think Kev's descending was a little more conservative that day.

Peaceful Livin'

I came home this evening after a couple of long shifts to find Jess and
Olive hanging out in the backyard. They really wanted to show me this
runner-bean that was climbing its way up this amazing spider web. I
walked around the corner of our side yard and this is what I saw. My
eyes immediately focused in on the peace sign and I was able to pop a
couple of rounds off with the old IPhone. Our backyard is Olive's
sanctuary and evidently the resident garden spider was feeling the same
way. Grey Kitty was soaking up the last few sun rays of the day and did
not seem to be impressed with our Wüleur Web of Peace. I wanted to
memorialize this with rain forecasted for tomorrow and Wednesday. This
was a nice reminder for me to slow down and enjoy both work and play.
Joe Dominguez said, "make a living not a dying". It appears as if this
spider has something to say or is just seamlessly catching his calories
and messing with us at the same time. Sign me up!

A visit to the Rapha store in Wüleur style

Steel Wüleur Sean Co did a hop skip and a pedal from the east bay to get us the low down on Rapha's SF digs.

On any given weekend morning in San Francisco there are dozens of cyclists meeting up at the Golden Gate Bridge, Philz Coffee, Zeitgeist and other popular spots. Centered as a temporary hub of cycling culture is the Rapha Cycle Club located 10 minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge in the Marina. The "store" exterior is adored with larger than life size pictures of riders and minimal Rapha garments highlighted with the diffuse bay light. The club offers itself as a meet-up for riders departing for rides to Mt. Tam and beyond. Generous indoor bike parking with each rear wheel holder labeled with the name of famous grand tour climbs and excellent coffee and treats await the rider. Cycling memorabilia juxtaposed with minimal Rapha displays
dress the walls which gave me plenty to gaze at while sitting at the central table sipping my cappuccino.

I tried to explain to my brother what Rapha was and could only explain it was similar to free skiers or surfing's soul riders, with nods to the tradition and heritage cycling has to offer. Is it cleaver marketing where the wary and overstimulated consumer is tired of product information but responds well to positive emotion or a true love for the sport? Probably a bit of both but they generally offered a place to celebrate road culture and I was happy to enjoy the vibe. I would have loved to touch the $200 jerseys but we had our own ride to
get to.

-Sean

Steel Wül Trivia

Question:
Who is this little bad ass?

Answer: Daren Baker

Kit posted the correct answer (along with a few other names). Kit......who are you? We owe you a Steel Wület Ride Pocket. Please email us your home address.

Bonus Trivia:
When Tim Petty won the American dream (US Olympic Trials 92'), he was approached by the USCF to give his position up to Daren Baker who was absolutely flying at the time. The urban legend was that Tim was to meet Daren at an airport terminal and sign his way off the team. Tim stuck to his guns and had a solid race in Barcelona. Lance evidently was upset that he did not forfeit his position. Tim was as tough as nails. Rumor has it that he popped into the Spokesman recently.

Steel Wül Trivia

Question:

Who is this cyclist?

Answer: Edwig Van Hooydonck -3 time winner of Flanders

Peter Flanders set an unofficial Steel Wül record and posted the correct answer in 19 mins. Also, that was me and my family that yelled hello to you at the 5 mile house today. It looks like I might have to come up with some harder ones.

Favorite Climb: Fremont Peak

This shot was taken from the observatory on top of Fremont Peak looking toward the Gabilan Range.

This is one of my favorite climbs because when you set out to do it, you have committed to riding all day with your posse. The last time I rode this mountain Mike Moore had me on the ropes so bad, I was praying for a flat. I have a story to share about this particular Mountain.

12 years ago this guy named Dave Reid called me up to do a long ride with him. He was really starting to get into the cycling thing and had some serious fitness. As a matter of fact he was laying down the foundation for his nick name as it was (Super Dave). I recently got the riding bug again and had been doing a little secret training myself. We set out to do San Juan Grade however, when I jokingly pointed out the right hand turn for Fremont and said, "we could always do Fremont Peak" he unfortunately said, "Yes,........where does that go?". I told him that it was about 12 miles long and packed quite the punch. What did I just get myself into? I immediately did an all systems check on my legs (remember Dave Scott) and luckily had a few calories left in my pockets. Its amazing how fast one innocent little suggestion can turn into an hour of pain cave riding.

We settled into our groove (freaking fast) right out of the shoot and I found myself glued to his rear wheel. My plan was simple - stay with him as long as humanly possible. The climb undulates for a few miles to the south and then turns west which starts the actual climb. I was feeling comfortable and found myself thinking that I might do ok as long as he did not pin it over the steep sections.

About three quarters of the way up Dave had me suffering so bad that I would have lost contact with the smallest acceleration. Like any decent ex-racer, I would like to think that I was hiding my pain fairly well. At that very moment, Dave looks over his shoulder and asks, "how much longer to the top?". You have no idea how sweet those words were to hear. It was like he just served up some silky smooth chocolate. My inner voice was saying, "Oh really,..so someone else on this mountain has some chipped armor." I could not resist this golden opportunity and I accelerated opening a gap that was never to be closed. Little did he know that he could have dropped me so bad minutes ago. This was a dirty Jedi move but he had me suffering so bad I felt I had no choice. If he knew the route, I would have been dropped like a bad habit.

This story is timely as Super Dave and Tyson are about to tackle an Ironman in the morning. I am assuming they know the course so some knucklehead can't play mind games on them.


VIVA Super Dave!


For the record: we did find a 9 year old boy at the top of Fremont Peak who's parents accidentally left him there. That made for a long day as we waited for them to drive back from their house in Prunedale. I will tell the full story sometime.

"I got your back Cuz!"

Photo by Charlie Stevens ( Mama Wuleur's big bother )

Olivia Jane, Ana Bella Jane, Emile Rose, and Luca are all first cousins and they ran pit crew for Bella's BMX race in Santa Clara. Bella would be the one in full Fox BMX kit with SPD shoes. She showed those valley boys how a Santa Cruz mini wüluer gets down by taking the overall win with braids and all. Congrats to Bella!

Summer riding is here at last!

I am so grateful to have such an amazing group of Wüleurs to ride with.

National Champion Steel Wüleur- Megan McQuaid

Megan is the former U23 US National Time Trial Champion. Having done a few TT's myself, it is safe to say that she earned those stripes! We are honored to have a Wüleur sporting the Red and Blue. The Time Trial is the race of truth and the strongest will always win. Merckx said that the World Hour Record was the most difficult effort he ever did and that is saying a lot when you see the look on his face when he was getting dropped on Monte Carpena by Fuentes in 73'.

Phil Anderson the Father of Innovation

Phil Anderson was the first cyclist to use STI in the European Peloton. He often fell into the shadows of LeMond, however Shimano and Oakley relied heavily on him during the early 80's for product feedback. He donned the yellow jersey in 1981 for a few days. His career overlapped youngsters like George, Lance, Boonen, and Zabriske.

Local Steel Wül Trivia Please!

Question:
Who was the first Santa Cruz County cyclist to use Shimano 8sp STI (prototype)?

Answer:
Jim Gentes

Steel Wüleur Apple posts the correct answer. What color Steel Wület do you prefer?

First Sighting:
I might have to go to a third party judge (Hugh F.) on this, however, I do remember seeing this person pull up to the Thursday night ride with some very nontraditional shifters on his bike (STI). Kev, AC and I were deep into our Pre-Tuesday / Thursday ride preparations (15c piggy cookies, orange juice & last minute homework) when we heard this individual shifting his gears around the corner. It sounded like something was broken. I immediately chalked it up to a "gimmick" and questioned who is that lazy that requires the shifters on the bars. I remember Chris Shapu and Lighthouse Larry commenting on the fact that they were proud that their bikes finally had down tube shifters not stem mounted shifters and that aero levers rule.

These were the days when Roskopp was skating the Blue Monster in Tahoe with the original Lance (Mountain). I just bought my lugged Team Fuji from the Dutchman equipped with 7sp Suntour Sprint and arraya aero wheels. Kev was rocking his blue Bottechia with Campy, and AC was on his trusty Club Fuji with Suntour Cyclone and 6sp index Ultegra (Bell V-I pro helmet in backpack).

I'll take Steel Wül Trivia for a Ride Pocket!

Question:
What former California Pro has 4 College Degrees including a Ph.D.?

Answer:
John MicKinley

Dr. Mickinley is a professor of theological studies at Biola University. The last time I saw him was at the Santa Cruz Crit in the mid 90's when he was racing for Paul Mitchel / Spago and he had that sweet Rossin. His biggest win was the Gastown Grand Prix in BC.

Jedi Wilson sleuthed yet another clue for the correct answer

Dreams, the Milk Race, & the NBA

The Buggles saw the writing on the wall in 1979 with their one hit wonder 'Video Killed the Radio Star'. The Radio Star video was the first music video to air on MTV USA at 1201 am on August 1st 1981. That was an absolute game changer for the music world. I would like to think that Trevor Horn of the Buggles had another hit folded up in one of his leather jackets in the early 90's that went like this, 'The NBA Killed the Milk Race". The Milk Race was a famous British all amateur stage race where countless cyclist gracefully launched their pro careers (or not).

When the NBA began lobbying for the "dream team" in 1991, that was the beginning of the end for the all Amateur Olympics and stage races. Events like the Milk Race and pre-pro Olympics gave the young amateurs the opportunity to train, ride, and race like a professional and rise to the occasion without racing anyone of them. What I am getting at here is that not every racer wanted to be a "pro". Is that blasphemy to the contemporary racing model?

I can remember sitting with Andrew and Kev and talking about "trying" out for the (amateur) Olympic team and at the same time flipping through our endless stacks of Winning Magazines that showcased all the European Professionals. Looking back we were fortunate to have that separation which allowed us to dream big or small (take your choice). As it turns out, it was a good thing we all stayed in school. There is only one Tim Petty just ask Shapleigh and the other marked men at the Olympic Trials.

Santa Cruz's own Andy Paulin found himself on the podium at the 1985 Milk Race. I have placed a call to Andy to get his view on the transformation from all amatuer to professional. Please enjoy this all amateur version of the Milk Race. I watched it five times and its funny I can't find any chain ring marks on their calves or fans that seem disappointed in these amateurs abilities. Although at the very end, the young Russian amateur World Road Champion goes rubber side up after hitting a cameraman. Even though it is just the "amateur" rainbow jersey, it obviously still carries a little weight.

The Milk Race

Click on picture to play video