Pro Cycling 2011- Checking in before our favorite races

As the Ronde (our favorite) and Roubaix (close 2nd) approach us like Spartacus on the attack, we wanted to recap recent races and happenings in Pro Cycling.

The most amazing cycling pic of the year so far, is actually not an action shot. This picture of Japanese champion Tikashi Miyazawa is simply amazing.  The picture says so much about what is going on in Japan. Tikashi is also taking part in an auction to help raise money for relief efforts in Japan. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/milan-san-remo-peloton-to-aid-japan-relief-efforts

Matthew Goss has quickly become one of our favorite riders!  One week he is right at the front protecting Tony Martin in the horrible weather at Paris Nice, then a week later he is winning la Primavera.  It takes a very unique rider to be able to make it over the climbs and still be in the front to sprint for a win.  HTC seems like they are far and away the best team so far this year.  Bob Stapleton now has his Cav. replacement, if he ever decides the Missle needs to shoot off to Team Sky.  We do believe that Cav and Renshaw are faster than Goss, but we know he can be there at the end of races when they can't. We would pick Goss as one of our riders to build around if we could start a team tomorrow. If he decides that he wants to win Liege, The Ronde or another race with a challenging course, he can and will do so.  We would love to see Fabian vs Goss vs Boonen in the final K of the Ronde!  If you're near the HTC team vehicle and want to locate Matt Goss's bike, just look for the one that says Bad Mutha F@$%*& on it!

Thomas de Gent was fun to watch at Paris Nice!  He was fighting to keep his jersey and making some very cheeky moves to pick up a few seconds.  We are very glad that he gave his team something to cheer about in the middle of "Cobra gate part deux"


Still shocked by the lack of wins by LEOPARD TREK (capitalized, per their memo) they have been up there with Fabian at San Remo etc...but Eurocar has more meaningful wins so far.  Is this team the Miami Heat of Pro Cycling? If we reach the middle of April with no big wins...it's time to get worried!

Pat McQuaid (the Charlie Sheen of cycling) having the stones/lack of common sense to mess with Jens?  Really? This is hands down the WTF moment of the year so far for us.  Have you ever met anyone in or around cycling that doesn't like and RESPECT Jens Voigt? Yeah, neither have we!  For McQuaid to take shots at a figure like Jens in his "open letter" was another sign he is losing control of the sport. The fight over radio bans and new cycling leagues being plotted have to be keeping McQuaid up at night.

Just when we were sure the Giro Prolight helmet was our pick for Fugliest helmet in the peloton we have a new contender. Orbea has a new line of helmets with that "I come in peace" alien look to them. Not a fan of most things Spanish and we can add these to the list!

"My name is Gorka and I come in peace."

Thanks for reading! We are looking forward to the next few weeks and all the racing over bergs and cobbles! We expect much more Pat McQuaid wacked out rants as well!

Thanks for reading! Check out our tees @ www.hbstache.com use PROMO CODE: UCISUCKS for 20% off (this week only)!

SHUT UP LEGS! Trainer fuel!

It's that time of year (snow or - teen temps or both) where most of us will be seeking something to watch to get us inspired to get on the "road to nowhere".  We never support the Old Guys that get fat in the winter concept, as this keeps one from looking PRO, which is a HELL NO!  

So tell your Legs to SHUT UP and get some work done!

If you need this tee for post ride (please don't go Floyd and wear it with lycra shorts while riding), you can pick it up on our site at  http://www.hbstache.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Shut%5FUp%5FLegs%2DCharcoal

  Here are a few of our favorites, hope they inspire and lead to much sweating while wearing your mis-matched worn out kit from 2004.

2008 Ronde Van Vlaanderen

Greatest Cyclists of All Time (Top Ten)

STANDING START

The full version of Standing Start-UK can be found @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki2re9uILtc

Hope you enjoy your TRAINER ride! Come see us at www.hbstache.com 

Are you Belgian at heart?

It’s getting to be the time of year, when temps drop and liquid falls the sky.  Do you have an Inner Belgian? When the weather moves in do you smirk as you know there will be very few cyclists out today?  When you call your riding buddies on a bad weather day and they say they “don’t feel good” or will be riding the trainer, do you tell them they are acting like a Spaniard? (All due respect to Juan Antonio Flecha* - more thoughts on him below).  Or do you ask them if they need help booking their trip to Majorca?

Here is a list to let you know if your inner Lion of Flanders is beginning to roar:

1.       You will head out in a driving rain storm or don’t turn back as weather rolls in.

2.       The trainer is for times when you want to ride at night or snow is getting so deep you can’t ride a road bike in it.

3.       You think about other cyclists not riding and feel the only reasonable excuse is a Kidney Stone, a broken C-bone or a Cross Race.

4.       You begin to envision the mid-ride hill as the Koppenberg  and your final climb as the Bosberg

5.       You gain the skill to be able to take the lane as needed from motorists.  For Example:  Your riding in a bike lane/shoulder when you notice a large volume of broken glass or the body of a wookie blocking your path.  As you look over at the person driving the SUV drinking a latte they see your face covered in grime and the water droplets falling from the bill of your cap.  They yield the lane to you, they are in awe you riding in the weather.  They are still a bit chilly in the car with the heat on wearing a hoodie and their fur lined Crocs.  They also respect and realize that if they did not give it to you, you might bridge up and chase them to Arby’s.

6.       You can name more Belgian cyclists than Merckx, Boonen and Develoder.

7.       You notice and respect the “Belgian” in riders not at the front of the race, but are still racing even though their work is done.

8.       You have to think deep on whether you fanaticize about winning the Ronde instead of the Tour during interval sessions.

9.       You order Embrocation for the 1^st time

10.   You show up to a group ride and you are the only one there.

If you have not tested yourself in the elements, we recommend giving it a go and seeing if you have a bit Belgian in you.

* Juan Antonio Flecha, aka "The Spanish Flandarian" - is the exception to the normal "soft" Spanish cyclist.  We have heard rumor that Eddie Merckx's 1st cousin Thomas Merckx spent a good amount of time in Spain during 1977 and had a thing for Latin Ladies.  We're not sayin'...we're just sayin'.