Monday, September 11, 2017

Sorry I'm late, but time is a social construct or something.

Great news!  Or, if you're not a fan of pro cycling, news!  Yes, after a lengthy sponsor hunt that included a crowdfunding campaign, Cannondale-Drapac have finally found a new co-sponsor:


Edward Hult, CEO North America at EF Education First commented: “We are honoured to begin working alongside Slipstream Sports, Cannondale, Drapac, and all of the wonderful partners at Slipstream Sports to keep our cyclists riding into 2018 and for years to come.

“We were inspired to step in and become the team’s title partner, and will become majority partner, after learning about the #SaveArgyle campaign and witnessing the incredible outpouring of support from fans around the world.

“We have been moved by the powerful way that cycling unites people of diverse backgrounds in a peaceful, fun, and friendly way to achieve extraordinary athletic feats,” he added.

Hult no doubt also appreciates that pro cycling is a rolling cautionary tale, and that it teaches children how your life can turn out if you don't stay in school:



Of course the big question is: What's going to happen to all that crowdfunding cash?

Regarding the crowdfunding campaign, he said: “Given the feedback we’ve received from our backers, we will be using this money in 2018.

“We’re exploring several different options as to where these funds can best be used to bolster our efforts next season, as well as funding post-career rider education, and we look forward to communicating this with everyone when decisions have been finalised.”

In other words, in the spirit of post-career rider education, Jonathan Vaughters will be keeping the money:


Vaughters's image seems to be slowly morphing from professor to Vegas floor manager.

In more Fredly news, Kayle LeGrande has been caught doping again, which is only worth noting because VeloNews are so smug about it:


How many sock primes would take for you to dope? Would you pop some raloxifene if it meant you’d be ranked top-three in your ZIP code according to USA Cycling? Amateur doping remains one of humanities biggest mysteries — right up there with the Bermuda Triangle.

I don't know, seems to me doping actually works.  What's sillier: that, or buying the ridiculous equipment they're always endorsing?


We've examined the "biomimicry" wheels before, but in case you've forgotten that's $2,200 for the rear wheel and $1,800 for the front, all to harness the speed of a humpback whale, which I'm sure is completely transferrable to a bicycle.

Of course, Freds are not exactly known for their good judgment, which is why they're content to Zwift away in the basement most days but then decide to hit the roads in the middle of hurricane Irma, as you've no doubt seen by now:



Here they are, and one of them even does a nice little bunnyhop at 46 seconds:


I'm assuming they were testing out the aero properties of their new Zipps, though another picture makes it look like they may have been trying to squeeze in an impromptu cyclocross clinic:


I wonder #whatpressureyourunning in a tropical storm.  (I admit I stayed in during Sandy instead of reaping those massive training benefits.)

Either way, at least they were wearing their helmets:

Yeah, that's right:


Ah, helmets: is there anything they can't do?

And finally, speaking of cyclocross, Sven Nys delighted everyone at the Chicago Cross Cup this past weekend:
Sandbagger.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Sandbagger"

Classic.

Only Sven could do that.

Bunyip said...

Potius

RANTWICK said...

Moderated podium!

N/A said...

I just wear my helmut all the time. It's easier that way.

Turtleneck sweaters are totally a bitch now, though.

LATE STROKE BOB said...

Podium!

Anonymous said...

Scranus!

Anonymous said...

Podio!

Anonymous said...

It does seem far more dangerous to stand around outside in a hurricane without a helmet than to go on a bike ride without one. Is anyone shaming the reporter guy for not wearing a helmet?

leroy said...

This weekend was the first time I bailed on a ride due to weather 1,200 miles away.

Oh well, there's a first time for everything.

If there isn't a Gran Fondon't soon though, my dog is talking about staging something he'll call the leroy's dog open invitational.

He's not saying where it would go, but from experience I note there really isn't anyplace he won't go.

Lieutenant Oblivious said...

Top Ten?

Watch and Camera Guy said...

Top ten?

Unknown said...

Obviously, those two were trying to set a new Fred WOOHOOHOOHOO speed record with those 100mph tailwinds.

1904 Cadardi said...

Woosies riding with the wind. Where's the footage them doing intervals into the hurricane?

Anonymous said...

Rode the legendary Central Park loop this past Saturday on a rented hybrid. Did it without a helment and miraculously survived. When flabbergasted folks asked why I wasn't wearing a helment, I told them that I was a radical dude living on the edge.

Charlie said...

Meanwhile, in the public resource misallocation dept. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/cyclist-charged-for-yonge-street-wheelie-stunt-through-pedestrians-and-oncoming-traffic-1.4283619

grog said...

Always wear your helment. Always wear your condom. Always sanitize your saddle if you are Recumbabe.

cdinvb said...

Can't linger. Storm outside.

JLRB said...

TAIL WIND

WIND TAIL

WIND TALE

Hee Haw the barista said...

IRMA GERD

Freddy Murcks said...

Who's stupider: The reporter who is standing out in the wind and rain who can't even turn his face toward the camera due to the fact that the wind is blowing so hard, or the two dudes who are out on their bikes enjoying the most epic tail wind they are like to ever experience? I am going to vote for the reporter.

Grump said...

I once did a TT where a 40mph thunderstorm blew through on the return leg. 40mph headwind = 10mph on the bike (and seeing stars).

bad boy of the south said...

Isn't Sven Nys in California?

Winky said...

That Sven video is just vile and horrific. Of all the disgusting things that someone could have done. Why, oh why won't people turn their phone sideways when shooting video?

Pathetic Old Cyclist said...

I rode. Beautiful weekend. I rode a second time. I am still fat.

A poorly structured haiku

Anonymous said...

Sure hope Zipp sent some riders with 454 NSW wheels out into that hurricane. Great marketing chance. Though cyclonic conditions probably require the yet to be released NSWE model, to cover all wind directions.

The Zig Zag Man said...

"as well as funding post-career rider education"

My riding days have ended and I'd really like to become a Homboldt County Weed Farmer. But I only want to grow primo weed that will take off the top of your head, so you guys paying for some horticulture courses would be great.

Bogusboy said...

That's a "sharp suit"? Seriously?
Looks like something out of "Alfie".

Olle Nilsson said...

Time to get a full face motorcycle helmet - just in case of storm.

Bob said...

The bunny hopping Fred in Ukraine kit is apparently Lucas Brunelle.

SecondCityCx said...

Also, Sven Nys took one of my Tecates:
https://twitter.com/cyclingreporter/status/906989860522782721
He did so while flying up a hill I was 39x32 grinding up. Just wow.

SecondCityCx said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
George Krpan said...

911 and not a word about 911.