The Radavist

This time of year, we get the most beautiful ombré sunsets, which when combined with the classic Los Angeles silhouettes, make for a great photo opportunity.

It’ always fun riding with the young bucks, high above Los Angeles.

We had a killer time in Owens Valley last weekend, but this weekend we’re laying low in Los Angeles. What are your plans? Who’s doing Dirty Kanza?

… we discover new things to do and my heart warms up even more to this region in California. Expect some Reportage later this week.

… to the men and women who gave their lives to ensure our lands and roads remain free.

Part of living in Chico is balancing the amount of riding you do with a post-ride dunk in the river…

Since I missed out on Paul Camp, the open house Paul holds in Chico each year, I figured I’d drive straight up the guts of California and hang out in the spring heat with Paul and company. While I’m here, I’ll be documenting the 12 Paul Camp bikes various framebuilders sent in for various media to ride during the meetup, as well as riding some of the local trails and soaking in the river. Expect more to come!

This is sad, but completely understandable news:

“I am looking for someone to buy and take over Bruce Gordon Cycles and run it. Included are all the products – Frames, Racks, Stems, Brakes, Tail Lights, Toe Clips, Pumps and the Museum of all the bikes I have made for myself since 1974 which numbers over 30.
Also included are 2 years and 10 months of the Lease with a 5-year possible renewal of the space which is over 4000 Square Feet.

Some of the equipment includes a Bridgeport Vertical Mill, a Horizontal Milwaukee Mill, a Lathe, Metal Saws (3), a 10 Horse Power Compressor, Rack Tube Cutting Machine, Rack Bending Equipment, Fixtures for Frames, Racks, Toe Clips, a Powder Coating Set Up, Inventory and Many Other Things.

I will be available to help out in getting acclimated. Anyone interested – Please give me a call (707) 762-5601”

Bruce is asking $250,000 for all the aforementioned items. I hope to see this legacy carry on through the ages.

Oftentimes I walk into situations not knowing what to expect and am completely blown away. Today was one of those times and I can’t wait to share this story with you next week. Huge thanks to the Bicycle Academy for the rad last day in Europe.

Oh man, what a trip this has been. Hell, what a trip these past few days have been! I hope your weekend is rolling smoothly. We’ve got some good stuff to share this week!

After Ranger Camp, I had a few days before an engagement in Scotland, so Robin from Blackburn Design and I took a road trip, stopping in Bilbao for an evening and then in Southern France to visit our friend Greg. This afternoon, after catching up on emails, we took Greg’s e-fatbikes on a ride to the beach and up to this WWII bunker on the beach. I gotta admit, I never thought that sentence would come from my fingers on this website. Ha!

“I was 28 years old. The previous 15 years of my life had been spent as a cyclist. Not the kinda cyclist you see in a bike lane at rush hour, or out dinging bells on rail trails, ha, I turned my nose up at those types. “Freds”, I’d say to myself as I looked down at my heart rate monitor while muscling my spendy spindly Italian race rocket over the next imaginary finish line.

My attire was a zebra print lycra leotard, my legs had been shorn before I’d even hit puberty. I was quite comfortable with being uncomfortable while pursuing my passion for bicycles and my petty amateur victories aboard them. So what happened?”

Read more from Benedict at Bedrock Sandals!

I’ll be in Madrid for a week with the Blackburn Rangers, exploring the mountains and bikepacking through the countryside. Stay tuned for stories and photos…

Next week I’m off to Madrid with Blackburn and then off to Scotland with Giro. It’ll be a busy few weeks and I hope California is still this green when I return!

Tuesdays are almost as bad as Mondays, so anytime I get the chance to ride, I take it, as long as I’ve done my work for the day. Last week a few of us decided to ride the trails in Laguna, about an hour’s drive south of Los Angeles. Our plan was to leave mid-day, ride until sundown, eat dinner and head back once traffic had subsided. Yesterday, we met up at Golden Saddle, packed the cars with gear, our stomachs with food and drove to what has to be one of the best places for mountain biking in Southern California.

Thanks to everyone who came out to ride with Brooks, GSC, David Millar and Dave Zabriskie last night in Los Angeles. It’s always a pleasure spinning on our familiar roads with out of towners, especially ex-pro cyclists who just want to hang out, chat and soak in the scenery. Check out a few more below!

Photos by Tim Thulin

Jeff from Bike Jerks shared photos from a photographer who took part of a the Grey Rabbit / Pearl Pass MTB Tour in 1981. Tim captured the energy that is still present on rides like this, even today and a lot of these photos are timeless. See the full story at Bike Jerks.

From spring cleaning to random guests stopping through town, this weekend ended, leaving me ready for the forthcoming week. Stay sunny, Los Angeles! Ok, not too sunny… Check out a few more photos below.

Photo via Indian Pacific Wheel Race

We lost a legend today, yet in doing so, forever solidified his legacy. Mike Hall was a machine, a passionate human being, dedicated to pushing himself and the sport to its limits. I cried when I read about his death in Australia. Read about it at ABC. What an inspiration. Be safe out there.

You can donate to Mike’s family at Just Giving.