The Radavist

Although I’ve never been, Barcelona seems like an ideal backdrop for the world’s first and largest track bike crit. With its bustling bike scene, this year’s event drew hundreds of spectators, one of which was photographer Hollis Duncan. Over the years, I’ve relied on Guest Galleries to supply the site with photos from events I am unable to attend and I’m really happy with what Hollis shot at the Red Hook Crit Barcelona.

The results of the 2013 Red Hook Crit Barcelona:
1. Stefan Vis
2. Evan Murphy
3. Ranier Schaefer
4. Thibaud Lhenry
5. Kyle Murphy

See more in the Gallery!

I don’t know about you, but I love looking at photos from the Red Hook Crit races from what I would consider photographers who are “new” to documenting cycling. Some of the best editorial pieces in cycling’s history were written by fresh eyes. Ever read Buzzati’s coverage of the 1949 Tour of Italy?

Two years ago at the Red Hook Crit in Brooklyn, I met Kathryn Friedman, a photographer who happened to ride bikes in NYC and after this year’s Navy Yard crit, she emailed me some photos. I figured I’d let the dust settle a bit from one of the most bloody Red Hook Crit events ever, prior to posting…

Check out a Guest Gallery from Kathryn Friedman below!

Few people know speed like Emiliano Granado. He’s one of cycling’s most creative and compelling photographers, known best from his work with Daniel Pasley on Manual For Speed and Yonder Journal. Emi’s in your face approach to documenting the sport often results in candid, up close and personal portraits in what many would consider the most inopportune time. Don’t expect podium or finish line shots from Manual For Speed because this is the real side of cycling. MFS spends every waking moment with professional cyclists. They know the tricks of the trade and in many ways, this experience makes MFS one of the most authentic resources for those wishing to see what it’s like to truly be PRO.

The Red Hook Crit Navy Yard was quite the race. A quick, technical course awaited over 100 racers and only 5 would finish. All it took was one big spill to split the field and with Neil Bezdek out in front, it seemed the race was determined after the first lap. Kyle Murphy from MASH SF held Bezdek’s wheel, placing him in second and Marc Marino from Team Chica Sexy won in a sprint for third. Everyone I’ve talked to about the Red Hook Crit Navy Yard said it was one of the fastest races they’ve been in. A true exhibition.

See all of Emiliano’s Guest Gallery from the 2013 Red Hook Crit Navy Yard below!

Something I’ve been saying a lot this past year is how the crit track bike has become its own character within the world of “fixed gear”. Now, I don’t want to generalize too much (I’m guilty of that) but unlike track bikes used to actually race at the track, the crit track bike takes on more eccentric personality. Think of them like a racing machine found in F1 or Nascar. Bright colors, patterns, excessive details that jump out and catch your attention in the four or five seconds of each lap.

The most compelling example in recent months being the Stanridge Speed x Death Spray “magnetic” design or the hyper neon Dosnoventa bikes. Call it what you will but I’ll call it exhibitionist extravagance with two wheels. Case in point are the new Division 1 Cinelli Vigorelli frames. These are full blown, over the top, lightweight race machines.

Custom painted ENVE wheels laced to pink Phil Wood hubs, custom anodized PAUL cranks, custom anodized Thomson stem, Thomson post with a matching Thomson collar, Painted ENVE bars, custom Busyman saddle and bar tape. The guys went all out to match the Cinelli Vigorelli “Giro” pink paint scheme.

Would I ride it? No but I’m a little more reserved when it comes to paint. Besides, I’m a purple kinda guy. Do I think it works in the context of one of the most exhibitionist track bike criteriums of all time? Of course. It’s fun, colorful, will look great at night (in the rain nonetheless) and will match the Division 1 team’s Pee Wee Herman skinsuits to a T. Yes, they even have bow ties.

Call them what you will but Colin Strickland, a local racer, or beast have you, is sitting pretty at number 5 in the Red Hook Crit standings and he isn’t even warmed up yet… Now, if the rest of the team can work together, one of these machines might make it to the podium.

At any rate, a race is a race, a bike is a bike and you can check out more of this excessively extravagant track bike crit machine in the Gallery!