-Steve Jobs

"Join World Bicycle Relief for one of three Africa Rides 2011 trips and experience an exclusive 9-day journey providing an inside perspective on development and transportation barriers in rural Zambia. Witness bicycles as an empowering tool in the fight against poverty. Build your own World Bicycle Relief bike and ride along with rural HIV/AIDS caregivers, students and business entrepreneurs whose lives have been transformed by the Power of Bicycles."

Turns out few high-end production road bikes have frame and fork clearance sufficient to accommodate 25mm tires. Virtually all road bikes come equipped "standard" with 23mm tires, the industry default. 

Because it's what the bike comes with, most riders just get the same thing when a tire wears out. No questions asked.

I'm not even sure if my old Time fork equipped Lemond could accommodate 25s. I never checked. Just kept buying 23s.

I'm glad my flamescaped Landshark with Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork could though. I had these two tires and would have been frustrated to have to exchange them. Nice blue tread too.

On went the 25s, and after one ride I was hooked.

I wasn't looking for or expecting some remarkable new riding experience. But there it was. Riding along an average road with an average surface was noticieably smoother and faster.

When the going got rough is when I really noticed the ease at which I could maintain forward motion. The little bumps were smaller. The bigger ones not so big. I noticed I was cornering more confidently. Just that little extra bit of stability helps on a zippy descent. 

The slightly larger profile also evoked memories of Clement's delightfully round Campione del Mondo tubulars we rode back in the day.

I didn't need to read all the data suggesting, gram for gram, pressure for pressure, 25s offered lower rolling resistance than 23s. I didn't need to comb through physics force theories or the science of tire casing deflection. 

I do like physics though and simply put the larger diameter casing of 25mm compared to 23mm reduces the size of the force vectors applied to the tire in a direction that would resist forward motion. Yes, even that small amount makes a noticeable difference.

Recently, Tim Neenan of Lighthouse Cycles built a Columbus Spirit frame for me. It was difficult to find a stylin' fork that would accommodate 25s since Reynolds ceased production of their brilliant Ouzo Pro. (What did actually happen that caused Reynolds to stop? A lawsuit perhaps?) But 25s are now a requirement and I chose a True Temper Alpha Q GS 10 (also now discontinued).

I believe 25s offer such an advantage I now consider them my secret weapon.

So, I'm happy those shiny new road bikes on the shop floor only fit 23s. I'm glad when you're buying replacement tires you'll be reaching for 23s. I'm pleased as punch you won't be checking to see if 25s fit on your bike.

Hey, 25s and a stealth triple (don't look too closely) are about all I have, empirically speaking.

Is that Christopher Walken or Eddy Merckx? (Just kidding.)

More @pelotonmagazine.

You can see a bit of what the racers are in for. Check out the profile from Cambria up Santa Rosa Creek Road as they head toward the finish in Paso Robles. 2 1/2 miles pretty much straight up. Well, almost.

Ascending the Stelvio

The good news is there are many Cycling Tour companies offering fantastic trips to various European destinations. Most are about a week in length and take care of you from the moment you arrive to the moment you depart.

I've experienced three different companies' Euro offerings and wouldn't hesitate to go back with any one of them.

But I think Erickson Cycle Tours offers exceptional value.

I originally chose Erickson because I was familiar with Glenn having been on many Saturday morning group rides departing from his house near the U-district. His tour company was a great place to start once I decided I wanted to ride in Europe.

Upon closer review I realized that Erickson Cycle Tours figured out how to put together an all inclusive two week European cycling adventure for what most other companies charge for one week. That's huge!

I'm not sure what the magic formula is but I do know that Erickson selects comfortable hotels with good food, provides the best maps in the business and offers excellent guiding and support along the way.

Next time I would do one thing differently. Instead of having every dinner at whatever hotel we're staying in that evening, for a couple of the nights I would gather a few pals, wander into town and find a local restaurant to enjoy. Even though dinner at the hotel is included in the package price, I'm still way ahead on value and enhance the entire experience with additional local flavor.

If your time constraints allow and you want a high-value European cycling experience, think about Erickson Cycle Tours.

You'll ride your ass off, make new friends, have the time of your life.

Descending the Gavia

Encouraged by my friend Ken Spears, a top-notch tracky, I've been riding my fixed-gear bike on the road. He says it's good winter training, smoothing pedal strokes and all. Ken sports an extra tough glove on his right hand helping him "brake" his brakeless single speed machine. I'm not so bold. I choose a more traditional front brake.

I'm comfortable riding the fixed-gear in a group of roadies although the limitations are obvious. Rather than the climbs, it's the high-speed descents that leave me in the dust.

I'm okay fit. While the comaraderie of the group ride is my favorite part, I do contest the sprints and the climbs. But with the likes of Lawrence Malone, Robert Wright and Tim Neenan along for the ride, it's difficult to cross the line or crest the climb first.

Friday's ride starts where all our rides do, at the Bicycle Center, corner of Mission and Bay. We'll ride north toward Davenport. Except for the climb out of the Swanton Valley we're in for a 35 mile, gently rolling ride. The top of that climb and the City Limit sign on the way back into Santa Cruz are inevitably where the action is.

The question today is which bike to ride, geared or fixed? With some trepidation I select the single-speed for the Swanton jaunt.

There are 25 or so riders. We roll out from the shop at a gentle, conversational pace. It is mid-winter and even though this is the Central Coast, the pace reflects the season. In addition, having fresh legs for Saturday morning's Branciforte "Road Race" is on ours minds. (Getting to the table early for Ted's Gold Cup pancakes is a solid motivator.)

As usual, the group is together going into the Swanton Valley with just a hint of tension at the front as voices subside anticipating of the climb. I find Robert Wright's wheel at the base of the climb only to be instantly gapped as soon as the road turns upward.

Today though, thanks to the sweet efficiency of the fixed-gear, the gap holds steady. Surprised and encouraged, I dig deeper. I know this climb well. I know I should wait. I can't help myself. I just go.

Near the top, through fogged sunglasses and shreaded breath, I glance back and see Robert 20 yards behind. I know, for the first time, I will crest that climb ahead of him, and everyone else.

Of course, I'm dropped on the descent and am way off the back coming into town.

I hardly remember the countless times I didn't make it to the top first but I do remember the few times I did, including that Friday morning in 1976.

(Prompted by @jimlangley's recent post about seeing 100 cyclists on his Swanton Loop ride.)

Sean Kirkpatrick is an artist living in Carpenteria painting gorgeous pastel works of the Central Coast. More about Sean on his site.

So the announcement today that the folks @GUEnergyLabs added a Savory line of flavors to their fruity ones put a big grin on my face. Now, I need not postpone gratification for the salty, savory goodness. I understand these new flavors are in stores now. Can't wait to try Sassy Sardine!

Get 'em while supplies last. That must be why I saw those people lines up outside Performance Bikes yesterday. Or was that for the iPad.

Thank you @SDVeloSocial.

We're lucky here in Seattle. The Pacific Science Center (@pacsci) has one of the most modern IMAX theaters. Yesterday I saw the new Hubble 3D film. Well done 3D puts a smile on my face but it's the story of Hubble, from initial launch to most recent repair, that is gripping and moving. The movie allows you to get up close to the inspiration and vision of the explorers of our universe and the human endeavor and intricate patience required to realize that vision.

Wherever you are, seek out this 45 minutes of storytelling. It's well done. Take your kids. Take your friends.

Markus @cyclefilm mentioned this movie. It premiers in Vail then comes to @Seaotterclassic.

Find out more @RideTheDivide

Ride, Rise, Roar trailer from ride, rise, roar on Vimeo.

You could join us for the Autumn Harvest Camp the previous week and head on up to San Luis Obispo the morning of the ride with a blazing week of miles on your legs. Think about it.

I'm a Flightdeck fan. Flightdeck is one reason I like Shimano components. I like the wireless visual gear display as well as the usual velocity info.

The new SC-7900 computer includes features like Altimeter AND Inclination (how do they do that) as well as heartrate.

Seems like a good reason to upgrade to me.

Show description:

Centered in the Universe asks fundamental questions about our place in the Universe. Who are we? Where did we come from? Why is the world the way it is? Stunning full-dome video transports us back in time, from the Library of Alexandria, to Galileo’s courtyard, to the world’s most powerful telescopes in a quest for answers among the stars. Travel through time and space back to the big bang and through a universe filled with galaxies to find our cosmic origins and discover our true place in the cosmos.

The Bicycle Race  1912  Oil on Canvas

Thanks to Trackosaurusrex who led to Esthetecyclist who posted, among many gorgeous images and interesting bits of information, this beautiful painting by cubist Lyonel Feininger.

Feininger only started working as an artist at the age of 36, after having worked as a commercial caricaturist for twenty years for various newspapers and magazines in both the US and Germany.

Vitamin D is an often overlooked element in athletic achievement, a “sleeper nutrient,” says John Anderson, a professor emeritus of nutrition at the University of North Carolina and one of the authors of a review article published online in May about Vitamin D and athletic performance. Vitamin D once was thought to be primarily involved in bone development. But a growing body of research suggests that it’s vital in multiple different bodily functions, including allowing body cells to utilize calcium (which is essential for cell metabolism), muscle fibers to develop and grow normally, and the immune system to function properly.

Full NY Times article here.

Feeling adventerous? Continue north and descend  5 miles to Hwy 166. The same sublime road with a little more attitude awaits, and the expansive views of the backcountry are extraordinary.

Take a breath once you reach Hwy 166 then turn right around, ascend to the summit and you have 10 miles of curvy goodness back to the bridge.

You now have direct access to Foxen Canyon to head east or west to your destination.

Enjoy!

He wrote "Ignore Everybody and 39 other Keys to Creativity."

Hugh posted a portion of his new book "evil plans" on his blog. You will get a strong sense of the new book's content.

As Hugh said, "Everyone needs an Evil Plan."