Category: Thoughts

Essays, philosophizing, reflecting, theorizing, wondering, wandering, ruminating, percolating, etc.

The Natural Aristocracy of Two Wheels

JPPartland

As I was about to turn south on 9W at Hillside, I could see there was a group heading my way from the light.  It was about to switch from red to green and the […]

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Taylor Phinney and the future of elite bike racing, part two.

JPPartland

Taylor Phinney was once the future of American bike racing.  Now that he’s out of the sport, he could well be pointing to what the future of elite bike racing could be.  Hint: it includes […]

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Taylor Phinney and the future of elite bike racing

JPPartland

Taylor Phinney was once the future of American bike racing.  Now that he’s out of the sport, he could well be pointing to what the future of elite bike racing could be.  Hint: it includes […]

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The Disappearance of Entry-Level Road Bikes, Part 2

JPPartland
Junior racing. Disappearing Entry Level Road Bike

Part 1 is here. So, what’s behind the disappearing entry-level road bike? Several reasons.  They include: reduced market competition, increased component integration, disc brakes, and gravel riding. The market has fewer companies. When it comes […]

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The Disappearance of Entry-Level Road Bikes, Part 1

JPPartland

The entry-level road racing bike can be a thing of beauty.  It has the geometry and design marks of a pro-level racing bike, has similar components and gear ratios as the pro bike, and, most […]

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Cross Season Should Start Now

JPPartland
Mud Queen

I’ve been racing cyclocross a long time. It’s awesome, but it’s best as a cool- and cold-weather discipline.  Cross season should start now. September, thanks to global warming, has become a late summer month.  October […]

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John Tesh Wrote the Soundtrack

JPPartland
Paris-Roubaix 1985, Planckaert leads the group into a submerged pave sector.

John Tesh wrote the soundtrack to my cycling youth. The 1985 Paris-Roubaix is seared into my memory as possibly the greatest classic of all time.  I fear the reason is possibly because the music not […]

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Equity in Cyclocross: Hartford Edition

JPPartland
Hartford Cyclocross Nationals Mud

I don’t know if equity is possible in cyclocross.  But I think we should try to move in that direction.  It’s could boost participation, which is what makes the sport happen. Lowering the barriers to […]

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The Problem With E-Bikes

JPPartland
e-bike monstrosity

There’s a problem with e-bikes.  Actually, many. Have I gotten your attention?  Was the headline click-baity enough? (Let me know in the comments.)  As a writer, I want you intrigued enough to click and start.  […]

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The Crash Chose Me

JPPartland

I didn’t choose the crash. The crash chose me. Why, I don’t know.  It gnaws and gnaws and gnaws. Yes, it was a race.  Racing can be dangerous.  But I’ve been at the game for […]

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