Category: Wisdom

smarts

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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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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Better Like It Hot

JPPartland
Stop Extreme Heat

After yet another steamy week, I’m thinking of my friend’s warning before we rolled out on a recent ride.  “It might be hot today.  But it’s gonna be hotter in the future, so we need […]

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Combatting Anti-Trans Legislation in Arkansas

JPPartland
Combatting Arkansas Anti Trans Legislation

Last time, I discussed the specifics of the recent anti-trans legislation that became law in Arkansas in the spring of 2021.  Here, I’m discussing combattting anti-trans legislation in Arkansas in terms of stopping the legislation […]

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De-Anodizing Bike Components

JPPartland

I’m generally partial to silvery aluminum bike components.  Aluminum anodized black does have value–it can look great new–but certain components, most notably cranks, are easy to scratch and fade and wear and once there’s sufficient […]

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Le Pedaleur de Charme

JPPartland
Hugo Koblet

Hugo Koblet popped into my head.  The Swiss rider, winner of eight national championships, six-days in Chicago and New York, medalist at the Worlds, and winner of the 1950 Giro d’Italia and 1951 Tour de […]

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Wherein I Destroy Substack via an Epic Rant. Part 1

JPPartland
Destroy Substack via an Epic Rant

(Also posted to Substack, but don’t read it there.) Substack, I come to bury thee. As a lover of written word, this is hard.  But as a member of society, I feel the destruction of […]

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Truing Stand Therapy

JPPartland
Wheel Building as Therapy

The other week I built a wheel for a commuter bike. It’s been over a year since I built one. It was soothing. I like to pretend it was necessary. But not really. I could […]

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