STUDS ON BICYCLES. DORKS ON ICE. ICE, ICE BABY.

Many years ago I covered an ICE RACE for a local magazine. The ICE RACE involved cars and motorcycles on a northern, frozen lake. I think I was the one who actually coined the phrase, "ICE RACING IS SLICK, BE THEREEEEEEE!™" My only other ice racing experience was the ICE RACE ON REEDS LAKE that was once a part of the late season KISSCROSS Series, also many years ago. While some of the contestants in that race employed homemade ice tires, spiked with 100's of wood screws (what a sound those made on the ice!) I opted for a standard cycle tire run nearly flat. My percentage of falls was just about as good as anyone else's that day.

Ice riding is slick! Be there!

From recent comments it seems like it getting to be that a man isn't judged anymore by his VO2 max or mad skilz with a bike, but by the length of his studs on his tires. While many have gone down the studded-tires -and-fender road, I have resisted, for the most part, for the main reason is that I find (imho) studded tires take away about 80% of everything that's fun about riding a bike. What fenders do, no man can say. (Thank you Orson Welles for that last line - I've always wanted to use it.

Here's what I'll be riding tonight. No studs required! Impossible to tip over no matter what the surface or riding conditions.

So at this moment I'm planning on riding tonight. While I may try to mount up some studded tires before the ride, I'm thinking that riding conditions will probably not be that bad and will just plan on a route that avoids traditional slick spots. If that fails I will be taking the Goldstein Advantage!

TEAM FASHION NEWS

In other news I'm happy to report a team of which I am a member continues to lead the world in cycling fashion wear - and that it looks like we're challenging the Rapha team (see yesterday's Behind the Barriers video) for coolest shit that you can rock maybe-but-not-really on the bike.

Resplendent in new team gear for winter. Now I just need some ear-flaps, or wider wings on the logo, to hold those damn ears down!

 The jacket is rocking style, as well as some neat zippers. If I ever wore this on a bike you bet I'd be rockin' fenders.


THE AWESOMENESS OF SVEN

One last parting shot, and today's video. Here's a short clip of Nys racing on the same course that will be the venue for this weekend's World Championship - Koksijde. While it may not be ice, the sand is something else, and nobody can ride a bike on sand, or ice, like Sven Nys. Check it out ...