Austin.Cadence

Photo courtesy of monskat

grit   — adj  , -tier , -tiest 1. courageous; hardy; resolute 2. of, like, or containing grit

Six months have passed since I found myself at Seton Hospital with a 12 inch catheter that was intent on stealing my left lung’s lunch money. I was at(or close to) what most addicts would refer to as “rock bottom”. With the threat of a lung that may completely collapse I was forced to face the very real possibility that I may never be able to competitively race a bike again. Few things are as sobering as a health scare.

Fast forward to present day…While I’m only a shadow of my pre-pneumonia form, I’ve been active in nearly every bike race Central Texas has to offer. I have many to thank for this..but that’s a matter best handled in person. At a young age I was taught to never give in. To never give up. To fight till I’m dead. When I was carted out of Seton into that warm Austin air I was reminded of what it is to be alive……what it is to want to fight.

Tomorrow I’ll return to familiar stomping grounds. I’ll return to the Driveway Series presented by Holland Racing. For many this will be a return to old friends and smooth pavement, however, for me tomorrow will be a return to where it all fell apart. Hours after the September 8th running of the Driveway Series my body failed me. It had simply had enough and was unable and unwilling to keep up with my high demands.

Tomorrow I have a unfinished business. Tomorrow I have something to prove. Tomorrow I want to show what it means to race with true grit.

I may not win tomorrow….but I’ll sure as hell make you wish you didn’t show up.

The season opener for PRO Cat 3 Chad Springer. Between shots of espresso and tanning advice, the majority of the Central Texas peloton has been discussing what Sir Springers season opener would be. Tomorrow Springer will bring his defined cheek bones as well as his dual pistoned workhorse of a body to the University Oaks Criterium in San Antonion, Tx. Save the fireworks for the 4th of July cause tomorrow will be LEGEND!!!

I know we’ve been MIA for a while, BUT, we promise that we’ve got more content, races, and familiar faces coming your way! See y’all soon folks!

A few days ago I was grazing among the online blogs/articles that I frequent when suddenly I was roped into an online debate with who can be best described as “urban fixed gear hipster.” There was discussion on the validity of riding roads like The High Road, Smokey Valley, Big View etc… on a fixed gear. I chimed in explaining that I commuted on a fixed gear for many years but failed to understand this idea of riding these roads with a brake-less fixed gear.

Long story short I was told to “get a pair of legs.” Countless times I’ve been limping home, covered in salt, malnourished and dehydrated when out of nowhere some kid puts the hammer down. I simply pedal along tired and careless…but this time something happened…perhaps it was the wine but I lashed out. The next 2 hours we’re spent awaiting responses and refilling my wine glass.

The next morning I awoke and thought on the events of the previous night and realized the error of my ways. Austin.Cadence wants to remind you that in all aspects of this world there are dumb people…don’t let them rope you in because you’ll end up in the slaughter house…and if you must..do as I do and have a bottle of wine handy.

Pain is an unpleasant sensation often caused by intense or damaging stimuli such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting iodine on a cut, and bumping the “funny bone.”^[1]

It motivates withdrawal from damaging or potentially damaging situations, protection of a damaged body part while it heals, and avoidance of similar experiences in the future.^[2] Most pain resolves promptly once the painful stimulus is removed and the body has healed, but sometimes pain persists despite removal of the stimulus and apparent healing of the body; and sometimes pain arises in the absence of any detectable stimulus, damage or disease.^[3]

Pain is the most common reason for physician consultation in the United States.^[4] It is a major symptom in many medical conditions, and can significantly interfere with a person’s quality of life and general functioning.^[5] Psychological factors such as social support, hypnotic suggestion, excitement in sport or war and distraction can significantly modulate pain’s intensity or unpleasantness.^[6][7]

Credit: Wikipedia

See y’all Saturday!!! For more info visit HERE & HERE

Pedal People from Chad Treanor on Vimeo.

Cycling in Austin, Tx: No doubt every cyclist would have their own definition. There’s no doubt that there’s a portion of the population here at home that not only takes cycling seriously, but allows it to take over and they incorporate bikes into their every day decisions.

Above is a video put together by Chad Treanor. He sat down with some Local Folk to get their take on how they utilize their bikes and what they mean to them. From what they love most about riding a bike to what they would change about bike culture in Austin and the rest of the world.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock you’re sure to know at least one of the friendly faces in this video. Chad has done a great job of really getting the varied sides of the Austin cycling scene and through that forming a sense of community and comradery.

So make some coffee, make some toast and enjoy!

Driveway Race Series from Rob MCKinnie on Vimeo.

The season may be over…but at least we’ve got a season’s worth of memories to motivate us through the winter. See y’all next season…or at the bar. :)

But I’m already looking towards May! Arguably the most beautiful of the Grand Tours this year’s Giro promises to be a classic! With a new race director and riders praising the efforts of organizers to limit transfers the 2012 Giro will keep everyone happy.

Vedilo in maggio!

Anyone that has lived in Austin, Tx for any decent amount of time can tell you in 140 characters or less that our summers are HOTHOTHOT! From Facebook updates to twitter feeds the residents of Central Texas drone on and on about the the heat…and rightfully so.

However, as the calendar pages get torn away and Mr. October enters the kitchen so do the cooler temperatures. Windows are left open, hard miles are replaced with long social rides, increased caloric intake and ice cream for dessert.

One other special treat is the conclusion of the Tour de Fat. After months on the road the fine folks from New Belgium end their party on wheels in our fair city. With a Bike Parade, Live Music, Car for Bike Trade, Local Vendors/Organizations, Delicious Beer, and my personal fav…The Bike Pit/Rodeo..You’ll be sure that everyone is taken care of…from training wheels to recumbents!

To top it all of, Tour de Fat will donate a majority of the proceeds to the Yellow Bike Project, Austin Cycling Association and the Austin Ridge Riders.

More info HERE!!!

Loose Legs Road Ride! from John Prolly on Vimeo.

But I just don’t get it anymore. Brakeless fixed gears are one thing…but then to attempt roads like Toro Canyon and The High Road I just don’t understand. To top it off…you run a red light on a frontage road. GET REAL….
To sum it all up….Austin.Cadence thinks that was stupid.

As the years roll by I gather new hobbies, things, foods etc.. that are near and dear to my heart. With time my interest crescendos and I’m left with a reminder of the past in the back of my closet. There are however those pursuits that are timeless and static.

Coffee. Whether you’re a Euro-PRO or a father of two the passion many have for coffee is often unparalleled.

The folks over at Casa Brasil have taken their obsession to a whole other level. From direct trade coffee to instating a bike delivery program it’s obvious these folks not only have a good true passion for coffee but a real sense of pride in what they do.

To celebrate their new bike delivery program they’re throwing a big party over at The Volstead this Friday to kick things off! Between the goldsprints, raffle prizes and music courtesy of Michael Selman(The Shake!) what else could you possibly do to have more lively Friday night. Oh, and all proceeds will benefit the Yellow Bike Project…talk about icing on the cake!

More info HERE & HERE!!!

As most of y’all already know the 2011 North American Cycle Courier Championships are in our own backyard this year. Bike messengers from all over that nation have descended upon Austin, Tx to compete for the top step of the podium and supreme bragging rights.

There have already been a few events that have come and gone but there’s still plenty of action to come this weekend! So venture out into the outdoors and witness the best of the best in the messenger world duke it out. Remember folks…technically, these are professional cyclists!

More INFO below!!!

NACCC Facebook

Official NACCC Home

Black. White. Skinny. Fat.

Roadie. Hipster. Commuter.

You could spend all day dumping the human race into categories which only serves to give us reason to not like a person and/or group of people.

However, from time to time there is a common thread between all these “groups” that unify us so strongly that not even the almighty sickle and hammer could break our bond.

Today is National Coffee Day in the United States and we here at Austin.Cadence encourage you to sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious cup of coffee. Whether it’s an espresso, americano, latte or my personal fav, a cortado.

So leave the office, lock up the bike, or venture outside today and swing by Caffé Medici for a delicious cup.

Oh, and if you’re a maté fan go ahead and put down the patchouli and fall in line…at least for today.

photo courtesy of sirotti

Though hard to digest, at every point in an athlete’s career illness can take over. Long days in the saddle are replaced by mind-numbing hours spent on a bed staring out a window. Where once high winds outside stood to deter you from riding you’re now wanting more than anything to take on the wind for endless miles. The horrible knowledge that after this last cup of coffee there won’t be a 4 hour ride afterwards but endless hours of unwanted rest. While momentary distractions help, your thoughts return to your fear of lose of form. Months of training and racing swept away by something your body has become a slave to.

While a return to form is inevitable, the healing process is slow and grueling for someone that desires nothing but fast paced pain. Like all things….This too shall pass.

Labor Day is just around the corner and y’all know what that means…..Tour of Austin. The 2011 Tynan Law Firm Tour of Austin is gonna be in full effect this weekend. Holland Racing that also puts on that other “popular event” is at again this year and is making this 3 day event HOTTER and SEXIER than ever before!

You definitely won’t wanna miss out on any of the HOT HOT HOT racing action. With all the big names in Texas showing up as well as a few others the racing is sure to lightning fast. Click the link above for more info!

I can tell you one thing….look for Team AustinBikes to light up the 3/4 series!