cool het volk fan cam

boonen was ripping legs off on these climbs-many of which they will hit tomorrow.

flanders pick

Podium Cancellara,Boonen, Ballan,
Filling out the top five Chavanel and Hoste
These guys will all animate the race if not upset my predictions
Breshcel,Langeveld,Msasskant, Vansummeran,Flecha,Kroon, and Kuschynski

Less than 24 hours to go!
And when I say Boonen was ripping legs at Het Volk. Look at this attack on the Taaienberg.


Pez has a good preview of the climbs.

PVP's 10 commandments for Flanders

Saw this article on Het Nieuwsblad this morning. Advice from PVP, all right I will listen. He won Flanders twice and was on the podium 2 more times. Only problem? I don't speak Flemish. So with the help of google translate I worked my way through his top ten. Some come out a little bit like Yoda and some are over my head, but here they are in all their translated glory. Anyone who can provide a better translation is welcome to chime in
1.Much depends on the quality of the tires
2.Climbing is always the smallest resistance you can handle conditional.
3.On a cobbled climb you stand alone right to demarreren
4.Switch not on a cobbled climb
5.Nobody rides ease up on the Koppenberg
6.Dodge abandoned by small riders to ride and to keep their distance
7.Respect for better climbers
8.Fall is just as important
9.Who is afraid during the descent, feels his fingers
10.Take advantage of your teammates, especially during the first part of the game

I think my favorite is #4, but #1,#7, and #9 should not be taken lightly.

MM Racing Raffle. Rad Night on the Town

The Major and I headed over after work to the Ride Cafe in Lexington. The season ending super raffle wrap up for M&M racing was taking place. Here are some random photos. Check out the Ride Cafe, it is hard to miss on Mass Ave in Lexington.
Cool bottle cage mount for the Di2 battery

Matt made a cool recap video of the season.

carbon everything so why not brake calipers? sick

Not a fan of chain guards, but if you need one this is pretty tight.On a Re-donk-ulous Seven commuter bike

Tons of people turned out to drink some Harpoons and and eat vegan treats. The spicy chocolate cookies were my favorite.
To make it a perfect night both the Major and I scored prizes in the raffle. Not to brag, but I got the bronze prize-new roof rack. Tough life.
Thanks to Matt and Mo and their sponsors for setting up a really fun night.

E3

Looks like the big dogs wanted the win today. Based on this footage, Flecha blew it and left the door open. Cancellara is a beast and you better not give him any rope in the finale of a race if you want to win. Where the hell were Lotto or Cervelo?
Starting to get really psyched for the rest of the classics.

Double Dagger Masks EP

Their last record was in my car's stereo for a long time. These guys really hit
it out of the park. Missed them when the came through Boston. So I was stoked to see a new record coming out.
Limited to 500, die cut sleeve, 3 different versions. Going all out for the record collectors.This Baltimore three piece keep the line up exciting with drums/bass/vocals. They get a full melodic sound and avoid the heavy bombast overkill of a lot of other 2 piece bands. 5 songs. I got the Nixon mask looking cover. They return with their classic recipe-an upbeat, hyper, bass driven melodic take on the classic DC sound. If you like melodic too smart post punk/indie rock, this is a winner. Mission of Burma, Chino Horde, Unwound etc. (yes I realize these bands have guitars and DD don't). Regardless they are in the tradition of these bands, but not a reenactment of the past.

Thrill Jockey is still the label.

Ted Leo Brutalist Bricks

I am a pretty loyal fan. I don't love a lot, but when I do, I'm down for the long haul. I have found that with the artists in this category that manage to put out more than 4 records, I develop a pattern. Generally I love every other record. Worked with Lungfish and seems to be the pattern with Ted too. I loved Tyranny of Distance, not so hot on Hearts of Oak. Loved Shake out the Sheets, not so hot on Living for the Living. So along comes Brutalist Bricks and right according to formula I like it. No comment on the cover art. Guess there was a sale on yellow...
It has a more pop feel to me. There are some songs that echo the Damned and the Minutemen pretty heavily. Some sharp, short ones. Songs like "ativan eyes" are pop gems with a lyrical bite.
My favorite tracks are probably "bottled in cork" and "gimme the wire" which sadly is not about Baltimore.
I think on most tracks he pushes traditional Leo trademarks further and harder, but it is not as resigned/pissed/bummed as Living for the Living. I guess it is also not as upbeat as Shake out the Sheets. So maybe it is in the sweet spot?
This will be a spring/summertime road trip staple, so anyone traveling to races with me this summer better be ready to deal.
Bottled in Cork a couple odd versions from the web. Matador is the label. Keep up with Ted at his website or on twitter-where on a good day he gives Adam Myerson a run for his money in volume.
Solo Version

Live

and why not drop this for overkill