this has nothing to do with bikes.  but it has everything to do with awesomeness.  new season starts aug 11... i am weak at the knees after watching this.

http://www.uproxx.com/tv/2013/07/breaking-bad-ozymandias-trailer/

This is awesome

So I'm still on the email list of my old club from the midwest where crits rule, and road races are the exception, and this came through and for some reason really tickled me. I don't know what the club structure is anymore, but I'm sure someone will answer his questions.

I will be competing in my first Road Race tomorrow morning so I thought I'd reach out to this august group for some insights and pointers on what to expect from a road race versus a crit.  Some of the questions I have are as follows:
 
Should I carry energy drink on my bike?
What type of nourishment am I allowed to ride with?
Should I even carry any food with me during the race? 
Are there typically food/water stations set up on these types of courses?
Is there neutral support available?
What type of tactics are involved?
Is drafting legal?
Are small electrical motors permissible?
 
Any feedback would be helpful.  Hope to see some ABD folks out there tomorrow.
 
Best

For all of you guys engaged in the chamois debate...maybe all you need is a new saddle..

Oh screw nursing, I just found my new gig as Rapha Cycle Club Assistant!

http://www.rapha.cc/new-york-1

Sounds like a good gig @Jeff..  But what's up with knowing how to make coffee?  

Psssshhhhh.  That' for the plebs.  I'll just prance around modeling the gear.  And it's in the meatpacking district.  Because of course:


"Hello folks,

Darren is correct, we have a Rapha Cycle Club landing in New York very soon. The space is in Meatpacking so we can be just a block or two from the WSH for group rides to depart and land. If I can get my ducks in a row, we'll be open late August.

And yes, Chase will be a hired as Rapha's first butler.

We'll have indoor bike parking for your fancy crabon wheels, great coffee/food/beer lined up and will have a massive screen for race viewing. And, of course, if you show up having forgot to put on your bib shorts, we'll have a pair for you to buy.

hope to see you all there.

-d"


Hehe.  I went for a ride and forgot my bib shorts.  Look, these are only $260!  Thank god for credit cards!

@Jeff

Put only one thing on your resume when you apply for the job at Rapha..."Pink Bar Tape." That should be all they need to know.

Reading the clothing ordering thread where the masses calling for "more skinsuit," makes me wonder if I'll ever be able to rock a skin-suit again. Sigh.

On a related note, I won't reveal the name of the rider, but there was a very fit member of our team, rocking a skin suit, I saw once, and, the fit of the suit looked funky to me. Really long pant legs, bunching fabric. I'm guessing that Champion System doesn't really want our feedback on clothing, and so mostly I just keep my pie-hole shut, and I'm posting in the "junk drawer" thread to minimize the angry "disagrees" and "off topics" and whatever other shite might come my way...but...

I wonder if they would ever consider making their bottoms/shorts a bit shorter?

I've learned from crash dummy statistics that most of us here are not tall drinks of water like the Owens/Roazen twins, rather, almost exactly my size. 5'9"-ish. And I for one would like a slightly shorter short. Not Hooters short, but...well, you know.

constructive criticism ain't never off topic!  it isn't good for the buyer or the sponsor when you spend $500 on kit you won't recommend to others or won't wear.  except for maybe the person you gift it to...

And really, I guess what I'm doing in a passive way, is floating the idea out there, in case anyone else feels the same, and in case Champion System asks what we think of this year's kit. FWIW, my Voller shorts are too long too. Except the "women's" bibs, I  "accidentally" got one year. Those are hot.

@Marc @Brendan yes constructive criticism is good..... FOR THE MANUFACTURER, which Kissena isn't.

I suppose when it's posted on the forum it isn't really constructive criticism or kvetching. It's relevant information for kit-buyers who are deciding how to spend their limited money.

Brendan Rigby said:

I suppose when it's posted on the forum it isn't really constructive criticism or kvetching. It's relevant information for kit-buyers who are deciding how to spend their limited money.

"I once saw a guy with ill fitting kit" is not relevant, especially given how frequently the cuts & designs change. Neither is "I don't know if Champion Systems cares about out feedback."  That's just bitching.  If you have an improvement or a question, call them up. 

Marc Bertucco said:

And really, I guess what I'm doing in a passive way, is floating the idea out there, in case anyone else feels the same, and in case Champion System asks what we think of this year's kit. FWIW, my Voller shorts are too long too. Except the "women's" bibs, I  "accidentally" got one year. Those are hot.

@Marc.  Don't be passive aggressive.  Write an email or make a phone call.  For heaven's sake!

I agree passive aggressive isn't good. This is just me being more passive. I actually wrote Charlie once a few years back about the fit of the short finger racing gloves. I'll let you guess the response I got.

And by-the-by, if I can't express an opinion, complaint, whatever, in THIS thread? Than that's f-ed up. So, back off yo.

God I'm fat....

I like the fit of the sausage suit. I realize you're not supposed to be able to stand up straight so well, but chamois could be more comfortable. Are there any new/improved chamois on offer this year, or is the orange golfball one the Champsys alpha-chamois? Also the sausage suit leg band does not hold a gel or 3 (learnt that the hard way at Trooper Brinkhoff.)

@John Blue is the new dimpled Orange - I think it's better on long rides, but... to each his own. Samples at RB for "handling"

@Jules is there more than one blue? I have one sausuit with the cheaper blue (only other option was orange) ... not liking.

I prefer the non-dimpled chamois...this year, it's red-ish

ragot tearing it up in all disciplines this year.

@Marc - Hooters short has it's place - just not on you (or me for that matter)

Its literally for real. ^

^where is the groan button?

Oh people often ask me if I miss working on the floor of the new york stock exchange...mostly I don't....but then I see a video like this and remember all the good times....if screwing with the reporters and the camera's were categorized, I'de be like a cat I

^Yaks come to a real Pit like the Merc...