The Radavist

This is why I love Manual for Speed!

“At 10:01 a.m. inline behind us at the Snowmass Village Starbucks we met the 2013 USA Pro Cycling Challenge Podium Girls: Candice Wurster and Courtney James.1 Courtney from Los Angeles, California drank an Iced Doppio With Half-&-Half and Candice from Fort Collins, Colorado drank an Iced Venti Unsweetened Passion Tea.

“We’re having a blast! We work with an agency called Umbrella Girls USA and we were selected by Medalist. We’ve done NASCAR, Moto GP, NHRA, Motocross and a lot of cycling events. We feel like we’ve made it now because this Medalist and USA PRO CHALLENGE event is the biggest event we’ve done so far. We haven’t done any weird jobs but we’ve met some weird people. Do we know about Peter Sagan? Yes! And yes we saw that picture and we know what he did. We would not let it happen to us though, we’d be like, “No way!” [At this point MFS interjects: “But he’s really fast, and he is a sprinter!” And then we all start laughing and pretending to dodge unsolicited Ass Grabs.]”

“We don’t think he’s ever going to do it again though.”

See more at Manual for Speed!

Nelson Vails has been receiving a good amount of media coverage over the past few months and now, this Indigogo Campaign has launched to fund a documentary about the track racer. Here’s the trailer for Cheetah: The Nelson Vails Story.

“Nelson Vails’ story is a triumph over almost insurmountable odds. Nelson was the youngest of 10 children growing up in the Harlem projects and worked as a New York City bicycle messenger to support his family. Nicknamed “The Cheetah” because he was the fastest cat in the jungle, Nelson rode furiously while working, trained in Central Park after work and raced locally on weekends.

He was thrust on to the world stage, represented the USA at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he won the silver medal in the individual 1000-meter Match Sprints, behind countryman Mark Gorski. Becoming a pioneer for the African-American cycling community, this documentary explores the beginnings of his life in Harlem and his impact on the future generation of cyclists worldwide.

It follows the triumph of Nelson’s achievements with the sobering reality of what becomes of athletes after retirement. We see Nelson’s resurgence today as an advocate for recreational cycling and as a role model for the African-American community, culminating in a reunion with teammate and opponent Mark Gorski, as they revisit the site of their historical race.

In the end, Nelson’s story is simply about a kid whose love for the bicycle led him to transcend racial and economic barriers to becoming a legacy.”

See more here.

Photos by Emily Maye

One of my favorite photographers, Emily Maye just uploaded a select from shots from the 2013 Tour. I really think these are some of her best yet from the world of professional cycling. Check out more here!

Photos by Emiliano Granado

Manual for Speed continues their documentation of American cycling with a race report from the Parx Casino Philly Cycling Classic, through awesome photos and some words by Ben Chaddock. See the full report and more of Emi’s great photos at Manual for Speed.

“We’re gonna go race bikes for 120 miles and we’re gonna go up a wall and people are gonna yell. It’ll be good. There’s no point waxing poetics about it.”

Manual for Speed takes a look at Dan Chabanov’s first Philly Pro Race in a very informal piece, written by, you guessed it: Dan himself. I love MFS’ unique approach to cycling journalism, if for only pulling quotes like this:

“That’s kind of a stupidly large statement, but it’s true, and here I am. And I don’t care that it’s not the same promoter, and its a different Philly race and its a different course—that doesn’t fucking matter. It’s a pro bike race, it’s going up the Manayunk wall, it’s fucking Philly. For all intents and purposes, if it walks like Philly, if it smells like Philly, if it goes up the Wall, it’s Philly.”

Check out more Phillyness from the mouth of Dan at Manual for Speed.

Cycling truly is, not just another sport.

10 years ago, Dave Watson attempted to hit a road gap over the Tour de France but ate it after landing. This year, Romain Marandet nailed it. Perfectly timed over Froome, the winner of the 100th Tour.

… and this video of Jensie makes me want to catch up. No spoilers in the comments please!

Year after year, a graphic designer named Jerome Daksiewicz sells amazing Tour de France infographics and this year’s poster commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Tour. Check out more information at NOMO Shop.

Watch this. Have a chuckle and maybe even learn something. This is too entertaining.

Photo by nu llpo

Imagery like this never gets old and cyclists from every background can appreciate the beauty of Keirin racing. I suggest you look through this entire set on Flickr.

Sure, you can be fast and you can be compared to Eddy Merckx but can you do this? Sagan keeps it rad. Thanks to Mike for sending this over last night. I would have put it up earlier, but I was having quite the rad day myself.

With the Tour right around the corner, the cycling posters come out of the woodwork. I’ve seen a lot of work over the years but Bruce Doscher’s are very unique. See his work from last year’s Tour at his portfolio site.

Photos by Emiliano Bronado

Everyone has their pick for the Red Hook Crit Brooklyn Navy Yard tonight but Dan Chabanov is always my go-to guy. Why? Because he’s humble, yet confident, motivated and driven. He’s also living the dream of racing bikes in NYC. Check out the latest from Manual For Speed, a profile on Dan Chabanov right here!

Here’s some rather interesting footage of the 2013 Cyclocross World Championship in Louisville, Kentucky that was compiled by followers of CX Hairs using media of their choice. Pretty rad concept.

Each year, tour designs come and go but I can say with certainty that this piece by Dave Foster is one of the best I’ve ever seen. Pick up this design on a number of different products here.

Well, hardly “all” but he talks about his career and his retirement. It’s a good listen, even in the background.

Thanks for the heads up Tracko!

I’ve seen a lot of Merckx photos, but this one is still one of my favorites. The photographer (whoever they are) really captured that Merckx moment. Happy Monday.

I have no idea who the photographer is, if you do, please share.