Sometimes it can be illuminating to do the same ride... On a different bike: So what's the difference between this bike...? And this one? Well, there are plenty of subtle differences, but the main ones are that the first bike is lighter so it was easier to carry up the stairs, but the second one... Continue Reading →

After going on sort of a Jobst Brandt mini-binge recently I decided to ride the most un-Jobstian bike I could get my hands on: That is of course the plastic pro cyclocross bike I recently received from Classic Cycle: The reason I chose this bike wasn't to wash the taste of steel out of my... Continue Reading →

Breaking news of the obvious! The sky is blue, water is wet, gravel is trendy, and bike reviews are useless: That's right, it's all marketing, you heard it here first. Moving on, the term "intellectual powerhouse" gets bandied about a lot these days, but some people deserve the label, and I happen to be one... Continue Reading →

Last week I mentioned Jobst Brandt and his thoughts on long chainstays. Subsequently, I found myself reading Jobst Brandt's thoughts on lots of things, as well as Tom Ritchey's thoughts on Jobst Brandt: As a Cervino rider, the Nishiki jersey and shorts in the above photo caught my eye: And I suspect he too may... Continue Reading →

Good morning! Okay, close your books, clear your desk, put your thinking caps on, and take your pants off because it's time for a quiz. As always, study the item, think and click on your answer. If you're right you'll know it, and if you're wrong you'll see bicycles in American cinema. Thanks for reading,... Continue Reading →

Further to yesterday's post, one question you definitely didn't have was, "What shoes were you wearing?" Well, here's the answer anyway: Those of course are the vintage Specialized shoes of which I recently took delivery, and in the spirit of reviewing stuff nobody's interested in I'll apprise you of how they're performing: While Specialized clearly... Continue Reading →

For the last however-many months now I've been commuting to and from Brooklyn twice a week, mostly by bicycle, and mostly on the Homer, which I outfitted for the task: The main commute-specific changes were fenders, a rack, and a plastic saddle that I didn't have to worry about keeping dry in the rain. It... Continue Reading →

Yesterday we examined the bicycle as a metaphor for something or other in the film whatever it was by that guy who did the thing, and if somehow you're still awake today we will put an end to that by taking an in-depth look at noted filmmaker and soon-to-be Cybertruck owner Spike Lee and his... Continue Reading →

Obviously everybody knows the 1988 film "Funny Farm," one of the most revered and iconic cinematographic works of the 20th century: But did you know the guy who directed it also directed another obscure film called "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid?" Well, it's true. It was released in 1969, it's about a couple of... Continue Reading →

I was using a popular music streaming service recently when, after the Frank Zappa album I was listening to ended, it started playing something by a guitarist named Allan Holdsworth. I'm sure the Guitar Freds will scoff at the fact that I was unfamiliar with him, but in any case in perusing his song titles... Continue Reading →