Oh boy!

Wow, I just found out that our track in San Diego, though a crappy track (I love it, but the surface is really in need of help), will be incorporating US Elite National Championship qualifier events during the Tuesday night racing series. That means that tomorrow night, when I christen the new track frame, I'll get to try to qualify for Elite Nat's in the Scratch race. Next week I'll get to try for Match Sprint and then two weeks after that will be Keirin (my favorite race ever). It is reasonably unlikely that I will qualify, but I sure will have fun trying against some motivated guys who really do have a shot at qualifying. It's just that much more fun when you are racing with the really fast folks.

If things go well, I might even have a race report and photos to post immediately after the event Tuesday night.

Tim

Correction;

I was wrong... and I believe in printing corrections;
The Guest Editorial I wrote for BRAIN actually landed in the June 1st issue that is landing in mailboxes today. The article about blogging shows up in the next issue of BRAIN, the June 15th issue.

I'm sorry.

Tim

By the way, Business Week Online had a follow-up in Blogspotting over the weekend as well.

Another page from the book of Goober;

Well, I promised I would post pictures today of the completed track bike... which is really beautiful. However, upon charging the camera battery and taking the pictures, I returned to my desk to download the images only to discover that I forgot the USB cable to be able to extract said pictures. If you could look at them on the LCD window on my camera, you'd agree that it built up into a great looking bike. I really look forward to showing it to you, but you'll have to wait until I get home tonight and get my fingers on the cable.

At least I got to go for a ride on Saturday after helping my folks move some furniture around for a few hours. While my daughter was napping, my son was playing basketball and my wife was deeply engrossed in her book I snuck out for a nice 40 mile spin on the Gran Criterium. I love that bike. True race thoroughbred- stiff, light and fast. I weighed it about a week ago and without any really lightweight parts, it comes in at almost exactly 19 lbs. That's a 60cm bike with pedals and relatively stock stuff. I'd be willing to bet I could get it to a good 17.5 and I could still actually ride it. I thought that was pretty impressive. It's not as comfortable a ride as the Speciale Carbon, but it is one fast darned bike. I am no climber anymore- due to my 215lbs of track sprinter build- but I was jamming up the hills on Saturday.

Bikes are cool... forget what your friends told you in school.

Tim

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Chris Wherry on his thrilling ride to take the USPro National Championship race in Philadelphia today. Chris earned himself a great new jersey for the next year with a gutsy move in the closing moments of an exciting race. Chris Horner was good enough for 3rd today, with only two other races in his legs since fracturing his hip this spring. Horner was, as always, one of the animative protagonists in the race. I sure hope his team directors were impressed enough to put him on the list of potential riders for the Tour de France, since he is obviously regaining his form. It's scary to think that today's race was only his third since stopping racing to recover from his hip fracture. Danny Pate rode well for 2nd and deserves a big pat on the back as well. Jell Belly was one of the out-gunned teams today, on paper anyway, and Pate rode a great race for his team. The former U23 Time Trial World Champion showed great class today.

An all-American podium in Philly- who would of thought it possible?

Tim

Follow-up...

Ok, so I'm finally getting my breath back after building up that gorgeous new frame with the parts off my "other" track bike. I can't wait to put that baby on the track Tuesday night and push it through some turns and swing up track and back down for the final sprint for the line... I'm sweating again. Have I mentioned that I really like track racing? Anyway, I will have pictures of the completed bike for you to see on Monday. I had to leave early today for my daughter's preschool graduation (too cute and funny to even begin to illustrate for you) and finished the build just before leaving. That means you have to wait a couple more days to see the entire bike.

As for comments posted to the photos;
1) Yes, it is glare in the picture of the frame... Mr/Mrs Dirty Mind!
2) I hope you do get to see the frame at the track soon. How's Tuesday work for you?
3) Price for this beauty is still TBD, as this is the first sample and I have to test it first, a final decision has not been made and pricing is therefore not finalized. However, less than a grand for the frame and carbon fork is the plan.
4) I have more bikes than I can ride in a week, but not nearly enough. Currently my bikes all live at work and in the back of my car... but I should probably just build a Tuff Shed. Maybe a bike rack on the wall in front of my desk would be better. At least that way I can stare at them all day while I work.

More cool stuff to follow soon...

"News" of sorts;
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News is running an editorial I wrote in the June 15th issue, along with an article they recently wrote about bloggers in the bike industry. I have also been corresponding with the folks in Australia, with Bicycling Australia (the largest cycling mag in the country), about a possible article in their magazine about Masi past and present. Many thanks to our friends and distributors in Australia- Pacific Brands. Business Week Online is interested in some follow-up to our discussion of a few weeks ago as well. All in all, things are picking up and Masi is getting some good new exposure. Here's to even more good press in the coming weeks, months and years!

Tim

First prototype of the new Masi track racing frame. Rear wheel cutout to keep the wheel as close to the seat tube as possible. Replaceable dropout inserts. Stout aluminum tubes with aero shaping. Just so happens it is a 60cm... I guess I should finish building it so I can race it Tuesday evening and give a ride report. 

Check out the top tube profile; the top and bottom of the tube is grooved. This shape helps to resist twisting without having to use a huge tube. The front end stiffness matches the rear triangle stiffness. 

The picture doesn't show it perfectly, but the chainstay profile is square at the BB shell and then becomes rounder at the dropout. This offers exceptional stiffness. Also note the replaceable drop out inserts... extending the life of the frame from repeated wheel changes. 

Check out those beefy stays! 

Message for Mauricio;

Mauricio, I feel your pain my friend. Bikes have been slow getting to us, admittedly, but good news is here- the Gran Corsa Premio is on the water and should be here as early as this coming Monday. Your days of riding the old Raleigh mountain bike with slicks are drawing to an end. Hope is still alive!

Tim