Sorry, but big brothers like to embarrass little brothers.  On that note please wish PdC Founder/Editor-in-Chief/Czar/CEO Chris a happy birthday. 

Happy birthday Bro!

Update (by Chris): thanks bro! and thanks all for the well wishes.

rumors of his demise have been greatly exaggerated..  Ok, Twain I'm not, but Sven Nys is not ready to to hand over the title to Niels Albert just yet as he conquered a cold and muddy couse at the Internationale Veldritten op de Koppenberg.  Nys overcame a crash on the descent of the slipper cobbles, extreme mud and a world class field for a narrow win over Lars Boom.  CN has the story and some great photos. 

Is it me, or does Nys get better when the weather gets worse?   Jonathan Page was the top American in 17th.

In the US, Todd Wells took the win ahead of Ryan Treborn on a warm day in Boulder.  

On Nov 1st, a bunch of my cycling buddies and I will be participating in the 7th Annual Great Pancake Ride.  What is this you ask?  It started off as just a few of us heading out for a few hours on a cold November morning for a chilly ride with some hot pancakes as our reward. 

This ride grew over time in so Mrs Van P decided that it should be a charity ride with the proceeds to go to the Davis Phinney Foundation.  My wife's mom is winning her battle with Parkinson's and thanks to the work of Davis Phinney, many others can have a better quality of life while they battle this debiltating disease. 

Davis is an inspiration to many of us, and we thank him for his work.  If you would like make a small contribution (or large one),  please see attached link.  Thank you.

Pete

http://www.davisphinneyfoundation.com/getinvolved/rides.asp?eid=&keywords=Peter+Fontecchio&process=true

I've been a cyclocross fan for the past couple years and bought a frame last fall which I built as a winter trainer/cross racer.  Nothing too fancy, a Felt F1X frame with centaur, proton wheels etc. 

Today I finally got a chance to see what this whole cyclocross scene is about from a racing point of view.  I have had no time to train during the week due to my occupation (settlement risk manger for a custodial bank) but I figured my base miles would carry me through.  Also my expectations were to finish and stay upright.  With the exception of a spill during training, mission accomplished there. 

Here are my impressions of the sport.  Running was minimal in today's course. I didn't do any running as training, and I doubt it would have made a difference.  What I did need to practice though is the dismounts/mounts and hurdling 18" high barriers (which feel like 3 feet by the 4th lap).  In todays course there were two sets of barriers, one big log that required a dismount and a short run up of 20-25 meters. 

What I noticed though was how important bike handling skills are.  The course snaked through a hilly field and a bit of singletrack with lots of 180 degree turns full of ruts and even some mud (thankfully it was dry today).  I found myself struggling to maneuver my bike through the course, but the legs felt fresh for the full 40 minutes.   It had more of a MTB feel to it than a road race (IMHO). 

My bike equipment was ok.  I would have prefered a larger tire than the 30mm Michelin Cyclocross Sprints that I'm running.  I spent most of the time in my small ring (34t), but mostly because I was too lazy to shift.  The 46t was fine for the few moments i was in it.  I needed a granny on one climb, but honestly a 46/36 or even 46/38 would be fine with a 26 or 27t in the back.  My Crank Brother Eggbeater pedals were perfect.  I didn't miss or need the platform of my Candy's that I use on my MTB, and the 4 sided entry was ideal.  They shed mud and grass perfectly.  No complaints.  The Centaur shifting was solid too. No surprises here.  One issue I had was the old sticky headset that came with the frame.  It felt like it locked on me a few times, and you need to really be nimble.  A new one has been ordered and will be installed before my next race.   The headset and wider and better tires will be the only changes I'll make for this season. 

Overall, I had an absolute ball.  I already signed up for another race in 2 weeks and could see this being my main source of 2 wheel competetion for years to come.  It's a super workout, a lot of fun and the crowd has a festive feel to it (those silly cowbells really force you to work hard for the fans).  I urge you to try it if you haven't already.  You wont regret it.  I wish i was racing again tomorrow...

For Sale:

Frame: 2004 Pinarello Opera 57cm with fork and headset and carbon seatpost (deda 16.5 eom steel.  Reynolds Ouzo Pro integrated fork, internal headset)  $600
cranks: Record Alloy 53/39t, 172.5mm $75
bottom bracket: Record Italian thread $50
Calipers: Record silver: $150 per set
Rear derailleur: Record carbon 10 speed $150
Front derailluer: Record 10 sp silver (braze on model but with 35mm campy adapter clamp) $50
3TTT Less XL bar and stem: $75
Shift/brake levers: Campy record 10 carbon $150

I can package it all together or sell piece by piece.

$1,200 takes it all for a classic steel beauty.  Pics to follow>

Thank you

From CN:   http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/tour09/

Interesting.  Not too much in ways of ITT's.  Mount Ventoux is right before Paris too. Chat away...

Just curious to hear what some of you are running for 'cross rigs.  I built mine last winter and hope to try 'cross this year for the first time.  Here's my ride:

Frame:  Felt F1X, Easton Superlite 7000 series Alu.

Group:  2006 Campy Centaur 10 speed  shifters, rear d and compact crankset (46/34t).  Chorus Front D, cassette (13-26t) and chain.  Avid Shorty 4 brake calipers. 

Wheels Campy Proton- Michelin Cyclo Cross Sprint (30mm)

Saddle- Selle Italia Flite

Post:  Easton EA50

Bar:  Ritchey Biomax Pro 31.8

Stem: Ritchey WCS

Computer:  Polar 725

Total Weight:  20 lb 12 oz.

Please feel free to share your 'cross build or critique mine.

CN is reporting that team Saxo Bank has signed a three year agreement to ride Specialized bikes.  This seems like a logical choice for Riis and co. Specialized has been a rather innovative company for it's existence and the Saxo Bank boys will test their engineers at every turn.  Just a hunch, but I look for a an aero Specialized road frame soon.  

I have been hearing all sorts of unconfirmed rumors of Campy coming out with an 11 speed gruppo for 2009.  Do we need 11 speed?  Not really, just like we didn't really need 10 or even 9, but it's still progress in my book.  The new system would require a chain in the 5.4-5.5mm width range which is ultra-narrow, and I suppose the cranksets will require some tweaking to the spacing to accomodate this narrow chain, but I must admit I am intriqued.  My only wish list is that Campy will offer an 11-27 cassette now that they have the extra cog.    Can anyone confirm the rumors of this 11 speed system?  

Just curious what some of you are using for HRM/Bike computers?  Personally, I use the Polar S725x for my bike computer as well as HRM (and occasionally as a really geeky watch).  As a wireless computer it works nearly flawlessly for speed, distance, cadence.  Set up was easy and it holds up even on the coldest days.  The altimeter is a neat but not really necessary feature, although it's nice to see total feet ascended on some of my hillier rides.  The HR functions also work well although I think I have recently cooked my chest strap (3+ years and lots of sweat) and have a new one on order.  Overall I've been pleased with the 725.  What are you using and what do you like/dislike?