Enzo Gucci reviews Krieg Cycling bag.

So far, from what I see, I approve of the bag on your bicycle.

Now, there are some things that could be done to improve this bag.

First of all, the zipper could be made out of gold. Not the color, the metal. This would provide a nice contrast of colors.

The bag also needs some carbon fiber accents. What purpose would this serve, you ask? Weight savings? Nope. Durability? Nope. Improved storage capacity? Wrong again.

Style. 100%. Some may say there is such thing as too much carbon fiber. They are probably Nascar fans who would prefer stainless steel, fiberglass and Coors Light. For us European riders, Carbon fiber is a fashion statement.

Lastly, and most importantly, this bag is missing the true show of style. Look at the most expensive (and best looking) parts, bikes and accessories in cycling. SIDI's $450USD Ergo shoes, Colnago's $10,000+USD Extreme Power Bike, Pinarello's top of the line frames... what do all of these share? The Italian Flag.

Thats right. When you want a product to go from good to incredible (and incredibly expensive) you put an Italian flag somewhere visible.

THAT is the main thing this bag is missing.

Otherwise, it's great. I know you're married, Lyle, but have you been experiencing increased attention from the opposit sex since installing this bag to your bicycle?

I'm out.

-Enzo Gucci

Dear Enzo,

As a matter or fact, I have.

-Lyle

Papa's got a brand new bag!

Eat your heart out Boone!

Sam Krieg started out making too-cool-for-school chalk bags for climbers. Luckily for all us incredibly stylish cyclists, Krieg is now making saddle bags that you can be proud to put on your bike.
Instead of getting the smallest bag you can, and trying your best to hide it under your saddle, or stuffing your jersey pockets full of tubes, CO2, etc. you can now roll with STYLE.
On a relatively unimportant side note, it also works well. The velcro sections are pretty big and super grippy. It is pretty much the perfect size for tubes, CO2, levers, etc.
Unless you are one of those people who want a purse on their bike (42 cliff bars, cell phone, pager) this should be a good size.
It's not too wide, so you don't have to worry about it rubbing your legs.
The sides on this bag are fuzzy (adds to style), as you can see, so after a long, rainy and muddy ride I cleaned 'em off and they were good as new. The rest of the bag is some sort of ballistic nylon looking stuff that is easy to clean if you don't like dirt on your bike, but plenty durable if you are a "set it and forget it" type of rider.
After the long rainy, muddy ride I mentioned I checked inside and everything was totally dry so I guess it's pretty water resistant too.
The zipper closes in the "down" position so it shouldn't open up while you are riding, but if you are paranoid you can always sandwich it (zipper) between the velcro and it should be bomb-proof.
None of that is important though, style is the primary function of a cyclist.
Jesse, you should be writing this down... if I see you with a bag as cool as this I might just forget that you were riding with a Bento Box when I first met you.
Also, I would like you to check out the Krieg website and then post a review in the comments section, giving your professional opinion as Team Bearclaw Image/Style Manager.
Coming soon to a shop near you. Check out Krieg Cycling for more.

Comedy?

I don't know what he's saying but that only makes it even funnier.



I am inspired by this video. I no longer think that doping should carry any fine or 2 year ban or any ban or penalty.
I just think that if a rider is convicted of doping they should have to compete dressed as a mariachi. Just like the guy in the video. Forever.

Settling in...

Today, after spending the last week and a half travelling and attending family events (a wedding and a funeral, 4th of july gathering and all the accompanying "sub-events")Brooke and I are finally in VT.
I have only one plan: ride my bike (finally).
Hopefully, after spending some time getting sick, getting well, and mucho tiempo on the above mentioned family events it will not be a case of "too little, too late"!
I can count the number of good workouts I've gotten lately on one hand so the idea now is to kick-ass on training, have a decent Nat's, train more and be fitter for NC and then come home better than ever.

Guest Blogger: Jason Lowetz

This may be the best race report from Jason yet... you decide.



Hola.

I stepped outside today wearing nothing but a pair of leather gloves.

I walked over to my neighbors house and said..."do you know who I am?".

The elderly women that answered the door replied "no....."

I said....."WRONG! ""Give me 60 dollars now!"

She said.. "no".

I said "FINE, I guess I'll just go win $60 at a bike race then!"

I then leaped into the air, spread my legs, and landed on the concrete floor doing the splits.

After that I got up and went back into my home. Got my bicycle and my spandex and rode off to Costa Mesa. I picked up brother Dan along the way.

I first raced the masters 30+ 1,2,3's along with world famous Bradley Galindo.

Loads of fun. I was near the front on the last lap until I was attacked by 7 white hornets. 4 of them stung me in the left ankle and the other 3 in the right eyeball. I closed my eyes and pedaled through the last 3 corners and finished 20th er sumthin. I dunno.

I then slammed on the brakes, as did Mr. Bradley Galindo, and headed back to the start line for the 3's race.

I needed $60 so I had to finish in 2nd place. Not 1st....not 3rd.....2nd. With about 5 to go I hopped on Danny's wheel as he was going to lead me to paradise. He done a great job, but I got ass plunged between two crackers on the last lap and lost Danny's wheel. Picture the scene in Titanic where Leo De Crappio vanished into the depths of the ocean. It was sort of like that I guess. BUT this time De Crappio was about 3 feet from the ocean floor when he decided to light the short fuse on a can of $60 woop ass. De Crappio came blasting out of the water with 2 corners to go. With one corner to go he duct taped 2 sparklers to his helmet, lit them, then sailed around the corner in 1st place. Remembering he HAD to get 2nd place he waited for somebody to go by then he got on the gas again and finished 2nd.

Recap

Mens Cat 3

2nd place

$60.

Thanks to Brother Dan, Danny, Freddie, Brad, Larry, and thy 2 or 3 or 4 other PAA manchines involved for looking so damn sexy and for keeping the race together.

Jaysus

out.

New Favorite!

Maybe you've noticed the new link at the top of the "Links" section on the right side of the page, and maybe you haven't.
Well, whether you noticed it or not, I am here to tell you that it's my new favorite blog!
There is a good chance that I'm biased, being that I recieve... *ahem*...being that I recieve... from the blogs author.
But I don't think so... It's just that good.
So check out my wife Brooke's new BLOG.

PS: Scarantino's in Pasadena will be showing the Tour nightly in their bar (with various drink specials) for the whole Tour! Let's support a local eatery that has the AUDACITY to turn off baseball in favor of cycling!

TDF partay extraordinaire

Some of you may be familiar with the bunny hopping style-meister Jesse Scarantino.
Many of you may also be planning to watch the Tour de France.
I am here to alert you to the FACT (not my opinion, universally agreed upon by the scientific community!) that Jesse will be hosting the most kick-ass party ever at his "venue", Scarantino's restaurant in pasadena.
Check out the website here:
http://scarantinospasadena.com/tour.htm
It is a cyclist friendly place with tasty food and an incredible beer selection to accompany your barstool view of the tour on the flat panel tv's.
If this was a more popular blog I'd be making millions for a plug like this...
If you checked out the website though, you'd see that your second beer is free if you are in your kit.
I figure the free beer will be payment enough.
Anyway, the party will be awesome so if you are planning on watching the tour be sure and check it out!
Then come back and let me know what you thought in the comments section.