Beard Of Shame

This looks like a (non)seriously good time...
Go Canada! (and my favourite shop 'mighty riders' reppin' a 3rd row call-up! 1:40-ish in)



Lots more hilarious photos here

Word is that it will be in SF next year... mmmm

Over The James

Doing it right...

[photo courtesy Matt Haughey]

click for embiggening

He Was A Friend Of Mine

This post could just as easily be titled "Got Mud' as a rip-off (or homage) to the 'Got Milk' ads, except that the two authors don't drink milk and those ads really annoy me.

But instead let's focus on something more important - the fact that 'the wet' has definitely arrived in the Pacific Northwest, and with it comes great visuals from the 'cross racing that occurs there.

Coming at you courtesy of the sharp eyes and mind of Embrocation Magazine who continue to evolve and produce some great content.

Here's hoping that this weekend's forecasted storms bring a little mud back to Melbourne (but they can leave the current warmth as well thanks!)

And for a more light-hearted and amusing view of the odd world that 'cross inhabits - a comic!

Everything Old.

The Boy With the Arab Strap

Even in the off-season there are those of us who are still out riding the mixed terrain that 'cross bikes are so suited to.

At the same time with so many races occurring far, far away I'm studying other's course designs and plotting away for next year's series.

This might be one of the best PRO courses I've seen...

from here.

Some great little features- tight taped corners, twisty track, SAND! stairs, off-camber descents and corners... all the good stuff. Imagine how good it would have been with a little mud as well?

And how is this for a weekly training ride?

Boulder is a lovely city... and has a thriving 'cross scene to boot.

People And Animals.

I know next winter is a long way away, but here at Dirty Deeds we like to plan ahead. So we're already scoping out new courses. Do you have any ideas for a sweet CX course in the inner city? Leave a comment here and we'll go check it out!

Pretty Girls Make Graves

In those daydreaming moments we all have where you compile your 'ultimate' bike, the 'cross bike of my mind has always had TRP EuroX's (probably the magnesium ones because they do come in all kinds of sweet colours). Used by a lot of the elite pelotons both in upstart USA as well as the ever-traditional Europe they not only look PRO but deliver the goods (as much as cantis can).

However I started hearing hype on the new Avid Short Ultimates from our dear friends @ SRAM early this year. My first glance at them had me thinking 'Interesting... and different to the Shortys of past' (which never really stopped me short... aesthetically).

Then I read this and thought maybe I should be paying a little more attention, after all SRAM has developed quite the name for itself in 'cross circles, and I know Avid has a great name in the MTB disc braking world.

Fast forward to this, which is an excellent background the new brakes and their development/developer.

In my mind, I think I've 'made the leap'...

Made Of Bricks

This is 'blinglespeed'

Read more about it here.

The complete bike (to be won) comes set-up with custom-modified Di2 levers. High enough on the ridiculous, to be awesome.