cycleangelo

[cycleangelo]

SO FAR, SO FAST. I may not be a sprinter, a time trial specialist, or an aerodynamic fanatic - but I am a competitive cyclist. And if there’s one thing that I’ve noticed about my rides and races on the Venge ViAS so far, its that though I may not be - a sprinter, time trial specialist or aero fanatic - riding this bike sure does inspire me to be all of the above. (Photo © Donalrey Nieva)

-@angelocalilap

[cycleangelo]

SPECIALIZED AND SRAM AUCTION ETAP EQUIPPED TARMACS TO BENEFIT WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF On February 16th, Specialized and SRAM will put to auction the world’s first eTap-equipped Tarmacs, with all proceeds donated to World Bicycle Relief.

World Bicycle Relief is a non-profit that provides bicycles to students, health workers, and entrepreneurs across rural Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America, and Specialized has supported their work since 2008. To date, World Bicycle Relief has delivered over 275,000 bicycles and trained more than 1000 mechanics.

The auction will be hosted by Ebay For Charity beginning on February 16th at 8am and ending at 7:59am February 18th PTZ. Auction Link: www.specializedcharityauction.com

[cycleangelo]

A WEEKEND L.A.YOVER When you have a chance to spend a weekend in Los Angeles riding bikes in great weather amongst good people, you take it. Read the full scoop here: https://angelocalilap.exposure.co/a-weekend-layover

[cycleangelo]

Introducing “The Incredible Crux”. More photos and details here: https://angelocalilap.exposure.co/the-incredible-crux

[cycleangelo]

LAST CALL FOR FALL It felt and looked like early September this past November weekend in New York City. No shoe covers needed? Tons of #foliagebro still present? We’ll take it!

[cycleangelo]

BTS: SPECIALIZED F/W APPAREL CAMPAIGN For some behind the scenes and images from last month’s photoshoot for future Specialized Fall-Winter Apparel campaigns, check out the exposure.co page:  https://angelocalilap.exposure.co/bts-specialized-fw-apparel-campaign

- Angelo

[cycleangelo]

L'AMOUR DE LA COURSE: GMSR 2015 After 7 weeks, 4 failed race report drafts, and 1 more trip to Vermont since the Green Mountain Stage Race, I’ve finally been able to gather some words and collect some images that summarize the last and also kind-of climatic end to my road season. Head over to my Exposure page for words, photos, and the full scoop.

[cycleangelo]

Bummed to be missing out on racing cx this year due to my (still bum) elbow, but excited to be substituting the racing and training with group rides and high-fives. Will be headed out to Pennsylvania next week alongside other contributors from the findyourfast blog for the Bicycling Fall Classic on October 4th. Who’s riding with us?

Register for the ride: bicycling.com/fallclassic

[cycleangelo]

DRIVESIDE - #RedIsTheNewTarmac The red race machine finally sat down for a proper portrait. 

*Originally posted on findyourfast

[cycleangelo]

Hill Repeats. They can be lonely, definitely painful, and at times, demoralizing. To help combat these feelings, I’ve created a playlist of songs specific to the tempo, speed, feel, and vibes of the ascent-descent-repeat that is the hill climb. Enjoy. Click here to listen.

Sincerely, Angelo

*Originally posted on findyourfast p/b Specialized Bicycles.

[cycleangelo]

A Sunday In Peekskill A whole lotta dirt. A whole lotta climbs. A whole lotta fun. Full scoop and photos here.

[cycleangelo]

L’AMOUR DE LA COURSE: Mengoni Grand Prix 2015

The Mengoni Grand Prix is one of the longest running races in New York City, held at the heart of the Big Apple right in Central Park. In an effort to get my racing legs back after 2 months away from it all, I decided to participate as I prepare for the bigger, out-of-town races in the upcoming weeks. See below for 10 random facts, questions to myself, and ramblings regarding the Mengoni Grand Prix:

FACT: Fred Mengoni, who the race is named after, was inducted into the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1994 for his enormous contributions to cycling in the United States.

QUESTION: “I wonder if there’s anywhere else in the world where you need to wake up at 3:30 AM to race on a Saturday morning?”

FACT: Riding down 1st Avenue at 4:30 AM is equally as sketchy as it is in broad daylight.

RAMBLE: I can’t believe the drunkards that are still out still have the energy to yell “GO LANCE ARMSTRONGGGG!!!” at this ungodly hour.

QUESTION: “Do I sit in and try to sprint or attempt to break? Fine, I’ll try and break”

FACT: Horse shit on the roads was as big of an obstacle throughout the race as potholes.

FACT: A rat tried to run across the road on the west side of the park, got caught in a rider’s wheel, did a front flip in the air, landed on its feet, and continued running. True story.

QUESTION: No seriously, “Do I sit in and try to sprint or attempt to break? Fuck it, I’ll sit in”

FACT: I actually sat in.

FACT: I gave this sprinting thing a try and placed 10th in the bunch sprint.

[cycleangelo]

“Don’t call it a comeback!” is what a wise man in the name of LL Cool J once said in the hit song Mama Said Knock You Out, which you might say is applicable to this past weekend’s Capital Region Road Race in Albany, New York. It was my first race back since #Battenspill, and it definitely felt like the first one of the season all over again.  It’s never fun when the presence of nerves, fear, and uncertainty overcome the feelings of confidence, strength, and assurance.  

As for the race itself: it could have been better, and it could have been worse, but the most important part is, I got the (what you could call the second) first of the season out of the way. I wouldn’t call it a comeback just yet based on results, but it sure does feel good to come back.

[cycleangelo]

SATURDAY SCENES: ORCHARDS TO BEAR Summer vibes strong. 

[cycleangelo]

What made this morning that much more special was that it was my first ride outdoors in nearly 2 months since Battenspill. This morning also marked the #RedIsTheNewTarmac’s maiden voyage.  For weeks, I’ve been cursed with not having the ability to celebrate “New Bike Day” outdoors. The indoor trainer doesn’t count, and never will count, as you’re unable to really be one with your machine: The action and reaction of you with the bike and vice versa. Your response to it, and it with you. It’s just not the same until the voyager and vessel are on its intended path.

[cycleangelo]

I’ll take what I can get. Just 3 weeks ago, I was on the ground with a broken elbow and a leg that I could barely move. Today, I got the thumbs up from my physical therapist to hop on the indoor trainer for 10 minutes. That 10 minutes was both the toughest 10 minutes I’ve had on the bike in a long, long time, but also the happiest I’ve been to be back on the bike since I can remember.

Coming back from injury can be one of the toughest paths for any athlete, both physically and mentally. My coach tells me that “It’s easy as hell to be good, strong, and happy when stuff is going well, but being great when the shit hits the fan…. That’s the true sign of strength and courage… “

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some strength and courage to exude.

##

More stories @ findyourfast

[cycleangelo]

Crashes. They’re always expected, but never welcomed. Very rare, yet very real. When it does happen though - be sure to take a look at the bright side. Be thankful for the little things that will work out even though some other things didn’t work out. The bike will always be there. The roads are going nowhere. And positive vibes are everywhere.

- Angelo