Jens Voigt, Soccer, and Snow

Another April snowstorm to break the heart. Granted, it has been many years since we have been hit too hard in April, and granted as well, we are in a wickedly bad drought. . .but still, the call of racing and group rides, family rides and camping rides, and most of all the velodrome is so strong now this storm is cruel indeed. The planned team training camp in Red Wing looks a little more challenging than many of us had planned for, particularly the transportation and ride down aspects. All this, and a boy and a girl so set on sun they were very gloomy indeed the last two days.

Cabin fever had dulled the delights of our usual indoor saviors, books and games, because there were bodies wanting movement and minds wanting green. Together, though, we resurrected a dream that predated both children and falls in line with those simmering, summery thoughts: behold, out new Subbuteo soccer stadium, resplendent in green and aqua hopes.

Though not the football palaces that we've seen online, and certainly not holding a candle to the brilliant matches on YouTube between very skilled flickers, our modest little pitch brought squeals of delight, excited competition, and even some warmth to the air as we learned (Oliver, Eleanor, and Heather for the first time, me for a half-remembered second time) the delicate flicks and dramatic errors of the beautiful game, writ small. Perhaps more than the playing and the well bent shot, the building and finally beholding a place for the teams and goals and pitch to be used mattered most. For too long, before Eleanor arrived, they all had waited, QPR and Holland, France and Sheffield Wednesday, if the gradually more dusty back shelf for when we had more room and time. When will we have such room and time. if not now?

Our collection is modest, but our cheer great - and even if consigned forever to the bench as a molded substitute awaiting an 85th minute appearance that never comes, it is awfully good to see each figure out on the green.

One last detail remained, though - one cannot build such a pitch and not have a proper name for it and be true to the game's traditions! Especially now, in the tradition bound height of cycling's Spring Classics season, we wanted to echo something "right." We tried out a few, almost went with Memorial Field, but only through a happy accident and the quirky, rotten weather did we find our way. Coming in from school and clearing the snow from his hat, Oliver looked up to the sky and yelled "Shut up, Snow!" And there it was: our new creation could only be named after that stalwart rider and inspiration for finishing many a hill on our family rides, Jens Voigt.

So today, when school is done and I have packed my bags and checked my bike for the training  weekend that should be, we will gather around and play in laughter at the perfect venue that is, for us:
Jens Voigt Stadium. Now, if you would, shut up, snow!

Reframed, Revised, Revisited...and Pink

Somehow, this forgotten blog has not been quite forgotten, usually coming to mind in the night's darkness or in the wind of a long hill climb, when moments that ought really to be remembered or seemingly wise thoughts cry out to be added. This, for once, is a moment when the crying out met with a little time and a lot more inclination. Unfortunately, the snazzy post made in November 2012 about the future and the new Pinarello fell victim to some overzealous pruning of "old stuff," so here we are on the cusp of new stuff but without some roots.

Today was going to be all about the amazing cold ride of today, a celebration of things coming together, centers holding, and a huge appreciation of PodiumWear. It will be still, but first a detour to the missing post that mattered: reframed cycling.

It was 1991, a shiny new Pinarello Montello frame in pure awesome spumoni paint sat in the bike shop where I worked. A dream machine, waiting to be built up with the nest parts I could afford, some wheels from my trusty Bianchi, and as much excitement poured into it as only a young and cycling crazed rider could contain. It was going to be just short of perfect.

It didn't happen. A series of school snafus and work changes left me without the funds to finish buying that beautiful frame, much less finish it, even less to feel it smoothly under me on the road. Bitter, a bit, and unhappy, a lot.

Now, a couple decades later, that vision was reborn in modified guise. The same trusty Bianchi was my sole road race bike in 2012 when the dreaded middle age crisis descended and a few funky health concerns brought me back to riding full force. I adore that old celeste beauty, and Chuck at Behind Bars had decked it out in Campy Chorus in 2009 for me. It was a long, cool draught of happiness to swing a leg over anytime, but as the 2012 Powderhorn 24 proved to me in no small way, it was not quite going to cut it anymore as a long distance or crit ride. Besides...did I want to wreck such a part of me?

So the Pinarello dreams returned, though not dogmatic ones. Carbon called, but a family budget and dividing bike funds between track and road meant something less than the latest models would have to fit...and it did. A 2007 Pinarello F4-13, in black and pink a perfect 57cm, found at Competitive Cyclist for a killer price. Though going local is always better (more later on that), the CC people have truly great service, really great deals on frames not available anymore here, and were a dream to work with. Chuck built it up, dressed nearly like the Bianchi but in black components, and the first ride took my breath away. Hills felt manageable, the frame responsive, the ride nearly unlike any bike I have ever pedaled. The pink - maybe it would not have been the first choice, but it is a beautiful color, it speaks of Italy, and matches the older Birchwood kits awfully well. No pics of it yet, so the stock ad version above will have to do. It is the dream of youth, refined, revised, and reframed.

The Birchwood team party was this past weekend, and as one of two shiny new people, I went intending to be a quiet and observant fellow, soak up the vibe and get to know a few more riders. A truly great bunch, and incredibly warm and welcoming, the Birchwood team is all that and more. Though I feel pretty quickly at home in bike shops and with riders usually, the stoked faces and genuinely happy greetings were different than teams I recall from my past - none of those were bad, but this was great. Though in my head I am still seventeen and fast, the middle-aged greying and stocky guy people see appreciated being part of that group even more. It looks to be a great riding year, my goals are modest and the company is fine.

Pure Awesome from Podium Wear

Where the bike and the new team come together with today's amazing winter ride is this: when I joined Birchwood in the fall, no team kits jerseys in my wider-bodied size were available. So I picked one of 2011's pink-and-black jerseys for my daughter to wear - but not-so-secretly liked the bold contrast and design a lot. When we all ordered this year's kits in blue, the team also set up a special order with Podium Wear for some non-stock items: skinsuits for track and 'cross, vests, and a winter jacket. I ordered up a blue skinsuit and vest, but the incredibly accommodating Podium Wear folks worked with me to get a Birchwood pink skinsuit and winter jacket made. Amazingly fast work, perfect color printing, and just plain great discussions already made things fantastic, but today I rode in that jacket for the first time. It was unbelievable.

Like most riders, many combos of old and new winter gear litter our house at times, wool jerseys and base layers and jackets and vests, all mixed and matched to repel cold and usually not quite a perfectly comfortable fit. With just a base layer, standard jersey, and the new jacket, I have never been as warm and comfortable on a winter ride, here or in Montana, ever. It was simply a delight. Made well, made right, made here - and, made the ride. Thanks Podium Wear!