Help a Brother

Cancer, f*#&ing cancer. I would say it is pretty much impossible to find someone who has not had their life impacted by cancer. It does not discriminate, it just destroys. I am sure most of you read Fatcyclist, if not you are missing out. It is what I hope this site could be if I was a better writer. For those who don’t know, Fatty’s wife has been putting up one hell of a fight with cancer. A fight that is taking its toll. Please take a moment and pray, send positive energy, good mojo or whatever you want to call it to Fatty and his family. Go to his site and leave some love. When you are out riding remind yourself what a gift it is. Every turn of the pedal, every beat of the heart is a gift. Don’t squander it

With my Mom (now in remission!) I have seen what chemo does to a person. Nothing a cyclist does on a bike can even compare to the pain of chemo. Nothing. Say what you want about Lance Armstrong. What he did on a bike is trivial. What he does with Livestrong is something that can not be measured. He gives hope to the hopeless and as long as he does that I could care less who he dates or what he may have taken.

Amen

Big Ringers Big Ringing

Brother Swindlehurst called on the gods of The Big Ring in the New Mexican (Happy Cinco de Mayo) this weekend and was rewarded with a stage win and 2nd overall at the Tour of the Gila. This is the 4th time he has won what has to be one of the hardest stages in American bike racing. I myself have finished this stage twice and can attest to how leg breaking hard this stage is. There is no faking it on that stage. The final climb will always show who commands The Big Ring. A special shout out to my 801 homies in the Cat 2 race. Robert Lofgran and Mike Sohm for finishing in the Top 20. Those guys will be putting the hurt on in the 801 when they recover.

Across the pond Todd Wells bagged another Top 20 (18th) World Cup finish. I know that may not sound great but look at the time gaps between places, usually less than 10 seconds. The focus it takes to stay on the gas that hard for 2 hours is crazy. If you let up mentally or physically for a few seconds you lose 5 places, just like a ‘cross race.

Off The Slack

As I mentioned earlier I have been pretty slack with my riding recently. My mileage is less than a quarter of what it usually is for this time of year. Never the less I am going big this weekend. 4 laps for a total of 43 miles. Being an old Rev I could race Masters and only do 3 laps but that would not be very Big Ring now would it? I do wish it was one big loop as passing my car (and the cooler of beer) that many times will be hard to resist. I also wish my new Scalpel was here but really it wont make any difference given my fitness level. All I know is I have a lot of work to do if I am going to be ready to go for BC 7.

This all begs the question is racing the best training or is it like carrying your cross only to be nailed up on it later? What say you my 2 wheeled brethren?

What the Hell Vuelta?

Today the Vuelta de Espania annouced the team line up. No Slpistream? Is argyle too much of a fashion no no in Spain? The Rev demands answers.

Look for Big Ring Brother Swindlehurst to be in top form at Tour of the Gila starting tomorrow. Go over to the Forum and leave your words of inspiration. He has won the overall there 3 other times and I know he is cocked and loaded for this year. Rock on Brother.

Shameless Commerce

As our little congregation grows so do out hosting costs. I don’t want to plaster the site with ads so I limit it to vendors I have used. I am happy to announce our new affiliate program with Backcountry.com. They employ a number of my friends so I know that they really do use the gear they sell. I have bought some ski stuff from them in the past and have been very happy with the service I have received. As such I was super happy to see them enter the bike market. It is a natural since pretty much every good skier I know works as a landscaper and rides in the summer. Support you local bike shop first, but if they can’t get it then give BackCountry a shot. For even sweeter deals check BackcountryOutlet.com

If gas prices are not keeping you from jumping in the car and heading to some new trails this summer I strongly recommend Trails.com. Go sign up for the free 14 day trial and download some maps. I did for a recent trip to Fruita and was impressed by the quality of maps, they kept me from getting lost (not an easy feat as The Rev is famously directionally challenged) all weekend and I ended up buying a membership. Money well spent.

Thank you Brothers and Sisters for your support. If you end up using any of the Big Ring approved merchants mentioned use the links above or the ads in the sidebar. A portion of all your purchases will go directly to supporting growing our congregation.

Ride On

Music Monday, Weekend Wrap Up

Queens of The Stoneage are pretty mediocre. Kyuss is where it’s at!

Valverde is certainly a blessed man. Sprint, check. Climber, check. TT, check. My prediction for Gesink was way off. I thought he and Decker would be able to wreak some havoc in the hills. Nostradamus I am not.

Can I get an amen for Brothers Adam Craig and Todd Wells? it is an unusual site to see Americans at WOrld Cups in recent years, I guess with the Olympic spots up for grabs there is some extra incentive for our boys to head across the pond. Craig uncorked a big one getting 8th. If you have ever seen that guy rip the DH in Vermont you know the sick skills he has. Very Big Ring. T Wells isn’t exactly lacking in the skills department either. Nice ride from him this weekend and last.

The Rev will be busting his racing cherry for ‘08 this weekend, 43 miles in the scrub oak of high Utah desert. A combination of to few miles and too many Chimay’s should make for a long painful day of perdition for a winter if sins. Pray for me.

Forgive me

Brothers and Sisters please forgive my sloth. Things have been beyond hectic for me the last few weeks. TCOTBR does not support my fabulous lifestyle (buy some shirts!) so I have been spending a sinful amount of time at my day job and other assorted business ventures. Last week I was out of the country and without a phone or net connection. I have some big plans for our little community. Soon we will be adding more TCOTBR merchandise and our own shopping page. I have signed up for Twitter (RevBigRing) so be sure to add that. I am working on more interviews, lining up (and looking for) some contributing writers, lots of stuff. An idle mind is the playground of the devil yeah?

As a result of my trip I missed a lot of racing and am playing catch up on that front as well. I must say though it is nice to see Cadel Evans trying to shake his reputation as a follower that never attacks. Well done Brother.

Brother Boonen Delivers the Goods in Roubaix!

Boonen. Perhaps the epitome of Big Ring. The naysayers said his days of winning the “big classics” were over. They said his life has become too complicated to train as he did years back. They said as a marked man, he has lost the element of suprise. The God of the Cobbles thought otherwise.

New York Bike Dreams Exhibition

If you happen to be in NYC go check out this show.

Stijn in The Big F’ing Ring!

The God of the Cobbles have indeed smiled on Brother Devolder. Nice to see Brother Hincapie in the front group, could this be the year for him at Roubaix?

Here is this weeks addition to Music Monday.

• Home

• Forum

• About

• Photo Album

• Recent Pictures

Looking for Something?

Blog Topics

• Scripture
• Sermons

Worthy Links

• 2 Wheel Loving Ladies
• Belgium Knee Warmers
• Bike Snob NYC
• Bobke Strut
• Cola Bike
• Drunk Cyclist
• Evil
• Fat Cyclist
• Flahute
• GeWilli
• How To Avoid The Bummer Life
• Mud and Cowbells
• Ride Trash
• VO2 Connection
• Zero Per Gallon

Latest Posts

• Help a Brother
• Big Ringers Big Ringing
• Off The Slack
• What the Hell Vuelta?
• Shameless Commerce

Pay Your Tithing

• Big Ring Apparel

© Copyright The Church of the Big Ring - Powered by Wordpress - Designed by Speckyboy - Enjoy with a Jam Donut & a MUG of coffee.