jeremyridesbikes

A trip to the #Giro is more about the travel than the bike race...

Mon, 21 May 2012 13:12:08 -0700

A trip to the #Giro is more about the travel than the bike race to me.

We woke at 6AM to run down get some grub and head to the gate for our 735AM flight to Pisa. It was cold and raining in manchester. I was already awake due to the time change from flying across the world. My body was thinking it was in Portland, but my brain was just mush. Coffee was going to be the key.

Tired but excited to fly again.

The task of flying in Europe is so much easier as their airport security seems a bit more competent then the ones we have in the States. The process is laid out pretty efficiently and I really liked not having to take off my fracking shoes. They even chuckled at my comment about taking my pants off for them.

Landing in Pisa, no gate just walk on the tarmack

When in Italy make sure you drink the espresso. [First of many]

We just had enough time to run to the leaning tower of Pisa and snap a quick photo.

Driving in the Tuscan sun

Our first night included a 16 course meal with Team Guru which was the highlight of the trip.

The day of the race I was able to sneak out in the morning and pick up some gifts for the family but not before getting some coffee in me.

For some reason they had pink bikes around. I didn’t catch why as I was wondering around with out an interpreter.

Before the Peleton arrives they hold races and have all sorts of festivities. Whot do you think will win?

A view of the finish for stage 11

I always enjoy seeing the 1k flag while watching the races on the internet, now here it is.

Pizza and beer for lunch, oh my!

Does #bikeschool have a Italian chapter? http://www.biciscuola.it

Frank is always happy, especially in the VIP bleacher seats. Another highlight of the trip was sitting next to Frank for the stage as he was able to give great commentary on par with Phil Ligget. He has been involved with Irish cycling for many many years.

After the race we met up with “the boys” for drinks and dinner. Hanging out with Foodies from Italy proved to be a really delicious night. Visiting Nonna’s in Sheffield will be high on my priorities for the next time I go to visit the UK.

A red wine from Tuscany and an espesso.

Stumbling into Roberto Ferrari was a treat at breakfast. I still find funy that I really didn’t recognize him because of the hair. My Italian waiter pointed him out.

A view from the plane as we left.

The Alps still have snow and look formidable. Can you believe Hannibal marched war elephants through this region to attack Rome between 200-218BC?! Awesome!

Traveling to Italy proved to be a great treat in the middle of my trip to the UK. I was glad to be able to just tag along and ended up seeing some amazing sights. I never thought I would get to Italy so soon, as I was planning for sometime in the next couple years as a history trip. [note: a great podcast is “the history of Rome”]

make a note of it I will be back.

Jeremy

Meet Planet X (the chinese company that bought Titus bikes) The...

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:56:00 -0700

Meet Planet X (the chinese company that bought Titus bikes)

The main reason for my trip last week was to meet and greet the folks at Planet X bikes. They bought Titus cycles in 2010 and have been slowly rebuilding the brand over time. Being a Brand Ambassador and also a general fan of Titus I went looking forward to meeting the people behind the scenes. What may surprise you is that the Internet rumor of ‘China buying Titus’ is completely false.

This guy did. Internet meet Dave, Dave meet the internet.

Always take the ‘truthiness’ of the Internet with a grain of salt. What I found is a company that is really down to Earth and actually cares about bringing bikes to you at an affordable price. Like most of the bike industry they go to Taiwan for sourcing parts, but they also source from other countries for their brands. [note: my new Rock Racing kit is from Italy ;)] If they can source the part from a certain country with stars and stripes and offer it at a better price they will.

British HQ for Planet X

My original thinking before I arrived is that the company was a pretty small operation and growing. After visiting I realize how much bigger they are. They have about 40 staff that does everything from building your bike to packing and shipping it. All by local folks in Sheffield. They carry some 6000 products in the online store and can usually get your item shipped the day you order it.

Bike mechanics working away at building new bikes.

One of the many interesting things I found is that they actually build the complete bikes from a frame up instead of having it pre-done in Taiwan like some other direct manufacturers. This extra step allows for an extra QA step in the process. It is a nice touch and am glad to see it.

humbly taking your orders

Working hard

They were thinking “who let this wanker in the building?”

The showroom is really nice

One day my house wil have a bike wall like this

Having an espresso machine for the showroom guests is an extra treat. They even have the “European Barista of the Year” on staff [Matt].

To poke fun at the Chinese internet rumor they graciously let me make a Oriental hat out of a wheel box and take random pictures for fun.

Thanks team planet X for having me out there. I look forward to visiting again.

Jeremy

For more pictures check out the slideshow below:

“There are so many people out there that will tell you...

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:14:16 -0700

“There are so many people out there that will tell you that you can’t. What you’ve got to do is turn around and say - Watch me.” - Unknown

Stolen from G+ BikeShopGirl

futuramb: Here’s an interesting early arrival in the coming...

Mon, 21 May 2012 10:04:01 -0700

futuramb:

Here’s an interesting early arrival in the coming boom of 3D printing.

The Dubai-based company Precise Concepts is offering a service called This Is Me, which sells 3D scanned and 3D printed copies of yourself.

A 6-inch, full color statue costs about $300 – $400 USD, which they scan and print off-site. The statues are made of a plastic resin with full-color print, relatively realistic phototexturing.

(via Noah Raford » 3D Printing in the Mall: A Sign of Things to Come)

Would you get a 3D print of yourself? hmmmmm. I would get one of each of my children, that would be an interesting Xmas gift. #FutureTech

Dog riding a bike. That is all.

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:57:28 -0700

Dog riding a bike. That is all.

#eclipse from Beaverton Oregon. (Taken with instagram)

Sun, 20 May 2012 18:35:43 -0700

#eclipse from Beaverton Oregon. (Taken with instagram)

I guess all those Mom's scrapbooking on Pinterest are spending money.

Sun, 20 May 2012 16:21:18 -0700

I guess all those Mom's scrapbooking on Pinterest are spending money.

I am going to need to have a 'recap' #euroadventure type posts coming.

Fri, 18 May 2012 22:25:08 -0700

I sit and write this at 620AM waiting for my ride to the train station and then to the airport to go back home. I have been going through my pictures and realized I have a ton of posts turning and churning in my head. They are all good and I can’t wait to push them out to the world.

Jeremy

Fitting final dinner in the UK, fish and chips. #euroadventure...

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:50:42 -0700

Fitting final dinner in the UK, fish and chips. #euroadventure #beer #food (Taken with instagram)

Proper working conditions. #euroadventure #beer (Taken with...

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:43:17 -0700

Proper working conditions. #euroadventure #beer (Taken with instagram)

@tituscycles El Guapo 29 Prototype in RASTA colors #mtb...

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:19:43 -0700

@tituscycles El Guapo 29 Prototype in RASTA colors #mtb #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Campy EPS shifting rear. #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:14:50 -0700

Campy EPS shifting rear. #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Campy EPS shifting is nice! #euroadventure (Taken with...

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:13:06 -0700

Campy EPS shifting is nice! #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

On-one carbon whippet in green is HOT! #euroadventure #mtb ...

Fri, 18 May 2012 04:00:41 -0700

On-one carbon whippet in green is HOT! #euroadventure #mtb (Taken with instagram)

@tituscycles El Guapo 29er spotted. #mtb #euroadventure (Taken...

Fri, 18 May 2012 03:02:54 -0700

@tituscycles El Guapo 29er spotted. #mtb #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Reviewing Rock Racing kits in Planet X showroom. Black or white?...

Fri, 18 May 2012 02:56:19 -0700

Reviewing Rock Racing kits in Planet X showroom. Black or white? #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Regular coffee this morning. #euroadventure (Taken with...

Thu, 17 May 2012 23:52:32 -0700

Regular coffee this morning. #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Roberto Ferrari has more hair than I thought. #euroadventure ...

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:58:20 -0700

Roberto Ferrari has more hair than I thought. #euroadventure (Taken with instagram)

Hanging at the #giro. #euroadventure

Wed, 16 May 2012 10:25:07 -0700

Hanging at the #giro. #euroadventure

The elevator [lift to the Brits] could barely fit the three of...

Wed, 16 May 2012 01:57:11 -0700

The elevator [lift to the Brits] could barely fit the three of us. We were worried about getting stuck. #euroadventure