While I didn’t have the chance to hop out of the car and frame any shots, the audience and super fans provided more than enough entertainment as we drove through some of the most beautiful countryside California has to offer. Oh and descending in a team car is something else. Wow.

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

SF is a cycling-savvy city, to say the least and the reception, especially on a Monday morning, was warm. Each team’s caravans bustled on the inside, as their bikes were neatly leaned against the side. Fans walked up, commented on gear and patiently awaited for the athletes to leave their busses.

Once a team would exit, they were swarmed with fans, flashing their iPhones, interrupting them for a photo and it quickly became apparent that it was going to be an energetic morning. Rather than go too much more into it, I’ve compiled a nice Photoset, only of the start. We didn’t make it to stage itself, or the finish, but I’m happy with how these came out.

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

Portland Design Works presents their new line of cycling lights in this new video. Man, they really are bad at basketball.

Sean Martin rides for my boys in Brooklyn, Affinity. Check out this video with the gear-mashin’ ginger as he talks about riding in LA and being involved in a hit and run.

Kyle from Golden Saddle Cyclery named a track bar! After those Save the Track Bike buttons made him millions, he decided to immortalize the slogan in a new handlebar from All-City. Pick these up at your LBS! See more here and here.

While I didn’t get the chance to do a Shop Visit at Pushbike, I did manage to get some great Merckx Mondays content. Sarah has quite the collection of Eddy Merckx memorabilia at the shop, so if you haven’t been, you should really check it out. For now, see more below!

The shoulder patch alone makes this jersey amazing.

Silly mannequin, how are you going to ride with that blind fold on?

Thanks for letting me grab a few photos Sarah!

Breakbrake 17′s triple triangle, Columbus tubing, low pro is now available. Dubbed the transfer, these frames are in stock and ready to ship. Hit up your local Breakbrake 17 dealer, or iMinusD. For more photos, head to BB17′s blog.

Adam from Stanridge Speed has been working with an industrial designer on a new integrated stem head tube. These CNC’d front ends will be a throwback to low pros and pursuits of the 70′s and 80′s but made with modern materials. Throw on some Cinelli LA84′s and you’ve got a mean looking bike. This is only an illustration, but you get the idea. More to come! Thanks to Will Rei Design for the illustration.

Matt Rice has been shooting video for Snow over the past few months and I gotta say, I really, really enjoyed this. It’s creative, ballsy and a lot different than a lot of the FGFS videos I watch. Snow makes damn good use of the environment and his smooth, 29′r style is fast and precise. Good job dude, I’m diggin’ it!

I was on my MKE Orange One, in city clothes, toting a camera bag and Adam was on his singlespeed. Neither were ideal vehicles for this hot, Australian summer sun-filled afternoon but we managed to have a blast. For more dialog, see my old A Day in 10 Photos entry and for more photos, check out the slideshow…

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

This is one of those videos that I watched one night and blanked on posting, then I received a flood of emails from readers sharing it with me. Though rudimentary by today’s standards, this 1945 video depicts how Raleigh bicycles were made in England. I love the dry and sterile explanation, reminiscent of an old sex ed video you’d watch in grade school, but with better visuals. Don’t miss the hub packing clip…

For more sexiness, head to Raleigh‘s website to see how far they’ve come.

How rad is this? While I was at Pushbike today, Travis dropped off a whole lotta color in the form of these Freight Baggage backpacks. They’re in stock now at Pushbike, so swing through and pick one up. The conversation seemed to center around the yellow bag…

Click on the above photo to launch the gallery, or here to open in a new tab.

If you’ve got 19 minutes tonight, you should really watch this documentary on cycling in Brussels. It’s not just your ordinary courier documentary, it’s a story about how the car has created one of the least cycling friendly cities in Europe. I thought all Flemish cities were havens for the bicycle but Brussels only boasts 4% cycling traffic. Some of these shots make Brussels look like Los Angeles at rush hour.

Both completely different but they kept me watching. Ramon Antonio puts in work in the LBC (land that footplant bar dude!) and Shinya throws down some speedy flatland action in Meriken Park.

No, really. I’m back in SF yet again. This time I’ll be covering the Amgen Tour of California. I couldn’t make it to the start today, but coverage will begin tomorrow. My week will end in Los Angeles, so maybe I’ll see you there? More to come…

I would have never thought that my mom would send me this text message. Last winter, I got her a Surly Crosscheck and ever since, she’s been working her way up to longer rides. Yesterday, she sent this over. I’m so proud of her.

Happy Mother’s Day everyone.

Photo by Brenton Salo

This was one of my favorite bikes I got to photograph last year when I was in Portland. I can’t say no to a purple track bike and Mr. Salo returns with more reflections…

All in a days work. Nothing’s better than ending your ride with iced water, a Topo Chico and a black as tar Handsome americano.

Mmmmmm. This Signal Cycles Saltzman is dreamy. See the full thing (love the Edelux mount) at the Signal Blog!