Another 622 SLX headed for a frame box. This time with red decals. Is red really faster?
Category: Articles
Shop Ride – Dog Days
This morning’s shop ride started as so many rides start: a handful of riders spinning idly around a parking lot, getting ready. Settling helmets and adjusting gloves and stuffing pockets. Stopping to re-strap shoes. Riding off without water bottles. Going back for water bottles.
And then without saying much of anything we are off, all together, and climbing up the first too-steep hill with our early morning legs. The humidity of late summer blankets everything. Our New England, pine-rich woods feel like a rain forest, and before we’ve crested that first rise we’re all in a hard sweat.
All this heat and moisture are having prodigious effect on the plant life, and many of our regular trails are grown thick at the edges. Thorns rip at our arms. We take extra care to stay in the center line, despite the dew-moist stones that would put us off.
These are the ‘dog days‘ of summer, the hottest, steamiest time of the year. You start warm and finish wrung out. But you’re always glad you rode. Always.
Team Kenda Seven No Tubes at 2012 USA Cycling MTB CC National Championships!
Mary McConneloug and Mike Broderick took the 2012 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships in Sun Valley, Idaho by storm last weekend!
On Saturday, July 7, Mary raced to a podium finish taking the 5th position in the Women’s Pro Cross Country race. Later in the afternoon Mike put in a solid performance finishing 17thoverall in the Men’s Pro Cross Country field. On Sunday morning, Mike raced to a 12th place finish in the Pro Men’s Super D and returned in the afternoon to take 19th place in the Pro Men’s Short Track Cross Country race. Mary raced in Sunday afternoon’s Women’s Pro Short Track Cross Country field and took a podium spot and bronze medal in her race!
Here is what Mary had to say about the races in sunny, parched Idaho:
“It is high and super dry out here with little chance of badly needed precipitation. The XC course consists of a single steep fire road climb that sorts everything out before dropping us into a no passing single track descent. It makes for some hard racing at this altitude but it was a good weekend and we are both stoked to be healthy and fit!”
At Nationals, Cycling Dirt interviewed Mike about his IMX SL 29er. Mike raced all of three races on this bike, and we are happy to hear he’s satisfied with its performance.
Seven Cycles at the “Let’s Talk About Bikes” Opening Night at the BSA
Many thanks to Mark Pasnik and the folks at over,under for putting on the incredible, “Let’s Talk About Bikes” exhibit at the Boston Society of Architects Space. We were honored to be included in such a thoughtful way, and we were floored when we walked into the massive exhibit space.
There were bikes displayed along the entire perimeter of the second floor, with bigger-than-life photographs papering the walls behind each bike. We were excited to see that the exhibit designers used a photo of Seven’s own Staci Sommers as the backdrop for the Seven Cycles Berlin Bike display. Staci painted the Berlin Bike, and over,under conducted an extensive interview with her about the development of the Berlin Bike’s unique paint scheme, which is published in the “Let’s Talk About Bikes” brochure.
Along with the photographic backdrop were cool graphics that contained a description of the process that took the Berlin Bike from concept to build. We’ve never before seen such an aesthetically sophisticated display of this bike. Because of the layout of the exhibit, the guests were encouraged to ogle each detail of the bikes on display, but there was a flow to the space that kept everyone moving around from bike to bike, which actually encouraged conversation and resulted in a palpable excitement in the room.
Seven also had Mike Salvatore’s Elium track bike on display in the front window of the exhibit. We were honored to have 2 bikes in this show. There were bikes on display from SCUL, Saila, Royal H, each of whom are Seveneers who also have their own brands. There were also bikes from Boston-based bike builders Parlee and Firefly. We don’t usually get to see all of these bikes simultaneously, and it was a treat to get a closer look at the creativity and skill that each builder brings to their bikes. It was also fun to see the reactions of the guests to the artisanship on display.
The exhibit also celebrated bike photography, and the myriad ways that riding has inspired photographers from all over the city. Seveneers Matt O’Keefe and Jonathan Henig had photographs on display, and friends of Seven Susi Ecker and Natalia Boltukhova were also represented.
Giant video installations dotted the exhibit, with one featuring the experience of Team Greenline Velo, and another shot from the perspective of a commuter’s bike ride through downtown Boston. The video installations, along with the variety of bikes around the gallery illustrated the mission of “Let’s Talk About Bikes”: to show the diversity of riding cultures and history in the Boston area, and to encourage discussion about how all of us as a community can make riding bikes more accessible and safe. “Let’s Talk About Bike” seeks to start a discussion among urban planners, architects, cyclists, and citizens about how the integration of a cycling-centric culture into an urban landscape can shape our cities in the 21st century, and can have a positive impact on everything from the economy to the environment.
Along with the creativity and energy in the room, there was also amazing food and drink, generously donated by Trade Restaurant, which is located next door to the BSA. This elegant touch lent the evening a note of celebration and fun that made everyone feel like they were at the best party in Boston. If you missed this event, do not despair! The exhibit is up through August 31. If you are in the Boston area this summer, we encourage you to make the “Let’s Talk About Bikes” exhibit at the BSA a must-see destination.
Seven Cycles in the “Let’s Talk About Bikes” Exhibit at the BSA
We are excited to participate in the “Let’s Talk About Bikes” exhibit at the Boston Society of Architects. The exhibit opens on Tuesday, June 12, with a party at the BSA from 6-8pm.
“Let’s Talk About Bikes” was conceived by the folks at the design firm, over, under to celebrate the history of framebuilding in Boston, and to explore the role of the bicycle in an urban environment:
“The expansion of urban biking raises broader transit-related questions about the relationship of bicycles to urban and environmental public policy. The exhibition examines this theme, from the Complete Streets movement to advocacy activism to concerns raised in Boston’s larger community about roadway use. Let’s Talk About Bikes presents many stories and outlooks in order to raise awareness and questions about the role of the bicycle in cities today.”
Seven Cycles was asked to loan The Berlin Bike and Seveneer Mike Salvatore’s Elium to the exhibit. Each bike represents a specific type of riding: the Berlin Bike is a commuter bike and Mike’s Elium was build specifically for track racing. Parlee Cycles and Friefly Bicycles also have bikes in the exhibit. In addition, Rob V. conceptualized and edited a family tree of Boston bike building for the exhibit. Many Seveneers are included in various aspects of the show: Matt O’Keefe’s and Jonathan Henig’s photographs will be displayed, and bikes built by Saila, Royal H., and the SCUL gang will also be part of the show.
We hope that if you’re in or around Boston over the summer, you’ll stop by the BSA to have a look at the craftsmanship on display. “Let’s Talk About Bikes” runs from June 12-August 31, 2012.