Long-Cross

Our man Wolgang Seyfried went out over the weekend and mixed things up between a couple of runs and mountaibike to tackle the 2. Crossduathlon der LLG Wonnegau long-course.

His Ti Deluxe saw some muddy action...

But of course was up for the task, and looked good all dressed up in mud.

17th overall, 11 in Masters. Nice work Wolfgang!

Taking shape

This winter has been long. OK, I don't like much snow, rain and cold, but that's not the point. This winter has been longer than others because I was waiting for my new team bike. I've been riding as much as my body allowed to prepare for the coming season, but I couldn't stop thinking about THAT bike.

Last monday, the frame and fork finally made it home. I've seen a couple photos a few days before, but opening the card box was a whole different experience. I drooled over the frame the whole evening. The paintjob blew me away. I then spent a couple days enjoying its naked beauty.

Come the week-end and it was time to take the tool box out. I was eager to see the bike I've been thinking about for months. I finally got rid of all the boxes laying around and the result is worth the wait. I'm extremely happy of out it turned out, but make your own opinion.

Through the winter, I spent a lot of time thinking about the geometry of the bike and how I wanted to build it. The whole concept of the bike is oriented to all mountain riding. Laid back head angle, shorter and higher position than my XC rig were mandatory. I wanted the perfect machine to ride technical and rough trails. A brief description of the current setup:

- Frame : IF Deluxe 29er

- Fork : IF

- Chris King all over the place (headset, hubs and bottom braket)

- Thomson accessories

- Shimano transmission

- Avid Elixir brakes

- ESI Chunky grips and Fi'zi:k Aliante saddle, two of my favorite bike parts ever.

After the first short ride, it seems the bike is more than up for the job. Coming from the 26" singlespeed I spent the whole winter on, it sure feels very different and I have to tune my riding again to 29" wheels. But the bike behaves really good. Climbing is almost too easy. Grip is plenty and the front wheel stays on the ground, even with the short and high position I chose. The low bottom bracket helps for sure. And when the trail heads downhill... Well, I can't even describe how confident I felt immediately. Just let off the brakes, rail the corners and hold on!

Time now to make the final tuning, test a few things and get used to it, which won't take long anyway. I can't wait for the first event I'll ride on it!

PS: For more photos of the bike, have a look here.

Berliner Fahrrad Schau 2010

Ich bin ein Berliner...or at least I feel like one, fitting for the fasting time. We are heading to the capital of Germany for the first annual Berliner Fahrrad Schau on March 6 & 7 and could not be more stoked. Together with Biciclista, Geekhouse, Waridi and LaMarzocco, we will be showing some of the finest wears in the cycling industry in the form of of Independent Fabrication bikes and frames including a spanking new Ti Deluxe 29er complete with SRAM XX, EDGE/ KING wheels among other goodies. To top off our collection in Berlin we will have on hand from IF will be the infamous 2006 NAHBS Best Track Bike, the XS Pursuit bike as we have brought it over for a spring tour around Germany. Two new customer Ti Deluxe's will show off the incredible attention to detail and beauty of the IF paint shop, and of course our unswaying love for cross will be represented in the form of a stealthy SSX.

Geekhouse has joined our growing family and we will have a couple dripping new frames on hand, one fixed geared and a 29er mountain bike.

Biciclista will be showing off their 2010 collection which happens to be their best to date. Part of the collection will be the IFBRT team kit in both team racing green or only if you are man enough pink.  The fine Italian cycling wear company will show off its "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" collection of jerseys, along side the reto but stylin line of wool garments.

Waridi will also be on hand lighting up the world of cycling and sports with their unrivaled line of lamps, handmade of course in Germany.

Also in the line of handmade, La Mazocco maker of fine handmade espresso machines and grinders will make sure ll who stop by stay juiced up for the show via our GS3 stainless steel espresso machine, pulling fine shots of our own espresso blends.

Be sure to stop by the show March 6 & 7 at the Station in Berlin. More info under www.berlinerfahrradschau.com

We have been playing in the kitchen, testing out our new La Marzocco G3 espresso machine and trying out some new beans. Armed with beans from Speicherstadt, we have been pulling shots of their two espresso blends along with blending some varietals on our own to come up with some tasty blends. My fav thus far was a blend of Mexican, Ethiopian Yergacheff and Peru SHB (the doses are a secret).

The G3 is part of a joint marketing coop between us and La Marzocco this season in an effort to promote their beautiful machines, while tying the coffee and cycling cultures together. We will have the G3 at most events this year pulling shots for friends and fans, plus you can pick up a bag of our beans.

Be looking for a more detailed post on the G3 in the future!

Big dump...

It is bound to happen, just when you are feeling it, some virus sneaks up on you, slaps you upside the head with a cold and sets you on your ass. Sandi & I wanted to build on the winter training with a good nordic ski race this weekend, the Ski Trail in Tannheimer Tal both of taking on the 55km. Neither had any other ambitions than taking a good beating from some local über-nordic skiers but instead did not even make it to the start.

Still, the days of runny nose and congested coughs are nearly behind us and we can enjoy all this fresh whiteness engulfing our beautiful landscape. The trails around our home are all groomed ready for us to tie the little guy up in the Chariot and go exploring, something racing can never replace. Plus I have been teaching a lot of nordic clinics, next year I promise some organized skiing clinics for cyclists.

We are definitely living in the moment and enjoying the process, but thoughts still drift occasionally to the coming season and some great riding.

Time to make the doughnuts...

Here we come...