Luma Skyline

Here's a bikesandbuildings bike if ever I saw one... A custom paint job by Louis @ Luma. Louis sorted Harry's barcodes for me and also sponsors colossi's fantastic bike kit. His facebook fan page is here:


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Luma-Sport-International/53972350484

Printing Buildings

I have mixed feelings reading this. On the one hand I think 'wow, how amazing it would be to be able to give a CAD file to a contractor and let them print your building', on the other, I constantly question whether computers have actually helped us make better buildings or not? F*ck a bad workman blames his tools- good tools are only as good as their user.


http://www.blueprintmagazine.co.uk/index.php/architecture/the-worlds-first-printed-building/

100's

A day of two halves... 100km's of riding on the Island in the morning followed by dodging a good few 100 beer jug missiles, whilst watching men fighting at the sevens in the afternoon. Cycling and rugby- two quite different sports!

Afghan Cycling Team

A fun photo sent through from my friend Bob who's been checking out the Afghan Cycling Team- bit of a contrast to Team Sky...

Day in the Life of Steve Peat

More Mountain Biking >>

Sheffield Style!

http://video.mpora.com/watch/nh0dBvTaN/

Concrete Magazine

This pushes the right buttons for me.

http://www.contemporist.com/2010/03/23/designer-profile-matt-gagnon/#more-10017

Chi Ma Wan

Leeps (right) and I (left) did our good deed for the week, guiding some lost American 'grads around Chi Ma Wan on Saturday, not to mention fixing the 3 punctures they picked up on their rental machines. Here's a picture one of them sent through from our refuel stop before the climb back over the hill. I'm sure the mountain bikers karma will be paid back in time.

Seed Cathedral

Thomas Picklewickle's 'Seed Cathedral' for the Shanghai Expo is looking even more amazing as a built reality than the CGIs that appeared a year or two ago. 60,000 acrylic rods containing plant seeds is an excellent idea for a pavillion in my humble opinion. Check out the man sleeping (I hope) in the foreground.

http://bldgblog.blogspot.com/2010/03/shanghai-seedling.html

Moots CX

Now here's a cyclocross bike I'd have absolutely no use for but I'd still rather like.

http://urbanvelo.org/nahbs-2010-day-2/

Medical Container

http://www.archdaily.com/52911/medical-housing-compound-studio-tam-associati/

Dragon's Back

Dragon's Back on HK Island this morning. In true Hong Kong style the only legal mountain biking trail on the island is also about the busiest hiking trail going (why???) but it does have the redeeming feature of this cracking view. Not having the road bike in action isn't all bad.

This is the view from the 'other side' down in Tai Tam. I can assure you that person is a 'she' and she's holding a fishing rod...

Flying B*llshit

No road biking at all for me this w/end now thanks to Flying Ball. Conversation went something along the lines of:

"Hi, do you have a headset for a Ridley Damocles?"
"Yes"
"Can I come today and get it fitted"

An hours trek later getting to the middle of Earth / deepest Kowloon.

"Hi, can you fit that headset I spoke to you about over the phone?"
"Yes"
"Great"

5 mins later

"Sir, we have a problem. We have the headset but we can't sell it to you because there is no one in the warehouse to tell us how much it costs. You'll have to come back on Monday"

5 mins of 'discussion' later and I leave with yet another black mark against Flying Bullsh*t. Amazing just how bad the bike shops in this town can be. n.b. - they call themselves a 'Pro' workshop but today I discovered that their main workshop allen key is in fact a multi tool. Says it all.

Bunkertreppe

Nice flickr album.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/farbwahl/sets/72157617644540384/

Wind Tunnel

A nice article from a photographer's perspective on what it's like in a wind tunnel. This photo remind me of that big Anish Kapoor sculpture in the Tate.

http://www.velodramatic.com/archives/4974

Girvan

I just learned 'The Girvan'- Scotland's longest running & most prestigous road race- has become the 'Tour Doon Hame' and has relocated to Dumfries & Galloway. Sad news, as I always enjoyed the tales of Scottish club riders getting blown to peices by the full timers trying to hang on, and while I was never man enough to 'step up' during my time in Scotland I had hoped to ride this one day. I love the above image pinched from the official website.

http://www.girvanrace.info/

Helium

This helium filled bike bag has been doing the email rounds recently, so for anyone who didn't clock it have a look. Having suffered a number of flying related bike injuries over the years with my now rather tired bike bag I have to say 'I like'.

http://www.biknd.com/

Humvee

I sent this article about how they're now giving away guns when you buy a Humvee in the States to my American friend Bob, who's spending a year off the radar in Afganistan. He replied with this beast of an attachment and the text "Now this is the way I roll"...

Some of you might ask what this has to do with bikes or buildings, but seeing as it's built like a brick sh*t house and it's being driven by my biking buddy I'd say it's legit. I appreciate the pure functional aesthetic badassness (word?).

Bamboo

Just found out who did the bamboo ceiling for the Rogers airport in Madrid- fit for Lionel Ritchie I'd say.

http://www.moso-bamboo.com/applications/ceiling-richard-rogers

IronMan Perfume

This really made me laugh- while checking the Ironman Live (TM) positions of some of my mates riding Ironman China (TM) I came across an ad for Ironman Perfume (TM):

A victorious fusion of energizing lime and exotic spices spiked with rich woods

Manly.

http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?newdept=&s=728x90&c=UniversalSports&otc=IronmanCologne&bnd=&pf_id=36758&level1_id=300&level2_id=309&pdept_id=375&ym_mid=&ym_rid=

Jumbo Dragon

A silly photo of a dragon eating a skyscraper- taken today at Jumbo.

Annapurna

Right now I'd rather be here... Recommended this place by a mate who went last year during his travels. Looks like my idea of paradise on a bicycle, Nepal style- one day.

http://www.nepalmountainbike.com/english/index.php

Genting vs. Tourmalet

Digging through the SIR archives last night I came across this comparison chart of Genting vs. Tourmalet, penned by the original SIR founder- Bo Kratz. Having ridden both climbs (see Genting posting here) I think I'd agree...

Genting,
The chart above measures the distance and altitude from Ulu Yam Bahru 28 K from the top. The first 6 kilometers are pretty easy, but then…

Tourmalet,
The starting point of the chart is Bagneres de Bigorre, incidentally 28 kilometers from the peak of Tourmalet. However, the real climb does not start until you have passed St Marie de Campan, about 12 kilometers from B. de Bigorre.

Mr. Bo’s vote: Genting is a clear winner (although Tourmalet hurts almost as much) for the following reasons:
1) A higher climb
2) Heat and humidity
3) The last 5 k with three kilometers at 9.5% or above

Tram Tracks

Reasons not to tell my mum about this blog no. 623:- she'll find out I take camera phone pictures like this while I'm riding the tram tracks... Lovely day- great sunrise mtb ride on Lady C's followed by a pleasant commute on Harry. Reminds me of those UK Spring days when the sun is out but there's still a 'wee chill'. Very nice.

La Bici D'Epoca

I want this book. Obviously...

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-la-bici-depoca-by-giuseppe-nardini.html

Brooklyn Container

Interesting bit of NYC container chat- look forward to seeing how this one comes out once it's done. Remind's me a bit of Sunday's crit circuit right now!

http://archidose.blogspot.com/2010/02/living-in-containers.html

On the Rivet

An image from yesterday's HKCA Yuen Long criterium that shows the effort I was putting in pretty well!!! A mixed day, in that this was the first time I've been on the podium in Open Category as a solo rider in Hong Kong, but I can't help wondering if the next step up was possible if I hadn't shipped a chain. Now, where is that new chain ring??? Report & a few more photos up on:

http://www.colossi.cc/reports

Energy Server

This is an interesting new sustainable building technology that effectively gives you batteries for your building, that can run off a variety of fuel sources. I like this thinking. Thanks to Matt for the link.

http://www.bloomenergy.com/products/

Honorary Credential

I only just today got around to picking up my prize for a race I did in Shenzhen a few months ago. And what a prize it is!!! I got an 'honorary credential' faux rosewood folder with plastic gold leaf, complete with red envelope inside that can go towards my next China visa. A photo really cannot do justice to the kitschness of this beauty. Who needs medals when you can treasure prizes like this? Pure gold.

Colin in Luzon

My friend, and fellow Colossi rider, ColinR, has just got back from the Tour of Luzon. His report makes interesting reading and is up now on http://www.colossi.cc/reports

Golden Cheetah

The urban design cross-over of this bike training visual is not lost on bikesandbuildings, but top quote must go to the comments section:

this is so cool. thank god now i can 3d scatter plot the reason why i still suck.

http://nyvelocity.com/content/coachingfitness/2010/golden-cheetah-open-source-goodness

iBike

Need to get these guys to make an 'iBikeHK' T-shirt.

ttp://www.ibikelondon.com/

Star⋅chi⋅tec⋅ture School

This is a really excellent article exposing certain realities about Architectural Education. Having been to said 'starchitecture school' and also a 'real school' it's all something I can strongly relate to... with my tongue firmly in my cheek. Image of a Bartlett crit stolen from unsuspecting newbie here.


http://famousarchitect.blogspot.com/2009/10/what-is-important-in-starchitecture.html

Vanilla

I try to avoid recycling content from bikeradar and the like, but their coverage of the North American Handbuilt Bike Show has been pretty good and it's a nice opportunity to do a quick posting on this 'Vanilla Speedvagen'. I love the fully integarted approach to the frame, forks, seatpost, stem and bars, and especially the idea you work with someone to get this right first off with everything matching and every detail thought through. A truly tailored bicycle.

http://speedvagen.com/