This time we noticed the ultra light and very rare Hanseeno cycling shoes, the blueseventy core shorts, the unique free entry Almanzo gravel race in Minnesota, a nifty cycling accessible coffee shop and a funky bike shop vehicle in North Carolina. Peruse and enjoy.

Hanseeno U95 shoes

Adam Hansen is an Aussie cyclist who currently races for the Lotto-Bellisol squad and I have been cyber connected to him back when he was a regular poster on the weightweenies forum under the screen name Zakeen, and long before he got a Pro contract with T-Mobile in 2007 He switched to Lotto in 2011 and has been with them since. It is thus no surprise that he is still interested in ultra light components, and it appears that he has put his money where his mouth is. He has a variety of trick light parts on his bike and rides sub 100 gram shoes, and they are offered for sale on his website too. They are called U95 because they are more than likely sub 95 grams. Are they tough enough to withstand the rigors of hard riding? Very likely, since Hansen is one of the hardest working guys of the peloton and has been known to compete in the most races. Plus he rides the Classics with them too. The trick will be getting hold of them. They are super expensive and take several weeks to be custom made.
MSRP: starting at Kč 55,000.00 CZK (about $2700)

blueseventy Core shorts

Neoprene shorts are gaining popularity as swim training tools and blueseventy is now offering the Core shorts in this category. They are meant to be worn in the pool or open water for sets you may have otherwise used a pull buoy. The bright orange graphics on the side allow coaches to see the hip rotation easily. But you best wear a swim suit under them because you are meant to take them off when you are done with the specific sets. We just received a pair but have not yet had a chance to try them out. They do however look very sharp.
MSRP: $99
Sizes: XS-XL

Almanzo 100

The Almanzo 100 in Minnesota has a very popular following and is a unique gravel race that is coming up the next weekend. In addition to the 101.6 mile gravel race, there is also the Royal 162 and the 400 mile Alexander, but for this particular purpose we will focus on the short course Almanzo 100 with the measly 101.6 mile distance. What makes this race beloved is of course the riding itself, but what makes it unique is that riders are not charged an entry fee. The race lives from donations. As far as we understand 1,800 athletes will hit the gravel in the Almanzo 100 this coming Saturday and none of those people were forced to pay the man. If they did pay any money, they did so out of free will. It is of course too late to register for this edition, but this unique and challenging event should be on your radar for next year, or the following one. But if you believe that is a good thing I am pretty sure they will take your donations now.
Date: May 17, 2014
MSRP: none

Krankies Coffee Shop

Cyclists love coffee but it is sometime a tricky thing to leave your $10,000 outside while you wait for an espresso or a latte. At the Krankies Coffee shop on the Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem, NC you can roll up with your bike to the window of this cool Airstream and get what you want without having to leave your bike exposed to possible bike thieves. And it seems all the guys who work there ride bikes too, as the bikes parked along the hitch are employee bikes. Krankies also has another location on the other side of town, but that one is an old fashioned brick and mortar place, that often offers music performances and art shows.

Clemmons Bicycle P10

At the recent Tuesday Night Fight in Lewisville, NC I noticed this very cool P10 panel truck and after the ride I realized that it belonged to Travis Beane the owner of the Clemmons Bicycle shop. He bought it a little while ago and changed out the motor and brakes and this vehicle can lift and lower. It will eventually have Clemmons Bicycle graphics on it, but I actually liked it just as was. Apparently though I am not the only one, Beane has gotten several offers to sell it. Clemmons Bicycle sells Cervelo, Scott, Felt among other brands and is a Retul certified fitting shop.