meli-melo designs

Insane Cross Posse

So i received this cyclocross skinsuit design from a friend's friend. I am pretty much speechless.

Here is its story behind it:
A few roadies created a CX team called ICP (Insane Cross Posse). There are good on the road but suck big time at CX. Their goal is to be the rock racing of CX. They bought a smoke machine that will be on as they are warming up in front of the bus, while playing extremely loud 90s euro trash music.

Now to get my hands on a suit to be the remote representative...

That is pretty awesome!

CYQL

CYQL is a new ottoman concept made with recycled bicycle inner tubes. The core is made of an inflatable ball which gives the ottoman a nice bouncy-bouncy support when siting on it.

Wow, i wish i thought of this one. I have SO many inner tubes that i just keep for "in case". I should maybe go to the drawing and figure something out...

Reel

Reel’  transforms the main triangle of the bike frame to store your belongings.  How perfect would that be on my busy days when i pack WAY TOO MUCH training gear in my commuter bag! Unlike common bicycle accessories, the flexibility of the band allows the user to  customize the shape of ‘Reel’. Oh the possibilities are endless!

Ryder, eh!

Sunday morning something magical was going to happen at the Giro d'Italia... i felt it. It was coming. It was coming with a big bang, and i think every Canadian cyclist felt it. And heard it!

Saturday night, i dug out of our chest THE flag. Yes THE flag. This Canadian flag traveled to the 2010 Tour de France. And it has a great Canadian story to tell.

Ryan has family in Belgium and got a chance to see the 2010 Tour de France. Not to mention that the route for the Tour de France was only 30 minuted away from Ryan's family place. How convenient is that.

On the day of the prologue, 2 certain someone jumped the fence and walk among legends. (Note to self, when among legends, make sure you always carry a sharpie!) And then there was Ryder. He was definitely on our bucket list.

On the next day, Ryan and his cousin went off to see the Tour.  A wild fourth day at the 2010 Tour de France -- a 132-mile ride from Wanze, Belgium to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut was won by Thor Hushovd. Chavanel rode with the maillot jaune, but the cobblestones were too much to overcome, twice giving him flat tires and causing him to switch bikes. Our Canadian flag was flying proudly in the wind. Then something magical happen. Ryder noticed our flag that he just signed the previous day. Recognized Ryan and his cousin and then he attacked and attacked. He won 4th at the stage 3 of the 2010 Tour de France!

So needless to say, I wore my lucky Hesjedal attire with pride and watched the Giro d'Italia as it unfolded.

Hesjedal erased a 31-second deficit to Joaquim Rodríguez (Katusha) 15km into Sunday’s 28.2km final time trial to take the virtual overall lead. He didn’t take any unnecessary risks from there and when Rodríguez crossed the line almost two minutes after the Canadian, Hesjedal officially won the Giro by just 16 seconds, the fourth-smallest winning margin in Giro history.

The victory is historic on several levels. It’s the first grand tour victory for Canada (Steve Bauer’s fourth in the 1988 Tour de France was the best result until now) and it’s the first grand tour victory for the Slipstream franchise since it entered the elite peloton in 2008.

Not to shabby, eh?

 

and lets not forget Leah at the Exergy Tour Stage 3!

 

I am so over powered with pride and joy today it is just ridiculous! A day in cycling history for sure.

Maybe we should declare a Ryder Hesjedal Holiday and wear pink all day. 

Chalktrail

 

 

Chalktrail. This would be way too much fun! Yup.

Griprings

 

Bike enthusiasts, check this out: GripRings lets you personalize your handlebars. Oh the possibilities are endless!

Spring is cycling...

... and mud of course. March has been  unseasonably warm and then this week it has been "normal", what ever normal means now days. The earth got soft and wet and then it got cold and snowed. On my commute to work, i snap this image and it made me smile for the rest of the day. This is what spring time is all about: drag racing through mud pits and spinning those wheels and spraying mud all over. Or maybe it is about playing in the mud and getting swallowed by the mud goblins. Or maybe it is simply getting that clean bike dirty again.

Ode to mud!

Happy St Patrick's Day...well almost

Sorry if the content is a bit picture heavy but i could not resist all the beautiful images of this beautiful bike. And not to say i have waited for a while to post this bike on this specific day.

The 2012 North American Handmade Bicycle show was held in Sacramento, CA from March 3 - 4. Tim O'Donnell of Indiana's Shamrock Cycles demonstrated his fabrication ability beautifully, but also his imagination. Oh the datails!! The curves of the easily detachable rack and fenders and elements of the Celtic knot work motifs. A signature shamrock incorporated into the bidon bosses. Internal cable routing, and in-built D-lock holster, SONdelux front dynamo hub lighting and internally-geared hub.  Every detail is subtle and classy and functional. She is so pretty!

FYI: Tim won the award for Best City Bike. Kewl!!!

Happy St Patricks Day!

6 Pack Bike Bag

This made me chuckle. Commuters: the only major bicycle bag is here! 

Summer is just around the corner and this would be perfect for picnics, rides to the parks and beaches.

Cycle-Skating

 

I saw this video of cycle-skating and i had to post it pronto!