Bike Hugger 

I stopped on Sunset Drive in Monterey, got my iPhone out, started riding again, and recorded an audio note. The Mclaren Venge test ride was such a complexity of emotions, I wanted to make sure I captured what I was thinking before riding other bikes at the Specialized Global Launch.

I was blown, elated, and amazed. Indicating my state of mind, at the end of the recording I thanked myself – I think for the bike attack I made (on myself) up Carmel Hill. Between loud breaths and the drivetrain, you can hear me blabbering. Also cursing.

Note: This version is bleeped. The unedited version contains NSFW language.

The transcript

I’ve experienced religion just a few times on the bike. DFL at Nationals (CX), riding in India, China, medaling and riding the Mclaren Venge. It feels like what millions of dollars spent in an F1 lab does. It’s dialed. The bike feels literally glued to the road. It feels like there’s ground effects going on and just propels you. Could’nt have been a better test experience to hop from group to group that were dealers testing. I just (bleep) railed it and uh, went so hard I blew up. So I needed more fuel. More horsepower for that ride. It’s one of the best bikes I’ve ridden. (Thanks).

Spotted this on a ride in Seattle’s Queen Anne Neighborhood, a block away from a record store. Find more roadside finds on Flickr.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

Rode a McLaren Venge from Specialized’s Private Reserve earlier this week. There are currently 8 of these preproduction bikes in the world. They sell for $15k retail. Are they worth it? Yes and I’ll tell you why in my next post.

Until then, check the photos on Flickr, G+, or Facebook.

Earned my calories this week after an “intense training camp,” with Specialized and stopped at a Taco Time. Arriving at the counter, a line cook walked up with a bag o’ tots, and I said, “I’ll take those!” Gimme your tots Napoleon! Now.

Uploaded by Hugger Industries | more from the Bike Hugger Photostream.

I’ve often joked that I don’t care about doping because you could put as much EPO in me as you want and I still won’t be able to ride the Tour for three weeks. It’s not just the warrior mentality of a Tour rider (I’ve skipped a bike ride because there’s a rerun of Space 1999 on, but these guys keep riding when they fall into barbed wire fences) but it’s about capacity.

In an email chat with the folks at Bicycling magazine about an upcoming Tour viewing event they’ve invited us to (more info to come) they suggested I take a look at a piece called You Versus The Peloton. I’d actually just read it in the print issue, but it compares the “average cycling enthusiasts” with HTC-High Road generated numbers. While there are some I could probably match (I can burn 4000-5000 calories during a century, but these guys do it on a 3 hour ride) there are some things that are just ridiculously powerful.

25-28 MPH average (which means a hell-of-a-lot-faster than that to make that the average speed) and power outputs in the neighborhood of 400-450 watts. The only way I’m kicking out that level of power would be to accidentally stick my finger in the outlet when plugging my iPhone.

One that really stood out to me is the amount of sleep these guys get—about 70 hours a week. Perhaps it’s my history following the mountain biking scene (where 70 hours a month was more the norm for those party animals) but I’ve dreamt of a life where I can sleep 70 hours a week and ride my bike the rest of the time.

I guess I’ll have to be content with spending the same amount of money on my bikes as the pro team bikes cost.