Slowcoast - Soundslide - Chiara Shokite, Fixed Wheel Tourer.

Soundslides made by Nick Hand  our a series of pictures that our narrated by the subjects of the pictures. Nick Hand made these slides while he toured the coast of Great Britain and Ireland

                                                           Click here to view soundslide:

By Nick Hand slowcoast.co.uk



Don't be shy about leaving comments. This slide really leads to many thoughts that could be shared. I'll leave the first comment.

The Airline Trail

The Airline Trail South is a multi-use path running through East Hampton, Colchester, Hebron, and Lebanon. It is about 17.6 miles from East Hampton to the end of the Lebanon section. Most of the trail consists of compacted stone dust accept for the 7.5 mile section in Lebanon which is mostly gravel, stone and compacted earth. A tire width of 28mm or better is advised. Skinnier tires are not recommended especially on the Lebanon portion of the trail. 
More detailed maps and directions to the trail can be obtained here

Photos by Stan Malcolm

To see more photography by Stan Malcolm click the link below

Along The Airline Trail

Vuelta a Espania Stage 17

Stage 17 was the longest stage of the race at 132.5 miles with 3 climbs. The final climb, Pena Cabarga being the most brutal of all. At the start Juan Jose Kobo was still the red jersey leader. Chris Froome was 22 seconds behind and Bradley Wiggens was 51 seconds back.

The start at Faustino vineyards


The Long Descent from the summit of Portilla de Lunado

After the summit of the 2nd climb the riders descended 3842 feet to the base of Pena Cabarga the 3rd and final climb. Pena Carbaga is 3.79 miles long with an average grade of 10% and a maximum grade of 19%. 




Kobo and Froome pass Dan Martin from team Garmin-Cervelo

In the steepest section of the climb Kobo surged ahead with Froome following close on his wheel.  Dan Martin who had broke away early in the climb was overtaken by Kobo and Froome.  Froome surged ahead of kobo and dropped him. Just as it looked like Froome would win the stage and take the overall race lead Kobo regrouped and pulled back up to and past Froome. Froome was able to muster another kick in the last 109 yards passing Kobo for the stage win by 1 second.


Froome is Victorious

Chris Froome was awarded the 20 second winners time bonus, Kobo recieved a 12 second time bonus and Bouke Mollema came in 3rd taking the green points jersey away from Joaquin Rodriguez.


Kobo is depleted but holds the overall race lead by 13 seconds.

Bradley Wiggens finished the stage 12th at +39 seconds but still hangs on to 3rd place in the overall race standings. Teams Sky's director, Servais Knaven said,"Its not over now, we still have 3 stages to try to take Kobo. It won't be easy but,we're motivated to keep fighting. Its a grand tour, we are going to keep fighting to the end."
This years Vuelta has been one of the most exciting I can remember with 4 stages to go and only 13 seconds separating 1st and 2nd place. 
Wiggens seems to have a firm grip on 3rd with Bauke Mollema in 4th place +.24 seconds from a podium finish.

Watch a short race video to see the exciting finish of stage 17

24 BIG PHOTOS

VIDEO OF STAGE 17 REVIEW

Stage 17 results
1  Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky                  4:52:38
2  Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC            + 0:01
3  Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank                   + 0:21
4  Daniel Martin (Irl)  Garmin-Cervelo            + 0:24
5  Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi   + 0:27
6  Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi   
7  Marzio Bruseghin (Ita) Movistar                + 0:29
8  Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto + 0:31
9  Denis Menchov (Rus) Geox-TMC               
10 Beñat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar       + 0:35

General Classification after Stage 17
1  Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC          69:31:41
2  Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky                   + 0:13
3  Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky                      + 1:41
4  Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank                   + 2:05
5  Denis Menchov (Rus) Geox-TMC                   + 3:48
6  Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale      + 4:31
7  Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto + 4:45
8  Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spa) Katusha          + 5:20
9  Mikel Nieve Ituralde (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi   + 5:33
10 Chris Anker Sörensen (Den) Saxo Bank Sungard   + 7:06  

Tall Bike Knight by Avidar

Vuelta a Espana Stage 15

Stage 15 of the Vuelta a Espana was 142.2 km long (88.3 miles) with two climbs. It was a triumphant stage for team Geox's Juan Jose Kobo. The first climb Alto de Tenebredo began at 75.6 kms (46.9 miles). The climb continued for 3.5 kms (2.17miles) with an average grade of 9.6%. After 8.5 kms (5.28 miles) of steep descending the riders reached the base of Angliru.

Alto de l'Angliru


Angliru is a 12.5 km (7.76 mile) epic climb into the mist of the clouds. The average grade is 10.2% with a maximum grade of 23.5%. The fans lined the steepest portions of the climb allowing only a narrow passage for the riders. At one point the motorcycle carrying a camera crashed in the midst of the fans causing the tv announcers to loose contact with the general contender riders, Wiggens, Froome and the rest.

Juan Jose Kobo stays focused

Kobo's climb up the Angliru was truely amazing to watch. His expression and cadence seem to stay unchanged for the whole of the climb. I read that he was the only rider to use a 34 x 32 gearing, of course we'll never know if he dropped into the largest sprocket. None the less it was a phenomenal performance.

Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggens of Team Sky clearly suffering 

Bradley Wiggens (the red jersey) cracked on the 23% grade, falling back, eventually finishing at +1:21 minutes behind Kobo the stage winner and new overall leader of the Vuelta. Can Kobo hang onto the lead after yesterdays rest day and 6 more stages to go or will Wiggens or Froome retake the red jersey (overall lead)?

42 BIG PHOTOS FROM STAGE 15

WATCH VIDEO OF ANGLIRU

 Stage 15 results

1  Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC           4:01:56   
2  Wout Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM               + 0:48   
3  Denis Menchov (Rus) Geox-TMC      
4  Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky      
5  Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky                      + 1:21   
6  Igor Anton Hernandez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi      
7  Joaquin Rodriguez Oliver (Spa) Katusha         + 1:35   
8  Maxime Monfort (Bel) Leopard Trek      
9  Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank    
10 Sergey Lagutin (Uzb) Vacansoleil-DCM 

General Classification after Stage 15
1  Juan Jose Cobo Acebo (Spa) Geox-TMC          59:57:16
2  Christopher Froome (GBr) Sky                   + 0:20
3  Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky                      + 0:46
4  Bauke Mollema (Ned) Rabobank                   + 1:36
5  Maxime Monfort (Bel) Leopard Trek              + 2:37
6  Denis Menchov (Rus) Geox-TMC                   + 3:01
7  Jakob Fuglsang (Den) Leopard Trek              + 3:06
8  Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas-Cannondale      + 3:27
9  Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto + 3:58
10 Wout Poels (Ned) Vacansoleil-DCM               + 4:13

Front Racks

Its hard to find find a decent front rack for less than $80. Especially if you don't have cantilever brakes and you want it in silver. I found this out when I started to look for a silver rack that I could mount on the Peugeot Mixtie. I wanted to be able to attach a basket to the rack so the load would be as low as possible for better handling.


Here is what I found in the criteria stated above:

    TopIT  $54.97 (silver available)       The Linus Lunch Rack $39.97

Soma Mini Alloy Front Rack $29

Blackburn MTF-1 $39.99

Axiom Phoenix DLX $40

Velo Orange Randonneur Front Rack  (on special $55)

That's it, so I chose the Soma Mini Front Rack, and the Blackburn MTF-1, which were both on manufacture back order. 

Todays Ride

I traveled over the bridge

And under the bridge

The Baldwin Bridge connects Old Lyme to Old Saybrook and vice versa. Today was the first time I've been out for a longer ride since Irene paid CT a visit. The Connecticut River is a bit brown, I presume from all the debris that's been churned up from Vermont and on down the river. 

The view from Saybrook Pt. looking across the mouth of the CT river to Old Lyme. 

Whenever I ride to Old Saybrook I always like to include a visit to Saybrook Point and Fenwick. Its a fairly flat ride, the largest hill is riding up to and over the bridge. I logged this route on mapmyride.com. If you aren't familiar with this website you can find rides and log your own rides. If you would like to find my routes you'll have to sign up for a free membership then search friends, "ground hog". I've tagged this route Saybrook pt scenic loop.  I will be adding more of my favorite rides so you will be able to view them if you like.

One of the views just before riding over the cause-way to Fenwick

Fenwick to the left, Long Island Sound to the right.

Washed up debris from Irene

More evidence of Irene's visit in the background

I spotted an Osprey along the way

 And this cruiser parked on Main St.

It was a beautiful day for a ride. I hope everyone was able to get out and enjoy.