As we shut out 2022, and many people look again on a 12 months of reconnecting with outdated associates and new, the PEZ CREW want to thank our readers and sponsors on your assist, and share a number of ideas for this Vacation Season.
Richard Pestes – Writer
My important type of out of doors train the previous 10 days has been shovelling – and as I write this a pair days earlier than Christmas, we’re buckling up for an additional massive winter storm on account of hit us tonite.
However I’m okay with dialing it again as we shut out our twentieth 12 months of overlaying what’s cool in street biking – even when it sometimes contains gravel, observe, and cross using – which I additionally assume are cool. 2022 turned a a lot busier journey 12 months for me than I’d anticipated popping out of Covid – as I made it to 4 memorable biking occasions.
Beginning with Sea Otter again in April – I believe we had been all uncertain how this is able to go – being the primary actual gathering of North American biking press, manufacturers, followers and athletes in Monterey. However other than the afternoon mud storms, the solar shone and the final euphoria of individuals connecting and reconnecting with associates new and outdated was palpable.
A couple of weeks later I used to be again in Massive Sur, California for the Campagnolo’s launch of their gravel particular Levante wheelset, and an immersive day on the wheels using the Nova Eroica. My legs weren’t fairly prepared for an 8 hour epic day within the saddle, however regardless of some bodily ache and struggling, I had a blast, seeing a brand new a part of the world, and spending actual “face time” with some cool folks. The enjoyment of getting again to in individual occasions was nonetheless simply as sturdy right here because it was the earlier month.
An sudden invitation to go to Little Rock AK in September included a few days exploring a metropolis I knew little or no about, however ended up being glad I used to be given the possibility to fulfill another non-cycling-but-very-interesting journey writers, and benefit from the heat of the US South – which included tasting fried inexperienced tomatoes for the primary time (pic above).
The journey additionally included a go to to the Rock City Distillery the place I lastly noticed the complete course of for making scrumptious bourbons and different spirits. And sure – there was some using – the Massive Dam Bridge 100 the place I joined some 2500 different riders for a scenic fondo by way of the areas lush rolling hills bordering the Arkansas River, and made a few new associates alongside the way in which.
The trip itself was definitely worth the journey alone, however the margaritas on the final relaxation cease actually made this a memorable day.
Lastly – what had already become an excellent 12 months of biking journey bought even higher with a short-notice invite to Italy to go to the Campagnolo manufacturing unit and trip the Veneto Go gran fondo in Bassano del Grappa in October – I’ll have a full report on this one within the coming weeks – however the climate was glorious, and I’d rank this as one in every of my high 5 finest biking journeys ever.
The Italian north is stuffed with nice cities, superb rides, and great folks, foods and drinks. Eight days is barely sufficient to whet the urge for food, however sufficient time to pack in 3 high rides, stops within the Veneto, Lake Garda to see my associates on the Garda Bike Resort, after which to Lake Como for a cease at Resort Il Perlo – all locations I’m grateful to have visited as soon as, however get even higher after I get to return.
Sonny Colbrelli & Fabian Cancellara joined Pippo Pozzatto for his Veneto-Go gran fondo.
The Campagnolo manufacturing unit was spectacular, and proof of Italian merchandise made in, and by, actual Italians.
… After all I couldn’t publish with out not less than one magnificence shot of my beloved negroni – this one I discovered on the Palace of Mixtures in Bassano – make certain you cease in while you’re on the town.
I want you all the very best of the Vacation season, and will you spend it with the individuals who matter. We’ll be right here and hope to see you once more in 2023.
Chuck Peña – Tech Editor & Sock Guru
Blissful holidays from the SC low nation!
Wishing everybody in PEZ-land the easiest Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, Festivus, or nevertheless you have a good time the vacations!
2022 has been a little bit of whirlwind 12 months for me and my household. The primary a number of months of the 12 months had been spent downsizing and getting our home in Babylon on the Potomac able to promote. Went available on the market in April and offered in 4 days! Purchased a brand new home within the SC low nation (Bluffton simply earlier than you get to Hilton Head, the place we’ve been vacationing for the final 20-something years) and moved into it in June. Due to work, I’ve been going back-and-forth between Arlington and Bluffton each different month, so my spouse and daughter have had the accountability of getting the brand new home collectively (and accomplished an excellent job making it a house).
I bought down right here earlier than Thanksgiving and it will likely be nice to have our first Christmas collectively in our new home. Though not typical SC climate for this time of 12 months. In a single day lows within the 20s (F) this Christmas weekend! Daytime highs within the 30s/40s (F). Final time I used to be on the bike (my Felt FC that I hold down right here) was final Monday as a result of chilly, grey, and moist the remainder of the week. I hoped to get yet another spherical of golf in with my daughter whereas I’m right here, however unsure the climate will cooperate and we could hit indoors on the simulator. I’ll be spending most of my time using indoors on the KICKR after I return up north after New 12 months’s.
Wanting again, despite the fact that I’ve ridden fewer miles (not fairly 4,500 as I write) this 12 months than earlier years, it’s been a superb 12 months on the bike. By way of my type/form, in all probability higher/stronger than the final couple of years. A number of nice using with my self-named “ineffective idiots” trip crew. Together with a few “epic” rides: Blue Mountain (68 miles and 5,500 toes) and SkyMass (81 miles and seven,400 toes) on consecutive weekends. And I’ve had a blast using the brand new LOOK 795 Blade RS … quick and livid and simply lifeless horny!
Wanting ahead to and wishing y’all the easiest in 2023!
Leslie Reissner – Literary Editor
Greetings to all from snowy Ottawa! Wanting again over 2022 it has been a reasonably quiet 12 months. Biking-wise, that is the third 12 months in a row that I’ve exceeded 10,000 kms of biking, with practically 11,600 at this level. This contains numerous indoor rides as we see simulation apps simply carry on getting higher.
My different biking spotlight was buying a Colnago C40, with all-Campagnolo elements. For most individuals getting a 27 12 months outdated bike wouldn’t be a lot to get enthusiastic about however for these of us who keep in mind the glory days of Staff Mapei and the start of the Age of Carbon Frames it represents a milestone. The New Golden Age of Professional Racing continued in 2022, whether or not it was Tadej Pogačar crushing it at Strade Bianche or Tadej Pogačar crushing it on the Tour of Lombardy or Wout van Aert apparently trying to win each single stage of the Tour de France or Remco Evenepoel fulfilling his early promise or Annemiek van Vleuten doing, effectively, all the things.
I want all of the readers of PezCyclingNews and my fellow Pez contributors all the very best for the vacations and an excellent 2023!
Stephen Cheung -ToolBOx Editor & Gravel Afficionado
The journey side has been an dependancy for me. Within the day-to-day routine of our lives, there’s actually one thing to be mentioned for throwing your self out of your consolation zone and into chaos, whether or not it’s using in new and distant places, to not understanding how lengthy your trip will actually take or the place you’re going to seek out water subsequent, and even the place you’re going to sleep that night time. It’s a terrific method to grow to be snug with being uncomfortable, which in flip helps me handle the complexities of huge tasks or take care of the craziness of on a regular basis life.
As you possibly can see, the opposite commonality was sharing adventures with associates. Discover the correct using buddy and even the dumbest adventures will be an infinite supply of hilarity now and for years to come back.
Ed Hood – Man of Many Skills
Bruce Springsteen introduced out an excellent soul covers album.
Remco silenced the doubters.
Pog, WVA, MVPD and ‘wee Tom’ continued to amaze.
However we misplaced some good males alongside the way in which, not least Davide Rebellin, relaxation in peace, Campione.
Me ?
As my ex-grave digger buddy, Davie at all times says; ‘daily above floor is an efficient one.’
Wishing all our readers a peaceable and loving Festive Season.
Your man by the Forth.
John Thompson – Photographer and Curator of Surprising Biking & Vogue Mash-ups
From snowbound Vancouver, wishing all Pez contributors and readers a really merry Christmas with good well being and happiness! I’ve included an image of snow in Vancouver from a number of years in the past (and a touch of an upcoming gallery). And two footage of some little guys that I took throughout a Covid lockdown. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Alastair Hamilton – Editor & EUROTRASH
It has been a 12 months of fine and dangerous. On the World entrance… not so good. Struggle in Ukraine, escalation of impending environmental apocalypse, the ever current covid and prevalence of the ‘I’m proper, you’re flawed’ on social media. However then again, now we have had some nice bike racing to cheer us up. This 12 months has seen the younger stars shine on the street… You realize who I imply and what they’ve achieved, however it’s the entertaining manner they put their stamp on the season.
Evenepoel and Ayuso – the longer term!
Evenepoel and Van Aert have introduced Belgium again to the highest after a few lean years. Vingegaard and Pogačar enlivened the Tour and the Giro had us on the sting of our seats all through. Then the Vuelta confirmed Evenepoel’s place within the peloton and launched us to the subsequent Spanish hope of Juan Ayuso. Additionally this 12 months ladies’s racing has actually made a leap ahead, with extra races and higher groups, let’s hope there’s a new era of impressed riders coming by way of behind Van Vleuten, Vos and Co. So, all in all, professional bike racing is in a superb place for the time being and we will sit up for extra subsequent 12 months.
Van Aert… gorgeous
On a private degree I’m glad to see the again of the covid pandemic and life getting again to ‘regular’, however some issues won’t ever be the identical. Though Zwift (others can be found) and GCN have stored us going and at the moment are a part of life.
All the very best to everybody and have a cheerful and profitable New 12 months.
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