The Wobbling Sprocket

Thanks to Marvin B for putting us on to this video.  It's a good one.   At first I thought it was just a guy making another bike stunt movie, but it turns out this is a real mountain bike obstacle race course in Valparaiso Chile:  http://www.valparaisocerroabajo.cl/

The guy with the camera did it in about 3 and a half minutes, but the winner, Filip Polc did it in 2:40.

I especially like the dog on the course. 

The city of Valparaiso is also responsible for South America's first volunteer fire department, Chile's first public library and South America's oldest Spanish language newspaper–so why not an urban downhill mountain bike race?  If I were a spectator, I would keep a respectful distance…..

VCA 2010 RACE RUN from changoman on Vimeo.

I never thought I would see an indoor bike track smaller than Babe Vandevelde's Vandedrome.  I have now though.  Thanks for giving this vid a shout Dereck!   

You have to admit, this looks like fun….at least to watch.  There is something to be said for indoor bike racing.  It's fast and it's furious.  Unfortunately, events are few and far between in this country. 

It reminds me a lot of  "The Rotor" at the old Riverview Park in Chicago.   

This is relatively safe to watch…plenty of crashes but it is splinter free!

 

Now is a good time for researching overseas riding adventures. Following these 3 simple steps will help you find the right tour and the right tour operator.

#1 Where?  Don't throw a Dart. 

As a starter look at "Ride the Road". Sally and Peter Blommer have cycled the world for the last 30 years and have ranked each of their destinations based on a 15 factor scorecard. This site caught my attention when I noticed that the Lao PDR was ranked #1 Ride the Road Website .  Also google "cycling in _________(fill in the blank)". You will get, among other things, trip reports, blogs, etc. that will give you both ideas and a feel for the places. Dig deep into the search listings to find the gems.

 

 

#2 What? Build your criteria.  

After you have considered the "where", narrow the field further by considering the "what". Define the ideal tour for you. You may have to relax a few constraints in the end, so categorize the list into "must haves" and "nice to haves". Use your "wish list" as your benchmark. You might hit everything on the nose. Start here for a primer on the kinds of things available.

 

 

 

#3 Who? Put the Pieces Together. 

Now, evaluate the fit between what's available and what you want. Google "cycling tours in _______" and you will turn up options. Go to the sites, look at the tours, look at the pics, find the guestbook. Talk to the folks at the company. Talk to a customer. Score each option based on your checklist. Most of all, "listen" to the people that have been on the tours, or better yet, have been on many tours and with several different companies. Also look at Biketour-reviews.com which specializes in receiving input from riders and making the info available to all.

 

*******

 

PS.  Don't forget to consider self supported. 

Yes, you lose some ready made camaraderie and the convenience of support. However, you pick up destinations, independence and flexibility. You are governed by no schedules, you can do things on the fly and you tend to meet people that you otherwise would not meet on the road. You also can forget about #'s 1,2 and 3 and you come back with GOOD stories